The NHL’s schedule is moving toward the 25 percent mark, and already this year, we’ve seen plenty of surprise teams at the top of their division. The best example is the Atlantic Division, where the three teams that sit at the top weren't projected to be in that spot.

Those being the first-place Montreal Canadiens, second-place Ottawa Senators and third-place Boston Bruins. But if you’re wondering which of those three teams has the best likelihood of staying in a top-three position, the correct answer (in this writer’s opinion) is the Senators.

Why? Well, for a couple of reasons. The first one is the main one: the Sens have got to second place in the Atlantic with a 9-5-4 record, and they haven’t been close to their best. 

Here’s what we’re getting at: Ottawa currently has the fifth-best offense in the league at 3.44 goals-for per game. Not bad, right? Right – except the Senators also have the NHL’s third-worst defense at 3.56 goals-against per game. What they take from you at one end of the ice, they give back to you at the other end.

Meanwhile, the Sens have also been above-average despite a thoroughly subpar performance from starting goaltender Linus Ullmark. The 32-year-old has posted a 6-4-4 record, a 3.21 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage. Young netminder Leevi Merilainen has been better, but he’s appeared in only four games, and his overall numbers are a 3.53 GAA and an SP of .868. As he gets more consistent, Merilainen will be able to spell off Ullmark a bit more, and that, in theory, should improve Ullmark’s performance as well.

Finally, Ottawa’s core of talent is still one of the younger cores in the league – meaning their best days are still ahead of them. Tim Stutzle is 23 years old. Shane Pinto is 25 years old. Brady Tkachuk is 26, and Jake Sanderson is 23. Oh, and Tkachuk has played only three games this year, so the Senators are going to get a huge boost when he returns to action.

Returning to answer our original question, we see the Canadiens dropping back a little as the season unfolds. That goes double for the Bruins, who we believe are in over their heads. But the Sens showed last season that they were a team on the rise, and nothing has changed in that sense. 

From this writer’s point of view, Ottawa has only scratched the surface of what they’re capable of. And while first place in the Atlantic may be a bit lofty for them, a second-or third-place finish for the Senators feels like a very doable achievement.

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When the Los Angeles Kings traded 24-year-old Jordan Spence to Ottawa four and a half months ago, he had just finished a season where he was an everyday player (79 games) on a blue line put together by GM Rob Blake. Blake is a Hall of Fame defenseman who knows a thing or two about great defense. The Kings allowed the second-fewest goals in the entire NHL, which should be a real feather in any young defenseman's cap.

But things can change quickly in the NHL. 

The Kings lost in round one of the playoffs, and Blake left at the end of the season. Since winning their second Cup in three years in 2014, the Kings have either missed the playoffs or failed to get past the first round every season. So Blake was replaced by Ken Holland.

Despite the Kings' defensive success, Holland decided the blue line was too young and opted to go out and sign a free-agent veteran. That later turned out to be former Senator Cody Ceci, but to make room for the signing, that meant someone had to go. And that player was Spence.

Holland called Spence up on NHL draft day to break the news that he'd been traded, and the Kings recorded portions of Holland's side of the conversation for their website.

Jordan? Yeah, it's Ken Holland. How are you doing? I know that opportunity is number one to you, and with Brandt Clarke here, we're gonna try to sign another right-shot D. I don't think you would have the opportunity here that you've earned at this stage of your career. So this (trade to Ottawa) should give you a better opportunity than you're gonna get here. I want to wish you the best. You had a hell of a year last year. Again, I wanna wish you all the best and have a great career.
– Portions of a phone call by Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland to Jordan Spence right after trading him to Ottawa on NHL Draft Day back in June.

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On Saturday night, Spence will face his former team for the first time, and it's a day he had marked on his calendar.

"Yeah, I did actually," Spence said. "Right when I got traded (to Ottawa), I did look at the schedule during the summer to see when we're going to play against them. So I'm really excited for tonight. And I'm excited to hopefully get the win."

