Thanks to the previous regime's involvement in failing to accurately verify the status of Evgenii Dadonov's modified no-trade clause and list of teams that he could not be moved to, the Ottawa Senators were punished by the league - having to forfeit a first-round selection by the 2026 NHL Draft.

In the aftermath of the Draft Lottery that was conducted live on May 5 from the NHL's offices in Secaucus, N.J., the Senators had 48 hours to notify the league of their intentions of keeping the 21st overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.

In electing to hold onto this year's selection, the Senators raised some eyebrows around the league.

I spoke with Cam Robinson, the content director and director of film scouting for Elite-Prospects, about that choice and the 2025 NHL Draft.

"In a vacuum, it's a somewhat surprising decision," explained Robinson when describing the choice to keep the pick. "But, it can be justified in a couple of ways.

"The first is that the organization either knows something we do not or are simply hoping that they are let off the hook in a similar way that New Jersey was let off the hook for the Ilya Kovalchuk contract punishment."

After being dealt from the Atlanta Thrashers to the New Jersey Devils, Ilya Kovalchuk signed an extension for 17 years and $102 million. Within 48 hours, the league stepped in and vetoed the agreement citing that its structure was designed to circumvent the salary cap.

It was hard to argue with the decision as Kovalchuk was slated to earn $95 million across the first 10 years of the deal before earning just $7 million across the contract's final seven seasons when Kovalchuk would be in his 40s and unlikely to be playing.

Eventually, Kovalchuk would sign a new 15-year extension that was not radically dissimilar from the one he had signed, but because of the Devils' attempt to circumvent the cap, they were punished by the league. The organization was fined $3 million and lost two draft selections: a 2011 third-round pick and first-round pick of its choice for one of the 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014 drafts.

Sound familiar?

Ottawa Senators Star Named to Preliminary 2026 Winter Olympic RosterOttawa Senators center Tim Stützle has been named to the preliminary roster for Team Germany ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games being co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

New Jersey's punishment was ultimately lessened, with half the fine being repaid to the organization. After delaying the forfeiture of a draft selection until the final year, the league returned a 2014 first-round pick back to the Devils with conditions. The Devils would not receive the selection based on placement in the standings but would inherit the final selection of the first round that they were not permitted to trade.

That this error occurred under previous ownership by a general manager who was quickly forced to resign a little over a month into Michael Andlauer's ownership and that the league and estate downplayed the events and its potential ramifications during the sale process, it would be hard to blame Andlauer for being miffed at this harsh punishment.

Andlauer has previously expressed hope that their punishment could be reduced in time, but Robinson highlighted a possibility that general manager Steve Staios has echoed.

"The less conspiratorial thought is that the club is betting on its upwards trend and betting on the guys in the room," said Robinson. "The 21st overall pick this year will help them sooner, and they'll continue to grow and perhaps end up giving up a later pick in 2026."

Progress does not always have to be linear, however, and that is the gamble the Senators are taking. Given the talent of their young core and the experience they gained by playing in the postseason for the first time, it is easy to fall into the assumption that the team will continue to get better.

The real risk is that the league may ultimately decide not to return the Senators' next year's selection.

Why The Kovalchuk Precedent Won't Help The Ottawa Senators Retrieve Their Forfeited First-Round PickIn November 2023, the NHL came down hard on the Ottawa Senators, announcing they would have to forfeit a first-round draft pick due to the mishandling of their July 2021 trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights.

If the Senators take a step back, this prospective 2026 pick may be exponentially more valuable than this year's iteration.

Robinson shed some light on this year's draft class stacks up.

"Generally, this class should be considered slightly below average," he explained. "It lacks a generational, or near-generational talent to anchor the top of the class. The high-end has more risks than normal and the overall depth is on the weaker side.

"However, it's not a 'bad' draft. It has the feeling of the 2017 class with lots of centre options early. Some will hit. Some will miss."

Centres Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick, and Elias Pettersson were taken in the 2017 top-five, but value was found later in the draft in Martin Necas (12th), Nick Suzuki (13th), Josh Norris (19th), Robert Thomas (20th), and Filip Chytil (21st).

