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

The word dynasty is starting to be thrown around when discussing the Florida Panthers.

That’s what will happen when you reach three straight Stanley Cup Finals and win the most recent two.

While there are several key reasons you can point to when discussing how and why the Panthers have become the juggernaut they currently are, a very big reason that would be toward the tippy-top of that list would be goaltending.

No matter what kind of style your hockey team plays, good goaltending is going to be required to achieve any kind of greatness.

It’s just science.

Speaking of science, there is also the fact that professional hockey players generally see their skills peak around age 30, with gradual diminishment of said skills as they inch closer to 40.

Those numbers are usually exacerbated when it comes to goalies.

There is, however, the occasional anomaly. The guy who shows up and defies all logic, pushing back against the general way of things.

That man is Sergei Bobrovsky.

Over the past three seasons, while entering what should be the twilight of a very strong career, Bobrovsky has seen his game, and his legacy, reach previously unmatched heights.

The 36-year-old has enjoyed three of his most successful and consistent seasons over the past three years, taking his game to another level during the playoffs and leading the Panthers to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances.

His play during Florida’s two Stanley Cup-winning campaigns had Bobrovsky among those receiving votes for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

It’s truly remarkable what Bobrovsky has been able to accomplish, seemingly getting strong with each passing year.

“It's not me, it's God,” Bobrovsky said Saturday. “That age category, it's not many people who can play at that level. It's just been a journey for me. I feel like I’m playing my best hockey right now, the last three years or so, and I feel good.”

Over those three years, the Panthers have done we’ll to limit Bobrovsky’s ice time during the regular season.

He’s played in 50, 58 and 54 games in each of the past three seasons, respectively, before acting as Florida’s primary netminder during their Stanley Cup Final runs.

Combined with his legendary work ethic, the efforts to keep Bobrovsky fresh have paid off quite well for Bob and the Panthers.

It’s also given all parties concerned reason to feel confident that the veteran goaltender can maintain his elite level of play for the foreseeable future.

“I'm excited about next season,” Bobrovsky said. “I feel great physically. I feel great mentally. We have a great, great group of guys, and as I said, I'm excited for what's coming next. I'm excited for new challenges. I'm excited to go through them with my teammates, and again, I'm excited to be with the guys again.”

Looking ahead, Bobrovsky has one year remaining on the seven-year, $70 million deal he signed with Florida back in the summer of 2019.

Considering the advanced state of his career combined with Bob’s ability to defy logic and age like a fine wine, it will be interesting to see how he and the Panthers approach his contract situation.

Like many of his teammates, Bobrovsky has seen his life change in many ways after relocating to South Florida.

In addition to becoming a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Bobrovsky has also become a two-time father over the past several years.

He and his family have established roots, another element that will likely come into consideration at this time next year.

For now, Bobrovsky is trying to stay in the present.

“It's tough to predict for five years right now, and I don't want that,” he said. “I feel like, when you think too much ahead of yourself, you lose the focus on that moment, and I don't want to lose that. I’ve got so many great things right now, and I value them so much. I live in Florida, in an unbelievable city, unbelievable environment. I have my great family (at home), my second great family is here (at the rink). Everything is great here, and I want to take full advantage of this moment and value that moment.”

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced who would be filling out their coaching staff - in addition to new head coach Dan Muse - for the 2025-26 season.

And they may have struck gold with one of their hires.

Todd Nelson - who was head coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears for the past three seasons - was named as one of the assistants on Muse's new staff on Friday. Nelson coached the Bears to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024, and he has a boatload of coaching experience at both the AHL and NHL levels. 

Given the phase of their rebuild that the Penguins find themselves in - and their focus on development - Nelson may just be the perfect hire.

Even some former players under Nelson agree. Goaltender Zachary Fucale - who was part of the 2023 Bears' championship team and now plays in the KHL for Chelyabinsk Traktor - gave Nelson a glowing endorsement on socials:

"The best of the best!" Fucale wrote. "Thank you Nelly for everything. Unforgettable moments being part of your team. Absolutely 0 doubts you will have success with @penguins. All the best to you."

The best of the best! Thank you Nelly for everything. Unforgettable moments being part of your team. Absolutely 0 doubts you will have success with @penguins. All the best to you 🙏🏼 https://t.co/SleRD8SdIx

— Zach Fucale (@Fucale31) June 20, 2025

Although Nelson was wildly successful as head coach of the Bears, the AHL accolades don't stop there. He also won a Calder Cup as an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves in 2008 and as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2017, which makes him one of only six coaches in AHL history to win three times as a head coach. He is also only one of three people in AHL history to win the Calder Cup as an assistant coach, a head coach, and a player.

Nelson also has a bit of experience at the NHL level, too. He was an assistant with now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers before they moved to Winnipeg, he was the interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers after Dallas Eakins was fired in 2014-15, and he had another assistant gig with the Dallas Stars from 2018-22.

