William Schmidt turned down millions of dollars from Major League Baseball heading into the 2024 draft, but if he keeps pitching like he has of late, he’ll almost certainly recoup that money when he does decide to go pro.
Thanks to a career-best 7.1 shutout innings, Schmidt pitched LSU (11-1) to a tight 3-0 win over Dartmouth Sunday afternoon at The Box. Jaden Noot was credited with his first save of the season after Mavrick Rizy couldn’t quite get to the finish line in his relief appearance.
As has been the case all weekend long, the LSU bats were cold. Things got off to a promising start when Jake Brown launched his fifth home run of the season in the first inning, but the Tigers would only manage three more hits the rest of the way.
You really need to tip your cap to Dartmouth starter Eddie Albert, who aside from that one pitch to Brown was every bit as good as Schmidt. Albert’s final line was seven innings, two runs—one earned—with three hits and one walk eight strikeouts.
One run may has well have been 100 runs with the way Schmidt was pitching today: 7.1 innings, 4 hits, 9 strikeouts and, most importantly, no walks. Schmidt pitched four perfect innings before giving up a leadoff single in the fifth.
“William was outstanding today and he’s getting better as we go,” Jay Johnson said after the game. “I’m really proud of how he’s developing, how he’s competing; he’s throwing strikes and leading the team to wins three Sundays in a row. I don’t think any other team in the country can run out that kind of pitcher on a Sunday.”
If Schmidt was LSU’s best player today, then their second best player was, to quote Ed Orgeron, Mr. Ray Baker aka “The Sun.” Dartmouth outfielders lost a couple of fly balls in the fourth inning, and LSU used the miscues to score its second run. The run was set up by Steven Milam getting two bases off a ball that bounced out of Dartmouth centerfielder Nico Banez’s glove, and then he came home thanks to left fielder Chris Miller losing a ball. Though for whatever reason, Milam was credited with a double but Dardar’s play was considered a two-base error. Sure, why not.
LSU’s third run also came by way of a Dartmouth error. Derek Curiel reached on an error and then came all the way home from first off of a Jake Brown eighth-inning double.
Schmidt got into the eighth inning for the first time in his career and his fast ball was still sitting 94 MPH. His day ended, however, when he plunked Dartmouth first basemen Milo Suarez and was lifted for Dax Dathe. Dathe, however, was yanked after just two pitches, the second of which hit Dartmouth shortstop Alejandro Puig. Johnson then went to Mavrick Rizy and Rizy got two massive strikeouts to end the threat.
Rizy was well on his way to earning his first career save, but couldn’t get that 27th out. Rizy issued a one-out walk to catcher AJ DeMastrie, threw a couple of wild pitches that allowed DeMastrie to reach third, and made matters worse with a four-pitch walk to Chris Miller that brought the tying run to the plate.
Johnson turned to Jaden Noot, who got a swinging K on a full count to end the game and give the Tigers its 11th win of the season.
William Schmidt came to LSU with all the potential in the world and he’s starting to realize it these past two outings. Between today against Dartmouth and last weekend’s start against UCF, Schmidt has thrown a combined 12.1 innings, allowed just seven hits and has an absurd 16 strikeouts against just one walk and zero runs allowed. The Tigers have a potential first round pick pitching on Sundays and he’s only getting better. Life for LSU Baseball fans is pretty sweet under Jay Johnson’s watch.
LSU will wrap up its four-day round-robin series with its second game against Northeastern tomorrow night (6:30 P.M.) and that game may be streamed online via SEC Network+. Hopefully LSU remembers to bring its bats tomorrow night.
The Chicago Blackhawks came into Sunday's match with the Utah Mammoth losers of three straight games going back to before the break.
On Saturday night, they suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche. This game was their opportunity to bounce back against another team that's been hot. Since the year flipped to 2026, the Mammoth have been one of the best teams in the NHL.
Depth scoring had been an issue for the Blackhawks, as Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi were the only ones scoring goals with much regularity.
Things started well for the Blackhawks as they played a good road period to open the game. They were awarded a power play with under a minute remaining, and they took advantage.
Tyler Bertuzzi forced a Utah turnover, and the puck found Teuvo Teravainen at the side of the net. He made it 1-0 with a nice move to find twine.
In the second period, the Blackhawks put a stranglehold on the scoreboard by scoring two goals two minutes apart. First, it was Nick Foligno, followed by Landon Slaggert. This 3-0 lead held through the second intermission.
Early in the third, while on the penalty kill, Teuvo Teravainen scored a short-handed goal to make it 4-0. His second goal of the game was his 8th career short-handed tally, and the first given up by the Mammoth this season.
4-0 stood as the final. Arvid Soderblom earned his first career shutout with the win, making 22 saves. He didn't face a high-volume of shots, but he did make big saves on a handful of high-danger chances. He earned this shutout and played a big role in the team snapping their losing streak.
The Blackhawks completed a game in which they played mostly well from beginning to end. Whether it was their much-needed depth scoring, defending well, or good goaltending, the Blackhawks had one of their best performances in a long time. It's a win to build on in every way.
Next up for the Blackhawks is the final game of their road trip. They close things out with a Tuesday night visit to Manitoba for a game against Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets.
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Edey initially underwent surgery in June to stabilize a stress reaction in his ankle and didn't make his season debut until Nov. 15, but he has dealt with lingering discomfort that has limited him to playing just 11 games.
"Based on the unanimous opinion of consulting expert physicians, Edey’s lateral ligaments remain stable post-surgery with ongoing discomfort and talar bone stress being driven by progressive laxity of the deltoid (medial) ligaments," the Grizzlies said in the statement. "The upcoming procedure will reinforce the medial ligament complex and accelerate bone healing."
