×
AFI to start DNA testing of athletes, SRY tests during next month’s Fed Cup The Federation Cup in Ranchi next month will be the first major national championships where the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will conduct SRY Gene tests in a bid to ensure that only biological females compete in the women’s category.The AFI will also start DNA testing of the Indian athletes to collect and preserve their data for the first time. The data will be used for research and development, prevention of injuries, training method for a particular athlete, among others.The results and records of both the SRY tests and DNA tests will be kept confidential.“It (SRY test) is an ongoing process. Already, it started last year for the athletes who we feel are going to be in international arena. It will just be a one-time test in a lifetime. Once these results are uploaded on World Athletics website, they will be destroyed. So there is absolute privacy,” AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said in a virtual press conference on Saturday.“In the Federation Cup in Ranchi, since athletes will be all together, a lot of them will get tested for the SRY test. Because they will all be in one place, so it’s very easy to go there and pick up, send somebody so that all of them can do that,” he added.After a directive from World Athletics, the SRY gene test was introduced in India last year for all the women athletes who competed in the World Championships in Tokyo in September. The AFI sent a notice to all its affiliated units in this regard on August 13 last year to ensure compliance.ALSO READ | Sumit Antil, Neeraj Chopra accuse senior coach of harassment and using abusive language“This test (SRY tests) is a bit expensive, around Rs 8000 per test, and we’ve negotiated with an accredited laboratory of World Athletics. We have brought down the cost of per test to Rs 3500. The AFI will make direct payment to the lab identified by the Medical Commission of the AFI.” The AFI, during its two-day Annual General Meeting in Kohima on April 14-15, also decided to introduce DNA testing of the athletes for research and prevention of injury.“Today, there is absolutely no DNA testing data available on Indian athletes. Only data available is for Caucasian athletes. But Caucasians are very different from Indians. So if we are really looking at the future, then we have to get into R&D to see how we can prepare for the future.“These tests will also be absolutely confidential. The important thing is at the moment we are collecting data to see how we can prevent injuries etc. It’s not for talent identification.“So we are first basically collecting data after which we will be able to sort of interpret data in a far better way for the training of our athletes.” Sumariwalla, a former AFI president and currently vice president of World Athletics, said the findings of these DNA tests will lead to a lot of data such as body and muscle composition of an athlete which can be used for various purposes.“So these data would help more towards training and prevention of injuries and also for research to make sure that you know if an injury happens, how fast is the injury recovering.” “It’s an ongoing process. We start with our top athletes and slowly build our database. Most athletes will start coming down and we start moving down.” He said these tests will also help in dealing with impersonation which is “rampant” in athletics.“So that is why there is a single agency and we have taken certain steps to ensure that person is identified and somebody else is not giving a test. And again, the athletes are not to pay anything. The cost is being picked up by us.”Published on Apr 18, 2026 #AFI #start #DNA #testing #athletes #SRY #tests #months #Fed #Cup

AFI to start DNA testing of athletes, SRY tests during next month’s Fed Cup

The Federation Cup in Ranchi next month will be the first major national championships where the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will conduct SRY Gene tests in a bid to ensure that only biological females compete in the women’s category.

The AFI will also start DNA testing of the Indian athletes to collect and preserve their data for the first time. The data will be used for research and development, prevention of injuries, training method for a particular athlete, among others.

The results and records of both the SRY tests and DNA tests will be kept confidential.

“It (SRY test) is an ongoing process. Already, it started last year for the athletes who we feel are going to be in international arena. It will just be a one-time test in a lifetime. Once these results are uploaded on World Athletics website, they will be destroyed. So there is absolute privacy,” AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said in a virtual press conference on Saturday.

“In the Federation Cup in Ranchi, since athletes will be all together, a lot of them will get tested for the SRY test. Because they will all be in one place, so it’s very easy to go there and pick up, send somebody so that all of them can do that,” he added.

