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  • Rachel Doerrie, ESPNOct 4, 2024, 06:55 AM ET

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      Rachel Doerrie is a professional data consultant specializing in data communication and modelling. She’s worked in the NHL and consulted for professional teams across North American and Europe. She hosts the Staff & Graph Podcast and discusses sports from a data-driven perspective.

It feels to some that the NHL preseason has dragged on far too long, and teams have lost key players to injury. Drew Doughty, Patrik Laine and John Tavares have all been knocked out of games, with Doughty and Laine expected to miss regular-season action.

Injuries open opportunities for other players to have an increased role and positively impact their teams. But there are quite a few candidates for major leaps this season who are worth keeping an eye on, whether it’s due to a teammate’s injury or other reasons.

A major leap does not always mean just offensive production. It can mean an elevated role at even strength, more special teams time, and exposure to tougher matchups.

The following list includes players who had good seasons in 2023-24 but are expected to take another step forward in their development. In fact, most of the players featured on the list are not breaking out, but merely expected to take another major step to becoming a star in the NHL. As for those projected to take a step back, we covered them here.

Yes, Connor Bedard had 61 points in his rookie season, winning the Calder Trophy. And yes, he is on this list. Why? He’s expected to produce 30% more in his sophomore season. He has healthy wingers who have the talent to make plays, with Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen all as possibilities.

He was tracking toward 70-plus points last season prior to injury, and the Blackhawks are expected to give him every opportunity to be their offensive conductor in 2024-25. Nobody should be surprised if Bedard puts up 35 goals and 80 points this season. Adding talented wingers to the lineup and a fully healthy season, Bedard could easily find himself in point-per-game territory.

He’s currently on the bubble of Canada’s 4 Nations Faceoff roster, but he will be an easy selection if he makes that leap in the early portion of this season.

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October 7, 2025

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Phillies’ 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the ‘Fall Classic Shake’

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October 6, 2025

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Phillies' 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the 'Fall Classic Shake'

Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025.

One of those creations is the Philadelphia Phillies‘ limited-edition “Fall Classic Shake,” which includes a vanilla soft serve, blended with dulce de leche. If that wasn’t enough, an apple cider donut tops it off. Philadelphia has been on a heater in the kitchen recently — it also unveiled a postseason 9-9-9 challenge box last Friday.

Here are more ballpark innovations that can be found at MLB concession stands this season:

Houston Astros: Fried chicken waffle sandwich

Washington Nationals: Jake and Jake’s Smoked Brisket Sandwich

In collaboration with Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, the Royals will offer a new item this season: the Z-Man Sandwich. It includes slow-smoked beef brisket and provolone cheese on a toasted kaiser roll, topped with two onion rings.

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Braves GM: No candidate list yet for manager

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October 6, 2025

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Braves GM: No candidate list yet for manager

  • Associated Press

Oct 4, 2025, 01:22 PM ET

ATLANTA — Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Saturday that he hopes to move quickly as he begins his search for a successor to Brian Snitker as manager but that he has not conducted any interviews.

Snitker, 69, announced Wednesday that he won’t return after 10 seasons as the Braves’ manager.

Even though Snitker’s decision wasn’t a surprise, Anthopoulos insisted he wasn’t going to begin compiling a list of candidates before giving the manager time to finalize his plans.

Asked what the Braves would have done if Snitker wanted to return for the 2026 season, Anthopoulos said: “He would have been back. That’s why we were going to wait and give him the time he needed.”

Former Braves catcher and Chicago Cubs skipper David Ross told The Associated Press on Thursday that he wants to manage again. Ross said an opportunity to manage the Braves “would be amazing.”

Anthopoulos insisted “we do not currently have a list” and said “I wanted to get some things done internally” before beginning his search.

“I will now turn my attention to the manager,” Anthopoulos said. “… We have not spoken with anybody.”

Snitker led the Braves to the 2021 World Series championship as the highlight of almost a half-century with the organization. He will remain in an advisory role and will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame next season.

Anthopoulos said he and Snitker have an agreement on a five-year term as senior adviser but added that could change.

Two coaches on Snitker’s staff have experience as a manager. Bench coach Walt Weiss is the Colorado Rockies‘ former manager. Third base coach Fredi González is a former manager with the Braves and Miami Marlins.

There has been speculation that other possible candidates are former Braves infielder Mark DeRosa and Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty. Former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker was named the Texas Rangers‘ skipper Friday night.

“Before Skip Schumaker was named, there were eight openings,” Anthopoulos said. “That’s a lot of openings. … That makes it incredibly challenging.”

Anthopoulos said his timeline to make a hire could be impacted if he focuses on a candidate who is also of interest to another team.

“Of course as soon as possible with so many openings,” Anthopoulos said when asked how soon he hopes to make a hire. “You can’t just rush it or force it. … You’d love to be able to do it sooner than later.”

Snitker posted a record of 811-688 as manager. He ranks third in franchise history in wins, trailing Bobby Cox (2,149) and Frank Selee (1,004). He led the Braves to seven postseasons, including six National League East titles.

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