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

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

After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines, provide updates on the rest of the night's NHL slate and read your opinions.

On tonight's show, Ryan Kennedy and Avry Lewis-McDougall react to Game 2 between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Playoff Frenzy - April 22, 2025 | The Hockey NewsWelcome to Playoff Frenzy Live by The Hockey News presented by STIX.com, where we give our live reactions and break down the latest news to all the biggest g...

They also discuss what's going on around the NHL on Tuesday night, including Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Check out the show right now and share your opinions in the live chat and in our comment section.  

The Oshawa Generals defeated the Brantford Bulldogs 4-1 in game six to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive year.  

Brantford took the opening two games of the series, scoring a total of 13 goals across the two games. Oshawa took over on home ice and built up momentum as they won the next four games to take the series. 

The lack of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis starting in game four certainly played a role in the outcome of the series. There are very few teams that could recover after scoring a 70-plus goal scorer. 

Lardis was injured late in game three on a hit delivered by Nashville Predators prospect Andrew Gibson. The big defender, who represented Canada at the World Junior Championship this winter, received a two-game suspension for the hit. 

Without Lardis, the Brantford offense felt lost at times during the series. After game two, the Bulldogs never scored more than two goals in a game. Credit for shutting down the potent Brantford offense should go to the Oshawa defense and Jacob Oster, who looked fantastic between the pipes for Oshawa throughout the series.

Rangers' Head Coach Named OHL Coach Of The YearYesterday, the OHL announced that Kitchener Rangers' Head Coach Jussi Ahokas is the winner of the Matt Leyden Trophy, which is presented to the OHL Coach of the Year as voted by General Managers across the OHL.

The win on the road in game five gave the Generals the opportunity to finish the second-round series on home ice. They didn't take the opportunity for granted, outshooting the Bulldogs 15-4 in the opening period.

Luca Marrelli's thunderous one-timer on the power play brought Oshawa fans to their feet early in the game. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect fed Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Barlow for a tap-in to make it 2-0 before the end of the first. 

Knights Sweep Otters To Advance To Western Conference FinalsThe seemingly unstoppable London Knights defeated the Erie Otters in overtime to sweep their second-round series and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

The Bulldogs outshot the Generals 18-14 for the rest of the game, however, the damage was already done. Owen Griffin and Marek Vanacker exchanged goals that came thirty seconds apart early in the second period to make the score 3-1 in favour of Oshawa. 

Griffin, who is one of the top scorers for Oshawa in the postseason, scored a second goal in the dying moments of the series to seal the victory for Oshawa. He's eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, and his performance in the playoffs is certainly raising his draft stock.

The Generals return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. Last season, they made it to the Finals before losing to the London Knights. This year, Oshawa has a deeper and more experienced roster than they did the last time they were in this position. 

They will await the victor of game seven between Barrie and Kitchener. 

---

The Seattle Kraken hope a former Buffalo Sabres GM will help them reach perennial playoff status.

This week, the Kraken fired coach Dan Bylsma, promoted executive Ron Francis to president of hockey operations and promoted Jason Botterill to GM. 

The Kraken finished with the NHL’s sixth-worst record at 35-41-6, placing them seventh in the relatively weak Pacific Division – and a drop from sixth place in the Pacific in the 2023-24 campaign. That’s not nearly good enough for a Seattle team that wants to emulate the Vegas Golden Knights as a young franchise that can have great Stanley Cup playoff success right away.

For one thing, with Francis now promoted upward – in the role of a Brendan Shanahan in Toronto, a Jim Rutherford in Vancouver and a Joe Sakic in Colorado – Francis will have more years to stick the landing as an overseer of Botterill and his incoming management group. 

But Botterill has massive pressure on him and a slew of areas to address in his second chance at general managing an NHL club. He has some successes to replicate and mistakes to avoid from his time as the Sabres’ GM from 2017 to 2020.

Certainly, having more success in the NHL draft will be a priority, which Botterill did well at in Buffalo. He did have an easy pick when he landed star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin first overall in 2018, but Botterill's draft team also selected centers Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson. 

The Kraken need more from their first-ever draft pick, Matty Beniers, and another step up from Shane Wright. But Botterill must fill the organization’s cupboard with prospects they can turn into reliable NHLers.

They’re going to get a top-10 draft pick this summer. While they can’t necessarily expect the player they select with that pick to play in the NHL immediately, they should add an asset that will be a core component of the team for many years to come.

NHL Sour Rankings: What Lies Ahead For Every Non-Playoff TeamThe NHL is so often focused, for good reason, on the races at the top of the standings, but the NHL Sour Rankings looks at the bottom. 

Botterill should also buy out the contract of veteran goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who currently has two seasons remaining on a contract worth $5.9 million annually. 

The 33-year-old Grubauer put up career-worst totals in goals-against average (3.49) and save percentage (.875) last season, and with veteran Joey Daccord the clear No. 1 option in net, Grubauer can’t be kept around at that cap hit. 

Buying out Grubauer will free about $3.92 million next season and $2.82 million in 2026-27, while the $1.68-million buyout cost in 2027-28 and ’28-29 is minimal when the salary cap rises significantly.

