The competition is going on for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid chelseaMark Cucurella this summer.

Last month, Sports Witness broadcast news The left-back is a dream target for the Madrid club, having missed out on him on two occasions in the past.

On Thursday, we Covered claims from Spain Barcelona’s sporting director Deco contacted him in May. The 28-year-old feels his time at Chelsea is over.

As well as the fullback, two Spanish clubs are fighting for Bernardo Silva, who has left Manchester City. Hansi Flick’s side are also keen to sign Atletico star Julian Alvarez.

La Liga giants fighting for Chelsea star

Mark Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez are on Friday’s front page Sports world. The pair are set to face a ‘super duel’ between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and will also try to sign the former striker.

Diego Simeone’s side are desperate to sign the Chelsea player this summer. However, he will face competition from Barcelona, ​​who have emerged as an option for the 27-year-old.

He graduated from the Catalan club’s academy but failed to secure a place in their first team.

The newspaper said: ‘The prospect of returning home as an established player outweighs other offers.’

However, the La Liga winners will first have to sell Alejandro Balde to make room for the Spain international.

Another report from Mundo Deportivo focuses on Los Rojiblancos’ efforts to try to sign Cucurella.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo is also on their list, but the Blues man is the left-back’s main target. Signing the former Brighton player will not be easy with Barcelona and Manchester City also keen.

Spanish media value Cucurella at €50m while UK claims Chelsea want €70m. If this were true, Atlético would not be able to match the asking price.

The Blues are aware that the Spaniard wants to return to his country and they suspect he could ‘move’ this summer. In other words, their hopes of keeping it are diminishing.

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the new manager, and he will have the final say on his compatriot’s future.

Contract, price and agent information

Mark Cucurella has just over two years left on his contract and is now valued at €50m transfer market.

The Chelsea player is represented by Dupla Pique & Dominguez, an agency owned by Alex Pique and Alvaro Dominguez.

Manchester United And armory Recent weeks have been spent being presented as the leading contenders for Morten Hjulmand. However, the Sporting captain’s transfer saga has developed a habit of changing directions every few days.

Recent Portuguese reports have pointed towards Manchester United and Arsenal. Both clubs were said to be frontrunners For Danish international.

This week there was one real madrid twist Following reports it was suggested that Jose Mourinho had identified Hjulmand as a target for a move to the Spanish giants.

Now another contender is back in the picture. And this time Atletico Madrid is said to be in its strongest position ever.

Atletico’s claim changes the story

According to the news coming out spain And portugalAtletico Madrid has already reached an agreement with Hjulmand. Now they just need to convince Sporting.

sports worldCiting information from the Portuguese broadcaster antenna 1claims that Diego Simeone’s team have practically agreed personal terms with the midfielder. Now they are preparing afresh for sporting.

If true, this would represent the most advanced development ever associated with any club associated with Hjulmand.

Atletico’s previous attempt came during the January transfer window. The Spanish side were willing to offer around €25m (£21m) at the time. However, Sporting were never interested in discussing a deal at that stage.

The expectation now is that any serious offer would have to get very close to the figure already established between player and club.

Sports agreement remains central

Sporting are understood to have reached an informal agreement with Hjulmand, allowing him to leave this summer for around €40m-€50m (£34m-£43m), while the midfielder’s official release clause is €80m (£69m).

That understanding has been mentioned repeatedly in Portuguese reports. And according to the latest claims, Atletico are fully aware of those conditions. They are preparing their next move accordingly.

Reports also state that the Madrid club are willing to triple Hjulmand’s current salary at Sporting. This offer will meet the financial expectations of the player.

And if Atletico’s latest move is as advanced as it is being reported, then Manchester United and Arsenal could suddenly find themselves chasing rather than leading.

The New York Yankees lost to the division rival Baltimore Orioles today, also dropping the series. But the worst news was that ace Max Fried was out in his debut after throwing only 61 pitches. He was initially diagnosed with pain in the back of his left elbow. Fried will undergo imaging in New York on Thursday to determine the severity of the problem.

That being said, Fried isn’t too worried. He publicly stated that he would love to make his next debut but is not sure that will happen. It’s possible he’ll lose more time than that. More will be known after examination by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmed on Thursday.

Fried has struggled with his command for most of 2026. He still managed to be an effective starter, posting a 3.21 ERA in 61 2/3 innings. But Fried has only 50 strikeouts in that many innings. It’s not like that He Unusual for the Southeast. He was never a true strikeout pitcher, never reaching the 200-plus strikeout mark in his 10-year career.

In May, Fried gave up 11 runs in just 14 1/3 innings. At least it can be said that this has been a difficult period. It’s possible that the IL stint could help him bounce back from his recent tough times. But the Yanks really can’t afford to lose any positions right now. Although they are in second place in the American League East with a strong 27–17 record, New York has a 4–6 record in their last ten games. This includes a recent road trip in which they went 1-5. The Yankees need to bounce back, and losing Fried won’t help.

The return of Rodan…and possibly Cole?

The good news for New York is that they don’t have to look far to find rotation help. With Carlos Rodon making his 2026 debut on Sunday, the Yankees have an immediate option until Fried returns. Rodon did not pitch particularly well in his debut against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings, but was mostly solid. His biggest problems were command, struggling to find the zone and walking five batters.

Rodon has emerged as a front-line rotation option for New York over the past two years. The lefty has a 3.50 ERA since 2024-25 (370.1 IP). It has been a rollercoaster career for the veteran player, who has battled injuries for most of his 12-year career. Now that Rodon is finally back, he will need to become a dominant pitcher if the Yanks hope to secure the AL East.

Gerrit Cole, on the other hand, is still in rehabilitation after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. His rehab has been solid, recording a 5.32 ERA (23.2 IP) during his time in New York’s minor league system. Cole will reportedly make his return in late May or early June, although his timeline has changed several times, so this is subject to change.

Cole is a famous pitcher in MLB. He has posted a 3.18 ERA and had 2,251 strikeouts over his long career (1,954.0 IP). Due to injury he has not competed in major competitions since 2024, but has enjoyed success in recent years despite his age. If Cole returns soon, it would be a big boost for the Yankees’ rotation.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven second-round playoff series.

Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice, including the winner four minutes into overtime.

Beckett Seneke scored on the power play with 7:24 left in the first period to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Less than four minutes later, Dorofeyev responded with a Vegas power-play goal, firing past Lucas Dostal from the high slot after Tomas Hertl’s earlier chance was blocked wide.

The second period remained scoreless.

At 4:48 of the third period, Hertl gave the Golden Knights their first lead of the night. Rasmus Andersson sent the puck toward the net, and Hertl found the loose puck before beating Dostal in the five-hole for a 2–1 Vegas lead.

This is sad for Ducks fans. Not because Anaheim was running out of rinks, but because the team was so in.

