While there are plenty of teams trying to take the next step right now and the competition to land quality centers is fierce, a new option has just landed on the market, and it’s an option that has proven chemistry with Montreal Canadiens’ rookie Ivan Demidov.

Last season in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, Demidov spent time skating alongside former NHL player Evgeny Kuznetsov. After finishing his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023-24, the pivot decided to sign a new contract with the Raleigh-based outfit with a $3.9 M AAV. Still, days later, the parties mutually decided to part ways, and he was put on unconditional waivers.

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The Russian then headed back home to Russia, where he signed a four-year pact with SKA on July 24, 2024. In 39 games under Roman Rotenberg, the pivot put up 37 points, picked up 38 penalty minutes, and finished his season with a plus-13 rating. However, in early April, the club and the player agreed to part ways, and the contract was terminated.

On Thursday, Kuznetsov’s agent Shumi Babaev announced that his client has decided he wants to return to the NHL next season, and he has reportedly already had talks with multiple teams who could potentially be interested.

The 33-year-old has played 743 games in the NHL with the Washington Capitals and the Hurricanes, picking up 575 points in the process. His most productive campaigns came skating alongside fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin when he gathered 83 points in 79 games. That was in the 2017-18 season, when the Caps won the Stanley Cup. In these playoffs, he scored 32 points in just 24 games. However, Ovechkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 27 points, including 15 goals.

The end of Kuznetzov’s tenure in Washington was a rocky one, as he joined the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in February 2024. There hasn’t been any confirmation as to what prompted him to enter the program, but he was banned from playing for Russia for four years in 2019 following a positive drug test for cocaine. That same year, he was also suspended for three NHL games for “inappropriate conduct”.

After he was cleared to return, the Caps placed him on waivers, where he went unclaimed and was assigned to Hershey in the AHL before being traded to Carolina. There’s no denying that Kuznetsov could be an interesting option for Demidov on the ice, but only if his issues with the ice are behind him.

Given what Jeff Gorton said to the media on Thursday about not being careful not to bring a player that wouldn’t be a good fit in the room, the Canadiens would have to be satisfied that there is no chance of his behavior becoming an issue.

Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

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

Hertl is currently back home in his native Czechia with his family, training for the upcoming season. Recently, he was interviewed by Hokej.cz journalist Ondřej Mach, whose piece was published on Friday morning in Europe. In it, Hertl spoke about the speculation about him heading to the Carolina Hurricanes, his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in March, and his off-season with the family in Prague.

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

Do you appreciate the Golden Knights GM reaching out to you?
“Yeah, that was nice. Everyone was writing to me that I was going to Carolina and I didn’t know why, based on our conversations after the season had ended. Vegas is one of those aggressive teams, so nobody has anything 100 percent certain, whether it’s Jack Eichel or whoever. They want to win, they have a quality team, and they make big moves. We’ll see what happens in the free agent market in a week.”

Are you happy with how your first full season in Sin City went?
“I would have been happier if we’d lasted longer in the playoffs. But after the start, when I was getting used to playing with new guys and a new team, things started to click around December. I found my line and the team was playing great. Plus, we had one of the best power plays in the league. Everything was going great until I got injured 10 games before the playoffs. That was an unfortunate moment – I was worried that I wouldn’t even get back in time for the playoffs. The first round was good, then the second against Edmonton… I didn’t score a goal, even though I had some decent games … but (scoring) was expected of me, so that was a disappointment.”

REPORT: 'Smoke' Surrounding Possible Golden Knights and Hurricanes Trade Involving Tomas HertlThe Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly working on a trade that would send Tomas Hertl to the Hurricanes. 

During the playoffs, were you taking any anesthetics?
“A little bit. That comes with the territory, and you don’t even think about it. Of course, I would have preferred not to have gotten injured. I had scored two hat tricks in two weeks (prior to the injury), was scoring goals, and I could have reached a new (career) high. It would have been better if it hadn’t happened.”

When you mentioned the setup in the Vegas organization, do you feel the pressure to succeed? In eight years in the league, the Golden Knights have made it to the finals twice and won the Stanley Cup.
“The first year, they were lucky to (make the finals). But the organization is set up that way, it works great. The general manager goes for it every year; he takes advantage of the gaps in the salary cap. Like Tampa. They don’t rely on drafting a player who will be good in two or three years. That’s why I was really happy to go there. Careers are getting shorter, and you want to be on a team where you can win something.”

