The Detroit Red Wings have already brought in a key reinforcement between the pipes, acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. 

Following the emergence of Lukas Dostal in Anaheim, who also recently re-signed former Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso, Gibson was the odd-man out but has several years of hockey left in him at just 31 years old. 

There still remains a chance that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could make additional trades, but this time to supplement their forward or defensive units. 

"We have plenty of cap space to do a lot of different things,” Yzerman said last week. “The most important thing is to find players that fit." 

Currently, the Red Wings have just over $12 million of available salary cap space after the acquisition of Gibson, the contract extension for Patrick Kane, and free agent signings of James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ian Mitchell, and John Leonard.

Detroit would love to add a top-six forward who can immediately make an impact for them. But which names would make the most sense for them to add up front? 

Jason Robertson

Perhaps the most obvious name making the rounds amongst Red Wings fans is Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars. 

The Stars are facing a salary cap crunch after the massive extension Mikko Rantanen, and would love to shed salary. Robertson, who is only two seasons removed from scoring 46 goals, has still been heavily involved in recent trade rumors. 

Jason Robertson scores three goals in the second period for his first hatty of the season! 🌟

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUSpic.twitter.com/P8Gf6xSJ0R

— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2025

Not only would Robertson be an instant offensive impact player for the Red Wings (35 goals in 2024-25), but they'd easily be able to fit him under their current salary cap situation. He's under contract for another season with a $7.75 million cap hit, and can become a free agent in the summer of 2026. 

It also doesn't hurt that Robertson is from Northville, about 30 minutes outside of downtown Detroit, and also played for both Little Caesars and the Detroit Kings AAA team as a youngster.

Getting a deal done involving Robertson between Yzerman and Stars GM Jim Nill, who was Detroit's assistant general manager for several years, wouldn't be a difficult proposition. 

Bryan Rust

Speaking of players with Michigan connections, current Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust hails from Pontiac and played for the Detroit Honeybaked Hockey Club while growing up a fan of the Red Wings. 

Rust, who helped the Penguins become the first club since the 1997 and 1998 Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons (2016, 2017), is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 31 goals.

Bryan Rust makes POWER MOVES ONLY! 💪 pic.twitter.com/zkVq0ojoEB

— NHL (@NHL) December 13, 2024

He's scored no less than 20 goals in each of his last six seasons, and could also soon be on the move from the rebuilding Penguins. He would also give the Red Wings another forward with a right-handed shot.

Rust has three seasons remaining on his deal which carries a $5.25 million cap hit. 

Rickard Rakell 

Another player that the Penguins have been rumored to be willing to part ways with is Rickard Rakell.

That's 20 goals this season for Rickard Rakell 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JoskZOtCVZ

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 8, 2025

Like Rust, Rakell is a right-handed shot and also reached a new career-high in goals scored in the 2024-25 NHL season, lightning the lamp 35 times. His previous career-high was 34 goals in 2017-18 as a member of the Ducks. 

Rakell is often utilized on the power play, and has been known throughout his career for his quick release. 

His contract, which carries a $5 million cap hit, has three years remaining. 

Braeden Cootes is known for a multitude of sharp hockey skills. It’s why he was picked 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Seattle Thunderbirds captain has been widely discussed for his leadership qualities, even drawing comparisons to former Canucks captain Bo Horvat for his character and two-way play. While his leadership and ability to play up and down the ice are essential, there’s another aspect to his game that Cootes also likes working on.  

“I love to shoot pucks,” he said after the first day of the Canucks’ development camp last week. “It’s a pretty fun thing to work on, that’s for sure. Back in my gym and in Edmonton, we’ve got a pretty nice shooting area there that I like to work on a lot.” 

Cootes’ appreciation of shooting practice is evident in the player he models his game most after — Brayden Point. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward has scored more than 40 goals in the past three seasons including a 51-goal season back in 2022–23. Even so, Cootes has more than just Point whose game he looks up to. A crop of the NHL’s youth also skate at the same place that Cootes does. The Canucks draft pick listed Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks), Kirby (Montréal Canadiens) and Colton Dach (Chicago Blackhawks), and Kaiden Guhle (Montréal Canadiens) as a few who he has shared the ice with.  

“There’s a lot of guys that are good players that you can, even just from a distance, look at how they’re shooting, how hard they work,” he said. “A lot of good players that I can learn from and watch them.”

Watching other players work on their skills has been beneficial for Cootes, who broke out offensively for the Thunderbirds in 2024–25 by scoring 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 regular season games. Fans got to see his skills firsthand at development camp last week, when he scored on a partial break during Thursday’s prospect scrimmage. When it comes to working on these skills, particularly in preparation for the NHL-level, Cootes cited a couple of things he’s been utilizing. 

“Deception, different ways, watching video,” he explained. “I haven’t really shot on an NHL goal yet, but I’m sure I will in a couple months, and I’ll get a good standard on what that’s like, obviously, and then kind of go from there as well. Just trying to learn different things, new things, to score more.”

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Vancouver Canucks 2024-25 Report Card: Quinn Hughes

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“I Learned That I Love Hockey A Lot”: Canucks Prospect Anthony Romani Reflects On The Past And Looks Forward To The Future

Cootes credits watching other players — skaters and goaltenders — as part of the process he uses to develop his shot. One particular thing he likes to be aware of are “trends” in how some of the NHL’s goals are scored. 

“You look at [Connor] Hellebuyck, about six-foot [four] — it’s pretty hard to shoot high sometimes. Goalies don’t want to go down either, it’s a lot more effort. If you show a little bit of deception, or you can freeze them for a bit, and then go five-hole. But that low glove, low far side, that’s a pretty new common thing in the NHL, where guys are shooting. Just trying to pick up on different trends that you can learn from.” 

