Golden Knights 

By: Mike Rifkin

The Vegas Golden Knights have had a rich history since their inception in 2017. Now they will be making their second appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith have become cogs in the lineup for Vegas since the expansion draft; both players were acquired from the Florida Panthers, who Vegas will play in the Stanley Cup Final. 

Marchessault scored 30 goals for the Panthers in 2016-17. The Panthers left Marchessault unprotected in the expansion draft, and Vegas took advantage of the situation. Since becoming a member of the Golden Knights, Marchessault has 348 points in 432 games. Marchessault also has 30 goals and 63 points in 83 games in the playoffs as a member of the Golden Knights. 

The Knights also traded for Reilly Smith for a 2018 fourth-round pick. Since joining the Golden Knights, Smith has 286 points in 399 games played. Smith also has 16 goals and 62 points in 83 career playoff games for Vegas. Marchessault and Smith are a combined +53 in the playoffs for Vegas. 

Marchessault and Smith are in the top five for the Golden Knights in games played, goals, points, Plus Minus, Power Play Goals, and game-winning goals. Yes, it’s a short history for the Vegas Golden Knights, but Marchessault and Smith have been important players for the franchise as it looks to win its first Stanley Cup against the team that let both players go. 

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP

By Ross Mazin

Brooks Koepka is you’re 2023 PGA Championship winner. This is his fifth major win. He has become one of the more polarizing players on the tour this year due to his involvement in LIV golf. He is one of the more outspoken players on the tour this year. He was leading into last Saturday’s round. He used the course to his advantage. Oak Hill is one of the more challenging courses on this year’s tour. He played some of his best golf this year.

Leafs Of Change

By Mike Rifkin

On Friday, Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shannahan announced the team would not renew the contract of General Manager Kyle Dubas after five seasons as the team’s General Manager and nine years with the organization. In the regular season, the Leafs had a record of 221-109-42. This year the Leafs won their first playoff series since 2004. In my opinion, the Dubas firing is only the start of what should be an enticing and exciting offseason in Toronto. Before I dive into what I think the Leafs should do or at least consider doing, I have one burning question. Why does Brendan Shannahan get to make another decision? Shannahan has been in charge of the Leafs for nine years and, like Dubas, has one playoff series win. Now I don’t care about semantics and whether this came down to money or what Dubas said at his season-ending press conference where he wanted to discuss this with his family. All I know is one guy is gone, and the other guy is still around. So what happens if the Leafs fail again? Will that smell like the end of Brendan Shannahan?

Like I said before, if I were in charge of the Leafs, the Dubas firing would be the start of some off-season changes in Toronto. If a new General Manager is coming in, they should get to pick the coach, so the first thing the new gm should do is fire Sheldon Keefe. Keefe has a record of 166-71-30 in the regular season and a 13-17 playoff record. Do they bring in a first-time coach or someone with experience, and what kind of coach is the new GM looking for?

Then there’s the “core four” of Auston Matthews, John Taveras, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. Matthews and Nylander can sign long-term contract extensions starting July 1st, Mitch Marner’s no-trade clause kicks in July 1st, and John Taveras has a no-trade clause with two years left on his deal. Now if you listen to the Breakaway Bandits podcast (cheap plug), I’ve said for a couple of years that I would move Nylander if I’m moving someone off the core four. That has now been changed, Nylander has been very consistent the past couple of seasons, and he has been outstanding in the playoffs. I don’t think Taveras will garner that much in a trade unless it’s a cap hit for a cap hit so that leaves Marner or Matthews. Whoever gets moved, the new gm would have to get a significant haul back, and history would suggest that a Center should get you more than a winger. If Matthews doesn’t sign his extension on July 1st, I think he’s the guy who has to be moved. I know Matthews is a cornerstone player who has already won a Hart trophy and scored 60 goals in a season, but this team cannot run it back with the same group. Now if Matthews is the guy that the new GM would move, there is one spot for him to go to. Sending Matthews to the Los Angeles Kings for a haul that would include former second-overall pick Quinton Byfield makes a ton of sense. Moving Matthews could also allow the Leafs to bring back Ryan O’Reilly, who they acquired at the trade deadline and played pretty well for the Leafs. 

I’m not sure what the Leafs will do this summer, but one thing is for sure it will be a fascinating offseason in Toronto. 

WHAT A SCHEDULE

By Mark Halpern

    The NFL season schedules were released this past Thursday, and the Cowboys have a long and fun season ahead. The Cowboys will play the usual division rivals at home and away (Giants, Eagles, and Commanders), but only 6/17 games they will play. Of the non-divisional games, games I am most excited for.

