The Crimson Tide failed to reach 10 wins in 2024 for the first time since 2007.
Canadiens: Forget About Crosby
In a surprise mid-summer edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed one topic that has been written and talked about a lot this offseason: the fate of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. For many Montreal Canadiens fans, it would be logical for Crosby to want out of Pittsburgh and to entertain a move to the Habs, since they were his childhood team, but according to the insider, that’s not happening, at least this summer.
The insider said that the captain would start the year in Pittsburgh and that there was no doubt about that whatsoever. For him, Crosby is not getting traded this summer; he even chuckles at the idea. While this will be news for some, it never felt like there were any legs to the idea.
Canadiens And Red Wings Will Be Fighting For A Playoff Spot
Canadiens: About A Potential Mason McTavish Trade
Canadiens' Blueline Ranked Among NHL's Best
The fact that the Canadiens need a second-line center doesn’t mean that top players automatically become available. The Montreal crowd sometimes appears to think that it’s the only market in which there’s a tradition and history of greatness, but just like the Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, and Guy Lafleur passed on the torch to the new generation, Mario Lemieux passed the Penguins’ torch on to Crosby and he has personified the Penguins ever since.
There’s no Jacques Lemaire behind the bench in Pittsburgh cutting the captain’s ice time and making him feel surplus to requirements like the Demon blond felt in Montreal at the start of the 1984-85 season, far from it. Crosby is still the man in Pittsburgh, and not every player gets to play for the team they cheered for as a kid.
While John Tavares couldn’t wait to leave the New York Islanders and go home to play with the Toronto Maple Leafs when he became an unrestricted free agent, Crosby has never even been tempted to test the market. He has lived and breathed Pittsburgh ever since the Pens won the draft lottery back in 2005.
That’s where his legacy is, and while Friedman stops short of saying that the legend in the making will finish his contract or even the season in Pittsburgh, it feels like he won’t cheapen his legacy by leaving. This is not Raymond Bourque, who had to leave the Boston Bruins to win a Stanley Cup finally. Crosby was drafted, developed, and won in Pittsburgh; he led them to the promised land, and he accomplished the dream.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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Blue Jays at Rockies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 5
It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Blue Jays (66-48) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (30-82). José Berríos is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Anthony Molina for Colorado.
The Blue Jays dominated the series opener, winning 15-1 behind three homers (8 RBI) to put a stamp on what was an ugly 2-6 stretch for Toronto. The Rockies have now lost two straight and permitted 24 runs in those outings.
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 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 Blue Jays at Rockies
- Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
- Time: 8:40PM EST
- Site: Coors Field
- City: Denver, CO
- Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, COLR
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 Blue Jays at the Rockies
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
- Moneyline: Blue Jays (-207), Rockies (+170)
- Spread: Blue Jays -1.5
- Total: 11.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Rockies
- Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: José Berríos vs. Anthony Molina
- Blue Jays: José Berríos, (7-4, 3.84 ERA)
Last outing: 4.15 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts - Rockies: Anthony Molina, (0-0, 7.27 ERA)
Last outing: 4.50 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
- Blue Jays: José Berríos, (7-4, 3.84 ERA)
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!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Blue Jays and the Rockies
Rotoworld 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 Tuesday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Rockies:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Toronto Blue Jays on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 11.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at Rockies
- The Blue Jays have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against NL West teams
- The Rockies' last 4 home games have gone over the Total
- The Blue Jays have covered the Run Line in 5 of their last 7 matchups against the Rockies
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Ademola Lookman goes on strike at Atalanta over ‘broken promises’ for transfer
Club refusing to sell to Serie A rivals Inter
Centre-forward complains of ‘poor treatment’
Ademola Lookman has gone on strike as he attempts to force through a move to Inter, but Atalanta have insisted he will not be sold to another Italian club.
