Dylan Garand is knocking on the door, and it’s hard for the New York Rangers to ignore. 

The 2020 fourth-round pick has steadily improved each year and is now the premier goalie for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. 

This past season was Garand’s best as a professional. He recorded a 20-10-9 record, .913 save percentage, and 2.73 goals against average while also representing the Atlantic Division at the AHL All-Star Game during the 2024-25 season.

While the Rangers have Igor Shesterkin, who will likely be the team’s starter for the next decade, Garand has potential to be a legitimate NHL goalie, and there’s certainly a role waiting for him with the Rangers. 

The Rangers signed Jonathan Quick to a one-year contract extension, so he’ll be the backup goalie barring anything unforeseen. 

However, Quick is 39 years old, and he’s not a long-term solution at the backup position, which opens the door for Garand in the future. 

If the 23-year-old goalie continues on his current trajectory in terms of development, he should have no problem securing a roster spot with the Blueshirts sooner rather than later. 

Rangers' 2018 First-Round Pick Makes Return To NHL With Canucks In Hopes Of Reviving Career The Vancouver Canucks have signed former New York Rangers forward Vitali Kravtsov to a one-year, two-way contract.

Garand made clear that he’s already prepared to take on a regular NHL role. 

“I haven't gotten any opportunity in the NHL yet, but obviously I’m ready whenever my opportunity does come,” Garand said.

Regardless of whether he has to play in the American Hockey League this upcoming season, the future seems to be bright for Garand.

The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

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Return Of The Jets - Aug. 1 2011 - 2011-12 Yearbook - Tim Campbell

It’s a tale of two cities – one a seller in 1995 and the other a buyer in 2011.

They are both Winnipeg.

The announcement of the NHL’s return to the Manitoba capital, giving Canada a seventh franchise for the 2011-12 season, came 5,510 dark days after the Winnipeg Jets were punted from the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1996. The hit to civic pride and to community confidence was no small thing when the team, sold to American businessmen Richard Burke and Steven Gluckstern, packed up and moved to Phoenix 15 years ago.

The second-guessers still have a field day with it, but that outcome was unavoidable despite the groundswell of everyman support in the critical hours that preceded the lame-duck season of 1995-96. Kids and families broke open their piggybanks. Good ol’ Manitoba socials collected up the coins and bills. An estimated 35,000 fans rallied one day at The Forks. Pass-the-hat schemes of all sorts came up with an excess of $10 million to save the team. But the ominous forces were much larger and more powerful than that.

Player salary escalation had begun in the early ’90s. A U.S. dollar then cost more than $1.35 Canadian. The 1950s-era Winnipeg Arena was an outdated facility with no bona fide luxury boxes or revenue upside. Plus, the city-owned rink was run by an organization of bureaucratic middlemen who only served to split revenue and impede any solution.

Winnipeg Could Target Utah's Nick Schmaltz As Ehlers ReplacementRecent reports indicating Utah's interest in potentially trading forward Nick Schmaltz could open interesting window as an emergency option for the Jets.

Under a now-infamous 1991 agreement, city and provincial politicians agreed to cover the team’s losses in return for time to study building a new arena. (The 1991 cost of that arena would have been less than $70 million.) While they kicked the problem down the road, losses soared to near $20 million per season by 1996 and there was simply no public or political will to stomach it any longer.

When two local bids to buy the team fell through – a new building was promised too late by politicians and projected short-term losses were oppressive – there was no Winnipeg entity or individual who stepped up to own the Jets and the team’s largest private partner, Barry Shenkarow, was left with no other option but to sell to outsiders for $64 million.

The genesis of the May 31, 2011 purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers by True North Sports & Entertainment partners Mark Chipman and David Thomson came only three years or so after Phoenix welcomed the Coyotes.

Chipman, one of the dozen or so Winnipeg young-turk businessmen who tried in vain to save the Jets, had acquired the International League’s Minnesota Moose and moved them to Winnipeg to help fill the hockey hole left by the Jets.

After three years of running the Manitoba Moose, Chipman met with then provincial premier and now Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. Gary Doer to probe a course for a much-needed new arena. It took two more years of haggling and rounding up partners and a plan – all of it well below radar – before Chipman rolled out the vision and the deal for what would become the MTS Centre, a $133-million sports and entertainment facility.

Three levels of government contributed just more than $40 million to the downtown project and have long since recouped their investment via taxation on materials, labor and events. The 15,015-seat arena opened in the fall of 2004 and has been a money-maker and top-ranked venue ever since.

Chipman’s deal-making had another important phase, also key to the return-of-the-NHL-story.

In early 2001, behind-the-scenes negotiations to merge the American League and IHL reached a fever and it was during that process that Chipman first engaged NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Chipman worked regularly but subtly on that line of communication. He was careful not to make any mistakes with the MTS Centre’s construction that would preclude him from an NHL shot.

The arena’s early success and True North’s and Chipman’s style of measured business practice earned an invitation from the NHL’s executive committee to make the case for Winnipeg in January of 2007, along with Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Seattle. True North’s eye on the NHL went from wishful to practical after the NHL’s 2005 collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association, one that featured a salary cap system. Combined with a far healthier Canadian dollar, the organization turned its energy to homework and preparation, a strategy that paid off when the Coyotes went into bankruptcy in 2009.

New Winnipeg Jets Top 10 Prospect Rankings Features Yager, Lambert and MoreThe Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Winnipeg’s legitimacy as a market was revealed in a Bettman affidavit in the Coyotes case and when that team was on the precipice of relocation in the spring of 2010, Chipman and True North quietly served as Bettman’s backup plan and leverage.

Engaging that process without so much as a press conference, True North earned the NHL’s trust, familiarized itself with franchise deal-making and learned much about converting the hunger for big-league hockey in its own market.

When the Thrashers’ owners could find no local buyer in early 2011, Winnipeg’s True North was more than ready. So were the city’s fans, who gobbled up 13,000 season tickets and 8,000 spots on a waiting list in less than 72 hours. There’s also a wait list for the arena’s 55 suites.

