Category: NHL

Yesterday, former New Jersey Devil Jack O’Callahan turned 68, celebrating a remarkable hockey journey that spanned both NHL ice and Olympic history.

Join us in wishing our teammate #17 Jack O'Callahan a Happy 68th Birthday today!#45YearsLater: After the #80Games, he played 390 games in the @NHL for @nhlblackhawks & @njdevils in 1980-89. After retiring OC went into the financial services business.🏒🏅🇺🇸

Have a great day OC! pic.twitter.com/zCrf6Mw5wU

— 1980 Miracle Hockey Team (@1980MiracleTeam) July 24, 2025

O’Callahan played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils, but he’s best known for his role on the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic team that defeated the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.”

Drafted 96th overall in the 1977 NHL Draft by Chicago, O’Callahan spent five seasons with the Blackhawks before joining the New Jersey Devils. He played two seasons in New Jersey, appearing in 80 games before retiring in 1989.

Standing at six foot two, the defenseman suited up for the Devils during a pivotal time in franchise history. He played with the 1987-88 Devils, who made a stunning playoff run that marked a turning point for the team. From that season through 2012, the Devils missed the postseason only three times.

Before his NHL days, O’Callahan made history as part of the U.S. Olympic team that shocked the world in 1980. Although he missed three games due to injury, he returned for the gold medal game, forever cementing his place in hockey lore.

O’Callahan wasn’t the only “Miracle on Ice” alum to wear a Devils sweater. Neal Broten and Mark Johnson also spent time in New Jersey. Broten scored the game-winning goal in the 1995 Stanley Cup Final and played for the Devils from 1994 to 1997. Johnson played five seasons with the team, from 1985 to 1990.

After hanging up his skates, O’Callahan transitioned into finance, co-founding Beanpot Financial Services with another former player, Jack Hughes.

He has also remained connected to the sport, making appearances at various hockey events. In 2010, he addressed the U.S. men’s Olympic team, telling ESPN that his message was simple:

“They may be great players, but players don't win championships—teams win championships. When we won in Lake Placid, the main reason was that we were a cohesive team. Everybody checked their egos at the door.”

His dual legacy, as a member of the Miracle on Ice team and as a New Jersey Devil, is firmly intact. Ahead of this season’s Four Nations Face-Off, Team USA coaches even named O’Callahan as a player they would’ve loved to coach.

Now 68, O’Callahan may not lace up his skates as often, but his impact on American hockey and Devils history continues.

Photo Credit: © Frank Becerra Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

The New York Islanders and forward Maxim Tsyplakov have avoided salary arbitration. The 26-year-old came to terms on a two-year extension worth $2.25 million, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. 

Per @FriedgeHNIC, #Isles & Maxim Tsyplakov avoid salary arbitration.

Two-year deal worth $2.25 M annually.

Hearing was scheduled for 7/29.

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) July 25, 2025

Just a reminder, but had the Islanders and Tsyplakov gone in front of an arbitrator, given that he is 26, he would only be eligible for a one-year deal, as his unrestricted free agent years begin at age 27. 

Tsyplakov was the final Islanders player that was in need of a contract and getting Tsyplakov to agree to $2.25 million was a nice piece of work to close things out. 

According to industry sources, the Islanders and Tsyplakov's camp came close to an extension worth $3 million per season. But that potential deal didn't get done before former general manager Lou Lamoriello's time with the organization came to an end. 

Where Things Stand Between Tsyplakov & Islanders Tsyplakov filed for player-elected salary arbitration on July 7.

New general manager Mathieu Darche deserves credit for how he's handled his restricted free agents.  

Darche made it clear that he wanted players who would be a pain to play against, and look no further than Alexander Romanov. The 25-year-old defenseman signed an eight-year extension worth $6.25 million. 

Was it a tad more than people expected, including Romanov? Sure, but Romanov not only fits the game plan and the club's timeline, but has emerged as No. 2 defenseman, and had he continued to develop, that price tag would have been much more in a few years. 

On the flip side, 25-year-old Noah Dobson and his camp wanted the Islanders to pay close to $10 million annually. While Darche made it clear that he wanted to keep Dobson, there was a line that he was not going to cross, and he didn't. 

While Dobson said he didn't request a trade, he did everything possible to force his way off Long Island and onto the Montreal Canadiens, using the need for a new deal as complete leverage despite not having any trade protection. 

The Islanders lucked out with what appeared to be an underwhelming trade, getting pick No. 16 (Victor Eklund), No. 17 (Kashawn Aitcheson), and Emil Heineman before Dobson signed an eight-year extension worth $9.5 million with Montreal -- taking less. 

Heineman, fresh off his first NHL season -- it was a tail of two halves with 10 goals and seven assists through his first 37 games before one assist in his final 25 games -- signed a two-year deal worth $1.1 million annually. 

With Tsyplakov, Darche could have stuck with the deal that was in the works before he took over, but he didn't. Despite information emerging that Darche honored Kyle Palmieri's two-year deal worth $4.75 million, there was still work to be done on that deal, which was hashed out when the contract was signed, not before it. 

