The Florida Panthers have won two straight games in the Stanley Cup Final.
A third straight win on Thursday night, when they host the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, would give Florida a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
While Florida comes in with a fully healthy roster and plenty of confidence, things are a bit more fluid on the Edmonton side.
Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said on Wednesday that there would probably be a lineup change for Game 4, but did not elaborate on who he was considering taking out.
That potential move apparently did not include forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury that had him a game-time decision for Game 3.
Nugent-Hopkins will carry the same GTD label into Thursday, where he'll be evaluated prior to the game before Knoblauch and his staff make a final judgement.
Knoblauch also said that there had not been a decision yet on who would start in goal for Edmonton.
Stuart Skinner struggled in Game 3, allowing five goals on 23 shots before being pulled 3:27 into the third period.
So far during the Stanley Cup Final, Skinner has given up 13 goals on 97 shots, good for an underwhelming save percentage of .866. and a goals against average of 4.22.
If Skinner doesn't start, Calvin Pickard would get the nod.
Pickard replaced Skinner back in round one against the Los Angeles Kings after the latter 11 goals on 58 shots during the first two games of the playoffs, both losses by Edmonton.
Pickard came in and won his next six starts for the Oilers before he was injured and Skinner was summoned back into the crease.
To be fair, while Pickard holds a 6-0 record for Edmonton this postseason, his corresponding statistics are underwhelming to say the least, with a goals against average of 2.87 and save percentage at .888.
Skinner's play significantly improved after he became the starter again, so we'll see if Knoblauch sticks with the guy who got the Oilers through the second and third rounds against Vegas and Dallas, respectively.
As for Florida, it’s likely Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice will roll with the same lineup that ww saw play pretty well in Game 3.
Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 4 against the Oilers.
Photo caption: Jun 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) celebrates scoring during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers in game three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague has been creating plenty of chatter as a potential trade candidate this off-season. It is understandable, as the 6-foot-6 defenseman is a pending restricted free agent and due for a raise. Thus, the Golden Knights could very well end up flipping him if his asking price for his next contract is too high.
The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the teams that have been linked to Hague this off-season. When noting that Hague is a big shutdown defenseman right in his prime, he would have the potential to be a solid addition to the Flyers' blueline if acquired.
However, a new update has been provided regarding the Flyers and Hague trade rumor, which makes it questionable. According to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz, a team source "strongly denied" to him that the Flyers are interested in Hague. In addition, Kurz also added that he does not believe the Flyers will trade for the 26-year-old.
The Flyers' rumored interest in Vegas defenseman Nic Hague was pretty strongly denied to me from a team source. I do not expect that to happen.
While Hague appears not to be on the Flyers' radar, adding a new defenseman should be one of the Flyers' top priorities this summer. It is no secret that their blueline could use a boost, and this is especially the case when it comes to their right side.
Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see what happens with Hague this summer, but Kurz's report creates some doubt about the possibility that Philly will end up acquiring the 2017 third-round pick.
The American Hockey League has announced the Top Prospects Team for the 2024-25 season.
The AHL's hockey operations department and general managers decide this honor. Skaters must have been 22 or under on the first day of the AHL season, played 36 AHL games, and less than 30 NHL games. Goalies must have been 23 or under, player 25 AHL games and less than 20 NHL games.
As the off-season unfolds for the Buffalo Sabres, there are many opportunities for them to improve their roster. And as rumors swirled Wednesday about a major trade that will send star left winger Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks for a prospect and a draft pick, it's fair to say this was a missed opportunity for the Sabres.
Given that Buffalo should want to acquire more veteran experience to lead them into the playoffs, Kreider would've been a terrific pickup for the Sabres. But it looks like Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams couldn't or wouldn't beat Anaheim's price for Kreider, and the Ducks are going to be better for it.
It's true Kreider is coming off a down season. And his $6.5-million salary, which runs for the next two seasons, may look like an overpayment for the 34-year-old. But in the two previous seasons, Kreider posted a combined total of 75 goals and 129 points. That's someone worth taking a gamble on, especially considering Kreider is a playoff beast, generating 48 goals and 76 points in 123 career playoff games.
Now, Kreider has a no-trade clause in his current contract, allowing him to veto a trade to 15 teams. Maybe Buffalo is one of those teams. But players can change their minds if GMs are allowed to talk to them prior to a trade. That could be what's happening at the moment with Kreider and the Ducks.
