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Matthew Tkachuk Hat Trick Helps Panthers Earn Gritty 3-1 Win In Detroit

The Florida Panthers opened the post-NHL Trade Deadline portion of their schedule on Friday night.

Florida is facing an incredibly difficult task in terms of trying to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but took a step in the right direction by picking up a solid 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

It was the Panthers who picked up the game’s opening goal, and it came off the stick of Matthew Tkachuk.

With Florida controlling the puck deep in Detroit’s zone, Carter Verhaeghe hustled to pick up the puck behind John Gibson’s net and sent a quick backhand pass to the slot, where Tkachuk had made himself at home between the circles.

Tkachuk’s quick one-timer gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at the 11:06 mark of the opening frame.

A pair of penalties on Anton Lundell and Gus Forsling midway through the second period led to the game-tying goal for Detroit.

While enjoying a two-man advantage, Alex DeBrincat picked up his 33rd goal of the season on a primary assist from Patrick Kane, knotting the score at one with 9:04 remaining until the final intermission.

Florida began the third period on the power play and quickly took advantage.

Once again it was Tkachuk, this time deflecting a shot by Sam Reinhart past Gibson to give Florida a 2-1 lead at the :35 second mark.

Tkachuk completed the hat trick late in the third, cashing in on an empty-net goal while giving the Panthers that all-important insurance tally.

Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 27 saves, including an impressive eight high-danger stops, to earn his 23rd win of the season.

The victory was Florida’s first in five games, sending the Cats back to Sunrise feeling good.

The home and home continues Tuesday in Sunrise.

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Photo caption: Mar 6, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

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NHL trade deadline winners, losers: Avalanche go all in with Nazem Kadri deal

Nazem Kadri won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and wasn't re-signed, starting the team's search for a No. 2 center.

They finally found one at the 2025 NHL trade deadline with Brock Nelson. But now they also have found a Kadri-style player.

Nazem Kadri.

The Avalanche and Calgary Flamesworked out a deal to bring back Kadri, giving up only Victor Olofsson off their roster, plus draft picks and an unsigned draft pick. Colorado now has enviable center depth and can trot out Nathan MacKinnon, Nelson, Kadri and fellow 2026 trade deadline acquisition Nicolas Roy.

Here are the winners and losers of the 2026 NHL trade deadline:

WINNERS

Nick Foligno joins brother

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who made the big move for Quinn Hughes earlier in the season, was busy during deadline week. He added penalty killing forward Michael McCarron and winger Bobby Brink, plus depth defenseman Jeff Petry. But his acquisition of Nick Foligno had an added benefit for the former Blackhawks captain. He'll get to play alongside his brother Marcus for the first time in their professional careers.

Sabres go all-in

The Sabres have been on a roll since Jarmo Kekalainen replaced fired Kevyn Adams as general manager. And the GM took steps to try to help the team end a record 14-season playoff drought. An attempted trade for Colton Parayko didn't materialize when the defenseman declined to waive his no-trade clause. Kekalainen responded with a trade for the Jets' Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn, giving Buffalo a rugged third defensive pairing behind an impressive top four that includes Rasmus Dahlin. Sam Carrick was added to improve the team's league-worst faceoff winning percentage, and depth forward Tanner Pearson also joined. Schenn and Pearson have won Stanley Cup titles, important if the Sabres make a rare foray into the postseason.

Panthers hang on to free agents

The Panthers' run of back-to-back championships (and three trips to the Final) is heading toward an end because of a string of injuries that include captain Aleksander Barkov tearing his ACL on the first day of fall practice. GM Bill Zito traded pending free agent Petry but held on to free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and A.J. Greer and will try to re-sign them. The Panthers' core, when healthy, is still championship caliber. If they can't overcome their deficit, they can heal up and try again next season.

LOSERS

Capitals players devastated

They took it hard when Nic Dowd was dealt to the Golden Knights after being in Washington since 2018-19. Then they woke up Friday morning to find out that 17-year veteran John Carlson was heading to Anaheim after a late-night trade.

"Today sucks, it's brutal," forward Tom Wilson told reporters. "I’m sure there are some guys that want to cry. That’s the reality of it. Today you can cry and tomorrow you got to wake up and be a big boy and go out and play hockey."

