There were many great moments from the Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 season. One of them was the arrival of top prospect Konsta Helenius, as the 20-year-old forward showed that he can already make an impact in the NHL when given the chance.
Helenius appeared in his first career NHL regular-season games, where he had one goal and four points. He also played in four playoff games for the Sabres this spring, where he posted two goals and a plus-1 rating. With this, the 2024 first-round pick showed plenty of promising with the Sabres this campaign, and he is a prime breakout candidate to watch heading into the 2026-27 season.
When looking at how well Helenius played in the AHL this season, too, it is hard not to be excited about his future with the Sabres. In 63 games this campaign with the Rochester Americans, the skilled forward posted 21 goals, 42 assists, and 63 points. This is after he had 14 goals and 35 points in 65 games during the 2024-25 season with Rochester, so he has taken a major step forward in his development.
With Helenius being only 20 years old and already putting up numbers like this in the AHL, the Sabres could really have something special in him. The potential for him to emerge as the Sabres' next big star is there, as he has the skill and offensive talent to be a high-impact forward in the NHL.
It is going to be fascinating to see how Helenius continues to develop his game from here.
Seven players currently under contract with the Vancouver Canucks organization are set to hit restricted free-agency pending any upcoming extensions. Only two of these seven played in NHL games for Vancouver this season, while four are eligible for arbitration come negotiation time.
This year, NHL teams are required to extend qualifying offers to their RFAs by June 29, only a couple of days after the 2026 NHL Draft. That means if Vancouver wants to keep any of these seven players, they’ll need to provide them with a qualifying offer that cannot be signed before July 1.
Here are the Canucks’ seven RFAs heading into the 2026 off-season.
Three Canucks RFAs Are Older Than 25
Pierre-Olivier Joseph (26):
Previous Contract: $775k x 1yr
Six-year NHL veteran who has yet to play in a full 82-game season. Scored a goal and five assists in 31 games with Vancouver this season in a depth-defenceman role. Signed a one-year deal with Vancouver in 2025. Arbitration eligible.
Nils Åman (26):
Previous Contract: $825k x 2yrs
Signed with Vancouver in 2022 and has consistently played in at least one game at the NHL level since. Went scoreless in two games with Vancouver this season but led the Abbotsford Canucks in scoring with six goals and 35 assists in 55 games. Arbitration eligible.
Cole Clayton (26):
Previous Contract: $775k x 1yr
Right-shot defenceman acquired by Vancouver via trade with the San Jose Sharks. Put together two goals and five assists in 33 games with Abbotsford and six assists in 32 games with the San Jose Barracuda. Played all throughout Abbotsford’s lineup. Arbitration eligible.
Two Recent Trade Acquisitions Are Up For New Contracts
Jayden Grubbe (23):
Previous Contract: $867k x 3yrs (ELC)
2021 third-round pick acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Scored a goal in two games with Abbotsford as well as seven goals and 12 assists in 28 games with the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. Former captain of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels.
Jack Thompson (24):
Previous Contract: $800k x 1yr
Right-shot defenceman also acquired from San Jose via trade. Averaged near a point per game in 14 games with Abbotsford (three goals, 10 assists) and put up three goals and nine assists with the Barracuda. Arbitration eligible.
Two Highly-Anticipated RFAs Who Are Awaiting Their NHL Debuts
Chase Stillman (23):
Previous Contract: $863k x 3yrs (ELC)
2021 first-round pick acquired via trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Missed most of the 2025–26 season due to injury but scored three goals and six assists in 24 games played with Abbotsford. Won OHL championship with the Peterborough Petes in 2022–23.
Danila Klimovich (23):
Previous Contract: $833k x 3yrs (ELC)
Five-year AHL veteran drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Scored 18 goals and 16 assists in 63 games in 2025–26. Currently tied with Linus Karlsson for Abbotsford’s franchise lead in career goals scored with 70.
A Look At The 2026–27 Season RFAs
Forwards: Ty Mueller, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Liam Öhgren, Aatu Räty (arbitration-eligible), Ilya Safonov, Anrī Ravinskis (arbitration-eligible)
Defence: Zeev Buium, Elias Pettersson, Kirill Kudryavtsev
Goaltenders: Aku Koskenvuo, Ty Young
Apr 2, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Aman (88) during pre game warm up against the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
This whole Stanley Cup Final has been thrilling, and Game 4 was no different. When the teams met on Tuesday, the Hurricanes led by two on two separate occasions; the Golden Knights rallied and tied the game in the second period. In the third, Jordan Staal put the Hurricanes ahead with his fifth goal of the series, and the Golden Knights fell 5-3 after Nikolaj Ehlers hit the empty net.
