It’s finally September, and for many of us in this city, that means it’s a) time to make our kids someone else’s problem for the next 10 months and b) time to really start concentrating on the upcoming hockey season that we pretended not to think about this summer.

With training camp fast approaching, here are a few things that are rolling through my head when it comes to the Ottawa Senators:

What exactly is Claude Giroux’s role on this team?

Giroux is going to be a benefit to have on your hockey team until the day he decides to retire. He helps out in so many facets of the game, and there are a lot of late-career Alfie similarities you can point to. You want him to be a part of this group.

The question is, where does he fit at this point?

I don’t know if there is any correlation between Steve Staios making this one of the most hardline contract negotiations in his short history here and how the team feels about Giroux’s place in the pecking order. Either way, there does not appear to be a specific line spot he’s slotted into.

Giroux’s versatility serves him well and if I were a betting man, I’d say having him start as a LW on a second line with Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson (who are both many things, but defensive stalwarts not one of them) makes some sense. But I could also easily be convinced they go back to the safety blanket of him with Brady and Timmy, or even in a new third line checking role. Both those options seem equally as likely as him getting his car stolen again, so it’ll be a fun story to track during camp.

What about the organizational goaltending depth?

Some will focus on Leevi Meriläinen’s promotion to full-time backup, but I’m not overly concerned with how he’ll do. There’s a level somewhere between “Anton Forsberg” and “looking like the second incarnation of Dominik Hasek for a month last season” that I’m certain he’ll fall into and Sens fans will be pretty happy with.

But what if they have to dip into the minors during the season?

Coaches and GMs are very fond of saying that you need at least 10 NHL D-men to get you through the year, but no one talks about how often you have to play goalies past your two NHL options. We are not that far removed from the 2022–23 season where the Sens had to start seven different goalies. SEVEN! That’s a little ridiculous, but it makes sense to pay attention to what the Sens have below Ullmark and Meriläinen. And when your first option is Mads Søgaard—who, I am afraid, has not progressed very far past “he’s super tall” in his 6 years in the organization—then I’m going to be focused in on the newly signed Jackson Parsons and especially Hunter Shepard. Shepard has two Calder Cups on his résumé and looks like someone you could potentially count on to play some NHL games if needed.

As always, the statement “goalies are voodoo” remains evergreen, so who knows what to expect, and everyone (including teammates and coaches) just has to deal with the fact they are flaky when it comes to on-ice performance and personality. I mean, we have Linus Ullmark saying stuff like “Marshmallows are a lot like snow if you think about it and that’s why I love this city” (not a real quote), and everyone’s reaction is basically “Ah, goalies, am I right?” which would not be the same response if that quote came out of, say, Nick Jensen’s mouth.

Ottawa Senators Sign Lars Eller, Offseason NHL Additions Are Now 'Most Likely' CompleteSenators general manager Steve Staios didn't do a lot on day one of free agency, but there was something familiar about his performance. For the second year in a row, Staios went out and acquired a free agent veteran role player, who's won a Stanley Cup.

Will the Sens grant my wish and roll out an old-man 4th line?

I don’t know if a line of Nick Cousins, Lars Eller and David Perron would be the oldest line in the league, but it’s got to be up there. It would certainly be the oldest line in recent memory for the Sens. I don’t even think this is necessarily a bad thing because age is just a number, and out of the three, the only player I’d classify as having below-average NHL speed would be Perron. And as long as you aren’t “old and slow,” you can be classified as “experienced and crafty,” which is infinitely better. The Sens may choose to mix and match with different types for their 4th line, but honestly, if the forward group is entirely healthy, I like my chances of getting this trio to start the season.

How good is Jordan Spence, really?

I do not count myself as a regular viewer of LA Kings games, but in the handful that I did watch last season, I did notice Jordan Spence and he looked pretty great. If the Sens were to slot him into the role he played with the Kings (bottom-pairing D with sheltered minutes), especially with a partner like Tyler Kleven, I am fairly confident that pair would tilt the ice significantly while they were out there. Spence is a puck-retrieval machine and a great transitional player, which would complement Kleven’s best attributes (hitting guys really hard and wiring shots through the mesh in the back of the net) in a nice way.

The question many have is, can he be more than that? What’s he look like playing tougher minutes with more responsibility? I imagine we’re going to find out this season because neither Artem Zub nor Nick Jensen have shown they can play close to a full season at anything approaching good health. I really look forward to the day where we could see a Sanderson/Spence pairing because I’m not entirely sure they have developed on-ice analytic metrics that will be able to measure how high the possession numbers would be.

