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

ST. LOUIS -- Former St. Louis Blues president died on Thursday.

Sauer became the chief operating officer of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988 before moving on to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1991 to become president and CEO.

In 1996 he began a 10-year run as president and CEO of the Blues.

During Sauer's tenure, the Blues reached the Stanley Cup playoffs in each season but one (2005-06), winning the Presidents' Trophy and Central Division in 1999-2000 and reaching the Western Conference Final in 2000-01.

"Mark Sauer delivered exceptional leadership for the Blues organization at a key time in our history, overseeing a decade in which the Blues ranked among the 10 winningest clubs in the NHL and achieved the franchise's only Presidents' Trophy," Blues chairman Tom Stillman said in a statement. "His management decisions, like the hiring of Larry Pleau as general manager, along with his constant focus on serving fans and partners alike, set the team on a steady and successful path that continues today. We join his family and friends in the sports industry in celebrating Mark Sauer's positive influence on the St. Louis Blues and the entire St. Louis community."

Winnipeg Jets pending unrestricted free agent Axel Jonsson-Fjallby has signed a three-year contract with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

The 27-year-old has been with the Jets organization for three seasons, playing 76 games in the NHL, scoring eight goals and 19 points. The bulk of his time with the organization was spent in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose, recording 27 goals and 61 points in 110 games. 

Prior to signing with the Jets, Jonsson-Fjallby was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round (147th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. He played just 23 games with the Capitals, spending most of his career with the Hershey Bears in the AHL.

The Stockholm, SWE native will return to the SHL, where he's played 102 games, scoring eight goals and 27 points. His previous stints in the SHL saw him play with Djurgårdens IF, but his return will see him sport new colours, those of Brynas IF. 

Featuring on Brynas IF's roster includes former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren, Anaheim Ducks prospect Lucas Pettersson, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Victor Soderstrom, former Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom and long-time NHL veteran Jakob Silfverberg.

Jonsson-Fjallby will receive the opportunity to be a key figure on a professional team, something he craved but was unable to obtain during his NHL career. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Jets Reveal Seven-Man Taxi Squad The Winnipeg Jets revealed their seven-man taxi squad for the playoffs, serving as extras if the team runs into injury problems. Jets Re-Sign Forward Axel Jonsson-FjallbyThe Winnipeg Jets have re-signed forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to a two-year contract.

Soon enough, the Pittsburgh Penguins may be adding another key piece to the puzzle for their NHL roster next season and beyond.

According to a report by Marco D'Amico of RG Media, the Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights are in a "two-horse race" to sign KHL star forward Maxim Shabanov. 

Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins seem to have a two-horse race going for Maxim Shabanov.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Simashev appears Utah-bound in the coming weeks.

More on the exodus from the KHL below ⏬⏬ https://t.co/oKWVHF4UyS

— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) May 23, 2025

The 24-year-old Russian center finished third in KHL scoring last season with 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games for Chelyabinsk Traktor. Although a bit undersized at 5-foot-8 and 158 pounds, the forward's stickhandling ability, creativity, and vision make him an attractive option for any interested team.

Shabanov can do things with the puck that most others simply cannot do.

Shabanov, this year's big little KHL free agent has finished his KHL season.

The fight to sign him to an NHL deal starts today (it likely started last year, but shhhh.)pic.twitter.com/crvAILu3Gq

— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) May 21, 2025

Across four seasons with Traktor, Shabanov has 67 goals and 150 points in 207 career games.

---

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

Photo credit: Chelyabinsk Traktor Hockey Club

(Header/feature image courtesy of Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

After four seasons behind the bench of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Ian Laperrière is reportedly not expected to return as head coach, per a report from Daily Faceoff.

As @AntSanPhilly first reported, PHI is expected to announce that Ian Laperriere will not return as HC of the @LVPhantoms.

He is going to remain with the organization in another capacity.@DailyFaceoff

— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) May 24, 2025

While he is still expected to remain within the Flyers organization in a different role, the news marks a significant shift for Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate—one that could have meaningful implications for the team’s development pipeline.

