Game #17: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers Open Thread
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Knicks head coach Mike Brown insists Dalton Knecht is more than a spot‑up shooter, calling him a true scorer after his debut. Knecht tallied 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a 30‑point win over the Chicago Bulls, offering a promising start for the former No. 17 2024 Lakers draft pick who signed a two‑way deal after being waived. Brown’s comments highlight a willingness to look past stereotypes and evaluate Knecht’s offensive versatility, though he must still prove his defense to earn a regular rotation spot.
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers quells knee worries ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles, replying simply, “I’ll be good.” The 2025 ACL‑meniscus survivor missed Wednesday’s practice and was listed as a non‑participant, but worked with trainers Thursday. Nabters was just named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October after four straight 100‑yard games. New York (4‑2‑1) faces an Eagles squad (2‑6) at Lincoln Financial Field, a site where the Giants haven’t won since 2013. The team will confirm his status Friday before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
The Kansas City Chiefs aim to rebound in Week 9 against the New York Jets after back‑to‑back losses to Seattle (20‑3) and Denver (28‑24). Favorited by 10 points, Kansas City (5‑2) gets a boost as Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice return to full practice. Kelce, battling a lingering ankle issue, posts 29 receptions for 410 yards and two TDs, while Rice, after hamstring and knee concerns, records 20 catches for 243 yards and two scores. Mahomes hopes the now‑healthy top targets will reignite the offense.
Hutton’s contract with the Islanders carries a pro-rated $900,000 cap hit for the 2026-27 season.
The NFL roundup highlights several NFC moves: The Giants' attempt to claim RB Robert Henry Jr. was foiled when the Commanders scooped him up. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defends his low‑pay coach philosophy, backing head coach Brian Schottenheimer (now 10‑14‑1) and dismissing staff changes despite injuries to OLB Malachi Lawrence and TE Jake Ferguson. Eagles plan to start QB Joe Milton in Week 9, seeking an offensive spark, while LG Landon Dickerson remains uncertain about the change. Giants lock CB Greg Newsome into a three‑year, $46 million extension, and contend with RB Cam Skattebo’s hamstring issues.
Simon Nemec (No. 17) nets the overtime winner for the New Jersey Devils, beating St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington (No. 50) on Nov. 26, 2025 at the Prudential Center. The Devils improve to 10‑5‑0, while the Blues fall to 7‑7‑1. The game airs at 7 PM EST on MSGSN and Devils Hockey Radio. The post also highlights a locker‑room music pick – the first two tracks from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s – and promotes the SB Nation app’s Game Chat feature.
Eight in‑season NFL trades have already hit the market ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Teams are split: struggling clubs swap talent for draft picks, while playoff hopefuls add firepower. Highlights include the Giants grabbing QB J.J. McCarthy, the Steelers sending CB Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas, the Ravens acquiring Pro Bowl C Cam Jurgens, and the Bears trading two first‑rounders for DT Jeffery Simmons. The Colts off‑loaded DT DeForest Buckner and G Quenton Nelson for future picks, and the Ravens are poised to add QB Jacoby Brissett after Lamar Jackson’s injury. The flurry of moves showcases a rapid front‑office scramble for postseason positioning.
Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams insists he never told Dak Prescott to play conservatively, emphasizing that the offense wants to be aggressive and create late‑game opportunities. After the Cowboys blew a 30‑24 lead with 1:05 left and lost 33‑30 in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals, Adams highlighted the need to better exploit blitzing defenses, noting the team has missed chances to turn pressure into big plays. He pointed out the Cowboys score 30+ points in five games (3‑2 record) but are 1‑11 when under 30. The loss dropped Dallas to 3‑5, a game behind the Giants, as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The New York Mets are set to add Johnny Washington as a co‑hitting coach, according to sources cited by Joel Sherman. Washington, who most recently served as the Braves’ farm system hitting coordinator, replaces Jeff Albert’s former director‑of‑hitting role and will share duties with Troy Snitker and assistant Rafael Fernandez. Washington’s résumé includes stints as the Padres’ first‑base coach (2017‑18), their hitting coach (2019), a KBO hitting coach for the Hanwha Eagles (2021), the Cubs’ assistant hitting coach (2022), and the Angels’ hitting coach in 2023 before being dismissed earlier this year. The move signals the Mets’ push to revamp their offense for the 2026 season.
