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

Mark Giordano has been busy since last playing in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 41-year-old, who's yet to announce his retirement from the league, joined TSN for their trade deadline coverage in March. Beyond that, Giordano still appears as a guest on TSN 1050 from time to time.

The Norris Trophy-winning defender, though, will also be working as a defense coach with projected first-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer. Speaking with NHL.com senior writer Mike Morreale, the 17-year-old says he'll be skating with Giordano throughout the summer.

"I'm working out with (trainer) Bryan Marshall, and my defense coach is Mark Giordano, so I'm super excited to work with him," Schaefer said. "I'm going to be skating with him a lot."

Shaefer, who played just 17 games with the OHL's Erie Otters this season after having surgery on a broken clavicle with Canada at the World Juniors, will train with Giordano and likely New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech, among others, in Mississauga, Ontario, this summer.

The Toronto, Ontario, native was acquired by his hometown team in March 2022 in hopes of a deep playoff run. However, the Maple Leafs fell 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning that year.

Following that season, Giordano and Toronto agreed to a two-year contract, which paid him $800,000 annually. In his first full year as a Maple Leaf, Giordano played 78 games and scored four goals and 20 assists, his most productive since the 2021 season with the Calgary Flames.

Exploring Buyouts? Why That Would Be A Major Misstep For The Maple Leafs This SummerThe Toronto Maple Leafs could look quite different next season. From star forward Mitch Marner testing free agency to a wealth of vacant spots up front to fill either via trade or free agency, General Manager Brad Treliving has the opportunity to put an additional stamp on the team he took over in 2023. But what he should try to avoid, if possible, is using buyouts.

During that season, he also broke the NHL blocked shots record, which was previously held by Kris Russel (2,044). San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic passed Giordano, who has 2,164 blocks, on March 4.

The veteran defenseman also appeared in all of Toronto's playoff games in 2023, making it to the second round for the first time since 2004. The Maple Leafs eliminated the Lightning in six games before going out to the Florida Panthers in five.

Giordano last appeared in an NHL game with the Maple Leafs on April 17, 2024. For most of that season, the veteran defenseman found himself on the outside looking in, especially when Joel Edmundson and Ilya Lyubushkin joined the club ahead of the playoffs.

He also dealt with an injury and the loss of his father, Paul, in the back-half of that season.

Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Dominates Memorial Cup, Validates Return To Junior DecisionToronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan is a Memorial Cup champion with the OHL's London Knights.

Giordano wasn't re-signed by Toronto following the 2023-24 season and held out hope that an NHL club would sign him later in the year. The defenseman finished his tenure in Toronto with nine goals and 36 assists in 144 games.

Before arriving in the Maple Leafs organization, Giordano spent one season with the Seattle Kraken. He was plucked out of the expansion draft by Seattle after the Calgary Flames, with whom Giordano spent 15 years of his career, left him unprotected.

An undrafted defenseman, Giordano joined the Flames organization in the summer of 2005. Along with winning the Norris Trophy, Giordano was Calgary's captain for eight seasons, from 2013 to 2021. His Flames tenure ended with 143 goals and 366 assists for 509 points in 949 games.

Report: Maple Leafs And Golden Knights Discussed Trade Around Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore Last SummerToronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner reportedly could've been a Vegas Golden Knight last summer.

Although he's yet to call it a career, Giordano has 577 points (158 goals, 419 assists) in 1,148 games split between the Flames, Kraken, and Maple Leafs over 18 years.

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Two words followed the London Knights throughout the 2024-25 season: unfinished business. 

At first, those two words were whispered behind closed doors in conversations about how the Knights had come up short when they were the favourites to win the 2024 Memorial Cup. 

"We went through the whole process last year and came up short with 20 seconds to go in a hockey game," said Flyers prospect Denver Barkey after the game. "We remembered that all summer and talked about it all year - that's been our motivator,"

Slowly, the drumbeat grew. First, it was announced that most of the team would return to London for the 2024-25 season. Next, the Knights dominated the OHL, losing only 13 games during the regular season to finish at the top of the OHL. 

London stomped their way through the playoffs not losing a single game until the OHL Playoff Finals. After dropping game one of the finals, London won four straight games to take down Oshawa and book their tickets to Rimouski for the 2025 Memorial Cup. 

