The PWHL’s Ottawa Charge will play their home games at the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators, starting with the 2026-27 season, the team announced at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
“Senators Sports & Entertainment is proud to officially welcome the Ottawa Charge to Canadian Tire Centre,” SS&E president and CEO Cyril Leeder said in a statement. “The Ottawa-Gatineau region is fortunate to have two professional hockey teams competing at the highest level. In a short period of time, the Charge have developed a substantial following and fan base, and they have become an important part of our local hockey ecosystem.”
The Charge spent their first three seasons at TD Place, located in the city’s Lansdowne Park area. But in November, the city of Ottawa approved a $419 million redevelopment plan for Lansdowne Park, which included a much smaller event centre that seats 5,850 and has a capacity of 6,600. The current TD Place has a capacity of 8,500.
“Honestly, in four decades of working in professional sports, this might be the most disappointing thing I have ever seen,” PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Amy Scheer said in an op-ed to the Ottawa Citizen in November.
The Charge played Walter Cup playoff games at the Canadian Tire Centre this spring, en route to a championship final series appearance against the Montreal Victoire. Ottawa set attendance records at the Canadian Tire Centre. For Game 1 of its Walter Cup series against Montreal, the Canadian Tire Centre had 16,894 fans, a PWHL single-game playoff attendance record. The Charge lost the Walter Cup to the Victoire in four games.
In a regular-season game against the Victoire on April 3, the Canadian Tire Centre had 17,114 fans, the highest-attended women’s hockey game ever played in Ottawa.
“As the Charge community continues to grow, the move to the Canadian Tire Centre will position us to welcome more fans and continue building a memorable experience for our players and our supporters,” Charge GM Mike Hirshfeld said in a statement. “TD Place was the foundation of our early success, and we’re deeply grateful for the energy our fans brought to every game in that building. In the playoffs, we witnessed that they could recreate that magic at CTC, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build momentum in our new home.”
The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have signed forward Brett Berard to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.
The Canadiens acquired Berard from the New York Rangers last month in exchange for defenseman William Trudeau.
Berard appeared in 13 games last season for the Rangers, where he recorded zero points and 17 hits. This is after he had six goals, 10 points, and 53 hits in his first 35 career NHL games during the 2024-25 campaign with the Rangers.
Berard spent the bulk of last season in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, however. In 41 games with the AHL club during the 2025-26 campaign, he recorded six goals, 16 assists, and 22 points.
In 145 career AHL games over four seasons, Berard has posted 40 goals, 53 assists, 93 points, and 158 penalty minutes.
Berard will now be looking to earn a spot on the Canadiens' roster by having a strong training camp.
Unfortunately for the Philadelphia Flyers, their bold play to sign Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet has been matched and foiled, leaving them with heaps of cap space over a week after the opening of NHL free agency. Now what?
The Carlsson offer sheet attempt proved to us that the Flyers are willing and able to take great risks to acquire a young, talented player that gives the team a major shot in the arm at the center position.
While not on the same level as Carlsson, the Flyers do have some alternatives available worth considering, and one certainly stands out amongst that group.
Also an offer-sheet eligible restricted free agent, 2023 No. 3 overall pick Adam Fantilli remains without a contract from the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team mired in its own roster controversy between the Zach Werenski situation, as well as talk of Kirill Marchenko being a trade chip, too.
At the end of the day, Fantilli, 21, has come close, but has yet to make, the Stanley Cup playoffs with the Blue Jackets, and it doesn't help that he's already played for three--yes, three--head coaches in his three seasons.
To that end, we can't be too surprised that the former University of Michigan star has yet to produce a 60-point campaign in the NHL, despite scoring 31 goals in 2024-25.
Because his breakout hasn't happened yet, Fantilli will undoubtedly cost less than the $18 million Carlsson received, though $15- or $16 million could certainly be in the cards. And if the Flyers make that decision, they will have done plenty of research to make themselves comfortable with pulling the trigger... again.
