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Lakers trade with Chicago Bulls to move up in second round of NBA draft

Lakers forward LeBron James tosses powder before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves
Lakers forward LeBron James tosses powder before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA playoffs on April 27. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers have made a move to a better position in the second round of the Thursday night’s NBA draft, moving up to the 45th pick and sending their 55th pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls, according to people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The cost of the pick was about $2.5 million, and it may put the Lakers in position to draft a center.

Read more:Lakers, Clippers likely aiming for 'best available' in NBA draft

People around the league said the Lakers are trying to put themselves in position to draft center Ryan Kalkbrenner out of Creighton University. Kalkbrenner is older at 23, but he’s 7-1 and averaged 19.4 points and 9.0 rebounds last season, and he shot 66.3% from the field and 34% from three-point range.

And the Lakers' biggest need this offseason is a center.

Read more:2025 NBA draft: Pick-by-pick coverage and analysis

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Panthers Acquire Interesting Goalie From Blue Jackets

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick. 

Tarasov, 26, appeared in 20 games this season with the Blue Jackets, where he posted a 7-10-2 record, a .881 save percentage, and a 3.54 goals-against average. This was after he had a 8-11-3 record and a .908 save percentage in 24 games with Columbus in 2023-24.

With this move, Tarasov will likely serve as the Panthers' new backup goalie. In addition, this likely indicates that Panthers' pending unrestricted free agent goalie Vitek Vanecek will be hitting the market on July 1. 

Tarasov was selected by the Blue Jackets with the 86th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In 65 career NHL games over four seasons, he has recorded a 19-34-6 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 3.44 goals-against average. 

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Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence

Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop charged in a sexual abuse case, was found guilty on Thursday but received a two-year suspended sentence.

Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling.

“Look at us, Wander,” she said. “Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.”

Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term.

“Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,” Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter’s schooling and other expenses.

Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including certain testimony from 31 witnesses.

“This is a somewhat complex process,” Veras said.

More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”

As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.

Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.

In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.

While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.

That case is still pending in court.

After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy “that reflects our commitment to these issues.”

“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.

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Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence

Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop charged in a sexual abuse case, was found guilty on Thursday but received a two-year suspended sentence.

Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling.

“Look at us, Wander,” she said. “Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.”

Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term.

“Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,” Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter’s schooling and other expenses.

Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including certain testimony from 31 witnesses.

“This is a somewhat complex process,” Veras said.

More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”

As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.

Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.

In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.

While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.

That case is still pending in court.

After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy “that reflects our commitment to these issues.”

“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.

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Lakers updates: Austin Reaves declines extension (as expected), Lakers trade up to No. 45 pick Thursday

The Lakers are moving up in the second round of the draft and have a payday to figure out with Austin Reaves — neither of these things are earth-shattering or unexpected, but they are worth noting.

Austin Reaves declines extension

Austin Reaves isn't looking to leave the Lakers, but he is looking to get paid.

As expected, Reaves declined the four-year, $89.2 million extension that was the max the Lakers could offer him, a story broken by Dan Woike at The Athletic. Reaves is set to make $13.9 million this coming season — less than the NBA's mid-level exception — as the third year of the four-year, $54 million contract he inked in 2023. That contract was incredibly team-friendly when it was signed, but Reaves wanted to show his loyalty to the team that gave him a chance.

Next summer, Reaves will opt out of the final year of that contract and become an unrestricted free agent — the man wants to get paid. He is the third scoring option on a team with title aspirations, a guy who averaged 20.2 points per game last season, shooting 37.7% from 3, and who can create shots for himself and others. Reaves' likely next payday will be more in the four-year, $120 million range (or higher).

Expect Reaves to come up in a lot of trade rumors in the next year — teams will wonder, with Doncic in the fold, if the Lakers want to pay another negative defender that much. Teams will call and see if the Lakers are open to a trade. Both the Lakers and Reaves "seem committed to maintaining their partnership," Woike wrote. He noted that at his youth basketball camp in Arkansas this summer, Reaves said he wanted to play his entire career with the Lakers.

Reaves is a fan favorite the Lakers are unlikely to trade, but never say never in the NBA (the Lakers now have Doncic, after all). Whatever happens, Reaves is going to get paid.

