標籤: prospect

New York Mets star prospects Carson Benz and AJ Ewing are set to be joined by one of the club’s top minor league outfielders this week.

Entering May, things were looking pretty grim for the Mets. They lost 12 in a row at one point in April and had one of the worst records in MLB. However, he started to show some life earlier this month and, to the delight of New York fans, has gained some real enthusiasm over the past two weeks.

They have won six of their last seven, including defeating two of the city rivals New York Yankees over the weekend and a blowout 16-7 win against the Washington Nationals on Monday, where they struck out 10 in 12 innings. Interestingly, both Ewing and Benz have played a role in the team’s improved play recently.

The youth are bringing life to the clubhouse and energy to the field. Well, it looks like the Mets’ decision-makers want to mine more of that power for the benefit of their big league roster. According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, the team plans to promote stud outfield prospect Nick Morabito this week.

What can Nick Morabito bring to the NY Mets roster?

Morabito is ranked 11th in the Mets farm system on MLB.com and brings more versatility to the outfield as he can play all three positions. The righty was the 75th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and has slowly progressed through his system over the past four years.

He made his Triple-A debut in 2026 and played well in his first 41 games. Posting a .253/.364/.390/.754 slashline with four homers, 17 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Although his bat does not have notable pop, he has shown good plate discipline and bat-on-ball skills at a young age. But his speed is his big calling card. Making Morabito a base-stealing threat at all times.

The Mets plan to designate outfielder Austin Slater for assignment, and Morabito will be brought in to replace him. He will get opportunities against lefties and as a pinch runner and defensive replacement option. The idea is to take a look at them and give them a taste of the big leagues before some of their injured veterans return over the next few weeks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Chicago Cubs have been one of the best teams in baseball this season despite having a poor rotation due to injuries. While the Cubs’ lineup is apparently deep enough for the club to be ready to compete, one of Chicago’s hitters may need to be moved this summer to address the rotation.

USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale wrote Sunday that with Chicago in the market for a front-line starting pitcher, the front office has “no choice” but to trade infielder Matt Shaw.

RELATED: MLB Power Rankings Week 7, see where the Cubs land

Shaw, who is just 24 years old, is also not eligible for arbitration until 2029. He’s making just $804,500 this season and has made great strides. After posting a .226 batting average in his rookie season, Shaw has raised his average to .245 this year with an OPS near .700.

He has decreased his strikeout rate year-to-date (21.5% to 17.5%) and is showing good positional versatility. However, the Cubs’ roster is deep on the position-player side, with Moises Ballesteros, Michael Conforto, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman needing consistent at-bats.

RELATED: Insider names 3 Cubs trade targets

For Chicago, the depth of hitters gives the front office the flexibility to move Shaw. The Cubs may be at an advantage over other suitors because Shaw can contribute immediately at the major-league level, while prospects may never reach the big leagues.

The challenge may be finding the right business partner. The San Francisco Giants may have some starting pitching available (Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle), but they already have Matt Chapman at third base. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are loaded with young hitters in the corner infield.

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

Many of the San Diego Padres’ top prospects have been traded in recent years, draining their farm system. Now it has suffered another blow after the alleged relegation of one of the top branches of the club in the smaller leagues.

Alex Riggins’s San Diego Union-Tribune Minor-league pitcher Humberto Cruz has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to transporting a man to the United States and it is a “virtual certainty” he will be deported, reports say.

READ MORE: MLB Power Rankings Week 6, see where the Padres are placed

Cruz, who is 19, is widely considered one of the Padres’ top prospects in 2026. MLB Pipeline ranks the 6-foot-1 standout as the fifth-best player in San Diego’s farm system. FanGraphs noted that Cruz was “one of the best arms” with an ACL tear last summer, and he had a good chance to develop into a mid-rotation starter for the club.

In 2024, the Padres signed Cruz and he received a $750,000 signing bonus as part of the deal. He was part of the club’s run in international free agency, headlined by Leo De Vries, who was traded to the Sacramento Athletics for All-Star closer Mason Miller last summer.

Cruz had not pitched yet this season after undergoing elbow surgery in August and undergoing an internal brace procedure to repair a UCL tear in his pitching arm. The recovery timeline caused him to miss the entire 2026 MiLB season.

Details on Humberto Cruz’s guilty plea, expected deportation

Cruz pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of receiving money in exchange for the transportation of noncitizen immigrants within the United States, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

As a non-U.S. citizen who worked in the country under a visa as part of the Padres organization, Cruz is expected to be deported. Before the guilty plea, the team had placed him on the restricted list.

According to the report, the Padres understand that Cruz will not be allowed a work visa to the United States for the next 10 years. However, he or she will have the opportunity to apply again after five years.

On October 28, in Arizona near the US-Mexico border, Border Patrol agents reportedly saw an SUV headed toward the border with only one person inside. Shortly afterwards, it was seen returning with two additional passengers.

When captured, Cruz told agents that he knew the people in his car had no documents and that he was told he would be paid $1,000 to transport each person.

If the five-year timeline is held, Cruz will be 24 when he is eligible to return to the United States for the first time. Given the long layoff from pitching in organized baseball, it is likely that his time with an MLB club has come to an end.

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

An MLB prospect expert believes New York Yankees Triple-A star Spencer Jones has a lot of potential. But he also believes that this young player could easily flop in the Bronx.

This week, Jason Dominguez endeared himself to Yankees fans when he went all out to make a catch during a game against the Texas Rangers. In the process of making possibly the best catch of his career, he sprained a low-grade left AC joint in his knee and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

To fill his spot on the roster, the Yankees are pulling the trigger on something New York fans have wanted to see for a few years: top star Aaron Judge in the same outfield with stud prospect Spencer Jones. The pair of 6-foot-7 sluggers will now bookend the Yanks’ outfield for the foreseeable future.

Yankees fans have heard about Jones and his big power over the years. He has been a top prospect in their system and has been close to untouchable as a minor leaguer for the franchise. So, expectations are high as he joins a 26-12 team.

Could Spencer Jones be the next Race Hinds?

Baseball America editor-in-chief JJ Cooper spoke after news of his promotion on Friday foul territory show Regarding Jones, prospect experts admitted that Jones “scares” them because, in their time in this role, they have never seen a player with such a wide range of possible career outcomes.

He made it clear that he would never come close to being as good as Judge, but he believed he could become a player who hits 25 to 30 homers in the big leagues. But he also said his performance could be similar to that of Cincinnati Reds prospect Race Hinds. A player who was a beast in the minors but has a .172 average in 51 games played over the last three seasons.

The big reason he’s so unsure about Jones is not just his high strikeout rate that could lead to 0-4 with 4 Ks days, but it’s his miss rate in the zone. Jones is one of the top picks in the minor leagues. Cooper concluded by saying that Spencer Jones’ promotion to the Yankees’ big league roster this week carries “massive potential but also massive risk.”

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

Trade rumors are like sunshine around this time of year; The further you go into the summer, the more there is.

The Edmonton Oilers already have a lot of decisions to make this summer. While some believe they need to find a way to send out defender Darnell Nurse, there are bigger problems that must be addressed.

One of those problems was solved by an Oilers Now radio host (employed by the team, mind you). Bob Stauffer appeared on the 100% Hockey Podcast and talked to the hosts about some of the issues burdening the team.

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Oilers insider addresses the Jerry-Ingram tandem

One topic of discussion was the combination of Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram. Jarry is under contract for a few more years, while Ingram is a free agent.

“They’ve got to find a way to move forward here with Tristan Jarry,” Stouffer told hosts Darren Millard and John Shannon. “Under the assumption that he’s in Edmonton next year, he’s got to work with them, just like he had to work with (forward Trent) Fredericks, right? Like he’s got to work with those guys and get it out of them.”

“I think Jerry’s a better puck handler. He’s got a great glove hand.”

Additionally, Stauffer is unsure whether the Oilers are interested in bringing Ingram back.

Stauffer argued, “I think they have to figure that kind of thing out.” “I think Ingram gave them as much as he could, but he didn’t steal any games in the playoffs. We’ll have to see what happens with Ingram. But I think he might have to consider a move out of the organization if this trend continues.”

What do the Oilers need from an Eastern Conference team?

Stauffer suggests a trade for a goaltender prospect. That is, one who is closer to NHL-ready than the current crop of hopefuls.

Stauffer urges, “Maybe they need to target a young goaltender in an organization that has deep goaltending potential.” “They’ve got a lot of goalscoring potential themselves. But they’re years away, you know, three to four years away. There’s a club in the East that has four very good goalscorers in their system right now. So we’ll see what happens here moving forward.”

“I’m not saying anything about the team. I respect that organization for having a goaltender.”

My thoughts on goalie prospect trading

• The Detroit Red Wings are likely the team Stauffer is referring to.
• On Puckpedia, Detroit’s potential goaltenders to sign are Michal Postava, Trey Augustin, Carter Zyllander and Sebastian Cossa.
• The Red Wings have $32,791,667 in salary cap space before addressing their free agent situation.
• Postava and Augustin are contracted for at least one more season. Cossa and Zylander will become restricted free agents on July 1, 2026.
• Cossa, 23, has big size, but has fallen out of favor with the Red Wings organization. Given that his contract is expiring, Detroit may be tempted to trade him before July 1.
• Unfortunately for the Oilers, they will have to address their goaltending from multiple angles.
• If they play better defense, it will make things a lot easier on their netminders.
• The Oilers goaltenders need to improve the weaknesses in their game over the summer to become better overall players.
• If the organization trusts Jerry’s limits, they probably won’t betray him.

One way or another, it’s going to be an interesting offseason for the Oilers. Addressing their goal-related issues should be a top priority.

We’re waiting to see if they really feel the same way.

Caleb Kearney is a freelance journalist and writer who covers the Edmonton Oilers for SportsNut. Caleb Kearney Read More About Caleb Kearney

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Corey Day is coming off his first win, driving to victory at Talladega Superspeedway and proving he is one of the top prospects in racing. With a seat potentially opening up next season in the Cup Series at Hendrick Motorsports, there has been some speculation that Day might get a ride at only 21 years old.

Speaking on Day’s win on the latest episode of Action Detrimental, future Hall of Fame driver Denny Hamlin was asked if he thought Hendrick’s top prospect could race in the Cup Series next season.

“Next year? Oh man, that’s quick. I wouldn’t recommend it, but you never know.”