Awkward position for Colton Parayko

Parayko had every right to veto a trade to Buffalo. That's why agents negotiate no-trade clauses with teams. But the fact that news of the trade leaked made things awkward for the defenseman as he took the time to make a decision on his future.

"We did some due diligence as soon as that happened," general manager Doug Armstrong told reporters, according to the Post-Dispatch. "We checked the phone records of all of our staff, texts and emails, and everybody passed the test, not surprisingly. I was disappointed it got out. I know it didn't come from us."

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs gave up a first-round pick and a prospect last season to land Scott Laughton and two mid-round picks from the Flyers. Leafs general manager Brad Treliving traded the pending free agent to the Kings on Friday and received a conditional third-round pick. It can become a second-rounder if Los Angeles makes the playoffs.

New CBA rules

The new collective bargaining agreement included a playoff salary cap and rules making it harder for teams to use a second team to retain some salary in a trade. The result: Deadline day was fairly dull until the Kadri trade surfaced.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL trade deadline winners and losers include Avalanche, Maple Leafs

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Heat stop Hornets' 6-game winning streak behind 33 points from Tyler Herro

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tyler Herro had 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists and the Miami Heat snapped the Charlotte Hornets' six-game winning streak with a 128-120 victory Friday night.

Herro was 8 for 10 from 3-point range, including one that broke a 108-all tie with 7:06 to play. That came during a 9-0 run after the Hornets led by two and was essentially the difference in the game.

Bam Adebayo added 24 points and 12 rebounds to help the Heat win their fourth straight game. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 21 points off the bench. Miami was 18 for 38 (47%) on 3s.

Kon Knueppel scored 27 points for the Hornets, going 6 for 10 behind the arc. Brandon Miller had 22 points and 13 rebounds, while LaMelo Ball scored 21 points but was 7 for 22 from the field.

Charlotte fell back to .500 at 32-32. All the victories during the Hornets' winning streak had been by 15 or more points, tying the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors for the second-longest streak in NBA history.

The first meeting between the teams in four months showed how much things had changed for the Hornets. Miami rang up a franchise-record 53 points in the first quarter of that Nov. 7 game, rolling to a 126-108 victory.

Charlotte had become the team hanging big numbers on opponents and tried to rally behind Knueppel, who hit consecutive 3-pointers to cut it to 120-117. But Herro hit a jumper and Dru Smith had a follow shot to push it back to seven.

The Hornets have another winning streak they will try to extend in their next game. They have won a franchise-record 10 straight on the road and go to Phoenix to begin a four-game trip Sunday.

Up next

Heat: Host Detroit on Sunday.

Hornets: At Phoenix on Sunday to open a four-game trip.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Penguins' Evgeni Malkin suspended 5 games by NHL for slashing Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin

NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin was suspended for five games for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on the head, a punishment that will cost the Penguins forward nearly $160,000, the NHL announced Friday night.

Malkin was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking, a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct 35 seconds into the second period of the Penguins' 4-1 loss to the Sabres on Thursday night.

Video showed that Malkin and Dahlin made contact at the side of the Buffalo net. Dahlin cross-checked Malkin, for which he was penalized, and Malkin responded by raising his stick and striking Dahlin on his helmet and shoulder.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety noted that Malkin was not off-balance and the contact was not accidental.

The 39-year-old Malkin has been fined five times and suspended twice previously in his NHL career, one game for high-sticking Philadelphia’s Michael Raffl in February 2019 and four games in April 2022 for cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki.

Malkin has 13 goals and 47 points in 46 games this season and 527 goals and 1,393 points in a 20-year NHL career, all in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins are already without captain Sidney Crosby for a minimum of four weeks because of a lower-body injury as the team, currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division, battles for playoff position.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Malkin will forfeit $158,854.15. That money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Francisco Alvarez lifts two hits, Sean Manaea makes spring debut in Mets' loss to Marlins

The Mets were defeated by the Miami Marlins 2-0 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. 

New York is now 5-5 in Grapefruit League play.

Here are some takeaways...

- Sean Manaea was strong in his first outing of the spring. The left-hander needed just four pitches to retire the first two batters he faced, before Conor Norby lifted a solo homer over the left field fence. He was then helped by a caught stealing and an A.J. Ewing diving catch in shallow left to work around a walk in a scoreless bottom of the second. 

