When Joel Quenneville was hired by the Anaheim Ducks and brought in his new coaching staff, much of the discussion centered on how beneficial he, Jay Woodcroft, and Ryan McGill would be to the current and future rosters.

The brand new systems, specifically defensive zone coverage, where the Ducks had struggled mightily over the past three seasons, finishing in the basement in every traditional and advanced statistical category, could have the most impact on the upcoming season.

Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: An Open Spot in the Top Nine

Preseason: Takeaways from the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 Loss to the Los Angeles Kings

Switching from a man-to-man scheme to a pressure-zone was an imperative adjustment, as the roster construction was more suited for it. In Theory, those poised to benefit most from a system that relies more on off-puck reads, instincts, and knowledge of where support is coming from are centers like Ryan Strome and Mason McTavish, as well as defensemen like Drew Helleson and Pavel Mintyukov.

Perhaps overlooked in the “who will benefit most” conversation is the newly dubbed and paid franchise goaltender, Lukas Dostal.

Dostal (25) has emerged as one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL and has posted impressive numbers despite the Ducks’ poor defensive metrics over the past two seasons. The Ducks awarded him with a five-year contract extension that carries an AAV of $6.5 million.

In his first two full seasons in the NHL (2023-24 and 2024-25), Dostal notched a 34-46-10 record, a roughly league-average .902 SV%, and 7.83 goals saved above expected. Those numbers are made all the more impressive considering, in that time, he led NHL goaltenders (min. 50 games played) with 32.73 shots against per 60 minutes and was third in high-danger shots against per 60 with 8.72 (John Gibson led the NHL with 8.86).

Dostal’s game is built on sound positional fundamentals, remaining calm in the midst of flurries in front, and the ability to track pucks throughout the offensive zone and through traffic.

The new zone defensive system should (mostly) guarantee that against a sustained cycle, the net front will be covered at all times. It’s also designed to limit the number of times defenders are outnumbered near the crease, effectively keeping most shot opportunities to the perimeter of the zone.

Preseason: Takeaways from the Ducks 6-1 Win over the Mammoth

Preseason: Takeaways from the Ducks 3-0 Loss to the Kings

“I personally like it because, for the goalies, I believe it’s more predictable,” Dostal said following his half-game preseason debut against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. “You kind of know all sides of the team and what you’re giving up. Nothing is 100%, but I think it’s more predictable.

“I personally like the system because it’s something we always played in Czech, we played it on the Czech national team when I was growing up, even in Finland. It’s something I’m used to.”

That familiarity and predictability have allowed Dostal to focus efforts on developing other parts of his game during the offseason, particularly his rebound control. In his first action of the preseason (it’s just preseason, so a grain of salt is required), he elevated his game management skills to another level and was easily deflecting shots, especially perimeter shots, to the safety of the corners. Dostal saved 17 of 18 total shots he faced in that game.

“Sometimes you have games where the puck sticks to your chest better than other games, but that’s been something that I’ve worked on this summer,” Dostal added after the game when asked about his rebound control. “The last two seasons in the NHL showed me the guys are crashing the net quite a lot, so it’s something that I worked on this offseason to eliminate the rebounds and something I really focused on.”

Dostal’s numbers wavered slightly toward the end of last season, especially when Gibson was healthy and it was unclear game-to-game who would get the start each night. This season, that aspect will be nullified, as Dostal is the clear #1 option in Anaheim, and the schedule and roles will be more defined and predictable.

Dostal is primed for a big season, and if the Ducks achieve or come close to their goal of making the 2026 playoffs, it can be assumed that Dostal stayed healthy had a large hand in that outcome. He could perhaps even receive end-of-season award recognition.

Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: Zellweger, Mintyukov to Benefit Most from New Coaching Staff, Systems

Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: Right Shot Defense Position Battle

News broke on Friday morning that Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will be having surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss the entire 2024-25 season: 

Andy Slater (@AndySlater) on XExtremely tough news for the Florida Panthers. Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss the entire season after being injured during practice on Thursday, I've learned.

It's a devastating blow for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, who are already dealing with Matthew Tkachuk being sidelined until December. 

While replacing Barkov and what he brings is impossible, general manager Bill Zito has demonstrated that he knows how to fill holes and improve a team.

