TORONTO – As a centre, Jakob Poeltl isn’t usually expected to pick up the slack when a wing is hurt. But with Canadian swingman RJ Barrett still out for the Toronto Raptors, Poeltl is finding his role expanding.

Poeltl spoke about how he’s had to make adjustments within the Raptors’ offence after practice at OVO Athletic Centre on Wednesday afternoon. Barrett has been out with a sprained right knee since Nov. 23.

“Without RJ, we have less pressure on the paint, and we tend to — especially when teams start switching against us — we tend to get a little bit stagnant,” said Poeltl, standing to the side of the basketball courts at the practice facility. “It leads to me having to get myself involved in the offence a little bit more, like with flashes to the high post, initiating pick and rolls, just to get more movement in our offence that we’re missing without him.”

Barrett was averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game before getting hurt landing awkwardly following a dunk.

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As a combination of a shooting guard and small forward, Barrett is ostensibly a perimeter player. However, because Barrett slashes to the hoop when the Raptors’ opponents are double-teaming other players like Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, he’s actually a key part of Toronto’s scoring around the rim.

Over 17 games this season, 34.6 per cent of his field-goal attempts are within three feet of the basket, and 22.4 per cent are between three and 10 feet of the rim.

“RJ means a lot to us, obviously, offensively, and his ability to touch the paint and to play make and to score,” said head coach Darko Rajakovic. “He means so much for us, and he gives a different perspective as well to our second unit when he’s sharing time with those guys.

“We’re missing a lot, but we’re not complaining. We’re just trying to maximize what we have right now.”

Poeltl’s ability to set timely screens and get the Raptors’ interior offence going didn’t come from admiring another centre’s play, but actually from a conversation early in his career with former Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry.

“(Lowry) was really preaching just being more physical on screens, like, getting away from the college type of screen, where you just stand there,” said Poeltl, who is averaging 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 16 games as he rests his lower back in one half of back-to-backs.

“In the NBA, there’s more room for some grabbing, holding, pushing off a little bit in situations like that, which I think over the years, I’ve tried to incorporate into my screen-and-roll game.”

Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley certainly appreciates Poeltl’s skill in setting picks.

“Unbelievable man, I got to give a shout out to Jakob,” said Quickley after a 121-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. “He’s one of the best screen setters I’ve played with, and he’s such an unselfish player, putting his body on the line defensively.

“You’ve got to give a lot of credit to Jakob (…) and the screening. It’s an act of unselfishness for your teammates, so we appreciate him a lot.”

The Raptors host the Los Angeles Lakers (15-5) on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena. Poeltl will take the game off as he rests his sore lower back in the first of two consecutive games for Toronto, which will host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2025.

Some fans brought signs supporting Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart, and the Vegas crowd generally welcomed him from the moment he skated onto the ice.

Hart, one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault in July, made his first NHL appearance in nearly two years Tuesday night and received the loudest response during introductions before Vegas’ 4-3 shootout victory over Chicago. If there were any boos, they were difficult to hear.

Hart made 27 saves, including six in overtime.

“I think just skating out the first time onto the ice wearing a Golden Knights sweater is an amazing feeling,” Hart said. “It didn’t really sink in until the national anthem. Just looking around and that feeling you’re back playing.”

Hart then became emotional, wiping his right eye.

“Sorry,” he said. “Yeah, it’s been a really difficult journey to get back, one I wouldn’t have been able to do without my family and friends. I’m just so happy to be playing the game again.”

Hart was the first of those five Canada junior players to agree to an NHL contract. The league ruled those players were eligible to sign deals beginning Oct. 15 and to play starting Dec. 1. Hart signed a two-year, US$4 million contract and has been working with Vegas’ American Hockey League affiliate in Henderson, Nevada.

After he agreed to sign, Hart read a statement to reporters that, in part, said he wanted “to show the community my true character and who I am and what I’m about.”

Hart was asked Monday what steps he has taken to fulfill that pledge.

“There’s been a few things we’ve talked about,” Hart said. “We did a thing there in Henderson helping out the homeless. There’s some things we’ve talked about throughout the season. Whatever I can do to help, I’m happy to help.”

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Giving Hart his first start at home could help ease him into what could be a rocky reception around the league. After facing the Blackhawks, Vegas goes on a five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams, including a Dec. 11 stop at Hart’s former club, the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I think he just wants to go back to being a hockey player,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. ”Getting back on the ice and practicing, all that was step one of preparation for this moment. He’ll keep doing that for his next start. We’ve got Philly around the corner. I’m sure there will be a conversation about that down the road. We’ll deal with that next week when we get to it, but right now, he should just enjoy his night.”