Tsyplakov's camp probably realized, given his production this past season with 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 77 games, that $2.25 million was likely as high as the arbitrator was willing to go. 

Although this is a two-year deal, it's undoubtedly a prove-it contract, especially given the amount of forward depth the club has leading up to training camp. Tsyplakov signed with the Islanders out of Russia because of the opportunity they presented. The opportunity that was there last season isn't as wide open this time around.

For a first-time general manager looking to set the foundation for long-term success, Darche needed to be smart here, and he was, which isn't a shock given his salary cap and contract negotiation experience from his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Forward Simon Holmstrom, off a breakout season with 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points, signed a two-year deal worth $3.625 million annually, which will make him eligible for free agency. His upside is tremendous, and this deal will keep him a restricted free agent once it ends. 

Then, the Islanders will be set up to sign him to a long-term deal -- CBA for 2026-27 and beyond will limit contracts to seven years -- and while he'll get fair value, that potential contract will likely look like a steal if he keeps developing the way he has. 

Forward Marc Gatcomb, who demonstrated a nice offensive touch with eight goals and one assist in 39 games while playing a speedy, physical forechecking style, is a solid depth piece - an extra forward to have on the roster. While he didn't sign his qualifying offer worth $813,750 -- that would have been a two-way deal-- he signed a one-way contract worth $900,000. 

Defenseman Adam Boqvist, who head coach Patrick Roy absolutely loves, fits the system to a tee after coming over from waivers from the Florida Panthers. 

He recorded four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 35 games and very well could beat out Scott Mayfield for the third-pairing spot, like he did last season. 

Boqvist signed a one-year deal worth $850,000, taking less than his $892,500 qualifying offer to get a one-way deal. 

Tsyplakov was the final RFA that #Isles had left to sign:

F Tsyplakov: 2x$2.25M
F Holmstrom: 2x$3.625M
D Romanov: 8x$6.25M
D Dobson: To MTL for No. 16 & 17, Heineman
F Gatcomb: 1x$900,000
D Boqvist: 1x$850,000
F Heineman: 2x$1.1M

*Eklund at No. 16, Aitcheson at No. 17

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) July 25, 2025

Darche has officially completed the contract work the team needed, so maybe he can take a little -- just a little -- time off ahead of his first season as the club's GM. 

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

PHOTO: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Ville Koivunen undoubtedly left a strong first impression with the NHL club this past season. In eight games with Pittsburgh to finish the year, the 22-year-old forward recorded seven assists. This included ending the season on a five-game point streak, where he recorded six helpers over that span.

Koivunen certainly earned his late-season call-up from Pittsburgh, too, as he impressed big time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In 63 games with the AHL squad in 2024-25, he recorded 21 goals, 35 assists, 56 points, and a plus-2 rating. Overall, it was a strong first full season in North America for Koivunen, and he certainly created more hype surrounding him in the process.

With how well Koivunen kicked off his NHL career with the Penguins this past season, there is no question that he is one of the Penguins' biggest breakout candidates heading into 2025-26. When taking a look at the Penguins' roster, the young forward should compete for a spot in their top six and also get power-play time. Thus, the possibility of him hitting a new level with the Penguins next season is absolutely there. 

It will be fascinating to see what kind of campaign Koivunen can have with the Penguins from here. There is no question that he has the potential to emerge as a very good NHL player, and he very well could cement himself as just that in 2025-26. 

Penguins Have Intriguing Target To Consider From BlackhawksThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the middle of retooling their roster. Due to this, a number of their veteran players have been discussed in the rumor mill this off-season, including Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. 

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

We are very, very early in thinking about the 2027 NHL draft, but if Canada's summer U-17 camp is any indicator, center Alexis Joseph is gonna be a problem for opponents from here on out.

Simply put, he's the kid that everyone has been talking about: scouts, agents and Hockey Canada folks have all been raving about him.

The first overall pick in the QMJHL draft this year, Joseph is gearing up to play for the Saint John Sea Dogs, where the youngster has the chance to put his name on the map like franchise alums such as Jonathan Huberdeau and Thomas Chabot.

Currently dominating at Canada's camp in Oakville, Ont., Joseph is looking forward to getting to Saint John, where his only experience to date was at development camp.

"I was just there for three days, but it's a great city," he said. "I want to learn more about the city, and I will in the next few months and years."

You don't need to be a high-level scout to see why Joseph has serious NHL potential in the future. The teen is already 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, and along with some nice offensive vision, he can also move. Funny enough, power and speed are areas he still wants to improve in.

"I've worked on it this summer and last summer, and I'll continue to work on it," Joseph said. "It's a bit of weakness, my feet. I'm a big guy, and I'm young, so sometimes I'm not that fast. My power and speed is something I try to work on all year long."

You could have fooled me. Joseph's powerful game seems pretty advanced, and while he might not think he's fast, his size means he gets places just as quickly as smaller players – two of his strides can equal three of someone else's, after all. His power game looks great and is reminiscent of a certain NHL superstar that the teen already looks up to.

"The one guy I focus on is Nathan MacKinnon," Joseph said. "He's pretty good offensively, he's won a Stanley Cup and he's good defensively. He's hard to play against, and I try to be like him."

