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  Dave McMenaminSep 30, 2025, 07:11 PM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — LeBron James was sidelined to open training camp Tuesday with what Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick called “a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.”

James, who turns 41 in December, will become the first player in league history to have played 23 seasons when the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors on opening night next month.

Redick said “the goal” was for James to be recovered in time for the Warriors game, but the coach did not rule out James participating in at least one of the Lakers’ six preseason games.

“It’s probably a little bit longer of a ramp-up leading into opening night for him,” Redick said of James. “Obviously in Year 23, it’s uncharted territory here.”

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Redick said that James “probably did too much” in training camp last fall to show “buy-in” and ready himself and the team during Redick’s maiden voyage as a head coach.

“It’ll be a slower process with him leading into the first game,” Redick said. “He’s obviously got 22 years so far of wear and tear on the body and he’s dealing with a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.

“So, we’re just playing the long game with LeBron.”

James told ESPN on Monday that “it remains to be seen” how much he planned to participate in training camp this year.

“I’m still ramping things back up,” James told ESPN. “I’m not where I want to be. But I mean, I don’t want to be where I want to be right now in September. So, I got some time and I’m looking forward to the process of getting there.”

James’ camp met with the Lakers’ brass leading up to training camp with a directive for the team to be “overly cautious” with the four-time champion in the early going to preserve him for a hopefully long playoff run, sources told ESPN.

James, who averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds for L.A. last season, came into that campaign declaring his intention to play in all 82 games. He played L.A.’s first 23 games before struggling in early December, leading to an eight-day absence when he sat out two games to address soreness in his left foot. This after James played in three out of the Lakers’ six preseason games last October.

L.A. opens up its six-game preseason slate against the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, Calif. on Friday.

James will not play against the Suns, sources told ESPN. Redick said “it would be nice” to have James suit up for at least one preseason game, however.

“We would love to have that happen,” Redick added.

While James watched practice in street clothes Tuesday, Lakers guard Austin Reaves said he still made his presence felt.

“You know, it’s Bron, he’s always going to observe kind of communicate [what he sees],” Reaves said. “I think that’s the approach that he’s going to take right now, [which] is just being one of our vocal leaders. That’s what he’s done his whole career.”

Redick said that the Lakers also did not have Gabe Vincent (left knee management), Marcus Smart (left Achilles tendinopathy) and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee swelling) available for full participation in their opening practice. Redick added that Vincent should be available for the preseason opener against the Suns.

As for the Lakers who did play to begin training camp?

“Uh, Luka [Doncic] was pretty good,” Redick said with a smile.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are at the halfway point of training camp. One week from today, they will be in Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers in their first game of the season. Florida will raise their second straight Stanley Cup banner while the Blackhawks continue to try and build to become a team like that again.

Halfway through preseason, there are a lot of things to be figured out. Who is going to fill out the lineup at forward and defense? Who will earn what role? There are three more games, all at home, and a handful of practices to go before things will be truly set.

The truth is also that the decisions made for opening night can be changed for every game after. A lot of young players are going to be in and out of the lineup throughout the season.

When the Hawks do reach opening night, however, you can expect the lineup to look something like this:

Andre Burakovsky – Connor Bedard – Ryan Donato

Teuvo Teravainen – Frank Nazar – Tyler Bertuzzi

Colton Dach – Jason Dickinson – Ilya Mikheyev

Nick Foligno – Lukas Reichel – Landon Slaggert

Extra – Sam Lafferty, Oliver Moore

This would mean that the Blackhawks start Ryan Greene in the AHL and that Landon Slaggert is healthy enough to go on opening night. Oliver Moore could draw in, but it is hard to place where he’d fit in with these lines over guys who clearly earned spots.

Colton Dach brings something to this group that they don’t have much of, which is grit, tenacity, and toughness. He is not afraid to get in someone’s face if he feels it necessary.

Sam Lafferty, in his third tenure on the team, will probably make the team, but he won’t be in the lineup regularly. He’ll for sure play, but keeping younger players out in his favor every night would not be wise for the development plan.

Although he has been in trade rumors, Lukas Reichel should be in (at minimum) a bottom-six role as long as he’s in the organization. He has looked good in recent preseason games, and he has a huge final week of camp ahead of him to cement that role.

If this ended up being the top six, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to anyone. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, although young, deserve the opportunity to work as a two-headed monster down the middle. There are some good wings on each of their lines to help them.

