Since the start of training camp, it’s fair to say that one Montreal Canadiens forward has stood out and not for the right reasons: Kirby Dach. It wasn’t exactly a surprise that he showed up to camp and declined to speak about his contract negotiations; few players would be happy to talk about being essentially forced to file for arbitration and accept a two-way qualifying offer. However, what is surprising is the fact that the offseason didn’t set a fire under his backside. One would have thought he'd show up eager to prove the Habs brass wrong and that he was worth a four-million, one-way qualifying offer.
Instead, what we are seeing on the ice is a Dach that doesn’t seem to be giving his all. He’s skating like a guy who believes he has a guaranteed spot in the lineup and who doesn’t want to take any risks in the preseason. Meanwhile, Florian Xhekaj is as intense as can be every time he is on the ice, skating hard, hitting hard and leaving a calling card.
Of course, they are not the same kind of player, but unfortunately for Dach, they are both competing for a bottom-six spot. The Albertan looks like a player who believes he should be in the top six and therefore doesn’t need to earn a bottom-six role. However, even if he were a third overall pick, there is no room on the Canadiens’ top six for Dach, and he needs to adapt his game accordingly, something he has failed to do so far.
He doesn’t play like a 6-foot-4, 221-pound guy. When there’s a battle for the puck, he never seems to want it more; he almost concedes the win before the duel even starts, which makes him frustrating to watch. Dach looks like a guy who made it to the NHL on talent alone but doesn’t realize talent alone isn't enough to guarantee success in the best league of them all. You need to put in the work.
Many talented players are on the ice, but the ones who really stand out understand their identity and keep perfecting their craft. I dare say he reminds me of Alexandre Daigle, who had all the talent and potential in the world but who didn’t really want to be there in the end, or even Benoit Pouliot, who was a Minnesota Wild fourth overall pick in 2005; he had talent and a truckload of potential, but he never truly unlocked it all (the Habs can thank the Wild for that one, since they were going to pick him if he was still available).
While fans and media alike are getting frustrated by Dach’s performances, coach Martin St-Louis remains even-keeled through it all. In Brossard on Wednesday, he was asked what he needs to see from Dach in the last week of camp, and he replied, "I wouldn’t say it’s one thing; just continue to work on his game and get ready for the season." That answer took all of six seconds.
If St-Louis isn’t happy with Dach’s work, he won't tell him through the media. He’ll tell him to his face, whether on the ice during practice, in the room during a game, or simply by cutting his ice time. When he said at the start of training camp that he didn’t know what Dach’s role this season with the Habs would be, it was as close as he will ever get to sending a message through the media; don’t expect him to go any further. St-Louis has been a player in this league, and he is and will always be a player’s coach. That doesn’t mean a player gets a free ride; it just means St-Louis isn't John Tortorella.
The Minnesota Wild have trimmed their roster to 27 players, sending 15 to the Iowa Wild in the AHL.
Among the 15 players heading to the AHL, eight players will be placed on waivers.
Those eight players heading to waivers are Matt Kierstad, Carson Lambos, Roman Schmidt, Caedan Bankier, Dylan Gambrell, Justin Kirkland, Tyler Pitlick and Mason Shaw. Of those placed on waivers, Lambos is the most interesting case.
The former 26th overall pick of the 2021 NHL draft, Lambos, entered camp in a peculiar spot. At 23 years old, he's still quite young and developing, but his entry-level contract expired, and he lost his waiver exemption.
The Wild will hope Lambos clears waivers, but for the next 24 hours, any of the other 31 teams can claim him.
The other seven players heading to Iowa don't require waivers: Ben Dexheimer, Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, Jagger Joshua, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt, Rasmus Kumpulainen, and Rieger Lorenz.
Lorenz, Haight, and Gustafsson Nyberg were among the standout performers during pre-season and could very likely earn call-ups during the NHL season.
Additionally, the Wild assigned Kayden Lemire to his junior team, the Prince George Cougars of the WHL.
With these cuts, Charlie Stramel and David Spacek appear to remain with the NHL club until the final cuts on Monday. Stramel has been impressive during pre-season and is fighting hard for a roster spot. He's not projected to be in the lineup in the final pre-season game, but getting additional reps in practice with the NHL club should bode well for his development.
The Wild will need to make four more roster moves to reach the 23-man roster limit. This could involve assigning players to the AHL, placing players on the injured reserve, or making trades.
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ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have placed defenseman Carson Lambos on waivers as the club continues to trim its roster ahead of the regular season.
If Lambos clear waivers, the Wild will be able to assign the defenseman to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League. However, placing them on waivers gives the NHL’s other 31 teams an opportunity to claim him.
