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Joe Musgrove has Been Playing Catch
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) was hopeful for an early-season return after missing all of 2025 following Tommy John surgery in October of 2024, but he experienced a setback after making one spring training start. Musgrove began playing catch in late May, according to MLB.com. He's currently on the 60-day injured list and isn't expected to return at this point until after the All-Star break in mid-July. It's good news that the 33-year-old veteran is throwing a baseball again, but he still has plenty of boxes to check and must next get back on the mound. The Padres could definitely use Musgrove's presence in their starting rotation with Nick Pivetta (forearm) out until late in the year, but the Padres aren't going to rush him back. When/if Musgrove is available for the Friars in the second half, he'll most likely be eased back into action, limiting his fantasy upside. At best, Musgrove will probably be a matchup-based streamer in deep-mixed leagues whenever he returns. Right now, he's rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Austin Wells Undergoes MRI Exam on Monday
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (head), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with cervical headaches, had an MRI exam on June 8, although manager Aaron Boone didn't have an update on his status before Monday's series opener in Cleveland against the Guardians, according to MLB.com. It's good news that the 26-year-old backstop isn't dealing with a concussion, but there's no timetable for when he might come off the IL. Until he's able to return, the Yankees will roll with J.C. Escarra and Ali Sanchez behind the plate. Wells has never hit for average in his four seasons in the big leagues, but he did have a career-best 21 home runs and 71 RBI in 126 regular-season games played in 2025 in his third year in the majors. Wells is having a rough season in 2026 to this point, batting an ugly .166 (24-for-145) with just four home runs, seven RBI, 15 runs scored, and a career-high 26.6% strikeout rate in 47 games across 169 plate appearances. He's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues because of his struggles.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Throws Live Bullpen Session on Monday
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) threw a live bullpen session on the field at Camden Yards on Monday, according to Matt Weywrich of The Baltimore Sun. It is potentially his last step before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old is finally getting close to a return to the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after being sidelined since May 1 with inflammation in his right elbow. If Helsley can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment, he could come off the 15-day injured list early next week. The two-time All-Star was looking ready to bounce back after struggling with the New York Mets in 2025 following a midseason trade, allowing three earned runs with seven walks, 15 strikeouts, and seven saves in his first 12 appearances out of the bullpen with the O's before his elbow injury. The O's might ease Helsley back into save situations, but in the long run, he's their best clear option for saves in 2026. Until he returns, Rico Garcia has been manager Craig Albernaz's favorite option in save situations.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Henry Bolte Earning More Playing Time, Emerging as a Top Waiver-Wire Target
Since earning a promotion to the big leagues in mid-May, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte has hit .309/.392/.368 with zero home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, and four stolen bases across 79 plate appearances. The 22-year-old may now be moving into an everyday role for the A's, as Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler owns a .501 OPS this season and has begun to cede playing time to Bolte. While Bolte's power has been lacking in the big leagues so far, he hit 12 home runs across 177 plate appearances at Triple-A before being called up by the Athletics. He's also made consistently solid contact despite the lack of home runs, as he's posted a 53.2% hard hit rate. Swing-and-miss is a bit of a concern for Bolte, as he's struck out in 27.8% of his plate appearances. His batting average has been buoyed by a .447 batting average on balls in play, which fantasy managers should expect to regress. Still, Bolte's demonstrated speed and power upside make him an intriguing waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Ashby Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby is off to a dominant start to the 2026 season, as he's recorded a 9-0 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings (28 games). With Ashby's ability to work more than one inning, Milwaukee has opted to keep him in a fireman role rather than move him to the ninth inning. While the lack of saves limits Ashby's fantasy upside, his role with the Brewers still allows him to provide value for fantasy managers. Given his frequent appearances in high-leverage situations, Ashby should continue to find himself in position to rack up wins. He's also struck out 32.5% of the batters he's faced so far this season. In deeper league formats, Ashby may have more value as a waiver wire target than a below-average starting pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Reid Detmers a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Current Hot Streak
Across 74 innings (13 starts) in 2026, Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers owns a 2-5 record with a 4.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts. The left-hander has a rough outing in mid-May against the Athletics, allowing eight earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. However, Detmers has been red-hot since then, allowing just four earned runs while striking out 27 across 19 innings (three starts). With a 2.92 xERA and a 2.92 FIP, Detmers' underlying metrics reflect that his ERA is inflated by a couple of blow-up starts. He also owns an excellent 28.5% strikeout rate and has done a solid job of limiting both walks (7.8% walk rate) and home runs (0.73 HR/9). In any fantasy league where he's not already rostered, Detmers profiles as a high-upside starting pitcher option who should be a priority waiver wire target for managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Cavalli a Top Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Potential Breakout Season
