Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

Today, we finally delve into the top-10, and we start with a forward who - despite facing some adversity last season - managed to grow his game at the center position and could push for a roster spot with a standout camp. At No. 10 on our list is Tristan Broz.

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#10: F Tristan Broz

Broz, 22, was drafted in the second round (58th overall) by the Penguins in 2021. He played one season for the University of Minnesota after that before transferring to the University of Denver, where he won a national championship in 2024. He recorded 16 goals and 40 points in 43 games that season for Denver.

So - heading into his first professional season with the Penguins - the organization already quite liked Broz's overall game and offensive upside. The goal heading into 2024-25 was for the 6-foot, 205-pound forward to work on his game at center, which is a position that the Penguins - at the time - were lacking organizationally.

It was mission accomplished for Broz last season - even with some adversity along the way.

In his first professional season, Broz recorded 19 goals and 37 points in 59 games, and he also put up a goal and three points in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's (WBS) two playoff games. Although those numbers might not jump out entirely, it's worth noting that Broz was second on the team in goals until a long bout with mononucleosis kept him out of the lineup from late December all the way to early February. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: First-Round Pick Beginning To Turn HeadsHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

Broz himself admitted that the road to recovery after mono was terrible, and it took some time to adjust his game back to the level it was prior to his illness - at which point, he had 12 goals and 19 points in 27 games. But even if his production didn't exactly match up to the level it was prior to his illness, his all-around game at center was still thriving. 

And once he got his legs back under him, he thoroughly impressed in the home stretch. During the final 10 games of the regular season, Broz put up two goals and nine points, showing off his playmaking prowess and his ability in transition. He plays a simple, intelligent game with the puck, and his play away from the puck is equally as impressive.

Broz knows how to find passing lanes, and he isn't afraid to drive the middle. He also has a shot that plays well at the professional level, plays a responsible defensive game, and doesn't shy away from contact, either.  

Despite Setback, Penguins Prospect Broz Experiencing Growth In First Professional SeasonPittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Tristan Broz endured quite the setback midway through the 2024-25 season.

If his development keeps trending in the right direction, he could very well be a reliable middle-six option for the Penguins, perhaps even a second-line center. He has the ability to thrive alongside other intelligent players - for example, he and Ville Koivunen were often linemates in WBS throughout the AHL season - and he knows how to find players in transition and expose the danger areas of the ice.

The Penguins are impressed with Broz's growth from this past season, and they should be. He is one of the more mature, intelligent players in the Penguins' system, and if he has a good camp, he could - potentially - push for an NHL roster spot. 

He is, arguably, just as NHL-ready as Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty. Had mono never set back his season, he likely would have gotten an NHL opportunity right alongside those two at the conclusion of the Penguins' 2024-25 season.

Don't count this guy out. He is one of the more sure bets in the organization to become at least a serviceable NHL player, so don't be surprised to see him on NHL ice at some point next season.

Penguins Prospects Beyond McGroarty, Koivunen Eye NHL Roster Spots Pittsburgh Penguins training camp is about a month away, and there are a lot of storylines to watch going into it. 

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The list so far:

- No. 11: F Will Horcoff
- No. 12: F Mikhail Ilyin
- No. 13 F Filip Hallander
- No. 14: F Bill Zonnon
- No. 15: F Melvin Fernstrom
- No. 16: D Emil Pieniniemi
- No. 17: F Avery Hayes
- No. 18: F Cruz Lucius
- No. 19: D Finn Harding
- No. 20: D Peyton Kettles

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Money & Power: Winnipeg Jets - Jan. 2 2025 - Vol. 78, Issue 06 - Jared Clinton

OWNERSHIP - MARK CHIPMAN

MARK CHIPMAN ISN’T averse to small talk. So, if you meet him, it’s not beyond Chipman to ask where you’re from. And if you tell him Winnipeg? Well, Chipman will want to know your neighborhood, local rink and your minor hockey team. It’s not a facade. Chipman loves the game down to its roots and takes pride in the sport and its impact on the community.

Born and bred in the ‘Heart of the Continent,’ as songsmith John K. Samson once called Winnipeg, Chipman has been part of the city’s hockey scene since long before the Jets 2.0 came. He was among a group of business leaders who tried valiantly to keep the original Jets from heading to Phoenix. Later, Chipman spearheaded the charge to bring the then-IHL’s Minnesota Moose to town. And it was with Chipman’s blueprints that True North paved the way for the NHL’s return to Manitoba. The construction of a downtown arena set the stage, and when the chance arose, Chipman – who struck up an alliance with media magnate David Thomson, the chairman of Thomson Reuters and one of the world’s wealthiest people – was able to snap up the Atlanta Thrashers and bring them north.

It would’ve been easy for the organization to rest on its laurels after the Jets returned to Winnipeg, but Chipman’s vision has expanded well beyond the confines of Canada Life Centre. Community work has been a fixture of True North, dating back to the Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation, now called the True North Youth Foundation, which runs summer camps, hockey schools and youth-facing programming. Among its core offerings is Project 11, which promotes mental health and wellness education and is named after late NHLer Rick Rypien.

Chipman and Co. are also giving Winnipeg’s downtown a facelift. The arena remains the nucleus, but the nearby True North Square has reshaped the skyline with its four towers of residential, office and retail spaces, with a hotel still to come. True North’s real-estate arm also reached a deal to buy downtown shopping center Portage Place with the intention of converting it into a multi-use facility that will include a 265,000-square-foot healthcare center. As part of the redevelopment, True North partnered with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization to establish a residential tower with as much as 40 percent of rental units dedicated to affordable housing.

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TOP BUSINESS EXECUTIVE - JOHN OLFERT

NAMED PRESIDENT AND CHIEF operating officer of True North Sports and Entertainment in 2019, John Olfert has been with the organization since before its NHL days. Olfert was among those who helped lay the foundation to make True North’s dreams become reality, as he was integral to the development and opening of the then-MTS Centre, which was (and is again) the downtown home of the AHL’s Manitoba Moose before the NHL came back to town. So it’s only fitting he serves as one of the Jets’ alternates on the NHL’s board of governors.

Though Olfert’s responsibilities are wide-ranging, his work in aiding the expansion of True North’s portfolio has seen the company grow from a hockey-centric business to one with roots throughout downtown. That’s a common thread for Olfert, who is a fixture in the community. He serves on the True North Youth Foundation’s board and has a history of working with charitable and not-for-profit outfits in Winnipeg.

GOVERNOR & ALTERNATE GOVERNORS

MARK CHIPMAN

ALTERNATE GOVERNORS: Kevin Cheveldayoff, John Olfert, Patrick Phillips

TOP HOCKEY EXECUTIVE - KEVIN CHEVELDAYOFF

IT’S NO SECRET THAT Winnipeg doesn’t quite hold the same allure as the Sunbelt cities or major markets – the Torontos, New Yorks and Bostons – as a UFA destination. However, that hasn’t been a problem for Kevin Cheveldayoff, who has established himself as one of the NHL’s best front-office dealers and pitchmen. Over the past several seasons, Cheveldayoff has repeatedly found ways to keep top talents, most recently Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck, and rare is the trade in which the Jets come out on the losing end.

