How MBA won first Predators Cup hockey championship since 2021 — and more

Oilers cut ties with $3.6 million forward with trade before deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Edmonton Oilers have moved on.

Andrew Mangiapane ended up being a total bust, but at least they found a way off of him.

He's reportedly being sent to the Chicago Blackhawks in a fascinating deal reported Wednesday night:

Trade details, per sources:

To #LetsGoOilers:
C Jason Dickinson (50% retained)
F Colton Dach

To #Blackhawks:
F Andrew Mangiapane
2027 1st Round Pick

Condition: 1st round pick is Top 12 protected.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 5, 2026

MORE: Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center

The Oilers actually made this deal more likely by passing Mangiapane through waivers earlier in the week.

The Athletic's Chris Johnston wrote : "Quite the contrary, in fact, because an acquiring team can send Mangiapane directly to the AHL once he’s passed through waivers and would be in a position to get a sweetener from Edmonton for taking on his contract. Mangiapane’s game is a long way from the 35-goal season he had in 2021-22, but he did score 13 even-strength goals in Washington last season and was also deployed as a penalty killer on the league’s fifth-best unit. Edmonton is desperate to clear up cap space for other moves, so he has to go."

Mangiapane has a $3.6 million annual average value and is still under contract through the 2026-27 season.

That appears to be Chicago's problem now.

More NHL news:

• Oilers want 2 positions before the NHL trade deadline
• A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
• Canadiens know trade cost for Robert Thomas
• It'll be complicated to trade for Steven Stamkos
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Buffalo Sabres have gone from last to the best story in hockey

Welcome to Bag Spy, a GOLF series devoted to understanding the crucial equipment choices that define a player’s bag. With the help of players and/or their expert fitters, we dig deep beyond the photos to examine setups, specs and the thinking behind them. In this installment, GOLF Associate Equipment Editor Jack Hirsh takes you inside Si Woo Kim’s bag and new equipment setup for 2026.

***

At first glance — and depending on what course you catch him — Si Woo Kim has a pretty old-school bag.

Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-iron through pitching wedge and just two wedges, a 52˚ and a 60˚. We don’t see a lot of that set-up on the PGA Tour anymore.

But a deeper dive and conversation with Callaway Senior PGA Tour Player Development Representative Kellen Watson shows Kim actually has a unique relationship with gear. He focuses strictly on looks, and if it passes the first couple of swings, there usually won’t be much hesitancy with putting it in the bag.

“If there’s something that fits his eye very nicely, you can be damn sure that either the wedge that it might be or the set of irons or the driver or whatever, it’s going in play like right away,” Watson told GOLF. “The performance stuff, we’ll incrementally get exactly where we need to get to. But aesthetically, if it’s pleasing to his eye, there’s nothing bigger. If it goes through the ground perfectly, it’s going in the bag.”

Watson called Kim a “corporate dream” because he’ll put almost any club in his bag as long as it meets his eye test.

That’s notable because Kim held onto his Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond driver for two years before moving into the Quantum Triple Diamond this season.

But he’s not afraid to try anything, and, in fact, Watson has to prevent him from trying too much.

“He gets some ideas, and he’ll just do it behind my back,” Watson said. “That’s why I try to stay in front of him all the time so we don’t allow him to do anything like that.”

Watson also has to rely on Kim’s caddie, Manny Villegas, to help maintain Kim’s clubs. It’s usually Villegas who asks for regrips or loft/lie checks.

“Manny’s almost playing offensive coordinator and Si Woo’s just the quarterback, just taking the play calls,” Watson said.

So far that’s been working well this season, as Kim, despite a bulky putter, had four top-11 finishes in his first four starts this season, including two top-5s. He’s 9th in the FedEx Cup standings and second in Strokes Gained: Approach with Callaway’s yet-to-be-released Apex MB ’26 irons.

Kim and Villegas, the brother of five-time Tour winner Camillo Villegas, form one of professional golf’s most unlikely player-caddie duos, but they’re also perhaps the most laidback and fun.

“I still think they should make a TV show of him and Manny, almost like there’s a sequel of ‘Rob & Big.’ I would watch that. I would watch them talk to each other all day long, every day,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s anybody there you want to be around more than Si Woo when you’re playing golf. And that just kind of goes for every day anyway. Some of it’s just because you never know what he’s going to say next.”

