The Knicks are only four wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973, a long, aching wait that’s tortured generations of fans. Falling short of that goal, even to a Western Conference juggernaut in seven games, would be a disappointment offering no consolation prize to the mecca of basketball.
Still, it’s important to note that what the Knicks have accomplished on this run is nothing short of historic, no matter how it ends. They’ve already etched their names in the record books, whether a ring comes with it or not.
Since losing Game 3 of the first round in Atlanta, New York has rattled off 11 consecutive playoff wins, taking three straight against the Hawks before sweeping the 76ers and Cavaliers. That’s tied for the third-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history. One more win would tie the 1999 Spurs at 12, and three would pass the Warriors at 15.
The wins alone are impressive -- over a Hawks team that had the third-best record in the NBA post-All-Star break, a Sixers team that had just toppled the Celtics with their three stars, and a Cavs team that has been a perennial top seed and acquired James Harden ahead of the deadline.
But the way the Knicks have won has been in a category of its own.
New York avalanched these teams, with 10 wins coming by 11 or more points -- they beat Atlanta by 16, 29, and 51, before two additional 30-point victories over Philadelphia and another against Cleveland.
The degree to which the Knicks are skating by in the postseason is unmatched -- their 262-point differential in their 11 consecutive wins is the largest in any 11-game span in NBA history, regular season or postseason.
We’re at the stage where the competition is at its fiercest, every flaw is magnified, and the Knicks managed to look more dominant than any team ever. They also broke a few more records on the way.
No team has ever led by 47 points going into halftime of a playoff game until these Knicks did it against the Hawks in a closeout Game 6. A couple of games prior they tied the record for the most threes in a postseason game with 25.
Then there was Game 1 against Cleveland, when New York fell behind by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter before improbably coming back and winning in overtime. That was the second-largest fourth quarter comeback in the history of the NBA playoffs, amid a streak of the greatest string of blowouts in the postseason.
The individual accolades haven’t met these standards after multiple record-breaking feats by Jalen Brunson in previous playoffs, but that’s kind of the point. The Knicks are truly playing team-first basketball, with each individual sacrificing to be the most optimal versions of themselves in pursuit of winning.
They haven’t even done it in one particular way. It took mid-series adjustments against the Hawks and Cavs to continue this run unabridged. Now the Knicks are in the Finals for the first time in 27 years, as the first NBA Cup Champions to do so, and the first team in franchise history to pull off multiple sweeps.
These things may not mean much at the moment to Knicks fans salivating over the Larry O’Brien trophy, and even less so if the Knicks were to lose. But after decades of toiling, failed promises, and broken rebuilds, it should.
Should New York fall short in the Finals, as tragic as that outcome would be to some, it shouldn’t take away from the magnitude of the run that got them there. Few teams have exhibited this type of command over a conference in such style, and that should be commended.
More than the streak and insane blowouts, the real history is the Knicks managing to break a quarter-century curse and rebuild themselves back into a contender with good management while finding the superstar hidden in plain sight.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $20 trading bonus after you deposit $20 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/polymarketlogo.png" alt="Polymarket" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible locations only
Josh Inglis' expert pick: Orioles moneyline
Price: 50¢ (+100) at Polymarket
The Jays have the pressure of getting back to .500 today, but they’re also extremely shorthanded on the mound. Toronto is rolling with a bullpen game and is likely without its three best relievers in Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman, and closer Louis Varland, all of whom pitched on back-to-back days — and Toronto hasn’t had a day off all week. Triple-A call-up Austin Voth will likely be asked to cover innings, and he owns a career 4.70 ERA across 360 MLB innings with 61 home runs allowed. This grades out as one of the biggest +EV plays on the board today, per THE BAT projections, which have a fair price around -188 on this moneyline. Reliever availability is a massive edge that doesn’t appear to be fully priced into the current number
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
How to watch: MASN, SN1
Jon Metler's expert pick: Phillies moneyline
Price: 48¢ (+108) at Polymarket
This one is pretty simple: If the market is giving me plus money on the Philadelphia Phillies with Zack Wheeler on the mound, I’m going to hit the button every time. The Phillies are trading around 48 cents on the moneyline, but I make them closer to 53-cent (-113) favorites in this matchup. The Dodgers are built around veteran hitters who excel at working counts, drawing walks, and capitalizing on mistakes for extra-base damage. The problem is: That approach doesn’t work nearly as well against Wheeler, who owns an elite 1.91 BB/9 this season and rarely gives lineups free opportunities on the bases. He forces teams to earn everything offensively, and he does it while pitching efficiently enough to work deep into games and limit exposure to the bullpen.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a fascinating team to watch this off-season. After taking a major step in the right direction this season and making the playoffs, they will be looking to build on their momentum with a strong summer.
One area that the Penguins could look to upgrade is their blueline. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei stands out as an interesting potential trade target for the Penguins to consider.
The fit has simply not been there between the Bruins and Lohrei. Because of this, the 6-foot-5 defenseman's name has come up in the rumor mill. With Lohrei being a big offensive defenseman who is only 25 years old, he would be an intriguing player for the Penguins to take a chance on.
