Meeting the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs was a tall order for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs struggled against a Washington team that was chasing the goal record for Alexander Ovechkin. In the three-game season series, the Caps outscored the Habs 12-8, and Montreal finished with a 1-2-0 record on the season against their playoff rival.

The first duel was on October 31, and the Canadiens were in the second game of a six-game losing streak. Taking on the Capitals at Capital One Arena, Montreal only took 16 shots on goal while Washington tested Cayden Primeau 34 times. Each team scored three goals in the middle frame, but the Capitals scored three unanswered goals in the final frame to skate away with the 6-3 win.

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On December 7, this time at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens were once again outplayed as the Caps had a 35-24 edge in shots on goal in the 4-2 win. Montreal took a 2-0 lead in the first frame, but they were unable to prevent the comeback as Washington stormed to a 4-2 win with four unanswered goals.

The Habs bounced back on January 10, however, and with Jakub Dobes in the net, they dominated in shots 30-17 and were able to come back from behind after Jakob Chychrun had scored the first goal less than three minutes into the game. Cole Caufield tied up the score while Josh Anderson gave Montreal the lead with a shorthanded marker. Lars Eller tied up the game at the start of the third, but Nick Suzuki gave the Habs the win in the extra frame with helpers from Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson.

Tom Wilson and Aleksei Protas led the charge for the Caps in the season series with four points each, while Ovechkin had three. As for the Habs, it was the captain who stood out with five points, followed by Caufield and Hutson, who had four points each. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, Suzuki was unable to have a similar offensive output in the playoffs as he was limited to two points in the postseason.

Speaking of the postseason, the Caps made short work of the Canadiens, eliminating them in just five games and outscoring them 18-12 in the process. Washington’s dominance wasn’t just on the scoreboard, however, since their physical play made life tough for the Habs’ skills player, making Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton realize that their team needed to get tougher and bigger.

The Caps lost some good pieces this offseason as Andrew Mangiapane signed a two-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers, Taylor Raddysh joined the New York Rangers on a two-year contract, and Lars Eller, who returned to Washington in November, won’t have stayed for long as he joined the Ottawa Senators on a one-year pact. T.J. Oshie, who sat out last season, officially retired as well.

Washington resigned Anthony Beauvillier and acquired Justin Sourdif and Declan Chisholm, and it doesn’t look like there will be many more additions this offseason. The young Habs will no doubt be looking to avenge their early playoff exit when they meet the Caps for the first time of the season on November 20. While the Capitals are no longer the powerhouse that they once were, they remain a strong team with plenty of experience and are tough to play.

---

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Two former New Jersey Devils left the 3ICE Summer Tournament with honors.

Former player-turned-coach Ken Daneyko earned the Eddie Johnston Coach of the Year award after leading the 3ICE NY/NJ team to the Patrick Cup Championship.

Mr. Devil on the Bench: Ken Daneyko Leads NJ/NY 3ICE Team to Final FourFormer New Jersey Devil Ken Daneyko has taken on a new role this summer, coaching the 3ICE NJ/NY team.

Meanwhile, former Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid, who played with 3ICE Buffalo, was named the Bryan Trottier League MVPawarded to the tournament’s most valuable player.

Keith Kinkaid Eyes NHL Return After Strong 3ICE PerformanceFormer New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid is aiming for an NHL comeback this season.

🏆 Congratulations to our 3ICE Season 3 Award Winners! 🏆

Now it all comes down to THIS…
🏒 The Patrick Cup Championship
📍 Baptist Health IcePlex – Fort Lauderdale, FL
🕖 Tonight at 7 PM ET#3ICE#PatrickCup#Hockey#3ICEAwards#HockeyLife#3ICEHockey#PatrickCup2025pic.twitter.com/nGkM4TAMdi

— 3ICE (@3IceHockey) August 14, 2025

The 3ICE tournament is held every summer at the Florida Panthers’ training facility. It serves as a showcase for current NHL players, as well as those aiming to break into the league, with games played in a fast-paced three-on-three format.

Both Daneyko and Kinkaid have strong ties to the Devils.

Daneyko, better known as “Mr. Devil”,  played his entire career in New Jersey. He was on the roster for all three Stanley Cup championships, leading the franchise in both games played and penalty minutes. His jersey now hangs in the rafters at the Prudential Center, cementing his legacy as a franchise icon. Though his team did not win the Patrick Cup, his transition to coaching earned him high recognition.

Kinkaid also left his mark on the Devils. Joining the organization as an undrafted free agent in 2012, he spent six seasons in New Jersey before moving on to stints with five other NHL teams. Over 169 NHL games, he recorded a .905 save percentage.

Now 36, the six-foot-two netminder has spent recent years in the AHL and ECHL, but his MVP performance at 3ICE proved he still has plenty left in the tank. While his Buffalo squad didn’t win the tournament, his individual honor may boost his chances of earning another NHL opportunity.

