However, not every deal works out that well. This week, we’ll identify a decision for which each team would like a do-over.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published Jan. 13. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Boston must regret not finding a way to sign David Pastrnak to a long-term extension before this season. Because the way Pastrnak has played, on pace towards the first 100-point effort of his career, only makes the winger (deservedly) more expensive on his next deal. But hey, some problems are good to have.
Previous ranking: 3 Points percentage: 71.11% Next seven days: @ NYI (Jan. 21), @ DAL (Jan. 25)
After signing Ethan Bear to a one-year, $2.2 million contract — and then not playing him in a single game — the Canes dealt the defenseman to Vancouver. Now, the Hurricanes’ lack of defensive depth has them searching for a solid third pairing. A player like Bear (with three goals and 10 points in 34 games) would be a nice option, no?
Previous ranking: 8 Points percentage: 67.05% Next seven days: @ CGY (Jan. 21), vs. MIN (Jan. 24), vs. BOS (Jan. 26)
Tampa Bay traded Ryan McDonagh — an integral player in their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins — to try keeping enough cap space for a guy like Ondrej Palat, only to see him walk in free agency as well. That’s a lot of talent and much-needed leadership out of the door, the loss of which could come back to hurt the Lightning in the postseason.
Previous ranking: 5 Points percentage: 68.89% Next seven days: vs. PIT (Jan. 22), vs. VGK (Jan. 24), @ NSH (Jan. 26)
New Jersey’s one regret has to be not addressing their goaltending sooner. Vitek Vanecek coming on board over the summer helped ignite this Devils team into the special group into which it’s blossoming.
Previous ranking: 2 Points percentage: 68.48% Next seven days: @ MTL (Jan. 21), vs. NYI (Jan. 23), vs. NYR (Jan. 25)
Toronto had a golden opportunity to showcase Mitch Marner as a defenseman during their early-season slump (which was highlighted by a slew of blue-line absences). Alas, coach Sheldon Keefe only floated the idea without ever bringing it to fruition, and the Leafs’ back end has been sturdy ever since. What magic Marner could have brought!
Winnipeg has made such a stark turnaround this season under new coach Rick Bowness. It’s only natural to wonder if the Jets regret not making a switch behind the bench sooner. That fresh voice has done wonders for a revived group.
Previous ranking: 6 Points percentage: 64.89% Next seven days: vs. ARI (Jan. 21), vs. BUF (Jan. 23), vs. CAR (Jan. 25)
Dallas’ success has hinged heavily on its top performers. The Stars’ emerging issue is what to do when they aren’t available — or playing up to snuff. Roope Hintz is injured, and that has hurt Dallas given the lack of personnel to backfill. The Stars invested in their stars; looking back, Dallas could have paid more attention to how to survive without them.
Previous ranking: 4 Points percentage: 63.04% Next seven days: vs. WSH (Jan. 21), @ ARI (Jan. 22), @ NJ (Jan. 24)
Vegas’ longtime looming issue is the salary cap and how close they are to it. And when injuries start piling up — as they are now — the Golden Knights know it won’t be easy juggling cap constraints and staying competitive. Given a chance, Vegas might roll the dice differently on its approach to roster construction.
Previous ranking: 7 Points percentage: 64.44% Next seven days: vs. COL (Jan. 21), vs. VAN (Jan. 25)
Seattle’s one potential weak spot in an otherwise outstanding season? Goaltending. The Kraken signed veteran Martin Jones to back up Philipp Grubauer, but it’s Jones who has taken over as No. 1 from the struggling (and previously injured) Grubauer. Will Seattle regret not investing more in their goaltending depth given Jones (.895 SV%) and Grubauer (.888 SV%) have had their issues?
Previous ranking: 10 Points percentage: 61.96% Next seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 23), @ TOR (Jan. 25)
New York allowed several productive forwards — Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp and Frank Vatrano among them — to walk in free agency and did little to fill in the gaps. The absence of depth up front has hurt the Rangers at 5-on-5 and on the power play when remaining skaters — like Chris Kreider — are sidelined by injury.
