On Wednesday night, the New York Islanders dropped episode one of "On The Island", their behind-the-scenes footage of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

After the Islanders drafted Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick, he received calls from Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and then Mathew Barzal. 

“Matty, what's up, you stud?" Barzal said as soon as Schaefer answered the one phone.  "We’re going to be dancing out there.”

Barzal has been showcasing his excitement for Schaefer anytime he's been asked about him, whether it's been on Frankie Borrelli's podcast or on NHL Sirius XM. 

Having a dynamic defenseman like Schaefer is something that plays right into Barzal's skillset, which is what Barzal was alluding to in his phone call. 

"He skates like the wind," Barzal said on NHL Network Radio while representing the Islanders at the 2025 NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.

Catch episode 1 of "On The Island" below: 

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Yesterday it was announced that former Red Wings player Henrik Zetterberg is returning to his childhood club Timrå IK as an advisor. The news created a lot of excitement in Sweden, and Zetterberg did several interviews throughout the day following his appointment to the new role. Among others, Henrik spoke with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The original interview can be found here.

After spending a year in Detroit following the end of his playing career, Zetterberg has settled down in Sweden. He has made his home in the south of the country and has lived a quiet life in the years since retiring from hockey. Gaining more attention is not the purpose of his new role, and the humble Zetterberg said that the attention wasn’t something he was seeking when the role was announced.

“It’s not the public attention I’m seeking by taking on this role as an advisor. I’ve actually had this role for about a year now in Timrå, but we haven’t really made much of it publicly. I love hockey and have a strong connection to Timrå. Now we’ll be a team working to push Timrå forward, and I’ll focus on being a sounding board for young players and their coaches in the club to help them develop. I’ll also continue supporting Kent Norberg (GM of Timrå) with thoughts and opinions on potential signings. It’ll be fun to see what kind of development we can achieve together,” says Henrik Zetterberg.

Several of his former Detroit teammates have gone on to start careers in management and coaching. Zetterberg was asked about his future plans and whether a role as a sporting director or GM is something he envisions down the line. However, he was quick to play down those speculations.

“I have no plans to take over after ‘Nubben’ (current GM at Timrå) that’s not something I’m thinking about at all. I want him to stay in Timrå forever, and I think he’s doing a fantastic job. My passion lies in helping younger players make the same journey that I once did.”

Henrik Zetterberg was also asked about his connection with the Red Wings and whether he might use his current role to help Detroit. His former captain and fellow Swede Nicklas Lidström is also based in Sweden while serving as Detroit’s Vice President of Hockey Operations. The connection to Detroit is still there, but there is no official collaboration between Zetterberg and his former club at this point.

“Of course I’ll probably have thoughts and questions during the season. I have people around me who have worked in hockey and have a lot of experience. Almost everyone on the Red Wings staff today are my former teammates, and I feel like I always represent Detroit since I played there for so many years. But we’ll see how that can help me in my professional role.”

Finally, Zetterberg was asked how he expects Timrå to perform this season. The team has lost valuable pieces during the offseason, including Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen, who have both left for the NHL.

“There’s no denying that losing Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen is a big blow for the club. They did a lot for the team last season. But we have other guys who are very talented and maybe flew a bit under the radar last year. Now it’s up to them to take the lead and push the club forward. Timrå is in a good position to surprise, but they might not be a top team just yet. There are many strong top teams. I don’t need to name them, it’s obvious who they are.”

Oliver Kapanen played 18 games for the Montreal Canadiens last season but returned to Timrå on loan. The season was a success for Kapanen, who recorded 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games. It’s an impressive points tally in the defensively minded SHL.

Filip Hållander returns to Pittsburgh with the ambition of earning a roster spot with the Penguins. He has played in three NHL games for Pittsburgh and has also appeared in 104 AHL games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Swedish center is coming off a brilliant SHL season, finishing second in the league in both goals and points with 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games for Timrå.

Despite having 25 games of NHL experience over two seasons, Fraser Minten was announced as part of the Boston Bruinsrookie tournament roster this week. Speaking to reporters at Warrior Ice Arena, Minten was asked how it came to be that he would take part in the tournament. It turns out Minten didn’t volunteer. He’s just following Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s orders.

