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The Boston Bruins continued their retooling by trading forward Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild on the eve of the NHL trade deadline.
The Wild sent centers Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, as well as a 2026 sixth-round draft pick (originally from Boston), to the Bruins in the trade.
Brazeau, 27, has 10 goals and 10 assists in 54 games this season for the Bruins. Known for his size (6-foot-6, 227 pounds) and play around the net, he averaged 12:58 in ice time per game this season. Brazeau is an unrestricted free agent after this season who makes just $775,000 against the salary cap.
The trade reunites Lauko, 24, with the Bruins, where be played two seasons before being traded to Minnesota in June 2024. Lauko was drafted 77th overall by Boston in the 2018 NHL Draft. He had 3 goals and 3 assists in 38 games with the Wild this season, battling both hip and groin injuries.
Khusnutdinov is in his second NHL season and had 2 goals and 5 assists in 47 games for the Wild, skating 11:14 per game. He had been recently reassigned to the AHL for cap-related reasons after the Wild acquired winger Gustav Nyquist from Nashville.
Both Lauko and Khusnutdinov are restricted free agents after the season.
The Bruins are expected to be sellers before Friday's NHL trade deadline, having already traded Trent Frederic and Max Jones to the Edmonton Oilers this week. All eyes are on captain Brad Marchand, who has been in negotiations on a new contract with Boston ahead of free agency this summer while the Bruins have been listening to trade offers for the star winger.
Panthers' Bobrovsky ties Esposito on NHL wins list
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers is making a strong case for his third Vezina Trophy, all while joining elite company among the best goaltenders in NHL history.
Bobrovksy made 16 saves Thursday night for his second shutout in four games and his fourth of the season in a 3-0 win over Columbus. This win was the 423rd of his career, moving the 36-year-old Bobrovsky into a tie with Tony Esposito for 10th on the NHL's career list. Better yet, the 14-year veteran got to that victory total in 742 career games -- 144 fewer than Esposito's 886.
"It seems like it's always another milestone for Bobby," Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. "We're extremely proud of him."
Bobrovsky will break that tie with his next victory. Then the Russian will trail Jacques Plante (437), Terry Sawchuk (445), Curtis Joseph (454), Henrik Lundqvist (459), Ed Belvour (484), Roberto Luongo (489), Patrick Roy (551), Marc-Andre Fleury (573) and the all-time leader Martin Brodeur's 691 wins over 1,266 games played.
Over his last three starts, Bobrovsky has three wins with two shutouts and only one goal allowed. He finished third in the Vezina voting last season and made up for that by helping the Panthers win their first Stanley Cup. He's now 9-2-0 with a .942 save percentage over his last 11 games.
Thursday's win was also Bobrovsky's 48th career shutout win, according to ESPN Research.
The Blue Jackets did what they could to pressure Bobrovsky by getting in front of him.
"I don't think we got enough action around him as far as making it difficult on him," Columbus center Boone Jenner said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
PRIMM, Nev. Cody Bradbury and Max Gordon posted the top times in Thursdays qualifying sessions for the OReilly Auto Parts Limited Race at the 2025 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400.
Gordon paced the UTV Pro Turbo entries with a 4:47.788, while Bradbury paced all classes with a 4:37.644 in his UTV Pro Open entry and will have the honor of starting Fridays Limited Race first.
Watch Friday and Saturdays Minto 400 action on SPEED SPORT 1.
For 2025, top classes competing in Fridays Limited Race were able to join their Unlimited counterparts in running time trials to set their starting spots for the Great American Off-Road Race. Limited qualifying was split into two groups, with the majority of the UTV Pro classes set for the first group and UTV Pro Open paired up with Class 10 in the second.
In the first group, Sara Price set the early quick time, becoming the first driver to break the five-minute barrier in her UTV Pro Stock entry. She held onto the top spot until Gordon threw down what would stick as the fastest time of the group. Only three other drivers in the first group would break the five-minute mark, as Mint 400 Limited Race overall winners like Dustin Jones and Joe Terrana would come within a few seconds of Gordon to rank second and third in the group in their UTV Pro entries.
In the second, the UTVs would prove dominant over their Class 10 counterparts. 15 drivers would break the five-minute barrier in the group, but all but oneKC Bellefontaine, whose 4:59.389 ranked 13th overallcame from the Pro Open class. The fastest time would change hands multiple times in the group, with Mitch Guthrie, Michael McFayden, and Brock Heger all hanging onto it at various times.