Though Winnipeg’s strategy with young players has been called into question, it should come as no surprise that the team’s brass, led by Cheveldayoff, values the experience that players gain playing in the AHL before making the big club. Cheveldayoff, a two-time Calder Cup-winning GM, cut his teeth in the AHL and spent a dozen seasons with the Chicago Wolves. He knows it’s a great breeding ground, and that 11 current Jets have come up through the farm system before arriving in the NHL is proof positive the methodology is working.

More Winnipeg Jets: Jets Disrespected in NHL'S 2025-26 National Television Schedule

INSIDE THE ARENA

WHEN IT OPENED in November 2004, the Canada Life Centre shifted Winnipeg’s home for pro hockey right into the downtown core – and it has since become the hub of much of the city’s entertainment. Built on the site of the once-iconic Eaton’s store, the arena contains odes to the building’s history, the most notable of which is the statue of Timothy Eaton in the concourse area. Since its opening, however, the arena has developed its own history. It first housed the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, then later welcomed a series of NHL exhibition games, pre-tournament World Junior Championship games, the Brier (the Canadian men’s curling championship) and it became the go-to venue for touring musical acts.

Though the facade remains largely identical save a couple of changes to the sign out front – the arena was previously known as MTS Centre and Bell MTS Place – the interior has changed as the team has graduated from AHL standout to NHL newcomer and now major-league mainstay. The capacity remains the lowest of the league’s buildings at 15,321, though it’s an upgrade from when the Jets arrived in the NHL. Through tweaking the layout and reinvesting in additions such as loge seating, True North has managed to pack more bodies in the building. And the tight confines create one of the game’s most raucous atmospheres. A rowdy playoff game in Winnipeg, for instance, should be included as a bucket-list item for any hockey fan.

For those who’ve been around the building over the years, the upgrades are significant, from an updated scoreboard and sound system down to a complete reimagining of the fan offerings, with a particular focus on local vendors. Atmosphere has also been a focus recently, and the introduction of a house band – who play during intermissions – is one way the Jets have attempted to create and maintain the energy from pre-game through to the final whistle.

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One of the feel-good stories of training camp last season was Ottawa Senators centre Adam Gaudette. Gaudette came to Ottawa last summer on a one-year, two-way contract, to battle for one of the final forward positions on the NHL roster. No one ruled him out, but he certainly wasn't a shoo-in either.

Gaudette already had some previous NHL experience, but his stock was low, and part of the reason he signed in Ottawa was because Travis Green was here. He had played for him when Green was head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, and it felt like he had Green’s trust. That trust probably went a long way toward Gaudette signing here and cracking the lineup. And he played so well in Ottawa last season, he earned a two-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.

Now, a similar story has a chance to play out in Ottawa this fall.

Winger Arthur Kaliyev also signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators earlier this summer. Like Gaudette, his stock is low, despite having plenty of NHL experience, and both men came here knowing they could lean on the trust they had built in the past with a key member of the Senators’ hockey operations staff.

Kaliyev played for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL when Senators GM Steve Staios was the Bulldogs’ general manager. On the Coming In Hot podcast this week, Staios spoke about what Kaliyev can bring to the Senators and why the club decided to take a chance on him.

“Well, (I have) a long history with Artie," Staios said. "He was an exceptional shooter and goal scorer at the junior level. And we still feel like he has qualities that can translate (to the NHL). His game started to develop in LA on the defensive side of things. Obviously, like all players coming out of junior, when you have a knack for scoring and that's how you help your team, you focus on that.

"I think he's been able to round out his game on the defensive side with his time in LA and under Todd McLellan. And then, you watch the transition to New York and then injuries last year. And I think it was an opportunity for us to get a player again with some upside and a unique skillset."

Kaliyev was drafted in 2019 in the second round, and a lot of Senators fans were upset the club took Shane Pinto and not Kaliyev, who went one pick later to LA. History now shows the Sens made a great pick with Pinto, while Kaliyev had a general failure to launch as "King Arthur," thanks to issues like below-average skating and lack of intensity without the puck.

What no one can argue with is the quality of Kaliyev's shot – it's hard, quick, and deadly accurate, even by NHL standards. In Hamilton, under Staios, Kaliyev had an astonishing 95 goals in 124 OHL games over two seasons. He just turned 24 in June, so Staios is hoping he's identified another familiar buy-low candidate who can help the team, and maybe even grow with it.

And Staios thinks that Kaliyev is more than a shooter.

"His playmaking is a little bit underrated as well," Staios said. "Like, his shot is so good. So that's sort of what people would talk about first, but he also has some ability to make plays as well. I think he's a motivated young man. He wants to play in the National Hockey League and be a regular in the National Hockey League."

Thanks to his connections with key personnel, Kaliyev will have a longer leash in Ottawa than he would have had anywhere else, just like Adam Gaudette. It's another chance to see if a skilled player they know and like can turn the NHL corner and become a consistent contributor.

By Steve Warne
This article was first published at THN.com/Ottawa

Read more Sens articles from The Hockey News-Ottawa:
Our One-On-One With Drake Batherson
Staios: 'We’re Not Dismissing That Carter Yakemchuk Makes Our Team Out of Camp'
Senators' NHL Dream Began Over Pints in the Dressing Room
Former Ottawa Senator Travis Hamonic Signs With Atlantic Division Rival

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. 

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Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

#14 - Prokhor Poltapov - Left Wing (CSKA Moscow - KHL)

The Sabres went heavy on Russians in the 2021 NHL Draft, and the first one selected was winger Prokhor Poltapov with the first pick in the second round. The St. Petersburg native scored 25 goals at the junior level and seven points for Russia at the IIHF World Junior under-18s in 2021.

Similar to third-rounder Stiven Sardarian in the same draft, Poltapov is a product of the CSKA Moscow system but opted to stay in Russia while Sardarian headed to North America to play in the NCAA. In 2022, he split time almost equally between the junior MHL, the second pro-level VHL and the KHL. 

In 2023, he played nearly all of his games in the KHL and posted just 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 56 games in a depth role. There was little offensive growth or an increased role in 2024, resulting in 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 56 games, but the 22-year-old had a breakout campaign last season, posting 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 68 games

The Sabres may now have more interest in bringing Poltapov to North America after his offensive performance in 2025, but his signing a two-year contract extension with CSKA may make that prospect more complicated. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

It is safe to say that Montreal Canadiens prospect Florian Xhekaj had a successful first full season at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket. In 69 games with the AHL squad, the 6-foot-4 winger recorded 24 goals, 35 points, and a whopping 175 penalty minutes. He also set a new Laval single-season rookie record with his 24 goals. 

Overall, Xhekaj certainly showed off his offensive upside and toughness during his first full year with Laval. With this, he undoubtedly has created more excitement surrounding him. 

