Sports
The Vikings are Getting Some Salt Poured in the Wound
As this stage in the offseason, the top NFL free agent lists proliferate. The Vikings, despite a cap crunch that has yet to be resolved (at least publicly), are going to participate, if only in a modest manner.
But while adding talent is an exciting thing, Minnesota is encountering a discouraging reality: many of the top team fits could have been had for cheap. Indeed, we’re four years on from the disastrous 2022 NFL Draft, meaning the four-year rookie pacts are expiring. Many of the top names who look like nice fits belong to players who could have become Vikings players.
The Vikings Get Salt in the Wound
If you enjoy feeling sad, consider the draft picks just one more time:
- 1st Round, No. 32: Lewis Cine, Safety
- 2nd Round, No. 42: Andrew Booth Jr., Corner
- 2nd Round, No. 59: Ed Ingram, Guard
- 3rd Round, No. 66: Brian Asamoah, Linebacker
- 4th Round, No. 118: Akayleb Evans, Corner
- 5th Round, No. 165: Esezi Otomewo, Defensive End
- 5th Round, No. 169: Ty Chandler, Running Back
- 6th Round, No. 184: Vederian Lowe, Offensive Tackle
- 6th Round, No. 191: Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver
- 7th Round, No. 227: Nick Muse, Tight End
Pretty stunningly, the ten-person draft class is most likely going to venture elsewhere without a single player signing a second deal to remain. Of the crew, Jalen Nailor is the lone success story; drafting a promising WR3 in the 6th is excellent work. Otherwise, that’s a tough first go at drafting.
Shrinking things down to just the opening five draft picks allows us to see some of the promising talent that’s now out there in NFL free agency.
On ESPN, Matt Bowen proposes team fits for a list of the top free agents. The Vikings get a single mention, getting linked to off-ball linebacker Nakobe Dean. Consider what could have been possible:
- 1st Round, No. 32: Lewis Cine, Safety <–> Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Drafted at No. 41
- 2nd Round, No. 42: Andrew Booth Jr., Corner <–> Alontae Taylor, Corner, Drafted at No. 49
- 2nd Round, No. 59: Ed Ingram, Guard <–> Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Drafted at No. 83
- 3rd Round, No. 66: Brian Asamoah, Linebacker <–> Leo Chenal, Linebacker, Drafted at No. 103
- 4th Round, No. 118: Akayleb Evans, Corner <–> Tariq Woolen, Corner, Drafted at No. 153
For whatever it’s worth, the Bowen piece sees Walker as the 18th FA, Taylor as the 12th FA, Dean as the 48th FA, Chenal as the 45th FA, and Woolen as the 14th FA.
Obviously, the fight isn’t particularly fair. No GM, no matter how excellent, can withstand a battle with hindsight. Reality takes place and mysteries get solved, making it easy to tell the future that is the past. There is, nevertheless, some point to the exercise.
There’s a case to be made that what the Vikings need right about now is a young, dynamic runner like Walker. A tall, lengthy corner like Woolen would be great, too. Linebackers Dean and Chenal would be an upgrade, just as Taylor would be perfect for how the secondary operates.
The Vikings are experiencing an off-field equivalent to mistakes on the field.
Consider, for instance, a snap where the defensive tackle doesn’t get into the gap he’s supposed to be in. As the runner breaks through that early lane, the linebacker then misses a tackle since he wasn’t expecting to need break toward that area of the field so dramatically. The safety then needs to take on a powerful runner with a ton of momentum, leading to a business decision that results in an uninspired effort to tackle.
The (fictional) scenario above is an example of how an early mistake at the line of scrimmage can ripple through the rest of the defense and play more broadly. So, too, can the same logic be applied to drafting.
The Vikings are currently in a cap mess largely due to spending so freely on free agents. Needing to spend so freely on free agents largely overflows from poor drafting, the place where young, cost-controlled talent is found. In other words, mistakes from 2022 don’t stay in 2022. Instead, these 2022 mistakes have a real impact on what’s occurring in 2026.
In football, everything is interconnected.
The point, folks, is not that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is solely to blame for all that ails Minnesota. There’s no way that’s true (or anywhere close to true; there’s a ton of blame to go around). Nor, in fact, is the argument that Minnesota should have been capable of drafting in accordance with the insights that only reality can provide. Such a threshold is impossible to clear.
Rather, the point is that the Vikings are now turning over couch cushions to (possibly) sign one or two strong talents when these same players had been available four years ago for the price of a draft pick, a rookie contract, and a roster spot. The Vikings can now have these players, but they do so after they’ve become older and more expensive.
