Report: Leo Carlsson Chose Flyers' Offer Sheet Over Other NHL Teams

In the aftermath of the Philadelphia Flyers signing budding Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet on Friday, there was one important detail that kept getting skipped over in discussion.

The key to any offer sheet having a chance, of course, is the player signing it, which is what Carlsson, 21, did with the Flyers. He signed their contract offer and accepted a move away from the Ducks, and that is what kicks this whole saga off.

Most important of all is that Carlsson reportedly chose the Flyers over other teams that presented him and his camp with an offer sheet, which is a big development for Philadelphia as they seek to transition from rebuilder to contender--something they would achieve by pulling off this endeavor successfully.

According to TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger, Carlsson had four teams make him an offer, but, as we know, he chose the Flyers in the end.

"This will certainly juice the market according to several player agents. Carlsson had 4 teams present Offer Sheets and several who [shared] a high level of interest," Dreger reported on his X account.

It certainly helps that the Flyers were able to offer an $18 million cap hit with a bajillion dollars in signing bonuses up front, but again, Carlsson did choose the Flyers.

Much like sending out an offer sheet itself, there is nothing prohibiting the Flyers, the Ducks, or other NHL teams for making that kind of contract offer to acquire a really good player.

Maksim Sokolovskii Caps Flyers Development Camp with Dominant Offensive DisplayMaksim Sokolovskii Caps Flyers Development Camp with Dominant Offensive DisplayNew top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Maksim Sokolovskii is already turning heads in all facets of the game.

There are some faults to the deal, too, like Carlsson becoming a 26-year-old unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract, allowing him to sign another big-money deal with the Flyers, Ducks, or another team, this time being able to do so without any kind of strings attached.

The Flyers also included a full no-move clause in the final year of Carlsson's contract, which means that he's either staying with the team that wins this offer sheet battle, or ends up walking to a new one in free agency.

Now, the Ducks could always trade Carlsson before that year, yes, but it's clear that the Flyers are making this kind of bold move to get Carlsson and have him play hockey in Philadelphia, not to strong-arm other front offices and play politics.

They want Carlsson to be their No. 1 center of the future, and don't really care about the cost they have to pay to make that happen. It is a no-lose situation for the Flyers, who have signaled that they are ready to compete for a Stanley Cup now with the players, prospects, and assets they currently have.

Carlsson and his camp recognized that, anomalous contract notwithstanding, and now we just wait and see if the Ducks bend the knee to the Flyers.

Texas Rangers lineup for July 4, 2026

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 26: Texas Rangers Outfielder Brandon Nimmo (24) celebrates after scoring a run during the MLB regular season game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays on June 26, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for July 4, 2026 against the Detroit Tigers: starting pitchers are Cal Quantrill for the Rangers and Jack Flaherty for the Tigers:

After the rare Friday scheduled off day, the Rangers return to action this afternoon in game two of their series against the Tigers. Brandon Nimmo is back in the lineup after missing the previous four games with a sprained A/C joint. Jake Burger is getting the day off.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Smith — 1B

Jung — 3B

Nimmo — RF

Osuna — LF

Duran — SS

Carter — CF

Diaz — C

Lopez — 2B

3:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +105 underdogs.

Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange shut down for six weeks

Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange will not throw for approximately six weeks after suffering a capsular sprain in his throwing shoulder, the team announced on Friday, July 3.

This move comes on the heels of an MRI which had been scheduled for the 23-year-old after he was placed on the seven-day IL by Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, July 4.

Initially, the organization's plan for Lagrange was to convert him from a starter into a reliever, and have the hard-throwing strikeout machine join manager Aaron Boone's big-league roster at some point in 2026.

However, with the Yankees bullpen continuing to struggle - particularly true for right-handers Camilo Doval and Tim Hill - amidst a 13-15 record since the start of June, many were been hoping that Lagrange could offer a boost in that department sooner rather than later.

Now, the anticipated debut for the highly rated prospect, who has struck out 83 batters in 63.1 innings at Triple-A this season, will come after the MLB trade deadline (Monday, August 3 at 6:00 p.m.) at earliest.

It will be interesting to see how Lagrange's long-term injury factors into the plans of Yankees general manager and senior vice president Brian Cashman, who will be doing all he can to build a bullpen which can bring a 28th World Series title back to the Bronx come this fall.

