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As former Beatle John Lennon famously sang in his famed Christmas-themed tune, "Another year over, and a new one just begun." 

Well, almost.

The Detroit Red Wings put the finishing touches on the calendar year of 2025 with a few hours to spare before midnight, thanks to their 2-1 victory over the struggling Winnipeg Jets at Little Caesars Arena.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/ZNFfDNZi7T

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2026

The Red Wings improved to 24-14-3 and now have a three-point cushion over the Montreal Canadiens for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

Meanwhile, the Jets, who won the President's Trophy last season as the NHL's best regular-season club, lost their seventh straight contest and fell to 15-19-4. 

The win, which was Detroit's sixth in their last seven games on home ice, was thanks in large part to a little help from an old friend of Winnipeg's. 

Mason Appleton, a 2015 draft selection of the Jets who played 351 games for the team, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the first period for the Red Wings.

Appy to see that go in! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/U7EKeMQ50F

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2026

It came minutes after a power-play goal from Dylan Larkin, who opened the scoring earlier in the period with his 21st tally of the campaign. 

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Goaltender John Gibson concluded his December to remember by making 23 saves on the 24 shots he faced, allowing only Logan Stanley's goal midway through the third period. He finished the month with a pristine 9-1 record, and improved to 13-8-1 overall. 

Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a metro-Detroit native, countered with 17 saves on the 19 shots Detroit fired his way. 

Alex DeBrincat Details the Red Wings’ Biggest Change This SeasonDetroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat detailed the major change for the Red Wings since the arrival of Todd McLellan, and how it's showing in their record.

The game also marked the first time in the NHL careers of former Chicago Blackhawks forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews that they played against one another; the two posed together at center ice for a photograph during pregame warmups.

Detroit’s players won’t have much time to enjoy the victory, as they’ll be back in action in less than 24 hours on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It’s on to 2026, which the Red Wings hope will ultimately bring their first postseason berth since 2016.

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With 2025 coming to a close, there is a lot to look forward to for the 2026 calendar year. 

And for Pittsburgh Penguins' players? There sure is a lot to build on. 

For some players, 2025 was a pretty successful year on the ice. Maybe they had the chance to find a bigger role and excel, maybe they broke some records, or maybe they got their first taste of the NHL and have continued to impress. And for others, things haven't gone as smoothly. Maybe they didn't perform to expectations, maybe they dealt with injuries, or maybe they fell short of some personal accomplishments or feats.

Whatever the case, it's about to be a new year, and it's never too late to start anew - or continue to improve. So, what should each Penguins' player resolve to accomplish in 2026?

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Noel Acciari: Keep stocking up on Tylenol, Band-Aids, Ace Bandages, etc... because if he keeps playing the way he has been playing for the Penguins this season, he'll continue to need that stuff. 

Justin Brazeau: Remain healthy and maintain that shooting percentage of 28.6 in order to solidify a Rocket Richard campaign in 2026-27. And, hey, are we even joking around at this point?

Harrison Brunicke: Play in a lot of hockey games somewhere (doesn't matter where at this point!) for an extended period of time in order to work on the defensive zone shortcomings that need improvement. 

Yegor Chinakhov:Get along with the new coaching staff and score goals. A lot of goals. And, hey, playing a full season's worth of games would be swell, too!

Chinakhov Trade Shows Penguins Are Starting To Shift GearsKyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins traded for Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, and it could be a sign of things to come over the next several months.

Connor Clifton: Have a chance to rediscover his game in a new opportunity with a new team.

Sidney Crosby: Playoffs. Playoffs. Playoffs. Playoffs. Playoffs. Olympic gold. Playoffs. Playoffs...

Connor Dewar: Earn a new contract, as a home has been found on the fourth line with Acciari and Blake Lizotte. Keeping up the better-than-expected offensive production is paramount, too. 

Filip Hallander: Get and stay healthy in order to separate himself from the intrasquad bottom-six competition. That defensive value has not gone unnoticed.

Kevin Hayes: Take a nice, long, hockey-related vacation in Tampa or somewhere else nice after the trade deadline. Preferably somewhere the Stanley Cup Playoffs are being played this season. 

Caleb Jones: Playing in some hockey games, period, would be nice. 

The Five Best On-Ice Moments For The Penguins In 20252025 is about to end, so let's look at the five best on-ice moments for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Erik Karlsson: Just make the playoffs in Pittsburgh once. Just once. It would make a trade feel a lot less sour and the Penguins' tenure feel more successful. Oh, and Olympic gold for Sweden. 