I’m sure as camp arrives and the ever-exciting preseason games start, we’ll have new storylines to discuss, but for now, these are the ones I’ll be following. See, Sens Nation, I made it through an entire Sens training camp piece without mentioning Carter Yakemchuk’s name once (except for this time just now), and the world continues to spin. It can be done!

By Tyler Ray
This article was first published at The Hockey News-Ottawa

More Sens Headlines at THN:
Senators Still Own Formenton's NHL Rights – What's Next?
Our One-On-One With Drake Batherson
Senators Confirm Extension For Pinto Won't Happen Until After Season Starts
Staios: 'We're Not Dismissing That Yakemchuk Makes Our Team Out of Camp'
Could Arthur Kaliyev Be The Senators' Next Adam Gaudette Story?
Ottawa Senators: Ranking The Six Best At Each Position

Kick off September with rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics on The Wraparound.

Who Will Make The Hockey Hall Of Fame In 2026? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Adam Kierszenblat discussed in today's episode:

0:00: Does Ivan Demidov deserve to be the early favorite to win the Calder?

5:40: Which WHL team looks to be the early championship favorite this season?

9:51: Should the Chicago Blackhawks be concerned with prospect Mason West’s commitment to playing football?

15:13: Will Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar end up earning more on their next contracts?

21:54: Breaking down notable players eligible for Hockey Hall of Fame consideration in 2026

27:15: Which players signed to PTOs have the best chance of making NHL lineups?

31:20: Which NHL team will have the most intriguing goaltending battle at training camp?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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iHeartRadio

Amazon

It’s an acquired skill in the NHL to be a thorn in your opponent's side as a player who can score and be incredibly annoying. 

Throughout NHL history, the game has been filled with rats and pests, those hated by the opponents and their fans but loved by their teammates and their fans. 

But it’s not such a bad thing to be considered a rat or pest in today's game, as former NHLer Drew Shore described it on The Hockey News Big Show.

“I think there’s not many of them in the NHL that are skilled and can play that hard in that kind of fashion,” said Shore. “The Sam Bennetts, the Marchands, the Tom Wilsons of the world, and I think that’s why those guys are so impactful, because there are very few of them.”

Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk and Bennett, funnily enough, are all Florida Panthers and have been called rats throughout their careers.

They are responsible for starting scuffles and injuring players, resulting in a combined 14 suspensions. Marchand has been suspended eight times in his career, Tkachuk four times and Bennett twice. Dating back further, players like Sean Avery, Claude Lemieux, and Matt Cooke have had their fair share of controversy.

A pest or rat – someone like Brandon Hagel, Nazem Kadri, Wilson, Travis Konecny, Brendan Gallagher and Corey Perry – might not fight as often as an enforcer but plays physically and uses chirps and extracurricular activity to knock their opponents off their game, even if they do cross the line at times.

The NHL has seen not only players who mastered the role of being a pest, but it has also seen players show no mercy or fear in taking it to the next level, becoming what some refer to as more of a rat. History shows that both definitions can lead to personal and team success. With the current dominance of the Panthers, it wouldn’t be shocking to see more players embrace that element of their game.

Times have changed, though.

Previously, being considered a pest or rat was a negative connotation, even if it was a valued role. They played on the fourth line and weren’t considered skill guys.

The need for enforcers or goons has dwindled, but the rise of the pest has changed the game. 

“I feel like it’s shifted a lot since I was playing,” said Shore, who played 98 games in the NHL from 2013 to 2021. “I felt like when I was playing, that was kind of thought of like a fourth line guy who would run around, hit people from behind and wouldn’t really fight. Now it’s kind of evolved into this thing where these elite players who also play hard and are able to get under people’s skins are so impactful on the game.”

It’s hard to win in the NHL. Finding any advantage is needed, which is why pests will always serve a role.

We’ve seen Marchand win the 2016 World Cup and 2025 4 Nations Face-Off playing on Sidney Crosby’s wing and Wilson win a Stanley Cup playing in a top-six role with Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. We’ve also seen Tkachuk change the trajectory of an organization and Bennett win a Conn Smythe trophy playing with the Panthers.

No sport in the world may be more reliant on the team aspect of the game, with each player filling a role. The best teams and players fight for both the physical and mental edge.

