The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers faced off in a Rookie Series featuring their top prospects this weekend. The two games were at the PPL Center, the home of the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and it was a great way to get the rookies ready for the season while bringing hockey back to the fans. 

Saturday’s game felt like a back-to-school day, not just for the players, but also for the staff, scouts, media, and the fans, who were excited to finally see hockey for the first time in months. The Flyers and Rangers aren’t the only teams having these scrimmages either. 

The Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets had a prospect challenge in Gatineau, Quebec. The San Jose Sharks hosted a Rookie Faceoff at Tech CU Arena, the home of their AHL affiliate, and it featured six of the Western Conference teams.

The New Jersey Devils had their version as well, hosting the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon at their practice facility, the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. It’s something they can and should build on, as many teams around the league have done. 

The Devils Home & Home Against The Islanders

The Devils' practice facilities are connected to Prudential Center in Newark, and there isn’t a lot of seating available for fans. The intention of their exhibition game against the Islanders prospects was to get the players ready for the season; the fans in attendance were a plus. 

That said, it was a surprise to see the venue was full. It shouldn’t be a surprise considering this is the first glimpse of hockey in months but for a game that has zero implications on the standings, there was still an intrigue that brought a crowd on a Sunday afternoon in early September. 

Devils Fall in First Rookie Scrimmage as Cole Eiserman Scores OT WinnerOn Sunday afternoon, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/emptying-the-devils-notebook-9-things-you-may-have-missed">New Jersey Devils</a> and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders">New York Islanders</a> met inside RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey, for the first game action of the season.

There was a feeling in the building that had the fans engaged. It’s the unknown of the prospects. The Devils don’t have a top prospect pool, but there’s a curiosity surrounding the few names who might crack the NHL roster. How good is the rookie defenseman Anton Silaev? Is there a depth forward poised to impress during training camp? Which prospects are under-the-radar and can turn the Devils into a playoff team? Does the skill in this game translate at the NHL level? 

It’s why the PPL Center drew a strong crowd over the weekend for the Flyers and Rangers prospects. Sure, both teams have a handful of young names ready to make an impact in the NHL. However, catching the future in person before everyone else is what will attract fans to the arena, and the Devils must take note. 

It Makes Sense For The Devils To Play At Their Practice Facilities

It’s easy to look around the league at all of the showcases and wonder why the Devils and Islanders aren’t doing something bigger. Both teams can host in an AHL market or a region that doesn’t see prospects up close often and give them a chance in a competitive atmosphere. 

For the Devils, their practice facilities are in Newark, and it makes sense to have a game there as well. That’s why the Islanders are doing the same on Tuesday night at the Northwell Health Ice Center on Long Island. 

New Jersey Devils Pipeline Shows Promise & Pleasant Surprises Their scrimmage against the New York Islanders provided some optimism for a team that isn’t known for its prospect pool, at least not heading into 2026-27.

For both teams, it’s a trip for the prospects to head to one of their AHL markets to play a few games, especially exhibitions. The Flyers, for example, have their practice facilities in Voorhees, New Jersey, a short drive away from Philadelphia, but Allentown is 63 miles away, making it an easy commute for a game. Utica is 228 miles away from Newark. 

The bottom line is that if the Devils want to do something similar to what the Flyers do, or what the Sharks are hosting, they must find an arena near both their practice facilities and the Islanders. Likewise, the arena shouldn’t be the size of Prudential Center but big enough for a gameday atmosphere, like an AHL or ECHL arena. 

So, Where Could The Devils host A Prospect Showcase?

The Devils can bring their prospects to a college arena, whether it’s the Hobey Baker Memorial Rink in Princeton or ProSkate Ice Arena, which hosts the Rutgers Scarlett Knights. However, both arenas have small capacities, not enough to make them major draws for the Devils. 

There are a few arenas in Upstate New York that would eagerly host an exhibition game, including Albany and Binghamton, two markets that hosted Devils AHL teams in the past. However, like Utica, both are a decent commute. 

The good news is that Trenton now has an ECHL team and can host a rookie series. The bad news is that the ECHL team isn’t affiliated with the Devils, and if the Islanders are hosting, they would likely choose a place that’s closer to them. 

Devils' Prospect Anton Silaev Brings Excitement But Is A Work In ProgressThe top defense prospect in the New Jersey Devils system has the skills to become a great player someday. That said, it will take some time and development first.

An arena that hosted AHL games in the past but won’t this season is Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It’s a great place for the Devils, but the question is whether the Islanders, who moved their team from Bridgeport to Hamilton, would be on board. 

Another option is for the Devils and Islanders to join the Flyers and Rangers in Allentown. In one weekend, fans can watch prospects from all four teams up close. 

Do you think the Devils should host a bigger prospect showcase? If so, where do you think they should host one? Feel free to comment below!

Now a decade into his NHL career, all spent with the Vancouver Canucks, Brock Boeser is using the lessons he’s learned to help lead the next wave of Canucks stars. 

Having been with the organization since he was drafted in 2015, Boeser’s seen Vancouver at various points in their contention status, from hovering at the bottom of the Pacific to claiming a spot atop the division. His lengthy tenure with the team has also ensured that he’s played with, and played for, a long list of people. 

Boeser spent his rookie NHL season led by none-other than Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who are now Vancouver’s co-Presidents of Hockey Operations. He’s worked with new Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson since his time at the University of North Dakota, and is one of the few players remaining from new Head Coach Manny Malhotra’s first go-around with Vancouver’s coaching staff as an assistant. 

It’ll be these figures that help the Canucks right the ship as they plunge into the choppy waters of a rebuild.  

“First off, just great people in these positions and great hockey minds,” Boeser said in a media availability on Monday. “I think they’re definitely awesome people to have in these positions. But at the same time, I know they’re gonna expect a lot out of all of us.” 