That brings us to the Kraken’s huge amount of cap space to use to improve the roster. As it stands, Seattle has $21.75 million in cap space next season with 14 active players under contract. With a Grubauer buyout, that cap space would rise to $25.66 million. That means the Kraken can be major players on the free-agent market while having five first-round picks over the next three seasons to set up the team for long-term success.

Botterill has to make more tough decisions – including who will be the next coach of the team – to push the Kraken back into the playoff mix. They have two pending UFAs, and RFAs Kaapo Kakko, Tye Kartye and Ryker Evans need new deals as well. 

Kraken Retaining Jessica Campbell Shows Faith In Early Positive SignsThe Seattle Kraken parted ways with Dan Bylsma after just one season as the head coach, and while many thought Jessica Campbell may have followed, the organization is rewarding her with another season after some early positive returns.

Not long ago, Seattle fans were expecting to make the playoffs consistently, but Sabres fans have been waiting to get back into the post-season for seven times the length of Seattle’s two-year drought. Botterill is one of four men to hold the Sabres’ GM role since their last playoff appearance in 2011, and Buffalo’s best finish under him was 25th in the NHL. With Vegas joining the league in 2017-18, the Sabres actually became the first team in NHL history to finish 31st under Botterill.

Kraken fans will obviously hope Botterill won’t have the same results in Seattle, but the organization trusts him to make the most of this huge opportunity. He has a mandate to remove the stench of regular-season failure as they chart a course that will be more reliably successful.

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The Buffalo Sabres aren't a big-market team, but a look at the projected amount of salary cap space next season -- via the indispensable Puck Pedia -- has the Sabres smack-dab in the middle of the league's teams, with approximately $21.43-million in cap space for the 2025-26 campaign. And if you break down Buffalo's players who are going to be in need of new contracts, you'll see that the Sabres will be spending much, if not all of their cap space to stay competitive.

For one thing, the Sabres have seven restricted free agents, including defensemen Bowen Byram and Jacob Bernard-Docker, goalie Devon Levi, and forwards Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka. Byram -- who made $3.85-million this past season -- and Peterka ($855,834) are going to get considerable raises, even with them both being under team control. As well, Levi and Quinn are long-term pieces of the puzzle in Buffalo, so Sabres GM Kevyn Adams will have to make them happy, perhaps with bridge contracts that keep their raises at a reasonable level.

Still, when you factor in all the variables here, you see that Buffalo's cap space is gong to dry up in a hurry. And although cap flexibility is a good thing, locking up your core talents is also a good thing. And the alternative -- trading away up-and-coming players just to keep your spending at an internally-decided-on level -- would incense Sabres fans who want Buffalo to spend to its limit. 

The other factor here, of course, is trades. Buffalo may choose to acquire talent via trades, and that will almost assuredly lead to the Sabres' cap space disapperaing rapidly. Buffalo may decide that they need experienced hands to get them into the playoffs next year, and that type of help won't come cheaply. Thus, Adams will have a balancing act to perform, keeping his core of young talent intact while also bringing in new faces to alter his team's chemistry.

All things considered, then, we're almost assuredly going to see Buffalo spend at or near the salary cap ceiling next season. We'll get an immediate sense of their spending intentions at the start of July, when unrestricted free agency begins. But trades will also take place relatively soon, and Adams will have to strike early to prevent other teams from swooping in and acquiring talent the Sabres have targeted.

Lamoriello's Cold-Blooded Legacy A Good Lesson For Rebuilding SabresThe New York Islanders parted ways with GM and team president Lou Lamoriello Tuesday, perhaps putting an end to the 82-year-old icon's Hockey Hall-of-Fame career running NHL teams. But there's always something to learn from brilliant people, even when they're removed from power -- and Lamoriello's legacy could and should be a vital lesson for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.

When you think of more than $21 million, you rightfully think that's a lot of money, and it certainly is. However, at a time when the salary cap ceiling is rising exponentially -- and remember, the cap ceiling is going to rise even further, to $104-million, in 2026-27 -- player salaries are going to expand to fill that space.

So while it's on Sabres brass to spend wisely, they're almost certainly going to have to loosen the purse strings and spend to the cap limit each and every season. The cost of doing business in the NHL is going to continue to rise, and that has to be reflected in Buffalo's spending habits.

When you’ve reached the pinnacle of the hockey management world, like now-former New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello did, you have to know you’re always working on borrowed time. 

At any moment in a zero-sum industry, if you’re not putting up wins or improving in virtually every metric, the team can go in a different direction.

There’s a constant pressure on you to succeed or part ways, and that was true Tuesday when the Islanders announced they’re not renewing the contract of GM-president Lamoriello.

The team gave no immediate reason for the decision or whether it was mutual or not, but the Islanders missed the playoffs this season, and at 82 years old, Lamoriello has nothing to prove to anyone. He may have reached the end of what long ago qualified as a Hockey Hall of Fame career.

Without question, Lamoriello is one of the most successful NHL movers-and-shakers of all-time.

