Now that we are in the middle of August, most of the players who hit the market as unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed to new contracts. Although this is the case, there are still some interesting players who have not been signed yet. Among them is former St. Louis Blues forward Klim Kostin. 

Kostin is coming off a tough season with the San Jose Sharks, as he recorded one goal, six assists, and a minus-6 rating in 35 games. However, when noting that is still just 26 years old and has had past success at the NHL level, it would not be particularly surprising if he landed a professional tryout (PTO) before training camp or even a contract for the season from an NHL club. 

Kostin demonstrated during the 2022-23 season with the Edmonton Oilers hat he has the potential to provide decent offensive production and plenty of grit when playing at his best. During that campaign, the 6-foot-4 forward recorded career highs with 11 goals, 10 assists, 21 points, and 157 hits in 57 games. Perhaps this could help lead to a team giving him a shot.

Kostin was selected by the Blues in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft with the 31st overall pick. In 46 games over three seasons with St. Louis from 2019-20 to 2021-22, he posted five goals, 11 points, 105 hits, and a minus-3 rating. His time with the Blues ended ahead of the 2022-23 season when he was traded to the Oilers in exchange for defenseman Dmitri Samorukov. 

Blues Goalie Named As Potential Target For OilersAllen Mitchell discussed five potential targets for the Edmonton Oilers in a recent article for The Athletic, and a St. Louis Blues goalie prospect made the cut - Colten Ellis. 

Now that we are in the middle of August, we are going to start seeing teams around the NHL invite players to training camp on professional tryouts (PTOs). While the Montreal Canadiens have had a busy off-season, it would be understandable if they brought in a player or two on a PTO to create more friendly competition at camp. 

When looking at the Canadiens' current roster, it is fair to argue that they could benefit by adding to their forward depth. Because of this, one player who could be worth taking a shot on with a PTO is forward Victor Olofsson.

After Jack Roslovic, Olofsson is arguably the top unrestricted free agent (UFA) forward left. When looking at the season he just had with the Vegas Golden Knights, he could be a decent player for the Canadiens to take a gamble on if they are on the hunt for more secondary scoring. In 56 games this past season with Vegas, he recorded 15 goals, 14 assist, 29 points, and a plus-17 rating. 

Olofsson has also shown several times during his career that he can produce solid offense. The former Buffalo Sabres forward has scored 20 goals and recorded 40 points three different times in his career. This includes scoring 28 goals with Buffalo in 2022-23 and posting 49 points in 2021-22.

Ultimately, bringing in Olofsson on a PTO would give the Canadiens a backup plan to consider if they end up feeling that some of their younger players need a bit more time before making the jump to the NHL level. If he earned a contract for the season, he could be a nice pickup for the Canadiens' bottom six on a one-year deal. 

Canadiens: Montembeault’s Big DayOn Saturday, August 16, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault got married to his girlfriend of seven years, Daryanne Ayotte. They met at the Festival du Blé d’Inde in St-Celestin in 2018, and while she initially had reservations about dating a hockey player, she eventually agreed. This weekend, the couple took the plunge and said yes to spending their life together.

The Buffalo Sabres' pursuit of its first Stanley Cup playoff appearance in 15 years means that there's no room for error for them, at any time of the season.  A prolonged losing streak can and will knock down any team's post-season hopes, but the Sabres are particularly desperate, so Buffalo fans will be watching each and every game in the hope the Sabres can secure a playoff spot.

That's where THN.com's "Know Your Enemy" series comes in. For a while now, we've been examining Buffalo's chances against teams in the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central divisions. And this past week, we turned our attention to Pacific Division teams. Today, we're focused on the Los Angeles Kings, who once again lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual Western Conference-champion Edmonton Oilers.

The Kings have a solid group of players, and although Holland made a slew of changes, the core in L.A. hasn't changed. And though the Kings and Sabres split their season series last year, Buffalo needs to aim higher than that this coming season.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS

NEW KINGS PLAYERS: Joel Armia, RW; Corey Perry, RW; Cody Ceci, D; Brian Dumoulin, D; Anton Forsberg, G

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Kings 1-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  January 29 at Buffalo; March 21 at Los Angeles 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  Both games the Sabres and Kings played against each other last season were close games;  Buffalo dropped the first game in early October -- the Sabres' third game of the regular-season -- by a 3-1 score, and then, in late November, Buffalo blanked L.A. by a 1-0 score. 