Radim Zohorna Signs With Swedish ClubCzech forward Radim Zohorna, 29, has signed a two-year contract with Färjestad BK, the SHL club announced on Friday.

Are you 100 percent healthy yet? The injury didn’t let you go to the World Championship.
“Yeah, it’s fine. It doesn’t limit me at all. Now I have the whole summer to strengthen my shoulder, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I should be 100 percent. It’s just a matter of strengthening it, but according to the doctors, and how I feel, I should be fine.

Is the preparation for the upcoming season in full swing?
“I don’t take any big time off. I’m happy to keep going. The kids keep me up to speed, but I’m already in preparation – I’m training with Radim Zohorna and Martin Nečas, like I have for the last three years. I’m in the gym for now and I’m going to the ice soon. And I’m also doing some sports around here.”

And are you planning to relax somewhere by the sea?
“We’re not flying anywhere; we’re more staying around home. When the 4 Nations were played in February, we went on vacation. We have a lot going on now – we have some weddings to go to in the next four weeks. Maybe we’ll take a long weekend, but for now we’d rather have some family time at home in Prague.”

© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Martin Nečas: “I’m ready for anything” A restricted free agent, Martin Nečas has been the focus of trade rumors the entire off-season, and now he has elected for salary arbitration.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is one of the NHL's most-talked-about trade candidates right now. With the Penguins retooling their roster, the veteran winger has naturally been the subject of trade speculation. 

The Penguins are not in a position where they need to rush a potential move, though, as Rust has a bargain $5.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. However, he also just had a big season, so it is fair to wonder if the Penguins could take advantage of his heightened trade value. 

During the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman named the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets as two teams that are likely interested in Rust.

"I think there has been a lot of interest in Bryan Rust, and for good reason," Friedman said. "It wouldn't surprise me if Buffalo was one of those teams, too. Don't know if it will happen, but I think there are a lot of teams looking at that guy. I would think Columbus would be another... But someone told me that Buffalo was one of the teams around Rust."

32 Thoughts Draft day pod: what we are hearing...and expertise from @Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino. (Not buying the Darnell Nurse noise.)

Please forgive Kyle if he sounds tired...has good reason.

Links to your preferred platform, here:https://t.co/io7Mr1RceU Enjoy!

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2025

Hearing that the Sabres are reportedly interested in Rust is not surprising in the slightest. After trading JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, they have a clear hole in their top six, and Rust would undoubtedly fix it. In addition, he would give the Sabres another impactful veteran forward to help mentor their younger players, which is a clear need for them as they look to turn things around. 

When looking at Columbus' lineup, it is fair to argue that they could use a player like Rust, too. He would certainly give the Blue Jackets' top six and power play a major boost if acquired. Furthermore, with the Blue Jackets on the rise, bringing in a star like Rust could help them take that next step and get back into the playoffs. 

NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Have Prime Target In Utah ForwardThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster. While there certainly is a chance that they could end up trading away some of their key players before the off-season is done, they also should not be afraid to acquire players who could help them in the long term.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

With the Draft about to take place in Los Angeles, our weekly "Ask The Maven" is all about a past draftee. Edwin Slim of Port Jervis sends this one for Stan:

WHO WOULD YOU NAME AS THE ALL-TIME WORST NO. 1 DRAFT CHOICE? The Maven Responds:  Check the date – June 26, 1993, a good 32 years ago, minus one day – when the Draft was held in Quebec City. Picking first, the Ottawa Senators selected forward Alexandre Daigle. 

A Montreal native, Daigle had starred in the Quebec Major Junior League and was so highly-touted that the Senators signed him to a five-year deal worth $12.5 million. That instantly made him one of the NHL's highest-paid players. Feeling his oats,l Daigle delivered a deathless line:

"I'm glad I finished first because no one remembers number two."

As it happened, Daigle's career was eminently forgettable. After five mediocre NHL seasons, Alex move to Philadelphia on a downward spiral which ended four years later. A brief NHL comeback in 2003-04 with Minnesota lasted a season.

In all fairness, Daigle did total 327 NHL points, but that's not the point. His build-up led to a colossal letdown. And, as far as his wisecrack about nobody remembering No. 2, it so happened to be Chris Pronger, a future Hall of Famer.

Which is a roundabout way of saying Alexandre Daigle is my choice as the "Worst No. 1 Draft Choice."

