EAST MEADOW -- While most of the attention at day one of New York Islanders rookie camp was on No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, it was our first time getting a look at European free agent signing Maxim Shabanov.

The 24-year-old winger is a skating highlight reel, as seen in the film from the KHL. But to see him in person for the first time was something special.

Maxim Shabanov Taking Part In Islanders Rookie Camp; Full RosterEAST MEADOW, NY --Maxim Shabanov is taking part in New York Islanders rookie camp.

The young forward can flat out fly and has a nifty set of hands on him:

Shabanov backhand snipe. #Islespic.twitter.com/AoyDHmJ6aK

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) September 11, 2025

"He's an amazing player," Schaefer said following day one. "He's a top prospect, so it's fun to go up against him. You've got to be on your A-game every time, because guys like him are going to make big plays."

Shabanov signed his one-year entry-level deal this summer and is likely to make the Islanders out of camp after playing four seasons in the KHL. He chose the Islanders because of the opportunity that presented itself.

When it comes to an "older" prospect, you want to see them stand out, and Shabanov surely made a good first impression. 

"He's so skilled," Islanders prospect and NHL hopeful Calum Ritchie said. "I mean, you see some of his highlights, and then you see him out there. It's unreal. So it's a lot of fun to watch."

Shabanov's skating and creativity make you wonder how well he could fit on Mathew Barzal's wing, now that No. 13 is moving back to center and off Bo Horvat's line, at least to start the 2025-26 season. 

It's evident that the talent is there. The biggest question is whether the 5'9, 167-lb forward can handle the NHL physicality. 

"Everyone has seen his highlight tapes," third-year prospect Matthew Maggio told The Hockey News. "And even just being out here for a few days like he has, you can just see the skill so evident. The way he can control the puck...it's on a string, it looks like, and he's so shifty. I'm excited to see him in a game environment and see what he can do out there."

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The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed over the summer with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just a few weeks before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season. 

New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is someone that could be a potential target for the Sabres into the season, if Buffalo is looking for a veteran to play up the middle, based on the inexperience of Jiri Kulich or as injury insurance for Josh Norris. 

The 12-year NHL veteran played the first seven years of his career in Ottawa, and was traded at the 2020 deadline to the Isles, and has been remarkably consistent, scoring double figures in goals for 10 of the last 11 seasons. The 32-year-old has been part of three deep playoff runs with the Sens (2017), and New York (2020, 2021) and is entering the final year of a six-year, $30 million deal.   

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What Would It Cost?

Pageau would likely be an extremely sought-after rental at the 2026 trade deadline for clubs needing to add up the middle, especially a right-handed pivot who has played special teams and is good on faceoffs(59.6%).  Being in this pricy market would only be possible if the Sabres were in position to snap their 14-year playoff drought, which means Adams would have to be prepared to surrender his 2026 first round pick, and a significant prospect. With an aging Islanders blueline, a youngster like Ryan Johnson or Vsevolod Komarov would make sense. . 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

#2 - Radim Mrtka  - Defense (Seattle - WHL) 

 The Buffalo Sabres once again had a top 10 pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, and after lengthy speculation that they might trade the pick for immediate help with GM Kevyn Adams entering a do or die season, the Sabres kept the ninth overall pick and selected Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka.

Mrtka offers an intriguing physical package at 6’6”, 218 lb. with excellent skating ability. After getting limited playing time in various levels in Czechia last season and playing for his country in the Under-18s, the big right hander came to North America to play in the WHL and posted 35 points (3 goals, 32 assists) in 43 games with the Thunderbirds, where he was teammates with current Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff.  

"Mrtka (offers a) very unique package to be able to move the way he does at 6'6", (is) almost more agile with the puck, if that's possible," Sabres Asst GM Jerry Forton said before the draft. "A smart player at both ends. I was over in Czechia early in the year when he wasn't getting a lot of playing time in the men's league over there to see what he was willing to do to move to North America. He comes from a background where he has very little in the way of resources for hockey or anything outside hockey. He uprooted, high character kid, a huge ceiling."

The big 18-year-old will play in the 2025 Prospects Challenge this weekend and may get into an exhibition game or two before being sent back to the WHL, and is all but a shoo-in to play for Czechia in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships. 

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

Red Wings breakout prospect Emmitt Finnie breaks down off-season plans, future goals and growing up with fellow prospect Nate Danielson in an exclusive interview with The Hockey News.

The Detroit Red Wings have several big name prospects that the fan base is aware of and are excited to see how they turn out as NHL talent. One name that many aren’t aware of is 20-year-old Emmitt Finnie, who Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson called a player to look out for this upcoming season. 

The Red Wings’ 2023 seventh round pick has seen his stock continue to rise over the years as he’s continued to impress coaching staffs with his work ethic and solid offensive numbers. Last season in the WHL, Finnie posted an impressive 37 goals and 47 assists for 84 points in just 55 games. 

