Senators fans get a chance to gaze into the future this weekend.

The Sens opened their 2026 rookie camp on Friday morning, with players taking the ice at Canadian Tire Centre before heading across the river for this weekend’s NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau.

The four-team tournament at Centre Slush Puppie features prospects from the Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets.

Ottawa will face Toronto on Saturday at 6 p.m. before taking on Montreal at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Jets and Canadiens will open the tournament Saturday at 1 p.m., while the Jets and Maple Leafs meet Sunday at 1 p.m. Ottawa Senators tournament schedule.

The Senators’ roster includes four goaltenders, nine defencemen and 16 forwards, with several intriguing names worth watching.

At the top of that list are the Sens' two first-round selections from the 2026 NHL Draft: Jonas Lagerberg Hoen and Jaxon Cover. The Senators selected Lagerberg Hoen 25th overall after acquiring the pick from Florida in the Brady Tkachuk trade. The Swedish winger missed most of his draft season after suffering a knee injury in October, but the organization believes his offensive ceiling could be elite.

Before the injury, JLH had nine goals and 16 points in only nine games with Leksands’ under-20 team. The Sens' scouts have praised his skating, competitiveness and ability to score from different areas of the ice.

However, he wore a yellow non-contact jersey on Friday morning, and his name appeared in italics on the club's official roster, so he may not dress for either game this weekend.

All in all, though, that knee looked pretty strong.

Lagerberg Hoen stayed out after practice doing a specific skating drill on his own. https://t.co/BDq5EqrYIDpic.twitter.com/LT7qqVhxpI

— Andrew Wilimek (@AndrewWilimek) September 11, 2026

Cover, selected 32nd overall, may have even more room to develop.

The Cayman Islands native played roller hockey until he was 13, but he has less than six years of experience on the ice. Despite that limited background, Cover recorded 20 goals and 52 points during his rookie season with the London Knights.

He is still raw, but his rate of improvement and potential for further development are off the charts. And as his first OHL season showed, he's already a very good player.

The Knights are well represented at Ottawa's camp with three ex-London players who have an excellent chance at good NHL careers.

Along with Cover, Kasper Halttunen will make his first appearance in a Senators uniform after being acquired from San Jose in the William Eklund trade.

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Halttunen combines power-forward size with an excellent shot. He helped the Knights win consecutive OHL championships and scored 32 goals in 35 playoff games across those two runs.

Halttunen had 16 goals and 35 points during his first full AHL season with the San Jose Barracuda. He should have a prominent role in Belleville and could force his way into Ottawa’s plans if his scoring continues to develop.

His former Knights' teammate, Blake Montgomery, will also be in Gatineau after a solid first season at the University of Wisconsin and a late-season audition with Belleville.

Adam Nemec is another 2026 draft pick who could prove to be a good third-round find.

Nemec spent the first half of last season in Slovakia before joining the Sudbury Wolves. He quickly adjusted to the OHL, scoring 14 goals and 35 points in 31 games and has some excellent hockey bloodlines. Nemec’s older brother, Šimon, was selected second overall by New Jersey in 2022 and now plays for the Calgary Flames.

There's also plenty to like in goal.

The new face is six-foot-six Elliot Lennon, Ottawa’s fourth-round pick in June, who joins a group that includes Lucas Beckman, Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler.

Beckman was traded from Baie-Comeau to Chicoutimi last season and helped the Saguenéens win the QMJHL championship and reach the Memorial Cup. He was traded again this summer to Cape Breton, where he will try to help the Eagles make a similar run.

Parsons and Reidler are expected to be part of the goaltending picture in Belleville this season. Leevi Meriläinen, who is not participating in rookie camp, remains ahead of both on the organizational depth chart.

One of the more experienced players at the tournament will be 24-year-old Norwegian forward Eskild Bakke Olsen.

The undrafted free-agent signing helped Norway capture a surprise bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. He played nearly 20 minutes during Norway’s upset victory over Canada and is coming off a 32-point season with Linköping in the Swedish Hockey League.

