標籤: season

everton And brighton and hove albion Both are interested in making a move for Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei this summer.

tuttosport The report adds that Everton and Brighton are keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old ahead of a possible move this summer.

watching everton and brighton

The newspaper reports that Cesare Casadei’s performances in his first full season in Turin did not go unnoticed in England.

The Italian joined Torino from Chelsea last summer in a €13m deal and has been a regular for the Serie A team this season, making 33 appearances in the league and scoring six goals.

A number of clubs continue to keep an eye on him following his performances for Leicester City in 2023, when he spent the season on loan from Chelsea.

Everton and Brighton are now at the front of the queue and are ‘closely monitoring’ his development ahead of the summer transfer window. Sport Witness covered a report Everton was also a possible destination in March.

Torino opposed the sale

It appears that this monitoring will continue for now. However they will find reluctant sellers in Torino.

The Italian side appear unwilling to part ways with the midfielder easily. They invested €13m to acquire Casadei last summer and consider it a key part of their technology project. They will not sell unless they receive ‘particularly important offers’ for the midfielder.

The plan at the moment is for him to remain at the club and continue his development with them. TuttoSport made no mention of Casadei’s thoughts on the move, but he was happy to return to Italy last year after his difficult spell at Chelsea.

Then again, Brighton and Everton may have some explaining to do. At the moment, it appears they are doing nothing more than monitoring the situation and considering a move. But nonetheless, Casadei’s name is on the list after impressing in his first season at Torino.

of the armory There has been another layer of intrigue in the preparations for the Champions League final after Martin Zubimendi discussed his recent spell on the bench.

The midfielder has been one of Arsenal’s most important players this season. After arriving from Real Sociedad last summer, Zubimendi quickly became a central figure in Arsenal’s Premier League-winning campaign.

However, ahead of Saturday’s final against PSG in Budapest, the Spain international admitted his recent lack of form may not be accidental.

Before Arsenal’s final league game against Crystal Palace, Zubimendi had played four consecutive matches as a substitute.

Zubimendi remains calm on Arsenal role

Talking to Spanish outlet MarkHe admitted that the intensity of the season had hit him harder than anything he had experienced in Spain.

“It’s been a very challenging season, a long one, in which I’ve put in efforts I haven’t put in in my career, and it’s certainly had an impact on me,” He said.

Nevertheless, the midfielder made it clear that he now feels physically ready again.

Asked if there should be concerns ahead of the World Cup, Martin Zubimendi replied: “No, no, I’m fine.”

Despite the recent benching, Zubimendi insisted he is confident of his place in the team. It is worth remembering that he was Recently linked with a move to Real Madrid.

“I always see myself in the team, the second thing is what happens then,” he explained. “Lately, I haven’t been playing as much, but I’m ready to go out and play. The overall balance of the Premier League season has been very good, and I won’t start thinking negatively because of these bench appearances.”

When pressed on whether he expected to start the final himself, the midfielder laughed before giving a diplomatic answer.

“I don’t know! Ask sir,” He joked.

Zubimendi still made 46 appearances in all competitions this season, contributing four goals and seven assists. And when it comes to scoring in finals, his career record is quite good.

Arsenal’s confidence before PSG match

Martin Zubimendi also spoke confidently about Arsenal’s mentality ahead of facing PSG.

“We will enter the final with enthusiasm and confidence,” He said. “Winning the Premier League gives us extra incentive to reach such a beautiful final. I have seen Arsenal endure many years without a win, and now that past has finally been broken.”

The midfielder believes that mentality and composure will be decisive against the French team.

“Confidence, knowing how to handle the occasion, and defuse the situation,” When asked what difference it could make in the final, he said. “We have our weapons and we will try to make the most of them.”

Zubimendi also looked relaxed about Arsenal entering the match as outsiders.

“Maybe we’re not the favourites, but once you’re on the field it doesn’t matter who the favorite is.”

defensive strength appreciated

Martin Zubimendi gave particular praise to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s defensive structure.

“Sometimes it feels like you need to win titles to get credit, but I think Mikel was already among the top coaches,” he explained. “Winning takes you even higher and shows the whole process he has created at the club.”

Asked whether Arsenal were stronger defensively or offensively, the Spaniard highlighted the team’s balance, emphasizing their defensive consistency.

“I think it’s a very complete team, but where it really stands out is defensively,” He said. “The number of clean sheets we have is incredible and this is even more remarkable.”

While questions remain as to whether Zubimendi will start against PSG, there is no doubt that he has become one of the foundations of Arteta’s team during a transformative season at the Emirates.

Aston Villa Star Emi Buendia has detailed the conversations he had with Unai Emery this summer which led to his return under the Spaniard this season.

AS held an interview with the 29-year-old man today. He is on a high after playing a key role in Aston Villa’s Europa League success Heading towards the World Cup with Argentina.

Best Aston Villa Season

The midfielder has enjoyed his best season to date at Aston Villa. He scored 11 goals and nine assists in 54 games in all competitions and played a key role under Emery after returning in the summer.

He returned to Aston Villa in the summer after a loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen for the second half of last season.

The perception was that Aston Villa would focus on different players and make moves in the summer. However, a difficult summer window gave the Argentine a chance to impress. He has done just that and explained how.

When asked what the key to the transformation was, she said, “A lot of hard work. A lot of hard work, a lot of confidence too.”

“I always knew and told both the coach and the coaching staff that I felt capable of staying at the club this season.

“Then, throughout the season, with hard work, you see things start to go well. That’s important in this game. And well, it’s also about personal confidence, confidence in my teammates, confidence in the coaching staff and trying to have my best season individually.”

unai emery conversation

His return to Aston Villa last summer saw him in talks with Unai Emery about what he could do going forward.

The midfielder has previously struggled to impress under the Aston Villa boss but is now one of his star men. And he revealed what their conversation was like before the season started.

“When the transfer window opened, we had a conversation where we discussed what I could contribute to the team,” he said.

“I made it clear that I want to stay at the club and help. Emery knows how to get the best from each player. Personally, in my role on the field and taking into account the demands he makes on each player, we work individually to be able to deliver what he needs as a coach.

“From the beginning, with a lot of hard work, paying close attention to every detail, paying attention to everything that can make a difference. We grew with the team throughout the season.”

move flop to success

The turnaround is interesting for Emi Buendia, who was considered a major flop before impressing under Emery.

After impressing for three years at Norwich City he moved to Villa Park in 2021 on a €38.4m deal. He was a star for the Championship team but struggled to make the step up to the Villans. Now he is a major player and is thrilled to remember that move from five years ago.

“It wasn’t that big a leap because I spent three incredible seasons with Norwich, in which we won all four championships. In mid-season we played in the Premier League, but we couldn’t avoid relegation,” he concluded.

“When I signed for Villa, I already had experience of playing at the highest level in the world. I grew up embracing the pace of English football, which is essential to playing this dynamic style. And then developing technical skills which are very important.

“I remember the call from Aston Villa with great emotion because the project they presented to me, fortunately, gradually became reality over the years.

“The club’s ambition was to achieve the things we are experiencing now. It was a big step in my career. I’m personally very proud of it, and today I can enjoy all these wonderful things.”

newcastle united Juventus’ Jonathan David has been added to their list for the summer.

After spending five years at Lille, the striker joined the Serie A team on a free transfer in July 2025, scoring 109 goals and 31 assists in 232 appearances.

In his first season in Italy, David scored eight goals and provided five assists in 46 matches. This includes only one goal for Juventus since 1 February.

He still managed to attract interest from the Premier League, where Newcastle United are in the picture.

On March 9, we Covered claims from Italy That Aston Villa are interested in signing him. Last month, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United emerged as his options. the source said The Old Lady is requesting between €25-30m.

Two weeks ago, Sports Witness broadcast news The Europa League winners remain in the hunt for the Canada international.

Newcastle United joins the transfer chase

Eddie Howe’s side have become the latest English club to set their sights on the 26-year-old.

is according to all juveWho said Newcastle United are pursuing Jonathan David after his difficult season.

Despite his 13 G/A contribution, the outlet says the Canada international failed to live up to expectations and was labeled a ‘season flop’.

The Magpies are ‘ready to take advantage’ of his situation at the Turin club to bring him to St James’ Park. They value the frontman’s profile and qualities and are optimistic that he can achieve his best form in the Premier League.

Therefore, Newcastle United are taking steps to explore the finances of a potential operation.

Tutto Juve, who clarified that this is his own report, mentions the ‘astonishing quote’ in the headline but does not support it in the report. It’s possible an offer from an English club is on the way.

Juventus will not close the door to his exit as long as there is a sufficient offer. However, there is no mention of their demand in the report.

Contract, price and agent information

Jonathan David’s contract expires in 2030, and transfer market He is worth €35 million.

Axia Sports Management, an agency owned by agent Nick Mavromaras, is representing the Canadian.

As of mid-May 2026, the road to NASCAR’s 2027 Silly Season is oddly quiet but already feels unusually crowded. There are over 20 Cup Series drivers going into contract years, and that alone is enough to get rumors flying long before anything is officially finalized.

Add in some volatile veteran situations, some fast-rising young drivers and ongoing charter pressure in the paddock, and we’ve got the early signs of a market that could change rapidly after the first dominoes fall. But in reality things are moving surprisingly slowly.

Kyle Busch remains the dominant domino in the field

At the center of it all is Kyle Busch and his situation with Richard Childress Racing. For months, there was real noise about a possible split. That chatter still hasn’t completely disappeared, but the atmosphere around the garage has changed. Industry reports indicate that despite the disappointing win, Kyle Busch should extend his contract to remain at RCR. Both sides have realized that there are few, if any, better options.

Still, nothing stays simple for long in NASCAR. If talks fail, Spire Motorsports continues to loom as the most logical alternative landing spot.

That scenario will rapidly ripple outward. One name often mentioned in that conversation was Daniel Suarez, who suddenly found himself under more pressure depending on performance.

And then there’s Jesse Love, a driver many see as already waiting for his Cup opportunity. If a seat opens up in RCR, he joins that conversation.

Bowman’s future at Hendricks unclear

Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports is another position to watch. Nothing is changing officially yet, but the pressure is on. Bowman is approaching the end of his current deal through 2026, and Hendricks’ pipeline continues to get stronger year over year.

Names like Connor Zylisch and Corey Day are no longer just “future prospects” in the abstract, but they are actually real internal options.

So No. 48 looks like a seat that could become one of the most competitive seats in the garage.

Legacy, 23XI, and a growing youth movement

Momentum is building elsewhere too. Legacy Motor Club is preparing to expand to 3 full-time cars in 2027, and this opens up a huge opportunity.

Right now, Riley Herbst looks like the leading candidate for that seat, helped by his reforms and strong financial backing.

If that move happens, it could open up another series reaction at 23XI Racing, where Corey Heim is seen ready for a full-time Cup role.

However, Hem’s name keeps coming up again and again for a reason. He is considered one of Toyota’s most promising young drivers, and 2027 could finally be the moment he gets his chance.

RFK Racing and Charter Pressure Point

Then there’s RFK Racing, where the situation is more structural than driver-centric.

The team, co-owned by Brad Keselowski, is currently operating with two guaranteed charters. The third entry involving Ryan Preece was previously linked to a lease arrangement with Rick Ware Racing, but that charter has now reportedly been sold to Legacy for 2027.

This leaves RFK in a tricky position. Without another acquisition, they risk running a non-chartered car, which impacts everything from revenue to race access stability.

Depending on how things turn out, it could ultimately affect the futures of Keselowski, Chris Buescher and Preece.

Some teams have already locked their core

Not every story is about uncertainty. Ryan Blaney has secured a long-term deal with Team Penske after signing an extension a few weeks ago.

Denny Hamlin will remain with Joe Gibbs Racing until 2027.

William Byron is committed to Hendrick through 2029, and Tyler Reddick has also made a long-term commitment to 23XI Racing.

Right now, it’s quiet. Almost deceptively so. But that’s usually how these things start. A contract decision, a charter move, an underperforming season, and suddenly the entire 2027 driver market may not look so stable anymore.

My love for motorsports began as a child watching races with my family in Tunisia. Fast forward to today… more about Farah Ben Gamra

Could the San Antonio Spurs have a next-generation version of the “Twin Towers” next season? ESPN’s new NBA mock draft opens the door to that possibility.

On Monday night, the Spurs took a big step closer to reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 when they won Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. With Victor Wembanyama, arguably the best player in the NBA today, San Antonio has a very real chance to win the franchise’s sixth championship next month.

Still, while almost all of the organization’s attention is on the West Finals, they must also look forward to June’s NBA Draft. Well, when it comes to their selection at 20th overall, ESPN’s Jeremy Wu predicts the Spurs will select Kentucky big man Jaden Quaintance.

Quaintance is a risky selection as he played only four games in his first season with the Wildcats after suffering a serious knee injury, including a torn ACL. Wu reported, “Although he looked explosive and in good shape at his Pro Day, many NBA observers in the stands noticed he was favoring his right foot.”

Could Wembanyama and Quantance be ‘Twin Towers’ 2.0 for Spurs?

If he gets a clean bill of health, Wu notes that the 6-foot-10 tall man could help form a very nasty defensive combo with Vembanyama (7 feet 5 inches).

If Quaintance can live up to his potential, which will take some time as he is still only a teenager, he and the French phenom could form one of the greatest duos in Spurs history, a new version of the “Twin Towers”. That duo paired Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and David Robinson for three seasons from 2000–2003, making the playoffs each season and winning the championship the third year running.

Robinson, 7-foot-1, and Duncan, 6-foot-11, were a dominant front-court duo due to their blend of skill, athleticism and toughness. Vembanyama and Quaintance are a little different, but they can stick together for a long time and develop into an effective duo on defense.

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

Stefon Diggs is still looking for a home ahead of the 2026-27 NFL season. After being released from the New England Patriots, Diggs hopes to land with a team capable of winning a Super Bowl next season. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming in the past, one ESPN writer has labeled him the “best” fit for the 32-year-old wide receiver.

As ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote, the Los Angeles Rams are the “best” fit for Diggs in the upcoming 2026-27 NFL season. Diggs will be next to Puka Nakua and Davante Adams, giving the Rams an excellent wide receiver trio for starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.

However, why would Los Angeles be the best landing spot for Diggs?

Why would the Los Angeles Rams be a good fit for Stefon Diggs?

There are several reasons why the Rams would be a good fit for Diggs. In Los Angeles, the former Patriots wide receiver will work inside or outside, providing versatility to the organization. More importantly, Diggs won’t have to fill the wide receiver room like he did in New England.

Diggs will be lined up next to Necua and Adams, meaning he won’t get as much attention. This will be good for Stafford, as Diggs can spread out and operate in the middle of the field. There will be less pressure on the 32-year-old wide receiver as he looks to return to the Super Bowl. This is another reason why this will work.

Diggs is nearing the end of his NFL career, and Los Angeles is one of the favorites to win the 2027 Super Bowl. The Rams are considered a strong offensive team, but they worked on their defense during the 2026 NFL offseason. If Diggs joins the offense, it will become even more powerful.

Diggs’ days as an elite WR1 are over, but he can serve as a WR2. In Los Angeles, he will certainly be the best WR3 in the NFL. The Rams don’t need Diggs to compete for a Super Bowl, but adding him would boost their chances even more.

Los Angeles and Diggs seem like a perfect match, and it should be something both sides explore soon.

READ MORE: NFL Insider gives big update on AJ Brown trade to New England Patriots

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

There was a lot of excitement in the football world as the 2026 NFL schedule was released on Thursday, and we finally know when and where all 32 teams will play their games.

The New York Giants will be one of the most fascinating stories of the NFL season, as many think the team could go 4-13 in the playoffs in 2026 under head coach John Harbaugh and second-year quarterback Jackson Dart.

But making the postseason won’t be easy, as Big Blue plays six teams that made the playoffs last season and had a tough final month of the season.

There are less than four months to go until the season starts, and here are our early game-by-game predictions.

