Apr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks the puck against the Dallas Stars during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The approach of Opening Night is typically met with the eager anticipation of a new season. No matter how a team performed the previous year, all eyes are fixed on what could lie ahead.

As the Nashville Predators prepare to open their 2025-26 season against the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena, they hope to permanently put the demons of a subpar 2024-25 behind them. They also hope to change their recent fortunes of Opening Night performances.

The Predators are 14-11-1 all-time on Opening Night, the 15th-best record in the NHL among active teams dating back to 1997-98. They post a 10-5-1 mark in 16 home openers.

Recently, however, Opening Night hasn’t been particularly kind to the Preds. They are just 2-3 over the past five openers, their two victories coming against the San Jose Sharks at a neutral site in the 2022-23 season opener and in 2021 against the Blue Jackets in a season abbreviated by COVID-19.

Here's a look back over the past five season openers.

2024: Predators Fall Short Against Dallas

Last season’s opener against the Dallas Stars featured the debuts of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.

The excitement surrounding the Predators’ three big off-season free agent acquisitions came crashing back to earth following a 4-3 Oct. 10 loss to Dallas.

The Preds got behind after Dallas scored all four of their goals in the second period. A valiant comeback effort fell short and started the team on a five-game losing streak to begin the season.

Starting goaltender Juuse Saros did not play due to a lower-body injury, so backup Scott Wedgewood got the start in net. Filip Forsberg tallied a power-play goal and two assists, while Marchessault recorded two assists in his Predators’ debut.

The Preds never fully recovered and finished 30-44-8 for the season, missing the playoffs.

2023: Preds Fall In Tampa

The season before didn’t go much better for the Predators in the opener, falling 5-3 in Tampa Bay against the Lightning.

Ryan O’Reilly scored in his first game as a Predator, while Forsberg collected two assists. That gave Forsberg at least a point in eight consecutive season openers, the longest active streak in the NHL at that time.

Nashville put on a furious rally late in the 2023-24 season and earned a playoff spot before losing to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round.

2022: Predators Attack The Sharks

In their 2022-23 season opener, the Preds dominated in a 4-1 triumph over San Jose.

The game was played in Prague as part of the NHL Global Series in front of a crowd of 16,648 at O2 Arena. Kiefer Sherwood tallied a goal and an assist, Nino Niederreiter had a goal while Ryan McDonagh picked up an assist.

All three were making their Predators debut: Sherwood and Niederreiter signed as free agents in the off-season and McDonagh was acquired in a trade from the Lightning.

That season, Nashville failed to qualify for the post-season, finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 42-32-8 record.

October 2021: Kraken Make History Against Predators

The Seattle Kraken spoiled the Preds’ 2021-22 opener with a 4-3 win at Bridgestone Arena. The victory was the first in Kraken history, and it came on the road.

Mikael Granlund collected a goal and two assists for Nashville, and Saros stopped 22 Seattle shots.

The Preds trailed 4-2 late in the third period before Granlund lit the lamp with 42 seconds left, but it was too little, too late for a Preds comeback.

In 2021-22, the Predators went on to finish fifth in the division with a 45-30-7 mark. They were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs.

January 2021: Preds Win At Home In Odd Setting

The Blue Jackets, whom the Predators will face Thursday, came to Bridgestone Arena for an Opening Night game to start what was technically the 2020-21 season.

It was a much different setting than any season opener in Preds history. For one thing, the game was played in January 2021, not October 2020. Also, the only fans allowed in the stands were family members of the players and police officers who responded to a bombing in Nashville the previous Christmas.

This was during the aftermath of COVID-19. Despite local health officials allowing a 15 percent seating capacity for January games, the Predators chose to err on the side of caution and limit arena capacity.

Nashville won the game 3-1. The Preds held Columbus to just three shots in the third period. They proceeded to take the next game against the Blue Jackets 5-2 to sweep the opening two games between the teams in Nashville to begin the season.

In a shortened 56-game campaign, Nashville finished 31-23-2, good for fourth in the Central. In the playoffs, they were eliminated in six games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round.

Looking Ahead

The Predators hope history will repeat itself against Columbus on Thursday, when four rookies will be in the lineup. The expectations of this season are more tempered than they were this time a year ago, but a season-opening victory would already put the club ahead of last year, when they started 0-5.

In a peculiar move from head coach Rick Tocchet, the Philadelphia Flyers are looking like they'll be lining up without one of their most exciting young prospects on opening night.

Based on PHLY's Charlie O'Connor's reporting of Nikita Grebenkin not taking part in line rushes in Flyers practices over the last few days, we can deduce that the 22-year-old isn't going to make his official Flyers debut against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise on Thursday night.

Instead, Tocchet and Co. will continue to roll with Rodrigo Abols and Garnet Hathaway on the fourth line, with either Nick Deslauriers or Jett Luchanko drawing in there.

Virtually everything else remains unchanged at forward from the Flyers' preseason finale against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, with Christian Dvorak playing with Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett staying with Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny.

Grebenkin played in a variety of important roles for the Flyers this preseason, including with Zegras and Michkov and jumping in next to Noah Cates and Bobby Brink.

NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Badly Need Defensive UpgradesThe Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly scouring the NHL trade market for much-needed defensive reinforcements, but which players are actually going to be worth their while?

Strangely, the affable Russian hasn't seen much power play time despite his obvious skills when playing close to the net, and he appears to be out of the lineup entirely for Thursday's game against Florida, even after arguably being the Flyers' most impressive forward this preseason.

At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Grebenkin isn't exactly small and should have no issues holding his own against the defending champion Panthers

O'Connor did add that Tocchet expects to get Grebenkin in the lineup at some point, be it Thursday or Saturday, and that he needs to play.

The problem, though, is the Flyers are seemingly going through this daily deliberation process twice now--first with Luchanko, who has to play in the NHL or return to the OHL, and Grebenkin, who has given the Flyers no reasons to pull him from the lineup.