His production surpassed that of several notable prospects, including 2023 14th overall pick Brayden Yager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who recorded 82 points. To be outdoing the top prospect in another franchise is certainly impressive let alone Finnie also outpaced two 2025 first-round selections in Braeden Cootes, drafted 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks with 63 points, and Lynden Lakovic, selected 27th overall by the Washington Capitals with 58 points. 

Griffins coach Dan Watson noted that Finnie’s work ethic is what separates himself from other prospects and had high praise for the young winger during a recent exclusive interview with The Hockey News.

Red Wings’ AHL Coach Sees Zetterberg-Like Potential in Recent Late Round PickRed Wings prospect Emmitt Finnie is flying up prospect rankings with Detroit AHL coach Dan Watson labelling him as a player to watch in 2025.

"I think Emmitt Finnie is a guy, he's a seventh round pick, but every time I see him, he continually gets better and better, he gets bigger, he gets stronger," Watson explained "[Finnie] had a great Western Hockey League career, stepped in two years ago with us and played three games and wasn't expected to play any games but did quite well during his playing time."

The Hockey News recently got to speak with Finnie in an exclusive interview and asked him how the transition to pro hockey went last season and how he feels entering his first full season with the Griffins. 

“With the Griffins, I'm hoping to have a pretty big role with them, I want to establish myself pretty early on as a key player on the team,” Finnie said ”The biggest thing I noticed was the speed and physicality of the players, coming to the AHL, you're the youngest guy, so everyone's just more developed, everyone's in better positions, defensively and offensively.”

The Lethbridge native did quite well through his first taste of pro hockey last season with a goal and four assists through ten AHL games. When asked what NHLer he models his game after, Finnie noted that he likes to watch a lot of a certain LA Kings winger. 

"I would consider myself a 200 foot player, I like comparing myself to Adrian Kempe,” Finnie noted “The way he plays, he's a big center, he's a 200 foot player, he works really hard, he's not afraid to go to some dirty areas, so he's a player I like watching and kind of try to model my game after."

Finnie and Kempe are a good comparison as they are just an inch apart in height but are nearly the same weight and play with the same style of game as a gritty, hard-nosed winger that battles for pucks and isn’t afraid to dig the puck out of dirty areas. 

Kaprizov Declines Historic Extension Offer, Red Wings a Possible Suitor Next OffseasonMinnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov has declined a historic contract extension, potentially setting the stage for free agency and making him a possible target for the Red Wings next offseason. 

It helps Finnie’s development that during the off-season, he gets to train alongside other notable prospects in the Red Wings organization like Nate Danielson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård as the four all live in the same house in Michigan during the later portion of the off-season as the prospects come back to Detroit to start early training. 

Finnie noted he and Danielson have close ties as Alberta natives that played against each other as kids and have grown into good friends along the way. 

"I grew up playing hockey against Nate, so I knew him from that, and my brother played with him a little bit, so it was good to have a connection with him,” Finnie clarified “We always kind of talked here and there about playing against each other when we were younger, so I guess it's pretty cool to look back on stuff like that but he's a good buddy of mine, he's a great hockey player and a good guy too, so it's easy when you have someone like him here."

During the summer, Finnie travels to Langley, BC to visit and spend quality time with his family. He enjoys both playing and watching sports with them, especially pickleball, basketball, and golf. He mentioned that his siblings and other family members are involved mostly in basketball, so it's a sport he ends up playing quite a bit while he's there.

As the season approaches, Finnie is eager to get going once again and is focused on continuing his rise within the organization with a top-line left wing spot with the Red Wings on his mind.

"We're going to see here in training camp, who separates themselves, but looking forward to having a competitive training camp and trying to work my way up in the organization's ranks, and hopefully see myself there in the future,” Finnie said.

Sandin-Pellikka Ranked 21st in Controversial NHL Network Top 25 Prospects ListRed Wings prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka mentioned in controversial prospect rankings list made by NHL Network. 

Welcome back to another Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 season series preview. In this article series, The Hockey News - Canucks site previews Vancouver’s team series matchups for the season in chronological order. Last time, we looked at what the Canucks will face in the Utah Mammoth. Today, let’s preview their season matchups against the Detroit Red Wings.  

