Category: NHL

It was only a matter of time. After the Ducks freed up $6.5 million in cap space by terminating Chris Kreider's contract last week, it was clear was that general manager Pat Verbeek's contract negotiations with Cutter Gauthier's camp were close to reaching a conclusion.

On Tuesday evening, the Ducks announced that they had signed Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract extension. This makes him the second-highest paid player on the team behind Leo Carlsson's $18 million AAV. The extension also buys one year of unrestricted free agency.

Getting Gauthier signed before the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which kicks in on Sept. 16, allowed the Ducks to front-load his contract with signing bonuses that would not been possible to structure under the new labor deal. Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, about $69.5 million of the $81 million is comprised of signing bonuses. Gauthier’s camp reportedly declined an offer of four years at a $13 million AAV last month.

“We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time,” Verbeek said in a club statement. “He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player.”

“This is a very exciting day for my family and me,” Gauthier said in the same club statement. “I’m so pleased to be able to sign long term with the Ducks and be part of what I believe is a great future.” 

Carlsson’s big-money offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers, along with Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Cale Makar’s monster contract extensions, have changed the financial landscape for players like Gauthier. Even “smaller” deals like that of the Ducks’ Pavel Mintyukov or the Boston Bruins’ Fraser Minten, in combination with the continued rising of the salary cap, have put the ball in the players’ court when it comes to collecting larger salaries moving forward.

With Gauthier signed, the Ducks have now completed the biggest tasks on their offseason checklist. Their minimal amount of cap space remains a concern, but they'll find some short-term relief by placing Troy Terry (out 2-3 months after hip surgery) on LTIR. A shortened training camp and preseason leaves little time for major preparations, but the Ducks' season opener is also fortunately later than most of the league. A strong start to the season, much like last year, could help give them some cushion as they vie for a second consecutive playoff appearance.

---

Related articles:

Three Biggest Storylines Heading into Anaheim Ducks Rookie Camp

2026-27 Anaheim Ducks Top Prospects: 1-5

Joel Quenneville's Future with the Anaheim Ducks, Enters 2026-27 Season on Expiring Contract

With the American Hockey League season set to commence in a few weeks' time, former San Jose Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau has signed with the Rochester Americans on an AHL-level contract.

Bordeleau left the Sharks organization after requesting a trade. At the time, he told THN's Kristy Flannery that "I definitely enjoyed my time in San Jose, but it was time for a fresh start for me." That fresh start came after he was unable to break into the Sharks' lineup for multiple seasons. 

EXCLUSIVE: Thomas Bordeleau Reflects On Trade To Devils & Reuniting With Michigan Teammates As the temperature drops and an autumn color palette of leaves blankets the ground, Thomas Bordeleau's days have become regimented in upstate New York with hockey at the top of mind.

After half a season with the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, Bordeleau was traded to the St. Louis Blues organization and was sent to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. He never appeared in an NHL game during the 2025-26 season and became an unrestricted free agent when the Blues opted to not issue a qualifying offer to him.

At 24 years of age, it seems unlikely that Bordeleau will break into the NHL anytime soon, as he was unable to secure a two-way contract for this season. A strong performance at the AHL level could catch the attention of the Americans' affiliate, the Buffalo Sabres, but it'll take quite a bit for that to happen.

The Chicago Blackhawks were defeated by the St. Louis Blues 3-1 in their first of two matchups in the 2026 Prospect Showcase. The consensus from the team after the game was that the Hawks played with a good effort, but some sloppiness and penalty trouble sank them. 

Game 2 took place one day later at USG Arena. The Blackhawks started Adam Gajan in net for the second game in a row as they looked to split the event with the Blues. Once again, Taige Harding wore the C as the captain. Jake Furlong kept his A from the night before, but Martin Misiak had the other in place of the missing Paul Ludwinski. 

In the first period, the Blackhawks got off to a much better start. They outshot the Blues 10-3, and one of them went in courtesy of AJ Spellacy. 

found the back of the net like he cast a spell 🪄 https://t.co/C34uK0oXgfpic.twitter.com/xjYRTupDNQ

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 15, 2026

The Blackhawks carried that 1-0 lead into the second period, but it didn't last long. With 17:22 remaining in the second period, a shot floated through traffic and found the back of the net to tie the game at 1. Just over a minute later, however, Parker Holmes restored the lead for Chicago with a snipe off a turnover. 

