Before defenseman Ryan McDonagh headed out for the All Star Break, he took a minute to answer five quick questions.
"Our season has been a lot of growth, a lot of young players," McDonagh said.
It isn't just the young players who are focused on growing their game though.
"Even myself — always feel like I'm learning, trying to get better, grow as a player, as a leader," the 14-year veteran said.
McDonagh's experience in the league is a valuable resource on a team with plenty of young players learning what it takes to have a long and successful NHL career. That's been a big part of the season for McDonagh as well.
"Finding different ways to help the group win games, both obviously on the ice but off the ice, helping guys that way, "McDonagh said. "I think just a lot of growth and confidence and more importantly, attitude."
"I have a nice pregame meal, and try to rest and relax a little bit with a nap," McDonagh said. "Don't always nap as much anymore."
The 34-year-old averages 21:34 minutes of ice time per game, so one might think the physical preparation is the main focus on game day, but not so with McDonagh.
"I just try throughout the whole day to ramp up mentally and physically to be ready for puck drop. It's kind of a long process mentally, more so than physically. Just trying to get your mind ready to compete and work hard."
"I think there should be a way to almost challenge penalties maybe," McDonagh said after some thought.
"I feel like the NFL has gotten it right where they can review and challenge a play. Maybe some missed calls at certain points where you could be able to challenge or whatnot."
McDonagh understands that officiating is a tricky job.
"Obviously missed calls are happening both directions, but crucial points to the game, you feel like an opportunity to get yourself on the power play could be the difference in the game. Sometimes the ref just doesn't see it or doesn't make the call. Maybe you can challenge it and get yourself on the power play."
"Mostly read books," McDonagh said.
His genre of choice? Nonfiction.
"I like true stories, nonfiction. I just try to sit and learn from other people's experiences and hear about great stories, inspirational stories and try to take that and apply it to my life."
That was an easy one for the veteran to answer.
"Winning the Stanley Cup."
McDonagh and the Tampa Bay Lightning won back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Winning that first one was a special but unique experience.
"The first one there in the bubble — maybe not exactly how you envisioned it, but just to do it with that group there, everything we went through. Very special."
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Less than 10 years ago, at the end of the 2016-17 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins were sitting on top of the hockey world with their fifth Stanley Cup title. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, the Penguins appear to be far from contending for a title given the lack of overall progression since the offseason. The Penguins finished last season ranked seventh in the Metropolitan Division, only ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers. After several seasons of deciding whether to rebuild or go all-in, it is now too nearly too late for the Penguins to rebuild into an immediate playoff contender, as they could be looking at becoming one of the worst teams in the league. Pittsburgh knew it was adding a lot of aged veterans to the roster via free agency or trade within the past few seasons. Now, the Penguins have a conditioning problem. Eight of the team's top scorers from last year are returning, but seven of them were at least 31 years old. Forward Michael Bunting (29), forward Anthony Beauvillier (28), defender Marcus Pettersson (29), center Drew O’Connor (27) and center Cody Glass (26) were some of the more active younger players. They are now going into the 2025-2026 season with different teams. A portion of the starting unit or key reserves, like forward Rickard Rakell, forward Bryan Rust and defenseman Erik Karlsson, are likely to be traded, even if they are traded a season too late. The problem with keeping an aging locker room and veterans is that they take up roster spots and salary-cap space. The Penguins lost a good portion of their young core players to free agency. Among the most active young players last season was 24-year-old center Philip Tomasino. In 50 games for the Penguins last season, he accounted for 11 goals and 12 assists. There is also 27-year-old Blake Lizotte, who accounted for 11 goals and nine assists in 59 games played. The remainder of the offseason will need to be used for the Penguins to develop their young stars like Tomasino and Lizotte and any more of their prospects. While the aged roster was a huge part of the Penguins’ last-season downfall, the big reason was Pittsburgh's defensive liability. The Penguins allowed an average of 3.5 goals per game, tied for 29th out of the 32 teams in the league. A lot of that can be placed on the pacing and speed of the roster that allows them to get beaten in fast transitions. Defensemen like Matt Grzelcyk and Pettersson have been serviceable at times, but longtime star and 37-year-old Kris Letang has shown his age. The goaltending situation is shaky, too. Veteran Tristan Jarry easily had his worst season for the Penguins since the 2018-2019 season. Alex Nedeljkovic finished with a better save percentage, but only by .001 at .894. Nedeljkovic is now with the San Jose Sharks after a trade for a 2028 NHL Draft third-round pick. The Penguins also didn’t improve their team by trading for Vancouver Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs, who has played 19 games in the last three seasons. Although Mathew Dumba and Clinton Clifton are good defensemen additions, they don’t move the needle. With a poorly balanced roster and subpar defense, it's more likely than not the Penguins will remain a non-contender through at least the 2025-26 season.
