If the St. Louis Blues are looking to maximize skill at pick No. 11, look no further than forward Wyatt Cullen.

Cullen is a dynamic offensive forward who is one of the most interesting players in the 2026 NHL draft class. 

Cullen is the son of former NHL player Matt Cullen, and while that alone is interesting, the most intriguing element of his game is his recent growth spurt. In the past year or two, Cullen has grown several inches, and although wherever you read might post a different height, the upcoming NHL combine will soon confirm his height.

At the moment, Cullen is listed between six feet and 6-foot-2. 

But outside of the shocking growth spurt, Cullen is an outstanding playmaker. 

Playing with the USNDTP this season, Cullen posted 16 goals and 45 points in 40 games, and in USHL action with NTDP, Cullen posted six goals and 16 points in 15 games. At the U-18s with Team USA, Cullen posted three goals and a team-leading nine points in five games. His nine points ranked third in the tournament, as two players tied with 12 points. 

Cullen’s game revolves around his skating. He is fast and agile, using his edge work to create space and protect the puck. He is a dynamic playmaker, always looking to make passes into high-danger areas. 

Who Is This Year's Beckett Sennecke? Two 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Could Go Higher Than ExpectedIt was surprising to see Beckett Sennecke get selected so early in the 2024 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks. Who can be this year's version of Sennecke at the 2026 draft?

Cullen’s skating is matched by his deceptive hands, which make him a threat in transition. Blending the ability to create offense in transition and on the cycle can make Cullen a very effective NHL player. While both elements need polishing, it’s not uncommon for a player as young as Cullen.

In fact, Cullen is one of the youngest players in the draft and narrowly made the cutoff, as he was born on Sept. 8, 2008, missing it by seven days. 

The final part of Cullen’s game is that a scout believes he might be best deployed as a center. According to the Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, he spoke to a scout who said, “(I was) talking to scouts that actually thought he was a center based off of how proficient he is in his own zone, how much time he spends there stealing the puck off guys to then just find out he’s actually a winger surprised a few people. That’s how good a game he has.”

St. Louis Blues 2026 NHL Draft Targets At Pick No. 11: Tynan LawrenceAs we inch closer to the 2026 NHL draft, we are going to look at several players the St. Louis Blues can target with their three first round picks. Today, we take a look at Tynan Lawrence, a player who could be available at pick No. 11.

The Blues are in desperate need of a highly skilled and possibly game-breaking forward. Cullen comes with less certainty than wingers like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, but with three first-round selections, the Blues can take a gamble on Cullen’s upside. 

Cullen is set to join the University of Minnesota in the NCAA for the 2027-28 season. 

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.

It's been over two weeks since the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to part ways with head coach Craig Berube. It marks the third instance in which the coach of the Maple Leafs has been fired in the Auston Matthews era.

As Toronto's GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin search for a new bench boss for the Leafs, it's a good time to reflect on the recent history of coaches with the franchise.

Beginning with Berube, here are the last three coaches of the Maple Leafs, how they fared in their stint with the team, and an overall recap of their tenure in Toronto.

Craig Berube (Hired May 2024, Fired May 2026)

Berube was the coach who took the Maple Leafs the furthest of the team's last three coaches. He was in Toronto for two full seasons, leading the Leafs to Game 7 of the second-round series against the Florida Panthers in his first year.

There was a real possibility for the Maple Leafs to build on that progress, as it was the furthest the team had gone in the Stanley Cup playoffs since Toronto advanced to the conference final in 2001-02.

Though 2024-25 was promising, everything changed in 2025-26. Superstar Mitch Marner was no longer on the team, and the GM at the time, Brad Treliving, tried to make up for his absence by bringing in forwards Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Matias Maccelli. 

Disaster struck early for Berube and the Leafs. They lost five of their first eight outings of the campaign, and went through a five-game losing streak in early November. Toronto had a hill to climb early in the year and was truly never able to grab hold of the season from that point.

Whatever went right for Berube in his first year did not translate to last year. He didn't get the same goaltending to bail out the defense, blueliners couldn't break out of their own zone cleanly, and they were getting outshot on a nightly basis.

In the end, Berube's heavy, direct and simple approach to the game didn't rub off the right way on the Maple Leafs, specifically in his second season.

Report: Maple Leafs 'Working Through' Possible David Carle Hire, Bruce Cassidy Remains Out Of The PictureElliotte Friedman has provided a soft update on where the Toronto Maple Leafs stand with new head coach candidates in David Carle and Bruce Cassidy.

Sheldon Keefe (Hired November 2019, Fired May 2024)

Sheldon Keefe's Maple Leafs struggled to win a series or be successful in the post-season. But in hindsight, he was the coach who best suited the team's style of play. After all, despite just one series win in five years with the Maple Leafs, he never missed the playoffs.

