Could The Penguins' Arturs Silovs Become The Next Dominik Hasek?
That's because there have been times when Silovs has been good. Very good. And others, such as the start of last season, when he has been the opposite of good. The Canucks were faced with the prospect of dealing the Calder Cup MVP for pennies on the dollar or likely losing him for nothing if they put him on waivers.
They chose the former, the same way the Chicago Blackhawks did with Hasek 33 years ago. Hasek went on to become the greatest goaltender the game has ever seen. (And don't @ me. He is the best there ever was.) At the time, nobody, least of all the Blackhawks, could have dreamed he'd ever become what he became.
Watch today's video column for the full take, and share your thoughts.
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New York Times
7 hours ago
- New York Times
Looking at Carter Yakemchuk's path to making the Senators — and the hurdles ahead
CALGARY — It's a Tuesday morning in mid-July. Most people of Carter Yakemchuk's age are probably sleeping in, having hung up their cowboy hats to recover from the Calgary Stampede festivities that ended two days ago. Nearly 1.5 million partygoers spent the better part of two weeks revelling, Yakemchuk among them. But there was the 19-year-old Calgary native in a grey hockey jersey marked 'Find A Way or Make One,' skating alongside a mixture of professional players and prospects at the Flames' community rink in the southwestern part of the city. Advertisement For Yakemchuk, a 6-foot-4 defenceman, this is all part of the work required to achieve his ultimate goal: making the Ottawa Senators' opening roster come Oct. 9, when the team begins its 2025-26 regular season on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning, no matter what potential pitfalls lie in front of him. After four seasons with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, the 2024 first-round pick is old enough to play minor-league games this year, as he'll turn 20 before the end of the calendar. It's the NHL or AHL for him, now. 'I'm looking forward to it,' Yakemchuk said in July following the Senators' development camp. 'My goal is to make the opening roster. That's what I want to do. And I'm looking forward to putting in the work that it takes to make that.' Every summer in Calgary, a group of players and coaches under CRASH Conditioning — self-proclaimed as the 'training destination of choice for elite players of all ages' — gather to prepare for the season ahead. Given the time of year, most participants were skating at half speed this morning. Some mistakes were apparent, like when Yakemchuk got caught on the wrong side of a one-on-two with another defender before being beaten by another opponent who cut into the middle of the offensive zone and scored. 'It's July 15,' said Seattle Kraken assistant Dave Lowry, one of the on-site coaches at the CRASH session. 'There's only so much you can give, right?' But there were brighter spots for Yakemchuk, like when he fought to clear a puck and retrieved it after it bounced off an opposing player. He then led an offensive rush of his own before going forehand to backhand on a goaltender. Yakemchuk also chased a forward from behind and swiped the puck away, putting it between his legs before once again going on the counterattack. It wasn't all flash and offence for the teenager, either: Yakemchuk practiced penalty kills where he used his body positioning and stick to block shooting lanes. 'We all know the offensive side of the game is natural for him,' Lowry said. 'In order for him to play in the National Hockey League, he's gonna have to defend. He's going to have to be a hard defender.' Yakemchuk turned heads during last year's preseason thanks to some solid performances and a highlight-reel goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, saying that he felt he could play at the NHL level. But his maturity, age and defensive abilities kept him from being Sens-ready, leading him to suit up for one final year of junior hockey. It meant working with Hitmen defensive assistant David Liffiton on his positioning and gap control, among other defensive attributes. Advertisement 'I think his defensive game's come a long way from two years ago,' Liffiton said, also on-site at the CRASH camp. 'Positioning, stick details, the way he closes in the corner. I actually think he's better defensively than guys give him credit for. Down low, killing plays, breaking plays with his stick and his long reach.' As a result, Yakemchuk's offensive numbers dipped. He scored 30 goals and 71 points in 66 games in 2023-24, only to fall to 17 goals and 49 points in 56 games this past season. Those weren't the only ups and downs through Yakemchuk's final WHL campaign: He was also among the many highly-touted prospects infamously left off Canada's World Juniors team last Christmas, leaving the Senators' front office surprised. An ankle injury temporarily slowed him in February, too. But he still helped the Hitmen make the playoffs and reach the second round. 'Point-wise, obviously, there was a bit of a drop-off,' Yakemchuk said. 'It was more (about) improving my game and getting ready to make the jump next season. So, overall, I think I played my best games in the playoffs. That's when it matters the most. I think that was, maybe, my best hockey.' Carter Yakemchuk finally scores in his team's first round series against Saskatoon in the WHL playoffs and it's a nice one. — Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) April 3, 2025 The Senators seem to like Yakemchuk's progression as well, feeling he's grown mentally and physically. 