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Claude Lemieux sees Stanley Cup potential in Avalanche, much like his title team in 1995-96

Colorado Avalanche

Dec 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal with center Gavin Brindley (54) and left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and defenseman Sam Malinski (70) and defenseman Samuel Girard (49) in the second period against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Isaiah J. Downing/Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

DENVER — The Stanley Cup was in the building as part of the pregame celebration to honor the 1995-96 Colorado Avalanche squad.

It could be in the building again later this season, too.

At least, longtime forward Claude Lemieux believes so. He’s been on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, including the ‘95-96 Avalanche squad. This team, he surmised after watching a 6-2 win over the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers, has all the necessary ingredients.

“I love watching them play,” said Lemieux, whose squad back then won the Mile High City’s first major professional championship in their first season in town after relocating from Quebec. “They’re fun to watch.”

In a lot of ways, this version is built in the image of that squad. No real surprise there, given the architect of this team is Hall of Famer turned front office executive Joe Sakic.

Back then, Sakic, the captain, and fellow Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg helped provide the scoring punch in a season that ended with a Stanley Cup Final sweep over Florida. Colorado had a blue line that include a rugged defender in Adam Foote and a scoring defenseman in Sandis Ozolinsh. They also had another Hall of Famer in goaltender Patrick Roy.

This team has that same sort of makeup. They have an elite goal scorer (Nathan MacKinnon), leadership (captain Gabriel Landeskog), even more leadership (40-year-old Brent Burns), a scoring defenseman (Cale Makar) and reliable goaltending (Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood).

The current crew watched as the players from the ’95-96 squad were recognized. They heard the applause. They then went out and put on a show for them.

“This team knows what it takes,” Lemieux said. “They have players, quite a few of them, that were on the ‘22 Cup. I think it could be the ’26 Cup.”

The Avalanche (22-2-7) have a league-leading 51 points so far this season as they became the sixth team in the last 20 years to reach the 50-point plateau in 31 or fewer games. What’s more, they still haven’t lost a game at home in regulation (12-0-2).

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thinks it was a valuable experience having the older players back in the building. The current roster briefly got to chat with them Thursday morning, and hear some stories.

“Obviously, they accomplished that two years before I was born,” Makar cracked. “But I’ve obviously heard a lot about it. It’s pretty cool they bring legends like that back.”

Some of the Avalanche players who made the trip to the rink for the ceremony from the 1995-96 squad included Forsberg, Stephane Yelle, Valeri Kamensky, Lemieux, Ozolinsh, Mike Ricci and, of course, Sakic.

“For them to be able to come back and get together as a group and share their stories with our guys and amongst one another, I’m sure it’s been a great couple days for them,” Bednar said. “We’ve been really happy that they were able to come and visit us.”

It gave the old-timers a chance to stroll down memory lane.

“When it’s happening, when you’re in the middle of it, you don’t quite appreciate it as much as you should,” said Lemieux, who also won Stanley Cup titles with Montreal (1985-86) and two with the New Jersey Devils (1994-5, 1999-00). “So you get to relive it now.”

How has the game has changed?

“We think we’re better — no, we’re just kidding,” Lemieux said. “The game’s change. It’s not as physical as it was, but to counter that physicality they’ve got so much more skills. So we appreciate the game. We appreciate their skills and everything they bring.”

The get-together provided a chance to remember old teammates, too. The late Chris Simon was represented during the on-ice ceremony by his children. He died in 2024 at 52.

“It’s very difficult, and especially with Chris passing at such a young age,” Lemieux said. “We have to count our blessings — be grateful for the days that we have and enjoy and appreciate those times when we get together.”

Lemieux certainly enjoyed being around this new cast of Avalanche.

“We hope we bring them good luck,” Lemieux said, “and inspire them to win another Cup.”

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Charlotte reportedly not interested in trading for Chris Paul, bringing him home to North Carolina

Wherever Chris Paul plays out the rest of his Hall of Fame career, it will not be back in his native North Carolina, according to a report.

The Charlotte Hornets are not in the market to trade for Paul, reports NBA insider Marc Stein in his Substack.

