Summer is here, bringing lovely weather and good vibes, but leaving behind all sports besides baseball. Twitter has become dry as well, and it’s clear that leagues are running out of ideas for content:
I don’t need to see any more mirror-mode videos displaying highlights I’ve already seen. What I do need is the NFL, NBA, and NHL seasons to start up ASAP, but unfortunately, it’ll take a couple of months before we get there. So, in the meantime let’s take a look at some important dates across the four major leagues that are slated for the remainder of the summer:
TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT – NHL DRAFT
The NHL draft is glaringly similar to the NBA draft this year, with a clear #1 overall pick going to a team who’s had loads of success with players of similar caliber. Instead of Victor Wembanyama being drafted to the Spurs and replacing the likes of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, its Conor Bedard going to the Blackhawks and replacing the recently separated Patrick Kane. Tune in tonight to see Chicago land another franchise player.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH – NBA FREE AGENCY OPENS
This is the time Woj has been waiting for. The trade deadline and the beginning of free agency are career days for the man, and I expect this year to be no different. Here’s a list of some of the top guys that’ll hit the market this Friday:
SATURDAY, JULY 1ST – NHL FREE AGENCY BEGINS
Just two days after the draft concludes, free agency begins in the NHL, and there is plenty of talent waiting to be scooped up. From the Bruins alone, Dmitry Orlov, Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jeremy Swayman, and many others can test their options, as I broke down in a previous blog.
Outside of Boston, Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Killorn, Ryan O’Reilly, and other notable names could be on the move. Teams will certainly change this offseason, and we’ll see that start to happen this Saturday.
Another Bruins side note: it was just reported that Milan Lucic is likely to sign with the team when the market opens this weekend. Hopefully this will help persuade Bergeron to make a return!
JULY 4TH – NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST
This is the Super Bowl of the summer. In legend it is said that the contest originated on July 4th, 1916, when four immigrants held a hot dog eating contest to see who was the most patriotic. Outside of 1941 and 1971 where the contest was cancelled out of protest against WW2 and the Vietnam War, the competition has occurred each year and remains a staple of Independence Day. This year, the greatest professional eater of all time, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, looks to take home his eight straight title for a total of 16 career wins. Here are the opening odds:
JULY 11th – MLB ALL-STAR GAME
The All-Star Game returns to T-Mobile Park after 22 years to host the 93rd rendition of the bout between the American League and National League. Seattle is becoming a hotspot for professional sports after launching NHL’s latest expansion team, the Kraken, and the city is at the center of NBA expansion talks for the near future. Hosting the All-Star Game is a smart marketing move by the city to try and convince the NBA that the new/old Supersonics team would be a hit (pun intended). My one critique for this game is that the Home Run Derby will not be held in Denver like it was last year. The altitude makes balls launch off of bats, and no other city can compete with holding a better Derby than Denver. The HRD should forever be held at Coors Field.
JULY 20TH – 23RD – THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Similar to baseball, golf is a sport that continues throughout the summer while many others stop. Unlike baseball, however, golf holds two of its four majors during the summer months, with the US Open concluding a couple of weeks ago, and the Open Championship slated for just under a month from now. Though I didn’t mention them in this calendar, I will be reporting on the other tournaments that go down each weekend leading up to the Open, as I will do with notable baseball games.
JULY 20TH – AUGUST 20TH – WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
I love the women’s World Cup. Their players are not only extremely talented, but I also think that they play a much more physical game than the men. The flopping and diving for calls is by far the most frustrating thing about the sport, but the women simply don’t do it as much, and I am here for it. I can’t wait to see Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Co dominate the world like they have the past two tournaments.
AUGUST 10th – 27th – NFL PRESEASON
This is when mock drafts turn into an unhealthy, everyday habit. People start itching for some NFL in August, and the only things available to scratch it are fantasy mocks, Hard Knocks, and preseason games. While most hate on the preseason games, I like them for their betting value. Anything can happen, and because of this, betting on players that will barely see time in the regular season becomes a blast. As for Hard Knocks, the team that will be chosen for this year’s season hasn’t been announced yet, but once we hear news, we’ll keep you updated!