I Dig Sports
Cubs acquire lefty Cosgrove from Padres for cash
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove from the San Diego Padres on Thursday for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa.
The 28-year-old Cosgrove was 1-0 with a 7.36 ERA in four appearances with Triple-A El Paso this season. He is 1-3 with a 3.95 ERA and one save in 72 major league relief appearances since making his debut in 2023.
Cosgrove appeared in 18 games for the Padres last season and was 0-1 with a 11.66 ERA. He pitched in 54 games in 2023, and his 1.75 ERA and .173 opponent batting average led all qualified major league rookie relievers.
The Cubs also designated right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian for assignment. Kilian is 0-4 with a 9.22 ERA in eight career major league games since debuting in 2022.
Juan Soto wanted Pete Alonso back on the Mets -- and he was right
NEW YORK -- Juan Soto had several questions for the New York Mets during his free agent negotiations this past winter. One was about their lineup construction.
Soto had just spent the 2024 season in the Bronx as half of a historically productive duo who drew constant comparisons to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. He and Aaron Judge, the American League MVP, were a strenuous puzzle to solve in the New York Yankees' lineup. The left-handed Soto hit second. The right-handed Judge batted third. They protected each other and pulverized pitchers. Leaving the Yankees would mean leaving Judge.
"That was one of the essential parts of the discussion," Soto told ESPN in Spanish on Tuesday. "Who was going to bat behind me?"
The answer seemed clear. Pete Alonso remained a free agent. The first baseman is homegrown and adored in Queens. More importantly, for lineup construction purposes, he's a right-handed slugger. He isn't on Judge's level -- who is? -- but he ranks right behind Judge in home runs since debuting in 2019. He was an obvious complement to Soto.
"I told them the best option was him," Soto said.
By late January, Alonso's return still appeared unlikely. Mets owner Steve Cohen, during a fan event at Citi Field, called the negotiation "exhausting" and "worse" than the Soto pursuit. He left the door open, but much to the chagrin of Mets fans in the crowd that day, he also said the organization was ready to move on from the four-time All-Star.
Less than two weeks later, just days before spring training, the sides came to an agreement on a two-year contract with an opt-out after this season. The 30-year-old Alonso went from seemingly in the Mets' past to protecting the franchise's $765 million investment. Two months into the partnership, the early returns of the 2025 season support Soto's opinion. The best example came in Tuesday's win over the Miami Marlins.
The Mets, leading 6-5, had runners on the corners with one out in the sixth inning for Soto. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough brought in right-hander Ronny Henriquez -- and, despite the runner on first, made the unusual decision to intentionally walk Soto. That loaded the bases for Alonso and created an inning-ending double-play opportunity with a righty-righty matchup -- though McCullough made another unusual call by pulling in the infield and the outfield. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he wasn't surprised by the Marlins' decision to walk Soto.
"I think it gets to a point where it's pick your poison there," Mendoza said.
Two pitches later, Alonso cracked a 93-mph sinker into the left-center field gap for a bases-clearing triple, blowing the game open on a cold, blustery afternoon in Queens.
It was Alonso's second double of the day -- his first, a Texas Leaguer to right field in the third inning, drove in the Mets' first two runs. Alonso has served as the offense's engine in the three hole, behind leadoff man Francisco Lindor and Soto, batting .333 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and a 1.139 OPS through the club's first 12 games.
"It seems like teams are trying to not get beat with Soto," Mendoza said. "And then, before you know it, they're making mistakes with Pete, and he's been ready to go and making them pay."
Alonso is looking to reverse a three-year decline in offensive production, making better swing decisions after the worst offensive campaign of his career in 2024. It's early, but so far Alonso is laying off pitches outside the strike zone more often. He's barreling pitches over the plate at a higher percentage. He's crushing pitches the other way -- in the Mets' home opener Friday, he clubbed a 95-mph fastball from Kevin Gausman down and out of the strike zone for a two-run home run to right field.
Hitting behind Soto, who has a .404 on-base percentage as a Met, has made his work a little easier.
"He's such a pro," Alonso said of Soto. "Obviously, we know he has power, he has the hit tool. He can hit for average. Super dynamic player offensively. But the thing that I really benefit from is just seeing -- because he sees a ton of pitches and just kind of seeing what they're doing to him, obviously, it really helps because they're trying to stay away from the middle of the zone with him and I can kind of take some mental notes with that."
With more pitches to Soto, the game's most disciplined hitter, comes more strain for pitchers. With more runners on base, comes more pitches -- and fastballs -- over the plate for Alonso to devour. It is a formula Soto envisioned over the winter. Whether it extends beyond this season remains unknown.
There's no question he is popular with fans. During the Mets' home opener Friday, Citi Field roared for Alonso during pregame introductions. The fans did so again when he stepped into the batter's box for his first at-bat. And then once more, moments later, when he emerged from the dugout for a curtain call after hitting a two-run home run.
This week, one option for replacing Alonso was taken off the board when first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a 14-year, $500 million contract extension. Guerrero's contract should help Alonso's earning potential if he chooses, as expected, to opt out of his contract and hit free agency again this winter.
For now, in his seventh season, Alonso is thriving as the Mets' first baseman, hitting behind his team's most valuable player.
"That's why you want [protection] like that," Soto said. "First of all, to have the chance to do more damage and stuff. But whenever they don't want to pitch me, I know I have a guy behind me that could make it even worse for them."
Ireland will take on Scotland and Canada in Tests in early August as part of their preparations for the Women's World Cup which will begin later that month.
Scott Bemand's Ireland side will face Scotland in the opening World Cup warm-up game at Virgin Media Park in Cork on 2 August before a contest against Canada at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on 9 August.
Canada, who defeated Ireland at last autumn's WXV 1 tournament in Vancouver a week after the Irish had shocked world champions New Zealand, are second in World Rugby's rankings behind England.
