What A Mess

By: Mike Rifkin

For the third consecutive night, the New York Mets couldn’t hold a multi-run lead in a loss to the division-rival Atlanta Braves. It’s their sixth consecutive loss for the Mets, and they are 3-7 in their last ten games. 

On Wednesday night Max Scherzer couldn’t hold a 4-1 lead, and Adam Ottavino gave up a home run to Michael Harris in the bottom of the eighth inning. On Tuesday, the Braves scored four runs against Carlos Carrasco and Drew Smith in the sixth inning on their way to a win. Carrasco and Smith could not hold a 4-1 lead as well. On Thursday, the Mets bullpen couldn’t hold a 10-6 lead. Now the other issue was Justin Verlander gave the Mets just three innings in a game the team needed. For the first time in franchise history, the Mets have lost three consecutive games where they have had three-run leads.

The Mets are three games under .500 and are 8.5 games back of the Braves. If you think back to September when the Braves swept the Mets to overtake them for the NL East title, they have not recovered from that series. Yes, it is a new season, but mentally, this team has never recovered; they have massive flaws which go back to the winter. The first two-plus months have been a massive failure for the team with the biggest payroll in baseball. Now, what to come next depends on what happens to Pete Alonso, who was sent to New York to get a CT Scan and additional tests on his wrist a day after getting hit by a pitch on his wrist. If Alonso, who leads baseball in home runs, needs an IL stint, that will be a massive blow to a lineup that needs his production. 

Now I am not saying firing everyone, and that’s the solution to the problem. But the Mets need to figure this out sooner than later. But there is a positive, and that is all you have to do is make the playoffs and look at what the division rival Phillies did last year. But for now, meet the mess; step right up and meet the mess. 

Failure To Launch

By: Mike Rifkin

In 2018 the Winnipeg Jets lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the Western Conference Finals. This year, the Jets again lost in the first round of the playoffs when the Golden Knights dispatched them in five games. Since their appearance in the Western Conference Finals, the Jets have won one playoff series, and that was in the 2020-21 season, where they played in the all-Canada division. 

Head Coach Rick Bowness was asked about his overall thoughts on the series and said, “I’m so disappointed and disgusted right now. There was no pushback. It’s the same crap we saw in February.” Bowness then went after his top players, saying, “We’ve got to push back. There’s got to be a pushback. There has to be pride. You’ve got to push back when things aren’t going your way. Their best players were better in the regular season, and they were better in the series.” The Jet’s best player all year was goalie Connor Hellebuyck, nominated for the Vezina Trophy. In the series against Vegas, Hellebuyck had a 3.44 Goals Against Average and a .886 save percentage. Hellebuyck had a 2.49 GAA and a .920 save percentage in the regular season. 

According to multiple reports, the Jets are willing to listen to trade offers on Hellebuyck and Centers Pierre – Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele, all entering the final year of their respective contracts. According to the same reports, the Jets don’t intend to have a full-scale rebuild. Now as someone who genuinely likes the nucleus of this team, I understand that there has to be some form of change because it can’t always be the coach. That being said, if I was in Kevin Cheveldayoff’s shoes, there’s one of the three that I wouldn’t move unless I had to. I would keep Hellebuyck. I know he had a bad series against Vegas, but the Jets only had a successful season because of how good he was. Hellebuyck is in the upper echelon of goalies in the NHL. While the return would be substantial, I am still determining how you can give up the most important player on the team and claim that this is not a rebuild. If you want to give up Scheifele or Dubois, that’s fine. A Center will also get you an excellent return, especially if they sign a deal with the team acquiring them and can be replaced. I don’t know how you replace one of the best goalies in the league when the solution is not out there. Then there’s another factor here; the Jets could consider this a rebuild and blow this core up. They could consider a rebuild because of how tough the Central Division is and will be. The Stars, Avalanche, and Wild are all great teams. The Blues and Predators should be improved with busy off-seasons. The Blackhawks won the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, and the Coyotes have some talent. 

The Jets might be the most compelling team to watch this summer. Connor Hellebuyck is the key to the Jets’ offseason, and whatever they do with him is the direction the team will go in. But if it were me, I’d be holding the star goalie. 

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.