Milwaukee Admirals forward Jesse Ylonen has signed a two-year deal in the SHL with Djurgardens IF, it was announced Tuesday.

Ylonen, a 2018 second round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, split this past year between the Admirals and the Syracuse Crunch, putting up a combined 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 66 regular season games. Appearing in nine playoff games with the Admirals, Ylonen scored three goals and added an assist for four points. 

Having come to North America midway through the 2020-21 season, Ylonen made his NHL debut with the Canadiens that season and went on to play 111 regular season games with the team. Over that time, Ylonen carved out a role as a solid depth player, collecting 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points. 

Having not been issued a qualifying offer from the Canadiens last summer, Ylonen signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning but was never able to grab a spot with the team, being dealt to the Nashville Predators in February in a depth trade. 

With Ylonen heading back overseas, his NHL career might not have been what he aspired for himself but he is young, still only 25. If Ylonen produces in the SHL, as many expect he can, NHL teams could come calling once again when his contract runs out in 2027. 

If there’s one thing clear for the Montreal Canadiens this postseason, it’s that they are in the market for a second-line center. Not that GM Kent Hughes hasn’t tried to plug that hole since his arrival, but both Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook have failed to live up to expectations so far. The solution for the Habs might be closer than one would have thought..

There have been rumblings recently that the Boston Bruins may be testing the water to see what their top-line center, Pavel Zacha, could fetch in a trade, and the pivot may be what the Canadiens need. The sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft started his career with the New Jersey Devils and spent seven seasons in the organization without truly breaking out. However, when he moved to Boston, his production exploded.

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In his first two seasons in Beantown, Zacha recorded 57 and 59 points, pretty high totals for a player who had never registered more than 36 points in the NHL. Last season, his production dipped to 47 points, but considering the Bruins plummeted in the standings to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016, that was to be expected. The versatile pivot had two years left on a more than reasonable contract with a $4.75 M cap hit.

Zacha has proven that he can be an offensive threat, especially when paired with highly talented players. The Canadiens currently have a vacancy to play alongside highly talented rookie Ivan Demidov and Finnish sniper Patrik Laine. That’s a lot of talent on one line. At 28 years old, he’s not too old to fit in with the Canadiens’ plan. He could help them achieve results in the short term, and in two years, if he decides to move, Michael Hage will have matured and turned pro (hopefully) with a year of AHL hockey under his belt.

Judging by Don Sweeney’s moves at the trade deadline, significant changes could be coming to Boston. You don’t trade your captain for futures, even if he is on an expiring deal, if you think you can be competitive the following season. After saying goodbye to Patrice Bergeron two seasons ago, the Bruins' faithful had to bid farewell to Brad Marchand this Spring, and it truly feels like the end of an era for the Massachusetts outfit.

Missing the playoffs must have been a wake-up call for the Bruins' GM. Suppose Hughes can put together an attractive package. In that case, we could see a rare deal between Atlantic Division rivals—a first since the Canadiens sent defenseman Eric Weinrich to the Bruins for Patrick Traverse in 2001. The lack of deals between the two sides is not exactly surprising; they play in the same division, and the Habs burn the Bs badly with the Ken Dryden trade in 1964.

If Sweeney is genuinely looking for a rebuild, one of the Canadiens’ two first-round picks could become quite attractive. The Habs also have a cupboard full of intriguing prospects, and Hughes would probably be amenable to moving some if he believes that would settle the organization’s most pressing need.

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

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Edmonton Oilers right winger Corey Perry continues to make his mark this post-season.

The veteran recorded two points in Edmonton’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Tuesday night’s Game 4, which gives the Oilers a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference final.

Both points were on the man advantage, beginning with a secondary assist on Leon Draisaitl’s opening goal.

Later in the game, he took an interference penalty that resulted in the Stars equalizing. But less than three minutes after Jason Robertson made it a 1-1 game, Perry avenged the penalty with a power-play marker of his own.

Perry's six goals tied defenseman Evan Bouchard for the second-most on the Oilers this post-season. He also joined elite company in NHL history.

