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Canadiens’ GM Believes There’s Still Room For Matheson In Montreal

When the Montreal Canadiens acquired Noah Dobson, many believed it meant the end of Mike Matheson in Montreal. With sophomore sensation Lane Hutson also on board, the Habs now have three puck-moving defensemen on hand.

With that kind of depth, one could have thought that Kent Hughes was readying himself to train the 31-year-old blueliner to fix another area of need. After all, Matheson is a minute muncher and could be very useful to any team.

About the Canadiens' Second Big Trade Of The Week...
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Canadiens: Hughes’ Free Agency Signings

During his press conference on July 1, the GM was asked: Many linked Noah Dobson’s arrival with a potential Mike Matheson departure. From your perspective, do you see yourself moving forward with him?

Hughes didn’t even have to think before answering a simple yes, which signified he didn’t want to discuss the matter further. At the scouting combine in Buffalo, Matheson met with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes to discuss a potential contract extension since he’s now entering the last year of the eight-year contract he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2018.

With a $4,875,000 AAV, the deal provided excellent value for the Canadiens in the last few years as Matheson’s production increased when he arrived in Montreal and was given the driver’s seat on the power play and a first pairing spot. His points total jumped from 34 in 2022-23 to 62 in 2023-24. Of course, it regressed to only 31 points this past season, but that was to be expected since he lost his spot on the first power-play unit and played more minutes on the penalty kill.

While fans may only notice the decreased production and become less tolerant of the turnovers committed, the Canadiens’ GM considers the possibility of having a puck-moving defenseman on each of his pairings. To him, that’s an enticing possibility. Just how enticing, though? That is the question.

Hughes also mentioned in the same press availability that Joel Armia wanted to stay in Montreal, but the Canadiens were not willing to match the offer the Los Angeles Kings made him. I assume the situation will be similar; Hughes will have to set the price he’s willing to pay and make his pitch to Matheson. If the veteran defenseman is willing to accept the GM’s assessment, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him stick around, but that would probably mean leaving some money on the table. Will Matheson believe enough in what the Canadiens are building to settle for less money in the hope of winning in his hometown? That’s the question.

The GM has already proven he’s a shrewd negotiator, getting Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky to commit long-term for less money than his captain Nick Suzuki and getting newly acquired defenseman Noah Dobson to accept a cap hit that was lower than his rumoured asking price. Usually, the players are buying what Hughes is selling, but will Matheson? Time will tell…

Photo credit:  Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

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NHL Rumor Roundup: An Offer Sheet For Bowen Byram? Will The Flames Trade Rasmus Andersson?

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram has frequently appeared in trade rumors in recent weeks. 

The speculation increased last week after the Sabres shipped winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, prompting some observers to suggest that he'd become a trade chip to acquire a replacement for Peterka among their top-six forwards. 

The 24-year-old Byram became a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He earned an average annual value of $3.85 million on his previous contract. With the UFA market picked clean of quality defensemen, some enterprising teams seeking a puck-moving blueliner could tempt him with an offer sheet. 

TSN's Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that the Sabres had trade conversations with several teams, including the Calgary Flames, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. He also raised the possibility of an offer sheet.

Dreger's colleague Chris Johnston suggested the sweet spot could be around the compensation range tier of $7,020,113. “If a deal comes in under that, the compensation would be a first and a third-round pick in 2026.”. He indicated that the danger for the Sabres in matching that offer is that it would take Byram straight to UFA status while losing the ability to trade him. 

Another defenseman continuing to garner attention in the trade market is Rasmus Andersson. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames blueliner is a year away from UFA eligibility with a cap hit of $4.55 million. 

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the thinning free-agent market for defensemen could rekindle trade interest in Andersson. He claimed the Golden Knights, Kings, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets could be among the suitors. 

Rasmus Andersson (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

LeBrun indicated those teams would prefer if Andersson signed an extension with them, but the only team he was interested in doing that for is the Golden Knights. However, TSN subsequently reported that Flames GM Craig Conroy never gave the Andersson camp permission to discuss an extension with other teams, nor had Andersson honed in on a single club. 