With the 21st overall selection, the Senators are situated where they will have to make a calculated choice.

"This is the portion of the draft where teams will have to 'settle,'" Robinson stated. "By that, I mean they will be accepting a player with risks or warts. It's just a matter of picking your poison.

"You can likely get a high-octane winger who lacks size and simple translatability - like a Cole Reschny or Ben Kindel. Or you can target a more 'sure thing' that lacks higher impact - like a Logan Hensler."

There are a few sleepers that Robinson is higher on than some of the consensus picks who should be available in the Senators' range - Vaclav Nestrasil, Jacob Rombach, and Shane Vansaghi.

"(Nestrasil)'s a 6'5" winger who is raw and unrefined, but flashes terrific upside. He handles the puck extremely well in tight, has a good release, moves well despite much more strength needed. An intriguing asset."

If the Senators want a big defenceman, they could pivot take Rombach.

"Rombach is a 6'6", left-shot defender who has immaculate retrieval habits and is able to collect, direct, and transition the puck very quickly. He has massive stopping potential here but with a more limited offensive toolkit."

The Senators do have Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Tyler Kleven slotted on the left side, so that is not a pressing area of need right now.

The organization has continued to emphasize drafting the best available talent over need, but there are no blue-chip forwards in their pipeline. The opportunity to add one now may make more sense, which could lead to a Vansaghi selection.

"Vansaghi is a sizeable, power winger with adequate speed and a love for inflicting pain through the body. He has flashed enough skill to think he could be a unique, middle-six type that teams love in the postseason."

In consideration of how the Senators ran their first draft with general manager Steve Staios at the helm, Robinson will be keen to watch if one trend continues for the organization.

"I think the obvious takeaway was a focus on size over skill," said Robinson while reflecting on last year's picks. "(Carter) Yakemchuk over (Zayne) Parekh and (Zeev) Buium. (Gabriel) Eliasson over Cole Hutson, Andrew Basha, Harrison Brunicke, and Ryder Ritchie.

"Not to say that Yak doesn't have skill, but the projection clearly left upside on the table and tenfold with Eliasson. I did love the Blake Montgomery selection, though. As far as drawing parallels to this year's class, we'll have to see if those decisions are replicated before assuming it's a mandate and not just a result of how the cookie crumbled in 2024."

Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News-Ottawa

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Before every home playoff game, the Florida Panthers invite a special guest to get the fans inside Amerant Bank Arena pumped up.

They do this by banging a massive drum to the beat of a Let’s Go Panthers chant.

So far during this year’s Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers have invited local sports stars Bam Adebayo from the Miami Heat and Hall of Famer Jason Taylor of Miami Dolphins fame to thrill the fans with their drumming skills.

We don’t know yet who will be in the spotlight before the Panthers host Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night, but there may have been a big clue left on social media.

Former Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo, a Hockey Hall of Fame member and current special assistant to Florida General Manager Bill Zito, was last on the drum almost exactly a year ago.

It was before last year’s Game 7 that Luongo was handed the mallet and let the emotions fly while urging the fans into a pregame frenzy.

The good luck charm worked, as Florida beat the Edmonton Oilers to claim the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, and his performance was given so much credit that Luongo was back banging it during Florida's championship parade. 

Now the Panthers are in a similar situation, hosting the Oilers in Sunrise with a chance to claim the Cup with a win.

Will Florida bring back their lucky goalie before Game 6?

On Monday afternoon, Luongo took to social media to stir the rumor winds.

He posted a GIF of Will Ferrell banging on a drum set in the movie “Step Brothers” while posting the message, “Warming up in the bullpen.”

Warming up in the bullpen pic.twitter.com/UDhadbPOFQ

— Strombone (@strombone1) June 16, 2025

Does that mean Luongo will be back on the drum on Tuesday night, or will he simply be on standby, in the “bullpen” as it were?

We will find out on Tuesday night in Sunrise.

The puck is set to drop on Game 6 between the Cats and Oilers at 8 p.m. ET.

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Photo caption: Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Former Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo bangs the drum prior to the start of the during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

The NHL's off-season is more or less at hand, and teams are beginning to make significant trades. And in this new series on THN.com's Buffalo Sabres site, we're looking at potential trade partners for the Sabres.