Laperrière’s tenure with the Phantoms was never defined by dominant Calder Cup runs, but rather by the steady, foundational work of shaping the next generation of Flyers. Under his guidance, the Phantoms produced a consistent stream of NHL-ready talent—players who could be called up mid-season and contribute without missing a beat. Though that work doesn’t always get the headlines, it's the kind of development that builds sustainability for a franchise.

Most notably, Laperrière oversaw the transition of players like Cam York, Sam Ersson, Bobby Brink, and Tyson Foerster from promising prospects into legitimate NHL contributors. Each one of those names is part of the Flyers’ present and very likely their future. The same could be said for defenseman Emil Andrae and forward Anthony Richard, who emerged as standout pieces with Lehigh Valley this past season and are knocking on the NHL door.

In a sense, Laperrière helped bridge the gap between rebuilding and competing. While the Phantoms never reached the Calder Cup Final during his time, they were a team that could play meaningful hockey late into the spring—important experience for young players learning how to perform under pressure. And in an organization that’s increasingly turning toward youth and internal development, that experience holds real value.

So what happens now?

Whoever steps into the role as head coach of the Phantoms will inherit a system that’s already well-oiled, but also one that is rapidly evolving. The Flyers are entering a new phase of their rebuild—one where, as GM Danny Brière has repeatedly said, they hope to begin adding instead of subtracting. That means the talent pipeline becomes more important than ever. It’s not just about producing NHL players; it’s about producing NHL difference-makers.

The next Phantoms coach will be tasked with accelerating that process while preserving the foundation Laperrière helped lay. Development philosophies vary from coach to coach—some focus on system implementation, others on building confidence and creativity. The Flyers will need to choose someone whose vision aligns with head coach Rick Tocchet’s and with the organization’s larger goals.

There’s also the question of identity. Laperrière was a hard-nosed player in his day and brought that edge to his coaching—preaching work ethic, accountability, and consistency. That grit has always been part of the Flyers’ DNA, and it bled into the Phantoms’ play. Whoever follows him will have to decide whether to maintain that ethos or inject a new flavor.

The good news? The cupboard in Lehigh Valley is far from bare.

In addition to players like Andrae and Richard, there’s a wave of intriguing prospects on the horizon: Jett Luchanko, Alex Bump, Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey, and Carson Bjarnason could all see time with the Phantoms next season, depending on how training camp shakes out. The organization’s recent focus on drafting high-skill, high-character players only further emphasizes the need for a development system that can nurture and further elite talent.

As for Laperrière, his continued presence in the organization suggests the Flyers still value his voice and insight. Whether that role involves player development, scouting, or front office strategy remains to be seen, but it’s clear he’ll still have a hand in shaping this team’s future—even if he’s not standing behind the bench in Allentown.

Change is inevitable in hockey, and in the AHL, perhaps more than anywhere else. But as the Flyers look toward building something lasting, the Phantoms remain a crucial piece of that puzzle. The next coach won’t just be preparing players for the NHL; they’ll be helping build the next era of Flyers hockey.

And that’s a job with stakes far greater than the Calder Cup alone.

Back again with a round three NHL 25 HUT Fantasy Hockey card updates. 

Andrei Svechnikov and Sam Bennett are now 99 overall, while Matthew Knies, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Mikael Granlund are up to 98 overall. Granlund has a good chance to reach 99 overall with the Edmonton-Dallas series tied 1-1. 

Four new NHL and two new PWHL Fantasy cards were added this week, Brianne Jenner and Kendall Coyne for the PWHL and Wyatt Johnston, Zach Hyman, Sebastian Aho, and Brad Marchand for the NHL.

Anton Lundell is up to 97 overall while Adam Lowry finishes at 97. Michela Cava is up to 96 while Sebastian Aho, John Tavares, Evander Kane, and Blayre Turnbull are 95 overall. 

All 19 updates or new cards are in the video above. 

Check out Week 1 of the Double Shift Event here. 

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.       

Reilly Smith’s tenure with the New York Rangers was not one to remember.

The Rangers acquired Smith during the 2024 offseason in hopes that he could solidify the team’s top-six forward core. 

