Deadspin | Leafs visit Senators for season-ending role reversal Dec 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) gets ready to take a face-off against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs will end their season Wednesday night when they visit the Ottawa Senators, in a dramatic reversal from nearly a year ago. When the Maple Leafs (32-35-14, 78 points) visited the Senators (43-27-11, 97 points) last May 1, they won Game 6 to clinch a victory in the first-round playoff series. This time, the Maple Leafs will be packing their gear following the game after they were eliminated from playoff contention several games ago. Ottawa, meanwhile, has clinched an Eastern Conference wild-card spot and will use the regular-season finale to prepare for the playoffs. Toronto has dropped six in a row (0-5-1) after blowing a 3-0 first-period lead Monday and losing their final home game of the season 6-5 to the playoff-bound Dallas Stars. The Maple Leafs also led by two goals in the third period before Dallas scored three straight. The highlight for Toronto came when Jacob Quillan scored his first career NHL goal in the first period. The Senators are coming off a 4-3 overtime road loss Sunday to the New Jersey Devils that snapped their four-game winning streak. Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot did not play for Ottawa on Sunday. Dawson Mercer tied the game 3-3 in the third period with New Jersey’s second short-handed goal of the contest. “It was a big point,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “We had a lot of good players out of the lineup tonight. Guys battled, but when you give up two short-handed goals, it’s tough to win in the NHL.” The Senators overcame a 2-0 first-period deficit to earn the point. “I didn’t like the first 10 minutes of our game,” Green said. “We did a lot of good things,” said forward Claude Giroux, who had an assist. “We just played more to our identity. We want to play more as a team, and we did that in the second period. “ “We’re playing pretty well going into the playoffs,” said forward Shane Pinto, who scored a power-play goal. Fabian Zetterlund has been surging for the Senators and scored his fourth goal in four games on Sunday. Tkachuk is also expected to sit out Wednesday after taking a hit Saturday that forced him to leave the 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. He said on Tuesday that he will be ready for the playoffs. Ottawa has won two of three from Toronto this season. The Maple Leafs started Monday as if they would finish their home schedule on a positive note. “I was disappointed,” Toronto coach Craig Berube said. “We got a 3-0 lead, and then we gave it back to them that quickly in the second period, just on mistakes. With the coverage, we’re right there, but we’re not close enough. “It is disappointing on my end, for sure. We talked about getting a win here tonight. It would have been nice, but it didn’t happen.” Maple Leafs forward John Tavares opened the scoring with his team-leading 31st goal of the season. The 35-year-old will have played in all 82 games this season when he takes to the ice on Wednesday. “It’s impressive,” Berube said. “I talk about him all the time with you guys, about his preparation and work ethic. It’s the same every day, every practice, every game. When things aren’t going well, he works his way out of it. He’s a great pro. He’s been a great pro his whole career.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Leafs #visit #Senators #seasonending #role #reversal

Deadspin | Leafs visit Senators for season-ending role reversal
Dec 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) gets ready to take a face-off against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs will end their season Wednesday night when they visit the Ottawa Senators, in a dramatic reversal from nearly a year ago.

When the Maple Leafs (32-35-14, 78 points) visited the Senators (43-27-11, 97 points) last May 1, they won Game 6 to clinch a victory in the first-round playoff series.

This time, the Maple Leafs will be packing their gear following the game after they were eliminated from playoff contention several games ago.

Ottawa, meanwhile, has clinched an Eastern Conference wild-card spot and will use the regular-season finale to prepare for the playoffs.

Toronto has dropped six in a row (0-5-1) after blowing a 3-0 first-period lead Monday and losing their final home game of the season 6-5 to the playoff-bound Dallas Stars.

The Maple Leafs also led by two goals in the third period before Dallas scored three straight.

The highlight for Toronto came when Jacob Quillan scored his first career NHL goal in the first period.

The Senators are coming off a 4-3 overtime road loss Sunday to the New Jersey Devils that snapped their four-game winning streak.

Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot did not play for Ottawa on Sunday.

Dawson Mercer tied the game 3-3 in the third period with New Jersey’s second short-handed goal of the contest.

“It was a big point,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “We had a lot of good players out of the lineup tonight. Guys battled, but when you give up two short-handed goals, it’s tough to win in the NHL.”

The Senators overcame a 2-0 first-period deficit to earn the point.

“I didn’t like the first 10 minutes of our game,” Green said.

