The Philadelphia Flyers have a burgeoning issue on defense, but this new problem isn't one that's totally unsolvable.

Through four preseason games, the Flyers have yet to see a young defenseman take the reins and wrest control of an NHL roster spot, and the veterans they're competing with have done little to assure the coaching staff they're reliable alternatives.

Noah Juulsen, a free agent addition who played for Flyers head coach on Rick Tocchet on the Vancouver Canucks in past seasons, has made some big hits - one was penalized - but has done little else so far.

His pace of play, in particular, has not been impressive, and he looks very much like a player who is coming off a season-ending hernia.

Juulsen's biggest competition for a roster spot is prospect Helge Grans, but Grans, whose best attribute is his mobility, has been gashed with speed repeatedly in exhibition games. 

I expect the 23-year-old to get every opportunity to redeem himself as he must clear waivers to reach the AHL, but there is little to be inspired by in his handful of preseason games thus far.

Flyers Roster Battles Leaving Much to Be Desired Early in NHL PreseasonThrough three NHL preseason games, several Philadelphia Flyers roster battles look far from being decided any time soon.

Other players fighting for spots include Dennis Gilbert, Egor Zamula, Hunter McDonald, and Adam Ginning.

Gilbert, McDonald, and Ginning are all of the physical, shot-blocking ilk, can be mistake-prone, and offer little offensively. I've actually liked Ginning's defensive work, especially compared to his disastrous training camp outings last year, but he still lacks consistency, and reliability and upside are key factors when determining this roster.

So, where does that lead us? To one guy who's already being counted out despite clearly having the highest upside of the bunch.

The Flyers and Flyers fans aren't particularly enthused about the idea of having 5-foot-9 Emil Andrae on defense with Cam York and Jamie Drysdale already on the roster, but, like it or not, Andrae would be one of the six best defensemen on the Flyers' roster as things currently stand.

The 23-year-old played 42 games for the Flyers last season - with most coming under John Tortorella, of all people - scoring a goal, six assists, and seven points while averaging 17:21 of ice time.

Yes, Andrae suffered with inconsistencies, but he also played like a defenseman who at times looked to be a legitimate middle-pairing player with offensive potential.

According to Moneypuck, Andrae and Travis Sanheim played 108 minutes together, and their 62.5% expected goals percentage led all Flyers defense pairings with 100 or more minutes played.

Ironically, the third-best defense pairing under those parameters was Andrae and Rasmus Ristolainen (triceps), who held an expected goals percentage of 56.8%.

Flyers Training Camp: Nikita Grebenkin Continues to Shine as Roster Battles Get RealAfter three days, forward prospect Nikita Grebenkin has been the one constant in Philadelphia Flyers training camp, flashing his intriguing potential at seemingly every turn.

Can Andrae hold his own next to Sanheim or someone else until Ristolainen comes back sometime in October or November? I'd be willing to bet on that.

In comparison to Zamula and Grans, what's the point of having big defenders with size when they rarely use it to their advantage?

And for destroyers like McDonald, Ginning, Gilbert, and Juulsen, players like Juulsen, Vincent Desharnais, and Carson Soucy didn't exactly excel under Tocchet, and all three are playing for new teams this year.

Andrae's NHL experience already surpasses that of Ginning and McDonald and is more or less one full season off from Gilbert and Juulsen, who are both five years older.

The good thing, too, is that Andrae, unlike Grans, is waivers-exempt. If Tocchet gives him a try and decides it isn't working, the Flyers can simply turn to Ristolainen once he's healthy and send Andrae back to the AHL.

The Flyers have some decisions to make to remedy an untenable situation on defense, and opting for some familiarity and upside in Andrae would be a worthy short-term pivot until something more favorable shakes out.

After deploying his top-six against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on Thursday night, Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis decided to send a much less experienced group to Toronto. None of the members of the normal leadership group were on the ice, so Alex Newhook, Alex Carrier, and Arber Xhekaj all wore an alternate captain’s A on their jersey.

You Win The Game On The Ice

As silly as it may sound, a hockey game is won on the ice and definitely not on paper. On Thursday, the lineup led us to believe that the Canadiens were the favorite to win the game, but when all was said and done, the Leafs skated away with the win. On Saturday night, the roles were reversed with the Leafs sending out a more veteran-heavy lineup and the visitors keeping their number of regulars to a strict minimum.