Former Braves GM John Coppolella reveals a 2014 trade he once pitched to the Yankees that would have sent Jason Heyward to New York in exchange for Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Gary Sanchez, Ian Clarkin and Manny Banuelos. The Yankees passed, leading Atlanta to acquire Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins from the Cardinals, which later turned into the #1 pick Dansby Swanson and a key role for Luke Jackson in the 2021 World Series run. Coppolella, now reinstated and writing for Baseball America, reflects on how the blocked blockbuster could have reshaped the Braves' offensive firepower before Judge even debuted.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee explains his humble reaction after being benched for rookie Joe Milton ahead of the Week 9 showdown with the New York Giants. With the Eagles slipping to 2-6 after six straight losses, McKee, who started the last three games (72 of 114 passes for 638 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) says he’ll focus on controllable factors and improve his play. The move makes Milton the fourth passer this season after Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton and McKee. Milton, signed from Dallas’s practice squad on Oct. 16, will start Sunday as the Eagles seek a turnaround.
Friday’s NFL roster moves see the Bears put RB Zavier Scott on IR, while the Ravens shift gears by elevating LB Adisa Isaac, K Jake Moody and signing QB Austin Reed, then placing Tyler Huntley and Lamar Jackson on IR. The Chiefs add WR Bub Means, the Giants waive QB Jake Haener, and the Raiders swap TE Carter Runyon for WR Cody White. Practice squad signings span the Bills (Kader Kohou), Patriots (Kindle Vildor), Rams (Joshua Karty, David Long), Seahawks (Adrian Martinez, Jamie Sheriff) and more.
The New York Giants receive encouraging news on running back Cam Skattebo ahead of Week 9’s NFC East showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. Skattebo, who suffered a hamstring strain two weeks ago, shows noticeable sharpness in Thursday side‑drills, according to North Jersey reporter Art Stapleton, who refuses to rule him out of the game. While Giants rumors link them to a potential Jonathan Taylor trade, Skattebo remains the focal point of New York’s offense, needing to prove he can handle a full three‑down workload against a strong Eagles run defense. His physical, hard‑hitting style could boost the Giants’ division‑title push.
Brittany Mahroads reacts to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ off‑field gesture after the Chiefs’ 28‑24 loss to Denver on Nov. 5, 2026. While Patrick posted a solid 30‑for‑41, 321‑yard, three‑TD performance, the team fell to 5‑2 following a controversial false‑start call that erased a potential game‑winning touchdown. Brittany, a former UT‑Tyler soccer star and co‑owner of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current, shared an Instagram story highlighting Patrick’s donation of Adidas Adizero EVO SL ATR shoes to the UT Tyler Patriots women’s soccer team and slammed the penalty call. The Chiefs look to bounce back against the New York Jets Sunday.
The New York Mets appoint Johnny Washington as co‑hitting coach alongside returning Troy Snitker, adding him to Andy Green’s staff. Washington spent 2026 as the Atlanta Braves’ minor‑league hitting coordinator after stints with the Padres, Cubs, Angels and a KBO team. He previously worked with Mets players Jared Young and Luis Torrens. The hire follows the Mets’ search for hitting help, with Kevin Long and John Mallee ruled out, and comes as the club finished near the league bottom in OPS and runs in 2026. Fellow assistants Rafael Fernandez and AJ Ellis also join the revamped coaching roster.
