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Revisiting the Creation of the Winnipeg Jets 'Whiteout' Tradition

Revisiting how Winnipeg Jets fans invented the “Whiteout” in the 1980s, uniting the city with an all-white playoff tradition that was revived in 2011.

The Winnipeg Jets’ iconic “Whiteout” tradition, where fans dress in all-white during playoff games, has become synonymous with the city’s passion for hockey. Rooted in the original Jets era of the 1980s, this fan-driven spectacle was resurrected with the NHL’s return to Winnipeg in 2011 and has since grown into a defining part of the team’s playoff identity.

Line Combinations - Preseason Game No. 3: Jets at OilersLine Combinations - Preseason Game No. 3: Jets at OilersThe 0-1-1 Winnipeg Jets will take on the 2-1-0 Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Rogers Place. 

The tradition started in the spring of 1987 during the original Winnipeg Jets’ first playoff series at Winnipeg Arena against the Calgary Flames. Jets fans, inspired by the Flames’ sea of red in Calgary, decided to paint the arena white.

When the original Jets left Winnipeg for Phoenix in 1996, the Whiteout tradition was left behind. Although the Coyotes occasionally attempted to emulate it, the spirit never quite matched Winnipeg’s original fervor.

With the NHL’s return to Winnipeg in 2011 after the Atlanta Thrashers relocated, the Whiteout tradition was immediately embraced again. Jets’ CEO Mark Chipman told TSN in 2015, “The fans never forgot the Whiteout. When we made the playoffs that year, the city and the fans took it and made it their own right away.” 

Jets Look to Rebound in Second Leg of Home-and-Home Against Oilers on FridayJets Look to Rebound in Second Leg of Home-and-Home Against Oilers on FridayThe Winnipeg Jets play second leg of preseason home-and-home Friday in an all-Canadian matchup on the road versus the Edmonton Oilers.  

The Whiteout soon grew beyond the arena walls. During the Jets’ 2018 playoff run to the Western Conference Final, the city held outdoor Whiteout street parties that attracted tens of thousands of fans. The City of Winnipeg estimated over 100,000 people gathered downtown for those celebrations. Mayor Brian Bowman remarked to the Winnipeg Free Press, “The Whiteout has become a unifying force in our city, bringing together people from all walks of life in a shared celebration of our team and community.”

Recently, the Jets organization has worked to evolve the tradition to reflect broader community values. In 2024, the team launched initiatives promoting sustainability during Whiteout games, encouraging recycling and reducing waste.

The team has also partnered with local Indigenous groups to integrate cultural ceremonies during playoff games, making the Whiteout a more inclusive celebration.

Head Coach Rick Bowness said during a 2023 press conference, “The energy from the Whiteout is unlike anything else. It’s a special part of playing in Winnipeg, and it inspires our team every playoff season.”

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‘Flower’ blooms one last time in Pittsburgh as Marc-Andre Fleury takes final bow for Penguins

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — There was a time when Marc-Andre Fleury would take days like Friday for granted. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, too.

Days when the four players most closely associated with the Pittsburgh Penguins’ run of excellence 2008-17 — an era in which they played for the Stanley Cup four times and raised it above their head in triumph three — would spend an hour competing against each other during training camp, gather for a picture afterward for whomever might stop by and think nothing of it.

Not this time. Not when it was the last time.

And it is, the second-winningest goalie in NHL history stressed, the last time.

Wearing a specially-made mask featuring various symbols of his 21-year career and the No. 29 jersey that may someday soon find itself hanging in the rafters at PPG Paints Arena, Fleury made it a point to drink in every last moment of his final practice as a professional ahead of a one-period cameo during the Penguins’ preseason game against Columbus on Saturday.

Skating onto the ice in front of several hundred fans who chanted his name and carried signs like “We Came All The Way From Canada To See You Come Home,” Fleury did what he did nearly every day of his two-plus decade stay in the NHL: he leaned into it.