Alex Vlasic – Sam Rinzel

Wyatt Kaiser – Artyom Levhunov

Nolan Allan – Connor Murphy

Extra: Louis Crevier

There are five defensemen on the Chicago Blackhawks who are locks to make the team if healthy. Some of them came in feeling like they needed to prove themselves, but there is no doubt that Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Wyatt Kaiser, Artyom Levshunov, and Connor Murphy are the five most NHL-ready players in the organization on the blue line.

Matt Grzelcyk is in camp on a PTO. There is no need for him to make the team over any of the younger players that the Blackhawks have competing for spots. They have Connor Murphy there to be the veteran on the unit, and they don’t need a second.

Jeff Blashill said that Grzelcyk will only make the team if he feels that there isn’t a younger player who deserves the spot. Well, there are about three guys who have a case.

Based on the way he’s played through the first half of camp, Nolan Allan deserves that job. Right behind him is Kevin Korchinski, followed by Ethan Del Mastro. Allan’s physical presence in their most recent game against the Minnesota Wild serves as a reminder of what he can do when he’s out there.

Kevin Korchinski will get his chances this season. He is mostly relied on to be a puck-mover, but the rest of his game is still coming together. As for Del Mastro, it’s been a tough go for him in the games he’s played, mostly in a larger role, which may see him get some more seasoning in the AHL to start. If any of these three on the outside looking in have a strong end to the preseason, however, we may be singing a new tune come next week.

Spencer Knight

Arvid Soderblom

Spencer Knight is going to be the team’s number one goalie. This is the first time in his young career that he will enter a season as a true top guy for a team. The prize in the Seth Jones trade for Chicago was Knight, and he’s ready to show why. So far in the preseason and camp, he’s been brilliant.

As for the backup spot, Arvid Soderblom came into camp with the edge because he was good in his role last year, but Drew Commesso is coming up fast. Although both played very well up to this point, the Blackhawks ultimately decided to get Commesso down to the Rockford IceHogs to continue in his development. Soderblom will serve as Knight’s primary backup.

Can anything change here?

Anything can change with these projected lineups before opening night next Tuesday. Ryan Greene could force the Blackhawks to take him over Oliver Moore or Lukas Reichel. One of the three defenseman left off could force Nolan Allan to begin his season in Rockford. There could be an unforeseen injury that changes everything.

There are still three preseason games (all at home) to go against the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues. That stretch begins on Tuesday against the Wings, which will feature a combination of players fighting for the final spots and roster locks.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Trae Young isnâ€t quite at “disappointment†yet when it comes to his lack of a contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks, but heâ€s close.

Young, speaking at the teamâ€s media day on Monday, was asked about not having a new deal entering training camp this fall. Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension with the franchise. Though he tried to downplay it a bit and insisted that his focus was elsewhere, itâ€s on the back of his mind.

“I don’t know [about] the word disappointment. I mean, maybe, for sure,” Young said, via ESPNâ€s Ohm Youngmisuk. “For me, I’m so focused. I’m more happy about the team that we got going into this season. I’m blessed, bro. I wasn’t stressing about anything. If something happened, it happened. If it didn’t, I still got time.”

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Young averaged 24.2 points and a league-high 11.6 assists per game last season while picking up the fourth All-Star nod of his career. The Hawks went just 40-42 last season, however, and missed the playoffs for the second straight campaign under head coach Quin Snyder.

The former No. 5 overall pick out of Oklahoma is entering the eighth season in the league. He has two years left on a five-year, $215 million deal he signed with the franchise ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, and heâ€s got a player option on that contract for next season before he hits free agency in 2027.

Though Young can still get his extension done, itâ€s unclear where the two sides are at on that front.

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Regardless, Young is trying to focus on getting the Hawks back into the postseason. The team made several major moves this past offseason, including bringing in Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves. They also struck a one-year, $11 million deal with Luke Kennard in free agency.

“I’m focused on this team. I’m focused on right now,” Young said. “I got a great team going into the season that you can’t say I’ve had [before]. So I’m even more excited about that. Who knows what the future is for me. But right now I’m here and I’m present like me and Coach [Snyder] have been talking about. I’m ready to go.”

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After shocking the NBA by trading for Luka Doncic, Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka compared piecing together a roster midseason to “trying to build an airplane in the sky.â€

This year, the Lakers get their full runway.

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Retooled and locked in from what Pelinka called an “intentional and productive offseason,†the Lakers officially begin training camp Tuesday in El Segundo as Doncic starts his first full season in L.A.

With the team set for media day Monday, here are five questions entering the preseason:

Will this be the end of LeBron James†Lakers era?

Lakers star LeBron James stands on the court before facing the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs on April 27. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Luka era has arrived. But does that mean the LeBron era has to end?