Padres vs Dodgers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's MLB Game

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The red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers go for their seventh win in their last eight games as they host the San Diego Padres tonight.

With Los Angeles heavily juiced at -233 on the moneyline, my Padres vs. Dodgers predictions are targeting the Boys in Blue on the run line.

Read on for my full MLB picks for Saturday, July 4.

Who will win Padres vs Dodgers tonight: Dodgers -1.5 (-116)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a massive starting pitching advantage. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will leverage his patented splitter against a San Diego Padres lineup that struggles against the offering, posting the fourth-lowest runs above average (-7.1).

Griffin Canning issues too many free passes (13.3% walk rate) and allows loud contact (third percentile hard-hit rate), and he should get battered by a Dodgers lineup with the second-best barrel rate (9.4%).

L.A. has won 10 of Yamamoto’s 15 starts and should do so comfortably here, so I’d play the run line up to -125.

Covers COVERS INTEL:Griffin Canning struggles mightily against left-handed hitters (.312/.398/.578), and L.A. has nine hitters with a wRC+ over 115 against right-handed pitchers.

Padres vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-104)

L.A. has played Under in nine of Yamamoto’s last 14 starts, so I’m riding the trend. He limits walks (5.1% walk rate), which is crucial against a Padres lineup that’s walked more than anyone else against RHP in the last 14 days.

Canning will struggle, but manager Craig Stammen can go to his well-rested bullpen early. Mason Miller hasn’t thrown since Monday, so he’ll likely make an appearance and influence the total.

The Padres have gone Under in seven of Canning’s 11 appearances despite his inconsistency, largely because the hook is quick and the bullpen behind him has been effective (3.71 SIERA).

JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 25-24, -2.85 units
  • Over/Under bets: 33-17, +15.23 units

Padres vs Dodgers weather

Temperatures at Chavez Ravine are expected to be in the mid-70s, with light winds around 5-10 mph.

Padres vs Dodgers odds

  • Moneyline: Padres +218 | Dodgers -242
  • Run line: Padres +1.5 (+105) | Dodgers -1.5 (-116)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-118) | Under 8.5 (-104)

Padres vs Dodgers trend

Los Angeles has covered the run line in five of Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s last six starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Dodgers.

How to watch Padres vs Dodgers and game info

LocationDodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
DateSaturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch10:10 p.m. ET
TVPeacock
Padres starting pitcherGriffin Canning
(1-5, 7.09 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcherYoshinobu Yamamoto
(8-5, 2.67 ERA)

Padres vs Dodgers latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Tigers vs Rangers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Texas Rangers are 7-1 in their last eight games and look to stay hot when they host the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on the Fourth of July.

Texas comes into the game as the slight underdog at -100, but today’s pitching matchup will give them the edge over Detroit (-104).

I’ll break down that down in my free MLB picks & Tigers vs. Rangers predictions for Saturday.

Who will win Tigers vs Rangers today: Rangers (-103)

The Texas Rangers have been on fire over the past 10 days, ranking fifth in BABIP (.330), seventh in wRC+ (132), and averaging 5.6 runs per game during that stretch.

Detroit Tigers starter Jack Flaherty has been poor this season, with a 4.97 ERA and 1.53 WHIP, while he sits in the 14th percentile in pitching run value.

Flaherty’s breaking pitches have given him issues – particularly his slider, which he throws 25% of the time. The Rangers have feasted on the slider vs. righties with a .314 BABIP (2nd) and 56.1 wRC (7th).

Give me Texas up to -110.

Covers COVERS INTEL:Rangers starter Kumar Rocker ranks in the 96th percentile in breaking ball run value, with 51 Ks via his slider (8th). The Tigers have the fourth-worst hard hit % vs. that pitch from righties (31.1%).

Tigers vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-121)

These teams have not been offensive powerhouses this season, but they are right now, both averaging over 5.5 runs per game since June 25.

The Rangers have six players hitting .350 or better over the past seven days, while Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson are both sitting at an OPS above 1.000 for the Tigers this week.

The Over has cashed in six of Texas’ last eight and five of Detroit’s last six.

