Former Florida Panthers winger Rocco Grimaldi will join ex-NHL star Igor Larionov's KHL team SKA St. Petersburg.

Grimaldi was a second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Panthers. After the selection, Grimaldi spent three seasons in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota. Following those three years, Grimaldi signed his entry-level contract and spent the better part of two seasons in the AHL.

Grimaldi was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche the following season, concluding his Panthers tenure. He played just 27 games, scoring four goals and six points. 

Following his departure from Florida, Grimaldi bounced around the NHL. He went on to play in NHL games with the Avalanche and the Nashville Predators, but spent most of his time in the AHL with the Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets AHL affiliates.

The 32-year-old hasn't played an NHL game since the 2021-22 season. Grimaldi was a successful AHL player, recording 192 goals and 428 points in 499 games. Skill has never been the issue for Grimaldi, but standing just 5-foot-6, 181 pounds, Grimaldi is extremely undersized for an NHL player.

Internationally, Grimaldi won two gold medals for the USA at the 2010 and 2011 IIHF U-18 World Championships and another at the 2013 world juniors. He also played for the USA at the 2023 world championships, where he notched seven goals and 14 points in 10 games. 

Joining St. Petersburg in Russia, Grimaldi will be playing in a league that values skill more than physicality, which should benefit Grimaldi. 

St. Petersburg iced a star-studded lineup last year, featuring Ivan Demidov, Alexander Nikishin, Mikhail Grigorenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Arseni Gritsyuk, Nikita Zaitsev and Tony DeAngelo. Only Zaitsev remains, but the organization has added long-time NHL great Igor Larionov as head coach as well as North Americans Trevor Murphy, Brennan Menell and Joey Blandisi, who have some NHL experience.

On Thursday, August 28th, at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, fans will have the opportunity to watch a special skills competition event pitting three generations of Montreal Canadiens players: Lane Hutson, Paul Byron, and Patrice Brisebois.

Tickets to the Challenge Hockey Hush can be purchased here and are only $15. Proceeds will be donated to the Manoir Ronald McDonald, a charity picked by Hutson himself. Brisebois was on the Sans Restriction Podcast this weekend speaking about the event, and it will be interesting to see what he can do some 15 years after retiring. The 1992-93 Stanley Cup Champion chuckled and admitted that he hadn’t skated at all so far this summer, and that he would need to get on with it soon.

The veteran blueliner spent 18 years in the NHL, and only two of them weren’t with the Canadiens but with the Colorado Avalanche. He played 1009 NHL games and picked up 420 points in the process.

As for Paul Byron, he played part of 12 seasons in the NHL, seven of which were spent in Montreal, where he found an NHL home and played a significant role with the team. The speedy winger became a penalty-killing specialist with the Canadiens and had a knack for scoring shorthanded goals using his fantastic speed.  Over his 521 games, he put up 208 points and was forced to retire due to injuries.

The main attraction will no doubt be Calder Trophy winner Hutson. The 21-year-old had a memorable first season with the Canadiens and even broke Chris Chelios’ record for the most points by a rookie defenseman with 66. The youngster quickly became a fan favourite, not only because of his points production but also because of his love and dedication to the game.

Hutson spent most of his Summer working at his dad’s hockey school, making dreams come true for several young players who got to not only skate with their idol, but also be taught by him. Don’t miss the Challenge Hockey Hush - it’s sure to be a great show, and you’ll be contributing to a good cause in the process.

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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. 

Other Sabres Stories

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#25 - Matous Jan Kucharcik - Forward (Slavia Praha Jr. - Czech)

Kucharcik is a lanky forward who played for Slavia Praha in the Czech junior system, and played for his country at the Under-18’s before being selected by the Sabres in the fourth round (103rd overall at the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old forward was born in Italy, as his father (a 1991 Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick) played throughout Europe during his career. 

The youngster is described by Elite Prospects 2025 Draft Guide as “a smart two-way centre who excels at facilitating others through his strongly ingrained supporting habits. He backtracks to intercept passes in the neutral zone, pickpockets opposing defencemen on the forecheck and takes the right routes to provide his teammates with passing options. There’s also a clear defensive upside with Kucharčík. His motor is solid, but it’s how he angles and positions that really drives his defensive value.”

Instead of remaining in Czechia, Kucharcik will be playing for Youngstown in the USHL next season, which would indicate that he is pursuing an NCAA track before becoming a professional. 

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EDMONTON – Good goaltending is imperative to winning a Stanley Cup.

While the Edmonton Oilers might not be able to acquire an elite starter, the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard has been good enough to lead them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances.

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But, they don’t want to just “appear” in the Cup Final – they want to win it all.

That’s why Nico Daws is the best young goalie they can get their hands on this offseason.

The Oilers have been connected to Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins and Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings. However, the New Jersey Devils' protégé might be the better acquisition target.

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Oilers Trade Pitch For Sebastian Cossa? - Community PostCould this be the framework for a potential Edmonton Oilers trade for Detroit Red Wings goalie Sebastian Cossa? 

The first box Daws ticks off is his NHL experience. While Cossa and DiPietro have good upside potential, Daws has played 52 NHL games to DiPietro’s three and Cossa’s single NHL outing.

