Former Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, left, smiles while Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, reads a formal proclamation declaring Aug. 8 as Patrick Kane Day in Chicago at a ceremony at Johnny’s Ice House West on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Chicago. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Chicago Tribune/TNS
CHICAGO — Once again, Patrick Kane took the ice for the start of training camp with the Chicago Blackhawks. That used to be his regular routine, but it was a different experience for him this time around.
Kane is getting used to his old surroundings as he begins his 20th NHL season in the same place where he started his career. The veteran forward signed a two-year, $16 million contract with Chicago in free agency.
“A lot of it is so familiar in a lot of ways, and then you get out there on the ice and you look at all the players out there and everyone’s completely different, right?” a chuckling Kane said. “So different coaches, different players. So different in that way, but yeah, so exciting.”
Chicago is hoping the offseason additions of Kane and defenseman Bo Byram — alongside the growth of its young core — will help lift the team into contention in the rugged Western Conference. The Blackhawks went 29-39-14 last year, an 11-point improvement from the previous season and still last in Central Division.
“We wouldn’t make some of the transactions we made if we didn’t believe there was a step to be had here,” general manager Kyle Davidson said. “Now, there’s a lot that goes into it. ... It’s all about showing up and expecting something every night and we should expect to arrive and win. And so, where that ends up at the end of the year, we’ll see.”
Going to the postseason with Chicago used to be an annual occurrence for Kane, who turns 38 in November. He skated in playoff games with the Blackhawks for nine straight years beginning in 2009, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Kane, who won the 2016 Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, isn’t the same player he was during those previous playoff runs. But he had 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games with Detroit last season. He has at least 50 points in 18 of his 19 seasons.
“He’s still a great player,” Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight said. “You can tell the skill he has, his awareness on the ice with the puck and without the puck, so I think that’s something that’s going to really help us. ... I think he’s going to bring a lot of skill and talent out of a lot of other players, which is what I think will be so good for us.”
Kane skated on a line with Frank Nazar, 22, and rookie Roman Kantserov on the first day of camp, who also is set to turn 22.
The Blackhawks open the season on Sept. 29 at Vegas, so coach Jeff Blashill doesn’t have much time to tinker with his lines.
“Patrick is a super high IQ hockey player, and a lot of give-and-go to his game,” Blashill said. “Both Frankie and Roman can play some of that give-and-go game with him; they think it a little bit the same way. Historically, when Patrick has had a center that can create lanes with his speed, it has helped him. Frankie, with his speed through the middle, will open up some different passing lanes, as well.”
Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard is expected to miss the start of the season as he continues his recovery from left shoulder surgery. He could play alongside Kane on the team’s top line when he returns.
Kane has been getting to know all the team’s young players. He likes Nazar’s competitiveness and he said Kantserov is very smooth.
“I thought, you know, as a line today, we got more and more chemistry as the day went on and things got better and better,” Kane said. “So excited to keep building with them.”
MARYLAND
HEIGHTS, Mo. -- When Cam Fowler stepped to the podium last week,
there was no sugar-coating. There was no hiding from what he
considered the harsh reality of facts.
“Last
year it’s no secret, it was a difficult season for me personally,”
the 34-year-old defenseman said succinctly. “I’ll be the first
one to say that I wasn’t anywhere near the player that I expect to
be.”
This
is a player with 16 years’ worth of experience and 1,124
regular-season NHL games. You take him at his word for it. And you
wouldn’t expect anything less than the honest truth, but watching a
step back, Fowler isn’t off with his assessment.
When
the St. Louis Blues acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 14, 2024 for
minor league defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka and a second-round pick
in the 2027 NHL Draft, it was a steal of a deal. Fowler came to St.
Louis and made an immediate impact.
After
having just four assists in 17 games with the Ducks, he flourished
with 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists) and a plus-19 in 51 games for
the Blues, helping them go on a tear and reach the Stanley Cup
playoffs to face the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets, and
Fowler had 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in a seven-game
series ultimately won by Winnipeg.
The
Blues were so impressed with the return they got from a player that
thrived playing with Colton Parayko, they signed him to a three-year
extension at $6.1 million average annual value that carries a full
no-trade clause until Jan. 29, 2027, to which it becomes a 15-team
NTC.
Fowler
played in all 82 games last season, but there was something missing;
he did finish with 30 points (four goals, 26 assists) but was a
minus-11 averaging 21:05 time on ice per game after averaging 21:42
the previous season.
“I
went home this summer, reflected on a lot and really just got back to
basics,” Fowler said. “I really had an emphasis on working hard
this summer and making sure that I’m ready to go, and that’s
mentally as much as it is physically. They know what they’re
getting from me. I’m happy to slot into the lineup wherever they
feel is the best opportunity for me. I’m looking forward to getting
back to some competitive hockey and getting back to the player that I
know I can be because I just felt like I let a lot of people down
last year in that regard. I don’t want that to happen again.”
At
the outset, the Blues are pairing Fowler with fellow veteran Brandon
Carlo, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs on the second day of the
2026 draft for two 2026 third-round picks. It looks like it could be
a good match, but in order to get the Fowler of old back into the
fold, Blues coach Jim Montgomery likely paired Carlo with Fowler to
put a reliable, stable, defensive-minded guy there so that Fowler can
get back to doing what he does best: jump into the offense and make
his mark there.
“It’s
a guy that’s taking the puck and skating,” Montgomery said of
Fowler’s best attributes. “He was in a 4-on-2 and a 3-on-2 today.
He almost tipped in a backdoor pass. It’s him getting in and out
and it’s him dictating plays going north. When he’s playing on
his toes offensively, the rest of the game takes care of itself.”