The Panthers, like most Stanley Cup winners, boast center depth with players such as Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, and Luke Kunin. 

What they are really missing with Barkov out is that shutdown defensive center, which brings us to the New York Islanders and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The 32-year-old center is entering the final season of a five-year deal worth $5 million annually, and his defensive style is exactly what the Panthers are now going to be missing from their lineup. 

Is general manager Mathieu Darche, who told inquiring teams ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft that he was not moving Pageau, ready to move No. 44? 

Darche made it clear that he wants to evaluate this roster before making moves. Pageau can win face-offs, play a responsible brand of hockey at 5-on-5, and play on a top penalty kill, so his value won't be higher than what it will be at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Now, of course, there are always risks to holding onto an asset, whether that's poor play, injuries, or teams acquiring a player of the same position. 

The other question is how much Calum Ritchie's performance at training camp has changed Darche's mindset?

Calum Ritchie Continues Making Waves In Bid for Islanders Roster SpotNEW YORK, NY -- The chances of New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie making the team out of training camp are slim -- it's not zero. 

Ritchie is showing himself to be NHL-ready rather quickly. And like with No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, Ritchie's skating ability is showing to become a game-changer. 

The chances of Ritchie making the team are slim because there's no center ice spot for him unless a player like Casey Cizikas or even Pageau moves to the wing. But, with the belief that Anders Lee, Anthony Duclair, and Maxim Tsyplakov are ready to go for opening night -- at least two of the three, as we haven't heard much about Tsyplakov's injury -- what winger is coming out of the lineup?

However, if the Islanders do move Pageau, that opens the door for Ritchie to be an everyday player, while not having to put the pressure of being a No. 2 center on him, at least not yet. 

Moving Pageau is not simple, though. The Islanders could likely net two second-round picks, clearing $5 million off the books. Even with Ritchie showcasing a firm defensive game, Pageau was the No. 1 face-off man in the NHL, winning 59.6% of his draws, while also playing on the top penalty-kill unit. 

Pageau does have a 15-team no-trade clause, but it would be a shock if Florida were on it. 

The Islanders have three preseason games remaining before their rosters are due, and a potential Pageau trade hinges on Ritchie's readiness. If the Islanders feel that Ritchie is close but could use 30 or so games learning from Rocky Thompson in Bridgeport, Pageau isn't going anywhere. 

Florida is likely calling many teams at this time, and with Barkov's $10 million AAV likely hitting long-term injured reserve, the Panthers will have the cap space to acquire the top names available. 

The best general managers are always the most opportunistic general managers -– much as we’ve seen the Tampa Bay Lightning operate over the years, with Jake Guentzel being the latest for them. 

Do the Panthers call Darche? Do they look at their team and think that they can be okay until at least the deadline before making moves? 

Time will tell as we await a further update on Barkov. 

The Red Wings play their third preseason game in a back-to-back on Friday when taking on a longtime rival in the Pittsburgh Penguins.  

The Detroit Red Wings play their second leg of a back-to-back on Friday when taking on a rival from the 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup Finals in the Pittsburgh Penguins. The rivalry has cooled down over the last 16 years as they are separated by divisions but they still regularly meet in the preseason with Red Wings holding a 8-4-0 record over their last 12 exhibition matchups versus the Penguins dating back to 2018.

Game #3 in Pittsburgh!

📺 → @FanDuelSN_DETpic.twitter.com/qls7mLbai7

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 26, 2025

Fans may get a treat in this one as Pittsburgh is expected to play their regular starting goaltender in Tristan Jarry. It'll be quite the test for the Red Wings as they'll be playing just a day removed after beating the Sabres 5-2 at home on Thursday. They will now have to travel four hours and 13 minutes over 285 miles to Pittsburgh and will see some players experience a tough back-to-back. 

Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) on XTonight #LGRW

Detroit is likely to roll out a different-looking lineup than they did on Thursday, shifting toward a more prospect-heavy group rather than the veteran-focused roster used against Buffalo.

Unfortunately, several exciting young players may sit this one out, as Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard have each appeared in both preseason games so far and are unlikely to play a third in a row. In a bit of a surprise, prospect Emmitt Finnie will suit up for his third consecutive preseason game and will look to build on his strong start, having notched a goal and an assist through his first two outings.