In that second game, No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen turned aside all 23 Kings shots he faced for the shutout win. Luukkonen didn't play in the first Kings/Sabres game, so that should factor into the game-plan of Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff when he's looking at assignments for the games against L.A. this coming year.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: High-Octane Oilers Will Be More Than A Handful For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres are a 14-year reclamation project, and losing so consistently is currently the norm for the franchise. But every year brings some hope that things will change for the better, and the Sabres will have 82 opportunities to show they're an improved team that's finally going to make it into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Otherwise, the Kings have more or less stayed the same. Even though they suffered a huge blow with the departure of veteran defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to the New York Rangers, to soften the blow, Holland brough in experienced hands in former Dallas Stars blueliner Cody Ceci and former New Jersey Devil Brian Dumoulin. And up front, Los Angeles signed former Montreal Canadien fan favorite Joel Armia, as well as longtime abrasive winger and Cup-winner Corey Perry.

That said, the key for the Kings still revolves around a mix of young and old -- center Quinton Byfield being the young, and center Anze Kopitar being the old; defenseman Brandt Clarke being the young, and blueliner Drew Doughty being the old.

Meanwhile, the Kings also made what could be their best pickup in the form of longtime Ottawa Senators goalie Anton Forsberg. And the way things may develop, the Sabres could see Forsberg in one of the two games Buffalo and Los Angeles will play against each other this season.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Is Buffalo Better Than Rebuilding Flames?The Buffalo Sabres were a major disappointment last season, and the 13 other seasons before that which ended without any Stanley Cup playoff action. The Sabres have been one of the NHL's worst teams, and they're now in a position where they desperately need to get into the post-season. Fans are exhausted with all the losing, and they won't be going on much longer as the same group if they miss the playoffs again next year.

Thus, the Sabres are bound to have their hands full with the Kings this year. And the way the schedule-maker has mapped it out, Buffalo and Los Angeles may be significantly-different teams from the teams that play their first game in late January and the second game they square off in on March 21. That's because the league's trade deadline will be taking place between those two dates.

We're not suggesting either or both teams are guaranteed to make a slew of moves, but by the time the trade deadline arrives, the Kings could be desperately working to fend off other Pacific teams challenging them for home-ice advantage, and the Sabres could be desperately working just to get into the playoffs.

If either of those things come to pass, Holland and Sabres counterpart Kevyn Adams may be pressured to add at least one high-level talent, and the second game between the Sabres and Kings could have an entirely different dynamic.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Should Sabres Throttle Ducks Again Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres have failed in one consistent way in recent years -- namely, that they haven't played Stanley Cup playoff hockey in nearly a decade-and-a-half. Thus, there's an inordinate amount of pressure on the Sabres to be a playoff team this year. And as we've seen in the NHL's overtime/shootout era, teams can make or miss the playoffs by only one or two standings points, so it's not an exaggeration to say that just about every game is going to be important to Buffalo's playoff hopes.

In any case, the games between Buffalo and Los Angeles should make for very entertaining hockey. Both teams have exciting performers, both teams have playoff aspirations, and both teams may make serious changes next summer if things don't go well for them this year. The Kings and Sabres will be fighting for every standings point they can get, and that means making the most of this series.

A former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman is officially staying in the KHL. 

The KHL's Shanghai Dragons have announced that they have signed former Blackhawks prospect Adam Clendening to a one-year contract. 

Shanghai Dragons have signed one-year contracts with goaltender Andrei Tikhomirov, defenseman Adam Clendening and forwards Alexander Burmistrov, Vladimir Kuznetsov and Borna Rendulichttps://t.co/gK6pTpgsBE

— Shanghai Dragons (@shadragons) August 17, 2025

Clendening was selected by the Blackhawks with the 36th overall pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he primarily played at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Rockford IceHogs. In 185 games with Rockford from 2012-13 to 2014-15, the 6-foot blueliner recorded 22 goals, 96 assists, 118 points, and a plus-18 rating. This included posting 12 goals, 47 assists, and 59 points in 74 games with Rockford in 2013-14. 