Perhaps
adding a familiar face should help Fowler get back to his top-end
game again with the addition of former Ducks coach Greg Cronin, who
the Blues hired as an assistant that will work with the defensemen
and who coached Fowler in Anaheim in 2023-24 and 24-25 prior to being
traded here.
“Obviously
I have a good relationship with ‘Crow,’ playing for him in
Anaheim,” Fowler said. “I think anyone that spends time with him
knows he’s a hard-nosed guy that demands a lot but also is fully
transparent with his players and wants us to be the best version of
ourselves. He’s going to push us every day. I think he wants us to
be uncomfortable in the things that we’re doing to help push us to
be better players, but he does have a soft side to him. He really
does care about us as people and our families. I’m looking forward
to getting the opportunity to working with him again.”
Perhaps
making a veteran feel uncomfortable may be the best medicine Fowler
can get, and get him back to the 2024-25 Blues version.
“It
was definitely something that was unique for me the first time I met
(Cronin), some of the things that we were working on in training camp
there in Anaheim,” Fowler said. “I can honestly say the way that
he approaches the game, especially from a defensive mindset and
working with the ‘D’, that stuff, if we get more and more
comfortable with it will help us defensively as a team and
individually. There are times, if you guys are watching, you’ll see
some of the things that we’re doing, it’s definitely unique to
hockey but it’s a lot about body position, making sure that our
shoulders are staying square and that we’re in between the player
and the net and making sure that we’re not giving up easy
opportunities. Those are big, key factors for him and something that
we’ll really be working on in training camp.”
A
more well-polished Fowler and Carlo third pairing behind Philip
Broberg and Logan Mailloux along with Parayko and Theo Lindstein can
really balance out this Blues defensive unit.
“We
understand that there’s going to be wins and losses along the way
but it’s about the approach that we have and the process of what
we’re doing that’s most important to us,” Fowler
said. “I don’t feel like we
did a good enough job of that last year and that’s everyone, myself
included. There’s definitely an emphasis on that this coming
season.”
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When the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2025-26 season came to a disappointing close after a first-round loss to the rival Philadelphia Flyers, there was a plethora of questions the Penguins faced heading into the offseason.
Would they try to go "big-game hunting" as was suspected? Would they re-sign some key restricted free agents? Would Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson extensions be a priority? What direction would the team take in 2026-27 after an unexpected playoff berth?
And, finally, would Evgeni Malkin have a future with the Penguins?
Luckily, that last question was answered relatively quickly, as Malkin was inked to a one-year, $5.5 million extension on May 26. The decision for him to return to Pittsburgh for another year was probably made easier for both parties after he registered 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games at age 39.
Now 40, Malkin is the fourth-oldest active player in the NHL. But, when speaking with the media during day two of training camp Friday, he made it known that he still feels great.
"I just try to be my best," Malkin said. "I feel healthy."
Even if Malkin signed for another year, there is still, of course, uncertainty about his future beyond this season. Even for this season, he is eligible to submit a three-team trade list on Jan. 1, which adds an element of uncertainty for him, especially if the Penguins end up taking a step back this season.
However, Malkin isn't thinking about any of that right now. Like Crosby - who clarified the situation with his extension Tuesday - he is in a holding out pattern to see how his body feels and where his level of play is at before he comes to a determination on the extent of his hockey future.
While there is a high degree of certainty that Crosby will play beyond 2026-27, though, the same can't be said for Malkin.
"We'll see what's going on through the season," Malkin said. "Right now, I won't say 'yes,' but we'll see how my body feels. I still love the game, you know, why I'm here 21 years. You know, I'm excited every shift, practice... I see guys around, you know, have fun.
"But, again, most important is how your body feels. I'm, like, [a] person, if I'm not feeling 100 percent, I'm not playing because I want to be on my top level. I don't like to just spend time, you know, just do nothing. That's not my game. If I'm at the top if my game, help the team to win, I will. But, if not, I'm retire."
And him being able to hit the same level he did last season could largely depend on the company he keeps throughout the season. At this point, it appears that Malkin has fully transitioned to the wing, which is something that doesn't really faze him. After all, he saw a lof of success there last season, and that was in large part thanks to the arrival of Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets mid-season.
Malkin and Chinakhov showed a high degree of chemistry when paired together last season, mainly with Tommy Novak down the middle. Of Malkin's seven assists on Chinkahov's goals last season, six were primary assists, and Chinakhov very likely did not suddenly forget how to shoot the puck over the summer.
He got an extension of his own in restricted free agency, committing to three more years with the Penguins at $6.25 million average annual value. The Penguins - and Malkin - are counting on Chinakhov to keep building on the 18 goals and 36 points he registered in 43 games with the team last season, as they believe the 25-year-old could be a key piece of their future.
"I know he's worked hard all summer," Malkin said. "And I hope, and I believe, that he'll show [his] best game because he have everything, like speed, shots... and I try to do the same. Like, my best [when] when we play together. I try to give him as much as possible, and I look. He will be one of our best forwards next season."
And so, too, will Malkin, if he continues to stay healthy and remain a fixture on Pittsburgh's second line. What his future is beyond the immediacy, though, will become more and more clear as his 21st NHL season rolls on.
The former Wild netminder enters Columbus as the team's backup to Jet Greaves. With Elvis Merzlikins failing his physical and out to start the year, Talbot will be the Blue Jackets backup.
Talbot, 39, is 278-204-53 with a 2.69 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and 33 shutouts in 567 regular-season games (533 starts) for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Red Wings.
In 82 games with the Wild from 2020-21 to 2021-22, Talbot posted a 51-20-9 record, a .913 save percentage, a 2.71 goals-against average, and five shutouts.
