NHL trade deadline tracker, live analysis on all of the deals

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, but teams also like to get deals done early.

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Already this season, theMinnesota Wildhave acquired defensemanQuinn Hughesfrom theVancouver Canucks, theLos Angeles Kingshave traded for high-scoringNew York RangersforwardArtemi Panarinand theUtah Mammothacquired defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from theCalgary Flames.

In the latest moves, theColorado Avalancheacquired center Nicolas Roy from theToronto Maple Leafs, and theVegas Golden Knightsacquired center Nic Dowd from theWashington Capitalson Thursday, March 5.

Plenty of players remain, and the Rangers, Canucks,St. Louis Blues, Flames, Maple Leafs andPhiladelphia Flyerscould be sellers.

Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:

Feb. 24: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick for defenseman Brett Kulak. <p style=Feb. 4: The Los Angeles Kings acquired left wing Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Feb. 4: The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick. <p style=Jan. 27: The New York Islanders acquired left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 26: The New York Islanders acquired defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. <p style=Jan. 20: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 19: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028. <p style=Jan. 16: The Anaheim Ducks acquire winger Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim will give up the better of the fourth-rounder previously acquired from Philadelphia and Detroit.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jan. 8: The San Jose Sharks acquire goaltender Laurent Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Dec. 29: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 19: The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault, right, from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick. Dec. 19: The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. <p style=Dec. 12: The Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Dec. 12: The Edmonton Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Oct. 24: The Vancouver Canucks acquire forward Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26

March 5: Mathieu Joseph's contract to be terminated

The Blues placed forward Mathieu Joseph on unconditional waivers for purposes of terminating his contract. That would allow him to become a free agent, and if he signs with another team by 3 p.m. ET Friday, he would be eligible for the playoffs.

March 5: Wild's pursuit of Vincent Trocheck fading, per report

The Athletic'sMichael Russo and Joe Smith reportthat the Rangers' price for Trocheck appears to be too high, and the Wild might look elsewhere for a center.

March 5: Blues' Colton Parayko turns down trade to Sabres

From NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet:

March 5: Avalanche acquire Nicolas Roy

The trade:TheColorado Avalancheacquire forward Nicolas Roy from theToronto Maple Leafsfor a conditional first-round draft pick in 2027 and a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Analysis:Roy gives the Avalanche playoff experience and depth down the middle. He won a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023 and has won 52.9 percent of his faceoffs this season. Roy was in his first season in Toronto after being part of the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade. He has a year left on his contract. If Colorado's 2027 first-round selection is in the top 10, Colorado will send its unprotected 2028 first-round pick to Toronto. The fifth-round pick will be the lowest of the three that the Avalanche currently hold.

March 5: Golden Knights acquire Nic Dowd

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder.

Analysis:Dowd has been with the Capitals since 2018-19 and is a solid bottom six forward who kills penalties. He has another year left on his contract. Vikman plays in the American Hockey League.

After acquiring Dowd, the Golden Knights placed Mark Stone on the injured list.

March 4: Oilers acquire Jason Dickinson, Colton Dach

The trade:TheEdmonton Oilersacquire forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from theChicago Blackhawksfor forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.

Analysis:Edmonton continues to go all in after falling just short in the Stanley Cup Final two consecutive years, sending out another future first-round pick. Dickinson and Dach are hardly needle-movers (the veteran Dickinson has 13 points in 47 games and Dach, 23, has 9 points in 53 games) but they add to the Oilers' depth. Plus, Dickinson comes at a bit of a discount, the Blackhawks retaining half of his $4.25 million salary.

It also creates some future cap room, with Mangiapane's 2026-27 cap hit of $3.6 million off the books and Dickinson set to be a free agent this summer (Dach is an RFA). While that seems like a decent bit of business, it solves a problem the Oilers created themselves by giving Mangiapane, who has just 14 points in 52 games, a two-year deal. And it comes at the cost of a first-round pick andremoves all protections from their 2026 first-round pick, which they had previously traded to theSan Jose Sharks.

