Category: NHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins enter Saturday on the back leg of a pre-season back-to-back, and everyone in North America is aware that a special someone is back in town for one last hurrah.

But Marc-Andre Fleury won't be the only source of entertainment when the Penguins take on the Columbus Blue Jackets for second and final time this pre-season. 

In their 3-2 comeback win against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, the Penguins featured mostly a prospect- and AHL-focused lineup. There were a few exceptions in guys like Danton Heinen, Blake Lizotte, Philip Tomasino, Connor Dewar, and Matt Dumba, but may others were players fighting for role positions on the NHL roster.

That's not the case for Saturday's game.

Not only are the big veteran players in Fleury, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell slated to start, they will also ice most of their top organizational prospects - offering fans a glimpse into what the future could look like for the Penguins. 

During the summer, we released our full Top-20 Penguins' Prospects list. As it turns out, many of them are going to be in the lineup Saturday for the Penguins. Top-five prospects Harrison Brunicke, Ville Koivunen, Ben Kindel, and Sergei Murashov are all listed on the roster, as are Owen Pickering, Tristan Broz, Filip Hallander, Finn Harding, and Avery Hayes. 

It should be a nice blend of past, present, and future, gift-wrapped within a game that may not have any meaning in terms of standings and points but hold significant emotional value.

"We felt like this was one... today's a little bit unique," head coach Dan Muse said. "You got the uniqueness there of Marc-Andre Fleury being here and the celebration of him going into the game, so I think this is just the way it lined up."

Blue Jackets At Penguins Preseason Preview: Marc-Andre Fleury Returns To Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins picked up their first preseason win on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. 

---

Here are the lines and pairings for Saturday's game:

Forwards
A. Hayes - Crosby - Rust
Anthony Mantha - Malkin - Justin Brazeau
Koivunen - Rakell - Kindel
Boko Imama - Broz - Rafael Harvey-Pinard
Hallander

Defensemen
Parker Wotherspoon - Karlsson
Caleb Jones - Letang
Pickering - Brunicke
Harding

Goaltenders
Murashov
Fleury

---

It is already known that Fleury will suit up for the third period and Murashov will anchor the opening two. Murashov has emerged as a legitimate prospect candidate to take the reins as the Penguins' goaltender of the future, as his dominance at every level of professional hockey has been something to marvel at. 

In some ways, Murashov is remniscent of a young Fleury - quick, athletic, agile, cool, confident, and poised. So it's only fitting that - akin to the rest of the roster - past and future get to suit up in the same game. 

And Fleury's advice for Murashov and other young Penguins' goaltenders?

"You better try hard," Fleury said Friday. "I'm coming to take your spot."

And for one night, one period only, he will.

'I'm Happy It All Worked Out': Fleury, Teammates Relish Chance To Share Ice One Last TimeNormally, NHL training camp is an all-business kind of affair, and that's exactly how it's been at Pittsburgh Penguins' camp this year.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Something about playing against the Detroit Red Wings seems to agree with Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, be it during regular season play or in Saturday afternoon's instance, pre-season play. 

Thompson scored twice as part of Buffalo's 5-2 win over the Red Wings at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. With the setback, the Red Wings are now 2-2 through four pre-season games. 

Preseason continues Monday @ home

🚨 Kane, Kasper pic.twitter.com/8MWasP2MsS

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 27, 2025

Thompson has 23 points in the 19 regular season games that he's played against the Red Wings, including 12 goals, the highest number of tallies he has against any other team in his NHL career.

While his goals on Saturday won't officially be added to his total, it continued a trend of overall dominating play on Thompson's part against Detroit. 

His first goal came just 14 seconds into the second period, while his second tally was with the man-advantage in the third period. In both instances, it restored a two-goal cushion for Buffalo. 

Tommer strikes again on the power play! 🎯#LetsGoBuffalopic.twitter.com/zD4L0IarpF

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 27, 2025

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The Sabres initially grabbed a 2-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes of play thanks to tallies from Rasmus Dahlin and Radim Mrtka. Buffalo native Patrick Kane halved the Sabres' lead with his first goal of the pre-season late in the frame. 

Also scoring for Detroit was Marco Kasper, who put home a rebound past former Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon a bit past the midway point of the second period to bring his club back to within a goal. 

Josh Norris added an empty net goal for Buffalo in the waning seconds of regulation. 

Sebastian Cossa played the entire game for the Red Wings and stopped 16 of the 20 shots that he faced. Lyon, who was not re-signed by the Red Wings and accepted a two-year contract with the Sabres, made 26 saves. 

