Day 2 of the Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp was in full swing, and the young prospects took to the ice more confident after having acclimated the day before. Among the standouts was camp returner Trent Swick, who made a strong impression with his hustle. 

getting the sound of hockey back on your timeline pic.twitter.com/zIr3A15Ntq

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 1, 2025

Swick, 21, is a left-winger towering at 6-foot-7, from St. Catharines, Ontario, and was selected by the Knights in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. As of March 1, 2025, the team officially signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Vegas Golden Knights Sign Towering ProspectEarlier this month, the Vegas Golden Knights announced the signing of Kitchener Rangers' forward Trent Swick to a three-year, entry-level contract for the 2025-26 season. 

Coming off finishing his fourth season with the Kitchener Rangers as an alternate captain, Swick put up a total of 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) with a +11 rating in the regular season. He put up an additional 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in the postseason. 

“I’m a completely different player now,” Swick said about his past two years of development. “I didn’t really believe in myself before, and now I do. I also pretty much put on probably 25% of my mass from two years ago. I just need to learn how to move with that mass and be able to be quick with it.”

At the heart of Swick’s game is his ability to create plays. He finds soft spots in coverage, constantly surveys the ice, and delivers quick, accurate passes to teammates in scoring positions. He’s good at drawing defenders in and pulling the puck close to his feet before adjusting to the lane. Improvement is evident in the young forward, and he has a bright future with the organization.

The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly in the mix for Calgary Flames right-handed defenseman Rasmus Andersson. 

A report shared by Pierre LeBrun earlier this week indicated that Andersson would be willing to sign a contract extension with the Golden Knights, as he's been very picky, and rightfully so, about where he wants to end up. Andersson has a six-team no-trade clause, which gives the Flames plenty of options, but teams have been reluctant to agree to trades due to the uncertainty of contract negotiations with Andersson. 

LeBrun mentioned that the Golden Knights and the Flames have had numerous discussions over the past week, but the Flames haven't been impressed by the Golden Knights' offers. Including the Golden Knights, LeBrun mentioned the  Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Los Angeles Kings as other teams with interest.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Dallas Stars are also interested in the 28-year-old, but would need to move Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba. 

Pagnotta also mentioned that Vegas has been shopping veteran defenseman Ben Hutton and his $975,000 cap hit. The 32-year-old played in just 11 games this season, serving as the eighth defenseman. 

With Alex Pietrangelo's hip injury and Nicolas Hague's exit, Hutton has moved into the role of the seventh defenseman, but if Andersson is brought in, he'd move down the depth chart again. 

Andersson fits the role of a modern-day defenseman. His 6-foot-1 frame mixed with his skating and offensive instincts make him an effective two-way defenseman. The Malmö, SWE native has a career-high of 11 goals and 50 points. 

Andersson would also join the Golden Knights with chemistry with another former Flames defenseman, Noah Hanifin. The pair were outstanding playing together, recording positive results whenever they played together. Hanifin has had troubles with consistency during his time with Vegas, and adding Andersson to the fold could solve that issue. 

The Golden Knights would be over the salary cap if they acquired Andersson, even with Pietrangelo's cap hit on the long-term injury reserve. The Golden Knights would have to clear cap space either in the Andersson trade or in a separate deal. 

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REPORT: Golden Knights Interested In Trading For A Pair Of DefensemenThe Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly interested in trading for defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Bowen Byram.

With two full days of Prospect Development Camp in the books for the Pittsburgh Penguins, there has been a lot to digest.

On Friday, Russian forward prospect Mikhail Ilyin - who signed his three-year entry-level contract last month - finally made his way over from Russia and to the facility (he didn't get to Pittsburgh until late Thursday night, so he didn't participate in camp). Todd Nelson spoke to the media for the first time since being named as an assistant coach on Dan Muse's staff - and the big man himself, Muse, also made an appearance.

While there were several storylines coming out of Day 2 - and more that we'll cover later on - we're still here to talk about standouts. On Thursday, it was clear that Harrison Brunicke, Bill Zonnon, and Travis Hayes had an elevated step on almost everyone else.

To be clear, Brunicke is still the standout at this camp. There isn't really anything he's done that hasn't impressed me up to this point, aside from a moment during Friday's skills session that I'll get to in a second. So, for all intents and purposes - and to give others the floor - let's just assume that Brunicke is the daily standout all the way through the end of Monday.

However, there were a few players that began to show a lot more on Friday than they did the previous day. And, one, in particular, made even Brunicke look silly once.

Here are three standouts from Day Two of Penguins' development camp:

Penguins Prospect Development Camp: Standouts From Day 1On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their annual Prospect Development Camp, which features 48 players both from the Penguins' system and outside of it.

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Ben Kindel

There were a lot of fans who questioned the Penguins' decision to draft Kindel 11th overall this season, given some of the other names that were still available at that point.

After two days at development camp - although it's a short sample size - I'm starting to see what the Penguins were probably seeing.

In case you were wondering, yes, Kindel is the one who made Brunicke look silly on Friday. Unfortunately, the entire sequence wasn't captured on film, but during a one-on-one drill down low, Kindel - already, arguably, the Penguins' best forward prospect - and Brunicke - the Penguins' best defensive prospect - were pitted against one another. 

Reaction: Penguins Select Center Ben Kindel 11th Overall In 2025 NHL DraftThe 2025 NHL Draft is finally upon us.

Kindel led Brunicke to the corner and then proceeded to completely deke Brunicke out and undress him. Brunicke wiped out as a result, and Kindel walked to the net front, faked out the goaltender while navigating across the front of the net, and put one home. 

Everyone in the crowd went nuts and was in awe. This is not an easy thing to do to Brunicke, who is actually a pretty formidable one-on-one defender. And Kindel toyed with him then ate him for lunch.

I actually asked Brunicke about it afterward.

"He's a shifty player," he said. "He got me there, for sure. Hopefully, that's not on Twitter."

Sorry, Harrison. The video itself only has Kindel's goal - and Brunicke recovering from his wipeout - but the internet does know what happened.

Didn't catch Brunicke wiping out, unfortunately, but caught the goal. pic.twitter.com/7oTCk83rTs

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) July 4, 2025

All joking aside, Kindel's edgework is top-notch. His speed is something that he was knocked for a bit, but his skating - as a whole - looks pretty refined. There were also several times today when it was evident that he was outthinking and outsmarting everyone else around him, allowing him to play a "speed game" without having the high-end footspeed.

