Raleigh, NC

Eric Staal, a former Stanley Cup Champion, has signed a one-day contract to retire with the Carolina Hurricanes. That’s the team he won the Cup with in 2006. Staal spent ten and a half seasons with the Hurricanes. The centre made his NHL debut in the 2003-04 season. However, the year following the lockout, in 2005-06, Staal established himself as a top-flight NHLer. Staal scored 45 goals in the regular season that year. Furthermore, Staal led the league in assists and points in the playoffs. He also set a franchise record playoff point streak during that run, lasting from Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round through Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history that season.

Former Stanley Cup Champion Retires and Number Will Be Too

In the midst of the off-season lull, discussions around the Montreal Canadiens have sparked diverse opinions, with two particularly notable takes surfacing. The first take speculates on Cole Caufield achieving a remarkable 50-goal milestone in the upcoming season, a bold prediction that challenges statistical trends from his past performances. Another hot take involves Brendan Gallagher potentially starting the season on the second offensive line, a position distinct from his long-standing tenure as an integral part of the team. While the second-line placement for Gallagher is not outright dismissed, the dynamics of line formations and player contributions remain open to adjustment.

Montreal Canadiens Hot Takes: Caufield Eyeing 50, Gallagher’s Second-Line Role

Buffalo, NY

The Buffalo Sabres have been stocking the prospect pool for years, with many, including Zach Benson, Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, Ryan Johnson, and Devon Levi, getting a taste of NHL action last season. By Calder Trophy eligibility standards, Benson, Johnson, and Levi have graduated from rookie prospects to NHLers. Rosen, Kulich, and Rousek are expected to start the season in AHL Rochester, with new competition at forward in first-round selections Noah Ostlund and Konsta Helenius potentially joining them.

Most Likely Prospect to Make Sabres Roster

Detroit, MI

The always-fascinating Jaromir Jagr, 52, reportedly will try to play every game this season for the Kladno team he owns in the Czech Extraliga this season. He only played 15 games last season. The Czech league plays 52 regular-season games. If Jagr plays a full schedule at his age, he...

The Daily: Jagr the Gordie Howe of Czechia; Ex-Red Wing Dies

The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with forward Martin Necas, keeping one of its most skilled offensive players through the 2025-26 season. The team announced the deal Monday, providing some roster certainty for the 25-year-old Czech who had been discussed as a trade candidate since the close of Carolina's sixth straight playoff season.

Carolina Hurricanes reach a 2-year deal with talented offensive forward Martin Necas

Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring infielder-outfielder Amed Rosario in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. In return, Michael Flynn, a minor league right-handed pitcher, is headed to Tampa Bay. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Robert Murray of FanSided, respectively, reported each end of the deal before the Dodgers announced it.

Dodgers Acquire a Familiar Face in Trade with Rays

Atlanta, GA

San Francisco, CA

The Atlanta Braves are reuniting with two players who helped win them the World Series in 2021. In a trade with the San Francisco Giants, the Braves will acquire both 2021 Series MVP Jorge Soler and right-handed reliever Luke Jackson. Atlanta officially announced the deal on social media after initial reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan and FanSided’s Robert Murray. Heading to San Francisco are left-hander Tyler Matzek and minor league infielder Sabin Ceballos. The Braves also DFA’d right-hander Darius Vines to clear room on their roster.

Braves Bring Back Two Old Friends in Trade with Giants

With NASCAR on a two-week break because of the Paris Olympics, the sport still has four drivers locked in a massive battle for the Cup Series regular season championship. Though there isn’t any racing going on, the four competitors still have a lot on their plate, as any of them could make a huge run in the final four races of the regular season.

Four Drivers Locked In Battle For the NASCAR Regular Season Title

Cincinnati, OH

As a unit, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers rival that of any NFL team. The talent at the top sells tickets but the talent in the middle and bottom of the depth chart are what sets a good unit apart from great. Is it too soon to call the Bengals wide receiver room great? Maybe, although those top two are elite and they have a lot of talent waiting in the wings.

The Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Depth Just Got Stronger

Kansas City, MO

The Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back champions and have not shied away from discussing their chase for the first three-peat in NFL history. Good teams are made up of good players, so it stands to reason that the best team in the league over the past two seasons would roster some of the game’s best players.

Kansas City Chiefs Players Raise Eyebrows With Absence From NFL Preseason List

Because of rain in Paris, the new schedule at the Olympics will finish the men’s singles second round on Day 4 of the event. Most of the biggest stars played on Day 3, but there’s still plenty of action coming on Tuesday. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis will predict all of them for you. Who will advance to the third round and keep their medal dreams alive? We split the day’s eight matches between this and a separate article–featuring Taylor Fritz vs Jack Draper. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Ateet Shrivastava, and Andreas Pelekis. Who do you think will win?