Manaea ended his day with an eight-pitch third inning, closing his line with just the one run against, but he was only able to generate one swing-and-miss and averaged just 88.1 mph on his fastball, down 3.4 mph from last season. 

- Ewing was impressive again after being praised by Carlos Mendoza pregame. The top outfield prospect not only had the diving catch, but he also ripped an opposite-field single in the second and picked up his second stolen base of the spring, again showing the many different ways he can impact the game.

- Devin Williams needed just six pitches to retire the first two batters he faced before issuing a two-out walk, but he handled a comebacker cleanly to escape the inning easily. The Mets' new closer has been solid so far, other than the solo homer he gave up on the first pitch he threw this spring. 

- After going hitless over his first two games, Francisco Alvarez picked up his first two knocks of the spring. The slugging backstop laced a leadoff double in the left-center gap leading off the top of the third, then lined a single to left with a man in scoring position in the sixth. 

- Ryan Lambert and Craig Kimbrel struck out two batters in a scoreless inning each, but lefty Bryan Hudson struggled in his spring debut, as he was pulled after allowing a run on two hits. 

- Marcus Semien singled up the middle after striking out each of his first two times up, and Carson Benge singled in the eighth after being retired each of his first three times up. 

Highlights

What's next

Kodai Senga makes his spring debut, as the Mets head to Jupiter to take on the Cardinals.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. 

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Grant, Harris help No. 16 North Carolina women beat Virginia Tech in ACC quarterfinals

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Lanie Grant scored a career-high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, Nyla Harris had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and third-seeded and No. 16 North Carolina beat No. 6 seed Virginia Tech 85-68 in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament on Friday night.

North Carolina (26-6) plays No. 12 and second-seeded Louisville in the semifinals Saturday.

Grant hit 4 of 7 from 3-point range and Harris made 8 of 11 from the field. Elina Aarnisalo totaled 18 points, six assists and five rebounds for UNC, and Nyla Brooks added 10 points.

Harris made a layup that gave the Tar Heels the lead for good and sparked an 11-2 run that made it 30-22 with 4:33 left in the second quarter. Aarnisalo hit a 3-pointer and added two free throws as UNC scored eight of the final nine first-half points to take a 13-point lead into the intermission.

Carleigh Wenzel made 14 of 15 from the free-throw line and finished with 26 points for Virginia Tech (23-9) but was 6-of-17 shooting, 0 of 6 from 3-point range.

Wenzel scored six consecutive points to cut the Hokies' deficit to nine points with 3:34 left in the third quarter, but Grant answered 12 seconds later with a three-point play and North Carolina led by double figures the rest of the way.

The Mountaineers missed their first 10 3-point shots and finished 2 of 18 from behind the arc.

Up next

North Carolina: Plays in the semifinals Saturday.

Virginia Tech: Awaits a likely at-large NCAA Tournament berth.

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Mavericks vs Celtics Final Score: Boston beats Dallas, 120-100

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 6: Max Christie #00 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (21-42) lost to the Boston Celtics (42-21) on Friday, 120-100. Jaylen Brown led a balanced effort from Boston, scoring 24 while also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing seven assists. Klay Thompson was the high point man for Dallas, scoring 19 off the bench.

Before the game, the ESPN broadcast had a great deal of understandable Jayson Tatum-adjacent pageantry as he’s coming back just 10 months after tearing his Achilles tendon. The first portion of the game was filled with offensive offense; nary a soul could hit a shot. Dallas fans dealt with a scare as Cooper Flagg grabbed his ankle following a shot attempt in the paint, but he gutted out the free throws and stayed in the game. Both teams found some scoring in the latter half of the period, and the game finally felt a bit more like basketball. Dallas led after one, 22-21.

Dallas kept the pressure on Boston in the second, with rather relentless rim pressure. Naji Marshall in particular kept the Mavericks ahead, scoring in crafty ways around the basket. The Celtics couldn’t take or hold a lead versus Dallas very long, but made threes and kept it close. Tatum finally got on the board late in the half to give the Celtics the lead on a putback dunk. He followed that up with a big three which nearly brought the house down. Dallas seemed to come apart down the stretch after leading nearly the entire half. Dallas entered the half down 58-53.

During the third, I ate my dinner while Dallas slowly got out-mathed by Boston. Three is worth more than two and while Dallas made numerous valiant efforts to keep pace, by the end of the quarter, it felt hopeless for the Mavericks, given the talent disparity between the two teams. Dallas went into the fourth quarter down 90-80.

