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Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Florida DT Caleb Banks

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Florida defesive tackle Caleb Banks in 2023
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) hypes the crowd during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. © Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The defensive tackle position is quickly becoming one of the more valuable positions in all of football.

In former days, elite edge rushers were all the rage in terms of star defenders, and while that is still the case to an extent, the truly elite defenses have at least one disruptor in the middle of their defensive line. Teams will be looking to find that player in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it is exactly what many think Caleb Banks can be if he lands in the right place.

Background

2026 NFL Draft Caleb Banks
Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Micah Leon (12), Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) and Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) sing after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Statistics

  • 2021: 1 QB pressure (1 games)
  • 2022: 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 QB pressures, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble (6 games)
  • 2023: 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 24 QB pressures, 1 sack, (12 games)
  • 2024: 21 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 29 QB pressures, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles (12 games)
  • 2025: 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 QB pressures, 1 fumble recovery (3 games)

Measurables

  • Height: 6’6″
  • Weight: 327 pounds
  • Hand Size: 10 7/8″
  • Arm Length: 35″
  • 40-Yard Dash: 5.04
  • 10-Yard Split: 1.76
  • 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
  • Vertical: 32″
  • Broad Jump: 9′ 6″
  • 3 Cone: N/A
  • Bench: —

Caleb Banks is a massive human being who, when at his best, wreaked havoc against opposing offensive lines during his collegiate career. Banks spent the first two seasons of his NFL career at Louisville, but he did not get a ton of playing time.

He then transferred to Florida in 2023 where he blossomed into a starter and star on the defensive line of the Gators. However, Banks was only able to play three games in 2025 due to a foot injury. At first, he missed the first two games of the season before suiting up against LSU. During that game, he re-injured the foot, and it was later revealed it was broken. He missed the next nine games before gritting out the final two games of the season.

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Strengths

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) is pressured by Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the third quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 43-20.

Banks is an absolute physical specimen at 6’6″ and 327 pounds, and he overwhelms opposing offensive lines with that imposing length and size. His impressive wingspan allows him to create leverage even against bigger offensive linemen.

On top of that size, Banks has an explosive first step, and combined with his ability to win with leverage, his bull rush is devastating.

Finally. Banks is versatile and can move all over the defensive line, meaning he can be a chess piece implemented by just about any NFL defense whether they need a nose tackle or a three tech.

Weaknesses

Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) celebrates with the ball after a fumble recovery against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Banks has a decent amount of experience in college, but his technique still needs some work to be successful at the NFL level. To his credit, when you can consistently win with athletic ability, you might as well do what works.

However, Banks does have moments where he doesn’t utilize his size and leverage as well as he should. His pad level is too upright too regularly at this point, and he doesn’t have a great “plan B” when he doesn’t win off the line of scrimmage at this point.

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Additionally, Banks’ broken foot suffered in 2025 could cause some scouts to raise a few red flags even if he did show up and perform at the NFL Combine.

2026 NFL Draft Projection

Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
  • NFL Draft Projection: Mid-Late First Round
  • Team Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins

Banks’ weaknesses are things that can be ironed out at the NFL level. You don’t always come across this combination of size and athletic ability at the defensive tackle position, so an NFL team is going to jump at the chance to select him somewhere in the teens.


Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.

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Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey

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Trump holds college sports roundtable with Saban, Meyer in attendance

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President Donald Trump hosted a college sports roundtable Friday to examine solutions to key challenges, including NCAA authority; name, image and likeness (NIL) issues; collective bargaining; and governance concerns. 

Athletic officials in attendance included NCAA President Charlie Baker, former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, OutKick founder Clay Travis, New York Yankees President Randy Levine and each of the Power Four commissioners, among others.

“This is the future, I think, beyond college sports. This is the future of colleges,” Trump said to kick off the roundtable. “The amount of money being spent and lost by otherwise very successful schools is astounding just in a short period of time. It’s only going to get worse. We have to save college sports, and, I believe, colleges.