He is 16-18 with a 2.75 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and six shutouts in 36 Stanley Cup Playoff games (34 starts).
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The Montreal Canadiens recently re-signed defenseman Arber Xhekaj to a one-year prove-it deal.
Now that Xhekaj has gotten his contract signed, it is clear that he must have a hot start to the 2026-27 season for the Canadiens.
While Xhekaj has gotten his new deal, his long-term future with the Canadiens is still not set in stone. Because of this, he will need to prove to the Canadiens that he can be a mainstay on their blueline. This is especially so when noting that other defensemen like Jayden Struble, Adam Engstrom, and David Reinbacher will be competing for playing time.
Furthermore, with Kaiden Guhle sidelined for the start of the season, Xhekaj has an opportunity to show the Canadiens that he warrants more consistent playing time. If he does, it will help his chances of sticking in Montreal's lineup once Guhle is fully healthy and returns.
It is going to be very intriguing to see if Xhekaj can start the season off on the right foot for Montreal. It is a crucial year for the rugged defenseman, so time will tell if he can put together a strong campaign.
In 65 games last season for Montreal, Xhekaj posted one goal, four points, 116 penalty minutes, and 178 hits.
Sawyer brings nearly a decade of experience in the broadcast booth with the Winnipeg Jets, where he worked as a regional game analyst before making the move west to Calgary.
The 52-year-old also brings a perspective shaped by nearly a decade spent playing professional hockey.
Sawyer appeared in 110 NHL games over parts of six seasons, suiting up for the St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim between 1995 and 2003. He finished his NHL career with three goals and six points, along with 403 penalty minutes.
His NHL career was built largely around his physical style of play. Sawyer spent his final three seasons with Anaheim, appearing in 97 games and recording 336 penalty minutes. He scored his first NHL goal during the 2001-02 season, when he played a career-high 57 games for the Mighty Ducks.
That experience will again translate to the other side of the game as Sawyer joins Jon Abbott and Brendan Parker for Calgary’s regional broadcasts.
This offseason, the Kings made monumental changes to their team. Is it enough to surpass the defending western conference champions?
Why the Kings Will Be Better
Although the Knights were the better team last season, that could change entirely this year. That is in large part due to Los Angeles being the better defensive team.
Last season, the Kings only allowed 2.9 goals per game while the Knights allowed 2.95 goals. Los Angeles also held a .899 save percentage, while Vegas had a .884 save percentage.
Defensively, the Kings should still remain competent and that could benefit from the new system. Coach Peter Laviolette is expected to elevate the Kings offense to its full potential.
If the offense of the Kings can take a step up, then that will pair tremendously with the top 10 defense from last year. Los Angeles has the better defense than Vegas, which could lead to them dethroning the West Champs this season.
Why the Knights Will Be Better
Speculation is only a part of the debate between the Kings and the Knights; the other part is results. When it comes to consistent seasons between these two teams, that heavily favors the Knights for this upcoming season.
Aside from the Knights making the Stanley Cup in 2026, they’ve had consistent playoff success. The Knights have made the second round three of the last four seasons and have won a Stanley Cup in 2023.
On the other hand, Los Angeles hasn’t made it to the second round since they won the Stanley Cup in 2014. The Kings haven’t won a playoff series in over a decade, let alone been a true title contender.
Vegas has proven to consistently be one of the best teams in the NHL while Los Angeles hasn’t. The Knights are expected to be contenders in 2027, while it’s a question if the Kings can take the next leap.
Overall Verdict
When it comes down to whom the best team will be in 2027, the clear answer is Vegas. The Knights have the more potent offense but can also step up on defense when it matters most.
During the playoffs, the Knights had a .907 save percentage and allowed 2.82 goals per game. Along with both defensive categories being improvements from the regular season, the offense was better in the playoffs too.
In the regular season, the Knights scored 3.22 goals per game, which ranked 14th in the league. During the postseason, Vegas scored 3.45 goals per game, which ranked 4th amongst playoff teams.
Regardless if it’s offense or defense, the Knights have shown to play at their best when it matters most. The Kings have not shown to play at their best in pivotal moments, hence why they brought in a new coach for better results.
Both offensively and defensively, the Knights have executed better than the Kings in crunch time. Therefore, Vegas is a more well-rounded unit and should be a better team than Los Angeles in 2027.
Martin Necas spent last season answering questions about whether he could become the player the Colorado Avalanche believed they were acquiring.
He answered them with 100 points.
Now comes the harder part: proving it wasn't a one-time breakthrough while dealing with everything that comes with becoming one of the NHL's most dangerous offensive players.
Nearly two months ago, The Hockey News examined the heightened pressure facing Necas as he prepared to enter his first full season with the Avalanche. At the time, the pressure centered largely around expectations. Colorado had acquired Necas to be a difference-maker, and after arriving midway through the previous season, he was finally going to have a full campaign to establish himself in an Avalanche uniform.
He did considerably more than that.
Necas delivered the best offensive season of his career, reaching the 100-point mark and establishing himself among the NHL's elite. But with that achievement comes a new reality: The target on his back has grown considerably.
The league has a way of humbling players who reach that level. One season can elevate a player into the conversation among the game's best; the next can bring an entirely different level of scrutiny. Jonathan Huberdeau is one example of how quickly circumstances can change after a career year.
For Necas, however, the challenge extends beyond simply maintaining his production. He is a dynamic offensive force with explosive speed, exceptional puckhandling ability and the creativity to make something happen whenever the puck is on his stick. But there has long been one vulnerability in his game: Necas can leave himself exposed to open-ice contact.
That tendency followed him from his days with the Carolina Hurricanes and remained an issue last season in Colorado. Last year, Necas absorbed several heavy hits, including Mikey Anderson's open-ice hit in Game 1 of the Avalanche's Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings.
