The Browns’ owner opens up about the obstacles ahead, emphasizing resilience and the long-term vision for the team’s success.
Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, has addressed the tough road ahead for the franchise in the 2025 season, acknowledging that the team will face a number of
“We’re realistic about the challenges we’re going to face this season,” Haslam said in a recent interview. “There are going to be tough stretches, and there will be bumps along the way. But we’re committed to building this team the right way, and we know that the journey to success isn’t always linear.”
Haslam's comments come in the wake of a turbulent offseason, where the Browns have had to make tough decisions on their roster, including addressing some key injuries and adjusting expectations around the performance of certain players. While the team has high hopes for its
“We have a solid foundation in place, but we can’t expect everything to click right away,” Haslam explained. “It’s important that we stay focused on the long-term goals and not get too caught up in the highs and lows of the season. Every year presents new challenges, and it’s how you respond to those that really matters.”
The Browns are facing a competitive AFC North, with divisional rivals such as the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals looking to maintain their dominance. Additionally, the Browns are dealing with the development of
Haslam emphasized the importance of team unity and coaching stability, believing that Kevin Stefanski and the staff will be crucial in guiding the team through the ups and downs. “We believe in Kevin’s leadership, and we believe in the talent on this team,” Haslam said. “But it’s going to take hard work and patience to reach our potential.”
Despite the challenges, Haslam remains optimistic about the Browns’ future. “We’re not looking for short-term fixes,” he said. “We’re building something that will sustain success. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re committed to seeing this process through.”
As the 2025 season unfolds, the Browns will need to overcome adversity, continue to develop their young talent, and lean on veteran leadership. For now, Haslam’s message is clear: patience, resilience, and a focus on the long-term vision
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
