Sid the Kid may have broken a major Wayne Gretzky record in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

But it was Sid and the Kids at Saturday's practice in Cranberry, PA.

Top forward prospects Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen - both recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) on Friday - each had an opportunity to work with Sidney Crosby during drills and line rushes, as Koivunen saw minutes on the top power play unit and McGroarty was deployed on the first line with Crosby and Bryan Rust. The captain also took some time to work with the young forwards following practice.

Crosby thinks that both players brought some renewed energy to practice following a disastrous 0-2-1 road trip, and he is looking forward to working with them.

"I thought they brought good energy," Crosby said. "I thought it was a good pace in practice, and obviously, we're coming off a couple tough losses. The guys are excited for the opportunity they have, and as a group, we want to try to bounce back from a couple of tough ones."

McGroarty - who turns 21 on Sunday, when the Penguins will take on the Ottawa Senators in Pittsburgh - had a brief three-game look at the NHL level when the 2024-25 season opened before heading back to the AHL. He started off a bit slow production-wise, but registered 14 goals and 39 points in 60 games - including eight goals and 18 points in his last 19 contests.

Koivunen - the 2`1-year-old winger acquired as part of the Jake Guentzel trade in 2024 - led all AHL rookies in points and was sixth overall in AHL scoring with 21 goals and 55 points in 62 games. 

Both McGroarty and Koivunen know that there is a massive opportunity in front of them, and they may have the chance to be placed in lineup positions conducive to their success on Sunday. 

"I want to come here and play my best and help them," McGroarty said of playing with Crosby and Rust. "It's really cool getting to play with them, and hopefully, if that opportunity comes, I'll just put my best forward and do what I can do and help them."

Recalling McGroarty, Koivunen Right Move By Penguins' ManagementIn their last three games - all losses - against the

Koivunen - who is slated to make his NHL debut on Sunday - is aware of the opportunity he is getting as well, and he has no interest in wasting it.

"I've got to play with my strengths and make an impact right away on this team," Koivunen said. 

It's safe to say that most didn't expect the two young prospects to be deployed in top-six minutes from the jump. However, with only eight games remaining in the Penguins’ regular season schedule, playoff hopes all but gone, and both players presumably heading back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the team's Calder Cup run once the NHL regular season concludes, there is a very good opportunity for the organization to see what two of their higher-end prospects can do in those roles. 

And based on conversations with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Kirk MacDonald and Penguins management, head coach Mike Sullivan felt comfortable slotting them in high-leverage roles in practice right away, even if they decide to tweak some things by puck drop Sunday.

“When you have players of this caliber, you're trying to set them up for success," Sullivan said. "And we're also trying to put them in roles where they have an opportunity to play to their strengths. Both of these guys have high hockey-IQs, they're both real competitive guys, they both have an offensive dimension to their game... they're different in how they play, but we think that with the combinations we had out there today, potentially, they could be complementary on the lines that they're on."

He added: "As an organization, we felt it's important to reward guys for effort and performance," Sullivan said. "And these two guys are very deserving. It's exciting for us. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and I think it will be great for our group."

#LetsGoPens top forward prospects Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen getting in some work at practice today.

McGroarty was working with Crosby in this 5v5 drill. pic.twitter.com/9AFo4UeNVV

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) March 29, 2025

Whether or not McGroarty and Koivunen maintain their lineup spots from Saturday's practice when the team plays Ottawa remains to be seen. In any case, their captain and mentor had some sound advice for them as they navigate this final stretch with the NHL club.

"Just make the most of the opportunity," Crosby said. "Have fun with it. The game's the same. It will be a little bit faster, guys are a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, maybe. But, for the most part, it's the same game. So, just trust your instincts and continue to learn with each and every game and practice. I think you've just got to learn as much as you can." 

And it's safe to say that that the kids are certainly open to Crosby's advice. When asked what he wants to learn from Crosby's game and what traits of his that he wants to develop, McGroarty smiled.

"Seriously, everything," he said. "Like, actually everything."

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After some speculation following Minnesota's stunning loss in the NCAA Tournament, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel are coming to Chicago. 

Each signed a three-year entry-level contract with a cap hit of $950,000 and will begin their pro-hockey careers. Both Moore and Rinzel will join the Blackhawks immediately. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xwelcome to Chicago, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel‼️ Moore and Rinzel agree to terms✍️ ➡︎ https://t.co/GMF2tvn0kI

This is big for the Blackhawks as they were both willing to finish the deal within a few days of being eliminated. Now, they will make their NHL debut sometime before the season ends. 

Moore, a forward, brings speed and skill to any team he plays for and should see a bottom-six role to begin his NHL career. 

As for Sam Rinzel, he is a number-two defenseman at minimum who could blossom into a star. With Artyom Levshunov, Alex Vlasic, and others in the mix, the Blackhawks have a special group developing on the back-end. 

Both of these guys put up big numbers at Minnesota this season. Moore had 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points in 38 games. Rinzel had 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points in 39 games for the Golden Gophers. 

Each was a part of the 2024 World Junior Championship Gold Medal-winning Team USA squad. Moore won back-to-back Gold Medals, as he also won it with them in 2023. They've experienced both big-time winning and heartbreaking losses. Each is good for their development. Now, it's time for the NHL. 

It is unlikely that they both spend the entire 2025-26 season in the NHL, as the AHL will be used for development too. That method has served the Blackhawks well with a lot of their recent top prospects. They can only skate in the NHL to end this year, though.

Chicago's next game comes against the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday afternoon at the United Center. We will see if this is their first opportunity to jump into the lineup. 

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

The development path for an NHL defensemen can be quite long, having to add multiple elements to their game. For some, the transition happens almost seamlessly, like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes or Miro Heiskanen, but for others, a season or two before it all clicks in is expected. Recently, defensemen like Thomas Harley, Brock Faber and Rasmus Sandin have taken advantage of developing in other leagues before becoming impact players in the NHL. 