Growing up in the suburbs of Montreal, Joseph played multiple sports, from mountain biking and dek hockey to soccer. Eventually, he had to make a choice.

"I was more of a soccer player growing up, but I had to forget soccer and focus on hockey," he said. "I was a defensive guy, like Sergio Ramos when he was with Real Madrid – but smaller."

Joseph is now pretty big, and at 16, there's a chance he could continue to grow. Based on the early returns at Canada's camp, the newest Sea Dog will be one to watch in the 'Q' this fall and when the World Under-17 Challenge kicks off on Halloween in Nova Scotia.

And while defenseman Landon DuPont is the top prospect for the 2027 NHL draft right now, don't sleep on Joseph: if he continues to develop into an elite talent, he'll be precisely the kind of big No. 1 center that tends to go very high on draft day.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

When a London, Ont., judge ruled on Thursday that all five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were not guilty on all charges, the NHL found itself at a crossroads of moral decency. 

Should the players, who have already missed more than a year while fighting for their freedom, be allowed to resume their NHL careers? Or do they need to spend additional time away from the league for not living up to the ethical standards of being an NHLer?

So far, the league is choosing the latter. 

"The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing, and the behavior at issue was unacceptable," the NHL's statement said. "We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings. While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league."

This was the right decision, even if it wasn’t necessarily an easy one.

No, the easy decision would have been for the league to follow the court’s lead and clear the players, allowing them to get on with their lives and resume their NHL careers as if nothing had happened. The easy decision, which the NHL has chosen at times in the past, would have been to put winning above everything else.

After all, these are not just ordinary players. These were Canada’s best junior players in 2018. They were potential stars.

Michael McLeod and Cal Foote were first-round picks of the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively. Dillon Dube, who was the captain of the world junior team, had spent six seasons with the Calgary Flames. Alex Formenton was coming off an 18-goal season with the Ottawa Senators. Carter Hart was the No. 1 goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.

All of them had bright futures. Considering they are in their mid-20s, they still do. And yet, their futures may no longer be in the NHL.

By ruling that all players were essentially “free to go,” McLeod, Foote, Dube, Formenton and Hart should theoretically be allowed re-sign with an NHL team of their choosing. Some, like Hart, were already being linked to several teams who are in dire need of goaltending.

But playing in the NHL is a privilege – not a right. And despite how badly the Edmonton Oilers might have needed an upgrade in net, the NHL is making it clear that there is a distinction between a court of law and the court of common decency. 

What the players did behind closed doors after a night of drinking at a Hockey Canada gala honoring their victory at the 2018 World Junior Championship might not have been criminal. But it was wrong on several levels. Regardless of consent, a young woman was taken advantage of and put in danger by a group of young men who became the poster boys for the toxic masculinity and negative culture that still pervades the sport. 

This move from the NHL sends a strong message, not only to the rest of the league – but to the fans as well. 

The only question is, how long can the NHL punish them? Is one year enough? Two years? Indefinitely?

Stan Bowman, Joel Quenneville and Al MacIsaac, who were ruled ineligible “as a result of their inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach had been assaulted by the team’s video coach,” were reinstated on July 1, 2024, after spending two-and-a-half years out of the league.

Maybe that sentence will serve as a starting point. 

The NHLPA disagreed with this viewpoint, arguing that the NHL’s decision “is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA.”

Obviously, nothing will be done in this situation until after the NHL is finished conducting its investigation. But it is probably safe to suggest that none of the players will be welcomed back into the league in time for the start of the season.

Based on the language that Gary Bettman once used to describe the players’ actions, calling them "abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable,” they may never be welcomed back.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the middle of retooling their roster. Due to this, a number of their veteran players have been discussed in the rumor mill this off-season, including Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. 

Although the possibility of the Penguins moving on from some of their notable players is certainly there, they also should not be against adding to their roster if a player can help them in the long term. Because of this, one player who they should seriously consider making a push for is Chicago Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel. 

Reichel, 23, has been the subject of trade speculation all off-season. It is understandable, as the young forward has had trouble finding his fit with the Blackhawks. Although this is the case, the possibility for him to tap into his potential more is still there, so he could be a solid player for the Penguins to take a gamble on. 

Reichel appeared in 70 games this past season with the Blackhawks, where he posted eight goals, 14 assists, and 22 points. While these numbers do not necessarily stand out, the 2020 first-round pick also had seven goals and 15 points in just 23 games with the Blackhawks during the 2022-23 season. With this, it is fair to wonder if the 6-foot winger could blossom into a solid offensive contributor in the right situation. There is a reason why he was once considered one of the Blackhawks' top prospects.

Overall, with the Penguins needing more young, skilled players with good upside, Reichel is a player who they should seriously consider pursuing. Bringing him in would be a low-risk move for the Penguins. 

Ex-Penguins Defender Surprisingly Still A Free AgentIt has now been almost once month since free agency opened, so the majority of this year's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed. Although this is true, there are also a few interesting players who still have not found their new homes. 

