When looking at the Chicago Blackhawks' current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use a bit more forward depth. Due to this, bringing in another potential option for their bottom six could be smart for the Original Six club. 

When looking at players who are still available on the free-agent market, one interesting option is forward Jakub Lauko. 

Lauko became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 after the Boston Bruins elected not to tender him a qualifying offer. Since then, he has not found his new home, but he would have the potential to be a solid addition for the Blackhawks if brought in. 

Lauko spent this past season split between the Minnesota Wild and Bruins, where he set new career highs with five goals and 11 points in 56 games. He also made an impact when it came to his physicality, as he finished the year with 119 hits. 

Lauko is known for being an energy player who provides a lot of grit and toughness, so he could be a nice depth pickup for the Blackhawks. He would offer them another option for their fourth line, and he is still young enough that he could be a nice fit on a rebuilding club like the Blackhawks. This is especially so when noting that he can play both on the wing and down the middle.

Thus, on a one-year deal or professional tryout (PTO), Lauko could be worth taking a shot on. 

Former Blackhawks Forward Still A Free AgentWith August just about here, we have seen the majority of this year's NHL unrestricted free agents (UFAs) get signed. As a result of this, things around the league have naturally slowed down, which is a common occurrence during this part of the summer.

This past season was the biggest of defenseman Tanner Molendyk's career. 

The Nashville Predators' 2023 1st round draft pick started his final season in juniors with the Saskatoon Blades, where he was on a point-per-game pace (21 points in 21 games). 

He also competed in the IIHF World Junior Championships for the first time in his career, scoring two points in five games with Team Canada, which finished in fifth place.

Upon returning to the WHL, Molendyk found himself on the move, having been traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

He only benefited from the trade, scoring 26 points in 28 games and reaching the Memorial Cup Championship game. 

En route to the Tigers' first Ed Chynoweth Cup championship and Memorial Cup appearance in 18 years, Molendyk scored 20 points in 18 games. 

In the offseason, the big question remains: Is Molendyk ready to step into the Predators lineup? 

One area where the Predators' defense is in need of improvement is scoring depth, which would help compensate for the shortcomings at center. 

Roman Josi and Brady Skjei have already proven that they can get involved from the blue line, but there's a drop-off from there.

The Predators are expecting a lot of Nic Hague, who only had 12 points last season. Nick Perbix's numbers were a bit better at 19 points and had 24 the season before. Both Nick Blankenburg and Justin Barron had fewer than 17 points last season. 

Considering Molendyk's continued success at the junior level and the need to expand scoring depth in the defense, it's absolutely worth trying him in the third pairing or possibly the second. 

From his junior highlights, it is clear that he is a player with the confidence to take the puck below the blue line and has good control of it. While he'll need to adjust to the NHL pace, in juniors, he has shown himself to be a strong skater. 

In possibly wanting to "remold" the Predators' defensive model, Molendyk would be a substantial addition or at least a good piece to put in place to start the season. Figuring out a defensive identity is critical for this team, and if Molendyk can help, why not have him up?  

There are two potential downsides to this. 

Shot variation is one of them. Nashville has six lefties and only three righties. Molendyk is also a lefty, meaning that the imbalance can get bigger.

This isn't a huge problem, as most NHL defensemen can play on both sides, but if the Predators wanted their defensemen to play on their strongest sides, Molendyk would fall down the pecking order. 

The other thing is Molendyk's build. At 6 feet and 181 pounds, he'd be on the smaller end of the Predators' defensemen.

Considering Nashville wants Josi and Hague on the first pairing, who average nearly 6-foot-3-inches and 223 pounds between them, the Predators are looking for size and strength.

All of this really sums up to training camp being crucial for Molendyk, as it showcases his speed and skill against the rest of the roster. 

Splitting time between Nashville and Milwaukee wouldn't be bad either, as it would help Molendyk become comfortable in the pros while also providing a bit more flexibility in the AHL.  

Welcome back to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s Coaches as Players series. Last time, we looked at assistant coach Brett McLean’s time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. Today’s player needs no introduction to the Canucks fanbase, so let’s dive right into player development coach Daniel Sedin’s historic career with Vancouver. 

In one of the most memorable NHL Draft moments in the league’s history, Sedin was taken second overall in the 1999 NHL Draft alongside twin brother, Henrik. Canucks General Manager at the time, Brian Burke, pulled off an elaborate asset-gymnastics routine in order to acquire the second-overall pick, allowing Vancouver to pick second and third overall. With the two selections, both Sedins ended up in Vancouver, marking the start of what would be two of the most spellbinding NHL careers in franchise history. 

Sedin’s first season with the Canucks was 2000–01, during which he scored 20 goals and 14 assists in 75 games played. During this year, he and the Canucks made the playoffs, but were quickly swept in the first round by a Colorado Avalanche team that sported current Canucks head coach Adam Foote. The three following seasons followed a similar pattern, with Sedin’s 2003–04 season ending with a total of 18 goals and 36 assists collected — a career-high at the time. 

The NHL lockout of 2004–05 resulted in Sedin heading back to Sweden to play. He signed with his former club, MoDo Hockey of Elitserien, where he picked up 13 goals and 20 assists in 49 games. This same year, Sedin represented Sweden internationally, tallying five goals and four assists in nine IIHF World Championship games and placing fifth in tournament scoring. 

Something shifted when Sedin returned to the Canucks post-lockout. In 2005–06, he scored 22 goals and 49 assists in an 82-game season, setting a new career high that would only be broken the season after. He also hit the 200-mark in shots registered in a single season for the first time in his career. The year after, Sedin posted his first season in which he registered more than one point per game. He scored 36 goals and 48 assists in 81 games, with 34 of these points coming on the power play. In this postseason, Sedin and the Canucks defeated the Dallas Stars in six games in the first round, but unfortunately lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games the series after. 

