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Elite Sports Talk, episode number five, reviewed recent NHL and NBA news, along with some NFL updates.
NHL News
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Rangers-Ducks Trade: The New York Rangers traded left winger Chris Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Carrie Terrence and a 2025 third-round pick. Kreider, a 13-year veteran, is the Rangers' top goal scorer in playoff history and holds multiple significant scoring distinctions, including leading the NHL in shorthanded goals since 2021-22 with 13 and ranking fifth in power-play goals with 58. He is also one of only six players since 2021-22 to score at least 149 regular season and 24 playoff goals, joining elite players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. In 2021-22, Kreider set Rangers single-season records with 26 power-play goals and 11 game-winning goals. Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek highlighted Kreider's size, speed, and clutch performance.
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NHL Finals (Game 6 Preview): Game 5 of the NHL Finals saw the Edmonton Oilers lose 5-2, with Calvin Pickard allowing four goals on 18 shots. Edmonton is expected to start Stuart Skinner in net for Game 6. Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers became the first player to score at least five goals in two separate Stanley Cup series with two different teams, having scored five goals for the Boston Bruins in 2011 and six goals in five games this Stanley Cup Final. His six goals are the most by any player 35 or older in a Stanley Cup Final and the most overall since 1988.
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Notable Stats: Corey Perry and Sam Bennett are tied for first in the playoffs with eight "high danger goals" each, which are shots taken from prime scoring areas. Connor McDavid leads in top skating speed at nearly 24 miles per hour. Evan Bouchard of the Oilers has the second-highest recorded shot speed at 99.62 mph and the most shots over 90 mph. The Florida Panthers lead the playoffs with just over four goals per game, and Sergy Bobrovsky leads all goalies in high danger saves with 133. The Oilers are the first team in Stanley Cup history since the 1919 Montreal Canadiens to overcome a three-goal deficit on the road and win. Leon Draisaitl has set an NHL record for most overtime goals in a single playoff year with four.
NBA News
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Knicks Coaching Search: The New York Knicks, after being denied by several coaches, are reportedly meeting with former head coaches Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins. The speaker believes Mike Brown would be a better fit given his playoff record and two Coach of the Year awards (2008-09, 2022-23). Other potential candidates for the Knicks include Nate McMillan, Mike Malone, Mike Budenholzer, and Mark Jackson.
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Kevin Durant Watch: The New York Knicks are unlikely to pursue Kevin Durant due to owner James Dolan's lingering resentment from Durant's decision to join the Brooklyn Nets in the past. Despite being 37, Durant is a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, regular season MVP, 15-time All-Star, and four-time scoring champion.
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Grizzlies-Magic Trade: The Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP), Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and one first-round pick swap. This trade frees up money for the Grizzlies to retain Jaren Jackson Jr. and John Morant, while also acquiring future draft assets. For the Magic, Bane's addition, especially his shooting ability (43.2% on catch-and-shoot threes in the past five seasons), addresses their need for three-point shooting, as they ranked last in the league in three-point field goal percentage last season (31.8%).
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Rockets Re-sign Stephen Adams: The Houston Rockets re-signed Stephen Adams to a three-year, $39 million fully guaranteed contract through 2028. Adams, a crucial defensive player and veteran leader, significantly impacted the Rockets' defense against the Warriors in the playoffs, where the team was a plus-44 with him on the court and a minus-44 without him.
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NBA Finals (Game 5 Recap): The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers, taking a 3-2 series lead. Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers had a poor performance (0-for-6 from the field, 0-for-4 from three) and sustained a right calf strain, which he will have an MRI on. Despite a Pacers comeback, OKC pulled away late. Jaylen Williams led OKC with a career-high 40 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists. The Pacers committed 22 turnovers.
NFL News
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Contract Holdouts: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is seeking a new contract closer to the top edge rushers' salaries, around $40 million a year, after leading the league in sacks for two straight seasons. He was fined $105,000 for missing mandatory mini-camp. TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers is also hoping for a new deal. Trade talks for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jaylen Ramsey have "simmered down" due to his $17 million average salary.
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New Signing: The New Orleans Saints signed running back Cam Akers to a one-year deal after a mini-camp tryout. Akers, a former second-round pick, has battled injuries but has proven to be a physical runner with playoff experience, including a return from an Achilles tear in 2021. He joins Alvin Kamara, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kendre Miller, and rookie Devin Neal in the Saints' backfield.
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