The National Hockey League and its broadcast partners announced their schedule for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday. Between Turner (TNT) and the ESPN networks, the Chicago Blackhawks have 15 scheduled national games. 

That kicks off with Opening Night against the Florida Panthers. Florida will raise their second straight banner on October 7th, followed by a game against the Blackhawks, which will be seen on ESPN’s main channel. 

Highlights include a handful of TNT showdowns against the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues, as well as ESPN+ matchups against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vegas Golden Knights. 

The full national schedule for Chicago can be seen here: 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xour national broadcast schedule is here!📺 📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/kG8BUIp1td

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

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 47 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #47. 

Let's take a look.

Aaron Johnson - 2003-07/2011-12 - Johnson was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnson played 172 games for the Jackets over two stints. Scouts said of Johnson was "A puck-moving defenseman, Johnson is a very good skater. Has good offensive instincts and can quarterback the powerplay. Can play a tough and physical game. Needs to improve his play in his own end."

During his time with Columbus, he also spent three years with the AHL Syracuse Crunch, where he had 73 points in those three seasons. 

In 2016, he left North America and signed on with Adler Mannheim of the DEL in Germany. He then left for England, where he played for the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL. In 2021, he became a Player-Asst. Coach for a season. He came back home to Columbus in 2021 and joined the Jackets as a Team Consultant. Last season, he was the Team Relations Specialist for the Jackets 

Geoff Platt - 2005-07 - Platt was undrafted out of Mississauga, Ontario.

Platt made his NHL Debut in December of 2005 as a 20-year-old undrafted rookie. He played in 41 games for his CBJ career and had 14 points. 

He left North America in 2008 and headed for Finland. He then left for the KHL and played five years with the Dynamo Minsk of the KHL. In 2012, he became a citizen of Belarus. He stayed in Europe and played in the KHL, Sweden, and Finland until he retired in 2023. 

Platt also began playing international hockey for Belarus once he gained citizenship, playing in the IIHF World Championships and Olympic Game Qualifiers. He's worked for Tappara U20 as a skills and development coach for the last three seasons. 

Dalton Prout - 2011-17 - Prout was drafted by Columbus in the 6th round of the 2010 NHL Draft. 

Prout made his NHL debut on March 30, 2012, against the Florida Panthers. From there he would go on to play in 224 games for the Jackets. He would also play in four seasons with the Springfield Falcons and Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. 

Prout was a big, rugged defenseman known for his physicality and toughness. In the 2015-16 season, he finished the year with 102 penalty minutes. 

Prout was known for his fights and wasn't afraid of anyone. Over the years, he fought Tom Wilson, Chris Neil, and Pat Maroon. But his fights with Boston's Milan Lucic were probably his most memorable, including a fight where Prout dropped Lucic with one punch. You can re-live that magic moment below. 

Prout was traded to New Jersey by Columbus for Kyle Quincey, March 1, 2017, and that's where the story would end for Prout's Columbus career. He would go on to play for Calgary and San Jose before retiring during the 2019-20 season. 

He was hired by GM Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers in 2021 as a Pro Scout and can be seen in the press box of Nationwide Arena fairly routinely. 

Marcus Björk - 2022-23 - Marcus Björk is an undrafted defenseman out of Umea, Sweden.

Björk was signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent on May 24, 2022. From there, he would be called from Cleveland on November 12, 2022, to make his NHL debut. 

In what would turn out to be a very bad season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Björk would have a terrific season in what would turn out to be his only NHL games played. 

He played in 33 games for the Jackets that season. He scored 3 goals and totaled 11 points and averaged just over 18 minutes a game on the ice. Not bad for a rookie fresh out of Europe. But, unfortunately for Björk, that would be the end of his NHL season to this point. 

Björk also played in 44 games for Cleveland that season and had 15 points. It seemed that Björk was going places. But when the following season rolled around, Björk was sent to Cleveland, where he would play in 51 games in the 2023-24 season and total 25 points. 

At the end of the 23-24 season, Björk was not offered a contract and was left as an unrestricted free agent. He headed back to Europe and signed with Kärpät of LIIGA in Finland. He scored 21 points in 32 games. 

With 47 days left until opening night at NWA, fans are starting to get a tad restless. There's been very little news the last month or so besides small signings here and there. The RFAs are signed, there are no UFAs, so it's almost time to get down to business. 