Former Canadiens Forward Hits Waivers
Canadiens Lite To Take On The Maple Leafs Tonight
Canadiens: Another Camp, Another Lot Of Injuries

But it was the Canadiens who had the better opportunities in the first frame and who were the only ones to find the back of the net through Newhook with assists to Carrier and Zack Bolduc. Earlier in the frame, Oliver Kapanen also did well early on to create a scoring chance, but Anthony Stolarz would have none of it. After 40 minutes, Montreal had 18 shots to Toronto’s 13—an actual reversal of Thursday’s game.

Hutson Did It All

Lane Hutson was everywhere on the ice in Toronto. When each team had a man in the box, we were reminded of how mobile a defenseman he is and just how dangerous he can be with extra space. He’s quick, he’s shifty and deceptive, and he does what he wants on the ice.

Last year, he wasn’t shooting that much, but on Saturday night, he didn’t miss a single opportunity to take a shot. Through 40 minutes, he had already taken five of the Canadiens’ 18 shots. Just three minutes after John Tavares had brought the Leafs within one goal of the Canadiens, Hutson gave them their two-goal lead back on the power play. With fantastic poise, he walked in, picked his spot, and unleashed a quick wrist shot that found its way through Stolarz.

The Fight Isn’t Over

Kapanen, Owen Beck, Joe Veleno, and Samuel Blais, the players who are competing for the 12th and 13th forward spots, all had a pretty good night. Clearly, none of them wanted to be cut post-game, and they weren’t. The same cannot be said for Joshua Roy, however, who has had numerous opportunities throughout the camp but has not risen to the challenge.

The Canadiens may not have won 7-2, but they put on a dominating display, similar in every aspect but the final score to the Maple Leafs’ win on Thursday night. Montreal now only has two preseason games remaining, and the coach will likely want to ice as complete a lineup as possible. Fans attending the game against the Ottawa Senators in Quebec City can expect a near-complete lineup.

The Habs will enjoy a day off on Sunday before getting back to work on Monday morning in Brossard. They’ll also hold a morning skate in Brossard on Tuesday before travelling to Quebec to face Ottawa in the evening. St-Louis’ men will then have a day off in la vieille capitale, before holding two public training sessions on October 2 and 3. They’ll play their final preseason game on Saturday at the Bell Centre.

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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues remain winless in the preseason after falling in their home opener, 4-2 against the Chicago Blackhawks at Enterprise Center on Saturday.

The Blues (0-2-1) were cruising along, leading 2-0 after two periods before the Blackhawks (1-1-0), playing mostly a younger lineup with few NHL-experienced players, rallied to score four times in the third period, including three on backup goalie Will Cranley.

The Blues agreed to terms with defenseman Cam Fowler, who played 25:25 on Saturday and had an assist, to a three-year contract extension that will keep him in St. Louis through the 2028-29 season, but a number of veterans played their first game on Saturday.

Dalibor Dvorsky and Brayden Schenn scored the goals for St. Louis, whose new home uniforms are kick-a**.

Here are some observations of players’ performances (at least through two periods):

* Dalibor Dvorsky – I thought the 2023 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) may have been the best all-around Blues player of the night.

Not only did Dvorsky score a wicked, nasty goal using Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier as a screen and catching perhaps a surprised Spencer Knight off guard, but Dvorsky was also responsible defensively and off the puck. It’s something that he knows he has to work on to become a more complete player.

“Every single player is great on this level,” Dvorsky said. “I’ve just got to be ready all the time. I just have to learn to play the system pretty good. I’m just trying to do my best every single game.”

Associate coach Steve Ott liked what he saw.

“Talking about those first two periods, I thought his game was a lot stronger,” Ott said. “He’s continuing to grow through camp. He’s an exciting player. He had a lot of good puck possession, some strong plays and his growth continues to excel as this camp’s gone on.”

As far as his goal?