Connecting on one or two of these picks would have made a massive difference for the present moment.
At a time when the Vikings feel stretched thin, the need to launch the cap version of a fundraiser for free agents who were there for the taking must feel like salt in the wound.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Toulon Golf has released its 2026 Collection of putters, and I got a sneak peek at what they have to offer.
Toulon has added a couple of new models in the Monaco and the Boston, plus well as refinements across the board. They’ve also brought back their crowd favorite Deep Diamond Mill pattern, this time with a groove similar to the pattern that Xander Schauffele won two majors with in 2024. This is now the third collection release from this “third life” of Toulon Golf following on growth and success in 2024 and 2025. Let’s take a look at what makes the 2026 collection different, and give some insight into the company itself and its family members Sean, Kathy, Preston, Tony, and honorary family member Toru.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
The first thing you’ll notice about Toulon’s 2026 collection is the Midnight Blue finish. This is a finish that has been used in their Toulon Smallbatch program with putters like Smallbatch Sea Island, Smallbatch Pinehurst and Smallbatch Palo Alto. It’s been quite the crowd pleaser so they decided to bring it to their 2026 collection along with accents and paintfill in white and cool grey. The putters are milled once again from 304 stainless steel which is a bit of a softer material compared to some other milled putters on the market, and they take their time in the milling machine. You can see very soft milling details everywhere you look on the new 2026 collection putters and they’ve included their Saulsalito fine milling patter on some of the 6061 aluminum sole plates as well.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
While Toulon has always been known for their beauty — and, with the new finish and a softer overall shaping approach, that’s still a focus — this year’s line focused in on performance.
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Michael Reaves/Getty Images
This led to the development of the latest iteration of the Deep Diamond Mill face pattern, a crowd favorite. The new mill pattern is a touch shallower than players may remember from older iterations of Toulon Design, but more closely resembles the milling pattern that starred in Schauffele’s two 2024 major wins. They have also added a groove to the pattern this year, which helps get the ball into its initial roll faster and with more efficiency. From a feel perspective it gives the putter a bit more volume, but not at the sacrifice of pitch.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
You get a nice confident impact sound without any ringing or “shatter” to the sound. There’s also an intentional approach to hand feedback. Each putter has been built with the maximum MOI they can pull out of that given shape, so you’ll get a bit more feedback from the blades than you will the mallets, but it’s nice “player’s desired” feedback. Not harsh enough to make you jump, but just enough to make sure you know you missed the middle of the face.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
Toulon’s new line doesn’t make revolutionary changes; in some ways that’s the point. They’re sticking to their guns and making thoughtful and directed tweaks in their efforts to improve and refine. There’s a lot of purpose in the changes they make not only to the putters but to the lineup itself.
What’s also important is the putters that aren’t in the line. Toulon has only added two new models this year, but you’ll also notice that lots of models have been removed from the line. Carlsbad, Charleston, Atlanta, Miami, and New York City were all put on the chopping block. One of Toulon’s superpowers is its loyal consumers, and the company is geared towards making sure that they are doing right by them. Curating the lineup into the right combination of shapes and necks takes some serious thought. Making sure that they are covering everything that their base wants to buy from them is on the short list of priorities.
New shape offerings for 2026
The two new models in Boston and Monaco tell the story of where Toulon is innovating. Boston is their first long-neck offering in a collection series, and it takes cues from the traditional Austin shape that Toulon has had around since inception. It wasn’t a straight swap of a head to a different hosel, though. By moving the hosel up into the long-neck configuration they had to make subtle changes to the geometry of the head to ensure that the acoustics and the feel of the putter was still up to their standards. A hosel essentially acts like a tuner between the head and the hands, so shifting to a different hosel will typically mean some geometry changes. Boston is finished off with a sight dot, which is one of my personal favorite details, and has two adjustable sole weights.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
2026 Collection Boston
For the first time ever in a collection line, we’re proud to introduce our new, elongated longneck H3 hosel. This feature creates about 30 degrees of toe hang, substantially less than a blade with a conventional H1 hosel. This makes Boston ideal for those looking to reduce face rotation and a better fit for those with a straighter stroke path. Our front loaded milled round weights improve ball speed consistency across the face and combine with our new Deep Diamond Mill face pattern to create a soft, yet satisfying sound and feel.
