As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, head coach Craig Berube doesn’t appear to be losing sleep over the end-of-game antics that spilled over in their Game 4 loss, or the shenanigans from Matthew Tkachuk directed at William Nylander.

At the end of the game on Sunday, a video surfaced showing Tkachuk appearing to talk from the Panthers bench towards Nylander as the game wound down, seemingly saying, “I’m going to get you,” in what looked like an effort to rattle the Leafs forward.

Good luck with that.

And if the Panthers forward was attempting to get into the star winger's head, Berube isn’t convinced it worked. The Leafs coach seems to remain confident in Nylander’s ability to block out the noise, something he’s previously acknowledged, letting the 29-year-old do his thing and “leave him alone” rather than be overbearing. That mindset hasn’t changed.

“He probably didn't even hear him. He doesn't hear me,” Berube quipped after Tuesday’s optional skate. 

“They've been doing it all series. We've been doing it all series. That's playoff hockey,” added teammate Max Domi.

I am not @Jomboy_, but to me, I see Tkachuk saying to Nylander “I’m going to get you.” *wink* “I’m going to get you.”

Thoughts?

pic.twitter.com/Kgu3GbcMFV

— Evan Doerfler (@evandoerfler) May 12, 2025

The interaction capped off a fiery ending to Game 4, which saw Max Domi level Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov with a hit just before the horn. A scrum ensued, tempers flared, and Domi was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Monday for the play.

Despite all the fireworks and potential carryover, Domi and the Leafs insisted on Tuesday that their focus remains squarely on bouncing back in Game 5. From a bigger picture, winning two of the next three games in what has become a best-of-three series.

“Just looking forward to the next game,” said Domi.

'The Kulikov Hit On Marner Was 10 Times Worse': Maple Leafs' Max Domi Fined After Boarding Panthers' Aleksander Barkov In Game 4Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn't mince his words when reflecting on the final minutes of the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2-0 loss on Sunday to the Florida Panthers.

Speaking to the possible pushback from the Panthers, Berube echoed that sentiment when asked how his team will handle spillover from Game 4.

“What are they going to do? I mean, they can go after him, but Max has been around. Yeah, I get it. Some emotions, your emotions get high, and things happen. That's part of the game. And we all know that he's going to be fine,” said Berube. 

“You can't worry about if there's going to be a reaction. You just got to go and play. I don't know. I don't think there will be a reaction, but I don't really have a whole lot to stay on it,” he added.

'Just Talking. That's What He Does': William Nylander And Matthew Tkachuk Chirp After Panthers' Game 4 Win Over Maple LeafsChaos erupted as the final buzzer went in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday in Game 4 of the series.

Instead of engaging with the extracurriculars, the bench boss wants his group to keep their cool and stay out of the penalty box, something that was a problem in Game 4. Toronto took five penalties in the loss, including four in the first period alone – in which Florida capitalized on.

There is a fine line between playoff-style hockey and costly penalties – a difference between playing hard and playing undisciplined. Simply put, don’t expect the Leafs to do anything reckless.

“We went to the box five times. It's lots. We talked about that today. We can't go to the box that many times. Especially four in the first period, it's like it takes your momentum away. It takes certain guys out of their rhythm on the bench and overusing other guys. So it's not a good recipe. You've got to be more disciplined,” said Berube.

“Like the stick ones aren't good. You've got to control your stick. We all know that. Those are the ones, in my opinion, that hurt you. I get there's physical penalties and hits and things like that, and you're going to go to the box at times, but that's playing the game hard,” he added.

'We Don't Need To Take Those': Maple Leafs' Discipline Issues In Game 4 Killed Momentum In Loss To PanthersThe Toronto Maple Leafs managed to do what no team had done throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs until their 2-0 Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday... They took four penalties in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

It’s no secret that tensions are rising. 

There have been numerous questionable hits and outcomes from both sides through four games. Discipline will be a key factor moving forward, with potentially three more games in this series.

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

There are no certainties when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres this summer, and the speculation regarding defenseman Bowen Byram may simply result in a short-term bridge deal and the 23-year-old walking to unrestricted free agency in 2027, but if that chatter regarding the Sabres potentially trading him is true, the question before GM Kevyn Adams is what do you get back for him.

