Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck says “very challenging circumstances” involving his family were among the reasons he requested a trade out of Winnipeg.
In a letter to Jets fans posted Wednesday on Instagram, Hellebuyck acknowledged his trade request disappointed those who had supported him throughout his career in Winnipeg.
“I understand those feelings, and I want everyone to know it was an extremely difficult decision,” he said. “After a lot of thought and discussion, we ultimately felt that making a change was the best thing for our family.
“We’ve chosen to keep those personal circumstances private, and I hope people can respect that.”
Hellebuyck was traded Oct. 23 to the New Jersey Devils for forwards Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.
The trade came a month after Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goaltender and the 2024-25 MVP, publicly demanded a move. The Jets later suspended him for failing to report to training camp.
While the relationship between the Jets and the one-time face of their franchise ended on a sour note, Hellebuyck stuck a conciliatory tone in his letter.
“I’m sincerely grateful to (co-owner) Mark Chipman, (GM) Kevin Cheveldayoff and the entire Jets organization for the opportunity they gave me and the trust they showed in me over the years,” he said.
“To my teammates, coaches, trainers, equipment staff and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for your friendships, support and memories that I will always carry with me.”
He saved some of his kindest words for Winnipeg’s fans, noting how he felt a connection to the city through his love of the outdoors.
“To the great Jets fans who supported me and my family, thank you,” he said. “I’ll never forget the pride I felt representing Winnipeg, and I wish the Jets and the entire community nothing but the best.”
It remains to be seen if Jets fans will reciprocate his feelings when the Devils visit Winnipeg on Tuesday.
Hellebuyck is among several prominent American NHL players who have pushed for moves from Canadian teams to clubs south of the border.
Two of Hellebuyck’s U.S. Olympic gold-medal teammates have faced hostile receptions in their former NHL cities. Brady Tkachuk, the longtime Senators captain, was heavily jeered when his Florida Panthers recently visited Ottawa. Former Canucks captain and current Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes also heard boos upon his return to Vancouver.
Round 24 of voting was the last of 2023 (we did not do an actual wrap for the voting, but Jordan Sprinkle ended up being our final pick), and the full archive.
We are starting the Top 100 Prospect countdown on the same day as our first poll, with the goal of running a new poll every day. At that rate, we should get through 35 Votes before the Top 100 meets our polling, giving SSS readers 35 chances to weigh in on our Top 100. From there, we will stop the polling and run through the remaining players, finishing up as all players report to camp in mid-February.
As of now our countdown will start with Fidel Montero as our Mr. 100 this year. We’ve customarily turned over the Prospect Vote to the next round as soon as the top vote-getter seems to have an insurmountable lead, but if there’s a rout, we’ll call it in a day. In order to get as many votes as possible in, we’ll try to wait no longer than two days before the next round.
Four players from last year’s Top 10 Prospects have lost their prospect status due to MLB service (Braden Montgomery at No. 1, Noah Schultz at No. 3, Hagen Smith at No. 4 and Sam Antonacci at No. 7). As an indication that there is some continuity in the system, four players on last year’s initial ballot appear in this year’s as well. With Mason Adams having been traded, that means just one player, Christian Oppor, performed poorly enough to drop off of our initial ballot.
Six of the 10 players on this first 2027 ballot played in the White Sox system in 2026, including two who made their major league debuts during the season. As to be expected drafting so early, we have four 2026 draft choices rounding out on the first ballot.
This year, the grandfather of our Top 100 is Tanner McDougal, marking his sixth year on our list and having moved from No. 21 to 22, 26, 63 and 6 so far. If all goes well, it will be his last, as he’ll see significant MLB time.
All right, let’s have some fun. And get voting!
This was our first tight race, with David Sandlin springing to an early lead and holding off Billy Carlson. Sandlin earned 27 of 91 votes (30%):
Sandlin, acquired along with Jordan Hicks for Gage Ziehl in what was regarded as a mere salary dump deal, came to Chicago too late last offseason to make our Top 100 or Prospect Vote.
Past No. 3s in the SSS Top Prospect Vote 2026 Caleb Bonemer (40%) 2025 Edgar Quero (25%) 2024 Bryan Ramos (29%) 2023 Bryan Ramos (29%) 2022 José Rodríguez (38%) 2021 Michael Kopech (69%) 2020 Nick Madrigal (70%) 2019 Dylan Cease (75%) 2018 Luis Robert Jr. (63%)
Outfielder George Wolkow joins the ballot this round.
