For the first time in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson has leverage. The forward filed for salary arbitration on Saturday, which allows a third party to decide his compensation for the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old Robertson scored a career-high 15 goals and added seven assists last season. He played in 69 games with the Leafs last season, a positive sign that the player’s history of injury is indeed in the past. However, the forward was limited to playing in just three of Toronto’s 13 playoff games this past spring, due to decision-making from Leafs head coach Craig Berube.

Robertson has been in the Leafs organization since he was drafted in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Expectations were high for him to replicate his elite goal-scoring at the Ontario Hockey League level, especially when the player was fast-tracked to an NHL debut by suiting up for the club during the 2020 NHL playoffs. However, a combination of injuries and underperformance, coupled with the back-and-forth he experienced in the 2023-24 season between the Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies (AHL) as the club managed its salary cap, has stunted the player’s growth.

'I Understand It But I'm Not Going To Sit Here And Say That I'm Happy': Maple Leafs' Roster Shuffle Tests Nick Robertson's Patience Upon His Return to the TeamRobertson was called up to the Maple Leafs after being sent down to help the team open up some salary cap space.

Last year, Robertson began the summer by requesting a trade away from Toronto. Instead of getting his wish, however, he signed a one-year, $875,000 deal to remain with the team. This past week, the Leafs tendered a $919,000 qualifying offer to Robertson in order to retain the forward’s rights.

Report: Maple Leafs Restricted Free Agent Nick Robertson 'Still Would Prefer A Change Of Address'Robertson reportedly requested a trade away from the Maple Leafs back in June and hasn't changed his stance.

With the departure of Mitch Marner this offseason, players like Robertson will be counted on to pick up the slack in the scoring department. This makes assessing his fair value an interesting exercise if the team and player are unable to come to an agreement beforehand.

The Maple Leafs and Robertson can continue negotiating up until their scheduled hearing begins. Once that happens, both sides will make their case based on prepared comparables (i.e., other players with similar stats, age, and roles) before a third party rules on final compensation.

'The Puzzle Has Got To Come Into Play': Maple Leafs Not Rushing Contracts Of RFAs Nick Robertson And Pontus HolmbergWhile the talk of the town might be whether the Toronto Maple Leafs can sign John Tavares before July 1 rolls around, you cannot forget about their younger restricted free agents.

The “walkaway” number in the collective bargaining agreement is $4.85 million, according to Puckpedia.com. Any award exceeding that number would allow the Leafs not to be obligated to sign the California-born forward, and he would then become an unrestricted free agent.

Robertson currently has 32 goals and 24 assists in 156 NHL games. Given the history, it's not a surprise at all that the player would exercise his right to leverage for the first time in his NHL career. Finding the right value on the player will be interesting.

An arbitrator can only award a one or two-year contract for Robertson. Hearings for all 11 players announced for arbitration will run from July 20 to August 4. 

(Photo Credit, Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

'He Always Wants To Be The Best': Why Tinus Luc Koblar Could Be Maple Leafs' Biggest Steal Of The 2025 NHL DraftA few weeks after being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tinus Luc Koblar is soaking up his time in the city. Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Spotted Back On Ice In New Training Video Shared by Offseason Coach George BosakToronto Maple Leafs fans breathed a sigh of relief when Anthony Stolarz unexpectedly took the ice as Joseph Woll’s backup goaltender in their Game 7 defeat against the Florida Panthers in May, especially as the goaltender later confirmed he was fully cleared from the concussion he sustained from an incident with Panthers forward Sam Bennett in Game 1 of their second-round series. A further positive sign was seeing the goaltender take the ice in full gear with his off-season goaltending coach George Bosak, a moment shared on the coach’s Instagram account on Friday. 'What's This Horse About?': Maple Leafs Prospects React To Having Wild Colt At Development CampThe Toronto Maple Leafs prospects didn't know what they were getting themselves into when they rolled into Exhibition Place on Friday morning.

Nashville Predators development camp came to a close Saturday morning in the Future Stars Game at Ford Ice Center in Bellevue. 

Fans packed the stands to get a glimpse of what the Predators future could look like, and who they could potentially see on the ice this fall. 

It wasn't a traditional game, as there were two 25-minute halves, with 15 minutes of 5-on-5 play, 10 minutes of 4-on-4 play, and a five-man shootout. Goals scored in every segment counted toward the final score. 

Here are the biggest takeaways from this year's Future Stars Game. 

Future Stars Game rosters

Gold

Forwards: Brady Martin, Kalan Lind, Matthew Wood, Viktor Norringer, David Edstrom, Joey Willis, Felix Nilsson, Ryker Lee, Teddy Stiga, Erik Pahlsson.

Defense: Viggo Gustafsson, Tanner Molendyk, Jacob Rombach, Tristan Sarsland, Alex Huang. 

Goalies: Jack Ivankovic, Jakub Milota 

Blue

Forwards: Miguel Marques, Adam Ingram, Cole O'Hara, Aiden Fink, Egor Surin, Ryan Sullivan, Jack Stockfish, Hiroki Gojsic, Austin Roest, Oasiz Wiesblatt. 

Defense: Drew Hockley, Andrew Gibson, Luke Shipley, Cameron Reid, Mac Gadowsky. 

Goalies: Lawton Zacher, T.J. Semptimphelter. 

1. Veterans showed out 

One thing about Matthew Wood... he's going to SHINE ✨ pic.twitter.com/2468hASW3F

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 5, 2025

There is a lot of pressure on prospects playing in their first development camp, wanting to make an good early impression. At the same time, there's pressure on veteran players to prove they're ready to contest for a roster spot and show that they are continuing to progress. 

Forward Matthew Wood highlighted that effort with a highlight reel goal and an assist. He tried to deke past Mac Gadowsky while entering the zone but hit Gadowsky's skate while trying to pull the puck.

Luckily, the puck came back to Wood, and he wristed it past Zacher for the goal. Wood played six games with Predators last season after finishing up his final college season at Minnesota. As one of the leaders at the development camp, we could see more of him in Nashville. 

Defenseman Andrew Gibson had two goals, one in 4-on-4 play and the other in the shootout. Mixed with his strong defensive performance, he could be an offensively minded blue-liner that the Predators are looking for. 

The Detroit Red Wings 2023 third-round draft pick, who was traded to the Predators in June 2024, just finished his fourth and final season in the OHL. 

2. Ryker Lee, Cole O'Hara pack an offensive punch 

Cole O'Hara. BETWEEN THE LEGS. TOP SHELF 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UvGNN0AxO5

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 5, 2025

The Predators, traditionally, aren't known for having the flashiest players in the world. General manager Barry Trotz's mindset has been focused on size and strength. 

However, Ryker Lee and Cole O'Hara could change that. 

The pair of forwards were extremely active in the game. Lee had a ton of chances and a shootout goal where he essentially threw a change up at TJ Semptimphelter, faking a wrist shot and a leg pump to go bardown on him.

Lee dazzled in the USHL this year, scoring 68 points in 58 games. He's headed to Michigan State this fall, which will only further strengthen his game. Lee's skill set could be even sharper come next year's development camp. 

O'Hara, who's another veteran of the development camp, had a shootout goal, an assist and the most impressive goal of the day. He caught a pass from Egor Surin, who was along the boards, pulled the puck in between his legs and went bar down on Jack Ivankovic. 