2024–25 Season Stats 

Team Stats: 

Record: 39–35–8

Points: 86

Standings placement: 6th in Atlantic Division 

PP%: 27% (4th) 

PK%: 70.1% (32nd) 

Goals: 

Alex DeBrincat (39)

Dylan Larkin (30)

Lucas Raymond (27)

Patrick Kane (21)

Marco Kasper (19)

Assists: 

Lucas Raymond (53)

Dylan Larkin (40)

Patrick Kane / Moritz Seider (38)

Alex DeBrincat (31)

Simon Edvinsson (24)

Points: 

Lucas Raymond (80)

Dylan Larkin / Alex DeBrincat (70)

Patrick Kane (59)

Moritz Seider (46)

Marco Kasper (37)

Goaltenders: 

John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks)

Record: 11–11–2

GAA: 2.77

SV%: .912

SO: N/A

Points: 1A 

Cam Talbot

Record: 21–19–5

GAA: 2.93

SV%: .901

SO: 2

Points: N/A 

2025 Free Agency Rundown 

The Red Wings made headlines even before the 2025 free agency period began, as they were part of a big NHL draft day trade that involved a goaltender swap. Long-rumoured trade bait from Anaheim, Gibson, was dealt to Detroit in exchange for Petr Mrazek, a 2026 fourth-round selection, and a 2027 second-round pick. As well as a crop full of contract extensions completed on June 30, one of which being former Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, Detroit also brought in James Van Riemsdyk, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Mason Appleton. They also signed 2025 first-round draft pick, Carter Bear, to his entry-level contract. 

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2025–26 Season Series Preview

Detroit was one of the more unpredictable teams during the 2024–25 regular season. They finished the year with a top-five ranked power play as well as the worst penalty kill in the NHL. Along with the Montréal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, and both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders at times, they were within contention for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. It’ll be tough for the team to improve on last year’s efforts while in such a competitive division, especially with many of their opponents making notable additions or regaining key players. 

Vancouver and Detroit split their season series in 2024–25, with both games ending in overtime. These two teams finished in similar positions within their conference — close to playoffs, but allowing them to slip out of reach towards the end. Detroit’s biggest addition that the Canucks will need to keep an eye on is Gibson, who will likely take a starting role and allow Talbot to back him up. While Vancouver and Detroit had time to wait between their two matchups last year, in 2025–26, they’ll play each other on December 8 in Vancouver and on January 8 in Detroit. 

2025–26 Games Against Vancouver

Game 1: December 8, 7:00pm PT @ Rogers Arena

Game 2: January 8, 4:00pm PT @ Little Caesars Arena 

Season Series Preview Articles

Utah Mammoth

Los Angeles Kings

San Jose Sharks

Anaheim Ducks

Florida Panthers

Tampa Bay Lightning

Winnipeg Jets

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Minnesota Wild

New York Rangers

Montréal Canadiens

Nashville Predators

Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington Capitals

Chicago Blackhawks

Dallas Stars

St. Louis Blues

Edmonton Oilers

Calgary Flames

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News. 

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Article written by Rowan McCarthy

The NCAA ruling on CHL-player eligibility last November turned the junior hockey landscape upside down. Prior to the November ruling, any player who joined a CHL team became ineligible to play NCAA hockey. The change created an environment where the CHL is now a viable destination for elite young players who want to preserve the option to secure an education while they develop as hockey players in the NCAA. 

Ottawa native Thomas Vandenberg is one of the players profiting from the change as he no longer needs to decide between his educational interests and playing hockey at an elite level for his hometown team. 

Ottawa 67’s GM James Boyd described taking Vandenberg in the fifth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection as a strategic choice. 

“[Vandenberg] was a key player on his Myers team when we drafted him … He really would have been a much higher pick in the OHL if he was committed to the league at the time,” said Boyd. “He went down to Cedar Rapids, and we had a chance to watch him a few times. What really stood out is his skating and poise with the puck.” 

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As mentioned by Boyd, the 2008-born center decided to take his talents to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the USHL in order to protect a potential future in the NCAA. Like the majority of young hockey talents, Vandenberg wanted to play at the highest level possible; however, he and his family also placed a premium on education. 

“I wanted to go to college,” said Vandenberg when discussing his decision. “Economics is big for me, that’s the main thing I wanted to go for. Going to the USHL allowed that, as well as being a great league with great development, so it all piled together into one, and it ended up being a good decision.”

In 55 games with Cedar Rapids, the speedy forward scored nine goals and nine assists, finishing tenth on the team in scoring. 

While assessing options at the end of last season, he had 67’s goaltender Jaeden Nelson attempting to sway him towards returning to Ottawa. 

“I don’t take all the credit, there are people who get paid a lot of money to do that,” said Nelson, who is also an Ottawa native. “His draft year, we were in high school math class together, so I was in his ear the whole time wanting him to come play for us … After the rule change, I got right back on him again trying to get him here.” 

Coming home to Ottawa comes with benefits beyond hockey. In going to the USHL, Vandenberg had no choice but to move away from his family. At the age of 15, the idea of moving to the United State alone must have been daunting. Thomas’ father, Pat Vandenberg, mentioned that while his son faced challenges in moving away from home at such a young age, he and his wife Carolin hope that he’s grown from the experience. This year, he will be able to play hockey while enjoying the comforts of his home and family.

“The hometown opportunity for Thomas is pretty much a no-brainer because we know this is an excellent program and Thomas seems really ready for this opportunity,” said Pat. “As parents … it’s very hard for your 15/16-year-old to leave. It’s quite nice to have that opportunity for your youngest to come back home … We’re excited about that. Very much so.”

Colorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersShould OHL players leave for opportunities to play collegiate-level hockey in the NCAA? That is a conversation that is constantly being had since we are seeing more and more high-end players from the CHL leave their junior teams to play in the NCAA. 

A Retooling Team

Vandenberg, who said he models his game after Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron, played extremely well at Ottawa’s training camp, showing a lot of chemistry with returning players like Nic Whitehead and Kohyn Eshkawkogan. He made full use of his poise and skating skills as he blew past defenders on two occasions to create scoring opportunities. 

While he will undoubtedly need time to adjust to the OHL, he will have plenty of opportunity to shine on what will be a younger 67’s squad. After missing the playoffs last year, Ottawa retooled during the offseason, adding young talent like 2025 third-overall pick Brock Chitaroni and second-round pick Jack Johnson. 

The CHL changed its Import Draft rules this summer allowing teams to roster three import players rather than two. As a result, Ottawa scooped up Czech defender Ondrej Ruml with the eighth-overall pick in the draft before taking Finnish forward Jasper Kuhta in the second. They will play alongside Swedish star forward Filip Ekberg, Ottawa’s third import player.

In terms of returning players, the 67’s faithful should look for Ekberg to have a big season. The second-year man was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to the draft, he led the U-18 World Junior Championship with 10 goals and eight assists on the way to winning a silver medal and simultaneously breaking the Swedish record for most points scored at the tournament.

Both Kohyn Eshkawkogan and Nathan Amidovski seem to have taken a step forward. Eshkawkogan looked silky smooth during training camp, using his dazzling hands and skating ability to dance through opponents, while Amidovski consistently created opportunities using his size and puck protection skills. Amidovski has goals in both of Ottawa’s opening preseason games, a positive sign for a player who struggled at times during his rookie campaign. 

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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:

GOJHL Becomes First Official Development League Of The OHLThe Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has announced a new partnership with the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), effective to begin the 2025-26 season.  Former OHL Teammates Dealt For Each Other In NHL Trade A minor NHL trade went down on Sept. 4 between the Seattle Kraken and the Philadelphia Flyers. The two players involved in the deal have a history with each other from their time in the OHL, which includes winning an OHL Championship with the Peterborough Petes in 2023.  Kitchener Rangers & Guelph Storm Named Finalists To Host 2027 Memorial Cup The finalists to host the 2027 Memorial Cup tournament have been named. The Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers, OHL rival organizations, have been announced as the two finalists.

The Swedish site HockeyNews.se reports that former NHL player Calvin de Haan is close to signing with Rögle in the SHL. de Haan has previously been linked to several other SHL clubs, such as Brynäs, but is now only a few contract details away from joining Rögle, according to the report.

de Haan split last season between the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Rangers, playing 44 games for Colorado and three for the Rangers. The defenseman from Carp, Ontario, was traded to the Rangers along with Juuso Parssinen, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in 2025. In return, the Avalanche received Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey, and Hank Kempf.

de Haan would be another addition to the growing list of players who have joined the SHL after spending time in the NHL. Below is a list of notable names who have signed with SHL clubs.

Nicklas Bäckström (C), Brynäs IF

The biggest name to sign in the SHL since the lockout seasons. The hype around Bäckström has been huge, and he’s by far the signing that has received the most attention ahead of the season start.

 

Nicklas Bäckström Ready for a New Chapter in the SHL - Community PostNicklas Bäckström continues his preparations for the SHL opener on Saturday. On Tuesday, the SHL held its annual media day, where Bäckström was in the spotlight.

Jakub Vrána (RW), Linköpings HC

An exciting signing who is arriving in the SHL at a different stage of his career compared to the previously mentioned Nicklas Bäckström. Jakub Vrána spent most of his NHL career in Washington, where he was teammates with Bäckström. In total, he played 406 NHL games, recording 119 goals and 223 points.

 

Kieffer Bellows (LW), Brynäs IF

Bellows was drafted 19th overall by the New York Islanders in 2016. The former first-round pick is a fast-skating power forward with a strong shot. In total, he played 114 NHL games and recorded 32 points.

 

Magnus Hellberg (G), Djurgårdens IF

Hellberg returns to Sweden after 13 years abroad. Although he has only played seven NHL games, he has managed to start games for the Predators, Rangers, Red Wings, Senators and Penguins. It is quite a unique accomplishment.

Gustav Lindström (D), Djurgårdens IF

Lindström most recently played for the Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, where he appeared in 42 games and recorded 11 points last season. He was drafted 38th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.

 

Charles Hudon (LW), Djurgårdens IF

Djurgården made another high-profile signing by bringing in Charles Hudon, who most recently played for the Ontario Reign in the AHL. With the LA Kings’ affiliate, he recorded an impressive 20 goals and 64 points in 67 games last season. Hudon brings much-needed offensive production as Djurgården heads into the new season after earning promotion from the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan to the SHL.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are rebuilding their roster, even though management won't admit it. Forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson have been frequently mentioned as trade candidates throughout the off-season.

