We’ve entered a new phase of the NFL offseason. In the weeks and months that we just endured, the primary objective for all 32 clubs across the country was to replenish and revamp their rosters through free agency and, most recently, the NFL Draft. Well, that period is over. Now, the focus is to take all of those new pieces, smash them together with the old ones, and mold what each organization hopes will be a winning product for next season.
Despite the redecorating, there may still be teams with lingering questions regarding key areas of the depth chart. Then, there are more existential questions surrounding various clubs, who may be faced with the identity crisis of seeing their championship window come and go.
With teams beginning to ramp up their offseason programs with OTAs and mandatory minicamp over the next few months before the summer break, we’re going to take stock of where they stand and identify one major question looming over the organization.
Arizona selected Beck with the 65th overall pick at the draft, and it stands to wonder how quickly the Miami product will hit the field. After all, the competition in the Cardinals quarterback room isn’t exactly robust. Jacoby Brissett is the incumbent starter, but he was 1-11 in 2025 and is currently holding out for a new contract. Then, there’s Gardner Minshew and former undrafted free agent Kedon Slovis. Whatever you think about the selection of Beck, the organization invested a third-rounder in him, and they’ll want to get an all-encompassing view of him as their starter this season before possibly deploying even more draft capital at the position next offseason. Beck isn’t a green prospect either, as he had 43 collegiate starts under his belt and will turn 25 in the middle of his rookie campaign. More than other rookies, he has the experience to start out of the gate. Whether or not first-year head coach Mike LaFleur throws him to the wolves, however, is the question.
Question: Will Michael Penix Jr. be healthy enough to compete with Tua Tagovailoa?
There’s a quarterback competition rumbling in Atlanta after the Falcons signed veteran Tua Tagovailoa following his release from the Miami Dolphins. While most of us have our popcorn ready to be tossed into the microwave in anticipation of this summer battle, it stands to wonder if it’ll even be a fair fight. Penix is working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in November. The 2024 first-round pick has a growing history of injuries, so it’s no guarantee he’ll be 100% by the time things really heat up at training camp. At the NFL Annual Meeting earlier this offseason, head coach Kevin Stefanski praised the tenacity Penix is bringing to his rehab, but didn’t provide much when asked if he’d physically be ready to play Week 1. If Penix isn’t in top form, that only creates even more of an inside track for Tagovailoa, and this battle could be a swift knockout.
Baltimore Ravens
Question: Who will be Baltimore’s starting center
There are a couple of different avenues we could’ve gone with the Ravens, including the looming extensions for Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers. However, the most pressing issue on the roster is at center. Namely, who actually is their starting center? Baltimore saw Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum leave in free agency, and with no replacement coming by way of a veteran, most anticipated the team filling that hole at the draft. While GM Eric DeCosta noted that he did try to land a center at the draft, it never came to fruition.
“Obviously, center is a position right now in a state of flux,” he told WBAL Radio last week. “We’re trying to figure that out. We weren’t able to address that in the draft. There were a couple guys that we really liked in the draft at the center position, but the board didn’t fall the right way.”
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Now, the Ravens will need to scour the remnants of the free agent market or look for a trade to fill that need.
It’s been a tumultuous tenure in Buffalo for Coleman, especially these last few months. In the aftermath of firing Sean McDermott, Coleman caught a stray from owner Terry Pegula, who noted that it was the coaching staff that pushed for the team to draft him instead of GM Brandon Beane. At the time, it felt like that was the nail in Coleman’s coffin regarding his tenure with the Bills. However, the receiver remains with the team at this stage, and it appears like he’ll be on board for 2026 as they move forward with head coach Joe Brady. Beane even sang Coleman’s praises this offseason and noted the team is hitting the reset button with him while adding, “I think his best year is yet to come here in 2026.”
DJ Moore, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Bears, will be Buffalo’s top wideout next season, but Coleman could prove to be a major X factor in the Bills finally getting over the hump in the AFC, so long as he’s able to bounce back.
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Carolina Panthers
Question: Will Bryce Young get an extension before Week 1?
Carolina already picked up the fifth-year option on Bryce Young’s rookie contract, and it was a move that was widely expected. What’s more interesting is whether or not the Panthers brass will put forward a contract extension for their former No. 1 overall pick that has him linked to the franchise beyond the next two seasons. GM Dan Morgan told Mad Dog Sports Radio last week that an extension for Young is “something that we’re talking about here internally, and we’ll do it at the right time.”
Young’s tenure in Carolina has been a rollercoaster, which included an in-season benching in 2024. However, Young began stabilizing his career last season. He had career highs in passing touchdowns (23), completion percentage (63.6%), and passing yards per game (188.2). His six game-winning drives were also tied for second in the NFL last year. Young’s numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, but they did help Carolina get to the playoffs.
Is that enough for the organization to shell out a massive extension, or will the Panthers take a more cautious approach and let Young play the 2026 out before making any concrete long-term decisions?
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Chicago Bears
Question: Does Chicago have enough at edge rusher?
The Bears have kept the status quo at edge rusher this offseason, not bringing in a player via free agency or the draft. This comes after a 2025 season where the defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks and pressure rate, so this does feel like an area of the depth chart that still needs to be addressed. While the top-tier free agents have already signed, there are some notable names still lingering on the open market, including Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney. Either one of those players could be an option to bolster the unit.
Cincinnati Bengals
Question: Will Cincinnati add a middle linebacker?
