Travis Kelce plans to return to the Kansas City Chiefs for his 14th NFL season.
The Chiefs also signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year deal.
These moves suggest the Chiefs are reloading for another championship run rather than rebuilding.
The team still needs to address its secondary and offensive line, particularly at right tackle.

Travis Kelce’s NFL era isn’t over yet. Meanwhile, a new era is also apparently beginning for the Kansas City Chiefs, who also agreed on March 9 to sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III away from the Seattle Seahawks.

Kelce, the likely first-ballot Hall of Fame tight end and – more recently – pop culture darling plans to return to the Chiefs for a 14th season, according to multiple reports. Kelce, who just completed a two-year, $34.3 million extension, didn’t quite reach the open free agency market – yet there also didn’t seem to be much doubt he’d play anywhere but K.C., the team that drafted him in 2013.

Meanwhile, Walker – who agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal – brings a new element to a franchise trying to prove, well, that it’s dynastic era isn’t yet over.

What does it all mean? In the spirit of Taylor Swift’s “Question…?,” let’s try to answer some questions here:

Are the Chiefs already back?

Some league observers had mused that Kansas City, which missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2014 – and first time ever in QB Patrick Mahomes’ nine-year career – might be in the midst of a mini-rebuild, particularly following last week’s trade of CB Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. Apparently not – let’s call it a reset or reload instead. No squad is luring a 36-year-old tight end back, nor signing a running back to major money, if it doesn’t expect to contend – and immediately. It remains to be seen if Kansas City can compete for a fourth Lombardi Trophy since the start of the 2019 season, especially following a 6-11 campaign that parked the Chiefs in third place in the AFC West, but they’re clearly not going to waste any time trying. A clear message sent to the locker room − just ask DT Chris Jones.

What do Travis Kelce, Kenneth Walker III contracts mean for Patrick Mahomes?

Maybe – hopefully? – better protection? Kelce, who’s led the Chiefs in receiving yards in six of the past seven seasons, has long been Mahomes’ preferred target – and seemed to enjoy something of a renaissance in 2025 after a lackluster 2024 season capped by a poor outing in Kansas City’s blowout loss in Super Bowl 59. With Kelce continuing to find space in the intermediate area of the field, and Walker providing a huge upgrade in a run game that was virtually non-existent last season – Mahomes had to contribute greatly to it, often running for his life on the way to a career-best 422 yards on the ground – there should be less pressure on the three-time Super Bowl MVP as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last December. Walker, who’s eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards twice in his four-year career, could be the first to do so in K.C. since 2017. (Still, an upgrade at right tackle sure would be nice for Mahomes, too.)

What will the Chiefs do in the draft?

It’s something of a premature question with free agency a long way from petering out. (And the Chiefs were active Monday aside from striking deals with Kelce and Walker, also reaching an agreement with DL Khyiris Tonga on a three-year, $21 million deal − meaning some help for Jones, too). But a team that now owns three of the draft’s top 40 selections – including a pair in Round 1 following the McDuffie deal – still has plenty of work to do. Joining McDuffie on the Rams is Jaylen Watson, who started opposite him in K.C. last year – meaning the secondary will have to be a point of emphasis at some point. And right tackle also probably ought to be addressed following the release of Jawaan Taylor and struggles Jaylon Moore, who’s only under contract for one more year anyway, had last season. Mahomes was sacked 70 times over the past two seasons and was bagged on 6.3% of his dropbacks in 2025, a career worst. That needs to change for a rehabbing star who will be 31 in September.

What does Travis Kelce’s return to the Kansas City Chiefs mean for Taylor Swift?

So much insight to share here. So much.

More flights to Kansas City and more appearances at Arrowhead for the pop goddess.

No complications to the wedding guest list given Kelce won’t be falling in love with a whole new group of teammates and coaches.

Maybe still a chance Swift performs with her boo on Super Sunday – the Eras Tour did make a stop at SoFi Stadium, site of Super Bowl 61 – if she finally agrees to a long-anticipated Super Bowl halftime show. Our sources tell us … well, we have no sources here. (Try Melissa Ruggieri.)

Two of the most successful squads in World Baseball Classic history meet in a showdown of unbeatens that vaults the winner into a quarterfinal appearance. 

Puerto Rico and Cuba, two of just four teams that have survived group play in all five previous WBCs, meet in a Pool A showdown at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan with the winner assured of advancing out of group play. 