There have been many fights during this event. In this game, Taige Harding was part of one. This is notable because he left the penalty box with an apparent hand injury at the next whistle. On the next shift, Martin Misiak scored his second goal in as many days to make it 3-1 Blackhawks. 

Taige Harding: not afraid to scrap pic.twitter.com/gJwA2Vch2W

— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) September 15, 2026

With just over two minutes remaining in the middle frame, AJ Spellacy scored his second of the game to finish off a nice tic-tac-toe goal. The Blackhawks held a 4-1 lead going into the second intermission. 

Tic tac goal - AJ Spellacy

Blackhawks lead 4-1 pic.twitter.com/JR8Dj8tRwj

— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) September 15, 2026

In the third period, Taige Harding was back on the ice and looked no worse for wear. For him, that's important as he wants to make an impact early and often with the Rockford IceHogs. 

The third period had a little bit of everything. Each team took a penalty; there were more fights, and both sides had their fair share of chances. 

The first goal of the final frame came off the stick of Jakub Stancl, who scored his second of the Prospect Challenge. This one came as a shorthanded goal to get the Blues back within 2. The Blackhawks responded with an empty-net goal, courtesy of Martin Misiak. 

That 5-2 score stood as the final. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues to end the Prospect Showcase 1-1. That is all for this particular group of prospects, but they are now all headed to different training camps to prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season. 

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

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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

Buckle up, hockey fans.

Things are about to kick into high gear around the Florida Panthers, and the fun all starts on Wednesday.

That’s when the Panthers will hold their annual media day at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, with players doing interviews and filming different scenes and promos throughout the building.

Florida General Manager Bill Zito is expected to address the media, along with several Panthers players.

They will also take part in introductory meetings and medical testing, all in anticipation of hitting the ice for their first official training camp practice.

This year, the Panthers are brining a roster of 51 players to Training Camp, and the full roster can be found by clicking here. 

The roster consists of 30 forwards, 16 defensemen and five goaltenders. 

Of those players, the only surprise, and only player not under contract, is veteran forward Nathan Bastian, who will be on a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO). 

That will come the following morning, on Thursday, as Florida will look to hit the ground running for their less-than-two-week camp.

Training Camp practices on Friday and Saturday will be open to the public and free to attend, with sessions taking place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on both days. 

Saturday will also be when the Panthers host their annual Training Camp Fan Fest at the IcePlex, which will begin at 10 a.m. 

More information about Fan Fest can be found by clicking here. 

The Cats will only have a few days of work both on the off the ice before they start a quick-hitting preseason in which they play four games in seven days in three different cities.

Florida will start the preseason fun on Sunday night at Amerant Bank Arena when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m.

Nine days later, and three days after their final preseason game, Florida will again face the Hurricanes, but this time it’ll be in Raleigh for the first official game of the NHL season, a night where Carolina will raise their second Stanley Cup banner to the rafters at Lenovo Center.

So yeah, while it may have been pretty quiet around these parts for an extended offseason, get ready for Panthers hockey to start coming fast and furious.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Florida Panthers Hire Eric Clouse As Chief Commercial Officer

Three Intriguing Storylines To Follow During Florida Panthers' Training Camp

Florida Panthers Set Up With Great Opportunity To Become NHL's Next Dynasty

Three Players The Florida Panthers Risk Losing Through NHL Waivers 

Brady Tkachuk Says Joining Panthers Was About Much More Than Just Playing With Brother Matthew

Former Florida Panthers Head Athletic Trainer Will Be Inducted Into The 2026 USA Hockey Hall Of Fame 

Sasha Barkov 'Really Excited' Heading Into Panthers Training Camp, Speaks On Recovery From Knee Surgery

Photo caption: Feb 27, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing MatthewTkachuk(19)celebrates after scoring against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

On Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets announced their training camp roster and schedule. The Jets have invited 51 players to camp, which will run from Thursday, September 17th to the 25th and take place at Hockey For All Centre.

Among the notable names looking to make the main roster is recent eighth overall pick Viggo Björck, who is coming off a strong season with Djurgårdens IF in the SHL, where he posted 15 points in 42 games before adding three more in the playoffs.

Connor Hellebuyck is also listed on the roster, though some are questioning whether he'll actually attend given the offseason drama surrounding his trade request from the team. TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Tuesday's episode of Insider Trading that he doesn't believe Hellebuyck will report to training camp and that his absence will cause the Jets to respond Dreger said on either Wednesday or Thursday.