The Bengals made serious additions to the defense this offseason. They inked Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook in free agency, acquired Dexter Lawrence in a trade with the Giants, and brought in Cashius Howell in the second round of the draft. The only area of the defense that hasn’t seen new blood come in is at off-ball linebacker. As it stands, Cincinnati appears content going into the season with Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, despite both struggling this season.
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If the Bengals were to dip their toes into the free agent market and attempt to add to that room, there are some intriguing names out there. Given that the Bengals are in the thick of a Super Bowl window with Joe Burrow in his prime, this could be an ideal landing spot for veteran middle linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Cleveland Browns
Question: How will the QB room shake out?
The Browns‘ quarterback room is packed to the gills, and it’s currently unclear how things will sort out. Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will each duke it out for the Week 1 job, while rookie Taylen Green develops. If we assume Green will be on the roster, considering Cleveland just drafted him, and Watson is immovable due to his contract, either Sanders or Gabriel will be the odd man out.
So, on top of trying to figure out who’ll be the Browns starting quarterback, there’s another shoe that could drop with one of those two 2025 draft selections being shipped out of town.
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Dallas Cowboys
Question: Will George Pickens sign a contract extension?
Another offseason, another contract situation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. This time, it’s whether or not George Pickens will ink a long-term extension or play out the 2026 campaign on the franchise tag. The wideout recently signed the tag, which ensures he’ll make $27.3 million guaranteed for this season. However, the two sides will look to hammer out an extension, but the clock is ticking. The deadline for players who have been franchised to sign a long-term extension is July 15. If no deal is reached by that date, Pickens will play the year on the tag.
Nix suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the midst of a divisional round win over the Bills was a gut punch. If healthy, there was a legitimate chance the Broncos would’ve been in the Super Bowl. While that injury spoiled a golden opportunity in 2025, the objective now is to ensure it doesn’t impact 2026, so his rehab will be the central storyline for Denver the rest of the offseason. NFL Media reported last week that Nix recently underwent a cleanup procedure on that ankle, which was anticipated and successful. The report added that Nix remains on track to be ready for the start of training camp. Post-surgery, a video was posted of Nix running, so he does look well on his way to returning to form.
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Detroit Lions
Question: Has Detroit missed its Super Bowl window?
This is more of a big-picture topic than some of the nitty-gritty angles we’ll cover with other clubs, but it’s maybe the most noteworthy of the bunch. The Lions had been in the thick of the Super Bowl conversation for the last few years, but the furthest they’ve advanced was the NFC Championship in 2023. Last season, Detroit’s ascent hit a roadblock in the form of a 9-8 campaign that saw them finish last in the NFC North.
The division is increasingly more competitive with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers rising, and if Kyler Murray hits with the Vikings, they’ll make the path tougher for the Lions as well. At DraftKings Sportsbook, Detroit is the betting favorite to win the NFC North in 2026, but it’s a pretty slim margin. They’re +180, with the Packers right behind them at +190. If they don’t bounce back in 2026, it’s fair to wonder if their best chances of reaching the Super Bowl with this core have come and gone.
The Packers recently signed receiver Jayden Reed to a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension, and that may not be the only deal Green Bay executes before we get to Week 1. There are a couple of notable pieces to the offense entering the final year of their deals, so their statuses will be worth monitoring over the next few months. Namely, tight end Tucker Kraft and receiver Christian Watson are two skill-position players currently in the final year of their contracts. Despite Kraft recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 9 last season, he should remain in Green Bay’s long-term plans. When healthy, he has been the straw that stirs the drink to their offense and was on pace for a career year in 2025 before going down. Watson is another figure with a checkered injury history, but he is a dynamic weapon when on the field, so he should be someone the Packers look to lock down as well.
As expected, the Texans picked up Stroud’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, which puts him under team control through the 2027 season. That said, the quarterback is extension eligible, and many around the NFL are wondering what a long-term deal with Stroud could look like. After bursting onto the scene as a rookie, it seemed as if Stroud was destined to become the highest-paid player in the league whenever he arrived at this juncture. However, the shine has come off Stroud, particularly after this latest playoff run. Over two postseason contests, Stroud completed just 51.9% of his passes and had a passer rating of 51.8. The floor completely fell out from under Stroud in a divisional round loss to the Patriots, where he threw four interceptions. It was the type of performance that had folks second-guessing whether or not he’s a franchise centerpiece.
Houston has shown a willingness to give out monster extensions, and just made pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. — Stroud’s 2023 draft classmate — the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL earlier this offseason. But could they be apprehensive about giving Stroud a market-setting deal? ESPN reports the two sides have yet to engage in serious extension talks as of late April.
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Indianapolis Colts
Question: Will Anthony Richardson be traded?
With Daniel Jones now entrenched as the Colts‘ starter and inking a two-year, $88 million extension this offseason, the future for Richardson in Indy is nonexistent. The former first-round pick has requested a trade, and the Colts granted him permission to speak with other clubs regarding the possibility of acquiring him. Despite that, no deal has come to fruition at this point. Richardson has not been at the Colts voluntary offseason workouts to this point, and the team did not pick up his fifth-year option, so it does appear like the two sides are nearing a split in one form or another.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Question: How will Jacksonville truly use Travis Hunter?
The dream of Travis Hunter being this Shohei Ohtani-like two-way threat is fading by the minute. The former No. 2 overall pick wasn’t able to hold up physically last season, and it might be time for Jacksonville to pick a lane with him. Do the Jaguars make him a full-time player at either corner or receiver? Do they continue to attempt to make him a two-way player? NFL Media reported last month that Hunter is being eyed to be a full-time corner and a part-time receiver, but Hunter himself responded to that report with skepticism. So, the plan with Hunter’s utilization will be the central focus once the Jaguars reach training camp.