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.

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson announced his retirement from the NHL at 34. 

The center played a combined 863 regular-season and playoff games in 13 NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. He was part of the Lightning’s back-to-back Cup wins in 2020 and 2021.

“I’m filled with gratitude as I reflect on a journey that began as a kid in Spokane, Wash., dreaming of hockey,” Johnson said in a statement posted to his social media. “I can feel the crisp air of Eagles Ice Arena, where my mom, Debbie, taught me how to skate, and the countless hours my dad and grandpa spent coaching me, urging me to push harder.

“A short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL were very slim. But my family – my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents – believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”

In fact, Johnson has won championships in the WHL, world juniors, AHL and NHL during his hockey career. He won the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup, playoff MVP honors and the Memorial Cup in 2007-08, his first year in major junior hockey. The season afterward, he won gold with Team USA at the world juniors and was named a top-three player on the squad.

“From ages 17 to 20, playing for my community, surrounded by friends and family, was an honor I’ll cherish forever,” Johnson said.

After four seasons with the Spokane Chiefs, Johnson went undrafted and played two seasons in the AHL before entering the NHL. He won the Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012. 

Following that season, he played 62 games for the Syracuse Crunch before the Lightning called him up for 14 games to end the 2012-13 season.

Johnson’s best years were with the Bolts, including a career year in 2014-15. In 77 appearances, he recorded 29 goals and 43 assists for 72 points. He finished eighth in Selke Trophy voting that season, the highest he’s ranked for any award in his career.

“In the Lightning organization, I found my place,” Johnson said. He said Tampa was also where he met his wife, Megan.

His career ended with a short stint in Boston. He played nine games for the Bruins, recording two assists while averaging 13:05 of ice time. His tenure in Boston didn’t last, as his contract was mutually terminated after he made the roster through a PTO.

Johnson signs off with a total of 193 goals and 433 points with an average of 16:24 of ice time and a plus-19 rating. In the playoffs, he scored 32 goals and 65 points in 116 appearances, averaging 15:49 of ice time and a plus-seven rating.

“Now, after a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “I’m thrilled to focus on starting a family and exploring new paths. This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets – only gratitude for the rinks, the teammates, the fans and a sport that will always ignite my soul. Thank you all for being part of my journey.”

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Former Seattle Kraken Director of Player Development, Jeff Tambellini, has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning as Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations.

Tambellini has been with the Kraken since the 2022-23 season, working as the Director of Player Development for three seasons. The Kraken have seen positive results from young players coming through their minor league system, and a large part is because of Tambellini's success. 

Prior to joining the Kraken, the 41-year-old worked as a College Scout for the Lightning.

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the Lightning organization,” said Tambellini. “It’s where I played, got my first NHL job, and earned my first Stanley Cup ring. I’m thrilled to once again work with such a great group of hockey professionals in Tampa Bay. I want to thank Julien (BriseBois) for the opportunity to take this next step in my career, and I can’t wait to get to Tampa and get started.”

Lightning hire Jeff Tambellini as Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey OperationsOn Monday the Lightning announced the hiring of Jeff Tambellini as the new Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations. The move effectively fills the vacancy left by Mathieu Darche, who was named General Manager of the New York Islanders in May.

Tambellini played 242 games in the NHL during his career, and he's used his experiences in hockey in the second stage of his career. The Kraken will thoroughly miss Tambellini, and he had only good things to say about his time in Seattle. 

“I would also like to personally thank Ron Francis, Jason Botterill, and the entire Seattle Kraken organization for an incredible three years and for believing in me. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity they gave me and for allowing me to pursue this exciting new role."

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

When asked about getting "bigger" after the Nashville Predators Future Stars Game, forward Egor Surin seemed surprised. 

"I'm bigger and stronger? You didn't see the Russian players. I was small, he said. 

Since being drafted 22nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Surin has added five more pounds and grown an inch, now standing at 6-foot-2-inches and weighing 197 pounds. It may not seem like much, but the way Surin skated and handled his build on the ice stood out. 

In Saturday's game, he scored a goal and assisted on another, with his conversion serving as the first of the game. Throughout the development camp, Surin has utilized his size and speed to his advantage, making it difficult for other players to push him off the puck. 

During the 3-on-3 tournament, while the ice was cut in half, Surin had no issue maintaining possession end-to-end and creating his own scoring chances.

He wasn't the biggest player on the ice, but it was obvious that he was comfortable playing within his frame. 

"I like this time [of year]," Surin said. "I like my new friends, Swedish, American and Canadian guys. 
Everybody is so good, and I think that shows for friends and for our coaches good skills." 

The reason why Surin believes his game has spiked is cause he never really had a break. 

After being drafted, he trained in Florida before joining the KHL with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. In his first KHL season, he posted 14 points in 41 games and won the Gagarin Cup at just 18 years old. 

Once that season ended, he arrived to development camp. He has a little bit of time off this year before KHL camp starts at the end of July. 

"There's no relaxing at all. It's practicing all the time," Surin said.

Nashville was still on Surin's mind when playing in Russia, as former Predators forward Alexander Radulov was his teammate. 

Radulov had a complicated time in Nashville, leaving the team before his contract expired to go play in the KHL before returning to play with the Predators for 17 games during the 2011-12 regular season and postseason. 

However, Surin understood from Radulov what it was like to play in Nashville and what it was going to take for him to make the jump to the NHL. 

