Dr. Mark Thornton, senior fellow at the Mises Institute, discusses the factors that have taken the gold price to all-time highs. In his view, the key driver is government actions like overspending, borrowing and money printing, none of which are likely to abate soon.
He also shares his bullish outlook for silver.
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Nickel prices were volatile in the first half of 2025, but fell flat in Q3 amid ongoing oversupply concerns.
The market has also faced considerable uncertainty as the US adjusts its trade and spending policies, with headwinds coming from the end of the electric vehicle (EV) tax credit and a grinding tariff dispute with China.
These potential weak spots in market demand have come alongside an oversupplied market, and despite a 35 percent reduction in Indonesia’s output quota, supply and demand remain out of balance.
As mentioned, nickel prices were volatile in H1, hitting a year-to-date high of US$16,720 per metric ton (MT) on March 12 before collapsing to a year-to-date low of US$14,150 on April 8.
By the start of the third quarter, prices had stabilized, reaching US$15,190 on July 1. Amid price fluctuations, nickel rose to a quarterly high of US$15,575 on July 23, then fell to a quarterly low of US$14,950 on July 31.
For the rest of the period, nickel prices were largely rangebound between US$15,000 and US$15,500, falling outside that range only once, when they dipped to US$14,950 on August 21.
Nickel price, April 1 to July 24, 2025.
Chart via London Metal Exchange.
“The issue facing the nickel market is not weak demand; consumption is rising at a solid rate. The issue is rapid production growth, driven mostly by Indonesia. This has resulted in a structurally oversupplied market, which in turn is pressuring the London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel price,” he said.
Behind the stagnant price movements, the LME’s own data shows rising nickel stockpiles.
Across all warehouses, the LME hosted 164,028 MT of nickel at the start of the year; by the end of the first half, the amount had risen to 203,886 MT. The most recent data shows that the upward trend continued through the third quarter, with LME nickel stockpiles reaching 231,504 MT on September 30.
While demand is growing, it’s not enough to counter the flood of nickel entering the market. Furthermore, demand for nickel has been hindered by the end of the EV tax credit in the US on September 30, which has raised the cost of new vehicles for buyers and could impact the future uptake of new EVs in the US.
As S&P Global reported on October 15, this situation caused consumers to buy EVs before the deadline, resulting in a short-term spike in demand. However, the news outlet notes that US market stagnation may be offset by rising demand in domestic Chinese markets, which appeared to return to normal levels at the end of Q3.
While that may be good news for EVs, nickel won’t necessarily benefit as producers are shifting toward lithium-iron phosphate batteries. S&P Global notes that the change has caused nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries to lose 2 percentage points of market share year-on-year, accounting for 22 percent of the EV battery market.
However, the biggest issue weighing on nickel prices is supply, which Indonesia currently dominates. During Q3, the country experienced civil unrest stemming from a cost-of-living crisis. Even though the protests had no direct impact on nickel output, Masson suggested they could be an additional tailwind for Indonesia’s mining industry.
The country slashed nickel ore output earlier in the year to 200 million MT from 215 million MT in 2024. The move served to stabilize prices around the US$15,000 mark, but so far has done little else to improve the market.
As an additional measure to exert greater control over output levels and support prices, Indonesia reduced the duration of approved output quotas to one year. The policy change, which came into effect on October 3, requires producers who had been granted longer-term licenses to apply for 2026 quotas between October 1 and November 15, 2025.
In April, Indonesia implemented a new royalty scheme that adjusted royalty rates for nickel ore from a fixed 10 percent to 14 to 19 percent, the nickel matte rate from 2 percent to 3.5 to 5.5 percent, and the nickel pig iron rate from 5 percent to 5 to 7 percent. Nickel miners have pushed back on the changes, suggesting they would put greater financial strain on mining businesses, which are already struggling with high costs and low cash flows.
