Now that it is September, most of this year's free agents have landed their new contracts. Although this is the case, there are still some remaining unrestricted free agents (UFAs) with September now here.
A former Montreal Canadiens forward is among the UFAs left, as Tanner Pearson is still looking for his new home.
Pearson still being a free agent at this point in the summer comes after he split this past season between the Winnipeg Jets and then the Buffalo Sabres. In 56 games split between the two clubs, he posted seven goals, eight assists, 15 points, 68 hits, and a plus-7 rating.
While Pearson's prime days are over, he could still be a solid pickup for an NHL club that is looking for more forward depth and experience. Due to this, the possibility of the 34-year-old landing a professional tryout (PTO) at least should not be ruled out.
Pearson spent the 2023-24 season with the Canadiens after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks during the 2023 NHL off-season. In 54 games with the Habs that campaign, he posted five goals, 13 points, and 50 hits. His time with the Canadiens ended after they did not re-sign him that following summer.
The 2026-27 season is rapidly approaching for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs will be looking to build off their successful 2025-26 season by having an even better campaign this year.
The Canadiens have plenty of exciting young players to watch heading into the 2026-27 season. Yet, they also have a promising prospect who has the potential to be an under-the-radar breakout candidate: Owen Beck.
Beck's smart all-around play is something that could very well get him more opportunities at the NHL level during this upcoming season. The 22-year-old center has the potential to blossom into a solid two-way center in the NHL, and it would not be surprising if he takes another step closer to becoming just that for Montreal in 2026-27.
Beck appeared in 15 games last season for Montreal, where he posted one goal, 24 hits, and a 58.7 faceoff winning percentage. This is after he recorded one assist, 23 hits, and a 53.8 faceoff winning percentage in 12 games for Montreal in 2024-25. Overall, he has yet to break out at the NHL level, but the possibility of him doing so this season should not be ruled out.
Beck has shown promise at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket, as he recorded 13 goals and 33 points in 58 games last season. He also had 15 goals and 44 points in 64 games with Laval in 2024-25. With numbers like these, he has been a solid AHL player, and it will now be interesting to see if he can translate it over the NHL level this season from here.
At the end of last season, there was some fear that the Buffalo Sabres would follow the same path as the other sports franchise in Western New York, the Buffalo Bills, and leave their longtime radio home in favor of producing their own broadcasts and finding another terrestrial broadcast option.
On Thursday, the Sabres announced that they have agreed to a multi-year partnership with Audacy to continue to be the club's official flagship radio station. Game broadcasts featuring play-by-play man Dan Dunleavy and color commentator Rob Ray will continue to air on WGR AM (550) and WGR FM (107.7) in the Buffalo broadcast market, as well as on the Sabres and Audacy Apps.
“WGR has long played a role in linking the people in our community to the Buffalo Sabres, and we are excited to extend a partnership that has continued to grow stronger over the years,” Buffalo Sabres president of business operations Pete Guelli said in a press release. “We are always exploring avenues for our fans to engage with us in meaningful ways, and this partnership has consistently provided a trusted platform for them to stay connected.
The Bills announced in May that they would be partnering with Cumulus Media and 96.9 FM radio (WGRF-FM - 97 Rock) starting this fall, and with a network of stations in New York State, Pennsylvania, Florida, and TSN Radio in Canada. The new agreement with the Sabres will also further the reach of the club through Audacy's radio stations outside of Western New York, and WGR will also be available via SiriusXM satellite radio.
Pete Guelli shares why the Buffalo Sabres are BACK to continue their partnership with WGR and broadcast Sabres games on our airwaves! pic.twitter.com/T8nWNufcF0
“We're excited to continue our long-standing relationship as the official voice of the Buffalo Sabres,” said WGR brand manager Allan Davis. “No radio station in the U.S. talks more hockey than Western New York's Voice of the Fans - WGR. And no fan base anywhere loves their team more than Sabres fans do. We look forward to bringing them every play, every game, and every story every day."
The Florida Panthers are going to look a little different in the goaltending department during the upcoming NHL season.
Gone is longtime netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who elected to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the offseason, following a seven-year stint in South Florida that saw him win a pair of Stanley Cups.
To replace Bobrovsky, Florida traded for a familiar face, acquiring veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils
Markstrom, 36, actually broke into the league with the Panthers after Florida selected him in the second round, 31st overall, during the 2008 NHL Draft.
On Wednesday, he joined The Dan LeBatard Show to chat about his return to the Panthers, acknowledging that while he has worn the Florida sweater before, he’s yet to do so since they switched to their current crest logo and away from the leaping panther.