Byram scored a career-high 38 points last season, an impressive feat since all but three of those points came at even strength. The former fourth overall pick is capable of greater offensive output, especially if he is utilized on the power play, making him extremely attractive to teams looking for a top-pairing blueliner and power-play quarterback.

Adams must be looking to make the same hockey deal he made when he acquired Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in March 2024. The deal in exchange for center Casey Mittelstadt bought Buffalo more time before having to decide on a long-term deal. A team interested in Byram will be looking to extend him long-term, but his status as an RFA should not affect his overall value in a trade, since he is arbitration-eligible and there s no chance of a holdout. 

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The important part of any potential deal is what Adams can get back in return. Ideally, the Sabres are looking for someone comparably aged, and under control on a contract, or because he is on his entry-level or second contract. The issue that continues to affect the blueline is the preponderance of left-handed defensemen, so logically, Buffalo would be looking for a right-handed complement for Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power. 

Byram was connected to his hometown Vancouver Canucks in rumors during the season, but that was connected to the chatter of them trading Elias Pettersson and that does not seem realistic after the Canucks sent JT Miller to the NY Rangers. Names that might be a fit the criteria are blueliners Brandt Clarke of the LA Kings, Jamie Drysdale of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils.  

Clarke was rumored to be possible trade fodder before the deadline, in spite of filling in nicely for the injured Drew Doughty and scoring 33 points in his first full NHL season. Drysdale finally shook off injury issues that plagued him the last two seasons and played 70 games for the Flyers this year, while Nemec – the Devils 2022 second overall pick – is growing frustrated in New Jersey after splitting time between Newark and AHL Utica for the second year in a row.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

                     

Dallas Stars look to take 3-1 series lead while Winnipeg Jets search for first road playoff win

The Dallas Stars look hard to beat as they look to be getting healthier with star defenceman Miro Heiskanen potentially coming back for game four. The Winnipeg Jets face a dire situation as they must put on a valiant effort to even up the series and do so on the road where they haven't won a game this postseason. 

A 3-1 series deficit will be very tough to overcome for the reigning President's trophy winners and adds serious stakes for game four of the series. The Stars will look to stay hot and put themselves one win away from their third straight conference Finals.

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 36-26 record on our last 62 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.

More NHL:Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Future Options

Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars Best Bets:

• Over 5.5 goals (-120)
• Jets Over 2.5 goals (-118)
• Mark Schefiele Over 0.5 points (-170)

This one will once again rely heavily on one player and that's Winnipeg netminder Connor Hellebuyck. After allowing five more goals in game three, we are getting a very clear image of the struggles the Michigan native is having. 

Hellebuyck reps the third-worst goals against average of the playoffs at 3.51 and the worst save percentage at .848 over ten starts. It's completely different from the goaltender that is on the verge of winning back-to-back Vezina trophies. 

At home, he's been sensational with a 5-1 record and a 1.99 goals against average but on the road his numbers plummet to a 0-4 record, a 6.65 average and a .722 save percentage.

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The numbers are so bad that we can't go against a consistent trend and should lead to a decent amount of goals, enough to cover our over. 

The Jets will be looking at this game as an absolute must-win as they should with a 3-1 series deficit virtually sealing their fate. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger has been sensational but has shown cracks with .908 save percentage in five home playoff starts.

He's lost just one of those starts and has a 2.49 average but with how hot he's been lately, he may fall off in a game where Winnipeg wants it more. 

After scoring two goals in game three, I expect a much better effort out of this group and should lead to yet another over as the Jets have totalled six or more goals with their opponent in seven of their ten playoffs game so far.

They've gone over once in the last three games and should signal for a big spot here where the Jets come out flying. 

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Winnipeg forward Mark Schefiele has been battling injuries this postseason but hasn't shown much slowing down as he's recorded eight points in as many games.

He didn't get on the board during game three but will do so in game four as his line chemistry with Kyle Connor can almost generate at least one goal once they get hot.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner has had his struggles in the post-season during his career. On Monday night, however, the former Wichita Thunder netminder gave the Oilers a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference Second Round Series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Skinner’s 24-save performance guided the Oilers to a 3-0 shutout victory over Vegas at Rogers Place. It was Skinner’s first win of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs after starting out 0-3 with an abysmal 5.36 goals-against average and .817 save percentage.