It's a small sample size, and there are still three days of camp remaining. But I'm beginning to buy what the Penguins are selling on Kindel. Several WHL scouts have said that Kindel would have gone top-10 - some even say top-five - if he wasn't 5-foot-10. 

I'm no prospects expert, but I'm beginning to believe them. This kid was some serious skill.

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Oliver Tulk

If this is a name you have not heard, it's probably because, no, Tulk isn't in the Penguins' system.

But you might want to write his name down.

Tulk, 20, registered 38 goals and 100 points last season for the Calgary Wranglers of the WHL. And he played with none other than Kindel and Tanner Howe, who was invited to camp but could not attend due to recovery from ACL surgery. 

Here is a small snippet of Oliver Tulk - a University of Wisconsin commit - who registered 38 goals and 100 points for the Calgary Hitmen last season alongside #LetsGoPens prospects Ben Kindel and Tanner Howe.

Tulk was invited to development camp. pic.twitter.com/dBha4nh4ZV

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) July 4, 2025

Is it a coincidence that Tulk is here? Probably not, actually. Even if one gets the chance to play with a high-end player like Kindel, no one puts up 100 points solely because of someone else.

Tulk has legitimate skill. He was able to show some of that off during battle drills down low, and he made a few nice moves to work for a goal during one of the drills. He is undersized at 5-foot-8, 174 pounds, but he seems to be able to work around that with his skating and anticipation skills.

I will have a feature piece on Tulk, Kindel, and Howe later this weekend. But this is a player to keep an eye on, as he may, very well, earn an AHL contract.

With Breadth Of Positional Depth In The System, Penguins' Defensive Prospects Eager To Take Next StepsWhen Pittsburgh Penguins’ Prospect Development Camp began on Thursday, 48 players took the to the ice - some for the first time in black and gold, others returned to a familiar place.

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Gabriel D'Aigle

Many people scoffed at the idea of the Penguins drafting a goaltender in the third round who played for the OHL's worst team and seemed to be bleeding goals against.

Admittedly, D'Aigle's stat line is less than impressive. The 6-foot-4, 211-pound netminder had an .883 save percentage last season to go along with a 4.42 goals-against average. But his team - the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL - was absolutely bleeding chances against, and his workload was much, much larger than that of anyone else in the QMJHL.

NHL News: Penguins Take Interesting Goalie With Pick No. 84The Pittsburgh Penguins have selected goaltender Gabriel D'Aigle with the 84th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

D'Aigle faced 1,940 shots in 55 games - an average of 35 shots per game - which was 241 more shots faced than the next QMJHL goaltender. As a result, he also made more saves in the league than anyone else with 1,713, as the next-closest mark was 1,542.

This guy is a workhorse. And - watching him Friday - it's clear that the toolset is there. His lateral movement - while not necessarily slow - could use more power in the push-off, but his angles seem to be pretty spot-on, and he is also pretty quick with the glove hand.

I'm curious to see how the rest of camp goes for D'Aigle. I don't know enough about him - or about goaltending in general - to make any kind of serious assessment. But it does seem like he has the foundational skillset to be able to grow, improve, and take his game to the next level.

And that can only be a good thing for an organization that already boasts some goaltending depth.

With Nedeljkovic Traded, Penguins Are Starting To Solve Goaltender LogjamThe Pittsburgh Penguins made a surprise move on July 1, shipping backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Nedeljkovic had been the backup for the past two seasons before Penguins general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas moved him. 

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Feature image credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News

The San Jose Sharks came into the 2025 offseason with the hope to upgrade their team. While they aren't expecting to be drastically better than they were last season, they needed to make a few moves to get better and help insulate the young core of Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, and Will Smith.

Although they weren't the greatest offensive team, they have future stars in place and will continue to develop. But to stay in games and give their young forwards a fighting chance, they needed to address their defense. It was one of, if not the worst blue lines in the league last season.

However, GM Mike Grier tried his hardest yesterday to change that, and now the Sharks have eight defensemen signed to NHL-level contracts, which could open the door for a trade to shake things up even more.

Yesterday alone, he signed Dmitry Orlov to a two-year, $13 million deal and, only moments later, claimed veteran Nick Leddy off waivers. No, they aren't the biggest names and yes, they’ve struggled in recent years, but just adding these two improves their blue line a ton. It's a big step toward stabilizing the back end.

With eight defensemen signed, not including Sam Dickinson, their opening day pairings could look like this:

Pairing 1: Dmitry Orlov - Timothy Liljegren

Pairing 2: Sam Dickinson - Mario Ferraro

Pairing 3: Nick Leddy - John Klingberg

Extras: Vincent Desharnais, Henry Thrun, Shakir Mukhamadullin

If Grier can manage to pull off a trade, which could include one of Ferraro or Desharnais, it would allow Mukhamadullin to be in the starting six. Since he is a left-handed shot, he could be playing with either Leddy or Klingberg, which would give every pairing at least one NHL veteran. That mix of youth and experience could really help them stay afloat.

If we look back at their defense corps in Game 82 of the 2024-25 season against the Edmonton Oilers on April 16, it looked like this:

Pairing 1: Henry Thrun — Timothy Liljegren

Pairing 2: Lucas Carlsson — Jan Rutta

Pairing 3: Marc-Edouard Vlasic — Jimmy Schuldt

It doesn't take more than a quick look to see how much more improved this blue line is heading into the 2025-26 season. Just the addition of Orlov makes it better, but when you also add Klingberg and Leddy, it becomes a lot more structured and experienced. The whole group looks more like a real NHL unit.

BREAKING: San Jose Sharks Sign Dmitry OrlovBREAKING NEWS: The San Jose Sharks have signed Dmitry Orlov to a two-year, $13 million contract. The contract carries an AAV of $6.5 million.

The most impressive part of Grier improving the blue line is that he did it in a matter of three days. They signed Klingberg in free agency on July 1 and then signed Orlov and Leddy on July 3. It was a busy stretch, but one that could pay off all season.