Having known all of these key organizational figures for the bulk of his NHL career, Boeser knows that they’re the right people to help guide Vancouver through a rebuild. 

“You can go up and have a conversation with them and just be yourself, and I think that’s really important to have that connection. And then secondly [...] they know hockey. Obviously the Sedins know hockey, RJ knows hockey, Manny, and I think it’s a great spot to be in.” 

The Sedin culture of the Canucks organization is something that Boeser is deeply familiar with, having gotten to witness it first-hand before seeing it be passed on to others, such as former Canucks and now-New York Islanderscaptain Bo Horvat. 

“Bo learned from the Sedins, and it’s just a trickle effect. When I’d see Bo coming to the rink every day working hard, and all these guys — those guys were so great to me when I was a rookie, and they were super nice, and they helped lead. I think I was the youngest guy, kind of just me by myself, but it’s a little different these days with a lot of young guys, but we’ve got to make sure that we stick together and help lead.” 

Despite only playing with them for a year, Boeser learned lots from the two Canucks legends. 

“They were just such professionals, coming into the rink every day, never complained, wanted to get better each and every day, took care of their bodies. Even when they knew they were retiring and we didn’t, they still were on the bikes after games and taking care of their bodies. They’re just such great professionals, and that’s why everyone loves them, and that’s why I have faith and trust in them right now.” 

That Sedin culture is something that Vancouver is going to need now more than ever. Boeser knows he’s going to have to be a key part in keeping it alive. 

“You can never predict what happens in this league, and obviously, a couple tough years, but we’re in a new chapter now — that’s what I keep saying — and it’s just part of it. We’ve got to re-build this culture back up and really get it going in the right direction.” 

It was only 10 years ago that Boeser was in the same situation that many of Vancouver’s young players are finding themselves in now — breaking into the league on a team that, despite what could be a promising future, looks like they could be set for a rough couple of years before they finally contend. It was players like the Sedins who helped impart their knowledge to Boeser on the ice, and figures like Johnson and Malhotra who helped mentor him off it. 

As Boeser steps into a bigger leadership role to help lead a new, younger Canucks team, he’ll have the assistance of those who did-so for him 10 years before.  

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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Former Senators goalie Cam Talbot appears to have found another NHL home.

According to TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun, the 39-year-old is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets at some point on Monday. The Jackets haven't confirmed anything yet, but the deal is said to be worth $950,000. PuckPedia reports that the deal includes up to $700,000 in bonuses if he plays  40 games.

If it gets done, Columbus will be the ninth team of Talbot’s NHL career.

Talbot signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent in 2010 and became Henrik Lundqvist’s backup for two years. After that, his stops included the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and, of course, the Senators.

Talbot spent the past two years in Detroit and last season posted a 12-9-6 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage over 34 appearances. 

Those numbers, combined with his age, left Talbot unsigned as training camps approached, but in Columbus, Elvis had left the building.

Elvis Merzlikins' shoulder surgery last month created an opportunity for Talbot. The Jackets aren't sure yet when Merzlikins will be ready to return, but he certainly won't be ready to start the season.

Jet Greaves is expected to enter the season as Columbus’s starter, while Columbus also signed journeyman Pheonix Copley.

Talbot’s time in Ottawa was brief and probably remembered most for the ill-advised trade that brought him to the Senators.

In July 2022, the Sens acquired the veteran from Minnesota in a one-for-one deal for Filip Gustavsson, whose previous season in the capital hadn't been particularly impressive.

GM Pierre Dorion was looking for immediate stability. Instead, he watched Gustavsson provide it for the Wild, while Talbot lasted only one season in Ottawa.

At 39 and still unsigned as September arrived, Talbot has probably begun to think seriously about life after hockey. Instead, the unexpected opening in Columbus has given him at least one more kick at the can.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the latest THN Ottawa headlines below:

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On this day in 2018, the Detroit Red Wings announced that captain Henrik Zetterberg's career was over due to a degenerative back injury, closing the book on one of the most decorated careers in franchise history. 

The announcement came at the team's training camp in Traverse City, Michigan, with general manager Ken Holland confirming that Zetterberg had made little progress in his recovery over the offseason and would not be able to play again. Zetterberg went on long term injured reserve with three years remaining on his 12 year, $73 million contract, allowing him to continue being paid while the Red Wings received salary cap relief.

Zetterberg spent his entire 15 season NHL career with Detroit after being drafted in the seventh round, 210th overall, in 1999, one of the sport's greatest late round draft gems that would go on to become a franchise cornerstone. He made his NHL debut in October 2002 and quickly established himself as one of the league's premier two way forwards.

The signature moment of his career came in 2008, when Zetterberg helped lead the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He was also a Selke Trophy finalist multiple times over his career for his work as one of the league's top defensive forwards. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.

In 2013, Zetterberg was named captain of the Red Wings, taking over from the legendary Nicklas Lidstrom, and wore the "C" for six seasons. During that stretch, he won the NHL Foundation Award in 2013 and the King Clancy Trophy in 2015, honors that recognize leadership and humanitarian contribution both on and off the ice.

On the international stage, Zetterberg was one of the most accomplished players of his generation for Sweden, becoming a member of the Triple Gold Club by winning an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal and the Stanley Cup. He won Olympic gold in 2006 and world championship titles in 2001 and 2005, adding to a resume that placed him among Sweden's greatest hockey exports.

Zetterberg finished his NHL career with 1,082 games played, tallying 337 goals and 623 assists for 960 total points, numbers that rank him among the best players in Red Wings history. 

Following his retirement, the Red Wings would eventually hand the captaincy to Dylan Larkin, but Zetterberg's legacy as one of the most complete players of his era, and one of the most important figures in modern Red Wings history, remains firmly intact.

