NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will each play two regular-season games in Germany next year as part of the NHL and NHLPA’s efforts to grow hockey in the country, the league announced Thursday.
The Bruins are to play two games in Munich, while the Oilers will play two matches in Leon Draisaitl’s native city of Cologne during the 2027-28 NHL season. The opponents have yet to be determined.
“These events represent an important step in our commitment to grow the game in Germany. By bringing more NHL games to one of Europe’s most dynamic hockey markets, we hope to continue to deepen engagement amongst our fans, partners and local communities, while at the same time creating a significant opportunity to grow the game throughout the country,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators were already slated to play two games in Düsseldorf in December. Those Global Series games are the second and third regular-season games the league has staged in Germany after the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings played in Berlin in 2011.
More are to follow with the NHL and NHLPA committed to bringing regular-season games to Germany for at least the next three seasons.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman looks on as Liam Ruck of Canada is drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the twenty-second overall pick during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Making his debut on the Top 25 Under 25 lists this year, the Penguins’ 2026 first round pick Liam Ruck checks in at number seven with a lot of hype and excitement for what could be a very bright future.
The Penguins’ 2026 draft will likely be looked back on with a huge influence on what happens in the future with Liam and Markus Ruck. Liam, the right handed version of the ‘mirror’ twins, finished second in the WHL in scoring in 2025-26. Markus, a leftie, led the WHL in scoring. They mirrored in the NHL draft, Markus was drafted in the second round, Liam went 17 picks earlier in the first round, both getting their names called by the Penguins.
It pretty much goes without saying that the two brothers have other-worldly chemistry developed over their first 18 years spent together and it shows up often on the hockey rink. The amount of plays they can make between one another, feeding the puck and drawing their opponents away is something special.
There is, of course, a blueprint for success in the NHL with twin magic. Daniel and Henrik Sedin were staples in Vancouver from 2000-18. It’s a little too soon to compare the Rucks to the Sedins beyond the obvious, considering the Sedin boys were a notch above – drafted second and third overall in 1999 and then quickly into the NHL. That won’t be the case for the Rucks with the absolute elite pedigree (Liam lasted until the 39th pick in his draft) and their timeline will be different – the Rucks are planning on staying in the WHL in their draft+1 and then both are committed to the University of North Dakota in 2027-28. Both Sedin’s also won an NHL Art Ross scoring title, which clearly only a handful of the very best players ever do.
There is enough commonalties to tie them together. Liam, is more the Daniel version as more of the pure goal scorer between the two twins. Brother Markus is more of the Henrik of the equation as the natural setup player that racks up assists.
Although clearly obviously to split and isolate on just one twin at a time, today’s profile is on Liam, the first round pick. In addition to the twin chemistry bonus added along the way, Liam is known for his elite shot, overall gifted intelligence in the offensive zone for reading plays and creating them and a strong competitive drive. He’s a slick, dynamic player that has the shooting release to score frequently. There’s a certain clinical element to his game, as can be seen in the highlights. The puck often isn’t on his stick very long before he snaps it into the net and is no stranger from working his way close to generate great chances.
“I think I’m pretty good with kind of getting into those holes to get into a scoring area, and when you’re playing with good playmakers, they’re going to find you, and I think I found that,” Ruck said on draft night. “I don’t think my shot is the (hardest) yet, but I think it’s knowing that it’s something I can work on, and once it gets a little harder, I think it’ll be even more deadly.”
The metrics for what will need to improve and develop are standard for most freshly drafted 18 years old. Ruck is only 174 pounds, he’s not the best or swiftest skater on the ice. Adding strength and continuing to grow into a pro-level skater will be paramount items to work on, as it is for just about everyone in his peer class. It’s the slow growth of morphing into an adult body and becoming capable of competing at the top level against fully grown men that can’t be rushed.
The education has already begun at 2026 prospect development camp.
“I’m learning so much on and off the ice,” Ruck said in July. “Like eating habits, what to eat, supplements to take, how to put on good weight. But also learning little details on the ice from the skating and skills coaches. Everyone here, there’s a great support staff, and I’m trying to remember everything they give me, because it’s a lot [laughs], but it’s so helpful.”
