Category: NHL

Many 2025 NHL draft talent will get one last chance to impress scouts at the World Men’s Under-18 Championship, which snuck up on the hockey world.

The event kicks off on Wednesday, as some of the top U-18 players from around the world will go head-to-head in Texas for the next two weeks. 

NHL scouts get to see these players compete against their age group, and they’ll watch European players on the same ice as many North Americans. 

So, who has the most to prove moving forward? Let’s look at some of the 2025 NHL draft prospects with the most on the line heading into the biggest tournament of their draft-eligible season. 

LJ Mooney, C/W, USA

After missing a couple of months early in the year with a leg injury and coming back a little early for the CHL-USA Prospect Challenge, LJ Mooney has finally started to look like himself over the last couple of months. 

The highly skilled, high-motor forward plays far bigger than his 5-foot-7 stature, engaging physically on the forecheck or along the wall. Mooney brings upper-tier skill as well, showing off some wicked hands and slick playmaking. A big U-18 tournament could help put him back on the map after falling down draft boards through the midway point of the season. 

Filip Ekberg, RW, Sweden

Coming over to North America, Ekberg was slow to start the OHL season with the Ottawa 67’s. His skilled possession game didn’t exactly mesh with the brand of hockey Ottawa was playing, and he had to learn to play within the system. 

In the second half of the year, Ekberg nearly doubled his production and looked far more comfortable. He used his speed and skill to play within the north-south style of game that the 67’s were playing. 

Once a highly regarded prospect, Ekberg could do wonders for his draft stock with a big U-18 Championship. 

Eric Nilson, C, Sweden

Every year, there seems to be a center from Sweden who raises their draft stock at the U-18s, thanks to an excellent tournament and steady 200-foot game. 

This year, Nilson feels like a good bet to be that player. He’s already begun to rise on draft boards, but a solid tournament on a big stage could make him a definite first-rounder. His intelligent tactical play and ability to facilitate offense for his teammates are what he’s all about. He needs to fill out his 5-foot-11 frame, but Nilson is a really reliable, steady center, and NHL teams love that.

Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft RankingsNHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL draft.

Max Westergard, LW, Finland

Playing primarily at the U-20 level in Sweden, we saw Westergard get some Swedish League action in the playoffs, and he looked quite solid in those games. His skating is simply fantastic, bringing an element of speed that few others have. He’s also shown some excellent facilitation abilities this year. 

The Finns as a whole have been underwhelming in the  2025 NHL draft class, but Westergard brings an element of pace and playmaking that could make him the highest-drafted Finn in June. A great performance and proving he’s a driver would be huge at the U-18 Worlds. 

Michal Svrcek, C/W, Slovakia

Playing in Sweden with Brynas, Svrcek brings a level of dynamism and pace that few players at the U-18 level possess. 

Svrcek plays like a dog on a bone, consistently looking to be involved in the play in all facets. When playing against men, he simplified his game and played within the structure. 

Against junior-age players, he was much more creative and daring with his play, consistently looking to put defenders in a compromising position. He’s already one of the most underrated players in the draft, and a good performance in Texas would help more people understand that.

Luka Radivojevic, D, Slovakia

Coming to the USHL during the season, Radivojevic is a highly skilled puckhandler and shifty skater who can be a very solid offensive defenseman. 

Some of his flashes of skill and playmaking really dazzle, but his defensive issues make him a bit of a risk. There is hope he can develop his defensive game through his skating, but he will need to prove he’s made progress in his own end against the best U-18 talent in the world for scouts to take him more seriously. 

Adam Benak, C/W, Czechia

Benak’s stock may never have been higher after the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where he was wowing fans and scouts with his stickhandling and passing ability en route to becoming the all-time tournament scoring leader, finishing second this year with 11 points. 

Benak is listed at 5-foot-7, which will give teams pause, but he has immense skill and high-end offensive ability, which should lead to some team taking the chance. After a good but not great USHL season, Benak has one last chance on the international stage to show he should be drafted as highly as people thought coming into the season. 

Vojtech Cihar, LW, Czechia

The consensus on Cihar among those in the public sphere has been that he’s a safe bet to be a solid bottom-six player who brings grit and physicality on the forecheck and a solid two-way game to go with it. 

His offensive game is often referred to as “simple,” especially as he’s played against men all season. This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase his skills and offensive prowess against players his age.

NHL Sour Rankings: What Lies Ahead For Every Non-Playoff TeamThe NHL is so often focused, for good reason, on the races at the top of the standings, but the NHL Sour Rankings looks at the bottom. 

Jackson Smith, D, Canada

Canada enters the U-18s without many of its top players eligible for the tournament due to various reasons, including some players still competing in the CHL playoffs and injuries that have ruled them out of consideration. That leaves the Canadians particularly thin on the back end, but it should give Jackson Smith ample opportunity to showcase his tools and drive up his draft stock. 

Smith has excellent size, nice puckhandling, fluid mobility and all of the tools to make him a solid two-way defender. Putting it together on the big stage would be a boon to his NHL draft ranking. 

