Long-standing Philadelphia Flyers trade target Bowen Byram isn't leaving the Buffalo Sabres just yet.

On Monday, it was announced that Byram, 24, signed a two-year, $12.5 million ($6.5 million AAV) contract extension with the Sabres, keeping him in Buffalo for two more seasons and quelling any trade talks... for now.

The former No. 4 overall pick has long said to be a coveted trade target of the Flyers, even as recently as this offseason, but the price has still proven to be too steep on a player who would effectively be a reclamation project with an extensive injury history a la Jamie Drysdale.

It was previously reported that the Flyers were interested in both Byram and J.J. Peterka, but the latter was dealt to the Utah Mammoth and the former has now elected to stay put.

With his new deal, it is expected Byram will get a chance to prove himself and carry his own defensive pairing in a top-four role.

NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Could Hijack Canucks Trade for Bowen ByramIt's a poorly-kept secret that the Philadelphia Flyers like Bowen Byram, but so do the Vancouver Canucks, who are raring to strike a trade for him first.

The offensive upside is there; the 24-year-old, known for his skating and puck skills, produced 38 points last season while playing in all 82 regular season games for the first time in his career.

When the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, Byram produced nine points in 20 games despite failing to score a goal on 44 shots on goal. With a bit of shooting luck, you're looking at 0.75 points per game in that playoff run or better.

It should be noted that this new contract probably won't take Byram off the Flyers' radar any time soon.

Having only received a two-year deal, Byram will burn both of his last remaining RFA years and walk straight into unrestricted free agency in 2027 - the year the Flyers have the potential to do the most damage on the market, with Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan Ellis each seeing their contracts expire.

Byram also doesn't have any trade protection in his contract, so if the Sabres want to avoid losing him for free and/or Byram fails to come into his own, a team like the Flyers can swoop in and provide an asset or two and take their own chance on the talented rearguard.

Until then, though, we can't put the cart before the horse. Byram is remaining a Sabres player... for now.

It has been an excellent off-season for the Montreal Canadiens, as they notably brought in star defenseman Noah Dobson and young forward Zack Bolduc in two separate trades. Yet, they might not be done yet, as there has been plenty of talk about the Canadiens wanting to find an upgrade for their second-line center spot. 

Now, the Canadiens are being connected to a very notable center - Nazem Kadri. 

In his latest Off-Season Trade Board for Sportsnet, NHL insider Nick Kypreos reported that the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are linked to Kadri and that the veteran center "appears to be willing" to waive his no-movement clause to join either club. 

Kypreos writes: 

"Two teams that Kadri continues to be linked to and appear to be willing to lift his no-move clause for are the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs."

If the Canadiens were to bring in Kadri, he would certainly give them a major boost at the center position. The 34-year-old forward is coming off another strong season with the Flames, as he scored a career-high 35 goals and recorded 67 points in 82 games. This was after he had 29 goals and 75 points in 82 games with the Flames during the 2023-24 campaign. 

Besides still being an impactful top-six forward at this stage of his career, Kadri would also provide value for the Canadiens because of his experience. He could be a good mentor for the Canadiens' young players as they look to continue to head in the right direction. This is especially so when noting that he has won the Stanley Cup before.

Kadri would also be a long-term investment for the Canadiens if acquired, as he has a $7 million cap hit until the completion of the 2028-29 season. Thus, there would be some risk in acquiring Kadri, as he will be 38 years old once his deal expires. However, with Kadri still being a star at this point in his career, it could very well be a gamble worth taking for a Canadiens team on the rise.

However, with Kadri previously playing for the Maple Leafs, it would also be understandable if he is open to returning to Toronto. The 2009 seventh-overall pick spent the first 10 years of his career as a Maple Leaf, posting 161 goals and 357 points in 561 games. With this, it would certainly take some time to get used to seeing Kadri on the Canadiens if they acquired him. 

Ex-Canadiens Goalie Signed NHL's Most Unique Off-Season DealHeading into July 1, former Montreal Canadien Jake Allen was the clear top pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) goalie who could hit the market. Due to this, there was expected to be a ton of interest in the 34-year-old, and he was in a position to land a high average annual value (AAV) had he tested the market.

Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Despite the offseason departure of Dan Vladar to the Philadelphia Flyers and a few lingering questions heading into training camp, the Calgary Flames appear confident in their goaltending situation for the 2025-26 season.

That confidence begins — and largely rests — with sophomore sensation Dustin Wolf.

Dustin Wolf: The Reign Begins

Coming off a stellar rookie season, Wolf is poised to take full control of the Flames’ crease.

The 24-year-old from Gilroy, California, delivered an eye-opening debut in 2024-25, going 29-16-8 with a 2.64 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts. His 29 wins led all NHL rookies and came within one victory of tying Mike Vernon’s Flames franchise record for wins by a rookie netminder.

