PHILADELPHIA — Jayden Daniels’ first prime-time appearance was one for the history books and highlight reels. Playing on “Monday Night Football” in Week 3, the Washington Commanders rookie quarterback lit up the Cincinnati Bengals in a 38-33 victory, the declaration of a rising star in the NFL. 

His next time playing under the lights did not lead to the same level of hype, as the Commanders fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 26-18 on Thursday. Daniels finished 22-for-32 with 191 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. But his rating of 81.6 and the 6.0 yards per attempt he averaged were more indicative of his – and the entire Commanders’ offense – night against the Eagles. 

All things Commanders: Latest Washington Commanders news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are closing in on a massive boxing match, with the YouTube star and ex-heavyweight champion set to step into the ring for a Netflix exclusive that figures to be one of the year’s biggest fights.

Paul vs. Tyson, set for AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (home of the the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys), is the centerpiece of a seven-fight card put together by Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions. The huge fight was under threat over the summer, as Tyson suffered from an ulcer flare-up, but ‘Iron Mike’ has been training for nearly four months and is apparently all systems go.

The details from Tyson’s struggle on that front, and for Paul’s preparations for the most accomplished boxer he’s faced since becoming a pro fighter, can be seen on ‘Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson,’ a documentary series tracking both Tyson and Paul.

Here’s everything you need to know about tickets for the Tyson vs. Paul fight on Netflix, including the venue, time, odds, and how to watch:

How much are Mike Tyson fight tickets?

As of Friday afternoon, the ‘get-in’ price for Tyson vs. Paul is $78 per ticket, which will get you a seat in the upper deck. There are still floor seats available near ringside, but it will cost over $1,900 per seat.

If you want the highest-end experience possible for the fight, you may be out of luck. LA-based law firm TorkLaw purchased the one and only $2 million ‘MVP Owner’s Experience’ that includes a two-person suite that promoters claim is the closest Texas fight regulators have ever allowed fans to sit for a boxing match.

Where to find tickets for the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?

Tickets to the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight can be found on many traditional ticket outlets, including TicketMaster, StubHub, and SeatGeek.

When is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?

The Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout is on course to happen on Friday, Nov. 15, finishing off a seven-fight card. Coverage for main event bouts will start on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET, with the opening bell for Paul vs. Tyson coming once the other contests have concluded.

Where is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight happening?

Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul is set for the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The venue — which has an 80,000-seat capacity that can be expanded over 100,000 — has hosted some major events beyond the NFL, including an NBA All-Star Game and a College Football Playoff National Championship.

Tyson vs. Paul fight odds

As of Friday morning, BetMGM set the following odds for the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul:

Paul win: -190
Tyson win: +185
Tie: +900

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

How to watch Tyson vs. Paul on Netflix: Time, TV, streaming

Date: Friday, Nov. 15
Time: Ring walk not yet announced (full event begins at 8 p.m. ET)
TV: Not available on TV
Streaming: Netflix

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight card

*Full card will be available to watch on Netflix.

Heavyweight: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Super Lightweight: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO women’s super-lightweight titles
Welterweight: Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title
Super Middleweight: Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes
Super Middleweight: Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool for vacant women’s WBO super middleweight title
Super Lightweight: Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica
Featherweight: Bruce Carrington vs. Dana Coolwell

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Teresa Weatherspoon is a head coach again. 

One of the most celebrated players in the history of the WNBA, Weatherspoon is less than two months removed from being fired as the Chicago Sky head coach — her first pro head coaching gig after four years as an NBA assistant — after the Sky turned in a 13-27 record and missed the playoffs. 

But on Friday, Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league that’s debuting in January, announced Weatherspoon as one of its six head coaches. 

Which team Weatherspoon will coach — there are six, and each roster will have six players — is still a mystery. More information is expected about teams and rosters next week. 

Weatherspoon was fired by the Sky on Sept. 27. When news started circulating about the coach’s termination, Chicago first round pick Angel Reese, a star at LSU who led the Tigers to their first national championship, was distraught. 