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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More From THN Columbus

Columbus Chapter Of Hockey Players In Business Announces Golf Outing Benefitting The John And Matthew Gaudreau FoundationThe Columbus Chapter Of Hockey Players In Business Announces Golf Outing Benefitting The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.  48 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #48The Columbus Blue Jackets have 48 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #48.  Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson Participates In Muskoka Hockey EventYesterday, Muskoka Hockey hosted an event in Bracebridge, Ontario, and among the NHL stars who took part, Columbus Blue Jackets’ Erik Gudbranson was one of the players on the ice.

The first thn.com/anaheim Summer Survey Series is in the books. This offseason has been the busiest in Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek’s 3.5-year tenure thus far, giving the roster and coaching staff a facelift while implementing a mandate to end the franchise’s elongated rebuild and seven-year playoff drought.

Thank you to all who voted in these polls. We love hearing from you, and we find it immensely important to gauge the fanbase's views on key aspects of the team heading into a new season.

Votes were tallied both on the thn.com/anaheim site, and on social media platforms (twitter and bluesky).

Without further ado, let’s get into the results:

How Would you Grade the Anaheim Ducks Rebrand?

How Would you Grade the Anaheim Ducks Rebrand?

The Ducks' rebrand is one season in and an unequivocal success, with three-quarters of voters giving it an “A” or “B” grade and zero “D” or “F” votes. Though many have stated their preference for the Mighty Ducks eggplant and jade color scheme, the modernized Mighty Ducks logo, and commitment to putting the “orange” in Orange County seems to have won over the fanbase.

How Would You Grade the Job Pat Verbeek has Done So Far?

How Would You Grade the Job Pat Verbeek has Done So Far?

The general patience of the Ducks fanbase is expectedly wearing thin when it comes to their opinions of Verbeek. Lack of success, the influx of expensive veterans in the back half of their careers, and a now-established reputation as a shrewd negotiator when it comes to RFAs hasn’t exactly endeared Verbeek to fans. 81% of voters gave him a “C” grade or below. A high bar has been set for the upcoming season, and reaching it would likely boost those numbers a year from now.

When Will the Anaheim Ducks Make the Playoffs?

When Will the Anaheim Ducks Make the Playoffs?

Speaking of that high bar, this is it. Making the playoffs this season is the mandate. After a 21-point leap in the standings, a lot has to go right for the Ducks to take another sizable jump to get to the playoff threshold (typically 95 points). Fans are expecting a return of playoff hockey to Honda Center in either April of 2026 or 2027, as that’s where 100% of voters placed their votes. It’s go time.

Who is the Ducks Number One Defenseman of the Future?

Who is the Ducks Number One Defenseman of the Future?

Pavel Mintyukov has the draft pedigree and raw two-way talent, but Jackson LaCombe’s breakout 2024-25 season seems to have won over the hearts of Ducks fans. He improved greatly in his sophomore season compared to his rookie year and earned every minute of his team-leading ice time. He’ll have to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, elevate his game even further, and fend off younger hungry players, but he’s given no reason not to believe he’s capable.

Was Beckett Sennecke a Good Pick at Third Overall in 2024?

Was Beckett Sennecke a Good Pick at Third Overall in 2024?

A big swing on a late-rising prospect with one of the highest picks in franchise history when several talented defensemen (Zeev Buium, Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, etc.) and the dazzling consensus No. 2-ranked forward, Ivan Demidov, were still on the board had many scratching their heads on draft night in 2024. However, a year later and with more familiarity, Sennecke has many fans pleased that Verbeek and the Ducks' scouting staff went in the direction they did. The pick was defensible then and is defensible now. Two-thirds of voters are buying into Sennecke as a core piece of the Ducks franchise moving forward.

Which Anaheim Ducks Offseason Acquisition are You Most Anticipating?

Which Anaheim Ducks Offseason Acquisition are You Most Anticipating?

Chris Kreider ran away with this one, and it’s an easy sell. His acquisition cost wasn’t high, he’s a year removed from back-to-back-to-back 35-goal seasons, and he hopes to provide the Ducks a consistent and impactful goalscoring presence they’ve been bereft of in recent years. When Trevor Zegras was traded to Philadelphia, Verbeek stated he’s at the stage where he’s looking to find pieces that fit his vision for the direction of his build. Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Petr Mrazek will all be addressing needs in specific roles on the depth chart.

What are Your Career Expectations for Lukas Dostal?

What are Your Career Expectations for Lukas Dostal?

