Los Angeles Kings forward Samuel Helenius is currently battling for a roster spot as the pre-season winds down. The 22-year-old is looking to remain with the Kings for a second straight season. Helenius is entering the third and final year of his entry level contract, making him a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the season. 

After drafting him with the 59th overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, the Kings are hoping Helenius can continue to improve and live up to his potential based on where they selected him, and it starts by making the team this fall.

2024-25 Season

During the 2024-25 season, Samuel Helenius spent time in the NHL with the Kings, while also appearing in games with Ontario Reign in the AHL. In his 20 games in the American Hockey League, the winger scored two goals along with four assists for six points total. He also used his 6'0" 201 lbs pound frame as he accumulated 38 total penalty minutes proving he can be a physical presence. 

As for his time with the big league club, Helenius scored four goals to go with three assists for seven total points in 50 games. The Dallas, Texas native did not initially make the team out of camp. Instead, making his NHL debut on November 9th, 2024 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his first game, he registered his first career point with an assist. Although he picked up his first point very quickly, Helenius didn't find the back of the net until his 25th career game on January 22nd, 2025 against the Florida Panthers. He played just two more games before being sent back down to Ontario. On March 5th he was called back up and stayed with the Kings for the remainder of the season.

The 22-year-old even appeared in all six of the Kings playoff games versus the Edmonton Oilers. In those six games, Helenius registered one assist while having a -1 rating.

2025-26 Expectations and Stat Predictions

It's no secret that Helenius is in a battle to make the Kings roster and play in their bottom six. PuckPedia currently has the young forward projected as an extra to kick off the season. His main competitors seem to be Alex Turcotte and Jeff Mallott. Ultimately, I expect him to make the team and slot in on the fourth line to start the season. 

As for his numbers, I'm predicting Helenius to improve on his production from a year ago. If he can give LA nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points throughout the season, all while likely rotating in and out of the line-up, I would consider that a win for all parties involved, which would also likely earn him a new deal after the season.

Stay tuned in with your Los Angeles Kings here at The Hockey News, as the 2025-26 season inches closer.

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild in preseason game three, 4-1, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. 

Frank Nazar scored the first two goals of the game to give the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead. In the end, he deposited one in the empty net as well, giving him the preseason hat trick. 

The one non-Frank Nazar goal scored by the Blackhawks came off the stick of Ryan Donato. He took advantage of a beautiful cross-ice feed by Connor Bedard, who looks as special as ever so far this exhibition season. 

Frank Nazar picked a good game to have a hat trick, despite it being the preseason. Wild GM Bill Guerin is also the General Manager of Team USA, who is in the process of selecting the Olympic team. There will be plenty of chances for Guerin to watch Nazar, but this was a great opportunity for the player in that regard. 

Alex Vlasic left the game with an injury and did not return. It is unclear what happened, but Jeff Blashill and the coaching staff are sure to have an answer soon enough. That would be a tough loss for Chicago if he misses any time, but it could also just be precautionary. 

Drew Commesso played the whole game for the Blackhawks in net, and he was magnificent. He made 28 saves on 29 shots. The Wild had plenty of veterans and players desperate to make the roster in their lineup, so it can be chalked up as an impressive performance for Commesso as he faced strong competition. 

With Spencer Knight locked in as the starter, there are two great options for backup goaltending in Drew Commesso and Arvid Soderblom. They prove it night in and night out. 

The road portion of the preseason is over for Chicago. Now, they have three left, and they are all at the United Center. That starts on Tuesday with preseason number game four against the Detroit Red Wings. 

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

Believe it or not, the Buffalo Sabres and their players are not inherently terrible. Sure, there are Buffalo players you may believe to be flawed, and sure, the Sabres have been consistently sub-par for the past 14 seasons -- none of which have ended with Stanley Cup playoff games being played in Western New York.  But if you look at some of Buffalo's former players, you see that they have some value across the league, even though they have a stint with the Sabres on their resume.

One former Sabre who was prominent this week was former Buffalo goalie James Reimer, who agreed to a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's true Reimer would at best be Toronto's third goalie, but with the absence of veteran Joseph Woll, Reimer could become the Leafs' No. 2 option. And given that Reimer had won the Sabres' starting job at the end of this past season, you know Toronto management had to be convinced Reimer had something left to extend him this olive branch.

