But Montreal and Carolina do share one commonality: They have made it this far while receiving little production from their top lines.
The ineffectiveness of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky as a unit is well-documented; Montreal has been outscored 8-1 at five-on-five when its top three forwards have been on the ice through two rounds. Caufield, Suzuki and Slafkovsky have combined for five points at five-on-five (two goals and three assists) in 14 playoff games.
Their top-line counterparts in Carolina — Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis — also have not filled the scoresheet, recording four total points at five-on-five (two goals and two assists) over eight games. Collectively, they have not been on the ice for a Carolina goal in nearly 80 minutes of five-on-five playing time. The Hurricanes have generated just 36.9 per cent of the expected goals in those minutes, compared to 54.3 per cent in the regular season.
“All that matters is winning right now,” Aho told reporters. “We know we’ve got to be better at certain areas, but at the same time, wins are the only thing that (matter) right now.”
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Aho added that his individual success in past playoff runs did not help the Hurricanes reach their ultimate goal. He had 85 points in 89 career playoff games before this season, including 10 points in 13 Eastern Conference final games. Carolina lost 12 of those 13 games.
Ideally, however, Aho and his linemates, who combined for 90 goals in all situations (46 at five-on-five) during the regular season, would be leading the charge offensively. The good news is that Svechnikov, Aho and Jarvis picked up their play in the second round against the Philadelphia Flyers, out-chancing them 11-4 at five-on-five over four games.
“The last couple games of the Ottawa series and then into the Philadelphia series, I thought our line created a lot of chances, and we’re all just a little bit snakebitten right now,” Jarvis, who has four points after leading the Hurricanes with 16 playoff points last year, told reporters. “But I think as long as the chances are coming, that means we’re doing something right. And as long as the defensive part of our game doesn’t lack in any way, I like where we’re at.”
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour has underlined that last part whenever he has been asked about his top line’s quiet post-season. Carolina has given up only one five-on-five goal when the Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis line has been on the ice. Of course, it helps that goaltender Frederik Andersen is virtually unbeatable at the moment. Andersen has stopped all 13 slot shots on net he has faced at five-on-five during the top line’s minutes, including 10 inner-slot shots. (The lone goal scored against the Hurricanes’ top line came in Game 2 of the first round versus the Ottawa Senators.)
Last round, Aho spent most of his time matched up against Flyers forwards Tyson Foerster (20:48 of head-to-head ice time), Porter Martone (20:17) and Trevor Zegras (18:24). Brind’Amour could pit Aho’s line against Suzuki’s line in the upcoming series.
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“They’re playing against the other team’s best guys, and they’ve sawed that off,” Brind’Amour told reporters. “If they had scored 15 goals and given up 15, that’s the same thing. So they’ve done a good job. And we do need them to get on the scoresheet — (Aho) knows that — but I’ve been happy with the way they’ve gone about their business.”
Depth has carried Carolina and Montreal to the third round. The Hurricanes’ second line of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake has outscored opponents 9-1 at five-on-five, and Nikolaj Ehlers has been one of the league’s best play-drivers in the playoffs. Canadiens forward Alex Newhook, meanwhile, just scored six goals in seven games against the Buffalo Sabres — the second most by a Canadiens player in a single series over the past 30 years.
But at some point, the Hurricanes and Canadiens will need their top forwards to make a difference at five-on-five. The first group to do so could head to the Stanley Cup Final.
“I think we’re all big-game players and that’s something that we pride ourselves on,” Jarvis told reporters. “So as the playoffs get tighter and you get deeper into it, I think that’s when we can come and really make an impact on this run. And that’s kind of our plan.”
Marvel Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 11 AFL game between North Melbourne Kangaroos and
Gold Coast SUNS. The game kicks off at 1:15 pm with Gold Coast SUNS heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Melbourne Kangaroos vs.
Gold Coast SUNS
game and give you our free tips and bets.
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Gold Coast SUNS Preview
North Melbourne faces a significant test of its finals credentials when Gold Coast visits Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Kangaroos were dismantled by Adelaide last week in a performance that exposed alarming defensive issues, with the margin only narrowed late after trailing by 88 points during the third quarter. The heavy defeat stretched North’s losing streak to four games and raised fresh questions about its consistency against stronger opposition. Gold Coast, meanwhile, continued its strong run with a third straight victory after overcoming Port Adelaide in Darwin. However, the Suns’ away form remains less convincing, with most of their success this season coming in Queensland or the Northern Territory. Gold Coast dominated the most recent meeting between these clubs during Gather Round last year, piling on 141 points in a one-sided display led by Ben King and Matt Rowell.
The final night of league phase action in the 2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts takes place at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Thursday, with Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price battling to decide third and fourth place ahead of Finals Night.