After a directive from World Athletics, the SRY gene test was introduced in India last year for all the women athletes who competed in the World Championships in Tokyo in September. The AFI sent a notice to all its affiliated units in this regard on August 13 last year to ensure compliance.

ALSO READ | Sumit Antil, Neeraj Chopra accuse senior coach of harassment and using abusive language

“This test (SRY tests) is a bit expensive, around Rs 8000 per test, and we’ve negotiated with an accredited laboratory of World Athletics. We have brought down the cost of per test to Rs 3500. The AFI will make direct payment to the lab identified by the Medical Commission of the AFI.” The AFI, during its two-day Annual General Meeting in Kohima on April 14-15, also decided to introduce DNA testing of the athletes for research and prevention of injury.

“Today, there is absolutely no DNA testing data available on Indian athletes. Only data available is for Caucasian athletes. But Caucasians are very different from Indians. So if we are really looking at the future, then we have to get into R&D to see how we can prepare for the future.

“These tests will also be absolutely confidential. The important thing is at the moment we are collecting data to see how we can prevent injuries etc. It’s not for talent identification.

“So we are first basically collecting data after which we will be able to sort of interpret data in a far better way for the training of our athletes.” Sumariwalla, a former AFI president and currently vice president of World Athletics, said the findings of these DNA tests will lead to a lot of data such as body and muscle composition of an athlete which can be used for various purposes.

“So these data would help more towards training and prevention of injuries and also for research to make sure that you know if an injury happens, how fast is the injury recovering.” “It’s an ongoing process. We start with our top athletes and slowly build our database. Most athletes will start coming down and we start moving down.” He said these tests will also help in dealing with impersonation which is “rampant” in athletics.

“So that is why there is a single agency and we have taken certain steps to ensure that person is identified and somebody else is not giving a test. And again, the athletes are not to pay anything. The cost is being picked up by us.”

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#AFI #start #DNA #testing #athletes #SRY #tests #months #Fed #Cup

Sports news , , , , , , , ,

The Federation Cup in Ranchi next month will be the first major national championships where the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will conduct SRY Gene tests in a bid to ensure that only biological females compete in the women’s category.

The AFI will also start DNA testing of the Indian athletes to collect and preserve their data for the first time. The data will be used for research and development, prevention of injuries, training method for a particular athlete, among others.

The results and records of both the SRY tests and DNA tests will be kept confidential.

“It (SRY test) is an ongoing process. Already, it started last year for the athletes who we feel are going to be in international arena. It will just be a one-time test in a lifetime. Once these results are uploaded on World Athletics website, they will be destroyed. So there is absolute privacy,” AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said in a virtual press conference on Saturday.

“In the Federation Cup in Ranchi, since athletes will be all together, a lot of them will get tested for the SRY test. Because they will all be in one place, so it’s very easy to go there and pick up, send somebody so that all of them can do that,” he added.

After a directive from World Athletics, the SRY gene test was introduced in India last year for all the women athletes who competed in the World Championships in Tokyo in September. The AFI sent a notice to all its affiliated units in this regard on August 13 last year to ensure compliance.

ALSO READ | Sumit Antil, Neeraj Chopra accuse senior coach of harassment and using abusive language

“This test (SRY tests) is a bit expensive, around Rs 8000 per test, and we’ve negotiated with an accredited laboratory of World Athletics. We have brought down the cost of per test to Rs 3500. The AFI will make direct payment to the lab identified by the Medical Commission of the AFI.” The AFI, during its two-day Annual General Meeting in Kohima on April 14-15, also decided to introduce DNA testing of the athletes for research and prevention of injury.

“Today, there is absolutely no DNA testing data available on Indian athletes. Only data available is for Caucasian athletes. But Caucasians are very different from Indians. So if we are really looking at the future, then we have to get into R&D to see how we can prepare for the future.

