Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has found a new home. 

He signed a professional tryout with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday after hitting the free-agent market on July 1. He will spend training camp with the Blackhawks and try to make the opening-night roster in October. 

our 2025 Training Camp roster is here‼️

📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/uCuQigvH18pic.twitter.com/V4nWZrDBpf

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 16, 2025

Grzelcyk spent the entire 2024-25 season with the Penguins after signing a one-year deal with them last offseason. He got a lot of top-four minutes at 5v5 and got to quarterback the top power play unit for a good chunk of the year. 

Points-wise, he had the best season of his career, finishing with 40. 39 of those points were assists.

The Penguins opted to replace him once free agency started and signed Parker Wotherspoon, Alexander Alexeyev, and Caleb Jones. Wotherspoon will certainly get a lot of playing time at the NHL level, while Alexeyev and Jones will try to make the team out of training camp. 

Penguins training camp will officially get underway on Thursday, September 18.

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The NHL's recent CBA changes could lead to a longer AHL pre-season, following the NHL cutting down on exhibition games. 

The NHL is implementing some significant changes for the upcoming season, including a shorter pre-season and an extended regular season by two additional games. The goal behind this adjustment is to wrap up the season earlier while also boosting revenue, regular season games generate far more income than pre-season exhibitions.

However, not everyone is on board. General Managers across the league have been reportedly concerned, as the shortened pre-season means less time to assess their rosters and make critical decisions before opening night. While the NHL’s schedule is being trimmed, the AHL could move in the opposite direction.

Jets Prospect Showcase Takeaways: Zhilkin, DiVincentiis Within Reach Of NHL JumpWinnipeg prospects Dominic DiVincentiis, Danny Zhilkin lead pack as most notable names entering Jets training camp following impressive performances at Prospect Showcase. 

It’s been six years since the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, have played in any pre-season games, and they won’t be participating again this year. They’re one of ten AHL teams skipping pre-season action, alongside clubs like Abbotsford (VAN), Calgary (CGY), Charlotte (FLA), Cleveland (CBJ), Colorado (COL), Grand Rapids (DET), Iowa (MIN), Rochester (BUF), and Texas (DAL).

With NHL teams now facing tighter timelines to evaluate young talent, expanding the AHL pre-season could become a viable alternative. More AHL exhibition games would give prospects a better shot at standing out, while also offering fans a chance to see the future of the franchise in action.

To reduce costs, teams like the Moose wouldn’t need to play in their usual arenas. Instead, games could be hosted at local community rinks, turning them into outreach opportunities. These events could include fan engagement activities, contests for Jets jerseys or game tickets, and meet-and-greets with players, all while helping to grow the team’s presence in the community.

This would be especially beneficial for the Moose, who ranked in the bottom five for average attendance during the 2023–24 AHL season. By getting creative with how pre-season games are packaged and promoted, such as doubleheaders with Jets pre-season games or hosting games during Jets Fan Fest, they could boost visibility and bring more fans through the doors.

Ultimately, if the Jets' front office feels the shorter NHL pre-season limits their ability to evaluate talent, ramping up the AHL's pre-season could be a strategic and community-friendly solution. It’s a chance to better assess prospects, generate excitement around the Moose, and strengthen ties with fans, all while staying cost-effective.

Former Portage Terrier Orca Wiesblatt Dead at 25On Sunday morning, professional hockey player Orca Wiesblatt passed away following a motor vehicle collision in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Five biggest training camp battles to watch as Sharks enter 2025-26 NHL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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

What are the Sharks’ biggest NHL training camp battles?

San Jose opens camp on Thursday, hoping to snap its streak of six consecutive seasons without reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs.

That quest will start in camp, and with these key battles.

In favor of top prospects Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson, who will get pushed off the roster? Will any other rookies challenge for an opening night job? And will Yaroslav Askarov emerge as No. 1 between the pipes?

Who Gets Pushed Out?

On the surface, there are 22 obvious roster spots, of 23, that already are filled by experienced players.

There are 13 forwards: Macklin Celebrini, Ty Dellandrea, William Eklund, Adam Gaudette, Barclay Goodrow, Collin Graf, Carl Grundstrom, Philipp Kurashev, Ryan Reaves, Jeff Skinner, Will Smith, Tyler Toffoli and Alex Wennberg.

There are seven defensemen: Vincent Desharnais, Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, Timothy Liljegren, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Dmitry Orlov.

There are two goalies: Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic.

Notably, this group doesn’t include forward Misa and defenseman Dickinson.

Misa and Dickinson are expected to break camp with the Sharks, which, barring injury or another move, will force out one of the above 22.

Waiver-exempt winger Graf is the obvious choice to head down to the AHL.

The Sharks also could try, conceivably, to pass Dellandrea, Desharnais or Grundstrom through waivers. Desharnais could have some trade value.

My prediction? Misa and Dickinson break camp with the Sharks. While the path of least resistance is sending Graf down, I think he’ll be too good in camp to demote. Grundstrom and his $1.8 million AAV should pass through waivers without a claim, opening the door for both Dickinson and Misa to start the season at SAP Center.

