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Just a short time after the NHL/NHLPA announced that Colorado Avalanche forward Val Nichushkin has entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program, the Avs will now also be losing one of their top defenseman, Devon Toews.
Toews was at morning skate but came down with an “illness” reportedly before tonight’s game vs Dallas.
Devon Toews is OUT. Caleb Jones is on the ice for warmups.
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) May 14, 2024
Toews was at morning skate.
Defenseman Caleb Jones will draw into the lineup for Toews. Jones had five points in 25 regular season games and has made two appearances in the Avs’ 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs run.
Toews has one goal, five assists and six points in eight Stanley Cup Playoff contests, he sits tied for third among Avs’ defensemen with Josh Manson.
The 30-year-old played all 82 regular season games, notching 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points. Toews ranked sixth among Avs’ skaters in points and second among defensemen, trailing Cale Makar.
Back in October, Toews signed a monster seven-year $50,750,000 contract that begins in the 2024-25 season, the contract has an average annual value of $7.25 million.
Toews was drafted in the fourth round in 2014 by the New York Islanders and traded to Colorado in 2020. Toews is a solid two-way defenseman with a mid-sized 6-foot-1 build. He spent three years with Quinnipiac University from 2013-16, winning the ECAC title in his final year.
Colorado trails the Stars 2-1 in the series. Following tonight’s game, the next matchup is Wednesday, May 15.
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- The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz
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Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
Steelers In Town Scouting Elite Top Quarterback Prospect For 2026 NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of excitement heading into the 2025 season with Aaron Rodgers in town, along with many other new faces. The team has Super Bowl expectations, but the fan base is still craving a true franchise quarterback to lead them for years to come. While rookie Will Howard has looked promising in training camp, he is not expected to be the long-term answer at quarterback. After the 2025 season concludes, the Steelers will be hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Many pundits believe this event will be where the Steelers finally find their franchise quarterback, a player who can bring stability and success to the position. The anticipation is high, and the organization is clearly preparing to make a big move. On Monday, it was reported by Brad Denny, who provides excellent coverage of Arizona State football, that the Steelers have sent scouts to evaluate their prospects. Among those they are watching closely is the top quarterback prospect Sam Leavitt, indicating the team’s serious interest in securing a future star through the draft. In November of 2022, the Sun Devils hired Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, who has quickly transformed the team. What was once considered a struggling program has now become an exciting and competitive squad, with serious potential to contend for a national title heading into the 2025 season. Naturally, Steelers fans immediately think of Leavitt when they hear about scouts visiting, but the Sun Devils’ roster is loaded with NFL talent beyond just their star quarterback. It’s very possible the Steelers’ interest extends to other promising players as well. Chris Karpman gave more details about the amount of NFL scouts at the ASU practice on Monday. "There are 11 NFL scouts representing 10 teams at today’s ASU practice, the most at any practice since Dillingham became head coach," Karpman said on social media. It’s certainly interesting, but not surprising, to hear that the Steelers had scouts in attendance at the ASU practice. Sheldon White, the Steelers’ Director of Pro Scouting, is clearly involved in deciding who the organization will scout, when, and why. It’s no secret that the Steelers are in desperate need of a true franchise quarterback. Many believe the 2026 NFL Draft will be Pittsburgh’s biggest opportunity to find that quarterback since their attempt with Kenny Pickett in 2022. That experiment didn’t go as planned, and now, with 12 expected draft picks in a quarterback class that could be loaded with talent, the Steelers are getting an early look. They’ve begun scouting at ASU, keeping a close eye on potential prospects. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that former Steelers legend Hines Ward is still the wide receivers coach at ASU. His presence adds another layer of connection to the reports of Steelers scouts attending ASU practices, suggesting strong ties and serious interest in the program and its players. Steelers' Will Howard Has Looked Good In Training Camp Early reports out of camp are that sixth-round pick Howard has done a solid job with the opportunities he’s been given. The issue for Howard is that the Steelers are expected to draft a top quarterback prospect. Making such a big investment in a promising player will make it even harder for Howard to steal the starting job. Naturally, when more resources are tied up in a higher-end prospect, the team will do more to get the most out of that player. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible for Howard, but he will need to continue to thrive if he wants any chance to compete for the starting job after Rodgers.
Rumor: Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II Expected To Sign With Warriors Once Jonathan Kuminga Signs Deal
Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors once Jonathan Kuminga signs his deal, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Kuminga is a restricted free agent. Most people believe the swingman will sign his qualifying offer worth $7.9 million and then enter unrestricted free agency next offseason. “Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II have all long been expected to sign with the Warriors this summer but remain on hold when it comes to making those deals official while the Jonathan Kuminga situation plays out,” Stein wrote. Payton II and Melton played for the Warriors last season, while Horford played for the Boston Celtics. Golden State lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. The Warriors want to re-sign Kuminga. The franchise recently offered the forward a two-year, $45 million contract. Kuminga, though, declined the offer because the contract had a team option in Year 2 and there was no built-in no-trade clause. Kuminga wants to leave the Warriors. He doesn’t have a good relationship with head coach Steve Kerr. Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Warriors last season in 47 games. He shot 45.4% from the floor, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the free-throw line. The 22-year-old Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He enters next season with career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists with Golden State. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are interested in acquiring Kuminga in a sign-and-trade deal, but the Warriors don’t like the offers. The Kings offered a three-year, $63 million deal to Kuminga, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic. In the sign-and-trade proposal, the Warriors would get Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick. More NBA News Rumors
Packers reunite with old friend in effort to fix lingering roster issue that's become hard to ignore
The Green Bay Packers have brought back a familiar face to the secondary. On Monday, the team announced the signing of cornerback Corey Ballentine, who played parts of the past three seasons in Green Bay. He had signed with the Indianapolis Colts back in March, but got released on Friday, so general manager Brian Gutekunst didn't miss any time. As a corresponding move, the Packers released Gregory Junior. Why the Packers signed Corey Ballentine back Ballentine is an experienced cornerback and has been in the NFL since 2019. A former sixth-round pick, he has played for the New York Giants, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals. The defensive back had first signed with the Packers in 2022 and then agreed to two short-term deals with Green Bay in each of the past offseasons. Last year, he played only 6.98% of the defensive snaps. However, he was an important special teamer, on the field for 44.12% of the snaps. Ballentine had a better year in 2023, when he played a significant number of snaps due to injuries in the Packers' secondary and allowed a 79.4 passer rating when targeted. Last season, that number went up to 112.5. On defense, Ballentine has alignment versatility, even though he's primarily a boundary cornerback. He's played 591 career snaps outside, 338 snaps in the slot, and 48 in the box. The Packers have handled significant cornerback depth issues. The team lost Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Robert Rochell this offseason. The biggest additions were free agent signing Nate Hobbs and seventh-round draft pick Micah Robinson. The team also moved wide receiver Bo Melton to corner, but an experienced player who knows the system and plays special teams is exactly what the roster needed—even though it's certainly not a defensive game-changer as fans would hope for. Green Bay's cornerback room has Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, Bo Melton, Micah Robinson, Isaiah Dunn, Tyron Herring, and Garnett Hollis. Undrafted rookie Johnathan Baldwin is also listed as a cornerback, even though he's spent most of his training camp time at safety.
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