Forgettable, yet unforgettable.

The NHL draft weekend is when trade activity involving established players usually occurs.

Here's a brief look at the notable trade candidates heading into this year's draft. 

Noah Dobson, New York Islanders: Ethan Sears of the New York PostreportsIslanders GM Mathieu Darche hasn't pivoted from trying to re-sign Dobson to trading him. Nevertheless, a recent report claiming the 25-year-old defenseman seeks an $11-million cap hit on his next contract has stoked some trade speculation. The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner said there's word the St. Louis Blues poked around about Dobson, while The Athletic's Chris Johnston claimed the Montreal Canadiens are among the interested teams as well. 

Bowen Byram, Buffalo Sabres: The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington believes the 24-year-old defenseman could be shopped for a top-six forward to replace recently traded right winger JJ Peterka. He's an RFA with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.85 million. TSN's Darren Dreger suggests the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche could have him on their radar.

Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues: Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatchcited Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli putting the 26-year-old right winger at No. 2 on his trade targets list. He acknowledged Kyrou's value to the Blues but indicated his trade value has never been higher. The Hockey News' Michael DeRosa also notes Kyrou's no-trade clause begins on July 1 and lasts through 2029-30. The Blues are deep on the wing but need help at center.

Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins: Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports the 35-year-old defenseman is open to waiving his no-movement clause for a contender. However, his hefty contract (including a $5-million signing bonus due July 1) remains a significant sticking point. THN.com's Kelsey Surmacz also noted the Penguins are already thin on their blueline.

Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars: Conflicting reports in recent weeks claim the Stars are entertaining trade offers or have no plans to move the 25-year-old left winger. After re-signing Jamie Benn, the Stars have less than $1 million in cap space, which could make Robertson a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames: Recent contract extension talks between the two sides reportedly didn't go well. RG.Org's Marco D'Amico reports the Flames are taking trade calls about Andersson. The 28-year-old defenseman is a year away from UFA eligibility. D'Amico listed the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Canadiens and Boston Bruins among the potential suitors.

K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers: The 25-year-old defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights, but he's also been a fixture in the rumor mill since the Rangers' season ended in April. The latest speculation linked Miller to the Blue Jackets, who could use a left-side defenseman if Ivan Provorov heads to free agency on July 1.

Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton Oilers: The 32-year-old right winger has a year on his contract with an average annual value of $4.4 million and a full no-movement clause. However, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports his agent is working with the Oilers to find a suitable trade destination as the club seeks to free up more cap space.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Insider reports suggest New York has narrowed down Noah Dobson sweepstakes to Montreal and Columbus

We expected some fireworks on draft day this year and it looks like we're about to get a massive move with the New York Islanders reportedly down to two suitors in a potential deal for defenceman Noah Dobson. 

Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) on XNew, for @TheAthletic: Sources say the Noah Dobson sweepstakes is down to two teams ... Montreal and Columbus ... with a deal expected to come together soon 🔗⬇️ https://t.co/zPjwPPv4GR https://t.co/zPjwPPv4GR

We had been hearing lots of rumors over the past few days as to who would land the 25-year-old Summerside native with the final two teams being the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets.

David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) on XColumbus and Montreal have been discussing their first rounders with teams. Habs have picks 16+17, Blue Jackets have picks 14+20. If a team trades one or both, a roster player may join the package. Voronkov may be in play from CBJ end.

The deal could be huge for betting markets as one of the two teams will land a former 70-point producer at one point and could elevate a squad into playoff contention. This also opens the door for the Islanders to potentially trade up and draft their hometown kid James Hagens out of Boston College.

Montreal made the postseason this past year and with the addition of a player like Dobson, we could easily pencil them in to be playoff contenders once again. Columbus appeared to be a playoff team early in the season with a late season slide taking them out of the running. 

The Blue Jackets with Dobson would certainly be in the playoff picture and could make them a great value bet to make the playoffs. 

More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2003-2008 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2009-2016

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 2017-2021 

2022: Joakim Kemell (forward, 17th overall) 

With the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Predators selected the second-best European skater in the class, Finnish forward Joakim Kemell. 

He played for JYP Jyväskylä in the Finnish Elite League during his draft year, scoring 23 points in 39 games. Kemell also played for Finland at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring 12 points in seven games and winning a Silver Medal. 

