The Florida Panthers took care of business in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Traveling directly to Raleigh from Toronto after their Game 7 win on Sunday, Florida looked plenty fresh as they skated to an impressive 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center.

Florida’s power play cashed in on their first chance of the series to get the Panthers off and running.

Sasha Barkov found Carter Verhaeghe between the circles, and Verhaeghe took the puck on his backhand and roofed it past Frederik Anderson to give Florida a 1-0 lead near the midway point of the first period.

About four minutes later, Evan Rodrigues jumped on a loose puck after it was lost by Jordan Staal and found a wide-open Aaron Ekblad in the left circle.

Ekblad sent a wrist shot past a screened Anderson to put the Cats up 2-0 with 7:31 on the clock.

Sebastian Aho got the Hurricanes on the board with just 15 seconds left in the period, deflecting a Seth Jarvis shot with his skate past Sergei Bobrovsky after the Panthers failed to get the puck deep into Carolina’s zone a few moments prior.

It only took a few minutes into the second period for Florida to regain their two-goal lead.

A play started by Niko Mikkola in his own zone led to Mikkola carrying the puck over Carolina’s blue line on an odd-man rush.

The massive defenseman slid the puck to A.J. Greer and his one-timer beat Anderson to put the Cats up 3-1.

Despite going over 15 minutes of game time without a shot after Greer’s goal, Florida would make their next one count.

While on the power play after a delay of game penalty by Scott Morrow, Sam Bennett fired a shot that found its way through a screen and past Anderson, extending Florida’s lead to 4-1 with 13:52 to go.

Late in the period, right off a faceoff in Carolina’s zone, Tomas Nosek went behind the net and backhanded a perfect pass to the red-hot Eetu Luostarinen.

Eetu’s one-time beat Anderson and gave the Panthers a 5-1 lead with 5:05 to go.

Jackson Blake added a late power play goal after a roughing call on Jonah Gadjovich, but by then it was too little too late.

Credit must go to Bobrovsky, who kept his cool between the pipes despite a rough night in terms of Hurricanes players trying to get in his kitchen.

Between an Andrei Svechnikov hit to Bobrovsky’s head or Shayne Gostisbehere shooting the puck directly at, and hitting, Brad Marchand, there will be plenty for the Panthers to ponder ahead of Thursday night.

On to Game 2.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Verhaeghe’s goal was his fifth of the playoffs, but it was his first point in four games.

Three of Verhaeghe’s five goals have come on the power play.

Barkov has logged three assists over his past two outings.

Ekblad is up to three goals and seven points in nine playoff games.

Bennett’s goal was his seventh of the playoffs.

Rodrigues has five assists over his past four games.

Greer has two goals and an assist over his past four outings.

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates scoring against the Carolina Hurricanes during the during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

OTTAWA — In many ways, it’s fitting that the only local player on the Ottawa Charge would score the first PWHL Finals goal in the city.

After a tight first period, it was Rebecca Leslie who opened the scoring 11:34 into the second period of Game 1. Leslie, who signed with the Charge as a free agent this season, only scored one goal in the regular season for her hometown team, but now has back-to-back opening goals in the postseason.

“The crowd finds it fun when the hometown girl scores,” said Ottawa coach Carla MacLeod. “You’re just thrilled when she’s rewarded and she’s worked hard, she just goes about her business so professionally.

“I think this community is incredibly proud of her. And they should be she’s a heck of a person No. 1 and a phenomenal player.”

🚨FIRST GOAL OF THE FINALS🚨@PWHL_Ottawa's Rebecca Leslie brings her hometown to their feet with her second goal of the PWHL Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/H5nvPxs46R

— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) May 21, 2025

In the end, after Minnesota scored in the third period to force overtime, it was Emily Clark who scored the winner in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Minnesota Frost. Gwyneth Philips made 25 saves on 26 shots to seal her third straight win of the playoffs.

“Tonight was a hard fought game,” Clark said. “To start the series off with a win, especially at home in front of our fans is really special.”

For Ottawa, the series opener was yet another one-goal game. The Charge have now won 13 one-goal games, the most in the PWHL. For the Frost, it was a major change from the high-scoring semifinals against Toronto, where Minnesota scored 18 goals in four games.

The Charge now have a 1-0 series lead.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

The scoreless opening frame

There were no goals in the first period, and there wasn’t much room in the middle of the ice for either team to generate much offense. Minnesota got the first shot of the game, and didn’t register another until around the five-minute mark of the period. Ottawa didn’t test Nicole Hensley for the first seven minutes of the game.

The Frost made it tough for Ottawa to get out of the offensive zone, and any time Ottawa tried to set up, Minnesota skaters were jumping on pucks, forcing turnovers and taking away the high-danger areas of the ice, getting sticks and bodies into shooting lanes.