‘I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me. The one that trusted me,’ Reese wrote in a lengthy social media post when the news dropped. ‘Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a black women (sic) in sports when nobody believes in you. You had a tough job. All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year & when your back was against the wall, you always believed. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life.’ 

Reese announced in June that she is going to play for Unrivaled in its inaugural season. 

Along with Weatherspoon, the league announced its five other head coaches: Phil Handy, Adam Harrington, Nola Henry, DJ Sackmann and Andrew Wade. There was a heavy emphasis placed on coaches who have a history of working with player development.  

Outside of Weatherspoon, Handy is the most well known of the group. A longtime NBA assistant, Handy worked for the Lakers last season and has won three NBA championships over his coaching career in stints with Cleveland, Toronto and LA. 

Henry was on the Los Angeles Sparks staff during the 2024 season. 

Unrivaled was founded by WNBA All-Stars Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty. The idea is to provide WNBA players with an America-based alternative to supplement their WNBA salaries in the offseason. For years, many players have gone to Europe in the winter to keep playing and make money. 

Unrivaled has promised to offer players the highest regular average salary in women’s pro sports, plus equity in the league for inaugural members. Exact figures have not been announced, but salaries are expected to exceed six figures. In October, Unrivaled announced it had signed a media deal with TNT to broadcast games in primetime. Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell

PHILADELPHIA – Brandon Graham knows something about championship DNA in the NFL and isn’t reluctant to remind those who perhaps lack similar insight.

Now in his 15th season, the longtime Philadelphia Eagles defensive end had a creeping smile on his face as he strode down the hallway in the bowels of Lincoln Financial Field late Thursday night. He also had a twinkle in his eye after his team had pulled away to beat the Washington Commanders 26-18 to strengthen their grip on first place in the NFC East.

Before heading into the victorious locker room, the pass rusher who’s literally become a graybeard paused in front of a gaggle of reporters awaiting access to the players.

“About six weeks ago,” grinned Graham, “Y’all was like, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know.’”

Nearly seven years removed his pivotal strip sack of Tom Brady that gave the Eagles their first – and still only – Lombardi Trophy, Graham certainly knows something about a Super Bowl formula, having reached the Super Sunday stage twice. And the rest of us are quickly learning about his Eagles, who haven’t lost since Sept. 29 after running their win streak to six and improving their record to 8-2, only a half-game behind the Detroit Lions in the race for home-field advantage in the 2024 playoffs.

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“Things are headed in the right direction,” Graham said shortly afterward at his locker. “It’s all chemistry, man.

“We’ve just got to make sure we stay the course and don’t get too big-headed. When we’re holding that trophy, that’s when we can do everything we want to do. Right now, we’ve got to stay focused all the way to the end.”

But it appears these Eagles, who have now started 8-2 or better each of the past three seasons, have everything they need – to win their division, to challenge the Lions, who are widely viewed as the top team in the NFC (if not of all of football), and maybe even take out the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, who narrowly edged Philadelphia 38-35 in Super Bowl 57.

Graham’s defense is a big reason why, surrendering just 18.3 points per game during the six-game heater. Thursday, it put the clamps on Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite Jayden Daniels while limiting the Commanders to 264 yards, the second-lowest output of the season for an offense that entered Week 11 ranked fourth in the league.

Anchored by Graham, who had four tackles and a sack against Washington, and buoyed by blossoming players like defensive tackle Jalen Carter, linebacker Zack Baun and emergent rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia’s defense kept the team in the game – capped by a key stop on fourth down midway through the fourth quarter when Washington could have taken the lead with a field goal – until the offense exploded for three fourth-quarter touchdowns.

“We’re just blocking the noise out and building every week. We’ve got these young boys that’s playing good ball in these pressure moments,” said Graham, who said the team needed a few weeks early in the season to adapt to new coordinators Kellen Moore (offense) and Vic Fangio (defense) during a 2-2 start – once capped by an ugly 33-16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though several key Eagles missed that game.

“It’s all momentum.”