The game got out of hand in the fourth. The Mavericks offense died as Boston seemed content to let Dalals drive and defend the rim with multiple guys swarming. Defensively, the Celtics spread Dallas too thin. They were unable to cover the Celtics from deep and protect the rim and the Boston lead grew throughout the frame. Dallas fell to Boston, 120-100.

Cooper didn’t look right

When Flagg went down, grabbing his ankle, I assumed his night was over. It’s the same foot he missed a month of game action due to a sprain in the midfoot area. But when he toughed it out, I wasn’t surprised; he’s 19 after all. Remember when Dereck Lively sprained his neck in the Western Conference Finals? I assumed he’d be out the series, instead he missed the game. That’s a part of being a super human athlete at 19 I guess.

All the same, Flagg did not look like Flagg all game. He was slow to move and his anticipation and quickness is his game, partocualrly on the defensive side of the floor. I have to imagine the decision was made because Flagg couldn’t hurt the ankle worse and because it was an important game for him with family coming to see him live. And yet I didn’t feel good watching him play this one. Hopefully he heals up and we get more off the Flagg we’ve come to know and love.

PJ Washington is a mess

2026 has not been Washington’s year on the basketball court. He’s not been able to string more than a game together without looking like he’s new to basketball. It’s disappointing too — he’s important to what Dallas wants to do. He’s another guy where I wonder if he’ll be with the team after this season, but I hope so. We’ve seen what he can be, and right now we’re looking at a shell of a player.

Jayson Tatum looks great

He had to shake off the nerves and rust, but Tatum looked like the exact same player who helped lead the Celtics to the 2024 NBA championship. He’s a really unique player and while I will never love him (for the aforementioend 2024 ring), I appreciate what he brings to the NBA and the kind of work it takes to come back from this kind of injury. I look forward to seeing how he finishes the season and in the playoffs.

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Jayson Tatum records near triple-double in return, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

“I’m excited.”

Two simple words followed by an ear-to-ear smile as Tatum walked the halls of TD Garden headed to the Celtics locker room. That grin lasted well into joining Jaylen Brown in pre-game warmups, a tradition the two have done since they become the cornerstones of the franchise.

With Deuce back on the sidelines, a raucous home crowd welcomed him out of the tunnel in his first game back after two hundred ninety-eight days of recovery and rehabilitation on not just the road to re-build his Achilles, but regain his confidence.

It wasn’t perfect to start. He missed his first six shots — including a loud missed dunk attacking a closeout — but connected on two alley-oop passes to Neemias Queta and found Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White behind the arc.

In a pair of six-minute stints, his legs looked heavy. There was a slight tentativeness with contact around the rim. With collective anticipation in the air, Tatum, the team, and TD Garden hung with every missed shot.

Then, a putback dunk off a Payton Pritchard miss gave the Celtics the lead again. He followed his first points of the season by a patented sidestep three and the top blew off the Garden.

That’s all it seemingly took as Tatum took over in the second half. He worked off the dribble at the top of the arc — the triple threat 6’8 point forward working back into perennial MVP candidate form. Absorbing contact on a drive and finishing off the glass? Check. The mid-range fall-away? Still got it. A jab step triple in the corner? Swish.

Starter or second unit, primary playmaker or second side swingman, Tatum naturally looked rusty, but it’s clear he kept his tools sharp over the last nine months. In a game that saw the prodigal son of Maine, Cooper Flag, return to New England and Nic Vucevic fracture his ring finger, the obvious headline of the night was Tatum’s return to the parquet.

It wasn’t about the numbers. However, a near triple-double of 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists only shows how a complete a player that Boston has been missing all year.

Celtics 120, Mavericks 100 with Jayson Tatum the big winner of the night.

Welcome back, champ.

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Vancouver Canucks 2026 NHL Trade Deadline Recap

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is offically in the books. While the Vancouver Canucks were not the busiest team, Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin were able to pull off five trades and a waiver claim over the past week. Here is a look at what the Canucks trade deadline looked like. 

Tyler Myers To Dallas:

Vancouver's first move of trade deadline week involved sending defenceman Tyler Myers to the Dallas Stars. In exchange, the Canucks recieved a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-round pick. Vancouver also retained 50% of Myers' contract, which expires after the 2026-27 season and carries an AAV of $3 million. 