South Side Sox Top-Voted White Sox Prospects for 2027
William Bergolla Jr. Shortstop Age 22 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 15 2026 high level Charlotte (AAA) Age relative to high level -5.1 years Overall 2026 stats (ACL/AAA) 11 games ▪️ 0 HR ▪️ 9 RBI ▪️ .444/.524/.556 ▪️ 2-of-4 (50.0%) SB ▪️ 5 BB ▪️ 4 K ▪️ 1.000 FLD%▪️ 0.6 WAR
The epitome of a “Chris Getz player,” Bergolla offsets his Punch-and-Judy bat with deft baserunning, a killer glove and incredible plate discipline. Well young for his level, this legacy player (dad, also William Bergolla) has cut through the White Sox system like butter since his acquisition at the 2024 trade deadline (from Philly, for Tanner Banks). After getting some heavy run in Spring Training 2026, Bergolla was on the fast track to Chicago before a collision with left fielder Sam Antonacci in an April game for the Knights gave him a serious bone bruise in his leg; after a lengthy stint on the IL, Bergolla broke his injured leg in his first rehab game in the ACL.
Billy Carlson Shortstop Age 20 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 7 2026 high level Kannapolis (Low-A) Age relative to high level -1.3 years Overall 2026 stats (ACL/Low-A) 60 games ▪️ 0 HR ▪️ 21 RBI ▪️ .252/.380/.335 ▪️ 14-of-16 (87.5%) SB ▪️ 41 BB ▪️ 59 K ▪️ .976 FLD%▪️ 1.5 WAR
It was a star-crossed pro debut for the 2025 first-rounder, who broke his left thumb in May and was later shut down for the season with a skin infection on his left leg. Let’s hope Carlson can get right for 2027, as the crush of blue-chip shortstops in the system (led by, of course, 2026’s overall No. 1 pick, Roch Cholowsky) could end up drowning him. Positives? Honestly, in his cameos at the plate Carlson flashed more pop to the gaps and on-base ability than expected.
Jaden Fauske Center Fielder Age 20 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 11 2026 high level Kannapolis (Low-A) Age relative to high level -1.3 years Overall 2026 stats 118 games ▪️ 4 HR ▪️ 48 RBI ▪️ .250/.388/.360 ▪️ 46-of-56 (82.1%) SB ▪️ 94 BB ▪️ 125 K ▪️ .948 FLD%▪️ 2.8 WAR
A year ago, we were not certain where Fauske would play, as a high school catcher announced at the draft as an outfielder-only. That proved to be the case in his first professional season, but what ho, Fauske saw more time in center than right field. And with quicks that saw Jaden snatch 46 bags in 118 games, the youngster might well stick in center.
Kyle Lodise Shortstop Age 22 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 24 2026 high level Winston-Salem (High-A) Age relative to high level 0.0 years Overall 2026 stats 111 games ▪️ 20 HR ▪️ 77 RBI ▪️ .230/.380/.440 ▪️ 42-of-51 (82.4%) SB ▪️ 92 BB ▪️ 141 K ▪️ .957 FLD%▪️ 3.6 WAR
Lodise made a return visit to Winston-Salem in 2026, and his first full professional season went extremely well. With a low average and slug to burn, the shortstop fits right in with the org profile of swinging hard, damn the contact. Thankfully, Lodise is selective enough at the plate to produce astronomical OBPs. And his power bat is showing better than advertised at this point.
Tanner McDougal Right-Handed Starting Pitcher Age 23 2024 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 33 2025 SSS Prospect Poll ranking N/R 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 6 2026 high level Chicago (MLB) Age relative to high level -6.2 years Overall 2026 stats (High-A/AAA/MLB) 2-3 ▪️ 27 games (7 starts, 3 finishes) ▪️ 50 IP ▪️ 4.86 ERA ▪️ 53 K ▪️ 34 BB ▪️ 1.480 WHIP ▪️0.2 WAR
The good news is that McDougal was enough of a core piece to be promoted to Chicago in the second half of 2026. The bad news … well, where to start. McDougal’s presumptive march to the South Side rotation was stopped dead early in the season, when he was sidelined for weeks with forearm tightness. While the injury was thankfully not severe enough to necessitate a second TJS, Tanner was a relief arm for the rest of the season and not a stable one at that. His brief cameo in Chicago saw him rack up one out along with three walks.
Javier Mogollón Second Baseman Age 21 2026 high level Winston-Salem (AA) Age relative to high level -2.0 years Overall 2026 stats (Low-A/High-A) 91 games ▪️ 14 HR ▪️ 57 RBI ▪️ .262/.368/.448 ▪️ 36-of-44 (81.8%) SB ▪️ 53 BB ▪️ 123 K ▪️ .965 FLD%▪️ 2.5 WAR
The diminutive (5´8´´, 160) infielder wowed in rookie ball and though his climb has slowed, Mogollón has steadily risen up our ranks, from No.62 in our 2024 Top 100 to the cusp of the Top 10 today. That said, he’s seen two straight seasons shortened by hamstring issues. At least in 2026, Mogollón was able to return before season’s end, providing a clutch bat coming that provided a .313/.389/.813 slash and eight RBIs en route to sweeping to a SALLY title.