The Penguins bolstered the change by splitting up Markus and Liam on different summer camp teams.
“It’s really neat. It’s interesting. I’m learning while getting to know them, but the whole organization is really excited. The way it played out in the draft was really cool to watch,” said Tom Kostopoulos, Penguins Director of Player Development. “But they are different individuals, so I think we also got to talk about them and understand that in camp here, we’re trying to separate them a little bit on different teams and stuff, just so they get to know some more of the players and staff and that.”
As to be expected for a player the Penguins selected in the first round, it’s all positive right now.
“It’s not just the talent,” GM Kyle Dubas said on draft night about Liam. “It’s the talent plus the enthusiasm and the intelligence and how much he loves playing and contributing to a contending team and playing well in the playoffs for them. So, it was a number of different things that just made him what we felt was a great fit as a Pittsburgh Penguin.”
“I want to be a little more explosive with my skating,” Ruck said. “For me, just the off-ice stuff is more important than the on-ice stuff right now. I think knowing that it’s important, and getting the chance to work with staff in Pittsburgh, I think it’s going to be a good fit.”
The Pens are counting on that for the future the Rucks will be a big part of it.
20 August 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Hockey, Soccer: Joint press conference by FC Bayern Munich and the National Hockey League (NHL). John-Jason Peterka (left to right), a player for the Boston Bruins; Alphonso Davies, a player for FC Bayern Munich; and Leon Draisaitl, a player for the Edmonton Oilers, pose in their jerseys at the press conference. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTICE: In accordance with the regulations of the Bundesliga and the German Football Association (DFB), it is prohibited to use or allow the use of photographs taken in the stadium and/or during the game in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Per a release from FCBayern.com, Bayern Munich and the National Hockey League are teaming up.
The two sporting giants have announced a strategic, multi-year partnership designed to grow the NHL in Germany while strengthening Bayern Munich’s presence in North America.
The collaboration will connect football and hockey fans through digital campaigns, co-branded content and merchandise, street hockey events in Munich, watch parties, Allianz Arena activations, youth programs, hospitality experiences and player appearances.
The partnership was unveiled at Säbener Straße with Alphonso Davies joined by German NHL stars Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka.
Rouven Kasper called it a partnership that can “set a new benchmark” for what cross-sport collaborations can achieve, while NHL President Keith Wachtel described Germany as one of the league’s most important international growth markets.
“FC Bayern is renowned for constantly breaking the mould – and we are very excited about this special partnership with the NHL. By developing ideas together with one of the most tradition-steeped leagues in world sport, the connection of our respective regions will create unique synergies on a wide variety of levels, in sports and beyond. We are creating a platform that promises long-term value for both partners and sets a new benchmark in terms of what cross-sport collaborations can achieve,” said Kasper.
Wachtel was equally excited about the partnership.
“Germany is one of the most important international growth markets for the NHL, and FC Bayern is one of the most famous and respected sport brands in the world. Through the combination of the NHL’s passion for ice hockey with FC Bayern’s extraordinary reach and closeness to fans, we have a massive strategic opportunity to get more people interested in our sport, deepen the connection to existing fans and create one-of-a-kind experience,” Wachtel stated.
And there is an exciting bonus for German hockey fans: Munich will host two NHL regular-season games during the 2027/28 season, featuring the Boston Bruins and Munich-born Peterka. Cologne will also host two games involving the Edmonton Oilers and Cologne native Draisaitl.
Football and hockey. Bayern Munich and the NHL.
