The NHL All-Rookie team was announced by the league on Friday.
For Senators fans, it was hard not to notice that the rival Montreal Canadiens are continuing to produce excellent entry-level players, even as they were emerging this spring as Stanley Cup contenders.
Fresh off a surprising run to the NHL Eastern Final that included playoff series victories over elite teams like Tampa Bay and Buffalo, the Canadiens had three players receive All-Rookie Team votes in 2025-26.
THN's The Wrap Around show discusses the idea of a trade between the Sens and Canucks.
Ivan Demidov finished first in voting among forwards with 195 points, Oliver Kapanen received six votes, and goaltender Jakub Dobes led all rookie netminders with 151 points.
2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team
G, Jakub Dobes, MTL D, Alexander Nikishin, CAR D, Matthew Schaefer, NYI F, Ivan Demidov, MTL F, Beckett Sennecke, ANA F, Jimmy Snuggerud, STL
2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team Voting (by points)
Goaltenders
1. Jakub Dobes, MTL, 151 2. Jesper Wallstedt, MIN, 44
Defensemen, Points
1. Matthew Schaefer, NYI, 194 2. Alexander Nikishin, CAR, 184 3. Zeev Buium, VAN, 9 t-4. Cole Hutson, WAS, 1 t-4. Yan Kuznetsov, CGY, ,1 t-4. Axel Sandin-Pellikka, DET, 1
Forwards
1. Ivan Demidov, MTL, 195 2. Beckett Sennecke, ANA, 191 3. Jimmy Snuggerud, STL,136 4. Ryan Leonard, WSH, 19 5. Fraser Minten, BOS, 16 6. Ben Kindel, PIT, 14 7. Justin Sourdif, WSH, 7 8. Oliver Kapanen, MTL, 6 9. Linus Karlsson, VAN, 1
Meanwhile, the all-rookie voting continues to shine an annual light on the tumbleweeds that roll through the Senators' farm system. This is the third straight year that the Senators have failed to get even a single vote.
The last Ottawa players to receive a vote for the All-Rookie Team came in 2022-23. Jake Sanderson finished second among defencemen behind Owen Power with 179 voting points, while Shane Pinto picked up a single vote among forwards.
Since Steve Staios took over as GM, he's been a better steward of the club's future assets. He did trade Detroit's first-round pick (from Alex DeBrincat deal) to Boston to acquire Linus Ullmark, but he held on to the club's own first-round picks in each of the last two summers, selecting defensemen Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler.
The jury is still out on both players, and the same is true for a prospect like Stephen Halliday, who played just 30 games this season. Not enough to get votes this year, and too many to qualify as a rookie next year.
The prospect pool starts to get pretty shallow after those three.
Not that fans need convincing, but the recent voting is further proof that the club's asset management and drafting over the past five years have generally failed to provide any sort of real organizational depth, let alone contenders for the NHL all-rookie team.
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers went to overtime three times in the first four games. The Oilers won Games 1 and 4 while the Panthers won Game 2 in double overtime. Games 5 and 6 were settled in regulation as the Panthers beat the Oilers for the second year in a row.
There won't be any more 3-on-3 play. It is 5-on-5 instead, just like in regulation play. There won't be any more shootouts. There is sudden death, and it could last a very long time.
This postseason, there have been 22 overtime games, including four double-overtime games.
Here's what to know about playoff hockey overtime, including the format, longest games and 2026 results.
How does OT work in NHL playoffs?
If the score is tied after three periods, the teams go to the dressing rooms for 15 minutes while the ice is resurfaced. Overtime periods last 20 minutes or until someone scores. It's 5-on-5 play (barring penalties). If no one scores in the first overtime, the process repeats and continues until someone scores. The teams change sides for each overtime period. The first overtime is the long change to get back to the bench.
The NHL Situation Room reviews all goals to make sure they are legally scored, such as the goal that ended Game 4 of the Anaheim-Edmonton series or the overturned goal in Game 4 of the Vegas-Utah series.
A crazy goal to end a crazy Game 3 in double overtime Shea Theodore launches a slapshot that smacks the endboards, bounces back, and goes off of Brandon Bussi's skate--IN MID-AIR, MIND YOU--and into the net#SoundTheSiren#ForgedInFire#NHL#StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/owiUGMzBBJ
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) June 7, 2026
May 12:Golden Knights 3, Ducks 2. Pavel Dorofeyev scored the winning goal just over four minutes into the first overtime period to give Vegas a 3-2 series lead over Anaheim.