There is minimal, if any, opportunity for Daws to play in the NHL this season. Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom are returning to tend the twine, leaving Daws on the outside looking in. That checks off box number two for the Oilers; their organization presents a better opportunity for Daws than his current one.

Finally, Daws has better results in a bigger sample size than the aforementioned DiPietro and Cossa. 

Daws has a career 2.98 goals against average (GAA), a .898 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout. Last season, he only played six games. In those games, he posted a 1.60 GAA, a .939 SV%, and one shutout.

If the Oilers are going to take a gamble on a young goalie, there are much worse options than Daws.

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Denver, Colo. - Calling all bookworms who also happen to be hockey fans!

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Monday morning that they will be collaborating with Local NYT Bestselling author Rebecca Yarros for a special Fourth Wing night on Thursday, November 13th, while the Avalanche host the Buffalo Sabres.

Find the full video from Rebecca Yarros' Instagram post detailing the night here.

Yarros, author of the viral romantasy phenomenon "Fourth Wing," book one of the Empyrean Series, has teamed up with the Avalanche to provide two special ticket packages, both of which send fans home with:

• A specialty jersey, featuring "Riorson" (male main character in the books) with #4 on the back and an Avs logo centering the signature rune from the front of the books on the front
• An exclusive Colorado Avalanche edition of Fourth Wing, with a burgundy cover and matching stenciled edges with dragons running down the pages

The VIP ticket package will also include a book signing with Rebecca, a chance to shoot a slapshot on the ice, and more.

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, August 19th, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time.

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The NHL has had a ton of wonderful player rivalries over the years. Some of them come as a result of geography, others happen organically with the help of the media. 

When you think of Wayne Gretzky vs Mario Lemieux, Martin Brodeur vs Patrick Roy, or Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin, you are reminded of wonderful player rivalries that helped entertain hockey fans for decades. 

Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is being forced into one early in his career. The league, media, and fans are pushing for the rivalry to exist between him and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks. 

Bedard was the number one pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and Celebrini was selected first overall one year later in 2024. Each of them came into their rookie year with a lot of hype and delivered. 

Connor Bedard didn't truly take any steps forward offensively in his second year, but he didn't go backwards either. With Celebrini coming in hot, it has people wondering who will have the better career. Both are expected to break out in a big way over the next handful of seasons. 

NHL (@NHL) on XConnor Bedard put up 67 points during the 2024-25 season while Macklin Celebrini put up 63... 💬 #NHLYoungStarsWeek

The fact of the matter is that each of them is going to be a high-end producer for the next decade or more. It remains to be seen how their organizations will build around them. 

Although geography kept the Blackhawks and Sharks from being true team rivals in the 2010s, they were two of the five best teams in the conference during that time. They even met in the 2010 Western Conference Final, which was won by Chicago. One series later, the Blackhawks lifted their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

The NHL may never lean into Western Conference teams the way that it leans into Eastern Conference teams, so this may never get to the level of Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin, but it will be equally as entertaining if both reach their ceiling as offensive producers. San Jose and Chicago building winners would add to the hype. 

JFresh (@JFreshHockey) on XLook, I'm open to the idea that Bedard still has upside over Celebrini but I don't think it's out of line to suggest that #71 is the more impactful player right now, arguably even comfortably.

This matchup has the feel of being led by a player-rivalry if it continues to trend in its current direction. Hockey fans, not just in these two markets, would benefit from that type of entertainment. 

Every great player rivalry has a helpful supporting cast along for the ride. For Celebrini, he has Will Smith, William Eklund, Sam Dickinson, and Michael Misa, amongst others, to be excited about playing alongside him. Connor Bedard has Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Anton Frondell leading the depth in the organization, which is also a great budding core.  

Another layer to this is their representation of Team Canada. Neither made it on the 4-Nations Face-Off roster, but Celebrini deserved it more than Bedard. Will one or both of them have a strong enough start to make it on the Canadian Olympic squad? 

B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) on XMacklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, and Quinton Byfield among the newcomers joining Canada's 2026 Olympic orientation camp, which will take place in August 👀 Full roster ⬇️

They were each invited to the orientation camp for Team Canada, so they are on the radar. With all of the talent that they have as a hockey country, one or both would need to come out of the gate hot in 2025-26 and force their way onto the team. 

At this point, it is fair to just sit back and enjoy two very good young hockey players who are only going to get better. They also aren't the only two under-23 players in the league worth watching, either. They just may have a player rivalry that lasts for a long time. 

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

Defenseman Lukas Cormier signed a one-year contract with the Golden Knights on July 8.

Cormier, 23, was drafted by the Golden Knights in the third round (68th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Cormier played in 19 AHL games for the Henderson Silver Knights last season and registered nine assists. He spent the previous two seasons in Henderson, too, and has skated in a total of 139 games for the Silver Knights.

Cormier has 64 points (14 goals, 50 assists) in three years with Henderson.

Cormier has played in just two NHL games, both with Vegas, and produced an assist on a third-period Jack Eichel power-play goal during his pro debut on Jan. 4, 2024, during a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders.