If the Penguins struck a deal for Lohrei, he could work on either their second pairing or third pairing due to his ability to play both sides. Furthermore, he would give the Penguins another option for their power play because of his offensive upside.
In 73 games this season with the Bruins, Lohrei recorded seven goals, 19 assists, 26 points, 92 blocks, and a plus-17 rating. This is after he had five goals and 33 points in 77 games for the Bruins during the 2024-25 season. With numbers like these, he has shown promise, and it is possible that he could take another step forward playing on a team like the Penguins.
Someone has to win as the -127 favored Chicago Cubs, fresh off a 10-game losing streak, meet the St. Louis Cardinals, losers of the last four.
These teams are separated by a half game, with the Wild Card cutoff line between them, so as if a historic rivalry wasn’t enough, both teams will be looking at this as a crucial series.
For as close as these two teams are in record and trajectory, the odds seem to be much more heavily slanted. That’s why my Cubs vs. Cardinals predictions and MLB picks are starting with a St. Louis victory.
Who will win Cubs vs Cardinals today: Cardinals moneyline (+115)
The St. Louis Cardinals are underdogs despite being the home team and being better over the last 10.
Andre Pallante's improved pitch mix has paid dividends, and he's allowed just two runs across 12 2/3 innings over his last two starts. In an even matchup with a more reliable starter, I’d take St. Louis and the plus-money odds.
The Chicago Cubs start Shota Imanaga, coming off two starts where he allowed 15 runs and five homers in 10 1/3 innings. On offense, Chicago has been shut out almost as many times (4) as they’ve scored five (5) over the last 18 games.
COVERS INTEL: Historically, the fastball is the only one of Pallante’s pitches teams can hit, and he’s throwing it just 30% of the time, down from 44% last year. His breaking stuff is 93rd percentile, and he’s making batters guess wrong. They swing at pitches in the strike zone 63% of the time, down 5.2% from last year, and his chase rate has moved up 14 percentiles.
Cubs vs Cardinals Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-130)
Chicago scored 17 in winning the last two in Pittsburgh, but neither team has been hitting it well this month. After entering the month in the Top 5 in batting, the Cubs rank 14th in MLB at the plate in May.
Their OPS of .652 is down 128 points, and they’re batting 11% below league average in May. St. Louis is two spots lower in the May rankings and has dropped 61 points in OPS. They’re also 8% under the league average.
While Imanaga has struggled lately, his underlying metrics are still among baseball’s best. This Cubs bullpen has also been solid, with a 2.88 ERA and 1.16 WHIP on the year.
Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 16-20, -3.28 units
Over/Under bets: 19-21, -3.51 units
Cubs vs Cardinals odds
Moneyline: Cubs -130 | Cardinals +110
Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+135) | Cardinals +1.5 (-160)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Cubs vs Cardinals trend
The Cardinals have cashed the Under in 15 of their last 22 games for +9.5 units and a 39% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Cardinals.
How to watch Cubs vs Cardinals and game info
Location
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Date
Friday, May 29, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
Marquee, Cardinals.TV
Cubs starting pitcher
Shota Imanaga (2-3, 5.34 ERA)
Cardinals starting pitcher
Andre Pallante (3-2, 3.34 ERA)
Cubs vs Cardinals latest injuries
Cubs vs Cardinals weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on February 06, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 119-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we sit staring down another long Minnesota offseason, waiting for October to arrive and Timberwolves basketball to finally return, our minds inevitably drift toward the future.
That’s what NBA offseasons are for. They are five months of hope, speculation, trade machine screenshots, and fan bases convincing themselves that one move, just one move, is all that stands between them and a championship parade.
For Timberwolves fans, that process has already begun. The wounds from the loss to San Antonio are still fresh. Watching Victor Wembanyama dismantle Minnesota over six games wasn’t exactly a relaxing experience. Neither was watching Oklahoma City continue to establish itself as one of the premier powers in basketball. As Wolves fans survey the landscape of the Western Conference, one thing becomes abundantly clear: standing still is probably not enough.
The Wolves are good. Very good. They have five playoff series victories in three seasons to back up that claim. Anthony Edwards has established himself as one of the premier stars in basketball. Jaden McDaniels remains one of the league’s most versatile defenders. Rudy Gobert still anchors an elite defense. And yet despite all of that, Minnesota finds itself looking up at San Antonio and Oklahoma City and wondering how exactly it closes that final gap.
That’s where the offseason rumors begin. We’ve heard the Giannis Antetokounmpo whispers. We’ve talked about Kyrie Irving potentially becoming available if Dallas fully embraces the Cooper Flagg era. Now the latest name making the rounds is Zion Williamson, a player who somehow manages to be both one of the most tantalizing and terrifying trade targets in basketball at the exact same time.
Honestly? I understand why Wolves fans are intrigued. I also think it’s probably a mistake.
Zion entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. He is still a player who, when healthy and engaged, can look like a force of nature unlike anything else in basketball. We’ve seen it firsthand. Wolves fans have watched Zion put his shoulder down and head downhill toward the basket looking less like a power forward and more like a runaway freight train.
He’s one of the few players in the league who can consistently generate efficient offense simply through sheer physical dominance. Pair that type of player next to Anthony Edwards and it’s easy to see why fans start daydreaming. You suddenly have two players capable of collapsing defenses. Two players capable of living at the rim. Two players capable of making life miserable for opponents.
