Kreider to the Ducks, International Footy and Last-Minute NFL Free Agency Adds
22+ Pro Sports links from the Pacific time zone this week + an important Graduation update!
Anaheim is dominating trade talks right now. Long-time Rangers forward Chris Kreider agreed to a trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Kreider scored 326 regular-season goals and owns the franchise’s record for most post season goals.
Anaheim sent Carey Terrance and a draft pick for Kreider and a pick swap. Kreider spent 13 seasons with the Rangers and he was owed $6.5 million through the end of the 2026-27 season. He joins his former teammate Jacob Trouba with the Ducks. Anahiem is also expected to pitch Mitch Marner, along with the rest of the teams rebuilding on the West Coast.
The NBA is still gassing up the West Coast with expansion. Las Vegas and Seattle have long been rumored to be the NBA’s next destinations. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver finally talked expansion, teasing that talks could heat up this offseason.
“We’re not there yet, but this is the offseason we’ll really look into it,” Silver said via ESPN.
Meanwhile, the MLS is gearing up for players participating in the World Cup qualifiers and Gold Cup matches. Over 140 MLS players are participating for their countries. Here’s the folks impacted from the West Coast, per MLS.com. These teams will be thin over the next two weeks, which could impact MLS Cup seeding:
LA Galaxy
Harbor Miller (D, USA U-19)
Rubén Ramos Jr. (M, USA U-19)
LAFC
David Martínez (F, Venezuela)
Nathan Ordaz (F, El Salvador)
Artem Smolyakov (D, Ukraine U-21)
Jude Terry (M, USA U-17)
Portland Timbers
Maxime Crépeau (GK, Canada)
Ariel Lassiter (M, Costa Rica)
Finn Surman (D, New Zealand)
San Diego FC
Luca Bombino (D, USA U-20)
Luca de la Torre (M, USA)
Anders Dreyer (F, Denmark)
Aníbal Godoy (M, Panama)
Paddy McNair (D, Northern Ireland)
Onni Valakari (M, Finland)
San Jose Earthquakes
Ousseni Bouda (F, Burkina Faso)
Josef Martínez (F, Venezuela)
Edwyn Mendoza (M, USA U-19)
Seattle Sounders FC
Osaze De Rosario (F, Guyana)
Stuart Hawkins (D, USA U-19)
Reed Baker-Whiting (D, USA U-20)
West Coast Sports Links
22+ sports links from across the Pacific time zone. I curate the best links from hundreds of sources, so you don’t have to.
Hoops
Knicks wanted Kidd and JJ for vacant head coaching job
Blazers keep calling out Scoot Henderson
Warriors could trade Quinten Post
DeMarcus Cousins gets in trouble in Puerto Rico
A look at how the Clippers built a Home Court Advantage
NFL
Trent Williams wants to play until he is 40
Rams will pass on Jaire Alexander
Chargers interior line needs help
Seahawks give their punter a record contract
MLB
Giants add Scott Alexander to a Minor League deal
Ohtani not pitching until at least after the All-Star break
Anthony DeSclafani joins the D-Backs
Angels trade for LaMonte Wade Jr.
Padres prospect retires before 25
NHL
Sharks assistant joins the Islanders
Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini finishes third in Calder voting
Anze Kopitar wins Lady Byng trophy for sportsmanship
Shout out to my brother Philip for graduating this week. I’m a few weeks away from him leaving home for CSUN. Raising him and my other two siblings has been one of the toughest and most rewarding experiences of my life. Now that it’s over, wait until you see what is next!