The Red Wings will return to Little Caesars Arena for a Monday evening matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+). 

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

As summer wound down, Kevin Rooney found himself sifting through PTO opportunities from a couple of teams around the NHL. 

When the 32-year-old saw the New Jersey Devils were one of those teams, he felt it was a "no-brainer" to sign a professional tryout with his former club. 

"I have already been here, and I am familiar with the organization," he told The Hockey News on Saturday. "With the uncertainty of not knowing where you stand, I wanted to go someplace where I would be comfortable because training camp is quick. It is two weeks where you have to show yourself. 

"I am really happy to be back," he continued. "It has been a great experience so far being back in New Jersey." 

Rooney began his NHL career with the Devils in March 2017. He appeared in 330 games with New Jersey before continuing his career with the New York Rangers, and eventually, the Calgary Flames. 

Now, he is competing for a bottom-six role on the Devils for the 2025-26 season. The Massachusetts native has plenty of competition for the fourth-line center position with veteran Luke Glendening on a PTO as well.

On Friday, The Hockey News asked Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe for his thoughts on his players who are on professional tryouts at this juncture of his training camp. 

"I think they have shown well," Keefe shared. "They have both shown what we had expected in terms of what they can provide. We are going to continue to put them in different positions to show that and see how they fit in, and trying to use them in different situations with different types of lineups and different linemates and all these sorts of things.

"(We want) to see them in games when they don't have a lot of support from our top guys, so they got to take on a lot more in terms of heavy lifting and match-ups and all of these sorts of things," Keefe continued. "Then, a game like we played the other day, we have a lot of our top guys, so now it is a little bit more like their role would actually feel like in a regular game. That is what I am going to try to do the rest of the way here. The games are coming quick now, and we are going to try to keep putting them in different spots and seeing how the fit is." 

Off the ice, Rooney has spent time with Glendening as the two are staying at the same hotel during camp. 

"It has been awesome having a guy like that here," Rooney said. "He is a guy I have looked up to throughout my career. He is obviously a little older than me, but we have been going to dinners and stuff together. It has been awesome getting to know him." 

Throughout his career, Rooney has averaged 11:38 of ice time per game. As a depth player, he understands and enjoys his role, explaining what it takes to be effective in limited ice time. 

"I think just staying in the game, you know? I mean (it could) be communication on the bench," he said. "I am a guy who loves to talk to my linemates and talk throughout the game, letting people who are on the ice know if they have time with the puck and whatnot. It is just doing those little things that keep you involved in the game in a little bit different of a way. 

"Obviously, you feel your best when you are playing 12 to 15 minutes, but that is not realistic every night," he continued. "You have to find ways to contribute, whether you get eight minutes or 10 minutes. It is something that, over the years, I have just gotten better at." 

One thing that affects the ice time of players like Rooney is the TV timeouts during games. 

"I don't know if it is actually true, but it feels like the fourth line is always about to go, and then there is a TV timeout," he said with a chuckle. "Then it resets." 

It is a small facet of the game that can go unnoticed not only to fans but to other players in the NHL, who are accustomed to more ice time on a nightly basis. 

"I actually have a funny story. One of my really good friends is Adam Fox," Rooney shared. "He played in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and wasn't getting his normal 20 to 25 minutes (of ice time). When I was hanging out with him this summer, he said he had a better appreciation for guys like me who don't play as many minutes. You know, it is harder, and it is cool to see a guy like that appreciate it." 

The Devils have four preseason games remaining with a split squad on Sunday. Half of the team will be at Prudential Center hosting the Washington Capitals, while the other group travels to Quebec City to play the Ottawa Senators. 

There is still time for Rooney to make a positive impact on the Devils' front office before the regular season kicks off on Oct. 9 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the center knows what is at stake and that he, in essence, has to seize the moment. 

"When you get your opportunities, you really have to make the most of them, because it doesn't come around often, honestly."

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

Several players were placed on waivers on Sep. 27 in the NHL. Among them was former Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Barre-Boulet, as he was placed on waivers by the Colorado Avalanche.

Barre-Boulet signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche this off-season. This was after the Canadiens did not re-sign him before July 1.

Today's waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3pic.twitter.com/WE1E8g1w7F

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 27, 2025

Barre-Boulet spent the majority of this past season with the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket. He was certainly an impactful player for Laval, as he posted 22 goals, 41 assists, 63 points, and a plus-18 rating in 64 games. He also played in 13 playoff games for Laval this past spring, recording three goals, eight assists, and 11 points. 