After being drafted, Kemell returned to JYP Jyväskylä, where he recorded 15 points in 43 games. He'd later join the Admirals toward the tail end of the season, scoring 14 points in 13 games. 

Since arriving in North America, Kemell has made significant progress and has become one of the Admirals' top producers. This past season, he had 40 points in 65 games and eight points in 10 playoff games. 

It was the second straight season in which Kemell registered 40+ points in Milwaukee. He also made his debut with the Predators last season, appearing in two games. 

Based on Kemell's progress, this could really be a breakout year for the forward and he could possibly earn a full-time spot in Nashville. 

2023: Matthew Wood (forward, 15th overall) 

Matthew Wood was greeted by an ovation from fans as he was selected by the 2023 NHL Draft host, the Nashville Predators, when he was selected 15th overall. 

At 6-foot-5-inches and 205 pounds from the University of Connecticut, which sounds more like an NBA lineup announcement, Wood scored 34 points in 35 games in his first collegiate season.

He'd spend two more years in the NCAA, playing with the Huskies for the 2023-24 season and scoring 28 points in 35 games. He transferred to the University of Minnesota for the 2024-25 season, recording 39 points in 39 games. 

Wood also made his Predators debut last season, recording one point in six games. 

Wood has been putting up consistent, strong numbers over the last three years in the NCAA. It'll be interesting to see if he can translate that play in a longer professional campaign next year, whether that be with Nashville or Milwaukee. 

2023: Tanner Molendyk (defenseman, 24th overall) 

A trade with the Edmonton Oilers in February 2023, sending Mattias Ekholm and a sixth-round pick to the Oilers for a first-round pick, a fourth-round pick, Tyson Barrie and Reid Schaefer, gave Nashville Tanner Molendyk at 24th overall. 

Molendyk sold himself as an offensively minded defenseman, scoring 37 points in 67 games with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League. He'd return to the Blades for the 2023-24 season, netting an impressive 56 points in 50 games.

This past season, he was traded from Saskatoon to the Medicine Hat Tigers. His production didn't fall off as he scored a combined 47 points in 49 games in the regular season. In the playoffs, he scored 20 points in 18 games, won the WHL Championship, and advanced all the way to the Memorial Cup Final. 

Exhausting his junior eligibility, this is going to be a big year for Molendyk, arriving in the Predators system. He's proven to be a force in juniors, and if he can translate his game to the professional level, the sky is the limit for Molendyk. 

2024: Yegor Surin (center, 22nd overall) 

The future is slowly falling into place for the Predators after four strong first-round picks, capped off by Russian center Yegor Surin in 2024. 

Selected 22nd overall, Surin spent the majority of his draft year with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv's junior team, scoring 52 points in 42 games and logging 108 penalty minutes.

With a 6-foot-2-inch, 198-pound build, he could be the center the Predators have been looking for. 

He returned to Russia this season and played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv's KHL team, achieving tremendous success. Surin scored 14 points in 41 regular season games, seven points in 19 games and won the Gagarin Cup at just 18 years old. 

Surin still has one year left on his contract with Lokomotiv, which is set to expire on May 31, 2026. 

The 2025 NHL Draft is just hours away, and Don Waddell holds two first-round picks. He prefers not to use them and to instead trade them to improve his team, so what will he do? 

Another day, another rumor, and they won't stop until this is over. 

RG.org's Marco D'Amico reports that the CBJ are not only interested in Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but have "been in on him for a while now," and that "it goes back to the trade deadline. He’s one of a few guys I know Don is following up on.”

D’Amico also says that Waddell is pushing hard for Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson, but Elliotte Friedman says the Jackets won't be players for Dobson. 

Waddell told the media yesterday that he's had trade talks with a few teams and could move up 8th or higher range. He said yesterday, “We’ll make our hockey club better for today, but we’ve also got to guard the future. So, if we end up keeping both (first-round) picks and picking them, then we’ll get players for the future. I’m still pretty confident there’s something that’s going to break here before the draft, and if it happens, great. If it doesn’t, we’ll move forward."

One of D'Amico's sources also told him, “It’s no secret that Don wants to improve his goaltending. I know they’ve talked to the Canucks about [Thatcher] Demko before, but it seems like the Canucks may sign him to an extension. So what about [Arturs] Šilovs?"

The Canucks have a goalie problem of their own in that they have too many, so why not use one as trade bait? I suspect Šilovs is off the table, so would Waddel pursue Thatcher Demko? The American goaltender has had some injury concerns, but could still be a really good goalie. 

