標籤: Carolina

Ahead of Game 5 between the Buffalo Sabers and Montreal Canadiens, who are tied 2–2 in the series at the time of writing, the NHL announced the tentative schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and whoever wins the Atlantic Series.

After winning the Eastern Conference in the regular season, the Hurricanes will have home ice advantage against any opponent.

The schedule has two different scenarios, and doesn’t list times, but at least we have dates!

Carolina Hurricanes-Buffalo Sabers schedule and broadcast information (if second-round series ends in Game 6)

game 1

When: Tuesday, May 19, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 2

When: Thursday, May 21, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 3

When: Saturday, May 23, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 4

When: Monday, May 25, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 5 (if necessary)

When: Wednesday, May 27, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 6 (if necessary)

When: Friday, May 29, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 7 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, May 31, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, TVAS

Carolina Hurricanes-Buffalo Sabres/Montreal Canadiens schedule and broadcast information (if second-round series extends to Game 7)

game 1

When: Thursday, May 21, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 2

When: Saturday, May 23, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 3

When: Monday, May 25, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 4

When: Wednesday, May 27, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 5 (if necessary)

When: Friday, May 29, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 6 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, May 31, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, TVAS

game 7 (if necessary)

When: Tuesday, June 2, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

All games will feature local play-by-play by Mike Maniscalco and analysis by Trip Tracy on the Hurricanes’ radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

With the Carolina Hurricanes’ historic sweep over the Philadelphia Flyers, they earned a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four years. However, as they potentially look at 10 straight days off, it leaves time to wonder and contemplate whether they have what it takes to move past the rounds of 1-16 they have endured in the last 15 years.

So, what makes this Hurricanes team so special, and why does this postseason campaign feel different?

Hurricanes have a strong sense of identity, experience, and chemistry

This isn’t the Hurricanes’ first rodeo in the ECF; This is the third time in four years that they have reached here. However, in their last two shots, they were defeated by the Florida Panthers, with the first being all games one-goal against them, and the second being completely outclassed by their rivals from the Sunshine State.

The Panthers had little experience in that 2023 series and lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals. But in the 2025 series, the Panthers already had a Cup — they knew who they were.

However, the storms did not yet know themselves.

The summer and season were marked by significant changes with the departure of seven key players amid free agency and the Mikko Rantanen debacle. They managed to play their game in the first two rounds, but facing the Panthers once again, their style quickly disintegrated as they tried to emulate their opponent – ​​abandoning their bread and butter in puck management and instead focusing on physicality and finishing hits, something they were not particularly adept at at the time. Taylor Hall, who was only on the team for a short time, put it best as ‘not dancing with the girl they brought in’.

However, since then, they have honed their physicality while focusing heavily on conditioning without sidelining their unique playing style – the hallmark of their hard-working team. Some changes were made during the latest free agency and trade deadline, creating a stronger chemistry without the shakeup previously experienced.

As far as experience goes, all the key players except Brandon Bussey have been on teams that have been to the conference finals. Even Carolina’s two young players, 23-year-old Logan Stankoven and 22-year-old Jackson Blake, have notable experience at this stage of the postseason, with Stankoven having experienced the conference finals in the two latest postseasons (his only seasons in the NHL), and Blake having experienced it last season.

“The culture and the group that we have this year is a different level, I think, than even last year,” Blake said after the series-winning overtime goal against the Flyers. “I think last year we had a good group, and we were really united, but this year it feels a little different. I don’t know what it is, but I like the way we’re moving.”

Generally speaking, whether the Hurricanes face the Buffalo Sabers or Montreal Canadiens, they should have the upper hand in two aspects of experience and identity – having recently been in this position before, and recognizing how they want to play and have worked toward meeting those goals throughout the season.

contribution from top to bottom

The Hurricanes’ theme this season is a tattered old rope, given to the player who tried hardest after each win, which is selected by the player who got the win first – a metaphor alluding to each individual pulling their weight toward a unified goal. Really, this is a great example of how the team has performed in both the regular season and playoffs.

Currently, Carolina’s scoring leader is not Sebastian Aho’s first line, but Stankoven’s second line, with the latter having a fairly even distribution of goals and assists in the lineup. Depth players are rising to the challenge, making it difficult for opposing coaches to strategize on closing down scoring opportunities.

