標籤: potential

Around the National Football League, you can find examples of players who did not find success with their first team, but who thrived and progressed after a change in landscape. Sam Darnold is the latest example of this, and there have been many such examples in recent years.

Today, we’re highlighting some NFL players who would benefit greatly from a change of scenery and showcasing the potential landing spots for each player.

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, running back Trey Benson has been an effective ball-carrier (4.9 yards per carry) when healthy. Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, injuries limited him to only 17 games over two seasons and he never returned in 2025 after suffering a meniscus injury in Week 4. Arizona brought back James Conner and Bam Knight in addition to the signing of Tyler Allger, which shows that Benson’s days with this team are over and the new coaching staff is not counting on him.

• Possible landing location: Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons

RELATED: 5 NFL teams appear ready to tank in 2026

Theo Johnson Jr., TE, New York Giants

The New York Giants desperately needed a change of guard and they made the right move by hiring John Harbaugh. Unfortunately for tight end Theo Johnson Jr., the new Giants coaching staff doesn’t seem interested in giving him much of a chance to improve in 2025. A former fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-6 tight end is coming off a sophomore year, where he put up 528 receiving yards with five touchdowns and averaged 11.7 yards per reception. However, Harbaugh added Isaiah from Baltimore, and veteran Chris Manhertz will continue to be used as a blocker in two-tight-end sets. Johnson needs a fresh start, and his contract—with a cap hit of $1.4 million in each of the next two seasons—makes him even more attractive to other teams.

• Possible landing location: Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles

Connected: The 5 best NFL teams this offseason

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady has publicly endorsed wide receiver Keon Coleman, and the club is ready to give him a third chance. However, it is also fair to assume that Buffalo will invest early capital in the 2026 NFL Draft on a wide receiver, especially after the recent acquisition of receiver DJ Moore. Coleman will have to look at the writing on the wall, a reality where he is viewed as the fifth or sixth best target in the passing game. The former 33rd overall pick will only turn 23 in May, and while maturity and commitment to football have been issues, being traded could be the wake up call that gets his career back on track. A change of scenery is in Coleman’s best interest, and one would hope Buffalo would be able to make that happen.

• Possible landing location: Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons

RELATED: Early winners, losers from the first week of NFL free agency

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas City Chiefs

It’s safe to say that the Kansas City Chiefs’ proverbial roll of the dice on edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft hasn’t paid off. Since entering the league, the 6-foot-4 defender has recorded only 14 QB hits and 3 sacks in 550 defensive snaps played in 34 games. He also missed last season due to a hamstring injury, which led to him being placed on season-ending injured reserve in August. He may be out of the NFL within the next two years, but there are plenty of teams that are so thin on the edge that a second chance could help him find a role that can prolong his career.

• Possible Fit: Houston Texans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers

Read more: The worst NFL offseason moves 2026

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson has been bad during his tenure as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, but it’s also clear how the organization set him up to fail. The franchise is now allowing him to find a new home and given the physical tools he brings to the table, he should have no shortage of suitors. Any team that acquires Richardson would effectively have to treat him as a one-year rental, with his fifth-year option ($20 million plus guaranteed) untouched. That said, the right head coach could keep him as a backup option this season and potentially even use him in certain situations. Acquiring him won’t cost more than a Day 3 pick and there’s definitely upside here. The focus should be on finding a team where he can sit for most of the season and learn.

• Possible landing location: Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RELATED: 5 NFL trades we’d love to see in March

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

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has missed his team’s last eight games with a right oblique strain. With the 76ers battling for a playoff position, head coach Nick Nurse said the star big man participated in individual on-court workouts on Friday. He said Embiid could return during Philadelphia’s three-game road trip next week.

“He came out yesterday. Obviously not with the team, but he came out for an individual workout. He’s feeling a little better,” Nurse said Saturday before Philadelphia’s 104-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I don’t want to anticipate anything, but I think there’s a possibility [him returning on our upcoming road trip]. Hopefully, he can.”

The 76ers are struggling to avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament amid injuries to Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre and suspensions for Paul George.

Joel Embiid nears return from long absence for playoff hopeful 76ers

Philadelphia is 3-5 during Embiid’s latest absence. Meanwhile, Maxi is expected to be out for at least three weeks with a tendon injury in his right pinky. Oubre will be out for at least two weeks with a left elbow sprain, while George is eligible to return from his suspension on March 25.

The 76ers’ recent cold snap has dropped them to eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They are two games behind the sixth-place Miami Heat, 1.5 games behind the seventh-place Toronto Raptors and half a game behind the ninth-place Atlanta Hawks.

Embiid has appeared in only 33 games this season while battling knee, ankle, calf and oblique injuries. The former MVP is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists on .495/.318/.858 shooting splits.

Philadelphia is 21-12 in games Embiid has played and 15-19 in games he has missed.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the talk of the town at this year’s NBA trade deadline. For the first time, the Milwaukee Bucks are actually fielding calls about Giannis, who has continued to put pressure on the organization to make winning moves at this point in his career or risk losing him.

Although the Bucks did not trade their superstar in February, he was attracting significant interest from the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat during the trade deadline, as ClutchPoints reported. While neither team had enough assets to make a deal for Giannis, the Heat stood out as a prime destination for Milwaukee’s star.

In addition to his friendship with Heat star Bam Adebayo, the Heat have always been viewed as a winning organization in the NBA, which is what Giannis would want in a new team if he leaves the Bucks in the summer.

After a 112-105 loss to the Heat on Thursday night, which resulted in the Bucks falling to 27-38, Giannis raised some eyebrows with his comments about the Heat and his team’s culture.

Antetokounmpo said after the loss, “They’re going to play hard, and they’re not going to stop playing. That’s the Miami Heat culture.” “It’s tough. For me personally, I don’t know how the team feels, but for me personally, it’s a tough season… I’m just trying to take it game by game. I’m grateful – happy that I’m here competing.

“But at the same time, it’s in my nature to win games.”

Winning has been the biggest problem in Milwaukee since Giannis ended the organization’s 50-year championship drought in 2021. Since then, the Bucks have seen four different coaches as the main man on the sidelines, and the franchise has only won one playoff series.

These are the main reasons Giannis’ frustrations have reached a new boiling point this season.

As far as his affection with the Heat, Antetokounmpo continued to praise Miami’s competitiveness, Bam Adebayo’s performance and Erik Spoelstra’s ability to coach his team after Thursday’s loss in South Beach.

“Miami’s head coach is going to keep playing, man. Even when they don’t hit shots, you’re going to get second chances. They’re going to crash the boards, get rebounds, find the open man, try to get to the free-throw line, keep turning the ball over, get the ball to Bam, and try to execute from there. They’re going to play hard.

“They’ve got guards that can penetrate, drive and kick, and that’s what they do, man.”

Giannis has high praise for Bam Adebayo

In addition to sharing equal representation, Giannis and Bam have formed a strong bond with each other through their battles in the Eastern Conference over the years.

A strong mutual respect exists between the two All-Stars, and Antetokounmpo was one of the Heat center’s biggest supporters recently, scoring 83 points against the Washington Wizards, the second-highest scoring game in NBA history behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points.

While many were downplaying Adebayo’s accomplishments and finding ways to find fault with his 43 free-throw attempts, Giannis didn’t let the stigma persist.