Having signed Mitch Marner to an expensive contract, the Golden Knights lack the cap space and necessary assets to acquire Andersson. The Blue Jackets have $19.65 million in cap room, but they're likely out after re-signing Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro to long-term deals. 

The Kings could also be out following their signings of Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci on Tuesday. As for the Senators, they're reportedly on his no-trade list.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Guardians at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 2

Its Wednesday, July 2 and the Guardians (40-43) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (50-35).

Tanner Bibee is slated to take the mound for Cleveland against Shota Imanaga for Chicago.

The Cubs took the opener in the series by the score of 5-2 last night. Carson Kelly went 2-2 and drove in three runs to pace the offense and Matthew Boyd allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings to earn his eighth win of the season.

Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Guardians at Cubs

  • Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Wrigley Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: CLEG, MARQ, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Guardians at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Guardians (+134), Cubs (-159)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Guardians at Cubs

  • Pitching matchup for July 2, 2025: Tanner Bibee vs. Shota Imanaga
    • Guardians: Tanner Bibee (4-8, 3.90 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/26 vs. Toronto - 6IP, 2ER, 3H, 0BB, 7Ks
    • Cubs: Shota Imanaga (4-2, 2.54 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/26 at St. Louis - 5IP, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Guardians at Cubs

  • The Cubs have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Guardians' last 3 against the Cubs have stayed under the Total
  • The Guardians have failed to cover the Run Line in 8 of their last 10 games
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong snapped an 0-11 streak with a couple of hits last night

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Guardians and the Cubs

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Guardians and the Cubs:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cleveland Guardians at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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NHL News: Penguins Sign Big Former Oilers Defenseman

The Pittsburgh Penguins are adding more size to their defensive depth. 

According to PuckPedia, the Penguins have signed defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year, two-way contract. 

Kemp, 26, hit the market as a Group 6 unrestricted free agent (UFA) after spending each of the last five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. In 56 games with the AHL squad this campaign, he recorded seven goals, 12 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a plus-5 rating. 

Kemp has played in one career NHL game, which was with the Oilers during the 2023-24 season. During it, he had 2:03 of ice time. 

Overall, with this move, the Penguins have brought in an experienced AHL defenseman, which is never a bad thing. The 6-foot-3 defenseman could also be a call-up candidate for Pittsburgh when injuries arise. 

Penguins Potential Star Trade Target Is Off The BoardPenguins Potential Star Trade Target Is Off The BoardA potential trade target for the Pittsburgh Penguins is officially off the board. 

Photo Credit: © Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

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White Sox at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 2

Its Wednesday, July 2 and the White Sox (28-57) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (54-32).

Brandon Eisert is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Clayton Kershaw for Los Angeles.

Shohei Ohtani smacked his 30th home run of the season and Andy Pages and Michael Conforto each drove in a pair of runs to support a strong start for Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the Dodgers rolled to a 6-1 series-opening win.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch White Sox at Dodgers

  • Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
  • Time: 10:10PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: CHSN, SNLA, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the White Sox at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: White Sox (+256), Dodgers (-322)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for White Sox at Dodgers

  • Pitching matchup for July 2, 2025: Brandon Eisert vs. Clayton Kershaw
    • White Sox: Brandon Eisert (2-1, 4.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/29 vs. San Francisco - 1IP, 0ER, 1H, 0BB, 2Ks
    • Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (4-0, 3.03 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/26 at Colorado - 6IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 5Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of White Sox at Dodgers

  • The Dodgers have won three straight home games with Clayton Kershaw starting
  • With Clayton Kershaw as the starter eight of the Dodgers' last 10 home games have gone over the Total
  • Max Muncy's 6-game hitting streak was snapped last night (0-3)
  • Andy Pages has hit in three straight (5-12)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the White Sox and the Dodgers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the White Sox and the Dodgers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago White Sox at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Goalie Spencer Martin Signs In KHL

Canadian goaltender Spencer Martin, 30, has signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the KHL club announced on Wednesday.

This is Martin’s first contract to play overseas after playing his entire career to this point in North America.

