Category: NHL

With each passing day, the likelihood of Mitch Marner hitting free agency on July 1 is increasing. He is the most high-profile pending unrestricted free agent set to hit the market and is one of the most talented players to do so in recent memory, perhaps ever.

Marner is a recently turned 28-year-old winger (May 5) who has averaged over 1.2 points per game (98-point pace) over the last five seasons, has been the most-utilized Toronto Maple Leafs forward on the penalty kill in that time, and was a Selke Trophy finalist in 2023.

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32 NHL clubs could benefit from adding Marner to their roster, and with the salary cap ceiling set to increase from $88 million in 2024-25 to $95.5 million in 2025-26, most of those clubs will have the cap space or flexibility to make room in their budget to sign him.

If Marner hits unrestricted free agency on July 1, nearly every NHL team will be calling agent Darren Ferris, inquiring about the cost to add. It could be a bidding war to the likes we haven’t seen in the NHL in several years, the last comparable unrestricted free agents being Johnny Gaudreau in 2022, Artemi Panarin in 2019, and John Tavares in 2018.

Every discussion on potential landing spots for Marner, should he hit free agency, seems to mention the Anaheim Ducks as a destination he could consider. He would be a franchise-altering acquisition for Anaheim and catapult them into relevancy after failing to qualify for the playoffs over the previous seven seasons.

Here’s what Anaheim could pitch to Marner, should the scenario arise:

Core

The Ducks have one of the deepest and most potent U24 pipelines in the NHL and deploy a nightly lineup where eight of those U24 players are already assuming impact roles at every position on the ice.

Marner could join a forward core that includes four somewhat recent top-ten draft picks: Leo Carlsson (2nd overall in 2023), Mason McTavish (3rd in ’21), Cutter Gauthier (5th in ’22), and Trevor Zegras (9th in ’19). All four players have, at least, eclipsed the 20-goal and 40-point plateaus in their early careers.

On their blueline, the Ducks ice 2024-25 breakout star Jackson LaCombe as well as a pair of 2023 Defenseman of the Year award-winners in their respective CHL leagues: Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov.

In net for the foreseeable future in Anaheim stands 24-year-old Czech goaltender Lukas Dostal, who has a career .902 SV% (league average) and has saved 7.3 goals above expected in his 121 career NHL games.

Money

The Ducks are projected to enter the 2025 offseason with the third-most available cap space ($38.69 million), just behind the Columbus Blue Jackets ($40.41 million) and San Jose Sharks ($40.99 million).

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is reportedly nearing the end of his contract with the organization and has been given the green light by ownership to spend “what it takes” to fulfill the mandate of returning to the playoffs in 2026.

“We’re willing to make that investment into the team,” Ducks owner Henry Samueli said. “We’ve told the same thing to Pat. Going out looking for players, you will have the budget you need to make this a serious playoff team. You don’t have to pinch pennies anymore. Do what it takes to make us a contender.”

The Ducks have the capability to match or exceed any offer that comes Marner’s way in free agency and are even willing to spend to the salary cap ceiling.

“Potentially, if necessary,” Samueli continued. “He (Verbeek) is going to spend wisely. We’re not going to write stupid checks, but I told him, ‘Do what it takes to make this a really steady, perennial playoff contender and Stanley Cup contender down the road. And if that means signing big-name free agents, go for it.’ We told him, going forward, you will not be constrained by the budget.”

Market

From the outside looking in, Toronto has substantial positives that come with playing for the league’s most popular team, in front of (arguably) the most passionate fans, and in the globe’s epicenter of hockey.

That fishbowl effect can have its drawbacks as well, as the temperature and discussion around Marner have swung heavily in both directions throughout his time as a Leaf.

In terms of climate, both actual and in hockey terms, Anaheim is as close to a polar opposite of Toronto as it gets in the NHL. On average, there are no more than three reporters (not under team employ) at each Ducks’ practice and morning skate, a stark contrast from the crowded daily media scrums in the Leafs’ locker room.

Orange County offers a lifestyle where, if desired, a player can “turn their brain off,” leave hockey at the rink to soak up needed family time, and decompress with some of the best weather on the planet, potentially at or near some of the world’s best beaches.