This is incredibly similar to the 2023 playoff Hurricanes, which also had a heavy reliance on secondary scoring, and was their best in two recent appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Comfort is a huge factor

Let’s be honest…no one saw that the storm would wreak havoc not only in the first round, but also in the second round. With this, they have played only eight games in total this post-season, whereas a team plays an average of 12 games in two rounds. Fewer games played, fewer opportunities early playoff injuries – the Hurricanes have suffered from this in recent postseasons.

Clearly, the comfort gained from consecutive sweeps is a luxury the Hurricanes have not had before, and moreover, their opponent will certainly lack.

Still, comfort versus rust will always remain a hotly debated topic – the main reason for any boon or curse after a gameless stretch. However, for goaltender Frederik Andersen – who has been one of the best goaltenders in the post-season – rest has proven time and again to benefit his performance in the past, and the Hurricanes will need him at the top of his game against whichever powerhouse comes out of the Sabres-Canadiens series.

Only time will tell which way the Eastern Conference Finals will go – whether the Hurricanes will finally make it through, or whether the curse of the semi-finals will continue. Nonetheless, this is their best chance in a long time.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young No. 1 overall. He has improved each season since, and so has the Panthers’ record, going from 2-14 to 4-8, 8-8 and making the playoffs.

A big reason for Young’s continued improvement is that the Panthers have continued to improve the foundation around him. This includes spending more than $100 million on the offensive line. The Panthers also invested first-round picks in back-to-back drafts on wide receivers Xavier Leggett and Tetaroa McMillan.

The Panthers used their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on an offensive tackle, but Carolina also invested a third-round pick on Tennessee wideout Chris Brazell. Still, some believe the Panthers should not add to their corps of pass-catchers.

recently, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim urged the Panthers to consider signing free agent tight end Darren Waller.

Waller retired for the 2024 season, but surprisingly returned and joined the Miami Dolphins in 2025. Waller, who turns 34 in September, could potentially help a team like the Panthers even after recording a respectable 283 yards and six touchdowns in just three starts and nine appearances.

The one-time Pro Bowler has made no suggestion that he’s headed back into retirement this offseason, and with training camp around the corner, there could be more activity on his front soon.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

In the months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many analysts thought there was a chance that the Carolina Panthers could draft a wide receiver in the first round for the third consecutive year. Heck, even Panthers general manager Dan Morgan admitted the team was set to select a pass-catcher first.

Ultimately, the Panthers did not select a receiver at No. 19, instead choosing Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. However, the Panthers returned to the receiver position with their third pick, taking Tennessee tight end Chris Brazell with the 83rd overall selection in the third round. Brazell is expected to get playing time as a rookie, leading to the departure of another recent top player in Carolina.

recently, athleticJoseph Persson suggested that Xavier Leggett could emerge as a “potential trade candidate” this fall.

The Panthers made Leggett the 32nd overall pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 13 of his 16 appearances as a rookie, recording 49 receptions on 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was not able to increase those numbers in Year 2. Leggett started 12 of his 15 appearances, recording 35 receptions on 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

Now heading into the third season of a four-year contract that can extend to a fifth season with a team option, Leggett risks falling behind on the depth chart in Carolina. Tate McMillan is top dog. Last year’s undrafted signee Jalen Coker recorded more yards despite playing in four fewer games and seeing 21 fewer targets. Additionally, the Panthers have now added Brazell.

In other words, the Panthers are likely ready to deal Leggett, who is just 25 years old. He should be able to get a third-day draft pick, but are the Panthers willing to give him up for such a low return? If Leggett doesn’t show development in the team’s minicamp, he may very well be gone.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

With a decisive win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, the Carolina Hurricanes punched their ticket to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – becoming the first team to do so this postseason, although they were followed by the Colorado Avalanche the very next day.

There was a lot to like in their first-round series, but of course, there were also some things they will have to contend with in the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins or Philadelphia Flyers – two teams with whom the Hurricanes certainly spent time in their respective season series.