Originally from Oakville, Ont., Martin played junior hockey for the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL and was taken in the third round, 60th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Between 2016 and 2025, Martin played 66 NHL games for the Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes, compiling a record of 24-30-8 with a goals-against average of 3.31, a save percentage of .833 and one shutout.

Martin played 35 of his NHL games with Vancouver, starting with a brilliant six-game stint at the end of the 2021-22 season in which he posted a 1.74 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. His solid goaltending continued into the start of the following season; however, an injury to Thatcher Demko in early December forced Martin into the starting role, and his play suffered. Eventually, Collin Delia started getting the majority of work, and when Demko finally returned, Martin was sent back to the AHL.

Linden Vey Moves From Switzerland To ViennaLinden Vey Moves From Switzerland To Vienna Canadian center Linden Vey, 33, has signed a one-year contract with the Vienna Capitals, the ICEHL club announced on Tuesday.

Early last season, Martin was recalled by Carolina while Fredrik Andersen was injured, but after posting a 3.89 goals-against average and .849 save percentage in nine games, he was returned to the minors.

With CSKA, Martin is expected to share the crease with 22-year-old New York Islanders prospect Dmitri Gamzin.

The signing of Martin comes the day after CSKA announced the acquisition of former NHL winger Egor Sokolov. CSKA, colloquially known in North America as the Red Army team, also has under contract for 2025-26 ex-NHLers Denis Guryanov, Nikita Nesterov, Nikita Okhotyuk and Vladislav Kamenev.

Photo © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Utah Prospect, Ex-Sen Egor Sokolov Signs In KHLUtah Prospect, Ex-Sen Egor Sokolov Signs In KHL Russian winger Egor Sokolov, 25, has signed a one-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the KHL club announced on Tuesday. According to the announcement, CSKA had earlier worked out an agreement with Avtomobilist Yetaterinberg, who had previously held Sokolov’s KHL rights.
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Sergio Scariolo to end long tenure as Spain men's basketball head coach

Sergio Scariolo plans to step down as Spain's men's basketball head coach after this summer's EuroBasket, ending a run that included the last four Olympics.

Scariolo, a 64-year-old Italian, coached La Roja from 2009-12 and also since 2015 through the twilight of the nation's golden generation.

With plays like brothers Pau and Marc Gasol, plus Ricky Rubio, he guided Spain to Olympic silver and bronze medals in 2012 and 2016 and the FIBA World Cup title in 2019, plus four European Championships.

In 2012, 2016 and 2021, Spain lost to the U.S. in the Olympic playoff rounds by an average margin of nine points.

Spain was eliminated in the group stage in Paris, its first Olympics without the retired Pau Gasol since the 2000 Sydney Games.

"My first words are to thank Sergio for all his commitment to the national team," Spain basketball federation president Elisa Aguilar said in a press release, according to a translation. "Five golds, one silver, and two bronzes define Sergio's role in these 15 years. He has known how to improve the performance of our players and has always shown a comprehensive vision of our sport, involved in player development, and has been a visionary. anticipating all the problems we could have.

"Although we still have time together, I want to thank you for creating that competitive capacity of our team. When he told me the final moment had arrived, it wasn't good news, but I understood that he had earned the power to decide when to leave the national team's bench. He is the best coach of all time, the one who has given us the most and best wins."

NBA: Playoffs-New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers
2025 NBA Free Agency Live Tracker: Updates, news, rumors, top players, signings, trades
Here’s where you can find all the latest signings, trades, rumors and reports all in one place, updated constantly.

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Brewers at Mets – Game 2 prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for July 2

Its Wednesday, July 2 and the Brewers (47-37) are in Queens to take on the Mets (48-37) in a day/night doubleheader. This is a preview of Game 2.

Jacob Misiorowski, MLB's latest phenom, is slated to take the mound for Milwaukee against Blade Tidwell for New York.