Overall, this was a decent trade for both the Canucks and player. The organization recieved two draft picks that will help with the rebuild while Myers gets a shot at a Stanley Cup. While parting with Myers was no doubt a difficult decision, it was one that should help the organizaiton in the future. 

Jett Woo To San Jose For Jack Thompson:

A day after the Myers move, Vancouver traded defenceman Jett Woo to the San Jose Sharks for defenceman Jack Thompson. Both players are currently in the AHL, but do have NHL contracts. Woo and Thompson have already reported to their new AHL teams. 

Woo played 293 games for the organization in the AHL. He was part of the 2025 Calder Cup Championship and ranks second all-time in games played for the Abbotsford Canucks. As for Thompson, he is a 23-year-old right-shot defender who has played 203 AHL games along with 34 at the NHL level. 

Conor Garland To Columbus:

The biggest trade deadline move for the Canucks was trading forward Conor Garland to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In exchange for Garland, Vancouver recieved a 2028 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick. Like the Myers trade, the Canucks were able to trade a player with term as Garand has a six-year extension that is set to kick in after the season. 

Moving Garland before July 1 was cruical as his new deal had a no-movement clause for the first three years of the contract. The 29-year-old played a signifcant role for the organiaztion over the past five seasons as he recorded 221 points in 371 games. Vancouver also did not retain on his current or future contract, which opens up $6 million per season for the next six years. 

Curtis Douglas Waiver Claim:

The Canucks did acquire one player on deadline day as they claimed forward Curtis Douglas off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 26-year-old is listed at 6'9", 243 lbs, and is not afraid to play a physical game. Douglas has already dropped the gloves eight times this season and is up to 26 regular-season fights over the last three years. 

Bringing in Douglas is a low-risk, high-reward move. He adds some toughness to the lineup and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The hope is that Douglas can be an enforcer, which is something Vancouver has not had in their lineup all season.

Lukas Reichel To Boston:

On deadline day, the Canucks were able to find a buyer for forward Lukas Reichel. The 2026 Olympian was traded to the Boston Bruins in exhange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Reichel was acquired earlier this season from the Chicago Blackhawks, where he was traded for a fourth-round pick in 2027. 

Reichel's tenure with Vancouver was difficult to watch. He played 14 games with the Canucks before being assigned to the AHL. Reichel's best moments with the organization argubaly came during the 2026 Winter Olympics as he scored two goals and recorded three points in five games for Germany. 

David Kämpf To Washington:

The final move of the deadline involved trading center David Kämpf to the Washington Captials. In return, Vancouver acquired a sixth-round pick in 2026. Kämpf was signed  by the Canucks in November after he was bought out by the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Getting an asset back for Kämpf should be seen as a win for Vancouver. He was an unrestricted free agent and brought back some form of value that may help the organization in the future. Yes, it was a sixth-round pick, but if scouted properly, that prospect could turn into an NHL player one day. 

Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and forward David Kampf (64) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) battle for the loose puck in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and forward David Kampf (64) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) battle for the loose puck in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Overall Grade:

Ultimatley, Vancouver had an average deadline. While they added draft captial to the organization, they also failed to move two unrestricted free agents in Teddy Blueger and Evander Kane. As for a letter grade, the Canucks recieve a C+ for their work at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin Discusses 2026 Trade Deadline Moves

Canucks Trade Pending UFA David Kämpf To The Washington Capitals

Canucks Trade Lukas Reichel To Boston For A Sixth-Round Pick 

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Penguins Recall Hot Forward Prospect From AHL

In the wake of the Pittsburgh Penguins being without both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for what will likely be at least a few games - and with their lack of movement at the NHL's trade deadline on Friday - the team made a roster move to address some of their scoring depth.

After the deadline on Friday, the Penguins recalled winger Ville Koivunen from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins. The recall comes ahead of their weekend back-to-back home games against the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins and after it was announced that Malkin was suspended five games for his slash to the head of Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on Thursday. 

Koivunen, 22, was just named the AHL Player of the Month for February after recording six goals and 16 points in 11 games with WBS.

Evgeni Malkin Suspended Five Games By NHL's Department Of Player SafetyEvgeni Malkin Suspended Five Games By NHL's Department Of Player SafetyEvgeni Malkin has been suspended for five games for slashing Rasmus Dahlin.

