Author: NHL Hockey News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

Editors note: This story contains mention of sexual assault. Readers discretion is advised.  

Cal Foote, who played for the Nashville Predators for 24 games during the 2022-23 season, was one of five former Canadian junior hockey players found not guilty on Thursday in a sexual assault case that occurred in 2018. 

Foote, alongside Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton and Dillon Dubé, were all accused of engaging in the sexual assault of a woman anonymously known as E.M. She claimed she had been sexually assaulted over several hours in a hotel room in London, Ontario, in June 2018. 

The players were in London to celebrate their Gold Medal victory at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, which was held earlier that year in Buffalo, New York. 

Ontario Supreme Court Justice Maria Carroccia said during the decision on Thursday that she did not find E.M.’s evidence “credible or reliable." 

More specific details to the case and the ruling can be found here:

All Five Former World Junior Players Found Not Guilty In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault TrialWarning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers.

Foote was drafted 14th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017 and bounced between the NHL and AHL for six and a half seasons before he was traded midseason to Nashville. The Predators dealt forward Tanner Jeannot to Tampa for Foote and five future draft picks.

During his time with the Predators, he scored four points in 24 games. In the offseason, he signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils but spent the bulk of his time with the organization in Utica, playing for the AHL franchise. 

In January 2024, when the sexual assault allegations were made against Foote, the Devils granted Foote an "indefinite leave of absence from the team," but did not re-sign him. 

He has spent the last season with Liptovsky Mikulas HK in the Slovak Extraliga, the top professional hockey league in Slovakia. 

None of the accused players were active in the NHL last season. 

It seems like Pittsburgh Penguins' forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust are the subject of Pittsburgh hockey news just about every other day at this point.

Most of the “news” - or think pieces - involve discourse on where either player could end up if traded, if both of them will be traded, and how the Penguins need to trade both of them in order to properly manage the rebuild that they’re attempting to execute.

But something that isn’t talked about nearly enough is the possibility of them staying.

What if one or both of them stick around? And would one or both of them sticking around thwart any successful attempt at a rebuild?

It’s certainly fair to conclude that one of the two should be dealt, along with veteran offensive blueliner Erik Karlsson. The Penguins are still in the business of collecting high-value assets, whether that means first-round picks or young NHL talent. And that doesn’t figure to change through the end of next season. 

But if one of them is kept, is it really going to set back the rebuild to any tangible degree?

Honestly? Probably not. 

It’s worth noting that the 2026 NHL draft class is, by all accounts, a pretty strong one. The obvious prize comes along with the lottery, as Gavin McKenna is waiting in the wings for one lucky - or unlucky, depending on how it’s looked at - team. As such, it stands to reason that first-round picks simply have higher value in the trade market right now than they have for the past several seasons - especially for fringe teams that may or may not want to take the next step and make the playoffs.

Because of this, it’s fair to wonder whether or not any of those “fringe” teams - such as the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, or Vancouver Canucks - would want to be in on someone like Rakell or Rust, both of whom Penguins’ GM and POHO Kyle Dubas is, likely, seeking a first-round pick for. 

NHL Insider Says Red Wings Leading Race to Land Penguins' RustInsider reports indicate the Red Wings being the top contender to land Penguins winger Bryan Rust.

And if a first-round pick is his demand, that is understandable, considering the seasons that Rakell and Rust had. Rakell, 32, put together the best season of his NHL career in 2024-25, amassing 35 goals and 70 points, while Rust, 33, did the same with 31 goals and 65 points. Any team looking to get over the hump, or any contending team looking to add one more reliable finisher in their top-six, would love to have either player for three more seasons at around $5 million.

If those fringe teams aren’t willing to give up that asset, it’s understandable that Dubas would wait around to see who is willing to pony up. And, that likely leaves the true contenders.

While Rakell or Rust going to a contending team certainly makes sense, it’s key to remember that the presumed first-round pick coming back would, more than likely, not be anywhere near the lottery. And is it worth it to surrender both Rakell and Rust for two late-first-round picks?

According to a recent article by Jacob Billington of The Hockey Writers, it’s clear to see the dropoff in talent after the top-10 selections in NHL drafts from 1963 to 2023. According to the data, for players drafted 10th overall, 75.4 percent play more than 100 NHL games.

Beyond that? Much of the remaining first round is a total crapshoot, especially in the teens. For reference, 45 percent of players drafted at 11th overall - which is where the Penguins selected Ben Kindel in 2025 - end up playing more than 500 NHL games. While that exceeds the 36 percent for the same number of games at 10th overall, only 65 percent play more than 100 NHL games. 

Then, beyond 20, both numbers steadily drop, with 56.3 percent making it past 100 games and 25.8 percent hitting 500 games.

The point here is that - despite the respective ages of Rakell and Rust - they do have three years left on their current deals, and they both can put the puck in the net alongside Sidney Crosby. The chances of the Penguins getting a late-round franchise player - or, even, a very good complementary player - for both of them in a trade is low enough that it may not be worth giving both of them up.

Besides, there has to be a reason Dubas is hesitant to deal both that goes beyond nostalgia. The easiest and most logical explanation is that he’s letting the market play up for both of them only to pounce at its highest-value moment, which makes sense. 

Report: Price For Penguins' Top Winger 'Especially High'With few intriguing forward pieces remaining on the free agent market, many teams are turning to the RFA market and the trade market to upgrade their top-six.

But it cannot be understated how much these players mean to the Penguins and how much they mean to the young players in the room that they’re trying very hard to develop, especially Rust. Dubas has also reiterated the desire to get the Penguins back to contention “as urgently as possible,” and it’s very plausible that he sees a potential overlap in the team’s window of contention before both contracts expire. 