Chris Faria's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 5-2, +2.18 units
  • Over/Under bets: 2-5, -2.9 units

Tigers vs Rangers weather

Tigers vs Rangers odds

  • Moneyline: Detroit -104 | Texas -100
  • Run line: Detroit -1.5 (+156) | Texas +1.5 (-163)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-117) | Under 7.5 (+108)

Tigers vs Rangers trend

The Tigers have hit the Team Total Over in their last seven games (+7.10 Units / 90% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Rangers.

How to watch Tigers vs Rangers and game info

LocationGlobe Life Field, Arlington, TX
DateSaturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch4:05 p.m. ET
TVDSN, RSN
Tigers starting pitcherJack Flaherty
(1-8, 4.97 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcherKumar Rocker
(2-6, 3.83 ERA)

Tigers vs Rangers latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

REPORT: Milwaukee Is Signing Kam Jones To A Two-Way Contract

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 7: Kam Jones #7 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 7, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
San Antonio to Indiana to Chicago to Milwaukee (kinda) for Kam Jones. | Photo by Pepper Robinson/NBAE via Getty Images

In case you missed it buried at the bottom of the article about Culver’s the other day — the news came out as I was writing that blog! — former Marquette guard Kam Jones is no longer a part of the Chicago Bulls organization. The Bulls waived Jones back on June 30th, right before his contract guaranteed for the 2026-27 season, after they made a draft day trade to acquire the Golden Eagles’ #2 all-time scorer.

As it turns out, Jones’ time without an NBA deal of some kind did not last long. Shams Charania from ESPN is reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks will be signing Kam Jones to a two-way contract. That means that Jones will most likely spend most of the 2026-27 season with the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee’s G-League team, as he will have a limited number of days that he is allowed to spend on the roster with the NBA team.

It’s unclear at this point what this means for Jones and NBA Summer League. I would presume that he will not be hurrying out to Sacramento to join the Bucks for the California Classic portion of Summer League, as Milwaukee plays their first game in that event in less than three hours from when I’m typing this. It’s possible that he will join them there, of course, as it is possible that he’ll join Milwaukee for Summer League in Las Vegas when they get that started on Friday, July 10th.

As Milwaukee moves on from the Giannis Antetokounmpo era — hilariously, because of NBA league calendar rules, Antetokounmpo is actually still listed on the Bucks’ roster right this second — and starts up with new head coach Taylor Jenkins, it’s hard to say for absolute certain what Jones’ chances are of playing his way from a two-way deal into a full-time contract with the Bucks. You could make the argument that Milwaukee is entering a process of a rebuild of sorts right now, and at the end of the day, being able to sign a player like Jones to a minimum salary deal could be useful to them. That’s going to require him to prove he can hang in the league better than he did this past year with the Indiana Pacers.

Jones was the #38 pick one year ago, technically being selected by San Antonio before a trade that was finalized after the fact sent him to the Pacers. He appeared in 37 games for Indiana this past season as the Pacers went 19-63 with Tyrese Haliburton out for the year after suffering an Achilles tear in the 2025 NBA Finals. Jones started seven times along the way and ended up averaging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 16.6 minutes per game. One thing that did not help Jones’ playing time was his 29.3% three-point shooting, and that was dragged down by shooting just 25% in Indiana’s final seven games of the season.


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Jaden Schwartz Signs Three-Year Deal with The Colorado Avalanche

Former Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz signed a three-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

Last season, Schwartz played 50 games with the Kraken, recording 11 goals and 15 assists.

At 34, he is entering his 16th NHL season, having appeared in 861 games with the Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues.

He has recorded 233 goals and 320 assists in his NHL career.

The Blues drafted Schwartz 14th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, and he won the Stanley Cup with them in 2019.

He recorded a career-high 63 points in 2014-15.

On July 28, 2021, he signed as a free agent with Seattle. He played five seasons with the Kraken before signing a three-year contract with Colorado on July 2. 