Wolf’s resume continues to grow at a rapid pace. He finished second in Calder Trophy voting, received consideration for both the Vezina and Hart trophies, and became the first Flames goalie ever named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

But it’s not just the stats that set Wolf apart. He’s mentally unflappable — cool, calm, and fiercely committed to his craft. A two-time winner of the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Award as the AHL’s top goaltender and the 2023 AHL MVP, Wolf has already proven he thrives under pressure. With another step forward, don’t be surprised if his name enters the Vezina conversation this season.

Ivan Prosvetov: An X-Factor with Upside

Newly signed Ivan Prosvetov brings international experience and intriguing upside to the fold.

The 26-year-old netminder inked a one-year, $950,000 deal with Calgary on July 1 after a strong season with CSKA Moscow in the KHL, where he posted a 20-16-2 record, a 2.32 GAA, a .920 Sv%, and four shutouts.

Originally drafted 144th overall by Arizona in 2018, Prosvetov has bounced between the NHL and AHL, logging eight wins in 24 NHL appearances and most recently spending time in the Colorado Avalanche system.

He’s athletic, aggressive, and now entering his prime. If he can find consistency, Prosvetov could emerge as a reliable backup or even push for starts behind Wolf.

Devin Cooley: Steady, Ready, and Waiting

Devin Cooley (Los Gatos, CA) adds more California flair to the Flames’ crease and could quietly earn an opportunity to contribute this season.

With Vladar gone and Wolf entrenched as the starter, the 6-foot-5, 198-pound Cooley finds himself in position to compete for the backup role. He spent last season with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, appearing in 46 games and posting a 21-17-5 record, 2.94 GAA, .905 Sv%, and three shutouts. His performance earned him his first AHL All-Star selection.

Cooley also appeared in six NHL games for the San Jose Sharks in 2023-24, picking up two wins in limited action. While his NHL experience is brief, he brings poise and reliability, and he could step in capably if called upon.

Between the breakout potential of Wolf, the KHL-tested steadiness of Prosvetov, and the readiness of Cooley, there’s plenty to be optimistic about in Calgary’s crease this season.

© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate, have re-signed veteran defenseman Gustav Olofsson to a two-year AHL contract. 

The 30-year-old is returning for his fourth season with the franchise, previously skating in 122 games while notching five goals and 35 points. 

“We are pleased to bring Gustav back on a two-year contract,” said Troy Bodie, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. “Gustav is a hard-working player and a leader in our locker room. He has ingrained himself in the community, and we are happy to have him on our backend.”

The 30-year-old has been under contract with the Kraken since he was first brought into the organization, appearing in four NHL games. Now, he's on an AHL contract and would have to sign a two-way deal to play in the NHL.

The 6-foot-3, Swedish defenseman was once a second-round pick (46th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, but as his career has moved along, he's transitioned into a solid defenseman in the AHL rather than the NHL.

The 30-year-old has the leadership qualities that will help the young Kraken prospects develop throughout their farm system. 

Now that we are in the middle of July, things have slowed down significantly in the NHL. This happens every summer, as most of this year's free agents have been signed. While this is the case, trades can start to pick up as teams look to finalize their rosters at this point of the off-season. 

When observing potential teams who could make at least one more trade before the season starts, the Chicago Blackhawks certainly stand out. The Central Division club currently has over $22 million of cap space, so they are in a prime position to do some business.

When looking at the Blackhawks' roster, it is certainly fair to say that they could use another impactful forward. Bringing in a scoring winger to help Connor Bedard take that next step would be significant for the Original Six club. However, they could also consider simply improving their depth with some of the money they have available. 

With the Blackhawks still building their team up, they are also in a position where they could acquire a player with a bad contract if it means landing a good draft pick or prospect in return for doing so. The Pittsburgh Penguins recently did this when they acquired a 2028 second-round pick from the Dallas Stars for taking on Matt Dumba's $3.75 million cap hit. Perhaps the Blackhawks could be the next team to do something like this. 

Overall, with the Blackhawks having a lot of money available, they certainly should be watched this summer. It will be intriguing to see if they end up using their cap space to their advantage before the season begins from here. 

Blackhawks Trading Young Forward Would Come With Big RiskChicago Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel has been the subject of trade rumors this off-season. It is not necessarily surprising, as the young forward has had trouble finding his fit with the Original Six club thus far. 

Photo Credit: © Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres were excited when Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka was available with the ninth overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft last month, and after seeing the 18-year-old Czech blueliner up close at the club’s development camp earlier this month, GM Kevyn Adams made quick work at getting the big blueliner signed to a three-year entry-level contract on Tuesday.

