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December and January is decision time for the best college football players in the country. Players who have been in school for three or four seasons and still have eligibility remaining must weigh the positives and negatives of returning to continue their college careers or turning professional.

Some will announce their plans before the bowl games. Some will announce after they finish their respective seasons.

Below is the list of notable underclassmen who have declared their intentions to enter the 2024 NFL draft.

The deadline for college players to make their decision is Jan. 15, with the list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 draft being sent to clubs on Jan. 19.

The draft will be held between April 25-27 in Detroit.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

BIG CHANGE TO PRE-DRAFT SCHEDULE: Underclassmen can compete in all-star games in 2024

Underclassmen who intend to enter 2024 NFL draft

Braelon Allen, RB, WisconsinJoe Alt, OT, Notre DameEmani Bailey, RB, TCUJaheim Bell, TE, Florida StateTrey Benson, RB, Florida StateCole Bishop, S, UtahJonathon Brooks, RB, TexasJavon Bullard, S, GeorgiaCaelen Carson, CB, Wake ForestKeon Coleman, WR, Florida StateEdgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&MCooper DeJean, CB, IowaKingsley Eguakun, C, FloridaAudric Estime, RB, Notre DameOlu Fashanu, OT, Penn StateTroy Franklin, WR, OregonFrank Gore Jr., RB, Southern MissTyler Guyton, OT, OklahomaBucky Irving, RB, OregonTheo Johnson, TE, Penn StateJawhar Jordan, RB, LouisvilleKamren Kinchens, S, Miami (Fla.)Kamari Lassiter, CB, GeorgiaJC Latham, OT, AlabamaCam Little, K, ArkansasMarShawn Lloyd, RB, USCDrake Maye, QB, North CarolinaLadd McConkey, WR, GeorgiaKool-Aid McKinstry, CB, AlabamaMax Melton, CB, RutgersAmarius Mims, OT, GeorgiaByron Murphy II, DT, TexasJer’Zhan Newton, DT, IllinoisPatrick Paul, OT, HoustonJackson Powers-Johnson, C, OregonKeith Randolph Jr., DT, IllinoisChop Robinson, DE, Penn StateJaden Shirden, RB, MonmouthBen Sinnott, TE, Kansas StateLeonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (Fla.)Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSUJeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, ClemsonDallas Turner, LB, AlabamaSione Vaki, S, UtahJared Verse, DE, Florida StateTez Walker, WR, North CarolinaNate Wiggins, CB, ClemsonJames Williams, S, Miami (Fla.)Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida StateXavier Worthy, WR, TexasJaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

This list will be be updated regularly as underclassmen declare their intentions to enter the 2024 NFL draft.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Welcome to 2024, the last year of the current four-team College Football Playoff. 

Next season, the playoff expands to a whopping 12 teams, which means — theoretically at least — that even more conferences will be able to participate. 

But for this year, it’s undefeated Michigan against undefeated Washington on Monday, Jan. 9, a preview of … another Big Ten game to come in October. 

MICHIGAN: Have the Wolverines ever won a national championship in football?

The Wolverines, of course, are considered one of college football’s bluebloods. But what about the Huskies? Has Washington ever won a national championship? It kind of depends who you ask …

Washington ‘wins’ 1960 and 1991 national championships

Important history note: Until the BCS started in 1998, there was no official national championship game. Teams were named champs, or claimed national championships based on their final poll ranking — with typically both the coaches’ poll, administered solely or jointly by USA TODAY since 1991, and the Associated Press (AP) poll carrying the most weight. (This practice still continues today, much to the chagrin of many college football fans. Anyone remember UCF after the 2017 season?)

In 1960, after beating Minnesota 17-7 in the Rose Bowl and finishing with a record of 10-1, Washington was named the national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation. 

Never heard of the Helms Foundation? You’re probably under the age of 60. Founded in 1936 by Paul H. Helms and Bill Schroeder, the Los Angeles-based organization aimed to promote athletics and sportsmanship and regularly named a college football and basketball national champion, along with a handful of other awards. When the Helms Foundation eventually dissolved in 1969, much of its archives went to the Amateur Athletic Union. 

Then, in 1991, after finishing with a perfect 12-0 record, Washington was named the top team in the country in the coaches poll. 

Washington’s 1960 national championship 

Want to know something even weirder about the 1960 national championship? The Huskies didn’t claim it until 2007 — and that’s when they had a trophy made for it. 

In 1960, Minnesota finished No. 1 in both the AP and coaches polls, but back then, final polls came out before bowl games – which means the Golden Gophers’ loss to the Huskies wasn’t factored in. Ole Miss, which finished the 1960 season 10-0-1 — yes, its record includes a 6-6 tie vs. LSU — also claimed the 1960 national championship after being awarded the Grantland Rice Trophy by the Football Writers of America Association. 

After Washington claimed the 1960 title, the Huskies made it official by having the year painted inside Husky Stadium alongside the words “national championship.” They have trophies for both 1960 and 1991 displayed on campus.

Washington’s 1991 national championship

The 1991 season was a little more straightforward. Behind legendary coach Don James, and following Washington’s 34-14 thumping of Michigan in the Rose Bowl, the coaches poll (at the time administered jointly by USA TODAY and CNN) named the Huskies national champs. 

Other publications to name Washington the top team in the country that season included UPI/National Football Foundation, the Football Writers of America (Grantland Rice Trophy), Sports Illustrated and Sagarin, among others. 

The Associated Press poll, on the other hand, selected the Miami Hurricanes as the No. 1 team, with the Huskies coming in at No. 2. Miami had also finished 12-0 that season, ending with a 22-0 win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Because of this, Miami also claims the 1991 national championship. Some consider the 1991 Washington team one of the best college football squads of all time. 

James, who coached the Huskies from 1975-1992, is the winningest coach of all time at UW, compiling a 153-57-2 record with the Huskies. He led them to four Rose Bowl wins and one Orange Bowl win, and won 22 consecutive games from 1990-92. 

