Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said he understands the interest in his side's summer transfer plans but refused to be drawn on speculation linking the club with moves for Erling Haaland and Dayot Upamecano.

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Haaland amid rumours Borussia Dortmund could be ready to cash in on the striker at the end of this season. Haaland has a release clause in his contract worth £63 million which does not become active until 2022.

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The 20-year-old would command a fee in excess of £100m this year -- a sum which has not put off potential suitors including Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool. Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Bayern Munich defender David Alaba but Real Madrid are favourites for his signature.

RB Leipzig's Upamecano has emerged as a possible alternative in defence and, asked about whether he expected Chelsea to pursue deals for Haaland and the France international, Tuchel said: "I can understand your interest in that question and I can understand the interest of every fan and supporter to talk about these subjects.

"I am also always a fan and interested in what is going on. But now is February. There is a long way to go. As you know me or maybe get to know me better, I will not talk about other players publicly when they are under contract.

"This is the kind of respect we show to them but show first of all to our players. We think about our central defenders and our strikers first and we push them to the limits. Everything else will be decided behind closed doors."

Tuchel said N'Golo Kante will make his first start since Jan. 3 in Thursday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Championship side Barnsley after overcoming hamstring problems to make two substitute appearances against Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United.

Kante has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge but the former Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain coach said: "This is very easy because I think N'Golo fits into every manager's plans on the planet.

"I was desperate to have him in my teams. He is a Chelsea player, a big Chelsea player and one of the best midfielders in the world. Now I am so lucky to have him in my squad. I am so lucky that he is back again.

"When you look at his performances coming back from injury -- we put him on the pitch against Tottenham with no minutes before which was really difficult -- he just did what he always does. He helped everybody around him on the pitch with his support, mentality and his quality.

"And if you see the step that he took between the Tottenham match, OK, in training you didn't see, but in the 20 minutes against Sheffield was a huge performance when we switched to a three in the midfield.

"This was very important to escape the pressure and be in control of the game again. I am very, very impressed. I know him for many years, we know him very well because we came from a French club, so we were very impressed on television.

"But to see the guy live, to see how he works, how humble he is and what quality he gives to this team, it is a gift to be his coach. I am super happy. He will start tomorrow. For me his best position is a double six. He can play single six but his strength is also to have a kind of freedom in his game."

The mood is quite different in both the Bangladesh as well as the West Indies camps ahead of the second Test in Dhaka, especially after the visitors hunted down 395 in Chattogram. But visiting captain Kraigg Brathwaite has warned his team against complacency, knowing fully well how the hosts can hit back on another slow and dry pitch.

Bangladesh have won four of the last five Tests at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, and Brathwaite believes West Indies will need to fight hard to get the job done in the next five days.

"The biggest thing is not to get carried away," Brathwaite said. "We are happy with the win, but we know we start from zero. It is one of the things that the coach has stressed on in the practice sessions. Guys are working hard. For me, [the message] to them is to stay disciplined and stick to your plans both as a bowling and a batting unit.

"We as a team don't want to get too far ahead. We have five days of Test cricket to play. We are very happy to have won the first Test. We want to buckle down. Victory has meant a lot for us. The guys are very proud of winning the first Test, but we look forward to the next five days."

The story is slightly different, however, for Brathwaite's counterpart Mominul Haque, who faces his first big challenge as Bangladesh's Test captain. Not only does he have to win the match to level the series, but also has to do it without Shakib Al Hasan in his bowling attack; this, after having lost the first Test with the opposition needing 285 runs on a slow fifth-day pitch.

"We have never faced such a situation," Haque said. "We have a lot to learn from this - especially how to face pressure situation, how to bowl and set a field in these situations. It will help us for the future."

Brathwaite, meanwhile, is focussing on the areas where West Indies need improvement. "We can improve on our first innings score to help us set the game up better," he said. "We did well in the second innings. We have to be a little sharper in the field in periods when there's probably been a partnership. We can be a little tighter."

Brathwaite expects the Shere Bangla National Stadium to produce a typical subcontinent surface. "The pitch is quite similar to the first Test in terms of dryness," he said. "There are some cracks as well, so I think it will be quite similar. It will probably be slower even than the first Test."

