Author: NHL Hockey News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson's playing career is over, as the 38-year-old has now landed a new job.

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have hired Johnson as a pro scout. 

After not landing a contract for the 2025-26 season from his professional tryout (PTO) with the Minnesota Wild, Johnson did not sign a deal elsewhere. Now, the longtime NHL blueliner will be beginning his off-ice career with the Canucks organization after landing this scout position. 

Johnson spent two seasons with the Penguins from 2018-19 to 2019-20. In 149 games with the Penguins over that span, the left-shot defenseman posted four goals, 20 assists, 24 points, and 416 hits. 

Johnson's time with the Penguins ended when they bought him out ahead of the 2020-21 season. From there, he went on to sign a one-year contract with the New York Rangers in free agency.

In 1,228 career NHL games, Johnson recorded 77 goals, 265 assists, and 342 points. 

John Gibson made 35 saves as the Detroit Red Wings took down the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Monday night. James Van Riemsdyk led Detroit with a three point effort, but it was the veteran Gibson who was the difference, badly outperforming the comparatively untested Ottawa duo of Leevi Merilainen and Hunter Shepard.

Merilainen was replaced by Shepard at the start of the second period after allowing three goals on eight shots. The Sens goals came from Claude Giroux, Dylan Cozens, and Brady Tkachuk.

We chronicled this game live here at The Hockey News-Ottawa. Here's your recap.

First Period

0:38 - The Senators go on the power play early with some fresh ice to work with as Marco Kasper takes a tripping minor on Brady Tkachuk. Ottawa runs a highly effective power play, firing seven shots, but Red Wings goaltender John Gibson turns them all aside.

4:06 - Thomas Chabot barely keeps the puck in at the Detroit blue line, charging forward and dishing it to Stephen Halliday, who sends it right back. Chabot then finds David Perron with a cross-ice pass, and Perron’s shot goes in off Nick Cousins. After a lengthy coach’s challenge for offside, the goal is overturned. Apparently the NHL had an angle we didn’t. Either way, nothing fans love more than goals coming off the board because of a millimetre offside.

5:08 - Brady Tkachuk threads the needle to Dylan Cozens on a 2-on-1 break. Cozens tries a forehand-backhand move but whiffs on the backhand and fails to get a shot away.

5:57 - Lucas Raymond breaks down the wing and gets a clear shot on Leevi Meriläinen, using his linemate as a decoy. Meriläinen makes a nice save, deflecting the puck out of play.

7:06 - GOAL: Tyler Kleven attempts to dump the puck in from center ice, but it clips Andrew Copp’s stick. Copp gets a breakaway and beats Meriläinen glove side to open the scoring. Detroit leads 1-0.

10:36 - Jordan Spence makes a great move along the boards and finds Claude Giroux alone in the slot. Giroux snaps a shot that just misses John Gibson’s glove and sails over the net.

13:10 - David Perron takes a minor penalty for slew-footing (tripping) Mason Appleton.

13:51 - GOAL: Dylan Larkin scores immediately for the Red Wings. Former Senator Alex DeBrincat fires a shot from the point. Meriläinen makes the initial save, but the rebound kicks out to James van Riemsdyk. JVR sends it across to Larkin, who has a wide-open net. 2-0 Detroit.

17:10 - Ben Chiarot takes a delay-of-game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass while trying to clear the zone. David Perron and Drake Batherson both get wide-open looks, but Gibson shuts the door on each chance.

19:43 - GOAL: James van Riemsdyk ends up with the puck on his stick amid traffic in front. He spins and fires, and Meriläinen never sees it. The puck goes in off Merilainen's skate. It's 3-0 Wings.

End of the first period:

Detroit 3, Ottawa 0.

The Senators outshoot the Red Wings 17–8.

Second Period

0:00 - After giving up three goals on seven shots, Meriläinen’s night is over. Backup Hunter Shepard comes in to start the second. This is just the 30-year-old’s sixth NHL game. He does have a habit of winning, though, with two AHL titles and two NCAA championships. Anyone up for a Huntburglar run?

4:18 - Tyler Kleven moves further into the doghouse, taking a tripping penalty on Lucas Raymond.

4:48 - Larkin rings one off both the crossbar and the post. He thinks he scored, but play continues. Given how the night’s gone, the entire building is waiting for the replay booth to sound the horn and award a goal—but it never comes.