Across 69 2/3 innings (14 starts) so far in 2026, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli has recorded a 3-4 record with a 3.88 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts. The 27-year-old ran into some trouble in his most recent outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing four earned runs across five innings of work. However, Cavalli was riding a heater heading into the Arizona start, allowing just eight earned runs while recording 30 strikeouts across his previous 24 1/3 innings (four starts). While Cavalli's elevated WHIP is an issue for fantasy managers, his 8% walk rate is manageable. Cavalli's WHIP is more of a function of opposing batters hitting .355 on balls in play against him, which is likely to regress over a larger sample size. The hard-throwing right-hander's 3.36 FIP and 16.3% K-BB rate both point to the possibility of a breakout season for Cavalli in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Remains a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target After Resurgent Outing
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax put together a strong outing on Sunday against the Miami Marlins, striking out four across five scoreless innings. It was a much-needed bounce back for Jax, who was bludgeoned by the Detroit Tigers for six earned runs over four innings in his first start of June. Outside of the rough day against Detroit, Jax has performed well since being moved from the bullpen to the rotation in late April. The 31-year-old has allowed one earned run or fewer in six out of his eight starts and has gone at least five innings in three out of his last five appearances. Jax may not offer tremendous upside for fantasy managers, but he's steadied himself after a slow start to the year in the bullpen and could be a valuable deep-league streaming option as a starting pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Roman Anthony Not Yet Swinging a Bat
Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said that outfielder Roman Anthony (finger) has yet to return to swinging a bat, per Christopher Smith of MassLive. Anthony has been out since early May and has suffered multiple setbacks while rehabbing from a finger injury. The 22-year-old hit .229/.354/.321 with one home run, five RBI, 12 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 130 plate appearances before getting injured. While Anthony has now missed more than a month of action, it appears he is still not particularly close to making a return. Anthony remains a high-upside fantasy outfielder when healthy, but managers in leagues without IL spots may have to make a decision on how long to hold him if he continues to show little progress in his rehab.
Source: MassLive - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive - Christopher Smith
Addison Barger Ramping Up his Hitting, "Making Progress"
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger (elbow) continues to ramp up his hitting at Single-A Dunedin and "is making progress," manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. It's been an injury-plagued year so far in 2026 for Barger, who is on the 10-day injured list for the second time this year with inflammation in his right elbow. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has played in only nine games for the Jays and has just one hit in 28 plate appearances with five walks and seven strikeouts. Barger isn't known for his plate discipline, but he did have 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 135 regular-season games for Toronto last year in his first full year in the majors. When he returns to the major-league roster, Barger should play regularly for the Jays against right-handed pitchers, giving fantasy managers in deeper leagues an option for depth at third base and the outfield. Barger is rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Alejandro Kirk Could be Back on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) will serve as the designated hitter for a minor-league rehab game at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday and catch on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Manager John Schneider said that Kirk returning from the 60-day injured list on Friday is possible as the best-case scenario. The 27-year-old backstop is finally nearing a return after having surgery on his left thumb, which has kept him out since April 4. In two games on his rehab assignment so far, the Mexican catcher has gone 2-for-9 with a solo home run. When he's back in Toronto, he'll be the Jays' primary catcher, and he'll be worth adding off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of a fresh body at the position. Kirk was hitting just .150 (3-for-20) with a home run in five games before his injury, but the two-time All-Star can add some pop to Toronto's lineup after hitting a career-best 15 long balls in 130 regular-season games in 2025 in his sixth year in the big leagues. Kirk is rostered in only 24% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Oneil Cruz Day-to-Day With Hand Injury
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) cut his hand while sliding into home plate on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves and was out of the starting lineup for the series finale on Sunday as a result, according to Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan. Cruz is considered day-to-day and is unlikely to land on the 10-day injured list. The Pirates had a scheduled day off on Monday, so hopefully, he'll be feeling good enough to return to the starting nine for Tuesday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. When healthy, the Dominican outfielder is a must-start in all fantasy baseball formats because of his ability to contribute across all categories. Cruz currently ranks in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 79th percentile in xwOBA, and the 100th percentile in maximum exit velocity. He's currently slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored in 64 games across 283 plate appearances. Cruz leads the league with 98 strikeouts, but he scorches the ball more often than not when he makes contact.