Perry, 40, tied four Hockey Hall of Famers for the most goals in a single post-season by players aged 39 or older. He’s equalled Teemu Selanne in 2011, Mark Recchi in 2010, Ron Francis in 2002 and Jean Beliveau in 1971.

“There’s ups and downs in a game, in a series, at any time,” Perry told Sportsnet's Gene Principe post-game. “I was trying to get to the bench on that penalty, (the referees) thought I was setting a pick, it is what it is. It was nice to see that one go in and get that power play going again.”

Edmonton’s power play ended up being the difference in this game. The Oilers went 2-for-3 on the man advantage on Tuesday, improving their power-play percentage in this series to 35.7 percent.

“Our PP came through tonight,” Perry told Sportsnet's Gene Principe post-game. “Those were some big goals at crucial times in a hockey game.”

Perry took on a big role on the Oilers’ first line after Zach Hyman left the game with an injury in the first period. Perry finished the game with 16:51 of ice time, the most in a game that didn’t go to overtime for him in these playoffs.

This isn’t the first time Perry made history in these playoffs related to his age, either. Against the Vegas Golden Knights, he became the oldest player in Edmonton Oilers history to have a multi-goal game.

Perry is also now one win away from playing in the Stanley Cup final for the sixth time in his 20-year career. He would be the 78th player in NHL history to accomplish that if the Oilers advance to the final.

The veteran does not have a contract for next season. However, he has not made any comments or hints at retiring, and his production suggests he has more to give.

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With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.

After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins will officially select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. As such, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection. 

We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien, forward Victor Eklund, defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, center Brady Martin, center Roger McQueen, and right wing Justin Carbonneau. Next up? Right defenseman Logan Hensler.

Penguins Drop Two Slots In NHL Draft, Will Pick 11th OverallIn past draft lotteries, the Pittsburgh Penguins have seen their fair share of luck.

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Logan Hensler

DOB: Oct. 14, 2006 (Age 18)
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 196 pounds
Team: University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

In most mock drafts and projections, the defense position isn't particularly deep this year. However, that doesn't mean there aren't some hidden gems right around where the Penguins will be drafting at 11.

And Logan Hensler should be one of the names on their wishlist.

The right-side defender's stats may not jump out on the scoresheet - he registered just two goals and 12 points in 32 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers in his rookie season - but he's certainly got all of the tools to become a threat on both sides of the puck.

Logan Hensler's draft stock is sliding lately, but his NHL upside is still real

He's a smart, consistent and reliable defender. Much better off-puck than on. Solid gaps, positioning and disruptions

Here are some clips from two games against #1 ranked Michigan State (#6 white) pic.twitter.com/eqyQsYVz0A

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) December 20, 2024

Logan Hensler (ranked 11th on Bob McKenzie's board) is a mobile RD who can play an effective shutdown style but hasn't overly explored his offensive game in the past years.

Flashes of on-puck skill are apparent in rushes like these where he uses his feet to create entries: pic.twitter.com/tYLMQklEyd

— Sebastian High (@high_sebastian) January 23, 2025

He's got size at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds. He's mobile, agile, and smart with the puck. He defends well, he skates well, and he's good with his stick. 

Even though there are some question marks around his offensive production, Hensler's defensive game is already quite rounded out, and it's something that should earn him a role at the NHL level as a shutdown defender, at the very least. His gap control, stick work, and ability to get the puck out of danger in the defensive zone are all pluses.

Hensler played for Team USA in the World Junior Championship this season alongside Cole Hutson, and the Woodbury, Minn. native notched an assist in seven games leading up to Team USA's gold medal at the event.

Logan Hensler (#2025NHLDraft) found himself on the 2nd pair in his WJC debut and thrived with Cole Hutson.

Here is every clip of his eventful puck touches. Hensler finished with 15:55 TOI and a +3 rating in his debut. pic.twitter.com/tC17iLDTud

— Nathan "Grav" Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) December 26, 2024

Even though his name may not be as big as others like potential no. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, and, even, Kashawn Aitcheson, Hensler projects as a reliable shutdown defenseman at the least, which is something the Penguins need. And there is potential for a much higher ceiling because of his mobility.

