The San Jose Sharks are expected to be aggressive this offseason, and while almost nobody expects them to be a playoff contender next season, the expectation is that they start to make some moves that prove they want to start making a push for the playoffs as soon as the 2026-27 season. 

Some big names are available this summer, including Mitchell Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Aaron Ekblad, and Brock Boeser, and while the Sharks have the money to make an enticing offer to any of those players, they could turn to another league to see if there is some interest in coming to North America.

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia has produced some solid hockey players over the years, and that continues to be the case. In this article, we take a look at two potential targets for the Sharks this summer, both of which would be coming over from the KHL.

Vitali Kravtsov - Traktor Chelyabinsk

The first potential target is 25-year-old forward Vitali Kravtsov, who played the last two seasons with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. There are rumors that he is open to returning to the NHL next season, and while he would be a solid target for the Sharks, there are some obstacles they face before they would be able to bring him in.

The Vancouver Canucks still own Kravtsov's rights, so if he was open to coming back, he would rejoin the Canucks. However, if he isn't interested in playing with them, he could easily request a trade, and the Sharks could swoop in at that point. 

Over parts of two previous seasons in the NHL, split between the Canucks and the New York Rangers, Kravtsov scored six goals and added six assists for 12 points through 64 games, which comes out to a 0.19 points-per-game average. 

He has exploded offensively over the past two seasons in the KHL. In the 2023-24 campaign, he scored 18 goals and added 16 assists for 34 points through 55 games. This past season, he scored 27 goals and added 31 assists for 58 points through 66 games. 

The Canucks will see the potential that Kravtsov has and may ask for at least a mid-round pick in return, but considering he would be playing a top-six forward role with the Sharks, that's something they should be all over.

Maxim Shabanov - Traktor Chelyabinsk

The second enticing option is another player from Traktor Chelyabinsk, Maxim Shabanov. He is a 24-year-old, left-handed forward who stands 5-foot-8, 157 pounds, and has been in rumors all summer as a potential target for several NHL teams when free agency opens.

Known for his flashy style of play, Shabanov took the KHL by storm offensively and dominated. Last season, he scored 23 goals and added 44 assists for 67 points through 65 games, maintaining just over a point-per-game average.

Over parts of four seasons in the KHL, Shabanov has scored 67 goals and added 83 assists for 150 points through 207 games, which comes out to a 0.72 points-per-game average. During his time in their development league, the MHL, he played 144 games, scoring 50 goals and adding 68 assists for 118 points, which comes out to a 0.82 points-per-game average.

His rights aren't owned by anyone in the NHL, making it free for any team to come in and make him a solid offer to bring him onto their team. There will likely be a slight bidding war for his services, and considering what he may be looking for, whether it be playing time or money, the Sharks should have enough to try and convince him to join their team.

There will be plenty of options for the Sharks this summer as they try to fill out their roster and get themselves out of the bottom of the league standings, but they should consider all options when trying to improve their team. Both Kravtsov and Shabanov have proven their worth as offensive-minded forwards who can dominate with the puck on their stick, but there is always a risk when they try to translate their game to another league on another continent. 

Andrei Kuzmenko is a perfect example of a player who came over from the KHL after dominating offensively and was able to translate his game to the NHL level. There have been plenty of players who have tried to make the jump and failed, but with how much the Sharks have struggled over the past several campaigns, they should be willing to take a risk.

Time will tell what the Sharks end up doing with their cap space, and they will have their full focus on the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft as they try to select a future superstar at second overall, but once July 1st comes around and free agency opens, they need to get a little aggressive.

Sharks Should Consider Following Ducks' Trade StrategyThe San Jose Sharks are in the middle of a rebuild, and while Mike Grier is taking a slower, more patient approach to set the team up for long-term success, there are still some smart deals he could make to insulate the young core with experienced veterans. Sharks & Stars Could Be Trade Partners On Draft DayThe San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars have the assets to pull off a big draft day deal. San Jose Sharks 2025 Draft Target: Bill ZonnonThe 2025 NHL Draft is just 11 days away, and things around the NHL are going to get interesting and fast. As soon as the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals are over, the floodgates will open and there will be a ton of NHL news and rumours.

Panthers rout Oilers in Game 6 to win back-to-back Stanley Cups originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Déjà vu.

The Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 on Tuesday to win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year. Sam Bennett collected the Conn Smythe trophy with 15 goals across Florida’s run.

It’s the same exact outcome as last season, when the Panthers avoided losing a series 3-0 by winning Game 7 versus the Oilers with Sam Reinhart scoring clutch goals. But this time, he scored lots of them.

Reinhart started the scoring within the first five minutes of the opening period, stealing the puck away, splitting two defenders then rounding it home.