Skinner subsequently lost the starter’s job to Calvin Pickard before coming back in Game 3 of the Vegas series following a lower-body injury to Pickard. He allowed four goals in a 4-3 loss in Game 3 before looking invincible Monday night.

The 26-year-old goalie played two seasons in the ECHL with the Wichita Thunder. In 44 games that spanned parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, he posted a 17-15-7 record, 3.19 GAA and .903 SP and four shutouts.

Stuuuuuu!

— Wichita Thunder (@Wichita_Thunder) May 13, 2025

Skinner was taken in the third round (78th overall) by the Oilers in the 2017 NHL Draft. As an NHL rookie, he took over the starting role from Jack Campbell in 2022-23. That season, he went 29-14-5 with a 2.75 GAA, .914 SP and one shutout. He was named to the All-Rookie Team and was in the running for the Calder Trophy before losing out to forward Matty Beniers for Rookie of the Year.

While he has thrived during the regular season, Skinner’s playoff struggles have been well-documented. Last post-season, Pickard took over for two games in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks before Skinner regained the starting role and led Edmonton to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Now, it appears the task of getting the Oilers successfully through this series lies squarely on Skinner’s shoulders. Pickard’s injury is reportedly more serious, and he could be out a week or more instead of day-to-day, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Oilers fans aren’t shy about expressing their displeasure when their goaltenders struggle, but pressure is a part of the NHL and its big stage. Only time will tell whether Skinner can channel that pressure into performances like the one Monday night.

Welcome back to another Memorable Match from the Vancouver Canucks’ 2024–25 season. Last time, we looked at the team’s match against the Detroit Red Wings on December 1. This week, we’ll take a look at Kiefer Sherwood’s December 16 domination of the Colorado Avalanche. 

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The 2024–25 season was a spectacular one for Sherwood, who hit career-highs in goals (19), assists (21), points (40), and more. His NHL record-breaking hit total on the season has been spoken about at length, earning him the fan-voted title of the team’s unsung hero. The Canucks were high on Sherwood long before they signed him in free-agency, noting that their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators opened their eyes to his skills. 

Early on in the season, Sherwood got off to a bang, expressing his confidence in possibly breaking the NHL season hit record. By December 15, Sherwood was already at eight goals, six assists, and 179 hits. 

On December 16, Sherwood broke his career-high in goals scored in one season. Previously, he’d scored 10 in 68 games with Nashville in the 2023–24 season. On the 16th, he scored his first NHL hat trick to set a new personal record. His three goals propelled the team past the Avalanche, whose only goal came from Valeri Nichuskin. 

Sherwood’s effort in this game resulted in fans starting a “Kief-er Sher-wood” chant. After the game, he’d discussed how hearing the chant was “a pretty special honour.

“I was trying to take it in,” he said at the time. “I really appreciate the fan support. Obviously, passion is something that Vancouver is known for, and that’s pretty cool. I will definitely remember it.”

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The Winnipeg Jets' path to defeating the Dallas Stars is expected to be more challenging than it previously was, as the Stars prepare to add superstar defenseman Miro Heiskanen back to their lineup. 

The 25-year-old has been out of the Stars' lineup since Jan. 28 after Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone went head-first into his knee. Prior to the injury, Heiskanen scored five goals and 25 points in 50 games, averaging 25:10 of ice time. 

Although Heiskanen's offensive numbers aren't as eye-popping as they usually are, in large part due to the emergence of Thomas Harley, his defensive game remains among the elites of the NHL. The Stars give up far fewer high-danger chances, and according to Natural Stat Trick, they outscored their opponents 42-37 at 5-on-5 with Heiskanen on the ice. 

Heiskanen hasn't been confirmed just yet, but according to John Barlett, if all goes well at their morning skate, he'll play, and the Stars will possibly run 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

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

Edmonton Oilers left winger Evander Kane should give a tutorial on irritating the Vegas Golden Knights.

Facing a team based in a city that’s all about extravagance and swagger, Vegas certainly met its match in the Oilers' Kane on and off the ice.

“Evander, I saw you rolled up in Vegas in a Rolls-Royce – you scored a goal,” longtime NHL veteran Pat Maroon told Kane on NHL on TNT after Game 4 against Vegas Monday night. “And I saw you roll up in a Rolls-Royce tonight. Is that something you thought about going into Game 4? You superstitious?”