RELATED: 3 options for the New York Giants if Malik Nabors isn’t ready for Week 1

The last time New York opened the season at home against Dallas was in 2023, and they lost 40–0. But this time, things will be different as Big Blue will start the Harbaugh era with a win. W (1-0)

Trying to stop Sean McVay’s offense is always difficult, especially when you’re trying to get used to your new defensive coordinator’s scheme. Matthew Stafford will have to have his way with the secondary as the Giants suffer their first loss of the season against the Rams. L(1-1)

Week 3: Home at Tennessee Titans

The Giants will welcome their former head coach, Brian Daboll, and several of his former teammates to MetLife Stadium. But they won’t be giving him a warm welcome as Jackson Dart would beat out Cam Ward in a battle between two second-year quarterbacks. W (2-1)

Week 4: Home at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals may be the worst team in the NFC, but New York won’t ignore them. Big Blue would have a great victory and win their second game in a row. W (3-1)

Week 5: @WashingtonCommanders

Amazingly, the Commanders are the only team in the division to have defeated the Giants in each of the last two seasons. Washington would win another close battle in this rivalry. L(3-2)

Week 6: Home at New Orleans Saints

The Giants and Saints both finished last in their divisions last season, but some think they could go from worst to first in 2026. New York is expected to pick up a close win and avenge their 26–14 loss from a season ago. w (4-2)

Week 7: @Houston Texans

With the additional changes made to the offense, the Giants’ offense should be more explosive than it has been in years. Unfortunately, this week they will go up against the Houston Texans’ NFL-best defense. This will be very difficult to overcome and they will lose. L(4-3)

Week 9: @Philadelphia

Playing in Philadelphia has been a nightmare for New York as they haven’t won there since 2013. Despite a valiant effort by the Giants, they would lose again in the “City of Brotherly Love”. L(4-4)

New York ended its losing streak to Washington in just a few weeks as the defense shut down quarterback Jaden Daniels and secured an impressive victory. W (5-4)

Week 11: Home at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Giants are trying to do what the Jacksonville Jaguars did last season in going 4-13 to become division champions. Time will tell if New York will accomplish that feat, but they will win this Sunday. W(6-4)

Week 12: @IndianapolisColts

He may never admit it publicly, but Daniel Jones would love to get revenge on the team that abandoned him. Unfortunately for the veteran quarterback, he would not get revenge on the team that drafted him as Big Blue would win for the third consecutive time. W (7-4)

Week 14: @Seattle Seahawks

Seattle is one of the toughest places to play, as the crowd noise can be deafening. Furthermore, they are defending Super Bowl champions with an impressive defense, and quarterback Sam Darnold’s confidence is at an all-time high. The winners will be victorious in this competition. L(7-6)

Week 15: Home at Cleveland Browns

The Giants would end their losing streak against the Browns thanks to a dominant performance from their defense and big play from their special teams unit. W(8-6)

The Detroit Lions overwhelmed New York’s defense in their 34-27 overtime victory in Week 12 last season. The Giants’ defense would perform better, but the result would be the same with a Lions victory. L(8-7)

Week 17:@Dallas Cowboys

New York has not won in Dallas since Week 1 of the 2016 season, which was Dak Prescott’s NFL debut. Their losing streak in Big D will continue with another disappointing defeat. L(8-8)

Week 18: Home at Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants would finish the 2026 regular season with a win over their division rivals and finish the season with their first winning record since 2022. W(9-8)

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

For Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, there was one special thing he missed this season that led to his disappointing results: Fred VanVleet.

After trading for Kevin Durant over the summer, the Rockets were viewed as a serious threat to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. And why not? They were a young, talented, defensive-driven team that missed a late-game finisher in 2024-25.

But just before the season began, nine-year veteran VanVleet suffered an ACL injury during a September practice. Although it was a notable loss, most NBA experts believed that the Rockets still had enough talent to remain a force in the West under head coach Ime Udoka. However, despite looking strong early on, they slipped as the season progressed.

They finished the campaign as the fifth seed in the West, and were surprisingly eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by a Los Angeles Lakers team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for most of the series.

Fred VanVleet says the Rockets’ biggest problem in 2025-26 was not having Fred VanVleet

After their disappointing defeat in the playoffs, there has been much speculation as to what went wrong. However, it seems VanVleet believes his absences were the biggest reason for his disappointment in 2025-26 and that next season will be much better.

“I know what I bring to the table and I know having me on the team will make us a better team,” he said in a new video on his YouTube page. “It’s been the same for me on every team I’ve ever been on. Before you get to the game, I’m going to make the team better by being available, being around and bringing my energy.

“My leadership and competitiveness, that’s what it’s all about. I try to make everything I touch better,” he said. “That’s my mentality. I’m not saying I do that, or I don’t, but that’s how I look at it when I go in.”

The one-time All-Star has a $25.5 million player option for next season. From his comments it appears he is likely to exercise or fully expect to sign a new long-term deal for less money annually.

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

Kyle Busch has been the subject of speculation over NASCAR’s silly season for months, with many wondering if the future Hall of Famer will stick with Richard Childress Racing. What seemed like a foregone conclusion is no longer the case.

NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that it now appears “increasingly likely” that Busch will sign a new contract with RCR. The hope is that both parties will “stick together” and eventually sign a long-term agreement.

RELATED: What’s happened during and since Kyle Busch’s winless streak

Busch has now won 105 races without a Cup Series victory and is currently 24th in points, behind teammate Austin Dillon and slightly ahead of Erik Jones.

The issues resulted in RCR making another crew chief change for the No. 8 team with Jim Pohlman being replaced by Andy Street. It’s a move that appears to be paying off, with Busch finishing in the top-10 twice in the last three races, and would have made it three consecutive top-10s had he not gotten revenge against John Hunter Nemechek on the final lap at Texas.

Another reason Bush could re-sign with RCR. Hendrick, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske and 23XI Racing don’t want him and clearly don’t see the 41-year-old as an upgrade from what they have. This potentially leaves a return to RCR as the best of Bush’s limited options.

RELATED: NASCAR All-Time Cup Series Winners, Including Kyle Busch

Who can replace Kyle Busch at RCR?

While Richard Childress Racing would obviously like to bring Busch back to the No. 8 car for the 2027 season, they have options. If he decides to leave or his contract demands become too high, there are two names to keep in mind as replacements.

Read more: NASCAR prospects whose stock is rising

The most obvious RCR prospect is Jesse Love. In his age-21 season, Love is already a part-time driver for RCR in the No. 33 car and is poised to win the Xfinity Series this season.

Reigning Xfinity Series champion Love was previously looked at as an option for Legacy Motor Club in 2027 before their search focused on Riley Herbst. One reason for this could be the hope that Love is destined to occupy the number 8 car.

If RCR determines that Love is not quite ready for a full-time seat at the Cup Series level, the team could give Austin Hill a chance. He has proven to be far better racing in the lower levels than in the Cup, but he may be a short-term option until Love takes over.

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

Last season, first-year head coach Ben Johnson turned his innovative offense over to Caleb Williams, leading the Chicago Bears to their best season since 2018 and their first playoff victory since 2010. While the Bears had a top-10 offense, they had a bottom-line defense, ranking 23rd in points.

One area in which he struggled was getting to the quarterback. Chicago’s defense only had 35 sacks last season, and 10 of those came from Montez Sweat. The Bears did not draft any edge rushers, but they did add a defensive tackle in the sixth round after signing Neville Gallimore, Kentavious Street and James Lynch in free agency. No one is projected to start.

After Chicago’s struggles last season, it’s no surprise that some skeptics are wondering if the Bears have done enough to overcome a glaring weakness. Still, there may still be a solution available in free agency.

recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer predicted that the Bears would sign longtime New Orleans Saints defender Cameron Jordan.

Jordan will turn 37 in July, but the eight-time Pro Bowler was still extremely effective in his 15th season, recording 10.5 sacks. This was the seventh time Jordan recorded double-digit sacks in a season.

Still unsigned, Jordan enters the 2026 season ranking second on the NFL’s all-time sack leaders list with 132 (17th on the ‘official list’). He is 6.5 sacks behind 37-year-old Von Miller, who is also unsigned but is 13th on the career sacks list.

Even if the Bears don’t trust Jordan for a starting role, it’s clear he still has something to offer. Still, after appearing in 242 of 243 games, there’s no reason to believe Jordan isn’t ready to resume playing all 17 games, which he has done the past three seasons.

RELATED: Chicago Bears urged to sign former Pro Bowler who played for Ben Johnson

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 Minnesota Wild’s final loss of the season was their most painful.

The Wild blew an early three-goal lead over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round series on Wednesday night at Ball Arena. They were still ahead by two before allowing a pair of goals in the final 3:33 of regulation that forced overtime.

Minnesota failed to convert on two excellent scoring opportunities early in overtime before Avs defenseman Brett Kulak scored at 3:52 of OT to secure a 4–3 win. Colorado advanced to the conference finals against the Anaheim-Vegas series winner. Minnesota is going home with one of the most painful defeats in its history.

Kulak broke through an excellent scoring chance in the defensive zone before running down the ice, taking a pass from Martin Necas and one-timeing it past Jesper Wallstad for the series-winning goal. It was his first goal since January 19, when he was playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Before Colorado’s late rally, it looked like the Wild had the game in hand; They led 3-1 with less than four minutes remaining.

But the Avs came within one when Jack Drury deflected Devon Toews’ long wrist pass to Jesper Walstad with 3:33 to play. They tied it with 1:23 remaining when Nathan MacKinnon took a short lead with an accurate shot from the bottom left circle.

By that time, the night had become wild.

Wild season with 4-3 OT loss to Avalanche in Game 5

Marcus Johansson scored 34 seconds into the game to put Minnesota up 1–0. Nick Foligno then scored twice in less than five minutes, giving the Wild a 3–0 lead in less than 16 minutes.

Parker Kelly got a goal back for Colorado midway through the second period, but the Wild remained in command until final goals by Drury and MacKinnon forced overtime.

The crowd of 18,159 came prepared to see the Presidents Trophy winners advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since winning the Cup in 2022. But Wilde showed from the initial face-off that he had other plans.

Johansson put Minnesota on the board in the first inning. Matt Boldy circled Colorado’s Brock Nelson behind the net and made his way into the left corner. He delivered a perfect pass to Johansson, who beat Mackenzie Blackwood to make it 1–0.

Foligno made it 2–0 at 11:03 with his first goal of the postseason. He went to the net, got his stick on Nico Sturm’s pass and deflected it to Blackwood.

The Wild thought they had made it 3–0 at 12:26 when Michael McCarron caromed a carom off the post into the net during a delayed penalty. But a video review showed that the Wild center had used his gloved hand to dodge Blackwood, and the goal went off the board.

Minnesota took a three-goal lead at 15:56 of the second minute of the period on Foligno. Blackwood missed Sturm’s long wrist and Sturm beat Avs defenseman Jack Ahkan to the puck. His backhand cross-crease pass found Foligno, who fired it into the open left corner for a 3–0 lead.

The Avs changed goaltenders after Blackwood allowed three goals on 13 shots in the opening 20 minutes. Scott Wedgwood relieved him — and Colorado came out with the kind of energy it lacked in the first period.

According to Natural Stat Trick, the Avalanche had nine of 10 scoring chances in the middle period, along with a 33-8 edge in shot attempts. But the “Wall of St Paul” kept them off the board until the end of the 11th minute, when Kelly lofted Brent Burns’ right-point slapper past Wallstead to make the score 3–1.

Colorado continued to push and earned its first power play when Danila Yurov high-sticked Cale Makar at 16:52. Wallstedt made three saves and MacKinnon hit the post, giving the Wild two goals in 20 minutes of play.

The Wild appeared to be content with playing defense in the third period, rarely entering the offensive zone. The strategy worked well until 16:27, when Drury got its second chance of the postseason in the same game as Kelly’s goal. Toews took a long straight wrister, and Drury deflected it past Volstead to make the score 3–2.

Now with the crowd roaring in full swing, the Avs pulled Wedgwood with two minutes remaining and tied it on MacKinnon’s rip from the bottom left circle, creating a small opening on the short side.

Key takeaways after Wild season ends with loss to Avs in Game 5

paid a heavy price to sit in the back

Minnesota defeated Colorado 13–12 and took a 3–0 lead after a dominant first period. Unfortunately for the Wild, the game was not over.

Colorado controlled the remainder of the game to show why it finished first in the regular season standings. The Avs defeated Minnesota 22–7 after the opening period, including 4–0 in overtime. According to Natural Stat Trick, Colorado had a 22-3 edge in scoring chances at 5-on-5 after the first period and a 9-2 advantage in high-danger opportunities during that time.

Minnesota appeared content to consistently sit back, dump the puck and get the Avs up 200 feet instead of trying to get another goal. It’s a difficult strategy to implement over long periods of time against the NHL’s highest-scoring team. In the end, Wild had to pay the price.

Foligno’s big night is getting ruined

The Wild added Nick Foligno on March 6 with Columbus to play a lower-level role, often alongside younger brother Marcus. The 38-year-old had scored only one goal in 17 regular season games following the trade and did not score in Minnesota’s first 10 playoff games.

That all changed in the first period, when he connected twice in less than five minutes to put the Wild up by three.

It was the second multi-goal playoff game of his career – and the first since Game 6 of the first round with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

What’s next for the Wild?

The way their season ended will sting for some time, but the Wild look like a team on the rise.

The best news was that they won a playoff series for the first time since 2015, ending a streak of eight consecutive opening round/preliminary round losses. They have great players on the left wing (Kirill Kaprizov) and defense (Quinn Hughes), a rising star in forward Matt Boldy and an excellent No. 2 defenseman in Brett Faber.

The absence of center Joel Eriksson and defenseman Jonas Brodin due to injury against Colorado hurt.

Coach John Hynes will have the offseason to decide whether he wants to give Walstead the No. 1 job. He spent most of the season in the 1B role behind goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson. But Gustavsson’s five-year, $34 million contract begins next season – a big deal for a backup/1B goaltender.

But the biggest question is the future of Hughes, who has one year remaining before becoming an unrestricted free agent. GM Bill Guerin gave up a lot for the Vancouver Canucks to get the 26-year-old player in December. He can sign an extension starting on July 1 and will undoubtedly make every effort to make that happen.

stat shots

The Avs won the series at home for the first time in their last 10 tries in 2008. That also came against Wild.

Colorado’s comeback from three goals down was the first by any team in this year’s playoffs. Five teams won after trailing by two goals.

Kulak clinched the series and became the 16th Avalanche player to score a goal during the second round, breaking the NHL record for most goals in a series.

Colorado became the 13th team in NHL history, and the second team joining the Carolina Hurricanes in 2026, to need nine or fewer games through the first two best-of-7 series to make the first round of the Finals.

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

Tennessee Titans fans are about to get a better idea of ​​the struggles Cam Ward endured during his difficult rookie season. since netflix started quarterback In 2023, football fans can’t get enough of a sports docu-series focused on NFL QBs.

In its debut season, fans got an inside look at Patrick Mahomes’ magical season, which culminated with the Kansas City Chiefs icon winning Super Bowl LVII MVP. Others appreciated how carefully Kirk Cousins ​​kept his mind and body sharp day after day.

In Season 2, fans got to see Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, and Cousins ​​again, this time as members of the Atlanta Falcons. The overall success of the streaming series also led to a spin-off title. receiverPerformances from Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Davante Adams and Deebo Samuel.

Now, we know who will participate in Season 3 quarterback.

According to Netflix, Season 3 will include Ward, Jayden Daniels, Baker Mayfield, and Joe Flacco. The series will return to Netflix on July 14.

jayden daniels
Joe Flacco
Baker Mayfield
cam ward

The Quarterback Season 3 premieres July 14 pic.twitter.com/XsOZ56dZSX

– Netflix (@Netflix) 13 May 2026

In addition to Ward’s tough start, fans will get to see how Flacco dealt with being the starting QB for the Cleveland Browns, only to later be benched after four games. The Browns then surprisingly traded the veteran QB to their AFC North rivals, sending Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals as an injury replacement for Burrow.

Meanwhile, both Daniels and Mayfield faced their own struggles, as both players missed the playoffs in 2025 after playing postseason football. Add it all up, and there should be plenty of compelling stories for football fans to enjoy later this summer.

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

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

leeds united Defender Gabriel Gudmundsson has refused to comment on the status of his injury, with it appearing that he will miss another game this season.

hollandsport The full-back provides comments today after being included in Sweden’s squad for the World Cup.

sweden inclusion

Sweden manager Graham Potter announced his squad for the tournament this week. He decided to drop many big names from the group. These also include players like Dejan Kulusevski, who is still struggling with a knee injury.

However, other injured players were also involved. For example, Gabriel Gudmundsson of Leeds United was one of them.

He has not played for the past few weeks after suffering a back injury in Leeds United’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on 26 April.^th. He is on his way back from that, but cannot say whether he will play in the final two Premier League games for Leeds.

“There’s nothing I can comment on,” He said.

“I stepped back a bit. But I have had good talks with the national team management and I will be fully prepared when the World Cup squad assembles on May 27.”

Strong leeds united season

It appears that the 27-year-old has no concerns about his fitness for this summer’s tournament. But he is also now talking about the past this season, a sign that he can avoid any risks now that Leeds United are safe in the Premier League.

“It will be difficult to go straight from a season in the Premier League to playing in the World Cup. But at the same time it is a big dream for me.” He added.

“I had a great season at Leeds where we got a contract and then it will be fun to travel with the national team to Mexico and the USA.”

That’s not even the only sacrifice he’s making. This summer he will also become a father for the first time, which he will miss.

