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wolves This may have been the last time the door was publicly closed on Rodrigo Gomes’ move. However, recent developments in Portugal have made the picture increasingly complex. This is especially true tottenham Now entering the scene.

last summer, report from portugal Wolves are said to view the winger as part of their long-term plans. But since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. Wolves are headed for another squad makeover for next season’s Championship campaign.

The fact is that Rodrigo Gomes finished the season with five goals in 27 appearances for Wolves, playing just over 1,100 minutes in all competitions during his first year in English football. This is an interesting output.

in that respect, game Now it is claimed that Spurs are also keeping an eye on the 22-year-old player. Additionally, Rodrigo has avoided giving any guarantees about staying at Molineux following relegation from the Championship.

That combination has instantly changed the mood regarding the player’s future.

The exit is taking shape

Until now, most of the noise was around Rodrigo Gomes Interest from Portuguese clubs. The increased level of attention around Tottenham reflected in the story could lead to a very different market landscape later in the summer.

Speaking about his future, the Portugal U21 international admitted he still hasn’t decided what’s next.

“I still haven’t spoken to my agent. If I stay, I promise to give everything to help Wolves return to the Premier League.” He said.

In Portugal, he “If” This was immediately interpreted as leaving the door open for a possible move.

tottenham link gains weight

The emergence of Tottenham is the latest news here. Indeed Spurs are expected to look for more attacking depth this summer, particularly players who can operate in multiple roles.

Rodrigo Gomes fits that profile quite naturally. He is still only 22, can play wide or deep on the flank, and already has experience in both Portuguese football and the Premier League.

Even despite relegation, Wolves reportedly still strongly believe its long-term potential.

Wolves may soon face pressure

For now, Wolves are still expected to try to hold a strong line. Last year, the club refused to sell Rodrigo Gomes and would only consider an “irresistible” offer. However, demotion always changes the dynamics around a team.

If Premier League clubs start to make more of a push – and with Tottenham’s name now linked to the player making sense here – Wolves could find themselves under increasing pressure before the window closes.

Rodrigo’s own comments have already added uncertainty to the situation, even if he has stopped short of actively pushing for the door.

The Detroit Red Wings are looking to make big moves during the 2026 NHL offseason that will get them back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As of 2026, the Red Wings have the NHL’s longest playoff drought, so Detroit will have to make the playoffs next season. In fact, one NHL insider has labeled one of the NHL’s best free agents as a potential fit in Detroit.

The Athletic’s Max Bultmann named Seattle Kraken forward Bobby McMann as the free agent Detroit should sign this offseason. McMann, who was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Kraken at the NHL trade deadline, scored 29 goals and 46 points in 78 games between the two organizations.

The 29-year-old forward would bring much-needed five-on-five attack to Detroit on a potentially big payday. However, who else did Bultmann suggest for the Red Wings?

Other potential NHL free agent targets for the Detroit Red Wings

While McMann was the top selection, Bultmann also suggested other players, including Buffalo Sabers forward Alex Tuch. The 30-year-old forward may be the top NHL free agent on the market, but will Buffalo really let him walk? Tuch has scored more than 30 goals in three of the last four seasons.

Meanwhile, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mason Marchment was another option. Marchement doesn’t provide as much offense as Tuch or McMann, but he could be a cheaper option. However, if Detroit wants to add one of the top free agents, it will have to make a big move or go home.

This leads us to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin. The Pittsburgh legend is nearing the end of his career, but he has become a Red Wings fan. Malkin can still score around 20 goals per season, and there’s a possibility he’ll get a hometown discount for his favorite team as he grows up.

At the end of the day, McMann, along with Tuch, appears to be one of the top options for Detroit. The latter will be a larger pickup; However, there are doubts that it will reach the market. In this case, McMann appears to be one of the top options left.

Either way, the Red Wings need to take a big step forward this offseason to make the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

READ MORE: Brady Tkachuk added to Florida Panthers? what will it actually take

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Even though they are still searching for their full-time general manager, the Minnesota Vikings believe they have a strong foundation and support system. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores are some of the best offensive and defensive minds in the NFL today. Together, the Vikings have become a place where many young prospects feel they can get the proper development they need to reach their full potential.

Look at former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray as an example. He never lived up to his draft slot in seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Once he became a free agent, he chose O’Connell’s Vikings, although the presence of Justin Jefferson probably didn’t hurt.

Murray was only signed to a one-year contract. He could become the Vikings’ franchise quarterback, stealing that opportunity from 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy. If so, it means McCarthy’s days are numbered. Thus, the Vikings may soon be looking for another developmental QB to learn behind the 29-year-old Murray.

Right now, the sports community is monitoring the case of Texas Tech and former Indiana QB Brandon Sorsby, who is under NCAA investigation for sports gambling, yet is currently fighting for the opportunity to play in 2026.

However, there is also a possibility that Soursby declares for the NFL supplemental draft, which has not had a player selected since 2019. Another complication, Sorsby must submit his intent to enter the supplemental draft by June 30.

Still, Soursby’s potential availability to NFL teams later this summer presents an interesting curveball, where teams would part with a 2027 draft pick for the right to add him to their team immediately. Viewed as someone who had a Day 2 grade but could rise to a first-round prospect, Soursby has a strong arm and above-average mobility.

recently, athleticJeff Howe takes a look at which teams might be willing to part with a 2027 draft pick for Soursby. In doing so, Howe looked to the Vikings, who have an extra third-round pick in 2027 from Philadelphia after the Jonathan Greenard trade, as Soursby’s destination.

At first glance, the Vikings’ connection to Sorsby would seem strange. Still, with Murray only playing on a one-year contract and McCarthy undrafted, it’s likely the Vikings will enter next season still The search for answers to the future at the most important position in football.

Plus, there’s always the possibility that if/when Murray wins the Vikings’ starting QB competition, McCarthy, a former 10th overall pick, will request a trade. The Vikings can push firmly on that concept right now, knowing that Murray is only signed for the remainder of the season.

Still, as the Vikings get deeper into their competition, it may soon become clear that Murray is the best candidate on the field. This could lead to an early decision on McCarthy’s future in Minnesota, potentially making the Vikings more interested in finding another developmental QB over 2025 undrafted signee Max Broesmer.

