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NEWARK, N.J. — The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Jonathan Gruden from their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
Gruden has commuted between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and the parent club several times this season.
He has one goal and no assists in 11 NHL games in 2023-24 — he failed to get on the scoresheet in three games with the Penguins last season — and has 13 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances with Wilkes-Barre.
He is 6-foot, 172 pounds and was acquired from Ottawa in the 2020 trade that sent goaltender Matt Murray to the Senators.
Gruden’s recall comes a day after the Penguins returned defenseman Jack St. Ivany to Wilkes-Barre. He had been recalled last Friday, but did not dress for either of the Penguins’ weekend home games.
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Pierre LeBrun Reveals Details on Rangers' Potential Artemi Panarin Decision
The New York Rangers have stumbled out of the gate under new head coach Mike Sullivan, opening the season 5-5-2 and struggling to find consistency on offense. The slow start has renewed speculation around the futures of several veterans, including star winger Artemi Panarin. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Rangers have not begun formal negotiations on a contract extension for Panarin, who is in the final season of his seven-year, $81.5 million deal and eligible for unrestricted free agency next July. LeBrun reported that while the Rangers have “a ton of respect and appreciation” for what Panarin has done, the front office plans to wait before engaging in serious talks. “For the moment, my sense of the situation is that it’s very early in the season,” LeBrun wrote. “The Rangers want to see how things go and therefore are not in a hurry to get going more seriously on talks to extend the pending UFA winger.” According to LeBrun, the term of Panarin's next contract is expected to be a key factor in talks for an extension, as Panarin is unlikely to consider a short-term deal, while the Rangers would prefer a shorter commitment because of his age. "If and when those talks get going again in a meaningful way, term may be the issue. Panarin turned 34 on Thursday,” LeBrun wrote. “I don’t think he’ll be open to a short-term deal, which would probably be the Rangers’ preference." Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has also discussed Panarin’s situation of late, noting that his performance this season will likely determine his chances of staying in New York. “If he’s gonna stay in New York, at what he wants, he’s gonna have to have the kind of year that makes them say we got to do this,” Friedman said. Through 12 games, Panarin has scored two goals and assisted on five more for seven total points, and it looks like his production and the Rangers’ results could shape whether the two sides explore an extension or part ways before free agency.
Charles Barkley knows the real problem with LeBron James
LeBron James may be out due to sciatica, but Charles Barkley is not buying it. He thinks he knows what is really going on with the Los Angeles Lakers star. Barkley was goofing around during “Inside the NBA” on ESPN Wednesday and talked about the Lakers, who had several players out for their game at the Minnesota Timberwolves. James was listed as out due to sciatica, which is a nerve issue. Barkley thinks the sciatica injury is a cover for something else. “First of all, LeBron doesn’t have a sciatica. They just put ‘old.’ O-L-D, with an extra ‘D,’ too,” Barkley joked. An update on James’ condition came out this week, saying that the Lakers forward could return in a few weeks. The Lakers have seemed to suggest that there is no urgency to rush James into action. However, Luka Doncic also getting hurt recently may have changed things for the team. For now, the Lakers are 3-2 and have been relying on Austin Reaves to do plenty of scoring. He is averaging 34.2 points per game this season. James is 40 years old and entering his 23rd NBA season. He’s allowed to have “old” or sciatica as an injury issue. As Barkley knows and often says, Father Time is undefeated.
Logical trade targets if the Vikings decide to buy before the trade deadline
While a loss Sunday in Detroit could turn Minnesota into a seller before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, a win would get them to 4-4 and perhaps entice them to be a buyer. If they do wind up acquiring help before the trade deadline, who are some logical targets? For that, we need to look at the teams most likely to be selling and find out which players at positions of need — cornerback and perhaps edge rusher — Minnesota could target. We also need to keep in mind that draft capital is a premium. Here's what the Vikings have in the 2026 draft cupboard: 1st round 2nd round 3rd round 5th fround (from Philadelphia via the Sam Howell trade) 6th round (from Indianapolis via the Mekhi Blackmon trade) 7th round 7th round (from Houston via the 2024 Cam Akers trade) 7th round (from Carolina via the Adam Thielen trade) What are the Vikings most likely to do before the deadline? It doesn't sound like much. Alec Lewis, of The Athletic, says to "expect some tires to be kicked, but don’t bank on an addition or subtraction, barring a serious injury." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero doesn't "see them going out and making a massive type of acquisition," but he says he could "see them having interest" in the edge rusher market. SI's Albert Breer says the Vikings are "among a list of teams looking for corners." So, let's see what the likely sellers might have available at cornerback and edge. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett (not logical) All signs point to the Browns keeping Garrett, so this is probably a waste of time to even consider. If they did open the door for a trade, it would cost an ungodly amount, including multiple first-round picks and perhaps some talented players. Cleveland hasn't had any cornerbacks mentioned in the rumor mills. Las Vegas Raiders: Eric Stokes Stokes would be a massive upgrade at cornerback for the Vikings, who lack depth behind Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Stokes shouldn't cost a ton because he's on a one-year, $3.5 million contract. There's no guarantee that he re-signs with the Raiders, so Vegas might be smart to trade him now, rather than losing him for nothing in free agency. Stokes ranked No. 38 in PFF coverage grades for cornerbacks, having allowed 10 receptions on 19 targets for 123 yards. Quarterbacks have a 72.9 passer rating when throwing into Stokes' coverage, which puts him among the top 30 in the NFL this season. Maimi Dolphins: Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Matthew Judon Chubb, Phillips and Judon would could be upgrades over Dallas Turner on the edge. But does Minnesota really want to trade for an edge rusher when Andrew Van Ginkel is about to return to the lineup? It's only a need if Van Ginkel is expected to miss more time. Phillips: 3 sacks, 32 pressures, PFF's 15th-ranked pass rusher at EDGE Chubb: 3 sacks, 21 pressures, PFF's 101st-ranked pass rusher at EDGE Judon: 0 sacks, 5 pressures, PFF's 116th-ranked pass rusher at EDGE Breer is hearing that it could take a third-round pick to get Phillips. New Orleans Saints: Alontae Taylor Taylor would be an upgrade in the cornerback room, but Breer says the Saints are asking for a second or third-round pick for him. The 2022 second-round pick is due to become a free agent, so it would only make sense for Minnesota to give up a quality draft pick for him if they can sign him to an extension. According to PFF, Taylor has the 31st-best coverage grade among cornerbacks, putting him just ahead of Jets star Sauce Gardner. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux Mike Garafolo reported this week that the Giants are telling interested teams no, but Thibodeaux appears to be the odd man out in New York with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter starting on the edges. He's under contract through 2026, so it might take a Day 2 pick to get him. Should the Vikings offer a third-rounder next year to shore up the edge? Thibodeaux has 2.5 sacks and 25 pressures this season, while ranking 49th among edge rushers via PFF's grades. He had just 5.5 sacks last year, but he posted an 11.5-sack season in 2023, which is what the Giants thought they were getting when they drafted him fifth overall in 2022. Washington Commanders: Noah Igbinoghene Igbinoghene might be the player that makes the most sense for Minnesota because he'd only cost them a late-round draft pick. He's a player who was on the field for 75% of Washington's snaps last season, but roster changes have led to him spending most of this season on the bench, having played a total of 40 defense snaps in 2025. The issue here is that he's best-suited for the slot, and the Vikings need someone who can fill the void of Jeff Okudah (concussions) on the outside. More from Vikings On SI
Mariners Report Is Great News For Josh Naylor Pursuit
The Seattle Mariners have arguably the most important offseason in recent memory coming up over the next few months. Seattle has been right on the doorstep. The Mariners have won 88 or more games in three of the last four seasons, including 90 wins in both 2025 and 2022. The only season the Mariners won fewer than 88 games over the last four season was in 2024 when they won 85 games. The Mariners had a phenomenal 2025 season and just won the American League West for the first time since 2001. Seattle obviously came within one win of the World Series as well in the American League Championship Series, as well. All of this is to say that the Mariners' window for contention is open, but does hinge on this offseason. The Mariners brought guys to town, like Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, who proved to be critical to he team's success down the stretch. Now, the Mariners need to figure out who to bring back -- and who to add -- and fortunately, they reportedly will have some money to spend, per MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. "(Josh Naylor) is ineligible for the $22.025 million qualifying offer -- which is a one-year deal calculated by averaging MLB’s 125 highest salaries -- because he was traded midseason," Kramer said. "The same can be said for Suárez, while Ferguson and Jackson won’t be considered, either. "The Mariners will have more money to spend than in any recent offseason -- in the $30 million to $35 million range for 2026 -- which should give them ample room to bring back Naylor and still address their other needs." There will be options for Seattle this offseason It would obviously make sense for the Mariners to bring back Naylor. This has been a popular talking point since before the Mariners were even knocked out of the playoffs. He played in 54 games and slashed .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs, 33 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, and 10 doubles in the regular season for Seattle. He clubbed three homers and batted .340 for the Mariners in the playoffs as well in 12 games. Even if Naylor isn't the guy, the fact that the Mariners reportedly have a little extra wiggle room for the payroll is a great sign. The Mariners' starting rotation is in good shape. They need to continue working on the offense around Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez. Outside of Naylor and Suárez, some of the top sluggers heading to the open market are Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, Cody Bellinger, Marcell Ozuna, and Gleyber Torres, among others. It sounds like the Mariners could afford to bring back Naylor, but regardless, there will be talent out there for the taking and Seattle needs to stay aggressive. More MLB: Mariners Can Afford To Cut Ties With 5-Year Veteran
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