April 28:Bruins 2, Sabres 1. David Pastrnak scored at 9:14 of the first overtime to cut the Bruins' series deficit to 3-2.
April 27:Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4. Shea Theodore scored at 19:08 of the first overtime to tie the series at two games apiece.
April 26:Ducks 4, Oilers 3. Ryan Poehling scored 2:29 into the first overtime to give Anaheim a 3-1 series lead.
April 25:Wild 3, Stars 2. Matt Boldy scored at 19:31 of the first overtime as the Wild tied the series 2-2.
April 24:Canadiens 3, Lightning 2. Lane Hutson scored at 2:09 of the first overtime, giving Montreal a 2-1 series lead.
April 22:Stars 4, Wild 3. Wyatt Johnston scored at 12:10 of the second overtime, giving Dallas a 2-1 series lead.
April 21:Avalanche 2, Kings 1. Nicolas Roy scored the winning goal at the 12:16 mark of the first overtime, giving Colorado a 2-0 series lead.
April 21:Lightning 3, Canadiens 2. J.J. Moser scored at 7:12 in the first overtime to tie up the series at a game apiece. It was Moser's first career NHL playoff goal.
April 20:Hurricanes 3, Senators 2. Jordan Martinook scored at 13:53 of the second overtime. He was stopped on a penalty shot in the first overtime.
April 19:Canadiens 4, Lightning 3. Juraj Slafkovsky scored at 1:22 of the first overtime, completing a hat trick.
Longest Stanley Cup Final games
Eight Stanley Cup Final games have gone to the third overtime. The Edmonton Oilers were part of the longest game when Petr Klima scored at 15:13 of the third overtime for a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins in the 1990 Final.
What are the longest NHL playoff overtime games?
1 - Six overtimes (116 minutes, 30 seconds of overtime) in the 1936 semifinals. March 24, 1935. Detroit 1, Montreal Maroons 0. Mud Bruneteau scored the winner.
2 - Six overtimes (104 minutes, 46 seconds of overtime) in the 1933 semifinals. April 3, 1933. Toronto 1, Boston 0. Ken Doraty scored the winner.
3 - Five overtimes (92 minutes, 1 second of overtime) in the 2000 conference semifinals. May 4, 2000. Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1. Keith Primeau scored the winner.
4 - Five overtimes (90 minutes, 27 seconds of overtime) in the 2020 first round. Aug. 11, 2020. Tampa Bay 3, Columbus 2. Brayden Point scored the winner.
5 - Five overtimes (80 minutes, 48 seconds of overtime) in the 2003 conference semifinals. April 24, 2003. Anaheim 4, Dallas 3. Petr Sykora scored the winner.
6 - Four overtimes (79 minutes, 47 seconds of overtime) in the 2023 conference finals. May 18, 2023. Florida 3, Carolina 2. Matthew Tkachuk scored the winner.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is likely to be on the move at some point during the offseason after his highly-publicized reported trade request that broke earlier this month.
In the initial stages of the fallout of the trade request, Larkin's preferred three destinations appeared limited to the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Minnesota Wild - all of whom have Team USA forwards Larkin played with during last year's Four Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Milan Olympics.
Since then, reports have indicated that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman approached Larkin's representation with the request of expanding his trade team list, which they were apparently receptive toward.
In the meantime, a new club in the Western Conference has emerged as a potential trading partner with the Red Wings.
Could a deal with the San Jose Sharks make sense for Detroit, especially if they were to land 2025 second overall pick Michael Misa in return?
According to Sharks beat writer Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest, San Jose could very well show interest in Larkin, but wondered if it would ultimately be best for their long-term roster construction.
"Adding a consistent 30-goal center with strong defensive ability wouldn’t hurt the Sharks, but it would raise questions about other areas," Miller wrote. "Michael Misa is still 19 years old and is projected to become the No. 2 center behind Macklin Celebrini. Alexander Wennberg just signed a three-year extension. Pushing those two down the lineup to add Larkin doesn’t seem like the right thing to do."
