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NFL (American Football)

Chargers’ secondary continues to perform strongly despite facing injuries and adjustments to the lineup

Los Angeles Chargers players celebrates after intercepting a pass in the 2nd half

Tarheeb Still’s impressive two-interception performance last week in Atlanta not only earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors but also highlighted the strong performance of the Los Angeles Chargers secondary. This unit has outperformed expectations despite dealing with injuries throughout the season.

Four of the five starters from the season opener against Las Vegas on September 8 have missed time due to injuries, including two who are currently on injured reserve.

Cornerbacks Still and Cam Hart, both selected in the fifth round, have quickly adapted to their roles. Safeties Elijah Molden and Marcus Maye, who were not part of the team during training camp, have also played well.

Maye, who was claimed off waivers from Miami on November 27, intercepted a pass in the end zone against the Falcons despite only having one practice with the Chargers.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers are still leading the league in scoring defense, allowing only 15.7 points per game. They have 13 interceptions, tying them for fourth place in the league, marking their most interceptions through 12 games since 2017 when they had 15.

The Chargers are ranked 10th against the pass, giving up 206.4 yards per game, and have the league’s third-best defensive passer rating at 80.6.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter praised general manager Joe Hortiz for bringing in players who fit the team’s system, noting that some of them had experience in similar systems, which helped with their quick transitions. “Some things kind of fell into place at the right time. Mostly, just credit to the players for their skill set,” Minter said.

Molden, acquired from Tennessee for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick on August 28, and Still are tied for the team lead with three interceptions each.

Molden also said that coming from a similar defensive scheme helped him adjust to the Chargers quickly. “We still have to get the language down, but we’re familiar with the goal of the defensive coordinator and what they’re trying to do. And then the coaches say to learn on our teammates to help you communicate and go play fast,” Molden explained.

Molden and Maye will have more playing time this week with Alohi Gilman on injured reserve due to a strained hamstring.

Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh (NFL)

The secondary’s success is also thanks to secondary coach Steve Clinkscale and safeties coach Chris O’Leary. Clinkscale worked with coach Jim Harbaugh and Minter for two seasons at Michigan before joining them with the Chargers. O’Leary, who spent seven years at Notre Dame, was a graduate assistant under Minter at Georgia State in 2015 and 2016 after playing at Indiana State when Minter was on the coaching staff.

After last Sunday’s four-interception game, Harbaugh gave game balls to both Clinkscale and O’Leary. Harbaugh also praised Clinkscale for how he has helped players quickly understand the schemes.

“I feel like those two guys are under the radar and not getting a lot of credit. They’re doing a lot of things helping us,” safety Derwin James said. “It’s a lot of moving parts, and no matter who comes in here, they’re going to have them ready to play.”

Still, who had a 61-yard pick-6 against Kirk Cousins in the third quarter, giving the Chargers the lead, also credited Clinkscale for helping him develop quickly as a rookie. Still has started seven games with Asante Samuel Jr. on injured reserve for eight weeks due to a shoulder injury and Kristian Fulton missing two games with various injuries.

Hart started six consecutive games before being sidelined for the last two weeks due to an ankle injury.

“He’s helped me a lot more than he even knows. He knows what guys can be, what guys can do, and how good we can be as a back end,” Still said about Clinkscale.

Kansas City Chiefs players celebrate in the 2nd half

The secondary will face a tough challenge in their second matchup with the Chiefs. Kansas City won the first game 17-10, with Xavier Worthy catching a 54-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce making seven receptions for 89 yards.

James, who will be matched up against Kelce, did not play in that game due to a one-game suspension for repeated unnecessary roughness penalties.

“They know we’ve got work to do. We had four interceptions in the past game, but I think we could have had two more if we would play things a little bit better,” Clinkscale said. “We want to play tighter in man coverage, so there’s room for a lot of growth, and we’re not even close to playing our best game. Last week was a good game to carry over our habits so we can continue to execute this week.”

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NFL (American Football)

Jets cornerback Gardner and running back Hall are listed as doubtful for the game against the Dolphins, while linebacker Mosley is set to be placed on injured reserve

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back Breece Hall are doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins due to injuries.