“These tests will also be absolutely confidential. The important thing is at the moment we are collecting data to see how we can prevent injuries etc. It’s not for talent identification.

“So we are first basically collecting data after which we will be able to sort of interpret data in a far better way for the training of our athletes.” Sumariwalla, a former AFI president and currently vice president of World Athletics, said the findings of these DNA tests will lead to a lot of data such as body and muscle composition of an athlete which can be used for various purposes.

“So these data would help more towards training and prevention of injuries and also for research to make sure that you know if an injury happens, how fast is the injury recovering.” “It’s an ongoing process. We start with our top athletes and slowly build our database. Most athletes will start coming down and we start moving down.” He said these tests will also help in dealing with impersonation which is “rampant” in athletics.

“So that is why there is a single agency and we have taken certain steps to ensure that person is identified and somebody else is not giving a test. And again, the athletes are not to pay anything. The cost is being picked up by us.”

Published on Apr 18, 2026

Source link
#AFI #start #DNA #testing #athletes #SRY #tests #months #Fed #Cup

Tag
Previous post

Deadspin | Valkyries re-sign G Tiffany Hayes to 1-year deal <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/26830378.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/26830378.jpg" alt="WNBA: Connecticut Sun at Golden State Valkyries" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Aug 11, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) gives a post-game interview after the game against the Connecticut Sun at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Golden State Valkyries re-signed free agent guard Tiffany Hayes to a one-year deal on Saturday. Terms were not disclosed.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Hayes, 36, averaged 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26 games (24 starts) during the Valkyries’ debut season in 2025.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-3"> <p>“Tip helped lay the foundation on and off the court for this team, and that’s not something you take for granted,” general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. “She’s an experienced leader and veteran player who showed up for the Bay. Being able to welcome Tip back to her second home is truly special.”</p> </section> <section id="section-4"> <p>An All-Star with Atlanta in 2017 and the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year with Las Vegas in 2024, Hayes has career averages of 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 376 games (303 starts) with the Dream (2012-19, 2021-22), Connecticut Sun (2023), Aces (2024) and Valkyries.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Valkyries #resign #Tiffany #Hayes #1year #deal

Next post

MP Weather: मध्य प्रदेश में गर्मी का कहर, इन जिलों में Heat Wave का अलर्ट जारी, रखें ये सावधानियां

Related Posts

Deadspin | Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver. Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history. Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review. Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead. Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar. Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute. In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer. Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowdApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver.

Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead.

Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history.

Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review.

Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead.


Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net.

In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul.

De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar.

Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute.

In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer.

Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowd">Deadspin | Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver. Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history. Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review. Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead. Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar. Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute. In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer. Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowd

Deadspin | Sabres’ first postseason since 2011 starts with confident Bruins Oct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason. That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo. “We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.” Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011. “At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments. “That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.” Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time. Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years. “I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.” Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits. After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists). Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line. “In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.” The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year. The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #BruinsOct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason.

That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo.

“We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.”

Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011.

“At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.”

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments.

“That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.”

Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time.

Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot.


The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years.

“I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.”

Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits.

After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists).

Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line.

“In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.”

The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year.

The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #Bruins">Deadspin | Sabres’ first postseason since 2011 starts with confident Bruins Oct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason. That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo. “We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.” Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011. “At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments. “That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.” Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time. Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years. “I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.” Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits. After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists). Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line. “In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.” The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year. The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #Bruins

The 2026 NFL Draft is not for a few more days.

But a seismic trade has just shaken up the first round.

The New York Giants have agreed to trade defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the tenth-overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. After Lawrence and the Giants reached an impasse in contract negotiations, the standout defender asked for a trade, and New York has decided to move him to the Bengals, getting the tenth-overall pick in return.

Now the Giants have two picks inside the top ten next week (No. 5 and No. 10) while the Bengals have another big addition to their defensive front.

Let’s hand out some grades.