Lakers trade up in 2025 NBA Draft

The news on Thursday is that the Lakers are trading up in the second round of the NBA Draft from No. 55 — their only pick in either round — to No. 45, a story broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Lakers are sending the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick.

The Lakers are more likely to find a player that can help at No. 45 than at No. 55. The last three No. 45 picks were:

• 2024: Jamal Shead, who played in 75 games for the Kings last season, averaging 7.1 points a game in nearly 20 minutes a night.
• 2023: G.G. Jackson, who showed real promise for Memphis when thrust into a bigger role his rookie season and has averaged 11.8 points a game in the 77 he has played for the team in two years.
• 2022: Josh Minott, who has played in 93 games for the Grizzlies across the last three seasons.

The Lakers are highly unlikely to find a game changer at this point in the draft, but if moving up 10 spots nets them a rotation player (or someone who can grow into that role over time), then the move will be worth it. They are more likely to find that kind of player at No. 45 than at No. 55.

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Cleveland Cavaliers’ Owner Retains Bank to Sell Stake in NBA Franchise

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is looking to sell a stake in his NBA franchise, according to a half-dozen sources who asked not to be named because the details are private. He has retained Allen & Company to explore selling up to 15% of the team, according to three of those sources.

The transaction could be in one parcel or to several individuals. Gilbert would retain his majority stake in the team he bought in 2005 for $375 million, which was a record at the time for a standalone NBA franchise. In December, Sportico valued the Cavs at $3.95 billion in its NBA team valuations, which ranks 18th in the league.

The Cavaliers and Allen & Company declined requests to comment.

NBA values have doubled over the past four years—and are up 1,100% over the past 15 years—to an average of $4.6 billion in December. To top that off, in the past three months, the Boston Celtics ($6.1 billion) and Los Angeles Lakers ($10 billion) reached agreements to sell their franchises at 8% and 24% premiums to Sportico’s estimated values.

The Cavaliers are coming off their second-best regular season in franchise history. Their 64-18 record included a franchise-best 15-0 start to the season, and the win tally sits only behind the 66 victories during the 2008-09 campaign. Last month, the Indiana Pacers knocked them out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Cavaliers are led by guard Donovan Mitchell, who was voted First-Team All-NBA this year, and Evan Mobley, who made the second team. Mitchell is under contract for the next two seasons, with a player option for 2027-28, while Mobley starts a five-year, $269 million deal next season, making the Cavs a substantial luxury taxpayer. The team last had to pay the luxury tax during the 2017-18 season, LeBron James’ last with the team before he joined the Lakers.

During Gilbert’s two decades as owner, the Cavaliers have made five NBA Finals—largely on the back of James—with the franchise’s lone title coming in 2016.

Last year, Allen represented immersive media platform Cosm when it raised more than $250 million from investors, including Gilbert. The bank was also retained to lead the WNBA’s expansion process for its 16th team, with a Cleveland bid from Gilbert one of the leading contenders to nab the slot.

Gilbert’s sports assets sit within Rock Entertainment Group and also include the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL and Cleveland Charge in the NBA G League. REG also operates Rocket Arena, Cleveland Clinic Courts and Rock Entertainment Sports Network, a joint venture with Gray Media. In November, the company announced its plans to bid on the WNBA expansion franchise.

Gilbert made his first fortune in the mortgage business with Quicken Loans, which is now Rocket Mortgage. He has a net worth of $32.1 billion, according to Bloomberg.

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Giants' Bob Melvin provides update on Casey Schmitt's wrist injury after CT scan

Giants' Bob Melvin provides update on Casey Schmitt's wrist injury after CT scan originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Casey Schmitt wasn’t in the Giants’ lineup for their series finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Oracle Park, but he could be back on the field soon.

The third baseman underwent a CT scan before San Francisco’s 12-5 loss to Miami after he was hit in the wrist during an at-bat the night before, and manager Bob Melvin said after Thursday’s game that the results brought some good news.

“The [CT] scan says there’s no fracture or anything in there,” Melvin told reporters. “It’s still pretty sore. There’s a pretty good bone bruise in there. We’ll see how it responds tomorrow.”

Melvin said before Thursday’s game that if the results on Schmitt’s CT scan were negative, he could have a chance to return to the lineup Friday against the White Sox in Chicago as long as he’s feeling better.