Finally, as the 24th of 26 UTVs on the start list, Bradbury would clear Heger by 1.143 seconds to take the top spot for good. The depth in the second group saw multiple past winners fail to turn top-five times, as names like Guthrie (4:48.506), defending winner Ronnie Anderson (4:49.270), and Branden Sims (4:55.229) would have to settle for the back half of the top 10.
Watch this years Mint 400 races LIVE on SPEED SPORT 1.
John Davison named Italy T20 coach amid World Cup push
Italy will take part in the European Regional Finals of the T20 World Cup qualifying pathway in the Netherlands from late June, which will provide two sides for the main tournament in early 2026. They will feature alongside Netherlands, Scotland, Guernsey and Jersey.
"I am excited and honoured to be appointed head coach of the Italian T20 men's program," Davison said. "I didn't take much convincing once I heard about the players and people involved.
"I have experienced the thrill of qualifying for World Cups as a player for Canada, and I look forward to repeating that thrill with a diverse and dedicated group of players and staff representing Italy."
Since retiring, he has been a spin-bowling coach and consultant, including with Australia, and he has worked extensively with the likes of Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann.
Alongside Burns, Ben and Harry Manenti have also represented Italy. It's understood that Tasmania pair Jake Doran and Tim Ward are in contention for the qualifiers through their Italian heritage, although they are still awaiting approval to play. Matthew Fotia, a former Victoria quick, and Jason Ralston, who featured for Australia Under-19s, are also in the mix.
"I am honoured to take on this role and represent Italy on the international stage," Burns said when named captain. "For me, it is a return to my family's roots. Italian cricket has enormous potential and I am excited to contribute to its growth. Together with my team-mates, we are working to achieve ambitious goals and make our fans proud."
Seahawks talking Metcalf deal with a 'ton of teams'
General manager John Schneider said Wednesday that the Seattle Seahawks are exploring several trade options with star receiver DK Metcalf, who requested to be dealt a day earlier.
"Everything is in a cordinal, professional place," Schneider told Seattle Sports 710-AM. "Obviously DK has requested a trade, and we are entertaining that. We are talking to a ton of teams, taking offers, seeing what that looks like."
Schneider didn't rule out the possibility that Metcalf, who is under contract through 2025, could play for the Seahawks next season. He made it clear that if the two-time Pro Bowl selection is dealt, it will be to the team that gives Seattle the best offer and not necessarily where he wants to go.
"The thing to understand here is that our responsibility to [owner] Jody Allen, the 12s, first and foremost is doing what's absolutely best for the organization A, and then B, what's best for the player," Schneider said. "Hopefully both those things merge and it's an ideal situation. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn't. Hopefully in this situation it does, and that would be great.
"But worst-case scenario, we have an amazing, explosive, powerful athlete playing receiver for us again in 2025. So we'll see where this goes."
The Seahawks and Metcalf have unsucesfully discussed an extension to the receiver's contract, which has one season and roughly $18 million remaining. Schneider was asked whether he's concerned about the possibility of Metcalf's attitude becoming a problem if he's forced to play out the final year of his deal in Seattle.
"No, I think DK's a very good communicator," Schneider said. "He's a guy that understands the business. He's a buisnessman himself. I think he understands that we're going to head down this road. He understands that we're going to do what's best for the organization, and that if things don't fall the way he may want, that there's a good chance he could end up being here.
"And at that point, we all turn the corner and move forward. So that's the way it works. Through this whole process, he's been extremely professional and respectful."
The Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams the Seahawks have talked to about a possible Metcalf trade, a souce told ESPN. If Seattle does deal Metcalf, Schneider pointed to the draft as a deadline.
"You definitely want to know what's going on before draft time," he said. "Because he's such an important part of our team, the organization, the offensive philosphly that these guys want to move forward with on our new coaching staff, we want to know how we're going to compensate for his loss if he's not with us."
Schneider confirmed, as ESPN reported, that the Seahawks were upset that news of Metcalf's trade request was leaked on the same day they announced the release of fellow receiver Tyler Lockett. The organization had planned for Wednesday to be a celebration fo Lockett's 10-year run in Seattle.
"Probably not intentional, but very disappointed in the timing," he said. "We wanted this to be a very special day. We wanted it to be Tyler Lockett day ... I felt bad for Tyler. The TV's all about DK instead of Tyler Lockett. It kind of correlates with his whole career. Thus guy is one of the most underrated wide receivers in NFL history."
