Category: NHL

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."

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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.

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"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.

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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.

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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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Happy Fourth of July from THN Florida!

For the third straight summer, Florida Panthers fans have quite a bit to celebrate.

In 2023, Cats fans were elated after the team’s incredible, improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final after squeaking into the playoffs as an eight seed.

Last year, not only the Panthers get back to the Final, but they won the franchise’s first ever Stanley Cup in an unbelievable, nail-biting seven-game series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Then there was this year, when Florida returned to the championship series for the third year in a row, only to find those same Oilers waiting in the Final and looking for revenge.

Unfortunately for Edmonton, there was no revenge to be had.

This time, the Panthers took out the Oilers in six games, winning the Stanley Cup on home ice for the second year in a row.

In addition to all that winning, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has also found a way to keep the team’s entire core intact and locked into long-term, franchise friendly deals.

That was capped off by the re-signings of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand over the past couple weeks.

Overall, as we’ve been saying for a while now, it’s a great time to be a Florida Panthers fan.

From us here at THN Florida, we wanted to wish everyone a very happy and safe July 4th!

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

There's been a lot of talk lately about how much pressure there is playing in a passionate hockey market like Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs are taking a unique approach when it comes to that issue as the club's annual development camp kicked off this week. On Wednesday, Assistant GM of Player Development Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser revealed that they had a session on Tuesday about managing pressure and performance in Toronto. Maple Leafs alumnus Wendel Clark and head coach Craig Berube also addressed the group. But there was also another rather unusual guest on the docket.

"We brought in a world-class horse trainer to spend a couple of hours. Actually, we brought in a wild colt, a wild horse, to talk about how you manage emotions and how you go through handling pressure in tricky situations," Wickenheiser said. "(They're) actually using a horse. So it's going to be interesting."

A horse trainer by the name of Jeff Davis and a horse were brought in from Oklahoma, according to Wickenheiser. It's an idea that was discussed with Leafs Director of Player Development Danielle Goyette. Maple Leafs Special Advisor Shane Doan, who grew up on a farm, was also into the idea.

'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.

The horse will not be on the ice, unfortunately. 

"We all think it's a good idea, but I'll let you know tomorrow if it works or not," Wickenheiser added.

Players like Easton Cowan, who got the nickname 'Cowboy' for growing up on the form and his work ethic, should be a natural at this session. If any of the attendees knows what it's like to deal with pressure, it's the Mount Brydges, Ontario native, who will be many will be keeping an eye on to see if he's ready to make the jump to the NHL level.

(Photo credit: certifiedclinician.com)

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He was supposed to be a 'Jet for life'.

It was supposed to be, 'draft and develop'.

So what went wrong between Nikolaj Ehlers and the Winnipeg Jets?

Nothing, yet everything. 

Selected early in the 2014 NHL Draft, Ehlers bypassed the American Hockey League and jumped right into NHL play following a stellar Junior career with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. He scored his first goal against Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers on October 13, 2015.

Ten seasons later and the now 29-year-old has opted to part ways with the organization that took him ninth overall.

Ehlers has since become the NHL's all-time leading scorer among Danish-born players. Over his time with Winnipeg he has shot up the rankings to the fourth position in Jets' 2.0 history in games played, goals, assists and points. 

His time with the Jets was spectacular.

Always one to provide a laugh, a raw and honest opinion, or a slow, drawn-out response in his media availabilities, Ehlers was just as loved off the ice as he was on it.

Skating in 674 games for the Jets, the Dashing Dane put up 225 goals and 520 points to go alongside 222 penalty minutes and a +106 +/- rating. He had another nine goals and 21 points in 45 postseason games.

And despite his diminutive stature, the speedy forward was never afraid to get in the face of his opponents, willingly dropping the mitts when called upon. Who could forget his spirited tilts against Ryan Getzlaf, Jamie Benn, Brad Marchand or Corey Perry? 

On Thursday, Ehlers opted to sign a six-year, $51 million contract with the Eastern Conference's Carolina Hurricanes, effectively ending his time in Manitoba. The choice came after earning the right to be an unrestricted free agent by way of years of service to Winnipeg.

Unable to sort out any sort of extension with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and the front office staff during the past season, Ehlers let his name stand as a UFA and opted to test the waters of free agency. It took until the third day of the signing period for him to officially come to a decision, but the choice was a definitive one: he was not going back to Winnipeg.