Night Sixteen brings the darting roadshow to the Steel City on Thursday, May 21, as reigning champion Humphries looks to build on his first nightly win of the campaign in Birmingham last week.
Finals Night Line-Up Already Confirmed
The four players heading to The O2 in London for next week’s Finals Night are already confirmed.
Luke Littler
Jonny Clayton
Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries
Littler has sealed top spot after a remarkable campaign that has already brought six nightly wins, while Clayton will finish second after claiming four nightly titles of his own.
However, there is still one key race to settle. Price and Humphries are level on 24 points, with Price currently third due to his greater number of nightly wins.
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Humphries Finding Form At The Perfect Time
Humphries arrives in Sheffield in excellent form. He won Night Fifteen in Birmingham, producing averages of 107 and 111 in victories over Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler before defeating Price in the final.
He followed that up by winning Players Championship Seventeen in Leicester on Monday, averaging a superb 104.74 across the tournament.
“It would have hurt me a lot if I didn’t make Finals Night,” said Humphries.
“When it clicks for me, it clicks for me. When it does, I think people see I’m one of the best players in the world.”
The world number two faces Michael van Gerwen in his Sheffield quarter-final, with Van Gerwen now playing for pride after seeing his qualification hopes ended by Humphries last week.
Price Faces Van Veen In Key Quarter-Final
Price opens his Night Sixteen campaign against Dutch number one Gian van Veen.
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The Welshman is aiming to secure third place ahead of Finals Night and add momentum to earlier nightly victories in Antwerp and Manchester.
Van Veen, meanwhile, can no longer qualify for The O2, but the 24-year-old will be desperate to end his debut-style campaign with a first nightly victory.
Littler Chasing Premier League History
Luke Littler has already guaranteed top spot and now has the chance to make Premier League history.
The Warrington star can become the first player to win seven nightly titles since the current format was introduced.
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Littler faces Josh Rock in his quarter-final. Rock has improved in the second half of the season, but he is still chasing a first win over Littler after losing their previous eight meetings.
Clayton Looks To Sharpen Up Before Finals Night
Jonny Clayton takes on Stephen Bunting in the opening quarter-final.
Clayton has enjoyed an outstanding league campaign and will finish second regardless of what happens in Sheffield, but he will want to return to winning ways before heading to The O2.
Bunting sits seventh in the table, but a second nightly win of the season could still lift him as high as fifth.
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Premier League Table Before Night Sixteen
Player
Night Wins
Matches Won
Matches Lost
Leg Difference
Points
Luke Littler (Q)
6
23
9
+33
41
Jonny Clayton (Q)
4
20
11
+18
34
Gerwyn Price (Q)
2
14
13
+9
24
Luke Humphries (Q)
1
14
14
+4
24
Michael van Gerwen
1
10
13
-7
18
Gian van Veen
0
11
14
-17
18
Stephen Bunting
1
7
14
-15
13
Josh Rock
0
4
15
-35
8
Night Sixteen Fixtures
2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts Night Sixteen Venue: Utilita Arena, Sheffield Date: Thursday, May 21
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Clayton v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen
Luke Littler v Josh Rock
Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen
Semi-Finals
Clayton/Bunting v Price/Van Veen
Littler/Rock v Humphries/Van Gerwen
Final
All matches are best of 11 legs.
How To Watch
The 2026 BetMGM Premier League is live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. It is also available through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World subscribers outside the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Apr 25, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams assistant general manager John McKay at press conference at Code Next lab at Hollywood Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Most teams don’t search for a general manager in the middle of May, but the Minnesota Vikings are doing precisely that in 2026. And according to credible reporting, the team’s shortlist of options is down to five men,
Minnesota could have its next general manager in place before June.
The Vikings should announce the answer soon. The field has narrowed.
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Minnesota’s Shortlist Includes Several Up-and-Comers
Who’s your GM pick for the purple team?
Minnesota Vikings owners Leonard Wilf and Mark Wilf react before an NFL International Series game against the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 2, 2022, in London. The Vikings ownership group attended another overseas showcase as Minnesota continued building its international profile during the NFL’s growing effort to expand the league’s global footprint. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Search Down to Five
The process has taken a next step. NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Wednesday, “Vikings owner Mark Wilf said on Tuesday that the team is ready to move on to a second round of General Manager interviews and the team has reportedly picked five candidates to continue in the search process.”
“Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that they want to have second meetings with their executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt, Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Rams assistant GM John McKay, and Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasley.”
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Until the reported trimdown, Minnesota has interviewed about nine outside candidates, according to reports.
Alper added, “Brzezinski has been doing the job in Minnesota on an interim basis since they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler and Lions Assistant GM Ray Agnew were also involved in the first round. Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander declined an interview request.”