Lambos entered training camp in an interesting position. He is still young enough to be considered a developing player within the organization, but is not waiver-exempt anymore.
Lambos, 23, was selected by the Wild with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and has spent the past three seasons developing in Iowa.
Wild coach John Hynes said during training camp that Lambos’ skating, competitiveness and defensive ability have stood out, but pointed toward his play with the puck as an area the organization wanted to see continue to improve.
“I think Lambo is a very good skater. He’s very competitive. I think he defends well,” Hynes said. “I think it’s the puck play, just making sure that he goes back. He’s efficient with his puck movement, efficient with the puck play, good decisions with the puck.”
Despite his performance, Minnesota entered camp with significant competition on the blue line, leaving limited room for Lambos to crack the NHL roster.
Now comes the waiting game.
Lambos will be available to the rest of the NHL during the waiver period. If he goes unclaimed, the Wild can send him to Iowa and retain a piece of their defensive depth.
If he is claimed, Minnesota will lose that player without receiving anything in return.
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It hasn't been smooth sailing for Zach Dean since he arrived in St. Louis.
Originally a first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, Dean came over to the St. Louis Blues in a trade that sent Ivan Barbashev the other way.
Since joining the Blues, he's played just nine NHL games and spent three seasons in the AHL. His first season showed a bit of promise, but his second was ravaged by injuries, forcing him to play just 11 games.
Now he's healthy, on a new one-year, two-way contract, and is trying to make his mark on coach Jim Montgomery and the rest of the Blues staff in pre-season and training camp. It appears he has, as he'll be given the opportunity to center the top line with Connor McMichael and Pavel Buchnevich tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.
"Center with speed just to see what that looks like with McMichael and Buchnevich," said Montgomery. "It’s an opportunity for the kid to hit a home run."
"There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity to see him, but he’s shown really well this year. I love his attitude, I love the way he’s playing."
The 23-year-old has played in both pre-season games so far and has made an impact. In the first contest, he had a nifty assist to Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, setting up one of the two goals the Blues have scored during the pre-season.
Dean finished the game with two shots on goal and three hits in 16:18 of ice time. In the second game, he was a bit quieter, failing to record a shot and throwing just two hits in 11:53 of ice time, but his impact stems further.
In the first pre-season game at 5-on-5, the Blues held a Corsi For percentage of 63.64 percent and an expected goals for percentage of 78.72 percent with Dean on the ice. In game two, those numbers were 55 percent and 50.2 percent, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
There is lots of competition to earn a spot in the Blues' bottom six. So much so that GM Alexander Steen has reportedly said he is willing to listen to offers for NHL-caliber forwards.
Dean has done everything he can to make an impact so far, but tonight presents a massive opportunity. Playing with skilled players, Dean needs to show he can make plays offensively while being potent in his own end.
Another strong performance will show his versatility and force Montgomery to have difficult conversations about where he starts the 2026-27 season. Either way, Dean is showing he is, at the very least, on the verge of becoming an NHL player.
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MARYLAND
HEIGHTS, Mo. -- When
training camp started, let’s be honest: how many of you had Zach
Dean at or near the top if the list as those that would be around
towards the end of camp with a legit chance at making the St. Louis
Blues roster to start the season?
But
here is the 2021 first-round pick in the NHL Draft by the Vegas
Golden Knights, traded to the Blues for Ivan Barbashev, right in the
thick of it, and an opportunity of a lifetime to
make his first NHL roster with another solid game when the Blues
(0-2-0) host the Chicago Blackhawks (1-0-1) in the third of four
preseason games at Enterprise Center today at 7 p.m. (Matrix
Midwest: Spectrum Ch. 186, DISH Ch. 31, Over-the-Air Ch. 32.2, 32.3,
stlouisblues.com, Blues app, ESPN 101.1-FM).
This
will be Dean’s third game in as many preseason games, and it’s
obvious: the Blues like what they see and want to put him with skill
players tonight and see how the 23-year-old handles playing on the top line with Pavel Buchnevich and Connor McMichael.
“He’s
been very noticeable in his speed,” Blues
coach Jim Montgomery said of Dean, who has one assist in two games.
“His speed is a quality that we lack a little bit up front, that
natural people that can flat-out just fly and create, I call an
anxiety on defensemen and goalies off the forecheck or off the rush.
“I
didn’t know that much (about
him).
I did know that he was a first-round pick to Vegas, I know he was in
the Barbashev trade. Everything has been more off ice than I’ve
known about him than on ice. Unfortunately for him, I don’t know
that he’s played more than 45 games in a season. There hasn’t
been a lot of opportunity to see him, but he’s shown really well
this year. I love his attitude, I love the way he’s playing.”