Braeden Cootes, C, Canada

Cootes will play a big role for Canada, regardless of which line he is on. He likely comes into the tournament as their best two-way center, with the motor to play in all situations. 

Cootes' offensive numbers were solid in the WHL this season, and his defensive game never waned. He might not be the most dynamic or skilled player, but he plays a predictable game in the best way. Coaches know what they will get from him. If Cootes can show how versatile and important he can be on the U-18 stage, NHL clubs will be very happy to add him to their pipeline on draft day.

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Everyone and his Uncle Dudley seem to have a hockey website. Ah, but which one is THE best?

For the answer I asked my esteemed hockey seer, Rangers historian George Grimm, to check out the field. Here's what the author of "We Did Everything But Win" – and other fine Blueshirt books – discovered.

The winner is "NHL Wraparound" and it's hosted by two of the smartest minds in the puck universe. But I'll let Brother Grimm tell you the rest. Take it away, George:

"From former players, to sportswriters, to avid fans (like me), it seems as if everyone has a hockey-related podcast these days. Some are good, some not, a few are too bland while a number of them try to be too 'edgy.'

"The very best among the crowded field happens to be NHL Wraparound orchestrated by – and starring – Neil Smith and Vic Morren.

"You have to love Smith's insights. He's the former President and General Manager of the only Ranger team to have won the Stanley Cup in the last 85 years (and counting).

"Morren's resume is equally impressive. Vic is a long time ESPN veteran with other notable achievements including the first hockey analytics book.

"As a team, they play off of each other well, delivering and producing multiple shows every week, each with a different take on the NHL, its players, and hockey in general.

"Their NHL Wraparound episodes usually feature a GM, coach, beat writer or broadcaster as a guest, while their 'New York Centric' show drills down on the Rangers, Islanders and Devils and often features a reporter or broadcaster from the local tri-state market.

"The pair also offer 'Short Shifts,' including a few minutes now reviewing opening round playoff games. In addition they offer a delightful feature called 'The Human Side.' It highlights the kindness, selflessness, and humor of the hockey community.

"Not surprisingly, Smith’s expertise lies in evaluating the teams, players, trades and playoff analysis, while Morren relies heavily on analytics and statistics to support his views.

"Each is highly respected within the hockey industry as evidenced by Florida coach Paul Maurice coming on the show on the same day as the NHL Trading Deadline.

"Smith and Morren are both knowledgeable and more than willing to share their opinions, but they don’t force them on the listener. There’s no nastiness, hidden agendas or BS, just an eyes-wide-open, 360-degree view of the NHL."

The Grimm Bottom Line: "NHL Wraparound, with its multiple shows and formats is an all-encompassing concept that works very well."

The Maven's Bottom Line: It's the best in the business. Check it out and you'll see!

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights have shown plenty of successful tendencies since coach Bruce Cassidy arrived before the 2022-23 season.

After knocking off the Minnesota Wild, 4-2, in Game 1 of the opening round on Sunday, one of those tendencies comes into play for Game 2.

The Golden Knights have done an excellent job in stepping up on the second leg of a back-to-back against the same opponent.

Whether it's during the regular season or in Game 2 of a playoff series, the Golden Knights are 8-2 in such situations.

"What the hell were we thinking the other two (losses)?" Cassidy jokingly asked when made aware of the stat. "One of the things I enjoy about coaching, especially this time of year, is the chess match, so to speak."

today’s vibes 😁

🔊 SOUND UP 🔊 pic.twitter.com/BJIkKh9o5S

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 22, 2025

Cassidy said the waking up the day after a game with an opponent, and just before facing that team again, he enjoys breaking down film and finding the things he and his staff saw that may have changed, and how to tweak to improve.

"For example, against us earlier this year, Minnesota's D did not pinch very often," Cassidy explained. "Not many breakouts. (Sunday) night, first period, they're up on our wingers. So right away we're going, 'hey guys, disregard what we talked about for half an hour two days ago. They're coming.'

"Which is okay, we deal with that all year."

Cassidy said he's also cautious in what he throws at his players with a short turnaround, so as not to overburden them with too many things that might send them into a mental overload.

"It's not about that," he said. "It's little tweaks here and there. Or just our players respond well, it's usually the case with any of these stats. It usually means they're good players."

Said veteran defensemen Brayden McNabb: "He's a great coach, obviously he's proven that. He can adjust, sees the game very well, look at a game after a game and see what they're going to do. and what we need to do to counteract that."

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.      

The Islanders announced on Tuesday that the club is moving on from president and general manager Lou Lamoriello, saying his contract will not be renewed.

According to a release by the team, operating partner John Collins will lead the search for the club’s next general manger.

“The Islanders extend a heartfelt thank you to Lou Lamoriello for his extraordinary commitment over the past seven years,” the club said in a statement. “His dedication to the team is in line with his Hall of Fame career.”