Notably, Chris Shero, the grandson of legendary Flyers head coach Fred Shero, works for Columbus as an amateur scout. Younger brother Kyle has been scouting for the Flyers since the 2022-23 season.
Additionally, Cameron Briere, the youngest of Flyers general manager Danny Briere's three sons, works for the Blue Jackets as an assistant video coach, a role he held with the ECHL Maine Mariners for four seasons.
If the Flyers needed a scouting report on Fantilli supplementary to their own research, they don't need to look very far to get it.
Briere and Co. have already shown that they are willing to spend the cash, part with the draft picks, and disregard the norm around the NHL in pursuit of a No. 1 center, and Fantilli's situation is no different from Carlsson's, at the end of the day.
Fantilli, even more so than Carlsson, is the kind of buccaneering power forward who would really benefit from having teammates like Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov, and the Flyers aren't having issues with players asking to leave or managing the salary cap.
If Fantilli is even remotely open to leaving, the Flyers shouldn't have a hard time selling the former No. 3 pick on Philadelphia with an offer sheet pitch.
The Flyers have a clear need for a puck transporter, finisher, and speedster down the middle, and the Canadian pivot checks every box.
Fantilli's playmaking will have to develop some, but at worst, the Flyers have the supporting cast capable of taking care of that for him.
If the Flyers are still open to utilizing the offer sheet, their next target is obvious.
Could Alberts Šmits make the New York Rangers’ opening-night roster?
When the Rangers selected Šmits with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, it was under the impression that he was the most NHL-ready defenseman.
Šmits did not divulge whether he would attend training camp once September rolls around.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Šmits told the media about if he plans to participate in the Rangers’ training camp in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury left things open-ended regarding Šmits’ availability for training camp, emphasizing the importance of doing what’s best for the 18-year-old defenseman’s long-term development.
“We're gonna do right by him and the long-term health and well-being of him as a Ranger,” Drury said of Šmits. “This is not a sprint for him. We hope he's a rock-solid defenseman for the Rangers for the next 15 years. We're not going to put him in positions or situations that he can't handle. So excited to add him, but again, not going to do anything that's not in the best interest long term for him.”
Drury confirmed that Šmits will be returning to New York later in the summer to continue his offseason training upon his return from Latvia.
George told The Hockey News during development camp that he and Schaefer had to wait a bit before they could begin their summer workouts with Giordano because his Marlies team went on a long playoff run, ending in a championship.
This is Giordano's first NHL coaching gig. He has not been on an NHL bench since he retired following the 2023-24 season.
His last two NHL seasons came with his hometown Maple Leafs, making this a cool full circle moment for him and his family.
Welcome to this edition of The Hockey News' Vancouver Canucks Mailbag. In this series, we answer your questions about what is going on with the Canucks. In this article, we look at the Elias Pettersson-to-Pittsburgh rumour, what will happen to the radio rights for the 2026-27 season, and more.
Any Smoke Behind Petey To Pittsburgh?
There will always be trade talk surrounding Pettersson. From a purely roster perspective, the Pittsburgh Penguins make a ton of sense. Pettersson slotting in behind Sidney Crosby would give Pittsburgh strong top-six center depth, with the 27-year-old potentially being the missing piece for the Penguins to go on another deep playoff run.
The biggest issue with the Pettersson-to-Pittsburgh rumours is the no-move clause. The Swedish center is very loyal and wants to be part of the team that eventually brings a Stanley Cup to Vancouver. As of writing, it appears unlikely that Pettersson would waive to join the Penguins.
What Are The Expectations For Jonathan Lekkerimäki Next Season?
This is not a make-or-break year for Jonathan Lekkerimäki, but it is getting close to that point. The 21-year-old had his 2025-26 season cut short by injury but is expected to be ready for training camp. Last year, Lekkerimäki found success in the AHL with 13 goals and 20 points in 21 games, but could not replicate his goal-scoring touch at the NHL level.