This could be a fascinating partnership to watch develop.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 14: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils waits for a face off during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on April 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
A look at a few key advanced metrics trends for the Devils heading into the 2026-2027 season: [NHL.com]
“The New Jersey Devils want to turn optimism into substance this season with a new general manager, a recommitted captain and a roster reshaped around more size, versatility and scoring.” [NHL.com]
“The New Jersey Devils were a huge disappointment last season. They were widely considered a sneaky contender and Dom Luszczyszyn gave them the 9th best odds to win the Stanley Cup. Fast forward and they finished 21st in the league while missing the playoffs by 12 points. Not great! Let’s take a look at three reasons to be optimistic the Devils could have a much more successful campaign in 2026-27.” [Infernal Access ($)]
“The 2026-27 season is an important one for the New Jersey Devils. They have to make the playoffs, or there could be consequences next offseason if they miss. That means everyone has to play at a high level, but some players have more to prove than others. Let’s look at five Devils with the most to prove next season.” [Devils on the Rush]
“A healthy Jack Hughes changes the outlook more than almost any other single variable on the roster. That remains the clearest path to a better year in New Jersey.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]
Hockey Links
Everyone’s getting a new jersey:
Something new is coming to all 32 NHL cities this season. 👀
The countdown is on for the first-of-its-kind Hometown Remix program by the @NHL and @Fanatics. More details to come after the puck drops on the 2026-27 season next month. pic.twitter.com/zX1uBNLNZn
“If there’s one thing every NHL fan agrees on, it’s that anyone who bangs on the glass during play should go to jail. But if there’s a second thing, it’s that our favorite team is always getting lit up by some random rookie playing his first career game.” [The Athletic ($)]
“In the second half of our NHL 2030 series, we’re forecasting the future standings by ranking all 32 teams from worst to first. Who will lift the 2030 Stanley Cup? How has each franchise’s outlook shifted since we checked in last offseason?” [Daily Faceoff]
“Welcome to this year’s edition of the under-23 NHL player rankings. After ranking every organization’s best young players in the NHL Pipeline Rankings, we now turn to a ranking of the best young players overall on teams’ reserve lists, meaning within an NHL organization, in or outside the league. This is a ranking meant to show who I think will have the best NHL careers, not who I would take in a game tomorrow. This is also a good exercise to show how the last five age groups compare to each other, as this largely spans the player pool from the 2022 through 2026 NHL Drafts.” [The Athletic ($)]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
Dewar came over with defenseman Conor Timmins from the Maple Leafs for a fifth-round pick. The Penguins had space in their lineup for both players and wanted to see what they could do to end the year.
Dewar, in particular, had only compiled three points in 31 games (all assists) with the Maple Leafs before being rejuvenated with the Penguins. He may have only played in 17 games with them, but he looked like a completely different player, racking up four goals and seven points.
He was also a great forechecker and was excellent at going to the dirty areas in front of the net. He'd win battles below the dots, leading to extended zone time and quality chances.
The Penguins rewarded him with a one-year extension during that offseason and he had the best season of his career in 2025-26, setting career-highs in goals (14), assists (16), and points (30). He continued to be one of their best forecheckers and was the straw that stirred the drink on the fourth line.
Head coach Dan Muse loved to put the fourth line out when he felt his team needed a spark in games last year, and Dewar was oftentimes leading the charge, whether it was a big hit or a solid offensive shift.
When Dewar was on the ice at 5v5, the Penguins controlled 50.8% of the shot attempts, 51.2% of the expected goal share, 53,3% of the scoring chances, and 51.8% of the high-danger chances. They also had a +11 goal differential with Dewar out there.
Dewar was a mainstay on the penalty kill alongside one of his linemates, Blake Lizotte, logging a career-high 209:22 on that unit. Like Lizotte, Dewar was excellent at blocking shots and winning board battles, leading to clears.
There weren't many players who had a good playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers, but Dewar was one of them. He scored two goals and was everywhere in each game, especially Game 6. Yes, the Penguins lost that game and the series, but that final game in Philadelphia was easily one of his best games of the season.
He was set to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer before the Penguins signed him to a two-year extension with an average annual value of $2.25 million. It was an easy decision for the Penguins, considering his tenure and age (27).
Going into this season, I'd like to see him hover around that 15-goal range again and continue to drive the way on the fourth line. He may not get as much ice time as some of the other players on the team, but he makes all of it count.
Dewar's the type of player who is easy to root for (also like Lizotte) and could play a big role in the Penguins' bottom six having another solid year.
The veteran forward’s NHL career appears to be over, at least for now, as Aube-Kubel has agreed to terms with Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League through May 2027, according to Jeremy Garrett of Hockey News Hub.