Euphoria always subsides, however, and it’s the long run that will validate the NHL’s first relocation in 14 years.

Game tickets are virtually all sold for the first three seasons and most are for five, so the final piece to the puzzle will be the depth of corporate support in Winnipeg. It has been questioned far and wide, but True North president and CEO and Jim Ludlow believes it’s a too-easy, lazy criticism of a city that’s in far better shape than 15 years ago.

Ludlow cited major changes in Winnipeg in the past seven years, about the span that has seen a stable-yet-vigorous economy stimulate a doubling in long-stagnant real estate prices. “We’ve concentrated on understanding both the macro issues of the NHL and the micro issues of Winnipeg,” Ludlow said. “We’ve spent a lot of time looking at those. Irrespective of what some non-Winnipeg-based experts might speculate, our local experience tells us to be cautiously optimistic and reasonably confident that the community is going to support NHL hockey.

“Our ticket commitments are long-term; our suite commitments are long-term and our corporate sponsorships are long-term. This is no plunge. It’s a well-executed, well-trained-for and calculated move. We’re not jumping off the dock, holding our breath and closing our eyes.”

NHL Insider Credits Jets' Strong Locker Room for Likely Re-Signing of Connor, LowrySportsnet's Elliotte Friedman notes the Winnipeg Jets has a healthy locker room full of guys that "really like being around each other"

It’s hard to believe that Sidney Crosby has been with the Pittsburgh Penguins for 20 years. It feels like yesterday when the Penguins drafted him first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft. 

He came into the league tabbed as the “next one” with sky-high expectations, and not only has he met them, but he has exceeded them tenfold. He’s one of the five greatest players to ever play in the NHL and is coming off an age-37 season where he finished with 33 goals and 91 points in 80 games. 

It was his third-straight season with 90+ points despite being in his mid-to-late thirties. He has accomplished everything at the NHL and international level, from a World Junior Gold in 2005 to three Stanley Cups and everything in between, including two Olympic Gold Medals, a World Cup title, a World Championship Gold Medal, a 4 Nations Face-Off title, two Conn Smythes, two Rocket Richard Trophies, and two Hart Trophies. 

In honor of today being his 38th birthday, let’s remember some of his finest Penguins’ moments to date. 

“The Goal” in Game 4 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final 

It’s always a blast starting with this memory because of how crucial the goal was. Going into this game, the 2009 Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings had started just like the 2008 one. The Red Wings won the first two at home before the Penguins struck back in Game 3. The Penguins were trying to make sure history didn’t repeat itself in Game 4 since the Red Wings won Game 4 the year prior to go up 3-1 in the series. 

Thankfully, the Penguins got what they wanted after Jordan Staal tied the game with a beautiful shorthanded goal before Crosby scored what would be the game-winner, sending Mellon Arena into a frenzy. They were two of the most important goals of that series, and if they didn’t happen, the Penguins wouldn’t have won the Stanley Cup. The way that Evgeni Malkin was able to still get the pass across to Crosby after being denied the first time was spectacular. Crosby finished the sequence off before being mobbed by both Malkin and Kris Letang. 

This was the moment when many Penguins fans felt that this year could be different and that the Penguins could win this series. In the end, they were right when they beat the Red Wings in seven games. 

Crosby’s OT winner against Tampa Bay, 2016

The Penguins needed a hero in Game 2 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning and found one in Crosby. He hadn’t scored a playoff overtime goal yet, but that changed when he rifled a puck past Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy less than a minute into overtime. The goal won the Penguins the game and sent the series back to Tampa tied at one game apiece.

The Penguins eventually won that series in seven games before beating the San Jose Sharks in six games to win their second Stanley Cup of the Crosby era and fourth in franchise history.  

Sliding goal against Tampa

Let’s go back to January 7, 2007. It was Crosby’s second season in the league, and ultimately started what would be a streak of 16 straight seasons in the playoffs. Before that, Crosby scored an outstanding goal while sliding on the ice. Former Penguin Mark Recchi delivered a gorgeous cross-ice feed for Crosby, who somehow scored at the back corner of the net while sliding. 

It’s a goal that sometimes gets forgotten about when you look at Crosby’s career.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: At No. 19, Defensive Prospect Climbs His Way Up The RanksHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

2013 Islander Magic 

Crosby has torched the New York Islanders throughout his illustrious career, so it’s no surprise that one of his finest goals came against them in the early 2010s. He was fresh off a return from a broken jaw and was facing the Islanders in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The series was tied at two games all after four games before the Penguins crushed the Islanders in Game 5 before winning the series in Game 6. 

During Game 5, Crosby scored a vintage goal, going through two Islanders defensemen before ripping the puck blocker side past goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. Yes, the Penguins eventually lost to the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, but this run still produced an unbelievable moment for Crosby.

Jason Spezza gets walked. 

Crosby put current Penguins assistant general manager and former Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza into a blender during Game 2 of the Penguins-Senators first-round series in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He worked Spezza below the net multiple times before sending the puck back to the point for Kris Letang’s game-winning goal. 

The goal tied the series, which the Penguins eventually won in six games. 

Crosby will try to have some more iconic moments this year for his 21st NHL season. 

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Featured Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Red Wings head back to Traverse City for pre-season action this September

The Detroit Red Wings are once again heading north for training camp, returning to Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City from September 18–20 to kick off preparations for the 2025-26 NHL season.

The Red Wings have made Traverse City their annual training camp destination since 1997, establishing a long-standing tradition that connects the team with Northern Michigan hockey fans.

The team will take the ice for the first time on Thursday, Sept. 18, with daily practices and scrimmages continuing through Saturday, Sept. 20. Players, prospects, and tryouts will be split into multiple squads during camp, offering fans a chance to catch early glimpses of the upcoming season’s roster.

