Evander Kane has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout his lengthy NHL career, from the infamous “track suit” incident with Winnipeg that resulted in him being dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, to financial and marital issues that occurred while a member of the San Jose Sharks. Kane had his contract terminated by the Sharks in 2022 for breaching the NHL’s COVID protocols, and this week former teammate Kurtis Gabriel revealed on social media details of the controversial forward’s reputation.
“Every meeting, Evander Kane shows up late,” Gabriel, who played 11 games for the Sharks in 2021, said on the SJHN podcast. “A team meeting in a hotel in the morning; there’s breakfast, you have to be at the meeting. You are always 15 minutes early... we start the meeting, the door clicks open, here comes Evander, in his flip-flops, in his tracksuit, when we are in a suit and tie.”
The revelation drew responses from Kane and Christina Marleau, the wife of teammate Patrick Marleau, who texted to Gabriel that they would not let their sons in the locker room when Kane was around.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
The 35-year-old winger had his share of incidents during his time with the Sabres, being suspended by the club for one game for oversleeping after going to the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto and missing practice the following day, to being arrested for an incident in a Buffalo nightclub on NHL Draft night in 2016, in which the charges were later dropped.
Kane, who is currently an unsigned unrestricted free agent, spent four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers before being dealt to his hometown Vancouver Canucks last summer, where he finished with 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 71 games.
Juraj Slafkovsky said something that stopped a lot of people, of many different fan bases, in their tracks.
“It’s not really about the money for anyone in Montreal,” Slafkovsky said. “We’d rather just focus on collecting those rings.”
The Montreal Canadiens have spent the last few years building their contracts around that mentality. Nick Suzuki is signed for $7.875 million per season. Cole Caufield makes $7.85 million. Slafkovsky is at $7.6 million. Lane Hutson signed for $8.85 million, Noah Dobson is at $9.5 million, and Ivan Demidov signed an eight-year extension worth $9.15 million per season.
Montreal's highest-paid player, Dobson, didn't even sign his contract with the team; he was traded to them from the New York Islanders.
Montreal has its core under contract for years, until the first extension expires in 2030. Every one of those players could be part of the Canadiens through the rest of the decade if they continue to re-sign at this rate.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers have spent a lot of time trying to build around large contracts at the top of the roster. Leon Draisaitl carries a $ 14 million cap hit. McDavid is at $12.5 million. Evan Bouchard's new contract pays him $10.5 million per season. Those three contracts account for $37 million before Stan Bowman gets to the rest of the lineup.
The players have earned their money. Draisaitl has won multiple Hart Trophies, Art Ross Trophies, and Ted Lindsay Awards while producing at a level few players in the league can reach. McDavid is arguably underpaid for what he does. Bouchard put himself in a position for a major contract through his production from the blue line.
Edmonton has generally paid it's star players what they deserve.
Montreal has created an internal salary structure that its players appear willing to follow. Suzuki signed his eight-year deal in 2021. Caufield followed in 2023. Slafkovsky signed his extension in 2024, Hutson followed, and Demidov joined the group this summer.
Demidov had 62 points as a rookie and signed as soon as he became eligible. Hutson signed after winning the Calder Trophy. Slafkovsky agreed to his contract at 20, with plenty of years still ahead of him. None of them waited until the last possible moment to find out what unrestricted leverage or another season of production could bring.
They wanted the contracts done. They wanted to stay in Montreal. They wanted the organization to have money available to keep building the roster.
An extra million dollars on six contracts is $6 million that can't be spent somewhere else. A few players taking reasonable long-term numbers can create enough room for another forward, defenceman, or goaltender. It can give Kent Hughes money at the trade deadline without offloading someone else first. It can also keep a roster together when younger players begin needing new contracts.
Obviously, the Oilers have some discount contracts. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins signed for eight years at $5.125 million in 2021. Zach Hyman signed for $5.5 million and gave Edmonton one of the best contracts in NHL history. McDavid's current $12.5 million deal was a show-me deal to the Oilers, but a cheap one at that.
There has never been a salary structure throughout the entire roster that everyone seemed determined to maintain. Edmonton negotiated each contract on its own terms and dealt with the cap situation that followed.
That approach is common throughout the NHL. Players spend their careers working toward unrestricted free agency and the opportunity to secure their largest contract. Agents have a responsibility to maximize earnings. Careers can end quickly, and teams regularly trade, waive or buy out players when their contracts stop working for the organization.