Ducks fans are passionate, and the media is talented, but the sheer volume of both is much less overwhelming than in the largest markets. Hockey, while ever-expanding, is much lower on the totem pole of everyday conversation, and if day-to-day anonymity is craved, it can be achieved as an NHL player in Southern California.

Coach

The Ducks hired Joel Quenneville as their new head coach on May 8 after a three and a half year period away from the game. He brings with him a substantial amount of baggage and the second-winningest coaching record in NHL history, including three Stanley Cups.

Quenneville is the epitome of a “player’s coach,” who ushered in the current era of speed and possession-based hockey utilized by all 32 NHL teams today. Players’ accounts of their time with him as their coach are overwhelmingly positive.

Ducks forward Frank Vatrano played for Quenneville as a member of the Florida Panthers during Quenneville’s time there (2019-2022).

“His aura when he's in the room, the energy. He wants you to have fun,” Ducks forward Frank Vatrano said when asked what Quenneville brings as a coach. “When you're having fun, it's more fun for everyone. On a day-to-day basis, he makes it really fun to come to the rink every day.

“You can be having a tough stretch as a team or individual, going through individual struggles. He knows how to lift you up and lift the team up at the right times. That’s what all players ask for as a coach is to obviously hold us accountable to the standards, and we go by that every single day, but he just knows how to do that at another level.”

Judging how he nurtured, valued, and accentuated players with unmatched skill like Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, and Jonathan Huberdeau on their rises to stardom in the NHL, one would be hard-pressed to find a more perfect player-coach fit than Marner-Quenneville.

Window

The Anaheim Ducks made a significant jump in the NHL standings from 2023-24 to 2024-25, improving from a 59-point team to an 80-point team.

While a deeper dive into traditional and underlying numbers suggests that a sizable portion of that success can be attributed to goaltending, the team, as a whole, displayed a level of attention to detail and work ethic absent from Anaheim in several previous seasons.

“Players, they want to have success,” Quenneville said when he was hired. “They want to improve, they want accountability, (and) they want to see progress. I think they felt that over the course of the last few years that it’s there and that next challenge, or next step, is near.

“I think that everybody wants a push. The leadership, everybody can start taking a little more ownership in that collectively, across the board. It adds up, and I think that there’s big steps that can happen quickly.”

The mentioned young core will, in all likelihood, continue to improve, and in the environment the Ducks are building, they can fully realize their extraordinary potential en route to the ultimate goal of sustained success and competing for Stanley Cups.

The Ducks' contention window feels as inevitable as any and closer than others with similar potency.

The probability of Mitch Marner ever playing for the Anaheim Ducks remains slim, but if they were to pursue him, the Ducks have as good a pitch as any team in the NHL.

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In an article published on Sunday morning, Marco D’Amico from RG.org confirms that Montreal Canadiens’ right winger Ivan Demidov is staying in town this Summer. As we reported back then, the youngster took a week off once the Habs were eliminated and visited the Dominican Republic, but since May 16th, he’s been back to work.

D’Amico explains the 19-year-old Russian has elected to train in town this Summer, not just because he can do so under the close supervision of the Canadiens’ development staff (he was spotted training under the watchful eye of Adam Nicholas last week), but also because he wants to focus on learning the local languages.

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Clearly, he understands his market and intends to fit in by catering to fans, whether they are English or French-speaking. Now that he’s had a feel for the NHL and the market, Demidov is focusing on becoming a better professional on and off the ice, as his Summer plans reveal.

On May 29, we’ll know if he’s the winner of the KHL Rookie of the Year award, but whether he wins it or not, Demidov isn’t planning on going to the ceremony. This is yet further evidence that his mind is wholly focused on the future rather than basking in the glory of what he has accomplished in the last season.

So far, the young Russian has an excellent work ethic and enjoys working on his game as much as Lane Hutson. Perhaps the young defenseman won’t be the only one to attend all the optional skates next season. It will be interesting to see if Demidov can have the same impact in the NHL as in the KHL last season.

Most expect Hutson to be crowned Calder Trophy Winner for this past season, and if Demidov shines as much as he has in the small sample of games we’ve seen him in, he may just be in the Calder conversation next year too.

 Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Where will Brendan Shanahan surface next? That's the question everyone is wondering after the former Toronto Maple Leafs president was not renewed.

Despite what looked like an opening with the New York Islanders, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that despite discussions with the team, there wasn't a fit.