Hart worked in Henderson on getting back into NHL game shape. He appeared in three games and went 1-2.

“I’ve worked my (butt) off to get back to this point,” Hart said Monday. “For me, the key is preparation and I’ve done everything I can to be prepared.”

Against the Blackhawks, Hart gave up a goal on the second shot he saw, a drive from Oliver Moore above the right circle. In the second period, Hart left his crease to try to clear the puck but instead sent the pass right to Tyler Bertuzzi, who scored for Chicago. Connor Bedard then beat Hart with pinpoint shot from the right circle for a 3-2 lead early in the third.

But when the Golden Knights absolutely needed saves, Hart delivered. He shut out the Blackhawks over the final 15:15 of regulation and was spectacular in overtime — particularly when teammate Shea Theodore broke his stick. Hart then stopped three of four attempts in the shootout to end Vegas’ seven-game losing streak in games that went to overtime.

His new teammates celebrated as if they had just won a Stanley Cup playoff game.

“Everybody here has been so great,” Hart said afterward. “They’ve been very welcoming. The organization’s been awesome, and I’m just grateful for everything and the opportunity here.”

The 27-year-old last played in an NHL game on Jan. 20, 2024, for Philadelphia. Hart played six seasons for the Flyers, going 96-93-29 with a .906 save percentage and 2.94 goals-against average.

The Golden Knights could use the help in net, especially with starting goalie Adin Hill on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and his return possibly weeks away. Akira Schmid has received the majority of the work with Hill out and is 9-2-4 with an .896 save percentage and a 2.51 GAA.

Vegas had lost four straight games before defeating San Jose 4-3 on Saturday night.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Theodore said about Hart. “He made a lot of huge saves, especially in the shootout. That’s what you need, and we’re all so happy for him.”

Carter Hart, one of five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team recently acquitted of sexual assault, is making his NHL return Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old goaltender, who signed a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights in October, was eligible to make his return as of Monday after his suspension by the NHL ended.

After a brief conditioning stint in the American Hockey League (AHL), Hart was recalled by the Golden Knights on Sunday and will get the start against the Chicago Blackhawks in Las Vegas, Head Coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters Tuesday.

Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were charged with one count of sexual assault stemming from an encounter with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating the Canadian world junior team’s gold medal. McLeod was also charged with one count of being a party to the offence.

The five players were acquitted July 24 in a trial in London, Ont.

Hart is the first of the five players to sign with an NHL team. McLeod has since signed with a team in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), while Formenton is playing in Switzerland.

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On Monday, Foote signed an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves – the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Dubé spent 2024-25 with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk in Belarus, but the 27-year-old winger has not played this season.

All of the players except Formenton were in the NHL when they were charged in early 2024. The NHL announced this September they’d be eligible to sign Oct. 15 and play Dec. 1.

Hart, from Sherwood Park, Alta., played his first six NHL seasons in Philadelphia; he took an indefinite leave from the club on Jan. 23, 2024, before surrendering to police in London. He became an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 season when the Flyers did not extend him a qualifying offer.

The Golden Knights, among the favourites to win this season’s Stanley Cup, have split goaltending duties between Adin Hill and Akira Schmid so far this season.

Shortly after signing, the team sent Hart to the Henderson Silver Knights – its AHL affiliate – on a conditioning stint; while playing in the minors, Hart went 1-2-0 with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .839 save percentage.

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In a YouTube video posted Monday by the Golden Knights, Hart told reporters the thought about returning to the NHL is what “kept me going” over the past few years.

“I’ve worked my ass off to get back to this point. For me, the key is preparation, and I’ve done everything I can to be prepared, and I’ll be prepared if I get the call tomorrow,” Hart said.

“Obviously, there will be nerves. I get nerves before every game, but that’s just because I care so much. At the end of the day, those nerves turn into excitement. It’s a game I’ve played my whole life. I’ve played a lot of hockey in the NHL and I’ve been here before. I haven’t played in awhile but it’s going to feel good to get back out there, get back playing again and get things rolling here in Vegas.”

After he signed with Vegas in October, Hart read a statement to reporters that, in part, said he wanted “to show the community my true character and who I am and what I’m about.”

Hart said Monday that while in Henderson, he and the team helped the homeless and that he’s open to doing more with the Golden Knights.

“There’s some things we’ve talked about throughout the season. Whatever I can do to help, I’m happy to help,” he said.

Puck drop between Vegas and Chicago is set for 10 p.m. Eastern.

— with files from The Canadian Press and the Associated Press