The Montreal Canadiens will be a team to watch once the NHL Olympic trade freeze passes. With the Canadiens currently being second in the Atlantic Division standings, it would not be surprising in the slightest if they look to add to their roster ahead of the trade deadline.
Now, the Canadiens are being connected to one of the NHL's top trade candidates.
During his most recent 32 Thoughts column for Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman wrote that he believes the Canadiens "like" Nashville Predators star center Ryan O'Reilly.
The Canadiens being viewed as a possible suitor for O'Reilly is not surprising in the slightest. The 34-year-old would be a great addition to the Canadiens' top six if they acquired him, as he is a very good two-way center who produces well offensively, kills penalties, and is a well-respected leader. With this, he would be a big-time pickup for a Canadiens club on the rise.
O'Reilly would also be more than a rental for the Canadiens if acquired, as he has a bargain $4.5 million cap hit until the end of the 2026-27 season. Thus, he would help the Canadiens beyond this season, which adds to his appeal.
In 57 games this season with the Predators, O'Reilly has recorded 20 goals, 36 assists, 56 points, and a plus-8 rating.
METZ, France (AP) — Struggling Metz held high-flying Lille to 0-0 at home but the point was not enough to lift it off the bottom of Ligue 1 on Friday.
Metz had not won in eight games and it looked second best for much of the match against a team whose early season promise had tapered out after a run of four league defeats.
But visiting Lille could not breach a staunch Metz defense.
Lille had to settle for fifth place, six points behind Lyon.
Metz remained rooted to the bottom of the table with the same points as Auxerre and a point behind Nantes, both of which have a game in hand.
Yasiel Puig has been found guilty of federal crimes.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday the former Dodgers superstar was convicted of one count of obstruction of justice and one count of making false statements after he was accused of lying to federal investigators about making illegal bets.
Yasiel Puig arrives at the United States Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on January 21, 2026 in Los Angeles. Jeremy Louwerse for NY PostYasiel Puig appeared in federal court sketches as his trial began in downtown Los Angeles. Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID
According to prosecutors, Puig faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice charge and an additional five years in prison for the false statement charge. He will remain “free on his own personal recognizance” until the hearing, prosecutors said.
The feds claimed that back in May 2019, Puig began placing wagers through an associate, Donny Kadokawa, to an illegal gambling organization run by former minor leaguer Wayne Nix.
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In January 2022, Puig was interviewed about his role in the gambling org., but prosecutors alleged he lied about participating in it.
looks to the sky after hitting a three-run home run against the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning during game five of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Sat, October 28, 2018. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Puig made an agreement with the feds to close out the case in November 2022, and as part of the pact, he said he would plead guilty to lying to federal investigators.
“I want to clear my name,” he said at the time. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
Puig’s case ultimately went to trial at the end of January. A jury came back with its guilty verdicts on Friday.
Puig is due back in federal court on May 26 for sentencing.
Puig made his MLB debut on June 3, 2103 with the Dodgers, and became one of the city’s most beloved sports figures for his brash style of play and power at the plate. He was an All-Star with the Dodgers in 2014.
Following his time in the MLB, he logged at-bats in South Korea and the Mexican League.
Head coach says champions were ‘outplayed for large parts’ in 3-0 reverse last November, but are now more dangerous
The test for Liverpool against Manchester City on Sunday is not of their title credentials. That ship has sailed. Instead it is of how far Arne Slot’s side have truly progressed since their title defence was holed.
Slot feels Liverpool’s displays have warranted defeat only occasionally this season – late lapses, set-piece failures and wasted chances have been more common explanations than the overall performance – and the 3-0 reverse at the Etihad Stadium in November was certainly one of them. The controversy over Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed header at 1-0 still lingers for the Dutchman but does not prevent him holding his hands up.
Rosenior hails positive change in culture at Chelsea
Liam Rosenior says life is too short to worry about people laughing at him. The 41-year-old has quickly become a figure of fun since his appointment as Chelsea’s head coach and was ridiculed after miscontrolling a dropping ball during his side’s defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday.
