MILTON, Ont. —Nicolas Roy has been in Toronto for three weeks working with some of his new Toronto Maple Leafs teammates and has been impressed with everyone he has skated with. But one player in particular caught his eye.

"Morgan Rielly's been buzzing in those skates," Roy said. "I wasn't there before. I've seen him, played against him, but he's been a really good player."

The Maple Leafs are hoping their top-pair defenseman, who is the longest-tenured player in Toronto and entering his 13th season, can take a leap. Outside of that, Toronto’s defense is mostly set, with much of the big moves at the position being addressed last season.

This season, the Maple Leafs' focus is on the depth they added, particularly after Mitch Marner’s departure for Las Vegas. Roy was the key piece in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and he is looking forward to bringing his Stanley Cup-winning skillset from Vegas to the Maple Leafs.

"I can bring the skillset that helped me win a Stanley Cup," Roy said speaking ahead of the club's annual charity golf tournament on Monday. "PK, power play, different things in the game. So, yeah, I'm definitely going to try to help the team win."

'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While there is a certain pressure that comes with playing in the NHL, Roy will get his first taste of playing in a market that demands more of his time, like Toronto—something the native of Quebec has no problem with.

"It'll be different for sure. Big market, Canada," Roy admitted. "I mean, it's always nice to have a little pressure. That's what you play for. So it'll be different, but I'll enjoy it for sure. Having that pedigree in the playoffs, we've been there for multiple years. You don't want to be too high, too low. I've been there. So, I mean, this team's been there too. But I know what I can bring in the playoffs to help this team win. So, I'm excited for that."

Roy said he’s had some conversations with new head coach Craig Berube about where he'll fit in. For a player who moved around a bit in Vegas’ lineup, it sounds like the coach will rely on some of that same versatility.

"A little bit of the same thing I had in Vegas, I guess. Playing in different roles," Roy said. "Can play power play, PK. But I guess we'll see where it's at. But, yeah, I had a really good conversation with him."

Maple Leafs camp is set to open with medicals on Wednesday and first on-ice sessions on Thursday.

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Exploring key moments from the Detroit Red Wings Prospect Showcase with the Dallas Stars this past weekend, including standout performances, areas in need of improvement and future roster implications. 

The Detroit Red Wings split their two-game Prospect Showcase with the Dallas Stars in Frisco, Texas and provided some interesting topics for fans to explore, heading into training camp later this week on Thursday. 

The first game saw an offensive frenzy with four unanswered goals from the Red Wings as they topped the Stars 6-2 on Saturday. Game two on Sunday was a different story however, as Detroit found themselves down early after giving up a goal in the first minute of the game. They managed to climb out of a 2-0 hole before blowing a two-goal lead themselves when up 4-2 entering the third period. They would go on to lose 6-5 with the offense still showing bright spots. 

Detroit's lineup for the showcase consisted of several big name prospects like three first round picks including Nate Danielson (9th overall, 2023), defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17th overall, 2023), right winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (15th overall, 2024).  Some rising prospects like Amadeus Lombardi (4th round, 2022), Shai Buium (2nd round, 2021) and Emmitt Finnie (7th round, 2023) all had impressive performances. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Red Wings 2025 Prospect Showcase Player Stats (two games): 

Shai Buium - 2G, 1A

Amadeus Lombardi - 1G, 4A

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - 1G, 3A 

Alexandre Doucet - 1G, 2A

Nate Danielson - 1G, 1A

Axel Sandin-Pellikka - 1G, 1A

Ondrej Becher - 1G, 1A 

Carson Bantle - 1G, 1A

Emmitt Finnie - 1G

Liam Kilfoil - 1G

Justice Christensen - 1A

Vincent Collard - 1A

Will Murphy - 1A

Detroit Red Wings Unveil New Centennial JerseysThe Detroit Red Wings revealed special third jerseys on Monday to celebrate their Centennial season. 

Lombardi, Buium Set to Crack Main Roster? 

The most notable name for Detroit to come out of the showcase is Lombardi after playing a key role in three of the Red Wings' five goals on Sunday, it was hard to miss the 22-year-old forward. After playing in 116 games in the AHL with the Griffins and posting a near point-per-game average last season with 40 points in 44 games, it was expected that Lombardi would be contending for a spot with the Red Wings at training camp. 

AMMO!

2-0, #REDWINGS! pic.twitter.com/Wh8oVRfBJo

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 14, 2025

His performance in the showcase only reminded management that they have a player who is too good for junior competition and will likely be a top player in the AHL once again. We could see an approach with Lombardi similar to Red Wings winger Elmer Soderblom last season, who played 38 games with the Griffins as well as 26 games up with the Red Wings. 

Buium on the other hand, may have an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role. The Red Wings struggled on backend last season with a bottom 12 defense in the league. They got some help in the crease when trading for former all-star goaltender John Gibson but more adds on the blueline are needed. They took a lottery ticket on former first round pick Jacob Benard-Docker but besides the former Senator, the Red Wings didn't make any meaningful adds with their unit and could lead to opportunities for AHL defenseman like Buium. 

AND BUIUM!