There he was, theatrically flopping his signature yellow pads in an attempt to stop a Crosby deflection. There he was, laughing after robbing Letang with a glove save. There he was, making Malkin shake his head after turning the Russian star away from in close.

“That might be what I love the most (about hockey), just to be on the ice and have a lot of shots, see the guys a bunch (and) be able to chirp a little bit,” Fleury said afterward while sitting in his familiar corner stall inside the club’s dressing room. “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun for me.”

The 40-year-old officially retired from the NHL as a member of the Minnesota Wild in the spring but signed a professional tryout contract with the Penguins earlier this month after being approached by Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas, who wanted the future Hall of Famer to take one final bow in the city where he remains beloved nearly a decade since leaving in the 2017 expansion draft.

While the pathologically upbeat Fleury joked afterward he wished he had more stamina, for about 90 minutes there were flashes of the form — and the style — that helped the Penguins morph from the worst team in the league when he arrived as the top overall pick in the 2003 draft to two-time defending Stanley Cup champions when he left.

“It’s just the enthusiasm,” Crosby said. “I think the energy that he brings, it’s really unique.”

The franchise relied on that energy, particularly early on in Fleury’s 13-year stay. Wins were hard to come by in the early days as the Penguins poured the foundation of what came as close to a dynasty as the NHL allows in the salary-cap era.

Yet the losing and the pressure never seemed to get to Fleury. He simply kept moving forward. Six years after he arrived, the player universally known as “Flower” sealed the franchise’s third championship by making a diving stop of Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom in the waning seconds of Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals.

The save — an athletically unorthodox act of desperation that encapsulated his talent — cemented Fleury’s spot in Penguins history. And while he went on to have great success elsewhere, including guiding the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to the Cup finals in 2018 and winning the Vezina Trophy as the game’s top goalie in 2021, Pittsburgh was never too far from his mind. Or his heart.

Every return trip to the city where he came of age over the last eight years felt a little strange. Not just for Fleury but for a crowd thrilled to see him while simultaneously hoping he’d lose.

Those mixed emotions for all involved are gone now and his unexpected (if brief) return represents a full-circle moment not just for Fleury, but the Penguins.

While Crosby remains a force at 38, Pittsburgh is no longer a playoff fixture. Dubas is overseeing a youth movement that includes young goaltenders like Sergei Murashov, who wasn’t even born when Fleury made his NHL debut. Fleury spent a portion of practice kneeling alongside the 21-year-old Russian, listening and offering a little bit of advice.

Asked what that advice might be, one of the league’s notorious practical jokers just laughed.

“‘You better try hard, I’m coming to take your spot,’” Fleury said.

Only, he’s not. Though he thinks his wife Veronique is “tired of him already,” Fleury has not had any second thoughts about stepping away from the game he played so passionately and so well for so long.

“I’ve found out there’s nothing else I can do. There’s nothing else I can do that will fulfill that hole, right, of playing hockey,” Fleury said. “But at the same time, I’m older, slower, more hurt, you know, a little more sore, and less flexible, less fast, maybe.

“Yeah, I think it’s time.”

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Red Wings at Penguins Preseason Preview: Penguins Looking For First Preseason WIn

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be back in action on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings for their third game of the preseason. 

They're still looking for their first win after dropping their first two preseason games against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. They fell to the Canadiens in a shootout before losing to the Blue Jackets in regulation. 

Both of those games featured a good mix of young and veteran players for the Penguins, and Friday's will be no different. There will be plenty of both in this contest, including Filip Hallander, Tommy Novak, Blake Lizotte, Philip Tomasino, Connor Dewar, Valtteri Puustinen, Aidan McDonough, Aaron Huglen, and Sam Poulin. 

Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs will split Friday's game in net for the Penguins.  

Pittsburgh native John Gibson will start in goal for the Red Wings after they acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks in the offseason. Gibson will play the first half of the game before Michal Postava takes over for the second half.

Here's the full Red Wings lineup for tonight:

Friday's game will start at 7 p.m. ET, and fans can watch it via a livestream on SportsNet Pittsburgh+ or they can listen to it on 105.9 'The X.'

