Brandon product Matt Calvert is heading back to the NHL.
The Nashville Predators have announced that the former big league forward has joined the organization as its new Forward Development Coach, where he'll work closely with the Predators' forward prospects.
Photo by Joe Camporeale/USA Today
Calvert, now 36, played 11 NHL seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche, recording 95 goals and 203 points in 566 career games before retiring in 2021 due to injury.
Prior to his time in the NHL, Calvert made his name as a hometown kid on the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he put up well over a point-per-game in three full seasons of WHL play.
Since ending his playing career, Calvert has served as co-founder and director of recruitment and development for CAL Sports Management, a player agency based out of Winnipeg and Brandon.
The hiring reunites Calvert with Predators' recently hired president of hockey operations and general manager Chris MacFarland, who was part of Colorado's front office during Calvert's time with the Avalanche.
Summer meanders onward, but we are overdue for a fresh thread! Here’s some recent(ish) NHL and Isles links…
Islanders News
Pete DeBoer discusses the offseason moves, his outlook, the need to improve defense, excitement to work with Matthew Schaefer (but not bestow too much on him too soon). [Athletic]
Schaefer’s response to a question about his next contract was perfect. [THN]
The Islanders offseason rewind, straight outta Compton. [NHL]
Elsewhere
Jason Robertson has reached an agreement on a one-year deal for $12 million with the Dallas Stars before his arbitration hearing. His future is hereby punted forward. [Athletic]
Speaking of which, here’s a roundup of RFA drama and rumors. [Sportsnet]
And which players could still be on the move this summer? [TSN]
The Blue Jackets and Jet Greaves are $4.7 million apart in their arbitration filings. [TSN]
Utah re-signed John Marino for eight years and $54 million. [TSN]
How does Steve Yzerman stepping down in Detroit affect hometown captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request, if at all? [Athletic]
More teams than ever (in a league with more teams than ever) do not have a captain at present, including the Isles. Does that matter? [Athletic]
The 2026 offseason for the Anaheim Ducks hasn’t gone according to plan for general manager Pat Verbeek and the front office.
They entered the offseason with seemingly enough cap space to re-sign their three high-profile RFAs (Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov) and add a star-level missing piece or two to bolster either the forward group or blueline, or both.
Verbeek recouped good value for two young roster players at the Draft by trading, in aggregate, Mason McTavish and Olen Zellweger in exchange for two 2026 first-round picks (Nikita Klepov and Marcus Nordmark), a 2026 second-round pick (Jayden Kurtz), and Anton Wahlberg (39th in 2023).
When free agency opened, the Ducks signed depth pieces AJ Greer, Nick Jensen, Jeff Malott, and Laurent Brossoit. On July 3, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Ducks franchise center Leo Carlsson to a historic offer sheet to the tune of five years and $90 million ($18 million AAV). Two days later, seemingly in an effort to avoid another OS, the Ducks signed young defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to a five-year contract at a $7.2 million AAV. On July 9, the Ducks matched Carlsson’s offer sheet.
Anaheim’s cap sheet will require some gymnastics moving forward to fit remaining RFA and leading goalscorer, Cutter Gauthier, and his extension under the cap ceiling. However, barring a surprise move or two, the roster, as it stands, is essentially the one that will skate on opening night of the 2026-27 season on Oct. 2.
The roster, as currently constructed, isn’t as talented, deep, or experienced as the one that traveled to Edmonton for Game 1 of the 2026 playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers. On paper, the glaring weak spot is the right side of the blueline, where the Ducks saw all three Game 1 starters (Jacob Trouba, John Carlson, Radko Gudas) sign with opposing teams on July 1.
Trouba became a top-pair defenseman for the Ducks, playing mostly alongside star Jackson LaCombe. Carlson required considerable assets to acquire from the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline (2026 first-round pick and 2027 third-round pick), and the Ducks were hopeful he’d choose to remain in Anaheim. Radko Gudas was the Ducks' captain for two of his three seasons in Anaheim and was instrumental in the team turning the corner out of their elongated rebuild.
As of today, Trouba, Carlson, and Gudas are projected to be replaced on the Ducks’ blueline by a combination of Drew Helleson (25), Ian Moore (24), Nick Jensen (35), and rookie Tristan Luneau (22). Some or most will see this shift in personnel at a key position on the ice as a monumental downgrade, but is it, in actuality?
What was Lost
Trouba (32) logged the second-most TOI in 2025-26 for the Ducks, including the most TOI/G on the penalty kill. He and LaCombe were given the toughest minutes during the Ducks’ playoff run to the second round, and he was an influential presence both on and off the ice. When he was on the ice at 5v5 in 2025-26, the Ducks accounted for 50.5% of the expected goals in the regular season and 60.2% in the playoffs.
Carlson (36) was an immediate offensive success on the Ducks’ blueline, and scored 14 points (4-10=14) in 16 regular season games, adding six points (0-6=6) in 12 playoff games. He ran point on one of the Ducks’ two evenly distributed power play units and featured on the second penalty kill unit. His biggest strength for the Ducks may have been his breakout acumen, as chipped pucks rarely led to extended zone time when he was on the ice. When he was on the ice at 5v5, the Ducks registered 58.2% of the expected goals in the regular season and 51.6% in the playoffs.
As captain, Gudas (36) was Anaheim’s emotional leader, exuding 100% effort and physicality with every stride. He’d been a reliable partner to several young Ducks blueliners over the previous three seasons and logged some difficult minutes along the way, including consistent minutes on the penalty kill. Injury and a decreased role kept his minutes down in this third year with the Ducks, but when he was on the ice at 5v5, the Ducks generated 51.7% of the expected goals in the regular season.
Though boasting some impressive numbers and providing impactful leadership to a young team, all three players are well into their thirties, would have required big-money or long-term contracts this summer, and aren’t quite an on-ice fit with the Ducks roster and coaching style moving forward.
The Ducks have evolved into a high-octane, dynamic, offensive NHL club, generating the majority of their scoring chances off rush sequences. The three right-shot veterans they lost lack the pace to join and positively influence that area of their attack on a regular basis.
On the defensive end of the ice, the Ducks have struggled to protect the inner slot for the better part of a decade. While all three veterans logged heavy defensive minutes and provided a physical presence in the tight areas, they were all susceptible to coverage lapses and missed assignments below the dots in their zone.
Due to their lack of foot speed, they afforded attackers much too large a gap when defending the rush and relied solely on active sticks to disrupt transitions. Contrary to their reputations, they didn’t provide the defensive prowess in the critical areas, and at the critical times, Anaheim needed to thrive in their half of the ice.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
What is Gained
From the forwards to the defensemen to the goaltending, the Ducks will rely on their young core and youthful support players to continue taking steps and making greater impacts if they’re to keep their build on an upward trajectory in 2026-27.