Prior to turning pro, the New Brunswick native played four seasons in the QMJHL with the Charlottetown Islanders and became the first-ever player to win the Emile Bouchard Trophy twice, given annually to the league’s top defenseman.

FUN FACT: Cormier's sister, Dominique, was a blue liner for the Princeton women's hockey team and has represented Team Canada.

Canadian winger Josh Leivo, 32, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL website announced on Monday.

The news comes just five days after Leivo’s contract with rival KHL club Salavat Yulaev Ufa was terminated – visa and club financial issues were cited. This past season, Leivo set a KHL record with 49 goals in 62 regular-season games. He finished the season with a league-leading 80 points and was rewarded with the league’s MVP award and what turned out to be a short-lived two-year contract extension.

“As has already been said, if a player of Josh Leivo’s caliber enters the market, the club needs to react immediately,” said Traktor GM Alexei Volkov. “Over the past two seasons in the KHL, he has become a real star of the league, breaking what seemed to be Sergei Mozyakin’s eternal record and winning the MVP title at the end of the 2024-25 regular season.

“It can be said without a shadow of a doubt that Josh is a real scoring machine,” Volkov described. “His shot can be called elite, his one-timer on the power play and, as they say, is a difference-maker. He feels comfortable against any opponent and any defensive line. We are confident that Leivo will quickly adapt to our friendly team and will write his name in its glorious history.”

A native of Innisfil, Ont. who played junior hockey for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves and Kitchener Rangers, Leivo was picked in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Former NHL First-Rounder Mikhail Grigorenko Changes KHL Teams Russian forward Mikhail Grigorenko has signed a two-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Friday.

Leivo played 265 NHL games between 2013 and 2023 for the Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, recording 93 points and 93 penalty minutes. In 2022, he won a Calder Cup championship with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, leading the playoffs with 29 points in 18 games and winning the playoff MVP award.

In two KHL seasons, Leivo now has 142 points in 122 regular-season and playoff games.

Traktor had the best record in the KHL this past regular season but lost in the Gagarin Cup finals to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in five games, so there has to be a feeling that this move could put the team over the top.

In addition to Leivo, the club’s roster includes ex-NHLers Mikhail Grigorenko, Vladimir Zharkov, Jordan Gross and goaltender Chris Driedger. It also has NHL prospects Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto), Alexander Rykov (Carolina) and Arseni Koromyslov (St. Louis).

Former NHL Goalie Chris Driedger Signs In KHL Canadian goaltender Chris Driedger, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Tuesday.

Each year, young hockey players fall in and out of favor within the NHL. 

Some of these players who make opening night have been shoehorned in from the get-go, either out of the draft, juniors, college or European pros. Others spend a little bit longer marinating in the AHL before making their mark.

Recently, we looked at five goaltending prospects expected to make the jump from the minor leagues to the NHL full-time this upcoming season. Now, it’s time to look at the blueline.

As for criteria, these players must have been either AHL or NCAA regulars last season, still Calder-eligible and not teenage players – sorry Artyom Levshunov and Zeev Buium.

Sam Rinzel, Chicago Blackhawks

When the Chicago Blackhawks selected Sam Rinzel near the end of the first round in 2022, many people were left confused. Why would the Blackhawks select a kid out of Minnesota high school hockey in the first round? 

Just three seasons later, the Blackhawks saw promising returns on their investment, as Rinzel enjoyed a nine-game stint in the NHL to end the 2024-25 season after signing his entry-level contract out of college.

To say Rinzel looked comfortable is a gross understatement. The 6-foot-4 right-shot defenseman was given the keys to the castle, often logging over 22 minutes a game and netting five points in the process. 

Rinzel should provide the Blackhawks with more physicality and size, while also being comfortable making the first pass and activating into the offensive zone with the puck.

He projects as the No. 4 defenseman for Chicago in the 2025-26 The Hockey News’ Yearbook.

Sam Rinzel Is Playing Well Beyond His Years With BlackhawksAgainst the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, the Chicago Blackhawks dressed six defenseman who are all 23 years old or younger. Louis Crevier, 23, was the oldest player to play defense for Chicago in this one. 

Owen Pickering, Pittsburgh Penguins

Coming in just one game shy of Calder Trophy ineligibility next season, Owen Pickering’s 25-game stint in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season proved that, despite some rookie errors, the 21st overall pick in 2022 should be set to make the jump full-time to the NHL, albeit in a depth role.

Standing at 6-foot-5, Pickering boasts a long stick he uses to suppress rush opportunities and battle proactively in the crease. The 21-year-old can also retrieve pucks defensively and carry them up the ice, which bodes well for a second-pair, two-way-upside projection. 

While Pickering is listed as the Penguins’ seventh defenseman in the Yearbook going into the 2025-26 season, don’t be surprised if he’s able to break into regular minutes ahead of Parker Wotherspoon or Ryan Graves.

What Will Owen Pickering's Role Be In 2025-26?Next season will present a prime opportunity for several Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospects to crack the NHL roster.

Scott Morrow, New York Rangers

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, or so the New York Rangers hoped when they acquired Scott Morrow as the primary piece back in the K’Andre Miller trade. 

While Scott Morrow’s post-season with the Carolina Hurricanes may have soured the team on the player, there’s still a lot of promise to the 22-year-old right-shot defenseman’s game.