But in this writer's opinion, the Sabres are closer to competing for a playoff berth than Anaheim is. That's what should be frustrating for Buffalo fans right now. Every move like a Kreider trade is showing, one way or another, that the Sabres aren't aggressive enough to be a mover-and-shaker on the trade front.
Kreider may be a flop next season in Anaheim. But Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has quietly added a lot of veteran experience -- winger Alex Killorn, defenseman Jacob Trouba, and now, Kreider. That's an indication that teams value experience and knowhow. And at the moment, the Sabres don't have enough of it.
Trading Star Winger Tuch Should Definitely Be An Option For SabresThe Buffalo Sabres definitely have some untouchables on their team -- namely, star winger Tage Thompson, and defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. And there are other players it should take a mammoth deal to acquire -- namely, winger J.J. Peterka, center Josh Norris and blueliner Bowen Byram.
It would've been a coup for Adams to acquire Kreider, but that ship has apparently sailed. And now, the Sabres have to turn their attention to other veterans who are on the trade block. There are definitely teams out there willing to surrender some experienced players for young players and draft picks, and Buffalo has a lot of those assets. But once again, they're on the outside looking in, and Sabres fans are well within their rights to wonder if and when Buffalo will step up and make a move of consequence.
Kreider has been through the wringer in Manhattan, and still managed to thrive despite all the pressure he faced as one of the cornerstone members of the Blueshirts. You want someone like that in Buffalo. You want him to buy into your vision for the franchise, and you want him to be a great example for your young, developing players.
This is why Kreider would've been a great fit with the Sabres. But the bottom line is that Buffalo didn't outbid Anaheim, and the Ducks apparently wound up picking up a vital component as they make their own push to be a playoff team. Kreider may not have worked out in Buffalo, but taking a chance on him would've been a justifiable gamble. And it didn't happen.
Right now, the Sabres are not proactive with trades. And that's on Adams and his new management team. Buffalo absolutely has to be ready, willing and able to acquire assets that will improve their chances of getting into the post-season. And for one reason or another, they're unable to do so.
It's no wonder some Sabres fans want to throw their hands in the air out of despair. They see other teams taking big swings, while Buffalo stays stapled to the bench, unable to even get to the plate. Landing Kreider would've infused the Sabres fan base with a jolt of optimism, but instead, they only got more silence from Adams & Co..
Time will tell if the Sabres can land a difference-maker this summer, but at the moment, cynics have more moves -- or lack of moves -- to point to and justify their exhaustion with this organization. When nothing solid materializes for a franchise that desperately needs help, the reaction of the paying customers will not be positive. And if Kreider thrives with the Ducks next year, Sabres fans will wring their hands in agony wondering "what if" Buffalo had stepped up and acquired him.
The 6-foot-1 forward has played in 498 career NHL games and recorded 52 goals, 92 assists, and 144 points in ten NHL seasons. He played on six different NHL teams and has now signed a contract in the Czech league.
Photo Credit: Mar 29, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild center Devin Shore (19) shoots against the New Jersey Devils in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images.
Muse, 42, was hired to replace former bench boss Mike Sullivan on Jun. 4, and after a long search and process, Dubas believes that they've found the right guy for where the Penguins are at right now.
And it was someone who was not initially on his radar.
"What stood about Dan during the process was that he was not somebody that I knew personally going into it," Dubas said. "But right from the time that we met and we spoke on the phone, then when we met over Zoom, and then met in person, it became clear that he was somebody that was going to be extraordinarily well-suited to develop all of our players. Not just our young players, but all of them."
He continued: "[With] everything about him as we got through and further on in the process, it became clear that he was going to be a great fit to partner with us and help lead us through this transition and then back into contention with the Pittsburgh Penguins."
Muse is excited to get started in Pittsburgh, too, as this is his first head coaching opportunity at the NHL level. He previously had assistant coaching stints with the Nashville Predators, and - most recently - with the New York Rangers.
And he is aware of the caliber of the organization that he is joining.
"It's an honor to work in the NHL," Muse said. "It's a huge honor to be a head coach in this league. It's extremely humbling to be a part of this organization, this city, working with this staff and with these players. I couldn't be more excited to get started here."
