The Boston Red Sox are prioritizing a power hitter in the 2026‑27 offseason, according to The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. While a starting pitcher like Sonny Gray is on the radar, the team eyes outfielders Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki as potential free‑agency acquisitions. Arozarena posted a .281/.865 line with 26 homers and 26 steals, earning his third All‑Star nod, while Suzuki matched the 26 home runs with a .270/.841 slash for a postseason Chicago Cubs. With a big market and ample payroll, Boston could realistically lure one of these sluggers, though player interest remains uncertain.
Week 9 fantasy football streaming choices spotlight four wide receivers. Matthew Golden (GB) logged 7 receptions, 79 yards and a TD versus Carolina despite injury concerns, making him a solid PPR starter against New England. Luther Burden III (CHI) posted 7 catches on 9 targets and a TD in a win over Seattle, showing a rising role and weekly floor for Chicago’s matchup with Tampa Bay. Rashee Rice (KC) led the Chiefs with 7 of 8 targets and a TD in a loss to Denver; if cleared from injuries, he could be a high-upside starter versus the Jets. Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) offers steady target volume—6 catches for 58 yards against Green Bay—but lacks recent TDs, keeping him as a reliable WR2 in PPR formats. Check injury reports before finalizing lineups.
The Cubs’ front office says it “badly wants” left‑hander Tarik Skubal, but the blog argues the club’s payroll limits make a blockbuster deal unlikely. Highlighting the team’s historic contracts—Jason Heyward’s $184 million eight‑year deal and Alex Bregman’s $35 million AAV—author notes the biggest pitcher payout was Jon Lester’s $155 million. With the Dodgers and Mets comfortably splashing cash, Chicago would need to break its own spending ceiling to chase Skubal, something that would force frugal moves elsewhere. The piece also critiques the Cubs’ pitching development and recent loss of two farm directors, suggesting a Brewers‑style, smarter spend might be more realistic than a Skubal‑era megadeal.
Losing patience in Chicago. Simon Edvinsson skating in Nashville, and the San Jose Sharks make a lot of sense. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky safe.
Losing patience in Chicago. Simon Edvinsson skating in Nashville, and the San Jose Sharks make a lot of sense. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky safe.
The Bears enter the 2027 draft without a first‑round pick after trading it (and a future 2028 pick) to the Titans for All‑Pro DT Jeffery Simmons, who shone in a win over the Seahawks. With cornerback Jaylon Johnson likely to be released and Tyrique Stevenson facing free agency, Chicago’s top need is a new CB, landing Zabien Brown from Alabama in the second round. In round three they target interior pass‑rusher Mateen Ibirogba, a former edge player now at Texas Tech. A fifth‑round pick from the Falcons, Antwan Raymond of Rutgers, offers depth at running back. The mock outlines how Chicago could rebuild its defense and add skill‑position depth without a first‑rounder.
OG Anunoby scores 18 points in the Knicks’ 135-105 win over the Bulls despite a cold 3-for-10 shooting night, converting 11 of 12 free throws and adding three steals in 24 minutes. The forward’s ability to attack the rim and draw fouls helped offset heavy defensive focus on Jalen Brunson. While his three‑point shooting was limited (1 of 6), the piece argues New York should keep using Anunoby’s mismatch attacks without sacrificing floor spacing as they gear up for a tougher test against Cleveland.
Doc Rivers, who coached the 76ers from 2020‑2023, praises the team's current 8‑1 start on The Bill Simmons Podcast, calling Philadelphia the "best team in the NBA" and hard to beat. Rivers highlights the star‑studded lineup—LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecomb—and their strong defense, allowing just 105.1 points per game (rating 105.4). He notes Maxey’s clutch play and Nick Nurse’s coaching as key factors. The Sixers next face the Cavaliers Friday and the Bulls Sunday.