“A special summer. It will be hard to top 2026,” He concluded.

“Of course I would love to be there when the baby is born. So there are mixed emotions. But my wife is incredibly strong and we have good support from home.”

Even if Deshaun Watson has a big bounceback season in 2026, a top NFL insider claims there is no chance the Cleveland Browns will try to re-sign him.

Frustratingly for Browns fans, it is very likely that Watson will be the team’s starting quarterback this season. This thought sends a shiver down the spine of Cleveland supporters as the three-time Pro Bowl has been a complete disaster for the franchise.

After arriving in 2022 with a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million, Watson has played only 19 games and missed all of the 2025 season recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon a year ago. Still, when he played, he looked like a shell of the player fans had seen with the Houston Texans. Posting a 9-10 record as a starter and 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Despite a horrific sexual assault scandal, the Browns took a huge risk by trading for Watson. The risk didn’t pay off and actually backfired on him because his contract was a prop on his payroll and not tradable.

Browns unlikely to re-sign Deshaun Watson after bounce back season

Still, due to Cleveland’s weak QB room, Watson has a strong chance to be new head coach Todd Monken’s choice to be his Week 1 starter. While it’s not expected, it’s not impossible that Watson will have a great season in 2026. He is still only 30 years old, and the team’s new system could help him recapture his Pro Bowl form.

So, does this mean the Browns could re-sign Deshaun Watson if he performs well next season? Not a chance, claims ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

Rest easy, Browns fans. 2026 may be a big year for Deshaun Watson, but it will be his last year in Cleveland.

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

With the 2026 NFL schedule being released on Thursday, there is a lot of excitement to see which team the New York Giants will face in the season opener.

With John Harbaugh as head coach and the team’s additions in free agency and the draft, some think they can go from worst to first in the NFC East.

New York will be one of the most interesting teams of the season, and you can be sure the league will want them to have an entertaining matchup in Week 1 to kick off the season and the John Harbaugh era.

Here are the five most likely Week 1 opponents for the Giants.

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

On the road against the Dallas Cowboys

For the past two decades, New York opening the season against the Dallas Cowboys has been a common theme. Since 2007, the Cowboys have hosted the Giants in the opener six times, including three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017.

But the Giants haven’t started the season in Dallas since 2019, but now seems like the right time to resume this pattern. 2026 marks 10 years since the Giants’ last win in Dallas, which ironically was in Week 1. There’s no better way to launch the Harbaugh era than to get a chance to end this questionable losing streak and send a message that the franchise is headed in the right direction.

home against the tennessee titans

The Giants sweeping the Tennessee Titans would be an interesting way to start the season as Big Blue will welcome back their former head coach Brian Daboll, who is now the Titans’ offensive coordinator. In addition to Daboll, several former greats are now with Tennessee, including Van’Dale Robinson, Kor’Dale Flott and Daniel Bellinger.

This game will also be the first matchup between Cam Ward and Jackson Dart, the first two quarterbacks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. These two teams started off the year against each other in Tennessee in 2022, and there’s a good chance they start the season against each other again.

home against washington commanders

This season marks the 40th anniversary of the Giants’ first Super Bowl victory. To celebrate, the NFL may have the Giants face the franchise they defeated in the NFC Championship 40 years ago to clinch their first Super Bowl berth in Washington.

Since 2008, these divisional rivals have met four times in Week 1, including last year in Washington, where the Commanders were victorious 21–6. But that was before Jackson Dart took over as the starter, and both teams have made significant roster changes since then. This matchup would see the Giants go up against Sonny Styles for the first time, who many thought they would take with the fifth overall selection, but instead they selected Arvel Reese.

On the road against the Detroit Lions

The Giants and Detroit Lions both finished last in their respective divisions in 2025, but both are among the favorites to go from worst to first in 2026. With the number of skill position players on both teams, this could turn out to be one of the most entertaining games of the opening weekend.

It will also be a big test for New York’s revamped defense and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to see if they can stop Jahmir Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, as the two had 413 combined yards in the Lions’ 34-27 overtime win in Week 12 last year.

at the Seattle Seahawks for the NFL season opener

The NFL would like to pit the defending and defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks against a major opponent for the NFL season opener. Despite their losing streak over the past decade and a half, the Giants are still one of the marquee franchises in the league and are a team that many believe is on the rise now that they are led by a Super Bowl-winning coach.

It won’t be an ideal first Test for the new-look giants, but it offers a chance to pull off a big upset against the champions and build confidence for the rest of the season.

We’ll find out soon enough who Big Blue will start against in the first game of the John Harbaugh era.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB Rankings: Where does Jackson Dart rank?

With the MLB season in full swing, players and clubs have already begun to define what the remainder of the season will look like. Even though we’re less than a quarter of the way through the 2026 season, historic and memorable moments have already been created.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the 10 top moments of the MLB season so far.

adele looted three bombs

los angeles Angels Outfielder Joe Adell had perhaps the greatest defensive performance in MLB history. He hit three home runs off the Seattle Mariners and won the game for the Halos. It was a 1-0 win over Seattle, so every steal mattered.

The first two were relatively standard, though certainly impressive. but the third was scenic. Adell traveled all the way to the right field foul pole before leaping over the wall to take the catch. The result was a narrow victory for the Angels and a magical game for Adele, who later donated the glove to the Hall of Fame.

Miller sets franchise record with scoreless streak

The San Diego Padres have had a lot of success this season, which has given them a chance to remain in contention. The Friars are in second place in the NL West, just one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is largely due to Mason Miller.

The Padres wrote a historic scoreless streak spanning 34 2/3 innings dating back to last season. It ended on a controversial foul call against the Chicago Cubs, but he removed Clay Meredith to record a scoreless inning in San Diego. That dominance has put him in the conversation for the NL Cy Young Award. It has not been won by a reliever since Eric Gagne won it in 2003.

3. Cubs, Braves exceed all expectations

Clubs that have exceeded expectations are the Atlanta Braves and Cubs. Both are off to ridiculously hot starts. Atlanta’s offense has been MLB’s benchmark, and their rotation has been equally good. They are tied for the best record in MLB at 27–13.

The North Siders have been just as good, sharing the title of best record with Atlanta. That’s because the Cubs already have two winning streaks of more than 10 games. This is only the fifth time in history that an MLB team has recorded multiple separate 10-game winning streaks before playing its 40th game.

Murakami proved the doubters wrong

Before this offseason, Munetaka Murakami was viewed as a prime international free agent. Many saw him receiving an expensive multi-year contract before ever taking an at-bat in MLB. But then… the offers never came. Murakami ultimately took a two-year, $34 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. He has spent this season making every club feel stupid for not signing him.

Murakami is tied with Aaron Judge for the MLB lead in home runs with 15. He has been a legitimate “three true results” player, with almost every at-bat ending in a strikeout, walk or home run. This helped the Sox post a record just three games below .500 and finish in third place in the AL Central.

Ohtani is making his bid for the Cy Young

The debate is over. Shohei Ohtani is the greatest baseball player of all time. Despite already receiving four MVP awards and having the first 50–50 season in MLB history, he has yet to win a Cy Young Award. The narrative that this was the only award Ohtani could not win has begun to change this season.

Wright has an MLB-best 0.97 ERA in 37 innings. He struck out 42 batsmen and also had a 0.81 WHIP. If Ohtani can keep this up throughout the season, he will have no trouble collecting his first Cy Young.

Alvarez returns from injury

Yordan Alvarez has been on a historic decline at the start of the season. Despite slowing down recently, the slugger still ranks in the top ten of MLB hitters in nearly every offensive category. He has been one of the few bright spots in a difficult stretch for the Houston Astros.

The slugger had a tough 2025, dealing with numerous injuries that caused him to play in only 48 games. But Alvarez’s performances so far this season have marked him out as one of the best hitters in the game. If he can keep this up, he could be on his way to beating Judge for the AL MVP award.

A historical novice class

The next generation is here in full force. One of the best rookie classes in MLB history is headlined by Travis Bazana, Chase DeLauter, Parker Messick, Kevin McGonigal, Nolan McLean, Murakami, Cam Schlitler, Sal Stewart and JJ Weatherholt. Those eight have heated up the Rookie of the Year race, not only being great “for a rookie” but actually leading their clubs into contention.

Should this group continue to produce the way it has, it will mark an incredible class of newcomers that hasn’t been seen in years. Of the eight, Stewart and Weatherholt have been the most steady offensively while Messick has been the Cleveland Guardians’ ace.

A Wide Open American League Cy Young Race

With the news that two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will need elbow surgery, and with the Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Crockett uncharacteristically struggling to open the season, the race for the AL Cy Young is wide open. Four candidates have distanced themselves. Jose Soriano of the Angels, Max Fried and Schlitzer of the New York Yankees and Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays have taken over.

Soriano got off to great starts before looking human in his last few starts. Fried and Schlitzer have headlined one of the best Yankees rotations in recent memory. Cease has put up ridiculous strikeout numbers (66) and posted a 2.58 ERA with his new club.

But, Skubal’s return is somewhat imminent, with his return now speculated to come in 4-6 weeks. If he dominates his comeback he could still win the award. But the southpaw will be fighting an uphill battle in hopes of winning a third consecutive Cy Young.

Deloutre Club four straight nuclear weapons

Guardians rookie Chase DeLoutre firmly established himself in MLB history as the second player to hit four home runs in the first three regular season games of his career. He joins Trevor Storey, who was the first person to achieve the feat in 2016.

The Guardians outfielder remains hot, hitting .295/.378/.527 with a .905 OPS. He is in the running for the AL Rookie of the Year award, competing against fellow AL Central rookie Kevin McGonigal of the Detroit Tigers. But Delauter’s early power has since waned, with the rookie clubbing only two long balls since then. If he can rediscover that power, Delauter will be the premier rookie of the 2026 class.

trout looking vintage

Mike Trout is finally looking like himself again. He is off to a great start with 11 homers and a .947 OPS. He made headlines by becoming the first player in history to hit five home runs against the Yankees in New York.

But Trout has been the subject of trade rumors recently, with many wondering if the Angels will try to get something in return for him while his stock is high. The problem is that the veteran is owed $185.5 million through the 2030 season. The question is whether the trade would be worthwhile without eating up a large chunk of the Halos’ contract.

By then, Los Angeles was in fifth place in the AL West with a 15–25 record. Trout was stuck on a losing club for most of his career. The Angels have only three seasons with a winning record since Trout’s debut in 2012. It would certainly be good for him to try to win it all once in his historic career.

While the Montreal Canadiens attempt to even up their second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres, their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, have been pushed to the brink in the AHL playoffs.

As things stand, Laval is tied 2-2 in their series against the Toronto Marlies, and considering this is the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs, it’s a best-of-five situation. In other words, Game 5, scheduled for 3 pm ET on Saturday, will decide the winner of the series.

It’s a less-than-ideal scenario for the Rockets, a team that has endured spectacular adversity in a season that has seen many of its best players make their way to Montreal.

Luckily for Laval, defenseman Adam Engstrom was recently returned to the AHL, but the fact remains that they are playing without their starting goaltender Jacob Fowler, who is currently serving as Jacob Dobbs’ backup in the NHL.

Even when we take into account the losses of players like Engstrom, David Rickenbacker, Jared Davidson, Florian Czekaj, Joshua Roy and Owen Beck at various stretches of the NHL, it’s worth noting that Laval has managed to overcome long stretches of tough spots to capture the North Division title, which means they’ll have home-ice advantage in Game 5 on Saturday, a significant advantage given the NHL-like environment for the Rockets. Fans form at the Place Bell on any game day.

This is extremely important in this particular case, as the Rockets are facing a can’t-lose situation against the Marlies in what can only be described as a physical series.

oh my bake pic.twitter.com/yD7k9OQ0ak

– xy – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 29 April 2026

If the Rockets lose, their encouraging season will be quickly forgotten, and labeled another failed playoff push.

If they win, as expected, they will advance to the next round, but they will receive little praise from analysts and fans. More than anything, this would be described as loss aversion.

It’s not an easy scenario to face, but it’s one filled with adversity, a recurring theme in both Montreal and Laval.

And like the Habs, the Rockets perform best with their backs against the wall.

Florian 🚨 1-0 pic.twitter.com/SxI6DRC2NO

– xy – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 29 April 2026

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

Manchester City There is interest in Lille star Matias Fernandez Pardo after his impressive season in Ligue 1.

Tuttomercatoweb reports that Manchester City There could be competition from Inter Milan for the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window.

manchester city interest

Matias Fernandez Pard is having the best year of his career so far. He was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season thanks to eight goals and five assists and was also a regular in the Europa League.

The 21-year-old player is also being seriously considered by Spain, who want to pounce on him ahead of other countries.

Cesc Fabregas’ Como are interested in him and have been eyeing a deal for some time. His versatility to play as a winger, false nine or even as a second striker has made him a perfect fit for Fàbregas’ fluid style.

But he has also attracted the attention of big clubs. Manchester City, ‘always keen for talent’, already have him in their sights. Inter Milan are also aware of him as they look to strengthen after their title success.

There is no mention of any of those three parties doing anything other than watching the player’s performance at this time.

€30m valuation

There is also no mention of the asking price. Matias Fernandez Pardo cost Lille €11.5m in 2024 but is currently valued at €30m. His current deal also runs until 2029, so the French side are under no pressure on that front either.

Of course, €30m would be no big deal for Manchester City. This is a fee that they can spend without worrying too much. And they could be looking for a forward this summer if players like Omar Marmoush leave.

There is also Jack Grealish to consider. Fernandez Pardo could be an ideal additional player if he does not return as expected. For now, it appears he is just a name on the list to keep an eye on.

News broke Wednesday morning that Carlos Correa suffered a serious ankle injury that will require surgery. The surgery will rule out the Houston Astros’ starting shortstop’s 2026 season.

It was an apparent end to the season for Correa, who was injured during batting practice before Tuesday night’s win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He went 0 for 4, but is off to a solid start this season, hitting .279 with 16 RBI. Along with young slugger Yordan Alvarez, he was a big part of why Houston was still excited for the upcoming season despite a slow start to the year.

Korea was a surprise trade at last year’s deadline. The veteran player was traded to the Minnesota Twins to strengthen Houston for a playoff race, which did not succeed. This marked the return of the veteran player who was drafted by the Astros with the first pick in the 2012 draft. But Correa wasn’t just a good hitter, he was an essential leader in the clubhouse, and his presence will be greatly missed.

Myriad injuries destroy Astros’ 2026

It felt like Houston’s season was over before it even started. 14 players of the club are on the injured list. That group is made up of Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, Corea, Yener Diaz, Josh Hader, Tatsuya Imai, Cristian Javier, Joey Loperfido, Jake Meyers, Nate Pearson, Jeremy Pena, Taylor Trammell, Brandon Walter, and Hayden Wesneski.

Those injuries destroyed the clubhouse, forcing the Astros into fourth place in the American League West. The only club they are currently ahead of is the Los Angeles Angels. Houston can certainly bounce back later in the season once those starters return, but until then they need to be cautious and the news from Correa won’t help matters.

The Astros’ roster is primarily made up of young guys who probably should have spent more time in Triple-A. The problem is that Houston no longer has that luxury due to bad luck with injuries. Because of this, those young players are being trusted more than necessary.

That being said, if the Astros want to reverse their 15-22 record, they will need that group of players. Not a ton, but enough to reach a .500 record. This could be enough for Houston to save this season as they await the return of several of their injured players.

The Atlanta Braves have been the best team in baseball, and this is nowhere near it. The club has started 25-11 with an 8 1/2 game lead in second place. There have been speculations year after year that the Braves were finally due for a breakout, although they have never lived up to those expectations thus far.

a miraculous championship moment

Atlanta had won the World Series just five years earlier. You wouldn’t think it given how the club has played over the past few years, but this team has performed wonders in 2021. The Braves won only 88 games in the regular season, but it was enough to win a middling National League East.

Ronald Acuña Jr. posted his best season since his 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign with a .283/.394/.596 slash line and 24 home runs. Freddie Freeman batted .300 with 31 longballs on the year. Even Austin Riley threw 33 balls out of the yard. he was the one steep Crew. The fact that they only won 88 games is ridiculous in itself.

Atlanta bested the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS (3-1) before defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2) to clinch a spot in the World Series against the Houston Astros. It was a ridiculously good Astros club. Houston won 95 games to claim the top spot in the American League West. One of the highlights of that club was their brilliant opening innings. Composed of Luis Garcia, Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr., Jose Urquidi and Framber Valdez, watching the Braves defeat them in six games was a beautiful thing.

With leadoff homers from Jorge Soler (World Series MVP) and Eddie Rosario (NLCS MVP) in the postseason, the Braves battled their way to a World Series championship. they are The club proves that getting hot at the right time is what matters most in the race to the postseason.