While Sedin and the Canucks didn’t make the playoffs in 2007–08, this was the only season in which Vancouver failed to qualify for postseason contention from 2006 to 2014. Sedin recorded his second 30-goal season in 2008–09, tallying 31 and 51 assists in all 82 games. This particular season marked a shift for the Canucks, as captain Markus Näslund departed from the team and goaltender Roberto Luongo was subsequently given the title. In the postseason, Sedin averaged a point per game with four goals and six assists, though the Canucks lost to the Blackhawks in six games after sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the first round. 

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2009–10 was another offensively-successful season for Sedin, both in the regular season and playoffs, as the younger Sedin scored 29 goals and 56 assists in 63 regular season games. During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Sedin represented Sweden with a goal and two assists in four games. In the playoffs later on in the calendar year, he tallied five goals and nine assists in a 12-game postseason run that saw Vancouver lose in six games to the Blackhawks yet again. 

Individually speaking, the 2010–11 season was Sedin’s most successful. Posting his first 40-goal and 100-point season, he finished the year with 41 goals and 63 assists in all 82 games. These efforts won him the Art Ross Trophy (given to the NHL’s points leader) and Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player, voted on by players). This was also his first full season wearing the ‘A’ as one of the Canucks’ assistant captains. 

For the team as a whole, the 2010–11 season was one of hope and heartbreak. Vancouver finished their regular season at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 54–19–9 and 117 points, including a startling goal differential of +77. They bested their demons in the first round after taking Chicago to seven games and defeating them at home in overtime thanks to dragon-slayer Alex Burrows. They trounced the Nashville Predators in six games and took down the San Jose Sharks at home in five, sending them to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994. Everyone knows what happened after that. 

By the end of their 25-game playoff run in 2011, Sedin had nine goals and 11 assists. He continued this offensive push in 2011–12 with another 30-goal season, during which he also scored 37 assists in 72 games. Sedin played in two of Vancouver’s five playoff games that season, posting two assists in the team’s first-round exit against the Los Angeles Kings. 

The seasons that followed were, to put it bluntly, bleak. Vancouver failed to get past the first round in 2013 and 2015, and ultimately didn’t end up making the postseason again until 2020. In a time when many of those Stanley Cup Final players ended up moving on, both of the Sedins stayed in Vancouver, remaining true to the organization that drafted them back in 1999. Despite getting older, Sedin still led the Canucks in points for a few seasons up until former captain Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser eventually took his place. In his final NHL season in 2017–18, Sedin still scored 23 goals and 32 assists in 81 games. 

After retirement, Sedin had his number ‘22’ retired by the Canucks alongside brother Henrik’s ‘33’. In 2022, both brothers, as well as teammate Luongo, were named to the Hockey Hall of Fame. 

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 from The Hockey News. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Goaltender Joel Blomqvist got into his first NHL action this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, the young goaltender ran into some trouble adjusting to the NHL level with Pittsburgh, as he had a 4-9-1 record, a 3.81 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage in 15 appearances.

While Blomqvist struggled with consistency while on Pittsburgh's roster this past campaign, there is a clear reason to believe that things could change on that front in 2025-26. The 2020 second-round pick has shown plenty of promise while at the AHL level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and it would not be particularly surprising if he broke out with Pittsburgh next season because of it.

While down in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past season, Blomqvist recorded an 8-7-3 record, a .914 save percentage, and a 2.84 goals-against average in 18 games. This was after he had a 25-12-6 record, a .921 save percentage, and a 2.16 goals-against average in 45 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2023-24. With numbers like these, it is hard not to feel some optimism about Blomqvist's future. It is now just a matter of him translating some of this kind of play over to the NHL level.

Overall, Blomqvist will certainly be a breakout candidate to watch for the Penguins in 2025-26. He has the potential to improve as he continues to gain more experience, and it will be fascinating to see what kind of campaign he has from here.

Ex-Penguins Defender Signs Multi-Year Deal With New TeamEarlier this off-season, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded defenseman Conor Timmins and prospect Isaac Belliveau to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for blueliner Connor Clifton and a second-round pick. 

Photo Credit:  © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. 

Yegor Chinakhov is someone who is obviously available after the Columbus winger went to social media to indicate that he wanted the Blue Jackets to trade him. The 24-year-old was a first-round pick (21st overall) in 2020 and has encountered injury issues throughout his four-year NHL career, but the 6’1”, 201 lb. forward showed some upside in 2023-24, scoring 16 goals in 53 games. 

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Chinakhov is in the final year of a two-year, $4.2 million bridge deal with the Blue Jackets, is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent in 2026 and two years away from unrestricted free agency, which would give a team trading for him the flexibility to qualify him and holding on to him for another year or not qualifying him next summer. With Sabres Senior Advisor Jarmo Kekalainen having intimate knowledge as the GM who drafted him, Buffalo would obviously have some insight into what his ceiling is and whether he could play higher in the lineup as a replacement for JJ Peterka.  

What Would It Cost?

With the trade request out in the open, Columbus GM Don Waddell is not in a great bargaining position, in spite of his public pronouncements to the contrary. The Blue Jackets may want to get someone of a comparable age who is established in the NHL instead of a prospect or a draft pick, but if he is unable to extract that value for Chinakhov before the start of training camp, his presence could prove to be a distraction. The Sabres may be prepared to offer a prospect like Isak Rosen, who may have earned a legitimate shot at the NHL, but it is unlikely they would move someone off their roster for a risky proposition. 

