Category: Sports News

San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini wrapped up his tremendous sophomore season by setting a franchise record.

The 19-year-old had a goal and two assists in the season finale against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, April 16, to give him 115 points this season. That broke the franchise record of 114 set by Hall of Famer Joe Thornton in his first full season in San Jose in 2006-07.

Celebrini set up goals by Igor Chernyshov and Will Smith in the first period. He scored from the slot with 1:14 left in the third period to set the record. He played all 82 games and finished the season with 45 goals and 70 assists.

Macklin Celebrini. 115 points. Most in a season in Sharks history. As a sophomore. #TheFutureIsTealpic.twitter.com/SJ8LhclJYH

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 17, 2026

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick had 63 points as a rookie. He nearly doubled that in his second season and was named to Team Canada at the Olympics, where he had 10 points in six games for the silver medalists.

The Sharks, who finished last overall the past two seasons, were in the playoff hunt until the last week. There was talk that Celebrini would be in the running for the Hart Trophy, but since the Sharks missed the postseason, another player is likely to win.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Macklin Celebrini breaks Sharks scoring record

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Macklin Celebrini had a goal and two assists to break Joe Thornton's San Jose record for points in a season with 115, helping the Sharks rout the Winnipeg Jets 6-1 on Thursday night in the finale for both teams.

The 19-year-old Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists in 82 games in his second NHL season. Thornton had 114 points in 2006-07, also playing 82 games. Last season, Celebrini had 63 points in 70 games, with 25 goals and 38 assists.

San Jose missed the playoff for the seventh consecutive season, finishing 39-35-8.

The Jets were 35-35-12 to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22. They are the fifth NHL team to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record and not qualify for the playoffs the following season.

William Eklund also had a goal and two assists for San Jose. Will Smith had a goal and an assist, Collin Graf, Igor Chernyshov and Michael Misa also scored, and John Klingberg added three assists. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 shots.

Cole Koepke scored for Winnipeg.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

It looks like the Florida Panthers are going to keep their 2026 first round pick.

Florida’s top selection at the 2026 NHL Draft was initially traded to the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2025 Trade Deadline in the deal that brought Seth Jones to the Panthers.

At the time, the pick being top-10 protected was almost an afterthought considering the Panthers were on their way to a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance and second consecutive championship. That, combined with the majority of the roster being locked up for years, made the idea of Florida finishing with a high lottery pick almost laughable.

As it turns out, the only one laughing was the injury bug.

Fortunately for the Panthers, adding that provision to their draft pick turned out to be the silver lining on an otherwise forgettable season.

Now, thanks to the Panthers finishing with the eighth-worst record in the NHL, Florida is guaranteed to keep their 2026 top pick.

Florida’s 25th place finish came thanks to a pair of game 82 road victories by the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks.

Next month, the NHL will hold its annual Draft Lottery, where two separate draws are held for the first and second overall selections, giving two teams a chance at moving up to the top pick, or a maximum of 10 spots up.

With Florida finishing in the bottom eight, even if two teams behind Florida win lottery draws and bump the Panthers back, they’ll still receive the tenth overall pick.

What Panthers General Manager Bill Zito decides to do with that pick will be interesting to see play out.

Whether it’s the eighth, ninth or tenth pick, dangling that kind of asset in front of GMs looking to snag a high-end prospect could land Florida a player or players who can help the team next season and beyond.

Of course, if a ping pong ball with a Panthers logo gets picked and Florida ends up with a selection in the top two, it’s hard to pass up the idea of taking Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg.

We’ll see how things play out in the weeks to come, but considering the Panthers should get right back to Cup contending next season, being in the lottery mix is an unexpectedly fun way to enjoy a one-off season.

The NHL Draft Lottery is set for May 5.

The 2026 NHL Draft takes place in Buffalo on June 26 and 27.

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Photo caption: Jun 2, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito and head coach Paul Maurice answer questions to the press during media day in advance of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. (Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)

The San Jose Sharks played their final game of the 2025-26 season on Thursday evening north of the border in Winnipeg, Manitoba, against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Sharks made quite a few changes to their lineup, as it seemed like they were evaluating talent that could potentially depart the organization this summer. Philipp Kurashev, Pavol Regenda and John Klingberg were among those who rejoined the lineup, all of whom are pending free agents, either restricted or unrestricted. Meanwhile, veterans Tyler Toffoli, Alexander Wennberg, and Vincent Desharnais sat out.

