Sports
Brewers or Dodgers? Blue Jays or Mariners? What MLB’s final four must do to reach World Series
The 2025 League Championship Series matchups are set!
Starting Sunday in Toronto, the No. 2 seed Seattle Mariners and No. 1 seed Toronto Blue Jays will clash with a trip to the World Series on the line. The next day, the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers and top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers will begin their series on the National League side of the bracket.
Seattle outlasted the Detroit Tigers in a thrilling ALDS Game 5 on Friday night, two days after Toronto dispatched the AL East rival New York Yankees to get to the ALCS. Meanwhile, in the NL, Los Angeles rolled past the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee edged the division rival Chicago Cubs for the final NLCS spot.
What has stood out about all four remaining teams so far? What does each need to do to punch a ticket to the Fall Classic? And who are the X factors on each roster? Our ESPN MLB experts break it all down.
Note: Matchup odds come from Doolittle’s formula using power ratings as the basis for 10,000 simulations to determine the most likely outcomes. Team temperatures are based on Bill James’ formula for determining how “hot” or “cold” a team is at any given point; average is 72°.
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Dodgers-Brewers | Mariners-Blue Jays
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers
This is the Brewers’ second showdown with the Dodgers in the NLCS, the first a seven-game loss to L.A. in 2018. Since Milwaukee started its run of contending seasons in 2017, only the Dodgers have won more regular-season games in the National League. The Brewers haven’t been able to translate that tap-tap-tapping at the championship door into a World Series crown, and twice their season has been ended by the Dodgers behemoth. L.A. entered the season with all the hype, but the Brewers exited it with a No. 1 seed. Seems easy to say now that it has come to pass, but wasn’t this always going to be how the Brewers got back to the World Series? — Bradford Doolittle
No. 1 seed Brewers’ concern level: None. Why should the Brewers be worried? Forget the seeds, the records, the run differentials — Milwaukee will enter this series perceived as a decided underdog. That’s not based just on what we’ve thought the Dodgers would be since last winter, but because of how L.A. has rolled through the beginning of its latest postseason run. But you know who else is rolling? The Brewers. And they are too young, too athletic and having too much fun to be intimidated by the Dodgers’ hype aura. Of more immediate concern, from a baseball perspective, is the fact that L.A. is awfully good. — Doolittle
Los Angeles Dodgers
Odds of advancing: 48.2%
Team temperature: 110°
What stood out most as the Dodgers rolled past the Phillies in the NLDS?
Jeff Passan: The team that the Dodgers were supposed to be has shown up in October. It’s not just the talent, which itself can be overwhelming. It’s that they are particularly comfortable in the sorts of games that would have others panicking through an expanded zone at the plate or too-fine nibbling on the mound.
Philadelphia’s starting pitching was excellent, and that still wasn’t enough to stop the Dodgers. And considering L.A. has done it without significant contributions from Ohtani or Betts over the first two games**, and with a bullpen that beyond Roki Sasaki and Alex Vesia remains in flux, the prospect of the Dodgers getting better is very real — and very scary.
David Schoenfield: Their ability to eventually get to the starting pitcher. In Game 1, Cristopher Sanchez was cruising through 5⅔ innings, having allowed just four hits. Then with two outs in the sixth, Freddie Freeman worked a walk, Tommy Edman singled and Enrique Hernandez drove both in with a double. The Dodgers then later added three runs against the bullpen.
Jesus Luzardo had been even more dominant in Game 2 with one hit allowed and 17 consecutive batters retired entering the seventh, when Teoscar Hernandez singled and Freeman doubled to chase Luzardo from the game. The bullpen entered and the Dodgers eventually scored four runs in the inning. Going back to last year’s postseason, Freeman seems to be involved in so many of these rallies while both Hernandezes become tougher outs in the postseason.
Why will (or won’t) it work against the Brewers in the NLCS?
Passan: The Brewers have a more balanced offense and a far better bullpen than the Phillies, and each is the sort of thing that could trip up Los Angeles. Now, admittedly, Milwaukee hasn’t faced the caliber of pitching the Dodgers present, so their NL-best strikeout rate this postseason will climb. And the Dodgers hit high velocity about as well as any team in MLB, so the advantage there for the Brewers — who are averaging more than 97 mph on their fastballs this postseason — isn’t quite as acute. The brand of baseball the Brewers play can work against Los Angeles. The execution simply needs to be immaculate.
Schoenfield: There are two factors in play here. The Brewers’ starting pitching isn’t as good, so manager Pat Murphy will be much quicker to his bullpen even if the starter is pitching well. The Brewers’ bullpen is much better and less likely to hemorrhage runs late like the Phillies did. So the “score late” philosophy is probably less likely of an outcome. Which puts pressure on the Dodgers’ offense to put runs on the scoreboard early in the game.
Which one player is the X factor who can make (or break) L.A.’s World Series hopes?
Passan: If Ohtani continues to disappear — he is in line to make two starts in the series and will continue to bat leadoff — the Dodgers have enough talent to overcome it, but their margin of error shrinks significantly.
He is the one player in baseball capable of single-handedly winning a series, and with his fastball sitting at career-best velocities even after his second reconstructive elbow surgery and his off-speed stuff still elite, he can control multiple games with his arm in addition to his power serving as an ever-present threat.
