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NHL Weekender: Rule change coming in time for the playoffs?
At the end of every workweek, Yardbarker takes a look at what the NHL has in store for the weekend. We'll see whose stock is soaring, who needs to get their acts together and what tilts promise to keep you on the edge of your seat. In this week's edition, the playoff race continues and discussion arises about changing a very controversial rule.
Who's on fire
Every week, we look at how all teams have performed over the past week-plus. Right now, the Columbus Blue Jackets are making big noise in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a spotless 10-0 record in their last 10 contests. After a rough run midseason hiccup, CBJ is getting hot at the right time, pushing into a playoff spot and knocking division competitors Philadelphia and New Jersey down into the Wild Card slots.
Out west, the San Jose Sharks have catapulted themselves in second place in the Pacific with an impressive six-game winning streak. While Tuesday's 6-2 win against the Devils was surprising enough, their 2-1 OT win over the Golden Knights on Thursday night was perhaps even more impressive. Thursday's victory also helped give the Sharks some cushion in the standings as they try to hold off L.A. and Anaheim for second place in the Pacific.
Who's on a skid
The Devils are about to end a six-game road trip in which they've lost their last two tilts. While they're still holding on to a Wild Card spot, Florida is just a point behind and threatening to bump New Jersey out. The Devils' home schedule will be no cake walk either with games against Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh on the docket over the next week.
The tight competition has bumped the Dallas Stars from a playoff spot in the Western Conference as well. While they appeared to have a strong hold in the Wild Card race, their recent 2-5-3 run has put distance between them and their competitors — in the wrong direction. Their competition the rest of the way is a mixed bag of non-contending teams and playoff-bound squads like the Boston Bruins, who visit Dallas Friday.
Rule change on the horizon
We have targeted the goalie interference challenge for a while now as a rule that causes an inordinate amount of confusion — as have half of the players and coaches in the league. Most notably, Edmonton netminder Cam Talbot went on a fiery, expletive-riddled rant on the topic.
After the most recent NHL GM meetings, we may actually see some change very soon. Reports say the league's plan is to have the hockey operations department in Toronto make the rulings whenever a coach challenges a goal.
"It will be an improvement to the extent that the managers and the coaches were looking for consistency,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told the press.
The goal is to have this new protocol in play in time for the playoffs.
What to watch this weekend
Saturday, Golden Knights at Avalanche, 3 p.m. EST, ATRM, Alti
It seems like eons ago that Vegas was the surprisingly hot new expansion team that nobody expected to do well. That's just what the Golden Knights were in October when they embarrassed Colorado 7-0. Now with the Avs dueling to remain in the playoff race and the Golden Knights coming off a loss in San Jose, this game shouldn't be quite as lopsided.
Saturday, Predators at Wild, 8 p.m. EST, FSN+, FSTN
When these squads met back in November, Minnesota scored four goals in the last seven minutes to win the game. That was, of course, at a time of the season before the Preds went on their magnificent tear and overtook the Central Division. These teams play each other twice in the upcoming week, but Saturday is the matchup to watch.