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What we learned from the Spurs Summer League loss to the Heat

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Maliq Brown #15 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a three-point shot against the Miami Heat during the second half in the California Classic, an NBA Summer League game, at Chase Center on July 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Summer League feels different this year. It’s the first year the San Antonio Spurs haven’t had a lottery prospect to watch since 2019. There won’t be that eager anticipation of watching a Victor Wembanyama or Dylan Harper-level player suit up in the Silver and Black for the first time. With their most hyped-up draft pick, Jayden Quaintance, missing the summer games with an injury, the team is filled with depth players, two-way guys, and G Leaguers. Until Carter Bryant joins the team in Las Vegas, there isn’t really a player on the roster who is likely to factor into the Spurs’ regular-season rotation.

If anything, it makes this summer more interesting. We’ll get to see first-round pick and likely third-string center Tarris Reed Jr. get a lot of playing time. Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Maliq Brown, who just signed two-way deals, should play most of the summer and have plenty of opportunities to get accustomed to the NBA game. There will be room for a G League player to make a name for themself, just like David Jones-Garcia did last year.

Like it is every year, the first game of the Summer League was ugly. Neither of these teams has played together before, which led to 36 combined turnovers in the game. There was aggressive defense and sloppy offense. It’s more of a showcase for talent and a way for prospects to get used to the NBA game than a place where you are looking for a winning team. San Antonio’s team has an interesting collection of talent this summer, and they showed it in the 88-87 loss to Miami.

San Antonio has two open roster spots and no open two-way slots. Two-way contacts can come and go. Summer League this year is going to be about the Spurs’ draft picks showing they can contribute as depth pieces, and G League players trying to prove they can earn a two-way deal, either in San Antonio or elsewhere. Plenty of players got off to a good start on Friday toward achieving those goals.

Takeaways:

  • All eyes will be on Reed Jr. in the California Classic. The 26th overall pick had an up-and-down game in his first taste of NBA action. He finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and a block on 3-10 shooting from the field. He looked like someone who hadn’t played an organized basketball game since March. He was a step slow and got lost a few times off-ball on defense. However, his strengths (and in this case, that is literal) were on display. Reed Jr. is massive. He takes up a lot of space in the paint, which allowed him to grab three offensive rebounds. He set hard, physical screens that freed up his teammates all game long. He had a few good passes out of the high post, showing his potential as a playmaker. He lacked some touch around the rim early, but settled in late and hit all three of his free throws. There was a lot of positive stuff in his first game, but definitely some things to improve on as the summer goes on.
  • There have been videos of Reed Jr. hitting threes in workouts, and some talk that teams think he may eventually be able to space the floor a bit. His first Summer League shot was a step-back three at the end of the shot clock… it airballed. Maybe he will develop a three-point shot eventually, but it seems unlikely he will take many early in his career.
  • Brown was perhaps the most impressive rookie on Friday. Defense was his MO coming out of Duke. San Antonio used him both as a wing and a small-ball backup center. He thrived in both roles, always getting to the right spots defensively while picking up a steal and a block. He’s quick enough to switch onto ball-handlers and big enough to contest shots inside with his 7-foot wingspan. What was even more impressive was Brown’s shooting. He was 2-4 from deep on Friday, knocking down standstill threes from the top of the key and the corner, important locations for a small-ball five. Brown shot 26% from three in college. It’s unlikely that he will be a high-percentage shooter in the NBA, but if he is, with his defensive skill, he could become a steal with the 44th pick.
  • Gillespie was the other rookie that Spurs fans had their eyes on. He got a lot of shots up, but was largely inefficient, going 3-17 from the field for 10 points and 8 assists. Gillespie found the ball in his hands a lot on a Summer League team without many primary ball-handlers. Despite missing a lot of shots, his game management wasn’t horrible. He only had 1 turnover with his 8 assists and picked up three steals on defense. He hit two impressive three-pointers off movement, which was enough to get me excited about his shot-making long-term. His defense off the ball was pretty ugly, as he got caught ball-watching a couple of times, leading to backdoor layups for the Heat.
  • If you are looking for the Jones-Garcia of the summer, I have two names for you: Miles Kelly and RJ Davis. Kelly is incredibly smooth and has a sweet-looking jump shot. It won’t surprise me if he fills it up in a few games this summer. Davis has never seen a shot he doesn’t like. He went 4-8 from the field for 15 points off the bench. His potentially game-winning three was one of the ugliest shots of the game, but hey, someone has to shoot it!
  • Sicko Summer League insight inbound: I loved watching Emmanuel Miller and Jayden Nunn on the wings. They are both super athletic and have good instincts in the passing lanes. Nunn had 4 steals in the loss, while Miller had 2. That’s the type of athleticism and instinct that you bet on and keep around the G League program, in case they develop an offensive skill that can translate to the NBA.
  • I really liked what I saw from RJ Melendez. He made simple plays, but has a solid 6 points off the bench after hitting two threes. He also had 4 blocks, showing his versatility defensively on the wing.