Ben Kindel: Get older. Maybe score a bit more? Is there really anything else at this point?

Ville Koivunen: To not be so unsure of himself. Stop hesitating, don't second guess, and just rip it!

Brett Kulak: Rediscover the 2024-25 form and become a rock-solid, steady defender... wherever the home ends up being post-deadline.

Kris Letang: Simplify and realize that he can still be effective even if his game has to evolve a little bit to fit his age. 

Blake Lizotte: Stay in the lineup at all costs and keep showing a high degree of importance to this team - or to another - to earn a nice new contract this summer. But, seriously, don't get hurt again. 

Blake Lizotte's Impending Return Can't Be Understated Enough Blake Lizotte's return will go under the radar to some, but it shouldn't.

Evgeni Malkin: If this is it, ride off into the sunset with a playoff berth, and, maybe, a Cinderella Stanley Cup run for a storybook ending. If not, same thing, of course... but be prepared for his role to potentially evolve in his next contract (in Pittsburgh, not Florida. Sorry, Florida).

Anthony Mantha: Simply be ready for anything. Keep scoring, and he'll find himself on a playoff contender post-deadline, whether that's in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. 

Rutger McGroarty: The flashes are there, as is the process. So just stick to it, and the puck will keep finding the back of the net - and he'll find himself in a top-six role at some point. 

Tommy Novak: Keep doing exactly what he's been doing for more than a month now. Show two-way prowess, versatility, and value as a top-nine player, and he'll never, ever exit the lineup.

Rickard Rakell: Injuries are tough, and coming back from them is even tougher. Making the Swedish Olympic roster may now be a longshot, but finding that goal-scoring touch again could end up making or breaking his future in Pittsburgh. Need to prove too valuable to move on from.

Bryan Rust: Improve his defensive game, which is something that used to be a strength. Could help prop up his case to remain in Pittsburgh, too, if the production can keep coming in tandem with that. 

Ryan Shea: It's been a good year. So, have an even better one! Show that the top-four stint in the first two months of the season wasn't a fluke and that the level of play is sustainable.

Arturs Silovs: Keep improving in shootouts and establish consistency at the NHL level. But, for real, those shootouts and breakaway situations are looking miles better than before!

Stuart Skinner: This is the time to prove himself worthy of a new contract as a starting goaltender somewhere this summer. Helping get this team to the playoffs down the stretch would certainly help his case.

Jack St. Ivany: No injuries! Two months last season, more than two months this season... no more, please.

Parker Wotherspoon: Top-four looks good, right? And being the ying to Erik Karlsson's yang is an even more impressive accomplishment! Just keep building a resume as a shutdown top-pairing defender... and the 2027 payday will come.

Egor Zamula:Hey, new guy! This left side is wide-open... so get re-established and vye for a permanent NHL roster spot next season. Use that size, hit some guys, show any kind of prowess at the net-front and in the defensive zone... and he's golden!

Penguins New Big Defender Could Be Nice SurpriseNew Penguins defenseman Egor Zamula has the potential to be a solid addition.

Dan Muse: Keep learning the ins and outs of coaching at the NHL level every day. He's got a lot of favor with the organization so far, so he needs to prove why he's the guy the Penguins can compete with.

Kyle Dubas: Stick to the plan... whatever that is. Even if it might not be quite what people think it is.

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2025 is set to come to an end tonight, and even though the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't have any playoff success again this year, there were still plenty of extraordinary on-ice moments. 

It's always special when Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are on the ice together, considering how much that trio has accomplished over the last 20 seasons. 

With all of that in mind, let's look at the five best Penguins' on-ice moments from this year. 

Alex Nedeljkovic scores

Tristan Jarry made Penguins history by becoming the first goaltender to ever score for the franchise in 2023, and Alex Nedeljkovic became the second back on Jan. 17. 

The Penguins were beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 when Nedeljkovic played the puck behind the net and launched it all the way down the ice for his first goal. His teammates immediately mobbed him after leaping into the bench. 

🚨 ALEX NEDELJKOVIC JUST SCORED A GOALIE GOAL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/kywcdyrW4b

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 18, 2025

Nedeljkovic also recorded an assist in this game, becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to record a goal and an assist in the same game. 

The kids get their first NHL goals

The Penguins have gotten strong contributions from their kids throughout the year, making them more fun to watch. 