Kevin Lankinen probably isn't going anywhere either. 

With all this goalie talk, Waddell still has one problem - What to do with Elvis Merzļikins? That's the $5.4 million question. 

If you follow the Columbus Blue Jackets, get ready for the next two days as the moves could make your head spin. 

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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Blue Jackets Acquire Brendan Gaunce From WildThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have acquired Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild today in exchange for forward Cameron Butler.  Daniil Tarasov Traded To Florida PanthersPierre LeBrun has reported that goalie Daniil Tarasov has been traded to the Florida Panthers today.  REPORT: NHL, NHLPA Set To Announce New CBA On FridayIf you're an old NHL fan like me, when CBA's are brought up, it immediately gives me anxiety. In 2004, an NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of the entire season, which revolved around a salary cap. That lockout is the reason the Blue Jackets are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 25-26, instead of last season.  Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 NHL Mock DraftWelcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Mock Draft.

Florida Panthers pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) Aaron Ekblad remains without a contract extension, with July 1 rapidly approaching. If this does not change by then, he will become a UFA and would be an incredibly popular target around the league. 

In a recent episode of TSN Insider Trading, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said that he believes Aaron Ekblad is the Panthers' pending UFA most likely to test the market on July 1. In addition, he named the Utah Mammoth and Dallas Stars as two teams who could sign him if he becomes available. 

"Aaron Ekblad, I think, is the pending UFA that ends up going to market," LeBrun said. "I'm not saying that 100%, but that's where signs are right now. Terms has been an issue there. Potential landing spots in Utah and Dallas, depending on what those teams do on the trade market."

 

INSIDER TRADING…

- Isles listening on Dobson
- Panthers make offers to top 3 UFAs
- Could Byram be next out of BUF?
- Leafs inching towards Tavares extension
- VGK aggressively looking to add
- Latest on Stars
- Boeser player of interest to Jets

WATCH: https://t.co/2SsBM6zxY3pic.twitter.com/cOdvYFEzgq

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 26, 2025

The Mammoth pursuing Ekblad would certainly make a lot of sense. They are a club on the rise, looking to get into the playoffs, and they recently traded right-shot defenseman Michael Kesselring to the Buffalo Sabres in the JJ Peterka trade. Thus, they could use another top-four, right-shot defenseman. If Ekblad signed in Utah, he would instantly become their top right-shot blueliner. 

The Stars being interested in Ekblad would also be understandable, as it is no secret that the right side of their defense is their biggest weakness right now. However, they also have very little cap space, so they would need to move out some salary to have any chance of bringing in a star blueliner like Ekblad. 

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Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres pulled off the first of what is expected to be a series of trades early Thursday morning, swapping restricted free agent winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but going into NHL Draft day on Friday, GM Kevyn Adams is focused on fielding offers for RFA defenseman Bowen Byram

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the Vegas Golden Knights have interest in Byram, who have questions on the blueline due to the injury status of Alex Pietrangelo and RFA blueliner Nicolas Hague, but the Golden Knights may have to do some cap cutting by trading players if they want to add Byram and be in the bidding war for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner.  

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Friedman indicated that the market for Byram had been not as brisk as the Sabres would have liked. The 23-year-old is a top pairing caliber defenseman who can rush the puck. That could be because as an RFA, a club trading for Byram would not only have to trade NHL players to acquire him (which is what Buffalo is looking for in return), and would have to sign him to a long-term extension for significant dollars. 

Sabres winger Alex Tuch’s name has been speculated on, but Friedman said that Buffalo is looking to extend the veteran forward when he becomes eligible on July 1. He also mentioned that Buffalo may have inquired about two-time Stanley Cup winner Bryan Rust, who reportedly is being shopped by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 33-year-old scored a career-high 31 goals last season for the Pens, does not have any no-trade protection, and is signed for three more years at $5.125 million per season.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

As multiple outlets reported yesterday, including RG.org’s Marco D’Amico and Journal de Quebec’s Kevin Dube, the Montreal Canadiens are very interested in right-shot blueliner Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, and they’ve even made an offer. Furthermore, according to TVA Sports’ Anthony Martineau, the 25-year-old defenseman would have Montreal at the top of his list of destinations, although he has no leverage to choose where he will land.