While Clendening certainly made an impact with the IceHogs, it did not result in him getting too many chances on the Blackhawks' roster. He played in just four games with Chicago during the 2014-15 season, where he posted one goal, one assist, two points, and a plus-1 rating. 

Clendening's time with the Blackhawks would end in January of the 2014-15 campaign, as he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for blueliner Gustav Forsling. From there, Clendening would become quite the journeyman, as he played for the Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Columbus Blue Jackets following his time with the Blackhawks. 

Clendening returned to the IceHogs on an AHL contract during the 2022-23 season, where he posted three goals, 21 assists, and 24 points in 48 games. However, Rockford traded him to the Hartford Wolf Pack later that season. 

In 61 games this past season in the KHl with Kunlun Red Star, Clendening recorded five goals and 22 points. He should now be a key part of Shanghai's roster in 2025-26 from here. 

Blackhawks Soaring Forward Named Top Breakout CandidateThe Chicago Blackhawks have several exciting young players in their system as they continue their rebuild. They will certainly be hoping that their promising youngsters can continue to develop in the right direction during the 2025-26 season.

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Adam Clendening has found his home for the 2025-26 season, as he has signed with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL. 

Clendening spent this past season with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL, where he posted five goals, 17 assists, 22 points, and a minus-13 rating in 61 games. Now, he will be joining the Dragons after their relocation. 

Shanghai Dragons have signed one-year contracts with goaltender Andrei Tikhomirov, defenseman Adam Clendening and forwards Alexander Burmistrov, Vladimir Kuznetsov and Borna Rendulichttps://t.co/gK6pTpgsBE

— Shanghai Dragons (@shadragons) August 17, 2025

Clendening was acquired by the Penguins during the 2015 NHL off-season from the Vancouver Canucks in the trade that memorably also brought Nick Bonino to Pittsburgh. In nine games with Pittsburgh during the 2015-16 season, Clendening posted one assist, 10 penalty minutes, and a plus-3 rating. He also played in six AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that season, recording three assists and a plus-4 rating.

Clendening's time with the Penguins ended on Jan. 16, 2016, as he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks with David Perron for Carl Hagelin. From there, he had stops with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Columbus Blue Jackets, with his last NHL appearance being in 2018-19. From there, he played in the AHL from 2019-20 to 2022-23 for various teams before playing overseas in each of the last two seasons. Now, after singing with the Dragons, he will be playing in his third straight season overseas. 

2 Penguins Make NHL Network's Quarter Century TeamThe NHL Network has revealed their quarter century team, and without any surprise whatsoever, two Pittsburgh Penguins have made the cut. 

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

#26 - Vasili Zelenov - RW (Green Bay - USHL)

Zelenov was the first of the Sabres two seventh-round picks at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. The Moscow-born winger has been playing at various lower-level youth leagues in Austria since 2021 and posted an impressive 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 40 games for the Salzburg RB Hockey Juniors last season.

The 6’0”, 181 lb. winger was selected by the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers in their Phase II draft in May while Rochester Americans head coach Michael Leone was their GM and instead of staying in Austria headed to North America to play for the Gambler to pursue a US college track. In 54 USHL games, the 19-year-old scored 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists).

Zelenov will be playing for the University of Wisconsin this season, along with 2024 fourth-round pick Luke Osburn, who made an impressive showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase for Team USA earlier this month.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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Apr 15, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Nashville Predators center Kevin Fiala (56) is congratulated for scoring a goal during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Nashville won 5-0.

Oct 21, 2019/vol. 72, issue 21

GREATEST GAMES OF ALL-TIME

BY DAVID BOCLAIR

#1 APRIL 15, 2017

NASHVILLE 5, CHICAGO 0

WELCOME TO THE BIG-TIME

A one-sided playoff walloping of rival Chicago proved to be a franchise turning point for the Preds

IT WAS ONE THING when the Predators opened the 2017 playoffs with a win in Chicago. It was something else altogether when they dominated the Blackhawks 5-0 in Game 2. That performance not only fueled their run to the Cup final, it changed their perception of the type of team they were and where they fit in the NHL hierarchy.