Poor pitching performances, on the other hand, can lose games, and lack of getting on base by a leadoff hitter hampers the ability of Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman to do damage. The difference between good Ohtani and bad Ohtani is profound enough to dictate the result of the series.
Schoenfield: Emmet Sheehan. Dave Roberts has found a closer in Roki Sasaki, and Alex Vesia is the one lefty he seems to trust, but it seems unlikely the Dodgers can win a World Series with just two relief pitchers.
Tanner Scott, the closer for most of the season, has been buried on the depth chart. Roberts went to Blake Treinen in Game 2, and he nearly blew the game.
Sheehan now looks like the top right-handed setup guy. He’s going to pitch some important innings. The regular-season numbers, mostly as a starter, say he can do the job: a .185 batting average allowed and 89 strikeouts in 73⅓ innings.
Milwaukee Brewers
Odds of advancing: 51.8%
Team temperature: 74°
What stood out most as the Brewers beat the Cubs in the NLDS?
Jesse Rogers: The Brewers came out with their hair on fire in the division series, not letting getting down early in Games 1 and 2 — after a week layoff — didn’t faze them. Most interesting was their power surge in the series. Solo shots and three run homers were all the rage for the Brew Crew. Add the fact that Milwaukee deployed one arm after another throwing around 100 mph — starting with righty Jacob Misiorowski — and the Chicago Cubs were overwhelmed in the strike zone, both at the plate and on the mound.
Schoenfield: Scoring nine runs in the first game without hitting a home run and then scoring seven runs in Game 2 all via the home run was impressive, but no doubt it’s those power arms in the bullpen that offered a huge exclamation point. Misiorowski threw an incredible 31 pitches over 100 mph in his three-inning stint in Game 2, including two at 104.3 and 104.2 mph. Trevor Megill is back after missing more than a month and hit 98. Jared Koenig hit 99.8. Abner Uribe throws a 99-mph sinker with a wipeout slider. Good luck.
Why will (or won’t) it work against the Dodgers in the NLCS?
Rogers: Umm, hitting home runs and throwing 100 mph? That works against anyone. Of course, there’s a good chance the Brewers won’t hit as many long balls but that’s when they’ll rely on the other parts of their game: contact, speed and defense. And if confidence matters at all, Milwaukee swept the season series against L.A, providing further hope in the NLCS. If somehow they can continue to go deep, watch out, an upset might be, ahem, Brewing.
Schoenfield: Bullpens can get hot in the playoffs, and it looks like the Milwaukee bullpen is hot. It’s worth noting that the Dodgers had the third-highest OPS in the majors during the regular season against pitches of 97-plus mph, hitting .255/.330/.429. So the Dodgers can do some damage against premium velocity. Of course, 104 is a different beast. Still, it feels like the Dodgers will have to score some runs early in the game to win this series.
Which one player is the X factor who can make (or break) Milwaukee’s World Series hopes?
Rogers: Jacob Misiorowski. It’s clear he’s going to have an important role no matter how the Brewers elect to use him. If he can control his emotions, as well as his stuff, Misiorowski could be the bridge to the late innings in several potential Brewers wins. Or perhaps they let him start a game. Dodgers hitters are 4-for-17 with eight strikeouts this season against the rookie. More of that — along with fastballs at 103 mph or more — could help Milwaukee through a tough L.A. lineup.
Schoenfield: Jackson Chourio. There was a scare in Game 1 when Chourio left the game after tweaking his hamstring (after going 3-for-3) but he returned in Game 2 and had two more hits, including a big three-run home run in the fourth inning.
Still just 21, Chourio is already showing a propensity to shine in the October spotlight. In his first five career playoff games, he had multiple hits in four of them (including a two-homer game last year against the Mets). We’ll see if the Dodgers can exploit his tendency to chase out of the zone but if he keeps producing, the Brewers will score some runs.
At last! Super-fans of 1977 expansion have been waiting for this LCS matchup since the early days of the Carter administration. The Blue Jays and Mariners came into existence at the same time, but they have never met with stakes like these in play. The M’s beat the Jays in a wild-card round matchup in 2022, but this is different.
The two strongest division champs in the AL are vying to end long World Series droughts. Toronto hasn’t won the title in 31 years, and Seattle has never won it.
The great Willie Horton was among the first players to play for both franchises. Even though he’s best remembered as a Tiger and has a statue outside of Comerica Park, they should still let him throw out the first pitch in Seattle and Toronto. — Doolittle
No. 1 seed Blue Jays’ concern level: Appropriately alert. Toronto has the better seed and home-field edge, but Seattle has been playing slightly better in the latter stages of the season, and the run differentials are virtually the same.
What’s really exciting is the star power on both teams and that the standouts have been shining in October. Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh and the scorching Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have played huge roles in the teams getting this far.
Both teams have leaned on the long ball for scoring, getting more than half their runs on homers. It’s a really close matchup that could be decided by Andres Munoz, Seattle’s edge at the back of the bullpen. — Doolittle
Toronto Blue Jays
Odds of advancing: 55.1%
Team temperature: 96°
What stood out most as the Blue Jays rolled past the Yankees in the ALDS?
Jorge Castillo: The relentlessness of their lineup. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. starred from start to finish, but Toronto received contributions from seemingly everyone manager John Schneider put in there. Four players not named Guerrero recorded two hits in Game 1. Daulton Varsho had four extra-base hits, and Ernie Clement went 3-for-4 in Game 2. Clement added another four hits in Game 3.