Denny Hamlin on whether Corey Day can reach the Cup Series in 2027

RELATED: Denny Hamlin eyes revenge on fellow driver

• Corey Day Statistics (O’Reilly Series): 399 points, 1 win, nine top-10s, four top-5s, 1 pole, 1 DNF, 191 laps led, 8.09 average starting position, 8.36 average finishing position

Day, who won’t turn 21 until November, is widely viewed as one of NASCAR’s top prospects in 2026. He signed a development contract with Hendrick through 2024 and ran 11 races with the team in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series last season.

The young driver of the No. 17 Hendrick car got off to a poor start in his first full-time season in the O’Reilly Series. After qualifying sixth, Day finished 27th at Daytona to start the season. However, in the last 10 races he has finished 12th or better in every race with an average finishing position of 6.5.

Between Day being out at OARS and Alex Bowman having a disastrous contract year, it seems likely the young driver will take over the No. 48 car at least next season. It would be a short-term gamble, but Hendrick can see it as a long-term move to prepare Day for his future with a top team and he will gain valuable experience racing in a consistent Next Gen car.

However, Connor Zylisch is a perfect example of why HMS wants to play slowly with Day’s development. The 19-year-old had a historic dominance in the O’Reilly Series last year, winning 10 races and leading 1,013 laps. Now driving the No. 88 for Trackhouse Racing in his rookie season, he has the third-worst average finishing position (27.0) and fourth-worst average starting position (28.3) among full-time Cup Series drivers through 10 races.

The car and support staff that Day will have in the No. 48 car will certainly be better than the one that worked with Zillisch this season at Trackhouse. However, this could ultimately be detrimental to the young driver as expectations would be higher and his early struggles racing in a top-flight car would be more pronounced.

Hamlin’s advice that Day should spend two full seasons in the O’Reilly Series, with perhaps a few Cup starts mixed in, is probably the right approach for the rising player. If all goes well and he continues to sharpen his racing with experience in OARS, he will soon be in the Cup Series.

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

Texas Tech Red Raiders transfer quarterback Brandon Sorsby is checking into a treatment program for gambling addiction, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Sorbsey, who most recently played for the Cincinnati Bearcats, is one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft next spring.

The 22-year-old quarterback decided to seek gambling treatment after a recent discovery. Sorsby placed thousands of online bets on various sports through a gambling app, as first reported by Thamel. The NCAA is currently investigating Sorsby’s gambling as he enters treatment for the problem.

“we love [Brendan Sorsby] And support his decision to seek professional help,” said Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. ”It takes courage to take this step, and our primary focus is on them as an individual. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.

In 2025, Soursby threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games with Cincinnati. This represents the 22-year-old quarterback’s second year with Cincinnati. He spent the last two seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers. Sorbsey was ranked as one of the top players in the NCAA transfer portal during this cycle.

Sorsby is set to replace former Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft. Texas Tech was excited to land Sorsby, who was one of the top quarterback prospects in next year’s 2027 NFL Draft.

Sorsby’s future with Texas Tech is unclear after seeking treatment for gambling. Currently, the NCAA is trying to understand the extent of his actions through its investigation. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders aid Soursby in his recovery, hoping he can improve his health.

READ MORE: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 2027 NFL Draft class

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

2024 年，佩里晉升為 Low-A，儘管他所面對的擊球手的保送率為 18.8%，但他還是先發了 14 場比賽，打了 46 局，自責分率為 2.93。然而，他的賽季被縮短了，因為他在 8 月在 UCL 受傷，需要湯米約翰進行手術，在開始之前就結束了他的整個 2025 賽季。

快進到 2026 年，經過幾個月的艱苦康復，佩里自 24 年 8 月以來首次重返投手丘。他的前三場比賽取得了出色的成績，值得樂觀。然而，佩里賽季初的真正動力來自於他的全面改進。速度提高了，形狀更好了，結果也反映了這一點。

讓我們深入了解藍鳥隊系統中可能最大的臥舖臂。

東西的區別

我們可以看到佩里在 2024 年 UCL 手術前的最後一次展示，以及他今年 4 月回歸後的前三場比賽中的展示。

立即跳出來的第一件事是佩里的平均快球速度比之前提高了 2 英里/小時，而沒有犧牲任何形狀。平均時速 94 英里/小時，速度為 18.7」 IVB 和 9.4」 HB 的 -4.2 垂直接近角落帶來了他的快球精英切球動作。擊球手有 40% 的時間在擊球，這對快球來說確實是異常情況，而當他們確實接觸時，它屬於軟球。

考慮到額外的 -5.5，曲線球的下落比之前更加陡峭」 它正在生成 IVB。反過來，它可以更有效地從他的高騎快球中挖出，因為它們來自同一個槽，從手中看起來是一樣的，但快球保持在區域內，而曲線球從桌子上掉下來。 66.7% 的惡魔般的嗅覺率反映了它的音調有多好。

從速度的角度來看，沉降片是四接縫沉降片的複製品。平均時速從 92 英里每小時提高到 94 英里每小時。形狀基本上保持不變，但增加的速度彌補了世界上的所有差異，特別是當你有六個不同的音高需要準備時。

另一個形狀變化最大的投球是佩里的變速投球。平均速度上升 1.5 MPH，同時下降 5.4 MPH」 IVB 的數量較 2024 年的情況有所不同。 極為 佩里的變速球的一小部分樣本（確切地說是七個球）的錯誤率為 66.7%，但沒有一個被投入使用。隨著賽季的進行，我希望看到佩里更多地利用這種球場，特別是在對陣左手擊球手時。

After realizing that there was no quarterback worth selecting with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets moved quickly to acquire Geno Smith. He is expected to be the Jets’ starting QB for the entire season.

But what about 2027? After all, if Smith could only lead the Raiders to a 2-13 record last year, who’s to say he’d be any better for the Jets? Still, Jets general manager Darren Maugi is reportedly busy identifying other QB prospects who could develop into long-term solutions in New York.

According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Jets have “done a lot of work” on Alabama QB Ty Simpson.

The Jets have really done a lot of work on Simpson, who is projected to be either a late first-round pick or a late-round pick. New York joined Simpson in a private workout, attended his Pro Day, and even took him out to dinner. The Jets have the second and 16th picks in the first round of the draft. They also have the 34th and 44th picks in the second round.

The Cardinals are another team that has been heavily linked to Simpson, and their QB situation is even more dire than the Jets. The Cardinals pick 3rd and 34th, and we could see both of these teams competing for the spot to make sure they get their guy.

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

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

Barring a trade, the Tennessee Titans are less than 48 hours away from deciding which prospect they will select with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Most expect the Titans to go with either a running back, pass-rusher or linebacker.

When Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi initially spoke on Tennessee’s plans with the fourth overall selection, he said they would go with the best player available. Many came away from this with the belief that the Titans would be targeting Notre Dame star Jeremiah Love (if he is available), as he is the top-ranked prospect on many evaluators’ draft boards.

Yet, this may not be the case at all.

Recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports revealed his information that Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey is the “game-changer new head coach Robert Saleh is coveting.”

This is fine, but there may be a problem. What if Bailey is the pass-rusher the Jets want at No. 2, too? There is talk that New York is down to either Arvel Reese or Bailey, and that could put a wrench in the Titans’ plans. Heck, the Cardinals at No. 3 could even decide they want one of this year’s elite pass-rushing prospects and take whoever the Jets don’t.

In other words, based on Pauline’s reporting, it doesn’t look like Jeremiah Love is Tennessee’s top prospect, but this is also smokescreen season, so you never really know.

RELATED: Tennessee Titans could lean toward Jeremiah Love at 4

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 San Francisco Giants were one of the biggest winners in the MLB Draft Lottery last year, moving up to get the fourth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. While draft day is still a few months away, there is some early information on who the Giants may want to draft in 2026.

In a mini MLB mock draft, ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel reported that the Giants would “really like” they had the chance to draft high school shortstop Grady Emerson with the fourth overall pick. Although he appears to be the top target there, it appears they have plans for some quick returns.

At the beginning of the season, the consensus of evaluators was that UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowski would be the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft. However, as the season has unfolded, Emerson is now inserting himself into that mix. He is currently projected to be drafted second overall by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Emerson, age 18, is 6 feet 2 inches tall and plays left-handed. MLB Pipeline rates his hitting tool, fielding and arm strength at a 60 on a 20-80 scouting scale with 66-grade power and speed.

“Emerson is an all-around prospect who is a virtual lock to be at shortstop for a long time because of his plus range, action and arm strength. He’s a grinder in the box who takes a lot of pitches and spoils boundary line offerings unless opposing hitters give up and either give him something to hit or give him a walk.”

FanGraphs scouting report on Grady Emerson

If Emerson is off the board, McDaniel says San Francisco “would be happy to get” Georgia Tech catcher Von Lackey or UC Santa Barbara starting pitcher Jackson Flora.

Lackey could be an attractive option for San Francisco, as the catcher doesn’t seem to have a long-term plan. Patrick Bailey has provided Gold Glove-caliber defense behind the plate and is one of the best pitch framers in baseball, but he is also a well-below average hitter at catcher.

Flora, 6 feet 5 inches tall, entered the season as the consensus top 2026 MLB Draft prospect and has done nothing to change that this season. In 10 starts, he has a 0.71 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP and an 84-24 K-BB ratio with just 4.1 H/9 in 63.1 innings.

According to McDaniel, another name worth keeping an eye on is high school shortstop Jacob Lombard. The younger brother of New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr., he offers some of the most attractive equipment among position players in the upcoming class.

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

It looks like the New York Mets have another interesting prospect who could soon replace Kodai Senga in the starting rotation.

Heading into the 2026 MLB season, Mets decision makers were hopeful that Senga had resolved the issues that led to last year’s disastrous finish. After posting a 5.25 ERA in August, he finished the 2025 season with a 0–3 record and a 6.18 ERA in September. However, during spring training this year, Senga’s fastball was dominant, and he seemed to recapture his All-Star form.

To start the new season, he allowed four runs in less than 12 innings in starts against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. It seemed like the ace pitcher was back. Then the wheels fell from its last two wires. Over 5.2 innings against the Chicago Cubs and Athletics, he gave up 14 hits, four homers and 14 runs scored.

It feels like it’s September all over again and the Mets brass should seriously consider a change as they are mired in a miserable losing streak closing in on their 10th straight. Fortunately, the club has some interesting options in its minor league system.