Slafkovsky's comments provide some insight into how the players in Montreal see it. He is talking about winning a Stanley Cup. The players appear to view their contracts as part of keeping the group together long enough to do that.
Edmonton has spent years searching for value around McDavid and Draisaitl because every dollar matters once the top of the roster has been paid. Stan Bowman looks for players willing to sign short contracts, veterans whose markets disappeared and young players capable of producing on inexpensive deals. One bad contract can remove much of the remaining flexibility.
The same issue exists throughout the league. Toronto infamously paid the core-4 and then had nothing left. Colorado just signed Cale Makar to a $20.4 million contract. Florida might run out of cap space this year. Tampa Bay has had to let players go after winning their recent Stanley Cups.
Every contender eventually has players who need to get paid.
Montreal's current players seem determined to keep that problem under control before it arrives. Their comments underline that the message has become part of the culture, and every new extension gives the next player another reason to take less so he can win more.
The Oilers should want that.
McDavid and Draisaitl say they want to win a Stanley Cup. The team has made decisions around giving them that opportunity, and both players have already committed significant portions of their careers to Edmonton. Creating an internal expectation around contracts could become another part of keeping a winning roster together.
Why can't more NHL teams convince their stars that leaving money available can help them win? Why can't players decide that keeping another teammate around has value of its own? Why can't a room establish a number and have its core buy into it?
Montreal has managed to get several players thinking that way at the same time. The Canadiens now have years to see what they can build with the room those contracts provide.
On Tuesday, the NHL kept going with its top 15 assists from the 2025-26 season, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson made the list for the second time with the third-best assist of the season. It’s the third time a Hab player appears on the list, after Juraj Slafkovsky manufactured the 13th-best helper and Hutson appeared for the first time at number eight. So far, Hutson and Connor McDavid are the only players to appear twice on the list.
Hutson’s first appearance came thanks to a stretch pass he made to Cole Caufield after blocking a shot that was heading for the Canadiens’ empty net in a game against the Nashville Predators. It led to the sniper tying the game and, later on, winning it for the Habs in overtime.
Hutson’s second appearance on the list is down to a sequence in which he beat three Florida Panthers in a footrace, mesmerizing them all. So much so that they only had eyes for the blueliner, and once they were all out of position, just like the goaltender, he sent the puck back in front of the net, giving Nick Suzuki one of his easiest goals of the season.
That was yet another game-tying goal, which came with the Habs’ net being empty. It just goes to show that Hutson is the kind of player who wants the puck when the game is on the line. The Canadiens ended up winning that game as well, this time in the shootout, with Caufield and Alexandre Texier finding the back of the net. Clearly, Caufield is not the only clutch player on the Canadiens, and Hutson’s competitive level is nothing short of impressive to see. The defenseman never gives up on a game; whether it’s about defending or attacking, he gives it his all.
Chris Pronger has played alongside some of the greatest defensemen in NHL history.
He knows what an elite blueliner looks like.
So when a Hockey Hall of Famer looks at Cale Makar’s record-breaking contract and sees little reason for concern, it is worth listening.
Makar’s eight-year, $163.2 million extension with the Colorado Avalanche makes him the first player in NHL history to carry an average annual value above $20 million. The number is staggering, and the commitment will shape Colorado’s roster for years to come.
But Pronger does not see the deal as a reckless gamble.
Cale Makar and the Avalanche got it done.
There’s a lot to unpack beyond the headline number.
Team fit. Cap certainty. Contract structure. And what makes Makar so special.
He sees a superstar getting paid like a superstar.
“I think it is a win-win for the player and the team,” Pronger said while breaking down Makar’s contract.
And perhaps more importantly for Colorado, he believes the Avalanche have secured the one player around whom their future should be built.
Makar’s extension does not officially begin until the 2027-28 season, with one year remaining on his current deal. But the agreement effectively gives Colorado long-term certainty surrounding the most important defenseman in franchise history.
Since entering the NHL, Makar has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensemen. He is a two-time Norris Trophy winner and, in 2022, became the first defenseman in Avalanche history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy after helping Colorado capture the Stanley Cup.
Makar has also been a Norris finalist in six of his first seven full NHL seasons, joining Bobby Orr as the only defensemen in league history to accomplish that feat.
That résumé is what separates Makar’s contract from the typical conversation surrounding massive long-term deals.
There is always risk when a team commits hundreds of millions of dollars to one player. Injuries and declining production can eventually turn a franchise-altering investment into a franchise-altering problem.