Kim’s golf bag embodies much of that persona.

Keep reading below to dive into the bag of one of the PGA Tour’s best characters, Si Woo Kim.

Breaking down every club in Si Woo Kim’s bag

Ball

2022 Callaway Chrome Tour Dot

As a player who plays a fade and generally plays at a spin surplus throughout the bag, Kim is one of the many users of Callaway’s Chrome Tour Dot golf ball, a Tour-only version of the Chrome Tour X.

“Just the higher spin guys — it’s just the flight’s a little bit better for him. The spin control is a lot better for him,” Watson said of the ball, which is also played by Xander Schauffele.

The Dot has an identical aero package to the Chrome Tour X, but it reaches a slightly lower peak height due to reduced spin. Otherwise, it flies similarly.

Players who play a fade generally are going to spin the ball more than players who draw it, so being able to retain control and wind performance with a touch lower spin, while keeping launch, speed and feel the same, is a good match for Kim.

Callaway 2026 Chrome Tour X Golf Balls

SPEED TECHNOLOGY Revolutionary new Tour Fast Mantle that increases distance through an optimized core/layer system. ADVANCED SEAMLESS TOUR AERO® Incredible distance and flight consistency on every shot.   PRECISION TOUR URETHANE COVER   Incredible feel and wedge control.     PRECISION TECHNOLOGY  Provides the ultimate in consistency. Every detail in the design, manufacture, and testing of the Chrome Tour X ball has been engineered to ensure maximized performance throughout your game.

$57.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore

Driver

Specs
Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 9.0
Actual Loft: 8.9˚
OptiFit Setting: N/-1
Weights: 7 g front, 9 g back heel, 1 g back toe
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 6-X
Length: 44 15/16″ EOG
Tipping: 1″
Swingweight: D3.4

Stock Carry: 290 yards

When it comes to his driver, there isn’t much unique about Si Woo Kim’s, but it is notable given he did not switch to Callaway’s Elyte driver last season.

You would think, after Kim hung onto a Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond for two seasons, that it would have been a long and arduous testing process to get him into a new Quantum Triple Diamond for this season.

But it took Watson only three swings.

“We did kind of a preliminary fitting at Sea Island,” Watson said. “I think we gave him the 8.5. I remember every interaction with him and Manny because they’re some of my most fun times on Tour. But I think he hit it twice. Little low spin. Nine-degree first shot, and it was like, ‘Can we play this this week?’”

The start line was also important for getting Kim to switch from his Ai Smoke, which is why you’ll see above in his specs he keeps the back weight on the heel side of the club to encourage a left start line.

Unfortunately, at the RSM Classic last fall, where Callaway annually does testing with their staff players for the new driver, the Quantum was not yet on the USGA conforming list.

But Kim got his driver in mid-November and he was one of the first to put it in play the first week of December at the Australian Open when it hit the conforming list.

One thing that Watson struggled with, however, was getting him to test a backup driver.

“He hates to do like a backup head, and I forced him to do like a backup head today (Tuesday at Bay Hill),” Watson said. “He’s like, ‘Nothing’s wrong with this one. This one will not fail.’ I’m just making sure, dude.”

Kim moved into the updated Fujikura Ventus Black with VeloCore+ during testing with the Elyte driver as they found the slightly softer profile had a better feel for him. It also aided his timing for a fade.

“If anything, a little less catch-up in the shaft, just being just like a touch softer is probably better for him, where the club will stay behind him at impact and he can kind of hit that fade a little bit better,” Watson said.

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Custom Driver

$699.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Callaway

Mini Driver

Specs
Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver 11.5
Actual Loft: 11.2˚
Lie: 57˚
OptiFit Setting: -1/N (Flat Cog)
Weights: 14 g front, 5 g back
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 7-X
Length: 43.125″
Tipping: 2″
Swingweight: D3.1

In some ways, the mini driver has become synonymous with Kim, as he is famous for his DODs from anywhere.

Fairway, rough, other, you name it, Si Woo Kim has probably tried to hit a driver off the deck from it.

