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Most intriguing sellers as NHL trade deadline approaches
The closer the NHL trade deadline gets, the more hype there is surrounding the big-name players rumored to be on the move. These few players garner so much attention that it becomes easy to turn a blind eye to teams that could be set for major face-lifts.
There has been talk for a couple months now, for example, about the possibility that Max Pacioretty could be leaving Montreal but less talk that the Habs are expected to be sellersand could see a handful of players beyond their captain exit Montreal.
What other teams are in this same boat?
Ottawa Senators
Most eyes are focused on captain Erik Karlsson, obsessing over the possibility that he's leaving Ottawa in the not-too-distant future. However, as the Sporting News points out, there are many players the team needs to consider moving soon. Forwards Derick Brassard, Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zack Smith reportedly are garnering interest from other teams. More specifically, Calgary, who is expected to be a buyer, has reportedly expressed interest in Hoffman, Pageau and Smith, and the Flames are far from the only suitors for their services.
Ottawa's blue line could also get a makeover with or without Karlsson on his way out, with Johnny Oduya and Cody Ceci rumored to be on the move. With the second worst record in the Eastern Conference, expect the Sens to shed as many contracts as they can as they look toward a rebuild.
New York Rangers
The Rangers are another squad in this boat. News this past week has centered around veteran Rick Nash and his no-trade list, but New York has other players with the potential to garner even more attention than Nash from other teams. Michael Grabner, for one, has 21 goals in 52 games, making him appealing to teams looking to bulk up their depth scoring. Calgary, Colorado and Pittsburgh have all been tapped as potential landing spots for the 30-year-old winger.
It's being reported that the Tampa Bay Lightning are showing interest in defenseman Ryan McDonagh, yet another team captain who could be on the move. If the Rangers are in fact looking to get younger — and they are — the Bolts have a pool of players who could make for an interesting trade between the two clubs.
Edmonton Oilers
Not long into the incredibly underwhelming start to Edmonton's season, there was speculation that winger Patrick Maroon was on the trade block. However, as GM Peter Chiarelli revealed in a phone call with the press, "Everyone is under evaluation, including himself."
The only thing that's clear is Chiarelli doesn't have plans to fire bench boss Todd McLellan and his staff, and it's impossible to envision any scenario in which Connor McDavid is made available. Other than that, though, Maroon is just one player people should keep an eye on as the NHL trade deadline finally rolls around with the Oilers taking more than a few steps back from last season's impressive playoff run.
More must-reads:
- Asking price high for Rangers' Rick Nash
- Report: Kings showing 'mild' interest in Ottawa defensemen
- The 'Captains of every NHL team' quiz
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Toronto Maple Leafs Milestones: Player records to watch this season
For a team with such a storied history, the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t actually have very good player records. They’ve never had that game-breaking superstar that puts the team’s scoring record out of reach. So, when Auston Matthews became a superstar, it was clear he would be setting all kinds of records in the blue and white. But it’s not just him; plenty of other players on the Leafs could set team records or hit individual milestones this year. Let’s take a look at some of them: Auston Matthews: Maple Leafs goal record With 20 more goals, Matthews will become the Leafs all-time goal-scoring leader. It’s actually absurd how fast it’s happened, as he’ll do it in over 300 games fewer than Mats Sundin. Matthews is obviously one of the best goal scorers of all time, and the best in the league right now, but it’s still a wild achievement this early in his career. If Matthews stays in the blue and white until he’s 40, he will set one of those can’t-be-reached records the Leafs lack. He could easily hit 750-800 goals and even flirt with the all-time NHL record. It is kinda sad there are only two Leafs ever with over 400 goals with the franchise, but watching Matthews establish himself as maybe the best Maple Leaf ever has been incredible. Even without the postseason success, we all know Matthews should retire the best skater in Leafs history. William Nylander: 300 goals, 400 assists, 700 points If William Nylander has an unreal season, specifically 38 goals and 50 assists, he’ll reach 300 career goals and 400 career assists. This would move him into eighth all-time in Leafs scoring and establish him as one of the best players to don the blue and white. Nylander’s career has taken off over the past three seasons, seeing him score 40 goals in each and be over a point-per-game player on the second line. With Marner gone, Nylander should get more time with the puck on the powerplay and could even move up to play beside Matthews if the lines work out that way. He could easily reach these totals—just two years