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

With the new instalment of the EA Sports NHL game coming out shortly, rankings have been released and overalls have been getting posted to social media. 

Fans are already criticizing parts of the game that have been revealed over the last month, but for most, the excitement is ramping up as the season inches even closer. 

While fans pushed back on just about every single part of the overalls that were posted, the Los Angeles Kings may have something to celebrate. 

Connor Hellebuyck is rated the best goalie in #NHL26 🧱
Should Shesterkin, Vasilevskiy or someone else be on top instead?
See more Ratings: https://t.co/1ZOOUJeVAzpic.twitter.com/D4YE8nENnp

— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 27, 2025

Kings’ goaltender Darcy Kuemper was given an 87 overall, which places him 10th overall, just behind Juuse Saros and Thatcher Demko, who were given an 88 overall rating. 

Kuemper wasn’t in the top 10 last season, so for him to get that recognition is awesome, after a solid year between the pipes for the Kings. 

Early access for NHL 26 begins on September 5th, while the full release for those who didn’t purchase the early access version is September 12th.

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

#12 - Adam Kleber - Defense (Minnesota-Duluth - NCAA)

Kleber was the Sabres second-round pick at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. The Chaska, MN native played his amateur hockey in Minnesota and two years in the USHL with Lincoln before being selected 42nd overall with a pick obtained from the San Jose Sharks when Buffalo traded down from 11th to 14th overall.

The 19-year-old is big (6’6”, 214 lb.), right-handed, and defensive-minded, something that will be a good fit down the road with a Sabres blueline that is predominantly left-handed and offensive-minded. The young blueliner possesses above-average skating ability and good awareness and habits in his own zone, skills that project him to be an effective penalty killer down the line. In his freshman year at Minnesota-Duluth, Kleber had just five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 33 games, but was part of Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad at the WJC in Ottawa. He was part of Team USA’s squad at the World Junior Summer Showcase last month and it is expected that he will be part of the club in Minneapolis, MN, this December.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

Is it October yet? 

Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 4, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player. 

Today's player profile is forward Ryan O'Reilly. 

24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series 

Adam Wilsby

Jordan Oesterle

Andreas Engulund

Cole Smith

Michael McCarron

Justin Barron

Zachary L’Heureux

Matthew Wood

Nick Blankenburg

Brady Martin

Michael Bunting

Justus Annunen

Nick Perbix

Luke Evangelista

Nic Hague

Erik Haula

Fedor Svechkov

Brady Skjei

Jonathan Marchessault

Steven Stamkos

As an NHL prospect

O'Reilly spent his two seasons of junior hockey with the Erie Otters in the OHL. In his first season, he scored 52 points in 50 games and logged 42 penalty minutes.

During the 2008-09 season, his draft year, O'Reilly scored 66 points in 66 games and five points in five playoff games. That same season, he was selected to play in the CHL's Top Prospects Game. 

O'Reilly was selected 33rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Draft. 

Professional career 

O'Reilly wasted no time making the jump to the NHL, playing 81 games with the Avalanche in his first season, scoring 26 points. O'Reilly matched that total during the 2010-11 season. 

He took a jump during his third NHL season, scoring 55 points in 81 games and logging just 12 penalty minutes. During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, O'Reilly played 12 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL, scoring 10 points.

O'Reilly returned to the Avalanche when the lockout ended, scoring 20 points in 29 games, which was an abbreviated season. He'd spend two more seasons in Colorado, scoring 119 points in 163 games over that stretch.

During the 2013-14 season, O'Reilly had 64 points in 80 games and just two penalty minutes, winning the Lady Bing Memorial Trophy. 

In the 2015 offseason, O'Reilly was traded to the Buffalo Sabres and spent three seasons there. He played 224 games with the Sabres, scoring 176 points. He continued the trend of playing a clean game as well, logging no more than 10 penalty minutes in those three seasons. 

During the 2015-16 season, he scored 60 points in 71 games, earning an NHL All-Star Game bid. Ahead of the 2016-17 season, O'Reilly played for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey, playing in six games and winning a gold medal.

O'Reilly has won five gold medals with Canada, including two at the IIHF World Championship. 

In the 2018 offseason, O'Reilly was traded to the St. Louis Blues. During the regular season, O'Reilly had a career-high 77 points in 82 games, helping the Blues clinch the third seed in the Central Division. O'Reilly also played in his second career NHL All-Star Game. 