WEEK 2 vs. New York Jets. This is not surprising, especially with the signing of Aaron Rodgers. The Cowboys will face a solid NYJ defense that did well stopping the run and limited on the pass. However, the offense is now operated by Rodgers (who has the Cowboys’ number), and a young and hungry offense will put the Dallas D to the test. However, the Cowboys know Rodgers and how he plays. The Jets offensive line must stop a brand-new D-line and blitzing linebackers all day. This game will be decided by whose defense shows up to play.

Week 5 vs. 49ers. The Cowboys’ rivalry with the 49ers is one of the most legendary. They have met nine times in the playoffs, six NFC Championship matchups. From the Clark catch in 1982 to Aikman to Harper in the 92-93, these teams always bring their best even if they are at their worst. They’ve played in the playoffs the last two years, both of which saw the Niners victorious. The last matchup came in the NFC Divisional game this past year, in which the Cowboys lost (if Prescott would have saw Hilton), and they will be looking for complete redemption on a big Sunday night matchup.

Week 16 vs Dolphins. I know, I know, Leon Lett. Can we please get off of that for now? The Dolphins are no joke as they have one of the best WR cores in Hilton and Waddle (rookie card shout out to Papa Rifkin), who have made Tua a star but not the other way around. This will be one of the more challenging games this season. I am not saying this will be a trap game, but it will test Gilmore and Diggs more than any other team this year. Miami has the offense. Its defense is where problems lie, and if Dallas can’t capitalize early, it will be a very long Defensive game that might be decided by three or fewer points and on Xmas Eve too.

Week 15 Buffalo. Just like I am asking to give up on Lett, I won’t go easy on the team that we beat not once but twice in the Super Bowl (92/93 & 93/94.) However, this doesn’t mean this game will be a cakewalk. We are going to see the matchup everyone has been waiting for, and that is Diggs Vs. Diggs (Stefon Buf and Treyvon Dal.) This will be a fun battle, and we may see some pushing and shoving, but if Mama is in the stands, something tells me it will be fine. This Buffalo team is nothing like the 90s version, but it just means Dallas needs to be healthy and ready.

Week 4 vs New England. This year is the year the AFC EAST to face off against Dallas in a long time, and I am excited because Dallas doesn’t have a walkover schedule, and they will be tested—the greatest coach who runs NE to step on a football field Bill Belichick. New England brings a reworked offense and defense to Dallas in week 4. I wouldn’t take this game lightly cause New England will be prepared. It will depend on the offensive game from the Cowboys to win this one, as their defense should be up for the challenge. I want to see Bellicheck lose but lose to DAK. He has been very critical of him over the years, and it would be fitting for DAK to get this win and put a notch on his belt.

This season will be exciting for Dallas, and their only competition will be from the Eagles. I think that Daniel Jones will be the Giants’ downfall, and the Commanders are finding out their identity once again with the sale of the franchise (Thank God), and that’s how the old man sees it.

PGA Championship Preview 

By Ross Mazin

Starting Thursday, the PGA Tour arrives at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY. This course is one of the most challenging courses on the east coast. This is the first time this course has hosted the PGA Championship since 2013. It has rolling hills and sand traps that will test the golfers. Oak Hill has 36 holes, with the East Course claiming the mantle of the formidable, broad-shouldered guardian of par. The West Course, a gem in its own right, is marginally more fun and welcoming. Oak Hill-East has been home to the U.S. Open (1956, 1968, 1989), the PGA Championship (1980, 2003, 2013), the U.S. Senior Open (1984), a Ryder Cup (1995), and the Senior PGA Championship (2008, 2019). Also: two U.S. Amateur Championships, with another on the books for 2027. And it’s no wonder golf’s major governing bodies keep coming back. The grounds are spacious and fan-friendly, and access is easy thanks to a local highway network. The East Course has changed considerably over the years. Robert Trent Jones. Sr. modernized bunker locations in the mid-1950s by removing short-carry hazards and placing bunkers on the flanks of fairway landing areas at the 250- to 260-yard mark. Before the 1980 PGA, George and Tom Fazio created three new holes (Nos. 5, 6, and 15), introduced two ponds, and moved the 18th green to create more spectator room. 

My pick to win this tournament is Rory McElroy.

   NHL Awards

By : Mike Rifkin

Tonight is the NHL Awards Ceremony. I’m going to give you the candidates who were announced for each award and give my candidates and pick who I would have win and who I think will win. 

NHL AWARD Nominees and Winners 

HART: Connor McDavid (Oilers), David Pastrnak (Bruins), Matthew Tkachuk (Panthers) – McDavid. The best player on Earth had his best season ever. Leading the league with 64 goals and 153 points, 25 points ahead of teammate Leon Draisaitl. 