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

Red Wings Returning to Grand Rapids for Red & White GameNew Red Wings Face Off in Intrasquad Match at Van Andel Arena for First Time Since 2011

Following the three-day camp, the Red Wings will travel to Grand Rapids for the annual Red & White Game on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Van Andel Arena, home of their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. The team will then return to Detroit to open their preseason schedule at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 23, facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks.

A full training camp schedule and roster will be released at a later date with tickets going on sale August 13th. The general ticket pricing works out to be $20 for admission on Thursday or Friday with the ticket price increasing to $30 on Saturday. Limited edition 2025 Training Camp merchandise will be available at the arena’s upper-level store. 

Red Wings Tabbed As Landing Spot For Ducks RFA Mason McTavish The Detroit Red Wings have made numerous additions to their lineup in the offseason through both free agency and trade, though none of the moves could accurately be described as a major "splash" acquisition. 

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The Calgary Flames are sticking to their plan, and that plan is clear: build through youth, invest in culture, and create the foundation for long-term, sustainable success.

While some may label it a rebuild, there’s a growing sense that what’s happening in Calgary is more of a revival — a carefully constructed shift toward a new era. Led by GM Craig Conroy, the organization is doubling down on development and practicing patience, without sacrificing competitiveness in the short term.

That mindset extends to Connor Zary, the 23-year-old forward who has made a strong impression in his first two NHL seasons. Despite being an unsigned restricted free agent, the Flames remain confident that a deal will be reached.

“We know it’s going to get done,” Conroy told Sportsnet 960 recently. “Sometimes it just takes a little bit longer. We’ve still got a lot of time in the summer.”

Zary recorded 13 goals and 27 points in 54 games last season, showing poise, pace, and creativity. His emergence as an everyday NHL contributor is an encouraging sign, and a clear indication that the Flames are moving in the right direction.

Beyond Zary, the Flames’ prospect pool is deeper and more exciting than it’s been in years.

Zayne Parekh, Calgary’s first-round pick in 2024, looks like the kind of game-breaking defenceman every team covets. After scoring 107 points in 61 games last season with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, Parekh’s offensive skillset is definitely generating national attention. While he may still need time to develop at the pro level, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a staple on the Flames’ blue line.

Then there’s Sam Honzek, who has quietly been putting in the work this offseason. After dealing with injuries last year, the 6-foot-4 Slovak forward - drafted 16th overall in 2023 - has reportedly added size and strength to his frame over the summer. With a powerful skating stride and strong two-way instincts, Honzek could become an impactful contributor once he puts all the pieces together.

Cole Reschny, selected 18th overall in 2025, is another forward trending upward. Reschny brings speed, compete, and versatility — and he’s already beginning to push his way into the NHL conversation. Hunter Brzustewicz, acquired in the Elias Lindholm trade, is another defenceman worth watching. Known for his elite hockey sense and crisp puck movement, Brzustewicz could surprise many by making a strong case for NHL minutes this season.

At the collegiate level, Aidar Suniev continues to impress. The 20-year-old winger had 38 points — including 20 goals — in just 35 games at UMass last season, and has shown an impressive ability to generate offense in tight areas. He’s developing quickly and could soon be knocking on the door for NHL opportunities.

Henry Mews, drafted 74th overall in 2024, is set to join the University of Michigan this fall. He’s already building his resume, having represented Team Canada at the recent World Junior Summer Showcase. With high-end offensive upside and a strong international pedigree, Mews adds yet another layer of potential to the Flames’ defensive depth.

However, while all eyes are on the future, one young player is already being counted on in the present.

Goaltender Dustin Wolf enters this season as the expected starter — and the most important player in Calgary’s youth movement. At just 24 years old, Wolf is still young by goalie standards, but he’s already proving more than capable at the NHL level. Last season, he posted a 29–16–8 record, a .910 save percentage, and a 2.64 goals-against average in 53 games. Calm, composed, and technically sound, Wolf is showing signs of becoming the franchise goaltender the organization has long been hoping for.

Wolf’s emergence gives Calgary a solid foundation to build upon, and when paired with a high-end prospect pool and a front office committed to smart, patient development, the outlook becomes a lot more promising.

The Flames aren’t rushing. They’re building something. Slowly, steadily — and most importantly — the right way.

Call it a rebuild if you want, but there’s real optimism forming around this team. Calgary isn’t just resetting — they’re redefining their future.

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By Brian Costello, features writer

New seasons provide new opportunities, which create avenues for players to break out. The 2025-26 season will be no different, and in this article, The Hockey News take a look at the strongest candidates to make a name for themselves or ascend into stardom on the Pacific Division teams.

Anaheim Ducks: Cutter Gauthier

It’s understandable when a 20-year-old stumbles a bit out of the starting gate. That happened to Cutter Gauthier this season. Picked fifth overall (by Philadelphia) in 2022, Gauthier didn’t score a goal until his 16th game last season and didn’t get an assist until his sixth. But as the season wore on, Gauthier ramped things up. He had five goals and 18 points in his first 41 games, then 15 goals and 26 points in the next 41. Next season? Prorate his second half, and you get 30 goals and 52 points. That’s a breakout.

Calgary Flames: Connor Zary

Connor Zary didn’t have the breakout season many expected of him in 2024-25. The expectation was he’d continue to blossom from an impressive rookie season in 2023-24 and almost certainly establish himself as a 20-goal, 50-point top-six regular. But a pair of debilitating injuries knocked the 23-year-old out of the lineup for 28 games and hindered his growth. The Flames are committed to his development and will deploy him on the power play and near the top of the lineup. He will likely top 50 points. 

Edmonton Oilers: Vasily Podkolzin

The Oilers have such a veteran lineup that it’s often the younger players who draw the short straw when games become clutch. Such is the case with 24-year-old Vasily Podkolzin. The 10th pick overall in 2019 (by Vancouver) has more than 200 NHL games under his belt and had a decent first season with the Oilers, generating 24 points and averaging 13:13 of ice time per game. That dropped to around 11 minutes in the playoffs, but as Edmonton’s roster turns over, Podkolzin will get more plum assignments. 