The Blues went on a run during the playoffs, eventually defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games to win the Stanley Cup. O'Reilly had 23 points in 26 games, winning the Conn Smyth Trophy. He also won the Selke Trophy that season. 

He added another All-Star Game bid in the 2019-20 season, scoring 61 points in 71 games. 

O'Reilly spent two and a half more seasons with the Blues, scoring 131 points in 174 games and logging 40 penalty minutes. 

At the 2023 trade deadline, O'Reilly was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He'd play 13 games with the Maple Leafs, scoring 11 points. In the playoffs, he helped the Maple Leafs to their first playoff series victory in 19 years, scoring nine points in 11 games. 

As a free agent in the 2023 offseason, O'Reilly signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Predators. That first season, O'Reilly scored 69 points in 82 games and logged 18 penalty minutes. 

This past season, O'Reilly had 53 points in 79 games and logged 24 penalty minutes, which was the highest PIM total in his professional career. 

He is currently entering the third year of his four-year contract. 

What role will he play this season? 

Last season, O'Reilly was one of the things that went right for the Predators. 

He brought up the second line and provided depth beyond the first line. Looking at how well he played last season, he could possibly move up to the first line in place of Steven Stamkos, who could make a move over to the wing. 

O'Reilly is the type of player the Predators need and should strive to emulate. He is a center that can score and isn't racking up the penalty minutes. He is big, productive and playing the game the right way.

He has developed chemistry with this team, which could be useful down the road if the Predators need to move him elsewhere in the lineup or want to mix up line combinations. 

O'Reilly is also a veteran who still has several good years left in him. His numbers declined slightly during the 2022-23 season, but he has remained consistent as a player who can produce at least 50 to 60 points per season.  

Needing depth down the middle, O'Reilly is going to lead that charge and is going to play a critical role in the offense this season. 

Back in 2012, the Montreal Canadiens had the third-overall pick at the draft. When the opportunity to draft center Alex Galchenyuk came around, the organization didn’t hesitate to pounce even though the 6-foot-1 American had missed a lot of games because of a knee injury. The Habs had big hopes for the centerman, and for a while, it seemed like the selection would pay off.

Over the course of his first four seasons, Galchenyuk steadily improved, putting up 56 points in 82 games in his fourth campaign. However, the following year, his production declined. In his last three seasons with the Canadiens, he never got more than 51 points.

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According to Pat Hickey, who covered the Canadiens for decades, Galchenyuk’s most significant problem in Montreal was his father, as he would discuss with his son after every game, analysing the stats and telling him that the coaching staff wasn’t using him enough.

Eventually, the Canadiens had enough and traded him to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi. He would only remain in Arizona for one season and then had stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Minnesota Wild, the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Coyotes (once more), and the Colorado Avalanche.

After he crashed his car into a sign in Scottsdale, Arizona, the forward threatened the police officers who arrived on the scene, and the incident led to the Coyotes terminating his contract. After that, he signed a league-minimum two-way deal with the Avalanche but spent most of his season in the AHL in 2022-23 before deciding to head to the KHL, where he has spent the last two seasons.

Last year, in his first campaign with Khabarovsk Amur, he put up 38 points in 59 games. The team struggled and even suffered five straight shutout losses, with a combined score of 0-21, which led to their coach, Andrei Martemyanov, being fired. However, his replacement, Viktor Kostyuchenok, couldn’t right the ship, and the organization appointed a new coach this summer: Alexander Galchenyuk Sr.

The new coach wasted no time in making his son the team’s captain. It will be interesting to see if the Galchenyuk pair can lead Amur to a better finish than last year, when they were second to last in the Eastern Conference.

---

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Nov 29, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) makes a glove save against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: over 2,000 issues of history, stories, and features.

Subscribe now to view issue Archives here.

(Note: Due to the digital quality of some older issues, articles may contain errors).

Jan 7, 2019/vol. 72, issue 07

RAPID FIRE

WITH NASHVILLE PREDATORS GOALIE PEKKA RINNE

Who was your mentor growing up?

It was two guys. When I was really young, the reason I started being a goalie was my cousin Jari. He’s seven years older than me, and he was a goalie, and I always looked up to him. When I got a bit older, my goalie coach back home Ari (Hilli) was a big mentor for me.

What was the best advice you received as a young player?

