Category: Sports News

For just about eight years, Rob Blake served as GM of the Los Angeles Kings. In that span, the Kings made five appearances in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But because L.A. failed to win a single playoff series in that span, Blake and the Kings parted ways Monday. 

Let's compare Blake's tenure to that of Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, who has been running things in Western New York since June of 2020. In Adams' tenure, the Sabres have failed to make the playoffs each and every season. Playoff wins have been more of a pipe dream than just getting into the post-season, yet here we are, and Adams is still holding the reins of power. Does something seem off about this picture? Because it absolutely should.

Indeed, the Sabres' culture of losing is so pervasive, the status quo is embraced in a way that would never happen with many other organizations. Other teams have pulled the plug on their GM after two or three seasons of letdowns, let alone five. There are no excuses with other teams -- you either produce positive results, or someone comes in and takes over your job. Pretty straightforward.

It took the Kings less than a week to decide on a new direction for the team after their latest playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers. There was no doubt something major had to change. Blake didn't get the job done, and he knew as well as anyone it was time for his era in L.A. to end. Sabres fans have to look at the way that situation played out and pine for an ownership group that has that level of expectation for its management members.

Because the Kings changed course so quickly, they're going to have a sizeable number of GM candidates to choose from. But if the Sabres get off to another sub-par start to the 2025-26 season, the group of candidates to replace Adams at that time will be rather small. This is another reason why waiting to dismiss Adams is such a bad idea. But the Sabres have cornered the market on bad ideas, so no one should be shocked at their most recent one.

Lamoriello's Cold-Blooded Legacy A Good Lesson For Rebuilding SabresThe New York Islanders parted ways with GM and team president Lou Lamoriello Tuesday, perhaps putting an end to the 82-year-old icon's Hockey Hall-of-Fame career running NHL teams. But there's always something to learn from brilliant people, even when they're removed from power -- and Lamoriello's legacy could and should be a vital lesson for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.

The Kings have won two Stanley Cups in the past 14 years because the competitive bar the team has set for itself is considerably high. The Sabres, on the other hand, have a competitive bar set so low, a limbo contest would be impossible to win against them.

It has to be massively frustrating for Buffalo fans to sit back and watch the Sabres have another ho-hum off-season where nothing changes at the top of their power pyramid.  And until that changes, more disappointment is almost assuredly on its way.

As the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs continue to unfold, it’s as good a time as any to look at the league’s pending UFAs and examine how they’ve helped or hurt their negotiating leverage this summer. 

Let’s focus on five prominent pending UFAs:

1. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Heading into the post-season, few players were under more pressure than Marner. Unlike last year, when he had one goal and three points in a seven-game loss to the Bruins, Marner came through, posting seven assists and eight points in the six-game win against the Ottawa Senators. 

Marner helped his financial cause greatly in the regular season with a career-best 75 assists and 102 points in 81 games, but his first-round performance is a step toward proving he can rise to the occasion in the playoffs. His strong defensive play also helps.

Most people now understand Marner won’t likely give the Leafs a hometown discount, and he’s almost assuredly going to make $13 million or $14 million per season beginning next year. The further the Leafs go, the more the 27-year-old is assured of an even bigger raise on the $10.9 million he’s currently making – especially if he can help the Leafs get past the Panthers in the second round.

2. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Injuries limited Ehlers to only 69 regular-season games with the Jets, but he still was able to match his career-high in assists (39) and came within one point of equaling his career high in points (64). 

Injuries kept Ehlers out of the first five games of their first-round showdown against the St. Louis Blues. However, he made up for lost time by setting up Cole Perfetti for the game-tying goal that sent Game 7 to overtime.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the way for himself and the Jets, Ehlers will have serious interest from many teams and get a raise on the $6 million he’s earning this season. His combination of speed and finishing skills makes him highly valuable.

3. Mikael Granlund, C, Dallas Stars

Granlund, 33, is no spring chicken. But since Dallas acquired him from San Jose midway through the season, he’s been solid, combining for 22 goals and 66 points in 83 games with the Stars and the San Jose Sharks. Those are his best totals since he was a member of the Minnesota Wild in 2017-18. 

In seven games against the Colorado Avalanche, Granlund put up a goal and two points – nothing earth-shattering but nothing that will see him take a pay cut on the $5 million he’s earning this season. At his age, the contract term will likely be as important to Granlund as the dollar amount he eventually arrives at.

NHL Playoffs 2025: Winners And Losers From Round 1 Feature Rantanen, Necas And MoreJust like that, the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoff field is cut in half. 

4. John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Like Marner, Tavares plays for the high-profile Maple Leafs, so his next contract has been a topic of speculation for the past year. 

Tavares thrived in the regular season with 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games, and he added three goals and five points against the Sens in Round 1. Despite his age, that should only help his negotiating rights this coming off-season.