For Colorado Avalanche fans, Aube-Kubel will always be remembered as a member of the 2022 Stanley Cup championship team — and, perhaps fittingly, for one particularly unforgettable moment during the celebration when he accidentally dropped the Cup, causing damage to hockey’s most iconic trophy.
Jokes aside, Aube-Kubel played an important role in helping the Avalanche reach the mountaintop
Another angle of Nicolas Aube-Kubel tripping and denting the Stanley Cup ESPN pic.twitter.com/dmpojGsUGb
Originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Aube-Kubel spent his first several professional seasons in the American Hockey League before establishing himself as an NHL regular.
He ultimately appeared in 310 regular-season NHL games with the Flyers, Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild, recording 32 goals and 50 assists for 82 points.
His time in Colorado came during what was arguably the best statistical season of his NHL career.
The 2021-22 season was also the best offensive year of Aube-Kubel’s NHL career. He put up 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 67 games, setting career highs in both categories during Colorado’s championship season.
Then came the postseason.
Aube-Kubel appeared in 14 games during Colorado’s Stanley Cup run, contributing one assist as the Avalanche eventually defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to capture the franchise’s third championship.
In total, Aube-Kubel played 30 career playoff games, recording two goals and one assist for three points.
The numbers may not jump off the page, but Aube-Kubel’s career was never about being a superstar. He carved out a role through physicality, competitiveness and an ability to contribute in a bottom-six role — eventually reaching the highest possible stage in hockey.
And now, after 310 NHL games and a Stanley Cup championship on his résumé, Aube-Kubel appears ready to begin a new chapter overseas.
His NHL career may be coming to an end, but Avalanche fans will always have the memories of 2022 — including the unforgettable image of Aube-Kubel lifting the Stanley Cup before, well, dropping it.
Training camp for the Detroit Red Wings is slated to begin in less than a month, and the club still faces far more questions than answers.
The two most pressing situations that have yet to be resolved are who will ultimately succeed Steve Yzerman as general manager after the former Red Wings captain vacated the position in mid-July, and what will happen with current captain Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade and reportedly has not changed his mind.
In the meantime, the Red Wings lead the NHL in a notable salary-cap category. As of Aug. 19, Detroit has the most available cap space of any of the league’s 32 teams, with $19.57 million in room, according to PuckPedia.
They're currently dedicating $52.61 million worth of contracts to their forward group, while spending $23.42 million on their current defensemen under contract. As far as goaltending is concerned, $8.40 million is being spent on the tandem of John Gibson and Daniil Tarasov.
Coming in behind Detroit in available salary cap space are the Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. Like the Red Wings, all three teams missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025-26.
Whoever succeeds Yzerman as Red Wings GM will not only have to deal with the Larkin situation immediately but also work out a new contract for restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who is due for a considerable raise from his $894,167 cap hit over the last three seasons.
With ample salary cap space still available, the good news for Yzerman's successor is that there will not only be plenty to satisfy Edvinsson with a new contract, but also begin discussions with forward Alex DeBrincat, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
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While last season may have been a rollercoaster, young Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov is turning out to be a much more polarizing figure for analysts than we may have originally thought.
On Wednesday, The Athletic prospects expert Corey Pronman released his ranking of the best U23 players in the NHL, including recently drafted prospects, and Michkov wasn't given all that much grace.
His placement was far from the most controversial, but still disrespectful relative to his achievements in the NHL thus far nonetheless.
Michkov, 21, was ranked as the 35th-best U23 player in the NHL by Pronman, putting him just six spots ahead of the 41st ranked Jack Nesbitt, who was drafted 12th overall by the Flyers in 2025.
The Flyers' Russian phenom placed just ahead of players like Roman Kantserov (37th) and Sam O'Reilly (40th), who have yet to play in an NHL game, while peers like Jimmy Snuggerud (33rd), Ryan Leonard (32nd), Ilya Protas (26th), Roger McQueen (25th), Viggo Bjorck (21st), Anton Frondell (20th), and Adam Fantilli (9th) were all well ahead.
That ranking of 35th is certainly unfair to Michkov, who has had to play for three head coaches in two NHL seasons while picking up a new language and culture on the fly in Philadelphia.