In Week 8 at the New York Jets, the Raiders’ special teams sparked a comeback when reserve running back Dylan Laube returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown—the first Raiders kickoff return TD since 2011 and the NFL’s first of the 2026 season. The play gave Las Vegas a brief 14‑13 lead before the Jets answered, but Laube’s 144 yards on three returns (48‑yard average) and a near‑block on a field‑goal attempt earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Coach Joe DeCamillis praised the unit’s effort, highlighting blocks by Isaiah Pola‑Mao and Ian Thomas, while quarterback Kirk Cousins called the return a "seven‑point gift" that could fuel future road wins.
In Week 8 the Bills blitzed 64.5% of the Ravens’ passes, a strategy DC Jim Leonhard says was designed to disrupt Lamar Jackson, who left after the first play. The Bills later cut safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson, opting for Damar Hamlin. Meanwhile, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn affirms Breece Hall remains the starter despite Braelon Allen’s strong fill‑in, and OC Frank Reich calls the two‑back situation a "great problem to have." Patriots OLB Harold Landry stays on the PUP list as he recovers from a knee injury, while WR A.J. Brown sits out Week 8 with a high‑ankle sprain and knee flare‑up. The notes cover roster moves and injury updates across the AFC.
The Mets, fresh off a last‑place finish in the NL East, are targeting dominant free‑agent starter Tarik Skubal. With owner Steve Cohen poised to chase big names, the Dodgers traded Skubal last season and the Brewers swept them in the World Series. On the Mets Podcast, hosts Joe DeMayo and Sal Licata discuss their backup plans if Skubal signs elsewhere: veteran Michael King, who impressed in the Padres’ postseason, and reliable reliever‑turned‑starter Clay Holmes, known for his consistency with the Yankees, Mets and Cubs. The segment weighs each option as free agency heats up.
Durzi has been playing through something for a while. Now the Rangers are making it official, and James Reimer's time in New York may be coming to an end.
The New York Rangers waive veteran netminder James Reimer after a brief, uneven stint—he logged just one period this season with a 9.00 GAA and .625 save percentage. The move follows the conditioning loan of Joonas Korpisalo to the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack, where he posted a 34‑save effort despite a 4-1 loss, prompting coach Mike Sullivan to anticipate his return. With Reimer’s $850K contract now redundant and Dylan Garand emerging as the primary backup, the Rangers clear a roster spot for Korpisalo.
A former wide receiver and kick returner of the Pittsburgh Steelers could soon have a new home in the NFL.
Shooting guard Kon Knueppel suffers a left hamstring strain and will miss the Hornets’ Friday night game against the Boston Celtics. The injury forced him out early in his season debut against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, ending a brief return after missing the first weeks of the 2026‑27 campaign. Hornets rookie‑of‑the‑year finalist Knueppel, who set a three‑point record last season, is now sidelined as Charlotte struggles with a sub‑30% three‑point shooting rate and criticism over the LaMelo Ball trade. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET in Charlotte.
The Seattle Kraken boast a franchise‑best 9‑5‑1 record through 15 games and sit third in the Pacific, but their 65% penalty‑kill rate ranks third‑worst in the NHL. Injuries have hampered the unit, with top shorthanded defender Ryan Lindgren sidelined since early October; he’s showing progress but remains unavailable. New acquisition Matthew Wood, a former Predators rookie who studied PK techniques, is earning minutes on the kill and power play. Coach Lane Lambert hopes Lindgren’s return will lift the special teams, as the Kraken prepare to test their PK against the New York Rangers, who currently sit at an 18.6% power‑play success rate.
The New York Giants held workouts Thursday for four wide receivers—Maurice Alexander, River Cracraft, Steven Sims, and Wes Pahl, according to the NFL’s Official Transaction Wire. The focus is on veteran WR River Cracraft, 32, who has bounced between practice squads and futures contracts with the Broncos, Eagles, 49ers, Dolphins, Seahawks and Commanders, appearing in a single 2025 game with no stats. The Giants’ interest hints at a possible depth addition ahead of the season’s second half.