Michael Whitaker Articles - Page 21

The Nashville Predators were the first of several forays by the National Hockey League into non-traditional markets, soon followed by the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets. Unlike the latter two franchises, however, the Predators have enjoyed relatively sustained success with a bevy of excellent players through the years, though it took some time to […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant gamble by signing quarterback Russell Wilson shortly after his release from the Denver Broncos. They also brought in Justin Fields to compete for the starting role, following the trade of Kenny Pickett and allowing both Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph to explore opportunities in free agency. But as the […]

The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs added some key depth to their offensive attack, signing former Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine; the Broncos had recently waived him after he failed to make their squad out of training camp. And based on comments from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, Perine […]

Officially founded in 1990, the San Jose Sharks began play in the 1991-92 season as the NHL’s 21st franchise. Unsurprisingly, their first two seasons were challenging, with the team winning just 18 of their first 164 regular season games. However, things began to turn around in their third season, and it wasn’t long before the […]

It’s not often that a professional sports franchise is formed due to the success of a Disney film, but that’s exactly what happened when Southern California welcomed its second National Hockey League team in the early 1990s. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, owned by the Walt Disney Company and based on the 1992 Emilio Estevez […]

The 2023-24 season for the Los Angeles Kings brought a considerable change in leadership as head coach Todd McLellan was terminated and replaced by assistant coach Jim Hiller on an interim basis. He managed to lead them to a postseason spot, only to face the Edmonton Oilers for the third consecutive season. Unfortunately for Los […]

Since joining the NHL as an expansion team in 1970, the Vancouver Canucks have experienced both highly successful regular and postseason runs, as well as some difficult years. They’ve had the opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup three times but unfortunately fell short on each occasion. Vancouver has also been fortunate to showcase some […]

The Detroit Lions enjoyed a true storybook season in 2023, winning their division for the first time since the early 1990s and advancing to the NFC Championship game. While they ultimately fell short, expectations are high for the Lions entering the 2024 season. The recent injury update on defensive tackle DJ Reader will have fans […]

The Dallas Cowboys received disappointing injury news on Saturday, announcing that cornerback DaRon Bland will undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot, sidelining him for the next six to eigth weeks and presenting a considerable challenge for new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. However, don’t expect team owner and general manager Jerry Jones […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their NFL preseason schedule this afternoon with a 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. However, it was an injury to defensive back Ryan Watts that left his teammates and Steelers fans holding their breath. As the clock wound down in the 4th quarter, Watts appeared to hit […]

The Cleveland Browns are concluding their NFL Preseason schedule tonight with a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, but the latest report indicates that quarterback Deshaun Watson will be unable to play. This means he will have missed all of Cleveland’s preseason and hasn’t played a single down since November 2023. In Watson’s […]

For the first time in superstar captain and franchise icon Sidney Crosby’s career, the Pittsburgh Penguins missed the postseason two years straight after falling just short of qualifying this past spring. The Penguins were locked into a three-team battle with the rival Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings for the final Wild Card spot in […]

The Florida Panthers are still reveling in their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history, secured after a thrilling seven-game series victory over the Edmonton Oilers earlier this spring. After postseason series wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers, the Panthers took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Oilers and […]

The Calgary Flames are navigating a transitional period under general manager Craig Conroy, who has overseen the departure of several key players from their last postseason appearance in 2022. However, with multiple new additions, Calgary is looking to the future and hoping that these fresh faces can help lead them back to the playoffs next […]

The Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions, continue their exhibition schedule this afternoon at home against the Detroit Lions, aiming to even their record at 1-1. The Chiefs decided to feature some of their top players in today’s game, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. As expected, Mahomes showcased his signature […]

After 13 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran center Jason Kelce retired following the 2023 season. Originally drafted out of Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Kelce went on to start 156 consecutive regular-season games and all 12 postseason games in which he played. Naturally, his absence leaves a significant leadership […]

The Buffalo Sabres are deep into their rebuilding phase and hold the longest playoff drought in the league, missing the postseason every year since 2011. Despite this, fans across generations have many memorable moments to cherish while they await the team’s return to competitive play. Established in 1970, the Sabres are among the few teams […]

The current Ottawa Senators, the second franchise to bear the Senators name, began play in the 1992-93 NHL season. The original Senators existed from 1883 to 1954 and competed in the NHL from 1917 to 1934, winning the Stanley Cup multiple times. The original Senators were relocated to Missouri in 1934 due to financial difficulties, […]

The Dallas Cowboys were unsuccessful in their preseason opener this afternoon, losing 13-12 to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. For quarterback Trey Lance, making his first appearance in a Cowboys uniform since being acquired before last season, it was not the most impressive outing. That’s disheartening as starting QB Dak Prescott is in […]