Los Angeles Kings: Brandt Clarke

If defenseman Brandt Clakre can have the type of breakout season that he had to start 2024-25, the Kings would be ecstatic. The eighth-overall pick in 2021 won a starting job in the top four after Drew Doughty got injured in the pre-season. Clarke, now 22, put up 12 points (five on the power play) in his first 13 games and looked to have immediately earned his stripes. But after hitting a rough patch in November, Clarke settled back into a third-pairing role even through the playoffs. He will bounce back. 

San Jose Sharks: Yaroslav Askarov

The Sharks picked up their goalie of the future last summer when they acquired 2020 first-rounder Yaroslav Askarov from Nashville. One of the five stoppers to see time in the Sharks crease this season, Askarov won four of 12 starts but spent most of the season in the AHL refining his game and posting a .923 save percentage. Make no mistake, the 23-year-old Russian will be a full-time Shark this season and start anywhere from 30 to 50 games depending upon which veteran San Jose signs as a summer free agent. 

Seattle Kraken: Matty Beniers

Is it possible for the same player to have two breakout seasons a few years apart? We’ll soon find out if our instincts about Matty Beniers prove correct. The second-overall pick in 2021 truly did have a breakout campaign as a 20-year-old rookie in 2022-23, scoring 24 goals and 57 points and winning the Calder Trophy. After back-to-back disappointing seasons of just 37 and 43 points, there’s hope Beniers can recapture his freshman form and lead the Kraken offensively. Could be that 60 points are in his future.

Vancouver Canucks: Filip Chytil

After arriving from the New York Rangers in the January trade that sent J.T. Miller to Broadway, Filip Chytil scored in his first game with the Canucks. In his next 14 games before going down with a concussion that ended his season, Chytil scored just one more goal but showed plenty of offensive promise centering the third line. The No.21 pick in the 2017 draft is still just 25 and will be given every opportunity to push the boundaries of his 22 goals and 45 points, which were career-highs from 2022-23.

Vegas Golden Knights: Keegan Kolesar

Keegan Kolesar and Nicolas Roy were two big reasons why Vegas had the league’s best fourth line last season. The dynamic duo combined for 27 goals and 61 points playing with depth wingers such as Tanner Pearson, Alexander Holtz, Victor Olofsson and Cole Schwindt. Kolesar is a strong candidate to move up the lineup due to Vegas’ long list of pending UFAs this summer. Kolesar is aggressive, assertive in the corners and has a strong shot. 

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This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.

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

With the New York Islanders having a boatload of centermen, it may seem that Calum Ritchie’s chances of making the big club this fall are slim.

But that doesn’t mean it’s a no.

Islanders Prospect Calum Ritchie Draws High Praise From OHL CoachesNew York Islanders prospect and Oshawa Generals forward Calum Ritchie received impressive recognition in the annual Ontario Hockey League coaches poll.

Jeff Marek of 'The Sheet' asked Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche about Ritchie, who the club acquired at the 2025 NHL trade deadline as part of the return with the Colorado Avalanche for Brock Nelson.

“If Calum comes to training camp and he outplays everyone, I’ll make room for him on the roster,” Darche said.

That’s exactly what a general manager should say about a young player who got a taste of what the NHL life was like, playing seven games for the Avalanche last season before being loaned back to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

However, with Mathew Barzal going back to center and Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Casey Cizikas rounding out the center depth, there’s not really any room down the middle for the 20-year-old former 27th overall pick in 2023.

But it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Cizikas or Pageau, really, could be moved to the wing.

Both, for certain stretches — Cizikas more than Pageau — played on the wing, so that’s an option if the Islanders want Ritchie to develop as a center.

On the flip side, there’s certainly an opening on the wings for Ritchie if he shows a comfortability there.

The only thing we know about the wingers, at this point in time, is that Jonathan Drouin will be playing with Bo Horvat. That’s it.

The other configurations, which include who will round out the “top line,” are unknown at this time with countless possibilities.

There’s no question that Ritchie could beat out Kyle MacLean, Pierre Engvall and Marc Gatcomb for an extra job, but there’s no point in him making the team and not being an everyday player.

If that’s how this all plays out, getting 30 games under Rocky Thompson in Bridgeport is certainly better for his development.

But when it comes to playing every day, could Ritchie finish training camp ahead of Maxim Shabanov or Maxim Tsyplakov, or even Anthony Duclair on the wing depth charts?

Could Ritchie, given his strong skating and playmaking, be someone who can play on Pageau’s wing?

It’s unlikely that Ritchie would get a chance to play on Barzal’s wing, given that both are playmaking forwards — and the whole point of Barzal going back to center is likely because Ritchie isn’t ready to be a No. 2.

But, hey, if Ritchie proves he can be a No. 2 as soon as this fall, that changes everything for how the Islanders can configure their lineup. Barzal could round out the Horvat-Drouin line, and head coach Patrick Roy can go from there.

It wouldn’t be the first time a prospect has shocked an organization in terms of their development progress. It would be the first time in a while that it’s happened on Long Island.

To sum things up, Ritchie making the Islanders shouldn’t shock anyone.

The one thing we know is that Darche values the AHL in terms of development, which is why he had a heavy focus this summer on revamping Bridgeport.

At the end of the day, Darche wants to win. Roy wants to win. And if Ritchie gives the Islanders the best chance at doing that on a consistent basis, he’ll be on this team for the 2025-26 season — whether that’s at center or wing.

The NHL Network is putting together some lists of the top players in the NHL among different positions before the 2025-26 season starts. They just dropped the top-20 wingers in the NHL list. 

No surprise that Nikita Kucherov was number one for the second year in a row. Among the list, four of them were not ranked last year. Matt Boldy is one of those four. 

Matt Boldy makes his Top 20 Wings Right Now list debut! @mnwild | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/u0JDRjOlso

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 6, 2025

Boldy, 24, recorded 27 goals during the 2024-25 season and played in all 82 games. He recorded career-highs in assists with 46, points with 73 and game-winning goals with ten. 

