A Philadelphia Flyers trade my finally be on the horizon, with a new rumor suggesting a big Vegas Golden Knights defenseman could be on the move.

According to a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman via NHL Rumor Report and Sportsnet 590, the Flyers have been linked to 6-foot-6 Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague in trade talks.

This kind of Flyers trade, a "hockey trade," if you will, has been on the team's radar for quite a while, and it makes perfect sense with some added context.

For example, it has been rumored that the Flyers and defenseman Cam York, a pending RFA, have not made a whole lot of progress on a contract extension, which could result in York getting traded away ahead of the start of free agency on July 1.

Although he's a few years older than York, Hague, 26, would be a fine addition to the Flyers' defense. At 6-foot-6, Hague has the size you can't teach, and Flyers management has spoken more than once about having a big blueline capable of withstanding the grind of the NHL playoffs.

York, Jamie Drysdale, and Emil Andrae are all 6-foot or shorter, so the hypothetical addition of Hague makes the Flyers larger and harder to play against.

Hague's name has been dangled in trade rumors for quite a while now, as the Golden Knights continue to explore ways to move around their cap space. The 26-year-old, like York, is a pending restricted free agent, so it's likely the Golden Knights and Flyers each have different ideas of how much they want to spend on their respective defensemen.

And as far as the Golden Knights go, they have only $9.6 million in cap space and need to re-sign forwards like Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, Tanner Pearson, Victor Olofsson, and Alex Holtz.

If the Golden Knights want to cut some corners and acquire cost-controlled forwards from the Flyers, options like Jakob Pelletier, a pending RFA, and Bobby Brink make some sense.

While he's only 5-foot-8, Brink has played and produced well in a limited role, quietly scoring a career-high 41 points last season. Brink has one more year remaining on his current contract at an extremely friendly $1.5 million cap hit.

If the Flyers cannot work out some sort of solution with York and his camp, it would appear that Hague is at the top of their list of backup plans.

This is it: the Stanley Cup final, featuring the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, will kick off on Wednesday night in Alberta. Connor McDavid and co. will hope to avenge their Game 7 loss from last season, when the Oilers captain won the Conn Smythe Trophy but lost the ultimate prize.

It’s been 32 years since a Canadian team celebrated a Stanley Cup win. Thirty-two years since the Montreal Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup, yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of the infamous Marty McSorley stick-swinging incident. Legend has it that a member of the Canadiens’ equipment staff had measured the curve of his stick in advance, meaning Jacques Demers knew full well he would be getting a power play from that challenge. According to some, that tactic put a curse on Canadian teams…

Curse or not, one fact remains: no team north of the border has been able to lift Lord Stanley’s Mug since Patrick Roy flashed his winning wink to Tomas Sandstrom. Roy has long retired and now coaches the New York Islanders, which is just one more proof of how long it’s been.

Thirty-two years is long enough, and judging by the chatter around town, Montreal Canadiens fans are ready to see McDavid win his first Stanley Cup, even if it means Montreal is no longer the last Canadian Cup winner. After all, the future is bright in Montreal, and the fans are hoping and expecting that this new generation of players will be able to restore the club to its former glory and deliver a 25th Cup, eventually…

Photo credit:  Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images

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Denver, Colo. - The Colorado Avalanche can officially put their search for a second-line center to rest.

The Avalanche announced this morning that they have re-signed forward Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension, $7.5 million AAV. 

The Avalanche acquired Nelson on March 6th in a trade with the New York Islanders in exchange for forward prospect Calum Richie, defenseman Oliver Kylington,  a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft (which was not met).

BREAKING TRADE NEWS: Avalanche Acquire Brock Nelson from the New York IslandersIn the middle of a game? No problem for the Colorado Avalanche!

According to Avalanche PR, Chris MacFarland states that the team is "thrilled" to have Nelson on board for three more seasons. "He’s been a great center in this league for a long time, and he brings professionalism and a dedicated work ethic on and off the ice. We think he’s a great fit and is a stabilizing presence to our second-line center role with his size and ability to touch all areas of the ice. We’re excited to see what his contributions will be over a larger sample size with the Avalanche.”

In 19 games with the Avalanche, Nelson totaled 13 points (6 goals/7 assists). Over 80 games with both the Avalanche and Islanders, he tallied 56 points (26 goals/30 assists).

The Warroad, Minnesota native was also a participant in all four games for Team USA at the Four Nations Face-Off Tournament in February.

My family and I are excited to be staying in Colorado. Having spent my entire career with one organization, we weren’t totally sure what to expect when we arrived in Denver. But getting the opportunity to play for the Avalanche, to compete with a great group of teammates in that locker room, and in front of the tremendous fans at Ball Arena, we knew this was where we wanted to stay. I’d like to thank the Kroenke family, Joe Sakic, Chris MacFarland, Jared Bednar, and our coaching staff for the opportunity. Obviously, the way the season ended last year was disappointing, but I can’t wait to get back on the ice soon and continue to push for our goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

- Brock Nelson on staying in Colorado

Details ⬇️ https://t.co/TDjvaSyIns

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 4, 2025

The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine started on Monday. A total of 19 of the OHL's top draft eligible players were invited to the combine ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

"The NHL Combine is the final showcase event before the NHL Draft," said Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr. "It's a week full of interviews, medicals and fitness testing where the players get to interact with NHL personnel and the NHL clubs get to learn as much as possible about the future stars of our game."