All eyes are on Patrick Mahomes as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in December. Head coach Andy Reid recently said that Mahomes is on track to take part in Kansas City’s OTAs, albeit possibly on a limited basis. The central question with Mahomes is whether he’ll be ready to suit up for the Chiefs in Week 1 or need extra time to rehab before taking the field again. That’ll be a fascinating balancing act for Kansas City to go through this offseason. On the one hand, they’ll want Mahomes to make positive strides in hopes of playing out of the gate, but they’ll also need to give Justin Fields, whom they acquired this offseason, work to prepare him in case he needs to start the season under center.
The Raiders are embarking on a new era after selecting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick at the draft. However, that era may not begin in Week 1. Las Vegas signed Kirk Cousins to a deal earlier this offseason, and it could be the veteran who gets the nod to begin the season. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak has gone on record saying that he prefers to have rookie quarterbacks sit behind a veteran for a bit instead of starting on Day 1, so we may already have a sense of how this process will play out. While that’s a solid plan to help ease Mendoza into the league, his time will come sooner rather than later, and if he pops throughout the summer, it may be tough for Kubiak to stay the course.
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Los Angeles Chargers
Question: How is the offensive line recovering after an injury-filled 2025?
The Chargers‘ offensive line was in shambles last season due to injury. Left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon in August and erased his entire season. Then, fellow star tackle Joe Alt suffered a season-ending ankle injury in November. Those losses helped lead to Justin Herbert being sacked a franchise-record 54 times in 2025. He was also the most pressured (263) and the most hit QB (129) in the league. With that in mind, checking in on how both Slater and Alt are doing on the health front will be a key storyline in camp. If they are back to full health, it dramatically raises Los Angeles’ ceiling.
Los Angeles Rams
Question: When will Puka Nacua land his extension?
It’s a matter of when Puka Nacua will sign his extension rather than if. The Rams receiver is entering the final year of his rookie contract, making him ripe to sign a monster new deal. Given that Nacua has a claim as the NFL’s top wide receiver, his extension could reset the market and outdo the four-year, $168 million deal that the Seahawks signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to earlier this offseason.
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As this deal looms, it’s been a tumultuous offseason for Nacua, who checked into rehab in Malibu last month after some off-the-field incidents. It’s possible that this could delay Nacua and the Rams agreeing to this deal, but it almost certainly won’t prevent him from soon becoming the highest-paid receiver in the league.
Miami Dolphins
Question: Will Miami add another receiver?
The Dolphins purged their wide receiver room this offseason, releasing Tyreek Hill and then trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. Now, the cupboard is pretty bare with Malik Washington as the notable holdover from last year. The club did add veterans Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, and drafted Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell in the third round, but none really move the needle too much. As the club heads into 2026 with a new head coach in Jeff Hafley and a new quarterback in Malik Willis, it may be wise to bring in another veteran to help raise the floor of the unit. There are plenty of receivers still on the market, ranging from Stefon Diggs to Deebo Samuel to Jauan Jennings.
He may not officially be QB1 yet, but it’s merely a formality at this point. Kyler Murray will, in all likelihood, be the Vikings’ starter in 2026 after signing with the club this offseason. He’ll take over for J.J. McCarthy, who struggled mightily as the starter in 2025, and Murray is now tasked with bringing Minnesota back to relevancy. Outside of quarterback, Minnesota has the talent to contend for a Super Bowl. In 2024, with Sam Darnold under center, the Vikings were 14-3 and playing for the No. 1 seed in the conference in Week 18. They’ll now look to Murray to possibly rekindle that magic they had with Darnold and push them over the top in the NFC North.
While this all looks good on paper, having it come to fruition is a different topic altogether. Murray has played 12-plus games just once in the last four seasons, so durability will be a big concern as he looks to revitalize his career and save the Vikings from seeing their championship window vanish.
New England Patriots
Question: Will the Mike Vrabel scandal continue to linger?
The most scandalous story of the offseason resides with the defending AFC champions and reigning Coach of the Year. Mike Vrabel was photographed with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini at a Sedona resort before the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix earlier this offseason. The two, who are married to different people, were pictured hugging, interlocking hands, and in a hot tub, which called into question the nature of their relationship. Additional photos of the two from a New York City bar in 2020 added more fuel to the rumors. Russini has since resigned from The Athletic, and Vrabel missed Day 3 of the NFL Draft as he checked into counseling.
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From a football standpoint, it doesn’t appear like Vrabel’s status as the Patriots’ head coach is at risk, but the story does continue to linger, with additional nuggets coming out seemingly every week. If that continues, does it become even more of a distraction for Vrabel and the team than it already is as they prepare for the 2026 season?
New Orleans Saints
Question: Is Tyler Shough truly a franchise centerpiece?
The Saints spent the offseason building around 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough, and now it’s time for the second-year quarterback to prove he’s someone New Orleans can lean on long term. The club added wideout Jordyn Tyson with the No. 8 overall pick, and signed running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract in free agency, adding to Shough’s arsenal that also features receiver Chris Olave and running back Alvin Kamara.
Shough really turned it on down the stretch of last season, owning a 4-1 record over his final five starts while averaging 263.2 passing yards per game, had eight total touchdowns and two turnovers, while notching a 99.1 passer rating. If Shough continues that momentum as he becomes the full-time starter in 2026, the Saints could be live in an attainable NFC South.