Look at it this way: Yes, he can net higher-value draft picks for Rakell and Rust. But the Penguins don’t necessarily need more than one in return, considering the fact that they own all of their first-round picks for the coming drafts. The Washington Capitals, for example - who had a top-notch 2024-25 campaign and seem to have successfully executed a rebuild on-the-fly - have managed to hit on their scouting and draft picks while only drafting once in the top-10 over the past decade and not having more than one first-round pick since 2012, when they selected now-veterans Filip Forsberg (11th overall) and Tom Wilson (16th overall). 

Like Ovechkin's Capitals, Penguins Owe It To Crosby To Right The ShipOn Sunday, the hockey world got to witness Alexander Ovechkin - The Great “8” - surpass The Great “One” for the most goals in NHL history.

They were also successful in identifying veterans on their roster who were worth keeping around for their retool in Wilson, John Carlson, and Nic Dowd. Washington didn’t rid of every veteran with trade value on their roster for a reason - and that was because they understood that their value to the team’s ultimate goal of competing “as urgently as possible” exceeded the value they’d net in return.

So, say one of Rakell and Rust is traded. Dubas would, hypothetically, have two first-round picks next season - one of which may very well be a lottery selection - and he already has NHL-ready talent knocking at the door and vying for spots on the NHL roster.

If any of the Penguins’ three first-round picks from the 2025 draft crack the NHL roster within two years - Kindle, for example - plus that 2026 lottery pick, plus good complementary players like Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Owen Pickering, Harrison Brunicke, and Tristan Broz, doesn’t having one of either Rust or Rakell around in addition to that significantly increase their chances of contending sooner?

Penguins' Roster Breakdown: Which Young Players Have Realistic Hopes Of Cracking NHL Roster Next Season?The Pittsburgh Penguins are heading into the 2025-26 season with full intentions of having a youth movement on their NHL roster.

It’s better to have all of the aforementioned guys PLUS a Rust or a Rakell for another year or two, in addition to Crosby. All of a sudden, the lineup is guaranteed deeper in 2026-27 and 2027-28. The Penguins would still have a lot of high-value picks to build out their organization from the draft, and some of those players may - or may not - make a sooner-than-expected impact.

Simply put, there is an avenue to contention with one of those guys still on the roster, and not dealing one of them is not a colossal failure for that reason. Of course, if the Penguins get a good, young player in return for each of them - preferably some higher-ceiling help on the blue line - maybe the tune is different. And, if the Penguins are still bottom-feeders in 2026-27, they should still be able to net decent value in a later trade for whichever of the two they decide to stick with. 

But if this is mostly about first-round draft capital? It’s probably worth eating that potential asset and keeping one of them around through the final year or two of their current deal to help bridge the Penguins into a new window of contention. Successful rebuilds, realistically, don't hinge on one singular move - or lack of a move - to define that success.

Regardless of what happens with Rakell and Rust - if you’re putting all the pieces of the puzzle together - contention may not be as far off as many seem to think if Dubas and the Penguins can successfully execute this phase of the rebuild in nearly every other facet.

Dubas May Have Sought Quantity In This Year's Draft. But That Doesn't Mean He Missed On Quality.In the aftermath of every NHL Draft, the analysis always comes due.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!       

Feature Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres acquisition of defenseman Conor Timmins from the Pittsburgh Penguins on NHL Draft weekend was due in part to the 26-year-old’s price point being less than Connor Clifton’s $3.33 million salary, but at the time of the trade, the Sabres did not know for certain what the righty defenseman would cost for next season.

The St. Catharines, ON native is an arbitration-eligible RFA and one year away from unrestricted free agency and according to a report from Puckpedia, Timmins hearing date will be on Saturday, August 2nd. The Sabres and agent Paul Capizzano are likely negotiating on a deal beforehand, but have less than two weeks before going into what usually is an adversarial process.  

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

The club’s pairings to start the season are expected to be team captain Rasmus Dahlin playing with recently signed Bowen Byram, Owen Power playing with newly acquired righty Michael Kesselring, and Timmins playing with Mattias Samuelsson. The Sabres are currently fifth in the NHL at 34.6% of the cap allocated towards their blueline behind Washington, Vegas, Edmonton, and Columbus, and would have been near the top of the league had they kept Clifton,  who was slated to earn $3.33 million next season.

Timmins is coming off a 15-point season with Toronto and the Penguins, and it is expected that he will get a slight raise from his $1.1 million salary last season with the cap going up. That price point fits better with Timmins expected role as a bottom-pairing defender over Clifton.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo 

Former Ottawa Senators winger Alex Formenton has been found not guilty of sexual assault.

The 26-year-old was one of five players on Canada's 2018 World Junior Hockey team charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a London, Ontario hotel room in June of that year. The players had gathered in London for a Hockey Canada gala and golf event to celebrate the team's gold medal victory five months earlier.

All of the other players involved in the case, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote were also acquitted on all charges. 

In front of a packed courtroom, Justice Maria Carroccia delivered her decision on Thursday and ruled that the testimony from the complainant, referred to throughout the case as E.M., was "not credible or reliable." The judge also said, "In this case, I have found actual consent, not vitiated by fear," and that the Crown did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

This was a trial that took eight weeks, but the investigation, the scandal over how it was handled, and the intense national media coverage has gone on for several years. The trial sparked further dialogue on the issue of consent, which was at the heart of this case, and a Canadian junior hockey culture that's often been described as entitled and toxic.

The not-guilty verdict means the players are all free to go and move on with their lives. The Crown does have the option to appeal and has 30 days to decide whether or not to do that.

In Formenton's case, according to court documents obtained by the CBC, he has "moved on from a hockey career" and now works full-time in construction.

Formenton was Ottawa's second-round draft pick in 2017 and played 109 games for the club. When he became an RFA in 2022, that was right around the time that the news emerged about this case.