It’s quite rare for a defenseman to burst onto the scene and dominate, but these five defensemen are doing just that.

Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks

LaCombe was the 39th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and would spend four years at the University of Minnesota. The decision to stay for all four years proved to be a wise one, as it allowed him to mature and refine his game before joining the Ducks organization, who were in a massive rebuild. 

His rookie season saw him average 19:23 of ice time, scoring two goals and 17 points. His sophomore campaign has seen him reach new heights, and it likely could get even better. The 24-year-old has scored 13 goals and 41 points, ranking in the top 10 in goals among NHL defensemen. 

The Ducks are among the youngest teams in the NHL, and it’s partially why LaCombe has recorded just 28 assists. As the young Duck forwards get older and gain more experience, they’ll be able to turn LaCombe’s playmaking into goals. The Ducks are building a star-studded defensive core, headline by LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger.

Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators

Sanderson’s route to the NHL was quicker than LaCombe’s, spending just two seasons at the University of North Dakota. The fifth overall pick would make his NHL debut in the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals and 32 points in 77 games. Although the offensive numbers were quite impressive for a 20-year-old rookie defenseman, Sanderson had a plethora of issues in his own end.

His sophomore season saw improvements both offensively and defensively, earning an eight-year, $64.4-million contract extension per Puckpedia. While many argued that the contract was handed out too soon, Sanderson has put those critics to rest, scoring seven goals and 48 points in 70 games, averaging 24:23 of ice time and earning a nod to Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster, where he scored a goal in the final. 

Thomas Chabot had been the Senators' No. 1 defenseman for quite some time but the play of Sanderson has changed things. The turning of the leaf began in the 2023-24 season and it’s come into full effect this season. The next step for Sanderson’s development is to be more aggressive and seek out his shot, but with the tools Sanderson has at his disposal, there’s no reason why he can’t be a double-digit scorer each year.

Alex Vlasic, Chicago Blackhawks

Vlasic followed a similar route to LaCombe, playing three years at Boston University. He never had his offensive breakout during his NCAA days, and it’s likely why he was never selected to play for Team USA’s world junior team. Despite that, the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft was a defensive stalwart, using his 6-foot-6 frame to his advantage.

The 23-year-old spent the 2022-23 season playing with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL, where he tapped into his offensive game for the first time. He replicated that production in his first full season, earning himself a six-year, $27.6-million contract extension, and now, in the 2024-25 campaign, he's flourishing. 

His four goals and 28 points, coupled with his defensive game, have allowed him to average 23:27 minutes of ice time on a Blackhawks blue line that will soon feature Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro and Sam Rinzel. Korchinski and Levshunov will likely be the offensive contributors on the backend, but if Vlasic can add more offense to his game without sacrificing his defensive game, the Blackhawks will be a difficult team to play against. 

Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings have been incredibly patient with Edvinsson, first allowing him to develop in the SHL before keeping him in the AHL for an additional two seasons. Heading into his first full campaign, Edvinsson had 25 games of NHL experience and has now revolutionized the Red Wings’ blueline.

Moritz Seider’s following seasons after winning the Calder Trophy were underwhelming. Playing alongside Ben Chiarot, the pair struggled greatly in the consistency department. Although the pair have still spent most of the season together, Seider’s best results are when he plays with Edvinsson. Seider’s expected goals percentage with Chiarot is 41.96 percent, and with Edvinsson, it’s 48.57 percent.

Edvinsson is a tremendous skater and offensive player for a 22-year-old listed at 6-foot-6, and as his ice time grows, the offensive numbers are sure to follow.

Dante Fabbro, Columbus Blue Jackets

Fabbro is the oldest player out of the five – already 26 years old – but since he was claimed off of waivers by the Blue Jackets, he’s revived his career. During his tenure with the Nashville Predators, Fabbro never averaged over 20 minutes of ice time, and in 52 games with the Blue Jackets, Fabbro is averaging nearly 22.

He’s set a career-high in goals, recording six goals and 20 points, proving to be the perfect partner for Zach Werenski, a Norris Trophy candidate this season. 

Gustav Forsling was a surprise breakout candidate for the Florida Panthers, and Fabbro looks to be following the same trajectory as an astute defender with good feet and puck-moving ability. 

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LOS ANGELES — It's one of those moments that can happen to any goaltender. This time, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll made a mistake.

'We've Got To Be Better, Goalie Included': Maple Leafs Salvage Point But Struggle In Shootout Loss Against SharksSAN JOSE, Calif. — The Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the San Jose Sharks 6-5 in a shootout at SAP Center on Thursday. Although they picked up a crucial point in the standings, it was yet another example of the Leafs struggling to pounce against a team at the bottom of the NHL standings as they gear up for a playoff run next month.

The Maple Leafs were trailing the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Thursday in the second period when Woll had the puck. In an attempt to clear or pass the puck, the goaltender instead bounced it off of Sharks forward William Eklund and into the back of the Toronto net.

Woll explained the incident from his point of view following Toronto's practice on Friday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

"I'm not too sure. Just a bad play. Sometimes you make bad plays," Woll said. "I think I was thinking looking up ice and brain turned off for a second. It's unfortunate."

Woll is not the first NHL goaltender to have a blunder like that and certainly won't be the last.

Perhaps one of the biggest goalie mistakes in Leafs history came against the Islanders when Rob Davison sent a bouncing puck toward goaltender Vesa Toskala, who had difficulty following the bounces.

Fortunately for Woll, the Leafs erased a two-goal deficit in the third period and salvaged a crucial point in the standings before falling 6-5 in a shootout.