As much as the Test will hinge on how the spinners from either side do, West Indies' fast bowlers might be called upon to use their extra pace even on a largely dead surface. Brathwaite thus said that Shannon Gabriel's third-day burst of pace in Chattogram greatly inspired him, particularly as it came so deep in the Test match.

"That spell was very inspirational for me to even watch," he said. "We fielded 150 overs in the first innings. Shannon was then asked to be slightly aggressive, give his 100% and even go for two extra overs. He led the way. It was a very bright spot in the game for me.

"Fast bowling in the sub-continent is never easy. Fast bowlers like Kemar Roach and even Kyle Mayers for a couple of overs, they gave it their all. Kudos to them. It is never easy. They have to try different things, sometimes cross-seam and slower balls."

Big Picture

After an entertaining Test series where the 2-0 scoreline belied the competitiveness of the cricket, Pakistan and South Africa move on to the shortest format. This is a series both sides will cherish for very different reasons. For Pakistan, it serves as an appetiser to a five-week-long bonanza of T20 cricket in the shape of the PSL which starts later this month, and will mark, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the presence of crowds for a cricket match. The visitors, on the other hand, can put their heart and soul into these three matches, not knowing when they play next, following Cricket Australia's controversial decision to call off their tour to South Africa citing Covid-19 concerns.

Pakistan have to be the clear favourites simply because of the youthful, inexperienced side South Africa line up with. Initially selected because they wanted to keep their senior players rested for the now-cancelled Australia tour, South Africa opted to stick with that fresh-faced side, a far cry from the team that ended Pakistan's record-breaking 11 T20I series-winning streak two years ago.

Pakistan will look to put an indifferent performance in the T20I series against New Zealand behind them, while hoping to replicate the spirit of the Napier T20I, where they pulled off a victory from a deeply unfavourable position. At home, meanwhile, they have been solid in T20I cricket since a disastrous 3-0 reverse against a severely depleted Sri Lanka side 18 months ago. However, the wins since then have only come against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, and South Africa represent the biggest threat to that recent uptick in T20I form, no matter the absences.

South Africa's most experienced player David Miller admitted they would come under heavy pressure, and recent form indicates that. The visitors have not won any of their last five T20I series, last triumphing against Sri Lanka nearly two years ago. Heinrich Klaasen captains them on this tour, but with little obvious firepower either with bat or ball, his side will have to produce a level they have struggled to attain of late to seriously test a well-drilled Pakistan side that knows the Lahore conditions inside out.

Form guide

(Last five completed matches, most recent first)

Pakistan WLLWW
South Africa LLLLW

In the spotlight

Haider Ali misfiring in New Zealand meant Pakistan were left a bit short on firepower in the powerplay, and a return to form would give the home side an invaluable boost. With Fakhar Zaman's form declining and Mohammad Rizwan, despite his Napier heroics, not quite explosive enough to hold down a permanent opening spot, Haider's emergence has been perfectly timed. Alongside Babar Azam, who is set to return after his absence in New Zealand, Pakistan have the perfect mix of quality and power at the top. Haider demonstrated the sort of impact he could have on a game on debut against England and at home versus Zimbabwe, and with the PSL - where he shot to prominence - right around the corner, he likes this time of year.

In a fairly inexperienced touring party, Janneman Malan stands out for his pedigree and quality. Arguably one of the players who might have earned a call-up in a full-strength side, Malan's recent form makes him one of South Africa's trump cards this series. It might have come in the 50-over format, but 67, 95 and 69* in his last List A matches - coupled with a match-winning 129 not out against Australia last year - means confidence isn't something the 24-year old will be short of. A strike rate in excess of 135 in T20 cricket is indicative of Malan's potential in the shortest format, and there's little reason this couldn't be his breakout series.

Team news

Azam's availability means Rizwan will likely drop lower down the order despite his heroics in New Zealand. Asif Ali and Hasan Ali are likely starters, while Shaheen Afridi may get a rest.

Pakistan: 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Haider Ali, 3 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 4 Khushdil Shah, 5 Asif Ali, 6 Hussain Talat, 7 Faheem Ashraf/Iftikhar Ahmed, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Usman Qadir

Glenton Stuurman and Pite van Biljon may get debuts for South Africa, while a spin-heavy strategy could see George Linde, Jon-Jon Smuts and Tabraiz Shamsi all feature.