“Unbelievable. Incredible. Says a lot about his hard work. I haven’t watched the game. I’ll have to watch the game and see,” Antetokounmpo said of Adebayo’s 83-point game on Tuesday night. “It doesn’t matter how you got it. It just means you got it. In 10, 20, 30 years from now, nobody’s going to remember how many free throws he shot. I don’t think I remember how many shots Kobe made, or how many free throws he shot, or three.

“You only remember 81, 100. You don’t remember that, you know?”

Coincidentally, the Bucks and Heat were scheduled to face off in the next game following Giannis’ praise of Adebayo and his 83-point performance. As could be expected, these two hugged each other before the game and their matchup with each other did not disappoint.

Antetokounmpo finished the game with 31 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, while Adebayo had 21 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Although Giannis won the scoring battle between the two big men, it was Adebayo’s team that came away with a 112-105 victory.

Once again, Giannis’ postgame comments add to the mystery of what’s really going through his mind regarding a potential offseason departure. It’s very clear that Antetokounmpo wants to win, and if he can’t do it with the Bucks, maybe he can do it with Bam in Miami.

After all, from Antetokounmpo’s own comments it sounds like Adebayo is his ideal future teammate.

“Obviously, whenever I play against Bam, it’s always extra motivation. I think he’s one of the best players in the NBA,” Giannis said Thursday night in Miami. “One of the best two-way players in the NBA. One of the best 4-5 players in the league.”

“Whenever I go to him, I don’t need to see 83 points on the board or follow the hype to find extra motivation to protect the balm. I think it goes both ways.”

Could the Heat’s dream of landing Giannis in a blockbuster offseason trade actually come true? Time will tell what happens with the two-time NBA MVP, but it’s clear that the bond between Adebayo and Antetokounmpo is very real.

“I’m always motivated when I play against Bam. I think he knows that, and it goes both ways. He’s always motivated to play against me.”

Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman enters the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in a contract year, needing to prove himself once again if he wants to keep his ride in the No. 48 car long-term. Unfortunately for Bowman, medical problems (vertigo) have become the latest example of his terrible luck. Since this season is likely to be over and he will be the team’s only driver to miss The Chase, a replacement next season seems necessary.

Let’s take a look at our list of potential replacements for Bowman in the No. 48 car at Hendrick for the 2027 NASCAR season.

kyle busch

Hendrick Motorsports may look to Corey Day as a long-term option for the No. 48 seat, but the 20-year-old needs to learn how to race without a glitch in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before becoming a full-time driver at the highest level. What could work is a succession plan, with Kyle Busch replacing Bowman for the next two years. The future Hall of Famer has had disastrous results with Richard Childress Racing, as evidenced by his lack of wins in the Cup Series approaching three points. Busch has partnered with Hendrick before, driving the No. 7 in the Truck Series. A two-year deal could give him a chance to add some wins before retiring. By then, Day could be ready.

Read more: Best NASCAR races 2026, ranking every NASCAR race this season

carruth diagram

It’s still early in the season, but King Carruth is making the most of his opportunities at OARS. He has finished in the top 10 in three of his first 10 races, averaging 37 points per race on ovals this season. Hendrick may be gambling here, especially since Carruth will turn just 24 in June, but he will have driven more than 50 races in the O’Reilly Series along with 75 races in the Truck Series. Carruth’s chances of moving into the No. 48 car should certainly depend on how he performs the rest of this season, but he’s probably one of the top homegrown options for Hendrick so far.

Ross Chastain

What could Ross Chastain accomplish with better equipment and a team with more resources? He has achieved virtually everything he can at Trackhouse Racing, leading the team to become a perennial playoff contender with at least one win in each of the last four seasons. Chastain also boasts 40 combined top-10 finishes over the past three years leading up to 2026. However, it also seems pretty clear that Connor Zylisch will soon be the new face of the team. Next season may be the right time for Chastain to depart, giving her a chance to really show what she’s capable of in the No. 48 car.

tyler reddick

Does Hendrick Motorsports want to create an uncomfortable bidding war for racing the 23XI? This is the real question here. Given that Tyler Reddick made history as the first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win the first three races of the season, we don’t envision any scenario where ultra-aggressive competitor and billionaire Michael Jordan allows anyone but Reddick to overtake him. That said, if Hendricks wants to swing for the fences, Redick is the best driver on an expiring contract right now, and there isn’t anyone else around him.

RELATED: NASCAR insider sheds light on Tyler Reddick’s future with 23X Racing

Chris Buescher

As mentioned earlier, Hendrick Motorsports isn’t swimming in interior options right now. This could at least give Bowman a chance to keep the No. 48 car for another season, with the team seeing this season as a waste and not feeling confident with any unproven drivers in the system. However, Chris Buescher could be in a contract year. He will enter his age-34 season in 2027, so perhaps a three-year deal could work for both parties. Buescher has been a fairly consistent top-10 points driver in recent seasons for RFK Racing, fully maximizing what he’s been given in the No. 17 car. It’s a good situation for him, but the No. 48 team with Hendrick’s resources will provide him with even more consistency and a chance for more wins. If anyone could pull Buescher away from RFK, it would be HMS.

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

When the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report came out for their game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, veteran guard Marcus Smart had a surprising addition. Smart played just 31 minutes, providing his usual energy and intensity in the team’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Marcus Smart was originally listed as questionable for the Lakers’ game against the Bulls, then ruled out just hours before tip-off. Before the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that Smart had been dealing with a hip injury for the past few games, and the team wanted him to get some rest before another abbreviated stretch of the schedule, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The LA Times.

Redick also mentioned that the team is hoping Smart can make his return to the lineup for the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. This is the team’s last home game before embarking on a six-game road trip.

Smart has been one of the Lakers’ most impactful players this season after signing a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards over the summer. While Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are the team’s top players, it can be argued that Smart is the Lakers’ fourth-best player in terms of overall impact.

Although he began the season on the bench, Smart moved into the starting lineup when Reeves was sidelined with injury. Upon his return, Smart remained among the starting players with Rui Hachimura moving to the bench.

Smart has appeared in 55 games this season, including 48 starts, averaging a little over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.9 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from the 3-point line and 80.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Although Smart’s shooting efficiency hasn’t been great, his statistics don’t tell the whole story. During the Lakers’ win against the New York Knicks last Sunday, Smart shot just 1 of 10 from the field, but the Lakers were clearly excited by his defensive intensity and overall toughness.

After the win against the Knicks again, Redick explained how Smart’s impact was not measured in shots made or missed.

“Smart was 1-of-10 and plus-27. He had a really, really impressive game,” Redick said. “I think by the end of the third quarter, we had a comfortable lead, but when we turned the ball over at the end of the quarter, it saved two points. [Jordan] “Clarkson has to pass it.”

The Lakers will certainly hope Smart is back in the lineup when they face off against the Nuggets on Saturday, a big game with potential playoff seeding on the line.

A former top coordinator for John Harbaugh has revealed some fascinating insights about what his thinking will be when he enters his first NFL Draft as head coach of the New York Giants.

There is renewed excitement about the NY Giants despite a 4-13 result in the 2025 season. This is due to the inclusion of former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Although he was fired by his previous team earlier this year, he remains one of the most respected and successful coaches in the NFL today.