Source: 93.7 The Fan - Jeff Hathhorn
Source: 93.7 The Fan - Jeff Hathhorn
Calvin Ridley Takes Part in OTAs on Monday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) was participating at OTAs on Monday, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's official website. Ridley was seen running routes and catching passes after he suffered a season-ending broken fibula in Week 11 of last year. The 31-year-old is on track to be ready for training camp this summer and for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September, but his fantasy stock has plummeted after he caught just 17 passes for 303 yards and no touchdowns on 36 targets in seven games last year in his second season with the Titans. Ridley will still have a role in the Titans' offense if he's healthy, but the offseason additions of Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and rookie Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft will ensure that Ridley will likely struggle to generate volume in Tennessee's passing attack. The former first-rounder in 2018 out of the University of Alabama has fallen all the way to No. 61 in RotoBaller's 2026 WR rankings after his injury-plagued 2025 season.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Abdul Carter Twists his Ankle on Monday
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said that linebacker Abdul Carter (ankle) twisted his ankle on Monday during the first day of mandatory minicamp, but the head coach also said that the injury "doesn't look serious," according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. The Giants aren't going to take any chances with the 22-year-old during minicamp. After being taken with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft out of Penn State, Carter totaled 43 tackles (25 solo), four sacks, seven tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in his first 17 NFL games (six starts) in the Big Apple. Don't be surprised if Carter is held out for the final two days of the team's minicamp this weekend so that he can be a full-go for the start of training camp in late July. The Giants will be hoping that Carter is ready to take a step forward in his sophomore season as a pass-rusher.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Cam Skattebo Taking Part in Minicamp This Week
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) was seen doing drills on Monday for the first day of mandatory minicamp, eight months after fracturing his ankle, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The 24-year-old former fourth-round pick last year out of Arizona State said last month that his goal is to be fully ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in Week 1 for a showdown on Sunday night against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, and he's currently on track. Skattebo was limited to eight games in his rookie year due to a dislocated right ankle. Before getting hurt, he had taken over as New York's primary lead back and racked up 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries while adding 24 receptions (32 targets) for 207 receiving yards and two more touchdowns for the G-Men. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is still going to be involved in the backfield, but in a John Harbaugh-led offense that is expected to feature the run more, Skattebo should be a clear risk/reward RB2 target for fantasy managers as he enters his sophomore season.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Kenneth Walker III has Work to Do Before Becoming a Complete Back
When asked if there is anything that new running back Kenneth Walker III can improve at, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy pointed to pass-blocking and receiving, according to Nick Roesch of Heavy.com. The Chiefs made a big splash in free agency by signing Walker, the Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks to close out last season, and with the return of Bieniemy, he's expected to be part of a much-improved rushing attack for KC. "First of all, what I want Kenneth to work at is just understanding that we just have to become a better player when the ball is not in our hands," Bieniemy said. The 25-year-old former second-round pick (41st overall) by Seattle in 2022 out of Michigan State had his second 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 and added five rushing TDs, but he really took off in the postseason, gaining 313 yards and four TDs on 65 carries over three games. Walker is no stranger to lower-body injuries in his NFL career, but with the Chiefs looking to make him more of a complete back, he'll clearly be in the RB1 conversation as a top-12 fantasy back in his first season in the AFC West.
Source: Heavy.com - Nick Roesch
Source: Heavy.com - Nick Roesch
Patrick Mahomes has "Looked Sharp" During Voluntary Workouts
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), who tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 of last year, is still hoping to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season for a Monday night matchup against the division-rival Denver Broncos, and despite a bulky brace on his left leg, he has reportedly "looked sharp" during seven-on-seven drills during voluntary offseason workouts, per Mike Jones of The Athletic. The Chiefs have so far held Mahomes out of 11-on-11 work. KC needs the six-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP to return to his high level of play to start a new streak of AFC West dominance, but uncertainty is also hanging over top receiver Rashee Rice due to more off-the-field legal issues. The 30-year-old Mahomes appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery, but it remains to be seen if he can perform as a true QB1 for fantasy managers coming off a serious knee injury. With questions surrounding his aerial targets, including the aging Travis Kelce, fantasy managers are better off targeting Mahomes as a high-end QB2 than a legitimate QB1 in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Mike Jones
Source: The Athletic - Mike Jones
Brian Thomas Jr. Says it "Doesn't Hurt to Run"
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. said one of the focuses of his offseason was making sure he rehabbed and got his body back in the right place for the 2026 season after dealing with multiple injuries last year, according to Action Sports Jax. "It doesn't hurt to run," Thomas said. The ankle, shoulder, and wrist injuries that Thomas dealt with last year could help explain why he was so disappointing in his sophomore season after an incredible rookie campaign that saw him catch 87 of his 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games played. The 23rd overall pick in 2024 out of LSU caught just 48 passes for 707 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 in 14 regular-season starts. The 23-year-old appears to be fully healthy going into Year 3, and improved chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence could go a long way towards him bouncing back in 2026, even with Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington set for key roles in the Jags' passing attack. Reaching his rookie-year heights isn't realistic, but at a discount this fall, fantasy managers should be willing to pull the trigger and roll the dice that Thomas can improve on his disappointing Year 2 numbers.
