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Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi has an enlarged spleen and will be out indefinitely, head coach Rick Bowness shared after the team’s Friday practice. Vilardi has missed the team’s last seven games and will now miss at least five more, as the Jets take off on an extended road trip that Vilardi won’t join. Bowness added that this issue was recently discovered and that Vilardi is receiving treatment.
Vilardi has been limited to just 38 games this season, missing six weeks of play earlier in the season after suffering a sprained MCL and suffering scattered day-to-day injuries throughout the year. It’s been far from an ideal start to Vilardi’s time in Winnipeg, after joining the team alongside Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and a 2024 second-round pick in the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings. It’s unfortunate to see injuries marring Vilardi’s season, which has been incredibly productive when he is healthy. The 24-year-old centerman has 16 goals and 30 points on the year, scoring at an 82-game pace of 35 goals and 65 points. It’s the highest scoring pace of Vilardi’s career, continuing the strong pace he set last season when he totaled 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games.
Missing Vilardi has left a notable hole in the Jets’ top six. And while extra ice time to Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton helped supplement that absence, the Jets were still in need of an extra spark – leading them to acquire the New Jersey Devils’ leading goal-scorer Tyler Toffoli. Winnipeg sent a second and third-round pick to New Jersey for Toffoli and, while he hasn’t scored a point in two games with the Jets, the 31-year-old veteran is clearly feeling comfortable, maintaining his high-volume shooting with nine shot attempts in his pair of games. The Jets will hope that comfortability turns into goals very quickly, as they’re now down Vilardi for the short term, at least.
More must-reads:
- Jets’ Inability to Beat Playoff Teams Is Becoming a Concern
- Jets look to derail Ducks, ascend in Central
- The 'NHL goals leaders' quiz
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Juraj Slafkovský: JiC wants him out of the first line
Last year, at the end of the season, the Canadiens’ first line really took a big step forward. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský took their game up a notch in the final weeks of the campaign, helping the club qualify for the playoffs.The three guys complement each other well on the ice, and they’ve figured out how to translate that into results.In the eyes of many, then, we should expect to see the three guys back together again at the start of the season. But there are those who see things differently. Jean-Charles Lajoie, who talked about it on his JiC show tonight, is one of them: in his eyes, the Habs need to get Slaf out of the first line.And the reason is simple: it would allow the Habs to have a much more balanced line-up. That way, for example, the club wouldn’t have to put Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov on the same line and could avoid problems on the defensive end. Martin St-Louis could put one of these two guys on the first line and send Slaf to complete a second unit. And in essence, this point is defensible… except that the club would be taking a big risk. Right now, they only have one line that’s a real sure thing, and removing Slaf from that line (which was one of the best in the NHL last year) would mean the club would lose that advantage.If the club needs a jolt, splitting up the first line could be an option. But at the start of the season, I find it hard to imagine the Habs going ahead with such an idea… especially as we don’t even know if the second line will really be a problem defensively.As things stand, it would be a bit like robbing Peter to pay Paul, in my eyes. But if Paul ever starts to get really cold (read here “the Laine-Demidov duo isn’t working”), maybe it’ll become an idea to consider.And when you see the three guys from the first line together in the same group at camp, it doesn’t look like this wardrobe makeover will happen tomorrow morning. ’Overtime’ – Big Patrik, that. – Indeed. – Great opportunity for
Cowboys' Jerry Jones provides ominous injury update on CeeDee Lamb
As the Dallas Cowboys look to find their footing after a 1-2 start, their top offensive playmaker doesn't look like he'll be around to help. On Monday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones provided an update on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle), telling reporters that the All-Pro could be moved to injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. Lamb suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first quarter of the Cowboys' Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, 31-14, but Jones attempted to remain optimistic afterward, saying, "Let's just keep our fingers crossed" when asked about his star receiver's health. CeeDee Lamb's absence would be near impossible to replace Lamb only played seven offensive snaps against the Bears and didn't record a catch. In the season's first two games, the four-time Pro Bowler had 16 receptions for 222 yards. His 13.9 yards per reception are tied for his career high, set in 2021. Lamb is by far Dallas' most dynamic and reliable playmaker, and his absence will certainly be felt. The Cowboys are heavily dependent on their passing attack, ranking first in the league in pass attempts, averaging 43.7 per game. Running back Javonte Williams, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, has been a pleasant surprise, but defenses will be able to put an added emphasis on stopping the run when game planning for Dallas without Lamb. Wide receiver George Pickens, added in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't dependable enough to shoulder the load of the passing offense at wide receiver. On Sunday, he dropped a perfectly placed pass from Dak Prescott, with the ball bouncing off his hands and to Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds for an interception. Afterward, Pickens had an outburst on the sideline, slamming his helmet on the turf as Lamb and others watched. The Cowboys don't have a defense capable of stopping opponents either. Through three games, they've allowed 30.7 points and 397.7 yards per game while also ranking last in third-down defense, with opponents converting at a 53.7 percent clip. Lamb is one of the two players, along with Prescott, that Dallas can't afford to lose. He's indispensable to the Cowboys offense, which will likely have a hard time moving the football in Week 4 against the top-ranked Green Bay Packers defense. Games at the New York Jets (0-3) and Carolina Panthers (1-2) are more manageable, but the stretch ends with an NFC East showdown against the Washington Commanders (2-1). Regardless of the opponent, the next four weeks — if that is how long Lamb misses — will be a real test for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. And based on the Cowboys roster, he might be set up to fail.
Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
Ahead of the final six games of the season (all against American League East foes), the Baltimore Orioles have activated catcher Adley Rutschman. The move may have little to do with this season and everything about what the Orioles may do with Rutschman in the offseason. Sidelined with a right oblique strain since Aug. 21 (retroactive to Aug. 18), Rutschman has struggled this season, slashing just .227/.310/.373 with nine homers and 29 RBI. His OPS+ of 92 is the lowest in the four years he has been behind the plate in Baltimore. While the Orioles certainly would like to get the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft back behind the plate to finish out the season, this short six-game stint against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees may also serve as an audition for Rutschman should the Orioles decide to move him in the offseason. Why would the Orioles move on from Rutschman? After playing in just four games, Baltimore signed 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year extension worth $67M and could jump up to $88.5M with incentives. The deal means Basallo will be with Baltimore through the 2033 season and has an option to extend that to 2034 as well. With the Orioles investing so much in Basallo, could the 27-year-old Rutschman be on his way out of Charm City? Baltimore could well keep the younger and cost-controlled Basallo behind the plate and use Rutschman as a trade piece this offseason, helping the Orioles rebuild quickly from a season where they will likely finish in the division cellar. With Rutschman coming back, he has the chance to put a positive spin on what has been a disappointing season. If he can show well in the final six games, it could be a great selling point for the Orioles this offseason in any kind of trade talks surrounding him. Orioles are faced with one of two options with Basallo and Rutschman Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino has already hinted that Basallo and Rutschman could be in the same lineup together in 2026, emphasizing that Basallo could play first base (a position that could likely be his in 2026 if the Orioles decide to not push Coby Mayo there). Mansolino also added that between first base, catcher and designated hitter, there may be enough at-bats for both Basallo and Rutschman. If that's the case, Baltimore is believing that not only can Basallo play first base at an MLB-level (he has played there in one game so far this season) and Rutschman can bounce back from a down 2025. Baltimore could likely land a nice return package (perhaps centered around pitching) if it decides to trade Rutschman in the offseason, something that MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes will happen, writing, "There will be no bigger position player on the trade block this winter than Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman." These next six games may not determine much in the standings for the Orioles, but could give a hint about Rutschman's future and what is to come at catcher in 2026.
Travis Kelce Slapped with $14k Fine for 'Obscene Gesture' in Eagles Defeat
Travis Kelce received shocking news ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ trip to the Big Apple to face the New York Giants. The NFL has instructed Kelce to pay a fine of $14,491 for making an obscene gesture in the Chiefs’ week two fixture against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles led 13-10 through a Jake Elliott field goal early in the third quarter. Around the four-minute mark, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes snapped the ball on second and seven before setting Kelce for a 23-yard gain that ended inside the Eagles’ 45-yard mark. After Eagles DB Cooper DeJean pushed Kelce out of bounds, the veteran tight end made a gesture that can only be quantified as flashing one’s own man parts. Five days later, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that the league deemed Kelce’s gesture obscene and fined him $14k for unsportsmanlike conduct. A decisive tush push touchdown five minutes into the fourth quarter pushed the Eagles’ lead to ten points. Mahomes connected with wide receiver Tyquan Thornton for a powerful 49-yard touchdown. However, this score did not alter the outcome, as the Eagles confidently secured a 20-17 victory, raising their record to a strong 2-0 for the season. Travis Kelce addressed his mistake in the Eagles’ defeat Kelce squandered a big opportunity in the fourth quarter. Around the thirteenth-minute mark, Mahomes hit the 35-year-old with a sharp pass near the Eagles’ end zone. Chiefs fans were ready to celebrate, only to realize that the ball rebounded off Kelce’s hands and into Eagles DB Andrew Mukuba’s possession. Instead of scoring a TD, Mahomes’ pass was counted as an interception. Kelce addressed his fumble on Wednesday’s episode of the New Heights podcast. The ball was where it needed to be when it needed to be there. I just gotta get my head around the break. And I shot you that text telling you that; it’s one of those plays where it happens, bang, bang, and I know that’s the window that it needs to be in, I know it’s coming outta armpits [and ear holes] of the offense and defensive line getting their arms up, and I just gotta be able to get my head around right now, so I don’t put myself in a position to let the ball surprise me like that. Travis Kelce said Kelce finished the Eagles game with 4 catches for 61 yards and zero touchdowns. After two games, he has amassed 6 catches for 108 yards and one touchdown (scored against the Chargers in Brazil). An important game for both Chiefs and Giants The Chiefs aimed to start the season on the right note after blowing the chance to three-peat. However, 0-2 after the first two weeks has created a sense of concern in KC about how the season might pan out going forward. In week three, the Chiefs play the 0-2 Giants, who lost to the Commanders and the Cowboys. The Chiefs and the Giants have met on 15 previous occasions, and the G-Men boast an 11-4 record. In fact, they are undefeated against their AFC counterpart at MetLife Stadium. On the flip side, Mahomes is 1-0 in this fixture. He recorded a 20-17 win in Week 8 of the 2021 season. Mahomes threw for 275 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, while Kelce had 4 receptions for 27 yards. The Chiefs have a 76% chance of securing their first win of the year on Sunday.
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