Star Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov doesn't lack supporters in and around the NHL these days, but he's just received even more big praise.

In a recent interview with Tatar-Inform, former Flyers prospect Maxim Sushko dished on Michkov, predicting a rise to super-stardom.

"I think [Michkov could become the face of the Flyers]. Philadelphia management loves Russian hockey players and is happy to invite them to the team," Sushko said.

"Matvei had a great debut season in Philadelphia. If he continues to progress, he will become the team’s main star in the future. It’s a pleasure to watch him and his game. I sincerely wish him a great career in the NHL."

For those who may not remember Sushko, the Belarusian forward was drafted 107th overall by the Flyers in 2017 and made his only two NHL appearances in Feb. 2021.

Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Exciting, Simple Plan for Matvei MichkovNew Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has revealed his simple, preliminary plan to get the most out of star rookie Matvei Michkov going forward. It's not rocket science.

And, while Sushko has been in the KHL since the 2022-23 season, his words about Michkov (and the Flyers, especially) carry significance as someone who has been there and seen that.

Michkov, 20, led all rookies in goals last season with 26, and also finished joint-second with Macklin Celebrini in rookie scoring (63 pts), trailing only Lane Hutson (66).

What comes next for the Flyers star remains to be seen, but it's reasonable to expect small improvements around the edges to bring him at or near 30 goals, 50 assists, and 80 points.

The addition of Trevor Zegras and, in due time, Jett Luchanko, will give Michkov more speed and support down the middle, allowing him to do new things.

Flyers' Matvei Michkov Dishes on Rookie Season: 'There Is No Limit to Perfection'Budding Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov had quite the strong rookie season in the NHL last year, but he's already looking ahead to bigger and better things in the future.

And new head coach Rick Tocchet is also prepared to let the Russian sensation do his thing, as he's said multiple times already this offseason.

Everything seems to be trending in the right direction for the young Michkov, but the next step will be executing and putting it on the ice next season.

The New York Times’ Athletic NHL writer Scott Wheeler recently ranked the league’s top goaltending prospects, with New Jersey Devils prospect Mikhail Yegorov coming in at No. 4.

Yegorov, 19, is entering his sophomore season at Boston University, where he plays under former Devils forward Jay Pandolfo. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 181 pounds, the Russian netminder was drafted 49th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He impressed at the Devils’ 2025 Development Camp, towering over fellow prospects.

While not NHL-ready just yet, Yegorov has already shown why he’s among the league’s most highly regarded young goalies. In his freshman season at BU, he appeared in 18 games, posting a .927 save percentage. Remarkably, he joined the team midseason and debuted just four days later in a rivalry game against Boston College.

Raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Yegorov moved to the United States at 17 with dreams of making the NHL. He spent two seasons in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers, playing 43 games in 2023–24 (.892 SV%) and 19 games in 2024–25 (.912 SV%) before leaving midseason for NCAA hockey.

Only three goaltenders ranked ahead of him:

• Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks prospect, 6'4", known for size and athleticism.
• Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens prospect, 6'2", considered a top-tier talent.
• Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings prospect, 6'1", athletic and composed.

The Devils’ current goaltending depth chart features Jacob Markstrom as the starter, coming off a playoff run last season. Veteran Jake Allen, who re-signed this offseason, serves as backup, while Nico Daws, with 52 NHL games under his belt,  holds the third spot.

The Devils' Goaltending: Strong Past, Promising Present, and a Bright FutureThe New Jersey Devils are in a strong position when it comes to goaltending, both now and looking ahead.

Yegorov is widely seen as the franchise’s future in net, and his No. 4 ranking among all NHL goalie prospects is a promising sign for New Jersey’s long-term outlook.

Photo Credit: © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

A recent report shows that among major sportsbooks, the New Jersey Devils have the eighth-best odds to win the Stanley Cup this season.

ESPN Bet NHL Futures lists the Devils at +1600 to take home the Cup.

This follows the 2024-25 season, when New Jersey was eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes, 4–1. The Devils finished the regular season 42-33, ranking 16th in the league and 7th in the Eastern Conference.