Still, the smile on his face and the excitement in his voice were quite apparent.
“It’s a privilege and I’m super excited to be back here, to see what Mr. Vinnie Viola has done with this organization, and what Bill Zito and Paul Maurice have done with this team,” Markstrom said. “You see how hockey has grown in South Florida and the Fort Lauderdale area, it’s amazing to be back here and its completely different from when I was here the last time.”
It’s been 12 years since Markstrom was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March of 2014, a deal that saw Roberto Luongo make his return to the Panthers.
Now, 12 hockey seasons, three teams and 535 NHL games later, it’s Markstrom’s turn to make his South Florida comeback.
Considering all the time that has passed, the miles he’s logged and the experience he’s gained, Markstrom is
“I’ve learned a lot, it would be weird if I didn’t,” he said with a smile. “When you come in here and move to North America as a 20-year-old, it’s a lot different than being 36 and played over 500 games in the league and played on four different teams, you pick up a lot. You have a lot of coaches and teammates and goalie coaches that you try to learn and take the positive from everyone, and then try to make it your own and build your game.
“So I think the toolbox is a lot bigger, and I’ve got a lot more tools in it now then when I was here, coming in with an empty suitcase, and now it’s full.”
At one point, LeBatard questioned Markstrom on playing a position that he finds “generally terrifying” asked him to explain “the real insanities that are part of your job.”
“I think the goaltending position in general is…if you win the game, you’re doing your job, and if you lose the game, it’s the goalie’s fault. That’s kinda the public opinion of people that don’t really know that much hockey.
“If a goalie makes a mistake, it’s in the back of the net. If somebody writing an essay or writing something on a keyboard and presses the wrong key, you just delete and put the right letter in. As a goalie, it’s 20,000 people in the stands cheering or booing, and that’s kind of our job and that’s why I love it.”
To watch Markstrom’s full interview with the LeBatard Show crew, check out the video below (the interview begins around the 2:20:30 mark).
Danila Yurov was solid in his rookie season in the NHL, finding himself scattered around the lineup.
With injuries to players like Joel Eriksson Ek and the trade that sent Marco Rossi to the Vancouver Canucks, Yurov was forced to play up and down the lineup, occasionally finding himself alongside Kirill Kaprizov or down on the fourth line playing more of a two-way game.
Through all of that, Yurov posted 12 goals and 27 points in 73 games, averaging 13:18 of ice time. Yurov flashed some of the skill that made him the 24th overall pick of the 2022 NHL draft and a highly regarded prospect in the Wild's pipeline.
The 22-year-old will remain an important part of the Wild's current roster and future. Most early line projections anticipate Yurov skating as the third-line center alongside Yakov Trenin and Maxim Shabonov. That trio could bode well for Yurov. Trenin is a physical force who will go to the dirty areas of the ice to win the puck, while Shabonov is more of a perimeter player with plenty of skill who can work passing plays with Yurov.
The Wild's second-line center appears to be Ryan Hartman, who will skate with Blake Coleman and Bobby Brink. With strong performances, there is an avenue for Yurov to work his way up the lineup.
TheHockeyNews.com's Jared Clinton is one of those people, as he predicts Yurov will be the Wild's breakout candidate during the 2026-27 season.
In the 2026 Champions edition of THN.com's magazine, Clinton believes Yurov has the most room for growth.
At points this season, Danila Yurov had his detractors. But it’s important to remember the 22-year-old’s rookie campaign was a trial by fire. He was thrust into top-six duty on club with a high aspirations. That experience should serve Yurov well, however, as it surely helped him round out his game and understand the rigors of the NHL. With the right roster setup, he might become a background player, but that doesn’t mean he can’t break out beyond his 27-point output. - Jared Clinton
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As mentioned previously, Yurov is skilled with the puck and excels at working passing lanes and give-and-gos. Yurov also showed that his skating is a strength in the NHL. According to NHL EDGE, Yurov ranked in the 90th percentile in max skating speed, posting a skating burst of 23.17 miles per hour. He also ranked in the 80th percentile for skating bursts greater than 22 miles per hour, the 68th percentile for skating bursts between 20-22 miles per hour, and the 62nd percentile for skating bursts between 18-20 miles per hour.
With plenty of tools at his disposal, including a 6-foot-1 frame, Yurov has provided every reason to believe there are additional steps he can take as his game develops.