On paper, the blueline looks bleak. LaCombe is the only proven impact player of the bunch. Mintyukov has yet to find his offensive footing and was a healthy scratch for multiple 2025-26 regular season games. Tyson Hinds (23) played the majority of the season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls before logging six regular season NHL games and nine in the playoffs. Helleson accounted for some of the worst metrics among NHL-regular defensemen last season (46.2% xGF). Jensen will be coming off a knee surgery in March to repair a torn meniscus, is a year removed from a hip resurfacing surgery in May 2025, and his advanced metrics were unspectacular (-6.7% rel. xGF). Luneau has the talent to become a top-four defenseman in short order, but will still require all-important reps at the NHL level to achieve that potential.
LaCombe will lead the blueline as the team’s true No.1, but Mintyukov will now be relied on with a heavier role, as he’s now paid as their No. 2. He will be entering his fourth year in the NHL, having only shown flashes of the offensive impact he can ultimately provide. He’s tactical with his activations and can discombobulate opposing defensive structures, but will need to execute with more consistency. His 200-foot defensive game has progressed immensely and is arguably more impactful than his offensive one.
Hinds has more NHL playoff experience than regular season experience, but had nearly three full AHL seasons (204 games) under his belt before making his NHL debut. At the end of his AHL tenure, he’d become the San Diego Gulls most reliable defender, logging heavy minutes and matchups. He moves well, defends with his stick and body, angles, and provides a physicality that was left vacant by Trouba and Gudas’s exits.
Helleson’s first full regular season in the NHL was a roller coaster at best and unspectacular at worst. Much of where he struggled could, theoretically, be easily ironed out, as he struggled with first efficient first passes and losing sight of pucks funneled to the goal mouth, which often took poor bounces on their way to the back of the net. He possesses textbook defensive fundamentals, and with some puck skill refinement, he can become a reliable NHL defenseman.
Moore had one of the more bizarre rookie seasons imaginable, as he was en route to becoming an exciting modern defensive defenseman when circumstances drove him to finish his campaign as a fourth-line winger. As a defenseman, where he projects long-term, he has clear top-four upside with refined defensive habits and rare four-way mobility. He will be expected to take a significant jump in his development in the upcoming season.
Jensen will likely hold a role buoying younger counterparts as they inevitably brush up against obstacles and growing pains. He’s in the “reliable veteran” mold, but even after his hip surgery, he was more mobile than the likes of Trouba, Carlson, and Gudas. The hope is that his recent knee surgery won’t hinder that aspect of his game too much.
Luneau is the true wild card on the Ducks’ blueline. After some past injury issues, he’s been fully healthy over the past two seasons with the Gulls in the AHL, becoming one of the league’s top defensemen. He’s the epitome of “two-way”: offensively productive and defensively impactful. He’s active, tenacious, physical, smart, mobile, and possesses any other tool necessary to become a top-pair NHL defender. The Ducks will simply require him to reach that potential sooner rather than later to remain on track.
Should they be called upon, Stian Solberg (23rd in ’24) and Noah Warren (42nd in ’22) now each have several years of professional experience, can be relied upon in their end, and are as ready as they’ll ever be to make their NHL debuts.
Ultimately, the Ducks lost a lot of name-brand talent on their backend from 2025-26, heading into 2026-27. However, that name-brand talent greatly contributed to the Ducks finishing as the NHL’s 28th-ranked defensive team in terms of xGA/60 (2.91) and the 29th-ranked team in terms of GA/G (3.51). On top of poor defensive results, they weren’t stylistic fits with where the Ducks are heading and what makes them a successful on-ice team.
Though the projected 2026-27 blueline will undoubtedly have to work their way through adjustments and struggles, they can’t be much worse than their predecessor, and with their more cohesive stylistic fit, their ceiling is far greater, both in the immediate and future outlooks.
According to NHLTradeTracker.com, the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers have made 14 trades in their history. On the fourth anniversary of the blockbuster that sent Matthew Tkachuk to Florida in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar, it was the perfect opportunity to revisit their legendary transitions featuring some superstar names.
Revisiting Flames Trade History With the Panthers
September 29, 1994
Calgary acquires: 1996 Third-round pick (73rd overall - Dmitri Vlasenkov) and 1997 fourth-round pick (100th overall - Ryan Ready)
Florida acquires: Róbert Švehla and Magnus Svensson
Róbert Švehla had the longest career of the four players involved in this trade, playing 573 games with the Panthers and just one season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Interestingly, outside of his debut season in 1994-95, he missed a total of five games in his NHL career.
Meanwhile, Magnis Svensson played 46 games with Florida in 1995 and 1996. Ryan Ready never played with Calgary, dressing for seven games with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006, while Dmitri Vlasenkov played one season in the IHL (2001) before spending the rest of his professional hockey career in his native Russia.
September 30, 1999
Calgary acquires: Bill Lindsay
Florida acquires: Todd Simpson
Bill Lindsay was a key player in the Panthers' first seven seasons, helping the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996. He played 506 of his 777 NHL games with the club, and they dealt him to the Flames at just 29 years old. Calgary dealt away Todd Simpson, who would be a journeyman defenseman who played with seven teams over 10 seasons.
March 16, 2000
Calgary acquires: Filip Kuba
Florida acquires: Rocky Thompson
Filip Kuba played 14 seasons in the NHL, two with the Panthers before they dealt him to the Flames in March 2000. Interestingly, he never suited up for a game with Calgary, instead departing for the Minnesota Wild in the Expansion Draft. Going the other way was Rocky Thompson, a third-round pick from 1995, who played 25 NHL games between the Flames and Panthers.
June 23, 2001
Calgary acquires: Rob Niedermayer and 2001 second-round pick (56th overall - Andrei Medvedev)
With his brother, Hall of Famer Scott, Rob Niedermayer, one of the young stars of the expansion Panthers, would eventually win the Stanley Cup in 2007 as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. The former fifth overall pick from the 1993 Draft skated in 1,153 games and scored 469 points. Meanwhile, the Flames used their pick in the trade to select Andrei Medvedev, who never played in the NHL.
Unlike his brother, Hall of Famer Pavel Bure, Valeri Bure had a respectable 10-year NHL career and scored 176 goals and 400 points. He went to Florida along with forward Jason Wiemer, who played 726 games over 11 seasons with six different clubs.
June 22, 2002
Calgary acquires: First-round pick (10th overall - Eric Nystrom) and 2002 fourth-round pick (99th overall - Michael Lambert)
Florida acquires: First-round pick (9th overall - Petr Taticek)
At the 2002 Draft, the Panthers and Flames swapped first-round picks, which didn't shake the foundations of either team. At ninth overall, Florida picked Petr Taticek, who played just three NHL games, while Calgary used the very next pick to select Eric Nystrom, who would go on to play 593 games over 10 seasons. With the 99th overall pick, the Flames drafted Michael Lambert, who didn't make it to the NHL.