That moment passes, each year since then is becoming less

Despite making the postseason three consecutive years after 2021, the Braves could not make it past the NLDS. Atlanta won over 100 games in 2022 and 2023 but disappointed in the postseason, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies both times. They won only 89 games in 2024 but still managed to make the playoffs. Atlanta was eventually joined in the NL wild card by the San Diego Padres.

But, in 2025, the Braves missed the postseason altogether. They finished fourth in the NL East with only 76 wins. It was a very poor season for an Atlanta team with high aspirations and expectations.

Much of this was due to injuries and absences from the planned roster. Jurickson Profar given 80-game suspension for PED use. Acuña was sidelined with hamstring and Achilles injuries. Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Showers and Hurston Waldrep all missed significant time, forcing Atlanta to piece together its starting rotation.

But, other than that, the offense struggled mightily. Despite four players having over 20 homers (Matt Olson, Acuna, Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris), they failed to actually win baseball games due to their poor starting rotation.

Heading into 2026, the problem for Atlanta was that they didn’t make a single decisive move this offseason to fix it. Their only real addition was to bring in former Padres closer Robert Suarez as Raisel Iglesias’ setup man. This solves most of the Braves’ bullpen problems, plus their numerous injuries haven’t been a major issue so far.

What’s more, starting left fielder Profar is now serving a full season suspension after once again testing positive for PEDs. Adding insult to injury (literally), shortstop Ha-seong Kim’s preseason injury dashed Atlanta’s 2026 offensive hopes.

Surpasses expectations and remains on top position

The Braves are on track to win 112 games. If they are able to accomplish this, it will be the most games won by Atlanta in franchise history. This is largely due to the all-round effort of the club.

Pitching finally looks as effective as the Bills

In MLB, the Braves’ pitching staff ranked second in opponent batting average (.216), third in ERA (3.25) and fourth in WHIP (1.16) and runs allowed (129). The only rotation in baseball that has been better is the Dodgers’. Chris Sale’s return to form has been a wonderful development for the club (2.14 ERA, 42.0 IP). Reynaldo Lopez has pitched well (though not incredibly) with a 3.28 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. But the real story is the success of Bryce Elder. The righty leads the club with a 1.88 ERA in his first seven starts.

Yes, it hurts to have Spencer Schwellenbach gone for most of the season. But Spencer Strider is back (though he had a rough start after giving up three runs in as many innings (3.1 IP). This has been the rotation, and it looks like it will continue to be lethal.

a crime that won’t go away

The craziest part? The rotation isn’t even the best part of Atlanta’s season. It is a crime. The Braves rank first in every major category except on-base percentage with a .275/.341/.468 slash line and .809 OPS. He is second in MLB in home runs with 54. It’s hard to argue with numbers like that.

That offense has been fueled by incredible performance after incredible performance. A resurgent Olson is batting .300 with 12 home runs and a 1.047 OPS. Drake Baldwin is showing zero signs of sophomore decline, batting .313/.392/.531 as the club’s primary backstop. Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II are finally breaking out, with Dominic Smith emerging as an offensive threat. Acuna is declining, it’s true, but that doesn’t matter how much every other player has contributed.

There are still questions about depth and whether injuries will plague this club as much as before. The real test will come in the second half of the season. Can this Braves club overcome the dog days of summer? Perhaps. It would be great to see this Atlanta team finally live up to – and even exceed – the expectations set for them. only time will tell.

The Tampa Bay Lightning did everything but beat the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round series on Sunday night. Unfortunately for the packed house of 19,092, it was the score that mattered – and the Canadiens got a shaky goal by Alex Newhook with 8:53 remaining in the third period, earning a 2–1 victory and a second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres.

Newhook broke a 1-1 tie when he caromed Lane Huston’s shot off the end board to the right of Andrei Vasilevskiy. The puck was knocked out of the air while still behind the net and went over the Lightning goaltender’s back and into the net. This was his first goal in the series.

It was one of only nine shots on goal by the Canadiens in the game, which were outscored and outplayed. They went nearly 27 minutes without a shot on goal, including a shotless second period. Montreal became the first team since shots on goal became an official statistic in 1959–60 to win a playoff game without reaching double figures.

“They had two, we had one,” defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “It’s hard to put into words how it ended.”

Montreal’s rookie goaltender Jacob Dobbs maintained the lead with some great stops after Newhook’s goal. He made 28 saves to earn First Star of the Game honors. Dobbs made excellent stops on shots from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jake Guentzel shortly after Newhook’s goal. He also fell on a low rocket from James with less than five minutes remaining.

The Lightning lost their fourth consecutive first-round series. Their last win came in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, when they defeated the New York Rangers in six games. The Canadiens won a series for the first time since defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 semi-finals. They lost to Tampa Bay in the finals.

All seven games were decided by one goal and four went to extra time.

“That’s all you can ask of your team, whether it’s an Olympic tournament or a best-of-7 playoff, you get better as you go along,” Lightning coach John Cooper said. And I thought as we progressed, we got better. I thought we played our best game of the series tonight.

Lightning season ends with Game 7 loss to Canadiens

The Lightning outshot the Canadiens 9–4 in the opening period and controlled the game for most of the first 20 minutes. Dobbs made his best save with less than five minutes remaining when he stopped Gage Goncalves on a backhander from the front after the Game 6 hero slipped through the defense.

But it was the Canadiens who got on the board first, thanks to a lucky bounce.

Defenseman Caden Guhle had little to do from the left point, which Suzuki deflected into the slot. It was headed wide but bounced off Lightning defense JJ Moser and past the defenseless Vasilevskiy at 18:39. His first goal in the series gave Montreal a 1–0 lead.

The second period belonged entirely to Tampa Bay. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 12–0, as Montreal failed to register a shot on goal in the playoff period for the first time in franchise history. Tampa Bay spent most of the period in Montreal territory and the game was eventually tied 1–1 at 13:27.

Neither team scored in the first power play. But the Lightning took advantage of their second opportunity after Guhle was called for holding Jake Guentzel at 12:33. Coach John Cooper went with his second power-play unit and was rewarded when Goncalves set up Charles-Ehouard D’Estes for a slapper from just inside the blue line.

James got his stick on the shot and deflected it past Dobbs, who had no chance.

Montreal got its second power play at 15:22 when the Lightning were called for having too many men, but the Canadiens again failed to generate much pressure. Neither team was credited with a shot on goal in the final six minutes. For the fifth time in seven matches the score remained equal even after 40 minutes.

Dobbs evened the score with a big stop on Goncalves from the slot 5:10 into the third period.

Vasilevskiy finally had to make a save at 5:34 of the third period when he blocked Suzuki’s long snap shot. The Canadiens began to generate more pressure, with the Lightning blocking four shots in a 12-second span near the midpoint of the period.

According to Natural Stat Trick, Newhook’s goal stunned the crowd and the Bolts could not find an answer this time despite a 7–3 advantage in high-danger chances and a 32–12 dominance of all scoring opportunities in the game.

“Sometimes you win the game, not the score,” Cooper said. “But this is Game 7. There’s no moral victory in this.”

Key takeaways after Lightning season ends with 2-1 loss to Canadiens

Chasing but not catching Montreal

The loss of power was not due to lack of effort. But they spent the entire series chasing the Canadiens.

Montreal scored the first goal Sunday, marking the fifth time in seven games the Canadiens got the opening goal; One of the first two chances the Lightning scored was in their 1–0 overtime win in Game 6. Montreal won Games 1, 3, and 5, meaning they never took a lead in a game while trailing in the series.

The Lightning lost three of four home games, one of which they defeated Montreal 29–9.

“You have about 30 shots and you miss nine,” center Brandon Hagel said. “I don’t know if that’s ever been done before in a Game 7 — win the game on nine shots. But that’s not the point. I mean, you lose three home games, it’s going to be tough to win the series.”

The Canadiens defeated the Lightning 16–15 in the series and secured their net after Newhook’s series-winner.

“They got the lead and protected it,” Cooper said. “When they broke down, their goalkeeper was there.”

When the stars struggled the fourth line stepped forward

One reason the Canadiens won was that they shut down the Lightning’s big guns – Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point and Hagel – when it mattered most.

Kucherov had six points in the first four games but none in the last three. Hegel had only one assist in Games 5–6–7 after scoring six times in the first four. Guentzel’s goal in the second period of Game 5 was the last of his eight points in the series. Point, who was a three-time 40-goal scorer before finishing 18th this season, had only one point – a goal in Game 3.

The line of Goncalves, James and Bjorkstrand gave the Bolts a chance to win the series. James scored his first goal of the series in Game 5, had the primary assist on Goncalves’ OT winner in Game 6 and scored Tampa Bay’s only goal in Game 7. Goncalves assisted on both of James’ goals in addition to his series-extending goal on Friday.

What’s next for Lightning?

This is the most painful of Tampa Bay’s four consecutive first-round losses. The Lightning were largely outplayed in the first three, losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in 2023 and to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in five games in 2024 and 2025.

Tampa Bay is not expected to make too many changes to a team that has been one of the NHL’s best teams for nearly a decade. Kucherov struggled in the final three games but still had 44 goals and 130 points (and plus-43) in 76 regular season games. Hegel has scored a career-high 36 goals and has at least 30 goals in three of the last four seasons. Vasilevskiy is a Vezina Trophy finalist and is likely to win the award given to the NHL’s best goaltender for the second time.

James and Goncalves showed they have the ability to play higher in the lineup. Moser has become an excellent defender.

One question is whether GM Julien Brisebois can find a way to retain Moser’s teammate Darren Radish, who made just $975,000 in a career year with 22 goals and 70 points. He’ll definitely get a lot of big dollar interest. According to Pukpedia, the Lightning have less than $14 million in cap room next season. How much they will be willing to spend on Radish will be a big question.

stat shots

It was the 105th Game 7 out of 202 in NHL history to be decided by one goal.

Montreal improved to 16–9 in Game 7. The Canadiens are 8–6 on the road, the most Game 7 wins away from home.

Cooper lost in Game 7, less than three months after coaching Team Canada, in a 2–1 overtime loss to Team USA in the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics. Their teams lost both games despite a combined 71–37 lead in shots on goal. “As soon as the last buzzer went off, I felt like, I’ve seen this movie before,” he said.

Vasilevskiy started his 120th consecutive playoff game. The last time the Lightning started a playoff game with a different goaltender was May 13, 2016, when Ben Bishop was injured in the first period of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Only three goaltenders in NHL history have started more consecutive playoff games than Vasilevskiy: Martin Brodeur (194), Patrick Roy (137), and Henrik Lundqvist (129).

Dobbs is the fifth rookie goaltender in Canadiens history to win a Game 7.

Tampa Bay’s loss means there will not be a Florida-based team in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2019. The Lightning (2020-2021-2022) and Panthers (2023-2024-2025) each won twice and lost once in the last six seasons.

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

The hammer finally fell on Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thompson on Tuesday morning. After a poor 9–19 start and losing 11 of their last 12, the club fired the manager a month into his fifth season. Bench coach – and former captain of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins – Don Mattingly has been given the keys to the team as interim manager and will be asked to guide them back into playoff contention over the remainder of the season.

Thompson’s dismissal ended a more than four-year run where the Phillies were a consistent playoff team, reaching the World Series in their first season (2022), but never reaching the potential of an expensive roster. While Mattingly is a solid replacement who could turn this campaign around, things could go in a bad direction in the coming months.

If Mattingly can’t save the Phillies this season, let’s take a look at five potential options to take over as full-time manager next season.

Albert Pujols, Angels special assistant and team DR manager

St. Louis Cardinals icon Albert Pujols has quietly emerged as an intriguing managerial candidate in baseball circles. Since retiring four years ago, he has worked as a special assistant for the Los Angeles Angels and was a candidate for their manager’s job in the fall.

In March, he offered evidence of his captaincy skills when he guided a star-studded Dominican Republic team to the World Baseball Classic semifinals. Showing he can deal with a room full of big personalities and egos. This, along with his impressive resume as a player, would make him an interesting choice for the Phillies’ job.

David Ross, former Cubs manager

If the Phillies are looking for a manager again this fall, another interesting veteran skipper who could come into play is former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross. Although he wasn’t amazing in Chi-Town, he was still very solid, and the team had a record of 83–79 before being replaced by Craig Council.

Ross deserves another shot as a manager and is well prepared for the pressures of this market after years as a player and manager in Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago.

Alex Cora, former Red Sox manager

Last weekend, the Boston Red Sox surprised many when they fired manager Alex Cora after eight seasons. While the team has had a few losing seasons under his watch (including an 11-17 start this year), the 50-year-old has had some very good years in Beantown, including a World Series victory in 2018.

Furthermore, he remains one of the most respected managers in the game because he brought the best out of the talent he had. He wasn’t the one to trade stars like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman or let them walk. Or continued to spend big to improve the roster despite being in a bigger market.

A new report claims the Phillies actually offered Thompson a job after deciding to move on from him. However, he chose to pass up the opportunity and spend time with his family. He may have a different priority in November.

Rodney Linares, Rays bench coach

Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Rodney Linares has emerged as a top managerial candidate in baseball circles. He has been in baseball for over two decades and has earned a reputation for being strong in the area of ​​player development. Played a key role in turning several prospects into stars, including Jose Altuve.

However, he has become a favorite of the players due to his coaching style. The 48-year-old will bring a fresh perspective to the Phillies clubhouse.

James Rawson, Yankees hitting coach

Another up-and-coming coach is the New York Yankees’ hitting coach, James Rawson. He has received much praise for his ability to connect with players and blend analytics with baseball psychology. He has had success at several stops and was in the running for the Minnesota Twins job late last year before choosing to remain with the Yanks. Rawson will likely be on the Phillies radar if they don’t retain Mattingly in 2027.

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

It seems like a Thanos-level inevitability that the New York Mets are going to fire manager Carlos Mendoza at the start of their series against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, tied for the worst record in MLB at 9-19.

A 12-game losing streak dominated most of April, and when they broke the slump with consecutive wins last week, they dropped three of four to one of the worst franchises of the last decade, the Colorado Rockies. It’s been a poor start to the season that can’t be blamed on a number of major injuries. One of the most expensive rosters in the game has enough talent to be much better than this.

Add in the fact that the Mets had a historic collapse at the end of last season, and it seems highly unlikely that Mendoza is still on the bench by mid-May. So, who can New York turn to in an effort to save the season and become the first team in MLB history to make the playoffs despite a 12-game losing streak?

We’re looking to answer that question with seven possible options to take over as Mets manager soon.

Kai Correa, Mets bench coach

The most likely replacement for Mendoza as manager of the Mets will be their new bench coach, Kai Correa. The 37-year-old has been viewed as a manager of the future in MLB circles for the past few years after stints as an assistant with the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians.

There was also speculation in February that he was hired specifically as a backup plan if Mendoza’s struggles continued early this season. Of all the possible options, Correa would likely be team president David Stearns’ choice.

Alex Cora, former Red Sox manager

Last weekend, the Boston Red Sox surprised many when they fired manager Alex Cora after eight seasons. While the team has had a few losing seasons under his watch (including an 11-17 start this year), the 50-year-old has had some very good years in Beantown, including a World Series victory in 2018.

Furthermore, he remains one of the most respected managers in the game because he brought the best out of the talent he had. He wasn’t the one to trade stars like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman or let them walk. Or continued to spend big to improve the roster despite being in a bigger market.

Although it will be difficult to walk away from the options available in the market and change things, Cora has the respect for the game that will give him a big chance in this.

Joe Girardi, former Phillies and Yankees manager

It’s possible that Stearns feels Correa is not ready to be thrust into such a high-pressure situation, or owner Steve Cohen makes a move to bring in a big name to serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season. That’s why former New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi could be an option.

Although his performance in Philly was disappointing, he still has a World Series title on his resume (2009 with the Yanks) and is well-versed in handling the New York media. Girardi is one of the few managers available who can jump into such a difficult situation and possibly succeed.

Carlos Beltran, Mets special assistant

In 2019, Mets legend Carlos Beltrán was hired as the team’s manager. However, he lost his job due to his involvement in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Nevertheless, he remains a part of the organization as a special assistant and has been associated with other managerial jobs over the years.

Beltran is a well-respected person of the game and his knowledge of the Mets organization is beneficial at this time. Additionally, he may be able to connect with the team’s Latin stars better than Mendoza as he was once an elite star in MLB.

David Ross, former Cubs manager

The managerial options for the Mets are few, with the season having just started a few weeks ago. However, one interesting veteran skipper who could be in the game if the team fires Mendoza is former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross.

Although he wasn’t amazing in Chi-Town, he was still very solid, and the team had a record of 83–79 before being replaced by Craig Council. If New York is interested in giving a former manager the rest of the season to prove they can do the job long term, Ross is a sensible choice.

