Sometimes, NHL teams must search for the final piece of the puzzle to complete their Stanley Cup masterpiece. The Edmonton Oilers felt compelled to do precisely that when they traded for Tristan Jarry, offloading Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

While it’s still too early to know whether Jarry will help the Oilers clear the final Stanley Cup hurdle, clutch, playoff-proficient goaltenders often represent the difference between inconsolable heartbreak and euphoria. 

The majority of these deals, the five most influential goaltender trades in the history of the NHL, helped the receiving team reach its ultimate goal. Those who didn’t came agonizingly close.

Top 5 influential NHL goalie trades

5. Miikka Kiprusoff to the Calgary Flames (2003)

On Nov. 16, 2003, the Calgary Flames acquired Miikka Kiprusoff from the San Jose Sharks, and they only had to cough up a 2005 second-round pick to make the deal happen. 

Kiprusoff propelled the Flames to the Stanley Cup Final that same season, where they fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. 

The legendary netminder enjoyed a sparkling .928 save percentage and a 1.85 goals-against average during that equally improbable and impressive playoff run, in which they knocked off the higher-seeded Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and his former team, the Sharks, en route to the Final.

4. Roberto Luongo to the Vancouver Canucks (2006)

The Vancouver Canucks landed Roberto Luongo, Lukas Krajicek and a sixth-round pick from the Florida Panthers on June 6, 2006, sending Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alex Auld the other way.

As we await the impact of the recent Quinn Hughes deal, the Luongo trade manifested as arguably the most important trade in franchise history. Luongo, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022, won the William Jennings Trophy with the Canucks in 2011, also finishing as a Vezina finalist.

He set various records in Vancouver, including most franchise shutouts (38) and wins (252), coming within a game of securing the Canucks’ first Stanley Cup. In 2011, they lost 4-0 at home in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins.  

3. Dominik Hasek to the Buffalo Sabres (1992)

The under-the-radar trade for Dominik Hasek turned out to be anything but, as ‘The Dominator’ became the Buffalo Sabres’ franchise goaltender, lifting the club to prominence for the duration of his nine seasons there.

Hasek was traded on Aug. 7, 1992, for Stephane Beauregard and a fourth-round pick in the 1993 draft, facilitating one of the most impactful trades in NHL history. 

Hasek led the Sabres to the 1999 Stanley Cup Final and won two Hart Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, two William Jennings Trophies, and six Vezina Trophies during his time in Buffalo.    

2. Dominik Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings (2001)

The Detroit Red Wings got their man on July 1, 2001, trading Vyacheslav Kozlov and a 2002 first-round draft pick.

This deal can be added to the steal-of-the-century category as Hasek led the Red Wings to two Stanley Cups, including in his first season after arriving in Hockeytown. Hasek acquired one more piece of silverware in Detroit, securing his third William Jennings Trophy. 

1. Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalanche (1995)

The Colorado Avalanche made a move for Patrick Roy on Dec. 6, 1995, landing Mike Keane and the eventual Hall of Famer for goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko. 

Roy won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, the first of which came in the same season he landed in Colorado. 

He also backstopped them to the 2001 Stanley Cup, winning the Conn Smythe after the Avs beat the New Jersey Devils in a seven-game thriller. Roy also won the William Jennings Trophy in 2001-02, the season before retiring.

Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, the most decorated golfer on the Japan Golf Tour, has died at age 78.
Ozaki won 94 titles on the Japanese circuit and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
Before his golf career, Ozaki was a professional baseball player in Japan for three years.

Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, the winningest golfer on the Japan Golf Tour, died on Wednesday at age 78. Reports in his native Japan said the cause of death was colorectal cancer.

Ozaki claimed his first of 94 titles on the Japanese circuit in 1973, including six Japan PGA Championships and five Japan Open titles. He secured his final victory in 2002 at age 55, three years older than the PGA Tour record held by Sam Snead. He topped the money list in Japan a record 12 times, including five in a row beginning in 1994.

Ozaki was ranked among the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking for more than 200 weeks, climbing as high as No. 5, was a member of the International Team in the Presidents Cup in 1996 and twice represented Japan at the World Cup (1974, 1988).

He played sparingly outside of Japan, making just 96 career starts on the PGA Tour, with a career best a T-4 at the 1993 Memorial. He was the first Japanese player to finish in the top 10 at the Masters. When he did venture outside his homeland to play, Ozaki usually rented a house and brought a sushi chef with him so that he and his entourage would feel at home.

“My only regret is not playing more outside of Japan,” said Ozaki, whose only win outside Japan was at the 1972 New Zealand PGA, upon being elected in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. “But I dedicated my life to Japanese golf and am extremely grateful the voters thought I was worthy of this honor.”

Ozaki was born on Jan. 24, 1947, in Tokushima, Japan. He was a high school baseball star, leading his team to the Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament championship as the ace pitcher in 1964. He played professionally for three years as a pitcher and an outfielder for the Nishitetsu Lions. But at age 23, he left behind baseball and committed to golf. 