How We Got Here
The Vikings hired a brand new leadership regime in 2022, replacing former general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, respectively. Together, the pair posted the NFL’s fifth-best winning percentage over the last four years but failed to reach the playoffs in 2025. The franchise also has a major question mark at quarterback, unsure if J.J. McCarthy is “the guy” for the future. So, Minnesota signed Kyler Murray this offseason to hedge the bet.
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While the Vikings missed the postseason, the club’s 2024 quarterback, Sam Darnold, won a Super Bowl with his new team out in Seattle. Furthermore, Adofo-Mensah struggled to draft impactful players and featured a hit rate below 20%, which is mind-bogglingly destructive to the long-term health of an NFL roster.
The Vikings’ ownership fired Adofo-Mensah on January 30th, five days after Darnold’s Seahawks won the NFC Championship, retaining O’Connell and promoting Brzezinski to interim GM. O’Connell and Brzezinski engineered the 2026 offseason — free agency and the draft — and now the ownership group wants a formal GM search.
Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray watches from the sideline as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025, in Pittsburgh. Gray attended the matchup as part of his front-office responsibilities while Buffalo evaluated roster depth and prepared for the closing stretch of the regular season schedule. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
O’Connell and Brzezinski are expected to maintain significant power within the front office, regardless of who is hired among the five finalists.
Rob Brzezinski’s Angle
Brzezinski is a central figure in what makes this search so fascinating. While the Vikings appear to have the luxury of time to sort through candidates and determine their ideal front office structure, Brzezinski remains central to the entire process.
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He has been with the franchise since 1999 — a remarkable 25-year tenure. His potential departure now would be particularly unusual, especially after he recently served three and a half months as interim general manager — a role many believe he handled effectively.
Brzezinski’s future could unfold in several ways. The Vikings might remove his interim tag and promote him to the full-time GM position. Alternatively, they could return him to his previous role as the team’s cap specialist and financial expert. A third option involves creating a custom structure that grants Brzezinski greater authority while bringing in a new GM focused primarily on personnel, scouting, and the draft.
Regardless of the outcome, Brzezinski’s influence is undeniable. Any serious search for a Vikings general manager must consider his presence.
Probably a Unique Setup
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From 2006 to 2012, the Vikings welcomed a “triangle of authority” among the aforementioned Spielman, the owners, and the head coach (Brad Childress and Leslie Frazier). They’re not strangers to custom front-office dynamics.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell meet on the field before kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 20, 2022, in Minneapolis. The duo discussed pregame strategy and roster matters during their first season leading the Vikings organization after arriving together earlier that offseason. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
There’s a decent chance that Minnesota names the new general manager, whose title has a different job description than most around the NFL.
It may be the price to pay if keeping O’Connell in a more powerful role is the desired result.
“We’ve interviewed different candidates, and it’s going well and progressing well. Not much new to report except to say I’m confident we’re gonna end up in a really good place, and I’m certainly excited about where we are as a football team. This will be helpful to go forward to the future,” owner Mark Wilf said about the state of the search this week.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (97) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings might need a little bit of help at outside linebacker, Joey Bosa remains a free agent, and Bleacher Report believes the two parties could square dance.
Minnesota has in-house EDGE options, but Bosa’s profile keeps him relevant in the Vikings rumor mill.
The Vikings said goodbye to Jonathan Greenard four weeks ago, creating a void on the edges of the defensive line. Perhaps Bosa could be the special sauce.
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Veteran Pass Rush Option Remains Available
Bosa is one of several veteran EDGEs on the free-agent wire waiting for contracts.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa runs across the field before kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sep. 25, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Bosa entered the 2022 campaign as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers and remained a cornerstone of the Chargers’ defense during the AFC playoff chase. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
BR: Vikings Make Sense as Landing Spot for Bosa
Alex Kay examined the NFL’s top remaining free agents, and Bosa got a nod.
He wrote, “Perhaps most importantly to his prospects for 2026 and beyond, Bosa played nearly two-thirds of Buffalo’s defensive snaps. Considering he hadn’t logged a snap share higher than 54 percent since 2021, it was promising to see the once injury-ravaged defender return to playing a key role for a quality defense.”
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“Working against Bosa is a glut of serviceable edge rushing talent lingering on the open market, but the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year stands as a cut above his unemployed peers.”
Kay then named the best landing spots, “Whether a team plans to use him as a rotational depth option or a higher-volume starter, Bosa still provides enough speed, power and skill to move the needle for any defense ahead of his 11th NFL season. Potential Landing Spots: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers.”
That’s a who’s who of NFC combatants for Bosa, who’s never played outside the AFC, believe it or not.