The price of the base metal should see some tailwinds as seasonal output declines amid the rainy season in the Philippines, reducing the amount of nickel entering the market.
However, this is a temporary cut, with the season running from early October to the first quarter of 2026.
From Masson’s perspective, he doesn’t see a meaningful change in price before the end of the year, noting that more needs to be done on the supply side to move the needle.
“For the nickel price to improve, there needs to be greater supply discipline to rebalance the market. It is hard to see how this can occur without Indonesia. One way supply discipline could occur is via the country’s mine quotas, which the government now sets annually. Rising royalty payments could also squeeze older, higher-cost producers in the country,” he said. He predicts prices will remain rangebound around the US$15,000 level unless supply growth slows.
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) (‘ Copper Quest ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project (the ‘Project’), located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the deep-water port community of Kitimat, British Columbia.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Kitimat Copper-Gold Project covers approximately 2,954 hectares within the Skeena Mining Division of northwestern British Columbia. The Project is year-round road-accessible via a network of logging and mineral exploration roads extending north from Kitimat. The property benefits from exceptional infrastructure, being within 10 km of tidewater, 1.5 km of rail, and 6 km of high-voltage hydroelectric transmission lines.
Geologically, the Project is situated within the Stikine Terrane, a prolific belt that hosts numerous porphyry copper-gold systems and is underlain by Late Triassic volcanic rocks intruded by Jurassic diorite and granodiorite bodies of the Coast Plutonic Complex. The Project’s principal target areas is the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone displaying alteration and mineralization interpreted to represent low-level intermediate to low-sulfidation epithermal expressions of a larger Cu-Au porphyry system.
HISTORICAL EXPLORATION & HIGHLIGHTS
Exploration on the Kitimat property dates back to the late 1960s, with multiple operators conducting geochemical, geophysical, and drilling campaigns. The most significant historical work was conducted by Decade Resources Ltd. (2010), which completed 16 diamond drill holes totaling 4,437.5 meters in the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone. Notable results include:
The mineralized intervals encountered in the 2010 drilling demonstrate continuous near-surface copper-gold mineralization extending over significant widths, remain open at depth within the Jeannette Zone, and occur within a broader hydrothermal system that is interpreted to extend laterally beyond the area tested.
ACQUISITION DETAILS
Under the terms of the agreement Copper Quest has until January 5, 2026 to complete a due diligence review of the Project. Upon successful review, the Company will issue 2,000,000 common shares to the vendor, Bernie Kreft, on January 6, 2026, as full consideration for the acquisition. The Project is subject to a 2.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty, of which 40% may be repurchased by the Company for CAD $1,000,000. Copper Quest will also retain a right of first refusal on any transaction involving the sale of the remaining royalty interest. Copper Quest has until
Mr. Kreft is a well-known Canadian prospector, entrepreneur, and former star of the Discovery Channel’s Yukon Gold television series. He has a long track record of successful mineral discoveries and project generation across British Columbia and Yukon.
A finder’s fee is payable in connection with the acquisition.
MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
Brian Thurston , CEO of CopperQuest, commented:
‘The addition of the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project demonstrates Copper Quest’s continued effort to add shareholder value through the acquisition of critical mineral projects. This project is ideally located with exceptional infrastructure, in a proven geological belt known for hosting major copper-gold systems. The strong historical drill results from the Jeannette zone speak to the potential of a larger near-surface mineralized system. We look forward to advancing this asset as part of our growing copper-gold portfolio.’
NEXT STEPS
QUALIFIED PERSON
Brian G. Thurston, P.Geo., the Company’s President and CEO and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.
ABOUT COPPER
Despite surging demand, global copper supply remains constrained. Ore grades are declining at major mines, permitting timelines for new projects have lengthened, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping supply chains toward stable, transparent jurisdictions. Governments in Canada, the U.S., and allied nations have increasingly identified copper as a strategic and critical metal necessary for economic and national security. Within this context, Copper Quest’s acquisition of the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project in British Columbia positions the Company to advance a discovery-stage asset in one of the world’s safest and most infrastructure-rich mining jurisdictions — precisely when new, scalable copper sources are most needed.