Ireland will open their World Cup campaign by facing Japan in Northampton on 24 August before further group games against Spain and New Zealand on 31 August and 7 September.
Bemand's Ireland squad will link up in June to begin an extended training stint.
"We are delighted to confirm our two warm-up fixtures against quality opposition in the build up to Women's Rugby World Cup," said the Ireland head coach.
"Our pre-season block that will run throughout June and July in Dublin will be designed to test and prepare the extended squad, ensuring we are in the best possible shape for the tournament ahead and getting the opportunity for valuable match minutes and exposure is vitally important."
Ireland have made three changes from the thumping win over Italy for Saturday's Women's Six Nations game against champions England in Cork.
With captain Edel McMahon ruled out by injury, Ulster's Brittany Hogan returns to the back row with Dorothy Wall also recalled to the pack and Emily Lane drafted in at scrum-half.
Wall, who started in the opening defeat by France, returns to the second row after coming off the bench in Parma as Ruth Campbell drops to the replacements.
Aoibheann Reilly produced an impressive scrum-half display against Italy but has to be content with a place on the bench as Lane is recalled after starting against France.
McMahon's absence means that wing Amee-Leigh Costigan will captain the side.
Enya Breen's unavailability because of injury results in Vicky Elmes Kinlan being drafted into the replacements.
Ireland's back three is unchanged with Anna McGann named at wing after scoring a hat-trick of tries in Parma.
Ireland suffered a record 88-10 Six Nations defeat by England in last year's championship but head coach Scott Bemand said earlier this week that his side are now a considerably "better team".
Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan (capt); O'Brien, Lane; O'Dowd, Jones, Djougang; Tuite, Wall; Hogan, King, Wafer.
Replacements: Moloney, McCarthy, Haney, Campbell, Moore, Reilly, Fowles, Elmes Kinlan.
LONG BEACH, Calif. The Saturday sports car showcase at Long Beach often serves as a highlight of both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season and the full Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.
For a race that is the shortest on the WeatherTech Championship calendar at just 100 minutes, a shifted vibe and approach pushes the focus level to a hyper-targeted effort.
Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy have won the first two Grand Touring Prototype races of 2025 in their No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963. Both are past Long Beach winners, with Nasrs first and thus far only triumph coming in 2021 in the Action Express Racing-prepared Whelen Cadillac DPi-V.R. Tandy co-drove to the first Porsche 963 global victory at Long Beach in 2023, sharing with Mathieu Jaminet.
Nasr described from the drivers seat what may not entirely translate about just how hard to push between the concrete walls of the 1.968-mile, 11-turn street course.
I just love this style of racing bringing the GTP cars to Long Beach and extracting the maximum of the car in a track like that. Its a real challenge, he explained.
You have to be patient with yourself, and the track might not be ready to give you the grip yet, or the car. The track evolves so much that its hard for yourself to say what you did right or wrong. You have to be patient in what you change and how you evolve during the session.
Of course, theres a commitment level as the weekend goes beyond practice into racing, you start getting closer to the walls, braking later. Thats the fascinating part of street racing. For us drivers, you start getting closer to the walls, closer to the limit, its a great feeling behind the wheel.
Two-time and defending GTP winner Renger van der Zande comes to Long Beach with the races title sponsor, Acura, for the first time. Now sharing the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06 with Nick Yelloly, the Dutchman added to Nasrs thoughts about why he likes Long Beach so much.
Theres a lot of pressure for sure and I like pressure, van der Zande said before heading to a simulator session in Indianapolis ahead of this weekends race. Thats good and obviously the discussion here at Honda is about how short of a window it is to really find the right decision moments.
Its really a cooperation; its not just Im Renger, I won it twice, so I know what to do. Its every year is different again. Theres so much to think about and the homework theyve been doing is incredible and I just tried to support it with the experience I have.
Cadillac has enjoyed a wealth of Long Beach success, with six overall IMSA top-class prototype wins since 2017. Ricky Taylor won the first of those six with brother Jordan in 2017 and seeks a return to the top in the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R hell share this year with Filipe Albuquerque.
It is always exciting to get into the sprint race part of the season where we can really get back into the rhythm of IMSA racing, said the elder Taylor brother. Its always a bit of a shock to the system to transition to every lap really counting, but I think all of our drivers really enjoy that. We really have to be on our game and make every session count.
With Grand Touring Daytona Pro absent, the GTD class gets the spotlight as the only IMSA GT class competing in Long Beach. For drivers and teams, the event serves as a highlight of the season.
Elliott Skeer, co-driver of the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R with Adam Adelson, enjoys his first of two California-type home races Long Beach, although this one is closer than WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey.
Skeer lives in San Diego and Adelson in Los Angeles, so the camaraderie of the event and the memories established stand out. Both look to atone from a challenging 2024 Long Beach race where the car retired after just eight laps due to contact.
(Long Beach) is even closer for Adam than me, so its surprising to find someone closer, Skeer laughed.
Its the friends, family, environment, the one race we can get everyone to. Hopefully I get to race it this time. Last years race didnt go to plan.
Its not a track you can do on a track day. You have to be in this event to race here. Ive been going since 2006 as a fan I think, religiously. I remember watching Pat Long and the (Flying) Lizards religiously.
Now to be driving around the fountain in a Porsche is an incredible thing. We have a good pit stall with the points were in. We can execute the one pit stop and try to start the Adam era of Wright strongly.
For former junior open-wheel-racer-turned-IMSA-winner Parker Thompson, the visibility change moving from a smaller open-wheel car to a heavier GT beast from Lexus marks a fascinating visual shift on a street course.
You just dont realize how much room there is on the passenger side when you sit offset, said Thompson, who won at Long Beach last year with Ben Barnicoat and shares the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3 with Jack Hawksworth. So, throughout my career growing up, when I race on a street course, you had easy visibility of both the left and right front wheels.