Now, coming off a 100-point campaign, Necas is going to command even more attention from opposing teams.
And that means the hits are coming, too.
When a player establishes himself as one of the league's most dangerous offensive threats, opponents naturally look for ways to disrupt him. For Necas, protecting himself without sacrificing the speed, creativity and aggressiveness that make him so effective could become one of the most important challenges of his next chapter.
If the footage that surfaced during the offseason is any indication, Necas appears to understand that as well.
A video showed the Avalanche forward working out alongside Calgary Flames defenseman Adam Klapka and, perhaps more notably, Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl.
Hertl is the same player who delivered a devastating hip check on Necas in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, sending him down the tunnel and leaving Colorado without one of its most important offensive weapons as the Avalanche were ultimately swept out of the series.
Perhaps that experience helped reinforce something Necas already knew: At his level, being able to withstand the physical demands of an NHL season is just as important as being able to produce offensively.
And judging by how Necas spent his summer, it appears he put an emphasis on that side of his game.
When asked at training camp about his offseason preparation, Necas said he spent the summer working on his strength and power while also trying to become faster.
“Try to work a little on my strength, on my power, and, you know, get a little faster, get a little stronger,” Necas told reporters. “Lots of work on the ice.”
That makes the footage of Necas working out alongside Klapka and Hertl all the more intriguing. At 6-foot-8, Klapka is an imposing physical presence and the kind of player who immediately stands out on the ice. He is also the same defenseman who delivered a late-season hit on Cale Makar that sent the Avalanche star into the boards and left him with an upper-body injury.
Hertl, meanwhile, has built his career around a powerful, difficult-to-defend style, making the trio an especially interesting group to see training together.
Necas isn't suddenly going to become Superman, nor is he going to turn into the next Ivan Barbashev. That's not what this is about. But adding more strength and power to an already dangerous skill set could give Necas another weapon when opposing players try to close off his space, battle him along the boards or disrupt his ability to create with the puck.
Necas also said he felt good coming into camp after what he described as a “great summer,” adding that he was excited to return and “move myself a little higher again.”
That mentality is important. Necas isn't satisfied with reaching 100 points and stopping there.
He wants to get better.
And getting better may mean more than simply finding another level offensively. After establishing himself as one of the NHL's most dangerous forwards, Necas is going to have to deal with a different level of attention every time he touches the puck.
The open ice won't be as forgiving. The hits may come a little harder. Opponents will have even more incentive to make sure Necas doesn't have the time and space to dictate a game.
The 100-point season changed his status.
Now, Necas has spent his summer preparing for what comes with it.
The next step is showing that he can handle everything that comes with being one of Colorado's most important players — including the physical price that may come with it.
The Chicago Blackhawks are going to be without Connor Bedard for at least a little while longer. He is progressing well, but neither side wants to rush things and risk making it worse at any point.
For now, it seems Frank Nazar will center the top line alongside Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov in Bedard's place. For both Nazar and Kantserov, playing with a legend like Patrick Kane is an incredible opportunity early in their careers.
As far as Patrick Kane is concerned, playing with youth is a great way for him to stay fresh as well. We've seen plenty of aging superstars keep it going for longer than they otherwise would have because they played on lines with younger players.
After the first training camp practice, Kane spoke about what he is seeing from both Frank Nazar and Roman Kantserov, starting with the former:
"I think he's a competitive kid," Kane said of Nazar. "He wants to win; he wants to do well; he wants to win games in practice; he wants to do well as a line, score goals, have that presence of mind, be in the moment, especially in practice."
For Kane, playing with a centerman like Nazar will be a treat. Nazar is not afraid to backcheck or get to the dirty areas in the offensive zone, and, like Kane, he is not afraid to pass or shoot. Both of them will be hard to defend because of their unpredictability.
"[I'm] excited to play with him and develop chemistry with him," Kane said. "[We're going to] have a good year."
Although neither Kane nor Nazar is afraid to shoot, they would both be considered pass-first types, which is why Roman Kantserov is the perfect young player to put on the other side of the line. He was one of the best KHL goal scorers last year and is trying to bring that ability to the NHL in his rookie season.
"I think he's got a lot of skill," Kane said of Kantserov. "He's very smooth. He speaks very good English; he wants to communicate too. He wants to know certain things about the game, the drills we're doing, or what I'm seeing on the ice."
Patrick Kane has been on some incredible lines throughout his career. He didn't play with Jonathan Toews at even strength much (outside of one season), but he had incredible years with guys like Artemi Panarin, Brandon Saad, Brandon Hagel, Alex DeBrincat, and many others. Now, he wants that for this line.
"As a line, we got more and more chemistry as the day went on," Kane said. "Things got better and better. I'm excited to keep building with them."
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The Vegas Golden Knights possess championship-caliber top-end talent with Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Mark Stone, but a projected total of 103.5 points demands more than star power. It requires Vegas to produce sustained regular-season excellence with one of the NHL’s oldest and most injury-sensitive cores.
Stone remains highly productive when available, delivering 73 points in only 60 games last season, but his recurring injury history makes projecting a full campaign dangerous. Vegas must also carefully manage veterans such as Alex Pietrangelo and William Karlsson, while Eichel, Marner and Tomas Hertl will be asked to carry an enormous offensive burden. It may take only one extended absence from that group to turn several regulation victories into overtime losses—or wins into losses.
Last Season’s Record Creates a Warning Sign
The Golden Knights finished 39-26-17 with 95 points last season, despite winning the Pacific Division and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. Their 17 overtime and shootout losses were the most in franchise history, showing how often Vegas struggled to finish close games in regulation.