Schmitt was one of three batters to be hit by the Marlins in the Giants’ 8-5 loss on Wednesday. After being drilled on the left wrist by a 95 mph sinker in the ninth inning, he went out for defense in the top of the 10th but wouldn’t have been able to swing a bat in the bottom of the inning.

X-rays on Schmitt’s wrist immediately after Wednesday’s game came back negative, but Thursday’s additional testing brings relief for the 26-year-old infielder. He has swung a hot bat in place of starting third baseman Matt Chapman, who is working his way back from a hand injury sustained on June 8.

Schmitt is one of eight Giants batters to be hit in San Francisco’s last nine games. Asked before Thursday’s contest by reporters about how the team could counteract that issue, Melvin responded with a smirk and said it “depends on the situation.”

Perhaps by coincidence, or perhaps not, Giants starter Hayden Birdsong plunked Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez in the first inning Thursday — a two-out hit-by-pitch that ultimately led to a three-run rally for Miami.

Schmitt has been hit by a pitch three times so far this season, and Giants fans certainly hope this recent scare is the last of it.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Potential No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer On Islanders Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech & Mathieu Darche

LOS ANGELES -- Matthew Schaefer is not a member of the New York Islanders organization just yet, but all signs are pointing to that with the 2025 NHL Draft just a day away. 

While Schaefer has never been to Long Island — he did attend a Morgan Wallen concert in the city — he does have some familiarity with the organization. 

His agent, Pat Morris, represents Islanders forward Bo Horvat, Casey Cizikas, and the recently retired Matt Martin. 

The Hockey News asked Schaefer what it's been like to get to know Horvat. 

"Yeah, it'd be awesome. He's with my agency," Schaefer said. "He's been a great guy. I've heard so many great things about him, and I heard he's a great leader. To have that guy in your corner is amazing."

The 17-year-old defenseman is training under the tutelage of former NHLer Mark Giordano and will also be skating with Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech this summer. 

"Yeah, he's a great defenseman," Schaefer said. "I honestly haven't gone into that much depth with him, but I mean, he's told me a lot of great things. He’s a great player, so it's pretty easy for him."

What else does Schaefer know about the Islanders organization?

"I've heard a lot about the team. Bo Horvat. I know really well," Schaefer said.  "I honestly don't watch hockey that much, to be honest. For me, I love being at the rink. It's all hockey. When I'm away from it, it's going out for dinner with your teammates, doing a lot of things away from the rink, so you can get that mental refresh, be a kid. I, honestly, don't watch hockey that much or sports in general. I like playing it more than watching it."

While Schaefer hasn't met Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, he mentioned that he was at the Upper Deck event and saw a lot of Roy-autographed things. 

As for general manager Mathieu Darche, Schaefer loved meeting him. 

"It was really cool. He is a great guy," Schaefer said. "I read a lot of great things about him. And obviously, he met all the talk about him. So I'm really happy that he got the GM job. I'm happy for him. And, yeah, a lot of, a lot of great stuff coming for the organization."

The 2025 NHL Draft begins on Friday night at 7 PM ET. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Phillies squander Sanchez's strong start on way to being swept by Astros

Phillies squander Sanchez's strong start on way to being swept by Astros originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

81 games down. Halfway through the 2025 season.

And Houston, we may have a problem.

Over the weekend, the Phillies put up two thrilling offensive performances against the Mets to take the top spot in the NL East.

Four days, three games and 26.2 consecutive scoreless innings later … the Phillies are searching for any signs of life.

A 2-1 loss to the Astros Thursday marks the third time the Phillies have been swept in the last month.

Houston only needed five runs across three games to get the job done. Any momentum that was building through that Mets series has been squandered, and once again, this club is creating more questions than answers for themselves.

This series has felt like daily déjà vu — lifeless offensive performances that tossed spectacular outings from starting pitching to the wayside.

First, you had a gem from Ranger Suarez, who allowed one run through 7.2 innings.

Wednesday, we were spoiled with more dominance from Zack Wheeler, who also only allowed one run through 6 innings.

Going three-for-three, the Phillies then wasted Cristopher Sanchez’s outing. He went 6 innings, while allowing one run and striking out 11.