Rutger McGroarty scored his first NHL goal on Apr. 3 against the St. Louis Blues after he was called back up from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. McGroarty tied the game with 23.5 seconds left in the third with a great play in front of the net. Fellow rookie Ville Koivunen got the primary assist on the goal, which sent the game to overtime. 

Harrison Brunicke notched his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders on Oct. 9. He was coming down the middle in the offensive zone and buried a shot past Ilya Sorokin after Filip Hallander dished him the puck. 

Ben Kindel got his first NHL goal on Oct. 11 against the New York Rangers with a blistering shot past goaltender Igor Shesterkin. He has gone on to score seven more goals since then and has been fantastic in his first NHL season. 

Koivunen had been snakebitten to start his NHL career before finally scoring his first goal on Dec. 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He took a feed from Kris Letang and buried the puck into the back of the net. 

Letang notches his 600th assist

Letang hit a significant milestone on Oct. 21 against the Vancouver Canucks. In the Penguins' 5-1 win, which raised their record to 5-2-0 at the time, Letang notched his 600th assist. 

He's now the fourth active defenseman with 600 assists, joining Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, and Victor Hedman. Letang is also the 20th defenseman in NHL history to accomplish this feat. 

Letang is getting closer to another milestone: his 800th point. He's only nine points away from hitting it, and once he does, he will be the 20th defenseman ever to do it. 

Crosby passes Gretzky for PPG record

Alex Ovechkin wasn't the only one trying to break a Wayne Gretzky record this year. Crosby was tied with Gretzky for 19-point-per-game seasons and broke his record on Mar. 27 against the Sabres when he notched his 80th point. 

That point ensured that he would have his 20th point-per-game season in his 20th NHL season. He finished the season with 33 goals and 91 points in 80 games. 

He already has 21 goals and 40 points in 38 games this season and will notch his 21st point-per-game season if he keeps producing at this pace. 

Penguins Trade Tomasino To Flyers For ZamulaThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers made a trade on Wednesday.

Crosby passes Lemieux in points

This had been slated to happen at some point this season, and Crosby finally did it on Dec. 21 against the Montreal Canadiens, his childhood team. He needed one point to tie Lemieux's franchise record in points and two to pass him, and accomplished both feats in the first period. 

His goal tied the record before his assist on Rickard Rakell's goal broke it, leading to his teammates mobbing him on the ice. Lemieux even had a beautiful message for Crosby after the latter broke his record. 

HISTORY FOR SID THE KID 👏

Crosby registers career point 1,724 to pass Lemieux for the all-time lead in Penguins history! 🐧 pic.twitter.com/FeVgDTFGKl

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2025

That assist got him to 1,724 points, good for eighth in NHL history. He's now up to 1,727 points and is 29 points away from passing Steve Yzerman for seventh on the all-time points list. He should be able to easily hit that mark in the second half of the 2025-26 season, assuming he stays healthy. 

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After falling behind early, the Nashville Predators scored four unanswered goals to sail past the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-2, on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. 

Among the comeback efforts, Steven Stamkos scored off a one-time shot on the power play for his 600th career goal. He joins Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby as the only three active NHL players with 600 career goals. 

On the season, Stamkos has 26 points (18 goals, eight assists) in 39 games. In the month of December, Stamkos has 14 points (11 goals, five assists) in 16 games. 

Nick Perbix netted his third goal of the season to get the Predators on the board, 2-1. Stamkos' one-time shot tied the game. Reid Schaefer gave Nashville their first lead of the game, tipping in a shot from Brady Skjei. 

Michael Bunting tipped in a shot from Nick Blankenburg on the power play to add insurance. It was Bunting's 10th of the year. 

Justus Annunen picked up his third win of the season and second straight, making 29 saves on 31 shots. 

With the win, Nashville moves to fourth place in the Central Division with 40 points and continues to chase down the San Jose Sharks for the final Wild Card spot, who defeated the Minnesota Wild in a shootout and now have 43 points. 

The Predators have a quick turnaround, facing the Kraken in Seattle on Thursday at 9 p.m. CST. 

As the calendar year 2025 comes to a close, the Buffalo Sabres are riding high on a nine-game win streak as they were set to take on the Dallas Stars in Dallas for a New Year's Eve game. But regardless of how that game turns out, the Sabres have given new GM Jarmo Kekalainen quite the conundrum – does he use Buffalo’s trade assets to bulk up and push for a playoff spot, or does he focus on the long-term and find a way to get better beyond this season?

We think the answer to that question is crystal clear: If we were running the Sabres, we’d be looking to get over the hump this season and end the Sabres’ Stanley Cup playoff drought at 14 years. 