Flyers to Begin New Season Without Key DefenderIn a somewhat surprising injury update, the Philadelphia Flyers are going to be without one of their top defensemen to start the 2025-26 regular season.

Based on merit, there is no real rhyme or reason that the former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect should be out of the lineup, which has and will aggravate Flyers fans further as their impatience for improvements and a winning team grows.

Time will tell if Tocchet's choice proves to be the right or wrong move, but Flyers fans have seen this movie before, including as recently as last season. It's an important first test to pass if Tocchet is to build early trust with a disenchanted fanbase.

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights and Jack Eichel are locked in for eight years.

Just hours before the team began its ninth season in the NHL, the organization announced it has signed its prized forward to an eight-year contract extension through the 2033-34 season worth an average annual value of $13,500,000.

Eichel's tab will count $13.5 million against the salary cap when the new contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season, through 2034.

"Obviously, happy in Vegas, the organization has been great to me," Eichel told The Hockey News in July. "I think that that stuff kind of takes care of itself, and I kind of worry more so about the things I can control and try to prepare for next season."

It more than took care of itself, as Eichel can focus on a campaign with plenty of expectations now that another prized forward is with the team, Mitch Marner, who signed with the Golden Knights just before free agency this summer. Eichel, Marner and Ivan Barbashev are poised to form one of the most potent offensive lines in the league.

Eichel, 28, is in his fifth season with the Golden Knights and leads the team in scoring with 253 points (100 goals, 153 assists) since making his debut with Vegas during the 2021-22 season. Last season, the forward posted a career-high 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists), a franchise record for the Golden Knights in a single season, which landed him in fifth place on voting for the Hart Trophy.

REKINDLED PASSION

Eichel said his passion was dwindling before he arrived in Vegas, partly because of the neck injury that required a never-before-done surgery, but also because he felt it was time for fresh scenery after spending his first six seasons in Buffalo.

The relationship between Eichel and the Sabres became irreparable after an ugly dispute over whether or not the forward was permitted to undergo the surgery he wanted to repair a severe neck injury. The Sabres had no choice but to move him, and Eichel underwent artificial disk replacement after becoming a member of the Knights. Since then, Eichel has produced above a point-a-game level for Vegas, and also helped lead the Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup.

During Vegas' historic run to the Cup, Eichel led all playoff skaters with 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists), playing in each of the team’s 22 contests. He also finished first on the Golden Knights during each of their last two trips to the postseason, with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 2024 and 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 2025.

"I felt a lot of pressure in Buffalo to succeed and bring wins and success to the organization and the city," Eichel said after morning skate on Wednesday. "And when that doesn't happen, you take a lot of onus on yourself, and it can eat away at you a lot. At times, you start to lose your passion and love for what you're doing.

"I think you come to a place like this, where there are so many established players in the room, and you don't feel like it's necessarily going to fall on you. And I feel like the group and the organization culture have built something special. And you just try and find a way to fit into the puzzle, and I feel like I did that."

DYNAMIC DUO

Though Marner and Eichel's situations were entirely different, a fresh start is something the two have in common.

"You want to be in a place where you want to win," Marner said when he was introduced on July 1. "That’s the whole goal of why we do this, you want to hoist that Stanley Cup. This team has shown that they can do it. I’m lucky enough now to hopefully bring another piece in to help bring it back here."

But it was also the need for starting over in a new environment with a locker-room culture that would benefit his mental health and love for the game, even if that meant leaving an organization that drafted him fourth overall in 2015, two years before the Knights entered the league.

"It’s where we wanted to be," Marner added, speaking for he and his wife.

Marner inked a $96 million contract for a maximum of eight years.

Eichel said he's excited for his new teammate, knowing the type of pressure that comes with being a face of a franchise. Considering Marner hailed from the area, the expectations were high for him while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"It feels like what is a fresh start for him here in Vegas, and I just know what that did for me and my career," Eichel also said Wednesday. "Not that he was at all in that situation. I mean, he had 102 points last year, so he doesn't need a fresh start, but, maybe mentally and emotionally, he did, and I feel like this is a great place for him to be, and we're super excited to have him."

Eichel said it wouldn't be fair to compare their paths, considering he was dealing with an injury - "the kicker in my situation" - but did feel Marner has been able to come to Vegas without a lot of pressure.

"And relax a little bit, get back to enjoying it, and not have to feel all the pressure and what comes with that," Eichel said. "And I think that that's a little bit of what I felt. Not saying I can put myself in his shoes and what he went through in Toronto, being in Toronto, and from there, and what hockey means to that city and area of the world. I'm not speaking for him, it's more so my own experience."

Nevertheless, with no distractions and Eichel and Marner both signed for eight years in a place they feel fits their needs, they can embark on the ultimate goal, delivering a second Stanley Cup to Vegas.

After an offseason full of speculation concerning where Anaheim Ducks rookie/prospect Beckett Sennecke (3rd overall in 2024) will play his 2025-26 season, the indications have become clearer.

Sennecke (19) has made the Ducks’ season-opening roster, and all signs point to him making his NHL debut on Thursday, when the team hits the road to take on the Seattle Kraken.

Starting his draft-plus-two season in the NHL always seemed the likeliest scenario for him, with the more pressing decisions to come later.

Ducks Say ‘Playoffs or Bust’ in 2025-26

THN Anaheim's 2025-26 Ducks Predictions

Ducks’ Opening Night Roster Highlighted by Sennecke, 3 Goalies

Will the Ducks elect to send him back to the CHL before the ten-game threshold so as not to burn the first year of his ELC? Do they have enough faith in him to give him a full 82-game slate? Will they utilize a route similar to one the Kraken took with Shane Wright during his draft-plus-one season? Maybe they’ll follow how the Utah Mammoth handled Dylan Guenther in his draft-plus-two season?