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Donald Trump speaks

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on March 6, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)

“Crazy things are happening. … We have a seven-year freshman. We’re seeing things we’ve never seen before. College players not wanting to go pro because they make more money in college,” he added.

Trump said there has been an “inability to set rules,” noting that different states have different NIL laws, prompting another challenge for college sports.

“If Congress doesn’t take action fast, it could destroy college sports,” Trump said.

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Trump ripped “one judge who knew nothing about sports, knew nothing about football, knew nothing about Olympics, knew nothing about anything, just decided everything was unconstitutional.” 

He was likely referring to Judge Claudia Wilken, who ruled in 2019 that the NCAA’s limits on education-related benefits violated antitrust law.

“It’s crazy. Only Congress can deliver a permanent fix,” Trump said.

Trump noted he was not aiming to revert to athletes not being paid.

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“Although, not the worst idea,” he admitted. “But I think a lot of people would overrule me on that.”

Later on, Trump said he wanted to “just go back to what you had, let some judge tell you can’t do it, you appeal, and you win at some point. Because what you had — what a great system. Everybody was happy.”

Saban said helping athletes become more successful on a personal level has become “impossible” in today’s era.

“People, instead of making decisions about creating value for their future, they were making decisions about how much money could they make at whichever school they can go to or transfer to,” Saban said. 

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“I think we need to come up with a system, and, obviously, we have to do it with the president’s leadership and also with Congress probably … to allow student-athletes in all sports to enhance their quality of life while going to college but still provide opportunity to advance themselves beyond their athletic career, which is what the philosophy of college athletes and getting a college education has always been about.”

Nick Saban looks on

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is seen before a roundtable discussion about college sports in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on March 6, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)

Trump has been adamant about “saving college sports,” even signing an executive order setting new restrictions on payments to college athletes in July.

The president’s order prohibits athletes from receiving pay-to-play payments from third-party sources. However, the order did not impose any restrictions on NIL payments to college athletes by third-party sources. It also demands that schools account for preserving resources for the non-revenue sports. 

The SCORE Act was at the forefront of the roundtable. It was scheduled to be voted on in December but the vote was canceled shortly before. The White House endorsed the act, but three Republicans — Byron Donalds of Florida, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Chip Roy of Texas — voted with Democrats not to bring the act to the floor. Democrats have largely opposed the bill, urging members of the House to vote against it.

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The SCORE Act would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption in hopes of protecting the NCAA from potential lawsuits over eligibility rules and would prohibit athletes from becoming employees of their schools. It prohibits schools from using student fees to fund NIL payments.

Donald Trump arrives

President Donald Trump greets House Speaker Mike Johnson, left, as he arrives at a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on March 6, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)

Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., said the act “hurts” women’s sports, and strengthening Title IX “has to be part of the SCORE Act.” She also said the SCORE Act “represented a consolidation of what we have today, which is the SEC and the Big Ten” getting a boatload of the money college athletics garners.

Trahan did concur that “maybe the SCORE Act is the right vehicle we continue to tweak,” showing some confidence in it and expressing her desire to work with those at the roundtable to make it successful. U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., said that women’s sports would be “protected,” while Jim Phillips, the ACC commissioner, said 56% of the ACC’s athletic scholarships have gone to women since the House case.

Tim Pernetti, commissioner of the American Conference, said the SCORE Act doesn’t fix college athletics’ “economic crisis.” Meyer admitted he did not like how collectives were still included in the SCORE Act, calling it “cheating.”

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“I think if the collective goes away, college sports gets better immediately,” Meyer said.

After deliberations, Trump said he’d write an executive order “based on great common sense.”

“It’s gonna let colleges survive and players survive and let a lot of people be very, very happy,” Trump said.

