There's nothing like a Philadelphia Flyers game that makes you feel every emotion under the sun. Joy, frustration, relief, heartbreak, elation—it was all there in the leadup to and during the Flyers' 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

But it wasn’t just about the hockey. The game came on the heels of a bombshell morning: John Tortorella, the fiery, demanding, and often polarizing head coach, was relieved of his duties. Assistant coach Brad Shaw was suddenly thrust into the lead role, tasked with keeping the Flyers steady amid the storm.

Then, there was the curious case of Cam York—dressed but not playing, due to a "disciplinary issue." It all made for a bizarre, tension-filled day that could have easily unraveled the Flyers.

Instead, it was a night where Matvei Michkov nearly had his first NHL hat trick, the Flyers played with a renewed sense of energy even after a tough stretch of losses, and, despite all the chaos surrounding them, finally got a result that matched the effort they've been putting in. 

1. Matvei Michkov Almost Had His Moment

It felt like the entire Wells Fargo Center was ready to explode. Matvei Michkov had already lit the lamp twice and was hunting for his first career NHL hat trick. Every time he touched the puck, you could feel the anticipation in the building.

For a brief moment, it looked like he had it. His second goal of the night was originally credited to him, but after a closer look, it was determined that Sean Couturier got a piece of it in front. No hat trick—yet.

Then came the final minutes, when the Canadiens’ net was empty. The puck found Travis Konecny, who had a clear shot at an easy goal but instead opted to dish it to Michkov, wanting to set up the rookie’s milestone moment. It was the perfect storybook ending… until the puck clanked off the post.

Matvei Michkov came so close to his first career hat trick... pic.twitter.com/ny0MYEXsXP

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 28, 2025

It was a moment that summed up everything about Michkov’s rise—electrifying, dramatic, and just the tiniest bit cruel. The hat trick didn’t come, but it’s only a matter of time before it does. The kid is special, and everyone—his teammates, the fans, the entire organization—knows it.

"I had my hands up [ready to celebrate]!" Konecny laughed postgame when asked about Michkov's shot not going in. "I'm laughing. It is what it is. I feel bad for him. I don't think he has [a hat trick] yet, so I'm sure he was upset about it. But he'll have plenty more opportunities."

2. Brad Shaw Steered the Ship Through a Chaotic Day

Nobody wakes up expecting to be an NHL head coach by the time they go to bed, but that was Brad Shaw’s reality.

With John Tortorella dismissed, it fell on Shaw’s shoulders to rally a team that had just lost its leader. It was an emotional day, no matter how you slice it. Love him or hate him, Tortorella set a tone in that room. His presence was massive, and adjusting to life without him wasn’t easy.

"A really good friend of mine lost his job," Shaw said postgame. "He's been a real mentor to me in my career as a coach, so it was very bittersweet. But once the day starts rolling...I got a lot of support from the staff and we kept most things status quo. We weren't interested in doing a lot of tinkering."

Brad Shaw was visibly emotional when talking about Torts and how “bittersweet” today was. Said he doesn’t think there’s a better human being in the game and that he respects Torts so much as a person and a hockey personality. #LetsGoFlyers

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 28, 2025

And to their credit, the Flyers responded the right way. They played a fast, determined game—one that mirrored the style they’ve been trying to execute all season. There was no panic, no sign of a team unraveling under the weight of the news. If anything, they looked sharper, more energized.

"I thought the guys played hard and played smart and obviously we finished more plays at the net and reaped the benefits," Shaw continued. "We got a big enough lead that we could take it home and get the win."

Shaw didn’t overhaul anything overnight, but his calm, measured presence clearly had an effect. He made sure his players knew the mission hadn’t changed. And after a string of frustrating results, finally getting a win—especially under these circumstances—felt like a weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders. The collective sigh of relief in the postgame interviews was palpable.

For now, Shaw is the guy behind the bench. Whether he’s the long-term answer remains to be seen, but if his debut as head coach proved anything, it’s that the Flyers aren’t about to let this season slip away.

"I came to Philly to be an assistant coach with [Tortorella]," he explained of the whirlwind of suddenly undertaking head coach responsibilities. "I never really put a lot of thought into the head coaching because I never really planned on it. But now that it's here and I have these nine games...[we're] gonna see how good we can get those nine games to be."