Cole Koepke quickly gave the Jets an early lead, as he beat Alex Nedeljkovic with a shot from the slot less than four minutes into the game. Nino Neiderreiter gave the Sharks an opportunity to answer back almost immediately, as he was awarded the first penalty of the night for high-sticking Sharks defenseman Sam Dickinson. The Sharks did just that, as Igor Chernyshov got his ninth of the season. Macklin Celebrini recorded his 113th point of the season on the play, putting him just a single point behind Joe Thornton for the franchise record.

Dickinson would take a penalty of his own, as he tripped Mark Scheifele, with 6:20 remaining in the opening period. The Sharks’ penalty kill has struggled to end the season, and it allowed the Jets to generate quite a bit of pressure early in the kill. Ultimately, though, they would successfully keep the Jets’ power play off the board for the time being.

Will Smith gave the Sharks their first lead of the night off a feed by Celebrini. Celebrini’s assist tied him with Joe Thornton for the franchise points record.

The Sharks seemed motivated to help Celebrini break the record, as they brought a lot of offensive pressure to start the second period, getting six shots before the Jets recorded one. 

Collin Graf extended the Sharks’ lead with his 21st goal of the season 5:51 into the second period, making it 3-1.

Just past the halfway point in the second period, the Sharks were given a bench minor penalty for too many men on the ice. Once again, the penalty kill held strong and maintained the Sharks’ lead. 

Michael Misa scored on his own rebound to make it a 4-1 game with just under two minutes remaining in the middle frame. With five seconds remaining in the period, William Eklund joined the party with a goal of his own, extending the Sharks’ lead to 5-1.  

Celebrini broke the record early in the third period with his first goal of the night, making it 6-1 and forever etching his name in Sharks history.

Shakir Mukhamadullin was called for holding against Gabriel Vilardi just over five minutes into the final frame, giving the Jets another opportunity on the power play. Again, the Sharks’ penalty kill stood tall and nullified the Jets’ man-advantage.

Sharks forward William Eklund went down the tunnel with just under two minutes remaining in the game after a high-stick by Ville Heinola, which earned the Jets’ defenseman a double-minor.

The Sharks mainly held onto the puck as time expired, ending the season with a 6-1 victory over the Jets.

The San Jose Sharks celebrated as the Canada Life Center blasted "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus over the PA system early in the third period of Thursday night's game. Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks' 19-year-old superstar had done it. He had officially recorded the best season in Sharks history. 

It's not often there's a meaningful goal to improve a lead to 6-1 in the third period of a game, but Celebrini's goal in a blowout victory over the Jets meant everything to the city of San Jose, the Sharks organization, and of course, the Sharks' fans. 

Celebrini's goal was his 115th point of the season, which moved him past Joe Thornton for the franchise record for points in a single season. He also joined Wayne Gretzky as the only teenagers in NHL history to have a 40-goal, 70-assist season.

Thornton, who is currently Celebrini's landlord/roommate, is one of the most beloved Sharks of all-time. His record of 114 points during the 2006-07 season stood for nearly two decades, and no other Shark even crossed the 100 point plateau until defenseman Erik Karlsson did it in 2022-23.

The years of Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, and quite a few others is commonly known as the golden age of the San Jose Sharks. Now, it seems the true golden age will be centered around Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov and others, especially if they can find a way to bring a Stanley Cup to the Bay Area in the future.

It's a strange feeling to say that a 19-year-old might be the best player to ever take the ice for the Sharks, especially considering the caliber of Hockey Hall of Famers that have worn the teal uniform, but on a single-season pace, that's exactly what Celebrini is. 

Celebrini's 45 goals, 70 assists and 115 points are the new gold standard that future Sharks will be held against, at least until he breaks his own record which will undoubtedly happen a few times in his career.

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The best playoffs in professional sports begin on Saturday, April 18, when the NHL postseason kicks off. It's a 16-win war to hoist the Stanley Cup, and the players who make it to the finish line do so with broken bones, collapsed lungs, and injuries you didn't know they had.

