Red Wings Players To Watch In 2025-26: Alex DeBrincat
The 2024-25 NHL season was the second in the Detroit Red Wings tenure of Farmington Hills, Mich. native Alex DeBrincat, whom the Red Wings acquired from the Ottawa Senators in 2023.
His first season with the club began with a torrid scoring pace, as DeBrincat lit the lamp nine times in his first 10 games in a Detroit uniform. However, his scoring pace cooled off considerably, especially down the stretch.
He managed only two goals over 28 combined games in January and March, finishing the season with 27 tallies. Thankfully, his scoring rebounded significantly in his second campaign.
DeBrincat recorded 39 goals for the Red Wings in the 2024-25 season, his highest total since netting 41 with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22. He also contributed 31 assists for 70 points, marking his best overall output since that same season in Chicago.
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Like many of his teammates, DeBrincat acknowledged the positive impact that the coaching change in late December from Derek Lalonde to Todd McLellan made on the Red Wings, and he expects a full campaign of McLellan behind the bench to pay dividends in the long run.
“I think it’s a big difference,” DeBrincat said after the Red Wings cleaned out their dressing room on April 19. “I’ve been through a couple coaching changes midseason, and I think when you’re able to get that full training camp, he gets to implement his systems, and we just get to have the message right from Day 1. It’s a big difference. I think it’ll be good for us to get that training camp with him under our belts, and obviously we’re comfortable with him now, we know what to expect, and there’s going to be no surprises come September.”
Along with his former Blackhawks teammate Patrick Kane, DeBrincat seemed to find a groove playing on the team's second forward line centered by rookie Marco Kasper, a line that will likely remain intact heading into the upcoming season.
Red Wings Players To Watch In 2025-26: Marco Kasper When Steve Yzerman returned to the Detroit Red Wings in April 2019 to take over the role of general manager, he didn’t have much to work with in terms of enticing prospects, but since then he has built one of the most highly regarded prospect pools in the NHL.
For the Red Wings to bring Stanley Cup Playoff hockey to Little Caesars Arena for the first time in the venue's existence next spring, they'll need DeBrincat to duplicate his performance of last season and remain a constant threat to appear on the scoresheet.
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Vancouver Canucks 2025 Training Camp Questions: Which Prospects Have The Most To Gain With A Strong Performance?
Hockey is officially back as the Vancouver Canucks are about to begin their 2025 Training Camp. This year's training camp will take place in Penticton from September 18-21. Overall, there are many questions heading into training camp, including which prospects have the most to gain with a strong performance.
Before diving into this question, we must establish who counts as a prospect. For this article, a prospect is a player under the age of 22 who spent the majority of last season in a junior league. This means that players like Kirill Kudryavtsev, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, defenceman Elias Pettersson and Ty Young do not count for this exercise.
Defenceman Tom Willander
All eyes will be on Tom Willander when training camp opens on September 18. After wrapping up a successful NCAA career, the 2023 first-round pick has signed with the organization and will be in contention for an NHL roster spot. Even if Willander starts the season in the AHL, it is more likely than not that he gets a call up at some point during the season.
The big question surrounding Willander is how he will look when going against NHL players. He has developed into a can't-miss prospect, but doesn't yet have experience playing pro players on a consistent basis. If Willander steps up and demonstrates that he can win battles while developing chemistry with other members of the Canucks top six, it will go a long way in showing that he is ready to skip the AHL and head straight to the NHL.
Left Winger Vilmer Alriksson
Vilmer Alriksson was one of Vancouver's best players at the 2025 Prospects Showcase against the Seattle Kraken. The 2024 fourth-rounder showcased his physicality while also proving that he has a speed element to his game. A prospect who is already signed by the Canucks, Alriksson could be a difference maker in the AHL throughout the year.
While Alriksson isn't quite ready for the NHL, he could be in consideration for a call-up during the season. One way to at least plant the seed of interest in the organization is by having a strong training camp and pre-season in front of Vancouver's coaching staff. If the 6'6" 234 lbs forward can stand out like he did during the 2024 pre-season and build momentum heading into the year, it might not be long before Alriksson makes his NHL debut.
Defenceman Sawyer Mynio
Another AHL rookie to keep an eye on this season is Sawyer Mynio. The 2023 third-rounder recently wrapped up his junior career in the WHL and is projected to be a key part of the Abbotsford Canucks blue line in 2025-26. A mobile defenceman who can win puck battles consistently, Mynio is an intriguing prospect with a bright future.