Cole Prosek Third Baseman Age 19 2026 High Level Magnolia Heights (H.S.) Overall 2026 stats (H.S) 41 games ▪️ 18 HR ▪️ 79 RBI ▪️ .545/.678/1.177 ▪️ 62 R ▪️ 7 SB ▪️ 31 BB ▪️ 12 K
Coming to Chicago as a second-rounder, Prosek seems more highly-regarded by evaluators than the guy picked ahead of him by the White Sox, low first round choice Landon Thome. That’s a curious thing, but Prosek dominated his prep competition even more thoroughly than Thome. Plus, while the White Sox regard Prosek as a second baseman, his prep time was spent significantly at the hot corner, and he has experience behind the plate as well.
Landon Thome Shortstop Age 19 2026 High Level Nazareth Academy (H.S.) Overall 2026 stats (H.S) 7 HR ▪️ 29 RBI ▪️ .545 AVG ▪️ 49-of-50 (98.0%) SB
How crazy is it to have two high school teammates (Thome and Jaden Fauske) on our first ballot of the voting year … or any ballot, ever? The White Sox were so hot to dip back into Nazareth’s roster that they dealt promising 2023 first-rounder Jacob Gonzalez to Pittsburgh to acquire the draft pick to snag him; clearly the club was not confident Thome would drop into the second round. Unlike his father, Hall-of-Famer and White Sox adviser Jim, Landon is better regarded for his speed and defense than his ability to put the ball over the fence. Slugging will come in time for junior, however.
Joey Volchko Right-handed starting pitcher Age 21 2026 high level University of Georgia (NCAA) Age relative to high level +0.1 years Overall 2026 stats 11-2 ▪️ 18 starts ▪️ 1 CG ▪️ 95 1/3 IP ▪️ 3.68 ERA ▪️ 119 K ▪️ 46 BB ▪️ 1.343 WHIP ▪️ 2.1 WAR
This big-armed righty can touch 100 mph with his fastball, but wildness concerns might have precipitated Volchko’s drop to the White Sox in the third round in spite of MLB ranking him as a second round (68th-best) talent. He’s a big-game pitcher who dragged the Bulldogs to their first College World Series win in 18 years with a complete-game effort over the University of Texas. There’s a chance Volchko ends up as a high-leverage bullpen arm, but he will get every chance to stick as a starter.
George Wolkow Right Fielder Age 21 2024 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 14 2025 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 13 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 16 2026 high level Winston-Salem (High-A) Age relative to high level -2.0 years Overall 2026 stats 123 games ▪️ 22 HR ▪️ 100 RBI ▪️ .239/.317/.446 ▪️ 15-of-22 (68.2%) SB ▪️ 50 BB ▪️ 179 K ▪️ .971 FLD%▪️ 1.6 WAR
Wolkow sacrificed speed and what batting eye he had for power in 2026, and while that made for some impressive counting stats (22-100 plays on the back of any baseball card) the hole in his swing hasn’t been sewn. If the White Sox brass is having Wolkow bet on his best tool, power, at all others’ expense, he’s slipping into the Colson Category.
The Atlanta Braves have concluded their season, but there is still quite a bit going on that could directly have an impact on them. We have awards rolling in, salary cap discussions, potential free agent signings and trades, etc.
Keep an eye out for the Rookie of the Year announcement on November 9th. Didier Fuentes likely will not win, but it will be interesting to see how many down votes he gets. It is arbitrary in nature, but it can be fun to discuss what the outcome will be.
Manager of the Year will be announced on November 10th. The term finalist is a bit deceiving because the voting has already decided, but all three NL “finalists” have a legitimate reason to have received the top three total votes. Mattingly took a team look destined to fail and turned the season around. Weiss took a team that missed the playoffs last season and brought them to a NLE division win, and Murphy once again led a dominant Brewers team that led MLB in wins (postseason was not factored into voting).
We also have Chris Sale in the mix for Cy Young. He likely did not win, but like Fuentes it will be fun to see how voters placed him.
The MLB General Manager Meetings start next week on November 9th in Las Vegas. We don’t typically see a ton happen at these meetings, but they do typically set the groundwork for trades and evaluation of free agent markets. There is a small chance we see some minor additions at this time.
Let’s talk about these subjects or whatever else is on your mind in the comments.
The second Splash Brother is on his second team since going solo.
Yes, it’s still an odd experience for Steve Kerr seeing Thompson rise and fire in a No. 11 uniform that isn’t blue and gold. But after four previous trips back to the Chase Center and seven matchups total since their breakup, it doesn’t quite shock the eyes as much as it once did.
“It’ll always be a little strange seeing [him] in a different uniform. But it’s getting a little less strange,” Kerr said. “Those first couple times were really bizarre. And then you get used to it.