The Puerto Ricans will once again have the home crowd on their side, an advantage that was palpable in their pulsating 3-2, 10-inning victory against Panama March 7. Puerto Rico erased one-run deficits in the ninth and 10th innings before Darell Hernaiz’s walk-off homer – the second in WBC history since Ozzie Albies beat him to it hours earlier. 

Cuba and Puerto Rico are both 2-0, and both clubs have games remaining against 1-1 Canada. That means the loser of this game must beat Canada in its matchup; Puerto Rico plays the Canadians Tuesday, March 10 and Cuba faces them the next day. 

Cuba is coming off a 7-4 victory over Colombia, keyed by a three-run, first-inning homer from first baseman Ariel Martinez. He has three hits in seven at-bats in the tourney. 

Follow for live updates:

Where to watch Puerto Rico vs Cuba baseball game

Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV channel: Fox Sports 1
Live stream: FoxSports.com // Fubo

Watch Puerto Rico vs Cuba live on Fubo

Start time set for Puerto Rico-Cuba: 8:20 ET

Stubborn rain has finally moved out of the area of Estadio Hiram Bithorn, at least enough for officials to declare a first pitch time for Cuba and Puerto Rico: 8:20 p.m. ET, or about an hour and 15 minutes after the originally scheduled first pitch.

At last, certainty.

Rain delays start of Puerto Rico-Cuba

This highly-anticipated Caribbean matchup will have to wait just a bit longer. Rain in San Juan has delayed the start of Puerto Rico and Cuba, although the teams are in the dugout and the tarp expected to be pulled soon.

Estadio Hiram Bithorn is, alas, the lone WBC venue that is not climate-controlled.

Puerto Rico, Cuba lineups, starting pitchers

Elmer Rodriguez, a 22-year-old right-hander in the New York Yankees organization, will start for Puerto Rico. Rodriguez reached Class AAA last season and has averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in his major league career. He’ll be opposed by Cuban lefty Julio Robaina, a 5-11 24-year-old and former Astros farmhand who pitched in independent ball in 2025.

The lineups for both teams:

Cuba lineup tonight against Puerto Rico:

CF Roel Santos
3B Yoan Moncada
1B Ariel Martínez
DH Alfredo Despaigne
SS Erisbuel Arruebuena
C Omar Hernández
RF Yoelkis Guibert
LF Leonel Moas
2B Yiddi Cappe

P: LHP Julio Robaina

Puerto Rico lineup tonight against Cuba:

2B Willi Castro
CF Heliot Ramos
3B Nolan Arenado
RF Carlos Cortes
SS Darell Hernaiz
LF Eddie Rosario
1B Emmanuel Rivera
DH MJ Melendez
C Martín Maldonado

SP: Elmer Rodriguez

Puerto Rico WBC roster

Pitchers: Raymond Burgos LHP, Fernando Cruz RHP, José De León RHP, Edwin Díaz RHP, José Espada RHP, Rico Garcia RHP, Jorge López RHP, Seth Lugo RHP, Jovani Morán LHP, Luis Quiñones RHP, Ángel Reyes RHP, Yacksel Ríos RHP, Eduardo Rivera LHP, Elmer Rodríguez RHP, Gabriel Rodríguez LHP, Ricardo Velez RHP

Catchers: Martín Maldonado, Christian Vázquez

Infielders: Nolan Arenado, Edwin Arroyo, Darell Hernáiz, Emmanuel Rivera, Luis Vázquez

Outfielders: Willi Castro, Carlos Cortes, Matthew Lugo, MJ Melendez, Heliot Ramos, Eddie Rosario, Bryan Torres

Cuba WBC roster

Pitchers: Frank Alvarez RHP, Emmanuel Chapman RHP, Josimar Cousin RHP, Naykel Cruz LHP, Daviel Hurtado LHP, Denny Larrondo RHP, Yoan López RHP, Raidel Martínez RHP, Randy Martinez LHP, Liván Moinelo LHP, Darien Núñez LHP, Julio Robaina LHP, Osiel Rodriguez RHP, Yariel Rodriguez RHP, Luis Romero Jr. RHP, Pedro Santos RHP

Catchers: Omar Hernandez, Andrys Pérez

Infielders: Erisbel Barbaro Arruebarruena, Yiddi Cappe, Ariel Martínez, Yoán Moncada, Malcom Nuñez, Alexei Ramírez, Alexander Vargas

Outfielders: Alfredo Despaigne, Yoelquis Guibert, Leonel Moa, Roel Santos, Yoel Yanqui

Mike Evans’ time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is coming to an end after 12 strong seasons.