The current Huskies, by the way, have won 21 games in a row. Washington’s last loss was Oct. 8, 2022, at Arizona State. 

Unclaimed national championships

Because college football is a weird sport, there are also a handful of national championship titles that Washington hasn’t claimed, even though other people and publications deemed them so. In both 1984 and 1990, publications like Football News, Berryman, FACT and the National Championship Foundation named the Huskies national champions. Some of these publications selected numerous national champions, though. 

In conclusion, for all intents and purposes, Washington has won two national championships. But neither of those came on the field, which makes Monday’s matchup with Michigan that much more special. 

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Michigan Wolverines are one of the most historic — and successful — college football teams in the country, but they’ll be achieving a program first when they play in the national championship game.

After defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl, the Wolverines will face the Washington Huskies in Houston on Monday in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

Michigan already made college football history earlier this season when it became the first program to win 1,000 games. The Wolverines are no strangers when it comes to having national championship history, ranking in the top 10 for most titles.

But the matchup against the Huskies will give the Wolverines a chance to do something it has never done before: win a national championship game. That may sound confusing, but a look back at the history of Michigan’s 144-year history shows how the program can achieve a first on Monday.

WASHINGTON: Have the Huskies ever won a national championship in football?

Here’s everything to know about Michigan’s national championship history:

How many national titles has Michigan won?

It depends on who you asked.

Since starting play in 1879, Michigan has nine national championships, according to the NCAA, tied for sixth most in the NCAA along with Southern California.

However, Michigan says it has won 11 national championship games.

When was Michigan’s last national title? 

It’s been nearly 25 years since Michigan last claimed a national championship, last winning one in 1997. Michigan also won most of its national championship before the poll era, which began in 1936.

According to the NCAA, the Wolverines have titles in: 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997. Michigan says it also has won titles in 1932 and 1947.

Michigan national championship game history

Technically, the Wolverines have never won a national championship game, so Monday’s game could be the first time it ever wins one.

The reasoning for that is Michigan’s last national championship came in 1997, one year before the BCS was created. National championship games were formed with the creation of the BCS, but before then, national championships were decided by polls typically by the coaches’ poll, administered solely or jointly by USA TODAY since 1991, or the Associated Press (AP) poll.

So in short, Michigan’s nine, or 11, national championships come from ones it claimed. Here’s how the school determined ‘won’ its championships.

1901: Billingsley, Helms, Houlgate and National Championship Foundation.1902: Billingsley, Helms, Houlgate, National Championship Foundation and Parke Davis.1903: Billingsley and National Championship Foundation.1904: Billingsley and National Championship Foundation.1918: Billingsley and National Championship Foundation.1923: Billingsley and National Championship Foundation.1932: Dickinson and Parke Davis.1933: Billingsley, Boand, College Football Research Association, Dickinson, Helms, Houlgate, Football Research, National Championship Foundation and Parke Davis.1947: Associated Press, Berryman, Billingsley, Boand, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, Helms, Houlgate, Litkenhous and National Championship Foundation.1948: Associated Press, Berryman, Billingsley, Boand, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, Helms, Houlgate, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation and Williamson.1997: Associated Press, National Football Foundation and Football Writer’s Association.

Here’s a quick look at those Michigan national championship teams:

Michigan 1901 national championship team

Led by Fielding Yost, Michigan won its first title after finishing 11-0. That season, Michigan didn’t allow a single point, outscoring opponents 550-0. The most eye-opening result came against Buffalo, when it won 128-0. That year was also Michigan’s first bowl game in school history, beating Stanford 49-0 in the first Rose Bowl.

Michigan 1902 national championship team

Michigan had another undefeated season with an 11-0 record. Michigan allowed points this season, but still outscored opponents by a whopping 644-12 with nine shutouts. That season, Michigan beat Michigan Agriculture, 119-0.

Michigan 1903 national championship team

The third-straight title came with a tie, finishing the season 11-0-1. The tie came from a 6-6 result at Minnesota. Michigan would shutout every other opponent that season, outscoring teams 565-6.

Michigan 1904 national championship team

The fourth-straight title came after a 10-0 season, with eight games resulting in shutouts. That season, Michigan beat West Virginia 130-0.

Michigan 1918 national championship team

Michigan won another national title during the end of World War I, finishing a shortened season at 5-0. Four of those games were shutouts, outscoring opponents 96-6.

Michigan 1923 national championship team

Michigan won another title in Yost’s final season as head coach, sending him off with a sixth national championship after an 8-0 season.

Michigan 1932 national championship team

Harry Kipke won his first national championship as Michigan’s head coach following an 8-0 season. On this team was backup center Gerald Ford, who would become the 38th president of the United States.

Michigan 1933 national championship team

Kipke led his team to back-to-back national championships after finishing the season 7-0-1. The tie that season came in a scoreless game against Minnesota. Ford was also on this national championship team.

Michigan 1947 national championship team

This is Michigan’s first claimed national championship in the poll era. Led by head coach Herbert ‘Fritz’ Crisler, Michigan went 10-0 and capped off the season with a 49-0 win over Southern California in the Rose Bowl, the Wolverines’ second ever bowl game. This season was significant as Michigan finished No. 1 in the AP Poll in the first ever post-bowl game rankings.

Michigan 1948 national championship team

The Wolverines achieved back-to-back undefeated season’s in Bennie Oosterbaan’s first season as head coach, going 9-0 that season. The national title was claimed without a Rose Bowl appearance, because back then teams were prohibited from playing in more than one Rose Bowl Game in a three-year span.

Michigan 1997 national championship team

Michigan snapped its longest national championship drought in 1997 when Lloyd Carr’s team went 12-0. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, the Wolverines would win the Rose Bowl against Washington State, 21-16, in the final season before the invention of the BCS.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The NHL’s holiday roster freeze is over, so trades can start up again.

Then it’s a little more than two months to the NHL trade deadline on March 8.

There have been several trades and plenty of other transactions this season. The latest trade was between the Seattle Kraken and Colorado Avalanche.