Tavares, 34, will not earn anywhere close to the $11-millon cap hit he’s been making in Toronto for the past seven seasons. But if he can get a three- or four-year contract from his hometown Leafs, Tavares should be satisfied at the prospect of ending his terrific career for the Blue & White.

5. Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers

Bennett’s skill and sandpaper make him highly regarded to pretty much every team out there, and his current cap hit of $4.425 million makes him one of the better bargains in the NHL.

This year, he’s put up career bests in assists (26) and points (51), but his recent playoff history assures him of a considerable raise this summer. 

The 28-year-old had seven goals and 14 points in 19 games during Florida’s Cup run last year. This spring, he’s put up three goals and five points in the Panthers’ first-round win over Tampa Bay.

Bennett may choose to remain in Florida over the long haul, but if the Panthers want to keep him, they will have to pay him a good deal more than what he’s currently making. Bennett’s skill set is unique, and while he no doubt wants to stay a Panther, there will be no shortage of teams tempting him with a healthy raise.

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The incredible ending of the St. Louis Blues - Winnipeg Jets series on Sunday put an end to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which did not see any shocking upsets, but did see clubs like the Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who had home-ice advantage, go down to division foes Edmonton and Florida. A number of former Buffalo Sabres moved on to the second round, which will open with the Panthers taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Monday, but a number of ex-Sabres also had their season end.  

Here are the players who went home after the first round:

Colorado

Erik Johnson  GP - 2, G - 0, A - 0, PTS - 0, +/- 0

Most likely the end of the career of the Stanley Cup champion and former #1 overall pick. 

Minnesota

Marcus Foligno  GP - 6, G - 3, A - 1, PTS - 4, +/- +4

Marcus Johansson  GP - 5, G - 0, A - 2, PTS - 2, +/- 0

Zach Bogosian  GP - 6, G - 0, A - 1, PTS - 1, +/- -1

Foligno was a force in the Wild’s six-game loss to Vegas, with three goals.

Montreal

Joel Armia  GP - 5, G - 0, A - 2, PTS - 2, +/- +2

The former Sabres first-rounder was an effective checker and bottom-six forward for the Canadiens, who fell in five games to the Washington Capitals. 

Other Sabres Stories

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Ottawa

Dylan Cozens  GP - 6, G - 1, A - 1, PTS - 2, +/- -2

Linus Ullmark  GP - 6, Record - 2-4-0, GAA - 2.84, Save % - .880

Cozens had a rough playoff for Ottawa, as he was victimized on Max Domi’s OT goal in Game 2, but the former Sabre did score a back-breaking short-handed goal in Game 5. Ullmark gave up six in the series opener, but got stronger as the series evolved, shutting out Toronto in Game 5 to keep the Sens alive.  

Tampa Bay

Zemgus Girgensons  GP - 5, G - 0, A - 0, PTS - 0, +/- 0

Girgensons played fourth-line duty and, most notably, was checked from behind by Niko Mikkola, earning the Florida defenseman a five-minute major and game misconduct. 

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

When the 2024-25 NHL season began, defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo wasn't exactly on the Ottawa Senators' NHL radar.

Last summer, Matinpalo signed a one-year, two-way contract with the club, suggesting they expected him to spend the bulk of the year again with the AHL's Belleville Senators.

But as they often do, a rash of injuries opened the door for Matinpalo, and he made the most of the opportunity. The 26-year-old played 41 regular-season games for the Senators this season, which is probably about 41 more than most observers expected. As a testament to how well he played this season, Matinpalo suited up in all six of Ottawa's playoff games this spring, even though more veteran options were both healthy and available.

Four days after the Senators' season ended, Matinpalo was rewarded with his first one-way NHL contract. GM Steve Staios announced on Monday that the team signed Matinpalo to a two-year deal with an $875,000 AAV through the 2026-2027 season.

The Espoo, Finland native started the season on waivers before reporting to Belleville, where he stayed until being recalled to Ottawa in December.

Matinpalo's whirlwind season included an opportunity to be an injury replacement for Team Finland at February's NHL 4 Nations Faceoff, which was far more intense and entertaining than anyone expected. He'll also be suiting up for his national team later this week as the World Championships begin in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday.

“Nik took a significant step this season and proved he could be a valuable contributor at the NHL level,” Staios said. “We look forward to his continued growth.”

It will be interesting to see exactly what that level of growth will look like. He'll be 27 when the next NHL season begins, so he may have peaked already. But some players are late bloomers, and the Sens are hoping his best is yet to come.

Ottawa Senators Captain Brady Tkachuk At His Seasonal Farewell: 'We Want More'On Saturday morning, with the echoes from Thursday's season-ending Game Six loss still rattling about in the rafters of Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was made available to the media for one final time this season. For Tkachuk, not being able to complete an epic comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs is still an open wound.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Just like that, the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoff field is cut in half. 

The first round ended with a bang as the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets staged big Game 7 comebacks on home ice to keep their playoff dreams alive. 