2024–25 Playoff ResultsFirst Round Eliminations:

• Ottawa Senators: Lost to Toronto Maple Leafs (4–2)
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Lost to Florida Panthers (4–1)
• Montreal Canadiens: Lost to Washington Capitals (4–1)
• New Jersey Devils: Lost to Carolina Hurricanes (4–1)
• St. Louis Blues: Lost to Winnipeg Jets (4–3)
• Colorado Avalanche: Lost to Dallas Stars (4–3)
• Minnesota Wild: Lost to Vegas Golden Knights (4–2)
• Los Angeles Kings: Lost to Edmonton Oilers (4–2)

Second Round Eliminations:

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Lost to Florida Panthers (4–3)
• Washington Capitals: Lost to Carolina Hurricanes (4–1)
• Winnipeg Jets: Lost to Dallas Stars (4–2)
• Vegas Golden Knights: Lost to Edmonton Oilers (4–1)

Conference Final Eliminations:

• Carolina Hurricanes: Lost to Florida Panthers (4–1)
• Dallas Stars: Lost to Edmonton Oilers (4–1)

Stanley Cup Final:

• Edmonton Oilers: Lost to Florida Panthers (4–2)

Stanley Cup Champions: Florida Panthers

---

Sportsbook Odds for 2025–26 Stanley Cup Winner

ESPN Bet:

1. Florida Panthers +600
2. Carolina Hurricanes +800
3. Colorado Avalanche +800
4. Edmonton Oilers +850
5. Vegas Golden Knights +850
6. Dallas Stars +1000
7. Tampa Bay Lightning +1400
8. New Jersey Devils +1600

FanDuel:

1. Florida Panthers +700
2. Carolina Hurricanes +750
3. Vegas Golden Knights +850
4. Edmonton Oilers +850
5. Dallas Stars +900
6. Colorado Avalanche +950
7. Tampa Bay Lightning +1300
8. New Jersey Devils +1900

BetMGM:

1. Florida Panthers +750
2. Edmonton Oilers +800
3. Colorado Avalanche +800
4. Vegas Golden Knights +850
5. Carolina Hurricanes +900
6. Dallas Stars +1000
7. Tampa Bay Lightning +1600
8. New Jersey Devils +1800

---

Why New Jersey Is Still in the Top 8

Despite last year’s early exit, the Devils’ projected 2025–26 roster has both high-end talent and depth. Stars like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, and Luke Hughes lead the way, supported by veterans Dougie Hamilton and Jacob Markstrom.

Offseason additions Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov strengthen the bottom six, while continued development on defense and improved even-strength scoring are expected to boost the team’s performance.

If the Devils stay healthy, particularly Jack Hughes, maintain a solid goaltending rotation, and tighten their defensive identity, they could make a deep playoff push.

Heading into the new season, they remain 8th in the league in Stanley Cup odds.

Photo Credit: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It is no secret that it has been a far quieter off-season this year for the Chicago Blackhawks compared to last year. While this is the case, the Blackhawks did make a few new additions, as they brought in Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty, and Dominic Toninato.

With this, let's take a look at where each player could end up fitting into the Blackhawks' lineup now.

Andre Burakovsky Should Fit In Blackhawks' Top Six 

When looking at the Blackhawks' current roster, it is likely that Burakovsky will have a spot in their top six. There are not too many better wingers than Burakovsky on the Blackhawks right now, and they are likely to give him the best chance to succeed after acquiring him from the Seattle Kraken.

Burakovsky could be a nice fit playing with either Connor Bedard on the first line or Frank Nazar on the second line. In either scenario, Burakovsky would give one of Chicago's young centers the opportunity to play with a skilled veteran.

Sam Lafferty Should Fit On Blackhawks' Fourth Line

Lafferty has been a bottom-six forward throughout his career, and this should not change during his latest stint with the Blackhawks. When looking at Chicago's current group, Lafferty could be a nice fit as their new fourth-line center. However, due to his versatility, he could move to the wing on their fourth line if needed.

Dominic Toninato Should Fit As Extra Or AHL Forward

It seems likely that Toninato will serve as simply an extra orward for the Blackhawks next season if he makes their NHL roster. However, Toninato could also be a nice addition for the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, as he would give them a veteran forward to help mentor their youngsters.

Blackhawks Key Forward Is Big X-Factor During the 2024 NHL off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year, $22 million contract. The expectation was that he would be a key part of the Blackhawks' forward group, and it is fair to say that he was just that for them during the 2024-25 season. 