Lamoriello, 82, was hired by the Islanders in May 2018 as president of hockey operations and took over as GM a couple of weeks later, after Garth Snow was fired. Under the guidance of Lamoriello, the Islanders made the playoffs in five of his seven seasons, though they never made it past the Eastern Conference Finals.

Joining the Islanders following a three-year-stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lamoriello made his name as one of the best executives in hockey with the Devils, where he was at the reins as GM from 1987-2015. The Devils made the Stanley Cup Final five times then, winning three championships.

The Vegas Golden Knights hold multiple advantages over the Minnesota Wild, but the greatest advantage and one that could win them the series is the experience they have in the playoffs. 

There's a select number of players on the Golden Knights roster who haven't been on a long Stanley Cup run, and the bulk of the lineup who have can share that experience with those players.

That leadership stems from the coaches first and foremost, and HC Bruce Cassidy displayed just that by giving the Golden Knights a day off on Monday to keep them fresh and in the right mental space. 

"Today I thought, they've been here three or four days, it's been a lot," said Cassidy. "Game 1, there's a lot of anxiety, preparation, and you're excited. Now that Game 1's behind us, get out of the rink today, go enjoy the day. Spend time with your kids, cleanse the hockey mind, and tomorrow let's start thinking about Minnesota again."

The Golden Knights know how to win. That's why they're understanding of what they need to do on a personal level is so important.

"I don't think you can think about a team 24 hours a day as a player. Coaches do because we're always thinking of stuff, but I think players need a break."

The winning culture of the Golden Knights is perfectly embodied by veteran defenseman Brayden McNabb. He's led the team in blocked shots on multiple occasions and has been as consistent as they come since his arrival in the inaugural season.

"It is important to unwind and get away from it because it can be on your mind all day, every day," said the 34-year-old. "You need to find a routine where you can get your mind off of it. I think most guys probably enjoy watching the games, they're fun to watch, but you need to find a way to get away, whatever that is"

The Golden Knights held a full practice today ahead of Game 2, where they'll be looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead and win both games at home. 

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.

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Strike First, Top Wild 4-2 To Take 1-0 Series Lead In Opening Round Of NHL PlayoffsLAS VEGAS -- It takes 16 wins to hoist Lord's Stanley Cup.

The New York Islanders won't renew the contract of the second-winningest GM in NHL history, Lou Lamoriello.

The search for a new GM is underway, the Islandersannounced Tuesday. Operating partner John Collins will lead the search.

Lamoriello's Islanders missed the playoffs by nine points this season. Their .500 points percentage was their lowest since 2017-18.

Lamoriello, 82, joined the Islanders organization ahead of the 2018-19 season as GM and president of hockey operations. In the past seven seasons, he's had a 268-195-71 record with the Islanders.

He was named the NHL's GM of the year in 2019-20 and 2020-21, when the team made back-to-back Stanley Cup playoff semifinal appearances. Under Lamoriello, the Islanders ultimately won five playoff rounds, six including the qualifying round in the 2020 bubble playoffs.

Lamoriello brought on key players over the years, such as Semyon Varlamov, Bo Horvat, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Kyle Palmieri, Alexander Romanov and Anthony Duclair. He also re-signed important Islanders to long-term contracts, such as captain Anders Lee, Horvat, Ilya Sorokin, Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech, as well as depth players Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield.

The Islanders have had three coaches in the past seven seasons. Barry Trotz coached for four campaigns after winning the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018. Lane Lambert then took over for parts of two seasons and had a 61-46-20 record before Lamoriello replaced him with Patrick Roy on Jan. 20, 2024.

Whoever replaces Lamoriello has seven pending RFAs and five pending UFAs to handle, including RFAs Noah Dobson, Adam Boqvist, Romanov and Maxim Tsyplakov and UFAs Palmieri, Mike Reilly and Tony DeAngelo.

Lamoriello's resume includes the second-most regular-season games, wins and losses in NHL history, trailing only David Poile in each category. The biggest difference between Lamoriello and Poile is the former's three Stanley Cup wins, all with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, 2000 and 2003.

The Johnston, R.I., native also has the most playoff games managed and ninth-most post-season wins in NHL history. He also won a World Cup gold medal on Team USA in 1996.

Lamoriello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2009 and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2012.

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The last time the Pittsburgh Penguins skated in a playoff game was on May 15, 2022. Currently, only five head coaches, including Mike Sullivan, are still employed with the same team in 2025.

Those names include Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jared Bednar (Colorado Avalanche), Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina Hurricanes), and Martin St. Louis (Montreal Canadiens).  

Considering the last time the Penguins won a series was on April 22, 2018, only three coaches, including Sullivan, are still running their teams: Cooper and Bednar. In seven seasons since Pittsburgh last won a series, the Lightning have won 12 matchups and the Avalanche eight, with the two clubs combining for three Stanley Cup titles. 

Penguins' Crosby Continues To Pace NHL In Top 10 Scoring Finishes During Salary Cap EraPittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby just finished his ninth 90-point campaign in the NHL, finishing as the league's 10th highest scorer, the 13th time he's accomplished that feat in 20 seasons. 