One reason why he has put together such a strong resume during his 18 seasons in the league is that he has a notable impact on how the roster he coaches is constructed. That will be the case again with Big Blue, and with the start of NFL free agency this week and next month’s draft, there has been a lot of discussion about how the coach will remodel the roster with the help of general manager Joe Schoen.

Although he hasn’t made big contracts in the first week of free agency, the team has made some smart moves that position him better for next season. They are far from adding veteran talent, but April’s draft offers more great opportunities to improve the roster, including the No. 5 pick at next month’s event.

When it comes to their first pick, the team has been linked to several prospects, including Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. It seems like the team could go in different directions with the pick five and their other selections, as they have significant needs.

NY Giants will build roster for better matchups with Eagles, Cowboys and Commanders

However, on Thursday, former Harbaugh defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale revealed some interesting information about how Harbaugh will approach his first draft pick for the NY Giants.

“Our philosophy in Baltimore was this, [but] Whenever you mention a player the first question is ‘How will he help us beat Philly?’ How will he help us beat Dallas?” he told New York Daily News Giants insider Pat Leonard.

“That’s the way John and Ozzy [Newsome] Did this for years. It’s weird where the league is going now, but it still works. “The big guys are still better than the little guys.”

So while Harbaugh and the NY Giants brain trust will try to bring in good players suited to their coaches, this suggests that better matchups for the six games the Cowboys, Commanders and Eagles play against them each year will also be a priority.

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

Phoenix Suns veteran Dillon Brooks’ promising update on his hand injury ahead of facing the Indiana Pacers could pave the way for his return. Brooks discussed the Suns’ upcoming postseason run and how a potential best-of-7 series would present “problems” for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The forward will look to regain his rhythm between now and the end of the regular season.

Brooks will make his first appearance since a 113–110 double-overtime win against the Orlando Magic on February 21. Brooks was seen during the Suns’ morning shootaround before facing the Pacers on Thursday shooting without actors According to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin, he suffered a fractured left hand.

Dillon Brooks no cast on fractured left hand for Suns morning shootaround. #Sun pic.twitter.com/GntKpKI3Fm

– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) 12 March 2026

The Suns went 5-3 in their eight games without Brooks, including their current three-game winning streak, which was extended by a 129-114 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Dillon Brooks warns Timberwolves about Suns’ playoff run

After a heroic performance from Suns veteran Dillon Brooks to capture the top 50 ranking, they threatened the Timberwolves with a potential best-of-7 playoff series. Brooks, who rarely shy away from expressing his honest opinions, believes the Suns can upset the Timberwolves in the postseason.

Brooks claims Suns have Timberwolves’ Numberhe said, according to the Million Dollar Worth of Game podcast.

“You never know, ant [Anthony Edwards] This year it could be a great year and win a chip. . .But they come to us, there’s going to be problems,” Brooks said. “We’ve got their number this year.”

“If they run into us, there will be problems. We’ve got their number this year.”

Dillon Brooks on a potential Suns-Timberwolves playoff matchup 👀

(via @mworthofgame)pic.twitter.com/EgEBtzl7Uf

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 10 March 2026

The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 108–105 on December 8, almost two weeks after a 114–113 win against the Timberwolves at home.

The Minnesota Vikings had no choice but to make a tough decision in the offseason, where they were $40 million over the 2026 salary cap. Several Pro Bowl veterans have been released from the team, including a pair of defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, signed in free agency last offseason. But the migration does not end here.

On Wednesday, the Vikings surprisingly also released Harrison Smith from the team. The potential future Hall of Fame safety is expected to either retire after 14 NFL seasons or re-sign in Minnesota at an even lower rate.

He is being processed as a cap casualty after June 1, saving approximately $1.3 million in cap space (exactly needed to sign Kyler Murray), but the Vikings “would welcome his return” according to Matthew Coler. Right now, he won’t take up a roster spot, but his absence leaves a massive void at the safety position next to Josh Metellus in Minnesota.

The Vikings always feared a possible retirement by Smith this offseason, and this could be a precursor to an eventual announcement. For now, the 37-year-old gets some time to decide whether he wants to boost his Hall of Fame resume or begin the next phase in his life, one that will hopefully involve fewer setbacks and injuries.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings free agency: Ranking the 10 best QBs available

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 Phoenix Suns have been a surprise team this season, strongly poised to clinch a top-six seed in the Western Conference standings and clinch a playoff berth. If the Suns move up to the No. 6 seed, and the rest of the standings hold, they will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round playoff series. And count Suns guard Dillon Brooks as one guy who’s enjoying that potential matchup.

During a recent episode of ‘Million Dollar’s Worth of Games,’ Dillon Brooks confidently expressed his thoughts on the Suns’ chances in a potential playoff series against the Timberwolves.

“You never know, ant [Anthony Edwards] This year it could be a great year and win a chip. . .But they come to us, there’s going to be problems,” Brooks said. “We’ve got their number this year.”

Brooks further said that during one of the Suns’ games against the Timberwolves this year, he did a good job guarding Julius Randle because no one else on the team had the strength to match up against the All-Star forward.

The Suns have faced off against the Timberwolves twice so far this season, with the final regular season matchup on March 17. The Suns are 2-0 in those first two meetings, with both games being close.

It’s uncertain why Brooks would single out the Timberwolves of all teams. To face these two teams in the playoffs, the Timberwolves would have to capture the No. 3 seed in the West, and the Suns would have to move up to the No. 6 seed. If the current situation holds, the Suns will be in the play-ins.

Brooks is currently out with a hand injury, but has been one of the Suns’ most influential players this season.

Kyle Van Noy is a free agent at a position of need for the New England Patriots. Van Noy has spent the past two seasons playing at a high level with the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Patriots were the franchise with which Van Noy won two Super Bowls in 2017 and 2019. So, could there be a rematch between Van Noy and New England?

Van Noy joined NFL Network on Tuesday morning and talked about his free agency. The 34-year-old linebacker was asked about a possible return to the Patriots, and he expressed a strong desire to return to New England.

“It would be a blessing come true,” Van Noy said on NFL Network. “Going home will be like a dream come true…[New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel]Friend, what’s going on?”

Van Noy had 12.5 sacks for Baltimore during the 2024-25 NFL season, but he languished as a pass rusher last year. The Ravens linebacker earned only two sacks and one interception in 15 games. It was the fewest sacks Van Noy had in a season since being traded to the Patriots in 2016.

So far, New England has Draymont Jones, Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis at linebacker, but it has been linked to others at the position. Van Noy would be more of a depth option at linebacker rather than a big addition. Maybe a return to New England will revitalize the 34-year-old linebacker after a difficult season.

The 2026-27 season will likely be Van Noy’s last season in the NFL, as he said on NFL Network. It would be fitting if this were Van Noy’s final year in New England, trying for his third and final Super Bowl victory.

READ MORE: NFL Insider gives major update on AJ Brown, Patriots trade rumors

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

The Middle East conflict has forced F1 to confront an uncomfortable reality for which it was simply unprepared. The Bahrain Grand Prix (10-12 April) and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (17-19 April) are in serious doubt after Iran retaliated against the Gulf countries following US-Israel air strikes, with a decision on cancellation expected by March 20. If both races fall off the calendar, they will not be replaced.

This is a tragedy for the game commercially and geopolitically. This is also, whether the FIA ​​and F1 management want to admit it or not, a huge gift.