Woll is expected to get one of the next two starts in goal as the Maple Leafs finish out their three-game road swing through California with a pair of games against the Los Angeles Kings, following up a game on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.

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DETROIT—It's been a grim month of March in Hockeytown, with the beloved Red Wings limping through the stretch run.  Again.  Yet despite a 3–10–0 record since the calendar turned over from February, Detroit remains within spitting distance of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  Of course, grabbing that spot requires the Red Wings to start stringing together wins in a hurry, beginning Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena against the Boston Bruins.

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"We've been lucky enough, I guess you could call it, that no one's really seized that spot, and it's tough games this time of the year," forward Lucas Raymond told The Hockey News after Saturday morning's skate.  "I think that shows, but not playing good the way we've been wanting to and still being in it is huge, and we gotta seize that opportunity."

"We haven't gotten the results we've wanted over the last 10 games or so, but we're still right in it, so we know that if we play our game...we might not technically control all our own destiny, but we feel like if we take care of our business, we'll be in pretty good shape," added defenseman Justin Holl.

Coach Todd McLellan likened Detroit's recent struggles to golf, saying his team needs to learn to not allow one mistake spiral into disaster.  "You're on the golf course and you have a bad tee shot, it doesn't mean you have to have a bad round," McLellan said after Saturday morning's skate.  "You go from playing birdie golf to playing par golf during that time. You clean things up, you get on the green, you try to play safe and put it in, and you take your par instead of your birdie. When we get into a bad drive situation, all of a sudden we're swinging away and it gets worse, instead of managing it."

Trending Red Wings Stories

Clock Ticking on Red Wings' Playoff Hopes After 4–3 Loss to OttawaDETROIT—Not quite 13 minutes into the Red Wings' 4–3 loss to the Ottawa Senators Thursday night, Senators captain Brady Tkachuck caught up to Detroit forward Lucas Raymond as he rushed the puck through neutral ice, dumping Raymond to the ice, then pinning him there with an arm around his neck.  With Tkachuk and Raymond still entangled, Ottawa rushed the puck the other way until Tim Stutzle used a burst of speed to get around Moritz Seider and beat Alex Lyon with a well-placed wrist shot.  The goal made it 2–0 Senators, though the Red Wings had a 10–3 edge in shots, but that was the story of the night for the home team: Bullied away from the puck and beaten with it, even if the final score suggested a narrow margin.

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Lineup

As they look to revitalize their season, Detroit will be offering a slightly different look to its forward lines, reminiscent of the combinations that McLellan used to close out Thursday's loss to the Senators.  Wingers Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane will now flank Dylan Larkin on the top line, while Lucas Raymond and Michael Rasmussen will now skate on Marco Kasper's wings on line two.

Lines at morning skate:
DeBrincat-Larkin-Kane
Rasmussen-Kasper-Raymond
Berggren-Compher-Tarasenko
Watson-Motte-Smith

Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Petry
Johansson-Holl pic.twitter.com/WRLrxWvk2w

— Sam Stockton (@_samstockton) March 29, 2025

"Well not just Dylan and Raymond, the group as a whole," explained McLellan, when asked whether the tinkering was meant to spark his top two scorers.  "We started last game with a set of lines and by the time we got to the third, we pulled them apart, but the most energy and jump and attack time that we had was with lines that look similar to what we are going with today."

Cam Talbot will start in net for the Red Wings.

Injury Update

On the injury front, McLellan did not have an update on Petr Mrazek, who remains unavailable after suffering an upper body injury in Utah.  Meanwhile Elmer Soderblom remains out as well, but he is at least closer to getting back to action. 

"Elmer is still gonna be day-to-day, but I don't see him playing in St. Louis," McLellan said, alluding to the Red Wings' Tuesday night game against the Blues.  "I don't know for sure though.  That's how close he is, but how far away he is."

Re-Tooling Bruins Pose Unique Challenge

Following the trade deadline, the Bruins are a different team to the one that beat Detroit 3–2 in Boston on Dec. 3.  Most notably, erstwhile captain Brad Marchand is off to Florida, where he made his Panthers debut Friday night, assisting on the overtime winner, but Marchand is not alone amongst the departures.  Charlie Coyle, Brandon Carlo, and Trent Frederic are all also out the door.

McLellan pointed out Saturday morning that while those sorts of departure theoretically deplete a roster, it can also invigorate the players who remain, with bigger roles. 

"Well they're a different team now," said McLellan of the current state of the B's.  "For me personally, having come out here, I know them with all the pieces that they've had in the past...There's a lot of players there [now] that are getting opportunities, that have moved up the lineup a little bit as they retool.  When players get that chance and they take advantage of it, they can be a handful, because they've been sitting in the weeds and wanting more and asking for more and trying to play for more, and now it's in front of them, so they can be a real dangerous team when those types of players get hungry."

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Michkov keeps humming, Flyers beat Sabres with 7 more goals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

After a stretch of 11 losses in 12 games, the Flyers won their second straight Saturday afternoon with a 7-4 decision over the Sabres at the Wells Fargo Center.

Matvei Michkov put up his second straight two-goal performance. Jakob Pelletier scored his first as a Flyer and Noah Cates potted the go-ahead 4-3 goal in the second period. Cates had a three-point effort.

Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster and Ryan Poehling gave the Flyers third-period insurance. The markers for Tippett and Poehling came on the power play. The Flyers’ man advantage has produced goals in back-to-back games and is 3 for 38 in March.

The Flyers (30-36-9) are 2-0-0 under interim head coach Brad Shaw and have scored 13 goals. They beat the Canadiens, 6-4, two days ago after John Tortorella was fired in the morning.

“It’s just different, just like a reset,” Cates said after Saturday’s win. “When you’re in a season like that, a tough spot, any change is welcomed. Unfortunately it’s a coach and a well-respected guy.”