ABOUT Copper Quest Exploration Inc.
Copper Quest (CSE: CQX; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) is focused on building shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of its North American Critical Mineral portfolio of assets. The Company’s land package currently comprises five projects that span over 40,000+ hectares in great mining jurisdictions.
Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Stars Property, a porphyry copper-molybdenum discovery, covering 9,693 hectares in central British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt. Contiguous to the Stars Property, Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the 5,389-hectare Stellar Property. CQX also has an earn-in option up to 80% and joint-venture agreement on the 4,700-hectare porphyry copper-molybdenum Rip Project, also in the Bulkley Porphyry Belt.
Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Nekash Copper-Gold Project, a porphyry exploration opportunity located in Lemhi County, Idaho, along the prolific Idaho-Montana porphyry copper belt that hosts world-class systems such as Butte and CUMO. The project is fully road-accessible via maintained U.S. highways and forest service roads and currently consists of 70 unpatented federal lode claims covering 585 hectares.
Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Thane Project located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern BC which spans over 20,658 ha with 10 high-priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization potential.
Copper Quest’s leadership and advisory teams are senior mining industry executives who have a wealth of technical and capital markets experience and a strong track record of discovering, financing, developing, and operating mining projects on a global scale. Copper Quest is committed to sustainable and responsible business activities in line with industry best practices, supportive of all stakeholders, including the local communities in which it operates. The Company’s common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘CQX’. For more information on Copper Quest, please visit the Company’s website at www.copper.quest .
On behalf of the Board of Copper Quest Exploration Inc.
Brian Thurston, P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Tel: 778-949-1829
For further information contact:
Investor Relations
info@copper.quest
Forward Looking Information
This news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ (collectively, ‘ forward-looking statements ‘) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, future operations and activities of Copper Quest, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘could’, or ‘should’ occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company’s exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company’s business and prospects. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.
The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Apex Resources (TSXV:APX,OTC:SLMLF) is a mineral exploration company with a diversified North American portfolio, combining near-term tungsten-gold opportunities in British Columbia with district-scale lithium potential in Nevada.
The company’s flagship Lithium Creek project in Churchill County, Nevada, represents a new lithium-brine discovery opportunity. Geophysical and gravity surveys have outlined extensive low-resistivity zones and complex basin structures—hallmarks of major brine systems—defining multiple drill targets. Just 70 km east of Reno and 30 minutes from Tesla’s Gigafactory, Lithium Creek is strategically positioned within the U.S. battery manufacturing corridor.
The Jersey-Emerald project, Apex’s flagship Canadian asset, is a past-producing mine complex hosting tungsten, zinc, lead, gold, and molybdenum. Located 10 km southeast of Salmo, BC, it includes the former Emerald and Jersey mines—once among Canada’s largest producers. Apex is applying modern exploration and geophysics to expand critical mineral zones and identify new targets across the 17,500-hectare property.
This Apex Resources profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Click here to connect with Apex Resources (TSXV:APX,OTC:SLMLF) to receive an Investor Presentation
Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (October 27) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.
Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.
Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$115,014, a 0.9 percent increase in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$113,083, and its highest was US$116,032.
Bitcoin price performance, October 27, 2025.
Chart via TradingView.
Bitcoin (BTC) climbed to two week highs on Monday, breaking above US$115,600 as investors priced in expectations of an interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve later this week.
The cryptocurrency has now risen for five consecutive sessions, with Sunday’s (October 26) 2.6 percent gain pushing Bitcoin past the 50 day exponential moving average at US$114,176. Technical analysts see the move as a potential prelude to a fresh rally, contingent on continued market support and Fed signals.