Monaco, on the other hand, is a completely new shape they have developed. It can be seen as sort of a cousin to Las Vegas, which is how it was given its name. If you look at Monaco as sort of a Las Vegas with a crown, you can see the design inspiration. The 304 stainless face and crown marry up with a 6061 aluminum sole plate to create a very stable multi-material shape. Monaco, like Las Vegas, is also a very good transition putter for players looking to switch from a blade to a mallet. With it’s adjustable weighting on the sole moved towards the face a bit and a large hollow cavity in the center of the putter head, you get the benefits of a more forward C.G. position like a blade, with the footprint and the M.O.I. benefits of a mallet putter. It also comes in two different neck configurations with an H1 plumber’s neck style hosel that’s becoming more and more popular for mallet users (which is also available in left-handed) and their H4.5 slant neck which gives a player more toe hang and a tighter feeling to the putting surface during the putting stroke.
Toulon Monaco
Meet Monaco. Brand new from the ground up, this progressive, mid-size, multi-material mallet combines stunning looks with breakthrough performance.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
How the new collection really shines
In summing up the entire collection, the word I would use is “care”. That’s what they’ve used to massage the returning shapes to create a new look and feel while also introducing two killer shapes in Boston and Monaco. It’s really hard to describe the detail that went into this lineup until you can get a putter in your hands to see with your own eyes and feel the work yourself. There isn’t an edge, a point, a sharp spot or a flaw anywhere to be seen. Bumpers roll smoothly, the slow milled shaping lines are purposeful and soft, and new finish is brilliant in the light, and that Deep Diamond Mill? It gets me every time. Toulon has changed internal structures in a few of the putters to help adjust sound and feel. Changes you can’t see, but you will certainly hear and feel. That sums up their approach.
The crew over at Toulon Golf cares about the work and the detail that goes into every putter that leaves their shop. Fun fact: if you order a Toulon Collection putter, it’s actually being built by a member of the Toulon family every day in Vista, California. More than anything, they care about and listen to their customer. The entire new lineup is driven by feedback from the people who purchase and use their equipment on a day to day basis. In the third iteration of their third life, it seems Toulon is thriving more than ever before.
What’s available in 2026
In total there are 7 new shapes to choose from: 3 blades and 4 mallet offerings. Each blade comes in a plumber’s neck configuration with the Hollywood (tri-sole) and Austin (Anser style) using their H1 standard length neck with Austin also being available left-handed and their Boston (Anser style) using their new H3 long-neck. For mallets you get to choose between two necks for each model including the return of Alcatraz Mini in double bend and H1 plumber’s neck, Alcatraz in double bend (available left-handed) and H1 plumber’s neck, Las Vegas in Double Bend and H7 Flow Neck, and the brand new Monaco available in H1 plumber’s neck (available left-handed) and a H4.5 slant neck. Each model can be purchased with a chrome or black shaft and choice of new 2026 match collection grip or any other Toulon grip color. Plumber’s neck options can also be custom ordered with a Mitsubishi Diamana P105 putter shaft and all putters can be built with their heavy spec options that use heavier adjustable sole weights, longer length, and a longer 15″ grip. You can purchase Toulon Golf’s 2026 Collection from their website starting at $600.00 USD.
The Chicago Bears have played at Soldier Field for over 50 years, but have been looking for a location to build a new domed stadium and a site in Indiana is becoming a real possibility. The Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee passed a crucial bill Thursday in an effort to move forward in getting the stadium built.
The bill is for establishing a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance, construct and lease a stadium and was passed with a 24-0 vote.
“The passage of [the bill] would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the Bears said in a statement, via the Associated Press. “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”
The Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee was set to hold a hearing Thursday for a bill allowing the Bears to negotiate long-term property tax rates with local governing bodies, but it was canceled.
“Illinois was ready to move this bill forward. After a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the [Illinois General Assembly] pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill,” Matt Hill, a spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said. “This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”
The Bears first looked into building a stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a northwest Chicago suburb, with the team purchasing the land in 2023. In December, Bears president Kevin Warren said state leaders informed him that the project was not a priority for 2026.
Meanwhile, Indiana Governor Mike Braun has been lobbying for the team to controversially move across state lines. Playing in a different state than a team name suggests is nothing new for NFL teams as the New York Jets and New York Giants both play in New Jersey. Soldier Field is about 15 minutes from the Indiana-Illinois state line.
The journey to get a new stadium has gone on for years and the team has hit numerous road blocks. In September 2022, the Bears revealed a plan for Arlington Heights including restaurants, shops and more, costing almost $5 billion. Warren’s goal was to have the Arlington Heights construction plans in September so they could put in a bid for the Super Bowl by 2031.