And his playing career? Ironically, he was selected by none other than the Penguins as a defenseman in the fourth round (79th overall) of the 1989 NHL Draft. He only appeared in one NHL game with Pittsburgh on Nov. 23, 1991 in a 2-2 tie against the New York Islanders. He also later appeared in a few games for the Washington Capitals later on.

Penguins Name Full Coaching Staff For 2025-26 SeasonBack on Jun. 4, the Pittsburgh Penguins hired Dan Muse as the 23rd coach in franchise history.

The history with the Penguins' organization is there. But, more importantly, the developmental angle is there. Nelson has personal experience in the arena of fighting tooth and nail for NHL playing time, and he has spent a great deal of time working with developing young players and maximizing their potential.

And this - in addition to that track record of success - is something that drew him to Muse when he was filling out his staff.

“With over two decades of coaching experience, Todd brings a championship pedigree and a winning history that speaks for itself,” Muse said. “He has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to get the most out of his players, most recently in Hershey, and his leadership qualities and wealth of experience will be a tremendous asset to our team as we continue to build a culture of excellence.”

Over the next several seasons, the Penguins hope to build back up that culture of excellence that they became so renowned for. And - given his track record - Nelson could be a big part of helping them get there. 

Former Penguin Set To Join Coaching Staff For 2025-26 SeasonA few weeks after it was announced that Dan Muse would become the 23rd head coach in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history, it appears that a former Penguin will be joining his coaching staff as well.

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Feature image credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brad Marchand is one of the top pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who can hit the market on July 1. Both the Florida Panthers and Marchand have expressed interest in getting a new contract done. However, with Panthers stars Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also needing new deals, there is certainly a possibility that No. 63 could end up becoming a UFA at the start of next month. 

After the playoff run Marchand just had, he would be a very popular target if he became available on the free-agent market. The 37-year-old winger has proven that he is still a star and that he can still step up big time in games that matter most. 

Due to this, in his most recent 32 Thoughts column, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned several potential suitors for Marchand if the Panthers are unable to re-sign him by July 1. These teams include the Utah Mammoth, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals.

The Mammoth making a push for Marchand would be understandable, as they could use a star winger like him as they look to take that next step and become a playoff team. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs, Kings, Devils, and Capitals also make sense as possible suitors, as they each are playoff-caliber teams with high expectations for next year. Thus, bringing in a clutch playoff performer like Marchand would be huge for them.

Nevertheless, it is going to be intriguing to see what happens between Marchand and the Panthers this off-season. If Florida is unable to keep him around, it's clear that the future Hall of Famer will have plenty of other options to consider. 

Brad Marchand Has Big Message For Panthers GM Bill ZitoBrad Marchand is one of the Florida Panthers' top pending unrestricted free agents (UFA) with the summer here. The star winger has undoubtedly increased his value after his marvelous playoff run, as he recorded 10 goals, 20 points, and a plus-17 rating in 23 games. With this, he was one of the major reasons why the Panthers were able to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. 

Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The NHL's 2025 off-season is here, and teams are going to be jockeying for trades and free agents in the coming days and weeks. And in this ongoing THN.com Buffalo Sabres site series, we've been examining potential trade partners for the Sabres.

We began the series with a look at the  Utah Mammoth, followed by the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings. And in this file, we're going to break down the potential trade fit with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Let's get straight to it:

TEAM: Pittsburgh Penguins

CAP SPACE:  $22.9 million

FREE AGENTS:  Matt Nieto, LW; Connor Dewar, C (RFA); Phillip Tomasino, RW (RFA); Vasily Ponomarev, LW (RFA); Matt Grzelcyk, D;  Pierre-Oliver Joseph, D (RFA); Conor Timmins, D (RFA)

NEEDS: Help on offense, but especially, on defense; depth at left wing; change in goaltending tandem

SABRES FIT? The Penguins have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NHL in the past three seasons, failing to make the playoffs in each year despite a veteran-laden lineup that includes icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. Astonishingly, Pittsburgh has gotten progressively worse each year, going from a 40-win season in 2022-23 to 38 wins in 2023-24 to 34 wins this past season. It's inexcusable for a team with this many experienced hands to come up so short, but that's where the Pens are at today.

Consequently, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has a gigantic problem on his hands -- namely, how to balance the needs of the now with the long-term future of the franchise, Dubas is under extreme pressure to steer the Pens into the post-season in 2025-26, but to do that, he'll have to change Pittsburgh's lineup considerably.