The Flyers have seven games left.

“We realize in here that we were a part of the problem,” Tippett said. “If we performed better, then maybe those circumstances don’t happen. I think it was kind of a wake-up call for all of us and we just want to finish the rest of the season strong here.”

The Flyers are 2-0-0 against the Sabres (30-36-6). The clubs meet in the regular-season finale April 17 at KeyBank Center.

• Michkov’s push to become the first Flyer to ever win the Calder Trophy continued to heat up.

“He’s an exceptional player with the puck, an exceptional player offensively,” Shaw said. “I think what he has to learn is that the better he checks and the better he plays without the puck, the sooner he gets it back and then the more opportunistic he can be and the more he can show off the skill package that he has.”

The 20-year-old winger leads all NHL rookies in goals with 24. He has three overtime winners, three shootout tallies and 56 points. Over the last 20 games, he has recorded 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists).

“There’s so much room for growth away from the puck,” Shaw said. “Even with the puck, he’s going to learn, as he goes, what works and what doesn’t work in so many different scenarios. And he’s well down that path already.

“That’s a real exciting player to sort of picture where he may be three, four years from now. He’s a challenge, he can be opinionated and he can be a little bit stubborn, but he’s playing some great hockey for us offensively right now and we’re reaping the benefits.”

Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini and Flames goalie Dustin Wolf are expected to be Michkov’s top competition for the rookie honor.

• The Flyers came into Saturday just one point ahead of Buffalo for the Eastern Conference’s worst record. The Sabres have played three fewer games, so it’s something to keep an eye on the rest of the way.

But the Flyers also entered Saturday just one point behind the Kraken and two points back of the Penguins and Bruins. There’s potential for a lot of movement before the end of the season when it comes to the 2025 NHL draft lottery odds.

• Samuel Ersson won consecutive starts for the first time since Feb. 22-25, when he picked up victories in the Flyers’ first two games out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

The 25-year-old made 17 saves on 21 shots Saturday.

Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 25 of the Flyers’ 32 shots.

• Cam York was back in the lineup after sitting on the bench for all of Thursday night’s game because of a disciplinary issue.

The 24-year-old played alongside Jamie Drysdale. Both were a plus-1.

• Garnet Hathaway (undisclosed) and Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) remained out.

• Before the game, the Flyers honored Bob Kelly, who recently retired after serving the organization for over 50 years.

Known as “The Hound,” Kelly was on the Flyers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning clubs in 1974 and 1975.

“It really goes back to the fans, our fan base, we wanted to give them a product that they could be happy with,” Kelly said. “It’s kind of what was enjoyable.”

Following his playing career, Kelly held many roles in the organization’s community relations department.

“A very good man who worked his ass off for this team,” Hockey Hall of Famer and Flyers icon Bob Clarke said.

• The Flyers are back in action Monday when they host the Predators (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Michkov keeps humming, Flyers beat Sabres with 7 more goals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

After a stretch of 11 losses in 12 games, the Flyers won their second straight Saturday afternoon with a 7-4 decision over the Sabres at the Wells Fargo Center.

Matvei Michkov put up his second straight two-goal performance. Jakob Pelletier scored his first as a Flyer and Noah Cates potted the go-ahead 4-3 goal in the second period. Cates had a three-point effort.

Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster and Ryan Poehling gave the Flyers third-period insurance. The markers for Tippett and Poehling came on the power play. The Flyers’ man advantage has produced goals in back-to-back games and is 3 for 38 in March.

The Flyers (30-36-9) are 2-0-0 under interim head coach Brad Shaw and have scored 13 goals. They beat the Canadiens, 6-4, two days ago after John Tortorella was fired in the morning.

“It’s just different, just like a reset,” Cates said after Saturday’s win. “When you’re in a season like that, a tough spot, any change is welcomed. Unfortunately it’s a coach and a well-respected guy.”

The Flyers have seven games left.

“We realize in here that we were a part of the problem,” Tippett said. “If we performed better, then maybe those circumstances don’t happen. I think it was kind of a wake-up call for all of us and we just want to finish the rest of the season strong here.”

The Flyers are 2-0-0 against the Sabres (30-36-6). The clubs meet in the regular-season finale April 17 at KeyBank Center.

• Michkov’s push to become the first Flyer to ever win the Calder Trophy continued to heat up.

“He’s an exceptional player with the puck, an exceptional player offensively,” Shaw said. “I think what he has to learn is that the better he checks and the better he plays without the puck, the sooner he gets it back and then the more opportunistic he can be and the more he can show off the skill package that he has.”

The 20-year-old winger leads all NHL rookies in goals with 24. He has three overtime winners, three shootout tallies and 56 points. Over the last 20 games, he has recorded 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists).

“There’s so much room for growth away from the puck,” Shaw said. “Even with the puck, he’s going to learn, as he goes, what works and what doesn’t work in so many different scenarios. And he’s well down that path already.

“That’s a real exciting player to sort of picture where he may be three, four years from now. He’s a challenge, he can be opinionated and he can be a little bit stubborn, but he’s playing some great hockey for us offensively right now and we’re reaping the benefits.”

Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini and Flames goalie Dustin Wolf are expected to be Michkov’s top competition for the rookie honor.

• The Flyers came into Saturday just one point ahead of Buffalo for the Eastern Conference’s worst record. The Sabres have played three fewer games, so it’s something to keep an eye on the rest of the way.

But the Flyers also entered Saturday just one point behind the Kraken and two points back of the Penguins and Bruins. There’s potential for a lot of movement before the end of the season when it comes to the 2025 NHL draft lottery odds.

• Samuel Ersson won consecutive starts for the first time since Feb. 22-25, when he picked up victories in the Flyers’ first two games out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

The 25-year-old made 17 saves on 21 shots Saturday.

Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 25 of the Flyers’ 32 shots.

• Cam York was back in the lineup after sitting on the bench for all of Thursday night’s game because of a disciplinary issue.

The 24-year-old played alongside Jamie Drysdale. Both were a plus-1.

• Garnet Hathaway (undisclosed) and Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) remained out.

• Before the game, the Flyers honored Bob Kelly, who recently retired after serving the organization for over 50 years.

Known as “The Hound,” Kelly was on the Flyers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning clubs in 1974 and 1975.

“It really goes back to the fans, our fan base, we wanted to give them a product that they could be happy with,” Kelly said. “It’s kind of what was enjoyable.”

Following his playing career, Kelly held many roles in the organization’s community relations department.

“A very good man who worked his ass off for this team,” Hockey Hall of Famer and Flyers icon Bob Clarke said.

• The Flyers are back in action Monday when they host the Predators (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

With coaching news coming out of the Philadelphia Flyers organization this past week, many have set their sights on how the NHL coaching landscape could look past this season. Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet is currently tied at sixth with seven other coaches for the longest-tenured bench boss in the NHL with their current team. The 2024–25 regular season is Tocchet’s last year of his current contract, though there is an option to extend this by another year from the organization’s side. Rumours have swirled about Tocchet possibly replacing former Flyers coach John Tortorella during the offseason, as the current Canucks coach spent 11 seasons with Philadelphia as a player. 

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As it stands, Tocchet’s status moving forward with the team is unknown, but that doesn’t mean his departure is confirmed. In his three seasons and 190 games coached as a member of the Canucks, he has a record of 104–61–25 — good for a points-percentage of .613%. By the time the 2024–25 regular season ends, he’ll be at 200 games coached with Vancouver. In an interview with insider Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin spoke highly of the current Canucks head coach. 

“I sure hope that he’s going to be part of this organization moving forward. That’s a conversation that I hope we’ll get to the finish line here sooner rather than later,” he said. 

Tocchet is the only head coach who is on an expiring deal. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if a few other coaches found themselves jobless by the offseason. 

The Nashville Predators were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday night after narrowly losing 3–2 to the St. Louis Blues. Their season comes as a bit of a surprise to many, as the additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and more were expected to make them a genuine contender. However, things got off the rails early, and the Predators were never able to live up to the lofty expectations set for them last summer. Andrew Brunette, Nashville’s Head Coach, has seen success in past seasons such as his 51–18–6 2021–22 season with the Florida Panthers, but his current record (27–37–8) indicates that the Predators may wish to make some changes behind the bench. With that being said, even if Nashville was to move on from Brunette, it’s not likely that he would end up in Vancouver. 

A team whose trajectory has started trending downhill is the Pittsburgh Penguins. Coming off his 10th season as the Penguins’ Head Coach, Mike Sullivan and his team have not made the playoffs since 2022. While it’s clear that the Penguins organization wants to keep as many pieces of their former Stanley Cup-winning team together, something to consider is the Canucks’ role in this situation. Vancouver’s inclination to acquire players connected to Pittsburgh’s championship teams is no secret — Allvin and President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, have pointedly targeted players and coaches that they have history with. However, the 2025–26 season is the final year of Sullivan’s contract, and with Pittsburgh’s current situation, it’d make the most sense for them to stick with their Head Coach and make a decision on where their future lies. 

One candidate to become the Canucks’ Head Coach in the 2025–26 season isn’t very far from home. Former player (2010–13) and assistant coach (2016–20) with the Canucks, Manny Malhotra, rejoined the organization in 2024 as the Head Coach of the Abbotsford Canucks. Previously, Malhotra spent four years with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach. With both NHL and AHL experience, as well as familiarity with the Canucks organization, it’d make the most sense for Vancouver’s next Head Coach to be someone who has been ingrained in the team since earlier days. Malhotra has seen the culture of the 2011 Canucks, but was also around for the debuts of Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Quinn Hughes. The length of his contract is currently unknown. 

At the end of the day, the Canucks’ Head Coach for the 2025–26 season depends on what the organization decides to do with Tocchet. While this year has been a rollercoaster, Tocchet has managed to keep the team competitive even towards the end of the season. A reset during the offseason may bring the team back to the success they shared in 2023–24. For the time being, Vancouver should opt to continue with Tocchet and move on the season after if the results aren’t there. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

NASHVILLE -- It was during training camp when Predators veteran forward Jonathan Marchessault was getting ready to board a flight to Quebec for a jersey retirement ceremony and his brother called with news nobody ever wants to receive.

Their mother, Leslie, had suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 70.

A celebration to commemorate a career with 98 goals and 239 points in 254 games during his time with the Quebec Ramparts was suddenly dampened.

Former @quebec_remparts star Jonathan Marchessault had his no. 18 jersey retired by the franchise Saturday! 👏🏻

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) September 22, 2024

"It was just a tough situation; it's super sad how it happened, but you just learn to keep going," Marchessault said during a conversation with The Hockey News, one day before the Vegas Golden Knights, his former team, would visit. "It was the first time I would see all the family without my mom there. So that was a mix of emotions, which was kind of weird, a little bit. We managed to have a good time still and tried to enjoy the recognition that the Ramparts were giving me, because ... it was a super great honor."

As the lovable 33-year-old spark plug watched his No. 18 jersey rise to honor him, one had to wonder if he was glancing beyond the rafters, knowing his mother was smiling from above.

Jonathan Marchessault’s no. 18 is forever in the rafters at Videotron Centre 🤩 pic.twitter.com/AF8OndHATm

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) September 21, 2024

It's how the toughest campaign the 12-year veteran has ever endured began.