Carter Hart starts in goal for the Golden Knights. Hart has a record of 14-6 and an average save percentage of .912 in 20 games this postseason.
The Hurricanes have not announced a starting goaltender, but all signs point to Brandon Bussi starting between the pipes for the second straight game. Bussi had a record of 1-0 and an average save percentage of .900 in two games played this postseason.
Golden Knights Lines
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Mark Stone
Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Mitch Marner
Colton Sissons — Tomáš Hertl — Pavel Dorofeyev
Cole Smith — Nic Dowd — Keegan Kolesar
Defense
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Rasmus Andersson
Jeremy Lauzon — Dylan Coghlan
Goaltenders: Carter Hart / Adin Hill
Hurricanes Lines
Nikolaj Ehlers — Jordan Staal — Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Jordan Martinook
William Carrier — Mark Jankowski — Eric Robinson
Defense
Jaccob Slavin — Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller — Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere — Alexander Nikishin
Goaltenders: Brandon Bussi / Pyotr Kochetkov
Special Teams
VGK power play: 20.7%, 5th
VGK penalty kill: 83.1%, 8th
Hurricanes power play: 16.4%, 11th
Hurricanes penalty kill: 92.3%, 2nd
Game Notes
The Golden Knights are 10-9 in Game 5s in franchise history. They have won both Game 5s they have played this postseason.
Historically, teams that take a 3-2 series lead go on to win 79.9% of the time.
The Golden Knights have never lost a series when they win Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead.
Mitch Marner is the postseason leader in scoring with 29 points (10 G, 19 A). He is also the postseason leader in assists with 19.
Brett Howden leads the league with 14 postseason goals. His second-period tally in Game 4 set a new Golden Knights franchise record for goals in a single postseason.
Shea Theodore leads all defensemen in scoring this postseason with 17 points (6G, 11A).
The Golden Knights have a 7-3 record on the road this postseason; the Hurricanes are 7-2 at home.
The Blues have veterans like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler, and Jordan Binnington, but they also have youngsters like Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours, Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, Justin Carbonneau, Philip Broberg, Theo Lindstein and Adam Jiricek.
They have to decide whether to lean into their youth and let them develop, or remain competitive by adding veterans.
Based on most reports and the tone used by Doug Armstrong and Alexander Steen, the Blues are trending towards a youth movement.
With that set to occur, today we are going to look at three Blues players who may have played their final game with the organization.
Oskar Sundqvist, C
Oskar Sundqvist has had two separate stints with the Blues, but his most recent stint has been disappointing. Sundqvist was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings during the 2021-22 season and didn’t return until the 2023-24 season. Prior to being traded, Sundqvist was a difference-maker in the bottom six, using his size and his two-way game to be effective.
He was able to chip in offensively when needed and was vital to their success during the 2019 Stanley Cup win.
Upon returning, Sundqvist hasn’t really been able to factor into any team success. In three seasons, he’s scored just 17 goals and 58 points in 190 games. But more importantly, he hasn’t been as potent defensively.
It’s time for the two to go their separate ways, and whether Sundqvist finds another home in the NHL or returns to Sweden is undetermined.
Outside the 2025-26 season, Jordan Kyrou has been a consistent producer for the Blues, but the team has been waiting for him to take his game to another level, and he just hasn’t done it.
His defensive game has taken strides, particularly in the past two seasons, receiving Selke Trophy votes in both campaigns. But the Blues have felt they needed to part ways for several years now, and after an 18-goal, 46-point campaign, it looks like the writing is on the wall for Kyrou.
No doubt there will be plenty of suitors for Kyrou, and if he truly has played his final game with the organization, he leaves as a mature player who has shown he can be consistent.
Jordan Binnington and the Blues’ story is a great example of how each path to the NHL is different, but also that it’s a harsh business.
Binnington’s ascension during the 2018-19 season from AHL netminder to Stanley Cup-winning goaltender is a feel-good story, but now, heading into the 2026 season, Binnington has lost that level with the Blues, and at 32 years old, it’s time to move on.
Joel Hofer stole the crease from Binnington after Binnington posted career-worst numbers in 2025-26. Due to his reputation and strong performances with Team Canada at recent best-on-best tournaments, Binnington still has high trade value that the Blues must cash in on.