Given Xhekaj's size and scoring ability, it is fair to wonder if the 21-year-old forward could earn a look on the Canadiens' NHL roster in 2025-26. When looking at the Canadiens' current bottom six, there are spots to fight for. Thus, if he stands out at training camp, he certainly could get a chance on Montreal's roster to start the season.

No matter what happens on that front, it is hard not to feel excitement about Xhekaj's future with the Habs. The potential for him to become a solid part of their forward group in the near future is there, and it will be intriguing to see if he gets into his first NHL regular-season action in 2025-26 from here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had themselves a busy 2025 NHL off-season. They have brought in several new players to their roster this summer as they continue their retool. 

One of the players they added through free agency is defenseman Parker Wotherspoon. They signed the left-shot defenseman to a two-year, $2 million contract, and he is now expected to compete for a spot on the Penguins' blueline.

While Wotherspoon is not considered one of the big signings of this summer, the potential for him to be a nice part of the Penguins' roster is there. The 28-year-old demonstrated during his time with the Boston Bruins that he can be a solid bottom-pairing defenseman, and the Penguins will be hoping for him to be the same for them from here. 

In 55 games this past season with the Bruins, Wotherspoon recorded one goal, seven points, 66 blocks, and 75 hits. This was after he had eight assists, 84 hits, and a plus-6 rating in 41 games with Boston in 2023-24. Overall, while Wotherspoon does not make the most impact offensively, he is solid defensively and provides plenty of bite on the backend. 

It will be interesting to see how much of an impact Wotherspoon can make for the Penguins defensively in 2025-26, but this has the potential to be a solid low-risk move for Pittsburgh. 

The Jets aim to win four crucial divisional games over the Chicago Blackhawks next season. 

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a historic year with franchise best numbers across the board. If they want to find themselves in a similar position, they'll need to win crucial games starting in the Central Division. The Central is tougher than ever and with only three available spots plus a pair of wild card spots, they need to win these games. 

One of their key divisional opponents is the Chicago Blackhawks, who are looking to overcome another tough season as they've placed bottom two in the league in each of the last three seasons. The rivalry between Winnipeg and Chicago is a relatively recent one, with the two teams meeting just 59 times. The Jets hold the edge in the all-time series with a record of 33-20-6 including an active five-game winning streak dating back to December of 2023 being the last time the Blackhawks have won in this matchup. 

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The Jets' pure domination in this series has continued to help them keep a consistent footing in the Central division picture. As they battle for wins against top teams like the Avalanche and Stars, winning important games against bottom teams like the Blackhawks is crucial for the Jets to make the playoffs and keep momentum. 

Chicago will be looking to build towards something this upcoming season as they will have 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard entering his third NHL season. The young star center get another season to develop with recent breakout Ryan Donato as the pair begin to signal a turnaround for the Windy City Hockey Club. They made subtle adds like signing on Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty and Dominic Toninato while making headlines with their historic seven-year extension with second line center Frank Nazer, that was the largest ever given to an NHL forward with so little professional experience at 56 career games. 

Winnipeg heads into the matchup looking to maintain its dominant form after an outstanding season, finishing with the league’s best record at 56-22-4 led by their success was driven by a league-leading defense. The Jets repped a 2.32 goals against per game that finished well ahead of the next closest team in the LA Kings, who averaged 2.48 GA/PG on the season. Offensively, Winnipeg was just as strong, ranking in the top four with an average of 3.35 goals per game. They attempt to make up for the loss of a top six forward in Nikolaj Ehlers by adding a established veteran in three-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews as well as a low-cost flyer on a former 75-point producer in Gustav Nyquist. 

Next season’s matchups promise to be exciting, starting on October 30th with the Jets hosting the series opener versus the Blackhawks. Winnipeg will then head to Chicago on January 21st, for their first away game in the series. The Jets will return to Canada Life Centre for another home matchup on March 3rd before concluding the season series on the road, March 31st.

More Winnipeg Jets: Jets Disrespected in NHL'S 2025-26 National Television Schedule

In the 2024-25 season, the Anaheim Ducks made a remarkable jump in the NHL standings from the year prior, improving from 59 points (30th in the NHL) to 80 points (25th in the NHL). General manager Pat Verbeek and co-owner Henry Samueli, along with several veteran roster players, have stated that the goal is to make the playoffs in 2025-26, ending the organization’s seven-year playoff drought (the NHL’s third-longest).

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Seven consecutive seasons outside of the playoff picture, selecting in the top ten of every Entry Draft from 2019 to 2025, and accumulating additional draft capital and prospects for expiring contracts has yielded one of the NHL’s most impressive pipelines with depth and high-end talent at every position.

Now that the Ducks seem to be in the latter stages of their rebuild and primed to compete for a playoff spot this season, equipped with the No. 4 U23 pipeline, according to The Athletic’s Corey Pronman, we can piece together the type of team they’ll ice when they do finally cross the threshold into the playoffs and hopefully contend for Stanley Cups in the years following.

Recreating the Panthers Core

The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups and have represented the Eastern Conference for three consecutive seasons. The initial hiring of Greg Cronin as head coach in 2023, followed by the hiring of Joel Quenneville in 2025, who some could credit with igniting the Panthers' current dominance, coupled with the presence of former Panthers roster players Radko Gudas and Frank Vatrano, and the way in which Verbeek has drafted, indicates the intention to replicate aspects of what’s made Florida successful in the last half decade.

Since Verbeek took over in the Ducks' front office in Feb. 2022, he’s remolded the future of the forward core considerably. This offseason, he parted ways with Trevor Zegras and Isac Lundestrom, and in the last four years has acquired (via draft or trade) the likes of Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Roger McQueen. The only remaining core piece from the Bob Murray era is Mason McTavish (3rd overall in 2021), who perfectly fits the mold of the other four.

On the whole, the five core forwards in the Ducks pipeline represent a deadly blend of elite size and high-end skill, unmatched in comparable pipelines. At 6-foot-1, McTavish is the shortest of the bunch, with McQueen being the tallest at 6-foot-5.25. McTavish is also the heaviest, weighing in at 218 pounds. These five forwards project to make up the Ducks’ forward core when they’re (hopefully) contending for Stanley Cups, and their speed, puck skills, shooting ability, tenacity, etc., is reminiscent of what Florida’s built with their core of Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, and Matthew Tkachuk.

When Sennecke was drafted, Verbeek stated part of his allure was his ability to play any brand of hockey: skill, speed, heavy, north/south, east/west, etc. The same could be said for other top talents he’ll be surrounded by.

Complementary Pieces

To supplement the stratospheric potential talent of the core five forwards, Verbeek has brought in a stable of complementary pieces to amplify, either as a linemate or from lower in the depth chart.

The pattern that can be drawn of Verbeek and the Ducks' scouting staff when it comes to forwards outside the top ten of drafts is their preference for two archetypes: north/south heavy forecheckers and detailed two-way stalwarts.

