from Sportsnet.ca
via i9bet
Friday 17 May 2024
Thursday 16 May 2024
Xander Schauffele ties men’s major scoring record at PGA Championship
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Xander Schauffele broke the PGA Championship scoring record, seizing on the rain-softened conditions at Valhalla on Thursday with a 9-under 62 to set the early target.
Schauffele also tied the major championship record — he already was on that list with a 62 last year in the U.S. Open — on a day of remarkable scoring.
Schauffele, coming off a runner-up finish last week in the Wells Fargo Championship, played the back nine in 31 and then ran off three birdies in a four-hole stretch in the middle of the front nine, all the putts inside 10 feet.
His ninth and final birdie was a long two-putt on the par-5 seventh.
Branden Grace in the 2017 British Open at Royal Birkdale was the first to post a 62 in a major. Schauffele and Rickie Fowler each had a 62 in the opening round of the U.S. Open last year at Los Angeles Country Club.
Still to be determined was the size of his lead. Tony Finau was at 6 under and still had four holes to play, while Rory McIlroy had three straight birdies and was four behind Schauffele with two holes to play.
The previous mark at the PGA was a 63. One of those was Jose Maria Olazabal at Valhalla 10 years ago.
from Sportsnet.ca
via i9bet
Wednesday 15 May 2024
NHL coaching roundup: Jets expand search, Berube to Maple Leafs?
While eight teams continue to battle for the Stanley Cup, six other squads are trying to finalize their head-coaching roles for next season.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussed the coaching searches on Wednesday’s 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Although assistant coach Scott Arniel was pegged as a top candidate quickly after Rick Bowness retired, several other names are now being mentioned as possibilities.
Friedman said former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube has done a Zoom interview with Winnipeg, and ex-Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason also is believed to have interviewed.
Friedman also pointed out that AHL Hershey coach Todd Nelson has ties to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff from their days with AHL Chicago, and could be a contender.
“Somebody just said to me, do not count out at least them talking to Todd Nelson,” Friedman said.
Hershey, a Washington Capitals affiliate, finished with the top record in the AHL this season. Nelson has 46 games of NHL head-coaching experience with the Edmonton Oilers, after he replaced Dallas Eakins in 2014-15.
Berube continues to be the front-runner after the team fired Sheldon Keefe.
“To me, he’s the guy, but nothing is done until it’s done,” Friedman said. “The one thing about (general manager) Brad Treliving is, even if everyone thinks it’s obvious or people are speculating it’s obvious, he wants to at least slow down the process a bit. He doesn’t want to rush into anything.”
The Devils’ search has gone all over the map.
“There was a time I thought Berube was the lead candidate. There was a time I thought (former Oilers coach Jay) Woodcroft was the lead candidate. I know they’ve showed interest in (former Los Angeles Kings coach) Todd McLellan and there was also a time I thought Keefe was the lead candidate,” Friedman said.
Keefe will be paid by the Leafs for two more years after signing an extension last off-season, so he certainly has the option to sit back.
“What people are asking is, ‘Does he really want to coach right now?’ and I think we’re still kind of waiting on that answer,” Friedman said.
Los Angeles Kings
Jim Hiller finished the year as interim coach and guided the team to the playoffs after the Kings fired McLellan.
Hiller is a candidate for the full-time role.
Friedman also is wondering if Marco Sturm, coach of L.A.’s AHL affiliate in Ontario, will be a possibility.
“It’s getting to the point where I think the Kings are going to have to make a decision on Sturm,” Friedman said. “Is he going to proceed in their organization or is he going to have to (go) somewhere else?”
Like Nelson, Sturm still is coaching in the AHL playoffs.
Friedman said three names are dominating the conversation: McLellan, Kraken assistant Jay Leach and Dan Bylsma, the former Penguins coach who coaches Seattle’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.
“At different times, I think people have argued for different people,” Friedman said.
Sturm, a former San Jose player, and Sharks assistant Ryan Worsofsky are believed to be in the running.
Friedman said another name he is hearing is Tampa Bay Lightning assistant and former Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill.
Blue Jackets’ GM search
Kings senior adviser to the GM Marc Bergevin and Kraken assistant GM Jason Botterill are believed to have talked to Columbus, but it doesn’t appear that a decision is imminent.
“I am under the impression that they are still waiting to talk to people (still involved in the playoffs),” Friedman said. “What’s going to happen in Edmonton after the season? I think that’s one of the situations that could have an effect on Columbus.”
Oilers GM Ken Holland is in the final year of his five-year contract.
from Sportsnet.ca
via i9bet
Tuesday 14 May 2024
Monday 13 May 2024
Report: Buccaneers’ Winfield Jr. becomes highest-paid DB in NFL history
Antoine Winfield Jr. is going where no defensive back has gone before.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made their star safety the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history on Monday when he signed a four-year, $84.1-million deal, according to multiple reports.
The deal includes $45 million in guaranteed money.
The Bucs reached a deal with Winfield after placing a franchise tag on him in March.
A first-team All-Pro last season, Winfield helped the Bucs win the NFC South last year and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Winfield won the Super Bowl in his rookie season after the Bucs selected the Minnesota product in the second round (45th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
from Sportsnet.ca
via i9bet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)