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As for this year's training camp, it will be interesting to see who the coaching staff partners Mynio with. At the 2025 Prospects Showcase, he was paired with Kudryavtsev on the team's second pairing. If he is once again paired with the 21-year-old, it could be an indicator that Manny Malhotra and his staff have big plans for Mynio this year.
Center Riley Patterson
As for a prospect to watch who will be headed back to junior, that is Riley Patterson. The 19-year-old was a standout at the 2025 Prospects Showcase, scoring one goal and recording two primary assists over the two games. Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, Patterson will be joining the Niagara Ice Dogs in the OHL this year after being traded from the Barrie Colts.
There will be some pressure on Patterson to perform this season, as Niagara gave up six draft picks to acquire him. The Ice Dogs are also projected to have a strong season, with one of the reasons being their acquisition of Patterson. Ultimately, a strong training camp will go a long way in ensuring that Patterson can build some momentum before heading back to the OHL.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
Blackhawks Veteran Goalie Still Injured
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Laurent Brossoit missed the entirety of the 2024-25 season due to a knee injury. Now, based on a new update, the 6-foot-3 goaltender is set to miss more time.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope, Brossoit remains injured and will likely be out "a lot longer" than the start of training camp.
Laurent Brossoit and Ty Henry are injured to begin camp (and likely a lot longer than that) for the Blackhawks. Wyatt Kaiser is on the roster despite not having a contract as of now. https://t.co/m0toYr5fTd
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 16, 2025
The Blackhawks signed Brossoit to a two-year, $6.6 million contract during the 2024 NHL off-season, which comes with a $3.3 million average annual value (AAV). However, due to his injury trouble, Brossoit still has not made his debut for the Blackhawks.
Brossoit last played during the 2023-24 season with the Winnipeg Jets, where he had a strong year. In 23 appearances with the Jets that campaign, he posted a 15-5-2 record, a 2.00 goals-against average, and a .927 save percentage. This was after he recorded a 7-0-3 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 2.17 goals-against average in 11 appearances for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23.
With Brossoit still not being good to go, the Blackhawks will likely continue to roll with Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom as their goalie tandem. Here's to hoping that Brossoit can return early on during the season, as he would be a good veteran mentor for the Blackhawks' two young goalies to have around.
Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Newcomer Winger Danforth A Role Player At Best For Buffalo In '25-26
The NHL’s 2025-26 season is about to begin, and on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’re approaching the end of our player-by-player series in which we analyze every Sabres player’s expectations for the coming season.
We’ve broken down the Sabres’ goalies, defensemen, and most of Buffalo’s group of forwards. And in today’s file, we’re examining Justin Danforth. The veteran winger left the Columbus Blue Jackets to sign with the Sabres for the ‘25-26 and 2026-7 campaigns, and below, you’ll find expectations on Danforth this coming season:
Player Name: Justin Danforth
Position: Right Winger
Age: 32
2024-25 Key Statistics: 61 games, nine goals, 21 points, 14:23 average time on ice
2025-26 Salary:$1.8 million
2025-26 Expectations: Since his pro hockey career began in 2017, Danforth has bounced between the American League, ECHL, Europe and NHL, only finding a long-lasting NHL job as a member of the Blue Jackets in the past few seasons. And to this day, Danforth’s career-high in goals is 10, a number which he got to in 45 games of the ‘21-22 season, then matched in 71 games in 2023-24.
Danforth got close to that career-high last season, posting nine goals and 21 points in 61 games with Columbus. And he made a career-best $1.1-million last year – a total he surely could’ve improved upon had he chosen to head back to Europe this fall. Instead, the 32-year-old got a two-year contract from the Sabres, at nearly double his salary from last year.
Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Buffalo Hoping Center Krebs Will Emerge As Key CogThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is just about upon is, and here on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’re near the end of our player-by-player series in which we break down each Buffalo player’s expectations for the coming year.
That said, Danforth will begin the 2025-26 season firmly entrenched on Buffalo’s fourth line, and it’s difficult to envision him rising up the depth chart anytime soon. With due respect to Danforth, who deserves credit for scratching and clawing to carve out an NHL career for himself, he simply doesn’t have the experience or reputation that would persuade you he can do anything other than barely get to double-digits in goals and 20-25 points in a single season.