"A source with knowledge of the Hornets' thinking said this week that they are not expected to pursue the 40-year-old, but Paul is said to be open-minded about destinations now to go somewhere he can assemble a final chapter with a far happier ending than his second stint as a Clipper featured."
Paul is eligible to be traded on Monday, Dec. 15 and reportedly his agent is working with the Clippers to find him a new team. However, league sources told NBC Sports that even teams with some interest in bringing Paul in as a backup would rather wait until the Clippers release him and then sign him as a free agent.

In his 21st NBA season, Paul played a limited role off the bench for the Clippers, which is part of the challenge with his voice in the locker room.

Expect a lot more CP3 trade rumors in the coming weeks, although he may ultimately just find a new home as a free agent.

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After Toronto Blue Jays reach World Series, team president Mark Shapiro given new 5-year contract

TORONTO — Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro and Toronto agreed to a new five-year contract following the team’s first American League pennant since 1993.

Toronto announced the agreement after the Blue Jays came within two outs of the title before losing Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Shapiro, 58, took over as president and CEO when Paul Beeston retired after the 2015 season. Shapiro had spent 24 seasons with Cleveland, including the previous five as team president.

Ross Atkins, who worked for Shapiro in Cleveland, was hired as Blue Jays general manager in December 2015. Atkins is signed through the 2026 season.

Shapiro had signed a five-year contract extension in January 2021.

“Mark’s exceptional leadership has been a driving force behind the Blue Jays’ success, and we’re thrilled he will continue to lead our team and build on their incredible momentum,” team chairman Edward Rogers, also the executive chair of team owner Rogers Communications, said in a statement. “As proud owners of Canada’s team, we are excited to work with Mark and his team to give them the tools and resources they need to bring World Series championships back to Canada.”

Toronto’s only World Series came in 1992 and ’93.

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Could The Canucks Trade Quinn Hughes To The Washington Capitals?

With many quick to tie Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes to teams like the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings, teams such as the Washington Capitals have fallen to the wayside when it comes to discussing potential trades. However, according to a report by Sammi Silber of DC Backcheck and The Hockey News, the Capitals may be a team to keep an eye on when it comes to a potential Hughes trade. 

Per the report, the Capitals are “very interested” in adding Hughes to their organization and have even made calls to Vancouver with questions regarding the defenceman’s fate. Prior to this report, NHL insiders such as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal have brought up the idea of Washington having interest in Hughes. 

The Capitals are an interesting team to consider regarding a potential Hughes trade. Washington is a team that seems to be racing closer and closer to a shuttering window with every year that passes. Alex Ovechkin is not getting any younger, despite playing like it at times, and it appears that the Capitals may not be keen on moving on from one particular young player in the event that they engage in trade talks. 

“I am told Ryan Leonard, forget about it if the Canucks are going to ask about that guy,” Dhaliwal said on Donnie and Dhali. 

Regardless of whether he is traded or not, the noise throughout the fanbase has cut through the walls of Rogers Arena and into the Canucks’ dressing room. Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote confirmed that the locker room is aware of what’s being discussed and how the team has been dealing with it. 

"They obviously hear it," Foote said on Wednesday after practice. "When I have been around things like that, you're not talking about it. You're trying not to think about it, but it's there. You can feel it certain days more than others. I can feel it certain days more than others, and these guys are human. They can feel it. It can affect for sure a locker room but give the guys credit. They're in a tough spot, hearing the noise, and they keep coming to work every day and keep doing their job. They're pros, and that's what they are supposed to do. They can hear it. It probably affects some players more than others. But, like I said, I give them a lot of credit for how they are handling it. Coming to work, try to win hockey games and do their jobs."

Oct 19, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) controls the puck in front of Washington Capitals left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Canucks’ first stop on their upcoming road trip will be the most interesting, as Vancouver heads to New Jersey to take on Hughes’ brothers, Jack and Luke, in a Sunday morning matchup against the Devils. New Jersey has been one of the frontrunners to try and acquire Hughes mostly due to the fact that a trade to the Devils would reunite the three brothers. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 am PT. 

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.

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Draymond Green's foot injury has healed, but star to miss Warriors-Timberwolves

Draymond Green's foot injury has healed, but star to miss Warriors-Timberwolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The bruised and battered Warriors quickly are getting healthy, and Draymond Green‘s return could be right around the corner.

Green will miss his third consecutive game when the Warriors host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Chase Center, but coach Steve Kerr indicated that the star forward could play against the Trail Blazers on Sunday in the Pacific Northwest.