However, Smith struggled to find his bearings in New York and he certainly didn’t provide that offensive jolt that Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury was seeking. 

Rangers And Golden Knights Were In Trade Talks For A ‘Period Of Time’Reilly Smith is right back at home In Vegas after a short stint with the New York Rangers.

With the Rangers’ season quickly going off the rails and playoffs seeming increasingly unlikely by the NHL Trade Deadline in March, Drury traded Smith to his former team, the Vegas Golden Knights.

With the Golden Knights, the 34-year-old forward began to look more comfortable and find his game. 

After Vegas got bounced in the second round by the Edmonton Oilers, Smith emphasized how much he enjoyed the stretch back playing for the team he won a Stanley Cup with in 2023.

“I don’t think the last two years have been kind of the trajectory I wanted my game to go, but coming back here I felt like I was able to get my footing pretty quickly and feel good about my game again,” Smith said.

“It was a lot of fun, coming back here and playing on a team that had a lot of purpose, a lot of familiar faces, a structure that probably brings the best game out of me. It made for a fun few months,” Smith explained. “A great experience for me.”

Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. 

Hershey Bears forward Mike Sgarbossa has signed a two-year deal with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. 

An AHL veteran who has been a consistent point producer over his career, Sgarbossa notched seven goals and 31 points in 35 games with Hershey and two points in three games with the Washington Capitals this season. 

The 32-year-old recorded 165 goals and 467 points in 605 games over parts of 13 AHL seasons with the Lake Erie Monsters, Norfolk Admirals, San Diego Gulls, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Hershey Bears.

"I've been going up and down quite a bit, so you tend to miss a lot of things when it comes to the kids... it's a good opportunity for me, personally."

Mike Sgarbossa explains his decision to leave the Capitals organization as he's set to sign overseas.https://t.co/P3KL3Y7xBR

— Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) May 23, 2025

The Campbellville, Ont., native was a two-time AHL All-Star and won the 2023 Calder Cup with Hershey. He remained on the Washington Capitals roster and did not play in Hershey's 2024 Calder Cup run. 

Sgarbossa originally signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2010 after going undrafted and became a regular NHL call-up over his career.

In 92 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Washington Capitals Sgarbossa had nine goals and 25 points.  

The Hockey News' Washington reporter Sammi Silber spoke with Sgarbossa regarding his decision here.

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.  

In November 2023, the NHL came down hard on the Ottawa Senators, announcing they would have to forfeit a first-round draft pick due to the mishandling of their July 2021 trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights.

As a result of the Senators' screw-up, the subsequent March 2022 Dadonov trade between the Knights and the Anaheim Ducks was invalidated, embarrassing everyone involved.

Carter Yakemchuk Ranked 26th Overall In Magazine's New NHL Prospect Rankings

Ottawa Senators Make More Front Office Changes

Ottawa Senators Prospect Parts Ways With Organization And Signs Back Home In Sweden

The league gave Ottawa the choice of forfeiting its first-round pick in either the 2024, 2025, or 2026 Draft. New owner Michael Andlauer questioned how this had become his problem, and why the league or the former Sens ownership hadn't disclosed the issue before he bought the franchise.

The mistake occurred on Pierre Dorion’s watch, and he was immediately removed as GM, a move that was probably coming down the pike anyway.

At the time, the question was which pick the Senators would give up: 2024, 2025, or 2026? We now know the Senators will forfeit their 2026 first-round pick.

The Sens kicked the decision down the road last year, selecting defenseman Carter Yakemchuk in round one. GM Steve Staios suggested they would probably defer the forfeiture again this year.

"It's highly likely we'll keep our pick," Staios told reporters at the Senators' end-of-season availability on May 5.

In reality, their official decision had to be made at least two days earlier. According to NHL.com, if the Senators were going to forfeit this year’s pick, they had to decide within 24 hours of the conclusion of the May 2 NHL Draft Lottery. So on May 5, keeping the pick was more than just “highly likely” at that point.

The announcement, though oddly coy, was the right decision in every way.