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Yesterday, The Athletic released its NHL Player Tiers 2026-27, and the Montreal Canadiens fared pretty well. In last year’s list, captain Nick Suzuki was part of Tier 3, which is the “All-Star” tier, but this year, he has moved up to Tier 2, that of “franchise players”. The center is not the only one who made that jump, though; the same goes for defenseman Lane Hutson.
As for Cole Caufield, he was in Tier 5 “Support” last season, but this year he jumps to Tier 3 All-Star. The Canadiens have two players in Tier 4 “Stars”: Noah Dobson and Juraj Slafkovsky. This is a repeat performance for Dobson, who was in that tier last season, although he went from 4A to 4B. As for the power forward, he didn’t even make the list last year, so that’s an interesting place to first appear.
Montreal also has two players in Tier 5 this season: Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes. Unsurprisingly, neither was on the list last season, as they were rookies. The only Hab who was on the list last season and isn’t this year is Samuel Montembeault, for obvious reasons.
Are those rankings fair? For now, they are, since it’s about what’s been done so far and not what could eventually be done. However, one has to wonder what Suzuki would have to do to land in Tier 1 “MVP”. He may not have scored 120 points, but he still had 101 points while being the league’s top defensive forward. He’s a complete player, one who gives you offensive production but who you can also play when the game is on the line, and you have a lead to protect. Whatever the situation, Suzuki is the player you want to have on the ice. He’s also very tough to rattle; he never panics on the ice and has a calming influence on the team. The 27-year-old young veteran is the heartbeat of the Canadiens and one of, if not the, their most valuable players.
As for Hutson, the fact that he’s in Tier 2 is impressive. Oftentimes, Hutson doesn’t get the respect he deserves because people do not give him close to enough credit for the defensive side of his game, but it didn’t hurt him in this ranking. Will he ever make the jump to Tier 1? Time will tell; the article mentions that it remains to be seen if he’ll have a Quinn Hughes-like leap, but that’s not necessarily fair. After all, when Hughes first came onto the scene, he was very much a one-sided weapon, and he was shielded with easier defensive matchups; that’s not the case with Hutson, and it never has been. In that sense, he doesn’t need a Hughes-like leap; he needs to keep on steadily progressing to reach MVP status.
The Detroit Red Wings are entering a pivotal 101st season, one that arrives with more uncertainty swirling around the organization than perhaps any other point in its recent history.
The franchise is still searching for its next general manager following Steve Yzerman's departure, its captain has publicly requested a trade, and a wave of contract-year veterans and rising prospects will be tasked with reshaping a roster that finished last season 22nd in scoring and stumbled to the finish line.
Add it all up, and it's fair to say Detroit hasn't entered a season with this many unresolved questions in years. Before puck drop, here's a closer look at the three biggest storylines that figure to define Detroit's season.
Dylan Larkin's Return
Detroit's captain situation looks increasingly unresolved as training camp approaches, with fans starting to accept that Dylan Larkin may open the season still on the roster.
His trade request went public back in early June, and reports indicate he hasn't budged on the limited list of teams he'd accept a deal to, leaving the Red Wings with little room to work with as they try to find a trade partner.
There's some precedent for a strained relationship eventually healing, as fans remember the frosty reception Sergei Fedorov faced after Detroit matched his offer sheet from Carolina in 1998, only for him to win the fanbase back by helping deliver two more Stanley Cups.
Larkin could go down a similar path to reconciliation with Red Wings fans isn't out of the question. It leaves plenty of open questions heading into camp like whether Larkin sits out, whether he keeps the captaincy, and how he performs with more scrutiny on him than ever before.
The Red Wings enter 2026-27 with several contract situations hanging over the roster, all against the backdrop of a franchise still searching for its next general manager.
Justin Faulk, acquired at a steep cost from St. Louis, is entering the final year of his deal and will need to bounce back after a rough finish to last season if he hopes to cash in on his next contract, while also serving as a veteran mentor for Detroit's young defensive core.
Andrew Copp, a Michigan native who signed with his hometown team in 2022, is also entering a contract year, bringing defensive reliability, leadership and will look to build off a career-best season.
Alex DeBrincat is in a similar spot, but the outlook there looks considerably brighter. Coming off a career year with 85 points, DeBrincat has reportedly made clear he wants to stay in Detroit long term, a comforting sign for a franchise navigating plenty of uncertainty elsewhere, backed further by a 16-team no-trade list that gives him real say in his future either way.
Whoever takes over as general manager will inherit a roster full of homegrown or adopted Michigan talent looking to be part of the solution as Detroit tries to finally end its decade-long playoff drought.