"We [Surin and Radulov] talked about Nashville and the NHL, and I know what I must do to be better," Surin said. "He said that this is a great city and he liked playing in Nashville. He also told me about playing in the NHL. You need to be fast, strong, and you must be ready." 

There's a lot of excitement around Surin's arrival to Nashville (or Milwaukee) but it likely won't happen until the 2026-27 season. He is in the final year of his KHL contract, which expires in May 2026. 

Welcome back to The Wraparound, where we discuss topics across the NHL in rapid-fire segments.

Should The Lightning's Quiet Free Agency Be A Concern? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Diandra Loux and Michael Augello discussed in today's episode:

0:00: Which player who elected for salary arbitration is due for the biggest payday?

4:35: Breaking down the Buffalo Sabres’ decision to elect for arbitration with Bowen Byram

9:50: Was Cam York’s extension a good deal for the Philadelphia Flyers?

15:25: Should the Toronto Maple Leafs pursue Jack Roslovic?

22:20: Are the Dallas Stars still considered Stanley Cup contenders?

25:45: Why Jakub Dobes’ extension was a smart move for the Montreal Canadiens

28:48: Will Jake O’Brien suit up for the Seattle Kraken this season?

31:50: Is a quiet free agency a cause for concern for the Tampa Bay Lightning?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Promo image credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

After five days, development camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins has finally reached its conclusion.

And - although it’s, generally, hard to pull anything definitive from this camp - there were some nuggets here and there that could offer a bit of a glimpse into the Penguins’ future.

Between a few camp standouts and a larger pool of talent in general, there was a good bit more buzz surrounding development camp than there has been in years prior. Coaches, media, and fans got their first look at the 13 players from the 2025 draft class in action, and there were also some camp veterans who showed signs of growth from last year’s event.

Suffice to say, there was a bit more of a competitive aspect to camp that has, maybe, been more so lacking in years past.

"Everyone here is competing for a spot," said Will Horcoff, who was drafted 24th overall by the Penguins this year. "Everyone's super competitive, so it's making everyone better. If everyone gives 100 percent effort - which they are - things will get a little chippy, and that's great. Without that, you aren't getting any better, so I think it's great that everyone competes hard." 

Here are five observations from Penguins’ development camp.

Dubas May Have Sought Quantity In This Year's Draft. But That Doesn't Mean He Missed On Quality.In the aftermath of every NHL Draft, the analysis always comes due.

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Harrison Brunicke looks pro-ready

There was a lot of buzz surrounding Brunicke, 19, both before development camp and during. And for good reason.

Of course, development camp isn’t the tip-top level of competition and ferocity that training camp is, so it’s worth noting that the expectation was for a player like Brunicke to stand out among the rest. Brunicke - captain for Team Patrick - was also set to return for his second development camp, which is one more than many of the players in attendance. 

That said, he really did show that he was just a slight level above everyone else at this camp. During game two of the tournament on Monday against Team Johnston, the 6-foot-3, 202-pound blueliner sniped a shot from the slot with the extra attacker and 8.9 seconds on the clock to force a shootout, which would determine who got the chance to move on to the final.

What Is The Best Developmental Path For Top Prospect Harrison Brunicke In 2025-26?For 19-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins' defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, it is only a matter of time. 

After Ben Kindel (Team Patrick) and Cruz Lucius (Team Johnston) scored on their attempts - and Will Horcoff (Team Johnston) had missed on his - Brunicke capitalized on his with a pinpoint snapshot to the glove side to seal the deal, as Oliver Tulk was stopped on Team Johnston’s third attempt.

He also pots the game-winning shootout goal to send Team Patrick to the final against Team Stevens. #LetsGoPens@TheHockeyNews#DevelopmentCamp#NHLpic.twitter.com/2fOak8Pyqf

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) July 7, 2025

I already wrote a piece on how Brunicke has limited options - juniors or NHL - next season due to his AHL and NCAA ineligibility. I asked Director of Player Development Tom Kostopoulos about the AHL ineligibility rule and if it presents any developmental challenges for a player in Brunicke’s position - one who is, likely, ready for the jump to professional hockey.

“I think so. That's a good question," Kostopoulos said. "I think it's something that the league should look at, because he's probably played his way out of junior hockey and might be ready for a step up. I'm not in charge of those rules, but you're probably right."

Brunicke will, very obviously, be one of the biggest stories to watch in training camp, as he nearly made the NHL roster last season as an 18-year-old. We’ll see what happens on the trade front for the Penguins the rest of the summer, too, but don’t discount the possibility of Brunicke at least getting the nine-game trial.

#LetsGoPens Director of Player Development Tom Kostopoulos on whether the AHL ineligibility rule presents any challenges on the developmental side for players like Harrison Brunicke: @TheHockeyNews#NHL#AHLpic.twitter.com/8b7Z9H4R1C

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) July 7, 2025

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Keep an eye on Will Horcoff

If there was one name brought up almost as much as Brunicke’s it was Will Horcoff’s. 

The Penguins’ 24th overall pick in this year’s draft was the youngest player in the NCAA last season, when the 6-foot-4, 190-pound center put up four goals and 10 points in 17 games for the University of Michigan. During camp, he was noticeable in a lot of ways.

He cut around defenders without much issue, his skating was smooth, and he scored a few slick goals - including two in Monday’s tournament for Team Johnston - that really put his soft hands and his skill on display. 

Evergreen for Day 5. https://t.co/eP1tBb7LU7

— Hunter (@HunterHodies) July 7, 2025

When I spoke with Horcoff Sunday, he said that the goal at development camp was to see how the pros train. Given how young he was relative to his NCAA peers last season, it’s fair to assume that picking up on some of the habits of Pittsburgh's veterans will only help him get better and, hopefully, be even more productive for Michigan next season. 