Mrtka offers an intriguing physical package at 6’6”, 218 lb. with excellent skating ability. After getting limited playing time in various levels in Czechia last season and playing for his country in the Under-18s, the big right hander came to North America to play in the WHL and posted 35 points (3 goals, 32 assists) in 43 games with the Thunderbirds.  

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"Mrtka (offers a) very unique package to be able to move the way he does at 6'6", (is) almost more agile with the puck, if that's possible," Sabres Asst GM Jerry Forton said before the draft. "A smart player at both ends. I was over in Czechia early in the year when he wasn't getting a lot of playing time in the men's league over there to see what he was willing to do to move to North America. He comes from a background where he has very little in the way of resources for hockey or anything outside hockey. He uprooted, high character kid, a huge ceiling."

The Sabres will host the 2025 Prospects Challenge in September 11th to 15th and it is expected that Mrtka will be in attendance, but that will only serve as a preview of things to come, as the 18-year-old will likely return to Seattle for another WHL season to hone his skills, as well as being selected to play for Czechia in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships. 

 

It’s official! ⚔️

We have signed defenseman Radim Mrtka to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Details → https://t.co/Avzj3JhQTSpic.twitter.com/IDRSd8wVdP

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 15, 2025

"With these young players, they take time. You don't want to rush them," Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said after the first round. Philosophically, I always feel like they'll tell us when they're ready, and then you make room. If that means right away, it's great. If it means a year, two years, three years, you just don't know, but there's a, there's a good player there and we project him as a top four right-shot defenseman whenever that time comes, we'll see."

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

When Paul Maurice and Kris Knoblauch met in the Stanley Cup final for the second straight year, they did so at an incredibly volatile time for coaches in the NHL.

The pair probably had the safest jobs in the league – but only because neither one had missed a final during their current tenures. Pity Peter DeBoer then, as the Dallas Stars sent their former bench boss packing after he and his team fell in the conference final once again – oh, and after he’d buried his starting goaltender in the press right before he got the ax.

But it is wild how short the lifespan of an NHL coach has become.

Sure, you can be recycled to another franchise, but sticking in one place for more than a couple of years? That’s a rarity these days.

Consider this: the Panthers hired Maurice on June 22, 2022. The only peers who have been with their current NHL teams longer are Jon Cooper, Jared Bednar, Rod Brind’Amour, Martin St-Louis and Bruce Cassidy.

In fact, Cooper is the only coach in the NHL who’s been with his team for more than a decade, and given the success Tampa Bay has enjoyed recently, that’s understandable.

But what if, in an alternate dimension, the Lightning had fired Cooper after Tampa Bay was swept in the first round by Columbus back in 2019? Tampa had just won the Presidents’ Trophy, and the loss was one of the most shocking in NHL history. Even just six years later, it seems GMs have much itchier trigger fingers. Cooper, of course, retained his job and immediately helmed the Bolts to three straight Cup finals, winning two. So, ya know, patience is a virtue.

This was no ordinary Stanley Cup run, this was a Rat Race! 🐀

Introducing the brand new 2025 CHAMPIONS Issue @FlaPanthers

Now available at: https://t.co/smKk3NQdgQpic.twitter.com/xHu9pde38l

— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) June 27, 2025

As I ponder the constantly spinning coaching carousel – there will be nine teams with new coaches to begin 2025-26 at this point – my thoughts drift closer to Jonathan Swift than Jonathan Toews.

Why would you want to be an NHL coach these days? Employment lifespan is right up there with Spinal Tap drummers and anyone in a red shirt on a Star Trek mission.

If and when you do get fired, it means moving to another city, buying or renting another place, perhaps selling your old place and uprooting your family. It’s the same thing NHL players go through when they’re traded or move via free agency, but it’s in a shorter time frame.

Want to have your mind blown? Former Oilers right winger Corey Perry has been famously nomadic in recent seasons, but only 12 NHL coaches have been in their current position before Perry signed in Edmonton on Jan. 22, 2024.

With that in mind, I think the hottest NHL coaching candidate out there has it right. That would be David Carle, who recently signed a contract extension with the University of Denver.

He has won two NCAA titles and two World Junior Championship gold medals (with Team USA) as a head coach, and with Carle only being 35, he still has decades to go in his career if he should so choose. Numerous NHL teams have kicked the tires on Carle, but he has been clear that because he has a young family in Denver and is already in a great spot with the NCAA’s Pioneers, the situation would have to be impossible to turn down. And I get it.

Sure, the NHL is at the top of the pyramid, but coaches can build incredible legacies elsewhere. Red Berenson will always be a legend at the University of Michigan thanks to his 33 years with the Wolverines, while Jack Parker and Jerry York had their own iconic runs at Boston University and Boston College. In the OHL, you had Brian Kilrea in Ottawa and now Dale Hunter in London. I ran into Berenson at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal, and it’s still fun to talk Michigan hockey with him, even though he’s not behind the bench anymore.