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Canadiens Prospect Missed A Big Opportunity

On Thursday night, Joshua Roy was given a great opportunity by Martin St-Louis. Not only was he dressed for a second game in a row, but he was also on the first power play unit with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Mike Matheson. Furthermore, the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t even dress any of their best players; it was Roy’s opportunity to make a statement.

Much like the rest of Martin St-Louis’ men, he missed that opportunity. The Montreal Canadiens gave a subpar effort in a 7-2 loss to the Leafs’ B or C team, and you could count on one hand the players who looked good. In his post-game conference, the coach identified Matheson and Filip Mesar as two players who performed well.

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Roy was even given some reps on the penalty kill, a sign that the organization is willing to give him opportunities to find a spot. On that, St-Louis said:

Of course, there are roles that we need to fill; we need to find players who can execute penalties effectively. It’s by giving opportunities that you can evaluate.

Asked if he found Roy’s performance in the role convincing, the coach replied he would have to look at it, that’s part of his lengthy to-do list in the video room following Thursday night’s debacle.

From a statistical standpoint, Roy didn’t make much of an impact. He saw 17:45 of action, including 5:34 on the power play and 2:20 on the penalty kill. He has one shot on net and another that was blocked while also landing three hits.

Those hits didn’t stand out to me from the press gallery’s bird’s eye view. What I saw was a player who didn’t battle very hard on the boards and was sometimes in a hurry to pass the puck to avoid getting hit. On the power play, he managed to launch a one-time from the bumper position, which was his highlight of the night. For the rest of the game, he wasn’t really a threat. Although he may not be used to playing the bumper position, considering how important the game was for him, I would have liked to see more effort and attempts to get in space.

Granted, Roy worked hard in the gym this offseason, but what we’re seeing on the ice right now is not a player who’s NHL-ready and who could play the kind of game Martin St-Louis needs from the player who will skate alongside Alex Newhook and Zack Bolduc.

Time is running out for the fifth-round pick who’s playing the last year of his entry-level contract. For me, his place is with the Laval Rocket this season, whichever way you look at it. Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, and Florian Xhekaj have all made a bigger impact.

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Zachary L'Heureux 'not taking anything for granted' in effort to return to Nashville Predators roster

There was a lot of reminiscing on this past season for Nashville Predators forward Zachary L'Heureux this summer. 

Going back home to Montreal this summer, L'Heureux recalled sitting by the bonfire and telling his friends stories of playing in the NHL and with legends like Steven Stamkos. 

"There were definitely a few nights with my boys back home, and you're just sitting around the fire, on the weekend, talking about stories," L'Heureux said. "Obviously, a lot of my friends grew up watching these guys I get to play with and idolizing them." 

" I got to share some stories of being able to hang out with Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly and all those guys on a daily basis. It's pretty cool and they love to hear it." 

L'Heureux played four games with the Milwaukee Admirals last season before he was called up to Nashville and stayed there for 62 games, scoring 15 points and logging 63 penalty minutes. In his first nearly full NHL season, L'Heureux played an important role in Nashville's bottom six. 

However, coming into Predators training camp after missing a few days, he knows that his spot on the roster is not promised, but earned. 

"I have the pressure of making the NHL again," L'Heureux said. "Last year, the goal was to stay the whole year. There were moments where I felt like I got a little comfortable, so coming into camp this year, I didn't want to take anything for granted." 

With a young talent pool behind him,  L'Heureux is aware that there are a handful of Predators prospects who are also competing for his spot.

Matthew Wood had a multi-point game in the Predators' win over the Florida Panthers on Sept. 21, and Brady Martin scored twice in the Predators' loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 23. Joakim Kemell has also been utilized all over the lineup in the preseason. 

"I'm coming ready to play every day and fighting for a spot," L'Heureux said. "There are a lot of young guys who have been good competition and have been showing up. You can see it out there and in the preseason games."

"I've got a big opportunity here on the weekend to showcase what I can do and what I've got."

