As New Jersey Devils Public Address Announcer Adam Hamway announced the in-game Dessert Race from his booth at the top of Prudential Center on Friday night, down below on the ice was Colton White skating small laps near his team's bench. 

In the nine games he has appeared in for the Devils this season, you can count on the 28-year-old to take advantage of every TV timeout, jumping over the boards for a quick skate to keep his mind in the game and his focus sharp.  

Since being called up on Nov. 05, White has averaged 11:58 of ice time, serving as a depth defenseman. His minutes are limited, but that doesn't mean they are easy, as any player or coach can speak to the challenges of waiting long periods in between shifts. 

"It is extremely hard to play (limited minutes)," Andy Greene previously told The Hockey News. "They are sitting there for 15 minutes at a time, and all of a sudden they get their shift, and it is, 'Oh my God, what do I do?' 

"The guys that can do that and can figure it out, they are usually always around," Greene continued. "There is always a job for them." 

Understanding the disadvantages and struggles of filling a depth role makes White's numbers even more impressive. 

In many defensive-zone metrics, White's numbers rank first or second among the Devils' defense. Of course, it is a small sample size, but he is playing hard minutes. With the team on the road, he is not getting the desired matchups. He has played with multiple defensive partners, including Dennis Cholowski, Brenden Dillon, and Simon Nemec. He has also spent most of his time playing on his off-side. It is for these reasons that MSG Networks Devils Analyst Bryce Salvador has called White's contributions invaluable. 

A Long-Awaited Return To The NHL 

940 days. 

It took 940 days of commitment, hard work, persistence, and having the right attitude to lead White to this moment and opportunity. 

After a short stint with the Anaheim Ducks organization, White contacted the Devils and showed interest in returning to the organization that drafted him in 2015. In July 2024, he signed a two-year, two-way contract, reuniting him with the Devils. In the first year of his contract, he spent the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. He was quickly named an alternate captain, getting an 'A' stitched to the front of his jersey, an honor he has this season as well.  

Utica Comets General Manager Dan MacKinnon had a simple message for White: if he was going to be with the Comets, he needed to take hold and own that leadership and mentor role, not just for the younger defensemen, but for every player in that room. 

Well, he has done that in spades. His teammates will be the first to tell you that White is among the first to congratulate someone on a call-up or check in to see how they are doing. One player he specifically took under his wing was defenseman Seamus Casey, who began his professional career last season. 

"(White) is the best," Casey previously told The Hockey News. "He is such a good person, first and foremost. I think he is definitely someone who constantly looks out for me here. One of my favorite guys that I have played with, for sure."

Even during this current stint with the Devils, White is keeping a close eye on the Comets. In addition to checking the box scores, he is keeping in contact with those in Utica. 

"When I am with New Jersey, I keep track of how the team is doing, and I talk to a lot of the guys, some almost every day," White told The Hockey News. "It is asking how games are, but also seeing how things are going with them off the ice as well." 

Part of what makes him a favorite among his teammates is his approach and positive energy, regardless of where the team is in the standings. 

"His attitude day in and day out is always incredible," Casey said. "When things are going good for the team or if they are going bad, he has got that unwavering positivity, and his work ethic matches it and his consistency. It is no surprise he is thriving in an NHL lineup."

Doing What Is Asked 

When the organization recalled White, Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe knew precisely what type of defenseman he would be inserting into this lineup, as he first met White when he was a teenager. 

"He is a more mature version of who I have always known," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "I coached him as a 16-year-old kid coming into junior hockey. And at that time, you really appreciated his demeanor. He is a very genuine person, works hard, is a good teammate, and has a good skill set-a broad skill set. I don't think he's ever had one thing that he has really latched onto. He is good at a lot of things. A very solid defenseman. He can skate, move the puck, but is also smart enough to defend. And again, that's what we need from him here."

The thing with White is that he is not a flashy player; most of his contributions won't show up on a stats sheet or scoreboard. Still, he has received praise from those around the game, from Keefe to goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who, when asked explicitly about Simon Nemec's performance post-game, also said that White is not getting enough credit for his contributions. 