He was an emerging NHL player at the time, completing his first full season as a Senator and scoring 18 goals and 32 points. He was also probably the fastest skater in club history. So when the Sens didn't re-sign him, it certainly wasn't a decision made for hockey reasons.

Instead, Formenton agreed to a $125,000 contract with Ambri-Piotta, a pro hockey team in Switzerland, where he played parts of two seasons until he returned home to stand trial. His NHL playing rights still belong to Ottawa.

Last year, according to TSN, Formenton filed a $20.5 million lawsuit against Newport Sports Management and Wade Arnott, his former agent, alleging negligence, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

This story originally appearedat The Hockey News-Ottawa

More Sens Headlines:
Former Ottawa Senator Returns To NHL After Three-Year KHL Stint
Sens Captain Brady Tkachuk Celebrates Hard at Brother Matthew's Wedding
Can The Senators Count On Dylan Cozens To Consistently Produce?
Senators Re-Sign 2021 First-Round Pick To One-Year Deal
An Early Glance At The Senators’ 2026 Free Agent Class
Why Mason McTavish Isn’t Coming Home To The Senators

In the whirlwind that has been the last two weeks, one signing slipped past me: the contract former Montreal Canadiens draft pick and player Jordan Harris signed with the Boston Bruins for a one-year deal.

Harris was a third-round pick at the 2018 draft and had Habs fans worried when he decided to play his fourth and final year of eligibility in the NCAA with Northeastern University. Some feared the Haverhill, MA native would just wait to become a free agent and sign with his local team, the Bruins.

Canadiens: Trouble for Struble?
Canadiens: Wheeler Redrafts The 2022 Draft
Canadiens: Slafkovsky Joins The Fun

Harris was a first-team all-star in the Hockey East division, Northeastern’s captain, and the player who won them the Beanpot tournament in 2020 with a double overtime goal. He grew up just 36 miles north of Boston and had never left the area to play hockey, but he ultimately joined the Canadiens and signed an ELC contract at the end of the 2021-22 season, playing 10 NHL games.

He played the last year of his ELC before signing a two-year contract extension with a $1.4 M AAV with the Canadiens and skated in 56 games with the Habs in the first year of that contract, putting up 14 points.

In June 2024, he was named Sports Personality of the Year by the Cummings Center Foundation for his involvement in the community and for being a trailblazer in the NHL. At the time, he was the only Black Jewish player in the NHL.

Less than two months later, however, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for Patrik Laine and a 2026 second-round pick. He joined the Jackets just days before the team was hit by an incredible tragedy when an alleged drunk driver killed star player and leader Johnny Gaudreau and his brother.

It was a tough season for the Jackets, but they still came painfully close to qualifying for the playoffs, only being eliminated when the Canadiens won their last game of the year. Still, even though Columbus struggled, Harris couldn’t establish himself as a regular in the lineup.

In the end, he only played 33 games with the Ohio outfit, scoring five points and finishing the year with a minus-one rating. At the end of the season, the Jackets decided not to extend a qualifying offer, and he became an unrestricted free agent.

Boston signed him on July 1 to a one-year contract with a $825,000 AAV, bringing him back home. Should he manage to get a regular spot in the lineup this season, he’ll take on his former Canadiens teammates four times.

Photo credit:  Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Matthew Kessel is off the board.

Not that the 25-year-old was ever on the board, but he made it official recently on his Instagram account that he's engaged to be married to girlfriend Allie.

Kessel, a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, played in 29 games for the Blues last season and had three assists; he has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 70 games spanning three seasons in the NHL.

Do you think Kessel can earn more playing time in St. Louis soon or will it be hard for him to grab much more playing time with the ascension of Tyler Tucker and acquisition of Logan Mallioux from the Montreal Canadiens? Share your vote in the poll above.

The New Jersey Devils are next up in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Devils’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

The New Jersey Devils are on the rise with elite young talent on the roster and some of the most impressive offensive sequences in the NHL. 

Led by 24-year-old Jack Hughes and 26-year-old Nico Hischier, the Devils are well-positioned long-term down the middle, and they have shown flashes of being a truly elite team. 

The team has a handful of young defenders already looking like potentially effective players. Luke Hughes, Jack’s younger brother, is one of the most gifted young offensive blueliners in the game. In his two full seasons, Hughes has had 47 and 44 points, the latter coming in just 71 games. His skating and desire to jump up in the rush to help create man-advantage situations mean he could push past the 50-point plateau as a 22-year-old next season.

Simon Nemec isn’t a rookie anymore, having spent most of the 2023-24 season in the NHL. However, after being back and forth between the AHL and NHL this past season, Nemec is still fighting for his spot in the lineup. Nemec has a high-end offensive mind, and he has also shown flashes of solid defensive play. He has just about everything you want from a top-four defenseman aside from a nasty streak. He moves the puck well on the breakout, finding outlets along the wall as well as streaking forwards cutting through the neutral zone. This will be a big season for Nemec.

Lenni Hameenaho is one of the most productive U-21 players in the Liiga over the last 25 years. He’s used his tactical play to pick apart defensive schemes. He isn’t the flashiest or fleetest of foot, but he has the answer when a defender presents him with a problem. He passes under pressure and gets into position to receive a return pass. Hameenaho will be one of the most interesting prospects to watch in training camp as he tries to match the NHL pace.

It’s been a long time coming, but 2019 fourth-rounder Arseniy Gritsyuk finally signed his entry-level contract in May, and he’s set to join the Devils for this upcoming season. The speedy forward is one of the oldest prospects covered in this Prospect Pool Overview series, because a 24-year-old who hasn’t cracked the NHL will likely be a low-impact player if he ever makes it. Gritsyuk signed longer deals in the KHL and avoided coming over. Now that he is here, though, his skill and speed are ready to take on the NHL. He’s been all over the Twitter highlight reels, but now, it’s time to show he’s a legit NHLer.