The team also got a boost Thursday from the return of left tackle Jordan Mailata, who was activated from injured reserve after missing more than a month with a hamstring injury.

Of course, these Eagles also have a key ingredient their recent predecessors didn’t: Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley.

After a modest start Thursday evening, he wound up with 198 total yards and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs. Now with a league-leading 1,347 yards from scrimmage – currently 131 more than the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry – Barkley has most definitely proven worthy of the contract he signed earlier this year while becoming an incendiary offensive weapon who takes this attack to a different level and reduces the pressure on quarterback Jalen Hurts.

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“We’ve found a rhythm offensively,” Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told USA TODAY Sports.

“We love the big, explosive plays. We love handing the ball to Saquon and wearing teams down physically up front. When you can do that, it opens up the pass game, weakens the pass rush when you attack the guys the way that we do. So, complementary football.”

Specialists aside, Johnson and Graham are now the lone holdovers from Philly’s Super Bowl 52 champions. And as upbeat as things were Thursday night, music blaring through the victorious locker room, the vets also recognize it hasn’t been a year since this team imploded down the stretch of the 2023 campaign – ruining the final seasons of iconic (and now retired) Eagles Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox as the club cratered at Tampa in the wild-card round.

“We’re in a good spot, but I want people to remember last year when things were going good,” said Johnson.

“Whenever you have that sense of relief or the job’s done or the accomplishment’s there, then you can quickly get knocked on your ass – and that’s what happened to us last year. Remember that stuff moving forward.”

As for moving forward, the Eagles will enjoy the other side of Thursday night football, which is the mini-bye it affords. They’ll then be faced with three tough road trips – at the LA Rams, Baltimore and Washington again – over the ensuing five weeks. As good as the Commanders have generally been, Philadelphia can’t afford any major slip-ups in its bid to reclaim the division crown – and maybe none if the Eagles hope to overtake Detroit for the NFC’s top seed.

And there are things to clean up, namely the offense’s performance in the red zone and several misfires from kicker Jake Elliott on Thursday. But such concerns aside, these Eagles look ready to fly.

“Winning is the main thing,” said Hurts. “It will always be the main thing. And it takes what it takes, regardless of how it looks.”

Looks awfully good at the moment.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

Identifying the strongest candidates to catch our attention is quite difficult, as only one other game on Sunday – the Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers – pits two winning teams against one another. But after last week yielded thrilling finishes from the Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, among others, there are sure to be more twists that leave people with plenty to talk about on Monday.

Here are bold predictions for Week 11 from USA TODAY Sports’ NFL writers and editors:

Jared Goff won’t throw an interception – but will connect on a TD pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown

After throwing a career-high five interceptions (and surviving) at Houston on Sunday night, expect a big comeback game from the Detroit Lions quarterback for at least a couple of reasons. Hey, the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming to the Motor City, and they will bring the NFL’s worst-ranked defense while being positioned in the bottom quartile in the league for interceptions with, well, five picks. Then consider that Goff’s goofs against the Texans were so out of character. It wasn’t too long ago (Week 4) when he set an NFL record by going 18-for-18 against Seattle. And in 2023, he was in range of the NFL record with a streak of 383 passes without a pick. Until the disaster started striking in the Lone Star State, Goff had gone, well, five games and 114 consecutive passes without an INT. At one point during his meltdown, Goff took a seat on the bench and buried his face in a ballcap.

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But at least he left the place as a winner – and became the first Lions QB in 60 years to win a game after throwing five interceptions (Frank Sinkwich, 6). It was a testament to Detroit’s balanced supporting cast and prowess while currently positioned as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. So, back on his turf inside the friendly confines of Ford Field, Goff will enjoy his comfort zone and get right back on track. And this will include finding another pay dirt strike to sensational receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has notched a TD catch in seven straight games and until last weekend had hauled in 30 consecutive receptions on throws from Goff.