Trader Ted Pillows noted on X that Bitcoin has “fully reclaimed the US$114,000 support zone” and emphasized that the next key hurdle is US$118,000. He added that, if momentum holds, “a new ATH could happen in 1–2 weeks.”
Market watchers are now closely monitoring the Fed meeting for confirmation of rate cut expectations, which could provide further bullish fuel for Bitcoin and broader crypto markets.
Ether (ETH) was priced at US$4,167.45, a 1.5 percent increase in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$4,053.35, and its highest was US$4,246.23.
Bitcoin derivatives metrics indicate ongoing caution and positioning for downside risk.
Liquidations for Bitcoin contracts have totaled approximately US$6.42 million in the last four hours, the majority of which were long positions, reflecting short-term selling pressure.
Ether liquidations showed a similar pattern, with long positions dominating US$15.55 million in liquidations, though long and short liquidations were more evenly split.
Futures open interest for Bitcoin fell 0.5 percent to US$75.51 billion, and Ether futures declined 0.57 percent to US$49.89 billion, suggesting modest rotation or renewed altcoin activity.
The perpetual funding rate for Bitcoin was 0.008 and 0.009 for Ether, indicating a mild long bias among remaining positions. Bitcoin’s relative strength index stood at 54.84, reflecting neutral to moderately bullish momentum and room for price growth before overextended conditions.
Binance is weighing a US market re-entry following President Donald Trump’s pardon of founder Changpeng Zhao, exploring options to consolidate its American affiliate or allow direct access for US investors, Bloomberg said.
The pardon clears Zhao’s 2023 conviction for failing to maintain anti-money laundering controls, restoring his ability to lead financial ventures. Hours after the announcement, Zhao expressed ambitions to make the US “the capital of crypto” and expand Web3 globally. Binance’s BNB token jumped 8 percent in response. Zhao currently oversees a blockchain ecosystem with around US$8.7 billion in assets, ranking third behind Ether and Solana.
JPYC launched Japan’s first regulated yen-pegged stablecoin on Monday.
The stablecoin aligns with Japan’s Payment Services Act, requiring full reserve backing in yen deposits and government bonds. JPYC aims to issue 10 trillion yen (US$67 billion) over three years, challenging the US-dominated stablecoin market where USDC holds roughly US$40 billion.
The framework prioritizes consumer protection and financial stability, lessons drawn from the 2022 TerraUSD collapse.
JPYC offers zero-fee issuance, redemption and transfers, earning income via interest on reserves in deposits and government bonds. Each transfer is capped at 1 million yen under the regulatory structure.
American Bitcoin (ABTC) expanded its strategic reserve to 3,865 BTC, acquiring 1,414 BTC through both open market purchases and in-house mining, according to a company release.
The accumulation lifts the company’s Satoshis per share metric to 418, a 52 percent increase since September 1.
Integrated mining enables ABTC to secure BTC at lower costs than external acquisitions, giving it a structural advantage over competitors.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is keeping another young midfielder in the fold.
Bright has a goal and an assist in 68 matches across all competitions with Inter Miami, which announced it signed Messi to a three-year deal through 2028 last week.
Bright was signed after being a first-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, helping Inter Miami win the Supporters’ Shield with an MLS-record 74 points last season.
Bright has competed for playing time alongside Sergio Busquets, the Spanish World Cup champion who plans to retire at the end of the season, and Rodrigo De Paul, the Argentine World Cup champion who signed earlier this season with the club.
Left back Jordi Alba also announced last month he plans to retire at the end of the 2025 season.
Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan striker whose contract expires at the end of the season, is reportedly in talks to remain with the club.
Inter Miami is up 1-0 against Nashville SC in their best-of-three, first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs. Game 2 is Saturday, Nov. 1, in Nashville.
The time to make a deal is about to expire.
The NFL’s trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Who are the buyers and sellers?
We’ve already seen multiple trades occur in the weeks leading up to the deadline. The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals made an intrastate trade for veteran Joe Flacco. Cleveland also shipped Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Tyson Campbell.