Since taking over, Brind’Amour has guided the Hurricanes to seven playoff series wins, while St. Louis has just gotten the Canadiens back to the playoffs since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

Meanwhile, just two months after their elimination, several competing teams replaced their coaches and have found postseason success. 

Bruce Cassidy (June 14, 2022) won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, Peter DeBoer (June 21, 2022) has led the Dallas Stars to back-to-back Western Conference Final appearances, while Paul Maurice (June 22, 2022) finally won the Stanley Cup on the second of back-to-back Final appearances with the Florida Panthers in 2024.

Thus far, since the 2024-25 season ended, the NHL head coaching vacancies are starting to pile up. 

First, the Anaheim Ducks fired Greg Cronin, despite a 21-point improvement from their 2023-24 season. Next, the New York Rangers fired Peter Laviolette, almost one year to the day the team celebrated its Presidents’ Trophy win. Finally, the Seattle Kraken fired former Penguins bench boss Dan Bylsma, who was 35-41-6 in his only season in the Pacific Northwest.

Inside The Numbers: Penguins Netminders Compile Second Worst SV% Totals In 20 SeasonsFans across the NHL were well aware of the nightly struggles of the trio of Pittsburgh Penguins goalies, Tristan Jarry, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Joel Blomqvist. 

Since their last playoff win, the Penguins have compiled a 112-99-35 record for 259 points, which ranks 21st in the NHL, all under the guidance of Sullivan.

Interestingly, when we examine the teams with worse records, the number of coaching changes is quite fascinating. Never mind, when we look at the NHL in general, here’s a look at the head coaches and the franchise records since the end of the 2021-22 season.

1. Dallas (149-68-29) 327 points (1 - Pete DeBoer)
2. Carolina (151-74-21) 323 points (1 - Rod Brind’Amour)
3. Toronto (148-73-25) 321 points (2 - Sheldon Keefe, Craig Berube)
4. Winnipeg (154-79-13) 321 points (2 - Rick Bowness, Scott Arniel)
5. Boston (145-71-30) 320 points (2 - Jim Montgomery, Joe Sacco)
6. Vegas (146-73-27) 319 points (1 - Bruce Cassidy)
7. Colorado (150-78-18) 318 points (1 - Jared Bednar)
8. Edmonton (147-79-20) 308 points (2 - Jay Woodcroft, Kris Knoblauch)
9. Los Angeles (139-77-30) 308 points (2 - Todd McLellan, Jim Hiller)
10. New York Rangers (141-81-24) 306 points (2 - Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette)
11. Florida (141-87-18) 300 points (1 - Paul Maurice)
12. Tampa Bay (138-86-22) 298 points (1 - Jon Cooper)
13. Minnesota (130-89-27) 287 points (2 - Dean Evason, John Hynes)
14. New Jersey (132-94-20) 284 points (3 - Lindy Ruff, Travis Green, Sheldon Keefe)
15. Vancouver (126-90-30) 282 points (2 - Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet)
16. Washington (126-90-30) 282 points (2 - Peter Laviolette, Spencer Carbery)
17. Calgary (117-93-36) 270 points (2 - Darryl Sutter, Ryan Huska)
18. St. Louis (124-101-21) 269 points (3 - Craig Berube, Drew Bannister, Jim Montgomery)
19. New York Islanders (116-93-37) 269 points (2 - Lane Lambert, Patrick Roy)
20. Ottawa (121-106-19) 261 points (3 - D.J. Smith, Jacques Martin, Travis Green)
21. Pittsburgh (112-99-35) 259 points (1 - Mike Sullivan)
22. Nashville (119-106-21) 259 points (2 - John Hynes, Andrew Brunette)
23. Detroit (115-104-27) 257 points (2 - Derek Lalonde, Todd McLellan)
24. Seattle (115-104-27) 257 points (2 - Dave Hakstol, Dan Bylsma)
25. Buffalo (117-109-20) 254 points (2 - Don Granato, Lindy Ruff)
26. Philadelphia (102-110-34) 238 points (2 - John Tortorella, Brad Shaw)
27. Utah/Arizona (102-111-32) 236 points (1 - Andre Tourigny) 
28. Montreal (101-112-33) 235 points (1 - Martin St. Louis)
29. Columbus (92-124-30) 197 points (3 - Brad Larsen, Pascal Vincent, Dean Evason)
30. Anaheim (85-134-27) 197 points (2 - Dallas Eakins, Greg Cronin)
31. Chicago (74-148-37) 172 points (2 - Luke Richardson, Anders Sorensen)
32. San Jose (61-148-37) 159 points (2 - David Quinn, Ryan Warsofsky)

Except for the Canadiens and Utah Hockey Club (formerly the Arizona Coyotes), every franchise below the Penguins in the standings has switched coaches at least once. In Montreal’s case, they finally clinched a playoff spot in 2025, increasing from 68 points to 76 and now 91, a 23-point rise in the standings. 