Dick Scott, Mets Triple-A manager

Another short-term option with experience who could jump into the job on short notice is current Mets Triple-A manager Dick Scott. He has done a solid job at Syracuse, having been in the game for more than two decades, and previously served as the Mets’ bench coach in 2016 and 2017. So he knows the market pressure.

Although he won’t be the top choice, the Red Sox turned to their own Triple-A manager, Chad Tracy, to replace Cora last week.

Buck Showalter, Mets manager before Mendoza

Yes, Stearns ousted Buck Showalter from running for president for the first time in 2024. But New York sports fans have seen managers or coaches fired and return in the same role or with another NYC team. Besides, desperate times call for desperate measures, and the experienced coach who can jump into such a messy situation and turn things around is Showalter.

Let’s not forget that in 2022, he led the team to its first 100-plus win season since the 1980s. The biggest issue is that this is a team that is built to reach the World Series this autumn, and in more than 22 years as a big league manager, that’s something the soon-to-be 70-year-old has never accomplished.

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

Tyler Reddick has been the best driver in NASCAR this season, becoming the first driver since Dale Earnhardt three decades ago to win five of the first nine races on the schedule. This all comes at the perfect time as the driver of the No. 45 car is in a contract year.

Appearing on Fox Sports this Sunday, Reddick revealed on the broadcast that he has signed a contract extension to remain with 23XI Racing through the 2027 season.

• tyler reddick stats: 5 wins, 6 top-five finishes, 7 top-10 finishes, 6.1 average starting position, 5.0 average finishing position in nine races

This shouldn’t be much of a surprise. 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said on his podcast in March that an extension with Redick would be done “soon.” The reports emerged after a few weeks of changes. This came a month after NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi said there were expectations around the garage that a deal would be signed during the season.

It’s already been a memorable year for Redick. In February, he became the first driver in 23XI history to win the Daytona 500. He got it off to a historic start, becoming the first Cup Series driver to win the first three races of the season.

Along the way, Reddick broke 23XI’s previous single-season record for wins. He is also a favorite to win the regular season points championship, which would be his second title in the last three seasons.

It has been a remarkable turnaround after a challenging 2025 season. He failed to win a race last year and was eliminated at the Round of 12, just a year after reaching Championship 4. All this happened at a time when he and his wife’s newborn baby were hospitalized due to a chest tumor that had affected his heart. Fast forward to 2026, his son is better and Redick has now signed a long-term deal with 23XI.

Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, reports last week indicated that the new contract will make Reddick one of the highest-paid drivers in NASCAR. 23XI Racing’s future also appears to be in jeopardy from contract extensions, with Reddick driving the No. 45 car, Bubba Wallace driving the No. 23 and top prospect Corey Heim expected to replace Riley Herbst in the No. 35 car next season.

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

The New York Sirens could not make a dent on the scoreboard in their regular season finale on Saturday afternoon, losing 4–0 to the Boston Fleet at the Tsongas Center.

Erin Frankel set a new PWHL record with her eighth shutout of the season and Boston scored four times in the third period to earn its 16th regulation win.

New York held a 24–8 lead in shots for the first 40 minutes, but failed to overcome Frankel, who made 30 saves in 60:00. Boston swept the ice in the third, outscoring the siren 16–6.

“I think today’s game was a really good sign for our season,” Sirens coach Greg Fargo admitted after the game. “We’re playing well, we’ve got a second team, and we can’t find a way to get that first or second team. So you get a team that’s as good as Boston, and they’re going to pay you.”

Sirens finished the season in seventh place with 36 points (9-3-3-15); Their 15 regulation losses ranked second in the league behind the Seattle Torrents (16). The Fleet improved to 62 points (16-5-5-4), passing the Montreal Victoire for first place, although Montreal earned the No. 1 seed via tiebreaker.

With no playoff or draft implications on Saturday, Sirens coach Greg Fargo turned to rookie goalie Kelly Shanahan for her third start this season, and New York got things under control early. Boston managed only one shot in the first period, which was completely neutralized by an aggressive Siren forecheck.

But Fleet made a breakthrough in the third, leading Shanahan by three points and reaching a scoreless tie. Former Sirens forward Jessie Aldridge deflected a long shot from captain Megan Keller just 2:53 into the frame to give Boston a 1–0 lead. Ella Huber increased the lead to 2-0 at 7:28, collecting the puck in the slot and speeding past Shanahan on the glove side. With the Fleet on the power play, rookie defender Haley Winn picked up the corner on a long shot from the point, blasting in a one-time feed from Keller to make it 3-0 at 13:43.

Fargo pulled Shanahan to take a 6-on-4 lead after a boarding penalty on Fleet defender Noemi Neubauerova at 14:29 of the third, but Jill Saulnier won a puck battle in Boston’s zone and scored an empty-netter at 14:56.

Keller, Eldridge and Liz Schepers each scored two points; Keller led all PWHL defensemen with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 2025–26.

“I thought we did a good job of getting first touches on pucks on both ends of the rink in the first 40 minutes of the game, and that led to a lot of offensive zone time. We had few chances offensively, and were really limited on their timing and the quality of their looks,” Fargo said. “I have to give credit to Boston, they definitely had a little something up their sleeves in the third period and came at us. And credit to them for doing that, and the way they finished the game.”

The Fleet won their 11th consecutive game against the Sirens, the longest winning streak between two teams in PWHL history. New York’s last win against Boston came on March 25, 2024, during the league’s inaugural season.

Highlights after Sirens’ season ends with shutout loss to Fleet

The siren’s crime subsides in the final stages

Despite strong shot totals, New York’s offense slowed toward the end of the 2025–26 season.

After losing star rookie Kristina Kaltunkova to a season-ending lower-body injury, Ciaran averaged 1.6 goals in her final nine games, scoring one or fewer goals in six of those contests. Saturday marked New York’s fifth shutout loss of the season after being shut out just once in 30 games last season.

Saturday followed a familiar script. The Sirens dictated the game in the first 40 minutes, but had nothing to show. The power play once again faltered and four chances went waste.

New York’s offense relied heavily on star forward Sarah Fillear and rookie center Casey O’Brien in the final month. Both performed well, but the Sirens’ thin attack proved difficult to sustain, especially against red-hot goaltenders like Regan Kirk, Gwyneth Phillips and Frankel.

The Sirens have outscored opponents in six of their last nine games, and Fargo often praised the offensive process, but this is a results-based business at the end of the day — and the results weren’t there when it mattered most.

Fargo ‘proud of growth’ from youth group

In training camp in November, the Sirens set their sights on the first postseason berth in franchise history. For the third consecutive season, that goal eluded them.

Fargo said after the game, “It’s definitely sad to miss the playoffs. We want to be there. That’s where we set our goals at the beginning of the year.” “But at the same time, you have to appreciate the growth of this group.”

New York was the youngest team ever in the PWHL this season. When the Sirens acquired Minnesota Frost forward Denisa Krisova in a trade in late March, the 31-year-old immediately became the team’s oldest player – and the only one over the age of 30.

The young man quickly became one of their greatest assets. Despite major changes in the offseason, a new-look Sirens team started 7–0–0–3. That pace eventually slowed, but the New York rookie continued to impress.

The first-round combination of Kaltunkova (No. 1 overall) and O’Brien (No. 3 overall) headlined a deep rookie class that paced the PWHL with 28 goals and 62 points. Kaltunkova scored 11 goals in 21 games before being placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), and O’Brien led all rookies with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists).

Fourth-round pick Maddie Wheeler (No. 28 overall) made an immediate impact on New York’s top six with her physical 200-yard game, finishing fifth in team scoring with 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Second-round pick Anne Cherkovsky (No. 9 overall) wasn’t far behind with nine points (two goals, seven assists). Undrafted reserve defender Nicole Valario worked her way into a steady role in the Sirens’ defensive core, entering the third pairing following the departure of veteran blue-liner Jincy Rouse.

Fargo said, “We’ve got a young team with a young core. And I think we were able to take some positive steps this year.” “There are parts of our game that we really like. Obviously, we have to find ways to score.”

Outside of the rookies, second-year defender Maja Nylen Persson scored a career-high 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 2025–26, and Petey Lewis reached double-digit scoring (10 points) for the first time in his three-year PWHL career.

“I’m really proud of the growth of this group, this organization,” Fargo said. “I think we’ve taken a lot of steps forward.”

Sirens coach addresses ‘untenable’ extension rumors

Unfortunately for New York, keeping that young core together could be quite a challenge.

The PWHL has not released specific details yet, but all signs point to another batch of expansion teams joining the league this offseason. If last offseason was any indication, another roster overhaul may be in store for the Sirens.

“It’s upsetting,” Fargo said of the uncertain offseason. “We feel really good about the group we have in the locker room. It’s been a challenge to build a team from day one.”

Sirens coach Greg Fargo spoke on the looming threat of another expansion following New York’s regular season finale:

“It’s upsetting because we feel really good about the group we have in the locker room. Building a team from day one has been a challenge. And so I think if… pic.twitter.com/HEC5Qd2R04

– Lou Orlando (@SweetLouuuu) 25 April 2026

Under last offseason’s rules, teams were allowed to protect up to three players they had rights to. Once two players were taken to extensions, teams could add a fourth player to their protected list. It’s unclear whether this offseason will follow the same format, but anything remotely like that would result in a big loss for New York.

“I think if there’s a way to keep a good number of players and staff together in that room, we feel really good about what we’re building. It’s just a matter of whether we can keep it together for a long time,” Fargo continued. “We know there will likely be some bumps in the road, but we will do our best to try and adapt and put together the best group we can possibly have come next season.”

On top of the extension, the Sirens have 11 players set to become unrestricted free agents, including Kristin O’Neal, Taylor Girard and midseason additions Claire DeGeorge and Chrisova. General manager Pascal Daoust has his work cut out for him.

Lou Orlando is an alumnus of Fordham University, where he covered the New York Rangers for three seasons… More about Lou Orlando

On Friday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers provided Aaron Rodgers with an opportunity to fine-tune his legacy in his final season in the NFL.

Rodgers would go on to become one of the greatest players to ever take the field wearing a helmet in an NFL game. In his 21 legendary seasons, he went to the Pro Bowl 10 times, earned All-Pro honors on four occasions, and was the NFL MVP four times. And in 2011, he reached the top of the mountain when he led the Green Bay Packers to their last Super Bowl.

His reputation as a football player remains untouched. However, it is things off the field that have made him a divisive figure among many fans. Whether it’s his almost annual retirement threats with the Packers. Mike McCarthy was removed as head coach. His views about the world, or his interest in psychedelics.

He also had a disappointing season with the New York Jets and took several months to put pen to paper with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Another standout was how he handled the Packers’ preparation for his postseason when they drafted Jordan Love in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Although he was not outwardly unhappy about it, he did not accept the future despite receiving similar treatment from Brett Favre 15 years earlier. This was one of many instances during his career where he appeared to be emotion- and me-first rather than team-first.

Well, if he returns to the Steelers this season he has a chance to change a lot of opinions about him. On Friday night, Pittsburgh took a step toward the future when they made Penn State quarterback Drew Allar the 76th pick in this year’s draft.

Aaron Rodgers should embrace graybeard mentorship in final NFL season

The Ellers were promoted in the first round of the 2025 college football season. But a poor start for the Nittany Lions and a serious ankle injury ended his year within a few weeks. He has good size and a big arm that can make all the throws in the NFL. But it needs a lot of work and it’s a complete project. So he is not a threat to Rodgers starting in 2026.

That’s why NFL veterans should guide Elar, as NFL.com’s scouting report claims his “improvement in confidence, poise and recognition should be the foundation of any rebound.”

Barring a spectacular run to the Super Bowl, this is certainly the 42-year-old’s swan song. His place in Canton has been decided. However, changing his story a bit by playing a key role in developing his replacement and a potential long-term starter would be just as close to an illustrious career. This will prove once and for all that he is a better player and person than Brett Favre.

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 selected a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the player was unlikely to compete with Geno Smith for the starting job this summer.

The first day of this year’s draft was a great one for the Jets. With the second overall pick, they went with a safe option, taking talented Texas Tech edge David Bailey. Then at No. 16, he landed a potential game-breaker at the tight spot in Oregon’s Kenyon Sedig. They then surprised many by moving back in Round 1 to select Indiana star receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

On the second day of the event, he received much praise when he used his only pick on Friday to get another star from the national champions, this time, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Heading into Day 3, there was one thing many Jets fans were hoping for, and that was for the team to select a young QB.

Well, he got one in Round 4, but he’s not going to get Gang Green fans excited after his performance in 2025. With their second pick on Saturday, the franchise selected Illinois signal caller Cade Klubnik.

Cade Klubnik’s regression from Heisman contender in 2025

In 2024, he had a breakout season in his sophomore year for the Fighting Illini. He threw for a career-high 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns to six interceptions. He also connected on 63.4 percent of his passes. That’s why he was an early Heisman Trophy contender, and why Illinois was viewed as a team that could make serious noise in the Big Ten.

This past season was much different as he regressed and had only 2,943 yards and 16 TDs in two fewer games. While his completion percentage (65.6) had increased, his passer rating dropped by nearly 10 points compared to the previous year. Illinois improved from 10-3 in 2024 to 9-4 this past season.

Klubnik can make a lot of throws which he will need in the pros. However, he is a bit undersized (6-foot-2, 207 pounds), and his field vision was average. He could also use some work on his mechanics. Still, he has very good rushing ability and two years ago he ran for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.

Klubnik is a project and will not give Smith any serious competition for the QB1 job in training camp.

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

fulham Levante are interested in forward Karim Tunde ahead of the summer transfer window.

Radio Marca and journalist Matteo Moretto Fulham are reported to be interested in the 20-year-old winger ahead of the summer.

decisive season

Karim Tunde has enjoyed a successful season with Levante this season after coming through their youth system.

He is a product of Barcelona’s youth team, having previously joined them from Espanyol. He played for CF Damm Youth for two years before moving to Levante’s U19s.

He moved to Athletic Levante in 2024 before making a move to the first team this season. He has since made 16 appearances for the Spanish team this season, totaling 985 minutes. He got the only assist in a 4–2 win over Real Oviedo last month.

They are not inspiring or attention-grabbing performances in any way. But Marca and Moretto report that Fulham are interested in the winger. There is no mention of anything other than that.

Transfermarket currently rates Tunde at €1m. Presumably, a move to the Premier League would fetch a much bigger fee.

What do Fulham watch?

The question is what potential Fulham see in Karim Tunde at this point. The statistics certainly don’t suggest the 20-year-old is Premier League ready just yet.

But Tunde is versatile, physical and has explosive speed. These are all qualities that, if developed, could give him a profile that is ideal for the Premier League. Of course, the fact that he is still young is another added advantage.

It is also worth noting that the lack of their numbers is hardly an indicator. Yann Diomande, for example, had two goals and one assist in 10 games during his time with CD Leganés. Now he is a star at RB Leipzig He is being linked with a €100 million transfer to Liverpool this summer.

Due to the lack of information on offer, we’ll take this report with a pinch of salt for now. But Tunde is a name to keep an eye on, with Fulham reportedly already interested.

A pair of absurd statistics highlighted the fact that the New York Mets season is already over after their 12-game losing streak on Tuesday.

There were high expectations for the Mets entering the 2026 season. Despite a disastrous finish last fall that saw them lose and miss the playoffs, the team’s offseason moves have given fans reason to believe they can contend for the National League East title this year.

However, after starting the year with a solid 7-4 record, things have descended into chaos. After a tough 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night, in which they led 3-0 at one point, the Mets’ losing streak is now 12 games. Following this latest setback, MLB.com Mets writer Anthony DiComo noted two interesting statistics that show the current campaign has already been a losing one for the Queens team.

New York Mets Record: 7-16

The first is the fact that the team’s ongoing slump puts them in a rare position for a franchise that has seen many terrible teams. Tuesday’s loss now takes them just five games away from tying the 1962 New York Mets’ record 17-game losing streak.

This was the franchise’s first season in existence. They finished the year with a 40–120 record and are viewed as the worst team in MLB history, along with the 2024 Chicago White Sox who finished 41–121. Not too far from one of the worst teams in history, there isn’t much hope for change.

Still, this was not the worst-case scenario described by DiComo. The Mets beat writer also mentioned a stat that will be heard all over New York sports radio on Wednesday. And the fact is that no team in MLB history has ever reached the playoffs after suffering 12 consecutive losses at any point during the season.

This means the 2026 Mets will now have to do something that has never happened in over 150 years of MLB games if they want to make the playoffs. This season feels pretty lost, and it’s only April.

