The New Jersey Devils NHL roster is looking crowded for the time being, particularly after the acquisition of Luke Evangelista earlier this week. Even players who a couple of weeks ago seemed as though they could be on the NHL roster, such as Lenni Hameenaho and David Rittich, may find themselves in Utica for at least a part of the season due to contract situations. Unless a trade is made before or early in the season, there may not be a lot of room for call-ups this season even if injuries occur. In that case, some players might need to raise their games in the AHL to eventually get NHL time.

A full season in the AHL for someone like Rittich isn’t great for him, because he’s already the player he will be at this point in his career. For guys like Hameenaho, however, as younger players there are still areas for growth and adjustment within their game. The Devils have a number of prospects in Utica, all in different places in their development. Some will be NHL players some day while other may not; for today, let’s look at three players that I believe could use to take a step forward in Utica this season in order to eventually become NHL players. As a quick note, I’m not including Hameenaho on this list, as I think he still stands to realistically spend some time in the NHL, especially if the Devils do swing a trade early on.

Matyas Melovsky

Melovsky was a sixth round selection of the Devils not too long ago in 2024, and the 2025-26 season was his first as a pro. Utica struggled as a whole to start the campaign, but Melovsky still managed to put up a respectable 26 points in 55 games. He didn’t produce like a superstar by any means, but being tied for eighth in scoring on a struggling team as a rookie isn’t bad either. Melovsky played last season on an AHL deal, but his performance was good enough for him to earn a two year entry level NHL deal after the season concluded.

Matyas is interesting for sure because not much is expected from sixth round picks, but there’s always the potential for them to turn into something as well. While the Devils currently have enough NHL centers, it’s always good to have some useful players waiting in the pipeline, be it for call-up or trade purposes. If Melovsky can grow his scoring (I’d hope for at least 40-50 from him this season) while also continuing to develop the rest of his game, the Devils could find themselves with another late round gem who could contribute at the NHL level sooner rather than later.

Shane Lachance

Lachance is an interesting player for a different set of reasons as a forward. Originally a sixth round choice of the Oilers in 2021 (both forwards discussed today being sixth round picks is a coincidence, I swear), the Devils acquired him as part of the trade where they retained salary on Trent Frederic on his way from Boston to Edmonton. Lachance would sign his ELC with the Devils just over a month after the deal in April of 2025 after two years of NCAA hockey. While an older prospect, Lachance scored slightly less than Melovsky, with 25 points in 62 games.

Lachance is interesting because he provides a different skill set for the Devils; he brings a larger frame and he isn’t afraid to be at least somewhat physical. That’s not saying he’s a goon and he’s going to take runs at players, but it is to say that he’s willing to use his size and body to separate players from the puck. If Lachance adds a bit to his AHL point totals in a second full season with the Comets, he could be on an even faster track to New Jersey. A player on a cheap deal (Lachance will need a new deal for 2027-28) bringing physicality and Bottom Six scoring is always useful. It’s up to Shane’s development to see if he can be that type of player.

Jakub Malek

Goaltending continues to be a gigantic question mark for the Devils, and any player emerging to be a full time starter would be helpful. While Nico Daws might be getting his chance this season in the NHL, there are still some prospects who could be the long-term solution. One such player is Jakub Malek who is seemingly slated to be Utica’s starter this season. Malek was selected the same year as Lachance, but in the fourth round at pick #100. He also would wait until this past season to make his debut for a team within the Devils organization, although Malek got games in with both Utica (31) and Adirondack (two) of the ECHL.

Malek’s .895 AHL save percentage doesn’t scream “goalie of the future” but others have struggled in their first seasons before going on to become solid NHL players or better. Malek also wasn’t playing behind the best team last season, and Devils GM Sunny Mehta has taken some steps to improve that group. 2026-27 could wind up being a better indicator of what Malek is really capable of if the group in front of him truly is better. Regardless of if they are or aren’t, Malek stepping up his game and improving his stats could go a long way. The organization probably moves him up the depth chart if he plays well as Utica’s starter, so this next year could be important both for him and for the team’s potential to succeed.

Final Thoughts

There are definitely other names that could have been on this list, but I wanted to look at a few guys who seem to be depth options/AHL guys but maybe could emerge to be solid, long-term contributors. The Devils have been re-shaped to hopefully be a better team this season, but growth and development of young players and prospects could be just as important for the Devils to level up.

What are your thoughts on the development of Melovsky, Lachance and/or Malek; do you believe any of them could realistically be an important piece for the Devils on their roster? Do you think they could eventually be decently useful trade pieces for the team? Which one do you think has the most potential? Which one are you most rooting for to succeed. Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!

The Vancouver Canucks are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2026-27 season. This year will bring plenty of intrigue, as the off-season brought major changes to the organization. Some of the biggest moves happened on the management side, which included Daniel and Henrik Sedin being named Co-Presidents of the Canucks. 

Recently, Henrik spoke to Swedish news outlet Expressenabout the upcoming campaign. The Hockey Hall of Famer was asked a variety of questions, including about a rebuild timeline and trade rumours surrounding center Elias Pettersson. Using Google Translate, here's what Henrik said. 

To kick off the interview, Henrik was asked if he and Daniel ever considered stepping away from hockey full-time after retirement. Henrik responded by saying, "Yes, we absolutely have. We didn't care much about hockey at all during Covid, but it became quite natural to go back to hockey three years after our careers. Then we got the chance to step in as advisors at that time. When Patrik (Allvin) came there, we had long discussions about wanting to get back out on the ice and work closer to the players. That's what we thought was fun. We told him to stay away from the other stuff, because we don't need to be seen. Then Patrik found a role that suited us, and that's what we've done up until now."

Henrik was then asked about the rebuild, which is something ownership appears to be fully on board with. He said, "When the owners asked, it was pretty obvious, especially for the plan they presented. If they had said, "Do you want to take over? We want to win next year," then it would have been more difficult. But now, considering that we agreed with them about what the vision was and the plan for the next few years, it became different. If you are on the same wavelength as the owners in how you see things being done, then it becomes easier to take on such a job."

