NHL Rumors: Blackhawks' Connor Murphy Connected To 2 Teams
After a solid start to the season, the Chicago Blackhawks have been going through some big-time struggles as of late. The Blackhawks are currently on a six-game losing streak and have won only two out of their last 10 contests.
Due to the Blackhawks' current struggles, they now have a 13-17-6 record and are at the very bottom of the NHL standings. With this, they are starting to stand out as prime sellers, and one of their most notable trade candidates is pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) defenseman Connor Murphy.
With the Blackhawks having so many promising young defensemen in their system, it would not be particularly surprising if they flipped Murphy by the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Due to this, Murphy was included in The Athletic's latest NHL trade matchmaker column. In it, Pierre LeBrun named the Florida Panthers as the team that could land Murphy, while Chris Johnston picked the Vegas Golden Knights.
LeBrun going with the Panthers is understandable, as it is clear that they could use more depth on their blueline. If they added Murphy, he would provide them with another solid veteran blueliner as they look to win their third straight Stanley Cup. A right of side of Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, and Murphy would be a strong trio for Florida.
Yet, Johnston picking the Golden Knights is also easy to understand, as it is no secret that they need to upgrade the right side of the blueline. When looking at the Golden Knights' current roster, Murphy could fit nicely on their second pairing if acquired. However, even if he played bottom-pairing minutes for Vegas, he would still improve their group.
NHL Rumors: Sabres Linked To Skilled Blue Jackets Winger
Things have been going very well for the Buffalo Sabres as of late. The Sabres have won each of their last seven games and now have an 18-14-4 record. With this, they are now seventh in the Atlantic Division, but also only three points behind the third-place Tampa Bay Lightning. With this, the Sabres have created far more hope for their 2025-26 season.
With the Sabres starting to improve and desperately looking to break their 14-year playoff drought, it would be understandable if new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen looked to add to the team's roster. With this, The Athletic's Chris Johnston recently named the Buffalo Sabres as a potential landing spot for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov.
"You won’t find anyone in the NHL more familiar with Chinakhov than Jarmo Kekäläinen, the man who drafted him in Columbus. With Kekäläinen now in charge of the Sabres front office, it’s not unreasonable to expect him to lean on some known quantities as he starts to put his own stamp on the Buffalo roster," Johnston wrote.
Chinakhov would certainly have the potential to be an interesting addition for the Sabres. The 2020 first-round pick has skill and at 24 years old, the possibility of him hitting a new level is still there. Furthermore, while Chinakhov is in the final year of his current deal, he is a pending restricted free agent (RFA). With this, he would have the potential to be more than a rental for the Sabres if they issue him a qualifying offer over the summer.
In 29 games so far this season with the Blue Jackets, Chinakhov has posted three goals and six points. While these numbers do not necessarily stand out, he notably had 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games for the Blue Jackets just back in 2023-24. He also had seven goals and 15 points in just 30 games last season.
‘This s*** is crazy’ — Baylor’s addition of James Nnaji further blurs line between pro and college hoops
The combination of schools looking for players outside the traditional recruiting realm and judges eroding the NCAA’s ability to enforce eligibility rules has led everyone here, whether they like it or not.
Tyler Kolek-Jordan Clarkson backcourt winning the Knicks' biggest games
With the Knicks trailing and disjointed for most of their nationally-televised, playoff-intensity contest, head coach Mike Brown turned to two of his bench guards — Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson — to provide a lift late in the ball game. The poised floor general and sparkplug scorer went beyond their job descriptions, mounting massive runs that scored their team a decisive victory, further adding to their pedigree and readiness for the championship hunt ahead.
Does this story sound familiar to Knicks fans? It should, as it seems to happen every other week now.
What started off as a low-risk, high-reward veteran’s minimum flier and rocky second-year development project have turned into a devastating combination for opponents and a surprise surge of depth for a team that’s struggled with the issue for two years now. They’re winning New York the biggest games on the biggest stages of their schedule, and if that’s any indication of what’s to come in the playoffs, the Knicks will be at a new level of formidable.
But let’s start at the beginning. New York drafted Kolek 34th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he failed to find consistent playing time in his rookie season.
There were stronger, more veteran options, and though Kolek had impressed in Las Vegas Summer League and some spot backup minutes, he didn’t look fully confident and prepared defensively. Entering this training camp with a new coach but similar competition, Kolek was seemingly at risk of being moved before a surprise retirement announcement from Malcolm Brogdon.
He was unremarkable in preseason and in spot minutes to start the year, but when Landry Shamet went down with an injury in late November, Kolek seized his opportunity. He’s since averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 assists and 0.8 assists in 16.6 minutes per game on 57 percent shooting from two, 38 percent from three, and very few giveaways.
Kolek’s brought a new level of defensive intensity to his court presence, and seems to have found a liking to Brown’s offensive system. His veteran teammates also have a newfound trust in him to control the ball.