At 6-foot-7, it’s hard to miss Anton Silayev on the ice. The big, mobile defender has plenty of tools at his disposal, showcasing impressive skating and defensive work. His offensive game doesn’t stand out, but he makes a good first pass and quickly gets the puck out of trouble. He uses his full wingspan to deter attackers, and when he closes, he finishes with full force along the boards. Silayev could help balance out some of the offensively gifted defenders in New Jersey in a couple of years.

Seamus Casey started and ended the season in the NHL, playing 14 games total, but he spent most of this past year in the AHL. He is one of the most intelligent defenders with the puck, finding a play and advancing the puck into a position to create offense. His strength and defensive game must continue to improve, and he must show he can handle the NHL’s physicality, but he should make some noise in training camp once again and challenge for even more NHL time. 

One of hockey’s most underrated goalie prospects, Mikhail Yegorov, was a monster for Boston University after joining them partway through the season. The Terriers were having a good season, but they were underperforming in relation to national title expectations early in the year. When Yegorov made the jump from the United States League to the NCAA mid-season, everything changed. His .927 save percentage gave BU a chance to win every night. Yegorov helped the team to the national title game, where they ultimately lost to a feisty Western Michigan squad, but BU might not have even made the Frozen Four without Yegorov’s heroics. 

U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season

Simon Nemec (D), Luke Hughes (D), Seamus Casey (D)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 50th overall - Conrad Fondrk, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 2, 63rd overall - Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL)

Round 3, 90th overall - Mason Moe, C, Madison (USHL)

Round 4, 99th overall - Trenten Bennett, G, Kemptville (Jr. A)

Round 4, 114th overall - Gustav Hillstrom, C, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

Round 6, 161st overall - David Rozsival, RW, Liberec Jr. (Cze.)

Round 6, 178th overall - Sigge Holmgren, D, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

The New Jersey Devils traded their first-round pick in the Jacob Markstrom deal, so their first pick came in Round 2, where they drafted center Conrad Fondrk from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. In a weird season where injuries and an underwhelming NTDP group likely played a factor in his production, Fondrk showcased some enticing skill as a passer and shooter. His skating and defensive details are areas for improvement, but in the offensive zone, he could be an effective player. Heading to Boston University in the fall, he will have ample time to get bigger, faster and stronger. 

Ben Kevan, a speedy forward, has an impressive highlight reel. He isn’t the most physical player, but he will hunt down loose pucks in space and try to attack on the fly. He is at his best when attacking in motion, struggling a bit when things get bogged down or the puck is worked through the cycle. When he’s 1-on-1 with a defender, Kevan can embarrass an opponent with his slick hands and a burst of speed to blow by them. He must work on the details of his game, but he has a ton of promise. 

When the Devils snagged Mason Moe in the third round, they made a low-upside bet on a player who has good tools across the board while lacking a standout skill. Moe helped fill the gaps in Ryker Lee’s game this season, showing his attention to detail so that his hyper-skilled teammate could take advantage of his tools. Moe is a tactical two-way forward who almost always finds himself in an excellent position to make the next play. There’s a very good chance that he ends up being a solid NCAA player for the University of Minnesota.

The Devils took a swing on a massive goalie in the fourth round, drafting the 6-foot-8 Trenten Bennett. Primarily playing in the Jr. A CCHL before getting a stint with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, Bennett is an intimidating presence for shooters as they bear down on the net. His frame takes up so much of the net that they have to rely on making him move to open up holes. Bennett is a project, but he’s heading to St. Lawrence University in a year, so he will have plenty of time to refine some of the movement in his game. 

Nabbing Gustav Hillstrom in the fourth round might be the best value pick for New Jersey in the 2025 draft. He brings size, a high defensive work rate and value as a playmaker and a net-crashing scorer. Hillstrom isn’t the flashiest player, but he can bust out some fancy hands from time to time, using his length to evade pressure. His biggest strength offensively is his ability to read the play off the puck so that he can burst through seams and create off a pass. Hillstrom could end up as a very solid third-liner who does a bit of everything for a team with championship aspirations. 

Drafting out of the Czech junior league is always hit and miss, but the Devils made a nice bet on David Rozsival. He’s heading to the USHL, where he can adapt to the North American game. Dealing with physicality won’t be one of those adaptations, as he even invites contact at times. Rosival gets in on the forecheck and understands how to pressure a defender to force mistakes. He doesn’t have high-end offensive upside, but he plays like a solid third-liner. 

The Devils capped off the draft with one of the more interesting picks of the draft. Sigge Holmgren did not play this past year because of a shoulder injury before the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He’s tough to evaluate, but he has shown some puck-moving ability at the U-18 level in 2023-24. Taking a swing this late is well worth it if the Devils deemed him a player of interest before the injury.

Strengths

The Devils don’t have a position that jumps out as a crystal clear strength.

They have solid prospects at just about every position, but they don’t have a ton of depth. With Nemec being an exception to the typical rule that a player counts in this exercise if they are Calder-eligible, the defense is a strength, even if it doesn’t stand out. 

Nemec and Silayev could be top-four impact defenders in very different ways, with Nemec being the offensive foil to Silayev’s defensive acumen. Casey looks to prove he’s not just a tweener who is a top AHL defender who’s not quite good enough to be an NHLer. 

There are some interesting bets in the system, such as the raw Daniil Orlov, a growing defensive blueliner with a physical edge. Charlie Leddy is an intriguing depth prospect entering his senior NCAA season, playing a steady, simple game. 