4-0, #REDWINGS! pic.twitter.com/PyCgWePsdM

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 14, 2025

Last season, the San Diego native posted a 25 points in 67 games with Griffins assistant coach Brian Lashoff telling the Hockey News that he regularly relied on Buium and routinely gave him bigger minutes than most.  If he can show that his game translates to the NHL after spending the offseason training with his brother Zeev, who made a significant leap to the NHL with the Minnesota Wild last season and even earned power play time, Buium might be able to establish himself as a regular in Detroit sooner than expected. 

Exclusive: Red Wings Prospect Shai Buium Eyes NHL Roster Spot: “Make It a Hard Decision”Red Wings prospect Shai Buium reflects on his journey from NCAA champion to AHL standout in exclusive interview with The Hockey News.

Sandin-Pellikka Needs More Time For Defense

One of the key focuses for fans and coaches entering the Prospect Showcase was looking out for Sandin-Pellikka's defense. It has been a widely-discussed topic as fans are worried that his offensive talent is top-tier but his defensive game needs improvement. In the second game of the Showcase, this was more evident. Sandin-Pellikka was given chances to shut down incoming fastbreak chances like on the Stars first goal.

Nifty move by Jaxon Fuder 👇@DallasStars | @Rebelshockey#TexasHockeypic.twitter.com/0GOYcAnzI1

— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) September 14, 2025

After a teammate turned the puck over in the Detroit zone, Sandin-Pellikka attempted to cut off the attacking forward. However, the opponent made a quick move, pulling the puck back and slipping past him before burying a low shot past the goaltender. Given the situation, with limited space to cut inside, the smarter play would have been a stick check, as the forward's only option was to cut across and go high, which he did. 

Sandin-Pellikka failed to anticipate the move, couldn’t match the Stars forward’s shift in direction, and it resulted in enough space for a clean scoring chance in the high slot. It's a small play and the turnover wasn't his fault that he was put in that situation but an NHL defenseman would've gotten off a better stick check in that situation to mitigate the chances of a clean shot getting off. 

Positioning and situational awareness is something he can continue to develop in the AHL this upcoming season. The last thing management will want is to call him up too early where his defensive skills aren't up to standard and he turns into a Shayne Gostisbehere-type defender in a bottom pairing role. 

Danielson's Big Minutes in Multiple Roles

The team relied on Danielson in multiple roles as a top-line center, penalty killer, and power play contributor who consistently won key faceoffs. Despite being on for two goals against, Danielson made a strong impact throughout the game and responded by scoring one of his own with his quick release was on full display with a top-shelf goal in the second game of the Showcase. 

Danielson puts us up 4-2! pic.twitter.com/eLP40FlWa6

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2025

His ability to contribute in all situations, including the penalty kill, improves his chances of making the roster. That versatility could allow him to slot in alongside another former ninth overall pick in Michael Rasmussen. Proving he can be effective in an all-around role only strengthens his case to earn a spot on the Red Wings.

Exclusive: Red Wings Top Prospect Nate Danielson Focused on Cracking NHL RosterRed Wings top prospect Nate Danielson explains main goal is to make main roster in exclusive interview with The Hockey News. 

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The upcoming 2025-26 season could see a handful of talented defensemen transition to full-time NHL roles. 

Some of these blueliners are simply growing, maturing and improving all the way to NHL consideration. Others may benefit from a change of scenery, opening themselves up to an opportunity that might not have been possible in another organization.

Here are three AHL D-men to break into the NHL for this coming season.

Logan Mailloux, St. Louis Blues

Following a solid campaign with the Laval Rocket last year in the Montreal Canadiens organization, Logan Mailloux was traded to the St. Louis Blues, and there’s no sign of him suiting up for the Springfield Thunderbirds.

All signs point to Mailloux playing in his first full NHL season after the Blues acquired the 22-year-old for Zack Bolduc on July 1.

The right-handed D-man has played two full AHL seasons since he was drafted by the Canadiens in 2021, with a handful of NHL games mixed in. Last season, he made 63 appearances for the Rocket, scoring 12 goals and 33 points. The season before that, he registered 14 goals and 47 points in 72 games.

His NHL experience is light, with a total of nine games and five points to his name. But his experience in The Show should be a lot higher at this time next year.

Luca Cagnoni, San Jose Barracuda

Despite being a fourth-round pick by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 draft, Luca Cagnoni has been a pleasant surprise for the organization thus far. As a rookie in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda last year, Cagnoni scored 16 goals and 52 points in 64 outings. He finished tied for third in scoring among all AHL defensemen.

The 5-foot-9 blueliner may have a small frame, but he has proven to be a dynamic player who has a notable offensive impact at different levels. He played six games with the Sharks last year, recording two assists. But it was in junior when he might’ve turned some heads.

Following his draft year, Cagnoni had an offensive explosion in his final season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. He led all CHL defensemen in scoring for that 2023-24 season, recording 18 goals and 72 assists for 90 points. 

If Cagnoni can keep up that scoring pace, he could earn consistent NHL time with the Sharks at some point next season.