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

Fans should watch for the return of NHL regulars J.T. Compher and Jonatan Berggren, who sat out Thursday’s game but will rejoin the lineup. Meanwhile, forward Elmer Soderblom will take on the uncommon challenge of playing both ends of a back-to-back, having suited up Thursday and notched an assist. On the prospect side, Carter Bear and William Wallinder were also held out on Thursday and could be reinserted for Friday’s matchup. 

In between the pipes, we may finally see former all-star goaltender John Gibson in his first action with the Red Wings as prospects Michal Postava and Sebastian Cossa have started in the first two preseason games and clears the net for Gibson. It could prove to be a crucial game in the position battle for starting goaltender as Detroit bench boss Todd McLellan hasn't named his No. 1 just yet. 

Potential Third Line of Copp and Appleton Drives Red Wings to 5-2 Preseason Win Over SabresDetroit forwards Andrew Copp and Mason Appleton show preview of third line, helping lead the Red Wings to a decisive 5-2 win over the Sabres in their second preseason game.

Gibson appeared in 29 games (28 starts) for the Ducks last season, finishing with an 11-11-2 record, slightly behind Talbot’s win-loss mark but on a weaker team. Despite that, he posted stronger numbers, with a 2.77 goals-against average (GAA) and a .912 save percentage, compared to Talbot’s 2.93 GAA and .901 save percentage. 

The Red Wings Radio Network, including WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit, will broadcast Friday’s exhibition matchup as Detroit and Pittsburgh drop the puck at 7 p.m. Fans can also stream the game live on DetroitRedWings.com and the Red Wings Mobile App.

Click Here if you want to check out more expanded storylines on the Red Wings training camp roster.   

Exclusive: Hall of Famer Johnny Bower Remembers Gordie Howe as a True Hockey Legend (2016)The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

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The Buffalo Sabres allowed three straight second-period goals in a 5-2 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit on Thursday, with a lineup fairly thin on players expected to be in the NHL come early next month. Noah Ostlund and Josh Doan scored power-play goals, and Alexandar Georgiev had a busy night facing 40 Wings shots. 

Head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update on some of the injured players after practice on Friday. Winger Alex Tuch, who has been a participant in practice most of the week, has been given the all-clear and will be in the lineup against Detroit on Saturday afternoon. Ruff was less certain of the status of winger Jiri Kulich, who left practice on Thursday morning with a muscle tweak. 

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Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practiced for the second day in a row on Friday, increasing his chances of getting in action next week in one of the two remaining pre-season games. Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was not on the ice on Friday after what Ruff described as an upper-body injury. 

"He couldn't practice today, so we'll have to evaluate him. He had a good practice yesterday, and maybe that affected him.”

Alex Lyon will play the entire game against his former club on Saturday. In other news, former Detroit and Buffalo goalie James Reimer has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout contract. The 37-year-old had a 10-8-2 record in 22 games with the Sabres last season, with a 2.85 GAA and .901 save %.

The club also announced that they have sent defenseman Noah Laberge and goalie Ryerson Leenders back to their junior clubs. Laberge was the Sabres fifth-round pick (135th overall) in the 2025 Draft, while Leenders was selected in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2024 Draft 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

Following his first action of the preseason in the Gold Star Showcase on Thursday, Nashville Predators 2025 21st overall pick Cameron Reid has been reassigned to the Kitchener Rangers (OHL). 

In addition, defenseman Scott Harrington has been released from his professional tryout agreement. The Predators' training camp roster is now down to 52 players: 29 forwards, 17 defensemen and six goaltenders.   

Reid, who was injured in the Predators' final game of the Prospect Tournament on Sept. 15 against the Florida Panthers, returned to practice on Wednesday and saw his first live action of the preseason in Thursday's intersquad scrimmage at the Gold Star Showcase. 

His reassignment comes 24 hours before the Predators' weekend slate of preseason road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning (Saturday) and the Carolina Hurricanes (Sunday). 

Last season, Reid scored an impressive 54 points in 67 games and logged 44 penalty minutes with the Kitchener Rangers. He was also invited to play in the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, where he was named Team West MVP. 

There was also an injury update ahead of Friday's practice as Matthew Wood was absent after leaving Thursday's scrimmage early with an undisclosed injury. 