In the end, seeding and experience mattered. The only two underdogs to advance were the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, which also happened to be last year’s Stanley Cup finalists. 

So far, Canada’s hopes of crowning its first champion since 1993 look better than usual. Three Canadian teams are in the second round for the first time since 2004.

After looking at the playoffs’ winners and losers from Week 1, let’s drill down to the best and the worst from Round 1.

Winners

Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars

If hockey fans in Texas were previously unaware of Mikko Rantanen’s reputation as a big-time playoff performer, they know now. 

Their newly acquired superstar put the Stars on his back with a history-making third period in Game 7 and got the injury-riddled squad through to Round 2.

After a tumultuous season, Rantanen rose to the peak of his powers when the series was on the line, posting five goals and six assists for 11 points through Games 5, 6 and 7. 

What has Moose planned for an encore?

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

As a team, the Maple Leafs are winners for finishing the job against the Ottawa Senators after some tense moments. After last year, no one had more to prove than Mitch Marner, and this time, he answered the bell by chipping in points in five of Toronto’s six first-round games. 

Marner is playing with some extra swagger that may have sparked at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed their first child to the world over the weekend. Can he keep his confidence high in Round 2 with potential new “Dad strength” against the defending Stanley Cup champions? 

Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals

Logan Thompson left Las Vegas looking for an opportunity to be a difference-maker, and he’s earned it in Washington. 

The Capitals look deep and poised, playing with confidence while knowing their netminder continues to make the big save when they need him. 

Thompson didn’t just finish Round 1 with 5.6 goals saved above expected – the highest of any goalie that’s still in the post-season, per moneypuck.com. He also came back looking no worse for wear after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury in Game 3 against Montreal.

In the playoffs, one of the most important abilities for a goaltender is availability. Thompson is bringing it.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which West Teams Will Win In Round 2?It’s time for the second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs, and that means it’s time to chime in with our series predictions. 

Losers

Martin Necas, RW, Colorado Avalanche

When you’re the key guy on the other side of a blockbuster deal, the spotlight is bright. Now, Rantanen’s Game 7 heroics ratchet up the scrutiny on Martin Necas even further in Denver.

With speed and skill for days, the 26-year-old fit in well with the Avalanche. And while five points in seven playoff games isn’t bad, it’s a far cry from the impact Rantanen had on the other side. 

With a current cap hit of $6.5 million, Necas becomes extension-eligible on July 1 before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2026. Was he effective enough to extract a mega-contract from an Avalanche organization licking its wounds after another early playoff exit?

Brandon Hagel, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning hit another home run when they invested in Hagel in a 2022 trade, turning a sixth-round draft pick into a 90-point winger and Team Canada star at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

But Hagel’s playoffs were a mess – suspended for his Game 2 hit on Aleksander Barkov, then knocked out of the series with a concussion in Game 4 by Aaron Ekblad, who drew a suspension of his own.

Bottom line: one of the Lightning’s most important players was only available for two-and-a-half games in the series and didn’t record a point. A huge loss for Tampa Bay.

'We Owe Vegas A Good Series': Connor McDavid's Oilers Look To Flip The Script From 2023Connor McDavid hasn’t forgotten that the Vegas Golden Knights ended the Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes in 2023.

Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings

There’s a lot of tread on Doughty’s tires. But after rebounding from a pre-season ankle fracture to play well at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the 35-year-old looked poised to make his first real playoff run since his 2014 Cup win for Los Angeles. 

This year’s Kings looked like they were built differently. Stout in goal, with Darcy Kuemper, and with more scoring pop. But after taking a 2-0 series lead, they went down to the Edmonton Oilers again, for the fourth straight year. 

Doughty will keep his name in the mix with Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics. He has two years left on his contract, which he negotiated himself, but is running out of opportunities to make an impact in the post-season.

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The Vegas Golden Knights are preparing for a second-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, which begins on Tuesday.

Heading into the series, several interesting matchups exist. Connor McDavid vs Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo vs. Leon Draisaitl and the matchup the Golden Knights seemingly have the biggest advantage is in goal. 

Adin Hill had his breakout moment against the Oilers in the second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs, and if the Golden Knights have any hope of replicating those results, they'll need Hill to be at his best once again.

In the opening round, the 28-year-old posted a .880 SV% and a 2.83 GAA. The Golden Knights found ways to score key goals when they needed to, but Hill's overall performance in the first round was below expectations. 

If he performs below those expectations, McDavid and Draisaitl will run over the Golden Knights as they did to the Los Angeles Kings. Stopping the duo is virtually impossible, but there are ways of slowing them down. In the moments when they can't, Hill is going to have to step up. 

"They're a fast team, they'll get their chances, and they have a couple of pretty good players over there," said Hill jokingly. "It'll be a good series. I think they are kind of rolling four lines more now, so those guys will have more energy when they're out there. I think it should be fast hockey, high intensity, feel like real playoff hockey, for sure."

