The opening days of NHL free agency provided a reminder of just how many players have passed through the Senators organization.

Since free agency opened on Wednesday, a long list of former Senators have signed contracts with new or existing clubs. In part two, we look at the ex-Sens who received two-way deals, looking to earn NHL roster spots with fresh starts this fall. 

Max Guenette - Boston Bruins

After five seasons in the Senators organization, Max Guenette signed with Boston after being traded last season in the deal that brought Dennis Gilbert to Ottawa. Guenette was drafted back in 2019, and as a seventh-round pick, he continued to be an excellent AHL player for Lehigh Valley this season.

His 24 points in 42 games put him second in scoring among Phantoms defensemen, behind only Christian Kyrou, who just signed with the Senators this week.

Andreas Englund – Calgary Flames

Andreas Englund established himself as an everyday NHL defenceman with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2023-24 season, but he dropped down in the Kings' batting order the following year, and was eventually claimed off waivers by Nashville, where he struggled to stick.

His one-year deal with Calgary this week now offers him another opportunity to work his way back into a regular NHL role. Englund was the Sens' second round pick in 2014 and played four seasons with the club, including 33 games in Ottawa.

Noah Gregor – Winnipeg Jets

Noah Gregor signed a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets as he continues his search for a permanent NHL home. He was signed as a free agent in Ottawa in 2024 and left at the deadline in the San Jose deal that brought Fabian Zetterlund to town. The Jets will be his fifth NHL organization since 2024.

Gregor spent this season with the Florida Panthers, playing 37 games, including the one where he gave Carter Yakemchuk a concussion with a shoulder to the head.

Mads Sogaard – Tampa Bay Lightning

After seven years in the Senators organization, goaltender Mads Sogaard signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 25-year-old appeared in 31 NHL career games with Ottawa but spent most of last season in Belleville before becoming a Group 6 unrestricted free agent. With the Sens signing Samuel Ersson and Leevi Merilainen this week, the writing was on the wall for Sogaard.

The last time the Sens let a 6-foot-7 goalie get away to Tampa was Ben Bishop, and that worked out pretty well for the Lightning, who gave up Cory Conacher in the deal. Sidebar fun fact: Conacher came back from Switzerland and played two games for Belleville in 2022.

Dylan Gambrell – Minnesota Wild

Veteran forward Dylan Gambrell agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild. The Sens got some good mileage out of Gambrell, acquiring him in 2021 for a 7th round draft pick. He played north of 60 games for two straight seasons in Ottawa.

But since leaving Ottawa, he hasn't played a single NHL game since. He'll be hoping to land a fourth-line job in Minny after putting up a point per game for the Wild's farm club this year.

Boko Imama – Florida Panthers

Imama signed a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers, giving the defending Stanley Cup champions another rugged depth option entering training camp. Imama spent the 2023-24 season with the Sens, mostly in Belleville. He got into just six games with Ottawa before signing that summer in Pittsburgh.

None of these players will ever be mistaken for NHL superstars, but Sens Nation will always have a soft spot for the men who once proudly wore the centurion crest.

Read part one of this Sens alumni article here. 

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:

Senators Walk Away From Belleville Sniper Who Scored 40 Goals This Season
Are The Senators Planning To Carry Three Goalies On Their Roster?
Former Senators Defenseman Joins Belleville's Coaching Staff
Former Sens Goalie Traded To Rangers As Sens Continue To Pick Up Part Of His Tab

Senators Officially Sign Samuel Ersson As Their Backup Goalie
Meet The Future: Senators Draft Offensive Skill With Two First-Round Picks
At A Glance, Senators' Draft Day Trades Are Head Scratchers
Brady Tkachuk Had a Chance to Write His Own Story. He Chose Matthew's

Shakir Mukhamadullin’s winding NHL path has taken another turn — and this time, it leads him out of San Jose.

The 24-year-old defenseman, once a key return piece in the Timo Meier trade, has signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers just ahead of the arbitration deadline, closing the book on his short tenure in the Sharks organization and setting up a fresh opportunity in Alberta.

For San Jose, it marks the departure of a player who was still viewed internally as part of the long-term defensive picture after arriving in 2023 as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Meier to New Jersey before ultimately landing in the Sharks’ system.

Mukhamadullin’s route to this point has already been anything but linear. Originally selected 20th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2020, he never suited up for the franchise that drafted him. Instead, his NHL rights were flipped to San Jose as part of the Meier trade, where he eventually worked his way into a 50-game season in 2025-26 — the most sustained look he’s had at the NHL level.

Last year, he recorded five goals and 12 points while averaging 17:09 of ice time, adding 63 blocked shots in a role that often asked him to absorb defensive-zone pressure while navigating multiple injury interruptions along the way.

Now, that development arc continues somewhere new.

Edmonton landed Mukhamadullin in a deal announced by agent Dan Milstein, with the contract structured as $1.55 million in salary next season and a $200,000 signing bonus, followed by a $1.75 million salary in 2027-28. The second year also doubles as his qualifying offer.

In San Jose, the expectation had been that Mukhamadullin could continue growing into a depth or bottom-pairing role, with flashes of upside still to be unlocked. Instead, he joins an Oilers blue line that already features established roles for veterans such as Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman, while Ryan Shea’s recent five-year deal adds another layer of competition on the left side.