Here are three takeaways from Muse's introductory press conference:
"Through this process, you see what an exciting time it is to come in here," Muse said. "You have legendary players of our game here in Pittsburgh. Future hall-of-famers. You have these exciting young players that are coming up, and then you have a little bit of everything in between. So, to have an opportunity to work together with everybody here to make sure that these players are continuing to grow wherever they are in their career... I just can't tell you how exciting an opportunity that is."
Muse understands the assignment, too, as he is aware of the fact that the team is in a transitionary period. He's ready to undertake the task of bridging the team back to contention - and he'll do it one player at a time, one day at a time.
"There's going to be a lot of work that goes into it [before training camp]," Muse said. "And that's the work with each individual and what they need, it's going to be the work with the collective group, and then, as soon as we get on the ice for the first time, we're going to continue to build. It's going to be a step-by-step process. Each day, we're going to be looking to get a little bit better as a group, a little bit better for each of these guys."
2. Muse values an individualistic approach to coaching
And on that note, one of the best bits from Muse during this presser was when he was asked about his approach to balancing the desire to win and the focus on development.
He kept mentioning how each player is different and has different needs depending on where they're at in their respective careers. This individualistic approach to coaching his players is something that separates him, and he knows how to put it all together to meet common goals, too.
"Everybody's different," Muse said. "Everybody's path's going to be different, so as a coach, you enjoy that part of it because you've got to learn who the person is to really work with them and help them."
He added: "You have guys in different places in their careers, and that's very clear. My job coming in here is going to be to help maximize each person and to help each person work toward what their highest level could be right now. And that's going to be my focus."
The understanding that every player's path is different should bode well for a coach working with so many young players - and young players with different things to work on.
"Part of player development is saying, 'What could you become?' and helping that person believe that, and then helping guide them, helping them with the road map on how to get there," Muse said. "And then, you're working together with the player in order to help that player take their game to the next level.
"I think it's really rewarding to be able to be a part of that, and to be able to help players achieve those things that they're looking to do and help them see what could be possible."
3. There will be a high degree of collaboration between Muse and Dubas
Make no mistake: Dubas and Muse will definitely be working very closely.
And that collaboration is one of the aspects that drew Muse to the job in the first place:
"One of the things that really excited me about this opportunity was the clear collaboration it's going to have," Muse said. "And that, kind of, started right away within this process. I think that, early on in our conversations - and especially when coming in here in that meeting with other members of the organization - it became very clear that this is an opportunity for full collaboration at a very high level. And there will be."
He added: "That's something that excites me. That's something that I've seen and something that I believe in that you have to have. You have to take all the resources that you have, all the different people and ideas, and you have to become united in what your approach is going to be and in everything that you do. And I believe that's what leads to success."
Dubas echoed that sentiment, and he thinks the collboration between him, Muse, and the players will help propel the team toward a better future.
"Of course, when we're talking about building out the team and how we want it to play, there's always a give-and-take between the coach and the manager," Dubas said. "There's the way that Dan would like the team to play, and then there's the group of players that we have and the group of players that are available... and then trying to find the best way, collectively, to move the team ahead."
The AHL unveiled its 2024-25 Top Prospect Team on Wednesday with a pair of top Carolina Hurricanes prospects — Bradly Nadeau and Scott Morrow — being named to the team.
The chosen players are selected by the league's hockey operations department in conjunction with AHL general managers as the prospects projected to be the best future NHL players.
To qualify, players must have been 22 years old or younger on the first day of the regular season and must have played in at least 36 regular season AHL games and no more than 30 NHL games.
Morrow, 22, had 13 goals and 39 points in 52 AHL games this season and was a top power play quarterback for the Wolves.
The 2021 second-round pick played in 14 regular season games for Carolina this season, registering a goal and six points, and also played in all five games against the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final as well.
It is also just the first time in AHL history that a pair of teammates from the same organization have each been named to the Top Prospect Team in the same year.
The other players selected to the team include Konsta Helenius (Rochester Americans/Buffalo Sabres), Dalibor Dvorsky (Springfield Thunderbirds/St. Louis Blues), Logan Mailloux (Laval Rockets/Montreal Canadiens) and Jet Greaves (Cleveland Monsters/Columbus Blue Jackets).
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
As the Philadelphia Flyers snoop for more ways to quietly improve their roster, one Dallas Stars forward has emerged as a potential trade target. He's just not Jason Robertson like everyone had hoped.