Morrow boasts great tools, while also boasting an offensive mind. The question is whether he’ll get the minutes to be an effective offensive player with the Rangers. He’s currently listed as the No. 7 defenseman in the Yearbook behind three other right defensemen – Adam Fox, Will Borgen and Braden Schneider. So if Morrow is to get those opportunities, barring a jump over Schneider, he’ll have to play off-handed or wait for an injury.

Logan Mailloux, St. Louis Blues

Scott Morrow wasn’t the only promising young defenseman who changed hands last season, as Logan Mailloux was dealt from the Montreal Canadiens to the St. Louis Blues for fellow up-and-comer, forward Zack Bolduc.

Mailloux remains a touted prospect with flashes of high-end offensive talent who will certainly have the opportunity to blossom into an NHLer this season on a retooling Blues team. The two-time AHL All-Star game participant is ranked as the sixth-best defenseman in St. Louis in the Yearbook, and he's averaged nearly 0.6 points per game over the last two AHL campaigns.

In 2021, Mailloux was charged and fined in Sweden for defamation and offensive photography after reportedly secretly taking and sharing a photo of a woman performing a sexual act. Mailloux said he had deep regrets and knows he caused a lot of harm.

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.

Adam Wilsby, Nashville Predators

The most overlooked player on this list is Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby, standing at 6-foot-1. Through 23 games in the NHL last season, Wilsby netted four assists and five points while also putting up exceptional defensive analytics.

Expecting Brady Skjei to remain off-hand again to play with Roman Josi, Wilsby will likely battle Andreas Englund, Spencer Stastney and Jordan Oesterle for the spot on the third pair behind new addition Nic Hague from Vegas. 

It’s a tough battle, especially for Wilsby, who missed a chunk of the season with an upper body injury. That said, if Wilsby plays like he did last season at camp, there’s no doubt he can secure a spot for opening night. If he doesn’t, expect a waiver claim. 

Adam Wilsby is ranked the ninth-best defenseman in the Predators’ system in the Yearbook.

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Red Wings AHL coach Brian Lashoff believes defenceman Simon Edvinsson can build off breakout 2024-25 season

One of the notable bright spots on the Red Wings last season was the emergence of young defencemen Simon Edvinsson.

The 22-year-old Swedish defenseman led the team with a +12 rating, ranked second in blocked shots with 144, averaged the third-most ice time at over 21 minutes per game, and finished the season with 31 points across 78 games. His season was a long time coming for Detroit fans as they've been waiting for the breakout season for the 6-foot-6 giant since he was selected sixth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. 

Before making the jump to an everyday player, Edvinsson played just 25 NHL games with a majority of his development coming at the AHL level with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He spent two seasons in Eastern Michigan, where he played 106 games and posted an impressive stat line with 57 points, including 44 assists as an elite puck distributor. During his time in the minors, he got to play alongside and learn from a Red Wings veteran in Brian Lashoff. 

After playing the entirety of his 14-year professional playing career in the Red Wings organization, Lashoff decided to move behind the bench and now works as one of the team's assistant coaches. Before swapping his skates for a clipboard, he got to play with Edvinsson and can speak to the talent of the player. 

Former Red Wing Gerard Gallant Admits He’s “Pissed” Over NHL Coaching SnubsIt shouldn’t be difficult for a decorated former NHL coach and Jack Adams Award winner to find another job behind an NHL bench, but that’s the unfortunate reality that former Detroit Red Wings forward Gerard Gallant faced. 

"I'm obviously really proud of him, I had played with him in my last year, and then I got the chance to coach him and work with him my first year coaching, so I had a good relationship with him and try to help him with as much as possible," Lashoff explained "You could see the talent right away, the size of him and his ability to skate, the one thing that I think he took really seriously from when he got over here and us working with him as a staff, is just his defending."

Lashoff would go on to explain that Edvinsson's strides in his defensive game helped him transition to the NHL better than most young defenseman as he had the offensive talent but needed to better round out his game. 

"I think the sky's the limit for him," Lashoff said "Just as a defender, for being that age and playing the minutes he did against tough competition, it's impressive what he did, and now it's on him to kind of pull himself to that standard as well and continue to grow and keep pushing the bar as high as he can, year after year, which he certainly has the potential to do."

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Lashoff played 136 NHL games over seven seasons with Detroit, including a notable NHL debut in which he scored his first career goal from the blueline. However, the bulk of his career was spent in the AHL, where he logged 629 games over 14 seasons with the Griffins, serving as team captain in his final years.  

Edvinsson could look to continuing building on his stellar first season with hopefully more minutes with former Calder trophy winner Moritz Seider as the two posted a team-best +8 net rating as a defensive pairing. 

Early depth charts have Edvinsson back on the second pairing with Albert Johansson and Ben Chiarot taking the top pairing spot with Seider. However, if defensive struggles become an issue we could see Edvinsson get another crack at a top pairing role. 

Pavel Datsyuk: Red Wings Rookie Season Felt Like Arriving On A "Crazy Planet" It's hard to believe nowadays that the legendary 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings roster featured an astounding 10 future Hall of Fame players, a feat that we'll likely never witness again in the modern NHL.