With the two clubs both off last night, Spence treated a number of his former teammates to dinner in Ottawa. But while he still has great friends in that room, it will be all business on Saturday. And a little weird.

"Yeah, I mean, it's really different. I got drafted there, and I was there for four or five years. So it is weird seeing the guys and just catching up. But at the same time, it's business. And we're friends off the ice, but not on the ice."

While the trade to the Senators was framed to him as a chance for Spence to play regularly, it certainly hasn't panned out that way, at least not in the first month. Spence didn't dress on opening night, and he's already been a healthy scratch more this season than he was all of last season. He's only played in half of the Senators' 18 games so far. 

Even when he has played, Sens head coach Travis Green and defensive coach Nolan Baumgartner still appear unsure about him. When the Senators lost Thomas Chabot to injury on Tuesday night, they were going to need another defenseman, other than Jake Sanderson, to play in overtime against the Dallas Stars. While Spence has his flaws, his game seems tailor-made for overtime.

But the Sens went with big, stay-at-home defenseman Tyler Kleven, who doesn't have nearly the speed, puck skill or point production that Spence does. Kleven is also younger with less NHL experience. And yet Baumgartner still chose Kleven, who was on the ice for the Stars' winning goal.

Now, until Chabot returns, Ottawa's brain trust has no choice but to use Spence every night, and he hopes to make the most of the opportunity. And when the Senators and Kings face each other on Saturday night, Spence has a chance to try and prove some things to both clubs.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa

More Sens headlines at The Hockey News Ottawa:

Senators Have Big UFA Contract Decisions Over The Next Few Years (Who Stays And Who Goes?)
Brady Tkachuk Tests Out Wrist Injury At Practice, Provides Potential Timeline For Return
Four More Years: Ottawa Senators Sign Shane Pinto To A Four-Year Extension
Senators Lose Defenseman Thomas Chabot To Injury
Former Ottawa Senator GM Passes Away At Age 70

Mackenzie Blackwood acknowledged Jared Bednar’s postgame critique of his performance in Thursday’s 6–3 win over the Buffalo Sabres — and agreed with it. 

The 28-year-old surrendered two goals on the first six shots he faced but steadied himself and delivered several key saves down the stretch. But Bednar was not too impressed with the way the game started. 

Blackwood failed to cover the puck on the first goal, allowing former Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram to jar it loose and finish from the doorstep. The second goal unfolded when Colorado’s defense was beaten to a lofted entry from Owen Power, enabling Jordan Greenway to bat the puck out of midair and past Blackwood to make it 3–2. It was an unusual sequence, but still a save Blackwood should have made. 

"I hate to sound cruel, but that's a Blacky problem at this point," he stated. "It's not a problem for me; I have lots of confidence in Blacky and I know there's lots of minutes between here and the end of the season, but (Scott Wedgewood) is playing great, so I'm not gonna not play Wedge to play Blacky at this point, so those minutes come in practice and hard work he's been doing that and he'll get his games...Wedge is rested and ready to go for Sunday. 

"I'm not gonna not play him because Blacky needs minutes. There's plenty of time to give him minutes. Right now, we're gonna play a rested goalie and play the goalie that gives us a really good chance." 

Blackwood Agrees With Criticism

At Saturday’s practice at Family Sports Center, The Hockey News asked Blackwood whether Bednar’s comments added any extra motivation for him to start stronger. 

“I’m getting closer; I just need reps,” Blackwood said. “It’s hard when you miss all of training camp. I don’t need that to motivate me. He’s not wrong; it’s the truth. It’s my problem to take the opportunities that I get and keep working on sharpness, and those aspects of my game that I need (to address). 

“Everyone in here is a pro, they have to find a way to get their game in order. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not where I want it to be. I think the more practice we play, the better it’s gonna get.” 

Blackwood, who was acquired via trade from the San Jose Sharks last season, said today was one of his better practice sessions and that he felt great.  

“Each time I get on the ice it’s an opportunity to refine your smoothness and your timing. I agree with Bedsy; it’s up to me, but it’s not extra motivation. I already kinda knew that, so it’s more telling the truth.” 