Miller then said he believes Sharks GM Mike Grier, who keeps his cards close to the vest as is Yzerman's tendency, will at least be placing a call to Detroit.
"I believe Grier will at least call the Red Wings to see what the asking price for Larkin is," he said. "That doesn’t mean the San Jose Sharks are truly interested in acquiring the gold medalist. Since taking over as GM, Grier has kept his interests close to his chest. That hasn’t stopped many reports linking the Sharks to various trade rumors."
The Sharks, led by 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini, are a team on the rise that just missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, but could soon be a force in the Western Conference.
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If you think about it, the two teams in this Stanley Cup Final are perfect foils of each other.
At one end of the ice, you have a team that has known nothing but heartbreak and humiliation for two decades. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes went on to make the playoffs just once over the next 12 years. They’ve qualified for the postseason in each of the last eight seasons, but in each one, they’ve suffered the pain of never enough.
At the other end of the ice, you have a team that has enjoyed unparalleled success before celebrating its tenth birthday. The Vegas Golden Knights have missed the playoffs just once in their nine-year history and boast the most postseason wins since 2018. This is their third trip to the Stanley Cup Final, and they have already won it once.
These teams are opposites in every single way. The Hurricanes prioritize drafting and developing prospects; the Golden Knights prefer to use theirs as trade bait. The Hurricanes have been accused of being afraid to take the big swing; the Golden Knights have earned a reputation as a team that does the exact opposite.
And yet, they are both the same where it matters most: they are both in search of their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Down 3-2 in the series, the Golden Knights sit just one loss from their Stanley Cup dreams coming to an end. This is the first time they have faced elimination this postseason. However, this is a group that refuses to go gently into that good night. If they go down, they’ll go down swinging.
This Golden Knights team is stacked with players who have won before; the Hurricanes claim just two Stanley Cup Champions. The Golden Knights hope that their veteran locker room will give them an edge over a Hurricanes team that is, for the most part, fairly new to this stage.
“I think it definitely helps,” said forward Mitch Marner. “I mean, I think a lot of guys in this room have played some massive games throughout their lifetime. So, you lean on that to stay calm, stay in the moment.”
Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon mentioned Brayden McNabb, Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Marner as veteran players who are leading the way.
“Leaning on those guys kind of comes naturally,” Lauzon said. “You don’t think about leaning on those guys, but when you’re out there, they make plays that change momentum during the game and boost our confidence within the group. I think for an elimination game, [they offer] something that’s really important for our group to have.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 09: Goaltender Brandon Bussi #32 of the Carolina Hurricanes stands on the ice during pregame before Game Four of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Will this be the final game of the 2025-26 NHL season with the Carolina Hurricanes closing out their championship run in Game 6 or will the Vegas Golden Knights force a Wednesday night Game 7?
The theme of Game 5 was double trouble as both teams got their power play going. Vegas got on the board first from Pavel Dorofeyev but Carolina stormed back. Captain Jordan Staal scored to tie the game for Carolina, which extended his goal streak to five games. It was all Carolina from then on with Andrei Svechnikov scoring two on the power play with a Sebastian Aho tally sandwiched in between. Dorofeyev tried to spark another Vegas comeback but Brandon Bussi held the fort down and Carolina walked away with a 4-2 win, one victory away from hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Will the Golden Knights force a #Game7? Or will the Canes win their first #StanleyCup in 20 years? 👀
The Golden Knights are suddenly in an adverse position down 3-2 to Carolina and facing elimination. A concern almost as great as standing on the brink of elimination as they hope to extend the series to a Game 7 is the health of an important player in their lineup, center William Karlsson. He left the previous game after an awkward hit to the upper body and now the Swede has been ruled out for tonight’s contest and likely Game 7 if it gets to that. Hints are pointing to Reilly Smith drawing into the lineup instead.
Another concern for Vegas is that their goaltending is experiencing another valley. John Tortorella affirmed his belief snd commitment to his netminder Cater Hart but after giving up at least four goals in each game this series, Vegas needs a better outing from him if they are going to make a comeback to take the Stanley Cup.
Carter Hart is the first goaltender in the history of the NHL to allow 4+ goals in the first five games of a Stanley Cup Final series.