Trump college sports roundtable

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House on March 6, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration held the roundtable titled “Saving College Sports” with leaders from the Power Four conferences, media executives and former coaches. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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A month before Trump’s order, Wilken approved a settlement between the NCAA, its most powerful conferences and lawyers representing all Division I athletes. The deal means the NCAA will pay close to $2.8 billion in back damages over the next 10 years to college athletes who competed from 2016 to 2025. The settlement also allows for college programs to pay athletes directly.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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Scott McTominay’s agent jets in for crunch talks as Man United denied millions

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Scott McTominay has been linked with a return to the Premier League almost two years after leaving Manchester United

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Scott McTominay is reportedly expected to sign a new contract with Napoli, which could hand a potential blow to Manchester United. McTominay left United in the summer of 2024 to join the Serie A giants on a permanent deal worth around £25million.

Since leaving Old Trafford, McTominay has played a key role in helping Napoli win the Serie A title last season and has scored 23 goals across 70 appearances for the Italian club.

That form led to frequent speculation about McTominay’s future at Napoli, suggesting that a return to the Premier League could be on the cards. There were even rumours that United could have an interest in re-signing the Scotland international, although that speculation has quietened down in recent weeks.

Amid the rumours, a report in Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has provided an update on McTominay’s future.

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READ MORE: Patrice Evra fires back at Paul Scholes and Gary Neville over Man United criticismsREAD MORE: Manchester United run into £43m transfer problem as club official speaks out

It has been claimed that McTominay is keen to sign a new contract at Napoli, with the terms of his current deal running until the summer of 2028.

The report goes on to say that McTominay’s representatives are jetting in to hold talks with Napoli about the possibility of extending the midfielder’s contract.

If McTominay were to sign a new contract with Napoli, it would force United to wait to receive a potential financial boost.

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As part of the deal that saw United sell the 29-year-old, the Reds made sure to include a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the agreement. As a result, a new deal with Napoli would see United have to wait to receive any potential funds from a sale of the midfielder.

McTominay has been linked with a move away from Napoli for the last 12 months. Last month, McTominay responded to rumours about his future and suggestions that he could leave Napoli in the near future.

“My agent has not communicated with anyone regarding my future,” McTominay told Corriere dello Sport last month.

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“He only speaks with me and with the club. He hasn’t said anything to the newspapers. I am extremely happy here and, as far as I am concerned, I am a Napoli player; it is all I think about.

“The future is very important, and I could see myself in Napoli for a long time.”

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Floyd Mayweather’s verdict on Manny Pacquiao’s power resurfaces ahead of rematch

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A clip of Floyd Mayweather assessing Manny Pacquiao’s power has added some contextual significance ahead of their professional rematch on September 19.

The pair will square off in a second encounter at The Sphere, Las Vegas, with Mayweather gearing up for his first sanctioned bout since 2017.

Despite the ‘professional’ tag attached to his crossover showdown with Conor McGregor, many would argue that it was nothing of the sort, as ‘Money’ comfortably stopped the UFC star in 10 rounds.

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Nevertheless, the five-division world champion temporarily ended his career with an astonishing 50-0 (27 KOs) record, before entering a series of exhibitions and, more recently, announcing his return to a professional ring.

Pacquiao, too, has been involved in several exhibition matches since their first encounter in 2015, while having also amassed eight professional outings.

The most recent of which saw him box to a controversial draw against Mario Barrios, the then-WBC welterweight champion, in July, which followed a near four-year hiatus that came after his defeat to Yordenis Ugas.

Even when he lost a unanimous decision to Mayweather, the Filipino was thought to be well past his prime, or at least a far cry from the formidable puncher that stopped Ricky Hatton in 2009 – one of the 39 knockouts in his 73 bouts.

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It should therefore come as little surprise that Mayweather, while speaking with REVOLT over six years ago, had only a few words of praise for Pacquiao’s punching power.

“Don’t get me wrong; Pacquiao’s obviously got power. He’s solid. It ain’t nothing I’ve never felt before, but he’s solid.

“He felt me too – and that’s why he wasn’t quick to run in there – so we felt each other.”

