Category: Ice Hockey

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Winnipeg Jets have plenty on their plate as they look to get back into the mix as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. From roster battles to a lingering trade saga to a long list of players auditioning for their next contract, here are the three biggest storylines to watch as training camp approaches.

Are Brayden Yager and Elias Salomonsson Ready to Make the Pro Jump This Season?

Some of Winnipeg's hope for a bounce-back season rests on fresh blood joining the roster full-time. Brad Lambert has already established himself as a lineup fixture, with both Elite Prospects and Daily Faceoff projecting the 22-year-old to make the team out of camp. Less certain are the roles awaiting Brayden Yager and Elias Salomonsson.

Salomonsson was a regular presence for the Jets over a stretch of last season, but the additions of Jack St. Ivany and Haydn Fleury, both capable of playing the right side of the defense, muddy his path to a roster spot. 

What a shot from Elias Salomonsson for his first NHL goal 👏🎯 pic.twitter.com/3DSjjhV7mZ

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 28, 2026

The former second-round pick appeared in 32 games with Winnipeg last season, recording a goal and four assists for five points with a minus-six rating, while also posting nine points in 29 AHL games with Manitoba. His season ended early after a shoulder injury suffered during the Moose's playoff push required surgery.

Yager, also 21, may be a step behind Salomonsson in NHL readiness, but he made a strong case for himself in his first full pro season, picking up 30 points in 68 games with Manitoba and adding four points in seven playoff games. He also got a brief NHL look, appearing in three games with the Jets late in the year. Both players figure to be among the most interesting names to watch once camp opens.

Will Connor Hellebuyck Remain in Winnipeg All Season?

No storyline looms larger over the Jets than the future of Connor Hellebuyck. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner made his intentions known during his end-of-season media availability, saying that after winning Olympic gold with Team USA, all that's left on his mind is a Stanley Cup, whether that happens in Winnipeg or elsewhere.

That stance nearly resulted in a trade to the Buffalo Sabres around the draft, in a deal reportedly involving the fourth overall pick, before talks fell apart. On August 27, Hellebuyck's agent, Ray Petkau, released a statement confirming that Hellebuyck had requested a trade months earlier and that his "position has not changed." 

Hellebuyck is coming off a down season by his standards, finishing 2025-26 with a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage, a steep drop from his back-to-back Vezina campaigns, when he combined for an 84-31-7 record, a 2.19 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. 

The Jets have already hedged against his potential departure by acquiring goaltender Stuart Skinner in free agency, giving them a capable option in net regardless of how the situation resolves.

Several Impact Players Enter Contract Years

Beyond the Hellebuyck situation, the Jets have a notably long list of players entering contract years who could shape the roster's direction going forward.

Up front, Nino Niederreiter is looking to bounce back from one of the roughest seasons of his career, having posted just 19 points in 61 games last year and at 33, he'll be chasing what could be his final contract.

Center Vladislav Namestnikov faces a similar situation after a down year of his own, managing 14 points in 60 games, and will be looking to return closer to his previous near-40-point form. 

Morgan Barron, who posted a career-best 23 points in 65 games despite missing time to injury, could be in line for a bigger role and a corresponding payday if he can build on that progress. And Lambert, entering the final year of his entry-level deal, faces his own prove-it season as he looks to lock down a long-term role.

On the back end, veteran Haydn Fleury enters the final year of his contract as Winnipeg's projected seventh defenseman, while Salomonsson, still on his entry-level deal, will need to show he's ready for full-time NHL minutes to secure his next contract.

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After two seasons and a Czech Extraliga Championship with HC Kometa Brno, former San Jose Sharks defenseman Brandon Davidson will be looking for a new home for the 2026-27 season.