For the first time in his storied career, James is playing in the final year of a contract. He exercised a $52.6-million player option in June to pave the way for a record-setting 23rd NBA season.

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James, the NBAâ€s all-time leading scorer, is 50 games away from Hall of Famer Robert Parishâ€s record for most regular-season games played. He already achieved his previously stated goal of playing with his son Bronny.

More championships are all James has left to chase in his career. While the Lakers attempt to launch the 26-year-old Doncicâ€s reign, James†title aspirations still remain at the forefront for the franchise.

“Weâ€ve been very intentional this summer in terms of the pieces we add with Luka and LeBron, once LeBron opted in,†Pelinka said last Thursday at a news conference alongside head coach JJ Redick, “making sure that they had the necessary pieces around them to be on a really competitive, strong team.â€

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But when it comes to James†future, Pelinka left it up to the 21-time All-Star, saying James has “absolute respect to choose his story†regarding how much longer he wants to play. But the team’s general manager knows how he wants the tale to end.

“We would love if LeBronâ€s story would be [that] he retired a Laker,†Pelinka said. “That would be a positive story.â€

How will James and Doncic coexist in their first full season together?

Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Luka Doncic talk during a game against Utah on Feb. 10. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

The Lakers underwent a significant makeover after Doncic debuted in February.

The team ranked eighth in the NBA with 40.4 three-point attempts per game in the regular season with Doncic compared to 33.8 before, which ranked 27th. James†offensive rating ticked up from 111.8 to 114.4.

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After rushing to create cohesion at midseason, Doncic, whose Lakers debut was slowed by a lingering calf injury, said in August he looked forward to getting a whole preseason to build chemistry with his teammates. Doncic was second in the league in usage rate among players who appeared in more than seven games after Feb. 10. Redick said Doncic and guard Austin Reaves, coming off a career season, will be the teamâ€s primary ballhandlers while James remains a focal point of the offense.

“I think the word I would use would be ‘share,â€â€ Redick said of how he envisions the three stars working together. “I think in a team sport, you have no choice but to share: share the basketball, share the spotlight, I think all those three guys have a ton of respect for each otherâ€s skill sets, for each otherâ€s abilities.â€

What will Austin Reaves show entering a critical contract decision?

Austin Reaves, right, celebrates with teammate Dorian Finney-Smith during a playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 27. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Austin Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, all career highs, while shooting 37.7% from three-point range. But his playoff struggles left a sour impression entering the offseason. Reaves shot 31.9% from three in the first-round series against Minnesota, attempted just 1.4 free throws per game and was a constant target for the Minnesota offense.

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The 27-year-old has a player option worth $14.9 million next year but will likely test free agency after vastly outperforming his initial four-year, $53.8-million contract awarded when he was an undrafted free agent. With pressure to perform as a third star behind Doncic and James, Reaves is already impressing Lakers staff this offseason.

“Every day in the gym, heâ€s been the best player in the gym,†Redick said. “This goes back to last May, all summer, his body is really good right now. Heâ€s really strong. His burst, his athleticism, itâ€s evident that heâ€s spent a lot of time working on his body this summer.â€

Is Deandre Ayton the answer to the Lakers†center woes?

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, left, tries to drive past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during a game on Feb. 10. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

Deandre Ayton‘s 7-foot frame isn’t the only reason why he might be the Lakers’ biggest offseason acquisition.

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Pairing Doncic with a lob-catching center was one of Pelinka’s major offseason objectives after the lack of a reliable big man became so pressing that Redick resorted to playing the same small-ball, five-man lineup for the entire second half in Game 4 against Minnesota. Ayton is coming off two forgettable seasons in Portland, where the former No. 1 overall pick averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Since he was traded by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton has been the target of criticism for inconsistent effort and a low motor.

Yet the Lakers believe they can unlock the 27-year-oldâ€s talent. Ayton, Redick emphasized, was once Chris Paulâ€s pick-and-roll partner in Phoenix. No one is more detail-oriented than the now-Clippers guard. So playing alongside Doncic should come easily.

“His feel for two-man action is just super high,†Redick said of Ayton, “and really excited to see him play with Luka.â€

Center Jaxson Hayes, who fell out of the rotation during the playoffs, figures to come off the bench after re-signing with the team on a one-year deal. After recovering from foot surgery, forward Maxi Kleber played only five minutes in a desperate postseason loss after joining the Lakers in the blockbuster trade with Doncic, but could add a valuable floor-spacing dimension if healthy.

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What impact can Marcus Smart make?