Despite coming into his second NHL season unprepared, plus those aforementioned circumstances, Michkov still finished his sophomore NHL season with 20 goals, 31 assists, and 51 points, leading the Flyers in scoring after the Olympic break to help spur the Orange and Black to their first playoff berth since 2020.
Yes, Michkov was mostly a no-show in the playoffs, but there would be no playoffs without him, either, and he did have the primary assist on Cam York's series-winning goal against the archrival Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the first round.
Michkov's perceived upside varies by who you ask, as some are more bullish on the raw talent, and others, like Pronman, have reservations about the average skating and defending.
Still, Michkov's offensive production makes him much more accomplished than many players ranked above him or near him, and the 2023 No. 7 overall pick ranking below similarly average defenders with not even half of the offensive upside is simply disrespectful and dismisses everything he's achieved in the last two seasons.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a busy summer, as they have brought in many new players.
While this is the case, it is fair to argue that the Penguins should not be done yet. The left side of their blueline could use more depth, as they did not re-sign Ryan Shea and traded Parker Wotherspoon.
While many of this year's top free agents have been signed, there are still some interesting players looking for new homes in the middle of August. Among them is defenseman Logan Stanley, and he could be a nice pickup for a Penguins club that needs more blueline depth.
If the Penguins added Stanley, he would give them another intriguing option for their bottom pairing. He would also provide them with a shutdown defenseman for their penalty kill.
Furthermore, with it now getting closer to September, it is very likely that Stanley could be had at an affordable price. On a short-term deal, the 28-year-old blueliner could be a strong fit on the Penguins' roster.
Stanley played in 76 games last season split between the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres, where he recorded nine goals, 17 assists, 26 points, and 128 penalty minutes. With numbers like these, the 6-foot-7 defenseman would be a solid depth pickup for Pittsburgh. Let's see if they pursue him from here.
Heading into his third season in the NHL, San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini's accomplishments on the ice have been noticed by EA Sports.
Celebrini, 20, is going to be tied for the fifth-highest rated player in this year's iteration of the EA Sports NHL series, NHL 27, while also being featured on the cover. When the game releases early next month, Celebrini will have a 95 overall rating, which ties him with players like Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, David Pastrnak, Aleksander Barkov, and others. Celebrini is tied for the fourth-highest rating for a center, behind Connor McDavid (99), Nathan MacKinnon (97), and Leon Draisaitl (96).
Celebrini wasn't the only member of the San Jose Sharks to have his rating released, as a total of nine Sharks have had their ratings revealed so far.
Will Smith is the second-highest rated Shark, with an 87 overall that puts him on par with players like Cutter Gauthier, Roope Hintz, Troy Terry, and numerous others. Darnell Nurse, Mason Marchment, Alexander Wennberg, Dmitry Orlov, and Jacob Trouba are all scheduled to start the game with an 85 overall.
Last but not least, veteran forward Tyler Toffoli and young goaltender Yaroslav Askarov will share a rating, as both are listed at 84 overall to start the year. Interestingly, Askarov is the only Shark so far without an "X-Factor ability" assigned to him.
The full list of Sharks rankings will be released when the game is available to the general public in September.
The Golden Knights are ready to gray-cefully move on.
One of the most recognizable looks in Vegas Golden Knights history is about to take a step into the past, with the franchise preparing to remove its traditional gray sweaters from the regular-season rotation and make room for a brand-new alternate look.
Vegas will still have its metallic gold home jerseys and white road uniforms, but the upcoming season will bring a third option to the lineup through the NHL’s new Hometown Remix initiative.
The program, developed in collaboration with Fanatics, is designed to give teams an opportunity to create uniforms that are more closely connected to their cities, their fans and the culture surrounding each franchise.
For the Golden Knights, that means a fresh sweater is coming — although the NHL and Fanatics are keeping the details under wraps for now. More information about the collection is expected to be revealed in the coming months.
The initiative also carries some significance for Fanatics. Hometown Remix is the company’s first uniform program since becoming the NHL’s official on-ice uniform outfitter in 2024 under a 10-year agreement with the league.