Kane responded: “I rolled up in a Ferrari for Game 3, and that didn’t work, so I said I wanted to go back to the Rolls.”

Kane’s impact came in multiple ways in Edmonton’s 3-0 win over the Golden Knights to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Not only did he throw hits all night long, but he drove the net and crashed into Adin Hill after Adam Henrique’s second goal of the game, which sparked a mini-melee. But Kane wasn’t done there.

Kane beat Hill with a wrist shot in the second period that sealed the victory, bringing Kane up to five points in eight playoff games since his return to the lineup. Vegas only held him off the scoresheet in Game 3.

“He loves the big pressure games – when there’s a lot on the line, he just loves the pressure and level of play, and just the amount of physical play and scoring a big goal for us, crashing the net, winning puck battles, he’s contributing a lot to our team,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said post-game.

Kane’s been an important part of the Oilers’ offense from players not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Kane’s 27 individual scoring chances in all situations are the fourth-most on the team, according to naturalstattrick.com.

Not bad from a player who missed the entire regular season due to injury.

Avry Lewis-McDougall goes in deeper on Evander Kane’s impact in Game 4's win and his “muscle car” play this post-season for the Oilers in his latest video column.

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Bruins ‘believed to be among top contenders' for Rick Tocchet: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins are in the early stages of a pivotal offseason for the franchise, and part of that process will be finding a new head coach.

B’s general manager Don Sweeney said last week that Joe Sacco, who replaced Jim Montgomery on an interim basis back in November, remains in the mix for the position, as does assistant coach Jay Leach.

Which external candidates might the Bruins be considering?

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that the Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken are “believed to be among the top contenders” for Rick Tocchet.

Strong indications this week Rick Tocchet will soon land another NHL head coaching job. Philly, Boston, Seattle believed to be among the top contenders. The Flyers want to be aggressive. Good fit.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 13, 2025

Tocchet, 61, parted ways with the Vancouver Canucks last month. He spent the last three seasons as Canucks head coach and led them to the playoffs only once (2023-24).

Tocchet has nine total seasons of NHL head coaching experience between the Canucks, Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth) and Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in 1,144 games as an NHL player, too, including 10-plus seasons with the Flyers and two with the Bruins.

It would make more sense for the Bruins to hire a head coach who is younger and capable of fixing the team’s lackluster offense, including the power play. Player development needs to be a priority for the Bruins, too. Tocchet probably wouldn’t be the best fit when you consider those factors, but he does have a lot of NHL experience as a player and a coach.

Sweeney also was asked last week if any potential head coach candidates were still in the playoffs, to which he replied, “yes.” There are eight teams remaining in the playoffs, as of Tuesday.

The Bruins, Flyers, Canucks, Kraken and Chicago Blackhawks are among the teams with head coach vacancies.

Marc Bergevin was criticized for many decisions during his tenure as the Montreal Canadiens' GM. Still, he made an excellent move by deciding not to match the Carolina Hurricanes’ offer sheet to Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

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Four seasons later, the Finnish center is still in Raleigh, but he’s currently skating on the Hurricanes’ fourth line. He was on the ice for much longer in the first round, against the New Jersey Devils, skating for over 18 minutes twice.

In the last three games of the Canes’ second-round series with the Washington Capitals, he has spent less than 13 minutes on the ice. He has registered three assists in nine playoff games this postseason, one of which came on the man-advantage.

The Hurricanes poached Kotkaniemi from the Canadiens during the 2021 offseason, signing him to a $6.1 M offer sheet with a $20 signing bonus, a wink to the Canadiens’ failed maneuver to sign Sebastian Aho.

Before that contract expired, Carolina signed him to an eight-year extension with a $4,820,000 cap hit, and the team and player implicitly admitted that the offer sheet was overinflated.

He’s now in the third year of the eight-year pact, and he’s not in Rod Brind’Amour’s good books. Every year, he seems to be in trade rumours, but the length of his contract is somewhat prohibitive for a player who has never put up more than 43 points in a season. This season, in 78 games, he was limited to 33 points.

While not matching the offer sheet was the right call, drafting him in the first place was a mistake. The Canadiens were desperate for a quality center. They decided to draft for need rather than for best player available, picking Kotkaniemi ahead of Brady Tkachuk (who went fourth overall to the Ottawa Senators) and Quinn Hughes (who was picked seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks).

