Browsing: Ben

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now the fifth most prolific passer in NFL history.

Rodgers passed former Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger (64,088 career passing yards) for fifth on the league’s all-time leaderboard during Thursday night’s Week 7 road game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rodgers went into Thursday having racked up 1,021 passing yards through his first five games as a Steeler.

He started out Week 7 by leading the Steelers on a game-opening touchdown drive capped off with a 10-yard pass to Jonnu Smith.

The veteran quarterback then threw interceptions on back-to-back drives as Joe Flacco and the Bengals grabbed the lead heading into the break.

He still finished the half with 118 passing yards, good to pass Roethlisberger’s mark for fifth on the all-time list.

Rodgers recorded the vast majority of his career passing yards with the Green Bay Packers, where he backed up Brett Favre for three seasons before starting for 15 more campaigns.

He left Green Bay after the 2022 season having recorded 59,055 passing yards, second only to Favre (61,655) for the most in franchise history.

The veteran quarterback then signed with the New York Jets. After missing almost the entirety of the 2023 season due to an Achilles injury, he returned in 2024 to record 3,897 passing yards in 17 starts with the franchise.

Rodgers, who will turn 42 in December, joined the Steelers this offseason on a one-year contract.

He is one of two active quarterbacks to rank among the top 10 on the NFL’s all-time passing yards leaderboard.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who led the NFL through six weeks with 1,684 passing yards, could leapfrog Matt Ryan for No. 8 on the list by adding 1,300 more.

Source link

Chicago Bears fans are surely thrilled after their team extended its winning streak to three with Monday’s 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders, but things might get even better in the future as quarterback Caleb Williams continues to become more experienced.

Just ask head coach Ben Johnson.

“He’s doing a good job taking care of the football in the passing game,” Johnson said during an interview with Jeff Joniak of ESPN Chicago (8:10 mark). “There’s certainly a few of those we’d like to have back because I think there’s a little bit more meat on the bone.

“But there’s a lot of these plays we’re starting to bank some reps on as we go through the season. … I think we’re going to continue to see improvement as we go.”

Williams played well from a statistical perspective and went 17-of-29 passing for 259 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions while adding a rushing touchdown with his legs.Â

The lack of turnovers also proved to be the difference, as the Commanders coughed up the ball three times by comparison in the one-point defeat. The Bears took advantage of those mistakes with a field goal after the first Washington turnover, touchdown after the second and game-winning field goal on the third.

Winning the turnover battle will always be important and a typically a determining factor in the outcome, but Johnson’s comments suggest there were some bigger offensive plays available that Williams missed as the game progressed.

Recognizing those missed opportunities and learning from them moving forward is always better to do after a win than a loss, and it isn’t a stretch to suggest Williams will start to hit on those chances at a higher rate as he becomes more familiar with Johnson’s offense.

Johnson himself said during training camp that the offense he was installing in his first year with the Bears was “more complex” than the one he did during his first year as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, so it is only natural to expect some growing pains from a second-year quarterback like Williams.Â

That he is going through those growing pains and still winning and taking care of the football with just two interceptions on the year suggests exciting things to come in the future.

Which is exactly what Bears fans want to hear.

Source link

Oct 13, 2025, 01:07 PM ET

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee right-hander Nick Mears was left off the Brewers’ roster for their NL Championship Series matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers after making 63 relief appearances during the regular season.

Milwaukee instead included right-hander Tobias Myers, who wasn’t on the Brewers’ roster for their NL Division Series with the Chicago Cubs. Game 1 of the NLCS is Monday at Milwaukee.

The Dodgers also altered their bullpen for this series. They added one more pitcher by including right-hander Ben Casparius and leaving out Dalton Rushing, who had been one of three catchers on their NLDS roster. Rushing struck out in his lone NLDS at bat.

Editor’s Picks

• 

Los Angeles’ NLCS bullpen will also include left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who was added to the NLDS roster after Tanner Scott, who underwent a surgical removal of an abscess from an infection on his lower body before the final game of the NLDS matchup with Philadelphia.

Because Scott was removed from the NLDS roster during the series, it made him ineligible for the NLCS.

Mears went 5-3 with a 3.49 ERA for the Brewers during the regular season. He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS.

Myers was 1-2 with a 3.55 ERA for Milwaukee in 22 appearances, including six starts. That followed a 2024 rookie season in which he went 9-6 with a 3.00 ERA while starting 25 of his 27 appearances. Myers also allowed only two hits over five shutout innings while starting Game 3 of the Brewers’ NL Wild Card Series loss to the New York Mets last season.

Milwaukee’s NLCS roster also doesn’t include two-time All-Star pitcher Brandon Woodruff as he continues to recover from a right lat strain.

Casparius went 7-5 with a 4.64 ERA in 46 appearances this season. He posted a 1.42 ERA in 6 1/3 postseason innings last year – including 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the NLCS – to help the Dodgers in their drive to the World Series title.

Source link

Ben Stokes and Mark Wood will be “raring to go” in time for the Ashes, according to England pace bowler Brydon Carse.

Talismanic England skipper Stokes missed the final Test against India in July because of a shoulder injury, while express paceman Wood has not played a Test since August 2024 as a result of elbow and knee problems.

Both are looking to be fit for the first Test in Perth on 21 November, a series opener that Australia captain Pat Cummins has said he is “less likely than likely” to feature in because of a back injury.

Carse, a Durham team-mate of Stokes and Wood, said: “Ben and Woody are going well.

“I’ve been down to Loughborough in the past couple of weeks, had a couple of nights with them. Ben is looking near enough 100% fit and so is Mark. I’ve been bowling with them.

“It’s exciting to see where they have got to after their setbacks during the summer. They will be raring to go come Australia time.”

Pace bowling and the durability of the respective attacks could be a decisive factor in the outcome of a five-Test Ashes series crammed into the space of seven weeks.

With Aussie spearhead Cummins a huge doubt for Perth and possibly beyond, the home side will rely on Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, all in their mid-30s. Beyond that, their other seamers are inexperienced or untried at Test level.