He was also the first to do it in the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final series. pic.twitter.com/Q4GBPgeEVL
Speaking of goaltending, Carolina is riding the wave of random themselves, hoping Brandon Bussi has one more solid performance in him to get the Hurricanes across the finish line.
Brandon Bussi:
– Never drafted – Played 111 AHL games – Claimed off waivers just prior to the 2025-26 season – Played his first career NHL game in October – Went 53 days without playing a game – Wins Game 4 and 5 of Cup Final
Now that Carolina is in the driver’s seat to close out the Stanley Cup victory, discussion has turned to the likely Hurricane to win the Conn Smythe. Captain Jordan Staal has the best case especially with his five-goal streak in this series.
Jordan Staal is the first player to score in five straight games to start a Stanley Cup Final since Jean Beliveau in 1956. Maurice Richard (1951) and Cyclone Taylor (1918) are the only other players to do it.
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Neil Parker's expert pick: Brandon Bussi Over 21.5 saves
Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights have consistently tilted the ice in their favor for stretches throughout the series:
11 shots on 26 attempts in the second period of Game 1
23 shots on 35 attempts in the second and third periods of Game 2
23 shots on 43 attempts in the second and third periods of Game 3
Nine shots on 22 attempts in the third period of Game 4
13 shots on 25 attempts in the third period of Game 5.
The Golden Knights should place an even higher emphasis on testing Bussi early and often in Game 6, and I'd recommend playing this prop down to -125.
Todd Cordell's expert pick: Seth Jarvis Over 0.5 points
Price: -140 at BET99
Seth Jarvis leads Carolina forwards in time on ice and sits third in expected goals. Carolina has fared very well during his minutes, creating more expected goals and high-danger chances with Jarvis on the ice than any other player.
It has translated to success on the scoreboard — Carolina has scored 10 times with Jarvis on the ice — but only three points for Jarvis. That’s a 30% involvement rate, which is not even half of what he managed over the course of the season.
Look for Jarvis to get back on the scoresheet in Game 6. I'd bet this to -150.
Jack Eichel hasn’t scored in the Stanley Cup Final, but it’s not for a lack of opportunities. He's taken 25 shot attempts and generated 14 scoring chances, ranking him near the top of the Golden Knights in both categories.
He also leads the team in offensive zone faceoffs and percentage of draws taken in the offensive zone. John Tortorella is doing his best to put Eichel in good spots to produce.
Eichel has scored on only 4% of his shots in the playoffs after finishing at a 10.38% rate during the regular season.
There's no better time for him to break through than in a do-or-die Game 6. I'd play Eichel to +200.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Buffalo Sabres could go a number of different ways as the NHL enters trade season leading into the NHL Draft in two weeks, and the beginning of free agency on July 1. Based on a lengthy impasse between pending UFA Alex Tuch, most insiders are expecting the 30-year-old to sign elsewhere since there continues to be a considerable gap between what Tuch’s representatives are looking for and what Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is willing to pay him.
There is a slim possibility that Buffalo could get something significant in return for the Syracuse, NY native if they arrange a sign-and-trade, so that another club can have him on an eight-year deal and spread out the AAV to lower the cap hit, but with the likely scenario that he simply walks away when free agency opens next month, Kekalainen will have to pivot to fill the scoring gap.
Over the next few weeks, we will look at potential options for the Sabres. Some of the possibilities are not going to match Tuch’s stats, that absence may have to be filled by youngsters like Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich, or Noah Ostlund, but Kekalainen will potentially need to find a veteran winger to replace Tuch in the top six.
A challenge for Kekalainen will be to find a veteran either with no trade protection or willing to waive whatever clause they have to come to Buffalo. One possible option could be Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk. Similar to the situation that Edmonton has with Darnell Nurse, the 29-year-old forward has a no-move for 2026-27, but next summer that turns into a modified 15-team no-trade, which would allow the Canucks to move the former Bruin to more than half the league.
That situation would encourage DeBrusk to work with new Canucks GM Ryan Johnson to find a new home. The veteran forward played the first seven years of his career in Boston, and has scored 20 or more goals five times; including both seasons in Vancouver. There is little doubt that Johnson is implementing a full rebuild, and is likely willing to move players in their late 20’s or early 30’s who do not fit the Canucks timetable for younger, retainable prospects.