Injuries to the Sabres’ group of forwards could afford Danforth more opportunities on the third line. But Buffalo management undoubtedly would prefer their younger players make the most of their chances, and that would almost certainly mean Danforth is going to be well down the Sabres’ list of secondary scoring options in the short-and-long-term picture.
Listed at 5-foot-9, Danforth is an undersized, undrafted winger at the NHL level. He’s not going to overwhelm opponents with skill, size or intuition. He’s not going to be a negative influence on the Sabres’ performance this coming year, but he’s also not going to do any of the heavy lifting required to carry this Buffalo team past the finish line and end the Sabres’ 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought.
Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Exciting Young Center Kulich Has Good Chance To Be Special NHLer For BuffaloWe’re about to kick off the NHL’s 2025-26 season, and here on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’re moving through our player-by-player series in which we analyze every Buffalo players’ expectations this coming season.
Thus, we have to measure our expectations for Danforth. He got a decent contract out of Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams, and good for him for doing so. And if he can get to the 15-goal, 30-point mark, the Sabres will be thrilled.
But imagining Danforth will be on highlight reels and near the top of Buffalo’s list of top scorers is dreaming in technicolor. Danforth is a fringe component of the Sabres, and his expectations should be constructed accordingly.
Vancouver Canucks Announce Contract Extension For Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra
Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra will be staying with the organization for the next couple of seasons. On Tuesday, GM Patrik Allvin announced that the Canucks have picked up Malhotra's option for the 2026-27 season. This will keep Malhotra in Abbotsford for the next two seasons, where he can continue to help develop Vancouver's top prospects.
In the press release, Allvin said, "Since joining our organization, Manny has done a great job teaching, communicating with, and developing our players in the American Hockey League. His work ethic, passion, and partnership with our NHL staff was a big reason why our group in Abbotsford won a Calder Cup, and why the players we called up to Vancouver during the season fit into our system so well. We are extremely happy to have Manny extend his time with the hockey club."
Malhotra had a year to remember during his first season as an AHL head coach. The Canucks set a new franchise record for wins with 44 and points 92. After a successful regular season, Malhotra led Abbotsford to their first Finals appearance, where they defeated Charlotte Checkers to win the 2025 Calder Cup.
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On top of having success in the AHL, Malhotra helped prepare players for when they were called up to the NHL. This includes defenceman Elias Pettersson and Max Sasson, who each played at least 25 games in Vancouver last season. Other players that made their NHL debuts in 2024-25 after staring in the AHL include Ty Muller, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Nikita Tolopilo.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
Florida Panthers announce 2025 Training Camp schedule, Fan Fest
The Florida Panthers have officially announced the start of their 2025 Training Camp.
All the fun will begin on Thursday at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.
Florida will hold three days of multi-group practice sessions in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday ahead of Sunday’s preseason-opening doubleheader against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.
Select camp practices will be open to the public, but no dates have been announced yet. For the latest info on open practices, click here.
There are a total of 72 players on Florida’s initial camp roster: 42 forwards, 23 defensemen and seven goaltenders.
You can check out the full camp roster in the images below:
Additionally, the Panthers announced details for their 2025 Training Camp Fan Fest.
It will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m. at the Baptist Health IcePlex.
In addition to being able to see the Panthers practicing on the ice, there will be fun games and activities for fans, as well as opportunities to see Stanley C. Panther, Viktor E. Ratt and the Panthers Dance Team.
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The Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 training camp will begin on Wednesday, with media availabilities for GM Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff, and physicals for the players. On-ice work will commence on Thursday, in advance of the opening of their six-game exhibition schedule next Monday in Columbus. The club unveiled their roster for camp on Tuesday, consisting of 61 players.
The roster includes players on NHL deals, AHL contracts who played in the NHL, in the AHL for Rochester, or the ECHL for Jacksonville, as well as a number of unsigned prospects.