South Africa: 1 Janneman Malan, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Jon-Jon Smuts, 4 David Miller, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (capt &wk), 6 Pite van Biljon, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 George Linde, 9 Lutho Sipamla 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Glenton Stuurman

Pitch and conditions

Dry, sunny weather of late in Lahore means that true to form, the Gaddafi surface should be a belter for run-scoring. There's no inclement weather about either, and a full game should play out.

Stats and trivia

• South Africa have never lost a T20I series to Pakistan.

• Statistically, there isn't an obvious answer as to what the side winning the toss should do at the Gaddafi Stadium. Batting first has resulted in six wins in T20Is, while chasing has produced five.
• Miller needs 99 runs this series to leapfrog his teammate Faf du Plessis as the third-highest T20I run-scorer for South Africa.

Quotes

"We are here to win. We are here to represent the Proteas in the best possible light, regardless if you've played your first game or your 100th game."
David Miller doesn't want his new-look South Africa side to make any excuses against Pakistan

It took less than two games to transform quarterback Taylor Heinicke from a guy whose NFL career appeared over to signing a multi-year contract.

The Washington Football Team announced Wednesday that it signed Heinicke to a two-year deal, which is worth up to $8.75 million, a source confirmed. Heinicke would have been a restricted free agent, but Washington had made it clear it wanted to keep him based on how he finished the season.

Washington still has Alex Smith under contract for two more years, though his future here remains uncertain. Kyle Allen is an exclusive rights free agent whom the coaches like. It also has Steven Montez, an undrafted free agent last season.

Heinicke's showing put him in the conversation to at least be a primary backup and provide depth, if nothing else.

Heinicke was taking math classes at Old Dominion University, where he played collegiately, when Washington signed him to its practice squad Dec. 8. He was placed on the active roster later that month and relieved an ineffective Dwayne Haskins in a Week 16 loss to Carolina. In two series, he led one touchdown drive and had another scoring toss nullified by a penalty.

With Smith struggling with a bone bruise, Heinicke started Washington's playoff game against Tampa Bay and was effective. He completed 26-of-44 passes for 306 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also showed his mobility, scrambling for an 8-yard touchdown run that ended with him diving for the pylon.

Heinicke signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2015, playing for current Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner. He was the lone NFL coach who visited Heinicke before the draft. After two seasons with Minnesota, he spent time on the practice squads of New England and then Houston. He then signed with Carolina, coached by current Washington coach Ron Rivera.

Heinicke played six games with Carolina, starting one. In his lone start he completed 33-of-53 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He suffered an elbow injury that landed him on injured reserve.

The NFL Network first reported the money on Heinicke's contract.

ATLANTA -- A historic Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store owned by Shaquille O'Neal was engulfed in flames early Wednesday, heavily damaging the structure.

Atlanta fire crews responded to the iconic restaurant on Ponce De Leon Avenue shortly after midnight, news outlets reported. Video posted on social media showed raging flames.

Battalion Chief Douglas Hatcher said firefighters saved most of the building after the fire started in the back. No injuries were reported. Hatcher said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

The Midtown Krispy Kreme opened in 1965. It was one of the first locations established outside the company's main base of operations in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.

After Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral in April 1968, the Krispy Kreme fed mourners by donating 150 dozen doughnuts to Atlanta churches. O'Neal bought the store in 2016.

"I hope no one was hurt and we will bounce back better than ever," the Basketball Hall of Famer told WXIA-TV.

It was just seven weeks ago that this NBA season tipped off, with Dallas Mavericks phenom Luka Doncic installed as the betting favorite to win MVP honors.

But, like just about everything else in this pandemic-shortened season, nothing has gone quite to plan.

Doncic's Mavericks are in 14th place in the Western Conference, opening up the MVP race to a deep field of candidates, and potentially opening a path for LeBron James to win an historic fifth MVP trophy.

After finishing second a season ago to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who became the 12th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP trophies, James is back on top in ESPN's first MVP straw poll of the season.

To gauge where the race stands at this point in the season, ESPN asked 100 media members to participate in an informal poll that mimics the postseason awards voting. To make the balloting as realistic as possible, there are at least two voters from each of the league's 28 markets, as well as a cross-section of both national and international reporters.