“I got a phone call saying you will participate,” Minten said with a smile.

Fraser Minten is just following orders pic.twitter.com/3ICmmhuPPD

— Andrew Fantucchio (@A_Fantucchio) September 10, 2025

Minten, originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with their first pick (38th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, impressed the club enough that he made Toronto's opening night roster during the 2023-24 season. He played in four games before being returned to the junior league. The following season, Minten looked more polished, putting up two goals and two assists in 15 games.

Fraser Minten's Remarkable Journey From Under the Radar Before Training Camp to the Maple Leafs' Opening Night RosterThe Maple Leafs didn't expect their second-round pick to make the team this year, but Fraser Minten's performance at training camp was hard to deny.

But as the Maple Leafs sought to add depth for a playoff push, the club traded Minten to Boston along with a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo. As it became clear the Bruins weren’t destined for the postseason, they called up Minten. He played in six games and scored one goal.

'More Backcheck And There'll Be A Greater Paycheck': Maple Leafs React To Losing Players And Prospects On Trade Deadline DayDENVER — The Toronto Maple Leafs made some big moves ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade deadline. The Leafs acquired forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins.

Minten didn’t take part in the development camp the Bruins held in the summer that featured a lot of prospects his age. Given he’s about to embark on his first training camp in Boston, he understood the reasoning for the early attendance.

“I haven’t been here for a while, even for me but for them they haven’t seen me play a ton as much as other guys,” Minten said. “It just gives them a chance to get a look at me and my game.”

A look at Boston's depth chart shows a third-line center spot ripe for the taking for Minten, the role he played in Toronto. As the Bruins go through a bit of a rebuild after eight consecutive seasons of being in the playoffs, the opportunity is there for the former Maple Leafs draft pick to take another step in his development.

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Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand is hopeful to do something next year that has been on his checklist for a long time.

The 37-year-old NHL veteran and future Hockey Hall of Famer wants to suit up for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Marchand was one of 26 forwards and 42 total players who were invited to Hockey Canada's Orientation Camp last month in Calgary.

He was also one of five Panthers players to receive an invite, along with forwards Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The last time NHL players participated in the Olympic Games was in 2014 in Sochi.

Canada won gold, but Marchand was not there.

Like this year, Marchand was also part of that team’s orientation camp, but that was as far as his Olympic dream would go that year.

To say he’s been feeling the hunger to represent his country and compete for a gold medal in the time since would be an understatement.

"There's nothing I want more than to play for the Olympic team," Marchand said during last month’s camp in Calgary, per NHL.com. "That drive has been there since I went to that (orientation) camp in (2013) and didn't make that team. Since then, it's been my goal, my driving force every year, every summer. That's why I was so disappointed in '18 and then the next one. Everything I have done for the last 12 years has been for this tournament."

Now fully healthy and fresh off an incredible run with Florida during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as a strong showing for Team Canada at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Marchand is ready to make his Olympic dream come true.

If and when the opportunity comes, Marchand understands just how rare and unique a position it would be for him to find himself.

"I think you really understand how fragile these opportunities are," he said. "They're not a given. Even when you think you're going to go, it doesn't mean you're going. The last one we thought we were going for sure. It's the end of December, a month and a half before we're leaving, and it gets pulled from us. The one before that, someone's decision allows us to not go again. You could have an unbelievable NHL career and play for a very long time and not have an opportunity to play in these games."

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Photo caption: Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) skates during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

In spite of recent reports, the Philadelphia Flyers are not prepared to comment on any potential reunion with or interest in former goalie Carter Hart.

On Wednesday, during their state of the franchise press conference, Flyers president Keith Jones and governor Dan Hilferty fielded questions on all things Flyers.

Hart, 27, was recently acquitted of sexual assault and is a free agent, though the NHL has not officially reinstated him or the other four players involved in the Hockey Canada trial in London, Ontario.

That's about as much as the Flyers know, too, despite a recent report that claimed they were one of many teams interested in the veteran goalie.