Blue Jackets’ Jet Greaves To Challenge For Starting Gig: AHL Goaltenders To Make The ShowThe goaltender is arguably the most important position in hockey. It is believed that without a great goalie between the pipes, a team has little chance of winning silverware, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Tristan Luneau, San Diego Gulls

The final defenseman on this list is Tristan Luneau of the San Diego Gulls and Anaheim Ducks. After a handful of games between the AHL and NHL in 2023-24, Luneau played a full season with the Gulls last year.

In 59 games, Luneau scored nine goals and 43 assists for 52 points, equalling Cagnoni’s total for the third most by a D-man in the AHL, also as a rookie. 

Luneau’s chances to crack the Ducks roster are a little tougher than the rest of the defensemen on this list. Anaheim has an abundance of young blueliners, including Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger and Drew Helleson.

However, it’s not impossible for Luneau, as the 21-year-old played a total of 13 NHL games across the last two seasons. Only time will tell if he can rise Anaheim’s depth chart and become a full-time NHLer.

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

ST. PAUL, Minn - Recent 2025 NHL Draft pick Adam Benak, signed during the 2025 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase at The TRIA Rink.

In the first game against the St. Louis Blues, Benak picked up two assists and turned some heads of Wild fans and management.

He was drafted with the 102 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in the fourth round. He is 5-foot-8 and dropped so far in the draft because of his size.

But Benak did not let that stop him during the showcase.

In the second and final game, Benak recorded another assist after a great forecheck that turned into a Rasmus Kumpulainen goal.

Rasmus Kumpulainen finishes the job after Adam Benák does 97% of the work to put @mnwprospects up 3-2 late pic.twitter.com/06A3kl7Lpv

— State of Hoppy (@StateOfHoppy) September 14, 2025

New Iowa Wild head coach Greg Cronin had nothing but good things to say about the 18-year-old forward after the showcase.

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Recent Minnesota Wild Stories

Is It Time To Panic: Kirill Kaprizov Contact Extension SituationST. PAUL, Minn - With training camp right around the corner and captain practices starting, the Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov's camp has started contract extension negotiations.

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Recent speculation over the futures of Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov overshadowed Martin Necas' contract situation with the Colorado Avalanche.

Like McDavid and Kaprizov, Necas is UFA-eligible next July. If those two end up staying with their respective clubs, the 26-year-old right winger will become one of the most prized players in next summer's free-agent market.

Corey Masisak of The Denver Postrecently included Necas' contract negotiations among his 10 biggest questions facing the Avalanche this season. He believes they must get him signed to a deal that works for them now and after superstar defenseman Cale Makar's next contract goes into effect.

Otherwise, Avalanche management must consider a trade. Masisak believes their asking price for Necas will be expensive, considering he was part of the return from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade in January.

The Denver Gazette's Evan Rawal was asked if Necas would re-sign with Colorado before Kaprizov does with the Wild. He doesn't rule out the possibility of him waiting to see what Kaprizov gets before putting pen to paper with the Avalanche.

Speaking of pending UFA players, Rasmus Andersson recently returned to Calgary and spoke with the local media regarding his future with the Flames.

Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sunreported the 28-year-old defenseman is eager to start this season despite it potentially being his last with the Flames. He denied a report from earlier this summer claiming he'd only accept a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights, calling it “fake information,” and doesn't believe his situation will be a distraction for his teammates.

Austin thinks Andersson will be moved at some point before the March 6, 2026, trade deadline. However, he pointed out that Flames GM Craig Conroy hasn't closed the door on a contract extension.

Meanwhile, in Columbus, Yegor Chinakhov hasn't rescinded the trade request he made two months ago. Nevertheless, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic indicated last week that the 24-year-old center's situation hasn't reached the point of no return.

While GM Don Waddell remains open to moving Chinakhov for the right offer, he noted that the young forward was among the first players to return to Columbus for training camp and appears to be in excellent shape.

Waddell is taking that as a positive sign. However, Chinakhov must meet with coach Dean Evason before training camp opens this week to discuss the “misunderstandings” that prompted his trade request.

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.

The Detroit Red Wings unveiled a new jersey on Monday to celebrate their centennial season.

The uniform commemorates 100 years of Hockeytown history and will be worn for more than a dozen home games, the team said. The franchise entered the NHL in 1926 as the Detroit Cougars. They then became the Falcons for two seasons before changing their name again to the Red Wings in 1932-33.

"Red Wings fans have long embraced the Winged Wheel, and we wanted our Centennial uniform to commemorate its legacy," Ryan Gustafson, president-CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, said in a news release. "This design honors the traditions that make Red Wings hockey truly distinctive, while incorporating meaningful details to celebrate this remarkable milestone in a way that stays authentic to Detroit."

The result is a traditional Winged Wheel jersey loaded with elements telling the history of the franchise.

That includes the "Olde English 'D' " the Cougars wore on their jerseys, which resurfaces as a secondary mark that appears on the pants, the jock tag at the front of the jersey and on the back. The number font is also inspired by the Cougars' 1927-28 uniforms.

The Centennial uniform also features striping on the sleeves, hem and socks, commemorating the Falcons uniforms.