6:07 - Shane Pinto gets a shorthanded 2-on-1 and has all day to pick his spot on John Gibson. But Gibson turns him away. Ottawa’s sluggish penalty kill gets the job done.

7:33 - GOAL: The Senators are finally on the board after great work by Fabian Zetterlund below the goal line behind the Detroit net. He backhands a puck out front to Claude Giroux, who outmuscles Dylan Larkin and crams home Ottawa’s first goal of the game. Detroit 3 Ottawa 1

8:29 - Shepard makes his first big save of the night, flashing the glove on a slot shot from Patrick Kane.

11:10 - Takes a shot off the leg. Red Wings fans would call it instant karma after a pretty solid cross-check moments earlier on Marco Kasper.

11:45 - Ridly Greig makes friends with the Red Wings in front of their net, taking a few shoves and looking completely in his element.

12:22 - Another skilled Senator blocks a shot. This time Drake Batherson takes one off the skate. He appears OK but skates off slowly.

13:06 - Thomas Chabot rifles a one-timer from the top of the circle. Gibson sees it all the way and makes a nice glove save.

13:57 - Michael Rasmussen goes off for tripping Nick Cousins in front of the Detroit net. The Wings feel Cousins went down a bit easily, but Ottawa heads to the power play.

14:10 - GOAL: Jake Sanderson fires a wrist shot from the top of the circle. Gibson kicks out the rebound right onto the stick of Dylan Cozens, who buries it to cut Detroit’s lead to 3–2.

After the ensuing center-ice faceoff, Detroit quickly gets a 2-on-1, but Sanderson makes a perfect breakup. A huge play to keep Ottawa’s momentum going—and a reminder of why Sanderson is Olympic-bound.

15:42 - GOAL: A bad hop along the boards in the Ottawa zone leads to Detroit possession. The Senators get puck-focused, and Lucas Raymond snaps a shot through Chabot’s legs and past Shepard to make it 4–2.

16:59 - Ottawa’s fourth line generates some chances. David Perron fires a hard shot that Gibson stops. Stephen Halliday gets the rebound but can’t stuff it in.

17:14 - Detroit goes back to the power play after Brady Tkachuk is called for breaking a stick.

17:33 - Giroux finds Stützle alone in front, but Gibson shuts the door. That’s been the difference tonight—Gibson making big saves, while Ottawa’s chances have only been okay.

18:21 - Kane snaps a shot from the circle that beats Shepard but hits the post. The Senators survive the penalty kill.

End of the second period:

Detroit 4, Ottawa 2.

The Senators outshooting the Red Wings 26-17. Tied at 9 in the second.

Third Period

2:34 - Claude Giroux hooks Dylan Larkin in the neutral zone and gets called for tripping. Giroux is furious, smashing his stick on the boards as he heads to the box. Larkin may have sold it a bit, but honestly, it wasn’t the worst call I’ve ever seen. The Senators kill the penalty, although Pinto nearly gets caught for another delay-of-game call when his clearing attempt comes just inches from going over the glass.

6:55 - GOAL. A gorgeous play by the Sens' best. Stützle takes a drop pass from Batherson at the top of the circle and he finds Tkachuk driving the net for the easy tap in. The Sens cut the lead to 4–3.

7:50 – Some great cycling down low by the Senators. Kuchuk and Batherson are alone in front, but the pass ends up in Batherson’s skates and he can’t get a clean shot away.

9:03 – Albert Johansson is called for tripping Shane Pinto. Ottawa heads to the power play, looking to tie the game.

11:09 – Just after the Red Wings kill off the first penalty, former Senator Jacob Bernard-Docker is called for slashing Shane Pinto. Pinto draws his second penalty in just over two minutes.

12:53 – GOAL – Not only do the Senators come up empty on two straight power plays, but at the end of the second one they give up a 2-on-1. Michael Rasmussen beats Shepard with a snapshot to restore the two-goal lead. Detroit 5-3.

13:16 – Shane Pinto appears to make it 5–4, but the goal is initially waved off with Ridly Greig positioned behind Gibson. Travis Green opts to challenge the call. It looks like Bernard-Docker may have forced Greig into the crease, but it also appears Greig caught Gibson on the mask with the shaft of his stick. After review, the call on the ice stands and the Sens have to kill off a penalty. They do.

