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After an eight-day wait, the Laval Rocket began its North Division finals series on Wednesday. Laval visited the Americans in Rochester for the first game of this three-of-five series.
Cayden Primeau needed to prove himself, as he was chosen to start ahead of Jacob Fowler.
It was a former Canadiens who opened the scoring. Primeau’s vision was obscured by Kale Clague’s precise shot.
Kale Clague takes advantage of the Rocket’s indiscipline and it’s 1-0 for the Americans early in the game.#GoRocket on RDS
pic.twitter.com/HPHFZCIYoU
– RDS (@RDSca) May 14, 2025
Despite a small bump early in the game, the Rocket bounced back fairly quickly thanks to help from the Canadiens’ two top defensive prospects.
Logan Mailloux tied the game with a nasty lead that probably could have pierced Devon Levi’s net. Then, just before the break, David Reinbacher put the Rocket ahead.
A BOMB from Logan Mailloux brought everyone back to square one!
#GoRocket on RDS
– RDS (@RDSca) May 14, 2025
REINBACHER
The defenseman goes for a precise shot and the Rocket has the lead!
#GoRocket on RDS
– RDS (@RDSca) May 14, 2025
It was a first playoff goal with the Rocket for Reinbacher.
There were even more goals in the second period, but once again, the Rocket slacked off early in the frame. Konsta Helenius and Josh Dunne scored back-to-back goals to put the Americans back in front in the middle period.
Konsta Helenius brings everyone back to square one in Rochester
#GoRocket on RDS
– RDS (@RDSca) May 15, 2025
Cayden Primeau is hampered in his work and Josh Dunne takes advantage to give the lead back to the Americans
– RDS (@RDSca) May 15, 2025
I told you earlier in this piece that there were more goals in the second period than in the first. There were four in total, and the last two belonged to the Rocket!
The two teams tied again when Brandon Gignac scored on the powerplay, which was his first-ever goal in 2025!
A first goal in a long, long time for the Québécois#GoRocket on RDS
– RDS (@RDSca) May 15, 2025
Canadiens fans will be happy to know that Oliver Kapanen picked up his first point of the playoffs with an assist on this goal.
Laval returned to the dressing room on a high thanks to Alex Barré-Boulet’s goal. The Québécois foiled Devon Levi with just 42 seconds left in the second period, giving the Rocket a 4-3 lead.
Alex Barré-Boulet joins the party and it’s 4-3! What a game between the Rocket and the Americans
#GoRocket on RDS
– RDS (@RDSca) May 15, 2025
Laval tried to hold on to that lead for long minutes, but the Americans’ pressure finally paid off. Isak Rosen foiled Cayden Primeau between the pads. Primeau allowed four goals in a game for the first time since February 26.
A crisp shot from Isak Rosén foils Primeau between the pads and it’s tied again in Rochester!
– RDS (@RDSca) May 15, 2025
This game could have gone either way. So it was the perfect time for Oliver Kapanen to score his first-ever North American goal.
The Finn scores his first goal with the Rocket!
#GoRocket on RDS
– RDS (@RDSca) May 15, 2025
Cayden Primeau may have allowed four goals in this game, but he still helped his teammates, especially late in the game. The Rocket goaltender prevented the Americans from scoring in the final minutes, confirming the Rocket’s victory.
Laval thus escaped with victory in the first game of this series. The next match between these two teams will take place on Friday, again in Rochester.
In Overtime
– David Savard visited La Poche Bleue.
– Leafs fans are angry.
An Auston Matthews jersey was just thrown on the ice at Scotiabank Arena. pic.twitter.com/lLP1pfpRFl
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 15, 2025
– A very interesting read.
Six players out of contract with the Habs for 2025-2026.
Tax experts predict their next deal @AFPAnalytics https://t.co/a2mcoTWRZi
– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) May 14, 2025
– Lots of money for Tocchet.
Tocchet’s five-year deal pays him $5.25M a year.