This is the second injury that the Predators are dealing with in the preseason, as Nicolas Hague suffered an upper-body injury in the Predators' game against the Florida Panthers on Sept. 21 and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks. 

Defenseman Tanner Molendyk and forward Zachary L'Heureux both returned to the ice on Wednesday after not playing the first week of training camp due to injury. 

The Florida Panthers are going to be without their captain for an extended period of time.

On Thursday, Sasha Barkov suffered a serious knee injury during his first official practice of training camp.

While cutting toward the net with the puck, Barkov’s knee appeared to give out and the 30-year-old collapsed onto the ice.

Video of the play was captured by WPLG Local 10 and can be seen in the X post below:

Here's video of Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov going down today at practice... https://t.co/g32uLiJzjkpic.twitter.com/QIAamOdqzd

— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) September 25, 2025

He did not put any weight on his right leg as two trainers helped him to the locker room.

THN Florida has since learned that Barkov’s injury will require surgery and as a result, he’s expected to be out for at least the regular season.

The Panthers are already going to be without Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek, both of whom are not expected back until early 2026.

During Friday’s practice, Florida’s forward lines had a bit of a new look without Barkov at the top.

Sam Bennett was seen centering Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues skated between Jesper Boqvist and Mackie Samoskevich.

The Panthers third line from last year’s postseason, with Anton Lundell centering Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand, remained intact.

Florida will resume its preseason on Monday night when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

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Photo caption: Jun 12, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) skates between play during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that top prospect David Reinbacher will be out for the next four weeks due to a broken metacarpal bone. 

This is certainly rough news for Reinbacher, as the right-shot defenseman will now be sidelined until at least late October. Furthermore, this injury now means he will not return to game action for the remainder of the preseason with the Canadiens.  

Le défenseur David Reinbacher (fracture de l’os métacarpien) ratera quatre semaines d’activité.

Defenseman David Reinbacher (broken metacarpal bone) will be out for four weeks. pic.twitter.com/rYZ9X9Lx13

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 26, 2025

Reinbacher suffered his injury during the Canadiens' preseason matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sep. 25. 

Reinbacher was selected by the Canadiens with the fifth-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2 defenseman is considered one of the Canadiens' best prospects and has a very bright future with the Original Six club. 

Reinbacher appeared in 10 regular-season games this past season with the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, where he recorded two goals, three assists, five points, and a plus-5 rating. He then played in 13 playoff games with Laval this past spring, recording two goals and six points. 

Goaltender James Remier joined the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout 19 years since they drafted him and 10 seasons since he last played for them.

The 37-year-old netminder has played in parts of 15 NHL seasons in his career, and this tryout may earn him another contract.

Reimer was selected 99th overall by Toronto in the fourth round of the 2006 draft. He played his first NHL season in 2010-11 and remained a Leaf until he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in February 2016.

He’s been a journeyman over the last three seasons, playing for four different NHL clubs and being claimed off waivers twice in just over a month between the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres early last season.

Reimer was a backup goalie last season, making 24 appearances, including two for the Ducks and 22 for the Sabres. Between the two teams, Reimer put up a 10-10-2 record, .896 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average.

Reimer could be a veteran in the Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth while Joseph Woll is taking a leave of absence to deal with a personal matter.

There’s no timeline for when Woll will return. Dennis Hildeby, 24, was set to be the backup goalie to Anthony Stolarz. However, between Hildeby’s inexperience and Stolarz’s injury history, there is plenty of uncertainty that needs to be settled with the Maple Leafs.

‘Optimus Reim’ was a huge fan favorite during his early years in Toronto. With that, he had the best numbers in his career in his six seasons with the team.

His best season statistically came in the 2012-13 half-lockout campaign. In 31 starts, he earned a 19-8-5 record with a .924 SP and 2.46 GAA. Later, Reimer led the Leafs to the playoffs after missing the post-season for seven straight years.

In their seven-game series with the Boston Bruins, Reimer stood out for Toronto, registering a .923 SP and 2.87 GAA. However, that series would end in Boston’s way – and in famous fashion, when the Leafs blew a 4-1 lead in TD Garden and lost in overtime.