"I got to see Sid a couple days ago," Horcoff said. "He was out on the ice by himself, then he was in the workout room by himself, so just seeing how hard he works, I can take something away from that to bring back to Michigan."

Many fans scoffed at the Horcoff pick as a reach. While it’s way too early to be making any kind of judgment call on that, there seems to, at least, be some legitimate talent there.

Reaction: Penguins Take Will Horcoff As 24th Overall SelectionAfter a long night of anticipation, the Pittsburgh Penguins made what is presumed to be their final draft selection in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.

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Camp just keeps on growing… and so does the Penguins’ developmental staff

One of the topics that was touched on Monday during Kostopoulos’s second media availability of camp was the growth of development camp as a whole. 

There were 52 invites to camp this season - including the four injured players in Tanner Howe, Luke Devlin, Maleek McGowan, and Zam Plante - which is more than the Penguins have ever had at this event. Kostopoulos credited the Penguins’ scouting department and his developmental staff, who identified some of the undrafted and collegiate talent that received invitations.

But he stressed that a lot of the credit goes toward the actual growth of the developmental staff as a whole, which is something that GM and POHO Kyle Dubas mentioned during the draft. The ability to invite more players directly correlates with both the influx of talent in the system and the team’s ability to accommodate those players through sheer numbers.

“My staff is amazing,” Kostopoulos said. “The development staff is fantastic. I feel like the L.A. Dodgers. I’ve got a lineup full of overly qualified people that I can use to send out to visit our prospects, that I can use in Wheeling, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh. 

“I think that ownership and management has built out a ton of resources available to players that can only help them. And, if the players are willing to use that to help them develop, that’s where we’re seeing growth in some of the players. It’s been a lot of fun to watch the growth in the staff, then resulting in helping the players develop.”

Penguins Prospects Development Camp: Day Four RecapWe finally got to see some scrimmages between the top Pittsburgh Penguins prospects during development camp on Sunday, and they didn’t disappoint. Several players, including one from yesterday’s session, had solid days and will look to make an even bigger impact during Monday’s tournament. 

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Dubas, Spezza, and co. will have some tough decisions on the blue line

If one thing is for certain about this Penguins’ prospect pool, it’s that they’re pretty loaded up on the back end.

Dubas said that the organization likes where it’s at in terms of defensive prospect depth, and it’s easy to see why. Guys like Brunicke and Owen Pickering tend to dominate the headlines - which makes sense, as they are - as of now - the two closest to NHL-ready with the highest ceilings - but other players like Emil Pieniniemi, Finn Harding, Kalle Kangas, and Chase Pietila are primed to turn pro next season. There are also the 2025 draftees in Charlie Trethewey, Quinn Beauchesne, Peyton Kettles, and Brady Peddle, as well as other signees in Daniel Laatsch, Joona Vaisanen, and David Breazeale. 

With all of that defensive depth, the Penguins are going to have some decisions to make regarding their rosters in not just the NHL, but also the AHL and ECHL. Some players are still juniors-eligible - with Brunicke and the draft class topping that list - while others, like Vaisanen, will likely return to the NCAA. 

There are going to be some battles for roster spots during training camp, and it’s a good problem for the Penguins to have. They may not have a generational blueliner - or even a surefire top-pairing guy - waiting in the wings, but they certainly have enough prospect talent that the depth on their blue line should not be an issue for the foreseeable future.

It will be fun to see how all of that unfolds over the next few seasons.

With Breadth Of Positional Depth In The System, Penguins' Defensive Prospects Eager To Take Next StepsWhen Pittsburgh Penguins’ Prospect Development Camp began on Thursday, 48 players took the to the ice - some for the first time in black and gold, others returned to a familiar place.

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The Penguins have more organizational talent than they’ve had in a long time… and people are noticing

I might be stating the obvious here, but there is more prospect talent in the Penguins’ organization than there has been since the very early years of the Sidney Crosby era - perhaps, even longer.

And it’s clear that fans are excited about it.

I covered training camp last season, and there were more fans in the building on Monday for the tournament than there were for some of the training camp days. I normally don’t have any trouble finding a parking spot at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, but I had to park in the overflow lot.

When the NHL team isn’t getting the results fans want to see, it’s natural for folks to look ahead to the future. And it was evident throughout this camp that there may, indeed, be a brighter future to look forward to. 

The 2025 first-rounders - Kindel, Horcoff, and Bill Zonnon - each stood out in their own respective ways and at different times. Brunicke is a draw for fans. I heard people talking about Trethewey, who is a product of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program. Beauchesne - drafted in the fifth round (148th overall) - did not at all look like a fifth-rounder throughout this camp.

There is a lot to like about the current Penguins’ prospect pool and its direction, and fans should be excited to look ahead to the next generation of Penguins’ hockey.

'We’re Thrilled With The Players That We Have': 3 Takeaways From Penguins' Day One DraftDay One of the 2025 NHL Draft is officially wrapped, and the Pittsburgh Penguins were certainly one of the more active teams in the first round.

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Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! 

Feature image credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News      

Former Carolina Hurricane Zac Dalpe has announced his retirement from professional hockey at the age of 35.

Dalpe was drafted by the Hurricanes 45th overall in the 2008 draft, and registered his first point in his first NHL game (a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild).

Dalpe spent four seasons with the Hurricanes organization and got 41 games with the big club over that span.

He scored his first goal in January 1, 2011 against the New Jersey Devils.

Despite that, Dalpe never really got a true shot, averaging less than 10 minutes a game.

