Wednesday was one of the wackiest NHL days in recent memories. The trade floodgates opened when Florida, which has been searching for luxury names without having give much up, did just that by acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko in the morning for a pair of draft picks and 50% salary.
And that might not be as chaotic as what’s going on behind the scenes. The Jake Guentzel sweepstakes are stirring; two of the Penguins’ division rivals (Carolina and New York) have legitimate chances at landing the playoff-ready winger. The Golden Knights and Panthers are in on Guentzel, too — and seeing either of 2023 Stanley Cup Finalists get him after already making moves would totally annoy the rest of the league. But Vancouver has stuck around in an attempt to go bold. On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston said the Canucks were exploring flipping Elias Lindholm to Boston if they can land Guentzel. ESPN’s Kevin Weekes followed that up Wednesday and said the proposed deal could involve sending Jake DeBrusk to the Penguins. I keep hearing the Bruins are plotting something big. The Canes have finished as a finalist in these type of chases before, but rarely for rentals. But sounds like they have as good a shot as anyone for Guentzel.
Outside of Guentzel, the next two days could bring other surprises. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that Blues GM Doug Armstrong is reducing the salary for winger Pavel Buchnevich, who is under contract until 2025, to facilitate a move. Armstrong is seriously looking at shaking up his roster. The Devils haven’t let go on getting Jacob Markstrom yet, but could also be unloading contracts, like Tyler Toffoli’s, considering there’s significant interest and New Jersey didn’t make progress with the winger on a new one.
So what’s going on? One front office executive said he felt teams were being more creative than ever this year. He theorized it could be the effects of the Panthers making it to the Stanley Cup Final as the last team to sneak into the playoffs. The parity is so extreme this season, with so many teams in the hunt for a spot, why not be bold? Anything can happen.
Here are a few other notes around the league …
EVERY TRADE DEADLINE there’s one big open secret everyone in the league catches wind of. Last year, it became increasingly apparent Patrick Kane wanted to go to the Rangers — which manifested, even after New York seemingly chose Vladimir Tarasenko as its trade deadline target over Kane.
This season? Calgary defenseman Noah Hanifin preference was Tampa, and the Flames were going to help him get there. But the deal never got done, as he ended up in Vegas.
The Lightning were a fit; their blue-line depth is thin, especially without Mikhail Sergachev. And they could have fit Hanifin’s $4.95 million salary under the cap by using Sergachev’s long term injured reserve space. But Tampa — which does not have a first- or second-round pick this year, or first-round pick in 2025 — just couldn’t match a compensation offer for Calgary. In recent years Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois hasn’t minded raiding the well as long as he signs the player to an extension. (See: Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul, Tanner Jeannot.) Hanifin would’ve likely re-signed in Tampa. But it wasn’t that easy for the Lightning — and it’s possible an extension would have limited their flexibility.
This season feels like an inflection point for Tampa. BriseBois tabled contract talks with captain Steven Stamkos until the summer, signaling a pause in status quo. How long can the Lightning keep going with this group? Or might they have to take a step back to recoup some depth around their star players?
I’ve always believed that how the Lightning handle this trade deadline would be telling. It’s in Tampa’s nature to be aggressive — and often unexpected — this time of year. The Lightning have cap space to spend and needs to fill. How big the Bolts go will tell us a lot about the direction they’re headed.
The rest of the league, by the way, is still bracing for a Tampa surprise. “Wait until Friday,” a rival executive said on Wednesday night. “Julien will probably trade all of his [remaining] draft picks.”
THE FLORIDA PANTHERShave been aggressive looking for upgrades — despite having one of the best teams in the league, and despite limited tradable assets. They were hopeful on Hanifin. They are still hovering around Guentzel. They could take a flier on Max Pacioretty. For now, the Panthers have made one big move with their nearly $6 million in cap space: acquiring Tarasenko for a third-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick, with 50% of the 32-year-old’s $5 million salary retained. One rival front office executive told me on Tarasenko: “This will probably be the steal of the deadline. I wish we had guys with no-trade clauses who only wanted to come [to my team].”
That’s the big thing with the Panthers: They’re becoming a destination. It feels fitting to talk about Florida after Tampa Bay, because for so many years the Panthers envied what the Lightning had. Players coveted Tampa because of sunshine, favorable taxes and winning culture. Over the past two years, Florida has emerged as a legitimate rival. The Panthers opened a gorgeous new training facility this winter that’s so close to where players live, most drive golf carts to get there. The results are speaking for themselves on the ice.