Although neither Daneyko nor Kinkaid are likely to return to the Devils organization, their performances at the 3ICE tournament show they still have plenty to offer, whether behind the bench or between the pipes.

When training camp opens for the Pittsburgh Penguins one month from now - and with more youth talent in the organization than there has been in a long while - there will be a lot of positional battles on pretty much every front.

The acquisition of Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks, as well as the shipping out of Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks, makes the goaltending battle intriguing. Young forward prospects such as Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, and Filip Hallander will be jostling for positioning in the top-12 forward group.

But one of the most interesting battles will come on the left side of the blue line.

Barring any other trades or major moves prior to puck drop against the New York Rangers on Oct. 7, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Matt Dumba, and Connor Clifton will more than likely populate the right side. In contrast, however, the Penguins do not really have a bona fide top-four defenseman for the left side, making that positional battle one that is wide open for the taking. 

Here are some of the names who will be involved in that positional battle - as well as what to expect from each of them.

---

Parker Wotherspoon

Wotherspoon, 27, was signed to a two-year, $2 million contract right out of the gate on Jul. 1, when free agency opened. He was drafted in the fourth round (112th overall) by the New York Islanders in 2015, and he spent part of one NHL season with the Isles in 2022-23 before signing a two-year deal with the Boston Bruins. 

There, Wotherspoon registered a goal and 15 points in 96 games split between two seasons. While he may not contribute much at all offensively, he was a solid shutdown preference on a bottom pairing for Boston despite the team's overall struggles. 

The Penguins need to take a chance on as many shutdown guys as they can. Although he is likely best-suited for a bottom-pairing role, there is a very good chance he will occupy one of those spots in the top-four, should nothing drastic change between now and training camp. 

A responsible defensive partner is something that is needed for both Karlsson and Letang, so expect Wotherspoon to be paired with one of them.

---

Ryan Graves

It's no secret at this point that Graves has struggled in a Penguins' uniform. After being signed to a six-year deal worth $3.5 million annually during free agency in 2023 - with high hopes of becoming a staple in the Penguins' top-four alongside one of the big guys - he has yet to play up to his contract value.

In fact, Graves was a semi-regular healthy scratch last season, even if there were times when he seemed to take small strides in his game. 

The reality is that the Penguins are likely going to be anchored to Graves's contract for four more years, so the best thing for Graves would be to simply find a way to make adjustments and get the most out of his game in that time. The Penguins will have a new coaching staff this season under Dan Muse, and assistant Mike Stothers will helm the defensive unit.

Hopefully, Muse and Stothers can find a way to maximize Graves. But he certainly has to prove himself, so until he does, it's likely going to be much of the same for him with rotating in and out of the lineup.

---

Ryan Shea

Shea is returning to the Penguins on a one-year, $900,000 contract, and there were times last season when he found himself in the top-four - especially after Marcus Pettersson was dealt to Vancouver. 

But that doesn't mean that Shea should be getting top-four minutes. Ideally, he is the Penguins' sixth or seventh defenseman, and he does fine enough in that role. But with increased minutes and responsibility last season came a noticeable lag in his play. 

Shea will more than likely be on the opening night roster - and he may be in the mix for a top-four role - but, ideally, he's earning most of his minutes in a more sheltered role.

---

Owen Pickering

Pickering, 22, is one of the Penguins' top prospects, and he showed - at times - in a 25-game sample last season that he is capable of handling the NHL game. His play did drop off a bit prior to being re-assigned to the AHL midseason, but the Penguins are banking on this guy being a big part of their future.

Pittsburgh is also at a point where they need to start seeing what they have in some of their young prospects with promise. With the focus now on youth and development, Pickering absolutely should be on the roster, and - hopefully - have some runway in a bottom-pairing role where he can learn to fully adjust to the NHL.

But he isn't simply going to be gifted the opportunity. There are a lot of options on the left side for the Penguins heading into training camp, and the competition for all three spots is going to come down to the wire.

At the end of the day, Pickering will need to have a "prove-it-to-me" kind of camp to solidify a starting position on the left side. If he doesn't earn that spot out of camp, he will likely begin the season in the NHL - as the Penguins probably won't want to have him warming the bench at the NHL level.

---

Alexander Alexeyev

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Alexeyev was one of the more interesting signings of the offseason by the Penguins. The 25-year-old Russian blueliner - a first-round pick (31st overall) in 2018 by the Washington Capitals - has spent parts of the last four seasons with the Capitals, totaling a goal and eight points in 80 career NHL games. 

He did appear in 10 playoff games for the Capitals last season, getting his teeth knocked out in the process and turning in a solid performance. Despite his playoff appearances, however, Alexeyev didn't get much of an opportunity with the Caps throughout the regular season last year, and he was non-tendered in the offseason.

He does also have some familiarity with new Penguins' assistant coach Todd Nelson, who briefly coached Alexeyev when both were members of the Hershey Bears, Washington's AHL affiliate.