Dalibor Dvorsky with a rocket 🚀 to snag a 1-0 lead over the Blackhawks, which is always fun. #stlbluespic.twitter.com/RGKgrstaNy

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 27, 2025

“First, ‘Peki’ (Juraj Pekarcik) gave me a great pass,” Dvorsky said, “which it was a hard pass. Happy it went through and then I had a one-on-one there with the ‘D’ and I just tried to shoot it between his legs, so the goalie can’t see the puck and I’m happy it went in.”

* Jordan Binnington – Let’s just cut to the chase how: No. 50 is ready for the season to begin.

He stopped all 16 shots he faced through two periods, some of them in tight.

It’s the second straight solid start for Binnington, who has allowed just one goal on 31 shots in four periods spanning two games of action.

We don’t need to get into any sort of lengthy soliloquy here; he’s ready.

* Juraj Pekarcik – It was the 2023 third-round pick’s first preseason game after missing a week of camp with a shoulder ailment.

Pekarcik played on a line with Dvorsky and 2025 first-round pick Justin Carbonneau and finished with 13:10 of ice time with three hits and two giveaways, one in which he will be shown the video of a dangerous no-look backhand flip that was turned over in the defensive zone.

He did have a nifty move to the net using a toe-drag and turnaround pass into the slot that was just off the mark and needed a stick on it. Not a bad performance for a skater likely bound for Springfield of the American Hockey League.

This Juraj Pekarcik is going to be special. That would probably be a goal 9 times out of 10. pic.twitter.com/LJE12X2TqT

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 27, 2025

* Logan Mailloux – I didn’t have Mailloux on my bingo card for a fight, but the 22-year-old dropped the gloves with Colton Dach after delivering a clean check to Sam Lafferty in the defensive zone.

Another player that we know can perform offensively, Mailloux continues to hone in on his defensive game and had some nice breakups killing plays. He used his size and stick to his advantage once again, playing 18:59 with five shot attempts and three hits.

* Will Cranley – It was not a good night for Binnington’s backup on Saturday.

He came into the third period holding a 2-0 lead, a lead that lasted halfway through the final stanza before the brakes came off.

Cranley allowed three goals on nine shots, including the first and second goals 27 seconds apart, the second which tied the game 2-2 that Cranley misplayed a puck behind the net.

It’s safe to say he will be among the cuts on Sunday.

* Justin Carbonneau – The 2025 first-round pick wasn’t as noticeable as he was in the first three preseason games when he scored a goal and assisted on another.

He played 13:38 in the game and had a shot on goal and two shot attempts but also committed two penalties, one a holding minor 200 feet from his net and jumped onto the ice prematurely that resulted in a too many men on the ice.

Carbonneau was saying goodbye to what will one day be his future Blues teammates one day and will head to the QMJHL on Sunday. This was a great experience for the 18-year-old but it’s evident another year in junior may be best for his long-term growth.

* Adam Jiricek – I didn't think the 2024 first-round pick had as strong of a game as he did against the Columbus Blue Jackets last week.

Jiricek, who played 17:13, had just one shot attempt in the game after he was focused on funneling and shooting pucks from the blue line in his preseason debut, had a few turnovers in the D-zone that could have resulted in dangerous situations.

It just didn't seem like a clean game for him.

* Hear what Blues players and Ott had to say postgame, including Fowler on his three-year contract extension:

Hear from forward Dalibor Dvorsky and Associate Coach Steve Ott following Saturday's preseason game against Chicago. #stlbluespic.twitter.com/87mBnS76Ud

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 28, 2025

(UPDATED): St. Louis Blues, Cam Fowler Agree To Terms On Three-Year Extension ST. LOUIS – Cam Fowler is staying put. Toropchenko, Blues Feel There's More Offense To Big Russian's gameMARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Alexey Toropchenko returned to St. Louis this summer feeling like a new man.

What a game, what a night, and what a player.

There was a lot of anticipation heading into the Pittsburgh Penguins' pre-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, and - honestly - it all lived up to the hype. 

On Marc-Andre Fleury night, the Penguins put their best effort on the ice and bested the Blue Jackets, 4-1. Rickard Rakell scored twice for the Penguins, and Sidney Crosby and Ville Koivunen also added tallies. Sergei Murashov - likely the future at the Penguins' goaltending position - started the game and stopped 12 of 13 shots through two periods, and Fleury - the legacy of the position - stopped all eight shots on goal that he faced in the third period. 