But Pronger does not believe Makar’s injury history provides much reason for concern.
“There’s not a lot of cons other than the potential issue if there was an injury,” Pronger said.
Makar did deal with an upper-body injury late last season that kept him out of the first two games of Colorado’s Western Conference Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The timing could hardly have been worse.
Makar returned for Game 3, but the Avalanche ultimately saw their season end as Vegas swept Colorado.
Still, those injuries clearly did not change how the Avalanche viewed their franchise defenseman.
Makar has been remarkably durable throughout his Colorado tenure, and Pronger believes his track record gives the Avalanche reason to feel comfortable with the commitment.
“I don’t see a drop in his production to the end of this contract, for sure,” Pronger said.
That confidence is rooted in what Makar has already accomplished.
He became the fourth-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 500 points, doing so in just 467 games. Only Orr, Paul Coffey and Denis Potvin reached the milestone faster.
Makar also finished the 2025-26 season with 79 points in 75 games and became the first defenseman since Phil Housley and Al MacInnis in 1992 to record three consecutive 20-goal seasons.
The Avalanche are not paying Makar based solely on what he might become.
They are paying him for what he has already proven to be.
“That’s the thing about this particular player,” Pronger said. “He’s proven to be this player.”
And for Colorado, the biggest advantage of the extension may not even be Makar’s production.
It is knowing he will be there.
The Avalanche can now plan around Makar without worrying about his next contract, his price as the salary cap rises or whether another team could eventually pry him away.
“They can begin to plan for the future,” Pronger said.
That becomes particularly important when considering the structure of Makar’s contract.
While the $20.4 million cap hit is eye-popping, much of the money is structured as signing bonuses. Beginning in 2027-28, Makar is scheduled to receive a $4 million base salary and a $16.8 million signing bonus, with similar bonus-heavy structures throughout the extension.
In total, the eight-year extension adds up to $163.2 million.
For Makar, the structure offers an obvious financial benefit. Signing bonuses are generally not subject to a buyout in the same way as base salary.
Pronger admitted the bonus-heavy structure surprised him.
“I was shocked that it’s heavily signing-bonus latent,” he said, suggesting Makar and his agency, Bartlett Hockey, likely placed significant value on receiving so much of the money in bonuses.
But the bigger question for Colorado is whether the record-breaking cap hit will become a problem as the contract progresses.
Pronger does not believe it will.
A $20.4 million cap hit is enormous under today’s salary-cap numbers. But if the league’s cap continues to rise, Makar’s deal should consume a smaller percentage of Colorado’s payroll over time.
Pronger believes that by the middle of the contract, years four, five and six, the deal could look considerably more manageable.
That is where Colorado’s roster construction becomes critical.
The Avalanche already have several core pieces committed long term, including Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. With Makar secured through 2034-35, Colorado knows exactly who its roster will be built around.
Now comes the difficult part: finding enough talent to complement those stars without breaking the bank.
That responsibility falls squarely on Joe Sakic and Colorado’s management team.
“They have to continue to find players to add, whether it be through college free agency, junior, et cetera, to supplement their roster,” Pronger said.
In other words, Makar’s contract does not eliminate the challenge facing Colorado.
It defines it.
The Avalanche have decided that Makar is worth building around. Now they have to find creative ways to build the rest of the roster around him.
Pronger understands that better than most.
He won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and captured Olympic gold with Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. More importantly, he knows how rare it is for a franchise to have a defenseman capable of fundamentally changing the way a team plays.
Makar is already entering that territory, which is why the price may ultimately matter less than the decision itself. Colorado has made the calculation that some players are simply too important to let go, even when paying them requires difficult decisions elsewhere on the roster.
That philosophy carries a little more weight in Colorado after what happened with Mikko Rantanen.
Colorado forward Nazem Kadri, who was playing for the Calgary Flames at the time, made his feelings clear after the Avalanche traded Rantanen in 2025, writing on social media: “Rule number one: You always keep the dawgs ... #96.”
Colorado could not keep Rantanen.
It has made sure it is keeping Makar.
“I think it is a win-win for the player and the team,” Pronger said.
The Detroit Red Wings are set to host the 2026 NHL Prospect Tournament, featuring the top young players in their organization along with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Red Wings have also released their roster for the tournament, which will include 2023 Draft selection Nate Danielson along with 2025 Draft selection Carter Bear.
Additionally, goaltender Trey Augustine, selected in 2023 and who is expected to compete for a starting role in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, will take part.