A round of three storms is a positive one

Goaltending has become specialized

Throughout the regular season, the goaltending performance in the playoffs was the biggest question due to Pyotr Kochetkov’s injury, Frederik Andersen’s cold streak, and newcomer Brandon Bussey playing in only his first NHL season. However, those concerns have been allayed – at least in the first round. Over the course of four games, Andersson allowed only five goals on 110 shots, giving him a 1.10 goals-against average. Additionally, he also recorded a satisfactory save percentage of .955.

In round one, Anderson was everything the Hurricanes needed, and more.

“This can’t be underestimated,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said at the end of the series. “Especially when you consider how well the other guy (Linus Ullmark) was playing out there. Like, it was a goalie matchup. They were going to make saves for saves. And we needed that, right? Otherwise, this thing could have looked a lot different.

“This is probably the best hockey he’s played for us since he was a Hurricane.”

Logan Stankoven’s line has been incredible

Anyone who watched even a single game of the Hurricanes’ first-round series will tell you that the Hurricanes’ second line has been spectacular – after all, they scored the first goal in every single game, and then some. However, it was more than the goals scored in the net that made the line great.

During the entire first period, the assembled second line was not on the ice for a single goal. They were defensively strong and responsible in their play, taking only three penalties combined.

Taylor Hall said of Logan Stankoven, who leads the team in postseason goals after four seasons, “We weren’t for a goal against all series, and he’s our centerman.” “He’s a low-level guy that’s putting in the work. So, it’s not just the goals. You know, it’s a 200-foot game that he and our line have done very well.”

The defense has been phenomenal

Storm protection cannot be underestimated. Throughout the series, Carolina led the league in time on the penalty kill with 35:53. In Game 3, he allowed no shots during a five-on-three loss, and in Game 4, he held the Senators scoreless during a three-and-five loss. Despite giving up so many power play opportunities, the Hurricanes only allowed one power play goal, leading to a penalty kill percentage of 95.2 – second best leaguewide behind only the Boston Bruins, who remain immaculately shorthanded.

This was particularly impressive due to the Senators’ effectiveness on the power play throughout the season, where they ranked eighth in power play percentage with a 24.0% success rate.

Overall, the Hurricanes’ six defensemen combined for a total plus/minus of +11, as the offense outscored the Senators 11–5.

three storms round one negative

an unholy amount of gifts

While the Hurricanes’ overall defense was very good, the team struggled mightily to retain the puck – though this was less noticeable due to the Senators’ sloppiness in terms of possession. After this season, both teams are tied for the most gifts in the entire league with 75.

For context, the Bruins are second with only 68, and the Avalanche are third with only 61.

too much punishment

During their first-round series, the Hurricanes took 26 penalties, 10 of which were due to lack of discipline with their forwards; Always annoying stick violations (including tripping).

Additionally, 16 of their penalties were in their last two games, while four of those opportunities gave the Senators the aforementioned five-on-three advantage.

If not for the efficiency of the Hurricanes’ penalty killers, their time in the box could have been costly.

There’s a lot left in the power play

To be fair, when it comes to the playoffs, the importance of the power play takes a back seat in favor of the penalty kill. However, this does not make it unimportant.

In their four matches against the Senators, the Hurricanes only managed to score two goals with the man advantage. What was particularly worrisome about this was that the Senators’ regular-season record ranked 29th leaguewide on the penalty kill, with an atrocious penalty kill percentage of 75.7.

While it can’t be denied that the Senators’ defense played very well, the power play remains a concern in the second period.

In conclusion, the next series will definitely bring more elements. Whether or not the Hurricanes can overcome that mountain probably lies most in their ability to adapt while still playing their brand of hockey.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night. Since the Carolina Panthers went 8-9 in the playoffs last season, they will have the 19th pick in the first round.

Still, before the Panthers head into the draft, general manager Dan Morgan is making some small changes to the roster.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers signed 31-year-old journeyman backup quarterback Will Grier.

The 100th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft spent last season with the Cowboys, but he has not thrown a live pass since 2019. That’s when he made the only two appearances of his pro career, leading the Panthers to two losses while completing 53.8% of his passes for 228 yards and four interceptions.

Grier has bounced from the Panthers, to the Cowboys, to the Bengals, to the Patriots, to the Chargers, to the Eagles, to the Cowboys again, and now the Davidson, North Carolina native is back to the team that drafted him in Carolina.