Photo Credit: © Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a slew of players who are either in the final or second-to-last year of their contract. 

Star center Evgeni Malkin is in the last year of his deal. He’s one of seven Penguins forwards who are UFAs after 2025-26. Three Pens defensemen are in the same boat. If you count players in the penultimate year of their contract, the number goes up to 10 forwards – including captain Sidney Crosby – and five defensemen, including star Erik Karlsson.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is retooling this team, yet Crosby, Malkin and star defenseman Kris Letang seem about as deeply embedded as it gets. What Dubas has created around them is an environment where players have every motivation to have a productive year while these leaders are still playing. The team isn't devoid of talent, but it does need players at both ends of the ice to play boom-or-bust hockey if Dubas isn't tearing down the roster.

That motivation applies to boosting their offensive production. This past season, only Crosby had a point-per-game average (1.14) of at least one, and the Penguins ranked 18th in goals-for. Those numbers won’t cut it in an NHL era where offense has been on the rise overall.

If Dubas trades Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, who both recorded career-high point totals this past year, the offense will likely dry up more. But unless the Penguins get a trade return for each of them that makes the team much stronger down the line, those two will be motivated to find yet another gear. They each scored more than 30 goals in 2024-25, and Pittsburgh can do its best to take advantage of that as long as those players are around. 

Dubas is clearly hoping their depth players entering contract years or getting close to it – Kevin Hayes, Anthony Mantha, Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar – wind up thriving in pursuit of a better payday sooner rather than later. As for Malkin, he would surely want to finish what could be his last season with the Penguins on a high note by trying to reach the 83 points he put up in 2022-23.

That said, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because Pittsburgh can’t put the puck in the net, they’re somehow going to be better on defense. The Penguins are worse on the back end, with 3.50 goals against per game, which ranked third-last in the NHL. This was not a good Pens team at either end of the ice.

Dubas obviously wants the team to improve up front, but if the Penguins want to surprise the NHL and compete for a playoff spot next season, they have to give their goalies a fighting chance – since the netminders couldn’t bail them out night in and night out. So they need those five defensemen who are at or near the end of their contract – Karlsson, Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton and Ryan Shea – to also step up by clamping down in their own zone and chipping in some scoring.

For much of this roster, the knowledge that their time in Pittsburgh could be almost done should provide a sense of urgency to their game. 

Crosby will be a fixture as a Penguin for as long as he wants to be, but you can light a bigger fire under him if he knows his teammates are giving it all they’ve got. That’s what the Penguins should hope this collection of end-of-contract players will do.

When Dubas took over in June 2023, he tried to put together a team that would compete for the Stanley Cup right away. That plan didn’t work out. So last year, Dubas shifted the gaze of Penguins fans from the here and now to tomorrow. Dubas hasn’t hit home runs with every move he makes, but you can’t accuse him of being satisfied with the status quo.

However, in trying and failing to return to the playoffs in the last three seasons, the Pens have demonstrated how far they are from being a contender. They could be further from it if the players on the final legs of their contracts, including their franchise legends, don’t find a way to get a hot streak going that powers them farther than most NHL followers can expect.

Teams have overachieved their roster on paper time and again, and Pittsburgh should hope to join that list. They could make the most of the here and now while getting started on developing the core of tomorrow.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Former New York Islanders forward and assistant to the general manager Matt Martin didn't talk much about his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, we are well aware that during his two seasons in Canada, he became incredibly close with superstar Mitch Marner.

While a portion of the Islanders fanbase hoped that Marner would be Long Island-bound, the 28-year-old signed an eight-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights worth $12 million annually. 

Matt Martin on Matthew Schaefer on @CamandStrick:

“But the way he moves on the ice, watching him in development camp, he has a little bit of that Marner where he gets on his edges and his body's going one way, but his feet are like, and you're like, how is he still standing? He… pic.twitter.com/OFgslc2xb1

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) July 24, 2025

That's pretty high praise for the No. 1 overall pick, whose skating is, no question, his bread and butter. Shifty skating, as we'll call it, makes it very difficult not only for the opposition to slow a player down but also makes it harder to read their movements.

Guys like Schaefer, Marner and Mathew Barzal, amongst others like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon prey on defensemen who get caught flat-footed. 

Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio said that Schaefer's skating reminds him of Quinn Hughes, with Cole Eiserman adding that Schaefer is going to have a 15- to 20-year NHL career due to his footwork. 

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

PHOTO:  John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The National Hockey League has announced its yearly 'Stanley' Awards - no, not the Stanley Cup, but the Stanley Awards. 

The 2025 presentation included eight different award winners, which included one department of the Winnipeg Jets' behind-the-scenes teams.

The Stanley Award winners were announced from the Club Business Meetings in Seattle, which are presented for creativity, team achievements and fan engagement annually. NHL on TNT personality Anson Carter emceed the event, while Jayna Hefford, Walter Jones and Detlef Schrempf served as presenters. 

The annual Stanley Awards winners were announced today at the 2025 NHL Club Business Meetings presented by Ticketmaster.

