Happy NHL Trade Deadline Day! The NHL trade deadline is approaching at 3 PM ET this afternoon, and the Rangers have already made some moves.

Yesterday, the Rangers traded Reilly Smith to Vegas for forward Brendan Brisson and a third-round pick. Brendan Brisson is a 23-year-old forward who has scored two goals and registered six assists in 24 career NHL games. Reilly Smith was acquired from Pittsburgh last offseason to play left wing alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. However, the Rangers have experimented with countless line combinations this season and have decided not to retain Smith. He will return to Vegas and contend for another Stanley Cup.

Tonight at 7 PM (6 PM CST), the Rangers will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six matchup at Madison Square Garden (MSGSN, NHLN). The Rangers will also host Nashville on Sunday night at 7 PM (6 PM CST) (MSG2).

The Rangers currently hold a two-game win streak and they have won five of their last seven games and three of their last four. Tonight’s game will kick off a four-game homestand that extends through Wednesday with games against Long Island and Washington.

I’m scared.

I’m scared that Giancarlo Stanton is considering retirement.

When a Yankees player gets injured and returns to New York during Spring Training, the immediate concern is typically that he is seeing a doctor. According to Jon Heyman, Stanton went back to New York earlier this week to undergo tests for dual-elbow tendinitis.

I understand that Stanton has struggled with injuries throughout his career. But then, Aaron Boone mentioned that Stanton returned to New York to address a personal issue.

All season long, the Knicks have struggled defensively. They currently rank 20th in the NBA in defensive rating and allow a 38.1% three-point field goal percentage, the highest in the league. Last season, the Knicks had the ninth-best defensive rating in the NBA and even recorded the league’s top defensive rating in January. While the team has made impressive offensive improvements this season, their defense has worsened considerably.

It’s surprising that a basketball team coached by Tom Thibodeau can rank so poorly defensively. Over the last five years, the Knicks organization has been building a championship-caliber team, and after acquiring OG Anunoby last season, they looked like contenders for the first time in decades. With Josh Hart, Julius Randle, and Jalen Brunson at the core, the 2023-24 Knicks became known for their grittiness and defensive mindset.

Start spreading the HAIR!

The New York Yankees have updated their facial hair policy to allow “well-groomed beards moving forward,” according to Hal Steinbrenner. This change is seen as long overdue, as beards were permitted before 1976 but banned under George Steinbrenner's tenure.

Aaron Boone mentioned that losing even one free agent due to the facial hair policy would be “too many,” acknowledging that some players have declined to join the Yankees because of it. Hal Steinbrenner spoke with many current and former Yankees before making this decision. He learned that CC Sabathia hesitated to sign with the Yankees in 2009 primarily because of their facial hair restrictions. Additionally, he recognized the significance of beards to the identities of several current players.

“It’s the same game I’ve been doing for a long time; it’s just been a little more difficult for me,” DJ LeMahieu told Yankees beat writers on Wednesday. The two-time batting champion is healthy for the first time in years and finds himself in a fierce battle to start at third base. The looming question surrounding LeMahieu, who is owed $30 million over the next two seasons, is how close he is to hanging up his cleats.

Aaron Boone expressed confidence in a healthy LeMahieu, saying he won't “put anything past” him. However, DJ cautioned, “It’s easy to feel good in January.”

It's disheartening to think about. Four years ago, the idea that DJ LeMachine could break down seemed unthinkable. The reality set in the following season, and the next two years were fraught with challenges for David John. Now, he has returned to Tampa after not swinging a bat for two months – the longest break he’s ever taken in his career. It’s been a difficult journey for him to regain his health.

The notorious Yankees killer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., sought to reach an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a contract extension earlier this week, but the two sides could not come to terms. He is now expected to be a key player in MLB’s next free-agent class.

Carlos Correa, the shortstop for the Minnesota Twins, has also been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Yankees.

Could the Yankees trade for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Carlos Correa? I don’t think so, and here’s why…

Despite a mostly uneventful week in New York sports, the Yankees are making headlines with some noteworthy developments.

First, Giancarlo Stanton reported to Yankees camp on Sunday with tendinitis in both elbows. He said he dealt with “tears in [his] tendon” throughout last season, including the playoffs, and he has not swung a bat in “three or four weeks.” According to Aaron Boone, Stanton's availability for Opening Day is uncertain.

“We want to make sure we’re giving [Stanton’s injury] as much time as it needs, so we’ll probably slow-play him a little bit,” Boone said. “I’m expecting him to be okay.” Last offseason, after the Yankees finished with an 82-80 record, one of the contributing factors was Stanton's health issues. Following the 2023 disaster, general manager Brian Cashman publicly acknowledged Stanton’s fragility, saying that injuries are part of his game. In response, Stanton lost weight, and despite consistent break throughout the regular season, he had a historic postseason performance.

It seems that the media may have over-analyzed Marcus Stroman’s absence from Spring Training. Stroman was simply spending extra time with his son, whom Stroman didn’t get to see much during the offseason after his house in Los Angeles burned down. “I’m so grounded at this point," said Stroman. "Nothing can really faze me.” He returned to Spring Training this morning.