The news came one day after the Islanders hired Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche run their hockey operations as VP and GM. The Islanders also made a point in their announcement to make it clear that Darche will "handle all aspects of the team's hockey operations."

Brendan Shanahan Out: Why the Maple Leafs Are Moving On From Their Longtime PresidentThe Toronto Maple Leafs and Brendan Shanahan are parting ways.

So what happens with Shanahan now?

There's a good chance the former Leafs boss takes some time to relax. I had a chance to speak with him earlier in the season, and he made a point of mentioning that he isn't the type to sit still for very long. So that got me thinking about some other openings around the NHL that could make sense.

Some possibilities:

1. The Buffalo Sabres

Shanahan left the Maple Leafs as the club currently sits with the longest active playoff streak in the NHL at nine straight seasons. On the other side of that spectrum, the Sabres hold the NHL's longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons. Could they use a new voice as GM Kevyn Adams has struggled to push things forward? There is no buffer between the ownership of the Pegula family and Adams on the organizational chart. That market may not want to spend the money on a team president, but it should look at someone with a track record of inheriting a franchise in disarray and becoming respectable, like he did with the Leafs.

Report: Maple Leafs Grant Islanders Permission To Speak With President Brendan Shanahan Ahead Of MLSE Board ReviewAs the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded their locker cleanouts on Tuesday, their PR staff said they'd be in touch regarding future media availabilities.

2. The Nashville Predators

The Predators were perhaps the most disappointing team of the 2024-25 season. Despite an all-star cast of free agent signings, the team missed the playoffs after struggling all season long. Barry Trotz' shift to GM from head coach has been a bit rocky. David Poile remains there as a senior advisor. But could Shanahan help there?

MLSE CEO Keith Pelley Explains Decision Not To Hire New Maple Leafs President After Brendan Shanahan’s DismissalFans stood alongside Legends Row before Scotiabank Arena, taking photos with the Toronto Maple Leafs' icons. At the same time, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley sat less than 15 feet away, inside the building, discussing another early playoff exit for his hockey club.

Outside of those two positions, it's hard to see anywhere where Shanahan's hiring as team president makes sense. That could change in a year, or Shanahan may decide to do something else in hockey. Before joining the Leafs, Shanahan was the head of the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

Time will tell.

'Are Those Resources Being Put In The Right Area?': Could More Changes To The Maple Leafs Be Coming?Less than 24 hours after Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment moved on from Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, MLSE CEO Keith Pelley hinted more changes could be on the horizon.

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The Florida Panthers are one win away from a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida played a strong defensive game, limiting the Carolina Hurricanes offensive opportunities and skating to a stingy 6-2 victory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Carolina got off to a better start than they had in either of the previous games, outshooting Florida 4-2 in the opening minutes.

It didn’t stop the Panthers from scoring the first goal of the game for the third time this series.

Niko Mikkola collected the puck at the side of Carolina’s net and sent a pass toward Sasha Barkov on the doorstep.

The puck went off the skate of Dmitry Orlov and past Pytor Kochetkov to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead at the 12:07 mark.

After Carolina logged four shots in the game’s first 6:30, Florida held them without a shot on goal for 10:01 of game time.

With just over three minutes left in the period, Eetu Luostarinen was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding after he hit Jackson Blake into the boards.

Florida was able to kill off 4:52 of the penalty before Jerperi Kotkaniemi was called for cross checking Seth Jones to wipe out the final seconds of the man advantage.

During the extended power play, the Cats and Canes each logged the same amount of shots on goal: two.

Arguably the save of the game came by Sergei Bobrovsky about midway through the second period.

With Carolina coming on an odd-man rush, Bobrovsky slid to his right and got his blocker on a one-timer by Logan Stankoven to keep the Hurricanes off the scoreboard a little bit longer.

Speaking of Stankoven, he jumped on a rebound with Carolina on the power play late in the period and beat Bobrovsky to tie the game at one.

Early in the third period, just after a Florida power play expired, Jesper Boqvist sent the fans inside Amerant Bank Arena into a frenzy.

He carried the puck over the blue line, turned Dmitry Orlov inside out with an outside-inside move and slid the puck under Kochetkov to put the Panthers back in front 2-1 just 89 seconds into the final frame.