The group of fast bowlers named by England is set to be their fastest and most hostile to tour Australia in more than 50 years, albeit with some fitness doubts among them.

By the time of the first Test, Wood will not have played any competitive cricket since February. Despite that lack of action, the 35-year-old – probably the fastest bowler in the world – often claims he is at his best when fresh.

All-rounder Stokes, 34, is vital to England’s Ashes hopes, but has a history of pushing himself to breaking point. He has not completed any of England’s past four Test series and in the home summer against India his large bowling workload resulted in the shoulder injury.

Stokes and Wood are also the only pace bowlers in the England squad to have played in a Test down under before, but Carse believes the touring seamers will not suffer for their lack of time in Australian conditions.

“You can look at it two ways,” said Carse, speaking at the Toyota Professional Cricketers’ Association awards.

“Stokesy and Woody have played in Ashes series down in Australia, so they have the experience to fall back on.

“A couple of the other seamers have played in A trips out there. Hopefully that experience will allow them to feel a level of confidence going into the Ashes.”

Source link

At this hour an army of scientists, dressed in white lab coats, are hunkered in the Yankee Stadium offices, pouring over biomechanical data regarding Ben Rice’s swing path, and endeavoring a deep dive into Paul Goldschmidt’s REM sleep over the past nine days.

They are preparing Aaron Boone’s orders for tonight’s lineup, delivered with the usual threat to follow their numbers … or else.

Just kidding.

Boone and bench coach Brad Ausmus, two humans, discussed and wrote the lineup before leaving the ballpark last night, as they always do. In case you haven’t yet heard, this is how the Yankees make decisions.

I haven’t seen tonight’s lineup, but amid all the chatter about first base and catcher, I fully expect the Yankees to start Rice at first in Game 3, Austin Wells at catcher and use Goldschmidt off the bench.

In Game 1, Boone opted for a righty-heavy lineup against Boston’s lefty ace Garrett Crochet. In a few cases, the manager actually went against what the team’s analytics department wanted. That’s a fact.

A game plan against Crochet is different from a game plan against another pitcher, regardless of handedness.

With their season on the line tonight, the Yankees are facing rookie left-hander Connelly Early. After Game 2 Boone would only reveal that he will start Jazz Chisholm Jr. against Early. He left first base and catcher open (why tell Alex Cora before he needs to know, right?).

But he said this:

“It’s not just, it’s a lefty. It’s, what lefty? Is that guy going to be out there for six or seven innings? I want to leverage a spot for whoever my bench guys are to have a good matchup, not three bad matchups that I can guarantee. All of these things factor into it.”

An argument for starting Rice against Early tonight — in addition to the fact that he’s been smoking balls all over Yankee Stadium — is that the Red Sox have five left-handers in their bullpen. And that’s assuming that Crochet won’t give them an inning. It might be six lefties.

This means that if Boone starts Goldschmidt with the intent to swap in Rice after Early leaves (which could be … early), he might be waiting all night. Cora can counter with one lefty reliever after another. Might as well just start Rice.

As for catcher, that does not seem in question, and it has little to do with Wells’ game-winning hit last night. Wells is a superior game-caller, and that’s hugely important in the playoffs, not to mention when working with a rookie in Cam Schlittler.

