Tavares and Frederic are staying put

John Tavares is staying with the Maple Leafs for four more years at a significantly discounted price. Tavares, pictured, re-signed Friday for $17.55 million, and he’ll count $4.39 million against the salary cap through the 2028-29 season on a very team-friendly contract. He was making $11 million annually on his previous deal and was a point-a-game player last season at age 34. “Even though I obviously left some money out there, I’ve done pretty well, I’m still doing pretty well and I get to play for an amazing club in a great city — a place where I’m from and a team that’s got a real opportunity to win,” Tavares said on a video call with reporters. “I wanted to make it work and find a way to make a deal that was very good for both sides.” Fellow center Brock Nelson, who is 11 months younger, got $7.5 million a year over the next three seasons to stay with the Avalanche. Like Nelson, Trent Frederic changed places at the deadline. On Friday, the big winger re-signed with the Oilers for the longest possible term on an eight-year contract worth $30.8 million.

Alcaraz opens Wimbledon vs. Fognini

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his bid for a third consecutive Wimbledon championship and put his career-best 18-match winning streak on the line by facing the volatile Fabio Fognini in the first round at Centre Court when the tournament begins Monday. The singles brackets for the grass-court Grand Slam tournament were set in Friday’s draw, including potential men’s quarterfinals of No. 1 Jannik Sinner against No. 7 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 4 Jack Draper against No. 6 Novak Djokovic — who has won seven of his 24 major trophies at the All England Club — No. 2 Alcaraz, pictured, against No. 8 Holger Rune, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev against No. 5 Taylor Fritz. The possible women’s quarterfinals are No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 6 Madison Keys, and No. 4 Jasmine Paolini vs. No. 5 Zheng Qinwen in the top half, and No. 2 Coco Gauff vs. No. 8 Iga Swiatek or 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, and No. 3 Jessica Pegula vs. No. 7 Mirra Andreeva in the bottom half. In addition to Sinner, Djokovic, Draper and 2024 semifinalist Musetti, the top half has No. 10 Ben Shelton and No. 13 Tommy Paul.

Raptors fire Ujiri after 13 years

Raptors president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri was fired Friday after 13 years with the franchise. Ujiri joined the Raptors in 2013 as executive vice president and general manager. He was promoted to president in 2016 and surrendered his responsibilities as GM in 2017, when Bobby Webster took over. The 54-year-old Ujiri, who was heading into the final year of his contract, led the Raptors to their only NBA title in 2019. “During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it,” Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley, pictured, said in a statement. “He brought an NBA championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best.” The move was announced one day after the conclusion of the NBA draft. The Raptors said a search for Ujiri’s successor will begin immediately. Webster was given a contract extension, the Raptors said. Terms of that deal were not disclosed. —Associated Press