Under Keefe, Matthews won a Hart Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award, and three Rocket Richard Trophies. Marner had three 90-plus-point seasons, was a Selke Trophy finalist, and was one of the best playmakers in hockey. William Nylander molded himself into the superstar that he's known as today, recording a career-high 98 points in 2023-24 and earning his eight-year, $92-million contract.

Even Morgan Rielly, who had a rough pair of campaigns under Berube, averaged about 0.70 points per game with Keefe leading from behind the bench. 

Why Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly Remain NHL Trade CandidatesMorgan Rielly and Matthew Knies were recently included on an off-season trade board by The Athletic. Here's why the Toronto Maple Leafs duo continue to be labelled as NHL trade candidates.

Again, what's most important in playoff success, but it's fair to say that the big names on the team were performing at their best when Keefe was around.

The furthest Keefe was able to take the Maple Leafs was to the second round of the post-season in 2022-23, losing to the Panthers in a five-game series.

He was also at the hands of some inexcusable first-round exits. That includes the 2019-20 qualifying round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Montreal Canadiens the following year, and being unable to get past the Boston Bruins in his final year with the Leafs.

Ultimately, the partnership between Keefe and Toronto ended after the 2023-24 campaign, and that decision was made by Treliving. Keefe is now the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, preparing for his third season with them.

Mike Babcock (Hired May 2015, Fired November 2019)

Mike Babcock is certainly a polarizing figure in the hockey community. Several stories about his coaching philosophies and the way he interacted with his players over the years.

But during his tenure with the Maple Leafs, his job was to develop a very young and talented team and help them grow into NHL stars.

Aside from the trio of Matthews, Marner and Nylander, players such as Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Brown and Rielly were all at critical moments in their careers. And for the most part, all of them are still effective roster players in the NHL.

Former Maple Leafs Bench Boss Mike Babcock Says He's 'Retired' Amid Oilers Head Coaching SpeculationSomehow, Mike Babcock's name has come up in another head coaching vacancy. He was seemingly quick to shut it down.

Despite Babcock being assigned a more growth role in the franchise, he still led the young Maple Leafs to the playoffs twice before Keefe was promoted from the Toronto Marlies to replace him in November 2019.

Today, Babcock doesn't coach in the NHL. His last opportunity to coach in the league was when the Blue Jackets hired him in July 2023. However, he was fired in September, before the 2023-24 regular season even began, because of crossing personal boundaries with his players.

And not long after Berube's firing, TSN's Darren Dreger reached out to Babcock to gauge what his interest was in returning to the NHL as a head coach. He replied, "Dregs, I’m retired. Loving it."

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.

A promising draft pick once viewed as a potential late-first-round steal for the Colorado Avalanche is now officially set to remain in Russia for the foreseeable future after Mikhail Gulyayev committed to a new deal with Avangard Omsk.

Gulyayev, selected 31st overall by the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Draft via the pick acquired in the Alex Newhook trade, has signed a two-year, two-way extension in the KHL, according to league transaction records. The agreement keeps the 21-year-old defenseman in Omsk through the 2027-28 campaign, effectively pushing any possible NHL arrival with Colorado to the 2028-29 season at the earliest.

Because of how his rights are structured, the Avalanche can afford patience. The organization retains exclusive control over Gulyayev indefinitely, meaning there is no looming deadline forcing an entry-level contract decision in the near term.

A Timeline Shift That Reshapes Colorado’s Plans

When Gulyayev was drafted, there was genuine excitement about his long-term upside. He had been ranked highly across scouting lists entering the 2023 draft—23rd by Bob McKenzie of TSN and 21st overall by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic—making his availability at 31st appear like a savvy move by Colorado’s front office.

At the time, his path looked relatively straightforward: continue developing in Russia, eventually transition to North America, and compete for a role on the Avalanche blue line. Instead, his trajectory has slowed and stretched further out, now delayed by at least two more seasons following this extension.

After splitting his draft year between the KHL, the VHL, and Russia’s MHL junior league, Gulyayev has spent the last three seasons as a consistent presence with Avangard Omsk’s senior team. However, his role and production have not progressed at the pace many evaluators expected.

Development Questions And An Uncertain Ceiling

Despite still being regarded as one of Colorado’s stronger prospects—ranked No. 3 in Scott Wheeler’s most recent organizational list—there is growing skepticism about how quickly his game is translating at the professional level in Russia.

As his ice time has fluctuated, so too has his offensive output. He finished the 2024-25 season with 15 points, but that total dropped to just three in 2025-26, a step back that has not gone unnoticed by scouts tracking his development.