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The Florida Panthers play their first pre-season game on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Training camp begins in the next few days, and there is plenty to watch as the organization prepares for the start of the 2026-27 season on Sept. 29.

While most of the Panthers lineup is in order, several players will compete for limited spots, looking to make their mark during practices and the four pre-season games. 

Here are three intriguing storylines to follow during training camp.

Who Earns The 13th Forward Role

No role has more competition than the Panthers' 13th forward spot. With Jonah Gadjovich healthy and Garnet Hathaway in the mix as the fourth-line wingers, there really aren't any spots available. Lars Eller was brought in to be the fourth-line winger, and with Brad Marchand expected to miss time to start the season, Sandis Vilmanis could be given the runway to skate with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell.

That leaves only the 13th-place spot with a large group of players. Cole Schwindt, Cole Reinhardt, Sam Lafferty, John Beecher, and even Angus Crookshank are all worthy of serving as the 13th forward, but only one spot exists.

This will create a competitive training camp and pre-season. 

Three Players The Florida Panthers Risk Losing Through NHL WaiversThe waiver wire is a crucial part of the NHL pre-season schedule as teams around the league make roster cuts. Today, we look at three Florida Panthers players the organization risks losing.

What Is The Extra Defenseman Hierarchy?

Like the forward group, the Panthers' defense corps is settled, barring any injuries. The top pair will be Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad, followed by Niko Mikkola and Seth Jones, with Dmitry Kulikov and Radko Gudas rounding it out. Uvis Balinskis, who was a mainstay due to injuries last year, will be the seventh defenseman to start the year.

After that, the hierarchy is murky. Donovan Sebrango, Tobias Bjornfot, and Alex Petrovic looked solid in the NHL action they received, but are all risks to be claimed off waivers. Marek Alscher, Mikulas Hovorka, and Ludvig Jansson all got NHL experience last year and will be key factors in the AHL. So, if the injury bug strikes the Panthers blueline again, who is first in line to be called up?

Pre-season and training camp might not decide that, but they can determine who gets the first call-up. 

Emil Pieniniemi is another interesting name to watch. He is a 2005-born, 6-foot-3 Finnish defenseman drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL draft, whom the Panthers acquired in the off-season from the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Remaining NHL Free Agent Goaltenders The Florida Panthers Can Target To Be The Third StringerAs it stands, the Florida Panthers have two goaltenders on their NHL roster and no real candidates from their AHL team to step up as a third-string goaltender. Who can the Panthers target on the UFA market?

Who Will Be The Third-String Goalie?

At this point, it seems that the Panthers' third-string goalie will be an internal player. 

If so, the three options are Cooper Black, Kirill Gerasimyuk, and Tyler Muszelik. 

Black is likely the best equipped and closest to NHL-ready of the three. Standing a monstrous 6-foot-8, Black posted strong numbers in 42 AHL games last year. While he still does require some development, he may need to be fast-tracked if injuries occur to Jacob Markstrom or Akira Schmid.

Gerasimyuk also posted decent results in the AHL in 2025-26, but at just 23 years old and with limited North American experience, he still needs patience.

Muszelik is the least likely option right now, but things can always change. The 22-year-old has no professional experience so far, as he was recently signed after playing four seasons in the NCAA. 

Asking any of these goaltenders to step into NHL action next year is a difficult question, but with the cap restraints, they may be forced to do so. Some pre-season action will go a long way toward building familiarity against NHL-level opponents. 

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On Monday, some more insight was brought to the forefront of the trade saga between the Winnipeg Jets and superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. 

TSN's Darren Dreger reported on the radio show First Up that he had heard about the offers the Jets were receiving from teams, calling them terrible, and said that even with the expanded trade list, it still doesn't give Winnipeg much in the way of options.

Dreger pointed out a key problem is that a lot of contending teams already have a stable solution in net, and their only use for a trade like adding a three time Vezina Trophy winner in Hellebuyck would be mainly for an upgrade. 

These teams, viewing Hellebuyck as merely an upgrade, have been wanting him "at a discount price, want a bargain basement return," according to Dreger. Meanwhile, teams that would love to add Hellebuyck as a meaningful solution to their problem in net, like the Montreal Canadiens or Edmonton Oilers, are both still in Canada, adding another layer of complexity to any deal.

This past Thursday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, on a new episode of his podcast 32 Thoughts, gave a large update on the situation, saying that among the teams that have sent offers was the Florida Panthers, who had made an offer for Hellebuyck. 

However, several of the pieces involved have since been dealt elsewhere, including draft capital sent to Ottawa in the Brady Tkachuk trade, along with Florida's decision to move on from Evan Rodrigues to New Jersey. Florida has since pivoted to adding Jacob Markstrom in net, with that avenue appearing closed.

As for rumored landing spots, Friedman named the Buffalo Sabres, Utah Mammoth and Carolina Hurricanes as the biggest remaining contenders, while expressing uncertainty about the New Jersey Devils. 

Other contenders that either don't need a goaltender or would only use Hellebuyck as an upgrade include the Tampa Bay Lightning, with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Dallas Stars and Jake Oettinger, the Washington Capitals and Logan Thompson, and the New York Islanders and Ilya Sorokin. Colorado and Minnesota each have a pair of stable netminders they would need to break up in a Hellebuyck trade, and while either would have a solid number one, it would require other moves rather than keeping a stable pair together. 

Also on that list are the Utah Mammoth and Karel Vejmelka, the Carolina Hurricanes and Brandon Bussi, the Anaheim Ducks and Lukas Dostal, and the San Jose Sharks and Yaroslav Askarov.

Some potential options that have possibly been explored include the obvious name in the Buffalo Sabres, who almost added Hellebuyck at the trade deadline, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who have a less than stable goalie tandem with Carter Hart and Adin Hill and could have Hellebuyck as a solid number one, and would have the NHL ready pieces to facilitate a return that Winnipeg would like. 