In all six playoff games for the Wild, Boldy recorded five goals and seven points. He had one game-winning goal in the series as well. 

His impressive playoff performance and a great regular season has put him among some of the best wingers in the NHL.

We will see what Boldy has in store for the 2025-26 season and if he can jump a little higher on the list next season.

Other Wild News

Wild's Marco Rossi Continues To Have A Big Offseason, Up 14 PoundsMinnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi is known for his work ethic. He has already had a big offseason by training with Hall of Fame center Joe Thornton.Son Of Former Minnesota Wild Forward Commits To University Of MinnesotaLong-time NHL forward Matt Cullen's son just announced his commitment to playing hockey for the University of Minnesota. Wyatt is one of three Cullen brothers, all who play hockey.  Former Minnesota Wild Forward Signs Two-Year Contract With The Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Minnesota Wild traded forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, along with a 2026 sixth round pick, to the Boston Bruins for forward Justin Brazeau at the traded deadline. 

Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield had his best NHL season so far during the 2024-25 campaign. In 82 games with the Habs on the year, the 2019 first-round pick set new career highs with 37 goals, 33 assists, and 70 points. With numbers like these, he played a role in the Canadiens getting into the playoffs this spring. 

However, even after his strong 2024-25 season, Caufield did not make the NHL Network's latest top 20 wingers list. Instead, players like Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators), Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild), and Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings) rounded off the list.

Introducing the Top 20 Wings Right Now! @NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/yT2m7xI5ZM

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 6, 2025

Given how well Caufield played this past season, there certainly was a case for him to make this list. Yet, he is instead one of the most notable wingers who did not make the cut. 

If Caufield continues to trend in the right direction this season, he could very well make the NHL Network's next top 20 wingers list. He has improved his goal scoring each season, and there is still time for him to hit a new level, as he is just 24 years old. However, for the time being, he is not among the league's top 20 wingers in the NHL Network's eyes. 

Canadiens Forward Is Key Player To WatchAfter an impressive 2024-25 campaign, the Montreal Canadiens will be looking to take another step forward next season. This is especially so when noting that they have had a busy off-season, bringing in Noah Dobson, Zack Bolduc, and Joe Veleno. 

Photo Credit:  © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are here in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Maple Leafs’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering a new era. The ‘Core Four’ has become the ‘Core Two’ with Mitch Marner now in Vegas and John Tavares signing an extension worth under $5 million. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are the only two players on the roster making over $7.75 million. This has allowed them to fill out other parts of their roster and build a team around their stars. They may not be as flashy, but there is a real chance that they may have more substance to their game. 

That’s not to say they’re a better team, though, because losing a 100-point player is devastating in most situations. It also means that they are heading into the regular season with cap space for the first time in a while. The Leafs could be looking to integrate some of their youth to help take some of the offensive load on after Marner’s departure, not that any one player in their system is poised to take on even half of what Marner was responsible for from the powerplay to the penalty kill, as well as the even strength production. 

Easton Cowan represents the Leafs' best hope for a top six impact player, and we could see him get a shot at some point this upcoming season. Cowan is a smart, motivated forward who is constantly both outthinking and outworking his opponents. Cowan’s creativity as a playmaker is notable as well, using his speed and skill to draw defenders in and then pass through their vacated space to find a teammate. He had become one of the most dangerous offensive players in the OHL over the last two seasons, and he led the London Knights to consecutive OHL titles and a Memorial Cup in his time in London. He’s likely to start the year in the AHL, but he could be getting into NHL games this season. 

At nearly a point per game in his first WHL season last year, Miroslav Holinka continues to show that he could be one of the Leafs' better late-round picks. His skill continues to mature, utilizing it in constructive ways to attack offensively. He never seems to be looking to deke and dangle, but he has the skill to do so when faced with pressure or closing defenders. Holinka impressed with his efficient defensive game as well. If he can continue growing offensively and mature physically, Holinka has a real chance of being a steady, shifty middle-six forward for the Leafs one day. 

It was a bit surprising to see how smoothly Jacob Quillan transitioned into his first full AHL season last year. He’s a heavy, straightforward center who finds success when crashing and banging around the crease. He’s committed to playing a sound two-way game, but he will need to continue to get quicker and more decisive with the puck through the neutral zone if he wants to find the same success at the NHL level. The former Quinnipiac standout has the chance to be a solid bottom-six performer down the road. 

Although not truly a prospect, 24-year-old Henry Thrun was acquired by the Leafs in a deal that helped them free up some cap space by sending veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves to San Jose. Thrun might be looked at as the team’s seventh defenseman. He could be a player who works into the lineup from time to time when they want a change of pace. Thrun is a decent enough puck mover when he keeps it simple, and he’s a good defensive skater. 

The upcoming season will be the real test for Noah Chadwick, who has become a very productive WHL defenseman over the last couple of years. His vision and passing ability were impressive. He wants to keep possession of the puck, opting to stay patient and hold onto the puck for an extra beat if it means he can make a pass instead of dumping the puck out. While all of this has worked at the WHL level, his skating will be the make-or-break trait. He has size, defensive intellect and offensive creativity; he just lacks the mobility to pull it all together. 

If you want a simple, effective, physical defender who can just kill play and move the puck to his teammates, Ben Danford is your guy. He skates well, defends intelligently, and understands his role. Danford isn’t going to be an offensive stalwart, but he is a capable puck mover who can hit targets on the breakout with crisp passes and good decisions. 

Watching Victor Johansson develop over the last couple of years has been interesting. He is a skilled puck mover on the back end who excels as a skater and a passer. The biggest question has always been his physical development, drafted as a player under 150 pounds just over a year ago. He looks set to play in the SHL primarily next season, and that will provide yet another test for the 19-year-old blueliner. If he looks good at the pro level in Sweden next year, a jump to the AHL the following year might be in order. 

