The Hockey News’ exclusive summer splash series evaluating the off-seasons of every NHL team is into the final stretch. To put these rankings together, we’ve focused the spotlight on every franchise’s off-season additions, departures, hirings and firings. And we’ve labelled each team as belonging to one of three categories – teams that have improved, teams that essentially stayed the same, and teams that have regressed.
The New York Rangers ranked as the No. 10 team in these summer splash rankings.
It was a busy offseason for the Rangers, as the team kicked things off by firing head coach Peter Laviolette and replacing him with Mike Sullivan.
Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has already fired three head coaches since 2021. Sullivan could offer the Rangers that much-needed stability behind the bench.
Before the Stanley Cup Final even ended, the Blueshirts traded Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
On July 1, the Rangers went out and signed arguably the top defenseman on the market, Vladislav Gavrikov, to an eight-year, $49 million contract.
After bringing Gavrikov on board, Drury decided to trade restricted free agent K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, and defenseman Scott Morrow.
When London Knights captain
Denver Barkey hoisted the Memorial Cup over his head in Rimouski, Que.,
the first thing he did, naturally, was deliver it to his teammates. The
next thing he did was skate toward a few hundred rabid supporters in the
corner of the building, many of whom made the nearly 13-hour drive to
the south shore of the St. Lawrence to celebrate a story of redemption
with their favorite sons.
It wasn’t just symbolic for Barkey; it
was necessary. “They mean everything to us,” he said. “They’ve done so
much for me. They always show up. It’s a great community that always
rallies around us. I’m so happy for them.”
A left winger in his
fourth OHL season, Barkey scored twice to help propel the Knights to a
4-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 105th Memorial Cup
final. Easton Cowan – who took home the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy
as the tournament’s MVP – and overager Jacob Julien also scored for the
Knights, who have claimed three national titles over the past 20 years.
This triumph comes on the heels of back-to-back OHL championships and
three league final appearances in a row for the franchise considered by
many to be the CHL’s crown jewel.
The
fans who showed up for Barkey were merely repaying the favor. Since
2021, when he first put on the iconic green jersey, there’s been an
attachment between player and city. This reached a new level this season
with the establishment of Barkey’s Buds. The initiative provides
tickets to Knights games to those impacted by financial barriers. The
organization also acquired hockey equipment for those in London
Community Housing through donations and the sale of Barkey’s Buds
T-shirts.
The passion Barkey, a native of Newmarket, Ont., shows
for his adopted hometown is just as intense as his admiration for his
teammates and his desire to help the Knights overcome their experience
from last year’s Memorial Cup final, which saw the club lose in the last
minute of regulation to the host Saginaw Spirit. “That was the message
since Day 1 of training camp: remember how that felt and express it to
the guys who weren’t here for it last year,” Barkey said. “It’s been our
fuel and motivation all year long.”
Though Barkey was the first
to touch the trophy this year, his thoughts were with his teammates
celebrating all around him. “These guys have taught me so much,” he
said. “There are friendships out here that’ll last a lifetime. For me,
it’s as simple as playing hockey with your friends and the guys you
love. We wanted to do it for each other more than ourselves.”
One
of those friendships is with Julien, who, in 2016, was watching as an
11-year-old on a big screen at London’s Western Fair District as his
hometown Knights claimed their second Memorial Cup. Since then, Julien
has gone from an undrafted under-16 prospect who was contemplating his
future in the game to missing a season due to COVID-19 to a long-shot
draftee of the Knights.
Where did Julien go from there? Well,
there are the two Memorial Cups he played in for starters. Plus
development camp with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him in the fifth
round in 2023. It’s funny where determination can lead. “In the end, I
decided I wanted to keep playing, whether it was Jr. B or another
level,” Julien said. “I’m grateful to have actually done it and reached
this moment.”
This was no ordinary Stanley Cup run, this was a Rat Race! 🐀
Introducing the brand new 2025 CHAMPIONS Issue @FlaPanthers
With emotions coursing through him, Julien had to
refocus to stay in the conversation, an understandable reaction given
all that it took to get there. But when asked who he was thinking about
as the final seconds ticked down, there was no hesitation. “Everyone,”
he said. “The team, my family and all the supporters both here and back
in London. I couldn’t be more grateful for them. It’s what every kid
from London has ever dreamed of.”
Make no mistake; just because
the Knights win a lot doesn’t mean it’s easy. If anything, having the
target that comes with being that good on their backs made the group
stay on their toes to an even greater degree.
The one constant has
been the man behind the bench, Dale Hunter. Hunter has seen plenty of
good teams pass through the Forest City, but this one came with
something every coach dreams of: self-motivation. “They’re great players
with great skill, but most importantly, great will,” Hunter said. “Last
year, we came up short, but I could see from the start of this year,
they were determined. The kids get all the credit. They’re the ones who
go out there and fight on the ice.”
This article
appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on
the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite
play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the
Cup final. We
also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman
Ryker Evans. In
addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL
season.
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.
As Brad Marchand gears up for his first full season with the Florida Panthers following his six-year, $5.25 million extension, he'll be going up against familiar foes and teammates he used to go into battles with.