Another possibility could be the Los Angeles Kings, who will enter the season with a 36 year old expiring free agent in Darcy Kuemper and would be an easy sell to have Hellebuyck join a contender that lives in Los Angeles. 

Lastly, and one of the easiest answers, is New Jersey, as the Devils have just a veteran in Jake Allen and an inexperienced backup in Nico Daws, with Hellebuyck being an easy solution for their number one spot and a move that would be closer to home for Hellebuyck and his family in Michigan.

Another complication is that no trade lists reset on July 1, and Friedman explained that some players who could've been subject to a move to Winnipeg as part of a Hellebuyck package may have since added the Jets to their no trade lists. 

Friedman didn't confirm whether Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was one of those players who may have added Winnipeg to a five team no trade list, but he did note he's aware of players in that situation making the switch to block a potential move. He also noted the Jets still want to compete and doesn't believe they want futures coming back in a Hellebuyck deal, wanting NHL ready pieces instead.

With more and more reports suggesting the difficulty behind moving Hellebuyck, it appears the end is not in sight for Winnipeg.

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With the San Jose Sharks' portion of the 2026 Rookie Faceoff now in the past, let's take a look back at the players who participated in this year's event. While the Sharks were dominant and nobody really seemed out of place, there were some who shined more than others.

Forwards: 

Ivar Stenberg: NHL ready. Not much else to say, he was exactly as advertised.

Filip Bystedt: Less of a sample size since he was a late scratch against Utah, but overall seemed fine. Not as dominant as you'd expect given his level of experience at the AHL level though despite scoring a goal.

Michael Misa: Hard to complain about a two-point night in his only outing of the tournament, but it took him some time to show signs of his skill level. Would've liked to see more out of him as he's set to compete for the Sharks' 2C job.

Igor Chernyshov: Seemed to generate a lot of chances during his time with Stenberg but struggled to do much with them. Definitely a dangerous offensive player as we've seen in both the NHL and AHL, but chemistry with Misa and Stenberg wasn't quite there.

Quentin Musty: It seems that Musty knows the likelihood of him ever earning a top-six role with the Sharks is diminishing and he's attempting to change up his game a bit to compete for a bottom-six job. Much more physical than I remember and was willing to stand up for his teammates.

Andre Gasseau: Surprisingly impressive. While he mainly stood out in the first game of the event, scoring a pair of goals and picking up an assist, he wasn't necessarily out of place between Stenberg and Chernyshov. It did seem that his linemates got him less involved against Utah though.

Carson Wetsch: Although John McCarthy said this is viewed more as a showcase and didn't really raise anyone's stock, it's hard to ignore Wetsch's contributions. Getting himself a game misconduct in the first period of a regular season game would probably be troublesome, but it showed who he is and what he's willing to do. Could be a player to watch at Training Camp.

Cam Lund: Hard to evaluate with how early he was knocked out of the game against LA. Injuries are certainly becoming a concern though, as they're going to start impacting his development heavily at this rate.

Jake Gustafson: His goal-scoring was critical to the Sharks' win over Utah, as it would've been a much different game without him on the ice. Still a few years away from being ready to turn pro, but certainly seemed to thrive in this level of competition. 

Aurelio Garcia: A few good hustle plays, notably when he forced a goalie turnover behind the net against Utah. Otherwise, seemed fairly invisible throughout the weekend. 

Brendan Hoffman: Seemed decent, but not a difference-maker. Could be a solid bottom-six option for the Barracuda or play a bigger role with the Thunder.

Pavel Martinu: For the most part, Martinu didn't stand out much outside of his goal against Los Angeles. Could be a solid signing for the AHL in the future, but would likely spend time in the ECHL. Seemed solid for an 18-year-old at this tournament. Could be a player who gets drafted as an overage player.

Samuel Huo: Not very noticeable overall. 

Jordan Bax: Only memorable moment was when Bax took a penalty, so not overly impactful.

Defensemen:

Phillip Sinn: Had some poor decisions at times, but seemed like he could be a solid player for the Barracuda this season.

Eric Pohlkamp: Very little to complain about with his performance. He thrived on both the power play and penalty kill. His shot can make him into a valuable player at the NHL level. Should be interesting to watch at training camp.

Alexander Karmanov: His size is definitely an asset and helped him keep up with players who were much quicker than him. He helped deflect a few dangerous shots and looked better than expected for an 18-year-old seventh-round pick. Definitely a project who likely never sees the NHL, but worth keeping an eye on.

Tristan Sarsland, Thomas Messineo, Mack Oliphant: Not much to note on Sarsland, Messineo, and Oliphant but for defensemen, that's kind of a good thing. Weren't game-changers though.

Jake Boltmann: Stepped up to play forward when needed. Like the aforementioned trio he wasn't a game-changer, but was more noticeable on the ice. 

Goaltenders:

Brady Knowling: Looked phenomenal in his only outing of the tournament, saving 26 of the 27 shots that he faced. Certainly some areas he can improve, but I'll leave that to the goaltending experts to breakdown later on.

Matt Davis: Solid overall, allowing just one goal while facing 16 shots. Needs a strong camp to even earn an AHL job, so he'll be a player to keep an eye on later this month.

Connor Hasley: Made some big saves after coming into the game cold. Nothing to really complain about, outside of playing the puck in some dangerous situations. 

It's important to take rookie tournaments with a grain of salt, as they are often not relevant to training camp decisions in the long run. With that being said, a solid performance never hurts. 

The Montreal Canadiens’ prospects didn’t exactly shine in the first game of the Prospect Challenge, and they weren’t about to do the same on Sunday. Against the Ottawa Senators, the mini Habs proved to be quite a tenacious group and came from behind to secure a 5-4 shootout win. Montreal went with the same leadership group as in Game 1, with Luke Mittelstadt wearing the C and Dillan Brentley and Tyler Thorpe wearing the As.