In his first year as GM and president of the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello guided the team to an Eastern Conference final appearance. And throughout 27 seasons running the Devils, Lamoriello won three Stanley Cups, qualified for five Cup finals and made the playoffs 21 times. Only the Detroit Red Wings came near New Jersey when it came to consistent success, and the cult of personality that Lamoriello created resulted in a culture that was the envy of most, if not all, NHL organizations.

Unfortunately, time eventually caught up to Lamoriello. 

After leaving New Jersey in 2015, he shifted to running the Toronto Maple Leafs for three years before leaving again, this time to serve as Islanders GM and president of hockey operations. 

Say what you will about Lamoriello’s competitive tactics, but you can’t say he ever lacked confidence in himself. Although there were blips of success during Lamoriello’s seven years as Isles GM – including two playoff semifinal appearances – there just wasn’t enough consistent success to keep him employed as GM.

In some ways, you have to appreciate Lamorello’s belief in his players and coaches. 

Lamoriello doubled down on mid-tier veterans, including left winger Pierre Engvall, center Jean-Gabriel Pageau and defenseman Scott Mayfield. But with due respect to forwards Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat and Anders Lee, blueliner Noah Dobson and goaltender Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders lacked the true superstar players that were the engine behind rival teams’ successes. There was no Hart Trophy-winner on Long Island, no Art Ross Trophy or Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy-winners.

Islanders John Collins Brings Massive NHL Experience To General Manager Search When the news broke that the New York Islanders had moved on from Lou Lamoriello, we were told that John Collins would be leading the search for the next general manager.

With Lamoriello out of the picture, his successor will have a golden opportunity to commit to a full roster rebuild – something that could finally deliver the generational talent the Islanders have lacked since star center John Tavares left for the Leafs in 2018, the same year Lamoriello took the Isles’ job. It always felt like Lamoriello was hunting for big fish in the NHL talent pool – even getting Horvat in 2023 – yet he often came away with consolation prizes.

Even toward the end of his tenure, when Lamoriello hired icon Patrick Roy as Isles coach in January 2024 – there was a sense Lamoriello had lost his fastball. No longer could Lamoriello impose his will on a team in the way he did in his heyday. It was a different league Lamoriello was working in, and he didn’t have the foundation he had when superstars Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Scott Stevens and Patrik Elias were his dressing room and on-ice leaders in New Jersey.

So yes, while Islanders ownership is grateful to Lamoriello, it’s clear that it’s now time to tear things down to the studs and build a long-term winner by adding top-end talent through the draft. That’s the best way the Islanders will acquire foundational pieces to build a core with. No more half-measures for this franchise. 

Lamoriello’s days running a team might be over. But the learning tree around him will last for generations. We’re not suggesting all of Lamoriello’s more famous rules – including his determination to eradicate facial hair now and forever – will continue. But Lamoriello’s relentless pursuit of greatness will linger among everyone he did business with. That dogged determination to win will always be there, even if he winds up being a consultant to a team for the rest of his days.

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

The New York Islanders parted ways with GM and team president Lou Lamoriello Tuesday, perhaps putting an end to the 82-year-old icon's Hockey Hall-of-Fame career running NHL teams. But there's always something to learn from brilliant people, even when they're removed from power -- and Lamoriello's legacy could and should be a vital lesson for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.

Here's what we mean:  Lamoriello has been known far and wide to be a cold-blooded operator -- someone who would fire his best friend in a heartbeat if he thought it would improve his chances of winning at the highest level of the game. Lamoriello has dismissed people time and again in the pursuit of greatness, and he came away from it with three Stanley Cups, a slew of playoff series wins, and a general greatness with the New Jersey Devils that was matched only by the Detroit Red Wings in the modern NHL era.

All of Lamoriello's quirks -- the loathing of facial hair, the ability to say nothing of consequence in interviews with the press -- all were there because of his burning drive to win. And while it became harder for Lamoriello to win in his post-Devils career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Islanders, there was no mistaking that he was always going to double down on the talent he acquired, as well as the coaches he entrusted his players with. Whether it was Jacques Lemaire in his Devils heyday or Patrick Roy with the Isles at the moment, Lamoriello used every tool in his power in regard to coaches to gain an advantage over opponents. And that relentless focus is something Adams and the Sabres could use more of.

With Lamoriello now a free-agent of sorts, Buffalo ownership could do a lot worse than hire Lamoriello in a consultant's role. Indeed, Adams should be jumping at the chance to bring in someone with Lamoriello's pedigree, and at 82 years old, Lamoriello is probably not going to get another chance at being an NHL GM. If Adams is looking for a sounding board, Lamoriello could be an ideal hire for Buffalo. The opportunity to work with a younger group of players might be right up Lamoriello's alley, and we'd be shocked if no team hired Lamoriello to serve in one role or another.

But even if Lamoriello is hired by another team, the approach he's always taken -- with a willingness to do whatever he can to win hockey games -- should be matched by Adams and the Sabres. Some have called Lamoriello derogatory names for his style of management and the trap-happy style of his teams on the ice, but you can't take away the results that style has generated.