Bakke Olsen brings good size at 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds and will have an opportunity this weekend to show whether his game can translate to North America.

Right-shot defenceman Christian Kyrou is another older free-agent signing who could, if injuries strike, push for an NHL opportunity.

Originally selected 50th overall by Dallas in 2022, Kyrou signed a one-year, two-way contract with Ottawa on July 1. The 23-year-old produced 10 goals and 34 points in 59 AHL games split between Texas and Lehigh Valley last season.

Kyrou’s puck-moving ability will make him a valuable addition in Belleville, especially if Carter Yakemchuk makes the NHL squad in his third camp.

The seventh-overall selection in 2024 had 10 goals and 40 points in 54 games with Belleville last season before making his NHL debut. He recorded a goal and an assist in four regular-season games with Ottawa and added two assists in his lone playoff appearance.

The Senators clearly believe he has now moved beyond the need for another rookie tournament. 

The weekend will also include several free activities for fans outside Centre Slush Puppie.

Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday for an open Senators practice. Beginning at noon, the outdoor fan area will feature street hockey along with family events and activities.

Winnipeg and Montreal play at 1 p.m. before the doors reopen for the Senators game at 5 p.m. Ottawa’s rookies will sign autographs on the concourse beginning at 5:15, with the Senators and Maple Leafs facing off at 6.

The outdoor activities return at noon on Sunday, followed by Toronto against Winnipeg at 1 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the Sens' game against Montreal, with another rookie autograph session scheduled for 5:15 before the 6 p.m. faceoff. 

Many of these prospects will be invited to continue their auditions at the main training camp, which begins Wednesday at Canadian Tire Centre.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the latest THN Ottawa headlines below:

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After a Summer of Change, Thomas Chabot Turns The Page: ‘We Take Pride In What We Have Here’As he looked ahead to the new season, the longest-serving active Senator was asked about the vacancy at captain and the guy who created it.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will report to training camp after making a trade request, he announced in a statement released by the team on Friday, Sept. 11.

"Over the past couple of weeks, Red Wings leadership and I have had several in-depth discussions," Larkin said. "I’ve appreciated those candid conversations, and I will be at training camp with my teammates. When new leadership is in place, we’ll talk further about the direction of the team. We will keep those conversations private, and I will keep my focus on the season ahead and on the guys in that room."

Larkin, who won a gold medal for the USA at the 2026 Olympics, made the request this offseason after the team missed the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.

Trading him has been difficult because he had given Detroit only three teams to work with and the Red Wings wanted a big return for their No. 1 center. Plus Steve Yzerman stepped aside as general manager to transition into a senior adviser role.

What did the Red Wings say about the Dylan Larkin news?

The Red Wings said in a statement they were looking forward to Larkin and his teammates showing up to training camp.

"Dylan is under contract as a member of the Detroit Red Wings," the team added. "Any conversations regarding his future with the club will take place privately when a new hockey operations leader has been named."

Larkin is signed through the 2030-31 season and is entering the fourth year of an eight-year deal with a $8.7 million cap hit.

Will Dylan Larkin still be Red Wings captain?

The team said it would start the 2026-27 season without a captain being named.

"Any further discussions or decisions regarding this topic will be made once new hockey operations leadership is in place," the Red Wings said.

Where does Dylan Larkin's trade request stand?

The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, said Larkin wanted to traded to the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers or Vegas Golden Knights. The publication also said Detroit reached out to the Dallas Stars and former Red Wings executive Jim Nill.

The Red Wings will have to wait until a new general manager is hired to make a trade or persuade Larkin to stay.

That process is ongoing. Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg recently took his name out of consideration.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Wings' Dylan Larkin to report to training camp amid trade request

The Buffalo Sabres have yet to do anything consequential to replace the offense lost from the departures of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram this summer, and one week before the opening of training camp, the subtraction of more than 40 goals from their roster last season should be the main area of concern for GM Jarmo Kekalainen.