Even Sidney Crosby hasn't been spared the trade conjecture, though his name hasn't popped up as often.

Nevertheless, there was sporadic chatter earlier this summer linking the 38-year-old Penguins superstar to the Colorado Avalanche (where his buddy Nathan MacKinnon plays) and his childhood team, the Montreal Canadiens.

Crosby addressed that occasional trade chatter during the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday. He said he understood it because his clubs missed the playoffs the past three years. The Penguins captain also indicated he was flattered that he was drawing so much interest from a hockey-mad market like Montreal.

Meanwhile, Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, didn't rule out the possibility that his client could be traded before his contract expires in 2027. However, he also suggested the speculation could disappear if the Penguins improve and reach the playoffs. Brisson ultimately believes it comes down to how Crosby is going to be and how the team is going to do.

Colorado Hockey Now's Aarif Deen cited the speculation linking Crosby to the Avalanche and Canadiens. He thinks the latter stands the better chance because of their status as an up-and-coming club.

However, the odds remain slim of Crosby coming to Montreal. The asking price could include a rising star like Lane Hutson or a top prospect like Ivan Demidov, two players the Canadiens won't part with.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Update On Canucks' Hughes, Canadiens' Next Steps After Trading PriceQuinn Hughes' future with the Vancouver Canucks has been murky since team president Jim Rutherford floated the notion of the defenseman one day joining brothers Jack and Luke with the New Jersey Devils.

The player media tour also saw New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes say that he'd love to play with his brother, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, at some point.

Jack knew that it was “the headline question” but indicated he wasn't afraid to say it, whether it was with New Jersey or elsewhere. “They talk about it all day up in Vancouver, you know?” Hughes said. “But yeah, I'd love to play with Quinn at some point.”

Quinn Hughes said the following day that it's normal for a brother to say something like that, and playing with brothers Jack and Luke Hughes at some point would be fun, but he's excited to be in Vancouver.

Patrick Johnston of The Provinceassumed Canucks management would love to one day acquire Jack and Luke Hughes from the Devils and unite them with Quinn in Vancouver. However, he acknowledged that it would be incredibly hard to pull off, which is why there's speculation suggesting Quinn Hughes could head to New Jersey when his contract expires in 2027, if not beforehand via trade.

The Devils still have to get RFA Luke Hughes under contract before the start of this season. New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols wondered if the term of that deal might determine if the Hughes brothers play together in New Jersey or elsewhere.

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 Columbus Blue Jackets have 32 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #32. 

Let's take a look.

Radim Bičánek - 2001-2002 - Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 1993.

Bičánek played 69 games for the Jackets and had 8 career points. He played for Columbus during the first two years of the franchise's existence but never played another NHL game after that.

He returned to Europe in 2004 and played there until he retired in 2016. He played at various levels of hockey in Czechia. 

Kent McDonell - 2004 - McDonell was drafted twice. The Carolina Hurricanes drafted him in the 1997 draft, and then the Detroit Red Wings drafted him in the 6th round of the 1999 draft. 

McDonell played two seasons for the franchise and totaled 32 games. He had just 3 career points. He never played another NHL game after his time in Columbus and finished his career in Europe. He played in Europe for 13 years and retired after playing in Norway, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Denmark. 

Cale Hulse - 2006 - Drafted by the New Jersey in 1992. 

Hulse played 27 games in Columbus during the 2005-06 season. He had 3 assists in those 27 games. On October 8, 2005, he was traded to the CBJ from the Coyotes along with Michael Rupp and Jason Chimera for Geoff Sanderson and Tim Jackman.

After going to Calgary during that same season and playing 12 games, he would retire after that season. 

Mathieu Garon - 2010-2011 - Drafted by Montreal in 1996. 

Garon played two seasons for the Blue Jackets after signing in Columbus on July 1, 2009. He had a record of 22-23-12 with a save % of .902%, and a GAA of 2.77.

After his time in Columbus, he played two years in Tampa Bay and then finished out his career playing one season in the KHL. His career SV% is .903 and a GAA of 2.83. He also has 144 career wins. 

Cody Bass - 2012-2014 - Drafted by Ottawa in 2005.

Bass played a total of 15 games for the CBJ and had 1 career point. He signed with Columbus in 2011 and spent most of his time with the Springfield Falcons. 

He would retire after the 2019 season. Bass spent 4 seasons as a pro scout for the Colorado Avalanche from 2019 to 2023. 

Rene Bourque - 2015 - He was undrafted out of Lac La Biche, Alberta.

Bourque played 57 games for Columbus over two seasons. He totaled 7 goals and 12 points. He signed in Colorado for the 16-17 season, and then after one year, left for Sweden, where he would retire after one season. 

Adam Cracknell - 2015 - Drafted by Calgary in 2004. 