With Lekkerimäki, the key is giving him opportunities even if he is struggling at the NHL level. It was clear from his deployment that Adam Foote and his staff didn't trust him, which led to limited ice time and bouncing back and forth between the NHL and AHL. As for next season, the expectations should be that Lekkerimäki finds some success on the power play and shows he can be reliable at both ends of the ice as part of the Canucks' middle six.
Who’s Picking Up Canucks Radio Broadcasts? Or Will It Be An Online Venture Where The PBP and Colour Are Done While Watching In Vancouver?
Taking Sportsnet 650 off the air was a terrible decision by Rogers Sports & Media. Not only does it eliminate the only full-time sports radio station in Vancouver, but it also affects teams like the Vancouver Giants and Vancouver Canadians, which broadcast their games on the station. The decision also puts talented hosts and producers out of work.
For next season, the most likely option is that Canucks games move to Jack 96.9 FM, as it is the only radio station Rogers Sports & Media owns. As for the play-by-play and colour commentators, they will most likely continue to broadcast off monitors for away games. Vancouver has not had a travelling radio crew for the last few years.
Do You Think They Do Rotating As Or Pick A Leadership Group And Stick With It The Whole Season?
When it comes to the leadership group, I think the Canucks do home and away "A's". At this point, it does not make sense to name a captain unless it is one of the younger players like Zeev Buium or Tom Willander, who will be here for a while. Here is a look at what the "A" rotation could look like:
Full-Time:
Filip Hronek
Rotating Home And Away:
Elias Pettersson Brock Boeser Brendan Gallagher Luke Schenn
Are You Concerned They Traded Maybe Their Most Popular Player In The Room? (Höglander)
Nils Höglander is an easy player to root for. Even when he is struggling to produce offensively, the effort level is there. Höglander was also a pleasure to deal with from a media perspective, as his positive attitude and willingness to answer questions to the best of his ability created some interesting stories and insight into the player.
While it would have been intriguing to see Höglander play under Malhotra, it was also time to move on. The 25-year-old gets a fresh start, while Vancouver received a future draft pick that should help with the rebuild. There is no doubt that Höglander will be missed in the market as he became a fan favourite over the past six years.
What Will The Goalie Situation Be? Are They Carrying 3?
At this point, it appears that the Canucks will have to carry three goaltenders next year. Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen will be the 1A/1B, while Nikita Tolopilo will serve as the practice goaltender who occasionally gets into games. It is not an ideal situation, but it prevents Tolopilo from being lost on waivers.
The reason this is not ideal is because the move could stunt Tolopilo's development. While working with Goalie Coach Marko Torenius should help the 26-year-old, there is no drill that can replicate what it is like to play a full game. While this plan may work for next year, Ryan Johnson and his team need to come up with a stronger plan for their goaltenders moving forward.
If You Were The GM, Would You Target More Players To Add As Assets In Free Agency, Or Just Roll With The Roster You Have?
At this stage, the only players Vancouver should be signing are those on two-way contracts. The Canucks roster is full and adding more experienced players on one-way deals would be taking away ice time for younger players. Building up the Abbotsford Canucks roster should be the main priority when it comes to free agents.
As for trades, if Vancouver is able to move experienced players, bringing back "bad contracts" is worth exploring. Especially those who have one year left on their deals and can be flipped at the deadline. Even if the Canucks can only get a sixth-rounder in return for a player, adding as many future assets is key at this stage of a rebuild.
If There’s No Changes To The Roster, What Are The Line Combinations You’re Putting Together On Day One? Assuming Everybody Is Healthy.
Assuming everyone is 100% healthy and no player is traded, here is what the 2026-27 23-man opening night roster could look like:
Oct 21, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (81) and Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) take a first period face-off at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has not found what he deems an acceptable trade package for Dylan Larkin from the mere three teams he said he'd accept a trade to.
Despite various reports from outside sources that Larkin's camp had expanded that list by multiple teams, a new report from longtime beat writer Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press indicated otherwise.
However, it looks as though Larkin may have expanded his list by one club to include the Dallas Stars, per fellow beat writer Ansar Khan of MLive.