March 8, 2004
Calgary acquires: Marcus Nilson
Florida acquires: 2004 second-round pick (53rd overall - David Booth)
David Booth would play in the NHL for 10 seasons, becoming a multi-time 20-goal scorer with the Panthers. Meanwhile, after six years in Florida, the club sent Marcus Nilson to the Flames, where he played four years and scored just 42 points in 194 games.
December 2, 2005
Calgary acquires: Kristian Huselius
Florida acquires: Dustin Johner and Steve Montador
Kristian Huselius recorded two 20-goal seasons in Florida before reaching a career high of 34 with the Flames in 2006-07. He spent 10 years in the league, with another four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. To acquire him, Calgary traded Dustin Johner, who never played in the NHL, and defenseman Steve Montador, who produced his best season in Florida, with 23 points in 2008. The undrafted defender also played 10 years with six different teams.
June 27, 2009
Calgary acquires: Jay Bouwmeester (signing rights)
Florida acquires: 2009 third-round pick (67th overall - Josh Birkholz) and Jordan Leopold (signing rights)
Jay Bouwmeester may have had his best statistical seasons with the Panthers, but he would go on to win the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. The Flames acquired his signing rights in June 2009, and he'd go on to play four seasons in Calgary after six in Florida. Going the other way was a third-round pick, which turned into Josh Birkholz, who never played in the NHL, and the signing rights to defenseman Jordan Leopold. Leopold would go on to play one season with the Panthers, one of the eight teams he skated with over his 12-year career.
July 9, 2011
Calgary acquires: Jordan Henry
Florida acquires: Keith Seabrook
One of the odder trades between the Flames and Panthers took place in July 2011, when the clubs traded two players who never played in the NHL, Jordan Henry and Keith Seabrook. Moreover, a team never drafted Henry, and Seabrook was a second-round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2006. Although neither played higher hockey than the AHL, at least Seabrook got to celebrate with the Stanley Cup as his brother Brent won it three times with the Chicago Blackhawks.
June 18, 2013
Calgary acquires: Corban Knight
Florida acquires: 2013 fourth-round pick (97th overall - Michael Downing)
Corban Knight played just nine games with the Flames in 2014 and 2015, before dressing in 20 for the Panthers in 2016 and another five with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019. He scored just four goals and 12 points over four seasons, with the Panthers using their draft pick in this deal on Michael Downing, who never made it to the NHL.
January 9, 2015
Calgary acquires: Drew Shore
Florida acquires: Corban Knight
As of 2026, Knight is the only player traded twice between the Panthers and Flames, going back to Florida in a 2015 deal that brought center Drew Shore to Calgary. Unlike Knight, who had a brief NHL career, Shore played a total of 98 games, scoring nine goals and 26 points.
Jiri Hudler was already a Stanley Cup winner by the time he came to Calgary in 2012, where he became a fan favorite thanks in part to a 31-goal and 76-point campaign in 2014-15. He spent four years with the Flames, winning the Lady Byng Trophy in 2014-15. Eventually, the team dealt him to Florida in exchange for two draft picks, Tyler Parsons and Demetrios Koumontzis, neither of whom ever made it to the NHL.
April 12, 2021
Calgary acquires: Emil Heineman and 2022 second-round pick (61st overall - David Goyette)
Florida acquires: Sam Bennett and 2022 sixth-round pick (187th overall - Gustav Karlsson)
Sam Bennett is the highest-drafted player in Flames history, going fourth overall at the 2014 Draft. He played six seasons in Calgary but went on to become a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Panthers, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy for his heroics in 2025. He never scored 20 goals with the Flames, but is now a four-time 20-goal scorer in just six seasons in Florida.
The Panthers flipped their sixth-round pick acquired in this deal to the Buffalo Sabres in 2022 for defenseman Robert Hägg. Meanwhile, the Flames flipped the second-round pick from this deal to the Seattle Kraken in 2022 for Calle Järnkrok. Then, traded Emil Heineman to the Montreal Canadiens in a package for Tyler Toffoli in 2022.
July 22, 2022
Calgary acquires: Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and 2025 first-round pick (32nd overall - Cullen Potter)
Florida acquires: Matthew Tkachuk and 2025 fourth-round pick (112th overall - Mads Kongsbak Klyvo)
Everyone knows the story by now. Tkachuk told the Flames he had no intention of signing long-term, so they dealt him to the Panthers, where he'd go on to play in three Stanley Cup Finals, winning a championship in 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, Florida used their fourth-round pick to select Mads Kongsbak Klyvo, who, at 19, has yet to come and play professionally in North America.
On the flip side, the Flames acquired Huberdeau, who recorded 115 points the season before relocating to Calgary, producing a meager 55 points in his first campaign in Alberta. Despite Weegar having his best statistical seasons with the Flames, he was dealt to the Utah Mammoth during the 2025-26 season. Finally, Calgary used their draft pick in the exchange, 32nd overall in 2025 because the Panthers won the Stanley Cup, to select Cullen Potter, a 19-year-old who plays in the NCAA.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 12 : Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils warms up before the NHL regular season game against the Ottawa Senators at the Prudential Center on April 12, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
About a year ago, I wrote an article pondering whether or not the Devils should consider extending then-goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
You can go back and read it at the link above if you so choose, but to summarize, my takeaway at the time was why rush into a deal. Take a wait and see approach with an older goaltender before tying up valuable cap dollars and resources into an extension.
I bring all of this up because now that Mehta is sitting in the big chair, the decision whether or not to extend the contracts of players entering their walk year falls upon him.
Mehta already came to an agreement with the most pressing pending UFA when he and captain Nico Hischier agreed to a five-year extension. This was an important piece of business to get done as it allowed Mehta to divert his attention to UFA and the immediacy of the open market. Most of those moves he has made since then have, if nothing else, has given the Devils flexibility to go in any direction of their choosing down the road.
I don’t know if it was by design or a matter of coincidence that Mehta has brought in players like Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Declan Chisholm who only had one year of term remaining. It’s probably more of a happenstance than a specific reason as to why he was targeting those players in particular.
Still, when one looks at the Devils PuckPedia page, you can see that they only currently have seven NHL forwards under contract for next season. Aside from the big four of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and the recently extended Nico Hischier, they only have the recently signed Anthony Mantha and Arseny Gritsyuk under contract along with holdover Connor Brown.
Going back to our larger theme about flexibility and contract extensions moving forward, the Devils have six forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender at the NHL level who all need new deals. Of course, all of those players won’t actually be back, as that’s part of the nature of dealing with roster turnover at the NHL level. I thought this week that it would be worth it to take a look at the list of players who need a new contract after this season and rank them by their likelihood they’ll be back in 2027-28. Does it make sense for the Devils to try to be proactive in some cases? Or are we looking at a bunch of Markstrom-like land mines that should be avoided?
While I normally like to be a completionist, I will not be diving deep enough to go to the AHL level and talk about whether or not guys like Shane Lachance or Ben Steeves will be back. Unless the Devils prospects wind up being traded or they’re that bad, there’s little reason for the Devils not to bring those players back. I will be including David Rittich since its on the table that he gets some NHL time, but that would be the extent of how deep I plan on digging.