The answer seems to be that they’ll take a page out of their own playbook and deploy Sennecke similarly to how they introduced Leo Carlsson (2nd in ’23) to the NHL. According to general manager Pat Verbeek's most recent appearance on his “The Beeker” podcast, hosted by Alexis Downie, we now have an indication of how the organization intends to utilize their current top rookie.

“Well, he's going to be very similar to Leo (in his) first season,” Verbeek said. “The one thing that I really liked about Beckett's camp is (that) he started very slow in rookie camp, but progressively got better as camp went on, which is a good sign and a sign he's kind of ready for the NHL.

“Most guys, they come in and probably have a good flash, but they wear down as training camp goes on, but Beckett did not. He went the opposite way. So I think just him getting used to the pace and understanding the style of play that (opposing) teams play. He’s been a sponge and has really taken it to a level of understanding that will help him play really well.”

The Ducks elected for an unorthodox approach to Carlsson’s rookie season, where, for the first half, they had planned to have him dress twice a week in an attempt to both mirror an SHL schedule, his previous league, and allow him maximum time in the gym to fill out his frame and add strength.

In the games he did play, he was deployed in the role he’d project to assume for the foreseeable future in Anaheim: 1C.

Of course, the benefits of “The Leo Plan” were never fully realized, as he sustained a couple of injuries that kept him out for extended periods in his first NHL season. By the time he was fully healthy, he was slated to play every game.

Sennecke is in a different situation than Carlsson was during his rookie season. Sennecke (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) has already tacked on the necessary size, as today he and Carlsson (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) have nearly identical measurements. Carlsson was more polished, and Sennecke still has quite a bit of rounding out to do with his game.

“I feel like I just keep getting better every game and more comfortable, the more you play. I think that’s just kind of the trajectory I’m on,” Sennecke said. “There’s a bit of summer rust, and the more you get back into it, that game shape, the better you’re going to be out there.”

Sennecke suited up for more games than anyone in the Ducks’ organization during the preseason, playing in six of their seven games. His exhibition season was a rollercoaster, dating back to his performances in the team’s two “Golden State Rookie Faceoff” games. He flashed some of the skill that encouraged Verbeek and the Ducks' scouting staff to select him third overall a year ago, but it was dimmed somewhat by an array of poor puck management, losing winnable puck battles, and below-standard defensive habits.

However, with each passing preseason game, he improved in every one of those facets.

“I thought he made great progress in camp and rookie camp,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “Watching him, I thought he got stronger every day with the puck; all of a sudden, he got a little more physical with the puck, more tenacity, trying to get rid of the junior habits. Those types of things.”

Through the later stages of the Ducks’ preseason, when the roster consisted mostly of their NHL talent, Sennecke had been slotted on the fourth line next to center Ryan Poehling and opposite Ross Johnston.

“I think I have that kind of hard forechecking aspect of my game as well. I can kind of play that role,” Sennecke said when asked about playing with Poehling and Johnston. “Those guys are fun to play with because you get the puck back pretty fast because they forecheck hard.”

The Ducks’ listed third-line center, Ryan Strome, was forced from practice on Tuesday with what has now been diagnosed as an upper-body injury that will keep him from traveling with the team for their first two games against the Kraken on Thursday and against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

During practice on Wednesday, Mikael Granlund slotted into Strome’s spot between Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano, while Sennecke took Granlund’s spot next to Mason McTavish and opposite Cutter Gauthier.

It will prove a tremendous opportunity for Sennecke, looking to make an impact with the Ducks as they hope to put an end to their seven-season playoff drought.

His roster spot and role on the team moving forward will likely come down to how he performs in these early stages of the season. If the Ducks have true intentions of qualifying for the playoffs, deploying an underdeveloped and volatile, albeit highly talented, rookie seems counterintuitive. Unless, of course, he performs well enough to render himself a bonafide asset to the lineup as they hope to meet the lofty expectations they’ve set for themselves.

There’s also a question of what Sennecke’s role will be when the entire forward group is healthy. Will he return to the fourth line? How will minutes be distributed? Is that role best for his development?

Maybe extended time on the fourth line, where his matchups will be easier and he can learn those professional habits, can be a positive. Especially so, if he receives time on the power play as well.

“I see him being like a wild card where you can use him in all situations, and he can play with anybody,” Quenneville said. “You’re sitting there if you’re playing in that role, in that line. You think that he’s not going to get enough ice time. But I still think he’s useful in other ways, where he can play with top players and be a threat and be productive as well. He’s a good asset for us, and I think the way he trained in training camp, he gave us a lot of options as a coach.”

As always, a “wait-and-see” approach will be required, but the magnitude of this decision can’t be understated. Beckett Sennecke is a huge piece of the future of the Anaheim Ducks.

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on LaCombe Extension

Ducks Sign Jackson LaCombe to Eight-Year Extension

Comparing Mason McTavish's Contract to Similar Young NHL Players

After a rough start to the season, the Kings look to bounce back tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Tonight at 8:00 PM MDT, the LA Kings visit the Vegas Golden Knights. The Kings will be the first NHL team to play two games after losing to the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 yesterday. The game against the Avalanche was rough for the Kings, as they committed many defensive errors, which led to Martin Necas scoring twice. But the Kings look to bounce back tonight against Vegas, who start their season tonight. 