The Winged Wheel crest uses the first version of the logo from 1932 to 1948.

Other uniform details include a lace-up collar, matte red helmets, the franchise's 11 Stanley Cup-winning years on the inside hem, a reimagined Hockeytown mark and some faux leather patches on the jersey.

The Centennial uniform debuts in Detroit's home-opener on Oct. 9 against a fellow Original Six squad, the Montreal Canadiens.

The Red Wings and Canadiens have faced off 612 times in NHL regular-season history. Detroit has a 219-291-6 record against Montreal, with 96 ties. In the playoffs, Montreal has a 33-29 edge.

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A familiar face was behind the bench for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prospect Showdown in Montreal.

It had previously been announced that the Toronto Marlies’ coaching staff — consisting of John Gruden, Michael Dyck, Steve Sullivan, and Hannu Toivonen (goaltending coach) — would be overseeing the group of prospects at the mini tournament.

However, when a camera panned to the bench after the second period of Sunday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, former Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano was spotted standing alongside the other coaches.

Mark Giordano is behind the bench with the Maple Leafs' prospects. pic.twitter.com/svyS9sTK9Q

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 14, 2025

The 41-year-old was confirmed to be behind the bench for the Maple Leafs, but it’s unknown what his role was within the personnel who travelled to Montreal this past weekend.

Maple Leafs assistant GM, player development, Hayley Wickenheiser, was asked about Giordano’s role earlier this summer after he had been seen around the club’s facilities at development camp. 

“Mark’s been around. I’m not sure what he’s worked out with (Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving) in terms of moving forward with a role, but he certainly knows the organization. He’s been around, and I think is interested in the coaching, development side of things.”

Takeaways From Maple Leafs' Win Over Canadiens At Prospect ShowdownThe Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospects had a better result after losing their first game of the Prospect Showdown in Montreal to the Ottawa Senators.

Giordano was seen chatting with several players and staff during the camp in July, and even put together a speech for the prospects. He spoke about his journey from being an undrafted defenseman to winning the Norris Trophy in 2019.

“I think there’s a lot of players sitting and listening to Gio that said, that’s me, and that could be me. The career that he had being undrafted coming in and eventually winning a Norris Trophy, is really an incredible story,” Wickenheiser said in July.

“But when he starts to speak about the road and how much commitment and effort and what he learned along the way, I think probably those players sitting there listening go, ‘I can do it, but boy, it takes a lot of work to get there.’ And so it’s nice to have these guys around that can just share stories very informally with the players. I think they get a lot out of it.”

'I Was In The Steam Room': Mark Giordano Relives Trade From Kraken To Maple Leafs, Joins TSN For NHL Deadline CoverageGiordano discussed his trade to Toronto and who he thinks the team should trade for before the NHL trade deadline on March 7.

Giordano spent parts of three seasons with the Maple Leafs, from 2022 to 2024, after being acquired by the club during the 2022 NHL trade deadline. He would suit up for 144 regular season games for Toronto, tallying nine goals and 45 points while averaging 18:14 of ice time.

The veteran defenseman also appeared in 18 playoff games, helping the club defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games during the 2023 postseason, the first time they've gotten out of the first round win since 2004.

Report: Maple Leafs, Anthony Stolarz Leaving ‘No Stone Unturned’ In Contract Extension NegotiationsWill the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarz agree on a contract extension before the 2025-26 season begins? That appears to be the multi-million dollar question.

Giordano hasn’t formally retired from pro hockey, yet he has taken on several roles since his last season with the Maple Leafs in 2024. He joined TSN for their trade deadline coverage earlier this spring and was 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Shaefer’s defense coach this summer.

It remains to be seen whether Giordano will have a role with the Maple Leafs for the upcoming season as the NHL camp opens up this week.

Latest stories:

Takeaways From Maple Leafs' Win Over Canadiens At Prospect Showdown

John Gruden Wants Maple Leafs To 'Move Pucks Quicker' Following Loss To Senators At Prospects Showcase In Montreal

Report: Maple Leafs, Anthony Stolarz Leaving ‘No Stone Unturned’ In Contract Extension Negotiations

The Ottawa Senators closed out their rookie camp with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night. Despite outshooting the Jets in regulation 37-22, the Sens fell to 1-1 at the weekend Prospects Showdown in Montreal. The best of the group will now get an invitation to main camp, which opens this week.

Oskar Pettersson and Jorian Donovan had the Senators' goals on Sunday. Pettersson opened the scoring on a nice give-and-go with Phillippe Daoust. He dished to Daoust at the blue line, then made a hard charge to the far post and was rewarded, tipping in the return pass from Daoust. 

Donovan scored from distance at the end of the second period. His wrist shot through traffic beat a screened Alex Worthington and tied the game at 2.

After Jackson Parsons went wire to wire on Saturday, the Ottawa net was a time share situation on Sunday, split evenly between starter Vladimir Nikitin and Lucas Beckman. Both gave up a goal in regulation and had some good moments. Beckman was a little unlucky on the OT winner, lunging to his left to prevent a wraparound attempt. The puck quickly squirted out to the opposite side, right onto the stick of Fabian Wagner, who ended it before Beckman could recover.