The Blue Jays were the toughest team to strike out during the regular season, and they registered more home runs than strikeouts in the first two games at Rogers Centre, where they’ve thrived all season. It helped that Playoff Vladdy Jr. surfaced, going 9-for-17 with three home runs, including a monumental grand slam in Game 2.
Schoenfield: Have to go with Trey Yesavage‘s absolutely dominant performance in Game 2, when he made his fourth career start and held the Yankees hitless for 5⅓ innings while striking out 11. The Yankees had no chance against him. Other than the length of the start — the Blue Jays pulled him with a big lead — it was as dominant a postseason outing as we’ve seen in a long time.
His over-the-top delivery creates an unusual look for batters, and he’s throwing 95-96 mph with a slider and wipeout splitter. Hard to believe there were 19 players selected ahead of him in the draft in 2024.
Why will (or won’t) it work against the Mariners in the ALCS?
Castillo: It’ll work at Rogers Centre because it has always worked at Rogers Centre this season. The Blue Jays scored 431 runs at home during the regular season, the third most in the majors. In the ALDS, they scored 23 in two games in Toronto. The Blue Jays dominate pitchers north of the border. The question is whether it’ll work in Seattle. T-Mobile Park is a difficult place to hit. Mariners pitchers posted a 3.28 ERA at home this season. But the Blue Jays scored 21 runs in a three-game sweep of the Mariners in May. Maybe their offense will travel.
Schoenfield: It will … if he throws strikes. He did against the Yankees, walking just one batter in his start, but in the minors, he walked 41 batters in 98 innings. The Mariners have a mix of patient hitters (Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena) and hitters who chase (Julio Rodriguez, Eugenio Suarez), but like the Yankees, the Mariners also whiff a lot.
Which one player is the X factor who can make (or break) Toronto’s World Series hopes?
Castillo: Trey Yesavage. Asking a rookie with four major league starts to continue dominating deep into October is a lot, but the Blue Jays lack that clear premier ace. Yesavage has the potential to supply it. Not only is his stuff good enough, he’s different enough to flummox even the most experienced hitters. His release point and arm angle are among the highest in baseball, making his fastball-splitter combination especially difficult to solve. Then, there’s his slider, which often runs arm side instead of the usual glove side. Toronto has been careful with the 22-year-old right-hander. He hasn’t thrown more than 94 pitches in a game this season, which started for him in Low-A. Now, he’s on the sport’s grandest stage and could be the difference in October.
Schoenfield: Shane Bieber. Kevin Gausman and Yesavage looked great, but given a 6-1 lead in Game 3, Bieber got knocked out in the third inning. Given how poorly Toronto’s bullpen pitched after that, maybe it was a bit of a quick hook, but it’s clear the Blue Jays will need all three of these starters to pitch well, given the bullpen didn’t post a bunch of zeroes against the Yankees. The Blue Jays’ ability to put the ball in play — they had the lowest strikeout rate in the majors — means they should continue to score some runs, so the question is whether they can keep enough runs off the scoreboard.
Seattle Mariners
Odds of advancing: 44.9%
Team temperature: 89°
What stood out most as the Mariners beat the Tigers in the ALDS?
Alden Gonzalez: The effectiveness of the starting rotation, which should come as no surprise. George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller — before the fifth inning, at least — all pitched well in the ALDS. The hope is that Bryan Woo, the Mariners’ best starter this season, will return from a pectoral injury for the ALCS, taking this rotation to yet another level.
The Mariners feel really good about their back-end relievers and believe this is the deepest lineup they’ve fielded in this era. But this team still revolves around its starting pitching — a unit that dominated throughout 2024 and finally started to round into form again in the stretch run of this season. The starters need to consistently provide six and seven innings so that manager Dan Wilson doesn’t have to venture outside of Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz late in games. That’s the formula.
Doolittle: Seattle’s lineup depth is really impressive, even without a standout designated hitter. It’s eye-popping to see Eugenio Suarez hitting in the six-hole and J.P. Crawford at No. 9. It’s a group that hits for power, steals bases and strikes out at a much less problematic rate than the Mariners lineups we’re used to. Raleigh and Rodriguez make for such a dynamic one-two stack in the batting order. The R&R Boys.
Why will (or won’t) it work against the Blue Jays in the ALCS?
Gonzalez: No team struck out less often than the Blue Jays this season. Only the Yankees and Dodgers finished with a higher OPS. And when the playoffs arrived, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho slugged a combined 1.000 in four ALDS games. This offense operates at a different level than the Tigers’ — and could have Bo Bichette back for this next round.
Gilbert and Woo pitched pretty well against the Blue Jays this season (five earned runs in 11 2/3 innings). Castillo and Miller (15 earned runs in 15 innings) did not. But these two teams have not seen each other since May. The Mariners’ rotation is not the same as it was then.
Doolittle: A deep lineup plays against anybody, but there’s one factor that works in Seattle’s favor. With Trey Yesavage emerging for Toronto, the Blue Jays have four key hurlers who can dominate with splitters, the breakout pitch of the 2025 postseason. (Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Seranthony Dominguez and Jeff Hoffman are the four.)