“We did a lot of good things,” said forward Claude Giroux, who had an assist. “We just played more to our identity. We want to play more as a team, and we did that in the second period. “

“We’re playing pretty well going into the playoffs,” said forward Shane Pinto, who scored a power-play goal.

Fabian Zetterlund has been surging for the Senators and scored his fourth goal in four games on Sunday.

Tkachuk is also expected to sit out Wednesday after taking a hit Saturday that forced him to leave the 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. He said on Tuesday that he will be ready for the playoffs.

Ottawa has won two of three from Toronto this season.

The Maple Leafs started Monday as if they would finish their home schedule on a positive note.

“I was disappointed,” Toronto coach Craig Berube said. “We got a 3-0 lead, and then we gave it back to them that quickly in the second period, just on mistakes. With the coverage, we’re right there, but we’re not close enough.

“It is disappointing on my end, for sure. We talked about getting a win here tonight. It would have been nice, but it didn’t happen.”

Maple Leafs forward John Tavares opened the scoring with his team-leading 31st goal of the season.

The 35-year-old will have played in all 82 games this season when he takes to the ice on Wednesday.

“It’s impressive,” Berube said. “I talk about him all the time with you guys, about his preparation and work ethic. It’s the same every day, every practice, every game. When things aren’t going well, he works his way out of it. He’s a great pro. He’s been a great pro his whole career.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Leafs #visit #Senators #seasonending #role #reversal

Sports news April 15, 2026

Dec 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) gets ready to take a face-off against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs will end their season Wednesday night when they visit the Ottawa Senators, in a dramatic reversal from nearly a year ago.

When the Maple Leafs (32-35-14, 78 points) visited the Senators (43-27-11, 97 points) last May 1, they won Game 6 to clinch a victory in the first-round playoff series.

This time, the Maple Leafs will be packing their gear following the game after they were eliminated from playoff contention several games ago.

Ottawa, meanwhile, has clinched an Eastern Conference wild-card spot and will use the regular-season finale to prepare for the playoffs.

Toronto has dropped six in a row (0-5-1) after blowing a 3-0 first-period lead Monday and losing their final home game of the season 6-5 to the playoff-bound Dallas Stars.

The Maple Leafs also led by two goals in the third period before Dallas scored three straight.

The highlight for Toronto came when Jacob Quillan scored his first career NHL goal in the first period.

The Senators are coming off a 4-3 overtime road loss Sunday to the New Jersey Devils that snapped their four-game winning streak.

Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot did not play for Ottawa on Sunday.

Dawson Mercer tied the game 3-3 in the third period with New Jersey’s second short-handed goal of the contest.

“It was a big point,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “We had a lot of good players out of the lineup tonight. Guys battled, but when you give up two short-handed goals, it’s tough to win in the NHL.”

The Senators overcame a 2-0 first-period deficit to earn the point.

“I didn’t like the first 10 minutes of our game,” Green said.

“We did a lot of good things,” said forward Claude Giroux, who had an assist. “We just played more to our identity. We want to play more as a team, and we did that in the second period. “

“We’re playing pretty well going into the playoffs,” said forward Shane Pinto, who scored a power-play goal.

Fabian Zetterlund has been surging for the Senators and scored his fourth goal in four games on Sunday.

Tkachuk is also expected to sit out Wednesday after taking a hit Saturday that forced him to leave the 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. He said on Tuesday that he will be ready for the playoffs.

Ottawa has won two of three from Toronto this season.

The Maple Leafs started Monday as if they would finish their home schedule on a positive note.

“I was disappointed,” Toronto coach Craig Berube said. “We got a 3-0 lead, and then we gave it back to them that quickly in the second period, just on mistakes. With the coverage, we’re right there, but we’re not close enough.

“It is disappointing on my end, for sure. We talked about getting a win here tonight. It would have been nice, but it didn’t happen.”

Maple Leafs forward John Tavares opened the scoring with his team-leading 31st goal of the season.

The 35-year-old will have played in all 82 games this season when he takes to the ice on Wednesday.