Across his career behind the bench, Shaw has served as head coach twice—with the Detroit Vipers in the IHL during the 2000-01 season, and with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in the AHL from 2002-2005.

“Went to talk with Danny about what the plan was for the next nine games, went back to my desk, and tried to remember how to be a head coach.”

—Brad Shaw on what the process was for him preparing for this game as HC#LetsGoFlyers

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 28, 2025

3. Cam York Was Benched, but the Flyers’ Defense Held Firm

There was an odd sight during warmups: Cam York, in full gear, going through his routine like any other night. But when the game started, he never hit the ice. The official word? A "disciplinary issue."

Brad Shaw says that Cam York did not play tonight because of a “disciplinary issue.” Said that the plan is for him to play next game. #LetsGoFlyers

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 28, 2025

There was no elaboration from Shaw, but whatever happened, it was serious enough for York to get a front-row seat to the action without actually playing. Given how much responsibility he carries on the blue line, it was a bold move—especially considering the Flyers were already facing a tough workload against a fast Canadiens team.

But credit where it’s due: the rest of the defense stepped up. With one fewer body in the rotation, every blueliner had to log heavier minutes, and they handled it well. The pairing of Nick Seeler and Travis Sanheim held things down, while Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae, and Egor Zamula all did their part to keep the defensive wall solid. And despite some inevitable breakdowns, the Flyers’ defense did enough to keep the game from slipping away.

"I think I played with everyone!" Sanheim joked postgame. "The D-core stepped up huge. It's not easy to have five guys and have to play more minutes than they're used to...I'm just really proud of the guys sticking together. We made mistakes, had tired legs, but we battled through and I'm really happy about it."

Final Thoughts

Some wins feel routine. Others carry a little extra weight. This one? It felt downright cathartic.

After everything that happened—the firing of their coach, the questions surrounding York, the gut-punch of Michkov’s near hat trick—the Flyers emerged with a well-earned victory. It was the kind of game that proved that even without playoffs, every guy on this team has something to play for.

"We have eight games left," Nic Deslauriers said postgame. "There's some people playing for contracts, some people playing to stay in the league. We all have something to play for, and if it's not just for yourself, it's for the guy beside you. We stick together."

They’ve played good hockey lately without getting rewarded. This time, they got what they deserved.And if nothing else, it showed that this team isn’t going anywhere. They’re still here. They’re still battling. And when they're playing their brand of free, creative, energetic hockey, they’re still a force to be reckoned with.

On Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Kings have signed Jared Woolley to a three-year entry-level contract. This recent move points to the Kings slowly building a strong foundation consisting of a young core as the next cornerstone of Kings' history. Woolley is secured through the 2027-28 season. 

The 19-year old Canadian was drafted by the Kings in the sixth round and 164th overall of the 2024 NHL Draft. Woolley has been outstanding in his second season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, tallying 28 points in 68 games of the 2024-25 season. 

What the Kings consistently need more of on the team is a two-way defenseman who can contribute effectively in both the offensive and defensive zones. Woolley may be the solution to the team’s search for answers. The 6-foot-5 Ontario native possesses a physicality and size that could make him a valuable asset to the blueline. His plus-49 rating is a testament to his strong hockey knowledge and speaks volumes about his style of play. Additionally, the defenseman recorded 75 penalty minutes in his recent season with the Knights, indicating Woolley’s commitment and willingness to engage in an aggressive manner, ultimately helping his team. 

📝📝📝

We’ve signed D Jared Woolley to a three-year entry level contract!

📲 https://t.co/e4oPs1Fc1Z#GoKingsGo | @Enterprisepic.twitter.com/HBOYBmr6b2

— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 26, 2025

Woolley found postseason success as he contributed to the Knights in the 2024 OHL Playoffs. As he registered a goal and 2 assists in 16 games, he proved to be a reliable contributor through his strategic defensive play. His size combined with his agility allows the Canadian to move swiftly and defend against the opposing forwards. His disciplined approach consistently limited scoring opportunities for opposing teams and proved himself invaluable to the London Knights organization. 

As a prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, there’s a potential for him to further grow within the organization and become a crucial part of their defensive core. His skills can be significantly enhanced by receiving time to spend within the NHL and learn from the experienced veterans from the likes of captain Anže Kopitar to Phillip Danault and more. With a strong performance in the OHL and championship won with the Knights in 2024, he has demonstrated his ability to build a solid foundation in the professional league and established himself as a sought-after prospect. Building on Woolley’s previous successes, he possesses excellent mobility, strength, and size, all of which align with the Kings’ current roster and long-term goal of creating a tough, resilient team capable of contending for the Stanley Cup.