A combined three earned runs from the starting pitching and no run support to show for it. Often mentioned are the ebbs and flows of baseball — but it’s important to also acknowledge what the past few days have been — a rut.

It took until the eighth inning to see a run cross the plate with some situational hitting. Bryson Stott worked a leadoff walk and made his way to third when Rafael Marchan singled. Brandon Marsh collected the lone RBI of the series with a sacrifice fly.

Stott was the only runner in scoring position the entire series.

Next? Adding insult to injury. Orion Kerkering has been the most consistent bullpen arm the Phillies have had over the past six weeks. After fighting tooth and nail for that one run to tie the game, Kerkering gave up his first earned run since the first week of May.

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Hayden Birdsong details ‘disappointing' outing in Giants' loss to Marlins

Hayden Birdsong details ‘disappointing' outing in Giants' loss to Marlins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Hayden Birdsong tried to send a message early to the Miami Marlins on Thursday, and it couldn’t have aged worse for the Giants starter in a 12-5 loss.

Facing his third batter of the game with two outs and no one on, Birdsong’s 97-mph four-seam fastball hit Marlins second baseman Otto López. Umpires met on the field to discuss the pitch and ultimately gave each team a warning one day after three Giants batters were plunked in an 8-5 loss Wednesday night.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough stormed out of the dugout and expressed his frustrations with the officiating crew, and seconds later, his team responded.

Miami designated hitter Agustin Ramirez doubled to left on the very next pitch from Birdsong. Four pitches later in the following at-bat versus Kyle Stowers, the Marlins outfielder smashed a 440-foot homer to center to give Miami an early 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Despite how quickly things unraveled for Birdsong within the blink of an eye, he downplayed the hit on López while speaking to reporters after the game.

“Things happen,” he said. “You hit guys and you move on.”

That is exactly what Birdsong and the Giants tried to do.

Ramirez’s two-run homer put the Marlins on top 5-0 in the third, but the Giants’ offense rallied in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, scoring five combined runs to tie things up entering the fifth.

But the clean slate didn’t last long for San Francisco, as Birdsong returned to the bump at the top of the fifth and immediately walked the first two batters. Birdsong finally was pulled and replaced by Giants reliever Spencer Bivens, who struck out the first two batters but couldn’t fully overcome the damage Birdsong left as the Marlins scored three more runs.

“I felt great until the fifth, honestly,” Birdsong said. “Don’t know what happened. But it is what it is. It wasn’t good enough. … It’s disappointing.

“Definitely disappointing for me today just coming in here trying to get a win, and obviously didn’t. I could’ve done better. That’s what you take away from it.”

Birdsong allowed seven runs on four hits and four walks while striking out one over four-plus innings to take the loss Thursday. It’s his second consecutive rough outing, as the 23-year-old has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) over his last 8.1 innings and now is at a 4.13 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 56.2 innings over 18 appearances this season.

“Kind of like the last outing, his veto is kind of all over the place,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said postgame of Birdsong. ” … Birdy’s command wasn’t great today. And then kind of blew up right after that for three runs, so regardless of how that went down, we didn’t respond well. And then the first couple of innings we didn’t look too good either and then all of a sudden came back, scored some runs and now we have a tie game.

“Now there’s a lot more energy in the dugout, but we gave up some runs after that. It is what it is. … That’s kind of not who he is, and it’s just not his best game.”

While Melvin knows and expects better of Birdsong, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the frustrations of being swept by the Marlins. And those same sentiments were echoed by Birdsong, who hopes to get back on track as he tentatively is scheduled for a road start against the Arizona Diamondbacks early next week.

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Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 2017-2021

While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2003-2008 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2009-2016

2017: Eeli Tolvanen (forward, 30th overall) 

Apr 5, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Seattle Kraken right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

This is the lowest the Predators have ever selected in the first round, and for good reason. 2017 was arguably Nashville's best season in franchise history, as the team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, eventually falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. 

When the draft came around, the Predators selected Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen with the 30th overall pick. In his draft year season with the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), Tolvanen netted 54 points in 52 games and had a plus/minus of 18. 

He'd spend the bulk of the 2017-18 season with Jokerit Helsinki in the KHL, scoring 36 points in 49 games. Tolvanen made his Predators debut that season, playing in three games but recording no points. 