Goaltenders

The goaltending group includes six names, headlined by Hellebuyck, who posted a 23-23-11 record with an .895 save percentage and a 2.86 goals against average across 57 games last season. 

Thomas Milic, who split time between Winnipeg and Manitoba, is also on the list after finishing 20-13-6 with a .905 save percentage in 41 AHL games, along with a rough three game stint at the NHL level. 

Stuart Skinner, who is expected to be the Jets starter this season after splitting last season between Pittsburgh and Edmonton. The netminders rounding out the group include Isaac Poulter and Alex Worthington, both out of the ECHL and AHL ranks, round out the group, along with Domenic DiVincentiis, who impressed in the AHL postseason with a .955 save percentage over five playoff games.

Defense

On the back end, 18 defensemen are in camp, led by veterans Josh Morrissey, who posted 55 points last season, and Dylan DeMelo, along with Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg. 

Also in the mix are a handful of prospects looking to push for a roster spot, including Elias Salomonsson, who split time between Winnipeg and Manitoba, Henry Thrun, who joins the organization after helping the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup title, and Alfons Freij, who spent most of last season overseas before finishing the year with the Moose.

Forwards

The forward group is the largest, with 27 names on the list. Mark Scheifele, coming off a 103 point season, headlines the group along with leading goal scorer Kyle Connor, who potted 39 goals and 92 points, and Gabriel Vilardi, who posted 69 points of his own. 

Also in camp is Björck, along with fellow prospects Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow and Kevin He, all looking to carve out roles at the NHL level after strong showings in the AHL and junior ranks last season.

With training camp opening later this week, all eyes will be on whether Hellebuyck reports as scheduled, or whether the goaltender's trade situation forces the Jets to make a decision before puck drop on the regular season.

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.

With hockey just around the corner, the NHL has officially released the rulebook for the 2026-27 season. 

While there weren't many changes, there was one that will be noticeable right off the bat for fans attending games. Players, both skaters and goaltenders, joining the league will now be required to wear neck protection moving forward. 

Section 3, Rule 9.8 of the 2026-27 NHL rulebook states: "Beginning in the 2026-2027 season, players (including goalkeepers) who have zero games of NHL experience must wear cut resistant protection on the neck area with a minimum cut level protections score of A5, in accordance with the ANSI/ISEA standard.

Neck protection must be used in the manner it was intended. No modifications such as rolling, taping, cutting, etc., will be permitted. Neck protection must be worn in all games including during pre-game warm-up."

As a result, players like Ivar Stenberg will be required to wear a neck-guard when they take the ice for the San Jose Sharks this coming season. Rather than listing who will be required to wear neck protection, it'll likely be easier to name who won't be. There are a number of prospects who will be grandfathered into this rule, as they've already made their NHL debut. Of course, any player on the NHL roster last season will also be unaffected. 

Exempt Prospects (NHL Games Played)

Cam Lund (11) 

Igor Chernyshov (28)

Ethan Cardwell (13)

Luca Cagnoni (9)

Nolan Allan (43)

Any other prospect, including the likes of Filip Bystedt and Quentin Musty, will be required to wear neck protection when playing at the NHL level moving forward.

The Winnipeg Jets' prospect pool doesn't get much respect around the league, often ranked toward the bottom when it comes to organizational depth. 

That knock has always felt a little unfair given how many young players are already contributing at the NHL level, with Cole Perfetti, Brad Lambert and incoming eighth overall pick Viggo Björck all projected to play key roles this season while still 24 or younger.

But the cupboard isn't as bare as the reputation suggests. Beneath that group of established or soon to be established names, the Jets have a handful of prospects who could realistically force their way onto the roster before the season is over. Here's a look at three names worth watching once training camp gets underway.

Brayden Yager

Yager, also 21, may not be quite as ready to make the jump, but he's making his own case. After playing his first full professional season with Manitoba, he produced 30 points in 68 games and closed things out strong with four points over seven playoff games. Some believe that next step is now Winnipeg.

He did get a brief look at the NHL level late in the season, appearing in three games with the Jets. He didn't record a point, but the taste of the top level, combined with an offseason of development, makes him a real candidate to push for a roster spot.

Elias Salomonsson

The 21-year-old Swedish defender was a regular presence for the Jets over a portion of last season, but with the addition of Jack St. Ivany on the right side of the defense, along with Haydn Fleury also capable of playing that side, it's not yet clear whether there's a spot for him on this roster.