The 6-foot, 184-pound forward prospect was brought to Pittsburgh via the Jake Guentzel trade in the spring of 2024, and he has been up and down between the AHL and NHL levels this season. He began the season in Pittsburgh for the first two games of the season and was sent back for most of October, then he returned for a longer stint until the end of December.

In 27 NHL games this season, he has two goals and seven points, and he has 12 points in 35 career NHL games split between this season and last season. He figures to slot either in Malkin's spot alongside Egor Chinakhov and Tommy Novak or on the third line with Ben Kindel. 

Koivunen is the only WBS Penguins' player above point-per-game this season with 11 goals and 33 points in 28 AHL games. 

Penguins' Prospect Named AHL Player Of The MonthPenguins' Prospect Named AHL Player Of The MonthPittsburgh Penguins' prospect Ville Koivunen was given the AHL's top honors for the month of February and continues to impress at that level.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

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Utah Jazz Reacts: Jazz fans think this player will be an All-Star next season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 4: Kevin Love #42, Lauri Markkanen #23 and Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 4, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center 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 DowNBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Utah Jazz are near the end of a difficult four years of rebuilding. They’ve had successes and failures with their picks and development. Luckily, the successes have seemingly outweighed the failures. The Jazz have not been lucky on lottery night the last three seasons. Maybe this fourth season is the charm? Despite the bad lottery luck, Utah has successfully accumulated a roster that will win a lot of games next year. With a mix of trade and drafting, Utah is ready to start its next winning chapter.

The question this week was, of all the players Utah has accumulated for this next run, which one is the most likely to be an All-Star next season? It looks like that player for Jazz fans is Keyonte George.

But the season isn’t over yet! We still have at least 20 games left, and the Jazz still have a chance to improve their lottery odds. Currently, the Jazz are sitting at 5th in the lottery standings. It’s going to be tough, but can the Jazz still rise in the standings? That was my next question for Jazz fans: Do you think the Jazz can lose enough to get into the top of the lottery?

According to Jazz fans, fifth is as high as they will go. Not a bad thing considering it likely keeps the pick in Utah. That alone would be a win for the Jazz, considering it was likely going to the Thunder a few months ago.

If you would like to look at the FanDuel odds, you can look at them here. It’s a good place to look next season if you want to bet on Keyonte George making the All-Star team, there’s a really good chance.

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A.J. Ewing, Carson Benge continue to dazzle Mets with fast spring starts

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A.J. Ewing catches a fly ball from St. Louis Cardinals’ Chase Davis in the fifth inning during Spring Training at Clover Field, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, Image 2 shows New York Mets’ Carson Benge takes batting practice during Spring Training

JUPITER, Fla. — A.J. Ewing’s goal entering the season is the same as it was last year: “Dominate the level where I’m at.” 

The Mets outfield prospect got from Low-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton last year and has been among the group of young players that has stood out to Carlos Mendoza so far this spring. 

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“He’s a baseball player,’’ the manager said prior to Ewing starting in left field and hitting seventh in a 2-0 loss to the Marlins on Friday at Roger Dean Stadium. “There’s a lot of different ways he can help a team win a baseball game: Whether it’s the way he plays defense, the way he runs the bases [or his] good at-bats. He puts the ball in play and drives the ball. He’s another kid, I don’t think people talk much about him. He’s a good one there.” 

Mendoza’s scouting eye is pretty accurate in speaking to other team’s perspective of the 21-year-old, but plenty of people have taken notice of Ewing as he enters his third full season in the pros. 

Ewing certainly grew offensively in 2025, as he said he “learned who I was as a hitter.” 

And that, according to Ewing, is this: “I don’t think putting the ball in the air should be a big part of my game.” 

A.J. Ewing catches a fly ball from St. Louis Cardinals’ Chase Davis in the fifth inning during Spring Training at Clover Field, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Instead, it’s getting on base and moving when he gets there. He swiped 70 bases over three levels last year. 

On Friday, he singled and stole second in the top of the second inning and then made a terrific diving catch in left in the bottom of the inning. 

“Coming in, that jump was impressive,’’ Mendoza said. “Off the bat, you think it’s a base hit. 

Of his speed on the bases, Ewing said, “That’s a big focus of mine. It sets the table for the guys behind me to drive me in.” 