The team is looking for $855 million in public funding for infrastructure to build in Arlington Heights, according to a team consultant report from last September. The Bears also sought for the Illinois legislature to pass a bill freezing property taxes for large-scale construction projects, which would’ve allowed them to begin building in 2025, but none of their requests were granted.
The team announced in December that they were expanding their search to outside Illinois, saying the new stadium is not just for the fans, but would bring jobs and revenue for the state.
“Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” a letter to fans from Warren read. “This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.”
Since making the move to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have played at Wrigley Field and Soldier Field and the team has never owned the stadium they call home. They’re hoping to change that and looking in multiple states to do so.
An update has been provided on Anthony Joshua‘s potential return to the ring, courtesy of promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua was last in action in December when he defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, and had then been pencilled in to return to action in early 2026.
Those plans changed when Joshua was involved in a car accident which tragically took the lives of his two close friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has now told Boxing Scene that the current plan is for AJ to return in July, though nothing will be cemented until the two-time unified world heavyweight champion gets into training camp and sees how he feels.
“Originally, the plan with AJ was for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury in August. That’s not happening. He’s not fighting Tyson Fury next. He’s going to come back I believe late summer, but physically he’s not yet in a position to return to camp. I’m planning, but he’s just resting and preparing.
“So for me I’m looking at options to get him back in the ring in July time, but we’ll only know if that’s a real possibility when he returns to camp, which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks or a month.”
Hearn then revealed when he feels a Fury fight could realistically happen.
“I think every fight is dangerous coming off what he’s come off. We’re open to the Tyson Fury fight but probably more likely end of the year, maybe early 2027.”
Following the circumstances Joshua went through late last year, seeing him back in the ring in any capacity would certainly be a bonus for boxing fans.
A general view of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears since 1971. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images The Chicago Bears are willing to commit $2 billion to a stadium project near Wolf Lake in Northwest Indiana after failing to gain traction with new construction projects in Illinois.
Indiana House of Representatives speaker Todd Huston made the announcement on Thursday morning with the passage of State Bill 27, which creates a stadium authority and “sets forth the framework for a final agreement,” Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement.
The significant development is not a legally binding or full and final bill ending the Bears’ 55-year stint at Soldier Field.
But it came not long after policymakers in Illinois called off a scheduled session to discuss stadium plans to keep the team in — or at least near — Chicago. Recent negotiations to remain in Illinois were focused on taxpayer funding with the Bears willing to commit more than 50% of the projected cost for sites in Arlington Heights, Ill., or a rebuild on the Chicago lakefront.
A state committee in the Illinois House focused on “megaprojects” through the revenue and finance committee did not meet as originally scheduled early Thursday morning as the Bears confirmed a stadium development is progressing in the Hammond, Ind., area.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana. We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator (Ryan) Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
Hammond, Ind., is 22 miles from Soldier Field and Wolf Lake is around 20 miles. Public transportation options via the South Shore line and Amtrak, which traverses the Lake Michigan shoreline across Indiana and into Michigan. Arlington Heights, located 25 miles from downtown in the northwest Chicago suburbs, has Metra stops and is situated near O’Hare Airport with access to nearby interstates.
“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” Braun said. “If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly. The State of Indiana moves at the speed of business, and we’ve demonstrated that through our quick coordination between state agencies, local government, and the legislature to set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers. We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.” Earlier this year, the Kansas City Chiefs made a similar move to end their longstanding agreement with Missouri, rolling out a plan to leave Arrowhead Stadium for a new home across the border in Kansas. The agreement brings new revenue streams to the Chiefs and met the franchise’s financial vision for a shared funding plan that Missouri refused to entertain.
The Bears have called Soldier Field home since 1971. The team played the 2002 season at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on the campus of the University of Illinois while Soldier Field underwent a massive renovation.
–Field Level Media
We’re less than a month away from Selection Sunday and the more we see, the more convinced we are that the 2026 NBA Draft class could be something special.
Our latest big board reflects plenty of movement, beyond the top four. To be clear though, the debate is intensifying at the top of the draft as well. Darryn Peterson remains at the top spot, as he has all season long, but the ongoing availability saga continues to add questions. The bottom line is that when he’s been on the floor and not limited, he’s been even better than expected. Unfortunately though, the times when he’s been out of the line-up, or noticeably tentative even when he is playing, continue to mount.
While most NBA executives still seem to favor him atop the draft, this ongoing trend is creating some pause. Availability is vital in today’s NBA, particular when a franchise is committing to build around you long-term. Peterson’s season has left executives to question his physical durability, along with any other factors that could be contributing to this very clear pattern.