Will RFA Fabian Zetterlund Get Paid On His San Jose Numbers Or The Ones In Ottawa?Fabian Zetterlund has only been an Ottawa Senator for a couple of months, and he’s already asking the club for a raise. That wouldn’t fly in a normal workplace, but that’s how it goes in the NHL when you bring in a pending restricted free agent at the trade deadline.

The Senators are a team on the rise, so, in theory, their first-round pick will be less valuable next season. And forfeiting the pick this year would have sent a poor message to the team and its ticket-buying fan base, who head into the summer with great expectations for next season.

There’s also the strategy of dragging things out in hopes that time heals all wounds. In short (pun intended), the Sens are hoping Commissioner Gary Bettman has a change of heart.

When people discuss this possibility, they frequently harken back to the precedent of the New Jersey Devils getting their forfeited first-round pick back 11 years ago.

That happened, but here’s why that was a very different situation, and probably not a good comparison for the Senators.

The league punished the Devils in 2010 for cap circumvention after signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a wild 17-year contract that would have taken him into his mid-40s.

They ruled that the Devils would have to give up a first-round pick in either 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014, along with a third-rounder in 2011 and a US$3 million fine. The Devils did what the Senators are doing, delaying the forfeiture as long as possible.

But two big things happened in the summer of 2013. First, Jersey traded their 2013 first-round pick to Vancouver for goalie Cory Schneider. At that point, the die was cast, and the Devils would be forced to give up their pick in 2014.

But two weeks after the Schneider trade, Kovalchuk surprised the hockey world by retiring from the NHL with 12 years still left on his contract.

The 2012–13 NHL season was a lockout year, and Kovalchuk, who had spent half the season playing in the KHL, apparently got homesick. Shortly after his announcement, he signed a lucrative four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg, with an eye on playing in the 2018 Olympics.

So the Devils had to carry on without Kovalchuk in 2013–14, and the league appeared to sympathize with that. In March 2014, the Devils applied to the NHL for reconsideration and relief from their earlier penalty.

Towering Utah Defenceman Would Be Ideal Senators Trade TargetInjuries to Artem Zub and Nick Jensen highlighted the Ottawa Senators' need for greater quality of depth on the right side throughout the 2024-25 season.

The NHL agreed.

"The Devils recently applied to the League for reconsideration and relief from a portion of the original penalty, citing primarily changes in circumstances which, in the club's view, changed the appropriateness of the sanctions initially imposed," the NHL said in a statement. "After due and thorough consideration, the League has decided that a modification of the original circumvention penalty associated with the Kovalchuk contract is warranted and, accordingly, has amended the sanctions."

The Devils got their pick back.

They were awarded the 30th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the final selection of the first round. Plus, their $3 million fine was also cut in half.

The league still took its pound of flesh. The 30th pick could not be traded, and naturally, the Devils were ineligible for the draft lottery that year.

The Devils missed the playoffs that season and likely would have selected around 11th overall. At that point, players like Dylan Larkin, Alex Tuch, and David Pastrnak were still on the board. Instead, with the 30th pick, the Devils selected John Quenneville.

So that’s the backstory on why the league reduced the punishment and gave the first-round pick back to the Devils. The star player in question had left the club with 12 years remaining on his contract, and, in a nutshell, the league took pity on them.

So in the unlikely event the Senators do get their pick back, it won't have anything to do with the Kovalchuk precedent. That 2014 decision required a major shift in circumstances, and it's wildly different than anything that's happened (or could happen) in Ottawa.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Betting odds now available for if Panthers or Hurricanes touch Prince of Wales Trophy following Eastern Conference Finals

In the world of NHL superstition, few traditions capture the imagination like the ritual surrounding the Prince of Wales Trophy. Awarded to the Eastern Conference champions, it’s a prestigious trophy yet many teams treat it like a cursed object, refusing to lay a finger on it. 

Why? 

Because some believe touch it is to suggest that the job is done, when in reality, the Stanley Cup is the only true goal. Some players won't go as far as to touch even a miniature sized Stanley Cup when presented it. 

Would NHL players touch a replica Stanley Cup?#nhl #stanleycup #nhlplayoffs

More NHL: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Revealed

Superstition

The exact origin of the superstition is unclear, but the belief is simple: touching the Prince of Wales Trophy could jinx a team’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup. 