There had already been trade rumors revolving around Kayvon Thibodeaux leading up to the NFL Draft, but it amplified after Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fell to the Giants at No. 5 overall. Once he was selected, Thibodeaux’s future in New York was squarely called into question. While there were plenty of reports that suggested the Giants were fielding offers for Thibodeaux, they have publicly denied that they are looking to move him.
Something will need to give here, however, as Thibodeaux is entering the final year of his rookie deal after the Giants picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. After taking Reese and fellow pass rusher Abdul Carter in the first round over the last two years, along with the presence of Brian Burns, an extension for Thibodeaux doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards, which makes a trade a likely outcome here at some point.
The New York Jets had themselves quite the draft, bringing in several players who could prove to be foundational pieces for them moving forward. While the roster is starting to warrant some excitement, is Aaron Glenn the coach who’ll be developing them over the next few years? The Jets head coach has one of the hottest seats in the NFL entering the 2026 season, and it’s no guarantee that he makes it the entire year. During Glenn’s first season, the Jets went 3-14 and were the first team since 1987 to rank last in the league in points per game differential, yards per game differential, and turnover differential. The defense didn’t have a single interception in 2025.
If that play continues this season, the Jets will once again be looking for a new head coach.
Philadelphia Eagles
Question: What will Philly get in return for A.J. Brown?
At this point, it feels inevitable that A.J. Brown will be traded. The Eagles are merely wailing until June 1 to make it more financially palatable. So, instead of simply asking whether or not Brown will be traded, the far more interesting question at this stage is what Philadelphia will ultimately get in return. Given how highly regarded the 2027 NFL Draft is, getting a first-rounder next year in return for Brown seems unlikely, given his age (turns 29 next month) and injury history. However, could they get a high Day 2 pick and a player in return? Does Howie Roseman opt for a higher pick, albeit in 2028?
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The Athletic recently pondered that exact idea with the Patriots — the most likely suitor for the pass catcher — possibly trading a 2028 first-round pick for Brown or a 2027 second-rounder and a player (receiver Kayshon Boutte). Either one of those packages should be well-received by the Eagles, considering that they’ve seemingly reached the point of no return with Brown.
We’ve reached May, and there is still no definitive word on what Aaron Rodgers’ plans are for the 2026 season. Will the 42-year-old return to Pittsburgh for one more season? Will he opt for retirement? There was a thought that this would be cleared up before the draft, but that came and went without any true decision from the four-time NFL MVP.
Last week, the Steelers placed the rarely used right-of-first-refusal tag on Rodgers, meaning the team can match any contract offer another team may give him. While it’s been widely assumed that it’s either Steelers or retirement for Rodgers, that tag did bring up the possibility of him maybe playing elsewhere, and Pittsburgh using the tag as insurance for that scenario.
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The quarterback room currently consists of Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, and third-round rookie Drew Allar. None of those options gives the Steelers as high a ceiling as Rodgers does, so they’ll certainly be hoping he’s in the fold at some point soon.
San Francisco 49ers
Question: When will San Francisco rid itself of Brandon Aiyuk?
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be holding out hope that they’ll be able to trade Brandon Aiyuk, which is why the receiver is still on the roster. The club has already made it known that Aiyuk will not be with the team in 2026 after erasing the guaranteed money on his contract amid a dispute about playing for the organization. In doing so, however, it effectively eliminated any leverage they had in trade talks, as an interested club will simply wait the Niners out until they release him. Then, they can sign Aiyuk as a free agent without having to give up anything in return.
At some point, San Francisco will need to cut its losses and put this situation to bed.
The Seahawks will begin their title defense with an entirely new backfield than the one that helped them raise a Lombardi Trophy last season. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs in free agency, and fellow back Zach Charbonnet may not be ready for the start of the season after he tore his ACL in the divisional round.
That’s why Seattle used the No. 32 overall pick to select Jadarian Price, and the Notre Dame running back is now in line for the lion’s share of touches in 2026. How Price looks as the bell cow back will be interesting, particularly after a collegiate career where he worked behind fellow first-round back Jeremiyah Love. Last season, Price had just 119 touches compared to Love’s 226. On the one hand, you can say that Price doesn’t have a lot of tread on his tires, but you can also argue that we don’t know what he’ll be like with a full allotment of carries.
Question: How does the WR room look in the post-Mike Evans era?
The Buccaneers lost franchise icon Mike Evans in free agency, which means the offense is now set to flow through Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin in 2026. While both of those receivers are more than capable of headlining a passing attack, the absence of Evans looms large. Over the last two seasons, the Buccaneers were 4-8 without Evans compared to a 14-8 record with him. They also averaged 27 points per game with him over that stretch and 24 points per game without him, making a full field goal difference.
Egbuka burst onto the scene early during his rookie season, but averaged 32.6 receiving yards per game over his final eight contests. That’ll need to improve if he wants to be the WR1 in this offense and keep Tampa Bay’s hopes of making the playoffs alive.
Cam Ward sneakily started to break out at the tail end of last season. Over his final seven games, his completion percentage (62%), total touchdowns to turnover ratio (11-2), and passer rating (90.5) all saw a noticeable tick up. The Titans also averaged 20.1 points over that stretch compared to the 14.3 points per game they averaged over his first 10 games.
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The former No. 1 overall pick will try to keep that momentum rolling into 2026 with a totally new cast around him. Tennessee hired Robert Saleh as head coach and brought in Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator, while adding veteran receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency and using the No. 4 overall pick at the 2026 NFL Draft on Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate.
That’s the type of firepower that Ward was missing over his rookie season and could help him fully break out in Year 2. If he does, Tennessee could surprise teams in 2026.
Washington Commanders
Question: Does Washington have enough at receiver for Jayden Daniels?