L'Heureux has had to play a bit of catch-up over the last few days, leaving Predators practice on Sept. 19 early and missing the team's first two preseason games.

He'd make his return to the lineup at the Gold Star Showcase on Thursday, allowing him to ease back into things before this weekend's road games. 

"It was good to get into it. It was not a full go, but there was still a lot of respect out there," L'Heureux said on the Predators scrimmage on Thursday. "Guys aren't trying to take each other's heads off, but you're still competing hard and trying to win battles. It was a good first step and I think I did pretty well." 

In aiming to make the Predators lineup this season, L'Heureux isn't just doing it for himself, but for those who have supported him along this journey. He understands the pressure is high, but is ready to face the challenge. 

"I think I've got a good support system and I want to show that I can play at this level for a long time," L'Heureux said. "I think I've got a foot in the door. I've played a lot of games, and I've showcased my skill and what I can do. I want to show that I can improve."

"Obviously, this is a big year coming up for everybody, but for me, personally, it's huge." 

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NHL Waivers: Ingram Clears, Fedotov, Foudy And Gauthier On The Wire

It’s the second day when teams can place players on NHL waivers, and there has been plenty of activity on Friday.

Firstly, goaltender Connor Ingram cleared waivers for the Utah Mammoth. With that, he’ll join the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners. This comes after Utah GM Bill Armstrong said that the team was looking to find Ingram a new home.

They were hoping that placing the 28-year-old goaltender on waivers would provide another team the opportunity to claim him and allow his NHL career to continue elsewhere. 

Furthermore, there have been no reports of any claims from players who were placed on waivers on Thursday.

Friday saw eight players placed on waivers, including Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Ivan Fedotov, as well as four members of the New York Islanders, including center Liam Foudy and right winger Julien Gauthier.

Among the mentioned names, the other players who were placed on waivers are Utah defenseman Kevin Connauton, Islanders defensemen Cole McWard and Travis Mitchell, Washington Capitals defenseman Calle Rosen and right winger Spencer Smallman.

Fedotov, 28, was acquired by the Blue Jackets in a trade that sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sep. 14. However, with Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves also on the goaltending chart, one of the three would be forced down to the American League, and Fedotov will be the one, if he isn’t claimed within 24 hours.

Last season, Fedotov featured in 26 games for the Flyers, recording a .880 save percentage and a 3.15 goals-against average.

Foudy was a first-round pick by the Blue Jackets in 2018. Since then, he was picked up on waivers by the Nashville Predators in October 2023 and signed with the Islanders in the 2024 off-season.

The 25-year-old center played two games in the NHL with the Isles and made 70 appearances with the Bridgeport Islanders, New York’s AHL affiliate. He scored 20 goals and 45 points in the minors last season. Foudy is on a two-way contract for the 2025-26 season, giving him $250,000 in AHL salary.

Julien Gauthier (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

Foudy’s teammate, Gauthier, was also placed on waivers. Gauthier suffered an injury that cut his 2024-25 campaign short. The injury came in a game against the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack on Nov. 24 of last season.

He ended the year with one game with the Islanders and nine games with Bridgeport, where he scored three goals and eight points. Like Foudy, Gauthier signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Isles. He earns $325,000 in the minors and a $775,000 cap hit in the NHL.

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Former Rangers Forward Placed On Waivers

Julien Gauthier (© Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images)

The NHL saw multiple players hit the waiver wire on Sep. 26, and one happens to be a former New York Rangers forward. 

This is because the New York Islanders have placed forward Julien Gauthier on waivers, as reported by TSN's Chris Johnston. 

Gauthier was a member of the Rangers from 2019-20 to 2022-23. In 131 games over four seasons with the Blueshirts, the 6-foot-4 winger recorded 11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points, and 235 hits. 

Gauthier's time with the Rangers ended during the 2022-23 campaign when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators as a part of the deal that brought forward Tyler Motte back to New York. After finishing the 2022-23 season with Ottawa, Gauthier signed with the Islanders during the 2023 NHL off-season and has been with the organization since. 