Zellweger gives Ducks a late chance

Olen Zellweger tied it 2–2 with 3:05 remaining in regulation, sending the game into overtime and giving Anaheim a real chance to steal Game 5. The Ducks have already shown that they can provide answers in this series. Game 4 proved that. This was another chance to put the pressure back on Vegas.

However, Dorofeyev won it in overtime after Jack Eichel kept the puck alive in the offensive zone. Eichel passed it to Dorofeyev, who took a bounce off Dostal’s pads and put the puck into the net for a 3-2 Vegas win.

NHL.com reports that Dorofeyev now has a career-high seven goals this postseason, while Eichel picked up his 14th assist in the playoffs. According to the same report, Eichel leads the league with six assists on game-tying goals this postseason.

Carter Hart stopped 34 of 36 shots and finished with a .944 save percentage, which tells you Anaheim had enough chances to win this game.

Game 6 gets simpler

Anaheim now goes home for Game 6 at Honda Center on Thursday, May 14. Vegas holds a 3-2 lead in the series, and the Ducks no longer have room for soft periods, loose innings, or missed chances on the man advantage.

From the Ducks fan side, Game 5 was brutal because it was winnable. Seneca scored. Zellweger arrived late. Anaheim shot 36 shots at Hart. Still, Vegas got the last surge, the last finish, and the series lead.

It’s starting to look like a lost season for Addison Barger. The Toronto Blue Jays’ breakout slugger from 2025 has had a disastrous 2026 so far. And the latest report from the Rogers Center looks like it could get much worse.

Barger had a rough start, with a .045 batting average (1 for 19) and a .305 OPS in 28 plate appearances. He missed 25 games due to injuries to both ankles, including a severe left ankle sprain. Then, after his long-awaited return on Saturday, he woke up with “right elbow soreness” on Sunday. He has now left for MRI.

Barger was inserted into Sunday’s lineup as the leadoff hitter. But just hours before the game he was pulled due to an elbow problem. Imaging is expected to provide some answers on Monday.

Barger forced a runner out at the plate on Saturday with a 101.2 mph throw.

One has to suspect that the laser beam throw he made — at more than 101 mph — to catch Jorge Soler at the plate in Saturday’s game had something to do with Sunday’s ominous development.

chelseaThe apparent interest in Jonathan Rowe remains a cause for concern at Bologna, who do not want to lose the winger this summer.

gazzetta dello sport report The Italian side will face a real battle to keep Rowe this summer, amid interest from Chelsea and others.

Chelsea rumors won’t go away

The newspaper reports that Galatasaray are currently frontrunners for Jonathan Rowe.

They are ready to send Noah Lang back to Napoli and want a replacement. Rowe is on their list thanks to a season which has served as a ‘powerful springboard’ for him. The 23-year-old has seven goals and four assists in 41 games.

But Galatasaray are not the only ones interested. There could also be an English offensive ‘especially Chelsea’. They scouted the winger with Manchester United last month.

Bologna are very much aware of the growing rumors which ‘persistently suggest’ that Chelsea are preparing a €38m offer. The only thing stopping them at the moment is that they might not be in the Champions League next season.

It seems that’s what Rowe would want from a move. Gazzetta say that ‘the player’s wishes remain important’ when it comes to Bologna’s hopes of keeping him. That desire could be European football.

The Italian side certainly do not want to lose him after one year. But they know that ‘the danger exists’ and Chelsea is one of those clubs who fall into the dangerous category.

Do Chelsea need Jonathan Rowe?

The question is whether they will be able to move, especially at €38m. To say the least, the Blues are in a tight financial situation.

The current team is also bloated. It already has Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens on the left wing, while Pedro Neto is also comfortable playing on that side. At least one of them will surely have to go before a move for Jonathan Rowe is made this summer.

Yet, at least in Italy, they see Chelsea as a threat. Bologna are convinced that they could lose their star player and Chelsea are one of those curious.

The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks are tied 2-2 in the first round. If New York finds a way to advance, the Boston Celtics could wait in the second round, and the debate is already beginning on what the Knicks need to do.

On the First Take X account, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith made his position clear. The seven-game series loss to Boston in the semifinals should not be used as a reason to gut the roster or fire the coach.

“If the New York Knicks go, and they lose in the semi-finals in a 7-game series against the Boston Celtics, I don’t think there’s any reason to say, ‘The coach has to go. These players have to go.'”

But Stephen A didn’t stop at defending the Knicks. He emphasized why Boston deserves such an honor in the first place. Tatum is recovering from sports. Brown is playing like an MVP candidate. And the difference between this Celtics team and the team that beat New York last year is real.

“If we’re being honest, there’s no shame in losing to the Boston Celtics despite the fact that you beat Boston last year. If Jayson Tatum is healthy, which he looks better and better, and Jalen Brown is an MVP candidate, the Boston Celtics are no joke. The Boston Celtics are capable of winning the chip.”

Stephen A. Why Smith thinks the Celtics are still a championship threat in 2026

It’s not just Tatum and Brown. Stephen A went through the entire roster, coaching staff and front office and explained why Boston is built differently, and the first thing he pointed out was how many ways this team can hurt you.

“In a lot of people’s eyes they live and die with the three. But the thing that has to amaze us is that we have to run, and I don’t forget to mention the Peyton Pritchetts of the world and the Derek Whites of the world and what they bring to the table, and Joey Mazzola and Sam Cassell, and those brothers and how exceptionally well they coach.”

Then she gave her flowers to Brad Stevens.

“But the thing that amazes me about Boston, I can’t forget to mention Brad Stevens, who knows what he’s doing as an executive, who is inheritor of the work that the great Nanny Engel did in Boston. He deserves a lot of credit.”

Then came the part that redefines everything. Tatum and Brown are not veterans retiring. They are still climbing.

“Jalen Brown is on the verge of going to his seventh conference finals. Jayson Tatum is on the verge of going to his sixth conference finals. And did you know that neither of them are 30 years old yet? Think about it. Neither of them are 30 years old.”

“None of them are like, you know, it’s like we’ve forgotten that all these brothers are still young. They’re not some age. We look at them and we’re amazed when KD is healthy, KD is 37. We’re looking at Steph Curry, 37, 38. We’re looking at LeBron James, 41. Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum are not 30 years old. “Actually, they’re not 29.”

This brought him back to where he started.

“So I’m looking at them. I feel like, if the New York Knicks go and they lose in the semi-finals to the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series, I don’t think there’s any reason to say the coach has to go. These players have to go, blah, blah, blah.”

The Knicks defeated Boston last year, but Tatum was lost in Game 4 with an Achilles injury. He is now back and healthy. Losing to this version of the Celtics in seven games would not be a failure for New York. This would mean that they would be playing on a team that is built to win championships.

Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

For the first time in 20 years, the Carolina Hurricanes established themselves as the best Eastern Conference team throughout the regular season. It didn’t come with any dramatic impact, nor did it come with any spectacular victory – but it came nonetheless.