The Lexus, because it is one of the larger, wider GT cars, youre basically guessing where that right-front is at all times. Especially Turn 8 at Long Beach is one of those turns where in qualifying, youre like, Oh, am I gonna hit it? Is it close? So, it is just kind of a guessing game. Thats the biggest difference is the offset.
SALINA, Okla. A break of over two months comes to an end for the American Sprint Car Series National Tour as the stars of the national 360 Sprint Car series take on Salina Highbanks Speedway on April 12.
The season opener at Volusia Speedway Park helped kick off the 2025 campaign back in January, putting many brand-new eyes on ASCS racing. The action resumes back in the ASCS homeland of Oklahoma with a $4,000 grand prize on the line for the winner of the main event, which will be co-sanctioned by the ASCS Sooner Region and count for points in both series championship standings.
MEET THE FAMILY
Seventeen drivers are on the full-time roster, ready to take on each of the 33 remaining events. The list includes four past champions, seven returning drivers from the 2024 roster, four rookie-of-the-year contenders, one regional ASCS champion and one past National Tour regular.
Defending champion Seth Bergman made the list of 15 different points championship winners in National Tour history last November after clinching the 2024 title. He rejoins the roster with fellow champions Sam Hafertepe Jr., Jason Martin, and Blake Hahn, who is chasing the championship for the first time in three years. These drivers combined for 21 feature wins on the Tour last season.
Oklahoma racer Matt Covington leads the charge for the returning drivers from the 2024 roster, now in his 13th full-time season chasing his first Tour championship. He joins Zach Blurton, Landon Britt, Terry Easum, Kyler Johnson, Austyn Gossel, Bradley Fezard and reigning ASCS Sooner Region champion Casey Wills in the 2025 championship chase.
Four young drivers brand-new to the Tour have joined the roster for 2025, all chasing rookie-of-the-year honors awarded to the driver with the most championship points at seasons end. Ryder Laplante (18, of Calera, Okla.); Brady Baker (17, of Alexander, Ark.); and fellow 14-year-olds Garrett Benson (Concordia, Mo.) and Brogan Carder (Sioux Falls, S.D.) make up the list coming into Salina.
The full-time roster is capped by former Tour regular and feature winner, Harli White. The 29-year-old from Lindsay, Okla., spent four consecutive seasons racing as part of the full-time roster, and is transitioning back to full-time ASCS competition for the first time since 2020, piloting the Big Sky Speedway-backed No. 17w.
She made history in her last full season on the Tour, becoming the first female ever to win an ASCS National Tour event by taking the checkered flag at Riverside Intl Speedway in Arkansas.
THE CHAMP IS HERE
Seth Bergman returns to Tour competition at Salina, armed with a slew of new cars and equipment as he prepares for his first title defense as ASCS National Tour champion.
Bergman, 37, of Snohomish, Wash., took time over the last four months to overhaul his teams operation, preparing an upgraded transporter and two new Triple X Race Co. cars for the season ahead. T
he work led him to the decision to skip the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January by virtue of the one race drop addition and the races at Volusia counting only as one points event but he and his Oklahoma-based team are prepared to contest each of the remaining events on the calendar.
Historically, Bergman has posted only two top-10 finishes in six career sprint car starts at Salina, but that trend is on track to change Saturday. Hes made two outings with his new equipment with the ASCS Sooner Region already this season, posting back-to-back runner-up finishes two weeks ago at Creek County Speedway and Enid Speedway against many of the same drivers hell race against this weekend.
LEADING THE PACK
Five-time Tour champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. continues his quest for a record sixth ASCS National Tour championship at Salina, where hes won once with ASCS before.
The 39-year-old from Sunnyvale, Texas, took the checkered flag when the Tour visited the track in 2014, besting fellow veterans Johnny Herrera and Dustin Morgan in the main event. Since then, his only other start at the three-eighths-mile oval came with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in 2015.
Though hes currently listed as sixth place in the championship points standings, Hafertepe will come into Salina as the top-ranked ASCS full-timer in points after the season-opening three races at Volusia, where he posted finishes of third, seventh and 11th.
Over the past several weeks, hes been partaking in 410 sprint car competition with the World of Outlaws, posting podium finishes in two of his last three starts (March 15 at Kennedale Speedway Park; March 22 at Cotton Bowl Speedway).
MEMORY LANE
Blake Hahn will be one of only three drivers in the field this Saturday to have previously won with the ASCS National Tour at Salina. Its now been almost 10 years, but the grandson of ASCS founder Emmett Hahn still savors that night in June 2015 the evening of his first career Tour victory.
Now 30 years old, Hahn of Sapulpa, Okla. has amassed two Tour championships and a total of 21 Tour feature wins and returns to the full-time roster this year in search of a third points title.
Historically, Hahn has put up two wins and three top-five finishes across seven career starts at Salina also winning with the Oil Capital Racing Series in 2021.
After qualifying for all three features in the season opener at Volusia, Hahn comes into the weekend as the second-ranked full-time driver in the championship points standings.
ON DEFENSE
The last time the ASCS National Tour appeared at Salina Highbanks, Jason Martin stood in victory lane.
The 42-year-old from Liberal, Kan., bested Arkansas racer Jordon Mallett and 2000 National Tour champion Wayne Johnson en route to his eighth of nine total Tour feature wins that season, which helped him clinch the 2023 championship.
Martin kicked off his 2025 Tour campaign with two feature starts in the three races held at Volusia in January. Hell try and defend his Salina victory from two years ago this weekend against several names he competed against at Volusia.
Stanley Cup playoff watch: Which games matter the most Thursday?
Hockey fans are close to knowing the identities of the 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams for 2025. But the battles for seeding continue to rage -- as does the jockeying for position in the draft lottery order.
Here's what to monitor during Thursday's 10-game slate -- and we hope you have multiple devices on which to watch!
Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
These two Original Six franchises will be back in the postseason again at some point, but not this season. Chicago begins the night second in the draft lottery order, three points back of the San Jose Sharks. The Bruins are fourth heading into Thursday night, tied in points with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Detroit Red Wings at Florida Panthers
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Red Wings begin the evening eight points behind the Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the East (Tuesday's loss to Montreal certainly didn't help). A regulation loss here eliminates them. After their win Tuesday over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Panthers are right back in the race atop the Atlantic Division. As play begins Thursday, the Leafs are No. 1 with 100 points and 39 regulation wins, the Tampa Bay Lightning are second (97, 39) and the Panthers are third (94, 36).
Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Sabres picked a strange time to go on a heater, as they are 8-2-0 in their last 10; maybe there will be some carry-over to start 2025-26? In any event, Buffalo begins the evening eighth in the draft lotto order, three spots (and three points) ahead of Columbus. The Blue Jackets stayed in the playoff race probably longer than anyone outside their dressing room believed they would, but they'll be officially eliminated with another loss.
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals
7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
There was some nastiness the last time these two squads played; will we see retribution -- particularly against Carolina's Jalen Chatfield -- on Thursday? As for the long-term impact, Washington is locked in as the No. 1 seed in the Metro, and Carolina needs one point to clinch the No. 2 seed over the New Jersey Devils.
New York Rangers at New York Islanders
7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
From two Metro teams that have clinched a playoff spot to two who are on the cusp of elimination (after qualifying last spring). This rivalry game has a bit less juice than usual given the reality of the mathematics. The Rangers are currently 10th in the draft lottery order, the Isles 12th.
Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
If the Stars have plans to overtake the Jets for the top overall seed in the West, they'll need to win this one. Winnipeg enters the game four points (and one regulation win) ahead. So it's not completely a must-win for the Stars' quest for the No. 1 spot, but it'd certainly be a lot better for those chances if they won.
Vancouver Canucks at Colorado Avalanche
9 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Canucks were officially eliminated Wednesday night, and are currently 15th in the draft lottery order, a point back of the Hockey Club. As for the Avalanche, they are nearly locked into position as the Central's No. 3 seed.
Nashville Predators at Utah Hockey Club
9 p.m. (ESPN+)
The HC has been playing inspired hockey as of late, but it was too late to get the final playoff spot, as they were eliminated Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Nashville begins play third in the draft lotto order, 10 points behind Chicago and seven ahead of the No. 4 Flyers.
Seattle Kraken at Vegas Golden Knights
10 p.m. (ESPN+)
This wasn't the best season in Seattle Kraken history, though the club will likely get a top-10 draft pick this summer to continue the build; heading into Thursday, the Kraken are sixth in the draft lottery order, one point behind the Flyers and Bruins, and two ahead of the Penguins and Sabres.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings
10 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
Speaking of the Ducks, a win over their SoCal rivals would diminish the Kings' chances of catching Vegas for the No. 1 seed in the Pacific; L.A. begins the evening six points back.
With the regular season ending April 17, we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Thursday's games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
New York Rangers at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Utah Hockey Club, 9 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
Wednesday's scoreboard
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
Philadelphia Flyers 8, New York Rangers 5
Minnesota Wild 8, San Jose Sharks 7 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 4, St. Louis Blues 3
Anaheim Ducks 4, Calgary Flames 3 (OT)
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
x - Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 105.1
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 102.0
Next game: vs. DET (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Florida Panthers
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 98.8
Next game: vs. DET (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Ottawa Senators
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 94.6
Next game: vs. MTL (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 91.5
Next game: @ OTT (Friday)
Playoff chances: 97.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 3
e - Buffalo Sabres
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 80.9
Next game: @ CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Boston Bruins
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 75.8
Next game: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Metro Division
y - Washington Capitals
Points: 107
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 114.0
Next game: vs. CAR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 102.2
Next game: @ WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - New Jersey Devils
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 93.6
Next game: vs. PIT (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Islanders
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.8%
Tragic number: 3
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. BUF (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 3
New York Rangers
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ NYI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.7%
Tragic number: 1
e - Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 78.9
Next game: @ NJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 76.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
x - Winnipeg Jets
Points: 110
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 115.6
Next game: @ DAL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Dallas Stars
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 111.4
Next game: vs. WPG (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Colorado Avalanche
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 103.8
Next game: vs. VAN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 96.5
Next game: @ CGY (Friday)
Playoff chances: 91.8%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.2%
Tragic number: N/A
e - Utah Hockey Club
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 88.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Nashville Predators
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 67.3
Next game: @ UTA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 56.8
Next game: @ BOS (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
x - Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 108.3
Next game: vs. SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Los Angeles Kings
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 103.3
Next game: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: vs. SJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 92.5
Next game: vs. MIN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 11.3%
Tragic number: 4
e - Vancouver Canucks
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 89.4
Next game: @ COL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: @ LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Seattle Kraken
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 76.8
Next game: @ VGK (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 53.6
Next game: @ EDM (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: A "y" means that the team has clinched the division title. An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 22
8. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
10. New York Rangers
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
12. New York Islanders
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
13. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 27
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
NHL Awards Watch: Final regular-season ballots for seven different trophies
Welcome to the final NHL Awards Watch of the 2024-25 season, which offers one last snapshot of the races just days before ballots are due to arrive in voters' inboxes.
As you'll see, the battles for MVP, rookie of the year and top defenseman have shifted heavily toward a few favorites after months of volatility.
We've polled a wide selection of Professional Hockey Writers Association voters anonymously to get a sense of where the wind is blowing for the current leaders. We've made sure it's a cross-section from the entire league, trying to gain as many perspectives as possible.
Keep in mind that the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Lady Byng finalists, broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams, and general managers handle the Vezina.
All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.