Forwards (32) - 6 Zach Benson, 59 Matteo Costantini, 15 Justin Danforth, 91 Josh Doan, 44 Josh Dunne, 45 Riley Fiddler-Schultz, 55 Mason Geertsen, 12 Jordan Greenway, 94 Konsta Helenius, 95 Jagger Joshua, 41 Tyler Kopff, 48 Tyson Kozak, 19 Peyton Krebs, 20 Jiri Kulich, 52 Trevor Kuntar, 13 Jake Leschyshyn, 29 Beck Malenstyn, 71 Ryan McLeod, 49 Carson Meyer, 54 Olivier Nadeau, 79 Viktor Neuchev, 9 Josh Norris, 86 Noah Ostlund, 22 Jack Quinn, 63 Isak Rosen, 81 Redmond Savage, 67 Graham Slaggert, 72 Tage Thompson,, 89 Alex Tuch, 92 Anton Wahlberg, 42 Brendan Warren, 17 Jason Zucker
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Defensemen (21) - 93 David Bedkowski, 75 Isaac Belliveau, 43 Simon-Pier Brunet, 78 Jacob Bryson, 4 Bowen Byram, 26 Rasmus Dahlin, 36 Aidan Fulp, 33 Ryan Johnson, 28 Zac Jones, 8 Michael Kesselring, 76 Vsevolod Komarov, 46 Noah Laaouan, 37 Noah Laberge, 73 Zach Metsa, 57 Radim Mrtka, 74 Nikita Novikov, 25 Owen Power, 3 Jack Rathbone, 23 Mattias Samuelsson, 21 Conor Timmins, 56 Peter Tischke
Goaltenders (8) - 40 Alexandar Georgiev, 35 Ryerson Leenders, 50 Topias Leinonen, 27 Devon Levi, 1 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 34 Alex Lyon, 47 Samuel Meloche, 32 Scott Ratzlaff
The club also announced that four 2025 draft picks (fourth-rounder Matous Kucharcik, sixth-rounder Ashton Schultz, and seventh-rounders Melvin Novotny, and Ryan Rucinski) were sent back to their respective USHL clubs, while free agent defenseman Luke Dragusica was returned to the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads.
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Kaprizov, Not McDavid, Could Become NHL’s Next Salary-Cap Benchmark
As contract negotiations between Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild continue, an interesting development is occurring.
One NHL insider hinted on Tuesday that it will be Kaprizov, and not Connor McDavid, that pushes the salary cap ceiling higher in the NHL this summer.
Kaprizov’s camp has already turned down the richest contract in NHL history. Seravalli questioned why in a recent segment for Bleacher Report. He then noted, “Who’s going to be that guy that steps up to push the envelope and move it forward for NHL players? It’s probably not going to be Connor McDavid, so it could be someone like [Kaprizov].”
After Kirill Kaprizov reportedly rejected an 8-year, $128 million extension with the Wild, contract discussions are at a standstill 👀
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 16, 2025
(w/ @frank_seravalli) pic.twitter.com/VRc7Fp6nz4
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The NHL’s rising salary cap is a leverage point for Kaprizov, who is also using comments from Wild owner Craig Leopold against the organization. Leopold was public in his saying that no team would or could pay Kaprizov more than the Wild. It appears the superstar is holding them to it.
Meanwhile, McDavid is taking his time with his extension, but no one believes this is about money for the captain of the Edmonton Oilers.
In fact, some believe McDavid will opt for a shorter-term deal, one that doesn't set a new record for the total overall value of an extension. Meanwhile, Kaprizov is rumored to be open to an eight-year extension, but he wants better than a record-setting deal. He wants something that maintains strong value as the cap increases exponentially.
Insiders like Seravalli are suggesting Kaprizov could emerge as the next player to push the financial boundaries set by the league's highest-paid players.
McDavid will remain the game’s top player, but in Minnesota, the Wild are about to pay for how valued Kaprizov is in that market. He is trying to negotiate terms that reflect his elite performance, the league’s financial growth, and what he's worth in the Minnesota market. The standstill between the two sides is his trying to structure and maximize his value.
For McDavid, he's looking at winning and what it's going to take for the Oilers to be competitive. That means taking a little less.
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Could This Penguins' Prospect Crack The NHL Roster Out Of Camp?
When looking back at the past three prospects challenges for the Pittsburgh Penguins - all of which they have won - there is a common denominator.
And his name is Avery Hayes.
Hayes, 22, continues to impress the organization after being signed to a two-year AHL contract prior to the 2023-24 season. Undrafted, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound right wing registered 23 goals and 42 points in 60 AHL games last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), which earned him a two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins this offseason.
And he's been the standout at the past three Prospects Challenges for the Penguins, which includes four goals in three games this time around.
“I always believed in myself. I always had kind of that confidence about myself," Hayes told Penguins' team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. "But it’s just nice knowing I'm going to be here for a couple more years, hopefully longer."
And if Hayes keeps up what he's doing, his NHL future may not be too far away.