General managers will be guided by another year of a tight salary cap, but it’s expected to rise next season to $87.7 million. Last summer, a lot of players signed low-cost, one-year deals, increasing the pool of potential unrestricted free agents who could be moved out for draft picks or prospects.

Follow along this season for news and analysis on deals, major transactions and other announcements that have happened in the months leading up the trade deadline:

Jan. 4: Calgary Flames’ Oliver Kylington takes step toward return from season off

The Calgary Flames sent defenseman Oliver Kylington to a conditioning assignment with the Calgary Wranglers, a key step in his return from taking more than a season off for personal reasons. ‘I feel I’m in a good place with my mental health and ready to take another step forward,’ Kylington said in a statement. ‘Returning to Calgary has been the right decision.’ Kylington, 26, set career highs in 2021-22 with nine goals, 22 assists and 31 points, but returned to Sweden last season. He began skating in Calgary last month. ‘We are so happy that he has made positive progression with his mental well-being, and we will continue to support Oliver through this process,’ general manager Craig Conroy said.

Also: The San Jose Sharks announced that defenseman Matt Benning had hip surgery. He’s expected to miss the rest of the season but be fine for training camp. … Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Nieto (knee surgery) will be out six to eight weeks.

Jan. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs send down goalie Ilya Samsonov

The Toronto Maple Leafs loaned veteran goaltender Ilya Samsonov to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League after he cleared waivers. They called up Dennis Hildeby. Samsonov, 26, has struggled in his second season with the Maple Leafs, recording a 3.94 goals-against average and .862 save percentage. He has given up 17 goals in his last three games and was pulled in one of them. Samsonov filed for salary arbitration last summer and was awarded a $3.55 million contract. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Also: The Buffalo Sabres assigned Eric Comrie to Rochester (New York) of the AHL after he cleared waivers. The Sabres had been carrying three goalies this season. Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen remain with the Sabres. Comrie is 1-5-0 this season.

Dec. 28: New Jersey Devils send down goalie Akira Schmid

The New Jersey Devils, who have lacked consistent goaltending this season, sent Akira Schmid to Utica (New York) of the American Hockey League. Schmid, 23, helped the Devils win their first-round series last season, but is 5-7-1 with a 3.26 goals-against average and .893 save percentage. Coach Lindy Ruff wants him to play more games and ‘get into a rhythm.’

‘Our goalies can give us more saves at times,’ Ruff said. ‘But we haven’t been as good a team in front of our goalies, either, so it’s kind of a two-way street.’

Nico Daws, who has returned from hip surgery, will back up Vitek Vanecek.

Dec. 28: Washington Capitals sign defenseman Ethan Bear

Ethan Bear will average $2.0625 million for the two-year deal. He is coming off shoulder surgery and had been working out with the Capitals. Bear, 26, has 16 goals and 47 assists in 251 career games with the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers. He kills penalties and blocks shots. The Capitals could be getting additional help, too, because offseason signee Max Pacioretty (Achilles surgery) has resumed skating.

Dec. 27: Carolina Hurricanes recall veteran goalie Antti Raanta

The Carolina Hurricanes recalled veteran goalie Antti Raanta from a two-game stint in the American Hockey League. Raanta, 34, went 1-0-1 with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage with the Chicago Wolves during his first AHL appearance since the 2019-20 season. Raanta was sent down after seeing his numbers drop to a 3.61 goals-against average and a .854 save percentage from last season’s 2.23 and .910. He is fourth to last in MoneyPuck’s goals saved against expected. Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to get the start Wednesday in Nashville. Carolina reassigned goaltender Yaniv Perets to the Norfolk (Virginia) Admirals of the ECHL.

Dec. 22: Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard cleared to practice after stint in assistance program

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association said defenseman Samuel Girard has been cleared to resume practicing with the Colorado Avalanche after spending time in the player assistance program. Girard, 25, had announced last month through his agent that his severe anxiety and depression had gone untreated too long and had led to alcohol abuse. He now is in the aftercare phase but hasn’t been cleared to play in games.

Also: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the six-game suspension to Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron for cross-checking Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub in the head. Perron, who had been reacting to an injury to captain Dylan Larkin, has served the six games and was set to return in Friday’s game.

Dec. 19: Banged-up Detroit Red Wings sign goalie Michael Hutchinson to NHL contract

Tuesday was a good day for Michael Hutchinson: He got himself an NHL contract, five days before Christmas.

The one-year, two-way contract (worth $775,000 at the NHL level) came about because the Detroit Red Wings need Hutchinson’s services at least through the end of the week; neither Ville Husso nor Alex Lyon is available, leaving James Reimer the lone goalie standing. Husso is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Coach Derek Lalonde described it as, ‘Ville will be unavailable to us for a while here.’ He added: ‘Alex, I do not see him available to us till probably after Christmas.’

Husso was injured in the first period of Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Lyon suffered an upper-body injury Saturday night in Philadelphia. The Red Wings play three games before the three-day holiday break.

– Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Dec. 18: Ottawa Senators fire D.J. Smith, name Jacques Martin interim coach

Jacques Martin was hired earlier this season by the Ottawa Senators as a consultant for coach D.J. Smith. Now, he will run the team on an interim basis after Smith was fired on Monday.

Martin, 71, is the Senators’ all-time leader in coaching wins during the regular season (341) and playoffs (31). Daniel Alfredsson, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, was named an assistant coach, replacing Davis Payne.

Smith, who had never finished better than sixth in the division, was fired amid a four-game losing streak that included blown leads in the last two. The Senators sit in last place in the Eastern Conference.

‘I think we’re all looking for more consistency, more detail to our game, more structure,’ president of hockey operations Steve Staios told reporters.

Also: Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. … The Boston Bruins loaned forward Matthew Poitras to the Canadian national team for the world junior championships.