Wheeler noted concerns in March, writing that Gulyayev “has struggled to take that next step beyond just being a depth guy” in the KHL. That assessment has only gained weight as his usage has remained limited.

He also suggested a change of environment could help accelerate his growth, stating that Gulyayev “needs to get over to North America” to maximize his development and improve his chances of becoming an impactful NHL player. That transition, however, is now on hold for the foreseeable future.

There was never a strong indication that Gulyayev was rushing toward the NHL. He attended Colorado’s development camp last summer but chose to remain in Russia ahead of the season, unlike fellow prospect Ilya Nabokov, who signed his entry-level contract and made the trip to North America.

When asked last year by Sergey Demidov of RG.org about a possible timeline for joining the Avalanche organization, Gulyayev remained noncommittal, saying “right now I can’t say anything concrete.”

With this new extension finalized, that uncertainty has effectively been extended as well. For Colorado, the hope remains that consistent minutes in Omsk eventually help stabilize his game and unlock the upside that once made him such an intriguing first-round gamble.

Claude Lemieux's children posted heartfelt messages about the four-time Stanley Cup winner after his death on Thursday, May 28, at age 60.

Brendan Lemieux, who followed his father into the NHL, wrote on Instagram. "I love you dad. My son's favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you." He added a heart emoji.

Claudia Lemieux Bishop, Claude's daughter, posted with a broken heart emoji, "No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl."

Brendan and Claude were taken in the second round of the NHL draft. Though he didn't match Claude's scoring numbers, Brendan was a gritty player, like his father.

View this post on Instagram

Four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux's death at age 60, on Thursday, May 28, is even more shocking because he was part of a public ceremony in Montreal days beforehand.

The Montreal Canadiens have had franchise legends carry in a torch before a game to fire up the crowd during their run to the Eastern Conference finals.

It was Lemieux's turn on Monday, May 25, before Game 3 of the conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was cheered as he slowly carried the torch into the arena, raised the torch and pumped his fist.

Lemieux achieved legendary status with the Canadiens during the 1986 playoffs when the rookie scored 10 goals, including four game-winners, to help Montreal win its first Stanley Cup championship since 1979.

Claude Lemieux carried the torch for Montreal on Monday before Game 3…

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/wpmkE47lyi

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 28, 2026

The 1983 second-round pick had played only 19 NHL regular-season games to that point and only 10 that season, scoring once.

He would go on to establish himself as an NHL agitator and clutch playoff scorer, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. He won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey, one with the Colorado Avalanche and one with the Canadiens.

Claude Lemieux cause of death

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a family member found the body shortly before 3:30 a.m. in the rear warehouse of the Andros Home furniture showroom, reports the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The sheriff's office said the man presumed to be Lemieux was found after he failed to return to his home. Sheriff's investigators secured the store as detectives from PBSO's Violent Crimes Division gathered evidence.

State business records list Lemieux as the registered agent for Andros Home, which incorporated in 2022.

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office told USA TODAY Sports in response to an open records request that "all public records you have requested for Claude Lemieux are exempt from public records as specified under SB 474 - FS 406.135. (2) (c)."

The Florida statute cited by the medical examiner’s office was enacted in 2024 and exempts photos, videos, audio recordings and autopsy reports related to suicide victims from general public records requests.

Contributing: Jesse Yomtov, Palm Beach Post, Mark Giannotto

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claude Lemieux took part in Canadiens torch ceremony days before death

Former NHL great Claude Lemieux hanged himself, authorities told The Post on Friday.

The 60-year-old New Jersey Devils hockey legend and four-time Stanley Cup winner was found by one of his sons in the back of the warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Fla., at 3:32 a.m Thursday after he never returned home, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office statement.

His daughter, Claudia, told The Post her heartbroken family had gathered in Palm Beach and was “meeting with a detective” Friday morning.

It wasn’t immediately clear which of Lemieux’s three sons, Brendan, Michael or Christopher, discovered his body at the shop, Andros Home, which sells “refined furnishings and architectural elements” in the seaside city, according to its website.

The retired NHL champ won a 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy with the Devils, ranked ninth all-time with 80 postseason goals and was known for being an “enforcer” on the ice.

His suicide came just days after he carried the torch in Montreal’s Bell Centre to kick off Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals Monday.

Known as a ruthless “agitator,” Lemieux won the first of his four Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, then earned two more with the  Devils in 1995 and 2000 and one with the Avalanche in 1996.

“A clutch player on the ice and greatly appreciated by Devils’ fans off it, Claude’s impact in bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to New Jersey will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history,” the Devils said in a statement Thursday.