Source link

Ben Rice homers against hometown team in Game 2

\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:” is swinging the bat so well, especially here down the stretch,†manager Aaron Boone said.\n\nDespite that performance, Rice was on the bench for Game 1 against Boston left-hander Garrett Crochet. Boone has said he will start Paul Goldschmidt at first base against all left-handed starters this postseason, adding that the club also preferred Austin Wells behind the plate.\n\nWhile Jazz Chisholm Jr. made little attempt to hide his displeasure at being left out of the Game 1 starting lineup, Rice said he understood Booneâ€s call.\n\n“I know my role,†Rice said. “Yesterday my role was to be ready for a big at-bat off the bench, and today I was starting. The approach doesn’t change. I mean, I am just going to be prepared for every at-bat I get and every chance I get.â€\n\nProduction like Rice showed in his first postseason at-bat might change that equation. According to Baseball Savant, Rice was tied for seventh in the Majors in hard-hit percentage (56.1) and tied for ninth in average exit velocity (93.3), prompting Boone to refer to Rice as “Benny Barrels.—,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:””,”providerName”:”MLB”,”providerUrl”:null,”thumbnail_url”:” key to that success, Rice said, has been “being aggressive to where and what I am looking for in the zone, always coming up with a plan, being convicted in that, and just being ready to go.â€\n\nSo will Rice be in the Yankees†Game 3 lineup against left-hander Connelly Early? Boone said it was still too soon to say for sure, but he did not dismiss the suggestion outright.\n\n“Itâ€s not just, ‘Itâ€s a lefty,â€â€ Boone said. “Itâ€s, ‘What lefty?†Is it a guy thatâ€s going to be out there for six or seven innings? I want to leverage a spot for whoever my bench guys are to have a good matchup, and not three bad matchups that I can guarantee. All those things factor into it.—,”type”:”text”}],”relativeSiteUrl”:”/news/ben-rice-homers-against-hometown-team-in-game-2″,”contentType”:”news”,”subHeadline”:null,”summary”:”NEW YORK — Ben Rice waited his whole life for this: Yankees-Red Sox on a postseason stage, the youngster in pinstripes facing the team he grew up following from Cohasset, Mass.”,”tagline({\”formatString\”:\”none\”})”:null,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”storytype-article”,”title”:”Article”,”type”:”article”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-147″,”type”:”team”,”title”:”New York Yankees”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:147″}},{“__typename”:”ContributorTag”,”slug”:”bryan-hoch-13006808″,”title”:”Bryan Hoch”,”type”:”contributor”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”,”gamePk”:813070,”slug”:”gamepk-813070″,”title”:”2025/10/01 bos@nyy”,”type”:”game”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”alwc”,”title”:”AL Wild Card”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”series-b”,”title”:”Series B”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-700250″,”title”:”Ben Rice”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:700250″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”homegrown-players”,”title”:”Homegrown Players”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”type”:”story”,”thumbnail”:” Rice homers against hometown team in Game 2″},”getTeamsBySportId({\”ids\”:[1]})”:[{“__ref”:”Team:133″},{“__ref”:”Team:134″},{“__ref”:”Team:135″},{“__ref”:”Team:136″},{“__ref”:”Team:137″},{“__ref”:”Team:138″},{“__ref”:”Team:139″},{“__ref”:”Team:140″},{“__ref”:”Team:141″},{“__ref”:”Team:142″},{“__ref”:”Team:143″},{“__ref”:”Team:144″},{“__ref”:”Team:145″},{“__ref”:”Team:146″},{“__ref”:”Team:147″},{“__ref”:”Team:158″},{“__ref”:”Team:108″},{“__ref”:”Team:109″},{“__ref”:”Team:110″},{“__ref”:”Team:111″},{“__ref”:”Team:112″},{“__ref”:”Team:113″},{“__ref”:”Team:114″},{“__ref”:”Team:115″},{“__ref”:”Team:116″},{“__ref”:”Team:117″},{“__ref”:”Team:118″},{“__ref”:”Team:119″},{“__ref”:”Team:120″},{“__ref”:”Team:121″}],”getHeaderFromForgePath({\”contentSource\”:\”MLB\”,\”headerPath\”:\”/_navs/header/mlb/global-nav\”,\”locale\”:\”en-US\”,\”paletteKey\”:\”mlb-base-palette\”,\”propertiesKey\”:\”mlb-global-properties\”})”:{“__typename”:”Header”,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”align:right;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”MLB.TV”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv”,”placement”:”right”,”visible”:”true”,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Buy MLB.TV”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Buy At Bat”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games/subscribe/at-bat?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”All Packages”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games/products?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Watch & Listen”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Help Center”,”linkUrl”:”https://support.mlb.com/s/?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”align:right;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Tickets”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/tickets”,”placement”:”right”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”All-Star Tickets”,”linkUrl”:”/all-star/tickets”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”expires:1752631200;”},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Home Run Derby Ticket Offers”,”linkUrl”:”/tickets/fan-value/home-run-derby-offers”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”expires:1753210800;”},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”East-West Classic”,”linkUrl”:”/events/rickwood/tickets”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”expires:1750359600;”},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Spring Training”,”linkUrl”:”/tickets/spring-training”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”expires:1742958000;”},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Postseason Tickets”,”linkUrl”:” Tickets”,”linkUrl”:” Game Tickets”,”linkUrl”:” Tickets”,”linkUrl”:” Ticket Offers”,”linkUrl”:” Speedway Classic”,”linkUrl”:”/events/speedway-classic/tickets”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”VIP Ticket Packages”,”linkUrl”:” Students”,”linkUrl”:” Tourism”,”linkUrl”:” World Tour”,”linkUrl”:”/international/events”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Ticket Terms & Conditions”,”linkUrl”:” on SeatGeek”,”linkUrl”:” on SeatGeek”,”linkUrl”:”https://seatgeek.com/sell/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=15&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration”,”linkTarget”:”_blank”,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”align:right;”,”icon”:”shopping-cart”,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Shop”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp”,”placement”:”right”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”MLB Online Shop”,”linkUrl”:” Cards”,”linkUrl”:” NYC Flagship Store”,”linkUrl”:” Shop”,”linkUrl”:” Store”,”linkUrl”:”https://photostore.mlb.com/”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”amp:true;mobile:true”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”News”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/news”,”placement”:”mobile”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Probable Pitchers”,”linkUrl”:” Lineups”,”linkUrl”:” Report”,”linkUrl”:” Baseball Classic”,”linkUrl”:” Draft”,”linkUrl”:” Game”,”linkUrl”:” Pipeline”,”linkUrl”:” History”,”linkUrl”:” Stories”,”linkUrl”:”/news/topic/longform”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Podcasts”,”linkUrl”:” Games”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/play”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:null,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Watch”,”linkUrl”:”/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENU”,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:”Video”,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Search”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/video”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Statcast”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/video/topic/statcast”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”MLB Network”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/network”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]},{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:”MLB.TV”,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Buy MLB.TV”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENU”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Watch & Listen”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENU”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Help Center”,”linkUrl”:”https://support.mlb.com/s/?