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The New Jersey Devils suffered a tough loss in Game 1 of their opening-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes and will enter Game 2 down a few key faces. Already without Jack Hughes for the remainder of the year, the Devils will enter Game 2 without his brother Luke or Brenden Dillon.
Both Hughes and Dillon are defensemen who suffered injuries that will keep from from the Devils’ lineup for Game 2 against the Hurricanes.
Per Sheldon Keefe: Brenden Dillon and Luke Hughes will be out for Game 2.
— x – New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 22, 2025
Hughes left the ice in the third period grabbing his left shoulder but was able to return and finish the game. Hughes finished the game with 22:20 of ice time.
Dillon suffered an injury during the second period and did not return for the remainder of the game. According to head coach Sheldon Keefe, Dillon wanted to return to the game, but doctors kept him off the ice for precautionary reasons.
It’s not clear what kind of injury Dillon is dealing with, but he was initially getting help off the ice at the time of the injury. He eventually got off the ice on his own power.
The Devils will have to shuffle their defensive lines a bit thanks to losing a pair of blue liners at one time. Also already down Jonas Seigenthaler, the Devils defense group is wearing thin.
It wasn’t all bad news for the Devils, however, as Cody Glass will be good to go for Game 2. Glass was accidentally slashed by Devils’ goalie Jacob Markstrom and left the game at the same time as Hughes.
Glass did not return to the ice during Game 1, but will be ready for Game 2.
Down 1-0 in the series, the Devils are looking to battle back against the Hurricanes. It won’t be easy as injuries continue to pile up.
More must-reads:
- Canucks believed to have inquired about Predators' Steven Stamkos
- Dream (but realistic) trade targets for every MLB team this offseason
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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Canucks believed to have inquired about Predators' Steven Stamkos
The Vancouver Canucks have long been searching for extra help down the middle, a need amplified by the latest injury to Filip Chytil. To that end, Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic recently reported (audio link) that he has been told that Vancouver has kicked the tires on Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos as it continues to cast a wide net in its search for a center. Stamkos was one of Nashville’s splashy signings in the 2024 offseason, a summer that also saw GM Barry Trotz bring in winger Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei in the hopes of establishing itself as a contender in a tough Central Division. While Marchessault has worked out reasonably well so far (though underachieving relative to expectations), the other two haven’t. Stamkos is in the second season of a four-year, $32M pact, signed with the belief that he could still be a steady scorer away from Tampa Bay, where he spent the first 16 years of his career. However, after putting up 40 goals and 81 points in his final season with the Lightning, the 35-year-old managed just 27 goals and 53 points last season. This year, he’s off to a much slower start, managing just a goal and an assist through 13 outings. It should be noted that, on top of having a contract that looks to be well above market value with how he has played so far, Stamkos also has a full no-move clause. That means that even if the two teams could agree on a trade, he has full veto power if he doesn’t want to go there. At this point, there’s no indication that Stamkos is interested in even considering a change of scenery. However, with how things went off the rails for the Preds last year, another quiet start this season, and his own struggles, it wouldn’t be shocking if he or the team decided to ponder the possibility. Vancouver’s salary cap situation is quite tight; they’re nearly $2.8M into LTIR, per PuckPedia. That means that the Canucks would need to match money to make a move work, something that could be mitigated in part by Nashville retaining salary. On the other hand, the Predators only have one retention slot remaining this season, having already utilized them on Mattias Ekholm and Colton Sissons. Considering his value has dropped considerably, does it make sense to use that last slot (retaining several million dollars a year for multiple seasons) to elicit what would likely be a middling return? Or, would they be better off saving that last slot for someone else this season and revisiting the idea over the summer after those other two slots open back up? While Stamkos is probably better off as a winger at this stage of his career, he has played with some regularity at center for the past few years after primarily playing the position before that. Given Vancouver’s need for help down the middle, he would certainly help there. However, considering how difficult it would be to make the cap fit work for the Canucks, Stamkos doesn’t seem like the most plausible of candidates at the moment. That said, they appear to be examining all possibilities as they look to upgrade the center position.