ago, he scored 40 goals with 58 assists—and it’ll make him a true Leafs superstar. John Tavares: 500 goals There are just 48 players ever to hit the 500-goal milestone, and John Tavares will become the 49th this year. The future Hall of Famer won’t have any argument as one of the greats after six more goals, and hopefully, the achievement gives Tavares some of the respect he deserves that he doesn’t seem to get. Tavares’ Leafs career has been weird, as his contract loomed over it all, but he has been a productive and positive player his entire Toronto tenure. Now, he’ll get to celebrate a massive achievement in the blue and white without having the $11M deal hanging over his head. I can’t wait to see how different this market treats him without the mega contract, just letting him play and enjoy doing it. His 500th goal will be awesome, and luckily, it will happen early in the season. Max Domi: 500 points With a 50-point season, Max Domi will reach 500 for his career. He has just two such seasons in his career, and they both came early, but with a chance to play with Auston Matthews in 2025–26, 50 is easily attainable. Domi is one of the most polarizing players in Toronto and honestly around the league. He produces points—the most important stat in the game—but doesn’t consistently win his minutes or play defence. Leafs fans seemed done with him last year after a couple of brutal stretches on the third line, but he might have been their best forward in the playoffs. In 13 games he had three goals and seven points, most of them clutch. Five hundred points is nothing to scoff at, and it would be really cool for Domi to hit the milestone in blue and white, where his dad also became a legend.
Steelers undrafted rookie reportedly upset Mike Tomlin before being cut
The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly had a few quality undrafted free agents during 2025 training camp and preseason, as many of them have put up an actual fight to make it to the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, there is very little room on the team, so some very tough decisions will have to be made on that front. Guys like Max Hurleman and JJ Galbreath have been stating their case throughout camp and into gameday, giving the coaching staff a good problem. One decision was surprisingly easy, however. During his weekly Q A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked about undrafted rookie Roc Taylor and why he was let go right after the preseason Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spoke about something that happened right before that contest. "[Roc Taylor] actually got in Tomlin's doghouse at the joint practice," Fittipaldo said. "Not sure if that's the sole reason he was cut, but maybe part of it." Fittipaldo would not expand on what happened, but head coach Mike Tomlin saw enough of the rookie before gameday. It looked like Taylor would at least get first dibs on a practice-squad spot if he was released on roster cutdown day, but now, it seems like his chance of developing in Pittsburgh is gone entirely. Now, he is just hoping someone gives him a call for a chance to be on a practice squad elsewhere. It seemed like Taylor's stock was rising after preseason Week 2. Hurleman had a very rough game, and the former Memphis Tigers standout had three receptions for 39 yards against the Bucs. He was the second-leading receiver on the team, only behind Roman Wilson. It looked like he was forcing himself onto a roster spot, but apparently, Tomlin might have just been waiting until after the game to tell him to pack his bags and try again somewhere else. Steelers' recent receiver issues make Taylor cut even more concerning What makes this decision even more rough is the fact that the Steelers have three receivers who are not healthy at all. Calvin Austin III is trying to return after missing multiple weeks of practice with an injury, Ben Skowronek recently developed a toe issue and utility man Jonnu Smith has barely participated in practice since July. Spots were opening up for undrafted rookies to take, but Taylor may have said or done something inexcusable enough to lose that chance. The Steelers entered training camp with questionable wide receiver depth, and now it's only more concerning. Wilson's recent development has been the bright spot of the preseason at that position, as Scotty Miller has been taking over the role of WR3 since the game against Tampa Bay. That's why they brought in another possibly injured veteran, Gabe Davis, for a visit, and now they may be hoping that he does not sign elsewhere. Instead of Taylor taking the opportunity to push for a roster spot, guys like Hurleman and Brandon Johnson will be looking to make the team and stick around as numerous players recover from their injuries. With Davis having another visit on Wednesday and the Steelers playing in the preseason finale on Thursday, he most likely will not be signed until after that game. That means the bubble players can prove to the team that they don't need him. It's not public in regards to what Taylor did to get himself in trouble, but he could have had this prime opportunity to be on an active roster as an undrafted rookie. He could have easily been above Hurleman and Johnson on the depth chart. Instead, he is just hoping he makes any team's practice squad now.