Kraken's Dismissal Of Coach Bylsma Is Another Reason Sabres Should Be Firing Bench Boss Lindy RuffThe NHL's coaching carousel continued spinning like crazy Monday, with the Seattle Kraken firing bench boss Dan Bylsma after only one year on the job. The Kraken/Bylsma news followed the news this past weekend that the New York Rangers dismissed Peter Laviolette, and that the Anaheim Ducks are moving on from Greg Cronin after only two years.

In his generation -- and in many generations -- Lamoriello has done things entirely the way he wanted them done, and that's an approach every team should borrow. Buffalo may not be the right fit for Lamoriello as a consultant, but you'd better believe his everyday approach to building a a winner is something that could help deliver better days to the Sabres. He's been in NHL circles for approaching four decades, and he's a Hall-of-Famer for good reason. And Buffalo could benefit from his unmatched experience.

Lamoriello's aura has always made him feel like the Frank Sinatra of the NHL -- and now that his era is very likely at an end, NHL GMs should be emulating him by doing things their way. The Sabres need to be relentlessly focused on winning, and that could start by bringing Lamoriello aboard. But if it doesn't, Buffalo's approach should still be as determined as Lamoriello was from Day One of his career until his final day. Lamoriello is a kingpin in his own right, and adopting his approach might be a very wise idea for the Sabres.

The Montreal Canadiens need more than a tough guy on defense after being dominated in most of Game 1 against the Washington Capitals on Monday.

The Capitals are better suited to playing playoff-style hockey against the inexperienced Habs, but that didn't prevent Montreal from rallying late in the third and giving Washington a scare in the 3-2 Capitals' overtime victory at Capital One Arena.

Until resorting to desperation hockey in the latter half of the third period, Washington ran roughshod over the Canadiens, focusing on being physically imposing on Montreal’s smaller skilled players, such as rookie defenseman Lane Hutson and sniper Cole Caufield. 

This tactic worked early in the game, as Capitals blueliner Alexander Alexeyev cross-checked Brendan Gallagher to the face, Alex Ovechkin led his club with seven hits and Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard’s face-washing of Hutson along the boards led to a Kaiden Guhle penalty and Ovechkin’s opening power-play goal. 

Short of putting Arber Xhekaj in the lineup for Game 2 or being able to clone Anderson and Gallagher, the Canadiens are not capable of matching up to the Capitals’ peskiness and physicality in this series.  

Here is the cross-check by Alexeyev right to the race of Gallagher, in plain view. No penalty called. pic.twitter.com/AKSJ97cVg2

— NHL Review (@nhl_review) April 21, 2025

“(It was) a start that we knew, we were probably going have to weather the storm and feel what that feels like, the pressure (and) the physicality of the game.” Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis told reporters. “We got better as the game went on, I thought it was a pretty good first game, but unfortunately, you don’t win.”

The Capitals outhit Montreal 42-33 in the contest. Anderson’s shot at Tom Wilson during a line change was one of the few responses that the Habs showed, and the game only remained close because of the goaltending of Samuel Montembeault.

The Canadiens were also caught with rookie Ivan Demidov and right winger Patrik Laine out against Washington’s top line on a defensive zone faceoff, which led to Ovechkin’s game-winner less than three minutes into overtime.

NHL Playoffs: An Engaged, Energized Alex Ovechkin Is A Very Scary ManYou could argue that Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals haven't exactly been playoff beasts the past couple of years.

St-Louis said after the game that he expects his young club to be better prepared for Game 2 on Wednesday, but there was no indication whether the Habs will make any lineup changes, like inserting Xhekaj into the lineup.

Xhekaj played only one game in the last three weeks of the regular season, with St-Louis opting to go with Jayden Struble down the stretch. 

The 24-year-old ranks second on the Canadiens in hits, with 180 in 70 games. Other than that, he has a goal, six assists and 63 blocked shots while averaging 14:37 of ice time.

If the onslaught continues on Wednesday, the Canadiens may consider bringing him in when they return to the Bell Centre for Game 3 on Friday. But that move might not lead to much if the rest of the team can’t withstand the Capitals’ physicality and scoring power.

The X-factor is Montembeault, who stopped 29 of 32 shots in Game 1. If he channels 2010 Jaroslav Halak, who had a .923 save percentage in 18 playoff games, then Montreal will keep the series close. 

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Many 2025 NHL draft talent will get one last chance to impress scouts at the World Men’s Under-18 Championship, which snuck up on the hockey world.

The event kicks off on Wednesday, as some of the top U-18 players from around the world will go head-to-head in Texas for the next two weeks. 

NHL scouts get to see these players compete against their age group, and they’ll watch European players on the same ice as many North Americans. 

So, who has the most to prove moving forward? Let’s look at some of the 2025 NHL draft prospects with the most on the line heading into the biggest tournament of their draft-eligible season. 

LJ Mooney, C/W, USA

After missing a couple of months early in the year with a leg injury and coming back a little early for the CHL-USA Prospect Challenge, LJ Mooney has finally started to look like himself over the last couple of months. 