Other notable Red Wings prospects include 2020 Draft selection Kienan Draper, the son of four-time Stanley Cup winner and current Red Wings AGM/Amateur Scouting Director Kris Draper, along with 2022 Draft selection Dylan James.
The tournament will take place at the BELFOR Training Center inside of Little Caesars Arena starting on Sept. 12, and fans can watch the matchups at no charge courtesy of the official Red Wings website.
Two days following the conclusion of the Prospects Tournament, the Red Wings will open Training Camp.
Danielson got his first taste of NHL experience last season with the Red Wings, making his debut on Nov. 9 and later registering his first goal (and assist) against the Seattle Kraken just over a week later.
Upon being returned to the Griffins, he would suffer an injury in mid-February, which prevented him from playing in the final 31 games of the regular season, and all of the Griffins' Calder Cup Playoff games.
He scored three goals with 12 assists for the Griffins in the 18 games he skated in.
Meanwhile, Bear scored 36 goals while adding 41 assists in 53 games for the WHL's Everett Silvertips, and contributed seven goals with 15 assists in 18 postseason games, helping his club advance to the Memorial Cup.
Augustine, now arguably Detroit's top goaltending prospect next to Michal Postava following the offseason trade of Sebastian Cossa, is coming off his final season at Michigan State. He posted a 24-9-1 record with a solid 2.11 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.
He also skated in two games for the Griffins following Michigan State's loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Regional Final.
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If there was any doubt about Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck's intentions heading into next season, the Hart and Vezina Trophy winner made it clear when he confirmed through his agent that he has requested a trade. The 33-year-old had knee surgery, and a career-worst .895 save % with the Jets last season, but still played 57 games (23-23-11) and was the key to Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
The Buffalo Sabres were connected to Hellebuyck around the NHL Draft in late June, but Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could not find common ground on a deal. The conventional wisdom is that now that Hellebuyck has made his trade request public, that Cheveldayoff is not in as strong a negotiating position to get the best deal for the netminder, but he reportedly is open to going to a wide swath of teams.
Unless Hellebuyck is prepared to hold out, Winnipeg could wait into the season for the right return for such a valuable commodity.
The Sabres could be in the mix for Hellebuyck, but deals that had previously been offered that included goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might be off the table, since he has a five-team no-trade clause that could block a trade to Winnipeg. It is expected that any deal involving Buffalo would include one of their young centers (Noah Ostlund or Konsta Helenius), one of their top prospect defenseman (Daxon Rudolph or Radim Mrtka) and/or an established NHL forward (Jack Quinn or Ryan McLeod).
Other teams could be in the mix for the veteran netminder, either to get them into the playoff mix, or to elevate them from a consistent postseason entrant to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
Vegas Golden Knights
Team Status: The Golden Knights surprised some by getting past Colorado in the Western Conference Final to advance to the Cup Final against Carolina, but many point to the subpar play of Carter Hart as one of the main reasons they lost to the Hurricanes. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon has found ways to defy the odds to make his club better, and in spite of a decreasing amount of assets outside their core group, his ability to do so cannot be underestimated.
Current Goalie Situation: Hart played only 18 games after being signed midway through last season, but started all 22 playoff games over Cup winner Adin Hill. Hill is 30 played only 27 games due to lower body injuries, and is entering year two of a six-year contract extension, making $6.25 million AAV. Akira Schmid played the bulk of their starts (34), but he signed with FLorida in the offseason.
Assets To Trade: Hill has a 10-team no trade clause that could prevent being included in a Hellebuyck deal, and after trading winger Pavel Dorofeyev to New York, their best young prospects are not in the NHL; 2024 first rounder Trevor Connelly, and 2026 top pick Juho Piiparipen. Forwards Tomas Hertl ($6.25 million) and Ivan Barbashev ($5 million) are still in their prime, but Hertl has a three-team trade approval list, and Barbashev a 10-team no trade list. The only likely path is for McCrimmon to trade these players to teams they are not blocked by, to gain assets to ship to Winnipeg.
This is a longshot, since there are not many clubs looking to do Vegas many favors, so Buffalo should be able to top any offer they make.
The Carolina Hurricanes have announced the first broadcast offering for their new network (Hurricanes Hockey Network).
Starting in the 2026-27 season, fans in the Hurricanes' regional territory can stream all local games through a subscription on Prime Video.
The subscription will cost $19.99 per month or an annual pass can be purchased for $99.99.
Customers do not have to have a paid Amazon Prime subscription to access Carolina Hurricanes games, but they will need an Amazon account.