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It's late July, and The Wraparound is still breaking down NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.

Which NHL Players Have Lots To Prove This Season? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Stephen Kerr discussed in today's episode:

0:00: Which NHL team has the longest competitive window?

5:00: Should the Vegas Golden Knights be concerned about their goaltending?

8:15: Can the Chicago Blackhawks eventually win with Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom as their goaltenders?

11:02: Will any remaining UFA goaltenders be signed before training camp?

14:53: Do the Buffalo Sabres need significant changes to their defensive group?

17:55: Which players have the most to prove this season?

21:43: Did the Seattle Kraken get closer to playoff contention after their off-season moves?

24:18: Grading the Minnesota Wild’s off-season

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Promo photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Niko Mikkola has played a crucial role in the Florida Panthers' recent success, putting the league on notice during the playoffs, yet his value to the organization can still be considered underrated. 

When the Panthers are at full health, Mikkola is the team's second-best left-handed defenseman after Gustav Forsling. He's also widely considered the third-best defenseman defensively and possibly the fourth or fifth-best defenseman offensively. It's because of this that Mikkola flies under the radar, but if given the opportunity or if it presented itself through injuries, Mikkola could very likely step into a larger role and thrive.

Prior to joining the Panthers, the 29-year-old was considered nothing more than a stay-at-home physical defenseman. With the St. Louis Blues and briefly with the New York Rangers, Mikkola thrived as a hard-hitting blue liner who blocked shots and killed penalties. While he continues to do so at a high level for the Panthers, he's shown that he can contribute in other ways.

In the playoffs, particularly, Mikkola demonstrated the offensive game that hasn't been tapped into at the NHL level. On multiple occasions, Mikkola fearlessly jumped into the playoff offensively, showcasing puck skills to make plays, a quick release to beat goaltenders and skating abilities to blend it all together. He finished the 2024-25 playoffs, averaging 20:13 of ice, scoring three goals and six points. 

NIKO MIKKOLA SNIPE SHOW 🎯

WHAT A RUN FOR THE D-MAN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/q9YM2sCgZ4

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 25, 2025

Although he demonstrated that he has more to offer, he still is best suited for the role he currently plays, as the team's No.4 defenseman, but the Panthers can feel at ease that if they do run into injury issues, the Kiiminki, FIN native can seamlessly step into a large role and do so comfortably. 

The Panthers have built their success on depth and complete buy-in from each and every player, and there are very few players on the Panthers roster who exemplify this better than the 6-foot-6 defender. 

Ekblad, Forsling or Petry? Who's Best Suited To Run The Panthers Second Power Play UnitAs the dog days of the offseason continue and the excitement for the 2025-26 season continues to build, attempting to predict who fits where and what role they serve is always a fun topic. Today, we look at who is best suited to quarterback the Florida Panthers' second power play unit.

With August just about here, we have seen the majority of this year's NHL unrestricted free agents (UFAs) get signed. As a result of this, things around the league have naturally slowed down, which is a common occurrence during this part of the summer.

While this is the case, former Chicago Blackhawks forward Craig Smith is among this year's UFAs who have still not been signed by a new team just yet.

This is certainly a different story than it was for Smith this past year, as he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blackhawks on the first day of free agency last off-season. However, it is taking the veteran winger a little more time to get his next deal this year.

While Smith remains unsigned at this juncture of the summer, the possibility of this changing is certainly there. The 35-year-old's solid two-way play and high amount of experience could make him a nice addition for a team looking to add to their forward depth. Thus, it would not be particularly surprising if he landed a one-year deal or professional tryout (PTO) from an NHL club before training camp if he wishes to continue his career.

In 40 games with the Blackhawks this past season, Smith recorded nine goals, seven assists, 16 points, and a minus-2 rating. His time with the Blackhawks ended at the 2025 trade deadline when he and goaltender Petr Mrazek were dealt to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Joe Veleno.

Blackhawks Forward Is Extension Candidate To WatchThe Chicago Blackhawks will have several players in the final year of their contracts during the 2025-26 season. Due to this, there is certainly a chance that we could see them sign some of their players to contract extensions, whether that is this off-season or during the 2025-26 campaign. 

Photo Credit: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers are at bat in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Rangers’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

Last season was a rollercoaster for the Rangers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a fun coaster like at the local fair; it was a Final Destination movie. 

Almost nothing went right as soon as the season began, and if we’re being honest, it started in the summer last year when they were trying to move key veterans who were ultimately moved out at a later time. 

The team is in a weird spot. The Rangers haven’t committed to rebuilding or retooling because they have some pricey veterans on the roster, but they have made some moves that suggest they want to at least get younger. 

Since opening night last season, they’ve traded out trusted veterans and lineup staples, such as former captain Jacob Trouba, Ranger great Chris Kreider and even a young defender with promise, K’Andre Miller. 

The Kreider and Miller deals brought the Rangers two very solid prospects to add to their system: Scott Morrow and Carey Terrance.

Morrow is one of the top prospects in the Rangers' system after being acquired this summer. The former Shattuck St. Mary’s defender is a cerebral player, using his incredible puckhandling and slick passing to move the puck all over the ice. Morrow has the brain to run a power play or generate offense at even strength. His skating is good, but he doesn’t have the explosiveness you’d like. He’s fairly fluid in his movement, but he isn’t a powerful skater. Morrow could jump into the lineup at some point this season.