It’s not like the Devils have incredible depth on the blueline, but they have some players worth following on the back end. 

Weaknesses

The Devils have solid centers in the NHL. Core pieces Jack Hughes and Hischier are an elite duo. Soon-to-be 24-year-old Dawson Mercer has promise as a third-line center. Cody Glass is an excellent option at fourth-line center. Glass and Hischier are the elder statesmen among the foursome at 26. 

That helps mitigate the weakness the Devils’ pipeline has down the middle. 

They added Fondrk, Hillstrom and Moe in the draft, which helps, but the prospects who were already in the pipeline haven’t given much for people to be excited about. 

Samu Salminen has struggled to establish his game in the NCAA. Matyas Melovsky is a solid two-way center, and he scored a bit in the QMJHL this past year, but he’s not really an offensive force, which limits his upside. 

The Devils don’t necessarily need a center soon, but if injuries strike and the team looks to its pipeline, there won’t be much to draw from. 

Hidden Gem: Mikhail Yegorov, G

Things were going well for Yegorov in the USHL, playing for Omaha and putting up good personal numbers, but the team couldn’t chain together wins. An opportunity to play regularly in the NCAA a year earlier than expected drove Yegorov to make the move mid-season. 

Switching leagues and teams in the middle of his season was a risk that paid off in a big way. 

Yegorov isn’t often mentioned with the top goalie prospects in the world, but after the showcase he put on this past season, maybe he should be. He saved BU’s season and helped the Terriers reach the national title game. He was stellar in just about every game, making massive saves behind a team that liked to push the pace. The Devils have finally fixed their NHL goaltending with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, but when the time comes, Yegorov will be the answer in the blue paint for the next era.

Next Man Up: Simon Nemec, D

It’s time for Nemec to come into training camp and give the Devils no other option than to put him on the team. 

This past year, there was plenty of tension between the player and the organization, and a trade remains a possibility. If he is still there in training camp, Nemec must show his impact and worth at both ends of the ice. He must showcase his playmaking ability and creativity offensively and then use his skating and reads to play excellent defense. There is a spot for him on the NHL roster, and it’s on Nemec to take it. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Lenni Hameenaho, Cole Brown, Josh Filmon, Shane Lachance

C: Conrad Fondrk, Gustav Hillstrom, Samu Salminen, Matyas Melovsky, Mason Moe

RW: Arseniy Gritsyuk, Ben Kevan, Cam Squires, David Rozsival

LD: Anton Silayev, Daniil Orlov, Topias Vilen, Daniil Karpovich

RD: Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, Sigge Holmstrom, Charlie Leddy

G: Mikhail Yegorov, Trenten Bennett, Veeti Louhivaara, Tyler Brennan, Jakub Malek 

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

Red Wings could pursue defenceman Cal Foote pending court judgement on criminal case. 

The Detroit Red Wings are in still in need of one more addition to their top six as well as depth on the blueline. There's not many options left available but there may be more options joining the board. 

In 2024, five players from Team Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—were charged with sexual assault related to an alleged incident in London, Ontario. The five players have all pled not guilty and a verdict will come out sometime within the afternoon or evening on Thursday. 

Insider reports have come out that NHL are mildly looking at adding the involved players only if they are proven to be innocent of all crimes. One of the most highly-talked about names is Hart, as he's a quality starting goaltender that is talented enough to take over a starting job with one mentioned contender being the Edmonton Oilers. One name out of the five that could be looked at in Detroit is Cal Foote. 

Could Carter Hart Be Added As Detroit's Backup Goalie?Insider reports indicate NHL teams are looking into former starting goaltender Carter Hart pending the results of a criminal case. 

He could be worth an extended look as other teams are reportedly looking at Foote as a depth option but this is all dependent on the result of the criminal case. From early reports and quotes coming out of the courtroom are that the players will be found not guilty but no verdict has been announced yet. 

The 6-foot-4 defenseman was once considered a top prospect, selected 14th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, before his career was impacted by the criminal case. Still just 26 years old, Foote has shown he can contribute effectively, even if not through flashy point totals. He holds a career +24 rating in the NHL and made the most of his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2020 to 2023, appearing in 117 games while averaging just over 13 minutes per night in a bottom-pairing role. 

Despite limited ice time, he made a noticeable impact, ranking third among Tampa defensemen (with at least 60 games played) in hits per 60 minutes (6.24) and fourth in blocked shots per 60 (4.08) during that span. 

He was eventually moved to Nashville and then signed with New Jersey ahead of the 2023-24 season before leaving the team to go through the legal system with the criminal case. He still put up solid numbers with the Devils with a points and a +3 rating through four games. He could be looked at as a lottery ticket option for the Red Wings similar to recent signing Jacob Benard-Docker as Foote is a rare right-shot defenceman and could be valuable on the team's third pairing. 

NHL Insider Says Red Wings Leading Race to Land Penguins' RustInsider reports indicate the Red Wings being the top contender to land Penguins winger Bryan Rust.

The 2022 NHL Draft has produced some great players who are just starting their careers. A few of them are still working on turning pro and realizing their dreams. 

There is still a lot to be determined when evaluating the results of this draft, but Scott Wheeler of The Athletic did a re-draft just three years later. The results make Kyle Davidson look great, which is becoming a theme for his drafting. 2022 was his first draft fully in charge with his staff behind him.

Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) on X2022 NHL Draft re-draft: 1. MTL: Logan Cooley 2. NJD: Lane Hutson 3. ARI: Juraj Slafkovsky 4-32 (plus honourable mentions, updated projections, a full review of my ranking, and more at @TheAthletic): https://t.co/RS1uL5LsKx

In the 2022 NHL Draft, Chicago selected Kevin Korchinski 7th overall, Frank Nazar 13th overall, and Sam Rinzel 25th overall. All three players have had stints of different lengths in the NHL so far. 

