Stanley Cup Conference Finals Preview

And then there were four! That's what we have left in the 2024-25 NHL season. Four teams are now left standing. In two weeks time, give or take, we will figure out who's going to play for the greatest prize in all of professional hockey. 

Edmonton is trying to end two droughts in one shot. A Canadian team hasn't lifted the Cup since 1993, and the Oilers haven't won since 1990. Dallas hasn't won a title since 1999, and haven't been in the finals since 2020. Carolina hasn't been to the finals since their lone Cup win in 2006. And the Panthers are the defending Champs who are looking to retain their title.

Who's going to be the last two left standing? Here's how we see it playing out.

Eastern Conference Finals: (M2) Carolina Hurricanes vs (A3) Florida Panthers
This will be the 2nd ever meeting in the playoffs between the two, with the Panthers sweeping the Canes back in the 2023 Conference finals. This is the 5th ever conference final appearance for the Canes, and the third straight for Florida. This is going to be a hard fought series. Andersen has been good in the nets for Carolina, but so has Bobrovsky for Florida. That'll be an even fight. Carolina has just two losses in these playoffs, but this will be a way different test then what they have gone through. Florida knows what it takes to get the job done, they just did it in a tough series against the Leafs. Oh and they are also the two time defending Eastern Conference champions. Give credit where it's do, the Hurricanes are a solid defensive team. What's going to be the difference maker in this series is the offensive depth. Edge there goes to the Panthers.

Pick: Panthers in 6!

Western Conference Finals: (C2) Dallas Stars vs (P3) Edmonton Oilers
This will be the second consecutive season, and tenth time overall, that these two teams have hooked up in the playoffs. This is the third year in a row and tenth overall conference finals appearance for the Stars. Edmonton is in the conference finals for the second year in a row and twelfth time overall. This is the more evenly matched of the two conference finals. Edmonton has the two best players on the planet right now. Dallas is just as hot offensively. This series is going to come down to goaltending. In no way is this taking away anything from how good Stuart Skinner has been in the Oilers net. But Jake Ottinger has been taking his claim to possible playoff MVP with how well he's been going in this years playoofs.

Pick: Stars in 7!

NFL Schedule Released

Well, the time has arrived. We have taken one step closer to the start of the 2025 NFL Season. We now know who's going to be playing who, and when, this year. Don't worry, we will drop the schedules for the Jets, Giants and Bucs shortly. Before we do that, here's some of the other marquee games on the NFL Schedule this season.

Week 2: Eagles @ Chiefs (Super Bowl Rematch)
Week 6: Bears @ Commanders (rematch of last year Hail Mary game)
Week 7: Patriots @ Titans (Mike Vrabel coaches against old team)
Week 9: Chiefs @ Bills (AFC Title rematch)
Week 11: Lions @ Eagles (NFC title game rematch)
Thanksgiving Games: Packers @ Lions, Chiefs @ Cowboys, Bengals @ Ravens
Christmas Day Games: Cowboys @ Commanders, Lions @ Vikings, Broncos @ Chiefs

Now, here's the schedules for the teams we cover!

September 7th vs Pittsburgh 1PM (CBS)
September 14th vs. Buffalo 1PM (CBS)
September 21st @ Tampa Bay 1PM (Fox)
September 29th @ Miami 7:15PM (ESPN)
October 5th vs Dallas 1PM (Fox)
October 12th vs Denver 9:15AM (London Fox)
October 19th vs Carolina 1PM (Fox)
October 26th @ Cincinnati 1PM (CBS)
BYE WEEK
November 9th vs Cleveland 1PM (CBS)
November 13th @ New England 8:15 PM (Prime)
November 23rd @ Baltimore 1PM (CBS)
November 30th vs Atlanta 1PM (Fox)
December 7th vs Miami 1PM (CBS)
December 14th @ Jacksonville 1PM (CBS)
December 21st @ New Orleans 1PM (CBS)
December 28th vs New England 1PM (CBS)
Flex game @ Buffalo TBD (TBD)

September 7th @ Washington 1PM (Fox)
September 14th @ Dallas 1PM (Fox)
September 21st vs Kansas City 8:20PM (NBC)
September 28th vs LA Chargers 1PM (CBS)
October 5th @ New Orleans 1PM (CBS)
October 9th vs Philadelphia 8:15PM (Prime)
October 19th @ Denver 4:05PM (CBS)
October 26th @ Philadelphia 1PM (Fox)
November 2nd vs San Francisco 1PM (CBS)
November 9th @ Chicago 1PM (Fox)
November 16th vs Green Bay 1PM (Fox)
November 23rd @ Detroit 1PM (Fox)
December 1st @ New England 8:15PM (ESPN)
BYE WEEK
December 14th vs Washington 1PM (Fox)
December 21st vs Minnesota 1PM (Fox)
Flex Game @ Las Vegas TBD (TBD)
Flex Game vs Dallas TBD (TBD)