Entering their rematch at the age of 49 and 47, respectively, Mayweather and ‘Pac Man’ are certainly not the punchers they once were, but seemingly still believe they have what it takes to defeat one another.

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NFL Free Agency QB Predictions: Where the Top 2026 Quarterbacks Could Land

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

NFL free agency gets started on Monday, as teams will be able to agree with free agents on new contracts. Players will be able to sign those contracts on Wednesday.

Last year, Minnesota Vikings free agent quarterback Sam Darnold signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks that helped win a Super Bowl in Mike Macdonald’s second season as head coach.

The NFL is a copycat league. That means teams are going to be tripping over themselves to find the next Darnold. It’ll create opportunities for quarterbacks to find second or third chances in the NFL after being given up on by their former teams.

Let’s lay out a few predictions of where the top free agent quarterbacks of this class will land.

Malik Willis- Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins released Tyreek Hill and restructured plenty of contracts. They’re determined to not be handcuffed by Tua Tagovailoa’s salary going into next season.

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Willis and new Dolphins head coach Jeff Haffley were both on the Green Bay Packers together. It feels like a no-brainer for the Dolphins to bring in their quarterback of the future via free agency.

Playing down south could be appealing to Willis, who grew up in the Atlanta area. Not to mention, living in Florida means no state income tax on the massive contract that he’ll sign.

Kyler Murray- Cleveland Browns

Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesNov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

A surprise!

Everyone and their brother are linking Murray to the Minnesota Vikings. But why?

Sure, Kevin O’Connell is the guy that gets credited for reviving Darnold’s career. But really, could that have been Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski? He departed the organization and the offense regressed while Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence had a career-best season.

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In Cleveland, Murray would have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of fellow Oklahoma Sooners Heisman quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was on the doorstep of being a franchise legend when he beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Playoffs.

Murray’s still a talented quarterback that will throw for double the amount of touchdowns compared to interceptions while rushing for a bunch of yards and scores as well. He’d instantly assume the QB1 role from Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. In Minnesota, there’s a threat that they might still try to develop McCarthy, who was a first-round selection.

New Browns coach Todd Monken helped Lamar Jackson win an MVP in their first season together. Could be a fun fit.

Geno Smith- Minnesota Vikings

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Dec 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws in the third quarter against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDec 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws in the third quarter against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Vikings could bring in Smith to compete with McCarthy.

Smith’s tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders was a massive flop, leading to his release. But the Raiders also didn’t have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings do.

At 35, Smith could be a veteran bridge to the future for the Vikings, whether McCarthy is part of that equation or not is to be determined.

Russell Wilson- Atlanta Falcons

Last offseason, former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski met with Wilson about quarterbacking in Cleveland. Now in Atlanta, Wilson could provide Stefanski some veteran insurance if Michael Penix Jr. can’t stay healthy or just isn’t any good.

Kirk Cousins- New York Jets

File this one under, “why the hell not!”

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The Jets need a quarterback. But they probably won’t draft their franchise quarterback until 2027. New York gives Cousins one last chance to start in the NFL while keeping Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson happy enough in the interim.

Aaron Rodgers- Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesJan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It really felt like a small reason why the Steelers even hired Mike McCarthy as their head coach was to entice Rodgers back.

The 42-year-old quarterback claims that he hasn’t made a decision, but it would be a surprise if he retired and went quietly into the shadows. The Steelers and Rodgers are a match made in hell as they’re both two egotistical parties too prideful to embrace the reality that their glory days are over.

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Trade deadline winners and losers: Islanders swing big, Maple Leafs strike out

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For the New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth, becoming 2026 trade deadline winners was rooted — at least partially — in decisions made one year ago ahead of the 2025 NHL swap shutoff.

As we approached this year’s 3 p.m. ET / noon PT deadline on Friday, the Islanders struck out and acquired Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues. This has been a surprisingly strong season on Long Island in the first year under GM Mathieu Darche’s stewardship and the spell of rookie Matthew Schaefer’s incredible play.