Blackwood appeared in 37 games for the Avalanche last season, posting a 22–12–3 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. Through three starts this season, he is 2–0–1 with a 3.28 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Avalanche sit atop the NHL at 12–1–5. 

Next Game 

The Avalanche take on the New York Islanders on Sunday for their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night at Ball Arena. Scott Wedgewood will start in net. Coverage begins at 7 p.m local time.  

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.

The NHL is filled with amazing quotes. Some are emotional, while others bring humor to the table. Whether it’s players, coaches, front office staff or even pundits, the NHL has no shortage of noteworthy soundbites.

This season alone, we’ve seen Ryan O’Reilly become his harshest critic, Jakub Dobes spill his emotions over a loss, and several others demonstrate anger or playfulness.

Here are some of the best quotes in the NHL of the past week.

John Tortorella Speaks About The Passing Of New York Post Columnist Larry Brooks

If there is one hockey personality who is famous for having the most outrageous quotes, it’s long-time NHL coach John Tortorella. “Torts” received his first NHL head coaching job in 2001 when he replaced Steve Ludzik on Jan. 7 on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tortorella won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2003-04 and then went on to spend seasons as the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers head coach. 

In his time with New York, he had several discussions with the late Larry Brooks, who worked as a New York Post columnist. Brooks recently passed away due to cancer at the age of 75, and Tortorella had plenty of great things to say about him. 

“He’s an icon,” Tortorella said on Thursday evening during ESPN’s The Point. “We had our disagreements along the way, but the thing I always respected about Larry is no matter what the day brought — we had a lot of disagreements, but we’d disagree and we’d go at it, but he’d be there the next day. Ready to ask another question, he’d be there face-to-face. 

“I had so much respect for how hard he worked at his job. We’re both trying to do our business. I need to protect my hockey team sometimes, he has information — and he has information, that’s one thing, he worked at it, to get information.”

The Hockey World Lost A Titan With The Death Of Larry BrooksLarry Brooks, who died at the age of 75, was a legend and a Hall of Famer in hockey. And he always was in the middle of the story.

Jon Cooper Explains Use Of Timeout

In a battle between two of Tortorella’s two former teams, the Lightning were having an awful time against the Rangers. The result of the contest was very one-sided as the Rangers went on to defeat the Lightning 7-3. 

ESPN’s Jackie Redmond conducted a bench interview with Lightning coach Jon Cooper and asked about his early use of a timeout. Cooper had a hilarious response, in short, calling his team immature.

“Reckless play, bad penalty, tough structure, bad turnover, in the net, in the net, and so, if we’re going to play like that, that’s not winning hockey. Next 57 minutes we need to change our act, or it’s going to get way worse than this. We got better in us. ​​I think there's a little bit of thumb-sucking going on right now.”

The Lightning did up the pressure, finishing with 36 shots on net, but they continued to have issues keeping the Rangers from converting their high-danger chances.

Leon Draisaitl And The Oilers Needed A Slap In The Face

Just a week ago, in a highly anticipated Saturday night matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche, we witnessed the Avalanche lay a beating on what looked like a lifeless Oilers squad.

The game finished with an astonishing 9-1 scoreline, with plenty of blame to be dished around on the Oilers' end. Leon Draisaitl, who tends to be very open with his responses, not fearing what some may think of what he says, was once again blunt in his description of the game.

“Sometimes a slap in the face is just what you need.” 

Draisaitl may have been right in his analysis. In the two games following the embarrassing loss, the Oilers defeated the Blue Jackets and the Flyers in overtime. There is still plenty to do for the Oilers to turn things around, but Draisaitl is correct in saying that they needed a wake-up call to get going once again. 

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Flyers continue to have no answers for woes in second game of back-to-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers on Saturday night looked like a team playing the second game of a back-to-back set against a Stanley Cup contender.