Photo Credit: © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

As one of the more active teams in free agency during the offseason, the Detroit Red Wings have brought in multiple new players that will suit up for them in the upcoming 2025-26 NHL Season.

One new face in Detroit is veteran forward James van Riemsdyk, who had spent the last two seasons playing for the Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets, respectively. 

The former second overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft behind his now-current Red Wings teammate Patrick Kane, van Riemsdyk brings 1,082 games of experience to a team hoping to break their postseason drought. 

Having already played with multiple high-profile veteran players during his career like Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Brad Marchand, and John Tavares, van Riemsdyk will be bringing his own leadership style to the Red Wings as he explained via the club's official website. 

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

“It’s a full-time commitment,” van Riemsdyk explained shortly after signing. “Whether that’s your preparation, being ready to practice, being ready to play and being ready to recover to get ready for the next game. Just trying to do the right things like that every day. And just trying to bring positive energy to the group and on the bench. It can be a long year, lots of ups and downs, so I think you need to have some of that sounding board just to help things stay even keeled when maybe things aren’t going your way.”

Throughout his career, van Riemsdyk has been known for making a living around the net and the lip of the crease in a style similar to that of former four-time Stanley Cup champion forward Tomas Holmstrom. 

James Van Riemsdyk: The Pride of Middletown, New Jersey @JVReemer21 | @NHLFlyerspic.twitter.com/ysKoSQmyVj

— NHL (@NHL) April 23, 2021

van Riemsdyk also brings considerable experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Red Wings, having skated in 82 career playoff games, including a trip to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final (against Kane's Blackhawks). 

Having already trained with Kane and represented the United States alongside him as part of the 2014 Sochi Olympics as well as the World Juniors Championships and World Cup, van Riemsdyk is looking forward to playing with Kane for the first time on an NHL roster.

“(Kane) is one of my really good buddies and we’ve obviously been through this whole journey over the years together in a lot of ways,” van Riemsdyk said. “Through some different USA Hockey things, with training or bouncing ideas off each other for stuff like that, so really exciting that we get a chance to do all that." 

van Riemsdyk, Kane, and the rest of the Red Wings are now just over one month away from the start of Training Camp, held annually in Traverse City, Michigan. 

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The Ottawa Senators recently released their 2025–26 regular season schedule, and with it comes a parade of familiar faces poised to make their returns to Canadian Tire Centre. Fans can look forward to equal doses of nostalgia and rivalry as several former Sens come back this season in different sweaters, some for the first time.

That includes Josh Norris, who'll roll into Ottawa for the holidays wearing white, blue and gold and the number 13 – possibly a number chosen to offset his bad luck in the injury department.

Here's a look at the notable dates and returning players, along with a brief snapshot of their time in Ottawa:

Thursday, October 16 vs Seattle Kraken — Joey Daccord

Daccord, drafted by Ottawa in 2015, played parts of two seasons before being claimed in the Seattle expansion draft. Now entering the first year of a 5-year, $25 million deal, he’s back where his NHL journey began. Not bad for a 7th-rounder.

Saturday, October 18 vs New York Islanders — J.G. Pageau, Anthony Duclair, Matthew Highmore

"Pageau! Pageau! Pageau! Pageau!" The fan-favourite and Ottawa native spent seven seasons with the team and was known for his playoff heroics and clutch goals. Duclair, who had a 23-goal season with Ottawa in 2019–20, and possibly Highmore (if on the roster), also join him in the return. Pageau is entering the final year of his contract.

Monday, October 27 vs Boston Bruins — Mark Kastelic, Joonas Korpisalo

Mark Kastelic, a rugged centerman drafted by the Senators in 2019, will face his old team for the first time since being traded. Meanwhile, goalie Joonas Korpisalo—whose tenure in Ottawa didn’t go as planned—will be back in town on the Sens' dime. They’re still paying $1 million of his salary annually for the next three years.

Tuesday, November 11 vs Dallas Stars — Matt Duchene

Duchene returns once again to face the team that gave up a significant trade package to acquire him back in 2017. His time in Ottawa was brief and turbulent during the team’s retooling years.

