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Highlights from New York Jets OTAs (video)

Highlights from New York Jets OTAs (video)

USA Today26-05-2025

Highlights from New York Jets OTAs (video)
The New York Jets completed their first OTA offseason workouts of 2025, as the team all came together and began to gel with perfect attendance.
These sessions, the first of three, were from May 20-22. They'll also have OTAs from May 28-30 and June 3-5.
It all starts with OTAs. Head coach Aaron Glenn is laying the foundation to build his culture and players are either entering into their known role or are trying to prove they belong on the field. Leaders on the team like Quinnen Williams and Garrett Wilson took the field and will help usher in the younger crowd while learning under a new coaching staff themselves.
Here are some highlights from the first week of Jets OTAs:
Jets OTAs highlights
Jets OTAs highlights
Armand Membou at OTAs pic.twitter.com/wwF5yKknRc — Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) May 21, 2025
Jets OTAs highlights
Jets OTAs highlights
Jets OTAs highlights
HC Aaron Glenn at #Jets OTAs today pic.twitter.com/e0M52H0gP1 — Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) May 21, 2025
Jets OTAs highlights
Jets OTAs highlights
Jets LT Olu Fashanu at OTA practice today looking 100 percent healed from the foot injury that ended his season last year in Week 16. pic.twitter.com/2lDuMwkwwj — Dan Leberfeld (@jetswhispers) May 21, 2025
Jets OTAs highlights

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Which NHL teams should be interested in Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency?
Which NHL teams should be interested in Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency?

New York Times

time3 hours ago

  • New York Times

Which NHL teams should be interested in Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency?