The freshly inked and newly crowned starting goaltender in Anaheim is now the tenth-highest-paid goaltender in the NHL. He’s met every challenge thrown at him in his young career and is now set for more consistent and predictable starts than when he was sharing the crease with John Gibson during his first two seasons in the NHL. His game hasn’t shown many, if any, gaps, and he has the talent to be considered among the NHL’s elite in the not-too-distant future. However, voters are understandably apprehensive about predicting him to become a consistent Vezina contender like Igor Shesterkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Connor Hellebuyck, and the like. Two-thirds of votors feel "perennial All-Star" is a more achievable expectation.

Do You Agree with the Decision to Hire Joel Quenneville as the Anaheim Ducks Head Coach?

Do You Agree with the Decision to Hire Joel Quenneville as the Anaheim Ducks Head Coach?

Backlash was more than understandable and expected, but after an introductory press conference in which Joel Quenneville expressed remorse for his inaction as the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks 15 years ago and arrived with an extensive list of individuals who’ve helped him on his journey of growth, the overwhelming majority of Ducks fans seem completely bought into what he’ll bring to the Anaheim bench. A sparkling resume and an elite staff at his flanks have instilled a sense of unfamiliar hope to the organization.

What are Your Expectations for Leo Carlsson?

What are Your Expectations for Leo Carlsson?

From this point and moving forward, the Ducks will go as far as Leo Carlsson can take them. He’s endlessly talented, with the tools and runway to become one of the best players in the NHL. He represents the reason teams bottom out in rebuilds and represents the hardest ingredient to acquire when building a contender. Ducks fans were promised a superstar at the 2023 NHL Draft when they finished at the bottom of the 2022-23 standings, and that remains what nearly 70% of voters are expecting from Carlsson today.

What is the Anaheim Ducks Biggest Remaining Need?

What is the Anaheim Ducks Biggest Remaining Need?

The Ducks addressed goalscoring, utility, and penalty killing needs within the forward group in the 2025 offseason, but left the blueline untouched despite yet another poor defensive season. Though a top-line impact winger would be a flashy add and a middle-six two-way center a necessity for championship teams, two-thirds of voters feel the biggest need is on the right side of the blueline. Defense wins championships, and the Ducks could use a true play killer to complement their stable of young puck movers on the backend.

Training camp will soon commence, and hockey will be back before we know it. It’s been a long summer, and there’s still business that needs attending to, but this series has been a blast for me, personally, and has been a great way to make the offseason seem less dull. So, thank you for participating and reading.

Ducks’ Young Blue Line Could Be Their X-Factor in 2025-26

Reports: Mason McTavish Prefers a Long-Term Contract while Pat Verbeek Prefers a Bridge, where Talks Stand

Welcome to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s player preview series for the 2025–26 season. In these articles, we’ll preview the players who are expected to play for the Canucks in the 2025–26 season. This edition will cover one of the young faces on the Canucks’ blueline with Victor Mancini. 

Mancini’s 2024–25 Season

Starting his year in the New York Rangers organization, Mancini made his NHL debut during the Rangers’ season opener on October 9th against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings just a week later. Mancini would spend 15 games with the Rangers throughout the season, scoring one goal and four assists, along with three goals and seven assists in 23 games with their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Mancini would join the Canucks in the infamous January 31st trade that sent JT Miller back to the team that drafted him, and he would spend the remainder of the NHL season playing 16 games with Vancouver. He scored his first goal as a Canuck during the team’s historic comeback win over the Dallas Stars on April 8th, and had 21 blocked shots and 24 hits in his tenure with Vancouver. Mancini also spent seven regular-season games with the Abbotsford Canucks, and had eight points in the playoff run to the Calder Cup victory.

Mancini’s 2024–25 Letter Grade

For his impressive efforts in both the NHL and AHL last season, Mancini earned a B+ letter grade. He was a solid depth option for the Canucks’ strengthened defensive core in the NHL and was a key piece for the Abbotsford blueline in his limited regular-season stint, along with his production during the Calder Cup run.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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Mancini’s 2025–26 Predictions

Mancini spent the majority of his time in Vancouver paired with Derek Forbort on the Canucks’ third defensive line, and will likely spend time cycling through in that spot with another young defenceman in Elias Pettersson. The sole defensive addition the Canucks have made this offseason was signing Pierre-Olivier Joseph in free agency, so depending on training camp and preseason form, it is likely Mancini factors into the Vancouver lineup for opening night, even if he is sitting in the press box for the first puck drop.