September 7th @ Atlanta 1PM (Fox)
September 15th @ Houston 7:15PM (ABC/ESPN)
September 21st vs NY Jets 1PM (Fox)
September 28th vs Philadelphia 1PM (Fox)
October 5th @ Seattle 4:05PM (CBS)
October 12th vs San Francisco 1PM (CBS)
October 20th @ Detroit &PM (ABC/ESPN)
October 26th @ New Orleans 4:05PM (Fox)
BYE WEEK
November 9th vs New England 1PM (CBS)
November 16th @ Buffalo 1PM (CBS)
November 23rd @ LA Rams 8:20PM (NBC)
November 30th vs Arizona 1PM (Fox)
December 7th vs New Orleans 1PM (CBS)
December 11th vs Atlanta 8:15PM (Prime)
December 21st @ Carolina 1PM (Fox)
December 28th @ Miami 1PM (Fox)
Flex vs Carolina TBD (TBD)

Big News For Baseball Hall

Major League Baseball, and the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum have finally made a change. Commissioner Rob Manfried made a major announcement this afternoon. His ruling now allows players that are on the banned list to be removed from it and become eligible for Hall of Fame inductions posthumously.

Here's the decision from the Commissioner this afternoon (per ESPN): "Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game," Manfred wrote in a letter to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, who petitioned for Rose's removal from the list Jan. 8. "Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list."

Here is the full list of names that are now OFF the banned list, per MLB: Joe Jackson (1919 Black Sox scandal), Buck Weaver (Black Sox), Eddie Cicotte (Black Sox), Lefty Williams (Black Sox), Happy Felsch (Black Sox), Fred McMullin (Black Sox), Swede Risberg (Black Sox), Chick Gandil (Black Sox), Joe Gedeon (Had "guilty knowledge" of gambling activity in 1919), Gene Paulette (Banned in 1920 for associating with gamblers in 1919), Benny Kauff (Banned in 1921 despite his acquittal on auto theft charge. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis deemed him "no longer a fit companion for other ballplayers."), Lee Magee (Banned in 1921 over his disputed back salary elicited evidence of his gambling involvement), Shufflin' Phil Douglas (New York Giants player banned after threatening his manager), Jimmy O'Connell (Giants player banned in 1924 after offering a bribe to another player), Cozy Dolan (Giants coach involved in the O'Connell incident), William Cox (Phillies' owner, banned and forced to sell the team in 1943 for betting on baseball), Pete Rose (Bet on baseball).

It will be a couple of years before any of the players listed become eligible. The earliest possible that anybody on this list can get into the hall of fame could be 2028. Now for the biggest question. Of those listed above, who has the best chance of getting into the Hall?

The two most obvious ones would be Joe Jackson and Pete Rose. Jackson was the hitting star of the deadball era, a lifetime .356 hitter. That was and still is good for the 4th highest in the history of the sport. He only had 1,772 hits by the time his career ended at age 32. But that only ended because of the ban, it could have been so much more had he been able to continue his career.

The most obvious one on this list would be Pete Rose. Won an MVP in 1973, was a 17 time all star, three time batting champion, two time gold glove winner, three time world series champion. Oh yeah and he's the all time leader in games played at 3,562 and the MLB hit king with 4,256. The story with what was behind his ban has been well documented, but it had nothing to do with his playing career.

Will they get in? We will find out in three years time.

Longo Gets His Due

The Tampa Bay Rays have been around since 1998. When you ask somebody to mention a Rays player, usually the first name that comes to mind is Evan Longoria. He's considered by many, and rightfully so, to be the greatest player in Rays history. This summer, he's getting his just due. He's signing a one day contract, so he can retire formally as a Ray.

Longo was drafted 3rd overall in 2006 by the Rays. He made his debut at the start of the 2008 season. He stayed in Tampa for 10 years, playing through 2017. From 2018 to 2022, Longo moved to San Francisco to play with the Giants. He finished his final season in 2023 in Arizona with the Diamondbacks. His best years and prime years were with Tampa and he did it all for the Rays.

On June 7th against the Miami Marlins, the Rays will hold a special pre game ceremony for Longoria. He will sign his one day contract and retire as a member of the Rays.

He won Rookie of the Year in 2008, was a three time all star, a three time gold glover and a silver slugger in Tampa. In those years in Tampa, he set the Rays records for games played (1,435), runs scored (780), RIB's (892), walks (569), doubles (338), home runs (261), extra base hits (618) and he's second in hits at 1,471 (trailed only Carl Crawfored at 1,480).