There is definitely some upside with Alexeyev, but his ceiling is a bit limited. The Penguins need big bodies and physical, hard-to-play-against defenders on their blue line, and if all goes well, Alexeyev could fit the bill. 

He is eager to have an open door-type opportunity in Pittsburgh, but he will have to outcompete Pickering, Shea, and a few others to seize that opportunity.

---

Caleb Jones

Jones, 28, was drafted in the fourth round (117th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015. After spending three seasons with the Oilers from 2018-21, Jones has made his rounds the past several seasons, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings. 

His best seasons came with Chicago from 2021-23, when he put up nine goals and 31 points in 124 games. Jones can contribute offensively on occasion, but his value has dwindled the past few seasons. 

Jones signed with the Penguins for two years at $900,000 annually, and he has some things to prove. He is a decent depth option for the Penguins, but - more likely than not - he will find himself on the outside looking in for an NHL roster spot out of camp.

---

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Every hockey fan worth his weight in pucks knows someone who thinks he knows everything there is to know about the ice game.Here's one way to put that alleged genius in his place: Ask him the following question:

NAME THE SIX NHL GOALIES WHO ALSO DOUBLED AS TEAM CAPTAINS?

Guaranteed, one out of 100 will know the answer and that one de luxe wiseman isthe one and only author-Rangers fan George Grimm of the Garden State. (Shhh, keep this to yourself, please: Grimm gave me the answers.)

The answers:

1. John Ross Roach, Toronto St. Patricks, 1924-25; later to be Rangers goalie.

2. George Hainsworth, Montreal Canadiens, 1932-33.

3. Roy Worters, New York Americans, 1932-33. 

4. Alex Connell, Ottawa Senators, 1932-33. 

5. Charlie Gardiner, Chicago Black Hawks, 1933-34.

6. Bill Durnan, Montreal Canadiens, 1947-48.

Following a 12-year absence, NHL players will be participants once again in the Winter Olympics. It will provide top-notch entertainment for fans, especially in the wake of the highly successful Four Nations Face-off Tournament in late February. 

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Among the players who took part in the Four Nations Face-off was Detroit Red Wings team captain Dylan Larkin, who would score the game-winning goal for Team USA against Team Canada in the first of two matchups. 

Not all hockey fans support their favorite NHL players participating in the Olympic Games, often citing the risk of injury and its potential impact on the season.

Now that NHL players are officially returning, do you plan on watching or would you have rather seen them use the break for rest and rehabilitation?  

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The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Subscribe now to view the full THN Archives here

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Fans Want NHLers at the Olympics - March 19, 1999 - Volume 52, Issue 27 - Jason Kay

The ayes have it, even if the IOC doesn’t.

Despite the International Olympic Committee corruption scandal and the mixed reviews to which the hockey event at the 1998 Nagano Games played, readers of THN largely support NHL participation at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

THN asked readers whether the league should again interrupt a season and send players to the Olympics. The ’Yes’ vote (67.5 per cent) outpolled the ’No’ (32.5 per cent) vote by a 2-1 margin.

Many of those who favor an Olympic sequel say the event would lose luster if the game’s greatest stars don’t participate.

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“The Olympics are supposed to showcase the best athletes,” writes Chris Schultz of Green Bay, Wise., “and I think the best talent in the world should be there, regardless of what happened in the 1998 Games.”

“Each sport brings the best,” writes Fernand Welschbillig of Mersch, Luxembourg. “Why should hockey be the exception?”

Among those who cast ’No’ ballots, some felt Nagano didn’t Eve up to its hype. Others were turned off by Team USA’s room trashing. Others are appalled by the IOC bribery scandal. And there are many who believe the Olympics should be for amateurs.

“I don’t support NHL participation,” writes Dan Black of Regina, Sask., “especially for an American team after the disgrace they brought upon the NHL and the USA in the last Olympics.”

“Keep the Olympics for amateurs,” writes Thomas V. Papaccio of Cherry Hill, N.J. “Remember 1980? That was exciting.”

“My reason (for voting ’no’) has been in the news for the past few months,” writes Bob McConnell of Kamloops, B.C., in reference to IOC problems. “That says it all.”

For the record, the NHL is expected to halt its season in 2002 and send players to Salt Lake, but no official announcement has been made.

PUCK POLL

In light of the NHL’s experience at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano and the recent corruption scandal involving members of the International Olympic Committee, do you support NHL participation, such as Czech Republic gold-medal goalie Dominik Hasek of the Buffalo Sabres, at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City?

Yes, I support participation 67.5%

No, I don’t support participation 32.5%

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The Montreal Canadiens had a successful 2024-25 season, as they surprised many by taking that next step and getting back into the playoffs. Now, after a busy off-season that saw them bring in defenseman Noah Dobson and forward Zack Bolduc, they will be looking to continue to trend in the right direction for 2025-26.