In total, 90 players were invited to the combine. That means that the OHL made up just over 20 percent of the players invited to the event. 

At the end of the day, the combine is another event where players have an opportunity to impress NHL teams and show why they should be selected on draft day. 

IceDogs Name Frank Evola General ManagerYesterday, the Niagara IceDogs announced that longtime Windsor Spitfires' Director of Scouting and Hockey Operations Frank Evola will become the sixth GM in franchise history. 

The 19 players invited to the combine, in no particular order, are as follows. 

Kashawn Aitcheson (BAR)

Henry Brzustewicz (LDN)

David Bedkowski (OS)

Kieren Dervin (KGN)

Ethan Czata (NIAG

Kristian Epperson (SAG)

Tyler Hopkins (KGN)

Jack Ivankovic (BRAM)

Aleksei Medvedev (LDN)

Brady Martin (SOO)

Porter Martone (BRAM)

Michael Misa (SAG)

Jack Nesbitt (WSR)

Jake O'Brien (BFD)

Cameron Reid (KIT)

Malcolm Spence (ER)

Simon Wang (OSH)

Matthew Schaefer (ER)

Luca Romano (KIT)

Knights Take Care Of Business At Memorial CupTwo words followed the London Knights throughout the 2024-25 season: unfinished business. 

The 2025 NHL Draft will take place on June 27 and 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The New York Islanders have the first-overall pick in the draft, followed by the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks. 

There has been a lot of discussion online about whether the Isles will take Schaefer or James Hagens with the first-overall pick. NHL Central Scouting ranked Schaefer at the top of their list of North American skaters, however, Hagens is from Long Island. There is a segment of hockey fans who believe drafting the local boy could come ahead of taking the top prospect in the draft. 

Based on the rankings, the OHL will have a heavy presence in the top-five picks at the 2025 NHL Draft. We will see whether that is the case come draft night. For now, the players will continue to prove themselves at the combine.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced they have hired Dan Muse as their 23rd coach in franchise history. This is Muse’s first opportunity at being an NHL bench boss.

Muse is Kyle Dubas’ first head coaching hire as the GM and president of hockey operations of the Penguins. The Mike Sullivan parted ways with the team after the season and since joined the New York Rangers.

“During this process, we met with many candidates who we felt would have been a fit as the next head coach of the Penguins, but ultimately, Dan Muse stood out as the best choice,” Dubas said in a statement.

“What separated Dan was his ability to develop players, win at all levels where he has been a head coach and his consistent success coaching special teams in the NHL,” he added.

Muse spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Rangers. His other NHL experience was as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators between 2017 and 2020.

He helped both teams earn three division titles. The Predators claimed the Central Division title in 2017-18 and 2018-19, while the Rangers topped the Metropolitan Division in 2024. The Predators and Rangers also won one Presidents’ Trophy each, with Muse behind the bench in 2018 and 2024, respectively.

In these roles, Muse was in charge of the penalty kill. Despite the Rangers finishing 22nd in the league this season, they had the 11th-best penalty-kill percentage. Last season, the team had the third-best penalty kill in the league.

In the 2017-18 season, when Nashville won the Presidents’ Trophy, they had the sixth-best penalty kill. Pittsburgh’s GM took note of that.

“His leadership of special teams units at the NHL level in both Nashville and New York produced elite results consistently,” Dubas said.

“His overall body of work, attention to detail and vision for our group showed us that he is the best coach to take our team forward. We’re excited to welcome Dan, and his family, to the city of Pittsburgh.”

Muse does have previous experience as a head coach. The 42-year-old was the bench boss of the U-17 and U-18 USA Hockey National Team Development Program teams.

He won a USHL title in 2016-17 and a U-18 World Junior Championship gold medal in 2022-23.

Promo image credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Florida Panthers look to shut down Edmonton Oilers offence in Stanley Cup Finals rematch. 

One of the most highly-anticipated Stanley Cup Finals in years starts on Wednesday with the star-studded Edmonton Oilers hosting the defending Champion Florida Panthers. 

It promises to be an eventful series, marking just the third Stanley Cup Final rematch in NHL history. The Oilers are out for redemption after falling short in game seven last year, nearly completing a dramatic comeback from a 3-0 series deficit.

Game one will be a crucial one for both sides as the team that wins game one of the Stanley Cup Final has won the series 64 out of 84 times, which improves when that opening win comes on home ice, as the odds jump to 51 out of 61 times in history. 

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Betting Preview: Oilers-Panthers Set for Epic Rematch

Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers Game 1 Best Bets:

• Under 6.5 goals (-132)
• Panthers ML (+104)
• Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points (-120)
• Carter Verhaeghe Over 0.5 points (-115) 

More NHL: Oilers vs. Panthers: Breaking Down Game One Trends Ahead of 2025 Stanley Cup Finals

The public seems to expect that an offensive shootout is coming as the sportsbooks have the game listed at over/under 6.5 total goals. The sense is that the Oilers will want to rebound after last year's loss and push the Panthers into a high-scoring affair for a series-opening win. 

I expect the opposite effect to work as we've seen both teams using their defences to shut down the best of opposing offences and make for low-scoring outcomes.

This happen in last year's game one of the Finals, where the Oilers were blanked in a 3-0 loss. In game two, they were limited once again with the Panthers managing to continue their smother of the Oilers offence for a 4-1 victory. 

This is the third straight Finals appearance for the Panthers and they know what they are doing with their mindset likely being that they aren't going to let in a goal at all costs.