That postseason run may now be inflating the market’s evaluation of a team that was far less dominant throughout the regular season. Vegas caught fire following its late coaching change, closing 7-0-1 under John Tortorella before carrying that momentum deep into the playoffs. Replicating that short-term surge across an entire 82-game schedule is a much more demanding assignment.
Clearing 103.5 would require at least 104 points—a nine-point improvement from last season. That is a considerable jump for an aging roster entering another transition under Ryan Craig, who must establish his system, manage veteran workloads and maintain the urgency that followed Tortorella’s arrival.
Scoring Depth and Goaltending Remain Concerns
Vegas must also replace Pavel Dorofeyev’s team-leading 37 goals. Losing that production creates a significant hole beyond the established stars, particularly if Stone, Eichel or Hertl misses time. The Golden Knights should remain dangerous on the power play, but their five-on-five depth could become a problem when the schedule compresses or injuries force younger players into larger roles.
Goaltending presents another source of volatility. Vegas allowed 250 goals last season and lacked a clearly established No. 1 capable of consistently stealing games. Average goaltending may be enough for this roster to qualify for the playoffs, but surpassing 103.5 points likely requires above-average performance in net and better results in the numerous one-goal games that defined last season.
The Pacific Division should also offer fewer soft landing spots. Edmonton remains a contender, Los Angeles is difficult to play against, and improving teams in San Jose and Anaheim should reduce the number of seemingly automatic divisional points available to Vegas. A deeper conference also makes it harder to survive ordinary stretches without surrendering valuable ground.
The Golden Knights can finish approximately 47-28-7 for 101 points, comfortably reach the playoffs and remain a legitimate Stanley Cup threat while still cashing the Under. That projection already represents a six-point improvement over last season.
This is not a bet against Vegas’ postseason ceiling. It is a wager against an older, injury-sensitive roster improving by at least nine points while replacing its leading goal scorer, adjusting to another coach and receiving more dependable goaltending over six demanding months. The Golden Knights may again become extremely dangerous in April, but asking them to produce 104-plus points before then is setting the regular-season bar too high.
The Connor Hellebuyck trade saga took another turn Thursday, as it was reported that the Carolina Hurricanes remain interested in acquiring the star goaltender, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
Per the report, Carolina has offered a package built around a first-round pick and standout young defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and that offer could still be on the table. Nikishin's situation adds an intriguing wrinkle to any potential deal.
The 24-year-old Russian defenseman remains unsigned as a restricted free agent and did not attend the first day of Hurricanes training camp after requesting a trade from Carolina this offseason, following a diminished role as the Stanley Cup playoffs wore on.
A former third-round pick in 2020, Nikishin wasn't considered a can't-miss prospect on draft day, and that history may be part of what's giving Winnipeg pause. He flashed real upside this past season, on pace for 30-point production, but the question for the Jets is just how low his floor could be if that offensive game doesn't translate consistently at the NHL level.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made clear he isn't in any rush to finalize a deal, saying "I just want to get this right."
He also didn't shut the door on a potential Hellebuyck return to Winnipeg.
"Look, no doors are closed," Cheveldayoff said. "In my estimation, he's a player that's under contract for five years, but at the end of the day, that'll be his choice."
Cheveldayoff went a step further, reiterating that the organization still views Hellebuyck as one of their own regardless of how the situation unfolds.
"Connor Hellebuyck is a part of our family until he's not a part of our family," Cheveldayoff explained.
On paper, Nikishin is an appealing add as a six-foot-three, left-shot defenseman, who just finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting, but a top-four defenseman isn't necessarily what Winnipeg is looking for.
The Jets have consistently been among the league's best defensive teams in recent years, and their more pressing need is on the other side of the puck, specifically a top-six forward, a hole that's existed since they lost Nikolaj Ehlers to Carolina in free agency last offseason.
With five years remaining on Hellebuyck's contract, a resolution that keeps him in Winnipeg is still very much in play. But if Hellebuyck continues to push for a trade out of town, the Nikishin package is one that Cheveldayoff and the rest of Jets management are said to be discussing seriously.
There's also a secondary piece that could sweeten the pot for Winnipeg in goaltender Brandon Bussi. The late-career breakout at 28 years old, who recently signed a team-friendly three-year extension carrying a $1.9 million cap hit also has no trade protection. If Bussi were attached to a deal alongside Nikishin, it could make the return significantly more appealing for a Jets team weighing its options in net and along the back end.
For now, the situation remains fluid, with Cheveldayoff signaling patience while acknowledging that all avenues, including one that sends Hellebuyck to the defending Stanley Cup champions, remain open.
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Lost amid the fact that Chris Kreider spent his first practice with the Montreal Canadiens on the first line and that Oliver Kapanen was back on the second line was the fact that Team B's players face a lot of uncertainty. Martin St-Louis could have gone for all-veteran lines for that squad as well, but he chose not to, and that might be for a couple of different reasons.
He may want to give a real audition to a player like Florian Xhekaj, who finds himself skating on a line with Josh Anderson and Phillip Danault, who will be on the opening-night roster, no questions asked. Jake Evans and Alex Newhook have their spot guaranteed as well, but it would be rather surprising to see their linemate Brett Berard make it; at this stage, he looks like a placeholder.
St-Louis might also have wanted to send a message to the players who are, for now at least, likely to be the fringe players. That’s hardly likely to be Zach Bolduc, who’s fresh off signing a 4-year, $4.2 million cap-hit contract. The ones who will really have to fight for their NHL spots are likely to be Alexandre Texier and Kirby Dach. The former is under contract for two years at $2.5 million per year, while the latter could only get a one-year deal at $3.6 million from the Canadiens.