The situation in the Oilers' crease is up in the air, to say the least. They began their series against the Kings with Stuart Skinner in goal, but after two dreadful outings, he was replaced by Calvin Pickard. 

Pickard started the ensuing four games, winning each one, but still only posted a .893 SV% and a 2.93 GAA. The Golden Knights have a clear advantage in goal, but they need their $6.25M goaltender to play to that level and outduel the lesser goaltender opposite him. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Golden Knights, Oilers Open Second Round On Tuesday In VegasThe Golden Knights will open their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers at home on Tuesday at 6:30 pm (pacific).

The Minnesota Wild were recently eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the Stanley Cup, ending Marc-Andre Fleury's legendary career.

The former first-overall pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins spent 13 seasons in black and gold, winning three Stanley Cups with Sidney Crosby.

On Sunday, the Penguins' captain announced he was headed to Sweden to represent Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Championships. Then, on Monday afternoon, Fleury announced that he would make his first World Championships appearance, reuniting with his old teammate. 

Internationally, Fleury is an Olympic Gold Medalist, winning with Team Canada when Crosby scored the golden goal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC.

During his junior days, Fleury won back-to-back silver medals at the World Junior Championships in 2003 and 2004 while claiming the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Best Goaltender awards at the 2003 event. 

If Fleury can help Canada win its 29th World title, he'd become a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won three Stanley Cup rings (2009, 2016, 2017) and a Gold Medal (2010).

Meanwhile, Crosby joined this exclusive club with only 30 members in 2015 when he completed his quest with a World Championship. He had won three Stanley Cups with Fleury and an Olympic Gold Medal in 2010 and 2014. 

Both former first-overall picks skated with the Penguins from 2005 to 2017, dressing together for the final time on June 11, 2017, when they hoisted the Stanley Cup at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.

Flowers For 'Flower': Penguins Goaltending Legend Earns Warm Reception In Final NHL AppearanceOn Thursday, the Minnesota Wild suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in Game 6 to the Vegas Golden Knights, eliminating them in the first round for the eighth time in their last 10 postseason appearances. 

During the 2024-25 season, Crosby joined the 600-goal club, broke Mario Lemieux's franchise assist record, and recorded his 1,600th point, moving into the top-10 scoring all-time.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Fleury surpassed Roberto Luongo for the second-most games played (1,051) in NHL history, recorded his 76th career shutout, and secured his 575th win, which ranks second all-time. 

Since Fleury announced his plans to retire after the season, he'll begin his mandatory three-year waiting period following the World Championships to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he's guaranteed to be a first-ballot inductee in 2028. 

With a guaranteed top six pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers have an array of potentially franchise-altering options at their disposal. But is Porter Martone, a winger in the purest sense, one of them?

After all, the Flyers' cupboard is already overflowing with wingers.

Rookie sensation Matvei Michkov is Philadelphia's franchise player of the future, while veterans like Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny each signed long-term contract extensions with the Flyers in the last year.

Then there's Bobby Brink, who quietly announced himself in a limited role this season, and Tyson Foerster, whose howlitzer of a shot shot and elite defensive details are sure to earn him a big payday this summer.

Newcomers Alex Bump and Nikita Grebenkin will have something to say for themselves next training camp, too.

In the short-term, the Flyers genuinely don't have a spot readily available for a Martone. At the same time, Martone may very well have the highest ceiling of them all.

This makes for an interesting draft day decision for the Flyers. Should they potentially reach and go off the board for the center prospect they so highly covet, or should they draft the highest-upside prospect in Martone?

I enlisted the help of Lauren Kelly, EliteProspects' OHL scout, to get some further insight into the Brampton Steelheads star and to see if there's a potential fit with the Flyers.

"Martone’s highs, particularly with regards to his playmaking and passing abilities, are near the top of the class — if not at the top, at least amongst forwards. That skill alone could easily allow him to play a top-line role in the NHL and has the potential to develop into one of the league’s premier playmakers," Kelly told The Hockey News. "He also has strong finishing instincts in front of the net, whether it’s finishing off loose pucks in tight or executing difficult redirections in the slot, which would add another element to his productivity in the NHL, as he wouldn’t solely have to rely on possessing the puck to contribute."

Martone, 18, is currently ranked as EliteProspects' No. 3 player, trailing only defenceman Matthew Schaefer and forward Michael Misa. And unlike draft classmate James Hagens, Martone has maintained his status as a top-2 forward prospect throughout the entire season.

He scored 37 goals, 61 assists, and 98 points in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads for the first time, and added four goals, five assists, nine points, and 10 penalty minutes in six playoff games.

Really, the only thing there isn't to like about Martone is his lack of positional versatility, which Misa, the No. 1 forward prospect in the 2025 draft, has.