Recently, the NHL Network asked hockey fans what the Canadiens' expectations for the 2025-26 season should be. There were certainly some mixed answers:

"105-point finish in 2025-26," one fan wrote.

"83 points," one NHL fan said. 

"I’m a Leafs fan, they’ll be fighting but will ultimately have a good regular season. Definitely not cup contenders, but for sure a lot more threatening in the Atlantic. It’s gonna be a crazy one this year," a Maple Leafs fan said about the Habs.

"Keep improving, but they might finish with 94 points and still miss the playoffs. I’d be disappointed, but not upset," another fan said. 

"Make the playoffs in a more convincing fashion. No expectations to win just yet, but let’s make the playoffs & get a bit more experience & have some fun," another fan wrote. 

"Miss the playoffs because they only have 2 centers on the team," one fan argued. 

"1. A fine season. 2. A deep run in the playoffs. 3. An impromptu parade down Ste. Catherines in late spring," an optimistic fan said. 

Clearly, the Canadiens are creating some debate amongst fans. Whether they make the playoffs next season or not, it is hard not to feel optimistic about their future moving forward. They have a nice mix of promising young players and solid veterans, so they certainly will be a fascinating team to watch in 2025-26.

Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see how the Habs perform next season from here. Based on the fans' comments, they are undoubtedly creating plenty of debate. 

Canadiens Legend Not On NHL Network's Quarter Century TeamThe NHL Network released their quarter century team, which has both active and retired players from clubs around the league who made their NHL debuts on or after Jan. 1, 2000.

Recently, the NHL Network released their list of who they thought the top-20 defenders were in the NHL at this time heading into the 2025-26 season.

While there weren’t any expectations for any Kings defenders to be on that list, some expected Drew Doughty to be there, and he wasn’t. 

Our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list has a total of:
• 19 total All-Star Game appearances
• 9 All-Rookie team honors
• 6 James Norris Memorial Trophies
• 2 Calder Trophies
• 2 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 9 Stanley Cups

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/0MaGYS04de

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 13, 2025

Heading into next season, the Kings will be without arguably their best defender in Vladislav Gavrikov, who signed a long-term deal with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), and will have to rely on the rest of their depth and newcomers to stabilize their blue line. 

As the season inches closer, the Kings' defenders, along with the rest of the roster, will be hoping they can prove everyone wrong and show they’re still an elite team with a chance to go deep into the postseason. 

It shouldn’t be difficult for a decorated former NHL coach and Jack Adams Award winner to find another job behind an NHL bench, but that’s the unfortunate reality that former Detroit Red Wings forward Gerard Gallant faced. 

Unable to land a new coaching gig in the NHL, Gallant recently accepted the head coaching responsibilities with the KHL's Shanghai Dragons, formerly known as the Kunlun Red Star.

They are members of the Tarasov Division of the KHL’s Western Conference and are currently based in St. Petersburg, as the club hasn't played in China since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

THE MASTER IS HERE pic.twitter.com/0hAK9XYzuU

— Shanghai Dragons (@shadragons) August 13, 2025

While Gallant expressed excitement over the new opportunity, he admitted that there was some frustration on his part over having been unable find another job in the NHL. 

"I've been out for two seasons and nothing has happened yet. Am I a little pissed off? Yes, but that's the way it goes, you wait for your turn and your opportunities," said Gallant. "I took this job with the mindset that I'm going to Russia and St. Petersburgh and I'm going to coach there. After the first year there's an out-clause and I'll look at something if something comes up." 

"Otherwise, I'm going over there with the focus on the St. Petersburgh team and get the Shanghai Dragons in the playoffs."

Gallant also indicated that he was interested in the vacated head coaching position of the Dallas Stars, who are managed by former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill; the position ultimately went to Glen Gulutzan. 

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Gallant, whom the Red Wings drafted 107th overall in 1981, routinely played on a line with Steve Yzerman. He ultimately skated in 615 career NHL games, the majority of them with Detroit. 

During his time with the Red Wings, he was known by the nickname “Spuddy,” a nod to his hometown of Summerside, P.E.I., famous for potato production. 

Gallant transitioned into coaching after his playing career, working his way up through the minors before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant in 2001.

He became head coach in 2004 following Doug MacLean’s resignation but was dismissed in November 2006. He later served as an assistant with both the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens before taking over the head coaching duties for the Florida Panthers in 2014, eventually. guiding them to the 2016 postseason and earning a Jack Adams Award finalist nod. However, he was let go after a slow start the following season.

Gallant then made history as the first head coach of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and earning the Jack Adams Trophy. He had also been recognized by being tabbed as head coach of the Pacific Division All-Stars in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. 

Fired by the Golden Knights in surprising fashion early on in the 2019-20 NHL season, Gallant once again found work as the head coach of the New York Rangers. He led them to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Final in 2022, and would become the first head coach to lead the franchise to consecutive 100-point campaigns.