Rumors had previously surfaced that the Stars could trade Robertson, a former 100-point-scorer heading into the last year of his contract, to create cap space and flexibility down the road.
That may still be true, but a new report has suggested that the Flyers are interested in a different Stars forward of a lesser caliber, which would help Dallas towards its goal all the same.
According to Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, the Flyers are fans of Stars left winger Mason Marchment, a 6-foot-5 winger with 20 goals in consecutive seasons.
The 29-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the Stars at a $4.5 million cap hit, which Dallas is presumably looking to shed to allocate funds elsewhere. Marchment has a 10-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia.
"I have heard Marchment is a guy PHI likes. If they're looking to add size up front (which I believe they are) I wonder if they'll pursue him," Di Marco reported on his X account Wednesday afternoon.
Considering the Stars' salary cap pinch ($5 million to sign nine players) the Flyers could acquire Marchment at a relatively minimal cost. The two main questions are, of course, if the Flyers are on Marchment's no-trade list and if he'll stay beyond the 2025-26 season.
At 29 years old, Marchment is on the older side for the Flyers' roster, and Philadelphia may be better suited in the long-term giving guys like Jakob Pelletier, Nikita Grebenkin, or Alex Bump the NHL ice time rather than trading for Marchment for a year's worth of hockey.
Something else to consider is the possibility the Flyers flip Marchment to a contender at the NHL trade deadline, and being able to retain salary will give them the chance to earn the best possible return possible.
At the same time, the Flyers have only one retention slot available remaining due to the Scott Laughton and Kevin Hayes trades, so if they retain salary on a future Marchment deal, they won't be able to retain salary on further trades until the summer.
This is something that could potentially prohibit them from trading a player like Rasmus Ristolainen, for example, at some point next season.
If the Flyers trade for Marchment, he'll presumably slot into a top-nine role immediately, but management may want to make sure the former Panthers and Maple Leafs forward will stick around before rushing into any deals.
Marchment shares an agent, Paul Capizzano, with top Flyers defense prospect Oliver Bonk.
Panthers' Sam Bennett betting odds for next team officially come out with sizeable front runner ahead of the pack
After another bruising and productive postseason, Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is gaining attention not just for his on-ice heroics but also for his uncertain future.
The 28-year-old has been a difference-maker in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, leading the league with 10 goals in 17 games to go with 6 assists, 58 shots, and a whopping 91 hits. He’s been instrumental during Florida’s Finals run, including a highlight-reel breakaway goal in Game 3 after delivering a thunderous hit to ignite the play.
This follows his 2024 playoff campaign where he produced 7 goals and 7 assists in 19 games during Florida's Cup win.
Over the past two postseasons, Bennett has racked up 17 goals and 13 assists in 36 games while playing a physical, agitating, and clutch brand of hockey. As a pending unrestricted free agent, teams across the league are watching closely—and sportsbooks are already lining up next-team odds for the rugged forward.
Betting Odds: Sam Bennett’s Next Team per FanDuel Sportsbook
The Panthers are the clear betting favorite to retain Bennett and for good reason. He's a perfect fit for Florida’s system with a fast and physical playstyle that works well in Paul Maurice's system and has proven to be successful in the playoffs. He’s already racked up a league-best 14 goals this postseason, including five goals over his last four games.
Florida has created a winning culture in a location that's very hard to beat with nice weather all year round and no-state tax that has allowed Bennett to keep more of his money. He's been vital to the success of the Panthers for the last three seasons and will likely be one of the main priorities for management this off-season.
Toronto Maple Leafs (+500)
A homecoming to Toronto is definitely a possibility as the Buds are desperately looking for playoff competitors with Bennett being one of the best in the league. Bennett’s grit and playoff prowess could be a massive addition to a Leafs team that has always struggled to close out series due to their stars failing to play at their best when it counts.
The Leafs could also benefit from his versatility as he's able to play center or wing. If Bennett is interested, Toronto will do everything they can to get him as they'll have extra cap space following the likely departure of Mitch Marner.
Vegas Golden Knights (+900)
The Golden Knights have built their identity on being aggressive with acquiring playoff-tested forwards like Bennett. If Vegas doesn’t retain all of its current free agents, there could be a roster and cap-space opening for a player with his unique blend of scoring touch and sandpaper that Vegas is known for as well as Florida. His game would mesh well with Bruce Cassidy’s system, particularly in heavy matchups.