Whether it was even an option in his mind is likely a question that will never be answered. Did Cheveldayoff offer to match the Hurricanes' offer of six years at $8.5 million per season? 

It's very possible that Chevy and Co. did not offer a dollar value of $8.5 million per season, as that is the exact number they are paying their top centre Mark Scheifele and Hart Trophy winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck - who both signed matching extensions two seasons ago. 

If it was all about the money, Ehlers likely could have signed elsewhere for seven seasons at an even higher rate of pay, so the decision to move to Carolina likely comes as a culture shift with a hope for more effective usage and a real shot at the Stanley Cup.

Ehlers, who ranked ninth among forwards in ice time in the Jets' second round playoff matchup with Dallas finished the round as the team's point-scoring leader. Fittingly, that has been a role he has found himself in over the majority of his time with the Jets.

Whether it was under the coaching of Paul Maurice, Dave Lowry, Rick Bowness or Scott Arniel, he never could quite find a way to usurp various characters on the top line and power play unit, including Patrik Laine, Blake Wheeler, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi - to name a few. 

His ~16 minute average of ice time per game puts him somewhere between second and third line players, despite owning speed, a skillset and hockey IQ among the very best in the league. 

Check out that time on ice stat:

“Third liner” https://t.co/Vl5RJjwR0L

— Carter Brooks (@CBrooksie84) July 3, 2025

It is with the Hurricanes where he hopes to find a new path to greatness. A strong forward corps including the likes of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal should provide ample competition for the always passionate Ehlers. 

Will he find his Stanley Cup glory with Carolina? He sure thinks so, and has 51 million reasons to believe his new landing spot is as legitimate as they come. 

After having spent time under the watchful tutelage of recent back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning head coach Paul Maurice, Ehlers will now get to work for another champion and noted winner, Rod Brind'Amour. 

With Winnipeg in the rearview mirror, Ehlers will look to stay healthy and play six complete 82-game seasons in Carolina - something he only managed to do three out of his 10 seasons in Winnipeg. 

With the NHL schedule yet to be released for the 2025-26 season, fans will surely look to circle the lone battle at Canada Life Centre between the Jets and Hurricanes for the coming year, where Ehlers should receive a hearty hello from fans in attendance. 

Although it wasn't the ending that Jets fans had in mind, it is a change of scenery that hopefully gives a much deserving player the chance he so highly covets - that of playing meaningful minutes and winning a Stanley Cup. 

And with Carolina, he should be able to accomplish both. 

When 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.

Among those 48 skaters - which excludes four injured invitees in forwards Tanner Howe, Zam Plante, and Luke Devlin as well as defenseman Maleek McGowan - 16 are young defensemen. Many of these blueliners are already within the Penguins’ system somewhere, whether acquired through the draft or by college free agent signing. Some are non-roster invitees.

Whatever path they started toward the Penguins’ organization on, the goal is all the same for each of them in development camp: To prove they’re worthy of a chance to play at the NHL level someday.

“Oh yeah,” top defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke - drafted 44th overall by the Penguins in 2024 - responded to Wes Crosby of NHL.com, who asked if it was a personal goal of his to make the NHL club out of training camp. 

Brunicke turned a lot of heads during training camp in 2024, when he wowed the masses with his smooth skating, masterful puckhandling, and advanced vision, which led many to believe that - at 18 - he already wasn’t a far cry from NHL-ready. Kyle Dubas and the Penguins must have thought so, too, to an extent, as Brunicke stuck around right through the very end of training camp and nearly earned a nine-game trial at the NHL level.

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But not every blueliner in the Penguins’ system - in fact, probably not any of them - is going to have the same developmental path as Brunicke, and not all of them are going to turn so many heads right away. It will take time, effort, patience - and a whole lot of refinement.

That’s what development camp is all about - and small improvements are what each player is aiming for every day.

“I’m trying to pick up as much stuff as I can through development camp,” said Charlie Trethewey, 17, who was drafted in the third round (73rd overall) by the Penguins less than a week ago. “There’s a lot of great resources here, and the staff is amazing, and just looking to learn the most I can.

“Just come to the rink every day and look to get one percent better.”

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Trethewey is one of four defensemen who were drafted this year - the others being Quinn Beauchesne (148th overall), Brady Peddle (91st overall), and Peyton Kettles (39th overall) - to participate in development camp. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound two-way defenseman was projected by many - as of last summer - to go in the first round of the 2025 draft.