There’s
been a plethora of players, including those playing tonight in Dillon
Dube, Oskar Sundqvist, Nathan Walker, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Dylan
Peterson and Jack Finley that are fighting for what appears to be two
forward slots and Dean has been right there, if not elevated himself
above all of them with his camp thus far.
“The
camp coming in, you know it’s short,” Dean
said.
“You obviously think about that coming in and in the practices and
in the games, just try to do what I can. I think I have some skill
and when there’s plays to be made, I try and make those but I also
play hard, I like th be physical. I think that’s something I’ve
definitely brought into my game, especially last year and stuff like
that a little bit more, getting hits and stuff like that. It’s the
fun part too. You feel more engaged and stuff like that, and
depending on the game part, some games go one way. If you’re not
contributing that way, then you start being a little more physical. I
think that’s just kind of the mindset that I’ve had and camp’s
been fun.
“My
game over the years, you have to round out your game in certain ways
but as you become a pro, I feel like that happens a lot more often
than not. I think it’s a good opportunity and we’ll see tonight
how I do with that. It’s just exciting.”
It’s
been quite the challenging ride for Dean, who has played in just
47 regular-season games the past two seasons for Springfield of the
American Hockey League due to injury and being in the NHL’s Player
Assistance Program in the first half of last season.
But
things finally returned to normal for Dean with a strong finish to
the Thunderbirds’ season that culminated with a three-series run in
the Calder Cup playoffs and normal summer of training.
“It
was a really good summer,” Dean
said.
“I got to spend a lot more time back home too, which was nice. I
got to see all my family. After the season, that takes away from the
hockey a little bit, then you get right back into it. It was just
good to have a full summer of training and I feel really good.
“It’s
fun. It’s a competitive camp. We don’t really talk about that,
but it’s known. It’s good. We’re all really good players. We’re
just trying to make the team. It’s fun, it’s competitive, that’s
what it’s really all about.”
Tonight
presents an opportunity for Dean, who has played in nine NHL games
(in 2023-24 with the Blues) to see what kind of impact he can make
offensively.
“It’s
a good opportunity to play with those guys,” Dean
said.
“They’re really great players. I’m really looking forward to
it. It should be fun tonight.
“We’ll
see what happens. Focus on the game tonight. I think I’ve had a
pretty good camp so far and I’m just going to try and do what I can
do.”
And
the reason why Montgomery put Dean there?
“Center
with speed just to see what that looks like with McMichael and
Buchnevich,” he
said.
“It’s an opportunity for the kid to hit a home run.”
-
- -
Montgomery
wants to see more desperation and urgency in the Blues’ game after
a pair of 2-1 losses to the Dallas Stars in the first two preseason
games of the year.
Yes,
they’re preseason games, and yes, lineups have been mixed and
matched, but with only four preseason games, including Saturday’s
finale in Chicago before the regular season begins Oct. 2 in Dallas,
it’s go time.
“I’m
not that happy to be honest,” Montgomery
said.
‘I don’t think there’s enough desperation or urgency in our
play. We’re not playing fast enough. Offensively, I like a lot of
the O-zone stuff, but outside of that, we just need to continue to
get better.”
-
- -
Two
players Montgomery has liked has been the veteran defensive pairing
of Cam Fowler and Brandon Carlo, each who will make his season debut
tonight.
“The
most pleasantly surprising, I would say the D-pairing of Fowler and
Carlo have been exceptional, and they’ve both been very good at
what they’re very good at,” Montgomery
said.
“Fowler’s put a real emphasis on defending hard and it’s
showing.”
Why?
“Carlo’s
the most vocal guy on the ice in practice,” Montgomery
said.
“That allows you to play faster. When someone’s telling you to
go, or, ‘I got 'em, I got 'em,’ it just makes your job easier. You
don’t have to guess, you just do your job, and how vocal he’s
been, especially in the D-zone and at defending the rush, has been
very noticeable and looking forward to seeing that (tonight) for the
first time in the game.”
-
- -
There
will be some mass and beef when the Blues use a bottom six pairing
with Ross Johnston (6-foot-5, 235 pounds), Finley (6-6, 233) and
Peterson (6-4, 209).
Montgomery
has indicated recently that he would like to see Finley change
momentum in a game and it’s not been there yet and this perhaps is
that opportunity to see if a trio with this much mass can create some
havoc.
“That’s
what we want to see,” Montgomery
said.
“We put that big line together on purpose. Let’s see what kind of
impact they have on the game, now they influence the game, how they
build momentum for our team.”
