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The Edmonton Oilers are set to head out on a five-game road trip, facing three of the top teams in the Eastern Conference as they return from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. With just two weeks until the trade deadline, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reports that the search for a top-six forward remains a priority, along with evaluating John Klingberg’s fit on the blue line.
Klingberg’s Audition for the Oilers Continues
Rishaugh notes that Klingberg’s run with Edmonton will continue, with the key question being whether he can slot in next to Darnell Nurse as a top-four defenseman or if he’s better suited for a bottom-pairing role. His performance over the next few games will significantly impact Stan Bowman’s trade deadline decisions.
If Klingberg shows he can keep getting better, take on more minutes, and eventually play a role on special teams, the Oilers probably won’t search for another top-four. Instead, Bowman will focus on a depth defenseman.
Top-Six Forward Needs Ahead of the Deadline
The Oilers are also closely evaluating their top-six forward options. Several players have been given opportunities alongside Leon Draisaitl, and that trend will likely continue on this road trip. Matt Savoie is the latest, but he won’t be the only player on the roster who gets time with the NHL’s second-highest leading scorer.
Can Vasily Podkolizin find another gear, or is he a bottom-six guy? Will Jeff Skinner‘s strong play continue, and will he start to score more regularly? Does Viktor Arvidsson have a more consistent gear?
With limited time before the deadline, Bowman will need to make quick assessments as the team resumes play after the 4 Nations break.
The Oilers still lead the Pacific Division, but they are tied in points at 72 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton enters this stretch looking for a stronger performance. They have lost three of five heading into the break.
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Montreal Canadiens Defenseman Lane Hutson Continue To Get High Praise
With the NHL offseason in a bit of a lull, everyone is looking ahead to see what next season could bring. That is why it is fun to look at lists like the NHL Network’s Top 20. This week, they featured the Top 20 Defensemen, and wouldn’t you know, the accolades and praise continue to come for Lane Hutson. The Montreal Canadiens phenom defenseman was named number 19 on the NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen list heading into the 2025-26 season. Hutson burst onto the scene last year, recording 66 points (six goals and 60 assists) in 82 games, helping the Canadiens get to the playoffs. He set a Canadiens rookie record for most points with 66, passing Chris Chelios, who set the mark of 64 in the 1984-85 season. In addition, Hutson tied Larry Murphy with the most assists, 60, for a rookie defenseman in the NHL. Not to mention, Hutson was the first rookie defenseman to record 60 points since Nicklas Lidstrom in 1991-92. When you are doing things Hall of Fame defenseman are doing in your rookie season, you know the player is very special. There was nothing that the Canadiens defenseman couldn’t do last year. Once he got onto the first power play unit, things took off for Hutson. So there is a reason why former greats of the game are saying he is one of the most talented since Guy Lafleur, the Montreal Canadiens have ever seen. “Time will tell, but he’s probably the most talented player the Canadiens have had since Guy Lafleur,” Serge Savard said Tuesday to Victor Munhoz of NHL.com. “Ever since I saw him, from the very beginning, I said he was the Canadiens’ best player. I was convinced early on that he would be a big star in the National Hockey League.” That is high praise for a player who is entering his second season in the NHL. But Hutson, who was drafted 62nd in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, has always been up against it and continues to prove the doubters wrong. Many thought he was too small and would never play in the NHL. But he worked hard after he was drafted to gain the necessary size to play in the NHL. He will only add more size to be a durable NHL defenseman. Montreal Canadiens: Jeff Gorton Was the Right Man for the Montreal Canadiens New Jersey Devils: Sources: No Plans in the Works for the Devils to Trade Dougie Hamilton Florida Panthers: The Florida Panthers Looking to Be Contenders For Many Years To Come Not only does he have the right mindset, but he is a rink rat. He is always looking to get better, and that is what the great players do. As EJ Hradek of NHL Network points out, Hutson is a competitor, and that is what drives him. “This guy is a competitor, and he’s always believed in himself. He is fearless. He is elusive, he’s got the puck on his stick almost the whole time he’s on the ice, seemingly,” Hradek said on NHL Network.” And while the NHL is going to adapt to Lane Hutson‘s play, he is going to learn and adapt to continue to improve. Lane Hutson holds the power in his hands. And last year, we saw him take strides, especially on the defensive side of the puck. Many thought an area of weakness was his height, especially in the defensive zone. Still, he showed his skating ability made up for it as he was able to separate bigger players from the puck and transition the Canadiens from defence to offence in the blink of an eye. “The things he can do, not many people can do that,” Savard said to NHL.com. “Naturally, you’re always scared when a 6-foot-4 guy comes from his blind side at 100 miles an hour, but he’s so agile and always finds a way to get out of the way. He’s not afraid to play when a game is very intense.” Lane Hutson can dominate like many top NHL defenseman can. He can take over games and dominate at such a young age. So the praise is warranted. However, to say he is the most talented player since Lafleur in Montreal Canadiens history is glossing over some of the greats and Hall of Famers who played for the team, like Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Larry Robinson, Jacques Lemaire, and Patrick Roy. Not to mention a certain defenseman who now works for ESPN, P.K. Subban had a similar skillset to Hutson. The way he could skate around the ice, he could control the game as well. Now, Hutson has surpassed Subban for sure. Hutson’s time will come, and if he puts another season as he did, the remarks are justified. One thing is for sure: Lane Hutson deserves this praise. The Montreal Canadiens have a cornerstone on the backend to guide that young core as they prepare to return to the playoffs. Hutson wants to remain in Montreal long-term, so that means he could be part of the group that could raise the first Canadiens Stanley Cup banner to the rafters of the Bell Centre.
Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
After working to return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup following an oblique injury, Miguel Amaya suffered a gruesome-looking injury in his first game back with the Cubs on Wednesday night. Running to first base, Amaya just beat out an infield single on a slow dribbler to shortstop when his left foot landed forcefully on the base, causing his leg to buckle and sending Amaya flying down the first base line. Following the injury, Amaya was carted off the field in Toronto with a towel over his face. The emotions shown by Amaya as he was carted off indicated he knew already he would miss more time in a season that has been marred by injuries. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Amaya would be going back on the injured list with what was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. X-rays, however, were negative. The 26-year-old Amaya had just told reporters after being activated from the 60-day injured list that he was thankful he was healthy. Just three at-bats later, Amaya was once again injured. Amaya's three at-bats against the Blue Jays on Wednesday represented his first game action since May 24, when he recorded just two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds before leaving the game with an oblique injury. In just 96 at-bats this season, Amaya is slashing .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 25 RBI. Amaya's injury is another blow for the Cubs, who have seen their lead in the National League Central evaporate as the Milwaukee Brewers have now won 12 consecutive games and are 20-4 since the All-Star break. As has been the case in Amaya's absence, Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will continue to be the dominant presences behind the plate for the Cubs. Joining with Amaya, the duo has helped the Cubs record a 2.8 Wins Above Average (WAA) at catcher, the highest mark of any MLB team. After Amaya's injury, the Cubs would go on to post a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Commanders have major hang-up preventing them from paying Terry McLaurin what he's due
It’s been two weeks since Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin publicly revealed his trade request, and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight. Thanks to ESPN’s John Keim, we’re starting to get more insight into how the Commanders are approaching negotiations…and how they run counter to their star wide receiver’s financial desires. As we’ve assumed all along, the Commanders are wary of giving McLaurin a lucrative contract that would extend well into the player’s 30s. As Keim notes, the Commanders “rely heavily on analytics,” and those numbers aren’t particularly kind to receivers on the wrong side of 30. They may be onto something. Per ESPN Research, over the past five years, only three receivers 31 years or older have played at least 10 games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per game (that number jumps to six players if you adjust for 60-plus receiving yards). Further, the team can simply point to the NFL landscape, as other teams are also clearly wary of paying aging wideouts. Among the 24 active wide receivers who are attached to the most guaranteed money, only Tyreek Hill was older than 30 when the deal was signed. McLaurin has continually pointed to his lack of mileage despite his age; he barely played during his first two years at Ohio State, meaning he may not have the same wear and tear as similar players his age. McLaurin is also naturally pointing to the stat sheet, as the receiver has continually produced despite uncertain QB play, uncertain ownership and a handful of different coaching staffs. Per Keim, the Commanders don’t want to pay McLaurin based on his past performance, with the front office preferring to shape any future contracts based on his projections for age-31-plus seasons. The organization also doesn’t want to set a new precedent by paying McLaurin, as it could convince future veterans to push for lucrative deals in their 30s. While McLaurin has taken the drastic measure of requesting a trade out of Washington, the organization is still convinced they have leverage in this showdown. After all, the player is still under contract for the 2025 campaign, meaning McLaurin will have to forfeit game checks if he sits out games. The team could even choose to slap him with the franchise tag next offseason (which could come in north of $30M), meaning they’re in full control of the player’s fate moving forward. The team is also skeptical that another suitor is going to willingly pay McLaurin the type of money he’s seeking. Per Keim, there are doubts around the league about whether another team would be willing to meet the receiver’s demands. Even if a clear suitor does emerge, Keim makes it clear that Washington’s front office won’t give the star away without receiving a haul. We heard recently that McLaurin wasn’t necessarily seeking a deal that matched fellow 2019 draftee D.K. Metcalf‘s deal with the Steelers. However, Keim says Metcalf’s contract has generally served as a guide for McLaurin, but it’s uncertain whether the Commanders wideout is looking to match the AAV ($33M) or total guarantees ($60M). Ultimately, one source believes the Commanders may agree to pay McLaurin a contract that will pay $28M per year. Of course, it’s uncertain if the player would even accept that offer. If that hypothetical maximum offer doesn’t end in a signing, a divorce may be the logical next step.