Now Schenn arrives to provide some more playoff experience to a club that already acquired Ondrej Palat — like Schenn, a Cup winner — from the New Jersey Devils before the Olympic break.

One of the pieces used to acquire Schenn was the first-round pick the Isles got last year when they moved franchise mainstay Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. New York was actually only four points out of a playoff spot when it made that deal — executed by former GM Lou Lamoriello — one day ahead of the 2025 deadline, but the hard decision to move on from Nelson was the right one given it netted that pick and prospect Calum Ritchie.

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Now, with his team’s own first-rounder still in hand, Darche felt comfortable putting that extra pick in play to help this year’s edition of the squad become a team that could not only make the playoffs, but perhaps win a first-round series. Let’s face it, dealing away a first-rounder is always more palatable when it wasn’t yours to begin with, especially if the team it comes from — in this case, the league-leading Avs — could make it the 31st overall pick by advancing to the Final or the 32nd selection by winning the Cup. 

As for Utah, the Mammoth swung a huge swap for defenceman MacKenzie Weegar on Wednesday for, among other things, three second-round picks. (This is a good time to note that every year, for the purpose of our winners and losers piece, we consider not only what happened on deadline day itself, but the trade deadline season that’s essentially a six-week run-up to the actual final day of dealing.)

The pieces for that swap were the result of asset-building when the Mammoth were still the Arizona Coyotes. That said, Utah GM Bill Armstrong also drew an important line in the sand last year when he signed pending-UFA Karel Vejmelka to an extension two days before the deadline. 

Like the Islanders, Utah was right on the edge of a playoff spot — closer, even, at three points out — but instead of gathering yet more future assets by flipping Vejmelka — who could have returned something tasty in an always-thin goalie market — Armstrong arrived at a pressure point and opted to keep a valuable player. 

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Now, Weegar — one of the best players to move in the 2026 deadline season — arrives on a Utah squad that could secure home-ice advantage thanks in large part to Vejmelka’s league-best 29 wins. 

The Mammoth and Islanders must be happy with where their teams sit today relative to 12 months ago. With that in mind, here are some other winners — and a few losers — from trade deadline season, 2026.

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They made us wait for it, but the long-rumoured reunion with Nazem Kadri finally happened and Colorado ultimately convinced the Flames to retain some of the player’s salary for the next three seasons. You win Cups with strength down the middle and the Avalanche are now rocking Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy at centre for at least this season and next.

For all the names we bandied about leading up to the deadline, very few people imagined veteran John Carlson being moved by the Washington Capitals. However, after 1,143 games in D.C. — and a franchise-best 771 points by a D-man — Carlson is headed west to the Ducks.

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Anaheim’s power play ranks 23rd in the NHL right now and Carlson, even at 36 years old, can certainly help with that. The right-shot blue-liner can become a UFA on July 1.

While the Blues didn’t ultimately deal any of their prime assets — namely Robert Thomas, Colton Parayko and Jordan Kyrou — they returned two 2026 first-round picks by parting with captain Brayden Schenn and defenceman Justin Faulk. Some sort of page-turning had to happen in St. Louis and this was a good start.

The Blues can now re-visit talks for Thomas, Parayko and Kyrou around the NHL Draft, assuming they want to keep going down that path. They’ll also have the flexibility of spending two additional first-rounders how they see fit, whether that’s taking home-run swings on talented prospects or possibly packaging those picks to target a young player.

Sometimes it’s more about the overall feel of things than the granular details of a deal. If you’re a Wings fan, you’re just happy to see the organization back in a place where it can justify spending a first-round pick on a needle-moving defenceman like righty Justin Faulk.

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Faulk has another season left on his deal and gives coach Todd McLellan another puck-mover after the top pair anchored by stud Moritz Seider.