Bosa’s Career Production
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Bosa entered the pros in 2016 — yes, that long ago — and here’s his production in the last 10 seasons:
2025: 74.6 Total | 85.5 Pass Rush | 52.0 Run Def 2024: 61.1 Total | 64.8 Pass Rush | 67.4 Run Def 2023: 78.4 Total | 80.3 Pass Rush | 70.7 Run Def 2022: 76.0 Total | 84.2 Pass Rush | 74.2 Run Def 2021: 85.8 Total | 90.3 Pass Rush | 68.4 Run Def 2020: 90.2 Total | 90.5 Pass Rush | 83.1 Run Def 2019: 89.6 Total | 90.3 Pass Rush | 73.1 Run Def 2018: 71.5 Total | 70.8 Pass Rush | 63.6 Run Def 2017: 88.8 Total | 91.3 Pass Rush | 63.5 Run Def 2016: 86.6 Total | 81.9 Pass Rush | 85.2 Run Def
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His destination resume:
Los Angeles Chargers (2016–2024)
Buffalo Bills (2025)
Bosa has been named to the Pro Bowl five times and led the NFL in forced fumbles in 2025.
The Price
NFL free agency kicked off in early March, and Bosa is still waiting on his 2026 marching orders. He may be one of those players who latches onto a new roster later in the summer, perhaps even ducking the grueling sessions of training camp. Veterans are often afforded that luxury if they have five-time Pro Bowl clout — like Bosa.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa watches the offensive line during second-half action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 16, 2025, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Bosa joined Buffalo after his lengthy Chargers tenure and brought veteran pass-rushing experience to the Bills’ defensive front during the 2025 season. Mandatory Credit: Tina MacIntyre-Yee-Imagn Images
He won’t be cheap for his next team. The Vikings or a different EDGE-needy team can likely sign Bosa to a one-year deal worth $10 million to $15 million. Bosa’s value may drop the longer he stays on the free-agent wire, but he’ll never be gettable for pennies. He’s still productive.
The Vikings, meanwhile, have about $11 million in cap space in late May after signing all nine rookies from the April draft class.
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Golday, Richter, Batty?
If the Vikings don’t trade for or sign another pass rusher in free agency, they still have several in-house options behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
Rookie Jake Golday is a prime example. While Minnesota drafted him as an off-ball linebacker, he played some EDGE in college before moving inside at Cincinnati. Brian Flores could utilize Golday in a role similar to Van Ginkel’s, blending outside linebacker duties with off-ball work.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa stands on the field during warmups before a road game against the Washington Football Team on Sep. 12, 2021, at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. The veteran defender opened the 2021 season as the centerpiece of Brandon Staley’s defense after multiple Pro Bowl campaigns in Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Flores also has two undrafted outside linebackers in Bo Richter and Tyler Batty. Either player could potentially step up and contribute as a third outside linebacker (OLB3). If that happens, Minnesota might bypass the veteran market entirely.
As a contingency, the team could turn to free agency for a non-Bosa candidate, where a notable list of pass rushers remains available, including Denico Autry, Derek Barnett, Jadeveon Clowney, Marcus Davenport, A.J. Epenesa, Leonard Floyd, Cameron Jordan, Von Miller, Haason Reddick, and Kyle Van Noy.
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Bosa will turn 31 this summer; he’s not ancient in NFL terms.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Kyle Busch will miss Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after being hospitalized due to a severe illness, his family confirmed. The Richard Childress Racing veteran was slated to compete in both the Cup Series and Truck Series, but his condition forced a late withdrawal from both.
The Cup race, scheduled for May 24 at 6:00 PM ET, is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, spanning 400 laps and 600 miles. Busch will now miss it. His family released a statement addressing the situation on X:
Thanks for the submission!
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“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
Statement Regarding Kyle Busch from the Busch Family: “Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
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The development caught many off guard, especially given Kyle Busch’s recent on-track efforts despite visible physical struggles. Just a week earlier at Watkins Glen, he had called for medical assistance mid-race, asking for physician assistant Bill Heisel to be present post-race. Busch mentioned needing “a shot” after battling a sinus-related issue throughout the weekend. Even then, he pushed through the discomfort to secure a top-10 finish.
Fans now link it to the current situation. Busch was battling through illness while continuing to race, and it appears the condition worsened in the days that followed. His absence from Charlotte also means he will miss planned participation in the Truck Series with Spire Motorsports in the No. 7 truck.
Austin Hill to replace Kyle Busch as RCR confirms Charlotte plan
(L-R) Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, and Austin Hill – NASCAR Cup Series. Source: Getty
With Kyle Busch sidelined, Richard Childress Racing moved quickly to name a replacement for the No. 8 Chevrolet. Austin Hill will step in, taking on double duty for the weekend alongside his full-time commitments with RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
RCR confirmed the change in an official statement:
“Kyle Busch’s health is our utmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them. Kyle is an integral part of our organization and we wish him a safe and speedy recovery. His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him. We’re thankful to Austin Hill for stepping in to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend. Please keep Kyle and the Busch family in your prayers, and help us respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
The rest of the team structure remains unchanged, with Andy Street continuing as crew chief for the No. 8 entry. Hill’s inclusion ensures continuity within the organization, though it adds to the workload on a demanding weekend.