“Widely respected throughout the NHL, both as a trusted agent and a valued colleague, Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to.”

Off the ice, records show Lemieux was cited for driving with a suspended license in Palm Beach Gardens in April 2025 and for speeding in January 2024 and paid fines.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a fascinating team to watch this off-season. After taking a major step in the right direction this season and making the playoffs, they will be looking to build on their momentum with a strong summer.

One area that the Penguins could look to upgrade is their blueline. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei stands out as an interesting potential trade target for the Penguins to consider.

The fit has simply not been there between the Bruins and Lohrei. Because of this, the 6-foot-5 defenseman's name has come up in the rumor mill. With Lohrei being a big offensive defenseman who is only 25 years old, he would be an intriguing player for the Penguins to take a chance on. 

If the Penguins struck a deal for Lohrei, he could work on either their second pairing or third pairing due to his ability to play both sides. Furthermore, he would give the Penguins another option for their power play because of his offensive upside. 

In 73 games this season with the Bruins, Lohrei recorded seven goals, 19 assists, 26 points, 92 blocks, and a plus-17 rating. This is after he had five goals and 33 points in 77 games for the Bruins during the 2024-25 season. With numbers like these, he has shown promise, and it is possible that he could take another step forward playing on a team like the Penguins. 

The Islanders hired longtime OHL coach and former NHL defenseman Jay McKee to lead their new AHL club in Hamilton, Ont.

After spending over a decade coaching in the Canadian junior league, McKee returns to the AHL to spearhead the newly-named Hamilton Hammers in their first season of existence in 2026-27. 

The 48-year-old spent the past five years as head coach of the Bulldogs, a team that relocated from Hamilton to Brantford in 2023.

In 2021-22, his first season with the club, McKee coached the Bulldogs to a 51-12-5 record, the best mark in franchise history, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champion and reaching the championship of the Memorial Cup. 

Last season, the Bulldogs had the best record in the OHL (48-10-8-2) under McKee. 

This will be McKee’s first head coaching job in the AHL, after the former NHL defenseman served as an assistant for the Rochester Americans in 2011-12. 

He joined the OHL’s Erie Otters as an assistant in 2014-15 before the Kitchener Rangers hired him as an associate coach the following season.

Kitchener then promoted McKee to head coach. 

As the Rangers’ head coach, McKee compiled a record of 120-88-17.

McKee, who began his coaching career as an assistant at Niagara University in 2010-11, played 14 years in the NHL.

The No. 14 overall pick by the Sabres in 1995, McKee spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Western New York and played a key part in Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999.

Known for his prowess as a shot-blocker and ruggedness as a defensive defenseman, McKee also made stops in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, finishing his NHL career with 21 goals and 104 assists in 802 career games. 

McKee replaces Rocky Thompson, who was promoted to assistant coach with the Islanders under Peter DeBoer.

Thompson led the Bridgeport Islanders to a playoff berth in his only season in charge of the club.

A familiar face could be joining the Vancouver Canucks organization. According to HockeyNews.se, Alex Edler is set to return to the organization for which he played 925 games. The article doesn't specify a role, but it does provide an update on when Edler would start. 

As per Mattias Oak, "According to information provided to Hockeynews, the plan is for their former Canucks teammate Alexander Edler to help out at this summer's development camp so he will also get a part in the organization." Edler retired from the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023. On October 11, 2024, Edler signed a one-day contract with Vancouver so he could retire with the Canucks. 

Edler played 15 seasons in Vancouver. The 40-year-old defenceman recorded 409 points with the Canucks, which ranks second among defenders in franchise history. Edler recorded an assist on Henrik and Daniel Sedin's final NHL points, and played 12 seasons with Vancouver's new Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations.

The Canucks usually hold their Development Camp a few days after the draft concludes. Over the past couple of years, the camp has taken place at UBC. Vancouver's Development Camp roster usually includes draft picks as well as NCAA free agents. 

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.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

'We Know We're The Best, & We Just Have To Play Like It': Canucks Prospect Chiarot Is Focused On Winning A Memorial Cup With The Kitchener Rangers

Aatu Räty & Finland Advance To Semi-Finals In 4–1 Win Against Czechia: Canucks At The 2026 World Championship

Former Canucks Defenceman Having Strong 2026 IIHF World Championship Campaign

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.

Over the last couple of weeks, there has been speculation about the future of forward Ilya Mikheyev. His contract with the Chicago Blackhawks is set to expire on July 1st. 

Mikheyev is a candidate to be re-signed because he was a solid middle-six forward for Chicago during some tough days. However, his earned rate and term may be something that the Blackhawks don't want to hand a player in his 30s at this stage of the rebuild. 