Matthew Tkachuk then added the second for Florida with 46 seconds remaining in the period. With Eetu Luostarinen doubled on the right wing, he laid it off for Tkachuk, who faced no defensive reinforcement and drilled it home.

Reinhart then added a second late in the second period, but it came in unusual fashion. Carter Verhaeghe flipped an unexpected shot toward the net before falling to Aleksander Barkov, who shot and saw it deflect off Reinhart and in.

Reinhart’s hat-trick came with 6:34 on the clock in the third period, as Barkov logged another assist thanks to an empty net.

It became the first playoff hat-trick by a Panthers player in franchise history. But he wasn’t done there.

Just moments later on another empty net, Reinhart got a wrist shot off while falling. Of course, no Panthers player has scored four goals in a playoff game.

Reinhart’s fourth tied the Stanley Cup record for most in a final, last done so by Montreal’s Maurice Richard in 1957.

Edmonton didn’t come away empty-handed, however. It responded shortly after through Vasily Podkolzin, who rounded the keeper off a Jake Walman assist, silencing the crowd for a brief moment.

The Panthers became the 11th franchise to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the expansion era in 1967-68. The last team to do so was the Tampa Bay Lightning, who beat the Dallas Stars in the 2020 final before repeating the following year over the Montreal Canadiens.

This occasion is a bit different, though. While Tampa Bay beat two separate opponents, Florida handed Edmonton consecutive heartbreaks. The last team to suffer such a fate was over 50 years ago, when the Canadiens took down the Boston Bruins twice in 1977 and 1978.

Edmonton still has five Stanley Cups in its trophy cabinet, but it’s been multiple decades since a new addition. The Oilers have won it all in 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1989–90.

The Oilers are also one of the last Canadian teams to lift the Cup, as Canada’s drought is equally as parched. Montreal is the last Canadian franchise to hoist the silverware, having done so over the Los Angeles Kings in 1993.

Florida is among the franchises capitalizing on the U.S. momentum. This win marks the team’s second ever Stanley Cup, so it’s a team relatively new to the major title scene.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice also became the first coach in NHL/NFL/NBA/MLB history to win multiple championships after winning none over his first 25 seasons, via Opta Stats. Maurice previously coached the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets before joining Florida in 2022.

The Panthers then reached the final in 2023, but lost to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Safe to say that experience shaped Florida’s future for the better. If they can retain unrestricted free agents Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Bennett, among others, the Panthers may very well be on the hunt for a rare three-peat.

The Vegas Golden Knights have elected to make some moves with their front office, appointing John Penhollow as the team’s new President of Business Operations, and Kerry Bubolz will transition to a new Chief Civic Affairs and Government Relations Officer role. 

NEWS! We have hired John Penhollow as President of Business Operations to oversee our Nevada-based sports and venue properties!

Kerry Bubolz will continue to serve the team & community as Chief Civic Affairs & Government Relations Officer. #VegasBornhttps://t.co/ozPEBTYsrs

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 17, 2025

The organization announced the move on Tuesday, highlighting their excitement with the addition in a press release.

“We are thrilled to welcome John Penhollow to the organization as our new President of Business Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights and our Nevada-based sports properties and venues,” said Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and Owner Bill Foley. “John is a transformative leader whose vision and expertise will advance our business teams to new heights. His experience leading business strategy, revenue strategy and organizational development will be invaluable as we enter this exciting new chapter in our club’s history. His impressive record of success with revenue generation and growth aligns well with our core mission of ‘Always Advance, Never Retreat.’

Prior to joining the Golden Knights, Penhollow most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings. With the Golden Knights, Penhollow will oversee all business operations and lead all business strategy for the Vegas Golden Knights and Foley Entertainment Group’s Nevada-based sports and venue properties, which includes the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas Knight Hawks, City National Arena, America First Center and Lee’s Family Forum.

Penhollow has been a key figure in the NFL for quite some time. With the Vikings, he "oversaw all revenue-generating activities for the club including ticket sales as well as corporate partnerships and strategy. He played a critical role in the Vikings’ efforts to design and open two best-in-class facilities: U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016 and hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018, and Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, which opened in 2018. He worked a total of 12 seasons with the Vikings, where he originally started as the team’s Director of New Stadium Partnerships in 2013 before being elevated to Vice President of Corporate and Technology Partnerships in 2015. During his tenure, Penhollow and his revenue teams led the NFL in both performance and innovation while creating a world-class fan experience and championship-caliber culture," according to the Golden Knights' press release. 

Bubolz has done a terrific job with the Golden Knights as well, helping the organization take advantage of the Las Vegas flair and turn the Golden Knights into a strong business. Working together with Penhollow, the Golden Knights are on a fast track to becoming one of the best-run organizations in the NHL if they aren't already.