"We thank Brandon for everything he has done for Kometa," HC Kometa Brno Sports Manager Tomas Vincour said in a press release. "The reason why our paths are now diverging is the overpressure in the defensive ranks and the decision to give more space to our younger players. It is definitely not an easy farewell for us, but considering the breadth of the squad, its reduction was inevitable. We wish Brandon good luck and success in his future hockey journey,"

"I will never forget the time I spent at Kometa," Davidson himself said in the same release. "The championship title, the energy and the atmosphere around the club in the last two years changed my life. I would like to thank the fans for the support I have always felt here. I appreciate it very much. I am proud to have been part of such a first-class organization. My thanks go to the entire Kometa team, led by Libor Zábranský, for everything they have done for me."

Davidson didn't play at all during the 2025-26 season due to injury, leaving the 35-year-old defenseman's future somewhat up in the air moving forward. 

Davidson played for the Sharks during the 2019-20 season, when he appeared in five games for the team in teal after being acquired for future considerations. The defenseman also had stops with the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres. 

DENVER — Cale Makar already knew where he wanted to spend the prime of his career.

Two days after signing an eight-year contract extension that will keep him with the Colorado Avalanche through the 2034-35 season, Makar sat alongside Joe Sakic at The Inverness Denver Hotel on Monday and reflected on a decision that, in many ways, never felt particularly complicated.

He wanted to stay.

The Avalanche wanted him to stay.

And after seven seasons in Colorado, Makar said the relationship he has built with the organization, his teammates and the community made committing to another eight years an easy choice.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to sign this deal and be here for the next long, long while,” Makar said.

The extension, which was announced Saturday, will make Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history on an annual basis. But when the 27-year-old spoke about the contract Monday, the conversation centered less on the size of the number and more on what those eight years represent.

Makar could have pursued a shorter contract and positioned himself for another major payday as the salary cap continues to climb. Instead, he wanted the security of knowing he would remain in Colorado — while giving the Avalanche the same clarity as they continue building their roster around him and Nathan MacKinnon.

“I think for myself and the team, it gives us a lot of clarity in the sense of the direction that we want to go,” Makar said.

That stability was important to Sakic, too.

The Avalanche’s president of hockey operations and general manager said the two sides began discussing the possibility of an extension shortly after the season. The process eventually picked up in July, after the draft and free agency, as the league’s rapidly escalating salary market began to take shape.

Still, Sakic said, the negotiation itself was relatively straightforward.

There was never much debate over the term.

Both sides wanted eight years.

For Colorado, securing Makar long term means one of the most important pieces of its future is no longer something the organization has to wonder about.

“He’s a generational player,” Sakic said. “Unreal to watch, fan favorite. To see what he does and what he can do on the ice is so special.”

Makar has already built a résumé few defensemen in NHL history can match. Since Colorado selected him fourth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, he has won the Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies and the Conn Smythe Trophy while helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.

He has also become one of only three defensemen in NHL history to average at least a point per game over his career, joining Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey.

Yet Makar seemed more interested Monday in what comes next than in everything he has already accomplished.

He acknowledged how quickly the years have passed since Colorado drafted him and admitted it is strange to think about where he will be when the new contract expires.

“It’s crazy,” Makar said.

The expectations, naturally, will only grow with the contract.

Makar said he already puts plenty of pressure on himself to perform, regardless of what is written on his paycheck. The historic nature of the deal may add another layer from the outside, but he does not intend to let it change how he approaches the game.

If anything, he hopes it pushes him harder.

“I feel like I’m a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in and year out,” Makar said. “For me, I’m actually kind of excited. I think it’s going to make me hopefully push myself even a little bit more.”

Now, the uncertainty is gone.

Makar is staying in Colorado. The Avalanche know what they have committed to him. And for the next eight years, the franchise can focus on the same question it has been chasing since Makar arrived in Denver:

How many more championships can they build around him?

Over the past seven seasons, the Florida Panthers haven't had to worry much about their goaltending situation. 

Sergei Bobrovsky was a workhorse who delivered when the team needed him to. But now, Bobrovsky is the starting netminder for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Panthers have moved on.