Report: Chicago Blackhawks Have Ilya Mikheyev's Negotiating Rights On Trade BlockIlya Mikheyev's negotiating rights have been put on the trade block by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last week, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said on "32 Thoughts: The Podcast" that the Blackhawks were shopping his rights. 

"I guess it was let known across the league that Chicago probably isn't going to be able to sign Ilya Mikheyev," Friedman said. "His rights are available if any team wants to talk to him in advance of free agency."

On Friday, Friedman had another report to attach to this story. According to him, on the latest episode of the podcast, the NHL does not want teams doing that. 

Friday morning 32 Thoughts playoff reaction, news, information & analysis pod.

Links to your preferred platform, here:https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm

Enjoy!

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 29, 2026

Friedman said that allowing an upcoming UFA to speak with other teams without first trading their rights is against the rules. He also reported that a memo was sent out reminding all 32 teams that doing so can result in a penalty of up to $5 million, suspension, and the loss of draft picks. 

“The league's like, no, that's not allowed," Friedman said on letting Mikheyev speak to other teams before trading his rights. "If you want to straight-up trade his rights to another team for a pick, you do that. You can't just give him permission to talk to everybody.”

There used to be a "tampering period" before free agency, during which players were allowed to speak with other organizations, but that is gone. Friedman did say that the league wants it back, but the player's organization isn't a fan. 

“Now, I haven't seen this memo, but I'll tell you one other thing that was interesting about it: that it was hinted in that memo that the league would like to bring back that interview period, but the Players Association is against it.”

The Blackhawks certainly don't want any fines, suspensions, or loss of draft picks, so one should expect them to comply with this memo sent out by the league. They either need to blindly trade Mikheyev to a team willing to take the chance or re-sign him themselves. 

Mikheyev fit in perfectly with the Blackhawks as a penalty killing winger who is solid defensively at even strength, and is good for 15-20 goals per season with absolutely no power play time. Someone like him is perfect for what they are trying to do. 

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

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.

One shot slipping under a glove shouldn't define an entire season, but for the Buffalo Sabres, that image may end up shaping their entire summer.

When Alex Newhook's overtime winner found daylight beneath Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 7, Buffalo's season came to a sudden end. The Canadiens advanced. The Sabres went home. And while plenty of factors contributed to the second-round loss, the uncomfortable reality is that Buffalo never had the best goaltender in the series.

That matters.

The Sabres spent most of the regular season receiving competent work from Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. Their tandem helped Buffalo capture the Atlantic Division and provided enough stability behind a structured defensive system. For long stretches, the arrangement worked exactly as intended.

The playoffs told a different story.

When postseason hockey becomes tighter, faster, and more reliant on game-changing saves, merely being solid is rarely enough. The Canadiens received that extra level from Jakub Dobeš. Buffalo never consistently found it.

Neither Luukkonen nor Lyon completely unraveled, but neither seized the crease and carried the team forward, either. By the time the series reached its decisive moments, the Sabres were rotating between options rather than leaning on a clear answer.

That distinction can be the difference between advancing and cleaning out lockers.

Buffalo's front office can talk itself into continuity. Luukkonen is still in his prime years. Lyon remains a dependable veteran. Colten Ellis showed flashes in limited action. Devon Levi remains an intriguing wild card.

The problem is that none of those options clearly solve the question that now hangs over the organization.

Can Buffalo trust its current goaltending group to win four playoff rounds?

The honest answer is no.

Running the same group back may produce another strong regular season. It may even produce another division title. But after what unfolded against Montreal, it's difficult to argue the Sabres have enough certainty in net to realistically view themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.

That's why this offseason shouldn't be about maintaining the status quo.

It should be about finding an upgrade.

Why Jesper Wallstedt Makes Too Much Sense

If Buffalo is serious about taking the next step, Jesper Wallstedt stands out as the most logical target available.

The 23-year-old has spent years being viewed as one of hockey's premier goaltending prospects, and his first extended NHL opportunity only strengthened that reputation. Wallstedt displayed the poise, athleticism, and consistency expected from a future franchise netminder while proving capable of handling meaningful games.

Most importantly, his timeline aligns perfectly with Buffalo's core.

The Sabres have invested heavily in building around a young nucleus. Acquiring a veteran stopgap may offer a short-term boost, but Wallstedt presents something far more valuable: a chance to solve the position for years rather than months.

His contract only adds to the appeal. Wallstedt carries a manageable cap hit, giving Buffalo flexibility while Jeff Skinner's buyout remains a burden on the books. Unlike many established star goaltenders, adding him wouldn't require reshaping the rest of the roster financially.

The challenge, of course, would be convincing Minnesota to move him.