Jump ahead:
Ross | Richard | Hart
Norris | Selke | Vezina
Calder | Byng | Adams
Art Ross Trophy (points leader)
Click here for the updated point-scoring standings.
Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy
Click here for the updated goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Leader: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Finalists: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
The MVP was Connor Hellebuyck's award to lose. Then it was Nathan MacKinnon's award to lose, as he snatched the lead from the Jets goaltender in the March edition of Awards Watch. But Draisaitl was always stalking that lead, putting together a season that checked several boxes for being the most valuable player to his team. As this thrilling race nears the finish line, it's the Edmonton star that had the strongest last kick.
"I don't think it's even particularly close at this point," a Draisaitl voter argued.
Draisaitl earned 40% of the first-place votes from our panelists, taking over the Hart Trophy lead from MacKinnon. As of Wednesday, he had an eight-goal lead for the Rocket Richard Trophy and was third in the league in total points. But his case reaches beyond traditional offensive stats: Evolving Hockey has Draisaitl first in the NHL in goals scored above replacement (29) and has him adding nearly five wins to the Oilers this season, with a WAR of 4.8.
He plays a complete game, too. He's third among Edmonton forwards in goals against per 60 minutes (2.28) through 70 games. As you'll see in another trophy vote later in this Awards Watch, his defensive prowess hasn't gone unnoticed.
Finally, there's the Connor McDavid of it all. When Draisaitl won his only Hart Trophy in 2019-20, he played seven more games than McDavid and had 13 more points than the Edmonton captain, who still finished fifth for the Hart that season. This season? Draisaitl had played eight more games than McDavid through Tuesday, and was 16 points ahead of him. From a points-per-game perspective, this could be McDavid's lowest output since 2017-18.
It's hard for Draisaitl to escape McDavid's shadow in the MVP race. It's also difficult for him to shake the idea, held by some voters, that he's a product of McDavid in some way. But given McDavid's injury struggles this season and the incredible season Draisaitl is having on both ends, the conditions are right for Leon to get his flowers.
"He produced 16 points in nine games without McDavid," a voter pointed out.
"Anyone who's watched the Oilers try to compete without the league's leading scorer should concur he's the most valuable player to his team in 2024-25," another voter explained. "Even with Connor McDavid back, this Edmonton club won't last a minute in the postseason without Draisaitl healthy."
Still, some voters cautioned that the margin remains razor-thin in the MVP race.
"It's Draisaitl by a whisker over Nathan MacKinnon," a voter noted.
"It's Draisaitl narrowly leading, with Connor Hellebuyck second on my ballot," another revealed.
Leon Draisaitl notches his second goal of the game in overtime to help the Oilers defeat the Flames.
MacKinnon and Hellebuyck tied with 20% of the first-place votes to take the other two finalist spots.
MacKinnon is trying to become the first back-to-back league MVP since Alex Ovechkin in 2007-09. Since 1980, only three players have captured the Hart in consecutive seasons: Ovechkin, Dominik Hasek (1996-98) and Wayne Gretzky, who went on a run of eight straight league MVPs from 1979 through 1987.
MacKinnon's best path to doing so would be to win the NHL points scoring race, as he and Nikita Kucherov are battling it out for the Art Ross right until the end. It would be the first scoring title of MacKinnon's career.
Hellebuyck is trying to become the first goalie to be named MVP since Montreal's Carey Price in 2014-15, and just the third goalie to win the award in the last 25 seasons.
He has the work rate and the responsibility for his team's success in the standings: The Jets have 53 wins, and he has 44 of them. He has the traditional numbers, still clinging to slim leads in save percentage and goals-against average entering Wednesday night. He's top four in goals saved above expected as well.
"It's between him and Draisaitl for me," a voter declared. "He's been the best goalie by far all season and has propelled the Jets to a much better record."
"Connor Hellebuyck is deserving of consideration, but he needs to finish strong while likely starting four of the final five games in the regular season," another proposed.
While MacKinnon and Hellebuyck are the clear second choices behind Draisaitl, one of them might not make the final three. There's a lot of enthusiasm -- and more than a little momentum -- behind Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov, who had roughly 17% of the first-place votes.
Kucherov, who won the Hart in 2019, is trying to capture his third NHL scoring title, trailing MacKinnon by a point entering Wednesday night despite playing six fewer games. One of the criteria voters tend to use to assess a player's value to his team is the gap between the MVP candidate and the next leading scorer on the roster. Through 73 games, Kucherov had a preposterous 32-point canyon between himself and Brandon Hagel, the Lightning's next highest scorer.
"I've been on the MacKinnon train much of the season, but Kucherov has really blown me away with his second half," a Kucherov voter explained.
"Another phenomenal season getting overlooked by many," another voter noted. "He drives this offense in a more subtle way than MacKinnon, McDavid or Draisaitl do, so his work does not jump off the page."
Kucherov's MVP chances are legitimate, if underappreciated.
"It's crazy that sportsbooks have Kucherov at 50-1. He could be the league's leading scorer and should have won this last season, too," a voter claimed.
The only other player to receive first-place Hart Trophy consideration was Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights. Like Kucherov, he has a considerable lead over the second-place scorer on his team, 26 points better than Mark Stone.
"He deserves more dark-horse Hart love," a voter posited.
Other players mentioned down the ballot included Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and a plucky upstart in Washington named Alex Ovechkin who we understand has a knack for goal scoring. "Hearing from some voters that Ovechkin is making a push in this category," one voter revealed.
In the home stretch, Draisaitl has the MVP lead, but all four of the top candidates have convincing cases and passionate voting blocs.
"This is the HARDEST year to pick a Hart winner," a voter declared. "Can there be a tie?"
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Leader: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Makar has been a Norris finalist for four straight seasons and won the award in 2021-22. Apparently, he has decided to leave no margin for error or room for debate with the most dominant offensive season of his frequently dominant NHL career.