I will rank these players from least likely to be extended to most likely. Also, the players listed age below will be their age on 7/1/27 since that is when a new contract for them would technically start.
Nick Bjugstad
Age: 34 (turns 35 on 7/17/27)
2025-26 AAV: $1.75M
A holdover from the Fitzgerald era, Bjugstad didn’t really do much of anything down the stretch after the Devils acquired him midseason.
On top of that, we’ve already seen Mehta look to acquire a center this offseason (Barrett Hayton). We’ve seen him bring in a player he thinks could be an NHL player in Amadeus Lombardi. We’ve also seen him bring in players who can slide over to center in a pinch.
While Bjugstad might be currently penciled in as the 4C, I don’t think his roster spot is ironclad by any means. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a player the Devils wound up moving out if they needed to free up a little cap space for something else. Either way, I don’t think Mehta is particularly attached to the veteran center, and I think its unlikely he’s back in 2027.
Chances of an extension: None
Stefan Noesen
Age: 34 (turns 35 on February 12, 2028)
2025-26 AAV: $2.75M
Another holdover from the previous regime, I’m not entirely sure that Stefan Noesen will even make it to Opening Night this season, let alone last the entire season AND be a candidate for a contract extension.
Now, I do think Noesen plays the type of gritty, in your face game where he could’ve fit in perfectly well on those Florida teams that Sunny Mehta was accustomed to. But we’re also talking about a player who missed a lot of time due to injury and was largely ineffective when he did play this year.
Theoretically, nobody knows the medicals better than the Devils when it comes to Noesen. He does have about 700 games played between the NHL and AHL levels, which doesn’t sound like a ton, but he does play a hard game. I wouldn’t blame the Devils if they didn’t want to be on the hook for another year like last year if there’s lingering doubt about Noesen’s ability to hold up physically. Noesen is a fine player for what he does, but I think there’s probably a younger version of that that hits the open market next July if Mehta decides he needs a player like that. Either way, there’s no reason to do an extension anytime soon.
Chances of an extension: None
Brenden Dillon
Age: 36 (turns 37 on November 13th, 2027)
AAV: $4M
At some point, the Devils will need to get more athletic and more dynamic offensively on the back end. They lack defensemen who can effectively move the puck, and its the one area that Sunny Mehta hasn’t really touched much this offseason. Granted, they wound up trading Simon Nemec rather than signing him to a contract extension and they brought in Declan Chisholm who we will discuss shortly, but I think Mehta was partially hampered by some of the contracts and no-trade clauses that he inherited.
I think at this point, Dillon will probably be here on Opening Night and will probably play out the season for the Devils. If they were going to move him in a cap dump, it probably would’ve happened by now. I also think Dillon brings some things to the table that are in short supply on this roster…..veteran leadership, his physicality, and his willingness to drop the gloves being three of them right off the bat.
I don’t think Mehta will extend Dillon, but I do think he’s a perfectly cromulent bottom pairing defensive defenseman at this stage of his career. I also think if this season doesn’t go according to plan, he’s one of the better trade chips Mehta has at his disposal come the trade deadline. If Luke Schenn can seemingly get traded for a decent draft pick at the deadline every few years, why can’t a better player in Brenden Dillon fetch a similar return?
Chances of an extension: Less than 1%
David Rittich
Age: 34 (turns 35 on August 19, 2027)
AAV: $1M
The reason I give Rittich more of a chance to be extended than his colleagues is two-fold.
First of all, he’s the first guy on this list that Sunny Mehta actually picked to be on this roster. So there’s clearly something there under the hood there that Mehta likes.
Secondly, I don’t think its impossible that the Devils will want him back as the organizational third goaltender.
Granted, Rittich may be looking for more from his career, and he might prefer a landing spot where he has a realistic chance for competing for an NHL roster spot. If Daws wins that competition this year, Rittich might not be all that interested in riding the bus for Utica at this stage of his life any longer than he needs to. But as long as he performs as expected, I could see the Devils wanting him back in that role again for another season.
Chances of an extension: Roughly 5%
Jesper Boqvist
Age: 28 (turns 29 on October 30, 2027)
AAV: $1.5M
Boqvist is an interesting player in that he has added layers to his game since leaving the Devils. Those layers he added, mainly his willingness to engage physically, is likely why he’ll continue to be a player in the NHL for the next half decade or so instead of washing out and playing out his professional career in Europe.
While I would caution against giving out term for players who are likely projected to be fourth liners, Boqvist is a player that Mehta clearly likes. Boqvist also doesn’t really have the counting stats to command a significant amount of money elsewhere. I think as long as the Devils fourth line is effective, and Boqvist is a part of that, extending him for a couple years isn’t going to make or break you as an organization.
Of course, I don’t see any reason for Mehta to rush out and extend Boqvist now. Even if its not significant money, every dollar you spend now is a dollar you can’t spend tomorrow. Rather than box yourself in now, it makes more sense to keep your options open and save your pennies. If a bigger fish were to become available, its likely that the Devils would look to save money by replacing a guy like Boqvist at half the cost.
Chances of an extension: Roughly 5%
Cody Glass
Age: 27 (turns 28 on April 1, 2027)
AAV: $2.5M
When it comes to the Devils and their center pipeline in general, Mehta has operated under the mindset of looking towards the future.
The Devils drafted Alexander Command 12th overall. They traded for Amadeus Lombardi. They tried to add Barrett Hayton via offer sheet.
What should these moves, or in Hayton’s case….attempted moves, tell us? I don’t know about you, but it tells me he’s not exactly enamored by the current state of the Devils bottom six centers. At least in the long-term.
That doesn’t necessarily mean its a deathblow for Glass in regards to his future in New Jersey. Perhaps Mehta feels Glass is misslotted as a 3C and is closer to being an elite level 4C, if there ever were such a thing. I’d actually agree with that assessment.
I do know that this is a league that has a shortage of quality centers though. While I’m skeptical of Cody Glass ever scoring 19 goals again in a season, I think there’s enough there where he’s an NHL player. This might be a case where someone like Glass ultimately has more value as a trade deadline acquisition than he would as a future building block, depending upon where the Devils are in the standings come the trade deadline. And at the end of the day, this is another role player that Mehta inherited from the previous regime.
If you put me on the spot, I think its more likely Glass is traded, or walks and is replaced, than extended.
Chances of an extension: 5%
Declan Chisholm
Age: 27 (turns 28 on January 12, 2028)
AAV: $1.6M
I don’t know if I entirely agree with Mehta when it comes to the assessment of what Declan Chisholm can be as an NHL player. For a player with a reputation of being a “puck-moving defenseman”, the counting stats just haven’t been there for him through his first 125 NHL games. 6 career goals and 22 assists doesn’t exactly scream offensive dynamo.