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Czech defenseman Jakub Zbořil, 28, has signed a one-year contract with HC Vítkovice Ridera, the Czech Extraliga club recently announced.

The signing came just 10 months after Zbořil signed a five-year contract with rival Extraliga club Dynamo Pardubice last October. However, Zbořil and Pardubice mutually agreed to terminate the contract after just one season, in which Zbořil recorded 19 points in 46 regular-season and playoff games.

“Jakub is a modern defenseman with excellent skating, an excellent overview of the game and toughness in 1-on-1 battles,” said Vítkovice coach and former NHL player Václav Varaďa. “He has experience from the NHL, AHL and the national team, which will be useful in our young squad.”

Describing Zbořil as a player, Varaďa said, “He can handle difficult moments of the game. I believe that he will help the team on and off the ice and he will quickly win the hearts of our fans.”

Zbořil was born in Brno, Czechia and grew up in the ranks of Kometa Brno, where he played youth and junior hockey before going overseas at age 17 to play for the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs.

He was chosen in the first round, 13th overall, by the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. From 2017 until March of 2024, he played in the Bruins organization, splitting time between Boston and the club’s AHL farm team in Providence. In 76 NHL games, Zbořil scored one goal and added 15 assists and 28 penalty minutes.

Jakub Lauko Returns Home To Czechia On Multi-Year DealCzech forward Jakub Lauko, 25, has signed a three-year contract with Dynamo Pardubice, the Czech Extraliga club announced on Friday.

At the 2023-24 trading deadline, Zbořil was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets but finished the season in the minors.

Prior to last season, Zbořil’s only career Extraliga games occurred during the 2020-21 season, where he suited up with Kometa for 18 games before the start of the pandemic-delayed NHL training camp.

Internationally, Zbořil represented Czechia at two IIHF U-18 World Championships, two World Junior Championships and the 2023 World Championship.

In 2024-25, Vítkovice finished 12th out of 14 Extraliga teams. In 2025-26,the team has under contract Slovak national team regulars Marek Hrivík and Samuel Kňažko, Ralfs Friebergs of the Latvian national team, Krzysztof Maciaś of the Polish national team, French national team defenseman and former NHLer Yohann Auvitu and 21-year-old Edmonton Oilers prospect Petr Hauser.

INTERVIEW: David Pastrňák Looking Forward To First Game Against Marchand David Pastrňák spends his summers in Europe – he, his Swedish wife and their daughter split their time between Sweden and his home country in Czechia.

The Arizona State University Sun Devils Hockey team picked up a commitment a month ago. It was recently drafted Minnesota Wild defenseman Justin Kipkie.

Kipkie, 20, was drafted with the 141st pick in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Wild. The defenseman was recently drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft as well.

Royals captain and Minnesota Wild draft pick Justin Kipkie is a Sun Devil 😈

Last season he recorded 62 points in 64 games to round out a WHL career that includes 147 points #BeTheTraditionpic.twitter.com/tR3sU2sUaw

— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) July 10, 2025

The 6-foot-4 defender recorded 12 goals, 50 assists and 62 points in 64 games as the captain of the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

He recorded 36 goals, 111 assists and 147 points in 206 career WHL games in four seasons with the Royals.

Recent Minnesota Wild Stories

Where Minnesota Wild's Brock Faber Ranks Among NHL DefensemenWe saw where the NHL ranked Minnesota Wild forwards Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov. The NHL Network has now put together a list of the top-20 defensemen.

- Wild Sign Jack Johnson To A PTO.

- Why The Minnesota Wild Signed Jack Johnson To A PTO.

- Wild's Marco Rossi Having A Big Offseason, Up 14 Pounds.

- Wild's Kirill Kaprizov Doing Offseason Training With Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin.

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Winnipeg Jets - Aug. 8 2025 - Vol. 79 Issue 01 - Jared Clinton

PREDICTION | 3RD IN CENTRAL

NOT ENOUGH CAN BE said about the importance of Cole Perfetti’s unforgettable Game 7 goal. If the Jets had flamed out in seven games to the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg would have been seen as the latest in a long line of Presidents’ Trophy choke artists, and Connor Hellebuyck’s chaotic playoff performance would still be under the microscope.

Instead, Perfetti’s last-gasp tally – which allowed Adam Lowry to later net the overtime-winner – sees the Jets enter the campaign with a level of optimism. That Hellebuyck bounced back in the second round no doubt lifts the mood, too, as does the fact Winnipeg was one goal away from taking the Dallas Stars to a winner-takes-all affair. But the headline entering the campaign is Jonathan Toews’ NHL return with his hometown Jets. Toews brings championship pedigree to a team still learning what it takes to find that next gear in the post-season.

Jets Winger Named to NHL Network's Top-20 Wingers ListWinnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor has been named to the NHL Network's annual Top-20 list. 

OFFENSE

As ever, the onus is on Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor to carry the attack. The top-line duo combined for 80 goals last season and rank a respective 25th and 13th in goal output the past four seasons. Despite lacking name value, the Jets had among the deepest attacks, tying for tops in the NHL with eight forwards with 15-or-more goals. The wild card, of course, is Toews. He scored at a 23-goal pace during his most recent campaign, but that was 2022-23. How will the ravages of time impact his effectiveness? The Jets would be thrilled if the 37-year-old is a half-point-per-game contributor. That’s especially true given they will need Lowry’s production replaced. The captain is expected to be sidelined through October, if not longer.