If the Sharks are looking to make a trade to clear up the logjam on the back end, Ferraro may be their best bet. At 26, he is a pending free agent and could opt to leave in free agency next summer. He is also the most intriguing trade target on the Sharks' blue line. There could be a chance that they try and move Thrun, but he could be a good seventh defenseman option for them this season.

Ferraro could fetch them a good forward asset to help up front. There would be a number of teams that come calling if they were to make him available. A few teams that would make sense for Ferraro would be:

• Edmonton Oilers
• Ottawa Senators
• Chicago Blackhawks
• St. Louis Blues

There would be more teams interested, but the four teams listed above could be some of the front runners for him. They could use a 26-year-old defenseman who can play both sides of the ice and is signed for one year at $3.25 million. It wouldn't be overly surprising if the Oilers are the team that leads the sweepstakes if he were available on the trade block. They are in need of good players on cheap contracts as they look to hoist the Stanley Cup again.

Obviously, there is a better chance of Grier trading Ferraro closer to the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, in case on the off-chance they do better than expected and he then wants to sign a contract extension.

If Grier can continue to make moves like he did with the additions of Klingberg, Orlov, and Leddy, it could have lasting benefits. Adding experienced veterans to a young NHL locker room can help the younger stars learn what it takes to be an everyday NHLer. It is clear that Grier has a vision for how he wants this team to look, and it may not be a finished product for a few years, but it’s certainly heading that way.

Even though the Sharks may not be heading for a major improvement in the league standings, there still has to be some excitement about what Grier did — and what he could still do to keep shaping the rebuild.

San Jose Sharks' Free Agency ReviewIt’s now been three days since free agency opened and the San Jose Sharks still have a lot of work to do to reach the cap floor. As of right now, they have $32 million in cap space and sit at $62.8 million in used cap space, which means they need to get to $70.6 million to be cap compliant.  BREAKING: San Jose Sharks Acquire Bowers From New Jersey DevilsThe San Jose Sharks have acquired forward Shane Bowers from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau. BREAKING: Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers From BluesBREAKING NEWS: The San Jose Sharks have claimed defensemen Nick Leddy off of waivers from the St. Louis Blues. From The Archive: Burns VS KarlssonThe Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Undersized forward L.J. Mooney, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft, is certainly turning a lot of heads at the Montreal Canadiensdevelopment camp this week.

The cousin of Utah Mammoth star Logan Cooley stands only 5-foot-7, but he makes really smart plays and doesn't seem to be afraid of getting physical, either.

So with that in mind, and in honor of July 4, watch today's video for a list of the the top 10 U.S.-born players who were taken in the fourth round of the NHL draft.

Promo image credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

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The NHL off-season is in full swing, giving us the perfect opportunity to look at each team’s prospect pools. The Anaheim Ducks are up first. 

In this prospect pool overview series, a player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer considered a prospect for these exercises. In this series, Tony Ferrari will dig into each team’s strengths and weaknesses, a quick overview of their latest draft class, where each team's positional depth chart stands and who could be next in line for an NHL chance.

Initial Thoughts

The Ducks are on the rise, building with an emphasis on skill and pugnacity over pure skill and finesse. That’s not to say that they don’t possess skilled players, because they certainly do.

Olen Zellweger is one of their most promising blueliners, and he stands just 5-foot-10. He is just one of two players who come in under six-feet that are projected to be on the roster come October. The trade of Trevor Zegras just further cemented the Ducks' philosophy of building with hard, heavy skill.

One player who brings the size that they love while bringing a level of finesse and pure skill is last year’s third overall pick, Beckett Sennecke. The 6-foot-4 right winger has the ability to absolutely dance defenders with the puck on his stick en route to the net. He draws pressure and makes plays out of it. He doesn’t have much to prove at the OHL level, even though he has one more year of eligibility, so there’s a possibility we see him in the NHL to start the season.

After starting this past season in the ECHL, Sasha Pastujov earned his way back onto the AHL roster, and he produced at over a point per game in 43 games with 17 goals and 28 assists. Pastujov is a tactician who slows the game down and tries to play within the pockets of space. He is going to have to find a way to increase his pace if he wants to play at the NHL level but his offensive tools are NHL caliber.

Roger McQueen, drafted 10th overall in the 2025 NHL draft, immediately becomes one of the Ducks’ top prospects. The shooting talent and puckhandling that comes in a 6-foot-6 frame is insane to think about. He isn’t the fleetest of foot, but with his length and reach, McQueen can weave his way through the neutral zone and find his spot in the offensive zone.

On the back end, the Ducks have some really nice prospects to go along with Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov, who are already on the NHL roster. 

Tristan Luneau has developed and grown so much since being drafted. Healthy once again after a tough year the season before, Luneau played most of the year in the AHL and put up 52 points in 59 games. He should get a longer look with the big club in the fall. The question will be whether he has the room to flourish, as Mintyukov and Zellweger have the offensive capability to run the power play. 

Stian Solberg joined the San Diego Gulls at the tail end of this past season and looked quite good in the AHL. His physicality has always been the calling card, but Solberg has become more confident with the puck. He’s coming off a fantastic World Championship for Norway, and he could parlay that into a fantastic first full North American season. 

Rounding out the top names still in the pipeline, Tarin Smith plays a very solid two-way game. He was more comfortable dictating play and driving into the zone with the puck, which allowed him to use his solid shot more often. Defensively, he was reading play more effectively and using his mobility and size to kill play. He will likely be in the WHL for another year, but he should make his AHL debut after his season in Everett ends.

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

Leo Carlsson (C), Mason McTavish (C), Cutter Gauthier (LW), Beckett Sennecke (RW), Olen Zellweger (D), Pavel Mintyukov (D), Tristan Luneau (D)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 10th overall - Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

Round 2, 45th overall - Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Swe.)

Round 2, 60th overall - Lasse Boelius, D, Assat Jr. (Fin.)

Round 3, 72nd overall - Noah Read, C, London (OHL)

Round 4, 101st overall - Drew Schock, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 4, 104th overall - Elijah Neuenschwander, G, Fribourg Jr. (Sui.)