The New York Mets have three options to replace Kodai Senga in Triple-A

Jonah Tong was the best pitcher at any level in the Minors last year. Although he showed his inexperience in his debut at the end of 2025, the team is still ahead of his potential. Christian Scott is fully healthy after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery, and he’s looked strong in Triple-A this year. However, there is also a third option.

Top-10 Mets prospect Zack Weninger has taken some big development steps over the past year. Last season in Double-A, he went 12-6 with a 2.92 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 135.2 innings. He continued that momentum this spring, and though he didn’t make the big league roster, he has gotten off to a fast start in Triple-A. He is 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 15 Ks in 14.1 innings in three starts.

According to SNY Mets minor league specialist Joe DeMaio, Weninger has a fastball that has touched 97 mph, a swing-and-miss splitter, a cutter, a sinker, a gyro slider, and he has also mastered throwing a curveball at times.

The options are good, and the Mets have three good options ready whenever they want to take Senga out of the rotation.

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

The New York Jets have a big week coming up, with the 2026 NFL Draft fast approaching on April 23. After finishing with only a 3–14 record, the Jets earned the No. 2 overall pick in the first round. They also have the 16th overall pick from the Sauce Gardner trade to the Indianapolis Colts.

Many expected the Jets to select a pass-rusher with the second overall pick, but there has been some debate as to whether they would target Ohio State’s Arvel Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey. after this? Things are even more uncertain.

However, according to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Jets “think very highly” of Arizona safety/cornerback hybrid Traydon Stukes, and he has been flying up draft boards since his season ended.

Stukes ran a stellar 40-yard dash of 4.38 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, as well as a vertical jump of 38 inches. He has played safety, nickel and outside cornerback and NFL evaluators believe he will be able to handle all three positions at the next level as well.

While Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is generally regarded as the third-best safety in the draft class behind top-10 pick Caleb Downs and fellow first-round safety Dillon Thieneman, Pauline reports that Stucks is graded as the third-best safety on some teams’ boards. Others have him as the top nickel back of the draft.

The Jets have the 2nd, 16th, 33rd and 44th picks in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. Chances are, Stukes will be considered at picks 33 and 44, otherwise they might not get it.

RELATED: ‘Consensus’ points to the New York Jets selecting with the No. 2 pick

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The 2026 NFL Draft begins next Thursday, April 23. That’s when the Washington Commanders, barring a trade, will use the seventh overall pick in the first round on one of this year’s top talents.

Many draft experts expect commanders to target a prospect at a specific position, such as edge rusher, receiver, or defensive back. However, there are other talented prospects who could also come into play.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Commanders also “love” Notre Dame running back prospect Jeremiah Love.

A lot of teams are big fans of Love coming into the draft. He is the top ranked player on many draft boards. The problem is that only one team will be able to acquire him and Love may not slide down to seventh, where Washington is slated to be selected.

The Commanders only have six selections in the NFL Draft, meaning they don’t really have the draft capital to move for Love unless Washington is willing to part with players and/or future draft compensation. Love is expected to be a top-five pick, but there are several teams that want him to slide a little further and it looks like Washington is one of them.

RELATED: NFL Draft Rumors: Latest Intel on Washington Commanders Round 1 Plans

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Each NFL team has a different draft board, with some prospects ranking higher than others. Generally, the status of a potential client depends mostly on their film, measurables or character. However, there are some rare cases when an athlete has a history of injury.

Most injuries are not serious enough to have a major impact on a player’s future, although some are more serious than others. Sometimes injuries not only ruin a player’s season, but can also impact the rest of his career.

The same could happen with Tennessee’s Jarmod McCoy, who is projected to be a first-round pick. LSU’s Mansur Delaney is considered the top cornerback prospect, but McCoy is often ranked right behind him despite overcoming a torn ACL that wiped out his 2025 season.

While McCoy is expected to be healthy for Week 1, some NFL evaluators are concerned about his long-term health.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, some teams have “red flagged” McCoy for a possible “degenerative knee condition.”

This could cause McCoy’s stock to drop to the point where some teams have removed him from their draft boards entirely. Still, other teams may not agree with this assessment, which is why McCoy could still be a first-round pick. Just needs a team to clear him medically and believe McCoy has a bright future in the NFL.

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

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It’s not hard to find Kansas City Chiefs draft projections this time of year. The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23, and the Chiefs have two first-round selections (Nos. 9 and 29). Although everyone has an opinion on what the Chiefs can do, obviously, not everyone agrees.

However, there are NFL insiders who have gathered information from key sources over the past few weeks and months, giving them a better indication of what could happen. recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breyer was walking through examples of what chiefs might do, and in the process, he may have provided some insight based on what he heard from knowledgeable people.

According to Breyer, the Chiefs “might like” Clemson offensive tackle prospect Blake Miller as a right tackle. Still, Kansas City could prioritize three positions, including tackle, in the first round.

After selecting Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chiefs think they already have their left tackle. Finding a capable right tackle shouldn’t be that difficult, yet they’ve already hit and miss several times, such as signing Young Taylor for $80 million in 2023.

Nevertheless, Miller is experienced as an offensive line prospect, starting 54 games at right tackle for Clemson. There are a lot of tapes on it; This is just a case of where the Chiefs feel they can grab Miller, which could be in the latter half of the first round.

RELATED: Kansas City Chiefs criticized for one of ‘NFL’s worst signings’

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Barring another trade, the Baltimore Ravens will add a prospect with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. Ravens draft projections and predictions have been all over the place so far, with some focusing on the offensive interior, and a large collection predicting a wide receiver.

There’s no way to know which prospects will be available when the Ravens are on the clock next Thursday, but there’s a good chance that one of several first-round receiver prospects will still be up for grabs. The Ravens may also have the opportunity to select top-ranked offensive guard, Vega Ioane, but is selecting a non-tackle in the top half of the first round the best value?

ESPN’s Ravens insider Jamison Henley believes the chances of Baltimore targeting a receiver are much higher. In fact, he suggests there is a “strong possibility” that the Ravens will select a pass-catcher with the 14th overall pick.

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is widely expected to be the Ravens’ early pick, but between USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson, Indiana’s Omar Cooper and Oregon’s tight end Kenyon Saadiq, one of the four is sure to be available at 14.

The Ravens haven’t been afraid to target a receiver in the first round in recent years, targeting Rashod Bateman with the 27th overall pick in 2021 and Zay Flowers with the 22nd overall pick in 2023. Both are starting receivers in Baltimore, but there is still room for another pass-catcher to emerge, and it could be another first-round pick.

RELATED: Baltimore Ravens urged to trade first-round pick for superstar receiver

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When it comes to pairing eccentric athletes, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t usually the first team that comes to mind. Perhaps with a new head coach, as Mike McCarthy takes over, that mentality may change, even if the same general manager, Omar Khan, will still make the final decisions on draft day.

On Monday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the Steelers have met with Arkansas quarterback prospect Tylen Green.

He was one of the top testers at the NFL Scouting Combine, where Green recorded the second-fastest 40-yard dash among QBs in event history at 4.36 seconds. He also recorded the best vertical leap in NFL Combine history among QBs with a jump of 43.5 inches. He also had the second-best broad jump in combined history among QBs of 11 feet, 2 inches.

While he’s clearly a talented athlete, the 6-foot-6 standout’s actual abilities as a QB are still in question after completing 60.7% of his passes in four seasons (two at Boise State, two at Arkansas). Still, with the amount of experience Green has (53 games played), teams will be attracted to the qualities he displays.

Green has met with other teams, including the Cowboys and Ravens, who are no strangers to eccentric athletes. They are projected to be Day 3 picks, falling between the fourth and fifth rounds, but prospects with so much potential are often already selected. After all, it only takes one team to have big faith in his future, maybe even the Steelers.

Pittsburgh has an NFL-high 12 selections in the upcoming draft. This includes five selections in the top 99 selections, and seven more selections from 121 to 237. With so many selections, it only makes sense to evaluate Green’s abilities, especially since Pittsburgh still only has two QBs on the roster as they await Aaron Rodgers’ decision.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Montreal Canadiens were expected to sign top prospect Michael Hayes over the weekend, now that their team is out of the NCAA Frozen Four.

The University of Michigan was upset by the University of Denver in the semifinals, losing a 4–3 decision in double overtime. Hayes was sparingly used, as he was dealing with an injury that caused him to miss the previous elimination game.

However, according to reports, Hayes will return to the NCAA to play his junior season, which means he will not join the Montreal Canadiens until the end of the 2026–27 season. This development is quite surprising, given that most insiders assumed a deal was imminent, and yet, beyond the disappointment of failing to add a high-end prospect to the mix, the decision makes sense when evaluating all angles.

seeing the forest for the trees

While Hayes represents the team’s best hopes to ultimately fill the No. 2 center spot internally, it is questionable whether he will be able to provide an immediate impact when making the jump from amateur to professional hockey, which is one of the biggest challenges any young player will face early in his career.

By staying in the NCAA for an additional season, not only would Hayes have another chance to win a national championship, thus erasing the bad taste left in his mouth by his recent elimination, it would also allow him to fine-tune some aspects of his skill set that are not considered ready for the NHL, including his defensive positioning.

He will still be considered Montreal’s top prospect after the season ends, and it is highly unlikely he will want to waive his rights, and sign with another NHL club. More likely, once he signs his entry-level contract, the Canadiens will get a polished player who is fresh off a dominant season as one of the best athletes in the NCAA.

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The Montreal Canadiens are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, and they could be getting a very interesting reinforcement in the form of NCAA star Michael Hayes.

The 19-year-old Hayes enjoyed a stellar sophomore season with the University of Michigan, scoring 13 goals and 39 assists in 39 games. He finished the season with 52 points, more than Gavin McKenna (Penn State), Porter Martone (50 points, Michigan State) and James Hagens (47 points, Boston College).

But for Hayes it’s not just a matter of production.

His playing style is the epitome of dynamic hockey.

He executes his plays at full speed, combining elite playmaking with high-level vision. This is the driving force behind Hayes’ No. 1 ranking among Montreal Canadiens prospects, as voted on by Habs fans.

In that way, despite the fact that he has only spent two seasons in the NCAA, and has yet to play a single game of professional hockey, you can argue that Hayes is one of the team’s most NHL-ready prospects.