As for a potential timeline for returning to the playoffs, Henrik stressed the importance of not rushing the process. He answered the question by saying, " It's really hard to say. It depends on who we draft and how quickly they develop. It's important to have good support in development and all that. Then, whether they come in after one year or three years, it's hard to say. But we also know that you can't "rebuild" for as many years as you want. There has to be development. But in these first few years, we will at least start from scratch. Then we'll see what happens." 

While fans have accepted a rebuild, the team needs to ensure it continues to grow year after year. In the interview, Henrik was asked how the organization intends to avoid a prolonged rebuild, with the Buffalo Sabres and the Chicago Blackhawks used as examples. Henrik said, "It's hard. Detroit also lasted an incredible number of years, and it's hard. It's about getting the foundation you build right when you draft. They come in, develop, and you help them with everything they need. It's leadership, support on the ice and getting that group to become a cornerstone of what we do. I think we have already brought in the young guys we brought in last year, like Tom Willander, Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren and many younger players who have come together."

Finally, Henrik was asked about center Elias Pettersson, who has struggled over the past few seasons. As part of the question, Henrik was also asked about the trade rumours that continually emerged all off-season. Henrik answered the question by saying, " We have said that we want to give him every opportunity to succeed. Both Ryan Johnson and Manny (Malhotra) believe a lot in creating an environment around the team where he can just come in and play hockey. Right now, in the situation we are in, he doesn't need to focus on anything other than coming in well prepared. That's the hope, and we believe in that."

As for the trade rumour part specifically, Henrik said, "No. In the NHL, there are trade rumours about all players. If you don't live up to your contract and the team is struggling, then there are often trade rumours. It's something you have to live with over there."

The 2026-27 season begins on September 29 against the Edmonton Oilers. Before that, Vancouver will be travelling to Penticton on September 17 for training camp. The Canucks also have a prospects showcase scheduled for September 12 and 13 against the Seattle Kraken. 

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

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.

Gavin Brindley returns for his sophomore campaign as a member of the Colorado Avalanche this year.

The twenty-one year old Brindley, originally drafted 34th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, was acquired by the Avs along with Columbus’ 2025 third-round pick (used to draft defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce) and a conditional 2027 second-round pick (originally owned by the Minnesota Wild; Columbus traded their own 2025 second-round pick to Seattle to acquire Mason Marchment last season) in exchange for forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. He made his Avalanche debut on October 07, 2025, against the Los Angeles Kings. Four nights later, he scored his first career NHL goal in the Avs’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars.

Brindley’s ice time increased after the Dallas game: in the fifteen games that followed, he played at least 10:00 in ten of those games. In four of those games, he collected three (3) goals and three (3) assists for a total of six (6) points. Two of those goals were game-winners: the first coming in the Avs’ 5-4 overtime victory over Vancouver on November 09, and again in a 6-3 victory over Buffalo four nights later.

Brindley’s on-ice performance proved his merit to (former) Avs general manager Chris MacFarland. In the middle of his point streak, he signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.75 million dollars on November 11. The first year which begins the 2026-27 season is two-way with $200K guaranteed and the second year is one-way at $900k.

Brindley’s sustained a lower body injury on November 20 in a 6-3 victory against the New York Rangers. He missed ten (10) games, but seemingly picked up right where he left off. In his first game back from injury on December 11, he scored another goal and added an assist as the Avs cruised to a 6-2 defeat over the defending champion Florida Panthers. His 16:06 of ice time against Florida was the most he had at any point during the season with the Avs.

Unfortunately, Brindley’s offense grew cold after his return. Throughout the remainder of the season, he managed only one (1) goal and three (3) assists. That goal came in a comeback victory against Chicago in a game where the 21-year-old played just over three minutes. His ice time, clearly, began to decrease and, on March 22, he played his final game of the regular season in a 3-2 overtime victory over Washington, where he played less than 5:00. Four nights later, he was sent down to Loveland. In nine (9) games with the Eagles, he collected two (2) goals and four (4) assists for six (6) points.

Brindley was relatively quiet during the first two playoff series for the Eagles, but he made his presence known in the division finals series against Coachella Valley. He scored two of his three playoff goals in this series, and his goal in Game Four broke a 2-2 tie that served as the series-clinching goal. He set up Matt DiMarisco’s game-tying goal in Game Three of the Western Conference Final against Chicago (the Eagles would win 7-3, giving them a 3-2 series lead and a chance to clinch their first-ever Calder Cup Final appearance). Chicago went on to win Game Six and Game Seven, ending the Eagles’ playoff run.

Brindley finished with three (3) goals and five (5) assists for a total of eight (8) points in fifteen (15) AHL postseason games.

So, what should we expect from Brindley in his follow-up to his first season with the Avs? With Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Joel Kiviranta no longer in the picture, and having played 56 games at the NHL level last season, Brindley should have had the inside track to secure a spot within the Avs’ bottom six but there many other new acquisitions vying for the same role. However, as illustrated earlier, he has shown to more effective with higher ice time and does have experience in the system, so would a consistent presence as a fourth-line compliment to Parker Kelly, for example, be the most practical use for him? Long-term, probably not.

The recipe for Brindley’s success is to give him a role with enough ice time (averaging around 10:00 per game or more, ideally) to make an impact. If he can find chemistry with more talented linemates, even better. Early returns were encouraging for him in the top six, but he struggled to regain his form after being out with injury. His experience last year will be beneficial in his bid to remain with the parent club, and with multiple roster spots open, this will be Brindley’s best opportunity to stand out as a long-term option for head coach Jared Bednar.

Brindley earned pretty high rankings among us: both Ezra and I had him at the top of our respective lists, while Brennan had him at 7. Whether Brindley plays a minor or (hopefully) a major role with the Avs will be a compelling story to follow.