The frenzy got even louder about six minutes later when Mikkola came down the left side of the ice and wired a wrist shot over Kochetkov’s glove to double Florida’s lead.

Just 30 seconds later, Sasha Barkov added a fourth goal after making a great move to his backhand, putting the Panthers up by three in what felt like the blink of an eye.

He wasn’t done there.

Barkov scored again, this time on a shot that went off Shayne Gostisbehere’s stick, just 2:36 later to push Florida’s lead to 5-1.

Brad Marchand got in on the fun a mere 66 seconds later, finishing off a great feed from Anton Lundell, giving the Panthers a five-goal lead.

Seth Jarvis added a power play goal for Carolina with 8:59 to go, but at that point it was way too little, too late.

On to Game 4.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Mikkola had one point through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but he’s got at least one point in each of the three games against Carolina.

He left the game during the third period after taking an awkward tumble into the boards behind Florida’s net.

Evan Rodrigues is riding a four-game point streak, logging seven assists during the run.

Barkov also has points in each of his past four games, with three goals and four assists.

Boqvist has two goals and two assists over his past three games.

Aaron Ekblad has points in three straight games, picking up an assist on Boqvist’s goal.

Matthew Tkachuk logged a pair of assists, giving him five points over a three-game point streak.

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Photo caption: May 24, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (22) takes a shot on goal as Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save during the second period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Carolina Hurricanes couldn't have possibly drawn up a worse series than what's happening to them in the Eastern Conference Final currently.

They're down 2-0 to the Florida Panthers, getting embarrassed in back-to-back games at home and are also missing two of their regular defensemen to boot.

They then gave up essentially an own-goal to open Game 3 and now to make matters worse, it seems like they're going to be without impressive rookie Jackson Blake after the 21-year-old absorbed a brutal hit toward the end of the first period.

As Blake was going to retrieve a puck in the Carolina end, Florida forward Eetu Luostarinen hooked the rookie and as he was slipping, finished him head first into the glass.

Luostarinen received a five-minute penalty and the boot from the game for this hit on Jackson Blake
pic.twitter.com/RbUhI2GivR

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 25, 2025

Blake was down on the ice for a long time after the hit holding his head and bleeding from the forehead. He was eventually able to skate off the ice under his own power and went straight to the Canes locker room.

After reviewing the play, Luostarinen was also given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit.

The Canes trail 1-0 after one period and will have 1:59 of power play time remaining to start the second.

UPDATE: Jackson Blake returned for the second period.

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Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub for all postseason stories!       

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With the team pressed to the salary cap, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon continues to find unique ways to add skilled forwards to his lineup and could be doing so again with KHL star Maxim Shabanov.

According to a report by Marco D'Amico of RG Media, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Golden Knights are in a "two-horse race" to sign KHL star forward Shabanov. 

The 24-year-old forward was dominant with Traktor Chelyabinsk, scoring 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games, ranking third in points among all players in the KHL. Although he's considered undersized, listed at just 5'8, 157 lbs, it hasn't affected his ability to create offence, displaying his skill set during the playoffs, recording 10 goals and 20 points in 21 games, losing in the Gagarin Cup finals. 

Shabanov, this year's big little KHL free agent has finished his KHL season.

The fight to sign him to an NHL deal starts today (it likely started last year, but shhhh.)pic.twitter.com/crvAILu3Gq

— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) May 21, 2025

“Maybe I'll think about it, maybe not. I've said before that all my thoughts were focused on having a successful season with Traktor. I don’t read what people write about me or listen to what they say,” Shabanov commented before the final.

Across four seasons in the KHL, Shabanov registered 67 goals and 150 points in 207 games. With Russian forwards Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Dorofeyev on the Golden Knights roster, they could be a factor in swaying Shabanov to sign with the Golden Knights. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

ST. LOUIS -- Former St. Louis Blues president died on Thursday.

Sauer became the chief operating officer of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988 before moving on to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1991 to become president and CEO.

In 1996 he began a 10-year run as president and CEO of the Blues.

During Sauer's tenure, the Blues reached the Stanley Cup playoffs in each season but one (2005-06), winning the Presidents' Trophy and Central Division in 1999-2000 and reaching the Western Conference Final in 2000-01.