Can, or should, the Flyers stick Martone at center anyway?

"There have been times this season where Martone has stepped in for the occasional faceoff and won a few, but I think he’s more of a pure winger in the NHL," Kelly said of Martone. "Unless he is given the opportunity to play more full-time C next season and can prove he’s as effective down the middle of the ice, his game is more built around being a dangerous distributor from the flanks at the moment. He would also need to improve upon his physical game, play-driving ability, and play through contact more consistently in order to successfully step into a centre role in the NHL."

The one knock on Martone, through most of this pre-draft process so far, has been his inconsistent engagement on the ice. Sometimes that's mental, and sometimes that's physical.

To reach his full potential, his physicality must increase to match his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame.

One would think that, over time, Martone will physically mature and grow even bigger and stronger, but applying it in a game setting is a matter of will.

Since I started covering the Flyers in 2023, my articles have regularly been flooded with comments that reflect a desire to acquire their own Matthew Tkachuk or Brady Tkachuk.

Check out the quick release by Porter Martone.

3 points so far tonight brings him up to 9 points in 7 periods this season. pic.twitter.com/RKkIaN2f31

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) October 4, 2024

Martone has a skillset on par with the Tkachuk brothers, but he's not quite there yet in terms of the mind-bending aggression and unrelenting, punishing physicality.

Still, he's a guy Flyers fans absolutely should want on their side.

"I think Martone has some Tkachukian-elements in his game — he does a great job of getting in opponents’ heads, especially in post-whistle scrums, he’s definitely not afraid to chirp, and he’s a natural leader (Brady got the 'C' early in his career). But I don’t necessarily see a brute force on the ice — he plays a much more refined, finesse game than both Tkachuk brothers," Kelly said of Martone's on-ice demeanor. "In fact, his game is similar to Michkov’s — extremely skilled, high-end playmaker. While the decision-making can sometimes leave you wanting more, and he has a lower motor than a lot of other top prospects in this class, and he can be an opportunistic producer, his highs are so high that sometimes you can excuse some of the weaknesses.

"That being said, it’s worth noting that pace and decision-making are easier for prospects to improve upon than other areas, and the biggest difference between him and Michkov is that he’s 6-foot-3 with the potential to develop into a physical force. He’s not quite to the Tkachuk-level of physicality, but he could very well get there in the near future. And I think even if the Flyers have a surplus of skilled wingers, adding another wing prospect who could be on par with Michkov would be a major boost to the organization."

The Flyers, as mentioned previously, have a surplus of wingers. But adding Martone automatically makes this a battle of upside.

Are Bump, Grebenkin, Tippett, Foerster, and/or Brink enough to keep Martone away from the Flyers?

The short answer, as it relates to the veteran Tippett and the younger wingers, is no. The long answer, according to Kelly, is still no.

"With this draft class, there are very few potential star game-breakers. It’s a top-heavy class that drops off significantly after the top 4-5. And Martone has that potential," said Kelly. "If Martone is available at No. 4, the Flyers shouldn’t be passing on him to take any other prospect, unless by some miracle one of Matthew Schaefer or Michael Misa is available."

The Florida Panthers made a major move at the 2025 NHL trade deadline, acquiring star forward Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins. With this move, the Panthers added another top-six forward to their group. 

The addition of Marchand has benefited the Panthers, especially during this post-season thus far. In Florida's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 36-year-old winger recorded four assists and a plus-5 rating. This included two helpers in Florida's series-clinching 6-3 win in Game 5.

During a recent appearance on Spittin' Chiclets, Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk had some serious praise for Marchand and his contributions to the team.

"It's been unreal having [Marchand], having him in," Tkachuk said. "He's got what everybody wants in this league, and that's that winning pedigree. Being a champion and having that experience. I think that's what our team's greatest strength is. We might not be the most skilled team. We might not be the most fast, the most physical, but we're a deep team, and we have the experience."

Tkachuk then added:

"Bringing in a guy like Marchy, who's done it before and been on such a great team, and year after year being on great playoff runs. We couldn't have asked for a better addition... We're happy that he is on our side now. That is for sure."

When looking at Marchand's resume, it is hard to disagree with Tkachuk's take here. Marchand has played in 162 career playoff games and lifted the Stanley Cup back in 2011 with the Bruins. Furthermore, No. 63 has been a star in the NHL for a long time now, posting 424 goals, 980 points, and a plus-285 rating in 1,100 career games.

It will now be fascinating to see how much of an impact Marchand can make for the Panthers during their second-round matchup against the Maple Leafs from here. He has had plenty of playoff success against Toronto over the years and will look to continue that trend this year, but this time as a Panther.