Of course, getting the win was nice. The game itself was a well-played one by the Penguins. But, if everyone is being real with themselves, none of that was the story on Saturday. It was all about 'Flower,' and a sold-out crowd cheering every time he touched the puck and chanting "one more year" at fever pitch told you everything you need to know about what transpired at PPG Paints Arena during what was had to be one of the most-attended NHL pre-season games in history.

"It was the coolest pre-season game ever," forward Bryan Rust said. "Flower is a person who is so revered in this organization and in the city, and I don't think he necessarily wants the attention, but I know he appreciates it. We appreciate him. I only played with him for a couple years, and I know how special he is."

The energy consumed the building from warm-ups to the aftermath of the pre-planned "shootout" at the end of the game, where Fleury took one final lap around the ice and shook hands with players on both teams. There wasn't a dull moment on Fifth Avenue Saturday, and even head coach Dan Muse - new to town - was able to get a feel for how much Fleury means to his teammates, to the fans, and to the city.

Marc-Andre Fleury Steals Show For Penguins On Saturday It was Marc-Andre Fleury's night in Pittsburgh on Saturday as the Pittsburgh Penguins picked up their second preseason win. They beat the Columbus Blue Jackets by three, 4-1, thanks to two goals from Rickard Rakell, one from Sidney Crosby, and one from Ville Koivunen. 

He and the coaching staff even had a moment to turn to each other and marvel at the atmosphere that they found themselves in. 

"I mean, the crowd was incredible," Muse said. "Just the passion of the fans and then, obviously, to see a tribute like that... it's so obvious to me, somebody who's new to the organization, seeing not just tonight, but over the last couple of days, how much Marc-Andre Fleury means to the fans here and to the organization, to the city, to his former teammates, the admiration from players that never played with him before but were now sitting with him in the locker room these last couple of days... yeah, it's incredible.

"I think I speak for the entire coaching staff and for everybody that was a part of that, it was a really special experience throughout... To get the win, it was important there just to cap off a really special couple of days and a really special night for Marc-Andre Fleury and this entire organization."

Fleury was, obviously, the story of the night, but there were other items to discuss from this one. Here are some other thoughts and observations from the win.

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- In other news, let's talk prospects. In particular, let's talk about Ben Kindel. Again.

I know I brought up Kindel after the Penguins' 4-1 loss to the Jackets on Wednesday. But he has been very, very good for the Penguins. He finished with six shot attempts and was helping drive offense all night. He's absolutely flying, and I simply do not see what draft experts held against his skating: his edgework is great, and he looks like one of the fastest players out there, at least, per the eye test. And - above all - he's such a smart player, and his reads are already at NHL speed. 

My sentiment from Wednesday hasn't changed much. I still don't think he makes this opening night roster, even for a nine-game trial. But, man, Penguins' fans need to keep an eye on this kid, regardless of where he ends up playing this season. I really, really like his game, and I think he could be something special for the Penguins down the line.

Benjamin Kindel Finding His Footing In First Penguins Training CampIt's been almost three months since the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Benjamin Kindel with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

- Another player I want to talk about? Rakell.

No, he isn't a prospect at the ripe age of 32. However, I've been intrigued by some of the decisions Muse and the Penguins have made with him so far in terms of deployment this pre-season.

He started as the game's third-line center between Koivunen and Kindel, and he's been iced at the center position pretty much all throughout camp. He was also deployed on the penalty kill, which is something that - in my opinion - should have been done a long time ago, as Rakell is one of the Penguins' best defensive forwards. 

And, of course, he knows how to score goals, which is the best part of his game. He had a garbage goal on the power play and an empty-netter at the end. 

Both his positional and situational versatility are being tested in training camp, and - while I like that the Penguins are giving him some runway with those things - I'm curious to see what happens as rosters are gradually more and more reduced. Rakell scored 35 goals alongside Crosby last season, so it's hard to imagine that he won't be iced in the top-six as a winger, where he can play to his biggest strengths. 

RICKY RAKS BEATS THE BUZZER ON THE POWER PLAY! pic.twitter.com/IWz441mm6a

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 28, 2025

But that versatility is something that Muse and the rest of the staff like about Rakell, and they're leaning into that. 