Washington did a solid job this offseason of addressing its biggest weakness — the defense. The Commanders brought in pass rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, while using the No. 7 overall pick on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. That should certainly help the unit be more respectable in 2026 after a 2025 campaign where they allowed the most total yards in the NFL. While that box is checked, there is a question now looming over the offense. Specifically, whether or not they have enough around Daniels. Of course, Terry McLaurin is still the established WR1, but there are no set-and-forget options behind him on the receiver depth chart. Washington did select Antonio Williams in the third round, but it’s hardly a guarantee he makes an impact in Year 1.
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Given his relationship with Daniels, the Commanders are a likely suitor for Brandon Aiyuk if/when he’s released by the 49ers, so that could be an option to deepen the room, but that shoe has yet to drop.
The 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season finally comes to an end on Sunday and, without doubt, it has been one of the most dramatic campaigns in recent years.
From the title race to the battle for continental tickets and relegation survival, almost every position is still open ahead of the final day.
For me, Rivers United are favourites to win the league title despite Rangers International currently sitting top of the table. Rangers probably deserve the title more because of their consistency this season, but their final game against Ikorodu City looks very difficult.
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Ikorodu City are fighting for a possible third-place finish and a continental ticket, while Rangers need at least a positive result to keep their title hopes alive. Both clubs have already mobilised fans for the game, which shows how important the encounter is to both sides.
I expect Rivers United to beat Katsina United comfortably in Port Harcourt. That is why I feel the title could eventually swing in favour of the Pride of Rivers if Rangers fail to win in Lagos.
Ikorodu City have impressed me this season and I strongly believe they can finish third. They have shown character throughout the campaign and look ready for continental football.
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Shooting Stars are still in the race, but their away trip to Niger Tornadoes will not be easy because the hosts are also battling for survival. The pressure in Minna could affect both teams.
The relegation battle is another area that will attract plenty of attention. Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United are already down, but I believe El-Kanemi Warriors and Remo Stars could join them.
Remo Stars have struggled badly this season after winning the title last term and their trip to Bendel Insurance is far from straightforward. El-Kanemi Warriors are also in a difficult position and may not get the results needed to survive.
I see Enyimba, Plateau United, Warri Wolves and Kun Khalifat using their home advantage to secure safety. Clubs fighting relegation usually become very dangerous at home on the final day.
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In the race for the Golden Boot, Rangers striker Godwin Obaje remains my favourite to finish as the top scorer. However, Victor Mbaoma, Joseph Arumala and Jonathan Mairiga are still close enough to cause a late surprise.
No matter how the season ends, one thing is certain — the NPFL has once again delivered drama, excitement and unforgettable moments. Sunday could still produce another shocking twist before the curtain finally falls on the campaign.
Chelsea are going to be selling players this summer, and one who could go is midfielder Andrey Santos, according to Matt Law.
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The London is Blue podcast have been speaking to Matt Law about which players might leave the club this summer, and he mentioned one interesting name:
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“I wonder where things stand for Andrey Santos at the moment. He was the player who looked like he ould be the huge beneficiary of the Liam Rosenior appointment – and he was for a little bit,” Law mused.
“We know that Chelsea are looking at midfield options in the transfer market. We know that if Alonso plays his three at the back, he likes two sixes. I am wondering Santos is a little bit left on the sidelines within all this.”
You can see Law speaking in the clip embedded here:
Santos a prime candidate to be sold if Blues buy in midfield
We’ve had similar thoughts about Santos. He’s a solid player who could easily stick around in the squad, but perhaps his versatility is also his downfall. He’s not enough of a number 10 or a number 6 to really have an obvious spot in Alonso’s team, and the fact he could be sold for a big profit will surely tempt Chelsea if they decide to spend in midfield.
CAIRO, EGYPT – MAY 23: Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after beating Rico Verhoeven in their WBC World Heavyweight Title during the Glory in Giza – Fight Night at The Pyramids Of Giza, on May 23, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
Oleksandr Usyk survived a massive scare before stopping Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round to retain his WBC heavyweight title in Egypt.
The fight, held in front of the Pyramids of Giza, turned into a much tougher night than many expected for the unbeaten champion.
Verhoeven, competing in only his second professional boxing match, repeatedly pressured Usyk and appeared to trouble him throughout the middle rounds.
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But late in Round 11, Usyk finally found the breakthrough with a huge right uppercut that dropped Rico before the referee stopped the fight with just one second left in the round.
Despite the defeat, Verhoeven earned respect across the combat sports world for pushing one of boxing’s best fighters to the limit.
LAS VEGAS — For a fleeting 20 minutes, it looked like the return of Cale Makar might actually be the answer.
The spark. The jolt. The lifeline the Colorado Avalanche desperately needed to salvage a series that has spiralled into something bordering on surreal.
Instead, it became the cruelest tease of all.
Because after a 3–0 first‑period burst that had the Presidents’ Trophy winners looking every bit like the powerhouse they were supposed to be, a nine‑minute collapse to open the second period somehow has them staring down a 3–0 series deficit they have absolutely no answers for.
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And the knockout blow didn’t come from the returning superstar in burgundy.
It came from the one in gold.
Makar’s return was supposed to be the story. And early on, it was. He played more minutes than anyone on the ice in the opening frame, looking like the same dynamic, downhill‑attacking force who tilts the ice in every rink he steps onto.
“It felt like it took me a little bit to get back in the rhythm, but overall the body felt great,” said Makar, who missed the first two games of the Western Conference Final with an upper-body injury.