The Nigeria forward did not attend pre-season training for the second day in a row after handing in a transfer request last weekend, when Lookman also published a statement in which he accused Atalanta of “broken promises”. An improved Inter bid worth up to €45m (£32.1m) including add-ons was rejected last week after a €40m offer for the 27-year-old was turned down.
Continue reading...Padres at Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, stats for August 5
It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Padres (62-51) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (54-59). Yu Darvish is slated to take the mound for San Diego against Ryne Nelson for Arizona.
The Diamondbacks won the opener, 6-2, behind an early lead where they never had to look back. Arizona are now winners of three consecutive games, while the Padres dropped two of the previous three that followed six straight wins.
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 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 Padres at Diamondbacks
- Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
- Time: 9:40PM EST
- Site: Chase Field
- City: Phoenix, AZ
- Network/Streaming: SDPA, ARID, MLBN
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 Padres at the Diamondbacks
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
- Moneyline: Padres (-136), Diamondbacks (+115)
- Spread: Padres -1.5
- Total: 9.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Padres at Diamondbacks
- Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Yu Darvish vs. Ryne Nelson
- Padres: Yu Darvish, (1-3, 6.47 ERA)
Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts - Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson, (6-3, 3.20 ERA)
Last outing: 1.69 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
- Padres: Yu Darvish, (1-3, 6.47 ERA)
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!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Padres and the Diamondbacks
Rotoworld 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 Tuesday’s game between the Padres and the Diamondbacks:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Diego Padres on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Arizona Diamondbacks at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Padres at Diamondbacks
- Arizona is 3-0 in the last three games
- Arizona is 5-3 versus San Diego this season
- The Diamondbacks have lost 12 of their last 20 games
- 6 of the Diamondbacks' last 8 matchups against National League teams have gone under the Total
- The Diamondbacks have covered the Run Line in 3 straight games
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Mets vs. Guardians: How to watch on SNY on Aug. 5, 2025
The Mets continue a three-game series against the Guardians at Citi Field on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...
Mets Notes
- Francisco Lindor is hitting .319/.373/.532 with two home runs and four doubles in 51 plate appearances over his last 11 games
- Edwin Diaz has allowed one earned run since April 21. For the season, Diaz has a 1.41 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 67 strikeouts in 44.2 innings
- Clay Holmesstruggled his last time out, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits in just 3.2 innings against the Padres in San Diego
GUARDIANS | METS |
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What channel is SNY?
Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.
How can I stream the game?
The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.
In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone.
How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB?
To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps:
- Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider.
- Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account.
- Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY.
- Select the SNY Mets game you wish to view from the Multimedia Center.
How can I watch the game on the MLB App?
MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.
- Download the free MLB App.
- Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices.
- Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”
- To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.
For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.
ICYMI in Mets Land: Top prospect buzz; the plan for Frankie Montas
Here's what happened in Mets Land on Monday, in case you missed it...
- The Mets erased a late 5-0 deficit, but the lack of timely hitting once the game was tied and a 10th-inning error by Brett Baty led to a 7-6 loss to the Guardians at Citi Field
- Sean Manaeacruised until being touched up for five runs in the sixth inning
- After struggling badly on Sunday, Frankie Montas will pitch this coming Saturday against the Brewers -- but he might not start the game
- SNY contributor Joe DeMayo's midseason top 30 Mets prospects list is out
- It's time for the Mets to turn to Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean in the rotation
- The Mets promoted right-hander Dom Hamel ahead of Monday's game
- Edwin Diaz was named the National League Reliever of the Month for July
- WATCH: Hamel discusses how he's preparing ahead of his big league debut
Cardinals at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, stats for August 5
It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Cardinals (57-57) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (65-48). Miles Mikolas is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Emmet Sheehan for Los Angeles.
The Cardinals opened the series with a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers as Yohel Pozo delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Monday's contest was the Dodgers first game back on the west coast apozofter a nine-game east coast road trip (5-4 record in that span).