Starting the night with some of their six best players out of the starting lineup, they faced a hungry Philadelphia Flyers team that was fighting for a postseason opportunity.

The first period was all Carolina, taking a two-goal lead by the end of the frame. The first goal came off the stick of Bradley Nadeau, with an assist from Nikolaj Ehlers, who sent a no-look pass to the rookie who had positioned himself in the slot.

A few minutes later, the Hurricanes got the man advantage due to a holding penalty, which Ehlers managed to capitalize on. In doing so, he achieved the first 70-point season of his 11-season career.

However, the second period belonged to the Flyers – scoring two to tie the game. The first goal came from Matvei Michkov, thanks to a Hurricanes concession as the game began. His second goal, meanwhile, was during the power play – a snapshot of penalty-drawer Trevor Zegras who was left completely alone by Brandon Bussey’s net.

During halftime, Ehlers talked about the two goals he allowed, recognizing that they were the result of puck mismanagement and that it was something he would need to tighten up in the following frames.

In fact, they worked together defensively in the final period, giving up only four possessions compared to nine in the second period. But ultimately, Philadelphia wasn’t giving up that much. The game remained deadlocked through regulation, and then as has happened every time they faced each other this season, they went into overtime.

As the extra frames opened, the Hurricanes had scored the points needed to win the Eastern Conference. Additionally, the Flyers’ overtime points eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets from the playoffs.

However, nothing was achieved in five minutes of three-on-three and they were locked in a shootout for the third time in four matches played together.

The decider came in the fourth round of the shootout, as Tyson Foster managed to defeat Brandon Bussey, becoming the third skater to do so in the 14 rounds played by the goaltender this season.

With their win, the Flyers clinched third place in the Metropolitan Division – the only remaining playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – and clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2020. Interestingly, the only Eastern playoff matchup confirmed for the postseason is now the Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in second place in the Metro Division.

(PSST, Philly Hockey Now’s William James wrote a great article on the Flyers’ playoff clinch – be sure to check it out if you want to see the Flyers’ perspective!)

storm notes

Nicolas Deslauriers’ return to Philadelphia, where he will be playing through the 2022-23 season, has been more difficult than usual. Literally. He had 11 hits on his former teammates (notably Rasmus Ristolainen and Emil Andre, who had three hits each). This tied his career high for most hits in a single game, which he set in a game against the Dallas Stars on March 13, 2018, when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

During the second period, Jalen Chatfield took a heavy hit from Owen Tippett. He was slow to get up and proceeded to walk down the tunnel, but returned to the game shortly afterwards. It was his first game since suffering a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins last Tuesday.

The loss was the Hurricanes’ first in Philadelphia since March 5, 2020.

The last time the Hurricanes finished first in the Eastern Conference was in the 2005–06 season.

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

Easter Sunday provides a week off for NASCAR Cup Series drivers to rest and focus their attention on the remainder of the season. While the best NASCAR drivers are focused on positioning for The Chase, many may find themselves under real pressure to perform otherwise they will hear a lot of talk about potentially being replaced.

Let’s dive into our latest NASCAR hot seat, taking a look at five drivers who could be in danger of losing their Cup Series seats in 2027 before NASCAR’s silly season.

Alex Bowman, No. 48 car, Hendrick Motorsports

At this point, we just want to see Alex Bowman stay healthy. Vertigo has sidelined him for most of the season and there is still no timeline for his return. Unfortunately, medical issues have been a major theme of his Cup Series career. It was a proving year for the driver of the No. 48 car, whose contract was about to expire and unfortunately, health problems reared their ugly head again in 2026. Now it seems the question is who Hendrick Motorsports will hire to replace Bowman in 2027, not if they do.

RELATED: Potential Alex Bowman replacement in the No. 48 car

Noah Gragson, No. 4 car, Front Row Motorsports

Through seven races this season, Noah Gragson is 29th in points (93). He is 74 points behind 16th and last place in The Chase and his average finishing position this season is only 23.857, with single-digit points earned in four consecutive races, making a 10-race Chase extremely unlikely. It’s not that Front Row Motorsports is printing money as a business; Owner Bob Jenkins admitted during the legal battle against NASCAR that he often lost money on this recreational venture. As stated, FRM suffered monetary damages from the settlement and now has three full-time charters. There should be money to replace Gragson with someone who can either deliver better results over the long term or deliver consistent performance.

RELATED: Early NASCAR Foolish Season Predictions

Riley Herbst, No. 35 car, 23XI Racing

We’ll start with good news for Riley Herbst. The 27-year-old has been performing better this season than in his first year as a full-time Cup Series driver. He has also demonstrated that he can be a good teammate and due to his strong ties to Monster Energy, as well as his family’s deep wealth, Cup teams will be interested in him. That’s great, because 23XI Racing will be replacing Corey Heim as the full-time driver for the No. 35 car next season.

RELATED: Beginner Driver emerges as third card option at Legacy Motor Club in 2027

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 car, HYAK Motorsports

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has some marketability and definitely has some value. However, the veteran driver currently sits 30th in Cup Series points behind Austin Dillon, Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson and Riley Herbst. Stenhouse has finished 25th or worse in five of seven races this year, with four top 10s in his last 44 Cup Series races, and he ranks 35th in average finishing position (24.8) in his last 36 races. In truth, Hyak Motorsports may decide that its best option is to sell its charter to another team and reap the benefits of the new costs for a permanent full-time seat. If that happens, Stenhouse may have to spend his 39 season racing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Kyle Busch, No. 8 car, Richard Childress Racing

Of all the drivers we’re putting on the NASCAR hot seat, Kyle Busch is clearly the one who will find another ride the easiest. He currently sits ninth on the NASCAR Cup Series all-time win list, and his recent success in some Truck Series races shows he still has something left in the tank. That said, it’s pretty clear that the No. 8 team and Richard Childress Racing are as fed up with Busch as the future Hall of Famer is with him. Jesse Love will likely drive the No. 8 car, while Busch will get another chance to prove he is still capable of winning Cup Series wins. This win drought and his problems with the Next Gen car suggest that Busch may be a bigger problem than few people would like to admit.

RELATED: NASCAR and historical events during Kyle Busch’s winless streak

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

The New Jersey Devils have dominated their cross-Hudson-rivals the New York Rangers over the past two seasons.

But the Rangers finally struck back Tuesday, both literally and figuratively.

The Rangers dominated from the start of the game, then Igor Shesterkin dealt a blow to both Jacob Markstrom and the Devils by setting up a much-discussed goalie fight at MSG and winning the game 4–1.

The Devils lost for the second time in three games, with both losses coming against a Metropolitan Division opponent. Their sad number, where they will be eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention, is six.

devils were flat in msg

The Rangers have been one of the worst teams at home all season, and the Devils have skated circles around them the past two seasons.