Could Another Prospect Surprise?

After Misa and Dickinson, the Sharks still are stocked with prospects who could make the big club.

Up front, Patrick Giles and Zack Ostapchuk actually are obvious Sharks fourth-line center candidates. If not them, veteran Dellandrea should be able to play 4C in a pinch.

Wingers Egor Afanasyev, Igor Chernyshov, Cam Lund and Quentin Musty represent different sides of the prospects coin: Five years separate 24-year-old Afanasyev and 19-year-old Chernyshov.

Chernyshov, Lund and Musty, however, are better served in more of a top-nine scoring role, which is a tough job to earn in the NHL, even on the cellar-dwelling Sharks. If Celebrini, Smith and Wennberg are your top three centers, presumed wingers Eklund, Gaudette, Graf, Kurashev, Misa, Skinner and Toffoli figure to be ahead of Chernyshov and company.

Gaudette and Misa also can play the middle.

On the blueline, waiver-exempt Luca Cagnoni and not waiver-exempt Jack Thompson both played in the NHL last year.

An outstanding preseason from any of these youngsters could force the Sharks’ hand.

My prediction? Among the forwards, Giles or Ostapchuk, just because of positional need, is most likely to start with the Sharks. But my guess is that Dellandrea can pass at 4C this year.

Cagnoni goes to the San Jose Barracuda, as does Thompson, after he passes through waivers.

So barring injury, I don’t think any of these non-Misa or Dickinson youngsters crack the opening night roster.

Who Makes PP1?

It has been a long time since the Sharks have had enough talent to field two effective power play units.

Forwards Celebrini, Toffoli, Eklund, Smith, Skinner, Kurashev, Misa, Gaudette and Wennberg, and defensemen Klingberg, Orlov and Mukhamadullin, should be the foundation of at least a marginally improved PP. San Jose’s man advantage was 26th in the NHL last year.

So who’s on the top power play group?

Celebrini, leading goal-scorer Toffoli and quarterback Klingberg figure to be shoo-ins.

Eklund, Smith and Skinner are other possibilities. And keeping in mind that an ideal power-play unit isn’t just your most skilled players, Gaudette and Wennberg can play net front and win faceoffs.

Best guess for opening night? Klingberg mans the top, left-hander Celebrini and right-hander Smith on the flanks, Toffoli high slot, and Gaudette net front.

Can Orlov Be Go-To Defenseman?

Orlov, 34, signed the richest AAV contract in franchise history for an outside free agent this past summer.

While it’s for just two years, the rearguard’s $6.5 million AAV is a statement.

Can the 2018 Stanley Cup winner bring some stability to the Sharks’ blueline?

Orlov was an excellent No. 2 on that Washington Capitals squad, and while the 30-something is not likely that player anymore, he should be an all-around upgrade over previous de facto Sharks No. 1s like Ferraro and Jake Walman.

After a couple so-so seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, we’ll see what Orlov has left in the tank soon.

Askarov or Nedeljkovic?

The stage has been set for super prospect Askarov, acquired from the Nashville Predators for essentially two first-round draft picks, to take the top job in the Shark Tank.

Last year, Sharks general manager Mike Grier sent reclamation project success Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche. This past summer, the Sharks traded for Nedeljkovic, a veteran goalie who profiles more as a 1B than 1A.

The San Jose net is meant to be Askarov’s for now and the foreseeable future. There are no Juuse Saros-like obstacles in this organization.

But as they say, that’s why they play the games. Askarov hasn’t exactly been given the starting job, but safe to say he’s expected to seize it, if not by opening night, but sometime during the course of his current two-year bridge contract.

It’s put-up-or-shut-up time for the 2020 No. 11 pick.

Askarov should be given every opportunity to be the No. 1 goalie in San Jose, so barring injury, it’ll be a major upset and at least a minor disappointment if he’s not leading the Sharks onto the ice on Oct. 9 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

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The Ottawa Senators unveiled their 52-player roster for the 2025-26 training camp, set to begin on Wednesday (Sept. 17) at Canadian Tire Centre and Bell Sensplex. This year’s camp will feature five goaltenders, 17 defencemen and 30 forwards.

The 2025-26 training camp roster features:

• 13 former first-round draft picks
• 22 players drafted by Ottawa
• 18 players signed as free agents
• 11 players acquired via trade

Of the 52 players attending camp, 24 suited up for Ottawa in 2024-25, while eight others played NHL games with different clubs last season.

The Sens finished up rookie camp on Sunday, and all but seven players elevated to main camp. Those who won't include goalies Vladimir Nikitin and Lucas Beckman, defenseman Braidan Simmons-Fischer, and forwards Danny Katic, Alex Mercier, Carter Savoie and Mason Zebeski.

Notably, former Owen Sound Attack captain Landon Hookey, who's in camp on an amateur tryout, earned himself another look at main camp.