While it does make sense to trade with the long haul in mind, Buffalo desperately needs the psychological boost that a playoff appearance would bring to the franchise and its long-suffering fan base. And given that Kekalainen will have approximately $8.73-million to play with by this year’s March 6 trade deadline, he’ll be wasting it if he holds onto it or spends it on a longer-term asset.

Brace Yourselves, Sabres Fans: One Way Or Another, 2026 Will Be A Fascinating, Feast-Or-Famine Year For BuffaloPlayoffs or bust: The Buffalo Sabres face a stark 2026 – either they make a thrilling, successful Stanley Cup playoff push, or they continue a decade-and-a-half-long playoff drought and management blows up their roster. It's going to make for compelling Sabres hockey.

Now, maybe there’s a way Kekalainen can address both his team’s short-and-long-term needs via trades this season. But if there’s going to be a priority for Buffalo, it has to be on the here and now. Kekalainen needs to send a message to his players, and that message has to be that they need to seize the day and rise further up the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division standings. 

As it stands at the moment, the Sabres are just one standings point behind the back-to-back Cup-champion Florida Panthers, and Buffalo has one game in hand on Florida. Imagine what it would mean for the Sabres to be the team that pushed the Panthers out of a playoff position. That alone would make Buffalo fans giddy with glee. 

But now imagine the other side of that competitive coin – imagine the crushing blow that would come if the Sabres finished one or two points out of a post-season spot. It would be another devastating chapter for a franchise that has had far too many of them.

Here's Why Sabres' Next Stretch Could Decide Whether Buffalo Makes Or Misses The Playoffs The Buffalo Sabres' Stanley Cup playoff hopes hinge on a brutal upcoming schedule. Can they survive facing top NHL contenders after their current winning streak ends?

Sabres fans may differ with our perspective, and that’s OK. There’s a case to be made that this organization has to focus on where it will be a year or two from now. But we think Kekalainen has to prioritize this season, because right now, there’s no question this Buffalo team is in dire need of something tangibly positive. And Sabres supporters aren’t going to get that if their team falls short of the playoffs. 

In 2026, the goal for Buffalo couldn’t be clearer. It’s playoffs-or-bust for the Sabres, and Kekalainen has to do everything in his power to get them to hockey’s biggest tournament this spring.

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights lost for the sixth time in seven games when they squandered a first-period 2-0 lead and lost to the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Golden Knights dropped to 4-2-0 all-time when playing on New Year's Eve.

Vegas captain Mark Stone opened the scoring for the Knights when he notched his 10th goal of the season during a power play early in the first period.

The goal was seemingly fitting hours after he was named to Canada’s Olympicroster, along with teammates Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore.

Ben Hutton made it 2-0 less than four minutes later, swinging momentum in full favor of the Knights.

The Predators weren't intimidated in the least, however, as they scored three unanswered goals and never looked back, adding a fourth goal in the second period to provide the final margin.

During the Knights' latest skid, they're allowing the league's sixth-highest 3.83 goals per game, having given up 29 goals in the six games.

"We can evaluate that any way you want," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Is it the goalie not fighting to find the puck, or we're not getting in the shooting lanes or not boxing out? There's usually a product of those things. So that's what's happening.

"We're not giving up."

KEY MOMENT

With Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar in the penalty box for an extended period of time after being called for cross-checking and roughing, Michael Bunting's goal at the 11:52 mark gave Nashville its 4-2 lead and seemingly drained the fight from the Knights.

"Kolesar gets involved with one of their guys and their benches ... that's an automatic penalty when you're in a scrum from the bench," Cassidy said. "So I think they blew that call, to be perfectly honest. They get a power-play goal out of it."

KEY STAT

298 - Defenseman Brayden McNabb played in his 298th straight game, the 13th longest active ironman streak in the NHL, dating back to March 30, 2022. That streak is now in jeopardy, however, after McNabb was involved in an unfortunate - and violent - neutral zone collision with Nashville's Michael Bunting in the second period. McNabb was down for a while, but upon getting to his feet, he went straight down the tunnel and didn't return.

"Talk about things that altered the game, that particular instance and what happened transpired after us, very disappointed in how we ended up on the wrong end of that on a blatant interference on Nabber," said Cassidy, who offered no details on McNabb's injury other than that it's upper body.