Utah had a winning record, 38-31-13 (89 points) in their first season, while registering 70 and 77 point seasons in the desert under Tourigny. 

In Pittsburgh, under Sullivan’s guidance for the past three seasons, the Penguins have only continued to drop in the standings. In 2022-23, they finished 11 games over .500, with a record of 40-31-11 for 91 points. Last year, they were only six games over .500 at 38-32-12 for 88 points, while finishing two games under .500 this season at 34-36-12 for 80 points, an 11-point drop from three seasons ago. 

If we go back even further to 2021-22, when the Penguins lost to the Rangers in Game 7, that year’s club had 103 points, meaning this year’s club finished 23 points below their most recent best season. 

While the NHL coaching carousel continues to spin across North America, it has thus far bypassed Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, big-name head coaches are winning the Jack Adams Award, something Sullivan has never achieved, and have since been fired, as seen with Cassidy (2019), Sutter (2022), and Montgomery (2023). 

Outside of Sutter’s absence from the game, both Cassidy and Montgomery have found successes with their new clubs, while their former club, the Bruins, plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. 

Meanwhile, the Penguins remain content with Sullivan behind the bench, with his most recent successes quickly fading into the rearview mirror. 

Inside The Numbers: Penguins' Record In Season FinalesThe Pittsburgh Penguins just finished their 57th season with a 34-36-12 record, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive campaign.

You could argue that Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals haven't exactly been playoff beasts the past couple of years.

In fact, you could really make that argument since the Capitals won the Cup in 2018. Five one-and-dones and a one missed playoff tend to give that perception.

But the Capitals haven't been this good since they won the Cup. And Ovechkin hasn't been this inspired. Fresh off breaking the all-time goals record, Ovechkin had two goals, including the overtime-winner, in Game 1 of the Caps' first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Ovechkin and the rest of the Capitals look as though they know they have a chance to accomplish something special in 2025. And that kind of feeling can go a long way.

Today's video column has more.

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The Buffalo Sabres announced on Tuesday the hiring of Jake Vernon as the club’s Chief Commercial Officer. Vernon joins the Sabres after spending the last 12 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, where he led all initiatives related to ticketing, membership service, premium sales, fan experience, and group events, in addition to the team’s partnership with its concessions partner.

“Jake has extensive experience in the sports industry and has been thriving in an arena model for the last two decades. I’m excited to see what he can add to our organization as we continue to strive to provide an incredible experience for our great fans.” Sabres COO Pete Guelli said in a press release.

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Skinner Finally Gets To The Postseason

Veteran winger Jeff Skinner, after 15 seasons of not making the playoffs, finally got a taste of the postseason on Tuesday with the Edmonton Oilers. It was not an auspicious debut for the 32-year-old, who was on the ice for three straight LA Kings goals, but he did register an assist on Mattias Janmark’s goal early in the third period that helped spark the Oilers late comeback.

After Connor McDavid tied the game late in the third, the Kings' Phillip Danault scored the game-winner with 42 seconds left to give Los Angeles a 6-5 victory in Game 1.

Ex-Sabres In The Playoffs:

Erik Johnson (COL), -1, 15:38 TOI, 3 SOG, two blocked shots

Joel Armia (MTL) 14:24 TOI, 2 SOG

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

With the 2025 NHL playoffs underway, teams that missed out have already turned their focus to the offseason. For the San Jose Sharks, it’s all about continuing the rebuild and making the most of this summer’s draft.

The Sharks have gone about their rebuild the right way. They stripped things down, loaded up on draft picks, and now have a strong young core to build around. But there are a few key questions that need to be answered as they move forward.

One of the first decisions is what to do with their pending free agents—both unrestricted and restricted.

Pending Unrestricted Free Agents:

• Jan Rutta
• Alexandar Georgiev

Both players will likely hit the open market. With Yaroslav Askarov ready to step into a full-time NHL role, Georgiev’s time in San Jose is likely done.

Rutta can be replaced internally by Shakir Mukhamadullin or even Sam Dickinson, depending on how things shake out in camp.

Restricted Free Agents:

• Klim Kostin
• Nikolai Kovalenko
• Thomas Bordeleau
• Noah Gregor
• Jack Thompson
• Shakir Mukhamadullin

Most of this group is expected to be qualified. Gregor is the exception—he’s already gone unqualified once by the organization and could be again.

The biggest piece of the Sharks’ offseason is the 2025 NHL Draft. They currently hold nine picks: two firsts, two seconds, a third, two fourths, a fifth, and a seventh. Given where they are in the rebuild, GM Mike Grier could look to add even more by moving out a contract or two.

After finishing last in the NHL, San Jose will pick in the top three—meaning another franchise-changing player will join Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. They also own Edmonton’s first-rounder, which will fall in the back half. It’s another chance for their scouts to find a player who can grow with the core.

Former Sharks Players To Cheer For In The 2025 PlayoffsWith the 2024-25 NHL playoffs underway and the San Jose Sharks preparing for their summer, there are a few former Sharks you may want to cheer for.