They were rolled by the Stars, 5-1, Saturday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas. On Friday night, the Flyers had to go the distance to pick up a 6-5 shootout win over the Blues in St. Louis.

The Flyers (9-6-3) had their point streak halted at five games (3-0-2).

Since last season, the Flyers have gone a staggering 1-12-2 in the second game of back-to-back sets and have been outscored 63-34.

Christian Dvorak recorded the Flyers’ lone goal.

Jason Robertson scored a hat trick for the Stars (12-4-3), who are a bona-fide top team. They won their fifth straight.

• Dan Vladar, who entered with a 2.15 goals-against average and .919 save percentage, denied 23 of 28 shots.

The 28-year-old battled, but Dallas was just too much.

Robertson, a two-time 40-plus goal scorer, struck twice in the second period. He completed the natural hat trick on the power play in the final stanza as the Stars’ lead ballooned to 4-0.

The recent trend of poor starts continued for the Flyers. They surrendered a goal 3:48 minutes into the action and have been outscored 7-1 in the first period over the last five games.

Lian Bichsel’s game-opening marker came on a shot that went off Bobby Brink as the Flyers were scrambling in the defensive zone. Dallas went into first intermission with a 10-3 shot advantage and it felt like the Flyers were fortunate to be down only 1-0.

The Flyers found their legs a bit in the second period, but Jake Oettinger didn’t budge. The Stars’ netminder stopped 20 of 21 shots on the night.

In the middle stanza, he denied good looks from Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov before Robertson struck for his first goal to cushion Dallas’ advantage to 2-0.

Oettinger improved to 5-1-0 lifetime against the Flyers.

• Dvorak, Tippett and Trevor Zegras combined for a goal and an assist.

It wasn’t quite what they did Friday night when they combined for five goals and five assists.

The Flyers’ top line of Michkov, Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny was scored on twice in that decisive second period.

Michkov finished with a team-high five shots.

• After playing three times in the last four days, the Flyers now go four days before they have their next game Thursday at home against the Blues (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Former Chicago Blackhawks forward David Kampf mutually agreed to have his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs terminated this week. Now, he has already found his new home.

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have signed Kampf to a one-year, $1.1 million contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

Seeing the Canucks sign Kampf is not necessarily surprising, as they need help at the center position and have been dealing with injury trouble. Now, they have brought in a solid veteran forward in Kampf who will provide them with more depth. 

In four games this season with the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, Kampf recorded one assist and had a minus-1 rating. During the 2024-25 season with the Maple Leafs, he had five goals and 13 points in 59 games. 

Kampf spent the first four seasons of his NHL career with the Blackhawks from 2017-18 to 2020-21, where he recorded 17 goals, 41 assists, and 58 points in 235 games. 

The Edmonton Oilers officially lost defenseman Troy Stecher on waivers to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the reaction is mixed. Some wished the defenseman well. Others took aim at the Oilers for a lack of asset management. Some were fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs suggesting that a move needed to be made, and this wasn't a bad one. 

From frustration to sadness to cautious Leafs optimism, hockey fans had plenty to say after Toronto scooped up the veteran blueliner.

Oilers Lose Popular Defenseman To The Maple Leafs Via WaiversMaple Leafs grab an Oilers' popular defenseman via waivers, boosting their blue line amidst defensive struggles and offering him a fresh start.

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Oilers Fans and Media Weigh In

A chunk of Oilers fans were annoyed the team risked losing Stecher in the first place. One user @OADSBW, called the move “lazy,” adding: “VERY disrespectful by the Oilers… leaving it up to chance, a coin-flip. Hoping you can stash him in the minors? Brutal.”

Others, many of them from the Edmonton-based media, pointed out that Stecher was a good solider and deserved to land somewhere solid. 

Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer noted, "Big fan of Troy Stecher. During his time as an @EdmontonOilers he was a consummate professional who punched above his weight class. Competed every shift! Best of luck to him in Toronto."

  

Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) on XBig fan of Troy Stecher. During his time as an @EdmontonOilers he was a consummate professional who punched above his weight class. Competed every shift! Best of luck to him in Toronto.

Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal wrote, "Leafs claim Stecher off waivers. On one hand, tough to lose a warrior like him for nothing. But Stecher was clearly the #8 here."

Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic wrote, "The Oilers have lost their No. 8 defenceman. Good to see Stecher find a new NHL team."

Mark Spector of Sportsnet tweeted, "So long Troy Stecher, as competitive a battler as ever I've covered. He's small, gets less than 15 points a season, and somehow has carved out a 566-game NHL career. Seven teams later, someone still wants him. And the Leafs will be better for the pick-up."

Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson noted, "Stecher joins his seventh NHL team and fourth in Canada. Oilers, Canucks, Flames and now Leafs. Also LA, Arizona and Detroit. He is ultimate battler who has made himself useful to one quarter of league."

Leafs Fans Welcome Their New Depth Defenseman

Leafs fans, on the other hand, wasted no time embracing their new addition.

Analyst Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) liked the pickup from a fit standpoint: “Stecher is a depth defenceman but can provide a needed skill for Leafs — puck moving out of the defensive zone… good at getting back on pucks and getting it out with possession.”

Even Leafs writer Nick Barden highlighted why the move made sense, pointing to Stecher’s mobility and reliability as reasons Toronto targeted him.

@APetrielli wrote, "I like the risk-free Stecher claim as it's a fully buriable, expiring contract. Myers has been awful and is their next right-D right now. At least Stecher can pass/play with pace. Leafs need all the puck movement they can get right now."

Ultimate Leafs' fan Steve 'Dangle" Glynn wrote, "Glad they're trying this. I don't expect him to save the day but he's a righty who can move the puck and he's probably better than at least one of their current guys, probably two. I'd rather try this than nothing, which wasn't an option anymore."

Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) on XGlad they're trying this. I don't expect him to save the day but he's a righty who can move the puck and he's probably better than at least one of their current guys, probably two. I'd rather try this than nothing, which wasn't an option anymore.

Oilers Lose a Battler

The numbers game played into why Stecher is no longer an Oiler and the defenseman will be missed. He wasn't having the best season and as he was aging, it was less and less likely he had a future with the Oilers. Still, you never want to lose someone who battles and plays hard every time he's on the ice. 

The Oilers arguably haven't seen enough compete from many of the players on their roster and despite Stecher's size, he was never short of 'try". 

**Author's Take:

I had nothing but positive interactions for Stecher each and every time I had the chance to talk to him. He seemed excited to play and a down-to-earth NHLer who was happy to help in any role asked of him. It will be great to see him get a shot with the Maple Leafs and the hope is that he becomes a regular in the lineup for them. 

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One of the New Jersey Devils' most exciting prospects will make his NHL debut on Saturday night against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena.

After receiving his first NHL call-up, 22-year-old Shane Lachance will draw into New Jersey's lineup with injuries to forwards Jack Hughes (non-hockey hand injury) and Cody Glass (upper-body injury). 

During his pregame media availability, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Lachance would play via NJD.TV.

Lachance, who spent the beginning of the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets, will have familiarity with his teammates, as Nathan Légaré and Colton White are also with the Devils due to the influx of injuries to New Jersey's roster. 

Before the team's road trip, White provided insight into Lachance and what he has brought to the ice and to the Comets' locker room.

"He is a phenomenal guy off the ice," White said. "He is really great to be around, and has a great work ethic. On the ice, he does all the little things really well. He works really hard. Good defensively. Good offensively. Good at possessing the puck down low and being a good net front presence.

"You can tell why he was the captain at BU at such a young age," White continued. "Being a young guy and asserting yourself that way, it takes a long time to do that usually, but he seems to do it right away. A special player, for sure." 

Through 11 games with the Comets, Lachance has one assist and two penalty minutes. On April 16, 2025, he signed a two-year, entry-level contract that began with the 2025-26 season.

Puck drop between the Devils and Capitals is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on MSGSN and can be streamed on Gotham Sports.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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.