Each of tonight's starters is making his fourth career appearance. It is start #4 for the 23-year-old Misiorowski. He is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 16 innings. Tidwell has not fared as well. He has struggled to date allowing 12 earned runs in just 10.2 innings.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Brewers at Mets

  • Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNWI, SNY

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Brewers at the Mets

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Brewers (-131), Mets (+109)
  • Spread:  Brewers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Brewers at Mets - Game 2

  • Pitching matchup for July 2, 2025: Jacob Misiorowski vs. Blade Tidwell
    • Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski (3-0, 1.13 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/25 vs. Pittsburgh - 5IP, 0ER, 2H, 2BB, 8Ks
    • Mets: Blade Tidwell (0-1, 10.13 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/27 at Pittsburgh - 3.1IP, 4ER, 5H, 2BB, 1K

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Brewers at Mets

  • The Brewers are on a 5-game win streak at Citi Field
  • The Under is 27-19-2 in the Brewers' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Brewers have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games but they are profiting 1.26 units
  • Rhys Hoskins is 1-15 over his last 5 games
  • Brandon Nimmo is riding a 5-game hitting streak (6-19)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s Game 2 between the Brewers and the Mets

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Brewers and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Milwaukee Brewers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Brewers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Why the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free Agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a Mitch Marner-sized hole in their lineup opted for a sign and trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. But when the clock struck noon for the opening of free agency, the Leafs were quiet.

They signed some depth players to fill out their roster, but they didn't add point-getting forward that could play alongside their top-six forward group.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving cautioned that replacing a 100-point player like Marner wasn't going to be quick fix. But he admitted that the pool available in free agency to make a big swing wasn't particularly deep.

"If you're looking for a top-six forward there wasn't a long list of them," Treliving said. "If you're one of those teams that has a top six forward and you're not going to sign your own guy, you're looking at the same list. So, it really steers you to a point where the anticipation was a lot of those guys were going to sign back with their teams, which ended up happening."

Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.

So that leaves Toronto with something they haven't had a lot of after Day 1 of free agency...salary cap space.

The Leafs will likely look to weaponize that space in the hope that later in the summer, they could help a team get out of a salary cap issue and acquire a player that they need. 

 "If we've got a box there that we call the top-six box, we're trying to give ourselves as much flexibility rather than spending and not addressing that need. And having some flexibility if an opportunity comes up later down the road, again, whether that be trade or otherwise. And that's probably the path right now that we're looking more closely at," Treliving explained."

Based on 23 players on their roster, the Leafs have $4,983,081 in salary cap space according to PuckPedia.com. They actively look to move depth forwards in the hopes of getting a player that they need. 

The Leafs added depth forwards Michael Pezzetta and Benoit-Olivier Groulx to two-year contracts carrying an average annual value of $812,500. The Leads also signed forward Travis Boyd to a one-year contract worth $775,000. Boyd had a short stint with the Leafs during the 2020-21 season where he had three goals and five assists in 20 games before he was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks off waivers later that season. The Leafs are also bringing back depth defenseman Dakota Mermis on a two-year deal worth $812,500. All of the signings took place on July 1.

(Headline Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Why The Maple Leafs Didn’t Qualify Pontus Holmberg As Player Signs With Lightning Why The Maple Leafs Didn’t Qualify Pontus Holmberg As Player Signs With Lightning Pontus Holmberg is moving on from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Why Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsWhy Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet. 'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner Deal'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Why the Knicks should not entertain a Mitchell Robinson trade during 2025 offseason

Fielding a team capable of contending on a consistent basis is difficult in today’s NBA. With the luxury tax and apron rules limiting flexibility, the Knicks are facing limited paths to make roster upgrades.

After agreeing to deals with guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele in free agency, New York’s roster is beginning to crystallize. Another way for the Knicks to improve the roster is through a trade. A name that has been floated as a potential trade candidate is center Mitchell Robinson.

The Knicks should think twice about dealing Robinson. The center has proven to be a valuable piece to New York’s hopes for title contention.

Entering the last year of a four-year, $60 million dollar deal, Robinson has an attractive contract, with him earning just under $13 million this coming season. He is arguably the best offensive rebounder in the NBA. He’s led all players in offensive rebound rate in two of the last three postseasons. One of the top directives of an opponent’s game plan is to keep Robinson off the offensive glass.

On defense, he’s the team’s only true rim protector. Robinson led the team in blocks per 36 minutes (2.2) during the postseason. Teams avoid shooting in the paint when he’s on the floor, and he’s also improved on his penchant for wild gambles to block shots.