DEFENSE

Winnipeg thrived last season defending as a five-man unit, finishing as a top-10 outfit when it came to limiting scoring and high-danger chances against at 5-on-5. The commitment to team defense is especially important given the back end doesn’t have an all-star caliber defender outside of Josh Morrissey. But could Dylan Samberg elevate further and solidify the back end? In his third full NHL season, Samberg cemented himself as a top-four rearguard and logged tough minutes. There were 62 defensive pairings to play at least 500 minutes together at 5-on-5 last season, and Samberg alongside partner Neal Pionk ranked fifth, with a 57.3 expected goals percentage.

Jets' Top Defenceman Earns Place on NHL Network's Top-20 ListWinnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey has been named to the NHL Network's annual Top-20 list. 

GOALTENDING

Does the Game 7 victory and second-round performance erase all doubt about Hellebuyck? Maybe not. But there is no goaltender who has proven himself to be better or more consistent than Hellebuyck across an 82-game season. His partnership with Eric Comrie – who was long a favorite of Jets’ brass before his breakthrough – has proven especially fruitful, too. Between Hellebuyck and Comrie, the crease is the Jets’ greatest strength.

SPECIAL TEAMS

To note the middling penalty kill was an improvement over the campaign prior is to damn it with faint praise, and it was hardly surprising that Winnipeg’s performance shorthanded played a role in its playoff demise. That the power play began firing blanks in the post-season, however, was unexpected. The PP led the league during the season and accounted for nearly 23 percent of their total offense. Being able to trot out the same unit – while adding Toews to the mix – should see that trend continue.

INTANGIBLES

Perfetti’s now-iconic goal was the continuation of a trend throughout the 2024-25 campaign, as Winnipeg scored 10 goals last season with the extra attacker and five goals in the final 90 seconds to either tie or win contests. It’s impossible to teach the never-say-die attitude that permeates through the dressing room.

Winnipeg Jets Reveal Promotional Schedule for 2025-26 SeasonThe Winnipeg Jets reveal the promotional schedule ahead of the 2025-26 season including cultural nights, epic giveaways and fun theme nights. 

ROOKIES

Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov suffered through offensive regressions in the AHL, but the growth of their all-around games is of greatest importance to the Jets. Expect one or both to fight for bottom- or perhaps even middle-six minutes. Keep an eye, too, on Elias Salomonsson. The smooth-skating ‘D’ will force Winnipeg into a tough roster decision if he performs well in the pre-season.

X-FACTOR

Toews’ performance can have great bearing on their fate, but what defines the Jets’ ability to again fight for top spot in the Western Conference may be how Perfetti builds on an excellent playoff. He was one of the Jets’ best performers in the post-season. If that continues, it’s a boon to the entire lineup.

THE BRASS

Winnipeg’s continued presence as one of the NHL’s least-desirable destinations makes GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s work all the more difficult. Despite the perception of the city, though, Cheveldayoff has done well to persuade players to stick around long term after they’ve arrived.

Jets Fantasy Hockey Outlook: Nyquist in Question, Hellebuyck Still Elite, Perfetti's Rising StockEarly Fantasy Hockey projections spotlight Cole Perfetti’s breakout potential, questions around Gustav Nyquist, and Connor Hellebuyck’s top goalie status. 

2024-25 NUMBERS

RECORD

56-22-4 (.707)

OVERTIME

11-3

SHOOTOUT

2-1

OVERALL

1st

OFFENSE

3.35 GPG (4th)

DEFENSE

2.32 GAA (1st)

POWER PLAY

28.9% (1st)

PENALTY KILL

79.4% (13th)

EXPECTED GF/60

2.56 (13th)

EXPECTED GA/60

2.33 (7th)

ICE TIME LEAD (F)

M. Scheifele (20:26)

ICE TIME LEAD (D)

J. Morrissey (24:23)

Winnipeg's Cole Perfetti Poised For Breakout Season in 2025Winnipeg Jets winger Cole Perfetti has the makings to produce a breakout season with new line additions and more minutes expected.

Fast FACTS

COACH

Scott Arniel

GM

Kevin Cheveldayoff

CAPTAIN

Adam Lowry

ARENA

Canada Life Centre

CAPACITY

15,225

AHL AFFILIATE

Manitoba Moose

ECHL AFFILIATE

Norfolk Admirals

Cup ODDS

14/1

Divisional Focus: Jets Look For Redemption When Battling Stars The Jets aim to win four crucial divisional games over the Dallas Stars next season

Future WATCH

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Brayden Yager

Pos C Age 20

2024-25 Lethbridge (WHL)

Goal-scorer’s ability to find open ice, settle in and unload a heavy shot. Captained Canada at WJC.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

2. Sascha Boumedienne

Pos D Age 18

2024-25 Boston Univ. (HE)

At his best when playing in transition. Concern comes, though, when he’s pinned in his own zone.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

3. Brad Lambert

Pos C Age 21

2024-25 Manitoba (AHL)

No worries about sputtering offense in AHL last season. Rounding out his game is a big positive.

Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26

4. Nikita Chibrikov

Pos RW Age 22

2024-25 Manitoba (AHL)

A pest on the forecheck and has boundless energy. Projects as checking-line winger with upside.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

5. Colby Barlow

Pos LW Age 20

2024-25 Oshawa (OHL)

Big-league shot stands out, and fiery competitor never takes a shift off. Skating is biggest hurdle.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

6. Elias Salomonsson

Pos D Age 21

2024-25 Manitoba (AHL)

Graceful skater can turn defense into offense in a heartbeat. His shot is an underrated asset.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

7. Alfons Freij

Pos D Age 19

2024-25 Bjorkloven (Swe.2)

Strong first pass and joins the rush with ease. Playing in Sweden’s top tier will aid development.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

8. Owen Martin

Pos C Age 18

2024-25 Spokane (WHL)

Positionally sound pivot relies on will over skill. Projects as bottom-six contributor long term.

Expected NHL Arrival ’30-31

9. Kevin He

Pos LW Age 19

2024-25 Niagara (OHL)

Never quits on a play. Will be first in on forecheck and battle in corners. Does small things well.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

10. Kieron Walton

Pos C Age 19

2024-25 Sudbury (OHL)

At 6-foot-6, he blends massive frame with playmaker’s skill. Has to build on great OHL campaign.

Expected NHL Arrival ’29-30

The last 12 days were a good opportunity for NHL fans, bloggers and pundits to take a vacation. There has been no activity in the trade market since July 25, while none of the remaining notable RFAs signed new contracts or offer sheets from rival clubs. 

While nothing significant took place in the NHL’s trade and free-agent markets, there was plenty of chatter in the rumor mill. So, let's take this moment to catch up on some of the more notable speculation of the past week-and-a-half.

On Aug. 7, New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols suggestedDevils GM Tom Fitzgerald still has work to do over the remainder of the off-season. 

Nichols observed that the Devils have just over $6 million in salary cap space. He pointed out they must shed some salary to make room for Luke Hughes' new contract. The 21-year-old defenseman is an RFA coming off his entry-level contract and ineligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club. 

According to Nichols, the Devils still need a second-line winger or a third-line center. He made the case for reacquiring Tyler Toffoli, but the winger holds a first-line spot on the San Jose Sharks alongside rising stars Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund. Signed through 2027-28, he's not going anywhere. 

Speaking of RFAs, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is eligible to sign an offer sheet. However, PuckPedia indicates the Ducks have over $20 million in cap space, so it's a safe bet that they will match any offer for the 22-year-old center.

The Hockey News’ Patrick Present cited multiple reports of McTavish wanting a long-term deal, while the Ducks prefer a bridge contract. Present argued that if McTavish received a long-term contract, it’s possible, based on his development so far, that he would outplay his average annual value in short order.

Any team interested in McTavish must go the trade route. According to James Murphy of RG.Org, the Detroit Red Wings are one club showing an interest in the Ducks center. The Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens are among the other teams reportedly “keeping tabs” on him. 

Murphy cited an NHL executive suggesting the relationship between Ducks GM Pat Verbeek and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could help to facilitate a deal. The pair were teammates with the Wings during their playing days, and Verbeek worked for Yzerman in the front offices of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Red Wings.

The Hockey News’ Jake Tye wrote the Red Wings could use a big swing to add someone to the first-line left-wing spot alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. McTavish can play at center or the left wing.

Nevertheless, Verbeek is known for driving a hard bargain. He'll likely want a good young roster player or a top prospect as part of any return for McTavish. 

As for the Canadiens' rumored interest in McTavish, Murphy's colleague, Marco D'Amico, reported that sources claim they're unwilling to part with top prospects David Reinbacher and Michael Hage in their pursuit of an experienced second-line center. 

If Reinbacher and Hage are off the table, it's doubtful they can come up with a suitable offer for McTavish to tempt Verbeek. The Hockey News’ Karine Hains said it would take core pieces already on the Habs’ roster to part with and not just futures, so a deal seems unlikely at this point.

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I wasn't a big on video games as a kid, but I loved hockey in almost an unhealthy way. 

I didn't play any of the NHL games growing up because we didn't have an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3, mainly because my sister and I were more interested in our Nintendo Wii. 

Since that console entered our household in Christmas of 2007, we could not get enough of it. Three years later, Christmas 2010, the biggest ask on my list to Santa was a copy of EA NHL Slapshot. 

It was the first EA NHL game released specifically for the Wii and had a plastic hockey stick you'd put the Wii remote and nunchuck into when you played. I'm not exaggerating when I say I was glued to this game.

It wasn't complex, which was the nice part. You just really picked what mode you wanted to play the game on, either PeeWee to Pro, Stanley Cup Final, Season or just play now. That's what I wanted out of the game, merely just to pick it up and play with no pressure. 

The peak of my playing time came in middle school. I played occasionally in high school and would rediscover the game from time to time while home from college or visiting my family.

Having a little more free time recently, I asked my parents to bring the family Wii and the game to Nashville. In addition to re-experiencing the joy of the NHL Slapshot, I thought it would be fitting to play a season as the 2009-10 Nashville Predators. 