"Super Exciting": Former Red Wing Sebastian Cossa Ready For Big Chance With Mammoth

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Former Detroit Red Wings draft selection Sebastian Cossa was traded on the opening day of the 2026 NHL Draft to the Utah Mammoth in return for the 23rd overall selection.

With the pick, the Red Wings selected Kamloops Blazers forward J.P. Hurlbert, who will play locally at the University of Michigan in the upcoming season.

But it closed the chapter on Cossa's time with the Red Wings, which never really got off the ground at the NHL level. He only has one game of NHL experience under his belt at this point, but that will likely change in short order in Salt Lake City.

Cossa, whom the Mammoth have already signed to a two-year, $4 million deal, said that he wasn't quite sure what to expect coming into the summer as a pending restricted free agent. 

Speaking on the Utah Puck Report podcast with Jay Stevens of KSL Sports, Cossa said he focused on staying in the moment while watching Michal Postava start for the Grand Rapids Griffins during the Calder Cup Playoffs earlier this spring, while also hearing whispers of potentially being moved. 

"For me, obviously, going into RFA this summer, I'd been hearing it through the grapevine for quite a while," he said about the possibility of being dealt. "I went into the playoffs with Grand Rapids. Obviously, I wasn't playing at that point, but I was just trying to stay in the present. We were hoping for a long playoff run there, but I wasn't worried about it too much.

"But obviously, as the offseason gets going, you talk about it a little more — where you'll be next year," he continued. "Obviously, you see that stuff on social media. Still, I wasn't too sure what was going to happen this offseason. I knew it was a possibility, but I didn't know for sure it was happening."

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Known as the Arizona Coyotes before relocating to Utah in 2024, the Mammoth returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020 and have a bevy of young talent that has helped them earn the reputation of a team on the rise. 

"I've heard only good things about the organization, and the people reaching out to me already have made me feel comfortable already," Cossa said of his first impressions of the Mammoth. "It's been great." 

After posting a 26-8-4 record with the Griffins last season, Cossa could open the upcoming campaign as Karel Vejmelka's backup with the Mammoth.

"A Really Good Person": Dan Cleary Happy For Sebastian Cossa's New Chance In Utah "A Really Good Person": Dan Cleary Happy For Sebastian Cossa's New Chance In Utah Dan Cleary, the Director of Player Development for the Detroit Red Wings, addressed the trade of goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth last week.

If all goes well, he may even develop into the franchise's long-term starter - a future many once expected him to have in Detroit.

But he knows nothing is given at the NHL level. 

"It's super exciting," he said. "It's been a long path, and for me, it's going there and earning the job. It's still a big summer for me; I want to go there and earn that and show they made the right decision." 

"For me, there's a lot of work to go in, but obviously really excited now." 

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Oilers Sign Newest Defenseman, Shakir Mukhamadullin to a 2-Year Contract

The Edmonton Oilers have signed Shakir Mukhamadullin to a two-year extension. The deal is worth $1.75 million per season. 

Mukhamadulin came over to the Oilers in the Darnell Nurse trade. 

Mukhamadullin is a 24-year-old Russian defenseman, originally drafted 20th overall by New Jersey in 2020, who came to San Jose in the 2023 Timo Meier blockbuster trade. He's a big, mobile blueliner at 6-foot-4, known for a strong shot and real offensive upside, though his defensive game is still rounding into form at the NHL level.

He made his debut in January 2024 and has bounced between full-time NHL duty and healthy scratches since, most recently posting five goals, 12 points and 60 blocked shots over 50 games with San Jose last season while managing a couple of injuries. 

He's now with the Edmonton Oilers, and he will get a shot at locking down a full-time NHL role. 

If he clicks in Edmonton, the Oilers come away from the Nurse trade with a legitimate long-term piece on defense, not a player they had to take back to move Nurse's contract. If he doesn't, the downside is limited to a roster spot, not a wasted asset.