The Predators 2022 fourth-round pick played two games in Milwaukee after scoring 51 points with UMass Amherst. A full pro season, whether that be in Milwaukee or Nashville, should say a lot about O'Hara's pro skillset and his overall potential. 

3. TJ Semptimphelter had a shutout in scrimmage 

Considering all the scoring that occurred later in the game and the fact that TJ Semptimphelter started the game, it was notable that he had a shutout before in the 5-on-5 and 4-on-4 segments he played. 

While he ended up letting in two goals in the shootout, with Gold still maintaining a 3-2 lead after that segment, he was the only netminder to not suffice a goal in live action. 

Semptimphelter was one of the two goalies invited to the development camp but not drafted by the team. 

He just completed his final college season at North Dakota, where he played 31 games, posting an 18-11-2 record, a save percentage of .910, and a goals-against average of 2.64. 

Semptimphelter made his pro debut with the Bridgeport Islanders, which was a little rougher, allowing four goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

Goalie development takes some time, but Semptimphelter showed the most promise out of the goalies. 

Saturday marked day three of the Pittsburgh Penguins development camp, and there was a lot to like. 

Mikhail Ilyin made his debut after getting into Pittsburgh late Thursday night and arriving at the facility on Friday. He participated in the first group session, and his skill was evident right away. He had an excellent release and used it every time it was his turn during a drill. He was also showcasing his playmaking ability, making some slick passes to his teammates.

Some people have concerns about his skating, but I don't view it as a negative at all. He's very methodical with it, but I would like to see him use his top-end speed a little bit more. Ilyin signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins on May 31, but won't be playing for the organization yet. Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza told Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports that Ilyin will stay in the KHL for the 2025-26 season. The hope is that he will come over to North America full-time for the 2026-27 season. 

If you haven't started putting at least some stock into defensive prospect Finn Harding, I suggest you do so. He was all over the ice on Saturday, showcasing his superb skating and his ability to walk the blue line. I know these are only drills, but he looked super calm and composed each time he had the puck. He was one of two players the Penguins selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft, and is already looking like a steal. 

Harding has developed his offensive game since being drafted, finishing the 2024-25 season with seven goals and 57 points in 67 games with the OHL's Brampton Steelheads. He will play for either the Wheeling Nailers or the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year after signing his ELC in March.

Will Horcoff was a little quiet during the first two days of development camp, but that changed on Saturday. The 2025 first-round pick was showcasing his release, specifically his one-timer, during drills, and it's pretty impressive. He roofed one over Justin BriseBois during a drill before going top shelf with two more goals a short time later. 

He's a bit more of a "project" compared to fellow first-rounders Ben Kindel and Bill Zonnon, and Michigan is the perfect place for him to keep developing. He will have the opportunity to play with the Wolverines for a full season this year after appearing in 18 games for them last year, where he compiled four goals and 10 points. 

Development camp will resume on Sunday, concluding with a tournament on Monday.

---

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Featured Image Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

Most of the speculation surrounding the Buffalo Sabres continues to be on restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram. Earlier this week, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that interested clubs were contemplating an offer sheet and that could still be the case if Byram does not opt for salary arbitration by 5 pm Saturday. The St. Louis Blues according to Jeremy Rutherford of the Athletic are in hot pursuit of the blueliner, but the Blues may have company.

According to the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the San Jose Sharks are also interested in the 24-year-old defenseman. Sharks GM Mike Grier has been busy over the last week adding to his blueline and getting over the cap floor with the signings of veterans Dmitri Orlov, John Kingberg, and the waiver claim of Nick Leddy, but Grier is undoubtedly looking for long-term stability on the blueline, as San Jose has five defensemen in the final year of their contracts.  

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Byram is two years away from unrestricted free agency, but if he elects for salary arbitration, he could sign a long-term extension.  

“We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player that can help our team win,” Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said on Wednesday. “I've maintained the same position that if there's a deal out there that makes sense for us that we think is going to improve our roster we're open to it. If there's not, we're not in a situation where we're looking to move him out or looking to move him for futures and stuff like that, for me we want to help our team win hockey games and he helps us do that.”

The issue with the Sharks is that they do not have many players who fit the need of what the Sabres are looking for, which is young NHL players under team control. San Jose will not move core pieces like Macklin Celebrini or Will Smith, and the Sabres are reportedly not interested in picks or top prospects like defenseman Sam Dickinson, who was selected with Buffalo’s pick at the 2024 Draft in Las Vegas. Former first round pick William Eklund is the only player who would seemingly fit GM Kevyn Adams criteria, and the 22-year-old forward just signed a three-year contract extension for $16.8 million.   

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

After the first four days of the NHL’s free-agent frenzy, most of the available talent is now off the market. But for the right price, there are still decent-enough players looking for work. What players of note are left? That’s the focus of this column. 

Here are our picks for the top players remaining as UFAs, listed on their most recent teams:

1. Ilya Samsonov, G, Vegas Golden Knights

We have Samsonov at the top of our list not because we believe he’ll get the most money out of all the players we’ve listed here, but rather, because the goaltending market is not at all deep, guaranteeing Samsonov will get a solid shot at earning playing time somewhere. 

The 28-year-old’s numbers last year with Vegas – including a 2.82 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage – aren’t going to knock anyone’s socks off, and his next salary won’t be much more than the $1.8 million he made as a Golden Knight last year. But if he’s part of a tandem where his playing time is somewhat limited to 40 games or fewer, Samsonov could prove to be a smart investment.

2. Jack Roslovic, C, Carolina Hurricanes

Roslovic has bounced around the league in recent years, playing on the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Hurricanes since 2022-23. But Roslovic tied his personal best in goals this past season, with 22 markers to his credit. 

Any team seeking offense could do much worse than signing Roslovic, who earned only $2.8 million in 2024-25 and may aim to get back to the $4-million per season he was making in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He’s still relatively young at 28 years old, and Roslovic’s soft hands and nose for the net are valuable skills he’s looking to parlay into a multi-year deal.

3. Matt Grzelcyk, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Just about all defensemen of consequence are off the board, leaving Grzelcyk as the best available option. The 31-year-old had a career year on offense with the Penguins last season, posting 39 assists and 40 points. 

Any team seeking help on offense should be taking a long look at Grzelcyk, who earned only $2.75-million last season and is likely aiming for a two or three-year contract with a slightly higher annual payday. But after suffering through misery in Pittsburgh last season, Grzelcyk may choose to sacrifice some money to play on a team that’s a virtual lock to make the playoffs in 2025-26.

4. Victor Olofsson, LW, Vegas Golden Knights

Only three years ago, Olofsson was earning $4.75 million and generating 28 goals in a single season for the Buffalo Sabres. But he had a down season for Buffalo in 2023-24, and accepted a pay cut to only $1.075-million with the Golden Knights last season. 

OIofsson’s role in Vegas was smaller than it was in Buffalo, but he still managed to post 15 goals and 29 points while averaging only 14:30 of ice time in 56 games in 2024-25. Teams in need of depth on the wing should be in the race to sign Olofsson, but like Grzelcyk, he may also prioritize playing on a Cup contender.

5. Max Pacioretty, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

The 36-year-old Pacioretty once again had difficulty staying healthy last season, appearing in only 37 games and potting five goals and 13 points in that span. But Pacioretty roared back in a major way in the playoffs, posting three goals and eight points in 11 post-season games. 