It will certainly be an uphill climb for Hayes to make the NHL roster out of training camp, as there will be a lot of young and veteran forwards competing for few spots on the roster. Forwards like Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz, Filip Hallander, and Rutger McGroarty - currently on the shelf with an undisclosed injury - will also be vying for the same spots.
But - despite being a bit undersized - Hayes's all-around game makes him an intriguing player. He's good in all three zones, can play in all situations, and isn't afraid to drive the net. He's also a good forechecker.
Some - such as Jesse Marshall of Elite Prospects - have compared him to Penguins' top-six forward Bryan Rust, who has a similar skillset and work ethic, started as a fourth-liner at the NHL level, and worked his way up to the top line - and has now put together six straight seasons of 20 or more goals.
Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) on X@pensroadwarrior Agree, I’d even argue there are similarities in play styleHayes is certainly a player to watch during training camp this season. Even if he doesn't crack the NHL roster initially, don't be surprised to see him skating with the Penguins sometime this season.
Three NHL Teams That Could Shockingly Disappoint This Year
There are too many great teams in the NHL for all of them to exceed or match expectations.
Some squads just end up being shockingly disappointing to their fans.
Last season, the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers were just that, missing the playoffs when getting that far was initially a no-brainer.
It’s only natural for a handful of teams to fall short of their pre-season goals, whether that’s being a top team in the NHL, a playoff team or a bubble team.
Here are three NHL teams that could surprise everyone next season – in a bad way.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have been a respectable regular-season team, finishing in the top three of the Pacific Division for the last four campaigns. However, they can't get past the first round of the playoffs and the Edmonton Oilers.
This off-season was a great opportunity for the Kings and new GM Ken Holland to leapfrog the Oilers in terms of their roster.
However, there’s a strong belief that Los Angeles didn’t do that, adding D-men Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, goaltender Anton Forsberg and right wingers Joel Armia and Corey Perry. The team already received a blow as Perry has been ruled out for six to eight weeks following knee surgery.
Add that loss to an aging Kings team, where their core players like captain Anze Kopitar, D-man Drew Doughty and starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper are 35 or older. Los Angeles has plenty of young players who could counter that, but it isn’t a sure thing to expect this team to improve drastically from last year.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals blew expectations out of the water last season in Spencer Carbery’s second year as their coach. They led the Eastern Conference with 111 points, which were 20 points more than the season before.
Captain Alexander Ovechkin’s historic goals record chase not only highlighted their campaign by energized it.
Even Carbery said the chase gave his team “a boost and energy at times down the stretch.” With that, he believed his players made an extra effort to help push Ovechkin to the record, which, in the end, took a lot out of his players.
While the Capitals are still in a position to be a playoff contender with the likes of Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, goaltender Logan Thompson, rookie Ryan Leonard and many more crucial pieces of the roster, they likely won’t be the powerhouse they were last season.
BetMGM set the over/under for the Capitals' regular-season points total this season at 96.5. Their odds of getting more than that are at 1.91 (-110), while the odds for the under are at 1.83. (-120).
Florida Panthers
It could be considered a controversial take to say the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions won’t meet expectations next season. After all, they have the best odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season at 7.00 (+600) on BetMGM.
However, the Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup final for three straight seasons. They won’t be able to recreate that success at some point.
The biggest concern for this impressive team would be its health. Florida has played more hockey than anyone else over the last three years, and the team hasn’t changed much aside from a couple of trade deadline acquisitions.
It’s already known that Matthew Tkachuk will be missing a chunk of this season with a torn adductor and sports hernia injury. It’s a significant loss to be without a star player and leader like Tkachuk, which could affect the start of the Panthers’ campaign.
The underperforming may not stop when the regular season is over, either. Ever since the Tampa Bay Lightning went to the Cup final for three straight years, they haven’t been able to get past the first round of the playoffs or clinch their division.
Could their Florida state counterparts face a similar situation next season?
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EXCLUSIVE: Catching Up With Kashawn Aitcheson After Islanders Rookie Camp Conclusion
EAST MEADOW, NY -- Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson is a fierce competitor whose physicality is something that New York Islanders fans are going to fall in love with. On the final day of rookie camp, the No. 18 overall pick showcased that physicality with an open-ice hit on 2025 fourth-round pick and No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Tomas Poletin.
The hit -- Aitcheson definitely held up a bit -- sent Poletin to the ice.