Playoff surprise

Going into the playoffs, the Knicks didn’t know what they were going to get out of Robinson. He saw limited minutes during the regular season due to injury and did not play back-to-backs.

Robinson turned out to be crucial to New York’s second round upset of the Boston Celtics. He averaged a modest 4.7 points and 8.0 rebounds during the series. But in his 124 minutes on the floor, the Knicks were a plus-18.1 points per 100 possessions. When Robinson sat, New York was outscored by 11.9 points per 100 possessions.

New York’s secret weapon in the postseason was jumbo lineups with Karl-Anthony Towns and Robinson on the floor together. After playing just 47 minutes together during the regular season, the big man duo was on the floor at the same time for 165 minutes. When the two centers played together, the Knicks were a problem for opponents. With Towns and Robinson on the floor, the Knicks outscored teams by 8.3 points per 100 possessions, according to PBP Stats.

We saw the Minnesota Timberwolves piece together a contender by playing Towns as a power forward with Rudy Gobert, and the Knicks have found similar success with Robinson, advancing to the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. As long as Towns is on the roster, having Robinson is a necessity.

It allows the Knicks the flexibility to play lineups with more space on the floor when Towns is at center, but also have the more defensive-focused lineups with Robinson playing alongside Towns.

The Knicks are still in pursuit of a new head coach to replace Tom Thibodeau. Former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown interviewed for a second time, while the Knicks have also interviewed James Borrego, Taylor Jenkins, and Micah Nori. A new head coach could open up more opportunities to utilize Robinson’s length and athleticism as a lob threat.

Despite all the positives Robinson has shown, injuries will always be a major question for the seven-footer. Robinson has missed 139 regular season games over the last three seasons, and has had two procedures on his left ankle in less than two years. Free-throws are also a concern. A career 52.2 percent foul shooter, Robinson’s ineptitude at the line became a storyline in the postseason as the opposition opted to intentionally foul him on a regular basis.

Robinson can enter free agency in the summer of 2026. It would make sense to see how Robinson’s body holds up during the course of a full NBA season before offering him a new contract. But as long as the Knicks keep their current core together, Robinson should be a permanent fixture.

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Brewers at Mets Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 2

Its Wednesday, July 2 and the Brewers (47-37) are in Queens to take on the Mets (48-37).

Freddy Peralta is slated to take the mound for Milwaukee against Clay Holmes for New York.

Perspective is everything as despite having near identical records, these two teams feel entirely different about themselves as they prepare for today's doubleheader.

The Mets have lost their last three and seven of their last ten. Injuries have ravaged the pitching staff and although Juan Soto is now playing like Juan Soto the rest of the offense is laboring. As a result, New York has fallen to two games behind the Phillies in the National League East. The Brewers have won eight of their last ten to climb back into the race in the National League Central. They trail the Cubs by 2.5 games.

Lets dive into the matchup for Game 1 and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Brewers at Mets

  • Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
  • Time: 1:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNWI, SNY

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Brewers at the Mets

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Brewers (+114), Mets (-135)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Brewers at Mets - Game 1

  • Pitching matchup for July 2, 2025: Freddy Peralta vs. Clay Holmes
    • Brewers: Freddy Peralta (8-4, 2.90 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/24 vs. Pittsburgh - 5IP, 3ER, 7H, 0BB, 8Ks
    • Mets: Clay Holmes (8-4, 2.97 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/25 vs. Atlanta - 5IP, 1ER, 3H, 4BB, 2Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Brewers at Mets

  • Freddy Peralta struck out 32 hitters in 28IP in June
  • Jackson Chourio was 3-12 (.250) over the weekend against Colorado
  • Juan Soto is riding a 5-game hitting streak (6-17) with 3HRs and 4RBIs

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s Game 1 between the Brewers and the Mets

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's Game 1 between the Brewers and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Brewers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Hernández: The Dodgers have the best record in baseball. Why they still have room to improve

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 1, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) gives a hand out as Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (44) crosses the plate as they both scored on a 2-RBI single by Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto (23) against Chicago White Sox pitcher Shane Smith (64) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández greets Andy Pages after they both scored on a two-run single by Michael Conforto in the first inning of Tuesday's win over the Chicago White Sox. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

With a 6-1 annihilation of the downtrodden Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, the Dodgers extended their advantage in the National League West to eight games.