That likely leaves Mukhamadullin in a familiar position — fighting for minutes, possibly shifting sides, and trying to carve out a more permanent NHL role in a crowded depth chart.

For Edmonton, the move is a low-cost swing on size and projection. For San Jose, it’s another reminder of how fluid their defensive picture remains as they continue reshaping the roster post-rebuild core decisions.

The Oilers now have just under $6.5 million in cap space remaining, according to PuckPedia, with additional roster decisions still ahead.

But for the Sharks, another piece from the Meier trade tree has moved on, and Mukhamadullin’s next chapter begins somewhere else.

In the aftermath of the Philadelphia Flyers signing budding Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet on Friday, there was one important detail that kept getting skipped over in discussion.

The key to any offer sheet having a chance, of course, is the player signing it, which is what Carlsson, 21, did with the Flyers. He signed their contract offer and accepted a move away from the Ducks, and that is what kicks this whole saga off.

Most important of all is that Carlsson reportedly chose the Flyers over other teams that presented him and his camp with an offer sheet, which is a big development for Philadelphia as they seek to transition from rebuilder to contender--something they would achieve by pulling off this endeavor successfully.

According to TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger, Carlsson had four teams make him an offer, but, as we know, he chose the Flyers in the end.

"This will certainly juice the market according to several player agents. Carlsson had 4 teams present Offer Sheets and several who [shared] a high level of interest," Dreger reported on his X account.

It certainly helps that the Flyers were able to offer an $18 million cap hit with a bajillion dollars in signing bonuses up front, but again, Carlsson did choose the Flyers.

Much like sending out an offer sheet itself, there is nothing prohibiting the Flyers, the Ducks, or other NHL teams for making that kind of contract offer to acquire a really good player.

Maksim Sokolovskii Caps Flyers Development Camp with Dominant Offensive DisplayNew top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Maksim Sokolovskii is already turning heads in all facets of the game.

There are some faults to the deal, too, like Carlsson becoming a 26-year-old unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract, allowing him to sign another big-money deal with the Flyers, Ducks, or another team, this time being able to do so without any kind of strings attached.

The Flyers also included a full no-move clause in the final year of Carlsson's contract, which means that he's either staying with the team that wins this offer sheet battle, or ends up walking to a new one in free agency.

Now, the Ducks could always trade Carlsson before that year, yes, but it's clear that the Flyers are making this kind of bold move to get Carlsson and have him play hockey in Philadelphia, not to strong-arm other front offices and play politics.

They want Carlsson to be their No. 1 center of the future, and don't really care about the cost they have to pay to make that happen. It is a no-lose situation for the Flyers, who have signaled that they are ready to compete for a Stanley Cup now with the players, prospects, and assets they currently have.

Carlsson and his camp recognized that, anomalous contract notwithstanding, and now we just wait and see if the Ducks bend the knee to the Flyers.

Former Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz signed a three-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

Last season, Schwartz played 50 games with the Kraken, recording 11 goals and 15 assists.

At 34, he is entering his 16th NHL season, having appeared in 861 games with the Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues.

He has recorded 233 goals and 320 assists in his NHL career.

The Blues drafted Schwartz 14th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, and he won the Stanley Cup with them in 2019.

He recorded a career-high 63 points in 2014-15.

A part of our story from the very beginning 💙🩵

Thank you, Schwartzy! pic.twitter.com/vgB9l5YUdy

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) July 2, 2026

On July 28, 2021, he signed as a free agent with Seattle. He played five seasons with the Kraken before signing a three-year contract with Colorado on July 2. 

Visit The Hockey News Seattle Kraken team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Former Detroit Red Wings draft selection Sebastian Cossa was traded on the opening day of the 2026 NHL Draft to the Utah Mammoth in return for the 23rd overall selection.

With the pick, the Red Wings selected Kamloops Blazers forward J.P. Hurlbert, who will play locally at the University of Michigan in the upcoming season.

But it closed the chapter on Cossa's time with the Red Wings, which never really got off the ground at the NHL level. He only has one game of NHL experience under his belt at this point, but that will likely change in short order in Salt Lake City.

Cossa, whom the Mammoth have already signed to a two-year, $4 million deal, said that he wasn't quite sure what to expect coming into the summer as a pending restricted free agent. 

Speaking on the Utah Puck Report podcast with Jay Stevens of KSL Sports, Cossa said he focused on staying in the moment while watching Michal Postava start for the Grand Rapids Griffins during the Calder Cup Playoffs earlier this spring, while also hearing whispers of potentially being moved. 

"For me, obviously, going into RFA this summer, I'd been hearing it through the grapevine for quite a while," he said about the possibility of being dealt. "I went into the playoffs with Grand Rapids. Obviously, I wasn't playing at that point, but I was just trying to stay in the present. We were hoping for a long playoff run there, but I wasn't worried about it too much.

"But obviously, as the offseason gets going, you talk about it a little more — where you'll be next year," he continued. "Obviously, you see that stuff on social media. Still, I wasn't too sure what was going to happen this offseason. I knew it was a possibility, but I didn't know for sure it was happening."

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Known as the Arizona Coyotes before relocating to Utah in 2024, the Mammoth returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020 and have a bevy of young talent that has helped them earn the reputation of a team on the rise. 