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Panthers goaltending duo will consist of Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid. 

Markstrom is a proven goaltender, having played 578 NHL games. But Markstrom is now 36 years old and is coming off two poor seasons with the New Jersey Devils despite high expectations. He is far from a safe option in goal and has lost the ability to be a workhorse No. 1.

Schmid, on the other hand, is just 26 years old but has only 82 NHL games of experience. His numbers have been inconsistent, but he is coming off a season in which he played 34 games with the Vegas Golden Knights, who went to the Stanley Cup Final.

The likelihood of Schmid stealing the No. 1 role from Markstrom is slim, but Schmid will still be an important piece of the Panthers' success.

Connor Hellebuyck Makes Trade Request Public, But Could Florida Panthers Explore Potential DealConnor Hellebuyck is still looking for a new home, as the elite netminder's public demand could spark a trade frenzy across the NHL.

Markstrom hasn't eclipsed the 50-game mark in any of the three previous seasons. With an 84-game schedule, Markstrom's 44 games during the 2025-26 season would equal just 52 percent of the games. If Markstrom is unable to play more than 44 games again, either due to fatigue, injury, or poor performance, it would require Schmid to dress in 40 games, setting a new career high. 

That raises multiple questions. Can Schmid handle the workload, and will he be able to perform at a high enough level to keep the Panthers competitive in a strong Atlantic Division?

There is evidently more pressure on Markstrom than there is on Schmid. Markstrom is the goalie the Panthers want starting games when the playoffs come, but as the 2025-26 season demonstrated, the Panthers need to play well in the regular season to get themselves there. There is far too much parity in the NHL to just coast to the playoffs.

Remaining NHL Free Agent Goaltenders The Florida Panthers Can Target To Be The Third StringerAs it stands, the Florida Panthers have two goaltenders on their NHL roster and no real candidates from their AHL team to step up as a third-string goaltender. Who can the Panthers target on the UFA market?

That's where the pressure on Schmid will arise from. In the past, the Panthers felt comfortable with Bobrovsky starting over 50 games a season and then throwing strong backup netminders like Anthony Stolarz and Spencer Knight into the crease when Bobrovsky required rest. 

The Panthers no longer have that workhorse and need to see positive results before they can trust their backup netminder. 

While Markstrom will be important and has plenty of pressure on him, Schmid is almost just as important. 

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There have been quite a few people who have worn the number 31, but the two standouts were goaltenders who held the number back-to-back, Antti Niemi and Martin Jones. Today though, we'll focus on Jones.

Jones started his NHL journey with one of the Sharks' biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Kings after he signed as an undrafted free agent. 

After multiple more seasons in the Western Hockey League and a few in the American Hockey League, Jones finally got his first NHL opportunity during the 2013-14 season and massive impressed. In 19 games that season, he registered a 1.81 goals against average and a .934 save percentage while going 12-6-0 with the Kings. He then appeared in two playoff games that season, which eventually culminated in him winning his first, and only, Stanley Cup.

Jones played 15 games for the Kings during the following season, but considering he was stuck behind one of the NHL's top goaltenders of that era, Jonathan Quick, there was simply no path forward for him in Los Angeles. As a result, the Kings traded him to the Boston Bruins during the summer of 2015, as they didn't want to face him on a regular basis, so they opted to keep him away from the Western Conference. The Bruins had different plans though, as they flipped him to the Sharks just four days later. 

With the Sharks, Jones' game found reached a new level. During his first season in teal, he finished seventh in Vezina Trophy voting and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final before ultimately being defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following season, he was named an NHL All-Star for the first, and only, time in his career. 

Jones' play diminished considerably in his final three years with the Sharks, registering an .896 save percentage and hovering around a goals against average of 3.00 each season. As a result, he was bought out in the summer of 2021 and remains on the Sharks' payroll today.

Jones then went on to have short single season stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, and Toronto Maple Leafs before his career came to an end following the 2023-24 season. 