Speaking of the AHL, William Villeneuve was the Marlies' top scoring defender last season, nearly doubling the point totals of the next highest scoring blueliner. He looked great at the AHL level, finding teammates in the offensive zone with good, hard passes. He’s not really a player who initiates offense himself, rather adding on and continuing to move the puck when it gets to him. If he wants to find an NHL role, he will need to find a bit more fluidity and quickness on his feet. 

Toronto has one of the more underrated goalie tandems in the league with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, but having a goalie or two in the pipeline is important. Artur Akhtyamov is their top prospect in the crease. The 6-foot-2 netminder made his North American debut last season and started incredibly strong, but his game levelled off a bit toward the end of the season. Akhtyamov is a very good puck tracker who can play a bit aggressively in net. He closes down the angle quickly, looks to make himself look bigger than he is and get ahead of the play. He had a strong first season and will need to continue down this path next season to establish himself as the surefire third option if injuries occur at the NHL level. 

U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season

Matthew Knies (LW)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 64 overall - Tinus Luc Koblar, C, Leksands Jr. (Swe)

Round 3, 86 overall - Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston (OHL)

Round 5, 137 overall - Will Belle, RW, U.S. National Development Team (USHL)

Round 5, 153 overall - Harry Nansi, C/RW, Owen Sound (OHL)

Round 6, 185 overall - Rylan Fellinger, D, Flint (OHL)

Round 7, 217 overall - Matthew Hlacar, LW, Kitchener (OHL)

The Leafs' first pick came at the tail end of round two, where they chose Tinus Luc Koblar, an interesting swing on physical tools and projection. He’s a big, strong center who embraced his physical gifts more as the season wore on, throwing his weight around and using his frame to protect the puck. The 6-foot-3 center is a crafty forechecker, using his mobility and play reading to take excellent routes to the puck and strip defenders with ease if he wasn’t first on the puck. 

His passing game is where you can best gauge his intellect, finding outlets and hitting teammates in stride all over the ice to advance the puck into a more advantageous position for his team. Koblar didn’t produce at a high level in Swedish junior hockey this year, but he consistently impacted the game and made intelligent plays. As a late July birthday, Koblar is on the younger side of the draft class, so he has ample runway to continue developing his skills. 

The Leafs took Tyler Hopkins at 86th overall, looking to add some speed and versatility to their pipeline. Hopkins has the tools to be a potential bottom-six two-way forward who plays with pace and gives his team some relentless forechecking. Hopkins hasn’t quite put it all together consistently just yet. His feet are always moving, he’s always trying to do something, and that works great at the junior level. He needs to develop a bit more methodical play to his game and work off what is happening on the ice, rather than trying to just force things at times. 

William Belle falling into the fifth round wasn’t expected coming into the season, but on an NTDP team with underwhelming talent in general, his numbers weren’t anything to write home about. Belle is a power forward who likes to impose himself on defenders on the forecheck. He needs to work on his offensive tools and generate a bit more off of his excellent forechecking. His defensive game and physicality will only get him so far. Skill development while playing for Notre Dame in the NCAA will be key. 

Toronto added Harry Nansi in the fifth round as well, giving them another big, physical forward, but with Nansi, there might be room for significant growth. He was so often asked to be ‘The Guy’ in Owen Sound this last season, and he did his best to embrace it. He used his speed and power, stayed engaged on nearly every shift, and made some incredible passes at times. Nansi isn’t a driver, though, and if he had a center that could truly help him, Nansi could flourish. The most intriguing part of this unfinished product is that he is one of the youngest players in the 2025 draft class, just six days away from being eligible for next year’s draft, so the runway is especially long with Nansi. 

When the Leafs took blueliner Ryan Fellinger, it was a bet on a big kid getting a bit faster and developing a bit of puck skill. He’s a raw, defensively focused player who can cut off play in the neutral zone, and he brings a bit of a physical edge. It’s not a fun or flashy pick, but Fellinger could be a bottom-pair defender. 

Finishing off their draft, Toronto selected Matthew Hlacar from the Kitchener Rangers. His calling card is his physicality. The 19-year-old wouldn’t have been drafted otherwise. He’s scored some greasy goals around the net and shows some decent enough passing, but he’s not an offensive player. If he can find a way into an NHL lineup, it’s going to be because of his physical play. There’s a lot to work on before getting there, though. 

Strengths

Although there aren’t any high-end centers, the depth they have down the middle at forward is the area that stands out as the most well-stocked. Their top pick of the 2025 draft is a big, sturdy center who has plenty of room for growth and untapped potential. Holinka is a versatile center who might end up on the wing, but his profile could seamlessly fit down the middle if he can stay committed to sound two-way hockey. Hopkins has some bottom-six versatility and speed. Quillan has emerged quickly as a potential NHL option. There is also Cowan, who could play center, but he’s likely a winger at the next level. The Leafs don’t have a true top-six center option in the pipeline, but they have a few guys who could be useful bottom-six pieces. 

Weaknesses

The Maple Leafs completely lack star power in their prospect pool aside from Cowan, who may ultimately be just a very good player and not a star. They have done a decent job of drafting, looking for physically gifted players with some upside as well as lower-floor bets on depth pieces, but they haven’t unearthed a star quite yet. Matthew Knies was a second-round pick in 2021, and he’s become a second-tier star, but the prospect pool doesn’t even look to have that level of player at the moment. Cowan is very good, and he might ultimately play a second-line role, but that’s kind of his ceiling. The Leafs could use a star prospect or two to help extend their window in the Matthews and Nylander eras. 

Hidden Gem: Luke Haymes, LW/C

Having just turned 22 this summer, there is still plenty of runway for college free agent signing, Luke Haymes. He attended development camp with the Leafs last summer as an undrafted and unsigned player, and he left a mark on the organization because a year later, he was back in development camp, having played nine AHL games where he racked up six points. Haymes is a two-way forward who had a very solid three-year college career at Dartmouth. He’s a guy who finds success around the net and battling along the wall, working cycles and wearing his opponents down with a heavy possession game. He plays like a pro, which is why his jump into the AHL was seamless last year. He needs a year or two before a real NHL shot is realistic, but don’t be shocked to see the Leafs call him up late in the year to see what he looks like against NHL competition. 