Eight games, despite slumps by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

Eight games, despite injuries to Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell.

Eight games, despite being less than three weeks removed from sharing the division lead with the San Francisco Giants.

Almost everything that could go wrong this season for the Dodgers has gone wrong, and they are ahead of the second-place San Diego Padres by eight games and the third-place Giants by nine. The Dodgers have looked nothing like the 120-win juggernaut they were expected to be, and they have the best record in the major leagues.

Read more:Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers cruise past the White Sox

“I still believe our best baseball is ahead of us,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Three months remain in the regular season, more than enough time for the Dodgers to become whole, more than enough time for them to transform into baseball’s version of the Mongol army.

Roberts said the Dodgers are “not really playing our best baseball,” and he’s right. They haven’t steamrolled their opponents as much as they have outgutted them.

“We haven’t been at full strength all year,” Roberts said. “A lot of teams can say the same thing. But to our credit, no one has made any excuses about that.”

The Dodgers and Giants were even in the standings on June 13. The Dodgers won 13 of their next 16 games. The Giants lost 12 of their next 16, their blockbuster trade for Rafael Devers shaking up the division but not in the way they wanted.

From mid-May to mid-June, the Dodgers played 26 consecutive games against teams with winning records, but the Giants and Padres failed to take advantage of that. Roberts’ team emerged from that stretch in first place and has continued to increase its division lead since.

What should be disconcerting for the Giants and Padres — as well as the New York Yankees and Mets, and any other aspiring contender — is that the Dodgers have managed to distance themselves from the competition without looking particularly imposing.

Their win over the White Sox on Tuesday night marked the rare game in which they dominated every aspect of the game, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto giving up just one run in seven innings, the offense scoring four runs in the first inning, Shohei Ohtani launching his 30th homer in the fourth, and Jack Dreyer and Anthony Banda each pitching a scoreless inning in relief.

They need more games like this but not just to win the division or secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. They need them to create the momentum required to make another championship run.

“One thing I’ve learned,” Roberts said, “is the most important thing is once you’re [in the playoffs], you’ve got to be playing your best baseball because anything can happen.”

Ohtani has resumed pitching, albeit in a limited capacity. As much talk as there was about how his mound return affected his hitting, Ohtani still homered seven times last month.

The Dodgers aren’t counting on Ohtani to make seven- or eight-inning starts in the postseason, but they think he could contribute four or five innings at a time without compromising his offensive production.

Betts was kept out of the lineup on Tuesday, Roberts categorizing the day off as “more of a mental day.” Betts hasn’t found much of an offensive rhythm this season, but his track record indicates he is bound to break out of his slump.

“He’s an easy guy to bet on,” Roberts said of the eight-time All-Star.

The same could be said of Freeman.

Read more:Clayton Kershaw moves three strikeouts away from 3,000 as Dodgers finish sweep of Rockies

The Dodgers also received uplifting news on the injury front.

Roki Sasaki played catch on Tuesday and was clocked at 91 mph, a sign that his season might not be over.

Snell and reliever Blake Treinen will pitch live batting practice sessions on Wednesday, marking their first time facing hitters since landing on the injured list. A day later, Glasnow is scheduled to make what could be his final start of a minor league rehabilitation assignment, with the Dodgers hopeful he can throw about 75 pitches over five innings. If management continues to have doubts whether Snell or Glasnow will be available in October, it can always make a move before the July 31 trade deadline.

As the team with the best record in baseball, the Dodgers technically have nowhere to go but down. In reality, they can only improve from here. This is their floor. By the time the playoffs come around, they should be a better team than they are now.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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NHL Nugget: How Connor Bedard Trained To Be An NHL Star Growing Up In North Vancouver

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this month's edition of Shinny or Nothing discusses how Connor Bedard played and trained for hockey from when he was just a kid.