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

The talent-hungry Philadelphia Flyers are open to just about every possibility heading into the 2025 NHL Draft, and trading up for an even higher draft pick remains on the table.

In his annual pre-draft press conference Tuesday, Flyers GM Danny Briere reiterated his long-standing interest in trading up in the draft, but, ever careful to hold his cards close to his chest, acknowledged the possibility of keeping and using all seven picks he holds in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft.

"It's been pretty quiet on that front. It feels like everybody's trying to move up at the moment," Briere said of trading up in the draft. "We've said from the beginning we'd like to try to move up if it's possible. But, right now, there's just not a lot of options there. Teams are all looking to move up, so, we'll have to be patient, and maybe there's an opportunity that comes where we can create value going the other way also."

Recall that, last year, it was reported the Flyers made a significant offer to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the No. 4 overall pick and were ultimately rebuffed. Briere never confirmed that specifically, but did admit to trying to move up and not making any meaningful progress with that discussion.

Had Briere and the Flyers been successful, it is widely believed that they would've selected either Cayden Lindstrom, who was drafted fourth by Columbus, or Ivan Demidov, who went one pick later to the Montreal Canadiens at No. 5.

Flyers Draft Target Jackson Smith Goes Local with Penn State CommitmentIf the Philadelphia Flyers select defenseman Jackson Smith in the 2025 NHL Draft, they'll be able to keep a close watch on him now that the top draft prospect has formally committed to Penn State.

In Tuesday's press conference, Briere also remarked that, in the 2025 class, the players from the No. 2 to No. 8 range are "pretty similar," which would seemingly disincentivize such an aggressive trade to move up, at most, four spots.

That is assuming, at least, that centers like Michael Misa, James Hagens, Anton Frondell, Jake O'Brien, and Caleb Desnoyers are rated somewhat equally on their board.

Briere has already publicly entertained the prospect of selecting Desnoyers, whose older brother, Elliot, has played for the Flyers in the NHL in the past and is currently with their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Others, like O'Brien, have connections to the Flyers in other ways. O'Brien's head coach in the OHL is Brantford Bulldogs bench boss Jay McKee, who was linked to the Flyers' head coaching vacancy before Rick Tocchet was hired and who was teammates with Briere at the NHL level during their playing days.

As things stand, assuming the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday night to win the Stanley Cup, the Flyers will pick sixth, 22nd, 31st, 36th, 40th, 45th, and 48th in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft.

After those picks, Briere and Co. will be back on the clock with the 68th overall pick, the fourth pick in the third round.

It's unclear who the Flyers would trade up for in the 2025 draft and why, but the fact that Briere is considering it means they have or are actively considering certain scenarios where they would feel compelled to do this. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have drawn the line between themselves and their former stars who are still active in the NHL. They traded Patrick Kane away and let Jonathan Toews walk with no interest in retaining him. 

Kane finished out that 2022-23 season with the New York Rangers and has been with the Detroit Red Wings in the two years since. As for Toews, he stepped away from the NHL to focus on his health. 

In the meantime, new young stars like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Vlasic have started to take over the Blackhawks. A new era is truly underway in Chicago. 

Now, Jonathan Toews is trying to make a comeback, and multiple teams are interested. At the same time, Kane is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team he wants. What if the two decided to team up by signing at the same place? 

There is more than one organization looking for a depth center and a high-end winger. Kane has some great offensive hockey left in the tank, while Toews is a little more unknown due to his long absence. 

Between the skills that they would (likely) bring to the table, their leadership, and the level of high-leverage experience that they have, plenty of teams would take the risk of signing the duo. Some teams make more sense than others. 

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the better regular-season teams in the National Hockey League over the last half-decade or so. They have the best goalie in the world behind an outstanding group of skaters at all positions. 

It is the playoffs where the Jets cool off in the worst way. In 2024-25, they needed a miracle just to get past the St. Louis Blues in the first round. In the second round, they were defeated by the Dallas Stars. Exiting that early is not what Presidents Trophy winners have in mind. 

Veterans like Toews and Kane may be just what they need in Winnipeg. They don’t attract many free agents due to Geography, but this could be a nice little cheat code. Toews is from Winnipeg, which gives them an edge when it comes to signing him. 

If Kane wants to tag along with his buddy, this destination makes a ton of sense. Why they’d pick Toews’ hometown team over Kane’s hometown team (Buffalo Sabres) goes without saying. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are very similar to the Winnipeg Jets. They are a Canadian Eastern Conference team that loves dropping out of the playoffs early following incredible regular seasons. 