Steelheads Sign 2025 First-Round PickYesterday, the Brampton Steelheads announced the signing of 2025 OHL Priority Selection first-round pick Keaton Ardagh to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. 

At that point, the question was asked point blank. Is there unfinished business for this group? A resounding yes was the response. This season would not be complete without a Memorial Cup victory. 

On Sunday night, the London Knights took care of business, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1 to secure the Memorial Cup for the third time in franchise history.

Make no mistake, this was a special group of players, the majority of whom came together two seasons ago. They won back-to-back OHL titles and set OHL and franchise records. To cap that off with a Memorial Cup victory must be perfection for a team that seems so close. 

"This is my family, these guys are my brothers," said San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson. "It feels like it's the perfect ending for this core ... it's how it should have gone out."

This time around, the Knights had to walk the hard road to the Memorial Cup Final after they lost their first encounter with the Tigers 3-1. Medicine Hat went down early in that game before scoring three unanswered goals to seal their place in the final. 

Knights Heading To Memorial Cup Semi-Finals Following Loss To Medicine HatThe London Knights missed out on the opportunity to go straight to the Memorial Cup Finals due to a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday night. 

London made it through the semi-final in dominant fashion beating Moncton 5-2 while outshooting their opponent 37-23. 

In the rematch against Medicine Hat, it was once again the Knights who struck first. Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien scored halfway through the first to give London the early lead. The score would remain 1-0 heading into the second. 

As they did so often in the OHL Playoffs, the Knights took over in the second period, opening up a four-goal lead within the opening 12 minutes of the period thanks to a goal from Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and a pair scored by Barkey. 

Former Colt To Take Up Head Coaching Reins In BarrieEarlier today, the Barrie Colts announced that Assistant Coach Dylan Smoskowitz will take over as Head Coach effective immediately. He replaces Marty Williamson, who will stay on with the club as Vice President and GM of Hockey Operations moving forward. 

The Tigers pushed back in the third with star forward Gavin McKenna scoring a goal early in the period to give the team hope. With minutes to go McKenna put another puck into the net before the goal was called back upon review. 

The Knights fought the Tigers off for the rest of the period leading to the final score of 4-1. The win gave Head Coach Dale Hunter his third Memorial Cup trophy, tying him for the most ever won by  single coach. Early in the tournament he took the title of most wins in Memorial Cup history. 

This London team will go down in the history books as one of the best rosters ever iced by an OHL team. Their accomplishments are impressive, and many of these players will make their way into the NHL in the very near future. While this team will never play together again, their names will sit next to each other on the Memorial Cup. 

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If 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.

According to reports, stud Stars winger Jason Robertson could be on the move this summer, heading into the last year of his current contract carrying a $7.75 million cap hit.

Jeff Marek, in his recent blog post for Daily Faceoff, knows the Stars want to get tougher. From watching the Western Conference Final, we know that the Stars need defensive depth in the worst way, and the Stars need cap space and assets to make some upgrades.

Marek, who connected Robertson to teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars, isn't the only one talking about Robertson. Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal added Monday on "Donnie & Dhali" that he's heard the 25-year-old winger's name has come up in trade talks.

And you know what they say: when there's smoke...

So, here's where the Flyers come in.

The Flyers currently have a shade under $23 million in cap space, and only need to re-sign RFAs Cam York, Noah Cates, and potentially Jakob Pelletier. Fitting in Robertson's cap hit of $7.75 million won't be a challenge at all.

Looking forward to 2026 and beyond, the Flyers will have the retained salaries of Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton coming off their books, as well as Cam Atkinson's buyout charge. 

Additionally, bad contracts, like Ivan Fedotov's $3.25 million cap hit, will be expiring. Ryan Ellis's contract is one year closer to being up with 2027 quickly coming up on the horizon.

Robertson's next contract is likely to have an AAV north of $10 million, but it's a worthwhile price for a Flyers team in need of stars. What's there not to like about him, aside from the lack of speed?

Robertson is a 6-foot-3, left-shot left winger, a two-time 40-goal-scorer, and a former 109-point player who is coming off back-to-back 80-point seasons.

The Flyers, as currently constructed, just don't have these types of players. Tyson Foerster and Owen Tippett are two of the team's top left wingers, and both are right-shot players. Minor roster construction issues like this should be sorted before the Flyers really get down to it coming up out of the rebuild phase.