Clarkson is 33 years old and came to the Knicks with far less to prove than Kolek but just as much to accomplish. He played for three teams prior, his latest stop in Utah, where he cemented himself as a Sixth Man of the Year winner and reliable postseason contributor.
His production slowed with age, and the stakes around him disappeared with the talent. With a chance at bringing his plug-and-play ball handling and scoring to a contender desperately needing it, he took the veteran’s minimum to sign in New York.
It wasn’t the hottest or most consistent of starts, but Clarkson’s gotten more comfortable as the season has progressed, climaxing in the last couple of weeks. He scored 15 in the Cup Championship, 18 the game after, and 25 on Christmas, helping will the Knicks to three victories that looked out of reach.
Kolek and Clarkson have had great individual performances, but it’s been their production as a tandem that’s flipped entire games on their heads. First in the Cup Championship, when the two controlled the fourth quarter, finishing the game with a combined near-30 off the bench.
Then, with the Knicks looking hapless and trailing by 17 in the fourth quarter, they totally shifted the momentum again. Both were constantly pushing the ball, getting into the paint and connecting from three.
The two combined for 41 points and 11 assists in the clutch victory, with Clarkson chipping in three steals. In both wins, Brown trusted the combo deep into the final period, even grouping them with Jalen Brunson for stretches.
Just Kolek and Clarkson as a pairing, now seen much more frequently since the injuries to Shamet and Miles McBride, is outscoring opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions in 192 minutes. It will be interesting to see how Brown keeps this duo intact once those pieces return.
In the meantime, the Knicks are happy to have such a weapon off the bench as the season enters its midpoint and the starters’ legs start to get heavy. Not only will that help steal them regular-season wins when the stars don’t have it, but potentially a playoff series down the line.
Kolek and Clarkson having these huge nights to win the Cup and then beat the Cavs on Christmas Day brings major confidence that they can do the same in a pivotal playoff game. The Knicks scrambled to find those kinds of guys at the end of their bench in past postseasons, but seem to finally have it.
Hutson And Demidov Gave A Big Surprise To Fans
While the NHL takes some time off over Christmas with no games on the schedule from December 24 to 26, a couple of Montreal Canadiens players couldn’t help but get on the ice over the short break. Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov didn’t just head to the CN Sports Complex in Brossard; they also visited local outdoor rinks.
On Christmas Eve, reigning Calder Trophy winner Hutson surprised fans in Notre-Dame-De-Grace by showing up to play shinny hockey with them. Needless to say, those who were in attendance were incredibly happy to skate alongside the young star.
Since arriving in Montreal, Hutson has demonstrated his love for the game with an incredible work ethic, hitting the ice so often on days off that the team has had to step in and tell him to stay off the ice. With that taken into account, it’s not surprising that he felt the need to skate on Christmas Eve, and showing up at a local rink and making everyone’s day shows how much he enjoys the city of Montreal and its fans. He has already demonstrated his commitment to the town and the team by signing an 8-year contract that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2033-34 season.
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Then, on Christmas Day, Hutson did it again, but this time he brought a friend: Russian rookie Demidov. According to a Canadiens fan who was there, they played 15 against two, and the fans still basically looked like pylons, but they didn’t care; the kids’ eyes were lit up with Christmas magic.
Ivan Demidov & Lane Hutson meeting Habs fans at the outdoor rink in Montreal today pic.twitter.com/LLzcU0osdH
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 26, 2025
The players also took pictures with fans and were happy to donate their time to make fans’ Christmas even better. For years, parents have been reading Roch Carrier’s The Sweater as a bedtime story to their kids, a book in which a young boy’s biggest Christmas wish is to get a Montreal Canadiens sweater for Christmas, but this would make for a great children’s book as well. Imagine the child receiving a Hutson jersey, going to the rink to wear it, and ultimately playing with the player.
Kudos to Hutson and Demidov for taking the time to make some kids’ dreams come true this year. It didn’t cost them anything, but for those who had the opportunity to skate alongside their idols over Christmas, it was a priceless experience.
A day after a dominant performance in a Habs win in Boston:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 25, 2025
Lane Hutson was back in Montreal today playing shinny hockey in NDG. pic.twitter.com/njla6FglCU
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Why the Maple Leafs Added Steve Sullivan To Their Coaching Staff
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Friday the addition of Steve Sullivan to their coaching staff. The opening emerged earlier in the week after the club relieved Marc Savard of his duties as assistant coach. Savard had been responsible for the team’s power play, which ranked last in the NHL at the time of his departure.
We have added Steve Sullivan as an Assistant Coach.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 26, 2025
Sullivan joins the Leafs from the Toronto Marlies. pic.twitter.com/Pn6K0RgNiA
While the Leafs did not have an immediate replacement behind the bench during their 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the coaching staff clarified they would evaluate long-term options for the power play moving forward. Ultimately, the team promoted Sullivan from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, where his coaching focused on individual skills and offensive development. Interestingly, the Marlies’ power play currently ranks 22nd in the AHL with a 16 percent efficiency rate.