Los Angeles has now alternated wins and losses over the past six games, while St. Louis is 2-4 in that span.
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 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 Cardinals at Dodgers
- Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
- Time: 10:10PM EST
- Site: Dodger Stadium
- City: Los Angeles, CA
- Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, SNLA, MLBN
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 Cardinals at the Dodgers
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
- Moneyline: Cardinals (+154), Dodgers (-187)
- Spread: Dodgers -1.5
- Total: 9.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Dodgers
- Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Miles Mikolas vs. Emmet Sheehan
- Cardinals: Miles Mikolas, (6-8, 4.83 ERA)
Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts - Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan, (2-2, 3.60 ERA)
Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
- Cardinals: Miles Mikolas, (6-8, 4.83 ERA)
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!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cardinals and the Dodgers
Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) thinks the Dodgers will be of value for the next 18 games:
"After a nine-game road trip that went from Boston to Cincinnati to Tampa Bay (5-4 record) — Los Angeles lost its first game back on the west coast, 3-2 to the Cardinals.
In the next 18 games, the Dodgers will be on the west coast for all of them with Colorado being the furthest traveled game. Los Angeles will host St. Louis, Toronto, and San Diego, while visiting San Diego, Colorado, and the Angels — so it's a decent schedule to back the Dodgers -1.5 for plus-money until August 25th when they head to Cincinnati.
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 Tuesday’s game between the Cardinals and the Dodgers:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the St. Louis Cardinals at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cardinals at Dodgers
- At home this season the Dodgers have won 12 of 22 games following a defeat
- The Under is 5-0 in the Dodgers' last 5 games
- The Cardinals have covered the Run Line in 3 straight games at the Dodgers
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Reds at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 5
It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Reds (59-54) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (65-47). Zack Littell is slated to take the mound for Cincinnati against Shota Imanaga for Chicago.
The Reds opened the series with a 3-2 win off a RBI single in the seventh inning. Despite the win, the Cubs still own the season edge, 4-3.
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 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 Reds at Cubs
- Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
- Time: 8:05PM EST
- Site: Wrigley Field
- City: Chicago, IL
- Network/Streaming: FDSNOH, MARQ, TBS
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 Reds at the Cubs
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
- Moneyline: Reds (+152), Cubs (-183)
- Spread: Cubs -1.5
- Total: 8.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Reds at Cubs
- Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Zack Littell vs. Shota Imanaga
- Reds: Zack Littell, (8-8, 3.58 ERA)
Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts - Cubs: Shota Imanaga, (8-4, 3.25 ERA)
Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
- Reds: Zack Littell, (8-8, 3.58 ERA)
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!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Reds and the Cubs
Rotoworld 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 Tuesday’s game between the Reds and the Cubs:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cincinnati Reds at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Reds at Cubs
- The Cubs have won 4 of their last 5 home series
- The Over is 4-1 in the Cubs' last 5 divisional matchups
- Chicago is 8-8 since the All-Star break
- Cincinnati is 9-7 since the All-Star break
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is cover athlete for NHL 26 video game
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is cover athlete for NHL 26 video game originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has been revealed as the cover athlete for the upcoming NHL 26 video game.
EA Sports is expected to release more details for the game on Wednesday.
He’s a tone-setter, a leader, and now a cover star.
Matthew Tkachuk is the face of #NHL26.
See the full reveal August 6th: https://t.co/gsLeVReKbupic.twitter.com/S24tmSe834
— NHL (@NHL) August 4, 2025
Tkachuk is the first Panthers player to be on the cover since John Vanbiesbrouck in 1997.
The 27-year-old winger has only been with Florida for three seasons but has already led the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, in 2024 and 2025.
Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers in 2022 after six seasons with the Calgary Flames. Next year, Tkachuk will suit up for Team USA at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics alongside his brother Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.
Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks was the cover star last year of NHL 25.