Flyers Trade Package

We've now established that Robertson would be a unicorn for the Flyers, and the Stars need to offload him and/or other players to keep the team together.

At the time of this writing, the Stars have just $4.95 million in cap space and need to re-sign *checks notes* Mikael Granlund, Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, Evgenii Dadonov, Colin Blackwell, Mavrik Bourque, Brendan Smith, Cody Ceci, and Nils Lundkvist.

Philadelphia Flyers Officially Lose Signing Rights to 3 Recently Drafted Defense ProspectsWith no new signings or contracts announced on Sunday, the Philadelphia Flyers have officially lost the signing rights to three recently drafted defense prospects, including two of Matvei Michkov's draft classmates.

Next year, the Stars will also need to re-sign Robertson, Thomas Harley, and Mason Marchment. It would be a dream, but there is no way around it: Dallas has to make some moves.

The Flyers have plenty of players and assets they can offer the Stars in return for Robertson to allow Dallas to then use elsewhere.

We can safely assume that both of the Flyers' late first-round picks in the 2025 draft are in play, and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (triceps) would represent a massive upgrade on the right side of that Dallas defense.

Perhaps the Stars can stash Ristolainen on LTIR and work on other things in the meantime.

Replacing Robertson is the greater challenge, though it would make sense for the Flyers to offer up a player like Tippett in a potential deal. Tippett still has untapped potential at 26 years old and has scored no fewer than 20 goals in each of the last three seasons.

Tippett is much faster than Robertson and, while not nearly as productive overall, can allow the Stars to do some different things with their personnel. He's also locked in at a $6.25 million cap hit through 2032, whereas Robertson is going to be commanding a significant pay raise from his $7.75 million cap hit by season's end.

And, from Philadelphia's perspective, Tippett's 10-team no-trade list kicks in on July 1, 2026, so if they're on the fence about his place in the team's future, time is ticking on finding an amicable solution to that potential roadblock.

Other Flyers players who might be of interest to the Stars in a Robertson trade include York, Bobby Brink, and Tyson Foerster.

That's a steep price to pay, to be sure, but to get, you have to give. The impact a 100-point player like Robertson would have on the Flyers is undeniable, especially with Philadelphia still having the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft and a future star in Matvei Michkov who's only going to get better.

With the situation around Marco Rossi now less clear than it was a few days ago, this is another way the Flyers can infuse the roster with star power.

The NHL will hold the first – and possibly only – decentralized draft at the end of June, which is similar in structure to the annual NFL Drafts where each team’s management remains in their respective towns and calls in their picks to a central location, which this year will be in Los Angeles, CA. For this occasion, the Buffalo Sabres will be using the draft room facilities of their NFL counterpart, the Buffalo Bills, for the Draft on June 27th and 28th at Highmark Stadium. 

“The synergies between the Sabres and Bills are genuine and we are well positioned for the new NHL draft process by utilizing the space and experience at One Bills Drive for our Sabres draft this season,” Sabres and Bills Chief Operating Officer Pete Guelli said in a press release. “There’s a strong relationship between both staffs which has made the process seamless and we are grateful to be able to take advantage of an environment that’s been tested and proven on a large scale. Utilizing the Bills' draft room will also allow us to see what works best and what we can implement to enhance our capabilities even more for future drafts.”

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The Sabres are expected to have all of their managerial and scouting staff in Orchard Park, including general manager Kevyn Adams, newly hired senior advisor Jarmo Kekalainen, the Sabres and Rochester Americans coaching staffs, and members of the analytics, scouting, and development departments. 

It is very possible that this decentralized draft may be a one shot deal. There are indicators that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is not a fan of the new setup based on statements made to the media, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this year that the league may return to a centralized draft as part of a setup similar to Majorr League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, with the NHL Awards, the Draft and the beginning of free agency will all be held in the same location. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

It 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.

On Monday, longtime Penguins' assistant coach Mike Vellucci joined the Chicago Blackhawks as an assistant coach, officially ending his tenure with Pittsburgh.

Vellucci initially joined the Penguins' organization as head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins - Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - prior to the 2019-20 season. He was then brought on as an assistant for the NHL club the following season, and he remained in that post from 2020-25. 

A former player who appeared in two NHL games with the Hartford Whalers, Vellucci began coaching - with a general management stint sandwiched in the middle - in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Plymouth Whalers from 2001-14.