It’s a real tough day in Washington, as Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson acknowledged. That said, credit GM Chris Patrick for leaning in during a season where his club — one year after finishing with the top record in the East — is likely to miss the playoffs. Making the hard decision to send John Carlson to Anaheim for a first (assuming the Ducks make the playoffs) one day after netting a second-rounder from Vegas for fourth-line centre Nic Dowd is pretty tidy work.

Washington can regroup in the summer and, in all likelihood, re-invest some of that draft capital into making the squad better for next September. 

Going to chase a Cup with your little bro in Minny? Who made out better than Nick Foligno today?

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Asking on behalf of NHL fans and media everywhere: How long does it take and how many lawyers do we need to immediately re-insert a clause in the CBA that allows for double-retention?

The late Kadri bomb couldn’t save what was undeniably a dull deadline day. The new CBA constraints — a playoff salary cap, the inability for middle-man teams to step in an absorb some salary for a sweetener — definitely took some of the starch out of squads’ big-swap dreams.

We get the playoff cap, but why stop teams willing to step in as a third party and eat some money?

It’s not that the Leafs utterly face-planted. It just feels painfully poignant that, one year after giving up a first-rounder and decent prospect for Scott Laughton, all Toronto could re-coup for the centre — who, granted, is now only four months from free agency — was a conditional third-rounder from L.A. That pick becomes a second if the Kings make the playoffs, which is skewing unlikely at the moment. 

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It’s going to be fascinating to see what unfolds with this club in the next four months, but you already knew that.

Let’s be clear, you could adopt a point of view where the Sabres are winners based on how quickly GM Jarmo Kekalainen pivoted out of the disappointment of Colton Parayko nixing a trade to Western New York on Wednesday and into a move for back-end defence help with big bodies Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from Winnipeg. (By the way, we’re intrigued by the Isak Rosen get for the Jets in that swap).

There’s nary a bad vibe to be found in Buffalo these days, but it still had to be disappointing to think an Olympic-calibre defenceman in Parayko was coming your way, only to find out you were going to be Luke Schenn’s 10th NHL team.

The way the Sabres are going, they’ll just use this as more fuel to keep ripping through the league.

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Joao Pedro: Chelsea striker in same ‘category’ as Haaland, Mbappe and Kane – Rosenior

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Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says striker Joao Pedro belongs in the same “category” as world‑class forwards Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

The 24‑year‑old Brazil international scored a hat‑trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 win at Aston Villa, taking his tally to 17 goals in all competitions this season.

None of his 14 Premier League goals this season have come from the penalty spot and only Haaland, with 19, has scored more non‑penalty goals in England’s top flight this season, while across Europe’s top five leagues Kane leads the way on that basis with 20 for Bayern Munich, and Mbappe has 15 for Real Madrid.

Asked whether Joao Pedro is operating at such a level, Rosenior told reporters: “Joao is in that category now. In the two months I’ve been here, he has consistently shown he is a world‑class striker.

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“I talk about my players; it’s disrespectful to Erling to compare them. I don’t know Erling very well, but from the outside he looks a magnificent, world‑class striker.

“I wouldn’t swap Joao for anyone at this moment – he is showing all the qualities and attributes I want to see.

“The great thing for Joao is his age – he can still improve, and I’ve already noticed several areas where he can get better. But the level he’s operating at now is world class, and it’s my job, the club’s job and his job to keep him there.”

Chelsea, who face Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, are looking for Joao Pedro to become their first out-and-out striker to reach 20 goals in a season since Diego Costa in 2016-17.

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They have had two players reach that tally in the intervening years, with deep-lying forward Cole Palmer scoring 25 in the 2023-24 season, five years after Eden Hazard hit 21 as a winger.

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Pep Guardiola drops Man City future hint amid Arsenal chase and contract speculation

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about expectations for his team over the coming weeks and months

Pep Guardiola is backing Manchester City to be better next season – even if they beat Arsenal to the Premier League in May. While many of City’s rivals hoped that they had seen the last of the title-winning machine when they scrambled to third place last year, their manager is confident that the new side that has emerged is here to stay.