The Wild won't give away a goaltender with legitimate franchise potential. Buffalo would likely have to part with a significant young asset, potentially from its surplus of highly regarded forward prospects.

That's a difficult conversation.

It may also be a necessary one.

Elite centers are hard to find. Franchise goaltenders are just as rare. If the Sabres genuinely believe Wallstedt can become that caliber of player, this is exactly the type of aggressive move contenders make.

Standing Pat Is The Bigger Risk

For years, Buffalo's organizational focus has been on assembling enough talent to become a playoff team again.

Mission accomplished.

The standard is different now.

The Sabres are no longer trying to end a drought. They're trying to win a championship.

That requires evaluating the roster through a much harsher lens.

Would Buffalo have beaten Montreal with better goaltending?

It's impossible to say with certainty.

Would better goaltending have improved their chances?

Absolutely.

The Sabres don't need a complete overhaul in net. They need a higher ceiling than what they currently possess, and Wallstedt may represent the best combination of age, upside, cost certainty, and long-term value available anywhere on the market.

If Buffalo wants to turn playoff appearances into playoff runs, standing pat feels far riskier than making a bold move.

One final name worth monitoring is Connor Hellebuyck. If the Winnipeg Jets ever become willing to entertain moving a former Vezina Trophy winner, Buffalo would have to make the call. The price tag, age, and salary cap implications make that path far more complicated, however. Wallstedt remains the cleaner fit and, arguably, the smarter long-term bet.

The Sabres spent years searching for relevance.

Now they should be searching for the goalie who can get them past the second round.

There are two great truths in NHL head coaching. The obvious one is that you're hired to be fired. The other is how environmentally friendly the league is with its coaches, committed to reducing, reusing and recycling.

Even the Senators opted to go Green in 2024, hiring Travis Green away from the New Jersey Devils, who were in the process of recycling and reusing Toronto's old coach, Sheldon Keefe.

But very few Senators' head coaches have ever been recycled after being kicked to the curb.

Remarkably, it's been over 20 years since a Sens head coach left the organization and later found an NHL head coaching job elsewhere. The last one to do so on a non-interim basis was Jacques Martin. He was fired in 2004 and found plenty of other opportunities, including a final one here in Ottawa a couple of years ago.

Fans talk a lot about Ottawa being a goalie graveyard, but it's also been kind of a coaches' cemetery.

Since Martin parted company with the Sens the first time, the Sens' list of head coaches who've come and gone includes Bryan Murray, John Paddock, Craig Hartsburg, Cory Clouston, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron, Guy Boucher, Marc Crawford, and D.J. Smith.

Murray stayed with the Senators, moving away from coaching to take the club's GM job. However, everyone else on the list left the organization, continued to pursue their coaching careers, and never again became a full-time NHL head coach.

After leaving Ottawa:

• Paddock coached nine more years in junior, the AHL, and as an NHL assistant. His final year was with Regina, coaching Connor Bedard.
• Hartsburg coached for seven more seasons in junior as a head coach and an NHL assistant. His swan song was 2015-16 with Columbus, where he was let go when John Tortorella took over, as he inevitably does everywhere.
• Clouston coached three more years in junior, the last in 2015 with Prince Albert. After he was fired, little did the Senators know he'd coach Mark Stone, a prized future asset, the following season in Brandon.
• MacLean got work as an NHL assistant for a bit and now makes the odd appearance as a TSN Sens analyst.
• Dave Cameron has coached for the last seven seasons, been an NHL assistant, a head coach in Austria, and, for the last five years, the head coach of the Ottawa 67s. He just signed a two-year extension.
• Since his firing, Guy Boucher has only coached for one year at a top level as an assistant with Toronto, then one year as a KHL head coach.
• Crawford coached for four more seasons as an assistant in Chicago then worked for a while as a head coach in Switzerland.
• Smith almost immediately got a job as an assistant in Los Angeles under Jim Hiller and when Hiller was fired this season, Smith guided them into the playoffs but only on an an interim basis. The Kings have not yet removed that label and Smith was asked about his status at seasons's end.

"That's a question for Ken," Smith said shortly after losing in round one. "All I know is, as a coach and as a coaching staff, is your team prepared? Are they detailed? And do they show up every night in the answer to that question? Yes, they did, under me.

"Ken's been around a long time. He's won Stanley Cups; he's one of the best in the business. He's a Hall of Fame general manager. He's gonna make that decision. So that's not up to me to decide. I know I did my absolute best."

Speaking well of the boss is always a strong play.