Dec. 16: Carolina Hurricanes place goalie Antti Raanta on waivers

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed veteran goalie Antti Raanta on waivers a day after he gave up six goals in a loss to the Nashville Predators. He cleared waivers and was sent to Chicago of the American Hockey League on Sunday. Carolina recalled ECHL goalie Yaniv Perets, who won an NCAA title with Quinnipiac last season. Raanta, 34, who gave up eight goals in a loss last month to the Tampa Bay Lightning, has seen his numbers drop to a 3.61 goals-against average and .854 save percentage from last season’s 2.23, .910 and is second to last in MoneyPuck’s goals saved against expected. Pyotr Kochetkov has been the better goalie since No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen was sidelined with a blood-clotting issue. Andersen remains out indefinitely.

Dec. 15: Seattle Kraken acquire forward Tomas Tatar from Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche receive a fifth-round pick in the trade. The Kraken rank near the bottom of the league in scoring, and they’re hoping for the Tomas Tatar of previous seasons, not this season. He’s a seven-time 20-goal scorer who has just one goal this season after not getting a free agent contract until September. But he’s a veteran of 810 games with 212 career goals, including 50 on the power play. He’ll help Seattle deal with injuries among its forwards. The team placed Jaden Schwartz on long-term injured reserve.

In a depth trade Friday, the San Jose Sharks acquired center Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Nick Cicek and a sixth-round pick.

Dec. 15: Columbus Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine suffers fractured clavicle

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine, who has had problems recently staying healthy, will be out six weeks after suffering a fracture clavicle during a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced Friday. He left the ice holding his shoulder in the second period after he was tripped by Toronto’s William Lagesson and slid into the boards. Laine had scored his sixth goal of the season during the first period. He was in his second game back after missing three games with an illness. He missed nine games early this season with a concussion and also was a healthy scratch once. Last season, Laine was limited to 55 games by injury or illness and played only 56 the season before.

Dec. 12: St. Louis Blues fire coach Craig Berube, name Drew Bannister as interim

General manager Doug Armstrong said he started having sleepless nights after a Dec. 8 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. After the short-handed Detroit Red Wings rallied to hand St. Louis its fourth consecutive loss, Armstrong fired Craig Berube and named Drew Bannister, head of their American Hockey League affiliate, the interim coach. ‘Your mind is starting to work when you’re everybody’s homecoming game,’ Armstrong told reporters on Wednesday, a day after making the move.

Coaching changes have turned around the fortunes of the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild this season, and Berube took a last-place Blues team to the 2019 Stanley Cup title after his midseason hire. Bannister isn’t necessarily the coach for the rest of the season, though. Armstrong said he is looking for a full-time coach but didn’t have a timetable on when he’ll make a hire.

The Blues rank near the bottom of the league in power play and goals per game. They traded Robert Bortuzzo and waived Jakub Vrana, who’s headed to the AHL with Mackenzie MacEachern being recalled. Armstrong said he and the players share in the blame for the team’s performance. ‘Nobody should feel safe in our group,’ he said.

Dec. 8: New York Islanders acquire St. Louis Blues’ Robert Bortuzzo

The New York Islanders acquired defenseman Robert Bortuzzo from the St. Louis Blues on Friday in exchange for a seventh-round pick. The trade was announced after the team said Ryan Pulock (lower body) was going on the injured list, joining fellow defensemen Adam Pelech and Sebastian Aho. Bortuzzo, 34, won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 but has been limited to four games this season and often was a healthy scratch. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Dec. 7: Nashville Predators’ Tyson Barrie discusses trade request

Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie knew he was about to be uncomfortable with the questions that were going to come his way Thursday, ones about him requesting a trade after being a healthy scratch last weekend. About the Predators granting him permission to talk with other teams.

‘I’m trying not to really air it out in the media,’ Barrie said.

As much as he might have wanted to, Barrie didn’t exactly bury any hatchets, either.

‘Well, if we’re getting into it, I’m in the stands so it doesn’t really feel like a great fit,’ he said. ‘My goal is to be playing hockey. Whether that’s here or elsewhere is up for the powers that be to decide.’ – Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean

Dec. 6: Detroit Red Wings announce when Patrick Kane is expected to make debut

Star Patrick Kane is scheduled to make his Detroit Red Wings debut on Thursday at home against the San Jose Sharks, coach Derek Lalonde told reporters. Kane was signed last week to a one-year, $2.75 million contract after offseason hip resurfacing surgery. Lalonde plans to play him with former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat and will try the pair with different centers. Kane’s minutes will be monitored. ‘There’s a lot of unknowns still there so we’ll all be patient with it and kind of let it play out a little bit,’ Lalonde said.

Also: The Buffalo Sabres acquired winger Eric Robinson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2025. The fourth-liner has 82 points in 266 career games, including one goal in seven games this season. The Blue Jackets later placed defenseman Adam Boqvist, goalie Elvis Merzlikins and forward Cole Sillinger on the injured list. Boqvist (shoulder) is expected to miss four weeks. … The Toronto Maple Leafs announced defenseman John Klingberg will have season-ending hip surgery. He signed a one-year, $4.15 million deal in the offseason but hasn’t played since Nov. 11. The Maple Leafs, also missing defensemen Mark Giordano and Timothy Liljegren, are looking for a replacement through a trade. ‘It’s no secret we’ve investigated what the market is, what those costs could be,’ general manager Brad Trevling told reporters. … Jacques Martin, who has been a head coach for nearly 1,300 NHL games (692 with Ottawa), was named an advisor to the Senators’ coaching staff.

Dec. 4: Winnipeg Jets sign Nino Niederreiter to three-year extension

He’ll average $4 million in the contract that kicks in next season. He is the third player signed long-term since the Jets moved out Pierre-Luc Dubois and Blake Wheeler during the summer, following Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck. Niederreiter, 31, is tied for fourth on the Jets with six goals and is sixth with 14 points.