That was the impetus for Kim in sticking with his Paradym Ai-Smoke mini driver, because it was much easier for him to hit off the fairway.

Watson intends to show Kim the new Quantum Mini Driver soon, but wanted to get more insight from the club from Min Woo Lee and Max Greyserman, both of whom already have it in the bag.

Kim loves the ability to swing the Mini Driver flatter and not down on it like a 3-wood.

Fairway Woods

1/2

2/2

Specs
Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 3-wood*
Loft: 13.2˚
Lie: 57.3˚
Shaft: Fujikura OG Ventus Black 8-X
Length: 42.875″
Tipping: 1.5″
Swingweight:

Stock Carry: 258

*The Mini Driver is primary, but the 3-wood goes in on courses where he thinks he might need it

Specs
Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 5-wood
Loft: 16.4˚
Lie: 58˚
Shaft: Fujikura OG Ventus Black 10-X
Length: 42 1/16″ EOG
Tipping: 2″
Swingweight: D4

Stock Carry: 237

While Kim doesn’t use the 3-wood often in favor of the longer Mini Driver, when he does, he likes to be aggressive with it. It’s to the point where Watson compared his divots to Sergio Garcia, one of the best and also steepest fairway wood players of all time.

The 5-wood is a better story as Kim previously played a Rogue ST LS 5-wood since the club came out in 2022.

That club was a “complete weapon,” Watson said, and was the club he used to make the longest hole-in-one in major championship history last year at Quail Hollow’s 252-yard par-3 6th.

But in the fall, Kim wanted to shorten the club and did so while in Japan for the Baycurrent Classic. Why?

“I don’t know. I have no idea!” Watson said. Remember when Watson said he had to get between Kim and some of his “ideas?” This is why.

The club never felt the same to Kim after that. Watson built him a new 5-wood before the start of the season and the 3-wood just so he has options and doesn’t have to look for a new club in the middle of the season.

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Custom Fairway Wood

$449.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT:PGA Tour Superstore, Callaway

Irons

Specs
Callaway Apex MB ’26 3-PW
Shafts: KBS Tour V 125
Lofts: 19.3/21.4/24.9/28.5/32.3/36.6/40.5/44.5
Lies: 60/60.3/61.1/61.5/61.7/62.3/62.9/62.6
Length: 7-iron 37″ EOG
Swingweight: D3 (“Or whatever feels good sometimes” – Watson)

3-iron Stock Carry: 221
7-iron Stock Carry: 174

Kim is one of a growing number of players on Callaway’s unreleased Apex MB ’26 prototype irons. He has played blades at times throughout his career, but not since his first year with Callaway in 2018.

But when Kim first tested the new blades, like all of his other changes, the decision to switch was almost instant. Again, the swap was driven more by visuals.

Watson says the new MB has a longer blade length and a more Japanese-inspired pinched toe shape, similar to the X Forged, which was all familiar to him. Kim was one of just three staffers previously playing the Apex CB ’24, primarily due to the longer blade length.

“I think the longer the blade length for him, I think the better the results he gets,” Watson said. “For him, a longer blade length, the higher toe, the matched window of launch and spin being pretty much exactly where you need it — I think that is the determination of, is it going in play?”

In testing, Watson said the new MB “hits more of that CB kind of window” launch conditions which made the switch simple for Kim.

Looking at his specs, you’ll notice his irons are all bent 1-2 degrees strong. That’s not done for launch/spin or even turf interaction reasons. Keeping with the theme here, that’s all done to fit Kim’s eye. He’s played the stronger lofts since before he signed with Callaway in 2018.

“If there’s something that really fits his eye — he’s a lot about aesthetics — if there’s something that fits his eye very nicely, you can be damn sure that either the wedge that it might be or the set of irons or the driver or whatever, it’s going in play like right away,” Watson said.

Kim’s high-spin tendencies allow him to play the blades all the way through to the 3-iron, a rarity on the modern PGA Tour where even 4-irons are starting ot become extinct.

But the 3-iron doesn’t actually get used that often and, Watson said, sometimes he’ll even be content with rolling with just 13 clubs.