Nathan Gaucher, Jan Mysak, Nico Myatovic, Coulson Pitre, Maxim Masse, Ethan Procyszyn, and Herman Traff all represent prototypical bottom-six, high-compete forechecking types, and all have varying degrees of scoring potential. Sam Colangelo (36th in ’20) could also be considered part of this group, albeit with more natural scoring prowess.

Lucas Pettersson and Eric Nilson represent the cerebral, 200-foot side of the coin, with high floors and defensive instincts that are sure (or incredibly likely) to guarantee them NHL careers in a top nine.

There’s also a sprinkling of boom-or-bust offensive talent in the pipeline in the form of Nikita Nesterenko, Yegor Sidorov, Sasha Pastujov (another leftover from the Murray era), Alexandre Blais, and Emile Guite. If any of these players have NHL careers, it’s considered a sizable win for the scouting and development staff.

Well-Rounded Blueline

The Ducks' future blueline is a combination of dazzling offensive skill and steady, potentially suffocating, and hard-to-play-against defenders.

Jackson LaCombe was a breakout star on the Ducks’ backend in 2024-25, scoring 14 goals (the most by a Ducks defenseman since Lubomir Vishnovsky in 2010-11). He has the makings of an impactful, top-pair, two-way blueliner for a long time. With him is a trio of offensive dynamos and former CHL league defenseman of the year award winners: Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and Tristan Luneau, who all have varying degrees of defensive prowess as well.

Like with the forward group, there’s a stable of potential complementary defensive-oriented defensemen to supplement. Led by Stian Solberg (an easy pick for “future fan favorite”), Drew Helleson, Noah Warren, and Tyson Hinds all have NHL potential, with more on the way behind them.

With only six available starting spots on the blueline on a given night, not all of these defensemen will become NHLers, and if they do, they won’t all be with the Ducks when it comes time for them to contend. However, having that many arrows in the quiver is a good problem to have.

Dostal and Co.

Lukas Dostal is the Ducks’ goaltender of the present and future, proven to be one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL. A healthy competition for future backup (or 1B, should Dostal not live up to expectations, completely) is in the works between goalies like Calle Clang, Tomas Suchanek, Damian Clara, Vyacheslav Buteyets, and Elijah Neuenschwander.

How They Stack Up

Selecting ahead of and behind the Ducks in recent drafts has been a collection of familiar faces in the form of teams who find themselves in similar rebuilds. The San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Utah Mammoth all have similar or even more impressive pipelines than Anaheim. The Sharks and Blackhawks represent the most potent of the pipelines, while the Mammoth, Blue Jackets, and Habs are all pushing for playoffs in the immediate future.

The Blackhawks seem to be creating a horde of long, beefy defensemen with high-floor, high-ceiling puck-moving capabilities behind a group of talented and speedy forwards. The Sharks have a truly impressive collection of elite and crafty forward talent. Their blueline still needs some work in front of Yaroslav Askarov, but like the Hawks, they’ll likely be adding another top pick in 2026.

The Jackets, Habs, and Mammoth all have more complete systems, and have similar blends of size and skill as the Ducks.

Verbeek and the Ducks are banking on playoff hockey continuing to favor heavy, tenacious teams who create and capitalize on opposing mistakes with unparalleled finishing when the ice shrinks when April turns to May and June. They’ll hope to physically impose their will on smaller Sharks and Hawks forwards and provide more depth and doggedness than the Habs, Mammoth, and Jackets.

The blueprint is laid out, the pieces are in place (or close), and exit signs for the elongated rebuild are nearing. Whether the Ducks are destined for a Stanley Cup or not comes down to how the front office surrounds the potent potential pillars of the franchise and how they’ll match up with teams projected to have similar contending windows.

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As the Niagara IceDogs get set to open up their 2025 pre-season against the Flint Firebirds on Saturday, Aug. 30, the pack will have several new faces in their lineup. There will be eyes on 2025 first-rounder Ryerson Edgar and recently acquired Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson. However, the organization has a new member on their blueline who is ready to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. 

On June 30, the organization traded away forward Blake Arrowsmith and a conditional 2028 seventh-round draft pick to the Soo Greyhounds in exchange for the player rights to defenseman Sebastian Dell’Elce. A couple of weeks after the move, Niagara announced the signing of the Nobleton, Ontario, native, further strengthening their blueline ahead of the 2025-26 season, an area the team needed to improve upon from last season. 

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Dell’Elce has been developing under the St. Andrew’s College academy in Aurora, Ontario, for the past two seasons. 

“It was awesome (playing for SAC). The development is first there and is treated like a college program. We were skating and working out every day after school. I think it was a great two years of development for myself, and I am super grateful for St. Andrew’s,” said Dell’Elce. 

After leading his prep hockey squad in scoring amongst defenseman with 38 points (4 goals, 34 assists) in 55 games, the 6-foot-1 left-shot rearguard is ready to take that next step in his development, and is eager to get that first official OHL game under his belt. 

“I think the OHL is the best junior league there is in terms of development and preparing you for the next level. I’ve always wanted to play in the OHL. I just didn’t think I was ready to make that jump as a 16-year-old, and decided to take some time to play at St. Andrew’s. But with the rule opening up (NCAA commitment rule change with CHL leagues), I think I’m ready to make the jump, and I’m super excited and grateful for Niagara on this opportunity.”

Vancouver Canucks Prospect Riley Patterson Dealt From Barrie To Niagara Following Trade Request As the Barrie Colts opened up their training camp on Monday, the organization had someone missing, and it was a significant name on the roster who decided to stay home. 

During the 2024-25 season at St. Andrew’s, Dell’Elce played with a couple of high-end forwards, who ended up hearing their names called at the 2025 NHL Draft. Aidan Lane — Calgary Flames sixth-rounder — and Kieren Dervin — Vancouver Canucks third-rounder — both had brief stints in the OHL last season with Brampton and Kingston, though they spent the brunt of the year playing at the prep level alongside Dell'Elce. 

Like his St. Andrew’s teammates, Dell’Elce was entering his first year of NHL draft eligibility. Unfortunately, the young man went undrafted. Good thing he has an older brother who knows what it’s like to go through the draft without getting that exciting phone call from an NHL GM.

Sebastian’s older brother is fellow blueliner Francesco Dell’Elce. Francesco wasn’t just passed up once in the NHL draft; he went through two drafts without hearing his name called. The word perseverance must be written somewhere in the Dell’Elce household, as Francesco finally had his name called at the 2025 NHL Draft, with the Colorado Avalanche drafting him 77th overall in the third round. 

“We were at home watching the draft with my family, hoping for the best, and when we saw his name pop up on the screen, it was just super exciting. It was awesome and just super happy for my brother.”

It can’t be easy to watch your older brother working so hard and striving to reach his goal of playing in the NHL one day, and having to suffer the disappointment of going undrafted in consecutive drafts. 