“Michigan lost, the Michael Hayes clock is on,” Elliotte Friedman explained on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast. “We’ll see where it goes in the next few days.”

michael hayes status

We can expect Hayes to sign a contract in the near future, although the nature of said contract may vary. As established by Nicolas Cloutier, the contract will not necessarily last in the NHL, even though this is the most likely scenario. There is a possibility that Hayes and the Canadiens will want to test the waters in the AHL through an amateur tryout before signing an NHL deal.

However, in all likelihood Hayes will want to waste a year of his entry-level contract by signing in the NHL, which will lead to some important decisions in Montreal’s lineup.

Hayes is currently dealing with an injury that caused him to miss a few playoff games for the University of Michigan, so rushing out a contract signing is not a priority when it comes to signing, but once he is ready to play, head coach Martin St-Louis will need to establish the ideal usage for the talented prospect.

It’s a situation that’s complicated by the team’s injuries, or lack thereof.

The Habs are a remarkably healthy team at the moment, a rare occurrence for an organization known for overstocking hospitals.

On the flip side of the coin, just because a player is given the green light to play in the NHL doesn’t mean they aren’t going to struggle with minor issues. Many, if not most, NHL players have persistent health issues that are not serious enough to keep them out of the lineup.

With that in mind, the Canadiens may be able to rest some of their players in the final stretch of the season. Of course, the fact that first place in the Atlantic Division is still up for grabs may influence Montreal’s roster decisions, but I digress.

Montreal Canadiens Forward Situation

The only forward who is still on the mend is Patrik Laine, leaving 14 healthy players fighting for 12 spots. That number will increase to 15 if Hayes signs a contract, allowing at least three forwards to see games in the press box as healthy scratches.

It’s also important to remember that Hayes is expected to eventually become one of the top-six players for the Canadiens, meaning the ideal usage would involve filling that role as early as possible. Hopefully, the days of forcing an extremely talented young player to be on the fourth line in a role unsuitable for his skill set are over.

Given that there is little chance that Saint-Louis will want to disrupt his elite first line (again), the second line signals for the hedge.

And yet, given that the only two relatively permanent players on the second line are also first-year players (Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen), there is some logic in suggesting that running a trio with three rookies could spell trouble.

But if there’s one coach in the NHL who will give the experiment a legitimate shot, it’s definitely St.-Louis.

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Facing significant salary cap constraints, the Minnesota Vikings had no choice but to cut costs this offseason. In doing so, they moved on from their general manager of the previous four seasons. Still, interim GM Rob Brzezinski wasted no time in doing what needed to be done, even if it meant moving on from star players.

For the Vikings, this meant parting ways with two former Pro Bowl defensive tackles with the release of both Jonathan Allen and Jevon Hargrave. Naturally, his departure leaves a big hole in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ interior line.

While the Vikings still have former UFL standout Jalen Redmond, whom they view as a rising star, they need more depth and another starter to pair with him. Nevertheless, the Vikings remained busy identifying possible solutions to provide reinforcements in the defensive trenches.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Vikings, along with six other teams, were set to attend the workout of Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange. While ‘Big Citrus’ was not able to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine due to a quad issue, the Iowa State Pro Day provided a great opportunity to prove to scouts what an explosive athlete he is, and the Orange passed the test with flying colors.

Pauline reports that Orange recorded a 10-yard split of 1.68 seconds, which he called “typical for any defensive tackle, but for a player coming off a quad injury, that’s a statement.”

The Vikings have nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three selections on the second day, where the Orange could come into play. However, they may face tough competition.

In addition to the Vikings, the 49ers, Bears, Bills, Falcons, Lions and Packers were also at the event in the Orange’s workout. Additionally, the Saints and Texans had their defensive line coaches running drills for workouts. The Bears, Bills, Panthers, Texans and Vikings also plan to land the Orange one of their official top 30 visits.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings almost guaranteed to target specific position in 2026 NFL Draft

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the verge of contention. While they missed the playoffs last season, it is now up to general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles to make sure they don’t do that again in 2026.

They already have their work cut out for them after losing a pair of locker room leaders, one in Mike Evans on offense and one in Lavonte David on defense. The Buccaneers have one of the game’s great young receivers in Emeka Egbuka, but replacing David will not be easy, but free agent signee Alex Anzalone will give it his best shot.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they have the 15th overall pick in the first round. The Bucs could use that pick to help replenish an offense that will no longer have Evans. Or, they could use it to strengthen their defense after losing a defensive leader like David.

Knowing the weaknesses of the Buccaneers, athleticNick Baumgardner projects Tampa Bay to select edge-rusher Keldrick Faulk out of Auburn. Baumgardner suggested the 6-foot-6, 276-pound prospect has “pretty wild potential.”

“Faulk is 2025 first-rounder Mychal Williams without the injury history,” Baumgardner wrote. “One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk’s potential (6 feet 6 inches and 276 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms) is quite wild. Todd Bowles can have fun with this selection.”

Keeping with the theme, Faulk is viewed as a wild card with his draft projection, but he is expected to land anywhere from the top-15 to the end of the first. However, almost everyone agrees that he will hear his name called on the first night of the draft, possibly even by Tampa Bay.

RELATED: Tampa Bay Buccaneers interested in 25-year-old former first-round pick

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The Miami Dolphins don’t have much left on their roster after eliminating a large portion of the roster. This season will be viewed as an opportunity for the new-look Dolphins to rebound after shedding several major salaries. Nevertheless, the Dolphins are still excited about the upcoming season.

After all, they have a new general manager, a first-year head coach and a new franchise quarterback. Naturally, Dolphins fans are eager to see what Malik Willis is capable of after having some of his greatest moments on the Packers.

Yet, soon enough, the focus will turn to the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Dolphins have a prime opportunity to seriously upgrade their roster. With 11 draft selections in three days, he has the second-most selections in the NFL. That group includes the 11th and 30th picks in the first round.

recently, athleticNick Baumgardner weighed in on some draft predictions as the three-day selection event approaches. When it came to the Dolphins, they led Miami to select offensive tackle Spencer Fano of Utah, who many consider the best or second-best offensive lineman in the draft class.

Baumgardner thinks Fanno, who practiced at all five positions in front of NFL evaluators at the scouting combine, could play left or right tackle in the pros.

Pauline wrote, “It feels like the destination for what’s left of the Fano-Mauigoa duo.” “Fano’s blend of athleticism and strength makes him a very interesting run blocker, and despite some length concerns, he could probably play right or left tackle in the NFL.”

Fano is viewed as a surefire first-round pick, but his actual draft slot is everywhere, from a top-10 pick to somewhere in the teens. That means he could definitely be in the game with the Dolphins’ first pick. Unless, of course, another team falls in love with him first.

RELATED: Former NFL defensive lineman thinks Reuben Benn Jr. will be fired as GM

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new identity when the 2026 season begins. In an ideal world, Aaron Rodgers would again lead the charge on offense for Mike McCarthy. Defensively, obviously, Cam Heyward and TJ Watt lead the charge.

Still, the Steelers can only rely on Rodgers for so long. The four-time NFL MVP is in his prime and will need playmakers to help the Steelers’ offense reach its true potential.

Trading for Michael Pittman would certainly help, but is it enough? Pittsburgh may not feel like their work is done at the receiver position, and we’d be willing to bet Rodgers would agree.

Recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports reported that Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is “in play” for the Steelers with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pauline says most analysts have Cooper as the WR4 in this draft class.

Pauline wrote, “Cooper is building momentum among scouts and receivers coaches.” “He’s athletic and a great pass catcher with a developing game, and people rave about his character. Cooper has talked with every team from picks 18 to 36. I’m told Cooper is in play for the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 despite being traded for Michael Pittman.”

Of course, each individual team structures their draft board differently and has different prospects than others. We all know the Steelers see Cooper as someone who can be better than the fourth-best receiver prospect.

No matter what, the Steelers could definitely use another playmaker in their offense to help draw attention away from DK Metcalf, Pittman and Pat Freiermuth.

RELATED: 6 best Dexter Lawrence landing spots after Giants trade request

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Big changes are coming for the New York Islanders. The main focus is on their new head coach, but they are also considering recalling their top prospect.

Addressing the Islanders media regarding the firing of Patrick Roy and the hiring of Peter DeBoer, general manager Matthew Darche did not rule out recalling top prospect Victor Eklund.

“We’re looking at everything,” Darche said. “Every day we want to have the best roster we have [on the ice]”

As his season in Sweden ended, on March 26, Eklund was reassigned by the Islanders from Djurgården of the SHL to the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League. Since then, he has recorded six assists in four games while showing exceptional offensive creativity.

“It was really fun,” Eklund said. “I wanted to play as soon as possible because I was so excited.”

Eklund’s brief sample of AHL success comes off the back of a solid SHL season in which he scored six goals and 24 points in 43 games as a 19-year-old.

Now, the Islanders have tightened their belts after falling out of playoff position as a result of a four-game slump and a 3-7-0 record in their last 10 games.

Thus, Roy is out, and DeBoer is in, as Darche is not going to let the season he is having go to waste by acquiring Brayden Schenn at the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

The Islanders are out of playoff position with 89 after they were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. The Flyers have a game in hand on the Islanders, so Darche and company, and sidelining Eklund with four games left in the season and the Stanley Cup playoffs on the line, will speak volumes about the confidence the Islanders organization has in Eklund.

The Islanders drafted Eklund in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft with the first of back-to-back selections they received from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Noah Dobson.

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After some key departures, the Detroit Lions have some glaring needs ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Finding another starting-caliber offensive tackle is certainly one of them, even with Penei Sewell switching from right to left tackle. Another potential need involves strengthening the team’s running back room after trading David Montgomery to the Texans.

While some will argue that the arrival of free agent signee Isiah Pacheco makes up for the loss of Montgomery, the Lions love to run the football, and they want more than two reliable backs. Another solution could come in the NFL Draft, where the Lions have nine selections.

Recently, ESPN’s NFL analyst Ben Solak suggested that Notre Dame backup RB Jadarion Price is a “dream fit” for the Lions, where he would play second fiddle to Jahmir Gibbs, just like he did with the Fighting Irish behind star RB Jeremiah Love.

The Lions clearly won’t spend the 17th overall pick on a running back this year. However, Price could be their next pick, at No. 50 overall. But then again, the Lions probably won’t want to take on another major challenge to return when they’ve already invested heavily in keeping Gibbs as their starter for the foreseeable future.