That starts with goaltending, as longtime starter Tristan Jarry was an absolute disaster last year, posting a 3.12 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage. Jarry was waived by the Penguins last season, but with three years left on his contract at $5.375 million per year, nobody will be taking him off the Pens' hands. Jarry is a key candidate to have his contract bought out, but if that doesn't happen, Dubas could bury him in the American League.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Los Angeles KingsTHN's Sabres site is continuing a new series in which we examine potential trade partners for Buffalo. We've kicked off the series by looking at teams including the the Utah Mammoth, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers.and New Jersey Devils.

If that's the case, would Pittsburgh be intrigued by Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen? The Finnish netminder's play fell off in a big way last season, with his GAA ballooning from 2.57 in 2023-24 to to 3.20 in 2024-25, and his save percentage falling from .910 to .887. Luukkonen is signed through the 2028-29 campgain at a relatively reasonable average annual salary of $4.75 million -- essentially, in the same range as Jarry's pay slot.  And Luukkonen doesn't have any no-trade or no-move protection until 2026-27. 

What would the Sabres want in return for Luukkonen? Well, let's start by talking about Penguins winger Bryan Rust. The 33-year-old is a proven offense-producer, and last season, he set new career-highs in goals (31) and points (65) in only 71 games. Rust would give a terrific jolt to Buffalo's offense, and Rust doesn't have any no-trade or no-move protection on a contract that pays him $5.125 million to shoot down a deal to the Sabres.

That said, if Luukkonen isn't a target for Dubas, there are other options on the Sabres who could be moved in a trade for Rust -- namely, veteran winger Alex Tuch, or young RFA winger J.J. Peterka. Both of those Sabres wingers might benefit from a change in scenery, and getting dealt to the Penguins as they aim for the playoffs once again could turn out to be just what Tuch or Peterka may be looking for.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: New Jersey DevilsThe NHL's off-season has arrived, and here at the Sabres team website on THN.com. we're in the midst of a series of columns examining which teams Buffalo could make a notable trade with.

Another potential fit for Buffalo is Pens winger Rickard Rakell. The 32-year-old does have a modified no-trade clause allowing him to veto a trade to one of five teams of his choosing, but for all we know, the Sabres may not be one of those five teams.

Rakell's salary of $5 million runs for the next three seasons, so Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams could rest assured he had a cost-controlled asset in Rakell for the foreseeable future. Rakell posted career-bests in goals (35) and points (70) last year, and he'd be a welcome addition to a Sabres squad that needs all the firepower it can get.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: New York RangersThe NHL's off-season has arrived, and we're turning our attention in this THN.com series to potential trade partners for the Sabres.

As you can see, there are multiple avenues Adams and Dubas can go down to consummate a major trade between Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Both teams are desperate to make the playoffs, but both teams can't afford to run it back with the status quo. The pressure is squarely on Adams and Dubas to get something done in terms of changing their respective rosters, and both teams have pieces that aren't essential to their core.

And that means a trade that shakes up the Sabres and Penguins would ultimately be beneficial to each team's competitive bottom line.

Coming out of the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres got the lowdown on a number of prospects that could be their with the ninth selection at the 2025 Draft in Los Angeles later this month, but barring a trade up they will have to rely on the player they want slipping through the cracks.  

The NY Islanders are likely to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top overall pick, but there is no accurate read on how the remaining seven picks will break. That seems to be reflected in various mock drafts that have emerged since the combine. After Schaefer, names like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and rising star Anton Frondell are likely to go in the top five, but at that point, any of a number of players could be there for the Sabres at #9.  

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Defenseman Jackson Smith has been ranked in the top 10 of many mock drafts, and based on some of the projections that have the Sabres selecting top blueline prospects Radim Mrtka or Kashawn Aitcheson, the offensively gifted Smith could be in the mix as well. The 18-year-old broke out in his second full season with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, more than doubling his production with 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists). With the rules change allowing players to shift to the NCAA, Smith is one player taking advantage and is heading to Penn State, the alma mater of Sabres owner Terry Pegula. 

According to the Hockey News Draft Preview, Smith has shown flashes offense and physicality to get scouts excited about his potential. He has good size and strength and will improve once he adds more consistency to his game and projects as a top-pairing ‘D’ at the NHL level. He logged big minutes in all situations in Tri-City and finished tied for second in ice time among draft-eligible CHL defensemen this season.

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Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Ilya Samsonov will be testing the free agent market, according to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

The 28-year-old went 16-9-4 with a 2.82 GAA and .891 SV% with Vegas in 2024-25.

Before joining the Golden Knights on a one-year, $1.8 million deal last offseason, he spent time with the Washington Capitals (2019-2022) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2022-2024).

VGK@BOS: Samsonov with a great save against Morgan Geekie | Vegas Golden KnightsIlya Samsonov (VGK) makes a save against Morgan Geekie (BOS) at 12:23 of the 1st Regulation Period

While the New York Islanders would prefer not to be in the market for a goaltender, they are likely to add depth, as Semyon Varlamov’s injury status is a question mark after sustaining a lower-body injury in November that kept him off the ice through the remainder of the season.