I expect this mentality to shine through once again as the Oilers are coming in with a new team and the highest of expectations as they are expected to win the series. 

With that in mind, we will need to see some scoring from someone as a goal has to be scored and we gave a pretty lengthy deep dive recently on what players excel in series-opening games. For the Cats, the most notable name is Sam Bennett, who has made a knack out of scoring clutch goals. 

More NHL: New Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Highlight Unexpected Frontrunner

The Canadian forward found the net against the United States in the Four Nations Championship and has built a reputation for strong starts, scoring in three consecutive Game Ones and tallying four goals in his last five series openers. 

Bennett has been playing on a line recently with the dynamic duo of Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk, who both have a stellar history of opening up series with a bang. Verhaeghe offers better value in this spot, having consistently delivered in series openers. 

He scored in last year’s Stanley Cup Final game one and has totaled four goals and five assists in his last seven Game Ones. This postseason alone, he’s recorded one goal and four assists across three series openers. The two forwards should come together for a much needed goal in a tight low-scoring affair. 

More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

After more than a month of searching, the Pittsburgh Penguins have finally named a successor to Mike Sullivan behind the bench.

On Wednesday, the Penguins named Dan Muse the 23rd head coach in team history. Muse had been an assistant coach for the New York Rangers - who hired Mike Sullivan as their new head coach on May 2 - for the past two seasons from 2023-25.

Previously, he had an assistant coaching gig with the Nashville Predators from 2017-20. In both stints, he was primarily responsible for running the penatly kill units - which were both top-five units during his tenure.

“During this process, we met with many candidates who we felt would have been a fit as the next head coach of the Penguins, but ultimately, Dan Muse stood out as the best choice," Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas released in a statement. "What separated Dan was his ability to develop players, win at all levels where he has been a head coach, and his consistent success coaching special teams in the NHL. From his success in developing college and junior players, to his impactful work with veteran players during his time in the NHL, Dan has shown a proven ability to connect with players at all stages of their careers and help them to reach their potential.

“Additionally, his leadership of special teams units at the NHL level in both Nashville and New York produced elite results consistently. His overall body of work, attention to detail and vision for our group showed us that he is the best coach to take our team forward. We’re excited to welcome Dan, and his family, to the city of Pittsburgh.”

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Dan Muse!

Details: https://t.co/5Dnommr9efpic.twitter.com/gW8CN40gmf

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 4, 2025

Muse, 42, first stepped into the coaching realm at a higher level as an assistant for the Yale University men's ice hockey team from 2009-14. From there, he became heavily involved in USA Hockey, coaching the Chicago Steel of the USHL from 2015-17 and for the National Team Development Program (NTDP) from 2020-23.  The 2023 Under-18 World Championship team won the gold medal with him at the helm.

He also has ties to Penguins' forward prospect Rutger McGroarty, who he had coached as part of the USNTDP program.

More details on the hire to come. 

Former Penguins' Assistant Joins Blackhawks' Coaching StaffIt appears that Mike Sullivan - who departed as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Apr. 28 and subsequently joined the New York Rangers as their new bench boss - isn't the only former Penguins' coach to land a new gig for the 2025-26 season.

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Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel - Imagn Images

Professional golfer Rory McIlroy still believes the Toronto Maple Leafs can win the Stanley Cup.

The 36-year-old is at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Alton, Ontario, for the RBC Canadian Open, which begins on Thursday. McIlroy, who won the 2025 Masters, was joined by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President and CEO Keith Pelley on Wednesday for the tournament's Pro-Am.

Following their round of golf, Pelley gifted McIlroy a Maple Leafs jersey with his last name on the back. The PGA and European Tour golfer knows Pelley from when the 61-year-old served as president of the PGA European Tour from 2015 to 2024.

"If I can win the Masters," McIlroy said on Wednesday via TSN's Bob Weeks, "then the Leafs can win the Stanley Cup."

McIlroy has won the RBC Canadian Open twice, in 2019 and 2022.

Report: Maple Leafs Could Target Bruins Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco To Fill Lane Lambert's Vacated RoleThe Toronto Maple Leafs could be after another coach to join their bench after associate coach Lane Lambert's departure.

This isn't the first time the former world number-one has weighed in on the Maple Leafs. Following his final round at the tournament last spring, McIlroy hoped Toronto could get closer to its goal of winning the Stanley Cup in 2025.

"I don’t know much about the Leafs, I had dinner with someone that’s pretty intimately involved a few nights ago, so sounds like they’re making some changes this off-season," McIlroy told the Toronto Sun, "and hopefully that’s the catalyst to hopefully that’s the catalyst to making a run in the playoffs and maybe getting that Stanley Cup."

Under new head coach Craig Berube, the Maple Leafs won their first Atlantic Division title since its inception in 2013. Toronto eliminated the Ottawa Senators in six games before being ousted in seven games by the Florida Panthers in round two.

Tanev, Gourde Contracts And Deferred Money Provide A Blueprint For Maple Leafs To Re-Sign John TavaresJohn Tavares wants to stay in Toronto. The former Maple Leafs captain made that clear when speaking to reporters shortly after his team was eliminated in the second round at the hands of the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers. This desire, coupled with the Maple Leafs' cap constraints, begs the question: How can both sides find common ground? Reportedly, the Maple Leafs would welcome him back, but not at the hefty $11 million per season salary cap hit that came with his first contract in Toronto. Recent contracts signed by other players offer a compelling glimpse into potential solutions.

