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

The start of the Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 regular season could not have gone any worse on Thursday. The club was shutout 4-0 by the New York Rangers and goalie Igor Shesterkin in front of a sellout crowd at KeyBank Center and late in the third period lost center Josh Norris to an upper-body injury. Norris was taking a faceoff, fell to the ice, struggled to get back to the bench and did not return to the game.

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after practice on Friday before the club departed for Boston that Norris was being evaluated, but his tone reflected it could be something that could keep him out long term. 

“(Norris is) being evaluated (by) the doctors right now, so we'll have an update later this afternoon," Ruff said. "I know that he's not dealing with it very good, he's pretty disappointed with where he's at with this injury."

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 The 26-year-old center was acquired by the Sabres in a deal that sent Dylan Cozens last March. Injuries have been a constant presence for Norris in his six-year NHL career. The former San Jose first rounder played the full 56-game COVID-shortened season in 2020-21, but since has missed 148 games with an assortment of injuries.After the trade, Norris played just three games for Buffalo and was out the rest of  the season.. 

Norris said at the start of training camp that he had an injury-free summer and was able to workout to prepare for his first full season with the Sabres, centering the top line between Tage Thompson and Zach Benson, and in the preseason he and Thompson seemed to click, tying for the club lead in scoring with seven points. The Sabres have recalled center Josh Dunne from AHL Rochester to fill Norris’s roster spot, and Jiri Kulich has been moved up to center the top line against the Bruins on Saturday.   

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

New York Islanders left winger Jonathan Drouin is suspended for one game, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.

Drouin will sit out the Islanders' home-opener on Saturday against the Washington Capitals after he delivered a high cross-check on Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar on Thursday night. He received a major penalty and game misconduct as a result.

As the department's video explanation discussed, Drouin and Dewar engaged in light stickwork after the whistle as a scrum developed around the net. Drouin slashed Dewar, while Dewar shoved Drouin in return.

Drouin then raised his stick with both hands and delivered a high, forceful blow with the stick that hit Dewar in the face and caused him to fall to the ice. NHL Player Safety noted that Drouin said he did not intend to hit Dewar in that manner.

"It is important to note that while sticks occasionally ride up an opponent's body or equipment and land higher than intended during a net-front battle, this is not such a case," the video said.

The cross-check was after the whistle and was not considered a hockey play, and Drouin chose to raise his stick that high, the video said.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, Drouin will forfeit $20,833.33 of salary. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

This is Drouin's first time being suspended. He was previously fined $5,000 in 2022 for cross-checking while he played for the Montreal Canadiens.

Drouin also scored against the Penguins in the season opener, a 4-3 loss. In 608 career games, the 30-year-old has 108 goals and 267 assists for 375 points. He also has 27 points in 43 playoff games.

Drouin signed a two-year contract with a $4-million cap hit with the Islanders on July 1 after spending two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche.

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EAST MEADOW, NY --New York Islanders forward Jonathan Drouin has received a one-game suspension from the NHL's Department of Player Safety after cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Connor Dewar on Thursday. 

I’m told that #Isles Jonathan Drouin's hearing with @NHLPlayerSafety is over the phone, which carries a max suspension of five games.

Here’s the play. pic.twitter.com/0v6GSsl9PG

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 10, 2025

Drouin, 30, has never been suspended before, but he did receive a $5,000 fine for cross-checking Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin during the 2021-22 season, when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens. 

He will miss their home opener against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night and will be eligible to return on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. 

Here's the league's reasoning for the one-game suspension:

 

Drouin suspended one game | NHL.comNew York Islanders forward Jonathan Drouin is suspended one game for cross-checking against Penguins forward Connor Dewar

The Islanders will skate on Saturday morning before the game, so we'll see who gets into the lineup. Marc Gatcomb is likely to draw in, as he and Kyle MacLean are the only two extra forwards on the roster. 

Every NHL team clearly wants to avoid a bad start to the season, but there's more on the line for some.