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For now, the focus remains on Kyle Busch’s recovery.
Ludwig Kaiser speaks into a microphone during WWE Friday Night SmackDown at Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 30, 2024.(WWE/Getty Images)
The wrestler was allegedly involved in an altercation with another man before he was arrested, Fightful reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to WWE for comment.
Barthel’s attorneys filed a motion Wednesday to allow the wrestler to travel outside the country for work purposes, according to multiple reports. He flew back to Florida to turn himself in.
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Barthel, who was born in Germany, joined the company in 2017 after time in Westside Xtreme Wrestling and Progress Wrestling. He was a part of the Imperium faction with Gunther as the leader and Fabian Aichner, who was later rebranded as Giovanni Vinci before he was released.
Ludwig Kaiser makes his way to the ring during WWE Survivor Series: War Games at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, on Nov. 30, 2024.(WWE/Getty Images)
“Kaiser established himself as one of the German independent wrestling scene’s brightest prospects,” his WWE profile read. “He joined the WWE Performance Center in summer 2017 and made his WWE Network debut a year later on NXT.
“Kaiser has since proven to be a true mat magician, as well as a no-nonsense competitor. With the posture of a steel pole and a facial expression that rarely deviates from the stern setting, Kaiser is practically unflappable — though on the rare occasion that he does lose his cool, he’s quick to let his opponents know by defiantly screaming ‘nein’ in their face. His ring excellence soon led to him aligning with the imposing Imperium faction with two NXT Tag Team Championship reigns under his belt.”
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He performed as Ludwig Kaiser before his character was repackaged as El Grande Americano when Chad Gable was injured. Since Gable returned, he was repackaged as the Original El Grande Americano and started to feud with Barthel’s El Grande Americano gimmick.
El Grande Americano faces off against El Grande Americano during WWE’s Royal Rumble at Riyadh Season Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 31, 2026.(Joe Maher/WWE)
Since then, he’s performed at Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. El Grande Americano and Original El Grande Americano are set for an end to their heated rivalry with a mask vs. mask match at Noche de Los Grandes on May 30.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Joe Burrow is thrilled with the Cincinnati Bengals offseason moves and is thinking big.
Burrow, 29, praised the front office for the moves they made in free agency to fortify their defense.
“This is the most talented roster we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Burrow said while speaking to reporters Wednesday. “The front office has taken a lot of heat from the fans, the public, the media. We can put all of that behind us.
Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 14, 2025.(Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“They went and made it happen with free agency,” he added. “And then, obviously, with Dexter (Lawrence), making a trade like that, that doesn’t happen a ton in the NFL. So it’s exciting to see.”
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback praised the free-agent signings of safety Bryan Cook, defensive end Boye Mafe and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, along with the big swing of the offseason: trading the No. 10 pick for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
“The number one thing is you have to win,” Burrow said. “We’re going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl.“
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Burrow said he did not give the front office any mandates or threats to make additions after a 6-11 campaign last season.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a football during practice in Cincinnati on May 12, 2026.(Jeff Dean/AP)
“I would say we had a lot of communication during free agency,” Burrow said. “We didn’t have our postseason meeting like we typically have. I would say, if anything, I was less involved this year than in years past.”
The Bengals missed the playoffs for a third straight season last year in large part because of a horrendous defense, allowing the third-most points per game in the NFL last season at 28.9.
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“I just think we know where we needed to be better, and we went out and aggressively made it happen,” Burrow said. “We filled some holes that we had from years past, got better at a lot of positions. Signed the best free agent safety (Cook). Got the best D tackle in the league, in my opinion. So we have everything we need in that locker room. We just have to go make it happen.”
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2025.(Gene J. Puskar/AP)
The 29-year-old said the energy is elevated in the locker room and that the vibes are palpable.
“There’s no secret that the last several years didn’t go the way we wanted to, and there’s a lot of blame to go around for that, myself included,” Burrow said. “We’re in a great spot this year. We brought in great people and great players. You can feel the vibes of the locker room. The energy is elevated right now. We have some veteran guys that can come in and show the younger guys on defense what it takes, what it means to be great every day. That’s exciting to be a part of.”
Minnesota Vikings fans stand and cheer as the fourth quarter begins against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sep. 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. The packed home crowd energized the stadium atmosphere while Minnesota rolled toward a dominant 48-10 victory during an emphatic early-season performance in front of thousands of purple-clad supporters. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
One year ago, the Minnesota Vikings decided that cornerback Jeff Okudah would suffice as a CB3 solution for Brian Flores’s defense, a plan that went pear-shaped rather quickly during the regular season. This go-round, Minnesota opted for James Pierre of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and according to The Athletic, that’s the proper CB3 meal ticket.