March 4: Avalanche acquire Nick Blankenburg

The trade:The Colorado Avalanche acquire defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Analysis:You can never have enough defensive depth, and Blankenburg provides a left shot on a Colorado team heavy on right shots. Blankenburg, who ranked second among Nashville defensemen with 21 points, is the third Predators player to be dealt in two days. Nashville now has 12 picks in the 2027 draft and added two in 2028 from the Michael McCarron and Cole Smith trades. The Avalanche earlier changed up their blue line by trading Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

March 4: Mammoth acquire MacKenzie Weegar

The trade:TheUtah Mammothacquire defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Olli Maatta, Cornell center Jonathan Castagna and three second-round picks.

Analysis:The Mammoth have upgraded their defense since moving to Utah in 2024. Weegar is the latest in a list that includes Mikhail Sergachev. Weegar is a right-shot defenseman who scored 20 goals two seasons ago, though he has only three this season. That (and his minus-35 rating) should improve on a Utah team that sits in a wild-card position. He is signed through 2031 while Maatta is a pending unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Castagna is in his third year at Cornell and has 32 points in 29 games.

March 4: Colton Parayko, MacKenzie Weegar deals in works?

TSN's Darren Dreger reports that the Blues and Sabres are working on a deal to send defenseman Colton Parayko to Buffalo. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that defenseman MacKenzie Weegar could be traded to the Utah Mammoth. Both would have to approve the moves.

March 4: Maple Leafs sit out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 2 others

Analysis:Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton won't play for roster management reasons, the team said. All three players have been mentioned in trade rumors. Laughton and McMann are pending unrestricted free agents and Ekman-Larsson is signed through 2028.

March 4: Sharks re-sign Kiefer Sherwood

The details:He gets a five-year, $28.75 million contract extension, a cap hit of $5.75 million.

Analysis:The Sharks dealt two draft picks and a minor leaguer to land Sherwood, who has 18 goals and is second in the league in hits. The extension means they won't have to flip him. Hesaid he's "just fired up"about the extension.

March 4: Stars acquire Tyler Myers

The trade:The Dallas Stars acquire defenseman Tyler Myers from theVancouver Canucksfor a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder.

Analysis:The Stars have won 10 in a row and Houston native Myers gives them veteran depth on their blue line. The right shot defenseman has another year left on his contract, and the Canucks are retaining 50% of his salary. The Stars have the 6-foot-8 Myers and 6-foot-7 Liam Bischel on their defense corps.

March 3: Golden Knights acquire Cole Smith

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a third-round pick in the 2028 draft.

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Analysis:That's two trades in one day for the Predators. Just like Michael McCarron, who was dealt to the Wild, Smith kills penalties. He was tied for second in hits in Nashville (behind McCarron) with 119. Sedoff has spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League.

March 3: Wild acquire Michael McCarron

The trade:TheMinnesota Wildacquire forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis:Minnesota adds to its depth as it eyes a deep playoff run, importing the hulking McCarron, who stands 6-foot-6. He has 12 points, 73 penalty minutes and 165 hits in 59 games this season for Nashville, kills penalties and has a 52.8 faceoff winning percentage.

March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league's best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.

Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen

The trade:The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Analysis:The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.

Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin

The trade:The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from theNew York Rangersfor forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Analysis:The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he'll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season's end. It didn't help the team, though, thatKevin Fiala broke his legat the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings' top prospect and the third-round pickcould become a second-rounder.

Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The trade:The New Jersey Devils acquire forward Nick Bjugstad from theSt. Louis Bluesfor forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Analysis:This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.

Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat

The trade:The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Analysis:That's two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn't get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.

Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy

The trade:The New York Islandersacquire defenseman Carson Soucyfrom the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Analysis:Soucy was the first player moved after theRangers informed fans that the team would retool. It's a rare deal completed between the Islanders and Rangers.

Jan. 20: Sharks acquire Kiefer Sherwood

The trade:The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

Analysis:Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.

Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.

Analysis:The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.

Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov

The trade:The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

Analysis:Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He's a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.

Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault

The trade:The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.

Analysis:Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens' 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment

The trade:The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

Analysis:Marchment had been off to a slow start after an offseason trade in which Seattle gave up a third- and a fourth-round pick. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes

The trade:The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

Analysis:This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot - Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships - andHughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he's eligible to sign a contract extension in July.

Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NHL trade deadline live tracker top deals, team, player analysis

NHL trade deadline tracker, live analysis on all of the deals

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, but teams also like to get deals done early. Already ...
Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg's royal honor has been revoked by King Charles

LONDON (AP) — Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has been stripped of a British royal honor afterpleading guiltyin 2024 to a charge of abusing his then-estranged wife.

Associated Press

The 33-year-old Hogg was named a Member of the British Empire, or MBE, in December 2023 for his services to the sport, butKing Charles IIIdirected that it be "cancelled and annulled," according to the official public recordThe Gazettepublished Thursday.

Hogg had admitted to a charge accusing him of shouting and swearing at his then-wife as well as tracking her movements and sending alarming text messages. The offending took place over a five-year period,prosecutors said.

In January 2025,Hogg was sentencedto a "community payback order" — or community service — with one year's supervision.

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Hogg, a fullback, retired from professional rugby in 2023 shortly after reaching 100 appearances for Scotland. He had been named captain in 2020.

He then returned and signed for French club Montpellier. Hogg tore an Achilles tendon last April.

An MBE is "the third highest ranking Order of the British Empire level (excluding a knighthood/damehood), behind CBE and then OBE,"The Gazette explains. "An individual may be appointed an MBE for an outstanding achievement, or service to the community that has had a long-term, significant impact."

AP rugby:https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg's royal honor has been revoked by King Charles

LONDON (AP) — Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has been stripped of a British royal honor afterpleading guiltyin...
Inter Miami owner David Beckham not attending White House visit

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham will not be in attendance when the teamvisits President Donald Trump at the White Houseon Thursday, March 5.

USA TODAY Sports

The MLS club was invited to Washington D.C. tocommemorate the 2025 MLS Cup titlethat it won in December.

Inter Miami flew to the nation's capital on Thursday ahead of a game against D.C. United in Baltimore on Saturday.

All players,including Lionel Messi, were expected to attend, but Beckham did not make the trip.

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. Lionel Messi celebrates the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver. Tadeo Allende and Lionel Messi celebrate the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against the Whitecaps. Lionel Messi celebrates the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver.

See Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's jubilant MLS title celebrations

According to CNN, Beckham is in Paris with his wife Victoria ahead of her runway show at Paris Fashion Week on Friday, March 6.

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Beckham announced in 2014 that he would become the co-owner of a new MLS franchise based in Miami.

When Beckham signed for the LA Galaxy in 2007, his contract included a clause that gave him the option to purchase a MLS expansion team for just $25 million.

Inter Miami began play in 2020, making waves in the international game by signing Messi in 2023.

Beckham currently owns the team with brothers Jorge and Jose Mas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is Inter Miami owner David Beckham going to White House?

Inter Miami owner David Beckham not attending White House visit

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham will not be in attendance when the teamvisits President Donald Trump at the White Hous...
Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers among coaches to sign letter over concerns about 'political interference' at colleges

The NBA's Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers joined a host of coaches who signed a public letter of concern on behalf of student-athletes whose independence and integrity of their American universities has "come under political attack."

Yahoo Sports MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 25: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talks to the media during a press conference after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on January 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

"Right now, at both the federal and state levels, acts of political interference threaten the independence of our colleges and universities,"the letterread. "Punitive cuts to research funds, censoring of curricula, intimidation of university leaders and faculty, and the deployment of federal enforcement officers on college grounds are dividing our campuses and detracting from teaching and learning. Steep funding cuts put women's and Olympic sports at risk.

