Canucks Trade Swedish Forward Nils Höglander To Predators
Spencer LazaryTue, June 30, 2026 at 5:16 AM UTC·1 min readThe Vancouver Canucks have traded Swedish forward Nils Höglander to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2029 third-round pick.
It’s a change of scenery for the 25-year-old winger after a difficult season in Vancouver. Höglander dealt with a lower-body injury in the preseason that required surgery, and he didn’t get back into the lineup until December.
Even after returning, he struggled to find consistency and finished with just two goals and three assists in 38 games, with stretches as a healthy scratch mixed in.
Höglander did have 24 goals just two seasons ago. He’s still only 25, and the style seems to fit what Nashville is building with their new additions. It seems that they are trying to rebuild their bottom six. They've added Jack Drury, Ross Colton, Adam Edstrom and now Höglander.
For Vancouver, the move is more about resetting a bit and getting value while they still can. Höglander is entering the second season of a three-year deal at a $3 million cap hit. Even after the trade, all signs point to them making more moves to move out money and try to continue the rebuild under their new management group.
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7 Texans Players Facing the Pressure of Contract Years in 2026
7 Texans Players Facing the Pressure of Contract Years in 2026
The Houston Texans have several players in contract years looking to make a statement.Jared Koch|
In this story:
Houston TexansThe Houston Texans, throughout a busy and productive offseason, were able to lock up several of their key roster pieces on new deals and extensions to ensure they remain on this roster for the foreseeable future. Guys that were previously entering contract years like Azeez Al-Shaair, Dalton Schultz, and Danielle Hunter were among that group.
But the Texans still have several components of this roster who didn't land a new deal, and now enter a pivotal season to either try to boost their stock heading into next offseason's free agency to get paid elsewhere, or try to make their case for a return to Houston.
Let's take a look at seven names on the Texans roster entering into those contract years for 2026, with the pressure now building for them to have a strong year of production.
Davis Mills, QB
Mills has proven to be a quality and valued backup for the Texans ever since C.J. Stroud entered the picture back in 2023. He showed just how valuable he can be during his three-game stretch as a starter last season where Houston logged a 3-0 record while he was under center.
But he now enters the last year of his current contract. And while it'll be tough to find significant playing time unless something happens to C.J. Stroud, any and all opportunities will be big for Mills to capitalize on to continue getting looks from opposing teams in need of a veteran signal caller, or perhaps a bigger payday from Houston to be their QB2–– if they're willing to open their checkbook.
Tank Dell, WR
It's undoubtedly a big season on the horizon for Tank Dell in multiple ways. Not only will he be making his return to the field for the first time since his severe leg injury in 2024, but he's also in the last year of his rookie contract.
There's no telling how strong Dell will look in his first year back, or how much the Texans will utilize him as he gets rolling. However, those reps that he does end up getting will be a major tell of whether or not other teams will have interest in paying out a big contract his way, or if Houston has definitive interest in re-signing him.
Xavier Hutchinson, WR
Another wide receiver in the room who faces a contract year is another 2023 draft pick in Xavier Hutchinson––who's fresh off his best season with the team, where he logged a career high in receptions (35) and yards (428).
But the Texans' receiver depth is getting crowded enough to where the Texans could make Hutchinson expendable come time for the next offseason. Between Nico Collins, their second-year wideouts, and Dell returning into the picture, Hutchinson will have to make a noticeable impact to warrant a significant look from Houston to re-sign him to a second contract.
Brevin Jordan, TE
Like Tank Dell, Brevin Jordan is fresh off of a two-year injury hiatus this season to try and re-establish himself as the offensive weapon that the Texans brought him in to be. And just like Houston's wide receiver room, this tight end group will have a lot of depth for Jordan to work through to get extensive snaps in the offense.
But with his upside as both a pass-catcher and a blocker, Jordan can find his way up the depth chart in no time as the TE2 behind Dalton Schultz. If he can do that, then he'll find a nice, well-deserved payday his way next offseason.
Trent Brown, OT
Brown signed a new one-year, $7 million contract to return to the Texans this offseason. But after this season, he'll be hitting the negotiation table with Houston or another team once again. And depending on what his role looks like in this offense for 2026, he could get another nice deal to come his way.
The Texans will likely be deciding between Brown and offseason signing Braden Smith for their starting right tackle job in training camp. With Brown's tenure and experience in this offense, seeing him elevate into that starting unit wouldn't be totally shocking, and doing so would certainly boost the value of his next contract, if he performs and stays on the field consistently.
Tommy Togiai, DT
Houston made the big investment of adding Kayden McDonald to their defensive line this offseason with the No. 36 pick on the second day of the draft. However, last year's standout practice squad elevation, Tommy Togiai, cannot be forgotten about––especially as he enters into a contract year from the extension he signed midway through last season.