Like with the NBA's official vote at the end of season, voters were asked to submit a five-player ballot, and results were tabulated using the league's scoring system: 10 points for each first place vote, followed by seven points for second, five points for third, three points for fourth and one point for fifth.

While James currently has the inside track in his push for a fifth MVP trophy to go with what he hopes will be a fifth NBA championship this summer, garnering 54 of a possible 100 votes, the race to this point in the season is as competitive as any in recent memory, with a pair of centers -- Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic -- right on his heels.

Now in his 18th season, the 36-year-old James continues to be remarkably consistent, playing in each of the Lakers' 25 games thus far and averaging more than 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the fifth straight season. James is shooting a career-best 41% from 3-point range. This is the first time since 2013 -- the year he won his last MVP award -- that James has shot better than 40% from 3. That also was the only season of his career that he reached that mark; he has shot under 37% from 3-point range in each of the past six seasons.

James was named on 99 of 100 ballots and finished with a total of 760 points, leading Embiid (23 first-place votes) by just 95 points. The last MVP race to have a final margin that small came in 2004-05 when Steve Nash edged Shaquille O'Neal by 34 points. Jokic was third, garnering 18 first-place votes and a total of 596 points.

That puts the spread between James in first and Jokic in third at 164 points. By comparison, Antetokounmpo led the second-place James by 152 points in the initial version of last year's straw poll. No final MVP vote has seen such a small margin between first and third place since the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, when Alonzo Mourning and Tim Duncan both finished within 100 points of MVP winner Karl Malone.

Embiid is having by far the best season of his career, averaging a career-best 29.3 points per game, while also shooting career-bests from the field (55.3%), 3-point range (39%) and the free throw line (85%) for Philadelphia, which has the best record in the Eastern Conference and is a staggering 15.2 points per 100 possessions when Embiid is on the court, compared to when he sits.

Philadelphia is also 16-3 in games Embiid plays this season and 1-4 in games he doesn't.

Jokic is currently is the only player in the NBA in the top 10 in points (27.6), rebounds (11.5) and assists (8.6) per game, and he briefly led the league in assists -- something no center has done over the course of a full season since Wilt Chamberlain did so in 1968. Jokic and Embiid are both aiming to be the first center to win the NBA's MVP award since O'Neal won in 2000.

The depth of the race is reflected in more than just the competition at the top of the ballot. Seven players received at least one first place vote, more than in any previous edition of the straw poll. Beyond James, Embiid and Jokic, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant got three first-place votes, while LA Clippers teammates Kawhi Leonard and Paul George each received a single first-place vote, as did Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

Durant, after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles, finished fourth in the voting with 272 points, and appeared on 75 ballots, while Leonard (153 points, 64 ballots) finished fifth.

Antetokounmpo, the two-time defending MVP, was a distant sixth, getting a handful of votes as he appears very unlikely to win a third straight time. Doncic, the preseason favorite, received only two third place votes, as his glossy statistical resume was easily overwhelmed by the Mavericks' underwhelming record.

A total of 15 different players received at least one vote, including three players from the same team all getting at least one vote for the first time in any iteration of this poll.

Center Rudy Gobert and guards Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley have led the Utah Jazz to the best record in the NBA but received only a handful of votes (four for Gobert, two for Mitchell and one for Conley), speaking to the ensemble nature of the team's success this season. The last team to have three players receive MVP votes in the same season was the 2004-05 Suns (Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion).

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Bobby Pierce led all 30 laps on Tuesday night at Volusia Speedway Park, earning the first gator trophy of his career by checking off a DIRTcar late model victory during the 50th DIRTcar Nationals.

“I was pretty nervous there,” Pierce admitted. “Devin [Moran] and I are good buddies and that was probably one of the funnest races we’ve had together. At the end, I saw he was in second on the board and Cody [Mallory’s] sticks were getting closer and closer. I kept thinking if I’m cut out for this stuff, surely I can handle ten more laps, and thankfully we held on.”

Earning the pole over a 51-car field, Pierce claimed the hole shot in his No. 32 and held on to lead all 30 laps of the half-mile oval. It wasn’t without a firm challenge from his good buddy, Devin Moran, though.

The slightest bobble off turn four on the 16th circuit opened the door for Moran and he came through with a massive slide job into turn one. He slid his No. 9 Longhorn Chassis in front of Pierce’s nose, but Pierce countered the move with a perfect crossover.