Source: Action Sports Jax
Source: Action Sports Jax
Thomas Sorber Unlikely to Play in Summer League
Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber (knee) is unlikely to be ready for Summer League, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Sorber has impressed the organization with his rehab work after missing the 2025-26 season because of a torn right ACL. The 20-year-old was selected 15th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks at Georgetown. Until Oklahoma City gives a firmer ramp-up plan, Sorber is more of a long-range stash than a player to chase for early-season fantasy production.
Source: Justin Martinez
Source: Justin Martinez
Celtics Not Shopping Jaylen Brown or Derrick White
The Boston Celtics have not considered trading Jaylen Brown or Derrick White this offseason, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. A year after a roster overhaul stoked trade speculation about both players, Windhorst said two weeks before the draft that he has not heard "one iota of Jaylen Brown truly being available," with the same true of White. The fantasy read centers on continuity. Brown earned Second-Team All-NBA honors as Boston's No. 1 option last season, posting career highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists with Jayson Tatum out for 62 games. With Tatum back next season, expect Brown's usage and counting stats to settle below that peak, while White's steady scoring, three-point volume, and defensive stats make him the more stable multi-category hold.
Source: Brian Windhorst
Source: Brian Windhorst
Chris Rodriguez Jr. has Foot Procedure, Expected to be Full-Go for Camp
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) had a procedure on his left foot following an injury earlier in the offseason program, but he's expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July, a team source told Ryan O'Halloran of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. Rodriguez, who signed a two-year deal with the team on March 11, has not taken part in any of the team's OTAs and will miss mandatory minicamp, which runs from June 9-11 this week. The 25-year-old is expected to be a full-go for the start of camp. When he rejoins the team, he'll be competing with Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. for a role in Jacksonville's new-look backfield without Travis Etienne Jr. C-Rod played one season at Kentucky when head coach Liam Coen was the Wildcats' offensive coordinator, but will that be enough to give him an advantage for early-down work over Tuten? The former sixth-rounder of the Commanders in 2023 has averaged 4.6 yards per carry as a rusher in his three years in the NFL, and he recorded a career-high 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 13 games (seven starts) in D.C. in 2025. Until we get a better read on the Jags' distribution of RB touches in the summer, Tuten is the better and more explosive RB2 upside selection in upcoming fantasy football drafts.
Source: Jacksonville Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Jacksonville Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Colt Emerson Dealing With Back Tightness
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (back) was scratched from the lineup for Monday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles due to back tightness, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Infielder Cole Young made the start at the 6 for the M's against right-hander Trey Gibson. The Mariners placed regular shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) on the 10-day injured list on Monday as well, so they're a bit thin at the position right now. The good news is that Emerson's injury isn't considered to be very serious, so he could return to the starting lineup at shortstop for Game 2 of the series at Camden Yards on Tuesday. Fantasy managers need to check back then. The 20-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2023 is one of the most intriguing young infielders in the game. Through his first 19 major-league ballgames, Emerson has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with four home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored across his 69 plate appearances. He's currently rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues and has gone 5-for-21 (.238) with two homers, two doubles, three RBI, and three runs in six games so far in June.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Trail Blazers Willing to Chase Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly willing to pursue Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo even without long-term contract assurances, with the New York Post citing ESPN's Shams Charania that Portland is interested "no matter the risk." Antetokounmpo remains on Milwaukee's roster and is still one of the strongest fantasy producers in the league. The 31-year-old averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 2025-26, keeping him firmly in the first-round fantasy conversation. If Portland's pursuit ever turns into a serious offer, the team's young roster would need to be re-evaluated around a massive usage shift. Until then, Antetokounmpo's value remains elite, with his offseason trade status carrying the bigger fantasy swing.