It’s up to him to determine how much of a hand he’ll have in that story.

Let us know what you think of this prospect in the comments!

2026 Top 25 Under 25

#25 Nikita Novosyolov

#24 Axel Eloffson

#23 Teddy Lechner

#22 Ivan Yunin

#21 Luka Cloutier

#20 Matthew DiMarsico

#19 Shawn Carrier

#18 Domenick Fensore

#17 Tory Pitner

#16 Jake Fisher

#15 Beckett Hamilton

#14 Linus Funck

#13 Alex Gagne

#12 Egor Shilov

#11 Zach L’Heureux

#10 Fabian Lysell

#9 Sean Behrens

#8 Nikita Prishchepov

#7 Francesco Dell’Elce

#6 T.J. Hughes

#5 Christian Humphreys

#4 Fedor Svechkov

#3 Mikhail Gulyayev

A library card could be worth a lot more than books this September.

Las Vegas hockey fans have a chance to win free Vegas Golden Knights tickets simply by having a library card, according to KSNV, as the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District celebrates Library Card Sign-Up Month with a special giveaway.

The promotion gives both new and existing cardholders an opportunity to win a pair of tickets to a Golden Knights or Las Vegas Raiders home game, a car pass for Glittering Lights, special “#GetCarded” T-shirts and other prizes.

And the best part? There is no complicated catch.

Anyone with a Library District card can enter the giveaway through Sept. 30. Winners will be selected at random in October and notified by email.

Those who don't have a library card can visit their local branch to sign up. The Library District also offers an Instant eCard through its website, giving Las Vegas residents another way to get a card and enter the promotion.

For Golden Knights fans, the giveaway comes at an ideal time.

Vegas is preparing to return to the ice for the 2026-27 season, with the team's preseason scheduled to begin Sept. 19 against the Los Angeles Kings at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

The Golden Knights will play four preseason games before the regular season begins, including three contests against Western Conference opponents.

Vegas will travel to face the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 22 before returning home for its first preseason game at T-Mobile Arena against the Utah Mammoth on Sept. 24.

The preseason will conclude Sept. 26, when the Golden Knights host the Sharks at T-Mobile Arena.

Golden Knights’ 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

• Sept. 19: Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings, 6 p.m. PT — Toyota Arena
• Sept. 22: Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. PT — SAP Center
• Sept. 24: Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth, 7 p.m. PT — T-Mobile Arena
• Sept. 26: Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. PT — T-Mobile Arena

Broadcast information for the preseason will be announced at a later date.

For fans already looking ahead to another season of Golden Knights hockey, the library giveaway offers a chance to get into T-Mobile Arena without having to purchase a ticket.

All it takes is a library card.

And if you don't have one yet, September might be the perfect time to get one.

The Vegas Golden Knights are getting an early look at the next wave of talent in the organization.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Tuesday the roster and schedule for the Golden Knights’ 2026 Rookie Camp, with 23 prospects set to take part before heading to San Jose for the annual Rookie Faceoff.

Vegas’ group includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders, giving the organization several intriguing young players an opportunity to make an impression ahead of training camp.

Rookie Camp begins Friday, Sept. 11, with the Golden Knights holding their first practice at City National Arena in Las Vegas. The team will then travel to San Jose for the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, which runs from Sept. 12-15 at Tech CU Arena and Sharks Ice at San Jose.

The tournament will bring together prospects from six Western Conference organizations, with Vegas joined by the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Utah Mammoth.

For the Golden Knights, the tournament will provide the first real opportunity to see several of their young players competing against prospects from other NHL organizations.

Vegas will open the tournament Saturday, Sept. 12, against Utah at 3 p.m. PT before facing Colorado on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. PT.

Both games will be streamed live on KnightTime+, with Golden Knights host Daren Millard and Henderson Silver Knights play-by-play commentator Brian McCormack handling the call. The broadcasts will also feature live special guests.

The Golden Knights’ 2026 Rookie Camp Roster

Among the forwards participating are Mathieu Cataford, Trevor Connelly, Jordan Gustafson, Jackson Hallum, Ben Hemmerling, Tuomas Uronen and Sloan Stanick.

Cataford will wear No. 8, while Connelly will wear No. 24. Uronen is No. 37, Gustafson is No. 38 and Hallum is No. 59.

The defensive group features Viliam Kmec, Will McLaughlin, Bronson Ride, Conor Walton, Vann Williamson and Samuel Mayer, while the goaltending group consists of Cameron Whitehead, Matthew Minchak and Pavel Moysevich.

The full roster is as follows:

Forwards: Dylan Allie, Mathieu Cataford, Trevor Connelly, Jordan Gustafson, Jackson Hallum, Ben Hemmerling, Mateo Nobert, Noel Pakarinen, Jonah Sivertson, Sloan Stanick, Trent Swick, Tuomas Uronen, Alex Weiermair.

Defensemen: Sean Burick, Viliam Kmec, Samuel Mayer, Will McLaughlin, Bronson Ride, Conor Walton, Vann Williamson.

Goaltenders: Matthew Minchak, Pavel Moysevich, Cameron Whitehead.

The numerical roster is:

• No. 8 — Mathieu Cataford, F
• No. 18 — Alex Weiermair, F
• No. 24 — Trevor Connelly, F
• No. 37 — Tuomas Uronen, F
• No. 38 — Jordan Gustafson, F
• No. 39 — Cameron Whitehead, G
• No. 43 — Noel Pakarinen, F
• No. 44 — Will McLaughlin, D
• No. 45 — Mateo Nobert, F
• No. 54 — Sean Burick, D
• No. 57 — Bronson Ride, D
• No. 59 — Jackson Hallum, F
• No. 60 — Conor Walton, D
• No. 63 — Ben Hemmerling, F
• No. 68 — Vann Williamson, D
• No. 70 — Dylan Allie, F
• No. 74 — Viliam Kmec, D
• No. 76 — Trent Swick, F
• No. 80 — Matthew Minchak, G
• No. 82 — Jonah Sivertson, F
• No. 83 — Pavel Moysevich, G
• No. 92 — Sloan Stanick, F
• No. 96 — Samuel Mayer, D

The Golden Knights’ first practice is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. PT on Friday at City National Arena.