But in a game the Devils needed to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, they were unprepared to play. New Jersey gave up nine high-danger chances in the first period and scored two goals, including JT Miller’s power-play goal, his second goal at the Garden all season.

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said, “I thought they were really good tonight, and we weren’t nearly as good.” “Defensively, we weren’t as strong when it came time to defend.”

Devils captain Nico Hischier echoed Keefe’s sentiments.

“They played more tenaciously,” Hischier said. “They wanted it more, and they worked harder. … We couldn’t find a way.”

Markstrom made five saves in the first-period and stopped just 18 shots in the game. But the Devils got just eight high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 and surrendered 20 in all situations in the game.

“We have made life really difficult [Markstrom]Even when we didn’t need to,” Keefe said. “We’ve got to play better defense, and we’ve got to find ways to execute on offense.”

Jacob Markstrom tried to shock his team by fighting Igor Shesterkin

The much-publicized goaltender battle between Markstrom and Shesterkin will be talked about for years to come. Rangers members applauded their goalkeeper for fending off Markstrom’s challenge. But the Devils goalie explained why it was time for him to take on the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner.

“I felt like I needed to do something,” Markstrom said. “It’s disappointing to give up four goals, and you want to get involved, you want to do something. As a goalkeeper, that’s not really my job.

“We’re down 4-1, and I was just trying to get a spark or something.”

Keefe recognized Markstrom’s effort in trying to wake up his club by skating onto the rink and challenging Shesterkin to drop his gear, even though he took the brunt of Shesterkin’s punches.

“It shows what a competitor he is,” Keefe said. “At a moment like this, where we are in the season, it takes a lot of courage, but it also shows that you are a competitor to skate on the rink without hesitation and go and do that, then put your stuff back out and go out and shoot a penalty, that’s a pretty extraordinary thing to do.

“I thought he’s a guy who has struggled throughout the game. If anything, a fight like this should send a message to the group about how much they’re invested in [Markstrom] And we need the rest of the group at all times.”

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

The New York Islanders missed a big opportunity to keep their playoff hopes alive, losing 4-3 to the Buffalo Sabers at KeyBank Center on Tuesday night.

Despite being outshot by the Sabers most of the night, they were tied 2–2 when Anders Lee’s pass from the goal line to the right of Buffalo goaltender Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen went off the skate of Sabers defenseman Owen Power and into the net with 6:21 remaining. But poor defensive coverage cost the Pittsburgh Penguins an 8-3 loss on Monday, causing them to suffer again when Alex Tuch drove down the left sideline, circled the net and found a wide-open Peyton Krebs.

Seeing some fouls, Krebs hit a shot over Ilya Sorokin with 3:01 remaining to put Buffalo ahead 3–2.

“I think Bo (Horvat) or (Matthew) Schaefer could have stayed in front of the net and defended there,” coach Patrick Roy said.

Bowen Byram’s empty-netter with 1:42 remaining proved to be the game-winner when Brayden Schenn scored with two seconds remaining.

Despite the loss, the Islanders finished third in the Metropolitan Division as only one of the teams they were in contention for a playoff spot won their game. The Penguins moved three points ahead of the Islanders after defeating the Detroit Red Wings 5–1. But the Columbus Blue Jackets, who could have overtaken them with a win, lost 5–2 to the Carolina Hurricanes at home.

The Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators, who are struggling to overtake the Islanders in the playoff race, also lost.

The Islanders have a welcome two days off before the back-to-back matches. They’ll host the Flyers on Friday before traveling to Carolina for their final road game on Saturday.

Each team got a power play in the first three minutes, with Carson Soucy going for high-sticking 41 seconds into the game and Buffalo’s Josh Norris called for pass interference at 1:31.

Isles had four of the first six shots of the game before the Sabers began to take control, pushing the pace and forcing Sorokin to make some good saves. But Buffalo finally got on the board when Jack Quinn scored a power-play goal at 14:19.

With Adam Pelech ruled out of a high-sticking penalty, New York cleared at the right point; Casey Cizikas and Jean-Gabriel Pageau appeared to get in each other’s way and lose the puck battle to Norris. He slid the puck to the open left point, where Quinn was entering the play on a line change. Nobody stepped up to Quinn, who raced into the left circle before hitting a shot to give Sorokin a 1–0 lead.

Sorokin cut the deficit to one just before the 15-minute mark when he denied Brent Malensteen on a wide-open backhander from the slot after another failed clear. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Sabers held the Islanders without a goal for more than 11 minutes and had only four high-danger chances in the first 20 minutes. Buffalo finished the period with a 12-6 differential in shots and a 23-11 edge in attempts.

The Sabers controlled the game for the first few minutes of the second period, before Anders Lee was given a penalty shot at 6:34 after Power slashed him on a breakaway. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made a great save on Lee’s backhander, but the play appeared to wake up the Isles, who began spending more time in the Sabres’ zone.

They got a break when under pressure defenseman Mattias Samuelsson backhanded the puck into the crowd for a delay of game penalty at 17:41. Ritchie tied the game 16 seconds later, taking a feed from Brayden Schenn off a perfect passing play initiated by Bo Horvat and scoring into the empty net to make the score 1–1. It remained that way until the end of the period, with the Isles outshooting Buffalo 9–7, although the Sabers had a 6–5 edge in high-danger chances.

Lee was not penalized for the late-period hit that sent Norris’ face into the glass, but he had to answer the bell when ex-Ranger Sam Carrick challenged him after a face-off early in the third period. Lee threw the former Rangers center on the ice and he went to the locker room with a shoulder injury. But this game seemed to put the pressure on the Sabers – especially when Soucy was sent off for holding at 1:28. Tage Thompson’s power-play goal at 2:40 put Buffalo ahead 3–2.

Lee’s fluke goal gave the Islanders the tie and gave them hope that they could go home with at least a point after overtime. Krebs’ goal dashed those hopes.

Key takeaways from the Islanders’ 4-3 loss to the Sabers

lucky losers/missed opportunities

All things considered, the Isles came away with a discouraging loss that they expected. They finished the night just as they started it – third in the Metro, one point ahead of Columbus (which has the second wild card in the East and has played one less game), and two points in front of Ottawa, Detroit and Philadelphia – though all three have two games in hand in New York.

None of the contenders play on Wednesday, but they are all back in action on Thursday.

The Islanders looked disorganized in the second half of their loss to the Penguins and were outplayed by the Sabers for long periods. The two-day break comes at a good time, but the Monday-Tuesday loss exposed the Isles’ defensive issues and their erratic special teams, and they have a lot of cleaning up to do before the Flyers come to UBS on Friday for the second half of a back-to-back.

Sorokin hit back

Roy surprised many observers by starting Sorokin one night after the Penguins allowed seven goals before being removed. He was at no fault for any of the three goals scored before the empty-netter – and that was the biggest reason the Islanders won.