Of that group of warriors, only one can be named the MVP of the playoffs... the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

Who is the best bet to win, if every team potentially wins? Here is a breakdown of my favorite MVP bets for all 16 teams — and my five best bets entering the NHL playoffs. 

Conn Smythe Trophy best bets

img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 — no BET99 promo code needed" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/bet99round1boost.jpeg"Any Canadian team to reach the Second Round of the playoffs is boosted to +100.
(not available in Ontario)

NHL playoff MVP picks: Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins Conn Smythe pick: Jeremy Swayman (+10000)

31 W | 2.71 GAA | .907 SV% | +10000 at BET99

If the Bruins are going anywhere, it's going to be because of Jeremy Swayman in net. The offense is not the bright spot on this seven-seed and Swayman has the potential to steal a series... plus he might be a Top-5 goalie in the postseason. 

Buffalo Sabres Conn Smythe pick: Rasmus Dahlin (+4000)

19 G | 55 A | 74 PTS | +4000 at BET99

Rasmus Dahlin is getting Norris consideration and is the MVP of this second-seeded Buffalo Sabres team. He led the team in points following the Olympics with eight goals and 18 assists in 23 games and is going to play big minutes for a team that splits up ice time among its forwards. 

Carolina Hurricanes Conn Smythe pick: Nikolaj Ehlers (+5000)

26 G | 45 A | 71 PTS | +5000 at BET99

I'm looking away from the top line, as each player's production will cannibalize one another. Instead, I'll take a PP1 player in Nik Ehlers, who is also playing with Jordan Staal, with the pair possibly having a bigger postseason role and more minutes. 

BEST BET Montreal Canadiens Conn Smythe pick: Jakob Dobes (+25000)

29 W | 2.78 GAA | .901 SV%| +25000 at BET99

Although Nick Suzuki at 100/1 is also a very tempting play, I can't say no to a starting goalie who posted a .916 SV% down the stretch... at this inflated price. He should not be longer than Jacob Fowler, who is +17500. If you really want to back the Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltending, split up your initial wager and place half on Dobes and half on Fowler — Dobes falters and Fowler takes over (and goes on a run), you have that covered at a giant price. 

Ottawa Senators Conn Smythe pick: Tim Stutzle (+5000)

34 G | 49 A | 83 PTS | +5000 at BET99

Tim Stutzle is the real offensive threat on this team, and some people love the Senators' chances of making a deep run. I like Stutzle at a longer price than Brady Tkachuk at 40/1. 

BEST BET Philadelphia Flyers Conn Smythe pick: Travis Konecny (+25000)

27 G | 41 A | 68 PTS | +25000 at BET99

This is a monster price, which is still a buy in other places at 175/1. This Flyers team is on a heater and has a tough lineup to match up against. Travis Konecny should be the team's top offensive performer in the playoffs, as his style of hockey suits the postseason more than Trevor Zegras. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Conn Smythe pick: Erik Karlsson (+10000)

15 G | 51 A | 66 PTS | +10000 at BET99

The Penguins role three lines heavily, which cuts into the forwards' playing time, which is why I'm looking at the blue line. Erik Karlsson was one of the hottest players after the Olympics, with 31 points in 24 games, which paced all defensemen — and was tied for ninth among all NHL skaters. 

BEST BET Tampa Bay Lightning Conn Smythe pick: Darren Raddysh (+25000)

22 G| 48 A | 70 PTS | +25000 at BET99

Price is everything, and there is no way that a PP1 D-man on the Lightning should be 250/1. I'd play this number to 100/1. He is the new Victor Hedman, who won this award back in 2020.

NHL playoff MVP picks: Western Conference

Anaheim Ducks Conn Smythe pick: Cutter Gauthier (+20000)

40 G | 28 A | 68 PTS | +20000 at BET99

Goals mean more in the playoffs, and getting a 40-goal scorer at 200/1 is an easy choice. Will the Ducks get past a loaded West? Likely not. However, in the case they do, Cutter Gauthier is my betting favorite to lead this team in playoff goals. 

Colorado Avalanche Conn Smythe pick: Scott Wedgewood (+15000)

30 W | 2.07 GAA | .920 SV% | +15000 at BET99

The Avalanche have a good goalie problem, and with the way Scott Wedgewood played down the stretch, while leading the league in GAA and SV%, I think he gets the Game 1 nod. The good thing for bettors here is that Mackenzie Blackwood is also 150/1, so splitting up a wager on both goalies gets you covered with the Stanley Cup Odds favorite. 