Last season, Jones served as a goaltending coach for the BCHL's Coquitlam Express as he begins his path into coaching. 

Arguably the least sensical Philadelphia Flyers saga of the 2026 offseason is nearing a close, and mercifully so with the start of training camp just over two weeks away.

On Monday afternoon, PHLY's Anthony Gargano shared on the PHLY Flyers podcast with Charlie O'Connor that young Flyers star Matvei Michkov will be making his long-awaited return to the local area on Monday night in preparation for the start of training camp.

Michkov's absence has been a source of consternation amongst Flyers fans on social media for most of the last several weeks, as many had hoped the 21-year-old would return to North America earlier on the heels of a sophomore season that saw statistical regression across the board, in addition to head coach Rick Tocchet publicly stating that Michkov didn't come into last year's training camp in good shape.

Fortunately for the fist-shakers, Michkov's impending return will put an end to all the debate, and it's worth noting that Michkov spent most of his summer training anyway, regardless of location.

For instance, the 2023 No. 7 overall pick had previously trained with Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev, among others, overseas in Russia.

Oh, and Michkov at times trained multiple times a day with an unnamed Flyers coach, too.

Flyers not too worried about Michkov

You can be sure the Flyers are aware that, in spite of everything that went on with Michkov last season, the Russian phenom still delivered a very productive campaign relative to his usage.

In a recent interview with RG, Flyers GM Danny Briere noted that this, more than anything, is indicative of how high Michkov's ceiling really is.

"It's pretty funny, when we talk about Matvei having a bounce-back season, he still had 20 goals and 50-plus points," Briere said. "But that’s how much he’s seen as a guy that can be a difference-maker, which is really exciting."

Of equal importance, Michkov is heading into the last year of his three-year, entry-level contract, and while the Flyers can sign him to an extension at any time, the Flyers have until Sept. 15 to make an extension eight years.

After that, changes to the NHL's CBA will limit the Flyers and Michkov to a maximum of seven years.

In any event, Michkov's long summer of training overseas back home in Russia was never a true issue to anyone except those who made it a point to take exception to that. For the sake of comparison, New Jersey Devils fans had little to say about their Russian winger, Arseny Gritsyuk, who also just returned this week and earned himself a three-year, $9.75 million payday back on June 30.

Now that Michkov is returning, though, the real work is set to begin, and the Flyers starlet will need to show the fruits of his labor to Tocchet and the Flyers' coaching staff on the ice and in the weight room in a few weeks' time.

The New York Islanders announced on Monday that David Shuman of Lateralus Holdings is set to join the ownership group, pending the NHL's approval.

Shuman, a lifelong Islanders fan, is the founder of Lateralus Holdings, a venture capital firm that invests in high-growth and transformative technology companies. Shuman serves as Chairman of both Oura and webAI, per the club's release.

"Hockey has been a constant in my life since childhood, both as a fan and a player,” Shuman said. "And the 1980 Miracle on Ice, combined with the Islanders’ four consecutive Stanley Cup championships, cemented a lifelong passion. My childhood bedroom was covered in newspaper photos and magazine covers of Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, John Tonelli and Bobby Nystrom. Being part of this organization today is a full-circle moment. I’m honored to help support the Islanders’ future and their drive for a fifth Cup.”

Islanders owner Jon Ledecky loves the addition.

"David is one of the most passionate Islanders fans I know and an extraordinary builder of companies," Ledecky said. "That mindset will be invaluable as we continue to invest in this organization and in this community."

#Isles have a new minority owner: David Shuman

He’s a lifelong Isles fan. pic.twitter.com/6PeKC4jGAg

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) August 31, 2026

Shuman will join Scott Malkin (principal owner and governor), Ledecky (co-owner, alternate governor), Dewey Shay (co-owner), John Collins (operating partner and co-owner who oversees business operations), and Oliver Haarmann (co-owner) as the Islanders' ownership group. 