Nikolaj Ehlers is closing in on unrestricted free agency after 10 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. Ehlers, 29, has scored 520 points in 674 regular-season games. He's averaged 15:48 per game over the course of his last three seasons, prompting frequent discussion about his playing time — most of it online, some between Ehlers and multiple head coaches. Speaking with The Athletic during the season, Ehlers was adamant about his love for his teammates, his love for Jets fans, and his uncertainty about what his future would hold. Advertisement As the offseason progresses, the likelihood increases that Ehlers will explore his UFA opportunity on July 1. Despite conversations between Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and Ehlers' agent, André Rufener — and despite Cheveldayoff's characterization of Winnipeg's contract offer as a 'Jet for life' type of deal — Ehlers' most likely path involves exploring what free agency has to offer. This isn't to say that the Jets hold no appeal or that Ehlers' departure is a certainty. Winnipeg is one of several teams who could use a top-six forward who can produce on a top power-play unit. Ehlers leads all Jets in five-on-five points per minute over the past three seasons and factored in on a higher percentage of Winnipeg's power play goals with him on the ice than anyone else on the No. 1 unit. Ehlers is fast and so creative in conjuring moments that break defenders out of their structure. He's a force in transition who can create offense without relying on extended offensive zone time and would be an asset on many NHL teams — Winnipeg included. There are also moments of chaos that leave linemates flatfooted, putting them offside or making them wait as Ehlers turns a straight line zone entry into a bit of freewheeling jazz in the offensive zone. He's also not a strong D-zone player, while Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry's lines got the most difficult matchups in Winnipeg. But every Jets skater was more productive with Ehlers on their line than without him this season — a trend that's been true for most of Ehlers' career. 'He's one of our best players and he carries the play so much when he's on the ice,' said Kyle Connor at Jets exit interviews. 'He's a huge piece for us and big in our locker room, too.' Ehlers missed exit interviews with Winnipeg media to play for Denmark at the men's World Championship. His teammates shared Connor's sentiments, praising Ehlers' quality as a person and as a player while acknowledging the uncertainty of his future. Advertisement One certainty of his future: a nice raise in the offseason. But just how much? Evolving-Hockey projects a seven-year deal worth $8.9 million a year outside of Winnipeg. That is slightly above his $8.1 million market value, according to Dom Luszczyszyn's market value. While star players usually don't get signed for what they're worth, the tier below sometimes do. Since there isn't a ton of high-end talent in the 2025 free agent market (and in a growing cap world, teams have more spending power), Ehlers' deal could inflate above his market value and closer to the $9 million mark. So, where will Ehlers play next season? Here are 11 teams that could — or should — be interested. Puck possession team, meet puck possession all-star. The Hurricanes are known as a forward thinking, analytics-inclined team and Ehlers is an analytics darling. He's so effective in transition that most models grade him out as a strong defensive player, while generating — and finishing — scoring chances from the most dangerous areas of the ice. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes arrive at the offseason with an eye-popping $28 million in cap space, along with a roster that's nearly complete. They're ideally positioned to compete for — and win — top UFA targets like Ehlers (and perhaps even Mitch Marner, even after Marner nixed a mid-season Mikko Rantanen trade.) The tantalizing thing about Ehlers as a Hurricane is that he's a close stylistic match for Martin Necas: a dynamic rush threat who generates a ton of zone entries and then turns those entries into real goals for himself and for his teammates. Ehlers' power play offense surged with his promotion to the Jets' top unit this season: 7.55 points per 60 minutes, compared to Necas' 7.35 points per 60 in Carolina. With so much cap space, such obvious forechecking strengths, such obvious finishing weaknesses, and another Eastern Conference finals exit, this should be a franchise-defining offseason in Carolina. Ehlers does not match the Hurricanes' forechecking strengths but excels in every offensive area they lack — and helps turn expected goals into the ones that count. Advertisement The Golden Knights have invested a ton in their blue line and center depth, sometimes at the expense of their wingers. What was once a strength in Vegas has faded over the last couple of seasons, and free agency is the prime time to address it since the team doesn't have many prospects or draft picks to spend in a trade scenario. Aside from Pavel Dorofeyev, the Golden Knights don't have a ton of pure offensive threats like Ehlers on the wing. And that proved costly against the Oilers, as the team only mustered seven five-on-five goals across five games in Round 2. What Vegas does have is a lot of two-way talent, from Jack Eichel and William Karlsson down the middle to Mark Stone on the wing. With two lines capable of playing matchup minutes, the team should be able to shelter him to more offensive usage. Or maybe one of those centers can help add some balance to a line with Ehlers. The big question is cost, since the Golden Knights don't have a ton of cap space to work with right now. That's something management has a ton of experience navigating; there are always subtractions to make to push the salary bounds when needed. Ehlers wouldn't need to be the answer in New Jersey — the Devils already have Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier up front, with Dawson Mercer and Ehlers' former junior teammate Timo Meier playing important roles. Still, New Jersey has room for one more game-breaker in its top six and lamented its lack of offense during the playoffs. Ehlers is dangerous in transition, creative on the power play and an underrated puck retrieval weapon to help extend offensive zone shifts. The obvious fly in the ointment is cap space: Luke Hughes' next contract will take up too much of the Devils' $12 million of projected cap room for New Jersey to accommodate Ehlers without follow-up moves. Ondrej Palat, at $6 million, represents a potential safety valve on that front. He does have a no-move clause with a 10-team no-trade clause as of July 1 and it's worth noting that the Devils' 2022 bet on Palat may show a preference to supplement their stars with Cup-winning veterans. Even with that substantial caveat, the Devils' moment has arrived. Jakob Markstrom has stabilized their goaltending. The Hughes brothers are expected to be healthy to start next season. And Ehlers, whose 2.1 points per 60 minutes last season put him on par with Jack Hughes, would get to play with a more dynamic center than Vladislav Namestnikov, increasing his potential for offensive output whether he plays with Hughes or Hischier in the top six. Advertisement If Mitch Marner walks as a free agent, Toronto should join the market for Ehlers. As much as Toronto has adopted a more playoff-style game with tight defense and an aggressive forecheck, this team still needs a high-octane offense with more contributors. That would still be true even if Marner, a winger capable of putting up 100 points, were to extend. As much as the focus is always on what the Core Four do, the fact is that the team got outscored 12-6 this postseason with Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares on the bench. So if Marner leaves, that offensive need is even more pressing. Ehlers isn't a one-for-one replacement for Marner. He doesn't play matchup minutes or kill penalties. But he's a high-end puck mover who can generate rush scoring and create dangerous chances. And with his salary on the books in place of Marner's, the Leafs would have more space to add depth scoring (or any extra penalty killers) needed around their core. While Ehlers doesn't have the longest history of excelling in the playoffs, his difference-making performance this spring in Winnipeg showed those demons are behind him. Just look at his cross-ice pass that helped set up Cole Perfetti's Game 7 game-tying goal in Round 1. WITH 1.6 SECONDS TO GO. 