WHAT A KNIGHT

Paval Dorofeyev finished with two assists and now has at least one point in eight of the last 10 games. Dorofeyev, who has 10 points in the last 10 games (4 goals, 6 assists), ranks sixth on the team with 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists).

UP NEXT: The Golden Knights open a three-game homestand that will drop the puck on 2026, with a game against the St. Louis Blues.

PHOTO CAPTION: Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) clears the puck away from Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Hockey News - Ottawa continues to look back on some of the biggest Senators news of the calendar year.  This brings us to the fourth and final part of our review of the Sens in 2025, October to December.

October

Tkachuk Sidelined Again as Injuries Pile Up

2025 was an injury-prone season for Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Tkachuk missed 10 games back in the spring with a lower-body injury, first getting nicked up at the Four Nations Faceoff while playing for Team USA. Then, to start the 2025–26 season, he played just three games before injuring his thumb on a hit from behind against the Nashville Predators. Tkachuk missed the next 20 games, and while he was sidelined, the Senators went 11-5-4.

Yakemchuk Begins Pro Career in Belleville

Senators 2024 seventh-overall selection defenseman Carter Yakemchuk once again fell short in his bid to make the NHL roster and began his professional career in the American Hockey League with Belleville. As was the case during his junior regular season, Yakemchuk did not put up the same preseason point totals as the year before. While players like Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, and Zeev Buium , all drafted after Yakemchuk, have already appeared in NHL games, the Senators are remaining patient as he continues to work on his all-around game.

Staios Adds Muscle After Physical Preseason Loss

The Senators began October by pulling off a trade that appeared to be a reaction to a preseason game in Montreal, where the Canadiens won handily both on the scoreboard and physically. General manager Steve Staios responded by acquiring a legitimate NHL heavyweight, trading Zach MacEwen to the New Jersey Devils for Kurtis MacDermid.

Waiver Loss: Sabrango Claimed by Florida

With Tyler Kleven injured to start the season, Donovan Sebrango played some early games, including one against the Florida Panthers. When Kleven returned to health and the Sens attempted to send Sebrango down to Belleville, the Panthers, having just seen him play, claimed Sebrango, and he has since appeared in 10 games for the two-time Stanley Cup champions.

November

Pinto Secures Long-Term Commitment

The biggest news of November was the Senators signing centre Shane Pinto to a four-year, $30-million contract extension. Pinto came out of the gate quickly, scoring seven goals in his first six games. Not that anyone could keep up that pace, but he has since cooled off, recording five goals in the 22 games that followed.

First Senators GM Mel Bridgman Passes Away

Former Ottawa Senators general manager Mel Bridgman passed away at the age of 70. Bridgman was the first GM in franchise history and lasted just one season in the role. He is better known to NHL fans for his playing career, primarily with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1970s.

Tkachuk Brothers Launch ‘Wingmen’ Podcast

Tkachuk returned from his thumb injury, and while he and his brother Matthew were rehabbing, the two launched a new podcast. Wingmen, released every Wednesday, features the Tkachuk brothers swapping hockey stories and reacting to the latest NHL news.

Kaliyev Allegations Reviewed

The New York Post published an article detailing allegations from Arthur Kaliyev’s ex-girlfriend, who claims the 24-year-old borrowed tens of thousands of dollars from her to fund what she described as a gambling addiction. The accusations first surfaced in October through a series of social-media posts. The Senators have deferred comment to the league, which, along with the NHLPA, reviewed the situation. The NHL told the Post it found “no substantiation that anything Kaliyev was doing was in violation of our rules or applicable law.”

Senators Swap Blue-Liners

Curiously, the Senators never finalized a new deal with restricted free-agent defenseman Max Guenette, who had been with the organization for several years. His tenure ended in November when he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Dennis Gilbert. Gilbert was acquired twice by Ottawa in 2025, first as part of the Josh Norris trade in March. The Senators either couldn't or didn't want to re-sign him in the summer, and Gilbert joined the Flyers.

December

Ullmark Steps Away, Meriläinen Takes the Net

As Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark continued an inconsistent stretch in Ottawa’s net, he stepped away from the team in late December, requesting a leave of absence for personal reasons. Whatever those reasons were, the club announced that Ullmark had its full support. That left 23-year-old Leevi Meriläinen as the team’s starter for the foreseeable future.

Brassard Attempts Comeback in Switzerland

Former Senator Derick Brassard announced he would attempt a comeback at age 38, signing with Genève-Servette in Switzerland. At the time of writing, Brassard has appeared in one game. He had two stints with Ottawa — first in 2016–17, when he helped the Senators reach the Eastern Conference Final, scoring 11 points in 19 playoff games. He returned on a professional tryout in 2022–23, but that season ended due to a serious leg injury. Three years later, his desire to play clearly remains strong.