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“I wish I could have done a little bit more. Definitely was a passenger for a bit tonight,”
Because 19 seconds into the second period, the building shook.
Mark Stone, playing his first game since May 8, parked himself at the side of the net and redirected a gorgeous Mitch Marner feed past Scott Wedgewood with a power-play kick starter.
T‑Mobile Arena roared back to life, and the Golden Knights, who have looked downright unstoppable since John Tortorella took over, fed off it instantly.
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They’re now 18‑4‑1 under him. And if you think that’s a coincidence, coach Tortorella would like a word.
“This is a game where we showed some (guts),” said Tortorella, basking in the glow of a 5-3 comeback win that will ultimately be remembered for burying the Avalanche.
“This team, in the short time that I’ve been with them, has shown me nothing but (fearlessness). They’re not afraid. It’s something we’ve tried to stress, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. I think they just have an uncanny ability to stay together.”
Stone’s goal was the spark. William Karlsson’s first of the playoffs was the accelerant. And then came the moment that sucked the oxygen out of the Avalanche bench.
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With eight minutes left in the period, Nathan MacKinnon stepped in front of a Shea Theodore blast and took it flush off the right kneecap. He crumpled instantly, stayed down for half a minute, then hobbled off in visible agony.
As he hung his head on the bench, trying to process the pain, the crowd erupted less than a minute later — this time for Keegan Kolesar’s tying goal. Tie game.
MacKinnon spent the rest of the night unsure if he should be out there, playing sparingly in a desperate attempt to stop the momentum before Tomas Hertl undressed Sam Malinski and lifted a backhand in to score the eventual game winner eight minutes into the third.
“It’s tough,” said Makar of MacKinnon’s injury.
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“He sells out for a shot block. Unfortunately it’s because of a bad turnover from us. Shouldn’t happen.”
As far as Makar goes, he did everything he could. His skating, his poise, his blue‑line manipulation — all of it was there, as he recorded three shots on goal in a game-high 27 minutes of ice time.
But, as the coach reiterated, “You get a nine‑minute stretch that costs you the hockey game.”
And that’s the story of this series. Colorado hasn’t been outclassed for 60 minutes. They’ve been undone in pockets — five minutes here, nine minutes there — and against a team this opportunistic, that’s fatal.
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Bednar wasn’t ready to sugarcoat anything when asked about resiliency as they look to save their season Tuesday.
“We’re not there yet, I don’t know,” he said of the mood following the team’s first first loss of the season after holding a multi-goal lead.
“Everyone’s down in the dumps right now and that’s what the next 36 hours are for, to get our team back and make sure our focus is in the right place. It seems like a tough hill to climb too, obviously especially against a tough team like Vegas.”
He’s right. With MacKinnon banged up, with Valeri Nichushkin injured, with a goalie change inevitable, and with their confidence shaken, the Avalanche look like a team searching for something that isn’t there.
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When push comes to shove, the Avalanche don’t have any answers.
The Golden Knights do. They have Stone. They have swagger. They have Tortorella. And they have a 3–0 stranglehold on a series that feels, for all intents and purposes, over.
Regis Le Bris expressed his pride as Sunderland secured a spot in next season’s Europa League by beating Chelsea 2-1.
Trai Hume opened the scoring before Malo Gusto’s own goal early in the second half doubled the Black Cats’ advantage.
Cole Palmer pulled one back for Chelsea but they had Wesley Fofana sent off just after the hour mark and Sunderland held on for the three points.
Victory at the Stadium of Light along with other results ensured the Black Cats finished seventh in the Premier League standings, capping off a remarkable return to the top flight.
Asked about his emotions, Le Bris said: “Proud. I’m proud of the lads, proud of the atmosphere in the stadium, the connection we had once again today to create something special.
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“We had to win. I think we were really focused.
“The way we wanted to play this game, showed good control, scored when it was on and finally the last part of the game was well-managed with maturity.”
Victory comes one year to the day since Sunderland were promoted with a Championship play-off final triumph over Sheffield United at Wembley and Le Bris believes a strong finish this term is the “continuity” of their journey.
“It’s different, Wembley was fantastic as well, a special place in English football,” he said.
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“Here today, it’s the continuity of our journey and the journey is really special because we feel the alignment in the club with our fans and finally it’s a tribute to our collective work and it’s really nice.”
Looking ahead to the prospect of playing in the Europa League, Le Bris added: “It’s hard to realise at the minute.
“It’s going to be a new challenge, but we don’t want to set a limit.
“We know it’s going to be tough in the Premier League, first of all, because the second season is hard as well.
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“Let’s start with this idea to be strong in the Premier League. After that we’ll have the Europa League which is another challenge, another story, we’ll see.”
Calum McFarlane believes Chelsea should be finishing “a lot higher up”.
Defeat on Wearside ended a flat campaign for the Blues, who had started the day in eighth but slipped to 10th.
The game was McFarlane’s last before Xabi Alonso takes over on July 1 and he said: “A disappointing end to the season.
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“We should be finishing a lot higher up the league – for me, with this group of players, the talent we have, we should be in the Champions League.
“We haven’t been, we’ve been too inconsistent at times this year.
“The feeling in the dressing room is obviously of disappointment. We wanted to win today and make the best of a bad situation and get into the Europa League.
“We didn’t get the performance we wanted or the result. The message to the fans, we’re as disappointed as them, we’re gutted we couldn’t do it for them.
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“They’ve been brilliant this year, they’ve really supported us, especially in the last couple of weeks when we’ve needed to win games.
“Unfortunately we’ve let them down today, we weren’t able to put the performance in that they deserve.”