Much like the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, the Sens had their fair share of high draft picks in the lineup. 32nd pick overall in the last draft, Jaxon Cover made quite an impression, with three points in the first period alone. Kasper Halttunen, who was picked 36th overall in the last draft, was also on the ice and got the first goal of the game. The Sens also had the son of former Hab Thomas Vanek, Blake Vanek, and Christian Kyrou, Jordan’s brother, on their roster.

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Cover nearly had a fourth point when he took off on a breakaway early in the second, but Habs’ netminder Mikus Vecvanags made a spectacular save to keep the score at 3-1. Just like on Saturday, the Habs lacked discipline; this time it was Parker Trottier who got a prime seat in the box as the Sens deployed their power play. The Canadiens came out unscathed, however, and they even scored a second power-play goal through Josh Nadeau, who had scored in similar circumstances in the first. Mittelstadt also got an assist on each of his first two lamplighters.

The second frame saw plenty of extracurricular activity, with Wesley Roston dropping the mitts against Kaleb Dietsch and many players from both sides heading to the penalty box. It was almost like a real Montreal-Ottawa duel.

Montreal came out strong in the third, tying up the score with a shot from the point thanks to Jean-Samuel Daigneault before Nadeau completed his hat trick, once again scoring on a Mittelstadt assist.

Tour du chapeau pour Josh Nadeau! 🧢

Josh Nadeau completes the hat trick!

MTL 4, OTT 3#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/j37M1k3p5j

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2026

Unfortunately for the Habs, though, Thorpe missed a hit, and it turned into a knee-on-knee collision, which sent him to the box. The Sens immediately tied up the game, with Cover getting his 4th assist of the game on Eskild Bakke Olsen’s goal. All tied up at the end of 60 minutes, the teams headed to three-on-three overtime, but nobody could break the deadlock.

Alexander Legkov pulled off a great move to give the Canadiens the lead in the shootout, and Vecvanags stood tall to stop Cover, while Parker Trottier scored as well for Montreal, giving the Habs a 5-4 win. While Ottawa had the best side on paper, the Habs were the better team on the night.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild training camp is almost here. With day one starting on Thursday, we have some questions.

The Wild announced a 48-player training camp roster that will report to TRIA Rink beginning Sept. 17, officially beginning preparations for the 2026-27 season.

Minnesota enters camp with Stanley Cup expectations, but that doesn't mean there aren't questions surrounding the roster.

From the middle of the ice to the crease, there will be plenty to watch over the next few weeks. Here are six of the biggest questions facing the Wild as training camp gets underway.

Who Will Emerge As The Wild's No. 1 Center?

This might be the biggest on-ice question facing Minnesota.

Joel Eriksson Ek, Ryan Hartman and Danila Yurov all provide coach John Hynes with options down the middle, but who will ultimately center the Wild's first line?

Eriksson Ek is probably the most natural answer. He has already shown chemistry with Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, and putting those three together would give Minnesota a legitimate loaded top line.

But doing so could also create questions farther down the lineup. We will get to the depth topic later.

Hartman has spent significant time alongside Kaprizov in recent seasons and could once again get an opportunity there. Yurov is perhaps the most intriguing option.

The 22-year-old recorded 27 points during his rookie season and spent stretches playing between Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. A significant step forward from Yurov could completely change the construction of Minnesota's lineup.

And then there is another possibility: What if the answer isn't currently on the roster?

General manager Bill Guerin has repeatedly shown a willingness to make significant trades when he believes they improve his team. The Wild don't necessarily have to solve their No. 1 center question during training camp, but camp should give us the first indication of how they plan to approach it.

Quinn Hughes Says Wild Could Make ‘Massive Trade’ As Dylan Larkin Situation LoomsMinnesota’s superstar defenseman fuels speculation that Bill Guerin may strike again, as Dylan Larkin’s trade request from Detroit creates a potential opening for another blockbuster roster addition.

What Will Quinn Hughes Say About His Future?

Get ready for this one.

When Quinn Hughes speaks to the Minnesota media during training camp, there is little doubt where the questions will begin.

Hughes is entering the final season of his contract and recently made it clear at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour that he doesn't feel pressured into getting an extension done before camp.

"This is going to be done whenever I feel like it needs to be done," Hughes said in Las Vegas. "I don't feel backed up against a wall."

Hughes added that conversations with the Wild hadn't been extensive over the summer because he wanted an opportunity to reset, but said he expects things to "heat up" as the season gets closer.

'I'm Excited To Get Going': Quinn Hughes Says Wild Have Nothing Left To Prove To HimThe star defenseman praises Minnesota’s roster and coaching staff while delaying contract talks, insisting his long-term future hinges on personal timing rather than the team's championship potential.

Now he arrives in Minnesota.

Hughes may not reveal anything more than he did in Vegas, but every answer will be dissected. Does he sound like someone who sees Minnesota as his long-term home? Have negotiations progressed? Is there any timetable?

Until Hughes signs an extension, his contract situation will hover over everything the Wild do.

Training camp will give Minnesota reporters their first opportunity to ask him about it on home soil.

Is Jesper Wallstedt Ready To Take Over The Crease?

For Jesper Wallstedt, this isn't just another training camp.

Filip Gustavsson is expected to begin the season on injured reserve as he continues recovering from offseason hip surgery, leaving Wallstedt and offseason addition Calvin Pickard as Minnesota's NHL goaltenders entering camp.

That puts Wallstedt in position to carry a significant workload to begin the season.

The good news for Minnesota is that he has already shown he can handle NHL competition.