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Friday that both players are likely to miss the game, “barring something magical happening the next couple of days.” Neither Gardner nor Hall practiced during the week.

Gardner injured his hamstring late in the Jets’ loss to Seattle last Sunday. Hall had a knee injury last week, but played through it and gained 60 yards on 12 carries. However, this week, he experienced more problems with his knee, including what Ulbrich described as “a little bit of an MCL, a little bit of a hyperextension.”

Ulbrich also announced that linebacker C.J. Mosley will be placed on injured reserve, ending his attempt to return from a herniated disk in his neck, which has kept him out of the last five games. He had returned to practice last week and had a full practice on Wednesday. However, he had a setback and didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday.

Jeff Ulbrich walks off the field after the game

“It was a hard decision for him, but it’s the best decision for him and our organization,” Ulbrich said.

This could mark the end of Mosley’s six-year stint with the Jets, as he still has one year left on his contract, which includes $4.25 million in guarantees but would count $12.8 million on the salary cap next season.

Wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest) and offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer (finger) are expected to be activated from injured reserve and will be available for the game, as both fully participated in practice this week.

With Gardner out, Brandin Echols is likely to start opposite D.J. Reed at cornerback. Ulbrich had already expressed doubts about Gardner’s ability to play due to the injury, especially against the Dolphins’ fast wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

“It’s huge,” Ulbrich said of not having Gardner. “It’s tough. But we’re fortunate to have Brandin Echols, who’s played a lot of football and has played well against the Dolphins.”

Echols has faced Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa several times and has had success, intercepting him twice and returning both for touchdowns.

“Would you like Sauce? There’s no doubt,” Ulbrich said. “But having Echols is a very good backup in this situation.”

Hall, who leads the Jets with 692 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with 46 catches for 401 yards and two touchdowns, is dealing with another injury to his left knee—the same knee where he tore his ACL two years ago.

“Just not feeling quite right,” Ulbrich said of Hall’s knee.

With Hall out, rookies Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, and Kene Nwangwu are expected to step up. Allen, a fourth-round pick, has 240 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Davis, a fifth-round pick, has 22 rushing yards and a touchdown catch from last week.

New York Jets players celebrate after his touchdown in the 2nd half

Nwangwu, mostly a special teams player, was named AFC special teams player of the week after returning a kickoff for a touchdown last Sunday.

“We are fortunate in that way, too, from the running back depth, minus Breece, who’s in my opinion one of the best backs in this league,” Ulbrich said. “We still have one of the best running back rooms in the NFL without him.”

Offensive lineman Xavier Newman was added to the injury report on Friday with a groin injury and is listed as questionable for the game. Other players listed as questionable include left tackle Olu Fashanu (toe), right tackle Morgan Moses (knee/shoulder), right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, and cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers (illness). Ulbrich said they were all expected to play.

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NFL (American Football)

Steelers wide receiver George Pickens on facing Browns cornerback Newsome again: “I don’t even know who that is”

George Pickens celebrates a first down catch in the 2nd half

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens doesn’t seem too concerned about facing Cleveland defensive back Greg Newsome II again.

Two weeks after Pickens and Newsome collided in the stands after Cleveland’s 24-19 upset of the Steelers, Pickens acted like he didn’t know who Newsome was when asked if he expected to talk to him before the game on Sunday.

“I don’t even know who that is,” Pickens said.

In case Pickens needed a reminder, he and Newsome had a physical encounter during the final snap at Huntington Bank Stadium when they were wrestling down the field, into the end zone, and beyond. During Pittsburgh’s unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt, the ball dropped, and the two players continued fighting.

Pickens grabbed Newsome’s helmet as they crashed into a wall, and Pickens had to be restrained after Newsome walked away.

Pittsburgh Steelers players celebrates after kicking a field goal

Newsome, who didn’t know what triggered the confrontation, dismissed Pickens’ comments, saying he wasn’t offended.

“Nah, because the only way you would take something that somebody says disrespectful is if you actually care about that person,” Newsome said. “So I don’t care what he has to say or anybody has to say. So I don’t take it as disrespectful because I don’t care about the dude at all.”