Just have fun. Work hard, have fun and try to get better every day.

Who did you model your game after?

There were always Finnish goalies I looked up to, but you wouldn’t necessarily know them. Then when I got a little older and started following the NHL, obviously the best goalies. Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, all those guys. I had all the posters and stuff like that.

Favorite team growing up?

My local hometown team Oulu, they have a pro hockey team, so that was my favorite team.

Why do you wear No. 35?

Actually, prior to coming over, I wore No. 33, and then after I came over for the first training camp, (the Predators) just gave me No. 35, and I loved it right away. I was too shy to ask for anything else. To be honest with you, I love the number. After having it for so long, I couldn’t picture myself wearing anything else.

What was your ‘Welcome to the NHL’ moment?

I was fortunate to play my first NHL game in my first year in North America. I was in the AHL with Milwaukee and got called up in December 2005. I played against Chicago, and they scored on their first shot on a penalty kill. I remember that like it was yesterday. It was Mark Bell who scored. First shot of the game, and right away it was in, and I was really nervous. We ended up winning 5-3, and I ended up playing well. I was over the moon after the game. It was a pretty cool moment.

What was your first major purchase after signing your first NHL contract?

I think a car. Audi S5.

What was your most memorable save?

It was in the 2011 playoffs against Vancouver. At the time it felt big, because we had never really made it past the first round. It was OT, Kevin Bieksa had an empty net, and I was able to get it with my stick. I remember that. At the time it felt big because it helped us get to the next game. We ended up losing to Vancouver in six games, but I still remember that at the time it felt big.

Is there a part of your game you’d still like to improve?

Yeah, a lot. You can always improve how efficient you are in net. Being agile and athletic but still saving your energy and (making) it look like it’s easy.

Former Montreal Canadiens superstar goalie Carey Price earned his $5.5 million signing bonus on Monday. During the NHL season, he will earn a $2 million salary, while his cap hit will be $10.5 million. 

That is a significant amount of cap space being allocated to a goaltender who is already retired and is a lock to be inducted into the Hall of Fame (it was shocking that he didn't get in with this most recent ballot, his first eligible year). 

For the Canadiens, a franchise looking to build on their shocking playoff appearance in 2024-25, they might want that extra $10.5 million in cap space. Trading Price's contract away is something that they will be looking to do so that they can make subsequent moves. 

The Chicago Blackhawks, along with a couple of other teams well below the cap, are the candidates to take on this type of contract. 

The Blackhawks may want to trade away a handful of veterans at the trade deadline to acquire assets that will benefit them in the future. It may be hard to do that if they are in danger of falling below the NHL's cap floor of $70.6 million. They are roughly $6 million over the floor right now, and about $18 million below the cap. 

Taking on Price doesn't even bring them close to the salary cap, and it will keep them above the floor if they trade away pieces down the road. 

Usually, the team taking on the bad contract gets assets with it. For example, a good prospect or draft pick will likely come to Chicago as a sweetener to help Montreal offload Price's contract. 

Kyle Davidson has not been shy about doing the things that are considered typical for rebuilding teams. Although they will likely be more entertaining in 2025-26, the Blackhawks are not going to win enough games to be playoff contenders. That makes them the perfect candidate to get Price on their books to make the team better in the future. 

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

This upcoming season will be crucial for Brennan Othmann.

Last year, Othmann did not make the New York Rangers' opening-night roster out of training camp, but he got his chance to prove himself at the NHL level late in the season. 

In a 22-game sample size, Othmann failed to score a goal and recorded just two points. 

However, if you watched Othmann play, you could tell that he showed signs of improvement over time and really seemed to become comfortable at the highest level of play.

The 22-year-old used his size to his advantage, emerging as an impactful two-way forward, with a little physical edge to his game. 

The Rangers organization views last season as a learning lesson for Othmann.

"We're excited to see the work he has put in in the summer and what he learned last year," Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said via Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Othmann will compete at training camp for an opening-night roster spot with the Rangers, and he has a legitimate chance at making the team.

If he does make the Rangers roster out of training camp, it will truly show the strides he’s made and the overall trust the organization has in him.

It's still early, but the Philadelphia Flyers are certainly looking to have a potential draft steal on their hands with Max Westergard.

Westergard, 17, quietly made waves last season as the only draft-eligible player to score goal in the SHL playoffs, finishing with a goal and two assists in 11 postseason contests for Frolunda HC.