Dec. 1: Simon Nemec called up amid New Jersey Devils’ issues on defense

Simon Nemec, the No. 2 pick of the 2022 NHL draft, made his NHL debut after being called up amid the team’s major absences on defense. He played 22:38, had two assists and three shots, and was a minus 2 in the 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Before the game, the Devils announced that top defenseman Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely after having surgery on his left pectoral muscle. Also, defenseman Brendan Smith was suspended for two games for slashing Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny. He will forfeit $11,458.34 in pay and Konecny was fined $5,000 for his cross-check on Smith. The Devils also announced that forward Tomas Nosek had surgery on his right foot.

Also: The Montreal Canadiens and goalie Sam Montembeault agreed to a three-year, $9.45 million extension. The Quebec native had been claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers in 2021

Nov. 30: Vancouver Canucks acquire defenseman Nikita Zadorov

The Vancouver Canucks got stronger on defense by adding rugged 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames. The Canucks gave up the fifth-round pick they acquired a day earlier in the Anthony Beauvillier trade, plus a 2026 third-round pick. Calgary’s return doesn’t seem high for a player who led the Flames in hits and is going to a division rival, but Zadorov had requested a trade and is a pending unrestricted free agent. The Flames, who have pushed closer to a playoff position after a tough start, also have forward Elias Lindholm and defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev in the final years of their contracts.

Nov. 28: Chicago Blackhawks waive Corey Perry, trade for Anthony Beauvillier

The Chicago Blackhawks placed Corey Perry on unconditional waivers on Tuesday in order to terminate his contract. The team said it determined that Perry ‘engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments.’ The Beauvillier trade happened later. The Vancouver Canucks, who acquired Beauvillier last season in the Bo Horvat trade, will receive a fifth-round draft pick. More important for Vancouver, the Blackhawks take on his entire $4.15 million cap hit, giving them flexibility before the trade deadline. Beauvillier, a winger like Perry, has two goals and six assists in 22 games this season.

Perry issued an apology Thursday for his ‘inappropriate and wrong’ behavior.

BLACKHAWKS: More details on why Chicago is cutting ties with Corey Perry

Nov. 28: Detroit Red Wings sign Patrick Kane

The one-year, $2.75 million deal will reunite Patrick Kane with Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat, his former linemate on the Chicago Blackhawks. DeBrincat had two 40-goal seasons while in Chicago. The question is how Kane will perform after hip resurfacing surgery during the offseason.  Though recent videos showed Kane going through intense workouts, Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom is taking a leave of absence to determine his future after having the same surgery during the 2022 offseason. Considering Kane wanted to play for a contender, that says something about his faith in the Red Wings’ direction after they try to end a seven-year playoff drought. Daniel Sprong is giving up his No. 88 for Kane and will wear No. 17 instead.

Also: The Buffalo Sabres loaned rookie goalie Devon Levi to Rochester (New York) of the American Hockey League. He had been in a three-goalie system with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Eric Comrie and his numbers were down from the strong start he had last season after leaving Northeastern University. The move allows Levi to see more action than he would in the NHL. “We’re super excited about Devon, believe in him,’ general manager Kevyn Adams told reporters on Wednesday. ‘This is an opportunity for him to get in a rhythm, get sharpened up.”

Nov. 27: Minnesota Wild fire coach Dean Evason, hire John Hynes

John Hynes is back in the NHL after being hired to replace fired Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason on Monday. The Wild made the switch after a 5-10-4 start in which the team struggled defensively and especially on the penalty kill. Hynes, who knows Wild general manager Bill Guerin from their days in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, was a midseason replacement previously with the Nashville Predators. He was fired last summer after missing the playoffs. He also coached the New Jersey Devils and has a 284-255-63 NHL record, making the playoffs four times.

Nov. 25: Chicago Blackhawks’ Corey Perry to be away from team for foreseeable future

Corey Perry will be away from the Chicago Blackhawks for the foreseeable future, general manager Kyle Davidson said Saturday. Perry, 38, hasn’t played since a 3-2 loss to Buffalo last Sunday. He was a healthy scratch for the last two games.

“It’s been a team decision so far to hold him out, and that’s about all I’m able to provide,” Davidson said.

In a statement provided to Hockey Night in Canada, Pat Morris, Perry’s agent, said the forward stepped away from the team to attend to personal matters.

Perry was acquired from Tampa Bay in a June trade, then agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract. He has four goals and five assists in 16 games. His absence comes as the Blackhawks deal with a series of injuries among their forwards. Taylor Hall, another offseason acquisition, is scheduled for right knee surgery on Monday in Minnesota. – Associated Press

Also: The New York Islanders claimed veteran defenseman Mike Reilly off waivers from the Florida Panthers and placed defenseman Adam Pelech (upper body) on long term injured reserve.

Nov. 24: Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard enters mental health treatment

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard is entering the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program. He announced through his agent that his severe anxiety and depression had gone untreated too long and had led to alcohol abuse.

‘Taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance, and I encourage everyone to speak up and seek help should you feel like you need it,’ he said in a statement.

Girard, 25, has played all but five games of his seven-year NHL career with the Avalanche and had a career-best 37 points last season. He had one goal and three assists through 15 games this season and had missed the past two games for personal reasons.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the team supports Girard going to get help.

“You’ve got to take care of yourself first before you’re able to come and help a team,’ he said.

Nov. 24: Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness returns from leave of absence

Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness returned behind the bench Friday for the first time since he took a leave of absence on Oct. 23 after his wife Judy had a seizure. He said she’s doing as well as expected with her new medication and will stay with their children when he’s on the road. Associate coach Scott Arniel went 9-2-2 in Bowness’ absence. The Jets beat the Florida Panthers 3-0 with Bowness behind the bench.

Also: Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson played his 10th NHL game on Friday, meaning he’s staying in the league and not being returned to his junior hockey team. Benson scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday with a spectacular move. … The Washington Capitals said forward T.J. Oshie won’t travel with the team after a hard collision in Friday’s 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Nov. 23: Chicago Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall to have ACL surgery

Chicago Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall, the former No. 1 overall pick who was acquired to mentor and play alongside rookie Connor Bedard, will have ACL surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

‘It came from an accumulation of a bunch of little injuries from the game and even in practice the other day,’ coach Luke Richardson told reporters. ‘It became unstable and we need to fix it.’