“It’s impressive,” Berube said. “I talk about him all the time with you guys, about his preparation and work ethic. It’s the same every day, every practice, every game. When things aren’t going well, he works his way out of it. He’s a great pro. He’s been a great pro his whole career.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Leafs #visit #Senators #seasonending #role #reversal

UEFA Champions League: Atletico Madrid withstands Barcelona’s early blitz to reach semifinals <div id="content-body-70863688" itemprop="articleBody">Long after the game against Barcelona ended, the Atletico Madrid players came back on the field at the Metropolitano Stadium to celebrate.They chanted along with the fans and jumped and danced.It was a big night for them.Diego Simeone’s team held on after an early charge by Barcelona to make it back to the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time in nearly a decade.Atletico lost 2-1 but advanced 3-2 on aggregate after having won the first leg 2-0 in Barcelona last week. It will be the team’s first last-four appearance in the European competition since 2017.“To play in a Champions League semifinal, how nice, how nice…” said Simeone, who was visibly moved after the thrilling back-and-forth game.“It’s been 14 years and honestly, seeing the team still competing really moves me,” Simeone said. “The players have changed, we’ve had to start over many times, and yet here we are again among the top four in Europe.”Simeone has been in charge of the club since late 2011. Atletico, seeking its first Champions League title, lost in the 2017 semifinals to Real Madrid. It also lost to its city rival in both finals it played in 2014 and 2016.Barcelona, trying to return to the last four for the second season in a row, scored twice in the first 24 minutes to even the series, with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres finding the net.Atletico struck back still in the first half with a goal by Ademola Lookman.The Catalan club played a man down from the 79th after defender Eric García was shown a red card for fouling Alexander Sorloth to stop a breakaway.“We played a very good match, we gave our lives out there, we tried everything,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong said. “Luck wasn’t on our side this time. When you go a man down, it’s always harder.”Atletico will face either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semifinals. Arsenal won the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon last week. Its second leg in London is on Wednesday.“Extremely happy to eliminate a Barcelona team that has a lot of quality,” Atletico midfielder Koke said. “We struggled in the beginning, but we found a way to recover. It was a great effort by the entire team.”In the other quarterfinal on Tuesday, defending champion Paris Saint-Germain advanced past Liverpool, winning 2-0 for an aggregate score of 4-0.The game in Madrid was stopped for several moments near the 70th minute because Atletico defender Matteo Ruggieri sustained a cut on his forehead after being elbowed by Barcelona midfielder Gavi during a dispute for the ball.Yamal opened the scoring four minutes into the match at Metropolitano Stadium, entering the area free from defenders after Atletico lost possession on a passing mistake by defender Clément Lenglet.With his goal, Yamal became the top Champions League scorer under the age of 19 with 11, one more than Kylian Mbappé.The visitor added to the lead on the night—levelling the tie at 2-2—in the 24th, with Torres picking up a through ball by Dani Olmo and finding the top corner by the far post.Fermín López nearly added the third a minute later, but his close-range header was saved by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso.The host struck back in the 31st, with Lookman scoring from inside the area in a breakaway after a low cross by Marcos Llorente.Barcelona thought it had equalised the series again, but Torres’ 57th-minute goal was disallowed for offside.Defender Ronald Araujo had Barcelona’s last chance, but his close-range header in stoppage time went over the crossbar.“We’re disappointed. We had plenty of chances, especially in the first half. We had the chance to score a third goal; instead, we conceded,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. “That’s just how football is. We need to do better, but in the end, in terms of mentality and attitude, the team gave it their all. They did a fantastic job, but we just didn’t come through.”Simeone kept Musso in goal instead of promoting the return of regular starter Jan Oblak, who has recovered from a muscle injury but hasn’t played since March 10.Atletico can cap its week with the Copa del Rey title on Saturday. It will face Real Sociedad to try to win the competition for the first time since 2013.Published on Apr 15, 2026</div> #UEFA #Champions #League #Atletico #Madrid #withstands #Barcelonas #early #blitz #reach #semifinals