Before Marchand signed a contract which likely insinuates he finishes his career in Florida, he took part in 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins. In Boston, Marchand recorded 422 goals and 976 points in 1090, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011. Marchand was more than a fan favorite in Boston, and captained the team in his final two seasons.
The Bruins were able to extend their window to win due to Marchand's play and ability to defy father time, but the 2024-25 season finally caught up to the Bruins. They were out of a playoff spot when the trade deadline rolled around, and although there were conflicting reports about what they would do with the 37-year-old Marchand, they ultimately traded him to the Panthers.
His arrival in Florida was everything the Panthers organization could have hoped for. His personality meshed well with the current players, and his performance during the playoffs was outstanding, as he recorded 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games.
Although he now has experience playing away from Boston, the regular season will still likely present several challenges, including an emotionally charged game when the Panthers visit Boston on Oct. 21.
"I wrote him congratulations on the Cup. We played a big part of our careers together, and our wives are also great friends," said Pastrnak. "The bond is there, so of course it was difficult to see him leave. I’m not happy about the Stanley Cup for Florida, but I am happy for Marchand. Then, when he signed a big contract, I kind of let him know that I would make the first game against us a little difficult for him. I am looking forward to it. We always had tough battles together, even in practice.”
Pastrnak is one of the elite forwards in the NHL, someone with whom Marchand formed a formidable duo on and off the ice. It'll be interesting to see how the game develops and what shenanigans Marchand may get himself into against his former team.
There's still just over a month until teams hit the ice for training camp, but the 2025-26 NHL regular season schedule has been known for almost a month. There are plenty of eye-catching matchups for the Ducks this season. Five of them have been highlighted as must-watch.
Hockeytown Halloween in Gibson's Return
After being traded to the Detroit Red Wings on Jun. 28 for Petr Mrázek, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick, goaltender John Gibson will make his return to Honda Center on Oct. 31. This trade allowed Gibson to be a full-time starter again after Lukáš Dostál began to take hold of the reins during the 2023-24 season and continued to grasp onto the starting role this past season. Dostál was also rewarded with a long-term extension this summer, filling Gibson's spot both physically and financially.
The longest-tenured Duck after Cam Fowler was traded last December, Gibson was the lone remaining player from the Ducks' last playoff series in 2017-18 (Troy Terry played two games that season, but did not appear in any playoff games). Gibson ranks top in nearly every goaltending category in Ducks franchise history and is sure to receive a warm welcome.
"Something close for me (in Anaheim) was all the charity work," Gibson said during his Red Wings introductory press conference. "Gibson's Goals, the sled hockey program, that whole community. Working with them before COVID, dealing with all the hurdles that we had to navigate through COVID and now post-COVID, helping with jerseys and everything... There were a lot of unbelievable moments on the ice, but I think the people and the relationships off the ice, too, are definitely what I'll continue to remember as well."
Black Friday Matinee against LA
The Black Friday matchup against the Kings has become a staple for the Ducks in recent years, but this one will surely feel a bit weirder. Not only will it mark Brian Dumoulin's return to Honda Center, but it will be former long-time Duck Corey Perry's first time in Anaheim as a member of the Kings. While the odd sight of Perry in a non-Ducks jersey has worn off with each passing season since he was bought out by the Ducks in 2019, seeing Perry in the LA colors will be an eyesore for many Ducks fans. The crowd's reaction if Perry were to score will be something. This game will also likely be one of the last Ducks-Kings matchups for Kings captain Anže Kopitar, who reportedly will not sign another NHL contract following the end of his contract after this season.
Ovi's Last Time in Anaheim?
It's been heavily rumored that the 2025-26 season will be Alexander Ovechkin's last season in the NHL. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, he is not expected to sign an extension and will likely play his final professional seasons at home in Russia.
20 years ago, Honda Center was the site of Ovechkin's first NHL hat trick. While he did not score last season in his sole trip to Anaheim, fans will be eager to see if the NHL's new all-time goals leader can continue adding to his tally.
Kreider & Trouba Return to MSG
Both Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba had unceremonious ends to their Rangers careers, with both players traded to the Ducks after months of dysfunction in the New York organization. Trouba has not played the Rangers since being traded last December and Kreider has yet to play a single game for the Ducks because he was traded this past June.
With more than 15 combined seasons playing for the Rangers between the two players, the expectation is that both players will be greeted warmly in their return. Kreider ranks top-10 in several Rangers all-time leaderboards and Trouba captained the team for almost three seasons.
Philly CheeZesteak
The wait for this matchup will be a little longer than the rest. Trevor Zegras will return to Honda Center on Mar. 18 as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers following his trade to the Flyers on Jun. 23. It brought an end to years of trade speculation and reunites Zegras with Jamie Drysdale, who is good friends with Zegras and was traded to the Flyers for Cutter Gauthier in 2024.
Zegras was a Ducks fan favorite, well-liked because of his easy-going personality and his penchant for flair on the ice. His offensive production tailed off after consecutive 60-point seasons to begin his NHL career due to injuries and arguably less-than-ideal deployment. But Zegras did his best to become a better two-way player, something which Ducks management wanted to see more of from him.