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.
From New York to Los Angeles, Peter Laviolette and Artemi Panarin are reuniting.
Laviolette was hired by the Los Angeles Kings this week as their head coach, joining Panarin, who was traded from the New York Rangers to the Kings in February.
Under Laviolette’s coaching with the Rangers, Panarin experienced his best statistical season in 2023-24, recording 49 goals, 71 assists, and 120 points.
In Laviolette’s system, Panarin was the focal point of the offense, playing a major top-six and power-play role, serving as the main puck handler.
Laviolette had only positive things to say about Panarin during his introductory press conference with the Kings on Wednesday.
“He's an extremely talented person,” Laviolette said of Panarin. “Some people, I think, have elite skills and I think he has elite skills. We just had a relationship where, I think it's important to get to know people and work at that - and I'm going to work hard to do that here with all the players and all the staff inside of the Kings family - but he also has the ability to be a game-breaker and a difference-maker.
“He's not just a goalscorer, he's not just a playmaker, he's elusive, he's shifty, he can change a game on any given night I'm really excited to work with him again. I loved working with him in New York and now I get that opportunity again.”
The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and reached the Eastern Conference Final during Laviolette’s first season in New York, but the Blueshirts missed the playoffs the following season, which ultimately cost Laviolette his job.
The 61-year-old coach spent the 2025-26 campaign without a coaching job, but was in the mix for a number of head coaching vacancies, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, before he was hired by the Kings.
“Peter builds relationships, he creates a positive culture, he’s a motivator and he’s a winner,” Kings general manager Ken Holland said. “He’s the seventh-winningest coach in the history of the NHL and he’s taken three teams to the Stanley Cup Final……
“I talked to a lot of people that have worked with Lavy and everyone was very, very positive about what he could bring to the LA Kings. When you look at his resume, all of the teams that he’s been with and the impact that he’s had on those teams, the first couple of years, right off the bat. Pro hockey is hard to win at and he’s done a lot of winning.”
The Colorado Avalanche just finished their end-of-season media availability with General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and KSE Vice Chairman Josh Kronke. They spoke for just over 20 minutes with the media and answered questions about this past season and what's coming next. Here is what they had to say.
Coaching Staff Is Here To Stay
Opening the press conference, the first question he asked was about Jared Bednar and the coaching staff. He confirmed that Bednar and the entire staff will remain with the team, as they are under contract, so that no changes will be made.
Sakic says Bednar "shouldn't be worried" about being in the last year of his deal. Though he follows up, saying there isn't an extension and that getting to one isn't a priority right now.
Sakic follows up on the comment about Bednar and his importance to the team:
"He has the confidence of the players, it's clear from players and staff that he's the right guy, they love playing for him. He's not just the coach; he's the voice of the organization, players really like him, and I'm going with the players.”
The other major talking point raised near the end of the conference was the addition of Dave Hakstol and his role with the power play. It was a topic of conversation throughout the season, given how limited the production was, especially considering the amount of talent on both units and the failure to make any changes to the deployment to see if that could help spark a fire and increase its production.
Sakic made it clear that he shares everyone else's frustration with the power play, but they made a change at the end of last season, and he feels it improved when the team re-acquired Kadri. He also emphasized that the team appreciates Dave Hakstol’s work.
The good news is that Sakic did comment on the lack of production. While many might have wanted Hakstol gone and a change implemented, the only way is up from last season. At the same time, it's not great that the team finished with a power-play percentage of 17.1% on the season, the sixth-lowest in the NHL.
I agree with Sakic that, with the addition of Kadri, the power play did look better after the trade deadline and in the playoffs, but it's not an excuse that it should have taken that long to improve.
How The Roster Is Going To Look Moving Forward
Sakic touched on the season overall and noted that, while many might see it as a disappointment, the team played well and set records across the board, yet still failed to win a Stanley Cup. Though he talked about how it was “overall an incredibly fun year,” and while he and the team are disappointed in how it ended, there shouldn't be any panic about making massive changes, and he says this roster has a “2-to-3-year window”.
Though he knows that this team is going to do everything to get better, as he reiterates, “We're going to look at all options to get better.”
With key free agents like Brett Kulak and Jack Drury, keeping these players will be important to the team, but exploring trades will be necessary given how tight they are on cap space.