The Avalanche defenseman had a career-best 91 points through 79 games, which was 16 points better than the NHL's next-highest-scoring D-man in Werenski. But the truly stunning stat was his goal total: Makar is just the ninth defenseman in NHL history to break the 30-goal mark, and the first to do so since Washington's Mike Green in 2008-09.
Makar likes to downplay the "this generation's Bobby Orr" label he has gotten, even when it comes from people such as Wayne Gretzky. Scoring goals at this rate as a defenseman does little to dispel that conjecture.
"We are in a golden age of young defensemen in the NHL, and he's the best of the bunch," a voter beamed.
"The 30 goals stands out, but this guy does it all for the Avalanche in all situations," another quipped.
"The 30 goals and the fading of Hughes' and Werenski's teams from the playoff picture seals it," another Makar backer explained.
Cale Makar lights the lamp, giving the Avalanche a 1-0 lead in the first period vs. the Flames.
Werenski took over the Norris lead last month, riding the momentum from his star-making performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Blue Jackets' inspiring playoff push. But with the Eastern Conference wild-card race seemingly settled, and Makar putting the pedal down offensively, Werenski's time on the throne was temporary.
Werenski earned 45% of the first-place votes last month. That percentage is down to 20% this month. The MVP chatter that surrounded him in March has also quieted down considerably. But the Columbus defenseman still has his fervent admirers among voters, and rightfully so: He had 75 points through 76 games to lead the Blue Jackets, while skating nearly 27 minutes per game (26:58), by far the most ice time on average in the NHL.
"I'm still sticking with Zach Werenski," a voter declared.
"If the Blue Jackets got in, Werenski would be the MVP," another stated. "Cale Makar will win, but Werenski has played almost a full minute and a half more a game and does everything for Columbus."
While it's not what Avalanche or Blue Jackets fans likely want to acknowledge, this season's Norris race will always be remembered for its great "what if?" scenario, aka Vancouver star Quinn Hughes, who had this award nearly locked up before injuries derailed his season. Hughes has played 64 games and has 74 points this season, including 16 goals. His 1.16 points-per-game average is slightly better than Makar's (1.15).
Hughes was the only other defenseman to receive first-place support among our panelists, but with just 3% of the vote he was a distant third.
"If only Quinn Hughes had been healthy all season," a voter mused.
"Quinn Hughes might have made this race tighter had he not been injured, but Makar is the runaway winner, with apologies to Zach Werenski, who is a deserving finalist and is having an excellent season," another offered.
Other defenseman mentioned down the ballot include Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman, Ottawa's Jake Sanderson, Carolina's Jaccob Slavin and Montreal rookie sensation Lane Hutson.
Speaking of whom ...
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Leader: Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens
Finalists: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks; Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
Hutson is leading the Calder Trophy race -- and it's an absolute blowout according to the ballots we surveyed.
The Canadiens rookie earned 87% of the first-place votes in the final Awards Watch, which is an astounding number when one considers he was at just 11% last month. Since Feb. 1, Hutson had 25 points in 27 games, second most on the Habs in that stretch behind Nick Suzuki (35 points). On the season, Hutson has six goals and 58 assists in 78 games, skating 22:39 per game.
It was obvious since the season opened that Hutson would lead all rookie defensemen in scoring -- Drew Helleson of the Ducks is second, trailing Hutson by 51 points. But it's been astonishing to see Hutson end up leading all rookies in points, considering the talented crop of forwards that were competing with him for the Calder before he left them in his wake.
"Toughest choice among all the awards, but both his play and impact on his team has been ridiculous," a voter proclaimed. "Will probably get some Norris love."
"Hutson has not only been the best rookie, he's been one of the league's most impactful defensemen down the stretch," another voter added.
Hutson and Wolf had an advantage over Celebrini in the final weeks of the Calder race: They were playing meaningful games, while the Sharks rookie was playing out the string. The Flames are still chasing the wild card. The Canadiens are in a playoff spot and look good to clinch it, thanks in no small part to Hutson.
"No offense to Macklin Celebrini or Matvei Michkov, but Hutson played in meaningful games and neither of them did," a voter explained.
"The amount of points Hutson has put up this season is one thing, but the kid has also elevated his play whenever the games started to mean more," another opined. "The Canadiens have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the past few weeks and Hutson was a big reason why."
"Lane Hutson cemented himself as my probable No. 1 choice with his performance down the stretch, and his defensive improvement over the course of the year," another Hutson backer quipped. "I still think Celebrini was the best first-year player I saw this season though."
Lane Hutson lights the lamp
Celebrini, 18, led the Calder race over multiple months before Hutson's closing argument. His 57 points in 65 games (including 21 goals) is very impressive on a very bad hockey team -- there's a chance he could end up with better numbers than last year's Calder winner Connor Bedard in a similar amount of games. Celebrini's 0.88 points per game is slightly higher than that of Hutson (0.83) too. But the time Celebrini missed to injury this season likely cost him the rookie crown.
"Celebrini's injury hurt his chances and Montreal is going to the playoffs," a voter concluded.
"I was comfortably strapped on the Macklin Celebrini wagon most of this season, but I'm finally clambering off to ride Hutson's cart," another voter relayed. "The 21-year-old should wrap 2024-25 within a sniff of the 80-point mark, ranking fourth only behind Makar, Werenski, and [Quinn] Hughes. He also isn't serving as the defensive liability many anticipated."
Celebrini actually ended up with the same first-place vote share as Wolf (around 7%). Like Hutson among defensemen, Wolf has clearly been the NHL's top rookie goaltender, with 26 wins and a .911 save percentage in 49 games. He was a critical reason the Flames flirted with an unexpected playoff berth of most of the season.
Several voters indicated that Wolf would be second on their ballots behind Hutson.
"The dynamic defenseman and his Canadiens' late surge pushes him past Dustin Wolf in my mind," a voter noted.