"Well, at this point, we're going to make no comment on that situation. The NHL's made it clear that they'll speak first. But, right now, we're not prepared to comment at all about the Carter Hart situation," Hilferty said. "The NHL has told us they are running the show."

Hilferty and Jones were specifically asked as to whether they would consider inquiring on Hart and if the Flyers were allowed to talk to their former player if reinstated, but Hilferty, with the answer quoted above, shut those questions down as reasonably as possible.

Flyers: Where Is Egor Zavragin?Top Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Egor Zavragin has yet to play for his KHL club, SKA St. Petersburg, in the early goings of the 2025-26 season.

The Flyers already have a bit of a logjam working in goal anyway, with Sam Ersson and Dan Vladar expected to be the two main netminders on the NHL roster and Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov working in behind them.

Plus, Hart is nearly two years removed from his last competitive hockey game and NHL appearance at this point, so any potential reunion, which already lies in the hands of the NHL, is not going to be straightforward.

Until the NHL makes its decision, the show will go on in Philadelphia, with Vladar debuting for the Flyers imminently and Ersson hoping for a return to form.

The Pittsburgh Penguins released their Prospects Challenge roster for this weekend's games in Buffalo on Wednesday.

The roster is headlined by 2025 first-rounder Ben Kindel, 2024 second-rounder Harrison Brunicke, 2022 fourth-rounder Sergei Murashov, 2022 first-rounder Owen Pickering, and 2021 first-rounder Ville Koivunen, who came over in the Jake Guentzel trade and made his NHL debut back in March.

Pickering also made his NHL debut this past season and appeared in 25 games, compiling one goal and three points. 

This is an excellent opportunity for each prospect to keep developing since the 2025-26 season is just around the corner. With that in mind, let's look at four prospects that fans should have their eyes on during these games. 

Ben Kindel

Kindel is one of three prospects that the Penguins selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He was taken with the 11th overall pick in the draft, and he has a lot of skill. He was one of the best players in the WHL last year, finishing with 35 goals and 99 points in 64 games. 

Kindel has a great release and doesn't need a lot of time to utilize it. He also showed improvement as a playmaker and has a great motor. He can really win the 1v1 battles along the boards and has a strong Hockey IQ. 

He isn't ready for the NHL right now and will go back to the Calgary Hitmen for another season, but this is a perfect chance for him to show that he is arguably the top prospect in the Penguins' system. 

Quinn Beauchesne

Beauchesne was picked in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Penguins and showcased his strong skating ability as a defenseman last season with the Guelph Storm, compiling six goals and 24 points in 49 games. It was his second season with the Storm, and he'll return to them for a third season this year as an alternate captain.

He appeared at development camp back in July and also showcased his skating ability each day before the scrimmage took place on the final day. He created space each time he had the puck. 

The Penguins took four defensemen in the 2025 NHL Draft, and there's a chance Beauchesne has the highest ceiling of them all if he keeps developing. 

Penguins Announce Prospects Challenge Roster, McGroarty OutOn Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced their rosters for the 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, which takes place Sept. 11-15.

Kale Dach

Dach is the perfect under-the-radar player for fans to watch this weekend. He was picked in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft and lit up the BCHL last season, finishing with 22 goals and 87 points in 54 games. 

He will take things up a notch this season when he plays for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen with Ben Kindel. Those two will likely get quite a bit of ice time together this season, and fans could get a glimpse of that over the next few days. 

Dach has some raw offensive skill and even got to showcase some of it in the scrimmages during development camp. He had a nasty between-the-legs cross-ice pass for a good scoring chance, but the puck didn't find the back of the net. 

It's never a bad bet to take a late-round chance on a player who has some good traits. 

Sergei Murashov

Murashov is one of two goaltenders who will play with the other Penguins' prospects, joining Gabriel D'Aigle, who was selected in the third round of this year's draft. Murashov came over from Russia last year and was too good for the ECHL, finishing the season with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 26 games. 

He also got time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and made history by winning his first 10 starts. It's the longest winning streak in WBS history for a goalie in his rookie season. He finished the year with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

The WBS starting goaltender job is wide open for this upcoming season, and he's going to do everything in his power to win it. He's not ready for the NHL yet, but his time is coming. The key is to make sure the Penguins don't rush his development. Murashov's side-to-side movement is excellent, and he actively challenges shooters at the top of the crease. 