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The Edmonton Oilers have the Vegas Golden Knights on the brink of elimination in the second round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Could this be the year Connor McDavid lifts his first Stanley Cup?

McDavid scored the game-winning overtime goal for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Faceoff. The 2024 Conn Smythe winner sat quietly in the locker room as the Florida Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup last season. 

There is not much the 2015 No. 1 overall pick has not done, besides lift the Stanley Cup.

Collectors, or flippers, are setting themselves up for a possible investment opportunity. McDavid's Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 10 dipped to the $2,000 USD range when the Los Angeles Kings took a 2-0 lead over the Oilers in the first round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Is There Ever a Bad Time to Invest in an Upper Deck McDavid Young Guns PSA 10?

The only time to avoid investing in an Upper Deck McDavid Young Guns PSA 10 might be the hours after he wins a Stanley Cup, if that happens. Beyond that, there is never a bad time to add an Upper Deck McDavid Young Guns PSA 10 to your collection.

Sharp buyers are who bought during the brief McDavid dip a couple weeks ago can flip his Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 10 for a reasonable profit. The game within the game is even if McDavid and the Oilers would have been eliminated by the Kings, his Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 10 rookie cards would have bounced back.

While there may never be a bad time to invest in a McDavid Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 10, there are times that are better than others. 

Morale of the story, when McDavid's card prices dip, the play is to buy.

Happy hunting and collecting!

Anthony Stolarz is back on the ice, just over a week after he left Game 1 against the Florida Panthers following a Sam Bennett elbow to the head.

The 31-year-old was on the ice before the Toronto Maple Leafs' optional practice on Tuesday morning at Ford Performance Centre. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, this isn't Stolarz's first time on the ice.

"I believe Anthony Stolarz has been on the ice this week," Dreger reported. "Joe Woll was excellent in game 4, so there’s no reason to rush with Stolarz. The fact he’s back on the ice speaks to progress in recovery."

The goaltender was on the ice for at least 20 minutes, working with Maple Leafs goaltending coach Curtis Sanford.  The drills consisted of lateral movements in the butterfly and standing up.

He exited the ice shortly before the Maple Leafs' optional skate began.

Stolarz left midway through Game 1 against the Panthers, a few minutes after Bennett's elbow collided with the goaltender's head. During a TV timeout, Stolarz went over to the bench and threw up before leaving the game.

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According to TSN's Chris Johnston, the goaltender was taken out of Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher after leaving the game. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed the day following that Stolarz had gone to the hospital for further evaluation.

Stolarz started in Toronto's first seven playoff games, racking up four wins and a .901 save percentage in that span. After leaving the game, Joseph Woll has come in for the Maple Leafs and put up two wins and a .893 save percentage through four games against Florida.

Toronto won the first two games at home against the Panthers, but lost the next two in Florida. They returned home on Monday with the series tied 2-2.

‘Kept Us In It Until The End’: Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll Shines With Impressive Start Despite Game 4 Loss To PanthersBy far, the brightest spot in a frustrating night for the Toronto Maple Leafs was the play of goaltender Joseph Woll — the most notable presence on the ice in Game 4 that saw the club shut out 2-0 by the Florida Panthers in Sunrise.

Stolarz was one of the NHL's top goaltenders in the regular season. He had 21 wins through 34 games, with a .926 save percentage, the best in the league for goaltenders who played more than 30 games.

This is the second time Stolarz has dealt with an injury this season. He missed nearly two months of the season, from mid-December to early February, after having surgery to remove a loose body from his knee.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Explains Why Anthony Stolarz Will Miss Roughly 4-6 Weeks For A Procedure On His KneeAn MRI of Stolarz' knee revealed a "loose body" in his knee.

Stolarz joined the Maple Leafs organization on a two-year, $5 million contract after winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers last June.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins will select 11th overall at the upcoming 2025 Draft. Although the club fell out of the top ten, it should still be able to draft a top prospect who can eventually make an impact in the league.

Even though some in the fan base may be disappointed with the Penguins' current draft position, here's a look at the top five 11th overall picks playing in the NHL as of 2025. 

5. Gabriel Vilardi (2017 - Los Angeles Kings)

Gabriel Vilardi made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2019-20 season and eventually became a 20-goal scorer at 23. He was dealt to the Winnipeg Jets before the 2023-24 campaign, where he tallied 22 goals in his only season in Canada.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Vilardi moved again to the Metropolitan Division and the Washington Capitals, where he set career highs with 27 goals and 61 points in 71 games. 