“I really don’t know how I pulled off that crossover in the slick,” Pierce thought. “I timed it just right, but I think about took his left front off making that move work. I don’t know if he had to lift or what. I heard him going under me down the front stretch and figured something was probably coming into turn one. I tried to set it up to counter and it worked perfectly.”

Pierce crossed the finish line with a 0.828-second advantage over Moran to claim his first gator trophy from Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals.

Moran continued his excellent week with his second-straight podium. He finished third in Monday’s opener and bettered that with a runner-up bid on Tuesday.

“I had it free enough to where I could get that high, but tight enough to where I could turn down off of it,” Moran said. “I messed up off turn four there and I just couldn’t get Bobby. Hopefully we can hit the pill draw just a little bit better tomorrow.”

Rounding out the podium behind Pierce and Moran was fellow young gun, Hudson O’Neal.

“Overall, it was a really good night,” O’Neal said. “I think we were better than what we showed there. We just didn’t take full advantage of it. It was a good first night, but we’ve still got a long week here. Hopefully the speed carries over.”

Brandon Sheppard and Darrell Lanigan rounded out the top five.

The finish:

Feature (30 Laps): 1. 32-Bobby Pierce [1]; 2. 9-Devin Moran [4]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal [6]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard [2]; 5. 29V-Darrell Lanigan [14]; 6. 76-Brandon Overton [5]; 7. 7-Ricky Weiss [12]; 8. 20RT-Ricky Thornton [3]; 9. 39-Tim McCreadie [23]; 10. OE-Rick Eckert [7]; 11. O-Scott Bloomquist [11]; 12. 8-Kyle Strickler [24]; 13. 44-Chris Madden [17]; 14. 40B-Kyle Bronson [10]; 15. 28-Dennis Erb [26]; 16. 58-Ross Bailes [25]; 17. 14B-John Baker [18]; 18. 3S-Brian Shirley [16]; 19. B1-Brent Larson [20]; 20. 5-Mark Whitener [13]; 21. 76N-Blair Nothdurft [19]; 22. 17M-Dale McDowell [8]; 23. 25-Shane Clanton [22]; 24. 14-Josh Richards [9]; 25. 56-Tony Jackson [21]; 26. 16-Tyler Bruening [15]. Lap Leader(s): Bobby Pierce 1-30. Hard Charger Award: 39-Tim McCreadie[+14]

We have reached the quarter mark of the 2021 NHL season -- at least for the teams that haven't had their schedules disrupted by COVID-19 yet.

But we're also coming up on another big holiday. So in the spirit of Valentine's Day, we identified something we love about every team in this week's edition of the Power Rankings.

How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1 to 31 -- taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule -- and those results are tabulated in the list featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to our Week 3 edition, published on Feb. 2. Points percentages are through the games of Feb. 9.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: .808
This week: @ MTL (Feb. 10); vs. MTL (Feb. 13); vs. OTT (Feb. 15)

Who is having a better start: Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL with 11 goals in 12 games, or Mitchell Marner, who has 21 points through 13? That's a trick question; it doesn't matter. It's awesome to see the pair of 23-year-old stars shine together.

2. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: .818
This week: @ NYR (Feb. 10, 12); @ NYI (Feb. 13)

The Bruins' culture is worth praising. Amid an external expectation that Boston was nearing regression -- the end of an era for the veteran core -- the Bruins are proving that it's going to be hard for other teams to tear down what they've built.

3. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: .850
This week: vs. ANA (Feb. 11); @ SJ (Feb. 13); vs. COL (Feb. 14, 16)

There's a lot to love about the Golden Knights' start so far, but perhaps the best thing is the way they close out games. Despite opponents having a slight edge in the second period, Vegas has outscored teams 15-8 in the third period this season.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: .864
This week: @ FLA (Feb. 11, 13); vs. FLA (Feb. 15)

As hockey fans, we know that as much fun as everyone's having with the Tompa Bay narrative -- suggesting the city became winners when Tom Brady came to town -- the Lightning were building a juggernaut the right way long before the quarterback arrived.

5. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: .750
This week: vs. TOR (Feb. 10); vs. EDM (Feb. 11); @ TOR (Feb. 13)

The Habs love themselves this season -- and to be clear, there's nothing wrong with that. But a loss to the lowly Senators last week kept their egos in check. "It keeps us humble," Phillip Danault said. "It just shows us any team can beat us -- any team that works harder."

6. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: .692
This week: @ NYR (Feb. 14)

We're obsessed with all the great Philly comebacks: Oskar Lindblom (beat cancer this summer), Nolan Patrick (missed all of last season with migraines), James van Riemsdyk (playoff scratch to being the team's leading scorer) and Sean Couturier (two goals, one assist in first game back since costochondral separation).

7. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: .682
This week: @ VGS (Feb. 14, 16)

While Philipp Grubauer is operating on a whole different level to start the season, let's be honest: The man breaking ankles and stealing the spotlight for the Avs has been sophomore Cale Makar.

Cale Makar has been so damn good this season pic.twitter.com/MpiEJGYKz6

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) February 5, 2021

8. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: .615
This week: @ ARI (Feb. 12, 13, 15)

Robert Thomas is going to be out until at least March (broken thumb), which is a bummer. But it reminds us of why we admire the Blues: It's their commitment to a next-man-up mentality. "This is what the team is built on," Brayden Schenn said this week. "Depth."

9. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: .625
This week: @ PIT (Feb. 14, 16)

What we adore about the Capitals: As accomplished as they are, and as hefty as their expectations are for themselves, they're always down to have fun. Like wearing a goofy Cobra Kai-themed headband that your coach ordered online, and totally embracing it.

10. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: .700
This week: @ DAL (Feb. 11, 13); vs. CBJ (Feb. 15)

Let's appreciate that the Canes, under coach Rod Brind'Amour, are the manifestation of grit. Vincent Trocheck, acquired at the deadline last season, seems to be vibing well; he took a puck to the face on Saturday, then was credited with two goals afterward.

11. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: .650
This week: vs. CAR (Feb. 11, 13); vs. NSH (Feb. 15, 16)

We adore Anton Khudobin -- the affable and highly capable Stars goalie -- as much as anyone, but it doesn't mean he's immune to the classic benching for oversleeping a practice. Glad it was only a one-game discipline.

12. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: .800
This week: vs. TB (Feb. 11, 13); @ TB (Feb. 15)

Carter Verhaeghe was a cap squeeze out in Tampa Bay, giving him an opportunity to sign in Florida for a bigger opportunity. Verhaeghe has practically doubled his ice time this season, and has nearly as many goals (six) in his first 10 games as he had in 52 games last season (nine).

13. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: .625
This week: vs. OTT (Feb. 11, 13); @ EDM (Feb. 15)

There's something quite admirable about a coach standing up for his players, especially against perceived injustice. Find yourself somebody who talks about you like the way Paul Maurice talks about Blake Wheeler when the media comes questioning.

"We're 10 games in, we're 6-3-1 and you're beaking my captain. Yeah, I'm offended by it."

Paul Maurice responds to the criticism that Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler has received, saying he's been in awe of Wheeler's work ethic and character since he got here. pic.twitter.com/Tlx5KHuDuG

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 3, 2021

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: .536
This week: @ CHI (Feb. 11, 13); @ CAR (Feb. 15)

Love that the Blue Jackets are responsible for their fair share of juicy drama. The NHL admits it erroneously awarded a goal to a Columbus opponent, John Tortorella benches another star (Patrik Laine, whom the team just landed in a blockbuster trade) and Mikko Koivu suddenly retires ... all in one week.

15. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: .500
This week: @ NYI (Feb. 11); vs. WSH (Feb. 14, 15)

For the second straight season, the Penguins have had a young defenseman blossom before our very eyes. In 2019-20, it was John Marino. Now, it's 21-year-old Pierre-Olivier Joseph making massive strides on the blue line.

16. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: .533
This week: @ MTL (Feb. 11); vs. WPG (Feb. 15)

As much as you hate the overreliance on the team's superstar duo, you do love the fact that two of the best players in the world are being showcased every game. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were on the ice for the final 5:45 of Battle of Alberta, Round 1 on Saturday.

17. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: .545
This week: vs. PIT (Feb. 11); vs. BOS (Feb. 13); @ BUF (Feb. 15, 16)

Love that it's so easy to write off the Islanders after a middling start (like the one they're having) and know very well they are going to look like a dangerous defensive juggernaut by spring, ready to make a playoff run. It's like clockwork.