His investment will not impact any of the club's day-to-day operations, front office leadership or hockey operations. 

 

Joel Hofer broke out in a major way during the 2025-26 season for the St. Louis Blues. 

He started a career-high 43 games and played in a career-high 46. He posted a .910 save percentage, the second-highest of his NHL career, and a career-high 2.61 goals-against average. He also registered the second-most shutouts in the NHL with six, which was once again a career-high.

But his success goes further. According to moneypuck.com, Hofer posted 11.7 goals saved above expected, tying for the 11th most in the NHL.

Hofer checked off every box of a No. 1 starter. He showed he could handle an increased workload while not only keeping his level of play but also improving. At 26 years old, the 6-foot-5 Canadian netminder gave the Blues every reason to believe he is the No. 1 goaltender above Jordan Binnington right now and heading into the future.

There are a few challenges Hofer faces heading into the 2026-27 season. The first obvious challenge is that the Blues need Hofer to replicate his success. With a career save percentage of .909 and consistent performances over the past three seasons, there is a high level of confidence that Hofer will replicate that production.

The second challenge is that Hofer enters a critical season for his future. This campaign will be the second and final season of Hofer's two-year, $3.4 million contract. A strong performance as a No. 1 should earn him a long-term deal at a very respectable price, especially due to the demand for goaltenders and his age. An element that should help Hofer feel more secure about his future with the Blues is that he is a restricted free agent. 

Unless he is traded or signs an offer sheet after the Blues tender him a qualifying offer, he'll be back with the Blues. His play during the season will determine how long the deal is, the dollar amount, and whether he signs a deal in-season, as the Blues have done very frequently with RFAs performing at a high level.

It's Joel Hofer's Crease Now; Young Blues Goaltender Making A Strong Case To Be No. 1 Goaltender In 2026-27Joel Hofer has dominated the league since the NHL resumed play following the Olympics, and the St. Louis Blues’ hopes of making the playoffs rest on Hofer’s shoulders.

But the final challenge Hofer faces is the one he has no control over: Binnington's performance. Binnington remains a fan favorite, an experienced veteran goaltender with a Stanley Cup, an Olympic silver medal, and plenty of NHL success. Binnington, too, is entering the final year of his contract, but he is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team on July 1, 2027. 

There have been plenty of trade rumors surrounding Binnington, but so far, the Blues have elected to keep the 33-year-old. 

If Binnington posts similar numbers to his .873 save percentage as he did during the 2025-26 season, Hofer should have no issues locking down the No. 1 role. But if Binnington bounces back to his 2024-25 season, he'll likely steal starts from Hofer and see the Blues crease become more of a tandem. 

The Blues have aspirations of making the playoffs, and they'll need excellent goaltending to do so. Can Joel Hofer overcome these challenges and be the man for the job?

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The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.  

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

9. Luke Osburn – Defense (Wisconsin – NCAA)

Osburn was the Sabres fourth-round pick at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. The Plymouth, MI native is a product of the Compuware youth hockey system and played for Youngstown of the USHL in his draft year. After scoring 23 points for the Phantoms as a 17-year-old, the offensive-minded blueliner broke out in 2024-25,  scoring 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists) in 55 games and was named the USHL’s Defenseman of the Year.

The 19-year-old impressed at the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase for Team USA and got on the radar for the 2026 IIHF WJC in Minneapolis this December, but his performance as a freshman for the University of Wisconsin pushed him over the line. He posted 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 33 games for the Badgers, and had to step up into a larger role at the WJC when Cole Hutson was injured early in the tournament. 

Elite Prospects says that Osburn’s “activation looks instinctive; he instantly joins the play at the right moments and stays inside passing lanes. From the point, he uses stop-starts and heel-to-heel skating to pull in defenders before slipping down the boards. In the rush, he manipulates defenders with crossovers, weight shifts, and fakes, then walks inside for a scoring chance.”