Both Sakic and Kroenke have made it clear that judging an incredible season by the last week is an extreme approach. While everyone is expecting this team to win a Stanley Cup, he credited the Vegas Golden Knights for playing really well against the Avalanche. He didn’t want to bring up any excuses, but he did reiterate how the injuries to Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon drastically altered Colorado's chances at beating Vegas.
The biggest point about the roster was Cale Makar and his eligibility for a contract extension this summer. Sakic confidently talked about how important Makar is to the team and that “Cale is going to finish his career here.” He hopes to have an extension signed this summer and has already begun discussions with his agent.
Heading into next season, Sakic expected everyone to be at training camp at “100%”. This is welcoming, though, without concern, as they didn't list any specific injuries the team was dealing with, especially those involving Makar and MacKinnon and how banged up they were.
While this might not have been what many wanted or expected to hear this afternoon, it's a clear, concise point from Sakic and Kronke that the team will continue to operate as it did last season. No major or drastic changes, but they do expect greatness from one another and know that the fans and media do too. It will be interesting to see what moves they pull in this free agency to make this team any better than it was last season.
After two seasons with the Calgary Wranglers, Czechia native Martin Frk appears headed to the KHL, with online reports indicating that the former 30-goal scorer has agreed to terms with the Shanghai Dragons.
Initially drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (49th overall) in 2012, Frk has skated in 124 NHL games, but has forged a stellar career in the AHL, with 224 goals and 437 points in 536 games.
Since returning to North America after spending the 2023-24 season in the Swiss NL, Frk has been with the Wranglers, serving as an alternate captain last season. In 143 games with Calgary, he tallied 57 goals and 120 points with 132 penalty minutes.
Now 32, Frk has won a QMJHL championship, a Memorial Cup, a Calder Cup, and is a one-time AHL Second Team All-Star.
He made his NHL debut on Oct. 18, 2016, as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, before rejoining the Red Wings in 2017, and playing his last NHL game on Mar. 19, 2022, as a member of the Los Angeles Kings.
In the AHL, Frk is a six-time 20-goal scorer, reaching a career high of 40 with the Ontario Reign in 2021-22. He was recently a member of the Wranglers, signed by Craig Conroy to a one-year, $775k deal.
Last year, the Wranglers missed the Calder Cup playoffs, finishing last in the AHL's Pacific Division with a 23-34-10-5 record. Meanwhile, the Dragons finished ninth in the KHL's Western Conference with a 16-35-5-12 record and did not produce a 30-goal scorer.
LOS ANGELES – The Kings have signed forward Martin Chromiak to a one-year deal. It is a two-way contract with an AAV of $850,000.
At 23 years old, Chromiak recorded his best season with 28 goals and 28 assists in the AHL. He showed improvement each year with the Ontario Reign, which is why the Kings should consider calling him up to the NHL.
This next season, Chromiak could make his first ever appearance in the NHL. Although he was the leader for the Reign, there would likely be a different role in play for the Kings should he impress the team out of training camp.
The leading scorer from the Reign will not be required to dictate the Kings’ offense but is required not to harm it. Los Angeles was one of the best teams in limiting giveaways and could be an adjustment at the NHL level for Chromiak.
Last season, the Kings had 44.65% giveaways in the defensive zone and ranked the fourth fewest in the league. Chromiak blends in well since he is skilled at controlling the puck and setting up the offense.
While the Kings were elite at limiting turnovers, they also struggled with playmaking. Los Angeles were one of the worst playmaking teams as they ranked 29th in total assists last season.
However, Chromiak’s playmaking ability is considered his greatest strength as a player. Having a depth player that can make the right passes could drastically improve the offense and, with the potential departure of Andrei Kuzmenko, he could fill that void at a much cheaper price.
We've signed Martin Chromiak to a one-year, two-way contract! ✍️
As many strengths Chromiak has as a player, his most useful asset will be his physicality. This is certainly fitting, with the foreshadowed up-tempo, physical system that lies ahead with head coach Peter Laviolette coming onboard.
From the three of the past four teams Laviolette has coached in his first year, the team was top 10 in percentage of hits given. The Flyers were 52.03% in 2010, the Capitals were 53.85% in 2021 and the Rangers 54.21% in 2024.
Since Coach Laviolette lives and breathes a physical system, Chromiak will have to match that physicality. He has a good size, being 6’0 and 190 pounds, but in a depth role potentially available, he must be willing to up the ante without being able to sacrifice too much of his offensive ability.
