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Rangers Most Valuable List, Players Who Deserve Praise

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

There's no need for us to get into an argument over this. The season is over and even the glass-bangers are sorry they made fools of themselves.

But it suddenly dawned on The Maven that I should have put together a "My Rangers Most Valuable Player List."

MY MVPS:

1. WILL CUYLLE: He sets the best example with all-round hustle and goals.

2. ARTEMI PANARIN: The Breadman is so far ahead of the other scorers, it's scary.

3. BRADEN SCHNEIDER:  Growing by the season, he's the best blue liner. (And don't tell me that's not saying much.

4. VINNIE TROCHECK: He's the best go-to guy for a post-game quote. 

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MLB insider doubles down on Jarren Duran-to-Padres possibility

MLB insider doubles down on Jarren Duran-to-Padres possibility originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox’ outfield logjam is the elephant in the room with the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaching.

Even if they’re technically buyers ahead of the deadline, the Red Sox are expected to part ways with at least one member of their crowded outfield. The emergence of top prospect Roman Anthony has resulted in Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu being mentioned in trade rumors as Boston prioritizes pitching help.

Duran has been linked to the San Diego Padres since early June, when The Athletic reported the 2024 All-Star Game MVP was on their list of trade targets. Their interest comes as little surprise given their glaring weakness in left field.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan listed the Padres as one of Duran’s “best fits” last month, and he doubled down on that assertion Thursday by naming him as the “best match” for San Diego.

“No player and team have been linked as strongly as Duran and the Padres — and that’s without any knowledge of how the Red Sox intend to handle the deadline,” Passan wrote. “Roman Anthony’s emergence has put Boston in a position to float Duran and Wilyer Abreu in trade discussions, and whether it’s now or over the winter, Boston wants to use its surplus of bats to fill voids elsewhere.

“Left field in San Diego is among the biggest voids in the game. The Padres have tried eight players in left this season, and collectively they’re barely have an OPS of over .600. A Duran-Jackson Merrill-Fernando Tatis Jr. outfield would be a factory of dynamism that would be under team control through the end of the 2028 season.

“The Padres might need to get creative — beyond shortstop Leo De Vries (who’s believed to be off-limits) and catcher Ethan Salas, their farm system is middling — but nobody does creativity like GM A.J. Preller. And whether that means facilitating a deal through a third team or including one of their high-leverage relievers such as closer Robert Suárez, San Diego is willing to go places most other organizations would never consider.”

The Red Sox’ primary outfield currently consists of Duran in left, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Abreu in right. Anthony has spent 19 games in right and nine as the designated hitter, though his recent switch to left field suggests Boston is preparing to make it his primary position.

Theoretically, the Red Sox could take advantage of Rafaela’s versatility and move him to second base, with Duran sliding to center and Anthony sticking in left. But Rafaela is arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game, and moving him to second would give top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer no clear path to consistent playing time when third baseman Alex Bregman returns from injury.

It’s a complicated situation for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, but he told WEEI on Thursday that trading one of his outfielders isn’t a necessity.

“It’s something that you would have to consider if there was an opportunity to improve the team elsewhere,” Breslow said on The Greg Hill Show. “But I think it’s really important to point out that we don’t have to trade one of the outfielders simply because we have more guys that are capable of contributing than can start every night.”

Duran is slashing .262/.318/.438 with an MLB-leading 10 triples, eight homers, and 50 RBI in 93 games. He has caught fire in July, posting a 1.154 OPS with 11 RBI in eight games.

Riding a six-game win streak, the Red Sox will wrap up their first half with a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.

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Just How Good Can Islanders Prospect Daniil Prokhorov Be? Development Path Routes

New York Islanders fans have a lot to be excited about with prospect Daniil Prokhorov.

The 18-year-old winger from Krasnodar, Russia, was the club’s 2025 second-round pick (No. 42), and he quickly turned heads at development camp with his impressive skating, awareness, intensity, and personality.

His game centers around his 6-foot-6, 218-pound frame, as he utilizes his size and strength to drive to the net and win puck battles, while also possessing a long stride and impressive agility for his size.

Fans fell in love with Prokhorov’s game at the camp, but the Islanders' front office has been impressed by the young forward for a while, and so have their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers.

Speaking with RB Sports (Hockey), Prokhorov gave some insight on the draft process, notably mentioning how he knew the Islanders would be his landing spot:

“I had the best talk with Islanders. Like I knew them for 20 years. [The New York Rangers] wanted to choose me at the 43rd [pick]. But I said that they won't succeed, because [the New York Islanders] will choose me at the 42nd.”