Overhauled Offense
After a rough finish that saw Detroit go 9-15-5 down the stretch with one of the league's worst offenses, the Red Wings enter season 101 with a noticeably reshaped attack. Newcomer Viktor Arvidsson steps into the second line alongside Alex DeBrincat and Copp after a 54-point bounce-back season in Boston, effectively replacing departed forward Patrick Kane.
Detroit also added grit up front in Keegan Kolesar, a physical, hard-forechecking winger acquired from Vegas who brings championship pedigree and one of the league's heaviest hit totals in recent years.
Beyond the veteran additions, Detroit is counting on internal growth from young forwards Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard to round out the retooled offense.
Taken together, it's a significantly different-looking group than the one that finished 22nd in scoring last season, and the Red Wings are hoping this new mix of proven scorers, physical depth and rising prospects is enough to finally end the NHL's longest active playoff drought.
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With training camp now fast approaching, the Philadelphia Flyers revealed their rookie camp roster for their upcoming rookie camp, which will kick off with the 2026 Rookie Series against the New York Rangers prospects on Sept. 12.
Fans making the trip to the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., for the Rookie Series or Flyers Training Center for camp will be in for a treat, as quite a few talented prospects and fan-favorites will be participating this year.
Included on the rookie camp roster are top Flyers prospects Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, and Maksim Sokolovskii, as well as wingers Alex Bump and Denver Barkey, who starred down the stretch for the Flyers last season.
Right wing Devin Kaplan is the only other forward on the roster with NHL experience, and he will be joined by Riley Thompson, Alex Ciernik, invitee Sawyer Dingman, Noah Powell, Cole Knuble, invitee Brady Berard, Nathan Quinn, KJ Sauer, free agent Owen McLaughlin, Matthew Gard, and Ilya Pautov.
Having not agreed on an entry-level contract, the Flyers lost the signing rights to McLaughlin last month, but the 23-year-old former seventh-round pick will be back looking to fight for a future in the Flyers organization throughout rookie camp and training camp.
On defense, Sokolovskii, the Flyers' first-round pick in 2026, and Oliver Bonk are the crown jewels, and the latter will likely be pushing for an NHL roster spot throughout camp and the preseason.
Completing the group of defensemen are Spencer Gill, Brek Liske, Luke Vlooswyk, invitee Riley Steen, Jackson Edward, and Ty Murchison.
A suddenly deep goalie pool will feature Carson Bjarnason, Marek Sklenicka, and Martin Psohlavec, who returns from an adductor strain suffered at the end of development camp on July 3.
As they get ready for their respective pro and college seasons, the Flyers won't have prospects like Jack Nesbitt, Jack Berglund, Carter Amico, Shane Vansaghi, Jack Murtagh, Heikki Ruohonen, and Max Westergard available for rookie camp.
The players in this ranking do not have extensive NHL experience and are all 23 and under. Therefore, players like Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Logan Mailloux, among others, won't feature in this ranking for those reasons.
The order of these rankings reflects a mix of their ceilings and potential, as well as how they've performed over the past year with their respective clubs.
Deciding between Carobonneau and Adam Jiricek was difficult, but it feels like Carobonneau has a more attainable floor than Jiricek, while having similar ceilings.
When at his best, Carbonneau plays physically, engages himself in the forecheck, and finds plenty of lanes to fire shots on goal. Listed at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Carbonneau isn't necessarily a true power forward like Tom Wilson, Brady Tkachuk or Matthew Knies, but he has shown a willingness to play that brand of hockey throughout his junior career.
The 19-year-old completed his final year of junior hockey with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL last year, scoring 51 goals and 80 points in 60 games. His 51 goals were tied for the league lead, although he did play three fewer games than Maxim Masse, the Anaheim Ducks prospect he was tied with.
Carbonneau was a surprise omission from Team Canada's world junior team, but it wasn't the first time Carbonneau was snubbed. Carbonneau's only international appearance for Team Canada was at the U-17s in 2022. He was left off the world junior Team, U-18s, and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster in each year of eligibility.
Nonetheless, Carbonneau is set to begin his professional career. He played in three playoff games for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL to end last season, but failed to record any points. Carbonneau will have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot out of training camp, as he did last year, but with the sheer number of NHL-caliber wingers on the roster, it's more likely than not that Carbonneau will begin the season in the AHL.
In the AHL, Carbonneau should immediately find a role within the top six, alongside other prospects like Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Otto Stenberg, Juraj Pekarcik, and Zach Dean. There is a chance Carbonneau excels and, due to injuries, earns a call-up and stays in the NHL, but the more probable case is that Carbonneau spends the 2026-27 season in the AHL before becoming a full-time NHLer in the 2027-28 season.