There are still ways for him to improve his game in terms of physicality and offensive zone awareness, but nonethless, he's a reliable defender. The only potential trouble with the Penguins selecting Hensler at 11th overall is that he reads as more of a "safe" option. While "safe" isn't necessarily a bad thing, there are other talents around this area that could reap higher reward.

While Hensler's floor is low, the chances of him reaching his ceiling - despite all the tools being there - are a bit lower. So, if he is available at 11, the Penguins should consider risk v. reward.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Kashawn AitchesonWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

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If at first you don’t succeed, eh?

For the second time this week, the Florida Panthers will look to punch their ticket to a third straight Stanley Cup Final when they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night.

After scoring 16 goals during their first three wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida couldn’t keep up with the Canes in Game 4 and were subsequently shutout 3-0.

That meant the Cats had to travel back to Raleigh for another chance to dissipate the Hurricanes.

Florida will look to recapture the momentum they built during their first visit to Lenovo Center, where they jumped all over Carolina and outscored them 10-2 while taking the first two games of the series.

Despite the loss on Monday, the Panthers remain in a good spot, but as they learned during last year’s Stanley Cup Final, a big series lead can disappear in the blink of an eye.

“We put ourselves in a great position, great situation, going on the road with a 3-1 lead,” said Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov. “We just have to bring our best. We were not at our best (in Game 4), and we'll learn from that and be better next game.”

The Panthers looked a step slow during Game 4.

Breakouts seemed sluggish at times and countless passes just missed, with many being deflected by the Hurricanes’ excellent stickwork.

“They played really well,” said Barkov. “They defended well. They attacked well. It was a great game by them. We were not at our best, so we need to be better.”

One thing that could help Florida improve on their Game 4 performance would be the return of one or more of three players who did not suit up due to injury.

Each of Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola were on the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday before the team boarded a flight to Raleigh.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice indicated there was a chance all three could play in Game 5, saying that they would all skate in the morning and then see how each was feeling.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 5 in Carolina:

Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

A.J. Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Kulikov

Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Uvis Balinskis, Jesper Boqvist, Nico Sturm, Jaycob Megna

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Photo caption: May 22, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates scoring during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets head into the offseason looking to add skilled forwards to their roster in hopes of increasing their goal-scoring at 5-on-5 when the playoffs roll around.

The Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli released his top 20 trade targets for the NHL offseason, and topping the list were Buffalo Sabres' JJ Peterka and Minnesota Wild's Marco Rossi. 

The Jets will likely integrate Nikita Chibrikov into their lineup this season, whether it's immediately after training camp or at some point in the season, an extended stint in the NHL is long overdue for the 22-year-old. He unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury, but the team hopes he'll be a complete participant once training camp begins. 

The pursuit of another young forward and the promotion of Chribrikov should not be affected by the choice Nikolaj Ehlers makes. Whether he's on the roster or not, adding additional scoring is a must. 

Rossi fits the needs of the Jets more than Peterka does, but both would be fantastic additions. Rossi would slot into the Jets' second-line centre role like a glove and would be the perfect complement for Cole Perfetti and Ehlers. In 82 games this season, the 23-year-old scored 24 goals and 60 points. His production on the power play and at 5-on-5 was balanced, and he plays an effective two-way game. He's a skilled playmaker who could run give-and-gos on the cycle with Perfetti and get Ehlers the puck to do damage off the rush. 

Peterka is a winger, which could make the line combinations more complicated, but if Gabriel Vilardi and the Jets feel comfortable shifting him back into the middle of the ice, Peterka would be an outstanding acquisition.

Finding a player as talented as he is at just 23 years of age is almost unheard of, and although the Sabres have repeatedly mentioned they don't plan on trading him, the indication is that they will have to move him unless negotiations take a pivot and he re-signs.  