Well, Prokhorov was right, as the Islanders took him with the 42nd pick, forcing the Rangers to select winger Malcom Spence.

Prokhorov was arguably the best player on the ice at the Islanders' development camp, but he still has a long way to go before reaching the NHL, notably by rounding out his two-way game while becoming a more consistent and reliable winger.

The question is, how good can this kid be?

Can he turn into a Valeri Nichushkin type? 

The Sarnia Sting selected Prokhorov with the 42nd overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. He has played for the KHL's junior league team, St. Petersburg Dynamo, over the last two seasons, recording 20 goals with seven assists for 27 points in 43 games. 

Hell have to decide whether to stay in the KHL or come over to North America. 

We saw an Islanders prospect, Jesse Nurmi, last season decide to play in juniors after being selected by the London Knights 58th overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. He went on to win the Memorial Cup, developing on this side of the pond to prepare for his first season with the organization. 

Given the language barrier, the different ice surface, and the different style, it makes perfect sense for Prokhorov to follow in Nurmi's footsteps.

However, the one caveat to leaving home is the age of players he will play against.  While the MHL age max is 20, just like it is for the OHL, Prokhorov would likely be making the jump to the KHL this season.

Given his size, it may make sense for him to develop against men, since banging bodies and playing that hard-nosed style are his strongest assets. 

The Hockey News reached out to Prokhorov's representatives but have yet to garner a response. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Michael Ostrower contributed to this story. 

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Four NHL Coaches Who Will Have The Biggest Effect In Their New Position

The NHL’s coaching carousel was in full effect over the off-season with nine new hires looking to make an immediate impact. 

Some of these bench bosses are making their NHL head coaching debuts, while others have been around for years.

The players make it happen on the ice, but the coaches are a huge part of the success or failure a team has each season. Sometimes, the bench boss can even help a team perform above expectations.

Here are four coaches who will have the biggest effect in their new position.

Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers

It was a rough year for the New York Rangers on and off the ice. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy and advancing to the Eastern Conference final in 2023-24, they had a huge drop-off last season.

The Rangers missed out on the playoffs and finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division. At one point, former coach Peter Laviolette was under fire for saying he didn’t have a message for the team after a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in April.

Mike Sullivan (Peter Carr/The Journal News/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Mike Sullivan was the perfect choice to lead the Blueshirts behind the bench. Sullivan won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is invested in managing a competitive team. With that, he was appointed the coach of Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.

Joel Quenneville, Anaheim Ducks

After resigning as coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2021-22 season, Joel Quenneville is returning to the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. 

He resigned after an investigation into how the Chicago Blackhawks handled sexual assault allegations determined he was one of the people who had an inadequate response.

In July 2024, the NHL reinstated Quenneville, current Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman and former Blackhawks VP of hockey operations Al MacIsaac.

Quenneville is ready to push the Ducks and give them an opportunity to end a seven-year playoff drought. The team improved by 21 points from 2023-24, and the second-winningest coach in NHL history and two-time Jack Adams Award winner can take Anaheim to that next step.

Adam Foote, Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks had a campaign to forget on many levels last year. From the J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson rift to the Quinn Hughes injury and the team underperforming all season long, it wasn’t ideal for GM Patrik Allvin and the rest of the front office.

Despite not executing expectations last season, the Canucks aren’t that different from when they advanced to the Western Conference final in 2023-24. With the right preparation and leadership from new coach Adam Foote, Vancouver could be back in the mix.

Foote was an assistant coach for the Canucks for the last three seasons. He knows the core players of this team and understands what could be done to get the best out of them again.

“I’m really excited about it,” Canucks right winger Conor Garland told The Hockey News' Carol Schram in late May.  “I loved having him as an assistant. It's obviously going to be a little different now. I’m assuming as the head, we won’t be able to talk and hang out as much at the rink. But he was a lot of fun, and he's a very smart guy.”  

Rick Tocchet, Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers get to experience the reincarnation of Rick Tocchet. He played parts of 11 seasons with the Flyers before retiring in 2001-02. Now, he’s back as the bench boss following his time with the Canucks.

It didn’t take long before Tocchet was able to turn around the falling Canucks into a Stanley Cup contender. In his first full season in Vancouver in 2023-24, he ended a four-year playoff drought, advanced to the conference finals and won the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year.