This will be Grier’s second stint with the Panthers, where he will now be the third-line QB behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett. It’s possible another QB will join them in the next few days to provide even more competition. The Panthers have seven selections in the NFL Draft, and could always add an undrafted rookie as a camp arm who can learn from Grier’s NFL journey.

RELATED: Carolina Panthers GM hints about team’s draft plans

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Dan Morgan has been the general manager of the Carolina Panthers for two draft processes. The 2026 NFL Draft will be his third as president of football operations/GM. Ironically, former NFL linebacker Morgan has only invested a first-round pick in a wide receiver in the two drafts he has presided over.

In 2024, the Panthers made Xavier Leggett the 32nd overall pick in the first round. He has yet to compile 1,000 total yards (860 career total). Meanwhile, last year’s selection, Tetaroa McMillan, who was taken eighth overall, gained 1,014 receiving yards while earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season.

Despite the Panthers selecting a receiver in the first round in each of the last two drafts, Carolina still has a need at the position. After all, Leggett hasn’t developed into the star the Panthers hoped, not like McMillan.

Even though the Panthers have done this in back-to-back years, their GM still says Carolina could target another receiver with their first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they are ranked 19th.

“No. I think with anything, we’re going to take the best player,” Morgan said via the team’s website. “So if we feel like the best player is someone who is 19 years old, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft another wideout. I don’t think there’s any rule that says you can’t draft a wide receiver three years in a row. So I wouldn’t really put us in a box and say we wouldn’t draft him.”

The Panthers are generally projected to target a receiver in the first round. After seeing how much of an impact McMillen had on former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young’s game, one can’t help but wonder if a more complete and consistent group of receivers could really unlock Carolina’s scoring attack. The Panthers may feel the same way.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

It seems that despite the big risks, the Carolina Panthers don’t want to waste their starting quarterback in 2026.

When the Panthers made Bryce Young the first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the organization had high hopes that they might have a future star. However, his rookie season was forgettable as the team went 2–14 in his debut, as he posted a 59.8 completion percentage, 34.1 quarterback rating and 11 interceptions to 11 touchdowns.

The former Alabama star was sidelined early in his sophomore season, but eventually worked his way back into a starting role and showed some signs of development. The 2025 campaign showed more development under head coach Dave Canales as Young had the highest completion percentage (63.6%), yards (3,011), and touchdowns (23) in his career.

Still, while those were the best single-season numbers of his career, his completion percentage was 23rd, yards were 21st, and touchdowns were 14th best in the NFL. While he was better for the Panthers in 2025, he was still a middling or poor starting QB compared to the rest of the league.

That’s why it makes sense that the Panthers have not yet picked up his fifth-year option, which would be worth $25.9 million. With a strong QB class in the 2027 NFL Draft, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to prove he could be a further development.

Carolina Panthers will soon pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option

But it seems the Panthers would rather take the risk of having the average QB make $25 million next year rather than risk having to compete for Young’s services in free agency.

On Tuesday, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said that after the draft, he plans to negotiate with Bryce Young about picking up his fifth-year option. “Once the draft is over, we’ll definitely move forward,” Morgan told the media. “Obviously, the player isn’t in the building yet. … We’ll get this done as soon as he gets back in the building.”

If Young can take another step forward in 2026, the Panthers could have a good QB at a reasonable rate next year. However, if he disappoints and potentially opts out, they will have the highest-paid backup in the NFL.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search has resulted in contract extensions for at least two top targets, with Alabama’s Nate Oats and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd agreeing to new deals. Now the program’s focus has reportedly shifted to four other current head coaches.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty Mays, Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Iowa State Cyclones coach TJ Otzelbarger and UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley are the top targets in North Carolina’s coaching search at the moment.

RELATED: Potential cost of UNC Tar Heels coaching search revealed

Specifically, according to Thamel, if Michigan loses in the Final Four, the Tar Heels plan to play hard for May. With the Wolverines advancing to the men’s national championship game to face UConn, both Hurley and May are being viewed as unlikely recruits for North Carolina.

What’s likely to happen is that Hurley and Mays will use the Tar Heels’ coaching search as leverage to land a deal. After receiving interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024, Hurley used that to take advantage of an extension from UConn. May, who was hired by Michigan in 2024, will do the same here.

