Blackhawks sign Nazar

The Chicago Blackhawks have locked up a key piece of their young core, agreeing to terms with forward Frank Nazar on a seven-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $6.59 million, the team announced Thursday.

The deal begins in 2026-27. Nazar is entering the final season of his entry-level contract.

The pact is the largest ever for a forward with as little NHL experience as Nazar's 56 career games, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Kirill Kaprizovpreviously held that distinction with his five-year, $45-million contract signed in 2021 after just 55 contests.

Bullet fired into Andy Reid’s office

A bullet was fired into Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid's office at the team's practice facility last spring while he was inside, the Kansas City Star reported Wednesday.

The Star, citing multiple sources, reported Reid was working alone in his office in early May 2024 when a bullet fired from outside the building broke through glass and left a hole through the window and blinds. It got lodged in a wall between his bathroom and the entry door to his office. The team installed bulletproof glass soon afterward.

The Star reported two more bullets hit the facility, with one striking the third floor and another an outdoor air-conditioning unit. Few people in the organization knew about the incident.

Red Wings retire Fedorov 91 jersey

Sergei Fedorov's No. 91 is heading to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena.

The Detroit Red Wings will retire his number in a pregame ceremony Jan. 12 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

"We are honored to celebrate Sergei Fedorov and raise his No. 91 to its rightful place hanging in the rafters at Little Caesars Arena, among the all-time greats who have worn the Winged Wheel," Red Wings governor and CEO Chris Ilitch said. "His exceptional skill, relentless drive, and lasting impact playing a pivotal role bringing three Stanley Cup championships to Detroit make him the perfect embodiment of the qualities deserving of our franchise's most prestigious honor."

Fedorov spent 13 of his 18 NHL seasons in the Motor City, winning three Stanley Cups (1997-98, 2002), two Selke Trophies (1994, 1996) and a Hart Trophy (1994).

Caitlin Clark battles groin injury

Two-time All-Star guard Caitlin Clark missed another practice with her injured right groin Wednesday, and coach Stephanie White still does not have a timetable for her star's return.

Clark has not played since hurting her groin in the final minute of a game July 15 at Connecticut. Three different muscle injuries this season have forced Clark to sit out 22 games including the last 13 — and All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.

The worst part: White is simply hoping Clark returns for some of her team's last nine regular-season games. Indiana also lost three other key players with season-ending injuries over the last two weeks.

Demarcus Robinson violated substance abuse policy

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said receiver Demarcus Robinson is facing a three-game suspension to start the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Shanahan said Wednesday on the team's flagship radio station KNBR that Robinson has been suspended pending an appeal after he pleaded no contest last month to a misdemeanor DUI charge. San Francisco opens the season with games at Seattle and New Orleans followed by a home game against Arizona.

The NFL declined to comment on the suspension. 

Robinson said last week that he was "anxious" waiting to hear the final verdict from the NFL.

"Just waiting on the outcome to see what happens with that," Robinson said. "I really don't know the timeframe. Waiting to hear from them, obviously. It's all up to whatever the league says."

St. Louis signs 37 year old Milan Lucic

The St. Louis Blues signed forward Milan Lucic to a professional tryout on Tuesday, the team announced.

The 37-year-old enforcer last played in 2023-24 with the Boston Bruins, registering a pair of assists in four games.

Lucic took an indefinite leave from the Bruins that season after he was arrested for an alleged domestic incident with his wife. He pled not guilty to assault and battery in November 2023. The charges were dropped in February 2024 after his wife refused to testify.

Vladimir Guerrero dealing with hamstring

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is dealing with left hamstring inflammation and is considered day-to-day after undergoing an MRI, manager John Schneider said Tuesday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.

Guerrero will be out of the lineup Tuesday for the second contest of the three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Teoscar Hernandez needs defensive help

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was not impressed with the defense of outfielder Teoscar Hernández during Monday's 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

With the game tied at three in the ninth inning, Hernández was unable to catch a fly ball off the bat of Ezequiel Tovar, who advanced to second base on the misplay. He'd later score the winning run on Warming Bernabel's walk-off hit.

Julian Sayin Ohio State starting QB

Quarterback Julian Sayin will be Ohio State's Week 1 starting quarterback against Texas, head coach Ryan Day announced Monday.

The redshirt freshman beat out Lincoln Kienholz for the position. Sayin was an ESPN 300 five-star recruit in the 2024 class, ranking as the second quarterback behind only Florida's DJ Lagway. 

Sayin initially signed with Alabama but transferred to Ohio State once Nick Saban announced his retirement in January 2024. He only attempted 12 passes in 2024 while sitting behind starter Will Howard en route to the Buckeyes' National Championship win over Notre Dame.

Boston Red Sox acquire Nathaniel Lowe

The Boston Red Sox have acquired some help at first base.

Nathaniel Lowe is finalizing a deal with the Red Sox following his release from the Washington Nationals earlier in the week, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. 

Lowe is an intriguing low-risk acquisition for a Red Sox team that's been piecing things together at first base since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury in early May.