It’s a huge task and a huge ask, but maybe Tocchet has another quick turnaround in him with his Flyers next season.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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No guarantees for Red Bull that Horner’s sacking will keep Verstappen

Bringing in a new team principal when developing a car for 2026 regulations might not be to world champion’s liking

Even as the reverberations from the shock sacking of Christian Horner as team principal of Red Bull are still being felt across Formula One and their thunderous echo remains, whether all this sound and fury will have been quite enough to keep Max Verstappen at the team remains a moot point.

When it was announced on Wednesday that Horner had been released from his post as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull after 20 years in charge and enormous success, pivotal to the decision was seemingly the desire to prevent the four-time world champion from being tempted away. Horner’s removal a price the parent company was willing to pay.

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Vince Carter explains ‘advantage' Warriors have heading into 2025-26 NBA season

Vince Carter explains ‘advantage' Warriors have heading into 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

  • Programming note: The American Century Championship will air Friday, July 11, from 1-3 p.m. PT on Peacock, and again from 5-7 p.m. PT on GOLF Channel. Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, the tournament will air locally on NBC Bay Area (KNTV) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.

Age ain’t nothing but a number.

For the Warriors, they’re hoping that statement holds as they try to get one more ring for Steph Curry, who’s 37 going on 38 next March. Draymond Green is 35 years old, Jimmy Butler will be 36 before the 2025-26 NBA season starts.

For former NBA superstar Vince Carter, that doesn’t mean anything to him except more wisdom.

“A lotta knowledge,” Carter told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole on Thursday at the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe when asked about the aging Warriors stars. “They have an advantage because of knowledge. We always look at age and we think ‘Oh, they can’t do it. Can they do it? Will they do it? This this,’ but look at the knowledge.”

That knowledge has led Curry and Green to four NBA titles, the last of which many critics said would never happen.

Carter, who played 22 seasons in the league, says experience can sometimes benefit players and teams more than youthfulness.

“For me, and I’m going to speak about myself, first and foremost,” Carter told Poole. “Playing in that mid-to-late-30’s, maybe I didn’t jump [as] high, run as fast as some of the other young guys but my knowledge for the game, I can outsmart guys. You have all the athleticism and ability, but we know what those guys that you named can do.”

And what they can do has been evident for the last decade. Curry owns the all-time 3-point record with 4,058 makes during his 16-year NBA career. Green is recognized as one of the league’s best defenders of the past decade and Butler has won everywhere he’s played, once even leading the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals in dominating fashion.

The Warriors, though, need to see some of their younger players like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and even someone like Quinten Post take the next leap in their careers.

“To me, you need a mixture of everything, so you have the veteran presence in the locker room, which a lot of teams die for – they have that,” Carter told Poole. “Now you have to put the young guys around that to guide them. You can’t expect those guys to do it every night.

“To me, the expectations for Steph, Draymond, even ‘Buckets’ to have to do it early. That’s not what I need you for. You see what I’m saying, I need you for later. I want to build up my young guys for the playoffs because those three guys know what it takes and know how to handle it.”

It’s not exactly time for the Warriors veterans to pass the torch down to their younger peers, but it’s time for a shift in balance, as Carter says, and that’s where the Dubs will be at their best this upcoming season.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Milan’s Serie A home fixture against Como could be played in Perth, Australia

  • Italian FA gives approval for February fixture to be moved

  • Game would be first in major European league held abroad

Milan’s home game against Como in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign could become the first major European domestic league fixture played outside its home country, as plans to move the fixture to Australia took a step forward.

Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has given the green light for the match to be played in Perth – some 8,500 miles away from Milan – next February. The proposal moves European football into uncharted territory after previous requests to stage domestic league matches abroad were knocked back by authorities.

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Former Knights, Sens Goalie Signs In Slovakia

Canadian goaltender Dylan Ferguson, 26, has signed a one-year contract with HK Nitra, the Slovak Extraliga club announced on Thursday.

Ferguson spent last season in the Minnesota Wild organization, where he dressed as a backup but did not see any NHL action, spending the season with the AHL's Iowa Wild. He has been in several NHL organizations but has only three games to his credit.

Ferguson was born in Lantzville, BC on Vancouver Island, but played high-school hockey for the famed Notre Dame Hounds in Saskatchewan and then junior hockey for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.