The highly skilled, high-motor forward plays far bigger than his 5-foot-7 stature, engaging physically on the forecheck or along the wall. Mooney brings upper-tier skill as well, showing off some wicked hands and slick playmaking. A big U-18 tournament could help put him back on the map after falling down draft boards through the midway point of the season. 

Filip Ekberg, RW, Sweden

Coming over to North America, Ekberg was slow to start the OHL season with the Ottawa 67’s. His skilled possession game didn’t exactly mesh with the brand of hockey Ottawa was playing, and he had to learn to play within the system. 

In the second half of the year, Ekberg nearly doubled his production and looked far more comfortable. He used his speed and skill to play within the north-south style of game that the 67’s were playing. 

Once a highly regarded prospect, Ekberg could do wonders for his draft stock with a big U-18 Championship. 

Eric Nilson, C, Sweden

Every year, there seems to be a center from Sweden who raises their draft stock at the U-18s, thanks to an excellent tournament and steady 200-foot game. 

This year, Nilson feels like a good bet to be that player. He’s already begun to rise on draft boards, but a solid tournament on a big stage could make him a definite first-rounder. His intelligent tactical play and ability to facilitate offense for his teammates are what he’s all about. He needs to fill out his 5-foot-11 frame, but Nilson is a really reliable, steady center, and NHL teams love that.

Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft RankingsNHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL draft.

Max Westergard, LW, Finland

Playing primarily at the U-20 level in Sweden, we saw Westergard get some Swedish League action in the playoffs, and he looked quite solid in those games. His skating is simply fantastic, bringing an element of speed that few others have. He’s also shown some excellent facilitation abilities this year. 

The Finns as a whole have been underwhelming in the  2025 NHL draft class, but Westergard brings an element of pace and playmaking that could make him the highest-drafted Finn in June. A great performance and proving he’s a driver would be huge at the U-18 Worlds. 

Michal Svrcek, C/W, Slovakia

Playing in Sweden with Brynas, Svrcek brings a level of dynamism and pace that few players at the U-18 level possess. 

Svrcek plays like a dog on a bone, consistently looking to be involved in the play in all facets. When playing against men, he simplified his game and played within the structure. 

Against junior-age players, he was much more creative and daring with his play, consistently looking to put defenders in a compromising position. He’s already one of the most underrated players in the draft, and a good performance in Texas would help more people understand that.

Luka Radivojevic, D, Slovakia

Coming to the USHL during the season, Radivojevic is a highly skilled puckhandler and shifty skater who can be a very solid offensive defenseman. 

Some of his flashes of skill and playmaking really dazzle, but his defensive issues make him a bit of a risk. There is hope he can develop his defensive game through his skating, but he will need to prove he’s made progress in his own end against the best U-18 talent in the world for scouts to take him more seriously. 

Adam Benak, C/W, Czechia

Benak’s stock may never have been higher after the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where he was wowing fans and scouts with his stickhandling and passing ability en route to becoming the all-time tournament scoring leader, finishing second this year with 11 points. 

Benak is listed at 5-foot-7, which will give teams pause, but he has immense skill and high-end offensive ability, which should lead to some team taking the chance. After a good but not great USHL season, Benak has one last chance on the international stage to show he should be drafted as highly as people thought coming into the season. 

Vojtech Cihar, LW, Czechia

The consensus on Cihar among those in the public sphere has been that he’s a safe bet to be a solid bottom-six player who brings grit and physicality on the forecheck and a solid two-way game to go with it. 

His offensive game is often referred to as “simple,” especially as he’s played against men all season. This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase his skills and offensive prowess against players his age.

NHL Sour Rankings: What Lies Ahead For Every Non-Playoff TeamThe NHL is so often focused, for good reason, on the races at the top of the standings, but the NHL Sour Rankings looks at the bottom. 

Jackson Smith, D, Canada

Canada enters the U-18s without many of its top players eligible for the tournament due to various reasons, including some players still competing in the CHL playoffs and injuries that have ruled them out of consideration. That leaves the Canadians particularly thin on the back end, but it should give Jackson Smith ample opportunity to showcase his tools and drive up his draft stock. 

Smith has excellent size, nice puckhandling, fluid mobility and all of the tools to make him a solid two-way defender. Putting it together on the big stage would be a boon to his NHL draft ranking. 

Braeden Cootes, C, Canada

Cootes will play a big role for Canada, regardless of which line he is on. He likely comes into the tournament as their best two-way center, with the motor to play in all situations. 

Cootes' offensive numbers were solid in the WHL this season, and his defensive game never waned. He might not be the most dynamic or skilled player, but he plays a predictable game in the best way. Coaches know what they will get from him. If Cootes can show how versatile and important he can be on the U-18 stage, NHL clubs will be very happy to add him to their pipeline on draft day.

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Everyone and his Uncle Dudley seem to have a hockey website. Ah, but which one is THE best?

For the answer I asked my esteemed hockey seer, Rangers historian George Grimm, to check out the field. Here's what the author of "We Did Everything But Win" – and other fine Blueshirt books – discovered.

The winner is "NHL Wraparound" and it's hosted by two of the smartest minds in the puck universe. But I'll let Brother Grimm tell you the rest. Take it away, George:

"From former players, to sportswriters, to avid fans (like me), it seems as if everyone has a hockey-related podcast these days. Some are good, some not, a few are too bland while a number of them try to be too 'edgy.'