Now, oddsmakers have looked to capitalized on this hockey folklore. As of the 2025 playoffs, sportsbooks have set odds at -1000 on FanDuel Sportsbook for the trophy not to be touched, indicating that most bettors and teams expect the winners to keep their distance and continue the tradition. 

It’s rare to see such steep odds on a non-game prop, which highlights how deeply ingrained this superstition has become. If you believe the Panthers or Hurricanes will be bold and touch the trophy, odds are sitting at +610 but history hasn't always been on the side of the team choosing to break tradition. 

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Notable Teams and Their Choices With Conference Titles

• Pittsburgh Penguins: In 2008, Sidney Crosby avoided touching the trophy yet the Penguins lost in the Finals. In 2009, 2016 and 2017, he touched it and they went on to won the Stanley Cup each time.
• Florida Panthers: They touched the trophy in 1996 and 2023, losing both Finals. In 2024, they resisted and won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. 
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Skipped the trophy in 2015 and lost. Touched it in 2020 and won. 
• Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman touched the Campbell Bowl (awarded to Western Conference Champions) in 1997. Detroit went on to win the Cup. 
• New Jersey Devils: Scott Stevens touched it in 1995 and 2003 but both were followed by Cup wins.
• Philadelphia Flyers: Mike Richards touched the trophy in 2010. The Flyers lost to the Blackhawks in the Final.
• Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews refused to touch the Campbell Bowl in 2010 and they went on to win the Cup.

Betting on Tradition

The existence of betting odds like the current -1000 for “no touch” underscores the extent to which this ritual has transcended sport. It's now a cultural moment and a literal bettable event similar to those from other sports like the color of Gatorade during the celebratory dump on the winning head couch. For some captains, touching the trophy is a deliberate reversal of fortune; for others, it's a tradition best left unbroken.

Touching the Prince of Wales Trophy or not has no measurable impact on the ice. But hockey is a game of psychology, momentum, and myth. Whether it’s Crosby’s redemption arc or the state of Florida’s rise to power of the last decade with the Bolts and Panthers, the tale of the trophy adds drama to an already high-stakes moment.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

As we reported earlier this week, two former members of the Montreal Canadiens were in the running for the New York Islanders’ general manager role: former GM Marc Bergevin and former player Mathieu Darche.

The Islanders elected to go for Darche, who was named GM and executive vice president. Even though he has never held a GM role in the NHL, Darche has worked for the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2019. He was first hired as the director of hockey operations and later appointed assistant GM in 2022. He got his name on the Stanley Cup with the Bolts in 2020 and 2021. When the Canadiens hired Kent Hughes in January 2022, Darche was one of the finalists for the role.

Could The Canadiens Poach A Maple Leaf In Free Agency?
Canadiens: The Wedding Season Is Upon Us
Former Canadiens Prospect Backstops Denmark To Historic Win Over Canada

For the last three years, he has worked closely with Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, who learned to ply his trade under Steve Yzerman for eight years before being given the reins when Yzerman departed for the Detroit Red Wings.

There’s no doubt Darche has learned from the best. The Bolts never missed the playoffs in his tenure, and BriseBois is known as a cap wizard. He managed to keep the Lightning competitive through roster turnovers and has a perennial contender on his hands.

Darche’s appointment means that Marc Bergevin will remain a part of the Los Angeles Kings’ organization as special advisor to newly appointed Ken Holland, who takes over from Rob Blake. It’s not the first time Bergevin has tried to get another GM job and is unsuccessful.

Now things get interesting. Will Darche be amenable to trading Noah Dobson? Lou Lamoriello had made it clear in the past that he was available. Will the new GM share the same view? This is one case Hughes should be monitoring closely.

Photo credit: Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-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.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner recorded a shutout once again this post-season.

The Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 of the Western Conference final to tie the series at 1-1. While Edmonton blew a 3-1 lead in the third period of Game 1's 6-3 loss, the away team held on while being outshot 9-2 in the final frame of Game 2.