This is where Sorsby can be seen as the perfect solution. A QB who has less pressure on his shoulders to perform immediately is given more time to develop than a ball of clay who is just 22 years old.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

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

The Sacramento Kings needed lottery luck to accelerate their rebuild. After falling to seventh overall, it appears that NBA free agency may now play a role in the Kings’ front office retooling the roster.

The New York Post’s Stephen Bondy spoke with sources around the league who described the Kings as a threat to poach center Mitchell Robinson away from the New York Knicks.

RELATED: Kings linked to bizarre trade for superstar

Robinson, age 28, was drafted by the Knicks with the 36th overall selection in the 2018 NBA draft. This occurred when Kings general manager Scott Perry held the same title with New York. The 7-foot center immediately earned All-Rookie Second Team honors in his first season, and he has been a key bench player for the team for the past three years.

After eight seasons in New York, Robinson is looking for a better opportunity elsewhere. He has started just 19 games over the past two seasons and has not averaged more than 20 minutes per contest since the 2023–24 campaign. Coming off a season where he made $12.954 million, he may also be looking for a better salary.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings coach’s salary revealed

However, Sacramento will need to reduce payroll before going after Robinson. Zach LaVine ($48.967 million) and Domantas Sabonis ($45.472 million) are making more than $90 million combined next season, and that doesn’t even include the more than $45 million owed to De’Andre Hunter ($24.91 million) and Malik Monk ($20.19 million). Sacramento may also have to move on from DeMar DeRozan, paying him $10 million before his $25.74 million salary for next season becomes fully guaranteed.

If Perry is able to move Sabonis this summer then Robinson is an interesting short-term fit for Sacramento. However, given that the franchise is still in a multi-year rebuild, owner Vivek Ranadive will likely prioritize ways to save money this off-season.

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

A new report suggests the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Clippers could take a risk with their top 10 selection in June and go after a star from national champion Michigan. But this is not Yaxel Lendeborg.

Over the weekend, both the Kings and Clippers found out where they will select in next month’s NBA Draft. The results were very different for the pair of California teams. Despite having strong chances to make the top four, Sacramento finished seventh overall. LA got a rare run of luck and won with the fifth overall pick.

The Clippers reached such a critical spot despite being playoff contenders this spring because of the bold trade they made that sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a top-four protected pick. When Indy finished with the fifth overall pick, the selection went to LA.

In the days since, various draft speculations have linked the Kings and Clippers to star prospects such as Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler. However, according to CBS Sports draft expert Adam Finkelstein, both teams could go in surprising directions with their picks at five and seven, respectively.

Finkelstein claims that after looking impressive at the NBA Draft Combine this week, Michigan big man Ade Mara is rapidly moving up draft boards, and the Clippers and Kings have the most obvious need for a center in which the Spaniard has “incredible size, rim protection, deceptive mobility, passing and touch.”

“It remains to be seen whether someone will pull the trigger at 5 or 7, but it is no longer viewed as unlikely, especially in that latter scenario,” Finklestein noted about the player who was originally projected to go much later in Round 1.

If any Michigan star advanced to the event, most basketball fans would assume it would be top star Yaxel Lendeborg. The senior was first or second to the national champions in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

But Mara is a beast at 7-foot-3 and 259 pounds. Its wingspan is 7 feet 6 feet and height is 9 feet 9 inches. Mara is a shot-blocking specialist who led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks last season.

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

The Minnesota Wild need to improve after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After blowing a 3–0 lead in Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche swept Minnesota in five games. This was a disappointing conclusion; However, the Wild should be back on the trade market this summer. In fact, Minnesota has been linked to a surprise NHL superstar.

The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Joe Smith listed Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews as a player Minnesota should trade this summer. Matthews, who was captain of the United States at the Winter Olympics, could be on the move this offseason.

So, what does Minnesota need to see to make Matthews a realistic trade target?

Auston Matthews should request a trade with the Minnesota Wild as a destination

New Toronto general manager John Chayka will have to prove to Matthews that he can build a roster capable of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Like Quinn Hughes, Matthews is also scheduled to become a free agent in two seasons prior to the 2025-26 NHL season. Therefore, the 28-year-old center has a significant advantage.

If the Maple Leafs do not convince Matthews that they can be a competitive team, he can request a trade this summer or during the 2026–27 NHL season. In this scenario, Minnesota would be one of the destinations Matthews is willing to play for moving forward.

Matthews has a no-activity clause in his contract, so he must clear a trade out of Toronto. The NHL superstar has ties to Minnesota, as Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber all played with them on the Olympic team and during the Four Nations. It would not be surprising if organization was one of their main priorities.

It’s unclear where Minnesota would have the assets to acquire Matthews after trading for Hughes in December 2025. The best scenario for the Wild would be for Matthews to request “Minnesota and only Minnesota” to play with his Olympic teammates. Either way, a trade could be a real possibility this summer.

If Matthews wants out of Toronto, the Wild should call whenever that happens.

READ MORE: NHL insider makes bold prediction on Quinn Hughes extension with Minnesota Wild

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The Sacramento Kings were one of the biggest losers in the NBA Draft Lottery, falling two spots to seventh in the 2026 NBA Draft. Although this ended their hopes of bringing in a new face to the franchise, one executive thinks there may be another path forward for the team.

An unnamed NBA executive told Jake Fisher that he believes there is a long-term scenario where Sacramento could trade Domantas Sabonis to the Philadelphia 76ers for All-Star center Joel Embiid.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings coach’s salary revealed

Philadelphia has already made its first major change of this offseason by firing president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. While coach Nick Nurse is returning, it appears the franchise is looking to make more changes to the roster after another playoff crash.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Embiid comes up in NBA trade rumors this summer. The 32-year-old is now three years removed from winning NBA MVP and hasn’t earned an All-Star selection since 2024. Given his history of poor performance in the playoffs, it is understandable why Philadelphia would want to move on from him.

Would the Kings be interested in a Joel Embiid trade?