Dybantsa impressive, but questions remain
While questions are intensifying about Peterson, AJ Dybantsa is putting up unmatched offensive numbers. He’s the leading scorer in Division I at 24.8 points per game, making real gains with his ability to pressure the rim, finish through contact and still maintain his core competencies of being able to get to the free-throw line and rise-and-fire in the mid-range area. However, there are questions about him too. BYU has built their attack around Dybantsa and yet they’ve lost six of their last nine.
Certainly, the loss of Richie Saunders is a huge one, but they had lost five of six from mid-January through early-February without him. Dybantsa’s defensive intensity, body language and rebounding have, at times, come in correlation to his team’s success. So, questions from high school about whether or not someone with his natural talent impacts winning, are now resurfacing.
Boozer shows he’s a winner
Then, there’s Cameron Boozer. His individual offense isn’t nearly as flashy as Peterson or Dybantsa. His highest levels outcomes may not have the same ceiling, but his impact on winning is as undeniable at Duke as it was in high school. We’re talking about a player who won both state and Nike EYB championships every single year. He did the same thing every time he put on a USA Basketball jersey. Then he punctuated all that with a national championship as a high school senior.
At Duke, he’s been the focal point of a team that is now 24-2, without nearly the same supporting cast as Cooper Flagg had a year ago. He’s the favorite to win national player of the year and proven to be the most reliable of the big three prospects. So I, and perhaps some NBA executives, are starting to wonder if he should be getting more consideration atop this draft.
Freshmen class shows it is elite
While the big three still headline this draft, the freshmen class is proving that they are, collectively, truly elite in totality. Caleb Wilson had been tremendous for North Carolina prior to his recent injury and is on the verge of putting himself in the conversation for a top three pick. Kingston Flemings has sustained the same signs of stardom he showed to start the season, while Keaton Wagler has blown away expectations by a consistently increasing margin as the season has gone on. Simultaneously, Darius Acuff has been absolutely dominant for Arkansas and both Mikel Brown and Nate Ament have started to put the pieces together at Louisville and Tennessee respectively.
From a positional standpoint, we’re seeing some real depth emerge at both ends of the line-up. The freshmen headline what looks like the deepest point guard class in recent years with Peterson, Flemings, Wagler, Brown and Acuff all projected as top ten picks. But Bennett Stirtz and Labaron Philon could push for the lottery as well, while Christian Anderson looks like a very solid first-round pick.
Interesting options at center
The depth at the center position lacks the same star power, but boasts a variety of players who could fight for spots in the first-round and a host of others who will have to weigh certain NIL paydays versus the financial uncertainty that comes from being a fringe first-round pick, given that second-round picks do not necessarily receive guaranteed contracts.
Jayden Quaintance is still the most intriguing true big man, but after that, beauty may truly be in the eye of the beholder. Henri Veesaar, Flory Bidunga, Patrick Ngongba, Motiejus Krivas, Rueben Chinyelu, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson all have a chance to be first-round picks and yet none of them is a lock to end up in that range. Simultaneously, they all have additional eligibility remaining in college, so who stays and who goes when it’s all said and done will be a very compelling storyline to watch and ultimately dictate just how good this big man market ends up being.
Of course, with all eyes on college basketball as we approach March Madness, the storylines of are just beginning to reveal themselves. What we know for sure is that there is a ton of anticipation behind this draft and the vast majority of them will be on display in the NCAA Tournament.
NBA Draft Big Board top 10
Top 10 players on CBS Sports NBA Draft expert Adam Finkelstein’s Prospects Rankings. Check out Finkelstin’s complete top 80 players on his Big Board.
Confidence abounds from trainer Matt Laurie regarding Treasurethe Moment’s fitness level for her first run back at Caulfield, on par with her spring return condition.
Last spring, the four-year-old mare Treasurethe Moment started her preparation with a victory in Caulfield’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), and now she recreates that scenario in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes over the identical course and distance.
Tuesday saw Laurie and regular pilot Damian Lane put Treasurethe Moment through her paces at Caulfield in a final gallop, with Laurie subsequently affirming her readiness for the task at hand.
Laurie reflected on the remarkable path Treasurethe Moment has taken him and his team on, as she seeks to claim a further Group 1 prize.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the horse and in her last three preparations she’s been able to knock off some Group 1’s, and hopefully she can do it for a fourth time,” Laurie said.
“I’ve got a similar feeling as when we went into the Memsie, but I’m not sure where the speed is going to be in this particular race.
“Damian will just ride our horse how he finds her on the day, but I wouldn’t have changed anything.
“She was very much on the ball and wanting to get on with the job and I think she is in a good headspace and ready to go.”