Terrance is a hard-working energy center who loves to fire pucks on net. He might have a limited ceiling, but he is a smart player who will do what a coach asks of him. His defensive game is solid, mostly thanks to his work ethic, which could keep him at center at the pro level. He’ll have the chance to prove he can bring a bit more offense with some better players when he gets to the AHL this fall.

After a 22-game stint with the Rangers this past year, Brennan Othmann will look to compete for a spot in the lineup immediately this season. The 22-year-old has been a very good AHLer for a couple of seasons, but he hasn’t made an impact yet in the NHL. Othmann is a crafty goal-scorer who brings some edge to the game. He likes getting under the skin of opponents as well. If he can keep up with the speed of the NHL game, he could be a very solid middle-six forward for the Rangers as soon as this season. 

Undersized forward Brett Berard is a fun story. He played in 35 NHL games last year, and although he’s no longer a rookie, he hasn’t established himself in the NHL yet. Berard is a worker who gets to the middle and consistently tries to stay involved in the play. He’s a high-paced winger who loves to push the puck up ice and use his teammates well. He could be a very solid depth scorer at the NHL level.

Slovak forward Adam Sykora is a fun player to watch because he consistently pushes the pace of play and tries to create. Defensively, Sykora is always putting in 110 percent effort, throwing hits and looking to play through the attacker's hands to dislodge the puck. When he has the puck, he’s passing it off in transition and immediately looking to present an option for a return pass. He wants to drive the puck into the high-danger areas and create chances. He could be in line for a big bump in his AHL production this season. 

The Rangers drafted EJ Emery last year as a bet on a player who loves to be physical and play defensive hockey with an athletic package that should allow him to develop his puck skills. While he showed some of that physicality and defensive play at the University of North Dakota this past season, he struggled with the puck. His one assist in 31 games was underwhelming, to say the least. Emery is still a very raw player, so time will tell whether he can develop his game with the puck. 

In his second year with Boston College, Drew Fortescue took a step as a complete player, but that came with an acceptance that he can be a bit more reserved offensively. He has good tools and makes decent decisions, but Fortescue must figure out what he’ll be at the next level. As of right now, he’s a work in progress.

U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season

Gabe Perreault (RW/LW), Scott Morrow (D), Brennan Othmann (LW)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 43rd overall - Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)

Round 3, 70th overall - Sean Barnhill, D, Dubuque (USHL)

Round 3, 89th overall - Artem Gonchar, D, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Rus.)

Round 4, 111th overall - Mikkel Eriksen, C, Farjestad Jr. (Swe.)

Round 5, 139th overall - Zeb Lindgren, D, Skelleftea Jr. (Swe.)

Round 6, 166th overall - Samuel Jung, RW, Karpat (Fin.)

Round 6, 171st overall - Evan Passmore, D, Barrie (OHL)

Round 7, 203rd overall - Felix Farhammar, D, Orebro Jr. (Swe.)

Although they didn’t pick in the first round, the Rangers still landed Malcolm Spence. 

Spence was thought to be a potential top-10 pick coming into the year. A bit of an underwhelming year and some questions about just how high his upside is caused him to fall out of the first round. 

Spence plays a very pro-style game. He can play a physical game, especially on the forecheck and backcheck. He commits to putting in an effort on the defensive side of the puck as well. Spence has shown some creativity and skill as a playmaker, and he has a very good shot, but he should use it more.

Sean Barnhill’s game isn’t complicated or flashy. He’s a big defender and a smooth skater who plays a smart defensive game, building on his mobility and finishing plays with his massive frame when needed. Barnhill has room to grow offensively because he shows off the tools he’s working with and the odd flash of skill. If he ever develops an offensive edge, he could be a massive steal. If not, he has the floor of a solid defender. 

The nephew of longtime NHLer Sergei Gonchar, Artem Gonchar, plays a solid two-way game with excellent puck-moving and evasive skating. That said, he is very thin at six-foot and 157 pounds, and he lacks a physical edge to his game. Gonchar must fill out his frame because he does have some puck skills, but he can’t take full advantage of his tools without getting a bit stronger.

Mikkel Eriksen’s birth date was just two days away from being a 2026 NHL draft prospect, so he has plenty of runway for development. His puck skill and fluidity stand out. He is constantly looking to alter defenders' paths or draw their attention one way before cutting back. Eriksen has to round things out in his game, but there is plenty to like about his potential. 

The rise of Zeb Lindgren from a relative unknown to a legitimate NHL draft prospect was fun to watch. Lindgren leaves fans and observers entertained, happy with his overall play and also feeling like there was more to give. Lindgren has some really solid passing ability, deceptively quick skating and problem-solving. There are times when things can get hectic in his game, but he has a nice package to bet on. 

Drafted as an overage player, Samuel Jung is a good shooter who doesn’t bring a ton else to his game. He’s a fine north-south attacker, but he doesn’t have the pull-away speed to really break things open. This is a bet on a player who improved his overall tools year-over-year, but it might not be enough.

The Rangers kept things simple by taking Evan Passmore, a big defender who can move fairly well and can close down space. He loves to pin attackers to the wall and take the puck off of them, but he won’t do anything too crazy with it once he gets it. As a good pokechecker with a long wingspan, Passmore could wind up being a very steady bottom-pair guy one day. 

With their final pick of the 2025 NHL draft, the Rangers snagged Felix Farhammar, a two-way defender who is a bit unrefined, but he has some nice elements at both ends of the ice. He can throw some hits and shadow defenders, or he can make a breakout pass and join the rush. Farhammar could wind up being good value if they let him take his time and develop, hopefully in more than a couple of Swedish League games this season. 