14:46 – Simon Edvinsson is called for elbowing Tim Stützle as he tries to get past him in the neutral zone. Ottawa goes back to work on its sixth power play of the night, three of them in the last five minutes.

The Senators pull their goalie for a sixth skater but never really get close.

Final score: Detroit 5 Ottawa 3

The Senators closed their four game homestand with a 2-2-0 mark and now head out for a two game trip in Utah Wednesday and Colorado Thursday.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

After just six days, it appears the Pittsburgh Penguins are cutting ties with their newest player. 

On Monday, the Penguins placed newly-acquired defenseman Egor Zamula on waivers for the purpose of contract termination. This comes less than a week after Pittsburgh acquired the 25-year-old from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Philip Tomasino and just three days after the team suspended him for failing to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), their AHL affiliate. 

Once Zamula clears waivers, the Penguins will no longer be responsible for Zamula's $1.7 million that he is owed this season, and he would be eligible to sign a new deal with any organization. 

The 6-foot-3, 201-pound blueliner from Chelyabinsk, Russia went undrafted after spending four seasons in the WHL between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen. He joined the Flyers' organization in the 2020-21 season and spent parts of six seasons with the team, registering eight goals and 41 points in 168 career NHL games. 

Penguins Suspend Newly Acquired DefensemanIf fans have been paying attention to the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> this season, this one might sound a bit familiar.&nbsp;

Zamula - reportedly - had no interest in playing at the AHL level this season, and according to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas was aware this was a possibility when Zamula was acquired. And with the trade shedding Tomasino's NHL cap hit - he was playing in WBS at the time - plus Zamula's, Pittsburgh has gained $3.45 million in cap space and will be $21.65 million below the cap, according to Puckpedia. 

Pittsburgh has won five straight games and sits in the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They next face the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. 

Takeaways: Penguins Roar Back From Three-Goal Deficit, Beat Blue Jackets In OTThe Pittsburgh Penguins extended their winning streak to five games in dramatic fashion against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which is just another indication that this team may be better than anyone thought.

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Former Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak has landed himself a very nice payday.

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed Dvorak to a five-year, $25.75 million contract extension. Starting next season, Dvorak will have a $5.15 million cap hit with the Flyers. 

It was well-known that the Flyers were looking to sign Dvorak to a contract extension, and they have now successfully done just that. The former Canadiens forward will now continue to be a good part of the Flyers' roster for multiple years because of it. 

Dvorak's time with the Canadiens came to an end during the 2025 NHL off-season when he signed a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Flyers in free agency. This is decision that has benefited both the Flyers and Dvorak tremendously. 

Dvorak has cemented himself as an important part of the Flyers' top six this season. In 39 games so far this season with Philadelphia, he has recorded nine goals, 16 assists, 25 points, and a plus-8 rating. With this, he is currently on pace to have a career year with the Flyers. This is after he had 12 goals and 33 points in 82 games during his final season with the Canadiens in 2024-25. 

Dvorak appeared in 232 games over four seasons with Montreal, where he recorded 38 goals, 65 assists, and 103 points. 

The Ottawa Senators hope to continue their modest charge up the NHL standings on Monday night when they host the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 pm on Prime). The Sens have won two straight games, and despite being in second last place in the Atlantic, they're the only team besides first-place Tampa Bay with a positive goal differential.

Entering play on Monday, only eight points separates the Atlantic Division's eight teams.

Both teams are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.

The Senators beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 on Saturday, but Detroit is coming off a sluggish 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, managing only 12 shots in the loss. The Wings hope that AHL callup John Leonard might provide a little more offence. Leonard stands second in the AHL with 20 goals, one behind the leader, Arthur Kaliyev from Ottawa's top farm club in Belleville. 

Tim Stutzle will try extend his point streak to 13 games. He has some work to do to catch Dany Heatley, and in fact, he's still a couple of games away from what he did just last year.

Leevi Meriläinen gets the start in goal again as the Sens hit the exact midway point of the season with this one. They'll line up their chess pieces like this:

Zetterlund-Stutzle-Giroux
Tkachuk-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Halliday-Perron

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Spence

Merilainen
Shepard

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

The Winnipeg Jets are entering a critical stretch of the season. As they reach the halfway mark, the organization faces a key decision: continue pushing for a playoff spot and a potential championship or focus on building for next season. With core players like Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Connor Hellebuyck still in their prime, the Jets cannot afford to let this season slip away without decisive action.