Carle could be that legend in the making. He’s clearly a gifted coach, and given how consistently good Denver is, you can probably telegraph at least a couple more national titles for the Pios in the coming years. So, what would you rather do: work a fulfilling job in the same place for 20 years or take a riskier – albeit more glamorous – one that may only last two or three seasons?

Coaches are just like players; they’re competitive. So, it makes sense they want that NHL job. But perhaps Carle will prove there’s another career path that is just as rewarding – with a more loyal employer.

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This article, lightly edited for updates, appeared in our 2025 Champions Collector's Edition, where we commemorate the Florida Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cups. Also, we feature the champs from leagues across the hockey world, count down the season's top 10 moments and look at breakout players to watch for 2025-26.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

Former New Jersey Devils first-round pick Ty Smith is reportedly heading to the KHL after four seasons in the NHL, although nothing is confirmed.

Smith was selected 17th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. After two seasons of development in the WHL, Smith made his NHL debut in the 2020–21 season.

In his rookie year, he recorded 23 points in 48 games and was named to the 2021 NHL All-Rookie Team.

The 25-year-old defenseman debuted on January 14, 2021, with the Devils and registered at least one point in each of his next five games. He totaled eight points in his first nine NHL appearances.

Smith finished seventh in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top rookie.

From there, however, his performance began to decline. He played 66 games with the Devils in the 2021–22 season, tallying 20 points, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After just nine games with Pittsburgh, he was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the 2024–25 season.

Smith played a total of 131 NHL games, recording 49 points over his career.

He recently completed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Hurricanes, though he appeared in just eight games.

Now an unrestricted free agent following the 2024–25 season, Smith is rumored to be signing with Dinamo Minsk, a KHL team based in Belarus.

Dinamo Minsk competes in the Tarasov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). While the team has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs, it has qualified for the postseason four times.

Although nothing is officially confirmed, the move would make sense given that Smith spent most of the past two seasons in the AHL, and the trajectory of his career has shifted, following his early success as a first-round pick with the Devils.

This remains an unconfirmed report. More updates will be shared as they become available. Be sure to follow The Hockey News New Jersey Devils page for the latest developments.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The San Jose Sharks are bringing former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Thornton onto their staff full-time.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced a string of hockey operations changes on Tuesday, with Thornton's name at the forefront, being hired as a player development coach/hockey operations advisor. The 46-year-old, hired a day after his birthday, participated in Sharks' development camp in early July, taking to the ice as a coach.

Thornton will join former teammate Patrick Marleau in the role. Both players spent most of their careers as teammates in San Jose before exiting the organization later in their careers. Although they didn't cross paths in Toronto, both Marleau and Thornton once played for the Maple Leafs.

He was one of eight names selected to be part of the 2025 class of Hockey Hall of Fame inductees.

The London, Ontario-born forward signed a one-year, $700,000 contract before the NHL's bubble season in October 2021. Due to Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions at the time, he, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and former Maple Leafs Rasmus Sandin and Mac Hollowell quarantined together for two weeks before joining the team for training camp.

Why The Maple Leafs Placed Ty Voit On Waivers To Terminate His ContractThe Toronto Maple Leafs have placed prospect Ty Voit on unconditional waivers for contract termination.

Thornton began the season on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, though as the season went on, his ice time shrank. He scored five goals and 15 assists in 44 regular-season games in the NHL's Canadian division. He followed that up with one goal in seven games against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round.

Beyond his time with the Maple Leafs, Thornton spent 15 of his 24 NHL seasons with the Sharks, where he scored 1,055 points (251 goals and 804 assists) in 1,104 games. Drafted first overall by the Boston Bruins in 1997, Thornton played 532 games with the club, scoring 454 points (169 goals and 285 assists) in 532 games before being traded to the Sharks in November 2025.

'I Just Thought This Wasn't A Good Fit': Ryan Reaves Reflects On Maple Leafs Tenure And Why He Wanted Out Of TorontoRyan Reaves appreciated that Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving found him a new home. The 38-year-old forward was traded by the Leafs to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. During a Zoom call on Friday, Reaves told reporters he expressed a desire for a change of scenery during his year-end meeting with the club.

Thornton formally retired in late October 2023. His career finished with 430 goals and 1,109 assists in 1,714 games, split between the Bruins, Sharks, Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. The Sharks retired Thornton’s jersey in November, commemorating the forward’s legacy in San Jose and beyond.

(Top photo of Thornton: Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ty Smith is set to go overseas after spending the 2024-25 season with the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Wolves. 

According to Belarushockey.com, Smith is close to a deal with the KHL's Dinamo-Minsk. He compiled one goal and two points in eight NHL games and five goals and 28 points in 36 AHL games this past season.