Newsome also pointed out that Pickens seems more focused on himself, mentioning the penalties Pickens has caused.

Pickens, who is known for displaying frustration and immaturity at times, has been fined several times this season for various infractions. He was penalized twice for unsportsmanlike conduct after receptions in a game against Cincinnati, which hurt the Steelers by giving up field position.

Pickens downplayed the idea that defenders can get under his skin. When asked about his repeated penalties and altercations with other players, he said it’s part of playing hard.

“That comes from playing hard,” Pickens said. “When you’re playing hard, the league has a target on your back. You possibly, I’m not saying 100 percent, but you possibly could get flags.”

Pickens also expressed that he hopes officials aren’t singling him out, saying, “I’m just out there playing like every other receiver.”

Despite his talent, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Russell Wilson, among others, have defended Pickens. Tomlin recently said Pickens needs to “grow up and grow up in a hurry” after the penalties against Cincinnati. Offensive tackle Broderick Jones also tried to calm Pickens down after the penalties.

“Everybody knows he’s a great football player,” Jones said. “But we’re trying to do something bigger and better here with our offense and just our schemes and we just don’t need nothing to slow us down. You make a good play then you giving (the yardage) right back to them, that makes no sense.”

Jones also compared the way Pickens’ outbursts were handled when they were teammates at Georgia to how they are dealt with now in the NFL.

George Pickens
George Pickens (NFL)

“Back then you’ve got punishment, now they just take your money,” Jones said. “I just feel like George doesn’t play the game for the money. He loves the game. He wants everybody to see his swagger.”

Pickens seems to embrace his swagger, even as he draws more attention. He spent a few minutes on Friday making fun of both Newsome and the Browns. After their loss to Cleveland, Pickens blamed the weather conditions, saying the Browns were a bad team. He still feels that way.

“I just go by their record,” Pickens said of Cleveland, which has a 3-9 record. Jones laughed at Pickens’ comments.

“He be trolling, he’s just a troll,” Jones said. “Like I tell him, just keep making plays. … Just keep doing what you doing, just try to cut off the stupid stuff.”

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NFL (American Football)

Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds is prepared to move on from the Denver shooting incident, calling it “a crazy ordeal”

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds reacts to a play on the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds was looking forward to a fresh start after being shot in Denver in mid-October.

The Jaguars (2-10) picked up Reynolds from the Broncos off waivers on Wednesday to help fill the gaps left by season-ending injuries to Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis. The 29-year-old Reynolds had missed the last eight games, most of which were after the shooting.

“Yeah, man, one of them things I had rather put behind me,” Reynolds said after practice on Friday, his first public comments since the incident. “But, I mean anybody going through that, man, it is a crazy ordeal. But, hey, I’m here now. I’m in sunny Florida. I’m just blessed to be here.”

Reynolds and another man were shot while driving from a strip club early on October 18, around the same time the Broncos were returning from a 33-10 win against New Orleans.

Denver police arrested two men in connection with the shooting, which involved at least 30 rounds being fired into the vehicle carrying Reynolds and his companions. The two men have been charged with six counts of attempted murder, assault, and other felonies.

Josh Reynolds
Josh Reynolds (NFL)

Reynolds was shot once in his left arm and once in the back of his head.

“Was tough for a few weeks, but I had a good support system behind me,” Reynolds said. “A lot of the organization over there was helping me out a lot, so they made it easier for me to kind of transition through that whole process.”

His mom was also there, taking time off work to be with him on weekends.

“She’s always been a big part of my life,” Reynolds said. “Always been in my corner whenever she can. It’s been awesome to have her traveling and just seeing her at my games, man. It’s awesome.”

Reynolds has 12 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown this season. He has 232 catches for 3,116 yards and 20 touchdowns in his eight NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit, Tennessee, and Denver. He signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Broncos in 2024.

“You put on the tape, he’s obviously been in a couple of spots, and he’s been a guy that’s a bigger, taller, athletic receiver,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. “Again, gives us depth where we’re obviously missing Christian and Gabe. Definitely gives us something that we can continue to develop that room, I think.

“It helps us in the way that we’re trying to win these games. We’re trying to go out and play well, and he gives us an opportunity to do that. So, we’re excited to get him going a little bit and see how he can help.”