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2025-26 Training Camp Roster

Goaltenders (5) – 2024-25 Team(s):

• Leevi Merilainen (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Jackson Parsons (Kitchener – OHL)
• Hunter Shepard (Hershey – AHL / Washington – NHL)
• Mads Sogaard (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Linus Ullmark (Ottawa – NHL)

Defencemen (17) – 2024-25 Team(s):

• Matthew Andonovski (Kitchener – OHL)
• Thomas Chabot (Ottawa – NHL)
• Cameron Crotty (Iowa – AHL / Minnesota – NHL)
• Jorian Donovan (Belleville – AHL)
• Gabriel Eliasson (Barrie – OHL)
• Tomas Hamara (Brantford – OHL)
• Nick Jensen (Ottawa – NHL)
• Tyler Kleven (Ottawa – NHL)
• Nikolas Matinpalo (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Jake Sanderson (Ottawa – NHL)
• Donovan Sebrango (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Jordan Spence (Los Angeles – NHL)
• Lassi Thomson (Malmö – SHL)
• Djibril Toure (Orlando – ECHL / Belleville – AHL)
• Eerik Wallenius (HPK U20 – SM-sarja / HPK – Liiga)
• Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary – WHL)
• Artem Zub (Ottawa – NHL)

Forwards (30) – 2024-25 Team(s):

• Michael Amadio (Ottawa – NHL)
• Drake Batherson (Ottawa – NHL)
• Wyatt Bongiovanni (Belleville – AHL)
• Tyler Boucher (Belleville – AHL)
• Xavier Bourgault (Belleville – AHL)
• Jake Chiasson (Orlando – ECHL / Belleville – AHL)
• Nick Cousins (Ottawa – NHL)
• Dylan Cozens (Buffalo – NHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Philippe Daoust (Belleville – AHL)
• Lars Eller (Pittsburgh – NHL / Washington – NHL)
• Lucas Ellinas (Kitchener – OHL)
• Claude Giroux (Ottawa – NHL)
• Ridly Greig (Ottawa – NHL)
• Stephen Halliday (Belleville – AHL)
• Hayden Hodgson (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Landen Hookey (Owen Sound – OHL)
• Jan Jenik (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• Arthur Kaliyev (Ontario – AHL / N.Y. Rangers – NHL)
• Olle Lycksell (Lehigh Valley – AHL / Philadelphia – NHL)
• Zack MacEwen (Belleville – AHL / Ottawa – NHL)
• David Perron (Ottawa – NHL)
• Oskar Pettersson (Belleville – AHL)
• Garrett Pilon (Belleville – AHL)
• Shane Pinto (Ottawa – NHL)
• Jamieson Rees (Belleville – AHL)
• Tim Stützle (Ottawa – NHL)
• Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa – NHL)
• Blake Vanek (Stillwater High – USHS-MN / Chicago – USHL)
• Keean Washkurak (Belleville – AHL)
• Fabian Zetterlund (San Jose – NHL / Ottawa – NHL)

Players will report for medicals and fitness testing on Wednesday morning before taking to the ice for their first formal practice sessions on Thursday. 

Fans will get their first look at the Senators on Sunday, Sept. 21, when the team hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs in its only preseason game at Canadian Tire Centre. Earlier that day, the club will also host its annual Fan Fest at the plaza outside Gate 1.

Tage Thompson has spent eight years in the NHL and has yet to experience playoff hockey.

So when a reporter asked him whether the league should open up the post-season to an additional two or more teams, the Buffalo Sabres center had an obvious response.

“To be honest with you, I just want to make the playoffs,” he told The Hockey News and others at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour earlier this month. “Selfishly, I would like them to add a couple of more teams.”

In terms of off-season finger-pointing, this wasn’t Jack Eichel saying he was “fed up and I’m frustrated” with the direction of the Sabres, or Sam Reinhart complaining about yet another “reset” for the perennial rebuilding team. Nor was it Ryan O’Reilly saying “I felt I lost” the joy of showing up at the rink.

But give Thompson time. He'll eventually get there if the Sabres miss out again.

The fact that he isn't there already shows how patient he's been. After all, Eichel only spent the first six years of his career out of the playoffs, while Reinhart went seven years before qualifying for the playoffs.

Thompson, who also missed the playoffs as a rookie in St. Louis, is entering his eighth year in Buffalo without even as much as a sniff.

The lack of playoff experience could explain why Thompson, who led all American-born players with 44 goals last season, was left off Team USA’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Say what you want about his individual stats, but it's difficult to show you belong on the big stage when the biggest game you’ve played in is essentially a regular-season game in October.

Sabres Have Only Two Players Ranked In Athletic’s Top-150The Buffalo Sabres face the challenge of snapping a NHL-record 14-year playoff drought this season and after a summer in which the club traded away their second-leading scorer in JJ Peterka in exchange for winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring and made only depth additions in Justin Danforth, Conor Timmins, and Alex Lyon, the onus will be on internal development and their core players playing up to expectations. 

Whether that trend continues and Thompson is left off the upcoming Olympic team is yet to be seen. But the 27-year-old understands the easiest way to show he deserves to be playing at the Olympics is to first show he can get the Sabres into a playoff spot.