“He was excellent,” Roy said. “He made some very good saves and unfortunately for us he gave up two goals on the power-play.”

The Sabers had a 12-3 advantage in high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick (it was 15-9 in all situations). Sorokin was brilliant in the first round, when the Isles suffered a defeat and fell behind by only one goal.

He will certainly be happy with the two-day break, which could give him a chance to play against both the Flyers and Hurricanes.

PK was not good

The Islanders picked a bad night to give up their first power-play goal in six games – although they had only faced six opposition power plays over the course of their last five games.

Quinn’s goal came when he fell behind, failed to clear the area and allowed Quinn to run unimpeded down the left. Thompson, one of the NHL’s deadliest shooters, found a soft spot in the middle of the coverage and beat Sorokin – who had not seen the shot.

With one of the NHL’s worst power plays, the Islanders can’t afford another bad night by the penalty killer.

Jon Krieger covered his first New York Rangers game (against the California Golden Seals) in November 1975 and it… More about Jon Krieger

The Vancouver Canucks lost 4-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Monday night, spoiling Evander Kane’s 1,000th NHL game.

They gave up their second lead before the third period was over. Shea Theodore and Reilly Smith scored 1:17 late in the second. Cole Smith added an empty-netter to complete the scoring.

According to NHL.com, this was John Tortorella’s debut behind the Vegas bench since Bruce Cassidy was fired on Sunday, and the Golden Knights were in desperate need of some change.

Vegas had lost three in a row and six of seven, yet found enough life to rally after falling behind 1-0 and 2-1.

ESPN reported that the win kept the Golden Knights in third place in the Pacific, just one point behind Edmonton.

Canucks had some bite

I’ve seen enough Canucks losses this season to know this was a little different. Its bite was more. The team played with more edge and urgency than in most games since the Olympic break, even if by the end the result looked familiar. The effort was definitely better.

At 12:19 of the first period, Kane gave Vancouver a 1–0 lead on a clean backhand finish after being sent in by Jake DeBrusk on a 2-on-1. It was a nice moment.

After Vegas tied it on a Rasmus Andersen goal at 7:48 of the second, Brock Boeser responded by deflecting Filip Hronek’s point shot past Adin Hill on the power play at 12:17.

For a while, it looked like the Canucks might continue this for that period. He didn’t.

Then came the period which changed everything. Ivan Barbashev won the race for the puck and found him alone in the slot, after which Theodore made it 2–2 at 17:17, and Reilly Smith put Vegas ahead at 18:34 on a one-timer from the right circle.

The Golden Knights improved their play after the opening period, and the shot-attempt differential told the story better than the scoreboard for a long time, 67-33 in favor of Vegas. Kevin Lankinen had to be sharp to keep the Canucks close.

lessons learned

Adam Foote later said that Vancouver did not pull away, and Sportsnet quoted him as saying that the Canucks weathered the toughness of Vegas and competed all night.

Sportsnet also pointed to growing pains on the blue line, and one example was hard to ignore when Elias Pettersson Jr. misplayed a two-on-one, leading to Theodore’s goal. Young defenders sometimes learn by burning but it’s still sad to see it happen in real time.

The Canucks pressed in the third, but did not have enough success. Hill finished with 22 saves, Cole Smith hit an empty net at 18:50, and Vancouver lost its sixth consecutive game.

The stat that stands out is that Lankinen made 30 saves. He gave the Canucks a chance that was much more time than the skaters before him deserved.

In a game that the Senators could not afford to lose, they managed a 2–1 win over the New York Rangers. However, along the way, they lost two more defenders, including Thomas Chabot. Let’s get into the details.

The senators’ defense became even weaker

It’s time for a very fun recap. On March 7, Jake Sanderson was injured and has not yet returned. After two games, Nick Jensen was injured and was lost for the remainder of the season. Dennis Gilbert suffered an injury in the Senators’ last game, which will keep him out for some time. Tonight, Thomas Chabot left the game at the end of the first period after taking a crosscheck by JT Miller to the wrist area. Later, Lassie Thomson left the game in the second game due to injury.

The Senators played the second half of the game with only four defensemen. Their only left shot was D-man Tyler Kleven. It was Kleven who had to kill a full two minutes of penalties in the third period tonight due to injuries, as well as Jubb in the box.

As far as who’s name will be called next, the obvious answer is Carter Yakemchuk. He has had a great rookie season in the AHL with 10 goals and 36 points in 50 games. Of course, he shoots right-handed. The left shot D-man who will likely be the next call up is Jorian Donovan. Wouldn’t you know it, he’s hurt right now.

Stellar defensive play

The four remaining defensemen deserve all the credit in the world. Here they are by numbers:

• spence: 1 assist, 4 shots, 2 blocked shots, 26:44 time on ice
• cleven: 6 shots, 2 hits, 24:01 time on ice
• when: 2 blocked shots, 23:15 of time on ice
• mat fire: 5 blocked shots, 2 hits, 18:19 time on ice

Of course, the forwards also deserve a lot of credit, as the entire team supported such strong defensive play. Best position of the night? The Senators only gave up 9 shots.

additional comments

In general, Igor Shesterkin is a great goalkeeper. Against senators? He became the top Dominic Hasek! Coming into tonight, he was 6-1-2 with a .938 SV% and two shutouts. Tonight, he was the only reason the Rangers stayed in this game, saving 31 of the 33 shots he faced, including a number of tight saves. Warren Foegele with the Kings this season: 7 goals in 47 games. Foegele with the Senators: 5 goals in 9 games. What a wonderful contribution that has been. Now, the Senators must head straight to Detroit to play their biggest game of the year while remaining shorthanded. no pressure!

Danny was born and raised in Ottawa and still lives in that city. He has followed… more about Danny McCloskey

The Dallas Cowboys knew they had to make a change after finishing with just a 7-9-1 record and missing the postseason in 2025. After giving up more points than any other team last season, one area they had to fix was scoring defense. The good news is that Dallas has made several upgrades so far.

The Cowboys have added defensive lineman Otito Ogbonia, outside linebacker Rashaan Gary, safety Jalen Thompson, running back PJ Lock and cornerback Kobe Durant. Nevertheless, they also traded Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers. Overall, the Cowboys feel like they have improved on defense overall, but that doesn’t mean they have accomplished all of their top goals.

according to athleticAlong with John Makota, the Cowboys also expressed interest in signing middle linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Somehow, both of them ended up signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ need at middle linebacker has not yet been addressed elsewhere. Machota believes this could be an area that gets resolved early in the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys have two first-round picks.

While the Cowboys have the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round, as Machota said, they could also turn to the trade market. With eight selections in the upcoming draft, the Cowboys have enough trade capital to execute a deal. They have already discussed a trade for a former Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

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

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What is the reason why the St. Louis Blues goaltenders recently had some of their best games of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes?