"Mark Sauer delivered exceptional leadership for the Blues organization at a key time in our history, overseeing a decade in which the Blues ranked among the 10 winningest clubs in the NHL and achieved the franchise's only Presidents' Trophy," Blues chairman Tom Stillman said in a statement. "His management decisions, like the hiring of Larry Pleau as general manager, along with his constant focus on serving fans and partners alike, set the team on a steady and successful path that continues today. We join his family and friends in the sports industry in celebrating Mark Sauer's positive influence on the St. Louis Blues and the entire St. Louis community."

Winnipeg Jets pending unrestricted free agent Axel Jonsson-Fjallby has signed a three-year contract with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

The 27-year-old has been with the Jets organization for three seasons, playing 76 games in the NHL, scoring eight goals and 19 points. The bulk of his time with the organization was spent in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose, recording 27 goals and 61 points in 110 games. 

Prior to signing with the Jets, Jonsson-Fjallby was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round (147th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. He played just 23 games with the Capitals, spending most of his career with the Hershey Bears in the AHL.

The Stockholm, SWE native will return to the SHL, where he's played 102 games, scoring eight goals and 27 points. His previous stints in the SHL saw him play with Djurgårdens IF, but his return will see him sport new colours, those of Brynas IF. 

Featuring on Brynas IF's roster includes former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren, Anaheim Ducks prospect Lucas Pettersson, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Victor Soderstrom, former Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom and long-time NHL veteran Jakob Silfverberg.

Jonsson-Fjallby will receive the opportunity to be a key figure on a professional team, something he craved but was unable to obtain during his NHL career. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Jets Reveal Seven-Man Taxi Squad The Winnipeg Jets revealed their seven-man taxi squad for the playoffs, serving as extras if the team runs into injury problems. Jets Re-Sign Forward Axel Jonsson-FjallbyThe Winnipeg Jets have re-signed forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to a two-year contract.

Soon enough, the Pittsburgh Penguins may be adding another key piece to the puzzle for their NHL roster next season and beyond.

According to a report by Marco D'Amico of RG Media, the Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights are in a "two-horse race" to sign KHL star forward Maxim Shabanov. 

Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins seem to have a two-horse race going for Maxim Shabanov.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Simashev appears Utah-bound in the coming weeks.

More on the exodus from the KHL below ⏬⏬ https://t.co/oKWVHF4UyS

— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) May 23, 2025

The 24-year-old Russian center finished third in KHL scoring last season with 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games for Chelyabinsk Traktor. Although a bit undersized at 5-foot-8 and 158 pounds, the forward's stickhandling ability, creativity, and vision make him an attractive option for any interested team.

Shabanov can do things with the puck that most others simply cannot do.

Shabanov, this year's big little KHL free agent has finished his KHL season.

The fight to sign him to an NHL deal starts today (it likely started last year, but shhhh.)pic.twitter.com/crvAILu3Gq

— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) May 21, 2025

Across four seasons with Traktor, Shabanov has 67 goals and 150 points in 207 career games.

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Photo credit: Chelyabinsk Traktor Hockey Club

(Header/feature image courtesy of Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

After four seasons behind the bench of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Ian Laperrière is reportedly not expected to return as head coach, per a report from Daily Faceoff.

As @AntSanPhilly first reported, PHI is expected to announce that Ian Laperriere will not return as HC of the @LVPhantoms.

He is going to remain with the organization in another capacity.@DailyFaceoff

— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) May 24, 2025

While he is still expected to remain within the Flyers organization in a different role, the news marks a significant shift for Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate—one that could have meaningful implications for the team’s development pipeline.

Laperrière’s tenure with the Phantoms was never defined by dominant Calder Cup runs, but rather by the steady, foundational work of shaping the next generation of Flyers. Under his guidance, the Phantoms produced a consistent stream of NHL-ready talent—players who could be called up mid-season and contribute without missing a beat. Though that work doesn’t always get the headlines, it's the kind of development that builds sustainability for a franchise.

Most notably, Laperrière oversaw the transition of players like Cam York, Sam Ersson, Bobby Brink, and Tyson Foerster from promising prospects into legitimate NHL contributors. Each one of those names is part of the Flyers’ present and very likely their future. The same could be said for defenseman Emil Andrae and forward Anthony Richard, who emerged as standout pieces with Lehigh Valley this past season and are knocking on the NHL door.