The guys behind him could at some point include Carson Benge, who was also in the lineup versus Miami on Friday as he looks to win the open right field job. 

Asked how that could happen, Mendoza said, “Just continue doing what he’s doing. There are a lot of things out of his control, [but] he’s having a really good camp.” 

Carson Benge takes batting practice. Corey Sipkin for NY Post

According to the manager, that includes controlling the strike zone. 

“I like the quality of at-bats, especially against left-handed pitching,” Mendoza said of the left-handed swinging Benge. “We saw him the other day go the other way with two strikes [for a homer] against a lefty.” 

And Mendoza also noted other aspects of Benge’s game. 

“His defense and the way he’s running the bases,’’ Mendoza said. “There’s a long way to go [until Opening Day], but he’s having a good camp.” 

Chris Suero, another prospect who is primarily a catcher, but also played left field this spring, drew praise from Mendoza, as well. 

Mendoza knows this is the best, and perhaps only, time this season that he’ll get a chance to see some of these prospects in person and he doesn’t want to waste the opportunity. 

He said he watches those players “pretty closely.” 

“It’s part of my routine: Read reports, talk to coordinators, player development [and] staff because we’re gonna need guys like that,’’ Mendoza said of the top prospects. “The exciting part is we’ve got a lot of them. We’ve got a few [in major league camp] and if you go on the backfield [to minor league camp], there’s talent there, too. It’s not only the upper [minors], but the lower level.” 

Despite the fast starts of players like Benge and Ewing, among others, Mendoza said it’s too early to know where they will end up, and who may end up in Queens. 

“A lot can happen between now and when we break camp,” Mendoza said. “The main thing is to keep guys healthy. The goal is to have a lot of tough decisions.” 

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Cam Schlittler impressive in spring debut as Yankees defeat Rays, 3-0

Cam Schlittler made his spring debut and looked every bit as impressive as he did last postseason, as he helped the Yankees defeat the Rays, 3-0, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Here are the takeaways...

-Schlittler made his first spring start after back issues set the young right-hander back this month, and he came out throwing. His first pitch was clocked at 97 mph and he reached up to 99.4 mph against the first batter he faced. 

Schlittler worked around a walk and some bad luck, a would-be lineout that right fielder Max Schuemann (an infielder by trade) dropped and a highchopper in the infield that loaded the bases. Manager Aaron Boone said that the plan was for Schlittler to throw 40 pitches, and it took the right-hander 22 to get through the first. 

A 1-2-3 second inning allowed Schlittler to start the third. Schlittler struck out Taylor Walls swinging before Boone pulled his youngster.

Schlittler was impressive, striking out four batters across 2.1 innings (39 pitches/24 strikes), allowing two hits and one walk. 

-Oswaldo Cabrera also made his spring debut on Friday. After suffering a season-ending ankle injury last year, Cabrera worked a five-pitch walk in his first at-bat and looked good running the bases -- running smoothly going first to third on a single. 

Cabrera started at short and played just three innings and only had one at-bat, picking up that one walk and a run scored.

-As for other Yankees regulars, Trent Grisham hit a two-run single in his second at-bat. He finished 1-for-3 with two strikeouts. 

Ben Rice went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. He also struck out.

Cody Bellinger went 1-for-3 with a strikeout, while Giancarlos Stanton went hitless, 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. 

-George Lombard Jr. relieved Cabrera in the fourth and got a few at-bats. In his first, the prospect lifted a fastball into the outfield, but right at a fielder. The Yankees' top prospect then struck out in his second AB, and struck out looking with the bases loaded in the eighth to finish 0-for-3. 

-In the bullpen, Tim Hill was impressive. The southpaw struck out four batters in his 1.2 innings of work. 

Brent Headrick, a southpaw looking to break camp with the team, struck out four of the five batters he faced. He now has eight strikeouts across 3.2 innings pitched this spring. 

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees will travel to take on the Nationals on Saturday evening. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.

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High schooler retires three-time MVP in stunning World Baseball Classic moment

HOUSTON — So, what did you do during your spring break in high school?

Joseph Contreras, the 17-year-old son of former All-Star pitcher Jose Contreras, just spent Friday night dazzling the baseball world for Team Brazil against USA, pitching so well that he can brag about it to his buddies at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia.