-
- -
Blues
Projected Lineup:
Pavel
Buchnevich-Zach Dean-Connor McMichael
Jake
Neighbours-Dalibor Dvorsky-Dillon Dube
Ross
Johnston-Jack Finley-Dylan Peterson
Aleksanteri
Kaskimaki-Oskar Sundqvist-Nathan Walker
Theo
Lindstein-Colton Parayko
Cam
Fowler-Brandon Carlo
Calle
Rosen-Adam Jiricek
Jordan
Binnington will start in goal and play the entire game; Georgii
Romanov will be the backup.
-
- -
Blackhawks
Roster:
Forwards:
Oliver Moore, Anton Frondell, Ryan Greene, Dillon Boucher, Connor
Mylymok, Nick Lardis, AJ Spellacy, Roman Kantserov, Landon Slaggert,
Patrick Kane, Sacha Boisvert, Frank Nazar.
Defensemen:
Sam Rinzel, Kevcin Korchinski, Connor Mackey, Ethan Del Mastro, Wyatt
Kaiser, Artyom Levshunov.
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The Penguins have split their first two pre-season games, beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on Monday before losing to the Detroit Red Wings 7-4 on Tuesday.
Thursday's lineup will feature several players on the edge of the NHL roster, including Filip Hallander, Elmer Soderblom, and Ville Koivunen, as well as some of the system's top prospects, including Mikhail Ilyin, Harrison Brunicke, and Bill Zonnon.
They'll face some of the Blue Jackets' regulars, including Charlie Coyle, Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski, and Sean Monahan.
Goaltender Sergei Murashov will play the entire game for the Penguins. Collin Delia will be the backup goaltender.
Here's a look at the expected line combinations:
Forwards
Hallander-Dewar-Soderblom
McGroarty-Broz-Koivunen
Howe-Zonnon-Ilyin
Calvert-Gustafsson-Hayes
Defensemen
Graves-Jones
Livanavage-Solovyov
Pickering-Brunicke
Liam Ruck, Markus Ruck, and Chase Pietila are the expected scratches.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET, and you can stream it on the Blue Jackets' official website. You can also listen to it on 105.9 'The X.'
The Chicago Blackhawks were defeated in overtime by the Minnesota Wild in preseason game 1 in St. Paul last Saturday. Both teams mostly dressed AHL lineups for that one.
Then, on Monday, the Blackhawks defeated the Wild in overtime at the United Center. The Blackhawks had more NHL players in their lineup for that one, so it was a match they expected to play better.
Now, they are set for a similar situation against the St. Louis Blues. It is a home-and-home preseason series, set to begin in St. Louis on Thursday. The difference is that there won't be any more "all-AHL" lineups.
Scouting St. Louis
The St. Louis Blues will have a lineup with plenty of NHL players in front of their home crowd. That includes star players Pavel Buchnevich, Connor McMichael, Cam Fowler, and Jordan Binnington.
They won't have their captain, Robert Thomas, or young stars like Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway, but they will still be stiff competition with the lineup they do have. Their entire roster can be seen below:
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Blackhawks will have Patrick Kane in their lineup for the first time during the preseason. This will be his unofficial re-debut after a couple of seasons away playing for other teams.
Other NHL players like Frank Nazar, Roman Kantserov, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, and Wyatt Kaiser will play as well. Drew Commesso and Arvid Soderblom are the two goalies going to St. Louis. The entire lineup can be seen below:
A player worth keeping an extra close eye on is Kevin Korchinski. He has been dialed in during camp, and he played extremely well in that all-AHL first preseason game. He deserves some run with NHL talent, which he will get in this preseason game against the Blues. If he is truly in the running for an NHL roster spot, which his spot in camp suggests he is, this is his chance to capitalize.
Guys like AJ Spellacy and Sacha Boisvert are going to start in the AHL, but these games are a great way to show management that they are ready. Spellacy, in particular, is an early call-up candidate if he continues to rise up the ranks.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. You can watch the game locally on CHSN. The puck will drop shortly after 7:00 PM CT.
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Andrei Kuzmenko joined the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer.Photograph: Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has stepped away from the team after his father, Alexander Kuzmenko, was killed in a bear attack in Siberia this week.
REN TV was the first to report the death of the 62-year-old, who was a well-known hockey coach in Russia.
Kuzmenko was with a group on a fishing trip on Tuesday in Tuva, a landlocked region in Siberia near Russia’s southern border with Mongolia, according to REN TV’s reports. The group encountered a bear that attacked Kuzmenko.