The Mariners were in the middle of the pack in hitting splitters during the season, but they had two hitters who crushed them. And it’s the R&R Boys — Raleigh had 1.159 OPS against splitters and Rodriguez 1.091.
Which one player is the X factor who can make (or break) Seattle’s World Series hopes?
Gonzalez: Randy Arozarena. The Mariners inserted Arozarena at the top of the lineup after they acquired Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor at the trade deadline, and Arozarena has struggled mightily ever since. He showed some flashes in the ALDS, but the Mariners need “Playoff Randy” — the one who took over during the 2020 postseason and became a sensation while playing for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. If he gets going ahead of Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners’ offense will be scary.
Doolittle: Matt Brash. Well, that’s not fair, as Brash is good, and I picked his name as an avatar for Seattle’s middle relief crew. If the Mariners’ roster has a soft underbelly, it’s the non-closing part of the bullpen. It’s not a bad group, but with a deep, productive lineup and a star closer in Munoz, plus excellent starting pitching, it might well be Brash, Eduard Bazardo, Gabe Speier and Carlos Vargas who determine if the Mariners can finally play in a World Series.
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The Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens made a blockbuster trade ahead of the start of NFL free agency.
Las Vegas is trading five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, per multiple reports.
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 23, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
The Raiders will receive two first-round picks from the Ravens, including the No. 14 overall pick in next month’s NFL draft, one report said.
The 28-year-old Crosby had 10 sacks last season and has reached double digits four times in his seven seasons.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 21, 2025. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
The Raiders last appeared in the playoffs back in 2021 but have gone 7-27 over the past two seasons. They have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, which is expected to land them Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Ravens, meanwhile, are entering a new era, after firing longtime head coach John Harbaugh and replacing him with former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders sniffs smelling salts during an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 20, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Kristen Shilton
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Greg Wyshynski
Multiple Authors
The 2026 NHL trade deadline had an unusual cadence. There was a week of interesting deals and genuine surprises; a deadline day where nothing of consequence happened; and then absolutely chaos as a flurry of trades was completed before the timer ticked down to zero.
Overall, NHL teams made 20 trades involving 33 players on Friday. Some teams and players did quite well for themselves. Others did not.
Here are some winners and losers of a peculiar NHL trade deadline, from ESPN reporters Ryan C. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.
WINNERS
The Avalanche might be the best team in the NHL, and they are the odds-on favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Part of the reason is their addition of Brock Nelson at last season’s trade deadline. He is a proven second-line center behind Nathan MacKinnon, the kind of player they’d sought since Nazem Kadri left in 2022 after winning the Stanley Cup.
Adding Nicolas Roy on Thursday gave the Avs another proven two-way option down the middle, and someone who can provide secondary offense. Then they got Kadri back in a trade Friday, giving them the most dangerous center group in the NHL.
Obviously, MacKinnon will remain at first-line center, and Kadri and Nelson will split up second- and third-line duties. That then leaves Roy as Colorado’s fourth-line center. The Avs are now in a stronger position to win the fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. If they do, March 6 could be the day that changed everything.
And if not, they can run it back again in 2026-27 because all four will still be under contract. — Clark
The Foligno family
Imagine growing up playing mini sticks with your brother, both of you dreaming that one day you’ll be suiting up for real in the NHL. Well, Marcus and Nick Foligno both achieved that goal — and now, they’re going to chase a Stanley Cup championship together in Minnesota.
The Wild brought in Chicago’s captain for “future considerations” — basically, the Blackhawks did right by their veteran leader by sending him to skate alongside family for a team with legitimate Cup contention aspirations.
Unsurprisingly, the Foligno wives were ecstatic to learn they’d be reunited for the rest of this season, and Nick couldn’t help but mention their departed mother looking down and smiling at her boys getting such a unique opportunity. Yes, the trade deadline is about making hockey deals, but there is also room for some wholesome, heartwarming content when the sport is more than just a game. — Shilton
Player empowerment
One of the defining trends of the deadline was having trades leak to the media before the focal point of said trade had agreed to waive his trade protection. It happened no less than five times, in deals involving Colton Parayko, Tyler Myers, Brayden Schenn, Jason Dickinson and MacKenzie Weegar. In most cases, the player involved eventually waived his no-trade or no-movement clause to facilitate the move. In two cases, the player did not.
Reports said that Myers was presented with a trade by the Vancouver Canucks to move to the Detroit Red Wings. He declined and eventually ended up being traded to the Dallas Stars, which was one of his preferred destinations. Meanwhile, media reports not only had the St. Louis Blues coming to Parayko with a trade to the Buffalo Sabres, they had the return on that trade reported out, too. Parayko refused to leave St. Louis for Buffalo, and the trade was dead.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said on Friday that the Blues checked phone records, texts and emails of staff members to find who leaked the trade. Perhaps it was the person who did the exact same thing in 2023, when the Blues were trying to compel defenseman Torey Krug to waive his trade protection.
Trade protection is a negotiated right in a player’s contract, usually at the cost of money or term. Clearly, something might have shifted at this deadline where public pressure is perceived to force a player’s hand. Good on Myers and Parayko for exercising their rights. — Wyshynski
Not that the Ducks necessarily needed to react to what the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights did ahead of the deadline. But the Ducks are in the three-team race for the top spot in the Pacific Division, so they did two things:
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They made one of the most stunning moves of the deadline to get John Carlson from the Capitals.