UEFA Champions League: Paris Saint-Germain beats Liverpool to reach semifinals <div id="content-body-70863714" itemprop="articleBody">Paris Saint-Germain’s grip on the Champions League trophy remains strong.The defending champion advanced to the semifinals of European club football’s biggest competition by dumping out six-time winner Liverpool on Tuesday.A 2-0 win at Anfield sealed a 4-0 aggregate victory and moved PSG a step closer to becoming only the second club to retain the trophy in the modern era after Real Madrid.“It’s difficult to defend the Champions League, we know that,” said coach Luis Enrique. “We are here again and we need to make the most of these opportunities.”Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Debele scored two second-half goals to kill off Liverpool’s fight and book a semifinal clash against either Bayern Munich or Madrid.<a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/champions-league/atletico-madrid-vs-barcelona-champions-league-result-full-time-score-goals-aggregate/article70863688.ece" target="_blank">Also on Tuesday, Atletico Madrid advanced to the semifinals after a 3-2 aggregate win over Barcelona.</a>It takes something special to hold onto the Champions League, and PSG is a special team. Madrid won a hat trick of titles between 2016-18, but no other team has managed back-to-back wins since the European Cup was rebranded in 1992.PSG is out to make history after ending its long wait to conquer Europe for the first time last year. It is the second time in as many seasons that the French giant has knocked out Liverpool, which was in search of another famous Champions League comeback and has dominated PSG for periods.“It is a real pleasure for me to know that my team is at that level and can play at that level, no matter who they are playing against,” said Enrique, a two-time Champions League-winning coach, having triumphed with Barcelona as well. “You can see what sort of team we are, what players I’ve got. We’ve got confidence and belief. It’s wonderful to be living this experience with this team.”Dembele’s first goal ended Liverpool’s hopes — a left-footed shot from the edge of the area in the 72nd minute. His second came at the end of a sweeping move in stoppage time.Dembele had been guilty of wasting chances in the first leg to effectively put the tie to bed, and he failed to capitalise on two more first-half opportunities to put the French champion further ahead at Anfield.But his opening goal was dispatched with precision—nestling in the bottom corner. His second was a clinical finish from close range.Liverpool had been dominated in Paris last week. But the Merseyside club knows all about comebacks in this competition.It was 3-0 down to AC Milan in the 2005 final and powered back to win on penalties. More recently, it routed Barcelona 4-0 in the 2019 semifinals to overturn a 3-0 first-leg loss and go on to lift the trophy.Anfield is famed for its white-hot atmosphere, especially on European nights, and the PSG team bus was greeted by red flares as it approached the ground. But inside, the French fans more than held their own—singing loudly in the away section as the home crowd seemed strangely subdued at times.Liverpool had its chances despite losing Hugo Ekitike to an early injury. Virgil van Dijk was denied a first-half tap-in when Marquinhos pulled off a last-ditch block.In the second half, belief among the home fans began to grow as Liverpool applied the pressure.And a comeback looked on when referee Maurizio Mariani pointed to the spot for a foul by Willian Pacho on Alexis Mac Allister shortly after the hour.With the score at 0-0, the first half was the chance to test PSG’s resolve. But celebrations soon turned to disappointment when the penalty was overturned after review.“We are very disappointed because I think there were parts in the second half where you could just feel that if we could score now, this was going to become a special night,” said Liverpool coach Arne Slot. “But the future looks very bright for this team, for this club, because we’ve shown that we can compete with the champions of Europe in our stadium.”Published on Apr 15, 2026</div> #UEFA #Champions #League #Paris #SaintGermain #beats #Liverpool #reach #semifinals

#PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal">

PSG knock out Bayern to set up Champions League final with Arsenal Holder Paris Saint-Germain booked its place in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the semifinal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday secured a 6-5 aggregate victory.Leading 5-4 from last week’s thrilling first leg in Paris, Luis Enrique’s side extended its aggregate advantage early through Ousmane Dembele.Harry Kane scored in added time for Bayern Munich, but the German side could not find the goal required to force extra time.PSG will head into the final against Premier League leader Arsenal in Budapest on May 30 after another composed European display. The Allianz Arena also hosted PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last year.The French champion is aiming to become only the second side since 1990 to retain the Champions League title, after Real Madrid.Bayern Munich was left frustrated by a number of first-half refereeing decisions but struggled to create clear-cut chances for large parts of the contest.The six-time European champion has now failed to reach the final since beating PSG in the 2020 showpiece in Lisbon.ALSO READ: Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG herePSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.Published on May 07, 2026 #PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal

mwasimuddin125 0

Holder Paris Saint-Germain booked its place in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the semifinal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday secured a 6-5 aggregate victory.
Leading 5-4 from last week’s thrilling first leg in Paris, Luis Enrique’s side extended its aggregate advantage early through Ousmane Dembele.
Harry Kane scored in added time for Bayern Munich, but the German side could not find the goal required to force extra time.
PSG will head into the final against Premier League leader Arsenal in Budapest on May 30 after another composed European display. The Allianz Arena also hosted PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last year.
The French champion is aiming to become only the second side since 1990 to retain the Champions League title, after Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich was left frustrated by a number of first-half refereeing decisions but struggled to create clear-cut chances for large parts of the contest.
The six-time European champion has now failed to reach the final since beating PSG in the 2020 showpiece in Lisbon.
ALSO READ: Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG here
PSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.
Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.
Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.
Published on May 07, 2026

#PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal">PSG knock out Bayern to set up Champions League final with Arsenal

Holder Paris Saint-Germain booked its place in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the semifinal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday secured a 6-5 aggregate victory.