For years, Chicago had been a bridge too far for the Preds. The franchises had met twice in the first round – in 2010 and 2015 – and both times Chicago won in six games. In 2017, the Hawks finished 15 points ahead of the Predators in the standings, won four of five regular-season matchups and scored five times in three of those contests.

A 1-0 victory in Game 1 gave Nashville an edge but did not alter the fundamental perception of the matchup, even in the Preds’ dressing room. The Blackhawks limited Nashville to 20 shots, and Pekka Rinne’s performance in net was the primary reason for the outcome.

Game 2 was a different story. The final score was an accurate reflection of a game in which Nashville looked faster, more determined and more skilled. Ryan Ellis opened the scoring early in the first period, and the Preds never looked back. They ousted Chicago in four games for the first sweep in franchise history and didn’t trail in any series in the first three rounds.

In the two seasons since, Nashville has won back-to-back Central Division titles (the first two in team history) and the 2017-18 Presidents’ Trophy. Prior to 2017, playoff losses were disappointing. Since then, post-season failures, such as those in the past two years, have felt like exactly that – failures.

#2 APRIL 22, 2011

NASHVILLE 4, ANAHEIM 3 (OT)

SHEA WEBER SCORED LATE and Jerred Smithson won it in OT as the Predators’ first playoff overtime victory led to their first series victory two days later.

#3 FEB. 28, 2009

NASHVILLE 8, DETROIT 0

THE BIGGEST WIN IN franchise history against the franchise’s first rival. Jason Arnott had a hat trick, Pekka Rinne a 30-save shutout.

GREATEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OF ALL-TIME

STEVE SULLIVAN

FEB. 18, 2004

NASHVILLE 7, SAN JOSE 3

SULLIVAN MADE QUITE A first impression. After being acquired in a trade with Chicago, the undersized winger had three goals (all on the power play) and an assist in his Preds debut. Sullivan scored Nashville’s first two goals and completed the hat trick late in the second period. Those were his only shots on goal.

His performance energized the dressing room as the team tried to move beyond its expansion era. Nashville won five of its first six games with Sullivan and ultimately made the playoffs for the first time.

The Edmonton Oilers face a pivotal period of contract negotiations, tricky decisions on potential PTO additions, and some lingering trade questions.

From rumors of Connor McDavid’s team-friendly extension to Stuart Skinner’s uncertain future, here’s what fans need to know.

How Will the New CBA Timeline Impact the Oilers?

The recently agreed-upon NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will be something the Oilers keep in the back of their mind most of the season. Once thought to give possible leverage in negotiations with players like Jake Walman, Stuart Skinner, and Vasily Podkolzin, the date of when that CBA kicks in may change things.

As per James Mirtle of The Athletic, the agreement doesn’t officially take effect until September 2026. If that date doesn't change, the above mentioned players can complete the 2025–26 season and even test free agency on July 1, 2026, without losing eligibility for a long-term deal.

Previously, the Oilers could have dangled eight-year contracts as a carrot. Now, players can wait, gauge their market value, and potentially command higher salaries.

The McDavid Contract Twist

Respected analyst John Shannon recently reported that Connor McDavid is expected to sign a team-friendly extension with Edmonton at $16–17 million per season.  “I think it’s a three or four-year deal,” Shannon told Bob Stauffer.

That's far less than the 20 percent McDavid could get, which would put him around $19 million starting in the 2026-27 season. 

But, what happens in four or five years when McDavid reaches his mid-30s? Salary cap growth could push him into the $25 million range per season and that's a huge issue for Edmonton, especially if McDavid's production understandably declines a little. 

A Short Term McDavid Discount Deal Might Not Be What It SeemsConnor McDavid’s next contract with the Edmonton Oilers isn’t signed yet, but all signs point to it getting done before the end here in the next couple of weeks. 

When does loyalty versus production come into play for the Oilers? If McDavid shows the organization love by signing another under-value deal, do they owe it to their captain to give him more than he's potentially worth in his mid 30s? Or, is this a simple fact that McDavid will always be undervalued, regardless of the size of his contract? 