Minnesota had an excellent fourth line going last season, with Nico Sturm and Nick Bjugstad leading the way. The Wild didn’t re-sign either player in the offseason and their replacements — including Brandon Duhaime and Mason Shaw — have been inconsistent. The importance of depth is paramount, and Minnesota could look back longingly on what they’ve lost there.
Los Angeles should have turned to Pheonix Copley sooner in net. He was right there in the American Hockey League while the Kings went through early-season lows with Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen. Copley has gone 12-2-0 since being recalled to the NHL in December. He was the savior they needed all along.
Previous ranking: 16 Points percentage: 58.51% Next seven days: @ VAN (Jan. 21), vs. CBJ (Jan. 25)
Edmonton signed Jack Campbell to a splashy five-year, $25 million contract in July and anointed him the Oilers’ new No. 1 netminder. Campbell has responded with an .886 save percentage and 3.36 goals-against average through 23 appearances (13-8-1). Ouch.
Previous ranking: 15 Points percentage: 56.98% Next seven days: @ VAN (Jan. 20), @ SEA (Jan. 21), vs. WSH (Jan. 24), vs. ANA (Jan. 26)
Colorado GM Joe Sakic must look at the Avalanche’s crush of forward injuries this season and feel some twinge of regret about the offseason departures of Nazem Kadri (35 points in 46 games for Calgary) and Andre Burakovsky (37 points in 44 games for Seattle). Being able to keep just one might have helped Colorado better weather its injury bug (although the Avs do finally appear to be on the mend — and the upswing).
Previous ranking: 13 Points percentage: 58.33% Next seven days: @ VGK (Jan. 21), @ COL (Jan. 24), vs. PIT (Jan. 26)
Washington finally found its footing after a slow start, only to see that identity start leaching away as healthy bodies returned to the lineup and changes were made. Coach Peter Laviolette’s repeated tinkering seems to have pushed the Capitals out of their previous rhythm. Doing too much, too soon could come back to bite Washington down the stretch if it falls short in the standings.
Previous ranking: 12 Points percentage: 57.96% Next seven days: vs. OTT (Jan. 20), @ NJ (Jan. 22), vs. FLA (Jan. 24), @ WSH (Jan. 26)
Pittsburgh went through an early-season, seven-game losing streak that highlighted, for some, a need to shake things up from the Penguins’ old guard and inject the team with new life. GM Ron Hextall stood pat. Pittsburgh is now deep into more struggles, with only three wins in its past 11. If Hextall could rewind a few months, would he have been wrong to make a trade to jolt the Penguins’ forward group?
Previous ranking: 18 Points percentage: 53.33% Next seven days: vs. LA (Jan. 21), vs. WPG (Jan. 24), vs. NJ (Jan. 26)
Nashville put Eeli Tolvanen on waivers in December and saw him subsequently claimed by the Kraken. Even Predators GM David Poile recently admitted that might have been a mistake. We’d agree. The winger has been thriving in Seattle (five goals and seven points in nine games) while Nashville struggles for offense.
Previous ranking: 20 Points percentage: 55.44% Next seven days: vs. TB (Jan. 21), vs. CBJ (Jan. 23), vs. CHI (Jan. 26)
Calgary’s Brad Treliving had to trade Matthew Tkachuk somewhere. In hindsight, and if possible, would he look beyond Florida as his partner in that? MacKenzie Weegar has bolstered the Flames’ back end, but Calgary hasn’t been the best fit — yet — for Jonathan Huberdeau. Maybe there was a more optimal trade out there — for both sides.
Previous ranking: 17 Points percentage: 54.26% Next seven days: vs. CAR (Jan. 21), @ TOR (Jan. 23), @ OTT (Jan. 25)
New York finished last season 23rd overall in scoring, and did little to nothing in the offseason to elevate its offense. Where do the Islanders sit now in that respect? 24th (averaging 2.98 goals per game). Yikes. What if New York’s decision to stand pat could now cost the Islanders a playoff berth?