Next Man Up: Easton Cowan, LW/Henry Thrun, D

The answer Leafs fans probably want is Easton Cowan, and I think there is a legitimate chance that he plays NHL games this season. The Leafs will need an additional offensive spark, and he’s pushed for a roster spot in camp before. Now that the AHL is an option, that is likely the best place for him, but if he comes in and shows that he’s one of the best forwards in the organization, why not give him a shot? 

The realistic answer is Thrun, who has 100 games under his belt already at the NHL level over a few seasons with San Jose, but those can largely be thrown out of the window as the Sharks were not an NHL-caliber club on most of those nights. Thrun is a solid defensive blueliner who has some really nice passing ability. He’s never going to be a stud, but he could be a more offensively gifted option on the bottom pair on nights you want to give someone a break or need a different look. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Easton Cowan, Luke Haymes, Sam McCue, Alexander Plesovskikh

C: Tinus Luc Koblar, Miroslav Holinka, Tyler Hopkins, Jacob Quillan, Ryan Tverberg, Hudson Malinoski

RW: Harry Nansi, William Belle, Nicholas Moldenhauer, Borya Valis

LD: Henry Thrun, Noah Chadwick, Victor Johansson, Cade Webber

RD: Ben Danford, William Villeneuve, Ryan Fellinger, Topi Niemela

G: Arturs Akhtyamov, Dennis Hildeby, Vyacheslav Peksa, Tomofei Obvintsev

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of the Hockey News print edition! 

A former St. Louis Blues forward has officially called it career. 

While speaking with John Hoven of Mayor's Manor, former Blues forward Kyle Clifford shared that he is retiring from professional hockey. 

Clifford spent each of the last three seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Toronto Marlies. During this past season with the AHL squad, he recorded four goals, four assists, eight points, and 32 penalty minutes in 17 games. 

Clifford kicked off his Blues tenure during the 2020 NHL off-season when he signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the Central Division club in free agency. From there, he spent two seasons as a Blue, where he recorded four goals, eight points, 30 penalty minutes, and 71 hits. His time with the Blues ended during the 2021-22 season when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations. 

In 753 career NHL games split between the Los Angeles Kings, Blues, and Toronto Maple Leafs, Clifford recorded 66 goals, 78 assists, 144 points, 905 penalty minutes, and 1,617 hits. He also lifted the Stanley Cup twice as a member of the Kings. 

Blues Star Should Hit 2 New Milestones Next SeasonIt is no secret that star forward Robert Thomas was a significant reason behind the St. Louis Blues getting back into the playoffs this past spring. The 26-year-old forward had a fantastic season for the Blues, as he recorded 21 goals, 60 assists, 81 points, and a plus-20 rating in 70 games. This included recording 40 points in the Blues' final 26 games of the regular-season. 

Photo Credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers' need for goaltending help is one of the worst-kept secrets in hockey.

Just because they can add a goaltender to their team doesn’t mean that it’s a guarantee. Many hockey pundits around the league thought the Oilers would address their goalie situation during the regular season. Yet, they went through their latest playoff run with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard again.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

Carter Hart was recently acquitted of criminal charges concerning the 2018 Hockey Canada group sexual assault case. Despite not being found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the NHL has deemed the actions of the five players as “very disturbing” and “unacceptable.”

There are multiple goaltenders out there – via trade or free agency – that would be a better gamble for the Oilers than Hart.

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How Good Is Carter Hart?

For this article, we will examine Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) as the metric to measure these players against one another. Hart’s GSAx over his last three seasons are as follows:

2023-24: -0.7 (26 GP)

2022-23: 10.3 (55 GP)

2021-22: -6.6 (45 GP)

Adding these together gives us a positive 1.0 GSAx over three seasons. Here are a few names that hit that mark or exceed it.

Ilya Samsonov

The only goalie on this list who doesn’t exceed Hart’s benchmark is former Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Ilya Samsonov. In 29 games with the Oilers’ Pacific Division rival, the 28-year-old recorded a 0.6 GSAx.

While this mark is better than Skinner and Pickard (-1.5 & -9.1 respectively), it’s not better than Hart. However, Samsonov is no stranger to being in a goalie tandem and could be signed to an inexpensive contract.

Casey DeSmith

While the Dallas Stars are going through their salary issues, their backup goaltender had a great season in 2024-25. Through 27 games played, Casey DeSmith recorded a whopping 15.9 GSAx.

He arguably had the best season of his career, which makes the possibility of him departing the organization less likely. He could be a better backup for Skinner than what Pickard provides the team on the ice.

Scott Wedgewood

In a similar vein to DeSmith, the Colorado Avalanche’s backup, Scott Wedgewood, had a solid season. Wedgewood played 24 games and earned a respectable 3.2 GSAx.

It’s tough to envision the Avalanche departing with Wedgewood, unless they could make up for his loss via free agency (see Samsonov) or take a swing at Hart (if and when he becomes re-eligible to play in the NHL).

Arvid Soderblom

The Chicago Blackhawks and Arvid Soderblom settled on a new contract before their arbitration hearing. For good reason too, because Soderblom had a solid year for the team.

Soderblom recorded a 1.0 GSAx through 36 games played while playing for the basement-dwelling Blackhawks. Despite settling with the Blackhawks before their arbitration date, would a change of scenery still be plausible? A player settling with a team before an arbitration hearing does not equal loyalty, for either the player or the team. Ty Emberson was traded to the Oilers after signing a contract before his arbitration date with the San Jose Sharks.

While none of these goaltenders are Ilya Sorokin or Jeremy Swayman, each one presents a solid case to be an excellent backup for Skinner. They are also better options to bring aboard the Oilers than Hart.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford is reportedly calling it a career.