We'll see how many of the three games he starts when the Penguins start playing on Friday, September 12.

Speaking of that, the Penguins will open the Prospects Challenge against the Boston Bruins on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET before playing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, September 14, at 3:30 p.m. ET. They'll end the challenge against the Buffalo Sabres, who are hosting the tournament, on Monday, September 15, at Noon ET. 

All games will be available to watch on the Penguins' official website. 

---

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One of the biggest storylines in the NHL took an interesting turn on Wednesday.

While the Edmonton Oilers wait on Connor McDavid to find out what it is exactly he needs to see to sign an extension with the team, Kirill Kaprizov, his closest comparable in terms of expected annual average salary, turned down $128 million from the Minnesota Wild. 

Sources say #mnwild superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s camp turned down an extension offer believed to be 8-years, $128 million in a meeting on Tuesday in Minnesota that would have made him the highest-paid player in #NHL history in both AAV ($16 million) and total dollars.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 10, 2025

Reports are that Kaprizov turned down an eight-year deal for $16 million per season. That would have put him right beside McDavid's rumored ballpark number on an extension, and it's more money than insiders were projecting Kaprizov would get.

Much like the Oilers don't really know why McDavid is hesitating in signing his contract, the Wild are trying to find out what Kaprizov is looking for. 

Michael Russo of The Athletic writes:

"They need to determine if this is agent Paul Theofanous playing hardball because he thinks more money than $16 million is waiting in free agency for Kaprizov next summer, or if this is the beginning of the end of Kaprizov in Minnesota. Either way, the decision will be pivotal in determining the path of this franchise for the next decade."

-

If Kaprizov wants money and the Wild give in, what will that mean for McDavid and other top-end elite NHL talent set to hit free agency?

It's a $16 million question that no one can seem to answer. 

Perhaps this Kaprizov news means nothing when it comes to McDavid. After all, these two superstars might not be looking at what the other is making when it comes to negotiating their respective deals. Both are elite-level talents, and their motivations and situations are different. 

At the same time, that's a lot of money for Kaprizov to turn down, and most would agree that McDavid holds more value on the open market than Kaprizov does. As good as the winger is, McDavid should be paid more. 

Kaprizov Is Looking For "Something" In His Next Deal

The most logical explanation for this Kaprizov shocker is that he a) wants a shorter term or b) wants to play elsewhere. 

Seravalli’s report has been contested by other sources, including Rob Reinhart, who called the story “completely fabricated." Other trusted reporters, like Russo, seem to think there's something to this, and he is about as connected as anyone when it comes to the Wild. He believes this could get nasty if the Wild can't uncover what's motivating Kaprizov. Russo said, "If Kaprizov won’t entertain a contract extension by the Wild, it could be incumbent on Guerin to get a handful of teams Kaprizov would consider a trade to."

Wild GM Bill Guerin said the two sides are still talking and played down the urgency of the negotiations, taking what appears to be a sideways turn. He said later in the day on Wednesday, "I know two things: that info didn’t come from us, and it didn’t come from Kirill’s agent. I don’t know where it came from."

McDavid Is Still Contemplating His Next Move

The potential $16 million mark is notable because it is right in line with what many insiders thought McDavid might be making on his next contract.  The Oilers' captain is currently taking his time to go through his process, figure out what he wants to do with an extension, and then he'll sign, if and when he's ready to. 

Is Connor McDavid Prepared To Shake Up The Entire NHL?Connor McDavid’s pending contract with the Edmonton Oilers is more than just a story about one player's tough decision and how it will affect him and his family. This is potentially a story about the dominoes that fall after McDavid makes his extension preference clear.

Like the Wild, the Oilers say they aren't panicking. They're being patient and believe it's less about money for McDavid. He wants to win, and it sounds like he's willing to take less to do so, assuming he feels confident the Oilers will be good beyond this season and for many seasons after that.

McDavid knows that to build a contender, he's going to need to leave a little on the table. Some thought he might take less than $16 million to ensure the Oilers could add other pieces. 