Man, Jake DeBrusk must have been much better than we all thought. Ever since he's left the Boston Bruins, they've gone to the dogs.

Well, not really. When the calendar turned to 2025, the Bruins were in third place in the Atlantic Division, firmly in possession of a playoff spot. Since then, disaster. They've not only foundered, but they traded away franchise stalwarts Brad Marchand and Brandon Carlo for futures.

Yes, they have a ton of cap space this summer. But so do a lot of other teams. Yes, they have a decent core of players signed long-term, but that might just prompt them to continue chasing a contender status that just isn't there.

This is a team that looks destined to be in the mushy middle, which is kind of the worst place in the NHL, for a few years.

Today's video column has more.

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The Nashville Predators (27-36-8, 62 points) host the St. Louis Blues (38-28-7, 83 points) for the fourth and final matchup between the Central Division rivals this season Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Blues lead the season series, 3-0, with each of their last two wins over Nashville coming within the last 10 days. The Blues currently hold a 3-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, while loss to St. Louis in any fashion on Thursday will officially eliminate the Predators from playoff contention.

Juuse Saros will get the start in net for the Predators, while Joel Hofer will tend the twine for the Blues. 

How the Predators Lined Up vs. St. Louis

Forsberg-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Bunting-Stamkos-Marchessault
Smith-Svechkov-Bellows
L'Heureux-McCarron-Sissons

Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Barron
Englund-Stastney

Saros
Annunen

Extra: Vrana, Oesterle
IR: Lauzon, Josi, Wilsby

Predators vs. Blues: Live Updates

First Period (NSH 2, STL 0)

Fedor Svechkov got the scoring started for Nashville with a pinpoint wrist shot from the slot that went bar down at the 2:48 mark of the first period. Michael Bunting made the play behind the net and fed to Svechkov for the score to give Nashville a 1-0 lead. Andreas Englund also recorded a secondary assist on the play for his first point as a member of the Predators.

The shelf is HIGH!

Svech puts in the lead 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/POCsmG8yuu

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 28, 2025

The Predators doubled their lead on the power play just over halfway through the frame with a shot from the high slot by Brady Skjei. A Ryan Suter slashing penalty gave Nashville the man advantage, and Skjei received a drop pass from Luke Evangelista to score with just 14 seconds remaining on the penalty to make it 2-0 at the 10:16 mark

*I Like It, I Love It slowly intensifies* pic.twitter.com/ufMLFvUZN5

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 28, 2025

Evangelista's primary assist on the play gives him six points in his last six games. He has three goals and three assists in that span.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored a first-period goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, March 27, securing his 14th 80-point season.

Besides surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the NHL record of 20 seasons averaging a point-per-game, Crosby also joins The Great One in an exclusive club featuring three other Hockey Hall of Famers.

Since turning 30 in 2017, Crosby has compiled six seasons of 80 points or more, which ties Gretzky, Marcel Dionne, Phil Esposito, and Jean Ratelle for most 80-point seasons by a player age 30 or older.

BREAKING: Sidney Crosby Breaks Wayne Gretzky's Point-Per-Game Seasons RecordAfter 20 years in the making, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has made NHL history.

After the 2023-24 season, Crosby had five seasons on his resume, tying him with fellow Hall of Famers: Martin St. Louis, Joe Sakic, Adam Oates, Mark Messier, Ray Bourque, and Johnny Bucyk.

If the Penguins' captain can score 80 points in his last two seasons, he'd overtake the record and set the bar at eight seasons. 

However, when looking at the list of active players over 30 with at least two 80-point campaigns, Crosby would be wise to pay attention to the careers of Artemi Panarin (33) and Nikita Kucherov (31), as these two superstars have the skills to eventually find themselves at or near the top of this exclusive list.

Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and on pace to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks of the regular season. 

After 20 years in the making, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has made NHL history.

On Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, Crosby registered a first-period goal to clinch his 20th consecutive NHL season at a point-per-game pace, which officially breaks the previous NHL record set by Wayne Gretzky at 19.