The biggest swing of his career was in 162. The game and home run that propelled the Rays to the AL Wild Card in 2011. At some point in time, Longoria will have his #3 retired by the team and be inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame. Hopefully both happen sooner rather than later. There's no doubt in anybody's mind that when Evan Longoria gets mentioned, its with his time in Tampa. He could pretty much do it all for this team and became the best player to ever way a Rays uniform. And yes that includes some of the great pitchers that this team has had as well.

When it comes to hitters, the Rays have had some good ones. Crawford, Carlos Pena, Fred McGriff, Aubrey Huff, Ben Zobrist, B.J. Upton. Longo is not only up there, but he's at the top of that list. Congratulations Longo on getting to go out your way!

NFL QB Hangs It Up

There's now one less weapon in the NFC South that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to worry about next season. Announced earlier this morning, Saints quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement from the NFL, after eleven seasons in the league.

According to the reports, as first reported by ESPN, New Orleans said that Carr had a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage to his throwing shoulder that was discovered in late March. This was found after he had ramped up throwing to prepare for the season. Carr had not thrown significantly since he fractured his non-throwing hand during a game against the New York Giants in December, the team said.

This was the statement that Carr made in regards to retirement: "Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with [wife] Heather, I've decided to retire from the National Football League. For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It's difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us."

Carr began his career as a second round pick, 36th overall, by the Raiders in 2014. He played with the team in Oakland and Las Vegas from 2014 through 2022. Then he spent the last two years in New Orlans with the Saints. He twice guided the Raiders to the playoffs, going 12-3 in 2016 before getting hurt, and then again going 1`0-7 in 2021. Both were quick playoff exits. Carr still had two years left on a four year deal with $150 Million that he signed with New Orleans in 2023. In his two seasons with the Saints, Carr threw for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 27 games. During his time with the Raiders, Carr had solid numbers. He threw for 35,222 yards, 257 TDs and 112 INTs, while being named to four Pro Bowls and finishing third in MVP voting during the 2016 season. He threw for over 4,000 yards four times during his NFL career, reaching a career-high of 4,804 in 2021, and finished just under the 4,000-yard mark two additional times.

It does suck to see Carr career end the way that it did, but health is more important than anything.

Now I know what you're thinking. How does this affect the Bucs? Well it means that there's one less threatening weapon to deal with out of the NFC South. Heading into camp this summer, the only QB's listed on the Saints depth charts are Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. Sure, the Saints do still have weapons at the skill positions, but if they don't have a capable QB under center to get those weapons the ball, then what is it going to matter. Sure the Saints could be decent, but they will be down near Carolina at the bottom of the NFC this year. Atlanta still remans a major threat to the Bucs for the NFC south crown.

Stanley Cup Round Two

Round two has arrived in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We are now down to eight clubs left fighting for the Cup! We got all divisional matchups in the 2nd round. Can Toronto or Carolina get over the hump? Can Florida go back to the Conference final for the 3rd year in a row? Can Winnipeg go any further? Can Edmonton make it back for the 2nd year in a row? We will find all this out in the next two weeks.

Here's how we see round two going down.

Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes
Teams split the four meetings during the regular season, so this is going to be a very tight series. This will be the most even of the two matchups in the East. Washington had as easy a trip to get to the 2nd round, and so too did Carolina. Goaltending for both teams looked a tad shaky at times during the season. I trust the Hurricanes with the depth they have in net just a little more. Logan Thompson got hurt in game three, and Charlie Lindgren had to finish the series. He did a fine job, but this is a totally different animal facing the Canes. The depth are about even here, which is why this series is a little tough to pick.

Pick: Hurricanes in 7!

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers
This is going to be a very telling series. Toronto hasn't gotten out of the 2nd round of the playoffs since 2002. There's always going to be that hanging over the Leafs head. They haven't won a cup or played in the finals since 1967. That's not going to change this year. Too many holes in the top heavy team to overcome. And still hold questions in net. Florida is a deeper and better overall hockey team. Not saying its going to be easy, the Leafs will be a giant pest all series.

Pick: Panthers in 6!

Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars
Both these teams are coming off very hard fought series in the last round. Sure, Winnipeg won three of the four meetings during the regular season, this is a totally different animal. And lets be fair, Conor Hellybuck found his groove at the end of game seven. Problem is, he's going up against Jake Ottinger, who's been the better of the two goalies in the playoffs. Both teams can score, but with how well Dallas played in that last series against Colorado, I have a little more faith in the Stars offense.

Pick: Stars in 6!

Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers
We all know that the Oilers have the two best players in the game. And its going to be a much tougher test for the Oilers to get back to the finals again this year. This may be the weakest series in terms of goaltending. Edmonton had trouble with their nets in the past, but last year they got it together and got within one win of the finals. Not this year. They look weaker than they did a year ago. Vegas has an edge with a more balanced roster here than the Oilers do

Pick: Golden Knights in 6!