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: The New York Knicks huddle up during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Knicks are now just one win away from eliminating the Cleveland Cavaliers after a 121-108 Game 3 victory. New York now leads the series 3-0 and continues to be completely in control.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 30 points, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby also stepped up in another strong team performance.
The Knicks were faster and more aggressive throughout the night, constantly punishing Cleveland’s mistakes and turning defense into easy points.
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Meanwhile, the Cavaliers struggled to find rhythm offensively and never truly looked comfortable for long stretches of the game.
New York is now just one win away from reaching its first NBA Finals since 1999.
Here’s our rest-of-season Top 300. Expect this space to be updated every Monday. Players are ranked for 5×5 mixed leagues using a one-catcher format. I include the mixed-league disclaimer because I do reward upside, particularly past the top 200 or so.
⚾️ Baseball is back on NBC: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason and much more.
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 overall ranks
**Updated May 25**
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I added the preseason Top 300 rankings to the list this week, just as sort of a two-month progress report. To date, 54 players in the original rankings have been swapped out for newcomers.
– I was always too optimistic about Schwellenbach’s return from elbow surgery, apparently. He’s resumed tossing, but it sounds like he won’t even be back on the mound for another three weeks, suggesting that mid-August return is probably the best-case scenario now. … I can’t believe I reintroduced Manzardo to the rankings last week only for Stephen Vogt to bench him against three of the next five righties (and both lefties, of course) the Guardians faced. Manzardo is batting .278/.350/.574 with an even more impressive .406 xwOBA this month. But, then, the Guardians are obviously doing just fine without him.
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– Cristopher Sánchez overtakes Paul Skenes as the No. 1 starter this week. Sánchez’s velocity was down just a little initially, and he didn’t dominate last month, but he’s had a May for the ages, with his 32 scoreless innings and 36 strikeouts. His K rate has jumped from 20 percent in 2024 and 26 percent last season to 29 percent now, and he’s done without losing anything off his stellar groundball rate. I’m still pretty sure Skenes will be fine, but his velocity is down one mph from last year and his mediocre 25.6 percent CSW is really quite stunning. He ranks 56th of the 76 qualified starters in that category, right in between Matthew Liberatore and Colin Rea.
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– While I didn’t want to, I did have to drop Luke Keaschall from 102nd to 167th this week. He’s losing playing time on a Twins team that’s already sent down Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis. And it probably doesn’t help matters that Lewis is already gunning for a quick return. I think things will turn around for Keaschall if the Twins stick with him, but it’d be hard to blame them for swapping him out for a spell. His lack of defensive value makes his offensive struggles much more difficult to deal with.
– Andrew Vaughn, Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell would all be top-200 guys for me as regulars, but the current playing time situation in Milwaukee isn’t great. I’d love to have Vaughn back in the 150s, but he sat against three straight righties last week before Mitchell missed a couple of games with a back issue. Someone will eventually get hurt again and clarifying matters for a time, but I don’t much like it right now.
– Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones is another guy I’d like to have higher, but this talk about maybe starting him off in the pen seems like a real threat. If it’s about not taking either Bubba Chandler or Carmen Mlodzinski out of the rotation, I don’t get that at all. I do think Chandler will get better, but his 16 percent walk rate is awful and he’s not really making up for it with a 22 percent strikeout rate. Mlodzinski has been nice, but his ceiling as a starter is limited, and even with him having allowed just two homers on 11 barrels, his ERA is an unremarkable 3.96. Jones has ace-type ability and he’s been stretched out to the point that he threw 76 pitches last time out. I don’t see how it would make any sense to put him in the pen now.
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– With his 1.13 ERA through 32 innings, Antonio Senzatela becomes the first Rockies pitcher to make the top 300 this year. It’s probably a temporary thing, since he might be as likely as anyone in the league to get traded, and it might happen well before the deadline. For now, though, he looks like an increasingly decent bet for saves in Colorado’s pen.
May 18 Notes
Falling off: Kris Bubic (205th), Heliot Ramos (217th), Ryan O’Hearn (222nd), Clay Holmes (223rd), Chad Patrick (262nd), Dylan Beavers (264th), Royce Lewis (270th), Matt Wallner (275th), Giancarlo Stanton (285th), Robert Suarez (290th), Pierce Johnson (297th), Jac Caglianone (298th), Dennis Santana (299th)
– O’Hearn, Suarez, and Caglianone are all part of the next 10, along with Ryan Zeferjahn, Jake McCarthy, Connor Prielipp, Emilio Pagán and Jordan Lawlar.
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– For the first time since putting out my preseason rankings in mid-January, there is a change in the top three, as Shohei Ohtani (DH only) drops behind Bobby Witt Jr. I hesitated to make the move a couple of weeks ago after Ohtani got back to stealing bases, but since it looks like him being held out of the lineup when he pitches is turning into a regular thing, down one spot he goes. I might also put Ronald Acuña Jr. ahead of him if Acuña comes back strong from his hamstring injury.
– Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drops one spot this week, but I still don’t see any reason to go much lower. His exit velocity numbers are down some, but his bat speed is just fine and he’s not striking out. I’d be more concerned if his groundball rate was spiking, but he’s slightly better than his career average there. The power production will come, and the Blue Jays’ lineup still should take a significant step forward when Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger get healthy and George Springer figures things out. Springer has been another disappointment, but again, his bat speed has held up nicely, he’s pulling the ball in the air and his strikeout rate is fine.