Vezina: Linus Ullmark (Bruins), Ilya Sorokin (Islanders), Connor Hellebuyck (Jets) – Ullmark won the triple crown for goalies. Leading the league in Wins, save percentage, and Goals Against Average. 

Norris: Adam Fox (Rangers), Cale Makar (Avalanche), Erik Karlsson (Sharks ) – Karlsson, the Norris has turned into an offensive award for defensemen. Karlsson had 101 points this season, becoming the first defenseman since 1991-92 to reach that mark and only the sixth time in NHL history. 

Calder: Matty Beniers (Kraken), Owen Power (Sabres), Stuart Skinner (Oilers): Beniers led all rookies in scoring with 57 points and tied for the lead in goals with 24. 

Jack Adams: Jim Montgomery (Bruins), Dave Hakstol (Kraken), Lindy Ruff (Devils): Montgomery led the Bruins to the best regular season in NHL history, so I think he’ll take the Jack Adams. 

RIFKIN’S NHL AWARDS 

Hart: Connor McDavid (Oilers), Jack Hughes (Devils), Nathan Mackinnon (Avalanche) – Before I pick the winner, let me explain why I put Hughes and Mackinnon as the other two candidates instead of Pastrnak and Tkachuk. If the Avs won, they won the Central division, and Mackinnon had a hat trick and an assist in a 4-3 win. Mackinnon had a career-high 42 goals and 111 points. But the most impressive was in the final game of the season. Jack Hughes had 99 points in 78 games this season and was the best player on the Devils in a resurgent year. WINNER: McDavid. Yes, I changed the nominees, but the result remains that McDavid will win his third Hart Trophy. 

Vezina: Linus Ullmark (Bruins), Ilya Sorokin (Islanders), Jake Oettinger (Stars) – Oettinger’s numbers are very similar to Hellebuyck’s, but Oettinger has a better GAA and one more shutout. Oettinger was top ten in wins, GAA, Save percentage, and shutouts. Winner: Ullmark won the triple crown for goalies, so he should win the Vezina. 

Norris: Adam Fox (Rangers), Erik Karlsson (Sharks), Josh Morrisey (Jets): This is not a slight to Cale Makar at all, but Morrisey played in 18 more games on a Jets team where a lot of people question the rest of the Defensemen. Winner: Adam Fox. Fox is excellent in every facet of the game. Fox played in all 82 games and had 72 points. The value of Fox also increased when his defense partner Ryan Lindgren went down with an injury. 

Calder: Matty Beniers (Kraken), Wyatt Johnston (Stars), Stuart Skinner (Oilers): Johnston tied with Beniers for most goals for a rookie with 24 and was huge all season for the Stars. Winner: Beniers; he was a massive part of the Kraken’s success in their second season of existence. 

Jack Adams: Jim Montgomery ( Bruins), Dave Hakstol ( Kraken), Lindy Ruff ( Devils): They got the nominees right with the coach of the year. Winner: Hakstol. I know the Bruins had a historic regular season, and I take nothing away from the job Montogomery or Ruff did, but the Devils had the talent and needed to stay healthy. Nobody saw the Kraken having a 40-point turnaround in their second season. The Kraken was the best story of the NHL season, and Hakstol deserves much credit.

    Dolphins Key Games

By Mike Rifkin

On Thursday, the NFL schedule was released. The Miami Dolphins in 2022 made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Here are some of the key games on the Dolphins’ schedule, minus the games in what should be an ultra-competitive AFC East. 

Week 1: AT Chargers: Two AFC wildcards from last season will open the season against each other. Tua Tagovailoa vs. Justin Herbert, the fifth and sixth overall picks in the 2020 draft, will head to head-again. Last year the Chargers defeated the Dolphins 23-17. Justin Herbert threw for 367 yards and a touchdown. Tua had one of his worst games of the season by completing 10 of 28 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. 

WEEK 3: VS Broncos: The Dolphins’ home opener will come against the Broncos. The Broncos were one of the biggest disappointments in 2022 and hired former Saints head coach Sean Payton in the offseason. Before hiring Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins were interested in hiring Payton and pairing him with Tom Brady. 

WEEK 7: AT Eagles: The Dolphins will visit the NFC Champs on Sunday Night Football. This will also be the first meeting between former Alabama teammates Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. Tagovailoa replaced Hurts during the 2018 National Championship game. 