The question becomes: what is it about White's game that does not necessarily get recognized by fans but is praised by those around the game? 

"He is such a good skater and plays with a lot of skill, but also plays a very smart and patient game and rarely makes mistakes," Casey explained. "Guys will always appreciate someone who is a constant driver of the puck, making their jobs easier. He can play pretty much every role on the backend as well." 

"He puts a lot of value in the defensive side (of the game), but when you put him in the position where he gets a call-up, he knows exactly what he needs to do to stay and be impactful for the team," Comets' head coach Ryan Parent said. "He essentially puts all of his focus into making sure he's sharp on all those details. That is what his priority is. That is what he believes he has to do to help the team out. It is about the way you are preparing for the game and what your expectations of a good game are." 

One person who has been an asset to White is Devils' assistant coach Brad Shaw, who has given the Ontario native attention he didn't necessarily get in the past.

"Brad has been really helpful," he said. "He is very detailed, always communicates, and is very patient with me. In games, practice days, or video sessions, he takes his time with everyone, and that is something I haven't had before, usually being the extra defenseman. Just little tidbits of information to help my game and play to my strengths." 

Any Day In The NHL Is A Good Day 

White is usually one of the last players off the ice on practice days, and among the first to arrive on game days. Not a participant in the team's overly competitive sewer ball game, he opts to find a quiet place to go through his own routine before he hits the ice for warmups wearing no. 45. 

A quiet and polite individual, White will never be the center of attention, nor is that something he strives for. Being a good teammate and a good person is enough, and for now, he is just soaking in the moment, his return to the NHL. 

"Any day in the NHL is a good day," he said. "It is a privilege to be here. It takes a lot of work to stay here. I am just doing my best day-by-day, whether it's in a practice or in a game, just doing what's asked of me and try to contribute any way I can." 

It is unclear how long White will remain with the Devils, but two things are clear. The first, is he has done an excellent job playing hard minutes. The second, he is valued and respected by those around him in both the AHL and NHL. 

"At the end of the day, everyone wants to get to the NHL; that is everyone's dream," Angus Crookshank said. "He deserves to be up there, and I couldn't be happier for him, seeing the success he is having."

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Macklin Celebrini is a generational star, but even players of his caliber can’t drag a franchise forward on sheer brilliance alone.

The San Jose Sharks haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2019, and if they hope to break that skid, their supporting cast must rise to the occasion. The numbers make that reality painfully clear: when Celebrini registers at least one point, San Jose wins nearly twice as often as it loses. When he’s held quiet, not only have the Sharks failed to secure a single victory this season, but their offense all but evaporates.

That dynamic resurfaced Friday in a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks’ top line was effectively neutralized, and although the third line offered a flicker of life—Collin Graf hammered home his fourth of the season in the second period—it proved insufficient. San Jose’s fifth straight road loss was sealed well before the final horn.

Yet, even amid the setbacks, this remains a team moving in the right direction. After finishing dead last in each of the previous two seasons and hovering just above the basement the year before, the Sharks are beginning to show legitimate, sustainable progress.

If you're getting praised by one of the best hockey players of this generation in Sidney Crosby, you're probably doing things right.

"He’s definitely proved he’s one of the best in the league."

Sidney Crosby talks about Macklin Celebrini's season, #SJSharks star's case to make the Canadian Olympic team & Mack's golf game.

Full interview only at SJHN Instagram --> https://t.co/2KtIl2gzuTpic.twitter.com/mR3VygRSMI

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 6, 2025

A Goal Wiped Away

Late in regulation, Celebrini briefly appeared to breathe life into San Jose’s push. He uncorked a blistering one-timer past Jake Oettinger with 2:20 remaining, seemingly trimming the deficit to 3–2. But the celebration was short-lived. Following a Stars coach’s challenge, officials determined that Philipp Kurashev had entered the zone offside—24 seconds before the shot—nullifying what could have been a pivotal moment.