Round 5, 136th overall - Alexis Mathieu, D, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

Round 5, 159th overall - Emile Guite, LW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Round 6, 168th overall - Anthony Allain-Samake, D, Sioux City (USHL)

Round 7, 200th overall - Brady Turko, RW, Brandon (WHL)

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2025 NHL draft was where McQueen would land after playing in just 20 games because of a back injury. His puck skill and shooting talent are undoubtedly impressive. He must improve his pace and skating, and the injury is a major concern. Big, physical players who have back injuries this early in their careers are always scary. The upside is almost as massive as McQueen is, but so is the risk. 

Anaheim’s pick of Eric Nilson in the second round was one of my personal favorites at the draft. Nilson is a highly intelligent center who connects play and drives the puck positively. He plays an excellent two-way game as well, reading and cutting off play in his own zone as well as almost anyone in the draft. Nilson must bulk up and fill out his frame, but the skill, 200-foot prowess and playmaking are all evident when you watch the Swede play. 

Lasse Boelius was one of the more underrated defenders in the draft. He has decent size and high-level mobility. The base of his game comes from his skating, where he can win puck races and escape forecheckers in his own end. He shadows well, and as his reads improve, his defensive game should round out. Offensively, Boelius is more of a facilitator than a playmaker, but he isn’t a dead zone as some defenders are. His growth and development will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow among the Ducks’ draft class. 

The Ducks are banking on Noah Read to explode this upcoming season with an expanded role after playing on a loaded London squad that won the Memorial Cup. He’s a high-energy player who brings a bit of physicality. He has a good release, and the hope is he can show it off more now that London will need him to step up. 

The Ducks drafted the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s top-scoring defender this past season, Drew Schock. Despite it being a down year for the program, Schock showed some impressive flashes of puck-moving ability on the breakout and at the offensive blueline. He must refine his defensive game and leverage his skating a bit better, but Schock is a solid project pick in the fourth round. 

Big Swiss goaltender Elijah Neuenschwander split this past season between the junior and second-level men’s leagues in Switzerland. He has excellent size, and he moves fairly well. He must refine some technical aspects, but he has the building blocks of a potential NHL netminder. Anaheim has a fairly good track record of developing netminders, so Neuenschwander could be the next in line. 

Drafting Alexis Mathieu is a bet on a mean streak that can be reined in when needed. He won’t be mistaken for a puck-mover, but his defensive game is what the Ducks hope he can build on. Mathieu’s tendency to try to put his opponents through the boards is what clearly attracted Anaheim here. Improved reads and tracking will be a necessity.

A disappointing season in the QMJHL saw Emile Guite’s point totals cut nearly in half from 57 as a rookie to just 30 this past year. Guite is a very good spot-up shooter who can find his pockets and unleash his shot, but this past year, he just didn’t have the help around him to get him the puck consistently, and he was asked to play a bigger role than his skill set would allow. Anaheim is hoping to see a return to form, and a fifth-round bet isn’t a bad time to take a risk. 

Anthony Allain-Samake is one of the youngest players in the draft, and his toolset is raw but incredibly promising. He’s got a good frame that he will need to fill out, and his mobility is quite impressive, which gives him an incredibly solid base to build from. He shows flashes of high-end play at both ends of the ice, and his upside is as high as any mid-late round pick in this draft. Allain-Samake might have been the Ducks' best value pick of the draft.

The Ducks went young with another late pick, selecting Brady Turko from the Wheat Kings in the WHL. After playing U-18 AAA hockey, he made the jump to the WHL and put up 26 points in a depth role this past season. Turko has some skill and some nice off-puck habits, and there is ample room for growth. 

Strengths

Anaheim’s prospect pipeline has quickly become one of the best in the NHL. They have depth all over and a good variety of skill sets in nearly every position. 

Their defenders range from big, physical presences to skilled puck-movers. The forward group has depth down the middle with size and skill. They have wingers who bring playmaking ability and others with great goal-scoring habits. They even have a few interesting goalies in the system. 

The strength of Anaheim’s system is that it has depth throughout with players who can play up and down the lineup. 

Weaknesses

Although this is just the first installment of our summer NHL prospect pool overview series, the Ducks will be one of the few teams deemed to have no true major weakness in their pipeline. 

You could nitpick and point out the left wing is a bit weak with no surefire studs, but with their depth of centers in the pipeline and on the roster, there will likely be a couple of them who move to the wing. The Ducks are building a very solid foundation of high-quality talent. Developing them and ensuring they are in a position to succeed is the next step. 

Hidden Gem: Herman Traff, RW

The Ducks acquired Traff in a trade with the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Brian Dumoulin at this past trade deadline. Traff is exactly the type of intense, physical forward the Ducks seem to want in their bottom six. 

Traff played most of this past season at the top men’s level in Sweden, and his offensive game was limited there, but he showed he was much more capable of using his offensive tools at the second level. The 19-year-old has plenty of runway, and he shows power-forward flashes and excellent off-puck instincts at both ends of the ice. Traff could play an important role on the third line in a couple of years.

Next Man Up: Beckett Sennecke, RW

We could have gone with Luneau here, and he may very well be an NHL player when the season opens. But with the addition of Jacob Trouba and a fairly strong defense group, it may be difficult for Luneau to gain a steady footing unless he unseats a player like Drew Helleson. As for Sennecke, there is a possibility the Ducks' top prospect joins the NHL club to start the season. 

His OHL numbers have been fantastic, putting up 86 points in 56 regular-season games, followed by 32 in 28 playoff games. Sennecke’s Oshawa Generals may take a slight step back from contender status, and the Ducks could use an infusion of the skill and pace that Sennecke brings. 

Although the Ducks just signed Mikael Granlund, they could still look to add a top-six right winger. Alex Killorn is aging and hasn’t hit the 40-point mark in a few years, while Troy Terry seems destined for a third-line role or even a possible trade. Sennecke could bring the skill element the Ducks sorely need after trading Zegras. Even if he heads back to junior after a quick nine-game stint, don’t be surprised to see Sennecke on the NHL roster to open the season. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Sasha Pastujov, Alexandre Blais, Lucas Pettersson, Nico Myatovic, Emile Guite

C: Roger McQueen, Eric Nilson, Nathan Gaucher, Noah Reed, Jan Mysak

RW: Beckett Sennecke, Herman Traff, Yegor Sidorov, Austin Burnevik, Brady Turko

LD: Stian Solberg, Tarin Smith, Anthony Allain-Samake, Tyson Hinds, Darels Uljanskis

RD: Tristan Luneau, Noah Warren, Ian Moore 

G: Tomas Suchanek, Elijah Neuenshwander, Damian Clara

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

Rylan Fellinger, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ sixth-round selection (185th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, had a quite unique draft experience: he wasn't at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles when his name was called. Instead, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman was in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, attending his high school prom.