Pierre gives Brian Flores a steadier cornerback option than last year’s plan.
Pierre represented the Vikings’ primary defensive secondary addition of the offseason, and Minnesota may feast accordingly.
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The PIT Connection Could Pay Off
Okudah is out, and Pierre is in.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) celebrates with teammate Joey Porter Jr. (24) after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh. Pierre helped spark the Steelers late in the game with a defensive score during a key AFC North matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.
The Athletic on Pierre
In last week’s episode of The Athletic’s main NFL podcast, Robert Hays specifically named Pierre to the Vikings as one of the league’s “sneaky good” offseason additions.
From Week 10 on, which is exactly when James Pierre started playing at a high clip, the Steelers were playing Cover 2 about 20 percent of the time, which was the fifth-highest rate in the league and a notable jump from what they had done in any previous season. That was the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. Well, he’s going to Minnesota, where they’re doing it 26, 27 percent.
And if you go back and just think about the best moments from Pierre’s second half of last season, a lot of it is where he’s playing that Cover 2 corner in the flat, sinking underneath, making stuff happen. He was very adept at doing that stuff. And now he’s going to a place where they’re going to be asking their corners to do more of that than almost any other team.
Pierre was affordable, too. Minnesota secured his services for two years and $8.5 million.
Pierre in PIT
Last year, the Vikings settled for the aforementioned Okudah at CB3. This season, their approach to the position seems much more serious with Pierre’s acquisition.
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Pierre brings a solid track record, having played nearly 400 defensive snaps last season and earning an impressive Pro Football Focus grade of 86.8. His six years under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh further underscore the appeal. If Tomlin trusted him, he must be good, right?
Pierre isn’t expected to be a star in Flores’s defense. His primary role is to provide stability: hold his own on the outside, tackle reliably, communicate effectively, avoid coverage busts, and prevent the secondary from faltering if Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rodgers miss time.
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) attempts to break through a tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during the first half at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. Pierre worked in run support and coverage responsibilities as the Steelers defended Jacksonville during AFC action at home in front of the Pittsburgh crowd. Mandatory Credit: Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK.
It makes Pierre a valuable veteran safety net for the Vikings, especially in a position prone to breakdowns when injuries occur. Based on his performance last season, he appears fully capable of fulfilling this crucial role.
Pierre also fired up a 41.4 passer rating allowed in 2025 — music to the ears of Vikings fans who wanted more from Okudah.
Better Late than Never
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The “bad” part of Pierre? He’s a late bloomer. The new Viking will turn 30 this season, so history shows that his career’s prime is in the rearview.
Thankfully, Minnesota needs Pierre to perform as a steady and competent CB3, not a shutdown Pro Bowler. Pierre also has less tread on his tires than his peers who entered the league in 2020. He’s played 2,668 snaps in six seasons, or about 444 per season.
If Pierre can continue his 2025 production in Minnesota for a year, two, three, or four, he’ll be well worth the 2026 free-agent contract. But if you expect him to develop into the next big thing, that window has passed. He’s a solid veteran to have on the roster, not a star in training.
A Gerald Alexander Carryover
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Longtime Vikings coach Daronte Jones left the organization this offseason, hired by the Washington Commanders for his first audition as an NFL defensive coordinator. To replace Jones, who served as Minnesota’s defensive pass game coordinator, the Vikings tabbed Alexander from the Steelers. He overlapped with Pierre in Pittsburgh.
Miami Dolphins defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander smiles on the sideline during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Aug. 14, 2021, in Chicago. Alexander monitored Miami’s secondary during preseason action as the Dolphins evaluated young defensive backs and depth-chart competition ahead of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports.
In that vein, it was no coincidence that the Vikings’ very first free agency signing in March turned out to be Pierre. Alexander brought Pierre along for the ride.
If you’re new to the Alexander experience, here’s his resume:
The Vikings’ defense ranked third in the NFL last year per EPA/Play and DVOA. Pierre and Alexander enter a wonderful situation that may only improve with Okudah off the roster.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan continued their record-breaking run in IPL 2026, once again tearing apart the bowling attack during the clash against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. The GT opening duo produced yet another commanding partnership and, in the process, entered an elite list in T20 cricket history. Gill and Sudharsan registered their 10th century stand together in men’s T20 cricket, equalling the all-time record jointly held by the legendary pairs of Chris Gayle-Virat Kohli, Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan and AB de Villiers-Virat Kohli. What makes the achievement even more staggering is the speed at which the GT pair has got there. Gill and Sudharsan needed only 46 innings to complete 10 century stands – far fewer than the other legendary pairs on the list. Gayle and Kohli took 63 innings, Babar and Rizwan 75, while de Villiers and Kohli required 77 innings.