Belleville Makes Coaching Change Amid Skid

The Senators also made changes in Belleville, firing head coach David Bell while the team was mired in an eight-game losing streak. Bell was replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Andrew Campbell.

Josh Norris Returns to Ottawa, Earns Ovation

Former Senator Josh Norris, now with the Buffalo Sabres, has already endured two lengthy injury stints since being traded in March. Now healthy, Norris has recorded 12 points in 12 games for Buffalo and made his return to Ottawa shortly before the Christmas break. He received a loud ovation from the crowd following a tribute video during a stoppage in play.

Senators Close 2025 Searching for a Step Forward

So ends the year that was for the Ottawa Senators in 2025. The club finished the calendar year as a slightly worse team than it was a year ago. Last season, Ottawa sat at 18-15-2 for a .556 points percentage. This year, they closed out 2025 at 18-15-5, good for a .539 percentage. The Senators will host the Washington Capitals as they kick off what they hope will be a bigger and better new year in 2026.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Senators Year In Review Part One, January To March: Big Trades, 4 Nations, And A Playoff Push
Senators Year In Review Part Two, April-June: The Stanley Cup Playoff Drought Finally Ends
Senators Year In Review Part Three, July-September: Free Agency, A Big Change For Sens Radio

2025 is about to come to an end. The calendar year was up and down for the Chicago Blackhawks, but the organization has done a lot of good things that will help them down the road.

It may take a little while longer before they are a contender, but 2026 is going to be a much better calendar year, and the work they put in during 2025 will be a large reason for that. 

A lot of players suited up for the Blackhawks during this past year. Some of them were short-term tenures, others are expected to be with the club for a long time. Some of them stood out more than others along the way.

Of every player who put on a Chicago sweater this year, these five stick out the most: 

Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard has been sensational for the Chicago Blackhawks this year. He ended 2024-25 playing very well with a new cast of young players around him, and he turned into a superstar at the beginning of the 2025-26 season. 

Over the summer, Bedard put in the work. He made sure to improve his skating, which he felt would help him become an overall better player. That has come true. 

In the calendar year of 2025, Bedard had 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in 75 games played. There was a large jump in production, which paves the way for an even better 2026. In the year 2025, it became clear that Bedard is the star that the Blackhawks hoped he'd become when they selected him first overall. 

Spencer Knight

Early in 2025, Spencer Knight was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in a deal that sent Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers. This was a huge trade for the Blackhawks, as their trajectory as a franchise took a large leap forward. 

Knight has turned into one of the best goalies in the NHL. He is unlikely to be an Olympian for Team USA because they are going to go with the three that they brought to the 4-Nations Face-Off, but Knight may be one of the first players called if they need an injury replacement. 

You can't win in the NHL without goaltending, and they get that consistently with Knight. Going into 2026, a starting goalie is nothing for management to worry about, and it won't be an issue for a long time. 

Ryan Donato

2025 was big for Ryan Donato. At the end of last season, Donato finished off a 31-goal season, which nearly doubled his career high. That earned him a long contract extension with the Blackhawks, something he never expected to get when he first came over. 

Now, playing up and down the lineup, Donato plays a very important role on the team. He is a solid veteran player who brings his A-game in all three zones every night. He can score goals, come to the defense of his teammates, and defend. 

Donato may never eclipse 30 goals again, but it will never be his role to do so. Helping the young kids by continuing to play the game the right way will provide a service that few others in the organization can do. 

Frank Nazar 

Besides Connor Bedard, no player in the Blackhawks' organization has risen to the top of the lineup more than Frank Nazar. He still has a long way to go in his development, especially in his finishing touch, but there is clearly a toolbox there that will help him produce for a long time. 

To be a second line center, and not because of necessity, because he's earned it, speaks volumes about his compete level and overall skill. Right now, Nazar is the runaway second-best forward on the team. 

It will be great for Nazar to continue learning how to score more, but that isn't his entire game. The kid can skate, make passes, and kill penalties with the best of them. He is the only player on the team who is above average on the power play, penalty kill, and at even strength. 

Tyler Bertuzzi

Tyler Bertuzzi has had an up-and-down tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks, but his calendar year of 2025 has been solid. He is one of the best goal scorers on the team, and few players in the NHL score on the road more than he does. 