It will be intriguing to see how the narrative changes from today (where the Oilers are exclusively focused on trying to win a Stanley Cup) to four years from today. 

Trade Talk or Extension for Stuart Skinner?

Stuart Skinner’s future in Edmonton is anything but clear. For now, it appears he's safe and will start the season with the team. Does the sense of security last? 

According to  Allan Mitchell of The Athletic,  “fans should expect either a Stanley Cup delivered with Skinner-Pickard or a complete overhaul in goal by this time next year. Possibly sooner.” 

Edmonton must decide whether to extend Skinner at a reasonable cap hit or trade him while his value remains intact. Signing Skinner early could pay dividends if he finds consistency, but if he underperforms, a long-term contract is extremely risky.

Mitchell talks about overhauling the goaltending, but that is dependant on upgrades being available. There's no guarantee that's going to happen. 

NHL Trade Talk writes:

If Skinner and Pickard falter, the Oilers’ front office may be forced into an aggressive move, whether via trade or free agency, to find the netminder who can push them over the top like the Avs did when they took only 11 days to overhaul their goaltending tandem completely. They traded Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen and picked up MacKenzie Blackwood and acquired Scott Wedgewood.  

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More Trending Stories:

Are The Oilers And Red Wings On A Collision Course For A Trade?

Oilers Friday Faceoff: Janmark, Goalies, McDavid's Deal & More

Oilers Looking at 3 Potential PTO Options

---

Veteran PTOs and Depth Options

As training camp approaches, veteran free agents are exploring professional tryouts (PTOs), and Edmonton could be a landing spot. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, 38, is a candidate, offering a veteran presence on the blue line for a sheltered role. 

Vlasic recently told Le Journal de Québec that he fully intends to keep playing in 2025-26

Other PTO options being speculated include forwards Klim Kostin and Brett Leason, and goalies Ilya Samsonov and Alexandar Georgiev. 

Mattias Janmark on the Trade Bubble

Mattias Janmark could face an uncertain spot on the roster this season. With prospects like Noah Philp pushing for a full-time NHL role, Janmark’s tenure in Edmonton may be limited.

Janmark's production and usefullness dropped last season, but a veteran with nearly 600 NHL games may have some value on the trade market. If the Oilers continue to look at ways to clear cap space and they want to give younger players an opportunity, he could be in trouble.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.   Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

With the skill level and speed at which the current game is played, NHL goaltenders have struggled to perform at a high level season-to-season.

On several occasions, goaltenders have recorded seasons with save percentages above .900, and in other years, they are well below the mark. Finding that consistent level is the goal, and there are many goaltenders looking to do so.

Here are five goaltenders with the most to prove in the 2025-26 season.

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

Swayman and the Bruins agreed to a monster, eight-year, $8.25-million contract extension last off-season after they traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. At the time, the move made sense despite Ullmark taking home a Vezina Trophy during his stint with the Bruins. Swayman was younger and looked far better in the playoffs.

Whether the long negotiations affected Swayman or not, the 2024-25 season started poorly for the 26-year-old, and he never really recovered. Swayman had never recorded a save percentage under .914, but he finished last season with a .892 SP. The Bruins fell far from the playoffs after trading several players away at the deadline and finished 28th in the NHL standings.

Swayman featured on Team USA's 4 Nations Face-Off roster and was the starting netminder in the Americans' first world championship win since 1933. Swayman will want to retain his spot on the Olympic roster, but he needs to start the season well to hold off his competition. 

John Gibson, Detroit Red Wings

Gibson had been rumored to be traded out of Anaheim for a long time, and it finally came to fruition this off-season. The Red Wings sent goaltender Petr Mrazek, a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fourth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft to acquire the 32-year-old. 

Gibson had a phenomenal stretch from 2015 to 2019 when the Ducks were a competitive team, but since then, he has struggled to produce above-average numbers on a weak team. The Red Wings are far from Stanley Cup contenders, but the franchise believes they have what it takes to make the playoffs.

A lot of pressure rests on Gibson's shoulders to propel the Red Wings to the playoffs as he retakes a No. 1 role on an NHL team.

Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

The Predators were woeful in the 2024-25 season, and Saros did not bail them out. He finished the campaign with a .896 SP, the lowest of his career. In fact, it was the first time he was ever under .900, and he has only been under .910 once before, which came in the 2023-24 season. 

The 30-year-old needs to prove himself once again and help right the ship in Nashville. The Predators have attempted to add younger players to their roster while keeping it competitive for their veterans, and just as easily as they could miss the post-season, they could make it. 

Including his performance with the Predators, Saros needs to find his game if Finland wants to go on a long run at the Olympics. His showing at the world championships was impressive, and it's a start, but like Swayman, a lot rides on his start to the upcoming season. 

Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks

Demko was never healthy last year, and unfortunately, that's been his biggest issue in his NHL career. When healthy, Demko is among the elite goaltenders in the NHL, but he needs to find a way to stay between the pipes. 

The Canuck have revamped their roster and are in an excellent position to return to the playoffs. Although it doesn't all ride on Demko's performance, the Canucks will likely live or die by their No. 1 goaltender.

In addition to his success with the Canucks, Demko has a real chance to work his way onto the American Olympic roster. Proving he has what it takes to be a No. 1 goaltender isn't the issue, but proving he can do it consistently is. 

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Hellebuyck has virtually nothing left to prove in the regular season, but he has everything to prove in the playoffs. A three-time Vezina Trophy winner, a two-time William M. Jennings Trophy winner and one of eight goaltenders ever to win the Hart Trophy. Yet, he looks like a shell of himself in the playoffs.

After Hellebuyck recorded a .932 SP and led the Americans to the finals at the 4 Nations, many thought Hellebuyck had figured out how to stay mentally strong in high-leverage situations. But after a dreadful post-season where he was pulled three times in the first round against the St. Louis Blues, it was clear that the mental block had not been solved. 

Hellebuyck has the pedigree to go down as one of the great goaltenders to play in the NHL, but the lack of playoff success is holding him back from truly being acknowledged in that breath. 

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Pricey pond hockey is officially a thing of the past. 

EA SPORTS NHL announced that the reveal trailer for the fully revamped Be A Pro mode in NHL 26 will be unveiled at 11am EST Aug. 19 on the EA SPORTS NHL YouTube channel. 

From the initial gameplay trailer and deep dive trailer we have some idea of a few of the changes that will be coming to Be A Pro including new cutscenes, character, and ability to play in the AHL and World Juniors.

With the new X-Factor system it will give players the opportunity to define their playstyle and continue to progress through the three tiers as you move further along in your career. 

Be A Pro is an extremely popular mode within the NHL franchise and has been several years since there has been a major change.

Check back in with us on Tuesday for a full breakdown of the Be A Pro reveal trailer. 

No more Pricey Pond Hockey.#NHL26 Be A Pro Deep Dive drops Aug 19th: https://t.co/eKs19gEpeVpic.twitter.com/2CVgkotAUw

— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 17, 2025

New Heroes and Icons will be in NHL 26.

NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5. 

For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.  

Ever since a major rebranding a week ago, the Shanghai Dragons have hired a high-profile head coach and signed 14 new players, including several ex-NHLers. On Saturday, five new signings were announced, including Russian center Alexander Burmistrov and the re-signing of American defenseman Adam Clendening.

Other players announced on Saturday include Croatian winger Borna Rendulić, 32, who played 15 NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks, Russian winger Vladimir Kuznetsov and Russian goaltender Andrei Tikhomirov.

“Burmistrov is a talented, fast center who excels in the faceoff circle and brings important contributions on the penalty kill,” said Dragons CEO Igor Varitsky.

Originally from Kazan, Tatarstan, Burmistrov, now 27, came up through the local Ak Bars club, playing one KHL game with the team in 2007-08, and then spent one season with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. He was chosen eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Between 2010 and 2013, he spent three seasons with the Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets franchise, then returned to Russia in 2013. Burmistrov then returned to North America in 2015 and played for the Jets, Arizona Coyotes and Canucks before returning again in 2018.

Burmistrov had 101 points and 139 penalty minutes in 348 NHL games. He also has 170 points in 492 KHL regular-season and playoff games with Ak Bars, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. After not playing the first half of last season, he only played eight games last season for Dynamo, going pointless.