Recent Panthers News 

3 Panthers Who Must Shine In Game 1 Against Maple LeafsThe Florida Panthers kick off their second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 5 with Game 1. The Panthers' goal will be to start the series on the right foot against a very talented Maple Leafs squad. 'It's pretty special': Teammates Sasha Barkov, Sam Reinhart relish being selected as Selke finalistsThere are a few key reasons the Florida Panthers have become one of the most feared teams in the NHL in recent seasons. Panthers open second round in Toronto against Atlantic Division champ Maple LeafsThe second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Monday night in Toronto.

It’s time for the second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs, and that means it’s time to chime in with our series predictions. 

In the first round, we went 4-0 with the Eastern Conference predictions and 2-2 with our Western Conference picks to go 6-2 overall.

Earlier, we posted our second-round Eastern Conference picks. It’s now time for our Western Conference picks. And remember, these are one person’s educated guesses. Let’s get to it.

Winnipeg Jets (C1) Vs. Dallas Stars (C2)

Season series: 3-1 Winnipeg

Why Winnipeg will win:The Jets were the NHL’s best regular-season team, and they narrowly avoided elimination in Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues, tying the game late and winning on overtime. 

The Jets found ways to win, even if they weren’t at their best. They’ve also beaten the Stars in the regular season, so they have confidence they can win this round.

Winnipeg has home-ice advantage in this series, which may come into play – the Jets’ 30-7-4 home record matches up very well compared to Dallas’ so-so 22-16-3 road record. Of course, regular-season stats don’t always translate into the same post-season stats, but the Jets should feel like they can compete with the Stars. 

The Jets are hungry to make it to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2017-18. They’ll need a better showing from goalie Connor Hellebuyck, but if they get that, the Jets will be tough to eliminate.

Why Dallas will win: The Stars have significantly better special teams in the post-season, with a power play at 30.4 percent efficiency (compared to Winnipeg’s 22.7 percent) and a penalty kill rate of 86.4 percent (compared to the Jets’ 76.9 percent). 

Stars goalie Jake Oettinger’s 2.85 goals-against average and .911 save percentage are also vastly better than those of Jets counterpart Hellebuyck, who has a 3.85 GAA and .830 SP. 

Even without injured star blueliner Miro Heiskanen and injured left winger Jason Robertson, the Stars knocked off a Colorado Avalanche squad that is as competitive as Winnipeg. That said, Stars coach Peter DeBoer said he expects Robertson and Heiskanen to be back at some point in the second round, which would be a huge boost to Dallas’ fortunes. 

The Stars’ depth, speed and high-end skill will help them beat a Jets team that barely got by the second wild-card team. The Stars are well-constructed, well-coached, and determined to get back at least to the Western final for the third straight season.   

Prediction: Stars in five games

Are we disrespecting the Jets by predicting they’ll only win one game against the Stars? No, we’re just being more respectful to a Stars team we predicted would win the Central Division and this year’s Cup before the season. Yes, we did lose a bit of faith in Dallas after it was known Heiskanen and Robertson would be out of action in the first round, but the team’s resilience in their absence makes it all the more impressive.

Adding star right winger Mikko Rantanen, who was Dallas’ Game 7 hero against the Avs, really puts the Stars over the top. If the Jets don’t have star center Mark Scheifele for any period, Winnipeg will be in trouble.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which East Teams Will Win Round 2? Expect A Leafs And Panthers Game 7The second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs starts Monday, so it’s time to predict them.

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) Vs. Edmonton Oilers (P3)

Season series: 2-2 tie

Why Vegas will win: The Golden Knights were the Pacific Division’s top team in the regular season, and they overcame a 2-1 series deficit to the Minnesota Wild by winning two overtime games and a tight Game 6 to advance to the second round.

Vegas’ heavy grind proved too much for Minnesota, and the Edmonton Oilers are in serious trouble taking on a Golden Knights team that is confident and expertly coached, which limits its mistakes.

The Knights must contain Edmonton’s elite forwards, as the Oilers had the best first-round offense, averaging 4.50 goals-for per game. However, Vegas can and will exploit Edmonton’s porous defense, which surrendered a bloated 4.00 goals against per game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Vegas got to the second round without much offense, with no Golden Knights player averaging at least a point per game against the Wild. But Knights star center Jack Eichel, right winger Mark Stone and center Tomas Hertl should feast on the Oilers’ defense and goaltending. 

Why Edmonton will win: The Oilers stormed back from a 2-0 series deficit with four straight wins – two of them came despite trailing after two periods – as they generated 20 goals in their victories to beat L.A.

The Oilers got the expected excellent output from superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who combined for 21 points in six games. But the supporting cast also contributed meaningfully, with four other Edmonton players generating at least five points. 

Edmonton’s skill at punching back when trailing games is a terrific harbinger of what they could do against a Golden Knights team that sometimes buckled against the Wild.

Calvin Pickard’s 2.93 GAA and .893 SP aren’t especially encouraging, but they compare fine to Vegas goalie Adin Hill, who had a 2.83 GAA and .880 SP. If Pickard can continue battling the way he did against the Kings, Edmonton’s offense can impose its will on the Golden Knights, and the Oilers can return to the Western final for the second consecutive season.