From the Buffalo perspective, DeBrusk is a good fit, since he provides cost-certainty at a reasonable $5.5 million AAV for five more seasons. Kekalainen may be loathe to move any of his young forwards, who proved last season that they are ready to contribute in the NHL next season, but he could be attainable for a high draft pick and a player or good prospect.
As the NHL offseason kicks into high gear with the Stanley Cup only hours or days away from being awarded, sports publications are busy creating content to keep fans engaged in the down months. Recently, Athlon Sports posted the top five worst contracts in the four North American sports leagues, and put Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau at the top of the NHL list.
After scoring a career high 115 points during the 2021-22 season, thanks to 30 goals and 85 assists, the Florida Panthers traded the former third overall pick to the Flames on July 22, 2022. Within a month, then general manager Brad Treliving signed Huberdeau to an eight-year deal worth $84 million, which carries an annual cap hit of $10.5 million.
In Calgary, it took Huberdeau over two seasons to reach 115 points. During his first campaign in 2022-23, he had only 15 goals and 40 helpers for 55 points, a 47-point decline in production. Unfortunately, the following season wasn't any better, with only 12 goals and 52 points. Meanwhile, Huberdeau tied Yegor Sharangovich for the Flames' worst plus-minus rating at minus-29.
At first glance, a casual fan would think that Huberdeau may have played through an injury, explaining his sharp decline in points. However, he missed only three games in those first two seasons. Moreover, he missed a total of four games over the first three seasons in Calgary, scoring 55 goals and 169 points with a minus-40 rating.
In 2025-26, Huberdeau was looking to build upon a 28-goal and 62-point performance from the previous season. Through 50 games, he had ten goals and 15 assists for only 25 points. On Feb. 5, 2026, the Flames announced that he would miss the remainder of the season, opting to have hip surgery and hoping for a clean slate to start the 2026-27 season.
As of right now, Huberdeau has five years remaining on his deal, which expires at the end of the 2030-31 season. He's currently owed $52.5 million, making it almost impossible to trade him. Moreover, he currently has the NHL's 11th-highest cap hit and has a full no-movement clause, meaning he'd have to sign off on any potential move.
When Huberdeau joined the Flames, he had one year remaining from his deal with the Panthers, which paid him $5.9 million. However, since his extension began ahead of the 2022-23 season, he's gone on to score 50 goals, record 89 assists, and total 139 points. Among NHL players over the past three seasons, he ranks 165th in goals, 133rd in assists, and 139th in points.
On June 14, 1977, the NHL draft was held in Montreal, and while the Montreal Canadiens didn’t hit any home runs in the first round, picking Mark Napier and Norm Dupont, they did find a diamond in the rough with the last pick of the second round, when they called Rod Langway to the stage.
Unfortunately, they would only keep the talented blueliner for four seasons, from 1978-79 to 1981-82, when they traded him to the Washington Capitals. He was part of a four-player package with Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin that netted the Canadiens Rick Green and Ryan Walter. The latter would have one of the best seasons of his career that year, putting up 75 points, but he was never able to replicate the feat. Still, both Green and Walter went on to play big roles in the Canadiens’ 1985-86 Stanley Cup conquest.
Meanwhile, Langway would go on to play 994 NHL games, putting up 329 points, picking up 851 penalty minutes, and finishing with a plus-276 rating. However, after winning a Cup with the Canadiens in 1978-79, he never won another championship. He last played in the NHL in 1992-93, having only played with the Canadiens and the Capitals. However, he wasn’t ready to hang them up yet and spent three seasons in minor leagues (ECHL, IHL, and AHL).
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002 and, unsurprisingly, chose to be inducted in the Capitals' colours, the team he spent 11 seasons with. Langway won two Norris Trophies, was elected to the NHL All-Star Teams three times and took part in six All-Star games.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights goal scorer predictions for Game 6
Player to score a goal
Odds
Taylor Hall
+335
Seth Jarvis
+215
Jack Eichel
+215
💲Goal scorer parlay
+2000
Goal scorer pick: Taylor Hall +335
Taylor Hall leads the Carolina Hurricanes in this series with 37 shot attempts at 5-on-5 and ranks second to Jordan Staal in scoring chances.
His 5-on-5 prowess is especially important tonight. Refs tend to put whistles away in elimination games, which leads to less special teams and more full-strength hockey.