With his powerful stroke, Ozaki became the Babe Ruth of golf in Japan and combined his winning ways with the charisma of Arnold Palmer. Noted for his colorful attire, featuring baggy pants and roomy shirts, Ozaki popularized the game to new heights in Japan and Asia and had crossover appeal into pop culture. He also was a singer and guitarist, who had three singles that topped Japan’s charts in the late 1980s. 

His younger brothers Naomichi (Joe) and Tateo (Jet) also enjoyed successful careers in Japan and played limited schedules in the U.S.

Ten NFL teams have already secured a spot in the postseason after Week 16.
Multiple teams have the opportunity to clinch their division titles in Week 17.
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks could each clinch their conference’s No. 1 seed.
The Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers are among the teams that can clinch a playoff berth this week.

The NFL playoff picture crystallized a bit after Week 16, with five teams from both conferences securing their places in the postseason by the end of action. 

No team, outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, has yet clinched a division title. 

With three games scheduled for Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and a doubleheader on the docket for Saturday, Dec. 27, much more will be decided in the coming days. 

Here is a quick look at what’s on the line for teams across the league. 

NFL Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios 

Denver Broncos Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Denver (vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET) clinches AFC West and AFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win + Chargers loss or tie + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie

Denver clinches AFC West with:

Win + Chargers loss or tie OR
Tie + Chargers loss

Jacksonville Jaguars Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Jacksonville (at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) clinches AFC South with:

Win + Texans loss or tie OR
Tie + Texans loss

New England Patriots Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

New England (at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches AFC East with:

Win + Bills loss or tie OR
Tie + Bills loss

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Pittsburgh (at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches AFC North with:

Win or tie OR
Ravens loss or tie

Houston Texans Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Houston (at Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) clinches playoff berth with:

Win or tie OR
Colts loss or tie OR
Texans clinch at least a tie in strength of victory tiebreaker over Colts − which would require a Ravens win + Bills win + Chiefs win + 49ers win + Falcons loss + Dolphins loss

Seattle Seahawks Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Seattle (at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches NFC West and NFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win + Rams loss or tie + 49ers-Bears tie

Seattle clinches NFC West title with:

Win + Rams loss or tie + 49ers loss or tie OR
Tie + Rams loss + 49ers loss

Carolina Panthers Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Carolina (vs. Seattle, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches NFC South with:

Win + Buccaneers loss or tie OR
Tie + Buccaneers loss

Chicago Bears Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Chicago (at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) clinches NFC North with:

Win OR
Packers loss OR
Tie + Packers tie

Green Bay Packers Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios

Green Bay (vs. Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, 8 p.m.) clinches playoff berth with:

Win or tie OR
Lions loss or tie

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams married actor and model Andrea Preti on Saturday, Dec. 20. The pair met during Milan Fashion Week in 2024, and it seems they were hooked on each other from the get-go, getting engaged in January 2025 — just six months later.

The pair enjoyed five days of celebration, a few pool parties, and even a second wedding in honor of their relationship.

Williams, 45, and Preti, 37, had a ceremony in Italy in September as well, just eight months after getting engaged. However, that wedding was not official. Williams told Vogue that while the couple had dreamed of a wedding in Italy, they ‘didn’t have enough time to do the paperwork—because (Williams is) a foreigner, it can take about eight months.’

That’s what prompted their second wedding at their home in Palm Beach, Florida. Here’s what to know.

What did the couple do over their five-day celebration?

According to Vogue, the pair celebrated for five days leading up to their wedding this past Saturday. The report indicates that the parties started on Monday after Serena Williams gifted the couple a yacht. Venus and Andrea then had 10-12 of their closest family and friends on the boat.

Tuesday was the bridal shower. Wednesday, a pool party and dinner in Miami. Thursday, a day of competition with their friends and family, competing in volleyball, tennis, dodgeball, wheelbarrow races, and pickleball.

Friday saw the beginning of their official union. An early-morning courthouse wedding was the setting. The pair arrived at 6:45 a.m. so they could have the courthouse to themselves. Then, Saturday was the ceremony.

Venus Williams’ wedding dress

What song did the couple dance to?

The couple’s first dance was to ‘I Only Have Eyes for You’ by the Flamingos. Preti entered the ceremony with his mother to the song ‘I’ll Be There’ by the Jackson 5. Venus was introduced to ‘Ovunque Sarai’ by Irama.

So much of the focus when looking at any NHL draft is on the players at the top of the rankings. While so many of the league’s best players are drafted in the top five or 10 picks, there are plenty of elite players drafted outside of that range. David Pastrnak, Nikita Kucherov, Jason Robertson and Nick Suzuki were all drafted outside of the top 10, and, for many of them, outside of the first round. 

The 2026 NHL Draft is one of the deepest groups in recent memory. Some team will find a top-four defender or a top-six forward in the mid-first round or beyond. 