Barre-Boulet also played in two games with the Canadiens during the 2024-25 season, where he posted zero points, two penalty minutes, and three hits. 

A team looking for more forward depth could consider taking a shot on Barre-Boulet with a waiver claim, given his impressive AHL resume. However, if he passes through waivers, he will be joining the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. 

In 70 career NHL games over five seasons split between the Tampa Bay Lightning, Seattle Kraken, and Canadiens, Barre-Boulet has posted 12 goals, 18 points, and 47 hits. 

The Anaheim Ducks locked up one of the NHL's remaining RFAs when they signed star center Mason McTavish to a six-year, $42-million contract that carries a peculiar average annual value of $7 million. The AAV on McTavish's extension sheds some light on the philosophy of Ducks GM Pat Verbeek.

Verbeek had about $20.5 million in cap space before inking McTavish, meaning there was no good reason for the Ducks to go to war with one of the organization’s best players.

The 22-year-old is coming off a 2024-25 season in which he set new career-highs in goals (22), assists (30), and points (52) in 76 games. Furthermore, he had the joint-most goals and power-play goals on the Ducks roster.

There is an intriguing element of McTavish’s deal that stays in line with Verbeek’s apparent belief that no Anaheim player should be earning more than $7 million per year. Both longtime Ducks right winger Troy Terry and newcomer center Mikael Granlund earn $7 million against the salary cap this season.

Verbeek indeed made an exception for defensemen Jacob Trouba and his $8-million cap hit. However, Trouba wasn't a free agent signing, but rather, a trade that saw the New York Rangers receive defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

Nonetheless, Verbeek didn’t break the $7-million limit for No. 1 goalie Lukas Dostal, who signed for $6.5 million per year across five years. Evidence would show that there’s a clear red line for Verbeek, and McTavish didn’t step past it with this new contract.

It'll be interesting to see how Verbeek handles the pending RFAs, which includes center Leo Carlsson, left winger Cutter Gauthier, defensemen Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov. All of which will require new contracts beyond the 2025-26 campaign.

For a guy many wondered whether he had a long future in Anaheim, McTavish put that notion to rest, as Verbeek gave McTavish more term than any other current member of the Ducks.

McTavish is under contract through the 2030-31 campaign, while no other Duck is under contract longer than 2029-30. That says something about McTavish’s place in the organization. That shows what’s going to be expected of him. McTavish is going to be Anaheim’s top center, and although younger star Carlsson might challenge him for that top spot, it’s McTavish’s job to lose right now.

Report: Teams Have Called the Ducks on McTavish, Verbeek said 'Get Lost'Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is no stranger to difficult contract negotiations when it comes to RFAs under team control, especially if those players don’t hold arbitration rights.

McTavish had returned to his Canadian home in Ottawa before Ducks training camp began, but he’s now back in the fold, and Anaheim are going to be better for it. It made no sense for either McTavish or the Ducks to lose any more time than he’s already lost.

With McTavish finally on board, Anaheim has a solid balance of veterans and youngsters this season. Plus, if Dostal can hold up his end of the deal and the Ducks generate more offense, they have a realistic shot at least challenging for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Ducks are a team on the rise, and you can say the same thing for McTavish. He got what would've been market value if he were a UFA, but Verbeek gave him reasonable money as they project McTavish to do big things for them.

The expectations on McTavish have now been raised considerably, and McTavish now has the pressure of being the highest-paid forward on the roster. We'll see if he clears the new competitive bar his salary has set for him.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Zegras, Michkov make a highlight, youngster has tough play and Flyers fall to Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers dropped to the Bruins, 4-3, in preseason action Saturday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Travis Sanheim, Nikita Grebenkin and Trevor Zegras provided the Flyers’ goals. The markers by Sanheim and Zegras came on the power play.

Matvei Michkov collected two assists. Zegras also had a helper to go along with his goal.

The Flyers are 1-3-0 in the preseason and have three games left.

• Grebenkin and Alex Bump both got another look in their push for a job with the big club.

Grebenkin took advantage of a second-period climb in the lineup, scoring his first goal of the preseason. The 22-year-old winger stood out in the pair of rookie games with a goal and two assists.

He played seven games for the Maple Leafs last season and has a legit shot to win a season-opening roster spot with the Flyers.

“He’s a sticky guy, he comes up with loose pucks, that’s what we need,” Rick Tocchet said. “He finds the pressure and he goes to it, he’s not shy. There are really good parts of his game. We’ve got to clean up some stuff, a lot of turnovers at the center ice he has got to clean up. Other than that, though, I thought he had a good game for us.”