The Islanders’ first-round pick and 12th overall at the 2018 draft has already proven he can be successful in the NHL. In the 2023-24 season, he even put up 70 points in 79 games, but this last season, his production was way down with just 29 points in 71 games, and perhaps that’s where the issue is for the Isles. The Canadiens' interest in Dobson should come as no surprise since he had previously been identified as a potential target.

Who Could Fall To The Canadiens According To Craig Button
Canadiens May Recalibrate Target
Could The Canadiens Swing A Big Trade With The Golden Knights?

Dobson is set to become an RFA on July 1, and according to Andy Strickland, a journalist covering the St. Louis Blues, the rearguard wants a contract that would pay him over $10 million per season. Why is a St. Louis-based journalist reporting this? Simply because the Canadiens are not the only team interested in adding Dobson to their roster, the Blues and the Columbus Blue Jacketsare also deep in talks with Mathieu Darche to try to land the blueliner.

Whichever way you look at it, acquiring Dobson will not be cheap; this is not a Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers kind of deal, nor will it be a Ryan Poehling and two picks type of return. Dobson’s stock on the market is much higher than that of the former Anaheim Ducks forward who had been on the trade block for a long time. In addition to the acquisition cost, the contract cost will also be a factor, given the reported asking price.

The amount sought by Dobson makes his availability at least more logical. Lou Lamoriello had reportedly been interested in trading him for some time, and when Darche took over, we wondered if the defenseman would still be available. The Islanders’ new GM has not publicly stated that he is entertaining offers for himself. Still, neither has he come out to say he isn’t going anywhere, unlike he did in Bob Horvat and Matthew Barzal’s cases, which leads me to believe that he is indeed seriously considering a deal.

The Islanders may be on the clock here as well, because while they will retain Dobson’s rights come July 1, he would be a prime candidate for an offer sheet given how much of a hot commodity he is. New York currently has just under $21 million in cap space, but only has 17 of 23 contracts signed, with Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Simon Holmstrom, and Maxim Tsyplakov all needing new deals. All of these players are arbitration-eligible, but that process is never good for a team’s relationship with an athlete. Sitting in a room telling an arbitrator why the player isn’t as good or worth as much as he thinks he is for hours is hardly a pleasant experience, and it should be avoided whenever possible.

If Darche were to trade Dobson, he would get himself some breathing room to sign the remaining members of his team. He could receive players who are likely to help sooner rather than later, and it could be at a reasonable cost, especially if they are still in their ELC contract.

Which brings me to the Canadiens’ likely offer, but to land Dobson, Montreal would probably need to trade one or even two of its first-round picks at the upcoming draft. Given that Dobson is a right-shot defenseman, one of the top prospects at the position. Which could mean either Logan Mailloux or David Reinbacher. I get the sense that Montreal would be more open to sacrificing Mailloux, who’s the most NHL-ready of the two, but Reinbacher’s ceiling is likely higher than his teammate’s with the Laval Rocket.

Logan Mailloux scores on the powerplay with a rocket of a shot. Tie game. #LavalRocketpic.twitter.com/nHFToSc59H

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) May 14, 2025

Given the fact that there are plenty of suitors to acquire Dobson, the price would more than likely involve another one of the organization’s top prospects, and Owen Beck would seem like a good candidate. I don’t see Montreal even entertaining the idea of offering Michael Hage at this stage, considering his offensive ceiling is likely higher than Beck’s. Could the Islanders ask for Arber Xhekaj in the deal as well? I wouldn't exclude that possibility since they lost some grit and physicality with Matt Martin's retirement. 

If the Canadiens were to be the winning bidder, however, what would signing Dobson mean financially? If they pull the trigger on the trade, it will be because they know they’ll be able to sign the player long-term, and with his asking price, he would instantly become the Habs’ highest-paid player.

For those saying he shouldn’t be earning more than Nick Suzuki, it’s time to let go of that concept. The captain’s contract was signed back in 2021 in a post-COVID flat cap world. It’s already impressive that Kent Hughes managed to keep Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky under that number.

Last year, the salary cap stood at $88 M. This upcoming season, it will be at $95.5M, the year after that at $104 M and finally, in 2027-28 it will be set at $113.5 M. What that means it that there will be bigger salaries and more players earning more money. Suppose the Canadiens believe that Dobson is the right fit both on and off the ice and are comfortable offering him a contract exceeding $10M. In that case, it will necessarily mean that Lane Hutson will be seeking a similar, if not even higher, deal. Given the fact that Kaiden Guhle is locked in for five years at $5.55 M, it wouldn’t necessarily be unreasonable to entertain the thought of having your two top-pairing defenseman earn 10-plus million in this new financial context.