“He should be in Portland,” Kerr told reporters before Friday’s game. “Whether he plays or not, we’ll see. It will have been about 10 days between games. He’s been working, he’s been training. The injury has healed. So, he’s ready to go. It’s just a question of whether [director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celebrini] feels comfortable putting him out there. So, he’ll meet us in Portland and we’ll assess him there.”

Green sustained a right midfoot sprain in the Warriors’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 4 and missed their next two games — both wins — against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday and Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

But in an odd scheduling quirk, the Warriors had four days off between Sunday’s game against the Bulls and Friday’s game against the Timberwolves.

As Kerr mentioned, Green’s foot injury has healed, but the 35-year-old is away from the team for personal reasons.

The Warriors practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, and Green was excused on both days. He also was excused from Friday’s game.

In 20 games this season, Green is averaging 8.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 28.2 minutes.

While Green attends to the personal matter, his longtime running mate, Steph Curry, returns to the lineup on Friday night after missing the last five games due to a quad contusion.

Barring another unforeseen injury, veteran center Al Horford (right sciatic nerve) would be the only player on the Warriors’ injury report if Green returns Sunday.

In short order, Kerr could have a fully healthy roster at his disposal.

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Latest buzz on Mets trade target Tarik Skubal: NY 'debating' whether to go all-in

Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and his chances of getting traded to the Mets...

Dec. 12, 1:12 p.m.

The Mets are "debating now whether to go all-in" while attempting to trade for Skubal or to wait until next offseason, when he could be available via free agency, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. 

Heyman also noted what has long been believed -- that New York views Nolan McLean as "off limits."

Even without including McLean, the Mets are set up well to pique the Tigers' interest.

Top pitching prospects Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, and infielder/outfielder Jett Williams are among the prospects the Mets could potentially dangle.

As far as big league players, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino has reported that the Tigers like Brett Baty.

Regarding other potential fits for Skubal, the Dodgers -- who are reportedly willing to trade Tyler Glasnow -- could be one. In addition to excess starting pitching, Los Angeles has highly thought of farm system.

Dec. 8, 10:45 p.m.

Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris did not shut down rumors that Detroit is open to discussing Skubal with interested teams.

“I’ve been pretty clear since I’ve been here,” Harris said at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. “I don’t believe in untouchables at any level. So anyone in our organization, at any level. It’s not a commentary on Tarik specifically. Sort of a blanket team-building approach. I think I can’t do my job without listening. 

“I can’t do my job without exploring anything that may or may not have legs. Some are maybe very likely moves, and some are going to be extremely unlikely. But you can’t actually fully vet those opportunities unless you are willing to listen. So that’s how we’re doing it.”

ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported that the Tigers would "continue to be engaged" with teams interested in acquiring the ace, and that the asking price would be "enormous."

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Sixers rule Maxey out for 1st time this season vs. Pacers

Sixers rule Maxey out for 1st time this season vs. Pacers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Tyrese Maxey won’t play the full 82 games for the 2025-26 Sixers.

The Sixers ruled Maxey out Friday night for their matchup with the Pacers because of an illness. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that the sixth-year guard hadn’t been able to participate in the team’s activities during their mini-break the past several days.

Maxey was the only Sixer to play in all of the team’s first 23 games. He entered Friday averaging an NBA-high 39.9 minutes and ranked third in points per game with 31.5. Maxey’s also posted 7.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per contest. 

“He’s handled it great,” Paul George said Wednesday of Maxey’s giant minutes load. “He comes in, he gets his work in, he takes care of his body, he does his recovery stuff.

“And just mentally, he’s in a great place. So you don’t really have to worry about him. He’s going to do what he has to do. I call him a warrior, man. He’s a warrior, so he’s going to figure it out.”

The other Sixers sidelined vs. Indiana were Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain), Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) and Hunter Sallis (right shoulder sprain). 

As of an hour before tip-off, Joel Embiid was listed as probable with a “left knee injury recovery” designation. 

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Takeaways: Flyers Match Vegas Shift for Shift, But Fall in OT

On paper, the Philadelphia Flyers’ 3–2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights will be remembered as a single-point night—solid, not spectacular. But the performance itself offered much more to unpack.

Against a heavyweight opponent, the Flyers matched pace, matched pressure, and for long stretches matched control. The margins were razor-thin, the mistakes selective, and the special teams issues made themselves known in the midst of an otherwise commendable performance.