Follow Michael on X, and Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

NEW YORK (AP) — David Shuman has joined the New York Islanders’ ownership group as a limited partner, subject to NHL approval.

Shuman’s venture capital firm, Lateralus Holdings, and the team announced his minority investment on Monday. The Islanders did not disclose financial terms or what percentage Shuman is getting other than to say there will be no changes to day-to-day business and hockey operations or front office leadership.

Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky serve as governor and alternate governor, with Oliver Haarmann, Dewey Shay and John Collins also listed as co-owners.

“David is one of the most passionate Islanders fans I know and an extraordinary builder of companies," Ledecky said in a statement. “That mindset will be invaluable as we continue to invest in this organization and in this community.”

In addition to founding Lateralus Holdings, Shuman serves as chairman of Oura and webAI.

“Hockey has been a constant in my life since childhood, both as a fan and a player, and the 1980 Miracle on Ice combined with the Islanders’ four consecutive Stanley Cup championships cemented a lifelong passion,” Shuman said in a statement, referring to the Islanders' glory days of the early '80s. "I’m honored to help support the Islanders’ future and their drive for a fifth Cup.”

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

It’s time for the Austrian right-shot blueliner to take the next step. The 21-year-old who was the fifth overall pick at the 2023 NHL draft has been plagued by injury ever since then, but these appear to be due to bad luck rather than being injury-prone, and if he can remain healthy this season, you can expect him to make the Montreal Canadiens’ roster.

It may not be right at the start of the season, but his time is coming and it’s obvious that Martin St-Louis would like to have balanced pairings rather than play Lane Hutson or Kaiden Guhle on their off side. If Kent Hughes had managed to acquire an experienced right-shot defenseman to play alongside Hutson, the Habs may have been more comfortable with giving Reinbacher, who has only played 78 AHL games with the Laval Rocket over parts of three seasons more time, more time to develop. That might have been the wiser path, but as things stand, they have a glaring hole to fill on the right side of the defense and the sooner the better.

Canadiens Prospects Are About To Start Their KHL Season
Canadiens: Makar Earning More Than Hutson Is Normal But…
The Way Forward For Kirby Dach

While more games in the AHL could have been good for the prospect’s development and to adapt to the North American style of play, it remains that Reinbach did play three seasons of pro hockey in Switzerland before making the jump to his side of the pond, so he cannot exactly be called inexperienced at the pro level.

Last season, Reinbacher skated in 57 games with the Rocket, putting up 24 points in the process and had a short two-game audition with the Habs in which he did pick up an assist. It was the first season in which he was mainly healthy, only missing 11 games because of a fractured bone in his hand, and he looked much more confident as a result. Don’t expect him to become the same kind of defenseman as Hutson, it’s not what he was drafted to be. He caught the eye of the Canadiens’ scout because of his defensive awareness, his ability to read the play and his calm under pressure. On paper, that should make him the perfect partner for Hutson, but that’s quite a big role.

Officiellement le premier jour de sa carrière dans la LNH 🥹

Welcome to the show, David Reinbacher!#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/fJRSxRDrUB

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 12, 2026

Will the youngster be ready to step right in a second pairing role right away? That’s quite a big step, especially considering how many minutes Hutson spends on the ice. In an ideal world however, his arrival would mean that Alex Carrier doesn’t play anywhere else than on the third pairing, even if Reinbacher may need a bit of time to adapt before that becomes a reality.

You can fully expect Rainbacher to be given every opportunity to show what he can do at the top level at the upcoming training camp. He should see plenty of action, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him feature in three preseason games (since there are two split-squad games, he couldn’t play in any more).

If Reinbacher does graduate to the NHL this season, he shouldn’t be looked to for more than 10 to 15 points, it’s on the other side of the puck that he should really have his impact and he should stabilize the Canadiens’ blueline. His arrival should finally give St-Louis the opportunity to spread the workload more evenly across his defense corps since he will more than likely have more confidence in Reinbacher than he does in Jayden Struble or Arber Xhekaj, per se. The Austrian has shown in the AHL that ha can handle penalty killing duties, which would come in very handy for the Habs since Hutson has also started playing when down a man last season, it’s not something he should be doing and if St-Louis had confidence in his other blueliner, he wouldn’t be doing it either.