BEST BET Dallas Stars Conn Smythe pick: Mikko Rantanen (+4000)

22 G | 55 A | 77 PTS | +4000 at BET99

Mikko Rantanen is one player I'm willing to get square with. He had nine goals and 13 assists in 18 playoff games last year, and I think the Dallas Stars can handle both the Wild and the Avalanche — it's been the Oilers they've struggled to beat. With Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen banged up, Rantanen could see even more offensive opportunities. 

BEST BET Edmonton Oilers Conn Smythe pick: Connor McDavid (+1500)

48 G | 86 A | 134 PTS | +1500 at BET99

If the Oilers win the Cup, Connor McDavid is winning the Conn Smythe. Hell, he can win it, even as the runner-up. McDavid is a 1 of 1, and with a possible easier first-round matchup, Leon Draisaitl could be back just in time. It's not McDavid you're betting on here, it's the Oilers. 

Los Angeles Kings Conn Smythe pick: Artemi Panarin (+20000)

28 G | 56 A | 84 PTS | +20000 at BET99

The Kings are very unlikely to make much noise in the playoffs, as they finished with the same amount of regulation wins as the Blackhawks, but Artemi Panarin is head and shoulders above anyone else on this roster in terms of offensive ability. If you're holding a (still alive) Panarin Conn Smythe ticket in June, your friends might just think you're sharp. 

Minnesota Wild Conn Smythe pick: Kirill Kaprizov (+6000)

45 G | 44 A | 99 PTS | +6000 at BET99

Quinn Hughes' illness scares me from his 75/1 price, but getting a 45-goal forward in Kirill Kaprizov is not much different. If the Wild can get through the Stars, this team could go deep, and Kaprizov is going to be the body to lead them in points. 

Utah Mammoth Conn Smythe pick: Clayton Keller (+15000)

26 G | 60 A | 86 PTS | +15000 at BET99

Clayton Keller might be the most underrated player in hockey. The Utah Mammoth have a winnable matchup vs. the Golden Knights, and would follow that with another Pacific Division team — the car is driving itself, and you're playing with house money. Getting the best player on any team at 150/1, in a pretty open playoff, is a win.

Vegas Golden Knights Conn Smythe pick: Carter Hart (+30000)

11 W | 2.71 GAA | .891 SV% | +30000 at BET99

Carter Hart might not be the Game 1 starter, but he deserves the look as he was incredible after the switch at head coach. This is another good spot to split up a wager and cover both of the Golden Knights' goalies, including Adin Hill. 

Conn Smythe favorites

It's no surprise that the Stanley Cup odds favorite Colorado Avalanche lead the Conn Smythe charge, with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar sitting first and third on the odds board, while Tampa Bay — the favorites in the East — also has two of the Top 5 favorites in Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

And then, of course, is Connor McDavid... the best player in the world.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Ty Mueller is the latest Vancouver Canucks player to score his first career NHL goal. The 23-year-old picked up his first goal by beating Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers. Not only was the goal Mueller's first in the NHL, but also counted as his first career point. 

IT'S OFFICIAL: TY MUELLER @NHL GOAL-SCORER❗️ pic.twitter.com/c9V8BZCmSd

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 17, 2026

Initially drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, Mueller has played eight games in his NHL career. He spent the majority of the season in the AHL, recording 35 points in 59 games for the Abbotsford Canucks. Mueller was also part of Abbotsford's Calder Cup championship last season, where he recorded 12 points in 24 playoff games. 

Mueller is the 509th player to score a goal for the Canucks. His goal reads: "Ty Mueller from Curtis Douglas and Kevin Lankinen." The goal was scored at the 12:10 mark of the first period. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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The Florida Panthers are losing a key member of their front office.

It was only a matter of time before an NHL team scooped up Panthers Assistant GM Sunny Mehta, and that day has come.

On Thursday, the New Jersey Devils announced they had hired Mehta as their new general manager.

He becomes the sixth GM in Devils franchise history.

Nothing but blue skies and Sunny days ahead.

Jersey, we brought Sunny home.