It is important to note that no matter what type of subscription you may have on Amazon, you will still need to purchase this specific and separate package for Hurricanes games.
HHN will broadcast live Hurricanes games, along with pre and postgame shows.
According to the team's release, Prime Video will be one of multiple ways to watch the Canes this upcoming season, but cable and satellite distribution partners will be announced at a later date.
“Given the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, it is vital that we make sure we are meeting our fans where they are,” said Hurricanes Vice President of Communications Mike Sundheim. “Streaming is a key piece of that puzzle, and we are thrilled for the launch on Prime Video, which is readily accessible across a variety of devices. We look forward to announcing additional ways to watch our new network ahead of opening night.”
Carolina is one of six teams who will take their broadcasting to Prime Video, joining the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues.
The NHL took over broadcasting production for these teams following the dissolution of FanDuel Sports Network.
"Fans want an easy way to find and follow their favorite teams, and this agreement with Prime Video gives Clubs the flexibility to meet that demand as the market evolves," said NHL Chief Media Officer and Senior Executive Vice President David Proper. "Amazon has been a terrific partner to the NHL, and we're excited to expand our relationship as Prime Video grows its NHL offerings. Together, we're creating new opportunities for Clubs to reach fans and delivering a premium, accessible regional viewing experience."
“We’re excited to build upon our strong relationship with the NHL and provide fans with more ways to connect with the local teams they love,” said Head of Sports Partnerships, Prime Video Charlie Neiman. “We have firmly established Prime Video as a primary destination for sports and look forward to helping these teams broaden the reach and accessibility of their live games.”
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NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon’s Prime Video will be the exclusive local streaming home of six NHL teams this season as part of a multiyear agreement announced by the league Wednesday.
Defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina, Anaheim, Columbus, Dallas, Minnesota and St. Louis will have their games on the platform in their markets. That includes pre- and post-game coverage.
“We’re excited to build upon our strong relationship with the NHL and provide fans with more ways to connect with the local teams they love,” Prime Video head of sports partnerships Charlie Neiman said in a statement. “We have firmly established Prime Video as a primary destination for sports and look forward to helping these teams broaden the reach and accessibility of their live games.”
“Fans want an easy way to find and follow their favorite teams, and this agreement with Prime Video gives clubs the flexibility to meet that demand as the market evolves,” NHL chief media officer and senior executive VP David Proper said. “Amazon has been a terrific partner to the NHL, and we’re excited to expand our relationship as Prime Video grows its NHL offerings. Together, we’re creating new opportunities for Clubs to reach fans and delivering a premium, accessible regional viewing experience.”
Amazon this summer also signed on to broadcast Wednesday night national regular-season games in Canada in English and French.
The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games.
Strbak was the Sabres second-round pick at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, a draft in which the club’s scouting strategy seemed to shift from high skill to players with size. After selecting big Swedish forward Anton Wahlberg earlier in the round, the club chose the Slovakian blueliner 45th overall.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
The 6’2″, 205 lb. defenseman played his youth hockey in Finland for Jokerit and has played internationally for his home country at the Under-18s and in four World Juniors, starting at age 16 in 2022.
Strbak shifted to North America prior to his draft year and played for Sioux Falls in the USHL. He first made his mark internationally at the 2023 Under-18’s with six assists in seven games and had three assists in five games for Slovakia at the World Junior. In 2024, he impressed at the Under-20’s with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in just five games at the WJC in Sweden. Last season, in his final WJC appearance, he posted six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in five games.
The 21-year-old also made a significant jump as a sophomore at Michigan State. After scoring nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 32 games as a freshman, Strbak jumped to 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists) in 33 games. He had another solid year with the Spartans last season (3 goals, 15 assists in 37 games), and signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Sabres in April, making his pro debut with the Amerks at the end of the season.
Strbak joins a young group of blueliners (Radim Mrtka, Gavin McCarthy, Vsevolod Komarov) in Rochester, who will all be adjusting to the professional game and fighting for opportunity.
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2023/11/02: Avangard Hockey Club player, Mikhail Gulyayev (84) seen in action during the Kontinental Hockey League, regular season KHL 2023 - 2024 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Avangard Omsk at the Ice Sports Palace. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 3:5 Avangard Omsk). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalancheorganization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
Name: Mikhail Gulyayev
Age: 21
Position: D
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 172 lbs
Likely 2026-27 Team: Avangard Omsk
2025 Rank: #2
Final Rank: #3
High Rank: #2 (Jess)
Low Rank: #16 (Ryan)
2025-26 Statistics:
Avangard Omsk – 54 GP, 1 G, 2A, 3 pts, 14 PIM, +3
Our top 25 under 25 is down to the top three players, starting with Mikhail Gulyayev at #3!