Adam Kierszenblat’s Stat Prediction: 1G, 4A, 5P

Izzy Cheung’s Stat Prediction: 1G, 8A, 9P

Kaja Antic’s Stat Prediction: 3G, 8A, 11P

Bold Prediction: He will see extended time on the second powerplay unit.

Player Preview Articles 

Nils Åman

Filip Chytil

Drew O'Connor

Max Sasson

Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Derek Forbort

Tom Willander

Arshdeep Bains

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

Evander Kane

Kiefer Sherwood

Kevin Lankinen

Elias Pettersson (D)

Tyler Myers

Filip Hronek

Nils Höglander

Thatcher Demko

Marcus Pettersson

Linus Karlsson

Aatu Räty

Conor Garland

Jake DeBrusk

Brock Boeser

Elias Pettersson (F)

Quinn Hughes

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Now and then, The Hockey News - Toronto will look back on some of the in-depth features from the past years. During the 2017-18 season, the Maple Leafs and their original-six rivals appears to be on very divergent paths. The Maple Leafs had found their groove with a young core building off their 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff appearance, while the Canadiens seemed to crumble.  The Leafs are strong, but have yet to have success deep in the playoffs, but the Canadiens were going south, but are now seeing some success with their young core, earning a playoff appearance in 2025.

BY KEN CAMPBELL  (From. Mar 5, 2018/vol. 71, issue 12)

After last season, some of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ alumni group got together and quietly made a request to upper management. They certainly appreciated the luxury box they had for games, but the sightlines weren’t the greatest. So they asked team president Brendan Shanahan whether an upgrade might be possible.

You have to remember these guys don’t generate any revenue, so to relocate them to a better box would mean potentially displacing customers who were paying insanely large money for the privilege. So Shanahan handed over his luxury box to the alumni. Now, the men who have sweated and bled for the Blue and White have impeccable sightlines and enjoy the best food and drink money doesn’t have to buy.

There’s something happening in The Center of the Hockey Universe™ and it isn’t limited to the ice. Largely because of the presence of Shanahan, the Maple Leafs are becoming the gold-standard franchise of the NHL. Pre-game ceremonies that were once cheesy and amateurish are classy and poignant. The team’s 100th anniversary celebration was impressive from beginning to end, starting with the official repatriation of prodigal son Dave Keon and the long overdue retiring of numbers.

The Leafs have Shanahan, who does nothing but make the right moves, the dean of GMs in Lou Lamoriello, the best coach of his generation in Mike Babcock and a player who stands to become the organization’s first true superstar in Auston Matthews. (And yes, I said it. The Leafs have never had a true superstar, always valuing the collective over the individual. Now fight me.)

Meanwhile, 313 miles northeast, the Montreal Canadiens are still treating their former players like royalty and hitting all the right notes when it comes to pomp and circumstance. But when it comes to the onice product, the two organizations could not be going in any more different directions. When it comes to what we’re seeing on the ice, the Maple Leafs are morphing into what the Canadiens used to be, and the Canadiens are deteriorating into Les Feuilles d’Erable, a French Canadian version of what the Maple Leafs once were.

The Leafs have gone 50 years without winning a Stanley Cup, and they’ll probably make it 51 this spring. Simply put, they’re just not ready to position themselves as a serious contender. But for the first time in forever, there is evidence of a plan. The Canadiens? Well, they haven’t won in a quarter century and their youngest fans are the first in the organization’s history to have absolutely no recollection of seeing their team win the Cup. Care to make a wager on which of the two droughts will end first?

The Maple Leafs are morphing into what the Canadiens used to be and the Canadiens are deteriorating

What makes it even worse from a Canadiens’ perspective is there looks as though there’s no semblance of a plan, no success in giving this team an identity. The Canadiens have been too small and not productive enough down the middle since La Macarena was popular and they responded to that by getting bigger and slower at every position, but not getting bigger or better at center. They’ve made panic moves that have managed to land them such luminaries as Andreas Martinsen and Dwight King and the needle continues to move backward. Prior to 2016, when they took Mikhail Sergachev and Victor Mete, they hadn’t drafted a topflight defenseman since P.K. Subban – and we all know how that turned out. Of the 25 players they took in four drafts from 2008 through 2011, just Brendan Gallagher is on the roster. They hit home runs in 2007 with Ryan McDonagh, Max Pacioretty and Subban, but two of the three are gone and Pacioretty’s days with the Habs look to be dwindling to a small number.