📰: https://t.co/wpT2ELjjhgpic.twitter.com/OqtxOnMgNL

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 16, 2026

For Mehta, a native of Wycoff, New Jersey, the move is a bit of a homecoming.

After growing up as a Devils fan, Mehta became the franchise’s first full-time analytics hire in 2014, starting a relationship with the team that would eventually bring him back as their general manager.

It’s also well-deserved promotion, as Mehta had proven to be an incredibly valuable hockey and analytics mind in Florida’s front office.

“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said in the Devils’ official press release. “After meeting with David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Thank you to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito and the entire Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic six years and for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career. New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”

Mehta spent six seasons with the Panthers. After Bill Zito took over as Panthers GM in 2020, he hired Mehta to be the head of Florida’s analytics team.

Three years later, Mehta was promoted to assistant GM.

Now, three years after that, he’s a first-time NHL general manager.

Considering the success he helped breed in South Florida, it won’t be surprising at all if Mehta follows in the successful footsteps of another first-time GM that he spent the past six years working under.

Best of luck in New Jersey, Sunny. You will be missed in Pantherland.

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg's future in the Bay Area is up in the air at this point, but head coach Ryan Warsofsky made sure to do right by him as the 2025-26 season came to an end. 

Klingberg, who signed a one-year contract with the Sharks this past summer, entered the night with 699 career NHL games. He'll walk out of the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg having surpassed the 700-game plateau. 

The Sharks allowed Klingberg to wear an "A" on his jersey in honor of the milestone. Warsofsky also spoke about the importance of Klingberg hitting 700 games pre-game:

Warsofsky, on importance of Klingberg's 700th game: "He's been a really good pro for us. He's a young man that's played a lot of good hockey in his career in the National Hockey League, and has been through a lot...It's important for him to hit this milestone. It's a hard…

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 16, 2026

Klingberg was never guaranteed an opportunity to reach the NHL, as a fifth-round pick, the odds were actually against him appearing in a single game. He earned a reputation for being one of the best offensive-defensemen in the NHL during his time with the Dallas Stars during the mid-to-late 2010s. He was a one-time All-Star with the Stars during the 2017-18 season and lead the league in assists by a defenseman that same season.

Unfortunately, Klingberg's career has been plagued by injuries and he's become a journeyman in recent history. He's played for five different organizations over the last four seasons, including the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and of course, the San Jose Sharks.

This season, Klingberg has appeared in 56 games for the Sharks. He scored 10 goals, the most he's had since the 2022-23 season and the most he's had in a season with a single organization since the 2018-19 season. His 25 points were also the most since 2022-23 as well.

Although he produced at a high level offensively with the Sharks, his defensive game and tendency to turnover the puck did hinder his overall performances. As an unrestricted free-agent this summer, it's not impossible that Klingberg returns to the Sharks this coming season, but it's far from a guarantee. Regardless of what happens next, he hit a key milestone as a member of the Sharks organization. 

Rick Bowness agreed to a one-year contract extension to remain as coach of the Blue Jackets, team president and general manager Don Waddell said on Thursday, April 16.

"If you look at the body of work that happened here over the last 37 games, I'm very pleased with Rick's work," Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell said. "I've said all along the strengths of this organization from a coaching standpoint has been the communication he's had with the players and getting the players ready to play on a regular basis."

More Blue Jackets news: Coach Rick Bowness rips team after playoff miss: 'They don't care'

Bowness, 71, took over the bench from Dean Evason on Jan. 12 and guided the Jackets to a 21-11-5 record that nearly took them from last in the Eastern Conference when he accepted the job to a playoff spot. In fact, they climbed as high as second in the Metropolitan Division before a 3-9-1 finish.

"It's always interesting when you do make changes, how players are going to respond, and even through all the exit meetings that have happened so far, every player to a man said they loved playing for Rick, they respect Rick and they were all hoping he'd come back for another year," Waddell said. "So, we're very pleased to announce that signing."

Bowness' first season ended with some turbulence after his meltdown following a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in a season finale that didn't mean anything to either team in the standings. After bashing a wall outside the interview room at Nationwide Arena, presumably with a hockey stick, Bowness boiled over at a news conference that prompted pushback from players the next day.

“All you’ve got to do is look at the stat sheet,” Bowness said after the final game. “Three hits. Twenty-three giveaways. Like, I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture. These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them. Like, how can you go out and play like that?”