When you start imagining a playoff series against Oklahoma City or San Antonio, it’s easy to picture Zion bulldozing his way through defenders while Edwards attacks from the perimeter. It’s easy to convince yourself that maybe this is the move that finally gets Minnesota over the hump.
That’s the seductive part of the argument. The problem is that every Zion discussion eventually runs into the same brick wall.
Reality.
There is a reason the Pelicans would even entertain moving him. Teams don’t trade players with Zion’s talent level because they want to. They trade them because something isn’t working.
For years, New Orleans has been waiting for Zion Williamson to become the centerpiece they envisioned when they drafted him. For years, they’ve been waiting for the fully realized version of the player that appears in highlight reels and All-Star discussions. And for years, they have largely been left waiting.
The injury history is impossible to ignore. The conditioning concerns have never completely disappeared. Questions about motivation continue to follow him around like a shadow. At some point, we have to stop treating those concerns as temporary obstacles and start acknowledging that they are part of the player profile. This is who Zion is right now: a tremendously gifted player whose availability remains a major question mark.
That’s where my hesitation begins. Because trading for Zion requires betting on the absolute best-case scenario. You’re betting that a player who has struggled to stay healthy suddenly becomes healthy. You’re betting that a player whose conditioning has frequently been questioned suddenly becomes fully committed. You’re betting that a player who has spent years frustrating one franchise suddenly arrives in Minnesota and immediately becomes the best version of himself.
Maybe it happens… but that’s a lot of maybes.
More importantly, it’s asking the Timberwolves to solve a problem that another organization has spent years trying unsuccessfully to solve. Historically speaking, that hasn’t exactly been Minnesota’s specialty. How many times have we seen this franchise convince itself it could be the place where another team’s reclamation project finally worked out?
Michael Beasley. Ricky Davis. Antoine Walker. D’Angelo Russell. Even Derrick Rose, as successful as that reunion briefly became. Some worked better than others. Some provided memorable moments. Some even became fan favorites, but none fundamentally altered the trajectory of the franchise.
The Timberwolves have spent much of their existence talking themselves into upside, potential, and what a player could become. More often than not, those gambles have failed to deliver the transformative impact everyone hoped for.
Now, to be fair, this organization is different than it was during many of those years. Anthony Edwards has changed the expectations. Tim Connelly has dramatically improved the talent evaluation process. The Wolves are no longer the dysfunctional franchise they once were. But even with all of that acknowledged, I still struggle with the idea that Zion Williamson suddenly discovers basketball enlightenment simply because he changes zip codes.
Especially when there’s a compelling argument that Minnesota would be better off investing in the player it already has. Because if we’re being completely honest, a Zion-for-Julius Randle discussion isn’t really about talent. It’s about trust.
Zion is younger. Zion is more explosive. Zion probably has a higher theoretical ceiling. But Julius Randle has something Zion doesn’t possess: Availability.
That’s not a small thing. Availability matters. Particularly in a Western Conference where every playoff series feels like a war of attrition.
Randle’s postseason against San Antonio was disappointing. There’s no reason to sugarcoat that. The Wolves needed more from him. There were stretches where he disappeared when Minnesota desperately needed a secondary offensive star. But over the course of the season, Randle also showed why the Wolves acquired him in the first place. When he’s engaged and playing his best basketball, he gives Minnesota another player capable of generating offense when everything breaks down. He can bully smaller defenders. He can create his own shot. He can facilitate. He can take pressure off Edwards.
The frustrating part is that version doesn’t always show up. But at least you know he’s going to be on the floor. That’s not something you can automatically assume with Zion.
And ultimately, that’s why I keep coming back to the same conclusion. Even if Zion has the higher upside, the probability distribution of outcomes is heavily tilted toward disappointment. There’s simply a much greater chance that this move makes Minnesota worse than there is that it turns them into champions.
Perhaps the biggest issue of all is that it doesn’t actually solve the Wolves’ biggest problem: the point guard position. Trading Randle for Zion doesn’t recalibrate the roster and improve the ball handling. It doesn’t address the fact that Mike Conley is no longer a reliable starter and that Minnesota still lacks a true long-term answer at lead guard.
A Randle for Zion traide is essentially swapping one power forward for another and hoping the rest sorts itself out. Which is why, as controversial as it may sound, a Kyrie Irving discussion actually makes more sense to me. Not because Kyrie is without risk – far from it. Age is a factor, the injury history is real, the contract isn’t small, but at least the move addresses an actual weakness.
Kyrie immediately changes the geometry of the offense. He punishes teams for loading up on Edwards. He gives Minnesota another creator who can generate offense late in games. He allows Naz Reid to potentially slide into a larger role while maintaining balance throughout the lineup. You can argue whether it’s the right move. You can argue whether it’s realistic. But the logic is clear.
With Zion, I’m not convinced it is.
At the end of the day, this is why Tim Connelly gets paid the big bucks.
The Wolves are entering a fascinating offseason. They have enough talent to compete. They have enough flaws that standing pat feels dangerous. They’re operating within financial constraints. They’re navigating an increasingly brutal Western Conference. Every decision matters. Every move carries risk.