The former second round pick from 2022 has finally grown into a defenseman ready to play at the NHL level, and last season he finally got the chance to show it, appearing in 32 games and recording a goal and four assists for five points with a minus six rating.

Salomonsson also spent 29 games with the Manitoba Moose at the AHL level, picking up a goal and eight assists for nine points and a minus two rating. After returning from a concussion to help fuel the Moose's playoff push, Salomonsson appeared in two games before sliding hard into the boards on a routine neutral zone hit, an injury that ultimately required shoulder surgery and closed out his season.

Thomas Milic

With the trade saga surrounding Connor Hellebuyck, if the Jets do not trade the three time Vezina Trophy winner and he sits out or if they deal Hellebuyck and don't get a goaltender in return, Milic should step into the Jets' backup role. 

The 23-year-old BC native had a tough start to his NHL career, allowing eight goals and recording an .871 save percentage over three appearances with the Jets. When back in the AHL, Milic rebounded in a major way. 

After a tough previous season in which he posted a losing record of 5-12-4 with a 3.44 goals against average and an .877 save percentage, he was much better this past season, finishing with a 20-13-8 record, a 2.64 goals against average and a .905 save percentage in 41 games. Milic took a clear step forward last season, and if he takes another one after this offseason, he could find himself playing a meaningful role up with the Jets this year.

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.

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

The Detroit Red Wings closed out the 2026 NHL Prospects Tournament on a winning note, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in comeback fashion by a 3-2 final score in overtime. 

Forward Justice Christensen, who signed with the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins after playing the last four years with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, scored twice, including the overtime game-winning tally. 

OT-winner to end the tournament🙌 pic.twitter.com/Y3fdnfSKz6

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2026

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

The scoring was opened Columbus in the second period after a disputed tally from Josh Eernisse; while the Red Wings argued that goaltender Trey Augustine was interfered with, the tally stood. 

Christensen scored his first of two goals on the afternoon not long afterwards, firing a slap shot past Blue Jackets goaltender Nolan Lalonde from the top of the faceoff circle while on the power-play. 

Red Wings Interim Shawn Horcoff Has Several Key Tasks Ahead Of Him The Detroit Red Wings have named Shawn Horcoff their interim general manager with Training Camp less than 48 hours away.

Columbus restored their one goal lead thanks to Jordan Dumais. However, with Augustine on the bench, Noah Dower Nilsson cleaned up a rebound in front of the net and deposited a backhander past Lalonde, knotting the score at 2-2. 

In overtime, it was Christensen converting on a give-and-go rush with Sutter Muzzatti for the game-winning tally. 

JUICE OT W🚨 leads the rush great pass from Muzzatti on the give and go and Christensen buries#LGRWpic.twitter.com/3Bp2IZA4oP

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 15, 2026

Lalonde finished with 29 saves on 32 shots, while Augustine won his second straight game by turning aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced. 

The Red Wings, who recently named Shawn Horcoff their interim general manager, are scheduled to open Training Camp for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign on Thursday. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

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.

Artemi Panarin has played in 830 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings. In those 830 games, Artemi Panarin has registered 330 career goals and tallied 624 assists for a career point total of 954, meaning that Artemi Panarin is only 46 points away from 1000. 

Artemi Panarin's Career

With Artemi Panarin being on 4 different teams since coming into the NHL, those 4 different teams have played a different part in Panarin's career. In Chicago, Panarin played from 2015 to 2017, logging 162 games, scoring 61 goals, and registering 90 assists for 151 points with the Blackhawks. 

Artemi Panarin joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017 and played for them until 2019. In Columbus, Panarin played in 160 games, scoring 55 goals and tallying 114 assists for 169 points. After his time in Columbus, Panarin joined the New York Rangers. 

In New York, Panarin spent 7 seasons with the Rangers before being traded in February of 2026. During his time with the Rangers, Panarin played in 482 games, scoring 205 goals and registering 402 assists for 607 points. 

With the Los Angeles Kings, Panarin has played in only 26 games, scoring 9 times and registering 18 assists for 27 points. So, looking ahead to the 2026-27 NHL season, it will be Panarin's first full season as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, and with Artemi Panarin being only 46 points away, this milestone will likely be hit, as Panarin's career-low point total is 58 points during the 2020-21 NHL season. 