Callaway Apex MB Custom Irons

The new Apex MB Irons are developed for the absolute best in the game who are looking for a high level of performance in a modern Tour blade. With our Dynamic Sole Design, it provides more efficient turf interaction, enhanced workability, and the classic feel that elite players expect. A PURE BLADE IN A MODERN DESIGN The new Apex MB Irons are developed for the absolute best in the game who are looking for a high level of performance in a modern Tour blade. With our Dynamic Sole Design, it provides more efficient turf interaction, enhanced workability, and the classic feel that elite players expect. PURE FORGED PERFORMANCE The Apex MB body and face are forged as one-piece in a proprietary forging process from 1025 carbon steel, creating the purest feeling iron imaginable. PROGRESSIVE CG DESIGN FOR ADDED CONTROL A progressive CG throughout the set improves trajectory control. The long irons feature a lower CG that promotes towering shots that land soft into greens while the short irons utilize a higher CG for a lower trajectory with more spin for added control. DYNAMIC SOLE DESIGN FOR ENHANCED TURF INTERACTION These irons feature a dual chamfer on the leading edge to cut through the turf more efficiently. A trailing edge chamfer provides relief from the turf after contact for enhanced feel. This Dynamic Sole Design maintains speed through the turf and promotes consistent contact on all shots.

$222.00 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT:PGA Tour Superstore, Callaway

Wedges

1/2

2/2

Specs
Callaway Opus SP RAW
Lofts/Grinds: 52/10S @ 51.5˚, 60/8C @ 59˚
Shafts: KBS Tour V 125
Lie: 60.8/63
Length: 35″ EOG/34.625″ EOG
Swingweight: D3 (“Or whatever feels good sometimes” – Watson)

52˚ Stock Carry: 114
60˚ Stock Carry: 89

Just two wedges?! Yes! just two wedges.

While the conventional wisdom for a player with strong lofted irons is to usually add more wedges, Kim plays just a couple and relies on feel to gauge the proper distance.

“I think that has more to do with the incredible set of hands that Si Woo just has,” Watson said. “I think he does more of it just with his hands. Totally feel.

“He’s more of an artist than people kind of would lead you to believe.”

Unlike most pros on the PGA Tour, Kim doesn’t use a clock system to hit distance wedge shots.

Like the rest of the bag, Kim had little issue switching into the new Opus SPs.

“I think he picked up both of them, just put them in the bag, like, ‘Okay, you take these two. I’ll play these two,” without even the waiting,” Watson said. “It’s like… ‘Yeah… Cool.'”

His stamp job, done by Callaway’s legendary Anthony Taranto is uniquely Si Woo. If you don’t get the reference, recall this clip of Jordan Spieth from the 2017 Presidents Cup.

Callaway Opus SP Custom Wedge

SPIN POCKET™ CONSTRUCTION A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins. NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE™ The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots. SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets—creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom. X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.

$199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT:PGA Tour Superstore, Callaway

Putter

Putter: Odyssey O-Works 3T
Loft: 2˚
Lie: 70˚
Length: 33.5″
Insert: Microhinge
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Claw 1.0

The flatstick has been a club holding Kim back this season as he ranks second in Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green this season, but is losing nearly seven-tenths of a stroke on the greens. While this year is one of his worst, Kim has never gained strokes putting since joining the PGA Tour in 2016.

This Odyssey O-Works 3T is new this season and Kim loves the look of it, but this week, he’s testing out a new Odyssey prototype TRTL mallet putter.

It’s the same putter that Min Woo Lee is using and it obviously passed the eye test for Kim to consider using it this week. The specs match his current O-Works 3T.

Putter has been a revolving door the past two seasons for Kim after he stopped using an Odyssey 2-Ball 10 Broomstick.

Watson doesn’t know exactly why the run with the broom came to an end — nobody does, he said — but he has his guesses.

“He might have been getting sick of the look and just wanted to look at something different,” Watson said. “That would be my answer… and that wouldn’t be odd as an answer to the question about Si Woo with anything.”

Will the new TRTL be the next one to have staying power? We’ll see if it even makes it to the bag at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Extras

Grips: Golf Pride MCC Blackout 58R

The author welcomes your comments at [email protected].

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Si Woo Kim’s golf bag is one-of-a-kind. Just like him | Bag Spy appeared first on Golf.

