The Montreal Canadiens announced five-year contract extensions for GM Kent Hughes and the newly promoted president of hockey operations, Jeff Gorton.

Gorton and Hughes were in the final year of their contracts and made significant changes to the Canadiens' roster and hockey operations department.

"Their commitment to building a world class organization has been unrelenting and will only get better as we progress in the years to come,” Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said in a news release. "I would like to thank Jeff and Kent for taking this team and organization to where it is today, full of talent, size and speed with a support structure that is second to none, an objective from Day 1. I look forward to many more years working with them."

Since the end of last season, the Canadiens acquired 25-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson to anchor the right side of the blueline on an eight-year deal, traded for right winger Zack Bolduc and re-signed Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson to an eight-year contract extension.

Those moves followed the team making the playoffs for the first time since 2021, losing in the first round. It was the first time Hughes made the playoffs as Canadiens GM, having joined the team on Jan. 18, 2022. He quickly replaced coach Dominique Ducharme with current bench boss Martin St-Louis in 2021-22.

Gorton, who joined the team on Nov. 28, 2021, as executive VP of hockey operations, established the Canadiens' first analytics department and also hired Hughes, as well as co-director of amateur scouting Nick Bobrov and special advisor to hockey operations, Vincent Lecavalier.

"We believe our team has made significant progress, and we look forward to building on the foundation in place and competing at a high level for years to come," Gorton said in the announcement. "I would also like to acknowledge that this announcement is a reflection on the tireless work and efforts our entire staff has put in."

Montreal has a core group signed through at least 2030, including captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Dobson, Kaiden Guhle and Hutson. Their young players include Ivan Demidov and prospects David Reinbacher, Michael Hage and Jacob Fowler.

As for this season, the Canadiens have about $5.7 million in cap space with one first-rounder and two second-rounders as part of their 2026 draft picks. Montreal is 2-1-0 to start the campaign.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

For years, I've done a top 100 NCAA hockey players to watch list, and for some reason, despite the fact the CHL has about the same number of teams, I always felt a major junior list would be harder.

You've got players that might stick in the NHL, others who get a nine-game tryout, imports who could be superstars or duds – it's a lot. But I'm throwing caution to the wind here and diving in.

There are so many exciting names to highlight, so for the first time ever, I'm doing a top 100 major junior hockey players to watch.

The rules are the same as with my NCAA list: it's a meritocracy, so some teams will have multiple names, and others will have none. I favor NHL prospects over veterans who might break out in their final season and, of course, players expected to go high in the 2026 NHL draft (plus a couple for 2027).

I'm excluding Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa because I assume they're going to stick in the NHL. But because this is the beginning of the season, there are a number of players here who started off in the NHL and may or may not come back to junior after nine games. I wasn't going to wait that long to put out this list, so I'll just mark those players with an asterisk, and if they stick all year in the NHL, good for them.

With all that out of the way, let's get to it.

*1.Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): He made Nashville's opening roster, so the Hounds might not see him, but wherever he ends up, Martin will be a play driver with surprising strength.

2.Landon DuPont, D, Everett (WHL): With Gavin McKenna in college, DuPont becomes the phenom to watch in major junior, even though the slick blueliner isn't draft-eligible until 2027.

3.Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL): He'll miss the start of the season due to wrist surgery, but once the Utah first-rounder returns, look for a dominant two-way performance each night.

4. Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara (OHL): Currently the top 2026 draft prospect playing in major junior, Roobroeck is a big winger who can really put the puck in the net.

*5. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL): Power forward who can crush you with a hit or a goal. Sennecke scored in his NHL debut with Anaheim, so let's see if he sticks.

6. Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL): With the Rockets hosting the Memorial Cup, Iginla is guaranteed great experience. The Utah first-rounder is a sharp goal-scorer with power.

7. Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL): Elite, two-way center flirted with 100 points last year; let's see if the Seattle Kraken can hit triple digits on a powerhouse Bulldogs squad.

8. Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): Another young gun on a juggernaut, Carbonneau is a St. Louis Blues first-rounder with power and hockey IQ.

*9. Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL): Had an offensively explosion with the Knights last year, but Dickinson's size and defensive play might be his calling cards in the NHL with San Jose.

10. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL): An absolute monster of a teen at 6-foot-5, 226 pounds, the 2026 draft prospect has lots of skill, but he also plays with a great physical edge.

*11. Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL): Cootes was The Guy with the Thunderbirds last year, a complete player with smarts. The Vancouver Canucks agreed, grabbing him in the first round.

12. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL): Has put up a ton of points in the 'Dub' and is still eligible for the world juniors, though Catton was strong enough to make the Kraken out of camp.

13. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL): The New York Islanders first-rounder added a bunch of offense to his game last year, while maintaining the nasty, physical game he was known for.

14. Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL): Awesome draft year was cut short by injury, but Bear showed he's a complete player who can rack up points. He's a Detroit Red Wings first-rounder.

15. JP Hurlbert, RW, Kamloops (WHL): An early candidate for biggest surprise, the 2026 draft prospect and ex-NTDPer has been a scoring machine for the Blazers. NCAA Michigan commit.

16. Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL): Really blossomed with the Thunderbirds last year. Mrtka is a big Buffalo Sabres first-rounder who plays with an edge and has two-way abilities.

17. Alexis Joseph, C, Saint John (QMJHL): If anyone can dethrone DuPont as the No. 1 pick in 2027, it's Joseph. He's a big, powerful center who is already off to a great start in the 'Q.'

18. Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver (WHL): An absolutely dazzling offensive defenseman who skates well and handles the puck easily, Lin is one to watch for the 2026 draft.

19. Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor (OHL): The Los Angeles Kings first-rounder is coming off a 119-point season with the Spitfires and should be a great option for Canada's WJC team.

20. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL): After showing well at Washington Capitals camp, the first-rounder heads back to junior, where he should dominate with his size, skating and shot.

21. Aleksei Medvedev, G, London (OHL): After a nice apprenticeship, Medvedev gets the starting role in London. The Canucks pick is a big, competitive netminder.

*22. Ben Kindel, C, Calgary (WHL): It was shocking when Pittsburgh took him 11th overall, but the two-way center with a great motor then went out and made the Pens' opening night roster.

23. Bill Zonnon, C, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): Another Pittsburgh first-rounder, Zonnon got traded to the powerhouse Armada in the summer, where his intangibles will be a plus.

24. Olivers Murnieks, C, Saint John (QMJHL): The 2026 draft prospect from Latvia had a great USHL campaign with Sioux City last year and has started off his Sea Dogs career hot.

25. Adam Benak, C, Brantford (OHL): The pint-sized Minnesota Wild pick has never had a problem putting up points, whether it was in the USHL or now with the Bulldogs.

The Top 100 NCAA Players To Watch In 2025-26Welcome to The New, folks. Thanks to the new NCAA eligibility rules, we have one of the most highly anticipated college seasons of all-time coming up, one loaded with all your traditional kids, plus a cohort of former major junior stars heading stateside for the first time. 

26. Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL): A great skater who defends with his feet, Reid had a ton of points last year, but the Predators first-rounder projects as more of a stopper.

27. Kevin He, LW, Niagara (OHL): Began last season on a tear for the IceDogs, now the Winnipeg Jets prospect has the chance to do even more damage with his scoring prowess.

28. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George (WHL): One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2024 draft class, the Capitals first-rounder knows how to find the scoring areas.

29. Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL): Another USHL transplant (Green Bay), Shilov is a 2026 draft prospect who has already found his scoring touch with the Tigres.

30. Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL): One of the top defensemen available in the 2026 draft class, Rudolph has ideal NHL size and has been a demon on the power play for P.A.

31. Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL): A power forward who plays a complete two-way game, Beaudoin is a Utah prospect who could be valuable at the world juniors for Canada.

32. Harrison Boettiger, G, Kelowna (WHL): The former NTDP goalie has game-stealing potential, and he'll get a great challenge with the Memorial Cup hosts before heading to NCAA Denver.

33. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL): Speaking of goaltenders, Ravensbergen was one of the best in the 2025 draft class, and now, the big tender is a San Jose prospect.

34. Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL): A big pivot just coming into his own, Nesbitt is a Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder who could put up some nasty numbers in Windsor this year.

35. Adam Jiricek, D, Brantford (OHL): The physical defender has been plagued by knee injuries, but now healthy, he'll be a difference-maker for Brantford. Jiricek is a Blues pick.

36. Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): One of the most exciting prospects for the 2026 draft, Villeneuve makes up for his lack of size with an abundance of skill.

37. Sam O'Reilly, C, London (OHL): As a veteran on the Knights, it's O'Reilly's chance to shine. He's a two-way center and a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect with two OHL titles already.

38. Mathis Preston, C, Spokane (WHL): The talented center and 2026 draft prospect will have to do the heavy lifting for the Chiefs until (or if) Catton returns. Production will not be a problem.

39. Colin Fitzgerald, C, Peterborough (OHL): Skilled and competitive, Fitzgerald got even bigger over the summer and could be a force for the Petes. He's a 2026 draft prospect.

40. Braidy Wassilyn, LW, Niagara (OHL): Another talented forward from the OHL, Wassilyn started the season on the shelf, but he's a dynamic 2026 draft prospect.

41. Haoxi ‘Simon’ Wang, D, Oshawa (OHL): Getting reps with the Gens last year was a bonus for the raw Boston U. commit. Now a San Jose prospect, Wang has upside thanks to size and skating.

42. Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL): Second-generation talent has enviable size and projects as a defensive defenseman, though the Kraken pick will put points in junior.

43. Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL): Big winger has been on a goal-scoring tear to start the campaign, and that's one of his strengths. He's a Ducks prospect.

44. Maddox Schultz, C, Regina (WHL): The top pick in the WHL draft isn't eligible for the NHL draft until 2028, but he'll be a key player for Regina in the 34 games he's allowed to play.

45. Emil Hemming, RW, Barrie (OHL): The Finnish national and Dallas Stars first-rounder got used to the OHL last year; now it's time for him to dominate with his big-time shot.

46. Miroslav Holinka, C, Edmonton (WHL): Had some impressive moments in the pre-season with Toronto, and now, the Maple Leafs pick has taken his quick shot back to the Oil Kings.

47. Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL): Manny's son is off to a lightning-fast start with Brantford, where the 2026 draft prospect will cut his teeth before heading to Boston U.

48. Carter George, G, Owen Sound (OHL): One of the top goalies in the CHL, George is a Los Angeles Kings prospect who will undoubtedly return to Canada's crease for the world juniors.

49. Giorgos Pantelas, D, Brandon (WHL): A skilled defenseman who likes to get involved, Pantelas is a 2026 draft prospect who has already nearly surpassed last year's point totals.

50. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL): Well-rounded and composed, Brzustewicz will be counted on heavily by the Knights, especially if Dickinson is gone. He's an L.A. Kings pick.

2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Ryan Kennedy's Early Top 32With the Hlinka Gretzky Cup completed, it felt like time to kick off the 2026 NHL draft race with some rankings. 

51. Charlie Elick, D, Tri-City (WHL): Big, tenacious shutdown defenseman is a point-per-gamer early on this season, which is a nice bonus for the Columbus Blue Jackets pick.

52. Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL): Size is the knock, but goal-scoring is Schmidt's calling card: he had 40 last season. The Dallas pick will be crucial for the Giants.

53. Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Dynamic 2026 draft prospect joined Soo from the NAHL last year and took off immediately. Reid is off to a hot start this season, as well.

54. Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL): Another 2026 draft prospect with a ton of skill from the back end, Carels can dazzle with the puck and also brings some edge with his game.

55. Lars Steiner, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL): Injury will rob him of the next couple months, but the Swiss import and 2026 draft prospect is strong on the puck and puts up points.

56. Ethan Czata, C, Niagara (OHL): Drafted by Tampa Bay, Czata was a two-way center last year but has exploded offensively early on this season – so maybe the ceiling is even higher.

57. Samuel Meloche, G, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL): The Sabres prospect is a workhorse goaltender with good size, playing for a Huskies team that's off to a solid start.

58. Trenten Bennett, G, Owen Sound (OHL): Skyscraper netminder (he's 6-foot-8) is off to a hot start for the Attack, a team with a crowded crease situation. Bennett is a New Jersey Devils pick.

59. Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL): Recently signed his entry-level contract with the Kraken, Miettinen has great size and is poised for a breakout year with the Silvertips.

60. Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw (OHL): The 2026 draft prospect won gold with Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky and kicked off his OHL career as the league's early points leader.

61. Gabe Smith, C, Moncton (QMJHL): Big, tough center showed off his fist-work in the pre-season with Utah; now he's back with the Wildcats in search of another title run.

62. Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound (OHL): Won OHL rookie of the year honors and is off to an even better offensive pace early this campaign. The 2026 draft prospect is a Penn State commit.

*63. Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops (WHL): Great size and skating ability are Brunicke's calling cards, and he just got his first NHL goal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

64. Kieron Walton, LW, Sudbury (OHL): Giant winger had breakout season with the Wolves last year, so let's see what he can do as an encore. Walton is a Jets prospect.

65. Adam Jecho, C, Edmonton (WHL): Another towering forward, Jecho is a Blues pick who will once again be crucial to both the Oil Kings and the Czech world junior squad.

66. Jack Pridham, RW, Kitchener (OHL): Originally committed to Boston U., Pridham elected to stay with the Rangers after joining them last season. Chicago Blackhawks pick thrived there.

67. David Lewandowski, LW, Saskatoon (WHL): Edmonton Oilers pick is a deft playmaker with pretty decent size. The German import is piling up points early for the Blades.

68. Teddy Mutryn, C, Moncton (QMJHL): Coming over from the USHL, the stocky Mutryn plays with an edge and is already providing secondary offense for the Cats. He's a San Jose pick.

69. Christian Kirsch, G, Kitchener (OHL): Another San Jose prospect, Kirsch comes to Kitchener via Switzerland and the NAHL. Big goalie is off to a nice start with the Rangers.

70. Max Psenicka, D, Portland (WHL): Big defenseman with a lot of upside was snagged by Utah in the draft this summer. Has almost surpassed last year's point totals already.

71. Everett Baldwin, D, Saint John (QMHL): Former U.S. prep schooler brings skill from the back end to Sea Dogs before he heads to Providence College. He's a Tampa Bay pick.

72. Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston (OHL): The combination of size and skating is alluring with the Maple Leafs pick. Hopkins is in a good development place with the Frontenacs.

73. Jacob Kvasnicka, RW, Penticton (WHL): Former NTDPer has really found his stride early with the Vees as one of the league's top producers. He's an Islanders pick.

74. Lucas Beckman, G, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL): One of the league's top goaltenders last season, the Ottawa Senators pick will now have to push through a Drakkar rebuild.

75. Christian Humphreys, C, Kitchener (OHL): Came over from NCAA Michigan last year and made an instant impact. Now the Colorado Avalanche prospect is back for more.

'How Big Are His Feet?' How Hockey Scouts And Agents Predict A Teen Prospect's GrowthIt may be the dead of summer and a quiet time in the hockey world, but I've still been to the rink once a week thanks to a numberofcamps, either skills-based or for international tournaments.

76. Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat (WHL): The 2026 draft prospect has a great motor and has been a difference-maker for the Tigers and Team Canada during international play.

77. Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL): Of course I had to put the twin brothers together. They've got that intrinsic chemistry together, and Liam is also up for the 2026 draft (duh).

78. Owen Griffin, C, Oshawa (OHL): Two-way center took off for Generals during the playoffs, and he's elevated his game even further early on this year. Columbus grabbed him in the draft.

79. Matias Vanhanen, LW, Everett (WHL): Undrafted, but already making GMs look silly. The Finnish import has awesome hockey sense and is one of the Dub's top scorers already.

80. Ben Danford, D, Oshawa (OHL): Two-way defender showed well at Maple Leafs camp, now he enters his final year of junior as captain of the Generals.

81. Luca Romano, C, Kitchener (OHL): Great at short bursts, Romano is an Islanders pick who just needs to iron out his consistency, and Kitchener is a great place to do so.

82. Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL): An excellent skater who plays hard, Kettles is a right-shot D-man with lots of potential. He's a Penguins draft pick.

83. Ryder Cali, LW, North Bay (OHL): The 2026 draft prospect went from the OJHL to North Bay last year, and now he's back for a full OHL campaign. Nice size and skill package.

84. Brooks Rogowski, RW, Oshawa (OHL): Monster of a winger is a 2026 draft prospect who won gold with Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament and is headed to Michigan State.

85. Matthew Gard, C, Red Deer (WHL): The Flyers pick plays the game the right way and has a great frame to build on. Might be another tough year in Red Deer, though.

86. Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough (OHL): Highly anticipated Czech import and 2026 draft prospect arrives in Peterborough, where the Petes should have the weapons to make noise.

87. David Bedkowski, D, Owen Sound (OHL): Big converted forward plays with a physical edge and has great length. Bedkowski is a Sabres pick who thrives in his own end.

88. Blake Vanek, RW, Wenatchee (WHL): Former Minnesota high schooler and son of Thomas Vanek is a Senators pick who brings a great shot and power forward game to Wild.

89. Alexey Vlasov, LW, Victoriaville (QMJHL): Another Tigres import off to a hot start, Vlasov doesn't have a lot of size, but he can ring up points. He's a 2026 draft prospect.

90. Miroslav Satan, C, Saginaw (OHL): The towering son of the former NHLer arrives in Saginaw from the USHL. He's a Capitals pick and a shutdown forward.

91. Kaden McGregor, C, Peterborough (OHL): The top pick in the OHL draft brings a lot of skill and drive to the Petes. McGregor isn't eligible for the NHL draft until 2027.

92. Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL): The 2026 draft prospect is off to a promising start after a trying rookie year in the 'Q.' Dagenais has the size and pedigree to be a player.

93. Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford (OHL): Blackhawks prospect is coming off an injury-shortened campaign, but his early numbers are already back up to his high standard.

94. Evan Gardner, G, Saskatoon (WHL): Though he doesn't have ideal size, the Blue Jackets prospect just stops pucks and in junior, that's all you can really ask for.

95. Emile Guite, LW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL): His draft year was a frustrating nightmare, but the Anaheim Ducks scooped him up anyway, and Guite is now off to a fantastic start to this season.

96. Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia (OHL): All this kid does is produce. Edwards is a 2026 draft prospect who finished second in Sting scoring as a rookie and currently leads the team early.

97. Liam Pue, C, Regina (WHL): The Pats' other extremely young gun, Pue is a 2028 draft prospect who tore up the new JPHL out west and is now testing his skills in the Dub.

98. Nathan Villeneuve, C, Sudbury (OHL): The type of player you simply do not want to line up against, Villeneuve is a Kraken pick who plays a hard, nasty game.

99. Jan Larys, G, Drummondville (QMJHL): The 2026 draft prospect is a Czech import with size who is off to a nice start with the Volts and will play at the QMJHL's Top Prospect Game.

100. Jaakko Wycisk, C, Guelph (OHL): Big center with great hands in tight. Wycisk was the second overall pick in the OHL draft and is eligible for the NHL version in 2027.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

It's been a reversal of fortunes so far for the Nashville Predators to open up the regular season, as they are eyeing their third win in four games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

At this point last season, the Predators were 0-3-0 and had been outscored 14-6. 

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Predators Tuesday night game at Toronto. 

Gameday 

Who: Nashville Predators (2-0-1) at Toronto Maple Leafs (1-2-0) 

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ont., Canada 

When: 6 p.m. CST 

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South

Radio: 102.5 The Game 

Betting line (via BetMGM): Nashville +1.5 Toronto -1.5. Over/under 6.5 (-105/-115). 

Starters: Nashville - TBD; Toronto - Cayden Primeau 

Saros standing tall

The Predators' biggest player in these last three games has been their goalie, Juuse Saros. The starter has made 89 saves on 94 shots, picking up wins over the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Ottawa Senators. 

In Monday's win over the Ottawa Senators, Saros made 32 saves on 33 shots. His 1.64 goals against average ranks ninth in the league and second among goalies that have played at least three games. Only New York's Igor Shesterkin has a better GAA, playing at least three games with a .67 stat line. 

After receiving immense criticism last season for underperforming after signing a large contract extension, Saros is looking like he's having the bounce-back year that was needed. 

3 things we saw in Nashville Predators season opening win over Columbus Blue JacketsFor the first time since 2019, the Nashville Predators are opening an 82-game regular season with a win at home.

Second line booming 

The Predators' combination of Michael Bunting, Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault has been the team's best line in the early season. 

Haula and Marchessault have three points each and Bunting has two. Marchessault also scored two goals in the Predators' win over the Senators. Haula has had a point in all three of the Predators' games. 

The line developed chemistry in the preseason and has only continued to improve upon it early in the regular season. 

Takeaways: Nashville Predators Pick Up First Road Win, Down Senators 4-1Oct 13, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) and Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Perbix (48) track the puck following a save by goalie Juuse Saros (74) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Imbalanced special teams 

While the Predators' penalty-killing unit is one of the best in the NHL, their power play is one of the worst. 

Down a man, Nashville has killed off 9-of-10 penalties for a 90% execution rate, which ranks ninth in the NHL. It hadn't given up a power play goal until the game on Monday. 

On the other hand, when the Predators have a man advantage, they have scored only once in their 15 opportunities this season, resulting in a low 6% execution rate. 

Despite winning, Nashville Predators power play struggles need to be addressedJonathan Marchessault has been the first Nashville Predators player to address the elephant in the Nashville Predators locker room these past three games: the power play.

Scouting Toronto 

Unlike Nashville, the Maple Leafs have struggled out the gate.

After winning their season-opening game over Montreal, 5-2, Toronto has lost back-to-back games against the Red Wings. The most recent result was a 3-2 loss on Monday in Toronto. 

Goalie Anthony Stolarz has played in all three games, owning a goals-against average of 3.05 and a save percentage of .886. Defenseman Morgan Rielly and William Nylander have led Toronto in scoring with four points apiece.

Center Calle Jarnkrok has three goals in three games. 

The Maple Leafs have also struggled on the power play this season, failing to convert on any of their six opportunities with the man advantage. 

‘That’s Unacceptable By Us: Maple Leafs Matthew Knies Says His Team Hasn’t Played A Full 60 Minutes Through 3 GamesThe Toronto Maple Leafs have opened the season with a 1-2 record , including back-to-back losses to the Detroit Red Wings, a franchise that has missed the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons.

Inactive players 

Nashville: Nicolas Hague (upper body). 

Toronto: Joseph Woll (personal), Steven Lorentz (upper body), Scott Laughton (lower body).

For a city that’s endured a some brutal results from their sports teams in the past week or so—the Phillies’ season ending in extra innings, the Eagles falling flat against the Giants—the Philadelphia Flyers delivered something fans desperately needed: a winning performance built on structure, fight, and proof of concept.

A 5–2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in the home opener wasn’t just a feel-good moment. It was the most complete game of the young season—a night where systems and execution met confidence and composure.

---

Vladar’s Composure Changes the Game

Dan Vladar has been nothing short of a revelation. Acquired from Calgary in July, he came to Philadelphia as a goaltender with potential but uncertainty—a career backup with undeniable potential, but for a team that has been scarred by goaltending time and time again, enough uncertainty to make fans cautious.

Through two starts, however, he’s looked spectacular.

The Panthers threw 26 shots at him, and Vladar turned aside 24, many of them clean looks from dangerous areas. He tracked the puck through layers of traffic, used his size to control the crease, and stayed calm even as Florida swarmed his net.

What’s most impressive is his ability to handle Florida’s netfront chaos. The Panthers are masters of second and third chances; they crash hard, hunt rebounds, and force goaltenders to lose structure. Vladar didn’t.

On multiple occasions, Vladar held his positioning instead of overcommitting. He made goaltending look simple, which against Florida, is anything but.

“It feels good, for a team’s success, if you get rewarded,” Vladar said postgame. “I thought, in those first couple of games, we did a good job as well…We just gotta keep going.”

It’s not hard to see why the Flyers look so much freer, more aggressive, and more ambitious across all areas of the ice—their goaltending has giving the team every chance to win.

---

Couturier Is the Engine Again

Sean Couturier didn’t just produce offense; he controlled the tempo of the game.

After missing nearly two full seasons due to a back injury, the 32-year-old captain finally looks like the two-way centerman who anchored Philadelphia’s best years of the past decade. His two goals and an assist were the payoff for a game played with purpose—reading plays before they developed, dictating where the puck went, and neutralizing Florida’s top threats at even strength.

And it wasn’t just that he scored. It’s how effortless he made the game look.

Sean Couturier led the way for the @NHLFlyers in their first win of 2025-26 and helped them hand the reigning champions their first loss of the season.#NHLStats: https://t.co/saFK3XJRcDpic.twitter.com/GXnmSVQ3uX

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) October 14, 2025

Rick Tocchet praised both Couturier’s leadership and his conditioning, saying:

“He wants to prove everyone wrong. The guy’s a good player. He plays a 200-foot game, and he cares. He’s a good human being. You root for guys like that, and he had a great game for us…it’s hard to find players like [him]. He trained hard this year; he came into camp in really good condition. And when your captain comes in in good condition, it helps the coach out.”

This was a captain’s game—steady, responsible, and dominant. And for players like defenseman Travis Sanheim, who have seen Couturier through his arduous injury struggles, it's extremely encouraging to be witnessing his comeback.

"[His game against the Panthers] looked like a lot of the games I saw before he got hurt, so that's a good thing for us," Sanheim said postgame. "I feel like he does seem kind of rejuvenated a little bit this year, just maybe in the mind and the body. When you take that much time off, it takes time to get all of your game back and the ability to play with the puck. I'm really happy for him where he's at, and hopefully that continues."

---

The Offense Found Its Rhythm

What’s most striking about this Flyers team early on is how quickly they move the puck. Tocchet’s emphasis on fast transitions and layered zone entries is starting to bear fruit.

Against Florida, Philadelphia’s puck movement in the offensive zone looked deliberate. They cycled with pace, used their defensemen intelligently, and consistently found ways to pull the Panthers’ defensive structure out of sync.

Players like Trevor Zegras thrived in that system, using their skating and timing to create interior lanes. Zegras’ deception through the neutral zone opened seams for quick-strike entries—and a magician-like assist on one of Couturier's goals. 

Trevor Zegras, that's a ridiculous dish! 🤩

He makes an unreal move to set up Sean Couturier! #NHLFaceOffpic.twitter.com/XhOoYPx0ti

— NHL (@NHL) October 14, 2025

The biggest difference? Patience. The Flyers didn’t force plays or settle for low-percentage perimeter shots. They worked the puck low, drew coverage, and attacked the slot—exactly what Tocchet’s system demands.

---

Defensive Structure: Still a Work in Progress, but Effective

With Cam York still day-to-day, Emil Andrae’s season debut was one of the most intriguing subplots of the night — and he didn’t disappoint.

Andrae’s ability to move the puck under pressure and act as a fourth attacker off the rush immediately made the Flyers’ breakout cleaner. Tocchet specifically wanted him to “eat” Florida’s forecheck and create motion from the blue line, and that’s exactly what he did.

In the defensive zone, Andrae was steady and smart—using stick positioning and quick retrievals rather than brute force physicality. That ability to retrieve, turn up ice, and find the first outlet pass was what the Flyers had been missing.

Tocchet acknowledged the challenge of being thrown into that situation:

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a tough situation [for him]. I think he did a really nice job. I give the kid a lot of credit.”

Beyond Andrae, the Flyers’ blue line as a whole showed more coordination than in previous games. Travis Sanheim his usual quietly effective game, using his reach to neutralize Florida’s cycle, while Nick Seeler provided his usual blend of physicality and simple, efficient defending.

The group still has its inconsistencies, but, overall, it was a performance the team clearly felt safe and secure in—sticks in lanes, clean exits, and controlled gaps.

---

Penalty Discipline Still the Loose Thread

There’s one ongoing issue that continues to shadow the Flyers: they take too many penalties.

With 15 minors in their first three games, Philadelphia is giving opponents too many chances to tilt the ice. The penalty kill, to its credit, has been sharp — aggressive up ice and quick to clear the puck — but that’s not a sustainable game plan.

Tocchet didn’t dance around the topic: “We’ve got to clean that up.”

It’s a fine balance—the Flyers want to play with emotion and bite, but they can’t afford to give away momentum through unnecessary infractions. Against Florida, discipline could have been the only thing that turned a great game into a close one.

---

A Night That Meant Something

The Flyers have spent months talking about culture, accountability, and identity. This was the product of those words in motion: an aggressive, cohesive, hard-checking team that’s also capable of creativity and poise.

They still need to evolve. There will be tougher nights. But against a team that measures your discipline, your speed, and your will in every shift, Philadelphia passed the test.

With the NHL season underway, the American Hockey League (AHL) is also underway. The Winnipeg Jets' AHL affiliate the Manitoba Moose announced its captain for the 2025-26 season.

The former Minnesota Wild forward Mason Shaw was given the 'C' for this season.

Shaw, 26, was originally drafted by the Wild with the 97th overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft. He played in 82 NHL games with Minnesota over three seasons. He recorded eight goals, 12 assists, 20 points, 122 hits, and 118 penalty minutes in those 82 games.

The former Wild player signed a one-year contract with the Jets after the Wild let him go to free agency after the 2023-24 season. After one year in the organization last year, Shaw resigned on another one-year deal.

The former Iowa Wild captain has recorded 60 goals, 98 assists and 158 points in 271 career AHL games.

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.

Recent Minnesota Wild Stories

Former Wild Defenseman Plays In 1,500th Career NHL GameThe former Minnesota Wild defenseman Brent Burns played in his 1,500th career NHL game with the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday against the Dallas Stars.

- Wild Place Nico Sturm On Injured Reserve.

- Wild Sign Kirill Kaprizov To An Eight-Year Contract Extension.

- Wild Claim Defenseman Daemon Hunt Off Waivers.

- Wild Sign Filip Gustavsson To A Five-Year Contract Extension.

- Wild's Mats Zuccarello Out For Two Months With Lower-Body Injury.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin will be the first to tell you he isn't playing his best brand of hockey.

Everyone can see that, and he told me as much on Sunday afternoon before the 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

"I think when we get dancing, it’s pretty dangerous."#Isles@TheElmontershttps://t.co/gLqJy7JV1d

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 13, 2025

Through three games, Sorokin has allowed 12 total goals, posting a GAA of 4.81 with an SV% of .854, numbers that don't align with his $8.25 million salary cap hit. 

Of the 12 goals, nine of which have come at 5-on-5, he's allowed five in the first and second periods, but only two in the third. Three have come on the penalty kill.  

He's been great at keeping the Islanders in games but he's also played a part in them trailing. 

Stats are what they are, a fraction of the truth. Not all of the 12 goals that have gone past him fall on his shoulders. 

Here's the breakdown:

- Four breakaways

- Three screens

- Three backdoor plays

- One five hole

- One rebound

The five-hole goal was a brutal one for the Islanders, who had scored 14 seconds prior to cut their deficit to 2-1:

STAN IS THE MAN 🫡 pic.twitter.com/uzHbrXO7Zb

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 13, 2025

The first goal allowed on the season, Sorokin couldn't cover a loose puck while the Islanders were on the penalty kill:

Power play goal for Pittsburgh!

Scored by Rickard Rakell with 16:37 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Pittsburgh: 1
New York: 0#NYIvsPIT#LetsGoPens#Islespic.twitter.com/c0qiUhumbR

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) October 10, 2025

The other one that Sorokin likely wants to play a bit better -- it's not his fault, but positionally -- is Winnipeg's fourth goal, as he lost his crease. But a failed backcheck on the high guy by Alexander Romanov is the sole reason why Tanner Pearson was able to score one of the easiest goals of his life:

First as a Jet for Pearson 🚨 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/1A6Q86Z3ja

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 13, 2025

At 5-on-5, allowing nine goals, MoneyPuck says that his xGA was 7.41, meaning that his GSAE is -1.6. A goalie never wants to be in the negatives. 

Collectively, Sorokin has faced the most high-danger shots in the NHL at 34, leading the NHL with 27 high-danger saves. His high-danger save percentage of .794% ranks ninth out of 20 when it comes to goaltenders who have played in two-plus games.

Islanders Defense Breakdown Through First Three GamesThrough three games this season, the New York Islanders (0-3-0) have been outscored 13-7.

Sorokin has faced 82 shots, the seventh most, allowing 12 goals, sitting tied with Calgary Flames netminder Dustin Wolf and Ottawa Senators netminder Linus Ullmark. 

The Islanders need Sorokin to be better, especially early in games.

But the Islanders need to play better in front of him, regardless of his price tag, which is a tale as old as time. 

"I got a lot of trust in him, a lot of trust in him," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said on Monday evening. 

Sorokin is expected to start against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. 

The Chicago Blackhawks did not have the busiest of off-seasons this year, but they still did add a few players to their roster. The most notable of their newcomers is forward Andre Burakovsky. 

The Blackhawks acquired Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken back in June in exchange for Joe Veleno. However, Veleno did not end up staying with the Kraken, as the Pacific Division club bought him out shortly after the trade. Now, Veleno is playing for the Montreal Canadiens. 

Early on this season with the Blackhawks, it is clear that Burakovsky is making an impact. In four games on the year, the 30-year-old winger has recorded two goals and one assist. This includes him scoring the Blackhawks' game-winning goal during their Oct. 13 matchup against the Utah Mammoth on the power play. 

Burakovsky also had a solid game against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 9, as he scored a goal and recorded an assist in the Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime loss. With this, Burakovsky has been giving the Blackhawks decent offensive production early on this season.

It will now be interesting to see if Burakovsky can keep this kind of play for the Blackhawks from here. So far, the 2013 first-round pick is certainly doing his job for the Blackhawks. 

It may not have been possible for the Buffalo Sabres season to have gotten off to a worse start, as the club struggled to maintain any level of consistency in a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on a holiday Monday matinee. The Sabres have started the campaign at 0-3, lost center Josh Norris to an upper body injury, and have struggled to generate any consistent offensive attack.

"The start the season is not where you want to be at all, and we've just got to find a way to win here." Sabres winger Tage Thompson said after the game.  "We're struggling to score, which in turn means we're not winning. That's what it is right now, and that's it's on me. I gotta find ways to score more and bear down, generate more chances. But that's a situation where we're in right now and we've got to find a way out."

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Buffalo were shutout in the season opener by Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin, but managed only a third period goal from Jason Zucker in a 3-1 loss in Boston on Saturday. On Monday, Thompson scored his first of the season, responding to Nathan MacKinnon’s opening goal in the first period, but Cale Makar and MacKinnon put the Avalanche ahead in the second period, and Buffalo showed a surprising lack of urgency in the final frame, managing only four shots on goal on Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood. 

"I didn't like our third, I thought we were overplaying (our) top-four (defense) I don't think we got up ice enough to help our forwards out and they broke it out quicker." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Some of our execution, leaving the zone, it wasn't near as clean as it was in the first two periods."

For the second straight home game, Sabres fans booed the club for their effort and on Monday chants for the firing of GM Kevyn Adams were heard for the first time. Buffalo four of their next five games at home and has to be hoping for a quick reversal of their fortunes, otherwise the chants for change will grow louder. 

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

---

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a flyer on Kitchener Rangers’ enforcer forward Matthew Hlacar when they selected him 217th overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A new philosophy has been adopted in the way Toronto drafts under Brad Treliving compared to former GM Kyle Dubas, and the selection of Hlacar further exemplifies that. 

Hlacar plays the game in the old-fashioned style. He is aggressive, aiming to inflict pain with his hits, and is not afraid to drop his gloves and engage in a fight. This often leads him to spend time in the penalty box multiple times during a game. At times, his actions exceed acceptable limits, prompting intervention from the OHL's player safety department.

The Maple Leafs prospect finds himself in hot water already, just four games into the season. 

On October 10, Kitchener drove into Sault Ste. Marie to face off against the Greyhounds. Early in the second frame, Hlacar took a checking from behind penalty on Greyhounds’ defenseman Hunter Solomon. He was assessed a two-minute minor penalty on the play and answered the bell, shedding the gloves with Solomon’s defense partner, Spencer Evans. 

Matthew Hlacar was given a 2 minute minor for checking from behind for the first clip and then got a 5 minute major and was ejected in the same period for the hit in the 2nd clip. I think the first one was worse but will be interesting if they use both against him in a suspension pic.twitter.com/2teEFdkFGU

— Generals Live (@GeneralsUpdates) October 11, 2025

Later in that same period, Hlacar threw a blindside hit on Jakub Winkelhofer after he distributed the puck. 

The hit by Matthew Hlacar on Jakub Winkelhofer. Hlacar received a match penalty for blindside and a game misconduct. pic.twitter.com/VYFChRxkqt

— Soo Greyhounds Updates (@HoundsInsider) October 11, 2025

The Toronto seventh-rounder was assessed a match penalty for blindsiding and kicked out of the game. Not only was the hit a clear blindside, but it also appeared to be late. Hlacar had plenty of time to let up on the hit. 

His actions have prompted the OHL’s department of player safety to suspend him indefinitely pending review. Through four games this season, Hlacar has already totaled 24 penalty minutes.

#OHL Disciplinary Action:

Kitchener's Matthew Hlacar has been suspended pending review as a result of actions (Match, Blindsiding) on Oct. 10th at Sault Ste. Marie.

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 11, 2025

---

Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big StageThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box. Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.&nbsp; 5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/owen-sound-attacks-rookie-sensation-has-truly-stepped-up-his-game-positioning-himself-as-a-strong-contender-for-rookie-of-the-year">Pierce Mbuyi</a> was awarded the Emms Family Award as <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/video/attacks-pierce-mbuyi-earns-emms-family-award-as-ohl-rookie-of-the-year/">OHL Rookie of the Year</a> last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie.&nbsp;

The New York Rangers were expected to pursue one of the big-ticket players in next summer's UFA market.

However, the recent signings of Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov, Vegas' Jack Eichel and Winnipeg's Kyle Connor could change their approach.

Peter Baugh of The Athletic wondered which players the Rangers could target now. He pointed out that they face a difficult decision with Artemi Panarin. The 33-year-old left winger is now the biggest name remaining in the UFA market.

Baugh noted that the Rangers have no obvious choice to replace Panarin's production if they let him go to market next July. However, signing a player who turns 34 later this month to an expensive new contract comes with risk, especially when core forwards J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck are 32 years old.

The Rangers could have several options. Baugh suggested they consider pursuing a younger UFA forward, such as Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres or Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. They're not elite-level stars, but one of them could help to boost the Rangers' offense.

Turning to the trade market is another possibility. Baugh mentioned Jason Robertson as an option, depending on how his contract negotiations with the Dallas Stars progress. The 26-year-old left winger is due to become an RFA with arbitration rights this summer. The Stars could peddle him next summer if they're unable to re-sign him.

Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights could be in the market to replace Alex Pietrangelo. The veteran defenseman is sidelined for the season and the playoffs, recovering from a nagging hip injury.

Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sunsuggested Rasmus Andersson as a trade target. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and the frequent subject of trade conjecture since the spring.

The Flames could attempt to move Andersson before the March 6 trade deadline. Keefer noted that the Golden Knights are rumored to be his preferred trade destination.

Keefer pointed out that Mitch Marner was linked to the Golden Knights last season before eventually landing in Vegas. He said it'll be financially trickier for the Golden Knights to acquire Andersson but didn't dismiss the possibility.

Vegas is pressed for cap room after placing Pietrangelo on LTIR. They'll have to shed salary if they hope to acquire the remainder of Andersson's cap hit by the trade deadline.

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.

---

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the Detroit Red Wings, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box.

Easton Cowan made his NHL debut Monday afternoon in front of a packed Scotiabank Arena, which featured some familiar OHL faces. 

Players from the London Knights showed up to the game in support of their former OHL teammate, which the official X account of the Knights tweeted out. The group picture features: Aleksei Medvedev, Jared Woolley, Sam O’Reilly, Andoni Fimis, Henry Brzustewicz, Noah Read, Rene Van Bommel, Evan Van Gorp peaking in the back, and former London Knight — and current Toronto Marlie — Landon Sim. 

There’s no denying that there is a special bond that forms and never dies when you are part of a championship team. All nine players in the picture were members of the 2025 OHL Championship-winning team and continued the celebration with a redemption victory at the Memorial Cup. 

Easton Cowan made the Maple Leafs roster after an impressive training camp; however, head coach Craig Berube waited until Game 3 of the season to showcase Toronto’s top prospect. Instead of easing Cowan into the lineup and playing him in the bottom six, Berube situated him right beside Toronto’s superstar captain, Auston Matthews, for his debut. 

The Leafs dominated their game against Detroit, mounting a comeback from down 2-0 in the third period. Unfortunately, Red Wings forward Mason Appleton stunned the home crowd, scoring the game-winning goal with 45 seconds left on the clock. 

Looking at the silver lining of things, not only did Cowan have a strong debut, but he looked like he belonged inside Toronto’s top six. 

Cowan finished the game with 14:05 TOI, one shot, and three hits. Additionally, the Maple Leafs outshot Detroit 12-1 while he was on the ice. He was noticeably engaged and unafraid of contact. Most importantly, he displayed his offensive skills and hands to make plays to his captain, setting him up for a few scoring chances. 

Toronto is back in action Tuesday night, as they host the Nashville Predators. Will this be the game Cowan scores his first NHL goal?

---

Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.  Sarnia Sting Strengthen Between The Pipes With Addition Of Maple Leafs Camp NetminderThe North Bay Battalion had three OHL-caliber goaltenders on their roster to start the season: starter Mike McIvor, Charlie Larocque, and Jack Lisson. It’s also worth mentioning that the organization’s 2025 5th-rounder 6-foot-3 netminder Cole Vreugdenhil has also made a strong first impression with the organization.  5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward Pierce Mbuyi was awarded the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie. 

ST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild (2-1-0) defeated the Los Angeles Kings  (1-2-1) on Monday by a score of 4-3 in a shootout. Here is the data I tracked from the Wild's win.

If you want to know what each stat means and why I am tracking these, read here.

Above is the power play data from the Wild's win. They scored three power-play goals in the 4-3 win. Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Jared Spurgeon had the goals.

Above is the 5-on-5 data. As you can see, there weren't a lot of shot assists in this game. Only five total after having 12 in the last game.

Monday's game was the second consecutive game where the Wild did not score at 5-on-5. Luckily for them they scored seven power-play goals in that span.

Can they take the power play's shooting mentality and apply it to 5-on-5?

"Yeah, exactly. I think that's what we need," Wild head coach John Hynes said. "The power play, like I said, when you have that much talent on the ice, I think to me, they're so competitive on the puck, and then they do have a shot mentality. They're not overpassing or trying to play a little bit too cute. So that's why the power plays had success. And I think just five-on-five, we got to get a little bit more of that."

Rossi added: "Yeah, it was lacking, maybe. But I think it's important to keep going. We have chances a couple of times, but we just don't grind enough in the down low. Maybe a little more like smarter puck decisions, you know, especially on the wall, when there's a scrum. Don't force plays, maybe, just like a little rim out for a D and just like, try to win the puck battles. That's a huge thing. But overall, I think we can't really focus too much on that. Just keep playing and keep the confidence up."

Above is the data for the Wild's defense pairs and what they allowed and didn't allow off the rush. It is a stat I tracked a bunch of last year but never used. I think it is super important and worth posting. Especially if the Wild keeps switching up the pairs.

Zeev Buium had been with Spurgeon the first two games but played with Zach Bogosian on Monday. That pair allowed four shots off the rush on nine attempts, which was the worst of any pair.

The best pair was Jake Middleton with Spurgeon. They only allowed two shots off the rush on 11 attempts but they did allow a high-danger chance which was one of only two off the rush at 5-on-5 that the Wild allowed.

"I think particularly, I thought we gave up some rush play that we normally don't do; just getting on top of people in the offensive zone when the puck transitions back to our own end," Hynes said before the game on Monday. "We let them skate a little bit too much through the neutral zone without having people above them. I would say that was probably the biggest area that we addressed coming into tonight's game."

Hynes talked about before Monday's game that the goal was to limit chances off the rush. They Wild allowed nine shots off the rush at 5v5 on 31 attempts that I tracked. They were 71% effective when it came to limiting shots off the rush.

It will be interesting to see how things change as the season goes 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.

Recent Minnesota Wild Stories

Former Wild Defenseman Plays In 1,500th Career NHL GameThe former <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild">Minnesota Wild</a> defenseman Brent Burns played in his 1,500th career NHL game with the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche">Colorado Avalanche</a> on Saturday against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars">Dallas Stars</a>.

- Wild Place Nico Sturm On Injured Reserve.

- Wild Sign Kirill Kaprizov To An Eight-Year Contract Extension.

- Wild Claim Defenseman Daemon Hunt Off Waivers.

- Wild Sign Filip Gustavsson To A Five-Year Contract Extension.

- Wild's Mats Zuccarello Out For Two Months With Lower-Body Injury.

As Easton Cowan skated onto the ice ahead of his NHL debut, the crowd started cheering. Within all the noise, a song blared inside Scotiabank Arena: "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)".

"Yeah, that was definitely special," Cowan smiled. "It was very cool, and I saw all my friends and family, so it meant a lot."

It's been a rather short but quick road to the NHL for Cowan. He was in Junior B with the GOJHL's Komoka Kings in 2021, before joining the OHL's London Knights towards the end of the 2022 season.

Four years later, and after a strong training camp, Cowan skated in his first NHL game, alongside two of Toronto's top players, Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.

"Yeah, it's pretty crazy," Cowan said following Toronto's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday afternoon. "About five years ago, I was playing Junior B, so it just shows if you stick with it and work hard, good things will come. So just going to keep doing that. Felt good today, but back at it tomorrow and hopefully get the two points."

Easton Cowan gets a rookie lap inside Scotiabank Arena ahead of his NHL debut.

The arena plays “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” as he steps out onto the ice. pic.twitter.com/0YTKpykTVo

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) October 13, 2025

Cowan finished Monday's game with one shot and three hits in 14:05 of ice time. There were plenty of chances created by Cowan, and it seemed like he worked well playing with Knies and Matthews. The rookie even found himself on the ice during a 6-on-5 late in the third period while Toronto was down by a goal.

"I thought he had a great game. He made a lot of good plays with the puck. And he made a good one at six on five, too. So that's why he was out there," said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube.

"I think it means a lot, the trust he has in me, but I felt good today," added Cowan. "I felt like I created a lot, so it was good to get out there and create a couple more chances there, too, at the end. But those got to go in, and unfortunately, they didn't today."

Talbot stops Matthews twice pic.twitter.com/rVioduuEb5

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 13, 2025

According to NaturalStatTrick, the Knies, Matthews, and Cowan line had a team-leading 80.33 expected goals-for percentage at five-on-five. Right off the hop, though, Cowan looked like he fit in.

If you didn't know it, you wouldn't think it was his NHL debut.

"I thought he was great. I think he just carries himself with such good confidence in himself in the way he can play and compete," Matthews said. "I thought he played really well tonight. Easy guy to play with. He made plays. Made smart plays with the puck.

"When the simple play was there, to just get the puck deeper or whatnot, I thought he made it, so I thought he was really good tonight."

One moment Cowan will remember most was during warmups when he scanned the crowd and found his old Knights teammates during warmups.

"They had all my old jerseys on, switched around backwards so you could see my name, and just big smiles on their face," Cowan grinned. "It meant a lot that they came all the way here."

Had to pull up and support 🤠 pic.twitter.com/m7yv1eAz3s

— London Knights (@LondonKnights) October 13, 2025

Despite not tallying a point in his debut, there's a lot to be excited about with Cowan's game. The fact that he fit seamlessly with Matthews and Knies says what you need to know about the type of player Cowan can be.

This is only the beginning of what's likely a long pro career for the young forward from Strathroy, Ontario.

"I felt good. I felt like a good player. I feel like I generated a lot and didn't give up a lot, so I just keep getting better each and every day. Just keep working on finishing my chances."

Latest stories:

‘We Need More From Him’: Maple Leafs’ Craig Berube Challenges William Nylander For Offense Following Defeat To Red Wings

Could Steven Lorentz Return To Maple Leafs' Lineup Against Predators?

'We FaceTimed The Next Night': Maple Leafs' Easton Cowan Reacts To Fraser Minten's Overtime Winner With Bruins

With youth making strong cases to stick around for the long haul, the Pittsburgh Penguins will have some roster decisions to make once veterans start to return from injured reserve. 

Yes, waivers is an option for veterans - but could the trade market be as well?

Here are four players who could potentially have some value early in the season.

4 Early Trade Candidates For The PenguinsWith a few players on injured reserve and some young prospects making some pretty solid cases to stick around for good, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> will have some tough roster decisions to make in the coming days and weeks.

Can you see the Penguins making an early-season trade similar to last season with Lars Eller? Let us know below. 

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