It was the latest example of Rosenior facing online mockery because of his quotes and mannerisms. He has been referred to as “LinkedIn Liam” because of some of his comments in press conferences and compared to David Brent. One meme had him mocked up as Will McKenzie, the nerdy lead character from The Inbetweeners.
LEEDS, England (AP) — Leeds United scored twice in four minutes in a dominant first half then added a third soon after halftime in beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 for a massive boost in its fight against Premier League relegation on Friday.
Leeds' fourth Friday night win in a row lifted it nine points clear of the relegation zone and equal on points with the two clubs above it, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.
Forest's four-game unbeaten league run came to an unceremonious end, and remained in 17th place.
Leeds started the better side and led after 26 minutes.
With the Forest defense static, Jayden Bogle ran on to a superb through ball from Ilia Gruev and poked it under the hesitant keeper.
Four minutes later, Noah Okafor broke a 16-game scoring drought to make it 2-0. But much the credit went to James Justin, who started the move on the right flank and saw his shot parried into the path of the former Napoli and AC Milan winger who made no mistake.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed the scoring three minutes into the second half when he dived to chest Gruev’s ball into the box past Stefan Ortega.
Lorenzo Lucca’s consolation goal for Forest with six minutes remaining did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the home fans at Elland Road.
“It is always nice to take the three points back to the training ground," Justin said. “We deserved them, we put in the graft.
"Some of the football we played tonight was some of the best we’ve played all season. To put in a performance like that is a big one in the league.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 07: Andy Ibanez #77 of the Detroit Tigers hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners in game three of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park on October 07, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Athletics made two minor roster moves today as they continue shaping their 2026 club.
First, the A’s claimed 32-year-old Cuban infielder Andy Ibáñez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. With their 40-man roster full, the club designated fellow infielder MaxSchuemann for assignment to make room for Ibáñez.
Last month, the Dodgers signed Ibáñez to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, only to release him earlier this week when they reclaimed outfielder Mike Siani. They hoped to keep the out-of-options player in their organization, yet the A’s claimed him.
Ibáñez spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Tigers, carving out a role as a platoon utility player thanks to his .280 career batting average against left-handed pitching. In 2025, he accumulated four home runs and 21 RBIs in 91 games.
After trading for second baseman Jeff McNeil earlier this winter, the A’s acquired Ibáñez to compete with youngsters Darrell Hernaiz, MaxMuncy and Brett Harris this spring for playing time at third base this year. All four candidates bat right handed, ruling out a third base platoon. Ibáñez also brings the defensive versatility the A’s value, with MLB experience at second base, first base, shortstop, and both corner outfield spots.
Unfortunately, Schuemann’s time with the franchise could be over unless he sneaks through waivers and returns as non-roster depth. Ibáñez’s arrival made Schuemann’s presence redundant as the club does not need that many offensively-challenged utility players.
Schuemann debuted in April 2024 and took over as the team’s starting shortstop for most of that season. However, Jacob Wilson’s emergence and Schuemann’s offensive struggles pushed him back into a part-time utility role last year. Given his defensive versatility and minor-league options remaining, another team will likely claim Schuemann on waivers unless they all bypass him due to his tepid offense.
In addition, the team reportedly agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with free-agent right handed relief pitcher Scott Barlow. Entering his ninth season, Barlow brings vast experience pitching in late-game situations to what is otherwise an inexperienced A’s bullpen. Last year, he appeared in 75 games with the Cincinnati Reds, going 6-3 with a 4.21 ERA. This is a low-cost move that fills a need, although Barlow will have to limit the free passes and get over allowing Nick Kurtz’s monster 493 ft grand slam at Sutter Health Park in September. At the very least, he cannot be worse than José Leclerc.
What do you think of these two moves A’s fans? Are you sad to see Schuemann go or is it the right call to jettison him from the 40-man? Who should the A’s sign next?
A’s were looking for a versatile infielder with experience and Ibañez fits the bill with plenty of time at 3B and 2B while also playing some 1B and OF.