Gauthier played in one game for the Islanders in 2024-25, where he was held off the scoresheet. In nine American Hockey League (AHL) games with the Bridgeport Islanders this past campaign, the 2016 first-round pick recorded three goals, eight points, and a plus-2 rating. 

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Ex-Flyers Goalie Placed On Waivers By New Team

Ivan Fedotov (© Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)

Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Flyers traded goaltender Ivan Fedotov to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The move made sense, as Fedotov stood out as the odd man out for the Flyers' NHL roster.

Yet, Fedotov is now available for the taking. According to TSN's Chris Johnston, Fedotov has been placed on waivers by the Blue Jackets. 

Fedotov being placed on waivers comes after the former Flyer stopped 24 out of 25 shots in the Blue Jackets' Sep. 23 preseason matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.  He also made 14 saves on 15 shots against the St. Louis Blues in his first preseason appearance for Columbus on Sep. 21. Thus, he certainly performed well this preseason, but it was not enough for him to avoid being placed on waivers. 

Fedotov is under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, where he carries a $3.275 million cap hit. 

Fedotov was selected by the Flyers with the 188th overall pick of the NHL Entry Draft. In 29 games over two seasons with Philly, he posted a 6-14-5 record, a .874 save percentage, and a 3.29 goals-against average. 

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Isaac Howard's Time Is Now With The Oilers, While Their Former Prospect Is Back In Junior

One piece of the Isaac Howard and Sam O'Reilly trade is back in the OHL, while the other is staying in the NHL.

We won't fully understand the impact of the 1-for-1 trade between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers for a few years, but one piece will be staying at the NHL level, while the other is heading back to the OHL.

On Wednesday, the Lightning sent Sam O'Reilly back to the OHL's London Knights for his third year.

Meanwhile, Howard, who scored in the Oilers' 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, will have a role on opening night in the Oilers' lineup.

Where exactly he will be in the lineup is yet to be determined, according to Oilers radio play-by-play voice Cam Moon. But it's obvious what he can bring to the roster.

"You can see the tremendous skill level that he has, and I know it's a big jump from the NCAA to the National Hockey League," Moon said. "There's going to be an adjustment period, I'm sure, but again, what we've seen is only a small snippet.

"We don't have a huge sample size right now, but in the small sample size, a great level of skill, has a nose for the net, as you'd expect, and that is something I will look at. I'm sure Oilers fans everywhere will look at in the future as we look ahead as he continues to be an offensive player."

O'Reilly spending another year in London isn't a bad thing, either, Moon said. His time at the highest level will come with a little more growth in an organization that can wait on him, while Howard's time at Michigan State has shown that he can jump into NHL-level situations in 2025-26. 

"Ike Howard looks like he's farther along in his development and more NHL-ready right now, where a guy like Sam O'Reilly, who I don't doubt will be an NHL player also, but just not right now," Moon said. "There's a little more development to be had. I think this is one of those deals where it works well for both teams and both players."

Watch Avry Lewis-McDougall's latest video column for more.

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LA Kings Make Roster Moves: Jared Woolley and Henry Brzustewicz Return to London Knights

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings made some additional roster moves earlier today as the preseason is coming to a wrap in just a week. LA is loaning defenseman Jared Woollley to the London Knights (OHL) and returning defenseman Henry Brzustewicz to the same junior club. 

Both players will return to the Ontario Hockey League, where they will continue their development under the Kings and are expected to play significant roles for the London team until they are called back up to the NHL. 

The moves are part of the assignments and cuts that the Kings are required to make and trim down before the start of opening night. 

With less than two weeks left until the regular season begins, and the Kings looking very solid in the preseason, Los Angeles is narrowing down its roster to the group of players who are fit to be ready when the season starts. 

Both Woolley and Brzustewicz are still very young and lack the experience to play in the NHL yet. Even if they were ready to play for the Kings, it would still be tough because of the presence of all the veterans, and the rest of the team has significantly more experience on the ice compared to them. 