F1 can fix hate rage quickly

Because of what F1 showed the world in Melbourne, the new era was not as sophisticated, more competitive, as it promised. It was a warning sign with good PR. The Australian Grand Prix was entertaining, yes – really entertaining in places, especially the early Russell-Leclerc battle. But many drivers have talked about battery management being overly influential on performance, forcing them to drive in adverse ways that few people enjoy. At the pre-race drivers’ briefing, 20 out of 22 drivers complained. 20. These are not a handful of dissatisfied people. This is an almost unanimous referendum.

Max Verstappen compared the experience to Formula E “on steroids”. Lewis Hamilton said the rules are so complex “you need a degree to fully understand it.” Fernando Alonso suggested that harvesting energy through braking made the corners so passable that Aston Martin’s chef could probably navigate them. These are not people who complain about the game. They are telling you that something is fundamentally broken.

This is not the moment for more data collection. This is the moment for action. Increase super clipping limit. Rebalance harvest and deployment levels. Negotiate about whether internal combustion engine output needs to be boosted to compensate.

The core issue is not subtle. Current energy levels, with super clipping limited to 250 kW and deployment at 350 kW, are not widely considered ideal in the paddock. For the uninitiated, super clipping is when the driver has pinned the throttle to the floor and the car slows down anyway because the energy management system takes over the engine.

Imagine your car sliding down the highway and watching it go by in slow motion. This is what F1 drivers are dealing with. Lando Norris also warned about the safety implications, noting that the speed difference between cars at different power levels could reach 20 to 40 mph – in his words, enough to send a driver over the fence.

The silence of FIA and FI has become deafening

The FIA’s response so far has been cautious to the point of being passive. Single-seater director Nicholas Tombazis said changes were possible but acknowledged that the governance process takes time. F1 chiefs and teams are set to review the rules after China, with discussions about changes to energy management levels. This potentially includes increasing super clipping power to help drivers recharge more easily or reducing deployment so that boosts can last longer. it’s a start. But “reviewing after China” while managing a potentially month-long calendar gap due to the situation in the Middle East is exactly the kind of confluence F1 rarely gets.

use it.

If Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are officially canceled – and all indications suggest they will be – then Formula 1 will be dark for the whole of April. After Japan on March 29, the next race will be in Miami on May 3. This is a five-week window that the game did not ask for and does not want financially. But it’s also five weeks where no one is moving freight, no one is building pit structures, and engineers and regulators are sitting in Braccelli, Maranello and Paris with time on their hands.

🚨 BREAKING: A fan who shared a flight to Shanghai with Isaac Hadjar and Kimi Antonelli claims the two drivers were discussing the Formula 1 round in the Middle East, the cancellation of which has reportedly already been confirmed.

Hajjar jokingly said to Antonelli:

“That’s two less races for you… pic.twitter.com/IPbtuGeOa1

– Inside Audi F1 (@InsideAudiF1) 9 March 2026

This is not the moment for more data collection. This is the moment for action. Increase super clipping limit. Rebalance harvest and deployment levels. Negotiate about whether internal combustion engine output needs to be boosted to compensate. None of these are hardware changes – according to the FIA’s own Tombazis, the adjustments to energy management are primarily software-based and teams will not need to fundamentally change their systems. This is fixable.

The 2026 regulations were years in the making and were meant to represent F1’s bold leap towards a sustainable, exciting future. The sustainability piece is real and worth defending. But a racing series where drivers are racing down straight roads, managing dashboards like accountants, and warning about cars flying through the air isn’t delivering the “exciting” half of that promise.

Even Toto Wolff, whose team dominated Australia and is motivated by every means to oppose the changes, acknowledged that changes may be necessary, saying that the driving force behind the changes should be what the fans like. When the person who wins the most is telling you to fix it, you fix it.

The break is coming whether F1 wants it or not. The only question is whether the people running this game are willing to use it. History suggests they will wait. This time, waiting is not an option.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1…More about Scott Gulbransen

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has worked with many outstanding players in his career. Many of them are either in the conversation or on track for the Hall of Fame. 49ers general manager John Lynch has added another to the mix.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers have signed wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year contract. The same Evans who is tied with Jerry Rice as the only players with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Even leaving the Buccaneers is a blow for Evans after spending all 12 seasons of his career in Tampa Bay. Still, the consequences of free agency can be strange, like Tom Brady leaving New England. Still, Evans takes his Super Bowl trophy from Tampa to San Francisco, where he will try to assemble another elite core to help increase his franchise’s Lombardi count.

When the time comes, we look forward to celebrating Mike’s final Hall of Fame career. pic.twitter.com/ZfaDqVqGAT

– Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) 9 March 2026

The 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowl receiver is coming off the least productive season of his career, as a collarbone fracture limited him to just eight games. He recorded 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns.

Still, Evans brings 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns to San Francisco. The potential future Hall of Famer is 21st on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list. Another 1,000-yard season would move Evans to 12th all-time, just ahead of Hall of Famers James Lofton and Chris Carter.

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

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

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

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

Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins believes the New Orleans Pelicans should consider a major decision involving Zion Williamson this offseason, suggesting that the franchise evaluate potential trade offers for the former No. 1 overall pick.

Perkins shared his perspective during a recent episode of The Road Trippin’ Show, where he discussed Williamson’s recent improved availability and the Pelicans’ long-term direction.

“If I’m the Pelicans, I’d definitely shop around this offseason to see what kind of assets I can get back,” Perkins said.

“So, with this sample size of Zion, he’s not only helping the Pelicans, but I believe he’s helping himself. And I think it’s too late now…to try to rekindle this relationship and make it work and say he’s going to be our guy?”

The 25-year-old Williamson has delivered one of the healthiest seasons of his NBA career. He recently played 35 consecutive games, the longest such streak of his professional tenure, which has helped change the narrative about his durability.

In 47 games this season, including 40 starts, Williamson is averaging 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 58.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range while playing 29.6 minutes per contest.

“If I’m the Pelicans, I’ll definitely shop him this offseason to see what kind of assets I can get back… It’s too late to restart this relationship.”

Kendrick Perkins thinks New Orleans should trade Zion Williamson

(via @RoadTrippinShow)pic.twitter.com/T4BJBdrjae

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

Despite Williamson’s individual production, the Pelicans have struggled to translate that performance into consistent team success. New Orleans currently sits in 13th place in the Western Conference standings with a 20-44 record, which raises questions about the organization’s long-term roster construction.

Kendrick Perkins questions Zion Williamson’s long-term future with Pelicans

Perkins acknowledged Williamson’s progress this season but questioned whether the forward should remain the centerpiece of the franchise moving forward.

“Do I believe Zion can go and help and be a man for somebody? Absolutely,” Perkins said.

“Like, I believe he can be a second or third option to the main option, but he’s not a cornerstone where you really want to build your franchise.”

Perkins also credited Williamson for reshaping the conversation around his professionalism and accountability during the current season.

Perkins said, “But I believe Zion has changed the story about him.” “Shout out to him because accountability means having tough conversations with people in his circle, leaving some people in his circle, going under Bill Duffy’s wing, and being able to have that level of accountability.”

The Pelicans have not publicly indicated any intention to move Williamson, who remains one of the league’s most talented offensive players even when healthy. However, the team’s record and long-term trajectory could impact how the front office moves forward in the upcoming offseason.