Gulyayev is entering his third season with Avangard Omsk of the KHL after inking an extension with the club that appears to push his potential NHL debut back to the 2028-29 season.
Guylyayev broke into the KHL at just 18 years of age, still ranks among our most promising Avalanche prospects, and his experience in Russia’s pro league seems like quality training grounds. Still, as always, the question is when or if he will jump the pond and come to North America.
At his size and given Omsk’s commitment after a slightly underwhelming 2025-26 campaign, it’s probably best to see out the contract and continue the road to the NHL through European channels.
I do believe that Gulyayev will graduate to the NHL one day, and for me, it’s more likely he won’t spend much (if any) time with the Eagles in the AHL if or when he decides to make the trip. That said, another year or two with Omsk will hopefully boost the young man’s confidence and make the Avalanche front office more comfortable offering his ELC.
The Avalanche do have exclusive rights to Mikhail’s services after drafting him 31st overall in 2023 with a pick received in the process of trading Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadiens.
As for Gulyayev’s style, it’s all about speed. Here’s a quote from Elite Prospects on Gulyayev that I think adequately describes my take:
“Man, can Mikhail Gulyayev fly out there. You give him an inch, and he’s sprinted a mile past you with about as effortless and clean a stride as you’ve ever seen…”
We always say that elite skating ability is among the hardest skills to develop, and one of those have-it-or-you-don’t sort of attributes. Mikhail is also effective at gap control and attentive to protecting the middle of the ice, thanks to his skating ability.
His skating prowess allows him to be a bit more aggressive and crafty than most big-bodied defenders. His savvy defensive play is the foundation for looking beyond his smaller frame, and we see the NHL trending toward sacrificing size for puck-control capabilities.
We’ve also seen a level of creativity that should have Avalanche fans excited. Just look at this tape-to-tape pass that created a break for Omsk.
I do, however, hope we see Gulyayev take a considerable leap in physical engagement this season. The ‘he’s too small and non-physical’ take is one I usually poke holes in, but in this instance, it’s likely valid.
It’s not that Gulyayev’s lack of size shows in him being maltreated, but more in his choices to avoid physicality in general.
To make it in the NHL as an undersized defender, you have to, at a minimum, be willing to stick your nose in there once in a while, and developing mental callousness before being run down by the world’s largest and fastest forwards is a good idea. I’d also like to see a point shot from Gulyayev that has eyes and the power to be dangerous.
Let us know what you think of this prospect in the comments!
In the post, they list three players as the potential options to wear the “C” for the Sens.
They are defensemen Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson, and forward Tim Stutzle.
All three seem like reasonable choices.
Chabot is 29 and has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Senators.
Sanderson and Stutzle are both 24 and have 750 NHL games between them, also all with Ottawa.
Each of them were selected in the first round by the Senators. Chabot was selected 18th overall in 2015, while Stutzle was the third overall pick in 2020 and Sanderson went fifth that same year.
Stutzle has led the Sens in scoring three of the past four seasons, including last year when he racked up a team-high 34 goals and 83 points.
While it would appear that the young Stutzle has a strong case to be Ottawa’s captain, Panthers veteran Brad Marchand apparently does not agree.
On Tuesday, Marchand left a comment on the post, which simply said, “Hahahah …..stutzle….hahaha.”
The two have been divisional opponents since Stutzle came into the league during the 2020-21 season, but there haven’t been any memorable interactions between them or anything that has led to penalties or suspensions.
Still, this provides a little more fuel to the fire of the rivalry between Florida and Ottawa, which in recent years has often led to some physically entertaining matchups.
We won’t have to wait long to see the Cats and Sens lock horns, as the first meeting between the two clubs is set for Oct. 21 in Ottawa.
Photo caption: Oct 21, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Florida Panthers left wingBradMarchand(63)smiles as the final horn sounds in their 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)
New Devils GM Sunny Mehta isn’t done shaking up their roster with training camp right around the corner.
New Jersey acquired Predators winger Luke Evangelista on Tuesday for a conditional 2028 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder.
The first-round pick is originally from the Avalanche, and the Predators would receive Colorado’s 2029 first-rounder if the Avs’ 2027 first-rounder isn’t transferred to the Maple Leafs, or if the 2028 first-rounder is in the top 10.