'You know, contrary to some people's beliefs, he played a better defensive game. I don't have a problem with Carter's game,' head scout Don Boyd said after this year's NHL Draft. 'He's got so many avenues and so many ways that he can play, you know, he's big, he's, you know, he can handle the puck. He's got deception. He can shoot the puck. He thinks the game offensively.' Advertisement Despite the decrease in numbers, the Sens do not doubt Yakemchuk's offensive ability and call his puck-handling abilities his 'biggest strength.' Hitmen defensive assistant David Liffiton described Yakemchuk's ability to fire the puck as an 'NHL shot' and praised his ability to help on a power play, whether from the blue line or the faceoff dot. During his draft season, Yakemchuk closely watched Evan Bouchard and the Edmonton Oilers defenceman's offensive game. But it's how those attributes translate to the professional level, in addition to whatever growth he shows at the defensive end, that will help make his case for a roster spot. 'We think he's more ready for that now than he was a year ago, but he's still a young guy, and learning defence in this league takes time,' Senators development coach Andrew Gordon said. 'So, we're not expecting him to be in the All-Star Game this year. But we just expect him to keep progressing. And when his time's right, we'll make sure he's in the right position.' Yakemchuk showed promise last season, and it'll be on him to duplicate that success. Especially considering the state of the team's depth chart on the right side, and the questions surrounding where the current roster's players should be slotted. Artem Zub spent most of last season as Jake Sanderson's partner on their top pairing. But with newly-acquired Jordan Spence in the fold, it's easy to wonder if Zub will stick in that top pairing spot or fall into the second pairing with Thomas Chabot. Nick Jensen is recovering from hip surgery, and while the team has been positive about his recovery, it remains to be seen how effective he'll be once he returns to the ice. And when he does, will he return to that second pairing or does he get bumped down to a third pairing assignment with Tyler Kleven? Nikolas Matinpalo filled in admirably when needed alongside Kleven, even in the playoffs, and when Team Finland's blueline was badly banged up entering the 4 Nations Face-Off, he earned a roster spot. But entering this season, Matinpalo could either be the team's No. 6 defenceman with Kleven or their No. 7, with limited offensive capability. The Senators have also brought back Lassi Thomson, a former first-round pick and right-shot defenceman, after achieving success in the Swedish Hockey League last season. If Yakemchuk goes above and beyond during training camp, he could give himself a chance. But otherwise, he could be destined for AHL Belleville. It shouldn't be seen as a punishment if he does. You can expect him to be under the watchful eyes of director of player personnel Sam Gagner and new Belleville GM Matt Turek, both of whom joined the organization this summer. Advertisement 'My background is scouting, player development and management,' Turek told The Athletic. 'I'll be able to kind of lean on that a little bit just working with the different people in Belleville, whether it's Sam (Gagner) or (BSens head coach David Bell), with the coaching staff and trying to get these players to another level.' All of those above questions need to be posed before Yakemchuk can be considered for NHL action. The Senators will watch closely and ask themselves constantly: 'Do we need him now?' 'That's the question,' Boyd said. 'Or is he better off served playing some time in the American League? Or is he ready to go now? 'You don't give him anything at this level. He's got to earn it.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
MLB trade deadline rumors: Latest news and updates from around baseball
Now just two days from Major League Baseball's trade deadline, the market held its collective breath on Monday when Eugenio Suárez was hit by a pitch on the hand and removed from Arizona's game. But X-rays came back negative on the Diamondbacks slugger, presumed to be the top bat available before Thursday's 6 p.m. deadline. The AL Central-leading Tigers added a pair of arms, making an in-division trade with the Minnesota Twins to add right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak. Detroit officially lost starter Reece Olson for the season with a shoulder injury earlier in the day Monday. Potential suitors will be keeping a close eye on Arizona for an injury update on Suárez, while the Orioles play a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays with some Baltimore players possibly making their last appearance for the team – including 41-year-old starter Charlie Morton. Follow along for the latest news and rumors on Tuesday: Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak traded to Twins The Tigers acquired right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins on Monday, July 28 — just three days before the MLB trade deadline, which is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Although Paddack becomes a free agent after 2025, Dobnak has team options for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Trading for Paddack was sparked by right-hander Reese Olson suffering a right shoulder strain. He has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, but there's still a chance he returns for the postseason. "It's really an unfortunate piece of news for Reese," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. "We really feel for him. But we are excited to strengthen our pitching before the trade deadline, and we're really excited to add Chris to the mix." – Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press Eugenio Suárez injury update USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale confirmed that Eugenio Suárez underwent X-rays, which came back negative. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Suárez's left hand and finger were "tender to the touch," according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen. Lovullo added that Suárez is day-to-day for now. "The good thing right now is we did the X-ray, and it was negative," Suárez said after the game. "We got more tests to do tomorrow. Right now, it's painful, obviously." Braves add Erick Fedde With all five members of their opening day rotation now on the injured list, the struggling Atlanta Braves have added a veteran starter. Erick Fedde, who was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals last week, fills the void in Atlanta's rotation after Grant Holmes hit the injured list with elbow inflammation. He joins fellow rotation mates Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez and A.J. Smith-Shawver on the 60-day IL. The Braves acquired Fedde (3-10, 5.22 ERA this season) in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Yankees trade Carlos Carrasco Dealing with the pitching-strapped Braves on Monday, the Yankees traded veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco to Atlanta. In announcing the trade prior to their Monday night series opener against the Rays at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees said they will receive cash considerations from the Braves. Carrasco, 38, had been in the rotation for the Yanks' Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate, posting a 3.27 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) with 38 strikeouts in 52⅓ innings. – Pete Caldera, This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline rumors, latest news and updates
Fast Company
8 hours ago
- Fast Company
Angel Reese's style secret is versatility
As a forward on the Chicago Sky, Angel Reese is one of the most dominant players in the WNBA, and when she joined us to speak about being named to our Best Dressed in Business, she'd just broken league records by closing her fourth consecutive game with 15+ rebounds. (When critics panned her for 'mebounding,' she trademarked it.) It all embodies how Reese's draft class did more than add fresh competition to the league when it arrived with a splash in 2024. It awakened the spectacle of the sport, celebrating the uniqueness of players who broke free from their uniforms with expressive, pregame tunnel walks—a critical piece in increasing sponsors 19% that year and viewership by 170%. 'A lot of the women already had the fashion, and I think the platform really helped them,' says Reese. 'I think coming to the league with all the eyes that we had, it really shined a light on them and gave them the flowers that they deserve.' Long before she joined the Met Gala host committee or had partnerships with Good American and Reebok (her signature Reese 1, inspired by diamonds, was announced this month), Reese earned the nickname Bayou Barbie for her glam perspective, even on the court, which was part of her game as long as she remembers. 'I always had my hair done, and my nails were painted,' she recalls. 'My grandma used to put mascara on my lashes, and she brushed my hair up nicely. It was always 'dress to impress.'' Reese's passion for fashion was spurred on through her mother's closet, from which she'd steal bags and heels, the latter of which felt tricky for her 6' 3' frame. 'I think it took me a while to feel confident in heels, going out, because I was already so tall,' she says. 'But once I got older and seeing how much I stood out, it made me feel, like, super confident and bold.' That boldness is a throughline of her 'fits—and perhaps the only one she cares much about. When I mention her silhouettes tend to embrace high waists and crop tops, she shrugs off any trends you might see, and insists she wants to have the opposite of any signature look. 'Sometimes I'll go streetwear. Sometimes I'll go super girly,' she says. 'I don't really identify myself as dressing one type of way. [Though] I am into high fashion for sure. So you probably see me with a nice bag, nice pair of glasses.' Describe your style in a sentence. I am versatile. What's the one piece in your closet you'll never get rid of? I think my bags. I've created a collection of bags, when I see it, I need it, I have it. I'm in collector mode, in my vintage era. I just got this double flap Chanel bag, it's orange, and I love it. How long does it take you to get dressed in the morning? If I'm only going to practice, it doesn't take me long. But when I'm getting ready for a game? An hour, for sure. What do you wear to a big meeting? I don't really have meetings [laughs]. Most of these things are on Zoom these days. I don't want to meet people or go to their office. What's the best piece of fashion advice you've ever gotten? Be confident in your skin. Law Roach kind of told me before, don't care what anybody else has to say. Like, as long as you're confident in it and you feel good in it. It's aura. You have to have aura.