The Grizzlies added that this surgery is meant to address the discomfort and talar bone stress in his ankle. He is expected to make a full recovery, and the team said a timeline will be provided following his surgery. But his 2025-26 season is likely done, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
In his 11 games played this season, Edey averaged 13.6 points,11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He has not played in a game since Dec. 7.
Edey, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after a memorable run in that year's NCAA tournament, averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds as a rookie for the Grizzlies in 2024-25. He also missed 12 games early in his rookie season due to a left ankle sprain.
The Grizzlies also announced that Brandon Clarke, who has been sidelined since Dec. 20 with a right calf strain, will need further rehab "before advancing to the next step" in his return to the court. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season, the Cardinals announced Sunday.
The deal includes a club option for 2029, the club said.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time, and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” Cardinals president Chaim Bloom said in a statement. “He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow.”
The 39-year-old Marmol has led the Cardinals for the past four seasons, taking them to the National League wild-card round in his first season as manager. But he has failed to return to the playoffs the last three years, and St. Louis was just 78-84 last season.
Yet the Cardinals have long considered the past couple of seasons as an opportunity to reset with Bloom taking over for longtime executive John Mozeliak and a roster in need of a refresh. So it makes sense to provide some stability with Marmol, the third-longest tenured manager in the NL behind the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts and the Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo.
Marmol has been with the Cardinals since 2007, when he was still in his playing days. He spent five seasons as a manager in the minors before joining the coaching staff in 2017, and he was elevated to the St. Louis manager on October 25, 2021.
Marmol is 324-323 in four seasons with the Cardinals.
The San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets faced off for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon. The Sharks were on the second half of a back-to-back, as they defeated the Edmonton Oilers the previous night, while the Jets looked to bounce back from an overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks in their last outing.
The opening minutes were filled with end-to-end action, with both teams generating shots on the rush. Immediately after the first whistle, two and a half minutes into the game, Morgan Barron was able to break the deadlock and give the Jets an early lead. Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was forced to make a couple of big saves in quick succession shortly after the goal. William Eklund had a partial breakaway chance just under eight minutes into the game, but Connor Hellebuyck was able to get his glove on the puck, sending it just wide of the net.
The Sharks got two power play opportunities near the middle of the opening period. The first came when Gustav Nyquist was called for slashing Tyler Toffoli. The Sharks were unable to take advantage of the extra man, but got another opportunity shortly after when Jonathan Toews was penalized for hooking Macklin Celebrini. Although the Sharks got some quality chances, once again, the Jets’ penalty kill stood strong.
Kiefer Sherwood took the first penalty of the night for the Sharks with less than a minute remaining in the opening frame, as he was called for goaltender interference following contact with Hellebuyck. The Jets weren’t able to capitalize on the man advantage before the period came to an end, and carried their power play and 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
One area where the Sharks certainly excelled in the first period was in the faceoff circle. They won 67% of draws in the first period. Alexander Wennberg led the team in faceoff wins in the opening frame, winning five draws while losing two.
The Sharks quickly killed off the penalty, but were shorthanded again five minutes into the period when Shakir Mukhamadullin visited the penalty box for tripping. Once again, the Sharks were able to kill it off with little issue. The second period overall was fairly uneventful, as it was a lot of back-and-forth with few quality scoring chances.
Will Smith tied things up 1:47 into the third period. After Collin Graf took a shot, the puck bounced right to the stick of Smith, who took inspiration from the upcoming baseball season as he bunted it past Hellebuyck and into the net for his 18th goal of the season.
The Jets got an opportunity to restore their lead halfway through the third when Philipp Kurashev took down Dylan DeMelo in the offensive zone, giving Winnipeg a late chance on the power play. The call was not popular amongst the crowd at the SAP Center, and quickly resulted in chants toward the official. The Sharks penalty kill remained perfect though.
The Sharks got a man advantage of their own moments after Kurashev's penalty expired. Winnipeg's captain Adam Lowry went to the box for interference on Vincent Desharnais. The penalty was again killed off.
The Sharks earned another late power play opportunity when Kyle Connor took down John Klingberg in the corner behind the Sharks' net with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. The Sharks generated quite a few chances, but couldn't beat Hellebuyck.
Neither team was able to break the tie in regulation, and the game moved on to overtime.
A minute and 40 seconds into overtime, Michael Misa was able to beat Hellebuyck and earned the win for the Sharks.
The Sharks' homestand will continue on Tuesday, when they host the Montreal Canadiens.
NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden scored 22 points in his return to the lineup with a broken thumb and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a two-game skid with a 106-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Harden missed two games after fracturing his thumb earlier in the week. He bounced back and shot 5 for 9 from the field, 4 for 7 from 3-point distance and 8 for 12 from the line, with nine rebounds and eight assists. He was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York. X-rays Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. The 17-year veteran was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4.
Jarrett Allen scored 20 points and Evan Mobley added 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers improved to 12-1 in their last 13 games against the Nets. Sam Merrill finished with 15 points and Dennis Schroder had 10.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, and Danny Wolf added 23 points and nine rebounds for Brooklyn, which lost its eighth straight game and for the 11th time in 13 games. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points and Grant Nelson 11 as the Nets slipped to 15-45 overall.
The Nets led 56-42 at halftime, helped by 50% (21 for 42) shooting from the field.
The Cavaliers rallied in the second half and led by eight points with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Brooklyn rallied.
Brooklyn closed within three points (102-99) on a basket by Traore with 28.6 seconds left and within a point (102-101) following two free throws by Wolf with 9.2 seconds showing. Schroder made a pair of free throws and Wolf hit 1 of 2, giving the Cavs a two-point lead with 5.9 seconds left. Schroder and Mobley added free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell was sidelined for a third straight game due to a groin injury. Dean Wade also sat out due to a sprained ankle.