Bertuzzi does something special that not every offensive player can do. He goes to the front of the net with regularity and succeeds. He can tip pucks in, bang in rebounds, or have crafty hands in tight. With great playmakers around him to set up plays like that, he takes full advantage. 

Expect more of the same from Bertuzzi in 2026. The team is only going to get better around him. His competitive level on every shift will help these young players continue to grow their games. 

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This was not the blockbuster trade for a center everyone was hoping for, but the Philadelphia Flyers again managed to get the best of their trade partners, this time fleecing the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

On Wednesday, the Flyers finally parted ways with the struggling Egor Zamula, swapping the defenseman for Penguins forward Phil Tomasino, who had been buried in the AHL himself this season.

Zamula, 25, had worn out his welcome in Philadelphia, and there wasn't much more to it than that.

The formerly undrafted Russian defender hadn't progressed as the team had hoped over the last few seasons and, having to impress a new coaching staff with Rick Tocchet and Todd Reirden, ultimately played his way off the NHL roster entirely.

Instead, journeyman Noah Juulsen carved out a role for himself as the No. 7 defenseman; Emil Andrae, who didn't even make the Flyers out of training camp, has established himself as one of Tocchet and Reirden's go-to defenders, and Ty Murchison, who earned a brief two-game cameo in the wake of a Cam York injury, proved himself as a better option and kept the vastly more experienced Zamula in the press box.

Flyers Prospects Prevail Undefeated on Day 1 of World Junior ChampionshipsAll of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> prospects participating in the 2026 World Junior Championships prevailed with a win on Day 1, but it was the unheralded players who stood out most.

In short: there was no further reason to keep Zamula around, even at the AHL level, and the Flyers agreed.

As for the new guy, Tomasino, 24, is a 2019 first-round pick who now finds himself on his third team in less than two full seasons.

The 6-foot, right-shot forward is a strong skater with a solid offensive toolbox, but, given his age, is unlikely to be an impact player at the NHL level.

That said, the Flyers have long coveted speed at the center position, and the versatile Tomasino can slot in at that position if needed and proceed from there.

Astute fans may recall that the 24-year-old, who was traded to the Penguins by the Nashville Predators early last season, was quietly very productive for Pittsburgh, scoring 11 goals, 12 assists, and 23 points in 50 games.

That scoring luck obviously ran out this season, with an assist in nine NHL games earning him another stint in the AHL.

Overall, though, with 23 goals and 95 points in 218 games across five seasons (nearly a 41-point pace per 82 games), it's hard to imagine the Flyers not giving the former 24th overall pick a chance at the NHL level at some point; the Flyers stated Tomasino will start in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

During the aforementioned productive stint with the Penguins last season, Tomasino's underlying numbers, per Evolving-Hockey, showed that he actually deserved a bit better in terms of bounces at both ends of the ice. If the Flyers can unlock that player, even without the deserved bounces, that's a legitimate middle-six piece worth keeping around.

After Jett Luchanko had been sent back to the OHL early in the season, the Flyers had recalled Jacob Gaucher, citing a need for a right-shot center.

The Gaucher experiment didn't last long, but the Flyers now have another one in their ranks who is far more talented offensively.

With time, and a positive first impression in the organization, Tomasino is someone who can push a player like Rodrigo Abols for a spot in the lineup.

And all those potential opportunities came at the cost of Zamula, who could have just left the organization and walked away via a mutual contract termination, as was reported to have been offered to the Flyers.

Tomasino has one year remaining on his contract at a $1.75 million cap hit and will not be an unrestricted free agent until 2029.

In what was their last game of 2025, the New York Rangers suffered a 6-3 loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals. 

To start with the good news for the Rangers, Adam Fox returned after missing the past 14 games due to a shoulder injury. 

The 27-year-old defenseman made an immediate impact, recording one goal, one assist, and two points, while posting a total of 21:13 minutes. 

Fox’s presence was specifically felt from an offensive standpoint, as he helped elevate the power play, with the Rangers’ moving the puck well, which eventually led to a goal from Fox. He was crisp in his return, and he did not seem to miss a beat or shake off any rust.

“I thought he had a strong game,” Mike Sullivan said of Fox. “I thought he played real well. I think you can see the impact that he has on our team.”

With the score tied 1-1 in the second period, Tom Wilson delivered a big-time body check to Noah Laba, and seconds later, Wilson scored with Laba riving in pain on the ice, taking him out of the play. 