Those words resonated throughout a fan base that has felt largely the same way over much of the franchise's 25-year history. The Blue Jackets have qualified for the playoffs only six times and have won only one playoff series, a 2019 sweep of the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning.

They also upset the Toronto Maple Leafs in a five-game postseason series held inside the league's 2020 Toronto "bubble" during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was just to qualify for the official playoff field.

Rick Bowness furious following the 2-1 loss to Washington.

The Blue Jackets finish the season losing six straight at home, barely missing the playoffs, more tonight @nbc4i#CBJpic.twitter.com/o7We2CEmTY

— Joe Nugent (@joenuge) April 15, 2026

The Blue Jackets haven't sniffed the playoffs since, extending their drought to six years after replacing former president of hockey operations John Davidson and former general manager Jarmo Kekalainen with Waddell in May 2024, and replacing head coaches Brad Larsen in 2023, Mike Babcock in 2023, Pascal Vincent in 2024 and Evason in January.

The initial goal in promoting Larsen to replace John Tortorella in 2021 was to maintain the winning culture built under Tortorella while doing so with a kinder, gentler approach that some feel is better suited to the NHL's youngest players. Larsen lasted two seasons before Kekalainen replaced him with Babcock, who had left his previous stop with the Maple Leafs under scrutiny for bullying allegations.

Babcock made it 78 days with the Blue Jackets before a forced resignation following allegations that he violated players' privacy by scrolling through their cellphones. That led to Vincent being promoted as an emergency fill-in option on a two-year contract, and Waddell opted not to let him coach a second season after replacing Davidson/Kekalainen.

That led to Evason's hiring, and he lasted only halfway into his second year before Waddell plied Bowness out of retirement to finish the season. Now, Bowness' turn at the rudder.

"Coming in, I knew, 'OK, this is a pretty good team, a lot of good pieces,'" Bowness said. "We had some success early and that made it a lot of fun, but it just scratched the itch a little bit more and I'm very excited ... because I am anxious to come back and finish the job that I came here to do, and that's to get the Columbus Blue Jackets in the playoffs."

As Bowness pointed out, things cruised along nicely during a 19-3-4 start to Bowness' tenure, boosting the Jackets into second place of the Metro, but the bottom soon fell out. Bowness bit his tongue through most of the collapse, slipping just once following a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on April 2 in Raleigh, North Carolina, but all he had pent up came out following the season finale.

“Should’ve done this about a month ago,” Bowness said. “But this is why we are where we are. This is why we’re out of the playoffs, that kind of effort. Losing ... you have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t … care. Show up and compete. Three hits! Twenty-three giveaways! What else you want to know?”

Two days later, Bowness was asked if he regretted anything about the outburst and shook his head.

"No," he said. "Did I push the bar a little bit? Yeah. I know that, but that's me, right? So, I've got to live with myself. I'm not going to walk in here and say, 'Oh, I should've done this and I shouldn't have ..." did I push it? Yeah, I pushed that envelope a little bit, but that's who I am. I'm not going to come in here and B.S. you people, right? I'm going to tell you what I see and what I don't like, and was that a little over the top? Probably. I'll be the first to admit that, but I've got to live with myself, too, man."

Players pushed back while meeting with reporters during their first day of exit interviews April 15, saying they do, indeed, care about losing. Those who were asked about Bowness' future, however, all said they hoped to keep playing for him and that no fences needed mending.

"I'd be ecstatic if 'Bones' is back," defenseman Damon Severson said. "He's the best coach I've personally ever had. I've had a couple really good coaches. I've had some really ... not good coaches. Bones has been the best one so far. I read a little bit of the guys' comments (after the rant), who were around here with the media, and I think that was the biggest thing they said was, 'We're all big fans of Bones.'

"We just let the team down, we let the organization down and the fans down by not being in the playoffs, but Rick Bowness is not the issue at all. He's going to be part of the solution here."

Severson, who missed the final 10 games with a season-ending shoulder injury, met with reporters April 16 via teleconference. Mathieu Olivier did, too, after missing the final eight games with a fractured bone in his hand. His thoughts on Bowness echoed Severson.