"He's a player - and he's shown this from an offensive standpoint, even as a wing - who's really good attacking the middle of the ice," Muse said. "He's really good at finding space in the middle of the ice. You know, you look at his game in the offensive zone and on the power play, and he's just got some great instincts there in terms of how he positions himself to be a scoring threat but also just how he positions himself in the middle of the ice to be available.

"We also view him as a responsible player, a player that can be trusted on the defensive side. You get a player like him, too, which today, he got a little bit of time there on the penalty kill... it was good to see. Sometimes, players like him that have spent a lot of time on the power play, they think like power play players. So, they're able to anticipate plays really well. You combine that with his defensive awareness, really good stick... it's something that we want to see. So, we're going to continue to look at that, and we're going to continue to look at other options. But, now is the time to see things like that."

I also wonder - to an extent - if the Penguins are trying to up Rakell's trade value by showcasing these things. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise. But, that said, I would be surprised if any movement happens prior to puck drop on Oct. 7.

In any case, this is something to keep an eye on as camp progresses.

- Two other players worth touching on are defensemen Caleb Jones and Parker Wotherspoon. 

Jones played a decent game. He was caught being too aggressive on Del Bel Belluz's goal in the first, leaving Letang out to dry a bit on the two-on-one. But, aside from that play, I thought he was solid the rest of the game. He generally has a good feel for when to activate and when to stay back. He's been paired with Letang for a few practices in camp, too, so we'll see where that goes.

As for Wotherspoon? I like how... uninteresting he is. He's rarely out of position, he's calm, and he just does his job. He plays the game so simplistically that you hardly notice him out there, but that's far from a bad thing. In order to be effective with Erik Karlsson, a defensive partner needs to have his head on a swivel, but they also need to just simplify and give him space to do his thing. 

So far, Wotherspoon has shown he can handle that. I'm not saying he's a high-grade option in terms of top-pairing defensemen - he isn't that - but as long as he's serviceable and is able to handle the tall task of playing alongside Karlsson, he'll be effective in his role. 

We'll see if one - or both - of these pairings stick throughout the rest of camp. If they do, it will be interesting to see what happens with the rest of the defensive corps. 

Pre-season Offers Sneak Peek At Potential Future Defensive PairingWhen in the early stages of NHL training camp, it's not often wise to read into too much.

- Speaking of... I've said it a few times, and I'll say it again:

Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke should be the third pairing on this team. And it's becoming less and less of a debate at this point.

If you remove contractual obligations to veteran players from the equation, they are, easily, two of the best-six defensemen in this camp. And what has impressed me most is the detail in each of their games. Brunicke's stick detail is outstanding. Pickering is rarely caught out of position and reads off of Brunicke's tendency to activate really well. Both defend odd-man rushes well. 

There are going to be mistakes from them as young players, but honestly? They don't do a whole lot wrong. They both have great instincts. 

They need to be on this team. I've seen enough at this point.

- Last but certainly not least, how fitting was it that Crosby registered three points in this game?

Raise your hand if you missed Sidney Crosby scoring goals at PPG Paints Arena:

🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋 pic.twitter.com/LVvIHVVpmr

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 28, 2025

As much as this night was about Fleury, it was also about Fleury, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang all having their reunion on the ice together. Crosby has been in visibly good spirits since Fleury's arrival at camp on Friday, and there is just a different kind of energy with him when Fleury shares the room.

After the media was done talking to Fleury - and Fleury shook hands with everyone - Crosby was sitting in the locker room, just waiting for Fleury. Waiting for the noise to die down and for the room to clear so he could enjoy some time with his best friend. 

This night was beautiful for a lot of reasons. But what was most beaufitul was seeing all these guys get to have this experience together and give their longtime teammate and good friend the sendoff he deserved.

'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.

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ST. LOUIS -- Justin Carbonneau is heading back to junior hockey.

The St. Louis Blues first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (No. 19) overall, played in his third straight preseason game on Saturday, a 4-2 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, in which he didn't factor in the scoring while playing on a line with Dalibor Dvorsky and Juraj Pekarcik, playing 13:38 in the game.