For now, New Orleans is focused on finishing the season. The Pelicans are scheduled to conclude a six-game road trip on Friday night when they face the Phoenix Suns (35-27) at 9:00 pm ET.

The Green Bay Packers went into NFL free agency knowing they would lose Malik Willis, Rasheed Walker, Romeo Dobbs and Quaye Walker. For general manager Brian Gutekunst, the balancing act will come with trying to both improve the roster, while also ensuring the team remains in good position to receive a compensatory selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.

With free agency underway, we’re examining some potential targets Green Bay could pursue.

Josh Jobe, cornerback

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged that cornerback is an area where the team needs to improve. However, without a first-round pick, any rookie brought in will be a developmental piece who won’t see the field a ton in 2026. Immediate help is available in NFL free agency, although clubs have limited financial flexibility to address the situation.

Before winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, Josh Jobe spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, including one season under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, whom he spent mostly learning from the sidelines. He played 65 percent of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps in 2024, allowing a 76.6 passer rating and 7.2 yards per target in coverage, and then played 78 percent of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps last season, allowing a 77.0 passer rating and 5.7 yards per target. He’s a bit of a gamble, as his success has come with great talent around him, but he offers qualities Green Bay likes, and he could challenge for a starting spot next season in a reunion with Gannon.

Roy Lopez, nose tackle

As impressive as Micah Parsons was for Green Bay’s defense last season, the absence of Kenny Clark was felt. The team needs more help in the interior, especially with Jonathan Gannon taking over as the defensive play-caller. Luckily for Brian Gutekunst and Gannon, there are some options in NFL free agency. Within the club’s price range, Roy Lopez stands out.

According to Pro Football Focus, he spent last season with the Detroit Lions, setting career highs in quarterback hits (five) and sacks (two), while finishing 15th among interior defensive linemen in run defense grade (68.9). Before that, Lopez spent two seasons guarding Gannon in Arizona, playing 45 percent of the defensive snaps. He’s a strong nose tackle at 6-foot-2 and 312 pounds, and he’ll help restore what Green Bay lost on the interior when Clark was traded.

Nakobe Dean, off-ball linebacker

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last week that Green Bay has reached out to agents who have linebacker clients hitting the open market during the NFL Combine, gauging the market for potential additions. Nakobe Dean could be an option, especially since Jonathan Gannon was the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the team selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft. Dean has a small frame and stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall, but is considered one of the best blitzing linebackers in the NFL. If Green Bay wants to find different ways to generate pressure for Micah Parsons, who suffered an ACL injury in year one — especially if Rashaan Gary is released — Dean could be a target at off-ball linebacker.

Calais Campbell, defensive lineman

One topic of our list of potential Packers free agent targets is the relationship between said player and defensive play-caller Jonathan Gannon. The same applies to Calais Campbell, who recorded 33 pressures, 16 quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks at Arizona last season. The 6-foot-8 and 315-pound Campbell is often used in a rotational role — he logged 524 snaps last season — as he now enters his age-40 season. That said, he can be a very good situational pass rusher, and he’s still making an impact on special teams.

Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback

Before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the 2025 season, Asante Samuel Jr. met with the Packers. After playing six games (three starts) with Pittsburgh, he did not sign with the team. There are still medical risks, but Green Bay’s height-weight-speed limits on cornerbacks already limit their options. If Gutekunst doesn’t want to spend much at the position, perhaps a one-year deal with Samuel could be a good risk-reward move for both sides.

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 Baltimore Ravens have attempted to bring in some fairly high-profile receivers to catch passes from two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Still, a strong case can be made that Odell Beckham Jr. and De’Andre Hopkins were past their prime by the time they arrived in Baltimore.

Now, the Ravens may be closing in on a trade for the three-time Pro Bowl receiver who has been a major part of their team’s overall success, including a Super Bowl win in 2024.

According to Jeff McClain philadelphia enquirerThe Ravens have emerged as a “potential” trade suitor for AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. But the Ravens are not alone. McClain suggests the New England Patriots, who are led by Mike Vrabel, the Browns’ former head coach at Tennessee, are another “potential” suitor.

Brown has recorded 1,000-yard seasons in six of seven seasons since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft as the 51st overall pick. After three seasons he was traded from Tennessee to Philadelphia when the Titans would not commit to the type of long-term contract Brown wanted.

When Brown was 24, he was traded for first- and third-round selections. Now 28 years old, still established, we’ll see what the business costs this time. Even if he has been dealt with, teams are certainly trying.

RELATED: Baltimore Ravens’ Pro Bowler may be ‘gone for good’

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It is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens have received less-than-stellar netminding this season, a situation that has led some to suggest the team should acquire a goaltender before the NHL trade deadline.

This is a logical approach, as the Habs could improve the team by trading for a goaltender who can perform better than Samuel Montembeault.

Frank Serravalli: Among teams potentially interested in adding a netminder, I would include Ottawa, Montreal, Vegas Golden Knights – NHL Now (3/4).

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 5 March 2026

However, the two names being mentioned as potential upgrades for the Canadiens, Jordan Binnington (32) and Sergei Bobrovsky (37), are far from their statistical prime.

In fact, the 29-year-old Montembeault is much younger than the troubled netminders. This doesn’t mean the Canadiens can’t acquire a goaltender over the age of 29, but if they do, they’ll have to make sure the player in question can potentially deliver better results than Montembeault.

According to Pierre LeBrun:

– If the Habs do trade for a goalie, it won’t be for a rental. He says Jordan Binnington, who is signed for next season, would make sense.

– The Habs are also monitoring the status of Nazem Kadri and perhaps Vincent Trocheck as well. https://t.co/NZDEPaqqIq

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 4 March 2026

Montreal Canadiens goaltending trade targets

Before we look at the numbers, it should be noted that Binnington and Bobrowski have won Stanley Cups in the past, and there is something to be said for providing valuable experience to the youngest team in the league.

However, the goaltender in question is no longer in Stanley Cup shape, as evidenced by his numbers, which are downright terrible.

To get a better idea, we’ll take a look at four different metrics at 5v5: save percentage (SV%), goals saved above average per 60 (GSAA/60), high-danger save percentage (HDSV%), and high-danger goals saved above average per 60 (HDGSAA/60).

We filtered results for players with at least 1000 minutes played at 5v5 this season, giving us a total of 49 goaltenders.

As you can see in the table above, Montbault is near the bottom of the league in all four metrics.

And yet, he’s still managed to produce better numbers than both Binnington and Bobrowski. They are ranked last or close to last in most categories, a good reminder that the grass is not always greener.

You could argue that this isn’t a fair comparison, as the Montreal Canadiens are a better team than the Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues, but that would be to ignore the fact that the Canadiens are below both teams in high-danger shot share (46.3%).

In other words, the Canadiens squandered high-danger chances, making life much harder on their netminders. There are a dozen or more awkward rushes every night, not to mention a few instances of confused defensive coverages.

Simply put, the idea of ​​acquiring Jordan Binnington or Sergei Bobrovsky makes little to no sense for the Montreal Canadiens, as they would be unlikely to surpass Montembeault, not to mention Jacob Dobbs.

And then there’s the matter of freeing up cap space for netminders with worse numbers than the second-best Habs goalie.