He played 17 games for the Jackets and had one career point after being claimed on waivers by Columbus on October 7, 2014. 

In 2019, he left for the KHL and then Denmark before returning to North America in 2021. In 2024, he again left for Europe, this time signing with HK Poprad in Slovakia. He is signed to play with the for the 25-26 as well. 

Jake Christiansen - 2022 - Undrafted out of West Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Christiansen played in a career-high 68 games for Columbus last season and totaled 8 points. He has played 112 games over four years. Before last season, Christiansen spent most of his time playing for the Cleveland Monsters. He's currently the Monsters franchise leader for points by a defenseman.

Christiansen will most likely be the 6th/7th defenseman during the 25-26 season and is signed through 2027. So, he will be looking to have a couple of good years and earn a nice, big contract.  

Jon Gillies - 2023 - Drafted by Calgary in 2012. 

Gillies played 3 career games for the CBJ, going 1-1. He was traded to the CBJ on March 2, 2023, in exchange for Jakub Voráček and a pick. After taking the 23-24 season off, he came back and signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He also played for the Orlando Sun Bears of the ECHL that same season. 

He is signed to play for Orlando again for the 25-26 season. 

Malcolm Subban - 2024 - Drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2012. 

On March 8, 2024, the Blues traded Subban to the CBJ and sent him to Cleveland to help with their playoff push. He did start one game for the Jackets after being recalled and lost. 

He played last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Belleville Sens of the AHL. He isn't retired but also hasn't signed on to play anywhere for 25-26. 

With 32 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, the anticipation for the season is in full swing. Take a look at the schedule of events below.

Blue Jackets Participate in 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo

The Blue Jackets will take part in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from Thursday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 14. They’ll play three games and have one day off.

The schedule looks like this:

Thursday, Sept. 11 - 7 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils

Friday, Sept. 12 `- No Game Scheduled

Saturday, Sept. 13 - 7 p.m. at Buffalo Sabres

Sunday, Sept. 14 - 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh Penguins

This will be the second year Columbus has participated in the Prospects Challenge. Before that, they played in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City. As for the roster, it won’t be released until closer to the tournament.

Let us know what you think below.

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Starting today, the Golden Knights’ roster of promising young players will hit the ice for the team’s 2025 Rookie Camp. 

From September 12-14 the roster will hit the road, traveling to Denver, Colorado, to take part in the 2025 Rookie Showcase at the South Suburban Family Sports Center. The tournament will feature top prospects from both the Colorado Avalanche and Utah Mammoth, alongside the Knights. 

2025 ROOKIE CAMP SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 11

Practice, 10 a.m. PT (City National Arena)

 Friday, September 12

Practice, 9 a.m. PT (City National Arena)

Saturday, September 13 

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth, 3 p.m. MT (South Suburban Family Sports Center)

Sunday, September 14

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche, 1 p.m. MT (South Suburban Family Sports Center)

HOCKEY IS BACK 🤩

VGK Rookie Camp presented by Martin-Harris Construction starts this week! Read below for schedule & roster 👇https://t.co/FLTqBPvf7D

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 8, 2025

Fans can stream the tournament live in each market and FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9 FM /1340 AM will broadcast the Golden Knights’ two games in Denver. 

The roster includes several familiar faces from the 2025 Golden Knights Development Camp earlier this summer. Among them are the 2025 draft selections Mateo Nobert and Alex Weiermair and the 2024 first-round pick Trevor Connelly, plus a few fresh additions. There are a total of 24 players, comprising 15 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders.

2025 ROOKIE CAMP ROSTER

FORWARD (15): Braeden Bowman, Mathieu Cataford, Trevor Connelly, Joe Fleming, Jordan Gustafson, Jackson Hallum, Ben Hemmerling, Mateo Nobert, Matyas Sapovaliv, Sloan Stanick, Andreas Straka, Trent Swick, Kai Uchacz, Tuomas Uronen, Alex Weiermair

DEFENSEMEN (7): Peteris Bulans, Artur Cholach, Viliam Kmec, Mazden Leslie, Samuel Mayer, Carter Sotheran, Bronson Ride

GOALTENDERS (2): Carl Lindbom, Cameron Whitehead

 NUMERICAL ROSTER:

8 Mathieu Cataford Forward

18 Alex Weiermair Forward

24 Trevor Connelly Forward

25 Matyas Sapovaliv Forward

30 Carl Lindbom Goaltender

37 Tuomas Uronen Forward

38 Jordan Gustafson Forward

39 Cameron Whitehead Goaltender

42 Braeden Bowman Forward

43 Mazden Leslie Defenseman

45 Mateo Nobert Forward

47 Artur Cholach Defenseman

50 Joe Fleming Forward

56 Carter Sotheran Defenseman

57 Bronson Ride Defenseman

59 Jackson Hallum Forward

63 Ben Hemmerling Forward

68 Peteris Bulans Defenseman

70 Andreas Straka Forward

76 Trent Swick Forward

77 Kai Uchacz Forward

79 Viliam Kmec Defenseman

92 Sloan Stanick Forward

96 Samuel Mayer Defenseman

Golden Knights Development Camp Spotlight: Trevor Connelly The Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp is underway, showcasing the organization’s young up-and-comers and what they could bring to the team’s future. One of the standouts from Monday’s ice session was 2024 first-round draft pick Trevor Connelly. Golden Knights Trade Up To Select Mateo Norbert With 85th Overall PickThe Vegas Golden Knights traded up for the second time on Saturday, grabbing Pittsburgh's pick in the 85th overall slot in exchange for the picks 91 and 154. Golden Knights Select Alexander Weiermair And Gustav Sjoqvist With Back-To-Back Picks At 186 And 187The Vegas Golden Knights wrapped up their 2025 NHL Draft in Round 6 by selecting Alexander Weiermair and Gustav Sjoqvist. 

The Montreal Canadiens have had a busy off-season, and it is understandable when noting that they took a major step in the right direction this past campaign. Due to this, they brought in multiple new players this summer. However, there is no question that the Canadiens' top addition of the summer was defenseman Noah Dobson. 

The Canadiens acquired Dobson from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Emil Heineman, the 16th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (Victor Eklund), and the 17th overall pick of the NHL Entry Draft (Kashawn Aitcheson). The Canadiens then signed Dobson to an eight-year, $76 million contract after the move, so he will be sticking around in Montreal for a long time. 

Now, the Canadiens have received some major praise for pulling off this blockbuster move. 

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Adam Gretz ranked the Canadiens' trade for Dobson as the best move of the entire NHL off-season.

When noting that Dobson is a legitimate star when playing at his best, it is easy to understand why Gretz ranked it as the top move of this off-season. This is especially so when noting that the Canadiens were able to quickly lock up Dobson long-term after it, and that the Canadiens' right side needed a boost. 

Dobson appeared in 71 games this past season with the Islanders, where he posted 10 goals and 39 points. This was after he had a monster 2023-24 campaign, scoring 10 goals and setting career highs with 60 assists and 70 points in 79 games. With numbers like these, there is no question that he has the potential to provide serious offense from the point, and it will be huge for the Habs if he does just that from here. 

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On Wednesday night, the New York Islanders dropped episode one of "On The Island", their behind-the-scenes footage of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

After the Islanders drafted Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick, he received calls from Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and then Mathew Barzal. 

“Matty, what's up, you stud?" Barzal said as soon as Schaefer answered the one phone.  "We’re going to be dancing out there.”

Barzal has been showcasing his excitement for Schaefer anytime he's been asked about him, whether it's been on Frankie Borrelli's podcast or on NHL Sirius XM. 

Having a dynamic defenseman like Schaefer is something that plays right into Barzal's skillset, which is what Barzal was alluding to in his phone call. 

"He skates like the wind," Barzal said on NHL Network Radio while representing the Islanders at the 2025 NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.

Catch episode 1 of "On The Island" below: 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Yesterday it was announced that former Red Wings player Henrik Zetterberg is returning to his childhood club Timrå IK as an advisor. The news created a lot of excitement in Sweden, and Zetterberg did several interviews throughout the day following his appointment to the new role. Among others, Henrik spoke with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The original interview can be found here.

After spending a year in Detroit following the end of his playing career, Zetterberg has settled down in Sweden. He has made his home in the south of the country and has lived a quiet life in the years since retiring from hockey. Gaining more attention is not the purpose of his new role, and the humble Zetterberg said that the attention wasn’t something he was seeking when the role was announced.

“It’s not the public attention I’m seeking by taking on this role as an advisor. I’ve actually had this role for about a year now in Timrå, but we haven’t really made much of it publicly. I love hockey and have a strong connection to Timrå. Now we’ll be a team working to push Timrå forward, and I’ll focus on being a sounding board for young players and their coaches in the club to help them develop. I’ll also continue supporting Kent Norberg (GM of Timrå) with thoughts and opinions on potential signings. It’ll be fun to see what kind of development we can achieve together,” says Henrik Zetterberg.

Several of his former Detroit teammates have gone on to start careers in management and coaching. Zetterberg was asked about his future plans and whether a role as a sporting director or GM is something he envisions down the line. However, he was quick to play down those speculations.

“I have no plans to take over after ‘Nubben’ (current GM at Timrå) that’s not something I’m thinking about at all. I want him to stay in Timrå forever, and I think he’s doing a fantastic job. My passion lies in helping younger players make the same journey that I once did.”

Henrik Zetterberg was also asked about his connection with the Red Wings and whether he might use his current role to help Detroit. His former captain and fellow Swede Nicklas Lidström is also based in Sweden while serving as Detroit’s Vice President of Hockey Operations. The connection to Detroit is still there, but there is no official collaboration between Zetterberg and his former club at this point.