From 2018 to 2020, Tolvanen played primarily in Milwaukee, with a few games also in Nashville. During the 2020-21 season, Tolvanen came into a regular role with the Predators, scoring 22 points in 40 games.

He also played for Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics, recording nine points in five games.

The most games he played in Nashville were in the 2021-22 season, where he recorded 23 points in 75 games. In the middle of the 2022-23 season, Tolvanen was placed on waivers after recording four points in 13 games. 

He was picked up by the Seattle Kraken, where he has played for the last three seasons. He's finished with at least 35 points in the last two seasons, showing that he's found his fit in Seattle. 

2019: Philip Tomasino (forward, 24th overall) 

Jun 21, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Philip Tomasino puts on a jersey after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

After trading their 2018 first-round pick, Victor Ejdsell and a fourth-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ryan Hartman and a fifth-round pick, Nashville was back on the board in the first round in 2019. 

It used its 24th overall pick to select forward Philip Tomasino. With the Niagara Ice Dogs, he scored an impressive 72 points in 67 games, with a plus/minus of 37 and 32 penalty minutes, billing himself as a physical and productive forward. 

He'd spend two more seasons in the OHL before transitioning over to the AHL with the Chicago Wolves for the 2020-21 season. In his first professional season, Tomasino had 32 points in 29 games, earning a full-season call-up from Nashville for the 2021-22 campaign. 

This would be the only full season Tomasino would play with Nashville, recording 32 points in 76 games. Over the next two and a half seasons, Tomasino would split time between Nashville and Milwaukee, putting up steady scoring numbers on both rosters.

After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, recording a point in 11 games, Tomasino was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft. In 50 games with the Penguins, Tomasino scored 23 points. 

2020: Yaroslav Askarov (goalie, 11th overall) 

Jan 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Nashville Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov (30) against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Drafting goalies in the first round hasn't gone historically well for the Predators. 

Chet Pickard (2008, 18th) never played a game for the Predators, and Brian Finley (1999, 6th) played less than five games with the Predators before getting traded to the Bruins and retiring.  

However, with Pekka Rinne nearing the end of his career, the Predators were looking for the next franchise starter and selected Yaroslav Askarov with the 11th overall pick. 

Askarov spent the majority of his draft year with Neva SKA in Russia's junior league, posting a 12-3-3 record, 2.45 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He'd bounce around St. Petersburg SKA's system for three years before finally making his professional debut in 2023. 

He played one game, allowing four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Askarov spent the bulk of the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Milwaukee, posting identical .911 save percentages in 92 combined games. 

He was called up to Nashville for two games during the 2023-24 season, allowing two goals on 35 shots. In the offseason, Askarov was traded to the San Jose Sharks and has spent the bulk of his time with the San Jose Barracuda. 

Nashville did get a little bit more out of Askarov than it did with Pickard or Finley, but it is still struggling to draft the right goalie in the first round. 

2021: Fedor Svechkov (center, 19th overall) 

Mar 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) looks on against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a hockey game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

The Predators used the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft to select a second straight Russian prospect in center Fedor Svechkov. 

In his draft year, Svechkov played in two different leagues with Tolyatti Lada. In the junior hockey league, he scored 15 points in 15 games before being promoted to the All-Russia Hockey League, where he had 15 points in 38 games. 

Svechkov stayed in Russia for a few more seasons, moving into the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA and Moscow Spartak before coming to North America to play in Milwaukee.

In his first AHL season, Svechkov scored 39 points in 57 games with the Admirals, leading to him splitting time in Nashville the next season.

During the 2024-25 season, Svechkov played 52 games with the Predators, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. In Milwaukee, he played 13 games, scoring 10 points. 

It took some time for Svechkov to make the jump over the pond to North America, but he has shown a lot of promise in his short time in the NHL. 

2021: Zachary L'Heureux (forward, 27th overall)  

Jan 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Zachary L'Heureux (68) skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

For the first time since 2008, the Predators had multiple picks in the first round of the 2021 draft. They traded their second-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes to jump up to the 27th overall spot. 

With the newfound pick, Nashville selected forward Zachary L'Heureux from the Halifax Mooseheads. 

In his sophomore year in the QMJHL, L'Heureux scored 20 points in 33 games, complemented by 47 penalty minutes. He spent two more seasons in Halifax and stayed on trend as a physical and productive forward. 