Following their loss to the rival New Jersey Devils in the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Gallant and the Rangers mutually parted ways.

He was most recently the head coach of Team Canada during the 2024 Spengler Cup. 

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The NHL Network has revealed their quarter century team, and without any surprise whatsoever, two Pittsburgh Penguins have made the cut. 

Penguins longtime star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are among the 12 forwards who made the NHL Network's quarter century team. When noting that they both have had Hall of Fame-worthy careers, it would have been shocking if they were not featured on it. 

Introducing the NHL Network's Quarter Century Team! pic.twitter.com/B9Or6GEJVI

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 15, 2025

Even to this day, Crosby is still among the NHL's best players. He just completed his 20th season in the NHL in 2024-25, where he posted 33 goals, 58 assists, and 91 points. With this, he once produced at an over a point-per-game pace, just like he has done in every single NHL season he has played thus far. 

In 1,352 career NHL games, Crosby has recorded 625 goals, 1,062 assists, 1,687 points, and a plus-197 rating. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has also recorded 71 goals and 201 points in 180 playoff games. This helped him win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in both 2016 and 2017. 

Crosby has also won an array of awards over his career, as he has won the Art Ross Trophy (twice), Hart Memorial Trophy (twice), Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (two times), Mark Messier Leadership Award (twice), and Ted Lindsay Award (three times).

Malkin has also had a truly spectacular career, too. In 1,213 career NHL games, all with Pittsburgh, he has recorded 514 goals, 832 assists, and 1,346 points. Like Crosby, he has had plenty of success during the playoffs, as he has recorded 67 goals and 180 points in 177 post-season games. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009. 

In addition to his Conn Smythe Trophy win, Malkin has won the Calder Memorial Trophy (2007), Hart Memorial Trophy (2012), Ted Lindsay Award (2012), and Art Ross Trophy (twice). With this, Malkin undoubtedly was one of the most dominant players in the NHL during his prime, so his spot on the NHL Network's quarter century team was certainly earned. 

Should Penguins Reunite With Top Free Agent Left?Last off-season, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency. In the end, it is fair to say that the Penguins got good value in this move, as Grzelcyk fit in nicely with the Metropolitan Division club. 

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just over a month before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season. 

Owen Tippett has been mentioned off and on in trade speculation over the last few years. That chatter seemed to calm down after the 26-year-old winger signed an eight-year max deal, but it may begin to percolate after his production dropped from 28 to 20 goals in the first year of the extension. Tippett was originally a Florida Panthers first-round pick, who was acquired by the Flyers in the Claude Giroux deal in 2022. 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

At 6’1”, 209 lb. Tippett would be a more than adequate replacement for JJ Peterka in the Sabres top-six, and a realistic get since his 10-team modified no-trade clause does not kick until after this season. 

 

What Would It Cost?

The Flyers are in the midst of a rebuild, but for a young player under team control for another seven seasons such as Tippett, GM Danny Briere is going to expect a comparably aged forward in return, or a young top prospect that is close to being NHL-ready. Philadelphia has reportedly long been interested in Sabres forward Peyton Krebs, but Briere would probably want a Sabres first round pick along with Krebs in a Tippett deal. The Flyers are going to expect a much bigger return for a three-time 20+ goal scorer, which most likely would include Zach Benson or Konsta Helenius.  

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The 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.

And with that said, THN.com is breaking down each of Buffalo's 31 NHL rivalries. We've been making our way through the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central division teams, and in this file, we're focusing on a Pacific Division team -- the Western-Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. 

The Oilers showed last year they could do it all -- at least, leading up to being owned again by the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final -- but there's been notable change in Edmonton since then. So the Sabres will be taking on a significantly different Oilers team this year. And below, we're going to break down Buffalo's chances against Edmonton. Let's get to it: 

BUFFALO SABRES VS. EDMONTON OILERS

NEW OILERS PLAYERS: Andrew Mangiapane, LW; Isaac Howard, LW; Curtis Lazar, C; David Tomasek, RW 

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

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  November 17 at Buffalo; December 9 at Edmonton 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Oilers proved to be the Western Conference's best team last season before falling to the Panthers in the Cup final. But Edmonton and Buffalo were even in their two-game series last year. First, the Oilers won 3-2 in their first game in late January of this year; then, the Sabres won 3-2 in their second game in early March. 

The difference in the series last year might be Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The veteran netminder didn't play in the first game -- journeyman James Reimer played that game -- but in the second game, Luukkonen was stellar, turning aside 32 of 34 Edmonton shots.

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, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff would be foolish not to play Luukkonen in both games against Edmonton this coming season. Until such time as Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl pick apart Luukkonen's game, Luukkonen needs to be in net against one of the league's top teams.