Pacioretty earned $873,770 with Toronto last season, and while he may get a slight raise into the $1-million-per-year range, his priority could be playing close to his Michigan home, and that means he may be choosing between the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings to sign what could be his final NHL contract. Retirement could also be an option for Pacioretty, but if he does play, his professionalism and evolution into a physical forward will be very valuable to a team looking for help on its third or fourth line.

6. Joel Kiviranta, LW, Colorado Avalanche

The 29-year-old Kiviranta was playing on a league-minimum contract in Colorado for the past two seasons, but in 2024-25, he had a breakout year of sorts, with 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games with the Avs. Kiviranta averaged only 12:31 of ice time in Denver last season – a modest career-best for the Finn – but as a plugger on an above-average squad, he could flirt with the 20-goal plateau and wind up being a terrific gamble for a team. 

The Avalanche have the money to bring Kiviranta back, but a lack of agreement at this point may signify they want to move in a different direction. Sooner or later, though, one team or another will bring in Kiviranta as a depth addition. 

7. Robby Fabbri, C, Anaheim Ducks

Staying healthy has been a serious challenge for the 29-year-old Fabbri, who has yet to play a full 82-game season in his nine NHL seasons. And last year, Fabbri appeared in only 44 games with the Ducks, posting just eight goals and 16 points. But the year prior, as a member of the Red Wings, Fabbri matched his career-high of 18 goals, and he did it in only 68 games. 

Fabbri earned $4 million in 2024-25, so his next contract is likely to include a significant pay cut. But if he can stay in the lineup, Fabbri has the finishing skills to get close to the 20-goal mark once again.

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It’s never just a number, it’s a legacy. That sentiment rings true for the newest member of the Vegas Golden Knights, Mitch Marner, who will be sporting the number 93 in the upcoming season. A number that once defined his early days now returns with this new chapter in his career. 

Mitch Marner is a Knight once again... ⚔️ @LondonKnights ➡️ @GoldenKnights#NHLFreeAgencypic.twitter.com/Hpcf3MJxEM

— NHL (@NHL) July 2, 2025

Nearly a decade ago, Marner first wore the number 93 for the London Knights, a tribute to his father’s admiration for the famous forward Doug Gilmour. The Toronto Maple Leafs had retired that number in Gilmour’s honor, preventing Marner from having the opportunity to take it to the ice. But now, with a new beginning in Vegas, Marner finally has the chance to wear 93 again.

“The first time I actually saw it on someone was on my son,” Marner said. “My wife and I were in our hotel room and put it on him, and it was just a really special moment. It’s a jersey that I wore with the London Knights for the three years there, and had great success with it and really enjoyed the number.”

This transition holds personal meaning for Marner off the ice, but Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon also emphasized the significant impact Marner is expected to make on the ice.

“With Mitch Marner, we're getting one of the best forwards in the National Hockey League,” McCrimmon said. “Elite playmaker, tremendous passer over his past four seasons, he's averaged 30 goals and 100 points, 102 points this past year. Dynamic, our fans will love this player, he really adds to our team. He adds to our offense. It gives us another, you know, F1 star at the forward position, which we really feel is important. I think that it improves our team tremendously.”

Marner will be the first Knight to wear number 93 on the ice, already solidifying his name in the Vegas history books.  

PHOTO COURTESY: Golden Knights

The signings by NHL clubs have ground to a halt five days into free agency, with the most sought-after players locked up on Day 1 and the biggest fish in Nikolai Ehlers finally signing with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. A pair of former Buffalo Sabres are among the most prominent players still not signed. Jeff Skinner had 16 goals last season with Edmonton, but played sparingly in the playoffs, while Victor Oloffson had a solid injury-shortened season with the Vegas Golden Knights.   

The 29-year-old was a seventh-round pick of the Sabres in 2014 and spent four seasons in Sweden before coming to North America in 2018. After scoring 30 goals with Rochester,  Olofsson played five seasons in Buffalo, scoring 20 or more goals three times, but he was phased out by Don Granato of his role on the power play, and played mostly fourth line duty in 2024 before leaving  as an unrestricted free agent. 

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Olofsson joined the Golden Knights and former linemate Jack Eichel on a one-year, $1.075 million on the second day of free agency last July and had some success in a limited role, posting 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games, and four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in nine playoff games, as Vegas lost to Edmonton in the second round.  

Vegas after the sign and trade for Mitch Marner, the signing of Kaeden Korczak, and the acquisitions of Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon, are over the cap. GM Kelly McCrimmon may make some moves in addition to putting defenseman Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injured reserve to open up cap space to a make a few tweaks. It is possible that Olofsson still factors in the Golden Knights plans, but there may be other teams looking to add a scoring winger/power play specialist for a economical price.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

Nesbitt may have surprised some, but a former Flyer sees ‘a little bit of Couturier' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. — Jack Nesbitt was aware of the 2025 NHL pre-draft rankings.

“Definitely a little bit,” he said.

Some experts and scouting services had him around the top 20, but others didn’t. He was slotted as low as 48th on EliteProspects.com. So when the Flyers traded two first-round picks (Nos. 22 and 31) to move up and select Nesbitt at 12th overall a little over a week ago, the decision was probably met with a share of skepticism.

But Nesbitt didn’t sound bothered by it.

“I know I was ranked either 10 to 20 or even lower,” the 18-year-old center said Wednesday at Flyers development camp. “I just went into the draft knowing that I could be a first-rounder and if I dropped out of there, it’s OK, it’s just a pick. But I’m very happy about going 12th, I know a lot of people didn’t expect that. I’m very happy about it, proud about it and I’m honored to be in this position.”

Nesbitt sure looks intriguing when you see him up close. He’s between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5, he’s highly skilled with the puck and he’s just fine with playing in the trenches. On top of that, his hockey IQ is already there.

Wayne Simmonds, now a consultant for the Flyers’ hockey operations department, saw Nesbitt around four to five times last season while scouting the OHL. The former Flyer was once a teammate of a long, lanky center who developed into a Selke Trophy winner. Simmonds sees some of Sean Couturier in Nesbitt.

“Jack is very smart, huge body,” Simmonds said Wednesday. “When he fills into his body, he’s going to be unstoppable. I think of, to me, when I watch him play, a little bit of Couturier.”

On a loaded Windsor team that featured 124-point Ilya Protas and 119-point Liam Greentree, Nesbitt put up 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) and a plus-12 rating in 65 games last season. He earned more and more opportunity down the stretch before adding 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 12 playoff games.

The Flyers have gotten a glimpse of his physicality at development camp.

“He likes those dirty areas, you see him in those corner battles, he is not shying away from anyone out there,” Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong said Wednesday. “Once he understands how to use his body and come out of the corner with the puck, once he gets stronger, I think he’s going to be a nice addition here in a couple of years.”

Jack Nesbitt showing his size and physicality here on Devin Kaplan.

Nesbitt likes to get into the thick of things. pic.twitter.com/hdaZZS9jNG

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) July 5, 2025

The 186-pound Nesbitt will have to gain strength and improve his foot speed as he develops with the Spitfires. He’s slated for two more years of junior hockey. After development camp, he’ll be working with Windsor skating coach Kathy McLlwain this summer.

“I think I grew, like, four inches one year maybe three years ago,” Nesbitt said. “It just came along the way and now it’s about putting the weight on. … Growing up, I was always the biggest guy on my team, so my skating wasn’t the greatest.”