SABRES: Rookie Zach Benson scores first NHL goal in spectacular fashion

Hall had been limited to 10 games (four points) this season because of injuries.

“It’s heartbreaking — someone that loved to play so much and every game is so impactful, such a good hockey player and such a good person,’ Bedard said.

The Blackhawks also placed forward Andreas Athanasiou (groin muscle) on the injured list and called up Joey Anderson and Cole Guttman.

Nov. 17: Florida Panthers activate Brandon Montour, Aaron Ekblad

The defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers got off to a 10-5-1 record even with key absences. Now, they’re getting defensemen Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad back, activating them from the injured list after they recovered from offseason surgery for playoff injuries.

Montour set a franchise record for points by a defenseman (73) and was their top-scoring blueliner in the playoffs. Ekblad, like Montour a right-hand shot, was taken No. 1 overall in the 2014 draft. Defenseman Josh Mahura went on the injured list to make the salary cap situation work.

Nov. 12: Edmonton Oilers fire coach Jay Woodcroft

The Edmonton Oilers fired coach Jay Woodcroft on Sunday after a 3-9-1 start and replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, the Hartford Wolf Pack coach and Connor McDavid’s former junior hockey coach. That’s the third recent move with a connection to three-time MVP McDavid. His agent, Jeff Jackson, was hired earlier as CEO of hockey operations and the team also signed his former junior hockey linemate Connor Brown.

McDavid said Monday he was surprised by the move and said Woodcroft ‘never lost the room.’

The Oilers were a trendy pick to go far in the playoffs, but have disappointed this season. Last season’s No. 1-ranked offense is 26th this season, with McDavid possibly slowed by an injury that cost him two games. Their goaltending issues have been worse. Jack Campbell was sent to the American Hockey League in the second year of his five-year contract. Stuart Skinner, a rookie of the year finalist last season, ranks last in the league in goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.

Knoblauch – and newly hired Oilers legend Paul Coffey coaching the defense – will be tasked with getting the Oilers back to a playoff spot. There’s precedent: Woodcroft went 26-9-3 down the stretch in 2021-22 as a midseason replacement and led the team to the Western Conference final. 

Also: The Colorado Avalanche announced that goalie Pavel Francouz (lower body) will miss the rest of the season. He has yet to play in 2023-24 and will return to the Czech Republic to be with his family. The team also signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year deal.

Nov. 10: Pittsburgh Penguins to retire Jaromir Jagr’s number

Jaromir Jagr, drafted fifth overall in 1990, won Stanley Cup titles in his first two seasons and ranks fourth in franchise history with 1,079 points in 806 games. He played 11 seasons with Pittsburgh before being traded to the Washington Capitals. He ranks second all-time in NHL history in points and fourth in goals. His No. 68 will be retired on Feb. 18.

Nov. 8: Minnesota Wild trade Calen Addison to San Jose Sharks, acquire Zach Bogosian from Tampa Bay Lightning

Addison was sent to the San Jose Sharks for forward Adam Raska and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. The defenseman is a power play specialist, but he is unreliable in his own zone. That led to him being a healthy scratch often down the stretch last season. With the Wild getting Jared Spurgeon back soon from injury (he was activated from long-term injured reserve on Friday), the power play opportunities will dwindle. Addison will be more valuable to the Sharks, who dealt Erik Karlsson last summer. He will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Bogosian lacks Addison’s offense, but the veteran takes care of his end of the ice. He’s a right-handed shot, like Addison.

“He’s a big guy,’ Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin told reporters. ‘He still skates well. He brings heaviness. He brings some grit and we need that.”

The trade buys the Lightning a little bit of salary cap breathing room. Bogosian, in the final season of a three-year contract, has a $850,000 cap hit.

Nov. 7: Edmonton Oilers place goalie Jack Campbell on waivers

Campbell, who signed a five-year, $25 million free agent deal in 2022, hasn’t played well since arriving. Stuart Skinner surpassed him last season and was a rookie of the year finalist. This season, Campbell was chased in the season opener and has gone 1-4 with a 4.50 goals-against average and .873 save percentage. He cleared waivers and will work on his game in the American Hockey League as the struggling Oilers try to get into a playoff spot. Edmonton recalled Calvin Pickard from Bakersfield (California) to back up Skinner.

Oct. 13: Colorado Avalanche sign defenseman Devon Toews to seven-year extension

He’ll average $7.25 million in the deal, which begins next season. Heading into the season, Toews led the league with a +120 plus-minus rating since he was acquired from the New York Islanders in 2020. He’s right behind defenseman Cale Makar in average ice time during that time.

Oct. 10: Carolina Hurricanes acquire forward Callahan Burke from the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Caleb Jones

The Hurricanes loaded up on defense this offseason and Jones was the odd man out. Both players will play for the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles.

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dominican prosecutors on Wednesday accused Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges.

Prosecutors requested that a judge hold Franco on an $86,000 bond, bar him from leaving the Dominican Republic and place him under house arrest. They noted the money laundering charges stems from allegations that Franco made payments to the minor’s mother.

Prosecutors also asked that the judge prohibit the minor’s mother from leaving the country and place her under house arrest.

“These measures requested by the Public Ministry seek to guarantee the integrity of the process,” the ministry said in a statement.

Prosecutors on Wednesday also delivered evidence to a judge who is expected to soon rule on Franco’s future.

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

The judge is scheduled to analyze the documents and other evidence collected during a monthslong investigation and issue a ruling Friday in a courtroom in the northern Dominican Republic province of Puerto Plata, where the alleged act occurred.

The judge has several options: release Franco on bond, temporarily arrest him, prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic or demand that he make occasional appearances until the investigation or a trial has ended.

The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in jail for now after being detained on Monday in Puerto Plata.

His attorney, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, has declined to talk to media, saying only that Franco is doing fine.

Prosecutors also have declined comment.