The former 19th overall pick of the 2025 NHL draft has all the tools of a top-six player and could become a complementary top-line winger as his game continues to round out.
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The Seattle Kraken spent the summer making sure their players will have more people in their corner when the 2026-27 season begins.
Some of the changes are obvious. Others will be noticed only inside the walls of the organization.
Seattle added a former NHL general manager to its front office, brought in a veteran coach with extensive NHL and AHL experience, promoted members of its performance staff and added new specialists in nutrition, mental performance, physical therapy, analytics and player development.
Perhaps the most notable addition is Patrik Allvin, who joins Jason Botterill as the Kraken’s vice president and assistant general manager.
Allvin spent the past several seasons as Vancouver’s general manager and was a finalist for NHL GM of the Year in 2024. He and Botterill also know each other well, having worked together for a decade in Pittsburgh while helping build three Stanley Cup-winning teams.
That relationship gives Seattle another experienced voice in a front office looking to take the next step.
The Kraken made a similarly significant addition behind the bench.
Pascal Vincent replaces Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach after spending the past two seasons running the Laval Rocket. Vincent won AHL Coach of the Year in 2025 after leading Laval to a 48-19-5 record and brings seven seasons of NHL assistant-coaching experience with him.
Head coach Lane Lambert was deliberate in finding Campbell’s replacement, and Vincent’s résumé ultimately checked the boxes Seattle was looking for.
The organization is also putting more resources into what happens away from the rink.
Nate Brookreson has been promoted to director of sports performance, while Jake Jensen becomes head strength and conditioning coach. Brandon Wickett returns to Seattle as an assistant strength and conditioning coach after spending last season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Madison Yerigan has also joined the Kraken as their full-time lead dietitian, giving players dedicated support for nutrition, recovery, hydration and meal planning throughout the season.
There is a similar emphasis on the mental side of the game.
Matt Brown takes over a newly created position as director of mental performance. Brown has spent three decades working with elite athletes, including Canadian national team athletes, and will work with Kraken players, prospects and the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Seattle is also adding physical therapist Mike Funyak to its athletic training staff and expanding its research and development department with Dan Cassario and Sabrina Escalona.
Then there is Dolan Gilbert, who may have the most unusual job of the group.
Gilbert will work in research and development while serving as Seattle’s emergency backup goaltender, a newly mandated NHL role that requires him to practice and travel with the team.
The Kraken have made changes to their development pipeline, too.
Former defenseman Justin Schultz has joined the player development staff and will work primarily with young defensemen, drawing on a 12-year NHL career that included two Stanley Cups.
Seattle also added amateur scout Brad Ginnell, while the Coachella Valley Firebirds hired Scott Ford as an assistant coach and Mike Crocock as a skills coach.
None of these moves guarantees anything once the puck drops.
But they do reveal where the Kraken believe they can improve.
The organization is adding experience, specialization and depth to the people responsible for developing, preparing and supporting its players.
Now comes the harder part: turning all of those additions into results.
Jan 31, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Seattle Kraken right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Stephen R. Sylvanie/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
NEW YORK — The New York Rangers agreed to terms with winger Eeli Tolvanen on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, the team announced.
The Rangers and Tolvanen reached the deal with a little more than two weeks before the start of training camp.
Tolvanen is coming off a 36-point season with Seattle, skating in 78 of 82 games. He set career highs with 23 goals in 2024-25 and 41 points in ’23-24.
Tolvanen figures to slot in on New York’s second or third line. The 27-year-old Finn is joining his third organization after being drafted by Nashville in 2017 and getting claimed off waivers by the Kraken in 2022.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Shane Lachance #20 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the third period against the Washington Capitals during a preseason game at Prudential Center on September 28, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The Washington Capitals defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 after a shootout. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New Jersey Devils NHL roster is looking crowded for the time being, particularly after the acquisition of Luke Evangelista earlier this week. Even players who a couple of weeks ago seemed as though they could be on the NHL roster, such as Lenni Hameenaho and David Rittich, may find themselves in Utica for at least a part of the season due to contract situations. Unless a trade is made before or early in the season, there may not be a lot of room for call-ups this season even if injuries occur. In that case, some players might need to raise their games in the AHL to eventually get NHL time.