Marcus Smart controls the ball during a game between the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks in February. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Redick knows personally what Marcus Smart can deliver. The coach recalled the forehead full of stitches he once received courtesy of the former NBA defensive player of the year.

“Toughness,†Redick said of what Smart will bring to the team. “I already told him this: We need his voice as part of communication. His competitive spirit.â€

The Lakers ranked 17th in defensive rating last season, giving up 113.8 points per 100 possessions. The 31-year-old Smart, who signed with the Lakers after the Washington Wizards bought out his contract, still grades in the 80th percentile of every defensive metric, Redick said.

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Doncicâ€s defensive improvement at EuroBasket drew raves from Redick, but the star guard will remain far from a defensive anchor. With Reaves and James, who will turn 41 in December, and Ayton, Smartâ€s defensive prowess and career 32.4% three-point shooting could be vital to solidifying the potential starting lineup.

Redick named his starting lineup before training camp last season but, in a step of growth for the second-year head coach, declined to disclose his plans this year. He learned what often happens to the best-laid plans.

Last yearâ€s intended leading group of James, Reaves, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and Dâ€Angelo Russell started only seven games together.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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It was decided by Detroit Red Wings general manager that Lucas Raymond, whom he drafted with the fourth overall pick in 2020, is a foundational building block.

To that end, he re-signed Raymond to an eight-year contract extension just over one year ago, ensuring Raymond would be wearing the Winged Wheel all throughout the prime of his NHL career.

Raymond responded in the first season of his new contract by establishing a new career-high 80 points in 82 games played, and as far as the Red Wings are concerned, the sky is the limit.

If Raymond’s words last week are any indication of what Red Wings fans can expect from him this season, a new career-high in points could potentially be in the cards.

“I feel like I found my game faster than usual when you feel comfortable and up to speed out there,” he said following Training Camp.

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It wasn’t long ago that Raymond himself was a rookie who’s place in the forward lineup wasn’t a sure thing when he began his inagural NHL Training Camp in September 2021. Not only did Raymond claim a roster spot, but he firmly put himself into the conversation for Rookie of the Year by tallying 23 goals with 34 assists.

The honor ultimately went to his teammate, Moritz Seider, who also began his NHL career at the same time Raymond did that season.

Raymond knows what some of the younger players who are trying to establish position in the Red Wings’ system and thus far have made impacts in pre-season play, including Michael Brandsegg-NygÃ¥rd, Carter Mazur, and Emmitt Finnie.

“I think a lot of guys coming up have had a really good Camp, it’s fun to see,” Raymond said of the numerous prospects who were present in Training Camp. “You see guys put their foot forward out there and try to make it as hard as possible for coaches and management.”

Raymond also acknowledged that the skill of Detroit’s younger players attempting to make the team have a motivating effect on the current players on the roster to up their own games.

“It’s really exciting, and I think that just adds to it, the pressure coming from underneath and kind of puts a fire underneath everyone’s ass a bit,” Raymond said with a smile. “It’s been fun.”

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We’re back.

Training camp is hours away, which means the 2025-26 NBA season is upon us.

It’s been a long, particularly quiet offseason, not just for the Kings but throughout the entire league. Specifically for Sacramento, though, some questions need answers.

Some might be answered through training camp, some might require more time and carry into the regular season. While there are dozens of questions and concerns we can address, let’s break down NBC Sports California’s top three questions entering the Kings’ 2025 training camp, set to begin on Tuesday.

What does this roster look like?

The Kings’ roster construction was heavily criticized last season, especially after their trade deadline moves left them without a point guard.

There was a belief that under new general manager Scott Perry and assistant GM B.J. Armstrong, big moves would be made, and the Kings would “blow it all up” in the offseason. They, in fact, didn’t blow anything up and will enter the 2025-26 season with essentially the same roster as last season.

Sacramento’s big offseason acquisition was signing veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who instantly fills the void at starting point guard. The rest of the projected starting lineup, one would think, is Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis.

Here’s a roster breakdown as it currently stands:

Guards

Dennis Schröder
Zach LaVine
Malik Monk
Keon Ellis
Devin Carter
Terence Davis

Forwards

DeMar DeRozan
Nique Clifford
Keegan Murray
Doug McDermott

Centers/Bigs

Domantas Sabonis
Isaac Jones
Dario Šarić
Maxime Raynaud
Drew Eubanks

The question then turns to what the rotations will look like. After losing Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas in the offseason, who will back up Sabonis at the center position? Who will be the first player off the bench for Sacramento in that “sixth man” role? Is it Monk, who has thrived in that role, or maybe Ellis?

Also, will the closing lineups be the same as the starting lineup? Or, will Doug Christie experiment with other players, such as Ellis, for defensive purposes?