Ben Hess throws a pitch during the Yankees' March 1 spring game against the Phillies.
Observations from Yankees spring training Sunday:
Hess, sir!
Ben Hess, one of the top Yankees pitching prospects, tossed two scoreless innings of relief, including setting down Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm.
Ben Hess throws a pitch during the Yankees’ March 1 spring game against the Phillies. Getty Images
Crash test
Ben Rice gave Aaron Boone a scare when he went crashing into the short wall by the rolled-up tarp down the first base line trying to run down a pop-up.
Fortunately for the Yankees, Rice was no worse for wear.
Caught my eye
Anywhere the Yankees put George Lombard Jr. on the infield, he has delivered a highlight-reel play over the first 10 games this spring.
After doing so at shortstop and third base last week, the prospect played second base Sunday and made a strong play on a chopper past the mound, throwing on the run to first, where Rice provided a scoop for the out.
Monday’s schedule
The Yankees will have their first off-day of camp before returning to action Tuesday against Panama at Steinbrenner Field, with Max Fried and Giancarlo Stanton set to make their spring debuts.
MESA, Arizona — The Cubs’ 5-1 loss to the White Sox on another very hot afternoon was painfully reminiscent of some Shōta Imanaga starts last year.
Imanaga threw 47 pitches in 2.2 innings. Three of those pitches left the yard, solo homers by Edgar Quero, Austin Hays and Braden M0ntgomery, two of whom will likely be starting players for the White Sox this year and the third, one of their top prospects.
But should we really be concerned about three homers in a Spring Training game in a hitters’ environment where the temperature reached into the 90s? Let’s look at each of the homers.
That was … I dunno, chopped out of the ballpark? That has to be three inches above the strike zone. I don’t think that ball is a home run at Wrigley Field with the wind blowing in. On a hot day in Mesa? Sure.
Bregman, like Quero, got a high fastball and did not miss it:
Lenyn Sosa also homered for the White Sox, off minor leaguer Zane Mills. The fifth Sox run came off Hunter Harvey in the fourth, and after that scoring was done for the afternoon. Caleb Thielbar, Luke Little and Corbin Martin threw scoreless innings, and Grant Kipp, who might be at Triple-A Iowa this year, put six Sox minor leaguers down in order in the eighth and ninth.
Bregman also doubled and walked in what’s likely his final game for the Cubs for a couple of weeks, as he heads to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Pete Crow-Armstrong, also headed for Team USA, singled twice in three at-bats.
It was another very hot day in Mesa (Bluesky link):
Attendance watch: A full house of 15,270 attended Sunday’s game. That makes the season total for six dates 71,309, or 11,885 per date.
After the game the Cubs announced they had claimed Ben Cowles on waivers from the Blue Jays. I don’t know exactly what’s going on with Cowles; the Cubs keep waiving him and re-claiming him. To make room on the 40-man roster for Cowles, Shelby Miller was placed on the 60-day injured list.
Monday, the Cubs head to the west Valley to play the Reds at Goodyear. Jameson Taillon will start for the Cubs, and then he, too, heads to the WBC to play for Team Canada. Brady Singer will go for Cincinnati. Game time Monday is 2:05 p.m. CT and TV coverage will again be via Marquee Sports Network, and also on Reds TV. No radio on Monday.
The clock is ticking, and the Colorado Avalanche still have a hole to fill down the middle.
With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away, Colorado remains in the market for a third-line center — and the latest buzz doesn’t center around Nicolas Roy. Instead, a familiar name is resurfacing. Scott Laughton, long linked to the Avalanche over the past couple of seasons, is once again generating momentum.
The 31-year-old forward once believed he would spend his entire career with the Philadelphia Flyers, the organization that selected him 20th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Laughton spent parts of 12 seasons in Philadelphia before being dealt at last year’s deadline to the Toronto Maple Leafs — a move that proved how quickly stability can disappear in this league.
Now, as speculation swirls again, Laughton understands the reality of the business.
Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators, he was asked how difficult it is to stay focused when trade chatter lingers in the background.
"I haven't changed much, you know?" Laughton said. "I take pride in trying to be consistent in every facet of coming in to the rink and being positive.
"It's out of our control. It's in no one's control except the staff. We have to go out and do a job and play for each other and hold each other accountable and make it difficult on teams and get a lead and make it hard for them to come back in games."
Why Laughton Makes Sense
What makes Laughton particularly appealing on the market isn’t just positional need — it’s the details of his game. He brings a veteran presence to the room, sets a professional tone on and off the ice, and consistently delivers in the faceoff circle. His 56.7 percent win rate ranks among the NHL’s top 20, giving any contender an immediate boost in puck possession, especially in critical defensive-zone draws.
There’s also financial flexibility at play. With a manageable $3 million cap hit, and the possibility that Toronto could retain a portion of the salary, Laughton becomes an even more attractive option for cap-strapped teams looking to add experience and reliability without disrupting their books.
Other Options And Cap Realities
If Laughton emerges as the primary target, it could effectively cool any reunion chatter involving former Avalanche center Nazem Kadri, now with the Calgary Flames. League sources suggest Calgary has little interest in retaining any portion of Kadri’s $7 million cap hit — a significant hurdle for a Colorado front office that values financial maneuverability.
Nazem Kadri looks on during Saturday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. Credit: Griffin Hooper.
General manager Chris MacFarland has built a reputation around disciplined cap management and calculated moves. Absorbing a full $7 million commitment for a depth role would run counter to that philosophy.
Another name to monitor is Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers. However, similar questions arise there as well. Trocheck carries a $5.625 million cap hit, and any serious discussion would likely hinge on salary retention.