A call-up usually consists of having that extra body on the ice to provide fresh legs. Yet, Chromiak could be a long-term option to complement the system’s strengths and limit the weaknesses.
Chromiak blends in with the Kings’ strengths due to excellent puck control and ability to lay the body, often crafty with his skating angles. On the other hand, he also can provide a bit of a solution to Los Angeles’ playmaking depth.
A skilled young player seems to be a phrase that feels distasteful with the crop of youth that has come and gone in the wake of the Rob Blake era. It might not be as sour as it is sweet, as Chromiak could provide a renewed youth push for the Kings in 2027. When training camp gets underway in a few months, he’ll be ready to make more than just an impression, but a roster spot.
The Montreal Canadiens have a few roster needs to address this summer. One of them is the right side of their blueline, as they could use another right-shot top-four defenseman.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Rasmus Andersson stands out as a prime potential option for the Canadiens to consider pursuing.
While there is certainly a good chance that Andersson ends up re-signing with the Vegas Golden Knights, the possibility of him testing free agency should not be ruled out. If he does, he would be one of the best players available, so it would make sense if he wanted to see what offers were out there. If Andersson does hit the market, the Canadiens would be wise to pursue him.
If the Canadiens signed Andersson, he would be a nice addition to their second pairing. He would also give them another defenseman who works in all situations, which undoubtedly adds to his appeal.
Andersson is coming off a strong regular-season, too, as he posted 17 goals, 47 points, and 149 blocks in 81 games split between the Calgary Flames and Golden Knights. He has also been solid for the Golden Knights this post-season, as he has six assists and a plus-4 rating in 20 games. With numbers like these, he would be a nice pickup for a Canadiens club that needs another high-impact blueliner.
Nevertheless, if Andersson hits the market, it will be interesting to see if the Habs end up being one of the teams that target him. He would be a strong pickup for a Canadiens club that is entering its Stanley Cup window.
Accolades are becoming old hat for Buffalo Sabres top prospect Konsta Helenius. The 20-year-old played nine games for the Sabres during the regular season, stepped in during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in impressive fashion, and scored the golden goal for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championships in Switzerland last month. On Wednesday, the American Hockey League named Helenius to their 2025-26 Top Prospects Team.
The young center was named to the 2024-25 Top Prospects after making his Noreth American debut with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games with the Rochester Americans. This season, he led the Amerks with 62 points (21 goals, 41 assists) in 63 games, tying for ninth in AHL scoring and setting a franchise record for scoring by a teenager.
For the second straight year, Konsta Helenius is an @TheAHL Top Prospect! 🤩🎉 Helenius enjoyed a standout season with the Amerks in 2025-26, leading the team with 63 points (21+42) in 63 games and tying for ninth in scoring in the AHL. Helenius, who was one of four Amerks… https://t.co/yqbsJB0xDgpic.twitter.com/M6lLqhWjIR
Alex Tuch and his contract situation with the Sabres
Forwards Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (DET), Ilya Protas(WAS), defensemen Carter Yakemchuk (OTT) and Adam Engstrom (MON), and goaltender Sergei Murashov (PIT) were also selected.
The Sabres were fortunate at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas two years ago after trading down three slots with the San Jose Sharks the day before the draft to garner an extra second-round pick. Helenius was thought of by many draft analysts as the most pro-ready forward next to top pick Macklin Celebrini after playing last season in the Finnish SM-Liiga, and for Finland at the Under-18’s, World Junior Championships and World Championships.
After two full years in the AHL, it is highly likely that Helenius will not be seeing any time in the minors going forward. With the likely departure of Alex Tuch and possibly Beck Malenstyn in free agency, GM Jarmo Kekalainen will look to internal options like Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, and Helenius in part to fill the void up front. It is also possible that the Sabres GM may be involved in what is expected to be a brisk trade market this summer, which might necessitate trading one or more of those prospects.
It would have surprising however, to see the Sabres move Helenius, who seems very capable at a young age to make an impact in the NHL.
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final comes to us live from Lenovo Center in Raleigh tonight, with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes knotted at 2-2.
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
Josh Inglis' expert pick: Jordan Staal Over 0.5 points
Price: +120 at BET99
Jordan Staal has been an issue for the Vegas Golden Knights all series, and the longer this Cup Finals goes, the more of an impact he will have.
He has six points in two games and multiple points in back-to-back matches. His 5-on-5 line is better with the addition of Seth Jarvis, and there is a case to be made that he is playing among the most offensively talented wingers on the team.