Sidney Crosby: rewriting records, redefining excellence. pic.twitter.com/WSPxvRE2Nl

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 27, 2025

THE GOAL THAT GOT SIDNEY CROSBY HIS RECORD BREAKING 20th POINT PER-GAME SEASON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lBVeFFbxHp

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 27, 2025

Crosby also accomplished the record by doing so in the first 20 seasons of his career, meaning he has not registered a season under point-per-game - something that has never been done in NHL history.

He is also riding a nine-game point streak (seven goals, 14 points) - which is the longest active streak in the NHL - and he leads the NHL in five-on-five points this season with 59.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

If the New York Rangers don’t make the playoffs, Chris Drury will have to make some difficult decisions including what to do with Peter Laviolette. 

Laviolette is entering the final year of his contract next season, but there are rumblings about whether he’ll even make it to that point. 

One year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers are on the brink of not even cracking the postseason.  

NHL insider Frank Seravalli  is under the impression that this lackluster season from the Blueshirts will cost Laviolette his job. 

“I'll be very surprised if Peter Laviolette is the coach of the Rangers on May 1st,” Seravalli said.

It’s hard to place all of the blame on Laviolette's shoulders given how much change the Rangers went through this season, but oftentimes it’s the coaches who get the short end of the stick.

The Rangers were a team with not only high expectations, but Stanley Cup aspirations, so New York missing the playoffs could very well lead to some major changes. 

Whether that is the coach getting fired, who knows. However, you should expect a lot of turnover though.

After a tough 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators have now lost three of their last four games. So, as they try to straighten things out on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Travis Green has thrown his line combinations back into the lettuce spinner.

According to the team, Claude Giroux will play on the left wing with Tim Stützle and Fabian Zetterlund in Detroit, while Brady Tkachuk will be on the left side with Shane Pinto and Ridley Greig.

The one change on defence is one that many Senators fans on social media have been clamoring for – moving veteran Travis Hamonic to the press box. Nicolas Matinpalo slides into the number six position alongside Tyler Kleven. With Nick Jensen healthy for a second straight game, the top four D remain intact, which has been crucial to the team's success this season.

Anton Forsberg gave Linus Ullmark a night off in Tuesday’s game, so Ullmark will get the start in goal in Detroit on Thursday night.

The Senators lead the season series with a 2-1 record, thanks to a pair of 2-1 victories. In their last meeting, just over two weeks ago, Ullmark played out of his mind in a game the Red Wings probably deserved to win. Ullmark made a season-high 48 saves, including 27 in the second period.

The big Swede hopes to not be quite so busy on Thursday night.

Like the Senators, the Detroit Red Wings have lost three of their last four games. However, the Wings are running out of time. With 11 games left in their season, they’re just three points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern wild card spot.

Complicating things is the fact that Montreal is one of four teams ahead of them. So, Detroit will not only need to get hot down the stretch but also hope that the teams ahead of them falter. Detroit is 3-7-0 in their last 10, so they aren’t exactly showing signs of a late charge.

The Wings have no shortage of former Senators content in their lineup. Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to move up onto the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on Thursday. Alex DeBrincat skates on the second line and top power play unit with Patrick Kane, a deadly duo since their Chicago days. Cam Talbot is back after missing one game and will back up starter Alex Lyon. Austin Watson and Tyler Motte have both been drawing positive reviews lately as fourth-line teammates.

The faceoff is at 7:00 PM at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is finishing up his final, Hockey-Hall-of-Fame NHL career this year. And in this cover story from THN's 2024 Goalie Issue, writer Ken Campbell penned a deep-dive feature on the way he's authoring his exit from the game's best league:

FINAL FLEURY

By Ken Campbell

It's the not knowing that’s the worst part. Yeah, it’s definitely the not knowing. Welcome to the hellscape that is Marc-Andre Fleury’s final season in the NHL. His teammates, both present and past, are operating on the assumption that they’ll have to spend the 2024-25 season on constant high alert. I mean, look what Fleury did to Brandon Duhaime last year, and all the poor guy did was toilet-paper Fleury’s car and joke during a television interview that Fleury was doing impressive things at the age of 50. Next thing you know, Duhaime’s tires are removed and chained together in the parking garage, his car is on cinder blocks, and there’s a small garden on his hood.