That's notable, too, because Westergard only played in four regular season games for the Swedish outfit, which also ranked 15th amongst all draft-eligible skaters in the SHL last season.

But, since being drafted by the Flyers in June, the Finnish forward has continued to show growth and progress, building on a decent showing at the Flyers development camp at the beginning of July.

Playing against Lausanne HC in some Champions HL action Sunday, Westergard picked up two assists in just 8:51 of ice time.

Latest Flyers Pipeline Ranking Features 2 Big SurprisesThe young core of the Philadelphia Flyers has taken an overall step forward from last year, though some rankings will leave fans scratching their heads a bit.

One of the 2025 fifth-round pick's assists, which made the rounds on social media as a highlight, showed what Westergard can be at the peak of his powers.

The 17-year-old backchecked hard in the high slot, effectively stick-lifting an attacking Lausanne player and winning the puck back for his team with just two touches.

Westergard then raced down the right wing with relative ease, blowing past three defenders, dropped his shoulder at the right circle, and fed the puck back into the crease at the last possible moment to earn an assist.

Westergard and Frolunda ultimately won 5-2, marking a second consecutive victory for the club.

The Flyers prospect, standing at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, will need to add more weight and play strength to successfully play this style consistently at the NHL level, but he's already more than holding his own against men in the SHL and Champions HL.

Speed and playmaking elements seem to be hallmarks of Westergard's game so far, but we'll see how far he can come with creating offense for himself with that speed.

A small sample size, yes, but Westergard is already showing signs of maturity and talent that bode well for an NHL future with the Flyers.

Mike Sullivan is one of the most established coaches in the NHL, but even he learns something new every single day on the job. 

After winning two Stanley Cups and coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins for 10 years, Sullivan still feels he has so much to learn about the game of hockey. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of that (coaching) journey is the learning process,” Sullivan said. “What is the next frontier? What is the new move? It might be on the ice tactically. It might be the sports science. It might be all the analytics. It might be in the human performance space. Mental health. Helping players with their states of mind off the ice so they are in the right head space when the puck drops. How they deal with confidence issues. Relationship stuff.

“There are so many things involved in coaching, and that is what makes it, number one, so difficult, but also so rewarding. None of us have it figured out, and those that think they do, they obviously don’t.”

Throughout his years in the NHL, the sport has evolved, and Sullivan has had to adapt to it. 

“It is essential. The minute you think you have it figured out as a coach, you are dead in the water,” Sullivan said. “The game is in constant evolution. It changes all the time. It changes a number of different ways. It can be coaches’ staffs that come up with and design different tactics. A lot of times it is the savants of the game, the players themselves. The game evolves through them with some of their creativity and the things they do on the ice.

“As a coach if you ever have an inclination to say I have arrived, it may be time to step away. It is a journey. You don’t ever arrive. You just don’t. It is a journey.”

Now, Mike Sullivan is set for his next challenge of coaching the New York Rangers. 

Sullivan is tasked with turning around a Rangers team that didn’t make the playoffs last season, while also helping change the culture in the organization and building a strong foundation. 

Just as he always does though, Sullivan will look to adapt to his new situation and make a lasting impact in New York just like he did in Pittsburgh.

The 2025-26 NHL season will be a hot war in the Pacific Division. Still, early projections and expert analysis suggest that the Vancouver Canucks will finish higher in the standings than their division rivals, the Los Angeles Kings. 

While both franchises have made big offseason moves, it is the Canucks who are poised to stir things up and emerge as a power to be feared in the West. But which team will finish higher this season? 

Quinton Byfield, the human highlight reel 👑 pic.twitter.com/Sn8FcPQzkV

— NHL (@NHL) August 25, 2025

Rising Momentum in Vancouver 

The Canucks are approaching the season with more optimism, led by a rich roster featuring Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and talented goaltender Thatcher Demko. Vancouver is predicted to place third in the Pacific Division by experts at The Hockey Writers, with a bold prediction that the team has an equal chance of fighting for second place if its defense and goaltending hold up.

The Canucks' depth in offense gives them the advantage, provided Pettersson maintains his top-level scoring and Hughes anchors the blue line as one of the top blueliners in the league. Vancouver's most significant question mark is consistency, however. 

However, after re-entering playoff relevance in recent years, the Canucks now appear to be entering their window of contention and are, therefore, a serious threat in the Pacific.