While Vegas’ new sweater will eventually take its place alongside the team’s gold and white jerseys, the old gray design won’t disappear completely.
Instead, the gray sweaters will be reclassified as throwbacks, giving the Golden Knights a chance to preserve one of the looks that helped define the franchise during its early years.
And considering how aggressively Vegas has embraced its identity since entering the NHL, the next chapter of the Golden Knights’ wardrobe could be just as bold as the franchise itself.
What do the fans think of the new jerseys? Your opinion is valuable to us. Let us know. The new season is about to begin! Training camp is nearly upon us.
The Philadelphia Flyers officially added another depth forward Wednesday, confirming some widely-reported news from the beginning of free agency.
Former first-round pick Nolan Foote, 25, joins the Flyers after spending the 2025-26 season in the Florida Panthers organization. The winger appeared in 12 NHL games with the banged-up Panthers last year, scoring one goal, while spending the majority of the season with the AHL Charlotte Checkers.
In 54 games with Charlotte, Foote recorded 14 goals, 18 assists, and 32 points, which is more or less in line with his previous campaigns in the offense department.
So, while Foote hasn't quite taken a step forward, he has an established floor, size, and a hard shot that he can and will put to use, even if the end result comes sparingly.
That floor is the primary appeal of the signing for the Flyers, who get a still-young player with NHL experience who can fill in for Denver Barkey and Alex Bump, as they are presumably going to graduate to the NHL level full-time in 2026-27.
The 6-foot-3 Foote was originally selected by Tampa Bay with the 27th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, but was later traded to the New Jersey Devils organization as the centerpiece of the Blake Coleman trade and spent five seasons there.
Foote's most productive NHL season was the 2021-22 season with the Devils, when he tallied three times in just seven games and added an assist.
The Denver, Colorado, native has not expanded on his game, however, as he has not grown into a reliable penalty-killer, something most fringe players need to do to take the next step in their pro careers.
Foote has the size, but he is not especially physical, nor is he fast, and that is why the Flyers have become his fourth stop since being drafted seven years ago.
For the 25-year-old Foote, it's a new opportunity to establish himself as a full-time NHL player.
He remains young enough to conceivably take a big but unexpected leap, but his immediate path to the Flyers' NHL lineup will depend on his performance in training camp and the preseason, as well as an injury opening up a place for him.
The Flyers have been surprisingly active in adding depth pieces this offseason, and Foote now joins that group in preparation for the rapidly approaching 2026-27 campaign.
Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi united Islanders and Rangers fans — with the bitter rivals coming together on Long Island Wednesday to celebrate the first Suffolk County native to win the Stanley Cup.
The 28-year-old brought Lord Stanley’s hardware to the packed Rinx in Hauppauge, which the champ noted was “the first place I ever put my goalie gear on” for a hockey clinic.
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi steps off the bus while holding the Stanley Cup before greeting fans at The Rinx in Hauppauge, NY, on Aug. 19. Heather Khalifa for NY Post
“Going to bed as a kid, you definitely dream about that moment – and you never know if it’s going to happen,” Bussi told The Post before his big day that brought out easily over a thousand fans.
“Fortunately, we’re here.”
Huntington’s Greg Packer showed up first on line at 5:30 a.m. for the 10:15 a.m. event.
“Because the Rangers, Islanders, Flyers, Devils — they’re not going to see a Stanley Cup for quite some time,” he quipped.
The crowd was so large that hundreds couldn’t even get into the ice complex before the hometown hero had to leave.
New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) fight for the puck as Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) defends the net during the first period at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, NY on Feb. 5. Robert Sabo for NY Post
But the gracious goalie walked the cup outside down an entire block so every fan in line had a chance to see him with it.
Bussi said the overwhelming show of support was humbling, but he is focused on how “it’ll be cool for me to see the next generation of hockey players.”
“It hasn’t been on the island that much, so it definitely would be cool to get my hands on it,” Quinnipiac’s star, who was also the NCAA’s rookie of the year, told The Post.
“It’d be really cool to bring it back and continue to spark the island with some hockey.”
Bussi has had a meteoric rise in the sport, having only reached the NHL this past season at age 27.