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Where Are They Now? Former Senators Find New Homes And New Deals This Week

The opening days of NHL free agency provided a reminder of just how many players have passed through the Senators organization.

Over the past three days, a long list of former Senators have signed contracts with new or existing clubs. Some will fill full-time NHL roles next season on one-way contracts, while others will head to training camp on two-way deals looking to earn a roster spot. 

Steve Staios spoke this week about keeping a light on for Claude Giroux if he decides he wants to play here for another season.

Former Senators Signing One-Way NHL Contracts

Nick Jensen – Anaheim Ducks

Nick Jensen's tenure in Ottawa officially came to an end after he signed a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $2.2 million per season.

Jensen spent two seasons with the Senators after arriving from the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2024 as part of the Jacob Chychrun trade. Ottawa's objective in acquiring the veteran right-shot defenceman was to rebalance its blue line, and for much of his first season he provided exactly that before injuries began to take their toll.

Mathieu Joseph – Edmonton Oilers

Mathieu Joseph signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Edmonton Oilers.

Joseph spent parts of three seasons with Ottawa after arriving from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 trade that sent Nick Paul to Tampa Bay. His best offensive season in Ottawa came in 2023-24 when he produced 35 points in 72 games, but that didn't impress Steve Staios, who had just taken over as GM.

With the Senators looking to create flexibility, Joseph was traded to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2024. The Sens even had to throw in a third-round pick to convince the Blues to do the deal. Ottawa went on to sign several other forwards in free agency.

Lars Eller – Florida Panthers

After spending one season with Ottawa, Lars Eller signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The veteran centre got off to an impressive start with the Senators, recording six points in his first 12 games. His production slowed considerably after that, and with centre Stephen Halliday pushing for a full-time NHL opportunity, Ottawa opted to move in a younger direction.

Erik Gudbranson – Columbus Blue Jackets

Erik Gudbranson will remain in Columbus for a fifth season after signing a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. Gudbranson just wants to stay healthy after injuries limited him to just 53 games total over the past two seasons.

The Ottawa native spent the 2020-21 season with his hometown Senators, appearing in 36 games before being traded to Nashville for Brandon Fortunato and a 7th rounder.

Ian Cole – Chicago Blackhawks

Ian Cole signed a one-year contract that will pay him $4 million.

Cole's stint as a Senator barely lasted long enough to unpack. Ottawa acquired him from Pittsburgh in the 2018 Derick Brassard trade that also brought goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson to the organization.

Just three days later, the Senators flipped Cole to Columbus for a third-round draft pick. Eight years later, the veteran defenceman is still cashing sizeable NHL paycheques. Chicago will be his 8th team since his drive-thru experience with Ottawa.

Nick Foligno – Minnesota Wild

Nick Foligno keeps rolling.

At 38, the former Senators captain signed another one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $900,000. Foligno joined Minnesota last season to play alongside his brother Marcus and will return for another campaign.

Foligno was traded by Ottawa 14 years ago for Columbus defenseman Marc Methot.

Dennis Gilbert – Buffalo Sabres

Defenceman Dennis Gilbert landed a one-year, one-way NHL contract back with Buffalo worth $850,000.

Gilbert did two recent tours of duty with the Sens. He arrived in 2025 in the Josh Norris deal but then left in free agency last summer. He came back this season in exchange for Max Guenette before heading to free agency again this summer. The Sens can't seem to quit him, so maybe we'll see Gilbert again soon.

So there it is, your list of old faces in new places. Next up, we'll tackle the list of former Senators who signed two-way deals with new organizations this week.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:

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“Unreal”: Beckett Hamilton Begins Avalanche Journey After “Surreal” Draft Day in Buffalo

Beckett Hamilton’s first experience inside the Colorado Avalanche organization offered an early look at the habits, pace, and standards that come with being an NHL prospect.

The jump to the Avalanche system comes after a year where he built momentum in the WHL and added international experience with Team Canada at the U-18 level, giving him a broader look at high-end competition before turning pro.

Hamilton was also the highest-drafted player Colorado selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, taken 74th overall after spending draft day in Buffalo with his parents as his name was called.