Thursday, December 4 vs New York Rangers — Mika Zibanejad

Drafted sixth overall by Ottawa in 2011, Zibanejad played parts of five seasons before being traded to New York, where he blossomed into a top-line NHL centre.

Saturday, December 6 vs St. Louis Blues — Mathieu Joseph

Joseph returns after being traded in the 2024 offseason. He spent parts of three seasons in Ottawa.

Tuesday, December 9 vs New Jersey Devils — Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Stefan Noesen, Angus Crookshank (if rostered)

Brown, a key player during the rebuild; Dadonov, a high-priced signing who struggled in Ottawa; and possibly Crookshank, a former B-Sens standout, all come back under the Devils' banner. Noesen was a 2011 first-rounder who was dealt to Anaheim in the Bobby Ryan trade.

Thursday, December 18 vs Pittsburgh Penguins — Erik Karlsson

A marquee night as the two-time Norris Trophy winner with the Sens makes his return. Drafted in 2008, Karlsson served as captain and spent nine seasons in Ottawa before being traded in 2018.

Saturday, December 20 vs Chicago Blackhawks — Nick Foligno

At 37, Foligno is still rolling. A first-round pick by the Sens in 2006, he spent five seasons in Ottawa before being traded to Columbus for Marc Methot 13 years ago.

Tuesday, December 23 vs Buffalo Sabres — Josh Norris

The biggest homecoming of the season. Traded at last season’s deadline in a blockbuster that brought Dylan Cozens to Ottawa, Norris—if healthy—will face the team that gave him his NHL start and his current massive contract.

Monday, December 29 vs Columbus Blue Jackets — Erik Gudbranson

The Ottawa native played 36 games for the Senators during the shortened 2020–21 season. Now wearing an "A" in Columbus, he’ll enjoy some home cooking with the family.

Thursday, January 1 vs Washington Capitals — Jakob Chychrun

Chychrun returns after an impressive first season in Washington. He’s in year one of an eight-year, $72 million deal with the Caps.

Saturday, January 3 vs Winnipeg Jets — Vladislav Namestnikov, Dylan DeMelo

DeMelo was solid and a social media darling during his time in Ottawa. Namestnikov was here for a short cup of coffee in 2019–20.

Monday, January 5 vs Detroit Red Wings — Alex DeBrincat, Austin Watson, Cam Talbot, Jacob Bernard-Docker

A loaded return night. DeBrincat, once pegged as a long-term core player, didn't want to be here. So he was traded after just one season. The popular Watson brought grit and leadership during his three seasons. Talbot and Bernard-Docker round out the group of familiar faces.

Saturday, January 24 vs Carolina Hurricanes — Mike Reilly

The smooth-skating defenseman played 70 games with the Sens between 2019 and 2021. Reilly missed over four months with the Islanders after a heart procedure last season—so it’s good to see him playing anywhere.

Saturday, January 25 vs Vegas Golden Knights — Mark Stone

Stone, who spends his summers here, plays in Ottawa for the first time since 2022. The Sens’ 2010 sixth-round steal captained Vegas to a Cup two years ago.

Wednesday, January 28 vs Colorado Avalanche — Parker Kelly

Known for his relentless motor, Kelly was a locker room favourite during his tenure in Ottawa. He now grinds it out for the Avs.

Sunday, March 15 vs San Jose Sharks — Adam Gaudette, Zack Ostapchuk (if rostered)

Gaudette played a short stint with Ottawa, scoring a surprising 19 goals. Ostapchuk, a former Sens prospect, could face his former organization if he cracks the Sharks’ NHL lineup.

Saturday, April 4 vs Minnesota Wild — Filip Gustavsson, Vladimir Tarasenko

Gustavsson is no longer being pushed by veteran Marc-Andre Fleury, who's now retired. Now the internal competition comes from young Jesper Wallstedt. Tarasenko, whose brief stay in Ottawa helped out the top-six, comes back with the Wild after a tough season in Detroit.

Tuesday, April 7 vs Tampa Bay Lightning — Nick Paul, Boris Katchouk

Paul, a do-it-all forward in Ottawa, has been excellent for Tampa. Katchouk, once a Sens fourth-liner, also returns.