With the 53-man roster decided, the Las Vegas Raiders can now turn their attention to waivers and setting up their initial practice squad. According to Silver Black Pride’s Tristen Kuhn, the Raiders did make a waiver claim, bringing in former Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Brennan Jackson. The Raiders have yet to make a corresponding roster move. Meanwhile, the Raiders are setting up their initial 16-man practice squad. Should offensive lineman Laki Tasi not be claimed, however, he can be added without counting against the upper limit due to his status in the NFL International Player Pathway. Here are the confirmed members of the Raiders’ practice squad. WR Alex Bachman RB Chris Collier S Terrell Edmunds DE Jahfari Harvey WR Shedrick Jackson LB Matt Jones DT Treven Ma’ae G Atonio Mafi QB Cam Miller TE Albert Okwuegbunam TE Carter Runyon WR Justin Shorter OL Laki Tasi (IPP) S Trey Taylor CB Greedy Vance OT Dalton Wagner S/CB JT Woods
The Cincinnati Reds claimed infielder/outfielder Ryan Vilade off waivers in the middle of June. Since being with the Reds organization, Vilade has thrived in Triple-A Louisville. In 43 games with Triple-A Louisville, Vilade is slashing .293/.390/.587 with 22 extra-base hits in 43 games. He is also walking over 10% of the time. Vilade has played all over the field for Triple-A Louisville. It wouldn't be surprising to see Vilade with the Reds once the rosters expand in September. The 26-year-old was a former second-round pick by the Rockies and their fourth-ranked prospect in 2020. Vilade has appeared in just 28 games in the majors, going 9-71 with five walks and 18 strikeouts over three seasons with Colorado, Detroit, and St. Louis. Regardless of whether Vilade ever plays a big part for the Reds, he was a great waiver pick-up and someone worth taking a shot on.
Waived by the New York Jets after one season, Malachi Corley went unclaimed Wednesday. But the 2024 third-round pick will land elsewhere, joining the Browns (per veteran reporter Jordan Schultz). This practice squad agreement comes about after Corley had multiple suitors to choose from, per Schultz. He will head to Cleveland in the hopes of rebuilding his value following a poor rookie campaign. The Jets’ new regime elected to move on despite depth questions at the WR position. Corley managed just three scoreless receptions last year. The Western Kentucky product was seen as a project given his skillset, but his efforts to develop into an NFL regular will take place in a new home. It will be interesting to see if Corley finds himself amongst the Browns’ early taxi squad elevations or makes his way onto the active roster in September. Cleveland’s receiver room will once again be led by Jerry Jeudy in 2025. The former Broncos first-rounder set a new career high in catches (90) and yards (1,229) during his first Browns campaign, and he will be relied on to duplicate that production as the team sorts out its quarterback situation over the course of the year. The likes of Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash and undrafted rookie Isaiah Bond are also in place on the depth chart. Corley will be joined on the Browns’ taxi squad by guard Cole Strange. The latter was waived by the Patriots Tuesday, marking an unceremonious end to his time in New England. Strange is heading to Cleveland with the expectation of also being elevated to the active roster at some point, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. A backup gig along the interior could be in store by the fall. Strange’s entry to the NFL was marked by his surprising status as a first-round pick. The Chattanooga product was hampered by injuries, and he was limited to 13 appearances across the past two seasons. When on the field, Strange was part of a Pats O-line which struggled mightily in 2024. With plenty of changes taking place up front under head coach Mike Vrabel, he found himself amongst the team’s roster cuts. Now, Strange will join Corley in seeking to take advantage of a change of scenery. At the ages of 27 and 23, respectively, both players could wind up offering upside to the Browns’ offense in time. Adam La Rose contributed to this post.