The depth chart and many of the positions, including defense, right and left wings, etc., are very competitive and deep for significantly younger players like Wooley and Brzustewicz, making them viable options to be considered.

Veteran players like Drew Doughty, Cody Ceci, Joel Edmundson, and Brian Dumoulin will still be on the roster, anchoring the defensive side. 

The other players, who also have experience, such as Brandt Clarke and Mikey Anderson, will be there for the foreseeable future. Therefore, it was always very unlikely that both Brzustewicz and Woolley would make the cut. 

For the Kings, sending players like Woolley and Brzuteswicz back to London allows them to continue developing them in the Ontario Hockey League while the Kings figure out what they're going to do with their roster in the future. 

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Former NHL Defenceman Tyson Barrie Joins Canucks Broadcast Team For The 2025-26 Season

There will be a new voice on Vancouver Canucks broadcasts this season. The Canucks have announced that former NHL defenceman Tyson Barrie will be joining regional home broadcasts on Sportsnet for the 2025-26 season. According to the press release, Barrie will make his debut on Friday, September 26, 2025.

The press release also featured a statement from Barrie, which said, "Growing up on Vancouver Island, I always thought it would be special to finish my career with the Canucks. While my playing days ended elsewhere, I'm grateful for the chance to start this new chapter with a great organization so close to home. I've always embraced the lighter side of the game, and I'm excited to bring years of insight and lots of laughs to the broadcast!"

Barrie played 822 regular-season games in the NHL. He scored 110 goals while recording 508 points over his 14-year career. Barrie played for the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames, as well as the Kelowna Rockets during his time in the WHL. 

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Vancouver plays their first home game at Rogers Arena during the 2025 pre-season on September 26 when they takes on the Seattle Kraken. The Canucks are 1-1-0 so far in the pre-season, which includes a loss to the Kraken. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm and will be broadcast on Sportsnet. 

Apr 30, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (22) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: Lukas Dostal an Underrated Benefactor of New Coaching Staff

When Joel Quenneville was hired by the Anaheim Ducks and brought in his new coaching staff, much of the discussion centered on how beneficial he, Jay Woodcroft, and Ryan McGill would be to the current and future rosters.

The brand new systems, specifically defensive zone coverage, where the Ducks had struggled mightily over the past three seasons, finishing in the basement in every traditional and advanced statistical category, could have the most impact on the upcoming season.

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Switching from a man-to-man scheme to a pressure-zone was an imperative adjustment, as the roster construction was more suited for it. In Theory, those poised to benefit most from a system that relies more on off-puck reads, instincts, and knowledge of where support is coming from are centers like Ryan Strome and Mason McTavish, as well as defensemen like Drew Helleson and Pavel Mintyukov.

Perhaps overlooked in the “who will benefit most” conversation is the newly dubbed and paid franchise goaltender, Lukas Dostal.

Dostal (25) has emerged as one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL and has posted impressive numbers despite the Ducks’ poor defensive metrics over the past two seasons. The Ducks awarded him with a five-year contract extension that carries an AAV of $6.5 million.

In his first two full seasons in the NHL (2023-24 and 2024-25), Dostal notched a 34-46-10 record, a roughly league-average .902 SV%, and 7.83 goals saved above expected. Those numbers are made all the more impressive considering, in that time, he led NHL goaltenders (min. 50 games played) with 32.73 shots against per 60 minutes and was third in high-danger shots against per 60 with 8.72 (John Gibson led the NHL with 8.86).

Dostal’s game is built on sound positional fundamentals, remaining calm in the midst of flurries in front, and the ability to track pucks throughout the offensive zone and through traffic.

The new zone defensive system should (mostly) guarantee that against a sustained cycle, the net front will be covered at all times. It’s also designed to limit the number of times defenders are outnumbered near the crease, effectively keeping most shot opportunities to the perimeter of the zone.