The Panthers’ pro scouting staff has done an excellent job identifying value players to thrive in their system. But the front office hasn’t been afraid to make difficult, unemotional decisions. To that end, Florida is also gaining a reputation as a place where you can showcase yourself — then get paid elsewhere. Radko Gudas (three-year, $12 million contract in Anaheim) and Alex Lyon (two-year, one-way deal in Detroit) are recent examples. The Panthers will need to make more difficult decisions this summer, with 10 pending UFAs on their roster — most notably Reinhart, Brandon Montour, Gustav Forsling and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. But they’re not going away as a contender anytime soon.
THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTSput all of their chips on the table. It’s in their DNA. In just seven years of existence, the Golden Knights have been extremely competitive and highly aggressive going after pretty much every big name who becomes available. It feels like ancient history, but they were chasing Erik Karlsson from Ottawa in 2018. They made one of the most impressive deck pitches to Patrick Kane this fall. There have been plenty of examples in between.
Right after Vegas won a Stanley Cup, the front office began plotting ways to win another championship. And so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Golden Knights are active at the deadline yet again — they tend to do a ton of work around this time.
Just think of the players Vegas has acquired at the deadline over the years; many are crucial to the fabric of the organization. Captain Mark Stone, for starters. Also (and not limited to) Alec Martinez, Chandler Stephenson, Ryan Reaves, Robin Lehner, Mattias Janmark, Ivan Barbashev and Jonathan Quick. Let’s set aside conspiracy theories about long term injured reserve. Yes, it’s uncanny they’re missing Stone (and therefore have the ability to spend his $9.5 million cap hit) for the second straight season, but they’d much rather have their heart-and-soul captain than his cap space to spend.
The Golden Knights did their first piece of business acquiring Anthony Mantha for a second- and fourth-round pick at just 50% of his cap hit (just $2.85 million on the books). Mantha’s talent as a true power forward with good hands is undeniable. When he is engaged, he can completely drive play. But the Red Wings gave up on him as part of their core when they realized his age didn’t match their timeline. Then inconsistency plagued Mantha’s time with Washington. He often found himself in former coach Peter Laviolette’s dog house and began this season as a healthy scratch before finding his way under Spencer Carbery. I talked to one of Mantha’s former teammates who predicted a massive impact in Vegas, noting how demanding Bruce Cassidy can be as a coach. “[He] has so much more to give,” the former teammate said. “Put him in the right locker room and culture and you’re going to see the best out of him. He’s going to be a monster for them … just watch.”
And then the Golden Knights’ second move was even bigger as they snagged Hanifin, a dynamic in-his-prime defenseman. The Massachusetts-born Hanifin didn’t want to sign long term in Calgary. He wants to play in the United States, and the Golden Knights were a team he reportedly was interested in signing an extension with.
Most teams would be done after that. Not Vegas. They still could add a forward.
They have looked at a ton of options when it comes to forwards. Remember, they are filling the spots of Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler, both done for the season.
One of New York’s top targets at center was 26-year-old late bloomer Tommy Novak. The Predators tried holding out to see if they could get a haul for Novak, such as a first-round pick. But Nashville played too well to become a seller, and the Predators decided to make Novak part of their future, inking him to a three-year, $10.5 million deal.
Then New York landed on Wennberg, who should fit in quite well. Wennberg is known for his hockey IQ. He long has been an analytics darling, even though his production has rarely matched up to his underlying numbers. He led all Kraken forwards in ice time and had second-line center responsibilities. Pushed down to a third-line role, he should thrive and will help on the penalty kill.
So what’s next for the Rangers? Sounds like they were making a late push on Wednesday to land Guentzel. I know GM Chris Drury was very hesitant about including Kaapo Kakko in a package. New York might not be willing to give up the assets that the Canes (who have a deep prospect pool and could part with a roster player) or the Canucks (who are reportedly trying to engage Boston) can give up. If not Guentzel, it sounds like Frank Vatrano is still an option — though the Rangers initially balked at Anaheim’s high asking price.
I’ve heard the Ducks offered the Rangers a package deal a few weeks ago that included Henrique and Vatrano for Kakko and a first-round pick. The Rangers clearly thought that was too rich for their liking.
Jeff Legwold covers the Denver Broncos at ESPN. He has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years and also assists with NFL draft coverage, joining ESPN in 2013. He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999, too. Jeff previously covered the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans at previous stops prior to ESPN.
BOULDER, Colo. — For the horde of NFL talent evaluators and some bleachers full of fans, Colorado coach Deion Sanders said Friday that they all got to see the top two players available in this year’s NFL draft.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter were among the 16 Colorado players who took part in the school’s showcase event for scouts, coaches and personnel executives from every NFL team. And Deion Sanders said the two marquee players confirmed what he has known for a long time.