&affiliateID=mlbMENU”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”mobile:true;amp:true;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Scores”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/scores/”,”placement”:”mobile”,”visible”:”true”,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”amp:true;mobile:true;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Schedule”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/postseason/”,”placement”:”mobile”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”2025 Postseason”,”linkUrl”:” Regular Season”,”linkUrl”:” Spring Training”,”linkUrl”:” Regular Season”,”linkUrl”:” Events”,”linkUrl”:” by Team Schedule”,”linkUrl”:” Schedules”,”linkUrl”:” Broadcasts”,”linkUrl”:”/live-stream-games/national-broadcast-schedule”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”mobile:true;amp:true;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Stats”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/stats”,”placement”:”mobile”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Statcast Leaders”,”linkUrl”:” Statcast”,”linkUrl”:”/statcast”,”linkTarget”:””,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Baseball Savant”,”linkUrl”:” Prospect Stats”,”linkUrl”:”/prospects/stats/top-prospects?type=all&minPA=1″,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Winter Leagues Stats”,”linkUrl”:null,”linkTarget”:”https://www.mlb.com/ligas-invernales/stats/”,”visible”:”false”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”amp:true;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Standings”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/standings”,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:””,”icon”:”group”,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Players”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/players”,”placement”:null,”visible”:”true”,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Prospect Rankings”,”linkUrl”:” Charts”,”linkUrl”:” Players Association”,”linkUrl”:” Leagues”,”linkUrl”:” Play”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/play”,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Beat the Streak”,”linkUrl”:” Grid”,”linkUrl”:” the Numbers”,”linkUrl”:” Decisions”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/play?gameId=DiamondDecisions2024″,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Bingo”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/play?gameId=Bingo2023″,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:null,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Youth”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/youth-baseball-softball”,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Play Ball”,”linkUrl”:” Baseball & Softball”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/youth-baseball-softball”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:null,”icon”:”milb”,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”MiLB”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/milb”,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:null,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:””,”linkText”:”AUSL”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/ausl”,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Complete coverage”,”linkUrl”:” to watch”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/news/ausl-2025-broadcast-schedule-announced”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”FAQ”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/news/athletes-unlimited-softball-league-frequently-asked-questions”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”TheAUSL.com”,”linkUrl”:”https://theausl.com/”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:null}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”expires:1720022400;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Vote”,”linkUrl”:”/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-mlb-2024″,”placement”:null,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”amp:true;module:teammodule;align:right;”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Teams”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/team”,”placement”:”right”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Team Module”,”linkUrl”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”module:teammodule;”}]}]},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”customPropertiesString”:”align:right;label:Language”,”icon”:null,”linkTarget”:null,”linkText”:”Lang”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/language”,”placement”:”right”,”visible”:null,”subNav”:[{“__typename”:”SubnavColumn”,”title”:null,”navigation”:[{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”Español”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlb.com/es”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:null,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”lang:es”},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”日本語”,”linkUrl”:”http://www.mlb.jp/”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”lang:ja”},{“__typename”:”NavItem”,”placement”:null,”linkText”:”한국어”,”linkUrl”:”https://www.mlbkor.com/”,”linkTarget”:null,”visible”:”true”,”icon”:null,”tooltip”:null,”customPropertiesString”:”lang:ko”}]}]}],”cfPalette”:{“__typename”:”CF_Palette”,”headerMastheadBackgroundColor”:”#002D72″,”headerMastheadTextColor”:”#ffffff”,”headerNavigationBackgroundColor”:”#041E42″,”headerNavigationBorderColor”:”#057AFF”,”headerNavigationTextColorHover”:”#ffffff”,”headerNavigationTextColor”:”#ffffff”},”cfEntityWebProperties”:{“__typename”:”CF_Entity_WebProperties”,”urlLogo”:null,”headerMastheadTagline”:null,”headerPrimaryLogo”:{“__typename”:”CF_Asset”,”url”:null,”description”:null},”headerMastheadSponsorImage”:{“__typename”:”CF_Asset”,”url”:null,”description”:null},”headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth”:”512px”,”headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight”:”56px”}}},”Person:700250″:{“__typename”:”Person”,”id”:700250,”initLastName”:”B Rice”,”team”:{“__typename”:”Team”,”sport”:{“__ref”:”Sport:1″}}},”Team:147″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”id”:147,”sport”:{“__ref”:”Sport:1″},”teamName”:”Yankees”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:201″},”name”:”New York Yankees”,”shortName”:”NY Yankees”},”Sport:1″:{“__typename”:”Sport”,”id”:”1″},”Division:200″:{“__typename”:”Division”,”id”:”200″},”Team:133″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:200″},”id”:133,”name”:”Athletics”,”shortName”:”Athletics”,”teamName”:”Athletics”},”Division:205″:{“__typename”:”Division”,”id”:”205″},”Team:134″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:205″},”id”:134,”name”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”shortName”:”Pittsburgh”,”teamName”:”Pirates”},”Division:203″:{“__typename”:”Division”,”id”:”203″},”Team:135″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:203″},”id”:135,”name”:”San Diego Padres”,”shortName”:”San Diego”,”teamName”:”Padres”},”Team:136″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:200″},”id”:136,”name”:”Seattle Mariners”,”shortName”:”Seattle”,”teamName”:”Mariners”},”Team:137″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:203″},”id”:137,”name”:”San Francisco Giants”,”shortName”:”San Francisco”,”teamName”:”Giants”},”Team:138″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:205″},”id”:138,”name”:”St. Louis Cardinals”,”shortName”:”St. Louis”,”teamName”:”Cardinals”},”Division:201″:{“__typename”:”Division”,”id”:”201″},”Team:139″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:201″},”id”:139,”name”:”Tampa Bay Rays”,”shortName”:”Tampa Bay”,”teamName”:”Rays”},”Team:140″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:200″},”id”:140,”name”:”Texas Rangers”,”shortName”:”Texas”,”teamName”:”Rangers”},”Team:141″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:201″},”id”:141,”name”:”Toronto Blue Jays”,”shortName”:”Toronto”,”teamName”:”Blue Jays”},”Division:202″:{“__typename”:”Division”,”id”:”202″},”Team:142″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:202″},”id”:142,”name”:”Minnesota Twins”,”shortName”:”Minnesota”,”teamName”:”Twins”},”Division:204″:{“__typename”:”Division”,”id”:”204″},”Team:143″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:204″},”id”:143,”name”:”Philadelphia Phillies”,”shortName”:”Philadelphia”,”teamName”:”Phillies”},”Team:144″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:204″},”id”:144,”name”:”Atlanta Braves”,”shortName”:”Atlanta”,”teamName”:”Braves”},”Team:145″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:202″},”id”:145,”name”:”Chicago White Sox”,”shortName”:”Chi White Sox”,”teamName”:”White Sox”},”Team:146″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:204″},”id”:146,”name”:”Miami Marlins”,”shortName”:”Miami”,”teamName”:”Marlins”},”Team:158″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:205″},”id”:158,”name”:”Milwaukee Brewers”,”shortName”:”Milwaukee”,”teamName”:”Brewers”},”Team:108″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:200″},”id”:108,”name”:”Los Angeles Angels”,”shortName”:”LA Angels”,”teamName”:”Angels”},”Team:109″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:203″},”id”:109,”name”:”Arizona Diamondbacks”,”shortName”:”Arizona”,”teamName”:”D-backs”},”Team:110″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:201″},”id”:110,”name”:”Baltimore Orioles”,”shortName”:”Baltimore”,”teamName”:”Orioles”},”Team:111″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:201″},”id”:111,”name”:”Boston Red Sox”,”shortName”:”Boston”,”teamName”:”Red Sox”},”Team:112″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:205″},”id”:112,”name”:”Chicago Cubs”,”shortName”:”Chi Cubs”,”teamName”:”Cubs”},”Team:113″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:205″},”id”:113,”name”:”Cincinnati Reds”,”shortName”:”Cincinnati”,”teamName”:”Reds”},”Team:114″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:202″},”id”:114,”name”:”Cleveland Guardians”,”shortName”:”Cleveland”,”teamName”:”Guardians”},”Team:115″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:203″},”id”:115,”name”:”Colorado Rockies”,”shortName”:”Colorado”,”teamName”:”Rockies”},”Team:116″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:202″},”id”:116,”name”:”Detroit Tigers”,”shortName”:”Detroit”,”teamName”:”Tigers”},”Team:117″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:200″},”id”:117,”name”:”Houston Astros”,”shortName”:”Houston”,”teamName”:”Astros”},”Team:118″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:202″},”id”:118,”name”:”Kansas City Royals”,”shortName”:”Kansas City”,”teamName”:”Royals”},”Team:119″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:203″},”id”:119,”name”:”Los Angeles Dodgers”,”shortName”:”LA Dodgers”,”teamName”:”Dodgers”},”Team:120″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:204″},”id”:120,”name”:”Washington Nationals”,”shortName”:”Washington”,”teamName”:”Nationals”},”Team:121″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”division”:{“__ref”:”Division:204″},”id”:121,”name”:”New York Mets”,”shortName”:”NY Mets”,”teamName”:”Mets”}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {“reportingSuiteId”:”mlbglobal08,mlbcom08″,”linkInternalFilters”:”mlb”}
window.globalState = {“tracking_title”:”Major League Baseball”,”lang”:”en”}
window.appId = ”
/*–>*/