"I've played center my whole career up until two seasons ago and I've always felt more comfortable there," Zegras said during his Flyers introductory press conference. "I think there are definitely areas that I need to work on, whether it's the faceoff circle or below the goal line or in front of the net in the d-zone. I think it was good to play the wing and learn that position and the responsibilities."
"I just try to be a good teammate, do what was asked of me and I'm gonna bring that same mindset to Philadelphia. I guess my focus has kind of shifted more towards what I can do for that team and that organization. I think what's happened in the past has made me a different person and I think I learned a lot in Anaheim. Taught me how to be a pro and I'm going to try and bring all that information that I've learned to Philadelphia."
Like Steve Albert, author of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Broadcast Booth," I, too, wanted to be a play-by-play announcer.
Like Brother Steve, I succeeded. Unlike Steve, my career doing play by play ended with one game. But since I remember it as if it happened yesterday, I figure you might want to listen up.
But, before I go on, lemme say that – as a young Maple Leaf fan – I devotely listened to Foster Hewitt warble over CBL-Toronto. I figured, to be a solid hockey play-by-play guy, just know when to shout, "HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!"
And, really, that's all there is to it. So, here's what happened – and how very wrong I was.
During the 1954-55 NHL season, I was assistant Rangers publicist and my boss Herb Goren often would give me neat assignments, like writing the texts on the backs of Topp's hockey cards or reading through out-of-town papers for hockey stories.
It was a dream gig until one night, Herbie uttered the never-to-be-forgotten words: "How would you like to do play-by-play tonight?"
Before I could say, "You gotta be kidding!" My boss went on as follows: "The guy who does all our games for Armed Forces Radio is sick and they need somebody to call the game."
A few seconds after my temporary case of lockjaw disappeared, I said, "Sure," and then wondered what to do next. Which was nothing.
The Blueshirts were playing Montreal that night. They were good and we weren't and what else was there to know. All our games with the Habs were delicious with thrills, win, lose or brawl.
I recall telling myself as I sat down after the National Anthem, "Just be Foster Hewitt and all will be well."
There were two issues: 1. I wasn't Foster Hewitt and 2. All was not well. At least not from the second period going forward. Ah but one play made it all worthwhile.
"Hello, this is Stan Fischler for Armed Forces Radio bringing you the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens against the New York Rangers,."
For about five minutes the Blueshirts held them off until New York defenseman Ivan Irwin took a penalty which was bad and good. Bad because Montreal had the best power play in the league and good because Aldo Reno Guidolin, my favorite Ranger, would take the ice.
Guidolin, who wore #12, was the only player in NHL history to come from Forks Of Credit, Ontario. He was a defensive forward who didn't play that much but he did kill penalties so I gave him a big plug. (Who knew what would happen next!)
"And here comes the Rangers PEERLESS penalty-killer, Aldo Guidolin." The Habs mighty power play had defenseman Doug Harvey at one point and Boom Boom Geoffrion at the other. Rocket Richard, Dickie Moore and Jean Beliveau were up front.
Beliveau won the draw and passed it back to Geoffrion at the left point. Guidolin headed straight for Boom Boom whose shot hit Aldo in the leg and bounced back toward center ice. It was at this point that The Maven lost his mind, shouting;
"IT'S A BREAKAWAY...ALDO GUIDOLIN IS IN THE CLEAR – NOBODY NEAR HIM." I inhaled and for a second wondered what my guy was doing. Aldo kept moving in from the right, too close to suit me and it looked like he was going to blow it.
"HE'S CUTTING ACROSS THE GOALMOUTH (left to right) HE SHOOTS! HE SCORRRRRRES!" I was so overwhelmed by the end to end rush that I momentarily wondered if I called it right, so I did it the second time to be sure.
But the Rangers still had the penalty and, in those Original Six days a team could score as many goals on a power play as the two minutes would allow. The Habs wasted no time tying the game; which brought my decibel count down by half.
By the time it was 6-1 for Montreal, you could hardly hear me – or the Blueshirts for that matter – and when the final buzzer sounded, I was secure in the knowledge that the only time I should ever do Rangers play -by-play again is when #12 scores a shorthanded goal.
P.S. Armed Forces Radio gave me a disk of the entire game. I had an extra made and gave it to Aldo and Phyllis as their wedding present.
P.S.S. I played the breakaway segment a few times – and made sure nobody in a white coat was around – just to convince myself that it really happened.
P.S.S.S. Guidolin and I remained close friends until his death on November 8, 2015.
Did you miss anything from the past week at The Hockey News - Columbus Blue Jackets? If you did, we have you covered with the Sunday Recap. Click on each card below to read the stories from the past week.
From Ex-players to current players and everything in between, we've got you covered.
The New Jersey Devils are part of one of the NHL’s best rivalries: the cross-river showdown with the New York Rangers. Widely regarded as one of the league’s fiercest competitions, it’s a matchup fueled by geography, history, and passionate fan bases.
