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Will Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller get his extension?
Mar 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller (79) skates during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks hold a team option on Rick Tocchet

Thomas Drance of The Athletic: The Vancouver Canucks hold a team option for head coach Rick Tocchet next season and a team source said the Canucks view Tocchet as their head coach for next season and that they intend to exercise the option. Tocchet has stated he doesn’t want to talk about his contract situation right now as they’re focusing on the playoffs.

“I think it’s better to wait, for me, so we can really sit down and talk, because I have no time to talk about my contract, in the sense that, you know … I’m all in with this team right now,” Tocchet said in a recent radio interview with Sportsnet 650.

“It’ll (happen at) the appropriate time. That’s really what it is. I can’t really concentrate on that stuff. Every day we come in, we’re really concentrated on a lot of different things. I’m very comfortable, and I think they are, too. That when it’s the appropriate time, we can spend some time and really dive in on where we’re going, what we’re going to do, and things like that.”

Tocchet is reportedly making $2.75 million a season. The Canucks maybe wanting to sign him to a contract extension this offseason, and he’d be getting a nice raise.

Will K’Andre Miller get his extension and finding a D partner for Adam Fox

Vince Z. Mercogliano of Lohud: The 25-year-old New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller is a pending RFA. It’s been an up-and-down season for Miller, but has been steadier since the calendar turned.

Things have been clicking with defensive partner Will Borgan, who signed a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension not long after being acquired. Miller is trying to block out his contract situation.

“I’ve done a pretty good job of just putting it on the back burner for this year,” Miller said. “I’m just worrying about getting better every day, pushing my teammates to be better, and really demanding the best out of myself. When the contract comes, it comes.”

The Rangers also gave Urho Vaakanainen an extension and traded for Carson Soucy (Ryan Lindgren was trade away). Soucy has a year left on his contract. Finding another defenseman that can ‘move the needle’ is needed. Miller logs almost 22 minutes a game, but can he take it to the next level? He’s their best left-handed defenseman.

Jakob Chychrun is off the market, and the pending UFA lists drops to Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov after that.

Miller and Borgen on the second pairing may be ideal. Finding a partner for Adam Fox would be needed, and they likely won’t have a lot of salary cap space to work with.

This article first appeared on NHL Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward
NHL

'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward

According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.

New York Yankees Top Prospect Reportedly Drawing Serious Trade Interest
MLB

New York Yankees Top Prospect Reportedly Drawing Serious Trade Interest

If the New York Yankees are looking to add in the coming days, they may have to part ways with some of the young talent rising through the ranks of their farm system. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Thursday afternoon that catcher Rafael Flores was one Yankees prospect who has been coveted by trade partners. Flores was promoted from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last Saturday. Flores hit .287 with 15 home runs, 23 doubles, 48 runs, 56 RBIs, six stolen bases and an .841 OPS across 87 games in Double-A. Through six Triple-A contests, the 24-year-old catcher is batting .208 with one home runs, three runs, three RBIs and a .720 OPS. MLB Pipeline has Flores ranked as the Yankees' No. 8 prospect, making him the only catcher in the organization's top 25. The Yankees already swung a blockbuster deal with the Colorado Rockies on Friday, acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon, parting ways with pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz in order to complete the trade. The following day, superstar outfielder Aaron Judge hit the 10-day injured list with a flexor strain. Those two moves could change New York's plans for the coming days, including their willingness to move Flores. The future of second-year first baseman Ben Rice, who has spent roughly one-seventh of his time at catcher this season, could also play a part in determining Flores' availability. The trade deadline is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
MLB

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe

With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.

Dodgers Announce Max Muncy Update After 16 Straight Missed Games
MLB

Dodgers Announce Max Muncy Update After 16 Straight Missed Games

Third baseman Max Muncy is in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. Muncy failed to establish himself as a reliable major-league hitter in Oakland, but his career took off in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger has made two All-Star teams with the Dodgers and appeared in 905 games, hitting 203 home runs and driving in 575 runs. He’s also been a postseason hero, batting .217 with 44 hits, 13 homers, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored across 62 career playoff games, and he’s won two World Series titles (2020, 2024). On July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise after a collision at third base while making a tag. An MRI showed no structural damage, and although his initial recovery timeline was set at six weeks, the Dodgers announced he could begin a rehab assignment next week and return ahead of schedule. His rehab progress has expedited his return timetable, and the team is eagerly anticipating his comeback. During his absence, the Dodgers have dropped five of 16 games, and their division lead dropped to five games over the San Diego Padres. His veteran presence has been missed in the clubhouse as much as his bat has been at the plate. In 2025, Muncy is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 walks while hitting in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.

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