“It was a special day I’ll cherish forever with my family,” Hamilton said. “To get picked by this type of team is unbelievable.”

Hamilton said the early stages of his pro path have been about understanding what an NHL environment actually looks like and absorbing as much as possible from it.

“You come into an NHL environment,” Hamilton said. “And you just see how things are run, how they do stuff and how you get treated. So, bring that with me and try to share that back with my team in the WHL and just learn as much as I can from the guys around me.”

As for his identity on the ice, he pointed to a blend of competitiveness and skill, with an emphasis on playing through contact and getting to the net.

“I’m not the biggest guy,” Hamilton said. “But I play bigger than I may seem, and I like to score goals and I like to be around the net.”

That style is part of what the Avalanche saw when they selected him, and what he’s now beginning to refine as he adjusts to the pace and detail of a professional environment.

That connection also included growing up watching Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who is coming off his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and has long been one of Hamilton’s favorites, now serving as a direct example of the standard inside the organization.

Beyond that Avalanche connection, Hamilton also pointed to players he’s tried to model parts of his game after, including Brayden Point and Jonathan Toews, who have combined for five Stanley Cup championships for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hamilton said the opportunity to join Colorado is something he’s eager to build on as he continues his development.

“You see the success they’ve had over the last couple of years and the players they bring in,” Hamilton said. “It’s unreal. And I can’t wait to get started with them.”

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MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, July 4

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William Contreras has been a scoring machine against struggling right-handed pitchers.

That should continue Saturday vs. Merrill Kelly, which is why he headlines our three MLB player props and MLB picks for Saturday, July 4.

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Brewers William ContrerasOver 0.5 runs-105
Dodgers Freddie FreemanOver 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs-142
Mariners JP CrawfordOver 0.5 walks+128

William Contreras Over 0.5 runs (-105)

William Contreras has feasted on right-handed pitching this season, sporting a .294 average and .349 on base percentage.

He has a spectacular matchup against Merrill Kelly, who owns a 5.84 ERA and ranks in the first percentile in Pitcher Run Value.

Isolating right-handed starting pitchers who rank in the 30th percentile or worse in ERA, Contreras has scored in 11 of 15 games this season – tallying 13 in total.

Look for the Milwaukee Brewers star to make his way around the bases tonight. Play to -135.

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: BREW, AIRD

Freddie Freeman Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-142)

Griffin Canning has no answers for left-handed hitters. He has allowed a whopping .312 average against lefties while ranking in the 16th percentile in xwOBA.

Freddie Freeman is a prime candidate to take advantage. The veteran lefty has recorded multiple H+R+R in 67.6% of his games when facing a starter who sits in the 50th percentile or worse in both xwOBA and OBP.

That number climbs to 72% in winning efforts, which is certainly noteworthy with the Los Angeles Dodgers -250 favorites to come out on top.

Back Freeman to -160.

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SDPA, SNLA

J.P. Crawford Over 0.5 walks (+128)

Shane Bieber is struggling with control vs. left-handed hitters. He is striking them out at the exact same rate as he’s walking them (15.8%), which is not a recipe for success.

Since the beginning of the 2025 campaign, J.P. Crawford has played 21 games against starting pitchers ranking in the 30th percentile or worse in K% and BB% against left-handed hitters.

Crawford drew at least one free pass in 15 of them, including four of five this year. Crawford has walked eight times in just five such matchups this season.

I see a lot of value. Play to -115.

  • Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Sportsnet, SEAM
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 2-1, +1.0 units

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Rich Paul gives an update on when LeBron James will make free agency decision

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Rich Paul talks with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers are once again vying for LeBron James’s services in free agency and could be in the driver’s seat for doing so. However, they may have to wait a couple more days to figure out whether James is coming back home.

James’s agent, Rich Paul, told Mark Medina of Forbes that he doesn’t “think this happens anytime soon.” When asked whether that means it’s days or weeks away, Paul said, “I don’t think it’ll be the next few days.”

This timeline lines up with when James made most of his other free agency decisions.

The Decision to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010 came on July 8. The return to Cleveland in 2014 came on July 11. The second week of July is when James usually makes his free agency decisions, which lines up with what Paul is hinting at. The one exception to this was when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. That was decided on July 1.