“It was hard for my entire family. But the way he picked himself back up after that was inspiring for me and my family. We were all just super happy for him on his last go around of the draft to get it done and hear his name called.”

Niagara IceDogs Sign Exciting & Talented Top-10 Pick Ryerson EdgarThe Niagara IceDogs are loaded with high-end talent at the forward position, and they just announced another significant commitment to their lineup for the 2025-26 season. 

Older brother Francesco shared some words of wisdom with his younger brother Sebastian after he had to experience going undrafted this past June. 

“Just like myself and him not going in our first year, he said it’s not the end of the world, because there are many different ways that you can make it. Being drafted is obviously one of them, but it’s not the only way to make it.”

Dell’Elce recognizes that the OHL has tons of players who get drafted into the NHL every year, and he will gain more attention from scouts playing for the IceDogs.

The OHL had 41 of its players selected at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles. Of course, it was highlighted by Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa going first and second overall, but it was also the most OHL players selected in the NHL draft since 2017.

The new Niagara blueliner is a smooth-skating defenseman who can be relied upon in all situations and consistently makes a smart first pass on his zone exits. As voted on by St. Andrew's players and staff, Sebastian received the Top Defensive Player Award last season. The IceDogs were a potent offensive team last season. Alas, their struggles came on the defensive side of the puck, and those holes were exposed in the second half of the year. 

Sebastian grew up a Patrick Kane and Chicago Blackhawks fan. He is also a supporter of his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs and likes to watch Morgan Rielly. 

Dell’Elce committed to Quinnipiac University in the spring of 2024. Older brother Francesco played for UMass this past year. Sebastian will look to follow in his footsteps. However, it is not set in stone yet when he will head to the NCAA. The IceDogs have him for this season and may get him for another. 

For now, he is focused on building a winning culture in Niagara for the 2025-26 season and getting better with every passing game, hoping by the end of June 2026, he will have his name called at the draft. 

---

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Ex-NHL Player's Son & Washington Capitals Prospect Joins The OHL The London Knights and Kitchener Rangers are two OHL organizations that are regarded as having the most “pull” in player recruitment. However, there is another team in the Western Conference that is putting its name into that ring: the Saginaw Spirit. London Knights Using Their Status In Signing Frenzy; Ex-NCAA Forward Leaves School To Play In The OHLThe London Knights arguably are the most coveted and highly sought-after organization in not just the OHL but the entire CHL. Young players hope to hear their name called every draft by the organization that has recently won back-to-back OHL Championships and the 2025 Memorial Cup. And now with the new NCAA rules in play, Americans are beginning to flock to the London powerhouse.  Why Brady Martin's Decision To Avoid The NCAA Is Justified For His DevelopmentBrady Martin’s choice to sign his entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators, foregoing his eligibility to play in the NCAA, is a decision that was maybe a bit unexpected, considering the evolving landscape. While other 2025 first-round draft picks, like Porter Martone and Roger McQueen, have opted to continue their development in the NCAA, leaving the CHL, Martin's decision to stay put in the OHL for the 2025-26 season is justified and the right call for his growth. 

Welcome to this edition of "From The Archive". In this recurring series, we open The Hockey News' vault and display some of the top Vancouver Canucks related articles from the past. Today's article comes from Volume 50, Issue 13, where Elliott Pap wrote about the Canucks at the quarter mark of the 1995-96 season. 

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Canucks Assume Rightful Spot, Volume 50, Issue 13, December 6, 1996

Good one game and bad the next, the Vancouver Canucks were proving to be the model of inconsistency.

Nothing epitomized this team’s inability to get its act together than a string of four games in mid-November when the Canucks lost 5-4 to the lowly New York Islanders, shut out the soaring New Jersey Devils 3-0, were trounced by the floundering Montreal Canadiens 6-1 and then blanked the high-flying Dallas Stars 2-0.

Based on what they’ve accomplished the past three regular seasons-a 91-93-30 record-the Canucks appeared to once again be fulfilling their. 500 destiny.

PLEASANT SURPRISE: Center Mike Ridley, who was ready to retire with back and leg problems, fit nicely on the team’s second line. The 33-year-old had four goals and 15 points in 19 games.

ICE ADVICE: With talents such as right wingers Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny around, the Canucks should be better than just middle-of-the-road on the power play. They were in too many close games in the first quarter where a power play goal would have made a huge difference.

SWAP TALK: Right winger Russ Courtnall, who is heading for unrestricted free agency, was languishing on the third line. He is available and the price doesn’t figure to be high. Mogilny has often been the subject of trade speculation and, in his case, the price would be high. Vancouver could use an abrasive defenseman who can be a top-four guy and more grit for their third line.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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PRIZE GUYS: Trevor Linden, Selke.

HOT SEAT: Burly GM Pat Quinn has a new master in owner John Mc-Caw and there are strong indications McCaw and his lieutenants have been meddling in the hockey department. If the team flounders, especially on home ice, Quinn is vulnerable.

NOTEBOOK: New Canucks’ left winger Donald Brashear was not allowed to play in Montreal against his former team Nov. 16 as a condition of his trade to Vancouver. “The trade could not be completed without this clause,” explained GM Pat Quinn…After shutting out New Jersey in his spectacular NHL debut, goalie Mike Fountain was ventilated for five goals on 17 shots by the Canadiens in his next start. He was hooked in the second period…Quinn made just under $1.2 million in salary and bonuses last season while assistant GM George McPhee pulled down $230,000…The Canucks were a little more than a minute away from their first tie of the season Nov. 21 when defenseman Chris Joseph scored the overtime winner against Chicago. 

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The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

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By Jared Clinton

The Hockey News Prediction | 7TH In Pacific

Seeking progress after suffering a step back in 2023-24, Seattle pressed reset and started last season with a new coaching staff headed by Dan Bylsma. The expectation was the Stanley Cup-winning coach’s recent success with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate would translate to the big club’s playoff return. Instead, the fourth-year franchise stumbled its way to a five-point decline, the result of which was the fifth-worst record in the NHL.

As a result, Bylsma was handed his walking papers, while the front office underwent a shuffle: Ron Francis was promoted to president, while Jason Botterill went from second-in-command to sitting in the GM seat. Botterill began his tenure by installing longtime Barry Trotz disciple and former New York Islanders coach Lane Lambert behind the Kraken bench.

Offense

Seattle has plenty of depth but lacks elite talent. No disrespect to Jared McCann, Matty Beniers or late-career Jordan Eberle, but it could even be argued the Kraken don’t have a legitimate top-line scorer. That has forced Seattle to produce offense by committee, and the additions of Mason Marchment and Frederick Gaudreau won’t move the needle. However, Kaapo Kakko’s play upon arriving in a mid-season deal with the New York Rangers was inspiring, as was the late-season performance of Jani Nyman. And perhaps a full NHL season will help Shane Wright unlock the potential that once made him a perceived first-overall-pick-caliber talent. The Kraken registered 4.1 goals per 60 minutes when Wright was on ice last season. That was tops among lineup regulars.