Internationally, Burmistrov played for Russia in two IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal in 2014 in Minsk and a bronze at home in Moscow in 2016.

Alexander Burmistrov Signs With Dynamo Moscow Russian center Alexander Burmistrov, 33, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season with Dynamo Moscow, the KHL club announced recently.

“Clendening brings valuable NHL experience and plays an important role both defensively and on the power play,” said Varitsky. “We consider him one of our leaders, and last season he showed he has the ability to guide his teammates on and off the ice.”

Clendening, 32, was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and became a pro via the U.S. National Team Development Program and Boston University. He was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Between 2014 and 2019, Clendening played 90 NHL regular-season games for the Blackhawks, Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets, recording 24 points and 42 penalty minutes. The last NHL games he ever played were seven playoff games for Columbus in 2019, picking up one assist and one minor penalty.

Clendening spent the 2023-24 season in Finland with Ilves Tampere and last season in the KHL with Kunlun, recording 22 points and 65 penalty minutes in 61 games.

Internationally, Clendening won two gold medals for the USA at the U-18 World Championships and a bronze at the 2021 Worlds in Riga.

Gerard Gallant Takes Over KHL’s Shanghai Dragons Gerard Gallant is the new head coach of the Shanghai Dragons, the KHL club announced on Wednesday.

A busy week just keeps getting busier for the Chinese-based KHL club, which was previously known as Kunlun Red Star.

On Monday, defenseman Jake Chelios announced his retirement. On Wednesday, the club announced the signing of new head coach Gerard Gallant, and on Friday and Saturday, the club announced the signings of nine new players, including Slovak Olympic bronze-medal-winning goaltender Patrik Rybar and Canadian forwards Ryan Spooner and Nick Merkley.

The Kunlun-Shanghai franchise has played its home games in suburban Moscow since early 2020 and will play in St. Petersburg this season, but plans to return to China in either 2026 or 2027.

The team has not made the playoffs since its inaugural KHL season in 2016-17.

Ex-NHLers Spooner & Merkley Sign With Shanghai Canadian former NHL forwards Ryan Spooner and Nick Merkley have signed one-year contracts to play for the Shanghai Dragons, the Chinese-based KHL club announced on Saturday.

THN's Adam Proteau has been writing a series of article about how the NHL teams did in the offseason and the Montreal Canadiens top his ranking:  https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-summer-splash-rankings-no-1-montreal-canadiens.

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The Hockey News’ summer splash rankings – which rank the off-seasons of every NHL team – have been posted for the past 31 days. And today, we’ve arrived at the team that was No. 1 in our list – the Montreal Canadiens.

These rankings, which are based on each team’s off-season additions, departures, hirings and firings where applicable, put teams into three distinct areas: teams that stayed the same, teams that got worse and teams that significantly improved. We’ve been moving in reverse order, from the team that finished 32nd overall (the Buffalo Sabres) to the Canadiens, whom we’ve deemed to have the best off-season of any team.

The Habs – who unexpectedly made the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, only to be thumped in Round 1 by the Washington Capitals – are still relatively early in their blueprint back to relevancy. But under coach Martin St. Louis, the Canadiens have been plucky and resilient, and even in a tough division like the Atlantic, Montreal has put everyone on notice – the days of the Habs being a pushover are long gone, and better days for this franchise are coming soon.

Additions

Noah Dobson (D), Zack Bolduc (LW), Kaapo Kahkonen (G), Joe Veleno (C), Sammy Blais (LW) 

The Breakdown: It’s not every day you go out and acquire a No. 1 defenseman on the trade market, but that’s just what Canadiens GM Kent Hughes did this summer, trading with the New York Islanders to land star blueliner Noah Dobson. Instantly, Dobson makes a Habs defense corps – that was already fairly impressive – into a stacked group of D-men. With Dobson’s arrival, superstar-in-the-making Lane Hutson doesn’t have the pressure to carry the team on his back. And even with the retirement of veteran David Savard, Montreal’s defense can now hurt an opponent at both ends of the ice.