Solak calls Price a “difficult projection” because he is not known as a strong pass-blocker or pass-catcher, meaning his best asset is as a rusher.

Price may not be available by the time the Lions are on the clock with the 118th overall pick, but there’s no doubt he could be a difference-maker in Detroit, or wherever he lands.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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Ohio State linebacker Arvel Reese put on a show during the NFL Scouting Combine. Participating with the edge rushers at the combine in Indianapolis, Reese ran a 4.46 40-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.58 seconds. Measuring 6-foot-4 1/8 and 241 pounds were also some of the most impressive measurements for a player at his position.

Reese totaled 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season in Columbus. He is widely expected to be taken in the top five of April’s NFL Draft and could go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets. Reese has taken the college football world by storm this season, as he has seen his draft stock rise.

Now, as he prepares for the draft, let’s take a deeper look at what made Arvel Reese who he is today.

What high school did Arvel Reese go to?

Arvel Reese attended Glenville High School, where he won a state football championship playing for coach Ted Ginn Sr. He was also named a finalist for the 2022 high school Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top high school linebacker.

What college did Arvel Reese go to?

Reese attended The Ohio State University. He is currently majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. His GPA is still not public information.

What is Arvel Reese’s draft projection?

Reese is projected to be a top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

arvel reese college statistics

Reese put together a strong two-year college resume, showing clear development and defensive impact. In the 2025 season, he recorded 69 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and 35 assisted tackles, while adding an impressive 6.5 sacks and two pass deflections.

This is a significant jump from his 2024 campaign, where he recorded 43 total tackles (18 solo, 25 assisted) and 0.5 sacks. In both seasons, Reese did not record any forced fumbles, fumble recoveries or interceptions, but the increase in his pass-rushing production and overall tackle volume in 2025 highlighted his evolution into a more disruptive defensive presence.

A new report on an upcoming meeting between the Dallas Cowboys and a top NFL Draft prospect looks to open the door to a trade in Round 1 of next month’s event.

After a disappointing 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season, the Cowboys will look to further improve their roster in April’s draft. While last season was bad at times, a pro having a bad year is a premium pick next month, and Dallas would especially go 12th overall in Round 1. Additionally, they also have the 20th pick after being traded up last season.

Over the past few weeks, various mock drafts have linked him to LSU corner Mansur Delaney, Auburn edge Keldrick Faulk and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Strong prospect, but not the best of the best in the 2026 class from college football. However, it seems the team is looking to select a top-five level player in Round 1.

Are the Dallas Cowboys interested in trading for Sonny Styles?

During Thursday’s appearance up and adamsOhio State star linebacker Sonny Styles revealed the Cowboys are one of the teams he will be meeting with in the coming days.

Stiles was viewed as a potential top 10 selection earlier this year. However, his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine last month raised his stock significantly. Now, some mock drafts have him going as No. 2 to the New York Jets — a team Styles recently met with — and as No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals.

It is always difficult to trade in one of those slots. However, due to having a weak quarterback class this year, both the Jets and Cardinals could be willing to acquire two first-rounders from the Cowboys and add two top 20 players to this year’s class. Since both teams need more roster help than Dallas does.

Styles is a fantastic athlete who could be a game-changer for Dallas in 2026 if they choose to move up and select him.

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According to Swedish news outlet Expressen, news broke on Monday that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Noel Gunler will not re-sign with the Hurricanes and will instead return to play for the Swedish Hockey League.

According to reports, Gunler has agreed to play for Djurgården IF, where he will play a key role. The Stockholm-based club is second in terms of most championship titles in the league with six.

Prior to the rumored decision, Expressen reported that Luleå, for whom he had previously played, had expressed interest in a reunion.

Noel Gunler hopes to end journey with Storm after four years

Gunler was drafted by the Hurricanes during the second round, 41st overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 2022, his first year in the state, he won the Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves alongside players like Pyotr Kochetkov and Jalen Chatfield.

Throughout his time with the Wolves so far, he has scored 42 goals and 48 assists for a total of 88 points.

However, despite a strong playing ability and improving scoring every year, he suffered setbacks from injuries and ultimately failed to make an appearance in the NHL.

Currently, the Wolves are in second place in the AHL’s Central Division, and are expected to reach the playoffs.

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

There is a new atmosphere inside the New York Giants building after Brian Daboll officially stepped down and replaced the former head coach with the great John Harbaugh. After several reported roster upgrades, the Giants are once again being viewed as potential contenders.

Still, they also claim the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, meaning the Giants are in line to add a blue-chip prospect to the roster. Many speculate the Giants are adding a defender to help address a scoring unit that ranks 26th in points allowed in 2025, but that may ultimately not be the case.

Recently, The Ringer’s Todd McShay created an updated mock draft in which he had the Giants selecting Notre Dame star running back Jeremiah Love at No. 5. He justified the selection by explaining that the Giants are one of the “most likely” teams to select Love in the top 10 of the draft.

However, he also revealed the names of commanders and chiefs, while also saying that a team like the Rams can always make a trade. The Rams have the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commander chooses the seventh position and the Chief chooses the ninth position.

While the Giants spent a fourth-round selection on running back Cam Skattebo last season, the rookie still finished fourth on the team in rushing yards, behind fellow rookie Jackson Dart. Scatebo could be a long-term building block, but many believe his presence shouldn’t stop the Giants from also adding a potential superstar like Love at the position.

RELATED: 5 Christian Wilkins Landing Spots for 2026

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Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commander are not rich with draft compensation. In fact, they only have six picks overall heading into this year’s three-day event in Pittsburgh. However, although the Commanders may not have many picks, they do have a very good selection in the first round with the seventh overall pick.

Commanders have spent a large portion of free agency addressing various concerns on defense. That effort could continue at the top of the NFL Draft, where Washington will be able to add blue-chip talent to the team. Or, maybe they’ll go in a different direction to make an already dangerous offense even more powerful.

recently, athletic‘Commanders insider Nikki Jhabvala suggested that if star Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love is still available when Washington is on the clock at 7, Washington “will have no reason to hesitate in grabbing him.”

We cannot argue otherwise. Love, who ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, has the potential to be one of the best players in the draft class. He is someone who can exude aggression as soon as he steps on the field as a rookie.

Pairing one of the NFL’s best overall weapons with dual-threat QB Jaden Daniels, an elite runner who also has extreme YAC abilities as a pass-catcher like Love, should have defenses shaking in their boots. Still, most projections have Love off the board before the Commanders arrive in time, and it’s not like DC has the type of extra draft capital to get him if Love is a top target.

But hey, dreaming is fun, right? Perhaps there is a scenario where the unexpected happens. We see it happen every year, where a top prospect either falls away or teams make surprise decisions near the top of the draft. Anything is possible, maybe even Love will don the commander’s uniform at the end of April.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft after the first wave of 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

Montreal – It feels like there’s more Montreal Canadiens news every hour, and we’re all bound to miss a story or two. On Sundays, we always recap relevant NHL news you may have missed, to help you stay in the Canadiens loop.

Make sure you don’t miss any news from Canadians by signing up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for a daily newsletter covering various other NHL teams, or the most exciting developments in the game.[Sportsnaut]

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

The Canadiens lost 4-3 to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, a disappointing result when you consider they held a 3-2 lead midway through the game. As usual, the Canadiens had effective stretches, which combined with the turnovers, made them look like a junior team. Consistently inconsistent has been the theme of the season for the Habs. [Canadiens Highlights: Hard-Fought Loss Versus Ducks]

Another day, another point for top Canadian prospect Michael Hayes. With his goal against Penn State, Hayes now has 50 points in just 36 games. [Canadiens Prospect Rankings – No. 1 Dynamic Michael Hage]

A rip from the high slot and Hayes made it 4-2! pic.twitter.com/5cVj9o4VMG

– Michigan Hockey (@umichockey) 14 March 2026

The Laval Rocket split their weekend games, losing 5-2 to the Utica Comets on Friday, and then winning 4-3 in a shootout versus the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday. Owen Beck scored his 10th goal of the season in the win, while Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 28 of 31 shots sent his way.

Beck 🚨 1-1 pic.twitter.com/ymgFqd4DRW

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 14 March 2026

Alexander Zharovsky had a great game and reached the 40-point mark in the KHL with several three-point efforts. He scored a goal and an assist against the Shanghai Dragons, ending an eight-game scoreless streak.

Speaking of talented prospects, Bryce Pickford scored his 44th goal of the year, meaning he is now tied with Cameron Schmidt for the league lead. There’s no doubt, Pickford is enjoying one of the most encouraging D+1 seasons in recent memory.

Cole Caufield is the first Canadiens player to reach 40 goals since Vincent Damphousse in 1993–94. Caufield scored the overtime winner against the Boston Bruins to secure two very important points in the playoff race. [Canadiens Highlights: Caufield Hits 40 In Crucial Win]

Speaking of Caufield, when asked what comes next after 40 he had a great response.

“What’s after 40? 50?”

“41” – Cole ??? pic.twitter.com/QMwGJG5poN

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) 18 March 2026

It should be noted that Caufield is now just one goal behind Jack Hughes for most goals scored by any player drafted in 2019, despite having played 62 fewer games than the New Jersey Devils forward.

#GoHabsGo Sniper Cole Caufield is just one goal behind Jack Hughes for the most goals of any player drafted in 2019.

He has also played 62 fewer games than Hughes. pic.twitter.com/sRUcQ1zs2H

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 18 March 2026

More unfortunate news on the injury front, as Kirby Dach will be absent for between two to four weeks with an upper body injury. Dach was forced to leave Sunday’s game after contact with Anaheim Ducks forward Jeffrey Wiel. With Dach out of commission, Zachary Bolduc returned to the lineup before the game against the Boston Bruins. [Canadiens Preview: Dobes Faces Bruins, Dach Injured]

It’s very easy to blame goaltending for all of Montreal’s problems this year, but the truth is that the Canadiens allow too many high-danger chances while creating too few to balance out their poor defensive play. Poor goal setting is a symptom of the problem, not the cause. [Playoff Discussion: Canadiens Issues Go Beyond Bad Goaltending]

David Rickenbacker has officially signed with Kent Hughes’ former management company Quartex. When it comes to Canadiens players represented by Shawn Coffey he joins Lane Hutson and Jacob Fowler. Rickenbacker finished fourth in our most recent edition of the top Montreal Canadiens prospects. [Top Canadiens Prospects – No. 4 David Reinbacher]

We are thrilled to welcome the Canadiens 2023 5th overall pick David Rickenbacker #quartexfamily ! pic.twitter.com/CMCijzazJX

– Quartex Hockey (@quartexhockey) 17 March 2026

A closer look at how Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield managed to touch the 40-goal mark, the first Montreal player to accomplish the feat since Vincent Damphousse in 1993-94. The most impressive aspect of his goal-scoring dominance is that he does most of his damage at even strength. No other NHLer has more goals per 60 (even-strength) in the NHL. [Cole Caufield Dominance – 40 Goals By The Numbers]

It must be said that very few players enjoy playing hockey as much as Caufield. Maybe it has to do with the fact that he’s better at scoring goals than most NHLers.