Toronto is going to lose superstar winger Mitch Marner in free agency. This is somewhat of a messy divorce between the two, as they never reached their true potential together. John Tavares, an elder veteran, may also be on his way out, but it isn’t as confirmed as Marner’s situation. Either way, a lot of offensive production will be lost from their lineup. 

This is where you insert the idea of adding Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. They won’t cost as much as they once did, but they will still bring the goods to a new team. Whether it be their clutch ways, leadership, or ability to play at a high level at all times, they are perfect for the Maple Leafs, who may have some legit cap room. 

Toronto still has stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies who will be looking to take a step forward despite the upcoming changes. Toews and Kane would be perfect to have around during that transition. 

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks are now coached by Joel Quenneville. After a long time away from the league, he is back looking to help a young team take a huge step. 

Just based on having Quenneville alone, the Ducks make sense for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Their winningest years came with Quenneville at the helm. This player duo would play a big role in Anaheim's growth under their new coach. 

There are a lot of similarities between this Ducks team and the young Blackhawks team that did a lot of winning in the 2010s. From a hockey standpoint, Toews and Kane make a ton of sense in that regard. A responsible center and offensively gifted winger, despite their ages, would fit in nicely in Orange County. 

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

Canadian goaltender Chris Driedger, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Tuesday.

For Driedger, who spent the 2024-25 season in the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets organizations but spent the entire season in the AHL, this will be his first time playing for a team outside North America.

“With the signing of Chris Driedger, we have filled both goalie positions for next season,” said Traktor GM Alexei Volkov, himself a former NHL goaltender. Driedger is slated to share the crease with Sergei Mylnikov Jr., the son of a former NHL and Soviet national team goalie.

Volkov said that Driedger “is in the prime of his goalie career. He’s a large goalie who played decently in the NHL and became a World Championship medalist. Now Chris needs a new challenge, which he will get at Traktor. I’m confident that our organization and coaching staff will help him with a quick adaptation and reach the top level of the KHL.”

Driedger, who hails from Winnipeg, played junior hockey for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen, was chosen in the third round, 76th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Olympic Men’s Hockey Teams Name First Six Players All 12 teams that will compete in the men’s tournament of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy have now announced their rosters.

Between 2014 and 2024, Driedger played 67 NHL regular-season games for the Senators, Panthers and Seattle Kraken, compiling a record of 31-24-5 with a goals-against average of 2.45, a save percentage of .917 and five shutouts. He also played three playoff games for Florida in 2021.

Internationally, Driedger played in six of Canada’s 10 games at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland, backstopping the team to a silver medal.

Driedger, whose NHL rights are for now retained by Winnipeg, joins a Traktor team that includes former NHLers Vladimir Zahkarov and Jordan Gross, as well as prospects Arseni Koromyslov (St. Louis Blues), Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matvei Guskov (Minnesota Wild) and Vasili Glotov (Buffalo Sabres).

Photo © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images: Chris Driedger playing for the Seattle Kraken in the 2023-24 season. 

Ex-NHL D-Man Jordan Gross Changes KHL TeamsAmerican defenseman Jordan Gross, 30, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Friday. Gross played his first season in Europe last season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, where he recorded 42 points in 77 regular-season and playoff games.

Manitoba Moose goaltender Chris Driedger has signed a one-year contract with the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk, the team announced. 

Driedger had a record of 11-9-6, a .875 SP, and 3.13 GAA in 20 appearances with the Charlotte Checkers and five appearances with the Manitoba Moose this season. He was dealt to Manitoba at the NHL's trade deadline in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen.

In 217 career AHL appearances over 10 season Driedger had a record of 106-78-19 with a .910 SP and 2.74 GAA. 

A third round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2012, Driedger has a 31-24-5 record, .917 SP, and 2.45 GAA in 67 career NHL appearances with the Senators, Florida Panthers, and Seattle Kraken. 

.@ChrisDriedger introduces himself to Traktor fans.
🎥 HC Traktor pic.twitter.com/kzT8qTv12M

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) June 17, 2025

The 31-year-old backstopped the Coachella Valley Firebirds to the 2024 Calder Cup Finals, was an AHL All-Star in 2019-20, and led the league in save percentage (.924) in 2018-19. He appeared in six games and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2022 World Championship. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.    

Photo Credit: © Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Edmonton Oilers are expected to turn to Stuart Skinner to start in net for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

Skinner told reporters on Tuesday he'll be in goal as the Oilers look to force Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, which are one win away from back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

The 26-year-old last played in Game 4, allowing three goals on 17 shots before Calvin Pickard replaced him and backstopped the Oilers to a comeback overtime win. Pickard, 33, conceded four goals on 18 shots in Game 5 at home as the Panthers took a 3-2 series lead.

Edmonton faces elimination for the first time in this year's playoffs – the Oilers won the first round in six games, and it only took them five games to win in the second and third rounds.