Kings Staying Competitive but Faced With Challenges

The Los Angeles Kings are no strangers to playoff hockey, and their recipe for success has never been about making blockbuster additions, but rather about depth and internal development. However, this offseason, the Kings made more nuanced moves than just headline additions. 

For this reason, most pundits have them trailing Vancouver in the Pacific by just a point now. While the Kings' competitiveness and miserly defense remain in place, the consensus is that their current lineup doesn't possess the same amount of top-end firepower as some other Western contenders.

The Kings' success will thrive on four players: Quinton Byfield, Andre Kuzmenko, Darcy Kuemper, and Brandt Clarke. If LA gets all of these guys A-games, the Kings will be just as good as they were last season, but that all depends on how they're coached through the season. 

Up to the challenge 💪@DooleyLAK spoke with Clarkie about preparing for the season ahead 📝📲 https://t.co/ThbFWCtHa6#GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/rM3EJTQykf

— LA Kings (@LAKings) August 28, 2025

Head-to-Head Edge Favors Canucks

As much as the Kings vs. Canucks are concerned, these are meant to be a series that will heavily influence the Pacific Division standings. Vancouver's potent offense will test the Kings' defensive adjustments, and Los Angeles' playoff experience and depth could ultimately be the difference-maker in tight, low-scoring games.

Recent encounters between these two teams have only strengthened Vancouver's case. Last season, the two teams met three times, and the Canucks won the series 2-1, including a marquee February 2025 encounter. 

Vancouver defeated Los Angeles in overtime, showcasing its toughness and ability to deliver under pressure. Statistically, the Canucks and Kings have remained balanced over recent seasons, but Vancouver's rising trajectory and offseason moves provide it with the lift it requires in 2025-26.

Verdict: Canucks Slightly Favored

Both teams can finish in the top half of the Pacific, but most initial projections have the Vancouver Canucks for the year 2025–26. Hughes' dominant defense and Demko taking over the crease space give Vancouver the balance to finish third in the division. At the same time, the Kings are expected to finish third or fourth, depending on how their defense performs.

Of course, hockey doesn't always go as planned. If the Kings' young star players can step up in the regular season and stay healthy, Los Angeles could turn the script around. But heading into the season, the Canucks look a little bit stronger on paper and should finish higher than their division rivals.

EA SPORTS NHL officially released their breakdown of what is new in NHL 26 Hockey Ultimate Team, we dove into the video below.

Like Franchise Mode in NHL 25 the HUT menu has received a UI overhaul that requires less clicks and scrolling. It will also feature the top player from your team on the home page. 

There will be new content releases five days a week in NHL 26 with a new program dubbed Chel Week that will include new objectives, cards, and a community vote. 

Rivals and Squad Battles have been removed from HUT and replaced with Ranked.

Ranked is a ladder system with divisions that will reset every season. Players can not be relegated once they reach a new division, this should help prevent the sandbagging that has been seen in HUT in previous games. 

Division tiers have their own rewards ladders, players must reach the Qualifications Division to qualify for HUT Champs. Those who reach Ultimate Rank will receive a unique jersey each season that shows they reached the top rank.

Team building has been revamped in NHL 26 with the introduction of combinations, this will give you an overall boost for having players from the same team or country. This will help players who love making theme teams.  

There will also be a salary cap that players must abide by. If the cap ultimately leads to players building unique teams and less meta cards it will be a win for HUT players. 

Every season there will be new Captains, Rookies, Heroes, and Icons. 

For offline HUT players there is a new Cup Chase mode, this consists of an 18 game schedule with two best-of-three playoff rounds. This mode has its own reward path but contributes to your overall XP Path. 

For early access players there is a Fresh ICE HUT Event with five master set players, Brock Faber, Morgan Rielly, Matthew Tkachuk, Tyler Seguin, and Logan Thompson. 

EA SPORTS NHL gave players an early look at 12 new Heroes and Icons. 

The full list of the players and their attributes can be seen here.   

NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5. 

For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.    

Here's today's NHL Nugget –  this month's edition of Shinny or Nothing remembers NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his submission in the Players' Tribune in February 2016, when he was with the Calgary Flames.

Gaudreau discussed how his father helped him learn to skate and play hockey as a kid, years before he turned pro and became a husband and father himself.

Appearing on this edition of the NHL Nugget is a special guest, Vincent LaRusso, who played Adam Banks in the iconic The Mighty Ducks series.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.