Congrats to the @UtahMammoth, @predsnhl, @NHLJets, @MapleLeafs, @DetroitRedWings, @TBLightning, @NJDevils and @StLouisBlues.

Story: https://t.co/2ZoBie0KRUpic.twitter.com/uAAFqmblRJ

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) July 23, 2025

The eight awards were as follows:

• Marketing Campaign -- Utah Hockey Club/Utah Mammoth (home opener campaign)
• Social Impact and Growth Initiatives -- Nashville Predators (music heritage nights)
• Social Media Club of the Year -- Winnipeg Jets (various posts, interactions and online content)
• Sponsorship Activation -- Toronto Maple Leafs (Oreo - “Stay Playful")
• Ticketing Initiative -- Detroit Red Wings (designer merch collaboration)
• Game Presentation of the Year -- Tampa Bay Lightning (in-arena game day experience)
• Venue Business Initiative -- New Jersey Devils (Center Pier Club and Eastback Kitchen)
• Strategy, Analytics, and Innovation -- St. Louis Blues (Bluesnatics and Blues App)

Leading the charge for the Jets' social media team is director of content, Adam Krueger. He and his associates caught the eye of the NHL's team award staff, to the tune of the team's social media presence during games, at practices, in the dressing room and for key moments/signings/news pieces. The Jets' social media team's delivery is prompt, reliable and witty, serving up a perfect mix of content to its followers across various platforms. 

"This award recognizes overall excellence by a club's social media team, including maximizing the teams' official social media channels to engage existing fans and capture the attention of new fans with outstanding creativity, consistency, and proven instinct to innovate within the NHL."

Breaking down the chances of a team to win the Stanley Cup for the first time during the 2025-26 season.

With the 2025–26 NHL season approaching, sportsbooks have posted season bets early on that betters can hop on now as the value of some teams will only get lower from this point on. One future bet that we wanted to explore and examine was a fun one: Will a team win the Stanley Cup for the first time?

Meaning do you think a team that has never won the Stanley Cup before, will do it in the 2025-26 season? Fortune favors a repeat winner as they are listed with massive -850 while a first-time cup winner is listed with +550 odds. Eligible teams that fall into the first-time winners category include the San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and the newly relocated Utah Mammoth.

The "No" side is supported by the deep field of past champions and future contenders in the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. With the field stacked against them, we explore some teams that could win the cup for the first time and have the highest chance of carrying this bet over the finish line. 

Former Teammates, New Rivals: Marner vs. Matthews Prop Bet Heats Up DebateSportsbooks reveal head-to-head prop bet between former teammates in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Winnipeg Jets - Stanley Cup Odds (+2300)

Last season's President's trophy winner continued the history of the top team in the regular season being ousted and not winning the Cup. Next season will be different for the Jets as they've made adjustments to their lineup by allowing forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton walk in free agency while bringing in talent like three-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews, Gustav Nyquist and Tanner Pearson. 

Their defence is set up to repeat as the league's best backend for the third season in a row and will have back-to-back Vezina trophy winner and recent league MVP Connor Hellebuyck in net. They have all the pieces to make a deep run but will need a couple bounces their way to lighten up the elite competition in their way in the Central Division before making the Conference Finals. 

Minnesota Wild - Stanley Cup Odds (+3500)

After years of solid-but-not-spectacular seasons, the Wild may finally be ready to make the leap. It has to be their year eventually as they came close to upsetting the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round but were ultimately downed in six games.  With Kirill Kaprizov driving the offense and rising star Brock Faber stabilizing the blue line, Minnesota enters the season with one of the league’s most balanced lineups. 

A deep run is a possibility if they can catch a couple breaks their way like the Edmonton Oilers to have a down year or experience injuries at the worst time and even then they'll have to get past a revamped Golden Knights team that just added another superstar talent in Mitch Marner. 

Vancouver Canucks - Stanley Cup Odds (+6000)

The Canucks came close in 2024 and return with a roster built for another run. Star players in Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes lead the charge, while the net is more secured than ever with Thatcher Demko coming back healthy and Kevin Lankinen looking to have another stellar year after posting elite numbers in Demko's absence. 

They'll have a different looking middle-six with new acquisitions in Evander Kane and a full season with Filip Chytil. The defence will be elite once again with an elite group including Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers, Marcus Pettersson, Derek Forbort and rising talent Elias Nils Pettersson

Oilers' Howard, Blues' Snuggerud Present Closest Competition to Demidov For CalderRookies Isaac Howard and Jimmy Snuggerud appear to be best cases behind Montreal's Ivan Demidov for 2026 Calder trophy

When you’re a young prospect grinding in the minors, you'll do anything you can to stick in the NHL. 

Rangers youngster Brett Berard revealed on Thursday at the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase in Stamford that he battled through a torn labrum suffered just four games into his debut.

The 22-year-old did miss three games right after the injury occurred against the Montreal Canadiens, but he quickly made his way back into the lineup in an effort to not waste his opportunity. 

“I was out for about a week or so,” he told Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “It’s one of those things where you’re up in the NHL, you work your whole life for it. I felt like I was playing good hockey too, so you don’t really want to lose that -- just tried to play through it.”