While the 76ers are certainly willing to trade Embiid, it’s fair to question whether the Sacramento Kings would have any interest in acquiring him. The club is already projected to exceed the 2026-27 luxury tax, meaning an even heavier tax bill for owner Vivek Ranadive to pay for a team that isn’t even close to competing.

Swapping Sabonis for Embiid would mean adding an additional $12.4 million to the Kings payroll next season, with the cost increasing even more due to the luxury tax. It also doesn’t mean Sabonis’ contract expires in 2028 while Embiid will make $69.005 million in the 2028-29 season.

This doesn’t even account for the long-term durability risk Embiid poses. There is a real possibility that Sacramento could acquire the former NBA MVP and have his availability and contributions greatly reduced over the next two seasons. Even just two years into the deal, the Kings may be looking at a version of Embiid who is no longer able to play.

Financially, such a deal would make sense for the 76ers. They will commit less money to their starting center and Sabonis has a shorter contract. However, the All-Star center has his own history of shortcomings in the NBA playoffs and is a huge liability defensively. Overall, any trade seems unlikely as no team is interested in it.

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

We know the Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach. Depending on Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery, the Falcons could have a new starting quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa ready to prove his worth as a Pro Bowl talent.

But there are other questions too. As for whether the Falcons have enough strong receivers to complement Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

There are free agent signees Olamide Zaccheus and Jahan Dotson, as well as rookie third-round pick Zachariah Branch. Still, Zaccheus and Dotson have never recorded more than 550 yards in a season, and Branch is also clearly unproven.

Thus, it’s not unreasonable to think that the Falcons could add a receiver with a proven track record, and there are still some former All-Pro and Pro Bowl players available.

recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer of the NFL suggested the Falcons could be an eventual landing spot for free agent Stefon Diggs.

There isn’t a lot of money available in free agency at this stage. But Diggs won’t receive anything close to the $96 million contract he once had in Buffalo. Still, we may see the market for Diggs heating up now that signed players will not impact the team’s compensatory selection formula.

The recently concluded NFL Draft also helps, giving teams a better idea of ​​their remaining needs and what type of role a veteran can fill. In Atlanta, the role is quite clear; He will be the starting receiver in front of London, while also helping draw attention away from Pitts.

The question is how many other teams are eyeing Diggs for a similar role, and whether the Falcons have a situation that will last. Also, the Falcons may have the upper hand, with head coach Kevin Stefanski spending the first five seasons of Diggs’ career as a member of the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff.

Ultimately, the Falcons appear to have a lot working in their favor when it comes to bringing Diggs on board, but there has been no official movement linking him to Atlanta. As yet.

RELATED: 4 Best Stefon Diggs Landing Spots After the NFL Draft

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The Green Bay Packers have always felt like they are capable of competing for a playoff spot. Considering they have missed a playoff berth in six of Matt LaFleur’s seven seasons as head coach, the Packers are right to feel this way.

Yet, for whatever reason, the Packers were never able to overcome adversity and compete for the Super Bowl. The last time the Lombardi Trophy came was in 2010, when Mike McCarthy led the franchise to its fourth Super Bowl victory.

Is this the year that changes? To do that, the Packers will have to be nearly perfect, which will require contributions from all 53 players on the roster and then some.

While the Packers may already have a playoff roster, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim recently made her case for why Green Bay should still add an impact rotational edge rusher in free agency. His advice for the Packers is to target a pair of former Pro Bowl pass rushers, Jadeveon Clowney or Joey Bosa.

Even though he is reportedly further along in his recovery process, Parsons is working to recover from a major injury. Making some contingency plans is never a bad idea, especially for a top contender who has often been bitten badly by the injury bug.

Clowney turned 33 in February, but the former No. 1 overall pick has still been productive. Last season, he recorded 8.5 sacks with the Cowboys. The 30-year-old Bosa is a five-time Pro Bowler who has recorded at least five sacks in each of the last three seasons. Both will provide Green Bay with more pass-rushing juice.

RELATED: 4 Green Bay Packers players who could breakout in 2026

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At the beginning of the offseason, there were expectations that the Baltimore Ravens would be able to retain Tyler Linderbaum, their starting center for the past four seasons. The Ravens chose not to pick up his fifth-year contract option worth $23.4 million in 2024, making the three-time Pro Bowler a free agent in March.

Once Linderbaum, widely considered one of the best centers in the NFL, hit the open market, the Las Vegas Raiders wasted no time in making him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million contract, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL, and yes, that’s more than the average the Ravens will be paying him for the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, the Ravens now need a new starting center. Many thought Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta would have found a replacement through free agency or the draft, but he did not do so. However, he recently acknowledged that the Ravens could end up trading for their new pivot. A local insider may have an idea of ​​who Baltimore is targeting.

RELATED: 2 Baltimore Ravens trade ideas for a new center

Recently, ESPN’s Ravens insider Jamison Hensley took a look at three important questions remaining for Baltimore. One of them focused on who would be the team’s new starting center after offensive coordinator Declan Doyle took over.

That’s when he suggested a possible trade candidate, Chicago’s Garrett Bradbury. Interestingly, Bradbury has already been traded once this offseason, sending him from New England to Chicago in exchange for a fifth-round pick. That trade occurred after Chicago’s starting center retired. But the Bears have selected a center in the second round, which could leave Bradbury in a reserve role.

Bradbury, 30, was the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings before starting all 17 regular season games and four playoff games with the Patriots last season.

Although he never lived up to his full draft potential, Bradbury has started all 105 games in his seven-year career, and he would certainly be an upgrade for Baltimore.

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

The Detroit Red Wings need to make big changes and rumors are already flying. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman clearly stated in the post-season conference call that the team needed better players to advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In fact, one NHL insider has an idea for Detroit in a potential trade this summer.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Red Wings should focus on St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington during the offseason, according to an insider on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. Friedman didn’t think John Gibson and Cam Talbot were problems, but would represent a potential upgrade.

Binnington was the starting goaltender for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, leading them to a silver medal. Meanwhile, the 32-year-old goaltender struggled to perform in St. Louis, posting an .873 save percentage and allowing 3.33 goals per game. Although the statistics were not good, Binnington is still a good goaltender.