Decision to DFA Max Schuemann was no doubt a tough one. Would expect him to join A’s in spring as a NRI if he clears waivers. https://t.co/KUny27ga55
VERONA, Italy (AP) — Verona and Pisa drew 0-0 in a dire game that reflected the clubs’ positions at the foot of Serie A on Friday.
Both teams had new managers on the sidelines and were looking for the three points that might kickstart what looks set to be a long and arduous fight against relegation.
But neither team managed a shot on target in the first 45 minutes and it wasn’t until the final minutes that either side showed any urgency.
A header from Pisa’s Stefano Moreo hit the woodwork and although both goalkeepers were forced to make crucial stops to thwart counterattacks no goal was forthcoming.
Verona remains last, behind Pisa on goal difference.
BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin drew with Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 in a poor Bundesliga game that came alive in the final minutes with two goals and a red card on Friday.
After 83 scrappy minutes, Nathaniel Brown put Frankfurt ahead with a rasping shot from 15 meters. Substitute Mahmoud Dahoud mistimed his scissor kick but the ball fell perfectly for Brown to volley home.
The goal set up the visitor for its first win in nine games but its hopes crumbled just seconds later.
Oscar Højlund was sent off for a second bookable offense two minutes after his side took the lead and Leopold Querfeld scored from the resulting penalty.
The draw meant both clubs were still looking for their first win of 2026.
The late implosion was particularly galling for Albert Riera, who took over as Frankfurt coach this week and was denied a starting three points. One bright spot was the team’s defensive display. Friday’s game was the first in eight this year in which it has not conceded at least two goals.
Frankfurt was seventh in the table, three points ahead of Berlin in ninth.
Sep 20, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Andy Ibanez (77) hits a run-scoring single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Andy Ibáñez experience with the Dodgers lasted all of 24 days. The A’s claimed the veteran infielder off waivers on Friday, just three days after Ibáñez was bumped off the 40-man roster in Los Angeles.
Ibáñez was designated for assignment on Tuesday when the Dodgers claimed outfielder Michael Siani in one of his many waiver transactions this winter.
That meant fewer opportunities for Ibáñez, who has played mostly second and third base throughout his career.
There might be more opportunities for playing time in Sacramento, though the A’s this winter also traded for Jeff McNeil and have an infield that already includes first baseman Nick Kurtz and shortstop Jacob Wilson, along with Zack Gelof, who is coming off surgery late last season.
Ibáñez in parts of five seasons with the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers is a .254/.305/.389 hitter with a 92 wRC+, including .280/.327/.452 with a 115 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. He turns 33 in April.
While the Detroit Red Wings were listed as a potential landing spot for Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, he was ultimately dealt within the Western Conference to the Vegas Golden Knights.
However, that doesn't mean that the door is closed for a potential deal with Andersson's former team.
As part of the package to acquire Andersson, the Golden Knights sent defenseman Zach Whitecloud (along with defenseman prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick).
Not only does Whitecloud fit the bill of a right-shot defenseman with top-four potential, but he's also signed through 2028 with a reasonable $2.75 million cap hit.
While Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is known for keeping his cards close to the vest, NHL insider Darren Dreger recently suggested that Detroit, positioned as a buyer at the NHL Trade Deadline, is not interested in rentals and would prefer players with term.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Whitecloud, a native of Brandon, Manitoba, was named a 2017–18 WCHA Scholar-Athlete and earned WCHA All-Academic Team honors while playing for Bemidji State University.
He began his NHL career with the Golden Knights, who signed him to a three-year entry-level contract in 2018.
He gained his first extended taste of NHL action during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, appearing in 20 games for Vegas, and followed that by playing in 51 of 56 regular-season games of the COVID-shortened 2020–21 campaign.
In October 2021, he signed a six-year, $16.5 million extension with Vegas, whom he'd eventually help win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While appearing in 22 postseason games, Whitecloud scored two goals and added six assists.