Some squads need to prove their roster and blueprint works, because otherwise, they'll have more of a reason to start trading away veterans instead of keeping them around and hoping they'll drive the team toward success.

The Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are in different stages of the cycle, but after down seasons in 2024-25, they can't – and likely won't – stick with what they have if they struggle again in the first half of this year. Here's why.

Nashville Predators

The Predators took a risk by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei in the summer of 2024. One year earlier, they brought in center Ryan O'Reilly.

What looked like a squad set to become a Stanley Cup contender finished third-last. 

Now, all those veterans joined Nashville for a reason, but given that all three are between 31 and 35 years old, they may not want to battle for a playoff spot and miss out year after year. 

Stamkos and Marchessault have full no-move clauses, and Skjei has a 15-team no-trade list. O'Reilly doesn't have trade protection, but GM Barry Trotz treated him as if he did last season.

Last fall, Trotz suggested the team needed to reset, but he emphasized that the Predators aren't in a rebuild and selling off pieces.

But again, why would any player who has won Stanley Cups – such as Stamkos, O’Reilly and Marchessault – want to end their playing days with no chance of winning on a team they haven't been on for very long? If the Predators are struggling, those who want out will almost certainly be granted their wish, and the team can't just keep adding players just to miss the post-season.

New York Rangers

The Rangers already made huge moves this past year, with GM Chris Drury hiring coach Mike Sullivan and trading away veterans Chris Kreider, K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba.

But if the Blueshirts wobble out of the gate this season, Drury may sense a familiar dread about the state of this team and really take out the scalpel to do some serious roster renovations.

The Rangers don’t have many pending UFAs, but they are intriguing. One is star left winger Artemi Panarin, and another is backup goalie Jonathan Quick.

Panarin and his $11.6-million salary are the primary concern, but if the Rangers want to ease the pressure on star goalie Igor Shesterkin, they’ll need to pay more money than the $1.15 million they’re paying 39-year-old Quick. They don't have a ton of room to pay Panarin more money.

The Metropolitan Division is going to be more competitive than it was last year, and that means the Rangers could miss the playoffs for the second straight season. That would be indefensible, and surely, Panarin wouldn't be pleased with that. If there’s a foreboding in Drury by or before this year’s trade deadline, it wouldn’t shock anyone if he pulled the chute on this group.

Five NHL Veterans Who Cleared Waivers Years After Their Last AHL GameA handful of NHL veterans found themselves on the other side of the waiver wire in the past week.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have missed the playoffs three straight times despite having likely first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and maybe Erik Karlsson.

The Penguins finished seventh in the Metro last season, and they didn't really do anything to improve for 2025-26. In fact, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is leaning more toward bringing in younger players to develop in the NHL. There's less room for veterans now.

Pittsburgh did win its first two games, but the team will likely miss the playoffs again this year. Pens GM Kyle Dubas can still move veteran wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, who have little or no trade protection. If the Penguins underachieve, it’s more probable than not that Pittsburgh’s lineup will look significantly different.

The Penguins need all hands on deck to beat the odds and get into the playoffs, but if the odds beat them, there will be plenty of changes to their future and present.

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Easton Cowan is staying patient for his NHL debut.

The 20-year-old made the Toronto Maple Leafs out of training camp, but was a healthy scratch for the team's season-opening 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Cowan was an extra on the ice again on Friday as the Maple Leafs prepared for a trip to face the Detroit Red Wings the next day.

Despite being one of the forwards on the outside of the lineup, there were a couple of signs during Friday's practice that suggest maybe Cowan does make his debut against the Red Wings.

The young forward rotated through Toronto's third line of Dakota Joshua, Max Domi, and Nick Robertson. If there's anyone Cowan would swap places with in the lineup, it'd be one of Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok.

Jarnkrok found the back of the net, while Robertson was a minus-one in 10:40 of ice time.

Maple Leafs lines in practice:

Knies - Matthews - Maccelli
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Domi - Robertson
Lorentz - Roy - Jarnkrok
Cowan, Blais

Rielly - Carlo
McCabe - Tanev
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
Myers

Stolarz
Primeau pic.twitter.com/pzukANlmbe

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) October 10, 2025

Cowan also rotated into the Maple Leafs' second power play unit in practice on Friday. The player he swapped places with was Robertson.