Authorities have not shared details of the case, although prosecutors said on Aug. 14 that Franco was being investigated because of social media postings suggesting he had a relationship with a minor. The AP has not been able to verify the reported posts.

On Dec. 26, police and prosecutors visited two of Franco’s properties located in his hometown of Baní, just southwest of the capital of Santo Domingo, but the player was not there.

On Dec. 28, a prosecutor requested that Franco appear, but he did not do so until Monday, when he was detained following a nearly three-hour interview.

Major League Baseball placed Franco on administrative leave in August under its the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy with the players’ association. He was paid and received service time while on leave.

There is no timetable for a conclusion of the MLB’s investigation and whether the results might lead to discipline by the the commissioner’s office.

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Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or award thanks to his time at Paris Saint Germain and leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi became the first player to win the award while playing outside of Europe, although his award accolades precede his time in Miami.

The race for the 2024 Ballon d’Or has already begun, and some players have started their campaign on a good note. Here are the players who have made a positive start to their bid for the award and who to keep an eye on as the competitions rev up in the new year.

5 players in the 2024 Ballon d’Or award race

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland

In 2023, it was surprising that Erling Haaland came in second and did not win the award despite an outstanding performance in his first year with Manchester City. Haaland scored 52 goals in all competitions and helped Manchester City achieve a treble under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola. However, Haaland has already started his Ballon d’Or campaign this year and has lived up to expectations by scoring 22 goals and providing five assists in all competitions. In the English Premier League, he has made 15 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists. It is almost certain that Haaland will be among the finalists for the award in 2024.

Paris Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah

Despite Liverpool failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven years, Mohamed Salah is showing no signs of slowing down. In 20 appearances in the English Premier League, Salah has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists, helping Liverpool secure the top spot on the table with 45 points. Salah will also have the opportunity to further enhance his Ballon d’Or stats as he joins Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations with hopes of winning the championship title.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi

Could Lionel Messi make history and win his ninth Ballon d’Or in 2024? It’s no secret that Messi’s move to an MLS team has put the league on the map, making him the biggest international superstar to sign with a team in the United States. While playing in the MLS competition alone may not be enough to put Messi’s name back in the mix for the Ballon d’Or, he will also be joining the Argentina squad in the 2024 Copa America. Messi will play a crucial role in helping Argentina win another trophy for their country.

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On Tuesday, Jan. 2, American singer/songwriter Ciara revealed that she discovered she was a distant cousin of New York Yankees legend and Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter.

Ancestry trees are complicated. Nobody knows the entirety of their lineage, or even the people currently living that they are related to. However, to find someone as famous as Derek Jeter is obviously a huge shock, even if Ciara is a massive celebrity herself.

How are Jeter and Ciara related?

The DNA test, conducted by Dr. Henry Gates as part of the show ‘Finding Your Roots’, revealed that both Ciara and Jeter shared an identical strand of DNA on their fourteenth chromosome. The members of the show knew that this was a match because Jeter had previously appeared on an episode an had his DNA tested as well. Genealogists know that this specific strand of DNA came from Jeter’s mother.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Ciara’s other connection to the New York Yankees

It’s no secret that Ciara is married to Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. Lesser known is the fact that Wilson was also drafted by an MLB team…thrice, in 2007 (41st round, Baltimore Orioles), 2010 (4th round, Colorado Rockies), and 2013 (Rule 5 Draft, Texas Rangers). What position did Wilson play? Middle infield of course. Wilson even played two seasons of minor league ball before being selected in the NFL draft to play quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.

Furthermore, the team that currently holds the draft rights to Russell Wilson is, you guessed it, the New York Yankees after the Rangers traded his rights away in 2018. Wilson even received an at-bat from the Yankees during a spring training game in 2019. He wound up striking out to Max Fried, who would wind up finishing top-five in NL Cy Young voting during the 2020 season.

Have other celebrities discovered long-lost famous relative with Dr. Gates?

They have. Recently, through Dr. Gates, actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg found out that she was related to Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.

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The San Francisco 49ers had a league-best nine players, including eight starters, selected for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

The league announced rosters for the NFC and AFC on Wednesday. Players from both conferences will compete in skills competitions starting on Thursday, Feb. 1 and culminating with a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 4, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game in 2022.

The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys (seven apiece); Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles (six apiece); and Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions (five apiece) were among the teams with five or more Pro Bowl selections.

For the 49ers, quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, offensive tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, linebacker Fred Warner and cornerback Charvarius Ward were named to the NFC roster. This is the 11th Pro Bowl selection for Williams, the most among active players. This is Juszczyk’s eighth Pro Bowl nod, the most ever for a fullback.

Purdy and the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa are designated as the starting quarterbacks for their respective conferences, marking the first time since the 2000 Pro Bowl (Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner) that two first-time Pro Bowl quarterbacks were named starters.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams became the first defensive lineman since 1970 to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons. The Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill is the first wide receiver selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons.

This is the sixth time that both Jason and Travis Kelce have been selected to the Pro Bowl in the same season. Travis Kelce was chosen for his ninth Pro Bowl, trailing Tony Gonzalez (14) and Jason Witten (11) for most selections among tight ends.

There are 28 first-time Pro Bowl selections, including rookies Sam LaPorta (Lions), Marvin Mims (Denver Broncos), Puka Nacua (Rams) and Devon Witherspoon (Seattle Seahawks).

The roster selections were determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counted one-third toward determining the teams.

For the second consecutive year, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning will serve as coaches for the Pro Bowl Games. Peyton will coach the AFC team, with Eli serving as the NFC coach. Ray Lewis will be the defensive coordinator for the AFC, while DeMarcus Ware will handle that role for the NFC.