🦁 Ty Smith set to join «Dinamo» Minsk

Per insider Stepan Voronkov (https://t.co/ET4EoZehlL), canadian defenseman Ty Smith is close to signing with Dinamo-Minsk.

Last season: 28 (5+23) points in 36 AHL games with Chicago Wolves.#Caneshttps://t.co/DB0mx9pJghpic.twitter.com/YHfVOEfhdV

— Belarushockey.com (@Belarushockey) July 15, 2025

The Penguins originally acquired Smith in the John Marino trade that former Penguins general manager Ron Hextall made in July of 2022. Marino was traded to the Devils for Smith and a 2023 third-round pick. 

Smith played in only nine games for the Penguins during the 2022-23 season, scoring one goal and contributing four points. He spent the rest of the season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, finishing with seven goals and 24 points in 39 games. 

He was eventually part of the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes before the 2024 trade deadline. Smith had compiled nine goals and 43 points in the AHL before he was traded. 

In 131 NHL games, Smith has racked up nine goals and 49 points. 

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Featured Image Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

The Stanley Cup is getting ready to hit the road for the summer.

Now that the Cup has been freshly engraved with the names of the 2024-25 Panthers, the historic trophy is starting its summer tour with the winning team.

It makes sense that the team’s Cup visits began in Quebec, as that’s where the special engraving process takes place.

After a fun day on Sunday, one that included a parade, in Joliette, the hometown of Panthers forward A.J. Greer, the Stanley Cup made the short trip south to the Montreal area.

That’s where it linked up with longtime Panthers goaltender and executive Roberto Luongo, in his hometown of Saint-Leonard.

Luongo posted a photo of himself with Cup, and there was something interesting, and perhaps equally cute, nestled inside of it.

Unlike last summer, when Luongo enjoyed some delicious pasta and gnocchi out of the Cup, this time he posted with four Labubu dolls.

For those unaware of what Labubu dolls are (like I was) they are popular collectable dolls that come in unmarked boxes, so you don’t know which doll you get until you open it.

You know, kind of like a pack of cards. 

They are cute and cuddly and growing in popularity, and in value. 

Luongo wasn’t the only celebrity to post some Labubu-related content this week.

Megan Thee Stallion went viral after posting a video of her opening a box of Labubu dolls while sitting on the lap of her new beau, Klay Thompson.

Thankfully, Luongo kept his Labubu social media moment a bit more family-friendly.

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Image caption: Photo posted by Roberto Luongo to his Instagram account @thestrombone1 during his time with the Stanley Cup. (Source: @thestrombone1 on Instagram)

The Detroit Red Wings are the latest focus in our NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Red Wings’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with some exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

The Red Wings are stuck in the mushy middle. They’ve been good enough to be in the playoff race for a few years now. By the time the races near the end, they’ve fallen off. Even a couple of seasons back, when they missed the post-season in their final game, they had a chance to take a stranglehold on the final playoff spot but toiled away.

The constant middling results, as well as arguably the worst luck in NHL draft lottery history, landed the Wings with a prospect pool that’s full of good but not great players. 

These prospects will build out the middle six of their roster, but they don’t have many potential elite impact players right now. 

Carter Bear, their most recent first-round pick, might have the highest realistic upside of any forward in the system, and he seems destined to be a very capable second-line winger who can score, hit and do just about everything a coach wants from a player. 

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard has the most realistic shot of challenging Bear for the highest upside in the group. He plays a similar brand of hockey with a sound two-way game, physical maturity, excellent board play and a great shot. 

Brandsegg-Nygard just does it all with a more refined package of tools. He doesn’t have as high a motor as Bear, but it’s still high-end, and he plays such a tactical brand of hockey. Brandsegg-Nygard might be the best hope to fill the Wings’ hole on the top line alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin, but that’s a lot to ask of a player coming to North America for the first time this upcoming season.

Carter Mazur can play up and down the lineup. He likely fits better in the bottom six, but he could be a serviceable fill-in higher in the lineup. He had a rough season riddled with injuries, including an upper-body injury that ended his year just two shifts into his NHL debut. That said, Mazur has a sneaky possibility of playing in the NHL this year. He brings a high motor, a very good shot and some interesting hard skills.. 

Detroit would love it if Nate Danielson could take a step and arrive in the NHL. His first AHL season was solid with 39 points in 71 games, but he didn’t blow the doors off. Danielson isn’t the flashiest player, and he has more functional skill than elite creativity, but that’s how the Wings are building their roster. They want players who outwork and outskate their opponents, and Danielson could be a key part of that. Whether he makes the NHL roster out of camp or not, Danielson could be a quick call-up if performance or injuries become a concern. 