NHL clubs have been unusually stingy in inviting veteran free agents to their roster on professional tryouts or signing available free agents to short-term deals. At this point, former Sabre Tyson Jost (Nashville), former Buffalo first round pick Alex Nylander (Calgary), former Sabre draftee Cal Petersen (Washington), goalie Chris Driedger (Vancouver) have been the only players brought in on PTO’s. 

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Buffalo has a number of options still available on the open market, including winger Chris Krieder, whose contract was terminated with the Anaheim Ducks earlier this week. Other still-productive forwards like Cup winner Vladimir Tarasenko and Michael Bunting are out there, as is a wildcard like the oft-injured Patrik Laine. 

The Sabres currently have over $5 million in available cap space and only 43 pro contracts (the limit is 50), which means they have no excuses not to take a chance on someone. The club seems to be completely relying on a trio of youngsters in Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, and Jiri Kulich, to make up for the offense that went out the door, but Kekalainen has to realize that everything went right for the club last season.

If Buffalo does consummate a deal with Winnipeg for goalie Connor Hellebuyck, it is almost certain that one of those youngsters, as well as a veteran like Ryan McLeod or Jack Quinn could be in the deal. If more scoring is headed out the door in a Hellebuyck trade, Kekalainen would almost certainly need to bolster his forward group, with the likes of Conor Sheary, Tyson Kozak, and Justin Danforth next in line. 

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The Montreal Canadiens’ rookie camp is now underway, and on Thursday, the coaching staff met with the media. Coach Daniel Jacob and assistant coaches Martin Laperrière and David Urquhart spoke at length about the camp, what’s to come, and the players who will wear the Red, White and Blue this weekend.

Jacob was asked about the list of players he has to work with in the next few days and clarified that he didn’t have a say in who was invited; that responsibility falls to the scouting staff’s department, and he added that some of the Rocket players from last season have now moved on to the next stage since they have a chance to make the main camp, which no doubt means David Reinbacher, Adam Engstrom, Florian Xhekaj and Owen Beck.

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As for Laperrière, he conceded that, unlike some of the past years when they were lucky enough to have some big names at camp, such as Kaiden Guhle, for instance, this year’s roster lacks big names, but that doesn’t mean the staff cannot find diamonds in the rough. After all, Arber Xhekaj was once an invitee, and he certainly showed that he belonged.

Last season, Martin St-Louis repeatedly praised Pascal Vincent and his staff for how ready the players were once the Canadiens gave them an opportunity, and that shouldn’t change this season even if Vincent is gone. Jacob made it clear that everyone’s goal is to get players ready to play with the big team; their job is to make sure that when they get the call, they put on their skates, have few questions, and can hit the ground running.

The coaching staff had kind words for Owen Protz. Laperrière recalled that the first time he saw him at development camp, he was very rough, but he was ready to learn and do what was expected of him. Last year, he made such a good impression that he was invited to the main camp. Protz knows what’s expected of him: a rugged style of play and a good first pass, and chances are that’s what he’ll be putting forward this time as well. Last March, he was signed to a three-year ELC deal that starts this season, and he should be a regular with the Rocket once the AHL season starts.

None of the coaches wanted to put tags on the players; for now, they are all competing to make the Canadiens’ roster, and the coaching staff feels it would be unfair to start categorizing them.

This weekend’s games against the Winnipeg Jets and the Ottawa Senators prospects may not feature very big names, but it takes a little bit of everything to make up a winning team. You do need star players with lots of skills and talent, but you also need good players down the lineup who can play the game the right way, even if they cannot be expected to produce like your top-of-the-lineup guys.

Daniel Jacob et ses adjoints s’adressent aux médias en direct du Camp des recrues des Canadiens à Brossard

Daniel Jacob and his assistants address the media live from Canadiens Rookie Camp in Brossard#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/3qJrKp0Z1I

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 10, 2026

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The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Mike Reilly to a one-year, two-way deal the team announced on Thursday.