Cole Caulfield’s 40 seconds of greatness to celebrate his first 40-goal season! 😛 pic.twitter.com/7ABOgBq3mi

– NHL (@NHL) 18 March 2026

The playoff race remains fierce in the Eastern Conference, with the Habs just a few points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team on the outside looking in. There are also the Ottawa Senators in the mix, making it another exciting sprint to the end. The good news is that Canadians hold their destiny in their own hands, as long as they find ways to accumulate significant points.

Projected 2025–26 NHL standings as of March 18 pic.twitter.com/hQIldYAaq8

– Dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) 18 March 2026

One reason it’s been difficult for the Canadiens to miss out on a playoff spot is that climbing the standings at the end of the season is a tough sell, especially when there are three-point games in play. Both Ottawa and Columbus have produced a great series of games, and yet, they are still struggling to make their way into the playoff picture.

Looking to continue their hard-hitting ways and push for a wild card spot in the highly competitive Eastern Conference @Senator The Capitals visit tonight and are 11-2-2 in their last 15 games. This record gives him the third highest points percentage on this list pic.twitter.com/3kJwwdR0SE

– StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) 18 March 2026

Everything about prospect Bryce Pickford’s season has been impressive, and his path to the WHL has been impressive too, as evidenced by the interesting video of him put together by the league. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: No.7 – Extraordinary Pickford]

How a young defenseman who left hockey for two years went on to break a WHL record and earn a contract with @CanadiensMTL?

this is the story @tigershockey Captain, Bryce Pickford! pic.twitter.com/VZXuHccslv

– Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) 18 March 2026

Head coach Martin Saint-Louis spent a lot of time working on the power play in practice, focusing on the top unit. Montreal still has a top-10 power play, but given the talent on their first power play unit, not to mention the overpassing issue, there’s clearly still work to be done.

Martin Saint-Louis had several discussions with the first power play unit.

The coach does not seem completely satisfied with the performance of this unit.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #power play #nhl pic.twitter.com/xyBiErPW49

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 18 March 2026

While some insiders have suggested that the Canadiens were actively involved in trade talks, including for players like Nazem Kadri or Matthew Neese, Pierre LeBrun does not believe that player has been identified, at least not yet. Considering all of the rumors involving Hubs come from outside sources, he may be on to something. Like a bucket or a proper fishing boat owned by anyone other than Henry, Kent Hughes doesn’t leak.

Pierre LeBrun: While there has been speculation about the Habs trying to acquire Mathieu Neese… Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Ristolainen… Whatever major trade the Canadiens were working on hasn’t actually been identified yet in all reports after the deadline – The Athletic (3/18)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 19 March 2026

As for Elliotte Friedman, he reported that the Habs showed “significant interest” in Nese, while also revealing that “everyone has denied the report”. [32 Thoughts]

The Canadiens have a relatively healthy power play, but they could immediately improve on that if they decided to take a few more shots every game. The Habs rank seventh in the NHL on power plays, but are among the teams that take the fewest shots. [Canadiens Powerplay Issues Reflected In One Key Statistic]

Thursday night’s game between the Habs and Detroit Red Wings was important for both clubs, but the Canadiens made too many mistakes, giving up valuable points. [Canadiens Highlights: Habs Drop Four-Point Game]

Despite a disappointing end to Thursday’s loss against the Detroit Red Wings, the Canadiens were fired by head coach Martin Saint-Louis on Friday. The decision caused a lot of anger on social media, but if we remove emotions from the equation, it would be fair to suggest that sometimes the carrot yields better results than the stick.

#hubs Friday morning’s practice at Brossard has been canceled. Day off for the team,

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) 20 March 2026

Is anyone surprised that Lane Hutson decided to practice despite having a day off? Oliver Kapanen joined Hutson, with both players spending time working with skills coach Adam Nicholls.

Presumably, Len Hutson and Oliver Kapanen can’t spend a single morning without putting on their skates.

He’s on the ice this morning in Brossard with Adam Nicholls.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #hutsan #kapanen #nhl pic.twitter.com/QUqrldI6rg

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 20 March 2026

Vincent Arseneau is a despicable, mean man. He made quick work of Springfield Thunderbirds winger Cale Casey in the Rockets’ 4–1 victory.

Ouch what a fight Arseneau!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/yFWa7hR3NB

– The Rocket Girl 🚀🇨🇦 (@TheRocket9Girl) 20 March 2026

There were also some other incidents that did not involve a Rockets player demolishing his opponent. Samuel Blais (11), Jared Davidson (16), Philipp Messer (9), and Florian Czekaj (15) found the back of the net for the Rockets, while Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 28 of 29 shots to seal the win.

Baker Month 🚨 https://t.co/7nvQeDcAzw pic.twitter.com/VOjrLVkPPm

– X – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 21 March 2026

There was some unfortunate Montreal news on Friday, as former Montreal Expos announcer Roger Brulotte passed away. He was 79 years old.

Congratulations to legendary Montreal Expos broadcaster Roger Brulotte 💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/a7E2MFSyPo

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 21 March 2026

Jacob Fowler was given the start against the New York Islanders on Saturday night, but the story of the evening was Montreal’s dominance in a crucial game that had huge implications for the playoffs. Caufield led the way with his third career shutout, while Slafkowski contributed two goals in the 7–3 victory. [Canadiens Highlights: Mr. Saturday Night Stars In Pivotal Win]

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

After their Super Bowl loss, the New England Patriots are moving forward in the best way possible, by targeting more roster upgrades. We’ve already seen Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf hit the ground running in free agency again, reaching contracts with guys like Romeo Dobbs, Elijah Vera-Tucker, Draymont Jones, and Kevin Byard, to name a few.

While there will certainly be some minor free agency involved in the upcoming season, the Patriots will also have to turn their attention to the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place April 23-25. The Patriots have 11 selections for the three-day event, and they may be focusing on one of their targets.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, Georgia tight end prospect Oscar Delap is receiving “a lot of interest” from the Patriots.

Delap recently “crushed” his Georgia Pro Day by running a consensus but unofficial time of 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He combined this with a vertical jump of 38 inches. Pauline noted that Delp’s position work was “excellent”.

He even drew comparisons to Georgia alumnus Brock Bowers after running “quick, crisp routes” and catching the ball “extremely well.” While many regard Oregon’s Kenyon Saadiq as the best prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, Poulin says “Delap is now in the conversation for TE2.”

While the Patriots may be keeping an eye on Delp with the 63rd or 95th overall pick, he also met with the Carolina Panthers after a workout. They certainly aren’t the only team interested in the 6-foot-5 tight end.

RELATED: New England Patriots involved in trade for 3x Pro Bowl receiver

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

Much of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason has been about either finding someone who can compete and/or replace JJ McCarthy, moving on from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, or cutting costs after being $40 million over the spending cap. It’s time for something new.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Vikings met with South Carolina’s Rahsul Faison at his recent Pro Day. But the Vikings’ interests went further than this. He took a hands-on approach by holding RB position drills for the 26-year-old prospect.

Faison reportedly had a “fantastic” workout, where he “caught the ball very well.” After the workout was completed, the Vikings took the 5-foot-11, 208-pounder back for lunch.

Faison ran the unofficial 40 yard dash between 4.49 and 4.50 seconds, while the short shuttle clocked in at 4.1 seconds. He also recorded a vertical jump of 37.5 inches.

Poulin believes Faison could be drafted on Day 3 or “somewhere starting in Round 5.” The Vikings have nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 23rd overall selection (No. 163) in the fifth round.

While the Vikings found a way to bring back veteran Aaron Jones on a reduced salary, the 31-year-old missed five games due to injury. Even when healthy, Jones was not as productive in 2025 as he was in 2024 (although several members of the Vikings’ offense saw their production decline). Minnesota also has Jordan Mason handling the heavy workload in the backfield.

One of the Vikings’ depth forwards from last season, Ty Chandler, signed a contract with the Saints this offseason. Drafting someone like Faison would give Xavier Scott, the Vikings’ current third-string player, someone to compete.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings share ‘mutual interest’ with former No. 2 pick

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

With the Senators off tonight, now is a good time to take a look at the world of Senators prospects. Today’s focus will be on one possibility in particular. In fact, he’s their best prospect. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on with Carter Yakemchuk.

READ MORE: Senators score seven points to beat Sharks

Basics about Carter Yakemchuk

Yakemchuk is a 6’3″, 219 pound, right shot defenseman. The Senators drafted him 7th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. Yakemchuk played four consecutive seasons in the WHL for the Calgary Hitmen before joining the AHL this year.

Here were my pre-draft notes on Yekemchuk, which still more or less remain my thoughts on him:

Pros:The stats jump off the page – 30 goals, 71 points, 120 PIMS, 275 shots. Plays a very physical, cheap, dirty game. Ready to fight. great shot. Great hands – can hang legitimately.

Shortcoming:The first few steps are slow. Questionable defensive play – Appears to lack urgency in his own zone at times, sometimes tries to do too much with the puck or make special plays.

ground level:Playing on such a bad team, they asked him to do everything, so I’m choosing to believe that some of his defensive lapses are because of that. He’s huge, he’s low, he’s got great hands. He fits into any team’s blueline, as long as he can find the defensive side.

Carter Yakemchuk by the numbers

Yakemchuk’s statistics with the Belleville Senators this season are as follows:

• 47 games, 9 goals, 35 points, 26 PIM

Yakemchuk was recently named AHL Player of the Week. He recorded six assists in two games. In the game before that, he scored a goal and also added an assist.