18. Arizona Coyotes

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: .542
This week: vs. STL (Feb. 12, 13, 15)

Conor Garland is an undersized winger who was passed over in his first draft year, made less than $800,000 last season, and still leads the Coyotes in scoring thanks to a tenacious work ethic. You love to see it.

19. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: .545
This week: @ LA (Feb. 16)

The Wild will remain on a COVID pause this week, thanks to a cluster of cases. So let's take a moment and recognize the hot start for Jordan Greenway. The 23-year-old has leveled up, and leads his team in scoring.

20. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: .556
This week: @ NYR (Feb. 16)

We'll always love a team that works hard but doesn't take itself too seriously, like the Devils. Lindy Ruff is a hero for recognizing defenseman P.K. Subban after New Jersey's last game for his "first game without being minus."

ICYMI: our coach is savage.pic.twitter.com/InKKphxlPu

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 1, 2021

21. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: .542
This week: @ VAN (Feb. 11, 13, 15)

Things aren't always consistently smooth in Calgary, but we love a good redemption story. After a not-so-great 2019-20, Johnny Gaudreau is looking like Johnny Hockey again, scoring seven goals in his first 11 games.

22. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: .571
This week: vs. CBJ (Feb. 11, 13); @ DET (Feb. 15)

Here's a thing we didn't think we'd be saying about the Blackhawks: Their power play is good. Like maybe really good. Chicago is fourth in efficiency (31.6%), and has 18 power-play goals already.

23. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: .464
This week: @ VGS (Feb. 11); @ SJ (Feb. 15)

Let's gush about one particular Duck: John Gibson, who is often burdened by very little help. But to start the season, it felt like the 27-year-old goaltender was single-handedly keeping the team competitive.

24. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: .500
This week: vs. NYI (Feb. 15, 16)

The Sabres don't know when they'll play hockey again after a ninth player (plus coach Ralph Krueger) ended up on the COVID-19 protocol list. So it's a good time to read this story by Chris Peters, on expectations vs. reality for top picks, like Rasmus Dahlin. Spoiler: He's still on track to be great!

25. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: .455
This week: vs. BOS (Feb. 10, 12); vs. PHI (Feb. 14); vs. NJ (Feb. 16)

The Rangers had scored only 17 goals at 5-on-5 entering this week's game against the Islanders. The silver lining? Rookie K'Andre Miller has been on the ice for nine of them.

26. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: .500
This week: @ LA (Feb. 11); vs. VGS (Feb. 13); vs. ANA (Feb. 15)

It's lovely to see a young defenseman flourish on his own. That's what's happening right now with Mario Ferraro (previously best known as Cale Makar's defensive partner at UMass). The 22-year-old keeps commanding a bigger role.

27. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: .385
This week: vs. DET (Feb. 11, 13); @ DAL (Feb. 15, 16)

It's amazing that coach John Hynes was able to identify the team's scoring issues: The team is sixth in even-strength shot attempts, but 31st in even-strength shots on net. Get more pucks on net, get more goals, win; easy as that!

28. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: .375
This week: vs. CGY (Feb. 11, 13, 15)

You have to love how passionate Canucks fans are. Sure, Vancouver is a little leaky on D, but the fan angst is at a level where it feels the Canucks will never, ever defend well in their existence as a team, ever again.

29. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: .375
This week: vs. SJ (Feb. 11); vs. MIN (Feb. 16)

The Kings have shown some promise, but they've been derailed by injuries, so it's hard to see their true potential. Even still, Cal Petersen has had a gem of a start; the 26-year-old sure looks like Los Angeles' goaltender of the future.

30. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: .286
This week: @ NSH (Feb. 11, 13); vs. CHI (Feb. 15)

Brutal honesty: There's not a whole lot to love about the Detroit Red Wings this season, besides not being quite as bad as last season. But they do have a sick uniform set.

31. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: .179
This week: @ WPG (Feb. 11, 13); @ TOR (Feb. 15)

Even if the Senators feel like the only Canadian Division team without a chance at making the playoffs, they're still worth watching every night. Watching rookie Tim Stutzle shine is one of the reasons to do so.