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They also traded Ryan Strome away, in a decision that will have a greater impact this summer.
Anaheim has added veterans with extensive playoff experience in order to establish a culture that its young players will eventually call their own. Carlson is a Stanley Cup winner who fits within that part of the Ducks’ plan. He also gives them a right-handed puck mover who is also one more weapon in the offensive zone; he will come in handy come playoff time.
But what makes trading Strome just as important is that he had one more year left on his contract worth $5 million annually. Shedding that salary will help in the offseason, when the Ducks must sign new contracts for their restricted free agent class that includes Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. — Clark
Stick taps to GM Doug Armstrong for (a) actually making trades and (b) negotiating some serious returns.
Armstrong reeled in two first-round draft choices, two third-round selections, an NHL-ready player in Jonathan Drouin, one with potential to return to an NHL lineup in defenseman Justin Holl and goalie prospect Marcus Gidlof — all for veterans Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk.
It fits perfectly with the Blues accepting that a rebuild/retool/re-whateveryouwantocallit is happening, and it’s the right time to cash in on creating a hopeful future. Armstrong also didn’t make any rash decisions on Robert Thomas or Jordan Kyrou just for the sake of it.
Now there is time to determine where St. Louis is going and how — or if — those players fit into the new direction before the offseason hits. Armstrong turned this lemon season for the Blues into a refreshing lemonade. — Shilton
Has another general manager had a better 2026 than Craig Conroy of the Flames?
It started with the Rasmus Andersson trade with Vegas, getting a first-round pick, conditional second-rounder and defenseman Zach Whitecloud in a package for a pending unrestricted free agent. He then traded the remaining five years of MacKenzie Weegar‘s contract to the Utah Mammoth in a deal that included three second-round picks and college prospect Jonathan Castagna.
On deadline day, he made two change-of-scenery trades, acquiring forward Brennan Othmann from the Rangers and center Ryan Strome from the Ducks. Then, as the timer ticked down on the deadline, Calgary sent Nazem Kadri to Colorado for a conditional first, conditional second and an intriguing prospect in forward Max Curran for a 35-year-old center signed through 2028-29.
Conroy’s commitment to rebuilding is admirable in a league where teams are frightened by the teardown. Although it all comes down to drafting and development, Conroy has done a fantastic job of setting his team up for potential success. — Wyshynski
LOSERS
Goalie trade hype
The trade deadline is not the ideal time to acquire a goaltender. General managers have said in the past that it doesn’t give netminders enough time to get acclimated to new teammates and new systems before the playoffs arrive.
Perhaps that’s one reason not a single NHL goaltender was traded this week. Which is a shame. There were some contenders that could have used reinforcement in the crease, such as the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights. There were several tantalizing names assumed to be available: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers, Jordan Binnington of the Blues, Stuart Skinner of the Penguins, Anthony Stolarz of the Maple Leafs and Jesper Wallstadt of the Wild, according to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.
But in the end, the only goalie news was one choosing to stay rather than move: Alex Nedeljkovic, signing a two-year contract extension with the Sharks. — Wyshynski
Just when Buffalo is actually winning on the ice — it’s also losing. The Sabres haven’t made the playoff in 14 years, and unless they perform a massive slide in the next month, that drought will finally end by April. New GM Jarmo Kekalainen attempted to make his team better by trying to acquire Colton Parayko from the Blues. But despite Buffalo’s uptick, despite it change of direction, despite its excellent young core … Parayko gave a hard pass on becoming a Sabre, invoking his no-trade clause.
Parayko’s presence would likely have been that missing piece to put Buffalo over the top as a true contender. Instead, Kekalainen settled for adding Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from Winnipeg. Fine players, sure, but they are depth contributors, not difference-makers. And their playoff résumés aren’t exactly sparkling (Schenn, for instance, was a team-worst minus-8 for the Jets last postseason).
Sam Carrick and Tanner Pearson can fill in around the edges for Buffalo, of course. It’s just a shame for the Sabres that when they try to go big, and finally do the right things, there are still obstacles standing in their way. — Shilton
The Capitals enter Friday’s game slate four points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. They’ve played two more games than the Boston Bruins, who control that final playoff berth. It left the Capitals’ front office facing a dilemma about what it deemed was the best course of action for the remainder of the season.
This week, they traded forward Nic Dowd — which suggested they could be open for business in both directions. But in trading John Carlson, who might be the greatest defenseman in franchise history, it was a reality check on the present and the future.
Carlson’s departure means that captain Alex Ovechkin and winger Tom Wilson are the only players still on the roster from that 2018 Stanley Cup team. Ovechkin spoke with reporters Friday and said “it’s obviously a sad day. Probably the toughest day of my career, talking about personal-wise.”
The Capitals knew there would come a day when they would move on from Carlson and Ovechkin. Both players are in the final year of their respective contracts. But now that Carlson is gone, what does that mean for Ovechkin’s future? As he said, “I don’t know. I’m still here, so we’ll see what’s going to happen. It’s a hard one.” — Clark
Last summer, Connor McDavid gave the Oilers this season and two additional ones to build a winner around him before he can leave as an unrestricted free agent. GM Stan Bowman addressed the team’s goaltending by acquiring Tristan Jarry of the Penguins … who hasn’t necessarily been a solution for the Oilers’ biggest problem.