Among AHL defensemen, Yakemchuk is ninth in both goals and points. Among AHL rookies, he ranks seventh in points. The downside is that his -29 is worst in the AHL.

final thoughts

When you look at how Yakemchuk records his points, this is not a quiet, secondary assist-getting player. He has great plays to set up his teammates. From a shooting perspective, he can absolutely shred the puck. At the beginning of the year, his production was primarily on the power play – through his first 27 games, he scored 18 points. 12 of them were accompanied by additional men. Since then he has scored 17 points in his last 20 games. Only three of them have come in the power play.

Given his size and style of play, I have no doubts about his ability to stick around physically. I’m sure as he gets more comfortable, there will be more toughness at the professional level. The question is, can he skate and defend well at the next level? It is unlikely that Yakemchuk will get his NHL opportunity this season. Next season, however, there is a good chance that Nick Jensen is no longer with the team. This opens up a space on the right side. It is up to Yakemchuk to not only finish this season strong, but prove early next year that he is a better skater and defensive player to earn his chance as a full-time NHL player.

Patience will always be necessary with Yakemchuk. Considering how strong their defensive depth is at the moment, what a luxury it is for the Senators to not have to rush their top prospect into the NHL. Brent Burns makes a good comparison. Burns didn’t become a top-four D-man until he was 22. Yakemchuk is just 20 years old.

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

Montreal – There’s Montreal Canadiens news every hour, and we’re all bound to miss a news story or two. On Sundays, we recap relevant NHL news you may have missed to help you stay in the Habs loop.

Make sure you don’t miss any news from Canadians by signing up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for a daily newsletter covering various other NHL teams, or the most exciting developments in the game.[Sportsnaut]

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

He landed the top spot in our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings, voted on by Habs fans. Dynamic forward Michael Hayes earned the No. 1 spot because of his elite skill set, not to mention he has already established himself as one of the top players in the NCAA. It remains to be seen how long he’ll stay in the NCAA, and whether the Habs will want him to spend some time in the AHL before graduating to the NHL, but there’s no doubt that Hayes represents Montreal’s best hopes of drafting an elite player from their current prospect pool. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 1 Dynamic Michael Hage]

Our analyst Ronnie Hermo took a deep dive into the data prepared by Samuel Montembeault, Jacob Dobbs and Jacob Fowler and the results may surprise you! Well, sensationalism aside, Ronnie always does a great job, and in this case, he has shed some important light on the current situation. While Dobbs has managed to win more games, the statistics show that Montembeault has also played relatively well. [Canadiens Analysis: – Which Goalie Should Start Down The Final Stretch Of The Season]

The Canadiens are reportedly interested in trading for Robert Thomas, but the cost would be too high. This makes sense, because Thomas is at his statistical peak, and you rarely see a player of his talent become available for trade. According to the report, the trade package would also include top Canadiens prospect Hayes, among others.

Sources show that #GoHabsGo One of the more interested teams revolving around Robert Thomas.

That being said, the price set by Doug Armstrong is too high for the Habs at this time.

The Blues reportedly want Michael Hayes in any package for Thomas.https://t.co/GOp9eeQdP7

– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) 2 March 2026

Laval rocket is doing its job properly. In addition to being the center of entertainment in Laval, they are set to honor firefighters with new jerseys over the weekend. They will then auction off the jerseys and the proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. This is a great initiative that clearly deserves our support. On that note, even if they aren’t supporting any important charities, I would still suggest going to see Rocket, as it offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to the entertainment budget. In particular, families benefit from the reasonable costs, great ambiance and great facilities at Place Bell.

ready for anything
ready for everything

The Rockets will wear this uniform during the All Fire All Flame game in collaboration with the Laval Fire Department to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society next Saturday at Place Bell. Sweaters will be available here… pic.twitter.com/wp6gh57Nvx

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 2 March 2026

Adam Nicholls continues to be one of the most important members of the Canadiens organization, helping young players become confident NHLers.

Besides, he also has a very good shot!

Habs give Michigan chances to score with help from Michael Hayes

pic.twitter.com/2X5RWTFlRz

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 28 February 2026

ICYMI: Netminder Jacob Fowler took the No. 2 spot in our Canadiens prospect rankings. All things considered, he has shown that he can be a dominant presence in every league from the USHL to the NHL, but we should be wary of thrusting him into the NHL spotlight too quickly. He still needs to absorb as much experience as possible in the AHL before the pressure of becoming Montreal’s starter comes. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 2 Stoic Fowler]

It’s officially silly season! Habs-related rumors have been increasing, with one of the most recent reports linking the Calgary Flames to defenseman Arbor Zekaj. [Canadiens Rumours: Calgary Reportedly Interested in Xhekaj]

Patrik Laine’s name also came up on Tuesday. Apparently, the Los Angeles Kings have renewed interest in the power play specialist. [Canadiens Linked To Kings In Laine Trade Rumour]

While the Flames have shown interest in Zekaj, the Habs continue to kick the tires on Flames forward Nazem Kadri. [Evaluating Canadiens Rumour Linking Kadri To Montreal]

With the March 6 NHL trade deadline looming, we take a look at the most pressing needs of Kent Hughes and company. While many want the Habs to acquire a forward, the defensive situation is far more worrisome. Montreal scored a lot of goals, but struggled to keep the puck out of their own net. [Top 5 Canadiens Needs Heading Into Trade Deadline]

There were 12 goals scored in Tuesday night’s game between the Habs and Sharks! Watch highlights of the goal bonus in California that resulted in a 7-5 win for the Sharks [Canadiens Highlights: Goal Bonanza In San Jose]

One of the Canadiens’ top prospects, Bryce Pickford, refuses to stop scoring goals at will in the WHL. Pickford was voted as the No. 7 player in our annual Top 20 Habs prospects rankings. [Canadiens Top 20 Rankings – No. 7 The Extraordinary Bryce Pickford]

Don’t take your eyes off Pickford!! His 38th year has put us over 1!! 🚨🐅@CanadiensMTL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/OuGlGF855G

– Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) 4 March 2026

As always, phenom Lane Hutson has his eyes on the prize.

Len Hutson on this Habs squad today:

“We have a young group that is confident in what we’re doing and building. But we all bring different things and it’s fun… We all share the common goal of competing and trying to win a Stanley Cup.” pic.twitter.com/ABg2XuwBtH

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

Given that the Habs have been linked to St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas, we decided to take a deeper look at his potential fit in the lineup as well as the estimated cost of his acquisition. [Evaluating The Trade Rumour Linking Thomas To The Canadiens]

Pierre LeBrun suggested the Canadiens might want to consider a goalie like Jordan Binnington. Honestly, I can’t see the Habs trading for a veteran netminder who has a worse save percentage than Samuel Montembeault. He also mentioned that the Habs are keeping an eye on Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri as well as New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck.

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

Speaking of goalie rumors that make no sense, Elliotte Friedman essentially shot down the idea that the Canadiens should take a serious look at Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

Elliotte Friedman: I don’t know that I see Montreal as a Bobrovsky team; I know a lot of people are wondering if Montrezl can do Bobrowski; I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it would be different from what they are promoting and saying – Fan Hockey Show (3/4)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 4 March 2026

Jimmy Murphy thinks the Habs could take a shot at AJ Greer or Brandon Duhaime. They are good depth options, but I would argue that bottom-six depth is not among Montreal’s most pressing needs as the trade deadline approaches. [Top 5 Canadiens Needs Ahead Of Trade Deadline]

I could see #GoHabsGo Adding one of them. https://t.co/XqewIiiDvG

– Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) 4 March 2026

This is not a rerun! Defenseman Bryce Pickford once again scored his 39th goal of the year. As a reminder, he was forced to miss some games due to injury. Wednesday night was his 49th game of the season. [Canadiens Top 20 Rankings – No. 7 The Extraordinary Bryce Pickford]

Another day, another goal by Habs prospect Bryce Pickford.

He now has 39 goals in 49 games

pic.twitter.com/ukjwj59F8D

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 5 March 2026

Pickford’s work was not completed there. He scored his 40th (!) goal of the year early in the second period.

Bryce Pickford scored 40!!! 🚨🐅@CanadiensMTL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/xaKrm2NpRx

– Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) 5 March 2026

He completed a hat trick, his third of the season, leading the Tigers to a 6–3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Bryce Pickford gets his third hat-trick of the year!!! 🧢🧢🧢@CanadiensMTL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/mWMfFtwDu4

– Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) 5 March 2026

Pierre LeBrun thinks the Canadiens have inquired about New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Take a look at what Trocheck could bring to the Habs. [Trocheck Linked To Canadiens In Latest NHL Trade Deadline Talk]

Some insiders have suggested the Canadiens could pull the trigger on a deal that includes a goaltender, but the numbers suggest that veteran netminders like Sergei Bobrovsky and Jordan Binnington would be terrific trade targets. [Canadiens Trade Talk: Evaluating Potential Goaltender Targets]

ICYMI: Given that the Habs have been linked to St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas, we decided to take a deeper look at his potential fit in the lineup as well as the estimated cost of the acquisition. [Evaluating The Trade Rumour Linking Thomas To The Canadiens]

Juraj Slafkowski was returned to the first line in practice on Thursday, while Alex Newhook was moved to the second line, and Kirby Dach was moved to the third line. Mike Matheson was absent from practice, which led to a change in configuration between the defensive pairings.

The Habs lines in practice today:

Caulfield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov
Bolduc-Evans-Dach
Anderson-Danault-Gallagher

Extra: texier, wool

Carrier – Guhle
Hutson – Dobson
Xhekaj – Struggling

Therapy Day: Matheson

bed/montembault

Idea? 🤔

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 5 March 2026

The Canadians stuck to the deadline, but not for lack of effort. According to Kent Hughes, there was one particular trade that went to the wire, but ultimately failed. He also mentioned that a deal is still a possibility, pointing to potential “significant trade” in the summer. [Hughes Discusses Potential Significant Trade, Canadiens Deadline]

Speaking about trades, Hughes suggested that the Habs were sometimes included on the no-trade clause list, but this was mostly due to the previous ruling, and would not have any impact on any deals.

Habs GM Kent Hughes after the NHL trade deadline today:

“There were a couple of calls today where we were on the no-trade list. But it was interesting, the response was that maybe we were already on it and they were willing to make a waiver (to Montreal) if a deal was made.” pic.twitter.com/tiMC0ICHJ2

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 6 March 2026

Watch all 41(!) goals of impressive Habs prospect Bryce Pickford. The talented defenseman was selected No. 7 in our annual prospect rankings. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: No.7 – Extraordinary Pickford]

That’s 41 – count ’em!