To the best of my abilities, I'm going to try to detail the journey of this team from puck drop to a potential Stanley Cup Championship. 

Disclaimer: I am not a God at this game. Even as a kid, I was still playing on the "pro" mode, which is still the third-highest setting. Now, I'm playing this season on the "All-Star" mode, which is the second-highest setting. I want to enjoy this experience too, so playing this game on "Superstar" would not be enjoyable at all. I'm also playing three-minute periods 

Another disclaimer: I'm also going to try to record one game per story. The cord that connects the Wii to the TV is broken, so there's no color (for now). Again, I'm probably a little above average at this game, so please don't judge me. If you see jump cuts it means I was swearing and had to cut it out cause I doubt The Hockey News wants videos of me cussing at a 15 year old game.  

Roster 

*Numbers included are players EA rating 

Shea Weber, D, 84

Jason Arnott, C, 84 

JP Dumont, RW, 83 

David Legwand, C, 82 

Steve Sullivan, LW, 82 

Ryan Suter, D, 82 

Pekka Rinne, G, 82 

Dan Ellis, G, 81 

Dan Hamhuis, D, 81

Martin Erat, RW, 81 

Patric Hornqvist, RW, 80

Denis Grebeshkov, D, 79 

Joel Ward, RW, 78

Colin Wilson, C, 78 

Jordan Tootoo, RW, 77 

Cody Franson, D, 77 

Marcel Goc, C, 77 

Jerred Smithson, C, 76 

Francis Bouillon, D, 76

Dustin Boyd, C, 76 

Kevin Klein, D, 75 

Nick Spaling, C, 74 

Wade Belak, RW, 74 

Gm. 1: Nashville 2, Dallas 1 OT 

The season got off to a rocky start when I selected the wrong mode for my remote. I accidentally said I was playing with the "stick" when I wasn't, so every time I lifted the Wii remote, the game thought I was taking a slapshot. 

It was a blessing in disguise as Dan Hamhuis scored off a slap shot from the point to give the Predators a 1-0 lead in the first. 

Things didn't really heat up until the third period when Brendan Morrow put away a pass from Brad Richards to tie the game, 1-1, with less than a minute left in the third period. However, Dallas couldn't stay disciplined as Trevor Daley took a elbowing penalty with 27 seconds left.

Nashville couldn't get it done in regulation, but started overtime on the power play. Since the game thought every shot I took was a slapshot, the Predators couldn't convert. 

However, a pass from Shea Weber allowed Patric Hornqvist to split the defenseman to put the puck past Marty Turco for the game-winning goal and a 2-1 season-opening victory. 

Gm. 2: Nashville 4, Colorado 1 

The offense opened up a bit for the Predators home opener. 

A Steve Sullivan wrister put Nashville up 1-0 late in the first period. Marcel Goc scored off a Shea Weber pass in the second period to bump the lead to 2-0. 

Colorado had a push back in the second period, and Peter Muller got ahead of the defense and beat Pekka Rinne to cut the lead in half, 2-1. 

However, Nashville responded quickly. Jason Arnott had the puck poked away by an Avalanche defenseman, but he was able to get the puck back and score to give the Predators a two-goal lead back, 3-1. 

Erat put the game on ice in the third period, walking across the slot and backhanding it into the net for a 4-1 lead. Arnott and Colin Wilson got the assists. 

We could also be without defenseman Kevin Klein for a bit as he left this game injured. 

Gm. 3: Nashville 3, Buffalo 1 

The Predators get off to a slow start in the first period, but find their offense early on in the second. 

After two glorious opportunities, one of which you can hear me yell my frustration, David Legwand catches a long pass from Denis Grebeshkov up the middle of the ice. Legwand creates some space at the top of the right circle and goes bar down for a 1-0 lead. 

Nashville could've had a lead going into the locker room, but I checked out. With 0.7 seconds left, Derek Roy put in a rebound off a Thomas Vanek shot to tie the game. Jump cut in the video cause I swore. 

The Predators got the lead back in the third as Shea Weber scored, with assists from Ryan Suter and Marcel Goc. In the final minute, inbetween the tops of the circles, Steve Sullivan scored and beat Ryan Miller on the crossbar to cement a 3-1 win. 

Gm. 4: Nashville 4, Edmonton 2 

This is where I'm realizing I may need to up the skill level, simulate games or give myself a stipulation. 

A little over two minutes into the game, the Oilers strike first as Alex Hemsky pulls the defense to the left side of the ice, leaving Dustin Penner wide open for the goal and a 1-0 Edmonton lead. 

Nashville responds with a breakaway goal from David Legwand off a pass from Dan Hamhuis on the left side. Before the period is over, Steve Sullivan backhands it in for Nashville's first lead of the night, 2-1. 

The Predators kept their foot on the gas in the second period as Legwand scored his second goal of the night off a Hamhuis shot, 3-1. In the final two minutes of the period, Colin Wilson broke free and scored on a breakaway to bump the lead to 4-1. 

Edmonton got one last lick in as Tom Gilbert scored on a breakaway due to one of the Predators players missing a check for a 4-2 final.