The trade deadline afforded Bowman another chance at dramatically improving the roster. Instead, he made two middling trades with his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks: acquiring defensive defenseman Connor Murphy and depth centers Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach. The Dickinson trade saw Edmonton give up a conditional first-rounder in 2027 to get rid of Andrew Mangiapane’s contract, i.e. make one of Bowman’s mistakes go away.
There’s a finite amount of time the Oilers have left with McDavid, and a finite amount of resources they have through which to build him a Stanley Cup winner. This deadline was a waste of both of them. — Wyshynski
Whoever finishes fifth and sixth in the Pacific Division
Having six teams separated by eight points in the Pacific Division is going to make for amazing theater. It’s also going to make those teams that miss the playoffs feel a certain type of way. Especially when each team made at least one move ahead of the deadline — though each faces its unique set of circumstances:
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The Golden Knights are trying to win a second Cup but must try to find consistency amid the injuries they continue to battle.
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The Ducks believe they now have everything in place to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
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The Oilers are trying to return to a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final — and actually win this time.
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The Sharks are ahead of schedule, with the idea that a playoff berth could change their current trajectory.
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The Kraken missed out on Artemi Panarin but added help as they seek to make the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
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The Kings are trying to win a playoff series for the first time since 2014, and are trying to do it in captain Anze Kopitar‘s final season.
Again … someone is going to be left feeling a certain kind of way in the Pacific in mid-April. — Clark
The Bruins bodied their way back into the playoff picture this season, but GM Don Sweeney didn’t share his team’s tenacity at the deadline.
Boston seemed poised to add depth and give itself a real chance to not just reach the postseason but excel in it. The Bruins have earned, as they say, the right to reinforcements. What’s more, Sweeney had the draft capital (including multiple first-round choices), and yet he completed only minor transactions.
First, he acquired forwards Alexis Gendron and Massimo Rizzo from Philadelphia in exchange for forward Brett Harrison and defenseman Jackson Edward. Zero NHL games on their résumés. Then he got Lukas Reichel from Vancouver, who has played most of his season in the AHL.
It just feels like a missed opportunity for Boston to not add a single skater to help the team right now. Jeremy Swayman is back in form in the crease. The offense is rolling. There is so much potential for the Bruins and, well, it doesn’t seem like they’re taking advantage. — Shilton
It’s official: Tuesday, March 3 marks 100 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in earnest, when Mexico host South Africa in Mexico City on June 11. But before we get there, we have a few big hurdles to clear.
The last week in March will see the final six tournament spots claimed, with four teams from Europe and two more via an intercontinental playoff. We also have the dramatic, high-pressure final weeks of the European club season, in which any injuries to top players will undoubtedly impact World Cup chances for a wide range of nations depending on the severity. And then, weeks before the action begins, all 48 national team coaches will make their final roster cuts.
So, we’re launching our semiregular power rankings of how the field is shaping up. We polled all our ESPN FC reporters credentialed for this summer’s festivities, along with reporters from around the globe, on who they think are the top 15 strongest nations in the field right now. Yes, we know there are several big teams still hoping to qualify — Italy, in particular, received several conditional votes should they survive a playoff bracket with Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland — but there’s enough information out there to start sorting the contenders from the pretenders.
We’ll have another set of rankings to commemorate the 50-day mark (April 22) when the full field is locked in, and again in the run-up to the opening ceremony once rosters are finalized and we know whether injured players are fit enough or have to stay home this summer.
ESPN FC’S World Cup Power Rankings, 100 days out
Breaking down the top 15
1. SPAIN
Well, well, well. As near-unanimous No. 1 picks in our inaugural Power Rankings, scooping up 15 of 21 first-place votes, it appears as though this is already La Roja‘s world and we’re all just living in it. Will the World Cup run in much the same way, though?
They weren’t dynamic in qualifying despite topping their group over Bulgaria, Türkiye and Georgia with five wins from six matches, but they do have Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Ferran Torres to count on in attack. Cruising to victory at Euro 2024 without Rodri, their Ballon d’Or winning midfielder, showed that they can function with significant absentees, though a wobbly defense is a concern. Questions need to be answered around which two of Dean Huijsen, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí start at center back, while the goalkeeper should end up being Unai Simón despite David Raya‘s exceptional form at Arsenal.
Did we mention Lamine Yamal, though? The human cheat code for any packed defense, Yamal (22 goals+assists in 22 LaLiga games for Barcelona this season) will again be expected to do the impossible when needed, but there is concern about the sheer volume of minutes he’s racking up despite turning only 18 this past July. Also, the bigger issue around this team is their youth; veteran experience is often key at major tournaments, but where will that come from? A group containing Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay shouldn’t cause too much trouble for Luis de la Fuente & Co. upon arrival in the U.S., but tougher challenges will require them to really meet the moment in a way we’ve not seen since they won the Euros.
2. FRANCE
Les Bleus are a powerhouse from top to bottom, no matter how you assess their squad or talent pool. Every position is filled multiple times over with proven quality and bankable star power, and after cruising through qualifying with five wins from six and Kylian Mbappé scoring plenty, the future looks bright again.
But how easily can they shrug off the heartbreak of losing the 2022 final to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 extra-time thriller in which Mbappé scored a hat trick and really should have had a winner late on? And is there any anxiety over the confirmed end of the Didier Deschamps era as manager — he announced in January that he would step down as manager after France’s World Cup run? Pressure to send their boss off on a high note could wear heavily, and a group containing Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal plus Norway (hello, Erling Haaland) could make for a tricky farewell party.