Midway through the period, though, the ice started to tilt in the other direction. The Charge killed off a Stephanie Markowski penalty and held the Frost to just one shot on goal on the advantage. On their own power play a few minutes later, Ottawa put four shots on goal – compared to just three in the first 13 minutes. They didn’t score, but Ottawa generated momentum on the power play that continued to the end of the period, finishing with nine shots, including a great chance by Gabbie Hughes in the dying seconds of the frame.

Minnesota, meanwhile, didn’t get another shot on goal after Michela Cava’s power-play shot at 8:32.

Leslie breaks through

Not only did Leslie open the scoring in the Finals in her hometown, she also went bardown while facing down Lee Stecklein, one of the best defenders in the world with a long reach and an active stick.

On the goal — which came on the heels of a successful penalty kill by the Charge – Stecklein had her stick extended right in Leslie’s lane. But she got the shot off quickly before Stecklein could get her stick on the puck and disrupt the rush chance.

REBECCA LESLIE OPENS THE SCORING FOR OTTAWA IN THE WALTER CUP FINALS! 💥#PWHLpic.twitter.com/GjRSqZkzOj

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 21, 2025

“Stecklein’s stick is so long and it makes it extremely difficult to play her,” said Clark. “But Rebecca’s goal was incredible. To be able to get that shot off, let alone the placement of it…It was a huge boost for us.”

Philips’ miscue

No goalie has been better in the playoffs than Philips, who entered the finals with a .956 save percentage and 1.14 goals-against-average. So it was a bit surprising to see her leave the crease and play a puck right to Minnesota forward — and Philips’ former Northeastern teammate — Katy Knoll.

Knoll quickly sent the puck to Klára Hymlárová, who easily put the puck into the open net. It was the third goal scored by Minnesota’s fourth line in the playoffs, once again proving the team has a mix of legitimate star power and depth that can contribute in the biggest moments. The goal ended Philips’ shutout bid 5:24 into the third period and tied the game 1-1.

The goal ➡️ the celly 😮‍💨 https://t.co/lXWrcNpSRNpic.twitter.com/dN5tzrhoZ8

— x – Minnesota Frost (@PWHL_Minnesota) May 21, 2025

It was an uncharacteristic mistake by Philips, but one that she bounced back from well, stopping the next nine shots she faced to get the Charge to overtime.

“Those little missteps are going to happen. That’s the reality of sport,” said MacLeod. “She just doesn’t let it phase her, and we know that about her too. We knew she was going to continue doing what she’s been doing for us all season, and she certainly did that.”

Not to be ignored completely: Hymlárová’s goal was the third scored by Minnesota’s fourth line in the playoffs, once again proving the team has a mix of legitimate starpower and depth that can contribute in the biggest moments.

“They simplify the game, they get pucks in deep and they go to work,” Minnesota head coach Ken Klee said about the trio of Knoll, Hymlárová and Liz Schepers. “They know what their job is. They all read off each other well and then have good sticks. It’s been great for us to have them, just to help with our scoring because we need everybody.”

The game-winner

Less than three minutes into overtime, Clark led the rush out of the zone and fired a tough angle shot on Hensley that found its way in the back of the net.

“I just saw an opportunity to skate it and tried to get it on net,” she said after the game. “Luckily it went in.”

It was Clark’s second straight game-winning goal of the playoffs, after scoring the winner in Game 4 to advance to the Finals. She now leads the Charge in scoring with two goals and four points through five games.

EMILY CLARK WINS IT IN OT FOR THE CHARGE ⚡

THEY LEAD THE WALTER CUP FINALS 1-0! pic.twitter.com/56xSHck3QP

— Jocks In Jills (@JocksInJills) May 21, 2025

Home ice advantage

Ottawa is now 3-0 in home games in the playoffs thus far, and the home ice advantage is real.

There were 6,184 fans packed into TD Place Arena and they didn’t hold back, from the moment players walked in the building – yes, fans lined up outside just to greet them – to the final buzzer.

The heat has entered the chat 🔥#SurgingAhead | #OTTvMIN
Ottawa Charge x @WoodyCreekDistipic.twitter.com/6UAygwGFX5

— x – Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) May 20, 2025

It went beyond your typical signs and jerseys throughout the stands. Fans brought kazoos and trumpets, and they prepared cheers to go along with their instruments.

“They’re loud, they’re passionate,” said PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford. “Watching on TV, you can feel (the) energy that they have. … It’s an amazing building to be in.”

“Being from Ottawa, just to see how this fan base has gone behind our team, it’s something truly special,” said Leslie. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many fans in this building or it ever being this loud.

“It is really an honor for us to continue playing here for this crowd, and we definitely use the crowd for momentum.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, NHL, Women's Hockey

2025 The Athletic Media Company

It’s best not to poke the bear.

A controversial play during the second period of Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Final Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes will likely be a hot topic ahead of Game 2.