"The very best among the crowded field happens to be NHL Wraparound orchestrated by – and starring – Neil Smith and Vic Morren.

"You have to love Smith's insights. He's the former President and General Manager of the only Ranger team to have won the Stanley Cup in the last 85 years (and counting).

"Morren's resume is equally impressive. Vic is a long time ESPN veteran with other notable achievements including the first hockey analytics book.

"As a team, they play off of each other well, delivering and producing multiple shows every week, each with a different take on the NHL, its players, and hockey in general.

"Their NHL Wraparound episodes usually feature a GM, coach, beat writer or broadcaster as a guest, while their 'New York Centric' show drills down on the Rangers, Islanders and Devils and often features a reporter or broadcaster from the local tri-state market.

"The pair also offer 'Short Shifts,' including a few minutes now reviewing opening round playoff games. In addition they offer a delightful feature called 'The Human Side.' It highlights the kindness, selflessness, and humor of the hockey community.

"Not surprisingly, Smith’s expertise lies in evaluating the teams, players, trades and playoff analysis, while Morren relies heavily on analytics and statistics to support his views.

"Each is highly respected within the hockey industry as evidenced by Florida coach Paul Maurice coming on the show on the same day as the NHL Trading Deadline.

"Smith and Morren are both knowledgeable and more than willing to share their opinions, but they don’t force them on the listener. There’s no nastiness, hidden agendas or BS, just an eyes-wide-open, 360-degree view of the NHL."

The Grimm Bottom Line: "NHL Wraparound, with its multiple shows and formats is an all-encompassing concept that works very well."

The Maven's Bottom Line: It's the best in the business. Check it out and you'll see!

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights have shown plenty of successful tendencies since coach Bruce Cassidy arrived before the 2022-23 season.

After knocking off the Minnesota Wild, 4-2, in Game 1 of the opening round on Sunday, one of those tendencies comes into play for Game 2.

The Golden Knights have done an excellent job in stepping up on the second leg of a back-to-back against the same opponent.

Whether it's during the regular season or in Game 2 of a playoff series, the Golden Knights are 8-2 in such situations.

"What the hell were we thinking the other two (losses)?" Cassidy jokingly asked when made aware of the stat. "One of the things I enjoy about coaching, especially this time of year, is the chess match, so to speak."

today’s vibes 😁

🔊 SOUND UP 🔊 pic.twitter.com/BJIkKh9o5S

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 22, 2025

Cassidy said the waking up the day after a game with an opponent, and just before facing that team again, he enjoys breaking down film and finding the things he and his staff saw that may have changed, and how to tweak to improve.

"For example, against us earlier this year, Minnesota's D did not pinch very often," Cassidy explained. "Not many breakouts. (Sunday) night, first period, they're up on our wingers. So right away we're going, 'hey guys, disregard what we talked about for half an hour two days ago. They're coming.'

"Which is okay, we deal with that all year."

Cassidy said he's also cautious in what he throws at his players with a short turnaround, so as not to overburden them with too many things that might send them into a mental overload.

"It's not about that," he said. "It's little tweaks here and there. Or just our players respond well, it's usually the case with any of these stats. It usually means they're good players."

Said veteran defensemen Brayden McNabb: "He's a great coach, obviously he's proven that. He can adjust, sees the game very well, look at a game after a game and see what they're going to do. and what we need to do to counteract that."

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The Islanders announced on Tuesday that the club is moving on from president and general manager Lou Lamoriello, saying his contract will not be renewed.

According to a release by the team, operating partner John Collins will lead the search for the club’s next general manger.

“The Islanders extend a heartfelt thank you to Lou Lamoriello for his extraordinary commitment over the past seven years,” the club said in a statement. “His dedication to the team is in line with his Hall of Fame career.”

Lamoriello, 82, was hired by the Islanders in May 2018 as president of hockey operations and took over as GM a couple of weeks later, after Garth Snow was fired. Under the guidance of Lamoriello, the Islanders made the playoffs in five of his seven seasons, though they never made it past the Eastern Conference Finals.

Joining the Islanders following a three-year-stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lamoriello made his name as one of the best executives in hockey with the Devils, where he was at the reins as GM from 1987-2015. The Devils made the Stanley Cup Final five times then, winning three championships.

The Vegas Golden Knights hold multiple advantages over the Minnesota Wild, but the greatest advantage and one that could win them the series is the experience they have in the playoffs. 

There's a select number of players on the Golden Knights roster who haven't been on a long Stanley Cup run, and the bulk of the lineup who have can share that experience with those players.

That leadership stems from the coaches first and foremost, and HC Bruce Cassidy displayed just that by giving the Golden Knights a day off on Monday to keep them fresh and in the right mental space. 

"Today I thought, they've been here three or four days, it's been a lot," said Cassidy. "Game 1, there's a lot of anxiety, preparation, and you're excited. Now that Game 1's behind us, get out of the rink today, go enjoy the day. Spend time with your kids, cleanse the hockey mind, and tomorrow let's start thinking about Minnesota again."