Free agency will also be a tool. If Georgiev moves on, the Sharks will need a veteran goalie to support Askarov. A few names that could be of interest:

• Alex Lyon
• Anton Forsberg
• Dan Vladar

There’s always a chance they take a bigger swing on someone like Ilya Samsonov or Jake Allen, but that would cut into the workload Askarov needs. He should be getting 35-45 starts next season.

As for veteran skaters, San Jose may look to add experience to help take some of the pressure off the kids. A few names that could be on their radar:

• Mikael Granlund
• Nick Bjugstad
• Eric Robinson
• Matt Grzelcyk
• Justin Danforth

None are big names, but they’re the type of players who can provide structure and stability, which will help the young players. Granlund, in particular, was excellent for the Sharks before being dealt to Dallas. A one-year reunion could make sense—he gets the chance to play a big role, and the team gets another potential trade chip at the deadline.

Unless something unexpected happens, the Sharks won’t be pushing for a playoff spot next season. The focus remains on development, asset management, and laying the foundation. Grier has stuck to the plan so far—and there’s no reason to think that changes this summer.

Sharks' Ryan Warsofsky Named Team USA Head Coach At 2025 WorldsSan Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has been named the head coach for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

The Toronto Maple Leafs want more from Bobby McMann going into Game 2 against the Ottawa Senators.

It's been a quiet stretch for the 28-year-old forward, whose last goal came 13 games ago in Toronto's 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Mar. 25. His production, though, hasn't gone silent, with him having an assist on Morgan Rielly's goal in Game 1.

As Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said on Tuesday morning, Toronto knows McMann can "provide" and "do" more. He'll begin Game 2 alongside Max Domi and Nick Robertson, a line that's been successful in the past.

"He's getting his attempts at the net. I think there's times where I'm not sure the attempt is worth it. I think I'd like to see him delay a little bit or hang on to pucks a little bit more," Berube said.

"He needs to get on the inside; that's going to be key for us with him. He could be an effective player with his speed, body strength, size. We need him to get on the forecheck. We need him to get to the inside and the interior of the ice. He did a good job on the goal; that's the interior of the ice I'm talking about."

'It's Not That Much Of A Conversation': Why Max Domi Will Shift To Third-Line Center For Maple Leafs Against Senators For Game 2The Toronto Maple Leafs shifted Max Domi from the second-line winger position to the third-line center spot in the second period of their 6-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their first-round series.  And that adjustment will stick when both teams clash for Game 2.

It's a good sign that McMann got on the scoresheet in Game 1, which some forget was his first-ever NHL playoff game. He understands what the pace of play and physicality will be like now, and he's looking forward to helping his team more.

"Guys are closing quicker, definitely more physical, you saw that early on," McMann said Tuesday morning. "People are really trying to make an impact early on, so it’s just being ready to weather that and being ready to manage it the whole game."

McMann had 20 goals in the regular season through 74 games, the sixth-most among Maple Leafs, behind William Nylander, John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Mitch Marner.

'That's What You Have To Do At This Time Of Year': Matthew Knies' Play In Game 1 Against Senators Highlights His Value To Maple LeafsMatthew Knies is the definition of a playoff performer with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto will need McMann's scoring touch at some point in the playoffs. It could come in Tuesday's Game 2 or the games after that. The positive is that the power forward knows he has to be better.

And he says he will be as the series goes on.

"I can always push for more. That’s definitely what I want to do," McMann said.

"I think right now, the biggest focus is just winning games and doing what I can to contribute. If I’m not scoring, I’m trying to be physical, trying to be hard to play against, those sorts of things."

Report: Senators' Ridly Greig Will Not Receive Supplemental Discipline For High Cross-Check On John TavaresToronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said to "Call the league" after being asked about Ridly Greig's cross-check to John Tavares' head, and The Athletic's Chris Johnston did that.

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Last summer, the Calgary Flames were sellers, shipping out goaltender Jacob Markstrom and left winger Andrew Mangiapane after missing the playoffs. 

Flames GM Craig Conroy could become a buyer this summer, looking to bolster his roster after his club exceeded expectations and narrowly missed a Western Conference wild-card berth.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic felt improving the offense should be a priority for Conroy. The Flames finished 29th in goals per game with 2.68. 

LeBrun felt the Flames' biggest need is a right-shot center. They were interested in Dylan Cozens before the Buffalo Sabres shipped him to the Ottawa Senators at the March NHL trade deadline. 

Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sun reported Conroy didn't rule out making a splash in this summer's free-agent pool. He also didn't take the possibility of an offer sheet off the table. However, Conroy will continue taking the patient approach toward building his team. 

The Flames will have the cap space to make one or two significant additions. PuckPedia shows them carrying a projected $34.3 million of cap space with 17 active roster players signed for next season. 

Austin believes Flames fans will closely monitor Rasmus Andersson's future this summer. 