Worthington made 36 saves while Ben Zloty and Jacob Julien scored the other goals for Winnipeg.

Along with Pettersson and Donovan, Xavier Bourgault and Stephen Halliday were, again, two of the better players on the ice for Ottawa. Carter Yakemchuk, probably the only player at this camp with an outside shot at an NHL job right now, got the night off. 

So with rookie camp and the Prospects Showdown now in the books, Belleville head coach David Bell says he was pleased with the compete level.

"We asked them to compete," Bell told the media after the game. "Travis Green spoke to them before the tournament started, and said that to be an Ottawa Senator, you have to compete for a full 60 minutes. I thought we, for the most part, outplayed them this game, but didn't get the results, so I applaud them for the effort from start to finish."

While 

The Senators will open 2025 training camp on Wednesday with fitness testing.

By Steve Warne
This article first appeared at The Hockey News-Ottawa

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:

Report: Alex Formenton's NHL Eligibility To Be Restored On December 1st
Sens Unveil Rookie Camp Roster For Games This Weekend
Senators GM Steve Staios On Why He Brought Back The Same Group
Can The Senators Still Avoid Losing Their 2026 First Round Pick?
Ottawa Senators Radio Play-By-Play Team Won't Travel To Road Games This Season

After skating every day from Thursday through Sunday, the New York Islanders' prospects have the day off on Monday. The final day of Rookie Camp will be Tuesday, before main training camp opens on Thursday.

Later this morning, we will be at the Islanders Charity Golf Outing, where select players and head coach Patrick Roy will be made available to us. We'll see if we get any updates on Semyon Varlamov and Matthew Barzal. 

Training camp on Thursday will be our first look at No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer against adults. It will be the first time we see what Maxim Shabanov can showcase against other NHL players after playing years professionally in the KHL.

Islanders Shabanov Showcasing All The Tools; Do Your Best To Temper ExpectationsEAST MEADOW, NY -- It's hard to temper expectations when talent is clearly evident. While many may be thinking this is about Matthew Schaefer — he's going to be a really special player — it's Maxim Shabanov who stole the show on Sunday at New York Islanders rookie camp.

How will Calum Ritchie fare in his second NHL training camp after making the Colorado Avalanche last year?

While there will be a combination of lines throughout training camp, it will be interesting to see how quickly Jonathan Drouin and Bo Horvat can grow their chemistry, as that's one of two lineup decisions that have been shared with us already.

The other is that Barzal, coming off two separate long-term injuries, will be moving back to center ice with Brock Nelson no longer on the team. Maybe Ritchie, if he proves he's ready to be an everyday NHL center, wins a job, changes that Barzal plan.

Islanders Prospect Calum Ritchie Bulked Up, Ready To Fill Brock Nelson's Role EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie knows how big the loss of Brock Nelson was for the club. Being the big return piece in the Nelson deal with the Colorado Avalanche isn't something the 20-year-old takes lightly. 

The Islanders have never been deeper on offense than they will be entering camp on Thursday, especailly at the wing position. 

With the Drouin and Shabanov signing, the return of unrestricted free agent forward Kyle Palmieri, restricted free agent forwards Simon Holmstrom, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Marc Gatcomb, the trade and signing of Emil Heineman and the return of Anthony Duclair after his hiatus, competition will be at an all-time higher for spots. 

The Islanders have 12 wingers fighting for eight starting spots and a few extra roles: Drouin, Palmieri, Holmstrom, Lee, Shabanov, Duclair, Tsyplakov, Heineman, Gatcomb, MacLean, Engvall, Ritchie (as a winger).

On the defensive side, which isn't as deep, there will still be competition, especially for the bottom-pairing and seventh defenseman role: Alexander Romanov, Tony DeAngelo, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Schaefer, Scott Mayfield, Adam Boqvist, Isaiah George and Ethan Bear. 

Islanders Matthew Schaefer Welcomes The Pressure; His Comments Following Day One Of Rookie Camp EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders prospect Mathew Schaefer understands the pressure that's on him afer being selected first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

When it comes to goaltending -- if Semyon Varlamov isn't ready -- there's a battle for the backup position between David Rittich and MArcus Hogberg. 

It's an exciting time in Islanders land, and the work has already begun with informal practice skates ongoing before things officially ramp up.  

Who will rise to the occasion? Who will be hitting waivers or heading to Bridgeport after preseason? 

Buckle up for the roster battles. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 28 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #28. 

Let's take a look.

Tyler Wright - 2001-2006 - Drafted by Edmonton in 1991.

Tyler Wright was a Blue Jacket Original who played 309 games in the early days of the franchise. Wright totaled 109 points for the Jackets and had 149 for his career.

He was famously traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Hall-of-Famer Sergei Fedorov on November 15, 2005. That was his last NHL season, and he would leave for Switzerland the next year. 

After retiring, he returned to Columbus and was the Dir. of Player Development, and Dir. of Amateur Scouting for 7 years. He held the same positions in Detroit and Edmonton from 2013 to 2023. After taking last season off, he was hired by the LA Kings to be their Dir. of Player Personnel for this upcoming season. 