The Harbaugh brothers made an Odafe Oweh-Alohi Gilman deal. And the Los Angeles Rams acquired Roger McCreary from the Titans in deals that took place before the trade deadline.
More trades are expected to happen before time runs out.
USA TODAY Sports went across the NFL to investigate some bubbling trade rumors in advance of the deadline.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is a name to monitor as the trade deadline approaches. Andrews has been subject to trade rumors since March. The veteran is on an expiring contract and Baltimore already has his heir apparent on the roster in Isaiah Likely.
It’s also worth noting that Likely is on the final year of his contract, but many expect Likely to re-sign in Baltimore.
The Falcons backup QB still desires an opportunity to start elsewhere, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. However, no trade appears to be imminent.
Cousins made his first start of the season for the injured Michael Penix Jr. (knee) in Atlanta’s 34-10 Week 8 loss.
Meyers reiterated his desire to be traded.
‘Oh, for sure,’ Meyers said, per ESPN, when asked if he still wanted to be traded. ‘But I’m a professional at the end of the day. I’m just trying to play good football.’
The Raiders wideout had requested a trade just before the start of the regular season.
Las Vegas signed veteran WR Tyler Lockett on Monday, which could be a precursor for another trade.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan the team is a willing participant in trade discussions.
‘I think that old sign is out, ‘Open for Business,’ is there. I think that we are continually looking. As we go on into this season, teams will position themselves where they basically feel like less of a contender because of the losses or because of circumstance on their team.’ Jones said earlier this month. ‘That’s when you’ll see sometimes some better players that are available because the team has decided to start redoing some things on their salary cap structure, for instance. There’s opportunity there, and that’s when you start getting those calls. And yes, we’re in a position to improve our team if we get an opportunity to.’
Jones told reporters the Cowboys’ Week 8 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos won’t impact the team’s trade strategy.
Multiple Saints players on both sides of the ball have come up in advance of the trade deadline. But running back Alvin Kamara is unlikely to be dealt anywhere.
Kamara expressed his desire to stay in New Orleans despite the franchise’s struggles to produce a winning team.
“I think I’ve been vocal enough that … I don’t want to go anywhere,’ Kamara said, via ESPN. ‘And I said it countless times, y’all know that. I think everybody knows that. The fan base knows that. And at the end of the day, it’s business.”
The Los Angeles Chargers have made inquiries about adding a running back or help along their offensive line, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to talk about the matter.
Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) is currently on injured reserve. Los Angeles already acquired edge rusher Odafe Oweh in a previous deal earlier this month.
Hall’s name has been subject to trade rumors as the deadline approaches, but New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn dismissed any speculation earlier this month.
“They’re rumors. Still feel the same way,” Glenn told reporters on Oct. 15.
The Jets are clearly a team in a rebuild, so could they deal Hall to acquire more draft capital?
There are multiple playoff-caliber teams interested in a running back.
Many around the NFL expect the Tennessee Titans to be sellers during the trade deadline. Tennessee already traded cornerback Roger McCreary to the Rams on Monday.
The Titans have reportedly made quarterback Cam Ward and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons untouchable.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump, is set to make her LPGA Tour debut.
Kai Trump received a sponsor invitation to compete at The ANNIKA, the penultimate event of the 2025 LPGA Tour season, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, from Nov. 13-16. The four-day tournament features a $3.25 million purse and a field of 108 participants, including three-time ANNIKA champion Nelly Korda and 2023 champion Lilia Vu.
“My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour, and I am thrilled to be able to compete,” Trump said in a statement. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”
Trump, the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump and the first granddaughter of President Trump, is a senior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, and has committed to play golf at the University of Miami in 2026. Trump attended the 2025 Ryder Cup competition alongside her grandfather in September in New York and signed an endorsement deal with TaylorMade earlier this year.