“It’s kind of like you hit the nail on the head there,” Thompson said. “It’s definitely in the mind going into the season. Obviously, your priority is your in-season team and that would be the Sabres and helping them make the playoffs. But at the same time, I feel like I should have been on the 4 Nations team, and I think I gained a bit of a chip on my shoulder in the second-half of the season. It just kind of adds one more thing to your plate that you’re playing for.”

Thompson Playing At Worlds In Hopes Of Making Good ImpressionIn recent seasons, several members of the Buffalo Sabres have travelled to Europe to play for their country in the IIHF World Championships. This spring, the 2024-25 version of the Sabres has only one player playing for their country: Tage Thompson for Team USA. 

If Thompson was motivated by being snubbed, it showed.

While he had 26 goals in his first 48 games, he reached another level after the 4 Nations Face-Off ended, scoring 18 goals in the final 28 games of the season.

In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t change much. The Sabres once again failed to qualify for the post-season, finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference and stretching their playoff drought to an NHL-high 14 years. As a result, the team made some significant personnel changes, trading Dylan Cozens to Ottawa at the deadline for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker, and then moving JJ Peterka to Utah in exchange for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan.

Expect Sabres' Thompson Accepting Bigger Role With JJ Peterka's DepartureSabres forward Tage Thompson has scored 38 or more goals in three of the last four seasons and is set to shoot more than ever with weaker linemates. 

“That’s the business of hockey,” said Thompson. “We haven’t made the playoffs, and we haven’t won. Unfortunately, things needed to shake up, and that was something where we got rid of a good player but got two really good players back.

“I think that’s a trade that’s going to benefit both teams. JJ’s got a ton of skill and can score, and I think he’s going to help their offense in Utah. But we got two rock-solid, 200-foot players… that can tighten the ship defensively and still play an offensive game.

"I think Doaner’s a good young player who doesn’t have a ton of experience, but the fact that he can play a bottom-six role and do it well and has a very good stick and an extreme work ethic.”

What Doan and Kesselring lack — at least, for now — is playoff experience. However, Thompson and the city of Buffalo hope that changes.

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On Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks released their roster for 2025 Training Camp. The first practice of camp will be on Thursday at 8:30 AM CT. 

The roster features 53 total players, including 30 forwards, 17 defensemen, and six goaltenders. There are some familiar faces on there, some really talented prospects, and a handful of veterans looking to resume their pro hockey playing careers. 

Laurent Brossoit and Ty Henry are the two players on the roster who are considered injured to begin camp. There is also Wyatt Kaiser, who is still an RFA looking for a contract despite being on the roster. 

Matt Grzelcyk is on the roster, as he signed a PTO with the Blackhawks with the hopes of adding some veteran leadership and overall skill to the blue line. He tallied over 40 points during the 2025-26 season. 

The entire roster and training camp schedule can be seen below: 

All practices at Fifth Third Arena are open to the public. In addition to the practices, there are six preseason games with three being at home and three on the road. 

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

The Chicago Blackhawks have a good amount of young players with plenty to prove during the 2025-26 season. Because of this, let's discuss three specific Blackhawks with the most to prove this upcoming campaign.

Spencer Knight 

The Blackhawks made a notable move over the weekend, signing goaltender Spencer Knight to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.83 million. By giving Spencer this kind of deal, the Blackhawks demonstrated that they have a lot of faith in him. Now, the 2019 first-round pick will be looking to prove that he can be an impactful starting goalie for Chicago. In 38 games last season split between the Florida Panthers and Blackhawks, he had a 17-16-3 record, a 2.72 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage. 

Lukas Reichel 

If Lukas Reichel does not get traded by the Blackhawks before the start of the season, he will plenty to prove to them this campaign. The 2020 first-round pick has had trouble breaking out with the Blackhawks and will be aiming to change that in 2025-26. In 70 games this past season with the Blackhawks, he posted eight goals, 22 points, and a minus-16 rating. 

Kevin Korchinski 

This is certainly a big year for Blackhawks prospect Kevin Korchinski. The 21-year-old defenseman will be aiming to prove that he is ready to be a full-time NHL player for the Blackhawks. There is no question that the 2022 seventh-overall pick has a lot of potential, and now he will be aiming to break out for Chicago. In 16 games this past season with the Blackhawks, he recorded one goal, one assist, and a minus-2 rating. 

Milwaukee Admirals forward Joakim Kemell (25) gets a drink on the bench during practice Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators wrapped up rookie camp by taking two of three games at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Tampa, Florida.

Nashville’s prospects captured the first game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday and followed it up with a victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday before falling to Florida on Monday.

While it may not have ended on a positive note, it gave the Predators' prospects who participated a chance to learn and gro with the ups and downs that make up professional hockey.

Now that rookie camp is completed, the prospects return home to prepare for training camp, which gets underway Wednesday.

Here are three takeaways from the tournament.