"When students are afraid to speak their minds, they cannot give their all. When campuses are polarized, it's hard to maintain the 'one team' spirit we instill in the locker room. The unprecedented pressure by the federal and certain state governments on colleges and universities undercuts the values we have sought to instill in student-athletes.

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"We're asking college sports leaders and fans across the country to stand with us. Tell your elected representatives to let universities remain free and independent. Stand for Campus Freedom."

The letter appeared on Stand for Campus Freedom's website. According to the site, "Stand for Campus Freedom is a nonpartisan project uniting alumni across generations, geographies, and viewpoints to protect academic freedom and stand up for democracy. Together, we are building a national movement that holds universities accountable to their highest ideals, resists political coercion, and strengthens America's leadership on the world stage."

Coaches for Campus Freedom, "a new effort of current and former sports coaches calling out political interference in higher education," includes Kerr and Rivers, the Collegiate Hall of Fame's John Beilein, Jim Boeheim and Muffett McGraw, as well as Harvard's Tommy Amaker and Yale's James Jones, among others.

"Their open letter delivers a blunt warning: federal and state government interference is threatening the independence of universities and colleges, undermining college sports, and harming campus culture," Stand for Campus Freedom's website announced.

Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers among coaches to sign letter over concerns about 'political interference' at colleges

The NBA's Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers joined a host of coaches who signed a public letter of concern on behalf of stude...
Paralympians try to focus on Milan Cortina Games amid tensions over Iran war, return of Russian flag

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Athletes at the Milan CortinaWinter Paralympics, the first global sports event since thewar in the Middle Eastbegan last week, have been trying to block out news of the conflicts and focus on their preparations for the Games thatofficially start on Friday.

Associated Press Steve Emt, right, and Laura Dwyer, of the United States, and Yoji Nakajima, left, and Aki Ogawa, of Japan, greet each other after their wheelchair curling mixed doubles round robin session at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Steve Emt, right, and Laura Dwyer, of the United States, bump fists during their wheelchair curling mixed doubles round robin session against Japan at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Katlin Riidebach, of Estonia, competes in a wheelchair curling mixed doubles round robin session against Italy at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Steve Emt, foreground, and Laura Dwyer, center, of the United States, compete against Yoji Nakajima and Aki Ogawa, of Japan, in a wheelchair curling mixed doubles round robin session at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Milan Cortina Paralympics Wheelchair Curling

Others have been outspoken about the return of theRussian flagto the global stage and are defending their nation's boycott of Friday's opening ceremony.

The Games that mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics are getting underway amid the ongoing military attacks by the United States, Israel and Iran. The conflicts prompted travel difficulties for some of the nations coming to Italy because ofwidespread flight disruptions. Iran was due to have one skier at Milan Cortina, although his participation was yet to be confirmed.

"We are here to do a job," U.S. wheelchair curler Laura Dwyer told The Associated Press on Thursday. "We are in the village, and we are at the venue, and we are working really hard to show up, and to do good things, and represent. So that's what we are focused on, and no place I'd rather be than this beautiful place with this guy right here and at the Paralympic Games."

Dwyer is competing with Stephen Emt in the mixed-doubles discipline that is debuting at the Winter Paralympics.

"We are just concerned with the ice, concerned with the stones and the competition," Emt said. "We know that we are in a good place and we are going to continue to battle for the USA."

The curling competition began two days ahead of the opening ceremony and other curlers have weighed in about competing amid the conflicts elsewhere.

"To be honest, I don't really think about it," British curler Jo Butterfield said. "There's lots of things going on in the world right now, but I've been training to do this for a long time and we're here to curl. I'm a firm believer that sport can rally people, and hopefully some good news stories on the back pages will help the public be happy."

The opening ceremony will also come amid the boycott of some nations showing solidarity with Ukraine over the return to the Russian flag and anthem.

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Russian athletes will compete under their own flag at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade, and the country's national anthem could be played for gold medalists for the first time on the stage of a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ukraine was the first to announce that it would boycott the opening ceremony because of Russia, and the International Paralympic Committee says several others are planning not to attend because of political reasons: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania.