This campaign’s trajectory echoes those from before, per Laurie.
The mare presents as stronger now than in spring, attuned to the routine when heading out for trials, gallops, or race starts.
“She’s a bit older, a bit stronger and she’s very aware every time we put her on a track nowadays,” Laurie said.
“I can’t wait to kick her off and see where the preparation leads.
“Coming into this preparation I was of the feeling that I would give her a light one, give her nice break for another crack at the Cox Plate.
“We’ll run in the Futurity, then the All-Star Mile then we’ll play it by ear after that.
“She’s an incredible horse and I feel very privileged to have her.”
Saturday’s field pits Treasurethe Moment against eight foes, such as Buckaroo, runner-up in the Cox Plate, Evaporate, Feroce and Leica Lucy.
Discover premier betting sites with strong racing odds for the Futurity Stakes.
The other Olympic semifinal, between Slovakia and the United States, already promises high drama.
But an unexpected subplot may steal the spotlight.
Ryan Lomberg, who has shared dressing rooms with both Matthew Tkachuk and Martin Pospisil, summed it up best.
“Oh yeah,” he said, practically rubbing his hands together.
“I mean, get the popcorn ready if they start battling, because that’ll be epic, man.”
Few matchups in the tournament offer the same potential for fireworks as a collision between Calgary’s rising agitator and the former Flames master of mayhem.
With Pospisil centring Slovakia’s third line, and Tkachuk driving the Americans’ top unit, there’s a strong possibility the two will share plenty of ice time with a berth in the gold‑medal game on the line.
For Flames fans, it’s the kind of crossover event that adds extra intrigue.
Tkachuk remains one of hockey’s premier disturbers, a superstar who can score, stir the pot, and chirp with the best of them.
His bridesmaid jab at Leon Draisaitl earlier in the tournament was a reminder that his verbal game is still world‑class.
Pospisil, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the NHL’s most prolific hitters, a relentless forechecker who has worked hard to stay on the right side of the rulebook.
His play in Slovakia’s Cinderella run has showcased the same blend of energy and edge that has endeared him to Calgary fans since he broke into the league in 2023.
Lomberg, who knows both personalities well, sees the potential for something memorable.
“Chucky’s obviously one of the best in the game at being a rat and also having an impact on the score,” used Lomberg, who won a Stanley Cup with Tkachuk in Florida.
“And we all know what Pospisil is capable of when he’s at the top of his game. So it’ll be exciting to watch, for sure.
“I would imagine big brother, Brady, might poke his head into it too, but I’m sure Pospisil will be able to handle himself. He’s been doing a great job so far.”
In an NHL regular‑season game, prop bets would be offered on who would draw the first roughing minor.
And while one would think Olympic stakes will keep tempers in check, the Slovaks’ best chance of upsetting the Americans might just revolve around doing whatever they can to get Tkachuk’s line, with Brady and Jack Eichel, off their game.
“Yeah, it’ll be fun to watch a little chess match of who can toe the line a little bit better,” said Blake Coleman.
“I can’t imagine there’d be a ton of love between the two. But both are great players in their own way.”
While both have posted seasons with over 100 penalty minutes, the two have matured. Tkachuk has become a Hart‑level force who picks his moments. Pospisil has worked to avoid the unnecessary penalties that once plagued him.
But MacKenzie Weegar, who has watched Pospisil’s growth up close, doesn’t expect the Olympic rings to sanitize things entirely.
Asked whether the stage might eliminate the extracurriculars, he didn’t hesitate.
“I’m sure they’ll still find a way to bring that garbage,” he laughed.
“The U.S. is obviously the favourite, and the Tkachuk brothers are pretty elite players, but Pospisil can handle himself out there, and he can skate. And I’m sure he’ll be doing things out there to get things going, I won’t doubt that at all.”
Weegar, and the hockey world, will be watching.
“I’d love to see that, maybe bang (Tkachuk) around a little bit,” said Weegar, whose allegiance is clear, as he attended Canada’s Olympic orientation camp.
“It’ll be fun to watch that little matchup for sure. I would keep a close eye on that.”
Flames coach Ryan Huska has been pleased watching Pospisil thrive between Milos Kelemen and Pavol Regenda, even after an early scare.
“I saw him take the forearm to the head in one of the first games, which I was a little concerned about, but he’s fine,” said Huska of his 26-year-old forward, who has one assist and is plus-2 in three Olympic games.
“It’s neat to see him and his team having some success. Whether they’re a little Cinderella story, or they’re where people didn’t expect them to be, it’s good for Pospy, and it’s good for our team.”