Fellinger recounted how he learned of his selection. He had tried not to pay attention to the draft, but his teammate and friend from their Sault Ste. Marie AAA U18 days, Hudson Chitaroni, was streaming it.

“I just wanted to clear my mind a little bit, and he was just watching it,” Fellinger recalled. “Then the Leafs were up with the next pick, and I saw my name, and I was going crazy. I couldn't even believe it. I was just running around. People, I think, might have thought I was crazy or something, but yeah, it was awesome.”

Fellinger was the first defenseman chosen by the Leafs in the 2025 NHL Draft, after Toronto made four consecutive selections at the forward spot.

'Time Will Tell': Is Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Ready For The NHL Next Season?One year ago, it was only the NHL or OHL for Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan. However, now, it'll be NHL or AHL for the 20-year-old.

Maple Leafs’ Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Leach described Fellinger as a big, “rangy” defenseman who uses his size to box out opponents. Leach also admitted that Fellinger will have to work on his game.

Fellinger described the rest of the day with reporters after the first day of on-ice sessions at Maple Leafs development camp at Ford Performance Centre on Thursday. He also described what it was like working with former Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin, who is coaching some of the defensive prospects.

Q: What was the rest of the night like?

Fellinger:  Oh, it was just like, I couldn't even describe it. It was, I didn't even know what to think at that point. I was just so out of it. I was so excited. So many emotions going through my mind. I could see my family out here as well, and it was an awesome experience.

Q Did you have a date?

Fellinger: Yeah.

Q: What was her reaction?

Fellinger: Oh, I think she was crazier than me. She was going crazy. She was so happy for me and it was awesome.

'I'll Let You Know If It Works': Can Inviting A Horse To Development Camp Help Maple Leafs Prospects Overcome Pressure?There's been a lot of talk lately about how much pressure there is playing in a passionate hockey market like Toronto.

Q: When you found out that the draft and prom would coincide, were you always going to attend prom anyway?

Fellinger: Yeah, I was if, but like, I still wanted to see all my childhood friends. They've been with me since the start. They've always had my back. I really wanted to spend the day with them. They're always there for me and to celebrate with them was just an unreal experience.

Q: What's the name of the school?

Fellinger: Cora Collegiate. In the Soo.

Q: Did someone make an announcement at the prom that you'd been drafted?

Fellinger: They wanted to, but I didn't want to ruin the whole night. I didn't want to make it all about me.

'He Meant A Lot To Me': Easton Cowan On Mitch Marner Leaving Maple Leafs For Golden KnightsToronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has followed Mitch Marner's junior footsteps, winning a Memorial Cup with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, but he hasn't been in contact with the player yet since Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights after nine seasons with the Leafs.

Q: What was the phone call like from Brad(Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving)? He said he could hear music on in the background. Like what was that like?

Fellinger: Yeah, I tried to get away from everyone 'cause everyone was screaming and everything and uh I was I was trying to keep the calm and but people were just going crazy and I couldn't help it.

Q: Have you had a 'Welcome to the Leafs' moment yet?

Fellinger: Well, everyone has been welcoming here. Like, even my teammates, I haven't even met them, but they all feel like brothers to me. It's so unreal here. It's amazing.

Q: Who did you cheer for growing up, were you a Leafs fan

Fellinger:  Yeah, I was always a Leads fan with my dad and my grandpa, obviously. We were always cheering for them. But I was a really big big Sidney Crosby fan. I always loved to see his journey and I was definitely a big Leafs fan.

Fight Breaks Out at Maple Leafs Development Camp Between Matthew Hlacar and Rhett ParsonsWe have a fight on day one of Toronto Maple Leafs development camp.

Q: What did your dad think?

Fellinger: “He was going crazy. I haven't seen tears from that guy in so long. And just seeing that, it was such a surreal experience.

Q: And now you're here. What stood out about the first on-ice session?

Fellinger: “it's just a lot to take in. It's about learning new experiences, learning all the new coaching staff, and just the new drills that we get to see, seeing where I can improve on, and just start from there.

Q: What's it like getting tips from Jake Muzzin?

Fellinger: Ah, it's awesome. Yeah, I love that. Anything that comes from him is always is always a great experience. I love taking things from him.

Maple Leafs Prospects Easton Cowan And Ben Danford Highlight 2025 Development Camp RosterThe Toronto Maple Leafs have announced their roster for this year's development camp.

Q: What were you guys working on there at the end (of the session?

Fellinger: We were just working on boxing out guys. I think I just need to hit the hips more instead of hitting higher because it's a lot easier to just bring them onto the boards and yeah.

Q: How far back did your grandfather go as a Leaf fan? Do you know what era?

I'm not sure. Yeah, I'm not really too sure about that. Probably a long time ago, for sure.

(Photo Credit: Toronto Maple Leafs on YouTube)

'This Is For Real Now': Matthews, Tavares, Nylander Texts Help Welcome New Maple Leafs ProspectsIn the hours—and likely days—after the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Tyler Hopkins with their third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old sifted through all of the messages received about being selected. No New Contract From Maple Leafs Was ‘Tough,’ Says Pontus HolmbergPontus Holmberg spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since signing a new two-year contract worth $1.55 million per season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although he seemed happy to be getting a raise with his new NHL team, he did describe the emotions of the past few days that saw his former club not tender him a qualifying offer. Why Toronto-Born Michael Pezzetta Signed A Two-Year Contract With Maple Leafs: 'I Couldn't Pass Up On That'Michael Pezzetta is living his childhood dream.

NHL clubs did not hesitate in going wild in the opening week of free agency, with a number of signings that were the product of an increasing salary cap and a pool of unrestricted free agents thin on centers, top-four defensemen, and scoring forwards. One of the more prominent names still unsigned after four days is former Buffalo Sabre Jeff Skinner.

The 33-year-old was bought out of the final three years of his eight-year, $72 million contract last June and quickly signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Skinner was thought to be an option for the Oilers in their top-six playing alongside either Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid with another former Sabre Evander Kane expected out for the entire regular season.  