He then joined the Carolina Hurricanes as assistant general manager and director of player development for the next three seasons before coaching the Charlotte Checkers - then Carolina's AHL affiliate but now affiliated with the Florida Panthers - from 2017-19. 

He won a Calder Cup with the Checkers in 2019 before joining the Penguins' organization the following season. As an assistant with Pittsburgh, Vellucci was responsible for coaching the penalty killing and forward units.

He will occupy that same role with the Blackhawks. 

Insider Provides New Updates On Penguins' Coaching SearchThe Pittsburgh Penguins are still searching for their new head coach after moving from longtime bench boss Mike Sullivan following the completion of the 2024-25 season. 

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NHL clubs had until 5 pm on Sunday to sign prospects drafted from the OHL, WHL, or QMJHL at the 2023 NHL Draft or players selected from European leagues (other than the KHL) in 2021 or they would lose their exclusive rights to them. The Buffalo Sabres had three players that met that criteria and failed to sign forwards Ethan Miedema, Viljami Marjala, and William Von Barnekow.  

Miedema was selected 109th overall at the NHL Draft in Nashville. The 20-year-old scored 41 points in 2024 with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenac, and this season averaged nearly a point per game (23 goals, 34 assists in 66 games). The 6’4”, 212 lb. winger might have a chance at getting redrafted, since the league is shifting towards bigger players if they can keep up with the pace of the NHL. 

Other Sabres Stories

Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?

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Marjala was selected in the fifth round in 2021 after playing for the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. After another season in Quebec, he returned to his native Finland and scored 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games in 2023-24 for TPS Turku. The 22-year-old had another good offensive year in Liiga and tied for his club’s scoring lead with 52 points (8 goals, 44 assists) in 54 games, but there was clearly not a great deal of interest from the Sabres or from Marjala in him coming to North America. 

Von Barnekow came out of the SHL’s Malmö Redhawks junior system and averaged over a point per game in his draft year and the following year at the junior level, but the 6’3”, 190 lb. center has not generated any significant offensive production in three SHL seasons (14 goals, 14 assists in 137 games).

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

 NHL 25 has been available to play on PC for several weeks, here is what you need to know. 

The game can be played via Cloud Gaming on the Xbox app on PC for those who have purchased the Ultimate Game Pass.

The ultimate Game Pass costs $19.99 per month and gives players access to a library of games. 

Cloud Gaming works by streaming the game through the cloud instead of downloading which can result in ping discrepancies and lag. 

With EA SPORTS NHL reportedly having no plans of bringing the game to PC anytime soon this is the best PC players can do.  The last NHL game to receive a PC release was NHL 09.

Cloud gaming only allows one player and account at one time, and requires a controller.

This also allows players to play NHL 25 via mobile consoles like Legion Go or Steam Deck.

More information on Xbox and PC Cloud Gaming can be found here.  

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.         

Anyone who follows Montreal Canadiens players’ wives and girlfriends on social media will tell you that they, too, form a bit of a team. They look like a tight-knit group, and it’s always been the case. In the playoffs this year, they all wore custom jackets. A few years ago, Carey Price’s wife, Angela, and Jeff Patry’s wife, Julie, started a clothing line together, and this season, the latter started a podcast called Never Offside with Tyler Toffoli’s wife, Cat.

In the latest episode of Never Offside, the ladies welcomed their husbands to the show and chatted about various topics. Early on, both players texted Cole Caufield to see who he would text or call back first. It took over 20 minutes, but he called Toffoli first, prompting laughs and the conclusion that he likes him better.

 Canadiens: Potential First Round Pick - Malcolm Spence
Canadiens: What Demidov Learned So Far
Canadiens: Did Pascal Vincent Miss The Carousel?

Among the stories told was the explanation of how Petry ended up with bloodshot eyes in the playoffs in 2021, and it’s a perfect example of how tough hockey players are. In the series against the Winnipeg Jets, the defenseman was hit by Paul Stastny and unfortunately put his finger through the camera hole on the boards, breaking his finger. At the hospital, he was told he could have an operation on it that would end his playoffs, or have it put in a cast and try to play like that. Being a hockey player, he chose the second option, but as they held the finger in place to put on the cast, he passed out from the pain. It was so painful that he had his breath when he came too, and he held it so hard that all of the blood vessels in his face blew.