Trocheck taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Credit: Wendell Cruz
The Makar Factor
No matter who Colorado ultimately acquires — if anyone — the move will almost certainly be made with the bigger picture in mind.
A contract extension for star defenseman Cale Makar looms large. The two-time Norris Trophy winner’s six-year, $54 million extension expires at the end of next season, and with the salary cap projected to climb to approximately $113.5 million by the time his next deal kicks in, Makar could realistically command an average annual value in the $17–18 million range.
Cale Makar scores twice last night en route to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Credit: Ron Chenoy
That reality makes it far more likely the Avalanche pursue a rental option rather than taking on long-term money that could complicate future flexibility.
As the deadline approaches, Colorado’s front office remains active — and The Hockey News will keep you updated as the situation unfolds.
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 1: James Harden #1 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It wasn’t pretty by any stretch, but the Cleveland Cavaliers did enough to end their brief two-game losing streak. They defeated the Brooklyn Nets 106-102 thanks to strong performances from James Harden and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland got off to a good start. They exerted their sizeable talent advantage early on as they opened up an 11-point advantage midway through the first quarter. It seemed like they were going to run away with this, but they couldn’t maintain the focus to do so.
Turnovers allowed the Nets to get back into the game. Cleveland coughed it up 11 times in the first half, slowing any momentum their offense had gathered. Brooklyn wasn’t able to capitalize as they only registered seven points off turnovers in the first half. The turnovers did allow them to slow down Cleveland’s offense.
The Cavs were held to just 46 points in the first half, allowing the Nets to take a six-point advantage into the break.
Cleveland’s offense came back to life in the third quarter, thanks to 12 points and two assists from Harden in that frame. The defense tightened up as well, as they outscored Brooklyn 28-23 in that frame to head into the fourth quarter down just one.
This continued into the fourth quarter as the Cavs methodically wore the Nets down and had some timely shooting from Sam Merrill.
Evan Mobley had a strong start to the fourth with a hybrid bench lineup that helped the Cavs maintain their momentum and retake the lead. Cleveland gradually extended their lead to nine once the majority of its starters reentered the game.
However, that didn’t last. Cleveland once again struggled to close the game. They were up seven with a minute and a half left, but let the Nets cut the deficit to one thanks to more missed free throws and an eight-second violation. It was a fitting end for what was a sloppy game.
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Harden performed well in his first game back in the lineup after breaking his thumb in last Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks. He appeared able to make his normal passes and didn’t seem like he had trouble dribbling, which is something head coach Kenny Atkinson said he was struggling to do as recently as Friday.
Harden led Cleveland in scoring and assists as he poured in 22 points on 5-9 shooting to go along with eight assists and nine boards.
Harden wasn’t the only Cavalier to return to the lineup after breaking a finger. Keon Ellis also played his first game since doing so in Wednesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and looked like his usual self, earning his way into the closing lineup. He was active defensively, coming up with five blocks and three steals while contributing four points in the victory.
Brooklyn did their best to keep Allen out of the paint. They swarmed him every time he got the ball, which led to a somewhat inefficient scoring night by his standards as he went 7-12 from the field. However, an inefficient scoring night from Allen is still more efficient than most of the league.
The Cavs are at their best when Allen is heavily involved in the offense. That was the case once again as he provided 20 points and six rebounds in the victory.
Mobley’s stat sheet doesn’t jump off the page, but the Cavs played their best basketball when he was on the floor. Cleveland outscored Brooklyn by 24 when he was playing, as he finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, including four big offensive rebounds, in the victory. This was his second strong game in a row after struggling to find his place in his first few games back from injury.
Merrill hit several timely threes as he went 4-6 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points.
The Nets were led by 26 points from Michael Porter Jr. on 10-17 shooting. Danny Wolf provided 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
It was an ugly game, but the Cavs did enough to win. That’s what matters, given the injuries they’ve had to play through and the fact that this was their seventh game in 11 days.
The Cavaliers will look to avenge Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons as they welcome them to town on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7 PM.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 31: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics high five after the game during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on October 31, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After one of the most efficient offensive performances in NBA history on Friday against Brooklyn, Boston is in a groove with five wins in its last six. The Sixers arrive without their anchor, Joel Embiid, while whispers of Jayson Tatum’s return will have to wait. The spotlight points back at Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, and with a 2-1 series lead in Philadelphia’s favor, here are three questions that could decide if Boston evens things out on their home floor.
Can Boston carry Friday’s efficiency into a tighter matchup?
Friday bordered on absurd. Boston shot 66.7% from the field and 64.7% from three, finishing with the highest effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage in a single game in NBA history. They made 22 threes on 34 attempts and assisted on 38 baskets. It was a precise, collective takedown, and now comes the follow-up.
Philadelphia defends more effectively than Brooklyn, and they’ve been a bit of a thorn in Boston’s side this season. In the three prior meetings, the Sixers held the Celtics to 30.2% from three while hitting 38.7% of their own. Those games were decided by a possession or two, with Philly holding a +2 point differential across the series.
That was a different Boston team, though. Since the November 11th loss to the Sixers, the Celtics have climbed from 12th in net rating to second, and now carry the NBA’s second best offense and seventh-ranked defense. The architecture of this team has changed. They’ve built enough of a defensive infrastructure to stay in control without needing an explosive shooting night.
The wildcard tonight is Scheierman, listed as questionable after fracturing his thumb. He’s carved out a starting role, establishing himself as a useful connective piece, averaging over 25 minutes per night in the last 10 games. His presence or absence changes the rotation. If he can’t go, Mazzulla will need to redistribute minutes among his backup wings. It’s possible Ron Harper Jr. gets another opportunity, along with elevated minutes for Walsh and Gonzalez.