‘The Kid’ has to be crapping his pants right about now. All Sidney Crosby did was fill Fleury’s gear with gum one time, and then he shows up at the NHL Media Tour two years ago and all his equipment is hanging in his stall taped together. You see, they know Fleury could strike at any time, but they don’t know when or how. If they’ve wronged him in any way, they can be pretty sure he’s going to use an XL18 flamethrower to wipe out an ant hill. And after everything Fleury has done in the 21 years he’s been in the NHL, he has to have one epic, all-time, go-out-in-a-blaze-of-glory, Lloyd-Christmas-level prank in him, right?

“To be honest, I haven’t thought much about it,” Fleury said, “but now that you mention it…”

See what we mean? How can anyone trust that? For his part, Fleury maintains that, “I’m pretty sure all the scores have been settled,” brilliantly capped by the demented chef’s kiss that was the Duhaime prank last April in Colorado, with Fleury waiting in the background and giggling.

As Fleury embarks on the final season of an NHL career that will undoubtedly result in a call to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2028, it will be about what it has always been about – competing against the best players in the world and trying to beat them in every outing. But as he makes his way through the league one last time, he’ll allow himself to take it all in, to soak up the memories he has created over the years.

And beneath it all will be a deep sense of gratitude for everything the game has given him the past two decades. During the season, everything happens so quickly, and you might spend a day or two in St. Louis and move on to the next place, all on autopilot. Fleury doesn’t want that in his last go-round. He wants it to also be a time of reflection. About what he has done, what he has and how incredibly fortunate he has been to make a living out of playing hockey. “Maybe take a few more minutes in every building, to take the time to appreciate that I’m still doing this,” Fleury said. “There will be memories. All those memories in all those buildings.”

They go all the way back to 2003, considered one of the strongest draft crops ever, when the Pittsburgh Penguins traded up to take Fleury first overall. If he appears in 20 games this season, he’ll eclipse Roberto Luongo for second place on the all-time games-played list behind Martin Brodeur. His fifth game will move him past Patrick Roy, who he eclipsed for second on the all-time wins list, also behind Brodeur, last season.

Brodeur, Fleury, Roy and Luongo account for the top four spots. (Remember when Quebec used to be a goalie factory?) The fifth time Fleury starts a game for the Wild this season, he will register his 1,000th career start. With the retirements of Joe Pavelski and Jeff Carter in the summer, that leaves only Fleury, Brent Burns, Corey Perry and Ryan Suter still playing from that 2003 draft. (Fun fact: Fleury’s 22 career assists have him tied for 69th in NHL scoring – with Paul Bissonnette and others – among the 292 players drafted that year.)

Three Stanley Cups, with the first one coming on one of the most clutch saves in NHL history, an unlikely Vezina Trophy late in his career, a trip to the Cup final with ‘The Golden Misfits’ and an unblemished off- and on-ice reputation have Fleury breathing the rarefied air among some of the most respected players in the game.

He has had bad days, to be sure, but it’s difficult to tell since Fleury spends most of the time showing off the whitest and straightest teeth in NHL history. He brings joy to every crease and every dressing room he steps into, and it will continue to be that way as he tries to get in the path of as many pucks as he can in his last season.

Of course, he has some of the big games circled on his calendar, or at least digitally bookmarked. Oct. 29 in Pittsburgh, man, that’s going to be a tear-jerker. Jan. 12 in Vegas, too. The games in Montreal are always special, and the Wild will be there Jan. 30. Even Chicago, where Fleury played part of one season, will give him the feels when he visits there Nov. 10 and Jan. 26. And in late November, Fleury will celebrate his 40th birthday, making him one of only 25 goalies – 23 if you throw out one-game wonders Lester Patrick and David Ayres – to play an NHL game after their 40th birthday. Of that group, 12 are in the Hall of Fame, and Fleury will join them there.

But before all that can happen, there is a rather crowded Wild crease situation to be sorted out. To be fair, goaltending was a bit of a black hole for Minnesota in 2023-24, with Fleury posting just 17 wins and the worst save percentage of his career (.895). Filip Gustavsson followed up a brilliant 2022-23 with an equally disastrous ’23-24. The wild card is Jesper Wallstedt, a first-round pick of the Wild in 2021 and the franchise’s goalie of the future. After two solid but unspectacular seasons in the AHL, the feeling is Wallstedt, who turns 22 two weeks before Fleury hits 40, could be ready for NHL work. The consensus is Gustavsson is probably on the least stable ground, but there’s no sense trying to untangle this thing too early, because who knows with goalies from one year to the next, anyway?