Prediction: Golden Knights in seven games.

The Oilers aren’t a subpar team by any means, and we expect them to put up a valiant effort against the Golden Knights. When you pick a team to win in seven games, you’re essentially saying the series is a toss-up. That’s exactly the case in this series. But we still believe the Oilers’ defense is their Achilles’ heel.

Vegas comes at its opponent in waves. They also defend very well.

Edmonton has the two best players in the series, McDavid and Draisaitl, but the absence of injured defenseman Mattias Ekholm will continue to impact the Oilers’ ability to defend.

And considering that Edmonton gave up 24 goals to the Kings, the Golden Knights will have an excellent opportunity to put the Oilers on their heels in their own zone. And so, in what will almost assuredly be a seven-game series, we like Vegas just a little bit more than we like the Oilers.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.

But a whole lot of ex-Penguins are.

Prior to the start of the postseason, we provided you with a comprehensive guide to former Penguins playing for their respective teams in the playoffs, which excluded only the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Los Angeles Kings - meaning there is only one team remaining in the second round - the Leafs - who do not have an ex-Penguin on their roster.

Here is an update on how each former Penguin is faring through one round:

Your Guide To Ex-Penguins In The 2025 NHL PlayoffsThe Pittsburgh Penguins may not be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.

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Carolina Hurricanes

-  F Jordan Staal: The 36-year-old, 6-foot-4 centerman certainly isn't the player he used to be for the first six seasons of his NHL career in Pittsburgh, when he was one of the league's premier two-way third-line centers. He has no points and is a minus-1 through five postseason games so far, but he's eating tough minutes on the penalty kill and in defensive zone starts, proving that he's still a valuable bottom-six forward for a playoff run.

-  F Mark Jankowski: Jankowski - with the Penguins for only one season in 2020-21, registering four goals and 11 points in 45 games - was a healthy scratch for the first three games of the Hurricanes' first-round series against the New Jersey Devils. But he broke the lineup in the last two games to close out the series, earning an assist in the series-clinching Game 5.

Dallas Stars

-  G Casey DeSmith: DeSmith - dealt in the summer of 2023 to the Montreal Canadiens as part of the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade - has only appeared in one game for the Dallas Stars this postseason as their backup goaltender. Starting netminder Jake Oettinger was pulled during Game 4 against the Avalanche after allowing three goals, and DeSmith relieved him, allowing one goal on 14 shots. The Stars dropped Game 4, 4-0, before going on to win the series in seven games - and in dramatic fashion.

-  D Cody Ceci: Ceci has gotten off to a pretty good start in the playoffs, heading into the second round with three assists in seven games and even in the plus/minus department. He spent one season in Pittsburgh in 2020-21 before moving on to the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent, where he was for three seasons.

-  F Mikael Granlund: Granlund - infamously acquired by the Penguins and former GM Ron Hextall at the 2023 NHL trade deadline - has been a solid depth piece for the Stars so far in the playoffs, recording a goal and two points. 

Edmonton Oilers

-  F Kasperi Kapanen: Kapanen - who played parts of three seasons with the Penguins  before getting waived in February 2023 - has yet to appear in a playoff game for the Oilers this postseason.

Florida Panthers

-  F Evan Rodrigues: Rodrigues has seen time on Florida's second line with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, and he registered one assist in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent parts of three seasons on Pittsburgh's NHL roster from 2019-22 and was a solid depth piece, and his lineup and special teams versatility is something that the Panthers have found value in as well. 

-  D Dmitry Kulikov: The 34-year-old veteran defenseman only played in six games with the Penguins post-trade deadline in 2023 because of injury, but he has been solid for the Panthers so far on their second pairing, tandeming with Niko Mikkola and recording two assists in the five-game first-round series against Tampa. 

Minnesota Wild

-  F Frederick Gaudreau: Gaudreau, 31, spent parts of one season in 2020-21 with the Penguins. He didn't factor on the scoresheet in Minnesota's first-round loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, but he was a plus-2 and played important minutes on the penalty kill.

-  F Vinnie Hinostroza: Hinostroza appeared in only one game for the Wild during their first and only round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, recording no points and logging 11:57 of ice time. He was with the Penguins' organization in 2023-24 and played in only 14 games at the NHL level. 

-  G Marc-Andre Fleury: Beloved to the Pittsburgh faithful and forever a legend, Fleury did appear in Game 5, relieving a sick Filip Gustavsson in the third period and for the overtime period. He surrendered one goal on seven Vegas shots, which was, unfortunately, the overtime winner by Brett Howden.

Fleury announced his retirement following Minnesota's first-round exit, and he got a warm reception in his final NHL appearance.