One of the most intriguing and high-upside prospects in the Wings’ system is Russian left winger Dmitri Buchelnikov. His skill and puckhandling can be dazzling at times. He has incredible vision and some of the slickest passing in the KHL. Buchelnikov skates like the wind and uses that to his advantage in the offensive zone to pull away and create space for himself. 

Buchelnikov is a boom-or-bust prospect who could be a major addition to the Wings' roster in a year or two. His 54 points in the KHL this past year were among the league’s top 20 scorers and second among U-22 players. His KHL deal expires after next season, so he could be making the trek over as soon as the end of this season. 

Some of Detroit’s best prospects who graduated in the NHL in recent years come from the back end, such as Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. 

The next potential high-impact blueliner is Axel Sandin-Pellikka. 

The shifty, skilled Swedish blueliner has been nothing but phenomenal, showcasing just how talented he is in the Swedish League. He won the Salming Trophy as defender of the year in 2023-24 and was the best defenseman at the 2025 world juniors. He was recognized as the best junior-aged Swedish player, and he’s won an SHL championship. He’ll be in the AHL this season, but don’t be surprised if he finds his way into NHL games as well. 

Shai Buium had a great AHL season as a rookie blueliner. He has a bit of an offensive lean to his game, which may be a bit redundant with some of the young talent the Wings have on the roster and in the pipeline. He’s also shown to be an adaptable player who can really help move the puck in transition. He may not get much power-play time in the NHL, but he can be a solid third-pairing puck-mover. 

William Wallinder is a sneaky potential call-up this season. After two seasons in the AHL with some steady improvement, the big, mobile defender could be in line for a chance in the NHL this year. He is a toolsy defender who likely won’t play much higher than a third-pair role, but he could be a very interesting addition. 

The Red Wings have prioritized filling their goalie pipeline, and as a result, they have a couple of top-tier goalie prospects: Sebastian Cossa (15th overall in 2021) and Trey Augustine (41st overall in 2023).

Cossa’s had an up-and-down development so far, but his size and athletic ability make him such an intriguing prospect. He carried the load in the AHL and looked quite good. It would be ideal for him to play one more year in the AHL and potentially dominate, with a cup of coffee or two in the NHL being a possibility.

Augustine has begun to make a big impression. He’s been dominant for Michigan State, helping revitalize that program and show it’s a force in the NCAA. He’s been dominant for Team USA at the World Junior Championship and even played wonderfully a couple of seasons ago at the men’s worlds. Augustine doesn’t have the size Cossa has, but this athletic ability is unreal, and his puck-tracking is elite. Augustine is the more technically sound of the two netminders as well. The hope is they form a rock-solid tandem one day, with one of them establishing themselves as the bona fide No. 1.

Key U-23 Players Likely To Play NHL Games This Season

Marco Kasper (C/W), Simon Edvinsson (D), Lucas Raymond (RW), Carter Mazur (LW), Nate Danielson (C)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 13th overall - Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)

Round 2, 44th overall - Eddie Genborg, RW, Linkoping (Swe.)

Round 3, 75th overall - Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City (USHL)

Round 4, 109th overall - Brent Solomon, RW, Champlin Park (Minn. H.S.)

Round 4, 119th overall - Michal Svrcek, LW, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

Round 5, 140th overall - Nikita Tyurin, D, Spartak Moscow Jr. (Rus.)

Round 6, 172nd overall - Will Murphy, D, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Round 7, 204th overall - Grayden Robertson-Palmer, C, Phillips-Andover (Mass. H.S.)

The Detroit Red Wings clearly have a type in the draft, which includes players with a high motor and physicality.

This year, they at least picked a high-upside version of that type in the first round with Bear. His stock took a hit when his season ended due to an Achilles' tear, but all signs pointed to a full recovery when he returned to the ice prior to the draft.

Bear is a high-octane forward who never stops moving his feet and looks to get involved at both ends of the ice. His work ethic was nearly unmatched in this draft class, using his endless motor to throw hits on the forecheck or drive the puck to the net front. He has an excellent shot and makes some really nice passes out of trouble when he goes into those battles down low and along the boards. Bear has the potential to be a top-six scoring winger with some really impressive two-way utility. 

In Round 2, the Red Wings took Swedish right winger Eddie Genborg. He’s a safe, steady prospect who brings a physical edge and a sound defensive game. He doesn’t present a ton of upside, but he does have a good shot and establishes position around the net quite well. His bottom-six utility will be an asset at the next level as the Wings look to fill their third and fourth lines with functional NHLers. 

Every year, the Wings bolster their pipeline in the crease. This year, Michal Pradel was their pick. The Slovak netminder was fantastic at the World Men’s Under-18s, leading the underdog squad to the bronze medal game against the Americans. Pradel helped push the game to overtime with some massive saves before falling in extra time. Pradel has great size, and he moves fluidly around his crease. He isn’t always the most technical goalie, but he makes the first save and gives his team a chance to clear and get out of trouble.