Then comes the more meaningful test.

Vegas will face Utah on Saturday before meeting Colorado the following afternoon, giving the organization an early opportunity to measure its prospects against two divisional rivals.

For a franchise entering another NHL season with Stanley Cup expectations, the Rookie Faceoff is not about immediate results.

It is about finding out which young players might eventually become part of the team’s next chapter.

And for 23 prospects, the opportunity starts now.

The St. Louis Blues have been a team rumored to undergo heavy change for some amount of time these last couple of seasons.

Then, in these last 6 months, that change has come rapidly. In the months since, including the trade deadline, have traded away long-tenured Blues such as Justin Faulk and Jordan Kyrou.

No trade affected their room quite as much as their trade with the New York Islanders, when the Blues dealt their captain, Brayden Schenn, away.

Schenn, 35, had served as the captain in St. Louis since 2023, and had been wearing a letter for the last six years total.

Schenn had been with the Blues for nine seasons and was one of three remaining players from the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup triumph. Now, that list is down to Robert Thomas and Colton Parayko, whom the Blues also almost traded to the Buffalo Sabres at the Trade Deadline.

Schenn's captaincy void has been filled by Thomas, who was an impactful rookie on that 2019 Stanley Cup team.

Thomas, 27, had also been tagged in trade rumors until seemingly when Alex Steen took over as general manager, and Doug Armstrong moved up to solely being the President of Hockey Operations for the Blues.

Now, the Blues seemingly have committed to Thomas for the long haul, entrusting him with their captaincy during their time of transition.

The Islanders walked away with a highly respected leader and someone who brought some offensive impact. Schenn scored six goals and 11 points in his 19 games on Long Island following the trade.

The Islanders also have their captaincy vacant following the departure of Anders Lee via free agency, and have yet to name a replacement.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 28 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #28. 

Let's take a look.

Tyler Wright - 2001-2006 - Drafted by Edmonton in 1991.

Tyler Wright was a Blue Jacket Original who played 309 games in the early days of the franchise. Wright totaled 109 points for the Jackets and had 149 for his career.

He was famously traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov on November 15, 2005. That was his last NHL season, and he would leave for Switzerland the next year. 

After retiring, he returned to Columbus and served as the Dir. of Player Development and Dir. of Amateur Scouting for 7 years. He held the same positions in Detroit and Edmonton from 2013 to 2023. After taking last season off, he was hired by the LA Kings to be their Dir. of Player Personnel for this upcoming season. 

Zenon Konopka - 2007-2008 - Undrafted out of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

On January 26, 2007, he was traded by the Anaheim Ducks along with Curtis Glencross and a draft pick to the Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Mark Hartigan, Joe Motzko, and a draft pick. He played 9 games for Columbus and had no points. He spent the season as the Captain for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, where he had 55 points. 

He retired in April of 2017. 

Nikita Filatov - 2009-2011 - Drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft by Columbus.

Oh, what could've been! Filatov was an uber-talented winger from Russia and was the 6th overall pick in 2008. He played 44 games for Columbus and totaled 13 points. In 2011, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators and only played 9 games.

He would return to Russia, where he played until 2019 and is now retired. He has spent the last few years as the Vice President of the Polyot Rybinsk of the NMHL. 

"Filly don't do rebounds."

Alexandre Giroux - 2012 - Drafted by Ottawa in 1999.

Played in 9 games for the Jackets during the 2011-12 season, scoring one goal. After his time in Columbus, he would never play another NHL game.

He would play in Europe until 2018, then returned to Canada, where he would play until 2022. He played in Poland, Switzerland, Russia, and France. He came back to North America and played three seasons in the LNAH as well. 

Frédéric St. Denis - 2015 - Undrafted out of Greenfield Park, Quebec.

St. Denis would play 4 games for the Jackets during the 14-15 season and would tally one assist. He would never play another NHL game after playing in Columbus and retired during the 2018-19 season.

He played one year in Germany, then returned to the LNAH for three seasons. 

Oliver Bjorkstrand - 2016-2022 - Drafted by Columbus in 2013. 

Bjorkstrand played 382 games for the Blue Jackets. Drafted in 2013, Oliver helped the Lake Erie Monsters win the Calder Cup in 2016 by scoring 16 points in 17 games, including the series winner with under .02 seconds to play in overtime. 

Bjorkstrand had 234 points in 382 games as a Jacket. He scored a career-high 28 goals in 2021-22 and had a career-high 57 points. On July 22, 2022, the unthinkable would happen - Oliver Bjorkstrand was traded to the Seattle Kraken. Former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen justified the trade by saying it was because they had just signed Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine. It was a sad day for a lot of CBJ fans, especially since the CBJ only got back a third- and fourth-round pick.

Bjorkstrand is most famous for his game-winning goal in the 2019 NHL playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A goal that will live in infamy for Lightning fans.

In his first season with Seattle, he played a key role in the team's first playoff appearance, contributing 20 goals and 45 points. His two-way game and ability to step up in clutch moments made him a valuable addition.

Two seasons ago, Bjorkstrand suffered an injury called Compartment Syndrome. This happens when there is too much pressure around your muscles. In Bjorkstrand's case, it required him to be rushed to the hospital at 2 a.m. for emergency surgery to fix the issue.

The injury is very serious because fluid and blood become trapped within the muscle, causing it to swell. If not treated immediately, it can cause major complications, including the potential loss of the affected limb.

Thankfully, in Bjorkstrand’s case, it was caught early and treated, which allowed him to play 80 games last season. 

Oliver signed with the New York Rangers this offseason as a free agent. 

There are 28 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena.