Martin Continues To Stand Out

If Brady Martin is hoping to send a message that he deserves to make his NHL debut this season, he did nothing to discourage those hopes during the prospect tournament.

The Predators’ fifth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft picked up a goal and an assist in the opener against the Lightning. The goal came when he was awarded a penalty shot after being hindered on a breakaway in the second period of the Preds’ 3-2 win.

On the play, Martin first went wide to his right, then cut back to the slot before putting a shot low blocker side to put the Predators ahead 2-1.

Martin’s helper came in the opening frame. After the Lightning scored first on a power play, he found Joakim Kemell at the top of the right circle. Kemell rifled a shot top-shelf to tie the game.

Martin didn’t score the rest of the tournament, but contributed in other ways on both ends of the ice. He wasn’t afraid to go for loose pucks, his passing was sharp, and he showed poise and maturity throughout the three games.

“He's competitive,” Milwaukee Admirals head coach Karl Taylor said of Martin after the game. “I thought Brady played very well for his first kind of pro type of camp. He definitely looked like a guy that might have played in Milwaukee already with some maturity.”

Whether Martin suits up for NHL action in 2025-26 remains to be seen. But his play at the World Junior Summer Showcase in early August, coupled with his play at the prospect tournament, certainly gives the Predators brass something to think about.

Other Prospects Also Made Good Impressions

Kemell also turned some heads. The winger scored on the man advantage against Tampa Bay, then assisted on Reid Schaefer’s game-winning goal in the victory over Carolina.

On that play, Kemell zipped a beautiful cross-ice feed to defenseman Ryan Ufko after eluding several Hurricane defenders. Ufko then fed Schaefer on the doorstep for a tap-in.

Nashville’s 17th overall pick in 2022, Kemell appears ready for a crack at the NHL level. Unlike Martin, he has three seasons of AHL experience with the Admirals under his belt.

Even Schaefer was quick to give Kemell credit for his goal.

“I think it all starts with Kemell with that nice crossfeed pass to Ufko,” Schaefer told reporters after the win. “And then, obviously for ‘Uffy’ to find me there back door is a good play all around.”

Schaefer, whom the Predators acquired in a 2023 trade with the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Mattias Ekholm, is coming off a shoulder injury that caused him to miss most of last season. He used his 6-foot-4, 218-pound frame to fend off several Carolina attackers and deflect Ufko’s pass into the net for the game-winner.

Most likely, Shaefer will start 2025-26 in Milwaukee, but showed some promise during the tournament.

Some Valuable Lessons Were Learned

Game results are not the objective in prospect tournaments, but that doesn’t mean these young guys don’t want to win.

The Preds showed fight in their 6-1 loss to Florida, with Cole O’Hara scoring the club’s lone tally with four minutes left in regulation, his second of the tournament. The loss may not have counted in the standings, but it stung nonetheless.

“It was definitely a tough game today, not the way you want to go out, but I think we dug deep and we stuck through it,” Ufko said after the game. “The game wasn't going our way, but at the end, I think we were all glad we got one in.”

It’s a great reminder that things won’t always go your way, and that such losses can be a motivator.

“We fought through some things, but you leave with a bit of a stale taste,” Taylor said. “Maybe that's a good thing going into camp, right? So, we got humbled and a little bit exposed, and the players should be feeling like, ‘We need to focus on the next opportunity.’ And for them, that'll be main camp, playing with the big boys and being challenged playing with grown men.”

Main camp begins on Wednesday with off-ice meetings, and the first on-ice sessions come Thursday at Ford Ice Center Bellevue.

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The NHL player pool is an ever-evolving group of elite-level talent. But getting into the elite of the elite takes a special type of athlete.

Whether it be the ascension of Jack Hughes or the rise of Evan Bouchard, we see young NHL stars become truly elite players every year.

This year, there are a few young NHL players who can take that next step into the elite of the elite. Here are eight of those players with a legitimate chance at ascending to the top of the league.

Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators

There may not be a defender in the NHL more ready to sneak into the Norris Trophy conversation than the Senators' Jake Sanderson.

His two-way play is impressive. His stout defense uses his length and mobility to close quickly and thwart chances whenever an attacker threatens.

In transition, he’s a confident puck-carrier who doesn't hold onto the puck too long and understands when to draw pressure and evade. In the offensive zone, Sanderson has grown into a mobile puck-mover who excels when given the chance to set up his teammates.

While he isn’t quite elite in any regard just yet, he’s on the cusp as a defender and in transition.

Sanderson averages more than 24 minutes a night and can play in all situations. He was leaned on to play when the game was tightest, protecting leads or pushing to tie the game late.

If Sanderson can improve on his 57-point output from last year and continue to impress in his own end, he might not just push into the elites on the blueline. He could end up being a Norris finalist.

Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

While Knies might not become a 90-point elite scorer, he's already one of the best power forwards in the NHL. His 29 goals and 29 assists as a 22-year-old are already better than Sam Bennett's career highs.

With some added development, Knies has a real chance at becoming a more offensively gifted player than one of the NHL's more widely regarded elite power forwards.