All things considered, making this type of deal would be a mistake in the face of the smart, thorough work Kent Hughes and Co. have done since taking the reins in Montreal.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

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

Some around the NFL are keeping a close eye on the Philadelphia Eagles for a potential trade or two this offseason. After all, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has been known to make some moves.

While the trade of AJ Brown will certainly garner more headlines, there has been no update on his potential availability. The Eagles want good players and Brown certainly fits the bill.

Meanwhile, there are other Eagles players who could generate trade interest, including backup quarterback Tanner McKee.

according to athleticAccording to Jack Rosenblatt, trading for McKee could be costly. He believes the Eagles cannot part with the 25-year-old for anything less than a third-round pick.

Rosenblatt wrote, “I think people are underestimating how much it might cost to get McKee.” “Yeah, he’s unproven, but the Eagles are Very High on Mackie. I don’t know if they’re selling him for less than a third-round pick – and even that might not be enough.

Mackie has started two games and is going 1-1 in the process. He has completed 61.4% of his passes while throwing for five touchdowns and one interception with the Eagles.

McKee is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Still, as mentioned, the Eagles hold him in high regard. If Hearts were to miss time through injury, they would rely on McKee as a capable replacement to lead a winning effort.

With many other moving parts on the QB carousel, including the availability of Kyler Murray, the Eagles may have to wait a while to determine McKee’s true value. For now, it’s hard to imagine that any team would be willing to offer a third-round pick for a player with 88 passing attempts in his career.

RELATED: Max Crosby trade could happen very soon; NFL Insider Link 7 Teams

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Nolan Traore is finding his feet with the Brooklyn Nets. The 19-year-old rookie has impressed with his composure as the team’s primary ball-handler after earning the starting role. He put in another encouraging performance against fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama during Brooklyn’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

Wembanyama, who first met Traoré during the French national team’s preparations for the 2024 Olympics, spoke highly of his potential future teammate.

“[Nolan’s] Very young, and he was even younger when we were preparing for the Olympics in 2024,” he said, “and already, what I saw in him was maturity and the way he could control the game. And by the way, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. He has real guts, and I believe he is someone who will make incredible growth in his career.

Victor Wembanyama has high praise for Nolan Traore as he trains in the lead up to the 2024 Olympics:

“What I saw in him was maturity and the way he could control the game. And the way he could control the game, no matter who the opponent was. He has real guts. I believe… pic.twitter.com/rAr5i8lfj4

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 27 February 2026

Many considered Traore to be one of the top five prospects at the start of the 2025 pre-draft process. However, after an up and down 2024-25 season, he dropped to number 19 in the nets.

Nolan Traore impresses in starting point guard role in Nets’ rebuild

Traore struggled during his first NBA appearance and the Nets assigned him to the G League at the beginning of the season. After a highly productive extension with Long Island, the rookie point guard has emerged as the focal point of Brooklyn’s offense during the second half of the season.

Traore is averaging 11.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 44/30/76 shooting splits in 15 starts. The French floor general is the only NBA rookie to average 11 points and five assists during that span. His 6.2 assists per 100 possessions this season ranks third among all rookies who have played more than 800 minutes, trailing only Walter Clayton Jr. (6.6) and Dylan Harper (6.2).

“Nolan always believed he belonged,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “He always fights back, and he’s becoming the voice and presence that we believe he is. He’s not there yet because we also believe his ceiling is very high. These last 23 games are huge for him, huge for this group going into the summer, which will be the greatest summer of our lives.”

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel are likely the early favorites to win this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year award. With the Dallas Mavericks set to play the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, March 3, we could have a potential showdown between the two rookie events.

However, according to Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd suggested that Flagg not participate in that contest. If that’s the case, the 19-year-old rookie is likely to miss at least the team’s next three games.

When Kidd was asked if Flagg would be available for the Mavericks’ game against the Hornets, he said, “Probably not.”

The Mavericks have been playing without Cooper Flagg for the past five games, his sixth consecutive missed game on Friday when Dallas faces the Memphis Grizzlies. He recently had a walking boot removed, indicating progression of a sprain in the middle of his left foot. However, Flagg remains out of the lineup.

When healthy, Flagg has been solid for the Mavericks in his rookie year. Through 49 games played, the former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

He is in direct competition with Kon Knueppel for the Rookie of the Year award, as the Hornets’ star has become an instant star for the club. Knueppel, who was Flagg’s teammate in college at Duke, averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. He also has a 49.1% field goal percentage and 44.2% three-point percentage in 59 games played.

Some interesting posts on Friday on

Over the past two weeks there has been a lot of speculation about what is in the boxes on Raw and SmackDown. A popular choice among fans is AEW alumni Danhausen. A guy who was reportedly set to become a free agent in the coming months. Well, some of his posts today might suggest that he is free from all the shackles of aristocracy. Both can be found below.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Thursday.

montreal canadiens news

Noah Dobson played a key role in scoring at least one point against the New York Islanders. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, it was not enough, as the Islanders staged a comeback late in the game, before securing the overtime win. [Canadiens Highlights: Dobson Scores Twice To Secure A Point]

We’ve moved up to the Top 3 in our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings. Starting things off is extremely talented winger Alexander Zarovsky, who is enjoying a great rookie season in the KHL. He is a dynamic presence in the offensive zone, and the fact that he is performing in a professional hockey league at such a young age is worthy of praise. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 3 Brilliant Alexander Zharovsky]

Speaking of Zarowski, the 19-year-old forward scored a beautiful shootout goal to help Salavat win on Thursday.

Hey mother! Hands on this kid!!#GoHabsGo Prodigy Alexander Zharovsky led Salavat to victory with 2 goals in the shootout, which included this beauty. #khl pic.twitter.com/tbgfb3SGtH

– Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) 26 February 2026

Michael Hayes took to the ice on Thursday night, but it was LJ Mooney who stole the show. Hayes added one assist in a battle of Habs prospects, while Mooney recorded a goal and an assist in Minnesota’s 4–2 win over the University of Michigan. Another Canadiens prospect, Luke Mittelstaedt, also had a great night and earned two assists for the Gophers. As a reminder, Mooney was voted the No. 8 prospect in the organization by Habs fans. [Canadiens Prospect Rankings – No. 8 Highly-Skilled L.J. Mooney ]

Luke ➡️ LJ PP Goal 🌟

📺: btn pic.twitter.com/YEC79plin6

– Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) 27 February 2026

OK, we missed Throwback Thursday, but it’s never too late to include a clip of current Canadiens head coach Martin Saint-Louis scoring on former Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy.

13-year-old Marty St. Louis scores on Patrick Roy at the Montreal Forum in 1989. pic.twitter.com/UCie1mQbZc

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 26 February 2026

The Laval Rocket will have to play without several of their top players over the weekend. Adam Engstrom will miss four weeks of action, while several others, including Jacob Fowler, have not been cleared to play.