Pelican Golf Club said it extended a sponsor invitation to Trump due in part to the teen’s ‘broad following and reach (that) are helping introduce golf to new audiences, especially among younger fans.’ Trump boasts over 2.5 million followers on Instagram and 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube.
“Kai Trump has a tremendous passion for the game and is expanding the sport to broader audiences,” said Justin Sheehan, Pelican Golf Club’s Director of Golf and COO. “She has a bright future at Miami, and we look forward to welcoming her and our entire tournament field to Pelican Golf Club in November.”
Wake Forest senior Anne-Sterre den Dunnen and Northwestern All-American Lauryn Nguyen also received sponsor invitations to this year’s tournament.
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is scheduled to play in The Annika’s pro-am event for the second consecutive year on Nov. 12. Last year, she played alongside Korda and Annika Sorenstam.
‘I had an amazing time at The ANNIKA last November and participating in the Pro-Am alongside Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam, two of the best in the game,’ Clark said in a statement. ‘I’m honored to be an ambassador for a company in Gainbridge that is so committed to elevating women’s sports. I can’t wait to return to Tampa Bay in November to play in the Pro-Am with the best women golfers in the world.’
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The 2025-26 NHL season is underway, which means trades and other moves are taking place.
Already this season, last year’s rookie of the year, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, received a lucrative eight-year extension. The Los Angeles Kings traded for a goalie and the Vegas Golden Knights brought another one into their organization.
In the latest news, the Dallas Stars handed defenseman Thomas Harley an eight-year extension that will make him the second highest paid player on the team.
Follow this tracker for the latest moves from the 2025-26 NHL season.
Harley, 24, will average $10.587 million in the deal, which kicks in next season. That puts him behind only Mikko Rantanen ($12 million). The extension, which will make Harley the NHL’s fourth highest paid defenseman next season, is a recognition of his ascension. He had a career-best 50 points last season and joined Canada’s victorious 4 Nations Face-Off team as an injury replacement. He is off to another strong start this season with eight points in 10 games.
Harley is signed through 2034. Fellow defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell are signed through 2029 and 2030, respectively.
The Blackhawks get back a fourth-round 2027 pick. The Canucks had been dealing with injuries, particularly to Filip Chytil. Reichel, named to Germany’s Olympic team, had four points in five games with Chicago this season.
Goalie Carter Hart, one of five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, is joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization. He won’t be able to play in the NHL until Dec. 1. Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were found not guilty by a judge on July 24. Justice Maria Carroccia ruled she didn’t find the accuser’s testimony about what allegedly happened in a London, Ontario hotel room in June 2018 to be ‘credible or reliable.’ Hart hasn’t played since going on leave in January 2024 to address the charges.
Also: The Sharks claimed defenseman Vincent Iorio off waivers from the Capitals.
Pheonix Copley is returning to the Kings organization in a trade with the Lightning, who had claimed the goalie earlier on waivers. The Kings made the move with Darcy Kuemper day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The Lightning get future considerations in the deal.
The team and their captain announced that Nick Foligno will take a brief leave of absence as his daughter ‘undergoes follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease.’ Milana, 12, had her first heart procedure when she was three weeks old, per NHL.com.
Montreal’s Lane Hutson is the latest young NHL defenseman to cash in with a major contract extension.
The Canadiens announced that Hutson, 21, will average $8.85 million in the eight-year deal. The $70.8 million contract will start next season and run through 2033-34.
Hutson won rookie of the year in 2024-25 after recording six goals and 60 assists. He tied the all-time NHL record for assists by a rookie defenseman (Larry Murphy in 1980-81), and his 66 points set a record for a Canadiens rookie defenseman.
Devils defenseman Luke Hughes reset the market with a seven-year, $63 million contract on Oct. 1. Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe matched his $9 million cap hit in an eight-year extension the following day.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Arch Manning is in concussion protocol and may not play this weekend for Texas.