The Jaguars will play at Tennessee (3-9) on Sunday.

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NFL (American Football)

Campbell and the Lions are no longer content with simply reaching the playoffs

Dan Campbell speaks in a news conference

For nearly a century, the Detroit Lions making the playoffs was a huge achievement.

Now, it’s becoming a regular expectation.

After winning their last NFL championship in 1957, the Lions only played in 13 playoff games in the next 75 years. They won just one of those games — a 38-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 1991.

That changed last season. The Lions beat the Rams 24-23 on January 14 and then defeated Tampa Bay 31-23 the following week. They were leading the NFC championship game 24-7 at halftime, but the San Francisco 49ers came back to win 34-31.

This year, the Lions are doing even better. After a Thanksgiving win over the Chicago Bears, the Lions defeated Green Bay 34-31 to improve to 12-1 and secure a second straight playoff appearance — the first time they’ve done that since 1995.

Coach Dan Campbell didn’t even realize his team had earned a playoff spot after the win against Green Bay.

Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell (NFL)

“I just found that out — I didn’t even realize,” he said after the game. “It’s good. It’s good, but it’s like, man, we’ve got four (games) left and we want to get in a different way. We want to go in on our terms and find a way to get this one seed. That’s the priority.”

Campbell was so unaware of the achievement that he didn’t mention it to the team after the game, even though they probably saw “Playoffs Clinched” displayed on the scoreboards.

“I wish I had told the team, but I had no idea,” he said. “Honestly, I think they know. They feel like I feel. We can do the old golf clap, but we know what we want to do.”

Jared Goff, who followed Campbell into the interview room, agreed with his coach.

“I just heard that,” he said. “It’s pretty cool, but it is certainly not what our ultimate goal is. We want to win this division, and we’ve still got some work to do.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

The NFL has concluded its investigation into the sexual assault accusations made against Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson (NFL)

The NFL has closed its investigation into the sexual assault allegations made against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is ending the season on injured reserve for the second consecutive year.

The league had been looking into the case for months to decide if Watson should face any punishment.

“The matter is closed,” league spokesperson Brian McCarthy said Friday in an email to The Associated Press. “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.”

Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in Texas in September. She sought over $1 million in damages before both parties reached a confidential settlement.

Watson denied the allegations through his lawyer, Rusty Hardin. The 29-year-old Watson suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in October, which ended his season. He has been working on recovering from the injury in hopes of returning next season.

The Browns still owe Watson $46 million for each of the next two seasons after they traded three first-round picks to Houston and signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, which has not gone as planned.

Deshaun Watson is carted off the field after an injury in the 1st half

Watson has only played in 19 games over the last three seasons due to the suspension and injuries. He was acquired by the Browns, who were willing to accept his character despite the sexual assault and inappropriate conduct accusations against him during his time with the Texans while he was getting massage therapy.

While Watson is no longer facing punishment from the league, his future with the Browns is uncertain.

His large contract and its impact on the salary cap have put the Browns in a difficult position when it comes to improving their roster. Cleveland has had a disappointing season after making the playoffs last year and may consider moving on from Watson, but the cost of releasing him would be very high.

The Browns signed Jameis Winston for one season to be Watson’s backup. Winston has a 2-3 record as a starter since stepping in and has energized Cleveland’s offense, which struggled to score 20 points or gain 300 yards with Watson before his injury. Winston’s 2023 season was cut short by a broken bone in his shoulder, requiring surgery.

Winston has said he would like to return and could be a possible starting option even if the Browns draft a young quarterback.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson is seeking progress from the team following the dismissal of their head coach

Anders Sorensen speaks to the reporters

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson reached a breaking point after a 4-2 loss to Boston on Wednesday night.

That’s when he decided to replace head coach Luke Richardson.

“I don’t think once you cross that threshold in your own mind, you can go back,” Davidson said. “And so I crossed that point after the Boston game the other night.”

The results of that decision began on Friday, when Chicago practiced for the first time under interim coach Anders Sorensen, just one day after the Richardson firing was announced by the team.