According to John Hoven, better known online as The Mayor, Clifford is retiring after a 15-year professional career and joining the Maple Leafs in a player development role. The 34-year-old has spent five seasons with Toronto, split between their NHL and AHL squads.

Before joining the Maple Leafs, Clifford won two Stanley Cups with the L.A. Kings, playing an integral role in the club’s 2014 win. The crash and bash forward scored one goal and six assists in 24 playoff games during those playoffs.

Clifford, who hails from Ayr, Ontario, along with goaltender Jack Campbell, were acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with the Kings in February 2020 for Trevor Moore, a 2020 third-round pick, and a 2021 third-round selection.

After just one year with Toronto, Clifford signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the St. Louis Blues. He played just one season with the Blues before being traded back to the Maple Leafs for future considerations in November 2021.

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Clifford appeared in 23 games with the Maple Leafs in 2021-22, plus nine games with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. That would be Clifford’s second-last season playing in the NHL games, with his final two appearances coming in October of 2022.

The veteran forward signed a two-year, $1.53 million extension with Toronto in March 2022, though the remainder of his games were played with the Marlies. Over three years with the AHL club, which included him signing a one-year contract with the team last summer, Clifford scored 22 goals and 34 assists in 116 games.

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Not only did Clifford play in the Marlies’ top-six throughout his tenure, but he was also a key leader within the club, helping usher in the next group of Maple Leafs prospects. “Cliffy was my first linemate in the NHL, and he’s become one of my best friends,” former Maple Leafs prospect Alex Steeves, now with the Boston Bruins organization, said.

“He’s someone I think any guy should talk to who has aspirations of playing in the NHL. To play as long as he did as a fourth liner is really tough. He’s helped me out a lot and I know he advocates for me as well. And he’s a good friend.”

Clifford was most recently spotted working with the Maple Leafs’ prospects at the club’s development camp in early July. He was on the ice with the players, and in some cases, skating side-by-side with former Kings and Maple Leafs teammate, Jake Muzzin, who’s also a part of Toronto’s development staff.

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Clifford’s storied career concludes with the forward tallying 66 goals and 78 assists in 735 regular season games, plus four goals and 12 assists in 65 playoff games, split between the Kings, Blues, and Maple Leafs.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Two-Time Stanley Cup Winner Kyle Clifford Reportedly Retires, Joins Maple Leafs In Player Development Role

The new CBA will bring numerous changes to the way the NHL currently operates. It will change salary structures, put an end to the playoffs' salary loophole, allow players more freedom about the way they dress, and the list goes on and on, but one crucial clause hasn’t received much coverage yet.

In Thursday’s edition of La Presse, Simon-Olivier Lorange reports that from the 2027 draft, teams will have four years to sign the 18-year-old players they draft. These days, they have four years to sign players who are plying their trade in the NCAA, but only two years for players who are competing in the CHL. If a team drafts an overeager player (a player who’s in his second year of eligibility and is 19), like the Montreal Canadiens have done a few times of late (like Florian Xhekaj, for instance), they’ll have three years to put pen to paper with them.

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Why could that mean more local players for the Canadiens? This will simply give the team more time to evaluate CHL draftees before deciding on those players. No matter how thorough a team is with their scouting, 18-year-old players are raw products. They have so much left to learn and so much more development to come. Projecting them in the future is a tall order, and having just two years to evaluate them isn’t much.

The two-year deadline on signing CHL products before losing their rights left very little room for late bloomers. While generational talents can be ready to jump right into the NHL action after being drafted, others need more time to come into their own. There’s no proof that this state of affairs prevented the Canadiens and other teams from drafting more CHLers, but there is no doubt this new development will make life a bit easier on teams.

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Welcome to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s player preview series for the 2025–26 season. In these articles, we’ll preview the players who are expected to play for the Canucks in the 2025–26 season. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the Abbotsford Canucks’ leading scorer during the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, Linus Karlsson.  

Karlsson’s 2024–25 Season

Karlsson had a very successful 2024–25 season for both Vancouver and Abbotsford. In the NHL, the forward made his mark as a netfront presence, potting his first career NHL goal on January 29 against the Nashville Predators. He finished the NHL regular season with three goals and three assists in 23 games, putting up 28 total shots on goal. Karlsson is one of a few Abbotsford players who are expected to push for a roster spot come Vancouver’s training camp in the fall. 

In the AHL, Karlsson took his game to another level. He scored 23 goals and 16 assists in 32 games played, averaging over a point per game despite not being in the lineup for a full season. Once the playoffs rolled around, Karlsson flourished even more, finishing the postseason as the league’s points leader with 14 goals and 12 assists in 24 games played. He also broke an AHL record for goals scored by a Swedish player in a single postseason. 

Karlsson’s 2024–25 Letter Grade

For his growth in the 2024–25 season, Karlsson received a B- on the season, as he made some steps to becoming a full-time NHLer but will need to do more to stick in the lineup. With that being said, from how his play has developed over the past year, it’s clear that Karlsson has found a particular role to play and plans to stick with it going into 2025–26 — regardless of whether this is in the NHL or AHL.  

Karlsson’s 2025–26 Predictions

As a key member of Abbotsford and a solid depth option for Vancouver, Karlsson will likely improve on his performance from this season now that he has spent more time playing hockey at the NHL level. The 2025 Abbotsford MVP will look to make a bigger mark with the Canucks, potentially fitting into a third or fourth-line role while continuing to pot goals at the side of opponents’ nets. 

The Evolution Of Vancouver And Abbotsford Canucks Forward Linus KarlssonWhen the Vancouver Canucks acquired Linus Karlsson on February 25, 2019, fans had mixed feelings. The piece going back to the San Jose Sharks in exchange was Jonathan Dahlén, a player who had previously shown flashes of success alongside franchise cornerstone at the time Elias Pettersson. Some had even referred to the two as the second-coming of the Sedin twins. Still, the 19-year-old Karlsson had the belief of Canucks general manager at the time, Jim Benning, behind him. 

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