Staal also gets PP1 looks until the puck is cleared, and he changes. Carter Hart is giving up goals in bunches, and Staal is getting some Conn Smythe love for a reason
Neil Parker's expert pick: Brandon Bussi Over 21.5 saves
Price: +100 at BET99
While the Golden Knights have been on the losing end of the 5-on-5 possession battle with a 42.0 Corsi For percentage, they’ve consistently pushed back, and their 47.5% shot share paints a far clearer picture of how the series has played out through four games.
As a result, I’m anticipating the Golden Knights showing up on time and with an emphasis on testing Carolina Hurricanes rookie goalie Brandon Bussi in Game 5.
Bussi has only faced 22.76 shots per 60 minutes since taking over the crease in Game 3, and Vegas has recorded 25.2 shots per 60 this postseason, so a slight uptick from the Golden Knights is all it will take for Bussi to clear this low total.
I recommend this to -110 odds.
Todd Cordell's expert pick: Taylor Hall Over 0.5 points
Carolina has controlled better than 68% of the expected goals during Hall’s 5-on-5 minutes. No other player is above 58%. He’s full value for it, leading the way in shot attempts, scoring chances, and sitting tied for first in Grade A opportunities.
Brett Howden has quickly made a name for himself in the playoffs. He leads the Vegas Golden Knights with 14 goals in just 20 games and has already scored four times in the Stanley Cup Final. The center has generated 22 individual high-danger chances this postseason, including 14 on the road.
In the Final alone, Howden has produced 12 individual Fenwick attempts, ranking third on Vegas. The veteran continues to put himself in dangerous scoring areas, and the underlying chance generation suggests more opportunities should follow.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Golden Knights vs Hurricanes goal scorer predictions for Game 5
Player to score a goal
Odds
Jackson Blake
+275
Jordan Martinook
+540
Brett Howden
+270
💲Goal scorer parlay
+3500
Goal scorer pick: Jackson Blake (+275)
Jackson Blake has been a revelation in these playoffs, scoring six goals and adding 12 assists. The youngster netted his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 and has recorded five shots on goal across the last two contests. Blake has also generated five individual high-danger chances in the series.
Looking at the postseason as a whole, Blake leads the Carolina Hurricanes with 29 individual high-danger chances. He's consistently putting himself in dangerous scoring areas, and the volume of quality opportunities continues to support another goal-scoring performance.
I'll play this pick to +200.
Goal scorer pick: Jordan Martinook (+540)
This one may feel like a bit of a long shot, but hear me out. Jordan Martinook has one goal in the Stanley Cup Final and is getting pucks on net, recording seven shots on goal across the last three games.
Despite scoring just twice this postseason, Martinook has generated 17 individual high-danger chances, one of the best marks on Carolina's roster.
Additionally, Martinook has produced 3.64 individual expected goals and 45 individual Fenwick attempts during the playoffs. The opportunities haven't translated into goals as often as he'd like, but the underlying numbers suggest he's been far more involved offensively than his goal total indicates.
I'll play this pick to +400.
Goal scorer pick: Brett Howden (+270)
Brett Howden has quickly made a name for himself in the playoffs. He leads the Vegas Golden Knights with 14 goals in just 20 games and has already scored four times in the Stanley Cup Final. The center has generated 22 individual high-danger chances this postseason, including 14 on the road.
In the Final alone, Howden has produced 12 individual Fenwick attempts, ranking third on Vegas. The veteran continues to put himself in dangerous scoring areas, and the underlying chance generation suggests more opportunities should follow.
I'll play this to +200.
Golden Knights vs Hurricanes anytime goal parlay
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Should the latest investigation into Mike Babcock ultimately prevent him from becoming the next head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, the organization could find itself in a remarkably awkward position, one that would leave people searching for answers while trying to explain how a process that began with such urgency became so messy.
Because what has unfolded over the last several weeks hasn't exactly projected confidence.
The first target was Bruce Cassidy.
That made sense. He has a Stanley Cup ring. His teams are organized. He commands respect. Perhaps most importantly, he possesses the personality and the résumé required to challenge players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl when necessary. Something that has become increasingly important after a disappointing playoff run raised questions about whether too many players became too comfortable.
Unfortunately for the Oilers, Vegas had no interest in helping a conference rival and refused permission to speak with a coach who remains under contract.
Fair enough.
What happened next has become much harder to defend.
