Sports
Reports: Wild acquiring Blake Coleman, Olli Maatta from Flames
Apr 7, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Blake Coleman (20) looks on during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Minnesota Wild are acquiring forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta from the Calgary Flames in exchange for blueliner Jake Middleton, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.
ESPN reported that the Flames will retain 50% of Coleman’s $4.9 million cap hit on his contract that is set to expire next summer. The Athletic said Calgary will also receive three Minnesota draft picks in the deal, including a second-round selection in 2029.
Coleman, 34, recorded 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists) in 69 games last season with the Flames. He is entering the final season of a six-year, $29.4 million contract.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, Coleman has totaled 325 points (170 goals, 155 assists) in 693 career games with the New Jersey Devils, Lightning and Flames.
Maatta, 31, had 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 43 games last season, split between the Utah Mammoth and the Flames. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Maatta has 210 points (44 goals, 166 assists) in 804 career games with six teams.
Middleton, 30, totaled 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 75 games last season. He has 94 points (24 goals, 70 assists) in 381 career games with the San Jose Sharks and Wild.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Patrick Rodgers (back) WDs from John Deere Classic
May 30, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Patrick Rodgers plays his shot from the ninth tee during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Patrick Rodgers withdrew from the John Deere Classic prior to Thursday’s first round due to a back injury.
Austin Cook replaced Rodgers in the 11:50 a.m. ET tee time at the No. 10 hole at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
Rodgers, 34, has recorded five top-25 finishes and made the cut in 16 of 19 starts this year. He has an Official World Golf Ranking of 85, however he has yet to win on the PGA Tour.
Rodgers joins Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, Colombian Nico Echavarria and Taylor Montgomery in bowing out of this tournament.
Vegas, Echavarria and Montgomery were replaced in the field by Will Gordon, Cameron Champ and Noah Goodwin, respectively.
–Field Level Media
Sports
CF Montreal acquire M Dani Pereira from Austin FC
Nov 2, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Austin FC midfielder Dani Pereira (8) celebrates a goal during the first half against LAFC at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images CF Montreal acquired veteran midfielder Dani Pereira from Austin FC on Thursday in exchange for up to $2.35 million in general allocation money.
The 25-year-old Venezuelan joined Austin as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft and recorded six goals and 23 assists in 165 appearances across all competitions. He ranks third in matches and tied for second in assists in franchise history.
“Dani has meant a great deal to this club since joining as its first-ever draft pick,” Austin interim coach Davy Arnaud said. “He represented Austin with pride and established a genuine connection with the community here. We’re proud of his development over the last six years and we wish Dani nothing but success in this next phase of his career.
“This type of decision is always difficult for both the club and the player. While emotionally we are sad to see him go, coming into the season, we knew we would only let go of a player of Dani’s caliber if doing so positioned the club for even greater long-term success. I, and our ownership team, felt that this move met that threshold and we executed a plan that was established at the start of the season.”
Austin will receive $1.4 million in 2026, $700,000 in 2027 and up to $250,000 in conditional GAM. Austin also retains a sell-on percentage for any future transfer.
“I want to say thank you to everyone that has been part of this journey here in Austin in the last six years: all the teammates that I’ve shared the locker room with, the coaching staffs, everyone in the front office, and the owners,” Pereira said. “Everyone helped make me who I am today. Austin FC as a whole changed the life of a kid from Caracas, and I will always be grateful for it.
“I want to share a special thank you to the fans for their unconditional love toward me and my family. You guys welcomed us to Austin with open arms since the first moment I got drafted. You all are the best in the league and please don’t ever change that. Thank you and I’m going to miss the 512.”
Pereira, who played collegiate soccer at Virginia Tech, has earned 10 caps with the Venezuela national team since 2023.
–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
Patrick Rodgers (back) WDs from John Deere Classic
CF Montreal acquire M Dani Pereira from Austin FC