It’s worth noting how different this roster looks from the last time these teams met. Minott and Simons are gone. Vucevic slid above Garza into the backup center role. Walsh, Gonzalez, and Scheierman weren’t even solidified rotation players yet in those matchups — now they’re core contributors. The Celtics have cycled through roles and rotations all year and kept winning. If Scheierman is sidelined or limited, it’s just the latest version of that.
Boston doesn’t have to replicate Friday’s win over Brooklyn. They just need to execute and be good enough defensively that the offense doesn’t have to be historic to win.
Without Embiid, do the Sixers have enough?
Embiid’s absence removes the Sixers’ most reliable half-court solution, and they haven’t been the same team when he sits. With Embiid on the floor, Philadelphia carries a 121.3 offensive rating. Without him, it plummets to 113.9. That’s a significant drop, especially when facing a team that’s found a great defensive balance like Boston.
With the big man out and Paul George still serving his suspension, the offense falls solely on Maxey’s shoulders. That’s not unfamiliar territory for him — he’s been Philadelphia’s leading scorer all season. He’ll push tempo and hunt early advantages, testing Boston’s point-of-attack defense. The question is how much the supporting cast can take off his plate.
Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre are the most proven supporting options, but VJ Edgecombe is the name to watch. He torched Boston in the season opener, and his explosive downhill style could cause problems if he gets comfortable. If he and Grimes get going, Philly could have enough juice on the perimeter to stick around. If not, Maxey will likely have too much on his shoulders to keep pace.
With Derrick White as the defensive anchor, and Gonzalez and Walsh behind him, Mazzulla has length and versatility to cycle through matchups against the Sixers ball-handlers without sacrificing much on the other end. The Sixers will have to work hard to generate good looks, and without Embiid to bail them out when a possession breaks down, Boston could run away with it if their offense breaks the trend against Philly.
Can Jaylen Brown Outduel Tyrese Maxey?
Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey are both averaging 29.1 points per game, tied for fourth in the league. Both are carrying their offenses without their co-star, and have been the driving force behind their team’s success.
In the three meetings this season, Maxey has averaged 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists against Boston. Brown sits at 27, 5, and 5. Maxey has gotten the better of it, and his team has the narrow edge to show for it. Tonight is another opportunity for Brown to leave his mark with a primetime national TV showdown.
Brown’s February wasn’t quite as masterful as his elite December and January stretch, but he’s still stacking consistently strong games. Friday was another example — 28 points on 12 shots, four threes, nine assists, while never forcing the issue. He’s operating within the offense and still being its engine, creating a version of himself that helps elevate Boston’s supporting cast, while stile leaving room to take over.
Maxey presents a different kind of challenge. He’s smaller but relentless, and gets to his top gear quicker than almost any guard in the league. He can fill it up fast, and tilts momentum in just a short stretch of possessions. Boston will likely turn to White as the primary defender, but Maxey has historically found ways to put pressure on the Celtics defense.
This is a game that could turn on which primary option controls the flow, but Boston’s supporting cast is stronger, and if Brown and Maxey’s clash ends roughly equal, the Celtics should come out on top.
After a live bullpen session on Sunday before the Mets faced off against the Houston Astros at Clover Park, Kodai Senga’s next step appears to be headed for a real game.
Speaking to the media following a 4-3 win, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Senga’s next outing “will be in our game.” He followed that up by saying that will probably be on Saturday when New York plays the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.
For what it’s worth, Senga had a couple of strikeouts on the backfields against Mets hitters on Sunday. And after such a promising season was hampered by injury last season, Senga will surely be excited to get back on track and find his footing once again.
How much Senga will be able to give the Mets in 2026 remains to be seen, but Saturday’s outing could show some insight. At the very least it’s a step in the right direction for the talented right-hander.
Meanwhile, Christian Scott has also been getting his work in as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery in September 2024 that cost him the entire 2025 season.
The youngster who debuted in May 2024 threw a live bullpen on Saturday in which he went two innings, per Mendoza.
“[He’s] continuing with his progression, feeling really good too,” the skipper said. “Velo is there.”
Mendoza wasn’t able to confirm that Scott would be ready for Opening Day, saying he would have to check, but he did say that the right-hander “continues to progress accordingly.”
In nine starts after his promotion, Scott had a 4.56 ERA (1.20 WHIP) with 39 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. Still just 26 years old and once a top prospect in New York’s system, Scott remains a part of the Mets’ plans this season and beyond.
Mets left fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) rounds second base after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Clover Park.
Observations from Mets spring training on Sunday:
Two For Taylor
Tyrone Taylor, whose role on the team is unclear with Luis Robert Jr. penciled in as the center fielder and Carson Benge vying for the right field spot, hit his second homer of the spring and can provide solid defense in the outfield.
Mets left fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) rounds second base after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Walk this Way
Right-hander Jack Wenninger, the organization’s No. 11 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, walked five batters in 1 ²/₃ innings.
He allowed two runs to the Astros in the 4-3 win.
Caught My Eye
Benge went hitless but still had the hardest-hit ball of the afternoon — a 110 mph grounder in the first inning.
And he displayed a strong arm in the third on a fly ball to medium right field by Isaac Paredes, as he fired home to force Nick Allen to scramble back to third.
Monday’s Schedule
The Mets have the day off, returning to action Tuesday at Clover Park against Team Nicaragua in preparation for the WBC.
ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 30: Pius Suter #22 of the St. Louis Blues scores a goal against the Vancouver Canucks on October 30, 2025 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
For the purposes of this article, I am not going to touch the question: “should Tom Fitzgerald be making trades?” Regardless of what I think of him, he has the job. He should keep doing his job as long as he has it, and it’s entirely on ownership to decide whether or not he should continue in his role today, tomorrow, and in July. The person in the GM chair should have no bearing on what kind of moves the Devils need to become a competitive, contending team.
I am going to break this down into three sections. The first group of players are those who I think are largely uncontroversial. They are not top line players, but they can contribute in the right roles. The second group of players are those who I think are breakout candidates: your “boom or bust” types. The third group of players are those who I expect to inspire some readers to ask me if I recently suffered a head injury (especially with the state the team is in). However, the third group are those who can make a real, guaranteed long-term difference. Regardless, I do not think the Devils cannot go into next season with the same roster, and there are some moves I could support regardless of who is running the show.
Group 1 — A New Supporting Cast
Target #1: Pius Suter, C, St. Louis Blues
The New Jersey Devils faced the St. Louis Blues last night, and Pius Suter did not fare a whole lot better than his teammates at five-on-five as the Blues were dominated in puck possession. However, Suter did have a good night on the penalty kill as their only forward without an on-ice shot attempt allowed (1:04) in their two penalty kills, and he skated away with an assist and no on-ice goals against. But Pius Suter is not meant to be a top-line center (19:51), he is meant to be a second or third-line defensive center.
Last season, for the Vancouver Canucks, Suter had 25 goals and 21 assists playing over 17 minutes per game. Many of these minutes (184:24) came on the penalty kill, where Suter was one of the best penalty killing forwards in the league. With Suter on the ice, the Canucks had 14 power play goals against, or 4.56 GA/60 for a net goal differential of -3.91 GA/60 when accounting for shorthanded goals. Translation: his top-end penalty killing output is nearly twice as good of what you would want from a PK1 center. Even this season, with a much worse St. Louis team, Suter’s penalty killing performance has come out to a net goal differential of -5.49/60, which is still better than:
Luke Glendening (-7.54/60)
Nico Hischier (-6.46/60)
Connor Brown (-6.35/60)
Dawson Mercer (-5.93/60)
So, Pius Suter would be an expected improvement over all of the Devils’ top four penalty killing forwards by minutes killed this season. I have argued on many occasions that Nico Hischier would be better served killing fewer penalties and playing more offensive situations at five-on-five, and an acquisition like Suter would be perfect for that. He might not be a 50 or 60-point scorer, but he is effective in his minutes and can handle a shutdown role while still contributing 15-25 goals. Suter’s contract runs through 2027, and his cap hit is only $4.13 million. He is extremely affordable and would be able to give the Devils a Hughes-Hischier-Suter-Glass center lineup, perhaps with more of an ability to use Jack Hughes on Hischier’s wing in must-score situations.
Target #2: Morgan Frost, C, Calgary Flames
Like Pius Suter, Morgan Frost is under contract through next season, though his cap hit comes in a bit higher at $4.38 million. However, he is a few years younger and less defensively polished. He wins a lot more in the faceoff dot than Suter, but he does not play the penalty kill and relies a bit too much on the power play for his point production. In 58 games for Calgary this season, Frost has 12 goals and 15 assists, though his career high is 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in the 2022-23 season under John Tortorella in Philadelphia. With Frost heading towards unrestricted free agency, I wonder if the Calgary Flames would be willing to part ways with him, as things have not really gone too well for them since acquiring Farabee and Frost.
I would be more on board with acquiring Suter than Frost, but Frost would still be a welcome addition. I think his skillset is more of a winger than that of a center, as his offensive chance generation is weak but he has the skill to score when given the chances. Historically, he has positive defensive impacts, but Calgary has been pretty weak in all three zones this season. Frost might be a good choice as a left wing for a player like Jack Hughes, who benefits from having a winger who can win more than 50% of his faceoff draws and deflect pucks into the net. Over the last three seasons, 10 of Frost’s 39 goals have come by a tip or deflection, per HockeyViz. This season, the Devils are one of the worst teams in the league at deflecting pucks into the net with 17 goals on 23.7 expected deflection goals.
Target #3: Morgan Barron, C/LW, Winnipeg Jets
Under contract with the Winnipeg Jets for another season at a cap hit of $1.85 million, Morgan Barron is a great bottom six player who can add a ton of size with positive two-way impacts. He is not going to light the scoresheet up by any means, but he has had an on-ice goals for percentage of 53.14% in his five years in Winnipeg. This season, the 6’4” and 220 pound Barron has picked up some centering duties, winning 200 of 422 draws while putting up seven goals and 10 assists through 49 games, playing about 12 and a half minutes per game.
Barron, 27, is the perfect age to become a fourth-line regular for a team like the New Jersey Devils. He is physical without taking a ton of penalties (104 PIMs in 305 career games), he can win a decent amount of faceoffs (48.0% of 820 career draws), and he can play both center and wing. While I appreciated the Nick Bjugstad trade, the Devils need a younger presence on their fourth line who can still be counted on to be around in 3-5 years. He may not be as established of a penalty killer as Pius Suter, minutes-wise, but he can be relied on for PK2 duties at the very least, and he can still take some of those minutes away from Nico Hischier (especially if Cody Glass also starts to take more of those situations). Last season, Barron killed 89:48 and had a net goal differential of -4.67/60 on the penalty kill, while he has a -5.74/60 net differential in 94:09 this season.
Due a new contract in July 2026, the Florida Panthers might be hard-pressed to convince the 23-year old winger to take less money to continue playing in a bottom six role. After being scratched for all but four games of their 2025 Stanley Cup run, Samoskevich took the league minimum salary to remain with Florida this season. His ice time has not increased much, and he has had an unlucky shot. Now entering an arbitration year, he is going to have to start making a name for himself, and the Florida top nine will be even tougher to crack consistently with Matthew Tkachuk back from LTIR.