Meanwhile, former Buffalo winger J.J. Peterka obviously had value to other teams. The Utah Mammoth gave up a lot of trade capital to acquire Peterka this summer, but he enters the season as Utah's top left winger on a Mammoth team that many believe will take a major step forward this season. So the Sabres haven't been bereft of talent.

The problem here is clearly the chemistry and depth for Buffalo, and Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is tasked with changing the mix for his team. If he can't do that, Buffalo's streak of seasons without a playoff appearance will extend to an even more-painful 15 years.

This is also why the pressure is squarely on Sabres coach Lindy Ruff right now. No one can take away from Ruff's longevity as an NHL bench boss. He's had some serious success over the years, but nothing short of a playoff berth will save Ruff's job this year, and so he's going to have to do what all great coaches learn to do -- namely, adapt their approach to how they do business.

This Season Could Be Final Kick At Can For Sabres Coach Ruff, GM AdamsThe Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 season is about as high-stakes as it gets. The Sabres will be aiming to end the organization's 14-year drought on the Stanley Cup playoff front. And while certain players will not be long for Buffalo if the Sabres fail to make it into the post-season this year, the reality is the Sabres' most prominent coaching and management members -- coach Lindy Ruff and GM Kevyn Adams -- could be getting their final kick at the can in their jobs -- at least, at the NHL level.

That doesn't necessarily mean coaches have to be drastically different in how they approach their duties, but it does mean being flexible and learning how to modify their performance to suit the needs of the players they're responsible for.

So we're not going to tell you the Sabres were 100 percent wrong to keep most of their team together this summer. That may prove to be demonstrably true, but teams have tweaked their lineup from a losing bunch one year to a playoff team the next. Adams is betting on his core, and that could ultimately be the best decision he's made in the role. 

Seeing players like Peterka and Reimer be potentially big parts of a winning team should reassure Sabres fans the team isn't comically inept when it comes to identifying NHL-level talent. But the fact that many former Sabres have found success elsewhere is in its own way an indictment of Buffalo management, past and present. That's what has to change above all else.

Sabres Will Start This Season As Playoff Underdogs -- But Here's Why That Could Be Good For ThemThe Buffalo Sabres are going to have a tough time contending for a Stanley Cup wild card position this year. But when this writer submitted his pre-season predictions for the Atlantic Division, he had the Sabres in…sixth place in the Atlantic, ahead of only the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. And while it pains us to predict more misery ahead for long-suffering Sabres fans, we wouldn’t be telling it like it is if we told you Buffalo wasn’t going to be picked as a playoff team by most pundits. They won’t be.

This organization has to figure out a way to get its ducks in a row and come up with a legitimate playoff team. Because if they can't do that this year, there will be a new management group with the same goal next summer.

And Sabres fans will be all the more livid that this franchise just can't get it right.

The NHL saw several players be placed on waivers on Sep. 28. One of them was a former New Jersey Devils defenseman, as the Tampa Bay Lightning have placed blueliner Steven Santini on waivers.

Santini is currently entering his second season with the Lightning organization in 2025-26. He spent the majority of this past campaign at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Syracuse Crunch. In 58 games with the AHL squad in 2024-25, he posted six goals, 11 assists, 17 points, and a plus-10 rating. He also appeared in three playoff games for the Crunch this spring, recording one assist and an even plus/minus rating.

Santini also played in one game for the Lightning during the 2024-25 season, where he was held off the scoresheet.

Santini was selected by the Devils with the 42nd overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he played his first four NHL seasons with the Metropolitan Division club. In 114 games with the Devils over that span, the right-shot defenseman recorded five goals, 16 assists, 21 points, 153 blocks, 276 hits, and a minus-10 rating.

Santini's time with the Devils ended during the 2019 NHL off-season when he was traded to the Nashville Predators in the deal that sent P.K. Subban to New Jersey.

The Ottawa Senators improved their preseason record to 2–1 on Sunday afternoon with a 2–0 victory over a New Jersey Devils split-squad at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.

With the game still scoreless, the breakthrough finally came on a Sens power play with 4:26 left in regulation. Tim Stützle carried the puck to the high slot before losing it on a poke check, but the puck behaved like a perfect drop pass, right onto the stick of rookie Stephen Halliday.

Halliday one-timed a high snap shot over the left shoulder of Devils goaltender Georgi Romanov. For Stutzle, it was a spot of good luck in a game where he missed on a penalty shot and also rang one off the iron from in close.

For the second straight game, Ottawa faced an opponent icing what amounted to a “B” lineup. Most of the Devils' opening night lineup remained in Newark, where they fell 3–2 in a shootout to the Washington Capitals. Still, the Senators made the most of the opportunity, taking control late and closing out a tidy win.

Free-agent signing Olle Lycksell, the former Philadelphia Flyer, added insurance less than three minutes later. After a careless New Jersey drop pass at the blue line, Lycksell poked the puck away from defenseman Calen Addison, then skated in alone and slid the puck into an empty net to secure the win.

Why Wasn't Sunday's Senators-Devils Game On English Radio Or TV?As the Ottawa Senators defeated the New Jersey Devils 2-0 on Sunday afternoon in preseason action, a lot of English-speaking Senator fans had to dust off their French comprehension skills. It had nothing to do with the game being in Quebec City, though.

Goaltender Linus Ullmark was rarely tested but sharp when needed, turning aside all 14 shots he faced for his first shutout of the preseason. It was a welcome bounce-back after he allowed three goals in Ottawa’s exhibition opener.

On special teams, the Senators went 1-for-3 with the man advantage and were perfect on three penalty kills. Romanov was the busier of the two goaltenders, stopping 30 shots to keep the Devils in it until the late stages. That included a penalty shot where he didn't buy any of Stutzle's fancy stickhandling, turning him away effortlessly.

Both Halliday and Lycksell strengthened their cases for roster spots in Ottawa, particularly with current injuries to Drake Batherson and Lars Eller. Their availability for opening night remains possible but uncertain, leaving even more room for competition on the forward lines.

The Senators will continue their Quebec City showcase on Tuesday night, when they host the Montreal Canadiens at the Videotron Centre. The game might serve as a measuring stick as to whether winning over fans in Quebec City is truly possible, or if Montreal, despite the heated rivalry from long ago, has already taken the territory over.

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself
Ottawa Senators Cut 17 Players Before Heading To Quebec City
Will This Be Shane Pinto's Breakout Year With The Senators?
Drake Batherson Joins Ottawa Senators List Of Preseason Injury Concerns
Pinto Plays Hero In Senators Preseason Overtime Win Over Leafs
After Two Broken Clavicles, Kaliyev Targets Capital Comeback

The Buffalo Sabres bounce back from a 5-2 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit on Thursday with their own 5-2 win over the Wings at KeyBank Center on Saturday afternoon. Tage Thompson scored a pair of goals in the victory, with Josh Norris, Rasmus Dahlin, and rookie Radim Mrtka adding singles. Alex Lyon went all the way for the Sabres, making 26 saves in the contest. 

Just after the game, the club announced a massive 24-player roster cut, demoting 15 players to AHL Rochester Americans; forwards Riley Fiddler-Schultz, Konsta Helenius, Tyler Kopff, Olivier Nadeau, Viktor Neuchev, Isak Rosen and Anton Wahlberg, defensemen Isaac Belliveau, Vsevolod Komarov, Zach Metsa, Nikita Novikov, and Jack Rathbone, and goaltenders Topias Leinonen, Devon Levi and Scott Ratzlaff.

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Rathbone was placed on waivers and cleared on Sunday, enabling him to be sent to the Amerks, as were nine players on AHL contracts: forwards Matteo Costantini, Jagger Joshua, Trevor Kuntar, Redmond Savage, Graham Slaggert, Brendan Warren, and defensemen Aiden Fulp, Noah Laaouan, and Peter Tischke.

Helenius, 19, played well during the exhibition slate for the Sabres, but will benefit from more AHL experience and could be an option for an NHL call-up later in the season if he continues to progress. Rosen will be embarking on his fourth AHL campaign after leading the Amerks in scoring last season, while Levi (who was an AHL All-Star but went 2-7-0 in nine games with Buffalo last season) seems destined to play another year in Rochester, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen healthy, and veterans Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev ahead of him on the depth chart. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

It was decided by Detroit Red Wings general manager that Lucas Raymond, whom he drafted with the fourth overall pick in 2020, is a foundational building block. 

To that end, he re-signed Raymond to an eight-year contract extension just over one year ago, ensuring Raymond would be wearing the Winged Wheel all throughout the prime of his NHL career.

Raymond responded in the first season of his new contract by establishing a new career-high 80 points in 82 games played, and as far as the Red Wings are concerned, the sky is the limit. 

If Raymond's words last week are any indication of what Red Wings fans can expect from him this season, a new career-high in points could potentially be in the cards.

"I feel like I found my game faster than usual when you feel comfortable and up to speed out there," he said following Training Camp. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

It wasn't long ago that Raymond himself was a rookie who's place in the forward lineup wasn't a sure thing when he began his inagural NHL Training Camp in September 2021. Not only did Raymond claim a roster spot, but he firmly put himself into the conversation for Rookie of the Year by tallying 23 goals with 34 assists. 

The honor ultimately went to his teammate, Moritz Seider, who also began his NHL career at the same time Raymond did that season. 

Raymond knows what some of the younger players who are trying to establish position in the Red Wings' system and thus far have made impacts in pre-season play, including Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Carter Mazur, and Emmitt Finnie. 

"I think a lot of guys coming up have had a really good Camp, it's fun to see," Raymond said of the numerous prospects who were present in Training Camp. "You see guys put their foot forward out there and try to make it as hard as possible for coaches and management." 

Raymond also acknowledged that the skill of Detroit's younger players attempting to make the team have a motivating effect on the current players on the roster to up their own games. 

"It's really exciting, and I think that just adds to it, the pressure coming from underneath and kind of puts a fire underneath everyone's ass a bit," Raymond said with a smile. "It's been fun." 

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Five years might not seem like a long time, but in the NHL, it can feel like a lifetime. For the Ottawa Senators, the difference between their 2020–21 opening night roster and the group projected to hit the ice to open the 2025–26 season is quite staggering. In fact, of the 19 players who dressed for that first game in January of 2021, only a small handful would have any shot at cracking today’s lineup.

When you stack the two rosters side by side, the transformation is impossible to ignore. Ottawa has gone from a patchwork rebuilding lineup to a team brimming with talent and high expectations.

Players Who Wouldn’t Get A Look Today

Of those 19 players from 2020–21, the majority would have little to no chance of making the current Senators roster. Names like Matt Murray, Nikita Zaitsev, Christian Wolanin, Derek Stepan, Cédric Paquette, Josh Brown, Artem Anisimov, Braydon Coburn, and Chris Tierney are reminders of a different era — one where Ottawa was barely treading water. It was hard to say which was more severe, the volatility of Sens' ownership or the sluggishness of their rebuild attempt.

Most of the players above have since retired (Stepan, Anisimov, Coburn), shifted overseas (Zaitsev, Paquette, Tierney), or are now clinging to bubble status between NHL and AHL (Murray, Wolanin, Brown, Watson). Simply put, they’re no longer near the standard set by Ottawa’s current core.

Players Who Might Have An Outside Chance

Two others, Erik Gudbranson (now in Columbus) and Evgenii Dadonov (in New Jersey), are still in the NHL, but neither would have an easy time carving out a spot in Ottawa’s lineup today. Back in 2020–21, they were relied on as everyday players. Now, they’d be depth options.

Players Who Were Good Enough, But Moved On

A few names from that opening night roster remain good NHL players, just not in Ottawa anymore. Nick Paul has found a long-term home in Tampa Bay, Connor Brown is still in the league as a two-way forward with New Jersey, and Josh Norris was traded to Buffalo back at the deadline. All three were quality players who would still be assets in Ottawa, but the page has been turned.

The Pillars

That leaves just four players from that night who are still here and thriving: Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Thomas Chabot, and Drake Batherson.

Tkachuk, now captain, has been the heartbeat of the franchise for most of the past five years. Stützle, still a teenager back in 2020–21, has blossomed into a superstar center. Chabot remains a solid puck-moving top-four defenseman, while Batherson continues to be a consistent offensive weapon. These are the four building blocks that carried Ottawa through the darkest days of the rebuild and into what they hope is the start of a sustained run of contention.

When you step back and see that only six of the 19 players from that opening night lineup in 2020–21 would realistically have a place in the current roster, it underscores just how much things have changed. It also explains why it took so long to return to contention.

This wasn’t just about waiting for prospects to develop — it was about clearing out and replacing nearly an entire roster. 

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself
Ottawa Senators Cut 17 Players Before Heading To Quebec City
Will This Be Shane Pinto's Breakout Year With The Senators?
Drake Batherson Joins Ottawa Senators List Of Preseason Injury Concerns
Pinto Plays Hero In Senators Preseason Overtime Win Over Leafs
After Two Broken Clavicles, Kaliyev Targets Capital Comeback

The 19-year-old winger Liam Greentree was selected 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 NHL draft and will likely not be on the official roster come the 2025-26 opening night, but the top prospect could make it sooner than people might think.  

Who is Liam Greentree

Greentree has been one of the OHL’s most talented forwards with the Windsor Spitfires this past season, lighting the league on fire with 49 goals, 70 assists, and 119 points. 

The size and height Greentree possesses are imposing, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing over 200 pounds, he already has a body ready for the NHL. Add his ability to drive the puck in the goal, the speed, and IQ, and it’s easy to see why he’s considered to have immense potential for the Kings' system. 

Last season, Greentree took a massive leap in the OHL, demonstrating his offense, decision-making, and vision, making him a dual threat. Many analysts have highlighted his contributions and why he could be a top priority for the Kings this upcoming season. 

The Ducks defeat the Kings 5-3 for LA's first loss in the preseason.

-Trevor Moore: 1 goal
-Cody Ceci: 1 goal
-Taylor Ward: 1 goal
-Liam Greentree: 1 assist pic.twitter.com/Nd8rIGQ0YD

— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) September 28, 2025

Expectations for this season

Under different situations, Greentree might have found his way on the ice consistently throughout the regular season on a rebuilding team. Still, Los Angeles is in win-now mode, especially with Anze Kopitar announcing that this will be his last season with the Kings. 

Kings are going to go all in on Kopitar’s last season and will look to raise another banner for the first time in over a decade. With their forward group already set, the organization has made it clear they’re choosing veterans with more experience over younger players who have no experience playing on the ice. 

This doesn’t mean Greentree won’t be successful for the Kings organization, but it does mean that he will likely return to the OHL for another year, where he will play top minutes and further develop his game, rather than being limited to a bench role. 

The Kings will closely monitor his progress, with a potential call-up later in the season or next season if an injury occurs or a player leaves in free agency. 

Wonder if Tyler Toffoli's development pathway is a blueprint for Liam Greentree. Four years in the OHL with high production levels. Then a full year in the AHL with an NHL cup of coffee. Then a fulltime NHLer around age 22. @ByronMBader@NHLRussellpic.twitter.com/CSVNbFLiA4

— Marina Cities (@MarinaCities8) September 24, 2025

Long-Term Outlook

Again, while Greentree will most likely play out these last preseason games this weekend before being reassigned to the OHL, his future remains bright in LA. 

In the next two years, he should be on the roster and play a pivotal role for a playoff-contending team that can drive the offense and step into a major role after Kopitar and other veterans ride off into the sunset. 

The Calgary Flames were a surprising team last season. While they didn’t make the Stanley Cup playoffs – that part was expected of them – the St. Louis Blues beat them out on a tie-breaker after the two teams levelled on points for the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference. 

Ultimately, this Flames team could once again be what they were last season – a 'mushy middle' team. A club that's too good to finish at the bottom of the standings and earn a top draft pick, but not good enough to make the post-season.

In this writer’s mind, that’s the worst place a team can be because you really have nothing to show for it – no elite prospect for the future, nor a playoff experience. Flames GM Craig Conroy has to be smart enough to recognize that and want more of this Calgary team from a futuristic standpoint.

The Flames should be setting themselves up for help from the draft in the next three to five years. Otherwise, the team could be mired in the mushy middle, always chasing their own tail, never quite finding the mix to give Flames fans something to invest their time, money and emotion in. It would be an emotional sinkhole, swallowing everyone and their pride in the process.

With that said, Calgary has players who, if traded, could accelerate their much-needed rebuild. Everyone knows Calgary star defenseman Rasmus Andersson will probably be dealt. Even Flames captain Mikael Backlund said it's "obvious" that Andersson will get traded.

NHL's Biggest Trade Bait With 2025-26 Season Almost HereIt is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7. 

Star center Nazem Kadri could be another player that Conroy sacrifices down the road. However, Kadri's contract includes a full no-movement clause for the 2025-26 season. Unless the 34-year-old waives that clause, the Flames will have to wait one more year before exploring the market for Kadri.

Even after this season, Kadri has a 13-team no-trade list for the remaining three years of his contract, which pays him  $7 million against the salary cap.

If all these circumstances of trading Kadri fall into place, only then can Conroy dangle his veteran in front of buyers.

Some have said Kadri’s $7-million salary is an obstacle to him being moved, but in an NHL where the salary cap ceiling is rising exponentially until further notice, taking on Kadri’s salary shouldn’t be a problem, whether or not the Flames retain some salary.

If they do retain in a Kadri deal, they’ll get better prospects and draft picks; if they don’t retain, they get Kadri’s cap space to invest in someone who isn’t approaching their mid-thirties.  

By moving Andersson and exploring Kadri as a trade piece in the future, the Flames would be tacitly admitting that their current core just isn’t good enough, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. It could be time to change course from a future mired in mediocrity.

Predicting The NHL's Pacific Division Rankings In 2025-26As we approach September, it’s a great time to post some predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season. 

For most teams, the only way you do that is to take a step back. There’s a reason why teams regularly tear it down to the studs. It’s the most reliable, most proven method to build a long-term Cup contender.

For example, the San Jose Sharks have traded away star players such as defensemen Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns, as well as center Tomas Hertl and right winger Timo Meier. In return, they received assets that aid the franchise's future and gave the team a better opportunity to receive a higher draft pick.

Now, the Sharks have one of the most exciting young cores in the league, including Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa from the 2025 draft, and more. It's all thanks to the hard decision of moving the aging core.

It’s far more preferable than running as fast as you can, just to make the playoffs and be roadkill for a team that’s at the top of your division. 

Though the Flames surprised many by challenging for a playoff spot last season, this is still a flawed Calgary team that doesn't have the depth to get them through a competitive season.

Furthermore, the Pacific Division has gotten more competitive this past off-season. The Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks, who both finished below Calgary last season, have made improvements this summer. There's a real possibility that either the Kraken or the Ducks push their way up the division, forcing the Flames to drop.

In many ways, that would be a good thing, because Calgary would benefit from bottoming out. It's not to say Flames fans should celebrate every loss, but the truth is the Flames do not have comparable talent to players like Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid or Vegas Golden Knights’ center Jack Eichel. The only way they’re going to get one is through the draft. Thus, more regular-season pain is required for Calgary to make significant off-season gains. 

Therefore, the organization needs a step back or two before stepping forward, and this year will be a year where they need patience and understanding as their youngsters develop and they make moves with an eye toward three or four seasons from now.

In sum, Calgary has to avoid being a mushy middle team at all costs. The only way to do that is to go on the competitive roller-coaster that includes a steep plunge before they can reach exciting heights again.

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.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were back at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for another day of training camp on Sunday, and there was a big emphasis on special teams. 

Players from Groups A and B warmed up on separate rinks before scrimmaging for 45 minutes. Instead of the usual 5v5 scrimmage, each team rotated between having two-minute power plays. 

Ville Koivunen was one of the standouts during the power play scrimmage. He scored the first goal for Team Black when he banked it off a defender and in. He was later showcasing his strong vision with some of his passes in the offensive zone. 

He's had the opportunity to skate with some of the Penguins' top players at camp, including Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson, and confirmed after practice that he's starting to build some more chemistry with them. 

"Yeah, of course," Koivunen said. "I know how they play and what they want to do on the ice, so that's helped a lot." 

Koivunen got to spend time on Crosby's line to end the 2024-25 season and looked comfortable, notching seven points in eight games. He also got time on Evgeni Malkin's line, but appears more likely to at least start the season on Crosby's line.

Speaking of Malkin, he beat Sergei Murashov five-hole to give Team Black a 3-0 lead over Team Gold after Tommy Novak made it 2-0 a few seconds prior. Malkin had his legs during Saturday's 4-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and that didn't change on Sunday. 

Benjamin Kindel continued to show his strong hockey IQ and playmaking ability when he threaded a beautiful pass through traffic from the blue line to set up Danton Heinen for Team Gold's first goal. Kindel has looked more comfortable as training camp has progressed and had the opportunity to play with the NHL regulars on Saturday. 

'Inspiring': Penguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Reflects On Fleury, Game To Remember Marc-Andre Fleury's final game in Pittsburgh was an unforgettable experience for many, fans and longtime teammates alike. 

He never looked out of place and used his skating ability to get some quality chances, just as he did in two previous preseason games. It's still unlikely that he gets a nine-game tryout, but he's not super far away from being an NHL player. 

Defenseman Caleb Jones cut the lead to 4-2 at the end of the power play portion of the scrimmage before the format switched to 6-on-5. Both teams got to work with an extra attacker for the last few minutes of the scrimmage and it resulted in a 7-3 win for Team Black. 

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson were on PP1 for Team Black, while Tommy Novak, Justin Brazeau, Ville Koivunen, Anthony Mantha, and Kris Letang were on PP2. 

Team Gold's top power play consisted of Ben Kindel, Philip Tomasino, Tristan Broz, Filip Hallander, and Caleb Jones. The second PP unit featured Robby Fabbri, Valtteri Puustinen, Matt Dumba, Avery Hayes, and Broz. 

The Penguins will play their fifth preseason game on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET.

---

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According to PuckPedia, former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ronnie Attard has been placed on waivers by the Colorado Avalanche. 

Attard, 26, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche back in July. This was after he posted seven goals, 10 assists, 17 points, and 80 penalty minutes in 66 American Hockey League (AHL) games split between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Bakersfield Condors in 2024-25. 

Today’s waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3pic.twitter.com/GKl3z6N1CO

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 28, 2025

Attard was selected by the Flyers with the 72nd overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In 29 games over three seasons with the Flyers, the White Lake, Michigan native recorded two goals, four assists, six points, 33 blocks, 49 hits, and a minus-1 rating. 

Attard's time with the Flyers organization ended when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers back in November of this past season in exchange for defenseman Ben Gleason. 

If Attard clears waivers, he will be eligible to be sent down to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. However, it will be interesting to see if another team claims the 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman off waivers.

There’s a fun little paradox to K’Andre Miller’s move from the New York Rangers to the Carolina Hurricanes.

On one level, the big defenseman is going from The City That Never Sleeps – and the hyper-bustling borough of Manhattan – to the take-your-time, low-and-slow South. But on another level, he’s joining a Hurricanes team known for playing the game at such a high pace that it leaves most other teams strewn in their wake.

On both fronts, Miller is happy with his new home and team. “We always had great battles when I was on the other side in New York,” he said. “They have such a fast team and get up and down the ice in a fast motion. They do everything as a team. It’s a fun group to watch, and they’ve had a lot of success recently, so I’m excited.”

Miller also joked that he’s happy he no longer has to worry about getting hemmed in his own zone when playing against the Canes – he’ll now be a part of the relentless attack that has made Carolina one of the Eastern Conference’s best squads.

Now, the Hurricanes have yet to break through to another Stanley Cup final, but an effective summer by GM Eric Tulsky has Carolina once again threatening to make a run for the franchise’s second championship. Along with Miller on defense, Tulsky also brought in one of the top forwards available this summer when he inked erstwhile Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract.

In Miller, Tulsky sees a player who will slot right in with what Carolina wants to do on the ice. “We think he’s a great fit for us,” Tulsky said. “He’s a really powerful skater who can close out effectively and take away time and space. The aggressive way we play will suit him very well. He’s also very strong in front of the net, which is also helpful and important. His skating and recovery speed will be effective for us. When we want guys to get up the ice, they need to be able to get back, too.”

Miller came to Carolina via trade on July 1, with Tulsky sending prospect defenseman Scott Morrow, a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional first-round pick in either ’26 or ‘27 to the Rangers. Miller, an RFA, then signed an eight-year, $60-million ($7.5-million AAV) deal with Carolina. Tulsky said talks between the two teams had gone on for a while. And based on all the rumblings that had surrounded the Rangers throughout the season, that’s not surprising. Before Miller, New York traded away Kaapo Kakko, who the team had selected second overall back in 2019, and Rangers lifer Chris Kreider. “There was a lot of noise throughout the season,” Miller said. “It was definitely in the back of my head that something could happen. I loved my time in New York, but I’m excited for what’s to come in Carolina.”

The Hurricanes Used A Unique Strategy To Acquire K'Andre MillerIn order to acquire K’Andre Miller, the Carolina Hurricanes used a unique strategy. 

And while Raleigh is hardly a backwater – that area of North Carolina is part of ‘The Triangle,’ a research-and-tech hub that has grown leaps and bounds in the past 20 years – there will be cultural differences from New York City, one of the most famous metropolises in the world. And that’s just fine with Miller. “I’m super excited for that aspect,” he said. “The style of living being a bit of a slower pace, I’m really going to like that. Being from Minnesota, I think it will be comparable.”

The biscuits and barbecue will certainly be better down there, even if the bagel quality takes a step back. But truly, Miller is there for the hockey. Playing for coach Rod Brind’Amour is another plus when it comes to the Hurricanes. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Rod,” Miller said. “I can’t wait to get to know him and talk hockey. A number of guys reached out to me and said, ‘You’re really lucky to be in this position to have that coach and a team like Carolina supporting you.’ So, I’m super excited for the whole thing.”

Playing for Carolina isn’t for everyone. Famously, Mikko Rantanen lasted only 13 games with the Canes, and the team does play a very specific, structured system that requires maximum buy-in. But the payoff is obvious. Since Brind’Amour took over, Carolina has been a beast, reaching the conference final three times in his seven seasons as coach.

The problem recently has been pushing through to that Stanley Cup final. Carolina’s offense has dried up completely at the worst possible times in the post-season, and while it’s no shame to get shut down by the Florida Panthers, at some point, you need to score goals against good teams. Miller’s ability to make plays through the neutral zone and get pucks up to forwards will help that cause. And, at 25, he’s just starting to hit his prime as an NHL blueliner. Let’s not forget, the player he’s essentially replacing on Carolina’s back end is Brent Burns, who turned 40 last season.

However, still starring on the Hurricanes’ blueline is Jaccob Slavin, a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner and a player who will serve as a potential partner and certainly a mentor. “He’s definitely one of the guys I’ve tried to model my game after the past couple of years,” Miller said. “He’s obviously a generational player on this team, and it’s going to be great sharing ideas and sharing the ice with him.”

So, it’s a remix of a lineup for the Canes heading into 2025-26, but it’s also one of the strongest units the franchise has put together in recent years. Is it enough to finally break through in the Eastern Conference? Slow and steady wins the race – even if Miller and Carolina will play fast in order to do so.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Meet the New Guys issue. The cover story for this issue features the newest Vegas Golden Knight, Mitch Marner, as he looks to shine in the desert. We also include features on new Jets forward Jonathan Toews, Canadiens D-man Noah Dobson and more. In addition, we take a look at the top 'new guys' from each NHL division.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

The NHL saw several players hit the waiver wire on Sep. 28, and a few of them were former New York Rangers. This is because the Buffalo Sabres placed defenseman Zac Jones and forward Jake Leschyshyn on waivers. 

Jones became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer after the Rangers elected not to tender him a qualifying offer. From there, the left-shot defenseman signed a one-year contract with the Sabres. 

Today’s waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3pic.twitter.com/GKl3z6N1CO

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 28, 2025

In 46 games last season with the Rangers, Jones recorded one goal, 10 assists, 11 points, and 46 blocks. He also scored one goal in two games for the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, in 2024-25. In 115 games over five seasons with the Blueshirts, he posted four goals, 24 assists, 28 points, and a minus-10 rating. 

Leschyshyn also did not receive a qualifying offer from the Rangers this off-season and ended up signing with the Sabres. This was after he spent the entirety of this past season in the AHL with Hartford. In 69 games with the AHL squad in 2024-25, he had 13 goals and 24 points. 

Leschyshyn played in 14 games with the Rangers from 2022-23 to 2023-24, where he had zero points, 17 hits, and a minus-4 rating. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have made a roster move, as they have placed forward Dominic Toninato on waivers. 

Toninato played in five games this past season with the Winnipeg Jets, where he recorded zero points, seven hits, and an even plus/minus rating. He spent the bulk of the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Manitoba Moose, however, posting 18 goals, 18 assists, 36 points, and 81 penalty minutes.

Today’s waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3pic.twitter.com/GKl3z6N1CO

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 28, 2025

The Blackhawks signed Toninato back in July to a two-year, two-way contract. The expectation then was that he would serve as a veteran forward for their AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs. Now, assuming he clears waivers, he will do just that. 

In 189 career NHL games over eight seasons split between the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Winnipeg Jets, Toninato has posted 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points, and a plus-12 rating.