4. Lawson Crouse (2015 - Florida Panthers)

Lawson Crouse never played for the Florida Panthers, who dealt him a year after drafting him to the Arizona Coyotes. Following his NHL debut in 2016-17, Crouse became a pillar for a young Coyotes team that eventually relocated to Salt Lake City in 2024. 

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Crouse, now an alternate captain with his team, is a nine-year veteran and a three-time 20-goal scorer. After 585 regular-season games, he's scored 115 goals and 215 points. 

3. Kevin Fiala (2014 - Nashville Predators)

Kevin Fiala debuted at 18 with the Nashville Predators in 2014-15. He spent five seasons with the club that drafted him, securing a 20-goal season in 2017-18. Following his stint with the Predators, he moved to the Minnesota Wild and produced back-to-back 20-goal campaigns before setting a career high with 33 lamp-lighters in 2021-22.

However, the Wild dealt Fiala to Hollywood in 2022, and he's rewarded Kings fans with two 20-goal seasons before breaking his personal best total with 35 goals in 2024-25. Despite 60 points last season, it was his lowest point total since a career high of 85 in 2021-22. During his first season with Los Angeles, he attended the 2023 All-Star Game.

2. Filip Forsberg (2012 - Washington Capitals)

There is an argument to be made here that the Capitals might have kept Filip Forsberg if they had a chance to redo their deal with the Predators.

After drafting Forsberg in 2012, the Capitals dealt him to Nashville for Martin Erat and Michael Latta. In 13 seasons, Forsberg has become one of the top Swedish players in the NHL. He is a two-time 40-goal scorer with five seasons of 30 or more goals and nine with 20 or more.

Moreover, Forsberg was a member of the 2013 All-Rookie Team, finishing fourth in Calder Trophy voting. He participated in the 2015 and 2024 All-Star Games. After 13 seasons and 780 games, he's tallied 318 goals and 681 points in the regular season and 31 goals and 59 points in 81 playoff games. 

1. Anze Kopitar (2005 - Los Angeles Kings)

Anze Kopitar is the only active 11th overall pick with his name on the Stanley Cup, twice. As the captain of the Kings, Kopitar has built a resume that will land him in the Hockey Hall of Fame when he retires. 

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Not only does he own the franchise records for games played and assists, but Kopitar is a two-time Frank J. Selke and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner, also winning the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Arguably the most outstanding player from Slovenia to ever play in the NHL, Kopitar is a three-time 30-goal scorer with 14 seasons of 20 or more goals. If he remains healthy, he's got a chance at becoming the Kings' all-time leading scorer in 2025-26, needing only 29 points to surpass Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne (1,307). 

Just Missing the Cut

There were only eight active 11th overall picks in the NHL last season. The three players who didn't make the list were netminder Yaroslav Askarov (San Jose Sharks), who has 16 games of NHL experience, followed by Conor Geekie (Tampa Bay Lightning) with 52 games, and Oliver Wahlstrom (Boston Bruins), who has played 236 games.

Swedish forward Fredrik Olofsson, 28, has signed a three-year contract with Rögle BK, the Ängelholm-based SHL club announced on Monday.

“It’s an honor to have the chance here in Rögle and to play in a team with high ambitions,” said Olofsson. “It will be exciting. The SHL is a demanding league and nothing comes free. I am motivated to be an engine for the team at center and I want to challenge myself to carry a heavy load together with my teammates.”

“I’m very happy and excited to finally see Fredrik in green and white,” said club sports director Hampus Sjöström. “Fredrik has accumulated a lot of experience through playing in different leagues, which will be useful for our group. He’s a responsible player with the ability to make his surroundings better and a great and competitive guy to have in the locker room.”

Olofsson is originally from Helsingborg in southwestern Sweden, about 25 km from Ängelholm and just across the Öresund from Denmark. However, he began playing in the United States at age 14 – first youth hockey in Colorado, followed by two years in the USHL and four years of college hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Olofsson was drafted in the fourth round, 98th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his professional debut with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in the spring of 2019 after finishing his senior year at UNO.