And it doesn't matter that the two Sabres/Oilers games this season come just three weeks apart. If Luukkonen thrives in the Nov. 17 game, you ride him again against Edmonton. Presumptive backups Devon Levi and Alex Lyon can play another day. If you're Oilers brass and you really want to build confidence as a team, you put your very best up against an elite squad, and see what happens. That's why Luukkonen needs to be The Man in net when Buffalo takes on Edmonton.

Because both games last year were low-scoring affairs, Ruff has to get his team playing well in their own zone. Because the Oilers are going to pressure opponents with their speed and skill, the Sabres need to match their intensity, and rely on Luukkonen to be sharp between the pipes.

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.

Ultimately, the Sabres/Oilers games are going to be decided based on which team is disciplined in the heat of the moment, and which team can capitalize on the other team's errors. Buffalo doesn't have the experience Edmonton can draw upon, but the Sabres have much more to prove than the Oilers do. 

Buffalo can't be happy just splitting series after series. If they're to be a playoff team, there has to be a heightened sense of dominance, and there's no better way to send a message to the league than by beating a team that was only one of two teams still playing when games mattered most last spring.

If you're the Sabres, nothing short of a series of sweeps is probably what it will take to get back in the post-season. And they're got two great opportunities to steal the Oilers' lunch and get into the win column both times.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a young team. Almost all of their defenseman, their goalies, and their most impactful forwards are all ahead of their prime in the NHL. If they keep building, there could be some exciting hockey moments coming up for Chicago.

Kyle Davidson, his scouting team, and all of their coaches have done a great job drafting and developing talent over the years. Most of those players have yet to reach the NHL, but they all have that aspiration to one day make it there. 

A lot of their prospects are headed to American colleges in 2025-26, which is a great move for their development. Going up against smart talent with varying play styles will be good for them all. 

For different reasons, Chicago Blackhawks fans must watch these five college hockey teams a little closer than others this year: 

Boston University

One of Chicago's top prospects who won't be playing pro hockey to start the season is Sacha Boisvert. He will play for Boston University after transferring there from the University of North Dakota. 

Boisvert is a two-way center who hopes to impact the NHL once he gets there in all three zones. His competitive level and overall skill are signs that he could be a great pro. 

When BU's season is over, Boisvert is a candidate to sign his entry-level contract and make his NHL debut. Under Jay Pandolfo, he should develop his gifts into what he needs to become an NHL player. 

Boston University will also be one of the more entertaining teams in college hockey. They come into the year as a legit candidate to make the Frozen Four and have a chance at a National Championship. Other top prospects are there with Boisvert, like Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals) and Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) will help make this an incredible hockey team.

UMass

The Chicago Blackhawks had three first-round picks in 2025. The middle one, Vaclav Nestrasil, is going to attend the University of Massachusetts in 2025-26. 

That makes UMass a must-watch for the Chicago Blackhawks fan, who may want to see one of their top prospects work on their skills against great Hockey East competition. 

Nestrasil has a ton of talent, and making this move from the USHL to the college ranks is smart for his development. Seeing how he can help elevate this program is going to be great television all year long. 

Minnesota Duluth

Chicago has Spencer Knight as the main guy, and he is still very young. They also have Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso as aspiring NHL goalies looking to earn jobs in the long term.

However, it is never a bad thing to continue goaltender development because things can change for a goalie in an instant. 

Adam Gajan is getting ready for his second season as a goaltender for the University of Minnesota Duluth. Chicago selected the Slovakian net-minder in the second round (35th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft with hopes that he can become something one day. 

With all the goaltending depth that Kyle Davidson has accumulated, they could make a trade if more than two are NHL worthy, but it also doesn't hurt to be strong at the position in Rockford. Gajan has the tools needed to be a part of that process. Checking him out at Minnesota Duluth is necessary in 2025-26. 

Penn State

Penn State is known for being a football school. They have as good a chance as anyone to be a college football playoff team this season. 

At this point, they have to be considered a hockey power as well. They've had a ton of great players over the years, but they were given a generational boost this offseason. 

After weeks of speculation over what school he was going to choose, Gavin McKenna landed on Penn State as the team he wanted to play for in 2025-26. 

McKenna is going to be the number one pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and he has "generational" labels on him. There will be an incredible amount of hype surrounding him this season. 

Blackhawks fans may want to pay attention, because they might be a team in draft lottery contention again in 2025-26. They might be more entertaining, but their roster is likely to have a bottom-five finish one more time. Those teams will all be looking at McKenna, who would help them all turn things around. 

McKenna is going to have help, too, which will make Penn State an all-around exciting team to watch play. Stars like Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Luke Misa (Calgary Flames) will also be there looking to develop into pro-ready players. 

If the Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL by American Thanksgiving, Penn State Games will be must-see TV until the end of their season. McKenna is also just worth the price of admission on his own. 

Providence College

The Chicago Blackhawks have had a handful of players from Providence College over the years, and it won't be different in 2025-26. 