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

There is a ‘high percentage chance’ that Vitaly Mykolenko will everton Next season. If not, he will remain in the Premier League regardless.

sport express report on the Everton defender today with comments from ‘well-known’ Ukrainian journalist Ihor Tsyganik regarding the 26-year-old’s situation.

likely to stay at everton

Vitaly Mykolenko may extend his deal with Everton this summer and not look for a new club, Tsyganyak reported on his YouTube channel.

“As far as I understand, Vitaliy himself, and this is probably right, will in any case consider the option of Everton first,” He said.

“If not with Everton, then Premier League options. Mykolenko played quite a successful season. No matter what the fans say, he played quite consistently this season.

“It is worth noting that he has recovered from injuries suffered after the 2023/24 season when he went to the Euros, where he was still injured.

“This season he played more strongly. And I believe that Mykolenko will not go anywhere from the Premier League. I give a high percentage of probability that he will still be at Everton.”

Contract or Premier League move

according to transfer marketVitaly Mykolenko’s current deal at Hill Dickinson expires in 2027.

It was due to expire this summer, but Everton had the option to extend by one year. This appears to be an option they have chosen for the 26-year-old.

Now the question is what will happen next. David Moyes and his team would not want a player with only one year left on his contract.

Either they extend Mykolenko’s contract again with a new offer, or he is sold this summer to avoid leaving for free. As far as Tsyganik is concerned, it would be the former.

A report last month said He could be an option for Roma. However, as far as he is concerned in Ukraine, Mykolenko will remain on Merseyside.

🇮🇹Arthur Atta | Everton ready for Napoli transfer battle – player’s wishes will be key https://t.co/9pyB8nYtv9 #efc #koyab

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 April 2026

armory Regularly mentioned as a suitor for Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, who is impressing on loan at Cagliari. The price tag for the Defender is now becoming increasingly apparent.

The full-back has been one of the shining lights for Italian football this season. He has made quite an impact in Sardinia after breaking into the national team last month.

Very quickly, clubs in England started keeping a close eye on the player. last week, sports witness Gazzetta dello Sport covered claims about Arsenal’s interest, with Manchester City also keen.

Not long ago, Liverpool tried for the Palestra but Atalanta preferred to loan him to Cagliari instead.

Now, the defender is very likely to leave Atalanta in the summer.

The Premier League is looming on the horizon

sportitalia Note that the 21-year-old has had an ‘incredible season’ at Cagliari. He impressed against Inter Milan on Saturday, as he was caught on camera talking to Christian Chivu and Marcus Thuram.

This is being seen as a huge sign of interest from the Nerazzurri but the Italian giants will not have an easy task.

Atlanta wants at least He is up for sale for €30 million and this price tag would make a sale to Arsenal and England more likely.

The report cited Riccardo Calafiori and Diego Coppola as examples of Italian talents moving to England. Inter want to avoid this with the Palestra but will struggle to go against the inevitable.

A major factor in their move will be the exit of Denzel Dumfries. If the Dutchman leaves, Inter may have some extra money to spare for the young player.

Arsenal must keep trying

It was only a matter of time before Marco Palestra would attract the attention of the biggest English clubs. Generally, there has been an influx of Italian players into the Premier League, with agents appearing more open to deals.

Palestra is represented by Alessandro Lucci, who also manages Arsenal’s Calafiori. This should give the Gunners the opportunity to sign talent, especially if they remain strongly in the race.

He can play as a forward and full-back, making him a useful profile. Mikel Arteta has also historically liked versatile defenders, with Calafiori himself being an excellent example of this.

The biggest hurdle will be posed by Atalanta, who have historically been difficult to deal with.

After performing well in the Premier League last season, Jens Cageste returned to Ipswich Town last summer. Napoli are now keeping a close eye on how the Championship season will end.

The Swede played 30 times in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign, and became a key player for Kieran McKenna. In the current season, he has played 29 times in the Championship and contributed five goals.

Earlier in the campaign, sports witness Critical praise was included for the midfielder. This came just after impressing in the league game against West Brom.

Although he has been on the bench a few times in recent weeks, Ipswich Town cannot find a role in his long-term situation. This will become the case if they earn promotion to the English top-flight.

arianapoli Take a look at Napoli’s stance as they become desperate for his permanent exit.

napoli wants money

The outlet noted how Napoli are keeping a close eye on the Championship. They are hoping to see Ipswich Town gain promotion, with Coventry City having already confirmed their return to the Premier League.

They make it clear that if McKenna’s side moves forward, their obligation to purchase Cajete will be fulfilled. a loan fee of €2m had already been paid in the summer, with an obligation to buy at €7.5m.

Desperation for that money is growing, as it will provide little help to Napoleonicites. He saw Caste struggle in Italy during the 2023/24 season, forcing him to part ways with them just one season after his arrival.

Ipswich Town may not be too keen

Against Middlesbrough, Cajste was not even in the team and the same was true against Norwich, against whom Ipswich Town had no problems.

The 26-year-old’s prominence is waning. Napoli apparently wouldn’t mind if McKenna leads his club back to the Premier League.

This allows them to avoid losing other key players and gain some leverage to sign important targets. As for Ipswich Town, they may already be scouting potential suitors for Cajste ahead of the summer window.

As the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators face each other on Saturday to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will do so after battling similar adversity in the regular season.

Both teams took a long shot chance to play the part and both teams were successful in their goal of finishing the season strong to claim a postseason berth.

The Hurricanes suffered a major loss of goaltender before the season even started.

In Carolina, the season almost broke before it even started.

As the Hurricanes prepared their roster for the season, they faced a problem in net as their third goaltender, Kayden Primeau, had played very well during the preseason. As soon as they placed him on waivers to reassign him to their AHL-affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, they had a feeling he would be claimed. And so, they started looking for another goalkeeper to serve as a safety measure should that happen. (Yes, that happened. The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed him, though the Hurricanes later reunited with Primo when they placed him on waivers.)

Enter Brandon Bussey, the Florida Panthers’ latest depth goaltender, signing after several strong seasons with the Providence Bruins. Having never pitched above the AHL-level in his career, he was placed on waivers and was on the drive to Charlotte, NC to join their affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, when he got the call that the Hurricanes had claimed them.

Making a change in more ways than one, he found himself on the opening night roster due to an injury preventing Pyotr Kochetkov from playing. He took the crease again and again and scored a run that made NHL history as he broke records one after another. Of 39 games played, he won 31 – tied for fourth in the entire league for most wins by a goalkeeper this season.

His consistency in net in the first half of the season, despite Kochetkov’s prolonged absence requiring surgery and Frederik Andersen’s cold streak, was key in giving the Hurricanes a huge boost in the standings.

Senators lose top goaltender, throw dice on aging veteran netminder

Meanwhile, the Senators faced the same dilemma as Carolina, albeit later in the season, during an equally crucial time.

In late December, Linus Ullmark – who has been a vocal advocate for mental health in hockey – took leave due to mental issues he was struggling with. The Senators then hit a skid as the position was given to 23-year-old goaltender Levi Merilainen, with 25-year-old Mads Sogaard supporting him.

Amid a blowout 8–2 loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, the Senators announced that then-37-year-old James Reimer, the former Hurricanes goaltender, had been signed to a professional tryout contract.

Possibly, his signing saved their season.

Reimer brought a calm, seasoned veteran presence to a young goalie team that was shaken up, stopped the bleeding and earned the team a valuable Atlantic Division point in its first game back – and further points in three of the five games played while Ullmark was out. He had a goals against average of 2.42 in his 14 games, achieved a shutout and helped the Senators score 16 points while at the crease.

Since both teams face each other in the first round of the playoffs, only one team advances to the next round, so it cannot be underestimated what the Hurricanes and Senators managed to accomplish despite the obstacles they faced. Only 16 of the league’s 32 teams were able to clinch a spot in the postseason. To be able to come this far while dealing with key absences in something as crucial as goaltending is something to be commended, no matter what team you’re on.

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

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin’s work may not be done yet. The 40-year-old hinted at a possible comeback on Thursday’s media breakdown day.

The NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer is still deciding whether to return for his 22nd season. Ovechkin currently has 929 career goals in 1,573 games.

“Honestly, I’m pretty sure this isn’t my last game,” Ovechkin said. “I hope this isn’t my last game against Columbus. How I said, I have to make a decision, see where we are.”

Ovechkin said he would make a decision about his future in the offseason after talking to family and friends. He is yet to talk to the Capitals coaching staff and management.

Ovechkin also joked that general manager Chris Patrick wanted to sign him for two more years. The Great 8, meanwhile, wants the Capitals to compete again.

“First of all, we have to make the playoffs and we have to fight for the Cup,” Ovechkin said. “That’s probably the biggest thing.”

The Great 8’s decision will also depend on their health and family. He also said that his sons Ilya and Sergei want him to play again.

“They keep asking. I say we’ll see,” Ovechkin said, smiling. “They’re excited. They want me to come back because they love the city, love the team, love the guys.”

Ovechkin is set to become a free agent this offseason, although he does not plan to sign with another team. Another possibility is that the 40-year-old Russian returns to the KHL, where he played with Moscow Dynamo.

In his 21st season, Ovechkin recorded 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 82 games. Despite straining his hamstring early on, he was able to play all 82 games for the first time since 2017–18.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

The New York Islanders’ 2025-26 season may be over, but everyone who had to be talked about on breakup day was Matthew Schaefer.

The 18-year-old defenseman’s historic rookie season is still generating the kind of attention and excitement among his teammates, who can’t wait to see his development in the years to come.

Schaefer is still five months shy of his 19th birthday, but he has tied Brian Leach’s nearly four-decade-old rookie record for goals by a rookie defenseman (23). The first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft played all 82 games, finishing second on the Isles in points (59) and leading the team in average time on ice (24:41). He was fourth in the NHL in TOI this season.

Matthew Schaefer had ‘an amazing year’ with the Islanders

Going from the first overall pick to the Stanley Cup playoffs is tough. But the islanders did almost the same.

After winning the NHL Draft Lottery and landing arguably the most impressive top-selected defenseman of all time, the Islanders were in playoff position for most of the season, largely due to Schaefer’s historic performances.

Although the Isles’ team faltered, Schaefer expressed surprise at his experience after completing his first NHL season.

“It was an amazing year,” Schaefer said. “Obviously, we wish we could have gone to the playoffs, but for me, overall, I’ve learned a lot and everyone has helped me a lot. I really enjoyed my first year on the island.”

Schaefer rightly said he began his year not knowing whether he would stay with the Islanders or return to junior with the Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. He was considered for Canada at the Milan/Cortina Olympics, but was ultimately passed over. They faced a coaching change from Patrick Roy to Peter DeBoer, who took over with only four games remaining in the regular season.

Throughout it all, Schaefer was brilliant on the ice; He was unquestionably the Islanders’ best skater throughout the season. At the age of 18 years and 36 days, he became the fourth-youngest player to score his first NHL goal since 2000, and then on April 9 equaled Leach’s record in the Islanders’ final win of the season – set in 1988–89, nearly 20 years before Schaefer was born.

Despite everything he’s been through, he’s still able to play mentally and physically.

“Obviously, there will be bumps and bruises,” Schaefer said, “but I still feel like I can play another 82.” [games]”

GM says Islanders ‘fortunate’ to have Matthew Schaefer

Islanders general manager Matthew Darche confirmed that Schaefer was ineligible to join Bridgeport of the AHL due to age restrictions. Schaefer called playing at the IIHF World Championships in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland “a possibility” and Darche indicated it would be his choice whether to represent his home country in Europe later this month.

Still, Schaefer is excited to have a little free time after a whirlwind year focusing on getting stronger.

“I don’t think this summer will be as busy as last summer,” Schaefer said. “I was everywhere last summer; last summer I couldn’t stay home for a week. This will be a good summer.”

Darche himself expressed hope that Schaefer could live the life of a normal teenager this off-season in Ontario.

“It’s almost like he’s going to ride bikes with his friends and buy gum at the convenience store,” Darche said.

But his teammates can’t wait to see Schaefer back on the ice after his breakout rookie season. The Islanders’ team full of experienced players – they had the seventh-oldest team in the NHL, even with newcomer Schaefer playing every game – got a jolt of youth this season.

“He’s an incredible kid,” said center Casey Cizikas, the Islanders’ longest-tenured starter with 35 years and 978 games. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and what he did this year was incredible. It was so fun to watch.

“It was so fun to be a part of, and to see his confidence in himself and his game was amazing, and there’s no one better than the person he is off the ice. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face, and he’s a lot of fun to be around. I’m glad he’s here.”

Cizikas isn’t the only one who appreciates what the islands have in Schaefer.

“To be honest, it’s pretty rare to see a young guy go through a year like this,” Darche said. “He’s been great. We’re lucky to have him.”

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

tottenham A change in its sporting leadership is expected this summer.

Spurs have been bouncing from one identity to another and now, they are eyeing another Italian to fix their problems.

The man in question is Cristiano Giuntoli, currently without a club, having left Juventus before the end of last season.

He found himself under pressure after the sacking of Thiago Motta and was held responsible for several poor deals made by the Bianconeri.

Interestingly, his situation has not been any better since his departure from Juve. Although this possibly points to bigger issues at the club, Guintoli is famous for taking Napoli to the top in Italy.

As he looks for a new destination, Tottenham have emerged as a possibility.

Tottenham is one of several clubs in the mix

messenger-go LaRoma24Make it clear that Giuntoli will find a new club in the summer.

This comes amid some drama at AS Roma. Chief adviser Claudio Ranieri and manager Gian Piero Gasperini have been waging a public war for a week.

On Friday, they were at loggerheads over several transfer decisions made by the club. There is a strong possibility that Ranieri will depart.

At the same time, due to this, sports director Ricky Massara may also have to be out. If that happens, Guintoli could come in as a replacement.

The Giallorossi’s task will not be easy. The Italian is on the radar of several clubs – including Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi’s former club Marseille, who has always had a fairly chaotic sporting establishment, is also interested.

There doesn’t seem to be an absolute favorite yet.

Our opinion: Guintoli could be a good arrival

During his time at Napoli, Guintoli succeeded in signing players for relatively low fees, who eventually became recognized stars. It includes Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskheliya, Jorginho, Fabian Ruiz and Kim Min-jae.

His strengths matched Napoli’s ideas of building a sustainable club that depended on getting the most out of youth signings.

This kind of approach would help Tottenham. Regardless of whether they stay in the Premier League or not, their aim is to rebuild from the bottom. Guintoli did exactly that with Napoli, winning a Serie A title and laying the foundation for their Scudetto victory last season.

The 54-year-old was present at Spurs’ home match against Crystal Palace earlier this year.

The MLB season always starts with a lot of hope and anticipation for fans and players. This has never been more true for those who have shown incredible potential in the first few weeks of the season.

Some players kept themselves isolated in the early weeks of MLB’s return. Whether production will be sustained during the season will not be determined until the remainder of the year is completed. Recently, as the ’26 season began, a lot of options have emerged, but these six (three position players, three pitchers) have really shined.

Potential MVP Candidate

1. Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals

Walker has always been an attractive prospect for the Cardinals, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. Is it finally done now? It seems like. After clubbing his MLB-leading eighth home run in Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, he is in tears.

Through 17 games this season, Walker has posted a .328/.388/.754 slash line. He ranks fourth in MLB in OPS with a 1.142 mark. His exceptional performance is a major reason why the St. Louis club currently has a .500 record.

The outfielder is in the 97th percentile or better for most of his batting metrics, falling only behind in square-up percentage (46th percentile). That’s a concern for Walker. After a good start to his rookie 2023 season, he struggled to induce ground balls. Having said that, his sweet-spot percentage this season is at a career-high 47.6%.

A new Rickey Henderson?

2. Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay Rays

Simpson is known more for his incredible speed than for his bat. So it may surprise some people that he hit .295 in 109 games last year. So far this season, he’s batting .407 for the Rays club that is (somehow?) leading the American League East.

He’s been a big part of that early success, with four RBI and seven steals (tied for fourth in the majors). Many are calling Simpson a better version of Luis Erez because of his contact and speed combo – which is the opposite of Erez’s contact-based approach.

The speedster probably won’t be able to keep his batting average over .400, but that doesn’t mean he can’t continue to produce. Simpson has become a key player for this Rays club amid their return to Tropicana Field.

old guard

3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Three-time MVP Gaurav is making a comeback. Trout has been destroying the baseball so far this season after returning to center field for the Angels. He already has five home runs and 13 RBI in 17 games played.

After injuries derailed his 2023 and ’24 seasons, Trout returned and had a healthy year for the Halos. He played in 130 games and posted a .232/.359/.439 slash line with 26 home runs. There was a dominant belief around the league that Trout seemed due to have another monster year.

The only problem, as always, is his health. Trout is entering his age-35 season, and could be incredible for this Angels club. Or if his back is not strong he can tank quickly. It’s impossible to say which.

a rising ace

4. Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels

It’s hard to overestimate how important Soriano has been to the Angels this season. In four games played, he has four wins and a 0.33 ERA. In those four games, he pitched 27 innings with a 0.67 WHIP and 31 strikeouts. they are Chief Number.