Projected Kings Lines

The projected lines for the Kings: 

A. Kuzmenko - A. Kopitar - A. Kempe

K. Fiala - Q. Byfield - A. Laferriere

W. Foegele - P. Danault - T. Moore

J. Malott - A. Turcotte - J. Armia

M. Anderson - D. Doughty

J. Edmundson - B. Clarke

B. Dumoulin - C. Ceci

A. Forsberg

D. Kuemper

Projected Golden Knights Lines: 

The projected lines for the Golden Knights are: 

I. Barbashev - J. Eichel - M. Marner

R. Smith - W. Karlsson - M. Stone

B. Saad - T. Hertl - P. Dorofeyev 

B. Howden - C. Sissons - K. Kolesar

B. McNabb - S. Theodore

N. Hanifin - Z. Whitecloud

J. Lauzon - K. Korczak

A. Hill

A. Schmid 

Important X-Factors for the Game

After the slow start yesterday, the Kings will focus on having a strong start to the game and setting the tone early. The Kings need to clean up their defensive game after last night, as they made lots of mistakes that the Avalanche were able to capitalize on. With the Kings facing Vegas, they have to contain Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel to keep themselves in the game.  

The Kings also need to capitalize on the power play when they get the opportunity, as they went 1 for 4 last night. A positive for the Kings to build on in tonight's game is their penalty kill, as they allowed only 1 goal on 6 power plays. However, this also highlights the need for them to stay out of the box, allowing more time in the offensive zone. 

Players to Watch

For the Kings, Quinton Byfield was a strong player last night, and I would expect him to continue that strong play today. While he did not score, he registered 4 shots on net and was a major spark for the Kings' offence. The Kings will also look at the Kopitar, Kuzmenko, and Kempe line to help spark their offence and try to get their first even-strength goal of the season.

For Vegas, the big players are Marner and Eichel. Still, the forward depth is something the Kings will have to be wary of, as on the 3rd line is Pavel Dorofeyev, who scored 35 goals last season and with him being on the 3rd line, it shows how deep the Vegas forwards are, and the Kings will have to be better defensively to walk out of the game with a win. 

The Kings will need to play much better tonight in order for them to not go down 0-2 in the season. 

The new NHL season brings a new crop of rookies.

This year, there are plenty of really interesting rookies who made the NHL club out of training camp. From high-end draft picks and highly anticipated players to seventh-rounders and Russian imports, this year’s rookie crop will be fun to track throughout the season. 

Over two-thirds of the NHL's teams are welcoming in rookies on opening night. Let’s take a closer look at those in the Western Conference.

Anaheim Ducks

Beckett Sennecke (RW)

The third overall pick at the 2024 NHL draft has proven just about everything he could at the OHL level. With the AHL not yet being a full-time option for 19-year-old CHL players, it makes sense for Sennecke to at least start the season in the NHL.

With so many young players on the Ducks, such as Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier, Sennecke should fit right in. The pressure shouldn’t be too high, although they will want to see their top prospect make an offensive impact with all the skill he possesses.

Calgary Flames

Matvei Gridin (LW), Zayne Parekh (D)

Everyone knew the Flames were set to give Parekh as much of an opportunity as possible, but when Gridin made the team, it was a testament to the stellar camp and hard work he put in.

Gridin looks like he’s playing with more pace and working more pro habits into his game. Parekh is an uber-talented offensive blueliner who is sure to have his ups and downs in his own zone, but the offense will be a needed addition to their blueline.

Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Greene (C/W), Sam Rinzel (D), Artyom Levshunov (D), Colton Dach (C/W), Ethan Del Mastro (D)

The Hawks are young, and while most eyes will be on Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and even fellow rookies Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov, one of the most exciting stories in camp was the emergence of Ryan Greene.

Greene is a crafty forward who can play up and down the lineup. Rinzel was stellar to end last season in a short stint with the Hawks, so they will hope he can continue that and play important top four minutes on the back end. 

Levshunov jumps into the NHL after a decent year in the AHL, but as we saw on opening night, there will be some ups and downs. He's a very toolsy player, but he needs to work on refining things like his decision-making and becoming a bit more fluid overall. The upside is high. 

It will be interesting to see if Ethan Del Mastro can lock down a spot in the defense corps as the defensive-minded blueliner plays a simple, steady game. His physicality is his best asset, and his defensive mind should bring some stability to the back end. 

Colton Dach has always found a way to play a game that is more than the sum of his parts. He's the ideal young bottom-six player for Chicago, which needs players to compete hard every night and make the Hawks hard to play against. 

Colorado Avalanche

Zakhar Bardakov (C), Gavin Brindley (RW)

The Avalanche need some young blood to get into the lineup and make an impact. Gavin Brindley is a feisty, skilled forward who may be a bit undersized, but he has the speed and pace to play with the high-octane Avs.

A more surprising addition to the opening lineup is fourth-line center Zakkar Bardakov. The Russian plays with a never-ending motor and an edge. He may not have much in the way of offensive upside, but he can play some important minutes and make life difficult on the opponent. 

Edmonton Oilers

Matthew Savoie (RW/LW), Isaac Howard (LW)

The Oilers have long needed some young talent to rise and force their way into the lineup. Savoie and Howard seem to have done so.

Savoie looked good in glimpses at the NHL level last season, and Howard won the Hobey Baker in the NCAA last season. Both bring speed, skill and offensive touch. Savoie is set to start the season in the top six, but we could see both taking shifts in the top six by the end of the season.

Minnesota Wild

Danila Yurov (LW), Zeev Buium (D), Liam Ohgren (LW), Jesper Wallstedt (G), Hunter Haight (C)

The Wild have added some nice young pieces over the last few years, and this year will be no different.

Zeev Buium is one of the secondary favorites for the Calder, bringing his high skill and keen offensive mind to the Wild after appearing in the playoffs last season, following his departure from college. He could play a significant role for the Wild. Yurov will start on the fourth line but could earn his way into a more prominent role as the season goes on.

Liam Ohgren nearly exhausted his rookie eligibility last season, playing 24 games, but he's back in the NHL lineup, likely in the bottom six. And goaltender Jesper Wallstedt earned backup duties following Marc-Andre Fleury's retirement, and he'll look to improve on his 3.44 goals-against average and .877 save percentage from his first five career games.

NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Canadiens' Demidov Leads Pre-Training Camp Rookie RaceThis year's NHL Calder Trophy race will be fun, and we're getting closer to the start line.

Nashville Predators

Brady Martin (C), Joakim Kemell (RW)

When the Preds drafted Martin with the fifth overall pick this past June, some felt like it was a bit of a reach. When he arrived in camp, he immediately began to stand out, and whispers of him making the roster began.

By the time camp concluded, Martin was the team’s top-line center. His physical style will fit perfectly in Smashville.

Speaking of smash, Joakim Kemell is known for his shot, but he’s been adding a more consistent physical element to his game this pre-season. That’s helped earn him a spot on the Preds' opening day lineup.

San Jose Sharks

Michael Misa (C), Sam Dickinson (D), Yaroslav Askarov (G) 

The Sharks are bringing in yet another stud center prospect and their top blueline prospect, but neither has a surefire spot in the lineup to start the season.

Michael Misa is as good as any center not named Macklin Celebrini on the roster, so it shouldn’t be long before we see him earn a middle-six role. Misa is a highly intelligent player who tore the OHL apart last season, leading the CHL in scoring. 

As for Dickinson, he very well could be the team’s most well-rounded defender by season’s end if given the opportunity. He has all of the tools to be an impact player immediately for the Sharks, which have a very weak blueline.

Like Misa, Dickinson would have to go back to the OHL if the Sharks don’t deem them ready for the NHL, but he’s also shown that he’s above junior hockey at this point. Allowing both to gain experience at the NHL level and letting them make mistakes, similar to how Will Smith navigated ups and downs last year, might be best for them.

In net, we should finally get to see Yaroslav Askarov as the starter in San Jose. Many expected him to step into the role last season, but San Jose wanted to ensure that the all-world goalie prospect they traded for was fully ready for the job. The athletic netminder was arguably the Sharks' best netminder in the short stint he had with the NHL club last year, so it will be exciting to see how he does in a bigger workload, even if the team in front of him isn't always making his life easy. 

Seattle Kraken

Berkly Catton (RW)

Although he is currently running as the extra forward in practice, Catton has the pace, skill and offensive tools to complement the kind of two-way, steady centers that the Kraken have in Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. It was a bit of a surprise to see Catton make the lineup, so if he ends up getting sent back to junior, it won’t be entirely shocking, but the Kraken could use his skill set, and he’s proven everything he can at the WHL level.

St. Louis Blues

Jimmy Snuggerud (RW), Logan Mailloux (D)

Jumping into the Blues' lineup after three very productive years in college, Snuggerud was very solid in seven regular-season games and looked just as good in the playoffs for another seven. He should slot in as a complementary offensive winger who can put up some decent numbers. He could even be a solid Calder bet should he get enough power-play time.

Mailloux joined the Blues in a trade from the Montreal Canadiens. He's expected to play with Tyler Tucker and build on his eight career games so far.

Utah Mammoth 

Dmitri Simashev (D)

While many expected forward Daniil But to be the Russian prospect to make the roster, Dmitri Simashev made it instead.

Simashev is a big, strong, two-way defender who has excelled in the KHL to this point. He’s earned a spot on the back end for the Mammoth, giving them a pillar to build around on the blueline. He likely won’t put up enough points to get into the Calder conversation, but he could be one of the most effective rookies in the NHL this season.

As for But, we will likely see the big, skilled winger at some point this season. He would add a very nice element of powerful skill to the top nine.

NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: Catch Up On Every Team’s PipelineThe NHL prospect pool overview series is our annual summer series breaking down every team's prospect pipeline.

Vancouver Canucks 

Braeden Cootes (C), Jonathan Lekkerimaki (RW)

One of the most surprising rookies to make their NHL roster out of camp is Braeden Cootes. He's not a bad player, but he was just drafted 15th overall in June. His game is built around his engine and energy. His drive is endless, and it shouldn’t be surprising that the Cancuks found him outworking NHL veterans and winning pucks in the pre-season.

It will be interesting to see how his game looks as the regular season starts and whether his offensive skill and physical strength can keep up against men.

Lekkerimaki played 24 NHL games last year so just barely remained a rookie. With six points last year, he'll be expected to step it up, and with three goals and four points in four pre-season games, it looks like he could do that.

Winnipeg Jets

Nikita Chibrikov (RW), Brad Lambert (W/C)

Nikita Chibrikov is getting the first crack at filling in for the injured Cole Perfetti.

Chibrikov is a flashy playmaker who plays with speed. His game has developed nicely at the AHL level, and he could earn a full-time role if he plays well, even after Perfetti returns to the lineup.

To start the season, it looks like Brad Lambert will be an extra forward, but he’s a high-end skater with some fascinating dynamic skills. It won’t be surprising to see him in the lineup if the Jets feel the need to get a bit faster and more dynamic.

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

The Buffalo Sabres will start the season with Alex Lyon as their starting goaltender and recent waiver claim Colten Ellis as their backup. Ellis was claim from the St. Louis Blues on Monday, which was followed quickly by the Sabres placing veteran Alexandar Georgiev on waivers.  The former Rangers, Avs, and Sharks goalie cleared on Wednesday, and will likely be assigned to the AHL Rochester Americans, who open their regular season on Friday against the Toronto Marlies at Blue Cross Arena.  

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is feeling better after suffering a lower-body injury last week against Pittsburgh, but a time frame on him returning to the ice to practice is unknown. The same goes for defenseman Michael Kesselring. The Sabres have a favorable schedule, with six home games in their first eight contests and just one set of back-to-back games in October, which will allow them to lean heavily on veteran Alex Lyon. 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Ruff indicated that defensemen Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, who both practiced on Wednesday, will be in the lineup for the season opener against the NY Rangers at KeyBank Center on Thursday. With Kesselring out, either Jacob Bryson or Ryan Johnson will play in the opener against New York, who were shut out 3-0 by the Penguins at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. 