But Schneider was largely complimentary of Metcalf, praising his work ethic as well as his business acumen.
"He's a great worker, he's a pro, he shows up all the time, it's just really important to him," Schneider said. "And I get where he's coming from to a certain extent. He's 27 years old, he has very high expectations for himself and he should. So there's no harm, no foul. We'll get through this."
Schneider also confirmed that linebacker Ernest Jones IV, the Seahawks' top free agent, has a cleanup procedure on his knee after the season, describing it as "not much of a big deal." He said Jones has been working out at the team's facility.
"He's here getting ready," Schneider said. "We continue to have conversations with his representatives, and hopefully we can knock this out pretty soon."
Vlad Jr. reveals sub-$600M ask in Blue Jays talks
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has disclosed that the latest contract extension proposal his representatives presented to the team was significantly lower than Juan Soto's deal with the New York Mets, falling short of $600 million.
Negotiations between Guerrero and the Blue Jays to secure a contract extension before the start of spring training were unsuccessful, setting the stage for the 25-year-old to enter free agency in November.
In an interview with ESPN's Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez, Guerrero clarified the details of the negotiation process and refuted claims that his salary expectations were comparable to the 15-year, $765 million contract the Mets awarded Soto during the offseason.
"It's much less than Soto. We're talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. ... It was the same number of years [as Soto's contract], but it didn't reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn't reach 600," Guerrero said.
"I know the business. I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years ... I'm looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way."
Following the breakdown in negotiations, Guerrero emphasized his commitment to focusing on the upcoming season, the final year of his current contract with the Blue Jays.
"There was an exchange [of salary figures]. The meetings lasted until the last day of the deadline but they [the Blue Jays and Guerrero's agents] couldn't reach an agreement on the numbers. But as I've always said, just because we couldn't reach an agreement, I'm not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working," he added.
In the current spring training, Guerrero is batting a .412 average with a 1.121 OPS, one home run and three RBIs in seven games.
Information from ESPN's Jeff Passan, Enrique Rojas and Juan Recio was used in this report.
Kruseman Named Director Of USACs West Coast Operations
SPEEDWAY, Ind. Cory Kruseman has been named the Director of USAC West Coast operations, taking on a pivotal role in overseeing all of the United States Auto Clubs racing endeavors throughout the western United States in addition to handling special projects.
Kruseman, a native of Ventura, Calif., brings decades of experience in the sport. As a driver, his decorated career resulted in him being a 2023 inductee into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
As a car owner, he operates a sprint car driving school and his own team has won numerous events on the west coast.
With his wealth of experience in several facets of the sport, Kruseman is poised to bring his perspective to his new role and make a significant impact on the future of USAC on the west coast, emphasizing his desire to bridge the gap between racers, racetracks, sponsors and the sport itself.
I just want to be somebody who can help bring everyone together and figure out what its going to take to help the sport thrive into the future, Kruseman explained. Theres a lot of competition out here on the west coast, and I think this is the right time to do everything we can to keep auto racing flourishing.
Krusemans career behind the wheel includes such accolades as the 1999 Non-Wing World Sprint Car Champion, 2000 and 2004 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals victories, 2002 and 2005 USAC Indiana Sprint Week titles, the 2006 USAC CRA Sprint Car crown as well as the 2011 USAC Western States Midget championship, in addition to winning more than 100 sprint car features between SCRA, USAC CRA and USACs national series. For Kruseman, this new role feels like a natural next step.
Growing up with a dream to make a living in racing by becoming a driver, and eventually a team owner for so many years and being able to fulfill that dream, I want the next generation to have the same opportunities I had, Kruseman said.
Kruseman believes its critical to support those coming up through the ranks, especially as the economic landscape of racing continues to evolve.
When people come through the driving school, there are a lot of new ideas and marketing strategies that Ive seen and heard that I can hopefully help apply, Kruseman stated. I feel like if I dont give it my all to help the sport that allowed me to live my life as well I was able to, it might not be here in 10-15 years for the next generation of racers to follow that same career path.
Among Krusemans first priorities is to meet and connect with the people who make the sport what it is.
I want to get in and meet the promoters and racers and just kind of get back on the front line, Kruseman explained. I want to see how I can help facilitate things, and I want them all to know that Im here to help the sport.
DETROIT -- Carter Mazur's NHL debut lasted just two shifts.
The 22-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward suffered an upper-body injury in the first period against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday night.
Mazur was called up from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins earlier in the day. The Jackson, Michigan, native was Detroit's third-round selection in the 2021 NHL draft.