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Former Red Wings backup goaltender James Reimer signs PTO with Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday

Veteran goaltender James Reimer has come full circle, signing a professional tryout agreement with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, sources confirm. If he performs well in camp, he could rejoin the organization that drafted him nearly two decades ago.

Reimer, hailing from Morweena, Manitoba, has seen his journeyman career take him through six NHL franchises in Toronto, San Jose, Florida, Carolina, Detroit, Anaheim, and Buffalo. 

Reimer's Recent Numbers

• 2022‑23 (San Jose): 12‑21‑8 record, 3.48 goals‑against average (GAA), .890 save percentage, 3 shutouts in 43 games
• 2021‑22 (San Jose): 19‑17‑10, 2.90 GAA, .911 SV% in 48 games
• 2023‑24 (Detroit Red Wings): 11‑8‑2 record, 3.11 GAA, .904 SV% in 25 games
• 2024‑25 (Anaheim, Buffalo): 10‑10‑2, 3.04 GAA, .897 SV% (1 shutout) in 24 games 

Reimer’s most recent prominent NHL role was with the Detroit Red Wings in the 2023‑24 season, where he posted that 11‑8‑2 mark with a 3.11 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 25 games. He would go on to split time between the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres last season before going unsigned into this off-season as a now 37-year-old netminder. 

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

His roots in Toronto run deep as Reimer was originally drafted in the fourth round, 99th overall, by the Maple Leafs in 2006. He broke into the NHL with Toronto during the 2010‑11 season, eventually stepping into a starting role. Over his career against the Red Wings, Reimer posted a record of 6-8-4 with a goals against average of 2.70 and a save percentage of .905 through 20 starts. 

One of his best seasons in a Leafs uniform came in 2012‑13, when he posted a .924 save percentage and a 2.46 GAA in 33 appearances, helping guide Toronto back to the playoffs after a long drought. 

He left Toronto in 2016 as part of a trade but remains a beloved figure among Leafs fans, with many sentimental moments along the way. Reimer was given the nickname 'Optimus Reim' for his leadership within the Maple Leafs locker room as well as his helmet designs that regularly incorporated the character Optimus Prime from the Transformers franchise. 

For Toronto, bringing in Reimer on a PTO represents a veteran safety net during training camp, someone familiar with the organization and able to push younger netminders. For Reimer, the move offers a chance to revive his NHL career in a familiar setting.

Over his career, Reimer has appeared in over 500 NHL games, compiling a career 2.88 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

"Hell Of A Shooter": Todd McLellan Praises Michael Brandsegg-Nygård Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård may be more known for his hard-nosed approach to the game, but he gave Red Wings fans a demonstration of his offensive abilities as well on Thursday night. 

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James Reimer is back in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform.

The 37-year-old goaltender has signed a professional tryout with the Maple Leafs. The signing comes days after Joseph Woll took a leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter.

Reimer played 24 games in the NHL last season, split between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks. He tallied 10 wins and a .896 save percentage. The netminder has played 15 seasons in the NHL, with the Maple Leafs, Sabres, Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and the Detroit Red Wings.

The last time he played for the Maple Leafs was during the 2015-16 season, where he tallied nine wins and a .918 save percentage in 32 games. Reimer was then traded to the Sharks with Jeremy Morin for Alex Stalock, Ben Smith, and a conditional fourth-round pick.

'We're All Here For Him': Maple Leafs React To Joseph Woll Taking A Personal Leave of Absence, Lend SupportThe Toronto Maple Leafs revealed some unexpected news on Tuesday when they announced that goaltender Joseph Woll had stepped away to deal with a personal family issue.

Riemer was originally drafted in the fourth round (99th overall) during the 2006 NHL Draft. The last time he played the Maple Leafs was on Apr. 13, 2024, with the Red Wings. He helped Detroit get the 5-4 overtime win, stopping 32 of 36 shots.

Toronto now has four goaltenders on their training camp roster: Anthony Stolarz, Reimer, Dennis Hildeby, and Artur Akhtyamov. Reimer wasn’t on the ice with the team’s main group for practice on Friday.

Craig Berube explains the addition of Reimer

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube cautioned against making anything more of Woll's situation with the addition of Reimer, citing the only reason for the move was "depth".

"Just (that) he's an NHL goalie. Been an NHL goalie, but, I've never met the guy," Berube said on Friday.

