Nov 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Vancouver Canucks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Patrik Allvin on Friday after the club’s last-place finish in the Western Conference.
Allvin was hired on Jan. 26, 2022. Since then, the Canucks have one playoff appearance. They won the Pacific Division in the 2023-24 season (50-23-9, 109 points) but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.
Vancouver finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-49-8 record (58 points).
“I would like to thank Patrik for all his hard work over the past four seasons,” president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said in a news release. “Under his guidance we have accumulated a lot of good young talent, and he has helped us lay the foundation of our rebuild. This season was disappointing for everyone in the organization, and we understand how frustrating it was for those who care about the team. Moving forward our goal will be to continue to bring in younger players who can grow together with our current group and form our next competitive core.”
Before arriving in Vancouver, Allvin, 51, filled a variety of roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins over a 16-year span, rising to assistant general manager. The club won three Stanley Cup titles in that span.
He has worked in front offices since 2002, when he joined the Montreal Canadiens as a European scout after retiring as a player, largely in his native Sweden.
#Deadspin #Carlos #Alcaraz #wrist #withdraws #Madrid #Open">Deadspin | Carlos Alcaraz (wrist) withdraws from Madrid Open
Mar 14, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) reacts as a ball gets past him at the net during his semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev (RUS) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz announced Friday that his wrist injury will keep him out of next week’s Madrid Open.
Following tests on his right wrist, the 22-year-old Spaniard pulled out of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday prior to his second-round match.
Alcaraz, who could have regained the No. 1 ranking from Italy’s Jannik Sinner by winning the title in Barcelona, will sit out the ATP 1000-level clay-court tournament in Madrid for the second consecutive year due to injury.
“There is some news that is incredibly hard to share,” Alcaraz posted on X in Spanish on Friday. “Madrid is home, one of the most special places on my calendar, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row.
“It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much. Thank you for the unwavering affection, and I hope we see each other soon.”
Alcaraz won the tournament in the Spanish capital in 2022 and 2023.
Alcaraz is 22-3 this season, including his 25th and 26th career titles at the Australian Open and Qatar Open. The seven-time grand slam winner is the two-time defending champion at the French Open, which begins May 24.
#Deadspin #Carlos #Alcaraz #Novak #Djokovic #withdraw #Madrid #Open">Deadspin | Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic withdraw from Madrid Open
Feb 01, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the trophy presentation after the final of the menís singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 4 Novak Djokovic both withdrew Friday from next week’s Madrid Open because of injuries.
Alcaraz is dealing with a right wrist injury that forced the 22-year-old Spaniard to pull out of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday before his second-round match.
Djokovic is bothered by a right shoulder injury. The 38-year-old Serbian has not played since losing in the fourth round at Indian Wells on March 11.
Alcaraz, who could have regained the No. 1 ranking from Italy’s Jannik Sinner by winning the title in Barcelona, will sit out the ATP 1000-level clay-court tournament in Madrid for the second consecutive year due to injury.
“There is some news that is incredibly hard to share,” Alcaraz posted on X in Spanish on Friday. “Madrid is home, one of the most special places on my calendar, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row.
“It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much. Thank you for the unwavering affection, and I hope we see each other soon.”
Djokovic also shared his bad news on social media on Friday.
“Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year,” he posted on X. “I am continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!”
Djokovic won the Madrid Open in 2011, 2016, and 2019. Alcaraz won the tournament in the Spanish capital in 2022 and 2023.
The next event on the calendar for both players is the Italian Open in Rome, starting on May 5.
Alcaraz is 22-3 this season, including his 25th and 26th career titles at the Australian Open and Qatar Open. The seven-time grand slam winner is the two-time defending champion at the French Open, which begins May 24.
Djokovic is 7-2 this season, losing to Alcaraz in the final in Melbourne. He has won 101 career titles, including a record 24 grand slam championships.
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers warms up for game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers theorized the cause of injury issues in Baltimore was former coach John Harbaugh’s demanding practice schedule.
Flowers said on the podcast “4th and South” the Ravens were in “full pads all the time” and didn’t have ample time for recovery and treatment of injuries. Harbaugh was fired at the end of the 2025 regular season after 19 years with the team and quickly hired by the New York Giants.
“However many practices in pads you can get, every single one. We’re doing one-on-ones in Week 17,” said Flowers. “Week 17, we’re doing one-on-ones, everybody out there, we’re tired, we’re still going.”
Padded practices are permitted under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with restrictions. A total of 14 padded practices — and no more than one padded practice per week — are allowed during the regular season. Eleven of the total padded practices in the regular season must be held during the first 11 weeks of the season.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson was a regular non-participant in practices last season. When was asked how players handled Harbaugh’s practice schedule, Flowers replied, “We don’t. That’s why we had a lot of injuries, because of how we practiced, how we went. The load was heavy.”
Former Ravens assistant Jesse Minter, hired to replace Harbaugh, is making changes after hearing from players, according to Flowers.
“He knows how we worked with Harbaugh,” Flowers said. “So, he’s like, ‘You’re going to get your work, but it’s going to be a little easier on your body. You’re going to be fresher for the game.'”
Minter worked for Harbaugh and the Ravens from 2017-20 and joined Jim Harbaugh as defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2022 and 2023. When Jim Harbaugh won a national title with the Wolverines and returned to the NFL as head coach of the Chargers, he hired Minter as his defensive coordinator (2024-25).
John Harbaugh led the Ravens to six AFC North titles and a Super Bowl in the 2012 postseason, compiling an overall record of 193-124.
#Deadspin #Notre #Dame #Villanova #open #basketball #season #Rome">Deadspin | Notre Dame, Villanova to open basketball season in Rome
St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
( Mark Vergari / The Journal News )
Villanova and Notre Dame will open their 2026-27 basketball seasons on Nov. 1 in Rome.
The men’s and women’s teams from both schools will play a doubleheader in the Italian capital that day in what has been named the Eternal City Tip-Off.
It is no shock that these two schools were chosen to take part, given that they are two of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. Plus, this is a pairing that will remind Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, of home.
Well-known as a sports fan, particularly of the Chicago White Sox, the pope is very familiar with these teams. Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he lived less than a two-hour drive from the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind. And he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova in 1977, at the same time creating a foundation for eventually joining the priesthood.
“Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sport, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” said the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the president of Notre Dame. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans. We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history.”
In Italy, the teams will meet in a welcome reception at a spot overlooking Rome, have the opportunity to attend a shared mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and take part in a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV before the basketball games. Cultural and educational events also are being built into the itinerary.
“This extraordinary experience reflects the very best of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission — uniting faith, learning and community in a global setting,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, the president of Villanova. “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.”
Fox Sports will broadcast the games. The men will tip off at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the women at noon. The playing venue has yet to be announced.
Nov 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Vancouver Canucks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images 