One has to wonder if this Kaprizov news will make McDavid wonder if $16 million is too big a discount. 

Meanwhile, other big-name unrestricted free agents across the league are waiting and watching McDavid’s negotiations closely before making long-term commitments.

How Will This Impact the NHL's Top Tier Salaries?

Even without waiting to see McDavid’s final contract, Kaprizov seems prepared to push Minnesota to the limits to maximize his earning potential. If he refuses to sign, the team could be forced to explore trade options to avoid losing their star for nothing.

“Is This Real?” Insider Says McDavid’s Comments Has NHL on Alert

Frankly, if Kaprizov doesn't think $16 million is enough, the Wild have a choice to make. And, if they budge and pay him more than that, what is the domino effect across the league?

If the NHL salary cap rises to $120 million within a few years, Kaprizov could theoretically command upwards of $20 - $24 million per season, making any $16 million deal today appear comparatively modest. Is this the kind of thing that is also running through McDavid's mind? 

Is this what players like Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, and others are thinking?

Once Kaprizov or McDavid sets the market, it becomes the marker for agents and players to start negotiating. 

And, if for some reason McDavid winds up going to market, teams that just heard Kaprizov turned down $128 million now know they'll need to pony up and make a ton of cap space available for a player who is better and should be paid more in McDavid. 

People thought $16 might be the high mark. That appears to no longer be the case. 

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A pair of depth players have departed the Detroit Red Wings organization in as many days to seek other opportunities. 

Just as 2020 Draft selection forward Cross Hanas (55th overall, 2nd round, 24th pick) signed a professional tryout agreement with the Dallas Stars, defenseman Brogan Rafferty (undrafted, signed as a UFA in July 2023) has also departed.

The West Dundee, Illinois native has taken his career overseas and signed a two-year contract with the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League.

Växjö Lakers förstärker backsidan – vi hälsar den amerikanske rightbacken, Brogan Rafferty varmt välkommen till klubben. Backen som kommer att spela i tröjnummer 11 har skrivit på ett tvåårskontrakt och ansluter till laget under kommande vecka ✍️ https://t.co/wbtsHhOKiK

— Växjö Lakers (@VLHlive) September 6, 2025

He was highly regarded by the club as evidenced by comments made by Vaxjo general manager Henrik Evertsson, saying that the team had coveted him for some time. 

“Brogan is a defender we have had our eye on for a few years,” he said. “With his exceptionally good passing game, he fits really well into our style of play."

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

Rafferty was never drafted into the NHL, and instead officially entered the League when he was signed by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019 to a one-year entry level contract.

He had previously played for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, and was also extended a pair of invitations by the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers as a Training Camp invitee, though he ultimately fell short of claiming a roster spot with both clubs. 

Following a stint with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, Rafferty signed with the Red Wings as a free agent with a two-year, two-way contract in July 2023. 

He spent the majority of his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins, scoring 13 goals with 16 assists in 62 games in his first campaign with the organization, followed by six goals and 13 assists in 52 games played last season. 

Sergei Fedorov’s Mentorship Helps Boost Former Red Wing Daniel SprongThe tenure of former Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong was relatively short, lasting only a single season. He played a role in Detroit's offensive attack by scoring 18 goals in 76 games, the second-highest total of his career in a single season. 

While he was called up to the Red Wings at various points during his tenure, he ultimately never saw the ice in regular season play in a Detroit uniform. 

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The belief is that Sam Rinzel will be on the roster for the Chicago Blackhawks come opening night of the 2025-26 season. He only played nine games to end last season after his year with the University of Minnesota ended, but he immediately looked like he belonged in the NHL. 

He could produce offense, eat minutes, and properly position himself so that he would defend at a high level. The tools are there for him to be a top-pair defenseman. 

On Wednesday, the Blackhawks held their first prospect practice as they prepare for the 2025-26 Tom Kurvers Prospect Challenge. Rinzel, of course, made the roster and will participate in the event. 

After the first practice, a very physical one at that, was complete, Rinzel was one of the players to speak to the media. He was adamant that he wasn't a lock to made the team. 