Knies has had the advantage of riding shotgun alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner for most of the first couple of seasons that he’s been in the NHL. With the latter leaving the Maple Leafs for Vegas, Knies must step it up and fill some of the vacated offense.

Knies throws his weight around, digs in the corners and powers his way to the net as well as any young forward in the game. If he can continue working on the finesse that playing with the Leafs' top dogs has forced upon him, he could be a 70-plus-point power forward who falls in between Brady and Matthew Tkachuk on the scale of production.

Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings watched Moritz Seider develop into a stud, so when they see some similarities with Edvinsson, they are excited about the possibility of two beasts on the back end.

For long stretches of last season, the duo was paired together, and they were the only defensive pair in the Motor City that had any chance of keeping up with other teams’ top attackers. They were one of the NHL’s truly elite defensive pairs.

The hope for Detroit this upcoming season is that Edvinsson and Seider can each anchor their own pair, elevating an otherwise underwhelming partner.

Edvinsson is big, rangy and skilled with the puck. He can contribute at both ends of the ice because of his tools. He needs to refine some of his decision-making, but we saw some encouraging signs as the season progressed as well. The Wings could have two true pillars to build around on defense.

Dylan Guenther, RW, Utah Mammoth

The Arizona Coyotes' move to Utah perfectly coincided with the breakout campaign for Guenther, who put up 60 points in 70 games, finishing second on the team in goals with 27.

When Guenther was hot last season, he looked like he could challenge 40 or even 50 goals and eclipse a point per game. Guenther showed some dominant offensive flashes last season.

This season, Guenther will be given plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent. Either riding alongside Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller or being given a more lead role alongside Barrett Hayton and JJ Peterka, we should get to see Guenther play with offensive players, whether he’s on the top line or not. Guenther is a lethal shooter who can line up one-timers on the power play or fire bombs off the rush. He’s a difference-maker for the Mammoth.

Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Fantilli surpassed 30 goals and had flashes of brilliance for the Blue Jackets last season.

He showcased his 200-foot game, and with that, we saw the moments of complete control that Fantilli is capable of. His speed, skill and powerful finesse game are impressive to watch with and without the puck. His rookie season was cut short by a lacerated calf injury, so last year was his first full season.

Coming into his third NHL season, Fantilli is poised to take a step toward being the No. 1 center Columbus has never quite locked down. They’ve managed to have good centers but never an elite one. Fantilli can be exactly that as soon as this season.

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

After a very good rookie year and a less-than-stellar sophomore campaign, Bedard could finally reach the elite level he was projected to be at when Chicago drafted him first overall in 2023.

Bedard is already an elite-level shooter, and everyone who has seen him play knows that. Unfortunately, in Chicago, Bedard has been asked to take on a lot. He’s been the primary driver of offense, given the keys to the No. 1 center spot since Day 1 and tasked with turning the Hawks back into the superpower they once were.

This upcoming season, we should start to see the pieces around Bedard fill out.

Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore should be with the team for the whole season. The defense group should be much improved, as Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov should be given more opportunities. Spencer Knight will be the full-time starting netminder.

The Hawks will have pieces around Bedard that will force teams to take at least some of their focus off the young phenom. If all goes well, we could see Bedard eclipse the 40-goal, 80-point mark with ease this year.

William Eklund, LW, San Jose Sharks

In San Jose, the attention was constantly on Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith as they were the hot new toys for the team, but 22-year-old William Eklund had a coming-out party of his own.

His playmaking was impressive and direct, often coming on plays that didn’t have as much flash or flair as his younger teammates.

Eklund has puck skill and excellent handling ability, but he only uses them when needed and doesn't overdo it. He works hard, gets to pucks and advances play. He’s always been an effective player, but last year, we saw his efficiency shoot through the roof.

Likely playing alongside Celebrini again this upcoming season, it will be fun to watch the young duo continue to develop their chemistry and grow as players. The two young players complement each other and play smart hockey, which allows them to read and react as play develops. Despite playing on a Sharks team that is likely to struggle once again, it won’t be shocking to see one or both of them challenge 80 points this year.

Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary

In a year where we had a rookie play with the poise and structure of a 10-year vet (Macklin Celebrini) and another break records for the game’s most historic franchise (Lane Hutson), it was Dustin Wolf who was often considered the league’s best rookie.

Wolf was the reason the Flames were in the playoff race as long as they were and his end-of-season fall-off was the only reason they fell out of the race. As Wolf went, so did the Flames.

With a 53-game NHL season under his belt, Wolf knows what to expect. No other U-24 netminder even touched 40 games last year, and only one eclipsed 30 (Spencer Knight), so it was impressive to see that not only could Wolf handle that workload, he was stellar until right at the very end. Wolf isn’t the biggest goalie, but he’s always been one of the best at his age level. Now that he’s an NHLer, he’s going to be pushing to go from Calder finalist to Vezina finalist.

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Lots of current and future AHL talent was on display this past week across 10 different NHL Prospect Tournaments.

