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The holidays have arrived, and so has the injury bug for the LA Kings. The Kings, already without Vladislav Gavrikov, who is week-to-week, may have been dealt another injury on Friday afternoon.
Pheonix Copley left practice early today due to an injury.
He had to be helped off the ice by the training staff.
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) December 15, 2023
Goaltender Pheonix Copley left Friday’s practice early and didn’t return. With the Kings leaving for Seattle to take on the Kraken tomorrow night, they needed to make a move to have a backup netminder for tomorrow’s matchup. That move came from within shortly after.
Kings were scheduled to depart for Seattle shortly after practice today.
With Copley leaving practice early due to injury, expect David Rittich to be called up and serve as the LA backup.
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) December 15, 2023
David Rittich has been called up to the Kings, per the AHL transaction log. #GoKingsGo
— Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) December 15, 2023
That move ended up being David Rittich, who was called up and will most likely serve as the backup netminder for tomorrow. While Rittich hasn’t been lights out in the AHL, Erik Portillo isn’t ready to see NHL action yet and still needs to improve his positioning and rebound control, and it’s best he does that in the AHL.
While Rittich will be in the NHL for tomorrow night, it’s unclear how long Copley’s absence will be.
David Rittich will join the Kings on an emergency recall. Vladislav Gavrikov will be placed on IR.
Doesn’t change Gavy’s status, still week-to-week. IR is a minimum of 7 days, so no additional concern there. https://t.co/lRnDsofEjb
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) December 15, 2023
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Canadiens Can Weaponize Salary Cap to Become Cup Contender
The Montreal Canadiens entered the 2025-26 season with expectations to contend for the playoffs. After an 8-3-0 start, they sit at the top of the Atlantic Division. While that may not be sustainable, it does point to a team that should make the playoffs. The bottom line, are the Canadiens Stanley Cup contenders already? The easy answer, no. While they aren’t favourites for the silver chalice, they are close, so what is missing, and why is the salary cap management by general manager (GM) Kent Hughes the biggest reason why they will become contenders? Canadiens Seek Contender Status Outside of a handful of players, the Canadiens lack the playoff experience teams rely on. As a young team, they still have a lot to prove in the postseason. As the cliché goes, they may need to learn to lose in the playoffs before they can win. Next up is the pace they are winning. After 11 games, they have a .727 points percentage (P%), which is a massive leap from their .555 P% from the 2024-25 season, where they earned a playoff berth. The pace they are on now might be unsustainable, but banking points early in the season will help them when they do hit a slump later in the season. It should keep them in the playoff picture without needing the desperate push they needed last season to qualify. But the early-season excitement, including dramatic overtime victories, will help fuel the young roster over the longer term. There are also depth challenges. Injuries, like the ones to Kaiden Guhle and Patrik Laine, are already challenging the club and forcing head coach Martin St. Louis to make adjustments. Thankfully, Jayden Struble has been able to play the right side on a pairing with Lane Hutson, which has allowed the 2025 Calder Trophy winner to continue playing his offensive game. Forward Ivan Demidov has been finding his stride offensively with nine points, leading all NHL rookies in points and is still the Calder Trophy favourite. Yet, any more injuries, especially to key players, will stretch the team thin as the remaining American Hockey League (AHL) call-ups are still not fully NHL-ready. It’s not likely they can keep up the pace they’re currently on, which would see them finish the season with 119 points. It’s one thing to perform in October, yet once the early-season jitters and excitement wear off, that’s where experience can take over from raw skill or enthusiasm. With the injuries, but most of all, without a clear-cut second-line centre, Montreal will have trouble staying at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Montreal is the youngest team in the NHL, and because of that, and their early performances, they are considered a promising young team, but are not yet viewed as a top-tier Stanley Cup contender. That need for a second-line centre could be solved internally, as they have a possible solution with University of Michigan star Michael Hage, who is at an almost two points per game pace early in the season. However, he is going to take several seasons before reaching his