The Habs' unwillingness to sign Dach to a $4 million qualifying offer should have already sent a clear message to the Albertan. They did tender him the qualifying offer, but by making it a two-way contract, they essentially forced him not to accept it, and the message was clear: so far, you haven't shown us you are worth $4 million a year.
In the first round of the playoffs last season, Dach faced some serious backlash after one of his mistakes cost the Canadiens a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. St- Louis came to his rescue, refused to give in to the pressure to scratch him, and even publicly said he wouldn’t give up on a player who hasn’t given up on himself. The big winger repaid him with a tremendous performance in the next game, but then faded away, and by the end of the playoffs, he was on the fourth line.
At this stage, Dach shouldn’t take anything for granted; he needs to show the coach and the team that he hasn’t given up on himself. It would be rather surprising if GM Kent Hughes didn’t try to find a new home for the winger this past summer; it feels like he did but couldn’t find a trading partner, and if that’s the case, the Habs may be tempted to send an even louder message to Dach by sending him down to Laval, much like they did with Joel Armia when his performances weren’t up to scratch. Armia was 30 years old then, though; Dach is only 25 and was picked third overall in the 2019 draft, which may ultimately save him. Hughes may not be willing to roll the dice on losing a player he acquired at high cost, sacrificing Alexander Romanov to do so.
As for Texier, he didn’t cost anything to acquire, and when he signed with the Habs after agreeing to terminate his contract with the St. Louis Blues, he had to go through waivers. His debut with the Canadiens was impressive, and he spent time on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, while Juraj Slafkovsky skated alongside Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen; now Kreider is there.
The Canadiens have a legitimate top six, and the only spot that could open up is the second-line center role if a better option than Kapanen emerges, but Texier cannot play center. Where does that leave him? He doesn’t exactly play with the grit you’d want from a bottom-six player, and he’s not an energy guy either. At this stage, it very much feels like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, but we’ll see what he can show in this express training camp.
Of course, Montreal can always just stick to the 13 forwards that have an NHL contract, but if the younger Xhekaj shows that he’s ready to take the next step and that he could bring some of that grit, that sandpaper that was missing in the playoffs, the team may be forced to make a tough decision.
Florian Xhekaj semble avoir de réelles chances de percer l’alignement du Canadien cette saison. 👀
Il semble avoir pris du coffre tout en gagnant en rapidité. Il protège également très bien la rondelle, comme on peut le constater sur cette séquence. 👀⬇️
All eyes were on Matvei Michkov as Philadelphia Flyers training camp opened up on Thursday morning, and the Russian phenom delivered in ways even we reporters didn't foresee in advance.
Much has been made of the language barrier between Michkov, 21, and his teammates and coaches, dating back to his rookie year in 2024-25 with John Tortorella.
Teammate Egor Zamula and Flyers skating coach Slava Kuznetsov served as the de facto translators for Michkov that year, and Ivan Fedotov, and briefly, Andrei Kuzmenko, were the only other Russian speakers on the roster at the time.
Last season, the Flyers had a new head coach with Rick Tocchet, Fedotov was traded in the offseason, and Egor Zamula was jettisoned in January. Michkov did have Nikita Grebenkin with him, but Grebenkin is equally inexperienced and can't be relied on as a mentor the same way Zamula was with all his experience in North America.
Heading into a very important third NHL season with the Flyers, the language barrier and English-speaking ability were outstanding question marks for Michkov, but the youngster surprisingly put those concerns to bed out of the gate.
Michkov was requested for media availability from the Group A skaters on Thursday, and we were informed that the 21-year-old would speak only in English and draw on Kuznetsov, who stood off to the side, when needed. A surprise, to be sure, but it ended up being the biggest bright spot of the day by far, and it didn't even happen on the ice.
Michkov acknowledged the difficulty of speaking English during his availability, but it didn't deter him from giving honest answers and showing off some of his personality.
"I feel good, good summer. I work all time. Work and fun, 50-50," Michkov said with a smile. "I feel really good right now, and I think me ready in season."
The Russian phenom revealed in a recent interview that he's shed 30 pounds from this time last year, coming into training camp 2025 at 205 pounds, but coming into this year at 176. Michkov already feels the difference.
"I think this is so good for me. You know, I feel right now lighter, lighter right now on ice, and more speed. Every skill, more speed, better speed. This is hard work, too," Michkov added. "I eat right now just good food, but no fast food. You know, no sugar, but no... little bit, maybe day off. I like chocolate, but day off, just day off!"
That personality, even in broken English, will connect Michkov with fans and doubters alike just by organically communicating through us in the media.
He's able to, more or less, say what he really thinks, and on his own terms.
Michkov cleared a major mental and social hurdle
Matvei Michkov celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn images)
You can tell that Michkov listens intently and seeks to understand, even when he knows he may not.
For example, I asked Michkov what his experience was like training with Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev in Russia this summer. He recognized the players' names and nodded his head to show he understood, and asked Kuznetsov what "experience" meant.
"This is a good experience for me. Thank you Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev, messaged me, and so good guys, so good players," Michkov answered. "Just NHL guys who from in Russia, and we work the same. Hands, skills, a little bit skating, and this is good for me, too."
Michkov concluded his interview acknowledging his progress from Year 1 with Tortorella and the Flyers to today.
"I know now a little bit better English. My first years so hard for me. I stay in Philly zero level English, second year a little bit better, now a little bit better more," Michkov assessed. "This is my first interview in English. This is hard for me, guys, sorry. I feel much better now. You know, I think Philly, this is my second home, and I feel the same. My first and second home, I feel the same, same good, so good. Thank you everybody for support and the atmosphere."