So Smith has a chance to end the drought, and good on him. He's a likable guy, he certainly wasn't set up for success in Ottawa, and the best is probably yet to come.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

The hockey world awoke to heartbreaking news Thursday as one of the NHL's most memorable playoff performers, Claude Lemieux, was mourned by former teammates, rivals, and fans across North America.

Among those paying tribute was Colorado Avalanche icon Joe Sakic, who shared a heartfelt statement following reports that Lemieux died at the age of 60.

Sakic and Lemieux were central figures on the Avalanche teams that helped define one of hockey's most intense eras during the 1990s. The pair spent parts of five seasons together in Colorado after Lemieux joined the franchise ahead of the 1995-96 campaign. Their partnership reached its pinnacle that spring when the Avalanche captured the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Sakic Pays Tribute To Former Teammate

In a statement released by the Avalanche organization, Sakic reflected on both the player and person he came to know during their years together.

“We are devastated to learn of Claude’s passing,” Sakic said in a statement released through the Avalanche. “‘Pepe’ was a terrific hockey player, a fierce competitor and a champion in every way. He was also a loyal friend who would do anything for his teammates and someone you could always count on. Most importantly he was a wonderful family man and there is nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his grandchildren.

“Today is a very sad day for the Avalanche family and Claude will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. On behalf of the entire Avalanche organization, we send our love and prayers to Deborah and the Lemieux family. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.”

The nickname "Pepe" was widely used by teammates throughout Lemieux's career, and Sakic's remarks underscored the lasting bond that remained long after their playing days ended.

A Career Defined By Championships

Lemieux's NHL journey spanned more than two decades and included stops with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks.

His championship pedigree became one of the defining features of his career. Lemieux earned his first Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986 before helping the Devils secure the organization's first championship in 1995. After being dealt to Colorado, he immediately added another title in 1996, becoming just the 10th player in league history to win Stanley Cups in consecutive seasons with different teams.

His fourth championship came during a return stint with New Jersey in 2000.

Widely known for his relentless style and ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest, Lemieux finished his NHL career with 379 goals and 407 assists across 1,215 regular-season contests. He was equally impactful in the postseason, producing 158 points in 234 playoff appearances.

According to multiple reports, Lemieux died by suicide on Thursday. Authorities reportedly responded to an incident at a furniture showroom in Lake Park, Florida, a business owned by Lemieux and his wife.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed deputies responded to what was described as a suicide attempt at the location, and the property was secured while investigators conducted their work.

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office has not publicly released records related to the case due to Florida laws governing suicide-related reports.

As tributes continue to pour in from around the hockey community, Lemieux's legacy remains tied to the championships, fierce competitiveness, and unforgettable playoff moments that made him one of the NHL's most recognizable figures.

In our first ever four-person episode, Mike’s brother David and friend Frank join us to discuss a quartet of short-time Islanders goalies spanning several eras.

Goaltending is the lifeblood of any hockey team. When it’s good, a mediocre roster can do great things. When it’s bad, even a talented team can be stopped dead in its tracks. Some goalie are Corvettes, some are Camrys. The four goalies we discuss run the gamut from youthful exuberance to veteran stability to blink-and-you’ll-miss-him tenures to guys who hung around the ice seemingly forever.

Eric Fichaud is still a name that puts smiles on Islanders fans’ faces thanks to a great look, a cool name and memories of hope for better days. Wade Flaherty was the consummate backup and deputy sheriff, never spectacular but solid when the team needed it. Of all of the goalies in Islanders history, Marcel Cousineau was… certainly one of them. But you’d have to be a real sicko to even remember him. Years after these guys came and went, Yann Danis carried on the tradition of showing up out of nowhere, playing (and winning!) a bunch of games and getting people excited before roaming the larger hockey world like a samurai ronin.

Along the way, we find out how David inadvertently drove Mike to the Islanders, and how Fichaud played a huge role in their youth. Frank tells us what it’s like to be an unofficial Leboff, growing up with the Islanders through his friendship with them. Thanks again to both guys for coming on, sharing their stories and bringing these goalies back to life, however briefly they may have stayed on Long Island.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

• The full Fichaud experience was a wild ride, full of hopes that ended up smashed to bits.
• Teammate (and fellow Weird Islander) Matheiu Schneider called Fichaud, “a very calm kid, very impressive.”
• Fichaud might not have been the “Goalie of the Future” but he and his fellow Islanders were a tight group back then:

• In 2001, Fichaud finally called it quits, saying he had lost his desire to play
• To this day, he might be the only Islander from the era to say nice things about the Fisherman jersey.
• Wade Flaherty had a long career in the NHL as a backup and spot starter for a few teams. He was in net when the early San Jose Sharks upset Calgary in the 1995 playoffs.
• He came to the Islanders at a time of great goalie upheaval: Roberto Luongo was traded to Florida and Rick DiPietro was selected first overall. He was the starter when Rick was first called up from the AHL.
• Flaherty had four (4) shutouts for the Islanders including this one over the Panthers and Roberto Luongo.