Winger Zach Benson was injured in practice, taking an errant puck in the face. Benson had a gash on his left cheek, but Ruff indicated that it should not keep him out of the game against New York. In other news, Jack Eichel will be in Vegas for the balance of his career, as the former Sabres captain signed an eight-year deal with the Golden Knights for $13.5 million per season.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- When the puck drops on the 2025-26 season for the St. Louis Blues against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, they will introduce what they hope are a pair of mainstays on the blue line for some time.

We already knew Tyler Tucker had introduced himself into that role last year when he found his game, but for the first time in a meaningful atmosphere, he and Logan Mailloux will be matched together.

That’s 98 games’ worth of NHL experience (90 games for Tucker, eight for Mailloux) that will get rolled out as opposed to a veteran top four of Cam Fowler (1,042 games), Justin Faulk (980), Colton Parayko (723) and Philip Broberg (149) that account for 2,894 games’ worth of experience.

OK, Broberg’s 149 isn’t exactly years of experience, but he had a whole season in the NHL last year and has more games that the aforementioned two combined, so consider that third pair the least experienced.

And that’s OK, because there’s a reason the Blues put the 25-year-old Tucker and 22-year-old Mailloux, acquired from the Montreal Canadiens for Zack Bolduc for a reason.

To grow together and complement one another.

“I’m excited,” Tucker said. “Obviously spent a week and a half now together, playing together, practicing together. I’m excited for the opportunity. I know what kind of player he can be. Just excited to go out there and play with him.

“Everyone knows that he’s a skilled D-man. I knew that. I didn’t know just how physical he can be. I didn’t really realize how physical and how much of a rat he is out there, which I like. I’m excited to share the ice with him.”

One is known as the big, physical workhorse and the other comes in an offensive defenseman pedigree.

“We complement each other’s games here pretty well,” Mailloux said. “I think we’re both looking forward to playing a physical brand back there and being tough to play against every night, kind of being out there against anyone. I think we’ve got to build the trust from the coaching staff, and I think we’re both excited.

“I kind of look at myself as an offensive guy, a two-way guy at the same time. It’s definitely something that complements my game. I really like the style here.”

The coaching staff has given the two a lot of runway, playing a plethora of minutes each time out in the preseason and have come away feeling good about it.

“I thought the game in Chicago they were excellent, they played a lot of minutes purposely and I thought they were dominant physically and at both ends of the ice,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said of a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks last Saturday. “Now I know it wasn’t an NHL team, but regardless, they’re building the right way. Today at practice, they both looked good.”

Fowler and Parayko will be the catalysts, with Broberg and Faulk playing equally important minutes, but for Tucker and Mailloux, if they can bring up the anchor, this defensive six can be really well-balanced.

“For us to have success, that’s what we’re going to have to do,” Tucker said. “That’s what I’m excited for. He’ll do a good job with that too.”

Jim Montgomery To Reunite Most Prolific Line Down Stretch Last Season For BluesMARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Jim Montgomery knew all along. Blues Sign Goaltender Georgi Romanov To A One-Year, Two-Way ContractThe St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Georgi Romanov to a one-year, two-way deal. Blues Were Hoping To Keep Colten Ellis In Organization, Happy He Gets Opportunity In NHLMARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Part of Doug Armstrong wanted to be selfish and keep goalie prospect Colten Ellis in the St. Louis Blues organization. Blues Know Jordan Binnington Is Elite, Yet Goalie Has To Prove Once Again He's One Of The BestST. LOUIS – The NHL season for 2025-26 drops the puck on Tuesday. For the St. Louis Blues, it opens Thursday at home against the Minnesota Wild.

Brady Martin may have the biggest role of any rookie in the NHL on opening night. 

The Nashville Predators' 2025 fifth overall pick, who is just 18 years old and is confirmed to play his first NHL game on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena, will likely be centering the Predators' top line. 

Martin anchors the line of Filip Forsberg (left wing), the Predators' leading scorer from last season, and Ryan O'Reilly (right wing), Nashville's top center from last season. It's a bold choice by the Predators coaching staff, but one they are confident in. 

"I think he's [Martin] earned the opportunity to play," Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said following Tuesday's practice. Obviously, he came into camp and we weren't sure. He's a young player that we were excited for and it was hard not to have him on that line." 

"We'll reevaluate every day, but I think we're excited to have him."   

Martin started the preseason centering the second line with Forsberg and Matthew Wood. It was the Predators' second game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 23, where Martin began to heat up, scoring two goals in a 3-2 shootout loss. 

O'Reilly played in only one of the Predators' first two preseason games, centering Steven Stamkos and Cole O'Hara against the Panthers. It was Nashville's road game against Tampa Bay on Sept. 27, where the Forsberg, Martin, and O'Reilly combination was put together, leading the team in ice time with 6:33 minutes. 

In the Predators' final game of the preseason on Oct. 4, a 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes, the line logged 11:37 minutes, which was the second-highest ice time among Predators lines. 

The group has yet to score, but the trio has felt comfortable with each other and so far likes the product they're putting out on the ice. 

"All three of us are strong guys," Forsberg said. "Brady [Martin] is really strong for being 18 years old, and the fact is, that's what he builds this game around and the same with me, trying to play that power game. We're similar in that style, and that's been picking up pretty quickly." 

"He's a natural center," O'Reilly said. "It's nice when we have two guys out there like that." 

Martin billed himself in the 2025 Draft as a center who is strong on the puck and possesses quality speed as well. That is precisely what he has been to the Predators in the preseason: someone who plays hard and is putting in the effort to earn an opportunity. 

Throughout training camp and now into the regular season, Martin has been frequently asked about the opportunity to play so high in the lineup, staying on the roster, and what he's doing to maintain his spot. In all that time, his answer has remained the same. 

