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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penguins Development Camp Analysis: The Winners & Nice Surprises
CRANBERRY — The third of the Penguins' three first-round picks, Will Horcoff, had a few goals over three games, but his team was winless. Top first-rounder Ben Kindel had none and took a few games to find some rhythm, while the middle of the three picks, Bill Zonnon, wore a winning smile after his Team Stevens was undefeated in three games. Zonnon performed quite well en route to the hallowed if entirely forgettable, Development Cup Championship. Indeed, Team Stevens was light on immediate prospects and heavier on players fighting to earn contracts and exposure in the camp. Zonnon, defenseman Emil Pieniniemi, and a couple of the older college prospects from Western Michigan, Iiro Hakkarainen and Joona Vaisanen (2024 sixth-round pick), were the team tent poles. Zonnon converted a beauty of a give-and-go in the first game, but it was his strength on the puck that shone brightly. The prospects were not able to take it from him, nor did he lose many puck battles. He also shed several defenders who attempted to stop the play on the wall–skating through them and continuing forward. The games were 4v4 with one 25-minute period, including a running clock until the final two minutes. As one might expect, with no practice time as a team, the games were The Winners The 6-foot-3, 190-pound 24th overall pick from the QMJHL has yet to fill out, but it's not hard to picture him in an NHL sweater playing a fast, tough game very soon. He was smart in the defensive zone; he carried the puck with purpose and aggression and asserted himself at every opportunity. 'There were games and sequences where he really stood out and wanted the puck,' Kostopoulos said. 'He was available for the puck. He made plays happen. He was transferred up the ice on a few occasions. And then we got one goal, maybe a couple there. It was nice to see.' A few goals with power moves. He also flashed his power-forward potential. He was the biggest reach of the first round, but he also showed quite well, especially on Sunday and Monday, when things got competitive. Horcoff will go to the University of Michigan this season and will not attend the Rookie Camp or Training Camp, which is a bit of a shame, but it's not hard to picture him turning pro next spring. He played a power game, was tough on the wall, and played to his strengths. Horcoff does it again… 1v2. No goal this time. The initial impressions and returns indicate the Penguins' scouting staff, led by Wes Clark, has a chance for this to be an 'I told you so' moment. Kostopoulos also praised Vaisenen after getting his first look at the 20-year-old right-handed defenseman prospect. Indeed, he was impactful–his skating was good, he read the plays well and jumped into the play as appropriate. Vaisanen needs to add a little more weight, but he, too, looks closer to ready for the pro ranks. At 6-foot, 176 pounds, he'll probably return to Western Michigan, but next year will be his year. The Finnish defenseman who polarized scouts before his 2023 third-round selection showed significantly better than in previous camps and opportunities. He read plays in the defensive zone and jumped into the play in the offensive zone. It's premature to fit him for an NHL sweater just yet, but the 20-year-old D-man who played last season for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL obviously took a step forward. He has a few more steps to take before he's an NHL defenseman, but it was a stark improvement over last year. Right now, I'd put the 6-foot-3, 180-pound blue liner in the class with the recently traded Isaac Belliveau–good enough for the AHL but very good in the ECHL with a chance to keep improving. Surprises Every year, Pittsburgh Hockey Now asks Kostopoulos if any players surprised him. Until this year, the Penguins' director of player development somewhat dodged the question with praise for a lot of players. However, this year, Kostopoulos first mentioned Huglen as a 24-year-old college player who needs a pro contract. 'Aaron Huglen stood out. He's a guy that I would say I didn't know a ton about coming into this, and our scouts liked him. I've only seen him on video and chatted with him a few times, but I thought he made a good impression and played really well on the ice,' Kostopoulos said. Get ready, WBS. Oh boy, get ready, WBS. The Penguins may need to station Boko Imama in Wilkes-Barre to protect Budnick, who is an agitator. He was under the opponents' skin Monday and got some hard shoves and sticks directed his way. He's an overage juniors player from Guelph and signed an AHL contract Sunday. He's going to keep things spicy. It seemed many of the plays for Team White involved Hanson in some way. The 5-foot-9 right-handed defenseman is attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, and it's worth keeping an eye on him. He skates with the puck well, has vision, and he looked quite good all day. His strength is on the rush and pushing the play, which he did without hesitation. He's an undrafted player who could sign anywhere, and the Penguins might do well to offer him a contract now or promise