The cards fell a little differently, and - somehow - Trethewey ended up in the organization he represented and rooted for as a kid. And he - like many of his peers - knows he can learn a lot from both the coaching staff and the other players in the organization he’s surrounded by at camp.

“Obviously, there’s a bunch of great players, especially on the back end,” Trethewey said. “And it’s just awesome to watch the older guys and learn some stuff that they, kind of, picked up along the way and that I can add to my game.”

And the opportunity to learn from each other is a sentiment that was echoed throughout the locker room - especially with the Penguins’ organization in a transitional period. There is a lot of youth, a lot of talent, and a lot of competition for few roster spots. But each player knows that they can also take advantage of the opportunity to grow together within the system and through things like development camp.

“It’s been great so far to get to know some of the other prospects coming in and other guys that have signed. It’s good getting to know the staff, too,” said David Breazeale, who captained the University of Maine for two seasons before signing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins this spring. “I just think it’s an awesome opportunity not only to develop throughout the week, but also to get to know everybody, understand what the culture is all about, and be able to bring that back to either the team you came from or to the organization.”

He continued: “There’s a ton you can pick up from each other. Everybody’s coming from all over the place, everybody’s had different coaches, so just talking about it, having a common language amongst each other while you’re here throughout the week… and then asking guys questions, trying to keep the locker room an open place where everybody feels like they have a voice. Even just in this week’s time, I think it’s really important.”

Finn Harding - drafted in the seventh round (223rd overall) in 2024 - is one example of a defenseman who has grown a lot since last year’s development camp. He, like many, echoed the desire to improve upon his skating - which will definitely be a point of emphasis for everyone as camp bores on - but he’s also aware of the strides he’s made in just the year he’s been with the organization. 

He came into the organization, primarily, as a defensive defenseman, but he rounded out his skillset last summer to build out his offensive game. Harding ended up finishing his 2024-25 season with the Brampton Steelheads eighth overall in scoring among OHL defensemen with 57 points in 67 games, and he is encouraged by the growth in his all-around game.

But he knows there is still a lot of work to be done, especially with the defensive prospect pool being as rich as it is. 

“It’s a great group here, and great staff… and they help us each and every day to be better and help develop as fast as we can,” Harding said. “But, obviously, it’s up to us to push the pace and come into the rink with a purpose and a plan every day and grow together, grow as fast as we can, and help this team out.”

Penguins Sign Defensive Prospect To Entry-Level ContractIt appears the Pittsburgh Penguins are rewarding one of their blossoming defensive prospects. 

Breazeale knows a thing or two about how to help this Penguins’ team get back to competitive relevance, as he led Maine to its first Hockey East title in 21 years this season. He is aware that the Penguins have high organizational expectations when it comes to winning and championship-caliber hockey.

And he believes that this group has what it takes to help get them there.

“You understand the sacrifice that you have to make to be able to win, and I know that the Penguins want to be a winning franchise again like they have in the past.,” Breazeale said. “Coming from teams who have won in places or have done well with a good, strong culture, we’re just adding pieces into the good, strong culture that’s already established here.

“So, for us, it’s just coming in here with an open mindset… ready, eager to learn, be a sponge, soak in everything that you can.”

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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Feature image credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News

The 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. 

It allows Nedeljkovic to team up with Yaroslav Askarov for the 2025-26 season. He will also have the opportunity to play behind a young Sharks team that is still in the process of rebuilding. Macklin Celebrini is on track to be a star in the NHL after finishing the 2024-25 season with 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games. His production may skyrocket this upcoming season as he continues to get better. The Sharks also have other young players who may take significant steps forward next season, including William Eklund and Will Smith. 

This move allows Tristan Jarry to keep his starting job going into next season unless he gets dealt to another team that needs a goalie. It felt like the Penguins reached their breaking point with Jarry last season when he spent multiple stints with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. However, they called him back up to the main roster to end the season due to Joel Blomqvist’s struggles. 

The Penguins’ season was practically over when Jarry was recalled in early March, and to his credit, he played better down the stretch than he did during the first half of the year. He finished March with a .907 save percentage and had a .914 save percentage or better in five of his nine starts that month. He managed a .903 save percentage or better in three of his five starts in April. 