🤯 COLE PERFETTI‼️ — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2025 Ehlers doesn't fit the mold of the Kings' structure or forward group,, so this pick may feel out of left field. But after four (!) consecutive Round 1 eliminations, it's time for L.A. to go against the grain. Maybe that finally happens with Ken Holland taking over as general manager for Rob Blake. The Kings don't necessarily need to completely overhaul their roster or playing style, but it's clear this team needs some change to better compete with the best in the West. It's thought that defense wins championships, but it's clear in recent years that a team also needs an elite offense. So this team should be looking to add more scoring pop to their defensive playing style. Adding more puck-moving forwards who can boost the team's rush-based attack could be the key. Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere all contribute shots in transition, but only Kevin Fiala stands out with some of the best in the league. Via AllThreeZones With Ehlers in the fold, the top six would have more dimension. L.A.'s two-way centers would help offset any defensive concerns with Ehlers' game, allowing him to play to his strengths. The Capitals' biggest challenge as an organization will be their transition to life after Alexander Ovechkin, whose contract ends after this season. They're in a surprisingly good place to do so, with their core mostly intact and a little over $10 million in cap space this summer — and Ehlers could be a perfect place to spend that money. Advertisement Washington's game is predicated on hard, heavy forechecking. The Capitals are loaded with big bodies and puck-hounding forechecking threats. They recover their dump-ins, protect the puck well in traffic and generate a lot of offense off of extended zone time. They don't particularly excel on generating offense off the rush, which is where Ehlers excels. At 29 years old, Ehlers is a zone-entry machine and a threat to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates off those entries. His high-speed, structure-breaking offensive game that could help Washington supplement its heavy forecheck with an elite transition threat. It may be that the Capitals use their cap space in an effort to re-sign UFA Andrew Mangiapane, who they limited to a third-line role in the name of building roster balance. Mangiapane fits the Capitals' puck-hounding, forecheck-heavy stylistic game more closely than Ehlers does. But by being a different, more chaotic type of threat, Ehlers could insulate Washington from those long nights in Raleigh where zone time gets hard to come by and the offense fades away. The Rangers would have to clear cap space, potentially in the form of moving Chris Kreider's $6.5 million, for an Ehlers-sized swing to make sense this summer. They're starting the offseason with just $8.4 million in projected cap space, while needing to sign K'Andre Miller, Matt Rempe and Will Cuyle, among others. If they do clear enough space to sign Ehlers, he could be a perfect fit. The Rangers' forward group is deep and diverse, but new coach Mike Sullivan inherits a roster with a lot of question marks after a disappointing season. Will Mika Zibanejad play center or move to right wing, as he did to end the season? If he keeps playing down the middle, who could offer New York the same kind of quality on the right side, given all of its commitments on the left? Ehlers solves a lot of those problems. He's a left-shooting winger who has played portions of his NHL career on the right side, including a dominant stretch with Mark Scheifele and Mathieu Perreault way back in 2019. New York could use him as a Kreider replacement if they do trade their longtime veteran, or play him on the right side if they'd prefer to keep Zibanejad at center. No matter how they deploy him, Ehlers would be a boon to a power play that managed to drastically underperform the sum of its parts in 2024-25. If the Canucks are going to prove this past season was a fluke, it has to be a busy summer in Vancouver to upgrade this roster. This isn't a contender-worthy team. It wasn't even a playoff-caliber group in 2024-25. The league's top contenders provide a loose blueprint of what to strive for. Between the Panthers, Oilers, Stars and Hurricanes, the average forward corps of the 2025 conference finalists has a plus-35.7 Net Rating. Vancouver, for comparison, is down at plus-0.10. Advertisement While there will be a big focus on the middle of the ice this summer, with Vancouver likely in the market for a 2C, the wings can't be neglected, either — especially if Brock Boeser walks as a free agent. Even if Boeser extends, this team still needs a boost because as it stands, Conor Garland is the most valuable winger on this team … and that doesn't scream contender. That's why Ehlers should be on the Canucks' radar. He would have a positive impact on a five-on-five offense that ranked in the bottom 10 this year and knock the rest of the winger depth into more fitting roles. And his creativity would help give the power play a spark after wilting this season. With Mathieu Darche leading the way as general manager, it's a new era of Islanders hockey. But what direction will he take this summer? The Islanders could opt for a retool and focus on reclamation projects and up-and-coming talent this summer. That would allow management to take a more patient approach to free agency this summer and instead prep for a loaded 2026 class. But with Mathew Barzal, Noah Dobson and Ilya Sorokin all in the right age range to compete, they could look to make a quicker turnaround. That's where someone like Ehlers could come into the picture. His offensive ability is exactly what this team is missing; there isn't much top-six talent on Long Island outside of Barzal and Bo Horvat. As much as Patrick Roy helped the team tighten up defensively when he first took over, the offense has remained a weak point on Long Island. By adding help on the wings, it would allow Barzal to shift back to the middle — and stop the team from having to overspend on a new 2C in what looks like a pretty thin center market this summer. The Canadiens' top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky was a driving force behind the team's push for the postseason. At five-on-five, this trio outscored opponents 50-29 in the regular season. But without this line on the ice, the Canadiens were outscored 117-79. So Montreal should be in the market for more support behind those three roster staples at the top of the lineup. A full season of Ivan Demidov on the second line could go a long way, but Montreal may still want more reliable scoring on the wings. As much as the Canadiens are projecting a more conservative free-agency approach, this is where someone like Ehlers could make sense. His presence (along with Demidov's) would shift players who slotted into second-line roles into more fitting third-line positions. Advertisement The tricky part of rebuilding is knowing when to start adding players in that 'right now' age range. A team shouldn't build their roster through free agency, but can use it to accent an up-and-coming core if there's a measured approach between taking big swings and spending irresponsibly. That's the line management would have to walk with Ehlers, if the team feels it's ready to phase out of a rebuild and into a playoff team. Look at the Stanley Cup Final for a quick lesson in the UFA value of a budding superstar. The Oilers weren't a top UFA destination … then they drafted Connor McDavid and the world opened up to them. Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, Adam Henrique and others joined Edmonton in search of a Cup title alongside the NHL's preeminent superstar. Chicago isn't quite ready to follow suit but has a lot of money to spend and a first-line, top-unit job alongside Connor Bedard on offer to this summer's free agents. Meanwhile, Ehlers is likely thinking long-term for his next contract — term that would buy Chicago time to continue its build. If the 29-year-old Ehlers is willing to move from the Cup-contending Jets to the 31st-place Blackhawks — and wait — then Chicago should be able to put together a compelling package of ice time, opportunity and money. For Chicago, the signing would be a clear indication to its market that the Blackhawks are on their way back — and motivation for fans to return the United Center to 100 percent capacity. Ehlers' speed brings fans to their feet and he's an easy sell in the community. It's just hard to think he'd wait 10 years to earn UFA status and sign with a team so far from immediate contention. Data via Dom Luszczyszyn, Evolving-Hockey, All Three Zones, TheStanleyCap and CapWages