Defense

After adding Ryan Lindgren in free agency, the Seattle blueline continues to be its greatest strength. Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour give the back end plenty of firepower and an impactful one-two punch of power-play quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Adam Larsson deserves recognition for his development into a rugged shutdown defender and shot-blocking juggernaut. The wild card is 23-year-old Ryker Evans. His contributions make it clear he has plenty of upside, but, as with any young rearguard, there are own-zone kinks that need ironing out. If he takes a step forward, the Kraken blueline – defensively but also offensively – stands to power Seattle’s push to return to the playoffs.

Goaltending

Considering the quality of shots he faced last season, Joey Daccord was excellent, following up a stellar 2023-24 with a similarly outstanding performance. But the reality is that even bang-average goaltending would be an improvement over Philipp Grubauer, who has struggled mightily in Seattle. The Kraken’s best chance of winning on a nightly basis is with Daccord in the blue paint, and that should see him start 60-plus games if Seattle has designs on competing for a wild-card spot.

Special Teams

The Kraken ranked 23nd on the power play and 21st on the penalty kill last season, and their underlying numbers don’t suggest either result was a case of poor puck luck. In fact, the opposite appears true, as Seattle had the third-lowest expected goals for rate on the power play and fourth-worst expected goals against rate on the penalty kill. Adding Lindgren will help on the kill, and Lambert will endeavor to give Seattle the structure necessary to improve when shorthanded.

Intangibles

Of the many things Lambert surely learned from Trotz, perhaps the most important is how to do more with less. That was the hallmark of Trotz’s Nashville outfits, and Lambert rode shotgun as Trotz helped turn the then-middling Islanders into back-to-back semifinalists. On paper, the Kraken lack top-end talent. But quality coaching – and playing to their strengths – can act as an equalizer.

Rookies

Nyman led Coachella Valley and finished second among AHL rookies last season with 28 goals. And that was despite his 12-game stint with the big club, during which he posted three goals and six points. He’s a pure shooter who could be a top power-play triggerman.

X-Factor

Beniers has proven himself as a quality two-way pivot. But can he find another offensive gear as he enters his fourth NHL campaign? He hasn’t yet matched his 24-goal, 57-point rookie-season output. Beniers seems to be still scratching the surface of his ability, and he can elevate the Kraken by becoming a driver at both ends of the ice.

The Brass

Botterill’s first foray as a big-league GM came in Buffalo, where he wasn’t afraid to wheel and deal. He executed headline moves involving Evander Kane, Jeff Skinner and Ryan O’Reilly. The latter swap brought Tage Thompson to the Sabres. Some fearlessness in the trade market could benefit Seattle.

2024-25 Numbers

Record: 35-41-6 (.463)

Overtime: 5-3

Shootout: 2-3

Overall: 27th

Offense: 2.99 GPG (16th)

Defense: 3.20 GAA (24th)

Power Play: 18.9% (23rd)

Penalty Kill: 77.2% (21st)

Expected GF/60: 2.28 (28th)

Expected GA/60: 2.66 (25th)

Ice Time Lead (F): C. Stephenson (19:31)

Ice Time Lead (D): B. Montour (22:59)

Fast Facts

Coach: Lane Lambert

GM: Jason Botterill

Captain: Jordan Eberle

Arena: Climate Pledge Arena

Capacity: 17,100

AHL Affiliate: Coachella Valley Firebirds

ECHL Affiliate: Kansas City Mavericks

Cup Odds: 70/1

Kraken Depth Chart:

Future WATCH

Top 10 Prospects

1. Berkly Catton

Pos C Age 19

2024-25 Spokane (WHL)

Breathtaking playmaking skills. The attack can flow through him. Nothing left to accomplish in WHL.

Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26

2. Jake O'Brien

Pos C Age 18

2024-25 Brantford (OHL)

Sneaky skill set sees him strip pucks and elude checks before slipping perfect pass. Smart player.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

3. Jani Nyman

Pos RW Age 21

2024-25 Coachella Valley (AHL)

A half-wall threat on the power play. He’s a pure shooter and scorer who can rip the puck.

Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26

4. Blake Fiddler

Pos D Age 18

2024-25 Edmonton (WHL)

Profiles as a shutdown defender but has new-school tools like a quality first pass and sneaky shot.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

5. Oscar Fisker Molgaard

Pos C Age 20

2024-25 HV71 (Swe.)

Middling output, but his two-way play is his calling card. Responsible beyond his years.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

6. Nikke Kokko

Pos G Age 21

2024-25 Coachella Valley (AHL)

All-rookie performance in AHL. One thing to be big, another to use size well. He manages both.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

7. Eduard Sale

Pos LW Age 20

2024-25 Coachella Valley (AHL)

Inconsistent through rookie AHL year. Deft puck and passing skills set stage for playmaking future.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

8. Ryan Winterton

Pos C Age 22

2024-25 Coachella Valley (AHL)

Coaches trust him no matter the score or situation. Reliability is important attribute. He has it.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

9. Carson Rehkopf

Pos LW Age 20

2024-25 Brampton (OHL)

Nose for the net and pure goal-scoring ability. Ceiling is high, but AHL seasoning is required.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

10. Jagger Firkus

Pos RW Age 21

2024-25 Coachella Valley (AHL)

Brilliant junior scorer and pure shooter added checking element to carve out minutes in AHL.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

EA SPORTS has announced the top 10 overall players in NHL 26. 

Connor McDavid sits a top the list at 97 overall followed by Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, and Nikita Kucherov at 96 overall. 

Two defensemen and one goaltender crack the top 10. 

The 10 highest rated players in NHL 26 are:

1. Connor McDavid - 97 overall
2. Nathan MacKinnon - 96 overall
3. Leon Draisaitl - 96 overall
4. Nikita Kucherov - 96 overall
5. Quinn Hughes - 95 overall
6. Cale Makar - 95 overall
7. Aleksander Barkov - 95 overall
8. Sidney Crosby - 94 overall
9. David Pastrnak - 94 overall
10. Connor Hellebuyck - 94 overall

Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Kirill Kaprizov are all also 94 overall. 

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.    

NHL Insider weighs in on debate between better goalie prospect in Detroit's Sebastian Cossa or Trey Augustine. 

With the NHL off-season nearing its end, attention is beginning to shift toward the future of several franchises. In a recent episode of the Athletic Hockey Show, veteran writers Max Bultman and Corey Pronman took a deep dive into each team's prospect pipeline, offering rankings and in-depth analysis of how the league’s up-and-coming talent stacks up. 

One of the most intriguing points of conversation was the debate between two of the Red Wings top prospects in goaltenders Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine. Since being drafted in 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Cossa has been routinely mentioned as one of the franchise's top prospects. However, this has changed as of late with a growing number of experts believing that Augustine is the netminder to look out for. 

This became clear when in The Hockey News' recent Yearbook issue, writer Bob Duff ranked Augustine as Detroit's fourth-best prospect while having Cossa down at the six spot in the order.