Skinner stopped 25 shots in the game, including a massive third-period stick save on Stars defenseman Esa Lindell. The blueliner had a wide-open net, but Skinner reached across to the right and got the heel of his stick on the ice to redirect the puck just past the left side of the net.

The 26-year-old Skinner recorded a 2.87 goals-saved-above-expected rating, which factors in the quality of chances, according to moneypuck.com.

Friday night's performance adds to an up-and-down playoffs for the goaltender.

"It's a rollercoaster," Skinner told ESPN's Emily Kaplan while sitting on the bench post-game. "It's every playoffs. I mean, no matter what happens, there's a lot of highs, there's a lot of lows. It doesn't matter who you are, what team you are. You're just going to face those challenges."

Skinner now has three shutouts in the 2024-25 NHL playoffs, tying Florida Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky for the league lead.

Bobrovsky, however, has played twice as many games as Skinner, at 14 to 7. They also have the same number of losses, at four. And Bobrovsky won seven other games without recording shutouts. Skinner hasn't.

In fact, Skinner kept an intriguing stat alive in Game 2: he's either won by recording a shutout or lost with a save percentage of .833 or below in these playoffs.

He allowed a combined 11 goals in his first two games against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1, both losses, before the Oilers ran with Calvin Pickard for the rest of the round. Pickard went 6-0 to eliminate the Kings and take a 2-0 series lead against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round before suffering an injury.

Skinner had an .833 save percentage when returning to the lineup in Game 3 of that series, when the Golden Knights scored with less than a second left in regulation to win 4-3. But Skinner responded with back-to-back shutouts to help the Oilers book their place in the Western Conference final for the second straight time and third time in four years.

With Pickard remaining out of the lineup to start the series against the Stars, Skinner stopped 16 of 17 shots through the first two periods of Game 1 before conceding three power-play goals and an even-strength goal on 10 shots in the third period. The Oilers were more disciplined in Game 2, going 2-for-2 on the penalty kill while outhitting the Stars 50-29.

Nearly every time after Skinner lost, the burning question is whether the Oilers should put another goalie in net, whether it's a healthy Pickard or third-stringer Olivier Rodrigue. After every shutout, there are signs of a goaltender who can get the job done in the biggest games of the year.

"For me, it's just rinse and repeat, just keep on going," Skinner said. "You can let in five and still give it your all, so I mean, that's kind of what our whole mindset was as a team. I thought we played well (in Game 1), and sometimes, the score doesn't really tell you the whole picture, and we just went back out there and played the same way."

Skinner said gaining experience, such as backstopping the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final last season, can really change a person's mindset. 

"It really tells you that you're never out, no matter what position you're in until they actually don't allow you to play anymore," he said.

He also gave his teammates credit for helping him get that mindset.

"It truly does take a community," Skinner told Kaplan. "It takes a city, takes a lot of people to really help you persevere, go through different challenges, adversities, and mainly your teammates. The way the guys play in front of me, day in, day out, no matter what situation we're in, I mean, that's all it is."

Game 3 goes down in Edmonton on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Abbotsford Canucks’ penalty killing streak has officially ended. They surrendered their first power play goal in a 3–1 loss to the Colorado Eagles in Game 4 of the Division Finals. Nate Smith scored Abbotsford’s lone goal, while Artūrs Šilovs stopped 26 of Colorado’s 29 shots on net. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Princeton University Head Coach Cara Gardner Morey Named General Manager Of PWHL Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Peyton Kettles

Vancouver Canucks At The 2025 IIHF World Championship: May 22

The first period started off with a major chance for the AHL Canucks, as Jujhar Khaira’s breakaway opportunity was saved by Colorado’s Trent Miner. This was followed up by a chance from Chase Wouters that Miner also stopped. These saves by Miner helped the Eagles out on offence as only minutes later, a tip chance by Jean-Luc Foudy went past Šilovs and gave Colorado the opening goal. This marked the third straight game in which the Eagles scored the opening goal.  

Despite the score, chances were relatively even between the two teams during the first period. Colorado bested Abbotsford in shot totals with an 8–6 lead, but the AHL Canucks made up for it in the quality of their chances. Timely blocks by the Eagles and quick saves by Miner kept the game in Colorado’s control. 