That Dobson trade was the primary reason Montreal finished first in our summer splash rankings – but it wasn’t the only reason they finished first. Indeed, adding former St. Louis Blues winger Zack Bolduc is a huge boost for the Canadiens’ second line, and the price they had to pay – young defenseman Logan Mailloux – was one Montreal could afford now that Dobson is on board.

Hughes’ other moves were low-risk, decent-reward choices: in Kaapo Kahkonen, they got a backup for starting goalie Samuel Montembeault in Joe Veleno, they got an experienced fourth-liner, and in Sammy Blais, they got some roster depth they may need to lean on as the season progresses.

All in all, Montreal has gone from a team looking to make the next competitive step to a team that has no excuse to not be a playoff team next year. Hughes has slowly, painstakingly cobbled key pieces together, and after what may feel like an eternity of letdowns for Canadiens fans, the Habs are set to do serious damage next season.

Departures

Christian Dvorak (C), Joel Armia (RW), Emil Heineman (LW), David Savard (D), Logan Mailloux (D), Michael Pezzetta (LW), Cayden Primeau (G)

The Breakdown: The Canadiens did have players of note who have departed from the team this summer: veteran center Dvorak signed with Philadelphia, winger Joel Armia signed with the Los Angeles Kings, young winger Heineman was sent to the Islanders in the Dobson trade, heart-and-soul D-man Savard retired, rugged winger Michael Pezzetta signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and backup goalie Cayden Primeau was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Some of those departures will hurt. Armia was a fan favorite, while Dvorak was a solid third-line center. And Mailloux may yet develop into a top-four blueliner. But when you measure the trade-offs in Montreal this summer – including Dobson-for-Savard, and Bolduc for Armia, you can’t help but come to the conclusion that the Canadiens are significantly better.

Hughes spent his salary cap space wisely, giving Dobson an eight-year contract with an average annual salary cap hit of $9.5-million. And Bolduc is still going to be an RFA at the end of next season – so acquiring him to put up 20-25 goals next season will turn out to be a tremendous bargain. While it may have been hard to say goodbye to a few Habs veterans, the team has obviously improved from where they were last season. 

The Bottom Line

These summer splash rankings have always been about one thing – namely, did a team do good work this off-season? And although other teams improved in different ways (some teams got better with one or two big moves, while other teams improved by simply bringing back the same group next season), in Montreal’s case, the blockbuster deal for Dobson really raised the competitive bar in a way that no other team’s off-season did for them.

At 25 years old, Dobson is still approaching his prime – and though he had a down year last season, Dobson is only two years removed from a 60-assist, 70-point season with the Isles. He and Hutson are two of the best young D-men in the league, and now, Montreal has them as fixtures for the foreseeable future.

Adding Bolduc is another terrific move from Hughes, and filling out the roster with blue-collar workers like Blais and Veleno gives Montreal the kind of depth they’re going to need to compete in the punishing Atlantic. But few teams in the Atlantic or any other division have a defense corps like the Canadiens’ group.

And to think, we still haven’t mentioned any of the Habs’ young star forwards – Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov. The list of difference-makers for Montreal has grown considerably, and you have to give Hughes and the rest of the Canadiens’ management team credit for acquiring key components without surrendering any members of their core.

For those reasons, we have Montreal at the top of this summer splash ranking. No team did more this off-season than the Canadiens. And while we’re still in the dog days of summer, Habs fans have every right to be stoked for next season to arrive. Montreal is going to be a team to watch all season long in 2025-26, and the Canadiens’ off-season moves have made them into a team most opponents will have great difficulty beating.

Summer Splash Rankings

1. Montreal Canadiens

2. Florida Panthers

3. Vegas Golden Knights

4. Carolina Hurricanes

5. Anaheim Ducks

6. Philadelphia Flyers

7. Vancouver Canucks

8. San Jose Sharks

9. Utah Mammoth

10. New York Rangers

11. Detroit Red Wings

12. New Jersey Devils

13. St. Louis Blues

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

15. Colorado Avalanche

16. Ottawa Senators

17. Boston Bruins

18. Edmonton Oilers

19. Minnesota Wild

20. Seattle Kraken

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

22. Washington Capitals

23. Nashville Predators

24. New York Islanders

25. Tampa Bay Lightning

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

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