With him set to return and Nedeljkovic now a Shark, it opens the door for Blomqvist to win the backup job out of camp. Blomqvist looked to be the favorite for the job going into free agency last year until Dubas signed Nedeljkovic to a two-year deal. Blomqvist got a taste of NHL experience last season but still spent more time in WBS. 

If Blomqvist can win the backup gig, it would allow Sergei Murashov to compete for the starting job in WBS. That’s the next step in his development after he showed he was too good for the ECHL last season. In his first North American season with the Wheeling Nailers, he played in 26 games and finished with a .922 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average. He struggled in the ECHL playoffs, but that was mainly because he got no help from the skaters in front of him. 

Murashov also spent some time in WBS, playing in 16 games and finishing with a .913 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average. He set the WBS franchise record for the longest winning streak in a rookie season (10). He is a freakish athlete and has the potential to develop into a solid NHL goalie. The trick for the Penguins will be not to rush him, even though some fans are ready to see him up with the big squad right now. 

Filip Larsson will also battle for the starting gig in WBS after a solid first season with the team. He played in 26 games, finishing with a .910 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against average. The Penguins signed him after he put together strong seasons in Sweden, specifically in 2023-24 when he played in the SHL. In 28 games, he had a .920 save percentage and a 1.93 goals-against average. The Detroit Red Wings initially picked him in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft. 

Penguins fans shouldn’t forget about Taylor Gauthier, either. WBS re-signed him to an AHL contract for next season and also sees him as a potential option in the net. He has played in 25 AHL games and has posted 10 wins, a .908 save percentage, and a 2.77 goals-against average. Gauthier is set to be in his fourth season with the Penguins organization after going undrafted. He finished a three-year entry-level deal with the Penguins before WBS signed him on July 2. 

Gauthier is too good for the ECHL as well, having put up ridiculous numbers for the Wheeling Nailers over the last three years. He was the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Year for the 2023-24 season after finishing with 24 wins, a .923 save percentage, and a 2.23 goals-against average. He improved upon the latter two numbers this past season, compiling a .928 save percentage and a 2.06 goals-against average. 

The Nedeljkovic trade doesn’t entirely solve the goalie logjam, but it provides an opportunity for some of the younger goalies to take the necessary next step in their development. Training camp will be a blast to follow when it gets underway in September. 

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Featured Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres' underwhelming roster changes thus far this off-season have some fans itching to see them make a move of consequence, particularly when it comes to the future of RFA defenseman Bowen Byram. But what if nothing else transipres on the roster alterations front? What if the Sabres roster we see in early July is highly similar to the one we see when next season begins?

Indeed, if this is how the Sabres are going to look next season, will anyone be surprised when just about everyone picks Buffalo to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 15th consecutive season? And more importantly, will Sabres fans be blamed for giving up on this organization? 

It's one thing if the Sabres spend to the salary cap ceiling and still miss out on the playoffs. But it's something different if all these signings and trades are simply about the bottom line financially. Buffalo fans aren't buying tickets and merchandise to see Sabres management penny-pinch their way through another disappointing season.

And we're not advocating trades or signings for the sake of trades or signings. Teams can take steps forward by sticking together and moving forward with most, if not all of the same players as important components. 

However, it's not as if these Sabres have had any of thoese days to point to as particularly-wonderful days. In 10 of its 14 straight seasons withought playoffs streak, this Buffalo team has finished between sixth-to-eighth in its division. This is not a team that missed out on the post-season by a win here or there. This has been sustained, almost-predictable crap, and everyone who has seen it doesn't want to see. it again.

After Sabres' Latest Trade, Don't Expect Much From New Buffalo DefensemanThe Buffalo Sabres made a trade Saturday, but it wasn't the trade many were expecting, as star defenseman Bowen Byram remained a Sabre, at least, for the time being. However, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams reshaped his defense corps by sending rugged blueliner Connor Clifton and the 39th-overall pick in this year's draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for D-man Conor Timmins and minor leaguer Isaac Beliveau. 

And so we again ask,  when will it arrive to Sabres managent that Buffalo fans want more? There can be no more excuses, or talk about a "youth movement". Buffalo has to do what San Jose GM Mike Grier is doing -- namely, adding many veteran voices to be a smart support seaon. And while that approach didn't work well when the Chicago Blackhawks did it last year for Connor Bedard, it's still worth trying another time.