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On the Tuesday night edition of The Sick Podcast, Tony Marinaro and guest Jimmy Murphy discussed a number of topics, but one of them particularly stood out. Last weekend, Marinaro attended a hockey event at Hockey Etcetera and spent time with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kristopher Letang.

As the Montreal native was taking part in a box break with the Card Chaser staff, he mentioned that Pavel Datsyuk is one of the best players he has ever faced and then proceeded to say that Montreal Canadiens’ now-sophomore winger Ivan Demidov’s creativity and unpredictability reminded him of the Magic Man. At which point Marinaro asked Letang just how great he believed Demidov could be, and the39-year-old veteran replied:

I told my son, because we talk about this stuff, I said give it 3 years, and I think he’s going to be close to the top 5 in the league. I mean, assuming that he stays healthy and has good development and everything, that’s where I see him.

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That’s high praise indeed from a player who's spent 20 years in the NHL and played with some of the best players of his era. Letang has teamed up with great players over the years, playing alongside Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury, to name a few, and against the likes of Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Game recognizes game, as they say, and it looks like Demidov has made quite an impression on the veteran defenseman.

In three games against the Pens so far, Demidov has scored one goal and picked up two assists for a total of three points, including two points in a 4-3 shootout loss back in December. Letang should get to face Demidov another three games this season, and he won’t have to wait long either since the Canadiens are taking on the Penguins twice in October.

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On Wednesday, The Athletic released its annual NHL player tiers list, taking the top-150 players in the league and putting them into separate tiers to indicate what level they are on. The tiers include MVP level, franchise player, All-Star, star, and support players.

The list is compiled by taking into account player net ratings, the writer rankings, and a panel of 20 people within the NHL.

From a Pittsburgh Penguins perspective, this year’s list re-confirms what is the biggest concern for the team in the long-term future.

They just do not have enough young elite talent. Or any at the moment.

While this Penguins team has a lot of organizational depth at certain positions, specifically at forward and in goal, and while the prospect pool is dramatically better than it was even one or two years ago, a lot of the players that make up that depth have a limited ceiling. They might have high floors. But they have low ceilings.

There are a lot of potential NHL players and NHL regulars there. There are some good players and potentially really good players. There are a lot of potential wild-cards that could go in a lot of different directions. But there are simply not enough proven impact players or high-ceiling prospects that they can consider a focal point for a serious Stanley Cup contending team in the future.

At least not right now.

The Penguins have three players on the list, but they are all deep into their 30s.

The players on the list are…

• Center, and captain, Sidney Crosby who fits into Tier 2 as a franchise-level player.
• Defenseman Erik Karlsson who is listed in Tier 3 as an All-Star level player.
• Forward Evgeni Malkin who is listed in Tier 5 as a support player.

In the short-term, having two players within the top-three tiers is fine, and could be a good foundation, especially when you take into account the position each plays (center and defense) and how they can be cornerstone players down the middle where championship-level teams are built.

But again, these guys are in their late 30s. You might be able to count on them in the short-term, but you can not count on them for the long-term.

Crosby is going to be 39 this season, and while he is coming off another big year, the assessment of his play and ranking is more about his status as an NHL legend, and not really the player he currently is.

Our approach to Crosby’s placement, as he’s continued to strengthen his case for Hockey Rushmore through his late 30s, has been to start conservatively and wait for the panel to argue him up the list. For the first time, that’s not how it went down.

That’s not meant as any sort of knock on the legend, either. “He willed that team into the playoffs,” an exec said. “They had no business being there.” The expectation is that, even at 39, he will continue to produce like an in-his-prime franchise player — a necessity for the Penguins if they’re to make another shocking postseason push.

Are age-related cracks are starting to come through? Sure. Pittsburgh was break-even in expected goals in Crosby’s minutes in 2025-26, which doesn’t bode well for his defensive play, and offensively, his dip in effectiveness on the rush continued. The bigger picture, though, cannot be lost. This is a once-in-a-generation player showcasing once-in-a-lifetime longevity.

Honestly, I don’t think there is anything unfair there. I will quibble with the assessment the he “willed” them into the playoffs on his own, mostly because they did one hell of a job staying in the fight when he was sidelined for a significant portion of the season. A lot of players contributed to that playoff appearance.

He can still score and produce points. But he is not the consistent game-changing force he was at his peak and in his prime. Sometimes that extra level of dominance is there. Sometimes it is not. There are legitimate concerns and cracks in the defensive game. He’s still Sidney Crosby, but he’s no longer SIDNEY CROSBY.

The assessment on Karlsson is actually a little more encouraging even though he is two-tiers below Crosby.

“Had an unreal year,” a scout said. “Drives me nuts.”

Welcome to the Erik Karlsson Experience, now starting its 18th season and headed for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Karlsson bounced back to an almost incredible degree for Pittsburgh in 2025-26, helping to fuel an unexpected run to the postseason and finding his way back on to a handful of Norris Trophy ballots. Karlsson was 10th among defensemen in points per 60 and, even more crucially, Pittsburgh won his minutes 73-53 after outright losing them in 2024-25.

“He can go either way, but what he did last season was special,” a veteran executive said. “There’s just not a lot of defenders on your list that can put together the sort of season that he managed.”

There is a strong and convincing argument to be made that Karlsson was the Penguins’ best and most important player in 2025-26, and you do not have to look much further than the fact he took home the team’s MVP honors. It would not surprise me if he came back this season and played at that level again, and was again the team’s best player. He is going to be 36 years old, but I still saw a player that has a lot of gas in the tank this past season.

The biggest problem, aside from the age, is that he is in the final year of his contract and is not guaranteed to finish the season as a member of the Penguins, let alone be a member of the team next season.

He can still give you a great player right now, but for how much longer?

Malkin, in Tier 5, probably has the least optimistic outlook.

Which forward born in the mid-1980s led Pittsburgh in all-situations points per 60 last season? That would be Malkin (3.72), who was rejuvenated by a move to the wing at 39.