After the skate, I caught up with Aitcheson to get his thoughts on being able to be more physical as camp has progressed, his excitement for NHL training camp to begin, and more in this Q & A:
Stefen Rosner: We saw some physical play today. I know I’ve asked you about hitting before, but how excited are you for main camp when you can really show that side of your game?
Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, of course. It’s still camp, so you’re not trying to hurt anyone, but I’m definitely super excited to play in more real situations and games — with physicality, guys competing for jobs. This week was a lot of skill work: keeping your head up, making plays, always moving your feet. Main camp is when it gets real."
Stefen Rosner: With training camp coming up against NHL players, how excited are you? You’re a first-round pick, and while you’ve said you’ll be going back to juniors, there’s still a lot you can prove and showcase.
Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, obviously, I’m going back to juniors, but whenever you’re here, the goal is to try to make the team and push for that kind of spot. You want to learn from the players who are already there, ask questions to the staff, and just soak everything in."
Stefen Rosner: You’ve never been through an NHL training camp before, but you are going to learn a lot about the NHL game and realize that some things you can get away with in juniors won't fly at the NHL level. How do you plan to balance that, going back to juniors and not developing habits that may work there in order to develop your game for the NHL level, not necessarily for the OHL?
Kashawn Aitcheson: "I think it’s about doing a lot of video with coaches, talking with development staff, and making sure you’re always focusing on ways to improve for the NHL level. You can’t just assume you’ll make the team next year. You have to keep looking for things to get better at — that’s what keeps the bad habits away."
Stefen Rosner: Are you excited to go back to Barrie and talk with your teammates about your camp experience?
Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, for sure. We’ve got quite a few guys from Barrie at camps around the NHL, so it’ll be good to talk to all the boys, see how they did, and maybe bring some of the stuff I learned here back with me."
Stefen Rosner: Are you someone who watches a lot of hockey? Do you plan to watch a ton of Isles hockey?
Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, I try to watch as many games as I can. I’ll definitely be keeping tabs and watching 100%.
Injured Flyers Defenseman Progressing, Not Close to Returning Yet
Injured Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is making positive progress in his recovery from a season-ending injury, but a return to the ice is still at least one month away.
Ristolainen, 30, was announced to have undergone surgery to repair a ruptured triceps tendon on April 25, which came with a six-month recovery timeline.
This was his second such injury in as many seasons.
The Flyers expected the hulking Finnish defenseman to miss training camp, which appears to still be the case.
Ristolainen has been skating with Flyers teammates at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J., but hasn't participated in any of the intrasquad scrimmages or on-ice activities of that nature.
Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) on XRasmus Ristolainen skating here in what looks like non-contact purple jersey. He’s recovering from surgery on ruptured triceps tendon.
He had surgery on March 26 and the recovery is six months.Flyers GM Danny Briere said Tuesday that he expects the veteran rearguard to re-join the team in an official capacity in a month or two.
"It's looking good on that front," Briere said of Ristolainen. "Risto is moving ahead. We knew all along that he wouldn't start the season, but everything's moving and looking good for him to meet up with the team in, hopefully, the first month and a half, two months of the season, at some point. So, on that front, it's trending in the right direction."
As for other injured players, Jett Luchanko is expected to be a full participant at training camp for the Flyers, which will kick off on Thursday.
Flyers' Patience with Goalies Paying Off More Than You ThinkDespite having the worst goaltending in the NHL last season, the Philadelphia Flyers are reaping the benefits of their patience with the goalie position so far.
Defenseman Oliver Bonk was meant to play in the rookie series games over the weekend but failed to do so; this was due to an upper-body injury for which Bonk had scans on Tuesday morning.
The 20-year-old was, however, on the ice participating in positional drills on Monday. Briere and Co. don't appear to be too concerned about Bonk, but we'll monitor that situation as it develops nonetheless.
Tyson Foerster has been scrimmaging with teammates and is just working on testing his strength and making up for lost training time, according to Briere.
Additionally, free agent defenseman Noah Juulsen appears to be fully recovered from a season-ending hernia.
Report: Flyers Rejected Big Maple Leafs Trade for Rasmus RistolainenAccording to a new report, the Philadelphia Flyers received a massive trade offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. GM Danny Briere and Co. didn't budge.
The former Vancouver Canucks defenseman has been playing in the scrimmages as well and should be ready to go as he reunites with his old head coach, Rick Tocchet, in Philadelphia with the Flyers.
Juulsen should be the first man up on defense, pending the results of training camp, with Ristolainen still not particularly close to a return.