Togiai was a major bright spot of this defense in 2025 as a stout run defender next to Sheldon Rankins on the interior, and while his competition will be tougher entering this season, it's clear this coaching staff has a clear affinity for him to warrant another big role in his third year with the team.
Henry To'oTo'o, LB
One of the most notable starters on the Texans' defense entering a contract year is their second starting linebacker next to Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair in Henry To'oTo'o, who's role also becomes even more important this season following the season-ending injury suffered by E.J. Speed.
It could be tough for the Texans to pay out a big deal for To'oTo'o next summer because of the steep bill that'll be due around their defensive unit, paired with the upcoming extension that could be on the horizon for C.J. Stroud. But nonetheless, how he plays this season could dictate a lot of what his value might be on the open market.
Published 18 minutes ago
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the Publisher of Houston Texans On SI. He has covered the NFL & NBA with On SI since 2023, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.
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Daniel Rodriguez originally hoped to face Leon Edwards in UFC return
Daniel Rodriguez originally hoped to face Leon Edwards in UFC return
Sayan Nag Jun 30, 2026 Daniel Rodriguez was calling for a matchup against Leon Edwards before he got booked for UFC Belgrade.Rodriguez (20-5) is set to fight Uros Medic (13-3) in a welterweight bout at UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1. “D-Rod” recently revealed that he was originally rallying for a booking against Edwards at UFC 329 during International Fight Week. However, Rodriguez believes Edwards was not keen on the matchup. Rodriguez plans to continue the pursuit by calling out “Rocky” if he beats Medic at UFC Belgrade.
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Not Forgotten
“We wanted the fight; we asked for the fight,” Rodriguez told Home of Fight. “I guess on his end, they were leaning towards another direction. That would’ve been crazy to have fought on the International Fight Week card. But I got a better opportunity. Another tough matchup as well. We’ll see; we’ll definitely be calling him out after.”
While Rodriguez is currently on a three-fight winning streak, he hasn’t fought since July 2025, as he was arrested in Mexico last year. Rodriguez was released this past April after spending eight months in a jail in Tijuana, Mexico, for crossing the border with weed. Meanwhile, Edwards (22-6) is currently on a three-fight slump, starting with his title loss to Belal Muhammad in 2024. The Englishman hasn’t fought since a brutal stoppage loss against Carlos Prates this past November.
« Previous Sean Strickland responds to 'Shara Bullet' rant: 'It makes me laugh' Next Sean Strickland vows to help Indian MMA fighter Anshul Jubli » More👀 D-Rod says he asked for the Leon Edwards fight and was ready to take it on international fight week, yet Leon’s team were ‘leaning towards another direction’
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) June 29, 2026
He plans to call Leon out if he beats Uros Medic
“Yeah bro, we wanted the fight, we asked for the fight. I guess on… pic.twitter.com/pZ3lNxtv3X
- Sean Strickland vows to help Indian MMA fighter Anshul Jubli
- Sean Strickland responds to 'Shara Bullet' rant: 'It makes me laugh'
- Rafael Fiziev reveals why he left police officer job
- Anthony Hernandez praises former foe Sean Strickland: 'He’s a cool dude'
- Magomed 'Wild Chanco' Zaynukov set for UFC debut in Abu Dhabi
Sean Strickland vows to help Indian MMA fighter Anshul Jubli
Sean Strickland vows to help Indian MMA fighter Anshul Jubli
Sayan Nag Jun 30, 2026 Anshul Jubli could pick up his first official UFC win with Sean Strickland’s help.Strickland (31-7) recently trained with Jubli at the UFC Performance Institute. The UFC middleweight champion subsequently praised Jubli while also joking about the stereotype that scammers are Indian. Strickland promises to help Jubli in training when he returns to Las Vegas in two weeks.
Advertisement “Bro said ‘someone is hacking into your bank account, I need your social and password to stop it.’ Real talk, this man is holding it down for India. When I’m back in two weeks I’m gonna help him and bring soap,” Strickland wrote on X. “He gonna be a real n—a when I’m done with him.”