Sorensen’s main challenge is turning around a team that wasn’t built for a playoff run this season but one Davidson believes is better than its current 8-16-2 record, which is the worst in the NHL. The Blackhawks, who struggle offensively, have lost four straight games and eight of their last ten, heading into Saturday’s game against Winnipeg.

“I don’t believe this is a last-place group. And that’s where we find ourselves,” Davidson said during his first media session since Richardson was fired. “Do I believe we deserve better in some games that we didn’t get a point or two points out of this year? Yes. But dissect that.

Anders Sorensen talks to the players in the practice

Why didn’t we get those points? I feel like there were things that could be cleaned up. And maybe some things kept popping up here and there that, again, probably should have been improved upon.”

Richardson, 55, had a 57-118-15 record in his two-plus seasons with the Blackhawks. The coaching change comes with Chicago preparing to host the Winter Classic on Dec. 31 against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field.

In a statement released by the team, Richardson said he was grateful for the chance to coach the Blackhawks and wished the team and fans the best for the rest of the season.

Sorensen, 49, was previously the head coach of the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL, making him a familiar face to many Blackhawks players. He was hired by the organization as a development coach before the 2013-14 season and became an assistant coach with the IceHogs in 2018-19.

Sorensen becomes the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history.

“I think for me, I’ve been a big believer in where my two feet are is where I’m going to work and try to get better and we’ll see what happens,” Sorensen said. “Obviously, like you said, you want to strive to improve and get up to higher levels. It’s surreal right now, trying to digest.”

Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs

When asked what he needs to do to secure the job long-term, Sorensen laughed and responded, “Win games.”

“We want to see progress with a lot of our younger players,” he continued. “We want to make sure we’re kind of building off this and progressing and that’s the biggest thing.”

Connor Bedard’s development has been the key focus for Chicago this season, and it seemed like his progress had slowed a bit with Richardson as coach, especially offensively. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has five goals and 14 assists in 26 games, compared to 11 goals and 10 assists at this point last season.

Although he has improved defensively, Bedard and the Blackhawks were hoping for more offensive output from him in his second season.

“He’s one of those guys we have to get him up the ice and get skating,” Sorensen said. “That’s when he’s at his best. We all see what he can do when the puck’s on his stick. We have to get a way for him to get the puck in motion. That’s the biggest thing right now.”

Bedard called Richardson “a really good guy” and said he was sad to see him go, but he’s also looking forward to working with Sorensen.

Anders Sorensen talks to Jason Dickinson in the practice

“It’s good to have the first skate and get comfortable and talk to him,” Bedard said. “It’s good we all know him a little bit from being at training camps and stuff like that, so it was a good first day.”

While Bedard is the main focus, Chicago’s offensive struggles go deeper than just their young center. The Blackhawks signed Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen in free agency, but the two forwards have combined for just 11 goals and 11 assists.

Chicago is averaging 2.42 goals per game, ranking No. 31 in the NHL, ahead of only Nashville, heading into Friday’s games. The Blackhawks finished last season with a league-low 178 goals.

“Everyone needs to take ownership of this,” captain Nick Foligno said. “The sad part is one person maybe takes the fall, but it’s all of us that need to be better in here. We’re excited to get to work with Anders, and I think Luke would want us to forge ahead, too. He cares a lot about this group and this organization, so the best we can do is get moving ahead here and show we can be that team.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Jacob Trouba is unhappy with the way the Rangers managed his departure in the trade to Anaheim

Josh Trouba and Connor McDavid in the 2nd period

Jacob Trouba is finally leaving New York after months of public trade rumors and private pressure from the Rangers, who were determined to move on from their captain and his large contract.

Trouba wasn’t happy with how he was pushed out, but he is glad to join the Anaheim Ducks.

“It’s a rite of passage to get fired from MSG,” Trouba said Friday after the Ducks traded defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025 for the veteran defenseman.

The trade ends Trouba’s five-year run with the Rangers. He had been involved in trade rumors for months, and he admitted that the uncertainty affected his play this fall.

“Don’t like that it was made public necessarily, but I guess that’s New York and how it happens,” Trouba said. “Made it kind of hard to play, but I’m excited to move forward. In my opinion, things could have been handled better. Not blaming anybody or anything, but it was just kind of an unfortunate end to my time in New York.”