Eventually, he was traded alongside Jeremy Welsh to the Vancouver Canucks for Kellan Tochkin and a 2014 fourth-round pick (Josh Wesley).

From there, Dalpe would bounce around as an NHL/AHL tweener for five different organizations, eventually earning himself stints as captain with both the Cleveland Monsters and Charlotte Checkers.

Dalpe played 168 NHL games with 16 goals and 32 points and 574 AHL games with 220 goals and 392 points.

"I’m proud of what I got to do, but more importantly I’m so proud of who I got to do it with," Dalpe wrote. "I appreciate every single person that was along for the greatest ride of my life. A Canadian kid got to be a hockey player for 15 years. In the beautiful words of Gord Downie - I got to go, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you."

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

The Buffalo Sabres signed a pair of free agents in winger Justin Danforth and goalie Alex Lyon to two-year deals on July 1, but did not make any kind of big splash with the club facing the prospect of a 15th straight season outside the playoffs. In terms of former Sabres in the opening week of free agency, defenseman Henri Jokiharju re-upped with the Boston Bruins on a three-year, $9 million contract extension and Tyson Jost re-signed on a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina, but a number of others changed addresses.   

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Minnesota Wild, one-year, $775,000/$500,000 - Aube-Kubel joined the Sabres after playing two seasons in Washington, and scored only one goals in 19 games with the Sabres before being demoted to AHL Rochester. He was dealt to the NY Rangers for defenseman Erik Brannstrom, who finished out the year with the Amerks and headed to Europe.

Dennis Gilbert - Philadelphia, one-year, $875,000 - The Buffalo native signed a one-year deal to add some toughness to the Sabres blueline. Gilbert did drop the gloves in defense of teammate Tage Thompson, unfortunately, it was in the following game against Columbus. He was dealt along with Dylan Cozens to Ottawa at the deadline. 

Jacob Bernard-Docker - Detroit, one-year, $875,000 - Acquired in the Cozens deal, Bernard-Docker played 15 games for the Sabres, but did not receive a qualifying offer. 

Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram

Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change

Curtis Lazar - Edmonton, one-year, $775,000 - The 30-year-old journeyman spent the last three seasons with New Jersey, but after a career-high 25 points in 2023-24, he dipped to just five points in 48 games with the Devils last season. 

Riley Stillman - Edmonton, two-year, $1.55 million / $450,000 / $475,000 - After spending his last season in the Sabres organization with Rochester, the 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with Carolina and played mostly with the AHL Chicago Wolves. He now signs a two-year, two-way deal with the Oilers as a depth defenseman. 

Joel Armia - Los Angeles, two-year, $5 million ($2.5 million AAV) - The Sabres former first-rounder had an excellent season in Montreal as a bottom-six winger and penalty killer (11 goals, 18 assists in 81 games) and cashes in on a two-year deal with the Kings. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

Report: Sharks expected to trade veteran defenseman after recent acquisitions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

It looks like the Sharks are going to trade a defenseman.

At the moment, the Sharks have eight NHL-caliber blueliners on the roster, after signing Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg in free agency, and claiming Nick Leddy off waivers.

That’s in addition to Mario Ferraro, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Timothy Liljegren, Vincent Desharnais, and Henry Thrun.

None are waiver-exempt.

They also have prospects Jack Thompson, Luca Cagnoni, and Sam Dickinson waiting in the wings.

On Thursday, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnottta suggested that Ferraro, Liljegren, or Thrun could be available.

Elliotte Friedman confirmed Pagnotta’s reporting on his “32 Thoughts Podcast” on Sunday.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins made multiple additions to their roster in free agency earlier this month. One of them was defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, as the Penguins signed him to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1 million.

While this was not one of the biggest signings of the NHL off-season, the Penguins made a smart move bringing in Wotherspoon. The 27-year-old has the potential to be a solid part of the Penguins' blueline over the next two years, as is a serviceable stay-at-home defenseman. 

When looking at the Penguins' roster, Wotherspoon should have a good chance to play on their bottom pairing. Furthermore, due to his steady defensive play, he also has experience playing on the penalty kill. Thus, he could help the Penguin in this area, too. 

Another element about Wotherspoon's game that should benefit the Penguins is that he can play both the left and the right side. As a result, having him on their roster will certainly come in handy when injuries inevitably arise during the season for the Penguins. 

Overall, there is no real harm in the Penguins bringing in a solid blueliner like Wotherspoon. He proved to be a nice piece of the Bruins' defense over the last two seasons, and he should be just the very same for Pittsburgh from here.

In 108 career NHL games over three seasons split between the New York Islanders and Bruins, Wotherspoon has recorded one goal, 16 points, 140 blocks, 167 hits, and a plus-1 rating. It will be interesting to see how he builds upon these career stats during this two-year deal with the Penguins from here.

NHL Rumors: Penguins Top Trade Candidate Wants To Stay PutRickard Rakell is one of multiple Pittsburgh Penguins players who have been in the rumor mill this off-season. With the Penguins retooling their roster and Rakell coming off a career season, all eyes have been on the 32-year-old winger. 

Photo Credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

It may have been the best thing for the New York Rangers and Ryan Lindgren to part ways during the 2024-25 season, but that doesn't mean it wasn’t sad.

After spending the entirety of his NHL career playing for the Rangers, Lindgren was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in March ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. 

When the trade was completed, Lindgren felt a sense of sadness, followed up by a feeling of excitement to embark on a new chapter. 

“I spent the last six years in one spot,” Lindgren said. “And then, you wake up one morning, go to the rink, and find out you're moving to another team. And I think a lot of emotions go through that. Obviously, at first, you're very sad to leave that team, but you go to another team and realize ... just meeting everyone, and when you start playing games, it's a blast. It was a lot of fun to do that in Colorado and have a good team.”