Per TSN's Darren Dreger, the power play responsibilities will be "shared" as Sullivan gets up to speed with the big club.
Sullivan’s promotion from the Marlies fills the Savard vacancy. He’s a powerplay guy but, the PP responsibilities will be shared while Sullivan gets up to speed on the Leafs bench.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 26, 2025
A Familiar Face in Toronto
Sullivan is a well-known figure in Toronto, having played 154 games over four seasons with the Maple Leafs. He arrived in 1997 as part of the high-profile trade that sent fan favorite Doug Gilmour to the New Jersey Devils. Sullivan eventually thrived as the NHL transitioned out of the "dead-puck" era, using his speed and skill to navigate a changing league.
Front Office Experience and Controversy
Following his retirement as a player, Sullivan joined the Arizona Coyotes' front office, eventually rising to Director of Player Development. After the abrupt resignation of GM John Chayka, Sullivan served as interim GM until Bill Armstrong was hired.
During his tenure as interim GM, Sullivan oversaw the 2020 NHL Draft, where the club selected Mitchell Miller with the 111th pick. The selection drew immediate and severe criticism after it was revealed Miller had admitted to the racial bullying of Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a Black and developmentally disabled classmate, four years prior. Following the public outcry, the Coyotes renounced the selection. Sullivan bore the brunt of the fallout from the decision and parted ways with the organization in 2021.
Return to Coaching
Sullivan returned to the bench in 2024, joining John Gruden’s staff with the Marlies. He filled the vacancy left by Rich Clune, who departed for an assistant coaching role with the Anaheim Ducks. Now back in the NHL, Sullivan's primary challenge will be revitalizing a struggling Maple Leafs power play.
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Coventry v Swansea, Egypt v South Africa, and more: EFL, Afcon 2025 – as it happened
⚽ Coventry win as Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Hull are held
⚽ Mo Salah strikes from the spot as Egypt beat South Africa
Championship: Despite failing to properly get his head to a free-kick aimed towards the far post, Jack Robinson somehow manages to take advantage of some slapstick defending to bundle the ball over the line anyway and equalise for Birmingham City against 10-man Derby County. It’s as scruffy a goal as you’ll ever see but the home fans at St Andrew’s won’t care.
Millwall 0-0 Ipswich Town: It’s half-time at the Den, where the deadlock between Millwall and Ipswich remains resolutely unbroken.
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Report: Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom reaches 7-year, $86M agreement with Athletics
Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and the Athletics have agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal includes a club option for an eighth season, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been finalized.
Soderstrom’s agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, contains bonus provisions that could raise its value to $131 million, the person said.
Soderstrom started 145 of the 158 games he played this year — 100 of those starts in left field — his first full major league season after making his debut in 2023 and playing 45 games before 61 last year. He batted .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs with 141 strikeouts and 55 walks this past season.
Drafted 26th overall by the A’s in 2020, the 24-year-old Soderstrom has locked in a long-term contract to stay close to where he grew up in Turlock, California. He was on track to become eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season and for free agency after the 2029 season.
Planning to move to Las Vegas for 2028, the A’s last offseason agreed to a $60 million, five-year contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. The team is entering the second of three planned seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento.
Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom reaches $86M, 7-year agreement with Athletics
Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and the Athletics have agreed to an $86 million, seven-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal includes a club option for an eighth season, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been finalized.
Soderstrom’s agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, contains bonus provisions that could raise its value to $131 million, the person said.
Soderstrom started 145 of the 158 games he played this year — 100 of those starts in left field — his first full major league season after making his debut in 2023 and playing 45 games before 61 last year. He batted .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs with 141 strikeouts and 55 walks this past season.
Drafted 26th overall by the A’s in 2020, the 24-year-old Soderstrom has locked in a long-term contract to stay close to where he grew up in Turlock, California. He was on track to become eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season and for free agency after the 2029 season.
Planning to move to Las Vegas for 2028, the A’s last offseason agreed to a $60 million, five-year contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. The team is entering the second of three planned seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento.
Sixers sign wing MarJon Beauchamp to two-way contract
Sixers sign wing MarJon Beauchamp to two-way contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers have shuffled their two-way contract slots shortly before turning the calendar to 2026.
MarJon Beauchamp has inked a two-way deal, the team announced Friday.
The 6-foot-7 wing signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers in October. He’s played seven G League games for the Delaware Blue Coats this season and averaged 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Beauchamp began his professional career with G League Ignite and was the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Bucks. The 25-year-old has made 135 NBA appearances and posted 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Beauchamp is with the Sixers in Chicago for the opener of their five-game road trip Friday night.
As of Friday afternoon, the Sixers listed VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow and Quentin Grimes (illness) as probable against the Bulls. Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) was questionable, while Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) remained out.
The Sixers waived rookie two-way contract shooting guard Hunter Sallis before signing Beauchamp. Two-ways Barlow and Jabari Walker have been regulars in the Sixers’ rotation. Barlow’s been especially versatile and valuable, starting 15 games and averaging 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals.
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