1. The Flyers Skated with Vegas—Comfortably, Consistently, and Without the “Surprise” Factor.

For the tenth time this season, the Flyers faced a top-tier team and looked like they belonged on the same sheet of ice. And, at this point, the framing of the question—“Can they skate with these teams?”—is outdated. They can. They do. They did again tonight.

Each period ended with identical goal totals and identical shot totals for both teams, a stat that neatly captures the rhythm of the game. Vegas tried to dictate with pressure and layers; the Flyers countered with pace, structure, and quick exits. The physicality wasn’t lopsided either. The Flyers absorbed and delivered, shift after shift, without blinking.

There was no stretch in regulation where they unraveled or chased. The game was played on equal terms—and that in itself should no longer be treated as a novelty.

2. Trevor Zegras Continues to Be One of the Flyers’ Most Consistent Sources of Offense.

Trevor Zegras’ integration into Philadelphia’s system has been one of the most compelling storylines of the season, not because he had to change who he is, but because he’s meshed his flair with a far more direct brand of hockey.

His first-period goal—his team-leading 11th—was another example of that blend: assertive, opportunistic, finished with calm.

Zegras now leads the Flyers in points (28), goals (11), and remains tied for the team lead in assists (17). He has six points in his last six games, and according to NHL Stats, only Chris Kreider and JJ Peterka have scored more goals this season among players skating with a new team.

He wasn’t a “try it and see what happens” addition. He’s become a central engine.

3. The Flyers’ Depth is Giving Them Real Value—Including Some Unexpected Offense.

Noah Juulsen picked a good night for his first goal as a Flyer. His second-period finish was the type of shot that requires awareness and confidence, and it came at a moment when the Flyers needed a jolt.

Noah Juulsen (47). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

Christian Dvorak was at the center of much of that depth impact: two assists, now 14 on the season, and a point streak stretched to three games. He has five multi-point nights this year, including back-to-back ones against the Sharks and Golden Knights in the Flyers' last two games.

Carl Grundstrom added an assist of his own and now has points in consecutive games despite being only three games into his Flyers tenure. His physical, straight-line game has fit seamlessly on the fourth line, and that line—despite a production drought—looked more cohesive in all three zones.

4. Special Teams Fell Short Against Vegas.

For all the positives, the Flyers’ special teams kept them from taking control, and Rick Tocchet made it clear afterward that the issue was in the decision-making.

“We’re not getting middle shots," Tocchet said postgame. "We’ve got to get the middle shots… They’re having a tough time making a play. I know the coaches are a little frustrated because we’ve been like a broken record in practice and, for some reason, when the pressure is on, we kind of lose our bearings.”

(Attempting To) Fix The Flyers’ Power Play: Who Should Be Trusted With The Man Advantage?(Attempting To) Fix The Flyers’ Power Play: Who Should Be Trusted With The Man Advantage?In the NHL, power plays are make-or-break. They swing momentum, pad leads, and save games that might otherwise slip away. And if you watched the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> last season, you don’t need a stats sheet to know their man-advantage was broken.

This wasn’t directed at any individual player. In fact, Tocchet explicitly dismissed the idea. 

“It’s not just one guy; it’s everybody," he said. "We’ve got to keep grinding away… it’s not gonna take away from our five-on-five play, because I thought we played well, but we have to fix it.”

A power play goal could've easily tilted the game more in the Flyers' favor, and may have even prevented overtime. Instead, on Thursday night, it kept them from seizing momentum at the moments where Vegas was briefly on its heels. 

The Bottom Line

The Flyers didn’t need to prove they could keep up with Vegas. They needed to show they could play a structured, disciplined game against a team that punishes hesitation and overthinking.

Zegras delivered offensively. Dvorak supported below the hashmarks and transitioned play with poise. Sanheim quietly stacked another strong night with an assist. Juulsen chipped in a goal. Murchison held his own in his second NHL game. Dan Vladar made the timely saves he needed to make.

The Flyers have done exceptionally well to prevent losing streaks this season, always able to take losses on the chin and collect themselves to get a better result in the next game on the schedule. A point against Vegas is nothing to sneer at, but this team has proven that they're always in the hunt for more.