WEEK 9: VS Chiefs (Germany): Lass Uns Gehen, to quote Ric Flair, “To be the man, you have to beat the man.” Well, the Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl Champs, and the Dolphins, like the rest of the NFL, are chasing them. In 108 games for the Chiefs, including 91 starts, Tyreek Hill had 598 catches for 8,340 yards and 56 touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa both threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns; the Dolphin defense intercepted Mahomes three times in that game. The last time these two teams played, the Chiefs won 33-27 in 2020. 

Week 16: Vs. Cowboys: In a late-season showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, both teams could be playing for playoff positioning. 

Week 17; AT Ravens: The game of the year last season was the Dolphins’ comeback against the Ravens in week 2. Baltimore has finished the Lamar Jackson deal and brought in Odell Beckham Jr. This game could have a lot of implications for the AFC Playoff picture. 

What’s The Point

By Mike Rifkin

In the fifth inning of Tuesday’s Mets-Reds game, Reds outfielder  Wil Myers knocked a ball away from Mets Shortstop Francisco Lindor during a play. He should have been ruled out because Myers touched a live ball during play. Instead, the umpires said they didn’t see it in a call, which was a big part of the game. The play led to Mets manager Buck Showalter being ejected for the first time this season. 

Showalter said after the game, “It’s pretty obvious what it was, but it’s hard to imagine four guys not being able to see what happened. There’s about three ways you could get that play right.” Lindor said after the game, “I can’t blame the umpires for getting that call wrong even though they got it wrong because the game is going very fast. Get help from the cameras. Slow the game down and see if there’s a way of making the right call.” 

In 2008 MLB started using replay for home runs only, then in 2014, MLB gave each manager a challenge, and if the challenge were ruled in their favor, they would keep it; if they lost it, they’re out of challenges. But managers cannot challenge things like the play being discussed here, but my question is, if you’re using review, shouldn’t EVERYTHING be reviewable? No, I am not talking balls and strikes, although, on Television, they use the little strike zone to argue that for themselves. Plus, all the talk of robot umpires is coming. But replay is about getting it right, so nothing should be off the table regarding challenges. How would MLB handle this situation if this play decided a game in the Playoffs? Replay isn’t about hurting the umpire’s feelings. It’s about making the correct call which everyone wants to happen. 

Now this is not just on MLB; the NBA, NFL, AND NHL all use replay for certain things that are subject to review. But why have the replay if we can’t use it for everything? It’s all about getting calls right.e challenge was ruled in their favor they would keep the challenge, if they lost the challenge then they’re out of challenges. But they’re things managers cannot challenge like the play being discussed here but my question is if you’re using review shouldn’t EVERYTHING be reviewable? No, I am not talking balls and strikes although on Television they use the little strikezone to argue that for themselves.Plus all the talk of robot umpires coming. But replay is about getting it right, which is why nothing should be off the table when it comes to challenges. How would MLB handle this situation if this play decided a game in the Playoffs? This isn’t about hurting the umpires feelings this is about making the correct call which everyone wants to happen. 

Now this is not just on MLB, the NBA, NFL AND NHL all use replay for certain things that are subject to review. But why have the replay if we can’t use it for everything. This is all about getting calls right.

THE PICKS ARE IN

By Mark Halpern

One of the most anticipated days of the NFL offseason has come and gone. The NFL Draft took place on April 27th, and it was a crazy night. There were a ton of trades and made most teams have to go to Plan B and some to Plan C. The Cowboys could have gone several ways in this draft. Many analysts thought the Cowboys would want to shore up the O-Line, go tight end, or add a top Wide Receiver to a very impressive WR core. However, the Cowboys decided to go a different way than predicted. 

1-26- DT Mazi Smith (Michigan)

2-58-TE Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan)

3-90- LB DeMarvion Overshown (Texas)

4- 129- EDGE Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State)

5-169 (compensatory pick) – OT Asim Richards (North Carolina)

5- 178- CB Eric Scott Jr. (New Mexico)

6 – 212 (compensatory pick) – RB Deuce Vaughn (Kansas State)

7- 244-WR Jalen Brooks (South Carolina)

 The Cowboys took Defensive Tackle Mazi Smith with their first pick. Defensive Tackle was one of the weakest points in the Cowboy Defense, and Mazi Smith will bring excellent talent to go along with Demarcus Lawrence, Micha Parsons, and Jonathan Hankins. The Cowboys were near the bottom in run defense last year. Mazi brings not only size but power and speed. With this pick, the Cowboys drafted for what they needed and not a player for a different position with a higher standing. I trust Dan Quinn picked this and wanted a DT over an LB or OL. It could have gone differently if the Bills didn’t pick Dalton Kincade 25th. Bills GM Brandon Beane even said they wanted to jump the Cowboys to get Kincade.