The future Hall of Famer might no longer be a dominant down-the-middle force, but he’s still producing plenty of offense, period, let alone for an old guy. Is a repeat performance a dodgy proposition? Sure — but slotting him in as a highly productive second-line wing seems reasonable and fair.

Again, I think that is fair. Also, like Karlsson, he is playing out one more year on his current contract and could also be out of the picture by next season due to retirement.

So where are the Penguins going to get some players that fit into the higher tiers?

Goalie prospect Sergei Murashov might be the prospect in the system that has the highest ceiling, and the one that could eventually play his way into something like a Tier 3 level if (very big if) everything goes right for him. But I also feel like he is the top prospect in the organization that is least likely to reach their ceiling just based on the nature of the position he plays and the unpredictably that comes with goalies, and especially young goalies.

He is one of those wild-cards.

I could see Ben Kindel being a Tier 5 guy, and maybe even a Tier 4 guy, at some point in his career. Maybe not this season or next season, but eventually. A two-way center with great hockey sense and a good shot can be an important part of a contending team.

Maybe if Egor Chinakhov shows his second-half performance in Pittsburgh after the trade was not a fluke, he can play his way into Tier 5, or perhaps even Tier 4, with another big season or two. He scored at a 35-goal pace after the trade, and could potentially be a Pavel Dorofeyev type player if he can build on that and consistently show it over a full season and beyond (Dorofeyev, for the record, is Tier 5 this season).

Those are a lot of ifs and maybes. Ifs and maybes do not always go perfectly.

If you are looking at potential outside additions, everybody has been dreaming about Jason Robertson, and given the salary cap space the Penguins will have at their disposal this offseason you can continue to dream about that if you want. It might not be likely. But it is something you can hope for. He is in the Tier 2 level, though the anonymous quotes from scouts and coaches are kind of baffling. Even so, he would change the math for them if they could somehow get him.

Elias Pettersson as a potential trade option still makes the list in Tier 5, even if everybody seems to agree he has not done anything to earn that status in two years. The potential for a bounce-back given what he has shown he is capable of is what keeps him on there.

Then there is simply the potential for draft picks. The Penguins have a ton of draft pick capital over the next three years, and the chance to add more, and while none of them are truly elite picks at the moment, sometimes one of the best ways to give yourself a chance at finding a cornerstone player is to just give yourself as many picks as possible. Or maybe you can move up in a year. Or maybe this season represents a step backwards and draft lottery luck smiles upon you.

Whatever the case may be, and whether it is internal improvement, a free agent signing, a blockbuster trade, or some draft luck, it is pretty clear what the Penguins biggest need is and the one thing that is going to limit their ceiling in the near future until they find a way to fix it.

The New Jersey Devils dynasty years provide throwbacks for fans with great moments from those Stanley Cup-winning years. The Scott Stevens hit on Eric Lindros in the 2000 Eastern Conference Final. The Patrik Elias Game 7 game-winning goal in that series against the Philadelphia Flyers. 

While the Devils didn’t win the Cup in 2012, the Adam Henrique Game 6 overtime winner against the New York Rangers is a highlight worth replaying over and over again (which you will probably do below before scrolling).  

The only thing better than the Devils winning is when they defeat their rivals in the process. It’s those great matchups between two juggernauts throughout the regular season and then in the playoffs that stand out. Frankly, that hasn’t happened in a while, mainly because the Devils have struggled in recent years, making the playoffs only three times in the past decade. 

That said, this season can see some of those reinvigorated rivalries. The Devils, for one, are poised to bounce back. Plus, with the way the Metropolitan Division is shaping up, a handful of teams can put together great seasons and face the Devils in games that matter. 

Devils-Penguins

The early 1990s were when the Devils started turning a corner and looking like a Cup contender, except they kept running into Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It made the 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-Final victory significant, not just because the Devils got their revenge but also because it was a changing of the guard. 

The Devils defeated the Penguins in 1995 and went on to win the Cup. The game shifted from high-flying offenses to the trap and defenses dominating play. The early 1990s were a clash in styles, and when the Devils finally beat the Penguins, they became the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. 

Devils Predicted To Come In 4th Place In Metropolitan DivisionThe New Jersey Devils believe that they will be an improved team in 2026-27, and so does The Hockey News.

The parallels from a roster standpoint are there to some extent. The Sidney Crosby-led Penguins are in the final seasons of their contention window, while the Devils are hopeful this season is the start of something special. However, these games will be centered around how the Devils handle the Penguins and their offense because if they are good, it’s because of all the skill with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson turning back the clock again. 

Devils-Hurricanes

The Devils don’t have much of a rivalry history with the Carolina Hurricanes because, in fairness, the Hurricanes weren’t that good for a while. They were worse when they were the Hartford Whalers. 

The best rivalry games were recent, although they haven’t been fun matchups for the Devils. The two teams met in the 2025 First Round and the 2023 Second Round, with the Hurricanes winning both matchups in five games. Plus, there was that 2006 series that the Hurricanes won on their way to their first Cup title. 

This season, the Devils will use the Hurricanes as a measuring stick. The Hurricanes have become the team to beat in the Metropolitan Division in recent years, and now, they are the defending champs. So, how the Devils play against them will be telling. How far have they come, and how big is the gap between the two teams? 

Devils-Capitals 

This rivalry was at its peak before both teams were. In the late 1980s and early 90s, the Devils and Washington Capitals had some nasty games, the kind where line brawls and all-out mayhem were a common occurrence. Game 3 of the 1988 Patrick Division Finals saw the two teams combine for 231 penalties in minutes, which doesn’t seem mathematically possible (it was the 80s; it was a different time). 

This season, the rivalry can be restored, although not with the same animosity and certainly not the same fights. The Capitals are shaping up to be a Cup contender after an impressive offseason where they acquired Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner. Likewise, the Devils overhauled their forward unit and expect to turn things around.