The popular 28-year-old defenseman has one year remaining on his contract. Conroy can sign him to an extension as early as July 1, but both sides admit there's a bit of uncertainty right now. They're hoping to meet later this summer to discuss the situation.

Austin's colleague Wes Gilbertson observed that Conroy's been in this situation before with Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. Both were traded in the final year of their contracts when an extension could be reached. 

Gilbertson suggested Andersson could face a similar fate if the two sides can't hammer out an extension. If that's the case, it might be better for Conroy to move Andersson this summer rather than have his situation become an unnecessary distraction that carries over into next season. 

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The Montreal Canadiens struggled with their power play at the tail end of the regular season, scoring once on 20 opportunities in their last nine games. In game one of their playoff series against the Washington Capitals, it took three lucky deflections for Cole Caufield to collect the puck in the slot and score.

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While it may be a bit late to make changes to the power play, one has to wonder if the current deployment is optimal. Martin St-Louis admitted that Caufield had to score his goals differently this season, which was caused by Patrik Laine's being given his spot on the first wave of the man advantage.

There’s no denying Laine is efficient in his spot, but Caufield was in the past. Given how physical the series has been, it won’t be easy for the five-foot-eight sniper to stand his ground in the slot.

Cole Caufield - Montreal Canadiens (30)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/6CpzUAAVkm

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 4, 2025

Since St-Louis seems to want to keep using captain Nick Suzuki on both waves of the power play, moving Caufield to the second wave could make sense, where he could get his spot back.

Furthermore, on more than one occasion on Monday night, Mike Matheson, who quarterbacks the second unit, refused to pass the puck to Ivan Demidov, who was in space. The 19-year-old has plenty of offensive acumen, but cannot show it if he doesn’t get the puck. This is not without reminding us of how Matheson initially reacted to Caufield’s arrival.

PATRIK LAINE GETS THE HAT TRICK WITH HIS THIRD POWER-PLAY ONE-TIMER!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xGpmX6S60G

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 18, 2024

If he was moved to the first wave, Lane Hutson wouldn’t think twice about feeding him the puck, and at six-foot-one and 192 pounds, Demidov could be better suited to roaming the net front. Although the game is more physical than in the KHL, he still needs to get used to that, especially since the game’s physicality has gone up a notch in the postseason.

Ultimately, making the most of the few power play opportunities one gets in a playoff game is a must, and it would make sense to put every player in the best position possible to succeed.

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It's hard to believe that of Alex Ovechkin's 72 career playoff goals heading into Monday night, none of them came in overtime.

But anything can happen in the NHL playoffs, including new heroes, huge rallies, a depth player winning a game and goaltenders standing tall.

Monday night in the Stanley Cup playoffs featured a new bunch of storylines from the four games. Here's more on the Capitals versus Canadiens, Jets versus Blues, Stars versus Avalanche and Kings versus Oilers.

Washington Capitals Defeat Montreal Canadiens 3-2 OT (WSH Leads Series 1-0)

The regular season was all about Ovechkin’s chase and eventual capture of the all-time goal record. In Game 1 of the playoffs, it was about Ovechkin again.

The Washington Capitals captain scored two crucial goals against the Montreal Canadiens. He opened the scoring with a goal from his office, but more importantly, he ended the game with the game-winning goal.

This was Ovechkin’s first playoff overtime goal of his 20-year career, and it was in the first overtime period of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. It could not have been better timing after the ESPN and Sportsnet broadcasts highlighted that he never scored an overtime-winner in the playoffs.

"There are a few things Ovechkin hasn't done, not many, but he's never scored an overtime game-winning goal in the playoffs." 🤷‍♂️

Literally 10 seconds later...

Sean McDonough spoke it into existence. #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/LC09wFynT5pic.twitter.com/d45IogUGGE

— NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2025

If it wasn’t for Ovechkin’s imprint on this contest, it would be all about Montreal’s late push, specifically from Nick Suzuki’s line. That line had 16 shots while the rest of the team had 19.

Despite the loss, the young Habs can take some positives from that battle. 

“There was a lot of good stuff. Unfortunately, you don’t win, but we got some really good stuff from this game,” Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis told reporters post-game.

Game 2 is on Wednesday, and Montreal expects to play better.

 "We'll be in better shape coming into Game 2," Suzuki told the media.

The Capitals, meanwhile, will be without Martin Fehervary for the rest of the playoffs. The team announced Tuesday he underwent surgery to repair his meniscus.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which East Teams Get Past Round 1? Expect Tight BattlesThe NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are upon us, and we continue to predict how the first round will go.

Winnipeg Jets Defeat St. Louis Blues 2-1 (WPG Leads Series 2-0)

The Winnipeg Jets beat the St. Louis Blues in a tight-checking game. However, it’s Winnipeg’s stars that pull the team through for the victory. 

Winnipeg’s physicality from the back end, as well as the goaltending from both teams, contributed to the low-scoring affair. But for the second game, the Jets’ Hellebuyck outduelled the Blues’ Binnington.