The Routes Islanders Matthew Schaefer Can Go After Signing His Entry-Level Deal
New York Islanders first overall pick Matthew Schaefer is now the proud owner of a three-year entry-level deal after putting pen to paper on Monday.
Islanders Sign No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer To Entry-Level DealThe New York Islanders announced that they have signed No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer to his entry-level deal.
Contrary to popular belief, the contract is a legal one despite Schaefer not turning 18 until Sept. 5, which is when the contract ultimately kicks in.
Because Schaefer signed his ELC, that eliminates his ability to play in the NCAA this fall.
"I mean me, personally, I want to play in the NHL," Schaefer told us after throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday night. "Other people would always ask me 'where do you want to go?' But for me, I was so dialed in on wanting to play in the NHL. And when I set goals for myself, I work as hard as I can so I can get to that point.”
So, with college off the table, here are the options for the Islanders when it comes to Schaefer.
This is a reminder that Schaefer, under this collective bargaining agreement, is ineligible from playing in the American Hockey League, with the minum age being 20.
Schaefer turns 18 on Sept. 5.
OPTION 1: Plays in the NHL Full Time
The Islanders do not want to rush Schaefer. However, if they believe he's 100% ready to contribute in 2025-26 and proves his capabilities during training camp and preseason, he will likely make the team. There's an opening on the bottom pairing alongside either Scott Mayfield or Adam Boqvist, and it will be up to Schaefer to beat out fellow youngster Isaiah George.
Even if Schaefer makes the Islanders, that doesn't mean he has to play every day—just like we saw with Noah Dobson back in the day. There's value in practicing with an NHL team and getting your feet wet.
Once Schaefer plays over 10 games with the Islanders, that will burn the first season of his ELC, which brings us to the next option.
OPTION 2: Plays Nine Games Then Goes Back to Erie Otters
Schaefer may show well in training camp and earn a spot ahead of the 2025-26 season, but because of the 10-game rule when it comes to burning a year off an ELC, most youngsters get what we call a nine-game sample size.
After those nine games, the team will evaluate the player and decide whether or not he should remain with the big club or be returned to his junior team, which is the OHL's Erie Otters.
This past season, Calum Ritchie played seven games for the Colorado Avalanche before he was returned to the OHL's Oshawa Generals.
Because Schaefer only played 17 games for Erie last season due to mono and a broken collarbone, the Islanders would have to weigh whether staying with the NHL team in a bottom-pairing role is best for his development—or if playing top-pairing minutes on his talented junior team would prove more beneficial.
If, after the nine games, the Islanders believe sending Schaefer back to juniors is best, he would be ineligible to return to the NHL roster until after his OHL season ends.
OPTION 3: Plays More Than 10 Games but Still Goes Back to Erie
There is a world—not a realistic one—where Schaefer plays over 10 games with the Islanders and still heads back to juniors. For the Islanders and Schaefer, it's all about not rushing him. If they feel that he deserved more than nine games but maybe started to struggle around game 15, they could loan him back to juniors, where he'd have to remain for the rest of the junior season.
This is not a popular move, as the Islanders would be burning a year of team control for just a few extra games. But again, his development matters more.
Final Thoughts
Schaefer is going to be given every opportunity to make the Islanders. With Dobson now with the Montreal Canadiens, the Islanders don't just have a hole at 5-on-5 for a puck-moving defenseman—they also have a hole on the power play, even with Tony DeAngelo back on a one-year deal.
While beating out George for an NHL spot for that final starting defenseman gig won't be a cakewalk, Schaefer provides a clear need for this team. And if he can execute at training camp and show that he can handle NHL physicality while not deviating from his game, he'll make the team.
PHOTO: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list
Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been the odds-on favorite to win his fourth National League MVP award since before the season even began. He tightened his stranglehold on the race through the end of June, leading the NL in homers, OPS, and extra-base hits.
As for Kyle Schwarber, he has largely toiled in obscurity, a distant third on the list behind Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs as recently as last week. Some books didn’t even have odds for him a month ago.