Ferguson was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the seventh round, 194th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and then traded two days later to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot. In the following season, Ferguson made his first NHL appearance after the Knights had a run of injuries in goal – allowing one goal on two shots in 9:14 of action in relief against the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 14, 2017.

Two Days After Signing In KHL, Sokolov Traded For NHL Free AgentTwo Days After Signing In KHL, Sokolov Traded For NHL Free Agent Two days after signing with CSKA Moscow, Russian winger Egor Sokolov has been traded to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, the CSKA club announced on Thursday.

Between 2019 and 2023, Ferguson played in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators organizations, playing two more NHL games for Ottawa in March 2023.

Ferguson spent the 2023-24 season playing for Belarus-based KHL club Dinamo Minsk. He then returned to North America the following season, first attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp before signing with Minnesota.

Ferguson joins a Nitra club that won the Slovak title in 2023-24 and lost in the finals last season. Notable players on the team’s roster include 44-year-old defenseman Branislav Mezei and 20-year-old left winger Ondrej Molnár, who spent the past two seasons in the OHL.

Photo © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

Branislav Mezei Re-Signs With Hometown Club For Pro Season No. 26Branislav Mezei Re-Signs With Hometown Club For Pro Season No. 26 Slovak defenseman Branislav Mezei, 44, has signed a one-year contract extension with his hometown club, HK Nitra, to play what will be his 26th season of professional hockey, the Slovak Extraliga club announced on Saturday.
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Canadiens Facing Big Decision With Mike Matheson

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson is entering the final season of his contract in 2025-26. With this, he has the potential to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 of next year. 

Given the fact that Matheson has been an incredibly important part of the Canadiens' roster, it would be understandable if they worked hard to keep the left-shot defenseman around. Besides providing solid offense from the point, he has also been a nice veteran mentor to the Canadiens' younger players as they continue to trend in the right direction. 

Since joining the Canadiens, Matheson has recorded 25 goals, 102 assists, and 127 points. This includes his monster year with Montreal in 2023-24, as he scored 11 goals and set career highs with 51 assists and 62 points in 82 contests. Thus, the fit has undoubtedly been there between Matheson and the Canadiens, but will it be enough for them to get a new deal done before next summer?

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With how well Matheson has played since joining the Canadiens, he certainly is due for a raise from his current $4.875 million cap hit. This is where things could get complicated for the Canadiens, especially with the team having other players to re-sign and other roster needs to address. 

Ultimately, if the Canadiens and Matheson can find a way to agree on a deal that is at a reasonable cap hit, it would be great for the Original Six club to keep him around. Yet, if his asking price is too high or the Canadiens simply do not view him as a long-term part of their plans, that is where things could get interesting. The left-shot defenseman has come up in the rumor mill as of late, and it could make sense for the Canadiens to trade him if the right offer came along. 

It will be very interesting to see what the Canadiens end up doing with Matheson. There are clear potential benefits to extending him, but time will tell if they can get a deal done. Yet, their blueline is also getting crowded.

Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Sunderland on verge of signing Simon Adingra from Brighton in £21m deal

  • Forward will be Regis Le Bris’s fourth summer addition

  • Sunderland linked with move for Jordan Henderson

Sunderland are to confirm the signing of Simon Adingra from Brighton for an initial £21m plus bonuses as they continue their preparations for life in the Premier League.

It is understood that the Ivory Coast forward, who has made 73 appearances for Brighton since signing from Danish side FC Nordsjælland in 2022, is on Wearside to complete his move after having his medical on Wednesday. Sunderland have a longstanding interest in Adingra and he was part of negotiations in January in which their playoff final hero Tommy Watson moved to the south coast for £10m, before returning on loan, although a potential swap deal failed to materialise.

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Elite Cardinals closer linked to Red Sox as potential trade target

Elite Cardinals closer linked to Red Sox as potential trade target originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox are trending toward being buyers ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline. If they do make moves to strengthen their roster, pitching should be the priority.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow echoed that sentiment on Thursday, telling WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show that the club would likely focus on improving the starting rotation. However, bolstering the bullpen should also be a point of focus for Boston’s front office.

A strong bullpen is often the key to postseason success. As great as veteran closer Aroldis Chapman has been this season, the Red Sox could use another reliable arm to stabilize the back end.

So, who should be on Breslow’s radar?

ESPN’s Jeff Passan named an intriguing option as the “best match” for Boston with the deadline looming: St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

“Red Sox relievers walk too many hitters and don’t strike out enough. Take away Aroldis Chapman — the best reliever in the AL this season — and the Red Sox have a middle-of-the-pack bullpen,” Passan wrote.