The deal will play Reilly $850,000 at the NHL level and $450,000 at the AHL level.

Reilly, 33, played for Carolina last year, appearing in 42 regular season games (1g, 9pts) in a seventh defenseman role.

The veteran blueliner has 11 seasons of experience under his belt, having played in 460 games across seven different organizations.

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The Vegas Golden Knights moved on from Ilya Samsonov after one season, and now the former Vegas goaltender is getting another chance to make his way back to the NHL.

The San Jose Sharks announced Friday that they have signed Samsonov to a one-year, two-way contract, bringing the 29-year-old back into the NHL picture after he spent the 2025-26 season playing in Russia.

Samsonov’s most recent NHL season came with Vegas in 2024-25, when he took on a significant role in the crease. He started 29 games and finished with a 16-9-4 record, along with a 2.82 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.

The record was solid. The save percentage was not.

That .891 mark continued a recent stretch in which Samsonov has struggled to consistently produce at the level expected of an NHL starter. He has posted a save percentage below .900 in three of his last four NHL seasons.

That makes his return to the league something of a reclamation project for San Jose.

Samsonov spent last season with HK Sochi in the KHL, appearing in just 14 games. He finished with a 3.27 GAA, a .903 save percentage and one shutout, leaving the Sharks with a goaltender who has plenty of NHL experience but is coming off two consecutive seasons in which his numbers have slipped.

There is, however, a much more accomplished goaltender somewhere in Samsonov’s history.

Across 200 NHL regular-season appearances, Samsonov has compiled a 118-48-25 record with a 2.77 GAA, a .902 SV% and 15 shutouts. His best season came in Toronto in 2022-23, when he established career highs with 27 wins, a 2.33 GAA and a .919 SV%, adding four shutouts along the way.

That season helped reinforce the belief that Samsonov could develop into a legitimate long-term starter.

His career has never quite followed that trajectory.

After beginning his NHL career with Washington, Samsonov spent two seasons with the Maple Leafs before landing in Vegas. He now joins San Jose following a year away from North American hockey, with the Sharks giving him an opportunity to compete for another NHL job.

The move also brings Samsonov back to the league after a difficult stretch in the postseason. He has appeared in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his career, recording a 3.05 GAA and .901 SV%.

There is still plenty of experience for San Jose to work with.

Samsonov originally arrived in North America as a highly regarded prospect after Washington selected him 22nd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Before that, he had already established himself in Russia, winning the Gagarin Cup with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2016.

Over five KHL seasons, Samsonov went 36-24-9 with a 2.37 GAA and .924 SV% across 87 games.

Now, after a season away from the NHL, Samsonov gets another opportunity.

The Sharks are hoping the move can help them uncover the version of Samsonov who once looked capable of becoming a dependable NHL starter. Samsonov, meanwhile, has a chance to show that his recent numbers were a detour rather than the final chapter of his NHL career.

Hockey is back on Long Island. The New York Islanders Rookie Camp officially opens Friday, marking the official beginning of hockey season for the Islanders.

Wednesday, the Islanders released the roster for camp, which contains 25 players, including 15 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders:

#Isles announce rookie camp roster: pic.twitter.com/ShtJ9JUxxO

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) September 9, 2026

The headliners are first-time rookie camp participants Victor Eklund, Cole Eiserman, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Quinn Finley.

All four could be massive standouts at camp, with Eklund expected to be one, with his goal and target being the NHL roster.

The camp will be run by Hamilton Hammers' Head Coach, Jay McKee, his first year running camp as he enters his first year as the AHL Head Coach of the Islanders' organization.

There are also a few rookie camp invitees: Lane Gallacher, Samuel Beachemin, Ryan Bottrill, Kadon McCann, Luke Puchner, Luke Antonacci, Julian Brown, and Aaron Trotter. 

Gallacher, took part in Islanders' development camp and played the 2024-25 and 2025-season for McKee, when both were with the Brantford Bulldogs. 