However, Schwarber’s annual June hot streak began a bit later than usual. But it’s here, and it has been a game-changer in the MVP race.
Tuesday night’s performance against the Orioles was the latest haymaker thrown by Schwarber, two resounding left hooks that laid waste to errant pitches. A two-run smash that tied the game at 3-3, then a TKO grand slam in the team’s eight-run sixth inning.
Since July 1, Schwarber leads the NL in homers (15) and RBIs (37), and he’s second in OPS (1.140). Ohtani’s insurmountable lead in the MVP race has been decimated. At FanDuel, for example, he is still a -650 favorite, but Schwarber is on the radar, second-best at +550. PCA is now third at +1300.
Surely, Ohtani adds value to his team with his pitching ability. But looking purely at the offensive numbers, it’s nearly a dead heat:
| Ohtani | Schwarber | |
| 512 | PA | 498 |
| 102 | RUNS | 79 |
| 38 | HR | 40 |
| 73 | RBI | 94 |
| .274 | BAT AVG | .258 |
| .378 | OBP | .382 |
| .600 | SLG | .593 |
| .978 | OPS | .974 |
| 59 | XBH | 58 |
These two titans have put on quite a show. The final eight weeks of the regular season should be electric. It’s a shame there can only be one winner.
Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list
Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been the odds-on favorite to win his fourth National League MVP award since before the season even began. He tightened his stranglehold on the race through the end of June, leading the NL in homers, OPS, and extra-base hits.
As for Kyle Schwarber, he has largely toiled in obscurity, a distant third on the list behind Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs as recently as last week. Some books didn’t even have odds for him a month ago.
However, Schwarber’s annual June hot streak began a bit later than usual. But it’s here, and it has been a game-changer in the MVP race.
Tuesday night’s performance against the Orioles was the latest haymaker thrown by Schwarber, two resounding left hooks that laid waste to errant pitches. A two-run smash that tied the game at 3-3, then a TKO grand slam in the team’s eight-run sixth inning.
Since July 1, Schwarber leads the NL in homers (15) and RBIs (37), and he’s second in OPS (1.140). Ohtani’s insurmountable lead in the MVP race has been decimated. At FanDuel, for example, he is still a -650 favorite, but Schwarber is on the radar, second-best at +550. PCA is now third at +1300.
Surely, Ohtani adds value to his team with his pitching ability. But looking purely at the offensive numbers, it’s nearly a dead heat:
| Ohtani | Schwarber | |
| 512 | PA | 498 |
| 102 | RUNS | 79 |
| 38 | HR | 40 |
| 73 | RBI | 94 |
| .274 | BAT AVG | .258 |
| .378 | OBP | .382 |
| .600 | SLG | .593 |
| .978 | OPS | .974 |
| 59 | XBH | 58 |
These two titans have put on quite a show. The final eight weeks of the regular season should be electric. It’s a shame there can only be one winner.
Ex-Flyers Prospect Backs Matvei Michkov to Become Face of the Franchise
Star Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov doesn't lack supporters in and around the NHL these days, but he's just received even more big praise.
In a recent interview with Tatar-Inform, former Flyers prospect Maxim Sushko dished on Michkov, predicting a rise to super-stardom.
"I think [Michkov could become the face of the Flyers]. Philadelphia management loves Russian hockey players and is happy to invite them to the team," Sushko said.
"Matvei had a great debut season in Philadelphia. If he continues to progress, he will become the team’s main star in the future. It’s a pleasure to watch him and his game. I sincerely wish him a great career in the NHL."
For those who may not remember Sushko, the Belarusian forward was drafted 107th overall by the Flyers in 2017 and made his only two NHL appearances in Feb. 2021.
Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Exciting, Simple Plan for Matvei MichkovNew Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has revealed his simple, preliminary plan to get the most out of star rookie Matvei Michkov going forward. It's not rocket science.