"Yeah, it's been great. I mean, you're on an NHL team, so it's pretty cool, especially your hometown team," Cowan said after making the Maple Leafs out of camp. "Just enjoying every day and just keep trying to get better each and every day."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube wouldn't reveal much after Friday's practice about whether Cowan would play in Detroit or not. Berube did mention, though, that the young forward is "close" to making his NHL debut.

"He's got a great attitude, he works hard, he had a good practice today. That's decisions that we have to discuss and make, and right now we'll see what happens tomorrow."

'I Was Sprinting Through The Airport': Inside Cayden Primeau’s Wild 24 Hours After Being Claimed By Maple LeafsCayden Primeau's last 24 hours have been a whirlwind.

If Cowan does get into Saturday's game against the Red Wings, he'll have plenty of family in attendance (20-30 people, he said). Being from around the London, Ontario, area, he also joked that it's probably easier for his family to get to Detroit than downtown Toronto.

"Yeah, it might be better with the traffic," he smiled.

Being a healthy scratch for Toronto's first game of the season, Cowan got a chance to gain a birds-eye perspective of the NHL game. He noted that the NHL is very different from junior, where you have plenty of time to make plays and decide where the puck is going.

"If you get a chance, you've got to be able to bear down, so it all starts in practice," he said. "That's what I've been trying to do, just work on in-tight scoring and stuff like that, and it’ll translate to the game."

'I Know What He Expects From Me': Why Maple Leafs' Sammy Blais Is Excited For Opportunity To Play Under Craig Berube AgainSammy Blais is back playing with head coach Craig Berube.

Cowan has already learned a lot in his first few days with the NHL squad. But if there's one thing he's picked up from a teammate, who's it from, and what did he learn?

"Probably from Auston (Matthews)," he said.

"Just watching the way he leads on and off the ice. I mean, he's so dialed in, works hard in the gym, and then on the ice, he's special. I mean, you see the plays he makes, like today in practice. He's looking to the inside, he goes outside like that. So super cool, and just try to learn from him a lot."

A player making their NHL debut is an incredible moment, but it should come at the right time. Berube cited on Friday afternoon that while it might be important to get Cowan into the lineup, he's thinking about the team first.

"I love Cowan, and we all do. He's going to be a good Leaf, I'll tell you that. He's going to be a good hockey player, and he is a good hockey player," Berube said. "But the team is the most important thing, and we've got to make decisions. They don't always please everybody."

Maple Leafs Believe ‘Things Are Progressing Well’ With Joseph Woll And An Updated Look At Toronto's Goaltending Situation One day before the Toronto Maple Leafs' regular season opener, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving provided an update on goaltender Joseph Woll, who has been absent for most of training camp to tend to a personal matter.

There'll be several decisions over the next 24 hours for Berube, such as adjustments that need to be made ahead of their matchup against the Red Wings. However, there'll be no bigger decision than whether he puts Cowan in the lineup or not.

"You know, that’s out of my control," Cowan said when asked what it's like waiting for his name to be called. "I'm just trying to do my thing, and that's work hard each and every day, have good practices, good scratch skates, just getting better, and as soon as I get in, I know I'll be ready."

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We’re only two games into the NHL regular season, and yet it's already evident that the Los Angeles Kings have a few glaring weaknesses. Sure, there are still 80 games left to go, and we shouldn’t hit the panic button yet, but this is a big issue that could cost the Kings a playoff spot. 

Against the Colorado Avalanche and the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the Kings’ biggest problems on the ice were committing too many penalties, poor defense, and neutral-zone turnovers.  

These costly mistakes nearly derailed them to a 0-2 start to the season. Thankfully, they pulled out a miraculous win last night against the Golden Knights after getting embarrassed at home against the Avs, but they need to make adjustments heading into their next games. 