New York Giants grade for Dexter Lawrence trade

When negotiations between the Giants and Lawrence stalled, it was believed that the standout defensive lineman would fetch a late first-round selection in a trade.

Instead, Joe Schoen and the Giants have received the tenth-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and now the Giants have a pair of picks inside the top ten to work with. The Giants will be on the clock at No. 5, and again at No. 10.

This gives Schoen and the Giants a ton of flexibility next week. They can still add a premium defender inside the top ten — as many believed the Giants were going to do ahead of the Lawrence deal — and they can also address their offensive line, or add a weapon for Jaxson Dart in the passing game, with a pick inside the top ten.

As noted by Peter Schrager, the Giants’ brass spent the past few days in Arizona meeting with Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson ahead of the private workout he held with NFL teams:

New York could use that tenth pick on Tyson now.

Either way, this move not only sees the Giants get a big return for a player that wanted out, but now they have two picks inside the top ten … and a lot of flexibility.

Cincinnati Bengals grade for Dexter Lawrence trade

Sitting at No. 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals were in position to add a potential premium defender next week.

By using that trade on Lawrence, they guaranteed themselves a premium defender.

This is an aggressive move by the Bengals, but it fits with the team’s “win-now” mentality and also fits with other offseason acquisitions. Cincinnati already added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook to their defense this offseason, By adding Lawrence as well, the Bengals have vastly improved that side of the ball, at least on paper.

So yes, now the Bengals cannot add a top-flight rookie defender in this spot. But they get a proven, elite defender in Lawrence and continue the improvements on that side of the ball.

The player they could have drafted at No. 10 may turn out to be elite.

#Dexter #Lawrence #trade #grades #BengalsGiants #NFL #blockbuster">Dexter Lawrence trade grades after Bengals-Giants NFL blockbuster The 2026 NFL Draft is not for a few more days.But a seismic trade has just shaken up the first round.The New York Giants have agreed to trade defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the tenth-overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. After Lawrence and the Giants reached an impasse in contract negotiations, the standout defender asked for a trade, and New York has decided to move him to the Bengals, getting the tenth-overall pick in return.Now the Giants have two picks inside the top ten next week (No. 5 and No. 10) while the Bengals have another big addition to their defensive front.Let’s hand out some grades.New York Giants grade for Dexter Lawrence tradeWhen negotiations between the Giants and Lawrence stalled, it was believed that the standout defensive lineman would fetch a late first-round selection in a trade.Instead, Joe Schoen and the Giants have received the tenth-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and now the Giants have a pair of picks inside the top ten to work with. The Giants will be on the clock at No. 5, and again at No. 10.This gives Schoen and the Giants a ton of flexibility next week. They can still add a premium defender inside the top ten — as many believed the Giants were going to do ahead of the Lawrence deal — and they can also address their offensive line, or add a weapon for Jaxson Dart in the passing game, with a pick inside the top ten.As noted by Peter Schrager, the Giants’ brass spent the past few days in Arizona meeting with Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson ahead of the private workout he held with NFL teams:New York could use that tenth pick on Tyson now.Either way, this move not only sees the Giants get a big return for a player that wanted out, but now they have two picks inside the top ten … and a lot of flexibility.Cincinnati Bengals grade for Dexter Lawrence tradeSitting at No. 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals were in position to add a potential premium defender next week.By using that trade on Lawrence, they guaranteed themselves a premium defender.This is an aggressive move by the Bengals, but it fits with the team’s “win-now” mentality and also fits with other offseason acquisitions. Cincinnati already added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook to their defense this offseason, By adding Lawrence as well, the Bengals have vastly improved that side of the ball, at least on paper.So yes, now the Bengals cannot add a top-flight rookie defender in this spot. But they get a proven, elite defender in Lawrence and continue the improvements on that side of the ball.The player they could have drafted at No. 10 may turn out to be elite. #Dexter #Lawrence #trade #grades #BengalsGiants #NFL #blockbuster

Post Comment