With the Panthers leading 3-1 during the second period, Andrei Svechnikov took a shot from the left circle that was stopped and covered by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Svhechnikov crashed the net, which is perfectly fine, but it’s what he did after that had Panthers players quite upset.

Replay shows Svechnikov appear to look at Bobrovsky and skate through the crease, hitting Bob directly in the head with his upper leg.

Sure looks like Svechnikov knew exactly what he was doing when he hit Bobrovsky in the head. pic.twitter.com/vKhgm5f73s

— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) May 21, 2025

Fortunately for the Panthers, Bobrovsky seemed fine after the hit and continued in the game without issue.

The problem is that this is an incredibly dangerous play, targeting another player’s head, if that is in fact that Svechnikov was trying to do.

Whether or not the NHL Department of Player Safety decides to take a closer look at the play remains to be seen.

Throughout Game 1, Carolina was not shy about playing around Florida's goal crease. 

The Hurricanes haven’t been shy about making contact with Bobrovsky in Game 1 pic.twitter.com/vqoat1wYrw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 21, 2025

One thing that can probably be counted on is the Panthers addressing this it in their own way, on the ice, regardless of what the league decides to do. 

This is only Game 1, after all.

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell (15) defends against Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho (20) during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Panthers will send first-round pick to Bruins to complete Marchand trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins did not qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they did get a “win” Tuesday when the Eastern Conference Final between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes started.

That’s because the Brad Marchand trade between the Bruins and Panthers is now complete, and the outcome is in Boston’s favor.

The B’s dealt Marchand to the Panthers at the NHL trade deadline in March and got a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick in return. That pick had the potential to upgade to a first-rounder.

The conditions of the pick were the Panthers winning at least two rounds in the playoffs and Marchand playing in at least 50 percent of their total postseason games. Marchand appeared in his 13th playoff game for the Panthers in Game 1 of the conference final, and since Florida can only play a maximum of 26 games this spring, that condition of the trade is now satisfied.

The Bruins will now get a first-round pick from the Panthers in 2027 or 2028.

Here are the full parameters of the pick, per PuckPedia:

“Becomes 2027 1st if FLA wins 2 rounds & Marchand plays 50% of playoff games. If pick converts to 2027 1st, and either Florida’s 2027 1st transfers to Chicago (Seth Jones trade) or pick is top 10, then pick becomes 2028 1st.”

If the pick ends up conveying in 2027, the Bruins would have five first-round picks over the next three drafts. It’s been a long time since they owned so much draft capital.

The dilemma for the Bruins now becomes how many of these early-round picks will they keep. Should they package some of them and try to trade for an established star to accelerate their re-tool? Or does it make more sense to draft the best players available and restock a prospect pool that ranks among the league’s worst?

There are pros and cons to both approaches. The right path probably lies somewhere in the middle.

But the good news for the Bruins is they have options on how to right the ship. Now it’s up to general manager Don Sweeney to make the correct moves.

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are down to four teams, and each of the conference finalists arrived here after taking a significant step forward from last season. 

Whether it’s depth, defense, or simply a different mentality, the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers have improved in a key area that’s helped them break through.

Edmonton Oilers: Shaking The Depth Narrative And Playing Defense

The Oilers are back in the Western Conference final, but the narrative surrounding this team is not the same. 

Although the Oilers are often considered to rely too much on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the idea that they don’t have depth and aren’t trustworthy defensively has been thrown out the window. 

Despite neither star having their signature explosive playoff series so far, the Oilers won close, smart hockey games. They’ve committed to a 200-foot game.

The Oilers are also rolling all four lines and getting contributions. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch hasn’t been concerned about matchups, and that’s massive, keeping the minutes reasonable for the big two superstars.

Draisaitl and McDavid are so confident in the team’s play at both ends of the ice that they seem tired of discussing it.

“I don’t know how many times we need to answer these questions,” Draisaitl said. “We’ve been a really good defensive team for years now.”

Added McDavid: “We can defend. We can. We’ve shown that time and again.”

Combine that with the possibility of their stars catching fire offensively, and Edmonton becomes even more dangerous.

Dallas Stars: Rantanen Ignites The Offense

Two key additions – Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund – elevated the Dallas Stars. Rantanen leads all NHL playoff scorers with 19 points (nine goals in 13 games), while Granlund chipped in seven points. They’re giving Dallas the firepower it previously lacked, turning the Stars into a true Cup contender.

Rantanen was easily the biggest trade deadline acquisition by any team this season, but Granlund was a sneaky one that doesn’t get as much credit as it should. Both have been a tremendous fit, while some of their depth players and veterans have struggled. 

NHL Playoffs: Oilers And Stars Look Much Different Than Last Year, But The Battle’s Still CloseThe Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars are on another collision course.