This might not be answered until a few games into the season.

Expectations for Keegan Murray in Year 4?

As with most lottery picks, the expectations always have been high for Keegan Murray since the Kings selected him No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

But many people don’t believe he has lived up to the hype through three seasons with Sacramento.

A large part of that last season was that so many players on the Kings’ roster last season required the ball in their hands, limiting the amount of touches Murray got. As we stated earlier in this article, a vast majority of those players will return to the Kings this season, so the “issue” hasn’t been resolved for Murray.

While not being able to contribute consistently on offense as much as he — or the Kings — have liked, Murray has grown enormously as a defender since his rookie season. He now stands as the unquestioned best defender on the team, with the ability to defend one through five.

However, it isn’t something he wants to do on a nightly basis. At his exit interview following the 2024-25 season, Murray was honest about his ideal defensive assignments.

“Yeah, ideally I don’t want to be guarding the five-man,†Murray said in April. “It’s not the most fun thing in the world. If I have to do it, I have to do it, regardless of who’s on our team [or] who’s not. At the end of the day, team defense wins championships.”

The Kings have lacked wing depth for years, and even after Murray’s seemingly public cry for help, they still haven’t addressed it.

Defending Kevin Durant or chasing Steph Curry around for 35 minutes and then trying to contribute offensively is a lot to ask of a young player, but as Murray said, it’s something he’s willing to do if he must. Getting him some help along the wing, however, could unlock a whole other level for the 25-year-old who’s itching to break out and live up to his two-way star potential.

A report from the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson earlier this summer stated that the two players the Kings kept out of trade talks were Murray and Ellis. So, if that’s true, how are the Kings’ decision makers laying out a clear path to stardom for these players they supposedly value so much if they aren’t giving them the right opportunities?

With all that being said, what are the Kings’ realistic expectations for their former No. 4 pick as he enters Year 4 with the team?

How will Dennis Schröder fit?

The obvious answer is that Schröder addresses Sacramento’s point guard void after the team traded De’Aaron Fox last February.

OK, cool. But how else will he help the Kings?

Schröder is a 12-year NBA veteran who’s played on nine different teams. He has been to the playoffs nine times in his career, including two trips to the conference finals. He’s an unselfish player who creates for his teammates, which should benefit players such as LaVine and Murray. He also can get his own bucket when he needs to.

Not to mention, he’s fresh off leading Germany to the EuroBasket gold this summer and was named the EuroBasket MVP after averaging 20.3 points, 7.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

His energy, tenacity and leadership should be a welcome addition to the Kings, especially in a locker room full of several young and inexperienced players.

Defensively, his contributions should be an immediate upgrade. Schröder isn’t a lockdown defender by any means, but his effort and commitment on the end of the court never is something coach Christie will have to worry about. Fox, for example, became a much better defender over the course of his eight-year career with Sacramento. With a player like Schröder, though, it’s not something Christie and the Kings coaches will have to teach him, but rather, something already instilled in him.

One area we’re curious to see is how he meshes with Sabonis, who isn’t your typical five-man. As we’ve seen with other Kings guards, it usually takes them some time to adjust and adapt to Sabonis’ play style. But when it works, it works and it’s beautiful basketball. Hopefully for the Kings, a full training camp together will allow them the time to figure it out.

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TORONTO — Last time Anthony Stolarz suited up for a game in this barn, an opponent flew by his crease and delivered a headshot.

On Saturday night, the same thing happened.

When Laval Rocket star Laurent Dauphin drove to the paint and snapped Stolarzâ€s neck back — earning a goalie interference penalty and a stern talking-to from Oliver Ekman-Larsson for his recklessness — Leafs fans gasped.

Stolarz shook off the contact quickly.

“Itâ€s something you kinda get used to,†Stolarz downplayed. “As a goalie, you know how to brace yourself and what to expect. So, heâ€s just driving the net trying to make a hard play. He runs into me, and we get a power play out of it.â€

All good. No need to panic.

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“Itâ€s always a risky play. The whole preseason, youâ€re always worried about something happening to somebody, right?†coach Craig Berube said.

“Yeah, thatâ€s obviously concerning. But he was good. He was fine, and he was moving well tonight in net.â€

With Joseph Woll already sidelined indefinitely, the knock to Torontoâ€s No. 1 goaltender was a reminder of how desperately the Leafs are depending on the big man to stay healthy.

To that end, Stolarz is welcoming a hefty workload in 2025-26.

The career-high 34 games played last season? He aims to raise the bar again.