Devils Acquire Luke Evangelista From Predators in TradeOn Tuesday night, the New Jersey Devils announced the acquisition of 24-year-old forward Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Colorado’s 2028 first-round pick (conditional) and New Jersey’s 2028 second-round pick.

Devils-Flyers 

If there was any team that crossed paths with the Devils when they were winning the Cup, it was the Flyers. The 1990s teams went up against Eric Lindros, Ron Hextall, and well-built Flyers teams capable of winning the Cup. The 1995 Eastern Conference Final, which went six games, was a tougher test for the Devils than the Final, where they swept a young Detroit Red Wings team on the rise. Then there was the 2000 Eastern Conference Final, which had plenty of iconic moments and went the distance. 

There’s a good chance that both teams are great this season and will provide great matchups. The Flyers have young, elite talent on the wings, while the Devils are led by great play up the middle. 

Whether it’s Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, or Trevor Zegras for the Flyers, or Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier for the Devils, any shift is a highlight waiting to happen. Plus, both teams feature coaching staffs that will adjust and pivot all season to keep their teams in the playoff picture. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if one of these teams barely edges out the other for a playoff spot and a game or two between these teams decides who gets in. 

Will The Other Matchups Have The Same Spark?

The New York Islanders never had their dynasty overlap. When the Islanders had their dynasty in the 1980s, the Devils were known as a “Mickey Mouse organization,” as Wayne Gretzky put it. Then the teams traded places, and the Devils were winning while the Isles were a bottom-feeder. 

It sets up the next few seasons to be the best of the rivalry years. The Islanders are a team on the rise, while the Devils are anticipating a bounce-back and more stability under a new general manager. 

How Sunny Mehta Will Stand Out Among The New Wave Of Young GMs The New Jersey Devils are betting on their new GM being the next great young one in a league that has shifted towards that prototype.

The Devils and Rangers have plenty of history and have one of the best rivalries in hockey. This season specifically, the rivalry isn’t expected to have the same intensity since the Rangers are rebuilding and unlikely to be in the mix with the rest of the division. 

The same might be the case with the Columbus Blue Jackets. They have all of the pressure to make the playoffs, but there’s the looming tension surrounding Zach Werenski, and Adam Fantilli remains a restricted free agent at the time of this typing. Plus, the Devils and Jackets don’t have much of a rivalry history to begin with. 

Which matchup are you most looking forward to this season? Comment below!

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With 30 days remaining until the Detroit Red Wings open the 2026-27 season, we take a look at the top player to have worn jersey No. 30.

The Top No. 30 In Red Wings History: Chris Osgood 

This was about as easy a choice as one could have - there is no better player in Detroit Red Wings history to have worn No. 30 than goaltender Chris Osgood. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Selected by Detroit with the 54th pick in the 1991 NHL Draft, Osgood began his NHL seeing regular staring time in both the regular season and the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs before Detroit acquired future Hall of Fame goaltender Mike Vernon from the Calgary Flames.

Osgood took over as Detroit's postseason starter in 1996 and carried a heavy workload the following year, but Scotty Bowman turned to Vernon for the 1997 playoffs, and he helped end Detroit's 42-year Stanley Cup drought,

But Osgood was once again thrust into the starting role after Vernon's departure that August and led the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup win in 1998.

Osgood became expendable following the summer 2001 acquisition of Dominik Hasek, and while he was with the club for Training Camp, he was placed on waivers before the start of the season and claimed by the New York Islanders. He'd eventually help them reach Game 7 of their 2002 first-round series against Toronto.

The following season, Osgood was dealt to the St. Louis Blues, where he would play until returning to Detroit before the 2005-06 campaign.

He initially shared the crease with Manny Legace and later served as Dominik Hasek’s backup before taking over as the Red Wings’ starter during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, leading Detroit to its 11th Stanley Cup 10 years after doing so for the first time in 1998.

While Osgood struggled in the 2008-09 regular season, he returned as the team’s playoff starter that spring, and helped them to within a single win of repeating as Cup champions; he was a likely candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy had Detroit repeated. 

In 2009-10, eventually ceded the starting job to Jimmy Howard but reached another milestone in December 2010, earning his 400th NHL victory.

Osgood retired that summer with 401 wins, including 317 with Detroit, second-most in franchise history behind Terry Sawchuk. 

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The Buffalo Sabres enjoyed a terrific 2025-26 season, winning the  Atlantic Division, then beating the Boston Bruins in the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Sabres lost to the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2, but Buffalo sent a message – namely, that the days of the Sabres being a laughingstock are over. 

With that out of the way, here at TheHockeyNews.com, we're breaking down Buffalo’s Eastern Conference opponents for the second season in an ongoing series we call “Know Your Enemy”. And in this particular file, we’re focusing on the team that won a championship last season – the Carolina Hurricanes.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES

NEW HURRICANES PLAYERS: None

2025-26 SERIES: Sabres 1-2-0, Hurricanes 2-1-0

2026-27 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: January 9, at Buffalo; February 13 at Carolina; February 18 at Buffalo

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? GIven that the Hurricanes handed the Sabres fairly easily this past season, and given that the Canes are the defending Cup champions, we don’t see Buffalo having more success against them in 2026-27. The Canes lost a few players including goalie Frederik Andersen, but they don't need to prove anything to anyone.

The interesting wrinkle in this year’s Sabres schedule is that the Sabres and Carolina will square off three times in the span of about five weeks from January to mid-February. That’s going to give the Sabres a good barometer of what they’ll need to do to acquire pieces at next year’s trade deadline with a focus on beating the Hurricanes.

To be sure, Carolina is a swift-and-skilled squad, and to be sure, the Sabres are also swift and skilled. But Buffalo lost major pieces this summer, and the Hurricanes are probably going to improve at one point or another this season. This is why we’re skeptical that the Sabres will be able to last longer in next year’s post-season than the Hurricanes will.