Maple Leafs teammates react to Reimer's addition

Morgan Rielly, Toronto's longest tenured Maple Leaf, weighed in on being teammates with Reimer again.

"He's been around for so long now. That doesn't just happen," Rielly said of Reimer's NHL career. "He's been working really hard. He's obviously a great goalie. And it's just cool to see him back in the building."

William Nylander was in the Leafs organization during Reimers tenure, but the two never played together. Nylander was called up to make his Leafs and NHL debut just days after Reimer was traded by the Maple Leafs to the San Jose Sharks 

"Just an amazing guy. It's great to see him playing," Nylander said. "He's been here and coming back, so it's going to be a lot of fun to have him back in the squad."

Anthony Stolarz, who will work with Reimer between the pipes, pointed to Reimer's unique style of goaltending as something he's eager to pick up on.

"His patience was something that I noticed. So I'm looking forward to seeing him in here and getting to work with him."

When might Reimer play with the Leafs?

The Maple Leafs have three pre-season games remaining, and it sounds like Stolarz is going to appear in 1-2 of those games. Reimer is a solid candidate to get into action for Toronto's final pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 4. Depending on how long it takes the goaltender to get up to speed, it could happen earlier.

Reimer is expected to the join the Leafs on the ice on Saturday.

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Recently, we discussed four forwards who are clear bounce-back candidates heading into the 2025-26 season. 

Now, let's look at four NHL goalies who have the potential to bounce back for their teams.

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins 

After a long off-season of tense negotiations last year, the Boston Bruins signed Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year, $66-million contract right at the start of the 2024-25 season.

After landing his big payday and becoming the Bruins' true No. 1 goalie, Swayman recorded a 22-29-7 record, a 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in 58 games. There is no question that Swayman struggled in 2024-25. 

Yet, when looking at Swayman's past success, he is an obvious bounce-back candidate for 2025-26. Before last season, Swayman had a .914 save percentage or better in each of his four previous campaigns. He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy with Linus Ullmark in 2022-23 and played in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. With this, he should be better in 2025-26.

Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks 

The 2024-25 season was tough for Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko.

The 29-year-old did not make his season debut until December due to injury and never seemed to shake off the rust fully. In 23 appearances, the 2014 second-round pick posted a 10-8-3 record, 2.90 GAA and a career-worst .889 SP.

Now that Demko is entering this season healthy and with a clean slate, it will be fascinating to see if he can turn things back around. Considering his past success, it should not be ruled out.

Demko recorded a 35-14-2 record, a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average in 51 games just back in 2023-24, and he's had a save percentage of at least .913 in four campaigns.

Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators 

Juuse Saros is another star goalie who will be looking to bounce back in 2025-26. Saros struggled with the Nashville Predators, posting a 20-31-6 record, 2.98 GAA and .896 SP in 58 games. With this, there is no question that he performed below expectations.

Yet, when noting that Saros had a .906 save percentage or better from 2016-17 to 2023-24, it is hard to bet against him bouncing back this season. The 30-year-old has been an excellent goalie throughout his career, and he should still be in his prime. Just back in 2022-23, he recorded 46.7 goals saved above expected, which led the NHL, according to moneypuck.com.

Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers 

New York Rangers star goalie Igor Shesterkin had a 27-29-5 record and set new career worsts with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. That said, he still had 21.6 goals saved above expected, so his season wasn't as rough as the others here.

Given Shesterkin's incredible resume, he could bounce back to being a Vezina Trophy candidate this season. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner had a .912 save percentage or better in each of his first five NHL seasons before 2024-25.

If Shesterkin does regain his top form, it would be massive for a Rangers club looking to prove that missing the playoffs last year was a fluke. 

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"The preseason is not solely about results!"

That’s the line everyone falls back on after a lopsided score, and in truth, it’s accurate. The Philadelphia Flyers’ 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in Hershey didn’t reveal anything catastrophic about the team’s direction, but it did sharpen a few storylines—including Cam York's comeback, a (for some) surprising frontrunner for a roster spot, and the imminent roster trims as preseason trucks on.

For a September night, that’s plenty to sift through.