Zenon Konopka - 2007-2008 - Undrafted out of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

On January 26, 2007, he was traded by the Anaheim Ducks along with Curtis Glencross and a draft pick to the Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Mark Hartigan, Joe Motzko and a draft pick. He played a total of 9 games for Columbus and had no points. He spent the season as the Captain for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, where he had 55 points. 

He retired in April of 2017. 

Nikita Filatov - 2009-2011 - Drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft by Columbus.

Oh, what could've been! Filatov was an uber-talented winger from Russia and was the 6th overall pick in 2008. He played 44 games for Columbus and totaled 13 points. In 2011, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators and only played 9 games.

He would return to Russia, where he played until 2019 and is now retired. He has spent the last few years as the Vice President of the Polyot Rybinsk of the NMHL. 

"Filly don't do rebounds."

Alexandre Giroux - 2012 - Drafted by Ottawa in 1999.

Played in 9 games for the Jackets during the 2011-12 season, scoring one goal. After his time in Columbus, he would never play another NHL game.

He would play in Europe until 2018 before returning to Canada, where he would play until 2022. He played in Poland, Switzerland, Russia, and France. He came back to North America and played three seasons in the LNAH as well. 

Frédéric St. Denis - 2015 - Undrafted out of Greenfield Park, Quebec.

St. Denis would play 4 games for the Jackets during the 14-15 season and would tally one assist. He would never play another NHL game after playing in Columbus and retired during the 2018-19 season.

He played one year in Germany and then came back to play in the LNAH for three seasons. 

Oliver Bjorkstrand - 2016-2022 - Drafted by Columbus in 2013. 

Bjorkstrand played 382 games for the Blue Jackets. Drafted in 2013, Oliver helped the Lake Erie Monsters win the Calder Cup in 2016 by scoring 16 points in 17 games, including the series winner with under .02 seconds to play in overtime. 

Bjorkstrand had 234 points in 382 games as a Jacket. He scored a career-high 28 goals in 2021-22 and had a career-high 57 points. On July 22, 2022, the unthinkable would happen - Oliver Bjorkstrand was traded to the Seattle Kraken. Former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen justified the trade by saying it was because they just signed Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine. It was a sad day for a lot of CBJ fans, especially since the CBJ only got back a third and fourth-round pick.

Bjorkstrand is most famous for his game-winning goal in the 2019 NHL playoffs vs the Tampa Bay Lightning. A goal that will live in infamy for Lightning fans.

In his first season with Seattle, he played a key role in helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time, contributing 20 goals and 45 points. His two-way game and ability to step up in clutch moments made him a valuable addition.

This past season, Bjorkstrand suffered an injury called Compartment Syndrome. This happens when there is too much pressure around your muscles. In Bjorkstrand's case, it required him to be rushed to the hospital at 2 a.m. for emergency surgery to fix the issue.

 The injury is very serious because the fluid and blood get trapped inside the muscle, causing it to swell. If not treated immediately, it can cause major complications, including the potential loss of the affected limb.

Thankfully, in Bjorkstrand’s case, it was caught early and treated. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said he is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

There are 28 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena.

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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- When St. Louis Blues prospects stepped onto the ice to get in a couple days of workouts prior to playing in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase this past weekend, assistant general manager Tim Taylor noticed a quick observation.

“I don’t know if you guys noticed, Dvorsky looked like he had a bigger jump or better step in his feet,” Taylor said of Dalibor Dvorsky, the 10th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

That same Dalibor Dvorsky that will be in a group of a handful or two high-end draft picks that will be in camp that begins on Thursday to try and win a job.

The odds are probably more against him than favorable, considering that the Blues have 14 forwards on one-way contracts, but this is Dvorsky’s objective heading in, as it will be for the likes of others: take someone’s job.

And after getting a taste of the big life a year ago playing in two NHL games, being told to be patient and work hard for his turn, Dvorsky knows this is his first real test and opportunity to force management’s hand at giving him a full-time job here, and he’s more than motivated.

“Oh yeah, I feel real motivated,” he said. “My goal is to play here, so I feel really motivated. I'm (was) ready for rookie camp and (now) training camp and I'm excited to get started.”

Dvorsky, who had 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 61 games for Springfield of the American Hockey League last season, his first full season there, said his summer’s been good. When told that those above watching him last week working out with fellow prospects that noticed the speed has ramped up, Dvorsky said he’s “tried to improve, get stronger and faster every summer. I feel faster this summer. I think I've improved in that. I feel good.”

The big question is if Dvorsky, who had a goal and an assist on Friday in a 6-4 win against the Minnesota Wild prospects, in fact does have a terrific training camp, whose job does he take away?

The Blues signed Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad to free agent contracts this summer, do don’t expect one of those jobs to be taken away. Could the 20-year-old wrestle a job away from veterans Mathieu Joseph or Alexandre Texier, each who has one year remaining on his contract? It’s unlikely he’d push Nathan Walker, Oskar Sundqvist or Alexey Toropchenko out of the mix since Dvorsky is not a fourth-line player and those will be fourth-line forwards.

