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The Toronto Maple Leafs may need to make a splash this off-season, and according to one Insider, that splash may involve landing star blue liner Noah Dobson.
Despite a promising regular season in 2024/25 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team once again fell in round two, even though they managed to push the defending Stanley Cup Champions to seven games.
That's led speculation to surround the future of Mitch Marner and John Tavares, with the belief around the league being that there's a big shakeup coming this summer for the organization.
That could be both with their roster and with their front office, but for now, Bleacher Report have identified a potential dream target for Toronto that could allow them the necessary shakeup as they look to finally go on their Stanley Cup run.
According to Bleacher Report, Noah Dobson would be their dream target in the summer, as he would finally give them the offensive minded defenseman that they need to potentially achieve some success in the post-season.
The 25-year old had a career year in 2023/24, posting 10 goals and 70 points in 79 games played, and while he took a major step back this last season, it's hard to ignore the talent deficiency in New York compared to Toronto at this current point in time.
If the Maple Leafs were looking to upgrade the blue line with Dobson, it would certainly cost them a fairly large amount, but if the team are looking to re-tool over the off-season and get back into Stanley Cup contention next season, this could be one of a few moves in the summer to get them there.
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What’s a Successful Season Look Like for Toews and the Jets?
It’s official—and for many Winnipeg Jets fans, it feels like a dream come true. Jonathan Toews, born and raised in Winnipeg, has signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Jets. With a base salary of $2 million and up to $5 million in performance bonuses, the contract is structured to reward results. For a player who has battled significant health issues and hasn’t played in two full NHL seasons, it’s a bold bet for both Toews and the organization. Toews, forever known as “Captain Serious,” arrives with one of the most decorated resumes in modern hockey: three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a reputation as one of the most respected leaders of his generation. But this isn’t 2015, and Winnipeg isn’t Chicago. The key question now is: What does success look like in 2025–26 for Toews in a Jets uniform? Measuring Success: For Towes, It’s Not Just About Points At 37, Toews shouldn’t be expected to carry the offensive load. But if he can put up 50 points and remain healthy enough to play the majority of the season, that’s good value for the money. The leadership aspect is a bonus. Even more important than his stat line may be his intangible contributions. With Adam Lowry sidelined to start the season, Toews brings an immediate stabilizing presence down the middle. Whether he slots in on the second or third line, his ability to anchor the penalty kill, win key draws, and model professionalism could have a ripple effect on a relatively young core. Towes Brings Pride and Purpose to His Hometown Team By all accounts, Toews has worked hard to get back into playing shape. He didn’t come back to coast. There’s every indication he still takes pride in doing things the right way, and if he truly believes he’s no longer helping the team, he’ll probably be the first to say so. That said, Jets fans are hoping it doesn’t come to that. The optimistic view is that Toews—motivated by the chance to play at home and end his career on his own terms—can find one more gear for one more year. Not as a 90-point player, but as a steady, respected veteran who helps push Winnipeg over the top in a tightly contested Central Division. For Toews, Success Isn’t Just Measured in Dollars This signing isn’t just about cap hits and stat sheets—it’s about culture, connection, and belief. Jonathan Toews wanted to come to Winnipeg. That in itself says something. If he can stay healthy, contribute meaningfully on and off the ice, and help the Jets make a deep playoff run, this could be one of the most memorable final chapters in a Hall of Fame career. But it’s not a guaranteed fairytale. Both head coach Scott Arniel and Toews will have tough choices to make. For this to be a success—for both the player and the franchise—it’ll require honest reflection and smart usage. It might even take a little humility. That’s the line everyone will be skating all season.
Micah Parsons situation gets uglier with Jerry Jones' comments on star's status
The ongoing contract dispute between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys has reached a boiling point, and team owner Jerry Jones does not seem confident that it will be resolved before the start of the regular season. Jones was asked at training camp on Tuesday if he is confident that Parsons will be on the field when the Cowboys travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles for their season opener on Sept. 4. As he often does, the 82-year-old gave a blunt response. "No, absolutely not. A big part of that is his decision," Jones said. "How would I know that? I’m just saying. But I’m urgent.” Parsons is still under contract with the Cowboys, as he is earning just over $24M in the final year of his rookie deal this season. He has very little leverage from a contractual standpoint, but he could go the nuclear route by giving up a game check and sitting out Week 1. He could also do more to force a trade between now and the start of the season. Parsons publicly requested a trade on Friday following what has turned into an ugly back-and-forth between him and the Jones family. It is highly unlikely that the Cowboys will trade Parsons, and many prominent members of the media have predicted a deal will still get done. For now, both sides seem as dug in as possible. Jones' refusal to make any predictions about Parsons playing in Week 1 is another reminder of that.