We began the series by looking at the Utah Mammoth; more recently, we examined the Colorado Avalanche; and in today's column, we're focusing our attention on the Vancouver Canucks. Let's get right to it.

TEAM: Vancouver Canucks

CAP SPACE: $12.1 million

FREE AGENTS:  Brock Boeser, RW; Pius Suter, C; Noah Juulsen, D

NEEDS: High-end wing depth; offensive help in general; lower-pair 'D' depth; overall change in chemistry

SABRES FIT? The Canucks were a colossal disappointment this season, finishing six standings points out of a playoff spot and in fifth place in the weak Pacific Division. Naturally, Canucks fans were livid, not only from the on-ice results, but in regard to the neverending off-ice drama that included a civil war between star center Elias Pettersson and now-former star center J.T. Miller, as well as the departure of coach Rick Tocchet, and now the almost-certain departure of star winger Boeser. 

Thus, many Canucks observers are watching the organization in expectation of Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin making many moves of consequence. But with a relatively-small amount of cap space, and numerous holes to fill, the Canucks aren't likely to be big-time players on the free-agent front. Instead, they're expecting changes to come via trades. And there will be no shortage of speculation that numerous trades are on the way for Vancouver.

In many regards, the Sabres would be heavily-interested in Pettersson, but his contract -- which pays him $11.6-million per season -- has a full no-move clause as of July 1. As hockey fans should know by now, a no-trade or no-move clause isn't an iron-clad guarantee a player won't be move, because in the right circumstance, a player may decide they want to move on. And maybe -- just maybe -- Pettersson has arrived at that point in Vancouver at 26 years old. 

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Colorado AvalancheThe Buffalo Sabres are entering the 2025 off-season as one of the key NHL teams to watch. As they try to re-jig the roster with the goal of ending their 14-year streak with no playoff appearances, the Sabres are highly-motivated to make a splash. But what are they likely to do on the trade front -- and what teams are out there that could be a trade partner? That's the focus of this new series on THN.com's Sabres site. 

The bigger problem, of course, is convincing Pettersson that Buffalo should be a desirable location for him. And while the Sabres have some Swedish players who may be able to sell Pettersson on life in Western New York, the odds are there are other situations out there that are much more palatable for Pettersson. So this type of move would be a longshot indeed from the Sabres' point of view.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't players who may intrigue Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams. And the most notable one could be right winger Conor Garland. The 29-year-old has produced a combined total of 75 goals in the past four seasons, and while the 5-foot-9 winger is small in stature, he's crafty and capable of adding quality depth to the Sabres' wing position. And his $4.95-million salary -- which expires at the end of next season -- means he'll be entering a contract year, and consequently could be highly-motivated to have an excellent 2025-26 campaign.

Now, Vancouver is looking for help on the wing, so any deal that would move Garland almost certainly would need to include another winger coming the Canucks' way. Buffalo probably can't address that, but would the Sabres be amenable to sending RFA defenseman Bowen Byram to Vancouver in a deal for Garland? Byram is a British Columbia native and someone who would make the Canucks' defense corps one of the deeper units in the league, and Byram's 2024-25 salary of $3.85-million makes him a solid match with Garland's current salary.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Utah MammothThis is the first file in what will be an ongoing series on THN.com's Buffalo Sabres site. In these files, we're going to identify a number of teams the Sabres could be making a trade with this summer, and we'll be picking out specific players who could be trade targets for Buffalo.

The stumbling block here is Vancouver's lack of depth on the wing. With Boeser more or less out the door, moving Garland will make an already weak group of wingers even weaker. But the Canucks can make other moves in trades and free-agency to address that need. And adding a hometown player in Byram would go over extremely well with Vancouver fans.

Ultimately, the Canucks want a different mix of players than the one that was too passive and too limp offensively this season. The challenge for Adams is to find a connection to Vancouver that results in Buffalo adding a proven veteran that can help them make the playoffs next season. Acquiring Pettersson may well be a pipe dream, but Garland doesn't have any no-trade or no-move protection, and Garland -- a Massachusetts native -- may find it a very good thing to play on the East Coast, much closer to home. 