But what is known is the Blues seem to have a pretty good grasp of where Dvorsky’s progression has taken him thus far and what lies ahead.

“I think that he got a real good taste of what pro hockey was all about at a young age at 19,” Taylor said. “Going to the Worlds, I went over to the Worlds and watched him play over there too (this past summer). Now he’s experiencing the ebbs and flows of what pro hockey’s all about. I think he just has a better grasp for himself of where he needs to get to and where he’s at right now.

“I don’t want to overstate this because it’s in practice, but he looks like he’s quicker, he looks like he’s more mature in his body and he feels … I just feel like he’s more comfortable in his skin and ready to take a grasp of the situation and see what this month has for him.”

Compared to a year ago, Dvorsky is not only faster but he’s bigger and stronger (6-foot-1, 201 pounds) and has a firm grasp of what needs to be done.

“I mean last year was my first camp. It was my first year, so I didn't really know what to expect from everything, but now I'm more experienced,” Dvorsky said. “This is my second time being here, so I know how I should have prepared and I know what to expect now. So I feel a little more comfortable now. But I'm staying motivated and I'm really excited to get started.

“… I think I'm good to adjust to the speed of the game. I played pro last year and I had two games up (in the NHL), so I know how fast I have to play to keep up. I've been working on it all summer, so I think I'm pretty good to adjust to the speed of the game.

“Two games is not a lot, but from what I've gotten the opportunity to play, I've learned that the speed is really high and the players are smarter, more skilled and maybe a little stronger. It's the best league in the world, so it's a really high level.”

A natural center, Dvorsky is up against it with Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Suter, Sundqvist, Bjugstad, even Walker as the depth of guys at the center ice position. The Blues are known to get guys acclimated to the league by playing them on the wing to gain the necessary experience before thrusting someone into a tougher slot up the middle. Could that be in the works for Dvorsky? Whatever it takes.

“Yeah for sure, I'm open to it,” Dvorsky said. “That's the coach's decision -- whatever [Jim Montgomery] decides -- but yeah I've played on the wing as well. Like I said, it's up to the coach, what he says, and I'll just try to do my best on the ice.”

Dvorsky will get his shot starting Thursday. This isn’t a now-or-never situation. In fact, it’s just the beginning, but it’s the beginning of a real first opportunity from a draft class that essentially started with 2022 first-round pick Jimmy Snuggerud, who is a lock at making this year’s roster. Dvorsky is next in line.

“Definitely much closer because I've been here last year and I know much more what it takes to be here,” Dvorsky said. “But I go one step at a time. First it's the rookie tournament and then I’ll focus on the main camp.”

Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Erik Johnson is still a free agent as NHL training camps loom large league-wide, but his status could change soon.

According to Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports, Johnson, 37, has three professional tryout offers on the table and will eventually decide on one.

The Flyers traded Johnson back to his longtime club, the Colorado Avalanche, in the March 7 NHL trade deadline deal that brought Givani Smith to Philadelphia, though a return to the Avs is not in the cards, according to Montano.

Technically, the Flyers could be a possibility, though it's been reported that they aren't expected to bring in any players on tryout offers at all.

They also already have Dennis Gilbert, Emil Andrae, Noah Juulsen, and Helge Grans competing for roster spots, so Johnson more than likely would not have a genuine opportunity to play in the NHL again with the Flyers.

A source told me that Erik Johnson has 3 PTO offers on the table that he’s deciding between.

None of which are Colorado.

— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) September 14, 2025

Johnson isn't quite the player he used to be, though he appeared in 14 games for the Avalanche after the trade, scoring a goal and an assist and seeing his average ice time jump from 13:18 with the Flyers to 16:36 in Colorado.

In the playoffs, Johnson was trusted by Jared Bednar and Co. to play in two games.

It's conceivable that the 1,000-gamer could still be a useful rotational veteran somewhere in the NHL, even though it's clear he's no longer a regular at this level.

Wherever Johnson lands next, if not Philadelphia or Colorado, will be his fourth team in three seasons.

On this second day of the Prospect Showdown, the Montreal Canadiens decided to rest prized prospect Ivan Demidov, and to say the fans were disappointed would be an understatement. The mere presence of the young Russian in the building has the power to create some effervescence, and his absence on the ice for warmups was met with incredulity.

The organization had been advertising this event with Demidov as the headliner for months. Yesterday, Pascal Vincent, speaking about his first line formed with Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, and Florian Xhekaj, said it was a shame they only had two games to work on their chemistry. Given those circumstances, it’s hard not to understand the fans’ disappointment, especially since those who attended the Saturday game got to see Demidov and meet Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson.

Canadiens: An Injury And A Hot Start
Canadiens’ Demidov Steals The Show Despite Loss
Canadiens: Vincent Looking To Expand Florian Xhekaj’s Role

Pascal Vincent explained that the risk of playing him two days in a row wasn’t worth it, given how big of a summer he had training-wise, and that the decision was taken by committee.

Still, there was a game to be played, and the Toronto Maple Leafs elected to do exactly what the Habs were doing, shielding their best player, meaning Easton Cowan sat this one out as well. With the most skillful player on each side being a no-show, the game soon turned into what some would call “old-time hockey”, and within five minutes, there had already been two fights.