The Blueprint Ahead

If the Sharks want to follow a trajectory similar to the Colorado Avalanche of five or so years ago, the next step is clear: strategic, meaningful roster upgrades. Depth wins in the modern NHL, and San Jose remains a few well-chosen pieces away from turning competitive flashes into consistent success. Celebrini’s continued ascent only amplifies the urgency—and the opportunity.

At just 19, he sits third in the NHL scoring race with 40 points, trailing only Connor McDavid (42) and Nathan MacKinnon (48). His 26 assists rank second in the league, again behind McDavid’s 28. He’s not merely living up to expectations; he’s expanding them.

The Sharks face the Carolina Hurricanes today, carrying one of the starkest statistical contrasts in the league. When Celebrini goes pointless, they’re 0-6-2 with just eight goals to show for it. When he factors into the scoring, they surge to 13-7-1.

San Jose’s future hinges on one truth: Celebrini can be the engine, but the rest of the machine must keep pace.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Belleville Senators' Phillipe Daoust has put up 23 points in 25 games, the seventh-highest in the AHL and the best numbers for an unrestricted free agent prospect in the league.

This has also eclipsed his previous best of 22 points scored in MORE THAN TWICE the games at 52 from the 2024-25 season.

The 24-year-old was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 Draft and signed to a $2.47M entry-level contract in 2022 that expired this past off-season because of poor showing.

With the dramatic improvement in performance, this is the golden window for the Barrie, Ontario native to get another NHL deal. He just needs to keep up the scoring. Of course, it is easier said than done.

The Nashville Predators penalty kill has been a staple to the franchise. 

Embracing a "Smashville" identity, where the Predators play a more physical style of hockey, it only makes sense that year in and year out, the team is effective on the penalty kill. When their opponent thinks they have a leg up on the power play, Nashville immediately shuts it down. 

Those numbers have held strong this season, as the Predators' penalty kill has been among the top 10 in the NHL. In their win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday, the Predators' PK killed off 6-of-6 and was awarded the locker room's player of the game award. 

The Predators' penalty kill is efficient and is a weapon in their arsenal. However, by itself, it's not going to turn around their season. 

Their 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday was an example of the Predators' need to stay out of the box and stop forcing so much on their penalty killing unit.

Carolina's power play, which ranks 27th in the league, scored twice on a whopping six power plays. It's the second straight game that Nashville has given its opponent six opportunities with the man-advantage.

While it is good that the Predators are able to kill off these penalties, as a team still ranked last in the league, they are spending more time defending than attacking. Short-handed goals can be factored in, but Nashville has only scored once while playing 4-on-5. 

The Predators' penalty minutes are down from the previous season, ranking 18th in the NHL with 246 PIM. In their last five games, Nashville has committed 73 minutes in penalties, averaging at least 14 minutes per game.

That's nearly 75% of one period playing a man down. 

Looking at the Predators' season as a whole, they are averaging 3.94 penalties per game, which suddenly puts them at 11th. In generating offense, Nashville is averaging 27.6 shots per game (17th in NHL) and 2.61 goals per game (29th in NHL). 

The penalty kill should be used when needed, but it cannot be the sole factor in giving the Predators a chance to win. Nashville cannot expect to rise in the standings when it's spending so much time playing with one arm tied behind its back. 

Two power-play goals allowed in a game isn't the end-all of a final result, but taking those off the board gave Nashville a better chance to win in a game where it got its offense going late. 

It would've been 4-3, with the Predators scoring all three of their goals in the third period. Even in the 2-1 overtime win over the Panthers, if Nashville hadn't been in and out of the box, it could've had a chance to blow open the game and maybe not give a point to Florida. 

The Predators' penalty killing unit has customized hoodies this season. It's a sled being pulled by four dogs and the hoodie says "DO NOT PET." 

If anything, the Predators are currently asking those dogs to sprint the Iditarod. 