If Reinbacher has a convincing training camp, Hughes might finally have to make a choice between Struble and Xhekaj, once of them could have to go since there’s only so much depth you need on the blueline. Given how often Kaiden Guhle is injured however, the GM best be certain that those who remain, probably one of Struble and Xhekaj, and Adam Engstrom will be ready to step in.

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For the first time since Cale Makar put pen to paper on the largest contract in NHL history, the Colorado Avalanche superstar and the man who helped make it happen will have a chance to speak publicly about it.

Makar and Avalanche President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Joe Sakic will meet with the media Monday afternoon, just days after Colorado locked up its franchise defenseman to an eight-year, $163.2 million extension.

The media availability is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, in the Denver area.

There should be plenty to discuss.

Makar’s new contract carries a $20.4 million annual average value, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history by AAV and giving him the largest contract in league history by total value.

It’s also a contract that completely changed the market for defensemen.

Earlier this summer, Bowen Byram signed a six-year contract with a $12.5 million AAV, briefly establishing a new benchmark for defensemen. Makar’s $20.4 million AAV is 63.2% higher.

For Makar, the deal represents the latest chapter in what has become a remarkable career in Colorado. The 27-year-old has already won the Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies, a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy. He has grown from a highly touted prospect into arguably the most important player on the Avalanche roster.

Sakic has played a central role in keeping Makar in Colorado long term, ensuring that one of the franchise’s most important players won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Monday will be the first opportunity to hear directly from both of them following the agreement.

After months of speculation about what Makar’s next contract would look like, the number is no longer a mystery.

Now, Avalanche fans get to hear from Makar himself about why he chose to stay — and from Sakic about what it took to get the biggest deal in hockey history across the finish line.

EA Sports' latest entry for the NHL video game franchise is almost here, and with it has come their latest rankings and ratings for every player throughout the entirety of the NHL.

The New York Islanders have a roster in transition, as they slowly turn the page from the early 2020s era into the Matthew Schaefer era.

One player acquired at the 2026 Trade Deadline is Brayden Schenn, who has filled a leadership gap for the franchise. While Schenn's not what he once was, he's still a dependable middle-six center or winger, with elite leadership skills.

In 19 games with New York, Schenn had 6 goals and 11 points.

EA Sports revealed Schenn is an 84 overall for NHL27.

Vladimir Tarasenko is still unsigned heading into September, and the Edmonton Oilers should probably consider him.

Matt Savoie will miss training camp after suffering an injury during offseason training. Edmonton hasn't announced when he will return. Savoie was expected to play in the top six this season, leaving Mike Babcock with a spot to fill when camp opens.

Tarasenko played 75 games last season, scoring 23 goals and 47 points. He had 24 assists, played just under 15 minutes per game and added five goals on the power play. At 34, he has 327 goals and 709 points in 906 NHL games.

He can still play.

There is some Jack Roslovic in the situation, as Roslovic remained unsigned last summer after scoring 22 goals and 39 points for Carolina. Edmonton had interest throughout the offseason and eventually signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in October.

Tarasenko has now made it through July and August without a contract. With training camps getting close and teams having already spent most of their cap space, the number of available roster spots is limited.

Edmonton has one available right now.

Is Stuart Skinner The Starter In Winnipeg?Stuart Skinner signed with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1 with a pretty clear job waiting for him.

Savoie's injury creates a spot on the wing, and coincidentally, Tarasenko has played right wing throughout his career and scored 23 goals last season. He could take some of Savoie's minutes until Savoie is healthy, then move elsewhere in the lineup once everyone is available.

Playing him with Leon Draisaitl would make sense.