The Golden Knights know how to win. That's why they're understanding of what they need to do on a personal level is so important.

"I don't think you can think about a team 24 hours a day as a player. Coaches do because we're always thinking of stuff, but I think players need a break."

The winning culture of the Golden Knights is perfectly embodied by veteran defenseman Brayden McNabb. He's led the team in blocked shots on multiple occasions and has been as consistent as they come since his arrival in the inaugural season.

"It is important to unwind and get away from it because it can be on your mind all day, every day," said the 34-year-old. "You need to find a routine where you can get your mind off of it. I think most guys probably enjoy watching the games, they're fun to watch, but you need to find a way to get away, whatever that is"

The Golden Knights held a full practice today ahead of Game 2, where they'll be looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead and win both games at home. 

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3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Strike First, Top Wild 4-2 To Take 1-0 Series Lead In Opening Round Of NHL PlayoffsLAS VEGAS -- It takes 16 wins to hoist Lord's Stanley Cup.

The New York Islanders won't renew the contract of the second-winningest GM in NHL history, Lou Lamoriello.

The search for a new GM is underway, the Islandersannounced Tuesday. Operating partner John Collins will lead the search.

Lamoriello's Islanders missed the playoffs by nine points this season. Their .500 points percentage was their lowest since 2017-18.

Lamoriello, 82, joined the Islanders organization ahead of the 2018-19 season as GM and president of hockey operations. In the past seven seasons, he's had a 268-195-71 record with the Islanders.

He was named the NHL's GM of the year in 2019-20 and 2020-21, when the team made back-to-back Stanley Cup playoff semifinal appearances. Under Lamoriello, the Islanders ultimately won five playoff rounds, six including the qualifying round in the 2020 bubble playoffs.

Lamoriello brought on key players over the years, such as Semyon Varlamov, Bo Horvat, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Kyle Palmieri, Alexander Romanov and Anthony Duclair. He also re-signed important Islanders to long-term contracts, such as captain Anders Lee, Horvat, Ilya Sorokin, Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech, as well as depth players Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield.

The Islanders have had three coaches in the past seven seasons. Barry Trotz coached for four campaigns after winning the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018. Lane Lambert then took over for parts of two seasons and had a 61-46-20 record before Lamoriello replaced him with Patrick Roy on Jan. 20, 2024.

Whoever replaces Lamoriello has seven pending RFAs and five pending UFAs to handle, including RFAs Noah Dobson, Adam Boqvist, Romanov and Maxim Tsyplakov and UFAs Palmieri, Mike Reilly and Tony DeAngelo.

Lamoriello's resume includes the second-most regular-season games, wins and losses in NHL history, trailing only David Poile in each category. The biggest difference between Lamoriello and Poile is the former's three Stanley Cup wins, all with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, 2000 and 2003.

The Johnston, R.I., native also has the most playoff games managed and ninth-most post-season wins in NHL history. He also won a World Cup gold medal on Team USA in 1996.

Lamoriello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2009 and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2012.

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The last time the Pittsburgh Penguins skated in a playoff game was on May 15, 2022. Currently, only five head coaches, including Mike Sullivan, are still employed with the same team in 2025.

Those names include Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jared Bednar (Colorado Avalanche), Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina Hurricanes), and Martin St. Louis (Montreal Canadiens).  

Considering the last time the Penguins won a series was on April 22, 2018, only three coaches, including Sullivan, are still running their teams: Cooper and Bednar. In seven seasons since Pittsburgh last won a series, the Lightning have won 12 matchups and the Avalanche eight, with the two clubs combining for three Stanley Cup titles. 

Penguins' Crosby Continues To Pace NHL In Top 10 Scoring Finishes During Salary Cap EraPittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby just finished his ninth 90-point campaign in the NHL, finishing as the league's 10th highest scorer, the 13th time he's accomplished that feat in 20 seasons. 

Since taking over, Brind’Amour has guided the Hurricanes to seven playoff series wins, while St. Louis has just gotten the Canadiens back to the playoffs since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

Meanwhile, just two months after their elimination, several competing teams replaced their coaches and have found postseason success. 

Bruce Cassidy (June 14, 2022) won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, Peter DeBoer (June 21, 2022) has led the Dallas Stars to back-to-back Western Conference Final appearances, while Paul Maurice (June 22, 2022) finally won the Stanley Cup on the second of back-to-back Final appearances with the Florida Panthers in 2024.

Thus far, since the 2024-25 season ended, the NHL head coaching vacancies are starting to pile up. 

First, the Anaheim Ducks fired Greg Cronin, despite a 21-point improvement from their 2023-24 season. Next, the New York Rangers fired Peter Laviolette, almost one year to the day the team celebrated its Presidents’ Trophy win. Finally, the Seattle Kraken fired former Penguins bench boss Dan Bylsma, who was 35-41-6 in his only season in the Pacific Northwest.

Inside The Numbers: Penguins Netminders Compile Second Worst SV% Totals In 20 SeasonsFans across the NHL were well aware of the nightly struggles of the trio of Pittsburgh Penguins goalies, Tristan Jarry, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Joel Blomqvist. 