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There’s a lot of speculation and rumors out there about what direction LeBron may be leaning. At this point, those are just that. James is supposedly valuing happiness and a chance to compete for a title on his next team. Both of those characteristics are pretty subjective. Only LeBron knows what makes him happy and what he values from an on-court fit on his next team.

The other teams that are reported to be in the mix for James’s services are the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Denver Nuggets.

We’ll see how this drawn-out free agency process plays out for the Cavs. Does this force them to make a move to try to impress LeBron? Trading for Anthony Davis or someone else close to James could be a way of doing that. Or are the Cavs going to stand pat, confident in their current group’s ability to compete for a title if James were added to the fold? After all, we’re talking about a core that did just make a conference finals run without James.

LeBron has spent the last eight seasons with the Lakers. The 41-year-old averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds on .513/.317/.737 shooting splits last season.

This Headline Intentionally Left Blank

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Manager Mark Kotsay #7 of the Athletics takes the ball from pitcher Jeffrey Springs #59 taking Springs out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the six inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on June 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy birthday, America. I tried to get you a tie, but then the Marlins scored 7 extras runs. Tonight you will be treated to lots of fireworks, and I don’t mean from Jeffrey Springs pitching.

But enough about how wretchedly the A’s play at home — I have it on good authority (ok fine, Lawrence Butler) that it’s the ballpark’s fault and not the fault of the players who can’t match what opposing players can accomplish. Funny how it wasn’t “the ballpark’s fault” when the A’s were forced to play their home games in a venue that often had 90% of its seats empty and sometimes had sewage seeping into the clubhouse, yet the A’s often had one of the best home records in MLB.

Anyhoo, when I say “enough about how wretchedly the A’s play at home” I mean I’m going to continue talking about it for a while, because let’s face it: if the A’s could just have matched their 22-21 road record with similar “just mediocrity” at home, they would be sitting tied for 1st place right now.

Unfortunately, mediocrity is currently a pipe dream for the Sacrammerlin A’s. Here are some stats you might find interesting, and by interesting I mean they might make you want to put a firecracker up a defenseless kitten’s ass and walk away.

It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #1: The A’s home ERA this season is now 6.25. This is partly due to the fact that their ERA in the top of the 1st inning this season is 8,423.65 (give or take).

It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #2: A’s pitchers, at home, have served up 86 HRs in 45 games. That means that any home game in which the staff gives up 2 HRs is called “just another day at the office”.

It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #3: Jeffrey Springs has thrown 54.1 IP at home this season and he has coughed up 16 HRs. This is an even more impressive pace of 1 HR every 3.4 innings. It only seems like it’s 3.4 HRs every 1 inning.

It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #4: The A’s are 15-24 at Sutter Health Park, which is a robust .385 winning percentage.

It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #5: In their 39 games at Sutter Health Park, the A’s have given up 8 runs or more in 14 of them. That’s about 36% of their games.

It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #6: It’s not enough just to lead the majors in HRs allowed at home, the A’s also lead all of MLB in issuing walks at home: 199 walks, 10 more than their closest competitor (Houston) and more than twice as many as the Rays (98).

I would go on but the last thing I’d want to do is belabor the point. What I will say is this: until the A’s figure out a way to play halfway decently at home, rather than playing horrifically and then blaming the situation, the team cannot compete for anything because they play half their games at home. Simple math tells you that you can’t win enough games if you give up “6 and a quarter runs” half the time and can’t outscore the other team even 40% of the time in half your games.

To make that work the A’s would have to be true road warriors, dominating and winning about 2/3 of the time. In reality the A’s are hitting, as a team, .229/.304/.359 on the road and that’s not likely to win you 2/3 of your games.

So it’s not even a matter of the A’s now being too buried to contend. They are 6 games under .500, which means if they win 6 in a row — and any team can in a week where they suddenly get hot — they would be at .500 in a division and league where .500 gives you as good odds as anyone to make the post-season.

The A’s record, and the standings, are not the problem. The complete and utter inability to pitch or play well at home is the back breaker. And it shows no signs of slowing down on what is currently a 1-3 homestand in which the A’s have served up another 31 runs — 9 or more runs in 3 of the 4 games.

Enjoy tonight’s fireworks show! And then try to enjoy the post-game festivities as well.