The real question may be whether Otzelberger uses the interest as leverage. However, given that North Carolina can provide better resources to build a top program, it stands to reason that Otzelberger would see it as an upgrade from his current program at Iowa State.

RELATED: NBA coach addresses Tar Heels’ interest in HC gig

Specifically, according to Thamel, Donovan does not want to leave his position in the NBA until Chicago’s season ends. This would mean that North Carolina, if he were hired, would not be able to make an official announcement until the Bulls season ends on Sunday, April 12. Until then, the college basketball transfer portal will be exhausted with limited options available for North Carolina.

Donovan appears to be the Tar Heels’ preferred option of the two, and there have been reports that the opportunity to coach in Chapel Hill would be appealing to Donovan. However, if the school decides it can’t wait, Otzelberger could be the next Tar Heels men’s basketball coach.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

For 20 minutes, the New Jersey Devils looked like a red-hot team capable of competing with any opponent in the NHL.

Nevertheless, in a result that seemed very familiar to Devils fans, the Carolina Hurricanes came back strongly with five consecutive goals in their 5–2 victory, which snapped the Devils’ two-game winning streak.

Evgeni Dadonov and Timo Meier each scored, the second of which came from Dawson Mercer in his 400th consecutive game. Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves in the loss.

Carolina scored three times in the second period, led by former Devils forward Taylor Hall, who had two assists. Nikolaj Ehlers also had a goal and an assist.

The Hurricanes won their 12th consecutive home game against the Devils, adding six Stanley Cup playoff wins over the past four seasons.

“I think this group needs to heal some wounds along the way,” Devils forward Connor Brown said after the game. “As soon as you let one in and get one on their heels, that’s where their system takes over. That’s the type of game they hunt.”

Devils had a strong performance in the first round in Carolina.

The Devils couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game.

They kept the shot count close throughout the frame and played the proverbial solid road game. Markstrom made eight saves, and they were mostly from outside, as the Devils gave up just 0.62 expected goals and two high-danger chances.

Despite two failed power plays in the first period, New Jersey also finished first on the board. Captain Nico Hischier hit Mercer with a 100-foot stretch pass and Mercer beat Carolina defenseman Sean Walker and found Meyer for a tap-in goal.

It was Meyer’s 22nd goal of the season. He has scored in three consecutive games and has five in New Jersey’s last seven games. Meyer now has eight goals in 15 games since the Olympic break ended.

Satan came unmasked in the second period

Failing to handle the Hurricanes’ surge has been a hallmark of the Devils’ struggles in Carolina, and Saturday was no different.

Carolina outscored the Devils 15–5 in the second period, and had a 32–13 shot-attempt advantage in the middle frame. Yet, according to Devils coach Sheldon Keefe, the whole thing backfired when Lenny Haminaho took the team’s only penalty of the game, a minor tripping at 8:27 of the second.

“We were definitely right there in the game,” Keefe said. “Up until the penalty take, I liked our second period. We didn’t get a lot of shots on net, but we were in our half of the ice. We just didn’t have the stamina or energy to keep up with it.”

Ehlers tied the score by beating Markstrom from the right circle on the power play, capping a typical passing play. Then Carolina’s rush got busy, energizing the Hurricanes’ offensive anticipation and forcing the Devils into mistakes.

“There’s no doubt that our bench sagged a little bit after we scored the first goal,” Keefe said. “It’s more than just the opponent. You know how hard it is to score. You’ve got the lead, you’ve given them life. The crowd just comes alive. It’s everything.”

Shane Gostisbier’s aggressive puck at the offensive blue line forced a turnover, creating a two-on-one situation for Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven, and Blake got past Jonas Seigenthaler and beat Markstrom, giving Carolina the lead at 13:48.

“Punting against this team is exactly what they want,” Keefe said. “They drop it in the neutral zone, they come straight at you and it’s wave after wave. We’ve got to make a play. We’ve got to get it off the boards against these guys.

Jordan Staal scored just 95 seconds later, redirecting Ehlers’ shot after Simon Nemec’s soft back-handed clearing attempt, giving Carolina a 3–1 lead and effectively putting the game on ice.