Evans agreed to a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in NFL free agency, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 32-year-old will make $60.4 million as part of the new contract.

The Buccaneers selected Evans in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and saw the Texas A&M product blossom into one of the NFL’s most consistent receivers. He posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons and earned six Pro Bowl nods while helping Tampa Bay win Super Bowl 55.

However, Evans saw his 1,000-yard season streak come to an end in 2025 as he battled hamstring and collarbone injuries. He logged just 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns as a result of those problems.

The 49ers will be banking on the 6-5, 231-pound receiver returning to form as one of the NFL’s best contested-catch receivers. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will lean on their young receiving corps to support Baker Mayfield as they prepare to play without Evans for the first time since the 2013 NFL season.

Here’s what to know about Evans and the Buccaneers splitting up after 12 seasons.

Why Mike Evans is leaving Buccaneers, joining 49ers

Evans’ agent – Deryk Gilmore of Day 1 Sports & Entertainment – provided insight into the wide receiver’s decision in a lengthy statement.

‘Mike Evans felt a desire to challenge himself with a new chapter in the final stage of his career,’ the statement began. ‘Throughout his entire career he has pushed himself to grow, compete, and evolve as a player, and this decision reflects that same mindset.’

The statement glowingly acknowledged the ‘tremendous love and respect’ Evans has for the Buccaneers. It was also complimentary of Tampa Bay’s wide receiver room, giving flowers to Chris Godwin and opining Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson would ‘thrive’ while developing in larger roles.

The statement also provided a glimpse at Evans’ larger goals that helped inform his free agent decision.

‘At this stage of his career, Mike’s goals remain the same as they have always been – to compete for another Super Bowl, to play in an offensive system that challenges defenses, and to be in an environment where he can continue to push himself and contribute at the highest level,’ the statement read.

The 49ers certainly seem to check those boxes. San Francisco has routinely been in the Super Bowl mix under Kyle Shanahan, whose offensive system is regarded as one of the NFL’s best. The team also has a big need at receiver across from Ricky Pearsall – Brandon Aiyuk is set to be released while both Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are free agents – which will give Evans a clear path toward playing time.

Evans made it clear those were the driving factors in his decision and that the Buccaneers had made a strong effort to retain him.

‘The Buccaneers made it clear they would have loved for Mike to finish his career in Tampa and potentially become just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career as a Buccaneer and ultimately walk into Canton representing the organization,’ the statement read.

‘Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money. The Buccaneers were extremely aggressive in their pursuit and presented a very strong offer, demonstrating how much they value him and everything he has meant to the franchise.

‘In the end, this decision simply came down to Mike wanting a new challenge and a fresh opportunity while he still feels he has a great deal left to give the game.’

As such, it appears to be an amicable split between the two parties after a 12-year relationship.

‘Tampa Bay will always be a special place for Mike Evans, and his respect and gratitude for the organization and its fans will never change,’ the statement read.

Mike Evans contract details

Evans’ decision may not have primarily been about the money, but he still got a sizable contract for the 49ers. Below are the reported details of the deal:

Term: 3 years
Total contract value: $60.4 millon
Average annual value (AAV): $20.13 million

Evans’ AAV presently ranks 23rd among NFL wide receivers, according to OverTheCap.com. It is only slightly lower than the $20.5 million he received on his previous, two-year contract with the Buccaneers.

Mike Evans stats

Below is a full look at Evans’ stats across his 12 seasons to date:

Games: 176
Targets: 1,493
Receptions: 866
Receiving yards: 13,052
Receiving TDs: 108
Yards per reception: 15.1

Evans averaged a career-low 12.3 yards per reception across limited action in 2025, but that still ranked 61st among 210 qualifiers for the stat league-wide.

Evans’ average depth of target (ADOT) ranked eighth overall among receivers at 14.4 yards, per Pro Football Focus. The 49ers will hope he can continue to be one of the NFL’s best and most consistent down-the-field targets.

The pre-White House fighting has begun.

It started Saturday after White announced the fight card for the White House event to be held on June 14. Jones, widely considered the greatest fighter in UFC history, was a notable omission from the card.

White addressed the matter later that night during a press conference after the conclusion of UFC 326.