Berard did have to wear a brace on his shoulder the rest of the way, but he went on to appear in a total of 35 games during his rookie campaign. 

Despite the physical limitations, the youngster showed some positive signs, as he provided a much-needed spark to New York’s bottom-six with his all-out style of play on both ends of the ice.

He finished the year with six goals, four assists, 29 blocked shot, 53 hits, and 59 shots on goal. 

Berard performed well enough to crack Team USA’s roster for the World Championships, but ultimately ended up sitting out of the tournament with the injury -- the team went on to win gold for the first time since 1933.

“It definitely stunk sitting out,” he said. “It makes you a little bit jealous, but I know a ton of those guys, a lot of them I'm best friends with, so I was rooting for everybody and it was awesome to see them win gold there.”

The youngster didn’t require offseason surgery, so after taking the past couple of months to fully recovery and continue his training, he’s back to 100 percent heading into training camp.

This camp is shaping up to a huge one for Berard, who has spoken with new head coach Mike Sullivan several times since he’s been hired, but is still awaiting his opportunity to show what he can do on the ice.

The hope is now that he is fully healthy, he’ll be able to take his game to another level.

“You only get one tryout, you get one first impression,” Berard said. “So it’s kind of all in -- I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason, so I feel like if I put myself in the best position I can that I’ll be good.” 

Welcome to Part 3 of The Hockey News Toronto’s ranking of the media meals that are served around the NHL. This week, we move further down the rankings to look at the teams and venues

that ranked No. 9 through No. 16. Enjoy.

No. 16 Utah Mammoth

We have to cut Utah some slack since it’s their first year in the league and they don’t have a proper setup for hockey. They did provide a free voucher for $20 in concessions, which I used at Chick-fil-A. They had an upstairs area that provided coffee and snacks and elevated seating, which was really cool, but it was more fun to actually watch the game from the basketball media seating down low. We never sit this far down low, and you forget how fast the game is. 

TikTok · David AlterCheck out David Alter’s video.

No. 15 Tampa Bay Lightning

This is a pretty good meal for $8, and they have a traditional salad bar with several different protein options. They always have a serving station at the end of the line, and this time it was pasta. Among the places that serve us ice cream, Tampa is known for having one of the hardest to scoop. Not sure why that is. Up in the press box, they usually have some chips and some form of intermission snack.

No. 14 Anaheim Ducks

This by far was the most improved spot this season. They started accepting credit cards, which pleased me greatly since their arena isn’t in a city and it’s not easy to get cash. There wasn’t a lot of choice, but where they lacked in quantity, they certainly made up in quality. The BBQ chicken was full of flavor. The corn was delicious; I couldn’t get enough of it. They had pulled pork, but surprisingly, no buns were provided with it. I’m a pretty picky eater, so when everything is amazing, you have to rave about it.

TikTok · David Alter598 likes, 15 comments. “#media #meal in Anaheim for #Leafs vs #Ducks was quite delicious. Everything tasted good. Very happy.”

No. 13 New York Rangers

The Rangers switched to a voucher system: a $25 credit for a suggested $10 donation. They actually told me they got this idea from the Leafs, but at MSG, your voucher unlocks a lot of options. I’ve done sushi or poke bowls. On my most recent visit, I went to the Carnegie Deli, and I was not disappointed. I loved it. I always tell people that New York is where my soul lives, and MSG is always a great time.

No. 12 Dallas Stars

Their media meal is good. But one thing Dallas does that no other NHL arena does is provide the media with a free morning skate breakfast. How cool is that? Bagels? Coffee? It’s a nice touch. I believe Tampa does do something similar, but not to this magnitude. Also, they are the first and only building in the NHL to offer Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar in the press box. This is one of my fave soft drinks these days. They also have all kinds of snacks and ice cream up in the press box. Fun vibes.

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal (Part 2): Venues 17 to 24 RevealedWelcome back to the second part of our summer-long series ranking NHL media meals. With the schedule revealed this week, I've started booking road trips for the upcoming season, which is also making me hungry and excited for the media meals next season. This week, we count down the No. 17 through 24 media meals in the NHL.

No. 11 Nashville Predators

Nashville is interesting. Every time I’ve been to the building for a media meal, I have no idea what to expect, but I know there will be a lot of it. The snacks they have at the meal are unique. It's the only place I can ever recall having sour cola bottles. They cost $10, and they're delicious. The Preds don’t really have a traditional press box but instead an open space up top for us to work in. One section over is a room where we can get notes and additional snacks. They keep them coming, and I even had this Hunk A Pizza, which was delicious.

No. 10 New York Islanders

Ever since they opened UBS Arena in Elmont, the Islanders went from having one of the worst to one of the best media meals in the NHL. It can be pricey at $20 US, but I’ve been on some sort of list that allowed me to eat for free, which helps a ton. Decent hot dogs and snacks. Their meal room is in the press box. The protein is usually a high cut of meat, and a local Long Island dairy provides the ice cream for the building. They also have cookies, hot dogs, popcorn—you name it—a very traditional hockey experience.