That said, this is a player that Mehta admittedly has been pursuing for quite a while dating back to his time in Florida. And if he’s going to presumably become one of Sunny Mehta’s guys, he’s probably not going to be so quick to give up on him with just a year to go to UFA. Chisholm will get an opportunity at some point.
There might not be a clear path when it comes to him carving out an NHL roster spot right this second, but I do believe he’ll get a chance to prove himself. Somebody in the comments section the other day compared him to when the Devils acquired Johnathan Kovacevic, and while they’re different players stylistically, I get why they drew that comparison. Kovacevic earned his spot in the Devils lineup by outplaying Simon Nemec in training camp 2024, and while we can certainly debate whether or not his in-season contract extension was a good idea, he played well enough for large stretches of 2024-25 to earn that deal. Time will tell if Chisholm can ultimately do something similar.
Chances of an extension: 10%
Evan Rodrigues
Age: 33 (turns 34 on July 28, 2027)
AAV: $3.075M
I think its pretty clear that Rodrigues is one of Sunny Mehta’s guys.
Rodrigues has carved out a very nice career for himself as a former undrafted player. He broke out as a 28 year old in Pittsburgh with a career high 19 goals and 43 points and has parlayed that into $14M worth of contracts since, first with the Colorado Avalanche and then the last three years with the Florida Panthers before coming to the Devils in the aforementioned Markstrom trade.
Rodrigues is a versatile veteran forward who can play anywhere in the lineup. He’s been a part of a winning culture in his last few stops.
The one ‘yeah, but’ with me when it comes to Rodrigues is that he’s already on the older side. He’ll be 34 when a new contract begins. His agent has a reputation for steering his clients towards UFA. Paying for role players in general isn’t the greatest idea, let alone players already in their mid 30s.
This is a player that Mehta clearly has an affinity for though, and likely for reasons that go beyond whatever Mehta’s model or spreadsheet is telling him. If he fits here like he did in Florida, he’ll likely be a fan favorite for his work ethic and how he approaches the game.
I think of all of the pending UFAs, Rodrigues is probably the most likely to be back beyond this upcoming season. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Devils should try to re-sign him right now, but if he has a good year, I could see Mehta try to bring him back on a two-year extension.
Chances of an extension: 40%
Dawson Mercer
Age: 25 (turns 26 on October 27, 2027)
AAV: $4M
The only pending RFA on this list, Mercer will definitely earn another contract. The main question with him is whether or not that will be in New Jersey, or if he’s ultimately used as a trade chip.
Mercer hasn’t really taken that next step in his development after posting a 56-point campaign in his age 21 season back in 2022-23. That’s not to say he’s not useful, but he is probably miscast as a top line winger. You’re probably in really good shape as an NHL team if someone like Dawson Mercer is your 9th best forward. Less so if he’s your 4th or 5th best forward.
Mercer is set up to cash in on his next contract, as he’s entering the final year of his bridge deal. If nothing else, his floor as an NHL player is a consistent 20 goal scorer who plays all 82 games year in, year out. He can play in all situations, and while I wouldn’t recommend moving him over to center, it is something he can do in a pinch. With a rising cap, it’ll be interesting to see what he ultimately gets.
And therein lies the conundrum if you’re Mehta.
If all Mercer is going to be is a 20-goal, 40-point winger, is that a player you want to commit to long-term in a top six role? Is that a player you’re going to want to sign for the next 5-6 years?
Somebody else in the comments the other day suggested that the recent Connor McMichael contract extension by the Blues (6 years, $6.75M AAV) might be the framework of what Mercer could realistically get. I understand why that comparison was made. They’re both versatile forwards who have produced at similar rates. McMichael is a .49 PPG player for his career, while Mercer is a .51 PPG player. McMichael is a year older, so that comparison makes sense.
That said, if Mercer’s going rate for his next deal is something in the 6x$7M range, and why wouldn’t it be with the cap exploding, I’d just as sooner trade Mercer like the Capitals did with McMichael than make that sort of commitment.
Mercer is going to get paid by someone. He’s also probably the single best trade chip at Mehta’s disposal. There’s little reason to sign him now (or for him to sign now), so I expect Mercer to play the year out on this deal and hit RFA. I just question his future in New Jersey in general.
Chances of an extension: 100% (after the season)
Chances he is still a Devil on July 1, 2027: 25%
Final Thoughts
Bringing this back to my opening comments on Markstrom, I think when it comes to the pending UFAs (and RFA, in Mercer’s case), what’s the rush to signing anyone on this list to a contract extension? Half the players on this list are new to the team and it remains to be seen how they fit. The other half are your typical back-end of the roster NHL players who are more of your supporting cast than featured players on a team. I don’t mean that as an insult, just that they’re not the type of players one typically goes out of their way to lock up.
Tom Fitzgerald might have boxed himself into a corner by giving term and significant dollars to role players like Kovacevic, or by dipping into UFA as much as he had over the previous few seasons. I think Mehta will be more calculated when it comes to allocating those types of resources for players.
At the end of the day, the NHL is a superstar driven league. Teams don’t get into cap hell by paying star players what they’re worth. They get there by making mistakes with role players in their 30s. And unless anything changes between now and the start of the season, there’s little reason for the Devils to go out of their way to lock up role players.
PHILADELPHIA , PA - APRIL 22: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha #39 looks on during game three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburg Penguins on April 22nd, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
The Devils appear to be headed toward a roster crunch: “They have 15 players who have either spent real time playing an everyday role at the NHL level, or players who require waivers to be sent down. Let’s take a rough look at the depth chart to get a feel for where things stand.” [Infernal Access ($)]
“While the offseason probably isn’t over yet, we’ve seen enough from Mehta to confirm that he would take a different approach to improving the Devils’ roster. Thankfully, there’s been a much-needed influx of skill and goal-scoring capability that should better suit the Devils’ core.” [Devils on the Rush]
NHL.com’s look at where the Devils stand in preparation for the 2026-2027 regular season: [NHL.com]
Hockey Links
The Stars sign Jason Robertson to a one-year deal:
Dallas announces it has signed Jason Robertson
1 year, $12M
He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, but is eligible to sign an extension Jan 1 https://t.co/mpuS1T3dr2
“The Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes are one of four teams that will have their game telecasts produced and distributed by the NHL for the upcoming season. The league announced Tuesday that the Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues will also have local broadcasts done by NHL Productions when the season begins in late September.” [Associated Press]
“Would another NHL expansion draft dilute the rest of the league too much? Is it even possible to build a competitive roster through that process in today’s NHL? With the NHL in the exploratory phases of expanding to either Austin or Houston, those questions could actually get answered. Today, we’re going to test the waters to get an early gauge of what a 33rd team could realistically look like.” [The Athletic ($)]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
ST. LOUIS -- Tynan Lawrence made sure to keep an open mind as the days counted down to the moment he'd eventually find out where he'd be selected in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Early prognostications had the 17-year-old as a potential top-10 pick in the first round. But then injury came, two of them as a matter of fact, a broken foot and sprained ankle. There was also a change in venue, too, a move from Muskegon of the United States Hockey League to powerhouse Boston University in an effort to make last season count in limited action.