Carolina Hurricanes: Wins By Committee

No Carolina Hurricanes player has more than 10 points in 10 playoff games, but their full team buy-in and commitment to defense have carried them. The Hurricanes have been dominant at home.

They lead the playoffs in penalty-kill percentage and goals-against per game. 

“I don't think really anybody enjoys playing Carolina,” said Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk. With unmatched structure and depth, they’ve become one of the hardest teams to crack.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour teaches possession and a grinding style of hockey that has proven successful, even as the team dealt with a major loss when Rantanen wouldn’t re-sign there. 

This isn’t a team that needs a superstar. That makes the squad a force with a full roster.

Florida Panthers: Grit, Leadership And Experience

In their third straight trip to the Eastern Conference final, the Florida Panthers continue to show why experience matters. Led by the grit and edge of Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand, Florida knows how to wear teams down. 

“When it's time to put those work boots on, I don't think there's a team that works harder,” Tkachuk told reporters Tuesday.

The Panthers are proven. They’ve been to the final twice in recent seasons, and they know what it takes to win big games in tough situations. Few teams are as battle-tested, and players on this roster are willing to go through a wall, even if some of them are relatively new arrivals.

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The Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Tuomas Uronen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 20-year-old was selected in the sixth round (192nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Golden Knights. Playing in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs, Uronen scored 38 goals and 90 points in 63 games, finishing second in goals and tied for first in points on his team. 

The 2024-25 season was a breakout campaign for the Kerava, FIN native, winning a silver medal with Finland at the World Juniors. He scored two goals and three points in seven games, but his two goals were vital to Finland's success.

"Tuomas Uronen's game is built around his hockey sense and sneaky-good skill level. He anticipates the play in advance, takes intelligent routes both with and without the puck and manages the puck well during in-zone play. He's inside-driven, never cycling the puck needlessly and has a knack for playmaking from below the goal line especially." -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

Listed at 6'0, 192 lbs, Uronen can play both up the middle as a center or on the wing. His shot has improved since the draft, and it's become increasingly capable of beating goaltenders when given time and space. 

The right-handed shooter will likely start the season with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL next season, joining a young crop of players highlighted by Trevor Connelly, Jackson Hallum, Matyas Sapovaliv, Braeden Bowman, Kai Uchacz and Jakub Brabenec.  

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

Golden Knights Sign A Pair Of Forwards To Entry-Level ContractsThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed forwards Braeden Bowman and Kai Uchacz to entry-level contracts.

Golden Knights Sign Trevor Connelly To Entry-Level ContractThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed top prospect Trevor Connelly to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Hurricanes Insider provides insights on Carolina's lineup heading into Eastern Conference Finals

Two years after being swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes are back and hungry for payback.

That 2023 loss still stings, but this year’s Hurricanes team is deeper, healthier, and more experienced than ever before. With key veterans and emerging stars stepping up, the Canes believe they’re built to finish what they couldn’t last time.

We spoke with a team insider Ryan Henkel for perspective on what’s changed since that playoff heartbreak and who might be poised for a breakout. From potential difference-makers to smart betting picks, here’s what and who to watch as Carolina prepares for a high-stakes rematch.

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

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Andrei Svechnikov - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+800)

We asked Henkel who he believes will lead the series in goals and it was no surprise he picked the Hurricane that is just one goal behind Dallas's Mikko Rantanen for most goals in the playoffs with nine. 

"I'd have to stick with Andrei Svechnikov to continue leading the way," "He has eight goals now this postseason and has also hit the crossbar twice and the post three times, he's feeling it right now."

The matchup works as Svechnikov has 17 points over his last 25 games versus Florida, including two goals in their last seven matchups. The 25-year-old Russian winger has also found success scoring in the postseason for some time now with eight goals over his last ten playoff games. 

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Jordan Martinook 1+ Series Goals (-140)

The Hurricanes offence has been stellar but still some players haven't produced and it's possibly flown under the radar. Henkel gave us the line of captain Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and William Carrier as players he expects to finally get things going and have a bigger role in the Conference Finals. 

"Their line has been possession dominant and they generate a ton of chances, eventually those have to start going in."

The Canes third line has played together as a unit in all ten of their playoff games so far this postseason with just one goal to show for it.

Carrier isn't the biggest goal scorer but we can look to Martinook or Staal to get one in this spot. Martinook should be due as he's gone eight straight games without goal while Staal scored in Carolina's Game 5 win over Washington. 

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Sebastian Aho 2+ Series Goals (-195), 3+ Series Goals (+160)

Carolina's most notable forward has been continued making his impact felt with x points this postseason but just three goals. Aho couldn't find the back of the net during their series versus Washington and is long overdue for a couple goals, according to Henkel. 

"I would say Aho is due for a big breakout," "He's getting points, but he only has three goals this postseason and none against Washington, His line has been good and I think he can find a couple this series."