Ambulances were reportedly delayed in reaching the group because they were in a densely forested area along the Krasnaya River. REN TV said the group traveled down the river for four hours before an ambulance could locate them. Kuzmenko was airlifted to a hospital with severe facial injuries before he was pronounced dead on Wednesday.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” team president and general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement on Thursday. “Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko family and their loved ones as they grieve the loss of Alexander. We ask that the privacy of Andrei and the Kuzmenko family be respected at this time.
“Andrei chose to be surrounded by his teammates and practice with the team this morning before returning to Moscow to be with his family this afternoon. Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization during this time.”
REN TV reported that the forested area where the group went had previously been restricted because of bear activity. The outlet said at least 15 people have been killed in bear attacks across Russia this year.
Andrei Kuzmenko, 30, signed for the Penguins in July. After breaking out with CSKA Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League, he made his NHL debut in 2022 with the Vancouver Canucks. He also had stints with the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings before joining Pittsburgh. He has 85 goals and 97 assists in 271 NHL appearances.
After Andrei Kuzmenko left the Canucks in 2023, his father, mother Galina, sister Victoria and a childhood friend wrote a letter to the city’s fans thanking them for their “warm hospitality towards our son” and “for helping him grow professionally”.
Lorentz, 30, has played two seasons with the Maple Leafs since joining the club as a free agent for the 2024-25 season.
Last season, the left winger scored seven goals and 18 points in 71 games and averaged a career-high 11:52 of ice time per game.
Lorentz was strong for Toronto's fourth line when he first joined the team and didn't have a solidified spot on the roster. Since his first year, he has signed a three-year contract with the team at a $1.35-million salary cap hit.
What could be the reasoning behind this decision?
The Kitchener, Ont., native has been a one-dimensional player to some degree. He's a viable option for the penalty kill, but aside from that, he doesn't utilize his 6-foot-4 frame as he could and has only scored 10 goals in one NHL campaign on one occasion (2022-23 with the San Jose Sharks).
So while his style of game couldn't excel in some ways, the Maple Leafs might've found someone to fill his place on the fourth line, and that's right winger Zack MacEwen.
MacEwen, featuring in the NHL-heavy lineup on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena, made his presence felt in different ways. The 30-year-old continued to play his physical style of game - getting into a scuffle at the tail end of the contest - playing hard on the forecheck and along the boards, while also contributing on the scoresheet
"Well, we like the physicality," Hiller said. "I mean, I know he scored last night, but I think what was equally or probably more, important to us was, you know, there was some stuff going on, and he was able to get in there fairly quickly and do his job."
Lorentz hasn't featured in the AHL since 2019-20, as a member of the Charlotte Checkers in the Florida Panthers organization.
If he were to be claimed by another NHL team within the next 24 hours, that would get the organization under the maximum number of standard contracts in the organization. Going into training camp, Toronto didn't have a free spot, with 50/50 standard contracts in the organization.
That would allow Toronto to keep defenseman Nick Blankenburg, who has joined the team this training camp on a PTO. He requires a standard contract to join the team officially for the regular season.
If he's not claimed, most of Lorentz's cap hit will come off the books, leaving a remaining $125,000 on the Maple Leafs' payroll.
Paul, 31, only played 4:42 of ice time in Wednesday's pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators at home. Head coach Jim Hiller didn't have an update following that game, but said he'd have more on Thursday after practice.
Here's what he said of Paul on Thursday.
"I'll just say it like this. Obviously, he didn't skate today," Hiller said. "That's nothing I think that we're overly concerned about. But we have to take it day by day. That's what I would leave it with."
He added that he can't say with certainty that he'll be available for the season opener on Tuesday. He, as well as Dakota Joshua, who skated with the Leafs today, will be travelling to Arizona for the team trip.
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The father of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has died in a bear attack in Russia.
Ren TV reported that Alexander Kuzmenko, a hockey coach, was mauled Sept. 23 in the Tuva region. A bear reportedly came out of the woods quickly and bit Kuzmenko. His companions were able to free him from the animal, but attempts to treat him failed.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said in a statement Thursday. “Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko family and their loved ones as they grieve the loss of Alexander. We ask that the privacy of Andrei and the Kuzmenko family be respected at this time.
“Andrei chose to be surrounded by his teammates and practice with the team this morning before returning to Moscow to be with his family this afternoon. Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization during this time.”
Bear attacks in this area of the country have surged in 2026. According to Ren TV, 15 people have been attacked across four provinces, with experts blaming a poor harvest of berries and pine nuts.
Andrei Kuzmenko signed a one-year deal with the Penguins on July 1 and had just reported to Pittsburgh for training camp. The 30-year-old has 85 goals and 97 assists across four NHL seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh opens its season Sept. 30 against the Flyers.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been doing a great job getting some of their young depth pieces signed to long-term deals with good value.