"I've heard only good things about the organization, and the people reaching out to me already have made me feel comfortable already," Cossa said of his first impressions of the Mammoth. "It's been great." 

After posting a 26-8-4 record with the Griffins last season, Cossa could open the upcoming campaign as Karel Vejmelka's backup with the Mammoth.

"A Really Good Person": Dan Cleary Happy For Sebastian Cossa's New Chance In Utah Dan Cleary, the Director of Player Development for the Detroit Red Wings, addressed the trade of goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth last week.

If all goes well, he may even develop into the franchise's long-term starter - a future many once expected him to have in Detroit.

But he knows nothing is given at the NHL level. 

"It's super exciting," he said. "It's been a long path, and for me, it's going there and earning the job. It's still a big summer for me; I want to go there and earn that and show they made the right decision." 

"For me, there's a lot of work to go in, but obviously really excited now." 

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The Edmonton Oilers have signed Shakir Mukhamadullin to a two-year extension. The deal is worth $1.75 million per season. 

Mukhamadulin came over to the Oilers in the Darnell Nurse trade. 

Shakir Mukhamadullin signs a two year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, worth $1.75 million per season. #WeAreGoldStarpic.twitter.com/iQWkGQ4vEH

— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) July 4, 2026

Mukhamadullin is a 24-year-old Russian defenseman, originally drafted 20th overall by New Jersey in 2020, who came to San Jose in the 2023 Timo Meier blockbuster trade. He's a big, mobile blueliner at 6-foot-4, known for a strong shot and real offensive upside, though his defensive game is still rounding into form at the NHL level.

He made his debut in January 2024 and has bounced between full-time NHL duty and healthy scratches since, most recently posting five goals, 12 points and 60 blocked shots over 50 games with San Jose last season while managing a couple of injuries. 

He's now with the Edmonton Oilers, and he will get a shot at locking down a full-time NHL role. 

If he clicks in Edmonton, the Oilers come away from the Nurse trade with a legitimate long-term piece on defense, not a player they had to take back to move Nurse's contract. If he doesn't, the downside is limited to a roster spot, not a wasted asset.

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The opening days of NHL free agency provided a reminder of just how many players have passed through the Senators organization.

Over the past three days, a long list of former Senators have signed contracts with new or existing clubs. Some will fill full-time NHL roles next season on one-way contracts, while others will head to training camp on two-way deals looking to earn a roster spot. 

Former Senators Signing One-Way NHL Contracts

Nick Jensen – Anaheim Ducks

Nick Jensen's tenure in Ottawa officially came to an end after he signed a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $2.2 million per season.

Jensen spent two seasons with the Senators after arriving from the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2024 as part of the Jacob Chychrun trade. Ottawa's objective in acquiring the veteran right-shot defenceman was to rebalance its blue line, and for much of his first season he provided exactly that before injuries began to take their toll.

Mathieu Joseph – Edmonton Oilers

Mathieu Joseph signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Edmonton Oilers.

Joseph spent parts of three seasons with Ottawa after arriving from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 trade that sent Nick Paul to Tampa Bay. His best offensive season in Ottawa came in 2023-24 when he produced 35 points in 72 games, but that didn't impress Steve Staios, who had just taken over as GM.

With the Senators looking to create flexibility, Joseph was traded to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2024. The Sens even had to throw in a third-round pick to convince the Blues to do the deal. Ottawa went on to sign several other forwards in free agency.

Lars Eller – Florida Panthers

After spending one season with Ottawa, Lars Eller signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The veteran centre got off to an impressive start with the Senators, recording six points in his first 12 games. His production slowed considerably after that, and with centre Stephen Halliday pushing for a full-time NHL opportunity, Ottawa opted to move in a younger direction.

Erik Gudbranson – Columbus Blue Jackets

Erik Gudbranson will remain in Columbus for a fifth season after signing a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. Gudbranson just wants to stay healthy after injuries limited him to just 53 games total over the past two seasons.

The Ottawa native spent the 2020-21 season with his hometown Senators, appearing in 36 games before being traded to Nashville for Brandon Fortunato and a 7th rounder.

Ian Cole – Chicago Blackhawks

Ian Cole signed a one-year contract that will pay him $4 million.

Cole's stint as a Senator barely lasted long enough to unpack. Ottawa acquired him from Pittsburgh in the 2018 Derick Brassard trade that also brought goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson to the organization.

Just three days later, the Senators flipped Cole to Columbus for a third-round draft pick. Eight years later, the veteran defenceman is still cashing sizeable NHL paycheques. Chicago will be his 8th team since his drive-thru experience with Ottawa.

Nick Foligno – Minnesota Wild

Nick Foligno keeps rolling.

At 38, the former Senators captain signed another one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $900,000. Foligno joined Minnesota last season to play alongside his brother Marcus and will return for another campaign.

Foligno was traded by Ottawa 14 years ago for Columbus defenseman Marc Methot.

Dennis Gilbert – Buffalo Sabres

Defenceman Dennis Gilbert landed a one-year, one-way NHL contract back with Buffalo worth $850,000.

Gilbert did two recent tours of duty with the Sens. He arrived in 2025 in the Josh Norris deal but then left in free agency last summer. He came back this season in exchange for Max Guenette before heading to free agency again this summer. The Sens can't seem to quit him, so maybe we'll see Gilbert again soon.