In 77 games, Peterka scored 27 goals and 68 points, tied for second on his team. His shot is lethal, but unlike other snipers, Peterka can create the space for himself to get his shot off. Skating on a line next to any of Kyle Connor, Ehlers, or Perfetti would provide him plenty of opportunities to show off his shot. 

Both Rossi and Peterka averaged over 18:00 of ice time a night during the regular season, showing they are both capable of playing top-six minutes. They are also both restricted free agents in need of a contract, but with over $26M in cap space, the Jets shouldn't have too much trouble fitting them under the salary cap even after making deals with Ehlers, Vilardi and Dylan Samberg. 

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.

"I'd Love To Stay"; Haydn Fleury Hopes To Remain A Jet Despite Log Jam Of DefensemenHaydn Fleury mentioned during his end-of-season press conference that he'd like to remain a Winnipeg Jet despite the log jam of defensemen the Jets currently employ. Jets Pending Unrestricted Free Agent Signs With Swedish TeamWinnipeg Jets pending unrestricted free agent Axel Jonsson-Fjallby has signed a three-year contract with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

Brendan Shanahan is a free agent. But where will he go next?

The former president of the Toronto Maple Leafs brings a wealth of experience, a Hall of Fame ring as a player and a marquee name with him. Simply put, he could probably choose a number of NHL destinations right now.

But what about a franchise that doesn't exist yet?

NHL expansion seems like a sure thing in the future and one of the leading candidates is Houston. As first reported in The Hockey News' Money and Power issue back in January, the top ownership candidate is Dan Friedkin, a billionaire car distributor who also owns British soccer team Everton and a film company that produced Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and a major TV market, so it's a great target for the NHL.

Now imagine if Shanahan was the expansion team's first president.

Houston gets instant credibility and someone whom the NHL trusts – let's not forget that 'Shanny' worked for the league's player safety department.

While the Maple Leafs did not meet their goal of winning a Stanley Cup during Shanahan's tenure, Toronto did have a ton of success on the ice and either drafted or acquired a mass of talent. Shanahan left the franchise with a solid GM in Brad Treliving and a well-respected coach in Craig Berube.

That Shanahan would be an asset for Houston is not a question; only the timing remains. The NHL has not green-lit any expansion process right now, so hypothetically, we'd be looking at 2026-27 at the earliest – and let's face it, the league is in no rush.

Having said that, Houston seems to be one of the favorites if and when the NHL expands again.

Other cities in the mix include Atlanta and Phoenix, and it will be interesting to see if the next wave involves two cities at once or staggered over the course of a year. (Full disclosure: The Hockey News publisher-owner W. Graeme Roustan is supporting the Atlanta group led by Vernon Krause and his South Forsyth project.)

Regardless, keep an eye on Shanahan in the coming years. He already took on a major challenge in Toronto, so what would be new and exciting for him? Helping build an expansion team from scratch might be the answer.

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The Florida Panthers may be in the midst of another exciting Stanley Cup Playoff run, but there is still something quite large looming in their future.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Panthers would be hosting the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot park against the New York Rangers.

The game is set for Jan 2, and tickets to the general public will be going on sale next week.

For more information on tickets, click here.

According to the NHL, ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m.

Along with the announcement came a new image showing the official 20206 Winter Classic logo.

It features Miami-themed neon blue and pink colors, along with a snow-covered palm tree.

The 2026 Winter Classic will be the first ever outdoor game in Panthers franchise history.

It will also become the southernmost outdoor hockey game in NHL history.

Fans looking for additional official information on the Panthers in the Winter Classic can head to FloridaPanthers.com/WinterClassic.

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The Rochester Americans season ended on Sunday with a 5-0 loss to Laval in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, and after only 48 hours into the offseason, the club has lost a pair of players, winger Lukas Rousek and defenseman Erik Brannstrom, to European club teams.

Rousek, a Group-6 unrestricted free agent, has signed a deal with HV71 of the SHL on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was a sixth-round pick (160th overall) of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 Draft out of the Sparta Praha system. After spending two seasons in Czechia, the winger signed a two-year entry-level contract with Buffalo and played 19 games for AHL Rochester. In only his second season in North America, he led the Amerks in scoring with 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) and 12 points in the Calder Cup Playoffs and earned a two-game call-up to the NHL. 