The Stars are run by former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill, but he reportedly shot down Detroit's request for goal-scoring forward Wyatt Johnston in return for Larkin.
Like Stars forward Jason Robertson, whom the Red Wings have also been linked to, Johnston cleared the 40-goal mark this past season. He's also signed for for the next four seasons with a reasonable $8.4 million cap hit, which is slightly less than the $8.7 million cap hit Larkin's contract carries over the next five seasons.
Johnston was selected by the Stars in the opening round (23rd overall pick) of the 2021 NHL Draft, in which the Red Wings selected goaltender Sebastian Cossa with the 15th overall pick.
While Johnston is now one of the top players for the Stars, Cossa appeared in only one NHL game from the time he was selected by the Red Wings, and was traded to the Utah Mammoth late last month.
The Stars are in the midst of a difficult salary cap situation, while the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild, all of whom were on Larkin's original trade list, haven't been able to present an acceptable offer for him.
With each passing day that a deal isn't reached for Larkin, the chances of him having to report to Training Camp in the fall and make the best of an awkward situation rise.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson celebrates his empty net goal during the third period of Game 6 in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Edmonton Oilers, April 30, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif.
The Anaheim Ducks matched a five-year offer sheet extended to Leo Carlsson by the Flyers.
The contract, which boasts an average annual value of $18 million, will begin this upcoming season and last through the 2030-31 campaign.
The deal makes Carlsson, 21, the highest-paid player in the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson celebrates his empty net goal during the third period of Game 6 in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Edmonton Oilers, April 30, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
“Matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, as [general manager] Pat [Verbeek] has intelligently left enough cap space to give us the ability to retain Leo,” Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli said.
“We have extremely high expectations for Leo. We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centers in the league, while continuing to make a strong impact in our community.”
Carlsson recorded 67 points in 70 games for Anaheim last season. His 29 goals were the second-most goals in a single season by a Ducks player 21 or younger.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) celebrates with his teammates after he scores a goal during the second period when the New York Islanders played the Anaheim Ducks Thursday, December 11, 2025 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“We are very happy to have Leo under contract for five years,” Verbeek said. “We have viewed Leo as a franchise player since the moment we met him prior to the 2023 draft. He’s a character person on and off the ice. Leo is viewed as a top player in this league, and it was always our intention to match any offer sheet.”
Anaheim selected Carlsson second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he’s since appeared in 201 NHL games and earned 141 points.
In 12 postseason games, Carlsson recorded 11 points to lead all NHL players 21 and younger in postseason points and assists.
He was named to the Swedish Olympic team for Milano Cortina 2026, but did not play due to injury. He donned the Sweden jersey in the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off, and appeared in two World Championships and one World Junior Championship.
Mar 18, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) moves in for a shot as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York (8) and center Trevor Zegras (46) help goaltender Dan Vladar (80) defend the goal during the overtime period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson, keeping their rising young star at an extraordinary cost.
The Ducks announced their decision Thursday on the 21-year-old Carlsson, who now is the NHL’s highest-paid player under the five-year, $90 million deal extended by the Flyers one week ago.
Carlsson signed the Flyers’ offer sheet as a restricted free agent after a year of fruitless negotiations with Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek, whose typical hardline approach in contract talks with his restricted free agents backfired tremendously this time.
Carlsson’s new contract is worth much more than the league expected he would get as a restricted free agent, and the $18 million average annual value is significantly more than he had already indicated he would accept. The deal surpasses the salary of Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, who would have been the NHL’s highest-paid player at $17 million.
The $18 million average annual value on the offer sheet makes Carlsson, 21, the highest-paid player in the NHL, passing the $17 million for Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov. The Flyers would have owed the Ducks four first-round picks if they had not matched.
With the match and the recent re-signing of defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Tyson Hinds, the Ducks have about $9 million in remaining cap space according to puckpedia.com
Cutter Gauthier, the team's leading scorer, still has to sign and that cap space might not be enough after a 41-goal season. The Ducks' defense also could use an upgrade. That means general manager Pat Verbeek might have to trade a veteran or two to be cap-compliant.