Strengths

The left wing is one of the stronger position groups for the Rangers as it features a couple of good prospects and some depth. 

The right side of the defense has some good players at the top end, but it lacks depth. The left side of the blueline has depth but lacks the high-end player. 

With Perreault likely starting on the left wing, he’s the head of the left wing in the prospect pipeline, but he’s far from alone. 

When Spence fell to them in the draft, the Rangers were ecstatic because they were getting a first-round talent in the second round. Othmann might play games this season, and there is a world in which he brings some of the same elements that Will Cuylle brought the last couple of years. Berard and Sykora are a bit undersized, but they bring a ton of talent and work their tails off as well. Even Kalle Vaisanen is an intriguing depth option at 22 years old. 

Weaknesses

Once Perreault jumps into the NHL, the right wing will be fairly vacant. 

Brisson was acquired at the trade deadline from Vegas. He was a former first-rounder, but he’s struggled to break into the NHL. He has some promise as a finisher, but at 23 years old, it’s time for him to prove himself. 

Beyond Brisson, the Rangers don’t have much in the way of upside picks. Jaroslav Chmelar is a fine prospect, as is Brody Lamb. Neither has the kind of path or upside to be an impact player at the pro level. There will be centers that end up on the wing, so maybe the weak point is a bit muted because of that. Unfortunately, the centers aren’t nearly a strong enough group as they could have easily secured the spot here as the weak point of the pipeline. As of now, the right side up front looks tough.

Hidden Gem: Carey Terrance, C

Terrance’s offensive skill isn’t upper-echelon, and he has had some ups and downs to finish his junior career, but he could fit right into the bottom six in the NHL. 

Terrance has some speed and physicality. He never stops moving his feet, and he might produce a bit more offense once he’s surrounded by players with more playmaking ability. Terrance is a very good finisher when playing with a true creator. He has some very good defensive qualities, quick reads and consistent pressuring of attackers on the backcheck and even in his own zone. He’s unlikely to become a star, but he could be a very solid piece of the puzzle for the Rangers in a year or two, as he is making the jump to the AHL this upcoming season.

Next Man Up: Gabe Perreault, RW/LW

It’s been a dominant run over the last few years for Perreault. 

He solidified himself as one of the most dominant offensive players in the history of the USA National Team Development Program, putting up a record 132 points in his U-18 year. That season was capped off with a gold medal at the World Men’s Under-18 Championship.. 

Perreault then put up more than 100 points in just two years at Boston College. He helped BC to a Hockey East championship, and he was a second-team All-American in each season. The past couple of winters, he stepped away from BC to join Team USA at the World Junior Championship, and he won back-to-back gold medals. 

Perreault’s winning ways aren’t just a circumstance of being in the right place at the right time. Perreault has often been one of the catalysts to that success. Now, he will jump into the Rangers’ lineup after a brief stint to end last season. 

The Rangers are hoping to have Perreault use his play-connecting ability to bring some depth scoring to the lineup and elevate some of the middle six players' offensive ceilings. He’s played on the left and right wings, so he should be capable of doing either. If he ends up playing higher in the lineup and the Rangers bounce back, he could be in the Calder Trophy conversation. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Malcolm Spence, Brennan Othmann, Adam Sykora, Brett Berard, Kalle Vaisanen, Ty Henricks

C: Carey Terrance, Raoul Boilard, Bryce McConnell-Barker, Mikkel Eriksen

RW: Gabe Perreault, Jaroslav Chmelar, Brendan Brisson, Brody Lamb

LD: Drew Fortescue, Zeb Lindgren, Artem Gonchar, Jackson Dorrington, Rasmus Larsson

RD: Scott Morrow, EJ Emery, Sean Barnhill

G: Hugo Ollas, Dylan Garand, Talyn Boyko

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings continue to unfold with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 21st spot.

This series analyzes each NHL team’s off-season, ranking the teams that improved, stayed the same or got worse. We’re focusing on every organization’s additions and departures through free agency and trades, as well as coach and management hirings and firings.

We’re in the group of teams that have more or less stayed the same this off-season. You’ll find the teams that finished below the Blue Jackets at the bottom of this column. But first, our attention is squarely on the Jackets.

Additions

Charlie Coyle (C), Miles Wood (LW), Brendan Gaunce (C), Dysin Mayo (D)

The Breakdown: The Blue Jackets had the same number of wins as the Montreal Canadiens, but the Habs lost two more games in overtime instead of regulation and clinched the second wild-card spot. 

But Jackets GM Don Waddell used a good deal of his salary cap space this summer on a pair of veteran forwards – former Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle and former New Jersey Devils and Avalanche winger Wood – to add depth and experience to his group.

An additional positive for Waddell is the re-signing of veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract extension worth $8.5 million per year. The 28-year-old Provorov could’ve received at least that much money from another team, so his decision to stay in Columbus was an endorsement of sorts for the Blue Jackets as an organization. He wasn’t an addition, but the Blue Jackets did a good job not to see Provorov become a departure.

Another de facto addition for the Jackets this coming year will be one full season of goaltender Jet Greaves. The 24-year-old looked terrific in 11 NHL appearances last season, posting a .938 save percentage and 1.91 goals-against average. He’s going to push starter Elvis Merzlikins for the No. 1 job in net for Columbus, and that can only be a good thing. 

Departures

James van Riemsdyk (LW), Justin Danforth (RW), Sean Kuraly (LW), Kevin Labanc (RW), Jack Johnson (D), Jordan Harris (D), Daniil Tarasov (G)

The Breakdown: Most, if not all, of the Blue Jackets’ departures were depth players. Van Riemsdyk had 36 points in 71 games this past season, while Danforth had 21. Kuraly and Labanc combined for 29 points.