Bump had a costly turnover in the final seconds of the first period.

The 21-year-old winger lost control of the puck right by his own net as he was trying to milk the clock to zero. John Beecher pounced on it and put it past Samuel Ersson with 0.6 seconds left.

“I just tried to settle the puck down,” Bump said. “Funny bounce on me, funny roll. Unfortunate, yeah, but whatever, it’s over now.”

A number of Flyers went up to support Bump before they headed down the tunnel to the locker room. After starting the game with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, Bump dropped down the lineup for the second and third periods.

“Listen, everybody has made mistakes like that,” Tocchet said. “You just move on from it, it’s not a big deal. He knows.”

Rodrigo Abols, a big forward who can play center or winger, suited up again. He’s the only skater to have played in all four preseason games so far. And he has earned it. The 29-year-old could be in the Flyers’ bottom six on opening night.

• Zegras gave the Flyers what they probably envisioned when they acquired him this summer in a trade with the Ducks.

In the second period, the 24-year-old center teamed up with Michkov for an impressive power play goal.

It was high-level playmaking that the Flyers have desperately needed on the man advantage. Michkov’s vision on his pass was excellent.

“He’s a guy that if we get people moving in the right areas, he’s going to find them,” Tocchet said.

Flyers would love to see more of this between Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov on the power play this season. High-level playmaking. pic.twitter.com/XXkgGRZwXE

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 27, 2025

More: How Zegras has bonded with Michkov over a game of ‘crossbar’

• Ersson started in net for the Flyers and played the full game, stopping 23 of 27 shots.

Jeffrey Viel snapped a 3-3 tie in the third period by waiting out Ersson on a move in close.

Ersson has made 30 saves on 36 shots through four periods of exhibition play.

• Jamie Drysdale looked confident and creative with the puck on his stick.

“He has been real assertive,” Tocchet said. “He’s trying to do stuff we want on the blue line. He’s doing some spin-o-ramas, he’s holding onto pucks, he’s doing some good stuff. … There’s a lot there, he’s a good player. He’s only going to get better.”

• The Flyers sent prospects Spencer Gill and Jack Nesbitt back to their respective junior clubs.

The club’s roster is down to 40, which includes injured players.

• Lou Nolan, the Flyers’ longtime public address announcer, paid tribute to the late Bernie Parent before the game.

The Flyers held a moment of silence for their all-time great goaltender, who died last Sunday at the age of 80.

A moment of silence for the late Bernie Parent. pic.twitter.com/GtqrlXBAJL

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 27, 2025

• The Flyers and Bruins meet again Monday in preseason action at TD Garden (7 p.m. ET).

Former Florida Panthers goaltender James Reimer is returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout. 

Reimer's NHL career began in Toronto, with the Leafs selecting him in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Draft. Now 37 years old, Reimer played six seasons with the Leafs, recording a .914 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average in 207 games. 

"I haven't had that much fun in a long time. And so it's been a special experience to be back here," Reimer said one day after signing with the Leafs on a professional tryout. "A lot of memories and a lot of good emotions. And really enjoying the moment and just enjoying being back. It's a lot of fun."

Reimer was brought in on a PTO because Joseph Woll is away from the team for personal reasons. The Leafs have not revealed why he needed to leave and have asked to respect his privacy. 

'I Haven't Had That Much Fun In A Long Time': James Reimer Reflects On First Maple Leafs Practice in 9 Years And When He May PlayJames Reimer stepped onto the ice in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time in over nine years on Saturday and the veteran NHL goaltender couldn't stop smiling from ear-to-ear.

The Panthers are the team Reimer has played the second most games with, recording a .912 SP and 2.85 GAA in 123 games.

Reimer spent three seasons with the Panthers from 2016 to 2019. Reimer has bounced around the NHL quite a bit as a veteran, spending time with the Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks and the Buffalo Sabres. 

It's unknown if the Leafs will sign Reimer to an NHL contract, but it's a feel-good story for both Reimer and the Leafs fans.

The Anaheim Ducks and Mason McTavish finally came to terms on a contract extension after missing a chunk of training camp and several weeks of negotiations and stalemates.

Anaheim signed McTavish to a six-year extension worth a total of $42 million. The center will earn $7 million in average annual value. His contract will kick in immediately as he's been an RFA since July 1.