Carbonneau, who scored in the preseason opener, a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, then had an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, was seen hugging teammates after the game on Saturday and he will be heading back to Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL where the 18-year-old has played for the past three seasons. He had 89 points (46 goals, 43 assists) in 62 regular-season games there last season.

There was no disappointment, just encouragement from the likes of Mathieu Joseph and a big hug from Colton Parayko, who offered up quite the compliments for the forward.

"He's a good player, obviously a great player, a lot of skill, works hard," Parayko said. "I think you've just got to keep working and keep building. It's hard to make this league and I think he's going to be a great player. Just go back, enjoy his year. He's going to have a great year. Just keep getting better and stronger and faster, all the things that make you a better hockey player. Just keep getting better."

The Blues haven't made the roster move official, but cuts are likely to occur on Sunday, with Springfield of the American Hockey League beginning its training camp starting on Monday. But with three preseason games remaining, rosters will be getting reduced on Sunday for a more polished NHL version.

(UPDATED): St. Louis Blues, Cam Fowler Agree To Terms On Three-Year Extension ST. LOUIS – Cam Fowler is staying put. Blues Place Pair Of Forwards On WaiversThe St. Louis Blues have placed center Nikita Alexandrov and winger Hugh McGing on waivers. Toropchenko, Blues Feel There's More Offense To Big Russian's gameMARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Alexey Toropchenko returned to St. Louis this summer feeling like a new man.

It was Marc-Andre Fleury's night in Pittsburgh on Saturday as the Pittsburgh Penguins picked up their second preseason win. They beat the Columbus Blue Jackets by three, 4-1, thanks to two goals from Rickard Rakell, one from Sidney Crosby, and one from Ville Koivunen. 

Sergei Murashov was sensational in goal for the Penguins during the first two periods, but the story was all about Fleury. He came into the game at the start of the third period and shut the door on the Blue Jackets. He made the saves he needed to make and displayed his signature poke check at times. 

Every time he made a save or when the puck touched his stick, the crowd erupted. There were "Fleury, Fleury, Fleury" and "One more year" chants throughout the entire period until the final whistle blew. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang were the first three players to congratulate him, as it should be. 

Fleury thanked the fans for everything during his post-game interview with Dan Potash after he was named the first star.

"Thank you, thank you. I feel very lucky that I've played hockey for so long and obviously being in Pittsburgh for so long, too," Fleury said. "I feel very fortunate and thankful for that. Like I said, some of the best years of my life. Appreciate it. Thank you."

Tonight's first star: Marc-Andre Fleury 🌟

On Pittsburgh: "Some of the best time of my life... it's a big part cause of you guys. Thank you for making this night special." 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/qnq6wG3vhK

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) September 28, 2025

He got to return to the place where his career began, and put a bow on what was a great homecoming over the last 24+ hours. He practiced with the team in front of a packed house at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Friday before playing in front of a sold-out crowd at PPG Paints Arena. 

Even though his career is over, his impact on the Pittsburgh community will be felt forever. 

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The Chicago Blackhawks took on the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. It was a road match against a Blues squad playing mostly an NHL lineup. The Blackhawks were icing a young group, largely filled with players trying to snag a last-minute roster spot. 

Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson were the veterans in the lineup, and they played like it. After being down 0-2 in the third period, the Hawks came back and won 4-2. 

Dominic Toninato scored to get Chicago on the board at 10:58 of the third. Less than a minute later, at 11:25, Toninato set up Gavin Hayes for the tying goal. 

With 3:03 remaining in regulation, Oliver Moore scored to give the Blackhawks the lead. His shot, which has needed some improvement, seems to have gotten better. It made a difference in this one after he used his speed to create a chance off an odd play. This is a big moment for him in his effort to make the NHL team. 

Jason Dickinson deposited one into the empty net to secure the 4-2 final. This comeback was a great confidence boost for the players looking to secure roster spots out of camp.  

Spencer Knight took the crease for the Blackhawks and played for the whole game. He made 31 saves on 33 shots for another sparkling performance. It appears as if Knight is getting close to being ready for things to count. 