Boston Bruins (+2200)
Boston has been on the hunt for a gritty forward who thrives in the playoffs and after last season's 33-39-10 record, they'll be looking to make some serious changes to get themselves back into playoff contention.
Bennett fits that bill of a Boston Bruin and could play the Charlie Coyle-style hybrid role up and down the lineup with his ability to play multiple positions. Cap gymnastics may be needed but the Bruins have a winning culture that is always enticing to free agents.
Los Angeles Kings (+2600)
The Kings are an intriguing dark horse. They have young, impactful centers but may look to add more physical edge and depth scoring. Edmonton disposed of LA for the fourth year in a row this postseason and could influence the Kings to try and make a serious move like bringing in Bennett.
If the Kings are looking to retool, his veteran presence could make sense—especially as a tone-setter on the road.
Ottawa Senators (+2600)
If Ottawa aims to accelerate its rebuild into playoff contention, a forward like Bennett makes sense. He brings experience and edge, and his Ontario roots might play well with fans and local interest. Still, the Sens would likely need to overpay to outbid a win-now contender.
Colorado Avalanche (+3400)
Colorado is a bit of a longshot considering their cap, but Bennett’s game has traits the Avs might appreciate, particularly his toughness, versatility, and postseason success.
He could slot in as a utility forward with significantly less pressure as he goes undercover behind their top stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Gabriel Landeskog. Bennett would propel the Avalanche to potentially the best forward group in the NHL but it all depends on financial flexibility.
New York Rangers (+3400)
The Rangers have often lacked grit in the playoffs, and Bennett could help fix that. This season was a turbulent one in New York and they may be looking for a serious shakeup to the roster after closing in on a deal to send longtime Ranger Chris Kreider to the Ducks. Bennett's ability to draw penalties, create chaos, and contribute timely goals could complement New York’s elite skill players they already have in Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.
Vancouver Canucks (+3400)
Vancouver’s deep run last season showed they’re on the cusp. But after a dramatic season with locker room problems and losing a key player in J.T. Miller, they could be looking to add another big ticket winger that could help the Canucks back into the playoff picture.
Adding a playoff-tested player like Bennett would bring edge and scoring, especially on a team needing consistency from their forward group. The Canucks’ cap situation is tight, but if they create space, Bennett could thrive there.
New Jersey is building a dynamic core but could use some grit and playoff experience up front. Bennett could be an anchor on a line with younger talent, helping push the team further in the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings (+3700)
Detroit’s slow but steady progress makes them a sleeper pick for Bennett. The Red Wings lack playoff seasoning as their roster is still very young and bringing in a player of Bennett's caliber could help them into the playoffs after just barely missing out the last two seasons.
Bennett could be a stabilizing two-way player in their top six, mentoring younger forwards with his playoff experience. Still, Detroit would be required to go all-in for a player like Bennett and they may not have enough cap space to make the move.
St. Louis Blues (+3700)
The Blues had he identity of a gritty, phyical team when they won the Stanley Cup back in 2019 and still today, they work well with forwards like Bennett. His gritty style fits their mold, and he’d be a solid piece in a team on the rise as the Blues are almost complete with their retooling phase. St. Louis may have some big upcoming contracts like keeping Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas for the rest of their careers which may limit the feasibility with the cap.
Buffalo is improving, but remains far from playoff contention. GM Kevyn Adams has been vocal about how aggressive the Sabres will be this off-season as their players are begging for a chance to play in meaningful games. Bennett would be a major asset for Buffalo as a locker-room leader, playoff performer and a cornerstone piece for a hopeful contender in the future. The Sabres have cap space, but it’s unlikely Bennett would choose a non-contender unless he's paid handsomely.
Anaheim Ducks (+4500)
Anaheim’s odds are long for a reason. While Bennett would provide leadership and energy, the Ducks are rebuilding and likely won’t be a competitive team in the near term. Like the Sabres, GM Pat Verbeek spoke out about wanting to be agressive this off-season and made the bold proclamation that he wants Anaheim back in the playoffs next season.
Bennett would be a key player in getting the Ducks back in contention and excel when getting there. He’d also be a solid mentor for a young roster, but it’s a fit better suited for a veteran on a long-term deal—something Bennett may not seek.