Among other players mentioned down the ballot for the Calder included Michkov of the Flyers, Zack Bolduc of the St. Louis Blues and Logan Stankoven of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Note: The NHL's general managers vote for this award.
Leader: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings; Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
There will be three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, and that will be a nice nod to the achievements of two NHL netminders. But they will not win the Vezina. Connor Hellebuyck will win the Vezina, for the second straight season. The only question left will be the margin of that victory.
If it were the PHWA doing the voting, Hellebuyck would get ... all the votes. For the second straight month, the Winnipeg netminder was a unanimous choice from our panel of voters.
"Dominated from start to finish," a voter concluded.
"The only goalie who doubles as a Hart contender. Might as well engrave that sucker now," another voter declared.
While Hellebuyck has gotten the majority of credit for the Jets' outstanding season and pursuit of the Presidents' Trophy -- 44 wins in 60 starts underscores that -- his numbers aren't actually a ton better than those of Vasilevskiy, whom the majority of our voters rated second on their ballots.
Entering Wednesday, Hellebuyck had a .924 save percentage, 2.02 goals-against average and seven shutouts. Vasilevskiy had a .923 save percentage, 2.14 goals-against average and six shutouts. The Lightning goalie has a better goals-saved above expected (17.98) than Hellebuyck (16.69), but the Winnipeg goalie's fancy stats are also pretty strong.
"Hellebuyck and Vasilevskiy are tap-ins for the Vezina," a voter argued.
Kuemper leads all goalies in goals saved above expected (19.1) and has a better save percentage on chances off the rush (.933) than the other two goalies. His .922 save percentage in 47 games puts him right behind Hellebuyck and Vasilevskiy as well.
"Darcy Kuemper has quietly put together an excellent season to complete the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade tree and should be a finalist for the award," a voter noted.
"Finalist" is probably the best anyone not named Connor Hellebuyck could hope for this season, as the Jets netminder appears primed to be the first back-to-back Vezina winner since Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils won from 2006-08. This will also be Hellebuyck's third Vezina overall; only Brodeur, Dominik Hasek (6) and Patrick Roy (3) have won that many since the trophy's current criteria was adopted in 1981.
Among the other goalies mentioned down the ballot: Logan Thompson of the Capitals, Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, Filip Gustavsson of the Wild and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.
Selke Trophy (best defensive forward)
Leader: Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Finalists: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
While his vote share fell for the third straight Awards Watch, Barkov has led this race consistently and looks primed to win the Selke for the third time in five seasons.
In February, Barkov had 60% of the first-place votes. Then it was 56% in March. Now it's down to 50% of the first-place votes, but that's still a very comfortable margin for the Panthers star ahead of the field.
"Going to take a pretty special defensive season to unseat Aleksander Barkov at this point, and I don't think anyone managed it," a voter opined.
The Selke is no stranger to repeat champions. If Barkov wins the Selke, he'll join Patrice Bergeron, Pavel Datsyuk and Rod Brind'Amour as back-to-back winners of the trophy -- Bergeron having done it last from 2021-23, the fifth and sixth Selkes of his career.
Aleksander Barkov scores the winning goal in overtime to lift the Panthers past the Blue Jackets.
Coming in a distant second place is Reinhart, Barkov's teammate, who earned around 17% of the first-place votes.
"Reinhart has been the more impressive of the Florida duo," one voter argued. "Been on the ice for fewer expected goal against, near identical goals against in similar matchups and Reinhart has continued stellar defensive play with Barkov out of the lineup."
Right after Reinhart is a new face in the Selke voting top three: Draisaitl, whose defensive prowess is one reason he's ascended to the top of the MVP race.
"He's not getting near enough recognition for how good he has been at both ends of the ice this season," a voter pointed out. "The only problem is he doesn't kill penalties."
One voter didn't think that the special teams issue was an issue for Draisaitl, who earned around 13% of the vote.
"Name another forward who played over 800 minutes at 5-on-5 and was around 60% in shot, goal and expected goal share," they explained. "Looking at the numbers, his are all better than Barkov and he played 200 more minutes. Barkov playing 100 minutes on the PK doesn't change it."
Six other players all received first-place votes for the Selke from our panelists, but not enough to crack the top three: Anthony Cirelli (Lightning), Jack Eichel (Golden Knights), Nico Hischier (Devils), Adam Lowry (Jets), Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs) and Jordan Staal (Hurricanes). All of them are seeking their first Selke win.
"Lowry has a great goal share, including against elite opponents, and takes lots of tough matchups," a voter offered.
What the Selke comes down to in the final days of the season: Whether any players that are on the voters' radar can overcome Barkov -- and, more to the point, Barkov's reputation.
"I love the complete game of Barkov, but he's not quite performing at his usual level," one voter who opted for an alternative option revealed.
Lady Byng Trophy (gentlemanly play)
This is the part where I mention that the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play should be voted on by the league's on-ice officials or by the NHL Players' Association instead of the PHWA.
Traditionally, this award goes to a player with a top 20 point total and the lowest penalty minutes among those players.
Vegas' Jack Eichel has 93 points in 76 games with eight penalty minutes. Montreal's Nick Suzuki has 86 points in 78 games with six penalty minutes. But Tampa Bay's Brayden Point has 79 points in 72 games with one minor penalty on the season -- a tripping call against Toronto on Nov. 30. So, not even roughing. What a gentleman!
Jack Adams Award (best coach)
Note: The NHL Broadcasters' Association votes on this award.
Leader: Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Finalists: Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets; Martin St. Louis, Montreal Canadiens
"Spencer Carbery and if anyone says otherwise, they're kidding themselves."
That was the sentiment of one voter we surveyed, and they're not alone. Carbery earned 77% of the first-place votes from the writers for having led the Capitals through an unprecedented season: From big offseason additions through a jump from the wild card to the Presidents' Trophy race through Alex Ovechkin's successful pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record and losing Ovechkin to a broken leg after the hottest start of his career.