Since his acquisition by the Flames, Whitecloud has routinely seen time on Calgary's second defensive pairing and is a regular on their first penalty-killing unit.
At 29, Whitecloud is still in the prime of his career and would be a sensible option for the Red Wings to consider from the rebuilding Flames.
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MLB might not have a salary cap (at least not yet, anyway).
But the league’s current rules were designed, at the least, to make it harder for the biggest-spending teams to maintain highly ranked farm systems –– using draft pick penalties and international signing pool restrictions to, in theory, prevent clubs with the largest MLB payrolls from also being able to replenish their minor-league ranks.
Eduardo Quintero post on Instagram
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Once again, however, the Dodgers have found a way to break the mold.
In the run-up to spring training next week, industry outlets have begun releasing their farm system rankings for 2026. And on almost every list, the Dodgers’ pipeline remains right near the top, earning a top-five nod from most publications (albeit with a couple exceptions, most notably a No. 13 ranking from Baseball America) and the No. 1 spot in a poll of fellow major league executives conducted by MLB.com last month.
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For Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, preserving such farm system strength has long been a primary organizational goal. And while it’s “much easier to say than to do,” he acknowledged in a recent interview with The California Post, it’s become a key component to the club’s recent run of dominance; helping the Dodgers to restock their big-league clubhouse with depth, plug roster holes through the trade market and even woo top free agents with the promise of long-term sustainability.
“It’s funny. I remember in our meeting with Shohei (Ohtani), before he made his decision (as a free agent two offseasons ago), we were walking through, however you define the success of our previous 10 years, we felt like we were well-positioned to have an even better run in the next 10 years, despite all the factors working against us, (because of) having a strong farm system,” Friedman said. “I remember going through that, and got to the end, and Shohei just looked at me and goes, ‘How? How are you guys able to do that?’”
Over the last few years, the answer has required some non-traditional methods.
Since 2022, the Dodgers have made only two draft picks higher than 40th overall and just seven in the top 90 (a trend unlikely to change this year, when they will lose four of their top six picks as penalties for signing Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz). They’ve seen their international bonus pool, which is used to sign prospects who don’t enter the domestic draft system, annually slashed because of luxury tax penalties (they also had to dedicate almost all of last year’s pool to sign one player, Roki Sasaki).
So, they’ve had to find other ways to preserve their pipeline, relying on diamond-in-the-rough discoveries, developmental success stories and shrewd trade maneuvers to maintain organizational depth.
“For us to be in the top 3-5 in different years, it speaks to organizational harmony,” Friedman said. “We have a high-achieving group that is creating a lot of organizational value.”
Zyhir Hope #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws the ball during the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Start with the Dodgers’ consensus top two prospects: outfielders Josue De Paula and Eduardo Quintero. Both were relative bargains on the international market, signing for a combined total of less than $700,000. But both have blossomed since joining the organization, emerging as top-25 prospects in the entire sport according to Baseball America.
Then, there are the non-homegrown talents. Of the team’s top 10 prospects in ESPN’s recent rankings, only one was drafted by the team, while six were acquired via trade in recent years for players including Gavin Lux, Michael Busch, Dustin May and Matt Beaty.
Most contending clubs, of course, can’t afford to addyoung prospects by trading productive big-league players. But the Dodgers have stockpiled so much talent at the MLB level, they’ve been able to flip superfluous pieces on the trade market.
At last year’s deadline, for example, they added outfielders James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard for May (who was in the final year of his contract and being squeezed out of the Dodgers’ rotation). They also snagged an intriguing young pitcher, Adam Serwinoski, in a three-team deal that only cost them Triple-A catcher Hunter Feduccia (that deal also netted the club Ben Rortvedt, who played a key role early in last year’s postseason, and Paul Gervase, a depth reliever currently on the 40-man roster).