According to multiple sources, including Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Winnipeg has been exploring ways to add scoring at the trade deadline. Friedman noted that the Jets are focused on players with term rather than short-term rentals, and the process is complicated by some players’ no-trade clauses. Despite limited options, there are several intriguing targets the Jets could pursue to spark a turnaround or acquire a player who can contribute long-term.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

One option for Winnipeg could be Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The 25-year-old, a former third overall pick, has experience and potential but is currently buried on Carolina’s fourth line. Friedman reported that Carolina has previously explored moving Kotkaniemi in trade talks involving Phillip Danault and Quinn Hughes, showing a willingness to part with him under the right circumstances.

Kotkaniemi is a reclamation project who could thrive in a fresh setting. With Winnipeg, he could slot into a second-line role alongside Cole Perfetti, with Gabe Vilardi providing additional offensive support. The Jets could leverage assets such as former first-round pick Brad Lambert to acquire him, making Kotkaniemi a relatively low-risk, high-upside addition capable of boosting a late-season playoff push while contributing in future seasons.

Nick Robertson

Another potential target is 24-year-old forward Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Robertson has posted 20 points in 39 games, putting him on pace for a career-high 41. With Toronto dealing with injuries and seeking defensive depth, Robertson has been linked to trade discussions.

The Jets could offer 27-year-old defenseman Stanley, who is having a career-best season with 30 points, more than double his previous high, and whose six-foot-seven frame fits the physical style favored by Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube. Such a trade would benefit both teams. Toronto would gain a reliable defenseman and future draft capital, while Winnipeg would acquire a young winger with high upside who could develop alongside Cole Perfetti for years to come.

Rickard Rakell

Finally, the Jets could look at proven winger Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Swedish forward is coming off a career-high 70-point season and is currently on pace for 45 points this season. He carries a $5 million cap hit with three years remaining, fitting into Pittsburgh’s salary structure.

The Penguins’ recent strong play makes it unlikely they would move a key veteran at the moment. If Pittsburgh falters and begins slipping out of playoff contention, they could reconsider trading Rakell. For Winnipeg, the timing of such a move would be crucial. If possible, Rakell could replace much of the scoring lost with Nikolaj Ehlers’ departure while providing immediate impact and stability for years to come. The trade could also give Brad Lambert a fresh start with Pittsburgh.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Vancouver Canucks have made a surprising addition to their scouting staff today, with the team announcing that they’ve hired former NHLer Jack Johnson as a pro-scout. Johnson, a 19-year NHL veteran, has interesting ties to the Canucks’ current management team. 

As a solid NHL defender, Johnson put together 77 goals and 265 assists throughout 1228 NHL games. His NHL career spanned the better part of 19 seasons, towards the end of which he won his first Stanley Cup as a member of the Colorado Avalanche. He concluded his NHL career in the 2024–25 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing in 41 games and tallying six assists.  

Johnson was selected third-overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, picked by none-other than current Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford, who was the General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes at that time. Surprisingly enough, Rutherford was also the General Manager who traded Johnson back in 2006, dealing him to the Los Angeles Kings on September 29. 

Drafting Johnson to Carolina was not the only time Rutherford re-acquired Johnson, as he also signed the defenceman in free-agency in July of 2018 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Johnson was bought-out by the Penguins in 2020 and currently still counts towards their salary cap. 

Vancouver is in the process of embarking on a six-game road trip that will take them across the east coast. Their first game takes place tomorrow against the Buffalo Sabres at 4:00 pm PT. They will take on Johnson's most recent former team, the Blue Jackets, in their last game of the trip on January 15. 

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.

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Big Juice is getting a big pay bump.

Monday, the Nashville Predators announced that goalie Justus Annunen has signed a 2-year, $2.5 million contract beginning in the 2026-27 season. 

The new extension will expire at the end of the 2027-28 season. 

Annunen was in the final year of his 2-year, $1.68 million contract, which he had signed with the Colorado Avalanche in March 2024.

He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche 64th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, spending three seasons in Finland before joining the Avalanche organization for the end of the 2020-21 season.

BIG JUICE FOR 2 MORE YEARS! 🤯

We've signed goaltender Justus Annunen to a 2-year contract starting in the 2026-2027 season.