This new contract will expire after the 2030-31 campaign, when McTavish will be entering his prime years at the age of 28. This extension also eats up two years of UFA eligibility.

✍️✍️ MAC-T IS SIGNED!

It's a 6-year deal for Mason McTavish.

Details ⬇️https://t.co/SfDNTm1A8v

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) September 27, 2025

Some concerns began to surface that McTavish would miss a bit of the regular season because of the contract dispute. At one point, the 22-year-old began practising with the OHL's Ottawa 67's.

However, now that the team has locked him up for the next six years, he can return to the Ducks to finish off the rest of training camp and pre-season.

Entering his fifth NHL season, McTavish has already played 229 NHL games, scoring 60 goals and 140 points. Furthermore, he's coming off a career-high season where he recorded 22 goals and 33 assists for 52 points in 76 appearances. 

With that, the Ducks' star continues to grow and mature as he averaged a career-best 16:53 of ice time last year.

“Mason is a key part of our team, and we’re excited to reach a long-term agreement that reflects his importance to our future,” Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said in a statement upon Saturday's announcement.

“He’s a highly skilled, physical, and competitive player who plays the game the right way. Mason has already made a significant impact at a young age, and we’re confident he’ll continue to grow into a top player as we build toward sustained success.”

It's been seven years since Anaheim were in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Despite that, many are expecting the young Ducks to challenge for a playoff spot or at least make some noise in the Western Conference wild-card race.

“Today is an exciting day for me and my family to commit my long-term future to the Anaheim Ducks,” McTavish said in a statement.

“I believe in the direction of this organization and the group we have in the locker room. We’re building something special and I want to help this team take the next step toward becoming a consistent playoff contender and, ultimately, a championship team.”

Securing the services of McTavish is crucial if  Verbeek and the rest of the franchise want his team to sniff around the post-season. 

McTavish wasn't the only player who had lengthy contract negotiations as an RFA. New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Nashville Predators right winger Luke Evangelista both require new deals.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

With the regular season just 10 days away, the Pittsburgh Penguins are beginning to get a picture of what their NHL roster will look like come Oct. 7, when they face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden to open the season. 

And that picture includes reducing the training camp roster bit by bit.

On Saturday, the Penguins made the first big round of cuts to the roster, assigning all listed players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's AHL training camp, which begins on Sept. 29 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa.

---

The following players were re-assigned:

• F Raivis Ansons
• D David Breazeale
• D Tommy Budnick
• F Kyle Criscuolo
• F Brayden Edwards
• F Zach Gallant
• F Max Graham
• D Brent Johnson
• F Jordan Kaplan
• F Gabe Klassen
• D Daniel Laatsch
• F Brett Murray
• G Maxim Pavlenko
• D Emil Pieniniemi
• F Zach Urdahl

Blue Jackets At Penguins Preseason Preview: Marc-Andre Fleury Returns To Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins picked up their first preseason win on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. 

---

After the cuts, the Penguins' training camp roster was reduced to 58 players, which still includes prospects such as Filip Hallander, Ville Koivunen, Ben Kindel, Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, Avery Hayes, and Tristan Broz. Goaltenders Sergei Murashov, Filip Larsson, and Arturs Silovs also remain on the roster.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!      

Florida Panthers prospect Jack Devine will be one to watch this season.

The former 2022 seventh-round selection and two-time NCAA Champion is set to embark on his first full pro season after signing a three-year entry-level contract with Florida in April.

Over the past couple weeks, Devine has been experiencing the Panthers’ development and training camps for the first time as a professional.

His first taste of pro hockey came earlier this year, however, when he joined Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for their run to the Calder Cup Final.

Considering the championship pedigree he was a part of at the University of Denver, it’s no surprise that Devine was able to contribute when it mattered most, picking up two goals and two assists on nine shots over the three games he played against the Abbotsford Canucks in the Final.

“I thought that playoff run was something that was super special,” said Devine. “Being able to come in after my year in college and get a taste of it, it was something that was super beneficial, and something I'm very grateful for.”

Finding success after advancing levels in hockey is nothing new to Devine.

A native of Glencoe, Illinois – about 45 minutes north of Chicago – Devine has been able to avoid the struggles that many players go through when moving up to a higher level of the game.

Going from AAA hockey to juniors to playing with the U.S. National U17 and U18 clubs and then to the highest level of collegiate hockey, all in the span of five seasons, did not phase Devine as he continued to grow his game and absorb everything his coaches had to offer.

“In every level, I’ve had really good teammates and really good coaches,” he said. “I'm always eager to learn, and I've always been fortunate enough to have some really elite coaches at every team I've gone to.”