At Clean Out Day following the 2024-25 regular season, Varlamov provided an update on his rehab progress:

“I expect to be ready for next season. Everything is going well with rehab and physiotherapy.The main focus for me to finish the rehab, hopefully soon, and have a good summer of training, and then ready for September for training camp.”

“I want to make sure I'm ready 100% for the next season,” Varlamov added. “I want to show up for the training camp by feeling good without any issues. That's the main goal.”

Varlamov Expecting to be Ready for Isles Training Camp | New York IslandersSemyon Varlamov is planning to be good to for next season after being limited to 10 games with an injury in 2024-25

While Varlamov is expected to be ready for the season, adding a strong third goaltender would be a smart insurance move.

Marcus Hogberg filled that role in 2024-25 and was serviceable during Varlamov’s absence. 

In seven games before the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, he went 2-2 with a 1.45 GAA and a .947 SV%. However, after the tournament, he struggled, going 0-6-3 with a 5.00 GAA and an .821 SV%, putting uncertainty into his 2025-26 outlook.

Adding Ilya Samsonov would also provide value to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, Bridgeport, which allowed a league-worst 294 goals in 2024-25, 43 more than the next closest team.

With Jakub Skarek heading to IFK Helsinki in Liiga and both Henrik Tikkanen and Tristan Lennox still developing, Bridgeport could benefit from a more stable tandem in Samsonov and Hogberg.

While Samsonov would prefer an NHL role, the 2025 free-agent market is filled with goaltenders of similar caliber, which could make him open to joining the Islanders even without an expected NHL spot.

In addition to consistent AHL ice time, he would be joining a franchise that used five different goaltenders in 2024-25 and would be surrounded by fellow Russians in Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin.

Samsonov’s contract would likely be a one-year deal in the $1 to $1.5 million range.

Michael Ostrower wrote this story. 

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have multiple areas on their roster that they should be aiming to improve if they hope to be more competitive during the 2025-26 season. One of their most notable needs is strengthening their defense's left side. This will be even more of the case if Matt Grzelcyk signs elsewhere in free agency. 

When looking at names floating around the rumor mill as trade candidates who would make sense for the Penguins, here is no question that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram stands out big time.

Byram is exactly the kind of defenseman that a retooling team like the Penguins should consider making a serious push. At just 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick has cemented himself as a legitimate top-four defenseman and is young enough that he could be a long-term part of the Penguins' plans. Furthermore, one could argue that he also still has the potential to hit another new level in the right situation.

Byram is coming off a strong season with the Sabres in 2024-25, too. In 82 games, he scored seven goals and set new career highs with 31 assists, 38 points, and a plus-11 rating. With numbers like these, Byram would instantly become the Penguins' top left-shot defenseman if acquired. Furthermore, he would offer them another clear option for both their power play and their penalty kill if acquired. 

Byram is a pending restricted free agent and is undoubtedly due for a notable raise from his previous $3.85 million average annual value. However, with the Penguins desperately needing help on their blueline and Byram being young, acquiring him would undoubtedly be worth it.

Ex-Penguins Forward Expected To Hit Free-Agent MarketWith the Pittsburgh Penguins being out of the playoff race by the 2025 NHL trade deadline, they traded away some of their players. One of them was forward Cody Glass, as they dealt him and Jonathan Gruden to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Chase Stillman, Max Graham's signing rights, and a 2027 third-round pick.

Photo Credit: © Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov will not return to the Vegas Golden Knights and will test the free agency waters, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. 

The Golden Knights signed Samsonov to a one-year-, $1.8M contract last offseason after a disappointing season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Golden Knights were hoping for a bounce-back season from the Russian netminder, but his struggles were much of the same.

In his lone season with the Golden Knights, Samsonov posted a .891 SP and a 2.82 GAA in 29 games, losing his job as the backup netminder by the playoffs.  

The market for unrestricted free-agent goaltenders is very thin this season, and it's understandable why Samsonov would like to test free agency to see what he can earn on the open market. At 28 years old, there could be several teams that believe Samsonov can turn his career around and form a tandem with another goalie. 

Even if Samsonov had an interest in returning to Vegas, the Golden Knights may likely have wanted to move on anyway. The Golden Knights appear to be gearing up for a pursuit of a top free agent, with all signs pointing to Mitch Marner. If they can work out a deal, they'll need to save every dollar they can, which is why they could be looking at a goalie tandem of Adin Hill and Akira Schmid next season. 

“To me, it was a missed opportunity because I felt our team was good enough to win,” McCrimmon told reporters upon elimination. “We’ve got Tanner Pearson, Victor Olofsson, Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, and Ilya Samsonov with expiring contracts on June 30.