Other top NHL rivalries include:
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Known as the Hudson River Rivalry, or the Battle of the Hudson, the Devils and Rangers feud began in 1982, when the Devils relocated to New Jersey. Rangers fans were quick to bristle at the idea of a new team just 12 miles away. The Devils call the Prudential Center in Newark home. At the same time, the Rangers play at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, a short 25-minute drive between arenas, making it easy for fans to invade enemy territory.
While proximity sparked the tension, on-ice battles cemented it. Games are often physical, emotional, and fiercely contested. The rivalry’s peak came in the mid-1990s: in 1994, the Rangers claimed the Stanley Cup after defeating Vancouver; in 1995, the Devils answered back by beating Detroit for their own championship.
Since the 2004–05 season, the teams have met 43 times, each game seemingly more heated than the last. In 2024, Rangers rookie enforcer Matt Rempe stirred controversy by injuring a Devils player, earning himself a suspension. Devils fans need no prompting to chant “Rangers Suck” whenever the Blueshirts visit Newark, a tradition even immortalized in Seinfeld.
Of course, the Devils have other regional rivalries. The Philadelphia Flyers' feud with New Jersey has history, proximity, and memorable incidents, like the infamous leg stomp and the Lindros Corollary, making it the Devils’ second-strongest rivalry. The Islanders, however, haven’t posed a consistent threat in recent years, keeping that rivalry a notch lower.
Still, no matchup compares to Devils vs. Rangers. The blend of history, fan hostility, and close quarters has created one of the most intense rivalries in the NHL, one that shows no signs of cooling off.
The two teams will not face each other this season until March 7th, 2026. In the meantime the rivalry has time to brew.
EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings made a quiet but meaningful move this week, re-signing forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract extension. While the deal doesn’t carry the headline shock of a blockbuster trade or marquee free agent signing the team sought in the early days of free agency, it speaks volumes about the organization’s belief in the 23-year-old’s upside and versatility.
For a team balancing a veteran core with an emerging next generation, locking up Laferriere is more than just a depth signing. It’s about creating flexibility in a roster that has seen plenty of its up and coming forwards show ability to play wing and center.
Laferriere’s Journey and Impact
Drafted in the third round (83rd overall) in 2020, Laferriere arrived in Los Angeles as an intriguing prospect out of Harvard University. He was known for his high-energy style, relentless forechecking, and willingness to play in all three zones. His transition to the NHL has been defined by exactly those traits—he doesn’t take shifts off, plays with noticeable pace, and has the kind of competitive edge that coaches trust in high-leverage moments.
Echoing Alex Iafallo, Laferriere shocked both team and non-team personnel with his opening NHL camp and his first full NHL season, as he not only made the roster but quickly earned a reputation for reliability, versatility, and a knack for complementing more offensively gifted linemates. That would diminish down the stretch in his first season with Kings’ fan favorite Pierre Luc Dubois.
Laferriere has shown promise, potentially emerging as a high-end secondary scoring threat even after his second season on a potent line with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala. He posted modest point totals (42 points), threatened to score 20 in his second season (19), while showing flashes of dominant responsible play (+22) to keep the door open for further growth.
Perhaps the most appealing part of Laferriere’s game is his ability to seamlessly shift between roles of winger and center. He can play up and down the lineup, handle tough defensive assignments, and, critically for the Kings, has the potential to take on minutes at center if needed.
The Center Question in Los Angeles
For years, the Kings have been spoiled down the middle. Anze Kopitar has been the franchise’s future Hall of Fame rock, combining Selke-level defense with offensive production. Phillip Danault has provided elite shutdown capability and secondary scoring. Behind them, the team envisioned a future with Byfield as the next top-line centerpiece and Alex Turcotte anchoring the middle six.
Alex Laferriere with the SWEET no-look feed to Kevin Fiala who makes it 7-3 Kings 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/dpQjnvLfMz
Hockey development is rarely linear, which can be said even about well thought out plans. For the Kings, Byfield has taken encouraging strides, but Turcotte’s journey has been marred by injuries and inconsistency. Once viewed as a sure bet to claim a full-time NHL center role, Turcotte has yet to cement himself in the lineup, despite showing signs of growth while getting top line wing time with Kopitar and Adrian Kempe last season.
General Manager Ken Holland has projected Turcotte to anchor the fourth line this upcoming season, next to Joel Armia and Corey Perry. A brand new line never seen before in Los Angeles should be cause for excitement, though the ceiling of a line that might get max 10-13 minutes should dampen expectations. History is also against Turcotte here, with their higher-end prospects seemingly dying on the vine in the bottom six (Rasmus Kupari, Jared Anderson-Dolan, Arthur Kaliyev, and now Akil Thomas).
The Kings could face a significant gap in their depth chart within the next two to three years if Turcotte cannot form into a low end 2C, Kopitar in his potential last year and Danault, despite defying expectations in LA, stepping closer to his mid-thirties.
That’s where Laferriere’s extension becomes more strategic than it appears at first glance.