“Of course I’ll probably have thoughts and questions during the season. I have people around me who have worked in hockey and have a lot of experience. Almost everyone on the Red Wings staff today are my former teammates, and I feel like I always represent Detroit since I played there for so many years. But we’ll see how that can help me in my professional role.”

Finally, Zetterberg was asked how he expects Timrå to perform this season. The team has lost valuable pieces during the offseason, including Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen, who have both left for the NHL.

“There’s no denying that losing Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen is a big blow for the club. They did a lot for the team last season. But we have other guys who are very talented and maybe flew a bit under the radar last year. Now it’s up to them to take the lead and push the club forward. Timrå is in a good position to surprise, but they might not be a top team just yet. There are many strong top teams. I don’t need to name them, it’s obvious who they are.”

Oliver Kapanen played 18 games for the Montreal Canadiens last season but returned to Timrå on loan. The season was a success for Kapanen, who recorded 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games. It’s an impressive points tally in the defensively minded SHL.

Filip Hållander returns to Pittsburgh with the ambition of earning a roster spot with the Penguins. He has played in three NHL games for Pittsburgh and has also appeared in 104 AHL games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Swedish center is coming off a brilliant SHL season, finishing second in the league in both goals and points with 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games for Timrå.

Despite having 25 games of NHL experience over two seasons, Fraser Minten was announced as part of the Boston Bruinsrookie tournament roster this week. Speaking to reporters at Warrior Ice Arena, Minten was asked how it came to be that he would take part in the tournament. It turns out Minten didn’t volunteer. He’s just following Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s orders.

“I got a phone call saying you will participate,” Minten said with a smile.

Fraser Minten is just following orders pic.twitter.com/3ICmmhuPPD

— Andrew Fantucchio (@A_Fantucchio) September 10, 2025

Minten, originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with their first pick (38th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, impressed the club enough that he made Toronto's opening night roster during the 2023-24 season. He played in four games before being returned to the junior league. The following season, Minten looked more polished, putting up two goals and two assists in 15 games.

Fraser Minten's Remarkable Journey From Under the Radar Before Training Camp to the Maple Leafs' Opening Night RosterThe Maple Leafs didn't expect their second-round pick to make the team this year, but Fraser Minten's performance at training camp was hard to deny.

But as the Maple Leafs sought to add depth for a playoff push, the club traded Minten to Boston along with a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo. As it became clear the Bruins weren’t destined for the postseason, they called up Minten. He played in six games and scored one goal.

'More Backcheck And There'll Be A Greater Paycheck': Maple Leafs React To Losing Players And Prospects On Trade Deadline DayDENVER — The Toronto Maple Leafs made some big moves ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade deadline. The Leafs acquired forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins.

Minten didn’t take part in the development camp the Bruins held in the summer that featured a lot of prospects his age. Given he’s about to embark on his first training camp in Boston, he understood the reasoning for the early attendance.

“I haven’t been here for a while, even for me but for them they haven’t seen me play a ton as much as other guys,” Minten said. “It just gives them a chance to get a look at me and my game.”

A look at Boston's depth chart shows a third-line center spot ripe for the taking for Minten, the role he played in Toronto. As the Bruins go through a bit of a rebuild after eight consecutive seasons of being in the playoffs, the opportunity is there for the former Maple Leafs draft pick to take another step in his development.

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Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand is hopeful to do something next year that has been on his checklist for a long time.

The 37-year-old NHL veteran and future Hockey Hall of Famer wants to suit up for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Marchand was one of 26 forwards and 42 total players who were invited to Hockey Canada's Orientation Camp last month in Calgary.

He was also one of five Panthers players to receive an invite, along with forwards Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The last time NHL players participated in the Olympic Games was in 2014 in Sochi.

Canada won gold, but Marchand was not there.

Like this year, Marchand was also part of that team’s orientation camp, but that was as far as his Olympic dream would go that year.

To say he’s been feeling the hunger to represent his country and compete for a gold medal in the time since would be an understatement.

"There's nothing I want more than to play for the Olympic team," Marchand said during last month’s camp in Calgary, per NHL.com. "That drive has been there since I went to that (orientation) camp in (2013) and didn't make that team. Since then, it's been my goal, my driving force every year, every summer. That's why I was so disappointed in '18 and then the next one. Everything I have done for the last 12 years has been for this tournament."

Now fully healthy and fresh off an incredible run with Florida during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as a strong showing for Team Canada at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Marchand is ready to make his Olympic dream come true.

If and when the opportunity comes, Marchand understands just how rare and unique a position it would be for him to find himself.

"I think you really understand how fragile these opportunities are," he said. "They're not a given. Even when you think you're going to go, it doesn't mean you're going. The last one we thought we were going for sure. It's the end of December, a month and a half before we're leaving, and it gets pulled from us. The one before that, someone's decision allows us to not go again. You could have an unbelievable NHL career and play for a very long time and not have an opportunity to play in these games."

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Photo caption: Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) skates during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)