Playoff fact: You almost always win Stanley Cups on the strength of the play of your star players.
Also playoff fact: You also win Stanley Cups when your depth players are difference-makers as well.
The Florida Panthers choked off the head of the snake so well in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final that the Edmonton Oilers' duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was limited to two shot attempts. That might be difficult for the Panthers to repeat, but with home-ice advantage and the last change, they'll have the opportunity to get the players they want out on the ice against the Oilers' stars.
Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart aren't exactly lighting the world on fire themselves, but the likes Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell and Nate Schmidt have been lights-out.
It's time for the likes of Evander Kane, Connor Brown, Viktor Arvidsson and John Klingberg to do the same.
Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.
The volume was turned up inside Amerant Bank Arena for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
A total of 19,863 fans packed inside the Sunrise hockey barn to see their Florida Panthers battle the Edmonton Oilers in what was a tied series entering the contest.
It didn't take long for Florida to get their fans going, as Brad Marchand scored a goal 56 seconds into the game that had the building rocking.
That turned out to only be the beginning.
Hard Rock Bet had someone inside the building with a sound meter, checking to see how loud the crowd would get at different points of the game.
For the most part, the loudest moments saw the decibel levels somewhere between 100 and 110
At different points, the meter was running while Panthers fans were chanting Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner's name, while Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo was banging the pregame drum and during an intermission performance from worldwide entertainment star D.J. Khaled.
But the loudest the building got all night, according to the meter, was after Sam Bennett scored a breakaway goal during the second period.
According to the sound meter, the decibel level reached a whopping 130.9 dB.
The goal put the Panthers up 4-1 at the time. They would go on to win 6-1 and take a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series.
Perhaps it was the buildup to the goal that helped the crowd get so loud.
Bennett had almost half the ice to skate down before scoring the goal, and in those couple of seconds, you could both hear and feel the crowd building to a potential crescendo.
It was an incredibly cool moment to be part of in a night that was full of them.
Florida beat down the Oilers in Game 3, and Edmonton's players seemed perfectly happy to engage and instigate much of the physical hostilities that came during the latter stages of the night.
How much of that bleeds over into Game 4 remains to be seen.
Regardless, it should be another loud night at the Cats' home barn.
Photo caption: Jun 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (9) scores against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the second period in game three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)
The NHL Scouting Combine is over, yet there is still no consensus on how the top 10 of the 2025 NHL Draft should go. However, based on what has been reported, it is fair to assume that certain teams may be headed down a specific path.
Are the New York Islanders going to trade down from one? Will the Chicago Blackhawks move their pick up or down? What are the San Jose Sharks doing? All of these questions will be answered on June 27th, 2025.
The Blackhawks are almost certainly drafting a forward. The only defenseman going in the top six is Matthew Schaefer, who likely won’t even be there when Chicago comes up to pick. The assumption is that Michael Misa will also be unavailable at that time.
That leaves four forwards for Chicago to realistically consider unless something unexpected happens in the top two. Most could play center, but some may be better wingers in the long term. The Blackhawks need both.
This is how they stack up against each other after the combine:
1. James Hagens
At the start of the 2024-25 season, it felt like James Hagens was a lock to be the number one overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Now, unless someone stuns, he likely won’t go higher than third and could even slip to the lower half of the bottom ten.
Hagens dominated with the USNTDP before this year. At Boston College, he had a good year, but more was expected from him. He wasn't Macklin Celebrini who won the Hobey Baker as a freshman a year prior, so he started to slip.
The problem is that college hockey is becoming a harder league than the CHL. If Hagens wanted to have 150 points playing there, he could have. That also would have likely locked him into being the first overall pick. Instead, he took Will Smith’s spot at BC and played well between Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault on the top line.
Hagens was also a top player on Team USA’s World Juniors team that went on to win the Gold Medal. No matter what, he's been noticeable.
This is a smaller player, which doesn’t help his case to be selected higher. However, there are plenty of young, smaller offensive stars in the league like Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield, and Logan Cooley. Although the Blackhawks already have some smaller forwards like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, passing on Hagens may fill them (and a lot of other teams) with regret one day.
2. Porter Martone
If Kyle Davidson sees a lot of these guys having the same ceiling, then the tie breaker could work in Porter Martone’s favor if the way he plays is something Chicago’s brass likes.