The Hurricanes clearly subscribe to the school of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, and their youngsters are going to keep them competitive for years to come. So while we’ll have to wait until the new calendar season until we see the Sabres against Carolina, the wait is going to be worth it. And Buffalo will be able to use the Canes as a measuring stick by which to compare themselves. So we’re going to get high-quality hockey when these two teams go head-to-head.

With NHL training camps starting to get closer, the Montreal Canadiens have been beginning to skate together.

However, one defenseman who recently skated on his own without his teammates was Canadiens blueliner Kaiden Guhle.

Guhle was the only player who skated on his own in track suit on the Canadiens' second rink while the rest of Montreal's players who practiced on Tuesday skated on their first rink. 

The Canadiens have not provided an injury update regarding Guhle, but it is fair to wonder if something could be bothering the left-shot defenseman. Him skating on his own, not dressed in full gear, is interesting. 

With Guhle being a key part of the Canadiens' blueline, they are certainly hoping that he will be good to go for the start of the season. This is an important season for the 2020 first-round pick, as he will be looking to have a big breakout year for the Habs. 

Guhle has also dealt with injury trouble over the last few seasons, so it would be unfortunate if he injured again with training camp getting closer. He was limited to just 39 games last season for Montreal, where he posted two goals, 11 points, 86 hits, and a plus-5 rating.

We will now need to wait and see if the Canadiens end up announcing that Guhle is dealing with something. Here's to hoping that the 24-year-old defenseman is healthy. 

Earlier in the week, the Chicago Blackhawks announced their roster for the 2026 Prospect Showcase. This event will take place at Blackhawks Ice Arena in Chicago, and it will feature three practices, two morning skates, and two games against the St. Louis Blues prospects. 

Once again, the Blackhawks are bringing an above-average amount of talent to an event like this. Not every one of Chicago's top prospects is attending, but there is enough to consider it a highly competitive group. 

11 Blackhawks Will Enter 2026-27 On Expiring ContractsThe Chicago Blackhawks have 11 players on expiring contracts on their active roster heading into the 2026-27 season.

Of the players showing up to this showcase, these five are the ones who will have extra attention on them for different reasons: 

Sacha Boisvert - FWD

Sacha Boisvert was a first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft. Naturally, that will place excitement on him because there is a certain expectation that comes with selections like that during a rebuilding phase. 

Boisvert, after finishing his NCAA career, signed with the Blackhawks at the end of last season for a handful of games. He didn't play every game after signing, but there is clear upside in his game. There is a lot more development ahead of him, but he is a player to watch out for above most at this Prospect Challenge. 

Marek Vanacker - FWD

Marek Vanacker was also a first-round pick in the same draft as Boisvert. The Blackhawks made him the 27th overall pick that year. This is another forward that the Blackhawks are hoping will play a role on one of their four lines in the future, if not used in a trade. In the upcoming games against the Blues, Vanacker will make an impact on one of the top two lines. 

Ryan Roobroeck - FWD

Ryan Roobroeck is the only player on this list who isn't signed. Unless he is uncuttable in camp and the preseason, he will return to Major Junior hockey in 2026-27 to play for the Guelph Storm of the OHL. 

Roobroeck, a second-round pick (35th overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft, has a fresh feel to him as a prospect. Of all the players drafted by Chicago in 2026, Roobroeck will get the most attention at this event. It will be interesting to see how he is used compared to some of the older forwards in attendance. 

AJ Spellacy - FWD

AJ Spellacy may not be the most skilled or flashy player of the bunch, but he has an argument for being the most "NHL-ready". Spellacy plays a hard-nosed game and is always going full steam ahead. 

Spellacy's play style makes him a perfect third forward on a line to complement skill guys. He wins puck battles, hits hard, and isn't afraid to go to the front of the net. His tenacity will allow him to score goals at every level he reaches in hockey. 

This is also a player with a clutch gene. When things matter the most, you can expect Spellacy to make a difference. 

Adam Gajan -G

Spencer Knight is the organization's number one goalie; Arvid Soderblom is going to be the backup for another year, and Drew Commesso is waiting in the wings. Still, you can never have too much goaltending depth. Adam Gajan is going to be a part of that moving forward. 

Gajan was one of the NCAA's best goaltenders last year, and he even found a way onto Team Slovakia's roster at the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina. He was the third stringer in the end, but he may be the future of the position for that country. 

It will be an AHL start for Gajan in his pro career, which is the case for most goaltenders in NHL history. If he gets a look in a Blackhawks uniform this year, it would only be because of multiple injuries, but that is likely not something he will experience until next year or beyond. 

As far as the showcase, he is the best non-skater attending for Chicago. Jason Schaubel, the other goalie on the roster, will likely split the net with Gajan when it comes to the games. Schaubel was with the Kitchener Rangers en route to a Memorial Cup victory earlier this year. 

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The Tkachuk brothers have arrived in South Florida.

Recently, members of the Florida Panthers have been making their way back to Broward County ahead of the team’s annual training camp, which is set to begin in just over two weeks.

On Tuesday, a video was posted on social media by Panthers Skills Coach Max Ivanov showing a handful of Florida players on the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale for a workout. 

A screenshot of the video, which was posted as an Instrgram story that will disappear after 24 hours, can be seen below. 

Among the group were Panthers captain Sasha Barkov, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and forwards Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

It’s the first time we’re getting a look at the younger Tkachuk brother on the ice wearing his brand new Panthers gear. 

He and his teammates were all sporting the same traditional Panthers practice uniforms that we'll see them wearing throughout the season. 

That meant Brady was skating in a white Florida practice sweater to go with a new white helmet and navy blue gloves and pants.

Florida acquired Brady in a blockbuster trade with the Ottawa Senators, giving up a trio of first-round picks and a second-round selection in exchange for the young star forward.

The Panthers’ first preseason game is set for Sunday, Sept. 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes at Amerant Bank Arena.

They’ll open the season nine days later when head to Raleigh to face the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL’s first official game of 2026-27.

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