Petry also shared his craziest on-the-road story, and it was a good one, from this season with the Detroit Red Wings, during a road trip where traveling had been hell due to a snowstorm. The team had to make an emergency landing to let him off. The defenseman has a severe peanut allergy, and after eating soup on a flight, his throat got scratchy; he injected his EpiPen, which solved nothing. He was then given a second shot, which didn’t resolve the issue. There was a third shot available on the plane, but they told him that if they gave it to him, he could have a heart issue. Petry was devastated to make the trip from hell take even longer, but he had no choice.

While Petry didn’t leave the Canadiens in the best circumstances (he requested a trade since his family had moved back to the USA during the pandemic), he was an essential part of the Montreal defense corps for eight seasons. In the 508 games he played in Montreal, he scored 248 points and had to fulfill the responsibilities of a first defenseman through Shea Weber’s numerous injuries.

As for Toffoli, he spent less than two seasons in Montreal but quickly became a fan favourite, scoring 70 points in 89 games. He was also a key part of the Canadiens’ attack during the 2021 Stanley Cup run, contributing 14 points in 22 games. Kent Hughes' trade of him to the Flames in February 2022 marked the starting point of the Canadiens’ rebuild. In return for Toffoli, Hughes got Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 (which became Filip Mesar), and a fifth-round pick at the 2025 draft.

The hour-long episode was worth a listen, with both Petry and Toffoli telling some interesting stories. If you want a good laugh, you can take a look at Petry’s combine picture, which was mentioned in the episode. Let’s say that he had quite the hairstyle…

Jeff Petry's NHL Combine photo is spectacular 😂

Check out the new Never Offside episode with Julie Petry and @catbtoffoli, where they're joined by their husbands ➡ https://t.co/1jDfSe0p5Hpic.twitter.com/iGj6CnprdX

— NHL (@NHL) June 1, 2025

Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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As time ticks down to the Stanley Cup final, the Wraparound is here with more rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics.

Have The Oilers And Panthers Changed The Importance Of Regular-Season Results? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: Have the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers changed people’s perspective on the NHL’s regular season?

4:22: Who do the Oilers need to step up the most in the absence of Zach Hyman?

8:57: Can Alexander Barkov become the all-time leader in Selke Trophy wins?

10:52: Has Pete DeBoer’s confidence in Jake Oettinger changed after his performance in the Western Conference final?

16:30 Will Easton Cowan go down as one of the best London Knights players ever?

20:00: Could the Toronto Maple Leafs approach Morgan Rielly about potentially facilitating a trade this summer?

22:20: Did the Tampa Bay Lightning make a good long-term bet by extending Yanni Gourde?

24:05: Breaking down the players and personnel involved in the second season of Faceoff: Inside The NHL

26:22: What value will Jarmo Kekalainen bring to the Buffalo Sabres?

28:31: Should the Montreal Canadiens' Ivan Demidov be the front-runner to win the Calder Trophy for the 2025-26 season?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

Promo image credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning's “winning culture” played a large part in one of their top pending UFAs sticking around for the long term with a significantly lower cap hit.

The Lightning re-signed Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract worth $2.33 million per season.

Gourde had an average annual value of $5,166,667 on his six-year contract that expires this summer. The Lightning had less than $6 million in cap space for next season, with 19 of 23 active roster spots filled.

The 33-year-old’s production is also not the same as when he signed his last contract extension in November 2018. He tallied a career-high 25 goals and 64 points in 82 games in 2017-18, his first full season in the NHL. He’s hit 48 points three times since then, but not more. This year, he had 31 points in 57 games.

But Gourde was part of the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, and he doesn’t think their competitive window is closed.

“We want to win – I think we’re right there,” Gourde said in Monday’s press conference. “I’m so excited for the future and what’s coming.”

The undrafted center played parts of his first six NHL seasons with the Lightning.

Ahead of the 2021-22 season, the Seattle Kraken claimed him in their expansion draft. Gourde had four years remaining on his expiring six-year contract worth $5.17 million annually.

However, he returned to the Lightning two days before the trade deadline when they acquired him and right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand in a three-team trade with the Kraken and Detroit Red Wings. Tampa GM Julien BriseBois traded Michael Eyssimont, two first-round picks and a second-rounder for the former Kraken forwards.

The Saint-Narcisse, Que., native shared how excited he was to return to the Lightning and that Tampa was always at the top of his list, whether it’s a trade or a contract in free agency.