"I gotta earn it, just like everyone else," Rinzel said when talking about making the team. That is the attitude to have when you've only played a short amount of games, despite playing well in them. If he gives the effort needed to make the team, he will. 

He talked about the things that he's been working on, including improving his shot, getting bigger and stronger, and being harder to play against in his own end. 

"I think being able to just change the angle," Rinzel said on improving his shot. "Being able to find little holes at the point." 

If Rinzel can become a goal-scoring defenseman by improving his shot, that will make him even more valuable to his team. His first goal in 2025-26 will be his first career NHL goal. 

As far as getting bigger and stronger, Rinzel said he played at 180 pounds last season and is up to 195 right now. He claims that drinking shakes helped him gain that weight. "It's always easier to drink the calories."

When the Blackhawks drafted Rinzel in the first round back in 2022, Kyle Davidson believed that he had the tools to become a great NHL player. Now, he's seeing the reward of taking that chance. 

Look for Rinzel to be one of the key Blackhawks players during this event, while giving him a really good chance to make the NHL team out of camp. 

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

The NHL’s 2025-26 season is nearly upon us, and here at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we're continuing our player-by-player series in which we break down expectations for each Sabres player this season. We've looked at Buffalo's goalies and defensemen, and in this latest column, we're turning our attention to veteran winger Jason Zucker.

This year, Zucker is entering the first season of a two-year contract extension. He obviously did enough last year to warrant his return to the Sabres, but even at a slight cut in salary, Zucker can still be a valuable contributor as Buffalo tries to end its 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought. 

Let's look at Zucker's impact last year, and what is fair to expect from him in '25-26:

Player Name: Jason Zucker

Position: Left Wing

Age: 33

2024-25 Key Statistics: 73 games, 21 goals, 53 points

2025-26 Salary: $4.75-million

2025-26 Expectations: Zucker has never been the most spectacular performer, but after a down season that saw him produce only 14 goals and 32 points in 2023-24, Zucker put up. 21 goals and 53 points in 73 games last year. For the mid-tier salary of $5-million, Zucker provided the secondary scoring the Sabres need from their veterans.

And this year, given that he's taken a $250.000-pay cut to come back to Buffalo, you have to give him credit for putting his chips behind a Sabres team that direly needs a strong year in 2025-26.

Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Entering Contract Year, Star Winger Tuch Will Be Feeling The HeatThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is almost here, and it’s a great time on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site to continue our player-by-player series in which we analyze expectations for every Sabres player in 2025-26.

Zucker did get some no-trade protection in his contract extension with the Sabres, but for both seasons of his new two-year deal, Zucker will be able to veto a trade to only five teams of his choice. That leaves 26 teams Zucker can be traded to. So he's hardly going to be able to stomp his feet and demand to stay in Buffalo if things don't work out well.

Indeed, if the Sabres do fall out of the playoff picture once again -- and so long as Zucker continues producing at a 20-goal pace -- there will be a market for Zucker's services. But that's a worst-case scenario for him. The best-case is that he stays in Buffalo, the Sabres do rebound, and Zucker gets to 25 goals and 60 points. 

Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Buffalo Center McLeod Has New Contract, Heightened Bar To ClearThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is close at hand, and here at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we're continuing our player-by-player series in which we analyze expectations for each Sabres player this coming year.

If Zucker can be a thriving contributor on a Buffalo team that, against all odds, becomes a playoff team next year, the gamble the Sabres took on Zucker will be regarded as well worth it. But if by this time next year Buffalo is playing without Zucker, it will be because the experiment ended and Sabres management tried to make the most of him as a hockey asset and get a return for the future.

Zucker will almost assuredly be a 15-goal-scorer next season. But it's that next level of five-to-10 goals that is separating Zucker from cementing his status in Buffalo from being on the move once again when the Sabres move in a different direction.

The Providence Bruins announced they have signed forward Jacob Perreault to a one-year deal for the 2025-26 AHL season. 

Perreault went pointless is in six games with the Laval Rocket and notched five points in five ECHL games before being dealt to the Bakersfield Condors where he picked up three goals and 14 points in 31 games.