But Skinner has played in do-or-die games before in the Stanley Cup playoffs – six times so far in his career, to be specific. 

In those games, Skinner has a 4-2 record with a combined .908 save percentage and 2.30 goals-against average.

Four of those elimination games came in last year's Cup final.

After losing the first three games of the 2024 final to the Panthers, Skinner and the Oilers went 3-1 in the next four matches. Skinner had a .935 save percentage and 1.76 goals-against average in that span, including allowing only one goal on 33 shots in Game 4 and a .952 SP in Game 6. In Game 7, Skinner stopped 19 of 21 shots for a .905 SP in the Oilers' 2-1 loss.

Skinner also started for the Oilers in Game 7 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. Edmonton limited the Canucks to 17 shots, but Skinner allowed two goals for a .882 save percentage in the 3-2 Oilers win.

The third-round draft pick in 2017 played his first game facing elimination in the NHL playoffs on May 14, 2023, in Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas scored on Skinner four times on 17 shots, with Jonathan Marchessault recording a natural hat trick in the second period. Jack Campbell replaced Skinner in net for the third period in the Golden Knights' 5-2 win. Vegas went on to defeat the Panthers in the Cup final.

In this year's playoffs, Skinner lost starting duties to Pickard in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings and in Game 5 of the final. When Pickard suffered an injury in the second round, Skinner recorded three shutouts in his next five starts to eliminate the Golden Knights and tie the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars at 1-1.

"That's been the most impressive over my time with him, especially being a young goalie, is being able to bounce back," Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins told reporters. "It's not always going to be easy. There's always going to be difficulties, especially as a goalie, whether it's your fault or not. He has an ability to silence everything around him and focus on the task at hand. It's been impressive. He has an infectious personality, and it's been fun to watch."

The Oilers Must Address Their Goaltending, Regardless Of What Happens In The FinalThere was a time during the playoffs this year where Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers had not posted a single-game save percentage between .835 and .999, which means he was either lights-out or out to lunch in every game.

The national broadcasts for Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., begin at 8 p.m. ET.

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

Mitch Marner becomes eligible to sign with any team on July. 1 and as the free agency window approaches, the situation revolving around the most sought-after free agent and the Vegas Golden Knights has become clearer.

It seems like every time Elliotte Friedman grabs the microphone to record 32 Thoughts, he shares more information about why he believes the Golden Knights can be considered the front-runners to land the 28-year-old winger.

The anticipation around an unrestricted free agent signing hasn't been this high since Artemi Panarin signed with the New York Rangers and John Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's rare for a 27-goal and 102-point player to be available on the free agent market, but due to Marner's struggles and seemingly impending fallout with the Maple Leafs, it's provided an excellent opportunity for several teams, including the Golden Knights. 

The market for Marner has become clear. Among the Golden Knights, the Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks have expressed interest. Many insiders haven't ruled out the Maple Leafs just yet, and Friedman reported that Marner's camp has offered teams meetings on July 1st, and the Maple Leafs are one of the teams.

Friedman also stated that "his eyes are on Vegas when it comes to Mitch Marner."

Signing Marner won't be a simple task. Several reports have indicated that teams, such as the Hurricanes, Mammoth and the Ducks, are willing to offer Marner a contract of north of $14M, something that the Golden Knights likely won't be able to do. Even if the Golden Knights find a middle ground with Marner between $12M-13M, the Golden Knights would have to make several moves to fit him under the salary cap.

Players who could be sacrificed in their pursuit include Ivan Barbashev, Nicolas Hague and William Karlsson. Friedman has also been the leading reporter in the discussions about the uncertainty of Alex Pietrangelo's future, doubling down and mentioning that from the people he's talked to, they wouldn't be surprised if he's played his last game in the NHL. The Golden Knights would be allowed to put his $8.8M cap hit on the LTIR, but it still wouldn't be enough for the organization to sign Marner and legally play him. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

REPORT: Golden Knights, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes Discussed Three-Team Deal Involving Mitch Marner At The Trade DeadlineSince the conclusion of the Vegas Golden Knights' 2024-25 season, they've been linked and named as possible favorites to land top free agent Mitch Marner. A recent report shared by The Athletic's James Mirtle states that the Golden Knights nearly completed a three-team trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes, which would have sent Marner to Vegas.

Detroit Red Wings reportedly one of three top contenders to land Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad in free agency.

The Florida Panthers play Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday with it being their potential last chance to leave an impact with this team. Many of the key players are pending free agents including top defenceman Aaron Ekblad. 

Florida's first overall pick back in 2014 may be finally leaving the team he's spent his entire 11-year NHL career with in favour of more money elsewhere. One of the reported top suitors for Ekblad is the Detroit Red Wings.