“I love Tampa,” Gourde said. “That was the biggest thing for me, getting some term… And play in Tampa for the remaining years of my career.”

In 21 regular-season games with the Lightning this season, Gourde recorded one goal and 13 assists while averaging 17 minutes of ice time. In the playoffs, he recorded one helper in five games against the Florida Panthers. Gourde also had six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 36 games with the Kraken this year.

The Lightning made a similar transaction in the 2024 off-season to re-acquire defenseman Ryan McDonagh. Like Gourde, he was a key piece of Tampa’s back-to-back championships.

Although those two players are back in Tampa Bay, the Lightning made a difficult decision last year by letting their longtime captain, Steven Stamkos, hit free agency. The 35-year-old signed with the Nashville Predators instead, while the Lightning traded for the rights to 30-year-old Jake Guentzel and signed him to a seven-year contract worth $9 million annually.

They also traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for blueliner J.J. Moser, prospect Conor Geekie, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick and a 2025 second-rounder.

Although the Lightning lost in the first round to the Florida Panthers for the second straight year, they finished second in the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2019-20.

The Lightning also have a core of Brayden Point, Guentzel, Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli under contract through at least 2030. Gourde and defenseman Erik Cernak are also part of that group, while captain Victor Hedman and left winger Nick Paul are signed through 2028-29. Superstar right winger Nikita Kucherov still has two seasons left on his contract, while goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has three years left.

Tampa Bay appears to have the parts in place to continue to strive for the Stanley Cup championship. Now, they just have to execute on that.

“The culture is the same culture that we had when we won,” Gourde said.

Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.

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Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien took home the Memorial Cup with the London Knights last night, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers in the finals.

The Knights had lost to the Tigers in the preliminary round, but answered back in the finals with a resounding 4-1 win. Julien got the scoring started for the Knights in the first period before Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey combined for three goals in the second period. 2026 projected first overall pick Gavin McKenna scored in the third period for the Tigers, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback.

The 20-year-old finished the tournament with two goals and four points in five games, improving on his three assists in four games in last year's tournament. It's the third time the Knights have won the Memorial Cup, winning it for the first time since 2016.

Julien was phenomenal all season long for the Knights, scoring 11 goals and 54 points in 65 games in the regular season before adding another six goals and 19 points in 17 postseason games en route to back-to-back OHL championships. 

Listed at 6'4 181 lbs, Julien was a trusted defensive center for HC Dale Hunter. He used his size and physicality to shut down many of the best players the CHL has to offer. 

The London, ON native was a fifth-round pick (146th overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and is poised to join the Manitoba Moose in the AHL next season. 

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

Winning three Memorial Cups in 20 years might not sound like anything too incredible, until of course you consider that it's probably more difficult than even the Stanley Cup to win.

When the London Knights captured the championship with a 4-1 over the Medicine Hat Tigers Sunday night, they ended an era that saw the likes of Easton Cowan, Denver Barkley, Jacob Julien, Oliver Bonk and Kasper Halttunen play their last games of junior hockey. But nobody would be surprised to see the Knights contend for the title again in 2025-26.

Because that's pretty much what they do. Every year.

No team in hockey has had the sustained success the Knights have enjoyed over the past two-plus decades and it all starts and ends with Mark and Dale Hunter, who combine winning with developing talent for the NHL better than anyone in the business.

Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.

Promo image credit: Vincent Ethier / CHL Images

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Mitch Marner betting odds for next team officially come out with surprising front runner ahead of the pack

As the NHL offseason storylines intensify, one remains at center stage and that's Mitch Marner, the Toronto Maple Leafs' superstar winger.

After a fabulous 102-point regular season and a playoff run where he tallied 13 points in as many games, Marner's future with Toronto is anything but certain.

With growing concerns about playoff performance in late stage games as well as harsh criticism from the public and local media, it appears Marner's days as a Maple Leaf might be over. 

Entering unrestricted free agency this summer, rumors are swirling about where the 28-year-old will land on July 1st or if he will ultimately choose to stay in his hometown of Toronto. 