Sound like an organization we all used to know? You know, the one that ran really good players out of town (see Subban), or traded players without giving them a chance (see Sergachev) in order to plug gaping holes in its roster? The Leafs once traded the pick that New Jersey used to get Scott Niedermayer to acquire Tom Kurvers. The Habs could’ve had a defense corps with McDonagh, Subban, Sergachev and Mete on it. Remember when the Leafs destroyed their young players the way the Canadiens are doing with Alex Galchenyuk? Remember when they would get players, overhype and miscast them, kind of the way the Canadiens are doing with Jonathan Drouin?

Here’s the thing. I never bought the notion the Leafs were obsessed with simply making money. Over the past two decades, you’d be hard-pressed to find an organization that has frittered away more money in an attempt to build a contender and a legitimate organization on and off the ice. It wasn’t that the people who ran the Leafs were greedy, they were simply incompetent. As desperately as they wanted to win, they had no clue how to go about it. Now, they do.

In Montreal, well, we’ll allow the recent history to speak for itself. The Canadiens have become the dysfunctional, panicky, knee-jerk operators of a hockey team and there’s a real possibility things are going to get worse. These are the kinds of moves that can take years to untangle. And if that happens, their fans are going to get a long dose of the kind of hell their English Canadian rivals have gone through for decades.

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Every year, NHL official trading card partner Upper Deck hosts the NHLPA rookie showcase, and this year is no exception. The 2025 event will take place in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 3 and will feature 32 NHL prospects.

David Reinbacher will represent the Montreal Canadiens, but Ivan Demidov, who is expected to be the Calder Trophy front-runner by many, will not be in attendance. Last season, both Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux represented the Habs, but this time around, only one player will be sent.

Canadiens: Big Season Ahead For Matheson
Canadiens' Kirby Dach Takes Promising Step Forward
Canadiens: Evans Might Have What It Takes To Play Bigger Role

Reinbacher will be joined by 30 other players, such as Ryan Leonard for the Washington Capitals, Tij Ingila for the Utah Mammoth, Quinn Hutson (Lane’s brother) for the Edmonton Oilers, and, of course, the draft’s first overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, representing the New York Islanders.

The marketing initiative allows Upper Deck to take photos of the rookies for their upcoming card releases. Demidov isn't missing anything exciting, and he’s already confirmed for the forthcoming Upper Deck Series 1 release, scheduled for October 15, 2025. The promotional images already released show that the card company already has the pictures of Demitov it needed for the upcoming release.

For years, collecting Montreal Canadiens’ players' cards was a reasonable endeavour, and you could do it without needing to break the bank, but since Hutson’s arrival on the market, prices have risen. When Upper Deck SP Authentic was released last week, Hutson’s Future Watch Autographed cards were selling $1,400 CAD.

That being said, Series One is not as high-end as SP Authentic, and the price tag should be much more reasonable. Case in point, Hutson’s Young Guns rookie card typically sells for $150 CAD. It will be interesting to see how Demidov and Reinbacher’s rookie cards measure up.

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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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We’re only 44 days away from the San Jose Sharks hosting the Vegas Golden Knights at the SAP Center to kick off the 2025-26 season on October 9.

In honor of this, let’s take a look at the number 44, a number which has been on the ice starting in the Sharks’ inaugural season.

In the Sharks’ debut season, 5-foot-9 winger Kevin Evans became the first player in franchise history to wear the number 44. Evans made his NHL debut with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1990-91 season before joining the NHL’s next expansion franchise the following season. Evans played five games at the Cow Palace, recording his first and only career point as a member of the Sharks. He also recorded 25 penalty minutes in that short frame of time. After his stint with the Sharks, Evans was a regular in the International Hockey League and ECHL before retiring near the turn of the millennium.

It wouldn’t take long for the number 44 to take the ice for the Sharks again, as the following season Beauport, Quebec native Michel Picard would wear it for a short stint of his own. Picard played 25 games for the team in teal, scoring four goals in the process, before departing the organization. He’d have a lengthy career as a fringe player, never earning a full-time role in the NHL, but regularly playing a few games throughout the season. He’d make his final NHL appearance as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2000-01 season. Today, Picard works as a scout for the St. Louis Blues organization.

