Sports
Reports: Sharks sign Michael Kesselring to three-year, $13.5 million contract
Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring (8) skates with the puck against the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million deal Monday that prevented him from a becoming a restricted free agent and has an average annual value of $4.5 million, according to NHL.com.
Kesselring, 26, was traded to San Jose from the Buffalo Sabres on June 17 in a move that included the teams swapping 2026 first-round draft picks.
“I want to thank the Sharks and (general manager Mike) Grier and everybody involved,” Kesselring told the media Monday. “I’m extremely confident that I’m going to get back to that level and exceed that level, and the extension shows that they believe in me.”
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Kesselring had two assists in 34 games with the Sabres last season and appeared in one playoff game. He was selected in the sixth round in 2018 by Edmonton but never played a game with the Oilers, who dealt Kesselring to Arizona in March of 2023.
In four seasons with Arizona (2023, 2023-24), Utah (2024-25) and Buffalo (2025-26), Kesselring has 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) and a plus-minus of 14 in 190 games.
“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” Grier told reporters after the trade with Buffalo. “He is a responsible player in the defensive zone with a well-rounded offensive game and will be a good upgrade for us patrolling the blue line.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Raptors give coach Darko Rajakovic multi-year extension
Apr 18, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.
Terms were not disclosed by the Raptors, who gave general manager Bobby Webster a multi-year extension last month and added executive vice president to his title.
“Darko’s strong development philosophy and commitment to a team-first culture shine through on a daily basis,” Webster said in a statement. “We’ve seen these qualities play out on the court — our team plays hard, plays together, and fights until the end. Darko knows there’s more to be done, and we’re looking forward to seeing the continued growth of this team.”
Toronto finished 46-36 in 2025-26 and ended a three-year playoff drought, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the first round.
Rajakovic, 47, is 101-145 during his three seasons as coach of the Raptors.
“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but our team knows there is still a lot of work to do, and I am looking forward to continuing to build and win with the Raptors,” Rajakovic said. “We will keep growing, keep working together and stay committed to getting better every day as we reach for our goal of an NBA Championship.”
Rajakovic previously served as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2014-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-20) and Memphis Grizzlies (2020-23).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Avalanche sign F Jaden Schwartz to 3-year contract
Apr 5, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Seattle Kraken center Jaden Schwartz (17) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images The Colorado Avalanche signed veteran forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract through 2028-29 on Thursday.
Terms were not disclosed but multiple reports put the total value of the deal at $9.75 million ($3.25 million per season).
Schwartz, 34, won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2018-19 and spent the past five seasons with Seattle.
He tallied 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 50 games with the Kraken in 2025-26, missing 32 games with multiple lower-body, upper-body and facial injuries.
Schwartz has amassed 553 points (233 goals, 320 assists) in 861 career games with the Blues (2011-21) and Kraken. He has 64 points (31 goals, 33 assists) in 102 playoff games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Heat check: Dad tells Tim Hardaway Jr. retired No. 10 off limits in Miami
Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) did not receive permission from his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., to wear No. 10 with the Miami Heat. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Tim Hardaway Sr. plans to keep his No. 10 jersey with the Heat retired, safely in the rafters in Miami, even if his son asks to borrow it.
The Heat agreed to a contract with unrestricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr., who previously wore those digits with Denver, Dallas and Atlanta.
“My legacy is my legacy, and he’s doing it his way. Even though he likes to wear 10, he loves to wear 10, but that is not coming down from the rafters,” Tim Hardaway Sr. said in a radio interview with WQAM 104.3 in Miami.
The Heat retired Hardaway Sr.’s No. 10 in 2009. The Hall of Fame point guard played five-plus seasons (1996-2001) in Miami and was an All-NBA selection three of those campaigns.
Hardaway Jr. was blocked from wearing the already-retired No. 10 jersey in stints with Detroit (Dennis Rodman) and New York (Clyde Frazier).
The Heat are rebuilding their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was acquired in a deal from the Bucks that will become official next week. Antetokounmpo’s preferred jersey No. 34 is available in Miami, where 32 (Shaquille O’Neal) and 33 (Alonzo Mourning) are off the books.
Hardaway Jr., 34, agreed to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million, according to multiple reports.
The Heat also retired numbers worn by Chris Bosh (1), Dwyane Wade (3), Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (13), NBA great Michael Jordan (23) and Udonis Haslem (40).
–Field Level Media
Raptors give coach Darko Rajakovic multi-year extension
Avalanche sign F Jaden Schwartz to 3-year contract