And while Zion Williamson is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing names that could become available, I keep coming back to the same question: does this move actually solve Minnesota’s problems? Or does it simply replace one set of questions with another?
From where I sit, the answer feels pretty obvious.
The temptation is understandable, the upside is intoxicating, but championships are usually built by making smart decisions, not by chasing the most exciting possibility on the board.
May 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Dodgers have one more series to go to finish off their May schedule, hosting the Philadelphia Phillies for three games at Dodger Stadium. Philadelphia got off to a terrible start and fired their manager, but are 20-8 since under old friend Don Mattingly, while the Dodgers have won 12 of their last 14.
The start of May was a little bit of a struggle for the Dodgers, dropping seven of their first 11 games and winning only one of their first four series. Since then they’ve won four straight series.
Among the highlights this month were Andy Pages hitting three home runs in Houston, the Dodgers scratching together a win over Chris Sale, a lopsided sweep in Anaheim, the Pages sacrifice fly off Mason Miller in San Diego, part of a week of two road series wins over the playoff-contending Padres and Brewers, and sweeping the Rockies while taking a combined no-hitter into the eighth inning on Wednesday.
There have been other moments too, including Roki Sasaki having the best start of his MLB career, and the first career saves for both Will Klein and Kyle Hurt. I’m sure I’m missing a few others.
Today’s question is what is your favorite Dodgers moment of this May?
The Dodgers (36-20) welcome the Phillies (29-27) to Los Angeles for a three-game weekend series. The Phillies enter on a three-game winning streak, while the Dodgers have won five consecutive.
Los Angeles swept the Rockies by outscoring them 24-10 over the past three games. The Dodgers offense has scored 40 total runs in the last five games. In those five games, the Dodgers are batting .293 (2nd) with 10 home runs (2nd). The pitching staff has a 2.60 ERA in that span (5th) with top five ranks in WHIP (1.00) and OBA (.200).
Philadelphia out-scored San Diego 10-3 over the Phillies three game sweep of the Padres. The Phillies also have Zack Wheeler on the mound, which has been a good luck charm so far (Phillies have a 6-0 record with Wheeler). Lately, the Phillies rotation has been on fire. Philadelphia has the second-best ERA (1.20), the best WHIP (0.82), and third-ranked OBA (.182) in the past seven days.
Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details & how to watch Phillies at Dodgers
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 10:15 PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: Apple TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Phillies at the Dodgers
The latest odds as of Friday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-120), Philadelphia Phillies (+100)
Spread: Phillies -1.5 (+156), Dodgers +1.5 (-189)
Total: 8.0
Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Dodgers
Friday's pitching matchup (May 29): Justin Wrobleski vs. Zack Wheeler
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .269 with 53 hits and 93 total bases over 193 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Will Smith is hitting .253 with 39 hits and 28 strikeouts over 154 at-bats
The Phillies’ Bryce Harper is hitting .266 with 53 hits and 104 total bases over 199 at-bats
The Phillies’ Alec Bohm is hitting .212 with 40 hits and 29 strikeouts over 189 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Dodgers
The Dodgers are 30-26 ATS and 13-15 ATS at home
The Phillies are an MLB-worst 18-38 ATS
The Dodgers are 32-24 to the Under, ranking third-best
The Phillies are 30-24-2 to the Under, ranking eight-best
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Dodgers
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Phillies and the Dodgers:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.0
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
The Islanders hired longtime OHL coach and former NHL defenseman Jay McKee to lead their new AHL club in Hamilton, Ont.
After spending over a decade coaching in the Canadian junior league, McKee returns to the AHL to spearhead the newly-named Hamilton Hammers in their first season of existence in 2026-27.
The 48-year-old spent the past five years as head coach of the Bulldogs, a team that relocated from Hamilton to Brantford in 2023.
Head coach Jay McKee of the Brantford Bulldogs observing the game from the bench. Getty Images
In 2021-22, his first season with the club, McKee coached the Bulldogs to a 51-12-5 record, the best mark in franchise history, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champion and reaching the championship of the Memorial Cup.
Last season, the Bulldogs had the best record in the OHL (48-10-8-2) under McKee.
This will be McKee’s first head coaching job in the AHL, after the former NHL defenseman served as an assistant for the Rochester Americans in 2011-12.
He joined the OHL’s Erie Otters as an assistant in 2014-15 before the Kitchener Rangers hired him as an associate coach the following season.
Kitchener then promoted McKee to head coach.
As the Rangers’ head coach, McKee compiled a record of 120-88-17.
McKee, who began his coaching career as an assistant at Niagara University in 2010-11, played 14 years in the NHL.
The No. 14 overall pick by the Sabres in 1995, McKee spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Western New York and played a key part in Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999.
Known for his prowess as a shot-blocker and ruggedness as a defensive defenseman, McKee also made stops in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, finishing his NHL career with 21 goals and 104 assists in 802 career games.
A familiar face could be joining the Vancouver Canucks organization. According to HockeyNews.se, Alex Edler is set to return to the organization for which he played 925 games. The article doesn't specify a role, but it does provide an update on when Edler would start.