Building up to the 2026 Olympics in Milan in February, there has been concern around the league regarding the arena that players will be playing in. There have been reports about the arena not being ready, as well as the surface being about three feet shorter than an NHL rink.

On Sportsnet’s ‘Saturday Headlines,’ insider Elliotte Friedman said he sees a good chance that all will be fine and NHL players will get to feature in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

However, Friedman spoke with the NHLPA’s assistant executive director, Ron Hainsey, regarding what the biggest issue will be with the Olympic arena.

While the shorter ice surface isn’t ideal, Hainsey and the NHLPA are more concerned about the safety and quality of the ice in Milan.

The league is supposed to hold a test event from Jan. 9 to 11, Friedman reported.

“I think that test event is going to be critical, very important in determining how good this ice is going to be,” the Sportsnet insider said.

Furthermore, Friedman pointed to the schedule of the opening two days of the men’s ice hockey event, explaining that there will be five games played in 30 hours. In addition, those games will be coming after some contests from the women’s event.

2026 Olympics: Projected Team USA Roster Before Dec. 31 DeadlineThe Americans' deep and talented men's hockey roster makes them a co-favorite to win gold at the Olympics. It also means there will be some surprising snubs.

With all that, the message that Hainsey portrayed was clear.

“The health and safety of our players while playing on any surface will not be compromised,” he said.

Earlier in this segment on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Friedman explained why Hainsey and the NHLPA aren’t as worried about the size of the ice versus the quality.

Hainsey pointed out that NHL players have played on smaller surfaces before. Earlier in this regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators played two games in Sweden as part of the NHL’s Global Series.

Both games were held at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, and according to Friedman, the 197-foot surface was similar to what these players will have to deal with at the Olympics.

Does Size Really Matter? Why A Smaller Olympic Ice Rink Should Ring Alarm BellsMilan's Olympic ice could be slightly smaller than NHL standards, sparking fears of organizational blunders and a compromised hockey experience for players and fans who have waited 12 years for best-on-best hockey.

In this situation, the size of the neutral zone was slightly shorter, while the two remaining zones on opposite sides of the ice remained NHL size.

Hainsey shared that the NHLPA never received any complaints in relation to the ice size and believes it shouldn’t be a big issue come February for the Olympic Games.

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Flyers' comeback bid comes up short in loss to NHL's top team originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers couldn’t take down the best team in the NHL as they lost to the Avalanche, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Rick Tocchet’s club fell into a 3-1 deficit early in the second period. Travis Konecny made it a one-goal game a little over four minutes later.

The Flyers had some opportunities in the third period to draw even, but they were unable to take advantage (more on that below).

Sean Couturier also found the back of the net for the Flyers (15-9-3).

“We believed in our chances to win this game,” Couturier said. “But it just felt at times we maybe gave them a little too much respect, we watched them a little bit. But overall, we competed hard, we were right there until the end.”

Colorado still owns just two regulation losses. The Avalanche (21-2-6) came in leading the NHL with 4.00 goals per game, while also allowing the fewest at 2.18.

“Some people use games as measuring sticks and I think we don’t need to do that anymore,” Konecny said. “We’ve shown we can compete with the best teams, so why not start believing that we should be right there with them.”

If there was ever a good time to face Colorado, this might have been it for the Flyers. The Avalanche were playing their second game of a back-to-back set and third game in four days, all on the road.

The Flyers, on the other hand, were coming off three days of no games or travel. But it didn’t make a difference.

“I thought we played a pretty good game,” Tocchet said. “I thought a lot of guys tried hard. We’ve just got to tighten up the turnovers and we need some of our players to make some plays under pressure — that’s really what it comes down to.”

• The Flyers went back to Samuel Ersson after the 26-year-old played well in a 5-2 win Wednesday night over the Sabres.

Ersson converted 25 saves on 28 shots against high-powered Colorado. He made a huge stop on a Victor Olofsson breakaway in the second period to keep the Flyers down only 3-2.