Draisaitl will inevitably spend time away from Connor McDavid this season, though Mike Babcock plans to try to play them together, and the Oilers need wingers when the separation happens. Tarasenko has spent 14 NHL seasons scoring goals from the wing. He can shoot, play on the power play and has enough experience to step into the lineup without much adjustment.

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Tarasenko isn't limited to waiting for somebody to find him for a shot; he scored 24 assists last season. He can move the puck and has 382 assists in his career.

There would be options for Babcock once Savoie returns. Tarasenko could stay with Draisaitl, move onto another line or play second-unit power play. Edmonton will use more than 12 forwards this season. Take right now for example, camp hasn't even started and the injuries have already piled up.

Savoie, Mattias Janmark, Frederik Andersen, and Alec Regula will all camp. More players will miss games once the season starts. That's part of an NHL season and one of the reasons Edmonton spent the summer trying to add depth.

Do The Oilers Have Enough Injury Depth?The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers#google_vignette">Edmonton Oilers</a> spent much of the summer putting together a roster with enough options to withstand the injuries that inevitably show up over an 82-game season. Of course, they're now dealing with it right now.

Tarasenko just adds another winger to that group.

Vasily Podkolzin would also have another Russian player around. Podkolzin has been Edmonton's only Russian regular, while Tarasenko has spent 14 seasons in the NHL and played for six organizations. He has also played 132 playoff games and won two Stanley Cups.

Of course, the price will determine whether any of this makes sense.

Tarasenko remains unsigned this late in the summer, which limits his options. Roslovic eventually signed for $1.5 million last year after waiting into October, and Tarasenko could reach the point where a short contract becomes his only available route into an NHL organization.

Less Obvious NHL Expectations For Oilers' Connor McDavid In 2026-27Everyone knows what the expectations are for Connor McDavid in terms of offensive production. But what about when it comes to leadership and his off-ice presence?

The Oilers have a top-six winger out; Draisaitl will need wingers when he centres his own line, and injuries will create more openings during the season. Tarasenko played 75 games and scored 47 points last year in the regular season.

There is enough here for the Oilers to make a call.

After 13 seasons in the NHL, suiting up for four teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calle Jarnkrok is headed back to Sweden. The veteran right winger signed a three-year contract with Brynas of the SHL, the team announced early Monday morning.

Brynas is where Jarnkrok spent plenty of time during his Jr. career. From the U-18 team in 2007-08, he later joined the U-20 team and eventually reached the first team in 2009-10. Now, he's back with the club in which he started it all.

The last of his NHL career was with the Maple Leafs. He played four seasons there, featuring in 200 regular-season contests, as well as 30 appearances in three post-season campaigns. The 34-year-old also played for the Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken and Nashville Predators, playing a total of 774 NHL games and registering 143 goals and 173 assists for 316 points.

His best season in Toronto came in 2022-23, which was his first year with the team. He signed a four-year contract with the Maple Leafs before that season, earning $2.1 million against the salary cap.

He put up 20 goals and 39 points in that campaign, which actually marked a career high for him. Jarnkrok had never reached 20 goals before or since that season, and the same with capping off with 39 points in 73 games.

Nylander Brothers Apart Again As Alex Reportedly Set To Join Flames On Professional TryoutAlex and his brother, William, spent the last couple of years living together in Toronto as the former tried to get his game back to an NHL level.

In the last two seasons, as a 33- and 34-year-old, he was hardly a factor under coach Craig Berube. In 2025-26, he played 56 games, scoring six goals and eight points while averaging 11:50 of ice time per game. He also matched a career-low in plus-minus, notching a minus-15 rating.

In 2024-25, he played even fewer games with a nod to a groin and sports hernia injury that required surgery. Jarnkrok only ended up appearing in 19 outings, scoring one goal and seven points. Later in the Stanley Cup playoffs, he played in 12 of the Maple Leafs' 13 games, recording one assist.

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