It is tough to base long-term opinions on such a short showcase but we took a look at a few players who have played in the AHL or are on AHL deals below that stood out in their rookie tournament 

Scott Morrow - (D) New York Rangers 

Morrow played 14 games with the Carolina Hurricanes and notched 39 points in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves last season. 

The 22-year-old was one of the most experienced players at the tournament but looked like the best player on the ice most of the time. He displayed his offensive ability with five points over two games against the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Jacob Fowler - (G) Laval Rocket 

After a tremendous performance in 11 appearances with the Rocket, including in eight Calder Cup Playoff games, Fowler picked up right where he left off in the rookie showcase.

The 20-year-old allowed just two goals in 60 minutes of game time and looks to continue to develop his game alongside veteran Kaapo Kahkonen in Laval this season. 

Jacob Quillan - (F) Toronto Marlies

After posting 37 points in 67 games as an AHL rookie with the Marlies last season Quillan stood out offensively against Ottawa and Montreal.

The 23-year-old will look to be a driver offensively with the Marlies and compete for playing time with the Maple Leafs this season. 

Joakim Kemell - (F) Nashville Predators

Another player with lots of professional experience, Kemell looked dangerous and constantly created plays in the prospect tournament.

The 21-year-old looks to graduate to the NHL full-time after 40 points in 65 AHL games last season.

Joakim Kemell with a LASER 🎯 pic.twitter.com/7SNGpUTu6l

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) September 12, 2025

Kenny Connors - (F) Los Angeles Kings

Connors picked-up a hat trick and added an assists in two games against the San Jose Sharks.

A fourth round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2022, Connors seems set to jump into a big role with the Ontario Reign this season after three years at UMass. 

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.    

Flyers release 2025 training camp roster and schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Rick Tocchet’s first training camp as the Flyers’ head coach kicks off Thursday.

The club has 58 players in camp.

Rasmus Ristolainen is not listed on the roster. As expected, the defenseman is out for camp and the early part of the season as he recovers from surgery on a second triceps tendon rupture. He had a rehab skate last Thursday.

“Risto is moving ahead,” general manager Danny Briere said Tuesday. “We knew all along that he wouldn’t start the season, but everything is 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. On that front, it’s trending in the right direction.”

Practices at Flyers Training Center are open to the public. Here are the schedules for the Flyers’ regular season and preseason.

Below is the Flyers’ training camp roster and schedule.

Forwards (33)

Defensemen (18)

Goalies (7)

Schedule

The New Jersey Devils’ prospects wrapped up three games at the 2025 NHL Prospect Challenge in Buffalo this past week, finishing the tournament with a 2–1 record.

They opened with a dominant 8–2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by a 4–2 victory against the host Buffalo Sabres. Their only loss came in the finale, a 6–4 setback to the Boston Bruins.

Prospect Challenge Roster Forwards: Tag Bertuzzi, Alexander Campbell, Brian Carrabes, Cole Davis, Josh Filmon, Caleb Hadland, Lenni Hämeenaho, Shane Lachance, Nathan Lecompte, Jack Malone, Matras Melovsky, David Rozsíval, Cam Squires, Dylan Wendt

Defensemen: Mikael Diotte, Seamus Casey, Jimmy Dowd Jr., Ethan Edwards, Jeremy Hanzel, Luke Reid, Jackson van de Leest

Goaltenders: Tyler Brennan, Trenten Bennett, Jakub Malek

Several players stood out during the tournament. Defenseman Seamus Casey appeared in just one game before resting for the season ahead, a decision that wasn’t surprising given his NHL experience last year following an impressive camp. Tag Bertuzzi and Mikael Diotte both finished with three points, while rookie goaltender Trenten Bennett, selected in this year’s NHL Draft, made his first start in a Devils sweater.

But the biggest impression came from Shane Lachance.

The 6-foot-5, 21-year-old defenseman played in two of the three games, collecting three points. His combination of offensive skill and physical presence, from scoring two goals to delivering big hits and even dropping the gloves, quickly put his name on the radar ahead of training camp.

Lachance was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in March 2025 as part of a three-team deal that sent Trent Frederic out of New Jersey. A sixth-round pick in 2021, he spent the past two seasons at Boston University before turning pro.

Now, he’ll look to carry that momentum into Devils training camp, which begins tomorrow in Newark. While cracking the NHL roster won’t be easy, Lachance’s performance in Buffalo showed he could be a serious contender.

The New Jersey Devils’ prospects will be joined by the full roster tomorrow in Newark for the official start of 2025 training camp.

The prospects hit the ice a week earlier at the NHL Prospect Challenge in Buffalo, where they put together an impressive showing.

Prospect Challenge Roster Forwards: Tag Bertuzzi, Alexander Campbell, Brian Carrabes, Cole Davis, Josh Filmon, Caleb Hadland, Lenni Hämeenaho, Shane Lachance, Nathan Lecompte, Jack Malone, Matras Melovsky, David Rozsíval, Cam Squires, Dylan Wendt. Defensemen: Mikael Diotte, Seamus Casey, Jimmy Dowd Jr., Ethan Edwards, Jeremy Hanzel, Luke Reid, Jackson van de Leest. Goaltenders: Tyler Brennan, Trenten Bennett, Jakub Malek.