In Wheeler's re-draft, things go much differently for the Chicago selections. Out of their first three selections in real life, Korchinski ended up being the third pick of the three. 

Nazar goes 6th to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rinzel goes 9th to the Buffalo Sabres, and Korchinski goes 20th to the Washington Capitals. Although Korchinski falls well below the top ten, where he was originally picked, both Nazar and Rinzel move up into the top ten. Overall, if this proves to be correct over time, that would be a win for Davidson's first draft class. 

This exercise only goes over the first round. Ryan Greene, who was selected in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft by Chicago, was an honorable mention by Scott Wheeler in his re-draft. 

With their original picks of 7, 13, and 25, the Blackhawks selected Simon Nemec (New Jersey, 2nd overall), Pavel Mintyujov (Anaheim, 10th overall), and Conor Geekie (Arizona, 11th overall). That would still be a good haul for Chicago, but not quite the same as what they ended up with on the actual night of the draft three off-seasons ago. 

Korchinski is an offensive talent who has a lot of work to do to round out his game. Some of the defensemen in the organization, including Rinzel, have passed him on the depth chart. There is still time for Korchinski to become an everyday contributor, but he has to get going soon. He could also be used as trade bait in the coming months. 

Rinzel has looked like someone who could be a top-pair guy in short order. His development at Minnesota was incredible, and his short stint in the NHL didn't look out of place even once. 

As for Nazar, the Blackhawks could have a core forward. It is unclear if he will be a center or a winger in the long term, but his speed, tenacity, and creativity will keep him in the top six for a long time. 

Davidson has not been shy about landing multiple first-round picks in each draft. This first draft of his had three, and there have been 11 total over the four years that he's done this. Only time will tell if Scott Wheeler's re-draft series continues to make him look this smart as a GM. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Former Seattle Kraken forward Daniel Sprong has signed a contract with KHL club CSKA Moscow.

Sprong's tenure with the Kraken was split into two, the first being a success where he set a career-high in goals (21) and points (46) in just 66 games. He leveraged his successful stint with the Kraken into a contract with the Detroit Red Wings, where he once again excelled. Upon conclusion of his one-year deal, he moved on, signing with the Vancouver Canucks, but he was unable to find the same success. 

After just nine games with the Canucks, he was traded back to the Kraken, but failed to regain his form, scoring a goal and an assist in 10 games. He was placed on waivers and spent the next 19 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds before he was dealt again at the deadline, this time to the New Jersey Devils.

The shortcomings continued, and he found himself in the press box during the playoffs for all but one game, signalling that it might be in his best interest to move away from the NHL.

The move to join CSKA Moscow is exactly that, signing his first European contract. 

Sprong is joining a CSKA Moscow team that is looking to revamp its roster after what it considers a disappointing season. The historic Russian club finished fifth in the Western Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Looking to bolster their roster, CSKA Moscow has signed Sprong, Nikolai Kovalenko, Rhett Gardiner, Denis Zerov and goaltender Spencer Martin this month, with Egor Sokolov being signed and traded away in the process. Additionally, the team has ex-NHLers Denis Guryanov, Nikita Nesterov, Nikita Okhotyuk, and Vladislav Kamenev under contract for the 2025-26 season.

A once-promising young, skilled winger has watched his NHL career slip away from him in the last year, but a successful stint in the KHL could earn his way back into the NHL, like many have done before him. 

Flashback Friday: Where Are They Now? Alexander WennbergDrafted in the first round (14th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Alexander Wennberg joined the Seattle Kraken as an unrestricted free agent on July 28th, 2021 after six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and a single season with the Florida Panthers. 

The New York Islanders are separating their dynamic duo of Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, per head coach Patrick Roy. 

That's the plan, at least. 

With Brock Nelson gone and Jean-Gabriel Pageau not being a true No. 2 center, moving Barzal back to his natural position seems more like a necessity. However, Barzal's game -- he likes to possess the puck and skate through the neutral zone -- fits the center mold.

However, former Islanders defenseman and MSG analyst Thomas Hickey thinks that Barzal should remain on the wing.

"Honestly, I like him as a winger more," Hickey said on Hockey Night in New York. "I think he likes playing center. I think he's a better player on the wing, I really do. Do I have a problem moving him to the middle like Patrick [Roy] is doing? No, and I understand why, right? Because now you can have two guys... I mean, Barzal was so dynamic, and Bo is just a really solid 1B center."

Sunday during “On the Line” brought to you by @tovihockeyy, @Thomas_Hickey14 gave his thoughts on the #Isles plan for Mat Barzal to move back to center.
Where do you think Barzal should play? Catch the full interview & show at https://t.co/EgKW82XlXJ#NHLpic.twitter.com/StP5avXUjI

— Hockey Night NY (@hockeynightny) July 24, 2025

The biggest takeaway is what Hickey said about Barzal's defensive game.

"I'm just wondering if that's going to translate if he's going back to center full time," Hickey said. "Are we going to see all those great plays that I saw of him stripping pucks and just being a smart forechecker and having a lot more detail in his own zone?"

As a center, Barzal was not the best away from the puck. However, when he was moved to Horvat's wing upon Bo's arrival in late January of 2023, Barzal seemed to learn a lot. 

Over the last two seasons, Barzal hasn't just cleaned things up; he has admitted to us in the media that he's actually having fun doing the little things, like backchecking and stripping opponents. 

In 2023-24, Barzal set a new career-high in takeaways, with 84. He recorded 70 back in 2019-20.

Now, one would think that Barzal has matured as a player, so there shouldn't be much deviation in his game. If anything, he may be a smarter center than ever before because of his time on the wing.