Duncan Robinson is poised for a full $16 million guarantee from the Pistons after posting career‑high numbers – 19 points per game, 47.4% shooting and 47.9% from three over his first eight games. His non‑guaranteed $15.2 million salary for next season appears likely to become guaranteed as he fills the offensive void left by Jalen Duren. Meanwhile, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen left a game with a right‑knee knock but expects a quick return, while Tyrese Proctor and other Cleveland players are listed as questionable for the NBA Cup showdown in Philadelphia. Former Bucks coach Doc Rivers reveals on the Bill Simmons Podcast that Giannis Antetokounmpo silently pressured Milwaukee to trade him, and a Chicago Tribune piece questions the Bulls’ concern over Matas Buzelis’ slow start.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson opens up about Rome Odunze's recent surge and how Caleb Williams is helping the former top-10 pick thrive.
In Episode 94 of the Weird Islanders podcast, host Sam Fels joins Lighthouse Hockey to recount goaltender Jeff Hackett’s turbulent 500‑game NHL career. Hackett bounced from a struggling early‑90s New York Islanders squad (five wins in 1990‑91, including a 4‑1, 41‑save victory over Winnipeg) to the inaugural San Jose Sharks, then endured a bruising backup stint behind Ed Belfour in Chicago before finally getting the starting role on a mediocre Blackhawks team. The conversation also dives into Blackhawks goalie politics, on‑ice brawls, and Hackett’s later stint with Montreal, where he was traded for Jocelyn Thibault and eventually retired due to vertigo. Highlights include Hackett’s appearance on the night the Islanders honored Al Arbour (Jan 25, 1997) and his ranking as No. 99 in Bleacher Report’s top‑100 goalies.
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer eyes former Padres right‑hander Michael King as a free‑agent acquisition. After opting out of his three‑year, $75 million deal with San Diego, King posted a standout 2026 season (3.21 ERA, 1.178 WHIP, 32 starts, 4.3 bWAR) and dominated Chicago in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series with seven innings, one hit and eight strikeouts. MLB Trade Rumors projects a four‑year, $92 million contract, while The Athletic suggests three years, $78 million. At 31, King could bolster the Cubs’ rotation—read on to weigh the options.
The Chicago White Sox officially announce Matt Roffe as their new director of amateur scouting, confirming his title and providing the correct pronunciation of his name (ROW-fay). The hiring, revealed on Thursday, solidifies the club’s leadership in scouting talent for upcoming drafts and prospects.
As the pre‑lockout offseason drags on, the Chicago Cubs sit in a roster limbo while the rest of MLB remains quiet. Despite rumors linking the team to nearly every available starter—from Tarik Skubal and Randy Arozarena to Adrian Morejón and Trevor Rogers—no major moves have materialized. The Athletic even rates the Cubs as a top fit for Skubal, yet the last big contract was Jason Heyward’s $184 M deal in 2015. Meanwhile, fan sentiment leans toward a salary‑cap system, and owners appear cautious amid potential labor talks. With GM meetings only days away, readers will want to see if the Cubs finally break the silence.
Election‑day results ripple through several stadium stories. Sen. Ron Wyden, soon to chair the Senate Finance Committee, tells NBA Board chair Micky Arison he’s interested in Portland’s Blazers arena deal, hinting at possible tax scrutiny if the team seeks a public‑funded move. In Texas, voters reject a tax surcharge for a $700 million Dallas Stars arena, sending the project back to the drawing board. Florida’s property‑tax cut thwarts Tampa Bay Rays’ plan to fund a new stadium via a mixed‑use district. Las Vegas A’s face a $200 million parking‑garage financing gap, while Indiana’s push for stadium aid may be a ploy to pressure Illinois for a Bears facility. Lastly, a Tourism Economics report inflates Jacksonville Jaguars’ $21.7 billion impact, a claim Jaguars owner Shahid Khan disputes, and a note links the Brewers’ World Series win to the Rays’ sea‑level park.
Zemgus Girgensons returns from a lower-body injury to spark the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 6, 2026. He opens the game with a shot 20 seconds in, logs a game‑high five shots, an assist and a +2 rating, and wins 13 of 21 faceoffs (62%). Paired with Ilya Mikheyev and Pontus Holmberg—dubbed the “ZIP line”—the line totals two goals, three assists and 10 shots. At 32, Girgensons is on pace for 20 points and leads the team with 195 hits last season. With Yanni Gourde’s imminent return and Girgensons entering the final year of his $2.55 M contract, his future as a UFA sparks roster questions for the Lightning.