The Hurricanes lost 3-1 against the Blues, a game that got off to a hot start…but ended quickly. Carolina led in almost every nightly statistic. They outshot them 32-17, defended them with 12 blocked shots versus nine, and even had a better hold on the puck with 11 giveaways versus 16.

However, the second and third periods lacked the same urgency and effectiveness as the first frame. Mark Jankowski was the only scorer for the Hurricanes, scoring his seventh goal of the season (in highlight reel-worthy fashion) just before half of the first period was played.

The Hurricanes looked great in the first twenty minutes, but struggled to keep the fire burning defensively and offensively for the next forty minutes.

Jimmy Snuggerud scored with a shot between the legs of Jakob Slavin, who also served as a screen for Brandon Bussey, and tied the game.

In the third period, with just under five minutes left to play, Snuggerud scored his second goal of the game after the puck bounced off Jalen Chatfield’s stick.

Moments later, with the net empty, Seth Jarvis’ pass was intercepted by Alexey Toropchenko, who passed it to Jack Finley, who sent it past goal scorer Pavel Buchnevich to seal the game 3–1.

difference maker

Storm’s downfall was not a complete loss of generation. In fact, they created 29 scoring chances and 15 high-danger scoring chances, compared to the Blues’ 16 and three. Instead, the collapse was caused by the efficient play of Jordan Binnington, who sparked his team with big saves and kept those flames burning with consistent stops. This appeared to be the 32-year-old veteran’s best performance of the season, as he posted a save percentage of .969 (his best non-shutout save percentage of the season) and made 31 saves.

silver linings

Brandon Bussey played brilliantly. Both goals scored on him were particularly difficult shots, one of which came from behind his own man’s screen – and through his skates – and the other managed to slip between pad and arm, stopping almost as soon as it was sealed.

However, one important difference was their persistence. In his last game, he struggled with this, which ultimately cost him a goal. In Thursday’s game, he made stretch passes down the ice, found teammates’ tape amid high-pressure situations and cleared the puck brilliantly. Sometimes goalkeepers may have off-days for certain aspects of the game, but this did not linger in their minds for their next start.

As for another look at the game, Logan Stankoven’s line operated as a true second line against the Blues, with Stankoven himself logging 16:30 of ice time. Typically, Jordan Staal’s line is given those heavy minutes, but the Tech third line was buzzing and definitely earned its minutes.

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

Pascal Gros has admitted that Brighton’s biggest problem this season has been an inability to find consistency, as he has also issued a strong defense of head coach Fabian Herzeler amid growing frustration from supporters.

Sky Germany has had an interview with the 34-year-old today. He discussed various topics regarding Brighton after returning to the club in the January transfer window.

veteran moved back to the south coast in the winter window after an 18-month stint with Borussia Dortmund.

He has since integrated himself back into the Seagulls’ starting line up and has made 10 Premier League appearances and scoring one goal.

He has become a stalwart player of the club since his first stint in the 2017–2024 season, playing a key role in the club’s rise to prominence, including their first European qualification.

Brighton’s inconsistency exposed

He returns with Brighton sitting at the other end of the table in 14th^th Ranked on 37 points. It has been an inconsistent campaign for them this season, with nine wins, ten draws and ten losses in 29 games so far. And it is this discrepancy that he insists must be corrected.

“I feel very comfortable – both personally and professionally,” He said.

“The league is very fun. Every game is a big challenge. We are a team that can achieve something against anyone, but we can also have problems against anyone.

“These are things we need to improve on. We have a team with a lot of experience, but also a lot of young players. It’s also a big challenge, but it’s also a lot of fun.”

Pressure increases on Fabian Herzeler

Brighton’s inconsistency this season has put pressure on manager Fabian Herzeler as they drop to 14^th On the table.

The team has been struggling since November and has slipped to fifth place after only one win in 13 matches.

Growing impatience among fans led to riots during home games and calls for Herzeler’s dismissal. However, Gros has offered his support to the 33-year-old coach.

“He’s very dedicated. We work on a lot of details here. He tries to make the team better as well as individual players every day.” He added.

“It’s not that easy. We have a lot of young players from different countries who need different things. But we still have to manage it as a team. It’s definitely a challenge here, but he’s doing a very, very good job.”

“You can see the thought he puts into it every day and how he tries to make us better. Even for him – he’s been here a while now – the league is a big challenge. And it’s incredibly fun.”

Defining further fixtures for Brighton

With a tough home clash against Liverpool following the trip to Sunderland, the coming weeks could define Brighton’s season, and how long patience lasts around the Amex.

First up is a trip to Sunderland this weekend, before they take on Liverpool at home on March 21^{scheduled tribe}. The Seagulls in particular do not have a good record against the latter.

They have lost their last three matches, including a 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup last month. Meanwhile, their only Premier League encounter with Sunderland was a 0–0 defeat earlier this season.

But despite two consecutive defeats at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats have one of the strongest home records in the league this season. This might give hope to Brighton.

Another day, another loss for the Vancouver Canucks. On Monday night at Rogers Arena, the Ottawa Senators won 2-0, and the score faithfully reflected the flow of the game.

At 10:11 of the second period, Artem Zub’s shot from the point hit Shane Pinto high, and the puck fell into open space, where Ridley Gregg collected it alone in the slot before switching from backhand to forehand and beating Kevin Lankinen.

Vancouver challenged, arguing that the puck was played with a hand, but review ruled it a deflection rather than a hand pass, so the goal stood.

Brady Tkachuk later sealed it with an empty-net goal late in the third minute.

According to NHL.com, the big story for the Senators is momentum. The Senators extended their point streak to seven games, ending the five-game trip at 4–0–1, and got another point from Tim Stützle, who extended his scoring run to 13 games.

The Senators have now gone 5-0-2 over the seven-game span, which says a lot more about where this team is going than where the Canucks are stuck.

Reimer takes charge

James Reimer stopped all 16 shots he faced, and when you add in the fact that the Senators’ formation stuck all night, even with top defenseman Jake Sanderson out of the lineup, it’s an even more disappointing story for the Canucks.

Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that Reimer was making his first start since Feb. 5, which highlighted the shutout even more. It was his 1st shutout of the season and the 32nd of his NHL career.

I’ve watched enough Canucks hockey over the years to know when the night is starting to wear thin, and this time it was starting to show quite early.

The Canucks never applied much pressure, never forced the Senators into long, ugly defensive turnovers and finished the third period with only three shots on goal. That included two power plays without a single shot, which is the kind of detail that tells the story better than any disappointed postgame quote.

What keeps going wrong?

Reuters reported that the Canucks have now lost five straight at home, and the numbers surrounding this slump are hard to ignore.

The Canucks have won just one in their last 10 games, and it was the ninth time this season they have been held to under 20 shots.