Anton's first win as a King 🤴 pic.twitter.com/dVnaCVHFEm

— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 9, 2025

Penalties Continue to Hurt 

In the season opener against Colorado, the Kings played so bad that it was offensive to watch. Los Angeles took seven penalties, putting constant pressure on their penalty-kill unit. 

The key moment came when the Avalanche capitalized on one of the Kings' penalties and scored in the power play by Martin Necas from the right side of the ice. There was a lot of poor discipline from the Kings in that game, which led to extended time in the defensive zone and disrupted LA’s offensive momentum. 

Against Vegas, the Kings performed much better in terms of penalties and looked more effective offensively, but some of their other problems got much worse. One of their major penalties was when Alex Turcotte committed midway through the second period, which completely shifted the game's tone. 

Power-Play Defense Collapse

The Kings held a 3-1 lead heading into the second period, but two major power-play goals turned that lead into a 3-5 deficit just like that, looking like the Kings were going to have a meltdown of a game.

It was really against Vegas that the power play looked weak and lacked cohesion. A Golden Knights team that was one of the best on the power play last season, it was no surprise that with Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel, they would look even better this season. 

The breakdowns from the Kings weren’t just about not being in the right place at the right time; it was slow rotations and late reactions. Vegas exposed those gaps to move the puck freely and find open looks, exposing the Kings' defensive unit that was looking completely lost out there. 

It’s only two games into the season, and it’s clear the Kings’ Achilles’ Heel lies in their undisciplined penalties, inconsistent power-play defense, and neutral-zone miscues. This is how the games will look for Los Angeles this season, ending in shootouts and high-scoring thrillers. 

But if the Kings are going to contend in this tough division, they must clean up those areas quickly. 

Kings game morning hangover recap

- Bet we’ll see a lot of games like that one this season. 🫠

- Superstar performance from Q.

- Clarke needs to play more than 15:20.

- We should stop the trade Moore talk.

- I’m over the 2-5 pairing.

- 10:30am pt on Sat @ WPG#GoKingsGo

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) October 9, 2025

Four NHL stars signed new contracts in the past two weeks.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid signed a two-year deal worth $12.5 million annually on Monday, while Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov signed the richest deal in NHL history at eight years and a $17-million cap hit.

On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets re-signed Kyle Connor for eight years at $12 million per season, and the Vegas Golden Knights re-signed Jack Eichel for eight years at $13.5 million annually.

Kaprizov’s new deal is a prime example of how NHL players' compensation is changing with the increase in the salary cap.

Some were under the impression that McDavid would become the highest-paid player in the league, given his reputation and the boatload of Hart Trophies, Ted Lindsay Awards and more individual honors he’s won over the years.

In any case, it may have to be a different player who overtakes Kaprizov in terms of average annual value before McDavid's contract extension expires following the 2027-28 campaign.

Some incredibly talented players will require new contracts before then. This raises the question: who will be the first NHL player to earn a $20-million cap hit?

Nikita Kucherov, Auston Matthews, Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are among several other high-caliber players who will be requiring contract extensions in the near future. 

Kucherov and Matthews have noteworthy individual awards to their name, including a Hart Trophy each, Art Ross Trophy wins for Kucherov and 'Rocket' Richard wins for Matthews. Due to their unique abilities and results offensively, they could earn themselves a big ticket, especially Matthews, who is a center, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and located in a high-taxed environment.

When Matthews signed his four-year contract worth $13.25 million per season, he took 15.06 percent of the salary cap. According to the NHL, when his contract expires following the 2027-28 season, the salary cap is projected to be $113.5 million.

This means if Matthews were to sign a contract that paid him $20 million per season at that projected cap number, he would receive about 17.62 percent.

Richest Contracts In NHL History: McDavid Doesn't Break Kaprizov's New RecordKirill Kaprizov’s new contract is an NHL history-maker, and Connor McDavid chose not to break it one week later.

Makar and Hughes are two superstar defenseman who provide a sense of offensive dominance from the back end that is rarely seen in NHL history. Both blueliners earn a cap hit of under $10 million, and many would believe they’re underpaid.