 “Never ever, ever, which I told you guys 100,000 times, was Jon Jones even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House,’ the UFC’s CEO said, adding that Jones is suffering from arthritis of the hips that will keep him from fighting again.

Jones, who is 38 and last fought in November 2024, responded via his X account Monday, March 9.

“My team and I were actually negotiating with the UFC for that fight,’’ Jones wrote. “Real negotiations. I even came down from my original number, and what was I offered in return? I was lowballed.’’

Jones did not cite a specific dollar figure, but he said his team was negotiating as late as Friday.

He also said he received stem cell treatment last week to get ready for the White House card and was scheduled to start training on Monday.

“Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight,’’ Jones said. “So let me get this straight, if I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I’d be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense.’’

Jones, a former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, has a career record of 28-1.

‘I understand business deals fall through sometimes, but going out publicly and saying things that aren’t true isn’t right,” Jones wrote. ‘After everything I’ve given to the UFC , the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m ‘done’ is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number.

‘If the UFC truly feels like I’m done, then I respectfully ask to be released from my contract today. No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up.”

Conor McGregor, who lobbied to fight on the White House card, was another notable ommission. White said the UFC is in talks with McGregor but has not selected a fight date.

McGregor, 37, has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in a loss Dustin Poirier.

The Philadelphia Phillies, envisioning a future in which Zack Wheeler is no longer part of their rotation, moved to lock up another stalwart from their staff for the long term.

Left-hander Jesús Luzardo and the Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $135 million contract extension, a person familiar with the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been finalized.

Luzardo, 28, was eligible for free agency after the 2026 season, and was coming off perhaps the finest campaign of his career, winning 15 games and posting a 3.92 ERA across a career-high 183 ⅔ innings. While he might have garnered more than a $27 million average annual value on the free agent market, it actually puts him in line with Yankees ace Max Fried, whose eight-year, $218 million deal is worth $27.25 million per year.

Wheeler, the Cy Young Award runner-up in 2024, has indicated he’ll retire after his three-year, $142 million deal expires after the 2027 season. The club already retained right-hander Aaron Nola on a $172 million deal signed after the 2023 season, and Luzardo’s extension ensures a decent base from which to work.

The club also hopes top prospect Andrew Painter solidifies the back of the rotation and grows into mid- to frontline starter. Now, he’ll have both Nola and Luzardo to slot behind in the future.

Luzardo will make $11 million this season in his final year of arbitration-eligibility before his extension kicks in.

Jesus Luzardo stats

2025 (Philadelphia): 15-7 record, 183.2 IP, 216 SO, 3.92 ERA
2024 (Miami): 3-6, 66.2 IP, 58 SO, 5.00 ERA
2023 (Miami): 10-10, 178.2 IP, 208 SO, 3.58 ERA
2022 (Miami): 4-7, 100.1 IP, 120 SO, 3.32 ERA
2021 (Oakland/Miami): 6-9, 95.1 IP, 98 SO, 6.61 ERA
2020 (Oakland): 3-2, 59.0 IP, 59 SO, 4.12 ERA
2019 (Oakland): 0-0, 12.0 IP, 16 SO, 1.50 ERA

Florida Panthers star Brad Marchand will miss time this week to see doctors and determine whether he needs surgery for a lower-body injury.

Marchand has missed 10 games with the injury since early January.

‘There’s going to be a decision on what’s the best way to get to 100 percent full health,’ coach Paul Maurice told reporters on Monday, March 9.

He said that even if surgery isn’t needed, Marchand would be out for weeks, not days.

‘We had had a handle on it and there were times where he didn’t play but kind of maintained it and then came back in,’ Maurice said. ‘But it just got to the point on this road trip that it was never recovering and continuing to get worse.’

The Panthers have been devastated by injuries this season, starting with hernia surgery for Matthew Tkachuk that kept him out until January and ACL surgery for Aleksander Barkov when he was hurt in his first practice of training camp.

Eetu Luostarinen missed time after being burned while barbecuing. Seth Jones is potentially a week away from returning from an injury suffered in the Jan. 2 Winter Classic.

The Panthers haven’t been able to gain traction this season and were 11 points out of a playoff spot on March 9. They could see the end of a run that took them to the Stanley Cup Final for three years in a row and win championships the past two.

Brad Marchand injury update

Brad Marchand will see doctors this week to determine if he’ll need surgery. Maurice said the injury has been bothering the winger for months. Marchand also played at the Olympics, winning a silver medal with Canada.