Depth defensemen Johnson and Harris averaged fewer than 13 minutes of ice time. Goaltender Tarasov had a 3.54 GAA and .881 SP.

Columbus won’t miss the playoffs just because any of the seven departed players left a competitive crater that can’t be filled. Waddell must believe the team filled in any gaps through internal promotions, trades and free-agent signings.

The Bottom Line

While there was a considerable exodus out of Columbus this off-season, the Blue Jackets are likely to be on the rise because management believes in their core of youngsters. That belief may prove to be ill-founded, but there’s no guarantee of its success or failure either way. 

The Jackets are where they are in our NHL summer splash rankings because they didn’t get considerably better or worse. They’re about the same, so they’re in the middle pack.

That said, if the Blue Jackets’ defense can improve from conceding the eighth-most goals in the NHL this past year, we believe Columbus’ offense – fuelled by youngsters Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Norris Trophy front-runner Zach Werenski – should be enough to push this team into the post-season after a five-year playoff drought.

Also of note: Waddell still has about $16.3 million in salary cap space, leaving him primed to be a mover and shaker on the trade front during the season. With Columbus’ defense corps on the rise, the Jackets could look for help at forward or in net. But for the moment, at least, this Blue Jackets team has the promise of youth along with a bedrock of veterans to keep the team in the playoff hunt all season long. Waddell’s refusal to make a slew of additions is essentially a vote of confidence in his core talent.

Summer Splash Rankings

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

22. Washington Capitals

23. Nashville Predators

24. New York Islanders

25. Tampa Bay Lightning

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

Cardinal Point Athlete Advisors recently released a lifestyle ranking of all NHL cities, and the New Jersey Devils came in near the bottom, ranked 29th out of 32 teams.

The rankings were based on seven equally weighted factors, where a score of “1” indicates the best relative ranking among NHL cities. The top-ranked city was home to the Montreal Canadiens, while the Devils landed closer to the bottom.

The only teams ranked below New Jersey were the Seattle Kraken (30th), the Washington Capitals (31st), and the New York Rangers (32nd).

The Devils currently play at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, a location that ranked as the fourth-worst NHL arena location in this report.

What Was the Ranking Based On?

The overall score was based on seven key factors:

• Safety
• Cost of Living
• Traffic
• Climate
• Rent
• Groceries
• Restaurant Prices

Each category was scored out of 32, with the Devils’ results as follows:

• Safety: 31st
• Cost of Living: 25th
• Traffic: 29th (out of 31, as one city did not have data)
• Climate: 14th (highest category ranking)
• Rent: 23rd
• Groceries: 26th
• Restaurant Prices: 23rd

When all scores were combined, the Devils ranked 29th out of 32 teams.

Where Did the Data Come From?

The rankings were created using two reports from Numbeo.com, a global cost of living and quality-of-life database:

Cost of Living Index by City 2025 Mid-Year

Quality of Life Index by City 2025 Mid-Year

According to the data, Newark scored particularly low on safety, with a Safety Index of 23.17, categorized as “low.” Only Detroit, home of the Red Wings, scored lower in that category (32nd), although Detroit still ranked 18th overall in the lifestyle rankings.

While Newark wasn't ranked the worst NHL city, the Devils still landed in the bottom tier—primarily due to concerns around safety, high grocery costs, and poor traffic conditions.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The New Jersey Devils signed forward Thomas Bordeleau to a one-year, two-way contract on July 24th, following a trade with the San Jose Sharks earlier this month.

The deal is worth $775,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 in the AHL, with $125,000 guaranteed. Because it’s a two-way contract, Bordeleau may begin the season with the Utica Comets, giving the Devils added roster and salary cap flexibility.

However, cracking New Jersey’s deep prospect pool might be Bordeleau’s biggest challenge.

Now entering his fifth professional season, Bordeleau has spent most of his time in the AHL with the San Jose Barracudas. He’s appeared in 44 NHL games, tallying 18 points (six goals, 12 assists), but has yet to establish himself as a full-time NHLer.

At 5'10", Bordeleau is a quick, skilled center whose speed and versatility could make him a valuable asset in the Devils’ bottom six. Still, he hasn’t found much success at the NHL level, and even his AHL production has left room for improvement. He recorded just 38 points in 59 games last season with the Barracuda.

One thing working in his favor? Familiarity. Bordeleau played alongside Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Utica’s Ethan Edwards during the 2021–22 season at the University of Michigan. Reuniting with former teammates could provide the chemistry and confidence boost he needs.

That said, the path to the NHL is crowded. As Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News recently outlined, the Devils have one of the league’s most promising prospect pools:

Top Devils Prospects

LW: Lenni Hämeenaho, Cole Brown, Josh Filmon, Shane Lachance C: Conrad Fondrk, Gustav Hillstrom, Samu Salminen, Matyas Melovsky, Mason Moe

RW: Arseniy Gritsyuk, Ben Kevan, Cam Squires, David Rozsival

LD: Anton Silayev, Daniil Orlov, Topias Vilén, Daniil Karpovich

RD: Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, Sigge Holmstrom, Charlie Leddy

G: Mikhail Yegorov, Trenten Bennett, Veeti Louhivaara, Tyler Brennan, Jakub Malek

Bordeleau will be competing with the likes of Conrad Fondrk and Lenni Hämeenaho, both of whom have already made strong impressions on the Devils’ staff.

If Bordeleau hopes to solidify an NHL future, he’ll need to outperform the competition and prove he belongs on a team with playoff aspirations.