One thing both the Wild and Fleury are adamant about is that this will not be The Marc-Andre Fleury Farewell Tour, where they keep trotting out a 40-year-old just for the sake of having him wave to the crowd after the game. If you had to describe the Wild in one word – and this goes for almost every season they’ve been in the league – it would probably be “meh.” Not terrible. Not great. Kind of in the mushy middle, and not likely to be able to really build themselves into a contender until they shed the $14.7 million in salary retention on the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts after this season. If one of the Wild goalies grabs the crease and pulls a Devan Dubnyk circa 2015, he’ll be the one who plays. The Wild missed the playoffs last year and haven’t advanced past the first round in a decade. They were in the bottom half of the league in goals against and lost nine overtime games last season. Improved goaltending will have to be part of the equation if the Wild hope to return to the post-season, with or without Fleury in goal.

“It will be business as usual because that’s what ‘Flower’ wants,” said Wild GM Bill Guerin. “He doesn’t want any of that stuff. He’s never wanted it. We want to have a good year. We want to make the playoffs. This is not a farewell tour. This is about him still being a good player in the league and being competitive as hell.”

That’s what it is all about for Fleury, too. Behind the effulgent smile, calm exterior and pleasant demeanor is a guy who hates losing almost as much as he loves winning. Anyone who has played with or dealt with Fleury will attest to the fact that from the time he first appeared wearing braces in THN’s 2003 Draft Preview issue, the competitive fires have burned hot and bright. You don’t last in the NHL for as long as Fleury has without an unyielding desire to win. “It’s probably stronger than ever,” said Fleury of his will to win. “That feeling you get when you play against the best players in the world and win against them, there’s nothing like it. And then you want to win again, and then you want to win again.”

Nine years ago, the Penguins were playing a pre-season game at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena to commemorate Johnstown, Pa., winning the Kraft Hockeyville contest. The fictional home of the Charlestown Chiefs of Slap Shot fame, the city leans big-time into its cinematic lore. A marketing genius with the Penguins came up with the idea for Fleury and local broadcaster Dan Potash to play Denis Lemieux and Jim Carr and recreate the opening scene of the movie. Fleury nails Lemieux’s words and mannerisms almost as well as Yvon Barrette did in the movie, not even cracking a smile when he talks about how, “you go to the box, two minutes by yourself and you feel shame. And then you get free.”

You can probably count on one hand, with a finger or two left over, the number of players who would agree to do something like that, particularly in this day and age. But it was classic Fleury, a guy who isn’t afraid to put himself out there and doesn’t take himself too seriously. It’s all part of the sheer joy he has playing the game, and it’s why nobody in the hockey world seems to have a disparaging word to say about him. Former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, who has been around the game for more than a half-century, once referred to Fleury as, “the best team player in sports,” for good reason.

And that is why teams will almost certainly line up to hire Fleury if he decides he wants a future in the game. The plan for now is to spend the winters and school years in Vegas, where he has built a home, and the summers in suburban Montreal. If he can find a way to make hockey work while he puts his family first, there might be a fit. He’d like to play a little beer-league hockey, but not as a goalie, because every goalie who ever lived has this notion that he’s also a great position player. “I like the idea of trying to make plays and score and dangle the stick, skate around, get a good sweat,” Fleury said. “And just to sit on the bench and have somebody to talk to. That would be fun.”

But Fleury is adamant that, at least for the first couple of years after his retirement, his family will be the top priority. He’s missed too many Christmas pageants, Halloweens and birthdays over the years, and he wants to be there for those. He wants to watch his daughters, 11-year-old Estelle and nine-year-old Scarlett, play soccer. Five-year-old James is just beginning his hockey journey, and Fleury is looking forward to where that will take him. “He just learned to skate last year, but for the games, he always wants to go back into the net,” Fleury said. “I’m like, ‘Go score some goals.’ ”

Fleury hasn’t thought much about his post-playing life, but if he were to stay involved in the game, it would probably be at the management level. And that makes sense for a guy who has made a career building relationships. If he needs a roadmap, he need look no further than his former teammate and boss, who took a year off after he retired, then joined Pittsburgh’s front office, first as a development coach, then assistant GM. When Guerin went to see then-GM Ray Shero about a job, Shero told him his biggest nightmare was having to give jobs to former players who wanted the title, the office and the paycheque but weren’t willing to travel to Grand Rapids to watch the farm team.