And, while Sushko has been in the KHL since the 2022-23 season, his words about Michkov (and the Flyers, especially) carry significance as someone who has been there and seen that.
Michkov, 20, led all rookies in goals last season with 26, and also finished joint-second with Macklin Celebrini in rookie scoring (63 pts), trailing only Lane Hutson (66).
What comes next for the Flyers star remains to be seen, but it's reasonable to expect small improvements around the edges to bring him at or near 30 goals, 50 assists, and 80 points.
The addition of Trevor Zegras and, in due time, Jett Luchanko, will give Michkov more speed and support down the middle, allowing him to do new things.
Flyers' Matvei Michkov Dishes on Rookie Season: 'There Is No Limit to Perfection'Budding Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov had quite the strong rookie season in the NHL last year, but he's already looking ahead to bigger and better things in the future.
And new head coach Rick Tocchet is also prepared to let the Russian sensation do his thing, as he's said multiple times already this offseason.
Everything seems to be trending in the right direction for the young Michkov, but the next step will be executing and putting it on the ice next season.
Canadiens And Red Wings Will Be Fighting For A Playoff Spot
The Montreal Canadiens did well against the Atlantic Division last season, and that included the games against Steve Yzerman’s Detroit Red Wings. The Habs won three or the four meetings between the two sides last season, including the latest one in April, as both teams were clinging on to the hope of making the postseason.
Montreal and Detroit fought it out first in a home-and-away series in December. The Canadiens won both of those games, the first by a score of 4-3 in Detroit with Patrik Laine scoring the game-winning goal on the power play 12 minutes into the final frame.
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The result was even worse for the Wings the next day in Montreal, as the Habs secured a 5-1 win. Jake Evans, Emil Heineman, and Laine, who had all scored the day before, struck again with Juraj Slafkovsky and Brendan Gallagher completing the score. The Wings were never truly in that one, and Alex Lyon was a big reason why, surrendering five goals on just 24 shots.
Detroit’s sole win of the season against the Canadiens came on January 23rd, a 4-2 triumph in which they took 45 shots on Samuel Montembeault’s net, with captain Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider leading the charge with a couple of points each.
As for the April game, Montreal won 4-1 despite only taking 21 shots on goal, far from Cam Talbot’s best effort. Meanwhile, Montembeault turned aside 35 of the 36 shots he faced. It was a tight contest until the very end; however, the game was tied until halfway through the second period when Josh Anderson sealed the deal, and Gallagher and Nick Suzuki both scored with less than two minutes to go.
In the end, Montreal outscored Detroit 15-9 on the season, and its knack to beat the Wings played an essential part in its playoff qualification. Motritz Seider and Dylan Larkin were the Wings’ best players against the Habs, each posting three points, while Patrick Kane and Joe Veleno each had two.
As for the Canadiens, Jake Evans was their top scorer, followed by Patrik Laine and the now departed Emil Heineman, who both had three. While Yzerman would have liked to add some scoring punch to his offense this summer, he wasn’t able to do so, but he did make some sizeable additions. Acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks was a good move, if only as a solid placeholder until Trey Augustine is ready for the big leaguer.
Signing Mason Appleton as a free agent will also give Detroit some depth up front, and he has playoff experience. Yzerman was also able to retain Kane’s services while shipping out Vladimir Tarasenko, whose performance fell short of expectations last season. James Van Riemsdyk’s signing will add some veteran leadership, while Jacob Bernard-Docker will bolster the blueline.
The Wing will be gunning for a playoff spot this upcoming season, and those meetings with the Canadiens will be of pivotal importance. Kent Hughes didn’t stand pat this offseason, though, and the arrivals of Noah Dobson and Zach Bolduc will go a long way towards making the Habs a better team.
The first game between the two teams will take place on October 9, the second tilt in two days for the Canadiens, who are starting the season with a back-to-back.
Photo credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
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