Toronto Blue Jays newly acquired pitcher Mike Sirotka throws underhanded 27 February 2001 during morning workouts at the Englebert training complex in Dunedin, Fl. AFP via Getty Images
“That’s always the dream,” Friedman said of being able to add to the pipeline at the deadline. “The price gouging that happens in July on the buy-side is something that makes it easy for every buyer to feel like, ‘Oh, man, it’d be nice to be in a really good position in the standings to be able to reap the reward of this insane seller’s market.’”
This hasn’t been a foolproof plan. Despite their high annual pipeline rankings, the Dodgers have struggled to integrate much of their young talent into the big leagues. During their back-to-back World Series seasons the last two years, Will Smith and Andy Pages were the only farm system products to be mainstays in the lineup. Of this year’s projected starting rotation, only Emmet Sheehan is a homegrown player.
Still, there’s no easier way to sustain long-term success than having a farm system highly valued by the rest of the industry, stocked with players coveted by other clubs and projected for future big-league production.
MLB’s rules were supposed to stop teams like the Dodgers from maintaining such a strength.
Yet, here they remain, boasting the most star-studded roster in the majors, plus a pipeline that continues to be pegged as one of the best in the sport.
The Athletic reported McBride was to have surgery on Friday. Eight weeks from then is April 3 and the Knicks would have five games remaining in the regular season. The first round of the NBA Playoffs is scheduled to start on April 18, which would be 10 weeks from now.
McBride has missed the team's last five games due to "left ankle injury management," having last played on Jan. 27 against the Sacramento Kings. He originally suffered an ankle injury back on Dec. 7, missing nine games before returning on Dec. 29.
The 25-year-old guard has had a career-best season for New York, averaging 12.9 points on 42.0 percent three-point shooting, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds over 35 games (14 starts). In his absence, head coach Mike Brown will likely rely on a combination of Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and newly acquired guard Jose Alvarado.
Some of India’s greatest cricketers have been left gobsmacked by the latest feat of prodigious 14-year-old batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who produced the most audaciously unthinkable innings in a final to power India to a sixth Under 19 World Cup.
The Buffalo Sabres finished out their pre-Olympic schedule with a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. While the Sabres have been a juggernaut since the beginning of December, the club has come down to earth just prior to the break, losing three of their last four games to Montreal, Tampa Bay, and the Penguins.
The Sabres hold the first wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, with 70 points (32-19-6), one point ahead of the Boston Bruins, and five points in front of the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets, and Washington Capitals.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to the media following the loss:
What were the reasons for the loss?
You look at the couple of goals that we gave them, We gave them a breakaway off of an offensive zone face off, we give them another goal off, an o-zone face off that we won, odd numbered rush. Our passing definitely wasn't crisp. I think you look at our power play entries, they struggled. I think we missed the net on five of our first six real good opportunities, another sign that you're not quite on your game.
This type of performance has been rare over the last two months.
We we're still knocking on the door. We came out, we got the power play goal at the start of the third, we had a couple of good looks. I think the opportunity was there to claw our way back in, and then we took a late penalty. hitting the goaltender, which penalty you don't really want to take. Giving up that fourth goal, we had possession in the corner, made an errant pass, and they made us pay. We didn't make them pay for some of their mistakes, but they made us pay on the big mistakes we made.
Are you thankful based on how the season started that you are in a playoff spot at the break?
I talked to the team after the game. This is how incredibly tight it's going to be played. You can't have games going like we had. We weren't sharp. There were plays there. When you pass to a wide-open Thompson in front of the net and the puck kind of rolls, it should be in the back of the net, but we missed on opportunities to make them pay, but where we're at, we've worked hard to get where we're at. It's tough going into break when you when you lose a game like that, it's a bad feeling.
Are you confident that the players will hit the ground running after the break?
I have no doubt. We've asked a lot to this point, and they've answered every call we've had. I have no doubt that they're going to do the work that they need to come back and we can be better when we come out of (the break)......It's just another test, really. How you use this time and realizing that the division we're in, the conference we're in, is incredibly tight, so you can't take one step away for granted. And I think they understand that. That's what we talk about all the time. A single point might make the difference at the very end, whether you would have crawled back and tied that game tonight, or if there's another game down the road.