Most century stands in men’s T20 cricket (any wicket)
10 — Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan (46 innings)
10 — Chris Gayle & Virat Kohli (63 innings)
10 — Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan (75 innings)
10 — AB de Villiers & Virat Kohli (77 innings)
The pair also set another IPL record during the innings. This was Gill and Sudharsan’s seventh century partnership for the opening wicket in IPL history – the most by any opening pair in the tournament. They went past the iconic combinations of David Warner & Shikhar Dhawan and Travis Head & Abhishek Sharma, both of whom had six century opening stands.Gill and Sudharsan also continued their dominance in terms of consistency. The duo overtook the celebrated Virat Kohli-Faf du Plessis pair and equalled Rohit Sharma-Ishan Kishan for the second-most 50-plus opening stands in IPL history.The GT pair now has 15 fifty-plus opening partnerships in just 31 innings — a phenomenal ratio rarely seen in IPL history. Only Warner and Dhawan are ahead with 18 fifty-plus stands, but they needed 48 innings to achieve the feat.
Most 50-plus opening stands in IPL history
18 — David Warner & Shikhar Dhawan (48 innings)
15 — Rohit Sharma & Ishan Kishan (43 innings)
15 — Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan (31 innings)
14 — Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis (38 innings)
14 — Abhishek Sharma & Travis Head (37 innings)
The numbers become even more extraordinary when one looks at the overall run aggregate and scoring rate. Gill and Sudharsan have already piled up 1898 runs together as an opening pair at an astonishing average of 67.78 and a run-rate of 9.87 – making them one of the most destructive and reliable opening combinations the league has ever seen.Only Warner and Dhawan have scored more runs as an IPL opening pair, but the GT duo enjoys a significantly superior average and scoring tempo compared to most other partnerships on the list.
Highest opening partnership aggregates in IPL history
2220 — David Warner & Shikhar Dhawan (Avg: 47.23, RR: 8.59)
The match also turned into a personal milestone for Gujarat Titans skipper Gill, who became the seventh-fastest batter in men’s T20 cricket to complete 6000 runs in terms of innings. Gill reached the landmark in his 185th innings, only marginally behind Kohli, who had taken 184 innings.
Fastest to 6000 T20 runs (by innings)
162 — Chris Gayle
165 — Babar Azam
166 — KL Rahul
180 — Shaun Marsh
180 — Devon Conway
184 — Virat Kohli
185 — Shubman Gill
Gill’s feat becomes even more remarkable considering he is among only four players in men’s T20 cricket history to aggregate more than 6000 runs before turning 27. The elite list also includes Babar Azam, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Will Jacks.Gujarat Titans have already qualified for the playoffs.
The ideal of NBA roster-building rarely actually aligns with the reality of an 82-game grind in the regular season and a four-round sprint in the playoffs. Teams pour their resources into gathering two or three stars. They pay a handful of top-of-the-market role players. And then, one or two pieces are pulled out of the Jenga tower, and the whole structure collapses. The Los Angeles Lakers might have been able to to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a real series with Luka Dončić. The Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t stress the San Antonio Spurs with Anthony Edwards hobbled and Donte DiVincenzo out.
The Spurs and the Thunder — thanks largely to the mountains of draft picks they’ve accumulated and the cheap rookie deals some stars are playing on — have been able to injury-proof their rosters as effectively as any team ever has. San Antonio’s run to the NBA Cup final came with Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench. The Thunder just won 64 games with only two players suiting up for 70 or more games.
These teams are built with the redundancies the modern NBA demands. Both have had the means to invest in another superstar if they’ve wanted to, and both have turned down the chance, knowing that the physical demands of the pace-and-space NBA necessitate a degree of depth their all-in counterparts can’t match. At this stage of the playoffs, teams are playing every other night. Muscle injuries seem more common than ever, and the exhausting effects of playing basketball with the degree of physicality that these teams reach compounds over time.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City played a double-overtime classic in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox was already out with an ankle sprain. In Game 2, the Thunder lost Jalen Williams to a hamstring strain after just seven minutes. He’d played 37 minutes in Game 1 after missing the previous six Thunder playoff games with another hamstring strain. San Antonio, meanwhile, lost its second point guard, Dylan Harper, with yet another hamstring injury.
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We don’t yet know the severity of either injury, nor can we be sure how much the Spurs will get out of Fox in this series, but through two games, Thunder-Spurs has been every bit the masterpiece we expected, and the physical toll of playing seven games at this level of intensity is only going to get higher. Whether there are more injuries or not, playing basketball at this level is exhausting. This series is turning into a war of attrition.