Here's what to know about the Ducks matching the Flyers' offer sheet:
Leo Carlsson contract details
The Flyers' offer sheet was structured to make Carlsson's payouts mostly signing bonuses. Here are the details:
Carlsson was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft behind Chicago's Connor Bedard. He had a breakthrough 67 points in 70 games last season. He was named to the Swedish Olympic team but wasn't able to play because of a leg injury.
In his first three years, he has 141 points in 201 games.
It was only a matter of time, and the Ducks used every last second they had. On Thursday, the Ducks announced that they had matched the Philadelphia Flyers' five-year, $90 million offer sheet to forward Leo Carlsson. If they had decided not to match, they would have received four first-round picks.
Carlsson, 21, was a pending RFA and coming off a 67-point season in his third NHL season. This move locks down the Ducks' No. 1 center for the next five years. It also adds an $18 million-sized cap hit to their 2026-27 salary cap. Per PuckPedia, the Ducks have a little over $9 million in cap space. Cutter Gauthier, who scored 41 goals last season, is still a pending RFA and will surely be looking for an AAV in that range--or higher.
“Matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, as Pat has intelligently left enough cap space to give us the ability to retain Leo,” Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli said via press release. “We have extremely high expectations for Leo. We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centers in the league, while continuing to make a strong impact in our community.”
“We are very happy to have Leo under contract for five years,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in the same release. “We have viewed Leo as a franchise player since the moment we met him prior to the 2023 draft. He’s a character person on and off the ice. Leo is viewed as a top player in this league, and it was always our intention to match any offer sheet.”
How did we get here?
In Nov. 2025, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said during an interview on Victory+ that contract extension discussions had been paused with the likes of Carlsson and Gauthier, stating that they wanted to see how the market settles. "I really don't want to get into too hard of it because I want the players to keep playing well and not think about their contracts."
In late January, during another interview on Victory+, Verbeek reiterated that he had tabled contract extension discussions with the camps of Carlsson and Gauthier, saying that he wanted both players to be focused on making the playoffs. "There's plenty of time to deal with it," Verbeek said at the time. "We'll deal with it when the season's over and beyond."
That's all fine and dandy, but it didn't sound like much progress had been made in the month and a half between the Ducks' season ending on May 14 and June 26, when Verbeek spoke to the media after Day 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft.
"They're ongoing. That's all I can say. We're talking, and we'll see where it goes."
- -Ducks GM Pat Verbeek when asked about the progress of contract extension talks with Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier.
The bombshell dropped on July 3 shortly after noon PT, when the Flyers tendered the offer sheet that rocked the NHL. $85.3 million of Carlsson's $90 million was made up in signing bonuses, a contract element that the Samuelis do not typically include in their players' contracts.
Just a day before the offer sheet was officially tendered, a report came from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that the Ducks were willing to match any offer sheet for Carlsson. Was it meant to be a scare tactic? Perhaps Verbeek--and cap guru Jeff Solomon--felt they had gauged the market well enough that any offer sheet that came their way would be an easy decision to match.
However, nothing could have prepared them for the amount or the structure of the Flyers' offer sheet. Your offer has to be big enough to give the opposing party pause, which is exactly what the Flyers' offer did. "I don't think (the Ducks) thought it was going to go here," Friedman said on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. "I don't think they thought it was going to go to 18 (million). And that is the lesson that everybody learns now, is that we better take care of our business; we better know our business; we better be sure of our business because we are now more vulnerable than ever. The NHL is changing."
Mar 30, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) and Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) battle for the puck during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
Friedman also said that the morning the offer sheet was tendered, the Ducks reportedly offered a $12-13 million AAV contract extension while Carlsson's representation countered with $15 million. The Ducks said no.