The 27-year-old defenseman played in 18 games for the Avalanche, recording two goals, one assist, and three points while averaging 19:00 minutes.

The Avalanche had Stanley Cup aspirations, but ultimately were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

Lindgren departed Colorado to sign a four-year, $18 million contract with the Seattle Kraken at the start of the Free Agent Frenzy. 

He now rejoins former Rangers teammate Kaapo Kakko, whom he raved about during his introductory press conference with the Kraken. 

Former Rangers Defenseman Ryan Lindgren Signs Four-Year, $18 Million Contract With KrakenFormer New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren has signed a four-year, $18 million contract.  Lindgren will earn $4.5 million per season as part of this deal. 

“He is one of my favorite guys I played with in my career, just such a good dude,” Lindgren said. “Everyone loves him, such a hard-working, great player. As soon as he went to Seattle last year, he really took off and played well. I’m excited to be back playing with him and really excited to see him again.”

Lindgren is one of many former Rangers defensemen to be traded from New York or leave the organization over the past year, in a list that includes Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, and Zac Jones.

The 2024-25 NHL season began with the hockey world reeling from the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

Teammates carried the brothers’ spirits with them throughout the year, underpinning several major moments and paying fitting tribute to the two young men.

On the ice, the reign of one Central Division star came to a conclusion, while another had an unexpected re-beginning. Franchise players changed area codes (one even did it twice!).

International best-on-best men’s hockey returned with a bang. Florida tasted glory again. And Alex Ovechkin did what once seemed impossible.

Here are the top moments of the 2024-25 NHL season.

1. Alex Ovechkin Breaks All-Time NHL Goals Record

Wayne Gretzky holds many NHL records, but he has one fewer now that Alex Ovechkin achieved something once thought impossible: breaking Gretzky’s all-time goals record of 894.

On April 6, 2025, Ovechkin sent a wrist shot past New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin for the Washington superstar’s 895th career goal, setting off a jubilant celebration with his Capitals teammates.

Ovechkin dove across the ice on his belly to mark his record-breaking tally, which happened to occur 21 years to the day after Washington won the 2004 draft lottery. With that pick, the Caps selected Ovechkin first overall.

In the wake of the big goal, the game was stopped for a 15-minute ceremony featuring commissioner Gary Bettman and Gretzky himself, who had been supportive of Ovechkin’s run in the lead-up to 895.

2. Panthers Win Back-To-Back Cups

It was a rematch of the previous final, and once again, the Florida Panthers came out on top against the Edmonton Oilers.

This time, it only took six games, and the Cats were dominant when they had to be. Sure, three of the first four games in the series went into overtime, and the final was tied at two games apiece, but for Games 5 and 6, the Panthers brought down the hammer.

Sam Reinhart had four goals in the clinching 5-1 victory, while Sam Bennett earned the Conn Smythe Trophy on the strength of a league-best 15 post-season goals. Like the complete team they are, the Panthers got contributions from everyone, whether it was the suffocating defense of captain and center Aleksander Barkov, the clutch goal-scoring of new addition Brad Marchand or the 18 goals scored by defensemen. And when Florida needed a save, Sergei Bobrovsky was there as usual.

For the second straight year, the fans in Sunrise got to see their franchise win it all on home ice. And with back-to-back Stanley Cups and three straight appearances in the final, the dynasty discussion has begun in earnest.

3. Canada Wins 4 Nations

What started as atournament few people were enthused about turned into a white-hot geopolitical showdown between North American neighbors – or is “neighbours” more accurate?

The mid-season 4 Nations Face-Off kicked off in Montreal, and with all due respect to Finland and Sweden, it was all about Canada-USA.

The two rivals literally battled in Montreal after a booed Star-Spangled Banner, with three fights in the first nine seconds, turning the 4 Nations into one of the most buzzed-about hockey stories in years and drawing in loads of non-hockey fans. Team USA won that match, but Canada got revenge in Boston days later, winning the tournament on a Connor McDavid overtime goal.

The players had always said they wanted a best-on-best international tournament, and the skeptics who wanted more teams participating quickly quieted down when the event turned into a barnburner.

4. Columbus Honors Gaudreau Brothers

It was a tragedy thatshook the entire hockey world.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, taking a bike ride on the eve of their sister’s summer wedding, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey.

While everyone mourned the loss of the brothers, the epicenter of grieving was in Columbus, where ‘Johnny Hockey’ was a star with the Blue Jackets. The franchise honored the gifted winger before their home-opener against Florida, raising a banner in Gaudreau’s memory as part of a moving ceremony.

The tributes would not end there, however. The Blue Jackets and Flames (the team Gaudreau began his NHL career with) got together to remember him when they played in December, while his legacy was also stitched into the festivities of Columbus’ outdoor game against Detroit. Gaudreau Team USA jerseys were also kept in the dressing room of the gold-medal winning American WJC team and by the U.S. squad at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

5. Marc-Andre Fleury Plays Final NHL Game

While the celebrations came at the end of the regular season, let the record show that Marc-Andre Fleury’s final NHL appearance came on April 29, 2025, against the Vegas Golden Knights.

‘Flower’ came in to replace starter Filip Gustavsson, who fell ill during the game. Before that, however, a Hall of Fame career concluded in earnest two weeks prior when Fleury was inserted into the crease for OT against Anaheim. His Wild won in the extra frame, and the opposing Ducks congratulated Fleury after the game.

Fleury also suited up for Canada at the World Championship in the spring, hooking up with former Pittsburgh buddy Sidney Crosby one more time.