“It’s tremendous,” Sanders said. “… They should be going 1-2 [in the draft], that’s the way I feel about it. They are the two best players in this draft. … The surest bets in this draft are those two young men, and I didn’t stutter or stammer when I said that.”
Neither Shedeur Sanders nor Hunter took part in most of the position drills or physical testing, but Sanders had a throwing session for just under an hour and Hunter was one of the wide receivers who participated. Neither player worked out at the scouting combine earlier this year, so it was the first time Sanders had thrown in such a setting since the end of the season. He showed some full seven-step drops and play-action from the shotgun and under center.
“I think I did pretty good, to my expectations,” said Sanders, who set the career FBS accuracy mark in his two years at Colorado (71.8%) to go with his 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns last season. “I know I did the best in college football right now, for sure.”
Asked after the throwing session whether he believed he was the best quarterback in the draft, Sanders said: “I feel like I’m the No. 1 quarterback, and that’s what I know. But at the end of the day, I’m not stuck on that because it’s about the situation, so whatever situation, whatever franchise believes in me, I’m excited to go. … I’m comfortable in any situation.”
Players Hunter, who did not speak to the media after the workout, and Sanders met with the Cleveland Browns contingent, including team co-owner Jimmy Haslam, on Thursday night in Boulder.
“They got me really full,” Sanders said. “I definitely needed to go to the sauna after that. … It was a good vibe.”
Said Deion Sanders said: “[I] spoke to the owner, truly delightful. He was engaging. … I think one of those guys is going to be there [at No. 2].”
Hunter, the No. 1 player on Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board, did not do any defensive drills Friday, but he ran a full assortment of routes.
Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, Shedeur’s brother, offered plenty of encouragement, shouting commentary and clapping after each throw, including “not a lot of quarterbacks can make that throw” after one deep completion.
The highly attended event — by NFL representatives as well as fans packing small bleachers — had a festive atmosphere. Deion Sanders named it the “We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase,” complete with a large lighted “The Showcase” sign next to the drills.
Hunter, who has said he wants to play offense and defense in the NFL, won the Chuck Bednarik (top defensive player) and Fred Biletnikoff (top receiver) awards in addition to the Heisman. He said whether he will primarily be a wide receiver or a cornerback in the NFL depends “on the team that picks me.”
On Friday, Deion Sanders said “ain’t nobody like Travis.”
Hunter had 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver last season to go with 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups and 4 interceptions at cornerback. In the Buffaloes’ regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, he became the only FBS player in the past 25 years with three scrimmage touchdowns on offense and an interception in the same game, according to ESPN Research.
He played 1,380 total snaps in Colorado’s 12 regular-season games: 670 on offense, 686 on defense and 24 on special teams. He played 1,007 total snaps in 2023.
Shilo Sanders, who hoped to show teams more speed than expected, ran a 4.52 40-yard dash after he measured in at 5-foot-11⅞, 196 pounds. He did not participate in the jumps or bench press that opened the workout, citing a right shoulder injury.
With all NFL eyes on the Colorado campus to see Shedeur Sanders throw, one player who made the most of it was wide receiver Will Sheppard. Sheppard, who measured 6-2¼, 196 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.56 and 4.54 to go with a 40½-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-11 broad jump.
Henderson has been sidelined with a right intercostal strain and missed the first seven games of the big league campaign.
The 23-year-old Henderson will lead off and play shortstop against the host Royals.
Henderson was injured during a spring training game Feb. 27. He was fourth in American League MVP voting last season when he batted .281 and racked up career bests of 37 homers and 92 RBIs.
Henderson completed a five-game rehab stint at Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. He batted .263 (5-for-19) with two homers and four RBIs and played four games at shortstop and one as the designated hitter. He did commit three errors.
“I think everybody’s looking forward to having Gunnar back on the team,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday. “The rehab went really, really well. I talked to him a couple days ago, he feels great swinging the bat. The timing came, especially the last few days. He just had to get out there and get some reps defensively and get some games in, and it all went well.”
Baltimore optioned outfielder Dylan Carlson to Triple-A Norfolk to open up a roster spot. The 26-year-old was 0-for-4 with a run and RBI in two games this season.
ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.
When New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns attempted to assemble the best possible roster for the 2025 season this winter, the top priority was signing outfielder Juan Soto. Next was the need to replenish the starting rotation and bolster the bullpen. Then, days before pitchers and catchers reported for spring training, the lineup received one final significant reinforcement when first baseman Pete Alonso re-signed.
Acquiring a player with a singing career on the side didn’t make the cut.