Prior to his struggles during the 2025–26 NHL season, Binnington had two campaigns with a save percentage over .900 and fewer than 2.9 goals allowed per game. When it matters most, the St. Louis goaltender shows up, as he did in the 2026 Olympics and his last two appearances in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

There are a few things that can stop a potential deal. Detroit’s system has a plethora of highly regarded goaltender prospects. With top prospects Sebastian Cosa and Trey Augustin on the sidelines, the organization may be more willing to ride with Gibson again and show patience.

After all, the Red Wings have other areas of need, including an elite forward and a new bottom six. For now, it’s an interesting idea, but Binnington may not need it.

Read more: Blockbuster trade brewing? Detroit Red Wings Eye Major 2026 Offseason Move

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Six teams advanced to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night with two selections in the opening round. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs, who have the ninth and 29th picks in the first round. Still, that doesn’t mean all six teams will end the night with two new prospects, including the Chiefs.

Recently, John Breech of CBS Sports suggested that the Chiefs could use one of those options to trade for a long-term replacement for Travis Kelce. Specifically, Breech evaluated why the Chiefs should offer the 29th overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Kyle Pitts.

“On the Chiefs’ side, if they were to acquire Pitts, he would serve as Travis Kelce’s successor,” Breech wrote. “The Chiefs’ star tight end recently signed for his 14th season in Kansas City, but at age 36, it’s hard to see him playing past the 2026 season. If the Chiefs add Pitts, it would give Patrick Mahomes an almost unfair advantage in the passing game.”

Pitts is set to play the season on the franchise tag, which many players don’t like. If the Falcons don’t commit to a long-term extension for the fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, perhaps Pitts would prefer a change of scenery. Plus, who wouldn’t want to get a pass from a future Hall of Famer like Patrick Mahomes?

The Falcons do not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and no selections until No. 48. Perhaps they would be open to trading the former 1,000-yard tight end, especially if it nets them a first-round pick. Meanwhile, the Chiefs may feel like Pitts, who is coming off a 928-yard, five-touchdown season, and is still just 25, is better than anyone they could find at 29.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

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

The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23, and predictably, no one is talking about the Green Bay Packers. Of course, there’s a reason for this, as the Packers don’t have any picks on the first day of the draft. After trading for Micah Parsons, the Packers not only do not have a first-round pick in 2026, but they also do not have their own first-round pick in 2027.

For this year’s draft, the Packers are not scheduled to select until the 52nd overall pick in the second round. Thus, if there’s an early chance that Green Bay’s front office falls in love with him, they may have to move a move across the board to get the job done. With a total of eight draft selections, the Packers have some ammo to work with, even if it isn’t very valuable (only owning Nos. 52, 84 among the top 119 selections).

Yet, recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports reported that the Packers are spending a lot of time with Oregon offensive guard prospect Emmanuel Pregnon. The 6-foot-4, 316-pound guard is generally viewed as a possibility to land early in the second round, but some scouts believe he could fall late in the first round.

Meanwhile, Pauline said, “If Pregnon starts to slip, keep an eye on the Packers.” Green Bay “sent a lot of people” to Preston’s Oregon Pro Day, and he’s also been interviewing with the team’s coaches recently. Pauline says there are a lot of questions, if not concerns, about the guard’s condition.

“The Packers don’t select until No. 52, which means they have to trade for Pregnon,” Pauline reported.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t afraid to be aggressive in targeting his favorite players. It remains to be seen if Pregnon is actually in Green Bay’s sights. If so, they may need to move up the board.

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

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The Los Angeles Chargers are in a tough position in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Joe Hortiz took the No. 22 pick late in the first round, when almost everything becomes unpredictable. Although the Chargers front office has a solid idea of ​​which players could be first-round draft prospects, there is no way to know what the teams picking ahead of them will do when the time comes.

Additionally, the Chargers only have five overall selections in the three-day event starting on April 23. Still, the Chargers are assembling their draft board, and some players who meet specific requirements will certainly stand out on draft day. But who could it be?

Recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports predicted that two players who could become “surprise” selections by the Chargers at age 22 are offensive guards Emmanuel Pregnan and Chase Bissontis. Both are viewed as potential second-round picks, but as mentioned, the Chargers’ needs could push either prospect late into the first round.

“After Ioane, Emmanuel Pregnon and Chase Bissontis are neck-and-neck to finish as OG2, and both could fall in the bottom of the first round,” Pauline wrote. “The landing spot for both players is between the 26th and 38th selections, unless the Los Angeles Chargers surprise with the 22nd selection.”

The Chargers have already put Pregnon through an individual workout, and Poulin called him “definitely a Harbaugh-type blocker.” He added that the Chargers are also “taking a close look at Bisontis.”

After No. 22, the Chargers do not have any other draft selections until the 55th overall pick, when both Pregnon and Bisontis are expected to come off the board. Thus, if the Chargers really want to emerge from the draft with one of those two guards, they will have to reach up a bit, or possibly trade down a bit, to get more picks while still landing one of their top targets.

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

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Last offseason, first-year head coach Kellen Moore decided to select Tyler Shaw with the 40th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. With that selection, the New Orleans Saints believe they have discovered their new franchise quarterback. Considering that Shaw helped lead the Saints to a respectable 5-4 record as a rookie, they may really have someone special in their QB room.

Now, it’s time to weaponize their young quarterback with a full team of pass-catchers. After all, Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson can’t do it all alone.

However, according to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Saints “will address the receiver and tight end positions in the draft.” Moreso, Pauline stated that “It could be a situation where the team takes Kenyon Saadiq with their first-round selection, then drafts a pass-rusher in the second round and ends Day 2 with a receiver like Elijah Sarratt.”

Sadiq is the best prospect in the draft. After clocking a 4.39-second 40 yard dash, a new NFL Scouting Combine record (for a tight end), Saadiq is projected to be a top-20 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, as Pauline speculates, Saadiq could be in a role much higher, possibly even as high as No. 8 for the Saints, where he would help compose a suddenly great tight end room with Johnson and recently signed Noah Fant.

As far as Sarratt is concerned, the Indiana receiver is viewed as a second to third-round pick. Given that the Saints have the 73rd overall pick, Surratt could certainly be in play on Day 2 for New Orleans.