Skip to Content

19 minutes ago

Source link

There are a lot of stories coming out of Pittsburgh Penguins’ training camp this year. Many of them involve young players making an impression and pushing for the NHL roster.

And one of those young players has been the biggest surprise of the pre-season.

Penguins’ forward prospect Ben Kindel has been a standout in camp this year, and his play has opened a lot of eyes. The 18-year-old center was selected 11th overall by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Draft after registering 35 goals and 99 points in 65 WHL games with the Calgary Hitmen last season, and there were many unfamiliar with Kindel’s game who assumed that he was a reach at his draft position.

But one look at Kindel’s tape from last season goes to show that his performance in training camp up to this point should come as no surprise at all.

Although he may be a hair undersized at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, Kindel doesn’t let that get in the way of what he’s trying to do. His hockey IQ, vision, edgework, and playmaking ability have always been hallmarks of his game, and those skills are translating on the ice at the NHL level – that is, at least in the pre-season.

Kindel seems to be getting better with every game he plays, and along with each game has come better competition. He hasn’t missed a beat, and it has led some to conclude that Kindel should be given the “nine-game trial.”

In the NHL, a junior player can play in nine NHL games before their entry-level contract would kick in at Game No. 10. If a player stays in the NHL beyond nine games, a year of their contract is burned regardless of whether or not they get sent back to their junior team at any point that same season.

Mailbox Monday: What Will The Penguins’ Final Roster Look Like?
Pittsburgh Penguins’ training camp is beginning to draw to a close, and there is sure to be a lot of drama in the next several days.

So the Penguins have some decisions to make regarding Kindel, especially if he continues to build on every performance. He is slated to appear in the Penguins’ sixth pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, and he is the only player on the camp roster who has participated in four games up to this point.

Should the Penguins give Kindel a nine-game trial, or should they just send him back to Calgary for another season of development instead? Here is the case for and against the nine games.

Quite simply, Kindel has earned it.

Yes, there have been other young forwards in the pre-season up to this point who have proven themselves worthy of the NHL roster conversation, and many of them are suiting up Wednesday as well. This includes Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, Filip Hallander, and Ville Koivunen.

Cases can be made for each of these players to make the NHL roster. They’re all older, more established, and less raw than Kindel, and they’ve earned more looks up to this point.

But Kindel has been the standout for the past two games. He only has one goal in four games, but this is a situation where the stat sheet doesn’t tell the entire story. Kindel was one of the best players on the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Marc-Andre Fleury’s final game as a Penguin, and he was the best player on the ice in a tight-checking, well-played 2-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.

Penguins Oust Blue Jackets On ‘Fleury Night’ In Pittsburgh
What a game, what a night, and what a player.

Many have argued, “Why burn a year of his entry-level contract on a terrible Penguins’ team? Let him dominate the WHL next season.”

While this is understandable to an extent, it’s also, arguably, a bit nonsensical.

Kindel is not a step behind. His reads are up to speed. He’s keeping up with the speed of the game in general, and he doesn’t look out of place in the slightest.

If a player is showing that he is NHL-ready – at least, for now, in this short sample – what is the hurt in giving him a nine-game trial to prove it’s not a fluke?

If a player is NHL-ready, what exactly is the holdup? Why hold a player back when he proves he can rise above the occasion? Is dominating a level he has likely outgrown best for his development, or is putting him in a league of players who will challenge him better?

The easy road would be to send him back to Calgary. But there is logic in giving him nine games to prove he belongs. If he does, he’ll be an important player for the Penguins this season. If he does not, he’ll be sent back to juniors like nothing happened. There’s not really much risk involved.

Even if the argument can be made that Kindel is NHL-ready, there are simply too many other factors that make giving Kindel the nine-game trial a bit too complicated.

For one, those other players are deserving, too. Koivunen is likely to make the roster, anyway.  Broz and Hayes have been every bit as good as Kindel for most of camp. And Hallander has not only had a pretty good camp, his experience and all-around game as a two-way center give him a bit of a leg-up on others.

In a perfect world, all of these players and Kindel crack the roster. But, that’s simply not realistic. There are too many other players – veterans and carryovers from last season alike – in the mix in addition to the prospects already. And several of them – such as Robby Fabbri, Connor Dewar, and Philip Tomasino – have turned in strong camps as well.