Brent Solomon was an interesting pick as a high schooler from Minnesota. His one standout trait is his shot, which is a weapon all over the ice. He must take a significant step in other areas to take advantage of that weapon. A year in the United States League and then a couple of college campaigns could do wonders for Soloman.

In what might be one of the steals of the draft, Detroit took Michal Svrcek at 119th overall. While a little undersized at 5-foot-11, Svrcek plays with the vigor and pace teams want from a productive middle-six scorer. His speed and playmaking put defenders on their heels. Svrcek sets the table for his linemates. He does so many of the little things to drive play up ice and put them in an excellent position. He was a bit snakebitten at the U-18 level for Slovakia, but he consistently generated good results.

Fifth-round pick Nikita Tyurin is an interesting prospect because he hasn’t figured out how to leverage his skating and passing from the back end to be a truly effective defender. He’s already a solid transitional player, but his play at both ends of the ice must become more consistent. He has the tools and play-reading ability, and he flashes those skills often, but he also has some misreads and underwhelming execution at times. 

In the sixth round, the Wings picked Will Murphy. The big, strong defender loves to get involved physically, and he can kill plays along the boards. His habits when defending the cycle are simple and effective, as he aims to stall all momentum. Murphy hasn’t had much success offensively, and he’s not much of a puck-mover. He generally opts to go D-to-D or find the easiest outlet. He’s not much of a fun pick, but he’s a defensively focused, physical player.  

Detroit’s final pick was a dart throw, selecting high school athlete Grayden Robertson-Palmer. He’s a downhill attacker who has a bit of an unrefined game, but he loves to amp up the pace, get defenders thinking and force them to move on the rush. He’s a very incomplete player, but with some patience and growth over the next few years, Robertson-Palmer could be a very interesting NCAA player and NHL prospect. 

Strengths

How can you not talk about the goalies here? 

With Cossa and Augustine both ranking among the best netminders outside of the NHL and the Wings' tendency to draft solid netminders in just about every draft, the Wings should have a goalie of the future. Whether it’s one of the big two, Pradel from the 2025 draft or Rudy Guimond or Landon Miller from recent drafts, the Wings have goalies for days in the system. 

Weaknesses

The Red Wings don’t have a true glaring weakness, but they could use a center or two because most of the pivots they’ve drafted project to be lower in the lineup. 

Even Kasper, who has shown some flashes of potential in the top six, would likely settle into a third-line center role long-term. 

That puts the Wings' true weakness on display. They have plenty of depth in their prospect pool, but they lack high-end, elite impact and skill. Sandin-Pellikka can provide some skill and offensive impact on the back end, and they have goalies galore, but the forward group is missing that stud who could help give Detroit a scary top six when added to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.

Hidden Gem: Jesse Kiiskinen, RW

Since the Red Wings acquired Kiiskinen in exchange for Andrew Gibson in 2024, Detroit fans have been all over how impressive he has been. The 19-year-old was nearly a point-per-game player in the Liiga against men this past season, and he will jump to AHL Grand Rapids this upcoming year. Kiiskinen is shifty more than he’s fast, using his puckhandling and skill to evade pressure. His shot is pro-ready, so that should translate to North America with ease, and his passing his better than it’s given credit for. Kiiskinen has been one of the buzziest names of the development camp cycle for any team, so he’ll be a name to watch in the fall.

Next Man Up: Nate Danielson, C

This could easily be Mazur, but Danielson gets the nod here because he has the upside the Wings need. He can play just about anywhere in the top nine and possibly solidify the center position behind Larkin and Kasper. His arrival would also help push J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp to lesser roles, which they both need at this stage of their careers. Danielson may not be the true ‘Next Man Up,’ but the Red Wings and their fans are certainly hoping a solid camp and impressive pre-season can earn him a shot.

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Carter Bear, Michal Svrcek, Carter Mazur, Max Plante, Emmitt Finnie, Dmitri Buchelnikov

C: Nate Danielson, Ondrej Becher, Noah Dower-Nilsson, Amadeus Lombardi

RW: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Eddie Genborg, Jesse Kiiskinen

LD: Shai Buium, John Whipple, William Wallinder, Brady Cleveland, Eemil Viro

RD: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Anton Johansson 

G: Trey Augustine, Sebastian Cossa, Rudy Guimond, Landon Miller, Michal Pradel

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

Are you wondering when the NJ Devils play this season? You don’t have to wait much longer. 

The NHL has announced that it will release the full 2025–26 season schedule tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.

This year’s schedule announcement is later than usual. Last season, the 2024–25 schedule dropped on July 2, just one day after free agency began.

Now, after one year and 14 days, we’re less than 24 hours away from seeing the full slate of games.