It's the furthest the Maple Leafs have gone in the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2002, when they beat out the New York Islanders and Senators to advance to the Eastern Conference Final. Toronto lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, ending their Stanley Cup hopes that year.

There's a lot of uncertainty around the Maple Leafs entering this offseason. Mitch Marner and John Tavares are unrestricted free agents, while Matthew Knies is a restricted free agent. Tavares and Knies have expressed their desire to remain in Toronto, but Marner, who's had several chances to say he wants to remain a Maple Leaf, hasn't done so.

Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Mark Giordano To Coach NHL Top Prospect Matthew SchaeferMark Giordano has been busy since last playing in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Meanwhile, Toronto GM Brad Treliving said in his season-ending media availability that the team's DNA needs to change.

"I don't believe that you have to go and change 20 players, right? It's not always about that. It's what can we do to help our guys? What can we do to find guys that can help?" Treliving said.

"If there is change that we need to make with the team, how do we bring people in that have a mindset like that? But it's those big moments of really embracing it, but finding a way, whatever that way is, to get through it and have success."

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On Wednesday, former New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson inked a three-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche. The AAV is $7.75 million. 

Brock staying in COL. https://t.co/2JO5iSkpvF

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) June 4, 2025

The 34-year-old, along with prospect William Dufour, was shipped to Colorado ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade in exchange for forward prospect Calum Ritchie, Colorado's 2026 first-round pick, Colorado's 2028 third-round pick (conditions not met) and defenseman Oliver Kylington.

The Islanders traded Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations. 

The Islanders were believed to have offered Nelson the same deal he signed in Colorado. 

I had heard that before the deadline, Lamoriello spoke with Nelson about possibly signing with #Isles this summer, regardless of where he went at the trade deadline. Obviously, with Lou being out, that certainly impacted things.

Nelson had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 19 regular season games with the Avalanche before just four assists in their seven-game series loss to the Dallas Stars.

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When it comes to experience at playing hockey in June, the Florida Panthers have more than enough to go around.

Over the past three postseasons, the Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final in each year.

A badly injured Panthers squad lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in 2023, then Florida’s redemption arc came full circle when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games last year.

Now the Cats are back in the Final, once again facing the Oilers, in a series that begins on Wednesday night in Edmonton.

Being in these situations before, Florida’s players have learned the best ways to stay relaxed and focused on the task at hand without letting the pressure of the Final get in their heads.

One of those ways is by playing poker, a game many of Florida’s players will take part in during their team flights around the continent.

Apparently, as was revealed during Stanley Cup Final media day, the Panthers had quite a game going on their long flight to Edmonton this week.

“We had a poker game going. I don't know if you heard about it, but it gets pretty intense,” said Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe. “(The) chips are flying.”

It’s no surprise that highly competitive hockey players can really get into their poker games.

As intense and contentious a good poker game can be, when its among good friends, they can be some of the best times ever.

“We played some poker, I lost a little bit of money today, which wasn't great, but we've got some long flights ahead of us to get it back,” Panthers center Sam Bennett said with a smile.

Based off several accounts, it sounds like one of the newest members of Florida’s rat pack had the best game on the flight out west.

“Yeah, I might’ve cleaned up,” smirked Panthers forward Brad Marchand. “The IRS might be coming after me after this one.”

“Marchy had a good trip,” added Verhaeghe. “I had a bad trip today, unfortunately. (It was) pretty bad. That's the thing with poker., it's just happens. Sometimes you can't do anything about it.”

Perhaps that’s true, but only until the next poker game.

The Panthers will be in Edmonton for a few days this week, then on Saturday they’ll board a plane for the long, cross-continent flight back to South Florida.

Will Bennett and Verhaeghe exact revenge on Marchand and earn some of their money back? We’ll have to wait and see, but according to Bennett, it wouldn’t be the first time.

“If you asked him about a week ago, he didn't do so well then,” said Bennett.

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Photo caption: May 14, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (9) gets congratulated after a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of game five of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

The National Hockey League is gearing up for a Stanley Cup Final rematch. The Edmonton Oilers are looking for revenge after losing the Final in 2024-25 via a Game Seven heartbreaker. 

While the series is going on, the other 30 teams in the National Hockey League will be focused on doing what they can to get to where these last two teams standing are. 

One way to build for the future is through the entry draft. The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will begin on Friday, June 27th, in Los Angeles. 

The New York Islanders have the first overall pick. They won the Draft Lottery and have the right to choose any eligible player that they'd like.

The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks stayed at second and third after that, as the Utah Mammoth moved up to fourth overall with the second lottery win. 

How will the first round line up without a sure-shot number one pick? Here is a mock draft of the first 32 selections: 

1. New York Islanders: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL):

It's a new day in the life of the New York Islanders. They will be looking for more scoring talent with a new front office and likely philosophy. Michael Misa is their guy with the first overall pick. 

2. San Jose Sharks: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)

If the Islanders take Misa, that will leave Schaefer (who many believe is the best player in the draft) for the San Jose Sharks to take second overall. He was injured for a lot of the 2024-25 season, but he has shown the ceiling of a top-pair NHL defenseman. With Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith in place up front and Sam Dickinson on his way on defense, a nice core is already forming. Adding someone like Schaefer would be a home run. 