The Devils finished the tournament with a 2–1 record. They opened with a dominant 8–2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by a 4–2 victory against the host Buffalo Sabres. Their only loss came in the finale, a 6–4 defeat to the Boston Bruins.

Now, attention turns to training camp, where the prospects will share the ice with the veterans while competing for spots on the 2025–26 roster. Among those who stood out in Buffalo was 20-year-old winger Lenni Hämeenaho.

Hämeenaho, listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, was a difference-maker during the tournament, especially in Game 2 against Buffalo, where his play helped swing momentum. Selected 58th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, he has spent the past few seasons playing professionally in Finland, where his strong performances built anticipation for his North American debut.

Not only did Hämeenaho find the back of the net, but his hockey sense and quick decision-making drew praise and put his name firmly on the radar. While it remains likely he’ll begin the season with the AHL’s Utica Comets given the Devils’ depth, his showing in Buffalo sparked plenty of optimism about his NHL future.

Whether in Utica or New Jersey, Hämeenaho is giving fans a glimpse of the skill and promise that could make him a key part of the Devils’ future.

The puck drops on training camp in just 24 hours, and the New Jersey Devils are gearing up for another push at a successful season. A key factor will be staying healthy, something that has plagued the team in recent years and limited their playoff potential.

No player has felt that more than 24-year-old forward Jack Hughes.

Drafted first overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes has endured multiple season-altering injuries, including two major shoulder surgeries.

In 2021–22, Hughes was on pace for a career year with 26 goals and 30 assists in just 49 games before a hit from Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom caused an MCL sprain that required surgery. In 2023–24, Hughes put up 74 points in 62 games but missed roughly 20 contests after crashing into the boards in November, suffering another shoulder injury. And last season, he was once again off to a strong start when another upper-body injury struck. He returned briefly, but ultimately needed shoulder surgery that ended his season early—despite already recording 74 points in 62 games.

Hughes discussed his health and the season ahead with Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts podcast during the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas.

“I’m feeling good right now. My body’s in a good spot, and I feel like my head is in a good spot too,” Hughes said. “I’m excited for the year to come.”

Now entering his seventh NHL season, Hughes says he’s ready to go. Tomorrow, he’ll hit the ice at training camp, hoping this year is finally the one where health and success go hand in hand.

Last week's report of Kirill Kaprizov rejecting an eight-year, $128-million contract offer from the Minnesota Wild garnered plenty of headlines.

It also stoked speculation over where the 28-year-old superstar left winger might end up if he and the Wild fail to hammer out an agreement.

The Hockey News' Jim Parsons examined which clubs had the salary-cap space and the potential interest to acquire Kaprizov via trade or next summer's free-agent market.

Most were rebuilding or retooling teams, such as the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and the San Jose Sharks. The other was the Washington Capitals, which exceeded expectations last season by finishing first in the Eastern Conference.

Landing with a playoff contender carrying sufficient cap room to pay him big bucks could be enticing for Kaprizov. The Capitals must find a suitable replacement for franchise star and future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin, and Kaprizov could be a good fit if they're willing to pony up the dollars.

Meanwhile, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic thinks the New York Rangers could aggressively pursue Kaprizov if he becomes available in the trade market. He cited the many connections Kaprizov has with Rangers stars Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin and recently acquired defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.

As for the asking price, Mercogliano believes it could cost the Rangers a couple of first-round picks and a young player like Alexis Lafreniere. Moving the young winger's $7.45 million average annual value would free up cap room to sign Kaprizov and perhaps leave enough to retain Panarin if he agrees to a pay cut.

Clearing Lafreniere's cap hit would increase the Rangers' projected cap space to over $37 million for 2026-27, leaving plenty of room for Kaprizov and perhaps Panarin. However, Larry Brooks of the New York Post doesn't see the Rangers trading away draft picks and players for Kaprizov, only to sign him to between $16 million and $18 million.

Turning to the Boston Bruins, trade rumors have dogged Pavel Zacha throughout this summer. The versatile 28-year-old forward is in the third season of a four-year contract with an affordable average annual value of $4.75 million. He also carries an eight-team no-trade list.

Zacha's agent recently dismissed the trade chatter swirling around his client as “just rumors.” However, RG.Org's James Murphy cited sources claiming the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames are among the clubs making inquiries into Zacha's availability.

Murphy indicated no deal was imminent, but trade scenarios had been discussed. His source said the Canadiens could be willing to part with forwards Joshua Roy and Oliver Kapanen and defenseman Jayden Struble in their quest for a second-line center. He also stated that the trade chatter wasn't coming from the Bruins, but from teams interested in Zacha.

The Bruins hope to rebound from last season's disastrous performance and return to playoff contention. They're not sellers right now, but that could change if they stumble from the gate and fail to gain ground in the standings.

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