The next in line is Oliver Moore, who was set to be an RFA next summer. Instead of dealing with that after the season, they got it done now. Moore and the Blackhawks are in agreement on a five-year extension that will carry a cap hit of $4.25 million.
For the next six years, the Blackhawks are locked into an incredibly fast, tenacious, and skilled forward who can play up and down the lineup. In a perfect world, he is a third-line forward, preferably a center, who can help shut down the other team's top players while contributing middle-six levels of offense.
Moore can play on the power play when necessary, but his true special teams value comes from his ability to kill penalties. His speed is his best asset, as he has an argument for being considered the fastest player in the organization. That helps him with his abilities on the PK.
The Blackhawks selected Moore in the first round (19th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Since then, he has had an excellent tenure at the University of Minnesota and has played in 60 NHL games over parts of the last two seasons.
In 2025-26, his official rookie year, Moore had 5 goals and 14 assists for 19 points in 51 games played. He still has another level to get to in terms of production. If he reaches that level, his cap hit will look even better.
The Blackhawks have a handful of other players set to become RFAs at the end of the 2026-27 season, so getting this team-friendly deal with Moore done now is incredible business.
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Feb 26, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) slams his stick into the boards as he is replaced by goaltender Nico Daws (50) in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Goaltending around the NHL can be one of the most volatile positions with the largest array of results. Teams have won Stanley Cups with average (and sometimes worse) goaltending while some goalies have stood on their heads and played lights out only to be knocked out due to other factors. It’s not to say that you don’t want a strong performer at the position, but rather at least competence. The New Jersey Devils plan this season seems to be at least somewhat linked to that concept.
For Devils fans, goaltending remains one of the most important conversations surrounding the team. The position has been a carousel ever since Cory Schneider’s prime ended due to injuries and GM Sunny Mehta has already made his mark on the team in the offseason by augmenting most parts of the Devils’ lineup, including to some extent, in net. The starting goaltender has changed, with Mehta shipping Jacob Markstrom out to Florida where he’s already doing Markstrom things. In his place is…well, about that…
The Main Tandem
The good news for the Devils is that Jake Allen is back after another strong season as the backup. While Allen had some stinkers of games, he did post a .904 save percentage and a 2.74 goals against average in 37 games, which was far superior to what Markstrom posted in his 44 games. While only 17 of those appearances were wins, some of the blame for the 20 losses is shared by the team and their overall performance. The goals against and save percentage and basically in line with his career averages, so while I’m sure Allen, the team and the fans all would have preferred some better results, at least statistically speaking Jake held up his end of the deal for the Devils in 2025-26.
The difference for Jake right now for 2026-27 is simply the fact that for the time being at least, he’s penciled in as the team’s starter. Again, going off of stats, that’s already an improvement from what Markstrom gave the team last season as the starter. The concern here has to be that at this later stage of his career, the larger Allen’s workload is, the more he seems to struggle, and that could result in him posting some Markstrom-esque stats. Hopefully with the other improvements the Devils have made and with a healthy team to start the season, it will be enough to help Jake shoulder an expected increase in his workload.
As per the backup, things could still change based on how the preseason shakes out, but most likely Nico Daws will finally be getting promoted to a full time NHL role. Mehta has said in interviews that while Daws seemingly didn’t have a path to the NHL level before to prove whether or not he has developed to the point of belonging here, but now he is being given that chance. Daws has looked good in flashes and small samples, but he has also struggled at the AHL level, although much like Allen’s situation from last season, some of that blame belongs to the team around him as well.
While Sunny seems to believe in Daws, right now there seem to be more question marks around him than answers. He has limited NHL action so far in his career, and hasn’t really stablished himself to make himself seem like a sure thing, even just as a backup. His first preseason game against players who are likely to start the year on the Hartford Wolf Pack also did not inspire much confidence. It’s a good thing for the Devils to be giving Daws a chance to sink or swim (pun somewhat intended?), but if he falters, the team may need to turn to the depth that they brought in over the summer.
The Rest of the Depth Chart
Another change from last year is that the Devils are projected to have some veteran depth in Utica this season. They added David Rittich on a one year deal this summer, and while in initially seemed as though the Devils might run a three goalie rotation (and arguably they still could) it’s looking more likely that he starts the season in Utica. Rittich has been hot and cold in terms of his play throughout his career, but he does bring competence as he posted better stats than Markstrom in 30 games with the Islanders last season. Considering that he’s here to be depth and costs 1/6 of what Markstrom would have made, this is a good deal from Mehta to have in case of struggles/injuries to either of the two tenders ahead of him on the depth chart. He performed well in his first preseason start to boot, so having him in the fold bodes well for New Jersey.