“It’s a reminder that most of us in the NBA end up on multiple teams.”
Miami Heat forward Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after scoring against the Indiana Pacers in an NBA Cup basketball game in Miami, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Thompson spent 13 years in the Bay Area, won four championships, rehabbed from two catastrophic leg injuries and drained more than 2,500 3s. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Thompson fell in love with the region — and its fans embraced him just as tightly.
As Kerr alluded to, few things last forever in the NBA. Thompson’s run with Golden State reached its end when he wanted more money and a bigger role than the Warriors were willing to offer, coming off his age 33 season and on the wrong side of the actuarial curve.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, talks with Stephen Curry during a game against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
But that doesn’t mean Thompson is any less inclined to take it to his former team Thursday night. Seeing Kerr and Curry and Draymond Green only makes him want it more.
“I want to beat them bad,” Thompson told reporters in Miami. “We’re all still very competitive in our mid-30s and I love to go compete against them because they’re some of my best friends.”
It might be a challenge for a Miami team that was handed its fifth loss in seven games to begin this season Monday night in Los Angeles, a more traditional homecoming for Thompson, who grew up watching his dad, Mychal, wear a Lakers uniform for the final five years of his playing career.
Klay Thompson of the Miami Heat arrives before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Thompson poured in 19 points in the loss and seems to be heating up just at the right time to put on a show against his former team. After knocking down only 12 of his first 37 3-point tries to start the season (32.4%), he’s sunk 11 on 19 attempts over his past two games.
After being reduced to a bench role for most of his second season with the Mavericks, Thompson has started all of Miami’s first seven games, averaging 11.9 points in 21.9 minutes.
His name won’t be the only one to receive loud cheer during introductions, and no, Giannis Antetokounmpo, isn’t expecting a warm welcome after spurning the Warriors’ advances.
Klay Thompson of the Miami Heat celebrates during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. NBAE via Getty ImagesMiami Heat guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots a 3-point basket against Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Miami. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Two-fifths of the Heat’s starting five is composed of players who started for the Warriors when they beat the Celtics in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals to clinch their fourth title.
By signing with Miami, Thompson teamed up again with Andrew Wiggins, who was traded there in the deal that brought Jimmy Butler to Golden State. Unlike Thompson, Wiggins has only made one previous trip back to Chase Center since the trade.
It’s taken some time for Wiggins to fit in around Antetokounmpo, averaging a career-worst 10.3 points per game while shooting 29.4% from 3, almost seven points below his career rate.
He hasn’t scored more than 18 points in any of his previous three rematches with the Warriors. Thompson went off for 22 and 29 in his first two games back against Golden State, but in five matchups since, he’s been held to single digits twice, averaging 11.2 per game.
Andrew Wiggins (22) of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Kaseya Center in Miami. NBAE via Getty Images
“This is a big part of the business. It’s a small circle, a small community. You get to know each other. You end up competing against friends – sometimes even family,” Kerr said. “It’ll be great to see both guys — Klay and Wiggs. Two just incredible contributors to the Warriors championships, to the culture, just the vibe of the team. Both Klay and Wiggs are wonderful human beings and great teammates. It’ll be good to see them.”
The Heat have two free days after Thursday’s game before they head up the I-80 corridor to Sacramento to face the Kings on Sunday. They plan to stay in San Francisco, giving the former Warriors teammates plenty of time to wax nostalgic if they so choose.
Maybe Thompson will even take up the opportunity to reprise his daily commute, navigating the water on the San Francisco Bay from his Tiburon home to the Warriors’ waterfront facility.
“I just can’t wait to go back and see familiar faces,” he said. “Not just the players, but the training staff, the equipment managers, the people who work the stands and the concessions, the custodians. I have friends for life in the Bay and LA, so it’s always special.”
Valverde hits late winner as Madrid win 3-2 in Athens
Napoli thrashed by Porto, Club Brugge win at PSV
Anastasios Douvikas led the rout with a hat-trick as Como cruised to a 9-1 victory at Lens, equalling the record for the most goals scored in a single Champions League game.
Only two teams had previously won a game by a margin of eight goals since the launch of the modern Champions League in 1992. Liverpool thumped Besiktas 8-0 in the group stage in 2007 and Real Madrid won by the same scoreline against Malmo in 2015.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 Emirates NBA Cup game on October 30, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons are looking to keep the good times rolling against the Philadelphia 76ers. Detroit and Philly are the two best teams in the East, and the Pistons have already notched one win against the Sixers this season. In fact, the 106-93 win in October was Detroit’s sixth consecutive victory against Philly. Tonight, they go for lucky No. 7. That loss against the Pistons also happens to be Philadelphia’s lone blemish on the season. In that matchup, the Pistons were without the services of Jalen Duren. It worked out because they were able to rely on the all-around goodness of Paul Reed. It also didn’t hurt that Joel Embiid missed that first matchup to rest.