"It's definitely been a hard season for me, personally," said Marchessault, who still holds Vegas' franchise record with 192 goals, and also 42 power-play goals. "I didn't expect the move to be that big, in terms of (draining my) energy. ... I think it was just a really tough summer, to be honest. Not a lot of time for me and my wife to just relax and enjoy life a little bit. So it's been definitely overwhelming.

"Mental health (has been) challenging this year. But if you look at my past, and the way I'm built and all that, I will bounce back."

That, is unquestionable.

HIS ROCK

If not for his wife, Alexandra, there's no telling how Marchessault would have handled things.

After spending Vegas' first seven seasons in the NHL as a member of the Golden Knights, the "original misfit" who hoisted the Conn Smythe trophy after leading the team to a Stanley Cup in 2023 was moving on.

Marchessault signed with the Predators, inking a five-year, $27.5 million contract that gave him the stability he was looking for as he reaches the backside of his career.

Though he'd hoped to retire a Golden Knight, the veteran winger whose heart and spirit outweigh his (listed) 5-foot-9 frame has been around long enough to know how the business works.

"And that's something that I really loved about Vegas - they're a hard team, a hard organization - they do everything what's best for their success," he said. "And despite anything, they always think of their success. And if one day I'm going to be a GM, I'm going to run things like that, too. I'm going to make the things that I need to do to become the best team on the ice. And I think that's one of their best qualities that they have."

He also knew - and has known for 10 years now - that when he leaves the rink after a game or practice, first and foremost he's a family man.

A doting father, Marchessault and his wife had one son when they arrived in Vegas in 2017. They now have four children: 10-year-old James, Victoria (9), William (6) and Henry (5).

The next Marchessault generation is already in training.

The @PredsNHL centreman continues to encourage his kids’ inherited love for the game while putting fun first 👇

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) January 31, 2025

And when he lost his mother just before his first season with the Predators, it was his family that provided a perfect diversion he needed. Going to the rink and focusing on a new coaching staff and new teammates was one thing, but having his family was what mattered.

Seeing his boys play hockey brought back fond memories of his time in youth hockey, leading up to those junior days in Quebec. Having his wife by his side proved invaluable.

"I have a pretty busy household already, and that kept me going," Marchessault said. "My wife is the best ... we have so much stuff to do every day. We are a growing family. We've got kids that move a lot. I mean, the way that my wife does things, like she's hard on herself, and she makes my life so much easier on everything. And I think that's what saved me this year, I would say, is how she stepped up. She's always stepping up, but she stepped up and made it easier for me to adapt and get into my groove here.

"(And) something that I love is just being a dad. My mom was super family-oriented, and that's something that I probably got from her. Me and my wife are really into (parenting) and all that kind of stuff and definitely enjoy following the passion of our kids."

THE BOUNCE

With perceived clarity for the upcoming offseason, Marchessault's bounce-back will begin in roughly two weeks.

He arrived in Nashville after seven winning seasons in Vegas, six of them reaching the playoffs, and knew the Predators had expectations with him being a major acquisition last summer and a key part to a new-look offense that also included incoming Steven Stamkos, who won a Stanley Cup in Tampa.

"And we didn't reach that this year, so obviously, that's disappointing," said Marchessault, the only player in Golden Knights history with more than 400 points, sitting No. 1 with 417. "And I've never had necessarily a season like that, the bottom of the league, it's been tough."

Nashville was officially eliminated from the playoffs this past week, and with 10 games left, coach Andrew Brunette has come to appreciate Marchessault for all he's been through while still maintaining poise and dignity as one of the most competitive personalities in the NHL.

From leaving Vegas, to the jersey retirement, to losing his mother, to getting accustomed to new line combinations while trying to find his cadence and rhythm with a new group, Brunette said he understood why it was disjointed from the start.

"And he's mentally been strong where he's still going to do what Marchy is going to do, and I think he's hung in there," Brunette said. "He's come to work every day. He hasn't really taken some time off. He went right at it. And I think right now he's probably looking forward to getting through the end here and regrouping. I think it's been a real tough year on him, both personally and the (team) change ... and those are hard times to adjust to, so he's hung in there.

"I'm hoping these next 10 games he gets a good feeling going into the off-season."

Marchessault said having a veteran group of players in the locker room eased the transition, while helping him fall in love with Nashville.

"That was the easy part," he said. "In the world of hockey, I've yet to meet a lot of guys that weren't great guys to be around, so that was the easy part. I think the guys are so inviting. And it starts with the leadership group ... it's just like the older guys are good people. So I think it just goes down the lineup to make it easier for everybody. And we do team bonding stuff, like we do with other teams, so that was definitely the easy part."

Nashville star Filip Forsberg has enjoyed Marchessault's presence, and has also been impressed by what he overcame while making the transition from Vegas to Nashville.

"Just the personality that he's got, he's a great guy who comes in every day and puts a smile on his face; he's up to some mischief and things like that," Forsberg said with a chuckle. "I think he's been a great teammate. It certainly cannot have been easy for him ... I think just being able to get to know him, it's been real good so far."

"This was a playoff game, and we kind of showed why we are where we are versus where they are." - Filip Forsberg on the #Preds loss to the Blues.

Full postgame video @TheHockeyNews ⬇️https://t.co/damKZfVtLF

— Emma Lingan (@emma_lingan) March 28, 2025

Though the offseason can't come soon enough, so he can prepare for the 2025-26 season and help the Predators get back to playoff-caliber hockey, Marchessault said he's looking forward to seeing Vegas' fans for the first time since signing in Nashville.

Nashville will play its final road game in Vegas, which happens to be the Golden Knights' home finale, and Marchessault has seen plenty of emotional video tributes to former players to understand what's coming.