Ex-Steelers Decision Maker Delivers Harsh Statement About Cam Heyward
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t overly thrilled to learn that defensive stalwart Cam Heyward was seeking more money before the 2025 season. Just ahead of the 2024 campaign, the Steelers and Heyward went through similar negotiations, with the organization feeling they had done right by their veteran leader. Heyward, however, saw things differently. News broke that the All-Pro defensive lineman was staging a hold-in, participating in team activities but withholding his full commitment while waiting for a new deal. Mark Kaboly has even noted how unusual this situation is, pointing out that it should be a straightforward resolution for both sides to reach an agreement and save face. The fact that it remains unresolved has led some to believe there may be deeper issues at play beyond just contract numbers. This standoff has fueled speculation about what is truly driving Heyward’s demands and whether the relationship between the player and the franchise has become more strained than the public realizes. Former Steelers pro personnel coordinator Doug Whaley, who spent a decade in Pittsburgh working under General Manager Kevin Colbert, weighed in on the matter this week. Speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday, Whaley called the situation a significant misstep by Heyward and his camp. In his view, the veteran’s handling of the contract dispute could tarnish his standing with the team and complicate what should have been an easily negotiated extension for one of the Steelers’ most respected players. "Think about this," Whaley started in an interview with 93.7 The Fan Wednesday morning. "The 15 years of goodwill Cam Heyward has gained in the public and on the team, it's smashed over this lack of foresight. So to me, it's an abject failure from Cam. So I can understand why he has such vitriol from the fans because you should have did this before." Whaley has worked in professional football for decades and understands the inner workings of the league. His opinion on the matter carries validity, and it’s interesting to hear from someone who once made important decisions inside the Steelers’ building share where he stands. Heyward is the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner. When he received the honor, the Steelers fan base rallied behind him, expressing just how beloved he is in Pittsburgh. He still holds that status, but Whaley says he understands why some fans are upset with his request. "In the end, it's not on the Steelers," Whaley said. "This is on Cam Heyward and his camp." The coming weeks will be telling for both Heyward and the Steelers. Training camp and the preseason are usually a time for optimism, but this contract standoff has added an unexpected layer of tension. While most expect Heyward to be on the field when the games begin to count, the lingering negotiations could leave a lasting impression on how the organization and its fans view one of the franchise’s all-time great defenders. Steelers' Situation With Cam Heyward Causing Slight Tensions From the team’s perspective, it is a delicate balance between rewarding a player who has been a cornerstone of the defense for over a decade and making sound financial decisions for the future. For Heyward, it is about securing what he feels he has earned after years of leadership, production, and sacrifice for the team. Both sides have valid points, yet the longer this situation drags on, the more potential there is for frustration to build. Whaley’s remarks may not change the outcome, but they highlight a perspective from someone who knows the pressures of building a winning roster. Whether this ends with a handshake or more hard feelings, one thing is clear: the resolution of this standoff will play a role in shaping the Steelers’ 2025 season narrative. Do you agree with Whaley and his sentiments about Heyward?
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