“First and foremost, you want to play more games than you did last year,†Stolarz said, prior to logging two periods of work in Saturdayâ€s lacklustre 4-2 exhibition loss at home to Montreal.

“Iâ€ve been working with the medical staff, coming in and strengthening my lower body, my upper body, just trying to keep those minor tweaks away.

“I worked a lot this summer with my trainer and my goalie coach as well, just working on things to stay healthy.â€

The 31-year-oldâ€s complicated relationship with availability has factored in his agentâ€s ongoing contract negotiations with the Maple Leafs.

Both sides are hopeful theyâ€ll hammer a deal prior to opening night.

“He calls me probably every two or three days to just give me an update,†Stolarz said. “But I let him take care of it. Heâ€s negotiated thousands of contracts. Iâ€m just focused on getting ready for the start of the season, get a few games in here, and looking forward to that opener.

“Thatâ€s kind of why we give them the big bucks to do that. My job is to focus on playing.â€

A combination of Stolarzâ€s knee injuries and his playing behind a more proven No. 1 have limited his workload in seasons past, but heâ€s hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow American netminders Tim Thomas and Ben Bishop, who became Cup-contending starters late in their careers.

“Itâ€s nice to have guys that you can look up to, guys that may peak later and can offer inspiration for guys who have similar trajectories as me,†Stolarz said.

“Whether you get hurt or whether you just havenâ€t been put in the right opportunity, you just keep working and good things will happen.â€

What will the world learn about the enigma wrapped in designer that is William Nylander now that he has launched his own YouTube channel?

“I donâ€t really know,†Rielly said, wryly. “I donâ€t think a whole lot, but weâ€ll see.â€

Well, we watched Episode 1, “Summer in Sweden,†which dropped Friday night.

And weâ€re not certain we learned a whole lot, but the 10-minute highlight reel does give diehards (28,500 subscribers and counting) a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the superstarâ€s off-ice life — and his expensive wardrobe.

“I just thought it would be a fun thing to do and give fans an insight to my life away from the rink,†explained Nylander, who is also featured in both season of Prime Videoâ€s FaceOff: Inside the NHL. “Hopefully some fun stuff in there.â€

Nylanderâ€s documentary endeavour, produced with help from his family, has been subject to dressing-room chatter.

“I heard rumblings,†Stolarz said. “I guess Iâ€ll have to hop on YouTube and take a peek at that and see what Willyâ€s been up to.â€

Stolarz might need that new contract to afford what Willyâ€s been up to.

First stop the Hall, next stop the NHL

Easton Cowan has yet to make the NHL (although that is starting to feel imminent), and heâ€s already in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Leafs†top prospect didnâ€t know that his game-worn sweater from the London Knights Memorial Cup championship is on display downtown as part of the Hallâ€s “Road to the Top†showcase.

“One of my buddies was in Toronto and sent me a picture,†Cowan smiled. “I was like, ‘Oh, thatâ€s pretty cool. Iâ€ll take it.†â€

Cowan popped in to see the display this week.

“Definitely special to see,†the Memorial Cup MVP said. “Just brought back a lot of memories I had in London.â€

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Asked about his early impressions of VJ Edgecombe, Andre Drummond didnâ€t first point to the No. 3 overall pickâ€s bounce or defensive chops.

“The first day I saw VJ I was instantly impressed, because the first thing he did was just ask me a bunch of questions,†Drummond said Friday at Sixers media day. “He even asked me how my day was. Heâ€s like, ‘What do you think about this, big bro? How do you feel about this?â€

“Heâ€s a kid that wants to soak up knowledge. And heâ€s a gifted athlete and heâ€s very, very good. I think heâ€s going to be very good for us and Iâ€m excited about whatâ€s to come.â€

Day 1 of Edgecombeâ€s first NBA training camp was Saturday. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse named him and two-way contract player Dominick Barlow as standouts.

As Drummond noted, Edgecombe is fully aware he has tons of NBA-specific knowledge to gain. The 20-year-old has recently been asking teammates about how to prepare for the Sixers†upcoming preseason trip to Abu Dhabi. Edgecombe’s watched Tyrese Maxeyâ€s shooting and marveled at his range and “muscle memory.†Over the summer, he was curious about “the fouls and physicality.â€

“What is legal, what is not legal? Itâ€s a different game from college, so Iâ€m just trying to learn the rules,†Edgecombe said Friday. “Thatâ€s why I ask a lot of questions, especially if Iâ€m trying to box (Drummond) out on a rebound or something like that. Little things like that … just trying to learn. I ask questions to everybody — literally anyone. I ask Justin (Edwards) questions, Jared (McCain), Tyrese, everybody. Iâ€m just trying to get better.â€

Since draft night, Edgecombe has worked to adapt to various aspects of NBA life. That includes his strength and conditioning habits. The 6-foot-4 guard said heâ€s gained a bit of muscle and is up to the 195 to 200-pound range.