Ranking Every NHL Arena's Media Meal Part 1: The Bottom 8 Revealed (Nos. 25–32)As I write this, I feel blessed that I get to travel as often as I do. And while on the road covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, I like to see what every city has to offer in terms of restaurants, amenities, etc.

No. 9 Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes are known for one thing in their media meal: Pulled pork. It’s always at the very end of the food line of whatever they may be serving. But it’s really good, and it’s nice to know they have the option. They have other proteins, salads, and they serve Cheerwine on tap; it’s a cherry soda that is apparently widely available in the south. I had never heard of it until my first trip to Raleigh. It's decently priced at $11 and good quality.

---

So, which venue has the best media meal in the NHL? Find out next week when we reveal the Top eight venues.

(Top photo credit: David Alter on TikTok)

Mitch Marner's Return To Toronto And Other Key Dates As Maple Leafs Unveil Full 2025-26 NHL Regular Season ScheduleThe Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled their 2025-26 regular season schedule on Wednesday. Maple Leafs Honor Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne, The NHL’s Most Unexpected Hockey FanOn Tuesday, the world mourned as Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away at age 76. Osbourne, who had been dealing with several health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, had performed in Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath in a performance dubbed his “final show”.

Earlier this week, Adam Proteau wrote about the Montreal Canadiens’ rivalry with the Ottawa Senators. While there’s no arguing that a rivalry exists and that both franchises’ players dislike each other, that rivalry is still a far cry from the best the Canadiens have ever known.

Granted, Brendan Gallagher calling out Tim Stutzle for embellishment, and Juraj Slafkovsky mentioning that he needs to play like Brady Tkachuk to be successful, have added fuel to a fire that was already burning. Still, we’re not in inferno territory, at least not yet.

Former Canadiens Player Went Home
Canadiens: Wheeler Redrafts The 2022 Draft
Canadiens Intriguing Prospect Signs Extension With KHL Club

I’m not sure any rivalry will ever match the one the Canadiens had with the Quebec Nordiques, after living it firsthand from 1980 to 1996. I was born in 1980 in Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, a small town that has since been merged with Lévis on the South Shore of Quebec. As a result, I was destined to be a Nordiques fan. However, my dad, a die-hard Fleury fan, made one fatal mistake: he introduced me to hockey the year Patrick Roy arrived on the scene.

As I discovered the sport that would become a lifelong passion, Roy was making save after save after save and was fast becoming my favourite player. It didn’t take long before I started watching the games wearing pillows on my legs and mimicking the saves the Canadiens’ goaltender was making.

That Spring, the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, and that was it. I was, at the tender age of 6, a fully-fledged Canadiens fan to my father’s disgust. Although, to be fair, he did manage to convince my mother to let me watch all the games, even the late ones in the final against the Calgary Flames.

From then on, every morning, I was stealing the newspaper from him to see what was happening in the hockey world and the standings. If his Nordiques had lost, I would have teased him relentlessly all day, and if the Habs had done the same.

I was too young to watch the Adams Division’s playoffs the year of the Good Friday mayhem, or the following year when the Nordiques were hungry for revenge. Decades later, though, I read a book that made it clear to me just how massive the Quebec-Montreal rivalry was.

The book was The Hockey News’: The Greatest Game I Ever Played. It’s a fun read that features 40 articles about some of the best or most significant games in which players, coaches, and even a referee have taken part.

The sixth article is about former referee Kerry Fraser, who officiated the 1985 series between the two teams. It was a year after the Good Friday massacre, and he was on duty for Game 7. In his third year in the league at the tender age of 32, this was going to be the most crucial game he had ever worked.

So important that when he woke up on game day, his body was entirely covered in red blotches, which were itchy and painful, sending him running to the nearest drugstore and the pharmacist. He told him that he was more than likely suffering from a bad case of the hives brought on by anxiety, and he sent him on his way with an antihistamine. That’s how big and meaningful this rivalry was.

Eight years later, the two teams faced one another again in the first round of the playoffs, and the teasing from my dad reached epic proportions by the time the Nordiques took a 2-0 lead. Like many Quebec fans, he thought Montreal was down and out, but it was far from being the case.

As the Canadiens started to claw their way back in the series, I was able to reciprocate and take things to a whole new level when Montreal won the sixth game, taking the series. My dad watched the rest of the playoffs with me, and you could see he was getting more annoyed with every Canadiens’ win, biding his time until my team would suffer the same fate as his, so he could rub it in. However, that moment never came.

We had no idea that less than two years later, he would lose his team forever as the Nordiques would be sold and moved to Colorado. That, I did not make fun of. Neither did he make fun of me on the December 1995 night when the Canadiens were obliterated by the Detroit Red Wings and my favourite player called time on his career with the Habs.

I was 15 back then, and I was so upset that the Canadiens chose Mario Tremblay over the face of the franchise; I couldn’t even comprehend how that was happening. Days later, when Roy was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, my dad looked at me and said, 'Well, guess we could root for the same team now.' Colorado has my team and your goaltender.