Samuel Beauchemin is a 20-year-old left-shot center who has spent the last four seasons with the QMJHL's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He recorded 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) in 64 regular-season games, along with 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 17 playoff games. 

Samuel is also the son of longtime NHL defenseman Francois Beauchemin, who played 903 NHL games and won the 2007 Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks.

According to a statement by the NHLPA, defenseman John Klingberg is officially announcing his retirement from professional hockey. Following a career that spanned 700 games played, and time with the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks, Klingberg is hanging up his skates to become the new hockey expert at SVT.

Klingberg was an unrestricted free agent this summer, one of many who still didn't have a contract as training camps started to approach. That likely led to his decision to start a new career path. 

John Klingberg is officially announcing his retirement from professional hockey after 700 NHL career games played – wishing all the best to this former blue liner in the future! pic.twitter.com/ebjLBp7sKM

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) September 11, 2026

"It feels very inspiring, actually. It's something that I've thought I could do well moving forward in life when I'm done with hockey. So I'm very excited to get this chance," he said.

Klingberg, 34, saw his career plagued by ongoing hip problems. The Swedish defenseman underwent three hip surgeries and says his body ultimately could no longer keep up with the demands of the game. He also revealed he frequently relied on injections, anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers to manage the pain and continue playing. After hoping his latest surgery would restore him to full health, he realized his body wasn't responding and his motivation had eventually run out.

He'll be remembered as one of the most elite offensive defensemen in the NHL, showcasing his skills as a member of the Dallas Stars in the mid-2010s. But, his success got to his head and he turned down an eight-year, $7M AAV contract extension in 2021-22. He struggled to find consistent work after, especially given his injury troubles. 

Klingberg wound up being a bit of a journeyman defenseman, which included a short stint with the Edmonton Oilers. He signed late as a free agent in 2024-25, played 11 regular-season games and was a big part of their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final. However, that playoff success led to him jumping ship when the San Jose Sharks offered him a deal in free agency. 

Now, as a retired NHL player, he'll take on a new role, analyzing hockey on television. "I think I can come in and see hockey from a different perspective..."

Klingberg will work with SVT's national team broadcasts, including the Junior World Cup and the Euro Hockey Tour.

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It was was an exciting day for a set of siblings who mean a whole lot to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

On Thursday, Phil and Amanda Kessel were both named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Amanda is currently the Penguins' Director of Minor League Operations and the Assistant General Manager for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins and won three Olympic medals during her prolific women's hockey career, while Phil played for the Penguins from 2015-19, registered 110 goals and 303 points in 328 games during that time, and won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships with the team in 2016 and 2017. 

The other three 2026 inductees were forward T.J. Oshie, defenseman Ryan Suter, and athletic trainer Stan Wong, who has been working with the NHL and USA hockey for more than 40 years.

"This is a great honor," Phil said to reporters during the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame call Thursday, "You know me, I loved playing for USA Hockey over the years. Enjoyed my time, enjoyed all the friends I made. It was always a great honor to play for the team. I'm just happy to be included. 

"This is a great class. Obviously, I'm excited to go in with my sister. She was a great player."

And a great player she was. Aside from her dominant play for the University of Minnesota - she recorded 46 goals and 101 points in 46 games for the the team in 2012-13 and led them to three National Championship titles in 2012, 2013, and 2016 - she brought home seven gold medals for USA Hockey on the international stage and had 26 goals and 74 points in 60 combined games for Team USA internationally, which doesn't even include her 10 goals and 30 points in 10 World Junior Championship (WJC) appearances.

Penguins' Positional Battle Tiers: GoaltendersOne of the biggest positions of interest for the Penguins this season will be goaltending, and a few prospects will jockey for positioning as the other half of the NHL tandem.

In her four seasons with the Penguins' hockey operations staff, the 35-year-old has helped rebuild the prospect pipeline along with the front office under General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas, with the Wheeling Nailers - former ECHL affiliate of the Penguins - and WBS Penguins each going to the Eastern Conference Final in 2026.