Indeed, this is a great opportunity for Pospisil.
The stakes are enormous. Discipline will be preached. The game likely won’t devolve into chaos.
But if Pospisil and Tkachuk do indeed share plenty of ice together?
Chanettee Wannasaen smiles after a good shot during the LPGA Classic on June 12. Chanettee Wannasaen is tied atop the leaderboard of her home-country tournament with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka after the opening round of the Honda LPGA Thailand on Thursday in Pattaya, Thailand.
Wannasaen was effective throughout a 7-under-par 65 opening round, racking up nine birdies against two bogeys. She finished with a birdie on the par-5 18th and hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation at the Siam Country Club Old Course.
“Today, I played really well on the approach shot,” Wannasaen said. ” … It’s pretty fun and I have a lot of memory in this course.”
After a bogey on the par-4 2nd hole, Hataoka played bogey-free over the final 16 holes. That included three birdies in the final five holes, overcoming making just 14 of 18 greens in regulation by requiring just 26 putts.
It’s the second time in as many LPGA events this season that Hataoka has had at least a share of the first-round lead. She led after the opening round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in late January at 6 under.
“Today was a good start,” Hataoka said. “I think my tee shot and iron shot pretty well today. That’s why I was able to make so many birdie chances today.”
There’s little separation between a large pack at the top of the leaderboard. South Korea’s Somi Lee and Hye-Jin Choi as well as Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh are tied for third at 6 under. Dryburgh holed out for an eagle on the par-5 10th — her first hole in her first LPGA event back after becoming a mother seven weeks ago.
After that, 10 players are tied for sixth at 5 under. That clump of competitors shooting 67 includes world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is competing on her home course. First playing in this event at 14 years old and now on the eve of her 23rd birthday, Thitikul was bogey free at 5 under, securing a pair of sand saves.
“Just grateful for everything that I really put the work in and it just pay off,” Thitikul said, reflecting on her career after the first round. “And then also I think they should be happy on not just me doing, but all the Thai girls doing out there on the Tour.”
There are eight Thai golfers competing in this year’s event. Ariya Jutanugarn is also tied at 5 under, and Pajaree Anannarukarn is one of 10 golfers tied for 16th at 4 under. After shooting 1 over on the front nine, Anannarukarn surged back into contention with five birdies on a bogey-free back nine.
Angel Yin, who won the 2025 event, is tied for 26th at 3 under after the opening round. –Field Level Media
A spot in the gold medal game is on the line when top-seeded Canada takes on Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey competition on Friday. The winner will take on the winner between the United States and Slovakia on Sunday. Canada advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 overtime win over Czechia on Wednesday. Finland defeated Switzerland 3-2 in overtime in their quarterfinal.
Canada enters as the -430 favorite, per FanDuel Sportsbook, while Finland is at +330. The over/under in total goals is 5.5. Friday’s puck drop is set for 10:40 a.m. ET from Palaltalia, Milan. Before making any 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey semifinals picks or Olympic predictions, you need to see what Matthew Severance has to say.
Severance is coming off an outstanding NHL season in which he went 235-155-21 (plus $2,022). He entered the Olympic break on a 26-12 roll on NHL money-line picks this season, returning $1,326 for $100 players. Anyone following his hockey picks at their favorite sportsbooks could have seen huge returns.
Now, Severance has turned his attention to Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey semifinals. He’s only sharing his best bets at SportsLine.
| Finland vs. Canada money line: | Canada -430, Finland +330 |
| Finland vs. Canada over/under: | 5.5 goals |
| Finland vs. Canada puck line: | Canada -1.5 (-142) |
| Finland vs. Canada picks: | See picks at SportsLine |
| Finland vs. Canada streaming: | Fubo (Try for free) |
New users can also check out the latest FanDuel promo code and get $100 in bonus bets instantly at FanDuel if your first $5 bet wins:
2026 Winter Olympics Canada vs. Finland semifinal picks
For the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey semifinal between Canada and Finland, Severance is taking the Under 5.5 goals (-115) at 10:40 a.m. ET. The teams have met 27 times, with each team winning 13 games. The Fins hold an edge in total goals at 74-70. The teams have split each of the last six meetings.
Finland is 3-1 in the competition. After losing 4-1 to Slovakia, the Fins beat Sweden 4-1 and Italy 11-0 in Group B play, before beating Switzerland on Wednesday. Canada won Group A with a 5-0 win over Czechia, 5-1 win over Switzerland and 10-2 triumph over France, before beating Czechia in overtime in the quarterfinals. See his other picks at SportsLine.