Once again, the number 44 didn’t remain vacant for long. Physical defenseman Shawn Cronin would wear it for two seasons, starting with the 1993-94 season. In that span, he played 63 games for the Sharks, recording four points and 137 penalty minutes. Cronin would call it a career after the 1996-97 season, when he played with the Fort Wayne Comets of the IHL.

Defenseman Vlastimil Kroupa debuted with the Sharks at the age of 18 wearing the number 26 during the 1993-94 season. Once Cronin left the organization though, Kroupa quickly changed to the number 44 and wore it through the 1996-97 season. During his time with the Sharks, Kroupa played 103 games and totaled 22 points over four seasons. He played his final two NHL games for the New Jersey Devils during the 1997-98 season. At the turn of the millennium he’d return to Europe to finish out his career, ultimately he’d retire from hockey following the 2010-11 season.

The number 44 would be off of the ice for a few seasons, until Matt Bradley wore it during his rookie season, 2000-01. After 21 games in the number 44, he’d change to the number 28 and spent two more seasons with the Sharks before moving to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His NHL career would come to an end following a single season with the Florida Panthers in 2011-12. He played a single game in Finland the following season before fully hanging up his skates. Today, Bradley is a scout in the Washington Capitals organization.

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff would be the next to wear the number 44, starting in his rookie season, the 2003-04 season. He wore it for two seasons, before changing to the number 10 for the 2006-07 season. Over the course of five seasons, Ehrhoff played 341 games with the Sharks and recorded 132 points in the process. He retired from the NHL after a short stint with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2015-16 season, returning to Germany for the next two seasons. After multiple years on the sidelines, at the age of 41 Ehrhoff signed with the Krefeld Pinguine in the German second division for the 2023-24 season, before retiring once again.

Once Ehrhoff changed to the number 10, it allowed the player synonymous with the number 44 in San Jose to take over the reins. Marc-Edouard Vlasic is undoubtedly the most well-known player to wear the number 44, spending 19 seasons with the team in teal while wearing it.

Regarded as one of the top stay-at-home defensemen of his time, Vlasic was a key part of the blue line during the Sharks’ “golden years.” He played the second-most games in franchise history, making it into the lineup 1,323 times. While he wasn’t known for his offensive ability, he also tallied a total of 379 points during his time with the Sharks.

At the end of his run in the Bay Area, age quickly caught up with Vlasic which made it difficult for him to perform at the level we were accustomed to seeing from him. He was out of the lineup regularly, and unfortunately he exited the organization under less than desirable circumstances this summer.

Currently an unrestricted free agent, what’s next for Vlasic remains a mystery.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

Today, we spotlight No. 11, a Penguins' 2025 first-round pick who has begun to turn some heads after Penguins' prospect development camp: center Will Horcoff.

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#11: F Will Horcoff

When the Penguins selected center Will Horcoff 24th overall in 2025, the first reaction of many was to think that the Penguins were reaching for the pick. After all, Horcoff was a largely unproven player straight out of the U.S. National Team Development Program who went on to play at the University of Michigan midway through the season - where he was the youngest player in the NCAA - and registered four goals and 10 points in 18 games. 

However, a large sum of that tune changed when folks actually got to see a little bit of Horcoff in live action at Penguins' prospect development camp at the beginning of July.

5 Observations From Penguins’ Prospect Development CampAfter five days, development camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins has finally reached its conclusion.

Granted, it's unwise to put too much stock into a performance at prospect development camp, as - oftentimes - it is not all-gas, no-brakes. The stakes aren't high, and it's not as if players are truly playing for roster spots at that point.

But there's no doubt that Horcoff was a standout once the competition kicked off on the last day of camp during the scrimmages. The 6-foot-5, 203-pound forward showed off his high compete level, strong work ethic, ability to drive his way to the net front, and strong two-way presence.

The biggest draw to Horcoff's game is easily his versatility. Already a high-IQ player at such a young age, Horcoff is responsible in his own zone, can win faceoffs, is deployed in all situations, and has been known to put the puck in the net using his craftiness and ability to read defenses. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Don't Sleep On This Russian WingerHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

Like fellow first-round draftee Bill Zonnon, Horcoff's all-around game is already on display. But the fact that Horcoff waltzed onto Michigan's roster and made an impact right away as the league's youngest player speaks volumes. There is a maturity, a recognition, and a will in his game that may not be matched by anyone else on this list. 

And he can always be found right around the blue paint and unafraid to get confrontational, which is an energy the Penguins desperately need.