In a sense, Laperrière helped bridge the gap between rebuilding and competing. While the Phantoms never reached the Calder Cup Final during his time, they were a team that could play meaningful hockey late into the spring—important experience for young players learning how to perform under pressure. And in an organization that’s increasingly turning toward youth and internal development, that experience holds real value.

So what happens now?

Whoever steps into the role as head coach of the Phantoms will inherit a system that’s already well-oiled, but also one that is rapidly evolving. The Flyers are entering a new phase of their rebuild—one where, as GM Danny Brière has repeatedly said, they hope to begin adding instead of subtracting. That means the talent pipeline becomes more important than ever. It’s not just about producing NHL players; it’s about producing NHL difference-makers.

The next Phantoms coach will be tasked with accelerating that process while preserving the foundation Laperrière helped lay. Development philosophies vary from coach to coach—some focus on system implementation, others on building confidence and creativity. The Flyers will need to choose someone whose vision aligns with head coach Rick Tocchet’s and with the organization’s larger goals.

There’s also the question of identity. Laperrière was a hard-nosed player in his day and brought that edge to his coaching—preaching work ethic, accountability, and consistency. That grit has always been part of the Flyers’ DNA, and it bled into the Phantoms’ play. Whoever follows him will have to decide whether to maintain that ethos or inject a new flavor.

The good news? The cupboard in Lehigh Valley is far from bare.

In addition to players like Andrae and Richard, there’s a wave of intriguing prospects on the horizon: Jett Luchanko, Alex Bump, Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey, and Carson Bjarnason could all see time with the Phantoms next season, depending on how training camp shakes out. The organization’s recent focus on drafting high-skill, high-character players only further emphasizes the need for a development system that can nurture and further elite talent.

As for Laperrière, his continued presence in the organization suggests the Flyers still value his voice and insight. Whether that role involves player development, scouting, or front office strategy remains to be seen, but it’s clear he’ll still have a hand in shaping this team’s future—even if he’s not standing behind the bench in Allentown.

Change is inevitable in hockey, and in the AHL, perhaps more than anywhere else. But as the Flyers look toward building something lasting, the Phantoms remain a crucial piece of that puzzle. The next coach won’t just be preparing players for the NHL; they’ll be helping build the next era of Flyers hockey.

And that’s a job with stakes far greater than the Calder Cup alone.

Back again with a round three NHL 25 HUT Fantasy Hockey card updates. 

Andrei Svechnikov and Sam Bennett are now 99 overall, while Matthew Knies, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Mikael Granlund are up to 98 overall. Granlund has a good chance to reach 99 overall with the Edmonton-Dallas series tied 1-1. 

Four new NHL and two new PWHL Fantasy cards were added this week, Brianne Jenner and Kendall Coyne for the PWHL and Wyatt Johnston, Zach Hyman, Sebastian Aho, and Brad Marchand for the NHL.

Anton Lundell is up to 97 overall while Adam Lowry finishes at 97. Michela Cava is up to 96 while Sebastian Aho, John Tavares, Evander Kane, and Blayre Turnbull are 95 overall. 

All 19 updates or new cards are in the video above. 

Check out Week 1 of the Double Shift Event here. 

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.       

Reilly Smith’s tenure with the New York Rangers was not one to remember.

The Rangers acquired Smith during the 2024 offseason in hopes that he could solidify the team’s top-six forward core. 

However, Smith struggled to find his bearings in New York and he certainly didn’t provide that offensive jolt that Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury was seeking. 

Rangers And Golden Knights Were In Trade Talks For A ‘Period Of Time’Reilly Smith is right back at home In Vegas after a short stint with the New York Rangers.

With the Rangers’ season quickly going off the rails and playoffs seeming increasingly unlikely by the NHL Trade Deadline in March, Drury traded Smith to his former team, the Vegas Golden Knights.

With the Golden Knights, the 34-year-old forward began to look more comfortable and find his game. 

After Vegas got bounced in the second round by the Edmonton Oilers, Smith emphasized how much he enjoyed the stretch back playing for the team he won a Stanley Cup with in 2023.

“I don’t think the last two years have been kind of the trajectory I wanted my game to go, but coming back here I felt like I was able to get my footing pretty quickly and feel good about my game again,” Smith said.

“It was a lot of fun, coming back here and playing on a team that had a lot of purpose, a lot of familiar faces, a structure that probably brings the best game out of me. It made for a fun few months,” Smith explained. “A great experience for me.”

Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. 

Hershey Bears forward Mike Sgarbossa has signed a two-year deal with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. 

An AHL veteran who has been a consistent point producer over his career, Sgarbossa notched seven goals and 31 points in 35 games with Hershey and two points in three games with the Washington Capitals this season. 

The 32-year-old recorded 165 goals and 467 points in 605 games over parts of 13 AHL seasons with the Lake Erie Monsters, Norfolk Admirals, San Diego Gulls, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Hershey Bears.

"I've been going up and down quite a bit, so you tend to miss a lot of things when it comes to the kids... it's a good opportunity for me, personally."

Mike Sgarbossa explains his decision to leave the Capitals organization as he's set to sign overseas.https://t.co/P3KL3Y7xBR

— Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) May 23, 2025

The Campbellville, Ont., native was a two-time AHL All-Star and won the 2023 Calder Cup with Hershey. He remained on the Washington Capitals roster and did not play in Hershey's 2024 Calder Cup run. 

Sgarbossa originally signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2010 after going undrafted and became a regular NHL call-up over his career.

In 92 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Washington Capitals Sgarbossa had nine goals and 25 points.  

The Hockey News' Washington reporter Sammi Silber spoke with Sgarbossa regarding his decision here.

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.  

In November 2023, the NHL came down hard on the Ottawa Senators, announcing they would have to forfeit a first-round draft pick due to the mishandling of their July 2021 trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights.

As a result of the Senators' screw-up, the subsequent March 2022 Dadonov trade between the Knights and the Anaheim Ducks was invalidated, embarrassing everyone involved.

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The league gave Ottawa the choice of forfeiting its first-round pick in either the 2024, 2025, or 2026 Draft. New owner Michael Andlauer questioned how this had become his problem, and why the league or the former Sens ownership hadn't disclosed the issue before he bought the franchise.

The mistake occurred on Pierre Dorion’s watch, and he was immediately removed as GM, a move that was probably coming down the pike anyway.

At the time, the question was which pick the Senators would give up: 2024, 2025, or 2026? We now know the Senators will forfeit their 2026 first-round pick.

The Sens kicked the decision down the road last year, selecting defenseman Carter Yakemchuk in round one. GM Steve Staios suggested they would probably defer the forfeiture again this year.

"It's highly likely we'll keep our pick," Staios told reporters at the Senators' end-of-season availability on May 5.

In reality, their official decision had to be made at least two days earlier. According to NHL.com, if the Senators were going to forfeit this year’s pick, they had to decide within 24 hours of the conclusion of the May 2 NHL Draft Lottery. So on May 5, keeping the pick was more than just “highly likely” at that point.

The announcement, though oddly coy, was the right decision in every way.

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The Senators are a team on the rise, so, in theory, their first-round pick will be less valuable next season. And forfeiting the pick this year would have sent a poor message to the team and its ticket-buying fan base, who head into the summer with great expectations for next season.

There’s also the strategy of dragging things out in hopes that time heals all wounds. In short (pun intended), the Sens are hoping Commissioner Gary Bettman has a change of heart.

When people discuss this possibility, they frequently harken back to the precedent of the New Jersey Devils getting their forfeited first-round pick back 11 years ago.

That happened, but here’s why that was a very different situation, and probably not a good comparison for the Senators.

The league punished the Devils in 2010 for cap circumvention after signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a wild 17-year contract that would have taken him into his mid-40s.

They ruled that the Devils would have to give up a first-round pick in either 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014, along with a third-rounder in 2011 and a US$3 million fine. The Devils did what the Senators are doing, delaying the forfeiture as long as possible.

But two big things happened in the summer of 2013. First, Jersey traded their 2013 first-round pick to Vancouver for goalie Cory Schneider. At that point, the die was cast, and the Devils would be forced to give up their pick in 2014.

But two weeks after the Schneider trade, Kovalchuk surprised the hockey world by retiring from the NHL with 12 years still left on his contract.

The 2012–13 NHL season was a lockout year, and Kovalchuk, who had spent half the season playing in the KHL, apparently got homesick. Shortly after his announcement, he signed a lucrative four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg, with an eye on playing in the 2018 Olympics.