Laba made his way to the locker room after taking the hit from Wilson, and he ultimately did not return due to an apparent upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Conor Sheary suffered a lower-body injury later in the period. He also left the game and ultimately did not return.

After Laba and Sheary left the game, the Rangers were forced to play with 10 forwards instead of 12, putting Sullivan in a position where he had to shuffle the lines. 

“It just taxes guys when you lose two guys early like that to injury,” Sullivan said. “You're down to short numbers, so that's just the reality of the way the game played out.”

Sullivan confirmed that both Laba and Sheary are being evaluated, but he did not provide any further details on their current status.

Despite a strong push from the Rangers in the third period down 3-2, two goals from Aliaksei Protas and Wilson late in the final frame put this game to rest. 

Mike Sullivan Credits Gabe Perreault For Improved Play Upon Return To Rangers We are beginning to see flashes of Gabe Perreault’s offensive potential at the NHL level with the New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">Rangers</a>.&nbsp;

The Rangers have now lost three consecutive games, but the team now heads to the Sunshine State to play in the Winter Classic on Friday night against the Florida Panthers. 

A game of this magnitude, flat in the middle of the season, can serve as a bit of a refresher and a turning point for a Blueshirts team that is sitting just above a .500 record, while finding itself outside the playoffs. 

“We need a game where we play well and we win,” Mika Zibanejad said. “Winning solves a lot of it. We just have to find a way. We have to be better.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins are staying busy, as they acquired defenseman Egor Zamula from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Philip Tomasino on Dec. 31. This comes after both players were recently placed on waivers and cleared them. 

Although the Penguins and Flyers do not make trades with each other often due to their intense rivalry, this deal makes sense for both sides. There was no question that both Zamula and Tomasino were in need of fresh starts, and now they have gotten just that. 

While this is not the biggest move in the NHL this season, it has the potential to be a solid one for the Penguins. 

Zamula has shown in the past that he has the potential to provide decent offense from the point. During the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-3 puck-moving defenseman set career highs with five goals, 16 assists, and 21 points in 66 games. Furthermore, with Zamula still only 25 years old, the possibility of him bouncing back with the Penguins should not be ruled out. 

It is also no secret that the Penguins need help on the left side of their defense. While Zamula is starting his tenure with the organization in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he certainly has a good chance of getting called up if he impresses. 

If Zamula regains his 2023-24 form or even hits a new level for Pittsburgh, it would be huge for a Penguins team in the middle of a retool. Ultimately, there is no harm in the Penguins taking a chance on him, and it will be fascinating to see how much of an impact he can make from here. 

In 168 career NHL games over six seasons, Zamula has recorded eight goals, 33 assists, and 41 points. In 13 games this season with the Flyers before being traded to Pittsburgh, he had one assist and a plus-4 rating. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have made a roster move, as they have announced that they have recalled forward Dominic Toninato from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. 

Toninato being called up comes after he was just sent down to the AHL by the Blackhawks earlier week. Now, he is heading right back up to Chicago's roster with this latest roster move. 

Toninato has played in five games this season with the Blackhawks, where he has recorded one assist, 10 hits, and a plus-1 rating. Down in the AHL with the IceHogs this season, the 2012 fifth-round pick has posted five goals, 12 assists, and 17 points in 25 games. 

Toninato will now be looking to make an impact after landing this latest call-up to the Blackhawks' roster. 

In 194 career NHL games split over nine seasons between the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, and Blackhawks, Toninato has recorded 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points, 226 hits, and a plus-13 rating. 

During the off-season, former Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen signed a five-year, $9 million contract to stay with the New Jersey Devils. This was after the Fredericton, New Brunswick native had a 13-16-1 record, a 2.66 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and four shutouts in 31 games with the Devils in 2024-25. 

Now, as we enter the new year, the Devils' decision to keep Allen around is looking like a very good one. 

Allen is currently in the middle of a very solid season with the Devils in 2025-26. In 20 games so far this campaign with the Metropolitan Division club, he has a 10-8-1 record, a 2.54 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and one shutout. With numbers like these, there is no question that the former Canadiens goalie has been providing the Devils with strong goaltending. 

Allen is continuing to play well as the season rolls on, too. The 35-year-old goaltender has had a .917 save percentage or better in three out of his last four appearances with the Devils. This included him stopping 36 out of 37 shots against the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 17.

In 127 games over four seasons with the Canadiens from 2020-21 to 2023-24, Allen recorded a 41-68-15 record, a .899 save percentage, and a 3.30 goals-against average.