He had multiple teams chasing him. Strong market ends up in a very good contract. https://t.co/7C36ZZDRlz– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 15, 2025
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- Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo still mulling exit from Bucks
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TODAY'S BEST
Leafs’ Nick Robertson Linked to 2 Teams In New Trade Talks
Despite signing a new deal and avoiding an arbitration hearing, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson continues to be the subject of trade speculation. The latest comes from Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, where he’s got Robertson linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets. According to Friedman, Robertson’s situation “probably doesn’t go away for a while.” Could Robertson Go to the Penguins? Friedman first discussed the Robertson to Pittsburgh connection, pointing to the obvious link with Penguins President Kyle Dubas. It would make sense that Dubas might be keeping an eye on what happens with Robertson in Toronto. While he avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1.825 million deal, he’s not out of the woods yet when it comes to a trade. Friedman reports that the Leafs need to move someone as they have a surplus of forwards and are still dealing with a tight salary cap situation. “He’s a guy people are watching closely,” Friedman said. “There’s interest. It just depends on fit and what Toronto is looking for in return.” What About Robertson to the Blue Jackets? Meanwhile, Columbus fans are wondering whether a one-for-one deal involving Yegor Chinakhov and Robertson could make sense. Friedman says he’s heard and understands the connection, but suggested the Maple Leafs may need to offer more. He doesn’t believe a one-for-one moves the needle for Columbus. Chinakhov has requested a trade, but the Blue Jackets know what he is: a skilled 23-year-old winger who can score. He posted seven goals in 30 games last season and has shown flashes of top-six upside. While nothing is imminent, Toronto GM Brad Treliving is believed to be exploring more trade options and Friedman said his sources think there is at least one more move coming before the puck drops to open the 2025-26 season. Interestingly, the Leafs have still been linked to unsigned free agent Jack Roslovic—another player Friedman noted as being on multiple teams’ radar. At least five or six teams remain in conversation with the forward and his agent. Ultimately, whether it’s Pittsburgh, Columbus, the trade chatter surrounding Nick Robertson is unlikely to simmer down anytime soon. The Leafs are still tweaking their roster, and a now-signed Robertson could be a key piece in whatever move they have coming.
Brewers issue update on Jackson Chourio rehab timeline
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio was tearing it up in July before he strained his hamstring legging out a triple. He was placed on the injured list, and it only got worse from there. Less than 24 hours later, manager Pat Murphy said Chourio would be out beyond the 10-day minimum and possibly at least a month. On Saturday, beat reporter Curt Hogg shed another tidbit of light on the slugger’s timetable. It’s not necessarily worse news, but Hogg’s update probably does not illuminate much. Fans already knew Chourio was going to be out a while after Friday’s report, so this latest info isn’t surprising. It isn’t all that encouraging, either. It certainly suggests no expedited return schedule. Not to make assumptions, but the emphasis on the location of the damage versus evaluating its severity seems to indicate the Brewers are just hoping Chourio avoided a worse-case scenario. In that case, caution would indeed be first in the order of operations. Only after ascertaining clarity would it make sense to seriously estimate a recovery timetable. That he won’t be ready to immediately resume baseball workouts further points to a slow, methodical recovery process. For however long he remains out, the lineup will miss him badly. Chourio’s 17 home runs rank second on the team behind Christian Yelich, as do his 67 RBI. His .786 OPS leads the offense among qualified hitters. In 90 at-bats in July, he hit .367/.408/.600. The Brewers are resilient everywhere, but without one of their few genuine power threats and hottest bats, plus an everyday outfielder, they are courting a potential offensive slump. The most fans can hope for from Chourio is that he returns fully healthy by the first week of September. Until then, Blake Perkins and trade pickup Brandon Lockridge should see plenty of playing time while Yelich takes more reps in the outfield after getting most of his at-bats this season as the designated hitter.
Justin Fields Called 'Biggest Loser' In Jets Training Camp
The New York Jets opted to cut Aaron Rodgers and sign Justin Fields to replace him during the offseason. This kind of commitment to Fields should bolster his confidence, but it could also place a lot of pressure on his shoulders. To this point, Fields has looked solid in training camp, aside from a scary toe injury that was quickly resolved in July. Justin Fried of the Jet Press recently reported that Fields' training camp may have reached a new low over the weekend as the young signal caller struggled. "Justin Fields put together his best practice of the summer to this point on Friday, completing his first 12 passes en route to an excellent all-around performance. The same can't be said about his showing on Saturday, however," Fried wrote. "Fields finished the day an abysmal 2-of-10 in the air, including a drop from rookie tight end Mason Taylor. "Some of his incompletions were catchable balls, but the Jets' passing game struggles on Saturday can largely be blamed on No. 7. Fields did flash his running ability with a 25-yard rushing score on the first play of red-zone drills, but the Jets would like to see more consistency in the air from the starting quarterback. Saturday's scrimmage was far from his best showing of the summer." Fields is a runner first at the NFL level, but his arm is nothing to scoff at. For most of training camp, his arm talent has been better than advertised, but during Saturday's scrimmage, it just wasn't there. A 2 for 10 performance is unacceptable for a $40 million quarterback who was signed to take over the team. The running game should open up the passing game for the Jets, which is going to need to be the case if Fields is going to struggle like this. However, it's just one day of camp. It's nothing to be too concerned about. Just because Fields lost this specific practice doesn't mean he's heading in the wrong direction as a whole.
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
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