— Jarrett Bell

Two premier AFC matchups decided by combined two points

Give the script writers some serious props if this one actually comes true. Both afternoon slots offer intriguing AFC matchups: Baltimore at Pittsburgh early, and Kansas City at Buffalo late. Both games will deliver in terms of being fun watches and close finishes – and both will be decided by a single point. With both games airing on CBS, parent company paramount must be salivating. 

Last week, the Bengals-Ravens duel was decided by a point and the Steelers defeated the Commanders by a score. Anytime the Bills and Chiefs play the game seems to come down to whether Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes has the ball last (somehow, it always feels like it’s Mahomes). That these games are close is not a bold prediction. The margin is the audacity, and it’s symbolic of how crowded the top of the AFC is in 2024.

— Chris Bumbaca

SoFi Stadium will host a de facto playoff game Sunday night

As we creep toward Thanksgiving, the weekly evolution of the NFL’s playoff picture has begun to prominently resurface. This weekend’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) and Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) was appealing enough to be flexed into the ‘Sunday Night Football’ slot and will carry weighty postseason ramifications – so much so, I’d wager (a small amount) that the winner will wind up with a wild-card berth. Both squads are playing fairly well, however each is something of a long shot at this point for a division title. The Bolts currently hold the conference’s sixth seed and have a decent margin for error yet are about to enter a much more difficult segment of their schedule – which will include hosting another prime-time game against the Ravens in Week 12. Cincinnati had won four of six before losing Thursday’s heartbreaker at Baltimore. Still, this team can score with the best of ’em and might even hit another gear when LT Orlando Brown Jr. and WR Tee Higgins get back on the field. A win Sunday followed by a much-needed bye week should set QB Joe Burrow and the Bengals up for one of their patented closing kicks.

— Nate Davis

Bengals break Chargers’ 20 points or less streak, but LA survives in prime time

The Chargers are the fourth team since 1990 to allow 20 points or less in each of their first nine games of a season. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL. However, except for Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray, the Chargers defense has faced average or below average quarterbacks. The Chargers’ streak of allowing 20 points or less will end Sunday night at the hands of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards, while Chase tops the league in receiving yards. Burrow will throw for over 250 yards and Chase will have a receiving touchdown. But the Chargers will still hold on to win, 23-22, thanks to a game-winning drive by Justin Herbert. The victory will give Herbert a 2-0 career record vs. his 2020 QB draft classmate.

— Tyler Dragon

Patriots put Rams’ playoff hopes on life support

This hardly qualifies as a marquee matchup, but I’m the only one who picked New England to beat Los Angeles, so an explanation is warranted. The Patriots surely haven’t found a cure for all their ills just by handling the struggling New York Jets and Chicago Bears. But between an improving defense and Drake Maye finding enough of a spark to invigorate a previously lifeless offense, Jerod Mayo and Co. might have enough in the tank to claim their third win in four weeks. The Rams, meanwhile, can’t seem to put piece together the puzzle that is their offensive line and protection plan for Matthew Stafford. If they can’t solve it Sunday, their season might be beyond saving, as there’s little chance that a 4-6 group could leapfrog the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers in the race for an NFC wild-card spot.

— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

The NHL season is more than a month old and there have been four trades plus extensions signed by Jake Oettinger, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark and others.

Other top players also remain eligible for extensions, including Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Brock Boeser.

There will be more trades as teams build toward a Stanley Cup run or make moves for their long-term future. Here are key dates to watch: the holiday roster freeze in December, the league’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the trade deadline in early March.

Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:

Nov. 15: Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin ready to return from suspension

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is scheduled to return Friday night from his six-month suspension. He was suspended during the playoffs last May under Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He also was in the program for about two months earlier in the 2023-24 season and missed part of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. Nichushkin is a key offensive contributor with 28 goals in 54 games last season. Injured forwards Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood are also scheduled to return Friday against the Washington Capitals. Drouin and Nichushkin will play on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt.

Also: The Vegas Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb, the franchise leader in games played, to a three-year contract extension that averages $3.65 million a year.