A full season in the AHL for someone like Rittich isn’t great for him, because he’s already the player he will be at this point in his career. For guys like Hameenaho, however, as younger players there are still areas for growth and adjustment within their game. The Devils have a number of prospects in Utica, all in different places in their development. Some will be NHL players some day while other may not; for today, let’s look at three players that I believe could use to take a step forward in Utica this season in order to eventually become NHL players. As a quick note, I’m not including Hameenaho on this list, as I think he still stands to realistically spend some time in the NHL, especially if the Devils do swing a trade early on.
Matyas Melovsky
Melovsky was a sixth round selection of the Devils not too long ago in 2024, and the 2025-26 season was his first as a pro. Utica struggled as a whole to start the campaign, but Melovsky still managed to put up a respectable 26 points in 55 games. He didn’t produce like a superstar by any means, but being tied for eighth in scoring on a struggling team as a rookie isn’t bad either. Melovsky played last season on an AHL deal, but his performance was good enough for him to earn a two year entry level NHL deal after the season concluded.
Matyas is interesting for sure because not much is expected from sixth round picks, but there’s always the potential for them to turn into something as well. While the Devils currently have enough NHL centers, it’s always good to have some useful players waiting in the pipeline, be it for call-up or trade purposes. If Melovsky can grow his scoring (I’d hope for at least 40-50 from him this season) while also continuing to develop the rest of his game, the Devils could find themselves with another late round gem who could contribute at the NHL level sooner rather than later.
Shane Lachance
Lachance is an interesting player for a different set of reasons as a forward. Originally a sixth round choice of the Oilers in 2021 (both forwards discussed today being sixth round picks is a coincidence, I swear), the Devils acquired him as part of the trade where they retained salary on Trent Frederic on his way from Boston to Edmonton. Lachance would sign his ELC with the Devils just over a month after the deal in April of 2025 after two years of NCAA hockey. While an older prospect, Lachance scored slightly less than Melovsky, with 25 points in 62 games.
Lachance is interesting because he provides a different skill set for the Devils; he brings a larger frame and he isn’t afraid to be at least somewhat physical. That’s not saying he’s a goon and he’s going to take runs at players, but it is to say that he’s willing to use his size and body to separate players from the puck. If Lachance adds a bit to his AHL point totals in a second full season with the Comets, he could be on an even faster track to New Jersey. A player on a cheap deal (Lachance will need a new deal for 2027-28) bringing physicality and Bottom Six scoring is always useful. It’s up to Shane’s development to see if he can be that type of player.
Jakub Malek
Goaltending continues to be a gigantic question mark for the Devils, and any player emerging to be a full time starter would be helpful. While Nico Daws might be getting his chance this season in the NHL, there are still some prospects who could be the long-term solution. One such player is Jakub Malek who is seemingly slated to be Utica’s starter this season. Malek was selected the same year as Lachance, but in the fourth round at pick #100. He also would wait until this past season to make his debut for a team within the Devils organization, although Malek got games in with both Utica (31) and Adirondack (two) of the ECHL.
Malek’s .895 AHL save percentage doesn’t scream “goalie of the future” but others have struggled in their first seasons before going on to become solid NHL players or better. Malek also wasn’t playing behind the best team last season, and Devils GM Sunny Mehta has taken some steps to improve that group. 2026-27 could wind up being a better indicator of what Malek is really capable of if the group in front of him truly is better. Regardless of if they are or aren’t, Malek stepping up his game and improving his stats could go a long way. The organization probably moves him up the depth chart if he plays well as Utica’s starter, so this next year could be important both for him and for the team’s potential to succeed.
Final Thoughts
There are definitely other names that could have been on this list, but I wanted to look at a few guys who seem to be depth options/AHL guys but maybe could emerge to be solid, long-term contributors. The Devils have been re-shaped to hopefully be a better team this season, but growth and development of young players and prospects could be just as important for the Devils to level up.
What are your thoughts on the development of Melovsky, Lachance and/or Malek; do you believe any of them could realistically be an important piece for the Devils on their roster? Do you think they could eventually be decently useful trade pieces for the team? Which one do you think has the most potential? Which one are you most rooting for to succeed. Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!
The Vancouver Canucks are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2026-27 season. This year will bring plenty of intrigue, as the off-season brought major changes to the organization. Some of the biggest moves happened on the management side, which included Daniel and Henrik Sedin being named Co-Presidents of the Canucks.
Recently, Henrik spoke to Swedish news outlet Expressenabout the upcoming campaign. The Hockey Hall of Famer was asked a variety of questions, including about a rebuild timeline and trade rumours surrounding center Elias Pettersson. Using Google Translate, here's what Henrik said.