Wallstedt, 23, went 18-9-6 with a .915 save percentage during the 2025-26 regular season before eventually taking over the crease during the playoffs. He started 10 postseason games and helped Minnesota defeat the Dallas Stars in the opening round.

Now comes another step.

Instead of being the young goalie pushing Gustavsson for playing time, Wallstedt enters camp knowing Minnesota could need him to be its No. 1 goaltender for an extended stretch.

How he looks during camp and the preseason will be one of the biggest storylines to follow.

How Will The Wild Replace All Of The Offense They Lost?

Minnesota's forward group will look considerably different this season.

Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson and Vladimir Tarasenko are all gone, leaving the Wild without three forwards who played significant offensive roles last season.

That is 53 goals and 150 points between the three of them.

Replacing that production won't fall on one player.

The Wild added Blake Coleman and Maxim Shabanov during the offseason, while Yurov and Bobby Brink could be asked to take on larger roles. Minnesota will also need continued high-end production from Kaprizov and Boldy.

Coleman brings four 20-goal seasons to Minnesota, while Shabanov is one of the most interesting wild cards on the roster after recording 18 points in 44 games with the New York Islanders last season.

The Wild may have replaced some of the departed players stylistically, but replacing their combined offensive production is another matter.

Camp will provide the first look at how Hynes plans to redistribute those minutes and opportunities.

Who Plays With Kirill Kaprizov?

For years, this question barely needed to be asked.

If Kaprizov was healthy, there was a pretty good chance Zuccarello would be next to him.

Not anymore.

Zuccarello's departure creates an opening alongside Minnesota's superstar, and there are several ways Hynes could approach it.

The easiest solution would be loading up Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Boldy. That trio has been dominant when used together, but separating Boldy from Kaprizov gives Minnesota another elite offensive threat capable of driving his own line.

Shabanov could also get a look alongside Kaprizov. So could Yurov. Hartman remains an option, and Hynes could spend much of camp experimenting with different combinations.

Whoever gets the opportunity will be stepping into one of the most important roles on the roster.

Finding Kaprizov's next running mate begins in camp.

Is Maxim Shabanov A Legitimate Top-Six Forward?

Perhaps no newcomer will be more interesting to watch than Shabanov.

Minnesota signed the 25-year-old forward to a one-year contract after his first NHL season with the Islanders, where he recorded five goals and 18 points in 44 games.

Those numbers don't scream top-six forward.

But the skill that made Shabanov an intriguing player coming out of the KHL hasn't disappeared, and Minnesota may provide him with a much different opportunity.

Bill Guerin told us that he identifies Shabanov as a player who could see time in the Wild's top six.

"We see him in that top-six role, but we have to see who he's going to have the best chemistry with."

Could that include playing alongside Kaprizov?

That's what makes camp so interesting.

Before making the jump to North America, the 5-foot-8 winger starred in the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk, posting 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 65 games during the 2024-25 season, establishing himself as one of the league's most dynamic offensive players.

If Shabanov proves capable of producing in a top-six role, the Wild's forward group suddenly looks considerably deeper. If he doesn't, Minnesota may still have a hole to address.

The preseason won't answer every question about Shabanov, but we should quickly learn how the Wild view him.

And if he's skating next to No. 97 when camp begins, we'll have our first clue.

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Colorado Avalanche fans can stop wondering who will be running the front office.

Joe Sakic is staying.

After returning to the general manager position following Chris MacFarland's departure for the Nashville Predators, Sakic has decided to remain in the role, meaning the Avalanche will no longer need to begin the search for his eventual replacement.

Sakic stepped away from the GM position after Colorado's Stanley Cup championship in 2022, moving into the role of president of hockey operations. But MacFarland's departure forced the Avalanche to turn back to the man who helped build the team into a champion.

What initially appeared to be a temporary arrangement now looks much more permanent.

According to team sources who spoke exclusively to The Denver Gazette's Evan Rawal, Sakic felt “reinvigorated” by the opportunity to return to the GM chair. The Avalanche's four-game sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final also reportedly brought his competitive fire back.

For an organization that had expected to eventually begin looking for a new general manager, the decision removes one major question heading into the 2026-27 season.

Sakic, after all, knows this team better than almost anyone.

He was the architect of the roster that eventually lifted the Stanley Cup in 2022, and while his responsibilities changed after that championship, his influence throughout the organization never really disappeared.

Now, he gets another opportunity to shape the roster himself.

The timing is particularly interesting with training camp set to open Thursday at Family Sports Center.

The Avalanche enter the season with plenty to prove after their disappointing postseason exit, but there will also be plenty of attention on what Sakic does with the roster now that he has officially decided to stay in the GM role.

There could be some changes coming behind the scenes as well.

The Hockey News has heard that the Fix-It rink inside Family Sports Center, which underwent significant upgrades over the past several months, including new ice and boards, could eventually become the Avalanche's primary practice rink.

For now, though, the biggest development is much more straightforward.

Sakic isn't going anywhere.

And after a brutal playoff loss that apparently reignited his competitive fire, the Avalanche’s Hall of Fame executive has another opportunity to lead the team he helped build back to the top of the hockey world and capture another Stanley Cup championship.

Not every talented Philadelphia Flyers prospect has been able to enjoy a straightforward, linear development path. In some cases, that is due to their environment, and in others, unavoidable and untimely injuries.

The latter is true for prospect defenseman Spencer Gill, who has played in only 67 regular season games, including just 16 last season, since being drafted 59th overall by the Flyers in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Still, despite the compounded lost development time from a season-ending ankle break to end the 2024-25 season and a significant upper-body injury late in 2025, the 20-year-old is blazing the comeback trail, starting with two strong performances in the Rookie Series against the New York Rangers over the weekend.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach John Snowden, who will get to know Gill extra well as his coach in his first pro season, had nothing but good things to say about the 6-foot-4 defender so far.