When the PGA of America announced Tuesday that it would allow the use of distance-measuring devices at three of its major championships beginning this year, the news came as a surprise to many in the golf world, including the reigning PGA Championship winner.

“Crazy news to see that this morning on Twitter,” Collin Morikawa told GolfChannel.com on Tuesday evening.

The PGA will implement the new rule allowing rangefinders at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island on May 20-23, followed by the Senior PGA Championship at Southern Hills on May 27-30 and KPMG Women’s PGA at Atlanta Athletic Club on June 24-27. Rangefinders are already permitted in all college and amateur competition, though like those events, the PGA will prohibit the devices from including the slope feature, which measures elevation.

The decision came in an effort to speed up play, according to PGA president Jim Richerson, who said, “We’re always interested in methods that may help improve the flow of play during our championships.”

Morikawa agrees that the move has potential to help, though he contends that it likely won’t have a significant impact.

“Will you see pace of play improve like 10 or 15 minutes? I don’t think so,” he said. “But will it help certain players pick up speed? I think it’ll be tremendous in that sense.”

A well decorated amateur and college player at Cal before turning pro two summers ago, Morikawa is certainly comfortable using a rangefinder. He still uses one when he practices, as does his caddie, J.J. Jakovac. However, Morikawa admits that with any rule change, there will be an adjustment period, though he expects every player to at least carry a rangefinder during the championship.

“It’ll definitely give you accurate numbers, but so many caddies are used to walking everything off, adding their numbers,” he said. “Now, that you’re shooting pins, you have to kind of adjust to that, and now will guys do both in counting it off with their caddies and shooting pins? I could definitely see that. … Will some guys want to stay the way they are and not change anything? Absolutely. I mean, it’s a routine that we’re in and we’re so used to it. But in college I pulled out a rangefinder for every shot that I hit.”

Still, it will be different doing so in a major championship. Morikawa, currently ranked seventh in the world, is excited to find out what unfolds when rangefinders make their major debut at Kiawah in a few months.

“Is it going to solve anything? I don’t know, but we won’t know it until we try it,” he said. “… It’s going to be interesting to test it out at a major championship, but I look forward to it. It’s going to be cool to be a part of it for the first time.”

Many of Morikawa’s fellow tour pros also had their thoughts. Here’s a collection of a few of them:

Will Zalatoris: “I think hopefully it speeds up the game. I know that that's been a big topic of conversation for a long time. Monday qualifiers have been doing it for a couple years now, we're able to have range finders. So, I don't see a downside to it. I think if anything it will hopefully speed up the game, specifically of guys that hit one off line instead of walking over to the side, the one specifically I could think of actually is like a couple weeks ago in Torrey Pines I hit one out right on 14 and we had to walk 40 yards over, 40 yards back, my caddie actually had to even pace it off from the front edge and that adds a couple minutes and next thing you know we're behind and even though the entire group – I think we all made par – I'm hoping it helps, I'm all for whatever makes the game faster. I don't really see a downside to it. The reality is even when you see guys walking the golf course or covering the tournament, they're just walking up to our ball shooting a number and then we got to walk around and go find it. So, I'm hoping that it speeds up the game that's all really that I'm focused on. But at the same time, I'm sure that there's some guys that are kind of being homers and they want to, the art of getting a yardage, knowing how far things are playing, so it will be interesting.”

Nick Taylor: “The argument that I constantly hear with it is pace of play. I think there would be an adjustment period where I don't think speed would, I don't think pace of play would speed up at all because we're still trying to find front numbers. I think caddies would still be double-checking. In the case when you're way off line, of course rangefinders are going to speed up play. But yeah, that's interesting. I'm sure if you talked to caddies they would be against it because I think they take pride in what they do and it is a skill to get the angles, the numbers, and be confident that you get those numbers, where the rangefinder probably takes away a part of that.”

Troy Merritt: "No issue at all with me. Guys will mostly use them when they’re offline. Most will still use the books when they’re in position. Don’t think it changes the game much. Rangefinders are as accurate as books – always have the potential to be a few yards off. Helps mostly when you’re trying to figure out a number when you’re out of position. Will speed up play in that regard."

Fred Funk: "I think it is about time, just another tool to speed up play. Really great for when you are out of position and need quick reference. Will never replace yardage book, though."