But it’s in the NHL where he made his mark. A legendary teammate and prankster, Fleury retires after 21 seasons. That run included three Stanley Cup rings with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a Vezina Trophy with Vegas. Fittingly, the French-Canadian Fleury also posted a shutout against the Canadiens in his last appearance in Montreal.

6. Mikko Rantanen Gets Traded... Twice

It was shocking enough when it happened the first time, but the second? That nearly broke the hockey internet.

Colorado traded lifelong Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen to Carolina on Jan. 24 in a blockbuster three-way deal that also saw Taylor Hall join the Hurricanes, with Martin Necas, Jack Drury and a couple of picks heading to the Avs. Chicago served as the intermediary on Rantanen’s cap hit, and the Hawks received a third-rounder for their troubles.

But Rantanen never felt comfortable in Carolina – he didn’t want to leave Colorado in the first place, but the Avs were worried about his upcoming contract extension – and soon, the rumors crept in that he would be traded again.

Sure enough, right at the deadline, Dallas swooped in and grabbed the Finnish power forward in a deal that sent promising young Logan Stankoven the other way, plus four draft picks, including two conditional firsts.

Rantanen repaid the Stars by helping them eliminate his old mates from Colorado in the first round of the playoffs, then going wild against Winnipeg in the second round. Unfortunately, a Cup final against Carolina was not meant to be, as the Canes and Stars were both eliminated in the conference final.

7. Gabriel Landeskog Plays Again After Three Full Seasons Away

No one would have guessed that the last time we would see Gabriel Landeskog was when the Colorado Avalanche captain was hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head back in 2022. But it had started looking like a possibility after a debilitating knee injury kept him off NHL ice for three whole seasons.

Still, Landeskog kept working, and after more than 1,000 days, he finally put a Colorado sweater back on for Game 3 of the Avalanche’s first-round playoff series against Dallas. Before that, the only competitive action Landeskog had seen was two games with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles as he prepared for his NHL return. The Avalanche ended up losing to Dallas in that series, but it sure was good to see the captain back on the ice.

8. Brad Marchand Goes From Boston Bruins To Florida Panthers

When you think of Brad Marchand, you think of the Bruins. But a shocking trade at the deadline turned the career Boston left winger into a key member of the Panthers as they went on another Stanley Cup run.

Yes, ‘The Rat’ became a Cat.

Marchand fit in seamlessly, joining a team that already had top agitators Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett in the lineup. Marchand’s exit from Boston was controversial, as it became public that negotiations on a potential contract extension had gone poorly. Marchand was the Bruins’ captain, after all, and didn’t have a burning desire to leave. But Florida got him for a conditional first-round pick, an absolute steal. He also started a new tradition, as players began shooting the plastic rats tossed on the ice after playoff wins directly at Marchand.

9. Winnipeg Jets Win First Presidents' Trophy

In a top-heavy Central Division featuring Dallas and Colorado, Winnipeg managed to thrive in the regular season.

The Jets earned 116 points to lead the NHL and earn the franchise’s first Presidents’ Trophy. They won seven of their final 10 games, helping them take the crown over second-place Washington. The Jets had a lot of help, too.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was a monster all year and won the Hart and Vezina, while Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele put up career highs to lead the offense. Perhaps most impressively, however, is that the Jets got it done under first-year coach Scott Arniel, who headed an NHL bench for the first time since being fired by Columbus in January 2012.

Unfortunately for Winnipeg, the Presidents’ Trophy curse hit once again, as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs fell to Dallas in the second round.

10. J.T. Miller Traded To New York Rangers And Drama In Vancouver

Who needs soap operaswhen you have the Vancouver Canucks?

The animosity between star players Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller leaked out into the public sphere, and the rift reached an untenable point as the team struggled. On Jan. 31, the Canucks finally dealt Miller to the New York Rangers in a blockbuster deal that saw Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a 2025 first-round draft pick come back to Vancouver.

Miller felt right at home on Broadway, as he began his career with the Rangers, and Vincent Trocheck is one of his best friends. And while he averaged better than a point per game for New York in the second half, the Rangers still missed the playoffs, as did the Canucks.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Champions Collector's Edition, where we commemorate the Florida Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cups. Also, we feature the champs from leagues across the hockey world, count down the season's top 10 moments and look at breakout players to watch for 2025-26.

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.

EDMONTON – Goalies are voodoo.

Many hockey fans (Edmonton Oilers fans included) don’t have a complete understanding of the goaltending position. It’s an intensely difficult position to wrap your mind around – especially if you haven’t played.

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Luckily, there are individuals out there who don’t share that belief. Many players discuss the influence of a defensive coach or a head coach. Sadly, a goalie coach doesn’t often receive similar recognition, even though their role is equally as important to the success of the team.

The Oilers are primed for some changes in their coaching staff, chief among them being the addition of a new goalie coach. Dustin Schwartz has held the position since 2015. While it’s great to have consistency, perhaps keeping a coach around for 10 years while not winning a Stanley Cup is not a recipe for success?

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There’s a high possibility that the Oilers will run-it-back with the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. If that is the case, these are five candidates the team could pursue to give the players a different voice in their ear who could bring fresh eyes and personalities to the organization.

We’ll categorize the candidates into under-the-radar possibilities and those with extensive experience.

Under-The-Radar Long Shots

These candidates are the ones who have little-to-no experience with previous NHL teams, but offer something unique or have a connection that makes them an intriguing candidate.

Mike Smith

Former NHL goaltender Mike Smith had a storied playing career. He’s taken some time away from the spotlight, and he could consider making a change to his daily routine.