He had 15 points in 20 games with the Griffins this season, including 11 in his last 11 AHL games. Mazur was sidelined from Oct. 19 to Jan. 18 with an upper-body injury.
He had a large contingent of family and friends on hand at Little Caesars Arena to cheer him on in his NHL debut, and tossed a puck over the boards to his mother prior to the contest.
Detroit waived veteran forward Christian Fischer to make room for Mazur, who skated a total of 1:10 on the fourth line with Tyler Motte and Jonatan Berggren.
"Growing up a Red Wings fan, seeing how much they've won and how the fans love the playoffs, it's something that I hope I can be part of," Mazur said after the team's morning skate. "I hope to help them get in the right direction. I know they're moving in the right direction, so it's pretty awesome to join a team in this push right now."
In situations like this, it's fun to look into the crystal ball and have an (educated) guess at those that could come into the frame. For the purpose of this exercise, here's six names who were not part of the Champions Trophy squad - so therefore doesn't include the likes of Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tanveer Sangha and Spencer Johnson - that could be in the mix for the next generation of Australia's ODI side.
It's certainly not pulling a rabbit out of a hat to include Green's name here. He would have been part of the Champions Trophy squad had it not been for the back injury that required surgery in October. But he shapes as a pivotal figure heading into 2027 because, like with the Test side, of the balance he can bring. He may be the ideal replacement for Smith at No. 3 given he is a frontline batter who has different gears. Last season he twice batted No. 3 against West Indies and was then at No. 4 in England before his injury. With Stoinis retired and Mitchell Marsh's future uncertain, Green's pace bowling will also be important although there may be a need to manage his workload.
Given the number of absentees from the pace attack, Bartlett was unlucky not to be a replacement for the Champions Trophy. In two ODIs against West Indies last year he took eight wickets but has not played since with injury ruling him out of the England series in September then a carefully managed return through the T20Is against Pakistan. It is uncertain whether both Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will reach the next World Cup, but conditions in southern Africa could be ideal for someone who can gain sharp movement with the new ball.
Given how much Morris has been talked about over the last few years, it will be an incredible frustration to him that his international career has so far been limited to three ODIs as he nurses his way through various back problems and other injuries. When on song, no one is quicker in Australian cricket. Someone with his skillset could be a real X-factor on some of the faster South Africa pitches that may be offered up in 2027 but, with Test cricket also an ambition, it could come down to what his body will allow.
Djokovic healthy despite 'awkward' viral video
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Novak Djokovic said ahead of the BNP Paribas Open that he is healthy and the viral video of him hobbling into the airport following last month's tournament in Doha was unrelated to the hamstring injury that forced him to retire from his Australian Open semifinal match in January.
"It was really, yeah, awkward to see that video, because I arrived to the airport and I hit myself really badly as I was walking out, because it was very early, I think, 4 or 5 a.m. I was just limping because I hit myself badly in the ankle," Djokovic, the tournament's No. 6 seed, said. "That's all. It was just a hit. It was nothing else. But then people connected it to the injury and thought it was something escalating and coming back.
"But anyway, I'm feeling good. I really look forward coming to Indian Wells and Miami this year. I'll play the Sunshine Double first time after, I think, six years."
Djokovic, 37, lost in his first-round match in Doha to Matteo Berrettini and drew concern after the airport video appeared on social media. He has not played since. Following a first-round bye, he is slated to open play in Indian Wells on Saturday against the winner of Thursday's match between Botic van de Zandschulp and Nick Kyrgios, who Djokovic defeated in the 2022 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic is a five-time champion at the BNP Paribas Open, most recently in 2016, and is in search of his 100th ATP title. He would become just the third man to do so, joining Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. While he won Olympic gold in Paris last summer, the Serbian star has not won a tour title since 2023 and has openly struggled with motivation at times -- but said he was excited to play the Sunshine Double events in the United States this month.
"Other than Slams, [there are] few tournaments that really give me inspiration when I wake up in the morning and think about where I want to do well," Djokovic said. "Indian Wells and Miami are definitely at the top of that list."
He added he was excited to have former rival-turned-coach Andy Murray by his side for both events and said the two will speak after Miami and ensure they want to continue working together.
"I was very glad when he decided to keep going, Indian Wells, Miami, and yeah, most of the clay-court season," Djokovic said. "... I think the plan is to go all the way till the end of Roland Garros, I think, and yeah, hopefully Wimbledon, as well."
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