Flyers prospects Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk are familiar with Nesbitt from their matchups in the OHL. Nesbitt had four goals and four assists over six games against their London squad last season.

“Really big body, he has got really good hands around the net, he has got a knack to score,” Barkey said Saturday. “Every time we played him, I think he might have scored at least one goal, he’d always find a way to put one in the back of the net. So he has got a good knack for scoring. He’s not shy, either. He’s a big body, he plays physical, not afraid to fight and mix it up, as well.”

Jack Nesbitt from Thursday’s session at Flyers development camp.

People have said his hands are very good, one of his biggest strengths. pic.twitter.com/eogAF4Jmxj

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) July 5, 2025

From February to the end of the regular season, Nesbitt had 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 18 games.

“We think his upside is really, really strong,” NHL Central Scouting vice president Dan Marr said last month. “I think teams will step up for him. It was consensus with our group and I think it’s consensus with a lot of NHL teams.”

That could be why the Flyers felt they had to be aggressive if they wanted to grab him.

“I know he’s a player the organization was really high on based on the move that they made to go up and get him, they did that for a reason,” Patrick Sharp, a special advisor to the Flyers’ hockey operations department, said Saturday. “So far, very impressed with him.”

For 19-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins' defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, it is only a matter of time. 

It is evident through just three days of the Penguins' annual Prospect Development Camp that the young, smooth-skating blueliner is, simply, a level above everybody else. His skating - though it didn't need much improvement - looks more explosive and even smoother than it did at this time last year. His puckhandling skills and offensive instincts have been on display, too, and he's been a mentor of sorts to some of the younger Penguins' defensive prospects who are attending camp for the first time. 

Brunicke nearly made the NHL roster out of training camp last season after a wildly impressive pre-season. He has made it his goal to make it across the finish line this time around. 

“It’s the goal to stay here. That’s the dream,” Brunicke said. “So, I’m going to have the right mindset going into dev camp to start here and then throughout main camp and pre-season.”

In watching the 6-foot-3, 202-pound South African native, it’s clear that he is a level above his peers. Brunicke is probably beyond juniors at this point. 

But, unfortunately, his path to the NHL won’t be an easy one - even if it’s where he probably should be next season. 

The Penguins, as an organization, love Brunicke, and it's easy to see why. In the aftermath of his standout training camp, he took a big step last season when he went to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) for 10 games after his junior season with the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) ended - registering two points - and he also appeared in both playoff games for WBS, potting his first career AHL goal and an assist.

Penguins Prospect Development Camp: Standouts From Day 1On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their annual Prospect Development Camp, which features 48 players both from the Penguins' system and outside of it.

There were some growing pains in that 12-game stint. It was evident that, at first, Brunicke was adjusting to playing against grown men and professional hockey players, especially in comparison to the ask of him in Kamloops. There, he is - without a doubt - a bad team's best player, and the team relies on him to, pretty much, do it all himself.

“The first couple of games, I was just trying to do too much - kind of bringing those junior habits - and it just wasn’t working,” Brunicke said. “So, I eventually talked to [assistant general manager Jason Spezza] a little bit about just playing more simple and kind of toning that down. I think that really helped me, and I started to play some of my best hockey.”

As he learned, “doing it yourself” is not the case in the AHL, and it won't be the case in the NHL. It's something that Brunicke picked up on - and started to correct - very quickly during that short stint, and that aptitude and adaptability did not go unnoticed by the Penguins.

"I think he took the constructive criticism and was able to apply it right away,” Kostopoulos said. “If you watched his games in Wilkes-Barre, there was growth, but it took off. It was impressive how he grew into the games in the playoffs. He looked very confident for a young kid. 

“So, we’re really excited about his potential that he’s got to be a really good two-way defender with offensive upside.”

There certainly is a lot of potential with Brunicke - who is, arguably, the Penguins’ top prospect. But here’s the thing: If Brunicke goes back to Kamloops this season, the expectation for him is not going to change. He is not yet AHL-eligible - and he signed his entry-level contract, disqualifying him from the NCAA - so he only has two options.

Penguins sign defenseman Harrison Brunicke to entry-level contractThe 44th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft is signed through the 2026-27 season

The last thing the Penguins will want is to rush the development of their best defensive prospect, and that’s understandable. As it stands now, there is also a bit of a defensive logjam on the right side at the NHL level, as Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, new acquisition Connor Clifton, and roster hopeful Jack St. Ivany will all serve to make a final spot less attainable for Brunicke.

However, Brunicke is in a tough spot. The AHL would be the perfect landing spot for him in 2025-26, but since he can’t play there, he either has to move forward to the NHL, where he will burn a year of his entry-level contract but will at least be learning and growing, or move backward to Kamloops, where he risks picking up more bad habits and stunting his development. 

What happens with Brunicke will, likely, largely depend on the fate of Karlsson, who has been the subject of trade speculation. If Karlsson is dealt, it is far more likely that Brunicke has a legitimate shot at the NHL roster out of camp.

But if Karlsson sticks around - and Brunicke has yet another outstanding training camp - the Penguins are truly going to have some tough decisions to make. If he is sent back to juniors, their best hope is that he gets traded to a contending team and isn’t forced to carry the load all by himself. Or, maybe, the best course of action would be to give Brunicke that nine-game trial run from the jump, just to see what he can do with the Penguins and if he can make things even more interesting for management. 

In any case, Brunicke’s time is coming soon. And the Penguins need to make sure they make whatever decision is in the best interest for Brunicke’s development. 

And - based on everything we’ve seen - I’m not sure that his “best interest” lies in junior hockey anymore.

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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Feature image credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

On Friday, most American hockey fans were celebrating their most patriotic holiday. North of the border, up in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jets were introducing the latest addition to their team. Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews arrived and did his first media as a Jet. 

It is a bit odd to see Toews donning another NHL sweater, but that is the reality of 2025. Winnipeg’s first game will be the first time that Toews suits up since the final game of the 2022-23 season. 

Toews talked about a variety of topics during his presser, including his excitement to return to the NHL with the team he grew up cheering for. 

Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XWe're taking you LIVE to the first media availability with Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews! https://t.co/eMjEvdCXnw

“There’s a lot of pressure playing in a Canadian market,” Toews said. “I’m excited to be a part of all that.”

It’s not like Chicago is shy when it comes to sports pressure; the teams that Toews played for just won early and often, so he didn’t feel it as much. Now that he’s in Winnipeg on a team that just won the President’s Trophy but had another playoff failure, things will be different. 

“It’s surreal to be sitting here right now, putting this jersey on,” Toews said on playing for the Jets. “You have these moments throughout your career. I don’t want to say you get jaded, but you get used to it, and you kind of settle in. This is another moment that brings me back to that new feeling, you’re getting drafted again, you’re a young kid. There is definitely that excitement and that motivation to come in.” 

Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XOne of the most decorated hockey players in the history of our province is coming home 💙

If anybody deserves to go out on their terms, it is Jonathan Toews. It seems like he is incredibly happy to be returning to hockey after a few years away, getting healthy both physically and mentally. He will go down as a Chicago Blackhawks legend, and he knows that, but playing back in Manitoba will be special for him and his family. 

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EDMONTON – Every July 1st, the NHL calendar resets.