Edmonton is aggressively pursuing Mike Babcock, and as concerns from his past resurfaced, the organization appears willing to stand behind him and absorb the criticism that came with it. Fair or unfair, the Oilers seemed convinced that enough time had passed since the Columbus debacle and that the combination of Babcock's track record and his demanding style made the gamble worthwhile.
Now that the latest investigation may reveal conduct more troubling than originally believed, it is possible that Edmonton's second choice may never coach a game.
And if that happens, it doesn't look good.
Not because the Knights said no to Bruce Cassidy.
Not because Mike Babcock may prove impossible to hire.
What doesn't happen very often is a Stanley Cup contender appearing to conduct such an important search without a clear fallback plan.
Which brings the conversation back to Kris Knoblauch.
Perhaps those involved really believed his message had gone stale. Perhaps they wanted more emotion, more accountability and a coach willing to challenge veterans publicly and privately when the situation called for it.
Those are reasonable concerns.
What becomes harder to understand is the timing.
Frankly, they probably shouldn't have fired Knoblauch. At least not yet.
There was no rule saying Edmonton had to make a decision immediately. The organization could have challenged Knoblauch internally, encouraging him to push his players harder when necessary and demanding more urgency from a group that had just suffered a humiliating early exit, all while quietly continuing to explore the market behind the scenes.
Plenty of organizations do exactly that.
Instead, the Oilers removed the safety net before confirming another one was available.
That's a dangerous way to operate because established NHL coaches have egos.
Coaches with Stanley Cups and decades of experience didn't reach that level by accepting the role of consolation prize. They expect to be pursued aggressively. They expect to be wanted. Most importantly, they expect to know that they are Plan A.
Who wants to walk into a room knowing Bruce Cassidy was the first choice and Mike Babcock was the second?
That's not exactly a flattering sales pitch.
Veteran coaches capable of standing up to Leon Draisaitl when he needs to hear uncomfortable truths aren't interested in being the third or fourth name on a list. Those personalities tend to have enough confidence and enough options to simply move on to the next opportunity.
Which leaves Edmonton staring at another possibility.
Perhaps the answer is an inexperienced coach.
After all, Montreal struck gold with Martin St. Louis. A Hall of Fame player with no NHL coaching experience walked behind the Canadiens bench and immediately changed the culture.
The problem with chasing another Martin St. Louis is that history is filled with examples that didn't work out nearly as well.
And besides, how many Martin St. Louis stories are really out there?
How many former stars are sitting around waiting for Stan Bowman to call?
And even if they are available, they know their worth.
Former NHL players with long careers don't necessarily need the money. Many have television opportunities. Others have families and businesses. Some simply enjoy life away from the rink.
Why would they voluntarily jump into a situation that increasingly looks chaotic from the outside?
Because fair or unfair, that's how this entire process has made the Oilers look.
Those aren't words normally associated with winning organizations.
And coaches notice those things.
Agents notice those things.
Players notice those things.
Reputations matter.
Which is why this entire situation has grown beyond Mike Babcock.
The Oilers spent years building credibility. Even after the disappointment of losing to Anaheim, they still employ Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They still possess one of hockey's most recognizable brands. They should be a destination.
Instead, the events of this summer have left them looking like a franchise scrambling for answers and hoping something sticks.
At this point, those in Oil Country may find themselves in the strange position of hoping the Babcock investigation clears him, because after everything that has transpired, the list of coaches eager to inherit this situation might be considerably shorter than anyone imagined.
That's perhaps the most troubling part of all.
Not that the Oilers could lose Mike Babcock, but that they've allowed themselves to arrive at a point where so many people are asking the same question.
After the early stages of the first round of the NHL draft, the order and projections of when players will be selected get a little looser. That would certainly be the case for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their second-round pick, 60th overall.
Several draft experts have their opinions and projections as to where certain prospects will fall. That includes The Athletic's Scott Wheeler, who listed center Alessandro Di Iorio at 59th in his latest top-100 2026 NHL draft ranking.
Di Iorio plays for the OHL's Sarnia Sting, completing his second season with the team, and is set for a third campaign with the Sting next year.
The 18-year-old Vaughan, Ont., native scored 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points this past year for Sarnia.
Di Iorio played only 45 games in the OHL regular season because he suffered an elbow injury in Sarnia's pre-season. That kept him sidelined for the opening two months of the 2025-26 campaign.
