It should have been surprising.

Lionel Messi, at age 39, beating two defenders down the wing and firing a perfect cross into the box for Lautaro Martinez’s winner. Argentina escaping from a late World Cup deficit again.

But given everything Messi has done over the past two decades — and past two World Cups — it felt inevitable.

And it ...Read more

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche will open the season at home for the first time since 2022 against the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 30.

With the NHL expanding the season to 84 games, adding two divisional games for each team, regular-season hockey will start earlier than usual. The league begins action on Oct. 29 with an opening-night ...Read more

DETROIT — Steve Yzerman is out as Red Wings general manager.

The team announced Wednesday morning that Yzerman is stepping down as GM and a search has begun for a new head of hockey operations. Internal candidates, and others from outside the organization, will be considered.

The Wings said Yzerman will transition from his role as executive ...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — After 20 years, it’s time to raise another Stanley Cup banner.

The Carolina Hurricanes will do that Sept. 29, hosting the Florida Panthers in a 5 p.m. game at Lenovo Center in the home opener of the 2026-27 season, the NHL announced Wednesday. The Canes’ full season schedule — this year expanded to 84 games — will be ...Read more

Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jordan Staal is on there.

So are Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven, Fredik Andersen, Brandon Bussi and the other players who had key roles in the Carolina Panthers’ Stanley Cup championship this year.

Their coach, Rod Brind’Amour, also is on there, as is general manager Eric Tulsky.

A total of 53 names have been ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Think of the Flyers as an explorer who landed on a deserted island. On this island, deep within miles of thick jungle, is treasure. The explorer knows the treasure is there somewhere, and he aims to find it.

Leo Carlsson would have been a new machete: sharp, strong, capable of cutting through all those vines and branches and ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers’ pre-Fourth of July fireworks have officially become a dud.

On July 3, the team set off a bombshell when it tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson. It came with a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $18 million. According to a league source, the deal was front-loaded with a ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks will be without star center Connor Bedard for at least the first month of the regular season after he underwent surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday morning.

Bedard will miss about four months while recovering, team physician Dr. Michael Terry announced, setting up the fourth-year center for a November ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Two years ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning had an obvious 5-on-5 issue that needed fixing.

The year after that, they had a noticeable shortage of spunk that needed addressing.

So, tell me, what was the Lightning’s biggest problem going into this offseason?

The power play? A lack of speed? A dearth of faceoff wins?

Personally, I...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Summer of Bombshells continues.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced they have reached the end of their rebuild on Friday, when they tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson for five years and $90 million. The average annual value would be an NHL-record $18 million, at least for a while. Carlsson is a ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — It is the dawn of a new era in the NHL, and the Flyers are officially among the trailblazers.

A few short hours after watching the next generation wrap up development camp with a spirited and competitive three-on-three tournament, the Flyers announced they are a major player for today’s stars with the signing of Leo Carlsson ...Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — Less than two months after Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said the team’s plan and intention was to sign All-Star Jason Robertson to a new contract, they made every effort to trade him.

Life comes at you fast, especially when you can’t agree on a dollar amount.

For the first time in a long time, the Stars are ...Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It turns out San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier can do wrong.

Because for at least the last two years, Grier was the smartest guy in every room, collecting high-end draft picks like rare coins. It turned the Sharks from a laughingstock to a team that has future Stanley Cup aspirations.

But it’s fair to wonder if ...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — Frederik Andersen’s time with the Carolina Hurricanes has come to an end.

The veteran goaltender, who won 13 games in the Canes’ run to the 2026 Stanley Cup, became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday as NHL free agency began. He agreed to a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers, with an average annual value (AAV) of ...Read more

After officially becoming an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, former Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The deal averages $7 million a year, according to reports.

The fact that Bobrovsky would not be returning to Florida became clear Tuesday morning, when the Panthers acquired its ...Read more

MIAMI — The Florida Panthers have their starting goaltender for the 2026-27 season.

And he's a blast from the past.

The Panthers on Tuesday, one day before the start of free agency, traded for Jacob Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forwards Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist plus prospect Ben ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — When Carter Casey got to Medicine Hat, the young goalie faced a common problem.

He couldn’t tell the Ruck twins apart.

But like a poker shark, he discovered their tell — Liam had a discolored tooth. The Rucks’ jovial personalities made that a nearly foolproof identifier.

“They’re smiling all the time,” Casey said.

...Read more