So there it is, your list of old faces in new places. Next up, we'll tackle the list of former Senators who signed two-way deals with new organizations this week.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:

Senators Walk Away From Belleville Sniper Who Scored 40 Goals This Season
Are The Senators Planning To Carry Three Goalies On Their Roster?
Former Senators Defenseman Joins Belleville's Coaching Staff
Former Sens Goalie Traded To Rangers As Sens Continue To Pick Up Part Of His Tab

Senators Officially Sign Samuel Ersson As Their Backup Goalie
Meet The Future: Senators Draft Offensive Skill With Two First-Round Picks
At A Glance, Senators' Draft Day Trades Are Head Scratchers
Brady Tkachuk Had a Chance to Write His Own Story. He Chose Matthew's

Beckett Hamilton’s first experience inside the Colorado Avalanche organization offered an early look at the habits, pace, and standards that come with being an NHL prospect.

The jump to the Avalanche system comes after a year where he built momentum in the WHL and added international experience with Team Canada at the U-18 level, giving him a broader look at high-end competition before turning pro.

Hamilton was also the highest-drafted player Colorado selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, taken 74th overall after spending draft day in Buffalo with his parents as his name was called.

“It was a special day I’ll cherish forever with my family,” Hamilton said. “To get picked by this type of team is unbelievable.”

Hamilton said the early stages of his pro path have been about understanding what an NHL environment actually looks like and absorbing as much as possible from it.

“You come into an NHL environment,” Hamilton said. “And you just see how things are run, how they do stuff and how you get treated. So, bring that with me and try to share that back with my team in the WHL and just learn as much as I can from the guys around me.”

As for his identity on the ice, he pointed to a blend of competitiveness and skill, with an emphasis on playing through contact and getting to the net.

“I’m not the biggest guy,” Hamilton said. “But I play bigger than I may seem, and I like to score goals and I like to be around the net.”

That style is part of what the Avalanche saw when they selected him, and what he’s now beginning to refine as he adjusts to the pace and detail of a professional environment.

That connection also included growing up watching Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who is coming off his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and has long been one of Hamilton’s favorites, now serving as a direct example of the standard inside the organization.

Beyond that Avalanche connection, Hamilton also pointed to players he’s tried to model parts of his game after, including Brayden Point and Jonathan Toews, who have combined for five Stanley Cup championships for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hamilton said the opportunity to join Colorado is something he’s eager to build on as he continues his development.

“You see the success they’ve had over the last couple of years and the players they bring in,” Hamilton said. “It’s unreal. And I can’t wait to get started with them.”

One contract doesn’t usually shift a league’s center of gravity — but every so often, it sparks the same question everywhere it lands.

So when the Philadelphia Flyers handed Leo Carlsson a five-year, $90 million deal on Friday, it didn’t take long for that question to surface in Colorado: what does this mean for Cale Makar?

The answer, in short, is nothing. But the conversation says more about how the NHL thinks than the contract itself.

Carlsson’s deal simply reset another layer of the market for young stars, but it doesn’t change the trajectory of what’s already been building toward Makar’s next contract in Colorado.

Makar is currently in the final year of his six-year, $54 million deal that carries a $9 million average annual value. He became eligible for an extension on July 1, and while no agreement has been announced, there is no urgency from either side. The new deal wouldn’t even begin until the 2027–28 season.

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic has consistently expressed confidence that Makar will remain in Colorado long term. The real work now isn’t about if a deal gets done — it’s about timing, structure, and landing on the right number for both sides.

That timing conversation also includes the NHL’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which takes effect on Sept. 16, 2026. One key change reduces maximum contract length from eight years to seven on re-signs, meaning Colorado and Makar would have a short window to qualify for the longer term if they finalize an extension before the new rules kick in.

It adds a layer of urgency to the calendar — but not necessarily to the negotiation itself.

Because once you zoom out from Carlsson’s deal, the real question becomes familiar: how far will the top of the market actually go?

Makar is already a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe winner, and one of the defining defensemen of his generation. In almost any salary structure, he’s the obvious candidate to reset the defense market — and potentially push toward the long-discussed $20 million threshold.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently floated that possibility, suggesting Makar could become the league’s first $20 million player. Others around the league expect the number to land lower, projecting a range between $15 million and $16.5 million depending on term and structure, with some believing $17 million is the realistic ceiling.

On paper, a contract like Carlsson’s only fuels the idea that the next wave of stars will continue pushing the salary cap upward.

But the reality in professional sports is that the highest-paid player doesn’t always define the culture of a franchise — or the priorities of its stars.

Across sports, there are long-standing examples of elite athletes choosing structure, stability, or winning over maximizing every last dollar.

Tom Brady spent much of his career with the New England Patriots on team-friendly deals, repeatedly restructuring contracts to give the franchise flexibility and help sustain a roster capable of winning six Super Bowl championships.

In the NHL, Sidney Crosby has long been the standard for this type of approach, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit for years despite being one of the most dominant players of his era, all while helping the Pittsburgh Penguins capture three Stanley Cups.

The Avalanche already have their own version of that philosophy sitting in the locker room.