Both John Mustard (67th overall in 2024) and Julius Sumpf (98th overall in 2025) will play for Providence in 2025-26. Mustard was on the team last year and played a big role as a freshman. Sumpf will be going there following a transfer from the QMJHL. 

Watching both of these players develop their games as they work toward becoming pros is something for Blackhawks fans to watch when tuning into college hockey this season. 

North Dakota

Although Sacha Boisvert is no longer going to be attending the University of North Dakota, there is still a reason for Blackhawks fans to watch them. It is similar to the reason why they should tune into Penn State as they look towards the 2026 NHL Draft. 

Keaton Verhoeff is expected to be the number two overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He is a defenseman with an incredible amount of size and skill. He'd go number one in most years, but we already know that McKenna has that spot all but locked up. 

The Blackhawks very well could be selecting second overall in 2026, so they are going to want to keep an eye on Verhoeff with North Dakota in 2025-26. 

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

When analyzing what constitutes a successful season, there is often an accompanying tendency to focus exclusively on easily trackable statistics like goals or points.

There is an emphasis on offensive statistics, and part of that could be a trickle-down effect that begins with debating the merits of a player's Hall of Fame credentials and carries down through the ranks, eventually resolving whether a player is productive enough for their respective role on their hockey club.

When it comes to the Senators' Dylan Cozens, there may not be another player on the roster whose personal development and growth is as essential to the organization's rise and breakthrough as an Eastern Conference Cup contender. That is not disrespectful to any of the team's young core pieces; it is just that the others have established themselves.

Brady Tkachuk, for example, is one of the preeminent power forwards in the game who can be relied on for his physicality, leadership and 30-plus goals and 70-plus points. Tim Stützle has developed into a well-rounded first-line centre who should play at a point-per-game or higher pace. Jake Sanderson has evolved into one of the most complete defencemen in the NHL and is fully capable of vying for a Norris Trophy.

These players are already among the game's best, so how much more should reasonably be expected from them?

There is still some untapped potential and room for growth for Cozens. The seventh overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft escaped an untenable situation in Buffalo, where the organization has not reached the postseason since 2011.

Croatia's NHL Trailblazer: The Story Of Ottawa Senators Prospect Bruno IdžanResting on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, the Republic of Croatia is a beautiful country renowned for its pebbled beaches, natural scenery and parks. It gained notoriety and traction as a tourist destination in recent years, thanks to the popular Game of Thrones series, which used it as a filming location.

In five professional seasons, Cozens has only broken the 20-goal mark once. It occurred as a 21-year-old during his 2022-23 season when he established career-highs in goals (31) and points (68). The 'Workhorse from Whitehorse' has failed to replicate that production over the past three seasons. Granted, it is unfair to Cozens to hold him to that standard. That career year occurred because the young centre coupled the highest shot rate of his career (9.47 shots/60 in all situations per Natural Stat Trick) with a shooting percentage (14.69) that was five percent higher than his career average. Inevitably, some normalization was going to occur.

The troubling part of Cozens' game has been his defensive game. It has left something to be desired.

From Natural Stat Trick:

• 2020-21: 46.81 CF%, 43.66 SF%, 39.22 GF%, 43.14 xGF%
• 2021-22: 49.56 CF%, 48.09 SF%, 43.18 GF%, 45.94 xGF%
• 2022-23: 48.95 CF%, 47.97 SF%, 48.57 GF%, 50.04 xGF%
• 2023-24: 50.42 CF%, 51.01 SF%, 50.00 GF%, 49.63 xGF%
• 2024-25: 49.27 CF%, 49.05 SF%, 48.60 GF%, 46.14 xGF%

When Cozens has been on the ice, his team has historically been outshot (CF%), with the opposition generating a higher shots on goal (SF%). His teams have also tended to give up a higher percentage of total goals (GF%) and expected goals (xGF%).

In fairness to him, Cozens has played on some terrible teams featuring poor structure and a weak supporting cast.

At the same time, Cozens' isolated defensive impacts have not been particularly strong per HockeyViz.

As a top-10 draft selection, a ton of responsibility was placed on Cozens to help transition the Sabres out of their perpetual rebuild. Systemic losing can drastically erode a player's confidence and suck the life out of a dressing room.

Cozens wore that burden heavily.

"I know I have another level to my game," Cozens relayed on the Coming in Hot Podcast in a June appearance. "These last two years, I have not been happy with it all.

"I think I showed a couple of years ago, you know, what I can be. It's all about getting back to that and then getting better than that. I know I have a lot more to give, and I know that I need to get back to that."

It will be the Senators' responsibility to help Cozens and restore that swagger and confidence. Following the trade deadline, he looked rejuvenated, centring the Senators' second line alongside Drake Batherson. From March 7th on, Batherson led the Senators in scoring with 10 goals and nine points in 21 games. Right behind him was Cozens, who recorded five goals and 16 points in the same number of games.