Recent, we explored a set of potential set of odds put together by Covers.com on where Marner will go next. However, FanDuel Sportsbook has released official betting odds for Marner's next team, offering insight into how the hockey world views the Leafs’ star winger's future. Here's a breakdown of the top contenders:

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Mitch Marner Next Team Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook)

• Chicago Blackhawks +430 
• Toronto Maple Leafs +430 
• Carolina Hurricanes +470 
• Vegas Golden Knights +500 
• Anaheim Ducks +750 
• Los Angeles Kings +850 
• Florida Panthers +1900 
• Utah Mammoth +1900 
• Pittsburgh Penguins +2600 
• Columbus Blue Jackets +2900 
• Philadelphia Flyers +3500 
• New York Islanders +3500 
• Detroit Red Wings +3500 
• San Jose Sharks +3500 
• Tampa Bay Lightning +6000 
• Ottawa Senators +6000 
• Winnipeg Jets +6000 
• All Other Teams +6000

Chicago Blackhawks (+430)

Tied for the shortest odds, the Blackhawks present a compelling case. With rising star Connor Bedard leading the charge, adding Marner could create one of the league's most formidable top lines. Chicago's ample cap space and a fanbase eager for resurgence make this a noteworthy possibility.

Toronto Maple Leafs (+430)

Despite the trade rumors, the Maple Leafs remain in contention to retain Marner. While a last-minute extension hasn't been ruled out, the team's direction and Marner's aspirations will play pivotal roles in this decision.

Carolina Hurricanes (+470)

The Hurricanes, known for their consistent playoff appearances, might view Marner as the missing piece to propel them to a Stanley Cup. His offensive prowess could complement their structured gameplay, potentially ending their Stanley Cup Finals drought.

Vegas Golden Knights (+500)

Vegas has a history of making bold moves to enhance their roster. Marner's addition could bolster their offensive depth, aligning with their win-now mentality plus the move has already been discussed according to insider reports from last summer. 

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Anaheim Ducks (+750)

In the midst of a rebuild, the Ducks are accumulating young talent. Marner's experience and skill could provide leadership and elevate the play of emerging stars like Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson. General Manager Pat Verbeek has been vocal about wanting his squad to make the playoffs next season and would love to make an add to ensure that, making Marner the perfect for in mind. 

Los Angeles Kings (+850)

The Kings are transitioning into a competitive phase, blending veteran presence with youthful energy. Marner could be the catalyst to team continuing to build and try to get past the defending Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers. 

Florida Panthers (+1900)

Heading into their third straight Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers might seek to add Marner to maintain their momentum. His versatility could fit seamlessly into their dynamic offensive schemes. The team is going to lose some key pieces this offseason and could add new ones back in with Marner. 

Utah Mammoth (+1900)

As the NHL's newest franchise, the Mammoth are poised to make a significant splash. Securing a marquee player like Marner would instantly elevate their profile and competitiveness plus seems like a move team owner Ryan Smith is known for considering his aggressive nature with his NBA team, the Denver Nuggets. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (+2600)

With Sidney Crosby's career winding down, the Penguins might aim to maximize their current window. Marner's addition could rejuvenate their offensive core and provide a bridge to the next generation.

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Columbus Blue Jackets (+2900)

The Blue Jackets are in search of a game-changer to revitalize their franchise. Marner's skill set could be the cornerstone of their rebuilding efforts.

Philadelphia Flyers (+3500)

Undergoing a transformation, the Flyers could view Marner as a foundational piece to expedite their return to contention. His playmaking abilities would be a boon to their evolving roster.

New York Islanders (+3500)

The Islanders, known for their defensive structure, might benefit from Marner's offensive flair. His presence could provide the scoring punch they've been seeking.

Detroit Red Wings (+3500)

Under Steve Yzerman's guidance, the Red Wings are assembling a promising squad. Marner could be the veteran leader to guide their young talents into a new era of success.

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San Jose Sharks (+3500)

In a phase of rebuilding, the Sharks might see Marner as a player to build around, accelerating their return to playoff contention.

Tampa Bay Lightning (+6000)

With a history of success, the Lightning could consider Marner to maintain their competitive edge, especially as they manage aging core players.

Ottawa Senators (+6000)

The Senators are cultivating a young, energetic team. Adding Marner could provide the experience and skill to guide their ascent in the standings.

Winnipeg Jets (+6000)

The Jets might explore acquiring Marner to bolster their offensive depth and support their existing stars in a bid for deeper playoff runs.

🌐 All Other Teams (+6000)

While not front-runners, other NHL teams remain in the mix, potentially offering unique opportunities or packages that could appeal to Marner and the Maple Leafs.

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