Previous ranking: 19 Points percentage: 53.41% Next seven days: vs. ANA (Jan. 21), @ DAL (Jan. 23), @ STL (Jan. 24), @ WPG (Jan. 26)
Buffalo needed to figure out sooner Tage Thompson was meant to be a center. Props to coach Don Granato for finally pulling Thompson off the wing and unleashing the superstar within. Imagine how much further ahead the Sabres might be had Thompson switched sooner?
Previous ranking: 22 Points percentage: 53.26% Next seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 21), vs. BUF (Jan. 24), @ ARI (Jan. 26)
St. Louis stumbled out of the gate, without making major changes to recover (which it did, briefly). Now the Blues have slid back down the Central Division standings and their two biggest trade assets — Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko — are hurt. Will St. Louis look back with regret for not trying to move both players sooner and get a (possibly) more substantial return than might be available now?
Previous ranking: 21 Points percentage: 52.13% Next seven days: vs. MIN (Jan. 21), @ NYR (Jan. 23), @ PIT (Jan. 24)
Florida might have gone too hard with its offseason makeover. Yes, Matthew Tkachuk is a star — but losing Jonathan Huberdeau and particularly MacKenzie Weegar in the trade to acquire him, coupled with not resigning Claude Giroux or Mason Marchment or Ben Chiarotand changing coaches from Andrew Brunette to Paul Maurice? Phew. It was a lot. And Florida hasn’t looked nearly the same after all that turnover.
Previous ranking: 23 Points percentage: 52.27% Next seven days: vs. PHI (Jan. 21), vs. SJ (Jan. 24), @ MTL (Jan. 26)
Detroit’s best offseason move was acquiring Ville Husso. Perhaps its worst was not having the right depth to support him. Husso has been run ragged as Alex Nedeljkovic started this season like he finished the last: stumbling. Now the Red Wings are on to Magnus Hellberg as Husso’s backup … but is he too late to help Detroit salvage its playoff hopes?
Previous ranking: 24 Points percentage: 48.91% Next seven days: @ DET (Jan. 21), vs. WPG (Jan. 22), vs. LA (Jan. 24), @ MIN (Jan. 26)
Philadelphia ultimately passed on picking up Johnny Gaudreau’s hefty free agent contract last summer. But well before that, the Flyers bypassed selecting Cole Caufieldtwice in the 2019 draft (trading back from No. 11 to No. 14, then taking defenseman Cam York). Might Caufield have become the sort of electrifying forward Philadelphia could use in its ranks right now? Hard not to wonder “what if.”
Previous ranking: 25 Points percentage: 48.86% Next seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 20), vs. WPG (Jan. 21), vs. NYI (Jan. 25)
Ottawa can’t go back now … but if the Senators could, does the trade for Nikita Zaitsev (and his seven-year, $31.5 million deal) still happen? Zaitsev has another year remaining on that pact while having long since fallen out of favor with the Senators. His would be a tough contract to move at this point, too.
Previous ranking: 27 Points percentage: 44.32% Next seven days: vs. COL (Jan. 20), vs. EDM (Jan. 21), vs. CHI (Jan. 24), @ SEA (Jan. 25)
Vancouver might have settled its coaching situation before this season started. All the drama surrounding Bruce Boudreau’s status is not only distracting, but ultimately unfair to the man himself wondering when the ax will — it seems inevitably — fall.
Previous ranking: 26 Points percentage: 44.57% Next seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 21), vs. BOS (Jan. 24), vs. DET (Jan. 26)
Montreal moved on from Charlie Lindgren in 2021 after giving the goaltender only 24 NHL opportunities over five seasons. The Canadiens might like to rethink that. Lindgren is shining in Washington this season (11-6-2, .910 save percentage, 2.62 goals-against average) while Montreal’s No. 1 Jake Allen (taking over for Carey Price) has struggled for consistency (10-16-1, .892, 3.52).
San Jose’s present struggles can be tied to past contract decisions, namely the expensive, multiyear pacts doled out to veteran players (who are now difficult to trade). That has made it hard to build the Sharks’ roster up elsewhere and, well, they’re seeing the results of that now.