As per the younger side of goaltending in the minors, not much has changed. Jakub Malek ascends to the position of Jake #2 with Allen’s promotion to Jake #1, and will probably shoulder most of Utica’s goaltending load as the Devils/Comets continue to evaluate if the youngster has a future within the organization. His first season on North American ice wasn’t much to write home about, so it will be interesting to see what progression, if any, he makes during this upcoming campaign.
The Devils chose not to qualify Tyler Brennan after last season ended and also did not sign any of the four other goalies who they drafted that are currently unsigned, so as of right now, as far as goalies for the Devils go (and not just players on AHL deals) that’s the depth chart. If either Rittich or Daws are waived and get claimed at some point during the season (unlikely, but you never know) the Devils’ depth looks very thin in terms of guys who could make NHL appearances.
Final Thoughts and Your Take
Health and no untimely waiver claims will have to be on the radar, but this season needs to be about someone in net stepping up and establishing themself as the guy who can give the Devils a chance to win on a nightly basis. Whether Allen finds his consistency, Daws steps up and proves he belongs, or Rittich finds some magic and steals the job, Devils fans should not care; I know I don’t. I want someone to seize the reins and help to lead this team to success. I’m also hopeful that the change in goaltending coach might finally lead to someone actually improving instead of stagnating/worsening. With only two preseason games left to go before the points start to count, we will be finding out soon if all the pieces in net can come together.
What are your thoughts on the New Jersey Devils goaltenders as the 2026-27 season approaches; are you confident one of them will give the team what it needs? Do you think the change in coaching will have an impact? Is there anyone you’re worried about underperforming? How concerned are you regarding injuries and possible waiver claims? Who’s your pick to be the Devils #1? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!
The Montreal Canadiens now have only two games left in their shortened preseason, and it’s time for Martin St-Louis to take a long, hard look at his chessboard and decide what he wants to do. The players have been on the ice for over a week now, and something has become crystal clear: David Reinbacher is ready to take the next step. It’s a shame for Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj, but they didn’t grab a roster spot when they had the opportunity. Neither could land the final blow and force the coach to anoint them as the sixth defender.
Now, Reinbacher has effectively overtaken them. In the one game he played with Lane Hutson, he looked very good, and Hutson himself spoke about his young partner in glowing terms. In the past, Struble could play alongside Hutson at times, but he was nothing more than a stopgap. Now, with Kaiden Guhle injured, Reinbacher was given an opportunity, and he grabbed it with both hands. He didn’t play a spectacular game, but he played a good, reliable one—the kind of game you want from a defensive defenseman.
Where does that leave Stuble and Xhekaj? Well, potentially on the outside looking in. Neither of them has ever had as long a leash as Alexandre Carrier. St-Louis trusts Carrier far more than he trusts them, which makes it clear he’ll be the fifth defenseman in Guhle’s absence. The question now becomes: who plays better with Carrier? Struble or Xhekaj? Carrier looks better with Guhle or Hutson; that’s normal, but the Habs will likely put Reinbacher in the best position to succeed, and right now that means playing with Hutson.
Struble and Xhekaj have both struggled so far at camp, and it’s not easy to say which has earned the right to make the opening-night roster. Right now, the answer seems to be: neither. They have one split game left to convince the coach that the spot should be theirs. If things play out as one would expect up front, with the players who have NHL contracts making the roster and the others, including Florian Xhekaj, being sent down, it will give a bit of an advantage to the older Xhekaj, as the Canadiens will need the sandpaper he brings more. If, however, the Habs decide it’s time to send a message to some players and keep the younger Xhekaj in the NHL, it could make it easier for the coach to scratch number 72. Isn’t that ironic, as one Canadian singer once sang?
St-Louis’ pairings in the next split-squad games against the Ottawa Senators will likely tell us a lot. If Hutson is still skating alongside Reinbacher, it will signal that the Habs are ready to let him take a step up. If Carrier is in the lineup with either Struble or Xhekaj, it will mean that guy has the inner lane. If, however, they play together, it will mean St-Louis still doesn’t know which of the two should be in the lineup come September 29. They did do well as a pairing in the first round of the playoffs last season, but at camp? It really hasn’t worked out. Yes, Struble scored a goal, but the younger Xhekaj’s heavy forecheck made it possible; if he doesn’t force Ottawa to turn that puck over, there is no goal.
Whoever wins that sixth spot for opening night won’t be safe for long, though. Guhle will soon be ready to return, and it's clear who will need to come out of the lineup to make way. Will the Canadiens keep eight defensemen around so they don't lose anyone on waivers? Perhaps, or they’ll realize it’s finally time to keep one of Struble and Xhekaj and trade the other.