The pairing enjoyed some productivity, and right away, it was transparent how much better of a stylistic fit Cozens is. Listed at 6'3" and 207 lb, he is bigger than Josh Norris and although he is not as proficient a skater as Norris, Cozens can still move - ranking in the 76th percentile for skaters with 22+ mph bursts, the 84th percentile for 20-22 mph bursts and the 82nd percentile for 18-20 mph bursts according to the NHL EDGE's data.

Norris was renowned for his finishing ability, but his line's possession numbers would often drag because his line frequently relied upon puck recoveries through the dumping and chasing. Cozens has the confidence and willingness to carry the puck from the defensive zone through the neutral zone, creating a different dynamic wherein his line has an easier time establishing puck possession and offensive zone pressure.

Through his first 11 games with the Senators, the returns on the deal were very promising. Cozens tallied three goals and nine points while generating 29 shots on goal.

'Hockey IQ' Is Teachable: Sam Gagner At Ottawa Senators Development CampOne of the more insightful moments from this year's Ottawa Senators development camp occurred when Sam Gagner, the team's new director of player development, discussed hockey IQ.

At five-on-five, Cozens had some of the strongest per-60 rate stats on the team. He was second on the team in points (2.74 Pts/60), shots (8.68 Sh/60), and individual expected goals (0.95 ixG/60). When he was on the ice at five-on-five per Natural Stat Trick, the Senators generated 48.06 percent of the shots (CF%), 50.36 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), 60.00 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 47.10 percent of the expected goals (xGF%).

Then things began to take a turn.

In his last 10 games, the centre contributed two goals, five assists and 20 shots. His individual rate metrics plummeted:

• 0.93 Pts/60
• 6.02 Sh/60
• 0.52 ixG/60

The Senators' five-on-five shot and goal metrics cratered when Cozens was on the ice. They generated just 40.89 percent of the shots (CF%), which was the team's worst mark, 43.80 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), 25.00 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 36.45 percent of the expected goals (xGF%).

The encouraging part is twofold. These are small sample sizes of data to work with and in the postseason, Cozens' underlying metrics improved. In their six game series against the Maple Leafs, the Senators generated 54.14 percent of the shots (CF%), 49.09 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), and 53.36 percent of the expected goals (xGF%). Granted, the Leafs played a very structured and collapsing defensive game, challenging the Senators to take high-volume shots from the outside while they took away the middle of the ice.

To his credit however, Cozens finished fourth on the team with his individual expected goal rate, but again, we are talking small sample sizes here.

What matters is that if the Senators are to transition from a prospective playoff team to a true Stanley Cup contender, they will need their second line to not only be productive but also tilt the ice in their team's favour against the opposition's best.

Sharing a quarter of the regular season with the Senators and playing in a competitive playoff series with this same group should give Cozens a level of comfort and familiarity with his teammates and coaching staff that can help him have a strong 2025-26 campaign.

The Senators will need it if they are going to take marked steps forward this season. 

By Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News - Ottawa

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Former Senator Travis Hamonic Signs With Atlantic Division Rival
Brady Tkachuk Adds To His Father's Comments About The Future
Former Senator Mark Borowiecki Now 'Looks At Fighting From A Different Lens
Next NHL Expansion Fee May Be 40 Times More Than The Senators Paid
Is The Senators' 2025-26 Lineup Is Already Set?

The NHL Network released their quarter century team, which has both active and retired players from clubs around the league who made their NHL debuts on or after Jan. 1, 2000.

Surprisingly, the NHL Network's quarter century team did not include longtime Montreal Canadiens star goalie Carey Price. Instead, the NHL Network went with Jonathan Quick and Andrei Vasilevskiy for their goalies. 

Introducing the NHL Network's Quarter Century Team! pic.twitter.com/B9Or6GEJVI

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 15, 2025

There is no question that Quick and Vasilevskiy both have had a ton of success in their careers, but there was also a real case for Price to be included in the NHL Network's quarter century team. Price had a spectacular career with the Canadiens and was one of the best goalies in the NHL during his prime years. 

In 712 games over 15 seasons with the Habs, Price recorded a 361-261-79 record, a .917 save percentage, a 2.51 goals-against average, and 49 shutouts. He also memorably won the Hart Memorial Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and William M. Jennings Trophy for the 2014-15 season. In addition, he appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games.

While Price did not win the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, he still put up strong numbers during the playoffs as well. In 92 career playoff games, he had a 2.39 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. 

However, with the marvelous career Price had, it was not enough for him to make the NHL Network's quarter century team. 

Canadiens Exciting Winger Named Top Breakout CandidateNHL.com is currently doing a series that is focusing on one fantasy hockey breakout candidate for each team. Their pick for the Montreal Canadiens' breakout candidate was announced on August 15, and it is an exciting player who fans are certainly hoping can hit a new level in 2025-26.