Ex-Shark Karlsson eager to get going with Penguins
Erik Karlsson insists he didn't have a “preferred destination” as the rebuilding San Jose Sharks explored trade opportunities for the defenseman, but something about joining the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed right.
Pittsburgh's roster is littered with veterans eyeing one last push for a Stanley Cup title. Maybe two. Karlsson knows he has more hockey behind him then in front of him.
No wonder the smile on the 33 year-old seven-time All-Star's face was so wide when he was introduced on Wednesday, three days after the Penguins acquired him in a block buster three team deal.
“The players that they've had here for a long time are still really good players,” Karlsson said. “I am really excited to step into that group and learn a lot of things and also at the same time, hopefully bring some new things and help them become even better.”
Pittsburgh is banking on it. The Penguins haven't won a playoff series in five years and failed to reach the postseason in the spring for the first time since 2006.
First-year general manager/president of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas has spent his first few months on the job retooling the roster around Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Mallon and Kris Letang.
Carlson is his biggest catch.
Playing with a joy, he admits had been missing in recent years, Karlsson posted career highs in goals (25) and points (101) on his way to his third Norris Trophy.
“I just feel like I'm in a really good spot in my life right now,” Karlsson said.
Golf MCILROY, RAHM SECURE RYDER CUP SPOTS >> Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm had their spots on the European team for the Ryder Cup confirmed. McIlroy will be playing in his seventh straight Ryder Cup, and it's Rahm's third in a row. Both secured their spots through the European Points List. This year's Ryder Cup matches will take place Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside Rome, where captain Luke Donald's team will try to avenge a record loss to the United States at Whistling Straits last year.
NBA
T'WOLVES EDWARDS FINED FOR INCIDENT IN PLAYOFFS
>> Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards was fined $50,000 by the NBA for a postgame outburst following the team's ouster from the playoffs in Denver.
NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars announced that Edwards was punished for “recklessly swinging a chair in frustration that struck two bystanders as he exited the court.” The incident occurred after the Timberwolves lost Game 5 of their first-round series to the eventual champion Nuggets, when Edwards missed the tying 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Edwards was initially cited by Denver police for misdemeanor third-degree assault. The charges were dismissed last month, the league said.
Cycling VALENTE WINS ANOTHER GOLD AT WORLD CYCLING
CHAMPIONSHIPS >> Jennifer Valente already had become the most decorated American track cyclist in history at this year's world championships, winning a gold medal in the scratch race and a bronze medal in the elimination race to give her 19 medals for her career. Valente capped her week in Glasgow, Scotland, by making that total a nice, round — and golden — number.
The Olympic champion in the multi-event omnium, Valente built a substantial lead over the first three of four races and was close enough to her competitors in the final 80-lap race to win gold. The 28-year-old from San Diego finished ahead of Denmark's Amalie Dideriksen (silver) and Belgium's Lotte Kopecky (bronze).
MMA BOXER SHIELDS RETURNING
FOR MORE PFL FIGHTS >> Twotime Olympic gold medalist and three-division boxing world champion Claressa Shields is returning for another round of MMA fights. Shields and the Professional Fighters League announced a multi-year agreement and she expects to enter the cage again in 2024 at 158 pounds. The undisputed middleweight boxing champion went 1-1 in the PFL in 2021, but is widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound female boxer.