As of September 2026, only 103 NHL players have reached 1,000 career points, and only 4 of them were members of the Los Angeles Kings. Artemi Panarin has a chance to make history and become one of the few NHL players to reach 1000 career points. 

With the 2026 Prospect Tournament officially concluded, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced a collection of roster moves Tuesday in preparation for the fast-approaching NHL training camp.

The Penguins re-assigned forwards Jordan Charron, Travis Hayes, and Pierce Mbuyi, defensemen Benett Kelly and Peyton Kettles, and goaltenders Carter Casey and Xavier Wendt to their respective junior teams. Charron, Hayes, Mbuyi, and Kettles have all been drafted by the Penguins, while the others were formal invitees to the Prospect Tournament.

NHL training camp begins Sept. 17, which is officially only two days away. The Penguins have yet to announce a full training camp roster.

Charron and Mbuyi, in particular, showed out well in the three-game Prospect Tournament, which concluded Tuesday with a 3-1 loss against the Dallas Stars. Mbuyi, a third-round pick (86th overall) in 2026, scored the game-winning shootout goal in Game 1 to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets on a snipe from the slot. Charron showed his forechecking prowess as well as a nasty streak, and he notched the game-winner in Game 2 on a fluke own-goal by the Detroit Red Wings.

With a large number of prospects legitimately in the mix this time around for roster spots, the training camp roster figures to be quite substantial. Things should be even more interesting this year, too, as there are only three camp practices ahead of four pre-season games in one week with the NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) - set to take effect Sept. 16 - shortening the length of NHL training camps.

A full camp roster is expected soon, so stay in the loop by joining the Penguins' Roundtable Community to get the latest news and up-to-date information surrounding the club.

Penguins' Prospect Tournament: 3 Standouts From Game 3The Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects fell to the Dallas Stars' prospects 3-1 on Tuesday.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Buffalo Sabres prospects were on display this weekend at the club’s two-game Prospect Showcase against the Boston Bruins, but with nearly half of their roster free agent invitees. The Sabres were outgunned by the Bruins prospects, who were led by 2025 seventh overall pick James Hagens, but the Sabres most prominent  performers were recent draftees. 

In the 6-2 loss on Sunday, the scoring stars were 2026 sixth-rounder Dylan Dumont and fifth-rounder Doman Szongoth. Dumont had a goal and assisted on Szongoth’s second-period power play goal. In the 4-3 overtime loss on Monday, Buffalo’s defensive prospects contributed, as 2023 draftees Maxim Strbak and Gavin McCarthy tallied, as well as Liam Valente.

Other Sabres Stories

Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

Valente is an intriguing prospect who signed a one-year AHL deal after his senior season at Western Michigan where he led the club with 20 goals. The 23-year-old scored his first professional goal with the Amerks at the end of last season and could be depended upon to fill some of the scoring gap with the Sabres affiliate, who will not have leading scorer Konsta Helenius, center Noah Ostlund, and ex-Sabres Lsak Rosen, or contributors Anton Wahlberg and Zac Jones. 

On Tuesday, the club announced that four players: Szongoth, Dumont, defenseman David Bedkowski, and goalie Samuel Meloche, were being sent back to their CHL clubs. Szongoth played at the junior level in Finland last season and internationally for Hungary, and will play for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. Dumont (Drummondville) and Meloche (Saint John) return to their QMJHL clubs, while Bedkowski will return to the Ottawa 67’s to play in his fifth OHL season.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

The Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects fell just short in their bid to win this year's Prospect Tournament on Tuesday. 

They played the Dallas Stars' prospects with everything on the line, but lost 3-1. Liam Ruck scored the Penguins' lone goal in the first period off a great feed from his twin brother, Markus Ruck. 

CAUSING A RUCKUS IN DETROIT‼️ pic.twitter.com/gM1kAgBK3A

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 15, 2026

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to take from this game, especially since the Penguins had several quality chances from numerous players. 

However, there were a few players who stood out above the rest. Here are three standouts from Game 3:

The Ruck Twins

Liam and Markus Ruck were everywhere in this game and generated scoring chances each time they were on the ice. The first goal was a thing of beauty: Mikhail Ilyin won a battle behind the net, got the puck to Markus, who knew exactly where Liam would be. Liam immediately fired the puck home to break the ice.

It was almost telepathic, but that shouldn't surprise anyone since the two brothers have played together their entire lives. 

There was a play later in the game when Markus found Liam wide open at the side of the net, but the latter couldn't finish the chance. He shot the puck through the goalmouth, and it went wide. 