Laferriere as a Center Option
While Laferriere has spent most of his NHL time on the wing, he has experience playing center at lower levels, including during his NCAA days. His defensive responsibility, hockey IQ, and skating make him a plausible option to transition back into the middle if the Kings need to fill a spot, either due to injury, roster reshuffling, or Turcotte’s up-and-down developmental journey.
As I asked Laferriere in his recent availability about the potential at center:
“I think for how I am as a player, I’ve always kind of prided myself on being someone who can be put anywhere in the lineup and try to do my best there… I think Jimmy trusts me in that role [at center]”
- Alex Laferriere Media Availability August 6th, 2025
For a player who rarely played center growing up, the move wouldn’t be without challenges, though to have an NHL coach (regardless in his first year as a benchboss in the league) trusting a player like Laferriere at center, speaks volumes. Center in the NHL is a demanding position, requiring more defensive reads, faceoff responsibilities, and the ability to facilitate offense from the middle of the ice. But Laferriere’s style, driven by anticipation, work ethic, and adaptability, suggests he could handle at least a hybrid role.
Even if he doesn’t become a full-time pivot, having him capable of spot duty at center provides Los Angeles with lineup flexibility. In the postseason, when injuries and matchup needs often force changes, that kind of utility can be the difference between stability and scrambling.
What If Turcotte Doesn’t Pan Out?
The Turcotte situation looms large over the Kings’ forward group. Drafted fifth overall in 2019, in a wave of great up and coming USHL players, Turcotte was projected to be a top-six, two-way center in the mold of Jonathan Toews, a player who could dominate at both ends of the ice and impose himself as a natural leader. Instead, injuries and developmental setbacks have limited his NHL exposure and slowed his progression.
If Turcotte can’t secure a consistent center role, the Kings have three options:
First, shift an existing winger to center. Laferriere should be the leading candidate here, given his profile. It wouldn’t be an ideal full-time solution, but it could work in specific scenarios. Kempe has played center, but is better weaponized on the wing.
Secondly, rely on other internal prospects. Though the pipeline, which includes some intriguing names, are not remotely surefire NHL-ready centers in the next year or two. This approach carries the most risk in the fallout of a once brimming with talent center pipeline.
Lastly, acquire a center via trade or free agency. This would be the most expensive option in both cap space and assets, especially for a contending team.
It is important to note however, that the projected cap will continue to rise, with Kopitar coming off the books and Drew Doughty's AAV due to come back down to earth for his next contract. There could be some money to play with despite Kempe destined to be the next eight digit player on the Kings.
In this context, Laferriere’s three-year deal acts as insurance. If Turcotte emerges as a reliable middle-six center, Laferriere remains a valuable winger with the flexibility to move around. If Turcotte doesn’t, the Kings have at least one internal player capable of stepping in without completely overhauling the roster.
Cap and Contract Implications
From a financial perspective, the Laferriere extension is a low-risk, high-upside move. His cap hit remains manageable, giving the Kings room to maneuver as they navigate contracts for other young players and potentially add reinforcements. The three-year term also ensures cost certainty during a period when the roster may undergo significant changes.
For a team walking the line between “win now” and “develop for the future,” cost-controlled versatility is gold. Laferriere fits that bill perfectly.
Looking Ahead
The Kings are at an inflection point. The Kopitar-Doughty era is winding down, and the Byfield-Clarke generation is just beginning to take shape. In between sits a group of players like Laferriere, core upside but essentially bridge pieces who can connect the eras while carving out their own place in the team’s identity.
If Turcotte finally breaks through, the Kings will have enviable depth down the middle. If not, Laferriere’s adaptability could quietly become one of the organization’s most important assets if they cannot bolster their center corps with an external move.
Either way, this three-year deal isn’t just about locking up a promising young forward. It’s about keeping options open in a league where flexibility often dictates success.
Bottom Line
Laferriere’s extension is a savvy, strategic and forward-thinking move for the Kings. It ensures lineup stability, provides potential coverage at a critical position, and reinforces the team’s commitment to building around players who can adapt to whatever the future holds. For a franchise navigating the balance between legacy and next-generation talent, that might be exactly what they need.
The New York Islanders signed Matthew Schaefer to a three-year entry-level contract on Aug. 4, becoming the ninth 2025 first-round pick to sign.
There isn’t a glaring weakness in the 2025 first-overall pick’s game. He’s as confident as you’ll find and thinks the game like a No.1 defenseman should. There’s not a single issue with his character. In fact, anything that has been said about him makes him seem like an increasingly genuine person.
What Schaefer has endured off the ice is no secret and doesn’t need to be touched upon further, but the mental fortitude to not only bounce back but become a shining light for children going through similar experiences as he has is a testament to his character.
While understated at times, balancing hockey and the mental side of things is difficult, especially for a rookie, but no player seems more prepared for it than Schaefer.
Physically, Schaefer could benefit from adding some muscle and weight to his 6-foot-2 frame, but that’s to be expected for someone who won’t turn 18 years old until Sept. 5.
Schaefer is a smooth skater, capable of starting transitions on his own. Defensively, his skating and stick work force opponents to the outside before he quickly snatches the puck away from them. With a great understanding of positioning and what to do with the puck when it’s on his stick, Schaefer’s game should have no problem translating to the NHL.