No Demidov and no Cowan means this sums up this Habs vs Leafs tilt perfectly #GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/3GkptsH4dm

— Karine Hains (@KarineHains) September 14, 2025

Toronto opened the score late in the first with a shot from the high slot that didn’t look all that threatening, but it still found its way past Jacob Fowler, who played for half the game, just like yesterday. Montreal started strong in the second frame, taking five consecutive shots on goal, but they then got into penalty trouble, and while they were able to kill Owen Protz’s minor, they couldn’t do the same when both Kapanen and Vinzenz Rohrer were in the box. Luke Haymes scored with a one-timer off the draw, giving Toronto a 2-0 lead.

Another fight followed this time between Tyler Thorpe and Sam McCue, but this one seemed to energize Montreal, and Filip Mesar scored to bring the locals back to within one. With 20 minutes to go, the Leafs had a 2-1 edge while Montreal had the lead in shots with 24 to Toronto’s 21.

The Canadiens made a valiant effort to come back in the third, firing 15 shots on net, but they were unable to find the back of the net. Meanwhile, Ryan Tverberg added a couple of goals for the visitors, including an empty net goal with a minute to go in the game. For a second time in as many days, the Canadiens lost the game, this time 4-1.

Of course, this is only a prospect tournament and results matter very little, but still, on paper, the Canadiens should have fared better this weekend. While the decision to shield Demidov is understandable, his absence was a great way to demonstrate how much of an impact he had on proceedings. Without him, the Canadiens struggle to build real threatening attacks, and they couldn’t produce as many scoring chances as they did on Saturday.

On the bright side, David Reinbacher looked better than he did yesterday. There’s a steady progression there as the rust comes off, but he’s not ready yet for the NHL; that much is clear. He will benefit greatly from a heavy workload in the AHL.

Still, in the positives, Fowler has the kind of mindset needed to play in this market. He’s calm and collected, and he doesn’t panic, no matter what happens. That’s the kind of roc you need in the Montreal net. He’s not entertaining to watch, but that’s not a negative; it just means his positioning is good and he doesn’t need to make spectacular saves, unlike Jakub Dobes, for instance. He’s not NHL-ready, but so far, his progression is on the right path.

In Demidov’s absence, Owen Beck was promoted to the top line, and he was quite noticeable on the ice. Not because he has the same kind of talent as Demidov, but because he excels at all the little things. He’s the kind of player who’s ready to do the things that “aren’t fun to do,” as Martin St-Louis often says. Vincent explained that in a single shift, he blocked a puck, recovered it in a foot race, and then landed a hit; that’s the kind of hard worker that can make the NHL because they don’t mind picking up the challenging assignment, and they’re not hung up on getting the spotlight and the highlight reels.

The rookies will enjoy a much-deserved day off tomorrow as the Canadiens will hold their traditional season-launching golf tournament, but will be back in Brossard on Tuesday to close out the rookie camp.

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In less than a week, the Pittsburgh Penguins will begin a training camp that figures to be more competitive than any in recent memory. 

And there may be one prospect to keep a keen eye on.

Signed to a two-year AHL contract during the summer of 2024, forward Atley Calvert has generated some buzz. The 21-year-old - a product of the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL - has shown some flashes of a game that could translate to the NHL level, and he can put the puck in the back of the net.

After an excellent season with Moose Jaw in 2023-24 - when he registered 47 goals and 95 points in 68 games, in addition to eight goals and 20 points in 20 Calder Cup playoff games - the Penguins' organization took a chance on Calvert, who was undrafted. They got a pretty good look at him, too, as he was the teammate of former Penguins' prospect Brayden Yager.

And the 6-foot-1, 194-pound center didn't take long to impress Penguins' brass. In 38 ECHL games with the Wheeling Nailers in 2024-25, Calvert had 13 goals and 36 points, and in 26 AHL games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), he recorded nine goals and 14 points.

Calvert may be somewhat known for his ability to score goals so far in his professional career, but he was heralded as more of a deceptive, playmaking forward prior to signing with the Penguins. He's an intelligent player in all three zones, which fits the mold of many of the young prospects Pittsburgh has added to their system recently.

Calvert has a goal so far at this year's Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York, and there may be many more in store this season for the young forward. Don't count him out as a potential standout in training camp this year.

Four Penguins Prospects To Watch At The 2025 Prospects ChallengeThe Pittsburgh Penguins released their Prospects Challenge roster for this weekend's games in Buffalo on Wednesday.

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With the start of training camp just around the corner, here's a full look at the Carolina Hurricanes' preseason schedule. 

The Hurricanes are set to play six preseason games.  

Monday: September 22: Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. Lenovo Center

Wednesday: September 24: Florida Panthers, 6 p.m. Lenovo Center

Friday: September 26 at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. Amalie Arena

Sunday: September 28 Nashville Predators, 7 p.m. Lenovo Center

Monday: September 29 at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m. Amerant Bank Arena

Saturday October 4 at Nashville Predators, 4 p.m. Bridgestone Arena