Abbotsford stayed hemmed in their own zone at the start of the second period. Any breakout efforts by the AHL Canucks were neutralized by Colorado until a little less than four minutes into the period. After that, it was Abbotsford’s turn to sling shots onto the net, with the AHL Canucks earning the first power play of the game after Chris Wagner held Max Sasson down for an extended period of time. However, Colorado’s penalty kill tightened things up, leaving Abbotsford without a shot during their man-advantage. 

The AHL Canucks’ penalty kill was tested — times tonight. They killed their first penalty, during which Phil Di Giuseppe sat for cross-checking, despite an extended period of Colorado o-zone time. Danila Klimovich took a roughing call in Colorado’s zone with only a couple of minutes left in the second period, sending Abbotsford back on the penalty kill. The 3–0 goal scored by Tye Felhaber ended the AHL Canucks’ streak of 30 penalties killed. 

Abbotsford started the third period with a power play, though they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity even with a couple of looks for Jonathan Lekkerimäki. With the AHL Canucks’ penalty-killing streak now snapped, it felt as if the penalty-taking floodgates had opened. From Colorado’s power play goal with less than a minute left in the second period to the end of the game, Abbotsford took five penalties and three game misconducts. They finished the game with seven total taken. 

The AHL Canucks were rewarded for their efforts with a goal, though the call itself was somewhat controversial. One referee blew their whistle on the play, but when Smith slid the puck into the net, the goal was counted as legal. Even with a quick review, the goal stayed. Abbotsford’s late push with the net empty was interrupted by some pushing and shoving that resulted in a handful of game misconducts being dealt. 

Overall, special teams made a difference in tonight’s game. Colorado was the team to finally break Abbotsford’s streak of 30-straight penalties killed. On the flip side, the AHL Canucks were unable to capitaize on the two power plays they were given. Abbotsford will need to get their power play going in order to win Game 5 and make the Conference Finals.      

Scoring Summary: 

1st Period: 

3:36 - COL: Jean-Luc Foudy (1) from Mark Senden and Hank Kempf 

2nd Period: 

11:14 - COL: Jayson Megna (5) 

19:25 - COL: Tye Felhaber (4) from T.J. Tynan and Oskar Olausson (PPG)

3rd Period: 

14:04 - ABB: Nate Smith (3) from Jujhar Khaira 

Game 5 at Blue Arena: Monday, May 26 @ 2:05 pm PT

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines and read your opinions.

On tonight's show, Avry Lewis-McDougall, Michael Augello and Kelsey Surmacz react to the Edmonton Oilers beating the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 of the Western Conference final to tie the series at 1-1.

Stars vs. Oilers Game 2 - Playoff Frenzy | The Hockey NewsWelcome to Playoff Frenzy Live presented by The Hockey News, where we recap all of the action from every night of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Share your thoughts in the comments, and the hosts may discuss your message during the stream.

Check out the show right now.

Promo image credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

According to a new report, the Philadelphia Flyers received a massive trade offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. GM Danny Briere and Co. didn't budge.

Instead, Ristolainen, 30, remained with the Flyers past the March 7 NHL trade deadline, playing in only three more games before suffering a season-ending triceps injury for the second year in a row during a matchup with the Ottawa Senators on March 11.

A league source told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, “The Leafs offered the moon and couldn’t get him out of there.”

What "the moon" entails is, ultimately, unclear. It should be noted that, at the NHL trade deadline, the Maple Leafs traded top center prospect Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick (incidentally acquired from the Flyers in the Scott Laughton trade) to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo, whose $3.25 million cap hit after 15% salary retention was much less than Ristolainen's $5.1 million cap hit.

Because the Flyers already retained salary in the Laughton, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Kevin Hayes trades, they could not do so again for the Maple Leafs with Ristolainen; they used all their available slots.

Flyers Offseason: Odds Mitch Marner Trades the Maple Leafs for Philadelphia Are HighFans hoping the Philadelphia Flyers swing big for Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner might see their wish come true this summer. At least, that's what the oddsmakers are thinking.