“Getting Helsley from St. Louis would give Boston arguably the top setup-closer combination in baseball and go a long way toward supporting a rotation that has been among the game’s best over the past month.”

Helsley, who turns 31 later this month, has been among MLB’s best relievers for the last four years. The hard-throwing right-hander is a two-time All-Star who received Cy Young votes last season and in 2022.

While he hasn’t been as dominant this year (3.19 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 31 appearances), Helsley would pair perfectly with Chapman and take pressure off overworked Red Sox relievers Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, and Brennan Bernardino. He’d also be a rental, so Boston may be able to pry Helsley from St. Louis for a relatively affordable price if he and the Cardinals can’t come to terms on an extension this month.

Passan believes adding a Helsley-like reliever and a starter before the deadline would make the Red Sox legitimate contenders.

“Boston has the makings of a very good team in the second half,” he added. “…Everyone is contributing. A reliever or two and another starter would make the Red Sox the sort of contender they envisioned being at the beginning of the season.”

The Red Sox have also recently been linked to Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, though it will likely take a significant haul to acquire the All-Star righty. Ryan, who’s in the midst of his best statistical season, is under team control through 2027.

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on July 31.

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'No Firm Offer' From Maple Leafs to Andrew Mangiapane Despite Interest

Andrew Mangiapane, a player of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their search for another forward, ultimately signed with the Edmonton Oilers when free agency opened earlier this month, rather than his hometown team. Instead, Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Mangiapane was a guest on TSN’s First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo and discussed Toronto’s interest. “For sure, I think I was definitely hearing out the Maple Leafs, obviously there’s some pros and cons,” Magiapane said. “But there was no really, I guess, firm offer or anything like that”.

Mangiapane had 14 goals and 14 assists in 81 games this season. His 28 points with the Washington Capitals last season were his lowest since the 2018-19 season, which he attributed to his role with the club. This time, however, there’s a chance he could be playing with the likes of Connor McDavid. Mangiapane said both players reached out to him about the prospect of joining the Oilers.

The player spent the first seven of his eight NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, giving Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving familiarity with him. When he became a free agent, Mangiapane didn't think the Oilers would be interested given his ties to their Alberta rival. With wingers like former Maple Leaf Connor Brown departing Edmonton for the New Jersey Devils, however, there's certainly a fit, and the Oilers are betting that Mangiapane can bounce back by playing with some of the best talent in the NHL today.

In 498 NHL games, the 29-year-old Mangiapane has 123 goals and 120 assists. In 10 playoff games with the Capitals last season, the winger scored a goal and added an assist.

Where do the Leafs go for a top-six winger?

Through 10 days in July, the Maple Leafs have not been able to fill the void left by losing premier forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. However, it was never expected that void would be filled quickly. Buy-low acquisitions like Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth may pay off, but the Leafs would still like to add more potency up front.

According to PuckPedia.com, the Leafs have $4,983,081 in cap space based on a 23-player roster. That does not account for Nick Robertson’s arbitration case, which will take place later in the summer. There’s also talk that depth forwards David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok could be moved to open more cap space.

(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

This Is What Riley Nash Will Always Be Remembered For In His Maple Leafs TenureThis Is What Riley Nash Will Always Be Remembered For In His Maple Leafs TenureA former Toronto Maple Leafs player, with a brief history with the club, has called it a career. Riley Nash told the Western Canadian news outlet Castanet that he is retiring from professional hockey after 628 games in which he registered 63 goals and 113 assists. Maple Leafs' Farm Marlies Home Opener RevealedMaple Leafs' Farm Marlies Home Opener RevealedThe Toronto Marlies' home opener has been revealed. 'Mitchy Earned The Right To Go Wherever He Wants': Ryan Reaves Discusses Marner’s Depature And Time Spent With The Marlies Last Season'Mitchy Earned The Right To Go Wherever He Wants': Ryan Reaves Discusses Marner’s Depature And Time Spent With The Marlies Last SeasonBefore Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves calls it a career, he hopes to hit the milestone of 1,000 games.
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Mackie Samoskevich signs one-year deal with Panthers

One of the Florida Panthers top homegrown talents is sticking around for at least another year.

On Thursday, the Panthers announced a one-year deal with forward Mackie Samoskevich.

The terms of the deal, which includes a $775,000 salary, was first reported by PuckPedia.