Penguins’ Mid-Camp Prospect Tiers: Who Is Most Likely To Make NHL Roster?
We’re officially 10 days into Pittsburgh Penguins’ training camp, and if one thing is for certain, there has been a ton of competition.

This makes it unlikely that Kindel would be able to stick, anyway. So why bring him into the fold in the first place?

The other part of this concerns the Penguins’ goals for this season. It’s anyone’s guess what the roster is going to look like on Oct. 7, and Dubas said that the “young guys are coming.” It will be interesting to see just how many young guys make the roster over veterans.

But there is a world – and not one that seems far-fetched at all – where having all that youth on the roster makes the Penguins better than expected this season. Depending on organizational goals, is that the best thing for 2025-26?

Having Kindel on the roster would give a boost to the lineup, and, maybe, the Penguins don’t want to get too carried away with winning a ton of hockey games this season. Then again, maybe they do. A team is never going to try to lose on purpose, of course. But GMs have the power to make losing more or less likely.

Keeping Kindel would make that less likely. So it’s certainly something to think about.

Bookmark THN – Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!

Source link

Ben Danford is getting more and more confident as Toronto Maple Leafs training camp rolls on.

After the 19-year-old missed the entirety of last yearâ€s camp with a concussion, which he suffered during Torontoâ€s rookie camp, heâ€s entered this season with the belief that his game has taken a step forward.

Danford has played four games thus far, dating back to the Prospect Showdown in Montreal. And after every game, the coach (Marlies bench boss John Gruden or Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube) has spoken glowingly about his play.

“I thought Danford played a good, solid hockey game,†Berube said after Torontoâ€s opening pre-season win against the Senators on Sunday. “Itâ€s not a flashy game by any means, but itâ€s just, first-pass, defending well, plays a hard game. Pretty much mistake-free. It was impressive.â€

Danfordâ€s last appearance came in Torontoâ€s 3-2 overtime loss to the Senators on Tuesday night. The defenseman had 15:55 of ice time, the lowest among players on the teamâ€s back-end. However, he was playing with the Maple Leafs†regulars, including Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev, whom Danford got to train with this summer.

“He just had a good attitude. He worked hard, and heâ€s a great skater. He was just doing everything that I was doing, and it was a good skate,†Rielly told The Hockey News of skating with Danford.

“I think itâ€s nice when you’ve got a guy like that thatâ€s motivated and has something on his mind that he wants to go out and prove. And I mean, he looks great, so I think heâ€s doing an outstanding job.â€

Maple Leafs See Big Growth In Easton Cowan As Craig Berube Praises His Simplified Game
Has Easton Cowan done enough through two preseason games to warrant serious consideration for the clubâ€s opening lineup? While it may be too early to judge, Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect is making a strong case by doing all the right things.

Danford hasnâ€t been shy to voice that Rielly and Tanev are players he admires. “Iâ€ve looked up to (Tanev) for quite a few years now. I feel like thatâ€s someone I can really learn off of,” the young defenseman said.

To skate with those players during a summer training is one thing. To get into game action with them during the pre-season is another. Itâ€s a huge step for Danford, and he understands that.

“Last year, I didnâ€t get the full experience, so to get into a game with all those guys was really cool,†Danford said on Wednesday. “Last year, I didnâ€t really get to be around them that much, just having the injury. So to get to know them, play in a game with them, be on the ice with them in practice, theyâ€re all great guys.â€

‘We’re All Here For Him’: Maple Leafs React To Joseph Woll Taking A Personal Leave of Absence, Lend Support
The Toronto Maple Leafs revealed some unexpected news on Tuesday when they announced that goaltender Joseph Woll had stepped away to deal with a personal family issue.

Thereâ€ll be plenty of memories from Danfordâ€s first game inside Scotiabank Arena. The fans and the atmosphere will surely be the number one thing. Heâ€ll also remember returning to the bench and hearing the positive feedback from the Maple Leafs†top defenders as well.

“All the guys I played with on the back-end (Rielly, Tanev, Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson), you come off for a shift and you had a good one, and theyâ€ll make sure to let you know,†Danford said.

“Theyâ€re really good at being positive. That definitely helped last night. They were really positive when I made a good pass. That definitely helped my confidence throughout the game. They did a great job, and I look up to them.â€

On Wednesday, Rielly reflected on when he was a young defenseman trying to make a name for himself in the league. He earned a full-time role with the Maple Leafs in the fall of 2013, following a season which was split between the WHLâ€s Moose Jaw Warriors and the AHLâ€s Toronto Marlies.

“Itâ€s a strange feeling. You come in here and youâ€re trying to make the team. Youâ€re essentially trying to take someoneâ€s job and trying to prove yourself and start your career,†the 31-year-old said.

“It can be a little bit strange. You donâ€t have a ton of communication with the coaching staff, just because thereâ€s lots happening. And so you just try to come in every day and work hard and perform and execute and do whatâ€s asked of you. And I think all our young guys are doing that, so itâ€s been good to see.â€

‘My Goal Was To Leave No Stone Unturned’: How Morgan Rielly’s Summer Could Set Him Up For Success With Maple Leafs
Shortly after the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in May, Morgan Rielly and general manager Brad Treliving sat down to review the year.

As Rielly watches Danford, he sees a younger version of himself: a prospect with plenty of upside, whoâ€s just trying to navigate the early goings of his hockey career. And even when Rielly is preparing for a massive season ahead personally, he sees the importance of guiding Danford along.

“I think you just want to support your teammates. But also for a young guy, you want him to build confidence, and you also want to make him feel good about himself. Itâ€s not easy being in that position. Iâ€ve been there,†Rielly said.

“Iâ€ve had relationships with guys that are very supportive, and Iâ€ve had relationships with guys that are kind of s****y to you. You look back at those, and I donâ€t want to be one of those guys. I want to be someone that can support the young guys, and heâ€s doing a great job for us. I think all of us, between O (Ekman-Larsson), myself, Caber (McCabe) and Tany (Tanev), weâ€re just really impressed with him, so I think itâ€s worthwhile to tell him.â€

Danford added, “Iâ€m just trying every day here at training camp. Trying to put my best foot forward, not overdo things. Just take it day by day. And to hear that, itâ€s obviously great feedback, but I just got to keep rolling, just keep taking it day by day, keep getting better every day.â€

‘The Issue Has Been The Number’: Maple Leafs, Anthony Stolarz’s Camp Reportedly Continue Going Back And Forth In Negotiations
With just over two weeks until the beginning of the regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarzâ€s camp are reportedly still grinding away at getting a deal done.