him one in the spring to build some loyalty. He might be too small for the NHL, or he might now. He had a spark. The Penguins 2025 fifth-round pick looked spunky. He ripped a solid goal in the championship and was all over the ice. He didn't waste his chance to shine. The Portland Winterhawks center put himself on the map over the last several days. He's not a threat to make the NHL roster this fall, but a good Rookie Camp and a good season in the WHL should open a few more eyes. Shake It Off Kindel was pretty good Sunday in the short ice drills, but at 4v4 in the full ice Monday, he struggled. Mightily. He tried to dance with the puck, but more often, opponents were able to catch him, and they were able to take the puck away. He didn't have a goal against a goalie Monday (he may have scored an empty netter). He couldn't create time or space, though he broke through late in the championship game with a couple of long rushes. Until that point, his puck time was more frustrating than productive. Kostopoulos noted the necessary improvements. 'You see the hockey sense. You see the playmaking ability … and then the skating. I think there's a ton of room for growth and improvement (in the skating),' said Kostopoulos. 'So he's a very young kid. We're excited that he's here. I really enjoyed meeting him, working with him, and getting to know him. He's been really inquisitive, asking questions and wanting to learn. I think being here in this environment has been a bit eye-opening for him, just to see all the players and how hard everyone works. So it's been a really good trip for him, and then it's exciting to see that there's room for growth and strength…' There's a lot between the lines there. Take it as you will. He's big. He's quick. And he made some pretty saves. However, he has a lot of work to do, too. His angles were rough–really rough. Some of the good saves he made could have been easier stops if he were on the proper angle, but he seems to overplay the angle/shot, leaving a lot of net. He wasn't torched Monday, but better players would have rung up a big number. The Pens Elite product could have been better. He was not bad. But he wasn't good, either. He was too conservative and did not join the play enough, sometimes leaving his team shorthanded. It was hard to get a read on his game because he blended into the scenery while others made an impact. The post Penguins Development Camp Analysis: The Winners & Nice Surprises appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kalif Raymond on new Lions OC John Morton: 'He expects us to be crafty'
Kalif Raymond came to Detroit five years ago as a young player hoping to establish himself in a bigger and better role after a few seasons of being a deep reserve on other squads. The diminutive receiver accomplished that goal, starting 14 games in the first year of the Dan Campbell era with the Lions and catching almost triple the amount of passes that season (48) than he had in his first four (19). Now, Raymond is a valuable reserve wideout as well as an All-Pro punt returner. Raymond, who turns 31 in a couple of weeks, is also an invaluable leadership presence in the locker room and Detroit's practice field. After Sunday's first practice session, Raymond graciously granted select reporters a few minutes. The focus of the conversation, after a lengthy laugh about luxury sunglasses, was on the new coaching in the wide receiver room. Detroit has a new offensive coordinator in John Morton, who replaces now-Bears head coach Ben Johnson. "Very intense, very passionate," Raymond said of his first impression of Morton as the coordinator. The attention to detail that Morton demands stood out to Raymond. "Detail, but also when he's explaining what we're doing (as WRs) he doesn't pass over the craftiness," Raymond said of Morton. "(Morton says) I don't want guys to just be robots or lines on paper. He understands the ins and outs of playing receiver ... he's expecting us to be crafty." That's a divergence from how Johnson approached the receivers. He often micromanaged the timing and spacing details, demanding more conformity than what Morton--who played wideout at Western Michigan and in the CFL before turning to coaching--has asked from the WR room. Raymond also noted that Morton is giving him and the other receivers "plenty of room to carve out their niche" in the offense. There has also been a change at the wide receivers coach. Scottie Montgomery moved over from his long-time RB coach role to replace Antwan Randle-El, who joined Johnson in Chicago. Raymond already had a lot of respect for Montgomery, and that's quickly growing. "Man, the level of detail is phenomenal. Just the focus on the little stuff we do," an upbeat Raymond said of Montgomery. "When I go out there I know exactly what I'm doing. I know how to do it, what the expectations are. I might know today (assignment/expectations) two days ago." Raymond added that the running backs told him Montgomery would be incredibly well-prepared, and that's proven true already.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kipp Popert three-peats at U.S. Adaptive Open, while Kim Moore wins for a second time