After signing another two-year deal with Buffalo, Rousek scored 41 points in 51 AHL games, but in an extended look with the Sabres only had two assists in 15 games. This season, the 26-year-old had 42 points, but only scored seven goals and did not get another chance in the NHL with first-rounders like Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, and Noah Ostlund getting those opportunities.  

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Brannstrom was a 2017 first round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, and played parts of seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. This season, he was dealt by Vancouver to the NY Rangers in the JT Miller deal and acquired by the Sabres in a one-for-one deal at the trade deadline for Nicolas Aube-Kubel. 

The 25-year-old scored five goals in 13 games for the Amerks and played in one postseason game. A restricted free agent, Brannstrom has signed a three-year deal to play for HC Lausanne in Switzerland.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that the head coach of their AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms Ian Laperriere has been re-assigned to the Flyers as an advisor to Hockey Operations. 

The team announced they will begin a search for a new AHL head coach immediately. 

Laperriere signed a two-year contract extension in June 2024 that was set to run through the 2025-26 season. 

The 51-year-old joined the Flyers as director of player development for the 2012-13 season and transitioned to assistant coach in the 2013-14 season, a role he served in through the 2020-21 season before joining the Phantoms. 

The Montreal, Que., native has been the head coach of the Phantoms for the past four seasons leading the team to two Calder Cup Playoff appearances and a 134-120-38 record. 

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that Ian Laperriere will rejoin the organization as an advisor to Hockey Operations. https://t.co/jDdDnw762B

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 27, 2025

Laperriere has expressed a desire to be an NHL head coach and will help continue to develop Philadelphia's prospects in his new role. 

In his playing career Laperriere recorded 121 goals and 336 point sin 1083 games while racking up 1956 penalty minutes. He spent one season with the Flyers and was forced to retire after taking a slapshot to the face. 

Check out The Hockey News' Philadelphia Flyers team site for more updates. 

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

The Vegas Golden Knights have never been a team that sits quietly during the NHL’s off-season, and this summer may be no different. 

With big names potentially hitting the open market, including Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner, all signs point to Vegas once again positioning itself to make a splash.

TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun recently suggested that Marner will probably look at Vegas as one potential landing spot. The Golden Knights have five pending UFAs and four pending RFAs, but they rarely wait around or miss an opportunity to make a splash, so they could make cap space to give Marner what he wants. 

The Golden Knights Haven’t Needed Much of An Excuse To Change Things Up

The Golden Knights have a history of not being loyal to their players, such as not re-signing Jonathan Marchessault last summer, trading Reilly Smith after winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 and sending away most of their first-round prospects. If they want to acquire somebody else, they can part with a longtime player if necessary.

Vegas might be ready to pounce after falling short against the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs. Even when the Golden Knights remain a powerhouse club, they don’t stand pat, sending off excellent players to create cap room.

This summer, their pending free agents are mainly depth players, so there’s less pressure to keep all of them. If they do re-sign most of them, that could also mean clearing salary through trades to make room for a marquee acquisition. 

If Vegas wants to pull off such a bold move, it will likely involve another round of salary cap gymnastics. They’ve done it before, trading away players and assets, such as Max Pacioretty, Marc-Andre Fleury, Shea Weber’s contract, Ryan Reaves, Nate Schmidt, Paul Stastny and Smith in past years.

Whether it was trading for Tomas Hertl, Noah Hanifin, Jack Eichel or Mark Stone, the Golden Knights aren’t afraid to make a surprise move that shakes up the NHL landscape.

Could The Golden Knights Target Marner?

Marner, who just wrapped up a 102-point season, is the top NHL player set to become available on July 1. His combination of elite skill, age and experience makes him the most significant free agent to hit the market in years. That might be too tempting for Vegas to pass up. 

Naturally, several teams, such as the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings, are likely to kick tires on Marner. But according to LeBrun, Marner is expected to consider some of the usual destinations, such as the Florida Panthers and, notably, the Golden Knights.