Contreras, stepping on the same mound where his father won the 2005 World Series championship with the Chicago White Sox in Houston, faced the greatest hitters in the world and excelled.

He came into the game in the second inning, and retired Byron Buxton on a fly ball to right field, and then ran into trouble by giving up a double off the left-field wall to Brice Turang, and then issued back-to-back walks to Bobby Witt Jr and Bryce Harper to load the bases.

Next up, Aaron Judge, who just clobbered a home run in the first inning.

Gulp.

Contreras threw a 97-mph fastball past Judge for strike one. He missed with a 80-mph changeup. And came back with a 94.4-mph sinker that Judge hit to third baseman Leonardo Reginatto, who started an inning-ending double play.

Contreras danced to the dugout, his teammates all stood to congratulate him, and the professional scouts in the stands scribbled frantically.

If this kid was projected to be a second-round draft pick before the WBC, his stock just soared.

He may be committed to Vanderbilt, but after this night, well, they better come up with a whole lot more NIL money to make sure they get him.

“Can you imagine how much his stock will rise if he pitches well?’’ said FOX announcer A.J. Pierznyski, who introduced himself to Contreras, telling him that he used to catch his father.

The youngster struggled a bit in his second inning by giving up a single to Kyle Schwarber, who eventually scored on Contreras' second wild pitch of the frame, and issued a walk to Cal Raleigh, knocking him out of the game. But the impression was made.

The kid just had a memory he’ll cherish forever.

And, oh, how his high school teammates can’t wait to hear all about that magical evening deep in the heart of Texas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joseph Contreras, high school pitcher, gets Aaron Judge out in WBC

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Arizona Diamondbacks 2026 Non-Roster Invitees, Part 7

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Tommy Troy #98 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws to first base after fielding a ground ball during the seventh inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We finish off the infielders in this batch, which includes a pair of prospects listed in the recent MLB Pipeline update, the man with the coolest nickname in the system, and a veteran who has played more seasons for the D-backs than Tony Womack or Geraldo Perdomo.

Ivan Melendez (85)

We start with the nickname guy, though I can never remember: is is ‘Hispanic Titanic’ or ‘Titanic Hispanic’? Either would seem to work. Melendez reached Triple-A this year, being promoted to Reno at the start of August. His OBP and SLG there were just a couple of points different from the figures in Double-A Amarillo. Though as we should all be aware by now, both locations are very hitter-friendly. The team seems to have given up on him as a possible third-baseman: all his playing time in 2025 was at first or as a designated hitter. Mind you, as a RHB the team could use him to platoon at either position with Pavin Smith long-term.

Cristofer Torin (97)

Coincidentally, as I started on this para, Torin doubled in the game against the Cubs. The middle-infielder was ranked #15 on MLB Pipeline’s list. They like his defense but say “the ball doesn’t come off the bat loud enough”, and conclude “Torin’s lack of impact will be his biggest separator between being a regular on the dirt and a contact-heavy middle-infield option off the bench.” He got a cup of coffee at Amarillo in September, hitting in all eight games he played there. But he went homerless over his first 64 games at High-A Hillsboro, so you can see why Pipeline are skeptical. However, he is still aged only twenty, so early days yet.

Tommy Troy (98)

Also on the Pipeline list, but considerably higher at #4, is our first-round pick (#12 overall) in the 2023 draft – pictured top. He is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, with a slash of .289/.382/.451, including 15 homers, between AA and AAA. That saw him play largely at second-base, having seen more time at shortstop previously. However, last year he also got experience in center field for the first time, and didn’t embarrass himself, with one error over 168 innings there. Though if Jordan Lawlar ends up sticking there, Troy could end up being even more blocked there, than he is by Ketel Marte at second-base. But if he hits, the team will find somewhere for him to play.

Ildemaro Vargas (6)

It will be eleven years ago in May that Vargas first joined the D-backs organization, after being released by the Cardinals – with whom he spent close to seven years before that. This winter was the fourth time Ildemaro has signed as a free-agent with Arizona. That’s in addition to being bought by the team from the Twins in August 2020, and from the Pirates in June 2021. Vargas appeared 38 times for Arizona last year, and would probably have had more, save for fracturing his own foot with a foul ball in June. I would certainly not bet against him making 2026 the seventh season in which he appears for the Diamondbacks.