Horcoff's father, Shawn, spent 15 seasons in the NHL and was drafted in the fourth round (99th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, finishing his NHL career with more than 1,000 games played and north of 500 points. Hockey is in Horcoff's blood - and he very well could take that for granted - but he plays every shift like his career depends on it.

First goal of the tournament for Will Horcoff! pic.twitter.com/Nnkv6RqK0W

— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) April 24, 2025

Horcoff has a nice ceiling as a versatile middle-six center, and he's the kind of player any team wants when they're trying to contend for Stanley Cup championships. He's certainly one to watch as the Penguins continue to build toward the future. 

The list so far:

- No. 12: F Mikhail Ilyin
- No. 13 F Filip Hallander
- No. 14: F Bill Zonnon
- No. 15: F Melvin Fernstrom
- No. 16: D Emil Pieniniemi
- No. 17: F Avery Hayes
- No. 18: F Cruz Lucius
- No. 19: D Finn Harding
- No. 20: D Peyton Kettles

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: First-Round Pick Has Middle-Six UpsideHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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While the Detroit Red Wings ultimately missed out on qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one of the positives that they took with them into the offseason was the return to form of goal-scoring forward Alex DeBrincat. 

The Farmington Hills, Mich. native tallied 39 goals for the Red Wings in the 2024-25 NHL season, his highest output since reaching 41 goals while a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22. It was also 12 goals higher than his output of 27 in his first season wearing the Winged Wheel. 

That's a 30-goal season for Alex DeBrincat! 😼 #NHLStats: https://t.co/LzYD9aedWN

📺: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3Tpic.twitter.com/FmUir2xors

— NHL (@NHL) March 13, 2025

Earlier this week, DeBrincat participated in the 17th Annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, and spent a few minutes chatting with hosts Jim Costa and Jon Jansen of The Costa & Jansen w/ Heather Show on 97.1 The Ticket, and was asked right off the bat how much of an adjustment period it will take thanks to the multiple new faces on the roster acquired by GM Steve Yzerman. 

"Not that long, I think that a lot of the bonding that we do in Traverse City off the ice helps it progress and make it a lot easier," he said. "It's nice going up there to get to know the new guys, and as a new player, it's nice to get to know the team. It's a great time up there, and it really makes us closer."

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DeBrincat and the Red Wings have been in prime position to further solidify a spot in the Wild Card postseason race in each of the last two seasons coming into the month of March, only to suffer prolonged losing streaks that all but officially sealed their fate. 

"I think there's a lot of things that happen at that time of year, we obviously weren't playing well, but that's history," DeBrincat said of Detroit's March struggles. "We gotta figure out a way why in the last two years, we've had a lull in that March time frame....us as players have to find a way to power through that and not get such a setback. There are going to be setbacks during the year, but we have to find a way to minimize them and not let them last." 

Among the multiple new additions to the Red Wings roster coming into this season include goaltender John Gibson, forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, and defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic and Ian Mitchell. 

Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has already signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell so far this offseason, but another new name has been added to Detroit's blue line. 

Does DeBrincat believe that the team, as currently constructed, can bring playoff hockey to Little Caesars Arena for the first time? 

"For sure," he said with no hesitation. "We got a couple guys that are coming in that should really help us, and it'll be fun to start the year and see what everyone's made of and go from there. You can't make the playoffs in the first month, but it will definitely help if you have a good start." 

Following their 13-17-4 start last season, Yzerman decided to change direction, parting ways with head coach Derek Lalonde and assistant coach Bob Boughner. In their place, he hired former Stanley Cup–winning assistant coach Todd McLellan, along with assistant coach Trent Yawney.

After the coaching change, the Red Wings went 26-18-4 under McLellan, highlighted by a pair of seven-game win streaks. Over a full 82-game schedule, that pace would have been enough to secure a postseason berth.

DeBrincat believes the Red Wings will benefit from having McLellan lead a full training camp as he begins his first full season as head coach.

"It will be good and it will be hard," DeBrincat said of he's anticipating from McLellan in Training Camp. "It will be very attention to detail oriented. In Todd's game, details are really big, and just the work ethic - he requires you to give it your all on every shift, and tthat's something that will be instilled on Day 1." 

DeBrincat, McLellan and the Red Wings will officially begin Training Camp in Traverse City, Mich. on September 18, followed by the annual Red & White Game (moved to Grand Rapids this year). 