It's no secret the Red Wings are looking to fill holes on their backend and Ekblad could work as a solid foundational piece towards the future. The 29-year-old Windsor native grew up with the Red Wings always in his life, with Detroit just across the river.

More Hockey: First Six Players Named For Each Nation, New 2026 Olympic Betting Odds

This should give the Red Wings a notable leg up over the competition as they are his hometown team of sorts and would allow Ekblad to be close to home where his family resides. 

It's very early on in the process as another Stanley Cup with the Panthers could make an impact on his final decision but if Ekblad does choose to test the market, Detroit is one of the favourites if not the favourite to land him. 

Ekblad is known for his size, poise, and two-way game that helped him log 33 points in 56 games this past season while averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time. 

Despite a 20-game suspension in March for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, Ekblad returned to the lineup and has played a key role in Florida returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight season. This postseason, he's recorded 12 points through 18 games. 

More NHL: Malkin's Last Ride? Penguins Star Nears NHL Farewell Against the Odds

Flyers' future power play QB? 6-foot-4 defenseman has ‘offensive punch' 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 either No. 31 or 32 (Oilers trade).

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

Next up:

Jackson Smith

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199
Shoots: Left
Team: Tri-City

Scouting report

Smith is that modern defenseman who is super fun to watch. He skates and handles the puck like a forward, darting up the ice and carving through coverages with all kinds of maneuvers.

“I think teams will gravitate toward him just for the simple fact that the style he plays is the style that’s being played in the NHL, where are a number of players are having success at that,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said last Wednesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “So he’s definitely offensively wired. He’s a D-man that likes to have the green light, so that when there’s an opportunity, he can skate and lead a rush with the puck.”

Fueled by that ability and confidence, Smith put up 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the 2024-25 Americans. He had a plus-2 rating on a team that had a minus-34 goal differential and led all WHL defensemen in overtime goals with three. He also just turned 18 years old last month.

As the 13th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, Smith has the key ingredients to be a team’s power play quarterback in the future.

“He has got a really good game at the offensive blue line,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “Power plays today are so important to teams, so I just think because he brings an offensive punch, he has got some size and his skating is good, teams are going to find him appealing.”

At the 2025 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship that ended last month, Smith recorded four goals, an assist, 17 shots and a plus-7 rating in seven games for gold-winning Team Canada.

Just like any offensive-minded blueliner, Smith will have to eventually prove he can defend against pros and be reliable enough in his own zone. What helps his case is that he has the size to do it.

EliteProspects.com has Smith pegged as the sixth-best player in the draft, while Button has him at No. 12.

“I don’t want to say that he’s not responsible defensively, but all these young D-men, all of them have to learn how to play defense in the National Hockey League,” Marr said. “And that’s teachable. What’s harder to teach is the offensive game that he brings.”

Fit with Flyers

Centers are prevalent toward the front of this draft and the Flyers should have a decent shot at landing one. But if their top names go off the board, perhaps Smith will be high on their list as the second-best defenseman in the class.

Cam York and Emil Andrae, two of the Flyers’ young lefty shots, don’t have a ton of length, so Smith would add some size there down the road. His potential to run the point should be intriguing; the Flyers have sported an NHL-worst 13.7 power play percentage over the last four seasons combined.

But Smith may end up being somewhat of a reach for the Flyers at No. 6 and gone before they’re back on the clock at No. 22.

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

The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping another one of their forwards around, as they have signed Joona Koppanen to a one-year contract. The team also shared that he will carry a $775,000 cap hit at the NHL level.

The Penguins have re-signed forward Joona Koppanen to a one-year contract.

The contract will run through the 2025.26 campaign and carries an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level.

Details: https://t.co/31cBdesfNopic.twitter.com/fO4fMSYi1t

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 17, 2025

Koppanen played in a career-high 11 NHL games this season with the Penguins, where he posted one goal, 40 hits, and a minus-3 rating. He spent the majority of the campaign in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins, posting eight goals, 23 points, and a plus-5 rating in 56 contests.

With this move, Koppanen will remain a serviceable depth forward for the Penguins. At a minimum, the 6-foot-5 forward should continue to be a key piece for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but he could also get consideration for a spot in Pittsburgh's bottom six if he has a strong training camp.

In 20 career NHL games over three seasons split between the Boston Bruins and Penguins, Koppanen has recorded one goal, one assist, 51 hits, and a minus-3 rating. 

Penguins Rumors: Pittsburgh Urged To Target Top Defender After missing the playoffs for the third year in a row, the Pittsburgh Penguins will certainly be a team to watch this summer. When looking at their current group, the left side of their defense is one of the main areas that they should look to improve.