"It's been a tough couple of years for him with injuries. He's an awesome kid. He just wants to learn, he wants to work. He's got great energy about him. I thought he was really good this weekend. I thought he showed some really good, high-quality things you're going to want out of a defenseman," Snowden said of Gill on Monday.

"He's big, he's long, he's poised when the puck hits his stick. One of the biggest things we talked about after the game was just his ability to get guys on his back under pressure and just drop his heart rate and make a really positive play. There was one, I think it was in the second period, where he was under pressure from our offensive blue line all the way back to almost the crease, and he kept a guy on his back the whole way and shook him and skated and we were going the other way quick.

Flyers Handle Rangers in Chippy Rookie Series Opener; Who Stood Out?Alex Bump, Cole Knuble, and Carson Bjarnason were the stars of the show for the Philadelphia Flyers against the New York Rangers on Saturday night.

"And those are some pretty good moments, when you see a guy at his size and his ability, a right-shot defenseman that can hold onto the puck and suck guys in and make a positive play coming out of it."

Where Spencer Gill currently fits and will fit with the Flyers

Snowden and the Flyers had Gill feature in a variety of roles over the weekend to test his mettle, including the second power play unit and penalty kill. Transporting and moving the puck, as Snowden highlighted above, is one of the young defender's more underrated skills.

Ty Murchison, who wore the 'C' for the Flyers in Game 1 against the Rangers, was Gill's defense partner for that matchup, and camp invitee Riley Steen filled in for the next.

For the young Gill, playing in both matchups was important as a means to get extra reps; as Snowden and the Flyers are calling it now, camp has already started for the young players.

While it's all but a certainty Gill will start his pro career in the AHL with Snowden and the Phantoms, making a positive impression on the coaching staff after all the injuries will only boost his stocks going foward.

The right side of the Flyers' blue line is suddenly crowded with Jamie Drysdale, Oliver Bonk, David Jiricek, Gill, Brek Liske, and Carter Amico among the former first- and second-round picks gunning for long-term NHL roster spots in Philadelphia.

Despite perpetuated trade rumors, veteran Rasmus Ristolainen remains on the NHL roster, too.

This Flyers regime's modus operandi has always been to allow the players to decide their own fate, which means Gill will have to beat out other players and prove that he belongs above the rest.

After a challenging two seasons, he's back to charting the course towards doing just that.

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The Detroit Red Wings indicated that veteran goaltender Cam Talbot would not return for a third season when his contract expired, signing Daniil Tarasov to a one-year deal after he became available from the Florida Panthers.

And while the prevailing thought was that the 39-year-old Talbot would hang up the pads, he's not ready to do so yet.

According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, Talbot will be joining the Columbus Blue Jackets on a one-year contract. 

Hearing the Blue Jackets will be signing UFA veteran goalie Cam Talbot, 39, to a one-year deal ($950k) later today. Colleague @Aportzline speculated in his piece today that this might possibly happen.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 14, 2026

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Talbot, who was coming off a two-year contract with the Red Wings that he signed in 2024, went 12-9-6 with a 3.19 goals-against average and an .833 save percentage during the 2025-26 season.

Never drafted into the NHL, he signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers in 2010, and worked his way up through their system before eventually being called up to the Rangers in 2013. 

Since then, he's suited up for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and Los Angeles Kings. 

Talbot has a career record of 278-204-53 with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage, and 33 shutouts. 

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Matt Boldy has blossomed into everything the Minnesota Wild hoped he would be and more after drafting him 12th overall in the 2019 NHL draft.

He's become a true top-line winger, capable of playing in offensive and defensive scenarios, on the top power-play and penalty-kill unit, and, as he's developed and matured, a leader. 

He's an Olympic gold medalist, a world junior gold medalist, and just an overall big-time performer when the lights are brightest. 

Boldy's ascent to superstardom has been a treat to watch, and it would shock no one if the 25-year-old took another step forward, because that's all he's done in the NHL.

Boldy has played five seasons in the NHL, and each year has set a new career-high in points. In his rookie season, Boldy notched 39 points in 47 games, which was outdone by his 63 points in 81 games in his sophomore season. In year four, he posted 69 points in 73 games, and then exploded for 85 points in 76 games last season. 

This was Boldy's first season scoring above a point per game, and he set a career-high in goals with 42. His outstanding season saw him receive Selke Trophy votes (finished 32nd) and finish sixth in All-Star votes among left wingers in the NHL.

Although his 42 goals and 85 points were outstanding, there's a path for him to outdo those numbers again. At 25 years of age, he's now truly entering the prime years of his NHL career. His understanding of the game, his skill set, and how his opponents want to defend him are as clear as they've ever been. He's also at a great spot physically, standing 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds.

Quinn Hughes Says Wild Could Make ‘Massive Trade’ As Dylan Larkin Situation LoomsMinnesota’s superstar defenseman fuels speculation that Bill Guerin may strike again, as Dylan Larkin’s trade request from Detroit creates a potential opening for another blockbuster roster addition.

Everything in Boldy's game is coming together, and his all-around approach is beginning to become borderline dominant. In the 2025-26 season, Boldy ranked in the 94th percentile in hardest shot and the 85th percentile in average shot speed, according to NHL EDGE. His skating speed numbers slightly decreased from the prior season, but they were still above average.

Only 14 players threw more shots on goal than Boldy, only eight players scored more goals, only 18 players recorded more points, only 13 players recorded more power-play points, and only eight players recorded more shorthanded points, while just one player recorded more shorthanded goals.

Everything Boldy has shown through the first five seasons of his career demonstrates that he will continue to add elements to his game, improve in areas that are already strengths, and take on more responsibility.

With some of the departures this off-season, Boldy will be called upon to elevate his game, and all his tools suggest he is equipped to answer those calls. 

---

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The Florida Panthers are going to be a team that is watched closely this season.