We don't expect the Sabres to set the world on fire with a team that can win the Atlantic Division. But that doesn't mean expectations aren't sky-high for them. Being realistotic and adding players who can help play meaningful hockey isn't a stretch, but Buffalo ownership has to spend the money needed to move past their other Atlantic teams and finally carve out a playoff spot.

The Sabres have to spend all their money to prove to Sabres fans that they are doing their utmost to give Buffalo a decent shot at winning, but when you're not spending as an owner, you're telling fans,  in essence, that you don't care about them.

Sabres' Signing Of Veteran Goalie A Solid Gamble That May Wind Up Saving Buffalo's SeasonThe Buffalo Sabres' first day of the NHL's free-agent frenzy saw Sabres GM Kevyn Adams take some low-risk, decent-return gambles in signing mid-tier veterans like winger Justin Danforth and defenseman Zac Jones. But another Sabres signing could prove to be extremely important as the season goes on -- and that's the signing of experienced goalie Alex Lyon.

It may be unfair, but it's undenable -- if you're not trying with all your might to improve, you're not a team worth rooting for. And the Sabres fans that you're in danger of losing (if you haven't lost them already) may just say that this latest indignity is the straw that breaks the camel's back.

When speaking to the media following the signing of Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon touched upon having to apologize for false trade rumors surrounding veterans William Karlsson and Tomas Hertl.

"It’s shameful that I had to phone William Karlsson and say, ‘Karly, I’m sorry you’ve gotta go through this sh*t, you’re not for trade. Tomáš, relax, you’re not for trade," said McCrimmon.

Throughout the process prior to completing the sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner, rumors surrounding a Hertl trade to the Carolina Hurricanes and Karlsson possibly being on the move to create cap space gained a lot of traction. 

In the end, both remain with the team. 

Hertl had a stellar first full season with the Golden Knights, scoring 32 goals and 61 points in 73 games. The 31-year-old played his role to perfection, dominating as a net front and bumper presence on the first power play unit. Recently, Hertl was interviewed by a Czech outlet, where he spoke about the trade speculation. 

“Honestly, I didn’t even know – it was the people around me who told me. I knew the situation – they can’t trade me at all until July 1, and then I have three teams that I can choose from. Then general manager Kelly McCrimmon, called me and said he was sorry that this had even come up, and that nothing was being discussed. I was calm; I have the situation in hand. When a journalist writes something, everyone’s reaction is quick. I know that (the Golden Knights) are counting on me for next year, but you can never know anything 100 percent. That’s just how it works.”

INTERVIEW: Tomáš Hertl Responds To Trade Rumors Tomáš Hertl, who was acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights from the San Jose Sharks late in the 2023-24 season, has recently been the subject of trade rumors again, which THN Vegas writer Julian Gaudio recently explained in detail.

Unsurprisingly, when the rumors began to generate steam around Karlsson, several teams were interested, but many trusted insiders, including Elliotte Friedman, continued to reiterate that he didn't believe Karlsson was being made available. 

The 2024-25 season was challenging for the 32-year-old. His defensive game remained potent, but offensively, he scored just nine goals and 29 points in 53 games, dealing with a pair of injuries. Entering the seventh year of an eight-year deal which pays him $5.9-million annually, Karlsson remains a vital piece to the Golden Knights' success, and a bounce-back season of full health will go a long way in becoming a threat for the Stanley Cup.  

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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.

The St. Louis Blues are continuing to be linked to one of the NHL's top trade candidates. 

According to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford, he heard from a league source that the Blues are working hard to acquire Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram. Rutherford also added that Byram is a candidate to receive an offer sheet, but noted that the Blues would not get him that way. 

The Blues have been “trying hard” to get Bowen Byram from Buffalo, according to a league source. There’s still a possibility that Byram gets an offer sheet. #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) July 3, 2025

To be clear, the offer sheet could be from another club, not the Blues. But that would obviously take the Blues out of the mix. #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) July 3, 2025

This is not the first time that the Blues have been connected to Byram. Late last month, NHL insider Darren Dreger reported that the Blues were one of the teams interested in the Sabres blueliner. Now, the Blues are only continuing to be linked to Byram with this latest report. 

However, it also makes sense that the Blues are reportedly making a push to acquire Byram. Nick Leddy and his $4 million cap hit were claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks. Thus, the Blues have a spot available on their blueline and more cap space to work with.