"I was just with (former Knight) Will Carrier this week in Carolina, and he told me it just builds you up inside," he said. "And I'm definitely really excited to go back to just to see the Fortress, the arena, the roads that you take to go to the rink and all that kind of stuff. It was home for me. It's still a part of me, is part of home a little bit. It'll be definitely weird, but I'm definitely excited to just go back and see the fans, the arena, the city, the lights.

"Just a great atmosphere and the great juju that's over there, definitely just super excited to go back."

Defend our barn ⚔️

📍 @BrdgstoneArena
⏰ 5:30 p.m. CT
📺 @FanDuelSN_SO
📻 @1025TheGame, El Jefe
🤝 @PedigreeFound
🎟️ https://t.co/s3YJj6ZQDopic.twitter.com/RoiPifYL6y

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 29, 2025

For the first time since the end of January, Kaiden Guhle was on the ice for the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night as they tried to end their four-game losing streak against the Carolina Hurricanes. Before the game, the blueliner was interviewed by Marc Denis on RDS and explained he thought the Habs needed to focus on defense considering how many goals they had given of late, adding they knew they could score goals since they have talented players…

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About The Lineup

With Guhle ready to return, Martin St-Louis elected to dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards, meaning Joshua Roy lost his place in the lineup. While Roy hasn’t been breathtaking since being called up, he can at least shoot the puck, which is more than can be said of a diminished Joel Armia, who has been struggling with a wrist injury.

Roy had two goals in the last four games but was minus-one in the previous two contests. Still, it’s a questionable decision to me. As willing as Armia is, if he cannot take a shot, he cannot help the team.

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Exclusive Interview With Jayden Struble On His Game, His Teammates And The Upcoming Lineup Change

Furthermore, that formation makes it rather hard to manage everyone’s ice time and the pairings on the blueline. Given Guhle's long absence, it was understandable to use seven blueliners. 

There Needs To Be A Balance

While Guhle was right in saying the defense needed to improve, you cannot forget about the offense. Just like scoring without defending won’t win you any games, defending without scoring will have the same result.

Montreal came out strong out of the gate and scored just 23 seconds in, but Carolina tied up the score 18 seconds later, taking the wind out of the Canadiens’ sails. It was a lucky goal, which is a shame considering how well Samuel Montembeault handled himself for the rest of the period, but there comes a time when you must make the big saves, the game-changer to give your team wings. That goal on the Canes’ first shot was a gut punch.

To make matters worse, the first line struggled against Rod Brind ' Amour’s team, with the top line accounting for a single shot in two periods. As reported in our pregame article, this has always been a tough matchup for the Habs’ top dogs. Cole Caufield didn't take a single shot on goal, while Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky had one a piece. 

The Canadiens had four shots on goal in the first frame and three in the second to make it seven over the first two periods, their lowest total of the season after 40 minutes. They managed just eight three times this season and nine once. Montreal finished the game with 15 shots, nowhere near enough at any time in the season, but especially now that it's crunch time. 

A Mistake Xhekaj Cannot Afford

With seven defensemen dressed, Arber Xhekaj looked to be feeling the pressure of a possible scratch. He was directly responsible for the odd-man rush on the Hurricanes' third goal. He took himself right out of the play by trying to land a big hit at the blue line, forgetting his defensive coverage and leaving Sebastian Aho free to score an insurance marker.

Xhekaj’s gritty play can be an ace up St-Louis’ sleeve, but only when he plays smart. The rearguard had been making better reads this season, but not on this rare Friday night game. In the end, he only spent 3:52 on the ice, including a single shift in the final frame that lasted four seconds. That was a 12th consecutive loss in Carolina for the Canadiens who haven't won in Raleigh since 2016.

The Canadiens lost a fifth consecutive game, this time 4-1, and with the Columbus Blue Jackets beating the Vancouver Canucks, the Habs are now outside of the playoffs picture looking in. At least, the blame lays squarely at their door. While Montreal has a day off on Saturday, the New York Islanders, who have a game in hand, will be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning and with a win, they would leapfrog both the Habs and the Jackets to land the second wild card spot.  Columbus could get it back with a win against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night however. 

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The Anaheim Ducks continued their five-game homestand by hosting the New York Rangers on Friday evening at Honda Center. The Ducks were coming off of potentially their most complete performance of the 2024-25 season on Wednesday with a 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins and looking to return to the .500 mark for the first time since March 9.

The Rangers entered having lost four of their last five and just a point out of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Ducks head coach Greg Cronin went with an identical lineup to the one that earned his club their last victory against Boston.

Lukas Dostal got the start between the pipes for the Ducks and saved 26 of 30 shots.

Dostal was opposed by Igor Shesterkin, who stopped 28 of 33 shots.


Jacob Trouba left the game with 14:44 remaining in the third period after crashing into the end boards following a rush chance. He didn’t return, and Cronin didn’t have an update on his status after the game.

“We had lost Trouba, so we were down one of our primary (penalty) killers,” Cronin said after the game. “We did a good job managing the personnel and, again, we got a shorthanded goal for the second night in a row. So, a lot of positive things with the special teams.”

Here are my notes from this game:

Leo Carlsson-Carlsson has fully arrived. He’s dictating games like his skillset and potential suggested when he was drafted second overall at the 2023 NHL Draft, and he’s doing it on both sides of the puck. He’s translating his anticipation skills and diligent scanning ability into manufacturing offense from up to 200 feet from the opposing net.

“His goal, he just ripped through the middle and snapped it right from 35 feet,” Cronin said. “When he’s not carrying the puck, he’s driving the inside ice as well, which is giving him puck recoveries in the offensive zone.”

There are still areas of his game that will need some refinement. He could still win a higher percentage of board battles, which should come with experience and further physical growth. The key to unlocking the power play unit he’s on will be finding ways to get the puck on his stick and, in doing so, draw defenders out of position. He’s far too dynamic to simply maintain a stationary position in the bumper.