Josh Anderson and Josh Trouba in the 1st period

Rangers general manager Chris Drury has made no secret of his desire to revamp the roster since the summer, and Trouba is in the sixth year of a seven-year, $56 million contract. His expensive deal was a barrier to the changes New York wanted to make, and Trouba also had a strong no-trade clause.

In a conference call set up by the Ducks to introduce their new defenseman, Trouba confirmed the long-rumored details of his time in New York, including his decision to block a trade — reportedly to Detroit — last summer. He did this to stay with his wife, Kelly, who is completing her three-year medical residency at a hospital in New York.

“I’ll be honest, I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family, and I chose my family,” Trouba said. “I would choose my family 100 times over again.”

Trouba also confirmed that the Rangers told him this week to accept a trade or risk being scratched. He also mentioned that he was informed he would eventually be placed on waivers, which would have taken away his ability to choose where he went.

“Yesterday morning was, ‘Accept this trade or we’re scratching you,’” Trouba said. “Got to the place where I felt comfortable with Anaheim, and that was the place I wanted to go.”

Trouba said his wife is also excited about moving to Southern California, calling it “a great opportunity for her long-term as well.” Trouba will join the last-place Ducks in Montreal on Monday for the start of a four-game trip.

“It’s a team that’s kind of right on the cusp of taking the next step and being really great, I think,” he added. “I can come in there and make an impact in a positive way. It’s just a city I was very excited about coming into.”

New York Rangers (NHL)

Trouba joined the Rangers in a trade with Winnipeg in 2019 and became New York’s captain before the 2022-23 season.

Trouba has been considered one of the NHL’s best checking defensemen when at his best. He has six assists in 23 games this season but has struggled to produce offensively like he did in his best years, including a career-high 50 points with the Jets in 2018-19.

“I can tell you — and I said this to him — I thought while he was here and during our time here he was a really good player and a really good teammate. A good person,” said New York coach Peter Laviolette after Friday night’s 4-2 win over Pittsburgh. “I thought he worked hard and tried to set a good example for the New York Rangers.”

The Ducks can handle the remaining 1 1/2 years of Trouba’s contract because they have one of the NHL’s lowest payrolls and plenty of salary cap space after general manager Pat Verbeek couldn’t sign any top free agents last summer.

Trouba will immediately become an important player on the Ducks’ defense, who are currently in last place in the Pacific Division. He will also play alongside Anaheim forwards Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano, who were his teammates with the Rangers during their 2022 Eastern Conference finals run.

“I think he’s got some underrated offensive skills that probably hasn’t shown in the last year or so,” Verbeek said. “It gives our team a lot more rigid, physical play to the rest of our group, and for me, I’m trying to make this team better.

Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken

That is part of how I want us to play. I want us to be really tough to play against, and he certainly adds that element to our group.”

The Ducks’ defense includes captain Radko Gudas, veteran Cam Fowler, free agent signing Brian Dumoulin, and promising young players Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov, and Jackson LaCombe.

The rebuilding Ducks are still not a strong team on offense or defense after six seasons without making the playoffs, but they have shown improvement defensively this year, allowing 2.96 goals per game after giving up 3.57 last season.

Vaakanainen, who hasn’t played since November 13 due to an upper-body injury, was included in the trade. He played 68 games and scored one goal for the Ducks last season but has struggled with injuries throughout his career with Boston and Anaheim.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Reports indicate that the Rangers have agreed to a contract with Igor Shesterkin, making him the highest-paid goalie in the NHL

Igor Shesterkin watches Sidney Crosby as he protects the net in the 1st period

The New York Rangers made a deal with Igor Shesterkin on Friday that will make him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, according to multiple reports.

Shesterkin, who will turn 29 on December 30, agreed to an eight-year contract worth a reported $92 million, which averages $11.5 million per year. This surpasses Carey Price’s eight-year, $84 million deal signed with Montreal in 2017, making it the most expensive contract for a goalie.

The Rangers did not announce the contract, and Shesterkin refused to comment on it after the Rangers won 4-2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

“I cannot say anything else,” Shesterkin said. “Maybe we can talk about it tomorrow.”