Tonight, the Pistons will have no such luck. They are still missing All-Star big man Duren, and tonight the Sixers will employ the services of their former MVP in Embiid. While Detroit has been playing amazing basketball, they have been vulnerable down low, and Embiid will be the best interior big man they’ve faced since they lost Duren to a hamstring injury.
One benefit in Detroit’s favor is that this is a nationally televised game on ESPN, and it seems like Cade Cunningham loves to come up big when the lights are brightest for national television. Cunningham is also coming off of perhaps his most dominant performance of the season, scoring 33 points in just 26 minutes of action. If the game against the Hornets was close instead of a 30-point blowout late, if seems like Cunningham could have gone for 45 points.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: ESPN Odds: Pistons -2.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (6-1)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Paul Reed
Philadelphia 76ers (7-1)
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid
In the 2026 offseason, the Philadelphia Flyers sought to upgrade their defense, but the one transaction they completed just left things worse for wear. Fortunately, the NHL waiver wire has again presented management with an opportunity to fix things.
In the only real move the Flyers made this summer, goalie Sam Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for goalie Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit.
Benoit, 28, has struggled to establish himself for the Flyers as a rotational veteran, temporarily falling behind Hunter McDonald on the depth chart while also ceding reps to prospect David Jiricek early in the season.
A historically limited player offensively, Benoit has no points in 12 games for the Flyers this season, and has just six goals and 30 assists in 364 career regular season games.
The Flyers, who already produced little offense as it is, are going to need much more from their blue line in order to make something of this season.
Fortunately for them, the good news is that Andrae, still just 24 years old, is available for free on the NHL waiver wire.
The 5-foot-9 Swede has struggled to find his footing this season, having featured as a depth piece for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who picked him up as an auxiliary asset in the Kirill Marchenko trade that sent the star Russian winger to Toronto.
Despite that, though, Andrae has produced two points in five games, assisting on Matthew Knies's first Blue Jackets goal on Oct. 1, and picking up another helper against the Maple Leafs in his most recent appearance for Columbus on Oct. 20.
The unfortunate reality for Andrae is that he's not going to surpass Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski, or Denton Mateychuk on the depth chart to earn playing time on the left side of the defense, leaving him to play a seventh or eighth defenseman role as a 24-year-old.
If the Flyers were to claim Andrae from waivers for a reunion, though, the undersized defenseman could presumably slide right back into his bottom-four role on defense, and it undoubtedly helps that Andrae already knows Rick Tocchet's system and the majority of the players on the team.
While things weren't perfect at times under Tocchet, Andrae still enjoyed a breakout campaign last year with the Flyers, playing in a career-high 61 games and scoring two goals, 11 assists, and 13 points with a +15 rating, which was the second-best mark on the team.
He doesn't contribute much on special teams, but Andrae is undeniably an upgrade over Benoit and Jiricek, and probably an aging Nick Seeler, too.
Emil Andrae was quietly a very strong two-way defenseman for the Flyers in his depth role. (HockeyStats.com)
His puck-moving skills would help ease the Flyers' overreliance on players like Travis Sanheim, Jamie Drysdale, and Oliver Bonk, who have been working overtime in offensive situations with the Flyers frequently in need of a goal or two... or three.
As things stand, the Flyers are the fourth-worst team in the NHL with their 4-9-4 record and 12 points, which makes them, by extension, the fourth team in the waiver order.
If they want to reunite with Andrae and upgrade the defense for free, only the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vancouver Canucks have higher waiver priority.
Originally trading Andrae to the Maple Leafs in the Woll deal was the cost of doing business for the Flyers, who had been counting on having the defenseman in their plans until that deal came along.
In fact, they even had Hometown Remix gear made for Andrae that went unused!
But again, now that Andrae is on waivers, the Flyers have a golden opportunity to reunite with a player they never necessarily wanted to lose to begin with, and it couldn't come at a better time in the season than now.
But a huge reason the Lakers are soaring right now is his passing.
He had 13 assists in Monday’s 138-117 win over the Heat as the team finished with 39 assists, the most they’ve had in any game since Lakers coach JJ Redick took over the helm in June 2024.
When the ball is moving like that, the Lakers are very difficult to defend.
Doncic’s passing is an underrated part of his game, overshadowed by his glitzier scoring deluges that drop jaws. But his passing is just as important. It’s what makes his teams dangerous.
He reads defenses in a fraction of a second as though he were doing advanced calculus through throngs of hands trying to obscure his vision.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, is defended by Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins during an NBA game Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
In many ways, that’s his real super power.
“He can make plays, every play in the book that you need to make as a point-of-attack guy,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after the Lakers’ 138-117 win on Monday.