Itâ€s not often you get a defensive prospect who makes this much of an impression at camp, especially at his first. He has another year of junior under his belt after being picked in the first round (31st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. But still, it usually takes a defender several years to develop into a meaningful player at the NHL level.

Danford might have another season with the OHLâ€s Oshawa Generals coming up, but he might be a step closer to the NHL than previously thought.

“Hockey IQ and feet,†said Berube, of why Danford has fit so seamlessly into the teamâ€s game. “I watch him play; he just knows what heâ€s doing. He knows where the puckâ€s going. Heâ€s simple. He doesnâ€t overcomplicate it.

“Iâ€m not saying he doesnâ€t ever, but for the most part, he sees the outlet, makes the play, and heâ€s a good defender. He plays with a little bite, too, like heâ€s a physical guy and plays with some edge. But I love his feet, and I love that his headâ€s up all the time seeing the play, and heâ€s a pretty smart player.â€

Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson Credits John Tavares For Lessons On Recovery
Nick Robertson had a standout performance in the Toronto Maple Leafs†first scrimmage on Saturday, scoring the only two goals of the session. While it may have been just a scrimmage, this kind of success is a welcome boost for the 24-year-old, who is fighting to earn a consistent spot in the lineup.

At such a young age, how has the defenseman made such a strong impression on the entire organization?

“I think a big one is Iâ€m keeping it simple out there, not overdoing things. I think my play style is just not overdoing things on the blue line, the offensive blue line,†Danford said.

“Iâ€m having a really good first pass. Iâ€m playing hard defense. Iâ€m not trying to be that flashy player because thatâ€s not who I am. Iâ€m a guy thatâ€s going to lock down the back-end, so thatâ€s what Iâ€m trying to do right now.â€

How long Danford stays with the team remains to be seen. Usually, with prospects who are destined to return to junior, teams like to give them a couple of games to gain an understanding of the pro game.

Danford is different than the other prospects who are heading back to junior. Heâ€s a player whoâ€s put himself in the conversation of being a legitimate part of the Maple Leafs over the next few years.

“I mean, this training camp has been a really good experience so far. I just want to stay here as long as I can. Just keep putting my best foot forward, and weâ€ll see what happens.â€

Latest stories:

Maple Leafs’ Craig Berube Gives Ideal Outlook On Good Season For Max Domi

Auston Matthews Explains Smiley-Face Pucks And Shares Takeaways From Maple Leafs Preseason Game

Maple Leafs See Big Growth In Easton Cowan As Craig Berube Praises His Simplified Game

Source link

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been impressed with Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.

“He’s a phenomenal player,” Johnson said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “I thought the world of him. He’s a hard guy to bring down, compact yet powerful. You better have low pad level when you’re looking to tackle this guy or else he’s going to lower his shoulder and run you over. He’s got that mentality, he brought it with him from college. You see it in the first three games of the season so far. He’s fearless, he sees a little bit of air, he steps on the gas, and he plays violently.”

He added that the Bears will attempt to “bottle him up” during a Week 4 matchup with Jeanty and the Raiders.

Chicago was linked to the running back throughout the pre-draft process before Las Vegas ended up selecting him at No. 6 overall, four picks before the Bears were on the clock.

Jeanty was coming off an impressive junior season at Boise State, leading the country with 2,601 rush yards and finishing No. 2 in Heisman Trophy voting.

His individual production to open his rookie year with the Raiders has fallen below expectations, rushing for 144 yards and one touchdown while averaging 3.1 yards per carry.

Still, it’s worth noting that Jeanty has routinely faced multiple defenders in the backfield through his first three games. His 13 broken tackles are the most among running backs this season, while his 93 yards after contact rank No. 12 in the NFL (via Pro Football Reference).

Jeanty is still clearly a threat within Las Vegas’ offense, and Johnson has taken notice.

Kickoff between the Bears and Raiders is on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Source link

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

England have named a 16-player squad as they look to regain the Ashes in Australia this winter.

The series starts on 21 November, with the fifth and final Test beginning on 4 January.

The core of England’s group is settled, with all-rounder Will Jacks the surprise inclusion as the second spinner.

BBC Sport profiles each of the players, looks at their Test career and previous record in Australia.

Ben Stokes (captain and all-rounder)

Tests: 115, Runs: 7,032, Average: 35.69, Wickets: 230, Average: 31.64

England’s talismanic leader sat out of the final Test against India with a shoulder injury but the 34-year-old was back training in early September.

Stokes has also had two serious hamstring injuries in the past couple of years and England’s chances are likely to hinge on his availability.

He has played nine Tests in Australia and averages 28.61 with the bat, while he’s claimed 19 wickets at 40.94.

His presence is key to England’s ability to balance the side and he was arguably the pick of their bowlers this summer.

Ben Duckett (opening batter)

Tests: 38, Runs: 2,872, Average: 42.86, Centuries: Six

The 30-year-old will open the batting for England and has played a pivotal role with his counter-attacking style under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

He’s having a fine 2024 too, averaging 60.20, but he’s yet to play a Test in Australia.

The left-hander averaged 35.66 in the five-Test home series against Australia in 2023.

Zak Crawley (opening batter)

Tests: 59, Runs: 3,313, Average: 31.55, Centuries: Five

The right-hander has come under external pressure for his place in the side after a lean couple of years, but England have stuck by him with this series in mind.

They believe the quicker, bouncier pitches in Australia will suit Crawley and his naturally aggressive style can put the hosts on the back foot.

He averaged 27.66 in three Tests on the last tour down under.