RELATED: New Orleans Saints linked to young ‘game-wrecker’

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Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been in the news. The Maple Leafs missed the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, and the direction of the franchise will ultimately decide whether Matthews requests a trade or stays. If this goes the wrong direction, the Toronto star has been linked to a surprise NHL organization.

The insider said on the barn burner, Sportsnet’s Darren Dreger believes the Utah Mammoth will be a big player with Matthews moving forward. Dreger also said the San Jose Sharks would make some sense, but he wouldn’t call the organization a front-runner to acquire Matthews in the future.

Since relocating from Arizona to Utah, the organization has progressed every year. In fact, the Mammoth made a big move at the deadline, acquiring defenseman McKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. Now, Utah has a very strong chance of making the Stanley Cup playoffs as the first wild card team in the Western Conference.

The Mammoth were linked to several big-name players during the NHL trade deadline, such as St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas. Utah has the assets to make a big trade this offseason, making it one of several organizations that could be in the market for Matthews.

However, that would require Matthews to make a decision and request a trade from Toronto. For now, the Maple Leafs will likely attempt to get the organization back to the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. After all, it’s hard to waste a talent like Matthews, William Nylander and Matthew Nease.

Utah is looking to make a major breakthrough in the Stanley Cup playoffs and don’t expect them to fall apart anytime soon. In fact, if everything goes in the right direction for them the Mammoth could end up with Matthews.

READ MORE: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews undergoes surgery

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

Last year, the New Orleans Saints believed they found their franchise quarterback by selecting Tyler Shaw in the second round. This time, the 2026 NFL Draft offers an opportunity to supplement Shaw with more weapons to help him succeed, or possibly help boost a Brandon Staley-led defense that is respectably ranked 16th in points allowed. In an ideal world, the Saints would accomplish both.

While the Saints have a total of eight selections heading into the three-day event, all eyes are focused on what New Orleans will do with the eighth overall selection. Whether it’s a receiver, pass-rusher, or someone else, it’s clear the Saints will have a chance to add blue-chip talent.

Recently, ESPN’s Matt Bowen identified the perfect fit for a top-20 prospect. In doing so, he identified star pass-rusher Reuben Benn Jr. as the ideal man for the Saints.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that Benn, who is viewed as a potential top-five pick, will even be available when the Saints are on the clock. However, there is no doubt that Benn can provide the pass-rush spark that New Orleans desperately needs, especially with Cameron Jordan still unsigned in free agency.

Ben is an ultra-athletic edge rusher who has the elite ability to bend and outmaneuver opponents. But it’s not just Gumby on edge; Despite having short arms, he has proven to be an effective run-stopper. He’ll be an impact player on all three downs, and he’s exactly the type of player the Saints should consider at No. 8, if he’s still available.

RELATED: New Orleans Saints could release Pro Bowl player

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A major mock draft has linked the Cleveland Browns to a hidden gem game breaker with their second pick in the first round of this month’s NFL Draft.

Outside of three seasons with 10 or more wins, the Browns have been quite disappointing over the last 20 years. In 2026, they will have a new coaching regime led by former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. However, he and the rest of the Cleveland brain trust need to make the most of the rare opportunity to select two players in the top 25.

If this were next year, the Browns would likely use their pick at six on the top quarterback prospect. However, there is only one unquestioned first-round QB in this year’s prospect class in Fernando Mendoza, and he is projected to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. This means the organization will likely focus on taking the best player available or improving the offensive line and wide receiver corps.

On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman released his latest NFL mock draft, and the college football insider predicted — based on recent information from “coaching, scouting and agent sources” — that the team will use its first pick in Round 1 on Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa.

Cleveland Browns linked to Casey Concepcion with second pick in Round 1

This will enable prompt verification of a requirement from the Board. But then who might they make their next selection at 24th overall? Well, it looks like Feldman may have landed a potential hidden gem talent that may still be available at the end of Round 1.

“There’s a big need for a receiver to help fuel a questionable offense. Casey Concepcion’s wheels should help a lot,” Feldman said of the Texas A&M star. “This guy has great playmaking ability. He’s stronger than you think at 6-0, 196. In 2023, he was the ACC Rookie of the Year at NC State, with 839 receiving yards and 320 rushing yards, averaging nearly eight yards per carry.

He said, “Last season at A&M, he averaged 14 yards per offensive touch. As a punt returner he is a terror for opponents, averaging 18.2 yards and two carries for a touchdown in 2025.”

Feldman also said the junior would have moved up in Round 1, but big inning drops are a problem against his game right now. Last season he had seven. Still, he could fill two big needs in 2026 by providing a big-play threat in the pass game as well as a game breaker on special teams.

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

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons in 2025. Unlike many others, the Buccaneers did not feel that a coaching change was necessary, at least not at the head coach. Now they are replacing parts of the roster to help them get back to the postseason, but the work is not done yet.

recently, athleticSaad Youssef had an idea that could help fix some of Tampa Bay’s problems. He suggests that the Buccaneers sign future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner to a contract.

Still unsigned in free agency after spending the last two seasons with the Commanders, Wagner is now 35 years old. Still, there’s no doubt that the 14-year pro will add value to Tampa Bay’s defense, as their old starting middle linebacker, Lavonte David, retired after a memorable 14-year career.

Wagner, a six-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler, surprisingly still started all 17 games last season. He recorded an impressive 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections and two interceptions.

The Buccaneers may feel they have already found David’s replacement after signing Alex Anzalone to a two-year, $17 million contract. Still, one could argue that the Buccaneers needed another middle linebacker even before David’s retirement. In fact, the addition of Wagner will complement Anzalone and the rest of the Buccaneers’ defense.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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The New York Jets have a new offensive coordinator (Frank Reich) and a new starting quarterback (Geno Smith). Still, after allowing the fourth-fewest points in the NFL last season, it’s little surprise the Jets haven’t added a single wide receiver to a group that could use more proven playmakers.

However, Jets general manager Darren Maugy may be considering a trade for a veteran receiver who would be handed a starting role immediately. According to ESPN’s Jets insider Rich Cimini, the Jets could still make a deal.

“Don’t sleep on the possibility of trading Maugi for a veteran,” Cimini said. “It’s already been an active offseason for wide receiver trades, and you’re talking about a GM who has traded 12 players in a little over a year. Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars), Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens), Quentin Johnston (Los Angeles Chargers) and Dontavian Wicks (Green Bay Packers) have been mentioned as trade possibilities.”

Maugi has been an active participant in the trades. That’s how the Jets got Adonai Mitchell in the Sauce Gardner deal with the Colts last season.

Still, there’s no doubt the Jets could still use an upgrade to pair with Garrett Wilson and Mitchell. It’s possible that they will find someone soon.

However, some of the names listed above may not actually be available. It is questionable whether the Jaguars are willing to deal Thomas with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Still, a stronger offer could change Jacksonville’s mind.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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There is no doubt that the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a different feel next season following the resignation of Mike Tomlin. But this is Mike McCarthy’s team now and there are more changes coming.

The Steelers have been selective in finding roster upgrades this offseason, even if it means getting creative by trading for proven players like Michael Pittman Jr. On defense, Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made upgrades to the secondary.

While the Steelers will certainly still add more in free agency, speculation is growing as to what the Steelers’ potential plans are with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could they target the future defensive leader?

Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline believes Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen could be a “surprise” pick in Pittsburgh. Georgia’s Pro Day had just taken place, and Allen reportedly “looked good” in positional drills.

“Linebacker C.J. Allen looked good in position drills. He was comfortable and covered a lot of area on the field. Allen is unlikely to fall out of the first round, and his range is expected to be anywhere between 15 and 32 picks. The Tampa Bay Bucs love linebackers, and he is a perfect fit for their system. The Pittsburgh Steelers could surprise Allen with the 21st pick.”

Allen is widely projected to land, as Pauline said, somewhere between the middle and end of the first round. After a positive workout at his pro day, Allen may have solidified his spot in the first round. Whether the Steelers want to pair him with Patrick Queen under center remains to be seen, but he could be a good fit.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame legend urges team to release Aaron Rodgers

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Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes ended just as Patrick Mahomes’ season ended with a torn ACL after 14 games. Since the injury occurred so late in the season (December 14), it is likely that Mahomes will not be ready to start in Week 1.

While the Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, another 6-11 season would not be acceptable for a team that has won three Super Bowls since 2019. On Monday, the Chiefs traded for former first-round quarterback Justin Fields. Many assumed he would take over as Mahomes’ backup and/or take over the Chiefs’ QB1 duties until Mahomes was ready.

But, what if he was brought in to provide coach Andy Reid with a specific piece to his offense, even if that means using specific packages or possibly a tush push? Certainly Mahomes won’t be suddenly used in that role, especially after suffering a torn ACL.

In other words, what if the Chiefs are still eyeing another, more traditional QB to join the depth chart?

Recently, the Chiefs were reported to be discussing signing Russell Wilson in free agency.

Florio wrote, “On Monday morning, before the Chiefs traded for former Jets quarterback Justin Fields, someone was throwing spaghetti over the question of whether Kansas City was keeping an eye on Russell Wilson as Patrick Mahomes insurance.”

While that idea may have gone away after adding Fields, what if signing the 10-time Pro Bowl QB is still on the table? After all, as Florio later said, there aren’t many clear-cut starting opportunities left.

Eventually, Wilson would have to give up his pride and accept the role of backup QB. Unless, of course, he wants to play at all and remain unsigned, in the hopes that one of the team’s starters will suffer an injury that will keep him out for a good portion of the season.

After all, there aren’t many quarterbacks available who are as capable as the former Super Bowl winner. Plus, after starting just three games last season, the 37-year-old won’t be able to demand much as a free agent, especially if his phone isn’t going off.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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Since the offseason officially began, the Washington Commanders have been one of the busiest teams in free agency. He has focused firmly on upgrading a defense that ranked 27th in points allowed, but has also grown the offense. There may be more on the way.

The San Francisco 49ers are in “no rush” to part ways with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Still, it’s good to be gone. Schefter believes the 49ers are still hopeful they will receive some type of trade offer for the former second-team All-Pro.

The 49ers are playing the waiting game, hoping a team will get desperate enough to make a bid for Aiyuk, even if it’s a small trade return like a late Day 3 draft pick. Still, it’s better to get something than nothing for the 27-year-old receiver.

It’s also possible the 49ers saw the writing on the wall, and believe Aiyuk is waiting for a chance to join his old college quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington.

As ESPN’s Nick Wagner recently pointed out, “Washington makes a lot of sense.”

“He played with Jaden Daniels in college,” Wagner wrote. “They’re very close. I’m sure Jaden Daniels would love to play with Brandon Aiyuk again, but I don’t think the 49ers are in a rush to move on from Brandon Aiyuk, even though we know they will eventually.”

Aiyuk did not play a snap in 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in 2024. Still, with the Commander seeing as Deebo Samuel’s contract expires this offseason, there’s no doubt they could use another pass-catcher in DC and if Aiyuk is healthy he could be a good fit.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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There are changes coming to the San Francisco 49ers’ roster this offseason. Especially involving their receiving corps.

Whether it’s via release or trade, the 49ers have already revealed that former second-team All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap with the team. Another top target, Jauan Jennings, is set for free agency. Three others, including Kendrick Bourne and Sky Moore, also will not be under contract next season.

However, recently Rick Stroud’s Tampa Bay Times There have been suggestions that the 49ers could be one of the teams that tries to sign Mike Evans. Nevertheless, he also mentioned that the Chargers, Commanders and Giants could also be in pursuit of a potential future Hall of Famer.

Evans has played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his entire 12-year career. He has recorded 1,000-yard seasons in 11 of those years, with that cut short in 2025 after being limited to eight games due to injury. Evans and Hall of Fame veteran Jerry Rice are the only two players to have 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in their careers.

Now, the 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowler is looking to prove that he is still capable of being a top target, and the 49ers can certainly make him the focal point of their offense. First, they have to get ahead of the competition.

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

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According to some inside sources, the Montreal Canadiens have inquired about the acquisition cost of New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.