March is here, and the race for the national title is wide open. A wild weekend in college basketball caused another shift in the betting odds. Some teams surged after big wins. Others slipped after tough losses. Florida made the biggest jump after crushing Arkansas by 34 points. Michigan still holds the top spot even after losing to Duke. Duke, Arizona, and Houston remain close behind. UConn continues to stay in the picture after a dominant revenge win over St. John’s.

The rest of the top 10 shows how hard it is to stay consistent late in the season. Several teams have dropped key games but still carry strong title hopes. These odds come from BetMGM and show how experts see the field heading into the final week of conference play. Each team listed below has a real path to a championship. Some rely on defense. Others win with depth or shooting. Health and momentum now matter more than ever.

Here is a full breakdown of the current national title favorites.

+4000 – Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State sits at the bottom of the top 10 but still remains in the hunt. Purdue shares the same odds, but Michigan State holds a slight edge in recent form. Recent losses to Michigan and Michigan State hurt Purdue more than expected. A puzzling defeat to Ohio State raised questions about consistency. Braden Smith and the Spartans must stabilize their play before the conference tournament. A strong finish could change how this team is viewed.

+3000 – Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas has dropped three of its last five games. Tough leagues like the Big 12 make long win streaks hard to sustain. A loss to Cincinnati stood out as the most troubling result. Fans want to see cleaner finishes and better focus. One deep run in the conference tournament could reset their momentum. Bill Self’s team still has the talent to scare anyone.

+1600 – Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois has lost four of its last six games. Defeats came against Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and UCLA. Three weeks ago, the team was riding a 12-game winning streak. That version of Illinois looked dangerous. Recent struggles have changed the picture. March gives them a chance to prove the slump is over.

+1600 – Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State had one of the best short runs in the country. Back-to-back wins over Kansas and Houston showed their ceiling. Three losses in the last six games slowed that rise. All three defeats came against likely tournament teams. Two of them were to ranked opponents. Consistency will decide how far this team can go.

+1300 – Connecticut Huskies

UConn had won 18 straight games before losing at St. John’s. The response was loud and clear. A 72-40 blowout in the rematch restored confidence. Only one regular-season game remains for the Huskies. A No. 1 seed is still possible. Their balance and defense keep them near the top of the board.

+950 – Houston Cougars

Houston hit a rough patch with three straight losses. Each one came against elite teams. Those games were at Iowa State, versus Arizona, and at Kansas. Defense remains their calling card. Kelvin Sampson’s teams peak in March more often than not. This group is still a major threat.

+800 – Florida Gators

Florida climbed fast after destroying Arkansas 111-77. Early-season backcourt problems are now gone. Xaivian Lee and Urban Klavzar give them needed shooting. That spacing helps a strong group of big men inside. The Gators have won 14 of their last 15 games. Ten straight wins secured at least a share of the SEC title. A full league crown looks likely. This is their first regular-season title since 2014.

+425 – Arizona Wildcats

Arizona lost Koa Peat to injury for three games. During that stretch, the Wildcats still beat two ranked teams. Peat returned and helped them crush Kansas in a rematch. Health has been the main concern all season. When the roster is whole, Arizona looks dangerous. Few teams match their pace and depth.

+350 – Duke Blue Devils

Duke recently beat Michigan 68-63. Despite that, the Blue Devils sit just behind them in the odds. The team has won 16 of its last 17 games. A road loss to North Carolina at the buzzer was the only setback. Jon Scheyer’s squad is playing clean and smart basketball. Strong guard play continues to lead the way.

+325 – Michigan Wolverines

Michigan holds the best national title odds. A recent loss to Duke did not change that. Thirteen wins in the last 14 games locked up the Big Ten title. Guard LJ Cason is out with a torn ACL. Adjustments will be needed going forward. Depth remains their biggest strength. Few teams can match their number of scoring options.

Final thoughts

These odds show how close the race really is. Several teams have flaws, but each one has a clear path to a title. Health, defense, and late-season rhythm will decide the final outcome. March will reward the teams that peak at the right time.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER

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A basketball referee was injured and eight players were tossed after a wild brawl during a Sun Belt Tournament game in Pensacola, Florida. At least three players have been suspended.