Nathan MacKinnon is currently signed through 2031 at a $12.6 million cap hit — a number widely viewed as below-market for a player of his production level. Back in 2019, when he was still on his previous contract, he explained his mindset to Forbes’ Jordan Horrobin:

“We have guys that we wouldn't (otherwise) be able to bring in. On my next deal, I'll take less again. Because I want to win with this group.”

MacKinnon later clarified that his previous contract wasn’t a discount at the time it was signed, but the sentiment has remained consistent: winning has always been the priority.

That mindset has helped define Colorado’s modern era, and it inevitably becomes part of any conversation about Makar’s future.

None of that guarantees a hometown discount — and it shouldn’t be interpreted as one. Makar is too valuable, too important, and too accomplished for that kind of assumption.

But it does complicate the idea that a contract like Carlsson’s automatically resets expectations in Colorado.

Yes, Makar could become the NHL’s first $20 million defenseman. Yes, he will set a new benchmark at his position. And yes, he will be paid among the very top players in the league.

The more important question is where that number lands within the range — and what matters more when the deal is actually signed.

Because if there’s one thing the Avalanche have consistently shown over the last decade, it’s that they’re willing to prioritize long-term contention over short-term money.

And in that equation, Cale Makar’s next contract was never going to be dictated by Leo Carlsson — or anyone else resetting the market.

The Calgary Flames have completed a single trade on the American Independence Day holiday, swapping future Hall of Fame defensemen on July 4, 1994. 

In arguably one of the biggest blockbuster trades of the decade, the Flames dealt former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Al MacInnis to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Phil Housley, who is the highest scoring American-born defender of all-time. 

Here's a deep dive into one of the trades to alter the trajectories of both franchises.

MacInnis Led Calgary to the Stanley Cup in 1989

As the 15th overall pick in the 1981 Draft, MacInnis debuted in the 1981-82 campaign and, by 1983, was an NHL regular. By 1986, he was getting votes for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman, finishing third in 1989 and was runner-up in 1990 and 1991. 

Soon, MacInnis, who had a fierce slap shot that often clocked in at 90 to 100 mph, became a 20-goal scorer and routinely collected over 70 points a year starting in 1986. That was also the same year Calgary reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. He finished as the playoff leader with 15 assists, while collecting 19 points in 21 games and a plus-10 rating, although the Flames lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. 

When the two met again in a rematch in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final, MacInnis led all players with 24 assists and 31 points to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP. 

Two years later, in 1990-91, MacInnis put together his greatest statistical season, with 28 goals, 75 assists, and 103 points, although he finished third in Norris Trophy voting. Immediately following that amazing campaign, he dipped down to 77 points, and in his final season with the Flames, he had 28 goals and 82 points in 74 games. 

In 1994, the Blues signed MacInnis to an offer sheet for an extra million dollars more than the Flames had offered him. Considering Calgary hadn't advanced past the first round since their championship victory, it was time for a change, which led to MacInnis departing the club, where he remains the highest scoring defenseman with 822 points in 803 games.

Housley Quietly Builds Hall of Fame Career

Meanwhile, in Buffalo, Housley was the club's top pick in the 1982 Draft, getting selected sixth overall. He'd debut later that season, and unlike MacInnis, would make an immediate impact, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting, while earning All-Rookie Honors. In his second season, 1983-84, he scored a career-high 31 goals in 75 games. 

Over eight years with the Sabres, Housley collected 558 points in 608 games thanks to 178 goals and 380 assists. He was a top-10 finalist for the Norris Trophy five times. On June 16, 1990, Buffalo acquired future Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Housley, Scott Arniel, and Jeff Parker. Moreover, the two draft picks included in the deal would turn into Keith Tkachuk (Winnipeg) and Brad May (Buffalo).

Housley would play three seasons in Winnipeg, collecting another 64 goals and 259 points in just 232 games. In 1992-93, he recorded a career-high 97 points in 80 games, with a personal best 79 assists. 

Shortly after a great campaign, the Jets traded Housley to the Blues for Nelson Emerson and Stephane Quintal. Unfortunately, his only season in St. Louis was cut short because of a back injury, as he finished with just 22 points in 26 games. When MacInnis signed his offer sheet, Housley came to Calgary.

On Their Way to the Hockey Hall of Fame

From 1994 until he retired in 2004, MacInnis patrolled the blueline in St. Louis, finally winning the Norris Trophy in 1999. In addition, he helped the Blues qualify for the playoffs in nine seasons, just missing the cut in his final year, 2003-04. Despite never skating in the Stanley Cup Final again, MacInnis came close in 1997, losing to the eventual champion, the Detroit Red Wings, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final.

In 613 games, he would score 127 goals and 452 points to finish his legendary career with 1,274 points in 1,416 games. MacInnis played in 12 All-Star Games and named to the NHL's post-season All-Star teams on seven occasions. As a member of the league's 100th Anniversary Team, he would enter the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.

Meanwhile, Housley's path to hockey immortality took many detours. He played a season and a half with the Flames before a deal sent him to the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26, 1996. He stayed there for 22 games before signing with the Washington Capitals and eventually playing in the 1998 Stanley Cup Final, which the Red Wings swept. 

Following that defeat, Housley came back to Calgary as a waiver pickup, where he played from 1998 to 2001 before the Chicago Blackhawks picked him up on waivers. Two years later, they would deal him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he dressed for one regular-season game and three playoff games before retiring. 