“You have to pick him up 30 feet. He can make every pass in the book. He can read your defense. He understands what we’re trying to do, positions guys in the right spots and he makes the right play over and over and over. That’s what the greats do.”
With Doncic regularly drawing double- and triple-teams, Redick has made decisiveness a major point of emphasis for the Lakers this season.
“It’s the thing we talked about before the game: just shoot, drive, kick it,” Redick said. “Just a lot of 0.5-[second] decision making.”
The Lakers executed against the Heat, making a defense laden with superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo look discombobulated and hapless as they scrambled to slow down Doncic while also stopping leaks.
Sure, Doncic scored an eye-popping 42 points, his fourth 40-point performance in his last five games.
But what really made the Lakers unstoppable?
As a team, they shot 57.3% from the field and 44.2% from beyond the arc. From top to bottom, everyone was starring in their roles.
The Heat’s blitzes on Doncic led to him dishing the ball out to Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes for wide open 3s.
Walker Kessler also capitalized on those moments, finishing with his third straight double-double in a 15-point and 15-rebound performance against the Heat.
“You can see the message, after every double team he was telling them, like, ‘Hey, be aggressive, get downhill,'” Antetokounmpo said. “That fills players up with confidence. You see Sando was aggressive, Kessler was aggressive, Thybulle was aggressive, Grimes — all of them.”
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during a game against the Miami Heat on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic is leading the league in scoring with 38.3 points per game, but he’s also third in assists (8.1).
When Doncic is taking advantage of the attention he draws and his teammates are starring in their roles, the Lakers are hard to beat. They currently have the best offensive rating in the league (121.9).
For a Lakers team with nine new players, including Kessler, it has been a learning process. Let’s not forget the Lakers blowing a 25-point lead against the Warriors on Oct. 30 when Golden State dialed up its defensive pressure.
Playing with a guy like Doncic requires unique skills.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
His teammates must always be ready. They have to react instantaneously. They have to be fearless.
Doncic will make the right reads.
And if his teammates make the right reactions, defenses are stunted.
“I think at the beginning of the season, we didn’t execute well on double teams,” Doncic said. “But I just thought [Monday], I think we improved a lot. Everybody was in the right spots. So it’s not just me, I think it’s everybody, just being in the right spot, being aggressive and shooting with confidence.”
Eight games into the season, it appears guys are adjusting well to Luka Magic.
That makes the Lakers one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 26: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on February 26, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards can match their best start in five seasons with a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.
Washington has won two straight games behind stout defense, especially in the second half, and impressive offensive showings from Anthony Davis, Trae Young and Kyshawn George.
A bulk of that scoring has come at the rim behind a revamped frontcourt and slashing wings. Look for Washington to attack the rim against Atlanta’s 27th-ranked interior defense that allows 53.8 paint points per game.
The Detroit Red Wings already caught a glimpse of what goaltender Michal Postava can do at the NHL level.
Now, he could soon get another crack at it.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Red Wings announced that Postava had been called back up from the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins following an injury to John Gibson during Tuesday's 4-2 setback against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Michal Postava from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions and placed Albert Johansson on IR retroactive to October 24. pic.twitter.com/eWWsi1hFDR
In a corresponding move, defenseman Albert Johansson was placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to Oct. 24.
Gibson, who made 11 saves on the 13 shots he faced in the first period, did not return for the final 40 minutes of play; he was replaced by Daniil Tarasov.
Postava is just over a week removed from having picked up his first career NHL victory, a 4-3 shootout triumph over the high-powered offensive attack of the Edmonton Oilers.
Not only did he stop 25 of 28 shots during regulation and overtime, but he denied two of the NHL's most dangerous players in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the subsequent shootout, before capping the night with a save on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to secure the victory.
Postava was called up late last month to the Red Wings under emergency conditions after Tarasov was injured during practice; he was then returned to the Griffins after Tarasov's return.
So far this season in Grand Rapids, Postava is a perfect 5-0 with a sparkling 1.20 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.
The Red Wings signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025 to a two-year pact with a salary cap hit of $975,000.
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He may be one of the last players ever who has to make that call.
Bauers is one of eight free agents who received a qualifying offer Monday, along with Yankees closer David Bednar, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Marlins outfielder Randy Arozarena. Major League Baseball and the players union have both proposed scrapping the system in the next collective bargaining agreement. The current deal expires Dec. 1 and a lockout is expected.
This is not new territory. When the last CBA expired in 2021, 14 players received qualifying offers. Brandon Belt was the only one who said yes.
Eight of the others had deals in place by the time the owners locked out the players. Four more waited out the 99-day lockout.
What is a qualifying offer in baseball?
A qualifying offer is a one-year contract set at the average salary of baseball's 125 highest-paid players. This year it's a record $23.15 million, up from $22.025 million last year.