The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
The Dallas Cowboys offense has been one of the most explosive units in the NFL this season, but they struggled in their 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos in 8. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for just 188 yards – his fewest since Week 1 against Philadelphia – finishing without a touchdown and two interceptions just one week after dicing up the Washington Commanders. The good news for the inconsistent Cowboys is that they’re 2-0-1 following a loss this season and their Week 9 opponent is the 2-5 Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." They’ll also be tasked with stopping Jacoby Brissett rather than Kyler Murray, who is recovering from a foot sprain and won’t start for Arizona but could get some action according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Which brings us to today’s quiz. Prescott has been mostly brilliant for the Cowboys this season, throwing 16 touchdowns to five interceptions and 258.8 yards per game. He’s also one of 37 NFL players to average at least 230 passing yards per game through their career. With that being said, how many of those players can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Three offseason trade targets for Blue Jays to add an impact bat
The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans are fresh off the most heartbreaking loss in franchise history. Putting the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of elimination with two cracks to win the World Series at home, only to lose two nail-biters that each came down to the final out. It’s going to take a long time to get over it, if that’s even possible to do. However, they'll have to turn the page rather quickly because in just three days, the negotiating window for free agents expires, and all are free to sign wherever they so choose. Toronto will be busy in an attempt to retain the likes of star shortstop Bo Bichette and starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. At the same time, the front office must be active in improving its roster from the outside, whether that’s via free agency or trade. While there are some intriguing names for the Blue Jays to target on the open market, given their needs, heading down the trade route could make the most sense. Here are three ideal trade targets for the Toronto Blue Jays to add an impactful left-handed bat to their lineup for 2025-26 and beyond: Oneil Cruz | Pittsburgh Pirates Cruz’s name popped up in trade rumors ahead of the deadline in August, and it’s fair to wonder if he still could be available if Pittsburgh gets the right offer. The 27-year-old has all of the tools to be one of the best hitters in baseball, standing at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds with extreme power and bat speed. His numbers last season (20 HRs, 61 RBI), while solid, didn't reflect his talent, but it's understandable given the lack of protection around him on the Pirates. In Toronto, Cruz could slot in behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, immediately becoming the most dangerous left-handed hitter in a right-heavy lineup. Matt Wallner | Minnesota Twins The 39th overall pick back in 2019 may not publicly be on the trade block, but after its sell-off at the deadline, it doesn’t feel like anyone is untouchable in Minnesota. Like Cruz, Wallner, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, has big-time power, and the Blue Jays saw that firsthand when he crushed three HRs and six RBI during their three-game series in Toronto in late August. He does have some swing and miss in his bat (.231 career average), but with how often the top of the Blue Jays lineup gets on base, all it takes is one swing for Wallner to put up a crooked number on the scoreboard. Jarren Duran | Boston Red Sox The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has been in constant trade discussions for over a year now, and it feels inevitable that he gets dealt out of Boston this winter. Duran had more of an up-and-down 2025 campaign, though he's displayed the ability to drive in runs (84 RBI) and has power with even more untapped potential. Combine that with his speed and athleticism, and you can see why so many teams would love to acquire him. Trading within the division is never easy, but the 29-year-old would be a perfect fit in the middle of Toronto's lineup, so it's something they should absolutely look into.
Dream (but realistic) trade targets for every MLB team this offseason
Every MLB offseason brings its share of blockbuster rumors and bold predictions, but some trade ideas actually make sense — for both sides. With free agency about to heat up and front offices reshaping rosters for 2026, Yardbarker MLB writers looked at one dream (but still realistic) trade target for every MLB team. From contenders looking for that final piece to rebuilders seeking a spark, these hypothetical moves blend star power with plausibility. Here’s how all 30 teams could swing a deal that transforms their outlook heading into next season (2025 records in parentheses). AL East Baltimore Orioles (75-87) | LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: The Orioles traded for ace right-hander Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season, and that worked well. Why not try to employ the same strategy with Skubal, an ace in his own right, as Baltimore looks to bounce back from a last-place finish? Skubal’s elite 2.21 ERA in 2025 would be a perfect fit atop the rotation. Boston Red Sox (89-73) | 2B/OF Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals: It’s unclear whether prospect infielders Kristian Campbell or Marcelo Mayer are the answer up the middle, but there’s no doubt that Donovan would be an established upgrade over both. The 2025 All-Star would bring positional versatility and solid offensive production (.772 career OPS) to a lineup that had trouble scoring at times. New York Yankees (94-68) | 1B/OF Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: New York could lose outfielders Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in free agency, so the Yankees theoretically have both of Harper's positions to fill this winter. The veteran’s left-handed swing is made for the Yankee Stadium right-field short porch, which could help him improve upon a 2025 season in which he produced an .844 OPS, the lowest since his rookie season in 2012. Tampa Bay Rays (77-85) | LHP Mackenzie Gore, Washington Nationals: Typically, the Rays trade pitchers who are young but increasingly expensive (LHP Blake Snell, RHP Tyler Glasnow and RHP Chris Archer). This time, though, it could make sense for Tampa to swing for the fences with Gore, who boasts immense strikeout upside (10.4 K/9 in 2025) and is controllable through the 2028 season. The All-Star southpaw could also thrive in the team's analytics-driven pitching lab. Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) | RHP Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins: The Blue Jays nearly won the World Series, so they have a lot to look forward to. However, it wouldn’t hurt Toronto to replace members of its oldish rotation with someone like right-hander Ryan, whose 3.42 ERA in 30 starts with the Twins in 2025 should make him one of the top trade candidates of this offseason. — Seth Carlson AL West Athletics (76-86) | Infielder Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals: The A’s received virtually nothing from second and third in 2025. Former top prospect Zack Gelof should get another chance to prove himself, but the A’s do not have many options at third. Gorman, who hit 27 homers in 2023, may not cost much and could provide a respectable stopgap at the hot corner. Houston Astros (87-75) | IF/OF Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals: The Astros missed the postseason for the first time since 2016; the outfield was a key factor in that. Astros outfielders posted a .665 OPS, 25th in the majors. Donovan, who has predominantly played at second and left, would solve a black hole in the middle of the lineup and provide a needed left-handed hitter. Los Angeles Angels (72-90) | RHP Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds: The Angels and Reds line up perfectly as trade partners. The Angels have a logjam in the outfield with either Jo Adell or Taylor Ward expected to be traded during the offseason. Meanwhile, the Reds have plenty of pitching and need help in the outfield. Singer, who has one more year of team control left, would be the most likely Reds pitcher to be dealt. He would solidify the middle of L.A.'s rotation. Seattle Mariners (90-72) | 3B Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies: Because Eugenio Suarez is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Mariners will once again be looking for help at third. Bohm had been on the trading block during the 2024-25 offseason but remained in Philadelphia because no one would meet its price. Bohm hit just 11 homers and 18 doubles in 2025, crushing his trade value. Texas Rangers (81-81) | RHP Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rangers should have a solid top of the rotation with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. However, neither pitcher is a paragon of health. Keller has thrown at least 159 innings in each of the past four seasons and is under team control through 2028. He would be a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm. — David Hill AL Central Chicago White Sox (60-102) | 1B Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox: The rebuilding White Sox made progress in 2025 but have many holes remaining. Acquiring a player such as Casas could be a perfect buy-low option while improving the power for a team that ranked 23rd in the majors with 165 homers. Cleveland Guardians (88-74) | RHP Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins: The Guardians need help in the lineup, but several top prospects are expected to make an impact in 2026. The same cannot be said for the rotation that is lacking a top-of-the-rotation arm. Cabrera finally put everything together for the Marlins in 2025 and is under team control through 2028. Miami has pitching depth, so Cabrera could be available. Detroit Tigers (87-75) | 3B Josh Jung, Texas Rangers: The Tigers need a third baseman and Jung could be the answer. The 2023 All-Star has seen his star dim over the past two seasons as he battled injuries and contact woes. Jung may need a change of scenery and could be what the Tigers need to get his brother, Jace, to tap into his potential. Kansas City Royals (82-80) | OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox: The outfield was one of the worst in the majors in 2025, ranking 29th with a .633 OPS. Duran may not be the player he was in 2024, but his ability to drive the ball into the gaps, excellent speed and stellar defense would be a perfect fit in Kauffman Stadium. Minnesota Twins (70-92) | RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets: The rotation disappointed in 2025 and sorely needs an ace. The Twins began to dismantle the roster at the 2025 trade deadline, so it's unlikely that pitchers Pablo Lopez or Joe Ryan will be with Minnesota in 2026. Both will be expensive. — David Hill NL West Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82) | RHP Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays: The Diamondbacks had issues with the bullpen throughout 2025 (27th in the league with a 4.82 ERA) and it will likely be a point of emphasis for the team this offseason. Fairbanks totaled 27 saves last season and pitched a career-high 60.1 innings. There is a club option for $11 million that the Rays will likely pick up only if they can trade him. At 32, Fairbanks might be worth it for one season in the desert. Colorado Rockies (43-119) | RHP Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers: It’s a new day in Denver with a new GM coming soon. Colorado desperately needs starting pitching, especially an ace. The Rockies have a crowded outfield in terms of proven players and prospects, so they could work a deal with Milwaukee, a team that they have traded with, and secure a big arm. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) | OF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians: After a year in which the Dodgers had to overlook some deficiencies in the outfield with Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernandez, landing someone like Kwan makes sense for the two-time defending champions. Kwan doesn’t strike out much (only 8.7 percent of the time in 2025), something the Dodgers needed when their offense sputtered in the postseason. San Diego Padres (90-72) | RHP Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins: Depending on what happens with pitchers Michael King and Dylan Cease, the Padres are going to need someone who can step in as a face of the rotation. Alcantara, 30, has a $19 million deal for 2026 and a $21 million team option for 2027, so he won’t come to San Diego cheap. However, the NL West will be another arms race in 2026, and Alcantara could be a fascinating addition for the Padres. San Francisco Giants (81-81) | LHP JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals: Adding a solid southpaw to the bullpen is rarely a bad move, and the 29-year-old Romero has been quietly building a reputation as one of the best lefties in the late innings. He’s controlled through arbitration through the 2026 campaign and has logged 57 holds over the past three seasons. Pitching is expected to be a priority for the Giants this offseason. — Kevin Henry NL East Atlanta Braves (76-86) | SS Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros: The former World Series MVP was drafted by the Braves out of high school in 2015 but chose not to sign. Perhaps a reunion is in order in Atlanta, which has desperately needed a true shortstop since the departure of Dansby Swanson during the 2022 offseason. The 28-year-old Pena was named an All-Star in 2025, batting .304 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI in 125 games. Miami Marlins (79-83) | 1B/OF Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals: Miami exceeded expectations in 2025 and, if they have a strong offseason, could be a sleeper contender for an NL wild-card spot in 2026. Before that happens, though, they must solve their first base conundrum by trading for Burleson, who can play there and in the outfield. Burleson, who will turn 27 on Nov. 25, posted a career-high .801 OPS with 18 homers and 69 RBI in 2025. New York Mets (83-79) | LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: Skubal, in line for his second straight AL Cy Young Award, would be a dream trade candidate for any team but especially owner Steve Cohen and the Mets. New York desperately needs a frontline starter after its pitching largely failed it in 2025. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66) | C Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles: Longtime catcher J.T. Realmuto is a free agent and, despite entering his age-35 season in 2026, is expected to be a hot commodity on the open market. It’s clear the Phillies must get younger at the position, and acquiring the former No. 1 overall pick from Baltimore would be a solid way to secure their future at backstop and keep their competitive window open. Rutschman, who will turn 28 on Feb. 6, hasn't lived up to his draft pedigree but still has decent upside. Washington Nationals (66-96) | RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets: The Nationals are more than one piece from being competitive, so Washington’s focus should be who they can acquire in potential trades for left-hander MacKenzie Gore, 2B Luis Garcia Jr. and OF Robert Hassell III. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed a wild divisional trade that would send Tong to the Nationals for Gore. — Lauren Amour NL Central Chicago Cubs (92-70) | RHP Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays: Chicago leaned heavily on veteran arms in its rotation, with 34-year-old Matthew Boyd anchoring the staff. Bieber, 30, joined the Blue Jays this season, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA and 1.017 WHIP. With Chicago expected to be a playoff-level team in 2026, Bieber could be another experienced arm to help with a deep postseason run. Cincinnati Reds (83-79) | LHP JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals: The Reds need reliable back-end bullpen arms, and Romero offers late-inning experience. He became the Cardinals’ closer after the team dealt Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets. In 2025, Romero posted a 2.07 ERA, a career best in the big leagues, in 61 innings. Milwaukee Brewers (97-65) | 1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets: Milwaukee's lineup struggled to produce consistent power in 2025, finishing 22nd in MLB with 166 home runs. Alonso, who launched 38 home runs — leading all first basemen — would be an immediate upgrade. He also hit .272 and drove in 126 runs, the second most in the majors. Andrew Vaughn filled the role well after being traded to Milwaukee midseason, but Alonso would be the definitive No. 1 option. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-91) | 2B Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays: The Pirates haven’t made much of a trade splash in recent offseasons, so dealing for a proven bat like Lowe would be smart. He hit .256 with 31 home runs in 2025, bringing power and veteran experience to a younger lineup. St. Louis Cardinals (78-84) | RHP Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres: The pitching staff lacked swing-and-miss stuff in 2025, finishing 29th in MLB in strikeouts. Cease delivered 215 strikeouts over 168 innings — sixth most in MLB — and led the majors with 11.52 strikeouts per nine innings. — Taylor Bretl
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