The Cleveland Browns have swung a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to bring back an old friend fans will immediately recognize. They’ve re-acquired center Nick Harris along with a 2026 seventh-round draft selection from Seattle in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, the team announced. The move comes a day after the Browns fell in their […]

The contract standoff between the Dallas Cowboys and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has extended into the preseason with no resolution in sight. Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones raised eyebrows among the Cowboys fan base when he stated there was no urgency to finalize a deal. But he is now walking back from […]

There was an air of anticipation among the Washington Commanders for Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Jets, as No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels was set to make his (unofficial) NFL debut at MetLife Stadium. Not only did he shine during his brief time on the field, but he also marked the […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their exhibition opener on Friday night against the visiting Houston Texans, falling by a 20-11 final score. But it was the performance of first-year Steelers quarterback Justin Fields that drew particular criticism from former QB Chase Daniel. Not only was Fields sacked twice, but he also fumbled the ball twice during […]

The Atlanta Falcons have added some depth on the offensive side of the ball, agreeing to terms with speedy former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl wide receiver Jakeem Grant, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The contract is reportedly for one season; financial terms have yet to be disclosed. Grant has also been a […]

The Vegas Golden Knights failed to defend their 2023 Stanley Cup championship, falling to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2024 playoffs and getting sent home early for the summer. To make matters worse, they’ve lost several key players to free agency following their playoff setback. Jonathan Marchessault, the 2023 Conn Smythe […]

Entering the 2023-24 season, the Vancouver Canucks were several years removed from their last appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They had gone through a handful of head coaches as well as notable overhauls of their roster. Not many realistically expected them to be a force in the Pacific Division, but the team had other […]

The Dallas Cowboys have been without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb during offseason team activities and now into training camp, as he seeks to secure a more lucrative contract. Iconic former Cowboys player Emmitt Smith has expressed his displeasure, criticizing how his former team has handled the situation. Presently, the two sides remain far from […]

The NFL world was thrust into mourning when it was announced that former Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl hero Jacoby Jones had passed away at the age of 40. He was discovered unresponsive in his New Orleans home last month and was later pronounced deceased. Following an investigation, the cause of death is now known. TMZ […]

It was the end of an era for the Tampa Bay Lightning with the departure of longtime captain and icon Steven Stamkos, who departed the only franchise he’s ever played for by signing a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators. Sensing that a split between the two sides was inevitable, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois acted […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers raised eyebrows everywhere this offseason when they completely overhauled their quarterback room. Not only did Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph both depart via free agency, but Kenny Pickett was unceremoniously traded to the Philadelphia Eagles after he reportedly voiced opposition to the signing of Russell Wilson. In addition to signing Wilson after […]

The Minnesota North Stars were painfully relocated to the Lone Star State, dropping the “North” from their name and beginning play as the Dallas Stars for the 1993-94 season. After 26 seasons and 17 postseason appearances, the Twin Cities were left without a professional team. However, the good news was that they wouldn’t have to […]

While sports rivalries often spill out from the field of play to the passionate respective fan bases, there are often examples of individuals who choose to take things too far. One particular fan of the Minnesota Vikings has run afoul of the law after making threats of violence against Kansas City Chiefs players who were […]

The Carolina Panthers were among the worst teams in the NFL last season, a mark they’re hoping to avoid in 2024. But as training camp continues, the Panthers were just dealt a significant blow thanks to an ijury suffered by wide receiver Xavier Legette. Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed Legette is dealing with an […]

Football is a rough, physical sport played by some of the most highly competitive athletes in the world. Naturally, tempers can flare and boil over, even among teammates. The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced this firsthand during a recent practice session as they continue preparations for the upcoming 2024 season, though fans needn’t worry about any lingering […]

The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for what is going to be a critical 2024 campaign for head coach Mike McCarthy, especially after their latest playoff disappointment earlier this year at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. And right now, there remains a cloud of confusion over the franchise after they failed to make […]

The Los Angeles Kings joined the NHL during the expansion for the 1967-68 season, bringing professional hockey to Southern California and achieving moderate success despite several early postseason exits. Everything changed dramatically with the acquisition of the greatest player of all time in Wayne Gretzky, which boosted the franchise’s popularity and sparked new interest in […]

The Vegas Golden Knights burst onto the National Hockey League scene as an expansion team for the 2017-18 season. Despite low expectations, they shocked everyone by having a stellar regular season and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural campaign. The team also put the entire city of Las Vegas on their backs […]

It was a difficult pill for fans in the Twin Cities to swallow as they had to watch their beloved Minnesota North Stars relocate from one of the hockey hotbeds in the United States to The Lone Star State. The North Stars were relocated to Dallas, where they dropped the “North” from their name and […]

Not many people believed that a Walt Disney film would inspire a professional sports franchise. Still, the National Hockey League was introduced to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in time for the 1993-94 season following the success of the eponymous movie starring Emilio Estevez. The franchise enjoyed periods of brief success that culminated in a […]