Source: Bryan Fonseca
Source: Bryan Fonseca
Mario Hezonja Staying with Real Madrid Unless NBA Calls
Real Madrid forward Mario Hezonja is unlikely to leave the club unless an NBA opportunity arrives, according to Eurohoops. The 31-year-old is under contract through 2029, with Eurohoops reporting that his deal contains only an NBA opt-out. Hezonja is coming off a strong season in Europe, averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.8 steals across 44 EuroLeague appearances while also winning Liga Endesa MVP. His domestic production was even stronger at 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. For fantasy managers, Hezonja remains only a watch-list name unless an NBA team offers a real rotation path, but his scoring and rebounding profile would make him worth revisiting if that changes.
Source: Aris Barkas
Source: Aris Barkas
Raptors Extend Bobby Webster After Playoff Return
The Toronto Raptors extended general manager Bobby Webster and added executive vice president duties to his title, Reuters reports. Toronto also extended front-office executives Dan Tolzman, Keith Boyarsky, and Tyla Flexman, keeping its personnel group intact after a 46-36 season and seven-game first-round loss to Cleveland. Webster has been with the organization since 2013, and the Raptors are 591-455 with nine playoff berths during his tenure. For fantasy, the continuity matters because the same front office is now shaping the next phase around Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley. Toronto ranked third in assists but only 21st in scoring, so Webster's offseason priority should be adding shooting and cleaner usage lanes around the team's top creators.
Source: Reuters
Source: Reuters
Hawks Extend Quin Snyder to Multi-Year Contract
The Atlanta Hawks and head coach Quin Snyder have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The move follows the extension and promotion of Onsi Saleh to president of basketball operations, locking in the franchise's leadership for the long term. Snyder, who passed 500 career wins in March, steered Atlanta to a 20-6 finish after the All-Star break and a sixth-place seed. For fantasy managers, the continuity is the story: stable roles and player development under Snyder have fueled the rise of cornerstone Jalen Johnson, who earned his first All-Star nod, and back-to-back Most Improved winners Dyson Daniels (2025) and reigning honoree Nickeil Alexander-Walker (2026). With Saleh holding the No. 8 and No. 23 picks, that system stays intact heading into a pivotal draft.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Robert Thomas Set to Stay in St. Louis
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas will remain with the team at the start of the next season, Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports Network reports. Thomas was linked to a trade throughout the 2025-26 campaign, but the team has taken him off the market. The Blues have seen Thomas develop into a point-per-game player, though he struggled with health issues in 2025-26. Across 64 appearances, Thomas produced 25 goals and 39 assists. Thomas has a contract through the 2030-31 season with a cap hit of $8.125 million. Seeing Thomas stay put in St. Louis should be good news for fantasy managers, as he's nailed down a first-line center spot on the team and has been a very productive player when healthy for several years.
Source: Andy Strickland
Source: Andy Strickland
Milan Lucic Announces Retirement From NHL
Left wing Milan Lucic has announced his retirement from the NHL. He made the announcement on his 38th birthday. "Looking back on my career, I feel truly grateful to have fulfilled my dream of playing professional hockey, culminating with a Stanley Cup win in 2011 with the Boston Bruins," Lucic said in a statement. "I want to especially thank the Bruins for giving me my start in professional hockey and for instilling the confidence to reach new heights as a player." Lucic, who was a second-round draft pick in 2006, made 570 of his 1,177 regular-season appearances with the Bruins. He also suited up for the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings, recording 586 career points (233 goals, 353 assists). Lucic last played two seasons ago, appearing in four games with the Bruins.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Frederik Andersen Misses Practice for Maintenance
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen missed Monday's practice for maintenance. Brandon Bussi was in the starter's crease. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour didn't name his starting goaltender for Tuesday's Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. Andersen has started all 16 postseason games for Carolina, but he was pulled in Game 3 after allowing four goals with a .750 save percentage. Bussi made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut and had a solid outing with 18 saves and a .947 save percentage in a 5-4 double-overtime loss. Only three netminders won more games than Bussi during the regular season, as he posted a 31-6-2 record. Brind'Amour will have a big decision to make on Tuesday, particularly with Andersen's save percentage at a poor .815 in the Finals.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Peter Laviolette Takes Over as Kings Head Coach
The Los Angeles Kings are hiring Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. Sources have told Kaplan that Laviolette will join the Kings on a three-year deal. The Kings fired Jim Hiller as head coach on March 1 and finished the 2025-26 campaign with D.J. Smith serving as interim head coach. Laviolette is the winningest American-born head coach in NHL history, with an 846-562-25-161 record in 1,594 career games. Only eight coaches have worked in more regular-season games. Laviolette has led six teams, winning the Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes. He was last in charge of the New York Rangers, who fired Laviolette after the team missed the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