Olofsson spent the next three seasons playing professionally in Sweden – first for MoDo in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan and then two years in the SHL for IK Oskarshamn. During that time, he also played his only significant international hockey to date, recording one assist in six games for Sweden at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Olofsson split the next two seasons between the NHL and the AHL – first with the Dallas Stars in 2022-23 and then with the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24. Combined, he had 13 points and 10 penalty minutes in 85 NHL regular-season games. He was also pointless in two playoff games for Dallas in 2023.

Last season in Switzerland, Olofsson recorded 30 points in 51 National League regular-season and playoff games for EV Zug.

“My ambitions are crystal clear – winning a championship as a team is the only thing that matters,” Olofsson continued. “How we get there and individual goals we will put together now during the summer. Building a daily operation that spreads good energy while making demands on each other will drive us to the top. Together with Dan (Tangnes, Rögle’s head coach), we will be clear in everything we do and I look forward to that.”

Rögle finished seventh in the SHL regular season last year before being eliminated in the play-in round. Besides Olofsson, players under contract with the team for 2025-26 include NHL prospects Linus Sjödin (Buffalo Sabres), Simon Zether (Florida Panthers), Felix Nilsson (Nashville Predators) and Austrian defenseman Gregor Biber (Utah Mammoth).

Radim Zohorna Signs With Swedish ClubCzech forward Radim Zohorna, 29, has signed a two-year contract with Färjestad BK, the SHL club announced on Friday.

Speculation about Marco Rossi's future arose following the Minnesota Wild's first-round playoff exit.

The 23-year-old center was the subject of early-season rumors until Wild GM Bill Guerin shot them down last December.

Some observers now wonder where Rossi fits into their long-term plans after spending time on their fourth line late in the season. He's an RFA coming off his entry-level contract and could become an offer-sheet target if extension talks stall with the Wild this summer.

That prompted Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski to consider the possibility of the Penguins acquiring Rossi during the off-season. 

Kingerski believes the young Wild center would fit in well with the retooling Penguins. Evgeni Malkin is expected to retire at the end of next season, leaving a massive hole at the second-line center position. 

Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas has ruled out signing UFAs to long-term contracts, preferring to acquire RFAs through trades rather than offer sheets. Kingerski acknowledged it could take a healthy return from the Penguins, like the Rangers' 2026 first-round pick (lottery protected) or a top-line veteran winger, such as Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell.

The Penguins won't be the only club interested in Rossi if the Wild peddle him this summer. Teams seeking a second-line center include the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks.

Meanwhile, Noah Cates of the Flyers could become another center of interest in this summer's trade market. 

The 26-year-old Cates is an RFA this summer and a year away from UFA eligibility. Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco believes Cates and the Flyers could be heading to arbitration this summer.

Di Marco cited team sources claiming Cates could bet on himself on a one-year deal, taking him up to UFA eligibility. He'd be willing to commit to the Flyers on a long-term deal, but it would be at a price they consider too high. Di Marco indicated that they see him in the range of $ 3.5 million annually on a four- to six-year term.

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It’s never easy for a professional athlete to announce his retirement, especially when they are forced to do so because of injuries. On Monday, Stefan Matteau, the son of former NHLer Stephane Matteau, announced his retirement.

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The son was drafted 29th overall by the New Jersey Devils at the 2012 draft and only played 44 games in the organization before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2016 in return for Devante Smith-Pelly.

Matteau played 12 games with the Canadiens registering a single assist before spending the following season with the St. John’s Ice Caps. In 67 games with the Habs’ AHL affiliate picking up 25 points.

He then signed a contract with the Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent, but couldn’t establish himself there either. In the end, he played with their AHL affiliates, the Chicago Wolves before spending time in the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche organisations.

He spent the 2022-23 season in Europe playing in both the Swedish and the German leagues, before returning to North America where he played two more seasons with the Jackets’ AHL club, the Cleveland Monsters.

In his last two seasons, he was limited to 15 games because of various injuries. He was the Monsters’ captain this past season but couldn’t even play in the post season as he couldn’t get healthy.

His retirement message sounds a bit like Carey Price’s message when he decided to hang them up, Matteau wrote:

“After 13 seasons in professional hockey, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire. As hard as it is to step away from the game I love, nothing is more important to me than being healthy and able to play with my kids for many years to come.”

- Stefan Matteau on why he's retiring.

Hopefully, he can now stay healthy and enjoy retirement with his family. 

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