Once he signed his entry-level contract, the possibility of playing a season in the NCAA was abolished, but there are still routes Schaefer can take.
Schaefer could return to the Erie Otters in the OHL following training camp and pre-season, and become, if not the catalyst, one of the key figures on what’s shaping out to be a strong Canadian roster at the World Junior Championship.
Schaefer looked outstanding in the 17 OHL games and the one and a half world junior games he played last year, which is why he has been pencilled in as an NHLer.
If the Hamilton, Ont. native looks comfortable in pre-season but hasn’t necessarily won a job out of camp, the New York Islanders can allow him to play nine games to start the season before burning a year on his ELC. If he isn’t ready, he can return to the Otters for the remainder of the season.
What currently seems the most likely is that Schaefer starts the season on the Islanders’ third pair, playing behind fellow left-handed defensemen Adam Pelech and Alexander Romanov. As the season goes on and Schaefer continues to adjust to the pro game, his role can grow and his ice time can increase.
"I mean me, personally, I want to play in the NHL," Schaefer said after throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday night. "Other people would always ask me 'where do you want to go?' But for me, I was so dialled in on wanting to play in the NHL. And when I set goals for myself, I work as hard as I can so I can get to that point.”
The Islanders are in a favorable position where they don’t need to rush Schaefer, and can protect him in difficult matchups until they believe he is ready.
Each team has different perspectives on what’s best for a young defenseman. Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Miro Heiskanen and Owen Power all spent one or more seasons away from the NHL before beginning their careers. It proved to work out for them as they are among the NHL’s best defenseman. For others, like Rasmus Dahlin, they were thrown into the fire immediately, and although there were hiccups, Dahlin has become one of the premier defensemen in the NHL.
Schaefer looks to be in a great position, and either choice could be very beneficial, which should kick-start a great career.
Yes, the 2024-25 season was a lost year for the duo, with Barzal sustaining two long-term injuries that limited him to just 30 games.
But in 2023-24, the duo produced.
Horvat recorded 22 goals and 26 assists at 5-on-5 that season, with Barzal posting 18 goals and 37 assists at 5-on-5, with his overall 80 points the most since his Calder-winning season back in 2017-18.
However, for the 2025-26 season, the Islanders have decided to separate Barzal and Horvat, with Barzal going back to his natural position of center.
While Barzal certainly feels more comfortable down the middle, the loss of Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline left a hole at the No. 2 center position.
While Calum Ritchie, the big-time prospect the Islanders got in return for Nelson, will have a chance to make the team out of training camp, giving him the responsibility of being the second-line center may be too much for the 20-year-old, who only has seven games of NHL experience.
Here's what Darche said when asked by “The Sheet’s” Jeff Marek about Barzal:
"The beauty of it, to me, with Mathew is yes, he's a centerman, but the more players you have that can play different positions, that gives you options," Darche said. "Last year, he had good moments with Bo Horvat, but sometimes they might both be centers, and sometimes during times of the game, times of the year, maybe they play together. So having that flexibility is great."
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are both centermen, with head coach Kris Knoblauch usually having them separated at 5-on-5.
However, whenever Edmonton needed to score a goal, those two usually heard their names called.
And more often than not, Edmonton found a way to put the puck in the back of the net.
It's a tremendous luxury to have the ability to do that with two top forwards.
While there's no question that if Barzal's going to play center, he's going to have to perform much better in the faceoff dot — he owns a career 42.3% on faceoffs — he is a righty. Horvat is a lefty, which allows that line to take draws and use whoever is on their strong side, another luxury.
McDavid and Draisaitl are both left-handed.
There will be times during the season, potentially late in games, where the Islanders need a goal or Roy is looking to get the boys buzzing again.
He knows what he has in his former dynamic duo and can put the two together without worrying about how they might play. One part that can't be overlooked here is the defensive play of those two.
Horvat has always been a strong two-way player, and Barzal's game away from the puck grew exponentially when he was on Horvat's wing.
So, Roy could have Horvat and Barzal out on the ice late in games, preserving a lead if he has to — the Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom duo may get tasked with that — and not have to worry about a defensive drop-off.
As of right now, we know that Jonathan Drouin will play on Horvat's left wing, but outside of that, the rest of the lineup — especially who rounds out that “top line” and who Barzal will play with — remains a mystery.
Could Kyle Palmieri flank Horvat? Will Anders Lee and Barzal be reunited long-term like we saw during the Barry Trotz days? Has Holmstrom earned the right to be the starting second-line right winger?
Roy has a ton of options, but Roy also needs results early, one would think.
If he's having a hard time finding suitable linemates to get the best out of Barzal, we may see No. 13 back on Horvat's wing in short order.
Yes, that would put the Islanders in a tough situation since, outside of Barzal, they really don't have an answer for the second-line center spot.
But maybe Ritchie surprises everybody at training camp and shows he can be that guy.
That would change everything because then the Islanders could have Drouin-Horvat-Barzal as a top line without hurting the overall makeup of the lineup.