"He has quick crossovers and room to add muscle," Wheeler wrote. "He can play out wide, and… pick corners from mid-range with his curl-and-drag wrister and facilitate with his good feel as a passer, but he's also sneaky strong on stick lifts and willing to go to inside ice."
Wheeler also noted Di Iorio's defensive instincts and willingness to block shots with the Sting, providing another element to his game as a centerman.
Despite all his time off and missing a total of 23 outings all year, Di Iorio finished with the seventh-most goals on the team and tied for that position on the Sting in points. He also finished third on the team in points per game at 0.69. Only forwards Easton Walos and Beckham Edwards finished with a better rate at 0.71 points per game.
Di Iorio and the Sting didn't see any post-season action as Sarnia finished second last in the Western Conference and was one of the four OHL teams to miss the playoffs.
They missed the playoffs in 2024-25 as well, finishing in the same position in their conference. That was Di Iorio's rookie season in the Ontario League, which saw him provide 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points.
That was another campaign in which Di Iorio didn't play the entire 68-game season, but he featured in 58 and finished sixth on the team in scoring. He likely would've been a top-five scorer on the Sting if he had played out the entire year.
Di Iorio is registered as a 6-foot center by NHL Central Scouting. Also, at the NHL scouting combine, he finished in the top 10 in the Wingate cycle ergometer test and the left-hand grip test.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 09: Pavel Dorofeyev #16 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes battle for the puck during the first period in Game Four of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What a series this has been.
Tonight is another chapter of this epic Stanley Cup Finals battle, with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Vegas Golden Knights at the Lenovo Center tonight at 8 PM. Carolina is looking to take its first series lead and come within one game of winning the Stanley Cup.
On Tuesday, the Canes were able to tie the series 2-2, in part thanks to captain Jordan Staal, who scored two of Carolina’s five goals on the night. The Canes 5-3 win over the Knights was capped off with a Nikolaj Ehlers empty net goal that took a crazy bounce off the boards.
Staal has now scored in all four Stanley Cup Final games so far, becoming the first player since Mike Bossy in 1982 to accomplish the feat.
After going down 2-1 in Game 3 and seeing their legendary comeback attempt fall just short in double overtime, the Canes did something in Game 4 that they hadn’t done all postseason — start Brandon Bussi.
Bussi was the primary starter for the Hurricanes up until the Olympic break this year, and for much of the year he didn’t disappoint, finishing the season with a 31-6-2 record. But Frederik Andersen took over much of the work late in the season and had started every playoff game prior to Tuesday. After Bussi replaced Andersen in Game 3, which helped jump start a comeback attempt, the Canes have decided to move forward with The Bus as their goaltender.
Rod Brind’Amour’s decision to roll with Bussi — which many fans didn’t think he would do — ended up being the right one. Bussi stopped 18 of the 21 shots he faced on Tuesday, helping the Canes tie the series.
It looks like Bussi will earn his second consecutive start tonight, a good sign for the Canes.
In the past couple games, the offense has come alive for the Hurricanes, led by the second line of Hall-Stankoven-Blake. In Game 4, Stankoven scored his 11th goal of the playoffs and Blake followed suit with his sixth goal of the postseason. Carolina has scored four goals or more in each of the four Stanley Cup games so far.
The one area of concern for the Canes, surprisingly, has been on the defensive end.
Multiple times throughout the series, including in their Game 4 win, there have been uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns. Vegas’ Mark Stone was able to spring loose on a breakaway for the Knights’ first goal of the game after Jaccob Slavin let him get behind Carolina’s defense.
Slavin — who has been one of the best defensive defenseman in the NHL for the better part of the last decade — has not looked like himself this series. Whether it’s an injury or something else, the Canes need to get a little more out of their star defenseman on the defensive end.
But Slavin isn’t the only one, Carolina’s team defense needs to step up and limit a lot of the high danger chances that the Knights have been able to get this series. The offense has come around, which has put the Canes right back in the driver’s seat for the Stanley Cup. It’s now time their defense does the same thing.
With Bussi in net again and Staal playing like his prime self, look for another inspired performance out of the Canes tonight in front of the home crowd, with a chance to come within one game of winning the Stanley Cup.
Here’s how to catch tonight’s action:
Time: 8 PM Eastern
TV/Streaming: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
Odds: Hurricanes -160 Moneyline, Hurricanes -1.5 at +158
Jordan Staal Over 0.5 points
Brett Howden anytime goal scorer