He had previously been a restricted free agent and was given a qualifying offer by Florida ahead of the July 1 deadline.

“Mackie is a talented young forward who demonstrated skill and maturity well above his age in his first full NHL season,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “He showcased his ability to slot into any hole in our lineup and find success this past season, which is a testament to both his play and character. We look forward to seeing him compete in our organization for years to come.”

Samoskevich was selected in the first round, 24th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft.

He played in 72 games last season, his first full year in the NHL, and accumulated 15 goals and 31 points.

The young native of Newton, Connecticut should get a good look in Florida’s top six next season, whether it be on a line with Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart or perhaps the Sam Bennett line with Matthew Tkachuk.

That’s all assuming Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice keeps his line-pairs (Barkov-Reinhart, Bennett-Tkachuk, Lundell-Luostarinen) together for a third straight season.

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Photo caption: Apr 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich (25) carries the puck during warm up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo: 'A lot of people try to convince me' to play for Knicks

The NBA rumor mill is always buzzing, especially over the summer during the offseason.

Kevin Durant was traded from Phoenix to Houston earlier this week, Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both recently signed supermax contracts to stay put, and the Milwaukee Bucks shockingly waived Damian Lillard following his Achilles injury in the playoffs.

There's been speculation Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the next NBA superstar to request a trade, and following the Bucks parting ways with Lillard, it feels like now would be the time to do so if he wants to leave Milwaukee. But where would Antetokounmpo go that makes sense for the next chapter of his career?

It seems like the people around the two-time MVP have an idea...

"A lot of people have tried to convince me, try to convince me to go and play there [New York] and stuff," Antetokounmpo told popular streamer iShowSpeed.

The Knicks have long been rumored as a potential landing spot for the star forward, especially after it was reported he was "open-minded" about leaving the Bucks back in May.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley noted at the time that "it would be foolish to count the Knicks out" on a potential trade for Antetokounmpo. But then New York fired Tom Thibodeau after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers and it felt that the odds of landing the superstar weren't good due to a number of hurdles.

New York will of course continue to monitor his situation with the Bucks until he commits to the team long-term. Antetokounmpo has three years left on his $175 million contract with a player option for the third season, and is scheduled to make $54 million in the 2025-2026 season.

Antetokounmpo was later asked by iShowSpeed if he plans to stay in Milwaukee.

"Probably, probably. We'll see, we'll see," Antetokounmpo said. "Probably, I love Milwaukee."

It's not a 100 percent solid yes, so Knicks fans can continue to dream of the blockbuster trade scenario for the time being.

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Blackhawks Officially Announce 2026 Preseason Schedule

The Chicago Blackhawks revealed their preseason schedule to season ticket holders via email on Wednesday. They received an update on the United Center parking situation along with it. 

On Thursday, the team made the preseason schedule public. They will open with three games on the road and close it out with three straight at the United Center. 

9.23 @ Detroit Red Wings

9.27 @ St. Louis Blues

9.28 @ Minnesota Wild

9.30 vs Detroit Red Wings

10.3 vs Minnesota Wild

10.4 vs St. Louis Blues

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XChicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xour preseason schedule is here‼️ get your tickets now!🎟️ ➡︎ https://t.co/JuF0UTaHKT

Due to the recent collective bargaining agreement extension, the last time that NHL teams will play 6 (or more) exhibition games. Instead, starting in 2026-27, they will play fewer preseason games and have an 84-game regular season. 

Although preseason games don’t impact the standings, the Blackhawks will present plenty of reasons to watch. In addition to the NHL regulars playing, plenty of young prospects will be battling to make the team.

Hype will surround players like Anton Frondell, Nick Lardis, and Ryan Greene, among others, who are looking to make their NHL debuts. With good camps and performances in these exhibition games, they make the team and play on opening night. 

On Wednesday, the Rockford IceHogs also announced their home opener for the 2025-26 season. This will take place on Saturday, October 11th against the Milwaukee Admirals, who eliminated the IceHogs in a winner-takes-all game five of the second round last year. 

Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) on XRockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) on XCIRCLE THE DATE ✍️ Our home opener for the 2025-26 season will be on Saturday, October 11th vs the Milwaukee Admirals. Ready for revenge? 📰: https://t.co/E67Hy9umdZ

With all of the talent that the Blackhawks have in their system, you can expect their preseason slate and the entire Rockford IceHogs schedule to be incredibly important for development. 

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