The Finnish forward has eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points over his last 24 games versus Florida and should be able to burst through for at least a pair of goals. He's gone five straight games without a goal and should get one early in the series. 

Ryan Henkel's series prediction: Hurricanes in 7 (+430)

Since the PWHL announced its expansion rules, social media has been taken over by fans of the original six markets who are shocked by how favourable the rules are to the new franchises. In a nutshell, each of the original six franchises can only protect three players. They can add a fourth player once they’ve lost two to expansion teams.

Now, I know this wouldn’t happen in the NHL as any expansion team gets to pick its lineup from the league’s other 32 teams, but just for discussion’s sake, if Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes had to do the exercise Daniele Sauvageau will soon undertake for the Montreal Victoire, who would he pick?

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It stands to reason that Hughes would elect to protect his captain, Nick Suzuki, but after that, it gets complicated. Cole Caufield has proven to be a perfect complement for the captain, but will Ivan Demidov eventually perform better than Caufield? Would he protect a projection rather than a player who has shown he can already perform in the NHL? What we’ve seen from Demidov so far has been impressive, and he instantly became a fan favourite.

Of course, protecting both would be possible, but then he would expose both Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky. I don’t see a scenario where Hughes would be willing to let Hutson go. So, if he were faced with these tough decisions, I think he would likely protect Suzuki, Demidov, and Hutson. This means he would probably lose Caufield and Slafkovsky before being able to protect a fourth player, which would probably be Kaiden Guhle. At least Jacob Fowler wouldn’t have to be protected since he’s in Laval.

That would set the rebuild back years. The PWHL fans' outcry over the last 24 hours is perfectly understandable. Sauvageau has built a good team even though it has been unable to move past the first round of the playoffs so far. However, only being able to protect three of Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Anne-Renee Desbiens, Erin Ambrose, and Cayla Barnes is pure torture. The Victoire also has Jennifer Gardiner, the player who won the accuracy skill competition at the last Canadiens’ skill competition, smashing the four targets faster than anyone else, including Habs players.

The next time there’s an expansion draft in the NHL, whatever the protection list parameters are, remember it could be much worse.

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

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

If there is one player in the New Jersey Devils locker room who bleeds black and red and wants to remain in the Garden State to continue his professional hockey career, it is Nathan Bastian.

The 27-year-old was selected by the Devils at the 2016 NHL Draft, 41st overall. Bastian has played 264 of his 276 career NHL games in New Jersey. He appeared in 188 games in the American Hockey League with the Binghamton Devils and is one of nine New Jersey players considered homegrown talent.

The 6-foot-4 winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and during his end-of-season media availability, he shared his desire to return to the Devils.

"It is crazy how quick a place can feel like home," he said. "Not that it has been a short time, but I think since the time I was drafted, I am the longest-standing Devil still here. Being here means a lot to me — the city, the rink, the staff, and you guys. It is something I want to be a part of."

Bastian has concluded a two-year contract worth $2,700,000 with an annual average value of $1,350,000. 

He has been a mainstay on the Devils' fourth line over the past several seasons, earning that final spot on the wing. Known for his gritty style of play, Bastian's point production has remained pretty consistent in the NHL between the 10 and 16 point mark.

With the team's struggling depth becoming a storyline for the Devils, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald stating, "We won't be coming back with the same group because it wasn't good enough," one has to wonder if Bastian has done enough to earn another contract.

Bastian responded honestly when asked about the mental side of knowing your contract is up.

"You need a job," he said. "It is your life, and to a certain extent, it is out of your control, but in another way, it keeps you on your toes. You don't get a second to lean back. Maybe it sucks a little bit, but it is part of the gig."

It was clear Bastian doesn't want to sign with another NHL team, but as he said, some variables are uncontrollable. After all this time, Fitzgerald knows the type of person and player Bastian is. It is up to him to determine if the Kitchener, Ontario native can help his team.

Let us know if you believe the Devils will re-sign Bastian for the 2025-26 season.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

When you look at the body of work of the former bat boy for MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers, you think of a guy who steps in and takes his cuts. And they usually work out. Yes, Florida GM Bill Zito’s acquisitions of the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Brandon Montour, Sam Bennett, Vladimir Tarasenko and Seth Jones have indeed been works of art.

But you don’t often think a waiver pick-up during the pandemic would turn out the way it did. That Gustav Forsling went from a castoff to a vital cog on the Panthers’ blueline and a $5.75-million-a-year player is one of the more inspiring stories in the NHL.

The 28-year-old is with his fourth NHL organization, but the Panthers can’t envision life without the puck-moving stalwart, so much so that Zito signed Forsling to an eight-year, $46-million deal in March 2024.

That’s a far cry from being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and being traded before even playing a game. And from toiling for the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate in Rockford. And from being dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes, who don’t even bother to put you on their roster for the pandemic playoff tournament in the bubble.