New users can check out the latest Kalshi bonus code CBSSPORTS to get a $10 cash bonus after making $10 in trades:
How to make Olympics hockey Finland vs. Canada predictions
Severance also has puck line and analysis for the Finland vs. Canada semifinal matchup. You can only see his Olympic picks here.
So who wins the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey semifinal between Finland and Canada, and which puck line should you back? Visit SportsLine now to see the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey picks and best bets from a hockey insider, and find out.
The decision may not come soon because the man loves to bask in the spotlight of speculation, but new reporting suggests Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will retire — or is at least leaning that way, like never before.
Rodgers’ latest signal points to retirement, and it quietly lowers the temperature on Minnesota’s 2026 talk.
As a free-agent-to-be, Rodgers cannot be ruled out of the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1 plans, but the latest assertion from CBS Sports insinuates that the 10-time Pro Bowl is probably done for good.
Rodgers Retirement Buzz Changes Vikings Speculation
The longstanding Vikings-Rodgers rumor is on life support.
Aditi Kinkhabwala: Rodgers Leaning Toward Retirement
Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh this week, delivering the intel that Rodgers is likely on his way out.
“Having spoken to people who were around him, who have been around him, most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule, so you take that for what it’s worth,” he told the show’s hosts.
“In conversations with people who were around him all year, who were with him when he was leaving the Steelers when the season was over, all of those people that I spoke to said that it seems far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return.”
Until Kinkhabwala’s declaration, most assumed that Rodgers would probably return to Pittsburgh for one last hurrah.
Last Year’s Rough and Tumble Vikings Rumor Mill
Ardent Vikings fans are no strangers to the Rodgers rumors. During the 2025 offseason, Rodgers and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell casually discussed what a relationship might look like, but no contract ever materialized.
Still, the possibility of Rodgers turning purple, fully effectuating the Brett Favre storyline — Packers to Jets to Vikings — was a real sentiment for about two months (March and April 2025) until Rodgers put pen to paper and signed with the Steelers.
Some were even insistent that Minnesota take the plunge with Rodgers, though it seemed former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah avoided the circus Rodgers would’ve brought to the Twin Cities. Then, when the Steelers lost in the postseason, and Rodgers refused to retire after the contest, a new set of miniature Rodgers-to-Minnesota rumors sprouted — would he take the plunge one year later?
The Kinkhabwala reporting suggests no.
Rodgers’ 2025 Season
Rodgers started 16 games for Pittsburgh in 2025, with his team posting a 10-6 record on his watch, while he personally threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 65.7 completion percentage. The Steelers’ offense wasn’t overly dynamic, and Rodgers often played a game-manager role, as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith preferred a pretty low-octane approach.
All told, Rodgers ranked 21st of 34 qualifying quarterbacks per EPA+CPOE, sharing statistical space with passers like Tyler Shough and Jacoby Brissett.
Rodgers was basically serviceable — nowhere near his 2020 and 2021 MVP seasons.
Behind the Steel Curtain‘s Jarrett Bailey noted on the Steelers’ quarterback situation this week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason revolves around what Aaron Rodgers decides to do. Should he decide to return for a 22nd NFL season, the Steelers have their quarterback. If he decides to retire or if he wants to play elsewhere, though, Pittsburgh will need to figure out who they will bring in at the position.”
“The only other two quarterbacks on the Steelers’ roster are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. There have been several names connected to the Steelers in terms of potential trades or free agent signings, such as Kyler Murray, Malik Willis, and Anthony Richardson.”
The Mike McCarthy Angle
The Steelers shockingly cut ties with Mike Tomlin last month after nearly two decades of service. His team never showcased a losing record and hadn’t won any playoff games in eons. In return, Pittsburgh hired Rodgers’s former coach in Green Bay, Mike McCarthy, a hire that stunned fans because McCarthy feels like a continuation of Tomlin — enough to fire up a 10-7 season or so but not a skipper known for Super Bowl success, outside of one title with the Packers 15 years ago.
At his introductory press conference, McCarthy stated that he’d love to have Rodgers back, which reduced the proliferation of the Rodgers rumor mill: if he didn’t retire, well, he’d likely return to Pittsburgh with McCarthy in charge.
McCarthy and Rodgers have shared a rollercoaster relationship, but they apparently made amends within the past few years.
McCarthy may not coach Rodgers again, though, as Kinkhabwala claims retirement is imminent.
That will also subtract Rodgers from the Vikings’ rumor mill. Rodgers will turn 43 in December.
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