Previous ranking: 29 Points percentage: 36.67% Next seven days: @ DAL (Jan. 21), vs. VGK (Jan. 22), vs. ANA (Jan. 24), vs. STL (Jan. 26)
Arizona wants a large return in trade for Jakob Chychrun that, so far, no other team has been able to meet. That decision could come back to haunt the Coyotes, as Chychrun remains in the fold and teams that could covet his services most — those in a playoff-bound position — are already priced out. Where does that leave Arizona and the ongoing Chychrun saga?
Previous ranking: 32 Points percentage: 34.88% Next seven days: @ STL (Jan. 21), vs. LA (Jan. 22), @ VAN (Jan. 24), @ CGY (Jan. 26)
Chicago management has seemingly been doing the most to win the coveted Connor Bedard sweepstakes … but what if the Blackhawks don’t? They traded Alex DeBrincat, gave up too quickly on Kirby Dach, and let Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome walk (plus they still haven’t traded Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews). Chicago might look back wistfully at all the proven players it had — and lost — in the pursuit of that No. 1 pick.
Columbus inked Elvis Merzlikins to a five-year, $27 million contract that started this season — and Merzlikins is currently the league’s worst goaltender at 5-12-0, with an .869 save percentage and 4.44 goals-against average. The Blue Jackets have to be nervous now about the value on their long-term investment.
Previous ranking: 31 Points percentage: 33.70% Next seven days: @ BUF (Jan. 21), @ ARI (Jan. 24), @ COL (Jan. 26)
Anaheim likely watched Connor Bedard perform spectacularly in the world juniors and wished for a do-over in every single game it has won this season. Because coming out on top in the NHL draft lottery would be the sweetest consolation in this down year for the Ducks.
NASCAR did not approve 65-year-old driver Mike Wallace, who hasn’t competed in a Cup Series race since 2015, to get behind the wheel for MBM Motorsports at the Daytona 500.
Had he been approved, Wallace would have been the second-oldest driver to start the race.
A NASCAR spokesperson said that Wallace has not raced on any intermediate or larger tracks since 2015, leading to his rejection for Daytona consideration. It would also have been Wallace’s first time racing in NASCAR’s Next Gen car, which was introduced in 2022.
NASCAR did not shut the door on Wallace entering the race for 2026, but the driver said he was stunned by the rejection in a Facebook post late Monday.
“This comes as a total shock as the President of NASCAR last week in a real phone call told me all was good and he will see me in Daytona,” Wallace said in his post. “I owe this posting to all my fans and non fans who were so supportive through the great messages and postings of support as they say I inspired them!”
Wallace wrote that he was not approved to race in the Cup, Xfinity or Truck series in 2025. He also said there were sponsors committed to MBM Motorsports and him specifically for the Daytona 500 effort.
Wallace made 197 career starts in the Cup series, with the last coming at the 2015 Daytona 500. He notched 14 top-10 finishes on NASCAR’s top circuit but never won a Cup race.
The police report said Matusz’s mother found him in his home on Jan. 6 when she went to check on him. The report states that Matusz, who was 37, was on his back on a couch with a white substance in his mouth and aluminum foil, a lighter and a straw on the floor near his hand.
There were no apparent injuries, trauma or signs of foul play, according to the police report. But as part of the death investigation, Matusz’s body was taken to the medical examiner in Maricopa County.
Matusz, the No. 4 pick in the 2008 MLB draft, spent almost his entire eight-year career with the Orioles. He pitched in 279 games for Baltimore, making 68 starts.
He eventually became a reliever and was most known for his success against Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who went 4-for-29 (.138) with 13 strikeouts in his career against Matusz.
Matusz pitched in the 2012 and 2014 postseason for the Orioles and was traded to the Atlanta Braves in May 2016 and released a week later.
He signed with the Chicago Cubs, where he pitched in the minors except for one three-inning major league start on July 31, 2016.
The first 12-team College Football Playoff is down to the final two contenders: Notre Dame and Ohio State.