Shesterkin, who succeeded Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist as the Rangers’ goalie, has been one of the best in the league since his debut in 2020. He has a record of 144-68-18, with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

Igor Shesterkin passes to Cody Glass in the 1st period

This season, the Moscow native has a record of 9-9-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .908 save percentage.

Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie in 2021-22 and has helped the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference final twice.

Signing Shesterkin to a long-term deal was the most important task left for general manager Chris Drury after trading defenseman Jacob Trouba to Anaheim earlier on Thursday. Drury also signed rising star forward Alexis Lafrenière to a seven-year contract earlier this season, and a new contract for key defenseman Ryan Lindgren could be next.

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NBA (Basketball)

Bucks’ Khris Middleton plays in his first game of the season against the defending champion Celtics

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton, center, sits next to guard Damian Lillard, left, during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton didn’t have to wait long to test his body in his first game of the season against the Boston Celtics.

Within two minutes of entering his first game since having surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, Middleton was knocked to the floor by a foul from Boston’s Sam Hauser.

“I love it. Get it out of the way,” said Middleton, who scored 11 points, five assists, and three rebounds in 23 minutes during the Bucks’ 111-105 loss on Friday night. “That’s something that’s been happening to me in play groups, 1-on-1 sessions, workouts.

Just feeling that contact. Of course, the contact was a little bit more during the game, but I needed to feel that and feel what it is to be hit, fall down on the floor and not really worry about anything.”

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Middleton would be limited to a certain number of minutes, but Middleton played the whole game after Taurean Prince was sidelined with an illness in the second half.

Khris Middleton (NBA)

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with right knee pain, also played on his 30th birthday.

Though he mentioned feeling winded at times, Middleton said his body handled it well physically.

“Everybody wants to start and everybody wants to finish games,” Middleton said. “I didn’t get to start tonight, but I definitely was happy I got to finish the game. Just wish I could have executed a little better. I thought I missed one shot that I normally hit. … It was a ball game the whole time up until maybe the last two or three possessions.”

Middleton had missed the first 21 games of the season. The 33-year-old played 55 games last season and just 33 in 2022-23 due to injuries. A knee injury also caused him to miss the Bucks’ last 10 playoff games in 2022.

It was only the ninth time that Rivers, who became the Bucks’ coach for the final 36 games last season, had the All-Star trio of Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Damian Lillard on the floor together. The trio had shared the court 43 times in total.

“Every coach, you want your key guys, and the more games you have them the better,” Rivers said. “Every time we can get them on the floor in a practice.

Every time we can get them on the floor in a game and it’s him, Giannis and Dame — it’s going to help our team grow. That’s where we’re behind with other teams who have had their key guys play together. It will come. It’s just going to take a minute.”

Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers

Rivers acknowledged it would be hard to integrate Middleton back into the rotation. The Bucks had a rough start to the season with a 2-8 record, but had won nine out of their last 11 games before Friday’s loss to Boston.

“It’s not easy, obviously,” Rivers said. “It’s whatever amount of games into the season, but I still want him back. Whatever the minutes are, we’re going to use them all up.”

Despite the loss, Middleton said the game was something they could build on.

“They’re a great team. We want to get back to where they were last year,” Middleton said. “It’s just about putting our best foot forward and trying to be the best team. We’re not worried about anything else really.”

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NBA (Basketball)

The Atlanta Hawks are on a hot streak with 6 consecutive wins, but will they be able to maintain their momentum?

De'Andre Hunter reacts after scoring in the 2nd half

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks seemed to be improving when they unexpectedly made it to the Eastern Conference final in 2021.

However, this turned out to be short-lived.

What followed were three seasons of frustrating mediocrity, bringing the Hawks back to their usual spot in the middle of the pack.

Now, with a focus on defense and a deeper roster, Atlanta is showing signs of promise again.

The Hawks beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 134-132 in overtime on Friday for their sixth consecutive win, marking their longest winning streak in almost three years.

“The challenge of this is don’t get comfortable,” said Young, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left. “It’s easy to get comfortable after you win a few games and feel good about yourself.”