More Red Wings:Danielson “More Toolsy” Than Marco Kasper Says NHL Insider

Pronman added to this debate with his recent ranking of the Red Wings prospect pipeline and put Cossa back ahead of Augustine. He explained his decision by questioning the size of the 6-foot-1 Augustine, saying few goalie prospects have succeeded at his size. Cossa stands at a towering 6-foot-6 and Pronman believes has shown more bright spots in his pro development. 

"Cossa, I know he's been up and down as a pro, but he's a huge goalie who moves pretty well and has at least shown he can translate up a level a little bit at times," Pronman said "With Augustine, he's been a tremendous Junior goalie, a tremendous college goalie, but he's not a premier quick Twitch type, which at that size is a little concerning."

Pronman would go on to make comparisons to goaltenders like Boston's Jeremy Swayman, explaining that there are success stories at Augustine's size but views his player profile so far as having "some risk variables where I'd be hesitant to elevate him to that next level." 

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This is an unpopular opinion as Augustine is coming off another dominant season with Michigan State, finishing with a 19-7-4 record along with a 2.08 goals against average and a .924 save percentage through 30 starts.

The 20-year-old Michigan native has regularly been viewed as the nation's best junior goaltender with six different appearances on the international stage. Playing for Team USA, Augustine posted phenomenal numbers, going 9-1-0 with a 2.09 goals-against average at the U-18 level, and following it up with a 12-2-0 record and a 2.42 GAA at the U-20 level. 

More Red Wings:Red Wings Player Ratings Revealed in NHL 26: Larkin, Raymond Lead the Pack

Augustine may be an elite goaltender some day but he still is far behind Cossa in terms of development as he's two years younger and will likely return to NCAA hockey for one or two more seasons followed by his first pro season with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL. This was the path of Cossa as he's already played in 84 games with the Griffins and has produced numbers like a 44-25-15 record with a 2.52 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

His recent play has inserted himself into the conversation for the Red Wings backup goalie job behind John Gibson with Griffins head coach Dan Watson telling The Hockey News that he believes Cossa will be firmly in the conversation for the role this upcoming season. 

More Red Wings: Sandin-Pellikka Can’t Contain Excitement For Red Wings Training Camp

As the Red Wings continue to build toward a competitive future, the battle between Cossa and Augustine remains one of the most fascinating storylines in their prospect pipeline. While the debate between these two promising netminders will likely persist for years, one thing is clear: Red Wings fans won’t have to wait long before NHL numbers start rolling in for at least one of them.

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The NHL’s Central Division is super competitive. We’re predicting how it will end up by April.

Not only will you find this writer’s rankings of the divisions, but you’ll also see where each team was placed in The Hockey News’ Yearbook & Fantasy Guide 2025 and their odds of being Central Division winners, according to BetMGM.

We predicted four teams from the Pacific Division would make the playoffs, which means we predict four will make it from the Central.

1. Colorado Avalanche 

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 2nd

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 3.10 (+210)  

Why I've Ranked Them First: The changes the Avalanche made last year and this summer put them at a slightly higher level than the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars, which were picked in the Yearbook to win this year’s Central title. 

Whether it’s Colorado getting a full year from captain Gabriel Landeskog, second-line center Brock Nelson, newcomers Brent Burns and Victor Olofsson or starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, the Avs are stronger all around.

Colorado’s defense corps might be the strongest in the league. Their forward group is also stellar. And they’ve got a very capable goaltending tandem. No team is perfect, but the Avalanche has so few holes – and they still have $1.3 million in salary cap space, which could increase to $6 million by the trade deadline. They have to be considered a Stanley Cup front-runner, let alone the favorite to be the Central’s top regular-season squad.

Why I Could Be Wrong: We’re still not sure how durable Landeskog will be this season, so his impact could be muted by any challenges he faces. 

Burns, meanwhile, is the oldest active player in the NHL at 40 years old, and he can no longer be seen as a high-impact, top-four blueliner. Colorado also parted with veterans Jonathan Drouin, Charlie Coyle and Ryan Lindgren. So if the Avalanche’s additions don’t meet expectations, they may not leapfrog the Jets and Stars.

With The Avalanche Adding Olofsson, The Rich Get RicherThe Colorado Avalanche made another solid addition to their lineup this week with the free-agent signing of veteran left winger Victor Olofsson.

2. Winnipeg Jets

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 3rd

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 6.50 (+550) 

Why I've Ranked Them Second: Full disclosure – in last season’s Central predictions, we had the Jets finishing fourth in the division. That was a mistake, as Winnipeg rode an MVP-caliber season from goalie Connor Hellebuyck and terrific depth on all fronts to the Presidents’ Trophy. 

The post-season proved to be another story, as the Jets fell to Dallas in Round 2. But as far as regular-season prowess goes, Winnipeg had the horses to assert itself as a top squad.

We’re not making that same mistake this time, even if we do see the Jets falling one spot in the Central standings. 

With stars such as left winger Kyle Connor, defenseman Josh Morrissey, center Mark Scheifele and newcomer center Jonathan Toews, Winnipeg’s depth will once again be a strength. The Jets still have something to prove in the playoffs, but in the 82 games leading up to the post-season, they have few peers.

Why I Could Be Wrong: What happens if Toews’ much-ballyhooed comeback doesn’t pan out? We’re not predicting that will happen, but you have to allow for the possibility. 

And what happens if the Jets can’t keep up with the Avalanche and Stars and fall to third place in the Central? That would mean Winnipeg loses home-ice advantage in the 2026 playoffs, and given that the Jets were worse on the road than at home, that could be a problem.

It would be a massive shock if the Jets fail to make the playoffs, but that’s a far-fetched possibility. Instead, we see Winnipeg setting the standard for other Central franchises. 

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has doubled down on his core, and this may be the year Winnipeg’s players reward him for his faith in them. So first place in the Central certainly is possible for the Jets – and so is the type of breakthrough playoff performance Jets fans have forever been aching for.

3. Dallas Stars

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 1st

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 3.20 (+220) 

Why I've Ranked Them Third: Few pundits have been as high on the Stars as we have in recent years. Dallas GM Jim Nill has won the GM of the year award for good reason – he’s assembled a terrifically balanced, experienced roster that made a phenomenal mid-season addition with the trade acquisition of former Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes right winger Mikko Rantanen. 

A full season from Rantanen will certainly help the Stars’ cause, but Dallas does have an obvious weakness – their depth at right defense. Miro Heiskanen is terrific for the first pairing, but Ilya Lyubushkin and Nils Lundkvist in the bottom four is concerning.

Even with new coach Glen Gulutzan in tow, the Stars’ questionable depth on ‘D’ may be all that separates them from finishing ahead of the Avalanche and Jets. 

Don’t get it twisted – this Dallas team could finally break through in next year’s Western Conference final and get to the Cup final for the first time since 2019-20. However, we see them as having a tougher challenge to outlast Winnipeg and Colorado in the regular season.