The Edmonton Oilers are preparing for the new year by making improvements to the team in several areas. Stan Bowman is hard at work, ensuring the team maximizes every dollar spent in the best possible way.

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Achieving that goal is easier said than done. That goal is easier to accomplish when you have young, inexpensive players who can contribute to a team’s success.

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If this offseason has taught us anything about the philosophy of Bowman and his management group, it’s that they will not overpay for depth players. Gone are the days of spending $2-$3 million on fourth-line forwards. 

Enter the youth movement.

Bowman had a busy April, signing college players to entry-level contracts (ELCs) and Europeans to inexpensive standard contracts. This list is constructed of players who are 23-years-old or younger who could surprise people and push for a spot on the opening night roster for the Oilers. 

Quinn Hutson

Lane Hutson’s older brother, Quinn Hutson, signed with the Oilers as a free agent on April 14th. After signing his deal with he played in two regular season games to close out the regular season. 

Quinn was able to play two games because of all the injuries the Oilers had at the time. Because of this, we shouldn’t read too much into who his linemates were. 

Adam Henrique and Max Jones were Quinn’s most common linemates. This suggests that there is a possibility that he could work himself into a third-line role with the team. He is a young player who plays a great defensive game. He also earned some time on the powerplay, suggesting that the coaching staff have confidence in his offensive skills as well.

Quinn is the biggest longshot to play for the Oilers on this list, but don’t count him out. His defensive game is a great baseline to have, while his offensive game will help him take advantage of turnovers.

Sam O’Reilly

Sam O’Reilly is a prospect that the Oilers have a lot of belief in. After all, they traded into the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft to select him. He plays a great defensive game, which is something this management group and coaching staff are placing extra emphasis on.

O’Reilly had the best offensive year of his OHL career this past season. In 62 games, he set personal highs in goals (28), assists (43), and points (71). This was a 15-point increase over his previous career high the year prior.

The Oilers aren’t going to rush O’Reilly into NHL action. However, they selected him because they believe he can be an effective two-way NHLer. 

O’Reilly is almost guaranteed to get a nine-game audition in the NHL this year. Depending on how great of a summer he has, he can push for the third-line or fourth-line center position. Depending on how he fairs, it could make other players expendable, or push those players into different roles.

One way or another, keep your eyes on O’Reilly at main camp this year.

Oilers Complete 2025 Offseason Guide: Trades, Signings, & MoreEDMONTON – The offseason is in full swing.

Samuel Jonsson

Much ink has been spilled on the Oilers' goaltending situation. However, the Oilers could have a potential solution in net within the organization.

Samuel Jonsson could push for the back-up position, if another suitable goaltender cannot be acquired to push Calvin Pickard down the depth chart. He’s a goaltender with good size (6-foot-5, 201 lbs) who is fast on his feet, according to one scout.

It’s possible that he plays another season in Sweden before plying his trade to North America. However, he’ll have an opportunity to impress the organization once training camp rolls around. If he makes a good impression, he might force the Oilers to make a difficult decision.

Matt Savoie

The final prospect on this list is Matt Savoie. Savoie split his time between the NHL and AHL in the 2024-25 season. He played big minutes for the Bakersfield Condors in all situations. 

Savoie’s time in the NHL was brief, yet impressive. He displayed great offensive skills, proving he can gel with the likes of Leon Draisaitl.

Savoie is a forward who has a strong work ethic and a high motor. The smaller forward has the ability to evade oncoming forecheckers. This is a handy talent to have, that will be tested at the NHL level.

All in all, these four Oilers prospects could surprise hockey pundits by staking their claim to a roster position for opening night this season.

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Pavol Regenda recently signed a contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, but apparently he could have signed a more lucrative deal elsewhere. The 25-year-old Slovak right winger signed a two-way deal worth $775,000 US if he plays in the NHL or $350,000 in the AHL, with a guarantee of $400,000, as per PuckPedia.

Shortly before signing, he appeared on a Slovak podcast(P)opičí Biznis, where he spoke about why he chose not to play in Russia. He also spoke about the trade that moved him from the beach in San Diego to San Jose, living on an AHL salary in a major U.S. city, and the trouble with attracting NHL players to the Slovak national team.

The translations are from written versions that appeared in a recent Hokej.cz article written by Dominik Dubovči.

“There were various offers from Europe,” Regenda said. “Even from Russia, but I wouldn’t go there right now. I know what it’s like for the guys who are there now. And I don't want to be a dick, because people automatically take it that you support the war and go to work for blood money.

“Meanwhile, my teammate, who just went to Russia, has a million dollars net for the season! If a Slovak received such an offer, 99.9% of people would leave their families at home and go. But if you go there as a hockey player, you automatically support the war.”

“Sports and politics are not related at all, but I know that there are guys out there who get threats and hate messages. So I said no to Russia. There will be offers from the KHL in the future. Maybe when the war’s over, I might go there.”

Martin Pospíšil after Olympic qualifiers: “It was never anything against the players” from the KHL Martin Pospíšil was calm and reflective after Slovakia’s 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan on Sunday in Bratislava, which qualified the team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Regenda was acquired by San Jose in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 22 in exchange for Justin Bailey. In the podcast, Regenda recounted that experience and, while doing so, oddly compared San Jose to his hometown of Michalovce, a town of 35,000 in eastern Slovakia near the Ukrainian border.

“Right after training in the gym, the general manager told me that I’d been traded. I don’t like changes, but I had to pack up and get on a plane within an hour. It was quite a shock, I played a game that very day! It was challenging. I went from the most beautiful city in America to San Jose. A new environment... It’s like comparing Bratislava and Michalovce. The sea was further away, there wasn’t much to do, while San Diego was excellent in this regard. But I was doing well in hockey after the trade. Plus, we were much higher in the standings.”

Regenda explained what it’s like living in a major U.S. city with an AHL salary.

“I had 90,000 after taxes, and 23,000 of that went towards rent. Everyone in Europe thinks that if we play in America, we’re automatically rich, but the expenses are massive. In Slovakia, for example, I can buy food for a week for 60 euros (approx $70 US or $95 CDN). In the USA, you spend twice, three times that much. I prefer to cook at home, I don’t like going out to eat very often, but some guys were in restaurants all the time. That’s $100 right away.”

Pavol Regenda: “I think I can play in the NHL and I know what I have to do to be there” With his flowing sandy-blond hair, Pavol Regenda looks like he could be a surfer and seems quite at home in Southern California after two hockey seasons there.

Regenda also spoke about the Slovak national team. At the Olympic qualifyers last August, Regenda played on an effective line with Martin and Kristián Pospišil – part of a balanced attack on a Slovak team that included Tomáš Tatar, Adam Sýkora and Šimon Nemec.

At the recent IIHF World Championship, however, no full-time NHL players went and, with 19 career games, Regenda was by far the most NHL-experienced player on the team. Slovakia failed to qualify for the quarterfinals and the team received plenty of criticism at home.

“The young guys – Slafkovský, Nemec, Černák – don’t want to go to the World Championships because, in my opinion, they’re pissed off with the whole system, how it works in Slovakia...

“You come to the national team and you look like an idiot in front of people. One person says that you don’t even try, another person's (betting) ticket is ruined...

“Nothing works in Slovakia, so why should sports work?”

Photo © Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images: Anaheim Ducks forward Pavol Regenda (40) passes the puck from behind the net against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2023-24 NHL season. 