“I think once Carolina claimed me and I knew I was on the opening night roster, I definitely had the vision that [winning the cup] could happen,” said the quick stick.
He made NHL history by becoming the fastest goalie to reach 20 wins, needing only 24 appearances in net for the milestone.
The skater then stunned the hockey world by taking over for starter Frederik Andersen in the Stanley Cup Finals, notching a 22-save, 3-0 shutout in Game 6 to clinch the title in June over the Golden Knights.
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi holds up the Stanley Cup before greeting fans at The Rinx in Hauppauge, N.Y. on August 19, 2026. Heather Khalifa for NY Post
“You kind of black out in a sense; I remember everything, but it all happened so quickly,” said Bussi, who graduated from Miller Place High School in 2016.
“When I got handed the cup, I looked into the crowd, and I saw where my family and friends were all standing. I was able to take a lap and face them when I was holding it – and it made it even more special.”
Bussi got to share that heartfelt moment with his younger brother Dylan, who is autistic and nonverbal.
“He had to be through the roof,” said the goalie, whose mask is painted with autism awareness illustrations.
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi poses for photos with county officials at The Rinx in Hauppauge, N.Y. on Aug. 19, 2026. Heather Khalifa for NY Post
“He means everything to me.”
Bussi will bring the cup to Bracco’s Clam and Oyster Bar in Freeport Wednesday night as a nod to Rob Scuderi, the only other Long Island native to hoist it.
Nassau County’s Scuderi took it to the Nautical Mile hotspot after winning with the Penguins in 2009 and the Kings in 2014.
“The fact that he’s going back there is pretty fun,” Scuderi, from Syosett, told The Post.
“I think one of the things I really enjoy about Brandon’s journey, and I don’t take it away from anyone else, is that he did it mostly from here on Long Island,” the St. Anthony’s High School star of the mid-1990s added.
Bussi said he looked up to Scuderi and another pair of previous Long Island NHLers – Rangers Matt Gilroy of North Bellmore and the Devils Keith Kinkaid of Farmingville.
Kinkaid came out for the day.
“All those guys set good examples for us and showed us that we can do it.”
The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of promising prospects in their system.
Among their most exciting prospects is Alexander Zharovsky, as the 19-year-old forward has the tools to become an impactful NHL player in the future.
After being selected by the Canadiens with the 34th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Zharovsky responded by having a fantastic rookie season in the KHL in 2025-26. In 59 games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa last season, he posted 16 goals, 26 assists, and 42 points.
Now, with the KHL pre-season being here, Zharovsky is only continuing to show a lot of promise.
Zharovsky scored a goal in his most recent pre-season game for Salavat Yulaev Ufa with an excellent snapshot on Tuesday. He also did so while playing at the center position, which is certainly promising to see.
Zharovsky will now be looking to continue to shine in the KHL once the regular-season is here. He certainly had a successful rookie season in the KHL, but it would be huge for the Canadiens if he takes another big step in his development this season.
Nevertheless, it is going to be very interesting to see what kind of season Zharovsky can have in 2026-27 from here. It is encouraging to see him already scoring a goal like this in the preseason.
The Buffalo Sabres have brought in multiple new players this off-season. Among their newcomers is Olen Zellweger, as they acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks earlier this summer.
The Sabres' decision to bring in Zellweger is easy to understand. They traded away both Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring this off-season and let Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley leave in free agency. With this, it makes that they are taking a chance on a promising young defensman like Zellweger.
Zellweger has shown good promise early on in his NHL career. This was again the case this past season, as he scored seven goals and set new career highs with 15 assists and 22 points in 76 games with Anaheim.
Yet, when noting that Zellweger is only entering his fourth NHL season and is still just 22 years old, there is a clear reason to believe that he can have a true breakout season for Buffalo in 2026-27. The Sabres should also offer him plenty of opportunities to succeed when looking at their current blueline.
It would not be very surprising if Zellweger's all-around game improves further this campaign. He has the potential to become a more impactful puck-moving offensive defenseman, so it will be fascinating to see what kind of season he can put together for the Sabres in 2026-27 from here.