As per Mattias Oak, "According to information provided to Hockeynews, the plan is for their former Canucks teammate Alexander Edler to help out at this summer's development camp so he will also get a part in the organization." Edler retired from the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023. On October 11, 2024, Edler signed a one-day contract with Vancouver so he could retire with the Canucks.
Oct 11, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Daniel and Henrik Sedin celebrate the retirement of former Vancouver Canuck Alexander Edler from NHL hockey with Edler’s family prior to a game against against the Philadelphia Flyers at Rogers Arena. Edler signed a one day contract with the club in order to retire as a Vancouver Canuck. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Edler played 15 seasons in Vancouver. The 40-year-old defenceman recorded 409 points with the Canucks, which ranks second among defenders in franchise history. Edler recorded an assist on Henrik and Daniel Sedin's final NHL points, and played 12 seasons with Vancouver's new Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations.
The Canucks usually hold their Development Camp a few days after the draft concludes. Over the past couple of years, the camp has taken place at UBC. Vancouver's Development Camp roster usually includes draft picks as well as NCAA free agents.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
In recent years, I’ve come to wonder whether I’m on the autism spectrum.
Then again, I kind of think everyone’s on the spectrum now. That could be selection bias – I’m mildly autistic, so I gravitate to mildly autistic people. It could be a reflection of bastardization of diagnostic and clinical language. It could also just be accurate.
One symptom of autism is “a profound, often unwavering commitment to fairness, equality, and moral correctness”. I used to find this annoying. It felt like a sneaky way of virtue signalling. “Oh no, I have a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes me a really good person!“. Now, I feel like it’s another symptom I might endorse:
Because I am absolutely seething about the NBA’s new anti-tanking reforms, even if they might benefit my beloved Houston Rockets.
New NBA tanking rules patently unfair
So, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired three future first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. The new rules state that a team’s pick can’t convey in the top five for three consecutive seasons. The Jazz have picked in the top five for two straight years, so now, their 2027 pick can’t land there:
Even though the Grizzlies own it.
If anyone can locate the iota of sense that makes, someone tell me. I’ve seen some attempts to justify the rule, but they have been feeble.
Some have said the Grizzlies should be punished for trading Jackson Jr. in a deliberate bid to get worse. Hogwash. Teams can’t get younger anymore? This is especially outlandish in an increasingly punitive CBA. So the Grizzlies have to keep Jackson Jr.’s salary on the books, even though they’re not winning, or else they’re punished? The league is bullying one of their smallest markets directly into a space between a rock and a hard place.
“Well, the Jazz acquired Jackson Jr. so they could stop tanking. They likely weren’t sending the Grizzlies a high lottery pick anyway”. Likely true, and incidentally, not the point. Who’s to say Jackson Jr. doesn’t suffer a season-ending injury on day one?
The official position from the league is that they didn’t want to create an imbalance in the value of acquired vs original picks. Sure, but the Grizzlies acquired the pick with the understanding that it held a certain value. The broader point is that you can’t change the rules of a game in the middle of the game. You buy a lottery ticket with the understanding that you probably won’t win the lottery. You would not buy a lottery ticket knowing that it was impossible to win the lottery.
It’s garbage. It’s unfair by any measure.
Does it affect the Rockets?
Rockets could benefit from rule changes
When Rafael Stone traded the second-best player in the history of an old NBA franchise for nothing but draft capital, he had a vision. Just two years later, he would state on record that “the NBA punishes the middle…that’s just the way the system is set up.”
We can safely assume that principle informed his decision-making process.
The rule changes incentivise the middle. In theory, the Rockets also had the rug pulled out from under them. It shouldn’t hurt them, but that’s mere serendipity. Luckily, the teams that owe Houston picks (the Nets, Suns, and Mavericks) are likely to land broadly in the middle going forward.
This could also open up paths for Houston. The fear of regression should be less prominent. If they ultimately decide (re: realize) that Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson can’t play together, retooling at the expense of a handful of regular-season wins will be more palpable with the flattened odds.
In terms of the NBA viewing experience, this may not even be so bad. Personally, my least favorite era of Rockets basketball since becoming a fan in (roughly) 1998 was the Louis Scola / Kevin Martin era. If the Rockets had a chance of adding a young John Wall to the 2009-10 team that went 42-40, it would have piqued my interest.
Personally, I’ve never considered tanking a major issue. Most of this feels like fear-mongering designed to pander to the gambling companies. Still, nobody should be fiercely opposed to disincentivizing the practice. If you love tanking, you’re weird.
What I am (as it turns out) passionately opposed to is unfairness. There is no rational reason why the league couldn’t amend the rules to “grandfather in” the Grizzlies’ incoming pick.
May 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (5) gestures as he circles the bases on a three-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 57 games into the 2026 season and they have been a pleasant surprise so far. If the season ended today they wouldn’t make the playoffs but they are only 2 games out of the NL wild card spot. The team has been a surprise but who on the team has been the biggest surprise so far ?
I think Brandon Lowe has been the most pleasant surprise on the team so far. The Pirates acquired him in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros. His deal this season is a one year deal worth $11.5 millio.n
When the Bucs made the deal in the offseason, it was an upgrade at the second base position, but I don’t think anyone expected him to bring this much power. Through his first 50-plus games, Lowe has a batting average of .265 and an OPS over .900.