Martone is a big, physical power forward who will create time and space for himself and others in the NHL. Specifically, it is easy to picture Martone on a line with Connor Bedard, a smaller center.
Connor Bedard needs to shoot the puck more, and a player like Martone will help give him more room to do that. He can also score himself, which also makes him a good match for Bedard, who is an underrated playmaker.
Matthew Tkachuk is a comparison at the highest level for Martone. If he became that type of bruiser who could also have 80+ points consistently, that would be just what the Hawks need.
If Davidson is confident in his stance that Bedard and Nazar are true centers, Martone could be a home run draft pick.
3. Caleb Desnoyers
Caleb Desnoyers is the truest center in the 2025 NHL Draft. Think of guys like Sasha Barkov, Nico Hischier, or Anthony Cirelli. To predict that he will be as good as those guys is unfair, but he plays the same two-way style of game as they do.
Chicago is lacking centers like that in the organization. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar will make their money in the offensive zone, so having a guy like Desnoyers around would go a long way, assuming he reaches his potential in the NHL.
His offensive ceiling might not be as high as a guy like Hagens or Martone, but his play in all three zones makes him worth considering with this draft pick.
4. Anton Frondell
Anton Frondell is similar to Caleb Desnoyers. He plays a strong two-way game that may allow him to become a good second-line center in the NHL. You know that you’re going to get an honest effort from him on every shift.
Frondell has a notable one-time shot and can shoot the puck with a little extra juice. Being Swedish gets him compared to other European stars from around the NHL, largely due to his production overseas this last season.
Like every other player in this class, there is a bit of risk associated with taking Frondell. However, he has the skills (and proven production in big-time leagues) to become a star in the National Hockey League. At minimum, he should be able to carve out a role on a good team.
These guys could go in any order, and one of them could even be selected in the top two. Anything is possible, but this is the way they should be ranked going in based on what we know following the scouting combine.
Yesterday, former San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner landed a new job in the NHL as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders, joining Ray Bennett, who was also hired by the team. Boughner will work under Islanders head coach Patrick Roy as they look to turn the franchise around.
During his time with the Sharks, Boughner posted a record of 67-85-23. He was originally named interim coach after Pete DeBoer was fired and went on to spend three seasons as head coach from 2020 to 2022 before being let go.
He previously served as an assistant coach with the Sharks from 2015 to 2017, before leaving to become the head coach of the Florida Panthers. After being fired from that role, he returned to San Jose.
For the past three seasons, Boughner was the associate coach with the Detroit Red Wings, working under both Derek LaLonde and Todd McLellan.
He’ll have his work cut out for him with the Islanders. After a disappointing season that ended early, the team landed the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and now has a chance to reshape its future. Boughner will be a key part of that process on Roy’s coaching staff as they look to get the Islanders back into the playoffs.
Connor McDavid’s struggles on the road in Florida are frustrating fans and costing bettors big.
The Edmonton Oilers captain garners a lot of the attention from opposing defences yet most of the time, McDavid finds a way to get the puck in the back of the net. This has pushed sportsbooks to list the Newmarket native's betting props at absurd heights with McDavid being listed at over/under 1.5 points before every game.
Across five road playoff games in Florida between this season's finals and last, he has managed two goals and three assists but what’s more revealing is that at even strength, he’s contributed three of the five total points. McDavid has been held off the scoresheet entirely in three of those five contests, marking an unexpectedly quiet stripe for a player of his caliber.
This postseason, McDavid continues to dial up the production on the whole. He leads the NHL playoffs with 31 points, built from six goals and 25 assists in 19 games. In the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, he was sensational with three assists, including one that was a highlight reel play, where he deked past Florida's Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov before dishing the puck to a wide open Leon Draisaitl.
The stark contrast between McDavid’s overall dominance and his Florida road performances is palpable and carries real weight for betting angles. His road output in Sunrise underperforms in terms of what his betting odds are: just five points in five games, and invisible in three of them.
If you’re weighing bets like Anytime Goalscorer or point props for McDavid in Florida, the numbers suggest that those wagers are far from lock-ins. He has multiple points in five of his ten career playoff games against Florida, meaning even at home his odds to land his listed over 1.5 points we can't bank on. When making a parlay for Game 4 on Thursday, I would consider looking to a different player.