LA Kings Should Target 2 Predators' Forwards, If They Become Available
The Los Angeles Kings are hoping they can make a deep playoff run next season, and while they made some questionable moves this summer, there are still some moves they can make to fill out their lineup and create a championship-caliber team heading into the postseason.
The Nashville Predators are on a different path right now. They made some moves last summer that made fans think they could be serious contenders, but it was a catastrophic failure, and they missed the playoffs.
Veteran Kings Defender Expects Spot on 2026 Canadian Olympic Team
If they continue down that path next season and become sellers closer to the 2026 Trade Deadline, the Kings should target two of their forwards.
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Predators last summer, after the Tampa Bay Lightning shockingly chose to let him walk to free agency. The 35-year-old played well in his first season with the Predators, scoring 27 goals and adding 26 assists for 53 points through 82 games, but it was a steep decline from what fans had expected of him.
With an $8,000,000 cap hit, the Kings would have to move money out to bring Stamkos in, but his natural scoring ability and playoff experience make him an enticing target. He could step into a top-six role with the Kings right away, but it will depend entirely on what the Predators would ask for in return.
Jonathan Marchessault
Jonathan Marchessault signed a five-year contract with the Predators last summer, and in his first season with the team, he scored 21 goals and added 35 assists for 56 points through 78 games. Throughout his career, he has scored 251 goals and added 292 assists for 543 points through 716 games.
He is a solid two-way forward with plenty of playoff experience and could be a solid addition to the Kings' lineup. He has a $5,500,000 cap hit, and just like Stamkos, the Kings would have to move money out to bring him in.
Both players have an incredible amount of playoff experience that could elevate the Kings' lineup when the postseason rolls around. They would have to part with some future assets in prospects and draft picks, on top of the money they have to move out, but it would be worth it to add veterans like these two to push their roster closer to a Stanley Cup victory.
Stay tuned in with your Los Angeles Kings here at The Hockey News, as the 2025-26 season inches closer.
How Fans Remember Eddie Giacomin
It is not an exaggeration to say that the passing of Eddie Giacomin has very deeply affected Rangers' fans throughout the universe. Here are some reactions:
GEORGE GRIMM: Author of "Guardians Of The Goal" as well as "We Did Everything But Win."
"Ed Giacomin was my first Ranger hero. I have so many memories of him that I wouldn’t know where to begin.
"My most vivid memory of Eddie was during the 'Keep the Mask' playoff gem against Toronto in April 1971.
"It was a chippy game and in the third period there were two flights at the Maple Leafs end of the ice and Eddie got involved in both of them, each time skating up the length of the ice like the Lone Ranger, tossing off his gloves and stick on his way.
"And of course there was the night when the entire Garden as well as his former teammates showed their love and respect for the skinny, Italian goaltender who was suddenly wearing a Red Wings uniform.
"Eddie was special for a lot of reasons. He was tough, he was a fighter and was considered one of the best goalies in the NHL for much of his career. He shared a Vezina Trophy with Gilles Villemure and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"He never won a Stanley Cup but set many team records that have since been broken. But he inspired a generation of Ranger fans, with his drive and determination. Ed Giacomin will never be forgotten."
POSTSCRIPT: In "Guardians Of The Goal," Giacomin candidly explained his Hall of Fame nomination as no one but Eddie could:
"I firmly believe that because of what the New York fans did for me that night (Rangers vs. Detroit) I made the Hall of Fame. You have to have records, but most inducted have been Stanley Cup-winners, I wasn't.
"I had something rare. I was so popular because of the New York fans. I said it then and I'll say it now, the New York fans who I enjoyed playing for so much, put me in the Hall of Fame."
Requiem For A Goaltender: Eddie GiacominEddie Giacomin was the lion of the Rangers. He was ferocious against the foe while being fantastic for his fans.
JESSE RUBENSTEIN, SUPER SCOUT: "Eddie Giacomin was my first sports hero. I first met him when he was goalie for the (AHL) Providence Reds and followed him when he became a Ranger.
"I could not believe it when the Rangers put him on waivers. I never have nor will I ever forgive the Rangers for how they treated Eddie. Rest in Peace, Eddie. This one is going to hurt for a while."
AL GREENBERG, PANTHERS BEAT MAN FOR FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: "This one truly hurts – like Rod Gilbert, Andy Bathgate and Gump Worsley before him." (See Dave Stubbs on Eddie G over at NHL.com)