The Devils acquired winger Luke Evangelista in a trade with the Predators. Getty Images
Evangelista, 24, is coming off a career year with Nashville, scoring 12 goals with 44 assists in 81 games while logging 16:37 of ice time per game. Sixteen of his assists came on the power play.
The 2020 second-round pick is entering the last season of a two-year, $6 million contract and is set to be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent after the 2026-27 season.
Mehta, who grew up in Wyckoff and went to Ramapo HS and was previously was the Devils’ director of hockey analytics, is in his first year as an NHL general manager after spending the last six seasons with the Panthers, including three years as an assistant GM.
With the Devils missing the playoffs and having only won one playoff series over the past 14 years, Mehta has put his imprint on the roster.
Anthony Mantha was his biggest addition up front, the veteran winger signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract after coming off a career year with the Penguins in which he had 33 goals and 31 assists.
Mehta also dumped disappointing veteran goalie Jacob Markstrom and his $6 million annual cap hit for the next two years on his former team, trading him to the Panthers for forward depth in Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves.
Sunny Mehta during his introduction as Devils general manager on April 21, 2026. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Goaltending has held the Devils back from breaking through despite an impressive core that includes American gold-medal hero Jack Hughes and his brother Luke, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt.
They currently have 36-year-old Jake Allen, unproven 25-year-old Nico Daws and uninspiring 34-year-old David Rittich.
If Mehta wants to take a big swing, he could try for Hughes’ fellow gold medalist Connor Hellebuyck, the star Winnipeg Jets goalie who recently publicly confirmed his trade request.
In the 2026 off-season, the St. Louis Blues made several additions to their roster, highlighted by young forwards Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael.
But the Blues made another move at the 2026 NHL draft that has flown a bit under the radar. The Blues dealt a pair of third-round picks to the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire veteran right-handed defenseman Brandon Carlo.
Carlo struggled during his time with the Maple Leafs, who paid a premium price to acquire him from the Boston Bruins at the 2024-25 trade deadline. He was brought in to be a shutdown defenseman and add physicality to their blueline, but it never worked out.
Carlo was recently a guest on the Cam & Strick Podcast, where he discussed some of his mishaps in Toronto.
“It was tough at times,” Carlo admitted. “Obviously, I don't think that we had as great of a year. I had some injuries, I wasn't at my best... didn't work out the way that I would have hoped, but overall, I like to try and focus on the positive.”
Carlo went on to discuss elements he enjoyed while playing in Toronto, including former Blues coach Craig Berube and teammates like Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly, and Auston Matthews. Carlo believes playing in Toronto has helped him develop a thicker skin. Now a veteran on a team filled with youngsters, Carlo will have this experience in Toronto to look back on.
Now 29 years old, Carlo is playing for his third NHL team. Upon skating in eight games, Carlo will have played 700 NHL games. The Blues won't need Carlo to average over 20 minutes a night, but they'll need him to be a positive presence who plays a safe game.
“I had talked to my agent a little bit and knew that it could be a possibility,” Carlo said of the move. “Contract-wise, going into the last year and things like that. I'm really excited about the timing. It kind of gives our family some time to figure out the logistics and just come in with a group and start the year.”
Carlo enters the final season of a six-year, $4.1 million AAV contract. Whether Carlo is a one-year rental or signs another deal with the Blues is undetermined. Colton Parayko, another right-handed defenseman, will have three years left on his deal, and Logan Mailloux will hopefully be a top-four option for the Blues. With prospects like Adam Jiricek looking to join the big club in the next few seasons, Carlo could be seen as a stopgap until Jiricek does.
Ultimately, the Blues' success this year and Carlo's play will determine his future with the organization.
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SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Wild fans now know how much it will cost to stream the team's games during the 2026-27 season.
The Wild announced Wednesday that they have reached a multi-year local streaming agreement with Prime Video, which will become the exclusive streaming distributor of Wild games within the team's local broadcast territory.
Fans can purchase a Wild subscription through Prime Video for $19.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The subscription will be available to all Amazon customers.
Prime Video will stream all Wild regular-season games that are not exclusively nationally televised, as well as the team's locally produced First Round Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“We are thrilled to announce a new streaming relationship with Prime Video,” Wild Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President Mitch Helgerson said in a release. “This agreement ensures our fans will have a seamless way to watch every local Minnesota Wild broadcast this season.”