OILERS: Connor McDavid is fourth fastest to reach 1,000 points

Nov. 13: Sabres claim goalie James Reimer off waivers

The Buffalo Sabres claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers, bringing him back to where he signed a free agent contract in the summer. Reimer was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks off waivers earlier this season when the Sabres tried to send him to the American Hockey League. The Ducks put him on waivers after the return of injured goalie John Gibson. Reimer, on a one-year, $1 million contract, played two games in Anaheim with a 4.50 goals-against average. No. 1 Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was hurt in Monday’s loss and is unavailable for Thursday’s game.

Also: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm will be out ‘weeks’ with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot, coach Jim Montgomery said.

Nov. 12: Capitals reacquire Lars Eller in trade with Penguins

Center Lars Eller, 35, is a familiar face for the Washington Capitals after playing in Washington from 2016-23 and winning a Stanley Cup there in 2018. He kills penalties and is strong in the faceoff circle. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ side of the trade might be more interesting. They get a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder, and this also could be an indication that the Penguins are shaking up the roster after a disappointing start. Eller’s trade will allow the team to give more ice time to younger players. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent.

Also: The Winnipeg Jets claimed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche and loaned him to their American Hockey League affiliate. They had lost him on waivers to the Avalanche last month.

Nov. 11: Flames’ Anthony Mantha to have season-ending surgery

Also: The Colorado Avalanche placed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers. They had claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets last month.

Nov. 9: Penguins recall veteran goalie Tristan Jarry from minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 26 after recording a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. His AHL numbers were 2.16, .926.

The Penguins didn’t send down a goalie, meaning they’ll go with three for the moment: Alex Nedeljkovic, rookie Joel Blomqvist and Jarry. Blomqvist wouldn’t need to go through waivers. The Penguins don’t play again until Monday.

Also: The Philadelphia Flyers made rookie Matvei Michkov a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game. …. The Penguins sent forward Matt Nieto to the AHL on a conditioning loan.

Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks

The Seattle Kraken landed one of their former players in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have struggled to score this season and Sprong had 21 goals for them two seasons ago. The forward has scored double-digit goals five times. He had one goal with Vancouver this season.

Nov. 8: Kings’ Tanner Jeannot suspended for illegal check to head

Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot was suspended for three games for an illegal check to the head that injured the Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. The NHL Department of Player Safety said Jeannot’s first-period hit made Boeser’s head the principal point of contact and was avoidable. Boeser left the game and didn’t return. Jeannot will forfeit $41,640.63 in pay in the first suspension of his career. He had been fined earlier in his career for an infraction.

Nov. 7: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov to be healthy scratch

Coach John Tortorella called the move ‘part of the process.’

‘With young guys, they can watch games, too, as far as development,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s trying to help them.’

Michkov, 19, has 10 points in 13 games and a minus-8 rating and was NHL rookie of the month in October. He had just one point in his last five games and his ice time dropped in the last four.

Nov. 4: Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini ready to return from injury

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is ready to return to action after aggravating an injury in the season opener, according to NHL.com.

He took part in practice Monday on the top line with Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund and is looking to play his second game season Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Celebrini said he reinjured his hip on his first shift of the opener but played the full game and had a goal and assist.

He has missed 12 games. The Sharks opened the season 0-7-2 but are 3-1 in their last four games.

Also: The Colorado Avalanche said Valeri Nichushkin has been cleared to practice with the team. The suspended forward remains in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program and would have to be cleared to play. … St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. He needed help getting off the ice Saturday after he was checked by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner. … The Boston Bruins signed forward Tyler Johnson to a one-year, $775,000 contract. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov. 2: Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech go on injured list

New York Islanders No. 1 center Mathew Barzal was placed on long-term injured reserve with an unspecified upper-body injury. He’ll be out four to six weeks. He had 80 points in 80 games last season but had been limited to five points in 10 games this season as the Islanders have struggled to score.

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech also will be out four to six weeks after being hit in the face by a puck. He went on the injured list.

Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs get defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Liljegren, 25, had been limited to one game in Toronto this season, and the Maple Leafs recently committed to blue-liner Jake McCabe with a five-year extension. But Liljegren should fit in well in San Jose, which is building around younger players. Benning, 30, and Liljegren are signed through 2025-26.

This is the second day with an NHL trade after none previously since the season opened in North America.

OILERS: Connor McDavid out with ankle injury

Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club gives up a third-round pick as it addresses a desperate need for a veteran defenseman. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term after surgery. Utah has been leaking goals during a four-game losing streak, including blowing a 4-1 lead late in the third period against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta is solid defensively and has nearly 700 games of NHL experience.

Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension with an annual average value of $4.51 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports there is some deferred money in the deal. McCabe, 31, had been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a February 2023 trade and ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and a team-best plus-6 rating.

Also: The New York Rangers recalled rugged forward Matt Rempe from the American Hockey League after he played two games there. The Rangers play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in what has become a feisty rivalry.

Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins sent two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan after his early season struggles. He had been sent home from the Penguins’ road trip to work on his game after recording a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage in three games. He was pulled from his last start on Oct. 16 and gave up six goals in the opener.

Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has had the most starts in the Penguins net this season and Alex Nedeljkovic recently returned from an injury.

Also: The New York Islanders signed rugged forward Matt Martin for the rest of the season. He had been to camp on a tryout agreement after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders. … The Calgary Flames activated forward Yegor Sharangovich from the injured list. The team’s top goal scorer last season had yet to play this season.

Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension

The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere have agreed to a seven-year extension as he builds on last season’s breakthrough. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick will average $7.45 million in the deal, according to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. That’s up from this year’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, 23, broke through with 28 goals and 57 points last season and added eight goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He is averaging a point a game this season through seven games and scored his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He is signed through 2031-32.

Also: The Rangers have sent fan favorite Matt Rempe to the American Hockey League to get him more playing time. The 6-7 forward made a name for himself last season with his epic fights and big hits, one that led to a four-game suspension. But he has played only two games this season.

Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will average $7.425 million in the extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2031-32. Getting him signed now is important after the Golden Knights lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup team to free agency during the summer.

Theodore, 29, is the franchise’s top-scoring defenseman with 296 points and has opened this season with seven points in six games. Vegas’ top three defensemen (also Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin) are signed through at least 2026-27.

Oct. 24: Devils’ Brett Pesce, Luke Hughes returning from injury

The New Jersey Devils will get two players back on their defense when Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes make their season debuts Thursday at the Detroit Red Wings.

Pesce, signed as a free agent, has recovered from surgery for a broken leg. Hughes hurt his shoulder in September. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season, leading all rookies with 21 power-play assists and 25 power-play points.

Their return comes at a good time because the Devils have yielded 14 goals over their last two games.

Also: New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair (lower body) will miss four to six weeks, a blow to the 2023-24 playoff team that ranks 30th in scoring this season. … The Los Angeles activated goalie Darcy Kuemper from the injured list. Pheonix Copley was loaned to the AHL’s Ontario Reign. … The Colorado Avalanche loaned goalie Kaapo Kahkonen to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on a conditioning assignment. He was claimed off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets earlier this season.

Oct. 23: Utah’s Sean Durzi, John Marino out long-term after surgery

The Utah Hockey Club, who beefed up their defense in the offseason, will be without two key blueliners long-term after they had surgery.

Sean Durzi, who was injured in an Oct. 15 game, will miss four to six months after shoulder surgery. John Marino, who has yet to play this season, is out three to four months after back surgery.

Utah added defensemen Mikhail Sergachev, Marino and Ian Cole in the offseason. Durzi, acquired last season when the team was in Arizona, signed a four-year, $24 million contract during the summer.

In other injury news, St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas has a fractured ankle and will be evaluated in six weeks.

Oct. 22: Panthers give coach Paul Maurice contract extension

Maurice, who joined the Panthers in 2022-23, went to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season and won it last year. His 29 playoff wins are a franchise record.

He has 98 regular-season wins with Florida and his 873 career wins rank fourth all time in NHL history.