3. Chicago Blackhawks: James Hagens, Boston College (NCAA)

The Chicago Blackhawks have a ton of U-24 players on defense in the organization. They will certainly be looking to draft a high-end forward with the third overall pick. James Hagens of Boston University, who was considered to be the number one prospect in this draft for a long time, is the perfect selection for the Blackhawks here. He has the top-level skill needed to play alongside Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, whether that be at even strength or on the power play. 

4. Utah Mammoth: Porter Martone, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

The Utah Mammoth has a lot of great players already. With stars like Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, and Logan Cooley already leading the way, a big, mean power forward like Porter Marton makes perfect sense for them. It won't be long before he is in the NHL, ready to make an impact. When he's ready, the Mammoth should be gearing up for a jump in the standings. 

5. Nashville Predators: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgardens (SWE)

The Nashville Predators weren't expecting to be drafting in the top five when the 2024-25 season began, but here they are. Anton Frondell, a great center from Sweden, is a wonderful consolation prize. 

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

The five players above and Caleb Desnoyers are going to be the first six selected unless there is a major surprise. The Philadelphia Flyers are going to get whoever is left out of the three. Here, they get Desnoyers, who is going to come out of the QMJHL to make an impact at his position. 

7. Boston Bruins: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)

The Boston Bruins are trying to develop more forward depth. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are now multiple years removed from being in the NHL, and David Pastrnak is their only elite point-producer. Drafting Jake O'Brien of the OHL may allow them to get going with some new blood offensively. 

8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

The Seattle Kraken could use some help in every area. Jackson Smith, a defenseman, is someone who could be that guy 8th overall. Playing for a deep Penn State team in 2025-26 will be wonderful for his development as they chase a National Championship. 

9. Buffalo Sabres: Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgardens (SWE)

The Buffalo Sabres need new faces in every phase of the game. Victor Eklund of Sweden is someone who could be a guy who helps them move the franchise forward. It is going to take some development from Eklund but the skill is there to be an impact player. 

10. Anaheim Ducks: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)

The Anaheim Ducks have one of the best prospect farms in the NHL. They are hoping that this is the last time that they add a top-ten pick for a while. Radim Mrtka, a defenseman out of Seattle, would make for a great defenseman in the system. 

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Carter Bear, FWD, Everett (WHL)

The Pittsburgh Penguins need help in every avenue when it comes to their future. They are an old team that is entering the early stages of a true rebuild. By the time they come up to select, Carter Bear is going to be one of the best players available. 

12. New York Rangers: Roger McQueen, F, Brandon (WHL)

If a back injury wasn't hindering Roger McQueen at this stage of his development, he may be considered for being a top-five pick. The New York Rangers, looking to add some more youth to the organization, are in a spot where they can take this risk. 

13. Detroit Red Wings: Brady Martin, C, Soo (OHL)

The Detroit Red Wings are so close to taking a step for the franchise. Brady Martin isn't going to help them right away, no player drafted 13th overall is expected to, but he can be part of a long-term solution. 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Lynden Lakovic, F, Moose Jaw (WHL)

The Columbus Blue Jackets, like some of the other teams drafting ahead of them, have a great young farm system intact. This will help them in their quest to leap in the coming years. Lynden Lakovic, a forward, may be able to bring some greatness to the young franchise. 

15: Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Coots, C, Seattle (WHL)

The Vancouver Canucks are going to need a little bit of a retool in the coming years. J.T. Miller is already out the door, Elias Pettersson is uncertain in terms of his production, and Brock Boeser may be gone soon. At both center and wing, they need depth in the organization with forwards. Braeden Coots is someone for them to draft 15th overall to add some talent. 

16. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary Flames): Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Brisband (QMJHL)

The Montreal Canadiens are looking for a boost after having a strong season. Many weren't expecting them to be in playoff contention. Now, adding assets to the organization to keep the depth healthy during future runs is the main goal in the draft. Justin Carbonneau, a winger, is someone that they should consider with the selection given to them by the Calgary Flames.

17. Montreal Canadiens: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)

The Montreal Canadiens won't even have to leave the stage to select Logan Hensler out of Wisconsin. Adding a strong forward and a strong defenseman with their back-to-back selections feels like a move that most teams would make. 

18. Calgary Flames (via New Jersey Devils): Malcom Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)

The Calgary Flames have the 18th selection via a trade with the New Jersey Devils. With it, they select Erie Otters left-winger Malcom Spence. Like the Canadiens, they had a surprisingly good year with young players involved so adding more is on their agenda. 

19. St. Louis Blues: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)

The St. Louis Blues were one of the worst teams in the NHL during the first half of the season. In the second half, they turned things around enough to make the playoffs. Now, with the 19th overall pick, they will take a player who can help them in the future. Kashawn Aitcheson is an offensive defenseman who also brings a ton of physicality. St. Louis has done a wonderful job developing these types of players over the years. 

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota Wild): Cullen Potter, LW, Arizona State (NCAA)

The Columbus Blue Jackets, using a pick given to them by the Minnesota Wild, select Cullen Potter out of Arizona State. This young forward has the tools that would fit in well with the Jackets, who have signs of life in their system and at the NHL level. 

21. Ottawa Senators: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)

The Ottawa Senators add to the defensive side of their prospect farm by selecting Cameron Reid of the Kitchener Rangers. 

22. Philadelphia Flyers (via Colorado Avalanche): Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)

The Philadelphia Flyers select Blake Fiddler out of Edmonton. Another defenseman in the system makes sense for a team that has already selected a forward in the top-six. 

23. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning): Benjamin Kindel, RW, Calgary (WHL)

The Nashville Predators have two picks in the first round as well. This one comes from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benjamin Kindel is the pick. 

24. Los Angeles Kings: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL) 

The Los Angeles Kings are the first and only team to select a goalie in this mock draft. Joshua Ravensbergen out of Prince George is the one name that could go on the earlier side of the draft. The Kings are great at working with goalies. 

25. Chicago Blackhawks (via Toronto Maple Leafs): Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)

The Chicago Blackhawks have a second pick in this first round. Jack Nesbitt is another forward who could bolster the prospect farm in that area. It is desperately needed for them. 

26. Nashville Predators (Vegas Golden Knights): Cole Reschny, F, Victoria (WHL)

For the third time in this draft, the Nashville Predators will come up to select. Cole Reschny out of Victoria is their pick. That bottom-five finish that they had will pay off if some of these young players turn into impact guys. 

27. Washington Capitals: Jack Murtagh, FWD, USDP (USNTDP)

The Washington Capitals have drafted some solid players in the late stages of the first round over the years. Jack Murtagh is hoping to be the next in line. Murtagh is going to be moving to Boston University next season. 

28. Winnipeg Jets: Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)

The Winnipeg Jets select Bill Zonnon, a winger. Adding depth to the prospect farm is important to Winnipeg, who rely on development more than any team in the NHL. 

29. Carolina Hurricanes: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL)

The Carolina Hurricanes select Ivan Ryabkin out of Muskegon. They are a team still looking for a star and every first-round pick could end up leading to that star. 

30. San Jose Sharks (via Dallas Stars): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)

The San Jose Sharks take another Boston University stud in Sascha Boumedienne. This one is a defenseman looking to become a part of an NHL team. 

31. Calgary Flames (via Florida Panthers): Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL)

Cameron Schmidt wouldn't have to travel far to become a member of the Calgary Flames as he played major junior in Vancouver. This pick was given to the Flames by the Florida Panthers. 

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Edmonton Oilers): Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State (NCAA)

The Philadelphia Flyers have this pick from the Edmonton Oilers. They add a winger in Shane Vansaghi, who has been playing college hockey for Michigan State. Their third pick of the round closes out what will be an impactful night for a ton of teams. 

There have been times when drafts considered "weak" surprised the hockey world over the long haul. Nobody truly knows. A player that looks like a mid-first-round pick right now may go on to have the best career of anyone in his class. From the point their name is called, it becomes about the work that they put in and the team's ability to get the most out of them. 

This draft has a reputation as a weak class. All of these players will see to it that they put their best foot forward to prove the hockey world wrong. 

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

Three months after dealing Josh Norris at the trade deadline, the Ottawa Senators are reportedly fielding trade offers for winger Drake Batherson.

So much for enjoying the honeymoon period following their first playoff appearance in eight years.

Then again, that first-round exit — to the Toronto Maple Leafs, of all teams — left the Senators with a lot to think about this summer. Chief among them is: how do they go from being a playoff contender to a Stanley Cup contender?

With Florida's Matthew Tkachuk playing in his third straight final, the easy answer is finding more players who look like his younger brother than Drake Batherson.

Luckily for GM Steve Staios, there's a blueprint he can follow.

When the Panthers lost in the first round to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022, they didn't roll things back, even though they had finished with the best record in the NHL. No, they swung for the fences and traded Jonathan Huberdeau, who was coming off a 113-point season, and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to the Calgary Flames for Matthew Tkachuk in a move that was initially criticized.

The result? Three straight trips to the Stanley Cup final.

Oilers And Panthers' Conn Smythe Contenders Ahead Of The Stanley Cup FinalThe NHL’s Stanley Cup final starts Wednesday, and players on the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are making a strong case for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Which brings us back to the Senators, who in a lot of ways are the kid brother of the Panthers.

After all, Brady Tkachuk is literally a younger version of Matthew Tkachuk. Ottawa also has a Marchand-type of player in Ridly Greig. And after trading Norris to Buffalo in exchange for Dylan Cozens last March, the Senators acquired their version of Sam Bennett.

The question is what type of player can Drake Batherson get them.

Can you package Batherson in a trade for Vancouver's Elias Pettersson? Or for Jason Robertson, who may have priced himself out of Dallas?

Is that too much? Too little?

Batherson, who is 27 years old, is coming off a season where he finished second in team scoring with 26 goals and 68 points. Those are not Huberdeau-type numbers. Then again, his most important statistic might be the one that is preceded by a dollar sign.

Batherson has two years remaining on a contract that carries a $4.975-million cap hit.

That’s why teams are reportedly calling. And that’s why Ottawa should at least be listening to the offers.

Tick-Tock: Ottawa Senators Continue To Navigate Contract Decisions On Six Pending UFAsWith Steve Staios seemingly looking to build the Ottawa Senators’ roster along the lines of the Florida Panthers’ model, how does he intend to deal with his six unrestricted free agents as July 1st approaches?

They know that trading Batherson is a risk, mostly because they are likely not going to find another player who produces at Batherson's level while also costing so little. But after losing to the Leafs in the first round, where Batherson managed only a goal and an assist in six games, they also know that there is another step (or three) they have to take if they are going to compete for a championship.

That means taking a chance and swinging for the fences. And leveraging a player whose value has never been higher.