Each negotiation for every player is different, including the demands and motives of signing a new contract. However, there is a possibility that these two D-men could get massive raises on their next contracts.

When the Colorado Avalanche failed to re-sign star right winger Mikko Rantanen, they traded him and found a replacement who performs nearly as well for less money. They'll be hard-pressed to find anyone available who can do anything close to what Makar does. The same goes in Vancouver with Hughes, who demonstrates valuable leadership qualities on top of his play.

It's possible that in the summer of 2028, these players will deserve not only double their current cap hits but potentially $20 million a year as well.

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A closer look at Montreal’s five goals in Thursday’s victory over Detroit and an assessment of how many can truly be pinned on John Gibson. 

The Detroit Red Wings had a troubling start to the season of Thursday as they found themselves down 3-1 early in the first period. They saw their chances in the second and third but never were able to crack the Habs defense and young goaltender Jakub Dobes. Montreal ended up prevailing 5-1 as the Red Wings were booed off the ice in their very first game of the season. 

John Gibson Pulled In Red Wings Debut As Part Of 5-1 Loss To Canadiens The Detroit Red Wings have seen it all through 100 years of history in the National Hockey League, and have delivered multiple cherished memories for their legions of fans across the world. 

Every facet of the Red Wings’ game came under scrutiny, the offense struggled to finish, the defense blew key assignments, and newly acquired goaltender John Gibson couldn’t come up with the saves Detroit needed. While the forwards generated a decent number of chances, it wouldn’t be fair to pin the loss solely on Gibson. Most of Montreal’s goals were avoidable, but defensive breakdowns turned them into easy opportunities for the Canadiens.

Take the Habs first goal for example. The Canadiens opened the scoring with a quick and efficient passing play. Brendan Gallagher, positioned along the boards, spotted a streaking Zach Bolduc breaking up the ice. After receiving a pass from defenseman Mike Matheson, Gallagher immediately sent the puck ahead into open ice, perfectly placed for Bolduc to collect.

Boldy a des ailes!

Forget 6 7, we're all about 76#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/FmW6gbPjfD

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 9, 2025

Bolduc blew past Red Wings defenseman Travis Hamonic and forward Michael Rasmussen, creating a clean breakaway. He finished the play with a low blocker-side shot past goaltender John Gibson for the first goal. 

Breakaways are difficult for any goalie to stop, but the Red Wings’ defensive struggles continued on Montreal’s second tally. The pairing of Hamonic and Albert Johansson was again caught out of position. Johansson was caught deep in the offensive zone, allowing Canadiens forward Oliver Kapanen to slip behind him. A quick pass found a charging Alex Newhook, setting up a two-on-one rush.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Eh bin, comme hier!

If you're Kappy and you know it clap your hands#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/BbzNtVdotV

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 9, 2025

Newhook fed Kapanen across the slot, and although Gibson managed to get a piece of the shot, it wasn’t enough to prevent Kapanen from burying it into the open net. 

"We Earned Those": Todd McLellan Says Red Wings Deserved Fan Boos After 5-1 Loss Throughout his first Training Camp as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Todd McLellan emphasized the importance of mental fortitude and responding the right way when things inevitably go wrong over the course of an 82-game season.

Montreal’s next two goals came off unfortunate deflections, one off Ben Chiarot’s stick and another off Johansson, continuing Detroit’s defensive woes. The fifth goal was likely the only one Gibson could have handled better. On a Canadiens power play, Cole Caufield fired a point shot that Gibson initially stopped but failed to control. The rebound kicked directly into the slot, where Juraj Slafkovsky pounced and fired it home. 

🪽 À VOUS LES AILES 🪽

FREE WINGS > RED WINGS#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/DJZYx1bnLr

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 10, 2025

Ideally, Gibson would have directed the rebound to the corner or toward the side boards, keeping it away from a dangerous netfront chance. While the shot itself was difficult to handle, better rebound control or a quicker defensive response from Detroit could have prevented the goal.