That enthusiasm to learn has done Devine well, and it’s stayed with him all the way up to the professional level, where he’s quickly earning a reputation as someone always looking to learn and improve.

“Guys have been joking this week that it’s trying to be like a sponge, just soaking it all in, so that's kind of the mindset,” Devine said. “Obviously, this the best organization in the NHL, two Stanley Cups back-to-back as of late, so I’m just trying to learn from everyone here. They've had success, so it's an easy thing to do.”

Devine’s eagerness to absorb as much valuable information as he can and translate that knowledge to improving his game on the ice has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, either.

“He'll be a guy that I think that the game will get easier for him the higher level he plays,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “He’s a smart, intuitive player, very serious about his game.”

Maurice went on to cautiously compare Devine to a current Panthers player, while quickly providing cover that nobody should be going out and saying, ‘Jack Devine is the next so-and-so.’

“He's got a great pedigree of winning and being part of those cultures,” Maurice began. “So he is, I hate doing this to a guy, so you're going to be careful, he's in the mold of the style of game of Sam Reinhart. He doesn't rely on pure speed to beat people, but he skates well enough, he's got some hands, and he can figure out the game. So that's the kind of style of hockey that we would like him to follow into.”

Devine is expected to start the season with the Checkers in Charlotte, and if things continue on their current path, he’ll be on a short list of players under consideration for an NHL call-up if and when the need arises.

While the idea of fulfilling his dream of putting on an NHL sweater is something that certainly does not escape him, Devine is keeping his focus on being the best professional he can be, knowing that if he does, things should work themselves out.

“That's definitely a goal,” Devine said of being called up. “I think for me, though, it's just day-by-day, trying to get better. Whether I'm in Charlotte, whether I'm in Florida, wherever I'm at, I just want our team to be successful and to win. I think wherever I'm at, I just want to be present there and give my best every day.”

It’s that hard-working, positive attitude that has helped land Devine a prime position on the radar of Florida’s front office.

When you’re the 221st player selected at the draft, you know from the start that it’s going to be an uphill climb to reach the NHL.

Devine has faced that challenge head-on, and now he’s on the cusp of achieving something he’s been striving toward for most of his life.

“I definitely worked hard to be where I'm at,” he said. “It was a dream of mine as a kid to put on an NHL sweater, especially the team that drafted me. It's not only myself, but my teammates in the past, the development staff here, that helped me get to where I'm at, so I can't only say it's myself, but just being fortunate enough a couple years later to be here and work and try to prove myself on a roster is pretty special.”

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

The Hockey Show: Reacting to Sasha Barkov injury news, how it impacts Florida Panthers' season

Panthers captain Sasha Barkov suffers significant knee injury, expected to miss regular season

Paul Maurice explains what he's thinking while watching Panthers endure Training Camp hell drill

REPORT: Panthers Fear Captain Aleksander Barkov Could Have ACL Injury

Daniil Tarasov Turns Away 47 Shots; Early Positive Results For Panthers Backup Netminder

Photo caption: Sep 24, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jack Devine (38) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

The St. Louis Blues have placed center Nikita Alexandrov and winger Hugh McGing on waivers.

The regular season is quickly approaching, and teams are beginning to assemble their final rosters. In the coming days, the expectation is that more players will be returned to their junior teams, sent to the AHL or placed on waivers.

Alexandrov, a 25-year-old center, has struggled to break through into the NHL lineup, but in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds, he's been an offensive catalyst. In 48 games last year, Alexandrov potted 21 goals and 49 points.

The former 2019 second-round pick (62nd overall) played in one pre-season game, scoring a goal in 17:36 of ice time against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Alexandrov has played 51 NHL games in his career, scoring three goals and nine points, but did not feature in any games last year. 

The Blues have several prospects who are trending ahead of him, but a strong start to the season could see him earn a call-up if the Blues face injury issues. 

McGing is a 27-year-old winger entering his fifth season with the Thunderbirds. In 68 games last season, the 5-foot-8, 176-pound forward posted 14 goals and 34 points.

Like Alexandrov, McGing had previously earned a call-up to the NHL, but did not feature in any NHL games during the 2024-25 campaign. In six NHL games, the former fifth-round pick (138th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft has failed to record a point.

If both Alexandrov and McGing clear waivers, they'll join the Thunderbirds, who will be beginning their training camp in the coming days. 

James Reimer stepped onto the ice in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time in over nine years on Saturday and the veteran NHL goaltender couldn't stop smiling from ear-to-ear.