But for those that play center or just know the position, there's a lot more focus that Barzal has to have when it comes to all facets of the game. Yes, he'll be carrying the puck up a lot more rather than trying to get open. 

His first one-touch pass in the defensive zone to initiate a breakout, or his first few strides to create time and space, have to be sharp. But, defensively, he also needs to get back to being deeper in the defensive zone, below the dots rather than hovering the blue line waiting for a breakout pass. 

It's just a different game and a different mindst going from center to winger. 

While Barzal has been so sound defensively the last season and a half -- obviously, he missed significant time last season -- he did have Horvat to bail him out when need be, given his strong two-way game. 

As of now, we do not know who Barzal's linemates will be. In theory, if Calum Ritchie makes the team out of training camp as the third-line center, the Islanders could put Pageau on Barzal's wing.

The two can alternate face-offs, but also, Pageau can be that defensive mind that would allow Barzal to continue to have the offensive focus.

The one thing the Islanders don't want to see happen is, well, kinda what happened to Pageau when he came over from the Ottawa Senators at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Pageau had 24 goals in 60 games before the trade, a 32.8 goal pace over 82 games. However, when he joined the Islanders, then head coach Barry Trotz had Pageau playing a defensive-minded role, a role he played almost to perfection. 

However, Pageau's offensive game was stifled as a result, only recently showcasing that he still has some offensive ability left.

Now, Barzal is a much more gifted offensive player than Pageau, and we didn't see his offensive game diminish as his defensive game grew. So, this shouldn't be a problem. 

However, as Hickey said, it's worth considering, since the Islanders will need to play a responsible brand of hockey if they want to make the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

PHOTO: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

On July 24th, 2021, there was a trade that absolutely no one saw coming: Cam Atkinson was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Jake Voráček .

Cam Atkinson, the 6th-round pick out of Connecticut, was a fan favorite and a CBJ legend so far in his Columbus Career. After the 20-21 season, he had played 10 years and 627 games as a Blue Jacket. In those 10 seasons, he would go on to score 213 goals, which puts him second all-time behind Rick Nash. His 189 assists have him 4th on the all-time CBJ list, and he had 402 points, which is also second all-time. He scored 42 power-play goals and chipped in 16 short-handed goals. His 16 shorties sit him atop the CBJ record books. 

Jake Voráček was originally drafted by the Blue Jackets in 2007, going 7th overall. After being drafted, Voráček would go back to Junior for one more season before making his NHL debut in 2008. In his first stint with Columbus, he played three full seasons, only missing 5 games over those three seasons. He scored 39 goals and had 134 points. And then June 23rd happened, a day that almost all Columbus fans will remember. GM Scott Howson, in an attempt to try to keep Rick Nash in Columbus, traded Jake Voráček and two draft picks to the Flyers for Jeff Carter. That was arguably the worst trade in team history. Carter didn’t want to come to Columbus, and Rick Nash would be traded about a year later. Jake Voráček would go on to play 727 games as a Flyer, scoring 177 goals and totaling 604 points.

When Voráček was traded back to Columbus, Atkinson fans were livid. How could they trade a franchise icon? People were left wondering why? Voráček made around $3 million more per year than Atkinson, too. Fans were puzzled. This was a pure hockey 1-for-1 trade. The Jackets needed a more versatile player who could be a playmaker, which is Voráček. And the Flyers got a pure scorer. Jake Voráček embraced the move, came to Columbus, and had a great year. He would play in 79 games, score 6 goals, and have 56 assists. His 56 assists were three off the single-season record of 59, set by Artemi Panarin in 2018-19. He would only play in 11 games in 2022-23 due to concussion issues. November 4th, 2022, would be the last game he would play in Union Blue. He would suffer a concussion against the Avalanche while playing at the NHL Global Series in Finland. On March 2nd of 2023. The Jackets traded Voráček and a pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for goalie Jon Gilles. The Jake Voráček era in Columbus had come to an end for the second time.

In April of 2024, Voráček would announce his retirement from professional hockey. He would score 806 points in 1058 career games. 

Cam Atkinson, played last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in 39 games and had 9 points. He currently does not have a contract in place, and it's unknown what his future plans are. Atkinson has 489 points in 809 career games. 402 of those points came as a Blue Jacket. 

I do believe this trade worked out well for both teams.

This trade shook the fanbase when it happened, but they cooled off once they saw Voráček having a good year. It was a good hockey trade at the time.

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. 

81 Days Until Opening Night At Nationwide Arena: Stanislav SvozilWith 81 days to go until opening night at Nationwide Arena, there's only one person to talk about - Stanislav Svozil.  On This Date In Columbus Blue Jackets History: The CBJ Draft Cole Sillinger & Kent JohnsonThe 2021 NHL draft party for the Columbus Blue Jackets was a special night. Not only was it a chance for CBJ fans to see their team pick three times in the first round, but it was a chance for Jackets fans to come together as a group for one of the first times since the COVID pandemic gripped the world.  82 Days Until Opening Night At Nationwide Arena: Mikael PyyhtiäWith 82 days to go until opening night at Nationwide Arena, there's only one person to talk about - Mikael Pyyhtiä. 

Ukrainian-born Swedish winger Dmytro Timashov, 28, has signed a two-year contract with Admiral Vladivostok, several Swedish media outlets have reported.

Timashov, who has a Ukrainian mother and Russian father, created quite a sensation in Sweden – where he was raised – last summer when he signed with KHL club HC Sochi. After recording four points in 22 games, he was released in December and then in January signed with Swiss club Genève-Servette, where he put up nine points over 22 games during the rest of the season.

Now he’s headed back to the KHL.

“I want to play in the KHL to get closer to my family who lives there,” he told Swedish website HockeySverige.se.