Lankinen did what he could with 22 saves, and CBS coverage found that he at least kept the game within reach long enough for a push that never really came.

For the Canucks, it was another reminder that good goaltending isn’t enough when the offense is quiet for long periods of time.

The Canucks will play the Nashville Predators on Thursday, while the Senators go home to face the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, with real playoff life still ahead of them.

Denver Nuggets head coach David Edelman continues to defend All-Star Nikola Jokic for his actions in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s 127-121 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Edelman didn’t care for Lou Dort’s apology for drawing the flagrant-2 foul on Jokic. When Dort intentionally knocked down the MVP candidate in the backcourt by going over his injured left knee, Nikola was furious.

Edelman understands Jokic’s frustration, having to deal with the physicality of opposing teams that run the line on dirty plays is enough for any player. lose one’s temper According to the DNVR Nuggets, he said, in the heat of competition at a high level.

“It’s not biased towards my own player. Nobody in the league is being guarded like he is. Nobody. Nobody is sitting on the knees of other MVPs. Nobody is taking shots the way he’s taking them. But that’s our reality,” Edelman said. “And so, we’ve got to continue to try to win games. He’s got to play through that physicality. I’ve got to find places on the court where he can play in space – that’s on me. So, there [are] No excuse. If the whistle doesn’t blow, it won’t blow.

“The game continues. We will deal with it as long as we can. Also, I have no problem with his reaction. Like I said, reacting is part of being a human being. If this continues, we will react accordingly.”

“No one in the league is being protected like he is. No one is taking a knee to another MVP. No one is taking shots the way he’s taking them. But that’s our reality.”

Nuggets head coach David Edelman explained how to execute Nikola Jokic.

(via @DNVR_Nuggets)
pic.twitter.com/QahpHTOKrZ

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 5 March 2026

After losing to the Thunder in overtime, the Nuggets suffered another loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves (117–108), but bounced back with a 128–125 win against the Utah Jazz.

David Edelman calls out Thunder for not reacting to Lu Dort

Nuggets head coach David Edelman was amazed by the Thunder’s response to Lou Dort’s blatant -2 foul on Nikola Jokic. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault expected the same result if the situation had been reversed, but he never condemned Dort for his actions. Lu’s teammates chalked it up to a spur-of-the-moment play.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, for Edelman, Jocic losing his temper was justified due to the severity of Dort’s foul.

“He’s a more measured guy throughout the season — I think most guys are. If they’re measured they’re more productive. But there’s a point where we play these games, and he tackles anybody on the night [would] React that way. For Dort to take that shot – and then I guess it was no big deal from his perspective, how he saw it – is ridiculous. He was malicious. It was a cheap shot.

“Lou Dort is a great player, and I haven’t seen him do that before. But at some point, you have to stand up for yourself, and so does the team. They’re a great team. That’s what that game was. But, yeah, Nikola, that’s who he is, man. You can’t have the success that he’s had and you can’t be as competitive. He’s got emotions inside of him that he keeps under control, but the guy is very capable and very willing to respond emotionally,” Edelman said. Concluded.

The Nuggets will face the Thunder on Monday at Paycom Center.

For anyone who doubted Kon Knuppel coming out of the NBA Draft, what are your thoughts now? The Charlotte Hornets drafted a perimeter scorer and an absolute flamethrower of a guy who could be the face of their franchise for many years to come.

Although Cooper Flagg was the rookie getting all the attention early in the year, Knueppel is the one who could walk away with the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Not only is Nueppel tied for second in the league with LaMelo Ball and Donovan Mitchell in most threes made per game (3.5) this season, but he also leads all players, not just rookies, in total threes made after making his 201st triple on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

The Hornets rookie has played a total of 58 games and has already made over 200 threes. Not only will he surpass Keegan Murray’s rookie record of 206 made threes during the 2022-23 season, but Knueppel potentially has a chance to surpass the plateau of 300 made threes before the end of the year.

Only Stephen Curry (six times), James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley and Klay Thompson have accomplished such a feat, and Knueppel was able to do so in his first NBA season. Despite only playing 58 games in his NBA career, Knueppel is already achieving things that even Curry wasn’t able to do when he first entered the league.

Between his shooting and scoring numbers, as well as the Hornets’ apparent success in the Eastern Conference standings to become a competitive organization, Knueppel has solidified himself at the top of the NBA rookie rankings with approximately seven weeks remaining in the 2025-26 season.

At the beginning of the year, it was reported that Flagg would win the Rookie of the Year award and would be the face of this year’s NBA rookie class. Well, with Flagg injured and the Dallas Mavericks in no position to compete for the rest of the year, this race for Knueppel is going to be lost at this point.

1. Kon Knuppel – Charlotte Hornets

Previous ranking: #1

Stats: 58 games, 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 48.9 FG%, 43.6 3P%

The Hornets have struggled with injuries and lineup changes throughout the season. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller both missed time due to injury, and several others have been in and out of Charles Lee’s nightly rotation for various reasons. But the one constant in Charlotte has been Knueppel, who has only missed one game this year and has been fantastic throughout the season.

The 20-year-old sharpshooter looks like an aged veteran on the perimeter, and he has such a good understanding of how to move off the ball to open up maximum space for himself. Just like Steph Curry is always on the move and finding open space to make a 3-point attempt, Knueppel is always doing the same and it looks like there will be a clear answer to who will be the best shooter in the NBA when Curry gives it up.

No player has ever had a shooting season like Knueppel in his first year, and he still has 23 games left on the schedule. As mentioned earlier, there is an outside chance he could get close to reaching 300 made threes on the year, which would be a historic feat for Knueppel.

At this point, unless Knueppel gets hurt, it’s hard to imagine anyone else winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

2. Cooper Flagg – Dallas Mavericks

Previous ranking: #2

Stats: 49 games, 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2 FG%, 30.2 3P%

An MRI revealed that Cooper Flagg missed four consecutive games before the All-Star break due to a sprain in the middle of his left foot. While the Mavericks are clearly in no position to compete for a playoff spot, they won’t take the flag for the rest of the season and tanking.

As good as Flagg has been this season, his impact hasn’t translated into wins in Dallas. The same can’t be said about Knueppel and the Hornets, as their contributions are directly tied to Charlotte winning games. That’s why Knueppel finds himself at the top of these year-end NBA rookie rankings.

What Flagg has done this season can’t be ignored. Although he was the No. 1 pick and had high expectations in his first season, with many saying he was the best US draft prospect since LeBron James, Flagg has lived up to the hype.

Flagg has recorded seven games scoring at least 30 points this season, and four of those have come since January 29, when he scored a career-high 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting against Nueppel and the Hornets. The Mavs’ rookie has All-Star potential, and he will be the face of the franchise alongside Kyrie Irving entering the 2026-27 season.