When Housley hung up his skates, he was the highest-scoring American-born player of all time with 1,232 points in 1,495 games, thanks to 338 goals and 894 assists. Since his retirement, his totals have been surpassed only by Patrick Kane (1,400), Brett Hull (1,391), and Mike Modano (1,374). 

What About the Draft Picks?

The deal between the Flames and Blues included two draft picks, a second-round pick in 1996 and 1997, which Calgary used to select Steve Begin and John Tripp. As the 40th overall pick, Begin would have a 13-year NHL career, including six with the Flames, who tallied 56 goals and 108 points in 524 games. 

Initially drafted by the Colorado Avalanche at the 1995 Draft, Tripp re-entered the draft, where the Flames took him 42nd overall in 1997. He never dressed for the club; instead, he made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers and later suited up for the Los Angeles Kings. In 43 games, he scored two goals and nine points.

Historical Perspective

It goes without saying that the MacInnis for Housley trade is one of the most memorable trades in both franchises' history. Although Housley didn't have the same impact in Calgary as MacInnis did, it goes without saying that his two stints with the Flames had a significant impact on his path to the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, MacInnis carved out an untouched legacy that led to his jersey retirement in 2006.

After Gavin McKenna admitted that he probably didn't expect to wear his preferred No. 72 in the NHL next season because of the addition of Sergei Bobrovsky, the two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender confirmed on Friday in his introductory media availability. 

Bobrovsky said he and McKenna spoke on Thursday about the number.

"He gave that number to me, we had a little chat," Bobrovsky said. "He's a bright guy. He's got really positive energy. And I'm excited to watch him develop into the big superstar, honestly."

Now that it's confirmed, Bobrovsky will keep the No. 72 that he's worn with the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. 

In the meantime, McKenna can't even use the two fallback options as his number, because No. 27 and No. 9 are both in the rafters. So, what number will McKenna wear for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL next season? Here are three suggestions.

Why Sergei Bobrovsky Thought He’d Stay With Florida Panthers Until A Trade Changed Everything, And How Gavin McKenna Handed Over No. 72The two-time Stanley Cup champion details the sudden trade that altered his future, his excitement to reunite with championship teammates in Toronto, and the respectful phone call with top pick Gavin McKenna that settled his iconic jersey number.

No. 12

There are a couple of reasons why McKenna could wear the No. 12 for the Maple Leafs in the upcoming campaign.

The No. 12 is the closest McKenna can get to wearing No. 72 in terms of the numbers looking similar. 

But the more meaningful reason behind wearing No. 12 is in relation to how the Maple Leafs landed the 2026 first overall pick in the first place.

At the NHL's draft lottery, Toronto had an 8.5 percent chance of winning the first pick. The first three lottery balls were Nos. 7, 2 and 11. And to officially win the NHL draft lottery, out came the ping-pong ball that was labelled with the No. 12. Without that number on the ball, McKenna's life would've played out differently.

The last player on the Maple Leafs to wear this number was Zach Aston-Reese in 2022-23.

From Doom And Gloom To A 'Fortuitous Bounce' As Maple Leafs React To Winning 2026 NHL Draft LotteryA "fortuitous bounce" in Secaucus has transformed Toronto’s outlook, handing the Maple Leafs the first overall pick and a franchise-altering opportunity just days into a new management era.

No. 16

It would certainly generate plenty of reactions from hockey fans, but what if McKenna decided to wear No. 16, previously worn by Mitch Marner? 

Marner wore No. 16 throughout his entire tenure with the Maple Leafs from 2016-17 to 2024-25, scoring 741 points in the process, putting him sixth among all-time leaders in franchise history. He was known for his playmaking and chemistry on the ice, regularly setting up Auston Matthews.

In a sense, McKenna has similarities to Marner in his game, particularly in his ability to see the ice, his vision, and his playmaking. Also, the 18-year-old may get a spot on the top line with Matthews, just like Marner did for a chunk of his career.

It would be a bold choice to wear No. 16, but McKenna has shown he is a confident individual.

Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna Doesn't Expect To Wear No. 72 Next Season Amid Sergei Bobrovsky AcquisitionWith the dilemma of Gavin McKenna and Sergei Bobrovsky both preferring to wear the No. 72 on their jersey, the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2026 first overall pick says the two-time Stanley Cup champion can have it.

No. 86

In the build-up to the NHL draft and even around the time of the 2026 World Junior Championship, McKenna has said that he has modelled his game and shares a similar playing style to Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov. And of course, Kucherov wears No. 86.

Marner is an example of a player choosing a number to match an idol. Though he wore No. 16 with the Leafs, he wore No. 93 with the London Knights, and now for the Vegas Golden Knights because of his hockey hero, Doug Gilmour.

McKenna has also revealed another hockey hero of his to be Patrick Kane, but his famous No. 88 is already taken by William Nylander.

Therefore, it wouldn't be completely out of the ordinary if McKenna went on to choose No. 86. In fact, he'd become the first player to ever wear that number in franchise history.

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Saw this graphic online and figured it would make for a fun summer weekend exercise. What if the Penguins had to face the team that lost the Western Conference final in the years that Pittsburgh made the SCF? How might history have played out if the results of the other conference were flipped? Here are the hypothetical near-miss opponents that failed to advance in reality to the Cup finals each year that Pittsburgh made it.