Brad Marchand stats

Brad Marchand has 27 goals and 27 assists in 52 games for the Panthers this season. He had one assist in four games at the Olympics.

Prosecutors in Massachusetts have dropped assault and battery charges against Patriots player Christian Barmore.
The charges stemmed from a criminal complaint filed by a former girlfriend in December.
The woman who filed the complaint did not want to travel out of state for the case.
Barmore was never arrested in connection with the alleged August 2025 incident.

Prosecutors in Massachusetts are dropping the case against New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore.

During an arraignment Monday in Attleboro District Court, prosecutors said they would not be able to prove a case against Barmore, 26, who faced assault and battery charges.

A woman who shares a child with Barmore and was previously his girlfriend filed a criminal complaint in December that said Barmore threw her to the ground during a domestic dispute that allegedly occurred Aug. 8, 2025. The woman did not want to travel out of state for the case, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III told reporters, according to the Associated Press. Barmore was never arrested.  

The NFL and Patriots were aware of the charges and let the legal process play out. Barmore had been the second Patriots player charged with a physical crime after former wide receiver Stefon Diggs had been accused of felony strangulation of a former personal chef (Diggs pleaded not guilty Feb. 13).

‘I think that these are allegations, like you mentioned in your question, it’s things that we have to handle,’ Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said after the charges against Barmore were reported. ‘Everyday there are distractions. Some are smaller than others. Confident that we’ll focus on the Dolphins and those two individuals that you mentioned will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.’

Barmore started 16 games last season and had 2.0 sacks. He’s been with New England since the organization drafted him in the second round (38th overall) of the 2021 draft. The Alabama Crimson Tide product is under contract with the team through the 2028 season.

The Terry Rozier saga between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets has come to a close.

Charlotte will send a second-round selection in the 2026 NBA Draft to Miami as part of the dispute concerning the January 2024 trade that shipped Rozier to the Heat, two people with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The people spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

Charlotte had held multiple second-round picks in the draft; the pick sent to Miami will be the more favorable one that originally belonged to the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets.

The decision was announced in a league memo sent to all NBA general managers.

Neither the NBA nor the Hornets disclosed information to the Heat about irregular betting activity around Rozier’s performance during a March 23, 2023 game prior to the trade. The Heat had no knowledge about the suspicious betting activity raised in March 2023 by integrity monitoring services, nor did the Heat have knowledge about the subsequent federal investigation into Rozier until both became public in January 2025.

According to the NBA’s constitution and by-laws, when a trade is executed, the general managers of all teams involved are required to first send an email with the terms to the NBA league office.

Then, representatives from each team jump on a “trade conference call” with the league office that includes league lawyers. The call is recorded and the terms of the deal, including the terms of each player contract involved, are read aloud.

It is during these calls when pertinent medical information is discussed. One section in the constitution states that teams are prohibited from making “any other material misrepresentation or fail to disclose any other material information during the Trade Call.”

Once the terms are agreed upon, teams must certify that there are no other terms that were not mentioned and agreed upon during the call.

Afterwards, logistics about timing of the trade announcements are discussed.

Rozier was arrested Thursday, Oct. 23 for his alleged role in an insider sports-betting scheme. He is accused of manipulating his performance during a March 23, 2023 NBA game when he was a member of the Hornets, to benefit illegal betting.

On Dec. 8, he pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Rozier, 31, has been away from the team as his court case proceeds.

Much has changed since the last USA TODAY Sports NHL power rankings in early February.

There were the Olympics in which the United States picked up its first men’s hockey gold medal in 46 years by defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime during the final.

There was a coaching change in Los Angeles, and most importantly, the NHL trade deadline on March 6.

There had been a roster freeze during the Olympics, so it was a rush to get trades done. Big names moved, such as Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, Brayden Schenn and John Carlson.

This version of the NHL power rankings recaps trades and hands out grades.

NHL power rankings

Numbers in parentheses reflect the change from the most recent power rankings. Statistics and standings are as of March 8.