---

Welcome Back, Cam York

There was no hiding how central this game was to Cam York’s preseason. The 24-year-old defenseman finally suited up after sitting out the first two contests, and he wasted no time stepping into a role he's long deserved a chance to play at the NHL level but never fully got a chance at: a truly offensive defenseman (and quarterback of the power play!)

It wasn’t flawless—York himself admitted as much—but the intent was there. He wanted to push the pace, dictate possession, and involve himself in the attack.

“Just always trying to push the pace,” York said postgame. “I always want to be in the play, I had a couple opportunities there that just didn’t go in, but, yeah, first game, definitely some rust there, but things to build on, for sure.”

Rust is expected, but the bigger picture is clear: the Flyers need York to be bold. His legs looked heavy in the opening period, but as he noted, “after that, you can kind of push them and they start to feel better, but good to get the first [preseason game] out of the way.”

There was also symbolism in the “A” stitched on his sweater. Head coach Rick Tocchet has been deliberate about stressing York’s leadership qualities, and York himself leaned into that responsibility.

“Yeah, it was awesome,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been here a pretty long time and there’s a lot of new faces in the locker room, a lot of new young guys, so just trying to help them out as much as I can. I’ve worn a letter in the past and definitely feel like I have some leadership qualities, so just trying to make it as easy as possible for these young guys.”

Cam York wearing an A tonight. Really interesting to see, especially after Rick Tocchet said today, "He was captain of the [2021 USA World Juniors] team. He's got leadership qualities when he's on the ice. I want him to take control." https://t.co/8V09jxWFur

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) September 25, 2025

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Rodrigo Abols Keeps Showing Up

When camp opened, Rodrigo Abols’ name wasn’t exactly circled in Sharpie as a top candidate for an NHL spot. Yet here we are, three games into preseason, and Abols has been in the lineup for all of them.

More importantly, he hasn’t just been present—he’s been effective.

“The nice part about having those games is you can work on things so that once the season goes, we can hit the ground running and have the things we talked about be second nature,” Abols explained. “I think, sometimes, you can see guys and I can feel myself kind of second guessing or have that split second where I’m thinking about what we talked out. It’s nice to get that rust out of the game in the preseason.”

That’s a veteran’s take, and it’s telling. Abols isn’t trying to be anybody but himself, to prove that he can do the simple things consistently at an NHL pace. Even when he admitted that fatigue was creeping in (“I’m not gonna lie, you can feel that it’s the third game in five nights”), he framed it as a learning curve.

“That’s where I’ve gotta learn to pick my spots and kind of put myself in good positions—not play cheaper offense, not get stuck out there," he said. "I think I’ve managed that pretty well.”

Tocchet has been noncommittal so far, but if the coach is serious about rewarding consistency, Abols has earned another long look.

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Vladar’s First Impression

Dan Vladar’s Flyers debut lasted only a single period (a plan that was in place before the game even started), but it was enough to spark intrigue. Washington could have easily blown the game open early if not for several sharp stops from the 6-foot-6 netminder, whose mobility and awareness were immediately noticeable.

One period doesn’t make a case concretely for or against him, but in a crowded goaltending picture, every rep matters. The Flyers were intentional in giving him only a short assignment, with Tocchet explaining beforehand that it was about letting Vladar settle into structure before heavier workloads later in the schedule.

He’ll get those full-game opportunities soon, but for now, the Flyers can feel encouraged that his debut leaned more towards "reliable NHL tandem partner for Sam Ersson" rather than inciting the mass panic and overreaction that tends to hover around Flyers goaltenders like mist at dawn.

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Roster Cuts Are Coming

If the first three preseason games were about casting a wide net, the next few will be about narrowing focus.

Tocchet didn’t mince words after the game: “I don’t know if there are any guys that played. That’s OK, though. Third game, two-, three-hour bus ride. There are some factors to it. I’ll probably have to give these guys off the ice tomorrow, to give them some rest. It was just a tough night for a lot of guys. That’s going to happen.”

It wasn’t a dismissal as much as a reset. The Flyers are halfway through their exhibition slate, and while no prospect has embarrassed himself, the time has come for more NHL-leaning lineups. That means several young players will be reassigned to the AHL, juniors, or college programs soon, freeing up space for veterans to tune up and bubble players to fight for their spots.