As we approach the end of the 2025 calendar year, let’s look at some of the most intriguing players who may not go at the top of the draft but could have just as much of an impact.

10 enticing NHL draft prospects outside of the top 10

MoDo (Sweden) right wing Elton Hermansson

Hermansson is a supremely talented shooter with excellent hands and great speed. He has looked very good against men at the second level of Swedish pro hockey. He must refine his passing and defensive play, but there is so much offensive talent in Hermansson’s game that he could easily be a very good complementary scorer at the next level. 

Youngstown (USHL) center Jack Hextall

Sometimes, players have elite speed or an all-world shot. Other times, player build their game around their next-level intelligence. Jack Hextall is that guy. There is almost never a time when you watch him play and see him make a truly bad play. He understands how to tactically pick apart opposing defenses and advance play. He’s all about chaining together small plays to create something bigger. 

Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin

There’s a chance that Lin shoots up draft boards and firmly plants himself in the top 10 because of his highly intelligent game and ability to move pucks. He’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, but his passing and decision-making are impressive. Defensively, he has great awareness and leverages his play-reading ability to pick off passes or disrupt play. Lin can quickly turn the play around, and he racks up points in the process.

Michigan (NCAA) left wing Adam Valentini

The junior and college hockey world was surprised when Valentini decided to head to Michigan after originally committing to play in the OHL this past summer. That hurt his stock a bit, but the results since then have been fantastic. Valentini is a tactician who can play with speed and skill. He’s the second-highest scoring NHL draft-eligible player in college behind just Gavin McKenna. 

Lulea (Sweden) defenseman William Hakansson

The little things stand out when you watch Hakansson play. He’s willing to block shots, get physical along the boards and kill cycles. He’s the kind of defenseman that your dad would like – a big, hard-nosed blueliner who takes care of his own end while still being a mobile skater who can make crisp breakout passes. 

U.S. NTDP (USHL) right wing Casey Mutryn

NHL teams love a forward who plays with physicality and jam, which Mutryn does regularly. He drops his shoulder and leans into defenders when barreling toward the net, forcing them into uncomfortable positions. He could be the perfect complement to a couple of high-skilled forwards in a top six, adding an element of beef to the line. 

Brantford (OHL) center Caleb Malhotra

The son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra, there’s little question that Caleb Malhotra understands the importance of being detail-oriented. He’s a very mature player for his age, and he excels at playing a 200-foot game. Malhotra may not be the kind of dynamic difference-maker that can drive play offensively on his own, but he will fill in the gaps of more inclined teammates while supporting them by doing the dirty work.

SaiPa (Finland) defenseman Vertti Svensk

As one of the most impressive skaters in the draft class, Svensk is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. There is a world where he’s a very skilled two-way defenseman who has a long career in Europe. There is another reality where Svensk is a top-four D-man in the NHL who dictates play and moves the puck efficiently. He’s the perfect kind of prospect for a team to bet on late in the first round.

Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels

A surprise addition to the Canadian world junior squad, Carels has a lot of the tools you want from a blueliner. He has good size, excellent mobility and an impressive work ethic. He’s a strong kid for his age, using that strength in the corners and around the net. He has some work to do to refine details in his game, but there’s a strong base to build on. 

Niagara (OHL) center Ryan Roobroeck

While his skating and pace hold him back from being a truly dominant power forward, the strengths in his game will make him an intriguing player to work with for an NHL team. He has a wicked shot with the ability to rip it by a netminder cleanly, and his hands around the net are crafty and quick. He could be the finisher on a line with some power as well.

Following his team’s win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Cardinals’ coach appears to have removed his name from the mix for the head coach opening at Michigan when asked by Alexis Cubit of the Louisville Courier-Journal — part of the USA TODAY Network — about his name being linked to the Wolverines.

‘I don’t speak on other jobs. I’m happy with this one and we are going to enjoy the victory,’ Brohm said following the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 23.

Dec. 23’s win in the Boca Raton Bowl marked the 28th career win for Brohm at his alma mater and closed his third season at Louisville with a 9-4 overall record. The Cardinals have finished with a winning record and with at least nine wins in each season under Brohm.

Brohm’s name has been thrown in the mix of names for the opening at Michigan, which opened on Wednesday, Dec. 10 following the abrupt firing of Sherrone Moore with cause. On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Tuesday, Dec. 23 that Brohm’s name has become one of interest in Michigan’s search for Moore’s replacement.

Moore was fired by Michigan on Dec. 10 after a university investigation found ‘credible evidence’ of Moore having been ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’ The ex-Wolverines coach was arrested on the same day and later charged with home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering on Friday, Dec. 12.

As previously reported by USA TODAY, Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press — part of the USA TODAY Network — reported on Monday, Dec. 22 that Wolverines interim coach Biff Poggi told reporters during a Citrus Bowl media appearance that athletic director Warde Manuel told the team he hopes to have a new coach in place between Christmas and the Wolverines’ bowl game against Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

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