But in the end, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound center was projected in more than a few mock drafts to go No. 11 to the St. Louis Blues, and that's where he would wind up.
"I didn't know for sure," Lawrence said in his first visit to St. Louis after the draft. "I really didn't know any team for sure, but I kind of knew that was my range and seeing the Blues pick me, I was super thrilled. I knew it was a really exciting team, so I was happy."
The Blues picked what Doug Armstrong and the Blues scouting staff called a "dog on a bone," a 200-foot player that will continue his development with the Terriers after putting up 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 13 games with as captain of the Lumberjacks, before finishing up with seven points (two goals, five assists) in 18 games with BU.
This is the same player that put up 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 56 games for Muskegon the previous season and another 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 14 playoff games. As a 14-year-old with the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary's 14U-AAA team, Lawrence had 93 points (37 goals, 56 assists) in 56 games. But he's added that 200-foot pedigree to his game, and now the work really gets going in backing up the claims by the Blues organization that saw that in him.
"I think that's one of my better strengths is my 200-foot ability, not cheating for offense and not cheating on the defensive side," said Lawrence, who heard from the likes of Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours and Jordan Binnington upon being drafted. "I feel like combining those two and working hard with my speed, I feel like you can help your team out a lot and I feel that's a big thing."
Lawrence isn't on the Blues' radar any time soon, but he will be. That's why this time spent at BU competing for championships will serve his growth exponentially.
"The NCAA hasn't been a 17-year-old league and it's now becoming one, and 17 vs. 25 years old, that's a big difference," Armstrong said. "He went there and we just expect him to continue to grow and get better, but we think he's a 200-foot player that can play in that middle second-third line on our team and in our organization. I actually view the way the team has been built and the way the league has been going. I think we have a primary line right now if coach decides to use it that way with Holloway, Snuggerud, and Robert Thomas, then I think you need six forward who can make the balance of the next two lines. They're pretty interchangeable on where they're going to go. I think that a Lawrence is going to slide in there like all that group of players."
Lawrence will grow and develop under Jay Pandolfo, who spent 15 seasons as a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins, someone who understands the ins and outs of what it takes to be an NHL player, someone who has graduated players from his alma mater as its head coach the past four seasons, including Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens), Ryan Greene (Chicago Blackhawks) and Shane Lachance (Devils).
"That was kind of my main idea for development," Lawrence said. "I felt like just going to BU, having that half season under my belt, I felt like I was a lot better than at the start and just kind of being able to take that to next year and build on that and kind of teach the young guys. Everyone got a year older. I feel like we're going to have a really special team next year.
"[Pandolfo] kind of knows that I know it's going to take a lot. You can't take anything for granted. You've got to work for it no matter what pick you were, how high or anything like that. Having him there is definitely a lot of fun and also my teammates. A lot of them have been drafted. Some of them played in the NHL last year and connecting with them. Their experiences definitely helped me a lot."
Lawrence is known for his high-end motor, quick in transition and a smooth and explosive skater, something the Blues can definitely use in the organization with the game geared more towards speed and 200-foot ability. It's all up to him to implement those attributes in having a successful 2026-27.
"Personally and team-wise, I feel like we want to get back to where BU is normally the last couple of years other than last year, making the tournament, the Frozen Four, going far like that," Lawrence said. "I feel like that's a big expectation for my team. For myself, I just want to be a big contributor, someone my coach can trust and have a big impact on a team next year."
And continuing to be that dog on a bone.
"Yeah, a little bit," Lawrence said of the description. "That's pretty short and sweet."
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With the days ticking before Dallas Stars superstar winger Jason Robertson was set for his arbitration hearing on Jul. 25, the pressure was on GM Jim Nill and the Stars to get something settled beforehand, whether a deal or a trade.
And, on Tuesday, it finally happened.
Dallas signed Robertson to a one-year, $12 million deal, avoiding arbitration. Because Robertson filed, the Stars are not eligible to extend him long-term until Jan. 1, at which point he would only be able to extend for a maximum of seven years under the new CBA or be dealt to another team, where he could extend for six years. Or, of course, he could walk to free agency on Jul. 1, 2027.
While the speculation is fascinating, the most likely outcome is that Robertson and the Stars come to a long-term agreement to kick in for the 2027-27 season, when the team will have the free cap space to make it work. However, until an extension is actually inked beyond Jan. 1, the door remains open for Robertson to go elsewhere as soon as sometime next season.
So, the Robertson discussion can be shelved for now. But, even if the door to acquiring him is cracked open, that doesn't mean the Pittsburgh Penguins should wait for it to swing back open.
As it was well-documented over the last several weeks, the Penguins were the NHL team most legitimately linked to Robertson in trade rumors. It was clear that GM and POHO Kyle Dubas is enamored with Robertson. NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman said that the two teams had legitimate talks about a potential trade that never got across the finish line.
So, to a large extent, all the smoke surrounding Robertson and the Penguins certainly had a flame. And, hey, that spark could be reignited if January comes and goes without a new deal between the Stars and Robertson.
But, in order for Dubas and the Penguins to progress and move forward with their plan to take a legitimate step toward contention this season, they have no choice but to shift their focus to other potential game-changers on the market.
Dubas has reiterated several times over his desire for the Penguins to land a 20-something elite talent, and those intentions have been complicated as a result of the changing market. That talent will come at a premium, and Dubas - especially after the NHL Draft and the Leo Carlsson offer sheet situation - is very likely hyperaware of that.
Of course, it's all speculation as far as whether or not Robertson was Dubas's main target or still is. But, even if that's the case, pivoting to another talent - perhaps, a center - can help the team in the short- and long-term almost as much as Robertson can. Should they land a center such as Shane Wright or Dawson Mercer, they may be able to plug in long-term as a serviceable second-line center or a good third-line center.
Maybe they seek a higher-end left defenseman like Alexander Nikishin to help shore up the left side. Maybe they add another winger in the Egor Chinakhov mold such as his old teammate, Kent Johnson. Robertson may have been the biggest prize on the market, but there are still plenty of options out there who can help the Penguins next season and beyond.
And, perhaps, Dubas can target a center or a defenseman now, and then the Penguins will get lucky next summer if Robertson elects to go to free agency or doesn't sign long-term with Dallas. There is an avenue to acquire talent now while holding out hope that Robertson - or, even bigger-name players like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews - might be available next summer.
For now, Dubas would be wise to shift to plan B and put plan A on the backburner. Really, it's the only choice they have if Dubas is to go through with his summer ambitions and add someone this summer who will make the Penguins take a sizeable step toward contention next season.
From October to April, the Pittsburgh Penguins teased the rest of the NHL, staggering through long periods when they looked like anything but the defending Stanley Cup champions.
But when the NHL’s longest and most tumulnous season finally concluded on the first night of June at Chicago Stadium, it was again Mario Lemieux and the Penguins who hoisted the Stanley Cup.