If the Blues acquired Byram, it would be a significant move for the Central Division club. This is because the 24-year-old is a top-four defenseman who provides solid offense and is right in his prime. Thus, he could be a long-term part of the Blues' core if brought in. We will need to wait and see if the Blues end up winning the sweepstakes from here. 

Blues Lose Veteran Forward To Division Rival The St. Louis Blues worked hard to try to re-sign forward Radek Faksa, but he is now heading elsewhere. 

Photo Credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets have signed forward Mason Shaw to a one-year, $775,000 two-way contract.

The 26-year-old played his first season with the Jets organization this year, recording 17 goals and 37 points in 72 games with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL. The Moose's alternate captain led the team in points and finished second in goals. 

Shaw was a fourth-round pick (97th overall) to the Minnesota Wild in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. With the Wild, Shaw recorded eight goals and 20 points in 82 NHL games, but spent most of his tenure with the organization in the AHL with the Iowa Wild. 

Although Shaw is listed at just 5'10, he plays the game with a physical edge, willing to mix it up. He finished second on the Moose in penalty minutes, recording 114. His two-way game is solid for his size, and he's now a veteran AHL player who can be viewed as a positive voice in the dressing room for young players like Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow and Elias Salomonsson. 

The Jets did not extend a qualifying offer to Shaw on Jun. 30, which allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent, but he and the Jets were able to agree on a contract anyway. Shaw will be in contention throughout the 2025-26 season to be called up to the NHL if the Jets run into injury issues. 

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

Jets Hand Out Five One-Year, Two-Way ContractsThe Winnipeg Jets have handed out one-year, two-way contracts to Isaac Poulter, Kale Clague, Phillip Di Giuseppe, Walker Duehr and Samuel Fagemo.

It’s no secret that in recent years, good things have happened when players have joined forces with the Florida Panthers.

Particularly, there is a growing list of defensemen who have found that they played some of the best hockey of their careers while wearing a Panthers sweater.

First it was Brandon Montour revitalizing his career in South Florida, earning a massive offer from the Seattle Kraken after three excellent seasons, and postseasons, with the Panthers.

Radko Gudas took a pay cut to sign with Florida in 2020 as a 31-year-old, only for his next offer from Anaheim three years later to come with the highest average annual value (AAV) of his career.

Then Oliver Ekman-Larsson signed with the Panthers during the summer of 2023 for a fraction of what he’d previously been making after two very tough seasons in Vancouver. He parlayed a bounce-back season in Sunrise, at age 32, into a four-year, $14 million deal with Toronto.

The situation for Florida’s newest defensive signing, veteran Jeff Petry, may be a little bit different.

The 37-year-old is entering the twilight of his career, and in addition to knowing how well defensemen have fared recently when joining the Panthers, he’s also quite keen on trying to hunt down a championship before hanging up his skates.

“An important part of my decision was wanting to be in the playoffs, wanting to compete for a Stanley Cup again,” he said. “That feeling of being really close in Montreal, and then losing in the Final, that was a tough feeling. I always said, before my career is over I want to be in that position again and be on a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup. Coming to Florida, that gives me a very good opportunity to do that.”

To be fair, the aforementioned success found by newcoming blueliners who join up in South Florida is something that absolutely factored into Petry’s decision to sign with the Cats.

“You consider all things, and the track records of the players (who have come and gone) is apparent,” said Petry. “I think it speaks to the group that they have, that you can bring a new player in, and they fit in and do well.”

Indeed, it’s an incredibly welcoming group, as long as you are willing to put in the work.

One of the main reasons the Panthers have found so much success, and teams have not found a way to match Florida’s intensity and style of play, is that it is incredibly difficult, physically demanding and mentally challenging to play within the Cats’ systems.

If the Panthers pursued Petry, it’s because they feel he can thrive within those systems.

Usually, when Florida targets a player, they turn out to be a good fit.

“I’ve heard from several people that you’re not expected to be something that you’re not,” Petry said of joining the Panthers. “They want you to come in and be the player and person that you are and not try to do something that isn’t within your characteristics.”

For now, it seems like a good match between Florida and their newest defenseman.

Petry is a smooth skating, high hockey IQ blueliner who should acclimate well to Florida’s way of doing things.

His size, strength and above-average mobility will suit him well with the Panthers.

The excitement and desire certainly seem to be there, as Petry explained it was a pretty easy decision once Florida reached out.