Gibson was eventually pulled for Cam Talbot in the third, who finished the game with saves on four shots. Gibson's final stat line was just eight saves on 13 shots with five goals allowed but the game tells a very different story as many of the goals he never had a chance on. 

The Red Wings management team took a big swing grabbing Gibson and he likely has more to prove than what was showed on Thursday. There’s no word yet on who will start Saturday against the Maple Leafs, but if Gibson gets the nod again, the hope is that he’ll have a better chance to showcase his abilities, rather than being left in no-win situations where he’s forced to make highlight-reel saves on odd-man rushes and breakaways.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have 3 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Jersey #3 is one of the more popular numbers to be worn.

Let's take a look at who wore 3, and where they are now

František Kučera - 2001 - Drafted by Chicago in 1986. 

He played 48 games as a Jacket and had seven points in the first year of the Blue Jackets' existence. 

He retired in 2004 after returning to his home country of Czechia. 

Jaroslav Špaček - 2002-2004 - Drafted by Florida in 1998. 

Špaček played 153 games for Columbus and had 72 points in the early years of Columbus. 

His son David Špaček, born in Columbus, was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2022. He will start this season with the AHL's Iowa Wild. David was born in Columbus. 

Nowadays, the elder Špaček is the Director of Youth Hockey for HC Plzeň in Czechia. 

Marc Methot - 2009-2012 - Drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Methot played six years and 275 games for the CBJ, totaling 51 points on the Columbus blue line. He was the definition of a defensive defenseman. 

On July 1, 2012, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for future CBJ Captain Nick Foligno. After the trade to Ottawa, he would play another 349 NHL games. 

He retired during the 2018-19 season after playing 9 games. 

Jordan Leopold - 2015 - Drafted by Anaheim in 1999. 

Leopold played 18 games for Columbus after being traded from the St. Louis Blues on November 15, 2014. On March 2, 2015, he was dealt again, this time to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Falk. He retired after the 2015 season. 

He has been an assistant coach for Andover High in Minnesota for the past couple of years. 

Seth Jones - 2016-2021 - Drafted by Nashville in 2013. 

Jones played 381 games for the Jackets after coming over from the Nashville Predators. He scored 50 goals and totaled 223 points during his time in Columbus. Jones is currently second all-time in CBJ history in goals by a defenseman, second in assists, and second in points. He's also 7th in all-time assists and 10th in all-time points. 

He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021 in exchange for Adam Boqvist. Chicago traded him to the Florida Panthers in 2025, where he went on to win the Stanley Cup. 

The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones was described by Elite Prospects as, "A defenseman with an excellent frame. Jones' athleticism allows him to be a very good skater for a player of his size. He has excellent mobility and is solid both offensively and defensively. Jones gives a smart first pass and is also capable of utilizing his skating ability to bring the puck up himself. He has good hockey sense and is an asset on the power play thanks to his mobility, puck-handling, and a very dangerous slap shot."

Jack Johnson - 2025 - Drafted by Carolina in 2005.

Johnson played 486 games for Columbus after being traded from the LA Kings for Jeff Carter. He scored 36 goals and had 156 points in seven years.

He's bounced around since leaving Columbus, but finally won a Stanley Cup in 2022. He found his way back to Cannon City in the summer of 2024. Unfortunately for Johnson, he only played in 41 games for Columbus last year and had 6 points. 

He and Head Coach Dean Evason didn't see eye to eye, leading to Johnson being scratched most of the season. Johnson's family even boycotted the family day held ahead of the 2025 Stadium Series Game at Ohio Stadium. 

There are three days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Who was your favorite #3?

Game one against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena didn't end well for the CBJ. They played well; they just couldn't beat Juuse Saros. They thought they took the lead, but a very iffy goalie interference call took the goal back.

The Jackets also came out of Nashville relatively healthy. Dean Evason said that defenseman Dante Fabbro, who missed a couple of shifts in the last two periods, is going to be ok. The Jackets are in Minnesota and will practice today. 