“There’s a really good case to be made for a lot of those players. I think they played well here for us. So, we’ll make those decisions. And then depending on how that goes, that can dictate to some extent what you do on July 1 with free agency. But we’re going to do everything we can to make our team better.”

Including Samsonov, Reilly Smith, Tanner Pearson, Victor Olofsson, and Brandon Saad wrap up the Golden Knights' UFA list this offseason. 

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The NHL’s free-agency period is almost here, and it’s time to look at the key pivots who could be UFAs on July 1. 

TheHockeyNews.com has already looked at the top eight UFA defensemen and the top seven wingers. As for the centers, this is a rather thin class, but there’s no doubt which center will be paid the most as a UFA this summer.

1. Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers

Bennett was arguably the biggest impact player of the 2025 playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP. 

Bennett posted an amazing 15 goals and 22 points in 23 playoff games. No other player had more than 11 goals, making Bennett’s scoring prowess all the more remarkable. 

The 29-year-old will get a massive raise on the $4.425 million he earned for the past four years. The Panthers aren’t devoid of salary cap space, with $19 million in room. However, they might prioritize re-signing UFA winger Brad Marchand and defenseman Aaron Ekblad, cutting ties with Bennett and sending him to the open market looking for a bigger payday than Florida can afford. 

There will be a slew of teams – including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and many more – who will happily bring Bennett on board with a salary north of $8 million. It’s all up to Bennett to choose where he plays next, but he can rest assured he’ll be one of the most targeted assets in free agency.

2. John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs

At 34 years old, Tavares is entering the final stage of his tremendous NHL career. But he hasn’t let up in terms of offensive production, putting up 38 goals – his best total since 2018-19 – and 74 points in 75 games. There are few players more consistent as a point-per-game producer than Tavares, but he’ll be taking a huge pay cut as he does his best to remain with his hometown Maple Leafs.

Thus, Tavares will be earning far less than the $11 million he earned for the past seven years. Rumored projections have him in the $4-million to $5-million range over a four- or five-year contract term. That should make Leafs fans very happy. Tavares can be part of the solution in Toronto by accepting a massive pay cut and allow the Buds to put together a deeper, stronger roster.

3. Mikael Granlund, Dallas Stars

Very quietly, Granlund put together an excellent season, generating 44 assists and 66 points in 83 games split between the Stars and San Jose Sharks. In the playoffs, Granlund amassed another five goals and 10 points in 18 games with Dallas. He was a terrific acquisition, and he guaranteed himself a strong market for his services this summer.

Granlund earned $5 million annually for the past six years, but at 33 years old, his next contract will likely be for three or four years. He’ll probably want to sign on a bona fide Cup contender, but a developing team might offer him more money to come in and provide leadership and offensive consistency to their lineup. Regardless, once Bennett and Tavares come off the board, Granlund will quickly garner major attention and sign very soon on July 1.

4. Pius Suter, Vancouver Canucks

For the first four years of his NHL career, Suter posted either 14 or 15 goals. But in 2024-25, he had a career-high 25 goals and 46 points in 81 games. The 29-year-old’s agent had to be ecstatic with the timeliness of Suter’s offensive outburst, because he’s going to be the focus of teams that lose out on Bennett, Tavares and Granlund.

Suter was a serious bargain this year in particular, earning just $1.6 million. He’ll easily double that amount this summer, as many teams – including the Canucks, which have the cap space to bring him back to Vancouver – will be jockeying for Suter’s attention. We’ll see who winds up with him, but there’s no question he’ll be in high demand.

NHL Free Agency: Top Seven Pending UFA WingersThe NHL’s free-agency period is fast approaching, so it’s time to break down the key free agents who will soon be on the open market. 

5. Christian Dvorak, Montreal Canadiens

Dvorak has had trouble staying healthy, as he appeared in 82 games this past season for the first time in his nine-year NHL career. But as a third-line center option, he’s going to be intriguing.

Dvorak posted 12 goals and 33 points last season – numbers that don’t knock your socks off but aren’t anything to sneer at, either. He won’t match or better his 2024-25 salary of $4.45 million, but on a playoff-bound team, he could be a nifty little acquisition who is hungry and determined to be part of a winning organization.

6. Adam Gaudette, Ottawa Senators

In parts of seven NHL seasons, the 28-year-old Gaudette has had to scratch and claw for opportunities in hockey’s best league. Before this past season, his career high in games played was 59, back in 2019-20. But in ’24-25, the Senators took a chance on him for just $775,000, and in return, Gaudette put up 19 goals and 26 points. 

So, once the other players on this list have signed a new contract, Gaudette is bound to get multiple offers for his services. The Sens aren’t swimming in cap space, so Gaudette could be moving on to a different team next year. But as a third- or fourth-line option, he could fit in very well with a team intent on being a playoff contender.