Leading 5-4 from last week’s thrilling first leg in Paris, Luis Enrique’s side extended its aggregate advantage early through Ousmane Dembele.

Harry Kane scored in added time for Bayern Munich, but the German side could not find the goal required to force extra time.

PSG will head into the final against Premier League leader Arsenal in Budapest on May 30 after another composed European display. The Allianz Arena also hosted PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last year.

The French champion is aiming to become only the second side since 1990 to retain the Champions League title, after Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich was left frustrated by a number of first-half refereeing decisions but struggled to create clear-cut chances for large parts of the contest.

The six-time European champion has now failed to reach the final since beating PSG in the 2020 showpiece in Lisbon.

ALSO READ: Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG here

PSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.

Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.

Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.

Published on May 07, 2026

#PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal

Should the Celtics Blow It Up? Analyzing Every Major Option | Deadspin.com Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Everyone seems to have an opinion on how to “fix” the Celtics.You’ll probably not be surprised to hear I have a few myself. OK, more than just a few.Raising a 7-foot bar on a bunch of wishful thinking among Celtics fans and senseless knee-jerk reactions among the unfaithful, here’s where I stand on some of the more popular suggestions:Fire Brad Stevens.Let’s get the most ridiculous one out of the way.Stevens was NBA Executive of the Year this year for a reason. He did the seemingly impossible (or so Golden State tells us) … He got rid of a bunch of overpaid veterans, remained competitive even without Jayson Tatum for the most part, and restructured a roster that should be able to compete for Eastern titles for most of the next decade.Fire him? I say: Reward him.Fire Joe Mazzulla.He did such a great job during the regular season, he set himself up for a hard fall in the playoffs. And even at that, you have to wonder what might have happened had Tatum not contracted a case of Embiid-itis.Did he mismanage the Philadelphia series? Sure. The Pistons would have fired their coach if he’d done that. Maybe even the Knicks and Cavaliers. But they haven’t won a title, made the Finals twice and been a perennial contender for the better part of a decade.Based on the improbable regular season alone, Mazz deserves the benefit of the doubt. But don’t let it happen again.Trade Derrick White.On the surface, this one makes sense. As the 76ers series demonstrated, the Celtics could use a Robert Williams III type more than a White type. But that’s what Stevens, in a rare blunder, thought when he exchanged Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic.Look at the Eastern Conference. When Joel Embiid isn’t playing – which is most of the time – the top players are almost all guards: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Tyrese Haliburton … You need somebody to slow them down.Yeah, the Celtics could move Jaylen Brown fulltime to the backcourt, but that likely would force Tatum to actually have to guard somebody. Giving Brown the tough frontcourt assignments allows Tatum to freelance, grab cheap rebounds and stay fresh for his late barrage of missed 3-pointers. Wait, that was supposed to be a positive.Trading White maybe gets you Wendell Carter Jr., but does that make you better? I say: Just bigger.Trade Jaylen Brown. May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)after Philadephia’s win in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Let’s be honest: Breaking up the Brown/Tatum tandem would take a lot of guts. But after watching the Celtics play without Tatum for two-thirds of last season, it’s at least worth considering.So which one gets shopped? That depends what type of team you want.We’ve seen what the Celtics look like without Tatum – energetic, defensive-minded and all-inclusive on offense. And that’s without whatever high-level player or players you would get by trading Tatum.You turn Brown into, say, Naz Reid and Terrence Shannon Jr., and you improve defensively on the interior and offensively on the perimeter. But you lose what made the Celtics so fun to watch this season – the team’s best defender and emotional leader.I’d keep Brown.Trade Jayson Tatum.It might take just one call to turn the Celtics into the Eastern frontrunner again …Stevens: If we give you Tatum for Giannis, how many first-round picks would you want?Bucks GM Jon Horst: Let me get back to you on that.If the response is anything you can count on one hand, the Celtics’ off-season is complete.Tatum has done a lot of good things for this team, but he’s not in Giannis’ league. Few players are.The Celtics would get their interior force, a runner who would allow the team to pick up the pace and another elite shot-blocker who would make Boston the most well-rounded defensive force in the league, with White shadowing star little guys, Brown locked onto mid-sized scorers and Giannis pitching a tent in the middle.Stop dreaming? OK, then I’d settle for Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter.Stand pat.Stevens earned a nice, long vacation. Maybe he should take one.No phones. See you in October with the same pieces that made the Celtics the favorite in the Eastern playoffs. Even with Tatum at less than 100 percent.After all, it ain’t broke.Unless, of course: Brad, this is Horstie getting back to you … #Celtics #Blow #Analyzing #Major #Option #Deadspin.com