As a year-long rental, Garland would be a gamble of sorts for the Sabres. But he could replace some of the offense Buffalo would lose if they move winger J.J. Peterka, and if things don't work out with Garland, the Sabres can part ways with him with no cap commitment after 2025-26.

If Sabres Part Ways With Blueliner Byram, These Three Veteran Defenseman Should Be Options To Replace HimThe Buffalo Sabres could be approaching a crossroads when it comes to the future of star defenseman Bowen Byram. We've argued on THN.com that the Sabres should hang onto Byram, but for argument's sake, let's say Buffalo and Byram part ways. If that happens, there are numerous veterans the Sabres could bring in to shore up their defense corps.

In any case, Vancouver is highly likely to make notable moves this summer. The Sabres are in the same boat, and if Adams can figure out how to please his counterpart in B.C., there could be a trade match here.

Heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs, Florida Panthers left winger Brad Marchand was having a decent-enough year – not all-star caliber but not bad, all things considered. 

However, Marchand has been an absolute beast in the playoffs, posting 10 goals – including three game-winners – and 20 points in 22 games. Thanks in part to his efforts, the Panthers are one win away from defending the Stanley Cup.

Marchand and Panthers teammate Sam Bennett are leading candidates to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. Perhaps more importantly, Marchand has provided himself with an opportunity for an incredible financial raise next season.

This year, the 37-year-old earned $6.125 million. But given how dynamic he’s been in the playoffs, Marchand deserves at least $8 million per year on his next deal, potentially on a three-year contract extension. 

Don’t kid yourself – there shouldn’t be only one team prepared to offer Marchand that much. The Panthers should go there. If we were GMs of the Toronto Maple Leafs or Boston Bruins, we would also pay up.

That’s just the Atlantic Division. You can bet there are other teams in the league who want Marchand’s playoff pedigree, hard-nosed style and leadership in their dressing room next season and beyond, even if he is closer to 40 years old than 30.

Consequently, Marchand will have his pick of the litter among multiple teams this summer. And in the bidding war that’s coming, Marchand could even sign for higher. Once Bennett and Leafs right winger Mitch Marner are off the free-agent market, there will be precious few veterans with Marchand’s experience and dogged determination to win. That’s what he’s shown in the playoffs, and that’s why he’s going to be so valued in free agency.

It’s quite something to see Marchand’s monetary value rise in real time from period to period and game to game. He’s been so clutch and so dynamic that he’s carved out a special place in the free-agent market. 

While his game may start to fall off in the coming years, he’s fortunate enough to be a UFA in a year where the talent pool isn’t especially deep. If all his stars line up, he could be swimming in money in what could be his final NHL contract.

Thus, Marchand and his agent can sit back and let the offers pile in and decide for themselves what market is best for him, both monetarily and competitively. While some intangibles will come into play, the businessman in Marchand may simply choose to go with the team that steps up and ponies up the most cash. And you couldn’t blame him for doing so after taking relative discounts with the Bruins for years. He’s made himself into an asset that teams value in the extreme, and he will be paid like it. 

In a zero-sum industry where wins matter above all else, Marchand’s tremendous impact on the bottom line will certainly provide him a lucrative conclusion to what is now likely a Hockey Hall of Fame career.

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.

Coming out of the NHL Scouting Combine last weekend, the Buffalo Sabres got the lowdown on a number of prospects that could be their with the ninth selection at the 2025 Draft in Los Angeles later this month, but barring a trade up they will have to rely on the player they want slipping through the cracks.  

The NY Islanders are likely to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top overall pick, but there is no accurate read on how the remaining seven picks will break. That seems to be reflected in various mock drafts that have emerged since the combine. After Schaefer, names like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and rising star Anton Frondell are likely to go in the top five, but at that point, any of a number of players could be there for the Sabres at #9.  

Other Sabres Stories

Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?

Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram

Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change

Brandon Wheat Kings  center Roger McQueen may be the best example of a high-risk, high-reward player in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old has the physical tools and scoring ability that teams drool over, but questions over a lower back injury that limited him to just 17 games in the WHL last season have him potentially slipping into the lower half of the top-10 and perhaps even lower than the Sabres ninth overall pick. 