It was a long time coming for Michkov, who braved the cameras, the language barrier, and the uncertainty to try something new.
This was a social hurdle Michkov needed to clear on his own terms, and doing so would only benefit him on and off the ice. He can communicate with his coaches and teammates better and ask questions when needed.
As a reporter, I've been there, too, learning to ask questions and assert myself. It's still a work in progress, so I can empathize.
But you can always control your effort and what you do, and Michkov put forth his best effort Thursday on and off the ice, impressing teammates, coaches, and media all the same.
"I think that's a big step for him. We encourage him to come out. I don't think he needs a translator all the time. We want to take the safety net out under him and I think he did a hell of a job," Tocchet said of Michkov after practice concluded.
"Going up to coaches on his own and things like that, we got to create that culture for him. He doesn't need people around him to tell, I think he knows. And it's the only way to learn, and he wants it. He wants to learn that way, too. It's good for us."
Earlier in the day, during the skating portion to end the Group A session, Michkov appeared to ask Denver Barkey and Jack Studnicka to lead off the second lap, and he did so keeping pace with his peers the whole way, even after blowing a tire on a tight turn around one of the nets.
"It's just the first day," Tocchet said. "But you can tell he's lighter and he looks stronger skating, like the stride's longer. You watch the laps, when guys start getting tired, their stride is choppier, and his was still elongated. That's a good sign."
By all accounts, Michkov passed his first tests of Flyers training camp with flying colors.
Of course, with only four preseason games and a shorter training camp overall, it will be up to Michkov to keep it going into the season and make his progress count for something, but a major breakout for the Flyers seems likelier than ever after Day 1.
As the players get ready for Day 2 of camp, some news and notes to know!
The Penguins are looking to repeat last year’s success of making the playoffs but know it won’t come easy. [Tribune Review]
This power ranking isn’t buying in, Pens check in at No. 23. [Sportsnet]
It’s going to be an uphill climb for youngsters like Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes and Owen Pickering to crack the opening night NHL roster but all are going to put their best foot forward in hopes of earning a spot. [The Athletic $]
More notes and observations from yesterday’s first day of camp. [Post-Gazette]
All the best wishes and vibes for Dave Molinari, who had a positive piece of news in a recent update in his ongoing battle with cancer. He’s been brave to document it all and put his story out there, we’re all hoping he gets to write a very happy ending. [Substack]
Sidney Crosby sent in a video about Marc-Andre Fleury that was touching for Fleury’s QMJHL Hall of Fame ceremony. [Reddit]
Crosby is about to become the longest tenured captain in NHL history in his 20th season. [Reddit]
Jason Spezza confirms 20-year old defenseman Tomas Galvas will get a look in training camp and head back to Czechia for the season if he doesn’t make the NHL roster. [X – Pens Inside Scoop]
Elmer Soderblom got bumped to the last practice group after being late yesterday. We’ll have to see how long he stays there. [X – Josh Yohe]
Up in Toronto, 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna started training camp on a line with William Nylander and John Tavares. Sounds decent. [NHL]
David Pastrnak didn’t have to rehab anything this summer for a first time in a while, which could lead to an even bigger season than normal. [NHL]
The family of Arizona State player Matthew Mayich, now on life support after a team workout gone wrong, is speaking out with frankly more strength and grace than I’d have in the situation. They’re asking for visibility and prayers, so that’s the least we can do. [Sportsnet]
Jets players sound a lot more sad than angry about Connor Hellebuyck deciding to leave them high and dry. [TSN]
Five long-time NHL officials have retired and won’t be back this season. Profiling them here. [Scouting the Refs]
Columbus coach Rick Bowness didn’t mince words with his displeasure about two unnamed players coming into camp in subpar shape after very directly being told what programs they were supposed to work over the summer. [TSN]
Day one of training camp is in the books for the New York Rangers, and after months of speculation, we got our first breadcrumbs about what the opening-night roster could look like.
Here’s all you need to know from the first day of training camp
Gabe Perreault, Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière reunite:
Mike Sullivan went back to a winning formula on Thursday, reuniting Gabe Perreault, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafrenière on a line.
For a stretch late in the 2025-26 season, these three forwards found success playing alongside each other and provided the Rangers with consistent offensive production they had not gotten all year long.
Perreault is slated to take on a larger top-six role as he heads into his first NHL season and by the looks of the team’s first practice, it appears as if he’ll indeed start the season as a top-six forward.
“We thought they had pretty good chemistry, so I think just from a common sense standpoint, it would make sense to maybe see where it goes,” Sullivan said.
The case to pair Zibanejad with Pavel Dorofeyev is certainly enticing and could be explored as camp progresses, but the fact that he started training camp playing with Perreault and Lafrenière may be a sign of things to come, and Sullivan confirmed that he wants to keep the same lines and defensive pairings for at least a couple of days.
“I'd like to give them a couple of practices, maybe a couple inter-squads, and see where it goes. I think it's obvious we started there for a reason,” Sullivan said. “We'll learn along the way, and we'll figure out based on what we see, based on some of the conversations we have with the players involved, we'll get their feedback also, and then we'll try to make the best decisions for the team.”
J.T. Miller centers line with Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand:
After thriving playing alongside Jack Eichel in Vegas, Pavel Dorofeyev opened up camp with J.T. Miller as his new center.
Miller fluctuated from the wing to center last season, but playing his natural position down the middle is more beneficial to him, and having Dorofeyev on the wing could help him recapture his offensive game.
“J.T. is a versatile guy,” Sullivan said. “I think his playmaking ability is probably undervalued. He sees the ice pretty well, I think he has an ability to distribute the puck. I think J.T. brings a physical element to the downlow-grind game that I think he can drag his linemates into a little bit, so they can create some offense in different ways.