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Penguins Activate Rickard Rakell Off Injured Reserve

The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting forward Rickard Rakell back sooner than expected. 

A little over a week after Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas said that Rakell was three to four weeks away from a return, he was activated on Friday and was at practice. He figures to return on Saturday when the Penguins host the San Jose Sharks. 

This will be a significant boost to the lineup, as Rakell is one of the Penguins' best players. He suffered a hand injury during the Penguins' 5-4 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 25. He had compiled three goals and eight points in nine games before getting hurt. 

There's a chance that he could be the Penguins' second-line center while Evgeni Malkin is still week-to-week since Kevin Hayes has been struggling in that spot. Rakell's return will also help the power play since he has a really strong release. 

The Penguins have lost three in a row and are 14-8-7 going into Saturday.

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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Michigan State’s Tom Izzo gets $1 million raise and is the highest-paid coach in Big Ten

Michigan State's Tom Izzo is getting a $1 million raise in his 5-year contract that automatically renews annually, a boost that makes him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten with a salary of about $7.2 million. The school said Friday that its Board of Trustees had approved the raise as recognition of the 70-year-old Izzo's “Hall of Fame legacy and demonstrates a shared commitment to achieving continued success.” Izzo is in his 31st season with the Spartans, who are ranked ninth with an 8-1 record this season.

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Blackhawks Vs Blues: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 31

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to visit the St. Louis Blues in game number 31 of the season on Friday night. This is the first half of a back-to-back set that will be played by Chicago this weekend. 

Chicago and St. Louis have matched up once before this season. This was an 8-3 victory for Chicago, also in St. Louis. Friday’s game is the second of four meetings this year. 

Scouting St. Louis

The St. Louis Blues are not having a good season. After making the playoffs last year, things have been a disaster this year for them. At 11-14-7, their 29 points have them in 29th place out of 32 in the entire National Hockey League. 

St. Louis's most recent game, a 7-2 loss to the then-31st-place Nashville Predators, came on Thursday night. That makes this a back-to-back situation for them. 

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Hofer

Jordan Binnington started for the Blues on Thursday, but he was pulled in favor of Joel Hofer after giving up 6 goals on 25 shots. Hofer allowed 1 on 7 shots before the game ended. Expect Hofer to get the nod again against the Blackhawks on Friday. 

Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours, and Pavel Buchnevich are expected to lead the way offensively for the Blues. They also get contributions from Dylan Holloway, Brayden Schenn, and Pius Suter, but they all would like to produce much more. Without Jordan Kyrou, who is on injured reserve, their depth isn't what it needs to be. 

On defense, they have a much better group than you'd think based on their record. Things just aren't panning out the way they thought, which is going to eventually force change. With that said, they still present a challenge on any given night. That is especially true with a division rival. 

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks will have 12 forwards and six defensemen for the second game in a row. They haven't gone with the traditional lineup much this season, but with Sam Rinzel down in the AHL, this will be the new norm. 

Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky

Moore-Nazar-Bertuzzi

Teravainen-Dickinson-Mikheyev

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Knight

Spencer Knight is going to get the nod for the Blackhawks against the St. Louis Blues. That leaves Arvid Soderblom an opportunity to start on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. 

Louis Crevier comes into the matchup looking to extend his team's lead in goals by a defenseman. He didn't go into the season with a reputation of being an offensive player, but that's what he's been for a lot of the year. 

Tyler Bertuzzi is one of Chicago's most productive players so far this season. He is tied for second in the league with 8 power-play goals. With the way that Connor Bedard's top line is going, Bertuzzi will come in looking to get Frank Nazar going alongside Oliver Moore on the second line. Bertuzzi could be the beneficiary of all the speed he's playing with. 

More On Frank Nazar

Frank Nazar scored a goal when these two last met. Based on how the Blues have played recently, they could be his "get-hot" team. 

After Chicago's last game against the Rangers, head coach Jeff Blashill came to the defense of his young center when asked about his scoring drought. He is confident that the scoring will return if he keeps playing the way he did against New York. 

Blackhawks Coach Jeff Blashill Defended Frank Nazar With CommentsBlackhawks Coach Jeff Blashill Defended Frank Nazar With CommentsThe Chicago Blackhawks have a future star in Frank Nazar, but it is going to take some time for him to be elite.

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+. The puck will drop shortly after 7:00 PM. 

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For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.