The Chicago Blackhawks fell 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, extending their losing streak to five games. Despite generating 10 high‑danger chances, Chicago managed only two goals, with rookie Roman Kantserov snapping Vasilevskiy’s shutout bid with 48.1 seconds left for his eighth of the season and an eight‑game point streak. The Hawks’ shot volume has plummeted, posting 26 or fewer in three straight games against elite opponents. However, their physical play surged, out‑checking Tampa Bay 31‑13, thanks in part to Dillon Boucher’s seven hits in just over eight minutes. Coach Jeff Blashill and forward Alex Vlasic stress the need for more net‑level shooting and sustained offense to break the slump.
Matthew Boyd, the 36‑year‑old right‑hander who rebounded with a 3.21 ERA and 179.2 innings for the Cubs in 2025, becomes a free agent after a injury‑marred 2026 (22 starts, 126.2 IP, 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP). Despite recent biceps and meniscus setbacks, his career numbers—5.0 fWAR over two seasons with Chicago and a projected 1‑2‑year, $13‑18 million deal—make him an appealing low‑risk option for teams needing a veteran starter. The article outlines five possible landing spots, with the Cubs themselves a logical fit as they revamp a rotation losing several arms. Boyd’s declining strikeout rate and age raise concerns, but his experience and modest contract demand could attract contenders looking for depth.
In this edition of The Hockey News Morning Skate, Michael Augello and Michael Traikos break down the Montreal Canadiens' 5-4 win over the Utah Mammoth, the Edmonton Oilers' penalty-filled 5-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, and the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-1 victory over the struggling Chicago Blackhawks.
The Seahawks’ 28‑20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 5, 2026, exposes deep offensive and defensive flaws that could jeopardize a Wild Card push. Seattle converts just 1 of 11 third‑downs (9.1%) and repeatedly forces long third‑down situations, highlighting first‑down inefficiency. Quarterback Sam Darnold struggles with pressure, missed throws, and a rib injury, while offensive coordinator Brian Fleury’s play‑calling lacks cohesion and fails to counter blitzes. The defeat also widens the gap behind the 49ers and drops Seattle in the NFC West race, underscoring the urgent need for a more disciplined game plan.
With Theo Benedet not practicing and Braxton Jones on Injured Reserve, it's time the Chicago Bears finally let Ozzy Trapilo take over at left tackle.
Tyrone Taylor sparked one of the season’s most unforgettable moments for a struggling New York Mets team. On May 17, 2026, the fourth‑outfielder belted a game‑tying three‑run homer in the ninth inning against the Yankees, ending the Mets’ 96‑game losing streak when trailing after eight innings. After a month on the IL, Taylor returned June 26, posted a .354/.436/.875 slash line in 24 games, then was traded to the Cubs on Aug. 3, where he hit .351 with 10 RBIs in 30 games. At 32, the free‑agent could yet rejoin the Mets.
The Silver Slugger finalists are unveiled ahead of the November 17 award ceremony. In the NL, top hitters include Hunter Goodman (C), Jake Bauers, Alec Burleson, Rafael Devers and Matt Olson at 1B, and stars like Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber as designated hitters. The AL list features Dillon Dingler (C), Pete Alonso, Willson Contreras, and Michael Trout among the outfield nominees, with Yordan Alvarez and Ben Rice slated for DH. Managers and coaches, barred from voting for their own players, selected these candidates. Team honors this season spotlight the Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers and Nationals in the NL, and the Astros, Rays, Twins and White Sox in the AL as the top offensive squads. Winners roll out on November 17.
Mike Brown gave rookie guard Tyler Kolek his first backup minutes in a 135-105 win over the Chicago Bulls, replacing Jose Alvarado. Kolek didn’t score but dished five assists with zero turnovers in 11 minutes, showing a pass-first style when Jalen Brunson rests. While the blowout win highlights his playmaking, coach Brown must still assess defensive matchups and shooting before making a permanent backup decision. The article suggests keeping Kolek in the rotation for the upcoming game against Cleveland to let the matchup dictate his role, rather than issuing a quick verdict after one easy victory.
The 2026-27 season is just 17 games old, but Chicago Blackhawks fans already wish it were over. The Blackhawks lost 5-3 to the Florida Panthers and had the privilege of…