It worked for Florida, which probably wouldn't have won a Cup — much less made three straight trips to the final had they not acquired Tkachuk. And if Ottawa wants to follow in the Panthers' footsteps, it could mean making a similarly difficult decision this summer.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Could The Dallas Stars Trade Jason Robertson?After coming up short in the last two Western Conference finals, the Dallas Stars were considered a favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season, especially after acquiring right winger Mikko Rantanen.

Top image credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Cover image credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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The Philadelphia Flyers got perhaps their most important piece of offseason business done Monday, signing center Noah Cates to a four-year, $16 million ($4 million AAV). But was it a good deal?

Cates, 26, is now tied down in Philadelphia through the 2028-29 season, when he'll be a 30-year-old unrestricted free agent.

Cates's $4 million AAV is relatively inexpensive for a player of his talents and importance; hockey analytics site Evolving-Hockey predicted Cates to land a three-year deal worth $3.371 million annually. At a four-year term, Cates was predicted to pull in a $3.891 million cap hit.

Much like the Tyson Foerster contract, the Flyers retained a key player for, more or less, the expected market value.

Cates, along with Foerster and Bobby Brink, comprised the Flyers' most reliable line of the 2024-25 season. The trio posted an expected goals percentage of 58.3%, per Moneypuck, which ranked second amongst Flyers lines with at least 100 minutes together.

Notably, they were the clear leaders in ice time with 570.9 minutes together, and they out-scored opponents 30-23 together.

Assuming new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet keeps Cates, Foerster, and Brink together, he'll be able to weaponize one of the most prolific checking lines in hockey once again.

NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Can Get Their Own 'Star' in Jason RobertsonIf the Philadelphia Flyers are truly looking to swing the big trade this offseason, they need not look further than the Dallas Stars, who might have a former 100-point winger hitting the NHL trade market in short order.

One wrinkle worth discussing in Cates's new contract is the fact that there is no trade protection of any kind, like Foerster before him. The Flyers will be able to trade both players without any restrictions at any time they wish, which could be prudent if they are as active on the NHL trade market as they're expected to be.

Grade: A

With this contract, there's very little to even nitpick at, so the Flyers get an easy 'A' grade for this deal. The cap hit is cheap, and, in tandem with the lack of trade protection, allows the Flyers to continue to do whatever they want to do in the rebuild without any inhibitions.

After signing Cates, the Flyers have $18.991 million remaining in cap space, only needing to re-sign defenseman Cam York and forward Jakob Pelletier. Even if both players sign, the Flyers figure to have a boatload of remaining cap space, and they could always put Ryan Ellis on LTIR for further strategic advantage.

The stage is set for the Flyers to make one of what could be many big trades this offseason, but finding the right deal could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

The Anaheim Ducks head into the 2025 offseason with $38.69 million in cap space and need to spend $13.79 million to reach the cap floor. Ownership has given general manager Pat Verbeek a mandate to push for the playoffs in 2025-26 and has given him the green light to spend to the cap ceiling, if it’s deemed necessary to achieve that goal.

Barring extensions signed before July 1, the 2025 free agent class will consist of one franchise-altering superstar (Mitch Marner) and a long list of quality players just beneath at every position who could provide varying degrees of their personal brand and impact to a team’s depth chart.

The Ducks currently have 16 players under contract for the 2025-26 season, with five restricted free agents under team control.

They were a team near the bottom of the league in most traditional and underlying statistical categories in 2024-25 and could use upgrades at several positions within their lineup. Verbeek has stated his priority to add goal scoring, and recently hired head coach Joel Quenneville has traditionally valued puck possession.

Three spots in the lineup the Ducks could look to address in free agency are a top-of-the-lineup producing forward, a two-way middle-six center, and a mobile defensive defenseman.

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With how the Ducks roster is constructed and the brand of hockey they’re hoping to ice on a nightly basis, who are the best fits on the free agent market?

Middle Six Center

While Verbeek has stated the Ducks’ biggest need heading into the 2025-26 season is improved goal scoring. The point-producing forwards at the very top of the free agency class are enticing (Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser, etc.), but it can be argued that the actual glaring weakness within the Ducks’ depth chart is a two-way middle-six center.

In the 2024-25 season, the Ducks allowed the 10th-most goals per game (3.18) in the NHL, the most shots against per game (32.3), and deployed the league’s 29th-ranked penalty kill (74.2%).

An improved offense will naturally lift those defensive numbers. Still, as the current roster is constructed, the Ducks don’t have a reliable option down the middle who can match up against opposing top lines, win a key faceoff, and kill penalties while providing depth scoring at the other end of the ice.

All contract projections provided byAFP Analytics

Mikael Granlund

Contract Projection: 2 years, $4,975,550 AAV

Granlund (33) enters the 2025 offseason having produced at the third-highest rate in his 13-year NHL career, when he scored 66 points (22-44=66) in 83 games. Though a natural center, he was shifted to the wing after a mid-season trade sent him from the San Jose Sharks to the Dallas Stars, where he finished his 2024-25 campaign with 21 points (7-14=21) in 31 games, and added ten points (5-5=10) in 18 playoff games before the Stars were eliminated in the Western Conference Final by the Edmonton Oilers.

Granlund is a detail-oriented center who can be classified more as a play-builder or play-connector than a driver, as his career high goal total for a single season sits at 26, and he’s only eclipsed the 20-goal mark three times. He correctly fills lanes off the puck and angles attackers to low-danger areas while seldom missing assignments in coverage.