Hall has been Carolina’s best shot-generator throughout the entire playoffs, and the edge is even more decisive on the road, where Sebastian Aho’s line tends to draw the toughest matchups.
I see value in backing Hall to +310.
Goal scorer pick: Seth Jarvis (+215)
Rod Brind ‘Amour has given Seth Jarvis more ice time than any other forward in this series. He’s playing a lot at 5-on-5, he’s featured on both special teams units, and he is defending leads late.
That kind of usage makes him a scoring threat regardless of the game circumstances. Even if Carolina is conservative while playing from ahead, Jarvis will be among those first over the boards in empty-net situations.
He is also a prime regression candidate. He has converted 47 scoring chances and 6.16 expected goals into just four goals these playoffs.
With Carter Hart struggling to find his game, and Jarvis seeing top-tier usage, he’s someone I want to get behind.
Bet to +200.
Goal scorer pick: Jack Eichel (+215)
Jack Eichel hasn’t scored in the Stanley Cup Final but it’s not for a lack of opportunities. He has taken 25 shot attempts and generated 14 scoring chances, ranking him near the top of the Vegas Golden Knights in both categories.
He also leads the team in offensive zone faceoffs and percentage of draws taken in the offensive zone. John Tortorella is doing his best to put Eichel in good spots to produce.
Eichel has scored on only 4% of his shots in the playoffs after finishing at a 10.38% rate during the regular season.
There's no better time for him to break through than in a do-or-die Game 6. I'd play Eichel to +200.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights anytime goal parlay
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Aho, 30, was drafted with the 139th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Islanders and played 190 career NHL games with the team from 2017 to 2024, amassing 11 goals and 39 assists for 50 points.
Following the 2023-24 season, he signed a two-year, $1.55 million AAV one-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he never suited up in a regular-season game for them.
In 56 regular-season games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, Aho recorded two goals and 26 assists for 28 points, as well as one assist in 10 playoff games.
Aho's contract with the Lakers will keep him in Sweden through the 2027-28 season.
After a strong end to the 2025-26 season, winds are already in the sails of the Philadelphia Flyers with momentum building throughout the offseason.
A big reason for that momentum, and perhaps even the playoff run, is rookie forward Porter Martone, who joined the Flyers at the NHL level at the very end of the season after a year in the NCAA with Michigan State University.
Martone, 19, is still technically a rookie, which makes him eligible to win the 2027 Calder Trophy.
With five points in 10 playoff games and 10 points in nine regular season games, the Flyers winger's early production has also made him an early favorite to win that Calder Trophy.
On Saturday, The Hockey News published its shortlist of the five leading candidates to be named the NHL's Rookie of the Year next season, and Martone was the very first name on the list.
"The 19-year-old became the youngest player in Flyers history to score in their postseason debut and recorded points in the team’s first three games against the Pittsburgh Penguins," Eric Cruikshank wrote. "This strong first impression solidified Martone as a top-six forward for the Flyers and earned him a spot on Canada’s World Championship roster, where he put up 5 points in 10 games.
"Martone is the prototype for the NHL’s modern power forward, possessing the hands and playmaking to be an offensive threat in space while also using his frame to gain advantages over opponents in tight areas of the ice. . . He likely has the highest goal-scoring upside of the upcoming rookie class and should be one of the pre-season frontrunners for the Calder."
Martone was an instant hit for the Flyers and head coach Rick Tocchet, who opted to use the teenager in the top-six ahead of someone like sophomore starlet Matvei Michkov.
Now that the 2025 No. 6 overall pick knows what the NHL pace is like--and the pace of the Stanley Cup playoffs--the adjustment should be even smoother next season.
Without a doubt, Martone is the top candidate for the 2027 Calder Trophy heading into next season.
It's that time of year again; we are just two weeks away from the 2026 NHL Draft. With the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals getting near the end, the attention will soon turn to the draft, free agency, and then the start of the 2026-27 season.
However, for a team like the Nashville Predators, their focus has been on the draft and the offseason for quite some time. So, let's look at a potential draft target for them. Today, we are going to look at Viggo Björck, the Swedish forward out of Djurgården (SWE J20).