That’s a war either team would win comfortably against pretty much any other opponent. Against one another, they cancel one another out. It starts to come down to context.
Injury impact
San Antonio might be the only team in the NBA that the Thunder truly need Williams to beat. This is a half-court series for the Spurs, but a transition series for the Thunder. Three of Oklahoma City’s 10 worst half-court offensive games in terms of points per play came against San Antonio in the regular season because Wembanyama neutralizes so much of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s rim pressure. The name of the game for them is live-ball turnovers, and Williams, as one of the best transition scorers in the NBA, is their key to turning those turnovers into points.
His absence defensively is just as significant. Oklahoma City’s plan for Game 1 revolved around putting smaller defenders on Wembanyama so their bigger ones, most notably Chet Holmgren, could hang closer to the basket. Of course, this plan largely failed. Williams guarded Wembanyama for 16.6 partial possessions, according to NBA.com tracking data, and the Spurs scored 25 points in those possessions with Wembanyama making all five of his shot attempts. The Thunder won Game 2 with Isaiah Hartenstein taking a much more active role in guarding Wembanyama, but Williams still would have factored in meaningfully as a perimeter defender to throw at San Antonio’s guards.
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That is an area in which the Thunder have more redundancy than perhaps any team in NBA history. Even Alex Caruso and Lu Dort can take possessions against Wembanyama. Ajay Mitchell can take on some of Williams’ half-court offensive burden as a secondary creator. His loss will be felt, but the Thunder played without him for most of the season. They know how to do it. They have pivots within this matchup if they need them.
San Antonio has far fewer available answers for the ball-handling it has lost. San Antonio’s regular rotation features only three high-level ball-handlers in Fox, Harper and Stephon Castle. Two of them are now hurt. The third is overburdened. Castle has to guard Gilgeous-Alexander. Asking him to do that and be the primary offensive initiator is simply too tall an order. Through two games in this series, Castle has an NBA record 20 turnovers.
The Spurs sensed the issue in Game 2. Third-string point guard Jordan McLaughlin, who had played 24 playoff minutes before Game 2 and played less than 300 minutes in the regular season, got seven minutes of run on Wednesday. He made two big 3-pointers and those minutes still went badly. McLaughlin is only 5-feet-11. He gave Gilgeous-Alexander an easy target to hunt on an otherwise stout Spurs defense.
The Spurs responded with several consecutive possessions in a matchup zone that Oklahoma City solved instantly by sending Caruso to the middle of it. The first possession generated an easy lob to Holmgren. Wembanyama lunged out to contest a potential Caruso floater on the second, which opened an easy pass to Mitchell in the dunker’s spot. A few possessions later, Mitchell got and missed an open corner 3, and that ended San Antonio’s ill-fated zone experiment. The Spurs lost McLaughlin’s minutes by 10 points in a game that was decided by nine.
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Getting Fox back would go a long way on this front. If nothing else, it helps keep McLaughlin off the floor, and Fox is both a low-turnover player and an experienced All-Star point guard who is suited to controlling tempo against an ultra-aggressive defense like Oklahoma City’s. But if he’s compromised physically, well, we don’t know how helpful he can really be.
How this benefits the Knicks and Cavs
The Spurs and Thunder were built to win under these conditions, but these injuries undeniably chip away at their superpower. Which one of them stands to benefit more from the other’s misfortune within this series is debatable, but the real winner here is playing in a different series on the other side of the country.
Whoever wins the Eastern Conference Finals is going to be an underdog against whoever escapes the West. There’s a sentiment out there that the Thunder and Spurs are playing the true NBA Finals as we speak, and the numbers support that. They were the NBA’s two best teams by both record and Cleaning the Glass net rating (which filters out garbage time) this season. Entering the series, as Carson Brebar noted, the Spurs had gone 34-3 in their last 37 games in which Wembanyama played at least 20 minutes while the Thunder had gone 28-1 in the last 29 games Gilgeous-Alexander played. At full strength, these are the two best teams in the NBA.
But the best team doesn’t always win the championship. You win it by beating the teams in front of you, and if you’re the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers right now, you’re probably enjoying watching these two heavyweights beat each other up to this degree. Both the Knicks and Cavaliers entered the Eastern Conference Finals with their full rosters available. The Knicks were without OG Anunoby in the last two games of the second round, but the Knicks had a nine-day break after their sweep of the 76ers, allowing him to play 34 minutes in New York’s Game 1 comeback over Cleveland.
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If there’s a path to an Eastern Conference NBA champion, it probably starts with the Thunder and Spurs rendering one another mortal through a seven-game bloodbath. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are as deep as contenders get, but every team has a limit, and two games into the Western Conference Finals, they might be approaching theirs.
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