Yikes: The New Jersey Devils need to STAY AWAY from Free Agency in 2026
Yikes: The New Jersey Devils need to STAY AWAY from Free Agency in 2026

Charlie Coyle's recent contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets—a six-year deal at $6 million per year despite Coyle being 34—serves as a warning sign for the New Jersey Devils about the dangers of overpaying in free agency. Zach Berman urges the Devils to steer clear of such costly contracts when shopping for players in 2026, emphasizing that the team is in a much better position now with a savvy new general manager leading their front office restructuring. The landscape of NHL management is also shifting, with news about potential GM hires in Nashville and Vancouver signaling wider changes—but Zach Berman notes that the Devils' recent hire of Sunny Mehta might be the most impressive move among teams this offseason. Analyzing the upcoming free agent market, Zach Berman highlights how several available players bring significant risk and are likely to command overpriced deals. Names like Darren Raddysh, who had a breakout season at age 30, and Rasmus Andersson, who is coming off an uneven run, may look tempting but are "landmine" contracts waiting to happen. Even forwards like Alex Tuch—despite strong numbers in Buffalo—are likely too expensive to justify bringing in. The majority of top free agents either do not fit the Devils' needs or are expected to re-sign with their current teams. Instead of chasing risky free agents, Zach Berman recommends the Devils focus on internal roster moves and targeting trade opportunities, especially as key players like Nico Hischier approach extension talks. The cautionary tale of Charlie Coyle’s deal underscores the danger of long-term commitments to aging players, and the Devils should focus on sustainability and flexibility rather than splashy signings that could impede their progress. Finally, Zach Berman discusses coaching changes around the league, most notably the ongoing saga in Edmonton where the Oilers are interviewing Bruce Cassidy despite still having Kris Knoblauch under contract. Zach Berman argues that, should Knoblauch become available, he would be an excellent candidate for the Devils’ head coach position. However, the larger theme remains: while other franchises make questionable moves, the Devils are being urged to remain patient, prudent, and to take advantage of opportunities born from other teams’ mistakes. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LODevils?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL Subscribe to Locked On Devils! Follow me on the "X" app: @zachbrettberman Follow the show on the "X" app: @LockedOnDevils Listen to Locked On Devils: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnDevils For your next listen, check out the Locked On NHL podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day. Listener Survey: We’ve put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and make your favorite podcasts even better. Go tohttps://lockedonpodcasts.com/survey/ to get started. Everyone who completes a survey will be entered for a chance to win one of ten $100 Amazon gift cards. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime: Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch Money: Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuel: Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner. Visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Thumbnail credit: USA TODAY #NewJerseyDevils #Devils #NHL



The Lakers Have ONE Last Chance With Luka Dončić 😳💜
The Lakers Have ONE Last Chance With Luka Dončić 😳💜

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a massive offseason after being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and now every question surrounds Luka Dončić and the future of the franchise. Will LeBron James return? Can the Lakers keep Austin Reaves? And most importantly, will L.A. finally build the right roster around Luka before it’s too late? From playoff disappointment to major offseason decisions, this could become the defining moment for the next era of Lakers basketball. Fans everywhere are debating whether the front office can truly maximize Luka’s prime years and bring championship basketball back to Los Angeles.#Lakers #LukaDoncic #LeBronJames #NBA #LakeShow #NBAPlays #AustinReaves #Basketball #OKCThunder #NBAOffseason



Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) vs Jeff Horn (Australia) | Full Fight Highlights
Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) vs Jeff Horn (Australia) | Full Fight Highlights

Boxing. Manny Pacquiao (Philippines, 59-6-2, 38 KOs) vs Jeff Horn (Australia, 16-0-1, 11 KOs). Full Fight Highlights. A tense WBO welterweight world title clash as Manny Pacquiao faced Jeff Horn in front of a massive crowd in Brisbane. Experience, speed and combinations met pressure, physicality and relentless aggression in one of boxing’s most debated fights of the year. 🏆 Titles on the line: WBO World Welterweight 📊 Scorecards: Ramon Cerdan 113-115, Chris Flores 113-115, Waleska Roldan 111-117 📍 Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia 📅 Date: July 2, 2017 Footage rights provided by WSC Sports - https://tinyurl.com/TimelessBoxing #boxing #MannyPacquiao #JeffHorn #SneakyPunchBoxing #boxinghighlights #boxeo #sports #fighting #boxe #PacquiaoHorn



Dwyane Wade Reacts to the Knicks’ Rise, Thunder Sweep & Anthony Edwards Taking Over
Dwyane Wade Reacts to the Knicks’ Rise, Thunder Sweep & Anthony Edwards Taking Over

In this Timeout, Dwyane and Bob break down the playoffs with a focus on chemistry, coaching, and experience. Dwyane praises the Knicks’ defensive connectivity, compares Thibodeau’s impact to Pat Riley returning to Miami to bring discipline to a roster of “grown man knuckleheads,” and previews a physical Knicks and Pistons matchup. Out West, he breaks down why the injured Timberwolves have to lean on grit against a deep but inexperienced Spurs team, calls out Wembanyama going through the physical growing pains of playoff basketball, and shares advice he gave Anthony Edwards directly, stop getting caught on the sideline and bring the physicality on your drives. Dwyane also talks about his role in the Utah Jazz governing group, excited about the number two pick and building the right culture around Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, and closes by telling impatient Heat fans to trust the front office to get Bam the help he needs. Music Credit: Khari Mateen.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ What We Discussed: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Knicks Vs 76ers Series And Fan Base 05:11 The Impact Of Coaching Changes 07:25 The Pat Riley Era 09:27 Potential Matchups: Detroit’s Physicality Vs New York And Cleveland 14:08 Defining Playoff Roles: Praising OKC And Erik Spoelstra 17:35 San Antonio Spurs Vs Minnesota Timberwolves 21:40 Mentoring Anthony Edwards Through Double Teams 25:30 Draft Lottery Reactions And The Future Of The Utah Jazz 27:35 Trusting The Miami Heat Front Office



NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Spring Cleaning - Boston Bruins
NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Spring Cleaning - Boston Bruins

One of the true feel-good stories in the 2025-26 regular season was the Boston Bruins. Much like the Penguins, the B's summer moves in 2025 did little to suggest a return to the playoffs was at hand. However, also much like the Penguins, the stars produced and others looked at more as middle-to-bottom six types up front delivered a season that enabled Boston to separate themselves from other bubble teams and qualify for the post-season as a second Wild Card. The new challenge in Beantown is whether some of those with surprising seasons can sustain into 2026-27 and how will GM Don Sweeney augment his team with a minimal number of players heading to free agency. X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/ NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/ #NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SpringCleaning #BostonBruins #DonSweeney #JimMontgomery #JoeSacco #JeremySwayman #BradMarchand #FloridaPanthers #DavidPastrnak #MorganGeekie #EliasLindholm #PavelZacha #ViktorArvidsson #EdmontonOilers #CaseyMittelstadt #MaratKhusnutdinov #MarkKastelic #JonthanAspirot #MasonLohrei #NikitaZadorov #ZdenoChara #JeffreyViel #AnaheimDucks #TampaBatLightning #CharlieCoyle #ColoradoAvalanche #VancouverCanucks #LukasReichel #JamesHagens #AndrewPeeke #JordanHarris #WashingtonCapitals #PittsburghPenguins



A Nice Little Win For The Giants Over The Dodgers
A Nice Little Win For The Giants Over The Dodgers

The Giants just took three of four from the Dodgers, including a 9-3 drubbing in LA. Trevor McDonald held his own in a spot start, the bullpen came through, and Raffy Devers and Willy Adames are finally starting to look like the players the Giants paid for. On paper, things are trending up. So why is Giants Nation absolutely losing it right now? Because Bryce Eldridge — the team's top prospect and the most hyped call-up in years — is riding the pine. He hits a home run Saturday night and then gets benched the very next day against the Dodgers. No pinch-hit opportunity. Nothing. And the front office's explanation? Essentially, Devers and Chapman have priority. The same Chapman who is 7-for-his-last-55 with a 28% strikeout rate. That's the guy getting starts over your generational prospect. The hosts break down what the Giants' current roster mess really means, what Bob Nightengale's report about a potential Robbie Ray — or even Logan Webb — trade signals, and whether Buster Posey's front office has any idea what the plan actually is. Topics discussed include: Giants go 3-of-4 vs. the Dodgers, Trevor McDonald's spot start breakdown Raffy Devers and Willy Adames heating up — the stats that back it up Matt Chapman's brutal numbers and why his spot in the lineup is indefensible Bryce Eldridge being benched after a home run — fan outrage explained Casey Schmidt's surprise emergence complicating the roster Bob Nightengale's report: Giants could shop Robbie Ray, and Logan Webb isn't entirely off the table Is a blockbuster trade imminent? The hosts make their case Is the Giants front office mishandling Bryce Eldridge, or is this part of a bigger plan you're not seeing yet? Drop your take in the comments. 0:00 – Giants Take 3 of 4 From LA, Adames & Devers Heating Up 1:46 – Dodgers Breakdown: Ohtani, Betts, Freeman Struggling Too 8:15 – Bryce Eldridge Benched — Fans Are Right to Be Angry 12:37 – A Big Giants Trade Is Coming — Here's Why 14:20 – The Chapman-Eldridge Roster Crunch Explained Download the Audacy app to never miss any of your favorite 957 The Game content: https://go.audacy.com/y-listen-live-957thegame Listen live: https://www.audacy.com/957thegame/listen Visit our website: https://www.957thegame.com Subscribe on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/957thegame Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/957thegame Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/957thegame Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/957thegame/ Join our Newsletter: https://www.audacy.com/957thegame/join-our-clubs/mvp-club



Will Matt Boldy Keep The Minnesota Wild's Season Alive? | The Wraparound
Will Matt Boldy Keep The Minnesota Wild's Season Alive? | The Wraparound

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello, and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:00: Who has been the biggest difference-maker for the Colorado Avalanche? 4:27: Will the Minnesota Wild need to rely on Matt Boldy to keep their season alive? 8:14: Have Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach proven their worth to the Montreal Canadiens? 12:46: Making sense of Alex Tuch’s struggles for the Buffalo Sabres 15:44: How will Charlie Coyle and Mark Jankowski’s extensions impact free agency? 21:28: Will Daniel and Henrik Sedin take on large roles in the Vancouver Canucks’ front office? 26:38: Who is most deserving of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award? -- With over two million dedicated readers, The Hockey News is the authoritative source of hockey and the #1 hockey publication in North America. Subscribe to the magazine: http://thn.com/subscribe Subscribe to The Hockey News Podcast: https://linktr.ee/TheHockeyNews Watch The Hockey News Podcast: https://bit.ly/3pjqbTo Join the conversation: THN.com: http://www.thehockeynews.com THN on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thehockeynews THN on Facebook: http://facebook.com/thehockeynews THN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehockeynews




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