Also: The Blues signed forward Jake Neighbours to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension.

Oct. 17: Stars’ Jake Oettinger signs eight-year contract extension

The Dallas Stars signed goalie Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The $8.25 million cap hit matches the deals recently signed by the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Senators’ Linus Ullmark.

Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.

Oct. 14: Matthew Tkachuk’s illness to keep him out a week

Already down one star, the Panthers will be without another one.

Coach Paul Maurice said Matthew Tkachuk’s illness will keep him out more than a week. The team is targeting an Oct. 22 return.

Tkachuk missed Saturday’s game. So did captain Aleksander Barkov, who injured his leg in the second game of the season and is expected to miss two to three weeks.

Oct. 12: Aleksander Barkov, Macklin Celebrini are injured

The NHL season is young, but two prominent players are already out with injuries.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will miss two to three weeks after crashing leg first into the boards while trying to prevent an empty net goal on Thursday. His stick had broken but he couldn’t stop Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle from scoring. The time frame should allow Barkov to participate in the two Global Series games against the Dallas Stars in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2. Barkov is the first Finnish NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup. He won the Selke Trophy last season for the second time as top defensive forward.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks placed No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Celebrini is week-to-week. He had been dealing with an injury in training camp but played in this week’s season opener, scoring a goal and an assist.

Oct. 11: Avalanche claim goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

In a busy day for goalie transactions, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado lost 8-4 in the opener, with Alexandar Georgiev giving up five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on four shots. The Avalanche are Kahkonen’s fourth team in a year. He split time last season between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.

In other moves, the Minnesota Wild called up Jesper Wallstedt, their goalie of future, who will join Game 1 winner Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Nashville Predators sent down Matt Murray, who backed up Scott Wedgewood on Thursday with injured No. 1 goalie Juuse Saros unable to play.

Oct. 10: Hurricanes-Lightning game postponed because of Milton

Saturday’s game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning has been postponed as the Tampa Bay area recovers from Hurricane Milton. The league said a makeup date would be announced as soon as it can be confirmed.

The Lightning are playing their season opener in Carolina on Friday. Saturday’s game was to be the start of a three-game homestand (also Tuesday and Thursday).

Amalie Arena got through the storm fine, though Tropicana Field, home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, suffered major damage to its roof.

Oct. 10: Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner has surgery

Jenner had shoulder surgery to repair an injury he suffered during training camp and could miss up to six months.

‘Our hope is he can return before the end of the season,’ said Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Waddell. ‘His loss will be felt by our club, but we have a strong leadership group in place and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice.’

Boone, who finished second on the Blue Jackets last season with 22 goals and is the franchise leader in games played, has been the team’s captain since 2021-22.

Oct. 9: Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord get contract extensions

Ullmark, who won the Vezina Trophy with the Bruins in 2022-03, was traded to the Ottawa Senators this offseason so Boston had the room to re-sign Swayman. Ullmark will get four years, $33 million from the Senators and have the same $8.25 million cap as Swayman.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord received a five-year, $25 million extension. He filled in for Philipp Grubauer after that goalie’s injury last season and got the NHL’s first shutout in the Winter Classic. Both contracts will take effect next season.

Oct. 8: Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin turns down extension offer

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes posted on social media Tuesday that the New York Rangers offered Shesterkin an eight-year, $88 million contract, with an $11 million average annual value that would have eclipsed Carey Price’s high-water mark of $10.5 million. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed those numbers to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.

It’s not a huge surprise that the 28-year-old Russian would reject it on the eve of New York’s season-opener in Pittsburgh. Another person familiar with the situation recently indicated the two sides have been far apart in negotiations, and that the chances of striking a deal before the start of the new season weren’t looking very promising. That could always change if Rangers team president Chris Drury decides to up the ante, but Shesterkin seems content to bet on himself and wait it out. – Vincent Z. Mercogliano, lohud.com

Also: The defending champion Florida Panthers announced after their opening victory that forward Carter Verhaeghe had agreed to an eight-year extension. It’s worth a reported $56 million.