Three Potential Free-Agency Landing Spots For Mitch MarnerIn the wake of Toronto's second-round playoff loss to Florida, Mitch Marner's name has been all over the headlines.

The potential fit in Vegas makes a lot of sense for Marner. The Golden Knights are competitive every season, and if he signs there, he does so for good money on a team with one of the lowest tax percentages in the NHL and a chance to play alongside Jack Eichel, who had 28 goals and 66 assists for a career high 94 points this season. A Marner and Eichel pairing could form one of the most dynamic one-two punches in the league.

Whether it’s a good idea to give up several pieces to sign one elite right winger with a history of falling short in the playoffs is another topic. But the Golden Knights already have Cup-winning experience to impart on Marner, who had 13 points in 13 playoff games this year and 63 points in 70 games in his post-season career.

For Vegas, it often doesn’t matter whether it’s the best move or not. They like to make headlines and sign the player everyone else wanted. If the superstar hits free agency on July 1, don’t be surprised if the Golden Knights win the sweepstakes.

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

Rochester Americans defenseman Erik Brannstrom has signed a three-year contract with Lausanne HC of the Swiss National League (NL) the club announced on Monday.

Brannstrom split his playing time between the Vancouver Canucks, Abbotsford Canucks, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Rochester Americans. He recorded eight points in 23 NHL games and 23 points in 27 AHL games. 

The 25-year-old had a turbulent season where he was traded from Colorado to Vancouver in October, placed on waivers, traded from Vancouver to New York in the J.T. Miller deal in January, and traded from New York to Buffalo in March. 

The Eksjo, Swe., native was an AHL All-Star in the 2018-19 season while a member of the Chicago Wolves and Belleville Senators. 

Abbotsford Canucks Eliminate Colorado Eagles, Advance To Western Conference Finals After a dominant 5-0 game five win on Monday the Abbotsford Canucks have defeated the Colorado Eagles and advanced to the AHL's Western Western Conference Finals. 

Brannstrom was a consistent point producer in the AHL but could not quite replicate the results at the NHL level. In 117 career AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, Belleville Senators, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Rochester Americans he recorded 19 goals and 86 points. 

Originally a first round selection of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Brannstrom has 10 goals and 77 points in his 294 game NHL career split between the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. 

The Hockey News' Derek O'Brien also covered this move here.

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

Oilers Look to Build on Blowout Wins as Stars Aim to Regroup in Crucial Game 4

The Western Conference Final has taken a sharp turn, and the Edmonton Oilers are suddenly in full control of the narrative.

After dropping Game 1 in Dallas, a game they gave up five unanswered goals after leading led 3-1 entering the third, the Oilers have bounced back with a vengeance, outscoring the Stars 9-1 over the last two games, including a dominant 6-1 win in Game 3 at Rogers Place. 

Now, as the puck drops for Game 4 in Edmonton, the question for bettors isn’t just who will win, it’s whether Dallas can stop the bleeding before this series slips away. 

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our perfect 3-0 night during Game 4 of the Panthers-Hurricanes Eastern Conference Finals. 

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: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Revealed

Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars Game 4 Best Bets: 

• Stars Over 2.5 goals (-148)
• Stars ML (+126)
• Mikko Rantanen anytime goal (+170)
• Matt Duchene Over 0.5 points (+108)
• Over 5.5 goals (-160)

Same Game Parlay (5-Leg): +693 ($10 Bet Pays $69)

The Stars have been tossed to the side for two straight games and have been outworked in every aspect of the game.

They must start rattling the cage of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner as Dallas have been leading in quality scoring chances, according to Stars beat reporter Owen Newkirk, with 33 compared to Edmonton's 22 in Game 2 followed by 35 to Edmonton's 27 in Game 3 despite being blown out. 

They'll need to start capitalizing and it should start Tuesday as they are going to do everything in their power to even up this series. The Stars have proven they can win in tough environments, taking Game 3 on the road in Colorado during round one and opening the second round with a road win in Winnipeg. 