"I haven't had that much fun in a long time. And so it's been a special experience to be back here," Reimer said one day after signing with the Leafs on a professional tryout.  "A lot of memories and a lot of good emotions. And really enjoying the moment and just enjoying being back. It's a lot of fun."

James Reimer already has a #Leafs paint job on his mask. pic.twitter.com/cBMiO4zwOg

— David Alter (@dalter) September 27, 2025

Reimer, wearing the No. 47 he had worn with several other NHL teams, had a brand new paint job on his mask and revealed that his agent had been talking to Leafs GM Brad Treliving for a few days before they put pen to paper on the official PTO on Friday.

Treliving kept his eyes peeled on Reimer's performance for most of Toronto's practice on Saturday. With goaltender Joseph Woll on an indefinite leave to tend to a personal matter, Reimer could be a potential No. 3 or No. 2 option behind goaltenders Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby. It sounds like there are no promises made as to where this goes for Reimer, who rose within the Leafs ranks early in his NHL career and played the first 207 games of his 525-game career in Toronto.

'We're All Here For Him': Maple Leafs React To Joseph Woll Taking A Personal Leave of Absence, Lend SupportThe Toronto Maple Leafs revealed some unexpected news on Tuesday when they announced that goaltender Joseph Woll had stepped away to deal with a personal family issue.

Reimer reflected on what the city and organization mean to him, through the mostly good times, while also joking about the bad.

"This is where the whole thing got going. So, yeah, it's a special city," Reimer said. "It's the greatest game on earth and the greatest city to play the game. I got so many good memories. I'm sure there were some bad memories in there. I don't remember any of them. I'm sure nobody else does either."

Reimer's last year in the NHL was the most difficult of his career. Limited to 24 games, Reimer started the 2024-25 season with the Buffalo Sabres but was waived before the regular season began. The Anaheim Ducks claimed Reimer, and he would go on to play two games before the Ducks waived him and Buffalo reclaimed the goaltender.

After all of the criss-crossing, Reimer certainly took time to contemplate retirement this summer. 

"The way last year ended, I'm really happy with how my career has gone, and I have a lot of contentment with what I've done so far," Reimer said. "Having said that, I took some time after the season to kind of feel it out and kind of see if I wanted to keep playing or not. And it became pretty clear early on in the summer that I still love the game and I still love to compete.

"And so I just ran with that feeling where if I was going to prepare myself and if the right opportunity came, then I was going to get ready to seize it and be prepared and not have prepared for it. So, yeah, I just had a lot of faith and trust that if something was going to happen, it was going to happen. So I just kept training like something was going to, and then until the time when I decided to not. And that time hadn't come yet. So when this came, it felt like something I should jump on and see where it takes us."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said they haven't figured out a plan for if the 37-year-old goaltender will get into any pre-season games, noting that the goalie has to get up to speed.

Latest stories:

Maple Leafs, Anthony Stolarz Remain Hopeful Extension Can Be Completed Before Start Of Season

Maple Leafs Training Camp Notebook: Marshall Rifai Shut Down With Wrist Surgery, Max Domi Remains On First Line

What Inspired William Nylander To Start A YouTube Channel, And Will Other Maple Leafs Be Involved?

Anything can happen during a season in any sport. In an NHL season, players go through injuries, dips in form, off-ice issues and other instances that can affect their campaign.

All these different situations are all the more sensitive for goaltenders. Everyone understands teams usually can’t win without a great goaltender between the pipes. However, no one can control fate, and it forces others to step up to the plate.

Here are NHL goaltenders who may become very important at work and could be up to the task.

Leevi Merilainen, Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators fans should prepare to see a lot of Leevi Merilainen this season. He’s shown great promise in his young NHL career so far.

Merilainen, 23, has played in 14 career NHL games, starting in 13 of those contests. Last season, he was a key contributor to helping the Senators get into the playoffs. In 11 starts, Meilainen put up a .925 save percentage and a 1.99 goals against average.

While it’s a short sample size, the Finnish netminder had multiple show-stopping performances, including three shutouts.

If Merilainen continues where he left off next season, not only will he put plenty of pressure on Linus Ullmark, but if Ullmark drops in form, he could be at risk of losing games to Merilainen.

While Ullmark is Ottawa’s starting goaltender, there’s a history of the former Vezina Trophy winner underperforming in the playoffs. If playoff-Ullmark leaks into the regular season, it may not be long before coach Travis Green calls upon Merilainen more often than expected.