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That opportunity did not come to fruition with the Oilers, as the former 40-goal scorer played mostly a secondary role in the bottom-six, and dropping from 24 goals in Buffalo to 16 with the Oilers. After playing the first postseason game of his 15-year career against Los Angeles in the first round, Skinner was replaced by Kane in the lineup and did not get back into the Edmonton lineup until the Western Conference Final against Dallas, when replaced the injured Zach Hyman.

Skinner scored his first playoff goal in the clinching game against the Stars and three of the six games in the loss to Florida in the Stanley Cup Final. There has been no indication whether the Oilers will re-sign the veteran winger, but after re-signing Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen, and adding Andrew Mangiapane and Curtis Lazar as UFA’s earlier this week, Edmonton has less than $200,000 in cap space and may have closed the door on a return to Alberta.    

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Wraparound has some more rapid-fire looks at NHL free agency, international and women’s hockey news and more.

Where Does Marner Fit In The Golden Knights' Lineup? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here’s what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Willie Ramirez discussed in this episode:

1:15: Do the Winnipeg Jets have the weapons to replace Nikolaj Ehlers?

3:36: Which NHL teams must look at next steps after missing out on Ehlers?

7:00: Where does Mitch Marner fit in the Vegas Golden Knights’ forward lineup?  

11:50: Will the Washington Capitals insert more rising prospects into the lineup next season after losing players in free agency? 

14:04: What do you think about what the Capitals have or haven’t done so far in the off-season?

16:30: The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner wants Hockey Canada to push for a fighting ban across all junior leagues. Agree or disagree? 

22:10: Reacting to women's hockey in North America hitting record numbers: is this growth a result of the PWHL’s visibility?

24:18: Can these rising numbers be attributed to something other than the PWHL? 

28:00: The NHL, NHLPA and IIHF reach an official agreement for NHL player participation in the 2026 Olympics. Does the USA now have an edge, thanks to the 4 Nations experience and the IIHF World Championship victory (its first since 1933)?

29:46: What will this rivalry between the USA and Canada look like at the Olympics next year? 

32:30: The Anaheim Ducks signed Mikael Granlund to three-year, $21-million contract. They had the cap space to do it, but is this an overpay for a middle-six center?

34:16: How is Granlund going to impact the Ducks roster, and what kind of noise will the team make this year? 

Watch the full episode here. 

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Promo image credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

It's been six years since the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche.

The expensive addition of John Tavares in 2018 and Kadri's then-average annual value of $4.5 million made the latter an expensive third-line center. His frequent suspensions for undisciplined play in the post-season hastened his departure.

Kadri went on to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 before heading to the Calgary Flames later that summer. He matured along the way, playing a more disciplined style without sacrificing his effectiveness as an agitating point producer. 

Now 34, Kadri is a core player for the Flames. However, their retooling process made him the subject of trade speculation last summer. It reached the point where Kadri told reporters last fall to “pump the brakes” on the trade chatter, insisting that he loved living and playing in Calgary. 

A year later, the speculation has resurfaced, as Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun suggested a possible reunion for Kadri with the Maple Leafs. 

The Maple Leafs still need a top-six forward following the departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this week. Koshan wondered if Leafs GM Brad Treliving would make a pitch for Kadri. 

While admitting there is nothing to suggest such a deal could happen, Koshan cited an NHL source claiming Kadri wouldn't let his no-movement clause stand in the way of a return to Toronto. However, he also noted that the one-time Leaf hasn't requested a trade, nor has he been asked to waive his NMC.

It's unlikely that the Flames are interested in moving Kadri. He was their leading scorer last season with 35 goals and 67 points, and his presence is crucial to their playoff contention hopes this season.

Even if the Flames were open to trading Kadri, they would want at least a good young NHL forward as part of the return, something the Leafs lack among their limited trade assets. 

Turning to Buffalo, Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram remains a fixture in the rumor mill. The 24-year-old defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights, prompting conjecture that he could be traded or become a candidate for an offer sheet. 

However, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams told reporters on Wednesday he would match any offer sheet for Byram. Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News speculated a trade could still take place, pointing out the Sabres need to replace top-six right winger JJ Peterka, who was shipped to the Utah Mammoth last week. 

Harrington also corrected a TSN report earlier this week claiming Byram was a year away from UFA eligibility. He is, in fact, two years away.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Season 7 XP Path is officially live in NHL 25.

The reward cards are 91 overall Henrik Lundqvist, Erik Karlsson, Nicklas Backstrom, Ryan Suter, and 98 overall P.K. Subban. 

Subban can be acquired by reaching level 40 or 325,000 XP on the XP Path, previous paths required players to reach level 50 to acquire the highest rated reward. 

This XP Path is available for 35 days. 

Multiple packs, choice packs, and players can be acquired throughout the XP Path.

You can trade in five Season 7 XP Collectibles for one XP Token which can be used to upgrade one of the five 91 overall players mentioned above. 

100 collectibles total can be acquired throughout the path and can be used in sets to acquire packs. 

Check out Tuesday's and Wednesday's HUT Content. 

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

Between their additions and subtractions, the Philadelphia Flyers have been well-represented in NHL free agency this year.

Big money additions like Christian Dvorak and Dan Vladar should help the Flyers improve in the short term, while defensemen Noah Juulsen and Dennis Gilbert will serve the purpose of ensuring there is competition for the team's young blueliners.

But, what about the subtractions?

Arguably the biggest loss so far has been winger Jakob Pelletier, who was controversially not tendered a qualifying offer, only to accept a three-year, $2.23 million contract with Tampa Bay merely hours into Day 2 of free agency.

Acquired by the Flyers in the Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee trade with Calgary, Pelletier now figures to assume a bottom-six role for the Lightning next season, replacing former Flyer Cam Atkinson.

Also leaving the Flyers organization is former prospect Olle Lycksell, who could never quite grab ahold of an NHL roster spot permanently.

NHL Free Agency: Flyers Won and Lost on Day 1The Philadelphia Flyers were the one team that won as much as it lost on Day 1 of NHL Free Agency.

After 44 points in 43 AHL games this season, Lycksell has latched on with the Ottawa Senators, taking a one-year, two-way contract worth league minimum ($775k).