There’s a real chance everything clicks for him this season. He’s got the pedigree, the speed, and the support system in place. But make no mistake: this might be his final shot to carve out a career in the pros.

For Thomas Bordeleau, the time to make a statement in New Jersey is now.

Photo Credit: © David Gonzales-Imagn Images

The Anaheim Ducks have missed the playoffs every year since 2017-18 and in doing so, have drafted in the top ten for seven consecutive seasons and procured one of the NHL’s deepest and most potent prospect pools.

Despite several young players having graduated and become full-time NHLers, such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, the Ducks still have an impressive pipeline of potential impact and depth prospects yet to make the jump.

Six Ducks Prospects Named to 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase Rosters

Can ‘Rangers West’ Help Get the Ducks Back Into the Playoffs?

For this exercise, only players who haven’t lost rookie status are eligible for a ranking, and to be clear, these are my (Patrick Present) subjective rankings.

Honorable Mentions: Yegor Sidorov, Herman Traff, Tarin Smith, Lasse Boelius, Calle Clang

Top Ten:

10. Nathan Gaucher, 21, C, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

9. Ian Moore, 23, RHD, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

8. Sasha Pastujov, 22, W, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

7. Tomas Suchanek, 22, G, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

6. Eric Nilson, 18, C, Michigan State University (NCAA)

5. Lucas Pettersson, 19, C, Brynas IF (SHL)

4. Stian Solberg, 19, LHD, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

When making this list, there was a sizable gap between the four players at the top and the prospects ranked at five and beyond. While there will certainly be very good NHLers that I ranked between five and ten, and even some after ten, the Ducks’ top four prospects are expected to become impact players at the NHL level and even core pieces of the franchise when they hope to be perennial contenders.

Coming in at the four-spot is a player sure to become a fan favorite (if he isn’t already) with his consistent physical play and knack for scoring big goals from the blueline: Stian Solberg.

Solberg’s defining quality is how difficult he is to play against on a nightly basis. He punishes opponents when they look to get to the high-danger areas of the ice, and he finishes every hit after his check distributes the puck. Every inch of ice in the offensive zone comes at a cost when being defended by Solberg.

He’s a powerful skater with an advanced knowledge of angles, even after making the jump from European ice surfaces to North American ones in 2024-25. Everything he does on every shift is done at full effort, whether it’s netfront battles, puck retrievals that lead to crisp breakout passes, or everything in between.

He makes decisive, smart decisions with the puck and is quick to join a rush from the weak side when it’s available. His shot selection drives his offense at the blueline, as he consistently gets a heavy shot through traffic, and when a lane opens below the top of the circles, he leans on his stick and buries pucks more often than not.

At the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Ducks traded picks 31 and 58 to jump up to 23 and select Solberg, who was awarded the moniker “most violent player in the draft.”

He spent the majority of his 2024-25 season, his first outside of his native Norway, playing for Färjestad BK of the SHL, where he totaled 12 points (3-9=12) in 47 games before his role decreased as the playoffs approached. To ensure more ice time and get a head start on the transition to a smaller ice sheet, as well as a different style of game, the Ducks organization deemed it best he finish his season in San Diego with the Gulls of the AHL.

“I don't think they valued him enough in Färjestad to deserve to keep him around for longer, that’s just my personal take,” Ducks assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting Martin Madden said. “I think he proved in his short stint in San Diego, and right now at the World Championships, that he has a really valuable role already. He can have an impact when you trust him with ice time.”

He fit in seamlessly, as his signature style is as conducive as it gets to North American professional hockey. He tallied five points (2-3=5) in ten AHL games to end the season before heading to Europe to play in his second consecutive IIHF World Championship representing Norway, where he scored six points (4-2=6) in seven games, including a hat trick against the United States.

The only area of his game that will need polishing before he makes his NHL debut is rush defending. He does well to angle and seal on the wall, especially on the smaller ice surface, but when pucks move up ice, he could stand to close gaps sooner to not be so flatfooted against an opposing transition attack.

Solberg will projectably assume a sizable role with the Gulls in 2025-26, likely killing penalties and featuring on the power play. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he plays NHL games at some point during the upcoming year as well. The organization has a lot of faith in him as a future impact contributor to their team.

Ducks Sign Drew Helleson to Two-Year Extension

Ducks Sign Lukas Dostal to Five-Year Extension

Ducks Sign Clang, Myšák to One-Year Deals

Photo Credit: INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / MATT ZAMBONIN

Evgeny Kuznetsov’s longtime teammate recently discussed the possibility of the center returning to the NHL.

After posting 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games with St. Petersburg this past KHL season, Kuznetsov is reportedly looking to return to the NHL.

The 33-year-old played 11 NHL seasons for the Washington Capitals, putting up 32 points in 24 playoff games when they won the Stanley Cup in 2018. In 2023-24, the Capitals traded Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes for a third-round pick at the NHL trade deadline, and he recorded seven points in 20 games and six points in 10 playoff games after the move.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin told Russian-language publication Gazeta.ru that Kuznetsov is sensible and can make the right choice to prove himself in the NHL again or in the KHL. But Ovechkin said he’s not Washington’s GM, and whether Kuznetsov can return to the Capitals is not the question for him to answer.

With August almost here, Kuznetsov remains a UFA, but this could change before NHL training camps begin in mid-September. His past success could ultimately lead to an NHL club giving him another opportunity, especially when considering he is one of the top UFAs left based on his potential. While he only had 24 points in 63 games in 2023-24, he had 55 points in 2022-23 and 78 points in 2021-22.

Here are three teams that could make sense as potential landing spots for Kuznetsov if he doesn't return to Washington. 