Phil was drafted fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in 2006 and played in 17 NHL seasons between the Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights. In addition to three Stanley Cups - he won with Vegas in 2023 - Kessel had 413 goals and 992 points in 1,286 career games and owns the NHL's all-time iron man streak for consecutive games played at 1,064. 

He represented Team USA at the WJC twice, at the World Championship three times, and the Olympic games twice, winning a silver medal for Team USA in 2010.

 

Penguins Announce 2026 Training Camp Schedule The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced their 2026 training camp schedule.

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Former Toronto Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel was one of five individuals who were inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026. Phil's sister, Amanda, as well as TJ Oshie, Ryan Suter and Stan Wong were also inducted.

Kessel is the first former member of the Maple Leafs to be inducted into the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame since former president and GM Brian Burke was inducted in 2023. Before Burke, it was former Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson, who was inducted in 2017.

As for former players, Mathieu Schneider was the last player to be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame who served for Toronto in their career. He was inducted in 2015.

Kessel represented the Maple Leafs for a large chunk of his career. In fact, it was the longest stop at any destination throughout his 17-year NHL career.

The right winger played six seasons for the Maple Leafs, from 2009-10 to 2014-15. He appeared in a total of 446 regular-season games for the club, scoring 181 goals and 394 points. His best season came in 2011-12 when he notched 37 goals and 82 points in 82 games. Kessel never went on to score more goals in one year.

Maple Leafs Join Hockey Community In Mourning The Passing Of Barry MelroseMelrose spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs and was behind the bench as an opponent for one of Toronto's most crushing playoff defeats in the 90s.

He also played for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights, winning two Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and one with the Golden Knights in 2023.

Kessel's all-time best campaign was with Pittsburgh in 2017-18 when he scored 34 goals and 92 points in 82 games.

He currently holds the record for most consecutive NHL games played, with 1,064 outings in a row. The 2022-23 season was his last year in the NHL. In total, he's played 1,286 NHL games, scoring a total of 413 goals and 992 points.

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On Friday evening, Philadelphia Flyers rookie camp officially begins with an on-ice training session at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., at 4 p.m., and from there, we'll have the two rookie series games on Saturday night and Sunday night.

Top prospects like Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey will be the headlining acts for rookie camp, and they will joined by 2026 first-round pick Maksim Sokolovskii, who was interestingly included on the training camp roster as well.

Players like Brek Liske, Matthew Gard, Nathan Quinn, and Ilya Pautov, for example, were excluded.

The Flyers may want to just have Sokolovskii under their watch for a while longer, or they intend to have the hulking defenseman play in a preseason game before sending him back to the OHL London Knights.

In either case, fans heading to Allentown or the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees over the next week will have several opportunities to watch Sokolovskii further.

Here's the full Flyers rookie camp schedule as follows:

The Stunning Result of Matvei Michkov's Rigorous Offseason TrainingAfter an entire summer of vigorous training, Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov is lean, mean, and primed for a breakout after shedding a ton of extra weight.

Friday, Sept. 11: Training session at PPL Center from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12: Morning skate from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., game vs. Rangers prospects at 7:05 p.m. at PPL Center

Sunday, Sept. 13: Morning skate from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., game vs. Rangers prospects at 5:05 p.m. at PPL Center

Monday, Sept. 14: Training session at to-be-announced time at Flyers Training Center

Tuesday, Sept. 15: Training session at 11:15 a.m. at Flyers Training Center

Wednesday, Sept. 16: Day off

Thursday: Sept. 17: Flyers training camp begins

In just over two weeks, the Flyers will have played their last preseason game against Washington on the 26th, then dive right into the season opener against Pittsburgh on the 30th.

Many roster battles will have to be settled in a short period of time, in which case it helps that the rookie camp roster and training camp roster are mostly separate.

Martone, Barkey, and Bump will see some extra work, of course, but it's fair they put some extra time in for having what are effectively guaranteed roster spots.