Hockey Slovakia President Miroslav Šatan: ‘The Door To The National Team Is Still Open to Juraj Slafkovský’ Back in October, Montreal Canadiens right winger Juraj Slafkovský heaped heavy criticism on the Slovak Ice Hockey Association and Hockey Slovakia fired back, dismissing the remarks as “ill-considered statements of a young player.”

The Carolina Hurricanes landed top free agent target Nikolaj Ehlers on Thursday, signing him to a six-year, $51 million deal.

The talented forward, along with Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky, spoke with the media over Zoom on Saturday about the signing.

Here's what they had to say:

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Nikolaj Ehlers

On what went into his decision to sign with Carolina: A lot of things. I'm very excited about the prospect. I'm very excited about the team in Carolina. They've been a tough team to play against in the past and I like all the young players that are there. The interest that Carolina has shown was something that obviously helped a lot with the decision making. It made me very excited.

On how he feels he'll fit into the Hurricanes' system: I think my speed. The stress game that Carolina plays in the sense of when they don't have the puck. For example, trying to get the puck back as quick as possible. I think with my speed, I'm able to do that. I think with my speed, I can create a lot of room for the other guys as well and I believe that I will fit in very nicely and that's obviously something you look at as well when you try to make a decision. I talked to Rod [Brind'Amour] and we had kind of the same vision about how things are going to go and again, the talks that I've had with the people in the Canes organization is something that really excited me.

On the decision to leave Winnipeg: Very emotional. Obviously I'm very excited to join the Canes organization, at the same time, I'm also sad to be leaving an organization that helped me achieve my dream of being an NHL player. I've been in Winnipeg for 10 years, been a part of the organization for 11, and created a lot of great relationships on and off the ice. [Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff], [executive chairman Mark Chipman], [head coach Scott Arniel]. I talked to those three guys yesterday and it was very emotional. I had a lot of things to say and I had a lot of thank yous that I needed to get out because those guys and that organization is top notch. I told them why I made the decision that I made and they obviously respected it and were happy for me. At the same time, I'd been there for 10 years. So it was very emotional. I loved the organization and I'll always hold the city of Winnipeg very close to my heart. It's the place I lived the longest in my whole life. So it was some very good conversations and a lot of people I won't ever forget.

On if there was anything the Jets could have done differently to have convinced him to stay: I think it was [inevitable]. Like I told them, they didn't do anything wrong. I was there for 10 years, I loved it there, I loved the organization, the people in it, the guys. They became family. The city of Winnipeg, the fans... Everyone that's played in Winnipeg knows how incredible it is to play there. For me, it was more about trying something new and challenging myself. Getting out and seeing different things, a different culture. That's what I wanted to do. Obviously I loved playing in Winnipeg, will never forget my time, but it was time for me personally to get out and experience something different and challenge myself on and off the ice.

On what he thinks Carolina can help bring out of him: That's one of the things I'm trying to figure out. I think every player always has a little more and I'm hoping that maybe a different culture, a different playing style will make me a better player. I think I definitely could have done that in Winnipeg as well in some way, but this was more the overall feeling of, 'Okay, I need to go out and see what's out there and challenge myself.' I think there's still a lot of ways I can improve as a player and as a person. I'm excited to see how that works out.

On if he has any early goals or targets for next season: Fitting in great with the team is my most important thing. I'm not a guy who sets a target of goals, assists or points. I want to go in and get to know the guys, get to know the organization, get to know the city and get comfortable as quick as possible. All I've heard is great things about the team there and they all are like family, so I don't think that will be a huge problem for me and I think the rest will come pretty quickly. I'm excited for that.

On his perception of the Hurricanes before signing: Like I said in my first answer, they've always been hard to play against. You go to Carolina and you know exactly that they're going to be ready to play, that they're going to come out hard and they're going to keep stressing you out until they get the puck back. So now to be on the other side of that will be pretty fun. Again, I know how it is on hockey teams. It's like a family with al the players. Like I've said, I've only heard good things, so I'm excited to meet all the guys. Some of them have already reached out, which means a lot to me, and it just makes it even more exciting to get this season going. The rest... I'll obviously have some talks with some more players, with Rod as well, to set myself up in the best way possible come training camp.

On his familiarity with Frederik Andersen: I love that guy. We are very familiar. I'm excited to play with him. He's been a great goalie throughout his NHL career. We've obviously talked. He called me as soon as he heard the news. We've got the Olympics coming up in February as well, so it will be a very special year, I think. To have him there as well to help me get integrated as quickly as possible and show me around the city and so on, will help me a lot. I'm excited. It's going to be fun to play with another Danish guy.

On if he had any conversations with former Hurricane Nino Niederreiter on Carolina: Let me put it this way, I've talked to a lot of people. Obviously the decision came a bit later than people thought and the only reason for that was to set myself up in the best way possible to make the right decision. And I needed that time. I wasn't trying to drag it out and make people wait. It was just what I needed to be comfortable in the decision making. So yes, I talked to a lot of people and obviously tried to take in all the information and all the different impressions. It was a stressful, busy, but exciting time. A lot of time on my phone, let's put it that way.

On if he was looking for a "quieter market" in Carolina: It wasn't the media, you know I love you guys. No, I wouldn't put it that way. Like I said, I had been in Winnipeg for 10 years and I don't think I ever was in any way bad during the media or I hope you guys didn't feel like I didn't like you guys because I had a great relationship with every one of you. I hope that we can build something in Carolina... they already built that. They got the fans, they got the city rallying around the Canes, so I don't think it's quiet. Obviously Canada is a completely different story in the sense of the media and all of that, but it wasn't a specific thing I was looking for. You play hockey for the city. I love playing hockey, but you want the fans to be excited about your team, you want the fans to stand outside the rink like they did in Winnipeg and watch the playoff games and go nuts. That's what gives you the extra energy and I believe that they've built something similar to that in Carolina. So I'm excited to feel that.

On what he'll cherish most about his time in Winnipeg: I mean, it's 10 years. You know what I mean? There's no chance I can pick out one or two because the memories I've made there on and off the ice with guys on the team and people off the ice, neighbors and just the city of Winnipeg is something that I will take with me and cherish forever. It won't be the last time I'm in Winnipeg, obviously I'll be playing there as well, but I really did love living and playing in Winnipeg. Again, you've got moments that stick out. Obviously my first playoffs, my first goal at home and playing these past playoffs there where you can't leave the rink because there are so many people outside. It might sound annoying that you can't leave the rink, but that's the cool part about it, right? There are so many memories with the players and I've already talked to them about it and I'll never forget those guys and the people in the organization and the city. 

On how grateful he was to be able to still return from injury this past postseason and have a final memory with the Jets: It was very important to me to play and try to help the team win the Stanley Cup. But when I got injured, it hurt me a lot. And I think you get the feeling of, 'Okay, I might not play this playoffs,' or you just have no idea what might happen. You're injured, but we had a great team in Winnipeg trying to nurse me back to playing hockey again and it went two or three weeks quicker than it was supposed to. So I'm very grateful that I got to play such a cool last two games against St. Louis and a series against Dallas where I thought we really had a chance to do something special. Getting those last few games in Winnipeg, it's something that I think about now, but it wasn't something that I was thinking about during the season or during the playoffs. It sunk in sometime after and that Game 7 against St. Louis is, I believe, one of the craziest games in Winnipeg hockey history and I'll definitely never forget about that one.