Brian Cashman met with the media today, and Greg Joyce reported that Cashman was never worried about Stroman’s absence or the pitcher’s future with the team. He said this despite reports suggesting that for luxury tax purposes, the Yankees have been unwilling to sign more players unless they trade Stroman’s $18 million contract. Cashman didn't comment on this today, though. “That’s vintage Stro,” Cashman said, before adding that Stroman has not requested a trade. The Yankees plan to train Stroman as a starting pitcher, and while their starting rotation is quite deep, Stroman could serve as a reliable sixth man.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

John Mara saw the banners flying over MetLife Stadium during two of the Giants’ home games in 2024 as the team battled through a challenging 3-14 record in their centennial season. “I’ve just about run out of patience,” Mara told reporters after the Giants finished one of their worst seasons in franchise history. Now, Mara and Steve Tisch have enlisted Moelis & Company to potentially secure a “minority, non-controlling stake” in the New York Football Giants.

However, there’s a catch. The Giants organization's decision may not be a direct reaction to the airplanes that flew over the stadium this season. Instead, it aligns with a new NFL rule passed last August that allows private equity firms to buy up to a 10% stake in franchises. While this could benefit the Giants financially, it has no other significant implications.

Last night in Indianapolis, the Knicks beat the Pacers 128-115 as they recovered from a tough loss to Boston.

Because he got into foul trouble, Jalen Brunson only played for 22 minutes, but Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart filled in for him on the score sheet as the Knicks collected their fourth straight win on the road. Towns scored 40 points and added 12 rebounds to record his 40th double-double of the season. Josh Hart added a season-high 30 points to go with 10 rebounds and five assists. He went 12-for-16 from the field in the second half.

Welcome back, baseball! We’re so glad to see you again!

All Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to Tampa this morning as scheduled, and Aaron Boone met with the media.

This season, the expectation for the Yankees, more than usual, is to win the World Series. Of course, they must play a full season first, and championships aren’t won in February. However, establishing a championship-caliber clubhouse begins immediately, starting with the pitchers and catchers.

It’s going to be a long two weeks. The NFL season has fully concluded, the NHL regular season is on hold for two weeks because of the Four Nations Face-Off, and the NBA breaks for the All-Star Game on Wednesday. At least pitchers and catchers report soon.

Wait, is it that time already? Could it be?

Yes, it is! Pitchers and catchers report TOMORROW!

“Running on Ice.” When Chris Kreider threads the needle, he doesn’t just skate. He runs.

Last summer, Billy Joel performed his 150th show at Madison Square Garden, setting the record for the most performances at the venue by any artist. The Garden honored Joel by raising the number 150 to the rafters.

Last January (2024), Chris Kreider scored his 166th career goal at MSG, the most goals a single player ever scored in the arena. Last night, he scored his 320th career goal, a shorthanded game-winner, to become the eighth active US-born player in the NHL to score 50 career game-winning goals. With his 12th career shorthanded goal, he also tied Bill Fairbairn for fourth place on the Rangers’ all-time shorthanded goal-scoring list.

Last night in Toronto, the Knicks beat the Raptors 121-115. While the Knicks outscored Toronto 38-17 in the second quarter and led by 23 points in the third, ending the night with a win wasn’t easy.

The Knicks led Toronto 98-86 as the fourth quarter began. Nine minutes later, the Raptors were within one point of tying the score. And then came Jalen Brunson.

The Knicks are fortunate to have Jalen Brunson, and last night’s win is just one of many reasons why.

The Knicks delivered their best performance in the fourth quarter, scoring 46 points—the most in any fourth quarter since the 1976-77 season. Despite OG Anunoby's injury leaving the team shorthanded and allowing 104 field goal attempts, Jalen Brunson made no excuses.

The Knicks overcame a 12-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 124-118. Brunson scored 42 points, sealing the victory and setting the record for the third-most 40-point games in Knicks history (18).

Last night, the Rangers responded with an incredible comeback win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas has been one of the best third-period teams in the NHL this season, ranking second in both goals for and against in the third period. However, the Rangers were undaunted and scored three goals in the third to win the game 4-2, thanks to Jonathan Quick.

Quick's win last night marked the 400th of his career, making him the first American-born goaltender to reach this milestone. He is only the 15th NHL netminder to achieve it.

Have the Yankees made enough moves to fill the significant void left by Juan Soto? Hal Steinbrenner seems to think so. The Yankees’ chairman and managing general partner feels that improving the team's pitching and defense may make them a stronger contender than they were last season.

Indeed, the Yankees struggled defensively last year, and their starting pitching depth was lacking. With the addition of Max Fried, he and Gerrit Cole now form one of the best one-two pitching combinations in the league, although they are still behind the Dodgers.

For the first time since December 27, 2022, the New York Rangers were shut out at home, losing 4-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes last night.

On Sunday, the Rangers lost to Colorado after Artemi Panarin made a critical mistake with the puck, leading to a late Avalanche goal. Last night, a similar situation unfolded, but this time it occurred within the first minute of regulation. Panarin attempted to maneuver through three Hurricanes players but failed, resulting in a turnover and a goal.

“It runs through the team, and you have to sit him now,” said Steve Valiquette about Artemi Panarin. The issue extends beyond just the early goal last night; it also includes the late goal he allowed in the previous game. Panarin has been the Rangers’ best forward for years, but after a season full of career highs, he and his team seem to be forcing offensive plays too often.

The dunk-a-thon was on at the Garden last night as the Knicks dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 143-106. Memphis is the third-best team in the West, but for the first time in 45 years, the Knicks scored 140 points in back-to-back 48-minute periods.

The Knicks totaled significantly more possessions than Memphis, and it seemed like every player was hitting their shots. The Knicks recorded 20 steals and 29 defensive rebounds, while Memphis turned the ball over 26 times. The Knicks also tallied 32 assists, showcasing numerous perfectly executed passes.