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The Bottom Line

A 5-1 loss never feels good, even in September. But the score mattered far less than the subplots within it: guys like York who needed to find themselves again under a new coach are doing so undeniably; the goaltending picture isn't looking as desolate as it has in years past; the roster is starting to really take shape and identity. 

Preseason is a process. Some nights, the takeaways outweigh the goals—and this was one of them.

On Tuesday night, Montreal Canadiens power forward Juraj Slafkovsky took former teammate Christian Dvorak’s skate to the face and suffered a cut to the face in the game against the Philadelphia Flyers. As a result, he missed most of the second period while he was being attended to.

On Thursday, at the Canadiens’ morning skate, the young Slovak was wearing a full cage and a neck protector. One could have thought he had been scared straight since the incident with Dvorak could have had much more serious consequences if the blade had caught him lower. Who doesn’t remember Clint Malarchuk or Richard Zednick being cut to the neck in the NHL or, more recently, Adam Johnson tragically dying in a Challenge Cup match between the Sheffield Steelers and the Nottingham Panthers in England?

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I reached out to Juraj Slafkovsky Sr. to see if perhaps it was a concerned parent who got the left winger to wear the additional protection, but it wasn’t. The dad replied:

 We watched the game at home via stream, and we also communicated with Juraj right after the match. Of course, the protectors will help, he probably realized himself that this type of protection is suitable.

- Juraj Slafkovsky Sr. on his son's cut

When the player jumped on the ice for Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was still wearing the full cage, but the neck guard had disappeared in warm-up. After the game, he was asked what it was like playing with a cage, and he replied:

It was awful; I felt like I couldn’t see to the sides, but I have to do it for a couple of days, and then it will be fine.

- Slafkovsky on playing with a cage

Hockey players are creatures of habit, and his comments are not at all surprising, but it’s a shame that NHLers are not more open to protecting themselves. In the PWHL, all players wear full cages, and they have no issues with it because that’s how they’ve always played. While I don’t have statistics, I’m pretty sure that fewer teeth have been broken in that league and fewer cuts sustained.

Perhaps, one day, protective gear will be obligatory, but for now, it’s up to the players themselves, and even a serious scare isn’t enough to make them change their ways.

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Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård may be more known for his hard-nosed approach to the game, but he gave Red Wings fans a demonstration of his offensive abilities as well on Thursday night. 

He sniped a shot from the face-off circle while the Red Wings enjoyed a first period man-advantage, beating goaltender Alexandar Georgiev cleanly and looking like a 30-goal scorer in the process. 

MBN on the POWER PLAY! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/Ta7S1BR1UZ

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2025

While his shooting abilities may be a more sneaky element of his game, head coach Todd McLellan explained that from what he's seen, Brandsegg-Nygård has always been ready to fire away when he gets the puck from a teammate. 

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"The information I've received is that he's a hell of a shooter, and I watched the one playoff game in Grand Rapids last year and I thought he set himself up to shoot all the time," McLellan said after Detroit's 5-2 win over Buffalo. "If someone gets him the puck, he's ready to shoot. I think it's a big part of his game, he has that heaviness and all those other things but for me, the shot isn't a surprise. I've been told it and I've witnessed it." 

Brandsegg-Nygård himself is adapting to the North American-style of play on the smaller ice surface, having spent last season with Skellefteå AIK.

“I’m just trying to show that I’m willing to play hard to play here, and I know the hockey in the NHL is pretty hard, so trying to get used to that and use my body as much as possible,” Brandsegg-Nygård said.

Red Wings Improve To 2-0 In Pre-Season Play With Dominating Win Over Sabres While it may have only been the second pre-season game, the Detroit Red Wings played as if they were in mid-season form took control over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena, handily winning not only on the scoreboard but on the shot counter. 

Emmitt Finnie, who scored twice during Detroit's pre-season opening victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, nearly had himself his third goal in two games, but his backhand attempt was stopped by Georgiev with only an inch to spare on the goal line.

He spent Thursday's game playing on Detroit's top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and according to McLellan, he looked the part. 

"We've talked about him a lot lately, my opinion hasn't changed - I thought he was a factor," McLellan said. "Both sides of the puck, his pace fit well with Larkin and Raymond. He's a pretty trusting player - it's not just about trying to go out and score a goal, he plays the game with an awareness of what's going on around him, very mature. It was a good night for him." 

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