Coming off an injury plagued campaign a year ago, the Panthers are once again healthy and ready to resume their role as one of the league’s top teams.

But they are also on the cusp of becoming something the NHL has not seen in over a decade and rarely has seen over the past half century.

A dynasty.

Generally, a team can be considered a dynasty when they win three of more championships during the same era of dominance.

Most recently, the Chicago Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups in a six-year span (2010, 2013 and 2015). Prior to that, the Detroit Red Wins won Cups in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Those count as dynasties.

Before that, the New York Islanders winning four straight titles from 1980 to 1983 and the Edmonton Oilers winning five titles between in seven years between 1984 and 1990 dominated the 80s, and the Montreal Canadiens basically running the 70s with six Stanley Cup wins in nine years were absolutely dynasties.

Now what about the Panthers?

Florida won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025 after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in three straight seasons, starting in 2023.

Another championship (or two, or three) over the next several seasons will absolutely qualify the Panthers as a dynasty.

Looking forward, the team’s window of opportunity to continue finding that kind of success seems wide open.

They have an incredibly formidable core group of players who are all signed through at least the end of the decade and are entering or currently residing in the prime years of their respective careers.

It’s a list that includes Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, Brad Marchand, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola.

Additionally, Florida General Manager Bill Zito and his staff will have more money to spend in the coming years as the league’s salary cap continues to rise.

Some of that will go toward an extension for Brady Tkahcuk, whose contract has two years remaining and is eligible to sign a new deal next summer, and the team’s future goaltenders, as both Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid are under contract through the end of the 2027-28 season.

Based off his track record, Panthers fans can feel confident that Zito will continue to build and maintain Florida’s elite, championship contending roster.

Under head coach Paul Maurice, the team will continue to play a brand of physically imposing and aggressively defensive hockey that thrives once the playoffs arrive.

Will all that be enough for the Panthers to reach the mountaintop at least one more time over the next several seasons?

Time will tell, but there’s an argument to be made that Florida will be as prepared and capable of any team vying to make that climb.

Their next bite at the championship apple will begin later this week in Fort Lauderdale.

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What top pick Ivar Stenberg's 2026 Rookie Faceoff performance means for Sharks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

It’s always hard to use the Rookie Faceoff as a measuring stick for immediate NHL impact.

The difference in the level of competition — the Rookie Faceoff might be between NCAA-to-AHL caliber? — is just too wide.

So what’s that mean for top Sharks prospect Ivar Stenberg? Can he help the big club this year? San Jose Hockey Now spoke with multiple NHL scouts about their impressions of Stenberg at the Rookie Faceoff.

The No. 2 overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft had two goals in the games, both in an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Doesn't have to be pretty. 😅

Ivar Stenberg gets his first in Teal! pic.twitter.com/mez4zfoSCh

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 13, 2026

San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy offered a smart yardstick.

Last Rookie Faceoff, Collin Graf was something of a surprise inclusion of the Sharks roster, after a successful rookie campaign split between the NHL and AHL.

How did Graf use the rookie tournament as a runway to a breakout 21-goal campaign with the Sharks?

“He was the best player in the tournament,” McCarthy said. “He took advantage of it. He came in with the right attitude and wanted to show everybody that he was the best player on the ice, and it worked.”

Granted, last September, Graf was five years older than Stenberg is now, with a lot more North American pro experience.

Nonetheless, that’s a good barometer for any prospect in a tournament like this, and not getting ahead of ourselves about what the Rookie Faceoff means: They should dominate a tournament like this.

For what it’s worth, Macklin Celebrini did the same in 2024.

“I thought Macklin was uber-competitive,” McCarthy said then. “I re-watched the game [he played], every loose puck, he’s inside, he’s winning.”

And while Stenberg did not overwhelm scouts, he did impress them.

“Obvious skill,” Scout No. 1 said. “Probably tried to do too much at times, but the games were so sloppy.”

“I thought he looked really good,” Scout No. 2 said. “Made a lot of plays.”

“He’s young,” Scout No. 3 said, and not as a compliment.

The 5-foot-11 winger definitely held the puck for too long and tried plays that weren’t there, I think normal for a youthful player getting used to the small North American rink. He did show a defensive conscience, which bodes well for him to earn minutes as a rookie.

The question is how Stenberg processes all that for his next test, an NHL preseason. Sharks training camp opens on Sept. 17. He’ll need to pick up his pace if he wants to keep up with the fastest league in the world.

Stenberg showed enough in the Rookie Faceoff that the rest of the league wants to see what he’s got against a bigger challenge.

“Excited to see him in an NHL environment,” Scout No. 1 said.

“Will do better with better players,” Scout No. 2 said. “He should be ready to play this season.”

Stenberg’s biggest challenge could be a much deeper Sharks roster with bigger things in mind than their eighth straight NHL draft lottery appearance.

“I’m not sure if he gets the same opportunity and leash as Smith and Misa got their first year,” Scout No. 1 said.

2023 No. 4 pick Will Smith and 2025 No. 2 pick Michael Misa were afforded more NHL playing time in their respective rookie campaigns, in part because the Sharks weren’t expected to make the playoffs.

These Sharks, after adding expensive veterans Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba and Mason Marchment over the summer, are expecting to return to the postseason.

They’re also stocked with offense at wing, headlined by Smith, Marchment, Graf, Igor Chernyshov, Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Toffoli and Adam Gaudette.

“Team is deeper and they’re going to be looking to take the next step,” Scout No. 1 said. “Not as easy to develop on the fly at the NHL level, when playoffs are the priority.”

No scouts were willing to commit to Stenberg surpassing 50 points during the 2026-27 NHL season.

“Hard to say on points,” Scout No. 2 said. “Depending on where they fit him. They do have depth, so no need to rush him.”

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