Trae Young celebrates after scoring

Young had an impressive performance with 31 points and 20 assists, helping balance out LeBron James’ 39 points and Anthony Davis’ 38 points.

But the key to the Hawks’ recent success—also earning a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals—has been the contributions from other players around Young.

Seven Hawks scored in double figures against the Lakers, including three players off the bench. Former starter De’Andre Hunter has thrived in a sixth-man role since recovering from a knee injury, scoring 26 points and drawing a double team that freed up Young for the game-winning 3-pointer.

“This wasn’t the first night that it’s been like this,” Young said. “Even in some of our losses, we had a lot of guys scoring, so we’ve just gotta keep it going. Now that we’ve got guys healthy, we’ve found a little rhythm.”

After Hunter was injured in the first week of the season, the Hawks moved No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher into the starting lineup.

Although the 19-year-old Frenchman is still developing, bringing Hunter off the bench has worked well. He is averaging more than 19 points per game and remains one of the team’s top defenders.

Then there’s Dyson Daniels, acquired in a trade that sent Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, which looked like the start of a rebuilding phase for the Hawks.

Though Daniels didn’t stand out much in New Orleans, the 6-foot-8 guard with long arms has added another defensive player to the Hawks’ lineup. He made two key plays in the final moments of overtime, starting with a steal on a careless pass from Davis to James.

The steal didn’t lead to points, as James quickly made a block on Daniels’ drive to the hoop, returning the ball to the Lakers.

Bogdan Bogdanovic celebrates after scoring

But Daniels didn’t give up. He helped tie up the taller Davis for a jump ball, and the Hawks got one last shot when James tipped the ball out of bounds while fighting with Hunter for possession.

Young made the Lakers pay.

“It’s just effort,” Hunter said. “That’s what Dyson does. That’s how he plays. I feel like I play the same way. At the end of the game, we need some plays, defensive plays, and me and Dyson being the premier defensive guys on the team, we have to make those plays.”

The Hawks still have to prove that this recent success isn’t just a temporary stretch.

“The challenge for us going forward,” Young said, “is how do we continue to do what we’ve been doing and getting stops and letting the offensive side take care of itself and play through each other?”

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MLB (Baseball)

Former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is rejoining the Cleveland Guardians on a one-year contract

Shane Bieber (MLB)

Shane Bieber’s first experience in free agency turned into a return to his old team.

The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner agreed on Friday to come back to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts last season before needing Tommy John surgery, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke to The Associated Press.

Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but he is returning after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke anonymously because the deal had not been officially announced yet.

Bieber’s contract will pay him a salary of $10 million and includes a $4 million buyout option.

The 29-year-old pitcher only made two starts in 2024 before deciding to have surgery on his elbow, which had caused him pain during the previous season. Bieber felt discomfort during his first start on opening day against the Oakland Athletics and again in his second start against the Seattle Mariners.

Despite not allowing a run in either game, the Guardians were encouraged by his velocity and performance (he had 20 strikeouts). However, the pain in his elbow became too much, and Bieber chose to have the ligament-replacement surgery.

Shane Bieber (MLB)

If his recovery goes as expected, Bieber should be back in Cleveland’s rotation within the first three months of the upcoming season.

The Guardians feared his loss would affect them last season, but the team started strong under new manager Stephen Vogt and went on to win the division title. Cleveland eliminated Detroit in the AL Division Series but lost to the New York Yankees in five games in the AL Championship Series.

Bieber spent parts of last season with the team and received a warm welcome at Progressive Field before the postseason series.

The two-time All-Star has spent all seven of his major league seasons with Cleveland, which had considered trading him before his elbow problems in 2023 limited him to just 21 starts.

In the shortened 2020 COVID-19 season, Bieber went 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA over 12 starts, pitching 77 1/3 innings and striking out 122 batters. He led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, finishing fourth in AL MVP voting.

Bieber was selected by Cleveland in the fourth round of the 2016 amateur draft from UC Santa Barbara and made his MLB debut two years later on his 23rd birthday.

Bieber has a career record of 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA in 136 appearances, including 134 starts, and 843 innings pitched. He has thrown over 200 innings twice, including a career-high 214 1/3 innings in 2019.