“No, that is not on the list,” Stearns said with a smile.
Stearns’ decision not to re-sign Jose Iglesias, the infielder behind the mic for the viral 2024 Mets anthem “OMG,” was attributed to creating more roster flexibility. But it also hammered home a reality: The scrappy 2024 Mets, authors of a magical summer in Queens, are a thing of the past. The 2025 Mets, who will report to Citi Field for their home opener Friday, have much of the same core but also some prominent new faces — and the new, outsized expectations that come with falling two wins short of the World Series, then signing Soto to the richest contract in professional sports history.
But there’s a question surrounding this year’s team that you can’t put a price tag on: Can these Mets rekindle the magic — the vibes, the memes, the feel-good underdog story — that seemed to come out of nowhere to help carry them to Game 6 of the National League Championship Series last season?
“Last year the culture was created,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “It’s a matter of continuing it.”
For all the success Stearns has engineered — his small-market Milwaukee Brewers teams reached the postseason five times in eight seasons after he became the youngest general manager in history in 2015 — the 40-year-old Harvard grad, like the rest of his front office peers knows there’s no precise recipe for clubhouse chemistry. There is no culture projection system. No Vibes Above Replacement.
“Culture is very important,” Stearns said last weekend in the visiting dugout at Daikin Park before his club completed an opening-weekend series against the Houston Astros. “Culture is also very difficult to predict.”
Still, it seems the Mets’ 2024 season will be all but impossible to recreate.
There was Grimace, the purple McDonald’s blob who spontaneously became the franchise’s unofficial mascot after throwing out a first pitch in June. “OMG,” performed under Iglesias’ stage name, Candelita, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Digital Songs chart, before a remix featuring Pitbull was released in October. Citi Field became a karaoke bar whenever Lindor stepped into the batter’s box with The Temptations’ “My Girl” as his walk-up song. Alonso unveiled a lucky pumpkin in October. They were gimmicks that might have felt forced if they hadn’t felt so right.
“I don’t know if what we did last year could be replicated because it was such a chaos-filled group,” Mets reliever Ryne Stanek said. “I don’t know if that’s replicable because there’s just too many things going on. I don’t know if that’s a sustainable model. But I think the expectation of winning is really important. I think establishing what we did last year and coming into this year where people are like, ‘Oh, no, that’s what we’re expecting to do,’ makes it different. It’s always a different vibe whenever you feel like you’re the hunter versus being the hunted.”
For the first two months last season, the Mets were terrible hunters. Lindor was relentlessly booed at Citi Field during another slow start. The bullpen got crushed. The losses piled up. The Mets began the season 0-5 and sunk to rock bottom on May 29 when reliever Jorge Lopez threw his glove into the stands during a 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that dropped the team to 22-33.
That night, the Mets held a players-only meeting. From there, perhaps coincidentally, everything changed. The Mets won the next day, and 67 of their final 107 games.
This year, to avoid an early malaise and to better incorporate new faces like Soto and Opening Day starter Clay Holmes, players made it a point to hold meetings during spring training to lay a strong foundation.
“At the end of the day, we know who we are and that’s the beauty of our club,” Alonso said. “Not just who we are talent-wise, but who each individual is as a man and a personality. For us, our major, major strength is our collective identity as a unit.”
Organizationally, the Mets are attempting a dual-track makeover: Becoming perennial World Series contenders while not taking themselves too seriously.
The commemorative purple Grimace seat installed at Citi Field in September — Section 302, Row 6, Seat 12 in right field — remains there as part of a two-year contract. Last week, the franchise announced it will feature a New York-city themed “Five Borough” race at every home game — with a different mascot competing to represent each borough. For a third straight season, USA Today readers voted Citi Field — home of the rainbow cookie egg roll, among many other innovative treats — as having the best ballpark food in baseball.
In the clubhouse, their identity is evolving.
“I’m very much in the camp that you can’t force things,” Mets starter Sean Manaea said. “I mean, you can, but you don’t really end up with good results. And if you wait for things to happen organically, then sometimes it can take too long. So, there’s like a nudging of sorts. It’s like, ‘Let’s kind of come up with something, but not force it.’ So there’s a fine balance there and you just got to wait and see what happens.”
Stearns believes it starts with what the Mets can control: bringing positive energy every day and fostering a family atmosphere. It’s hard to quantify, but vibes undoubtedly helped fuel the Mets’ 2024 success. It’ll be a tough act to follow.
“It’s fluid,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I like where guys are at as far as the team chemistry goes and things like that and the connections and the relationships. But it’ll continue to take some time. And winning helps, clearly.”