While the NHL has teased the opening night schedule, the Devils won’t be playing that night. Here’s what’s confirmed so far:

NHL 2025–26 Opening Night Tripleheader – Tuesday, Oct. 7

• 5:00 p.m. ET: #Blackhawks at #FlaPanthers
• 8:00 p.m. ET: #LetsGoPens at #NYR
• 10:30 p.m. ET: #GoAvsGo at #LAKings

Although the regular season schedule is still under wraps, the NHL has already released the Devils’ preseason schedule. The team will play seven games, three at the Prudential Center and four on the road.

Devils 2025 Preseason Schedule

• Sunday, Sept. 21 vs. NYR – Prudential Center – 1:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 23 vs. NYI – Prudential Center – 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 26 @ NYI – UBS Arena – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 28 (*Split Squad) @ OTT – Videotron Centre, Quebec City – 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 28 (*Split Squad) vs. WAS – Prudential Center – 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 2 @ NYR – Madison Square Garden – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 4 @ PHI – Wells Fargo Center – 3:00 p.m.

During preseason, the Devils will face the Rangers and Islanders twice each, along with matchups against the Senators, Capitals, and Flyers.

The game against Ottawa will be held at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, home of the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. The arena seats 18,295 fans. That day, the Devils will split the squad, with one group facing the Senators in Quebec and the other hosting the Rangers at the Prudential Center.

Fans are eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s full schedule drop so they can start planning their NHL season.

Inquiries are now open for those interested in joining the team’s season ticket membership program, The Black and Red Membership.

While there are no international or outdoor games scheduled for the Devils this season, other teams will be playing in special events. The Rangers and Panthers will face off in the Winter Classic in Miami on January 2. The Bruins and Lightning will meet in a Stadium Series game in Tampa. Additionally, the Penguins and Predators will play a two-game series in Sweden.

So get ready, Devils fans, start planning those NJ Transit or PATH trips to the Prudential Center. The full schedule will be live in less than 24 hours.

Photo Credit: © James Guillory-Imagn Images

EDMONTON – Scouting and development are vital.

Organizations like the Edmonton Oilers need to be leaders in the NHL in scouting and developing, particularly the latter more than the former. Without having the draft capital to bring in blue-chip prospects, it places a higher emphasis on developing the talent they currently have.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

Enter new goalie coach, Peter Aubry. 

He’s not the flashy hire that Sean Burke or Ian Clark would have been. However, just because a candidate doesn’t have extensive experience at the same level doesn’t mean they can’t be effective.

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After all, Kris Knoblauch’s closest sniff at an NHL head coach position was being an assistant NHL coach for the Philadelphia Flyers eight years ago.

While the jury is out regarding how Aubry could help the likes of Stuart Skinner, there is another goalie (or two) who could benefit from the Oilers' newest hire. 

European Goalies Have Adjusted Well Under Aubry

Aubry has a history of helping European goaltenders acclimate to the smaller North American ice surface. The European goalies he worked with during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks organization have seen an uptick in their performances and results.

Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderblom are the two goalies in question.

Lankinen is probably the biggest success story of the two at this point. The Finnish netminder is coming off a 49-game, 25-win regular season with the Vancouver Canucks. He was heavily leaned upon while Thatcher Demko recovered from several injuries.

Soderblom has seen a steady increase in workload year after year with the Blackhawks. In 2024-25, he started 33 games, posting a 10-18-7 record to go along with a 3.18 goals against average (GAA), and a .898 save percentage (SV%). It’s also important to keep in mind that the Blackhawks were not a good team, which skews these numbers negatively.

Aubry helped Lankinen in many ways. When he first adjusted to playing on the smaller North American rinks, he focused on the fundamentals, which remain the same regardless of the rink size.

The dimensions between the faceoff dots are the same. However, the distance between the faceoff dots and the boards is shorter. According to Aubry, this is where goalies need to be more prepared. NHL players tend to throw the pucks on net more from this position than in Europe.

Under Aubry’s tutelage, Soderblom recognized that he needed to focus on his explosiveness and flexibility to be a great goalie in the NHL. Soderblom also realized that these are traits shared by the best goalies in the NHL.

Aubry Could Be The Key For Oilers' Goalie Prospects

Because of his work with Lankinen and Soderblom, it’s easy to trace a connection to the several Oilers goalie prospects who could benefit from his coaching.

Samuel Jonsson, Eemil Vinni, and newly drafted Daniel Salonen are all European goalies in the Oilers system. Aubry could be the key to helping these youngsters fulfill their NHL potential.

Aubry’s ability to help Lankinen and Soderblom adjust to the North American rink size, as well as help them assess areas of growth, are the two biggest reasons why Jonsson, Vinni, and Salonen are the biggest winners of this coaching change.

The Oilers' goalie prospects just got significantly more interesting.

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