“Iâ€m just trying to find a routine and stick to that,†he said. “Iâ€ve been lifting a lot more, lifting a lot of weight. Iâ€m resting a lot. Iâ€ve got to get my eight to 10 hours of sleep now. Iâ€m taking recovery more seriously, to be honest with you.â€

Edgecombe has also aimed to improve his outside shooting after going 34 percent behind the college line last season.

While he wasnâ€t a poor or unwilling shooter at Baylor, Edgecombe was fully on board with mechanical tweaks.

“I had a flat shot in college,†he said. “Now my arc is really good compared to where it was a month ago … and just more consistent. Itâ€s crazy that itâ€s now rare for me to shoot flat. Now I know when my shot is flat.â€

In terms of Edgecombeâ€s rookie role, Nurse said Friday he plans to use him both on and off the ball. Nurse can also envision Edgecombe “playing some three†and generally being a part of guard-heavy lineups that play a high-energy, fast-paced style.

Whatever the assignment, Edgecombe seems like heâ€ll roll with it (and ask about anything he needs to know).

“Itâ€s basketball, at the end of the day,†he said. “I feel like everyone on the court is interchangeable, so whoeverâ€s got the ball can bring it up. We have a lot of versatile guys. Sometimes Iâ€m running, sometimes Iâ€m bringing the ball up, sometimes Iâ€m trailing. But Iâ€m just out there trying to make winning plays.â€

Embiid in the mix on Day 1

Joel Embiid emphasized at media day that his health is a day-by-day matter.

He shot jumpers following Day 1 of camp and Nurse confirmed that he took part in practice.

“He did participate,†Nurse said. “Everything right from the start was live and he was in there, participating in that stuff. He didn’t do everything, but he did quite a bit.

“I think he’s probably told you how he’s feeling, how he’s looking. He was moving good, playing hard and he had great spirit out there today.â€

A Sixers official said Trendon Watford (right hamstring tightness) is day-to-day and that Paul George (left knee surgery) did an individual on-court workout.

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Florida Panthers prospect Jack Devine will be one to watch this season.

The former 2022 seventh-round selection and two-time NCAA Champion is set to embark on his first full pro season after signing a three-year entry-level contract with Florida in April.

Over the past couple weeks, Devine has been experiencing the Panthers†development and training camps for the first time as a professional.

His first taste of pro hockey came earlier this year, however, when he joined Floridaâ€s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for their run to the Calder Cup Final.

Considering the championship pedigree he was a part of at the University of Denver, itâ€s no surprise that Devine was able to contribute when it mattered most, picking up two goals and two assists on nine shots over the three games he played against the Abbotsford Canucks in the Final.

“I thought that playoff run was something that was super special,†said Devine. “Being able to come in after my year in college and get a taste of it, it was something that was super beneficial, and something I’m very grateful for.â€

Finding success after advancing levels in hockey is nothing new to Devine.

A native of Glencoe, Illinois – about 45 minutes north of Chicago – Devine has been able to avoid the struggles that many players go through when moving up to a higher level of the game.

Going from AAA hockey to juniors to playing with the U.S. National U17 and U18 clubs and then to the highest level of collegiate hockey, all in the span of five seasons, did not phase Devine as he continued to grow his game and absorb everything his coaches had to offer.

“In every level, Iâ€ve had really good teammates and really good coaches,†he said. “I’m always eager to learn, and I’ve always been fortunate enough to have some really elite coaches at every team I’ve gone to.â€

That enthusiasm to learn has done Devine well, and itâ€s stayed with him all the way up to the professional level, where heâ€s quickly earning a reputation as someone always looking to learn and improve.

“Guys have been joking this week that itâ€s trying to be like a sponge, just soaking it all in, so that’s kind of the mindset,†Devine said. “Obviously, this the best organization in the NHL, two Stanley Cups back-to-back as of late, so Iâ€m just trying to learn from everyone here. They’ve had success, so it’s an easy thing to do.â€

Devineâ€s eagerness to absorb as much valuable information as he can and translate that knowledge to improving his game on the ice has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, either.