More details » https://t.co/pVhlDV7WUTpic.twitter.com/jvGiVMN3x2

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 5, 2026

The Predators acquired Annunen in a 2024 trade that sent Scott Wedgewood and a 2025 sixth round draft pick to the Avalanche. 

Acting as backup to Juuse Saros, Annunen has struggled a bit this season, posting a 3-5-1 record with a 3.19 goals against average and .878 save percentage. His numbers have steadily improved throughout the season. 

Annunen's last outing was a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 31, making 29 saves on 31 shots. 

By signing Annunen to the extension, the Predators are cementing his role as Saros' backup, who is in the first year of an 8-year, $61.92 million contract. Saros has a 16-13-3 record with a 2.93 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. 

The Predators will face the Edmonton Oilers next on Tuesday at 8 p.m. PST at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. 

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is less than 24 hours removed from giving the Penguins their fifth-straight win. 

He came off the bench in overtime to win the game on a breakaway, showcasing his vintage backhand. Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves had no chance on the shot. 

That goal capped off a brilliant week for Crosby, who recorded four goals and eight points in four games. His production earned him the NHL's Second Star of the Week. 

87 just being 87 ⭐️

Sidney Crosby recorded four goals, four assists, and eight points in four games, earning @NHL Second Star of the Week honors.

Details: https://t.co/AI3jIoeNTlpic.twitter.com/DlAAI4akx5

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 5, 2026

All four games resulted in wins, and the Penguins are on a five-game winning streak heading into Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils.

Crosby is also on a seven-game point streak, compiling five goals and 12 points during that time. He's also on pace for 48 goals and 94 points this season, which is simply outrageous for someone who is in his 21st season. He's simply on another level once again. 

The Penguins are 20-12-9 through 41 games, good for 49 points. They are currently in the first wild card spot. 

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Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Zamula being placed on unconditional waivers comes after he was suspended by Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins over the weekend. Now, with this news, Zamula's time with the Penguins organization is coming to an end before it started.

The Flyers traded Zamula to the Penguins last week in exchange for forward Philip Tomasino. This was after Zamula had one assist and a plus-4 rating in 13 games for Philadelphia this season. He also played in three games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms before being traded to Pittsburgh, where he recorded two assists. 

Now, if Zamula clears unconditional waivers, his contract will be terminated and he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA). He certainly could generate interest as a UFA, as teams would be able to sign him at a lower price than his current $1.7 million cap hit. 

In 168 games over six seasons with the Flyers, Zamula recorded eight goals, 33 assists, and 41 points. 

The Vancouver Canucks have officially hit the halfway point of the 2025–26 NHL season. At the beginning of the year, many fans couldn’t have said they saw their current coming. However, things such as injuries, trade rumours, and lots of roster movement have resulted in a very different team taking to the ice. With half of their season officially past them, here’s how this Canucks team now stacks up to the rest of the NHL. 

Team Stats 

In theory, the Canucks aren’t currently dead-last in the NHL. That honour belongs to the Winnipeg Jets, who have only won one game in their past 10 to put them at a season record of 15–21–4 (34 points). Other than the Jets, there is no other NHL team in a lower position in the standings than Vancouver. Having said that, many of the Canucks’ team stats are still towards the bottom of the NHL, as their penalty kill (73.9%), goals-against (142), and goals-for (113) all rank below 25th in the league. Their only team stat that ranks within the top-half of the NHL is their power play (20.3%), which currently sits at 14th. 

Individual Skater Stats 

In terms of individual skater stats, there hasn’t been too much of a change-up for Vancouver since the 35-game mark. Virtually all category leaders from the last check-in have remained in their spots, with the only change being in penalty-killing TOI. While Tyler Myers led the Canucks by the 35-game point, Marcus Pettersson has since surpassed him with a total of 127:33 minutes played shorthanded. Filip Hronek also joins Elias Pettersson as one of the team’s leading scorers with each scoring 25 points on the season (tied for 129th-highest in the NHL). 