Mathieu Olivier - “I thought our game was really good. We put a lot of pressure on them, did the right things to win. Ultimately, their goalie was really good. So was Jet. It was a very tight game, and that’s just the way it goes sometimes, but as far as the way we played, I don’t think there’s much to look at and not be satisfied with. We played well. Just not satisfied with not getting the two points, but other than that, not a bad performance by our group.”

Let us know what you think below.

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Blue Jackets Play Well, But Can't Overcome The Demons Of Playing In Nashville Dmitri Voronkov (1) provided the only offense for Columbus, and Jet Greaves was stellar, making 29 saves, but the Jackets would fall to the Nashville Predators 2-1.  Cleveland Monsters Sign Defenseman Will Butcher The Cleveland Monsters have announced that they've signed defenseman Will Butcher to a one-year AHL contract. Butcher has played 275 career NHL games.  Former Blue Jackets Forward Signs With Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have signed former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jack Roslovic.

Yesterday was a big day for the Carolina Hurricanes as they won their season opener 6-3 over the New Jersey Devils, but it was also a big moment for a few former Canes as well.

Both Brett Pesce (2015-2024) and Jeff Skinner (2010-2018) hit milestones related to the number 700, with Pesce reaching 700 NHL games played and Skinner scoring his 700th point,

Pesce, 30, played the first 627 games of his career for the Hurricanes after being selected by the franchise in the third round of the 2013 draft.

He reflects a bit on the milestone in this NHL.com feature.

The Moment Over the Milestone | FEATURE  | New Jersey DevilsBrett Pesce will play his 700th NHL game in Carolina in the Devils season opener, but it's not the milestone that matters to him: It's the moment.

Skinner, 33, scored the opening goal for his new team, the San Jose Sharks to get point #700 in memorable fashion. 

Skinner was the most productive over his career in Carolina, where he had 204 goals and 379 points in 579 games.

The former Calder Trophy winner was the 7th overall selection by the Canes in 2010.

🎙️@Jkellyhockey (first goal-call with ESPN)

“Rebound Skinner—HE SCORES! Skinner! Top corner! One-nothing Sharks!#TheFutureIsTeal | #NHLpic.twitter.com/YKDm4saQQo

— NHL Announcer Schedules (@AnnouncersNHL) October 10, 2025

7⃣️0⃣️0⃣️ for Jeff Skinner! Congrats to the @SanJoseSharks forward, who is the 3rd player from the 2010 NHL Draft class to hit the mark 🤟 pic.twitter.com/A7DYxruK6l

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) October 10, 2025

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have assigned defenseman Ethan Del Mastro to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

Del Mastro played in the Blackhawks' 2025-26 season opener against the Florida Panthers, where he recorded two blocks, six hits, and a minus-1 rating.

we have assigned Ethan Del Mastro to the @goicehogs

👉https://t.co/axdgE6YEJIpic.twitter.com/dIRGX7618J

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 10, 2025

During this past season with the Blackhawks, Del Mastro posted two goals, four assists, six points, 21 blocks, 40 hits, and a minus-3 rating. He also played in 47 games down in the AHL with the IceHogs last season, where he recorded nine assists, 39 penalty minutes, and a plus-8 rating.

Del Mastro was selected by the Blackhawks with the 105th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In 27 career NHL games over three seasons with the Blackhawks, Del Mastro has recorded two, six points, and a minus-4 rating.

In 116 career AHL games with Rockford, Del Mastro has posted seven goals, 39 assists, 46 points, 93 penalty minutes, and a plus-22 rating. 

Winnipeg Jets' 2015 first round pick in Jack Roslovic signed with the Edmonton mid-game on Wednesday as they Oilers were playing in the Battle of Alberta with the Calgary Flames. 

The Edmonton Oilers made headlines late Wednesday night, announcing the signing of former Winnipeg Jets forward Jack Roslovic to a one-year, $1.5-million contract. The move ends a long summer of uncertainty for the 28-year-old, who had been skating in Columbus as an unrestricted free agent after going unsigned since July 1.