For most, the first thing that stands out is his speed and size. At 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, he is one of the smallest players in the draft, but he's also one of, if not the fastest players. He drives a lot of plays using his speed and typically averages around 20 minutes per night at just 17 years old.
Scouts point out that he has slick passing, great awareness and vision, and isn't afraid to shoot the puck. So, adding him into a young Predators offence alongside the likes of Matthew Wood, Joakim Kemell, and Brady Martin would make them a team to watch in the next few seasons.
Scout's Takes:
Here are some of the scouting reports put out by the most notable scouts/hockey writers in the NHL.
"While his numbers will be nothing to lose your mind over, the fact that Björck played on the first line – often skating in more than 20 minutes a night – as a 17-year-old in one of the top leagues in the world is bonkers. Björck was electric at the World Juniors, showing a high-end blend of hockey sense and raw skill."
- Steven Ellis ~ Daily Faceoff
"Some people will shy away from his size, but Bjorck never shies away from battling in the hard areas of the ice. He plays quick and fast and his three-zone detail has resulted in his coaches at the pro level in Sweden trusting him in all situations."
- Jason Bukala `~ Sportsnet
"Bjorck can play with the puck on a string and make plays as a natural facilitator who has a ton of poise and vision, but he also plays in and out of give-and-gos, will go to the net and finish off plays and has great overall sense on and off the puck. He’s also a quick and fast skater who can play at different paces and challenge both in straight lines and on cuts and turnbacks, even if he’s not a true burner for his size."
- Scott Wheeler ~ The Athletic
Draft Projection
Many 2026 NHL Draft mock drafts have Björck going somewhere in the 6-8 range, with some having him jump into the top five. That said, very few have him falling to number 10, where the Predators pick. Regardless, if he were to fall down to 10, or the Predators could move up in the draft, Björck is a name they should strongly consider calling.
When the Senators make the 32nd overall pick at the NHL Draft in Buffalo on June 26, they'll likely be selecting a player they believe should have gone earlier.
Speaking recently on TSN 1200, Senators head scout Don Boyd said there will likely be a tier of about eight players on their list that could realistically be in play when their turn arrives at the end of the first round.
They think five of their higher-ranked players might drop to 32, and they also have three players ranked 33-35 that they'd be happy with, too. So the Sens are probably confident they'll end up with one of eight or nine specific players.
The Hockey News Wrap Around Show discusses the idea of the Senators going after Vancouver's Jake DeBrusk.
Since we don't have access to the Sens' ranked list of 32, and we don't know who other teams will pick, any reference to this tier of eight players is just speaking in generalities.
However, The Hockey News Draft Preview provides an interesting glimpse at the prospects we project to go in the range Boyd mentioned. To round things out, we even expanded the list to ten players.
So, using our Draft Preview issue rankings from 26 through 35, here's a look at some of the names who could be in play when the Senators are on the clock.
#26 Marcus Nordmark, LW — Djurgårdens IF Jr. (Sweden)
It's hard not to be intrigued by a player who thrives in a best-on-best. Nordmark led Sweden in scoring at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but he's probably one of the most polarizing players in this range. His supporters see a skilled winger with top-six NHL potential thanks to his offensive creativity, but critics wonder why a player with his talent doesn't dominate more consistently. His father, Robert, was a defenseman in the NHL in the late 1980s.
Another player with NHL bloodlines, Maddox is the son of former Montreal Canadiens winger Pierre Dagenais. Maddox enjoyed a breakout season, scoring at a point per game clip and winning the QMJHL award for best pro prospect. Scouts love his shot and saw some games where he was a legitimate power forward. But being that player more consistently will be the challenge next season.
#28 Tobias Trejbal, G — Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
The Czech goalie was named the top goaltender in the USHL after posting a .916 save percentage. Scouts praise his athleticism, size and calm presence in the crease. He's headed for UMass in 2027 and will be a target in this month's CHL import draft.
A year before being draft eligible, Roobroeck scored 41 goals in the OHL last season. Between that and his impressive size, it had people thinking he might be a lottery pick this year. His stats dipped this season due to a season-ending lower-body injury in February. Some scouts see a future power forward with a pro-calibre shot, while others want to see him use his size more and become harder to play against. He's already played three seasons for Niagara and has been able to produce despite that team's ongoing struggles on and off the ice.