1. Colorado Avalanche (0)

They were busy in the leadup to the deadline, adding forward Nicolas Roy and defenseman Brett Kulak. But they saved the best for the last minute, bringing back 2022 Stanley Cup winner Nazem Kadri. They gave up Victor Olofsson, Samuel Girard and draft picks in the deals, but they’re deeper down the middle and grittier. Grade: A

2. Dallas Stars (+3)

Tyler Myers, a 6-foot-8 defenseman, is joining 6-foot-7 Lian Bichsel on the blue line. He’s a right shot, too. Forward Michael Bunting will help make up for the loss of Tyler Seguin to season-ending knee surgery. Grade: A

3. Minnesota Wild (0)

The Quinn Hughes trade in December was the big one, and he has been a marvel. But Bill Guerin didn’t stop there. He added forwards Michael McCarron, Bobby Brink and Nick Foligno (he’ll join brother Marcus) and depth defenseman Jeff Petry. Vinnie Hinostroza and prospect David Jiricek were moved out. The Wild’s bottom six is better and McCarron kills penalties. Grade: A

4. Carolina Hurricanes (0)

They could have used more center depth (along with the rest of the league), but their only acquisition was tough guy Nicolas Deslauriers. Still the Hurricanes are a threat to reach the Eastern Conference final again. Grade: C

5. Buffalo Sabres (+4)

The Sabres took off after Jarmo Kekalainen replaced Kevyn Adams as general manager, and the new GM rewarded the team with some moves. He added Sam Carrick to help the league’s worst faceoff team. He also changed course after Colton Parayko didn’t waive his no-trade clause and brought in defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn, giving the Sabres a physical third pairing. Schenn and fellow newcomer Tanner Pearson are Stanley Cup winners. Grade – B

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (-4)

The Lightning brought back pesky forward Corey Perry, who has a recent habit of getting to the Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning have lost in the first round the past three seasons, so they’ll appreciate his presence even if he hasn’t won a Cup since 2007. Grade: B–

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (-1)

Their big move was the goalie swap in December. They got out of Tristan Jarry’s contract, and Stuart Skinner is doing better than he was in Edmonton. Egor Chinakhov, acquired in December, has been a great addition. Girard hasn’t done much since arriving from Colorado and the Penguins also added 6-foot-8 forward Elmer Soderblom. Grade: B+

8. Montreal Canadiens (-1)

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said the Canadiens were working on something big but weren’t able to pull it off. Nothing happened, and the goaltending remains inconsistent and they didn’t find a taker for Patrik Laine. Grade: D

9. Detroit Red Wings (-1)

Popular David Perron, recovering from hernia surgery, has returned to the Red Wings. He totaled 41 goals in his two seasons in Detroit. Right-shot defenseman Justin Faulk, acquired from St. Louis, will move into the second pairing. Grade: B+

10. New York Islanders (+2)

They added forward Brayden Schenn, moving out underperforming Jonathan Drouin in the deal. They did the same earlier by moving out Maxim Tsyplakov in the Ondrej Palat deal. Grade: B

11. Boston Bruins (-1)

They were relatively quiet, adding Lukas Reichel. They’re sticking with a team that’s in a playoff position earlier than expected after last season’s sell-off. Grade: B–

12. Anaheim Ducks (+4)

Adding veteran John Carlson was a nice move for a team that appears poised to make it back to the playoffs. If they don’t, they’ll give their 2027 first-round pick to the Capitals rather than this year’s. They also moved out Ryan Strome’s $5 million cap hit, which will help with restricted free agents Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, plus unrestricted free agents Carlson and Radko Gudas, needing new contracts this summer. Grade: B+

13. Columbus Blue Jackets (0)

Conor Garland was a solid deadline pickup, as was Mason Marchment earlier. Chinakhov is thriving since being dealt to Pittsburgh, but he had requested a trade. Grade: B+

14. Utah Mammoth (0)

The team has been beefing up its blue line since moving from Arizona and MacKenzie Weegar is the latest arrival. The right-shot defenseman will fit nicely in the top four. They didn’t have to give up Tij Iginla, former Flames standout Jarome Iginla’s son, or a first-round pick (three second-rounders instead) to land a player with five years left on his deal. Grade: A-

15. Ottawa Senators (+2)

Forward Warren Foegele had only seven goals in Los Angeles, but scored in his first game in Ottawa. They also traded pending unrestricted free agent Perron. Grade: C

16. Vegas Golden Knights (-5)

They added forward depth and penalty killing at the deadline with Nic Dowd and Cole Smith. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, acquired earlier, helps replace injured Alex Pietrangelo. They didn’t do anything at the deadline to upgrade their goaltending. Grade: B

17. Edmonton Oilers (+1)

They moved out Skinner, who was tremendous or mediocre during two trips to the Stanley Cup Final. Jarry hasn’t worked out in Edmonton. GM Stan Bowman gave up a first-round pick to move out disappointing Andrew Mangiapane. They landed Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach in that trade. Connor Murphy, acquired from Chicago in a separate trade, was a good pickup. Grade: C