There it is — a season filled with emotional reunions, feel-good storylines, and, in the case of the well-liked Norris, whose exit is still so fresh, maybe a few tears.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

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Former San Jose Sharks defenseman Markus Nutivaara has announced that he is continuing his hockey career with Kärpät of Liiga.

Unfortunately, Nutivaara was never able to play in a regular season game with the organization due to a hip injury that forced him to hang up his skates for a period of time.

Now, though, he is healthy enough to resume his career, and he’s very excited about it. In his press release, he had this to say:

"I have butterflies in my stomach and I feel like a little boy!" He went on to add, "The starting points are certainly challenging. I had hip surgery in November – it took a couple of months until I started to feel like I could move well. I went to watch a Kärppien game and realized that I couldn't just watch hockey, I wanted to be playing myself! I didn't have that feeling before the surgery because I was in so much pain. As the rehabilitation process progressed, I had the playful idea of trying it! Let's get my body back in top shape – there's nothing to lose. With good luck, you'll be able to play, with bad luck, at least you'll be in good shape and can live normally for the rest of your life."

Nutivaara has played 275 games in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers over six seasons. He has scored 17 goals and 54 assists for 71 points and had a plus-26 rating.

67 Days Until Opening Day: The Sharks' History of Number 67We’re officially just 67 days away from the San Jose Sharks taking the ice at SAP Center and hosting the Vegas Golden Knights on opening night. From The Archive: Nabokov For KiprusoffThe Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features. 3 AHL Rookies Who Could Be Difference Makers for the San Jose BarracudaThe San Jose Sharks have an abundance of prospects who will be battling for spots in the NHL and the American Hockey League this coming season. From The Archive: Michael Misa vs. James Hagens The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

The New York Islanders announced that they have signed No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer to his entry-level deal. 

#Isles News: The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Matthew Schaefer to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Read more: https://t.co/6hCqZ281QDpic.twitter.com/CHurk65I0k

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) August 4, 2025

Just because Schaefer signed his ELC, that doesn't mean he's going to be on the NHL roster this fall. 

The soon-to-be 18-year-old's goal is to make the Islanders out of training camp, where he'll likely be battling with Isaiah George for the final starting blue-line spot. 

However, if Schaefer doesn't make the team, he'll be sent back to the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, where he must remain until the OHL season comes to an end before being recalled. 

Signing his ELC eliminates Schaefer from going the collegiate route. 

The most likely route for Schaefer and the Islanders is to give him a nine-game sample size at the NHL level before making a decision. 

Once Schaefer plays in NHL game No. 10, he will burn a year off his ELC, and that's not ideal, hence the nine-game sample size we see often around the league.

Regardless of how this all plays out, signing his ELC is a huge moment for Schaefer and the franchise. 

PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Ducks have trimmed their unsigned RFAs list down to one. Mason McTavish is the lone RFA left for the Ducks to sign after they signed forwards Sam Colangelo and Tim Washe to two-year deals on Monday. Both deals are two-way contracts in 2025-26 and will convert into one-way contracts for the 2026-27 season.

Colangelo split time between the NHL and AHL with the Ducks and San Diego Gulls during the 2024-25 season. He scored 22 goals in 40 games with the Gulls during his first full season as a pro and was named to the AHL All-Star Game. In 32 games with the Ducks, he scored 10 goals, with five of those coming during a four-game goalscoring streak at the beginning of March.

"I think I've grown a lot this year," Colangelo said. "I think the biggest thing I've probably gotten better at is my defensive play. Still a work in progress, especially playing against the best players in the world. It's hard to defend them, but just playing through bodies and using my size to my advantage, finishing checks. I think I've grown a lot, but I still think I have a long way to go."

Primarily used in the bottom-6 at the NHL level after occupying a top line role in the AHL, Colangelo is likely to have a similar role for the Ducks this upcoming season. Despite the departure of Trevor Zegras via trade, the additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund will fill out the top-6, pushing the likes of Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano down the lineup. Colangelo's best bet at a regular lineup spot may be on the fourth line, perhaps playing alongside another new addition in Ryan Poehling and fellow youngster Nikita Nesterenko.

At 6-foot-2 and weighing over 210 pounds, Colangelo can use his size and strength to help create what would be a much more complete fourth line than any that the Ducks have had in seasons past. With Granlund taking No. 64, Colangelo has switched to No. 12, which he wore during his senior collegiate season with Western Michigan.