Former Flyers defenseman Ronnie Attard, who was traded to Edmonton for Ben Gleason in November, signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche for league minimum as well.

Speaking of Gleason, he ($800k), and AHL teammate and former Flyers goalie Cal Petersen ($775k) landed cheap one-year deals with the Minnesota Wild organization.

Ditto for ex-Flyers forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

Louie Belpedio, who was actually quite decent in limited action for the Flyers two seasons ago, has ultimately left the organization, getting some security with a two-year, league minimum deal with the Metropolitan Division rival Washington Capitals.

It would have been good for Belpedio to stick around with the Flyers organization longer, but the 29-year-old is ultimately making way for prospects like Oliver Bonk and, eventually, Spencer Gill in the AHL.

Among the former Flyers sticking with their current teams, Nick Cousins and Hayden Hodgson have both re-upped with the Senators, with the former landing a one-year deal and the latter two.

Flyers' Porter Martone Sets Sights on Early NHL DebutJust one day into on-ice activities at development camp, the hype around top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone is already growing.

Oh, and Claude Giroux will be joining them and Lycksell in Ottawa for another year, too.

After receiving his qualifying offer, Frost will be with the Flames a little longer, signing a two-year, $8.75 million contract with a $4.375 million annual cap hit.

Columbus defenseman Ivan Provorov ended up setting the free agent market ablaze with his eye-watering seven-year contract extension that carries an annual cap hit of $8.5 million, and he's not even their No. 1 defender. That's Zach Werenski.

Although the Flyers did land Vladar, it would have been nice to see Alex Lyon return to Philly; the formerly undrafted netminder landed a two-year deal worth $3 million with Buffalo, with his $1.5 million cap hit coming in at less than half of Vladar's $3.275 million.

James van Riemsdyk, still kicking it at age 36, signed a one-year deal with the bumbling Detroit Red Wings for $1 million.

And, because so many were asking and wondering, Tony DeAngelo is, in fact, sticking around in the NHL after a strange and brief KHL stint last season. The enigmatic rearguard will remain in the division for the Flyers to face on a one-year, $1.75 million pact with the New York Islanders.

The Flyers won't be missing too many of these players now, no, but Lyon and Giroux would have been fun stories, especially given the team's positional needs. Better luck next time?

The Vancouver Canucks 2025 Development Camp has officially concluded. This year's week-long camp featured the entire 2025 draft class, as well as prospects who have taken part in the past. One of the players who hit the ice this week was 2023 draft prospect Aiden Celebrini, who was attending his third development camp since joining the Canucks. 

Celebrini was one of three prospects from Vancouver's 2023 class to attend this year's camp. The right-shot defender was joined by Vilmer Alriksson and Matthew Perkins, who were also participating in their third development camp. In speaking with the media, Celebrini explained how excited he was to come to this year's camp and how these training sessions have helped him develop into the player he is today. 

"Coming in for the third time, this is, this is one of the highlights of my summer, said Celebrini. "Just getting that opportunity to work with the big team and better your game and ready your game for that NHL level, I think this camp again just primed me in a lot of ways, to take that next step in my development. Feeling really excited about this second half of the year and this next season."

Development camps can be intimating for some players. Prospects want to make a strong impression as for many, it is their first time working with an NHL organization. According to Celebrini, it is also important for players to enjoy themselves, while trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible. 

"Hockey's fun. Try to have fun with it. I mean, it's always a blessing to be able to put on that Canucks jersey and learn from these legends of the game. So I think it's just take no day for granted. I know I'm putting everything I can into into developing my game and definitely taking my process seriously and kind of asking everything from myself every single day, but at the same time, you got to have fun with it because if you don't enjoy the process, then you're just spinning your wheels... "You're not getting judged. That's not what this is for. Just take this opportunity to better your game. Like, I know, probably heard it all week this week, but be a sponge, doesn't make the message any less important. Just be a sponge. Just be selfish with it. Take as much as you can out of it and use this to just take that next step."

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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As one of the returning players, one of Celebrini's goals for this development camp was to be a leader. This meant helping players adjust both on and off the ice. As Celebrini explained, he knows exactly how some of the new prospects are feeling, as he experienced the same situation back in 2023. 

"Obviously, being an older guy, getting to experience what it's like coming back and seeing kind of the nerves of some of the younger guys that I had a few years ago. Going from one year of juniors to two years of college. Haven't really gotten to experience that very much. So that was really cool for me. I thought try to be a leader and try to  set the tone for the other guys here."

As Celebrini mentioned, the Canucks development staff is filled with former NHL players who are ready to help the next generation. This includes Daniel and Henrik Sedin, whom the 20-year-old defenceman watched while growing up in BC. Like many who grew up cheering for Vancouver, Celebrini views the Hall of Famers as role models not just for their on-ice work, but the type of people they are off the ice. 

"Like I said in that video last year, I had a lot of friends and family ask me about it. I mean, they're machines. At least they didn't pass me this year. But, yeah, I really look up to those guys. Not only their incredible careers, but how they approach life after their careers. You look at them, they're the most incredible human beings, and they're just, they're perfect, you know. You look at them, Grouse Grind, on the ice, they look like they can still play, and it just shows like how much care and attention, they put into their lives. They're incredible role models."

Celebrini was also able to give a scouting report on fellow Canucks defensive prospect Tom Willander, who signed his entry-level contract after the season ended. Over the past two seasons, Celebrini and Willander have played at Boston University and have become very close off the ice. According to Celebrini, fans in Vancouver should start to get excited, as he believes Willander has a bright future in the NHL. 

"I couldn't be happier for him. He's going to be a fan favourite, for sure. He's a fun guy, fun personality, and obviously a really talented hockey player. He's very smooth, very sound defensively, and you like that nice, Swedish stride. Yeah, he's a lot of fun. And gonna miss him out there with me, but hopefully I'm there with him soon."

In the end, Celebrini is an intriguing prospect whom the Canucks are hoping will turn into a draft-day steal. He is headed back to the NCAA next year and is projected to play a key role on Boston University's blue line. A standout at this year's development camp, Celebrini's on-ice play and leadership qualities could pave the way for a successful career at the pro level. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

One year ago, it was only the NHL or OHL for Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan. However, now, it'll be NHL or AHL for the 20-year-old.