Lowe leads the team in home runs with 14. The Pirates were ranked dead last in home runs last year with only 117. His power has greatly improved the offense, which already has 61 homers on the season. The 31 year old also ranks 11th in the Majors in home runs .
Lowe also leads the team in RBIs with 36. The 36 RBIs is enough for 16th in the Majors. Lowe has been strong with people in scoring positions and has been the main power source for the offense.
Lowe’s power is what is most surprising about him because of his time in Tampa Bay he has never been known for being a power guy. He did have that massive year in 2021 where he hit 39 home runs and 99 RBIs. This year in Pittsburgh feels like that year, and he has been a big reason why the Pirates are above .500 right now.
Oneil Cruz has also been a surprise because of the rough year he had last year, he has been putting up big time numbers with a dangerous speed to power combo. Spencer Horwitz has been hot of late and he has been a nice surprise as well with 6 home runs and 25 RBIs.
A big pitcher surprise has been Braxton Ashcraft who has the best ERA on the team with 2.75. With Skenes struggling of late, Ashcraft’s performance has been huge for what is already a deep starting rotation.
Comment below who you guys think has been the most pleasant surprise on the team so far.
In the runup to the Champions League final, the Arsenal manager’s first footballing steps in the Basque Country and Barcelona are recalled by those who shared them
The way Santi Cazorla tells it, rolling about laughing, Mikel Arteta may just be the worst person you could ever wish to watch a match with. Which is why he knew his friend would be a coach and why he told him to go away and become one, convinced great things were coming. “When we were injured at Arsenal, we used to meet at home for games, and he would grab the remote and pause it,” Cazorla recalls. “I would say: ‘What are you stopping it for?’ He would say: ‘No, go back, go back,’ rewind it 30 seconds, and then ask: ‘What do you see?’ I would say: ‘I see a paused screen. I don’t seeanything!’”
So Arteta would explain. “‘Don’t you think this player is badly positioned? … If he goes a bit deeper, this space opens up … if the pivot goes there, this happens … that line should be deeper …’ I would look at him and think: ‘What’s with this guy?’” Cazorla continues, still cracking up. “He was a coach already. All game, every game: pausing, rewinding. The match is finished and we’re only in the 35th minute. ‘Do you see it?’ ‘Yes, yes, you’re right, now come on, press play.’ But I didn’t see it. I love football, I can watch it all day, but I don’t notice those things. Mikel does. I think it’s a gift.”
BINGHAMTON, NY - MAY 26: Franklin Arias #50 of the Portland Sea Dogs celebrates with teammates after defeating the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in Binghamton, New York. (Photo by Kylie Richelle/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Worcester Red Sox 1, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 0 (BOX)
Jack Anderson has had his ups and downs throughout this season, even making a stop in Boston for a few days back in April. Thursday night was one of those “ups”, striking out eight batters and allowing just one hit over 4 2/3 innings. That would be the only hit that the RailRiders (NYY) could muster on the day, as the bullpen was just as dominant. Since Anderson was one out short of a win, that went to Seth Martinez (1 1/3 innings), and Tommy Kahnle got his fourth save. Kahnle’s ERA is down to 1.47 on the season and will deserve a call-up at some point.
Worcester got the lone run of the game in the top of the first, thanks to an Anthony Siegler home run. Siegler played 34 games for the Brewers a year ago, and will probably get a shot in Boston at some point. I’m not sure if anyone has been following Kyle Harrison this season, but it would be nice to get a contribution in 2026 from one of the players the Brewers sent back for him.
INF Anthony Seigler dating back to 4/30 (16 games) with Worcester:
.362 BA 1.055 OPS 18% BB / 11% K .425 xwOBA 180 wRC+
Hitting the ball hard (91.9 EV / 41.3% HH) and feasting against RHPs (1.126 OPS, .462 xwOBA) over that span.
A wild game in Binghamton (NYM) on Thursday. The Sea Dogs went down 9-2 after four innings before putting up a six-spot in the fifth inning, capped by a bomb to center field from designated hitter Johanfran Garcia to bring Portland within a run.
Johanfran Garcia two-run home run and we’ve got a game! 108 MPH exit velo, 418 feet. Crushed.
The Boston Red Sox prospect has eight home runs and 19 RBI in Double-A this season. pic.twitter.com/TaD6laiJ27
Tyler McDonough’s RBI double in the seventh tied the game, and an RBI groundout from Will Turner was the game-winner in the eighth. Marvin Alcantara and Brooks Brannon each had two hits on the day, along with two RBI.
John Holobetz and Patrick Halligan combined for the nine runs allowed early in this one. Cooper Adams got his fifth win, and Joe Vogatsky his second save.
Portland hands the ball to Dalton Rogers (0-0, 1.69) at 7:00 on Friday.
The Drive made it three-for-three, working our way down the Red Sox’ affiliates, walking off the Tourists (HOU) 3-2 in ten innings on Thursday. The runs were not particularly noteworthy for Greenville, scoring on a sacrifice fly, a throwing error, and a walk-off wild pitch. Freili Encarnacion had two hits on the day.