For a guy who has never pitched below an ERA of 3.42 (2024), Soriano looks incredible on the mound. The must-see in each outing has been baseball. He has allowed only nine hits, giving the opponent a batting average of .103.

Soriano won’t be able to maintain that level of dominance (likely), but he is putting together a potential Cy Young season in an American league that already has an ace in Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. If he can dethrone Skubal for the award, that would be something else.

a youthful renaissance

5. Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins

Similar to Soriano, this season has started with unprecedented success for Twins Taj Bradley. He is off to a 3-0 start with a 1.25 ERA and a WHIP. The biggest change has been his strikeout percentage, with King striking out 31.2% of the batters he faced.

Bradley has been a big part of Minnesota’s surprising start in 2026. They lead the AL Central with 11 wins, and three of them have come from young pitchers. This is Bradley’s first start in Minnesota this year after spending the first three seasons of his MLB career with the Rays.

Their expected ERA is excess Higher than his actual one (actually two full runs) with a 3.34 xERA compared to the 1.25 mark above. Simply put, Bradley has been lucky. But plenty of pitchers have defied the expected metrics.

Falsifying all expected metrics

6. Randy Vasquez, San Diego Padres

If you’re wondering who I’m talking about, look no further than Randy Vasquez of the San Diego Padres. Through his first three starts, Vásquez has posted career-lows of a 1.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. His emergence as a mid-rotation (borderline ace) pitcher for the Friars has alleviated San Diego’s rotation concerns.

Last year was a career year for Vásquez as a starter, posting a 3.84 ERA in 26 starts. But his xERA was almost two runs higher at 5.37. It’s been a similar story early this year, with a 4.24 xERA compared to his 1.02 ERA.

But, despite those metrics, Vasquez shows no signs of slowing down. He’s striking out the field and striking out 19 batters in 17 2/3 innings. San Diego’s rotation concerns have largely been alleviated due to his performance.

Is he going to win the Cy Young? Probably not. But it looks like Vasquez is poised to continue his hot start for the rest of the MLB season.

The Montreal Canadiens faced the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, the final game of the regular season for both clubs.

The Habs opted to rest several players, with Phillip Danault, Josh Anderson and Mike Matheson watching the game from the press box. As a result, Zachary Bolduc, Joe Veleno and rookie David Rickenbacker were placed in the lineup, the latter paired with phenom Lane Hutson.

The Canadiens outshot the Flyers, but failed to offer 60 minutes of effort, falling a 4–2 decision in a low-energy matchup.

Let’s look at the highlights!

lean Startup

The intensity was low from the start of the game, with both teams trying to avoid injuries before the playoffs began. A logical, if not somewhat disappointing style of play at this point in the season.

However, the Flyers showed a little more life than the Habs, with Matvey Michkov leading the way. The 21-year-old winger scored two goals and added an assist, reaching the 20-goal mark in the process.

The children are absolutely fine. 😮‍💨#MTLvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/xz7jRjhCAO

– X – Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) 14 April 2026

experience in sports

Veteran Brendan Gallagher finally answered for the Habs, finding the net for the seventh time this season and limiting the Flyers’ lead to just one goal.

Caden Guhle and Alexandre Texier both provided great assists, the latter delivering a perfect pass despite the high difficulty.

Say what you want about Gallagher’s patience at this stage of his career, but you’re guaranteed to get an honest effort from him regardless of the situation, which is always a good lesson for younger players in the lineup.

Brendan Gallagher’s 7th goal of the year with assists from Guhle and Texier.

Texier’s pass in particular was very good. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/RD0A9XR7ar

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 15 April 2026

veteran effect

The Flyers immediately jumped out to a two-goal lead, despite the fact that the Habs held a 6–3 advantage in high-danger opportunities during the second period.

The pressure finally paid off, when Jake Evans pounced on a loose puck in the final seconds of the frame to score his 12th goal of the year. You’ll notice that Gallagher once again played a key role in the game, not only with his well-timed predictions, but also by creating chaos in front of Samuel Ershon.

It’s also worth pointing out that Arbor Zekaj has a great shot from the point, although he rarely gets the opportunity to use it.

This is the epitome of a heavy shot. If the goaltender manages to stop it, it almost always leads to a rebound.

super jake#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/aJECASJJdP

– X – Canadiens Montreal (@CanadiensMTL) 15 April 2026

rookie truculence

David Reinbacher was not particularly noteworthy, which is a compliment when discussing a rookie playing in his first few NHL games, especially since most of his teammates and opponents had a full season.

He showed a good amount of sandpaper in the third period, when he decided to attack fellow first-year player Porter Martone. Reinbacher was lucky to escape a penalty, but it was a good sign for a player who is not always eager to show his aggressive side.

Reinbacker pops Martone. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/SiSvbvYikO

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 15 April 2026

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

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

The Montreal Canadiens (48-23-10) will face the Philadelphia Flyers (42-27-12) on Tuesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

This will be the final game of the regular season for both teams, and considering that the Habs and Flyers have already qualified for the playoffs, some regular players may be missing from the lineup.

Josh Anderson, Mike Matheson and Phillip Danault could see the game as healthy scratches to give them some rest before springtime hockey begins. As for Caden Guhle, he did not practice, but head coach Martin St-Louis said he will be available for Tuesday’s game.

Matheson, Danault, Anderson all put in some extra work this morning.
Might watch instead of play tonight, but we’ll see…

– Eric Engels (@EricEngels) 14 April 2026

We do know that netminder Jacob Dobbs will start for the Canadiens, giving the rookie netminder a chance to earn his 30th win. As things stand, Dobbs’ record is 29-9-4, including a 2.75 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.

This will also be the 43rd game that Dobbs has appeared in, meaning he has been in over half of Montreal’s games, a huge feat for him when we consider the team has had three different netminders this season.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Cole Coffield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkowski

Alexandre Texier – Alex Newhook – Ivan Demidov

Oliver Kapanen – Zachary Bolduc – Kirby Dach

Jake Evans – Philip Danault – Josh Anderson

Mike Matheson – Caden Guhle*

Jaden Struble – Lane Hutson

Arbor Zekaj – David Rickenbacker

jacob dobbs

Philadelphia Flyers Projected Lineup

Tyson Foster – Trevor Zegras – Owen Tippett

Travis Konecny ​​- Christian Dvorak – Porter Martone

Denver Barkey – Noah Cates – Matvei Mitchkov

Luke Glendening – Shawn Couturier – Garnet Hathaway

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Emile Andre

and vlader

How to watch Hubs Vs. those who fly

Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 will be broadcast on TSN2 and RDS. A quick recap with highlights will be available on SportsNote once the final whistle blows.

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

As the regular season winds down, the NHL playoff picture is heating up. With just days left in the 2026 regular season, several division titles and wild card spots remain undecided, setting up a chaotic finish that could reshape the Stanley Cup playoff bracket.

Here are eight predictions for how the final stretch of the NHL regular season will unfold.

Edmonton Oilers win Pacific Division in a tight race

The Edmonton Oilers will win the Pacific Division to conclude the 2025–26 NHL regular season. The Oilers are in a tight race with the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks, but their schedule over the next three games isn’t terrible. Edmonton already has a one-point advantage and will play the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks. It’ll be a tough task, but Connor McDavid and company will get the job done.

New York Islanders miss playoffs due to tough schedule

The New York Islanders have impressed with budding sensation Matthew Schaefer, but it won’t be enough to clinch a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. New York faces the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, April 11, three points out of the final wild card spot. The Islanders also have the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes to close out the season. It’s been a great campaign, but New York will miss the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings miss playoffs despite most points since 2015

The Detroit Red Wings will finish the 2025-26 NHL regular season with 95 points, but that will not be enough to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Red Wings have lost a lot of points in the past few weeks, putting the team in a difficult situation. This would be the most points scored by Detroit since the 2014–15 NHL season, marking a vast improvement. However, the Red Wings are technically four points behind and will be very difficult to overcome.

Ottawa Senators reach 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs

The Senators are on fire and it will take them to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ottawa currently holds the final wild card spot with 94 points, and will look to win against New York, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils. Brady Tkachuk and the Senators would reach 100 points and clinch a playoff berth before the conclusion of the regular season. Watch out for Ottawa in the first round as the team is on serious momentum.

Boston Bruins avoid complete collapse in final NHL regular season game

The Boston Bruins are five points good in the wild card standings, but they will avoid a major collapse. Boston would eventually go on a six-game losing streak before reaching the NHL regular season final against New Jersey. The Bruins would barely make the playoffs by holding off the hard-charging Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston hasn’t made the playoffs yet, but a win in New Jersey would seal the deal.

San Jose Sharks perform strongly, but fall short of playoffs

The San Jose Sharks would make a strong showing but fall short of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Sharks would run up the table and finish on 89 points, but the Los Angeles Kings would win three of their last four, taking them to 91 points. San Jose will make every effort to make the playoffs in the next four games, but Los Angeles has the current advantage. It would still be a very successful season for the Sharks.

Los Angeles Kings advance to Stanley Cup playoffs

The Kings will advance to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sharks are leading the table with an easy NHL schedule, with Los Angeles needing to win at least three of their next four games. The Oilers would defeat the Kings, but the team would finish the season with a three-game winning streak against the Canucks, Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames. Los Angeles will have to take advantage of the easy matches to take the organization to the playoffs.

Buffalo Sabers win Atlantic Division for first time since 2010

The Buffalo Sabers would win the Atlantic Division for the first time since the 2009–10 season. Buffalo has a two-point advantage and tiebreaker, meaning it can clinch the division with two wins to end the season. The Sabers would take care of the Chicago Blackhawks but would lose to the Dallas Stars. However, Montreal lost one of its last three games in regulation, clinching the division to Buffalo for the first time in 16 years.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews linked to surprise NHL team amid trade rumors

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

The New Jersey Devils announced Friday that they are sidelining goaltender Jacob Markstrom for the remainder of the season due to a serious injury.

Markstrom last played Tuesday in the Devils’ 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, stopping just 15 of 19 shots. That loss eliminated New Jersey from contention for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Markstrom is 23-19-1 with an .883 save% and 3.07 goals-against average and one shutout in 44 games for the Devils this season. He became the second Devils player to be ruled out, as defenseman Luke Hughes was also placed on injured reserve on Thursday.

The Devils have three games remaining. They will play against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, then play their final home game of the season on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators, before closing out the year on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.

The Devils are closing in on Jacob Markstrom

Markstrom and Jake Allen have teamed up for the No. 1/1A goalie duo this year. For the most part, Allen has been the better option, as he is 16-17-2 despite better numbers with a .903 save% and 2.73 GAA.

But Markstrom’s struggles, especially recently, may be injury related. Coach Sheldon Keefe said Markstrom was being shut down with multiple nagging injuries.

Those injuries didn’t stop Markstrom from fighting Igor Shesterkin against the New York Rangers last week.

Markstrom, who signed a two-year contract extension on Halloween, was the primary starter for the Devils and Sweden at both the Milan/Cortina Olympics. Sweden had the better defense in front of him, as he went 2-0-1 with a .933 save%.

But in New Jersey, Markstrom was one of the NHL’s worst statistical goaltenders this season. He had a minus-13.71 goals-against average in all situations and a .892 save percentage at 5-on-5 this season.

Nevertheless, Markstrom was shut out with his only shutout of the season in just two starts. He stopped 18 of 18 shots in a 3-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. But it was their only appearance to allow fewer than four goals in their final four appearances in 2025–26.

Nico Dodge will start Sunday against the Senators

Allen is expected to start Saturday night in Detroit, but the Devils’ goaltender’s move was to call up Nico Dawes from Utica of the American Hockey League.

Dodge made his only start this season on October 22 against the Minnesota Wild. He made 30 saves on 31 shots in New Jersey’s 4–1 win at the Prudential Center.

Dodge has been the primary starter for the Comets this season and went 15-16-8 with an .891 save% and 2.84 GAA in 42 games. Dodge’s numbers are far better in the NHL, as he is 23-23-1 with a save% of .899 in 53 games with the Devils.

Look for the Dodgers to open Sunday at home against Ottawa on fan-appreciation night at the Rock.

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

of leeds united Maximilian Wobber is struggling while on loan at Werder Bremen.

The Premier League side let the Austria international join Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan in July 2023. Gladbach did not extend his stay and the defender returned to Leeds United.

They played under the orders of Daniel Farke in the Championship last season, but were relegated upon their return to the top flight.

Last summer, the 28-year-old joined Werder Bremen on loan with an option to buy and the move was a disaster.

Wobber made his Werder Bremen debut in a DFB-Pokal defeat to Arminia Bielefeld in August. He played 79 minutes and had to leave the field with a hamstring injury.

The setback forced him to spend the rest of last year on the sidelines. In January, he took part in a friendly against FC St. Pauli and suffered another setback.

On 9 March, the player became owned by Leeds United Confirmed muscle tear This year he is being kept away from action. In short, he has not made any official appearances since August.

Werder Bremen’s stance on Leeds United man

deich stubeA website that dedicates its coverage to the Bundesliga side, talks about the purchase option.

Due to injuries to Maximilian Wobber, it is ‘highly unlikely’ for Werder Bremen to extend his stay beyond this season. The outlet has also interviewed Werder Bremen sporting director Clemens Fritz.

When the white man was asked about his future apart from his debt, he said: “We haven’t discussed yet what will happen in the summer.”

Last season, the defender played 395 minutes in nine matches for Leeds United. The German club were aware of the gamble of signing him on loan and their plan ‘doesn’t even come close to working yet.’

The director hopes to see the player in action before the end of this season.

“We will gradually increase his workload and hope he can still play for us this season. He is not yet a substitute for the game in Cologne [on Sunday]” Fritz explained.

What’s next for the Leeds United defender?

As things stand, Werder Bremen are highly unlikely to extend the Austrian’s stay.

In the summer, Maximilian Wobber will return to Elland Road, where he has a contract until 2027. transfer market He is worth €3 million.

The next window will be Leeds United’s last chance to achieve his sale.

PSV Eindhoven star Ismail Saibari should consider a transfer Tottenham Hotspur This summer, as he has now done as much as possible in the Eredivisie.

Voetbal Primeur covered comments by Khaled Boulahrouz Today about the 25-year-old forward. He believes that now is the time for the Moroccan people to move on to pastures new.

Saibari has been the star man for PSV since breaking into their first team in 2022, having previously come through the U21 set up.

Since then he has scored 41 goals and recorded 29 assists in 140 games for the club and played a key role in back-to-back Eredivisie titles. He has 18 goals and nine assists in 34 games this season.

This led many to urge that he should move on. For example, Aston Villa have been encouraged to make a move for him.

Boulahrouz recommends Tottenham transfer

Now, it appears that Boulahrouz feels it is time for a change. And he is recommending a move to Tottenham despite their current struggles.

“A lot of players would want to make a move, but probably nothing that would make you think I’m going to trade PSV for it,” he said on Rondo.

“When I look at Saibari: he has definitely played the Eredivisie. If you look at his statistics and his playing style: it’s good enough to make a transfer.

“He’s a Moroccan international, he’s got the Africa Cup behind him, and he’s going to play in the World Cup. Assuming he’s a starter and plays two good matches, you’ve just got to move on. Then you have to move on.

“I’m just curious what kind of club will come. He needs to go to an attacking team where he can come into his own. A good club: they are not in a good position at all, but he could add something extra to Tottenham Hotspur. I would go to a club where he could be important.”

Would it make sense for Tottenham?

The question is whether a move to Tottenham would make sense this summer. It’s easy to see Ismail Saibari fitting in under Roberto De Zerbi, but he already has plenty of options in the same position.

Xavi Simmons was an expensive addition last summer; James Maddison is still at the club and Dejan Kulusevski will return from injury next season as well.

Even further forward, Mathis Tell, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are competing for places. A player currently valued at €32m would likely require a departure before a transfer could be considered.

This is even before considering their battle to stay in the Premier League. This is the main focus at the moment before the transfer is implemented. Boulahrouz has made his recommendation either way.

For those who enjoy Maxi Araújo performances…

Scouts from both Tottenham and Chelsea are keeping an eye on him tonight along with several other Premier League clubs. https://t.co/7x9YQxcN4S

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 7 April 2026

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

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

Alex Bowman, No. 48 car, Hendrick Motorsports

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

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

Noah Gragson, No. 4 car, Front Row Motorsports

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

RELATED: Early NASCAR Foolish Season Predictions

Riley Herbst, No. 35 car, 23XI Racing

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

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

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

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

Kyle Busch, No. 8 car, Richard Childress Racing

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

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

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

At the worst time of the year, injuries have begun to pile up for the Los Angeles Lakers.