A first round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2020, Perreault has 36 goals and 107 points in 218 career AHL games with the Rocket, Condors, and San Diego Gulls. He is pointless in one career NHL game with the Ducks. 

The 23-year-old has flashed high-end offensive skills at different points throughout his AHL career and looks to become a more consistent producer with a good Providence team. 

📰 PROVIDENCE BRUINS SIGN JACOB PERREAULT TO AHL CONTRACThttps://t.co/eDqv5PJpAf

— Providence Bruins (@AHLBruins) September 10, 2025

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Brennan Othmann has come into the New York Rangers rookie camp with a different mindset. 

This past season, Othmann got a 22-game audition with the Rangers and while he showed some positive flashes, he failed to score a goal during that time frame. 

Not being able to get on the stat sheet with a goal impacted Othmann as he began to lose confidence in himself.

“It just wasn’t going in,” Othamann said. “It wasn’t like I was playing bad hockey, but it just wasn’t going in. That takes a toll on your mind, and that is something that not everybody prepares you for that side of the game.”

After experiencing the trials and tribulations of NHL play, Othmann decided to change up his trainer and whole offseason training program. 

He worked out at the gym of hockey performance expert, Gary Roberts, along with some of the top NHL players in the world, including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Gabriel Landeskog, Sean Durzi, and Quinton Byfield.

“I just thought at this point it's just time to kind of make a change,” Othmann said about his change of trainers. “They helped me gain my confidence back that I didn't really have here towards the end of the year, so they did a great job.”

On top of his on-ice training, Othmann gained some muscle this summer and said that he weighed in at about 195 pounds. 

“You just want to put on as much size and muscle as you can, and then after that, once you stop growing, and that's kind of your making, make and model,” said Othmann. “I had all the engines for the car, and Gary and his staff built the car.”

Othmann has been attending Rangers rookie camp for many years now, but that didn’t stop him from coming back this season.

The 22-year-old forward views rookie camp as an opportunity to grow and improve as a player.

“Doing camp here is just another confidence builder,” Othmann said. “We discussed coming here, and at the end of the day, I wanted to because it helps with confidence. It gets you ready for main camp, and it gives you a week’s head start.”

With training camp just around the corner, Othmann will compete to earn a spot on the Rangers’ opening-night roster. 

Last season, Othmann finally got a crack at some NHL action, but now he’s looking to carve out a permanent spot with the Blueshirts.

During the first day of rookie camp, Othmann was sentimental when discussing his love for hockey and his career. 

Regardless of what transpires at training camp, Othmann is confident in himself and his pathway into the NHL.

“I’m brutally honest, I’m not worried about my abilities or when I’m going to play in the NHL, I will play in the NHL at some point,” Othmann stated. “Whether it’s this year or whenever, I’m going to play in the NHL. I'm just confident in my ability as a player…

“I don't know what other job I'd rather be doing. I'm a professional hockey player going on my third year now, like, it's exactly what I want to do. Obviously, in the NHL, but I'm a professional hockey player. I get here, I work out, I skate, I laugh, I have fun. That’s the best part of it, being around guys that you love and guys that love you back.”

Feb 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate against the Nashville Predators after the game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

As the 2025-26 season approaches, we’re previewing each of the Nashville Predators’ Central Division opponents.

This series will feature each team in chronological order and not their predicted order of finish in the division.

Our first preview focuses on the Chicago Blackhawks.

2024-25 Season By The Numbers

RECORD

25-46-11 (.372)

OVERTIME

3-7

SHOOTOUT

2-4

OVERALL

31st

OFFENSE

2.73 GPG (26th)

DEFENSE

3.56 GAA (31st)

POWER PLAY

24.9% (7th)

PENALTY KILL

79.3% (14th)

EXPECTED GF/60

2.10 (32nd)

EXPECTED GA/60

2.78 (29th)

Season Analysis

For Chicago Blackhawks fans, the beginning of the club’s rebuild probably seems like ages ago, but it’s only been around three years.

Last season, the Blackhawks finished 31st overall in the NHL standings, improving by two wins and nine points from the previous campaign.