From shooting pucks in a backyard setup to playing shinny in North Vancouver to bringing a hockey stick on a family vacation in Hawaii and more, Bedard lived hockey long before he became a budding NHL star on the Chicago Blackhawks.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.  

Promo image credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Kenneth Lofton Jr. joining Celtics' Summer League squad: Report

Kenneth Lofton Jr. joining Celtics' Summer League squad: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics just added more girth to their NBA Summer League roster in Las Vegas.

Former Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. has joined the Celtics’ 2025 Summer League squad, The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn reports.

Lofton (who is not related to former MLB player Kenny Lofton, for the record) began his NBA career in Memphis after going undrafted out of Louisiana Tech in 2022. He played a total of 45 games at the NBA level over the next two seasons, bouncing from Memphis to Philly to Utah while spending time with each franchise’s G League club.

Lofton spent the 2024-25 season overseas, playing for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association and earning the CBA’s International MVP award after averaging 25.2 points, 12.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.

Built like a bowling ball at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, he should bring plenty of energy to Las Vegas this summer.

The Celtics recently added Hayden Gray, an undrafted guard out of UC San Diego who led college basketball in steals last season, and Jalen Bridges, who spent the 2024-25 season with the Phoenix Suns, to a Summer League squad that includes several non-roster invitees.

The biggest question for the Summer C’s is whether first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez will join the team in Las Vegas. Gonzalez told reporters he hopes to participate in the Summer League, but he just finished his season with Real Madrid, so it’s possible the team decides to manage his minutes.

Here’s a look at the Celtics’ current Summer League roster — which likely will get a few more additions before their first game on July 10 — followed by their Summer League schedule.

Celtics Summer League roster

  • Baylor Scheierman (entering second season)
  • Jordan Walsh (entering third season)
  • Miles Norris (two-way player)
  • Hugo Gonzalez (first-round pick)
  • Amari Williams (second-round pick)
  • Max Shulga (second-round pick)
  • Aaron Scott (undrafted rookie)
  • Ben Gregg (undrafted rookie)
  • Zach Hicks (undrafted rookie)
  • Hayden Gray (undrafted rookie)
  • Kenneth Lofton Jr. (entering third NBA season)
  • Jalen Bridges (entering second season)

*Availability to be determined.

Celtics Summer League schedule

  • July 11: Celtics vs. Grizzlies, 4 p.m. ET
  • July 13: Celtics vs. Knicks, 5:30 p.m. ET
  • July 14: Celtics vs. Heat, 8 p.m. ET
  • July 17: Celtics vs. Lakers, 9 p.m. ET
  • Game 5 TBD: Celtics vs. TBD
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Knicks hiring Mike Brown as head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau: Report

Knicks hiring Mike Brown as head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The final NBA coaching vacancy has been filled.

The New York Knicks reportedly will hire Mike Brown as their newest head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau last month.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news on Wednesday.

Brown, 55, is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year (2009 and 2023) with 11 seasons of experience as a head coach. Over stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10, 2013-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and Sacramento Kings (2022-24), Brown has compiled a 454-304 regular season record. He has gone 50-40 in the postseason with one Finals appearance in 2007.

The Knicks fired Thibodeau following their most successful season in 25 years, losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games. Thibodeau was the Knicks’ coach for five seasons, posting a winning record four times and consecutive 50-win campaigns to end his tenure.

Brown, meanwhile, was fired by the Kings in December 2024 after a slow start to the season. In his 11 seasons as a head coach, he’s been fired mid-season twice but made the playoffs in seven of the other nine years.

New York will enter the 2025-26 season with title aspirations, especially given the state of the Eastern Conference. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton likely out for the year due to Achilles tears, the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers figure to take a step back.

Led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks lacked bench depth last season — a weakness that president Leon Rose is seeking to address this summer. The team reportedly will sign guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele to bolster the second unit.

There were several job openings this offseason, and the Knicks were the last team to hire a coach. The Phoenix Suns (Jordan Ott), San Antonio Spurs (Mitch Johnson), Memphis Grizzlies (Tuomas Iisalo) and Denver Nuggets (David Adelman) all made their decisions weeks or months ago.