By 1991 the Oilers were a shell of their dynasty years. They were the defending Stanley Cup champions from 1990 (the one Cup they won post-Wayne Gretzky) but by 1990-91, their leading regular season scorer only had 69 points. That’s a far cry from the team they once were. All of Gretzky, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri were long gone by ‘91, so too was Grant Fuhr out as their top goalie. The Oilers had some remnants of their glory days, this would be Mark Messier’s last season with the Oil and Esa Tikkanen and Glenn Anderson were in the lineup, though far from their primes. The Penguins probably still roll to the Cup at this point, but at least they would have done it against an opponent with a marquee name and the defending champ, instead of beating the Minnesota North Stars and the 27-39-5 regular season record they somehow carried into playoff success.

In 1992, it’s even more amazing that Edmonton was hanging on and making it to the Conference Finals. A potential alt-world Stanley Cup PIT/EDM rematch in ‘92 would have been a lot of fun given that Edmonton was able to reload quite a bit by 1992 to look better than they did in ’91. By this point they were almost completely reshaped with players like Vincent Damphousse, Bernie Nichols, Scott Melanby and Bill Ranford taking over for the departed former Gretzky/Messier/Fuhr core. Edmonton would hardly be confused from the dominant team of Hall of Famers that they were 5-10 years earlier, but it would have made a nice story. On the other side, the Penguins were peaking to 11 straight playoff wins, they still would have absolutely crushed anyone that came out of the other conference so it wouldn’t have mattered on the ice. Out of any alt-world hypothetical, this is the one to (by far) feel the most confidence in what would have happened. No team existing in 1992 was going to stop the Penguins from winning the Cup that year.

Would Sidney Crosby have four Stanley Cups if he had gotten to play against Dallas in 2008 instead of the loaded Detroit team? It sounds like a very real possibility. The Stars had a quality team back in ‘08, but the Pens (who went 12-2 in the East portion of the playoffs and had Marc-Andre Fleury arguably at his absolute most locked in) would have stacked up very well in a potential matchup against the Stars. Dallas, like the Pens, won two playoff games against the Red Wings, though it came after falling in an 0-3 hole for the Stars. Of course, in reality, there’s no reason to suspect Detroit ever would have been losing to Dallas, but if somehow they did, Pittsburgh’s second run of Stanley Cups likely starts one year earlier.

Much like it’s a shame the generation before that we never got a Gretzky/Lemieux Stanley Cup Final, it’s unfortunate that the two best teams of the 2010’s never made the SCF in the same year to see the Crosby/Malkin/Letang/Fleury core battle against Chicago’s group with Kane/Toews/Keith/Crawford. Between PIT/CHI, they won six out of the nine Cups between 2009-17, yet never played each other. There was this near miss in 2009, as well as 2013 when Pittsburgh was eliminated in the ECF and the Blackhawks won the Cup. The 2009 season was Chicago’s playoff breakout in the way that 2008 was for the Pens, the Hawks would have been younger and less experienced for the Stanley Cup moment at that point in history. That could give Pittsburgh the edge in this hypothetical battle, but of all the matchups I think this one could be considered the most up in the air to where Chicago might have made the series result a question. The Blackhawks would go onto make 2010 their version of Pittsburgh’s 2009 by winning the Cup the following season, they were well on their way to future glory. It would have been amazing to see those two young cores compete directly for the Cup, but it wasn’t meant to be since the Red Wings were still giving their last gasps of contention. The Pens probably still had enough talent with their experience boost to beat Chicago but it would have been one heck of a series. (Can’t be too mad since the real ‘09 SCF was one for the history books).

The 2016 Blues team was built around goaltending, tight checking and defense. They may have presented a challenge for the Penguins to punch through and earn a win, but St. Louis didn’t have enough offensive firepower to make the SCF that year and give little reason to believe they would beat the ‘16 Pens in a series. Given the balance and strength of the Pens this year, the result of this alternate reality ends up probably the same as it did in the real world where Pittsburgh eventually overpowers the Western representative that year in somewhat convincing fashion.

A 2017 Pens/Ducks SCF would have been fun. Anaheim had an older core (Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry) complimented by emerging young players (Rickard Rakell, Cam Fowler, Shea Theodore). Overall the Pens would have matched up well against the Ducks, though the way John Gibson was playing might have given them more problems that year than Pekka Rinne did in reality. This would have been a fairly even battle, but at this point the Pens were battle-tested and always managed to find a way to come out on top. It’s not hard to believe they likely would have done the same against the WC runner-up just as they did against the team that defeated Anaheim.

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What matchup would you have liked to seen actually played out? It’s 2009 against Chicago for me, though several of the old Penguin players still talk about the bitterness they received from the outside over a perceived ‘easy path’ in 1991. Seeing them beat even a depleted version of Edmonton (who were defending champs) would have given a lot more street cred than they got, which is a shame since teams can only play whoever it is that they get matched up against. In the widest hypothetical possible, it would have been some of the most legendary hockey of all-time had Gretzky+Messier stayed with the Oilers a little deeper into the 1990’s to compete against Lemieux, but that window ended up not meant to be.