To kick off the interview, Henrik was asked if he and Daniel ever considered stepping away from hockey full-time after retirement. Henrik responded by saying, "Yes, we absolutely have. We didn't care much about hockey at all during Covid, but it became quite natural to go back to hockey three years after our careers. Then we got the chance to step in as advisors at that time. When Patrik (Allvin) came there, we had long discussions about wanting to get back out on the ice and work closer to the players. That's what we thought was fun. We told him to stay away from the other stuff, because we don't need to be seen. Then Patrik found a role that suited us, and that's what we've done up until now."
Henrik was then asked about the rebuild, which is something ownership appears to be fully on board with. He said, "When the owners asked, it was pretty obvious, especially for the plan they presented. If they had said, "Do you want to take over? We want to win next year," then it would have been more difficult. But now, considering that we agreed with them about what the vision was and the plan for the next few years, it became different. If you are on the same wavelength as the owners in how you see things being done, then it becomes easier to take on such a job."
As for a potential timeline for returning to the playoffs, Henrik stressed the importance of not rushing the process. He answered the question by saying, " It's really hard to say. It depends on who we draft and how quickly they develop. It's important to have good support in development and all that. Then, whether they come in after one year or three years, it's hard to say. But we also know that you can't "rebuild" for as many years as you want. There has to be development. But in these first few years, we will at least start from scratch. Then we'll see what happens."
While fans have accepted a rebuild, the team needs to ensure it continues to grow year after year. In the interview, Henrik was asked how the organization intends to avoid a prolonged rebuild, with the Buffalo Sabres and the Chicago Blackhawks used as examples. Henrik said, "It's hard. Detroit also lasted an incredible number of years, and it's hard. It's about getting the foundation you build right when you draft. They come in, develop, and you help them with everything they need. It's leadership, support on the ice and getting that group to become a cornerstone of what we do. I think we have already brought in the young guys we brought in last year, like Tom Willander, Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren and many younger players who have come together."
Finally, Henrik was asked about center Elias Pettersson, who has struggled over the past few seasons. As part of the question, Henrik was also asked about the trade rumours that continually emerged all off-season. Henrik answered the question by saying, " We have said that we want to give him every opportunity to succeed. Both Ryan Johnson and Manny (Malhotra) believe a lot in creating an environment around the team where he can just come in and play hockey. Right now, in the situation we are in, he doesn't need to focus on anything other than coming in well prepared. That's the hope, and we believe in that."
As for the trade rumour part specifically, Henrik said, "No. In the NHL, there are trade rumours about all players. If you don't live up to your contract and the team is struggling, then there are often trade rumours. It's something you have to live with over there."
The 2026-27 season begins on September 29 against the Edmonton Oilers. Before that, Vancouver will be travelling to Penticton on September 17 for training camp. The Canucks also have a prospects showcase scheduled for September 12 and 13 against the Seattle Kraken.
May 14, 2026; Vancouver, BC, Canada; The Vancouver Canucks promoted Henrik Sedin (left) and his twin brother Daniel Sedin (right) to co-presidents during a press conference at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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WINNIPEG, CANADA - MARCH 14: Gavin Brindley #54 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on from the bench prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on March 14, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
Gavin Brindley returns for his sophomore campaign as a member of the Colorado Avalanche this year.
The twenty-one year old Brindley, originally drafted 34th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, was acquired by the Avs along with Columbus’ 2025 third-round pick (used to draft defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce) and a conditional 2027 second-round pick (originally owned by the Minnesota Wild; Columbus traded their own 2025 second-round pick to Seattle to acquire Mason Marchment last season) in exchange for forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. He made his Avalanche debut on October 07, 2025, against the Los Angeles Kings. Four nights later, he scored his first career NHL goal in the Avs’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars.
Brindley’s ice time increased after the Dallas game: in the fifteen games that followed, he played at least 10:00 in ten of those games. In four of those games, he collected three (3) goals and three (3) assists for a total of six (6) points. Two of those goals were game-winners: the first coming in the Avs’ 5-4 overtime victory over Vancouver on November 09, and again in a 6-3 victory over Buffalo four nights later.
Brindley’s on-ice performance proved his merit to (former) Avs general manager Chris MacFarland. In the middle of his point streak, he signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.75 million dollars on November 11. The first year which begins the 2026-27 season is two-way with $200K guaranteed and the second year is one-way at $900k.