The final game was a fitting end to the Penguins’ journey. Throughout the game, they teased the Blackhawks, taking four one-goal leads and entering the final period in a 4-4 tie before snuffing out the Hawks 6-5.
Despite the nip-and-tuck nature of the last game, in the end the Penguins were simply too much for Chicago. The four-game sweep was the first since the Edmonton Oilers beat the Boston Bruins in 1988.
And there can be no doubt that once again the Penguins are the class of the NHL.
Pittsburgh finished the playoffs on an 11-time winning streak. Ironically, the Blackhawks entered the final series with a similar 11-game streak only to be buried by the Penguins’ combination of defense, headlined by the goaltending of Tom Barrasso, and offense, headlined by Lemieux.
“I think you can win one Stanley Cup and people might say you got the breaks,” Barrasso said. “But two in a row, that really says something. It says something about your character.”
Those who wish to rush to judgment and fit the Penguins into a niche among the NHL’s championship teams would do well to compare this group to Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers. Much like those Edmonton teams, which featured Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Mark Messier, this Penguins’ team has ample offense with Lemieux, emerging star Jaromir Jagr and Kevin Stevens.
The comparison becomes even stronger when you consider, like those Edmonton teams, the Penguins have learned that when the playoffs arrive, they must sacrifice some of their freewheeling offense for defensive grit.
They learned that lesson well under coach Bob Johnson last season and used that memory reflex this spring to limit their opponents to just 36 goals in their final 14 games.
“We can play it any way they want,” Stevens said. “If they want to open it up against us, that’s fine. We’re confident we can play that way and nobody can stay with us. And if they want to play the other way, well, that’s fine, too.”
When you look back at Pittsburgh’s championship odyssey, you will see a team that was driven by the challenge of big games. Jarred by the death of Johnson early in the season, they chafed under the cactus style of coach Scott Bowman. The complaining came to a head during a team meeting in February but they never let off-ice problems blot out their final goal.
“We never lost our focus,” Barrasso said. “We always stuck together and we went through a lot with the death of our coach. It was a tough season for Scotty Bowman. A lot of people, I think, looked at it as if he would be a failure if we did not win the Cup. That’s a lot of pressure.”
The Penguins’ playoff road began with a scary seven-game series against the Washington Capitals, a series in which they were forced to the wall for the only time in the playoffs, trailing 3-1 in the series before mounting a comeback.
"We learned our lessons in that series,” left winger Troy Loney said. “We stopped taking penalties. There is no better feeling than having a cut on your face at the end of the series but shaking hands in the winning line.”
Pittsburgh wobbled through the regular season. There was actually some question about whether the Penguins would qualify for the playoffs in the competitive Patrick Division. But when the Penguins could see April, they drove up the tempo.
Following a similar plan as last season, general manager Craig Patrick made a major move in February, sending 100-point scorer Mark Recchi to the Philadelphia Flyers and superstar defenseman Paul Coffey to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal that brought rugged forward Rick Tocchet and defenseman Kjell Samuelsson to Pittsburgh.
It was a move similar to the acquisition of Ulf Samuelsson and Ron Francis from the Hartford Whalers last spring and the results were just as impressive.
With Lemieux, Jagr, and Stevens filling the sails with wind, guys such as Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson, and the rest of an underrated defensive corps helped batten down the hatches.
Having escaped the Washington series, the Penguins faced what many felt would be their most severe test in a second-round match with the New York Rangers. The Penguins watched as Lemieux and Joe Mullen were wiped out with injuries at Madison Square Garden. But even with those two gone, the Penguins took the series against a team with the best record in the NHL.
“I think that series was the toughest,” Barrasso said. “With Mario and Joe Mullen gone, a lot of guys had to come to the front.”
Lemieux, who came back for the second game of a four-game sweep over the Boston Bruins in the semifinals, played brilliantly despite a damaged hand.
Before the final series, Chicago coach Mike Keenan warned his Blackhawks might try to “lean on” Lemieux. He had it wrong. The only people who lean on Mario Lemieux are the Pittsburgh Penguins, and once again he held them up.
“He’s the greatest player in the world,” Keenan said after the final game. And again, the leader of the Stanley Cup champions
Former Senators forward Andrew Agozzino has announced his retirement from pro hockey.
Agozzino played 847 AHL regular-season games over his 14-year pro career. The 35-year-old also played 53 NHL games with stops in Colorado, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, San Jose and, finally, this past season in Utah. He announced his retirement on Instagram with some of his favourite hockey photos from his career.
It was almost five years ago to the day that Agozzino signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $800,000 with the Senators. He was used almost exclusively in Belleville that year, where he finished third in club scoring with 43 points in 66 games.
But he did get called up for one game in the 2021-22 season, making him a member of the Senators' one-and-done club.
Agozzino is one of just 18 players to appear in exactly one regular-season game for the Senators. Every one of them hoped there would be a second, but it never came.
Here's the full list:
Martin St. Amour — Left Wing (LW) — 1992-93*
Kevin MacDonald — Defenceman (D) — 1993-94*
Bobby Dollas — Defenceman (D) — 1999-2000
Erich Goldmann — Defenceman (D) — 1999-2000*
David Van Drunen — Defenceman (D) — 1999-2000*
Simon Lajeunesse — Goaltender (G) — 2001-02*
Brooks Laich — Centre (C) — 2003-04
Julien Vauclair — Defenceman (D) — 2003-04*
Danny Bois — Right Wing (RW) — 2006-07*
Andre Petersson — Right Wing (RW) — 2011-12*
Nathan Lawson — Goaltender (G) — 2013-14
Matt O'Connor — Goaltender (G) — 2015-16*
Patrick Sieloff — Defenceman (D) — 2017-18
Daniel Taylor — Goaltender (G) — 2017-18
Andrew Agozzino — Left Wing (LW) — 2021-22
Viktor Lodin — Centre (C) — 2021-22*
Magnus Hellberg — Goaltender (G) — 2022-23
Hunter Shepard — Goaltender (G) — 2025-26
The only man in the one-and-done club to record a point in their game with the club was Sieloff, who scored a goal in a 7-2 loss to Florida in 2018.
Remarkably, Sieloff played only one other NHL game in his career (with Calgary), and he scored in that game, too.
For 10 players on the list, marked by an asterisk, their lone appearance with the Senators also proved to be the only NHL game of their careers.
At first glance, that might seem a little sad. But ask almost any retired minor pro player, and they'd tell you they would have given just about anything for even one night in the NHL.
A small taste of the dream is way better than none at all.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the Sens headlines below:
A former Pittsburgh Penguins forward is hanging up the skates, as Andrew Agozzino has announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Agozzino spent most of this past season in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, where he posted 19 goals, 20 assists, and 39 points in 56 games. He also played in his two final career NHL games during the 2025-26 season with the Utah Mammoth, where he was held off the scoresheet. This was the first time he played at the NHL level since the 2022-23 season, when he was a member of the San Jose Sharks.