With things picking up on the offer sheet front and in the RFA market in the days following NHL free agency, the Pittsburgh Penguins have some bigger rumors swirling about them.

It may not be a very high-profile RFA move like some want, but they did make an RFA-related signing on Friday.

The Penguins came to terms on a two-year deal with RFA forward Hendrix Lapierre, who was extended a qualifying offer on Jun. 30. The contract is worth $1.3 million annually.

Lapierre, 24, had his RFA rights traded to the Penguins by the Washington Capitals on Jun. 25 for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

Penguins Acquire Forward Hendrix Lapierre From CapitalsIf Pittsburgh Penguins' fans are hoping for GM and POHO Kyle Dubas to be active leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday and Saturday, it appears the first domino may have fallen.

The former first round pick (22nd overall in 2020) never quite fully found his footing in parts of four seasons with Washington, amassing just 13 goals and 47 points in 158 NHL games with the Capitals. The 6-foot, 190-pound center has played in a bottom-six role to start his career, and he joins what currently looks like a crowded forward group.

Already having 14 forwards listed on their NHL roster, the Penguins will have some decisions to make. With rumors about the Penguins being involved in some trade discussions - most notably, pertaining to RFA superstar forward Jason Robertson - going around, it's possible that the number of forwards on their NHL roster will decrease by the time training camp rolls around.

As of Friday, Pittsburgh has yet to sign RFA forwards Egor Chinakhov and the newly acquired Nicholas Robertson, and they also figure to come to terms with RFA goaltender Arturs Silovs. 

Jason Robertson And The Pittsburgh Penguins Might Make More Sense Than You ThinkThe Dallas Stars and Jason Robertson appear to be on the verge of a potential breakup - and the Pittsburgh Penguins may actually make a great deal of sense as trade partners.

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The writing had been on the wall for Mads Sogaard for a while now.

After seven years in the Senators organization, the 25-year-old goaltender officially left the club on Wednesday, signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With so many big NHL headlines flying around on July 1st, Sogaard's exit flew under the radar a little, but his departure wasn't exactly a surprise.

Over the past two weeks, the Senators acquired Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs and then committed to restricted free agent Leevi Merilainen on a one-year contract extension.

With Linus Ullmark entrenched as the starter, there simply wasn't a path forward for Sogaard in Ottawa, nor had he earned one. The Sens also have to start getting better looks at goalies like Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler.

The Great Dane's exit marks the end of another goalie graveyard story in Ottawa.

The Senators believed enough in Sogaard back in 2019 that they traded up to select him 37th overall in the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-7, he immediately became one of the most intriguing goaltending prospects in hockey. You can't teach size, as they say, and combined with his .921 save percentage in his draft year with Medicine Hat (WHL) he was hard to resist.

Among goalies, Sogaard went second overall in that draft behind only Spencer Knight.

There was always a sense that if everything came together, Ottawa might have found its goalie of the future. But injuries became the ongoing theme. Every time Sogaard appeared ready to build some momentum, another setback seemed to interrupt his progress.

In his six years as a pro, thanks to injuries, Sogaard has only appeared in 162 professional games. 

Last season was another difficult one. Sogaard played 27 games for Belleville, posting a 7-13-4 record with a 3.69 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage. He also made two appearances with Ottawa.

One of those games turned out to be one of the best performances of his NHL career.

On January 25, Sogaard stopped 20 of 21 shots in a stunning 7-1 victory over the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Vegas Golden Knights. Afterward, he spoke emotionally about everything it had taken just to get back to the NHL after another injury setback. It felt like a breakthrough moment, and perhaps the beginning of another opportunity.

Instead, it proved to be one final NHL highlight before the Senators moved in a different direction.

Sogaard became a Group 6 unrestricted free agent, and Tampa Bay will now see if there's still an NHL goalie in there waiting to emerge. 

Søgaard remains tied for the distinction of being the tallest goaltender ever to appear in an NHL game at 6-foot-7, sharing the record with, among others, former Lightning star Ben Bishop. Tampa also acquired Bishop from Ottawa in 2013, and he went on to have four outstanding seasons.

Tampa would love to see Lightning strike twice.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:

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The Flyers are making a bold swing for one of the best young players in hockey. 

Philadelphia announced Friday that it tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Ducks center Leo Carlsson, putting Anaheim on the clock and risking four first-round picks in the process.

The offer carries an $18 million average annual value, which would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL, topping Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV and even the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million mark he’s set to make next season.

But the draft-pick compensation may be the bigger part of the gamble.

If Anaheim declines to match, the Flyers would land a star center yet to enter the prime of his career — but only after surrendering their first-round picks in each of the next four drafts. 

If the Ducks match, Philadelphia will have at least forced Anaheim into a massive contract for its 21-year-old franchise cornerstone.

The Ducks have seven days to decide whether to match the Flyers’ offer or accept the picks.

Ducks reporter Zach Cavanagh wrote that “four other teams” gave an offer sheet to Carlsson and added that Anaheim isn’t expecting to make a decision Friday. 

It’s a stunning move for Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, who is attempting to accelerate Philadelphia’s timeline.

The Flyers made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 last season, the first under head coach Rick Tocchet, before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes in the second round. 

Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has 141 points in 201 career games, including 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 regular-season games last season. 

He also added 11 points in 12 playoff games during Anaheim’s postseason run.