According to the Hockey News Draft Preview, McQueen could fall because 2024 fourth overall pick Cayden Lindstrom missed all of the WHL regular season with a similar injury after missing half of his draft year. A team willing to take a chance could hit the jackpot on the Saskatoon native, who is a highly-skilled, high-character forward.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald made it clear during his end-of-season media availability that he would not be coming back with the same group of players for the 2025-26 season. 

Pieces began to fall with Tomas Tatar opting to take his game overseas, signing a two-year contract in Switzerland with EV Zug of the Swiss National League.

With free agency a couple of weeks away, it appears another depth forward will not return to New Jersey. 

Justin Dowling's agent, Allain Roy of RSG Hockey, LLC, told The Hockey News his client is preparing to hit free agency and "will likely not return" to the Devils organization. 

The 34-year-old did not make the Devils roster out of training camp and played seven games with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) before being called up to replace Curtis Lazar, who suffered a knee injury in October. 

Dowling remained in New Jersey for the rest of the season, appearing in 52 games. His play earned him praise from his head coach, Sheldon Keefe. So much so that he chose to play him over Lazar, who was available during the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

In addition to the Devils, the Alberta native has previously played for the Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks. At the NHL level, he has played 152 games and has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists). He additionally appeared in 573 AHL games and collected 408 points. 

NHL free agency will officially open on July 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Devils have five unrestricted free agents in addition to Dowling: Lazar, Nathan Bastian, Daniel Sprong, Brian Dumoulin, and Jake Allen. Luke Hughes, Cody Glass, and Nolan Foote make up New Jersey's restricted free agents. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

Six players were announced by their respective countries for the 2026 Winter Olympics teams,  but only Buffalo Sabres team captain Rasmus Dahlin was selected from the club’s current roster. The 25-year-old blueliner finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting last week after posting 68 points (17 goals, 51 assists) in 73 games, and had one goal for his country in the NHL Four Nations Face-Off in February. 

Three former Sabres were also named on Monday. Vegas Golden Knights center and ex-Buffalo team captain Jack Eichel was selected by Team USA, Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart was selected by Team Canada, and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Zemgus Girgensons was selected by Team Latvia.  Eichel had 94 points for the Golden Knights last season, Reinhart had 39 goals for the Panthers and could win his second straight Stnaley Cup if Florida beats Edmonton on Tuesday, and Girgensons had just six points in 82 games for the Lightning last season.  

Other Sabres Stories

Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?

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 A surprising omission was Sabres winger JJ Peterka, who has starred for Germany in the World Championships and finished second in team scoring with 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) in 77 games last season. Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle, Chicago’s Lukas Reichel, Florida’s Nico Strum, Detroit’s Moritz Seider, and Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer were chosen over the 23-year-old winger. 

The remainder of the rosters are expected to be selected in early 2026 and besides Peterka, a number of Sabres could be in the mix. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was one of three goalies chosen by Finland for the Four Nations, youngster Jiri Kulich could be in the mix for Czechia, and after a 36-goal season, winger Alex Tuch could be in the mix for a depth spot on Team USA with veterans like Chris Kreider and Brock Nelson on the bubble after a poor showing in February. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Wraparound is here with more rapid-fire topics in the NHL.

Should The Predators Already Move On From Stamkos Or Marchessault? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: Will Brad Marchand go down as one of the best trade deadline acquisitions ever?

3:32: Evaluating the Edmonton Oilers’ ability to play in high-pressure situations

5:40: After trading Chris Kreider, could Mika Zibanejad also be moved by the New York Rangers?

9:10: Can the Buffalo Sabres afford to move on from J.J. Peterka?

12:14: Is it time for the Buffalo Sabres to move on from Bowen Byram?

15:28: Could the Nashville Predators already move on from either Jonathan Marchessault or Steven Stamkos?

20:37: Will Mitch Marner be the top free agent in the last decade to hit the market?

24:57: What to make of Team USA’s decision to leave Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger off the first six roster spots for the 2026 Olympics

29:15: Will the Montreal Canadiens end up trading either of their first-round draft picks this year?