Why I Could Be Wrong: There’s absolutely a world in which the Stars dominate to the point the Jets and Avs are playing catch-up with them all season long. They have elite players at every position. So yes, the Stars deserve to be in the conversation as Central winners.

The way Dallas’ season ended last year – with now-former coach Peter DeBoer throwing No. 1 goalie Jake Oettinger under the bus and leading to DeBoer’s firing – doesn’t sit well with some of us. But the Stars are going to judge their season by the way they play in the playoffs, and there’s every possibility they can shake off the doubters and emerge as one of the favorites to win the division and the Cup.

4. Utah Mammoth

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 4th

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 11.00 (+1,000) 

Why I've Ranked Them Fourth: Utah’s first season was a letdown, finishing sixth in the Central. However, the Mammoth had one of the NHL’s better off-seasons, adding up-and-coming sniper JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres, hard-nosed bottom-six winger Brandon Tanev, and former Florida Panthers blueliner Nate Schmidt. Those are all high-quality moves that will give the Mammoth more firepower and grit.

They still have $6.6 million in cap space. By the trade deadline, they can spend a lot to help them secure the first playoff berth for this core since the Arizona Coyotes squeaked into the playoffs in 2019-20. 

In sum, the Mammoth have the depth of high-end talent and an ownership group determined to make a splash as soon as possible, and we see Utah breaking through and giving Mammoth fans their first taste of playoff hockey.

Why I Could Be Wrong: For quite some time now, the Mammoth/Coyotes have specialized in underperforming. Since that 2019-20 playoff appearance, the Coyotes finished no higher than fifth before the hockey operations left for Utah. 

Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong has been painstakingly putting together this roster, but if Utah can’t handle the pressure and misses the playoffs again, Mammoth management will have major questions about the future of this core.

Another factor for Utah is the quality of competition in the Central. Two of the teams we’re ranking below the Mammoth – the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild – were playoff teams last season, and they could be playoff teams yet again in 2024-25. Unless Utah shows they can be a consistent threat to win night in and night out, they’re going to be passed in the Central rankings.

5. St. Louis Blues

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 6th

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 13.00 (+1,200) 

Why I've Ranked Them Fifth: After nearly burying themselves early in the 2024-25 season with subpar play, the Blues became one of the league’s hottest teams in the second half, finishing fifth in the Central and securing a wild-card berth. 

Although St. Louis fell apart in the first round against Winnipeg, they’ve made some tweaks to their roster, picking up former Vancouver Canucks center Pius Suter, veteran center Nick Bjugstad and young defenseman Logan Mailloux.

However, we’ve got a nagging suspicion the Blues will fall out of the playoff picture this coming year. The competition is one reason why, but their defense corps also has three members who are 32 or older and moving away from their primes. 

Other parts of the Blues’ roster have young players who’ll be fixtures for many years to come, but the stresses on their veterans could prove to be too much to handle.

Why I Could Be Wrong: Before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Blues had a 25-26-6 record. From that point onward, St. Louis went 19-4-3. If that’s the Blues team that kicks off the 2025-26 campaign, St. Louis will be one of the biggest threats in the Central.

The Blues will likely go as far as their starting goalie, Jordan Binnington, carries them, but as we saw at the 4 Nations, he can come through with high-impact performances. St. Louis will need more of those outings if they’re going to excel in the regular season.

6. Minnesota Wild

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 5th

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 9.00 (+800) 

Why I've Ranked Them Sixth: We make no bones about it – we haven’t been high on Wild GM Bill Guerin’s blueprint for success for some time now. 

In the last two seasons, Minnesota has finished no higher than fourth in the Central. This off-season, their only somewhat significant addition is veteran left winger Vladimir Tarasenko, acquired in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings.

Consequently, Minnesota is a serious candidate for a step backward this season. The Wild have impressive talents – led by superstar left winger Kirill Kaprizov and defenseman Brock Faber – but when you compare their depth at just about every position, they could have trouble keeping pace with the rest of the division.

Why I Could Be Wrong: The Wild have been embarking on a youth movement in recent years, and with youngsters Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium and David Jiricek, they’ve got the makings of a team that will be fierce. They may need a couple of years before they take on the form that can make them needle-movers at the NHL level.

So while we don’t see Minnesota as a playoff team this coming season, the fact is we felt the same way about them last year, and they proved us wrong. The same thing could happen for the Wild this year.

Could Kaprizov Win The Hart, Rocket Richard And Stanley Cup With The Wild One Day?If Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov wasn't already a much-watch star, he will be this season.

7. Nashville Predators

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 7th

BetMGM Central Division Winner Odds: 34.00 (+3,300) 

Why I've Ranked Them Seventh: Arguably, our biggest misstep in last year’s Central predictions was putting the Predators in second place. 

Now, we weren’t the only ones who pegged Nashville as a playoff team last season and were severely let down, but we’re now putting them in “show, don’t tell” mode. Until they prove people differently, we expect them to be near the bottom of the Central.

The Preds have proud veterans who want to atone for last season’s letdown, but at best, Nashville looks and feels like a “mushy middle” team. The Predators could soon face a tough decision on how to move forward with their roster, but it will come as no surprise if they fail to contend for a playoff spot for the third time in four seasons.

Why I Could Be Wrong: Many Preds veterans were left with a bad taste in their mouths at the end of last season – most notably, left winger Steven Stamkos, defenseman Roman Josi and goaltender Juuse Saros. Could those experienced hands combine with some of Nashville’s younger players to put a scare into the Central teams we’ve listed ahead of them? Sure.

We suppose it’s plausible for them to finish sixth or fifth in the division. A lot would have to line up perfectly for that possibility, though, including the collapse of teams like the Blues and Wild, to give the Preds enough room to stick the landing. So we’re going to err on the side of caution when it comes to expectations for this Predators team.

8. Chicago Blackhawks

The Hockey News Yearbook Division Rank: 8th

BetMGM Pacific Division Winner Odds: 301.00 (+30,000) 

Why I've Ranked Them Eighth: The Blackhawks were the second-worst team in the NHL last season, with only 25 wins and 61 points. They have foundational components, including Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov.

Still, when your biggest off-season acquisition was left winger Andre Burakovsky – who put up just 10 goals last season for the Seattle Kraken – it’s a telling situation that doesn’t generate reasonable optimism that this season will be much different for Chicago.

Once their youngsters mature into reliable performers at the NHL level, the Hawks will be able to begin climbing up the Central standings and be a year-in, year-out playoff team. Unfortunately for Chicago fans, the Blackhawks, as currently constituted, are many years away from reaching that point in their competitive trajectory.

Why I Could Be Wrong: Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson changed coaches yet again, and former Detroit bench boss Jeff Blashill is now in charge of squeezing more juice out of Chicago’s roster than his predecessors were able to. It would be a minor miracle for the Hawks to even get to fifth or sixth spot in the Central, so while anything can happen in professional sports, the chances of the Blackhawks being anything other than cannon fodder are extremely low.

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