3. VJ Edgecombe – Philadelphia 76ers

Previous ranking: #3

Stats: 54 games, 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 42.8 FG%, 36.4 3P%

When Joel Embiid doesn’t play due to rest or injury, VJ Edgecombe suddenly becomes the Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 2 option behind Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe has been successful in his role this season, and that’s the main reason he was a featured player during All-Star Weekend at the Rising Stars event.

Edgecombe won the Rising Stars MVP, scoring 23 points during the showcase. That’s quite an accomplishment for the 76ers rookie, especially considering he’s been in the shadow of Knueppel and Flagg at the moment.

No rookie in the league has played more minutes than Edgecombe this season, and he’s been on a hot streak, scoring at least 20 points in three of the team’s four games out of the All-Star break.

4. Derrick Queen – New Orleans Pelicans

Previous ranking: #4

Stats: 58 games, 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 49.0 FG%

Derrick Queen has been one of the only bright spots for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Whether or not the Pelicans made the right decision landing Quinn in the 2026 first-round pick is open to interpretation, but the organization has been very pleased with his production and rookie development.

Queen not only leads all rookies in rebounds (422), but because he also leads them in total assists (234). It shows just how much of an impact Quin can make in the low post beyond his flashy footwork and scoring instincts as a new-age big man.

5. Maxime Renaud – Sacramento Kings

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 51 games, 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 55.0 FG%, 25.6 3P%

One of the most surprising newcomers this season has been second-round pick Maxime Renaud for the Sacramento Kings. As a result of various injuries, particularly to star big man Domantas Sabonis, the Kings were forced to throw Renaud into a higher role early in the season, and he has since become the focal point for them in the early going.

Since the beginning of February, Renaud has averaged 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.5 percent from the floor. Although his 3-point shooting is no longer what it was a year ago in college, Renaud is making a difference with his double-double-like abilities.

He’s definitely an All-Rookie selection this year.

6. Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies

Previous ranking: #5

Stats: 48 games, 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 46.8 FG%, 34.0 3P%

Cedric Coward has slipped slightly in the NBA rookie rankings due to injuries, resulting in him being sidelined and beginning the decline of the Memphis Grizzlies. He recently suffered a severe knee strain, an injury that could sideline Coward for the entire year.

Nevertheless, Coward has proven to be one of the young pillars of the Grizzlies’ rebuild, and he is one of the reasons why the organization decided to part ways with Desmond Benn and Jaren Jackson Jr. Once Ja Morant is traded in the offseason, Coward will have a clear path to becoming the face of the Grizzlies with his two-way abilities on the wing.

7. Trey Johnson – Washington Wizards

Previous ranking: #6

Stats: 44 games, 12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 43.6 FG%, 37.0 3P%

The Washington Wizards are certainly happy with the new season that Trey Johnson is having. In addition to being a natural scorer anywhere on the court, Johnson has made a name for himself among NBA fans by ranking fifth among all rookies in 3-pointers made (87).

Although his minutes have decreased and he is being monitored closely as he returns from a hip flexor strain, Johnson has recorded at least 10 points in four of his last five games, with all four of his double-digit scoring performances resulting in him playing less than 20 minutes.

8. Dylan Harper – San Antonio Spurs

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 46 games, 10.9 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 47.0 FG%, 25.4 3P%

Unlike Knueppel and Flagg, Dylan Harper’s path as a top draft pick has been different as he was not immediately thrust into the spotlight. If you ask Harper, he’s in the perfect situation, not only because he’s on a championship-caliber, young team with the San Antonio Spurs, but he gets to learn from De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Cassel in the backcourt.

There have been clear areas of development in Harper’s game since the start of the season, particularly making the right reads as a scorer off the dribble and as a playmaker. Since the beginning of February, Harper has averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting a very efficient 55.6 percent from the floor.

9. Igor Demin – Brooklyn Nets

Previous ranking: #9

Stats: 50 games, 10.5 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 39.6 FG%, 38.5 3P%

Many draft experts said that Egor Demin could not shoot coming out of college and that his game would not translate to the NBA. Well, it seems like a lot of people have Demin mixed up with someone else, as he is everything the Brooklyn Nets hoped for as a reliable 3-point shooting specialist.

Add Demin’s length and athleticism to the equation, and suddenly, the Nets have a young talent they can mold into an all-around impactful guard for years to come. Demin has missed a total of 122 triples this season, the second most among all rookies.

10. Ace Bailey – Utah Jazz

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 51 games, 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 44.5 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Ace Bailey did not have a good start to the season. He struggled to find his shot, and went through early rookie learning stages with the Utah Jazz. Since the start of the new year, Bailey has looked more confident, and he is establishing himself as a premier talent in Utah’s system.

The Jazz newbie has played in 21 games since the calendar flipped to 2026, and he has scored at least 10 points in 16 of those games, including five 20-plus-point games. Bailey has also increased his rebounding efforts, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game in February.

Deciding not to make a head coaching change for the second consecutive season, the New Orleans Saints have largely flown under the radar at the start of the offseason. After first-year head coach Kellen Moore led the Saints to a respectable 6-11 record, now it’s time to upgrade the roster as the team moves on with Tyler Shaw as the franchise quarterback.

Still, sometimes teams are forced to take a step back before they can make progress. Even if it means saying goodbye to a franchise icon.

Recently, future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Cam Jordan addressed his upcoming free agency with TMZ Sports. In doing so, Jordan acknowledged the possibility that he might join a different team for the first time in his 15-year NFL career.

However, even returning to the saints does not close the book. Jordan says New Orleans “could have a bright future” with Shaw as QB. He also says that after a 10.5 sack season, the 36-year-old is not looking for “top dollar.” He just wants to “be important” with his next contract.

“If you get a 10-sack season, if I was a 26-year-old, I’d demand top dollar,” Jordan said. “The things I’ve never asked for are top dollar. All I’ve asked for is to be valuable.”

The question is, will it come to this for a Saints team that may be close, but has not reached the playoffs since 2020?

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Unlike the other 31 NFL franchises, the Seattle Seahawks were able to end their season on a high note by celebrating victory in Super Bowl LX. However, after several players had career years while gaining valuable playoff experience, the Seahawks will have to make some difficult decisions this offseason. They may also feel forced to say goodbye to a hero.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are “unlikely” to place the franchise tag on upcoming free agent running back Kenneth Walker III.

The Super Bowl LX MVP had an incredible postseason performance, rushing for 376 yards and five touchdowns on just 80 attempts for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. This includes a heroic performance on a 135-yard run in Super Bowl LX.

Now, he’s ready to make money as a free agent. Spotrac plans to sign Walker to a $9 million per season contract. The franchise tag for the running back is expected to be around $14 million this offseason. Meanwhile, Walker has earned a total of $8.44 million in his four-year NFL career.

Walker, 25, will be one of the top free agent running backs available this offseason. If the Seahawks can’t agree on his value, another team will surely make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs.

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