“He’ll be a guy that I think that the game will get easier for him the higher level he plays,†said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “Heâ€s a smart, intuitive player, very serious about his game.â€

Maurice went on to cautiously compare Devine to a current Panthers player, while quickly providing cover that nobody should be going out and saying, ‘Jack Devine is the next so-and-so.â€

“He’s got a great pedigree of winning and being part of those cultures,†Maurice began. “So he is, I hate doing this to a guy, so you’re going to be careful, he’s in the mold of the style of game of Sam Reinhart. He doesn’t rely on pure speed to beat people, but he skates well enough, he’s got some hands, and he can figure out the game. So that’s the kind of style of hockey that we would like him to follow into.â€

Devine is expected to start the season with the Checkers in Charlotte, and if things continue on their current path, heâ€ll be on a short list of players under consideration for an NHL call-up if and when the need arises.

While the idea of fulfilling his dream of putting on an NHL sweater is something that certainly does not escape him, Devine is keeping his focus on being the best professional he can be, knowing that if he does, things should work themselves out.

“That’s definitely a goal,†Devine said of being called up. “I think for me, though, it’s just day-by-day, trying to get better. Whether I’m in Charlotte, whether I’m in Florida, wherever I’m at, I just want our team to be successful and to win. I think wherever I’m at, I just want to be present there and give my best every day.â€

Itâ€s that hard-working, positive attitude that has helped land Devine a prime position on the radar of Floridaâ€s front office.

When youâ€re the 221st player selected at the draft, you know from the start that itâ€s going to be an uphill climb to reach the NHL.

Devine has faced that challenge head-on, and now heâ€s on the cusp of achieving something heâ€s been striving toward for most of his life.

“I definitely worked hard to be where I’m at,†he said. “It was a dream of mine as a kid to put on an NHL sweater, especially the team that drafted me. It’s not only myself, but my teammates in the past, the development staff here, that helped me get to where I’m at, so I can’t only say it’s myself, but just being fortunate enough a couple years later to be here and work and try to prove myself on a roster is pretty special.â€

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Photo caption: Sep 24, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jack Devine (38) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

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It was a packed house for Friday’s Pittsburgh Penguins training camp practice since Marc-Andre Fleury made his triumphant return to the ice after signing a professional tryout contract with the team on September 12.

Fans wanted to see Fleury take the ice for one last practice with the Penguins before he plays in Saturday’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they weren’t disappointed. Fleury took the ice to a bunch of cheers from all the fans in the stands and started taking shots from Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang before he got to participate in the full practice session.

Fleury got the crowd really excited when he made a stacked pad save on captain Sidney Crosby before Crosby batted the puck in from mid-air.

After that, he took some shots during numerous drills and even had nice conversations with fellow goaltenders Sergei Murashov and Filip Larsson. After practice, Fleury was asked what he told them and what advice he’d give them, and joked that he’s coming to take their spots before getting serious.

“You better try hard because I’m coming to take your spot,” Fleury said. “No, just try to get to know them a little bit. You know, theyâ€re both really nice kids, and good goalies, obviously. Just chit-chat a bit, see how theyâ€re doing, how camp is going, wished them the best for the upcoming season.â€

Fleury will play part of Saturday’s preseason game against the Blue Jackets in front of a packed PPG Paints Arena before sailing off into the sunset.

Outside of Fleury, let’s look at a couple of other observations from this practice.

The power play gets some work

The Penguins have spent a lot of time doing even-strength drills during training camp, but that changed on Friday. They started doing a lot of special teams work and fans got to see the top power play in action.

Erik Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell were on PP1 and were zipping the puck around the offensive zone against the penalty killers. Malkin was down by the goal line during a lot of the sequences as a backdoor option, while Crosby was doing some work in the right wing spot. To round out the group, Karlsson was running things at the point, Rakell was in the bumper spot, and Rust was in the left wing spot before sliding down closer to the net.

Kris Letang, Ville Koivunen, Anthony Mantha, Benjamin Kindel, and Justin Brazeau were on PP2. There was also a significant emphasis on movement during those drills, making things more challenging for the penalty killers.

Benjamin Kindel may get a big opportunity on Saturday

Kindel played in the Penguins’ first two preseason games and really impressed. His skating was on display in the first game before he showed the ability to create dangerous scoring chances out of nowhere in the second game.

He even had a mini breakaway during Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jackets and made a nice move, but couldn’t tuck the puck home.

Kindel skated on a line with Ville Koivunen and Rickard Rakell during Friday’s practice, a sign that he could be in Saturday’s lineup when it gets announced by the team. The lineup is expected to feature many veteran players, given that Fleury will be participating. Gaining this type of experience could be crucial for Kindel’s development before he returns to the WHL.

Saturday’s preseason tilt between the Blue Jackets and Penguins will start at 7 p.m. ET.

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