Even during his final years in the NHL with the Oilers, Smith was looking at ways to improve his goaltending craft and sharpen his game. Several players have spoken about the positive effect that Smith’s attitude and mentality have had on them. 

Smith has helped mentor the next generation of goaltenders at the Net360 Goalie Camp. He doesn’t have extensive coaching experience, but his personality, and familiarity with the organization (and specifically Skinner) make him an off-the-board pick who could be a great first time NHL goalie coach.

Adam Francilia

Adam Francilia is already familiar with Skinner. He has been working with the Oilers netminder in the offseason. Most famously, he was name-dropped during the conference finals last playoffs. 

Francilia focuses on biomechanics and positioning. This is one area where he helped Skinner during the 2023-24 regular season. 

Francilia has previous experience working with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. He currently works in player development at the Alpha Hockey agency, where Skinner is currently represented. He has worked with Thatcher Demko, Connor Hellebuyck, James Reimer, and Mike Smith.

His ability to focus on an underrated aspect of goaltending would be a great asset to an organization like the Oilers. However, it’s unknown if he would be willing to leave his current arrangement to become exclusive with an NHL organization.

Justin Cardinal

The last of the potential unknowns who could be a goalie coach option for the Oilers is Justin Cardinal. 

Cardinal is an Alberta-native who runs his own goalie programs. He has experience as a goalie coach in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice and Prince George Cougars.

His biggest claim to fame at this point in his career is being the coach and mentor to two Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders: Vegas Golden Knights goalie duo of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill. (Thompson now plays for the Washington Capitals).

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Goalie Coaches With NHL Experience

There are two options for the Oilers to look at who have experience dealing with NHL goaltenders. It never hurts to take a look at options who have a good deal of directly related experience, and these two certainly fulfill that requirement.

Brian Eklund

Brian Eklund was a volunteer goalie coach in the NCAA for many years. He spent three years with Harvard University before joining Boston University. 

Then Eklund moved on to be an AHL goalie coach, plying his trade to the Utica Coments for the last five seasons.

Steve Briere

Steve Briere has been a professional goalie coach since the 2007-08 season. He began in the NCAA, moved on to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) before hitting the NHL.

Briere first worked with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a goalie coach for seven years before spending his last three seasons with the Seattle Kraken.

Any of these options have the opportunity to be difference makers for the Oilers organization. Whether it’s a fresh, new voice or someone with a longer history of coaching NHL-level talent, any of these options would be a solid swing for the team.

Goalies are voodoo, but they don’t have to be.

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The NHL announced that beginning in the 2026–27 season, neck guards will be mandatory for any players entering the league from that season onward.

Mandating neck guards in professional ice hockey has been a topic of discussion for a while. The AHL, IIHF, USA Hockey, and other leagues have previously required the use of neck guards. However, until the NHL and NHL Players’ Association agreed to a four-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement last Friday, neck guards remained optional at the NHL level.

Under the new policy, neck guards will remain optional for players who have appeared in an NHL game before the start of the 2026–27 season. Any player who begins their NHL career on or after that date will be required to wear one.

The push for mandatory neck guards gained renewed urgency following the tragic death of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson. In 2023, Johnson, then playing for England’s Nottingham Panthers, suffered a fatal skate cut to the neck during a game.

Among those advocating most strongly for change is New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald’s advocacy began in earnest after a terrifying experience involving his son, Casey Fitzgerald, who captained the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack in 2023.

On December 28, 2023, during a game against the Providence Bruins, an opponent’s skate clipped Casey’s neck. He skated to the bench, unaware at first that he was bleeding. Though he was wearing a cut-resistant guard, the blade sliced above the protected area, putting him in a potentially life-threatening situation.

Casey received 25 stitches and was back on the ice just days later, but the incident left a lasting impression on his father.

“I don’t wish that on any parent,” Fitzgerald told The Athletic at the time. “My message was just, ‘Tell the players you don’t want your parents potentially going through something like this, how scary it is. Put as much protection on as you possibly can because you’re going to stop playing at some point, and you’re going to have to live the rest of your life … so live it.’”

Following the incident, Fitzgerald became a vocal advocate for mandatory neck protection. He considered requiring neck guards for Devils players, pushed the NHL to implement a league-wide policy, and encouraged other general managers to do the same.

In March 2025, Fitzgerald stood before all 32 NHL general managers and made his case: neck guards should be mandatory.

His efforts paid off.

After the NHL and NHLPA announced the new policy, Fitzgerald told NHL.com, “I think it’s great. To me, it’s no different than the helmet or the half-shield. I just think kids won’t even realize they’re wearing it, just like the helmet and shield for players in the past. I think it’s a great start for the league.”

As of 2025, only 7.7% of NHL players, just 55 out of roughly 700 skaters, wore neck guards.

One of those players is Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, who not only wears a neck guard but manufactures them through his company, Warroad. The brand specializes in protective gear with cut-resistant technology.

“I made my choice for my kids,” Oshie told The Hockey News in 2023. “I want to stick around for 'em.”

Many players cite discomfort and increased sweating as reasons for avoiding neck protection. But Fitzgerald argues that safety must come first.

“If you give players options, they’re going to take them,” he said. “They’re going to say, ‘I haven’t worn it my whole life, so I’m not going to wear it now.’ So don’t give them options.”

Requiring neck guards is a deeply personal victory for Fitzgerald—not just as a general manager, but as a parent.

“Any time you can continue to look after your players, especially young players as they grow into the league, and help them stay protected, and more importantly, educate them on the different types of things out there that can help them, that’s important,” he said.

Photo Credit: Tom Horak - Imagn Images