“We had time to make a play and we panicked and threw it against the wall and that gave them an opportunity,” Keefe said. “Those are two big plays that end up on net.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

When Hubert Davis took over the head coaching job with North Carolina in 2021-22 and led them to the NCAA Tournament final, it seemed like the school had found the man to oversee the program for the next decade. However, the Tar Heels failed to make the tournament the following season and were eliminated in the opening round the previous two years.

That’s why ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that the coach’s future is currently “in change.” The basketball insider claims no decision will be made until next week, but at least the entire staff under Davis will be out. If North Carolina were to make a complete turnaround and move on from Davis, let’s look at six replacement options for possibly the best job in college basketball.

Brad Underwood, Illinois

Although it took some time, Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a legitimate force in the Big Ten. They have posted 20 or more wins in each of the last seven seasons, went 25-8 in 2025-26, and the coach has a pair of conference tournament championships on his resume. Underwood has done a lot with the second-tier school in the conference. With UNC’s resources and brand recognition, he can achieve the consistent results expected by the program.

Todd Golden, Florida

North Carolina’s dream target would be Florida head coach Todd Golden. After a remarkable performance that legitimized San Francisco, the coach has made an immediate impact on the Gators. In his third season, he led the program to a national title, and they are in position to repeat this month after a rocky start to the 2025-26 season.

What makes him extremely attractive is that he is only 40 years old. The big question is will he feel that UNC offers a better job than the one he currently has in Gainesville? Many people across the country think this will happen.

Michael Malone, former Nuggets head coach

A few years ago, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was viewed as one of the best in the NBA. He developed Denver into a consistent title contender, helped elevate Nikola Jokic to superstar status and led the Nuggets to their first championship in 2023. However, disagreements with the front office led to his surprise exit at the end of last season.

After the way he was fired in 2024, Malone could be angry at the NBA experience and big personalities involved on and off the court. Bringing in a coach who recently won an NBA title would be a coup for UNC. The only issue is, does his lack of college experience make the situation as messy as it was in football with Bill Belichick in school?

TJ Otzelbarger, Iowa State

Since arriving at Iowa State five years ago, TJ Otzelbarger has done nothing but win and bring the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament every year. Furthermore, his team is positioned as a hidden horse to reach the championship game this month.

Similar to Brad Underwood at Illinois, if given the resources North Carolina has, Otzelburger could get the program back to becoming a consistent contender to reach the Elite 8 every year.

Mark Few, Gonzaga

Mark Few is the greatest coach in Gonzaga history and transformed the program into a recognized name in college basketball during his 26-year tenure. He is the king of the mid-majors, and there has always been talk of a move to a top program. But he is good friends with the Bulldogs and has nothing to leave behind.

However, North Carolina is one of the few programs that would seriously consider him leaving Spokane. Furthermore, it would give him the best chance to achieve the one thing he has yet to achieve: winning a national championship.

Tom Thibodeau, former Knicks head coach

Although he has never won an NBA title or reached the Finals, Tom Thibodeau has consistently been one of the better coaches in the NBA for the past 15 years. He proved this by bringing the New York Knicks back to relevance during this decade and making it to the Conference Finals last season. Unfortunately, the high standards he set and the franchise’s decades-long title drought led to him being unfairly fired last spring.

Like Malone, he could be coached in the NBA and be ready to make the jump to the college ranks to take full control of a program. The 68-year-old is always busy working and diving head first into the roster-building process while building a serious culture for the program.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The NFL free agency negotiation window opens Monday at 12 p.m. ET. As always, there was an immediate burst of activity. The Carolina Panthers wasted no time in writing a big check, the largest ever.

Weeks earlier, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan had acknowledged that the team would consider signing former Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, who was recently released by the Dolphins. The Panthers didn’t end up signing Chubb (though they still could), Carolina simply added one of his former teammates who may ultimately be even better than Chubb.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are signing edge rusher Jalen Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract. The 6-foot-5, 266-pound Phillips was traded from Miami to Philadelphia in exchange for a third-round pick, but he now leaves the Eagles after just eight games with the team.

Phillips, 26, arrived with the Dolphins as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s still trying to top the 8.5 sacks he recorded as a rookie, but he’s also recovered from two season-ending injuries, including a torn Achilles, in 2023.