Depending on exactly where in Russia his family is located, Vladivostok is an interesting choice. The city lies in the far east of Russia on the Pacific coast – approximately 9,000 km from Moscow.

Timashov was born in Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine but left the country with his mother at age seven and grew up in suburban Stockholm, Sweden, which is where he started playing hockey. He played for Djurgården in Stockholm and then went overseas at age 17 to play junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts, where he won the QMJHL rookie-of-the-year award and he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dmytro Timashov Leaves KHL, Signs In SwitzerlandUkrainian-born Swedish winger Dmytro Timashov, 28, has signed a short-term contract in Switzerland with Genève-Servette, the National League club announced on Friday. His contract runs until Feb. 2 with an option to extend it until the end of the season.

He played 45 NHL games with the Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders, scoring four goals and adding five assists, but spent most of his time between 2016 and 2021 in the AHL. Since then, Timashov has played two seasons in the SHL with Brynäs IF and then one season with HC Ajoie in Switzerland’s National League.

Internationally, Timashov represented Sweden at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Vladivostok finished eighth in the KHL’s Eastern Conference last season and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The team also has under contract for 2025-26 Slovak goaltender Adam Húska, Czech defenseman Lukáš Šulák and Slovak national team defenseman Mário Grman.

Photo © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images.

Slovak Ex-Rangers Goalie Returns To KHL Slovak goalie Adam Húska, 28, has signed a one-year contract with Admiral Vladivostok, the KHL club recently announced on social media.

Matthew Knies won't go as far as saying the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights will be rivals after Mitch Marner joined their organization.

The 22-year-old appeared on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast with Jonny Lazarus on Wednesday, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season, his time with the Maple Leafs, and what it'll be like to face Marner when Toronto rolls into Vegas on January 15.

Marner was dealt to the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade on June 30. He inked an eight-year, $96 million contract with Toronto before being shipped to Vegas for center Nicolas Roy.

"I don't know if it's going to be a rivalry," Knies said.

"I love the guy. He did a lot for me in his two years here. He made me so comfortable, made me a better player, better person. I don't think it's a rivalry. You know, obviously, I want to beat him, but I think it's just business as usual."

Report: Nick Robertson's Arbitration Hearing Date With Maple Leafs RevealedThere's a date for restricted free agent Nick Robertson's arbitration hearing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Knies is coming off a career year where 58 points (29 goals and 29 assists) in 78 games, plus seven points in 13 playoff games. He scored five goals through two rounds, tied for the second-most alongside John Tavares.

The Phoenix, Arizona-born forward signed a massive six-year, $46.5 million contract on July 1 with the Maple Leafs. The deal, which carries an annual average value of $7.75 million, is the third-highest AAV on the team, only behind William Nylander and Auston Matthews.

Maple Leafs Honor Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne, The NHL’s Most Unexpected Hockey FanOn Tuesday, the world mourned as Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away at age 76. Osbourne, who had been dealing with several health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, had performed in Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath in a performance dubbed his “final show”.

Knies has spent the majority of his time in Toronto playing alongside Matthews and Marner on Toronto's top line. The young forward added that he'll be excited to see Marner again and be able to talk with him when the two teams face off in January.

"I think maybe off the ice it'll be nice to chat with him and get to say hi. I haven't seen him in quite a bit with the summer now, and obviously we're not going to be on the same team during the year. Just getting to chat with him a little bit would be cool."

After playing in Vegas on January 15, the two teams will face each other again in Toronto on January 23. It'll be the only time Marner will play in his hometown next season. Expect that matchup to be circled on a lot of people's calendars.

'Looking Forward To Playing A Long Time Here Like (Phil) Kessel': Why Dakota Joshua Will Wear No. 81 With Maple Leafs This SeasonWhen Dakota Joshua puts on a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time, he'll be wearing a number that many fans are familiar with.

Marner has spent all nine NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs, scoring 741 points (221 goals and 520 assists) in 657 games. The 28-year-old is fifth all-time on the franchise's points list, fourth in assists, and fifth in Toronto's all-time playoff points (63 points in 70 postseason games).

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies Grateful For Mitch Marner’s Guidance, Won’t Call Games Against Golden Knights ‘A Rivalry’

(Top photo of Knies and Marner: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)

The NHL free agent market is significantly smaller than it was when it opened on July 1. This is understandable, as teams often make their moves during the early part of the month when it comes to free agency.

Yet, even with this being the case, there are still some veterans who remain unrestricted free agents (UFAs) at this point in the summer. Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Motte is one of them.

Motte, 30, spent this past season with the Detroit Red Wings. In 55 games with the Red Wings, the Michigan native recorded four goals, five assists, nine points, and 72 hits. Overall, it was a bit of a quiet year from the former Blackhawk, so it is understandable that it is taking him a bit more time to land his next contract.

While Motte has yet to be signed, that certainly has the potential to change before the season is here. The 30-year-old forward has shown throughout his career that he can be a solid bottom-six player to have, as he can play multiple positions and kill penalties. He is also not afraid of the physical side of the game, so he could be a solid pickup for a team looking for more bite.

Ultimately, Motte is the kind of depth player that teams like to have around. On an affordable one-year deal, he could be a good pickup for a team that needs help in their bottom six. 

Motte was selected by the Blackhawks with the 121st overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In 33 games with Chicago during the 2016-17 season, he recorded four goals, seven points, and a plus-2 rating. His time with the Blackhawks ended when he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets with Artemi Panarin during the 2017 NHL off-season.

Blackhawks Forward Is Bounce-Back Candidate To WatchDuring the 2023-24 season, Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson thrived. In 82 games, he set new career highs with 22 goals and 35 points in 82 games. This was after he scored nine goals and set a previous career-high with 30 points in 78 games with Chicago in 2022-23. 

Photo Credit:  © Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images