Photo Credit:  © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Remembering the Red Wings Stanley Cup victory in Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals—just as the Oilers face the Panthers in Tuesday night’s Game 6 showdown.

The biggest game of the 2024-25 NHL season could be tonight as the hockey world turns to Sunrise, where the Florida Panthers will get home ice advantage with a chance to win their second straight Stanley Cup.

The Edmonton Oilers will look to stave off elimination after a dominant performance by the Panthers in Game 5 to secure a 5-2 win on the road. 

 The chance to bring home the Cup in six games is a familiar sight for hockey fans, particularly those in Detroit, who remember another high-stakes Game 6 in which they won their last Stanley Cup to date. 

More Red Wings:Red Wings Still in Marner Sweepstakes Amid Western Interest Reports

That night, June 4, 2008, at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, the Red Wings arrived with the fatigue of a double-overtime loss in Game 5 still on their minds. They had been seconds away from winning the franchise's 11th Stanley Cup on home ice before Penguins forward Max Talbot stunned Joe Louis Arena with a game-tying goal, followed by a Petr Sykora overtime winner. 

This group of Red Wings veterans like Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Osgood and Kris Draper among others remembered the Cup victory in 2002 and knew what the team needed to do to win. 

Led by winger Henrik Zetterberg, the playoff MVP, who scored what proved to be the game-winning goal midway through the third period, on a quick shot that squeaked under Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury.

It was a defining moment in the Swede’s dominant playoff run and solidified Zetterberg as a household name after his 92-point regular season.

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

Pittsburgh made it interesting with a last-minute goal but as the horn sounded, the Red Wings leapt from their bench in celebration with Lidstrom being one of the happiest on the ice as he became the first European-born captain to lift the Cup. 

That team, built by Ken Holland and coached by Mike Babcock, had elite levels of skill but also discipline that was all put together with veteran leadership that led the way and helped players buy into the the Detroit style of playoff toughness. 

More Red Wings: Detroit's Lucas Raymond Named To Sweden 2026 Olympic Roster

The elite roster included Hall of Famers Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, and Dominik Hasek as well as future candidates for the Hall in Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. 

Tonight, Florida finds itself at that same crossroad. They've built their team on a similar combination led by Aleksander Barkov and a battle-tested team that finds themselves late in a Stanley Cup Final for the third season in a row and knows exactly what to do, to secure the win on Tuesday. 

If history is any guide, Game 6 has a way of shaping legacies. For Detroit, it was the culmination of a six-year long build back to the Finals and the crowning moment of one of the most complete rosters in NHL history.

For Florida, tonight could be the final chapter of something just as special as they put their team in the conversation as one of the great dynasties the league has seen. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites. 

We’ve often heard that drafting is a bit of a crap shot, you can do your due diligence and scout those prospects until you’re blue in the face, but nobody has a crystal ball. That’s even more true as you get deeper and deeper in the draft; the earlier you pick, the better your odds of landing a good player, and it makes sense.

This time around, the Montreal Canadiens will be drafting twice in the first round, unless, of course, they make a trade between then and now. If Kent Hughes doesn’t manage to swing a deal, however, what kind of player could the Habs draft speaking 16th and 17th overall? Let’s have a look at the last five drafts…

Canadiens: Should Hughes Consider Making An Offer To A Former Pest?
Could The Canadiens Take A Big Swing On Mason West?
A New Center Who Could Interest The Canadiens Is Reportedly On The Market

Unsurprisingly, at those ranks, the players picked in recent drafts have yet to make any impact, but we’ll still have a look at them, just to be thorough.

2024 Draft

The St.Louis Blues used the 16th selection at last year’s draft to grab Adam Jiricek, a 6-foot-3 and 180-pound right-shot defenseman. Following his drafting, the Czech prospect came over to this side of the ocean and spent the season with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL, putting up 12 points in 27 games. He was stopped in his tracks when he suffered a lacerated spleen.

The Washington Capitals selected right winger Terik Parascak with the 17th overall pick, a WHL prospect who had put up 105 points in 68 games with the Prince George's Cougars in his draft year. Parascak spent the last year there as well, but managed only 82 points in 59 games this time around. He signed his entry-level contract (ELC) at the end of the season and joined the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL) to complete the season.

2023 Draft

The Calgary Flames had the 16th overall pick in 2023 and used it to select left winger Samuel Honzek. After spending another year in the WHL, he made the jump to pro hockey this season, dressing in five Flames games and being held off the scoresheet. In the AHL, he played 52 games with the Calgary Wranglers and put up 21 points.