We've seen teams be proactive in locking down their budding stars to long-term extensions before they ever reach restricted free agency. The Montréal Canadiens did it with Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov. The New Jersey Devils did it with Jack Hughes. The Dallas Stars did it with Wyatt Johnston. The only player that Verbeek has gotten ahead of signing prior to hitting restricted free agency is defenseman Jackson LaCombe, who signed an eight-year, $72 million extension last October.
Troy Terry was arbitration eligible in 2023, when he became an RFA. He filed for arbitration and was just moments away from his arbitration hearing when his seven-year extension was finalized. Goaltender Lukáš Dostál also filed for arbitration last summer when he became an RFA, though a five-year extension was agreed to before a hearing date was ever set. Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale and Mason McTavish all had their contract negotiations extend into training camp, with deals eventually agreed to. But all three of those players now no longer play for the Ducks.
Now, there's no doubt that negotiations are a two-way street, and it's a smart play for Ryan and Matt Keator (Carlsson's camp) and Kurt Overhardt (Gauthier's camp) to delay extension talks until season's end. Why sign now when you could have a breakout season and get even more in the offseason? Gauthier is not offer sheet-eligible, but Carlsson forced Verbeek's hand by accepting the Flyers' offer sheet. Would negotiations have dragged on for Carlsson as much as they had for some of his current and former teammates if he hadn't?
What happens now?
The Ducks have retained their No. 1 center. He was always destined for that spot after being selected with the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, but the exoduses of Zegras and now McTavish have all but cemented that. It's true, the $18 million AAV becomes quite troublesome for the 2026-27 season. With Gauthier still needing a contract and the blue line still a bit depleted after the departures of Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba and John Carlson, it's difficult to envision this season's team being much stronger than the one from this past season.
As the last six days passed by, there has been mixed reactions and debates from Ducks fans on social media about Carlsson's approach. Some of them have questioned his level of selflessness and desire to remain a Duck. He will have the opportunity to lay out his reasons when the time comes.
With the current team still needing a few reinforcements, Verbeek will have to perform surgery on his roster, working to free up salary any way he can. The most likely scenario is jettisoning Frank Vatrano and his $4.57 million cap hit to a team that needs to hit the cap floor, attaching a draft pick as compensation for doing so. On the backend, players like Tristan Luneau and Tyson Hinds will be relied on heavily to fill everyday NHL roles. 2025 10th overall pick Roger McQueen could also be in the mix for a top-6 forward role.
It wasn't going to be a pretty situation either way. You lose your budding star and No. 1 center, or you get four first-round picks and essentially have to restart your rebuild (again). Verbeek chose the option that would put him in less hot water.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in trouble. They are not going to have Connor Bedard until the middle of November due to shoulder surgery that he had on Wednesday.
With Bedard out, a potential 30 goal/point per game player is missing from the forward group. A lot of offense coming out of the lineup is less than ideal for a team that has already struggled to score in recent years.
There are a handful of moves that could be made to help while Bedard is out, and be there as support when he comes back. Whether it is a trade or a free agent signing of whoever is left, Kyle Davidson is likely looking to make another move for a forward who can score.
Among the options is Patrick Kane, who is a legendary player already, with most of his damage coming as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks from the time he was the number one overall pick in 2007 to 2023, when he was traded away.
During that stretch, Kane won a Hart Trophy, 3 Stanley Cups, and a Conn Smythe Trophy. Over the course of his entire career, Kane has 508 goals, 892 assists, and 1400 points in 1369 games played. There is no denying that he is one of the greatest American-born players in the history of the sport.
It's not like Kane is a low-end player at 37 years old, either. On an up-and-down Detroit Red Wings team last year, Kane had 16 goals and 41 assists for 57 points in 67 games played. If he were put in a strictly offensive role (attacking zone starts, power play, top-six line) on the Blackhawks, his production would be right on par with those numbers.
Would Kane play with Bedard once the young center comes back from injury? It isn't a given at even strength, although they may give it a try here and there, but they would certainly get time together on the power play.
Not only does Kane bring exceptional skill on the ice, but he has a level of experience that very few ever achieve in an NHL career. He has made so many deep playoff runs, including winning the last game of the year, and he has also had so many disappointments.