A team can only make the offer to a player who spent the whole season with the club and has never received one before.
The player has two choices.
Accept, and he's back with his team for one more season. He can't be traded without his consent until June 15.
Reject, and he becomes a free agent with a draft pick penalty attached. If he signs somewhere else, his old team gets a compensation pick, and his new team gives up at least one of its own.
How much that pick is worth depends on the old team's finances. A revenue-sharing club like the Brewers can get a pick right after the first round if the player signs for $50 million or more. Luxury-tax payers like the Yankees and Cubs only get one after the fourth round.
Most players say no. Since the system began after the 2012 season, only 18 of 157 players accepted before this year. A record four did it last winter.
Who got qualifying offer in 2026?
Randy Arozarena, Mariners: six straight 20-homers, 20-steal seasons
Jake Bauers, Brewers: 26 homers and an .874 OPS before his NLCS MVP run
David Bednar, Yankees: 35 saves and a 2.47 ERA
Ryan Jeffers, Twins: a 116 OPS+ since 2023, sixth among primary catchers
Brandon Lowe, Pirates: 35 homers and 96 RBIs
Adrian Morejon, Padres: the first setup man ever to get a qualifying offer
Trevor Rogers, Orioles: the only starting pitcher in the group
Seiya Suzuki, Cubs: a 128 OPS+ over five seasons in Chicago
Eight offers is the fewest since 2023. Teams handed out 14 before the last lockout.
Cubs outfielder Ian Happ and Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm did not get qualifying offers, which was a little surprising. The Yankees decided not to offer one to Jazz Chisholm a year after Trent Grisham accepted their offer and posted just 0.7 WAR in 2026.
Why the 2026 qualifying offer could be the last
Draft-pick compensation was at the center of the 1981 players strike, and the union has pushed to end or limit it in every negotiation since, according to MLB. Players see it as a drag on free agency, because teams think twice about signing someone who costs them a draft pick.
On May 27, the union proposed eliminating it. On June 25, the league agreed.
MLB repeated that offer Tuesday in a proposal that also pushed its salary cap plan back to 2028. The union quickly rejected the package. The biggest fight between the two sides is over the cap.
According to the league, ending the system would remove draft-pick compensation from free agency for the first time since 1976.
Still, nothing is done until there's a deal. Baseball learned that last time.
When the 2021-22 lockout ended, the owners offered to drop the qualifying offer in exchange for an international draft. The two sides gave themselves until July 25, 2022 to agree. The union rejected the draft, and the qualifying offer survived for the rest of the CBA.
None of this changes the rules for this winter. Teams had to make their offers, and players have to answer, before the current CBA expires.
What's less clear is what happens to a player who rejects his offer and is still unsigned when a new deal arrives. If the system is gone by then, it's unclear whether his old team would still get a pick.
How the qualifying offer worked before the 2021 lockout
The 2021 offer was worth $18.4 million. Thirteen players turned it down, and they split into three groups.
Some didn't wait at all. Eduardo Rodriguez signed a five-year, $77 million deal with the Tigers and Noah Syndergaard took one year and $21 million from the Angels before the decision deadline even arrived. Justin Verlander rejected the Astros' offer and agreed to return to Houston the same day on a one-year, $35 million deal with a player option. That contract was finalized during the lockout.
Others beat the clock. The Rangers gave Corey Seager 10 years and $325 million and Marcus Semien seven years and $175 million. The Mariners gave Robbie Ray five years and $115 million. Raisel Iglesias re-signed with the Angels on Dec. 1. Chris Taylor re-signed with the Dodgers.
Teams committed a single-day record $1.4 billion in contracts on Dec. 1, according to an Associated Press tally. Hours later the owners locked out the players.
Transactions froze from Dec. 2 until March 10, 2022 and the rest of the players with qualifying offers had to wait.
When the market reopened, Freddie Freeman signed with the Dodgers for six years and $162 million. Nick Castellanos got five years and $100 million from the Phillies. Carlos Correa took three years and $105.3 million from the Twins, with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. Trevor Story signed with the Red Sox for six years and $140 million.
Michael Conforto never signed in 2022. He underwent shoulder surgery and sat out the season.
Because the new CBA kept the qualifying offer, the draft picks still changed hands. The Red Sox used the 79th pick as their compensation for losing Rodriguez, on outfielder Roman Anthony. The Dodgers never got to use theirs for Seager, they lost it when they signed Freeman.
Will free agents sign before the Dec. 1 lockout?
If 2021 is any guide, expect a late rush. Players want contracts and security before the shutdown, and teams want to fill roster holes.
The qualifying offer adds pressure. A player who rejects his offer stays tied to draft compensation until the next amateur draft begins. In 2019, Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel waited so long that they signed after the draft, and their old teams got nothing.