Vancouver Canucks 

After trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers during the 2024-25 season and losing Pius Suter in free agency to the St. Louis Blues this summer, the Vancouver Canucks could use another center. They’ve gone from having Miller and Elias Pettersson as a one-two punch down the middle to Pettersson and Filip Chytil, who came to the Canucks in the Miller trade and had 26 points in 56 games this past season while dealing with injury issues.

If the Canucks signed Kuznetsov, he would create some competition for the Canucks’ second-line center spot with Chytil. Even if he slotted in as Vancouver’s third-line center, he would still improve their depth down the middle. The third line of Dakota Joshua, Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland that thrived at times in 2023-24 was separated for most of this past season, and Joshua is now with the Toronto Maple Leafs, so adding Kuznetsov shouldn’t disrupt the bottom six’s chemistry, either. Blueger can stay in an effective depth role, while Vancouver can ease 22-year-old Aatu Raty into a full-time NHL role.

The Canucks have $3.27 million in salary cap space, but Kuznetsov’s agent said he’s not an $8-million player anymore and could be a steal for cap-strapped teams. If signed to a cheap, one-year deal, Kuznetsov could be a solid low-risk, high-reward addition for the Canucks.

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche could be an interesting landing spot for Kuznetsov. After trading Charlie Coyle to the Columbus Blue Jackets this off-season, it would not be particularly surprising if they were open to adding another option to consider for their third-line center spot.

With Brock Nelson as the second-line center, Jack Drury is third in the depth chart, and he had nine points in 33 games with the Avalanche after they acquired him from the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade. Drury is better at taking faceoffs than Kuznetsov, but the latter can provide more secondary scoring for the Avalanche, which lost Jonathan Drouin in free agency after he averaged 0.76 points per game in two seasons in Colorado.

The Avalanche are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, and Kuznetsov’s past playoff success should appeal to them. They have about $3.35 million in cap space, so the center would have to take a prove-it, bargain deal to play for them, but it could be worth it for the team and player.

Five Potential Destinations For Max Pacioretty in 2025-26With the bulk of the sought-after unrestricted free agents signed in the first three weeks of July, teams appear to be accelerating the invitation of players on professional tryouts, as the New York Rangers did with two-time Stanley Cup winner Conor Sheary earlier this week. One of the more successful camp invites last September was veteran forward Max Pacioretty. 

Boston Bruins 

The retooling Boston Bruins brought in wingers Viktor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, Mikey Eyssimont and center Sean Kuraly as part of their off-season moves. That said, they could use help at the center position.

Elias Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, Casey Mittelstadt and Morgan Geekie are options at center in the top two lines. Zacha played most of the season as the center for Geekie and David Pastrnak, but he and Lindholm each recorded 47 points this past season, while Mittelstadt had only six points in 18 games after being acquired at the trade deadline.

Kuznetsov should entice the Bruins, especially since there are not many other notable free agents left who can play center.

While Kuznetsov would not be a true answer for the Bruins’ first-line center problem, he would offer them another intriguing playmaker to work with in their middle six and on their power play. If he bounces back from his last NHL season, Kuznetsov may even get opportunities to set up Pastrnak for goals on the first line. 

The Bruins have about $2.08 million in cap space, so Kuznetsov would have to take less money, even if he could play a larger role there. If he wants to just take this next season to prove himself back in the NHL, he’d be a solid addition to a Bruins club that could use more skill and offense.

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Steven Lorentz is having a summer to remember.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward has been busy ever since the season ended at the hands of the Florida Panthers in the second round of the playoffs. Lorentz was a pending unrestricted free agent, with extension talks nearly going down to the wire before free agency opened on July 1.

He and the Maple Leafs agreed on a three-year, $4.05 million extension on June 30, one day before he was set to hit the open market. Similar to his term, Lorentz’s $1.35 million annual average value is the largest of his NHL career.

Saturday, though, likely topped any day of his life as he and his wife, Erin, got married.

The two tied the knot on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by family and friends. Two other Maple Leafs, Bobby McMann and Anthony Stolarz, along with their partners, took a selfie together and also got a photo with the groom.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Cameos In Daughter’s TikTok While Juggling Offseason DutiesToronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is in peak-summer form.

Lorentz and his wife got engaged last summer, after he and the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup. Following an exciting offseason, the forward attended Maple Leafs training camp on a professional tryout before signing a one-year, $775,000 contract right before the regular season began.

Along with getting married and signing a huge extension, Lorentz also participated in the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy festivities earlier in July. He was spotted speaking with a few IndyCar drivers and even did a lap of the track in one of the cars.

Maple Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Earns Invite To Hockey Canada's World Juniors Summer ShowcaseThe Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive prospect, Ben Danford, is among the 44 promising players invited to Hockey Canada’s World Juniors Summer Showcase. Hockey Canada unveiled the 44 prospects who will head to Minnesota for the showcase, which begins Sunday and runs through August 2 in Minneapolis.

Lorentz is coming off a career season with the Maple Leafs, where he scored eight goals and 11 assists (a career-high) for 19 points in 80 games. He also tallied two assists, both coming against his former club in the second round of the playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes drafted the Kitchener, Ontario-born product in the seventh round (186th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. Lorentz has scored 62 points (29 goals and 33 assists) in 310 games, split with Toronto, Florida, Carolina, and the San Jose Sharks, since entering the NHL in 2021.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Maple Leafs Forward Steven Lorentz’s Thrilling Summer Continues With Marriage To Wife, Erin

(Top photo of Lorentz and wife, Erin: @slorentz16 / Instagram)