Last season, Phillips recorded 53 tackles (7 TFL), five sacks, two fumble recoveries and four pass deflections in 17 starts. Now he’ll look to build on those numbers in Carolina, where he’ll join a front seven that includes Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown to help eat up blockers in the middle of the defense.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

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The Carolina Panthers took a big jump in Dave Canales’ second season as head coach, going from five wins to eight, winning the NFC South in the process. Now, the Panthers are looking for a way to take another step forward, but they may have something in the works.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers are receiving trade calls on backup quarterback Andy Dalton this offseason. Regardless of whether they made a trade or not, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan made it clear that the Panthers will bring in another backup quarterback this offseason, and Dalton knows it.

Now 38, Dalton is a two-time Pro Bowl QB who is in the last year of his contract in Carolina. While he could provide valuable experience to Carolina’s QB room, it’s possible another team would be willing to offer a third-day draft pick in exchange for the 15-year veteran.

If the Panthers can also get a seventh- or sixth-round pick by trading Dalton, who can be cut from the roster before the season starts, that’s an opportunity worth considering. After all, they could have signed another veteran QB to replace him anyway.

Young and Dalton are the only quarterbacks on Carolina’s roster, but as Morgan said, another addition is on the way.

RELATED: Carolina Panthers express interest in Pro Bowl pass-rusher

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Some teams are cutting costs this time of year. The Carolina Panthers haven’t felt forced to move on from any of their overpriced veterans. But the changes could help free up about $10 million more in projected cap space.

Once free agency begins, the Panthers could be active as they look to improve the roster. This could include adding a Pro Bowl player to the mix.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan spoke to the media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday. While doing so, he revealed that the team would be signing two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, who had recently been released by the Dolphins.

“I don’t think anything is going to come out of the conversation,” Morgan said. “We’ll track him down, we’ll talk to his agent, but I won’t say anything forthcoming, but we’ll definitely stay on top of that, and we’ll see where he goes.”

Morgan said the 29-year-old Chubb is “still playing at a really good level.”

Chubb started all 17 games for the Dolphins last season, and recorded 8.5 sacks in the process. It was a strong performance, considering he missed the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL after recording 11 sacks in 2023. Chubb recorded a career-high 12 sacks as a rookie, and he has been trying to get back to that peak ever since.

After five seasons in Denver and three seasons in Miami, Chubb’s next chapter will likely take him back to another contender as he has only appeared in one playoff game since being drafted as the fifth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

RELATED: 5 Ideal Bradley Chubb Free Agency Landing Spots

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North Carolina A&T mounted a miraculous comeback that ended with a game one win, clinching victory in the NBA HBCU Classic.

North Carolina A&T and Hampton, who both compete in the Coastal Athletic Association, were invited to compete in the latest edition of the NBA HBCU Classic. The date and time of the game has changed from previous editions, as the Classic usually takes place on the Saturday afternoon before All-Star Saturday night.

Trent Middleton Jr. for leadership.

North Carolina A&T gets a stop for the W.

Wild finale at the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by @To! pic.twitter.com/5LebfdItHN

– NBA (@NBA) 14 February 2026

The game was still thrilling, and its ending was worthy of the huge stage the NBA gave it. As the clock expired, the Aggies were down 70 to 68. North Carolina A&T guard Trent Middleton Jr. brought the ball upfield and was able to penetrate the defense and hit an acrobatic layup that went through the basket. He was also fouled in the game, resulting in an and-one which he ultimately converted at the free-throw line.

With 4.5 seconds left, Hampton still had a chance to cruise to the win. But Jalike Gaines-Wyatt’s floater went out and the Aggies prevailed. Gaines-Wyatt and forward Xavier Long both had 17 points for Hampton, who looked like they would go on and secure the win. For the Aggies, Middleton Jr. tallied 15 points, including the game-clinching one, and Lewis Walker had 18 points, with Will Felton contributing 12 points off the bench.

With the win, North Carolina A&T has snapped a four-game losing streak and are set to face Charleston on Thursday at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Hampton was on a two-game win streak after defeating Elon and William & Mary, and will host Hofstra on Thursday at 8 p.m., with the game being televised on CBS Sports Network.