This season, Samoskevich has six goals and 15 assists in 57 games. In his career, he has been a very poor finisher, though his two-way impacts are positive and he has drawn a ton of penalties. Samoskevich has the highest CF% on the Florida Panthers (56.93) and the third-best xGF% (55.01), the second-most hits at five-on-five (102), and the second-most penalties drawn (24). I was really disappointed when Samoskevich was selected five spots before Chase Stillman in 2021, but maybe the Devils could afford to give Samoskevich more of a role than the Panthers have been able to.
Group 2 — Under the Radar
Target #1: John Leonard, LW, Detroit Red Wings/Grand Rapids Griffins
Nobody on the Utica Comets has 26 points. But Leonard, a 27-year old winger, nearly doubles Brian Halonen’s 21 points in similar games played while also having four points in nine NHL games for the Red Wings. In those nine NHL games, Leonard also has six blocked shots and eight hits: he’s trying in all areas. In the AHL, per AHL Tracker, Leonard has an on-ice goals for percentage of 54.3% at five-on-five. He has played some shorthanded minutes, creating two shorthanded goals while only allowing two power play goals against. And with the net empty, Grand Rapids has scored twice and allowed three empty netters with Leonard on the ice.
If you want a “make something happen” third-line winger, John Leonard could be that guy. And shooting 23.2% while getting 3.5 shots on goal per game, with only five of his 40 points being secondary assists, it’s very difficult to argue that his production is not a true sign of his ability.
At 27, if Detroit is not willing to give Leonard regular ice time, I cannot imagine they would ask for a ton in a trade. But every time Leonard has played in the NHL, he has tracked like a middle-six winger. Give him a chance with regular ice time, and the Devils might have their unlikely local native story.
Fresh off of a two-point performance in five games for Team Germany at the Winter Olympics, Josh Samanski could use a team with more openings for ice time than the Edmonton Oilers. The undrafted center has two points in five games for Edmonton this season, but his path to the NHL right now is by getting some fourth line minutes as an injury fill-in. Unlike Leonard, though, Samanski is young. At only 23 and under contract through 2027, the Oilers could very well be holding onto him for next season.
That does not mean nobody should be asking about him. Per AHL tracker, Samanski has the 20th-best five-on-five on-ice goals for percentage among centers who have played 15 or more AHL games this season (59.6%). With the Condors, Samanski has 28 points in 39 games, though he has not been much of a goal scorer. Prior to signing with Edmonton, he had 40 points in 52 games for the Straubing Tigers of the DEL last season. In the NHL, he has won 16 of 27 draws, and his 6’2”, 195-pound frame at center is a solid fit for a playmaking or checking role.
Group 3 — Longshots, One Way or Another
Target #1: Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Yeah, yeah, I know. But if Rick Tocchet and the Flyers are going to misuse Matvei Michkov to this extent, I cannot imagine that his representation is particularly happy with his situation and may welcome a trade. Regardless of the state of that relationship, the New Jersey Devils need one thing above all: skill, and Michkov has it.
Would they have to pay Philadelphia a premium to trade for Michkov? Surely.
Would it be worth it?
For a player as skilled as Michkov, at his age, there are not many limits to what I would be okay with the Devils giving up to get him. They could give Philadelphia two first-round picks (with some level of protection for 2026), Briere’s choice of any prospect not in the NHL, and a non-core NHL player, and I would be happy. You get the picture: unless the Devils miss the playoffs and win the Draft Lottery, they are not likely to get a player as talented as Michkov.
It’s a huge bet, undoubtedly. Michkov has well-documented defensive struggles in the NHL, his coach has called him out for being out of shape, and he has regressed in his second season at 21 years old. But with this Devils roster, I am beginning to have a bit of a “go big or go home” sort of attitude. Michkov is still on an ELC, and will still be on it next season. I think the Devils need another source of top-level skill, but they will not be able to add an established top-line winger with their contract situation. They need to go young. Would you not want to see what Jack Hughes could do with a younger winger with as much potential as Matvei Michkov?
I do.
Target #2:Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
If there’s ever anyone to throw the kitchen sink at in a trade, it’s Jason Robertson.
Robertson is in an arbitration year of restricted free agency this offseason. The Dallas Stars should not trade him in the midst of a season where they are in contention for the Stanley Cup, but I think he is worth mentioning. As of now, Robertson is second on the team in points with 33 goals and 35 assists in 54 games, as he already has about as many shots through 59 games as he had in all of last season. Robertson has not missed a game since 2021-22, when he missed eight games, and he is on track for about 95 points this season. If the Devils had a winger like Robertson next to Jack Hughes, we could see the kind of scoring heights from the team’s top offensive center that fans have been hoping for since the 2022-23 season.
It would be a very high acquisition cost to get Robertson, and there is no guarantee Dallas will even move him. He has been in general rumors and whispers for awhile, though, and I would be happy if any Devils general manager kicked the tires there. Dallas is looking for a right-handed offensive defenseman who can handle top pairing minutes, and the Devils have one in Dougie Hamilton. Right now, Dallas has three lefties playing over 23 minutes a game in Heiskanen, Lindell, and Harley, while their righties all play between 15 and 17 minutes per game, with their leading right-handed scorer on defense being Alex Petrovic with 9 points in 51 games. Pairing Dougie Hamilton with Miro Heiskanen or Esa Lindell could give them ridiculous top four pairings, as Hamilton has recently shown that his goal scoring ways might not be in the rear view mirror. Over his last 16 appearances (i.e. since Keefe stopped using him as a defensive defenseman), Dougie has three goals and 11 assists, which rates to a 15-goal, 72-point pace per 82 games.