About Mbappé: Questions about his fitness have been whispered around Real Madrid for some time, and news Monday that he’s getting some treatment for a sprained knee mean he’ll need to work back up to his best. If the likes of Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé are at their best, Mbappé can relax a little, but questions around the fullback positions (where most of the options have had lackluster seasons) do at least invite a little concern.
3. ARGENTINA
We’re expecting this summer to be Cristiano Ronaldo‘s proverbial last dance (more on him later), but it might be the final curtain for Lionel Messi at the international level as well, and it’s hard to know how to process all this happening at a single World Cup. That said, there’s a vibe that he’s playing with house money to some degree having finally clinched one in 2022, when the Albicelestes beat France in one of the most enthralling World Cup finals ever. Winning the past two Copa América competitions and being one of the first teams worldwide to clinch their 2026 World Cup spot — in March 2025, to be exact! — shows that they’re the ultimate tournament team.
Argentina are in transition between the Messi generation and that next wave, but they’re still a credible contender to do what no team has done since Brazil (1958, 1962) and win back-to-back editions. Even without Ángel Di María, there’s quality all around Messi, from Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield to Lautaro Martínez up front. Plus, Emi Martínez remains one of the best (and most entertaining) goalkeepers around. The wild card will be Julián Álvarez, who has struggled for form and goals this season with Atlético Madrid, but a group stage containing Algeria, Austria and Jordan should be smooth sailing for Lionel Scaloni and his experienced team.
4. ENGLAND
Ahh, England. The Three Lions. Is it coming home? And will it ever come home again? The trick here — spoiler alert — is as it always is with England: trying to fit the right combo of superstars together and plug the gaps (left back, holding midfield) with the right personnel to make it all sing. Harry Kane will be tasked with the goals, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon the quality from wide positions and Declan Rice the dynamism from midfield, but chemistry and coherence will be key here if the individuals are to shine.
The right midfield combo around Rice and the right center back pairing from a host of options with clear pros/cons will also be weighing heavily on Thomas Tuchel’s mind, and he might well lament the lack of an “easy” opponent in the group stage to make adjustments on the fly. Croatia, Ghana and Panama will test them to the fullest, meaning that March’s tune-ups against Uruguay and Japan carry a little more importance than fans might be hoping for with just 100 days until the tournament’s first game.
5. BRAZIL
Are the Seleção back and ready to challenge? Fresh off back-to-back quarterfinal exits, Brazil have tons of talent at their disposal as you’d expect, but this time, they are rolling into battle with the charismatic superstar-whisperer Carlo Ancelotti as manager. If anyone can create a winning formula from the chaotic energy of Rodrygo, Raphinha and Vinícius Jr., it would be the man who took home 11 trophies in his second stint as Real Madrid boss.
However, as is always the case at the World Cup, their defending will need to be up to par. Here is where things still seem a work in progress as Ancelotti tries to build around Arsenal star Gabriel and Liverpool keeper Alisson in the pursuit of clean sheets and calmness. Defeats to Bolivia and Japan in recent months — the latter saw Brazil hold a 2-0 lead into the second half before conceding three times in 19 minutes — have shown that balance remains elusive, with a lot riding on Bruno Guimarães and Casemiro to knit things together in midfield.
6. PORTUGAL
Yes, this is the only major trophy Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to lift in the air surrounded by jubilant teammates … but will 2026’s World Cup end any differently to the other five he has played in? Fourth place in 2006 is his best effort yet, followed by exits in the round of 16 (twice), group stage and quarterfinals, with plenty of Ronaldo tears that followed.
These days, Ronaldo reliance is waning somewhat, but that’s more down to the volume of exciting talent around him than any diminishment in his own powers. Yet will coach Roberto Martinez take that decisive step to make CR7 a support player rather than automatic starter? Regardless of how it shakes out, Bruno Fernandes will be Portugal’s chief playmaker and antagonist in the attacking third, Rafael Leão offers plenty of tricks from the wing, and a midfield with Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Rúben Neves will overwhelm most opponents simply by showing up. That’s before you factor in the intangibles Nuno Mendes brings from the fullback position, as well as Rúben Dias keeping the defense organized.
A group containing Colombia, Uzbekistan and an intercontinental qualifier (New Caledonia, Jamaica or DR Congo) should yield little real challenge, but we’ll know more about their chances after they play co-hosts Mexico and the U.S. at the end of March.
7. GERMANY
Always spoken of as one of the heavyweights in international soccer, recent years have made Germany a bit of a history lesson in that regard. Despite boasting three European Championship crowns (1972, 1980, 1996) and four World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014), Die Mannschaft were bounced out at the group stage in each of the past two World Cups. Winning five of six in qualifying should ease immediate concerns, but there are question marks up and down the starting XI and little time left to figure things out.
Talent has never been an issue and still isn’t in 2026 — though Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala need help around them — and a group stage with Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador should enable them to reach the round of 32. It’s anyone’s guess as to how they proceed from there.
8. NETHERLANDS
The Oranje left it late to finally secure their spot at this summer’s festivities, drawing 1-1 with Poland and then hammering Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam during the final round of qualifiers to make it certain. Their inconsistency makes them a tough team to predict when it comes to the World Cup, where they’ve been drawn against Japan, Tunisia and a UEFA qualifier (one of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania), but individual quality and defensive toughness can take you far.