And despite the speculation that this could be the Catalan’s last year at City, Guardiola has a contract until 2027 and is already thinking about the team for next season – one that he expects will be challenging for more trophies. They could yet have cause to celebrate in the coming weeks and months with four trophies still up for grabs.

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As well as facing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, they are in the knockout rounds of the FA Cup and Champions League and are second in the Premier League. Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest was disappointing, yet Guardiola thinks they could still put that behind them if they respond well enough.

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“We have the ability to forget quick. It’s another competition, I would say. It’s a final. Of course, they were a little bit disappointed. But, you know, we did in everything much, much more than them,” he said.

“That game is like that. We could not win. So expected goals, 2-15 against 0.7, and we draw. But that is football. So we have to defend better in some departments.

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“We are not a complete team to compete to, you know, to be solid. That is the reality. But we are in the process of many changes. If we can learn quicker, that still is nothing lost, we can [be] quicker to arrive in the last month with the chances. But I’m pretty sure next season will be better, and the next season will be better. I don’t have doubts about that.”

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Zack Peter slams Sheriff Nanos after he reportedly ignores help from United Cajun Navy in search for Nancy Guthrie

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Pop culture commentator Zack Peter slammed Sheriff Chris Nanos for reportedly declining help from the United Cajun Navy in the search for Nancy Guthrie. The 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie has been missing since February 1 from her Arizona home. Amid the ongoing investigation, several third parties volunteered to help search for Nancy Guthrie.

According to media reports, the non-profit organization United Cajun Navy, which specializes in disaster relief, expressed interest in helping with the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance. Journalist Brian Entin reported that the organization had sent a 41-page operational plan to Sheriff Nanos. However, the Cajun Navy reportedly did not receive approval from the sheriff.

Zack Peter, who has remained critical of Chris Nanos, slammed the sheriff for not accepting help. In a March 5 video posted on X, Peter reported that the nonprofit organization based in Louisiana has resources to find a “missing body.” He noted that the Cajun Navy said that they have canines, drones, and a detailed plan of action.

“Sheriff Nanos ignored them. He left them unread. He didn’t respond. He, like, swiped left and didn’t give them an answer or a reason as to why. Sheriff Nanos is clearly incapable. Nana Nana Nanos is incapable of leading this investigation,” Peter commented.

Zack Peter alleged that President Trump sent the FBI, but Nanos “refused to work with them.” He argued that in the absence of proof that Nancy Guthrie was taken beyond the state line, the FBI couldn’t intervene on its own. Peter said it was all in the hands of Sheriff Nanos. The podcaster wondered why a professional group like the United Cajun Navy was not allowed to help.

“I understand he doesn’t want private search parties, right, but you have a dedicated team like the United Cajun Navy who is volunteering to come out here and help you solve this case with all of the resources that they have because clearly you and your team are a bunch of bozos that haven’t been able to figure this out after over a month,” Peter added.

According to local news outlet KVOA.com, the Sheriff’s Department issued a statement. Without naming any group, the PCSD, in a statement, said that Nancy Guthrie’s investigation “is best left to professionals.”


Savannah Guthrie returns to Today’s studio while Nancy Guthrie remains missing

Savannah Guthrie Greeted TODAY Staff in Studio, Is Planning to Return to Show

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Over a month after her mother’s disappearance, Savannah Guthrie visited the Today studio on March 5. She met the staff and thanked them for their support. Savannah Guthrie had previously said that she feared that her mother “may already be gone.” However, during her Thursday visit to the Today studio, she expressed optimism about finding Nancy Guthrie.

“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, and I still have hope, and I’m still me. And I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be. I’m holding onto my faith. I still believe. And as my mom would say, ‘Where else would I go?’” Savannah Guthrie stated.

Reports suggested that Savannah Guthrie would soon join Today show. On Thursday, the media personality confirmed her intention to return to the show. However, she added, “I don’t know how to come back.”


Last week, Savannah Guthrie announced a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery.