It's been over three months since Barry Trotz announced his intent to retire, with Trotz staying on as the Nashville Predators general manager until a replacement is found. 

In that time, rumors have been swirling about multiple names, with it seemingly coming down to three candidates: Tom Fitzgerald, Brett Peterson and Bill Scott, with Fitzgerald leading the way. 

Fitzgerald is the New Jersey Devils' recently ousted general manager. Peterson is Florida's assistant general manager, and Scott is Edmonton's assistant general manager. 

While those three names have come to light in the last few weeks, there's been no movement or signaling from the Predators front office that they are ready to make a hire. 

Since Trotz announced his retirement, New Jersey and Toronto have both fired and hired general managers in less time.

Fitzgerald was fired on April 7 and the Devils hired Sunny Mehta nine days later. The Maple Leafs fired Brad Treliving on March 30 and hired John Chayka on May 3, a little over a month after the search began. 

So what is causing this selection committee to take so long? 

Candidate Is Still In Playoffs 

While the three leading candidates we've heard of are no longer in the playoffs or did not qualify, a candidate the Predators could be eyeing may still be in the postseason. 

Hurricanes assistant general manager Darren Yorke is a name that's popped up a few times that the Predators may be considering. He's served in that role for six years and has been the Chicago Wolves general manger for two seasons. 

Nashville reportedly did an in-person visit with Yorke in early April, so there's interest. However, the Hurricanes show no sign of slowing down as they are 8-0 In the playoffs, they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

If the Predators are waiting for Carolina's season to end before hiring Yorke, they could be waiting as late as June 21, the final possible day of the Stanley Cup Finals. 

Anaheim Ducks assistant general manager Martin Madden was reportedly interviewed by the Canucks. Buffalo Sabres assistant general manager Marc Bergevin was an early name mentioned for the Nashville job and is expected to be considered for a handful of other teams. 

Both Anaheim and Buffalo are still alive in the playoffs, adding on that not just Nashville, but other teams could be waiting before announcing a hire. 

Predators Sticking To "Draft Day" Deadline 

In February, Predators owner Bill Haslam said the team had a deadline of Draft Day in June but wasn't fully set on it, implying they could announce then. 

Nashville could be sticking to that timeline a little bit closer than expected. Possibly wanting the new general manager until a replacement is found. to focus specifically on the draft and have their first action be selecting the 10th overall pick. 

Trotz is still executing general manager duties following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, signing KHL free agent Vitali Pinchuk to a 1-year, $1.025 million contract at the end of April. 

Nashville also has four players and two prospects playing in the IIHF World Championship, not that it requires any general manager involvement, but it may be something that Trotz wants to oversee before stepping away. 

The deadline will allow the Predators to bring in a new general manager for the draft in one swoop, but the question is how prepared this general manager will be until a replacement is found. will be for a draft with little time to prepare. 

Waiting On Canucks

A new conversation is revolving around the Vancouver Canucks general manager search, which is still ongoing. 

Patrik Allvin was fired on April 17 and is one of the more appealing jobs in the NHL, given the larger Canadian market. The Predators had requested to speak with Vancouver's assistant general manager, Ryan Johnson, but didn't get the opportunity. 

It's rumored that if the Canucks pass on promoting Johnson, the Predators may try to swoop in and hire him instead. 

According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast on May 8, Boston Bruins assistant general manager Evan Gold is a leading candidate and, if hired, would pass over Johnson, who is a very similar candidate but already in the organization.

Johnson has been with the Canucks since 2013, joining as a development coach. He was promoted to the Canucks' AHL affiliate general manager until a replacement is found. In 2017 and became Vancouver's assistant general manager in 2024. 

He has a successful track record in the AHL, winning the Calder Cup last season with the Abbotsford Canucks. 

This could be a red herring, but Predators fans should keep an eye on whatever happens in Vancouver, as it could signal some movement of things to happen in Nashville. 

There Is Disagreement On A Hire 

This is unlikely, but still a possibility that a new general manager will be appointed until a replacement is found. The front office wouldn't disclose this if it were true. 

From the outside, the rumors that Fitzgerald is a leading candidate sparked a lot of displeasure among fans.

With him having been recently fired, struggling to prove himself during his tenure as general manager until a replacement is found. , and having a connection to the Predators, fans did not take it well. 

It's possible that the committee has no collective agreement on whether to hire Fitzgerald or another candidate. Trotz said in his final press conference as general manager until a replacement is found. that he believes he never made a wrong decision, as it was well-thought-out among those in the front office.

That same mentality could be carried into this situation. Nick Saban also brings a different perspective to the table that many NHL teams do not have, one focused on leadership and success. 

His addition to the conversation could make these talks a little longer, with a new take and a look toward who Nashville is interviewing. 

The committee will likely need to wholeheartedly agree on a candidate before making an offer, but it's not too far-fetched to say that disagreement over a hire could be why this general manager is not until a replacement is found. The search has been so elongated. 

The San Jose Sharks need to sign prospect Carson Wetsch to an entry-level contract this month, or the 20-year-old winger will be eligible to re-enter the NHL Draft in June. 

The Sharks drafted Wetsch, who was then playing for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League, in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft. In his draft year, he scored 25 goals and 50 points in 67 games for the Hitmen. The following season, his goal-scoring ability took a step forward, as he scored 33 goals, but his overall point total barely rose, as he finished the 2024-25 season with 53 points. 

In May of 2025, Wetsch was dealt to the Kelowna Rockets and was named their captain for the 2025-26 season. Overall, his offensive production hit new heights in Kelowna, but his goal scoring took a hit. He finished the season with 72 points in 65 games, but only scored 22 goals, the lowest total since he was drafted by the Sharks. 

As a 2024 draftee who is still playing in Major Junior, Wetsch meets the criteria to re-enter the draft this summer unless he either signs an entry-level contract with the Sharks, or commits to an NCAA team. 

"He’s a high-motor, high-effort, connective, physical player," Elite Prospects scout Daniel Gee wrote in February. "A lot of Wetsch’s best work comes below the goal line, chopping, crashing, and jousting for inside positions for second-chance offence."

"More forecheck and inside-driven than most WHL forwards, he plays a smart, low-risk game that doesn’t always generate highlight-reel moments but tends to produce results," Dobber Prospects' Ryan Downey added. "The 75 penalty minutes add some banger value on top of the offensive production."

If he reaches his potential, Wetsch projects as a bottom-six forward in the NHL, but it will likely take some time for him to get there. He'd be a beneficial addition to the San Jose Barracuda in the near future, at the very least.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins are vying for their first Calder Cup Championship in franchise history this season, and they already won their division semifinal series against the Hershey Bears and are now looking to defeat the Springfield Thunderbirds to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

And it looks like a key reinforcement will be added to the fold in order to help them do just that. 

After his QMJHL team was eliminated from the playoffs, 2025 first-round pick (22nd overall) Bill Zonnon recently joined Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate on an amateur tryout (ATO). While other players were released from their ATOs on Sunday, Zonnon and forward Ryan Miller were kept around.

Penguins' 2025 First-Round Pick Joins WBS On ATOPittsburgh Penguins prospect Bill Zonnon is joining WBS for the rest of the season.

Then, WBS head coach Kirk MacDonald confirmed that Zonnon, 19, will make his AHL debut during the Calder Cup Playoffs. 

"He'll be in the lineup at some point, for sure," MacDonald told Tony Androckitis of Inside AHL Hockey.

‼️Kirk MacDonald dropped BIG news in an exclusive interview with @InsideAHLHockey after Saturday's practice:

Bill Zonnon WILL be in the #WBSPens lineup during this playoff run. 🔜👀

Straight from the source to you. pic.twitter.com/zRRN683JAl

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) May 10, 2026

After being injured at the start of the 2025-26 season - causing him to miss all of training camp - the 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward overcame that injury trouble and put together a solid season for the Blainville-Broisbiand Armada, registering 14 goals and 46 points in 35 games. He was also one of their best players in the playoffs, putting up two goals and 15 points in 17 games.

The most intriguing thing about Zonnon is how well-developed his all-around game is. He plays a formidable two-way brand of hockey, is physical, has a strong playmaking acumen, and thrives in the danger areas of the ice. He also plays a gritty game, winning puck battles with strong wall play and in open-ice one-on-one matchups. 

His mature game gives him a pretty high floor at the NHL level, even if his ceiling isn't sky-high. Still, this is a player who should be a really solid middle-six contributor for the Penguins for years to come. 

WBS opens its best-of-five Atlantic Division Final series against Springfield on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

5 Penguins' Prospects Most Likely To Make NHL Roster Out Of Training CampThe Pittsburgh Penguins should have some interesting decisions to make in terms of their NHL roster next season - and their top prospects will be a big part of that.Calder Cup Playoffs: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Eliminates Hershey, Advances To Atlantic Division FinalThe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have advanced to the Atlantic Division Final.Sergei Murashov Continues To Step Up In Big Games Penguins goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov continues to be lights out in the big moments.

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Seven years ago today, the Winnipeg Jets did something no version of the franchise had ever done, they punched their ticket to the Western Conference Final, and they did it the hard way.

During the 2017-18 season, the Jets finished with 114 points, the second-best record in the NHL and the best-ever finish for any Winnipeg-based NHL team up until their recent President's trophy win. Led by head coach Paul Maurice, that Jets team was widely regarded as one of the most complete in franchise history. 

They had standout players at every position like a balanced attack with captain Blake Wheeler, star center Mark Scheifele, and electrifying winger Patrik Laine, with veteran leadership from Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little, and a rock solid blue line anchored by Jacob Trouba and emerging young talent Josh Morrissey. 

It was the breakout season for Connor Hellebuyck, who quickly established himself as not only a true number-one goaltender but one of the very best in league history. 

Earlier in the playoff run, the Jets won their first playoff game in franchise history, defeating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 to end an eight-game playoff losing streak. They never looked back as they would go on to claim the series, defeating the Wild in five games, with Hellebuyck closing the series out in dominant fashion with back-to-back shutouts to finish off the Wild.

Eliminated: Moose Fall in Grand Rapids as Postseason Comes to an EndA hard-fought postseason run stalled in Michigan as the Griffins’ lethal power play overwhelmed Manitoba, ending the club's deepest playoff quest since 2018 in a decisive Game 4.

What came next was one of the most compelling second-round matchups in recent memory as they went against the President's trophy winning Nashville Predators with the two teams combining for 231 points in the regular season. It was one of the highest-combined-point series ever played before a conference final. 

The Jets won Game 1 handily, with Scheifele scoring a goal and Hellebuyck making 47 saves in a 4-1 victory. Nashville answered back, but the series truly turned in Game 3. The Jets roared back from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat the Predators 7-4, with Blake Wheeler scoring the go-ahead goal on the power play late in the game to grab a 2-1 series lead. Kyle Connor scored twice and Wheeler provided three assists in a 6-2 Game 5 victory before Nashville forced a Game 7 with a 4-0 shutout in Game 6.

Game 7 in Nashville belonged entirely to the Jets with Paul Stastny scoring a pair goals along with an assist with Scheifele also scoring twice, and Hellebuyck making 36 saves in a 5-1 road win. Pekka Rinne, Nashville's Vezina finalist, was chased from the net for the third time in the series, lasting just 10 minutes and seven seconds, the quickest exit by a starting goalie in a Game 7. 

Scheifele's performance across the seven games was historic with seven road goals in the series, the most in a single series in NHL history, surpassing a record he had shared with Sidney Crosby, Bill Barber, and Gilbert Perreault.

Waiting in the Western Conference Final was a Vegas Golden Knights team in the middle of one of the most remarkable expansion seasons the NHL had ever seen. Vegas had gone 8-2 in the playoffs entering the series, the best record through the first ten postseason games in NHL history. Both teams were making their first-ever trip to the Western Conference Final. The Golden Knights would go on to win the series in five games, becoming the first expansion team to reach the Final since the St. Louis Blues in 1968.

The Jets' run ended in the Western Conference Final but was the deepest playoff run for a Winnipeg-based team since the original Jets reached the second round in 1985 and 1987.

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The Buffalo Sabres are no longer merely trailing in this series — they are teetering on the edge of a humiliation spiral against a Montreal Canadiens team that suddenly looks faster, sharper, and psychologically overwhelming.

Buffalo entered Game 3 insisting there was no reason for apprehension after Friday’s setback, pointing to their resilience against the Boston Bruins and their strong road performances throughout the postseason. By the final horn Sunday night at the Bell Centre, however, that confidence had been thoroughly destabilized. Montreal dismantled the Sabres in virtually every consequential phase of the game, erupting for six unanswered goals after Tage Thompson opened the scoring less than a minute into the contest.

What initially appeared to be an ideal response from Buffalo rapidly devolved into another sobering demonstration of Montreal’s growing command over the series. Thompson’s early goal briefly injected life into the Sabres, but the Canadiens dictated the rhythm almost immediately afterward, forcing Buffalo into a reactive posture for much of the evening.

Alex Newhook equalized in the opening period before the Canadiens detonated offensively in the second, scoring three consecutive goals to seize complete territorial and emotional control. Buffalo attempted to manufacture momentum entering the third period after narrowing the deficit to 4-2, yet the comeback never genuinely materialized. Instead, Montreal suffocated every push, while Jakub Dobes remained composed amid late pressure before the Canadiens buried two additional goals to emphatically close the door.

Thompson Responds After Mounting Criticism

No player carried more scrutiny into Game 3 than Tage Thompson.

After a disastrous Game 2 performance riddled with turnovers, stalled possessions, and offensive invisibility, Thompson’s seven-game playoff scoring drought had become one of the defining narratives surrounding Buffalo’s unraveling offense. He answered immediately Sunday night.

Just seconds into the game, Thompson capitalized on an extraordinarily fortunate bounce after Rasmus Dahlin intentionally fired the puck wide. The rebound ricocheted violently off the end boards and landed directly on Thompson’s stick beside an unguarded net.

It was not an artistic goal, nor an especially difficult one, but it represented something Buffalo desperately required: urgency from its most dangerous scorer.

The larger issue, however, remains unresolved. Thompson’s goal ultimately functioned more as a fleeting interruption than a transformational moment. If the Sabres intend to salvage this series, they will require sustained offensive dominance from him rather than isolated flashes of redemption.

Special Teams And Faceoffs Are Quietly Destroying Buffalo

While Buffalo’s power play deserved criticism after its catastrophic 0-for-5 performance in Game 2, the penalty kill became the far more damaging liability Sunday night.

To Lindy Ruff’s credit, the Sabres adjusted their power-play structure effectively. Buffalo looked significantly more organized offensively, generating cleaner entries and superior puck movement, eventually converting on one of four opportunities when Dahlin buried a second-period power-play goal.

Unfortunately for Buffalo, nearly every other special-teams sequence tilted decisively toward Montreal.

The Canadiens converted twice on six power-play opportunities, and while some of the damage stemmed from unfortunate circumstances, the cumulative effect was devastating. On Montreal’s first power-play goal, Jordan Greenway lost his stick early in the sequence, leaving him functionally incapacitated defensively as rookie phenom Lane Hutson exploited the mismatch before setting up Cole Caufield for his first goal of the series.

The second goal exposed Buffalo’s depleted penalty-kill structure even further. With Greenway and Beck Malenstyn both serving penalties simultaneously, Montreal attacked an undermanned unit lacking its two most dependable defensive forwards. Juraj Slafkovsky redirected a shot past Alex Lyon almost immediately, further tilting the game beyond recovery.

Compounding Buffalo’s structural problems was another lopsided showing in the faceoff circle. Even with the return of Sam Carrick from injury, the Canadiens dominated possession off draws, winning more than 60 percent of faceoffs.

Carrick, acquired specifically to stabilize Buffalo’s lower lines and improve situational puck possession, won only two of his five draws. Whether attributable to rust or lingering discomfort after his lengthy absence, Buffalo’s inability to establish possession consistently off stoppages has become an increasingly corrosive issue throughout the series.

Meanwhile, Lyon deserves considerably more sympathy than the final stat line will suggest. Although he surrendered five goals on 36 shots, the veteran netminder produced a series of high-end saves early in the game that prevented Montreal from completely detonating the contest in the opening period. Nick Suzuki and Caufield repeatedly generated dangerous opportunities off the rush, only for Lyon to temporarily preserve Buffalo’s fragile lead.

Still, hockey’s postseason ecosystem is notoriously unforgiving. Lyon may not deserve primary blame for either loss, but playoff series often demand emotional recalibration more than objective fairness. Given the momentum swing occurring in Montreal’s favor, Ruff may soon have to consider whether a goaltending change could provide the psychological jolt Buffalo now appears desperate to find.

The Sabres will regroup Monday before facing what increasingly resembles a season-defining Game 4 on Tuesday night in Montreal.

Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes now has six playoff wins. That’s the third-highest total for a Montreal Canadiens’ rookie goaltender in history. Sunday night’s win over the Buffalo Sabres has allowed him to overtake Carey Price, who now slides to fourth place with five wins. The Czech netminder can now set his sights on Ken Dryden, who’s in second place with 12 wins, and Patrick Roy, who’s at the top with 15. There’s only one way to overtake Roy: winning the Stanley Cup.

There’s only one rookie goaltender in NHL history who has won more playoff wins than Roy: Jordan Binnington in 2019. He led the St. Louis Blues to 16 wins and a Stanley Cup in 2019.

Canadiens' Farm Team Eliminated As Number 1 Goalie Rides The Pine In Montreal
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After 10 games, the 24-year-old has a 6-4 record, with a 2.13 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. On Sunday, the Sabres tried to get him to lose his focus, crashing the net and being very insistent to get some rebounds. Still, they couldn’t, even when Beck Malenstyn crashed into him at full speed, earning himself a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference.

Asked after the game if he had time to brace for that contact, the rookie netminder said:

No, I was focusing on the puck, and then I was on the ground. I tried to get up as fast as possible so that the spotters [the NHL concussion spotters] wouldn’t take me out of the game. I drank some water, and I was good to go for the next shift.

- Dobes on the contact with Malenstyn

When it was put to him that he was becoming a hero for the fans, he chuckled and answered:

I’m not a hero, I’m just me. I’m just a goofy goalie who tries to stop pucks. Trust me, I don’t call myself a hero. Pretty much, I will go home, eat, watch Game of Thrones and go to bed. I don’t think that’s anything heroic. When it’s time to do my job, I will do anything to win.

- Dobes on being considered a hero

That’s a far cry away from Martin St-Louis’ go-to show after a game; Seinfeld, but it seems to work well for the youngster.

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Although the Pittsburgh Penguins made the playoffs this year, they are still very much a team that is focused on the future. Because of this, they will be looking to hit with their first-round pick this year. 

In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, Corey Pronman predicted that the Penguins would select defenseman Ryan Lin with the 22nd overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. 

Lin would have the potential to be an excellent pickup for the Penguins' prospect pool if he is still available when they are on the clock. The 5-foot-11 offensive defenseman has shown plenty of promise at the junior level and would immediately become one of Pittsburgh's most fascinating prospects if selected. 

In 53 games during this season with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Lin recorded 14 goals, 43 assists, and 57 points. This is after he had five goals and 53 points in 60 games during this past season with the Giants. With numbers like these, it is clear that Lin has good offensive upside, and he could be a strong pickup for the Penguins because of it. 

It will be interesting to see if Lin ends up being the Penguins' first-round pick this season. They could use another right-shot defenseman, and Lin is among the most notable as we inch closer to the draft. 

The Philadelphia Flyers' playoff run came to an end with their Game 4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. While the Flyers got swept in the second round, they still have a very bright future. 

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft will provide them with the chance to add another promising prospect to their system, too, as they still have their first-round pick. But who could the Flyers pick? 

The Athletic's Corey Pronman recently released his latest 2026 NHL mock draft. For the Flyers, Pronman predicted that they would select right winger Casey Mutryn with the 21st overall pick. 

If the Flyers selected Mutryn with their first-round pick, they would be bringing in another big winger who plays a heavy game. The 6-foot-3 forward has the potential to become a good NHL player and could be a nice addition to the Flyers' prospect pool because of it. 

In 62 games this season with the United States National Development Team, Mutryn recorded 18 goals, 28 assists, 46 points, and 89 penalty minutes. Overall, the Norwell, Massachusetts native had a strong season and demonstrated plenty of promise in the process.

While the Flyers have plenty of depth on the wing, the idea of adding Mutryn to their prospect pool is still interesting. Time will tell if he ends up being their first-round pick this year from here. 

There were a lot of things that contributed to the Pittsburgh Penguins strong 2025-26 performance and their return to the playoffs, and one of the biggest was the number of players that exceeded individual expectations. In some cases, it was not just a case of exceeding expectations, but having career years.

When that happens across an entire roster you do not have many bounce-back candidates for the following season.

There are, however, still a handful of players that the Penguins will be hoping for a bounce-back performance from during the 2026-27 season. So let’s take a look at a few of them and how likely it will be for them to perform better on an individual level.

Most-likely bounce-back: Sam Girard

Girard’s brief time with the Penguins has produced some mixed results, and I would say the majority of those results have been on the disappointing side. He initially struggled after coming over from the Colorado Avalanche in the trade for Brett Kulak. His work alongside Kris Letang produced some ugly moments in both the regular season and playoffs. Early on, he looked like a player that was doing more thinking on the ice than playing. Sometimes he seemed more interested in just spinning around with the puck than making a decision with it.

But for all of the negatives there were still some flashes of strong play (both with and without Letang) and some games where he truly did shine. It was not all bad.

I have seen enough defenseman come through Pittsburgh, initially struggle while trying to fit in with a new team and system, have people get down on them, only to have them bounce back with a fresh start in the next season and play at a really high level.

Sergei Gonchar had some rocky moments early on and then became a pivotal part of a Stanley Cup winning team.

Paul Martin was viewed as a liability with an albatross contract after one year before playing like the rock-solid, two-way defender he was in New Jersey.

Erik Karlsson was completely written off by many until he bounced back this season.

Is Girard going to be Gonchar or Karlsson next season? No. Because even at his peak he was never that type of player. But given his talent and track record as an NHL player (which is very good!) I do not think it is a stretch to believe he can come back next season and be a productive, top-four defenseman. It would be a welcome addition if he does.

Possible bounce-back: Arturs Silovs

Recency bias might tell us there is nothing for him to bounce back from because of how he played in the playoffs when he got his opportunity. And he was fantastic in those three games, giving the Penguins a fighting chance and nearly pushing them to a Game 7 out of a 3-0 series hole.

But his season overall wasn’t great.

His .887 save percentage ranked 44th out of the 59 goalies that appeared in at least 25 games.

His minus-8.3 goals saved above average ranked 79th out of 98 goalies that played in at least one game.

His minus-11.9 goals saved above expected ranked 89th of 98 goalies.

Objectively speaking, he was not great. His rebound control needs work, his puck-handling needs work and sometimes he has a tendency to just let in some absolutely ugly goals.

Even with that being the case, he is still only 25 years old and has shown flashes of being a good goalie at both the AHL and NHL levels, especially in big-game moments. Goalie performance is also completely unpredictable at times and it wouldn’t be a shocking development to see him come back next season and put together a strong season in a platoon role with Sergei Murashov.

You need to bounce-back: Ville Koivunen

There were some reasonably high expectations for Koivunen going into the 2025-26 season, and he started off with a prominent role on the NHL roster. He did not always take advantage of it, finishing the season with just two goals and seven assists in 39 games.

The AHL numbers since coming over in the Jake Guentzel trade have been consistently excellent.

The talent and vision are not in question.

The underlying numbers when he is on the ice are consistently solid, and he always seems to find himself in good positions with open looks.

But none of it has translated over to NHL production just yet, and those open looks too often turn into harmless possessions with blocked shots, deflected shots or shots that just do not find their way into the net.

He is going to be 23 years old at the start of next season and with 94 points in 97 games over the past two years he is going to have nothing left to prove in the AHL. It is time for him to take the next step and start to show something at the highest level. If he doesn’t, he officially goes from NHL prospect to NHL suspect.

Not likely to bounce-back: Ryan Graves

Kyle Dubas’ first year running the Penguins produced more strikeouts than home runs. The only strikeout from that offseason that has not either 1) bounced back, or 2) been jettisoned somewhere else is Ryan Graves. And unless it is part of another salary dump from another team, or unless he gives up an asset to get rid of him (which he should not do) the Penguins are going to still have Graves playing somewhere in the organization. Most likely in the AHL.

He is going to be 31 next season. He has had three seasons here under two different head coaches. It is just not in the cards here for him to be anything more than an organizational depth defenseman with a high price tag. Sometimes when you swing big, you miss. They missed with Graves. It happens more often than not in free agency.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils have hired Braden Birch as an assistant general manager, the first front-office addition by Sunny Mehta since taking over as the team's head of hockey operations.

Mehta, who was named GM last month, announced the hire Monday. He and Birch worked together with the Florida Panthers and were part of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and ’25.

“His blend of on-ice experience, management background, and intellect will serve him well in his new role," Mehta said. "Braden will work to bolster all areas of our operation, and I look forward to him joining our existing front office, where his personality and work ethic will fit in excellently.”

The Devils, as expected, did not renew the contracts of executives Dan MacKinnon and Chuck Fletcher as Mehta remakes the organization. They had reported to longtime GM Tom Fitzgerald, who parted ways with the Devils in early April.

Birch spent more than a decade with the Panthers, much of it as director of hockey operations and most recently overseeing salary cap management.

“I am really excited to take this next step in my professional career,” said Birch, who turns 37 just before the NHL season begins in late September. "I want to thank Bill Zito, the Viola family, and the entire Florida Panthers organization for 12 amazing years, and the ability to help a front office achieve the ultimate goal of Stanley Cup championships.

"I also greatly appreciate them giving me the opportunity to grow my professional career in New Jersey. I look forward to working with Sunny and his group on returning the Devils to the levels of success that we believe they can achieve.”

Zito called Birch a great person who will be missed by the Panthers and wished him the best.

“When you have success like we had the past few seasons, individuals are going to get opportunities to advance and it’s only a good thing for everyone,” Zito said.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

When the Senators signed veteran centre Lars Eller last summer, he was viewed as a ready-made replacement for their outgoing fourth-line centre, Adam Gaudette.

At 36 years old, Eller arrived with a reputation as a reliable two-way player, a strong defensive presence and a Stanley Cup pedigree that clearly appealed to Senators GM Steve Staios. The previous year, he had brought in Cup-winning veterans Michael Amadio, Nick Cousins, and David Perron.

Eller checked a lot of boxes. He skates and defends better than Gaudette, but it always felt like a tall order to expect him to replace the secondary offence Gaudette provided in 2024-25, when he scored 19 goals for Ottawa.

Eller actually got off to a solid start in that area, posting six points in October. But his offensive production slowed dramatically after that. He finished the season with just 15 points in 68 games. In fairness, part of that dip was injury-related. Eller missed 14 games after breaking his foot blocking a shot against the Columbus Blue Jackets in December.

Now, with his one-year, $1.25 million contract set to expire on July 1, Staios has another veteran decision to make.

Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch recently reported that the expectation is that the Senators will move on from Eller this summer.

It’s understandable why head coach Travis Green appreciated having Eller in the lineup. He still skates well and remains one of Ottawa’s most trustworthy defensive forwards. Coaches love the guys they can trust, and Eller rarely hurt the Senators structurally.

But the Senators would probably like to see more impact from the position, whether it’s more edge and physicality or more offence.

And that’s where Stephen Halliday may enter the fray as a plan B.

In Staios’ first act in what’s sure to be a busy offseason (spoiler: they all are), Halliday recently signed a two-year extension for almost half the money (including bonuses) that Eller made this season.

While the 23-year-old still has work to do defensively, he already looks capable of providing significantly more offence than Eller can at this stage of his career.

For a Senators team that doesn’t really have that 100+ point superstar carrying the attack, the offence has to continue as it has, by committee, and the Sens can’t afford to ice too many low-event forwards.

As a sidebar, the Senators would love to see one of their drafted players come up and establish themselves as a full-time NHLer. The prospect cupboard needs restocking, as there are very few players who are slam-dunk NHL prospects, let alone future stars.

That can partially be blamed on poor drafting, but also on the organization’s pre-Andlauer era misread that it was ready to contend and time to sacrifice some of their future to make splashy, go-for-it deals.

Ottawa’s 2020 draft class produced several NHLers, but since then, Halliday is the only drafted prospect to appear in more than four NHL games with the club.

That doesn’t automatically mean Halliday is ready for a full-time NHL role. But internally, it’s Halliday or bust, because there’s no other obvious forward in Belleville ready to make the jump to Ottawa this fall.

Whether it’s Halliday or a more impactful forward brought in through free agency, it feels like the Senators need a different look in Eller's spot.

Prediction: Eller is a respected teammate and a good soldier, but after his year in Ottawa, it feels like Staios is more likely to try something new this fall rather than run it back.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:  

Batherson Wide Open To Signing Extension: 'Ottawa Feels Like Home'
Dylan Cozens Will Represent Canada At World Championships Next Week
Will The Senators Re-Sign 38-Year-old UFA Claude Giroux?
Halliday Reacts To New Deal With Ottawa: 'Super Excited I Got A Chance'
Another NHL Chance For Former Senators GM Pierre Dorion?

The 2025-26 hockey season is winding down, with many leagues deep into their playoffs, if they haven’t concluded business for the year. Let’s check in on the summer 2025 Top 25 Under 25 list for the Penguins and see what the young players have been up to since the last update we made back in February.

The list:

No. 25: Quinn Beauchense
No. 24: Cruz Lucius
No. 23: Travis Hayes
No. 22: Brady Peddle
No. 21: Finn Harding
No. 20: Sam Poulin
No. 19: Joona Vaisanen
No. 18: Avery Hayes
No. 17: Tanner Howe
No. 16: Tristan Broz
No. 15: Emil Pieniniemi
No. 14: Mikhail Ilyin
No. 13: Peyton Kettles
No. 12: Melvin Fernström
No. 11: Arturs Silovs
No. 10: Sergei Murashov
No. 9: Philip Tomasino
No. 8: Owen Pickering
No. 7: Joel Blomqvist
No. 6: Bill Zonnon
No. 5: Will Horcoff
No. 4: Ben Kindel
No. 3: Harrison Brunicke
No. 2: Ville Koivunen
No. 1: Rutger McGroarty

We broke this down into informal tiers to group the players. That’s been working out pretty well and helps to give an idea of which players belong where at this point of their respective journeys, so we’ll stick with it.

Tier 7: #22 – honorable mentions; Long-term prospects with some upside

Beauchesne, T. Hayes and Peddle were all on ATOs (amateur tryouts) with Wilkes-Barre this spring until all three got released from those ATOs yesterday. The AHL roster is too big, none of these teenagers played an AHL playoff game but they did get to spend a few weeks and learn how a pro hockey team operates, practices and pick up some experience that could help in the future (Beauchesne played a late regular season AHL game, T. Hayes got into two games). Of course, there won’t be a future for Cruz Lucius in the Pittsburgh organization after he told the Pens to take this job and shove it (though probably in more professional terms) but Lucius has decided to go the free agent route and pick which NHL team to sign with instead of joining up with the Pens.

Tier 6: #15 – 21; Slightly more developed prospects still a ways away

Of this grouping, A. Hayes and Broz are well-established as key personnel for Wilkes and helping them to win games by being two quality AHL players. That’s been that way for some time now, they don’t belong as “a ways away” by this point. Pieniniemi fits the category, currently working in the ECHL playoffs with Wheeling. Harding had a solid rookie season but has been rotated in and out of the AHL playoff lineup on a very deep WBS team. Tanner Howe is one of the more intriguing prospects, finishing his season to come back from a major knee injury and occasionally appear in some highlights via his hard-working style. I wouldn’t expect Howe to make the NHL Penguins out of traning camp but if he keeps going on this trajectory it’s not out of the question that he could be a candidate as a mid-season injury replacement to get a game or two at this rate.

Tier 5: #12 – 14; Intrigue, but patience required

Fernstrom has been a scratch in all the AHL playoff games so far, Kettles has long been injured and out. Ilyin is certainly the player in this tier worth talking about now that he has more points in the AHL playoffs (3 in 4 games) than he did in the AHL regular season (2 in 5 games). It looks like his learning curve to figure out how to perform in North America is coming along quite nicely, making him an exciting watch as he continues to acclimate and get the opportunity to perform.

Tier 4: #9 -11; The wildcards

This tier has turned into the young goalie area now that Tomasino is long since departed the organization. Silovs proved again he’s got big game performance in his DNA after a great turn in the NHL playoffs, despite dealing with a knee injury. Say what you will about his performance or numbers over the long haul but if nothing else he is a player with a growing history of rising play to meet the moment in the key times. Murashov continues to shine brightly, he’s got a 3-1 record, 1.99 GAA and .937 save% in the AHL playoffs so far. Sky continue to looks like the limit for him.

Tier 3: #7-8; Older, near ready players

Meh, disappointing tier here. Blomqvist hasn’t been needed to play, he’s a good AHL goalie (maybe even very good) but Murashov is clearly a notch ahead and a team only needs one goalie at this time of year. That might be developing into the story of Blomqvist’s career by getting surpassed by Murashov. Pickering scored a game-winning goal in the series against Hershey and is playing a featured role in the lineup for the AHL playoffs, so that’s something at least, but the Pens re-signing Ilya Solovyov shows that they’re not holding their breath for Pickering to step all the way up to the NHL level and anything they get out of him is about a bonus at this point.

Tier 2: #4-6; Recent first round picks

Kindel wrapped up a tremendously successful NHL season, looking at his age-18 stats compared to others is very promising. His year had a tough ending but is little to worry about, the experience gained will prove invaluable as he continues to grow. Horcoff has confirmed an expected return to the University of Michigan for 2026-27, so he’ll be off the pro radar for a while longer aside from summer prospect camp.

The story of the moment in this segment is Zonnon. Zonnon’s QMJHL career came to a close with a playoff elimination (he had 15 points in 17 games) and he quickly joined Wilkes on an ATO once freed up. The Pens have confirmed Zonnon will make his AHL debut coming up soon in the playoffs, a big step and key moment of trust to throw a young player in at the most important moments. Seeing what he does with the opportunity will be a treat.

Tier 1: #1 -3; Cream of the crop

Though all three players in this category (Brunicke, Koivunen, McGroarty) surely didn’t have the season that they (or the team) would have liked to have had, but they’ve shrugged it off and are making meaningful impacts on the WBS playing run as some of the very best and top players on that team right now. Brunicke is playing as a top pair defenseman and having a massive contribution all over the ice with his skills – including a shorthanded goal. McGroarty’s out there tipping in overtime goals and Koivunen, ever-productive at the AHL level, has four points in four playoff games. All three of these players are pulling the rope in the right direction and looking to build momentum moving forward. That’s good for Wilkes in the short-term, it might be good for Pittsburgh down the road.

Avalanche will have a couple tough decisions this summer now that NHL salary cap is set. [The Denver Post]

Pressure falls on Avalanche as they aim to purge playoff ghosts. [Sportsnet]

Avalanche remain confident in goaltending duo entering Game 4 against Wild. [NHL]

Necas’ breakout year with Avs includes 100-point season, playoff success and locker-room pranks. [TSN]

Gavin McKenna’s mom allegedly snuck teen hockey phenom alcohol at Pennsylvania bar. [Edmonton Journal]

Sharks an example for Canucks, Flames in their respective rebuilds. [USA Today]

Hockey icon Ernie ‘Punch’ McLean killed in northern B.C. crash. [CBC]

P.K. Subban speaks with The Gazette on Canadiens’ playoff run. [Montreal Gazette]

Hurricanes gift for rolling in playoffs? Another lengthy rest between rounds. [The Score]

NHL gambles away its credibility with draft lottery. Even if the Leafs winning it was on the up-and-up, and it probably was, a blatant conflict of interest remains. [Ottawa Citizen]

The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with 10 picks. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will profile a different prospect who the Canucks could take with each of their picks. Today's prospect is Québec Remparts center Maddox Dagenais, who Vancouver could select 33rd overall.

If the Canucks want to continue to build out their center depth, Dagenais would be a smart selection to kick off the second round. The left-shot center had a productive season in the QMJHL as he posted 62 points in 62 games. Dagenais followed up his regular-season success with a strong playoff run, as he recorded three goals and six points in 11 games. 

After his season was complete, Dagenais represented Canada at the 2026 U18s. He played in the middle-six and finished the tournament with two points in five games. Dagenais also represented Canada at the 2024 U17s where he won a Silver. 

Dagenais is the 15th-ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting. The 18-year-old is listed at 6'3", 196 lbs. Overall, Dagenais is a physical player who understands how to use his size to his advantage. 

When Dagenais hears his name in June, he will become the second member of his family to be drafted into the NHL. His dad is Pierre Dagenais, who the New Jersey Devils famously drafted in both 1996 and 1998. Dagenais' dad would go on to play 142 NHL games, scoring 35 goals and recording 58 points. 

While there will be a lot of focus on his point total, one area of Dagenais' game that does not get enough recognition is his ability to win faceoffs. During the regular season, he took 380 draws and had a win percentage of 51.3%. As for the playoffs, he lined up for 72 faceoffs and won 52.8% of them. 

In the offensive zone, Dagenais has shown the ability to be both a playmaker and a finisher. He is a player who likes to shoot from everywhere on the ice and averaged 4.4 shots per game during the regular season. Ultimately, if Dagenais has the puck in the offensive zone, he consistently finds a way to create scoring chances. 

As for the transition game, Dagenais likes to have control of the puck when in the neutral zone. This allows him to dictate the play and decide whether the best option is to carry the puck past the blue line or make a pass to a teammate. Dagenais' ability to read the play also comes in handy, as he can anticipate when it's best to leave the defensive zone.

Dagenais has been on the radar for this draft ever since he was drafted first overall in the QMJHL Draft back in 2024. He is a skilled center who won the QMJHL's Best Professional Prospect award this year. If selected, Dagenais would be a solid addition to Vancouver's prospect pool. 

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:

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Panthers Forward Brad Marchand Reacts To Fake Canucks/Maple Leafs Trade Proposal

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Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

A couple names to keep an eye on for front office positions:

On today's 32T, Elliotte Friedman says he's curious to see if Sunny Mehta adds Bryan McCabe to the #NJDevils' front office.

Also heard that Braden Birch could be on Mehta's radar. He's currently the Panthers' director of hockey ops and salary cap management

— Alex Chauvancy (@AlexC_NJD) May 8, 2026

Hockey Links

The Hurricanes are having a dominant playoff run:

THE CANES STAY UNDEFEATED!! 🌀

The @Canes become the first team since 1987 to go 8-0 in the #StanleyCup Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/QM2DxHVpy3

— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2026

Playoff scoring leaders as of Saturday:

Mitch Marner leads the charge in playoff scoring mid-way through the second round. pic.twitter.com/gZTqpQJeME

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 9, 2026

Hart Trophy finalists:

The Hart Memorial Trophy finalists have arrived! 🏆 #NHLAwards

The trophy is awarded annually to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team. pic.twitter.com/PJzE4cL55G

— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2026

“Auston Matthews remains uncertain about his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs despite the team’s recent NHL draft lottery win, an NHL source tells ESPN. Matthews, 28, has two more seasons left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $13.25 million and a full no-movement clause. A source confirmed a report by The Athletic earlier this week that the star center is unsure if he’ll return to the Maple Leafs for the 2026-27 season or seek a trade to a Stanley Cup contender.” [ESPN]

 A look at the upcoming free-agent market: “The upcoming free-agent class is a little short on headline names, but there are plenty of quality players eligible to hit the open market on July 1. And many of them are bound to land eye-popping contracts in a rising-cap environment.” [The Athletic ($)]

“Former Canadiens star P. K. Subban has completed the $10-million pledge he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital more than a decade ago. The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation said Friday that Subban and his foundation had completed the commitment as part of the hospital’s ‘Unexpected Ways to Heal’ fundraising campaign, describing Subban’s fundraising as the largest philanthropic commitment by a professional athlete in Canada.” [Montreal Gazette]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.