Washe has just two NHL games under his belt, joining the Ducks as an undrafted free agent in April after helping lead Western Michigan to an NCAA championship. A sturdy center who excels on faceoffs, Washe said that he signed with the Ducks because of their young core and their need for another center.

"I'm just trying my best to make that fit and help the team," Washe said. "Just try to help any way I can. At the end of the day, you control what you can control. Effort, attitude, all that stuff. Just focus on that and getting better each day."

With a strong set of players down the middle in Leo Carlsson, McTavish, Strome and Poehling, Washe will likely start the season in the AHL to get more seasoning, barring an impressive training camp performance. The Gulls' center depth is quite strong as well, led by AHL veteran Ryan Carpenter and supplemented by Nathan Gaucher and Jan Myšák, who had a breakout AHL season in 2024-25.

All attention now turns to McTavish, who will likely see a large pay bump on his next contract. With a little over a month until training camp, there has been plenty of speculation on McTavish's future from external media outlets. Reaching an agreement before training camp would prevent a scenario similar to the one that played out with Zegras and Jamie Drysdale in 2023, where the pair of players signed mid-way through camp but then got injured.

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Featured image caption: Nov 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Sam Colangelo (64) shoots the puck during the second period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Welcome back to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s Coaches as Players series. Last time, we looked at Canucks icon and player development coach Henrik Sedin’s playing career. Today, we’ll be taking a look at skills and skating coach Jason Krog’s NHL career with the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers, and Canucks. 

Krog, an undrafted forward, specialized in faceoffs during his time in the NHL. Originally from Fernie, BC, he played with the Creston Valley Thunder and Chilliwack Chiefs from 1992 to 1995 before embarking on a four-year NCAA journey with the University of New Hampshire. He enjoyed back-to-back 66-point seasons, the latter of which he scored 33 goals during, and finished his time there with a total of 94 goals and 144 assists in 152 games. Krog was named captain in his final year and scored an NCAA career-high of 34 goals and 51 assists in 41 games. 

The 1999–2000 season was Krog’s first in the NHL, during which he played with the Islanders. He made his NHL debut on December 4, 1999, in a 4–3 loss to the Thrashers. Krog’s first NHL point came on February 10, 2000 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, after tallying an assist on the game’s opening goal scored by Mariusz Czerkawski. The game after, he had his first multi-point game with two assists against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game after that, he scored his first NHL goal against the Rangers. Krog finished his first NHL season with two goals and four assists in 17 games played. During this season, he also spent time with the Lowell Lock Monsters and Providence Bruins of the AHL. 

Krog spent most of the season after, 2000–01, in the AHL. While he did slot into the Islanders’ lineup for nine games, tallying three assists in this span of time, he split most of his season with the Lock Monsters and Springfield Falcons. He tallied 11 goals and 16 assists with Lowell and seven goals and 23 assists with the Falcons, adding up to 57 points in 60 AHL games. 

In 2001–02, Krog played in 64 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, scoring 26 goals and 36 assists. He only played in two games for the Islanders, but had the chance to join Bridgeport in their quest for the 2002 Calder Cup. Despite a 10-goal, 13-assist effort in 20 playoff games, Krog and the Tigers lost 4–1 to the Chicago Wolves in the Calder Cup Final. Even so, this was only the beginning of Krog’s experience with Calder Cup Finals action. 

2002–03 marked the start of a different journey for Krog. Newly acquired by the Ducks organization, Krog spent 67 games with Anaheim in his first season with the club. It only took him two games to get his first point as a Duck and five to get his first goal. He had his first two-goal game on January 9, 2003 against the Colorado Avalanche, and recorded three assists against the Phoenix Coyotes on February 7. He finished the season with 10 goals and 15 assists. 

The 2003–04 season was Krog’s first full season spent in the NHL, as he played in 80 of the Ducks’ games. However, he saw a decline in his overall point production, scoring six goals and 12 assists — seven points less than what he had the season prior. During the lockout the year after, Krog played for Villacher SV of the EBEL, posting 27 goals and 33 assists in 48 games. While the NHL returned to play the year afterm Krog remained in Europe, spending the season with Genève-Servette HC of the NLA and Frölunda HC in Elitserien. 

Krog made his return to the NHL in 2006–07, joining the Thrashers for only 14 games. He potted a goal and three assists before ending up with the Rangers. With New York, Krog found his way to the Wolves — the team that had beaten him in the Calder Cup Final only five years prior. In 44 games with the Wolves, he scored an impressive 26 goals and 54 assists. In the postseason, he posted five goals and 14 assists in Chicago’s 15-game run. 

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In 2007–08, Krog stuck solely with the Wolves in the AHL. This seemed to have paid off, however, as he finished the season with 39 goals and 73 assists in 80 games played, making this his first 100-point season in any league. This effort earned him the Les Cunningham Award, which is given to the most valuable player in the AHL. Krog was a beast in the postseason as well, scoring 12 goals and 26 assists in 24 games and being named MVP of the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs. Six seasons after losing to the Wolves in the Calder Cup Final, Krog hoisted the Calder Cup as a member of the very team that defeated him back then. 

After the success of his 2007–08 season with Chicago, Krog ended up signing a deal with none other than the Canucks. Despite only playing in four games and scoring a goal for Vancouver, Krog had yet another offensively-prolific season in the AHL — this time with the Manitoba Moose. He put together his second consecutive 30-goal season and added 56 assists to this, also stringing together an eight-goal, 15-assist performance in the postseason. While Krog had come out victorious in the 2008 Calder Cup Final, he and the Moose were on the opposite side in 2009, losing in six games to the Hershey Bears. 

Krog’s four games with the Canucks were the final games of his NHL career, as after this, he played in the AHL and a variety of European leagues before hanging up the skates in 2016–17. Before departing for Europe, he spent two more seasons with the Wolves, both as captain, and put together back-to-back 75-point seasons. 

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The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. 

The name of Calgary winger Joel Farabee has been linked to the Sabres in the past, going back to his days with the Philadelphia Flyers. Farabee was a 2018 first round pick out of the US National Development Program and turned pro after one NCAA season at Boston University. After playing briefly in the AHL, he played 52 games as a 19-year-old rookie with the Flyers, and as a sophomore posted 20 goals in the post-COVID 56-game 2020-21 season. 

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Philadelphia was proactive and signed the winger to a six-year, $30 million extension, but the next few seasons saw a regression in his game due to injuries and a lack of confidence brought about by Flyers head coach John Tortorella. After a career-high 22 goals in 2023.24, the Syracuse native was dealt to the Flames mostly to clear the final three years of his contract off their books. 

Calgary is looking to challenge for a playoff spot, but there continues to be chatter that players like veteran center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson (who is entering the final year of his contract) could be dealt if the Flames show signs of not being in the mix.

What Would It Cost?

The Sabres could see an opportunity to bring in a Western New York native at a favorable number and cost certainty the next three seasons for a reasonable return. If the Flames shop Farabee, they could have interest in younger forwards who they would give more of an opportunity to. An almost perfect fit might be Calgary native Peyton Krebs, who was rumored to be a target of Philadelphia and could pique the interest of Flames GM Craig Conroy.  

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The Buffalo Sabres want nothing more than to qualify for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs. Ending Buffalo's 14-year drought without any playoff games is a gigantic stain on the organization, but there's no assurace the Sabres will be able to vault over many solid teams and grab a playoff berth.

Indeed, with all but a few Eastern Conference teams having legitimate designs on being in the next post-season, Buffalo has almost zero room for error this coming season. If they don't start strong coming out of the gate, it could be impossible for them to dig out of the crater they leave and knock off a top-level Atlantic Division rival like the Toronto Maple Leafs or Tampa Bay Lightning. The Atlantic standings could feature five teams getting into the playoffs next year, but that would have to come at the expense of the Metropolitan Division's slew of teams that will be vying for a post-season spot. So the Sabres need to play well against the Metro's teams.

To that end, we've been going team-by-team through the Metro and the Eastern Conference in general to examine all the rivalries the Sabres will be immersed in next year. In today's file, we're finishing up the East with a look at the best team in the conference this past season -- the Washington Capitals, who finished first in the Metro last season.