• For better or worse, his greatest claim to fame was giving up the 894th and final goal of Wayne Gretzky’s career. He’s still got a great sense of humor about it.
• Since 2011, Flaherty has been the goalie coach for the Winnipeg Jets, helping Connor Hellebuyck win two Vezinas and a Hart Trophy.
• In a weird bit of synergy, Eric Fichaud and Marcel Cousineau opposed each other in an Islanders-Leafs game on Dec. 30, 1996. The final was 2-0 Toronto, Cousineau’s only NHL shutout.
• After signing with the Islanders, Cousineau won zero times in six tries. One of those losses was the day they acquired Felix Potvin from Cousineau’s old team, the Leafs. Tommy Salo stayed home, Cousineau got the start, and the Islanders lost 3-2 to the Habs.
• This video is trash but it is the only video evidence that Cousineau played for the Islanders. The lone commenter (from 13 years ago) says: “Marcel Cousineau rocks.” Okay, then.

• After an non-impact stint on Long Island, Cousineau was part of the massive trade of Ziggy Palffy and finished his NHL time with the Kings.
• Before coming to the Islanders, Yann Danis had decorated stints at Brown University (including being a Hobey Baker finalist) and Hamilton of the AHL as part of the Canadiens organization.
• He didn’t play much at first, but once Joey McDonald (who himself replaced Rick DiPietro) went down with a groin injury, Danis stepped in and had a surprising run for a very bad Islanders team.
• After seven straight losses, Danis finally got a win, a 2-1 victory over Anaheim at Nassau Coliseum:
• As bad as that Islanders team was, Danis had two shutouts in 2008-09. One was at home against New Jersey, the first time the Islanders had blanked the Devils in 17 years:

• Alas, he was not meant to be on Long Island for long. He left for New Jersey in 2009 and for Edmonton in 2011.  His well-traveled career was mainly spent in the AHL, where he led Oklahoma City and Hartford on long playoff runs. He returned to the Devils organization in 2015.

What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

• Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
• Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.

Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, chats with us and much more.

Visit our friends!

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys featuring hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as Islanders Anxiety merch, and our Al Arbour and The Island shirts. Our portion of the sales benefit the Center for Dementia Research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items.
• The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Noir that was named a 2024 Top 100 Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All are under $15 a bottle and are available at local wine shops and at UBS Arena.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
• Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp.
• Drum sfx via Zapsplat.com. Jingle bell sfx also via ZapSplat.

Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

All Islanders Anxiety podcasts are available on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Audible.com
• I Heart Radio
• YouTube and YouTube Music
• And everywhere podcasts are found

Claude Lemieux’s impact is still being felt on hockey.

The former NHL forward, dead at the age of 60 by apparent suicide Thursday, remained a big figure in the sport long after his last game in 2009.

Lemieux, a longtime agitator and big-game performer, was a player agent who represented several of today’s biggest stars, including Devils forward Timo Meier and Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen.

“Rest in peace Pepi,” Meier wrote on his Instagram story, referencing the nickname Lemieux received as a rookie with the Montreal Canadiens in 1983, short for “Pepe Le Pew,” the amorous cartoon skunk.

“Gone too soon.”

The news of Lemieux’s death — he was reportedly found in a warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Florida by one of his sons — came just three days after he was honored by the Canadiens as a torchbearer ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Hurricanes.

With Andersen set to tend goal for the Hurricanes that night, Lemieux reached out to the goalie to let him know he was tapped to help fire up the opposing team’s home crowd at the Bell Center.

“He’s like family,” Andersen told the North State Journal, noting it was a big deal for the entire Lemieux family for its patriarch to be honored.

Andersen’s pursuit of the Stanley Cup continues with a heavy heart, as does Meier’s run at the IIHF World Championships with Switzerland.

Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, also counted Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Bruins blueliner Hampus Lindholm among his clients as the President Hockey North America for 4Sports Hockey, with 17 active contracts totaling nearly $355 million in value, per PuckPedia.

“Claude was so much more to us than just a member of the 4sports family,” the agency wrote in an Instagram post. “He was a truly special person, a trusted friend, an inspiring leader, an exceptional and very successful agent, and someone who touched all of our lives with his kindness, loyalty, strength, and generosity. His presence shaped not only our company, but also the people around him in so many meaningful ways.

“We all deeply respected, appreciated, and loved him. The memories, the laughter, the friendship, and the inspiration he gave us will remain with us forever.”