Agozzino spent most of his career in the AHL and put up some strong numbers in the process. In 847 career AHL games over 15 seasons, he posted 284 goals, 378 assists, and 662 points.
Agozzino appeared in 17 games during the 2019-20 season with Pittsburgh, where he recorded two assists and 19 hits. He also posted 14 goals, 19 assists, and 33 points in 37 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that season.
In 53 career NHL games over eight seasons split between the Colorado Avalanche, Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Sharks, and Mammoth, he posted three goals, nine assists, 12 points, and 74 hits.
Before Jared Bednar became the coach who led the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup, he was making a name for himself with the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters.
One of the biggest reasons those Monsters won the Calder Cup in 2016 was a young winger named Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Bjorkstrand appeared in 51 regular-season games that year, scoring 17 goals and adding 12 assists. Then he caught fire in the playoffs, piling up 10 goals and six assists in 17 games as Lake Erie swept the Hershey Bears to capture the championship.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and Bjorkstrand is beginning another chapter of his career.
The New York Rangers signed the veteran winger to a one-year, $4.5 million contract on the opening day of free agency, betting that his scoring touch can give their lineup another dimension.
Most of the attention this summer has gone to Pavel Dorofeyev after New York acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights and immediately signed him to a seven-year extension worth $11 million per season. That’s understandable.
But don’t overlook Bjorkstrand. By the time the season is over, he may end up looking like one of the Rangers’ smartest additions.
Scoring goals has never been much of an issue for Bjorkstrand.
Last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning was an outlier, as he finished with 12 goals in 80 games. Before that, he had scored at least 18 goals in seven straight seasons and topped the 20-goal mark six different times.
Players with that kind of consistency aren’t easy to find, especially on a one-year contract.
Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller remain New York’s top two centers, but both are now in their 30s, and the depth behind them leaves plenty to be desired. If the Rangers don’t get enough production down the middle, it could limit the opportunities for their wingers.
Even so, Bjorkstrand has built a career on creating offense. He has an underrated release, finds soft spots in coverage, and doesn’t need many chances to make an impact.
The one-year commitment also works in the Rangers’ favor.
If New York is in the playoff race, Bjorkstrand gives the club another proven scorer who can provide valuable secondary offense.
If the season goes in the other direction, his contract becomes an asset as many contenders will be looking to add at the deadline.
Either way, it’s a low-risk move with plenty of upside.
For Avalanche fans, there’s another reason this signing stands out.
Bednar coached Bjorkstrand during one of the most memorable seasons of both of their careers. Bednar helped guide the young winger through a championship run, and Bjorkstrand rewarded that trust by becoming one of Lake Erie’s most dangerous offensive players when it mattered most.
The player arriving in New York today has years of NHL experience, but many of the traits that made him successful under Bednar are still there.
The Rangers are hoping those qualities help them take a step forward this season.
For Avalanche fans, it’s another chance to watch one of Bednar’s former players continue carving out a successful NHL career.
Through 704 NHL games, Bjorkstrand has recorded 184 goals and 232 assists for 416 points.
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars will avoid a salary arbitration hearing after the high-scoring forward signed a $12 million contract for next season.
The Stars announced the deal Tuesday night, a day before Robertson's 27th birthday and 2 1/2 weeks after he had filed for arbitration.
“Jason has been a cornerstone of our franchise since he was drafted in 2017,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “A dynamic and skilled player, he has been one of the league’s top offensive threats since making his NHL debut."
Robertson, who has 490 points (213 goals and 277 assists) in his 456 regular-season career games with the Stars, could become an unrestricted free agent for the first time next summer.
His $12 million salary for 2026-27 matches forward Mikko Rantanen for the highest on the Stars. Rantanen just completed the first season of the $96 million, eight-year extension he signed to facilitate the deadline trade that brought him to Dallas from Carolina in March 2025.
Nill had acknowledged at the conclusion of the NHL draft that the Stars had a sign-and-trade deal in place to send Robertson to Seattle for the seventh overall pick. While Robertson couldn’t veto that trade, he wouldn’t agree to a long-term deal with the Kraken — a reported $120 million over eight years ($15 million a season).
Robertson had a team-high 96 points (45 goals, 51 assists) this past season. It was his third 40-goal season, and completed a $31 million, four-year deal he got in 2022.
The Stars drafted Robertson 39th overall in the second round of the 2017 draft. He has played all 328 of their regular-season games the past four seasons, scoring 365 points (155 goals and 210 assists) in that span.
Jason Robertson's contract drama with the Dallas Stars is over. For now, anyways.
Robertson, the high-scoring 26-year-old forward, has signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Stars, the team announced on July 21.
The deal helps player and team avoid arbitration, which the restricted free agent had filed for amid a contract standoff. It also sets Robertson up to be an unrestricted free agent upon conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
If Robertson remains in the fold, Dallas figures to be dangerous again. A second-round pick in the 2017 draft, Robertson scored 45 goals and led the Stars with 96 points in 2025-26.
He has three other 80-point seasons under his belt, including a career-best 109 points recorded in 2022-23.
Jason Robertson contract details
The one-year, $12 million contract means Robertson doesn't move past Mikko Rantanen to become the Stars' highest-paid player. Instead, they are tied. Rantanen had signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with the Stars after they acquired him from the Hurricanes in March 2025.
According to puckpedia.com, the Stars are $1.36 million over the cap, but they have until the start of the season to get that remedied.
The Chicago Blackhawks community is waiting on the decision made by Patrick Kane. The report is that he is deciding between the Blackhawks, where he became one of the greatest players of all time, and the Buffalo Sabres, his hometown team.
On Tuesday, Chicago General Manager Kyle Davidson went on the show OverDrive, presented by TSN 1050 Radio, and added some fuel to the rumors by chiming in on the situation.
"We'll await his decision....but he knows our door is always open." 👀
"Patrick is someone that our organization, myself, have had a relationship for a long time," Davidson said. "I don't necessarily think it's right for me to comment on the process he's going to be running this offseason. A guy like Kaner has done pretty much everything there is to do in our game. He's inspired every young player playing hockey today with what he's accomplished, and he's earned the right to take his time and make a decision. We see him very often. He trains at our practice facility in the offseason. We'll await his decision, but he knows our door is always open. He's a Blackhawk at heart for life, even if he's not wearing our jersey. We've got a great deal of reverence, respect, and love for Patrick Kane, so we'll leave him to that decision, and we'll see where he ends up when that day comes."
It is all but confirmed now that Kane is actually considering a return to the Chicago Blackhawks. At 37, he isn't coming back to win any scoring titles or Hart Trophies, but he can be an above-average offensive contributor on a young team.
The leadership that Kane could provide, in addition to his overall skill set, would be perfect in a mentorship role. As Davidson said, he has done everything that a player can in the NHL, and now he can cement his legacy by returning to the team that he started it all with, if he so chooses.
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