Claude Lemieux's family say that they've chosen to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury. "The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers. No conclusion should be drawn at this time regarding any diagnosis."

I wrote about Claude Lemieux — amoral agitator, clutch performer, giant force — and a tragedy that has left the hockey community in shock. My story on the life and death of “Le Gros”. nytimes.com/athletic/7317172…

Remembering Claude Lemieux, a ‘bulldog’ and ‘softie’ whose death has the NHL reeling By @RobsonDan nytimes.com/athletic/7317172…

But to those who knew him, Lemieux could be surprisingly vulnerable. “A big crier. A big softie,” said Brendan Shanahan, who played both with and against Lemieux. Free to read, from @RobsonDan: nytimes.com/athletic/7317172…

Here's the video version of our podcast on Claude Lemieux: youtu.be/lo0A-aR344M?si=ToD5…

On @TheAthletic Hockey Show, @RobsonDan and I discuss the career and legacy of Claude Lemieux. Listen here: pod.fo/e/4219a8

Claude Lemieux, Stanley Cup champion and fierce playoff competitor, dies at 60 nytimes.com/athletic/7315087…

The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60. Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and would make his NHL debut just a few months later on October 13, 1983 and scored his first career NHL goal on December 4, 1983. Claude split time between the Canadiens organization and the QMJHL from 1983 to 1985, capturing the President’s Cup with the Verdun Junior Canadiens in 1985 as QMJHL playoff champions, while earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as Playoff MVP. The very next season, Claude recorded 10 goals and 16 points in 20 playoff games as he and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. Claude remained with the Canadiens for an additional four seasons before joining the New Jersey Devils ahead of the 1990-91 season. In 1994-95, his fifth and final season with New Jersey, Claude led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup championship, registering 13 goals in 20 playoff games, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP. As a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96, Claude was once again an integral part of team history as the Avalanche hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup for the very first time in 1996. Claude played 297 regular-season games in an Avalanche uniform before rejoining the New Jersey Devils in November of 1999, and for a fourth and final time, would be crowned a Stanley Cup champion on June 10, 2000. Claude later played for the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars before making a comeback with the San Jose Sharks during the 2008-09 season. Internationally, Claude represented Canada on several occasions, including capturing a gold medal at the 1985 World Junior Hockey Championships and winning the 1987 Canada Cup. He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time. Memorial service details to follow.

Yasiel Puig faces prison time when he is sentenced on May 26 — but the Canadian Baseball League let him play anyway. Toronto Maple Leafs fans are torn on the acquisition: Some are happy to see a former MLB player on their local team, while others are disappointed due to his off-field behavior. nytimes.com/athletic/7274036…

From @TheAthletic: Yasiel Puig, a former MLB All-Star, could face prison time when he is sentenced on May 26. The Canadian Baseball League let him play anyway. nyti.ms/3RaXfiE

This is a fantastic behind the scenes look at the Toronto Tempo in the sprint to piece together a WNBA franchise, from @_Brian_Hamilton

“Is he a Hall of Famer or something?” I went to Christie Pits to watch Yasiel Puig’s debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here’s free gift link to my story on a beloved Toronto tradition and the strange arrival of a fallen MLB star. nytimes.com/athletic/7274036…

What is it about sports that creates unique regional media markets with their own tone and style of coverage? @SamKonnert hosts with @RobsonDan of The Athletic buff.ly/CTgpVPj

As Brandon Aubrey becomes the highest paid kicker in NFL history, here’s my feature on Cowboys kicker — and a long-distance revolution that’s changing the game. The story is free to read with this gift link. nytimes.com/athletic/6814741… nytimes.com/athletic/6814741…

Only one chance in this lifetime… Like watching sunset at the beach from the most foreign seat in the cosmos, I couldn’t resist a cell phone video of Earthset. You can hear the shutter on the Nikon as @Astro_Christina is hammering away on 3-shot brackets and capturing those exceptional Earthset photos through the 400mm lens. @AstroVicGlover was in window 3 watching with @Astro_Jeremy next to him. I could barely see the Moon through the docking hatch window but the iPhone was the perfect size to catch the view…this is uncropped, uncut with 8x zoom which is quite comparable to the view of the human eye. Enjoy.

I spent some time in Seattle this season to get a handle on where the Kraken franchise is at, after five years. Here's my look at the highs and lows for a team still trying to find its way nytimes.com/athletic/7141687…

New, for @TheAthletic with @jonassiegel and @mirtle: Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs -- chaos, dysfunction and AI 🔗⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/7194333… nytimes.com/athletic/7194333…

The Athletic spoke to more than 20 sources inside the organization and around the league to better understand what prompted the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs. Read more: nytimes.com/athletic/7194333…

Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs: Chaos, dysfunction and AI nytimes.com/athletic/7194333…