Devin Futrell provided a strong start, striking out six and allowing two runs over five innings. Ben Hansen delivered four shutout innings in relief, and Brandon Neely threw a clean tenth inning to get his second win.
On Friday, the Drive will play at 6:45 and have not yet announced a starter.
The RidgeYaks could not complete the minor league sweep on Thursday night, falling 7-3 to the Crawdads (TEX). First baseman Frederik Jimenez had a big day at the plate for Salem, with an RBI double in the fifth and a solo home run in the seventh. Andrews Opata also had a two hit day, with an RBI.
Jason Gilman was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Jose Bello (0-1, 2.82) gets the ball at 6:35 on Friday for the RidgeYaks.
“I just didn’t do my job. I didn’t get to my spot. And that’s on me.” -David Peterson [MLB]
The Mets continue to look for answers for what has been a dreadful start to the season…
“We still believe in those guys, we feel good with the rotation. They are just going through a stretch here with Nolan [McLean] and the back-to-back outings not going his way, but you still trust those guys that we have. We have got to help those guys get through it. They have been pretty good for us in keeping us in games.” -Carlos Mendoza [New York Post]
…with incongruent statements that support the current starting pitchers…
“I would say [Peterson’s Tuesday outing] was just a little bit of an anomaly. I think the last three or four outings have been really good and it’s just continuing to refine the locations of his pitches and understand where weak contact happens and just continue to work on some of those smaller details with him.” -pitching coach Justin Willard [New York Post]
…while leaving room to make changes….
“I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a conversation. But we’re going to need all of them. We’re going to need [Peterson] to throw important innings for us. Whether it’s as a starter, whether it’s coming after an opener or pitching out of the bullpen, we’re going to need innings from him. … And Sean, another good outing for him. So I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a discussion here what’s next when it comes down to the next turn in the rotation.” -Carlos Mendoza [MLB]
…while it doesn’t feel this way, the starters rank 11th in the league with a 3.83 FIP which is, you know, okay…
“It’s tough,. It’s part of baseball, but we know we have to perform better.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]
…so this is a lot of focus on the rotation this week…
“I want to be on a team that I know is going to put all the effort in getting a championship sooner or later. I feel that way here.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]
…while the Mets offense is currently 29th in the league with a 85RC+
“If something happens later, there’s nothing I can do. Just be ready for everything.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]
Nolan McLean does have a 4.40 ERA but he also running a 11.01 K/9, 2.79 BB/9, 111 Pitching+, 3.03 xFIP and subjectively been a joy to watch, he’ll be fine
“It’s just bad pitching, honestly. If I’m just gonna be straight up, I just haven’t been pitching my best, and I gotta be better.” -Nolan McLean [New York Post]
“[McLean’s] gonna get back on track. He’s got too good of stuff for this to keep going. … It just sucks it happens on back-to-back outings, especially in the middle of this stretch.” [New York Post]
One of the themes of the offseason was we wanted to acquire players who put the ball in play…
“The Mets liked Polanco for his bat; he had a 134 OPS-plus last season and tends to put the ball in play (something they set out to improve from last year’s club).” -Will Sammon [The Athletic]
…Me sowing: Haha fuck yeah!!! Yes!! Me reaping: Well this fucking sucks. What the fuck.
“The biggest thing is our ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark. It’s hard to score three or four (runs) on just singles. You’ve got to be able to drive the ball, and right now we’re having a hard time doing that.” -Carlos Mendoza [The Athletic]
David Stearns talking like he’s been asked to do a satirical impression of a person who attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School is a lot easier to take when we’re winning
“We absolutely have to look at our risk assessment on injured players, or players who get injured once they’re here. Certainly, we know we’re taking a level of risk when we bring players in with injury histories. We’re feeling that risk right now.” -David Stearns [The Athletic]
Lost to some during this tough stretch is Juan Soto is currently running a 173 wRC+ just like we would want him to
“I’m just trying to do damage. I can’t control if it’s going over the wall or not.” -Juan Soto [MLB]
“[Soto’s] locked in. And he’s one of the best, if not the best at what he does. … He’s just a special player doing his thing.” -Carlos Mendoza [MLB]
“It’s special seeing [Soto]go to work every day. Basically check a box that he’s going to hit a homer or do something cool that day.” -Carson Benge [MLB]
“I just keep thinking to do damage every time. The difference is the results. Sometimes I get the results. Sometimes I don’t. I just feel good. I’ve been seeing the ball well. I’ve been swinging the bat well. Just do damage whenever I can.” -Juan Soto [MLB]
Yeah man, watching this season thus far I feel like ‘I am stretched out well enough’ too
“I feel like I am stretched out well enough,” -Sean Manaea [New York Post]
Always a good sign when your manager has to seperate quotes using the word ‘sucks’ in a week
“I mean, [every losing streak are] all frustrating. Especially when you’re not playing well. They’re all the same, to be honest with you. Yeah, it sucks.” -Carlos Mendoza [New York Post]
But don’t worry, the major league team isn’t the only thing that ‘sucks’ in the organization this season
“If there’s a frustration, it’s being aware of [what’s going wrong on offense], feeling like you’re making some adjustments and then still not getting the result relative to the type of adjustment that you feel like you made.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]
“Because it’s not reality. At the end of the day, you gotta figure out a way to not just produce offensively, but execute and win games.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]
“We have a very good group that we’re putting on the field every day. I don’t think our thought process or expectations really change because every team goes through injuries and things like that. Everybody in the room is a professional and we have a job to do and everyone’s focused on trying to get that done.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]
I can behind community being number one but can you maybe make raising that 64 wRC+ a little higher on your priority list [Bloggers Note: The prior statement was with tonguefirmly in cheek, I have not looked into it but I’m sure the ‘4 Thru 9 Foundation’ and ‘Metropolitan PGA Foundations’ are noble causes]
"Just giving back to the community is number one"
Marcus Semien talks about partnering with the Mets and taking over the Annual Poker Showdown with @HankAzaria, previously hosted in prior years by Jeff McNeil pic.twitter.com/26bBVZAWQA
May 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
I went to my second Kansas City Royals game of the season on Wednesday night. I was in great company and just love being at a live baseball game, I was as depressed about the team leaving Kauffman Stadium after a 7-0 loss at the hands of the New York Yankees as I have been in a long time.