Since their last playoff win, the Penguins have compiled a 112-99-35 record for 259 points, which ranks 21st in the NHL, all under the guidance of Sullivan.

Interestingly, when we examine the teams with worse records, the number of coaching changes is quite fascinating. Never mind, when we look at the NHL in general, here’s a look at the head coaches and the franchise records since the end of the 2021-22 season.

1. Dallas (149-68-29) 327 points (1 - Pete DeBoer)
2. Carolina (151-74-21) 323 points (1 - Rod Brind’Amour)
3. Toronto (148-73-25) 321 points (2 - Sheldon Keefe, Craig Berube)
4. Winnipeg (154-79-13) 321 points (2 - Rick Bowness, Scott Arniel)
5. Boston (145-71-30) 320 points (2 - Jim Montgomery, Joe Sacco)
6. Vegas (146-73-27) 319 points (1 - Bruce Cassidy)
7. Colorado (150-78-18) 318 points (1 - Jared Bednar)
8. Edmonton (147-79-20) 308 points (2 - Jay Woodcroft, Kris Knoblauch)
9. Los Angeles (139-77-30) 308 points (2 - Todd McLellan, Jim Hiller)
10. New York Rangers (141-81-24) 306 points (2 - Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette)
11. Florida (141-87-18) 300 points (1 - Paul Maurice)
12. Tampa Bay (138-86-22) 298 points (1 - Jon Cooper)
13. Minnesota (130-89-27) 287 points (2 - Dean Evason, John Hynes)
14. New Jersey (132-94-20) 284 points (3 - Lindy Ruff, Travis Green, Sheldon Keefe)
15. Vancouver (126-90-30) 282 points (2 - Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet)
16. Washington (126-90-30) 282 points (2 - Peter Laviolette, Spencer Carbery)
17. Calgary (117-93-36) 270 points (2 - Darryl Sutter, Ryan Huska)
18. St. Louis (124-101-21) 269 points (3 - Craig Berube, Drew Bannister, Jim Montgomery)
19. New York Islanders (116-93-37) 269 points (2 - Lane Lambert, Patrick Roy)
20. Ottawa (121-106-19) 261 points (3 - D.J. Smith, Jacques Martin, Travis Green)
21. Pittsburgh (112-99-35) 259 points (1 - Mike Sullivan)
22. Nashville (119-106-21) 259 points (2 - John Hynes, Andrew Brunette)
23. Detroit (115-104-27) 257 points (2 - Derek Lalonde, Todd McLellan)
24. Seattle (115-104-27) 257 points (2 - Dave Hakstol, Dan Bylsma)
25. Buffalo (117-109-20) 254 points (2 - Don Granato, Lindy Ruff)
26. Philadelphia (102-110-34) 238 points (2 - John Tortorella, Brad Shaw)
27. Utah/Arizona (102-111-32) 236 points (1 - Andre Tourigny) 
28. Montreal (101-112-33) 235 points (1 - Martin St. Louis)
29. Columbus (92-124-30) 197 points (3 - Brad Larsen, Pascal Vincent, Dean Evason)
30. Anaheim (85-134-27) 197 points (2 - Dallas Eakins, Greg Cronin)
31. Chicago (74-148-37) 172 points (2 - Luke Richardson, Anders Sorensen)
32. San Jose (61-148-37) 159 points (2 - David Quinn, Ryan Warsofsky)

Except for the Canadiens and Utah Hockey Club (formerly the Arizona Coyotes), every franchise below the Penguins in the standings has switched coaches at least once. In Montreal’s case, they finally clinched a playoff spot in 2025, increasing from 68 points to 76 and now 91, a 23-point rise in the standings. 

Utah had a winning record, 38-31-13 (89 points) in their first season, while registering 70 and 77 point seasons in the desert under Tourigny. 

In Pittsburgh, under Sullivan’s guidance for the past three seasons, the Penguins have only continued to drop in the standings. In 2022-23, they finished 11 games over .500, with a record of 40-31-11 for 91 points. Last year, they were only six games over .500 at 38-32-12 for 88 points, while finishing two games under .500 this season at 34-36-12 for 80 points, an 11-point drop from three seasons ago. 

If we go back even further to 2021-22, when the Penguins lost to the Rangers in Game 7, that year’s club had 103 points, meaning this year’s club finished 23 points below their most recent best season. 

While the NHL coaching carousel continues to spin across North America, it has thus far bypassed Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, big-name head coaches are winning the Jack Adams Award, something Sullivan has never achieved, and have since been fired, as seen with Cassidy (2019), Sutter (2022), and Montgomery (2023). 

Outside of Sutter’s absence from the game, both Cassidy and Montgomery have found successes with their new clubs, while their former club, the Bruins, plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. 

Meanwhile, the Penguins remain content with Sullivan behind the bench, with his most recent successes quickly fading into the rearview mirror. 

Inside The Numbers: Penguins' Record In Season FinalesThe Pittsburgh Penguins just finished their 57th season with a 34-36-12 record, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive campaign.