Brindley’s sustained a lower body injury on November 20 in a 6-3 victory against the New York Rangers. He missed ten (10) games, but seemingly picked up right where he left off. In his first game back from injury on December 11, he scored another goal and added an assist as the Avs cruised to a 6-2 defeat over the defending champion Florida Panthers. His 16:06 of ice time against Florida was the most he had at any point during the season with the Avs.
Unfortunately, Brindley’s offense grew cold after his return. Throughout the remainder of the season, he managed only one (1) goal and three (3) assists. That goal came in a comeback victory against Chicago in a game where the 21-year-old played just over three minutes. His ice time, clearly, began to decrease and, on March 22, he played his final game of the regular season in a 3-2 overtime victory over Washington, where he played less than 5:00. Four nights later, he was sent down to Loveland. In nine (9) games with the Eagles, he collected two (2) goals and four (4) assists for six (6) points.
Brindley was relatively quiet during the first two playoff series for the Eagles, but he made his presence known in the division finals series against Coachella Valley. He scored two of his three playoff goals in this series, and his goal in Game Four broke a 2-2 tie that served as the series-clinching goal. He set up Matt DiMarisco’s game-tying goal in Game Three of the Western Conference Final against Chicago (the Eagles would win 7-3, giving them a 3-2 series lead and a chance to clinch their first-ever Calder Cup Final appearance). Chicago went on to win Game Six and Game Seven, ending the Eagles’ playoff run.
Brindley finished with three (3) goals and five (5) assists for a total of eight (8) points in fifteen (15) AHL postseason games.
So, what should we expect from Brindley in his follow-up to his first season with the Avs? With Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Joel Kiviranta no longer in the picture, and having played 56 games at the NHL level last season, Brindley should have had the inside track to secure a spot within the Avs’ bottom six but there many other new acquisitions vying for the same role. However, as illustrated earlier, he has shown to more effective with higher ice time and does have experience in the system, so would a consistent presence as a fourth-line compliment to Parker Kelly, for example, be the most practical use for him? Long-term, probably not.
The recipe for Brindley’s success is to give him a role with enough ice time (averaging around 10:00 per game or more, ideally) to make an impact. If he can find chemistry with more talented linemates, even better. Early returns were encouraging for him in the top six, but he struggled to regain his form after being out with injury. His experience last year will be beneficial in his bid to remain with the parent club, and with multiple roster spots open, this will be Brindley’s best opportunity to stand out as a long-term option for head coach Jared Bednar.
Brindley earned pretty high rankings among us: both Ezra and I had him at the top of our respective lists, while Brennan had him at 7. Whether Brindley plays a minor or (hopefully) a major role with the Avs will be a compelling story to follow.
It’s up to him to determine how much of a hand he’ll have in that story.
Let us know what you think of this prospect in the comments!
A library card could be worth a lot more than books this September.
Las Vegas hockey fans have a chance to win free Vegas Golden Knights tickets simply by having a library card, according to KSNV, as the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District celebrates Library Card Sign-Up Month with a special giveaway.
The promotion gives both new and existing cardholders an opportunity to win a pair of tickets to a Golden Knights or Las Vegas Raiders home game, a car pass for Glittering Lights, special “#GetCarded” T-shirts and other prizes.
And the best part? There is no complicated catch.
Anyone with a Library District card can enter the giveaway through Sept. 30. Winners will be selected at random in October and notified by email.
Those who don't have a library card can visit their local branch to sign up. The Library District also offers an Instant eCard through its website, giving Las Vegas residents another way to get a card and enter the promotion.
For Golden Knights fans, the giveaway comes at an ideal time.
Vegas is preparing to return to the ice for the 2026-27 season, with the team's preseason scheduled to begin Sept. 19 against the Los Angeles Kings at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
The Golden Knights will play four preseason games before the regular season begins, including three contests against Western Conference opponents.
Vegas will travel to face the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 22 before returning home for its first preseason game at T-Mobile Arena against the Utah Mammoth on Sept. 24.
The preseason will conclude Sept. 26, when the Golden Knights host the Sharks at T-Mobile Arena.
Golden Knights’ 2026-27 Preseason Schedule
Sept. 19: Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings, 6 p.m. PT — Toyota Arena
Sept. 22: Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. PT — SAP Center
Sept. 24: Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth, 7 p.m. PT — T-Mobile Arena
Sept. 26: Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. PT — T-Mobile Arena
Broadcast information for the preseason will be announced at a later date.
For fans already looking ahead to another season of Golden Knights hockey, the library giveaway offers a chance to get into T-Mobile Arena without having to purchase a ticket.
All it takes is a library card.
And if you don't have one yet, September might be the perfect time to get one.