"The work that I've put in has got me here and I'm just taking it day by day and seeing what's going to happen," Martin said.

Brady Martin: Good at hockey 😮‍💨

The kid nets his second goal in less than three minutes! pic.twitter.com/ywJHVCTGds

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) September 24, 2025

While putting Martin on the top line was a decision that has caught a lot of attention around the NHL, the other was moving O'Reilly to the wing. He has played in the position before during his 16 seasons in the league, but was one of the bright spots for the Predators last season down the middle. 

It's not much of a jarring change for O'Reilly himself, as he's familiar with the wing and is enjoying having another like-minded forward on the ice in Martin. 

"A lot of my game is just winning little battles, and it's not like I'm flying up and down the sheet with the puck all the whole time," O'Reilly said. "It's a lot of little plays. That's when I'm at my best. Little touches, little battles and stuff like that. It doesn't matter really where I am on the ice." 

In addition to playing regularly alongside two veterans like Forsberg and O'Reilly, the pair has helped Martin refine his own game. They've given him tips on becoming a better player while also taking some of the pressure off him. 

"As a younger guy out there, he [Martin] may feel the need to pass us the puck playing with two guys that have been around for a long time, but I've told him he's gotta trust himself and shoot the puck on the chances there, but he's a great kid," O'Reilly said. 

"He works hard out there, and there's not much to tell him. He's doing a great job and plays with intensity." 

When it comes to the moment and pressure Martin may face, his line mates aren't worried. 

"He's obviously a very mature and very smart kid," Forsberg said. "There are certain things that he obviously will learn and needs to learn, but at the same time, just gotta let him be him and have fun and enjoy." 

The Vegas Golden Knights reportedly re-signed Jack Eichel to an eight-year contract extension.

The 28-year-old center's new contract carries a $13.5-million cap hit, the third-highest in the NHL for next season and second-highest among centers. He sits behind Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl ($14 million) and Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million).

TSN’s Darren Dreger was first to report Eichel’s new contract, while he and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the average annual value. The team has not yet announced the contract.

At a total value of $108 million, Eichel's next contract is the fifth-richest in NHL history. He overtakes Sidney Crosby's 12-year, $104.4-million contract he signed in June 2012 for fifth place. Only Kaprizov ($136 million), Alex Ovechkin ($124 million), Draisaitl ($112 million) and Shea Weber ($110 million) had larger contracts in terms of total value.

This deal will take Eichel from 2026-27 to the end of the 2033-34 season. That could be his 19th NHL season, when he’ll be 37.

Eichel is entering the final year of his eight-year, $10-million contract he signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017. 

The 2015 second overall pick has had injury issues during his career and hasn’t played at least 80 games since his rookie season, when he had 56 points in 81 games. He's missed 122 out of a possible 384 games since 2020-21.

Nonetheless, Eichel’s proven to be a critical part of the Golden Knights as the team’s No. 1 center and an elite offensive mind. He put up 26 points in 22 playoff games when Vegas won the Stanley Cup in 2023, his second season with the team. Since then, he’s seen the post-season every year and averages more than a point per game, recording 10 goals and 43 points in 40 playoff games.

Eichel really came alive last season.

He recorded a career-high 94 points, scoring 28 goals and 66 assists in 77 games. Eichel also hit a personal best for plus-minus (plus-32) and power-play points (34).

The USA Hockey National Team Development Program and NCAA product was a top-five finisher in the voting for three NHL awards last season.

Not only was he a Lady Byng Trophy finalist, finishing third in that voting, but he also finished fifth in Hart Trophy voting as the league’s MVP and in Selke voting as the best defensive forward in the NHL.

Eichel is the latest center to sign a big deal, following Connor McDavid’s $12.5-million-per-year contract on Monday. On Tuesday, Eichel was asked about whether McDavid’s number affects his negotiations.

"Connor's got the right to do whatever he wants to do," Eichel told reporters. “I talk to (my agent) every day. He’s in communication with the team. My job as a player is to play hockey, be a good teammate and be prepared to play (Wednesday) night. The other stuff will take care of itself.”

And now, after acquiring right winger Mitch Marner in the off-season in a sign-and-trade, Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon has the two superstars locked up in Sin City for the next eight years.

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

Mark Giordano has been seen around the Toronto Maple Leafs since early July, and he now has an official role with the hockey club.

The Maple Leafs announced a string of new hires on Wednesday, including the addition of Giordano. Toronto hired Steven Reinprecht and Eric Lacroix as pro scouts, Mikael Kotkaniemi as a European amateur scout, and Giordano as a coaching advisor with the Marlies.

Reinprecht is a former NHLer with over 650 games played, split between the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, and Florida Panthers. He was the head coach of the Düsseldorfer EG of the DEL last season, and a development coach with the Avalanche from 2019 to 2024.

Lacroix is also a former NHLer of over 450 games, with the Maple Leafs, Kings, Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Ottawa Senators. His last stint in an NHL front office was as the VP of hockey operations with the Avalanche from 2009 to 2013.

Kotkaniemi has been a head coach and assistant throughout Finland since 2006. He was the bench boss of Liiga side Ässät for a year in 2018 and was actually the head coach of Finland's under-17 and under-18 teams from 2023 to 2025.

He's also the father of Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

The Maple Leafs announced the following additions to its hockey operations department:

Steven Reinprecht and Eric Lacroix have joined the organization as Pro Scouts.

Mikael Kotkaniemi has joined the organization as a European Amateur Scout.

Mark Giordano has joined the Toronto…

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 8, 2025

Giordano's hiring comes as no surprise after Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said in his season-opening media availability that an announcement on his addition would be forthcoming. The Norris Trophy-winning defenseman has yet to formally retire, but was around the Maple Leafs during development camp in the summer.

Giordano was also on the bench with the club during the Prospect Showdown in Montreal and has been on the ice with the Marlies' group of players since the start of training camp.