If the Stars preferred a younger return, Robertson is one of the few players in the league I would also include Simon Nemec in a trade for. Likewise, I would have no issue with including players such as Anton Silayev, Lenni Hameenaho, Seamus Casey, or any other prospect the Stars would want in return for a player as good as Robertson. But, since Dallas is in Cup contention mode, I imagine they would like to add more players who can contribute to them in a playoff run. On the other end of things, Robertson would command a lot of money (I imagine $12-13 million) from 2026-27 and beyond, and the Devils may even need to look for a way to shed salary on top of Hamilton if they were to acquire him.
Final Words and Your Thoughts
I know this an awkward time to suggest any sort of “buying” moves, but it is clear that the Devils do not just have a coaching problem, they have a roster problem. Aside from a few players who have the ability to score and impact the game on both ends of the ice, the roster has far too many offensive passengers and players paid to pay defense who are apparently not quite good enough at doing so consistently. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of faith in the 2026 unrestricted free agency class, and I question how much the Devils can actually improve there. Trades are the best path this team has out of their issues, but not necessarily in the sense that they should sell players like Dougie off for low returns and draft picks. I still have not recovered from the Devils only getting second and third-round picks for Tyler Toffoli when I argued beforehand that I would prefer re-signing Toffoli to taking a late first-rounder for him. Fitzgerald didn’t even get that much for him. I said then:
Making a rash move like trading Tyler Toffoli for the shiny object of a first-round pick, which could very well turn into the next Chase Stillman — just because the Devils are only hanging around in striking distance of a playoff spot with their top offensive player out of the lineup — would be an insane way to let the team’s stars know that management is serious about winning a Stanley Cup.
Tyler Toffoli might be past the age of a max-length extension, but that does not mean the team’s top scorer would presently be better utilized in a trade for futures. Toffoli has struggled at times, but trading him would be punting the season. At that point, you might as well tell Jack and Jonas not to bother returning from their injury. You might as well fire Lindy Ruff and let Travis Green hack around the bench for 35 games and not do a better job.
Do you think Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes would find it acceptable that management gave up on the season? How long would it be until they gave up on management and requested trades? These guys are in the primes of their lives and careers — and the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Finalist in 2023 had 92 standings points, getting in on the last game of the season.
A pure teardown and rebuild is still not appropriate for this roster. Jack Hughes was just the best skater at the best-on-best Olympics, in my opinion, on a minute-per-minute basis. Shift in, shift out, he generally looked like the best player on the ice. Nico Hischier and Timo Meier just looked good for Switzerland and Meier has looked like the monster they traded for since returning to New Jersey. Simon Nemec looked awesome at the Olympics in top pairing minutes all the way to an unlikely path to the Bronze Medal Game and Luke Hughes looked great in his first game back last night in St. Louis.
This is not about making the playoffs this season. The team is so far out of it that they would probably need to win 18 of their remaining 22 games to make the playoffs. It’s a one-in-one-thousand shot at this point, so there is not much need to waste ink about whether the Devils are keeping pace with wins and losses among teams above them. It doesn’t matter what other teams do, the Devils need to win games. On the other hand, I am starting to look at top-10 prospects in the 2026 Draft. It’s just where they’ve ended up.
This is about making an honest effort to the core players on the roster that the team is serious about winning. Even if they do not finish this regular season in a playoff spot, wasting hockey games not caring about putting the team into a position to contend is a bad message. Whether that means coaching changes or switching out some of the supporting players for different ones, the team should continue to try fixes that do not involve trading those core players away until they get into a run of good hockey that can either pull off the impossible or get something better going into next season.
I will say that I think the Devils should look for young players. The supporting cast on the current roster skews on the older side, and it may be that too many different guys are aging and can maybe still succeed on another team, but not on one with so many teammates on the older side of 30. I have seen the Steven Stamkos rumor surface again, but it would be a risk. It is not necessarily a move I would recommend now, but I was not against it when it was first talked about a few months ago, when the Devils were winning games. He is a goal scorer and the Devils need more of them, but I would not be looking for more players any older than Pius Suter in this year’s trade deadline. Maybe, after shaking out their offseason cap situation and seeing where the roster stands then, it would make more sense.
But what do you think of these trade option ideas? Are there any more you can think of? What do you think of the resurfacing Stamkos rumor? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Dani Carnegie scored 26 points, Mia Woolfolk had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 23 Georgia defeated Florida 71-58 in a regular-season finale on Sunday.
Carnegie scored the first eight points of the game to get the Bulldogs rolling. They led 16-7 with under two minutes left in the quarter before the Gators made their only field goal of the first quarter. Florida attempted only six shots in the first but made seven of 10 free throws. Georgia led 18-9 after one.
Emilija Dakic hit two 3-pointers to get Florida going in the second quarter and the Gators eventually tied it at 23 with four minutes remaining in the half. Carnegie and Riley Theuerkauf then scored five points each in Georgia's 12-0 run for a 35-23 halftime lead.
A 13-0 run in which Savannah Henderson drained two 3-pointers and Carnegie hit another gave Georgia a 54-30 lead. The Bulldogs led 54-33 heading to the fourth.
Carnegie scored six points and Woolfolk had seven in the fourth quarter and the Bulldogs (22-8, 8-8 SEC) were never threatened.
Nyadieng Yiech had 14 points and Jade Weathersby grabbed 11 rebounds for Florida (17-14, 5-11).
Georgia has engineered the best single-season turnaround in program history. After finishing 13-19 a season ago, the Bulldogs are 22-8 -- nine-win improvement from 2024-25.
Up next
The conference tournament runs Wednesday through Sunday at Greenville, South Carolina.