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

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Evgeni Malkin’s likely final season comes as the Penguins enter with long +28000 odds, creating potential sleeper value for bettors hoping for a storybook ending.

Evgeni Malkin has been one of the faces of Pittsburgh hockey for nearly two decades but the 2025–26 campaign may mark the end of his Hall of Fame journey. According to multiple reports, the Penguins are not expected to offer Malkin another contract following this season, making it likely the last for the Russian superstar. The report did not confirm Malkin himself but the writing appears to be on the wall as the team continues to lean younger under new leadership.

The Penguins reportedly will not offer Evgeni Malkin a contract extension, making the 2025-26 season his last in Pittsburgh, per @JoshYohe_PGH

End of an era 🐧 pic.twitter.com/7aL0af39wH

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 16, 2025

Even at 38, Malkin showed flashes of vintage brilliance last season. He finished the 2024–25 campaign with 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games. While it's nowhere near the 113 points he recorded in 2008-09, it's still serviceable for a mid-tier centre. He was among the Penguins top contributors, showing that his vision, touch, and playmaking remain effective even as the miles add up.

More NHL: Where Will Sam Bennett Play Next Season? New Bettting Odds Spark Major Buzz

The wonder is if the Penguins will opt to trade the veteran centre to a contender and help the Penguins retain something of value before he potentially retires. Over his career, Malkin has become one of the most decorated players of his generation. He’s won the Hart Trophy as league MVP, the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, two Art Ross scoring titles, and the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP during the Penguins' 2009 Stanley Cup run. 

He's also hoisted the Stanley Cup three times in 2009, 2016, and 2017 as well as being named to the All-Star Game seven times throughout his historic career. As of the end of last season, he’s logged a total of 1,213 NHL games with 514 goals and 832 assists, good for 1,346 points. In October 2024, Malkin became just the 48th player in NHL history to reach 500 career goals. 

The timing of this potential farewell couldn’t be more intriguing from a betting perspective. The Penguins enter the season as one of the biggest long shots to win the Stanley Cup, listed at +28000, the fifth-longest odds in the league on FanDuel Sportsbook. Their roster remains in flux and leadership will look very different, with Dan Muse stepping behind the bench as Pittsburgh’s new head coach. Muse, known for his development acumen and detail-oriented approach, has been given long +3100 odds to win the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year.

For bettors, the combination of Malkin’s likely final season and a new coaching regime introduces narrative-driven value. It wouldn’t be the first time a legendary player went out with a late-career surge that pulled a team beyond expectations. 

If Muse can elevate the team’s structure and Malkin finds another gear for one last playoff push, even the longest odds can become tempting. Cash out oppurtunites are something we've looked at in the past and just a $10 bet on the Penguins would pay out around $2,800 to win the Cup which isn't very likely. 

However, Pittsburgh has proven in past seasons that experienced cores can catch fire and if they can manage to battle their way into a playoff spot like they looked like they were going to at times this season, we could get a massive cashout option towards the start of next years playoffs that could pay out a couple hundred dollars.

More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

The Chicago Blackhawks are coming into 2025-26 with a lot of youth at the top of their roster. They will be very exciting to watch, but veteran leadership is needed on every NHL team. 

GM Kyle Davidson already has a few veterans on the team, such as Connor Murphy, Nick Foligno, Teuvo Teravainen, and Tyler Bertuzzi. However, he may look for one with other attributes, including more offense.

During this off-season, a handful of very good veterans who are considered NHL elders are going to be available. Players like this, despite their age, should be at the top of Chicago’s list of people to go after. 

Young teams need guys like this to help them take a step as an organization: 

1. Brad Marchand

Brad Marchand is 37 years old. You would not think that based on how he is playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Florida Panthers. He has been their best player in the Stanley Cup Final and is on the verge of winning it for the second time in his career. 

Marchand was shockingly traded to a division rival by the Boston Bruins right at the buzzer of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. He was injured at the time of the trade but he made it back in time to impact the Panthers in a big way. 

It's not like the defending Stanley Cup champions needed any help, but they were smart enough to go add more anyway. Marchand's regular season ended with 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points. Most of that was on a struggling Bruins team or following an injury with Florida. 