Training camp opens in mid-September, as we are almost...almost a month away.
Earlier this off-season, the Montreal Canadiens re-signed defenseman Jayden Struble to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.4125 million. Getting this deal done with Struble was important for the Canadiens, as he is among their most promising young defensemen.
Struble is coming off a solid season with the Canadiens, as he scored two goals and set new career highs with 11 assists, 13 points, and 124 hits in 56 games. This was after the 6-foot defenseman recorded three goals and 10 points in 56 games with the Canadiens during his rookie season in 2023-24.
Overall, Struble has had a solid start to his NHL career and is cementing himself as a nice part of the Canadiens' blueline because of it. Yet, when noting that he is still only 23 years old and has just 112 career NHL games on his resume, he undoubtedly still has the potential to hit a new level. With this, he is a clear breakout candidate on the Canadiens to watch during the 2025-26 season.
Struble has certainly shown promise early on in his career, and he should only improve as he continues to gain more experience. If he can get his offense up a bit more and continue to be reliable defensively, it would be massive for a Canadiens team on the rise. It will be intriguing to see if he can put together a breakout year for the Habs from here.
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. Each week, we’ll dig back into the magazine’s archives to look back on a key moment, player or other important figure in the ECHL.
A THN subscription gives you access to the magazine’s entire archives dating back to the first issue in 1947 (over 2,000 issues). Click here to subscribe.
(Note: Due to the digital quality of some older issues, articles may contain errors.
Mar 3, 1995/vol. 48, issue 24
Langway long way from NHL in ECHL
Two-time Norris Trophy winner Rod Langway, who hasn’t played competitively since Feb. 21, 1993, is attempting a comeback of sorts with the Richmond Renegades of the East Coast League.
Langway, 37, parted company with the Washington Capitals on less than friendly terms after the 15-year yeter-an was told he would no longer be playing every game because the club wanted to work younger legs into the lineup. Langway was six games short of his 1,000th NHL contest.
Craig Laughlin, Richmond general manager and a former teammate of Langway with the Montreal Canadiens and Capitals, said Langway’s performance would be assessed on a game-by-game basis.
“I told him I didn’t want to put his life in jeopardy for a minor league team,” Laughlin said.
ECHL teams are allowed to dress three veterans. Langway will be used as a player and defensive tutor.
Laughlin and team president Harry Feuerstein said there were no immediate aims for Langway to attempt an NHL return.
The Renegades are averaging 5,700 fans a night and Feuerstein denied this was a publicity stunt to fill more seats.
“You don’t do publicity stunts with a team that’s in first place,” he said.
“Stunt assumes there’s some sham involved, that something’s wrong. The reality is Rod wants to play and promote the game.”
Langway has spent the past two years perfecting his golf game.
NOTEBOOK: The Capitals completed the first quarter of their schedule winless (0-6-2) on the road. In their first 12 games overall, they scored a league-low 22 goals, only nine at even strength…The team sent video to the NHL seeking redress after defenseman Jim Johnson received a two-handed slash across his left wrist from the Philadelphia Flyers’ Eric Lindros Feb. 13
There have only been two players wear the #64 for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Unfortunately for Columbus, neither one of them made a significant impact for Columbus. Cleveland is a different story, however.
Trey Fix-Wolansky
Many people thought, despite being drafted so late in the draft and his diminutive size —5-foot-7, 180 pounds —he would turn out to be a really good winger in the NHL. So far, he’s yet to be able to show his talent at the NHL level.
Fix-Wolansky played three seasons in the WHL for the Edmonton Oil Kings. In those three seasons, he played 206 games, scored 93 goals, and had 245 points. His production improved year after year, so many thought he could translate that into the pros.
He made his full-season pro debut during the 2019-20 season for the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. He would play in 43 games, score 12 goals, and end with 26 points. The following season, he suffered a leg injury that required surgery, limiting him to only nine games. But even in those limited games, he would have nine points.
In the 2021-22 season, Fix-Wolansky played in 53 games and had 33 points, but more importantly, on February 8th, 2022, he would make his NHL debut. Fix-Wolansky would score in his debut against the Washington Capitals, taking a pass and sneaking the puck by Phoenix Copley. He finished playing in six games for Columbus that season, netting two points. He had five shots in those six games and had an average time on ice of around six minutes.
TFW's breakout season in the AHL would be the 2022-23 season. He would score 29 goals and total 71 points in 61 games. He set career highs in goals, assists, points, games played, and power-play goals. Fix-Wolansky played in nine games for the CBJ, scoring only one goal. He did average almost 13 minutes a game, however.
Fix-Wolansky had two very good seasons in 23-24 and 24-25. In each season, he finished with 26 goals and 60 points. Despite having an unreal career for Cleveland the last seven years, Fix-Wolansky never got an extended chance to prove he could be an everyday NHL player, and was not tendered a contract this summer. He went on to sign a deal with the New York Rangers.
TFW is generally considered the greatest player in Monsters' history. He leads the Monsters franchise with 112 goals, 147 assists, and 259 points. Defenseman Jake Christiansen is the only active player close enough to catch TFW, but he was in Columbus last season, and most likely this season, so Fix-Wolansky's records are safe.