Ollie Pope (Top-order batter)

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Ollie Pope has lost the vice-captaincy to Harry Brook

Tests: 61, Runs: 3,607, Average: 35.36, Centuries: Nine

Another whose place has come under scrutiny, but having filled in as captain when Stokes was injured he was always going to be part of the group.

However, Pope has lost the vice-captaincy to white-ball skipper Harry Brook for this series.

Pope will act as the back-up wicketkeeper in case of any injury or illness to Jamie Smith.

He’s averaged 47.70 so far in 2025, but that is boosted by 171 against Zimbabwe.

The right-hander has played three Tests in Australia and averages a measly 11.16.

Joe Root (top-order batter)

Tests: 158, Runs: 13,543, Average: 51.29, Centuries: 39

England’s Mr Reliable, but not always in Australia.

He may be England’s all-time leading run-scorer but he’s yet to score a century in 14 Tests in Australia.

The right-hander averages 35.68 in that time, but let’s hope that first century comes or we’ll have to deal with a naked Matthew Hayden, external walking round the MCG in Melbourne.

Harry Brook (Vice-captain and middle-order batter)

Tests: 30, Runs: 2,820, Average: 57.55, Centuries: 10

Perhaps England’s X-factor with the bat. He can produce a sensational innings but can also frustrate with rash shots at times.

The right-hander averages 53.90 this year and had a decent 2023 Ashes with an average of 40.33 in five games.

This will be his first taste of Ashes cricket in Australia.

Jacob Bethell (top/middle-order batter)

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Jacob Bethell made scores of six and five in his last Test against India

Tests: Four, Runs: 271, Average: 38.71, Centuries: None

The 21-year-old is likely to be England’s spare batter. He impressed during a debut series against New Zealand last winter but has had a frustrating summer with limited opportunities.

He scored his first professional century in a one-day international against South Africa earlier this month though and England would feel comfortable picking him if needed.

Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)

Tests: 15, Runs: 1,075, Average: 48.86, Centuries: Two, Dismissals: 54

Smith has been very accomplished with the gloves and bat since making his Test debut in 2024.

However, by the end of the first five-Test series this summer he did look fatigued and frazzled.

England’s aggressive style with the bat means he could spend most – if not all – days in the field in the series so it could be another learning curve on his first tour of Australia.

Will Jacks (all-rounder)

Tests: Two, Runs: 89, Average: 22.25, Wickets: Six, Average: 38.66

The wildcard in the squad, with Jacks’ two previous Tests coming in Pakistan as a second spin option in December 2022.

However, the Surrey man has been picked over Leicestershire’s Rehan Ahmed, Hampshire’s Liam Dawson or out-and-out spinner Jack Leach as the second spin option.

He will offer England depth with the bat but his spin is untested really.

He has bowled just 74 overs in the County Championship this season, taking five wickets at 38.80.

Jofra Archer (pace bowler)

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Jofra Archer took nine wickets in two Tests against India after a four-year gap between red-ball appearances for England

Tests: 15, Wickets: 51, Average: 30.62, Best figures: 6-45

Definitely the X-factor with the ball. A series of injuries have hampered Archer’s Test career but his long-awaited return against India this summer was undoubtedly a success.

He will have to be carefully managed throughout the series – and how England do that may determine their chances.

The right-armer is yet to play a Test in Australia, but enjoyed success with 22 wickets in his debut series in 2019.

Mark Wood (pace bowler)

Tests: 37, Wickets: 119, Average: 30.42, Best figures: 6-37

England’s prime speedster, but can they get him on the field? His last Test was in August 2024 and he hasn’t played any cricket since February after surgery on a knee injury.

He was targeting a couple of matches for Durham before the end of the season but that now seems unlikely. He’s been left out of the white-ball squads for New Zealand in October too so he’ll be relying on the warm-up game against England Lions to get up to speed.

The right-armer picked up 17 wickets in four Tests during the last Ashes down under.

Brydon Carse (pace bowler)

Tests: Nine, Wickets: 36, Average: 30.11, Best figures: 6-42

The Durham seamer has been impressive since his debut last summer and his style of banging the ball into the pitch could bring rewards in Australia.

He is unlikely to make it through all five Tests though, so England will again have to decide where he’ll be most effective.

This will be first taste of Ashes cricket.

Gus Atkinson (pace bowler)

Tests: 13, Wickets: 63, Average: 22.01, Best figures: 7-45

The Surrey seamer provided a pretty quick reminder of his ability and threat when he returned for the final Test against India in July.

Atkinson has been superb since being introduced to the Test fold in 2024 and he looks set to take the new ball in Australia and could be the leader of the attack in his first Ashes series.

Josh Tongue (pace bowler)

Tests: Six, Wickets: 31, Average: 30.00, Best figures: 5-66

The Nottinghamshire seamer impressed against India this summer. There were questions about his ability against the top order but he grew as the series progressed and was a banker for this squad.

He played one Test in the 2023 series against Australia, taking five wickets, but this will be his first taste of conditions down under.

Matthew Potts (pace bowler)

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Matthew Potts’ previous Tests have come in England, New Zealand and Pakistan

Tests: 10, Wickets: 36, Average: 29.44, Best figures: 7-68

The outsider who has forced his way in.

It seemed like Potts had fallen out of favour but the Durham man is included over Chris Woakes, whose record overseas isn’t as strong as at home and is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained against India in August.

Potts has taken 28 wickets in 10 County Championship matches at 39.60 this summer.

This will be first taste of Ashes cricket.

Shoaib Bashir (spinner)

Tests: 19, Wickets: 68, Average: 39.00, Best figures: 6-81

The 21-year-old will be England’s frontline spinner in the Ashes.

He’s had a successful start to his Test career and became the youngest Englishman to take 50 Test wickets, but he can be expensive and has been targeted by some sides.

That is likely to be the case for some of Australia’s batters, including dangerous middle-order batter Travis Head, so how Bashir and England can limit the damage will be important.

He could also be rusty having missed the final two Tests of the summer with a broken finger. It means the warm-up in Australia will be his only cricket in the past four months by the time the first Test starts in Perth.

Source link