The difference between making and missing the playoffs could come down to a few points, so the Sabres need to win more series than they lose -- and that will be difficult against a Capitals team that was dominant last season. But let's break things down in our usual format, and figure out if Buffalo really has a legitimate shot at winning their series against the Caps.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. WASHINGTON CAPITALS

NEW CAPITALS PLAYERS: Justin Sourdif, RW; Declan Chisholm, D 

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 2-1-0, Capitals 1-1-1

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  November 1 at Buffalo; March 12 at Buffalo; April 4 at Washington 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres actually did fairly well against the Capitals last year, winning a 4-3 shootout game, then smacking Washington 8-5 in their final game of the season. That said, the Caps did win their first game against the Sabres, and they were on cruise control for a good portion of the latter part of the regular season, so Buffalo shouldn't be cocky that they can win two of three games against Washington this coming season.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Should Buffalo Dominate Showdowns Against Lowly Penguins Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres know their schedule for the 2025-26 campaign, and if Buffalo hopes to end their Stanley Cup playoff drought after 14 years, they're going to need to make the most of every rivalry they have in the league. And that includes the Pittsburgh Penguins -- the team that is the latest Metropolitan Division rival for the Sabres in THN.com's Sabres site rankings of all Buffalo's Eastern Conference's rivals.

The Capitals made very few changes to their roster this summer, adding only fringe players Sourdif and Chisholm. If either of those players sees significant time, it will mean one of two things: either the Caps find a way to play so well, they can affort to rest their regulars, or Buffalo has so many injuries and/or underwhelming performances from their veterans, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery has no choice but to play the two players.

We don't expect the Capitals will get to that point, though. And while Buffalo can point to their two wins over Washington last season as a building point for future showdowns against the Capitals, the truth is that the Caps didn't need to make many moves this summer, and that they match up very well against the Sabres on paper.

To wit: Washington's defense corps performed very well last season, and while Buffalo may have more high-end depth on 'D' than the Capitals, the Sabres' overall play in their defensive end was a major stumbling block to their success, in a way that obviously wasn't what we saw from the Caps. And the Caps have many skilled, experienced players to help them be not only a playoff team, but a top team in their division and conference, and the league in general. 

 

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Do Young Flyers Pose A Threat To Buffalo Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres desperately need to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. And while the Philadelphia Flyers aren't quite as desperate as the Sabres are to do so, Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere wouldn't object at all if the Flyers surprised people and got into the post-season this coming year.

Buffalo has two of its three games against Washington at home this coming year, and as we saw last season, the Sabres were a much better home team than they were on the road. And again, the NHL's playoff race could come down to one or two standings points. So having that second home game against the Capitals could be the difference between Buffalo making and missing the post-season next year.

So, to answer the above question -- can the Sabres beat this Capitals team? -- the answer is "Yes, they absolutely can". And if Buffalo does lose out on playoff hockey for a 15th consecutive season, and they lose the season series against Washington, their play against the Caps will underscore significant problems with the Sabres, problems that will be addressed next summer with many roster changes.

But if Buffalo wins their series against the Capitals, and they do get into the playoffs, the Sabres will be able to point to their play against Washington as one of the reasons they got into the post-season. There's no more excuses for Buffalo, and their performance against the Caps needs to prove to skeptics that this Sabres team is at long last ready to take the next competitive step.

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the best 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. 

#39 - Gustav Karlsson – Center (Falu IF -  HockeyEttan - SWE)

Karlsson was the second of the Sabres sixth-round picks at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, where Buffalo chose three Swedish prospects with their last three picks. The 6’1”, 165 lb. center was selected as a 19-year-old overager out of the Orebro HK juniors after scoring 31 goals in 41 games, but the following season his goal totals dropped to 14.

 

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The 21-year-old has earned a couple of stints totaling 11 games at the SHL level,  but has not shown he is ready to play at the top level yet. After another season in juniors, Karlsson was assigned to the third-level pro league (HockeyEttan) and posted five goals for Vimmerby. Last season, he played at the same level for Falu IF, and only showed marginal improvement. According to Elite Prospects, he is slated to play for a third different club in as many years. 

Hockey Prospect’s Black Book said in his draft year that Karlsson “doesn’t engage in puck battles hard enough and often goes in with the intent of letting someone else bring the physicality.” His inability to generate offense even at a lower level does not speak well of his future prospect of earning an NHL deal.

  

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