We know the Flyers already pried a 2027 first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin from the Maple Leafs, so it's plausible that the Minten package was on the table in some capacity. We know the Flyers want and need young centers.

Aside from Minten, the Maple Leafs have former first-rounders like Easton Cowan, a forward who plays with Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk on the OHL London Knights, and Ben Danford, a 2024-first round pick who could eventually become Ristolainen's replacement as a 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman.

That's all speculation, of course, but the Flyers' decision to hold onto the Finnish rearguard is looking increasingly curious after a second consecutive season-ending injury, and he's only getting older.

Fans hoping the Philadelphia Flyers swing big for Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner might see their wish come true this summer. At least, that's what the oddsmakers are thinking.

Marner, 28, is expected to test the free agent for the first time in his career, having just completed the six-year, $65.41 million contract he signed with the Maple Leafs on Sept. 13, 2019. Ironically, the 2019-20 season was the last time the Flyers made the playoffs.

Marner, meanwhile, has made the playoffs with the Maple Leafs every year of his NHL career. While his playoff performances have been scrutinized - and some of it has been deserved - Marner has still been plenty productive. The Markham, Ontario, native has 13 goals, 50 assists, and 63 points in 70 career postseason contests, with four of those goals being game-winners.

All signs (and reports) point to the 28-year-old star, who just had a career-high 102 points, finding a new team this offseason as a result. So where do the Flyers stand?

Flyers odds to sign Mitch Marner

At the time of this writing, theScore Bet currently favors the Chicago Blackhawks, who are devoid of forward talent outside of Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, to land Marner at +275 odds. In other words, the implied probability there is about a 26.7% chance.

The Flyers, meanwhile, have the second-best odds to secure Marner's signature in free agency this summer, sitting cozy at +400. With Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, and overall a better and more competitive team, the Flyers could make a better pitch to Marner at the end of the day.

They have an implied probability of 20%, so, slightly worse than Chicago.

Notably, the Flyers have better odds to land Marner than clubs like the Utah Mammoth (+550), the Carolina Hurricanes (+750), and Montreal Canadiens (+2000).

Marner's fit in Philadelphia

Right now, the greatest concern with fans in Philadelphia, aside from the aforementioned playoff performances, is Marner's actual fit on the team.

The former No. 4 overall pick has played center at the junior and NHL levels, albeit not regularly enough to warrant a full-time position change.

If he plays right wing, Marner will be jostling with Michkov, Konecny, and Bobby Brink for a position with Foerster and Owen Tippett already playing on the left. In the future, the Flyers may also need to create space for winger prospects like Alex Bump and Nikita Grebenkin.

Flyers Linked to KHL Star as Decision on NHL Future Looms LargeReigniting reports from earlier in the year, the Philadelphia Flyers are once again said to be in on KHL star Maxim Shabanov, an undrafted free agent forward mulling an overseas leap to start his NHL career.

The idea for the Flyers should be to secure as much talent as possible and figure out the rest later. Players like Marner don't hit free agency often; he's scored 20 goals every year of his career except for his rookie year and the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 season, and he's scored 97 or more points in three of the last four seasons.

If the Flyers are serious about arming Rick Tocchet with star power and competing in the near future, they will make a genuine effort to sign Marner, for better or for worse.

Plus, Tippett is coming off the least productive full season of his NHL career and will have trade protection language in his contract kick in next summer. Brink, at 5-foot-8, might not have an NHL future playing on a checking line 82 games a season.

Can the Flyers prioritize developing these players over Marner while knowing they will never be as good as Marner? It's hard to say.

As for Michkov, he finished the 2024-25 season playing left wing anyway, and playing with an elite puck transporter and playmaker like Marner could take his new game to another level.

At center, the Flyers still have three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft in addition to 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko.

Loading up the winger positions ensures that the Flyers' young centers, be it Luchanko or other draftees, will have a much easier time offensively and won't have to "sink or swim" so much at the NHL level.

Marner, Michkov, and, to a lesser degree, Konecny, are all capable of making the players they play with better.

The Flyers cannot be afraid now that the stakes are high.