I couldn’t do it, I had been a Canadiens’ fan for nearly ten years by then, and it would have felt wrong. A few months later, though, when my geography teacher organised a field trip that included Roy’s return to Montreal in Colorado’s colours, I wore a Nordiques jersey for the first time in my life... and as much as I wanted to support Roy, it felt oh so wrong.

Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

One of the newest members of the Florida Panthers just had his day with the Stanley Cup.

Defenseman Seth Jones was acquired by Florida a few days ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, with goaltender Spencer Knight and a first-round pick heading back to the Chicago Blackhawks in the exchange.

Jones was not the typical deadline add, though.

He arrived with plenty of term on his contract, which doesn’t expire until the summer of 2030, but part of the trade was Chicago retaining 26% of Jones’ salary, so Jones’ annual cap hit for Florida is $7 million (his full AAV is $9.5 million).

Funnily enough, Jones has played more playoff games with the Panthers than regular season games.

He finished the regular season with two goals and nine points to go along with four penalty minutes and a minus-nine on-ice rating in 21 outings while working hard to acclimate himself to Florida’s systems.

When the playoffs rolled around, Jones scored four goals and added five helpers in 23 postseason contests, but his plus-minus shot up to a plus-11, a strong indicator of how much he was adjusting to Florida’s style of playing the game.

On Wednesday, the 30-year-old Texas native brought the Stanley Cup back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where Jones spent much of his upbringing.

“My family's here, this is where I call home in the summertime when I'm not in Florida,” Jones said. “I skate here; I do a lot of things around this area. This was definitely a place I wanted to come back to.”

On a day that included plans to take the Stanley Cup golfing and to host an intimate party with close friends and family, Jones’ first stop with the historic trophy was at the Children’s Health StarCenter, where he enjoyed playing youth hockey and being a part of the program during some very important years in his growth as a player.

“I played almost five years here, and it was in a really prime spot in my development, about 10 years old to 15 years old,” he said. “Those are some big years when you talk about youth hockey.”

Video of Jones' visit can be seen in the video below:

Dozens of young hockey players and their families packed the rink for a chance to see Jones and catch a glimpse of the Stanley Cup.

During Wednesday’s visit, Jones signed autographs and took photos with the youngsters who came out, hoping to inspire some of the next generation of hockey players to reach for the stars, just as he did.

“I wanted to come in and give back to the kids here at the youth hockey program,” Jones said. “I think growing up, when I moved here to Texas, I spent a lot of time here for a lot of different coaches, a lot of different teams, and without the development of Texas youth hockey and the growth that we've seen over the last 10-15, years, I know I wouldn't be where I'm standing today.”

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Positive Shooting Regression Should Help Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe Regain His Scoring Touch

Stanley Cup putting on plenty of miles as it makes way from Florida back to Canada

Which current Panthers could eventually have their numbers retired? We start with the captain

Ekblad, Forsling or Petry? Who's Best Suited To Run The Panthers Second Power Play Unit

Happy Three Year Anniversary to the trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers

Photo caption: Seth Jones carries the Stanley Cup through the Children's Health Star Center while surrounded by youth hockey players. (Florida Panthers)

Even for players like Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov, making your first NHL appearance can be a little frazzling.

Michkov, 20, made his NHL debut on Oct. 11, playing against Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, and reining Jack Adams Award winner (and his new head coach) Rick Tocchet.

Things didn't go the Canucks' way last season, of course, but it's always a challenge going up against guys like that.

In a recent interview with ЛЁД (Translated: Ice) Special, Michkov reflected on his first regular season game with the Flyers, offering up some comedic but very real insights on his experience.

 When I went out against Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, it was like I was playing on a PlayStation. The players were skating around me, my head was spinning, I didn't understand where I was at all, even the light was falling on the rink differently, everything was different," Michkov recounted. "I was under the impression when I was still doing the rookie lap. I thought, 'Damn, where did I end up?' It was such a pleasant excitement."

Michkov ultimately played 18:32, third amongst all Flyers forwards, recording four shots on goal, taking a hooking penalty in the first period, and drawing a tripping penalty from Filip Hronek in the second period.

Matvei Michkov Praises Oleg Znarok's Work with FlyersStar rookie Matvei Michkov took flight for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, but he wasn't able to adapt and do it all on his own.

Michkov ultimately missed his first NHL shootout attempt, but that ended up being insignificant. Now-traded center Morgan Frost got the job done with the 10th total attempt in the shootout.

"The game started, the first period was a bit shaky, but the second and third periods were more or less played. They even trusted me to shoot the penalty shot, though I didn't score, but it gave me even more of a push and motivation for the next game to concentrate and really start scoring and passing, helping the team," added Michkov.

Ultimately, the Russian phenom finished his rookie season by leading all rookies in goals (26), while tying Macklin Celebrini for the second-most points amongst the newcomers (63).

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.

Of course, Michkov missed out on a unanimous selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team by one point, while fellow rookies Dustin Wolf, Lane Hutson, and Celebrini were all unanimous picks.

That's neither here nor there now, though. Michkov showed obvious signs of growth throughout the season, and now we have a point of reference for where he was at mentally at the beginning of the year.

All signs point to the 2025-26 season being even better for Michkov and the Flyers.