May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)after Philadephia’s win in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

#Celtics #Blow #Analyzing #Major #Option #Deadspin.com">

mwasimuddin125 0

Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Everyone seems to have an opinion on how to “fix” the Celtics.
You’ll probably not be surprised to hear I have a few myself. OK, more than just a few.
Raising a 7-foot bar on a bunch of wishful thinking among Celtics fans and senseless knee-jerk reactions among the unfaithful, here’s where I stand on some of the more popular suggestions:
Fire Brad Stevens.
Let’s get the most ridiculous one out of the way.
Stevens was NBA Executive of the Year this year for a reason. He did the seemingly impossible (or so Golden State tells us) … He got rid of a bunch of overpaid veterans, remained competitive even without Jayson Tatum for the most part, and restructured a roster that should be able to compete for Eastern titles for most of the next decade.
Fire him? I say: Reward him.
Fire Joe Mazzulla.
He did such a great job during the regular season, he set himself up for a hard fall in the playoffs. And even at that, you have to wonder what might have happened had Tatum not contracted a case of Embiid-itis.
Did he mismanage the Philadelphia series? Sure. The Pistons would have fired their coach if he’d done that. Maybe even the Knicks and Cavaliers. But they haven’t won a title, made the Finals twice and been a perennial contender for the better part of a decade.
Based on the improbable regular season alone, Mazz deserves the benefit of the doubt. But don’t let it happen again.
Trade Derrick White.
On the surface, this one makes sense. As the 76ers series demonstrated, the Celtics could use a Robert Williams III type more than a White type. But that’s what Stevens, in a rare blunder, thought when he exchanged Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic.
Look at the Eastern Conference. When Joel Embiid isn’t playing – which is most of the time – the top players are almost all guards: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Tyrese Haliburton … You need somebody to slow them down.
Yeah, the Celtics could move Jaylen Brown fulltime to the backcourt, but that likely would force Tatum to actually have to guard somebody. Giving Brown the tough frontcourt assignments allows Tatum to freelance, grab cheap rebounds and stay fresh for his late barrage of missed 3-pointers. Wait, that was supposed to be a positive.
Trading White maybe gets you Wendell Carter Jr., but does that make you better? I say: Just bigger.
Trade Jaylen Brown.

May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)after Philadephia’s win in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Let’s be honest: Breaking up the Brown/Tatum tandem would take a lot of guts. But after watching the Celtics play without Tatum for two-thirds of last season, it’s at least worth considering.
So which one gets shopped? That depends what type of team you want.
We’ve seen what the Celtics look like without Tatum – energetic, defensive-minded and all-inclusive on offense. And that’s without whatever high-level player or players you would get by trading Tatum.
You turn Brown into, say, Naz Reid and Terrence Shannon Jr., and you improve defensively on the interior and offensively on the perimeter. But you lose what made the Celtics so fun to watch this season – the team’s best defender and emotional leader.
I’d keep Brown.
Trade Jayson Tatum.
It might take just one call to turn the Celtics into the Eastern frontrunner again …
Stevens: If we give you Tatum for Giannis, how many first-round picks would you want?
Bucks GM Jon Horst: Let me get back to you on that.
If the response is anything you can count on one hand, the Celtics’ off-season is complete.
Tatum has done a lot of good things for this team, but he’s not in Giannis’ league. Few players are.
The Celtics would get their interior force, a runner who would allow the team to pick up the pace and another elite shot-blocker who would make Boston the most well-rounded defensive force in the league, with White shadowing star little guys, Brown locked onto mid-sized scorers and Giannis pitching a tent in the middle.
Stop dreaming? OK, then I’d settle for Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter.
Stand pat.
Stevens earned a nice, long vacation. Maybe he should take one.
No phones. See you in October with the same pieces that made the Celtics the favorite in the Eastern playoffs. Even with Tatum at less than 100 percent.
After all, it ain’t broke.
Unless, of course: Brad, this is Horstie getting back to you …

#Celtics #Blow #Analyzing #Major #Option #Deadspin.com">Should the Celtics Blow It Up? Analyzing Every Major Option | Deadspin.com

Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Everyone seems to have an opinion on how to “fix” the Celtics.

You’ll probably not be surprised to hear I have a few myself. OK, more than just a few.