There is a quick turnaround now. Chicago will now head to play the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul on Sunday. The lineup is sure to include some of the players who went on Saturday, in addition to more NHL roster locks. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the entire hockey community said goodbye to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury as he played his final NHL game. The team signed him to a PTO earlier in the month to allow him to call his career from where it all began.

Fleury spent the moments leading up to the game with his former Penguins teammates, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The organization also provided a great gesture with a nod to his iconic nickname ‘Flower’ by creating a flower arrangement to form a No. 29, Fleury’s number.

Welcome back, Flower 🌸 pic.twitter.com/qyUgog27wL

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 27, 2025

When it was time for the walkout, Fleury strapped on his vintage all-yellow pads and gloves, just like he did when he last played a game for the Penguins over 3,000 days ago. 

Fleury didn’t start the game, but subbed in for Sergei Murashov to begin the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The fans at PPG Paints Arena roared and cheered whenever Fleury appeared on the video board, made a save and every moment in between. With that, the fans chanted “Fleury” multiple times throughout the evening.

At one point, fans were chanting, “one more year!”

While the fans would like to see Fleury remain an NHLer, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun believes that there are teams around the league that want the same thing.

So I will just say this: I believe teams will try to convince Fleury out of retirement in January. I don’t know what he will say, but I am telling you teams will call, 100 percent. https://t.co/t7Vm3o43iw

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 27, 2025

Whether or not Fleury agrees to come out of retirement is to be determined. But there is no doubt he left an incredible legacy behind him.

It was a poetic send-off as Pittsburgh defeated the Blue Jackets 4-1 in this pre-season outing. Seconds after earning the victory, he was embraced by Crosby and Malkin as the three hugged it out.

In terms of his performance, he was not out of place by any means. He faced eight shots in that third period, stopping every single one for the Penguins. Some of these saves required exceptional rebound control, and Fleury was up to the task, swallowing every puck that went his way. 

Following regulation time, the two teams competed in a shootout to give Fleury one last challenge.

After the shootout, it was time to officially say bye to the fans and his teammates. He received a long-standing ovation, followed by another loud cheer when he was named the first star of the game.

He signed off on his NHL career for the last time by reflecting on the evening and thanking the fans in Pittsburgh.

"Some of the best time of my life... It's a big part cause of you guys. Thank you for making this night special," Fleury said.

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Continuing with the trend of mixing NHL veterans with young prospects through the pre-season, Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen Saturday in Tampa Bay against the Lightning.

While it's typical to be inconsistent during the pre-season, the Predators appeared disjointed at times and looked like they could break through on other occasions, but fell to the Lightning 4-1 at the newly-named Benchmark International Arena.

Darren Raddysh scored at 5:34 of the first, Mitchell Chaffee tallied one in the second, Brandon Hagel got one late in the third and Gage Goncalves sealed the victory for the Lightning.

Ozzy Wiesblatt scored the only Nashville goal in an otherwise uninspiring night for the Predators, who fall to 2-1-1 in pre-season.

The two teams also met last Tuesday in Nashville, with Tampa Bay coming from behind to win in a shootout. The Predators attempted to pull a similar comeback Saturday, but came up well short.

Here are three takeaways from the matchup against Tampa Bay.

The Predators Started Sluggish

One of the biggest reasons the Predators had such a disappointing 2024-25 was their penchant for slow starts.

The first three games of this pre-season saw the opposite, with the Preds jumping out in front first. That was not the case Saturday, however, as Tampa Bay struck twice, once in the first period and once in the second, for a 2-0 lead. The Preds trimmed the margin to one, but that was as close as they came all night.

Juuse Saros, who had allowed only one goal in his first 60 minutes of pre-season action, yielded two scores on six shots through one-plus periods. He did make several key saves to keep Tampa from widening the gap before giving way to Matt Murray after 40 minutes Murray gave up the final two goals in the third.

The Predators couldn't get out of the defensive zone and had numerous erratic passes in the first 20 minutes. They picked up the pace in the middle frame, outshooting the Bolts 14-6 in the period and 29-17 for the game. But only one of those shots went in the net.

Ozzy Wiesblatt Gets An Emotional Goal

Some players were seeing their first action of the pre-season including Tanner Molendyk and Zach L’Heureux, who were both coming off injuries.