– Munetaka Murakami’s home run barrage has really overshadowed what Miguel Vargas is doing in Chicago, but Vargas, pretty incredibly, is currently 10th in the majors with a .407 xwOBA. His average bat speed has jumped from 70.6 mph last year (25th percentile) to 73.7 mph this year (69th percentile) and he hasn’t sacrificed any contact to make that happen. In fact, his contract numbers are largely improved. His exit velocity numbers, aside him 16 percent barrel rate, are still pretty average, and he’s still having big BABIP troubles; he’s at .240 right now, which is only slightly better than his career mark of .233. That’s keeping me from ranking him in the top 100 for now, but he is up to No. 123 this week.
– I did make room for Colt Emerson at the very bottom of the list, but I don’t think he’s ready to be particularly useful in mixed leagues at age 20. It also doesn’t help that he’s in a tough situation for hitters in Seattle. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do, but Emerson was striking out 27 percent of the time in Triple-A and it’s probably going to be a couple of years before he settles in as a 20-homer guy.
May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) moves the ball in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
CLEVELAND — Jalen Brunson is a three-time All-Star and one of the premier point guards in the sport. He now stands one win away from becoming a Big Apple basketball legend.
The New York Knicks lead the Eastern Conference finals over the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0, giving them an opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals with a road victory on Monday night.
The Knicks have won a franchise-record 10 consecutive playoff games by an average of 22.5 points. If they make it 11 straight, Brunson will accomplish a goal that he has had “since I signed” with New York in 2022.
“Jalen is the MVP,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “He’s an MVP candidate and he continues to do what he has to do night after night.”
Brunson has averaged 29.0 points and 8.7 assists in the first three games while playing a series-high 128 minutes. The eighth-year pro added another accolade Sunday, when he was named to the All-NBA second team, along with Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers.
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His focus, though, is all on Game 4 — and potentially beyond — as third-seeded New York seeks its first East crown since 1999.
“I don’t want to consider us peaking at this moment,” said Brunson, whose 27.8 scoring average ranks third in the league this postseason. “But I haven’t really had the time to wonder where we are as a team. All I focus on is how can we get better from the day before.”
Shooting guard Mikal Bridges has also taken his game to a new level during the Knicks’ playoff run, averaging 19.1 points and shooting 69.1% from the field and 47.6% on 3-pointers over his last eight games.
The league’s active ironman has made Cleveland pay when it double-teams Brunson or center Karl-Anthony Towns, making 27 of 38 field goal attempts (71.1%) and averaging 19.7 points in the series.
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“I’m so close with a lot of guys on this team,” Bridges said. “Just them being there and knowing that I want to play better. And especially to help the team win. They want that too.”
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers just want to win, period, and avoid being swept in a series for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. That also was the last time they advanced to the East finals until this season.
Cleveland squandered a 22-point lead in the final 7:52 of regulation in Game 1, then collapsed in overtime for a 115-104 loss. The Cavs haven’t recovered from it, dropping Game 2 by a 109-93 margin and never leading in a 121-108 defeat in Game 3.
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Instead of winning the opener on Sam Merrill’s wide-open 3-point attempt, the Cavaliers have looked exhausted since his shot bounced off the rim. Cleveland has played every other day since April 29; playing the maximum seven games in its first two series has clearly taken a physical toll.
“We know if you lose, you’re done, but we’ve got to let that thing go and go play,” Merrill said. “Obviously, let’s make the adjustments and clean up what we need to. And let’s go play with full belief that we’re going to get a win.”
Shooting guard Mitchell has done his part, averaging 26.0 points and 39.3 minutes, but point guard James Harden has yet to play well against New York. “The Beard” is shooting just 41.3% from the field and is making a dismal 22.7% of his 3-point tries.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson is contemplating a lineup change to spark his club by moving small forward Dean Wade to the bench, but there is no obvious replacement as Merrill and Max Strus are only making a combined 29.3% of their field goal attempts.
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No NBA team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.
“They’re the more energetic team and we’re a count, maybe two counts, behind at times,” Atkinson said. “We’re missing shots and transition breakdowns are getting them going.
KELOWNA, British Columbia — Liam Lefebvre scored his second goal of the game at 5:28 of overtime to give the Chicoutimi Sagueneens a 3-2 victory over the host Kelowna Rockets on Sunday night in the Memorial Cup.
In the three-on-three tiebreaker, Lefebvre took a pass from Nathan Lecompte in the left circle and fired a one-timer past goalie Josh Banini.
The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Sagueneens rebounded a night after an opening 5-3 loss to the Western Hockey League champion Everett Silvertips.
Anton Linde also scored for Chicoutimi. Lucas Beckman stopped 27 shots.
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Tij Iginla and Mazden Leslie scored for Kelowna, and Banini made 26 saves. The 19-year-old Iginla, the son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, was drafted sixth overall by Utah in 2024.
On Friday night, Kelowna fell 5-0 to the Ontario Hockey League champion Kitchener Rangers to open the four-team tournament.
After Linde gave Chicoutimi a 2-1 lead on a tip with 5:59 left in the third, Leslie tied it with 4:10 remaining. A long rebound came to Leslie on the right side of the goal and he was able to chip it in.
Lefebvre opened the scoring for Chicoutimi on a breakaway with 5:22 left in the first period, flipping a backhander into the top netting. Iginla tied it at 6:29 of the second with a shot from the left circle.
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On Monday night, Everett will face Kitchener. The Silvertips are trying to become the fourth U.S. franchise to win the event, following Portland in 1983 and 1998, Spokane in 1991 and 2008 and Saginaw in 2024.
In the final round-robin games, Kitchener will play Chicoutimi on Tuesday night, and Kelowna will face Everett on Wednesday night.
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