England's Kipp Popert made history with a third consecutive U.S. Adaptive Open victory, trouncing the field by 12 strokes at Woodmont Country Club. Popert becomes only the fourth male to win a USGA championship three years in a row and the first since Tiger Woods won a third U.S. Amateur in 1996. Born 10 weeks early and later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, 26-year-old Popert carded a championship record 11-under 61 in the first round and never looked back, adding rounds of 66 and 65 to get to 24 under. In January, the Englishman underwent a toe fusion surgery that took longer than expected to heal. He was unable to play more than four holes of a practice round earlier in the week. "Extremely grateful for my dad," said Popert. "Many of you know, he's a doctor. He's come out the last couple U.S. Opens. Obviously my foot was sore and it really helped, you know, double-dosing and doing everything we could to keep the foot going." Simon Lee and Lachlan Wood took a share of second at 12 under. Popert, the No. 1-ranked disability golfer, will next take part in final qualifying on July 14 for a chance to compete in the U.S. Amateur this August at The Olympic Club. Kim Moore wins women's division at 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open In the women's division, Kim Moore won for a second time and the first since 2022, defeating Bailey Bish and Amanda Cunha by three strokes. Moore closed with a 75 on Wednesday and praised the championship for adding live television coverage this year for the first time, broadcasting the final round on Golf Channel. Moore, 44, was born without a right foot, a severely clubbed left foot and a slight case of spina bifida. "It's just awesome that we were able to get the live coverage this year," said Moore, head coach at Western Michigan. "I think we should be getting live coverage for all the rounds. I know it's going to be something that people would watch." A total of 96 players representing eight impairment categories competed on Woodmont's South course in Rockville, Maryland. While Popert and Moore won the overall titles, each category featured an individual winner, including Max Togisala of Utah, who won the seated division, for a third straight time, by 23 strokes. The 21-year-old – who was set to play college golf before he was paralyzed in a ski accident in February 2022 – had to re-learn the game after his accident from a seated position. "This is a great time for us to shine our light," said Togisala, who rolled in an eagle putt on the 18th to finish off his closing 71 in style.
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs OL shouldn't be counted out for a potential starting role
The results of Super Bowl LIX are fresh in the minds of all the Kansas City Chiefs players involved, especially on the offensive line. Mike Caliendo stepped into a starter's role following the position change of Joe Thuney late last season and could see a redemption season in 2025 after a promising offseason. "He's (Mike Caliendo) had a great one. (He's) a great kid – very, very smart. (He's) a hard worker, (and) he's gotten better every year," said head coach Andy Reid during his minicamp press conference, "For him to step in and do what he did this past year, he knows he can play at this level. We saw how (Commanders G Nick) Allegretti did it, and I'd tell you that he's doing the same. He looks like the building blocks are kind of the same there." Caliendo has been complimentary of projected starter Kingsley Suamataia throughout OTAs, as he will be competing for playing time in training camp alongside many other position groups. "We talk to them about strengths and weaknesses and where we would like – these are the things we really need to work on, so we can add that into your game and into the repertoire of your actual game day and how you play." said Reid "You have to practice those things and do it fast and make it to where it's just second nature for you. So yeah, we talk about those types of things. Then, obviously, I think everybody right now is sitting there going, 'Yeah, you want to win the Super Bowl. That's what you want to do.' We're right there; that's our primary goal, to put ourselves in the best position we can to win." Caliendo was an undrafted free agent signed out of Western Michigan by the Chiefs in 2022. The comparison to former Chiefs offensive lineman and current Commanders starter Nick Allegretti is a hopeful one to build on as the team heads into training camp.
Reuters
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Avalanche sign forwards Matthew Stienburg, Jason Polin
June 20 - The Colorado Avalanche announced one-year deals with forwards Matthew Stienburg and Jason Polin on Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed. Stienburg, 24, missed most of the 2024-25 season with an upper-body injury sustained in November. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 16 and recorded no points and 22 penalty minutes in eight games with Colorado. Colorado drafted Stienburg in the third round in 2019. Polin, 26, made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and has collected one goal and two penalty minutes in nine games over the past two season for the Avs. Polin was undrafted after playing collegiately at Western Michigan from 2019-23. --Field Level Media