Kings Predicted to Acquire Suns' Emerging Star in Blockbuster Trade Involving DeMar DeRozan
The Sacramento Kings entered the NBA offseason with a key decision to make regarding the future of their franchise. While many expected the Kings to begin a rebuild this summer, they have instead elected to keep their current core together, led by Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, and chase a playoff spot next season. Sacramento has also made some notable additions to their roster this offseason as they added both Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud during the 2025 draft and they landed Dennis Schroder in free agency to fill their void at the point guard position left by them trading De’Aaron Fox last season. It has also been reported that the Kings are showing interest in Russell Westbrook and Jonathan Kuminga this summer, meaning more moves could be on the way in Sacramento. Kings predicted to land Suns' Jalen Green in blockbuster trade With this in mind, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman recently proposed a mock trade that would see the Kings send DeRozan to the Phoenix Suns for a rising star. In the trade, the Kings would send DeRozan, Malik Monk, Vit Krejci and a 2027 first-round pick to the Suns for Jalen Green and Nick Richards. Phoenix would also send Royce O’Neale to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks. This would be an interesting trade for every team involved, especially the Kings as they would land a rising star in Green who they could build around for the future. Of course, moving on from DeRozan and Monk would not be too tough of a decision to make for the Kings as both players have been in trade rumors this summer, especially if they could land a young guard in Green to upgrade their backcourt. Despite this, the Suns may be unwilling to move on from Green, though that could change if he and Devin Booker do not fit well alongside each other in the backcourt next season. For Green, he would give the Kings a great young scoring guard, though his fit next to LaVine is a questionable one. While that may be the case, Green would join Keon Ellis, Devin Carter and Keegan Murray as Sacramento’s young core they could build around in the future if they decide to begin a rebuild in the coming years.
NFL, ESPN agree to two expansive non-binding agreements
Despite the day belonging to ESPN and its reporters, it was Mark Maske of The Washington Post who broke the news first. Per Maske, the NFL and Disney-owned ESPN have completed the long-rumored deal, giving ESPN NFL Network and certain other media assets (including RedZone and NFL Fantasy) in exchange for 10% equity stake in ESPN. The second non-binding agreement, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, sees the NFL license to ESPN certain NFL content and intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets. “Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” CEO of The Walt Disney Company Roger Iger said in a statement released by ESPN’s Lily Blum. He continued, “Commissioner (Roger Goodell) and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.” Given ESPN’s streaming abilities — through multiple streaming apps such as ESPN Watch, ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ — the agreements should make available lots of content exclusive to the NFL and NFL Network available in multiple formats in addition to the usual cable and satellite option. The statement also cites an additional platform in what they’re calling “ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service.” While YouTube TV still owns the rights to air NFL Sunday Ticket and ABC/ESPN/Disney/NFL Network, FOX, CBS/Paramount/Nickelodeon, NBC/Peacock, Amazon and Netflix all have individual rights to air certain games, ESPN gets “broad rights to the RedZone brand and will distribute the NFL RedZone Channel to pay TV operators for continued inclusion into their sports packages.” Though ESPN gets broad rights to the brand and TV distribution rights, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce NFL RedZone and retain the rights to distribute it digitally. ESPN’s platforms will now license an additional three NFL games per season (all to air on NFL Network) and will adjust its overall NFL game schedule with four games shifting to NFL Network, as well. The league will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses such as NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel and the official sites for all 32 teams. The two parties’ fantasy applications, NFL Fantasy Football and ESPN Fantasy Football, will merge, “creating the official Fantasy season-long game of the NFL and one best-in-class digital experience.” While much of the news is being presented by the parties involved as a shiny new present for NFL fans, there are some perceived negatives to the agreements. While Iger calls the transactions additions “to consumer choice,” in reality this is a step closer to a monopoly. At the moment, existing contracts keep the NFL readily available from several different streamers and television channels, but when those contracts expire, how willing will the NFL be to dole out games to networks other than the one it has a 10% stake in? ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio offered his usual candor in a making another relevant point about ESPN’s reporting responsibilities. When issues such as the ownership collusion case we’ve seen this summer break the NFL news circuit, how critical will ESPN be towards its minority owner? Ultimately, the transactions are still subject to the parties’ negotiation of definitive agreements, various approvals (including those of NFL team owners and federal regulators) and customary closing conditions. There’s still quite a ways to go, but Tuesday’s agreement gives a peek into what the NFL media future will look like.
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