In the playoffs so far, Marchand has 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points. He is in the mix for the Conn Smythe Trophy at this point. 

A guy coming off a run like that would be great for the young Chicago Blackhawks. He has a lot more hockey left in the tank. His attitude, hard-working motor, and talent would be great to have around guys like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. 

2. John Tavares

John Tavares doesn't have the playoff resume that Brad Marchand has, but he is one of the few players who hasn't been a complete disappointment for the Toronto Maple Leafs when the lights are brightest. If Toronto doesn't retain the hometown guy in free agency, the Blackhawks should be all over him. 

In the regular season, Tavares had 38 goals and 36 assists for 74 points in 75 games played. That is outstanding for a guy who will be 35 when the 2025-26 season begins. 

Tavares can still drive a line and score goals at a high rate. With some of the gifted playmakers on Chicago's roster, Tavares should be able to put up similar numbers. In a leadership role, Tavares could thrive as long as his offense doesn't drop off. 

3. Claude Giroux 

Claude Girouz is 37 and will turn 38 in January. He doesn't seem to have the same level of offense left in the tank as Marchand or Tavares, but he can still make plays on a good line. 

During the 2024-25 season, in a much more depth role, he scored 15 goals and had 35 assists for 50 points in 81 games played. He is a candidate to see a spark in production if he played more minutes, which he would get in Chicago. 

Giroux has been an elite offensive talent throughout his career, and he knows what it takes to be a superstar in the NHL. If he were placed on a line or power play with some of the youth that Chicago has, you may see remnants of the old Giroux. It is a move worth considering if you are Kyle Davidson, looking for a savvy veteran. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Oilers are on cusp of making the wrong kind of Stanley Cup Final history originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Will the Edmonton Oilers finish as Stanley Cup runners-up again?

Edmonton was pushed to the brink of elimination in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, losing Game 5 at home by a score of 5-2 to the defending champion Florida Panthers. The series now shifts back to Florida for Game 6 on Tuesday, when the Panthers will have the chance to pull off a repeat championship.

The rare Cup Final rematch between Florida and Edmonton has played out much differently than last year, when the Oilers erased a 3-0 series deficit before dropping the decisive Game 7 on the road.

Panthers-Oilers Round 2 has been a back-and-forth battle with three overtime contests in five games. Edmonton took the series opener before Florida responded with two straight victories. The Oilers evened the series in Game 4, but the Panthers pulled back ahead in Game 5.

Now, Connor McDavid and Co. need to win two straight elimination to avoid becoming repeat Stanley Cup runners-up.

Has an NHL team ever lost back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

The Oilers wouldn’t be the first team to suffer Cup Final losses in consecutive seasons.

How many NHL teams have lost back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

Since the start of the expansion era in the 1967-68 season, there have been just two instances of the same team losing at least two Cup Finals in a row.

Who was the last NHL team to lose back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

And it’s been nearly 50 years since it last happened. The Boston Bruins lost the 1977 Cup Final to the Montreal Canadiens before suffering the same fate against Montreal in 1978. Boston’s consecutive Cup Final defeats were part of a four-peat for Montreal from 1976-79.

The only other team to record consecutive runner-up finishes is the St. Louis Blues, who were defeated in three straight Cup Finals. St. Louis lost to the Canadiens in 1968and 1969 before falling to the Bruins in 1970. The Blues wouldn’t make it back to the Cup Final until 2019, when they defeated the Bruins for the franchise’s first championship.

Oilers are on cusp of making the wrong kind of Stanley Cup Final history originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Will the Edmonton Oilers finish as Stanley Cup runners-up again?

Edmonton was pushed to the brink of elimination in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, losing Game 5 at home by a score of 5-2 to the defending champion Florida Panthers. The series now shifts back to Florida for Game 6 on Tuesday, when the Panthers will have the chance to pull off a repeat championship.

The rare Cup Final rematch between Florida and Edmonton has played out much differently than last year, when the Oilers erased a 3-0 series deficit before dropping the decisive Game 7 on the road.