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“I personally like it because, for the goalies, I believe it’s more predictable,” Dostal said following his half-game preseason debut against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. “You kind of know all sides of the team and what you’re giving up. Nothing is 100%, but I think it’s more predictable.

“I personally like the system because it’s something we always played in Czech, we played it on the Czech national team when I was growing up, even in Finland. It’s something I’m used to.”

That familiarity and predictability have allowed Dostal to focus efforts on developing other parts of his game during the offseason, particularly his rebound control. In his first action of the preseason (it’s just preseason, so a grain of salt is required), he elevated his game management skills to another level and was easily deflecting shots, especially perimeter shots, to the safety of the corners. Dostal saved 17 of 18 total shots he faced in that game.

“Sometimes you have games where the puck sticks to your chest better than other games, but that’s been something that I’ve worked on this summer,” Dostal added after the game when asked about his rebound control. “The last two seasons in the NHL showed me the guys are crashing the net quite a lot, so it’s something that I worked on this offseason to eliminate the rebounds and something I really focused on.”

Dostal’s numbers wavered slightly toward the end of last season, especially when Gibson was healthy and it was unclear game-to-game who would get the start each night. This season, that aspect will be nullified, as Dostal is the clear #1 option in Anaheim, and the schedule and roles will be more defined and predictable.

Dostal is primed for a big season, and if the Ducks achieve or come close to their goal of making the 2026 playoffs, it can be assumed that Dostal stayed healthy had a large hand in that outcome. He could perhaps even receive end-of-season award recognition.

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Islanders May Have The Answer To The Florida Panthers Injury Woes

News broke on Friday morning that Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will be having surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss the entire 2024-25 season: 

Andy Slater (@AndySlater) on XAndy Slater (@AndySlater) on XExtremely tough news for the Florida Panthers. Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss the entire season after being injured during practice on Thursday, I've learned.

It's a devastating blow for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, who are already dealing with Matthew Tkachuk being sidelined until December. 

While replacing Barkov and what he brings is impossible, general manager Bill Zito has demonstrated that he knows how to fill holes and improve a team.

The Panthers, like most Stanley Cup winners, boast center depth with players such as Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, and Luke Kunin. 

What they are really missing with Barkov out is that shutdown defensive center, which brings us to the New York Islanders and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The 32-year-old center is entering the final season of a five-year deal worth $5 million annually, and his defensive style is exactly what the Panthers are now going to be missing from their lineup. 

Is general manager Mathieu Darche, who told inquiring teams ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft that he was not moving Pageau, ready to move No. 44? 

Darche made it clear that he wants to evaluate this roster before making moves. Pageau can win face-offs, play a responsible brand of hockey at 5-on-5, and play on a top penalty kill, so his value won't be higher than what it will be at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Now, of course, there are always risks to holding onto an asset, whether that's poor play, injuries, or teams acquiring a player of the same position. 

The other question is how much Calum Ritchie's performance at training camp has changed Darche's mindset?

Calum Ritchie Continues Making Waves In Bid for Islanders Roster SpotCalum Ritchie Continues Making Waves In Bid for Islanders Roster SpotNEW YORK, NY -- The chances of New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie making the team out of training camp are slim -- it's not zero. 

Ritchie is showing himself to be NHL-ready rather quickly. And like with No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, Ritchie's skating ability is showing to become a game-changer. 

The chances of Ritchie making the team are slim because there's no center ice spot for him unless a player like Casey Cizikas or even Pageau moves to the wing. But, with the belief that Anders Lee, Anthony Duclair, and Maxim Tsyplakov are ready to go for opening night -- at least two of the three, as we haven't heard much about Tsyplakov's injury -- what winger is coming out of the lineup?

However, if the Islanders do move Pageau, that opens the door for Ritchie to be an everyday player, while not having to put the pressure of being a No. 2 center on him, at least not yet. 

Moving Pageau is not simple, though. The Islanders could likely net two second-round picks, clearing $5 million off the books. Even with Ritchie showcasing a firm defensive game, Pageau was the No. 1 face-off man in the NHL, winning 59.6% of his draws, while also playing on the top penalty-kill unit. 