Sharks star Macklin Celebrini reveals biggest misconceptions about himself originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Macklin Celebrini is here for the long haul. After finishing his second NHL season with over 100 points and proving his superstar status in the league, the Sharks rewarded him with a five-year, $94 million extension. Now Celebrini enters the season fully focused on hockey and leading the Sharks to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

But Celebrini is not just a hockey player, he is also one of us. Hockey players have a reputation for being focused solely on hockey and nothing else, giving off the vibe that they only really care about being the best players they can be. But sitting down with actor Belmont Cameli in a video for The Hollywood Reporter, Celebrini squashed that notion.

“I think hockey players in general have a bad rap of not having much personality,” Celebrini told Cameli. “Just kind of what the culture has always been with hockey. If you meet some of the guys that play in the NHL, it’s some of the best people you ever meet. Obviously, when the cameras are off and you’re just shooting it with them, just some of the best guys to hang out with. I feel like that doesn’t really get portrayed very well on camera. People don’t really see it.”

Since joining the Sharks as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini has captured the hearts of many in the Bay Area, quickly becoming a star right before our eyes. Celebrini firmly put himself on the map during the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he finished the tournament as the leading goal scorer en route to guiding Canada to the silver medal.

This offseason, Celebrini made even more history when he was named the cover athlete of NHL 27, making him the youngest NHL player ever to receive that honor.

The Sharks last made the playoffs in 2018-19, and while the team has experienced down years in recent seasons, confidence in this year’s team is sky high — especially if Celebrini stays healthy and continues to play at an elite level. Already being mentioned in MVP conversations, Celebrini will head to training camp on a mission to become the face of the NHL.

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The Edmonton Oilers signed Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 contract Wednesday, bringing the 26-year-old back to the NHL for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

Edmonton was connected to Hart after he, Formenton, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote were acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case. Hart had already spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers when the league allowed the five players to sign contracts again.

Stan Bowman addressed Hart during training camp last September and said Edmonton wasn't looking at "those types of situations." The Oilers went through the season without him and eventually rebuilt their goaltending again this summer.

One year later, Formenton is an Oiler.

All five players were acquitted, and Formenton was also made immediately eligible for Hockey Canada programs this summer; Bowman pointed to that decision when discussing Edmonton's willingness to sign him. Bowman said he had multiple conversations with Formenton before the organization offered him a contract.

The Oilers clearly did their homework, and somebody within the organization decided Formenton was worth bringing in.

Formenton hasn't played an NHL game since 2022. He scored 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games during his final season with Ottawa. He spent the following years with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland where he had 13 goals and 23 points last season.

Formenton can kill penalties, which he'll have to do for Matt Savoie, and scored 18 goals during his only full season with Ottawa. An $850,000 contract also carries very little financial commitment. Formenton can earn his place during camp and give Mike Babcock another option in the bottom six.

"It's Been Great So Far": Draisaitl Says Babcock Has Been Blunt With His Communication StyleLeon Draisaitl praises Mike Babcock’s blunt communication style, revealing why the Oilers’ leadership embraced a direct coaching approach to push the franchise toward a long-awaited championship.

But again, why is Edmonton willing to take on everything surrounding Formenton now?

Hart was available last year when Edmonton needed a goalie. He had played 227 NHL games and was well regarded as a capable goaltender around the league. His career numbers included a .906 save percentage and a 2.94 GAA, and the Oilers decided not to pursue him.

Formenton was an available UFA this summer with 109 NHL games under his belt and almost five years removed from his last NHL game. In his most recent season, he only had 23 points in Switzerland.

Bowman made it clear last September that he didn't want to get involved with players coming out of that situation. There wasn't much ambiguity in the answer at the time. Now, he likely believes enough time has passed.

Oilers Announce 2026-27 Rookie Camp RosterFresh draft picks join seasoned prospects as Edmonton’s top young talents report for medicals before kicking off the season with a high-stakes clash against the Calgary Flames.

There's less attention on the players now than last year, and several organizations have had to make decisions about them, and the NHL's reinstatement process has been in place for a full year.