Panthers-Oilers Round 2 has been a back-and-forth battle with three overtime contests in five games. Edmonton took the series opener before Florida responded with two straight victories. The Oilers evened the series in Game 4, but the Panthers pulled back ahead in Game 5.

Now, Connor McDavid and Co. need to win two straight elimination to avoid becoming repeat Stanley Cup runners-up.

Has an NHL team ever lost back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

The Oilers wouldn’t be the first team to suffer Cup Final losses in consecutive seasons.

How many NHL teams have lost back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

Since the start of the expansion era in the 1967-68 season, there have been just two instances of the same team losing at least two Cup Finals in a row.

Who was the last NHL team to lose back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

And it’s been nearly 50 years since it last happened. The Boston Bruins lost the 1977 Cup Final to the Montreal Canadiens before suffering the same fate against Montreal in 1978. Boston’s consecutive Cup Final defeats were part of a four-peat for Montreal from 1976-79.

The only other team to record consecutive runner-up finishes is the St. Louis Blues, who were defeated in three straight Cup Finals. St. Louis lost to the Canadiens in 1968and 1969 before falling to the Bruins in 1970. The Blues wouldn’t make it back to the Cup Final until 2019, when they defeated the Bruins for the franchise’s first championship.

EDMONTON – You’ve gotta make hay while the sun shines.

This farming adage could prove fruitful for a fortunate NHL team this offseason. The Edmonton Oilers would be wise to poke around an RFA who is reportedly not happy with their current team.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

The Buffalo Sabres’ 23-year-old JJ Peterka would be an incredible addition to the Oilers team. His nose for the net, goal-scoring ability, and rumored availability make him the ideal candidate to join the Copper and Blue.

Here’s why the Oilers should make a deal for the young, German forward.

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Peterka Has A Nose For The Net

NHLers and coaches alike will tell you that the key to scoring goals is simply going to the net. This is something that Peterka does on instinct.

According to his teammates, he has a nose for the net and goes hard every time he hits the ice. 

“Every time he has the puck, he’s going to make a play and then get to the net,” Peyton Krebs, a teammate of Peterka’s, told The Score. “A lot of guys hold back and take it easy sometimes, but not JJ.”

Peterka Is Coming Off A Career Year

Peterka is coming off the best year of his (very) young NHL career. With over 200 games played already, he has scored 28 and 27 goals in the last two years.

He recorded 68 points in 77 games for the Sabres this year. Peterka averaged 18:11 per game. He finished second on the team in scoring behind Tage Thompson, who collected 72 points.

Peterka was on the Sabres' top unit powerplay, averaging 2:55 with the man advantage per game.

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Sabres Are Taking Calls On Peterka

According to Elliotte Friedman, the Sabres have changed their tune on Peterka’s status with the club. On the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman laid out the situation.

“I have said on this podcast and in my radio interviews several times,” Friedman began. “The Sabres have indicated that they do not want to trade JJ Peterka…their answer has changed.”

As for why the Sabres have had a change of heart, Friedman explained his understanding.

“I think it’s the reality of the situation,” Friedman revealed. “People know Peterka’s unhappy, and it’s believed he would like to go somewhere else.” 

“I just think that reality is sinking in a bit.”

32 Thoughts Game 5 reaction pod -- plus news, information & analysis.

Links to your preferred platform, here: https://t.co/io7Mr1RceU Enjoy!

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 15, 2025

Peterka is coming off a three-year Entry Level Contract (ELC). He is currently without a contract as an offer-sheet available RFA (Restricted Free Agent).

Making a deal with Peterka right now would be the prudent thing to do. For starters, the Sabres don’t have a lot of leverage in any negotiations. With the word of their player not happy with the organization out in the hockey community as common knowledge, it puts them into a bit of a pickle.

Using some draft capital and/or a player signed for multiple years as the foundation for a deal would make the most sense on the Oilers end of things. It would certainly make more sense than taking the offer sheet approach.

Peterka plays the right game and has the offensive skill to be an ideal candidate for the Oilers to target. It probably doesn’t hurt to have countryman Leon Draisaitl on the team either – the center he would most likely play with.

There is plenty of time for something to happen before this metaphorical sun goes down.

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