The streaming announcement comes alongside another significant change to how Wild games will be broadcast this season.
Minnesota is launching Wild+, a team-owned and operated multimedia network that will serve as the official television home of the Wild.
Wild+ will produce every regular-season game that isn't selected for exclusive national distribution by the NHL's national broadcast partners, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN+/Hulu and TNT.
Fans will have multiple ways to access Wild+ broadcasts, including Prime Video, cable, satellite and over-the-air television. The Wild said specific channel locations and additional availability information will be announced before the start of the regular season.
The broadcast crew will remain familiar to Wild fans.
Anthony LaPanta will continue as the team's play-by-play announcer alongside lead analyst Ryan Carter, while Kevin Gorg will serve as rink-side reporter. Katie Storm and Wes Walz will be the primary hosts of the Wild's pregame and postgame coverage.
Former Wild goaltender Alex Stalock and longtime Minnesota hockey figure Lou Nanne will also serve as analysts for select games.
The Prime Video agreement is part of a larger multi-year partnership with the NHL that also includes the Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues.
“We’re excited to build upon our strong relationship with the NHL and provide fans with more ways to connect with the local teams they love,” Charlie Neiman, Head of Sports Partnerships at Prime Video, said in a release.
For Wild fans outside of the team's local broadcast territory, games will remain available through NHL Center Ice and NHL Power Play on the ESPN App.
The Wild said additional subscription information and Wild+ channel details will be announced before the beginning of the regular season.
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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have a new television home.
The franchise and the NHL announced on Wednesday a multi-year agreement with Prime Video to serve as the exclusive local market streaming provider for the team beginning with the 2026-27 season.
With the addition of the Blues, Prime Video now offers local coverage for more than 10 NHL teams.
"Our desire to maximize accessibility and ensure long-term consistency for where our fans will find our first team-owned streaming service led us to Prime Video and we are excited to launch in the coming weeks,” Blues executive vice president, chief revenue and marketing officer Steve Chapman said in a team release. “Prime Video has a proven track record as a first-stop destination for sports broadcasts and their deep presence across the NHL will be a major asset for our broadcasts and our fans.”
“We’re excited to build upon our strong relationship with the NHL and provide fans with more ways to connect with the local teams they love,” said Charlie Neiman, head of sports partnerships, Prime Video, in a statement. “We have firmly established Prime Video as a primary destination for sports and look forward to helping these teams broaden the reach and accessibility of their live games.”
"Fans want an easy way to find and follow their favorite teams, and this agreement with Prime Video gives Clubs the flexibility to meet that demand as the market evolves," David Proper, NHL chief media officer and senior executive vice president said in a statement. "Amazon has been a terrific partner to the NHL, and we're excited to expand our relationship as Prime Video grows its NHL offerings. Together, we're creating new opportunities for Clubs to reach fans and delivering a premium, accessible regional viewing experience."
For fans within the Blues’ regional broadcast territory, coverage of the team’s games will be offered as a subscription for all Amazon customers. The Blues will announce the launch date for those subscriptions in the coming weeks at the price of $19.99 per month or $99.99 annually. If you already have Amazon Prime, you must still sign up for a Blues-specific subscription.
The Blues previously announced a collaboration with the NHL on game production that leverages the NHL’s centralized production group for studio and show programming, premium game production, advanced graphics and replay capabilities, and technical and engineering support. While bringing experienced production staff in-house to directly produce all locally televised games from St. Louis with oversight from the NHL, the Blues existing internal teams are managing sales, marketing, and distribution of the television broadcasts across the team’s five-state territory.
Other key points include:
* Having an Amazon Prime membership is not required to stream Blues games in-market through Prime Video, only a free Amazon registration is needed to subscribe.
* The team is getting closer to finalizing all cable, satellite and over-the-air broadcast agreements to ensure Blues fans in our regional territory are able to watch games similarly to how they had watched them in the past.
* Those details, along with the name of the Blues' team-owned multimedia platform, channel locations, talent lineup and more will be announced before the start of the regular season, which opens Oct. 2 against the Stars in Dallas.
Featuring enhanced graphics packages and the high-quality production value Blues fans have come to expect, the partnership with the NHL is currently slated to produce 73 local television games this season, including every regular season game other than the 11 nationally televised by NHL exclusive broadcast partners ABC, ESPN, ESPN+/Hulu and TNT. Fans that don’t live in the Blues local broadcast territory can continue to watch Blues games live via NHL Center Ice on DirecTV and NHL Power Play on the ESPN App.
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