All the while, Carbery kept the Caps focused and effective. Through 77 games, they had the fourth highest points percentage (.695) in franchise history.
"The Jack Adams almost never goes to the coach of the best team in the league, but it should this year. Not only did the Capitals improve a ton from last year, not only did they manage to stay afloat with Ovechkin injured for a month, but the way he kept that team composed while the media hoopla that was Ovechkin's goal chase was going one was also impressive," a voter explained. "They didn't stray too far away from their identity to get it done and they kept winning games in the process. He deserves a lot of credit."
Carbery is in his second season in Washington.
"He should have won this last year when he dragged this group of bums into the playoffs. Now he's got a much better team, in first place overall," another voter declared. "I believe his ability to get Ovi to buy into his approach has been pivotal to both Ovi's and the team's success."
Arniel's Jets have been right there with the Capitals atop the league. While Connor Hellebuyck gets a majority of the credit for that, some voters feel Arniel should get his flowers in his first season as Jets head coach. He finished with 10% of the first-place votes.
St. Louis moved into the top three candidates with roughly 7% of the first-place votes, thanks to the Canadiens' stunning late-season rise to a playoff spot.
They aren't the only team to ride a couple torrid months into a playoff spot. Right behind St. Louis was Jim Montgomery of the St. Louis Blues.
"Despite being fired by the Boston Bruins in November, Montgomery is certainly worthy of consideration for the Jack Adams. He would be the first coach in league history to receive a nomination while guiding multiple teams in one season," a voter noted.
While St. Louis had more first-place voting support, Montgomery was the second choice for a lot of Carbery voters. It wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Monty take a top-three spot for the Jack Adams with the Blues in the playoffs.
Falling out of the top three from last month was coach Dean Evason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, as his inspirational group -- playing through the shock of star Johnny Gaudreau's death last August to challenge for a playoff spot -- fades in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. He did receive a first-place vote from one of our panelists, and a few voters had him in their top three.
"Dean Evason had the toughest job this season and could still be a sentimental -- and deserving -- candidate on many ballots," a voter concluded.
But for the Jack Adams and other awards, it's all about how the candidates close their seasons. We're started to see which ones are sprinting through the tape in the end of these awards races.
TATA Door Opens a New Chapter with ITTF & WTT, Renewing Partnership for World Championships Finals 2025 in Doha
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and World Table Tennis (WTT) are pleased to announce that Beijing TATA Tongchuang Industry and Trade Co., Ltd (TATA Door) has renewed its partnership as an Official Partner for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025, set to take place from 17 to 25 May in Doha, Qatar.
This continued partnership reflects TATA Doors long-term commitment to supporting world-class sporting events and enhancing its global presence through alignment with one of the sports most prestigious tournaments. As a dedicated partner since 2017, TATA Door has played a consistent role in contributing to the success and visibility of the ITTF World Championships.
The most recent edition of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals reached over one billion people across 176 territories, highlighting the global resonance of the sport. With growing momentum and anticipation, the 2025 edition in Doha is poised to deliver even greater value to all stakeholders.
We are delighted to welcome TATA Door back as a partner for the ITTF World Championships Finals, said Blythe Fitzwiliam, World Table Tennis Commercial Partnerships Director. TATA Doors continued support reflects the global appeal of table tennis and the strong value our marquee events offer to partners. We look forward to another successful collaboration in Doha.
The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals is the sports flagship event, bringing together the worlds top athletes to compete in five events: Mens Singles, Womens Singles, Mens Doubles, Womens Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. The 2025 edition marks a significant return to Doha, which made history in 2004 as the first Middle Eastern host and now prepares to write a new chapter in its sporting legacy.
About TATA Door
TATA Door was established in 1999 in Beijing, the capital of China, Asia. Over the past 26 years, TATA Door has adopted world advanced production equipment from Japan, Germany, etc., to develop 25 factories in five major production bases with a total area of 96 hectares and production capacity of over 3 million wooden doors in order to serve its global customers. Its products have been sold in Europe, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Saudia Arabia and more.
Adhering to the traditional Chinese carpentry craftsmanship spirit, TATA Door invented the 45 oblique magnetic structure door, which significantly solved the mute and noise reduction of thousands of households, greatly improved the quality of the people living, and became the leader in the home improvement door industry and obtained the patent on this. With its quality and service, TATA Door is confident enough to offer overseas consumers a one-year warranty to make the market look at TATA products and after-sales with admiration.
TATA Door has cooperated with customers in various industries: hotels, apartment buildings, universities, office buildings, villas, hospitals, government units and other industry organizations, all of which have received unanimous praise. The continuous innovation of TATA Door design team cooperates with the production department and the perfect after-sales service to continuously increase the added value of the product. At present, the annual output of TATA Door has exceeded 3 million sets, which has successfully won various home improvement wooden door design awards, consumers best popular doors and other titles.
Scotland internationals Dave Cherry and Ali Price are to move on from Edinburgh at the end of the season.
The club say both players will "take up playing opportunities abroad" on the expiry of their contracts.
Hooker Cherry, 34, started every match in this year's Six Nations, taking his tally of caps to 16.
Price, 31, has made 66 international appearances and the scrum-half played in all three Tests on the British & Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2021.
His last outing for Scotland came against Fiji in November 2024.
Prior to his switch to Edinburgh in November 2023, Price spent nine years at Glasgow Warriors.
"Dave and Ali have both made significant contributions to Edinburgh Rugby and we thank them for their dedication and commitment," said head coach Sean Everitt.
"Dave has given a lot during his time at the club, but it is a position we are well stocked with good young Scottish talent and, therefore, we have decided not to continue his deal, and wish him the very best in his next steps.
"Dave's journey to becoming a centurion is a testament to his hard work and resilience, while Ali's experience and leadership have been invaluable to the team."
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