“I went back to Sweden for COVID, and I came really close to signing with a couple teams there,” Forsling said. “I had a long summer that year. Looking back at it, it was very hard mentally. You really have to believe in yourself. I’m really proud of the journey.”

He should be. It was after the pandemic, during training camp in January 2021, that Zito saw almost no risk in picking up Forsling off waivers. Forsling was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, so there wasn’t even any real commitment. But it goes back to long before that, all the way back to when Zito was the assistant GM in Columbus and was getting glowing reports from Blake Geoffrion, then the assistant GM of the Blue Jackets’ farm team.

Geoffrion probably knows a hockey player when he sees one since he, his father (Danny), grandfather (‘Boom Boom’) and great-grandfather (Howie Morenz) all played in the NHL.

“He kept telling us, ‘There’s this guy in Rockford I really like,’ ” Zito said. “So when we were looking at signing him, we had ‘Q’ (coach Joel Quenneville) and Ulfie (Samuelsson), who had coached him, and Paul Krepelka, who had him in Carolina. So, as we gather intel and collect information, you have seven yeses, two maybes and zero noes, plus he’s on waivers. So where’s the downside?”

As dejected as Forsling was about the way his NHL career was going, he used his time during the pandemic to put in the work on his strength and conditioning. And, suddenly, a player who seemed a little too slight to defend against the best players in the world was winning the conditioning competition in training camp with the Panthers.

“Everybody is competing for second now,” Zito said.

Forsling is now so durable he regularly logs 20-plus minutes a game in all situations. And when Aaron Ekblad was suspended 20 games for using a banned performance-enhancing substance, Florida leaned on Forsling and the newly acquired Jones to do the heavy lifting on the back end. As flawed a stat as plus-minus is, Forsling led the entire league with a plus-56 last season and was top 10 again this season with a plus-33.

But his finest moment came last spring, as he became something of the alpha male on the Panthers’ blueline on their journey to the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Forsling led the Panthers in ice time and paced Florida D-men in scoring with four goals and 13 points in 24 games.

Forsling has definitely found his place and his NHL home in South Florida. Until last season, when he and his wife had a baby boy, Forsling would keep a fishing rod and tackle box in the back of his car and would often pull off the road on the way home from practice to do some pond fishing. He can’t do that anymore, but someday, he’ll be able to take his son with him. After all, he’s in town for another seven years.

“This business is a lot about getting the opportunity and taking the opportunity when you get it,” Forsling said. “And I think I’ve done that.”

This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end.

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

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague finished the final year of a three-year, $2,294,150 contract he signed with the franchise, making him a restricted free agent this offseason and a player who could garner a lot of interest from other teams. 

Hague has spent every minute of his NHL career as a Golden Knight. Drafted in the second round (34th overall) in the 2017 NHL draft, the 26-year-old has played 364 games with the organization, scoring 20 goals and 83 points. He played a large role in their Stanley Cup win and has been integral to their defensive game, imposing his will physically on a nightly basis.

Despite the strong relationship the franchise and the player have built, some uncertainty about Hague's future exists. Hague is the only current Golden Knights defenseman without a contract heading into the 2025-26 season, and the Golden Knights have multiple defensemen waiting for their opportunity.

Kaedan Korczak has been patiently waiting for a full-time chance in the NHL. The 24-year-old has played 66 games throughout the previous two seasons, showcasing that he can be relied upon and is ready for the next step in his career. He's signed for $825,000 next season and will be an RFA following the conclusion of the contract. 

Additionally, another top Golden Knights defensive prospect is waiting to make an impact at the NHL level. Lukas Cormier missed nearly the entire season recovering from an injury but impressed with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL in limited opportunities, recording nine assists in 19 games. 

The 23-year-old requires a contract and will lose his waiver eligibility, meaning the Golden Knights will need to place him on waivers during the preseason if they want to send him to the AHL, where he'll likely be claimed. It's a similar situation to Korczak's of this season, but the log jam at the backend is even greater now. 

The contract implications could force the Golden Knights' hand when referring to Hague's future with the team. Alternatively, the Golden Knights could trade Cormier or Korczak and retain Hague, but if they want the best possible return, Hague certainly has the most value.

The Golden Knights also run the risk of Hague signing an offer sheet, although most signs point to Hague being disinterested in doing so. 

General manager Kelly McCrimmon handled most of his unrestricted free agent business throughout the season but has his hands full with the contract extensions for RFAs and veteran UFAs. 

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

Golden Knights Prioritizing Jack Eichel Contract ExtensionVegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel is under contract for the 2025-26 season but becomes eligible for a contract extension on July 1. The franchise plans to prioritize this business this offseason. 