Cowan is one of 48 players at Toronto's development camp this summer. He's one of two, however—along with London Knights teammate Landon Sim—who are remaining off the ice for the entire week.

"He's played over 100 games the last couple of seasons, so it was more just allow him to have a bit of recovery time," Maple Leafs assistant GM, player development, Hayley Wickenheiser, said on Thursday.

The fact that Toronto is giving their 2023 first-round (28th overall) pick all the opportunity to rest before Maple Leafs training camp is interesting, but not surprising. They're allowing him to stay off the ice, away from the nearly two-hour ice sessions (only behind the glass), to prepare for what comes later this summer.

"He's going to have a big few months here coming up and allow him to train, more importantly off the ice right now," Wickenheiser added, "put on some of the weight that he's lost through the season, and just get some rest."

Fight Breaks Out at Maple Leafs Development Camp Between Matthew Hlacar and Rhett ParsonsWe have a fight on day one of Toronto Maple Leafs development camp.

Cowan has accomplished everything at the junior level after winning the Memorial Cup with the Knights on June 1. His 39 points (13 goals and 26 assists) in 17 games led all OHL players in playoff points, and his three goals and four assists in five games at the Memorial Cup earned him the tournament's MVP honors.

"This time last year, I wasn’t as good as I am now," Cowan said on Thursday at Maple Leafs development camp. "Just being able to manage the puck better, I’ve learned that a lot this year, and obviously with the Knights organization, they helped me out a lot.

"I felt when games got bigger, I got better. Those are the games I love to play in, when there’s a lot of people watching and there’s high stakes."

'He Meant A Lot To Me': Easton Cowan On Mitch Marner Leaving Maple Leafs For Golden KnightsToronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has followed Mitch Marner's junior footsteps, winning a Memorial Cup with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, but he hasn't been in contact with the player yet since Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights after nine seasons with the Leafs.

Entering training camp last fall, one of the topics surrounding Cowan's game was the junior habits that he still possessed. There were moments when he looked timid, too, which ultimately led to Toronto returning him to London in October.

"I think he made a big jump this year," Wickenheiser affirmed.

"The intangibles he brings, he plays with a lot of passion, a lot of drive. But just in terms of the way he played and conducted himself as a leader and an impact player, especially in the Memorial Cup, produced, led the team, and the habits that he needs to play pro, we saw improve in the latter half of the year this year."

Cowan still needs to prove, though, that the pro habits have been expelled from his game. It's one thing to see it disappear against OHL talent. It's another to watch it vanish versus NHL competition.

Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.

"In junior, you can get away with long shifts and lagging, not tracking back pucks, things like that, and we talk a lot with him about the things that will translate to being an everyday impactful pro player," said Wickenheiser.

"Cleaning up those areas of the ice, being able to play on the inside, to play with pace day in and day out, and just to be physically strong so that when he comes in, he can handle the grind that it is."

Cowan said that he'd ideally like to get his weight to 190 pounds by the end of this summer, adding that 187 could be the more achievable goal. "Add some more cornerweight on me and keep my speed," the forward said.

Why Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet.

With Wickenheiser applauding Cowan for ridding the junior habits from his game in the latter half of his OHL season, it'll be up to him to prepare for what's next: a possible NHL position with the Maple Leafs.

"I have the chance to get a job, and that’s up to me to go out there and show what I can do and play my game," Cowan said. "Still a couple months away, so I’m going to take every day day-by-day and just keep getting better."

What Toronto does in the rest of the offseason will help in determining where Cowan could end up in training camp. If the Maple Leafs acquire another top-six forward, Cowan could be battling for a bottom-six spot.

That could already be the case, though, with players like newly-acquired Matias Maccelli—plus Max Domi, who's had success playing with Auston Matthews before—potentially getting an opportunity ahead of Cowan.

'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

If that's indeed the case, it'll be an uphill battle for the young forward. But, we've witnessed Cowan turn heads before, so it'd be unfair to say it's unattainable this time around.

"Time will tell. I guess that's the question that we all are asking ourselves," said Wickenheiser of Cowan making the NHL roster.

"But my money's on him that he will be fit enough and prepared enough, the experience to be able to step in and play will be — we'll see probably very quickly when (training) camp starts."

(Top photo of Cowan: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)

The Montreal Canadiens’ development camp wrapped up on Thursday, and on day three, fans were treated to two mini-games between Team Red and Team White. The competitive level was relatively high, and the first game ended in a 2-2 tie while the second finished 2-1 thanks to a Tyler Thorpe game-winner seconds before the end of the game.

A few players stood out for me, Thorpe being one of them, and not only because he scored a pair of goals, one in each game, but also because of his size. At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, the right winger moves well, and he’s not afraid to use his big frame, all the while showcasing some skills and a scoring touch.

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At the opposite end of the spectrum was LJ Mooney. At 5-foot-7 and 162 pounds, the diminutive winger still managed to stand out. He plays a solid game and isn’t easy to take off the puck; he plays with a lot of heart and determination, a bit like Brendan Gallagher, really, but the skills package he has is even more impressive. On top of shining on the ice, the youngster also went to speak to Francis Bouillon after the game and asked him what he should be doing as a small player. The development coach told him:

You are aware of your strengths and weaknesses. When I was playing, I didn’t want to allow anyone to tell me I wouldn’t play because I’d get beat one-on-one. Just focus on the right things, and work hard. It’s a player who impressed me with his speed, but also with his spirit and energy. He’s not a player who’ll stay on the outside; he goes in, goes to the net, wants to create chances.

- Francis Bouillon on LJ Mooney

During the games, he caught my eye as he seemed fearless, fearing no one and nothing.

I was also impressed by Aatos Koivu’s play. While he wants to make his own path and name, in the shootout after the game, he gave everyone who saw his father play an absolute blast from the past, recreating one of Saku’s best moves. His skating and hands were impressive during play, as were his decision-making and reaction time; he seems to have a high hockey IQ. At 6 feet and 163 pounds, he will need to put on some muscle to be able to pull the same kind of moves in the NHL, but the talent is there.

Tel père, tel fils :)

Like father, like son#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/kyVGZhd7EG

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 3, 2025

Koivu and Mooney are still some time away from turning professional in North America. Still, if they continue to develop in the right way, they will be very entertaining to watch.

Photo credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

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