Ozzy Wiesblatt, who took a brief leave of absence following the death of his brother Orca earlier this month, also suited up for his first action of the pre-season, and he made his presence felt in an emotional way.

Wiesblatt, who played in the Gold Star Showcase Thursday and scored a goal in the five-a-side shootout, got his first goal in actual pre-season action to trim the Bolts’ lead to 2-1.

The 23-year-old forward deflected a shot from Fedor Svechkov to get the Preds on the board at the 11:48 mark of the second. Michael Bunting picked up a secondary assist.

It may not have officially counted in the career stat sheet, but it certainly counted in the hearts of all who have been pulling for the Wiesblatt family.

Ozzy’s brother, Oasiz, is also back in camp. He, too, notched a goal in the shootout in Thursday’s showcase. On Saturday, it was Ozzy’s night. He even got in a scrap in the third period, going off for cross-checking 

Wilsby Went To Work

One name both Brunette and general manager Barry Trotz has raved about throughout the first week of camp is Adam Wilsby. The 25-year-old left-shot defenseman is one of the candidates to make the roster with Hague out.

Wilsby was paired with Roman Josi throughout the night. With the Predators trailing 1-0 in the first, both made bids to tie the game, only to be stymied by Bolts goalie Brandon Halverson.

As expected, there were some hiccups. A high-sticking call in the first period and a somewhat questionable tripping call in the second landed Wilsby in the sin bin. Wilsby and Josi were both on the ice on Tampa’s second goal. Josi overextended and Wilsby didn’t get over in time, and the Lightning took a 2-0 lead.

Wilsby showed his athleticism throughout the game and continues to keep his name in front of Brunette and Trotz for making the roster out of camp. Having the experience and leadership of Josi as his partner can only help the younger player’s development and comfort level.

On July 1st of this past summer, the Los Angeles Kings made a plethora of moves, one of which included signing 32-year-old forward Joel Arima. Armia and the Kings came to agreement on a two-year contract worth $2.5 million per year. 

Los Angeles will be Armia's fourth stop in his 12-year NHL career. In the 2011 NHL draft, the Finnish native was selected with the 16th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres. Despite being drafted high by Buffalo, Armia only played one career game with the team in the 2014-15 season. He was later sent to Winnipeg as part of the package for Evander Kane. After three seasons in Winnipeg, the Jets traded Armia to the Canadiens in a minor deal. For seven years the winger was a staple in the Habs lineup until the end of last season. He now comes into the 2025-26 season looking to help LA get over the hump that is the first round.

2024-25 Season

In his final year in Montreal, Joel Armia was finally healthy through the whole season as he played a career high 81 games. His presence played a role in the Habs somewhat unexpected postseason birth. In those 81 games, the veteran scored 11 goals to go with 18 assists for 29 points, which is one shy of tying his career high of 30. Armia spent the season in the Canadiens bottom six, so the numbers were very respectable considering his role. 

Montreal's first playoff appearance since their miraculous run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 was short-lived but the newly-signed Kings winger did play well. Armia and the Habs fell to the Washington Capitals in the first round, losing in five games. In those five games, 'Army' registered two assists.

Let's not forget that earlier in the season, Armia's named was swirling in trade rumours as the NHL's deadline approached. Before Montreal decided to keep the big winger, the LA Kings were amongst the teams that kicked tires on him. Seems that Joel Armia was destined to be a Los Angeles King.

2025-26 Expectations and Stat Predictions

PuckPedia currently has Armia slotted on the fourth line, playing right-wing with Jeff Mallot as his counterpart on the left side and Alex Turcotte playing centre. The fourth line will likely be where he spends majority of his time, with chances on the third line due to injuries or lack of production. He will be heavily relied upon when it comes to killing penalties though as PuckPedia currently has him projected to play on LA's first penalty killing unit.

When it comes to his numbers, I expect the 12-year veteran to produce almost identical to what he has in the past. I have Armia scoring 12 goals to go with 14 assists for a total of 26 points. That is exactly the type of production the Kings should expect from a guy making $2.5 million while playing fourth line minutes.

Stay tuned in with your Los Angeles Kings here at The Hockey News, as the 2025-26 season inches closer.

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.

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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

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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+). 

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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.

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