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We have seen what the Stars can do when they get on a roll and they've gotten to this point with most of their top end guys having gone completely cold.

Mikko Rantanen has gone six straight games without a goal, Wyatt Johnston has just one point in his last nine, Matt Duchene has one in his last five, and Jason Robertson has only three points in nine playoff games.

This group will need to find their game and it should get started with Rantanen, who should snap his scoring drought and start to pierce through the Oilers defence and get to Skinner.

The rest of the offence should follow suit, starting with Duchene, who got a big game-winning goal in Game 1 but has gone on another scoring drought with no points over the last two games. 

Rantanen and Duchene also spear-head the Stars first powerplay unit that will see it's chances after failing to convert on six straight opportunities heading into Tuesday.

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Czech forward Lukáš Rousek, 26, has signed a two-year contract with HV71, the SHL club announced on Tuesday. Rousek had played the last five seasons in North America in the Buffalo Sabres organization.

“It will be a lot of fun and is an exciting challenge,” said Rousek. “I know how high the Swedish Hockey League is and that Jönköping is a hockey-crazy city, and I look forward to being part of HV71.”

“Lukáš’s greatest quality is his passing game,” said HV71 GM Björn Liljander. “He is a real playmaker who sees the game very well and always finds an open space – a player you can use both as a center and a winger.”

Born in the small town of Ostrov but raised in Prague, Rousek turned pro with local club Sparta, recording 90 points in 176 Extraliga regular-season and playoff games. He was somewhat of a late bloomer, never representing Czechia at the U-18 or U-20 levels. 

Buffalo drafted Rousek at age 20 in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Between 2021 and 2025, Rousek played primarily for the AHL’s Rochester Americans but also played 17 NHL games for the Sabres, scoring one goal and adding three assists.

HV71 was SHL champion a recently as 2016-17 but fell on hard times soon after and was relegated. Since returning to the top Swedish league in 2022, the club has not made the playoffs and the last two seasons barely avoided relegation.

Photos © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

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They say the fourth win in a best-of-seven series is the most difficult to obtain.

It would seem the Florida Panthers can attest to that adage.

Florida had an opportunity to sweep the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night when they hosted Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.

All the momentum appeared to be in the Panthers’ favor. Not only had they just won three straight against Carolina, including two in the Canes home barn, but Florida had done so by a combined score of 16-4.

But alas, the fightin’ Hurricanes showed up in Sunrise with their best effort of the series and came away with a resounding 3-0 victory.

“They had their best game of the series,” said Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov. “They deserved to win. It’s okay. We’ll learn, we’ll recover from this and we’ll move on.”

Under Paul Maurice, Florida has played 11 playoff series. They have taken a 3-0 lead in five of them.

While the Panthers have won every one of those series, they were only able to complete the four-game sweep once: the 2023 conference final against Carolina.

We all remember what happened during last season’s Stanley Cup Final, when Florida went up 3-0 only to see the series get pushed all the way to a deciding seventh game.

The other two times the Panthers opened a series with three consecutive wins were the second round in 2023 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the 2024 first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In both of those instances, Florida dropped Game 4 but turned right back around and closed out each series in five games.

It’s that bounce-back mindset that has helped the Panthers avoid any extended periods of losing, whether it’s the regular season or the playoffs.

“It’s not frustrating, that’s hockey,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennet. “That’s the way it goes sometimes. Sometimes you get bounces, sometimes you don’t. (In Game 4) we didn’t get many bounces, but we also didn’t play our best, so I don’t think we deserved the bounces.”

Florida will board a plane to Raleigh on Tuesday and prepare for their second opportunity to close out the series.

The Panthers surely enjoyed their first visits to Lenovo Center, winning Games 1 and 2 handily.

They will likely draw more from those two victories than from Monday’s loss, but this is a veteran team that will be expecting Carolina’s best once again.

Perhaps this time Florida will be better prepared to push back.

“We sat back, that's not the norm for us,” said Bennett. “I'm sure it's a pretty easy fix to turn that around.”

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Photo caption: May 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) moves the puck during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images