Tyler Motte
Tyler Motte was the first player to wear #64 for the Blue Jackets, although it wasn't for very long.
Motte was traded to Columbus by Chicago with Artemi Panarin and NY Islanders' 6th round pick (previously acquired, Columbus selected Jonathan Davidsson) in the 2017 NHL Draft for Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg, and Columbus' 5th round pick in 2018 NHL Draft, June 23, 2017.
Motte would go to play in 31 games for the Blue Jackets, scoring 3 goals and 5 points, while averaging 9:56 per game of ice time.
Later that season, Motte was traded the Vancouver by Columbus with Jussi Jokinen for Thomas Vanek, February 26, 2018.
The St. Clair, Michigan native went on to play four more seasons in Vancouver. After playing last season with his home state Detroit Red Wings, Motte currently sits without a contract after playing nine NHL seasons.
As of right now, no other player is scheduled to wear #64 in the immediate future for the CBJ, but surely someday someone will take that number who will have an impact on the team.
The Jackets have 64 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, and fans are getting restless. The CBJ will take on the New Jersey Devils on Monday, October 13th at 7 PM. The Blue Jackets have much higher expectations this season than in previous years. Many expect the CBJ to make the playoffs, something they missed by a single win last season. Can the Blue Jackets overcome their deficiencies and weaknesses to make a playoff push in the weak Metro Division?
Goaltending seems to be the topic du jour just about every day in the CBJ universe, and this is something that probably won't go away unless Elvis and Jet Greaves both have outstanding seasons. All signs are pointing to that happening, and fans can't wait until the 25-26 season gets underway.
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The Philadelphia Flyers have quite a few roster spots ready to be filled by up-and-coming prospects next season, but there's one prospect who should be talked about much more.
But, what about the defense? What about Oliver Bonk?
It's always harder to shelter a young defenseman at the NHL level than a young forward, but Oliver Bonk is uniquely equipped to handle the challenge.
The 20-year-old is going to be turning pro this fall, but long Memorial Cup campaigns have prevented him from getting any tastes of AHL action to this point.
But, Bonk's strong points have always lied in his hockey IQ and understanding of how to play his position effectively. He's not the biggest, fastest, or most skilled defenseman, but knows what he needs to do on the ice and why.
Veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen isn't expected to be ready to play for the Flyers by the start of the season, which means opportunity for players like Bonk, Emil Andrae, and Helge Grans.
All it takes is an impressive training camp to crack the door open, and The Athletic prospects expert Scott Wheeler thinks Bonk is ready for the challenge.
Bonk’s smarts are his game’s defining quality but he has also defended at one of the highest levels in junior hockey over the last couple of years, has an impressive feel for coverage and timing and escapes pressure well despite having average feet," Wheeler said of Bonk in his July prospect rankings.
"He just looks like he’s going to be a solid two-way defenseman who can influence play and potentially help out on both special teams, even if he’s not a natural power-play quarterback or your prototypical penalty killer. He projects as a No. 3-5 defenseman. . . I expect him to play in the NHL in 2025-26, if not full-time, then at least to start."
Further supporting the possibility of Bonk playing in the NHL soon, Wheeler notably ranked Bonk (45th overall) ahead of fellow defensemen Kevin Korchinski (62nd), Scott Morrow (67th), Maveric Lamoureux (80th), and Seamus Casey (85th).
The common denominator for all of those players? Each has played NHL games already.
So, not only does Bonk have the pedigree that supports an early NHL debut, but similar players have already done the same.
Whether the Flyers give him a real opportunity to make remains to be seen, but the roster spot is there for the taking.
Oliver Bonk has a legitimate chance to make the Flyers outright to start the 2025-26 season.
Florida Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov is becoming the face of hockey in his native Finland.
Winning back-to-back Stanley Cups and Selke Trophies certainly helps his cause, as does becoming the first Finnish-born captain to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in the history of the NHL.
On Saturday, Barkov utilized his special day with the Stanley Cup to share it fans, friends and family in his hometown of Tampere, Finland.
“I think pretty much the first thing you think about when people say ‘Finland’ is ice hockey,” Barkov said. “Everyone loves hockey here, everyone is watching hockey and follows hockey. It’s great, it’s like a lifestyle here, just like Canada.”
To no surprise considering his love for tennis and paddleball, Barkov brought the Cup to PadelOne Arena for some time with fans.
“I’ve been here a couple times, watching paddle tournaments,” Barkov said. “It’s one of my favorite sports that I play.”
He said that compared to last year, this summer’s Stanley Cup day felt a bit more laid back, which was by design.
“Last year was kind of hectic, so this year I’m trying to do it in a more relaxed way,” he said.
He also made sure to leave time for a trip to the sauna, and some home cooking from his momma.
You can check out footage of Barkov's day with the Stanley Cup in the video below:
It’s been several days now that the Stanley Cup has been in Finland.
Peter Laviolette Enters 2025-26 Season Without A Coaching Job It looks as if Peter Laviolette will begin the 2025-26 season without a coaching job.