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Now that the playoffs are over and the Stanley Cup has been awarded, NHL general managers are planning for the next season and preparing for both the draft and free agency. Some are rushing to sign their pending UFA and RFA before they hit the market or can be signed to offer sheets. So far, Montreal Canadiens' GM Kent Hughes has signed prospect Vinzenz Rohrer to an entry-level contract (ELC), but he has not put pen to paper with any of his pending free agents.

Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak are set to hit the market. Armia has already said he’d like to return, while Dvorak preferred not to touch on the subject at his exit interview, but Montreal appears to be set to give the kids a chance. Still, could the Canadiens be active come July 1? If there are, a couple of Quebecers who would like to receive a call.

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La Presse’s Guillaume Lefrancois attended the Beauchemin-Fleury-Beauvillier-Aube-Kubel golf classic on Friday, and according to his article in the Quebec newspaper, both Anthony Beauvillier and Nicholas Aube-Kubel would like to wear the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge.

Beauvillier knows Hughes from his agent days, as he is a Quartexx client, and he has a lot of respect for the Canadiens’ GM, calling him a great hockey mind who sees things differently. He adds that he has always believed in what he’s doing and the deals he has been making.

The 28-year-old was a first-round pick for the New York Islanders at the 2015 draft and spent seven seasons on Long Island before being part of the package that brought Bo Horvat to town. Since then, he has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals.

Beauvillier is coming off a one-year deal he signed with the Penguins, which had a $1.25 million cap hit. He felt the Capitals might want to bring him back in his exit interview, but there hasn’t been any discussion since. The 5-foot-11 and 180-pound left winger has never put up more than 40 points in a season, a feat he achieved once when he split his time between New York and Vancouver in 2022-23. This past season, he picked up 25 points in 81 games and landed 139 hits, which would have ranked fifth on the Canadiens.

If Hughes were to make an offer to Beauvillier, he would certainly listen, but it would be for little more than a depth forward, and it would be surprising given his frame. The Habs want to get bigger, and the needs they have to address up front are more in the top-six than the bottom-six. I would be surprised if such an offer were to be made, but you never know.

As for Aube-Kubel, he was born in Alberta but moved to Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, when he was just two years old, and would also like to join the Tricolore. A 6-foot and 213-pound right winger, he has spent most of his season in the AHL.

He started the year in Buffalo with the Sabres, but suffered a knee injury. He was put on waivers in January and remained unclaimed, leading to his eventual assignment to the Rochester Americans. He was traded to the New York Rangers in March, and he played three games with the big club and three with its AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

It was a challenging year for him, and in 22 NHL games, he could only muster two points and 19 penalty minutes. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Hughes would be tempted to add the right winger to his NHL roster, as he would be nothing more than a depth player, perhaps the kind of player who could replace Michael Pezzetta, who is, in all likelihood, done in Montreal.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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It’s no secret that Aaron Ekblad wants to remain with the Florida Panthers.

The former first overall pick has spent his entire NHL career with the team that drafted him.

Now he’s helped Florida win back-to-back Stanley Cups after reaching the championship series in three straight seasons.

If there was ever a great time to be a member of the Panthers, this is it.

“It's an elite program, it's the best organization in the league,” Ekblad said during Florida’s exit meetings. “We do everything the best, and we're still on an upward trajectory after winning two Stanley Cups in a row and (appearing in) three Stanley Cup Finals in a row, so it's incredible. I'm so proud of that, because I've been here for it.”

When July 1 arrives, Ekblad will be an unrestricted free agent.

He’s not the only Panthers player considered integral to the team’s success who will be hitting the open market.

Forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand are also UFAs.

Now, it’s certainly worth noting that all three have made it very clear that they would like to remain with the Panthers.

But if all three decide they want to cash in with the highest contract this summer, odds are they won’t be getting that kind of money from Florida.

Over the past several years, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has been able to sign several of the team’s key players – Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling are just some – to team friendly term deals that allow more financial flexibility for signing additional players that keep the team's depth as such a strength. 

It’s arguable that each of those aforementioned players could have gotten more money by signing elsewhere.

The same would likely be true for Ekblad, if he chooses to test the open market, but the question will ultimately be whether he is willing to take less dollars to stay where he wants to be, or cash in on what could be the 29-year-old’s last big contract.

“It’s part of who I am at this point,” Ekblad said of being a member of the Panthers. “I've spent 11 years here, and that's more than I've spent in any home or city in my life, so it's home, and I expect it to be home.”

How that plays out for Ekblad and the Panthers remains to be seen, but it shouldn’t be too long until we find out how everything plays out.

Discussions between the two sides are ongoing.

One thing is certain at this point, and that’s how happy Ekblad will be if he ends up staying with Florida.

Is that happiness worth more than the almighty dollar? We shall see.

“Conversations have been had, you know, obviously nothing material yet, but they'll be working on it,” he said. “Things like to seem to come down to the last minute here.”