Bro said "someone is hacking into your bank account, I need your social and password to stop it"
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 30, 2026
Real talk this man is holding it down for India when Im back in two weeks Im gonna help him and bring soap.. He gonns be a real nigga when im done with him https://t.co/JvKSm7FXqO
Rocky Start
Jubli (7-2) won the first Road to UFC tournament to secure his UFC contract. “King of Lions” was a highly-touted undefeated prospect going into his UFC debut against Mike Breeden in 2023. While Jubli was leading in the first two rounds, Breeden scored a come-from-behind stoppage win in the final round. Jubli has since suffered a 19-second knockout loss against surging Australian prospect Quillan Salkilld in February 2025. « Previous Daniel Rodriguez originally hoped to face Leon Edwards in UFC return More
- Daniel Rodriguez originally hoped to face Leon Edwards in UFC return
- Sean Strickland responds to 'Shara Bullet' rant: 'It makes me laugh'
- Rafael Fiziev reveals why he left police officer job
- Anthony Hernandez praises former foe Sean Strickland: 'He’s a cool dude'
- Magomed 'Wild Chanco' Zaynukov set for UFC debut in Abu Dhabi
Lions QB Jared Goff: No. 5 Ranked Player Still Has Something to Prove
Lions QB Jared Goff: No. 5 Ranked Player Still Has Something to Prove
Jared Goff has one more box to check leading the Detroit Lions.Christian Booher|
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Detroit LionsWhen the Detroit Lions traded for quarterback Jared Goff in 2021, it set the franchise on an upward trajectory.
The deal, which involved sending Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, gave the Lions a quarterback and a number of picks to build a team around him. Goff went through struggles in his first season, but has rebounded and become a stable force for Detroit behind center.
While Goff has had a career resurgence and performed at a high level, there still remains one big goal for the quarterback as he enters his sixth year with the Lions. The team has expectations of contending for a Super Bowl, and Goff is still looking to prove that he's the guy for the job in Detroit.
Entering a pivotal season after a last-place finish in the NFC North last season, Goff enters the season as the No. 6 most important player on Detroit's roster.
Top 25 Detroit Lions of 2026: Ranking Every Player Based on Impact
Why Jared Goff is so important
As the quarterback, Goff is responsible for the majority of Detroit's operation. He has an array of playmakers around him, and it's his job to distribute the ball to them and keep the offense moving at an efficient clip.
Since a tough first season with the Lions, Goff has emerged as a beacon of stability for the team. He hasn't missed a start since that year, and has compiled a record of 45-23 in his last four seasons while never falling below 4,400 passing yards in that time span.
The veteran quarterback's steady demeanor has proven to be ideal for the team from a leadership perspective as well, and he has asserted himself after initial concerns about whether or not he would be the team's long-term answer at quarterback.
Strengths and weaknesses
As a passer, Goff is at his best when he's comfortable. This involves the work that he does pre-snap to get the offensive line set up and get the team in the right play, then identifying opposing coverages. When he's able to throw from a set pocket, he is capable of dicing a defense up.
Goff's accuracy was at a career-best rate last year, as he had an adjusted completion percentage of 80.2 percent according to Pro Football Focus. Adjusted completion percentage accounts for the amount of passes thrown on target.
However, some of his limitations deal with mobility. Goff is not the fleetest of foot, and as such when defenses get him on the move his accuracy wavers.
The strengths far outweight the weaknesses in terms of his overall ability. In addition to being accurate, Goff is as durable as any quarterback having made every start for the team over four seasons.
He also has playoff experience, having played in a Super Bowl during his time with the Rams. He's led the Lions to the NFC Championship game in 2023, and now he's looking to prove that he's capable of getting the team to the top of the mountain.
What happens if Goff gets hurt?
The Lions reunited with veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to be Goff's backup once again, and he would be the next in line if Goff were to be injured. It's the third time in the last four years that the Lions have employed Bridgewater as their backup, and there are a multitude of reasons why he's an ideal fit.
In addition to having several years of experience as a starter, Bridgewater has also drawn rave reviews for his connective ability to mentor players in the locker room and help in the quarterback room as well.
Now 33, Bridgewater is entering his 13th NFL season. There could be concerns that his abilities are waning, but he has appeared in just six games over the last three years, with one of them being the Lions' Divisional Round game against Washington in 2024 for one series.
Detroit also has intriguing undrafted free agent Luke Altmyer on the roster heading into training camp, and he could challenge Bridgewater for the backup job or serve as an emergency third option.
Why we ranked Goff here
Goff is set to have a pivotal season in 2026. With all the playmakers around him, the pressure is on for him to produce and help the team get back on track after a down year in 2025.
Detroit's offense has new leadership in coordinator Drew Petzing, and Goff seems to be gelling well in his offense through the early stages of the offseason.
Even with the star-caliber talent around him, there's still expectation for Goff to be at an elite level performing as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. Very few teams are able to win at a high level with mediocre quarterback play, and as a result Goff holds the key to success for Detroit in 2026.
Published 2 minutes ago
CHRISTIAN BOOHERSports journalist who has covered the Detroit Lions the past three NFL seasons. Christian brings expert analysis, insights and an ability to fairly assess how the team is performing in a tough NFC North division.
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