Both are 25, playing the last year of their contracts, and will be RFA with arbitration rights next offseason, which makes them easy to trade. Whoever acquires them will still have them under control at season's end. It’s hard to know which one would bring the best return on the trade market, but from the rumblings over the last couple of seasons, Xhekaj may be the one who would drum up more interest.
It’s a shame because Xhekaj brings something to the table that few players do, but if St-Louis isn't willing to “unleash” him from time to time, there is no point in hanging on to him instead of turning him into another asset.
We're now at the halfway mark of preseason, so what do we know about the Edmonton Oilers so far?
Mike Babcock has players Isaac Howard beside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, Ryan Shea beside Evan Bouchard, and Colton Dach at centre. Viljami Marjala looks good, and Devon Levi has an opportunity with Frederik Andersen injured.
Of course, it's also preseason, so maybe everyone should be careful about deciding too much from any of this.
Wasn't it just a few days ago that Mike Babcock said he didn't particularly like Howard's game?
Howard had been having a good camp, played one exhibition game his coach didn't love and then played more than 17 minutes with Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman against Winnipeg. He didn't record a shot, Edmonton only had 18 as a team and there wasn't much offence from anyone.
“It was just a gritty game. There wasn't a ton of chances either way. I think we just stuck with it,” Howard said. “I didn't think there was a ton going on that game. It was just a simple game.”
Howard has talked about becoming a full-time NHL player, wanting the puck more and making his game simpler when he doesn't have it. Hyman has talked about the work Howard has put into the details of his game and everything that comes with playing in the NHL.
Halfway through preseason, that's still where the conversation is with Howard.
Colton Dach at centre was surprising, but I guess someone's gotta center Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph. The line was Babcock's favourite in Edmonton's 5-2 win over Winnipeg, scoring an empty-net goal.
“I was hoping for Docker big time today,” Babcock said. “We need him to be a player, and for him to play the way he did in his first exhibition game this year, playing in the middle… I didn't know if I had put him in a bad spot, to be honest with you. But I was so happy with that line.”
Formenton's role hasn't taken very long to establish during camp. He scored on a breakaway in his first preseason game, had another one stopped and drew a penalty after getting behind Winnipeg's defence.
“Pretty good, eh?” Babcock said. “I mean, what a difference maker he's going to be for us. An elite penalty killer, puts pressure on the other team.”
Ryan Shea has had himself a good camp too, playing 22:31 beside Bouchard in Edmonton's first preseason game and finishing with a goal and two assists.
Shea played 39 NHL games last season and he probably didn't expect to play beside Bouchard just yet. That said, playing beside Bouchard has given him plenty of minutes during the first half of preseason.
Marjala scored the overtime winner against Winnipeg, and if he doesn't stick around, he's in first call-up territory, but so is Connor Clattenburg.
Clattenburg was called up by Edmonton last season and is comfortable with role he fills on that team. He said during rookie camp that the Oilers are “just looking for the next guy up,” and Edmonton already has injuries before getting through September.
Devon Levi is in a unique spot while Andersen is out, stopping 22 of 23 shots against Winnipeg in his first preseason start.
Levi came into camp behind Andersen and Tristan Jarry, but Andersen's injury means he can prove he should stick around over Jarry if he uses this time appropriately.
At the halfway point of preseason, we know that Howard is in the top nine, Dach is playing centre, and Shea is beside Bouchard. Marjala is producing, Levi is getting starts, and Clattenburg is waiting to get healthy.
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The Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday announced a new wave of roster moves as training camp comes closer and closer to ending. These 4 players were sent to the Rockford IceHogs on loan:
Jiri Felcman
Martin Misiak
Marek Vanacker
Dylan Anhorn
These are four players who are all signed to deals that allow them to be at camp without PTOs. Dylan Anhorn is a little bit older at 27, but the other three are young guys who have potential futures in the NHL.
In the case of Martin Misiak, he continues to get better with every passing year. He was one of Chicago's most impressive players at the Prospect Showcase and is looking to have a big year in Rockford.
As for Vanacker, he will go down to the IceHogs and could be called up as early as this year. As a former first-round pick in 2024, many believe he can be a difference-maker once he reaches the NHL.
Brett Seney, who was at camp on a PTO, was released from that and assigned to Rockford. His NHL tenure has come and gone, but he is one of the better leaders across the entire AHL. Seney will play a role in helping the young IceHogs progress in their pro careers.
Chicago's roster now sits at 32 players. 20 forwards, 9 defensemen, and 3 goalies make up camp going into Thursday's sessions.
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