"There is war and we are against war," Latvian curler Polina Rozkova said. "It's not allowed (to have a) country under their own flag when their country is attacking another country. It's our opinion that we are against war. We try to listen less to the news, but of course, everything is terrible and maybe somehow it's also influencing us."

Estonian curler Katlin Riidebach said she was trying to focus on the competition but felt it was important for the Estonian Paralympic Committee to make a stance and boycott the opening ceremony.

"Honestly, in here I don't want to make a political statement," Riidebach said. "I know that we have decided not to go to the opening ceremony ... We think it's important to say it loud that the war is not OK and people should know. And even though we don't want to say it, sports and politics are very engaged, so if athletes can say their opinion, I think we should do it."

Ahead of the Games, the IPC did not approve an item of the Ukraine uniform because it contained a map that fell within the forbidden categories of "national anthems lyrics, motivational words, public/political messaging or slogans related to national identity."

The IPC said an alternative uniform was approved within 24 hours after "dialogue" with the Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee.

AP Winter Paralympics:https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games

Paralympians try to focus on Milan Cortina Games amid tensions over Iran war, return of Russian flag

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Athletes at the Milan CortinaWinter Paralympics, the first global sports event since ...
Inter Miami visits White House: Will Messi attend? Here's what we know

MLS Cup champion Inter Miami will visit PresidentDonald Trumpat the White House on Thursday, March 5 to commemorate their 2025 title.

USA TODAY Sports

Lionel Messi – the two-time MLS MVP, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentine World Cup champion – could attend the ceremony. Inter Miami's entire team is expected to attend, according to a team spokesman. It's unclear whether co-owner and former soccer star David Beckham will also attend.

Inter Miami is taking part in what has become a customary event for professional and college sports champions in the United States to be congratulated by the president.

The ceremony is expected to begin around 4 p.m. ET in the East Room of the White House.

Inter Miami traveled to Washington D.C. on Thursday morning – two days before a match against D.C. United in Baltimore on Saturday, March 7 ahead of the visit.

"We are going because we are champions from last season," Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia said earlier this week. "I don't get involved with politics, but I know it's an important occasion."

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. Lionel Messi celebrates the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver. Tadeo Allende and Lionel Messi celebrate the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against the Whitecaps. Lionel Messi celebrates the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver.

See Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's jubilant MLS title celebrations

How to watch Inter Miami's White House visit?

The visit can be live streamed from theWhite House's YouTube channel.

Messi makes the trip with Inter Miami

Messi is included in a pre-flight video before Inter Miami's trip to D.C. on Thursday morning.

Inter Miami takes off for White House trip

Inter Miami departed from South Florida early Thursday, sharing social media posts – which did not include Messi in the photos.

Has Messi visited the White House before?

Not yet – this would be Messi's first visit to the White House.

Messi wasawarded the Presidential Medal of FreedomfromPresident Joe Bidenin January 2025, but he did not attend the ceremony due to a scheduling issue during Inter Miami's offseason.

What does Messi's visit mean for World Cup?

If Messi visits the White House, Trump will have met two of soccer's greatest players in the past five months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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Soccer's all-time leading goal scorerCristiano Ronaldo attended a black-tie dinnerat the White House when Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman last November.

Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have become good friends in the past few years, highlighted by several White House visits. Infantino also awarded Trump with FIFA's Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in December.

Messi, who plays for reigning World Cup champion Argentina, has yet to declare he will play in the tournament. But it's a safe bet he will.

Why is the visit to the White House controversial?

The United States and Israel beganstrikes on Iran early on Saturday, Feb. 28, in a campaign thatkilled the nation's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneiand several top officials, among others. Iran is a participating nation in the World Cup, though Trump recently said"I really don't care"if the country takes part in the tournament.

Also in late February, Trump invited the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams after both winning gold medals at theMilan Cortina Olympics. However, Trump made what was seen as a sexist remark on a phone call with the men's team after their win, joking that he would also have toinvite the women's team to the White House. Whilethe men's team visited, the women's team declined their invitation.