Raising a 7-foot bar on a bunch of wishful thinking among Celtics fans and senseless knee-jerk reactions among the unfaithful, here’s where I stand on some of the more popular suggestions:

Fire Brad Stevens.

Let’s get the most ridiculous one out of the way.

Stevens was NBA Executive of the Year this year for a reason. He did the seemingly impossible (or so Golden State tells us) … He got rid of a bunch of overpaid veterans, remained competitive even without Jayson Tatum for the most part, and restructured a roster that should be able to compete for Eastern titles for most of the next decade.

Fire him? I say: Reward him.

Fire Joe Mazzulla.

He did such a great job during the regular season, he set himself up for a hard fall in the playoffs. And even at that, you have to wonder what might have happened had Tatum not contracted a case of Embiid-itis.

Did he mismanage the Philadelphia series? Sure. The Pistons would have fired their coach if he’d done that. Maybe even the Knicks and Cavaliers. But they haven’t won a title, made the Finals twice and been a perennial contender for the better part of a decade.

Based on the improbable regular season alone, Mazz deserves the benefit of the doubt. But don’t let it happen again.

Trade Derrick White.

On the surface, this one makes sense. As the 76ers series demonstrated, the Celtics could use a Robert Williams III type more than a White type. But that’s what Stevens, in a rare blunder, thought when he exchanged Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic.

Look at the Eastern Conference. When Joel Embiid isn’t playing – which is most of the time – the top players are almost all guards: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Tyrese Haliburton … You need somebody to slow them down.

Yeah, the Celtics could move Jaylen Brown fulltime to the backcourt, but that likely would force Tatum to actually have to guard somebody. Giving Brown the tough frontcourt assignments allows Tatum to freelance, grab cheap rebounds and stay fresh for his late barrage of missed 3-pointers. Wait, that was supposed to be a positive.

Trading White maybe gets you Wendell Carter Jr., but does that make you better? I say: Just bigger.

Trade Jaylen Brown.

May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)after Philadephia’s win in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Let’s be honest: Breaking up the Brown/Tatum tandem would take a lot of guts. But after watching the Celtics play without Tatum for two-thirds of last season, it’s at least worth considering.

So which one gets shopped? That depends what type of team you want.

We’ve seen what the Celtics look like without Tatum – energetic, defensive-minded and all-inclusive on offense. And that’s without whatever high-level player or players you would get by trading Tatum.

You turn Brown into, say, Naz Reid and Terrence Shannon Jr., and you improve defensively on the interior and offensively on the perimeter. But you lose what made the Celtics so fun to watch this season – the team’s best defender and emotional leader.

I’d keep Brown.

Trade Jayson Tatum.

It might take just one call to turn the Celtics into the Eastern frontrunner again …

Stevens: If we give you Tatum for Giannis, how many first-round picks would you want?

Bucks GM Jon Horst: Let me get back to you on that.

If the response is anything you can count on one hand, the Celtics’ off-season is complete.

Tatum has done a lot of good things for this team, but he’s not in Giannis’ league. Few players are.

The Celtics would get their interior force, a runner who would allow the team to pick up the pace and another elite shot-blocker who would make Boston the most well-rounded defensive force in the league, with White shadowing star little guys, Brown locked onto mid-sized scorers and Giannis pitching a tent in the middle.

Stop dreaming? OK, then I’d settle for Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter.

Stand pat.

Stevens earned a nice, long vacation. Maybe he should take one.

No phones. See you in October with the same pieces that made the Celtics the favorite in the Eastern playoffs. Even with Tatum at less than 100 percent.

After all, it ain’t broke.

Unless, of course: Brad, this is Horstie getting back to you …

#Celtics #Blow #Analyzing #Major #Option #Deadspin.com

The Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on, but on Tuesday night the league conducted the 2026 NHL Draft lottery with the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the No. 1 pick, and the right to draft either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg in a class with more parity at the top than originally expected.

McKenna was viewed as the grand prize for much of the 2025-26 season. The rangy left wing already has good height, great playmaking, and a knack for driving the pace from the wing — making him a low-risk top overall pick. At times he’s been compared to Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, though personally, I don’t think he has quite the same ceiling as either phenom. Still, he’s a franchise cornerstone player, and it will be interesting to see whether a team chooses to keep him at his natural LW, or tries to convert him into a center.

The choice at No. 1 will be between McKenna and Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg, who has been racing up the boards as scouts take a deeper look into his run in the SHL. It’s unusual for a true 18-year-old to have any modicum of success in a pro league, but Stenberg more than held his own with his hockey IQ, and a shot volume that routinely made him one of the biggest threats on the ice for Frölunda HC. That pro-readiness is appealing for a team looking for an immediate impact, and his polish could cause him to be the top overall pick.