When it comes to these two elements, Ronald Koeman‘s side have plenty of both: Memphis Depay (8 goals) will be the primary goal threat, Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen offer different flavors of flair on the flanks, and the trio of Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch offer culture and class in midfield. (Don’t overlook Xavi Simons too, much as he’s struggling to assert himself at Tottenham Hotspur right now). At the back, the peerless Virgil van Dijk is surrounded by plenty of dynamism, and teams will find it hard to carve through the Dutch defense. Upcoming fixtures with Norway and Ecuador should give us a clearer sense of where this team stands.
9. MOROCCO
Fresh off defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final, the surprise 2022 World Cup semifinalists will be all too keen to show that they are no fluke at this level. Buoyed by a perfect 8-0-0 record in qualifying — making them one of the first countries to officially punch their ticket to this summer’s competition — and with 12 players scoring in the process, they bring a tenacity that makes them a tough opponent every time. Forwards Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi are competent around goal, there’s a ton of big five European league experience throughout the midfield, and Achraf Hakimi is well-established as one of the best attacking fullbacks in the game right now.
A group with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland will offer three distinct challenges for manager Walid Regragui, but they have enough quality and confidence to make another deep run.
10. COLOMBIA
After missing out on the 2022 edition, Los Cafeteros are back and perhaps better than ever in 2026, fresh off a strong qualification performance (third overall in CONMEBOL, with seven wins and seven draws in 18 games) and robust defensive effort. Stars such as Luis Díaz and Luis Suárez (not that one) are contributing goals, with 11 between them in qualifying, while playmaker James Rodríguez is using a spell at Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United FC to get in tip-top shape. It’s not just the results they’re getting, but the run of form: Undefeated since a 2-1 loss in Brazil a year ago, they’ve looked good against several World Cup teams (Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Paraguay) and thumped co-hosts Mexico 4-0 to give a sense of their readiness.
Drawn against Portugal, debutants Uzbekistan and an intercontinental qualifier (New Caledonia, Jamaica or DR Congo), they should progress comfortably and cause trouble for whomever draws them in the knockout stages.
2:05
Are Belgium past their prime for the World Cup?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens break down ESPN FC’s World Cup Power Rankings and debate which teams they feel don’t belong in the top 15.
11. BELGIUM
Belgium have been World Cup mainstays for the past decade-plus, with their steady presence — including a run to the quarterfinals in 2014 and a third-place finish in 2018 — led by the country’s “Golden Generation” of talent. But that talent isn’t aging gracefully, with Axel Witsel (37 years old), Kevin De Bruyne (34) and Romelu Lukaku (32) all in decline, to the extent that this team feels like a work in progress.
The green shoots of rebirth are there through the spine of this team: Charles De Ketelaere is their next playmaker-elect in the final third along with Jérémy Doku, while Youri Tielemans adds dynamism in midfield, Arthur Theate is a defensive force in his own right and Thibaut Courtois remains elite at the goalkeeping position. A group draw with Egypt, Iran (for now) and New Zealand, however, should assure they book another knockout round appearance where their individual talent could help overcome any structural flaws.
12. NORWAY
It’s so hard to know what to make of the Landslaget right now. They have a core of incredible players — led by Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland — and cruised through World Cup qualifying, going 8-0-0 with 37 goals scored (just five conceded) against Italy, Israel, Estonia and Moldova. And yet, this is the first World Cup for which they’ve qualified since 1998, so it’s hard to predict how qualification form will translate to the big stage. Upcoming games against fellow World Cup participants Netherlands and Switzerland should offer some clarity, but it’s clear that they’ll need the goals of Haaland — who netted a stunning SIXTEEN times in qualifying — if they’re to escape a difficult group.
13. SENEGAL
Senegal will hit the World Cup as one of the in-form national teams thanks to their impressive run in the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year. They rode an impressive collective resolve — and overcame the chaos of the final vs. Morocco — to win the tournament. Upcoming friendlies against Peru and Gambia will reveal little as to their World Cup readiness, but a seasoned team led by Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ismaïla Sarr is as dangerous as any. That said, being drawn against France and Norway means they cannot afford to be anything less than perfection.
14. CROATIA
No matter how often we think Croatia can’t turn on the style at this level, led by seemingly ageless 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric and a strong veteran presence up and down the squad, they remain formidable at this level no matter what. Finishing second in 2018 and third in 2022 feels like a tall order to replicate this summer, but a favorable group draw — they will face El Tri, South Africa and a UEFA qualifier (one of Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia — at least gives them a strong edge to the round of 32. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.
15. JAPAN
Sneaking into the rankings are the Samurai Blue, as they’re colloquially known. While their regional strength in Asia is largely undisputed, we will get a true measure of their World Cup readiness with friendlies against fellow qualifiers Scotland and England at the end of March. That said, we expect them to compete hard as they always do at this level, having made it to the round of 16 at the past two editions thanks to their collective work rate and individual skill. (Finishing first in their group last time out, with wins over Germany and Spain, speaks to their ability.)
That said, this World Cup could prove trickier if captain Wataru Endo is unable to suit up. The Liverpool midfielder underwent ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, putting his summer plans in jeopardy.
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