Flowers For 'Flower': Penguins Goaltending Legend Earns Warm Reception In Final NHL AppearanceOn Thursday, the Minnesota Wild suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in Game 6 to the Vegas Golden Knights, eliminating them in the first round for the eighth time in their last 10 postseason appearances. 

Montreal Canadiens

-  D Mike Matheson: The Washington Capitals were simply too much for Matheson and the Habs in the first round this season, as they were eliminated in five games. Matheson produced one assist in those five games, and he plans to join Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby in representing Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship this week. 

New Jersey Devils

-  F Cody Glass: Glass was brought to Pittsburgh from the Nashville Predators last summer and was dealt to the Devils at the trade deadline. He was on the wrong side of an unfortunate slash in a bad spot by his own goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, during Game One, but he returned for the rest of the series. He registered no points through five games and was a minus-2.

Markstrom intended this slash for Svechnikov but accidentally hit Glass 😬 pic.twitter.com/zsPC1Pl1iC

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 20, 2025

-  F Daniel Sprong: Sprong was drafted in the second round (46th overall) by Pittsburgh in 2015, never panning out and getting traded to the  Anaheim Ducks during the 2018-19 season. He only appeared in Game One during the playoffs this season and was a non-factor, leading to a healthy scratch for the remainder of the series against the Hurricanes. 

-  D Brian Dumoulin: 'Dumo' - as he did during his 10-year Pittsburgh tenure from 2013-23 - played heavy shutdown minutes for the Devils down the stretch and during the first round on the top pairing alongside Brett Pesce. He didn't register any points but proved valuable in his role, which may earn him a contract extension this summer as a pending-UFA. 

Ottawa Senators

-  F David Perron: Perron was a factor in the Senators' first-round series loss against the Leafs, registering two goals and three points in six games on Ottawa's second line. He with the Penguins for parts of two seasons from 2014-16 before being dealt to the Ducks, recording 16 goals and 38 points in 86 total games with Pittsburgh.

DAVID PERRON BANKS IT IN OFF STOLARZ FROM BEHIND THE GOAL LINE 😱😵 pic.twitter.com/4lmCjuIn7B

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 2, 2025

St. Louis Blues

-  F Oskar Sundqvist: As the third-line center for the Blues in their seven-game first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets, Sundqvist - who played in 28 total games for the Penguins from 2015-17 - recorded a goal and two points and played in some critical situations for St. Louis. The Blues lost in dramatic fashion during double overtime in Game 7.

Tampa Bay Lightning

-  F Jake Guentzel: Guentzel -  dealt from the Penguins to the Hurricanes as a rental at last season's trade deadline - was his usual playoff self production-wise for the Bolts during round one, putting up three goals and six points in five games. However, he was also a minus-3 and made some key mistakes in his own zone that led to goals against by the Panthers, who won the series in five games. 

Vegas Golden Knights

-  F Tanner Pearson: Pearson - who came to Pittsburgh for one season during 2018-19 when forward Carl Hagelin was sent to Los Angeles - appeared in only three of the six games during Vegas's first-round series against the Wild, recording one assist.

-  F Reilly Smith: Smith got what he wanted since being traded to Pittsburgh from Vegas prior to the 2023-24 season when he was dealt back to Vegas from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. In six games on Vegas's third line during the first round, he put up a goal and two points - with his goal being a shorthanded beauty during Game 3.

Reilly Smith scores a beautiful short handed goal!

🎥: TNT | #VegasBornpic.twitter.com/Lx4CmZ0ECP

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) April 25, 2025

Washington Capitals

-  F Lars Eller: Eller - dealt from the Penguins to the Capitals in November - showed his value as a third-line center in the first round against the Canadiens. He played difficult minutes on the penalty kill and in defensive zone starts, contributing one assist on the scoresheet as well. 

-  F Anthony Beauvillier: Of all the players on this list, Beauvillier has, arguably, made the biggest impact. He has skated on Washington's first line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, racking up a goal and five points in five games while coming it at a plus-4 in those five games. Beauvillier has, historically, been clutch in the playoffs, as he is showing his postseason prowess again with the Caps after  getting dealt at the deadline to Washington from the Penguins.

It hasn't been a bad year for Beauvillier, who has been a linemate of two all-time greats.

Former Islanders Forward Anthony Beauvillier Boosts Capitals in First-Round Battle vs. CanadiensWashington Capitals forward Anthony Beauvillier had quite the Round 1 performance in the 2025 playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets

-  F Brandon Tanev: A Penguins' casualty of the 2021 expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken, Tanev didn't register any points for Winnipeg through seven games in the first round, but his notorious energy, defensive prowess, and physicality was on full display, as he led the team in blocked shots with 11 and was third in hits with 27.

-  D Luke Schenn: Penguins' 48 hour-legend Luke Schenn got the last laugh in round one, beating his brother, Brayden Schenn, and the Blues in seven games while playing bottom-pair minutes and recording one assist despite being a minus-8.

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