Still, four seasons away from the league is a long time, and his production in Switzerland leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, the ice is bigger, and it often strengthens the defensive side of a player's game, but an NHL forward should score more than 23 points. It remains to be seen whether he can handle a regular role under Babcock.

Edmonton publicly stated last year that it wanted no part in this conversation, but has now willingly put itself directly into it.

Edmonton wasn't willing to make that decision with Hart last year, but is with Formenton now. Something changed inside the organization during those 12 months, and the Oilers should explain what it was.

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The Detroit Red Wings are only days away from starting Training Camp in preparation for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign amidst a feeling of uncertainty. 

Not only have the Red Wings not found Steve Yzerman's successor as general manager, but RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson has yet to be signed to a new deal, while captain Dylan Larkin has reportedly not rescinded his trade request. 

That hasn't stopped Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat from expressing optimism about the upcoming campaign despite the departure of his good friend and longtime teammate Patrick Kane. 

"I think we have a majority of our team coming back," DeBrincat said at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour. "Obviously Kaner is gone, but we got a couple of additions that will really help us out. Going into the year, we're looking essentially the same as last year." 

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The Red Wings signed Viktor Arvidsson, who scored 25 goals with the Boston Bruins last season, on the opening day of free agency. They also acquired hard-nosed forward Keegan Kolesar and signed backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov. 

Last season, Detroit lost what was a comfortable points cushion entering the month of March for the third consecutive year; they're now mired in the NHL's longest active postseason drought.

For DeBrincat, the new campaign represents a chance to correct the mistakes that have plagued them during critical times in previous seaosns. 

"I think it's a fresh start, we can get our mindset and get confident again and learn from our mistakes last year, I think that's the biggest thing," he said. "We made too many mistakes late in the season, and it ended up costing us. But the first 60-75 percent of the season was really good; we were right at the top, but we just fell off a cliff."

"Try and get back that confident side of the game and hopefully not go through that same lull."

Unsigned RFA Simon Edvinsson Reportedly Expected To Join Red Wings At CampThe good news for Detroit Red Wings fans amid the current uncertainty surrounding the general manager position and Dylan Larkin’s long-term future with the club is that Simon Edvinsson reportedly will be at Training Camp despite currently lacking a contract.

Last season, DeBrincat became the first Red Wings player since Marian Hossa in 2008-09 to reach the 40-goal plateau, many of which were assisted by Kane. 

However, Kane decided to return to the Chicago Blackhawks, who will pay him $8 million a season over the next two years. While it's a disappointing loss for the Red Wings, DeBrincat believes the future Hall of Famer still has lots left in the tank. 

"I think he's got a lot more (left) than people give him credit for," he said. "I feel like everyone thinks that he was a great player, but I think he still is. He's still almost a point per game, the way he still controls the play and makes passes and slows it down. Obviously still a power-play guy." 

"I think Chicago is lucky to have him," he continued. "Obviously, we wish he were still in Detroit, but I guess if he's going anywhere, it's probably good that he's going back there, and the fans will treat him well there." 

The Red Wings start Training Camp on Sept. 17, followed by their first preseason contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, Sept. 21. 

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23 years after the Nashville Predators selected Ryan Suter seventh overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, he's set to be immortalized as a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. 

Suter, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, is more widely remembered for his time with the Minnesota Wild these days, but his professional career began in Nashville. After being drafted by the Predators, the defenseman spent one more season at the University of Wisconsin before remaining in his home state to start his professional career with the Milwaukee Admirals. 

It didn't take long for the highly-touted prospect to get a chance in the NHL, as he made his debut after just a single season in the American Hockey League. While Suter would go on to play 1,526 games, the 21st most in NHL history, only 542 of them were spent with the Predators. In 2012, he opted to sign a 13-year contract with the Wild as an unrestricted free agent.

Suter is joined in the Class of 2026 by Phil and Amanda Kessel, TJ Oshie, and Stan Wong.