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Eric Tulsky

On the point at which the organization was confident they were landing Ehlers: When I got the call saying that he was signing with us. He had a lot of teams interested in him. He's a great player. I think in the end, for him, if he just wanted the most money he could have gotten more for sure. From my understanding, he was looking for a place that felt like the right fit, where he'd be happy, where he'd have a chance to win and so it turns into a recruiting pitch. It's a personal decision for what feels right to him. All we can do is present him the information that we have on our team and help him understand why we think he'd enjoy it here and wait for his decision.

On how he feels Ehlers will fit into the team: He's incredibly fast and dynamic with the puck. He'll bring creativity to our game. We have the puck as much as any team in the league and the more we can turn that into premium scoring chances, the better off we'll be. Nikolaj is the kind of player who can create scoring chances out of nothing and that's the sort of thing that you can layer onto what we've already built and it can help take us to the next level.

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The NHL off-season gives us the perfect opportunity to examine each team’s prospect pools, continuing now with the Boston Bruins.

In this series, Tony Ferrari will dig into each NHL team’s strengths and weaknesses, a quick overview of the latest draft class, where each team's positional depth chart stands and who could be next in line for an NHL opportunity.

A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises.

Initial Thoughts

After over a decade of being one of the NHL’s most dangerous contenders, the Boston Bruins are beginning to look toward the future. Whether you call it a retool or a rebuild, the Bruins sent key players out the door at the trade deadline, and they seem to have their eyes on the draft and the world of prospects. They acquired Marat Khusnutdinov, Will Zellers and Fraser Minten at the deadline, which started stocking up their cupboard. 

Khusnutdinov is an incredibly smart, tactical forward who can play both center and on the wing. His speed and transition ability are quite impressive, and although he wasn’t able to break through offensively in a limited role both pre and post-trade, he has some really intriguing dual-threat ability. He will stay in the lineup because of his 200-foot game, but his skill and transition game will help him find a nice role in the middle six. 

Zellers is an incredibly skilled puck handler who could have one of the most entertaining highlight reels of any prospect. His offensive tools allow him to get into excellent scoring position, and his shot has come a long way over the last couple of years. His scoring comes from dangling a defender and getting his shot off quickly and accurately. He’s not really a typical Bruins-style player, but there is a lot to like in terms of betting on upside and skill. 

Minten is much more of a Bruins pick, being an intense, intelligent player who can play with some jam. His shot is good, and he plays a simple, north-south game that won’t wow anyone. Minten’s entire game is based around his ability to read the ice and make the right play. He isn’t flashy, but he’s effective. 

Fabian Lysell played a dozen NHL games last season, and despite not really finding the scoresheet too often, the impact he had on the Bruins after the trade deadline was impressive. His speed and transition ability were immediately evident. Lysell will have to win a spot on the roster in training camp, but the pure talent is as high as almost anyone in the pipeline outside of James Hagens, who was just drafted seventh overall. Lysell has had some growing pains because when you figuratively go 110 miles per hour every time you’re on the ice, you can have some issues. If Lysell can slow down a bit at times and play a bit more tactically, he could be a stud for the Bruins. 

The blueline is a bit bare for the Bruins. Jackson Edwards brings a really interesting physical edge, and maybe there is something there as a bottom-pair guy. 

Loke Johansson is a big, defensive-minded blueliner who is mobile, but he’s not really much of a difference-maker. Kristian Kostadinski could be an interesting defender if he can refine his defensive game at Boston College with his physical edge.

Key U-23 Players Likely To Play NHL Games This Season

Fraser Minten (C), Matthew Poitras (RW), Marat Khusnutdinov (C/LW), Fabian Lysell (RW/LW)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 7th overall - James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

Round 2, 51st overall - Will Moore, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 2, 61st overall - Liam Pettersson, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Swe.)

Round 3, 79th overall - Cooper Simpson, L, Shakopee (Minn. H.S.)

Round 4, 100th overall - Vashek Blanar, D, Troja-Ljungby Jr. (Swe)

Round 5, 133rd overall - Cole Chandler, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

Round 6, 165th overall - Kirill Yemelyanov, C, Loko Yaroslavl Jr. (Rus.)

When the Bruins decided to trade key pieces at the trade deadline, it signalled that the 2025 NHL draft would be the beginning of a new era for the Bruins. Although they didn’t quite reach the bottom of the standings, they were selecting in the top 10 with their own pick for the first time in a long time.

Despite the best efforts from teams like the New York Islanders to trade up and try to get ahead of the Bruins, it didn’t happen, and they chose the center from Boston College, James Hagens. 

The fit is about as perfect as it could be. The Bruins need a new centerpiece for the future, and Hagens has the potential to be that. Coming into the year, Hagens was the top prospect for this year’s draft class, but strong seasons from a few others and a year that wasn’t quite on par with recent college draft eligibles Adam Fantilli and Macklin Celebrini resulted in Hagens dropping down the board.

Hagens is a supremely skilled playmaker with incredible creativity. His skating is agile and swift. He moves with a shiftiness that can give defenders fits. It’s given him the ability to open up passing lanes and create small advantages for himself all over the ice. Hagens is no slouch as a goal-scorer either, using his speed to attack the slot, and he has a wicked snap shot that can pick corners. He even seemed to add some level of physicality to his game despite his undersized frame. Hagens has a real chance of being the face of the Bruins one day. 

In the second round, the Bruins selected a future teammate of Hagens at Boston College, Will Moore. The NTDP center is a play connector who always looks to move the puck in a positive direction. He’s a strong passer who works give-and-gos at a high level and shows excellent touch on passes all over the ice. Moore brings a physical edge as well. He lacks the top-end gear of a high-end producer, but he brings a steadiness you need in the middle six. 

Swedish defender Liam Pettersson’s game is raw, but the upside is incredibly intriguing. His skating and passing in transition allow him to get the play moving up ice. Pettersson is a shifty puck handler who can evade pressure and fire off passes to outlets. His defensive game will need lots of improvement, but with the tools and a bit of physical maturity, he could be really intriguing. 

Cooper Simpson was one of the most intriguing high school players in the draft because of his wicked shot, high-end skating and versatile puckhandling. As with most high schoolers, there are some concerns with how he will translate at the pro level, as he doesn’t bring much in the way of a physical game and can falter under physical pressure. Simpson excels in space and loves to attack downhill, which should bode well for him as he advances to higher pace environments. He needs to work on his defensive game, but Simpson is a scorer, so that’s what the Bruins hope to have found. 

The Bruins' selection of Vashek Blanar was a bit unexpected, but after watching some additional tape on him, it looks like the Bruins are betting on size and potential. He shows flashes of play creation from the back end and is very close to pulling plays off at the offensive blueline, even if he comes up a bit short at times. Defensively, he uses his length well and closes quickly most of the time. There are times you’d like to see him get a bit more intense, but there is a solid foundation of tools and size to work with. 

Cole Chandler is a typical Bruins-style, underappreciated player. He does a lot of the little things well and plays a high-energy, detail-oriented game. Chandler looks to initiate contact in puck races and tries to gain the little advantages. He isn’t the most skilled, the fastest, or even the strongest player, but he does so many of the right things. He could end up being a player who finds a nice role in the bottom-six down the road. 