Radko Gudas-This wasn’t one of Gudas’ better performances on the blueline for the Ducks. The underlying numbers suggest he had a positive impact (51.88 xGF%) and 5:24 of his 20:44 TOI was spent on the penalty kill, a kill that stifled six of seven chances from New York.

He continues to take himself out of plays in attempts to make big hits in open ice. New York’s second goal was a result of improperly reading his backcheckers and overcommitting to the forward driving the middle lane.

His late penalty nearly proved costly. However, he did well to jump out of the box and drive to the net after entry, collapsing the defensive structure and opening a lane that was exploited by Pavel Mintyukov, who found a trailing Olen Zellweger for the game-tying goal.

Cutter Gauthier-Gauthier has been the Ducks’ most improved player since the start of the season. He’s taken the time and has been afforded the opportunity to refine and learn the details it will take to bring success upon himself at the NHL level.

He’s seeking out shooting lanes and adjusting his angles in order to get enough space for his elite release. He’s recognizing and anticipating when to get his feet moving through neutral with and without the puck to optimize his speed and dangerously enter the offensive zone.

The Ducks will return to Honda Center on Sunday to take on the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at 5 pm PST.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mason McTavish scored 59 seconds into overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks overcame a two-goal deficit in the final six minutes of regulation for a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers on Friday night.

After Olen Zellweger tied it with 1:45 left, McTavish scored his 20th goal on Jackson LaCombe’s pass to finish a stirring comeback by the Ducks, who are all but certain to miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

Leo Carlsson had a goal and three assists in the former No. 2 overall pick’s first career four-point game for Anaheim. Cutter Gauthier scored the Ducks’ first goal in the third, and Alex Killorn got an early short-handed goal. Lukas Dostal made 27 saves.

J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafrenière and Adam Fox had a goal and an assist apiece for New York, which has lost five of six.

Mika Zibanejad scored a power-play goal in the third period. Igor Shesterskin stopped 28 shots.

Takeaways

Rangers: Collapse aside, they also missed the chance to leapfrog three teams into sole possession of the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re even with Columbus (75) and Montreal (75) and barely ahead of the Islanders (74), but all three teams have games in hand on the Rangers.

Ducks: Jacob Trouba faced New York for the first time since his trade to Anaheim in December. The former Rangers captain left in the third with an apparent injury.

Key moment

Four minutes after Gauthier started the rally with his rebound backhand with 5:48 left, the 21-year-old Zellweger finished an odd-man rush with a nasty shot right under the bar.

Key stat

Anaheim had just one short-handed goal in its first 70 games before connecting twice in two games, with Killorn following Carlsson’s shorty on Wednesday.

Up next

The Rangers visit the Sharks on Saturday. The Ducks host the Maple Leafs on Sunday.

CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Vegas Golden Knights at United Center on Friday night. Vegas, a Stanley Cup contender, is a team that should normally be trouble for Chicago. 

That isn't always how it goes in hockey. The Blackhawks started this game off well when Ryan Donato scored off his rebound. Ethan Del Mastro made a brilliant stretch pass to find Donato for a breakaway, which led to the goal. Adin Hill initially made a save before Donato buried the second chance opportunity. 

Chicago held that score through the first intermission. It was the second period when it felt like Vegas was going to take over. Mark Stone and Victor Olofsson scored consecutive goals just under a minute apart. 

After that, Ryan Donato tried to make it a special sports night in town. He scored two goals in 15 seconds to complete the hat-trick. Tons of hats made their way to the ice in celebration. 

Once again, the Blackhawks took a one-goal lead (3-2) into the intermission. You knew that the Golden Knights wouldn't go away without a fight. 

Just over two minutes into the final frame, Victor Olofsson scored his second of the game to tie it up for Vegas. 

It looked like Chicago would get Vegas to overtime, but Teuvo Teravainen took a costly penalty late in the period. With just over three minutes to go in regulation, Pavel Dorofeyev scored a power-play goal, which gave Vegas a lead late. 

Before long, Brett Howden threw one into the empty net and sealed the 5-3 victory for the Golden Knights. Despite keeping up with this elite Vegas team, they weren't able to get the win in the end.

Games like this are staples during hard rebuilds. The young defense had their ice time pretty evenly spread out. They all had some really good moments, and there were some mistakes as well. All of them will be better off for having games like this under their belt. 

Donato had his first career hat-trick and gave the Blackhawks a chance to win, but they still fell short in the end. Vegas is built to win a championship, and they showed why in the third period when the chips were down. 

The Blackhawks are back at it on Sunday against the Utah Hockey Club at the United Center. If the Blackhawks play the same way they did against Vegas, they will have a chance to beat them too. 

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

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves for his NHL-best seventh shutout of the season and the fast-starting Winnipeg Jets regained the league points lead, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-0 on Friday night for their 50th victory.

Alex Iafallo scored twice, Mark Scheifele had a goal and an assist and David Gustafsson also scored. At 59-19-4, Winnipeg moved a point ahead of Eastern Conference-leading Washington.

Iafallo opened the scoring 58 seconds in, and Gustafsson made it 2-0 at 1:52. Iafallo added a power-play goal in the second, and Scheifele had his 36th of the season in the period.

Takeaways

Devils: Jake Allen made 15 saves.

Jets: Nick Ehlers had an assist to extend his points streak to five games,

Key moment

The Jets jumped out to the early 2-0 lead. Iafallo scored on a turnaround backhand 58 seconds into the game. Only 54 seconds later, Gustafsson pounced on a rebound in front of the net and slid the puck past Allen.

Key stat

Hellebuyck also set a franchise record with his seventh shutout.

Up next

The Devils are at Minnesota on Saturday night. The Jets host Vancouver on Sunday.