More must-reads:
- Brad Marchand has the Bruins rolling, whether you like it or not
- Retired NHL official to join situation room for goaltender interference reviews
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Major Update Emerges in Dylan Samberg's Contract Negotiations With the Winnipeg Jets
A big development has emerged in the Dylan Samberg-Winnipeg Jets contract negotiations, and there appears to be mutual interest in a long-term deal. The Winnipeg Jets and defenceman Dylan Samberg have a lot of work to do if they are going to avoid a July 30 arbitration hearing, which is now only two days away. Dylan Samberg was one of three Jets players who filed for arbitration earlier this summer, along with forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron. Though both forwards signed brand new contracts well in advance of their respective hearings, Samberg is still unsigned with the deadline looming large. Now at the age of 26, Samberg is coming off a two-year contract that paid him $1.4 million per season and is in line for a substantial increase. Samberg had the sixth-best plus/minus rating in the entire NHL He was a vital contributor on Winnipeg's blue line last season, recording six goals, 14 assists, for 20 points in 60 games, but what really stood out was his +34 rating, which was sixth-best in the entire league. His consistent play and growing responsibilities on the back end have established him as an integral component of the Jets' top-four defensive corps, and the team will want to do whatever they can to retain him for the long haul. There's a lot of interest in getting a long-term agreement done on both sides. NHL insider Murat Ates doesn't see why it wouldn't get done, and believes the Jets need to value Samberg's defensive game, rather than just his point totals. 'Lots of interest in a long term deal. I don't see why it wouldn't get done. That said, a lot of people assume it will be easy. In practice, it's tough to price such a positive defensive impact. Pay Samberg for points+TOI and you don't pay him enough. Big day.' - Murat Ates Elliotte Friedman also revealed that should it actually get to arbitration, the two sides will only be allowed to agree to a one-year deal, which will essentially walk Samberg to unrestricted free agency. This is why hammering out a long-term deal now is so important. Arbitration has a tendency to ruin relationships between teams and players. Former Jets Jacob Trouba and Andrew Copp both abandoned the organization following really rough hearings. Winnipeg will certainly be hoping to avoid the same result with Samberg, whose consistency and value continue to increase with each passing game.
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following the troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
Why SS Bo Bichette's stellar play could cost Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in Major League Baseball. Depth contributions throughout the lineup and on the pitching staff are a major factor in their success, but what might be even more important is the heater shortstop Bo Bichette is on. Like most of the rest of the team, after a slow start, Bichette has found his groove, and he put it all on display as Toronto (63-43) won three of four at AL Central-leading Detroit from Thursday-Sunday. Already with two RBI on Thursday and Friday, Bichette added two RBI in Saturday's 6-1 win that included this unreal 13-pitch at-bat against Tarik Skubal. Not many are taking arguably the best pitcher in baseball 13 pitches deep and forcing a walk. In Toronto's 10-4 loss Sunday, Bichette went 5-for-5 with two more RBI. Per StatMuse, it was his fourth five-hit game in the big leagues. Bichette entered the four-game series with a .281 average and now heads to Baltimore with a .289 average. That's superstar stuff from the 27-year-old two-time All-Star. Through 103 games, Bichette has 13 HRs and 65 RBI, putting him on pace for a 20-HR, 99-RBI season. He has driven in 100 runs only once during his seven-year MLB career. Bichette is doing himself wonders in a contract year, especially after a down, injury-plagued 2024 season. Toronto's chance to extend him at a discounted rate is long gone, and it feels like a formality that Bichette will at least test the market this winter. We've seen megadeals handed out to some of the league's best shortstops in recent years, including the Mets' Francisco Lindor, Texas' Corey Seager, Philadelphia's Trea Turner and Minnesota's Carlos Correa. Combine that with the increasing contract values around baseball, and Bichette is set to receive a massive payday. For now, Bichette's focus is on helping the Blue Jays win and make a postseason run that includes Toronto's first World Series title since 1993.
Ichiro had the most backhanded compliment for Marlins during Hall of Fame speech
Ichiro Suzuki delivered an amazing speech as he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, and it even included a surprising swipe at one of his own former teams. During the iconic speech, Ichiro took the time to thank each of of the three MLB teams that he played for across his 19 MLB seasons. When he arrived at the Miami Marlins, he made a hilarious wisecrack about how he had never heard of the team before they offered him a contract in 2015. “And to the Miami Marlins: I appreciate David Samson and Mike Hill for coming today. Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team,” Ichiro joked. Many were surprised to hear Ichiro deliver his speech in English, as he almost always used an interpreter in interviews during and after his playing career. The fact that the 51-year-old was able to entertain the crowd while not speaking in his native language made the speech even more iconic. While thanking the New York Yankees, Ichiro had a funny comment about how his former teammates were only there to support CC Sabathia, who was also being inducted into Cooperstown. Ichiro is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and fans have enjoyed seeing the less serious side of him in recent months. Earlier this year, he also took a hilarious shot at the lone Hall of Fame voter who snubbed him. Ichiro called out the voter again during his speech on Sunday.
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