Much like Game 1 of the series, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor led the Jets in Game 2. The duo has nine points in two playoff games. Connor also has back-to-back game-winning goals.

However, the Jets must be wary of the Blues’ power play as the series moves to St. Louis for the next two outings. Through the first two games of the series, the Blues are three for seven on the power play.

They had four opportunities in Game 2 but only converted once as Winnipeg’s penalty-killers prevailed. Since March 10, St. Louis had the second-best power play in the NHL, and the Blues will look to continuously be a threat with the extra man for the rest of the series.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery wants to move forward and look ahead to what’s next. 

“We're gonna go home, we're going to be in front of our frenzied crowd, and we're going to have an opportunity to hold serve at home. We have to get ready for Game 3," he told reporters.

Dallas Stars Defeat Colorado Avalanche 4-3 OT (Series Tied 1-1)

The Dallas Stars provided a great response in Game 2 after a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1. This game was a testament to how close the matchup is between the two clubs in the series.

Colorado’s offense was heavy in the first two periods of this game, but the undermanned Stars – missing Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen – stayed persistent and took over in the later stages of the contest.

From the third period onward, Dallas continuously threatened the Avalanche and eventually took them to overtime, equalizing in the middle of the third period. The game would ultimately need the NHL’s second overtime of the night to decide a winner.

Colin Blackwell was the hero for the Stars after an absolute chess match between the two clubs. He had six goals and 17 points in 63 games for the Stars this season, all while averaging 11:34 of ice time. While he has had five previous goals hold up as game-winners, this is the first time in his NHL career that he scored in overtime. 

The Stars had to grind their way to this victory, although they did control most of the play in the extra frame.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which West Teams Win Round 1? Expect An UpsetThe first-round matchups are finalized for the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs. That means it’s time for the time-honored tradition of THN.com playoff predictions. 

Los Angeles Kings Defeat Edmonton Oilers 6-5 (LA Leads Series 1-0)

This was easily the most dramatic game of the entire playoffs so far.

"This game is on some sort of substance," The Hockey News' Ryan Durham wrote in a live game thread.

From a 4-0 lead for the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-5 tie and a 6-5 Kings victory, this contest was a real rollercoaster.

It was a dreadful start for the Edmonton Oilers, which had a mountain to climb after two periods and were completely outplayed by Los Angeles. However, Oilers captain Connor McDavid put the team on his back.

Leon Draisaitl planted the seed, scoring the team’s first goal with an assist from McDavid and Evan Bouchard with just under five seconds remaining in the second.

There were six goals in the third period, four by Edmonton. They completed an improbable comeback, evening up the score with goals from Zach Hyman and McDavid in the last two minutes to make it a 5-5 game.

Despite this exciting comeback for Edmonton, they couldn’t force overtime as Phillip Danault gave the Kings the lead again, scoring with 41.1 seconds left.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Oilers, but a relieving win for L.A. 

“I’m so happy we won that game, because that would have been a s----y game to lose,” defenseman Drew Doughty told Sportsnet’s Gene Principe post-game.

Bouchard drew criticism for his defensive play Tuesday night with Mattias Ekholm missing the first round due to injury. But Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch had other words about Bouchard.

“I saw Evan give us an excellent opportunity to win tonight,” Knoblauch told the media post-game. “He made a lot of nice plays. Was his game perfect? I’m not sure anyone’s game was perfect tonight.”

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The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024-25. For most of the season,  they were one of the worst teams in the league. However, that doesn’t mean that people can’t enjoy a few familiar faces while watching. 

There were four brilliant games on Tuesday night. All of them ended up being one goal games with thrilling finishes. The two early matchups ended with stars like Kyle Connor and Alexander Ovechkin playing the role of “hero”. 

The two later games, however, had a couple of unlikely winners. Two former Chicago Blackhawks scored game-winning goals when their teams needed it the most. 

The Edmonton Oilers, who were down 4-0 at one point to the Los Angeles Kings, tied it up at 5 late in regulation thanks to the brilliance of Connor McDavid. At 19:18 of the third period, however, former Blackhawk Phillip Danault scored his second of the game to win the match for the Kings. 

Danault is a great defensive forward, but he isn’t relied on for much offense. On this night, he came up big when his team seemed broken following an Oilers comeback. 

The finish between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche was even more unlikely. Instead of finding a winner in regulation, this one went to overtime. 

The man with the least amount of ice time on either side, Colin Blackwell, scored in overtime to win the game for the Stars. Of course, like Danault, Blackwell is a former Blackhawk who played the role of hero late on playoff day 3. 

Blackwell doesn't have a defined role on the team in the way that Danault does, but neither of them are the guys that come to mind when you think "Stanley Cup Playoff winning goal". 

Two former Blackhawks finished off a wonderful night of postseason hockey in the NHL. There are plenty more exhilarating moments ahead. Maybe a few more former Blackhawks will make a difference.

A few teams in the playoffs this year resemble what Chicago may look like in the coming years, giving hope to the fanbase. This tournament is a treat for all on a nightly basis. 

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