Pierre LeBrun believes the Canadiens have spoken to the Rangers, although we should note that this is far from a report, as he mentioned that he “thinks” the Habs have been somewhat active in this dossier.

Pierre LeBrun: I think the Canadiens have checked in with the Rangers on Vincent Trocheck, although it could be a huge haul – Melnyk in the Afternoon (3/4)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 5 March 2026

potential impact

Given that the Habs have shown interest in trading for Robert Thomas, a deal that would obviously improve the roster while ignoring some more pressing needs, it makes sense that they have done their due diligence regarding other available centers, including Trocheck and Nazem Kadri.

Darren Dreger: If Robert Thomas doesn’t move on most people think Vinny Trocheck is going to be the second rung on that ladder, and then you get to Nazem Kadri – Barn Burner (3/4).

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 5 March 2026

The 32-year-old Trocheck doesn’t fit the Canadiens’ ideal age bracket, but it should be noted that he has managed to maintain a very respectable level of play for a skater who is on the wrong side of 30.

He is in the fourth year of a seven-year contract with an annual average value of $5.625 million, and he will be 35 when it expires in 2029.

For your buck, this is a good value deal, especially when we consider Trocheck is on pace to score 18 goals and 40 assists in 68 games. To make matters even more interesting, he has produced fantastic underlying numbers on a depleted Rangers roster, a testament to his ability to stave off the usual statistical decline that tends to take over at his age.

Trocheck is also excellent at the faceoff dot, winning over 58% of his draws this season, an asset that will certainly interest a head coach like Martin St-Louis.

In that vein, Trocheck would project as a significant upgrade over current second-line center Oliver Kapanen.

Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

Like a potential Thomas trade, this deal would ignore the most significant issues in the organization, which are a lack of goaltending excellence and questionable defensive coverage.

And then there is the matter of acquisition costs, which are expected to be exorbitant.

Chris Johnston: Ray Vincent Trocheck: The question now is still being considered a little too rich for some contenders – Insider Trading (3/5)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 5 March 2026

However, Vincent Trocheck checks almost every box for the Habs, except his age. There is also the issue of his lack of discipline, which will be further exacerbated by playing for a team that has already struggled with indiscipline for a few seasons now.

If the Canadiens were just one center away from being legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, this is the type of trade that would be considered a slam dunk, even if he is much older than most of the players Hughes acquired.

But the Habs aren’t at that point yet, making this a potential trade that would generate a certain amount of legitimate excitement while ignoring some major roster construction problems.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Earthquake tremors were felt in Leafs Nation on Wednesday night. The Toronto Maple Leafs officially indicated that the sale was in progress. The club released the healthy trio of Bobby McMann, Scott Lawton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson for “roster management purposes”. As it turns out, while discussions were apparently ongoing, no trade was imminent…yet. It was more of a “bubble wrap” situation, just to make sure an injury didn’t put the kibosh on a potential deal.

Leafs GM Brad Treliving is having deep talks on those three and perhaps more of his charges as Friday’s trade deadline (3:00 p.m. Eastern) now looms.

As for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Buds’ top defenseman this season, he has boosted his stock in a big way. With two years left on his $3.5 million AAV, there is interest in him on multiple fronts. Insider Elliotte Friedman, speaking on NHL Network, names two teams he thinks belong in the OEL:

• boston bruins
• detroit red wings

Both Atlantic Division rivals are completely eyeing strengthening their bluelines. Adding a strong skater and puck mover like Ekman-Larsson, who also brings physical ability and a high hockey IQ, is just what these teams want. OEL is also having its best offensive season in seven years, with 35 points in 61 games.

The Leafs would certainly be happy to keep him, but passing up a trade for him when his value is so high would be a mistake. They’re hoping to acquire a first-rounder and a few additions.

Scott Lawton joins the Avalanche

Laughton is a pending unrestricted free agent at a $3 million AAV, but has been retained 50% by the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade a year ago. Friedman says the Colorado Avalanche appear to be the main pursuers, and the $1.5 million cap hit isn’t too steep for them. The Leafs could also retain a few to boost returns.

The gritty two-way bottom-six center is just what the doctor ordered for the Avs. As far as returns go, the Minnesota Wild paying a second-rounder for less-skilled Michael McCarron bodes well for the Leafs.

There is a lot of interest in Bobby McMann

And that brings us to McMann. There is huge demand for a 20 to 25 goal scorer (he is currently ranked 19th with 20+ games left). James Murphy at rg.org lists seven teams that appear to be big, fast-paced:

• edmonton oilers
• seattle kraken
• Los Angeles Kings
• minnesota wild
• san jose sharks
• Nashville Predators
• tampa bay lightning

The Oilers look to be the frontrunners in the McMann Derby. The Kings and Kraken are desperate for offensive tackles, so the 6-foot-2, 209-pound forward would make a lot of sense for either one of them.

The 29-year-old McMann has repeatedly said he wants to remain with the Leafs, but Toronto is reportedly unwilling to go down to the five-year, $5 million AAV price tag he’s looking for. However, talks on that front are continuing as of Thursday morning.

It should be an interesting 24+ hours in Leafs Nation as the deadline approaches.

The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly involved in a trade discussion with the Los Angeles Kings, with Habs forward Patrik Laine at the center of a potential deal.

It’s rumor season, so we should take some of these reports seriously, but according to David Pagnotta, the Kings have drawn interest from other NHL teams in the line.

business discussion around #GoHabsGo Winger Patrik Laine has learned a little more, and I’m told #GoKingsGo Circling back to that. Other teams are also in the mix. We’ll see if Montreal retains 50% of his $8.7 million AAV, but expectations are high that he’ll be moved this week.

– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) 3 March 2026

Pagnotta mentioned the possibility that the Canadiens could retain 50% of Line’s contract to facilitate a deal.

Line is on the final year of an eight-year contract that has an annual average value of $8.7 million, however, it is important to remember that if teams trade for him before the March 6 NHL trade deadline, they will not be in trouble for the entire contract.

Contracts are based on days a player has spent with a team, not entire years, and given that there will be 22% of the schedule left to play after the deadline, Line’s deal would only have a cap hit of $1.9 million, give or take a few thousand dollars.