Goaltender Stats 

Much like their individual skater stat leaders, Vancouver’s goaltending stats have also retained the same leaders as those at the 35-game mark. Thatcher Demko holds the team record for SV% (.904%), goals-against average (2.72), wins (8), and high-danger SV% (0.83%). Three of these four stats rank below 20th in the league, with his total of wins being tied for 38th-highest. On the other hand, his high-danger SV% is currently tied for 19th. Kevin Lankinen ranks first on the Canucks in minutes played (1173:36), shots faced (568), and high-danger shots faced (174), with all three categories ranking below the 20th-highest. 

The Canucks are on the road for the next six games, with the first game of this trip being a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Vancouver will then take on the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday before heading north to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. From January 12 to 13, they’ll take part in their second back-to-back of 2026, playing the Montréal Canadiens and later the Ottawa Senators. 

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.

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The Calgary Flames announced Monday that the club has recalled forward William Strömgren from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.

Strömgren, 22, is in his fourth professional season and has been a key contributor for the Wranglers during the 2025–26 campaign. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound winger has recorded six goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 33 games, posting a plus-13 rating while adding three power-play tallies.

Selected by the Flames in the second round (45th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Örnsköldsvik, Sweden native has continued to show steady development at the professional level.

While Strömgren is not expected to be in the lineup when Calgary faces the Seattle Kraken on Monday night, the recall marks an important milestone in his career. When he does make his debut, it will be his first NHL regular-season game.

Denver Barkey’s transition to the NHL has not followed the usual arc of a young player trying to announce himself. There has been no frantic pace to his game, no sense that he is pressing for offense or trying to force relevance shift by shift.

Instead, his arrival has been defined by a steady absorption into the Philadelphia Flyers’ daily rhythms—systems, details, and expectations—until his presence feels less like a trial run and more like a natural extension of the lineup.

That is the most telling part of Barkey’s early NHL sample. He doesn’t look like a player borrowing time at this level. He looks like someone who understands the terms of the job.

His first NHL goal—scored against the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 3—served more as confirmation than revelation. Barkey didn’t chase the moment, and when it arrived, he treated it as a byproduct of doing the right things rather than a destination in itself.

“Obviously, it helps with the confidence,” Barkey said. “I’m just continuing to grow as a player every game and get comfortable with the league, and getting some points or a goal really helps. But just continue to focus on a 200-foot game, making sure I’m executing the systems and the game plan day in, day out.”

Denver Barkey's got his first NHL goal! ⚫️🟠 pic.twitter.com/WStgxkVI4p

— NHL (@NHL) January 3, 2026

That perspective isn't rehearsed. It's reflected in how he plays. Barkey’s game has translated because it is rooted in decision-making and spatial awareness. He understands where pressure is coming from, when to support underneath the puck, and how to arrive in scoring areas without abandoning defensive responsibilities. His shifts rarely feel disjointed. They flow.

Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has been careful to frame Barkey’s progress around those details rather than the result on the scoresheet. The goal itself was the visible reward. What mattered more was the sequence that made it possible.

“If you look at the play, where he scored—backdoor, then scoring, that’s awesome,” Tocchet said. “But I love what happened in our end… He’s willing to play that 200-foot game to get that. As a coach, that’s what you want to see. He’s not just looking to play a half-ice game; he’s playing a full game.”

Denver Barkey Reflects On A Largely Successful Season And An Even More Promising FutureDenver Barkey's star was launched into the stratosphere during the 2023-24 season, where he burned intensely bright—and shows no sign of burning out anytime soon.

That distinction explains why Barkey has earned trust quickly. He doesn’t drift toward offense at the expense of structure, and he doesn’t disappear when the puck moves away from him. His defensive routes are clean. His support is timely. He closes space with purpose. 

The foundation for that maturity lies in Barkey’s hockey sense, which Tocchet has singled out repeatedly, but there's another trait the head coach highlighted that might not immediately come to mind when fans think of the five-foot-ten, 174-pound winger. 

Recalling what qualities stood out to him as far back as watching Barkey captain the London Knights to an OHL Championship, the Flyers bench boss said, “The one impressive thing about him, obviously, is his hockey IQ. But he’s not scared to go into a corner. He’s a small guy, but just goes in reckless sometimes. He doesn’t care. He’s got a lot of courage.”

Re: Denver Barkey’s future with the Flyers, Rick Tocchet said he admires his hockey IQ and grittiness but understands “you can’t have a guy living out of a suitcase long-term.” Said that he, Danny Briere, and Keith Jones will have discussions about him and continue to evaluate.