49ers announce trade for Bryce Huff
49ers announce trade for Bryce Huff

Yahoo

time17 hours ago

  • Yahoo

49ers announce trade for Bryce Huff

With June 1 arriving, it's easier for certain trades to be finalized from a cap perspective. Not coincidentally, the 49ers have announced the anticipated trade for Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff. The Eagles will receive "a mid-round pick" in the 2026 draft. (Why be coy? Just tell us the round, Niners.) Advertisement The trade, like every other trade, hinges on Huff passing a physical. The trade reunites Huff with former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who has returned to San Francisco as the defensive coordinator. Huff signed a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Eagles in 2024, after spending his first four years with the Jets. In his only season with the Eagles, Huff appeared in 12 games with six starts. He had 2.5 regular-season sacks. Huff was a healthy scratch in the Super Bowl. The arrival gives the 49ers a pass rusher who is familiar with the team's defense. For the Eagles, the deal represents a willingness to acknowledge a rare mistake and move on. Which is always better than stubbornly doubling down.

49ers announce trade for Bryce Huff
49ers announce trade for Bryce Huff

NBC Sports

time17 hours ago

  • NBC Sports

49ers announce trade for Bryce Huff

With June 1 arriving, it's easier for certain trades to be finalized from a cap perspective. Not coincidentally, the 49ers have announced the anticipated trade for Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff. The Eagles will receive 'a mid-round pick' in the 2026 draft. (Why be coy? Just tell us the round, Niners.) The trade reunites Huff with former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who has returned to San Francisco as the defensive coordinator. Huff signed a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Eagles in 2024, after spending his first four years with the Jets. In his only season with the Eagles, Huff appeared in 12 games with six starts. He had 2.5 regular-season sacks. Huff was a healthy scratch in the Super Bowl. The arrival gives the 49ers a pass rusher who is familiar with the team's defense. For the Eagles, the deal represents a willingness to acknowledge a rare mistake and move on. Which is always better than stubbornly doubling down.

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