L'Heureux joined the Admirals for the 2023-24 season, scoring 48 points in 66 games and logging a massive 197 penalty minutes. He was clutch in the Admirals' playoff run to the Central Division Finals, scoring 15 points in 15 games. 

This past season, he spent the bulk of the year in Nashville, scoring five goals and recording 10 assists in 62 games, while also accumulating 63 penalty minutes.  

Expect to see a lot more of L'Heureux in Nashville, as he has shown significant growth and, at just 22 years old, could be a major part of the future. 

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Kraken 2025 Draft Targets: Victor Eklund

Victor Eklund is the #2 ranked European skater in this year's NHL Draft, just sliding in behind his Djurgårdens IF teammate, Anton Frondell. The 18 year old, two-way center looks to be a top 10 draft pick on Friday after spending the entirety of his junior and burgeoning professional career in Sweden where he shines brightly in league and international play. He looks to join the NHL ranks along with his brother, William Eklund, who has just completed his second full season with the San Jose Sharks.

This past season, Eklund posted 19 goals and 12 assists in 42 regular season games for Djurgårdens IF, a club in HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second highest tier of professional hockey in Sweden after the SHL. Eklund and Djurgårdens IF won the HockeyAllsvenskan league championship and will be promoted to the top Sweden tier, SHL for the 2025-26 campaign. If Eklund doesn't crack the NHL roster immediately, he will most likely have a chance to develop further in the SHL.

The NHL club that selects Eklund will hope that he can bring his intensity and skills to their team in working order and that the translation from his game in Sweden to the NHL will be swift.

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Eklund featured photo by - via tv4.se

Eklund hero photo by - via hockey news.se

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Sharks To Buy Out Veteran Marc-Edouard Vlasic's Contract, Increase Huge Cap Space

The San Jose Sharks announced longtime veteran Marc-Edouard Vlasic is on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

Vlasic, 38, would have entered the final year of an eight-year contract with a $7 million average annual value. However, he will be a UFA if no team claims him and that contract off waivers.

Despite the opportunity for the veteran defenseman to play his 20th season with the Sharks in 2025-26, GM Mike Grier decided to free up a roster spot and increase their league-leading salary cap space.

"This was a difficult decision to make today, with how much Marc has meant to the San Jose organization for 19 years,” Grier said in a statement.

For the 2025-26 campaign, Vlasic was set to receive $3.5 million in base salary, according to PuckPedia. Two-thirds of that money will be spread across two seasons on the salary cap as a buyout cost, equalling to $1,166,667 per year.

With this buyout, the Sharks save about $2.33 million in cap space for next season but will pay the remaining buyout cost the following year.

They now have just over $44 million in cap space and must add nearly $19.2 million to the team’s cap hit this off-season to reach the $70.6-million cap floor.

The Sharks have two pending UFAs and six pending RFAs, including 23-year-old defenseman Jack Thompson.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic (Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)

"I was fortunate enough to be here with Marc for his first season with the Sharks, and knew he would become a great defenseman,” Grier said. “With over 1,300 games in the NHL, he brought immense expertise and experience to the organization daily and was selected to represent his country on multiple occasions at the highest level.

"We want to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the organization and wish him all the best."

San Jose drafted Vlasic 35th overall in the 2005 NHL draft. Since then, he’s played 19 seasons and 1,323 games for the team, recording 295 assists and 379 points while averaging 20:41 in ice time. The Sharks never won a Stanley Cup, but he was part of the core that visited the Cup final in 2016, as well as three additional Western Conference final appearances.

Vlasic also played a role in earning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

On June 21, the Chicago Blackhawks executed the first buyout of the off-season on defenseman TJ Brodie.

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IOC’s Kirsty Coventry announces ‘scientific approach’ to protect ‘female category’

  • Task force of scientists and federations to revise policy

  • Trans and DSD athletes expected to be banned from female category

Kirsty Coventry has said there is now “overwhelming support” among International Olympic Committee members to protect the female category in a significant shift in its gender eligibility policy.

Coventry, who was chairing her first meetings as the IOC’s new president, said that a taskforce of scientists and international federations would be set up within weeks to come up with a new policy.

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