Bryce Pickford’s 41 goals in 49 games @tigershockey This is absurd.@tigershockey | @CanadiensMTL pic.twitter.com/OTFAMtIkAN

– Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) 6 March 2026

Unfortunately, the highlight reel posted above is already out of date, as Pickford scored his 42nd goal of the year, helping the Medicine Hat Tigers defeat the Red Deer Rebels 7-3.

Who else but Bryce Pickford? That’s goal #42!@CanadiensMTL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/zzODlRGAeg

– Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) 7 March 2026

The star players made their mark, but it was not enough, as the Canadiens defeated the Ducks 6–5 in the shootout. There are so many highlights! [Habs Highlights: Star Players Salvage Point In Anaheim]

Jacob Fowler returned to play and immediately made an impact for the Laval Rocket, stopping 35 of 37 shots to secure a 4–2 victory for Montreal’s farm team. Fowler was the game’s first star, while Joshua Roy (16), Owen Beck (9), David Rickenbacker (5) and Florian Czekaj (11) scored for Laval.

Jacob Fowler made 35 saves in tonight’s 4-2 Laval Rocket win in his first game since Feb. 16. pic.twitter.com/3EJKWyX0Ww

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 7 March 2026

Jacob Dobbs was solid, keeping the Canadiens on the first line in the game long enough to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat against the Los Angeles Kings. There’s no doubt, Montreal is a better team when Juraj Slafkowski, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield play together. [Habs Highlights: First Line Dominance Saves Canadiens]

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

Cristiano Giuntoli’s recent appearance at Tottenham Hotspur was a ‘clear indication’ that Spurs are ‘seriously exploring’ the possibility of appointing him.

This is according to Il Giornale, relayed by napoli magazine. The Italian newspaper reports that Giuntoli is set to return to football after leaving Juventus last summer.

The 54-year-old has been out of work since leaving Juventus last year after serving as sporting director for two years. He has also previously been sporting director of Napoli from 2015–2023 and sporting director of Carpi between 2009 and 2015.

Il Giornale now reports that he is ready to return to work and ‘seize the spotlight’. The fact that he has now been spotted at Tottenham in London is a ‘clear indication’ that Spurs are seriously exploring the possibility of hiring him.

football free agent director

While reports said he was only at the game against Crystal Palace to support Igor Tudor, whom he appointed at Juventus, the Italian newspaper says otherwise.

As far as he is concerned, he is a serious candidate to fill Spurs’ vacant sporting director role. However, if they were to move up, they would have to do so before Roma.

The road to the Italian capital is becoming increasingly concrete. There has recently been internal discord between manager Gian Piero Gasperini and his sporting director Frederic Massara.

That could lead to a reshuffle and Giuntoli’s ‘deep respect’ could provide motivation to get a deal done. So Tottenham need to be careful. Maybe that’s why the Italian was already in London this week.

paratisy loss

The question is whether Tottenham want another Italian sporting director after the high-impact but chaotic reign of Fabio Paratici.

Although he modernized the team with several big successful signings, he also had a lot of high cost, low impact signings. And the current squad, which includes many of the signings, is now fighting against demotion.

In fact, some would argue that Paratici’s time in charge is part of the reason why Tottenham currently find themselves in this position.

These wounds could worsen in the coming months, perhaps leading to another Italian like Giuntoli not being considered.

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

montreal canadiens news

We’ve landed the top spot in our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings, as voted on by Habs fans. Dynamic forward Michael Hayes earned the No. 1 spot because of his elite skill set, not to mention he has already established himself as one of the top players in the NCAA. It remains to be seen how long he’ll stay in the NCAA, and whether the Habs will want him to spend some time in the AHL before graduating to the NHL, but there’s no doubt that Hayes represents Montreal’s best hopes of drafting an elite player from their current prospect pool. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 1 Dynamic Michael Hage]

Our analyst Ronnie Hermo took a deep dive into the data prepared by Samuel Montembeault, Jacob Dobbs and Jacob Fowler and the results may surprise you! Well, sensationalism aside, Ronnie always does a great job, and in this case, he has shed some important light on the current situation. While Dobbs has managed to win more games, the statistics show that Montembeault has also played relatively well. [Canadiens Analysis: – Which Goalie Should Start Down The Final Stretch Of The Season]

The Canadiens are reportedly interested in trading for Robert Thomas, but the cost would be too high. This makes sense, because Thomas is at his statistical peak, and you rarely see a player of his talent become available for trade. According to the report, the trade package would also include top Canadiens prospect Hayes, among others.

Sources show that #GoHabsGo One of the more interested teams revolving around Robert Thomas.

That being said, the price set by Doug Armstrong is too high for the Habs at this time.

The Blues reportedly want Michael Hayes in any package for Thomas.https://t.co/GOp9eeQdP7

– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) 2 March 2026

Laval rocket is doing its job properly. In addition to being the center of entertainment in Laval, they are set to honor firefighters with new jerseys over the weekend. They will then auction off the jerseys and the proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. This is a great initiative that clearly deserves our support. On that note, even if they aren’t supporting any important charities, I would still suggest going to see Rocket, as it offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to the entertainment budget. In particular, families benefit from the reasonable costs, great ambiance and great facilities at Place Bell.

ready for anything
ready for everything

The Rockets will wear this uniform during the All Fire All Flame game in collaboration with the Laval Fire Department to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society next Saturday at Place Bell. Sweaters will be available here… pic.twitter.com/wp6gh57Nvx

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 2 March 2026

Adam Nicholls continues to be one of the most important members of the Canadiens organization, helping young players become confident NHLers.

Besides, he also has a very good shot!

Habs give Michigan chances to score with help from Michael Hayes

pic.twitter.com/2X5RWTFlRz

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 28 February 2026

ICYMI: Netminder Jacob Fowler took the No. 2 spot in our Canadiens prospect rankings. All things considered, he has shown that he can be a dominant presence in every league from the USHL to the NHL, but we should be wary of thrusting him into the NHL spotlight too quickly. He still needs to absorb as much experience as possible in the AHL before the pressure of becoming Montreal’s starter comes. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 2 Stoic Fowler]

Sportsknot Network

The 2026 NHL trade deadline is less than a week away. The New Jersey Devils are out of playoff position and possibly looking to prepare for next season. After all, preparing in the spring to rebuild in the summer is in GM Tom Fitzgerald’s DNA. That’s what they did when they acquired Jake Allen two deadlines ago. Despite some players with expiring contracts, the Devils still have value moving forward next Friday with some short-term deals with favorable cap hits. [New Jersey Devils]

The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to be a very busy seller this week. The trading deadline will take effect on Friday at 3pm Eastern. The pending unrestricted free agents are most likely to be gone, although the majority of the team is available at the right price. [Toronto Maple Leafs]

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

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

Leeds United target moving closer to free summer exit with Portuguese newspaper to ball Reporting Sporting CP are already preparing for the departure of Hidemasa Morita.

The Japan international is just months away from the expiry of his contract in Lisbon. According to the report, he will “put a full stop” to his four-year tenure at Alvalade. There are no hopes of a renewal, and Sporting are restructuring their midfield in anticipation of his exit.

This effectively puts Morita back on the market ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Preparing sporting succession plans

A Bola revealed that there will be significant changes to Sporting’s midfield. Morita isn’t the only possible departure. captain Morten Hjulmand is also attracting keen interest And it could generate one of the club’s biggest summer sales.

With this in mind, the Portuguese side is acting quickly. 26-year-old Daniel Bragança is already being developed into the number 8 role, with Morita expected to move directly into the role.

Additionally, Sporting plans to sign at least two midfielders. Will serve as a more positional number 6, potentially replacing Hjulmand. The second will play the number 8 role to balance the team after Morita’s departure.

This is not a reactive plan. The structure has reportedly been working on this change for some time.

What happened to leeds united?

Leeds United were strongly linked with Morita in the summer. As we covered at the time, record He was reported to be keen on a move to the Premier League, with Leeds United named as the only solid English club in the frame.

However, Leeds eventually reduced their interest. Concerns centered on his age (now 30) and fitness record. During the second half of last season, Morita suffered several injuries. This raised doubts about the commitment to transfer. No proposal was made and the move stalled.

Now, with his contract expiring and Sporting apparently planning without him, Morita will become available on a free transfer. This naturally increases their appeal throughout Europe.

Fitness concerns have also been reduced, having missed only two matches due to injury this season.

Leeds United could use another reliable midfield option. So, given their interest and the player’s long-standing desire to play in the Premier League, this is a situation worth monitoring as the summer window approaches.

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

montreal canadiens news

Owen Beck is ranked No. 6 in our annual top-20 rankings. His methodical play and cerebral approach give him the inside track when it comes to earning a job in the NHL. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No.6 Cerebral Owen Beck]

All things considered, Juraj Slafkowski enjoyed another major Olympic tournament. With four goals and four assists in six games, Slafkovsky has contributed an impressive 11 goals and four assists in 13 games for the Olympics.

goat pic.twitter.com/wrtfoAMYT9

– The Habitant (@the_habitant) 23 February 2026

Prospect Alexander Zarovsky scored his 14th goal of the season, another powerplay marker.

While Nick Suzuki was certainly disappointed with Team Canada’s silver medal, Oliver Kapanen will arrive in Montreal having won his final game at the Olympics, which is a huge accomplishment for the 22-year-old centre.

Oliver Kapanen is on his IG:

“🥉Olympics” pic.twitter.com/2EM8OdZx2W

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 23 February 2026

Arbor Zekaj officially has bragging rights when it comes to the heaviest shot on the team.

Arbor Zekaj wins Hardest Shot contest at Habs skills competition with 107.3 mph slapper 🚀

pic.twitter.com/lYr0XKpNys

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 22 February 2026

Surprisingly, or not, Lane Hutson was declared the fastest skater on the team.

Len Hutson wins fastest skater event at Habs skills competition

pic.twitter.com/cYSHhRZ6qB

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 22 February 2026

Sportsknot Network

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes scored a golden goal in overtime Sunday to lead Team USA to a 2-1 victory over Canada. Whatever criticism he faced before the Olympics is officially over. [New Jersey Devils]

Seven of the Florida Panthers’ NHL-high 10 players won medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics — not counting Bill Zito, who brought almost all of them to the Sunshine State. [Florida Panthers]

Macklin Celebrini was probably the story of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Olympics, until Connor Hellebuyck had something to say about it. [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