potential and filling that role. Instead, the need for a centre will have to be addressed via trade. Their potential to become true contenders is not only based on the expectation for continued development of their young core players but also because of the depth of prospects, draft picks and most of all, salary cap flexibility. Canadiens’ Cap Situation The Canadiens have just over $4 million in cap space early in the 2025-26 season, which is going to grow to over $18 million at the trade deadline. But with the new rules that state NHL teams must dress lineups within the salary cap during the Stanley Cup Playoffs starting this season, they will, in reality, have just under $9 million available for use on their roster. But moving forward, the salary cap is expected to skyrocket. The NHL’s projections expect to see a rise from $95.5 million in 2025-26 to $104 million in 2026-27. That is just the beginning, as it is expected to make a significant leap again in 2027-29 to over $113.5 million, where the Canadiens project to have over $65 million in space to fill their roster. They have several young core players like Nick Suzuki, Hutson, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky locked up long-term and all for under market value. However, they do still have the space to address future contracts for players like Demidov. Weaponizing Cap Space This is why Hughes’ focus on cap management is going to be a major reason as to why Montreal is poised to be a contender. Sergey Pryakhin of RG.org analyzed the payroll structures of the last 12 Stanley Cup champions, identified key patterns behind their success, and spending against the cap was an obvious factor. Using 93.4% of total cap space spent as a benchmark, we can look at the Canadiens. The Canadiens are currently at 95.8%, but spending isn’t the only factor; roster construction is one as well. Where that money is spent matters. For Hughes, he will have more room to maneuver, as the cap is rising, but also as there are veteran contracts expiring. There are still some high cap hits for players in depth roles, particularly Brendan Gallagher ($6.5 million) and Josh Anderson ($5.5 million), who will come off the books following the 2026-27 season, freeing up $12 million, which is a substantial amount of cap space. With the salaries of players skyrocketing well past $10 million, that amount of cap space gained would be enough to afford a point-per-game player like Martin Necas, who signed with the Colorado Avalanche for $11.5 million. Why this matters for Montreal is that they have the space and the known need for a centre. More importantly, they are going to be dealing with far more sellers than were available last season, as teams that are on the playoff bubble by the American Thanksgiving weekend will be more willing to sell assets because of two words, Gavin McKenna. Because of this, the market for centres is starting to heat up with names like Nazem Kadri causing a stir, and Alexander Wennberg flying under the radar, but still being mentioned as potential trade bait. For Hughes, these players do have some appeal. But finding the right second-line centre, one with an affordable, yet shorter-term contract, will be pivotal for their immediate and mid-term success. Either way, it should be an exciting season for Montreal fans with lots of rumours and maybe even a deal or two.
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Packers’ Micah Parsons reveals why he’s not that interested in Aaron Rodgers’ offer
Green Bay Packers superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons has been among the players Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had offered to sell his house in Green Bay to. During last Sunday’s game between the Packers and the Steelers, Rodgers tried to pitch his property to Parsons, but the newly minted NFC Defensive Player of the Month doesn’t see the need for him to have such a big house yet, particularly since he’s just on his own (h/t Rob Demovsky of ESPN). On the season, Parsons has 6.5 sacks, including one against Rodgers in Green Bay’s 35-25 win in Week 8. Micah Parsons thinks another Packers player would be interested in Rodgers’ crib While Parsons is unlikely to acquire Rodgers’ place in Green Bay, he thinks that another player would be interested in it. “Tuck said he might try and look at it,” Parsons said, referring to Green Bay star tight end Tucker Kraft. ”...It’s a nice house, but it’s just me right now. That’s why I’m not in an urge to buy anything.” With the way Kraft is playing this season, he could be closing in on a massive extension, so buying Rodgers’ house could be within his budget as well. Kraft’s current contract will expire after the 2026 NFL season. But if Parsons changes his tune, he also should have the money to purchase the house. After getting traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the NFC North franchise, Parsons inked a four-year, $186M contract extension with Green Bay.