“When I got the call that there was interest (from the Panthers) in me coming there, I saw (Sam) Bennett and (Aaron) Ekblad and (Brad) Marchand re-signing, so when they called it was a no-brainer,” he said. “You hear about the group, what they do together on the ice and off the ice, you hear so many good things about it.”

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Photo caption: Nov 29, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry (46) looks on during a faceoff in the first period against the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena. (Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images)

The Vegas Golden Knights are showcasing impressive talent this camp season. Not only from the players taking shots on the net, but also from the young stars defending it, stars like Cameron Whitehead. 

Dreams will come true tomorrow at the NHL Draft 🤩 That dream was realized for Cameron Whitehead when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the @GoldenKnights. Whitehead made his pro debut with Henderson during the 2024-25 season. pic.twitter.com/GBLsZvtoc5

— Henderson Silver Knights (@HSKnights) June 26, 2025

Whitehead, 22, stands at 6-foot-3 and possesses a tracking prowess that reveals his strong read on the game. He was Vegas’s fourth-round selection back in 2022 and has played his last two seasons at Northeastern University. He has a 30-31-6 NCAA record posted with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

Prior to his time with the Huskies, he played two USHL seasons with the Lincoln Stars from 2021–23. Over that time span, he compiled a record of 41-23-6 with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. 

He was named to the USHL’s Third All-Star Team in 2023, and in 2025, backstopped the Huskies to the Hockey East Semifinal.

“I would say that when Northeastern won games in the last two years, he was often the best player, not always, but often their best player, and would give them a chance to win those big games,” Golden Knights director of player development Wil Nichol said. “He did play his best in big games. So just his strength, his maturity, all those things–the thing about Whitey that's really impressive is he's got such a calm demeanor to him, yet he's such a competitive kid. So he's got a great combination for people who know that position.” 

Whitehead, meanwhile, is staying focused as he prepares for the next steps in his career.

“Just taking it one day at a time,” Whitehead said. “Obviously, pro hockey is different from anything else. Everyone’s really good, and everyone could shoot the puck, so just focusing on trying to get better one thing at a time. Just trying to feel as prepared as I can going into September.” 

Whitehead is set to return to the ice with the Henderson Silver Knights for the upcoming AHL season.

Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland has been one of the busiest GMs in NHL free agency. 

The longtime NHL executive has only been on the job in L.A. since the middle of May, but Holland put his stamp on the Kings extremely quickly. 

That said, after a flurry of signings, has Holland made this team better? And specifically, has he made the Kings better than the team he left in June 2024 – the Edmonton Oilers?

If we’re being honest, we have to question some of Holland’s signings this summer. Re-signing left winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $4.3-million extension was a good gamble, given that Kuzmenko produced 11 goals and 37 points in 66 games this past season. The year before that, Kuzmenko posted 22 goals and 46 points in 72 games, and a show-me contract could see him put up even better numbers in 2025-26.

Holland also added two veteran right wingers with former Montreal Canadien Joel Armia and former Oiler Corey Perry. The two new Kings will count for a combined $4.5-million cap hit next season, although Perry’s deal is a performance-bonus-laden pact that could add another $2 million. Still, that’s a total the Kings should be happy to pay out.

The biggest issue for Holland that he failed to address so far is the Kings’ defense corps. L.A.’s group of blueliners took a major hit on July 1 when cornerstone veteran Vladislav Gavrikov left the Kings in favor of the New York Rangers. Gavrikov had a $5.875-million cap hit in Los Angeles for the past two seasons, and Holland had more than enough cap space to match or better the Rangers’ eventual offer of $7 million per campaign for the next seven years.  

However, rather than bring Gavrikov back, Holland opted for two veteran D-men: Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci. 

Dumoulin bounced between four teams since 2022-23 before signing with the Kings on a three-year deal worth $4 million per season. But the most curious signing was Ceci on a four-year deal worth $4.5 million per season.

Since 2021-22, 31-year-old Ceci has played on three different teams – the Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars – and his totals on offense have been decidedly unimpressive. In 85 games this past season, Ceci had four goals and 24 points. Ceci is also hardly a defensive shutdown menace. Why did Holland give him a big-money, long-term deal? It’s mind-boggling.

So, when you compare Holland’s new-look Kings to the Oilers, you have to come to the conclusion that Edmonton is, on paper, still a better team than Los Angeles. 