Odds are that trend will continue for another season. The Hockey News predicts Chicago to finish eighth in the Central, with Stanley Cup odds at 90/1.

If end-of-season momentum means anything, the Hawks accumulated points in five of their final six games in 2024-25.

Offense

Connor Bedard has led the team in scoring each of his first two seasons (67 points in 2024-25). He can’t do it all by himself, though; the only other forwards who tallied at least 50 points last season were Ryan Donato (62) and Teuvo Teravainen (58).

The Blackhawks are hoping Frank Nazar (26 points) can build off the momentum of his World Championship performance and become a bigger impact. They’re also counting on Oliver Moore (four points in nine games) to build his confidence coming out of the University of Minnesota as part of Chicago’s youth movement.

Defense

Chicago no longer has Seth Jones, who was traded to the Florida Panthers last March for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Alec Martinez, who announced his retirement last April, is also gone.

This puts Alex Vlasic as the Hawks’ No. 1 blueliner, with Connor Murphy being the team’s most experienced defenseman.

More will be expected from Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski, but the bulk of the backend responsibilities will fall on Vlasic’s shoulders.

Goaltending

After coming over from the Stanley Cup Champion Panthers, Knight posted a 3.18 goals-against average and .896 save percentage in 15 games. His most impressive performance came right after the trade, a 41-save gem that resulted in a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

The next 14 games saw Knight record an .885 save percentage, but his ceiling is high if he can get a solid defense to back him up. Speaking of backups, the Hawks hope Laurent Brossoit can come back from the knee surgeries that kept him out all of last season and spell Knight in net. Arvid Soderblom is also in the mix.

Special Teams

The Blackhawks may have been ranked at or near the bottom in many statistical categories, but special-teams play wasn’t among them.

The club had the seventh-best power-play unit (24.9%), and the penalty-kill was a solid 14th (79.3%). Only 10 teams gave up fewer shot attempts against per 60 shorthanded minutes.

Last Season’s Series

The Predators and Blackhawks faced each other a total of four times in 2024-25, with Nashville sporting a 3-1 advantage in the series. It turned out to be the only series the Preds won against a team in their own division.

2025-26 Season Series

The two teams will again face off four times this season. The first meeting takes place in Chicago Nov. 28, then in Nashville on Jan. 10, 2026. The final two meetings are Feb. 26 at Bridgestone Arena and March 22 in Chicago.

The Bottom Line

One of the biggest reasons the Blackhawks hired Jeff Blashill as their new head coach last May was his ability to work with young players. He will certainly get a golden opportunity to demonstrate that in Chicago.

ST. LOUIS -- Justin Carbonneau made his intentions recently about whether to go to college this fall or remain eligible for junior play.

In electing to play in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, he also left the door open to sign an entry-level contract, come to St. Louis Blues training camp starting Sept. 18 and vie for a roster spot in the NHL.

Those wheels continued to be set in motion when the first round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (No. 19 overall) signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday along with 2023 seventh-round pick, Nikita Susuev. Each gets a two-way contract. 

Carbonneau, 18, who will be in St. Louis Thursday and Friday to practice with fellow Blues prospects before departing to face the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks prospects in Minnesota on Friday and Saturday, respectively, played the past three seasons with the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and is eligible to return there again this season barring a change in plans by the organization.

He made his decision on July 11 to return to junior, thus leaving the window open to perhaps win a job out of training camp with the Blues this season.

Carbonneau said after development camp in early July that the relationship with the Blues has been rock-solid from the get-go and that the trust has already been instilled. It's evident that he wants to give it his best shot to become an NHL player immediately after putting up 89 points (46 goals, 53 assists) in 62 games a season ago. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound forward was impressive when he was in town two months ago.

Susuev, 20, has spent his playing career in Russia, including 2024-25 when he had 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 42 games across all competitions, including MHK Spartak Moskva and Taifun Primorsky Krai of the MHL and Admiral Vladivostok of the KHL last year.

The 6-0, 172-pound forward has posted nine points (six goals, three assists) in 55 career games in the KHL, including stints with Spartak Moskva and Admiral; he had 54 points (20 goals, 34 assists) in 72 career games in Russia’s top junior league, the MHL.