Now, the reality: that may not be such a bad thing for the Longhorns.
Whatever you think of Manning and his Ron Powlus ride as the Texas quarterback (Google it, kids), this is no time for the weak at heart. The calendar is moving to November — and the games to remember.
So if that means Matthew Caldwell — the nobody to center stage Texas backup quarterback — has to play against No. 11 Vanderbilt, should it really be that concerning?
What if — hold onto your 10-gallon hats, everyone — Caldwell plays better than Manning has all season and the Longhorns win?
“The moment’s not too big for him,” says Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
Which is the opposite of what we’ve seen from Manning for a majority of his uneven first season as a starter.
To be fair to Manning, he hasn’t had much help from a leaky offensive line, and receivers aren’t exactly running free in the secondary and making tough catches. The throw game is a three-pronged, meticulous machine: protection, throwing on time and with anticipation, and receivers getting open and catching the ball.
If any of those three steps are compromised for any reason, the play can blow up.
So before we bury Manning for his inconsistent play in this ballyhooed framework of the preseason No. 1 ranking, the Heisman Trophy and the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft all rolled into one, cut him some slack. Like he said numerous times, he never asked for any of this.
And that’s where we drop a pin in this story.
Because I want a guy playing the most important position on the field who asks for it. Who wants it all, who thrives in the pressure of the moment and doesn’t back down.
If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work — at least he went down swinging.
It is here where we reintroduce Caldwell, and his rags to sitting behind the riches college football career. Got his start at Jacksonville State in tiny Jacksonville, Ala. (pop., 14,651), known more for its overpriced hotels on race day in Talladega than a college football power.
When that didn’t work, he left for FCS Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. (pop., 4,759) and spent two seasons as a backup before transferring to Troy in Troy, Ala. (pop., 17,341). Spent a season with the Trojans, and started the final five games of the season.
Then he got a call this spring from Sarkisian to spend his final season as the backup to the next big thing in college football. In the largest fishbowl in college football (pop., the heart of Texas).
The next thing you know, he’s thrown into an overtime game against Mississippi State, after Texas had rallied from 17 down in the fourth quarter, and after Manning got hit in the head while scrambling on the first play of overtime.
Next play: run for seven yards.
Next play: false start, Texas ― because Caldwell is busy getting players lined up correctly for what looks like another isolation run to protect the backup quarterback, and the cadence isn’t the same, and my god, this is a mess.
Next play, screw it, let’s chuck it in the end zone — and Caldwell tosses a perfectly thrown fade to Emmett Mosley for the game winning points.
Piece of cake.
‘He’s played well every time that we’ve put him in the game,” Sarkisian said. “What gives me confidence is who he’s been, so I feel very comfortable with Matt whenever he’s in the ballgame.”
Look, no team likes to lose the starting quarterback two months into the season, with or without the Manning name. This is when Texas, which has struggled all season to find any cohesive rhythm, needs to find a groove and use wins over Vanderbilt, Georgia and Texas A&M as a springboard to the College Football Playoff.
You want the story of the season? Here it is.
And it has nothing to do with NIL deals or Heismans or national titles or the NFL draft.
If Caldwell plays against Vanderbilt (that’s still up for debate) and plays well in an upset of the Commodores, does Sarkisian go back to Manning? There’s only one way out of this thud of a season: a November to remember.
Could Sarkisian actually put the season in the hands of a backup quarterback by way of Jacksonville State/Gardner-Webb/Troy, who has thrown all of 11 passes in Texas uniform — and only two against Power conference teams?
To be fair to Caldwell (like we’re trying to be fair to Manning), he was inserted into two wild environments, and made two perfect throws. The touchdown against Mississippi State (that saved the season), and a beautifully-executed, second-level throw to Ryan Wingo on the last drive of the loss at Florida.
‘He’s earned the respect of his teammates,” Sarkisian said. “They respect the fact that he’s ready.”
That may not be such a bad thing after all.
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.