"I'd love for him to be back, and I know my teammates feels the same way," Olivier said. "I just love the passion and the energy that he brings every day, and the communication with everyone. It's been really good to have him around. I've been working with him and we've started to build a really good relationship with him and the coaching staff, and everyone here. I'd be really excited for him to be back."

Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets agree to contract extension with Rick Bowness

When the topic of organizational depth is raised, the Ottawa Senators organization has been heavily criticized as being one of the worst in the league.

No one questioned the talent in Ottawa, but there was always a looming fear that the Belleville Senators didn’t have enough NHL-ready players and prospects to backfill in case the worst happened.

Well, in the final 6-7 weeks of the season, the worst happened.

The defensive core, in particular, was tested heavily at a time when the Senators were on the outside looking in on a playoff spot with multiple teams to overtake.

Now, after game 82 is in the books with a final victory in the Battle of Ontario, it’s time to look at the unsung heroes who came up played a pivotal role in the Senators qualifying for the postseason dance.

1) Lassi Thomson

The former Senators first rounder from 2019 took his act back to Sweden in 2024-25 and then returned to Belleville where he led all AHL defensemen in goals scored (14) before his recall.

When the Senators selected him, they likely hoped they had found what Jordan Spence appears to have become.

Thomson certainly hasn’t looked out of place in the 11 games he played in, logging an average of 13:23 in TOI in important games. He also did so playing the left and right sides.

Though the 25-year-old may never reach that level of production, he may have done enough to warrant a more permanent gig in the show next season based on how he played down the stretch.

As the Senators' walking wounded emerge from sick bay, Thomson may end up being relegated to the role of a black ace. He appears to have done enough to put Travis Green’s mind at ease that he can come in and backfill should the need arise.

2) Dennis Gilbert

Gilbert was acquired in exchange for Maxence Guenette to compensate for the loss of Donovan Sebrango on waivers to the Florida Panthers.

He toiled in the AHL for most of the season and was the primary recall when Jake Sanderson went down.

Gilbert also succumbed to injury, but he functioned effectively with Niklas Matinpalo in the bottom pair role before that. Depending on Tyler Kleven’s return status, he may be needed against Carolina at some point where his 119 career regular season games of experience could come in handy.

3) Carter Yakemchuk

The fan base breathed a collective sigh of relief when Yakemchuk played a pivotal role in his regular season debut against the Detroit Red Wings.

His no-look assist to Tim Stutzle on the power play, followed by his first career goal, showed the pundits that his year in Belleville had not been without reward.

Though he may never be regarded as a defensive stalwart, he certainly showed that he has a future in the Senators lineup and that that future may come sooner than later.

The fan base also breathed a collective sigh of relief when Yakemchuk cleared concussion protocol before his return to Belleville.

He may have only played four games, but he left an impression with an average of 14:32 per game and will likely serve as a black ace when Belleville wraps up its regular season.

4) Cameron Crotty

Crotty became the 13th defenseman to suit up for the Senators this season when Yakemchuk suffered his concussion.

The local product, who was acquired in the off-season, played a steady stay-at-home role in his six games, where he logged an average of 14:45 per game.

He certainly hasn’t looked out of place and even when Yakemchuk was cleared of concussion protocol, Ottawa kept him and let the latter go back to log the heavier minutes in Belleville.

With the defensive core returning to health heading into the playoffs, Thomson, Gilbert, Yakemchuk, and Crotty have done more than enough to instill confidence that they can deliver if called upon.

The ability to backfill for injuries says a lot, not only about the players in the system, but the system itself.

The structure that Travis Green and his staff have in place allows players to step into roles they are comfortable with and sets them up for success.

The Belleville Senators may not have a playoff run in them, but that's because they had to serve at the pleasure of the parent club. 13 B-Sens suited up for Ottawa throughout the season.

No matter what happens now, these unsung heroes certainly played a role in helping Ottawa get to the dance.

Pat Maguire
The Hockey News

This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:  

Through All The Noise, The Playoff-Bound Senators Held Their Ground
Drake Batherson's Eight-Year Career Climb Is One For The NHL History Books
Senators Announce Plans For 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Ticket Sales This Week
Shane Pinto Isn’t Just In The Selke Conversation… He Should Be One Of The Favourites
Great Opportunities: The Rise Of Senators Defenseman Jordan Spence