MLB sends message by suspending Victor Robles for bat-throwing incident
Major League Baseball announced that Mariners outfielder Víctor Robles has received a 10-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from the league. The suspension will begin as soon as Robles is reinstated from the injured list, though Robles has filed an appeal and the suspension is being held in abeyance until the appeals process is complete. Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reported these details prior to the official announcement. Divish notes that the M’s would have to play a man short during the suspension. Robles has been on the injured list for most of the year. Back in early April, he made a sensational catch in San Francisco but crashed into the sideline netting and dislocated his left shoulder, causing a small fracture in the humeral head of said shoulder. A week ago, he was finally able to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma. During that week, he was hit by pitches multiple times, as shown in this video breakdown from Jomboy Media. Although he was hit five times, only three of them were technically counted as hit-by-pitches, with the other two counting as swings. Regardless, the final incident saw Robles hit by Joey Estes of the Las Vegas Aviators. Of the five times Robles was hit, three of them were out of the hand of Estes, though the final two were counted as swinging strikes. Regardless of how it was scored, Robles was clearly upset and threw his bat toward the pitcher’s mound. It doesn’t appear as though it hit Estes or anyone else, but MLB is understandably taking a firm stance against a player using his bat in this dangerous manner and sending Robles a message. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto spoke to members of the media, including Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, noting that the club tentatively planned to reinstate Robles from the IL next week but those plans may change with the suspension. Divish suggests that perhaps the best plan is to reinstate Robles on Sept. 1, so that the M’s can at least play with a 27-man roster, though that would push his reinstatement into the middle of September. Reinstating him earlier would mean playing with a 25-man roster for a while, though that would also mean Robles would be able to be reinstated for more games. It’s also unclear how long the appeals process will take. Sometimes, players appealing a suspension will hang in limbo until their team goes to New York, where the MLB head offices are located. The M’s don’t play in New York again this year, so it’s not clear when the appeal would be scheduled for. Robles being in the minors could also complicate factors. The M’s would surely love for the appeal to drag out into the winter and for Robles to serve his suspension next year, since they are currently in a playoff race, though MLB presumably wouldn’t let it play out like that.
Do Steelers already have Aaron Rodgers reconsidering retirement plans?
In June, quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed that one reason he agreed to a team-friendly contract to join the Pittsburgh Steelers was because he was "pretty sure" he would retire following the 2025 season. It sounds like Rodgers' teammates could already have him thinking twice about those plans. During the latest edition of the "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast, Pittsburgh wide receiver DK Metcalf suggested that Rodgers could "run it back" with the Steelers for the 2026 season. "Maybe," Rodgers responded, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. Numerous reports have detailed how Rodgers has impressed his teammates and coaches with how he hasn't been "too big for anyone" ever since he inked his contract. That said, it remains to be seen how Rodgers' body will respond when he starts taking hits in meaningful games. Rodgers largely looked like a shell of his former self last season coming off the torn Achilles he suffered in September 2023. He also reportedly dealt with a serious hamstring issue, a nagging hip problem, injuries to both his knees and a low ankle sprain before he turned 41 in December 2024. Earlier this summer, Rodgers hinted that he wanted to finish his career "the right way" with Pittsburgh. He expanded on his mindset during the podcast. "I've had a 20-year career," Rodgers added. "I've had a lot of success, accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish. But I fell in love with this game when I was five years old. And I wanted to get that love back to where I felt like it should be in the twilight of my career." Signing Rodgers was a win-now move for a franchise that has lost five straight playoff games and that last notched a postseason victory in January 2017. If Rodgers turns the clock back and guides Pittsburgh on a memorable playoff journey, he could be asked to stick around as a bridge option at the position. One wonders how Metcalf and other Steelers players will view Rodgers after he faces the New York Jets, his former team, in Pittsburgh's regular-season opener on Sept. 7.
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