    The Cowboys grabbed a steal with their 4th pick of Viliami Fehoko, a young, powerful Defensive End. Many analysts had him being drafted in the third round, but he fell into the lap of the Cowboys (just like Cee Dee Lamb a few years ago), and they pounced. He has been compared to Demarcus Lawrence, Bruce Smith, and Charles Haley, to name a few. With a defense on the Cowboy’s mind, they wouldn’t pass this young talented player up. 

   The pick of the draft for me came on a compensatory pick in the 6th round, and the Cowboys landed a little giant. Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn was still on the board, and with the departure of Ezekiel Elliot, the Cowboys needed depth behind Tony Pollard, and Vaughn is just that. Deuce Vaughn reminds me of Pollard when the Cowboys drafted him a few years ago. His quickness to hit gaps and breakaway speed is a big compliment to a weakened Dallas Running scheme. Deuce’s dad Chris is a scout for the team, and watching that pick was emotional for many reasons. This doesn’t mean the Cowboys won’t add a veteran RB to compliment Pollard and give Vaughn time to learn and gain experience. There are plenty of names that could fit this bill. Leonard Fournette is just one name being tossed around, and the Cowboys have not said that bringing back Elliot was out of the question, either. 

      With the draft done and OTA’s just beginning, look for the Cowboys to be active in the RB market and the Secondary market to have proper depth and not be short come next season, and that’s how the old man sees it.

Rock Bottom

By: Mike Rifkin

Many things have gone wrong so far this season for a team that won 101 games last season. On Sunday, the Colorado Rockies defeated the New York Mets 13-6. The loss gave the series to the Rockies, putting the Mets under .500 at 17-18. The Mets are now 3-7 in their last ten games. Over the last little stretch, the Mets have lost series to the Nationals, Tigers (sweep), and the Rockies. 

The Pitching staff was supposed to be the strength of the club. Justin Verlander has only made one start; Max Scherzer just returned from a ten-game suspension but still has an ERA of 5.56. David Peterson’s struggles led him back to Syracuse. Carlos Carrasco had three poor starts before getting hurt. Kodai Senga has been the most reliable starter, with a 4-1 record and an ERA of 3.38. Senga is also the only Mets starter with multiple quality starts (six innings giving up three runs or less). The Mets are 22nd in MLB in team ERA, a stat last year they were seventh in. The backend of the bullpen has done its part in the absence of Edwin Diaz. David Robertson is six for six in save opportunities so far. For the most part, Adam Ottavino and Drew Smith have done their job, but everyone else has had moments, good and bad. 

Offensively the Mets are 21st hitting.236 They have a team slugging percentage of .383; the team they are chasing in the NL East, the Atlanta Braves, has a slugging percentage of .464. Pete Alonso is the only Met with double-digit home runs with 11. The Mets need some of their guys to revert to what they were last year. Starling Marte had 16 home runs and 63 RBIs last season with a slash line of .292/.347/.468. So far this year, he has one home run and eight RBIs with a slash line of .213/.292/.278. Last season Mark Canha made his mark with 13 home runs and 61 RBI’S with a slash line of .266/.367/.403. So far this season, he has three home runs and ten RBI’S with a slash line of .222/.304/.370. Francisco Lindor had 26 home runs and 106 RBI’S with a slash line of .270/.339/.449. This season he has five home runs and 25 RBI’S with a slash line of .217/.320/.426. If you go back to the winter, Mets fans were clamoring for GM Billy Eppler to get another bat, especially if the young players would stay in Syracuse to start the season. Eduardo Escobar’s struggles at the plate made the Mets call up one of their top prospects Brett Baty. The 23-year-old third baseman has two home runs and six RBIs with a slash line of .286/.344/.446. An injury to Omar Narvaez forced the Mets to call up top prospect Francisco Alvarez. The 21-year-old has a slash line of .220/.264/.320 with a home run and four RBI’S. 

Now if the veterans continue to struggle, the Mets might be forced to call up Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio, who are crushing it in Syracuse. The leash has to be getting shorter for certain guys because Mets fans didn’t expect to be 17-18 in May and closer to the last-place Nationals than the first-place Braves. After Sunday’s Game, Mets DH Daniel Vogelbach said, “It’s better to get it out now and play our best baseball in the end… I think we’re going to be just fine.” Well, last year, they played well until the end before an awful September, but this is what we saw in September the Mets losing to bad teams. So they’re going to have to right the ship soon, and that starts Tuesday against a Reds team they went 5-1 against last season and outscored 36 – 13