The following players did not accompany the team on the road for two weekend games:

Jacob Fowler (sick)
Florian Czekaj (sick)
Laurent Dauphin (injury)
Xavier Simoneau (injury)
Adam Engstrom (injury)

The following players did not travel with…

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 26 February 2026

Sportsknot Network

The highlight of the night for the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena was when the Pittsburgh Penguins faithful gave golden goalscorer Jack Hughes a standing ovation to solidify Team USA’s victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Then again, it was penguins all night. [New Jersey Devils]

The Florida Panthers vowed to put on an aggressive performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs after the three-week Olympic break in an effort to get back into playoff contention. He certainly did that. The Panthers played one of their best times of the season and defeated the Leafs 5–1. [Florida Panthers]

It has been seven years since the last time the San Jose Sharks were not an obvious trade deadline seller. But the Sharks were just five points out of the Western Conference’s last wild card spot in San Jose’s first break game after the Olympics on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. [San Jose Sharks]

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

Burnley have entered an ‘intense transfer battle’ for youngster Ismael Kammissoko and have invited him on a trial.

he is According to journalist Loic Tanzi And Africa ft. These two cover the Malian U17 captain today and the developing battle for his signature.

The latter suggests that Kamysoko sits at the center of an intense transfer battle ahead of the summer, with Marseille initially appearing to be in pole position to sign the 16-year-old.

However, competition intensified when Paris FC entered the battle for his signature. And now this fight has an international dimension.

That’s because, according to Tanzi, Burnley have made a move. The Clarets have reportedly sent the youngster an invitation for a trial at Turf Moor.

Why does Burnley have the advantage?

And Scott Parker’s team also has an advantage. Despite their Premier League struggles, Africa Foot report that their financial strength will give them an advantage against any French rivals.

Either way, observers believe the ‘flurry of offers’ for the young player underlines Commissoco’s ‘immense potential’.

Burnley’s effort will certainly force the likes of Marseille to move forward quickly to avoid missing the attacking midfielder.

How youth have captured the attention

They aren’t the only ones interested, Villarreal have also been credited with an interest.

This attention came thanks to his performance at the UFOA-A U17 tournament last year. He was man of the match in many matches in that tournament.

He is a creative number 10 who can play as an attacking midfielder or left winger, and he stands out for his vision, ball recovery and combination play with teammates.

It seems Burnley have decided they would like to take a closer look at him as a result.

It is not clear whether the youth will accept or not. But it seems the Clarets’ effort has set off alarm bells in France, where the likes of Marseille thought they had already won the race.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Wednesday.

montreal canadiens news

Landing at No. 4 in our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings is two-way defenseman David Rickenbacker. He’s one of the most polarizing young players in the system, and while his injuries and lack of professional experience have led some to label him useless, it’s too early to give up on the 21-year-old blueliner. Whatever happens, it’s time to readjust our expectations. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 4 Enigmatic Reinbacher]

Even though Juraj Slafkowski was a dominant force at the Olympics, Slovakia failed to bring home a medal, leaving a sour taste in their mouth. Ideally, he’ll use his Olympic frustration to motivate him in the final stretch of the season.

Reporter: “Not coming home with a medal, does it take anything away, does it diminish anything?”

Juraj Slafkowski: “Yeah, I said it sucks. You’re so close at the end…It kind of slipped by. It’s definitely a motivation. I now want to stay good here for the rest of the season.” pic.twitter.com/AheNGAkCjN

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 25 February 2026

Captain Nick Suzuki was quick to praise two of his Team Canada teammates: Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand, and Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone.

Nick Suzuki on Canadian 🇨🇦 teammates who made an impact today:

“Brad Marchand and Mark Stone. They’re amazing guys. Great in the room… those two guys were amazing.” pic.twitter.com/5I3eYgyPv8

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 26 February 2026

Injured forward Alex Newhook will be in uniform when the Habs face the New York Islanders on Thursday. This marks an early return from an ankle injury that required surgical intervention.

Head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed Alex Newhook will be in uniform on Thursday against the Islanders

Head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed Alex Newhook will play on Thursday against New York #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/9HsxoMbrQg

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 25 February 2026

Adam Engstrom and Jacob Fowler (ill) were both unavailable for the Laval Rocket as they faced the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday night. Unsurprisingly, Laval fell behind by a good margin and lost a 4–1 decision, with the only goal coming from Luc Tuch (9).

Goalkeeper Jacob Fowler (ill) will not be in uniform this evening. The Rockets recalled goaltender Hunter Jones from the Trois-Rivières Lions.

Goaltender Jacob Fowler (ill) will not dress tonight. Goaltender Hunter Jones has been recalled from the Trois-Rivières Lions.

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 25 February 2026

Things went from bad to worse for Engstrom, as he would miss four weeks of competition with an upper body injury.

Forward Laurent Dauphin (upper body) is evaluated on a daily basis. Defender Adam Engstrom (upper body) will be sidelined for four weeks.

Forward Laurent Dauphin (upper body) is day-to-day. Defenseman Adam Engstrom (upper body) will be out…

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 25 February 2026

Sportsknot Network

Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck can’t stop winning. At the White House on Tuesday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, awarded the gold medal goaltender the Presidential Medal of Freedom – considered the US government’s highest civilian honor. [New Jersey Devils]

MLSE head Keith Pelley sent a letter to Toronto Maple Leafs ticket holders on Wednesday. A sort of ‘State of the Union’ for the team, if you’ll pardon the expression. The letter explained why they could not publicly discuss the team’s deadline plans and their continued goal of producing a Stanley Cup winner. [Toronto Maple Leafs]

The Bruins’ gold medal winners are back in Boston. Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman joined most of Team USA at the White House on Tuesday. Swayman took to the ice for practice on Wednesday, and Sturm confirmed that both skaters would be on the ice for the morning skate on Thursday. [Boston Bruins]

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

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed Tuesday.

montreal canadiens news

Highly mobile defenseman Adam Engstrom cracked the top 5 in our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings. Not only has Engstrom established himself as one of the best defensemen in the AHL, his underlying statistics during his 11-game audition in Montreal suggest he is almost ready for full-time NHL action. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 5 Smooth Skating Engstrom]

I’m not sure Juraj Slafkowski shares many similarities with Jaromir Jagr, other than maybe their size. For the most part, Slafkowski is a unique player, but who am I to argue with one of the best forwards in hockey history?

Jaromir Jagr on Juraj Slafkowski:

“I like Juraj Slafkowski’s game, probably because I saw myself in him when I was younger. I like these kind of players who are strong on the boards. He’s also very intelligent.” pic.twitter.com/gjGv606ntH

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 24 February 2026

Prospect Bryce Pickford has recovered from his injury and has returned to his scoring ways. We recently included Pickford in our top 20 Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: No.7 – Extraordinary Pickford]

After capturing a bronze medal for Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Oliver Kapanen is back in Montreal.

Oliver Kapanen on winning Olympic bronze medal 🇫🇮 with Finland today:

“It means a lot to me and my family too.” pic.twitter.com/ysP3AxqwSv

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 24 February 2026

Marco Marciano continues to spend as much time as possible with his new clients. It’s a little early to analyze their impact on his numbers, but it won’t be long until we put together an analysis article focused on the goaltending coach change.

New #hubs Goalie coach Marco Marciano works with Samuel Montembeault and Jacob Dobbs during practice this morning in Brossard. pic.twitter.com/drruSjVLlB

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) 24 February 2026

Former Hub Brett Kulak was involved in another trade on Tuesday. The Colorado Avalanche, a team hungry for another Stanley Cup win, acquired him in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick.

The Penguins have acquired defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche in exchange for Brett Kulak.