Though his contract will likely come in at a higher dollar value and term than projected (unless he remains in Dallas), he’s the kind of center that can keep up with opposing talented centers, defensively, while buoying offense from a second or third line.

Pius Suter

Contract Projection: 4 years, $4,983,054 AAV

Suter (29) just wrapped his fifth full season in the NHL after having gone previously undrafted and garnering attention following a successful five-year career in the Swiss NL. His comfort level in the NHL has seemingly increased year after year, culminating in career highs in goals (25), assists (21), and points (46) in 2024-25 for the Vancouver Canucks.

He was the most-utilized Canucks forward on the penalty kill in 2024-25 and featured on their second power play unit. Only two of his 25 goals were scored with the man-advantage, highlighting his proficiency at 5v5. Though a capable defender who possesses a nose for the net, his face-off percentage was a poor 42.7% last season.

Despite a slight frame (5-foot-11, 174 pounds), Suter is consistently below pucks and in proper positions to support. He has the potential to be an impactful complementary player in the middle six of a forward group like the Ducks have.

Brock Nelson

Contract Projection: 3 years, $7,060,633

Nelson (33) has been one of the most consistent and healthy 50-60 point centers in the NHL for most of his 13-year NHL career, setting career highs across the board in 2022-23 with 75 points (36-39=75) in 82 games.

He made an immediate impact after a mid-season trade from the New York Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche in 2024-25, where he finished his campaign with 13 points (6-7) in 19 games and added four assists in seven playoff games.

Nelson featured on the Islanders’ second penalty kill unit in 2024-25 and has been used sparingly in that role throughout his career.

He’s surprisingly speedy and physically imposing with his 6-foot-4, 212-pound frame, which he utilizes to win battles in tight areas and disrupt plays with his length. Though not a traditional matchup and penalty-killing center, if he is to earn his projected AAV, especially with a team like the Ducks, who are in need, he would likely be tasked with taking on more defensive responsibilities.

Other potential fits on the free agent market: Sam Bennett, John Tavares, Christian Dvorak

A middle-six center with offensive capabilities but is also willing and able to assume difficult defensive roles is potentially the biggest weakness in the Ducks’ depth chart heading into next season. Listed centers on the current roster include Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, Ryan Strome, and Isac Lundestrom.

If the team does indeed intend to make a significant push for the playoffs in 2025-26, there will come times when they need to pull out a close win and relatively shut down elite opponents like Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, etc. At this stage in their careers, none of the mentioned five centers on the Ducks roster have that capacity just yet, if they ever will.

Adding a capable two-way center will alleviate some of those responsibilities for the Ducks’ budding stars and will allow them to explore the reaches of their offensive potential.

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Photo: Apr 21, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund (64) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche in game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Marchand grateful for Stanley Cup chance with Panthers after ‘stressful' season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Brad Marchand is now four wins away from his second Stanley Cup title, something that has eluded him for more than a decade.

He has made a seamless transition to the Panthers lineup after being sent to Florida on trade deadline day in March following 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

The veteran forward has played his role on the third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen almost flawlessly. Marchand has tallied 14 points in 17 playoff games for the Panthers so far. The only player with more postseason points than Marchand since 2011 is Nikita Kucherov.

But the 2024-25 campaign hasn’t been easy for the 37-year-old left wing. The first five months of the season with the Bruins were filled with challenges.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the B’s were not a playoff-caliber team. Marchand is also in the final year of his contract, and he wasn’t able to work out an extension with the Bruins before the trade deadline.

“It was stressful in a lot of senses, just because some of them were situations I really hadn’t been in before, and I wouldn’t say I dealt with them great,” Marchand told reporters at Stanley Cup Final media day in Edmonton on Tuesday, per Sportsnet.

“The business side of it, I let it frustrate me, and then obviously our team wasn’t having the success we expected. And we were having a hard time getting back on track.

“Eventually we did, and we thought we were climbing back into a playoff position, and then we kind of fell apart. There were different hurdles that continued to get frustrating and stressful throughout the year.

“But that’s part of the game, and you’ve got to find ways to deal with it. Like I said, I wish I had done a better job at times, but something I can learn from.”

Marchand won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 — his first full season as an NHL player. He played on a lot of other great Bruins teams, including two that reached the Cup Final in 2013 and 2019, but Boston lost both series.

Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Now that he’s back in the Cup Final for the fourth time — with Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers set for Wednesday — he’s making sure he appreciates the opportunity in front of him, because you never know if it will ever come again.

“With the things that went on this year and how I ended up here — just so many things can happen that you don’t expect, and you never know when you’re going to have another opportunity like this,” Marchand told reporters at media day Tuesday, including Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

“I’m just so grateful to be part of a group like this. And even if you take the finals out of it, just to be part of the group. It’s been an incredible experience, and one that I was little worried about, and didn’t know how I was going to come into the team, if I was going to be able to gel with everyone. I’m extremely grateful for it — and really, really excited about it.”

Marchand’s future is unknown. He is able to hit free agency for the first time in his career this summer. Overall, it’s a fairly weak free agent class, and Marchand could be one of the top players available if he hits the open market.

Marchand might not be a first-line player anymore, but this playoff run with the Panthers has proven that he still makes a tremendous impact on winning at the most important time of the year. He can score, defend, contribute to special teams, and his leadership is fantastic.

Marchand is, in many ways, the ideal final piece for a team that’s close to winning a championship and just needs a little more depth and experience.