The seventh-seeded Fighting Irish and eighth-seeded Buckeyes will meet Jan. 20 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T. Whichever team wins will end a championship drought. Notre Dame aims for its first title since 1988. Ohio State’s lull isn’t nearly as long, as the Buckeyes won the first CFP championship a decade ago, but given how consistently elite they are, it seems like a while.
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Ohio State’s Ryan Day are also aiming for their first championships as head coaches, and Freeman’s past will be in the spotlight. Freeman and the Irish lost to the Buckeyes and Day in each of the past two seasons. But after a masterful coaching job this season, Freeman now will face his alma mater — he was an All-Big Ten linebacker for Ohio State under coach Jim Tressel — with everything on the line. Day, meanwhile, can secure the loftiest goal for a team that fell short of earlier ones, but never stopped swinging.
Here’s your first look at the championship matchup and what to expect in the ATL. — Adam Rittenberg
When: Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
What we learned in the semifinal: Notre Dame’s resilience and situational awareness/execution are undeniably its signature traits and could propel the team to a title. The Irish have overcome injuries all season and did so again against Penn State. They also erased two deficits and continued to hold the edge in the “middle eight” — the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half — while dominating third down on both sides of the ball. Notre Dame can rely on front men such as quarterback Riley Leonard, running back Jeremiyah Love and linebacker Jack Kiser, but also on backup QB Steve Angeli, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse and kicker Mitch Jeter. These Irish fight, and they’re very hard to knock out.
X factor: Greathouse entered Thursday with moderate numbers — 29 receptions, 359 yards, one touchdown — and had only three total catches for 14 yards in the first two CFP games. But he recorded career highs in both receptions (7) and receiving yards (105) and tied the score on a 54-yard touchdown with 4:38 to play. A Notre Dame offense looking for more from its wide receivers, especially downfield, could lean more on Greathouse, who exceeded his receptions total from the previous five games but might be finding his groove at the perfect time. He also came up huge in the clutch, recording all but six of his receiving yards in the second half.
How Notre Dame wins: The Irish won’t have the talent edge in Atlanta, partly because they’ve lost several stars to season-ending injuries, but they have the right traits to hang with any opponent. Notre Dame needs contributions in all three phases and must continue to sprinkle in downfield passes, an element offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has pushed. And they finally did start seeing results against Penn State. The Irish likely can’t afford to lose the turnover margin, although they can help themselves by replicating their third-down brilliance — 11 of 17 conversions on offense, 3 of 11 conversions allowed on defense — from the Penn State win. — Rittenberg
What we learned in the semifinal: The Buckeyes have a defense with championship mettle, headlined by senior defensive end Jack Sawyer, who delivered one of the biggest defensive plays in Ohio State history. On fourth-and-goal with just over two minutes remaining, Sawyer sacked Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, forcing a fumble that he scooped up and raced 83 yards for a game-clinching touchdown, propelling Ohio State to the national title game. The Buckeyes weren’t perfect in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, and they struggled offensively for much of the night against a talented Texas defense. But Ohio State showed late why its defense is arguably the best in college football, too.
X factor: The play two snaps before the Sawyer scoop-and-score set the table. On second-and-goal from the Ohio State 1-yard line, unheralded senior safety Lathan Ransom dashed past incoming blockers and dropped Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner for a 7-yard loss. After an incomplete pass, the Longhorns were forced into desperation mode on fourth-and-goal down a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining. All-American safety Caleb Downs, who had an interception on Texas’ ensuing drive, rightfully gets all the headlines for the Ohio State secondary. But the Buckeyes have other veteran standouts such as Ransom throughout their defense.
How Ohio State wins: Texas took away Ohio State’s top offensive playmaker, true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had only one reception for 3 yards on three targets. As the first two playoff games underscored, the Buckeyes offense is at its best when Smith gets the ball early and often. Notre Dame is sure to emulate the Texas blueprint, positioning the defensive backs to challenge Smith. Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has to counter with a plan that finds ways to get the ball into Smith’s hands, no matter what the Fighting Irish do. — Jake Trotter