So the Devils had to carry on without Kovalchuk in 2013–14, and the league appeared to sympathize with that. In March 2014, the Devils applied to the NHL for reconsideration and relief from their earlier penalty.

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The NHL agreed.

"The Devils recently applied to the League for reconsideration and relief from a portion of the original penalty, citing primarily changes in circumstances which, in the club's view, changed the appropriateness of the sanctions initially imposed," the NHL said in a statement. "After due and thorough consideration, the League has decided that a modification of the original circumvention penalty associated with the Kovalchuk contract is warranted and, accordingly, has amended the sanctions."

The Devils got their pick back.

They were awarded the 30th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the final selection of the first round. Plus, their $3 million fine was also cut in half.

The league still took its pound of flesh. The 30th pick could not be traded, and naturally, the Devils were ineligible for the draft lottery that year.

The Devils missed the playoffs that season and likely would have selected around 11th overall. At that point, players like Dylan Larkin, Alex Tuch, and David Pastrnak were still on the board. Instead, with the 30th pick, the Devils selected John Quenneville.

So that’s the backstory on why the league reduced the punishment and gave the first-round pick back to the Devils. The star player in question had left the club with 12 years remaining on his contract, and, in a nutshell, the league took pity on them.

So in the unlikely event the Senators do get their pick back, it won't have anything to do with the Kovalchuk precedent. That 2014 decision required a major shift in circumstances, and it's wildly different than anything that's happened (or could happen) in Ottawa.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Betting odds now available for if Panthers or Hurricanes touch Prince of Wales Trophy following Eastern Conference Finals

In the world of NHL superstition, few traditions capture the imagination like the ritual surrounding the Prince of Wales Trophy. Awarded to the Eastern Conference champions, it’s a prestigious trophy yet many teams treat it like a cursed object, refusing to lay a finger on it. 

Why? 

Because some believe touch it is to suggest that the job is done, when in reality, the Stanley Cup is the only true goal. Some players won't go as far as to touch even a miniature sized Stanley Cup when presented it. 

Would NHL players touch a replica Stanley Cup?#nhl #stanleycup #nhlplayoffs

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Superstition

The exact origin of the superstition is unclear, but the belief is simple: touching the Prince of Wales Trophy could jinx a team’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup. 

Now, oddsmakers have looked to capitalized on this hockey folklore. As of the 2025 playoffs, sportsbooks have set odds at -1000 on FanDuel Sportsbook for the trophy not to be touched, indicating that most bettors and teams expect the winners to keep their distance and continue the tradition. 

It’s rare to see such steep odds on a non-game prop, which highlights how deeply ingrained this superstition has become. If you believe the Panthers or Hurricanes will be bold and touch the trophy, odds are sitting at +610 but history hasn't always been on the side of the team choosing to break tradition. 

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Notable Teams and Their Choices With Conference Titles

• Pittsburgh Penguins: In 2008, Sidney Crosby avoided touching the trophy yet the Penguins lost in the Finals. In 2009, 2016 and 2017, he touched it and they went on to won the Stanley Cup each time.
• Florida Panthers: They touched the trophy in 1996 and 2023, losing both Finals. In 2024, they resisted and won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. 
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Skipped the trophy in 2015 and lost. Touched it in 2020 and won. 
• Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman touched the Campbell Bowl (awarded to Western Conference Champions) in 1997. Detroit went on to win the Cup. 
• New Jersey Devils: Scott Stevens touched it in 1995 and 2003 but both were followed by Cup wins.
• Philadelphia Flyers: Mike Richards touched the trophy in 2010. The Flyers lost to the Blackhawks in the Final.
• Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews refused to touch the Campbell Bowl in 2010 and they went on to win the Cup.

Betting on Tradition

The existence of betting odds like the current -1000 for “no touch” underscores the extent to which this ritual has transcended sport. It's now a cultural moment and a literal bettable event similar to those from other sports like the color of Gatorade during the celebratory dump on the winning head couch. For some captains, touching the trophy is a deliberate reversal of fortune; for others, it's a tradition best left unbroken.

Touching the Prince of Wales Trophy or not has no measurable impact on the ice. But hockey is a game of psychology, momentum, and myth. Whether it’s Crosby’s redemption arc or the state of Florida’s rise to power of the last decade with the Bolts and Panthers, the tale of the trophy adds drama to an already high-stakes moment.

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