After being a good but inconsistent team for most of the season, the Lakers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the beginning of March. After a loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 5, LA won 13 of their next 14, including decisive wins over the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets (twice).

Unfortunately, the good vibes and confidence were derailed this week when top star Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out of at least the last five games of the regular season. The news means LA will be without the player who averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per night for the team. Well, it looks like he’s not the only key player Lakers fans need to worry about.

Austin Reeves is also struggling with injury now?

LA Times Lakers reporter Brad Turner reported on Saturday afternoon, “Austin Reeves got imaging on his obliques on Saturday, and his status for the Lakers vs. Mavericks tomorrow is TBD. Marcus Smart is also TBD with an ankle injury.”

Obviously, both players are listed to be determined, which can still be seen as a positive. This is not a diagnosis to be ruled out for several days, weeks or months. But both of these are tough hits at bad times.

Smart has already missed one game this week due to a joint injury. This is an injury that can’t be rushed, and the team needs to make sure he’s ready for the playoffs starting in a couple of weeks. And must be 32 years old. However, Reeves is a bigger concern.

The forward’s obliques are the latest addition to the injury report, and are now worse than Smart’s ankle. Grade 1 strains may cause sidelining for up to three weeks. While a moderate strain or tear could mean up to two months of downtime.

Since Reaves is not listed as out for the Mavericks game, he appears to be in the light realm. However, this does not rule out a nightmare scenario where the Lakers could be without their top two scorers for the remainder of the season and possibly a game or two in the NBA playoffs.

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

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been a key part of the organization’s turnaround with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Kerr has won four NBA Finals since joining Golden State in 2014. However, could the Warriors head coach be nearing the end of his tenure with the organization?

As Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reported, the most likely scenario is Kerr returning to the Warriors for a “Last Dance” during the 2026–27 NBA season. This will likely be the 60-year-old’s final season coaching Golden State. At the moment, Kawakami believes Kerr has not fully made his decision.

Kerr is currently in the final season of a two-year extension. If Kerr and the Warriors wish to continue their partnership, they must reach a contract extension before the 2026–27 NBA season. After all, there are reasons for Kerr to return, as Golden State is expected to make some major upgrades.

It has been widely speculated that Kerr wants to retire at the same time as Curry, but it is unclear when the star point guard plans to step away from basketball. Curry is likely to retire in the next few seasons as he approaches age 40, but if Kerr has a “last dance,” he may not step down all together.

Kerr has been one of the NBA’s best head coaches since 2014, and the Warriors will leave an era that featured incredible success. Curry and Green are no longer in their prime, but other players like Brandin Podziemski are trying to pave the way moving forward in Golden State.

The Warriors’ last NBA Finals win was in 2022, and if Kerr returns for another season, the team hopes to find that magic again.

READ MORE: Report reveals update on Draymond Green’s future amid Steve Kerr rumors

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

Could the Dallas Mavericks go back-to-back with star Duke prospects in the NBA Draft? A new rumor seems to open the door to that possibility.

After breaking their fans’ hearts by trading away face of the franchise Luka Doncic last February, the Mavericks got very lucky when a disastrous end to their 2024-25 season landed them in the NBA Draft, and then being selected No. 1 overall.

His luck came at the perfect time as one of the most touted prospects of the decade, Cooper Flagg, was ready for the job last June. Luckily for Dallas, the 19-year-old has lived up to expectations as he leads the team in scoring (20.3) and steals (1.2), while also dishing out 6.6 boards and 4.5 assists a night. Still, his impressive play during his rookie season has not stopped the Mavs from becoming a lottery team again this year.

Although the official draft order has not yet been determined, the Mavericks are likely to land anywhere from the fourth to ninth pick in Round 1. Early mock drafts have linked him to various players, including Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff, Jr. However, the door now seems open to bringing in another Duke star this year.

Could Cam Boozer fall to the Mavericks in Round 1 of the NBA Draft?

According to NBA insider Jake Fisher, “The question remains within the scouting community as to how Cameron Boozer’s play will get to the next level… NBA personnel essentially wonder if he will be able to replicate [his previous success] Among the professionals.”

After a stellar freshman season for the Blue Devils and nearly leading them to the Final Four this month, many basketball pundits think Boozer could be a top-three pick in the NBA Draft. However, this report suggests that further declines may be shorter than expected due to concerns from scouts. If Dallas gets a pick outside the top three to five, there will be an opportunity to select him.

After trading Anthony Davis before the trade deadline, and with Kyrie Irving set to return next season, the Mavericks could use more help at the swingman spot or in the front court. Boozer and a skilled rebounder and rim protector, Daniel Gafford could be a great front-court duo with Flagg and Irving in the backcourt.

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

Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario has been consistently mentioned as an Inter Milan target over the past few months.

A return to Italy is now getting closer for the goalkeeper.

Nerazzurri sporting director Piero Ausilio has already made preliminary contact with the player’s agent Gabriele Giuffrida. Those things happened during the trip to London.

it was covered extensively sports witnessThe Italian giants boast an excellent relationship with Vicario’s squad.

Giuffrida is said to have helped Inter with several deals in the past. The Tottenham player was also close to joining the Nerazzurri ahead of his arrival in London in 2023.

With the deal now gaining momentum, the 29-year-old’s stance is very clear.

Vicario agrees to the personal terms

interest Today report that the goalkeeper now has an agreement on personal terms on a move to Inter.

The Serie A leaders have agreed a four-year deal worth €3.5m per season, a figure likely to be after tax. This is more than the player’s current earnings at Tottenham and could prompt a transfer.

The outlet has confirmed that Inter have already spoken to Vicario and his agent, with the ex-Empoli man giving the green light to the transfer.

In fact, he is ‘honoured’ by Inter’s eagerness to sign him. The player is not pushing for an exit but the Nerazzurri’s next step is to hold talks with Tottenham.

Our Opinion: There should be a deal

There are still months left for the transfer window to open, but Inter are making rapid progress towards the signing of Vicario. This probably suggests that a deal could very well be done by June.

Given the way the Italy international has bounced back this season, Tottenham should also be keen to be different. Vicario has shown weaknesses in and out of possession, looking clearly a shadow of himself from the Anze Postecoglou days.

Furthermore, there is every possibility that Spurs will get a better goalkeeper in the summer. A new manager will impose his ideas and Vicario may not be the best choice given his weaknesses on the ball.

There may be problems with the transfer fee, with the belief in Italy that €20 million, or slightly less, would be enough for Tottenham.

The Golden State Valkyries will take the court wearing new-look jerseys for the 2026 WNBA season.

The Valkyries showed off their new Nike Explorer Edition jerseys on social media on Monday, revealing that the new look will bring the franchise’s trademark violet to the forefront for the first time.

Golden State will be playing in its second league campaign, aiming to build on the great success it has had with its fan base in 2025. Franchise president Jess Smith expanded on the idea behind the purple jersey in a statement released along with the announcement.

Smith’s press release said, “Our fans didn’t just ask for a jersey; they also asked for a symbol of this new era.” “In every area of ​​the Gulf, we have seen our Valkyries Violets begin to line the streets, a sign that the Valkyries have indeed landed.

“This jersey is our response to that energy, a bold reinforcement of everything we’ve built in year one. It’s more than a uniform; it’s a reflection of the fan base ready to claim their territory. I can’t wait to see the sea of ​​purple take over the community and take over the court.”

According to the Valkyries, the design elements are meant to honor the Northern California region the team calls home. The purple base color is intended to make the jersey appear “modern, powerful and bold” as a reflection of “the fierce commitment of our players and the pulse of the Bay Area.”

The lines of the shorts are a specific reference to the cables of the Bay Bridge, which connects San Francisco and Oakland together.

As an expansion team the Valkyries received unprecedented support from fans around the Bay Area and the WNBA, breaking attendance records throughout the campaign. The organization hopes that the promotion of the new purple jerseys will carry the same momentum into the 2026 season.

Since his first foray into online journalism in 2019, Peter Okereke has written widely on entertainment, politics and pop… More about Peter Okereke

After being selected with the 144th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft last year, Cleveland Browns quarterback Chedure Sanders finally earned the starting job and was selected to the Pro Bowl. However, recent comments from the front office suggest it could be an uphill battle to reclaim the starting job in 2026.

Speaking to reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said it is “completely realistic” that the club will spend one of its picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns trade proposal nets team’s top WR

“Our inclination would be that if we add somebody to the quarterback room, it would be somebody that’s probably a young player. But I can’t tell for sure because I don’t know what happens over the next few weeks.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry on potentially adding a QB

He also acknowledged that he has met with former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson and would like to spend more time meeting who many view as the second-best passer in the class.

Some believe Simpson will be a first-round pick in April. There is a possibility he could be available to Cleveland with the 24th overall pick, which they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars, or they could move up from Round 2 (39th overall) to the end of Round 1 to try to land Simpson.

RELATED: Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft

One thing Berry made very clear is that whichever young quarterback Cleveland brings in, he will “compete” for the starting job. If the Browns see someone whose skill set translates immediately to playing in Todd Monken’s offense, they are willing to draft him and allow him to compete for the starting quarterback in 2026.

This isn’t the only bad sign for Sanders’ hopes of becoming the Browns’ starting quarterback this season. If Berry proves himself performance-wise and outperforms Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, Berry would not rule out signing Deshaun Watson to a new deal.

While Sanders finished ahead of Gabriel on the Browns’ depth chart at the end of the season, a change at guard looks very likely. Watson will be given a real chance to earn the job, and it now seems plausible that another young quarterback could be added through the 2026 NFL Draft.

Just two months after Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl and a few weeks after his connection with Monken, it seems likely the second-year quarterback won’t see much of the field this fall.

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

Manchester City defender Vitor Reis has received his first senior Brazil call-up after establishing himself as a key man during his loan spell at Verona.

The 20-year-old will join Carlo Ancelotti’s side for a friendly against Croatia in Orlando on Tuesday and arrive in the United States on Friday.

The timing is not a coincidence. Vitor Reis has become one of Verona’s most reliable players this seasonBecoming a regular starter in LaLiga.

espn brazil Say he is currently the Brazilian player with the most minutes played in the competition, which underlines both his consistency and importance within the team.

That prominence reflects the success of Manchester City’s growth plan. Since arriving in Spain, the defender has acquired a central role and rarely leaves the pitch.

He has played 27 league matches, starting 26 of them, and logged over 2,300 minutes. In those appearances, he has recorded 163 clearances and 77 recoveries, while only being dribbled seven times.

In possession, he has completed 1,277 passes with 90.8% accuracy, showing clear alignment Pep Guardiola’s demands.

sudden call in the early morning

The Brazil call-up came unexpectedly. according to espn brazilVitor Reis was sleeping when he received a call from national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano at around 3 a.m. local time.

He woke up to the news that he needed to go to Orlando immediately to join the team. Neither the players nor their entourage, owned by Manchester City, expected a call at this stage.

After the conversation, Vitor Reis immediately informed his family and representatives. He then made arrangements to travel to the United States within a few hours. The sudden nature of the call highlights how quickly his rise is being recognized internationally.

This is his first senior call-up, but his excellent form has already attracted attention in Brazil. As we recently coveredThe Palmeiras (his former club) academy director, who worked with Vitor Reis at youth level, said “He will be Brazil’s centre-back for the next three or four World Cups”.

Reward for breakout season

Vitor Reis has got this opportunity after months of consistent performances in Spain. Verona have relied heavily on him throughout the campaign, with the Brazilian becoming a pillar in their defensive structure.

The loan move was designed to provide minutes and continuity. It has done exactly that. In addition to his defensive work, he has scored one goal, one assist and created eight chances. His increasing influence in possession has also come to the fore, with regular involvement in Verona’s build-up play.

From Manchester City’s point of view, the signs are very positive. The defender is gaining experience in a system that shares similarities with Guardiola’s approach, which should ease his transition upon returning to England.

what happens next

Vitor Reyes is Hope to return to Manchester City after his loan spell ends this summer. This first senior Brazilian call-up strengthens his case ahead of that move.

The coming months will be important for both club and country. If he maintains his current level, he could reach the Etihad with real pace.

For now, Manchester City will see this recognition as proof that their long-term investment is moving in the right direction.

The memories of Game 7 won’t fade away soon. Last time the Toronto Blue Jays came inches away from a World Series championship – several times – but fell short.

However, now it’s time to turn the page (and) [Andy] Pages), as he threw the first pitch of the 2026 season in an attempt to defend his American League championship. Are the Jays a better team this season? General manager Ross Atkins thinks they are. But it doesn’t mean much until they get between the white lines and we see how this team comes together.

Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt have been the most notable absentees this season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa isn’t back either, but Toronto fans will want to forget the last time they saw him in a Jays uniform.

Atkins hopes to replace Bichette’s production with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. The additions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to the pitching staff have compensated for the loss of Bassitt on the mound (although his clubhouse presence will be missed).

So what questions does this team have in 2026? Well, very much. Let’s take a look at the four biggest ones:

4 questions facing the Blue Jays in 2026

1. Can Okamoto really replace what Bichette provided at the plate?

Okamoto had a .277 average and .882 OPS in his 10 seasons in Japan’s NPB. With an on-base percentage and slugging PCT of .355. Hitting .521, he has shown that he not only has power, but also strong contact skills. He has always maintained a low strikeout rate and ability to draw walks. Most experts believe those skills should transfer well to the major leagues. His .316 average and 1.066 OPS among 23 Grapefruit League at-bats are promising signs.

2. Can Addison Barger take the next step into full-on breakout slugger?

Barger gave Jays fans some tempting appetizers in 2025, including 21 long balls in 502 plate appearances in the regular season and a memorable, historic grand slam in the World Series.

The Chicago Bulls have been struggling in recent weeks, most recently giving up 157 points in a surprising loss against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bulls are headed to the NBA lottery once again this year, and all the teams headed to play this season are looking at what some of their young players have.

Unfortunately, Chicago got tough news Thursday afternoon about an injury to one of those players.

“The Bulls have announced that Jayden Ivey will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season for treatment of his left knee soreness,” reports X, former ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel on Twitter.

The Bulls also got another update regarding a big man coming off their bench.

“The Bulls also say Jalen Smith, who suffered a right calf injury Wednesday night, will miss the remainder of the season,” the Seagull reports.

The Bulls acquired Ivy in a deal involving the Detroit Pistons before the NBA trade deadline, and so far, he’s not looking like a pre-injury, lottery pick version of himself in Chicago. Ivey is one of the guards currently on the Bulls roster, viewed by many as one of the most poorly constructed guards in the entire NBA landscape.

Hopefully, shutting down Ivy now will give the former Pistons guard the time he needs to fully recover from the knee pain and get back to being like his old version next season.

The Bulls are currently 29-43 on the season, and things don’t get any easier from here, as Chicago will take the field on Friday night for a road game against the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff for that contest is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET.

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has emerged as a new target for Slavia Prague in the summer.

The Slovakia international spent over seven years at Newcastle United and left them for Burnley in August 2025.

Scott Parker’s side achieved promotion to the Premier League and were looking for a new stopper.

Burnley immediately made him their No. 1, and he has started in all 31 league matches so far, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 61 goals.

His Premier League statistics for the Clarets are as follows:

• Shots on target: 166
• Save: 111
• Saving Percentage: 66.9%
• Clean sheet percentage: 12.9%

The 37-year-old’s form for the English club has still managed to attract interest from Slavia Prague.

Burnley man in Czech shortlist

Slavia Prague have Jindrich Stanek, Jakub Markovic and Ondrej Kolar as their stoppers, and Markovic took advantage of the minutes Stanek was sidelined with injury.

Stanek’s agent David Ziyka recently stated that he wants to move to a top-five league after this season. Therefore, the Czech club is now looking for a new goalkeeper.

according to gameOn their shortlist is Burnley’s Martin Dubravka. slavia is prague have already traded with the Clarets when they signed Oliver Soane on loan in the winter market.

The goalkeeper’s contract expires in June and it is believed he will leave Turf Moor in the summer as the Clarets look to relegate to the Championship.

Slovakia previously had a spell with Sparta Prague [2017/18] And could think of returning to the city with Slavia.

His addition to the team would be ‘a bet on proven quality’, but he would not be a guaranteed starter. However, the final decision will depend on how Stanek’s injury situation develops.

Dubravka’s salary is 5 million crowns per month [€200k] There is a problem for Slavia. Furthermore, he may face competition from other clubs for his signature.

Stomper’s future away from Burnley

With his contract expiring at the end of this season, Martin Dubravka’s future lies away from the Premier League side.

He has already spent nine years in England, where he has had stints with Newcastle United, Manchester United and Burnley.

The possibility of the goalkeeper extending his stay in the UK by joining another club cannot be ruled out. So far, there have been no concrete claims of interest from any other club.