Cowboys WR George Pickens has telling response to question about contract
George Pickens is having an outstanding first season with the Dallas Cowboys, and the career-best pace has come at a time when he is preparing for potential free agency. Is it possible the star wide receiver could sign an extension before he gets to that point? Pickens says that is up to his boss. Pickens, who was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, is in the final season of his rookie contract. He was asked on Thursday if he would consider signing a new deal with the Cowboys before he becomes a free agent after the season. He had a noteworthy response. "That’s kinda up to what (Jerry Jones) wants to do. All I can do is perform at my best," Pickens said. George Pickens has earned No. 1 wideout money Pickens has 685 receiving yards through the first eight weeks of the season, which ranks third in the NFL. His six touchdown catches are already the most of his four-year career. CeeDee Lamb missed several games this season with an ankle injury, and Pickens showed during that time that he is more than capable of being the featured wideout in a quality offense. That should go a long way toward setting his market, whether he re-signs with the Cowboys or becomes a free agent. With Lamb making an average of $34M per year, the Cowboys probably cannot afford to keep Pickens. For now, the 24-year-old is at least giving off the impression that he is open to the possibility. He also suggested recently that money is not the most important thing to him with his next contract, which could keep Dallas in the running.
Myles Garrett Trade Rumors Swirling With the Eagles in the Crosshairs
With the NFL Trade Deadline rapidly approaching, the Philadelphia Eagles have been actively looking to upgrade their roster. One of the main positions of focus has been improving the pass rush. The Eagles look prepared to take a big swing to address this, in the form of a Myles Garrett trade. Myles Garrett Trade Rumors Swirling With the Eagles in the Crosshairs Eagle Eye Myles Garrett has started to come up in trade rumors over the last few weeks. The Cleveland Browns’ loss against the New England Patriots was a perfect example of why. Garrett had an unbelievable game, recording five sacks. The Browns ultimately lost the game by 19 points. This was the first time in NFL history a player recorded five sacks while losing by more than three points. Garrett has clearly become increasingly frustrated with his team’s struggles despite his own individual performance. Garrett also seems distanced from the team amid his frustration. Amid this uncertainty, rumors have circulated about the Eagles’ willingness to make a trade for the future Hall of Famer. Yahoo Sports reporter Charles Robinson added fuel to the fire with recent comments. Robinson said, “Howie Roseman and the Eagles are super hot after Myles Garrett and would give up like three first-round picks for him.” This would be an unprecedented move from Howie Roseman and the Eagles. On one hand, they would be adding one of the best defensive players in football. Pairing him with Jalen Carter on the defensive line would be a nightmare for opposing offenses. This would be an all-in move for a team recognizing they are in a championship window, trying to maximize it. The Eagles would almost assuredly become the favorites to win the NFC, at the very least. Adding one of, if not the best, pass rushers in the NFL would leave them with almost no weaknesses and a great chance to repeat as champions. Paying a Hefty Price This acquisition would not be cheap for the Eagles. Although Garrett is an all-time great player, giving up three first-round picks would leave the Eagles without a first-round draft pick all the way until 2029. Given all of the massive contracts the Eagles already have (including Garrett in this scenario), it would make it an almost impossible financial situation to navigate. Roseman has shown an ability to navigate tough financial situations, though. He has also shown an ability to maximize his later-round draft picks. In just the last three drafts, the Eagles have drafted all of these players outside of the first round: Cooper DeJean, Jalyx Hunt, Andrew Mukuba, Tyler Steen, Tanner McKee, and Moro Ojomo, among others. It is unlikely the Browns will end up trading Myles Garrett. If they do, though, it is a no-brainer move for the Eagles, regardless of the hefty price they would have to pay. Other Eagles Trade Speculation The Eagles already made a trade this week to reinforce their secondary. Trading with the New York Jets, they acquired cornerback Michael Carter in return for wide receiver John Metchie and a late-round pick swap. Carter has been a solid slot cornerback for the Jets across his five seasons in the NFL. This move gives the Eagles more versatility defensively, allowing them to move DeJean to the outside cornerback position if they choose to. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz also fueled speculation with his latest report on the Philadelphia Eagles. He reported they “are in on everything”. This certainly lines up with Roseman’s aggressive nature and suggests the Eagles could have an unexpected move up their sleeve. Regardless of what that looks like, the clock is ticking ahead of the NFL’s November 4th trade deadline.
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