“I think Pav is a guy that could obviously score goals, and so we wanted to see what that looks like.”
Oliver Bjorkstrand, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Rangers this offseason, complimented Miller and Dorofeyev, as Sullivan praised Bjorkstrand’s ability to score goals.
While Dorofeyev played on the right side during Thursday’s practice, Sullivan has plans to try out Dorofeyev at both right and left wing.
“I know he can play both,” Sullivan said of Dorofeyev. “From talking to him, talking to some of his former coaches, I know he can play both sides. I think a lot of it is going to come down to what we think is the best fit based on the combinations that we put together.
“So we're going to explore different options to figure out how we can create the balance that we think is necessary to win consistently, but also to set players up for success, him included. I would anticipate probably seeing him on both sides throughout the course of the next couple of weeks.”
Will Cuylle Set To Play A Third-Line Role:
The Rangers’ third line on Thursday consisted of Will Cuylle, Noah Laba, and new addition Eeli Tolvanen, with Taylor Raddysh also filling in.
Sullivan felt that last season Cuylle played his best hockey in a third-line role playing alongside Noah Laba, and now that the Rangers have added more depth to their top-six forward unit, it gives them the ability to utilize Cuylle on the bottom six, a position that he’s better suited to thrive in.
“I thought Will Cuylle played some of his best hockey with Laba last year,” Sullivan emphasized. “When you put a guy like Will on the third line, so to speak, it creates I think, a scoring threat, a physical presence, more balance through our lineup that makes us harder to play against. You potentially get more advantageous matchups. I think there are advantages to having balance. Will Cuylle with Laba, it strengthens that top nine as opposed to that top six.”
Tolvanen signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Blueshirts late in the offseason, and he provides an element of speed and physicality to a line that is centered around those two traits.
This newly assembled line brought a strong physical presence on Thursday, specifically shown on a hit delivered by Cuylle on Lafrenière.
Joe Veleno and Tye Kartye create a speedy fourth line:
Sullivan looks to be prioritizing speed on the fourth line with a duo of Joe Veleno and Tye Kartye.
The Rangers went out and signed Veleno to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, and based on the team’s first practice, it appears as if he’s the frontrunner to land the fourth-line center role.
Kartye mostly played on the third line after being claimed off waivers in February, and he provided an instant spark to the team.
Sullivan noted the increase in speed to the bottom-six forward unit, specifically provided by Veleno and Kartye.
“I think we got faster in the bottom six in particular,” Sullivan said. “Veleno, he can really skate. We added Tye Kartye at the end of the year. Tye could really skate, he’s a dog on the bone with the puck.”
Jaroslav Chmelař and Matt Rempe rotated for that last fourth-line spot.
Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson make up the second defensive pairing:
When the Rangers acquired both Durzi and Pettersson this summer, it was widely speculated that they would be paired together.
That was the case on Thursday. Durzi and Pettersson made up the Rangers’ second pairing behind Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov.
Sullivan and Chris Drury emphasized the Rangers’ need for a puck-moving defensemen that is exactly what Durzi and Pettersson provide.
“You look at our defense core, adding Marcus Pettersson, adding Durzi. We tried them together out there today, and I thought they looked really good,” Sullivan said. “I think both of them have an ability to move the puck, go tape-to-tape, I think that is really going to help us.
“Exiting out of our end, maybe getting out a little bit cleaner. If we can get the puck in motion, if we can get the puck with speed, I think it should help us off the rush. I think these guys are good players that will make our group stronger back there.”
Alberts Šmits being given a real shot to make the NHL roster:
During Wednesday’s press conference, Sullivan made it abundantly clear that Šmits will be given a real opportunity to make the Rangers’ opening-night roster.
"Yes, he has a chance to make the team,” Sullivan said of Šmits. “We have to make sure that we do the right thing for him.”
Sullivan put his words into action, placing Šmits on the third defensive pairing alongside Braden Schneider.
If this is an indication of anything, it is that the 2026 fifth overall pick is seriously being looked at to fill a roster spot come Sept. 29 in Boston to kick off the regular season.
“I thought he had a pretty strong first day. I think the thing that jumps out at me right away is just his physical stature. He's big and strong, winning puck battles, but when he passes the puck, he snaps it hard, which I think is a very evident thing with NHL players.That’s one thing I noticed right away being on the ice with him, he snaps pucks. It's on and off his tape. We obviously had him paired with Schneids today. I thought he had a good first day. I thought he didn’t look out of place by any stretch.”
Matthew Robertson, who’s Šmits’ main competition for that third-pairing left-handed defensemen spot, was paired with Scott Morrow as alternates, but given Robertson’s role with the Rangers last season, all indications point toward him still having an edge over Šmits for now.
Rangers Open To Carrying Three Goalies To Start The Season:
The Rangers’ backup goaltending position is up for grabs, with Dylan Garand and Joonas Korpisalo competing for that spot.
The retirement of Jonathan Quick left a void for the backup spot behind Igor Shesterkin, and despite Dylan Garand making a strong impression when he was called up from the American Hockey League at the tail end of the 2025-26 campaign, the Rangers still went out of their way to acquire Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins.
While there still may be a competition between Garand and Korpisalo for the rights to backup Shesterkin, Sullivan hasn’t ruled out carrying both goalies on the roster to open up the season.
“Is that an option that is on the table for us, yes,” Sullivan said of the Rangers potentially carrying three goalies on the roster. “It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. I think it's very manageable in the short term. I don't think it's in the best interest of the guys in the long term for obvious reasons.”
Korpisalo practiced with the Rangers’ main group, consisting mostly of NHL players on Thursday, while Garand practiced with most of the players expected to play for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