We are getting ahead of ourselves here, as Dobson hasn’t been traded to Montreal yet, but I fully expect that we’ll know sooner rather than later who the Dobson-derby winner is.

Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

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The Chicago Blackhawks have some talented young players. A lot of them, however, are defensemen. Although they have some high-end talent, the forward depth in the organization isn't as strong.

Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar have the highest ceiling, but they are both undersized offensive players. The Blackhawks would like to add a little more skill to join those guys, and they would like it even more if it came from a bigger player. 

One option, if that is the route they want to go, is to select Brampton Steelheads forward Porter Martone. He is a hard-hitting power forward who comes with a tremendous amount of offensive talent. 

In 57 games played with Brampton during the 2024-25 season, Martone scored 37 goals and added 61 assists for 98 points. For being a big guy that is hard to play against in all three zones, Martone's offensive production is noteworthy. 

NHL (@NHL) on XPorter Martone’s got quite the highlight reel. 🔥 #NHLDraft (📽️: @OHLHockey & @OHLSteelheads)

Kyle Davidson has doubled down on his belief that Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar are centers. His selection at the 2025 NHL Draft could help drive that point home. Martone is the best winger in the draft (unless one of the top centers turns out to be a wing long-term), and he'd be a great fit with one of Bedard or Nazar on an even-strength all-purpose line. 

It has been a while since the Blackhawks last had a power forward who was considered to be elite. Sometimes, a winger with offensive capabilities who can also be big and strong is needed in the NHL. That fact is especially true, knowing the stature of both Bedard and Nazar. Giving them more room on the ice to make plays is something that Martone could excel at. 

Martone has the ceiling to be one of those guys whose attitude and strength drive him to be an elite player. Is he going to be like the Tkachuk brothers once he reaches the big leagues? Maybe. If he models his game after them, at a minimum, he will give whichever team that selects him an honest effort every night. 

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The Philadelphia Flyers are one of a few teams picking at the top of the 2025 NHL Draft that are tough to get a read on, but the big picture is starting to narrow in down to a few prospects.

Meeting up with media in Los Angeles ahead of the first round of the draft Friday night, top winger prospect Porter Martone said he's had last-minute meetings with the Flyers and Boston Bruins, who pick right after Philadelphia at 7.

But Martone isn't the only one.

James Hagens, one of the top center prospects in the 2025 draft, echoed the same, revealing (and confirming reports) that he also met with the Flyers after the NHL scouting combine.

At the time of this writing, there seems to be a lot of variance in the public sphere as to where Martone and Hagens fall in the draft.

Both are widely considered to be top-5 talents, and yet both could make it by the Flyers at No. 6 and end up in places like Boston, Seattle, Anaheim, or even Pittsburgh.

It's possible the recent addition of Trevor Zegras changes the Flyers' minds a little bit, given Martone is 6-foot-3 and Hagens is 5-foot-11. And even then, there's the caveat that Martone is a right winger, which the Flyers already have an overabundance of as is.

It may come off as doing due diligence more than anything, but the Flyers could have always done extra private meetings with players other than Hagens or Martone.

Flyers Have New Trade-Up Possibility in NHL DraftIf the Philadelphia Flyers wish to move up in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings have presented them a golden opportunity to do so.

Then again, the Flyers have been scouting them and monitoring their progress since the 2024 IIHF Men's U18 World Championships last May.

Notably, top Flyers prospect Jett Luchanko played for Canada in that tournament, and he was drafted 13th overall by Philadelphia just over a month later.

Hagens was there, too, casually putting up nine goals and 22 points in seven games for the Americans, leading the tournament in scoring and breaking Nikita Kucherov's record for points in a single tournament.

Martone was no slouch either, putting up five goals and 17 points in his seven games for Canada. For comparison, Matvei Michkov, albeit a year younger than Hagens and Martone, had 12 goals - a tournament record for Russia - and 16 points.

The Flyers have surprised us before - as recently as this time last year - but it would be difficult to imagine passing on either Martone or Hagens, let alone both.

Hagens might get preferential treatment as a natural center, but who can say? What can be said is the Flyers are highly likely to land one of the two best offensive talents in the entire 2025 NHL Draft class.