Paris Olympics Day 4 Men’s Predictions Including Daniil Medvedev vs Sebastian Ofner

The Kansas City Chiefs revamped their wide receiver room over the past few months. After winning the Super Bowl despite a lack of reliable receivers, the Chiefs went out of their way to ensure Patrick Mahomes won’t be sabotaged by his teammates, signing Marquise Brown to a one-year deal and trading up in the first round to select wide receiver Xavier Worthy. When paired with Rashee Rice, these three should be one of the game’s more reliable receiver trios. However, former undrafted free agent Nikko Remigio is reportedly impressing in camp and could steal one of the final spots on the roster.

Unheralded Chiefs Receiver Impressing Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes

Washington, DC

The Wizards’ most notable draft pick from 2024 was Alex Sarr, selected second overall. The 7’1″ big man has lots of professional playing experience and is supposed to be one of the best players coming out of the draft. However, after a lackluster summer league performance, many people’s opinion of him dropped. However, hiding in the shadows is another Wizards rookie who dominated in Summer League and is well-poised for a phenomenal rookie season. People may not be talking about Carlton Carrington now, but once his rookie season’s over, he could very well be in the conversation for 2024-25 Rookie of the Year.

Introducing a Rookie of the Year Candidate

Portland, OR

The Portland Trail Blazers already look like a different team compared to last season. Earlier in the offseason, they traded Malcolm Brogdon to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Deni Avdija. Additionally, they selected UConn big man Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft. Last year, the Trail Blazers finished with a 21-61 record, their worst since the 2005-06 season. Additionally, they have not made the playoffs since the 2020-21 season. It is clear the team is looking to continue their rebuild a year after moving on from Damian Lillard. While they have made some moves so far, it does not seem like they are done just yet. According to Trail Blazers reporter Aaron Fentress (YouTube link), Portland will likely trade forward Jerami Grant or guard Anfernee Simons by the start of training camp.

Portland Trail Blazers Expected to Trade Top Player

Men’s doubles second round action at the Paris Olympics features top singles players like Gael Monfils and the Rafael Nadal/Carlos Alcaraz pairing in action, Team USA features Rajeev Ram as the clay court doubles in Paris continues on. Carlos Alcaraz/Rafael Nadal vs Tallon Griekspoor/Wesley Koolhof. Damian Kust: Alcaraz took...

Paris Olympics Day 4 Doubles Predictions Including Rafael Nadal

Paris 2024 is underway. Round one saw familiar faces face-off, as well as some new countries making historical debuts. As predicted before the tournament started, the spectacle delivered on its promise to be full of fireworks. Without further ado, let’s get into the Olympics basketball power rankings I rank all 12 teams according to their performances so far. This article will cover teams 12-7 the next article will cover teams 6-1.

Olympics Basketball Power Rankings 12-7

San Antonio, TX

Earlier in the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs signed guards David Duke Jr. and Jamaree Bouyea to a pair of two-way contracts. With these moves, the Spurs had just one final two-way roster spot open. Now, it has been reported that the Spurs have filled this last spot. According to the team’s X account, the Spurs have signed rookie small forward Harrison Ingram to their final two-way contract.

San Antonio Spurs Sign Rookie to Two-Way Contract

New Zealand 7-foot center Julius Halifainou’s stock has skyrocketed after participating in the NBA’s 2024 Basketball Without Borders event during All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis this past February. Halifainou, who took official visits to Virginia Tech and Xavier while in the US for the event, was named as the On3’s No. 3 performer in the event.

Big East Program Has Emerged as Overwhelming Favorite For 7-Foot New Zealand Prospect, Who Recently Reclassified To 2024

Philadelphia, PA

After seven years with the Philadelphia 76ers, guard Furkan Korkmaz will now continue his playing career overseas. According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the 27-year-old has agreed to a deal to join AS Monaco of the EuroLeague. The 76ers drafted Korkmaz with the No. 26 pick in the 2016 NBA...

7-Year Philadelphia 76ers Veteran to Resume Career Overseas

The Columbus Blue Jackets will begin preparations for the 2024-25 National Hockey League season at the Prospects Challenge to be held from September 13-16 at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. This year’s participating clubs will include the Blue Jackets along with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. Practice sessions and tournament games will be held at LECOM Harborcenter located at 100 Washington Street, Buffalo, New York, 14203 (Phone – 716/855-4767).

Blue Jackets to participate in Prospects Challenge in Buffalo

NewsBreak

Montreal Canadiens Lock up Another Young Defenceman

The Montreal Canadiens are keeping the good times rolling and have re-signed defenceman Justin Barron to a contract extension. This comes just hours after announcing the...

Montreal Canadiens Lock up Another Young Defenceman

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