A late-round swing on Kirill Yemelyanov might be a sneaky good pick for the Bruins as they add a center who plays a sound 200-foot game. He isn’t the most skilled or fleetest of foot, but he has enough there to be a legitimate prospect. Yemelyanov shows some really smart passing and seems to understand how to move the puck with short, simple passes to get it into excellent positions up ice. 

Strengths

Despite a number of weak points, the Bruins have done a good job of finding players who fill their depth chart down the middle. Players like Letourneau and Gasseau have been centers quite often in their careers to this point, but likely project as wingers at the next level. Even with that, they added Hagens and Moore to a group that already features Locmelis and Minten, both of whom could play NHL games this season. 

Weaknesses

The Bruins have been a very good team for a very long time, and although they’ve committed to at least a retool, they lack prospects in a major way. 

The pipeline has quite a few weaknesses, including a complete lack of U-23 talent in net. That’s somewhat excusable, though, considering that Boston has its goalie of the future in Jeremy Swayman already on the big club. 

What is increasingly concerning is their lack of defense prospects, specifically on the right side. Wanner is the only notable right-handed defender in the system. Their left side is almost as bad. The Bruins need to infuse their prospect pool with some defense prospects because they have no one who projects as more than a depth player.

Hidden Gem: Dans Locmelis, C/W

One of the best examples of a player with a bunch of average to slightly above average tools with the ability to become more than the sum of his parts, Locmelis is going to be an interesting player for the Bruins in the beginning years of their rebuild. 

After a solid season at UMass in the NCAA, Locmelis jumped into the AHL and put up 12 points in just six games. His playoff didn’t go quite as well with just one point across four contests, but there is a ton of promise as a depth scorer. Locmelis has been one of the most impactful performers for the Latvian national team at all levels, from U-18 to the men’s squad. He is continuously improving on that stage, so finding a role in the Bruins system looks like a decent bet. 

Next Man Up: Fraser Minten, C

The Bruins added Minten at the deadline last season, getting him in the deal that sent Brandon Carlo to Toronto. Minten is an intelligent, steady center who has a very good shot and a stout 200-foot game. He lacks the dynamism and upside of a true top-six center, but he brings everything you could want in a third-line center. His motor never quits, he takes excellent routes around the ice, and he isn’t a guy who is going to chase for offense. Minten was a very solid get for the Bruins, and he’s a player that they were able to almost immediately put into their lineup, signifying the beginning of a new era of Boston hockey. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Cooper Simpson, Will Zellers, Cole Spicer, Brett Harrison, Andre Gasseau, Christopher Pelosi

C: James Hagens, Fraser Minten, Dans Locmelis, Will Moore, Cole Chandler, Kirill Yemelyanov

RW: Fabian Lysell, Dean Letourneau, Ryan Walsh

LD: Jackson Edward, Loke Johansson, Kristian Kostadinski, Frederic Brunet, Elliott Groenewold

RD: Max Wanner

G: Philip Svedeback

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of the Hockey News print edition.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The offseason is in full swing, free agency has started to slow down, and Ottawa Senators fans are turning their attention to what next season’s roster might look like. But Sens fans will always have a soft spot for players who once battled for Ottawa, or at least some curiosity about how they're making out these days.

In that spirit, here's a list of 11 ex-Senators who found new NHL homes this past week and where they’re headed next. Remarkably, the list includes no less than five players the Sens chose in the first round of the NHL Draft.

Shane Bowers

Shane Bowers never actually played for the Senators, but was drafted in the first round in 2017. That fall, Brady Tkachuk joined Bowers at Boston University. But during that season, five months after he was drafted, Bowers was sent to Colorado in the Matt Duchene deal. Bowers has played in 13 NHL games and was traded by the New Jersey Devils this week to the San Jose Sharks for forward Thomas Bordeleau.

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Connor Brown

Connor Brown played three seasons for the Ottawa Senators before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 2022. After suffering a major knee injury that sidelined him for much of that season, his offense dipped, and he managed just four goals and 12 points in 71 games with the Edmonton Oilers the following year. However, Brown bounced back last season with a 30-point campaign, enough to earn a four-year, $12 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.

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Logan Brown

Ottawa’s 2016 first-round draft pick, Logan Brown has struggled to find a consistent role in the NHL. Plagued by injuries since he was drafted, Brown has played only 35 games in the league. Despite this, after he parted ways with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, the LA Kings took a chance on the talented but injury-prone center, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract.

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Jacob Bernard-Docker

Jacob Bernard-Docker, 25, never fully found his footing in Ottawa and was traded along with Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Dylan Cozens and Dennis Gilbert. After playing 15 games for Buffalo, he was not offered a qualifying contract and became a free agent. He signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings worth $875,000.

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Cody Ceci

Cody Ceci, another former Sens first-rounder, played six seasons with Ottawa from 2013 to 2019, and seems to get no shortage of flak from fans wherever he goes. But since leaving the Sens, he's been to the playoffs every year, so there's that. Ceci is now with his seventh NHL team after the LA Kings signed him to a four-year contract worth $18 million. He's been remarkably resilient, missing only 10 games in four years. Ceci even put in some overtime last season, appearing in 85 NHL games.

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Evgenii Dadonov

Evgenii Dadonov played for the Senators in the 2020–21 season before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. That trade later led to controversy, as the details of Dadonov’s contract were not properly communicated, ultimately costing the Senators their 2026 first-round pick. Or at leats it's scheduled to. Dadonov went on to play two and a half seasons with the Dallas Stars, reaching the playoffs each year. He was a solid contributor with 20 goals and 20 assists this past season. He’s now signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils worth $1 million plus performance bonuses.

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Parker Kelly

Parker Kelly signed with the Colorado Avalanche last summer and posted nearly identical numbers to his previous season in Ottawa. For the Senators, he had 8 goals and 10 assists and didn't even get a qualifying offer; in Colorado, he notched 8 goals and 11 assists and got a four-year contract worth $1.4 million (AAV). Go figure...

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Curtis Lazar

The fifth Ottawa first-rounder on this list, Curtis Lazar played two and a half seasons with the Senators before being traded in 2017. Though he never lived up to his draft billing, Lazar has carved out a steady NHL career. After two seasons with the New Jersey Devils, he's now joined the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year contract worth $750,000.

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Matt Murray

Goalie Matt Murray signed a four-year contract with Ottawa in 2020, a deal that ended up being one of the worst in franchise history. After playing just two games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Murray was signed by the Seattle Kraken to a one-year, $1 million contract. He’ll look to revive his career in the Pacific Northwest.

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Mike Reilly

Now 31, Mike Reilly played 70 games over two seasons with the Senators between 2019 and 2021. He recently signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Reilly appeared in just 18 games last season with the New York Islanders. We're just glad to see him able to carry on his career after undergoing a heart procedure in November of last year.

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Vladimir Tarasenko

Tarasenko, who had 33 points in 80 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings, has joined his third NHL team since leaving the Senators at the 2024 trasde deadline. With one year remaining on his contract, Detroit traded him to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. Tarasenko acknowledged the need for change, and now looks to revitalize his game in Minnesota.

And there you have it — 10 former Senators who’ve found new homes this summer. Looking up and down the list, there honestly aren’t many names that would make Sens fans feel much regret.

Maybe that's another sign the team has indeed turned a corner and is heading into better days.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa
Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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