Here are the AFC and NFC rosters:

2024 AFC Pro Bowl Games roster

*Starter

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins*Lamar Jackson, Baltimore RavensPatrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Running back

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins*James Cook, Buffalo BillsDerrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Fullback

Alec Ingold, Miami Dolphins*

Wide receiver

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins*Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns*Keenan Allen, Los Angeles ChargersJa’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Tight end

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs*David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

Offensive tackle

Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans*Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills*Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins

Guard

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts*Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns*Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Center

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs*Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens

DEFENSE

Defensive end

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns*Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders*Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

Interior linemen

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs*Quinnen Williams, New York Jets*Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens

Outside linebacker

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers*Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers*Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

Middle linebacker

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens*Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens

Cornerback

Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos*Sauce Gardner, New York Jets*Jalen Ramsey, Miami DolphinsDenzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

Free safety

Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos*Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Strong safety

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens*

SPECIAL TEAMS

Long snapper

Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville Jaguars

Punter

AJ Cole, Las Vegas Raiders*

Kicker

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens*

Kicker returner

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos*

Special teamer

Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh Steelers*

2024 NFC Pro Bowl Games roster

*Starter

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers*Dak Prescott, Dallas CowboysMatthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Running back

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers*D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia EaglesKyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Fullback

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers*

Wide receiver

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys*A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles*Mike Evans, Tampa Bay BuccaneersPuka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Tight end

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Offensive tackle

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers*Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Guard

Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons*Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles

Center

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles*Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions

DEFENSE

Defensive end

Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears*Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

Interior linemen

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers

Outside linebacker

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings*Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles

Middle linebacker

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

Cornerback

DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys*Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers*Jaylon Johnson, Chicago BearsDevon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

Free safety

Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons*

Strong safety

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks

SPECIAL TEAMS

Long snapper

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*

Punter

Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys*

Kicker

Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*

Kick returner

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints*

Special teamer

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit Lions*

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The two semifinals of the final College Football Playoff with four teams delivered dramatic finishes and set the stage for an exciting national championship game in Houston.

In the first matchup, MIchigan took an early lead then Alabama seemingly had control before the Wolverines rallied to force overtime. A touchdown by Blake Corum in extra time was decisive, giving Michigan the win and knocking the SEC out of the title game for the first time since 2014.

There was equal drama in the Sugar Bowl with Washington seemingly in control in the fourth quarter before Texas staged a furious rally. The Longhorns got within sight of a game-winning touchdown but a pass by Quinn Ewers was knocked down on the final play.

Michigan and Washington now are set to play for all the marbles. Which team has the edge? Is it the Wolverines and their power running game and staunch defense? Or is the Huskies and quarterback Michael Penix leading an explosive offense that employs one of the best receiving groups in the country?

Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports recap the thrilling semifinals and make their picks for the title game this week’s version of the College Football Fix.

LOOKING BACK: Winners and losers from college football bowl season

WHO WINS IT ALL?: Title game may come down to who blinks first

DOGS BARKING: Washington’s respect tour has one more stop

PASSING TEST: Michigan’s Rose Bowl win move team to cusp of title

POSTSEASON LINEUP: Complete schedule and results for every bowl

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Disney (DIS) may be the Happiest Place on Earth, but its stock price doesn’t reflect similar sentiment. Behind the scenes, Disney has had its share of problems, ranging from internal board battles and political disagreements to disappointing box office revenues. Given the stock price has broken out of a downward trend, is it a stock to add to your ChartLists and jump in when the opportunity strikes?

The Weekly View

The weekly chart of Disney’s stock price (see chart below) shows how badly the stock has been beaten down. Relative to the performance of its subsector, the Dow Jones US Broadcasting & Entertainment Index ($DJUSBC), Disney’s stock has been underperforming (top panel).

CHART 1. WEEKLY CHART OF DISNEY STOCK. After reaching a high in March 2021, Disney’s stock has fallen over 50%. Is the stock showing signs of breaking out?Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Since bottoming in October, the stock price has inched higher and briefly broke above its 50-week simple moving average (SMA). Yet the stock is struggling to stay above the moving average.

Disney’s stock is still in a downtrend, so opening a long position is premature. But given the stock has the potential for a lot of upside, it could be worth watching. The stochastic oscillator indicated the stock was overbought when it broke above its 50-week MA, but the momentum quickly waned. The stock pulled back slightly and is now trading below its 50-week SMA, while the stochastic oscillator is trending lower. This indicates the upside move was short-lived. But much of that movement rides on the performance of the broader indices.

The Daily View

Disney was filtered in the Bullish 50/200-day MA Crossovers scan in StockCharts. Looking at the daily chart (see chart below), the stock is trading above its 50-, 100-, and 200-day SMAs, and the 50-day SMA crossed above the 200-day SMA, which is known as a golden cross.

CHART 2. DAILY CHART OF DISNEY STOCK. The stock is moving sideways within the rectangle displayed on the chart. Look for a breakout above the rectangle for upside movement. A break below the 200-day SMA could indicate further weakness.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

From the chart, the following key points should be noted:

Disney’s stock price is trading sideways within the green rectangle marked on the chart. The stock is trading at the lower end of the rectangle. The low of the rectangle or the 200-day SMA could act as a support level for the stock. The price will have to bounce off that support to confirm any type of recovery in the stock’s price. A break below the support could mean weakness in the stock and bring the stock price back to its October/November lows.The stochastic oscillator indicates the stock is oversold and the relative strength index (RSI) is below 50.The relatively large range of the last bar on the chart is cause for concern, since it could indicate that sellers are dominant.

The bottom line: DIS is at a critical support level. The stock could go either way, but if it holds support, there’s a chance the stock could go higher.

Will the House of Mouse Revive Its Happiness?

In the stock market, changes occur quickly and when you least expect them to.

If Disney were to resolve its internal problems, we could see its stock price rise from its doldrums. The company is making changes to recover its streaming service investments and turn around its theme parks. Whether these changes will help the company and its stock price remains to be seen.

Watch the top of the rectangle on the daily chart. If price breaks out above the rectangle, the stock could be a promising long-term play. The stock is worth adding to your ChartLists and one to check regularly. If there’s any sign of upside movement, you don’t want to miss the ride to the happiest place on earth.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.