Details: https://t.co/HrWus4pKkI pic.twitter.com/TFDE9O2upR

-Pittsburgh Penguins (@Penguins) 24 February 2026

Sportsknot Network

If it wasn’t already obvious, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes will be visiting the White House on Tuesday with the rest of Team USA. “We’re very proud to represent America and when you get a chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and it’s very patriotic,” the Devils superstar said while celebrating in Miami on Monday. [New Jersey Devils]

For the second time this season, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas executed a trade for a young player with multi-year team control. And for the second time this season, no one else saw the Penguins trade coming. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

It’s been a tough season for Frederick Anderson. From a nine-game losing streak to career lows in key advanced statistics, Anderson has struggled to maintain consistent play. Despite the Carolina Hurricanes’ defensive core being decimated in the early season, Anderson has been the one to take the brunt of the criticism throughout the campaign – something that can rob confidence at any moment like a thief in the night. However, when the national players return to the local grounds from the Olympic stage, perhaps it’s just what the doctor ordered. [Carolina Hurricanes]

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

Baiser Enal has become a regular for NEC Nijmegen over the past two seasons. The youngster is now attracting the attention of Aston Villa – and rightfully so.

The versatile winger has made quite an impression for the Dutch side in the ongoing campaign. He has contributed five goals and seven assists, showing his versatility by starting regularly at wing-back.

This seems to have brought out the best in him, as the 21-year-old played up front last season but only scored once. In the past, he has also played as an attacking midfielder and right winger, but left wing-back has played to his strengths.

Now, his performances are helping NEC Nijmegen challenge for a surprise European place. They are tied for third in the Eredivisie on points with Ajax.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa is now emerging as a possible destination for Onal.

Why might Aston Villa tempt Onal?

Today, corriere dello sport A detailed look at the versatile attacker, his strengths and where his future could lie.

They make it clear that Onal is one of Nijmegen’s prized assets and he is now attracting the attention of major clubs. There is interest from Aston Villa but also from Atletico Madrid.

However, the villains may be in the driving seat. The main reason is that he will be tempted to switch to the Premier League.

The transfer could be facilitated by his contract, which expires in 2028. So far, there are no signs that the Türkiye U21s man will extend his stay at the Dutch club.

Anal is seeing incredible growth

The Turkish talent joins Nijmegen from De Graafschap for just €1m in 2024. At his former club, he contributed 30 goals in 83 games in all competitions, impressing at a young age.

At that time, his best performances came in a traditional left wing role, another example of Aston Villa’s versatility.

His price tag is currently unknown but Nijmegen will surely make high capital gains from the sale.

LOS ANGELES – Just when the Los Angeles Lakers were starting to get back to 100 percent healthy, they were informed of another injury, this time to backup center Jackson Hayes. Hayes suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the Lakers’ loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday and did not return. Before the Lakers’ game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick lamented the fact that Hayes’ absence means the team is losing this special ability that only LeBron James could possess.

“Unfortunately, no one on our team except LeBron can jump as high as him. So we’ll have to make do with Maxi.” [Kleber] And Wando,” Redick said. “And the good news is he’s going day by day. And he has already improved. He did a light court workout today. “Still a little sore, but we’re hopeful he’ll be back this week.”

Jackson Hayes was initially listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report for their game against the Magic, but he was downgraded to out just hours before tip-off. Hayes has struggled with ankle problems this season, but for the most part has been an integral part of the Lakers’ rotation.

Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers after initially signing as a free agent in the 2023 offseason. He originally signed a two-year contract with the team, and then re-signed to a one-year contract last offseason. Hayes played admirably as the starting center last year following the departure of Anthony Davis, but Redick ultimately ousted him amid the Lakers’ disappointing playoff run against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This season, Hayes has appeared in 47 games, including seven starts, in just over 17 minutes per game. He averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds with a split of 77 percent shooting from the field and 64.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Hayes represented the Lakers in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, but was eliminated in the opening round.

With Hayes out of the lineup, the backup center role will fall to the combination of Maxi Kleber and Jared Vanderbilt. Kleber represents the Lakers as a traditional big man in terms of size, while Vanderbilt has operated in small-ball lineups.

A new report links the Los Angeles Lakers to seven different players as offseason targets, including a player who had one of the worst contracts in the history of NBA free agency, and is one of the game’s top stars at the moment.

The LA Lakers lead the playoff race in the Western Conference and are just a few games away from having the fourth-best record in the NBA. Suffice it to say, they’re still aiming for a deep run in the postseason this spring. However, that doesn’t mean the front office doesn’t also have an eye on the offseason.

After making the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic last year, the organization has taken a surprisingly conservative approach. They’re not willing to give up a future first-round pick in a trade, and they don’t want to add any big contracts to their payroll so they can retain salary cap flexibility in the summer.

But expect them to be much more active in improving the roster around Doncic in the offseason. And according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Milwaukee Bucks icon Giannis Antetokounmpo will be on their wish list.

McMenamin reports, “The Lakers clearly see the appeal in Antetokounmpo and believe they would be one of the teams on a very short list if the Bucks ask to trade the star out of Milwaukee.” “A Western Conference executive tells ESPN he believes Antetokounmpo is the ‘big prize’ the Lakers are hoping to get should the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade the 2021 NBA Finals MVP in the offseason.”

LA Lakers could target Quentin Grimes, Tobias Harris this summer

While the LA Lakers will look to pair Doncic and Antetokounmpo – two of the league’s top 10 best players – next season, completing a trade for the Greek giants will not be easy as they will be competing with at least a half-dozen other teams in the trade sweepstakes.

That’s why the LA Lakers will have other players on their radar this summer. According to McMenamin, there have already been internal discussions about pursuing restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson.

When it comes to the unrestricted market, an NBA insider claims Andrew Wiggins, Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are the players the organization will be looking for in the summer.

While Harris is a solid player, the five-year, $180 million deal he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 will go down as one of the worst signed contracts ever in free agency. In Philly, he averaged 17 points, 6 boards and 3 assists over his six seasons, as he earned $36 million annually.

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

Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown gave an encouraging update on Jayson Tatum’s injury at All-Star Media Day. For many, the Celtics’ trade for Nikola Vucevic signaled Tatum’s return, or at least, signaled the organization’s desire to do so, while the All-Star forward has not made a final decision on whether or not he should return this season.

As for the Browns, Tatum is looking better as he reaches the final stages of recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last year in the Celtics’ second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Brown addressed Tatum’s rehabilitation during his media availability on Saturday.

“In terms of what I’ve seen, he looks great,” Brown said, adding that Tatum’s potential return for this season is close.

While Tatum’s recent practice with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, was an encouraging update, Jayson says it is not a guarantee he is returning this season, which is a decision that will likely be made in the coming weeks.

Celtics return Nikola Vucevic trade sign for Jayson Tatum

The Celtics added to their frontcourt at the deadline by trading Anfernee Simmons with the Bulls for Nikola Vucevic. Despite the guard leading the NBA in points off the bench, the Celtics added a big move to complement their All-Star tandem in Jaylen Brown and, hopefully, Jayson Tatum, amid his impending return.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Celtics trading for Vucevic increases the front office’s confidence that Tatum will return before the end of the regular season.

Stein reported, “The Celtics’ decision to acquire Nikola Vucevic from Chicago before the trade deadline, in exchange for Anfernee Simmons’ expiring contract, was a clear indicator that Boston believes Tatum will indeed return for the postseason.”

The Celtics entered the All-Star break with the second-best record – 35–19 – in the Eastern Conference.