This time, no one knows what rules will be in place in 2027.
The last time a lockout loomed, only one player said yes. Brandon Belt took his $18.4 million and stayed in San Francisco.
He will be interviewed by new Houston general manager Randy Flores, who spent the previous 11 seasons in the Cardinals’ front office and played with Pujols in St. Louis for five years.
St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols salutes fans at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sept. 30, 2022, after hitting his 701st career home run. USA TODAY Sports
He’s enjoyed some success from the dugout, though.
He guided Leones del Escogido to the Dominican winter league championship and Caribbean Series title in 2025 before managing the Dominican Republic in this year’s World Baseball Classic to a third-place finish.
The Astros are also considering Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, who previously managed the Tigers and Angels, and Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta, per The Athletic.
Pujols, who will be eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame in 2028, hit 703 career home runs, which ranks fourth all time.
West Ham recover from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Cardiff
Leaders Middlesbrough beaten 2-0 at Wrexham
Scott Parker’s return to West Ham had had looked like beginning in painful fashion but instead featured a stunning comeback from 3-0 down. The east London club’s new head coach had watched Cardiff’s Jack Moylan help himself to a first-half hat-trick, before a rousing response after the break ended with Max Kilman levelling the scores at 3-3 eight minutes from time. Elsewhere in the Championship, leaders Middlesbrough went down 2-0 at Wrexham.
Parker had been confirmed as West Ham’s head coach earlier on Wednesday, taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday. The club’s former midfielder was appointed on a two-and-a-half year contract.
The Sharks dug themselves an early hole against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena, and they weren’t able to climb out as their offensive struggles continued in an eventual 7-2 loss.
San Jose’s third consecutive defeat featured two power-play goals — one from Macklin Celebrini in the second period that ended a six-game goal drought for the Sharks captain, and another by Ivar Stenberg in the third. But in both cases, the damage already had been done.
Celebrini made it 3-1 after the Kings scored on a trio of first-period goals. En route to his fifth career hat trick, Adrian Kempe scored two straight to put Los Angeles up 2-0, and Quinton Byfield gave the Kings a 3-0 advantage with a power-play goal as just over one minute remained in the first period.
Kempe, who entered the game with just three goals on the 2026-27 NHL season, completed his hat trick with just over four minutes left in the second period, scoring on the power play to make it 5-1 Los Angeles. In the third period, Joel Armia and Byfield extended their lead with the Kings’ sixth and seventh goals of the night.
One bright spot despite the loss was defenseman Eric Pohlkamp making his NHL debut after being recalled from the Barracuda on Tuesday afternoon.
“Just a lot of excitement,” Pohlkamp told reporters on Wednesday morning (h/t The Mercury News). “Obviously looking forward to this as a kid for a while, and there’s so many people to thank. Just growing up, the Cedar Rapids (USHL) organization, Denver University, Bemidji State, so I just can’t thank enough people. My family, of course. I’m just gonna enjoy this moment.”
Pohlkamp finished the game with three shot on goal in 17:37 of ice time. Michael Misa finished with a team-high two points after assisting on both Sharks goals, while goalie Yaroslav Askarov finished with a .741 save percentage in the loss.
Despite taking 32 shots on goal compared to the Kings’ 27, the Sharks weren’t able to take advantage of their opportunities. San Jose also went 2-for-6 on power-play opportunities, while Los Angeles was 3-for-5.
The Sharks now have scored just seven goals in their last five games, leading to a 1-4-0 record.
When the Florida Panthers take the ice tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, Lars Eller will skate in his 1,200th regular-season game.
Eller was originally the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NHL draft, selected by the St. Louis Blues. Eller played just seven games for the Blues before moving on to the Montreal Canadiens.
He had some strong seasons with the Canadiens, but Eller shone brightest with the Washington Capitals. With the Capitals, Eller posted his career-high in goals and points and won the Stanley Cup in 2017-18. Eller was outstanding in that run, scoring seven goals and 18 points in 24 games.
Following his successful tenure with the Capitals, Eller had stops with the Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and now the Panthers.
Eller has been solid for the Panthers, even if the offense isn't great. In 15 games, he's notched one goal and eight points while averaging 15:39 of ice time. Surprisingly, Eller hasn't been very successful in the faceoff dot, winning just 40.8 percent of his draws.
Although Eller is approaching a major milestone that just 141 other players in the NHL have achieved, Eller is still focused on earning the two points and not underestimating a weaker opponent.
“You underestimate that team, and they can beat us if we're not on top of our game,” said Eller. “We barely got by them in Chicago. I think they're going to be competitive. If we think it's going to be easy, we'll probably lose.”
The 37-year-old is slated to skate on the right wing of the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. In the eight games they've spent time together, the Panthers’ third line has posted an expected goals percentage of 72.2 percent, according to moneypuck.com.
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