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Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Simon Despres has found his new home.

The Saint-Hyacinthe Bataillon of the Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey (LNAH) have announced that they have signed Despres for the 2025-26 season. 

Despres spent this past season in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) with the Glasgow Clan, where he posted six goals, 29 points, and 63 penalty minutes in 52 games. This was after he recorded two goals and 12 points in 44 EIHL games with the Nottingham Panthers in 2023-24. Now, by signing with Saint-Hyacinthe, he will get the chance to continue his career in Quebec. 

Despres was selected by the Penguins with the 30th overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 144 games over four seasons with the Penguins from 2011-12 to 2014-15, he recorded five goals, 33 points, 120 penalty minutes, 323 hits, and a plus-27 rating. 

Despres' time with the Penguins ended when he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014-15 in exchange for Ben Lovejoy. From there, Despres played with the Ducks until the completion of the 2016-17 season. This would be the last year he played at the NHL level.

Penguins Should Consider Targeting Intriguing Bruins ProspectThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the middle of a retool/rebuild. Because of this, one of their primary goals from here should be to continue to improve their prospect pool. This will only help their future as they look to become a playoff team again. 

Detroit's Patrick Kane Eyes Final Olympic Run with Team USA in 2026

With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, Patrick Kane is making it clear: he’s not chasing a farewell tour but a gold medal.

The 36-year-old NHL veteran has his sights set on cracking the U.S. Olympic roster one final time, understanding this may be his last opportunity to compete at the sport’s highest international level. Kane was among the players invited to Team USA's orientation camp this week, a preliminary step in assembling the squad for the upcoming Games in Milan-Cortina.

“Winning gold in a best-on-best tournament is something that’s missing from my career,” Kane told NHL.com’s Nick Cotsonika. “It would be fun to have that opportunity.”

Red Wings’ 2025 Draft Steal Turning Heads in Junior League ActionRed Wings recent 2025 5th-round pick Nikita Tyurin Talks Development, KHL Debut, and Championship Mindset.

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Kane’s international résumé includes appearances in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but the only medal to show for it is silver from Vancouver. Despite a decorated career that includes three Stanley Cups and multiple individual awards, Kane remains motivated to add international gold to his trophy case.

Notably, he was left off the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off last February but remains an impact player with nearly 60 points last season, including a season-ending hot streak in which he posted 45 points over the final 43 games. 

“I don’t want to be picked because of what I’ve done in the past,” Kane explained as he wants to make the team based on performance “You want to be selected because of what you bring now.”

Detroit recently brought back Kane on a one-year, $3 million deal, where he’ll continue his pursuit of several major milestones like scoring his 500th career goal and surpassing Mike Modano as the highest-scoring American player in NHL history as he needs just eight goals and 32 points, respectively, to reach those marks.

“If I play well and someone else gets the nod, that’s part of it,” he said. “But I’ll know I did everything I could.”

Red Wings Prospect Emerging as Top Talent After Impressive KHL Pre-SeasonRussian prospect for the Red Wings dazzles with three goals through KHL pre-season. 

From the sounds of it, Kane is motivated more than ever and could lead to another stellar season from the Buffalo native as he enters his 19th NHL season. 

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EA SPORTS NHL has revealed the top 10 left wingers in NHL 26, led by Kirill Kaprizov at 94 overall. 

NHL 26 cover star Matthew Tkachuk comes in as the second highest rated left winger at 93 overall, with Artemi Panarin and Kyle Connor narrowly behind at 92 overall. 

The top 10 left wingers in NHL 26 are:

1. Kirill Kaprizov - 94 overall
2. Matthew Tkachuk - 93 overall
3. Artemi Panarin - 92 overall
4. Kyle Connor - 92 overall
5. Jesper Bratt - 91 overall
6. Alex Ovechkin - 90 overall
7. Brandon Hagel - 90 overall
8. Matthew Boldy - 89 overall
9. Brad Marchand - 89 overall
10. Jake Guentzel - 89 overall

Kaprizov's 96 offensive awareness and 94 puck control contribute to his high rating he has Quick Release and Wheels X-Factors. Tkachuk also has 96 offensive awareness to go along with the Big Tipper, Born Leader, and Spark Plug X-Factors.

Ovechkin remains a deadly sniper with 95 overall slapshot power and 93 wrist shot. 

Keep an eye on the ratings database for an in-depth look at each players stats. 

NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5. 

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