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) celebrates scoring against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Big winger with ‘really good top-end speed' might be around Flyers at No. 22 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and No. 31 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Lynden Lakovic

Position: Winger
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Team: Moose Jaw

Scouting report

An excellent skater for a big body, Lakovic offers a dangerous package in transition. He’s imposing off the rush because he can separate and score with a smooth stride and plus shot.

Despite missing over a quarter of the 2024-25 campaign with a lower-body injury, the 18-year-old still led the Warriors in goals (27), points (58) and shots (183). Those numbers came in 47 games — 21 fewer than some of his teammates — on a rebuilding team.

“He has got that size,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said June 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And he’s really appealing because he can skate, he has got really good top-end speed, a good pull-away gear. Teams like that appeal about him because when he uses that speed to pull away and get the opportunity, he has got a good touch around the net, where he can finish.”

Lakovic is the 14th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He’ll need to round out his game as he develops and prove he can grind for his offense, as well.

“He’s just one of the big guys that needs a little more time, but he could end up being, out of this draft class, better than some of the players that get taken ahead of him,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “I don’t know that he realizes what his top end is.”

EliteProspects.com has Lakovic pegged as the 14th-best player in the draft, while Button has him at No. 23.

“This is what our opinion is, that he has a pretty high ceiling,” Marr said. “Down the road, he may be one of these guys that when you do a re-draft, he could go a little higher.”

Fit with Flyers

Lakovic could intrigue the Flyers if he’s within their reach at No. 22. Not many 6-foot-4 wingers can move like him and there’s scoring potential to go along with it.

If the Flyers were to draft him, they’d add to a good mix of left winger prospects that includes Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin and Denver Barkey.

While it’s very difficult to read how wingers with size and finesse will translate to the pro level, Lakovic seems to have middle-six upside.

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

• Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

• ‘Fascinating,’ 6-foot-5 center has tons of intrigue for Flyers at No. 6

• Younger brother of Flyers prospect is ‘complete’ center and option at No. 6

• ‘David Krejci-like’ center with plenty of upside would give Flyers good decision

• Could a 6-foot-6, ‘just blossoming’ defenseman be a fit for Flyers at No. 6?

• Will Flyers grab prospect with ‘really, really unique’ combination at No. 6?

• Reschny’s performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers’ eye in first round

• Flyers could have three shots at ‘dynamic, explosive skater’ on the wing

• Finding another Foerster? Flyers may have one if they draft Bear in first round

• Martone would offer Flyers ‘pretty complete package’ if he’s there at No. 6

• Flyers’ future power play QB? 6-foot-4 defenseman has ‘offensive punch’

• ‘That’s how tight it is’ — Eklund could interest Flyers among international prospects

• A center with ‘really, really strong’ upside could be first-round sleeper for Flyers

Every year, good prospects go undrafted, and they have two choices: feel sorry for themselves or prove people wrong and force a team to call their names next NHL draft.

While not every player has the latter mindset, the players here embraced it ahead of the 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles.

Petteri Rimpinen, G, 19, Kiekko-Espoo (Fin.)

An incredible performance at the WJC, helping the Finns to an unexpected silver medal, put Rimpinen on the radar for the 2025 draft. He played 40 Liiga games and posted the league’s second-best save percentage.

Jamiro Reber, C, 18, HV71 (Swe.)

After flashing bits of skill last year, Reber was solid in the Swedish League this season. His speed and motor meshed perfectly with some slick playmaking and a nose for the net.

Topias Hynninen, C, 19, Jukurit (Fin.)

Hynninen was Jukurit’s second-highest regular-season scorer and then went off for 10 points in five games in the relegation playoffs, carrying a massive load offensively. He’s a solid two-way forward who brings more offensive creation than he’s given credit for.

Draft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News ArchiveThe Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions abo...

Julius Sumpf, C, 20, Moncton (QMJHL)

Sumpf is a tactician who is better than the sum of his parts. The QMJHLer constantly moves around when he doesn’t have the puck to find space and generate scoring chances. He connects plays well and doesn’t try to overcomplicate the game with the puck on his stick.

Charlie Cerrato, LW, 20, Penn State (Big Ten)

In his freshman year, Cerrato was a top-20 scorer in college hockey, and he was a driving force on one of the NCAA’s most impressive teams. Cerrato possesses excellent speed and rush-attacking abilities.

Luke Mistelbacher, RW, 19, Swift Current (WHL)

With a great shot and an understanding of how to get open in the offensive zone, Mistelbacher exploded offensively this year. He needs to clean up his skating, but his finishing and offensive skills are tantalizing. He signed a tryout deal with AHL Iowa for a taste of the pros after his WHL season ended.

Tomas Galvas, D, 19, Liberec (Cze.)