This will make it a little easier to move the line, although it’s obviously not a straightforward situation given the line’s injury history and lack of success at 5v5.

Finding a new home for Patrick Lane

On the other side of the coin, Laine still has one of the best shots in the NHL, making him a very useful tool for a team looking to add a dominant presence on the power play. Los Angeles has one of the worst power plays in the league at 13.9% efficiency, which is only good for 28th in the league. This is one of the driving forces behind their disappointing season. For now, Los Angeles is looking for a Western Conference playoff sprint, but they are still in the race. They are just four points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the final wild card spot with a game in hand.

The Kings currently have plenty of cap space, about $11 million, meaning they don’t have to convince the Habs to retain some portion of the contract to ensure a deal.

The Canadiens only have $1.4 million in available money, making retention a less than ideal situation for a team that is also looking to upgrade some positions. If the Habs intend to deal Patrik Laine, and other teams insist on retention, they may look to a team like the Vancouver Canucks to facilitate a deal.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The Minnesota Wild are looking for an upgrade at center by the NHL trade deadline. After trading for defenseman Quinn Hughes, the Wild hope to complete their roster to make a big push at the Stanley Cup. Now, Minnesota is being linked to a big trade of the Olympic gold medalist to Team USA.

Minnesota is still in pursuit of New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, reports Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on TNT. Trocheck, who was part of the Olympic gold medal team for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, is the main focus of New York’s trade deadline plans.

The 32-year-old center has 12 goals and 38 points in 45 games with New York this season. Despite New York’s struggles, Trocheck is still performing at an elite level, especially on the power play. Trocheck is a top-six option for a Stanley Cup-caliber team, and Minnesota would be a perfect fit.

Hughes, along with Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber, have the Wild poised for big performances in the Western Conference. The Minnesota trade for Trocheck would officially solidify their place among Stanley Cup contending teams. Currently, the Wild are in third place in the Central Division with 80 points.

Trocheck is under contract for the 2028–29 NHL season with a $5.625 million cap hit. The 32-year-old center is still performing at a high level, and his cap hit is good for teams to acquire. Minnesota has been searching for an elite center since December, and Trocheck would check the box.

READ MORE: 5 trade targets for the Detroit Red Wings at the 2026 NHL trade deadline

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, many analysts expected the Atlanta Falcons to improve on the pass-rusher with the eighth overall pick in the first round. Despite signing Kirk Cousins ​​to a four-year, $180 million contract a month earlier, they surprised everyone by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. instead.

After two seasons, the Falcons have already decided to release Cousins, ending his Atlanta tenure with a 12–10 record. Meanwhile, Penix has yet to establish himself as a franchise QB. Penix, who turns 26 in May, still has two more years left on his rookie contract. He initially led the Falcons to a 4–8 record.

Now, as we approach the player transaction phase, the Falcons are being linked to another high-profile quarterback.

Recently, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler had the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. In doing so, he raised several interesting points.

One thing Fowler reported was that an unnamed NFL head coach told him, unsolicited, “Be careful of Tua (Tagovailoa) in Atlanta.”

The Falcons do not have many strong or specific coaching relationships with Tagovailoa. However, coach Kevin Stefanski hired Robert Prince as his wide receivers coach, and Prince spent the 2025 season in the same role with the Miami Dolphins.

Or maybe the Falcons are interested in the idea of ​​bringing in a former Pro Bowl QB to compete and inspire Penix to maximize his potential. Stock is low on Tagovailoa, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Dolphins through 2024. They’ve already guaranteed $54 million in 2026; The question is whether he will earn that money as a member of the Dolphins, Falcons or another team.

RELATED: The 6 best Derek Carr landing spots as the QB approaches his NFL return

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The Moda Center felt like a dream sequence Friday night when Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen finally came face to face with his basketball idol, Nikola Jokic. For Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center often dubbed the “Chinese Jokic” for his excellent passing and high basketball IQ, it wasn’t just another game on the schedule; It was a meeting that took months in the making.

The two ran into each other near mid-court during pregame warmups, a light-hearted moment that certainly calmed some of the 20-year-old rookie’s nerves. Hansen has been vocal about his admiration for the Denver Nuggets superstar since Portland selected him 16th overall last summer.

Yang Hansen has revealed how much he admires Nikola Jokic. The two are meeting before tonight’s game here in Portland. pic.twitter.com/XkTgri9gS4

– Katy Winge (@katywinge) 21 February 2026

He even famously joked during All-Star weekend that he “can’t wait to kiss” the three-time MVP. Jock, always wise, had previously set a humorous condition for a photo op: he would only take a photo if Hansen promised to play poorly against him.

The Arizona Cardinals will have a different feel next season after firing Jonathan Gannon and hiring Mike LaFleur as their head coach. The Cardinals could also move on from franchise quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason.

If the Cardinals part ways with Murray, who has a $52.6 million cap hit in 2026, they will have to add another arm to their QB room. For now, Jacoby Brissett is ready to return, possibly even as the starter after a career year where he threw for 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in just 12 starts. The only other QB on the roster (besides Murray) is 2024 undrafted free agent signee Kedon Slovis.

Thus, it doesn’t matter if the Cardinals add another QB to the roster; It is a question of who, when and how.

However, now speculation has begun about the Cardinals signing Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

“Currently, it is believed that the Steelers will be the only viable option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2026. But what about the Cardinals? The most obvious link is offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos hired him as head coach in 2022, at a time when it was believed the Packers would be willing to trade Rodgers.”

The future Hall of Fame QB’s ties to Arizona are strong. In addition to Hackett, Coach LaFleur’s brother, Matt, was Rodgers’ head coach for four seasons in Green Bay. Florio says the Rams (Mike LaFleur’s former team) kept Rodgers as their “Plan B” in case Matthew Stafford left last offseason.

Are those connections strong enough to keep Rodgers on a team that finished last in its division with a 3-14 record in 2025? We may find out soon, but the Steelers are expected to have mutual interest in bringing Rodgers back for another year, which could help raise the QB’s price in free agency.

RELATED: Miami Dolphins could make unprecedented move with Tua Tagovailoa

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