The Norwegian winger impressed scouts at the Under-18 World Championship and already has experience in Sweden's top professional league, playing 16 games this season. Evaluators praise his skating, hockey sense and shot. Many see him as one of the safer prospects in this range because he plays a mature, well-rounded game.
At this point in the draft, it's going to be awfully hard to turn down a player in his draft year who just won the WHL scoring title with 108 points. According to one scout, NHL analytics departments are particularly fond of his game. Skeptics wonder how much of his production was helped by playing with his twin brother, Liam, on a loaded Medicine Hat roster, but few question his hockey IQ.
Piiparinen played the entire season in the Finnish men's league, which is certainly a feather in his cap. The biggest question revolves around his offensive ceiling, and a first-round selection needs to be able to deliver at least some of that. But many believe he has the tools to become a reliable NHL defenseman,
Cover only began playing organized hockey five years ago after first excelling in roller hockey. Scouts rave about his athleticism, creativity, and his snap shot is off the charts. Because he is still relatively new to elite-level hockey, many believe he has a lot more room to improve than almost anyone in the draft. And he's already pretty darn good.
#34 Brady Knowling, G — U.S. National Team Development Program
The Boston University commit was chosen to play for Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky and the World Juniors. At 6-foot-5, he has all the physical attributes teams look for in a modern NHL goaltender. Scouts have seen him dominate games against top competition and praise his athleticism and competitive level. The concern, as it is for most teenagers at this range, is consistency.
#35 Yegor Shilov, C — Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
Shilov might be the highest-risk, highest-reward player in this group. Scouts praise his offensive instincts, puck skills and ability to create scoring chances. However, concerns about his compete level and play away from the puck appear repeatedly in scouting reports. One evaluator described him as a classic boom-or-bust prospect whose talent could make him a first-round bargain or a disappointment.
* Predictions? Granted, I'm no draft guru by any stretch, but I do like to read up and watch player highlights. If they're still there, it's hard not to like Jaxon Cover (pronounced like clover) or Markus Ruck.
Wearing Sidney Crosby's number 87, Cover's puck skill, fierce snap shot, and fearlessness at the net are pretty crazy, especially for a young man with only five years of organized hockey. The Sens won with Shane Pinto, who didn't play competitive hockey until he was 15.
As for Ruck, again, it's tough to turn down a player in his draft year who just won the WHL scoring title with 108 points.
Of course, the Senators only need two teams ahead of them to see these players the same way.
No matter how it plays out, Boyd says the Senators have identified an eight-player tier they'd be comfortable selecting from, so they'll have plenty of intriguing choices available when their turn arrives in Buffalo.
Last week, Alexander Zharovsky arrived in Montreal and wasted no time starting his on-ice training. On the very next day, he was at the Montreal Canadiens’ training facility in Brossard, and he’s hit the ice every day since then. Habs player development consultant Paul Byron was with him, but no other Canadiens’ player up to this weekend.
On Saturday, Zharovsky’s countryman Ivan Demidov landed back in Montreal, according to his significant other’s Instagram account, and it’s safe to assume that the talented winger will soon hit the ice with his childhood friend.
Not only did he tell the media at the dressing room clearout day that he would train with Zharovsky this Summer, but his work ethic is also second to none, and he’s not the kind to spend a lot of time on the ice. Back in February, when the Canadiens were off during the Olympics and had told players to take a break, he and Lane Hutson ended up skating on an outside rink in Notre-Dame-de-Grace.
While Demidov failed to capture the Calder Trophy because of Matthew Schaefer’s incredible rookie season with the New York Islanders, the soon-to-be sophomore still led all rookies in points with 62 points in 82 games.
If Kent Hughes manages to get a real second-line center to ride along with the youngster next season, we should see a significant increase in production. While Oliver Kapanen did well in the first part of the season, centering him, he struggled after the Olympics break, which no doubt impacted Demidov’s point production.
It will be interesting to see Demidov skate alongside Zharovsky in Brossard in the coming days and, in July, to see how the prospect handles the Canadiens’ development camp, which he will attend for the first time after missing last year’s edition due to visa issues.
Alexander Zharovsky is back on the ice in Brossard today.
Brandon Bussi Over 21.5 saves
Jack Eichel anytime goal scorer