That level of wisdom would be great for not only Bedard but also Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, and other young players on the team.
It does not sound like Kane will be making a return to the Detroit Red Wings, no matter what. That leaves the Chicago Blackhawks and his hometown Buffalo Sabres as the top two candidates.
Anything can change with one phone call, as in another team swooping in, but these two teams that he's connected to have a hockey-related need in a market that he's familiar with.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The list of potential destinations for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has reportedly grown, but the Minnesota Wild remain firmly in the conversation.
According to recent reports, Larkin has expanded the list of teams he would be willing to accept a trade to by adding the Dallas Stars.
Even with Dallas joining the mix, Minnesota remains one of just four reported destinations on Larkin's approved list, alongside the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers.
The Wild's continued inclusion is notable.
Minnesota has long been viewed as a team searching for another top-six center, and Larkin would immediately provide a proven offensive presence down the middle.
The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the NHL's premier two-way centers, combining speed, leadership, faceoff ability and consistent scoring throughout his career.
General manager Bill Guerin has never been afraid to make significant trades when the right player becomes available. His acquisition of Quinn Hughes last season demonstrated the organization's willingness to swing big when an opportunity presents itself.
Whether the Wild have the assets, or the salary cap flexibility, to complete a deal is another question entirely.
Still, as the offseason continues, Minnesota's place on Larkin's reported trade list ensures the Wild will remain connected to one of the NHL's biggest ongoing trade storylines.
For now, the list may have expanded to four teams, but the Wild are still one of the few organizations Larkin is reportedly willing to call home if a trade ever comes together.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Nikita Kucherov is a critical figure in the Florida rivalry between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
But what if he was on the opposite side?
Former Panthers assistant GM Steve Werier appeared on The Overdrive, a TSN radio show, to answer questions about Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet and how the process works.
To better explain his point, he reflected on real-life experiences, noting how the Panthers approached offer sheets in 2016.
Werier mentioned that the Panthers made sure to lock up key RFAs before they became offer-sheet eligible, including Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck, and Reilly Smith. With their own business handled, the Panthers planned to offer sheet Kucherov.
Werier spent just one season with the Panthers as the assistant GM, during the 2016-17 season, when Kucherov’s entry-level contract expired.
In the 2016 off-season, Kucherov wasn’t the player he is now, but he was beginning to show signs of it. He was coming off consecutive 60-point seasons and scored 29 and 30 goals. In the playoffs, Kucherov notched 10 goals and 22 points in 26 games during the Lightning’s run to the Stanley Cup final in 2015.
He may not have been the two-time Hart Trophy winner and three-time Art Ross Trophy winner, just yet, but the Panthers clearly noticed something in his development, and they were right to think that way.
In the end, the Panthers did not offer sheet Kucherov and he signed a three-year bridge deal with the Lightning. Kucherov is now considered the best winger in the NHL, and when he calls it a career, he’ll go straight to the Hockey Hall of Fame, owning all the records in Tampa Bay.
It’s fun to take a second to imagine how differently the NHL would have looked if the Panthers had successfully offer-sheeted Kucherov.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Former Avalanche "prospect" Danil Gushchin is leaving North America and the NHL to head back to the KHL. He was one of the few who did not receive a qualifying offer from the Colorado Avalanche and has signed a two-year deal with the Avtomoblist Yekaterinburg, his hometown team, in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Gushchin spent time bouncing between the Sharks and the AHL San Jose Barracuda.
In the summer of 2025, the Colorado Avalanche made a deal with the Sharks that saw them flip Gushchin, a prospect who just couldn't break through, for Oskar Olausson, the Avalanche's own prospect who dealt with injuries and couldn't break through in the AHL and find a roster spot.
With the Colorado Eagles, Gushchin finished with 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 49 games, lower totals than what he was used to putting up with the Barracuda. Given how deep the Eagles were, he often wasn't in the lineup, so he only played in three Calder Cup Playoff games and didn't record a point.