With a supremely skilled offensive game, Galvas is a player who was quite highly regarded last year but was passed over due to concerns with his own-zone play. His defensive game has improved somewhat, but it remains a work in progress. His offense, however, outweighs the worry.

Daniil Ustinkov, D, 18, Kusnacht (Sui.2)

Ustinkov plays an understated game as a defensive blueliner with solid passing on the breakout. His skating is his foundation, and he leverages it to defend in all situations.

Daniel Nieminen, D, 19 Pelicans (Fin.)

Nieminen uses his skating all over the ice and has played well against men in the Liiga. He defends with his feet, evades pressure and is comfortable carrying the puck up ice. His passing is an asset in the offensive zone.

Cole Davis, LW, 19, Windsor (OHL)

There is a lot for NHL coaches to like about Davis’ game in the OHL. He brings physicality, invites contact, crashes the net, disrupts play on the forecheck and can get under an opponent’s skin.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Draft Preview issue. Our cover story focuses on the Erie Otters' star defenseman and top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer, who has excelled despite the personal losses of his past. We also include features on other top prospects, including Michael Misa and more. In addition, we give our list of the top-100 prospects heading into the 2025 NHL draft.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

According to Frank Seravalli, the Calgary Flames and right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson have begun discussing a contract extension, and the parties are far apart in terms of money. The 28-year-old right-shot defenseman is about to enter the final year of his six-year pact with a team-friendly $4.55 cap hit.

The veteran was a second-round pick at the 2015 draft and has been a mainstay on the Flames’ blueline for the last seven years. From a primarily defensive defenseman, he has evolved into a two-way rearguard with an offensive upside. In 2021-22, he recorded a career-high 50 points in 82 games. The following season, he maintained his production with 49 points in 79 games, but his last two campaigns have been less productive with 39 and 31 points, respectively. This past season, he also posted a career-low minus-38.

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A real Swiss-knife on the blueline, the 6-foot-1 and 201-pound defenseman does it all for the Flames, averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice-time per game. He plays on the top pairing, the power play (spending an average of two minutes per game on the ice with the man-advantage), and the penalty kill.

Given the decline in production, it’s not surprising that the two sides are far apart from a monetary standpoint. Part of the decline could be down to his playing with a broken fibula in the last 12 games of the season. A stretch in which he put up four points while the Alberta outfit was desperately trying to qualify for the playoffs. They finished with the same amount of points as the St. Louis Blues, but the Missouri side had the tie-breaker and got to face the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.

With David Savard’s retirement, the Montreal Canadiens could benefit from an experienced blueliner on the right side of defense, and acquiring Andersson could be a worthy avenue to explore for GM Kent Hughes.

The Habs have made significant progress this past season, qualifying for the playoffs, and it might just be time to add some impactful veterans to help the Tricolore’s young core. Hughes has already made three trades with the Flames since his appointment in 2022. He sent Tyler Toffoli their way in February 2022, acquiring Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 (which became the 26th overall pick and was used to pick Filip Mesar), and a fifth-round pick at the 2025 draft. He also sent Michael McNiven their way for future considerations. Finally, in August 2022, he acquired Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 draft, which will be the 16th overall, for future considerations.

However, those deals were made when Brad Treliving was at the helm of the Alberta side; he has since moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs and been replaced by Craig Conroy, a former Canadiens’ draft pick in 1990 and a Flames alumnus. Since taking over, Conroy has pulled the trigger on a dozen deals, none of which were with the Canadiens. Last Summer, he traded Andrew Mangiapane away as he was about to enter the last year of his contract. The GM wanted more draft capital and cap flexibility. In March 2024, he also traded defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights in a deal. The left-shot defenseman who was about to command a raise, which he got days later, signed a new pact with the Knights.

In other words, if the financial gap between the two sides cannot be bridged, Conroy has been known to trade assets rather than let them hit the market. The Flames’ pick cupboard is not bare; they have seven selections in each of the subsequent three drafts, but it’s not exactly overflowing either. The Canadiens currently have 12 picks at the upcoming draft, nine in 2026 and seven in 2027. Montreal has two first-round picks and two second-round picks in next week's draft, which could be in play to fill one of their needs.

If Calgary moves Andersson, it won’t be for cheap; it took a first-round pick, a third-round one, and right-shot defenseman Daniil Miromanov for Vegas to acquire Hanifin back at the 2024 trade deadline.

If Conroy is still interested in future assets and prospects, there’s no doubt Hughes has got plenty to work with and could put together a very enticing package, but Montreal likely won’t be alone in the running. Right-shot defensemen are hard to come by on the market, and there will be plenty of other bidders.

Hughes has accustomed us to plenty of action around the drafts, acquiring Kirby Dach at his first one, Alex Newhook on the eve of his second one, and flipping picks to move up in the first round at the 2024 one. What does he have in store for us this time around? Time will tell…

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

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Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

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