I came into the season believing that the back-to-back winning seasons were signs of real improvement, and I liked a lot of the decisions J.J. Piccolo made this offseason. While there is still time to turn the season around, the Royals are somehow only 5.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot, it feels pretty hopeless after another sweep at the hand of the Bronx Bombers. The Royals are 22-34 entering Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers, and it’s going to take a miracle run for the team to reach the preseason expectations that many of us had for them, including the expectations the team itself had.
There is plenty of blame to go around for the start of the 2026 season, and I have a feeling we will continue to spend a lot of time unpacking all the failures and implications of those failures for the rest of the summer. There are not too many positives to look at right now, but one of the bright spots on the team is star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Witt is holding up his end of the bargain, looking like the best version of the all-around talent that we have seen the past few years.
His defense has been incredible this year. He is either first or second to Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete-Crow Armstrong among all defenders in most advanced defensive metrics. He is on pace to win both the Gold Glove for AL shortstop for the third time, and the Platinum Glove for best AL defender for the second time. It truly amazes me how much growth Witt has shown as a defender since his rookie season, and is giving me hope that someday Cater Jensen will be able to improve his defense as well.
His offense is also going strong. He is hitting 30% above league-average, and is doing so as the only regular in the lineup hitting above league-average. In fact, Elias Diaz in 23 plate appearances is the only other Royals hitter who has posted an above-average mark so far this year. Witt is drawing more walks in 2026 while striking out slightly less, which is a great combination to have as a hitter. We are also due for a Witt goes nuclear month, which will raise his overall numbers as well. Witt might win another Silver Slugger this season, which would be his third one of those.
Witt enters Friday with 3.4 fWAR, which is the highest mark in the AL. He is 0.6 WAR ahead of the position player in second place, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez. The Astros have had a disappointing start to the season and Alvarez normally misses some timer each season with various injuries, so I think there’s a real chance that Witt has significantly more WAR than any AL player by the end of the year. He will need to if he is going to win MVP in 2026; voters have come a long way, but I assume they would still rather vote for a player whose team is in the playoff picture than one who is fighting to stay out of last place in the AL Central.
I want Witt to collect as much personal hardware as he can and four awards in one season will strengthen his future Hall of Fame candidacy. Despite the team struggling around him, Witt has held up his end of the bargain and played like a superstar. It’s been refreshing to watch him play so well this year amidst all the disappointment and struggles coming from the rest of the Royals.
Witt right now has more fWAR than the rest of the Royals position players combined, 3.4 WAR compared to 1.6 WAR. Third baseman Maikel Garcia has had a fine start to the year with 1.3 WAR of his own, but so many Royals position players are currently producing at or below replacement level. Issac Collins, Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez and Nick Loftin are all currently below replacement level, while Starling Marte, Michael Massey, Lane Thomas and Elias Diaz each have .1 WAR. Having eight position players at or below replacement level is a disaster for Kansas City; Witt’s production is helping keep the wheels from completely falling off to start the year.
Not only do I want Witt to collect as many awards as he can, I want him to stay in Kansas City for as long as he can. He can opt out of his deal after the 2030 season, which including 2026 is five seasons away. That feels like a long ways out from now, but I know how quickly time flies in the life of a sports fan. Injuries can happen or Witt and the front office could get sideways and he demand a trade. We just don’t know what the future holds. I want Witt’s career to resemble George Brett’s, which featured frequent trips to the postseason with Brett as the best player on the team. Right now, Witt’s career is taking more of a Mike Trout path; amazing player on a terrible team who has barely played in the postseason.
I don’t want to ignore or take for granted the great season that Witt is having so far, and I don’t want the Royals too either. Each year Witt is on the Royals, the team should be trying to compete for a spot in the postseason. While this year is technically not lost yet, it is certainly on life support. If the team can save the season then great, but if not the front office needs to figure out how to not let another superstar effort from Witt go to waste.
COVERS INTEL: Historically, the fastball is the only one of Pallante’s pitches teams can hit, and 