The Oilers have two of the top five forwards in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They also have terrific depth up front, and their defense corps – with newly-signed star Evan Bouchard, rugged Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak and Jake Walman filling out the top-three pairings – is better than the ‘D’ corps of the Kings.

If there is one area where L.A. has an advantage over the Oilers, it’s in net. 

The Kings have Stanley Cup-champion Darcy Kuemper as their starter, and Holland added a decent-enough backup with former Ottawa Senators veteran Anton Forsberg at the relatively cheap rate of $2.25 million. The Oilers, on the other hand, have the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard – and many expect Edmonton GM Stan Bowman will break up that tandem via trade at some point this summer.

On the whole, though, we have to say we like Holland’s former team as a group more than we like his new-look Kings. But don’t get us wrong – we still see the Kings as a lock to make the playoffs in the relatively weak Pacific Division.

NHL Free Agency 2025: Six Losers So FarThe first day of the NHL’s 2025 free-agent frenzy is now in the books, and as is tradition on THN.com, we’re examining the winners and losers from the beginning of the free-agent period. 

Once again, Edmonton and Los Angeles could be facing each other in the first or second round of the 2026 playoffs. If that happens, and the lineups remain relatively the same as they are on July 3, we see the Kings losing to the Oilers for the fifth straight season. 

Who knows – stranger things could happen, and Holland’s changes could ultimately be enough for L.A. to avenge prior losses to Edmonton. But it’s just as likely, if not more likely, that McDavid and Draisaitl once again overwhelm the Kings’ defense and the Oilers send Los Angeles home for another long summer.

At that point, Holland’s imprint on the Kings should face intense scrutiny.

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The Pacific Division looks a lot different now than it did a week ago. Some of the Vancouver Canucks biggest rivals made intriguing signings in the opening days of free agency, which will impact how the division shapes up in 2025-26. Here is a recap of the moves made by teams in the Pacific Division at the start of 2025 free agency.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks were able to land the top center available this season, as they signed Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract, which carries an AAV of $7 million. The Ducks also made a surprising move at the draft, trading John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings for Petr Mrazek, a second-round pick in the 2027 draft, a fourth-round pick in 2026, and a fourth-round selection in the 2026 draft. With the Granlund deal complete, the Ducks can now shift their focus to re-signing Mason McTavish, who is currently a restricted free agent. 

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames added some depth on July 1, signing Nick Cicek and Ivan Prosvetov to one-year contracts. Calgary also re-signed Joel Hanley and Morgan Frost to two-year extensions. Just like Vancouver, it appears that the Flames' 2025-26 roster will resemble the one they finished with last year. 

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers' big move this off-season was signing Evan Bouchard to a four-year extension, which carries an AAV of $10.5 million. Edmonton also added some scoring on the wing, signing Andrew Mangiapane to a two-year contract which carries an AAV of $3.6 million. Lastly, the Oilers added some depth to their roster, inking forward Curtis Lazar to a one-year deal, while bringing in defenceman Riley Stillman and goaltender Matt Tomkins on two-year contracts. 

L.A. Kings

The L.A. Kings made multiple splashes on July 1st, as they added plenty of experience to their roster. L.A. signed Corey Perry to a one-year contract, Joel Armia and Anton Forsberg to two-year deals, Brian Dumoulin to a three-year contract and finally, Cody Ceci to a four-year deal. Overall, the Kings were one of the most active teams once free agency opened up, as they signed nine contracts over the past three days. 

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San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks have also been very active since the start of free agency. Some of their key signings include Philipp Kurashev and John Klingberg on one-year deals, as well as Adam Gaudette and Dmitry Orlov signing two-way contracts. San Jose also claimed Nick Leddy off waivers from the St. Louis Blues while buying out the contract of Marc-Edouard Vlasic. 

Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken have made two signings during the opening days of free agency. Seattle locked up Ryan Lindgren to a four-year contract while Matt Murray signed a one-year deal. Ultimately, the Kraken will be an interesting team as they could have one of the youngest rosters this season. 

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights took a massive swing as they acquired Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In exchange for Marner, who signed an eight-year contract with an AAV of $12 million before being traded, Vegas sent Nicolas Roy to the Maple Leafs. Vegas was also able to re-sign Kaedan Korczak to a four-year contract extension while adding Jaycob Megna for the next two seasons. 

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