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) January 5, 2026

That courage isn’t performative. Barkey doesn’t seek out collisions, but he doesn’t avoid them either. He wins body positioning through anticipation, uses contact to extend plays, and remains available in traffic. He plays with the understanding that NHL ice demands commitment in uncomfortable areas, and he hasn't tried to negotiate around that reality.

There is also a continuity to what Barkey is doing now and what the organization believed he could be. Tocchet referenced conversations dating back to his arrival in Philadelphia, including early endorsements from President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones.

"Jonesy told me when I took the job, 'You'll like this kid,'" he said.

The traits showing up at the NHL level—competitiveness, awareness, fearlessness—are not new developments. They are simply being tested under brighter lights.

Still, none of this eliminates the complexity of the decision facing the Flyers. Barkey’s performance has earned him consideration, but performance alone is not the only variable. The NHL calendar is unforgiving, and the mental and physical toll of the season is often where young players face their steepest learning curve.

“We’re still evaluating, but he’s putting some good games together,” Tocchet said. “It’s a heavy schedule. It’s different than juniors and the minors, but we’re seeing, does he wear down, things like that. And we’ve gotta help him out.”

That evaluation is as much about sustainability as it is about readiness. Barkey has handled the pace, structure, and travel schedule across his seven NHL games so far. The question is whether the environment he’s in right now is the one best suited to support continued growth over months, not weeks.

Tocchet addressed another factor that weighs heavily on development decisions: stability.

“There’s a time, also, where you can’t have a guy living out of a suitcase,” he said. “You’ve got the mental aspect, too… You can do it short-term, but I don’t think you can do the long-term.”

That reality frames the conversation going forward. Keeping Barkey in the NHL would require a clear, consistent role and the support structures to match it. Sending him to the AHL would not be a retreat, but a strategic choice to provide continuity and minimize friction in a critical stage of development.

What Barkey has already done, however, is shift the tone of that discussion. This is no longer about whether he belongs. He has answered that question with his play. The remaining decision is about timing, context, and long-term benefit—how best to ensure that the qualities he’s already shown not only persist, but deepen.

For a player this young, that's an enviable position to be in. And for the Flyers, it's a testament to a prospect that knows exactly what kind of player he is, and knows how to show it on the biggest stage.

S.O.S. to the Blueshirt Brass:

If you want to make the playoffs, here are the teams in the way:

1.Tampa Bay Lightning: Head coach Jon Cooper has made miracles of a team that refused to die even after Steve Stamkos became an ex-Bolt.

2.Carolina Hurricanes: They won't win the Stanley Cup because they still don't have the goaltending, but they have everything else, including a driving coach.

3.Boston Bruins: The rookie coach Marco Sturm has made a huge difference along with surprise hotshot Morgan Geekie and Jeremy Swayman's solid goaltending. This is a Beantown team in a comeback year.

4.Washington Capitals: As long as Al Ovechkin is leading them and Tom Wilson is pacing them, the Caps are well-balanced  with Logan Thompson as one of the NHL's best goalkeepers. Because of Wilson, they have New York's number.

5.Montreal Canadiens: Although Marty St.Louis is not coaching “The Flying Frenchmen of yesteryear,” he still has a flying team. He also has enough talented youngsters for a strong second half. The ugly part is that Marty's goalies are terrible.

6.Pittsburgh Penguins: All they needed was a new coach. Dan Muse is doing what Mike Sullivan could not; getting A-Plus efforts from Sidney Crosby, Gino Malkin and Kris Letang. Muse also will do what Sully didn't – and may not with the Rangers – is get Pitt back in the postseason. 

7. New Jersey Devils: They should do better with the Hughes boys Luke and Jack and good balance up and down the line. But even though they underperform, the Devs' talent spread from goal to attack is better than most.

8.Buffalo Sabres: The Law of Averages stated that – sooner or later – Buffalo would find its way to the playoffs. An across the board group of good kids is finding the way. Plus, Lindy Ruff still knows how to coach.

9.New York Islanders: Despite a killing collection of injuries, the Isles keep finding ways to stay in the mix. And an amazing rookie Dman Matthew Schaefer is leading them. The Nassaumen showed the Rangers a thing or two – goals, that is – on December 27th.

10. Florida Panthers: Rules No. 1 through No. 32: Never bet against the champions!