The Detroit Red Wings used the 17th overall pick on Axel Sandin-Pellikka and signed him to an ELC deal a year later. He attended camp and earned a point in two games with Grand Rapids in the AHL before being loaned back to his Swedish team, Skelleftea AIK, where the right-shot defenseman put up 29 points in 46 games.

2022 Draft

In Montreal, it was the Buffalo Sabres who were picking 16th overall, and they used the pick on left-shot center Noah Ostlund. The Swede played two more years back home before making the jump to the North American pro leagues. In 45 games with the Rochester Americans this season, he recorded 36 points, but was held off the scoresheet in his eight games with the Sabres.

The Nashville Predators held the 17th pick that year and used it on right winger Joakim Kemell. The Finnish prospect spent one more year in Finland before making his debut in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he has produced 13, 40, and 41 points in three seasons. He’s still a work in progress, but has a perfect shot.

2021 Draft

The New York Rangers used the 16th overall pick on Brennan Othman, a left winger who had spent the COVID-19 season in Switzerland, putting up 16 points in 34 contests. After being drafted, he returned to the OHL for two seasons, during which he put up 97 points (in 66 games) and 67 points (in 56 games). He made the jump to the professional leagues in 2023-24 and has split his time between the AHL and the NHL. This past year, he featured in 22 Rangers games but was limited to a pair of assists.

With the 17th overall pick, the Blues added Zach Bolduc, a right winger who had recorded 29 points in 27 games with the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL before suffering a lower-body injury. The setback led to a decline in the draft, but the following year, he recorded 99 points in 65 games with the Quebec Remparts, before adding 110 points in 61 games the following year. He has split the last two seasons between the Blues and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. In 72 NHL games this past season, he accumulated 36 points and appears poised to become an impactful player in the future.

2020 Draft

The Canadiens held the 16th pick that year, and they elected to add left-shot blueliner Kaiden Guhle, a decision they’ve had no reason to regret so far. The defenseman plays a challenging physical game and has already booked his place on Hughes’ core, becoming the first defenseman the Habs GM signed long-term. If it wasn’t for all the injuries suffered so far, it might be even better by now.

The Chicago Blackhawks had the 17th pick and selected Lukas Reichel with it. The German left winger played another year overseas before making the jump to North America and has split three seasons between the Hawks and the Rockford Ice Dogs before spending the last campaign entirely with Chicago. In 70 games, he could only muster 22 points playing on the fourth line alongside Joe Veleno and Nick Foligno.

What’s clear from the exercise is that if the Canadiens do use those two picks, they are unlikely to get a player who’ll make an impact right away. Fans will have to be patient and wait to see whether they were good picks or not.

Although there are always exceptions to every rule, if you go back to the 2015 draft, Matthew Barzal was picked 16th overall by the New York Islanders, and after two more seasons of junior hockey, he jumped into the NHL with both feet, recording 85 points in 82 games. That same year, the Winnipeg Jets selected Kyle Connor at 17th overall, and he certainly wasn’t a bad pick, either; it just took him a bit more time to mature.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images

---

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

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Buffalo Sabres right winger JJ Peterka has increasingly become a topic of conjecture for NHL pundits, with some of them featuring him prominently among their off-season trade candidates. 

It's been reported the Sabres received offers for Peterka going back to the March NHL trade deadline. However, they weren't interested in moving the 23-year-old, especially after his career-best 68-point performance this season. 

PuckPedia indicates Peterka is an RFA coming off his entry-level contract and lacks no-trade protection. Rumors persist claiming the Sabres are still getting calls about his availability, with some observers speculating he could become an offer-sheet target.

The Sabres reportedly remain reluctant about trading Peterka. Their $23 million in cap space suggested any offer could be easily matched, but rumors persist claiming Peterka could be traded or become an offer-sheet candidate.

On Sunday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Sabres have started listening to those trade offers. He believes Peterka is unhappy and wants to move to a different team. 

Despite the Sabres' cap space, the threat of an offer sheet could provide additional reason to move Paterka. Arthur Staple of The Athletic suggested he could be an option for the New York Rangers, which freed up $6.5 million in cap space by shipping Chris Kreider last week to the Anaheim Ducks.

Staple speculated the Sabres could be unwilling to match an offer between $7 million and $9.3 million. He noted the Rangers lack their 2026 second-rounder, which would be necessary as part of the compensation required, but suggested they could attempt to reacquire that pick from the Utah Mammoth and then make their move. 

If the Sabres trade Peterka, they'll want a substantive return. Given their well-stocked prospect pipeline, they won't want offers of draft picks and prospects. They'll likely want a player-for-player swap akin to their acquisition of Josh Norris from Ottawa for Dylan Cozens or Bowen Byram from Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt. 

The asking price for Peterka could be a top-four, right-shot defenseman in their prime to pair with young left-shot blueliner Owen Power. 

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