You could certainly argue the Flyers should have played a rested Dan Vladar against the best team in the NHL. But it’s not like Ersson played poorly Sunday. He gave the Flyers a solid chance.

Mackenzie Blackwood was in net for both games of the Avalanche’s back-to-back set. He beat the Flyers with 24 saves on 26 shots after taking down the Rangers, 3-2, in overtime Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

Trailing 3-2 to open the third period, the Flyers had 1:52 minutes of a power play, but they failed to capitalize.

A little over two minutes later, Trevor Zegras had a penalty shot after being held by Nathan MacKinnon on a breakaway. With a career 68 percent success rate in shootout attempts (17 for 25), Zegras was denied by Blackwood.

• The Flyers’ defensive depth was really tested without Cam York. The 24-year-old missed the game because of an upper-body injury.

The third defensive pair of Egor Zamula and Noah Juulsen was on the ice for two of Colorado’s goals. Juulsen also committed a tripping penalty that led to the Avalanche’s go-ahead 2-1 power play goal with 52 seconds left in the first period.

Zamula started losing some shifts in the second period and finished with 14:03 minutes. Juulsen played just 10:11.

“They’re scratching and clawing,” Tocchet said. “That’s what you’ve got to get from them, they’re trying.”

Three days after participating in the team’s morning skate, Rasmus Ristolainen joined the Flyers for practice Saturday. He remained in a non-contact jersey, but the 31-year-old defenseman appears to be getting closer to his season debut, which could come at some point this month.

Ristolainen has been recovering from surgery in March on a second triceps tendon rupture.

• Couturier had a special start to his 33rd birthday and 900th career game.

He redirected a Juulsen shot for the game-opening goal just 2:09 minutes into the action.

“It’s just great to see him play 900, he has been through a lot in his career,” Konecny said. “He has always just put his head down and gone to work, led by example. He’s a guy that you can say he doesn’t really care about that goal; he’ll care about if we won or lost the game, and that speaks to why he’s our captain.”

Couturier is the city’s longest-tenured athlete, a run that goes back to October 2011.

• The Flyers are back in action Tuesday when they host the Sharks (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Back on Nov. 20, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Winnipeg Jets have given Brad Lambert permission to seek a trade. While the young forward has yet to be dealt, that certainly could change before the trade deadline. 

Lambert is a 21-year-old former first-round pick, so there are likely many clubs that would love to add him to their system.

The 6-foot-1 center has shown promise early on in his career, including when he posted 21 goals and 55 points in 64 games in his second season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose in 2023-24. 

Although Lambert is still looking to break out at the NHL level, he has the potential to grow as he continues to gain more experience.

With that, let's look at three teams that could be good fits for Lambert. 

Nashville Predators 

The Nashville Predators could make a lot of sense as a landing spot for Lambert. With the Predators once again being one of the NHL's worst teams this season, they should be looking to add young talent who have the potential to benefit them long-term. Lambert could do just that if he breaks out and hits his full potential. 

When looking at the Predators' roster, Lambert would have the potential to immediately fit in their top nine. This would be even more of the case if the Predators end up moving on from top trade candidates like Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos this season. 

Three Potential Trade Fits For Predators' Ryan O'ReillyNashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly has been creating a lot of chatter in the rumor mill. Which teams could make sense for the veteran center?

Pittsburgh Penguins 

While the Pittsburgh Penguins have had a strong start to the 2025-26 season, they are still in the middle of a retool. Because of this, it would be very understandable if they made a major push for a young forward with good upside like Lambert. 

If the Penguins acquired Lambert, he would give them another promising forward prospect to work with. This would certainly not be a bad thing for Pittsburgh, especially when veteran star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are up there in age.

Boston Bruins 

The Boston Bruins also make sense as a potential landing spot for Lambert. The Bruins need more young and skilled forwards as they continue to build up their roster again. Thus, a player like Lambert could very well grab their attention. 

In the short term, Lambert could compete for a spot in the Bruins' bottom six. However, he also would have the potential to be a part of Boston's top six if he broke out for the Original Six club. 

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.