Golden Knights' Pending Free Agent Hoping To Stay In VegasReilly Smith is coming to the end of a three-year, $5M contract he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, but maintains he wants to remain a Golden Knight. 

The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t made the playoffs in a while, especially if you don’t count the COVID bubble of 2020. Still, that doesn’t mean that fans can’t watch some of their old favorites make runs with different teams here in 2025.

Six players who used to suit up for the Blackhawks are still participating in the postseason. It is about to be the Conference Finals. In the West, the Dallas Stars will take on the Edmonton Oilers for the second year in a row. In the East, the Florida Panthers will play against the Carolina Hurricanes. 

One of these six will hoist the Stanley Cup next month. 

Seth Jones

Seth Jones was traded to the Florida Panthers earlier this season. The major return for Chicago in the deal was goaltender Spencer Knight. Jones made it clear that he didn’t want to be in Chicago anymore so Kyle Davidson found a deal that worked. He was Florida’s best player in Game 7 of their second round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs so they are going to be happy with the move going forward. Now that he’s in Florida, he is “one of the guys” instead of “the guy” which has helped his game. 

Gustav Forsling

Like Jones, Forsling is a defenseman on the Florida Panthers who previously played in Chicago. The difference is that the Blackhawks never would have guessed the superstar that Forsling would become. In between his tenure in Chicago and Florida, the Carolina Hurricanes put him on waivers. Now, along with Seth Jones and a few other studs, Forsling dominates on the Florida blue line.

Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall never made it public that he wanted to be traded. In fact, it felt like he wanted to be a part of the solution for a little bit. Something clearly changed after the Winter Classic though and he was moved to the Carolina Hurricanes. Since going there, the former Hart Trophy winner has elevated his game to a level that he hasn’t been at in a long time. He isn’t an MVP candidate anymore, but he fits in well with that Carolina system as they roll four lines consistently with great pace. 

Colin Blackwell

Colin Blackwell doesn’t play every game but he does find ways to make an impact when he does draw in. As a fourth line player at this point, he can be relied on for energy throughout a hard fought game. Blackwell, unlike most players in NHL history, has an overtime game winner already this postseason. With a speedy Oilers team coming up for the Dallas Stars, we may see a tad bit more of Blackwell. 

Mattias Janmark

Mattias Janmark was only a member of the Blackhawks for parts of one season.  It was the 2020-21 season where he played 41 games for Chicago before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. He was a useful bottom-six forward back then and he is doing the same thing to this day for the Edmonton Oilers. Janmark is playing for a trip to the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row. 

Corey Perry

Corey Perry is a borderline Hall of Fame player. He only spent a few months with the Blackhawks in 2023-24 before an off-ice incident forced him off the team. He has since been with the Edmonton Oilers. If Perry and the Oilers make it to the Final, it will be his fifth trip to the final in the last six years. That includes four different teams but 0 Cups to show for it. He did win it with the Anaheim Ducks, his primary NHL team in his career, in 2007. For being 40 years old, he’s an impactful player looking to make a difference in the Conference Final once again. His ability to play anywhere in the lineup at his age makes him extra valuable. 

The matchups this year are extra exciting. There is going to be some great hockey played on the biggest stage, and a handful of former Blackhawks are worth keeping an eye on throughout. 

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

EDMONTON – You can never have too much depth.

The Edmonton Oilers' depth has been crucial in the playoffs. Corey Perry, Adam Henrique, Connor Brown, and Kasperi Kapanen have been producing timely goals and holding their own defensively.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

Elsewhere, the Oilers have a prospect participating in the KHL playoffs. Maxim Beryozkin and Yaroslavl Lokomotiv are one win away from claiming the Gagarin Cup in a best-of-seven series against Chelyabinsk Traktor.

Beryozkin has had a great season, breaking milestones and progressively improving his play and production.

Here are three reasons why the Oilers will sign him sooner rather than later.

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Beryozkin Has An Expiring Contract

The most obvious reason the Oilers will be able to sign Beryozkin is that he won’t be signed in the KHL for much longer. His KHL contract will expire on May 31st, 2025. At the time of this writing, there is no extension in place to remain in the KHL.

Beryozkin Elevated His Performance In The KHL Playoffs

Beryozkin has been a full-time KHL player for three seasons. Each year, he has increased his offensive production. In 2024-25, he finished the year with 15 goals, 27 assists, and 42 points in 66 games. He also fired 143 shots on goal, threw 63 hits, and played 15:55 a night.

He’s taken things up a notch with his play during the KHL playoffs.

Beryozkin has 14 points in 20 games, nine of which are goals. He’s remained consistent with his shooting rate, having fired 46 shots on net. He’s increased his physical intensity (41 hits) while playing almost two additional minutes per game (17:43).

Lokomotiv scored first for the first time in #GagarinCupFinal!