Pageau does have a 15-team no-trade clause, but it would be a shock if Florida were on it. 

The Islanders have three preseason games remaining before their rosters are due, and a potential Pageau trade hinges on Ritchie's readiness. If the Islanders feel that Ritchie is close but could use 30 or so games learning from Rocky Thompson in Bridgeport, Pageau isn't going anywhere. 

Florida is likely calling many teams at this time, and with Barkov's $10 million AAV likely hitting long-term injured reserve, the Panthers will have the cap space to acquire the top names available. 

The best general managers are always the most opportunistic general managers -– much as we’ve seen the Tampa Bay Lightning operate over the years, with Jake Guentzel being the latest for them. 

Do the Panthers call Darche? Do they look at their team and think that they can be okay until at least the deadline before making moves? 

Time will tell as we await a further update on Barkov. 

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Wild owner Leipold expresses patience with Kaprizov contract talks, confidence in GM Guerin’s role

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have yet to secure star forward Kirill Kaprizov beyond this season with a long-term contract.

Owner Craig Leipold is trying to remain patient and stay in his lane, fully confident in leaving the process to general manager Bill Guerin and his assistants.

“Billy’s the guy. He’s the one that does the negotiating, no matter who it is, and that’s his responsibility and his role,” Leipold said. “We’ve got a great relationship.”

Can the same be said about the dynamic between the NHL club and Kaprizov’s camp? That’s difficult to discern, with neither side divulging much about whether a new deal is still realistic before the regular season begins in two weeks. Leipold declined to discuss any specifics regarding Kaprizov, who has 386 points in 319 regular season games and 21 points in 25 playoff games.

Kaprizov said after the team’s first practice that he considers Minnesota his “second home” behind his native Russia and likes being in the Twin Cities area and playing for the Wild.

“We have a lot of time. It’s just 2025, and it’s one more year I have,” he said then. “I just want to play hockey and focus and win some games and go in playoffs and win there.”

At his annual preseason media address last year, Leipold confidently said no other team could offer Kaprizov a longer or richer contract than the Wild. Guerin expressed confidence at the beginning of the offseason in the completion of a deal, but that didn’t happen during the summer and Kaprizov has been on the ice with the team for a week with no news about the 28-year-old left wing.

“As we all know, this is a sport that is more than one player,” Leipold said. “But obviously he’s a special player, and special players do special things. So we’d love to have a player of his caliber on our team.”

Which they do now, clearly but for how long?

One complicating factor in the Kaprizov situation for the Wild has been the rising salary cap and the other stars around the league who also are unsigned beyond this season.

“That’s a lot of new money in the system that, frankly, a year or two ago we certainly had no idea was going to be available,” Leipold said. “So, it does change things, but we have to change with it.”

Leipold spoke to reporters during the Wild’s first home preseason game, their first time taking the ice at Grand Casino Arena. The 25-year-old facility has given the capitol city’s quiet downtown a boost of economic and social activity since it opened for the NHL club as Xcel Energy Center. The utility company’s naming rights for the arena expired earlier this year.

The Wild have begun talks with city, county and state officials about public help for a renovation project they believe is necessary to compete for revenue streams with newer NHL arenas and other venues in Minnesota.

Across the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, new Timberwolves owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have begun to assess options for replacing the 35-year-old Target Center. But Leipold said the two teams will not consider sharing an arena like the majority of American markets with both NBA and NHL franchises do.

“We are going to stay in St. Paul, and they are going to stay in Minneapolis. It’s pretty hard to negotiate from that point.” As for the Wild finally getting out of the first round of the playoffs, a feat they have only accomplished three times — and not in more than 10 years?

“I believe in it. I believe in hard work and preparation. I like our team. I hope we’re lucky enough not to have injuries. I think this could be a really special year,” Leipold said. “I’ve thought that before, but one of these years everything’s going to kind of come together in a nice package, and hopefully it’s this one.”