It was a nice end to the tournament for the twin brothers, who will likely come to training camp for a little bit before returning to the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers. 

Jordan Charron

Charron was credited with the game-winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings' prospects on Sunday (even though it was an own goal), and almost scored again on Tuesday. 

He had some great chances from the slot, but the Stars' goaltender saved them, and he played a fantastic game. There was another sequence where Charron beat the goalie, but the shot rang off the post. 

He improved as the tournament went on, so we'll see whether he can carry that momentum into the 2026-27 season with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds. 

Father Of Penguins' Top Prospect Named Red Wings' Interim General ManagerThe Red Wings delay their search for a new permanent general manager with an interim move on Tuesday.

Matvei Nikonovich

We got our first glimpse of the Penguins' 2026 fifth-round pick on Tuesday, and he didn't disappoint. The 18-year-old goaltender kept the Penguins in the game with several key saves.

One save that really stood out was when he faced a third-period breakaway and calmly stayed with the shooter to deny him.

His agility was good, as was his ability to come out and challenge shooters. He also played the puck well behind the net when he had to. 

Nikonovich is set to play for the OHL's Barrie Colts this season after they selected him in the CHL Import Draft. It's a solid place for him to continue developing. 

Penguins' training camp officially opens at 8:45 a.m. ET on Thursday. All practices inside the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex are free and open to the public. 

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

It's been noted on multiple occasions that the St. Louis Blues have real interest in acquiring defenseman Alexander Nikishin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Their moves this off-season indicate they are looking for proven NHL talent in their early to mid-twenties, and Nikishin fits the bill. The Blues want to improve their current roster and keep competitive without hemorrhaging their future.

Nikishin is an ideal fit, and many analysts believe St. Louis is the perfect location for him.

But no progress has been made since the rumors began circulating in July. Nikishin hasn't been dealt yet, and the Hurricanes haven't offered the current restricted free agent a deal. Nikishin is also not offer-sheet eligible, which is why no team has tried to acquire him through an offer sheet. 

But recently, TSN's and The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun revealed that Nikishin has formally requested a trade from the Hurricanes, citing that he wants a change of scenery. At first glance, it's peculiar to see a player request a trade after just one season with a team, but a deeper look shows it makes sense. 

With the depth the Hurricanes possess on the left side of their blueline, Nikishin is slated to skate on the third pairing despite being far better than a bottom-pairing defenseman. He is also second in the pecking order to run the power play, as those duties have been given to Shayne Gostisbehere.

Could The St. Louis Blues Target Bruins' Mason Lohrei If Their Alexander Nikishin Pursuit Falters?The St. Louis Blues remain interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, but could they pivot to Boston Bruins' Mason Lohrei if they are unable to complete a deal?

With those elements adding up, and the sheer fact that Nikishin's numbers and overall play suggest he is more than worthy of a top-four role, it makes sense why Nikishin does not want to sign long-term in Carolina, and why Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky doesn't want to pay a premium for a defenseman who will play on the bottom pairing.

The Blues, meanwhile, have the perfect opening for Nikishin. Philip Broberg is the Blues' top pairing No. 1 defenseman, but Nikishin could slot into the second pairing, play big minutes, and quarterback the top power-play unit. Besides Logan Mailloux, no Blues player is really equipped to run a power-play unit.

Acquiring Nikishin would also help the Blues integrate their defensive prospects patiently. Although Theo Lindstein has shown he can be an NHL-level player, another season in the AHL could help him continue developing. He can improve his game and then step into the lineup when Cam Fowler's contract expires. It would also give Adam Jiricek time to develop in the AHL and be prepared to slot in alongside Nikishin when he is NHL-ready. 

Blues Remain Interested In Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin; Plenty Of Complications ExistThe St. Louis Blues remain interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, but plenty of complications exist in their pursuit.

With his 6-foot-3 frame, Nikishin brings everything the Blues want in a blueliner. Although trade talks have stalled, publicizing Nikishin's trade request could help the Blues. The season begins in just two weeks, and neither Nikishin nor the Hurricanes want this to linger into the NHL season. 

The Blues hold some leverage in trade discussions, but they aren't the only team interested. The Nashville Predators have reportedly entered the race, and the Winnipeg Jets have had known interest in acquiring the Russian defender. 

The price might be a bit steep to acquire and pay him, but he will bring results now and in the future.

---

See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. 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.