Could Ottawa Senators Goalie Leevi Merilainen Earn Some Calder Trophy Love This Season?It would appear that the Ottawa Senators will begin the 2025-26 season with a legitimate NHL Rookie of the Year candidate. That candidate is goaltender Leevi Meriläinen, who just turned 23 last month.

Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jet Greaves has been a standout goaltender in the AHL, especially last season, when he recorded a .920 SP and 2.62 GAA in 40 games with the Cleveland Monsters. 

He made 11 appearances for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and really impressed in his final five outings of the campaign. In that stretch, he recorded two shutouts and never registered a save percentage under .950 percent. In fact, he featured in back-to-back games because of his performances - something that rarely happens in today’s NHL.

At this point, the only goalie in the way of Greaves becoming an outright starter is Elvis Merzlikins. Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason will likely have Greaves and Merzlikins as a tandem and let it play out organically from there.

Merzlikins seems to be happy with the current goaltending situation in Columbus when he spoke to reporters at training camp about being a tandem.

“I think it’s great,” the Latvian netminder said. “I remember myself with (Joonas Korpisalo) together, we were No. 1s, both of us, and that helped us a lot.”

“We were helping each other. There were nights I was taking off and (Korpisalo) was doing great and we were winning, and then (Korpisalo) was taking off, and I was doing good, and we were winning the games. That’s really good on a hockey team to have two solid goalies because the season is long.”

Only time will tell who gets most of the games. Performances and player form can easily swing in any direction. However, it’s worth noting that Merzlikins hasn’t averaged over a .900 SP in the last three seasons, hinting that Greaves could edge him out in 2025-26.

Jonas Johansson, Tampa Bay Lightning

Jonas Johansson hasn’t been the hottest of goaltenders for the Tampa Bay Lightning. But with Andrei Vasilevskiy’s recent injury issues, he might have to get into a groove quickly.

Since Sept. 19, Vasilevskiy hasn’t participated in any Lightning practices as he’s been dealing with an undisclosed injury. Nonetheless, reports say that the two-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to return to practice soon and to be back for opening night of the regular season.

Even if and when Vasilevskiy returns, health will remain a worry. Around this time two years ago, the Russian netminder required surgery for his back to treat a lumbar disk herniation. He was sidelined for 10 weeks and went on to have the worst season of his career, statistically.

He had a huge bounce-back season last year, putting up a .921 SP and a 2.18 GAA, ultimately one of the best campaigns of his 11-year career.

However, with another injury in the air, maybe Johansson should expect the worst and be prepared to feature in more contests than he may have anticipated.

Joel Blomqvist/Arturs Silovs, Pittsburgh Penguins

Last season was a year to forget for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ starting goaltender, Tristan Jarry. He ended the season with a 3.09 GAA and .893 SP, and at one point, he was sent down to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after clearing waivers.

Joel Blomqvist was one goaltender who stepped in for the Penguins, making his first 15 appearances in the NHL as a 23-year-old. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the answer with his .885 SP and 3.81 GAA. 

Nonetheless, he’s still a promising goalie, who still put up an impressive .914 SP and 2.84 GAA in 18 AHL games last year. Although recent reports say he'll be out for at least a month with a lower-body injury.

Nonetheless, alongside Blomqvist is Arturs Silovs, who was traded to the Penguins in the off-season. Silovs spent the last few years in the Vancouver Canucks organization. He made headlines in the 2023-24 playoffs when he suited up for the Canucks for 10 games as a rookie. He was a big reason why Vancouver advanced in the first round against the Nashville Predators.

While Silovs hasn’t really been consistent aside from that post-season, he may still be looked upon to be the main man in the crease for Pittsburgh. The goaltending situation with the Pens is far from solidified, and whoever decides to take the reins will likely keep it for some time.

Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko missed a lot of time last season because of a torn popliteus muscle that destabilized his knee. He wasn’t available from the start of the 2024-25 campaign until December. 

In the meantime, Kevin Lankinen came to the rescue for the Canucks. Before Demko could return, Lankinen had already recorded two shutouts and helped maintain a playoff position. Furthermore, on Dec. 1, Vancouver was third in the Pacific Division, ahead of the Edmonton Oilers, and was just four points off the division leaders, the Vegas Golden Knights, with two games in hand.

Lankinen finished the year with 51 appearances, a 2.62 GAA, a .902 SP and four shutouts. It’s no secret that Demko’s health and performance will be watched closely, and if he can’t come through like last season, Lankinen will need to get to work.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.