Trump's widespread immigration crackdown with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) is also an ongoing controversy.ICE officials could be present at World Cup games this summer, acting director Todd Lyons said last month.

Have MLS Cup-winning teams visited the White House before?

Inter Miami will be the first MLS Cup winner to visit the White House during either of Trump's presidencies.

David Beckham, an Inter Miami co-owner, attended a White House ceremony with the LA Galaxy in 2012 after winning the 2011 MLS Cup. The Galaxy also visited for titles won in 2012 and 2014 with President Barack Obama. Obama also welcomed the Columbus Crew (2008), Real Salt Lake (2009), Colorado Rapids (2010) and Sporting Kansas City (2013) to the White House.

The last MLS club to visit the White House was the Columbus Crew, who visited Biden in 2024 to celebrate their 2023 title.

D.C. United was the first MLS winner to visit the White House in 1998 when President Bill Clinton was in office.

How did Messi, Inter Miami win MLS Cup?

Inter Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 towin the 2025 MLS Cupon Dec. 6, 2025.

When is Messi's next game?

Messi is expected to play when Inter Miami faces D.C. United at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, March 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The match will bestreamed by Apple TV.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Messi, Inter Miami visits Trump in White House, live updates

Inter Miami visits White House: Will Messi attend? Here's what we know

MLS Cup champion Inter Miami will visit PresidentDonald Trumpat the White House on Thursday, March 5 to commemorate their...
Hockey star Jack Hughes, Canadian pop star now 'exclusively' dating

Things are apparently getting hotter off the ice forU.S. Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes.

USA TODAY Sports

A source toldUs Weeklythat theNew Jersey Devilsforward and Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae are officially a couple.

"Tate and Jack are dating," the source said. "They started casually seeing each other late last year, so it's still new, but they are exclusively seeing each other."

Hughes, who scored the winning goal in overtime against Canada in the gold medal game at the2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, had been seen with McRaeon several occasionssince their first public appearance together last December.

<p style=Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. It seemed only fitting that the player who gave his two front teeth to Team USA's quest for Olympic hockey gold would score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. USA's #86 Jack Hughes (R) and USA's #43 Quinn Hughes (L) celebrates with teammates after winning the men's gold medal ice hockey match between Canada and USA at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on Feb. 22, 2026. Jack Hughes #86 and Quinn Hughes #43 of Team United States celebrates following the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Jack Hughes #86 of United States celebrates the win during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and United States on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Gold medalist Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates following the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Gold medalists Quinn Hughes #43 and Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrate after the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates after winning the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Jack Hughes (86) of the United States celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal to defeat Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Jack Hughes of United States celebrates the victory during the Ice Hockey Men's Gold Medal Game match between Canada and USA on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Jack Hughes #86 of United States gives an interview during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and United States on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Jack Hughes' gritty smile tells the story of USA's OT win over Canada

Jack Hughes#86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. It seemed only fitting that the player who gave his two front teeth to Team USA's quest for Olympic hockey gold would score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

The 22-year-old Canadian singer, who earned her first Grammy Award nomination last year for the soundtrack single "Just Keep Watching" from the film "F1," has also been spotted supporting Hughes at Devils games.

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McRae is a big hockey fan, serving as a celebrity captain and performing live at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.

Tate McRae performs during the 2024 NHL All-Star Game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

She is perhaps best known for her breakout hit "You Broke Me First," released in 2020.

McRae received some backlash from Canadians after her public support for Team USA at the Olympics, which led her to post on social media that she was still "Canada down."

Us Weeklyreports that the relationship started when Hughes messaged McRae on Instagram.

"They are making it work during this busy season, but hope to have more time together next month when his season ends," the magazine's source said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jack Hughes, Olympic hockey hero, dating Tate McRae, Canadian singer

Hockey star Jack Hughes, Canadian pop star now 'exclusively' dating

Things are apparently getting hotter off the ice forU.S. Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes. A source toldUs Week...

 

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