Maxim Beryozkin got his 3rd goal of the Finals 🚨 pic.twitter.com/evB0ES36h9

— KHL (@khl_eng) May 19, 2025

Beryozkin Is An NHL-Ready Prospect

The 23-year-old Russian winger is built to withstand the rigors of the NHL physically. According to his player profile on the KHL website, he is 211 lbs (96 kg) and a shade over 6-foot-3 (192 cm).

Beryozkin has increased his hitting rate from around one hit per game to over two hits per game. This is hard to do if you aren’t up to the task physically.

The problem with most prospects who try to make it into the NHL isn’t their skill-level, it’s handling the physical toll that playing against men every day takes on your body. Being able to withstand a long season (and postseason) while ramping up your physical play should be all that Oilers management and fans need to hear to get excited about Beryozkin.

Of course, it takes two to tango, and Beryozkin and his camp need to be interested in crossing the pond to play in North America. However, the Oilers could have an inexpensive impact player on their hands.

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Panthers and Hurricanes rekindle their 2023 rivalry in a high-stakes Game 1 showdown of Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday

For the second time in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are set to clash in the Eastern Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line. 

The Panthers, making their third consecutive appearance in the conference finals, enter the series riding the momentum of a dominant 6-1 Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida’s battle-tested lineup is looking to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row, and they’ll have history on their side after sweeping the Hurricanes in their last playoff meeting in the 2023 Conference Finals. 

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

But this year’s Hurricanes team appears more battle-hardened and dangerous than the one that fell short two seasons ago. Carolina made a statement in the second round by eliminating the top-seeded Washington Capitals in just five games, showcasing both their newfound depth and scoring touch. 

This series promises high intensity, fast-paced action, and no shortage of bad blood between two teams that know each other all too well and it all kicks off Tuesday night. 

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 9-5 record on our last 14 picks, including perfect records during Game 1 and 4 of the Maple Leafs-Senators series. 

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

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Best Bets:

• Under 5.5 goals (-134)
• Panthers Under 2.5 goals (-104)
• Hurricanes ML (-125)
• Matthew Tkachuk Under 0.5 points (+134) 

The player most people remember from the Panthers last postseason meeting with Carolina is Matthew Tkachuk, who scored two game-winning goals. The Arizona native has been notably playing through an injury that has limited his offence to three goals and six assists, four of which were secondary, totalling nine points through 12 games. 

Tkachuk rides a nine-game goal drought and recorded no points in his final two games versus Toronto. People are expecting a bounce back here but I don't see it happening against a battle-tested Canes defence that limited the Capitals to two or fewer goals in four of their five series games. 

Washington had the second-best offence in the league during the regular season with a 3.49 goals per game average compared to Florida's 3.00 average. The Capitals scored 40 more goals than the Panthers this season and the Canes held them in check due to stellar play from netminder Fredrick Andersen. 

At home, the Swedish netminder has a perfect 5-0 record with a 1.60 goals against average this postseason and is the betting favourite on the Hurricanes to win the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. 

More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider

If the Panthers wanna win it'll have to be with clutch goals and elite goaltending ii return which they've received as well but from Sergei Bobrovsky. The star goaltender helped lead the Panthers to a championship last season and hasn't skipped a beat with a sensational effort versus the Maple Leafs when his team needed him with four goals allowed over the final four games. 

The public didn't like the low-scoring games Carolina forced into Washington in the second round but I would expect this again as both teams will look to smother each other and play a solid defensive game as they have all season. All but the final game of their series two years ago had every game go under five goals and I expect we should see a similar story here. 

More Hockey: Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season

According to a report from RG Media, the Detroit Red Wings are one of a handful of teams interested in facilitating an NHL return for Maxime Comtois, a 2017 draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks who spent last season in Russia, playing for the KHL's Dynamo Moscow.

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"I felt like I got a second wind," RG quoted Comtois as saying in a recent interview.  "I've always said I want to return to the NHL, and this season I did everything possible to make that happen. Hockey had become just a job for me in North America, but here, it became my passion again."  Comtois scored 21 goals and gave 29 assists in 62 regular season games for Dynamo this season.  Per RG, the Boston Bruins are among the other teams potentially interested in Comtois' services.

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It is worth noting that Comtois played for the 2018 Canadian World Junior Team, from which five players (Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod) are currently standing trial for sexual assault.  Comtois has not been charged with any wrongdoing.  In 2022 (when these reports began to surface), he released a statement describing the allegations as "deeply troubling" and expressing his intent to fully cooperate with the investigation.

Now 26, Comtois has played 211 career NHL games (all but one with Anaheim, the other with the Carolina Hurricanes), totaling 38 goals and 49 points for 87 points.  He's not a player with the potential to provide Detroit with a seismic impact, but he could be a low cost, quality depth acquisition.

Do you see Comtois as a worthwhile acquisition for the Red Wings?  Let us know in the comments.

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