18. Philadelphia Flyers (+3)

They moved out 5-foot-8 forward Brink, who’s a pending free agent with arbitration rights, and brought in 6-foot-4 defenseman Jiricek. Perhaps the Flyers will help with his development. Rasmus Ristolainen was in the rumor mill but didn’t move. Grade: D+

19. San Jose Sharks (+5)

Their biggest move was trading for Kiefer Sherwood earlier in the season. GM Mike Grier got him signed to an extension during trade deadline week. He also re-signed goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. Grade: B

20. Seattle Kraken (-5)

The Kraken need more scoring. Bobby McMann, acquired from Toronto, becomes the team’s second-leading scorer. They moved on earlier from Marchment, receiving a second- and fourth-round pick after giving up a third- and fourth-rounder to land him in the offseason. Seattle also signed captain Jordan Eberle to an extension. Grade: B

21. Washington Capitals (-2)

It was a tough week for Capitals players as they parted ways with franchise defenseman Carlson, plus Dowd, who had been with Washington since 2018-19. They received a first-round pick for pending UFA Carlson and later dealt for Timothy Liljegren and David Kampf. Not the same. Grade: D+

22. Florida Panthers (+1)

The back-to-back champions’ run is all but over because of major injuries. But they wisely held on to their free agents, outside of Petry. If they can get Sergei Bobrovsky and others re-signed, their core remains championship material, assuming they can stay healthy and rest up from three runs to the Final and heavy representation at the 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympics. Grade: B-

23. New Jersey Devils (+3)

They traded Palat, added Nick Bjugstad and held on to Dougie Hamilton. A disappointing season for the Devils, even if Jack Hughes became a national hero for his golden goal at the Olympics.

24. Los Angeles Kings (-2)

The Kings made a huge splash before the Olympic break by trading for Artemi Panarin. Then they lost Kevin Fiala to a broken leg at the Olympics. A slump after the Games cost coach Jim Hiller his job and they traded Foegele and Perry and added Scott Laughton. Grade: B-

25. Toronto Maple Leafs (-5)

The Maple Leafs were sellers during a disappointing season. Toronto got a third-round pick (a second if the Kings make the playoffs) for Laughton after giving up a first-rounder and a prospect to land him at last year’s deadline. GM Brad Treliving did get a first-rounder in the Roy trade, plus draft picks for McMann. Grade: D

26. Winnipeg Jets (+3)

The Jets moved out pending UFA defensemen Stanley and Luke Schenn and got promising prospect Izak Rosen as part of the return. They got a seventh-round pick for Pearson. Grade: B

27. Nashville Predators (-2)

The Predators weren’t far from a playoff spot when they decided to sell. McCarron, Cole Smith, Bunting and Nick Blankenburg were among those moved, mostly for draft picks. They didn’t move Ryan O’Reilly, who had no trade protection. GM Barry Trotz is retiring and left a lot of work for his eventual successor. Grade: D

28. St. Louis Blues (+3)

The St. Louis rumor mill featured most of the core. The trade of Parayko to the Sabres leaked out (the Blues said it wasn’t them), and he exercised his right not to waive his no-trade clause. Brayden Schenn and Faulk did move and St. Louis got first-round picks and prospects in those deals. Grade: C+

29. Calgary Flames (-1)

They moved out Kadri, Weegar and Andersson in a rebuild. They added defensemen Olli Maatta and Zach Whitecloud, prospects Jonathan Castagna and Max Curran, plus lots of draft picks. Grade: B+

30. Chicago Blackhawks (-3)

They get a first-round pick in the Dickinson/Dach deal and also moved out Murphy and team captain Foligno. That seems to set the stage to naming Connor Bedard captain next season. He has to sign first. Grade: C

31. New York Rangers (0)

Announcing a pending retool put management at a disadvantage. The return for Artemi Panarin, who had to waive a no-trade clause, was just OK. GM Chris Drury held onto Vincent Trocheck rather than get less than he wanted. Carrick was dealt and they moved out former first-round pick Brennan Othmann. Grade: C-

32. Vancouver Canucks (0)

The return for Quinn Hughes in December (Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a first-rounder) will help the team best in the long run. They added more draft picks by moving out Myers, Garland and Kampf. Grade: C