We’ll take a deeper dive into this year’s class as the draft approaches, but for now here’s a rapid-fire mock draft involving the teams in the lottery for the 2026 NHL Draft.

As a reminder, these were the lottery odds for winning the first draw entering Tuesday night.

Vancouver Canucks — 18.5%
Chicago Blackhawks — 13.5%
New York Rangers — 11.5%
Calgary Flames — 9.5%
Toronto Maple Leafs (Top 5 protected to Bruins) — 8.5%
Seattle Kraken — 7.5%
Winnipeg Jets — 6.5%
Florida Panthers — 6.0%
San Jose Sharks — 5.0%
Nashville Predators — 3.5%
St. Louis Blues — 3.0%
New Jersey Devils — 2.5%
New York Islanders — 2.0%
Columbus Blue Jackets — 1.5%
St. Louis Blues (from Red Wings) — 0.5%
Washington Capitals — 0.5%

#NHL #mock #draft #Instant #projection #Maple #Leafs #win #lottery">

NHL mock draft 2026: Instant projection after Maple Leafs win lottery The Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on, but on Tuesday night the league conducted the 2026 NHL Draft lottery with the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the No. 1 pick, and the right to draft either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg in a class with more parity at the top than originally expected.McKenna was viewed as the grand prize for much of the 2025-26 season. The rangy left wing already has good height, great playmaking, and a knack for driving the pace from the wing — making him a low-risk top overall pick. At times he’s been compared to Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, though personally, I don’t think he has quite the same ceiling as either phenom. Still, he’s a franchise cornerstone player, and it will be interesting to see whether a team chooses to keep him at his natural LW, or tries to convert him into a center.The choice at No. 1 will be between McKenna and Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg, who has been racing up the boards as scouts take a deeper look into his run in the SHL. It’s unusual for a true 18-year-old to have any modicum of success in a pro league, but Stenberg more than held his own with his hockey IQ, and a shot volume that routinely made him one of the biggest threats on the ice for Frölunda HC. That pro-readiness is appealing for a team looking for an immediate impact, and his polish could cause him to be the top overall pick.We’ll take a deeper dive into this year’s class as the draft approaches, but for now here’s a rapid-fire mock draft involving the teams in the lottery for the 2026 NHL Draft.As a reminder, these were the lottery odds for winning the first draw entering Tuesday night.Vancouver Canucks — 18.5%Chicago Blackhawks — 13.5%New York Rangers — 11.5%Calgary Flames — 9.5%Toronto Maple Leafs (Top 5 protected to Bruins) — 8.5%Seattle Kraken — 7.5%Winnipeg Jets — 6.5%Florida Panthers — 6.0%San Jose Sharks — 5.0%Nashville Predators — 3.5%St. Louis Blues — 3.0%New Jersey Devils — 2.5%New York Islanders — 2.0%Columbus Blue Jackets — 1.5%St. Louis Blues (from Red Wings) — 0.5%Washington Capitals — 0.5% #NHL #mock #draft #Instant #projection #Maple #Leafs #win #lottery

mwasimuddin125 0

The Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on, but on Tuesday night the league conducted the 2026 NHL Draft lottery with the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the No. 1 pick, and the right to draft either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg in a class with more parity at the top than originally expected.

We’ll take a deeper dive into this year’s class as the draft approaches, but for now here’s a rapid-fire mock draft involving the teams in the lottery for the 2026 NHL Draft.

As a reminder, these were the lottery odds for winning the first draw entering Tuesday night.

#NHL #mock #draft #Instant #projection #Maple #Leafs #win #lottery">NHL mock draft 2026: Instant projection after Maple Leafs win lottery

We’ll take a deeper dive into this year’s class as the draft approaches, but for now here’s a rapid-fire mock draft involving the teams in the lottery for the 2026 NHL Draft.

As a reminder, these were the lottery odds for winning the first draw entering Tuesday night.

#NHL #mock #draft #Instant #projection #Maple #Leafs #win #lottery

Related Posts

Fire Brad Stevens.

Fire Joe Mazzulla.

Trade Derrick White.

Trade Jaylen Brown.

Trade Jayson Tatum.

Stand pat.

Fire Brad Stevens.

Fire Joe Mazzulla.

Trade Derrick White.

Trade Jaylen Brown.

Trade Jayson Tatum.

Stand pat.

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