Jets Rally Late But Fall 5-4 to Stars in Home OpenerThe Winnipeg Jets will not be starting the 2025-26 season the way they did their Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign. 

For Jets fans, the news carries a hint of nostalgia. Roslovic’s NHL story began in Winnipeg, where he was selected 25th overall in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. At the time, the speedy American center was viewed as one of the organization’s key young pieces, a dynamic, offensively gifted forward with top-six potential. After spending time with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, he broke into the Jets’ lineup during the 2017–18 season, eventually playing 180 games for Winnipeg. Over that stretch, he recorded 26 goals and 41 assists for 67 points.

Despite showing flashes of skill and speed, Roslovic never quite found a permanent home in the Jets’ top six. His minutes fluctuated, and his role often shifted between center and wing. As his frustration with his usage grew, so did speculation about his future in Winnipeg. By the 2020–21 season, Roslovic formally requested a trade, a move that ultimately sent him, along with Patrik Laine, to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois.

The trade gave Roslovic the fresh start he’d been seeking, returning him to his hometown of Columbus and providing a larger offensive role. His production ticked upward in his first full season with the Blue Jackets, and he has since carved out a solid career as a reliable middle-six scorer. He has gone on to play for four other teams, Columbus, the New York Rangers, the Carolina Hurricanes, and now Edmonton, amassing 102 goals and 158 assists for 260 points in 526 career games.

Roslovic’s 2024–25 season with the Hurricanes was one of his most consistent. He matched a career high with 22 goals and added 17 assists for 39 points in 81 games, then contributed four points in nine playoff appearances. Yet despite that production, he entered the offseason without a contract. Changing agents midway through the summer, Roslovic remained patient while skating in Columbus, waiting for the right opportunity and it arrived in Edmonton.

Former Minnesota Wild Forward Tabbed as New Captain of Winnipeg's AHL MooseWinnipeg's AHL Moose name veteran forward Mason Shaw as the 13th team captain in franchise history on Thursday. 

For Winnipeg fans, Roslovic’s latest move is a reminder of a player who once represented promise and potential. His time with the Jets ended amid frustration over opportunity, but his subsequent journey through the NHL has underscored the talent that made him a first-round pick in the first place. Now, in Edmonton, Roslovic has another chance to prove that he can still be the kind of impact player many in Winnipeg once believed he would become.

While the Montreal Canadiens were registering a big win over the Detroit Red Wings last night, former Hab Logan Mailloux was making his debut with the St. Louis Blues, and to say things didn’t go well would be an understatement.

Skating on the third pair alongside Tyler Tucker, Mailloux saw just over 14 minutes of action and was on the ice for two of the Minnesota Wild’s five goals. In 21 shifts, he landed three hits and committed one giveaway.

Meanwhile, Zack Bolduc, whom Kent Hughes acquired for Mailloux over the summer, is having an excellent start to his Canadiens’ career. In two games, he has scored two goals and is a significant contributor to the success of Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach, who are off to good starts to their seasons.

Beautiful passing by the #Habs here, and Zachary Bolduc has two goals in as many games in the Tricolore. pic.twitter.com/rD6floDxCg

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 9, 2025

The Trois-Rivieres native is a real two-way player; he gives his whole at both ends of the ice, he’s defensively responsible, and a real handful for the opposition in the attacking zone. On Thursday night, he only scored one goal, but his battle with Albert Johansson in front of the net allowed Alex Carrier to score his first goal of the season.

It’s a small sample, but so far, Bolduc looks like a hockey player, not just someone who plays hockey —an expression that Martin St-Louis reserves for the best players. He’s willing to do it all, the small defensive details and the big offensive play.

So far, it looks like Hughes has had the upper hand in the deal with his counterpart Doug Armstrong, but it’s worth remembering that defensemen do take longer to develop than forwards normally. At this stage, it’s impossible to know precisely what Mailloux’s ceiling will be, but for now, the Canadiens’ decision to use him to get help up front after acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders looks astute.

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