The 42-year-old spent parts of three seasons with Toronto, scoring nine goals and 45 points in 144 games. Giordano also played a role on the Maple Leafs during their first-round series win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023.

'I Know What He Expects From Me': Why Maple Leafs' Sammy Blais Is Excited For Opportunity To Play Under Craig Berube AgainSammy Blais is back playing with head coach Craig Berube.

In 1,148 games in the NHL, with the Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, and Maple Leafs, Giordano has 158 goals and 419 assists for 577 points.

Latest stories:

'We Should Wear Teams Down': Dakota Joshua And Other Off-Season Additions Make Maple Leafs NHL's Heaviest Team

Why Easton Cowan Won't Be In The Maple Leafs' Home-Opening Lineup Vs. Canadiens

Maple Leafs Set For Regular Season Opener Against Canadiens, Lineups, And Where To Watch

LAS VEGAS -- If history means anything, the Golden Knights will have no trouble in Wednesday's season opener at home against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Golden Knights enter the 2025-26 campaign 7-1-0 all-time in season openers, including 4-1-0 mark when opening their season at home.

Vegas has won six straight season openers, including four in a row at T-Mobile Arena.

"You come into the building and you feel the buzz, you feel the energy, you can feel that the fans have been kind of itching to get back into the building after a summer and I feel like we feed off that," said defenseman Shea Theodore, who has been with the Golden Knights since their inception into the league. "We always get good energy. I feel like it gives us that boost. ... I think just feeling off the crowd, the energy that it gives guys, you know, it's infectious."

During the winning run in season openers at home, the Golden Knights have outscored opponents, 27-16. And in their seven season-opening wins, the team owns an impressive goal differential of +18.

For coach Bruce Cassidy, opening night in his mind will last the entire month.

"I look at opening night as a stretch of probably October, 10 games," Cassidy said. "I've said this many times. I think it's easier if you don't have to chase the standings early in the year, by that I mean, get on on a bad run early so negativity creeps in and then you're constantly trying to get to that playoff spot, right?

"If you can get off to a good start pretty positive about yourself, the group. It allows you a little leeway later on. Cause nothing ever goes smooth a hole here, so you got yourself a little breathing room."

Here are three things to look for in the opener:

JACK AND MITCH

The addition of Mitch Marner to the lineup has everyone buzzing, from fans to the Knights, including linemate Jack Eichel. The two are hoping to find the same harmony Marner had with Auston Matthews in Toronto.

Marner is coming off his first career 100-point season, after scoring 27 goals and assisting on 75 others (102 points) in his final season with the Maple Leafs. Since he entered the league during the 2016-17 season, Marner has recorded the eighth-most points (741) and the fifth-most assists (520).

Eichel, meanwhile, is also coming off a career-best season, after registering 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) along with an all-time high plus-32. Eichel finished fifth in voting for the Hart Trophy, and with Marner on his line, figures to be a candidate once again.

"I'm excited, it's gonna be great," Eichel said after morning skate. "The excitement for a new season, obviously, we bring a guy like Mitch in and we add some other pieces, there's some new faces in the room, some guys with excitement. It's great, I'm so excited for him for a lot of reasons. But, just having the opportunity to what is possibly a fresh start for him here in Vegas."

BLUE LINE

When general manager Kelly McCrimmon acquired Noah Hanifin at a bargain price, it was another example of Vegas' uncanny ability to land a sought-after player to fill a role. Heading into the season, it seems prophetic on McCrimmon's part, with the potential pressure the blue liners may feel without Alex Pietrangelo, who will miss this season. Plus, Vegas lost a key member from the blueline who helped win the organization the Cup, as Nicolas Hague was shipped to Nashville in a cost-cutting move. Nevertheless, the team has depth and experience with Theodore, Hanifin, Brayden McNabb, another charter member, and Zach Whitecloud, whose also been with the organization since it arrived but started with its AHL team. Jeremy Lauzon was part of the return for Hague, and will try to fit in as well.

"Depth is the strongest asset we have as a team," Hanifin said. "We got so many guys that can contribute in so many ways. When you lose a guy like Petro, it obviously hurts. He's a huge part of this locker. A huge piece of the team. I think it also opens the doors up for other guys to step up and try to fill that role the best they can. And we got guys in this room that are, I think, definitely ready to do that."

TOP OF THE HILL

Back as the No. 1 netminder, Adin Hill is the six-million-dollar man between the pipes and comes into the season after playing in a career-high 50 games last season. Since joining the Knights in 2022-23, Hill ranks fourth in the NHL among goaltenders who have played at least 100 games, with a 2.55 goals-against average. His save percentage in that same time frame ranks 10th, at .909.

"He's really solidified himself in that net. And as a D man in front of him, I think when we keep things to the outside, keep it simple, he's gonna make the stops. And then obviously, when there is breakdowns, it does happen in a game, he's had our back numerous times. He's a great goalie. I think in terms of his career, he's still building it. He has the potential to be a very good goalie in this league. The sky's the limit for him."

Goaltender Georgi Romanov was one of the multiple players the New Jersey Devils had at their training camp on a professional tryout (PTO). However, he has now landed a contract for the season with another team. 

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed Romanov to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2025-26 season. In addition, the Blues have placed Romanov on waivers in order to send him down to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

The Blues signing Romanov comes shortly after they lost goaltender Colten Ellis to the Buffalo Sabres on waivers. As a result of this, the Blues needed more goalie depth, and they added just that by signing Romanov. 

Romanov spent this past season with the San Jose Sharks organization. In eight games with the Sharks in 2024-25, the 25-year-old goaltender recorded a 0-6-0 record, a .877 save percentage, and a 3.89 goals-against average. He spent the majority of this past season down in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda, however, where he posted an 11-6-3 record, a 3.10 goals-against average, and a .905 save percentage.