“Let’s see how hard he wants to work,” said Guerin of Fleury’s post-playing prospects. “Being in hockey operations is not easy, and it’s not the glamorous life people think it is. But, that being said, he has everything it would take to be successful. ‘Flower’ is smart, he’s charismatic, and he’s got great relationships around the league. There’s no reason he couldn’t have success on the other side. He’s got all the intangibles and the ingredients of a guy who could do it.”

Until then, Fleury will make sure to enjoy the last leg of his playing journey. On the exterior, it doesn’t look as though Fleury has aged all that much over the years. Sure, he no longer tints his hair, but really, who does that anymore? He’s still in outstanding physical shape. And even he marvels at the fact that time has gone by so quickly.

Like every other player who retires, he’ll miss the games and his teammates in the dressing room, but not so much the grind it requires in the summer to prepare for the next season. Nor will he miss waking up with at least one part of his body hurting, which has been the case for the past couple of seasons. He won’t hike his pants up to his chest and complain that he seems to be busier in retirement than when he was working, because he doesn’t plan on replacing the chaos of playing in the NHL with doing something else at a chaotic pace. He acknowledges he doesn’t know much of anything about the hockey-ops side of the game, and the ability to play at the highest level doesn’t translate into an ability to build a team as much as people think.

Once the puck drops, for Fleury, it will be all about winning games and capturing all the great things about playing and hanging on to them. He still can’t believe playing hockey is a job that will have paid him almost $100 million by the time his career ends. All he wanted to do as a teenager was play one game in the NHL, and he’s played more than a thousand. Regardless of how this season ends, he’ll leave the game with no regrets. “I know I’m on my last miles here,” Fleury said. “I love the feeling, and I want to enjoy it as long as I can as much as I can while I can.”

Tavares and Lorentz, each unrestricted free agents at the end of this season, may have to wait to receive contract offers from Toronto.

John Tavares and Steven Lorentz reportedly won't receive contract offers from the Toronto Maple Leafs until the off-season.

According to the Toronto Star's Nick Kypreos, both players, who grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, will have to wait to ink new deals with the team given the uncertainty around Mitch Marner.

Matthew Knies will cash in on a new @NHL contract with the @MapleLeafs
But it shouldn’t be now. My latest for @TorontoStar#RealKyperandBourne@StarSportshttps://t.co/0C8xaVbPJS

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 27, 2025

"Sounds like pending unrestricted free agents John Tavares and Steven Lorentz will have to wait until the off-season for new contract offers from the Leafs if they are to stay," Kypreos reported on Thursday. "Toronto’s top priority remains to leave enough space to either pay Mitch Marner or lure one or two players to adequately replace him."

Tavares is having another strong season with the Maple Leafs, scoring 65 points (32 goals and 33 assists) in 64 games. Lorentz, too, has been productive, with six goals and 10 assists in 69 games — three points off his career-high of 19 points.

Both players are living their childhood dream of playing with the Maple Leafs. Tavares has admitted several times this season that he wants to remain in Toronto beyond this year, and if you asked Lorentz, he'd likely say the same.

Lorentz signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Maple Leafs after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last June. Tavares has been with Toronto since July 2018 when he inked a seven-year, $77 million contract. 

The news came 20 days after the NHL trade deadline, when it was reported that Marner was asked to waive his no-move clause in a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen.

'I Had A Feeling Maybe Something Might Happen': Mitch Marner Addresses Reports Of Maple Leafs Asking Him To Waive No-Move Clause To HurricanesAfter scoring two goals in a loss to the Avalanche, Marner spoke about recent reports of being asked to waive his no-move clause.

Marner, also in the final year of his contract with the Maple Leafs, reportedly declined to waive his no-move clause, keeping him in Toronto. The 27-year-old is on pace for a career season, already scoring 86 points (22 goals and 64 assists) in 70 games.

At the beginning of this season, Marner said he wouldn't discuss his contract status throughout the year. However, following what happened during the trade deadline, he was asked if he'd be willing to negotiate with the Maple Leafs in-season.

"Like I talked to you guys at the start (of the season), I'm not going to get into this," Marner said. "I'm here to play hockey. Let that happen with my agent and the team. I'm here to play hockey and do my thing."

One day later, Toronto GM Brad Treliving spoke with the media about Marner not waiving his no-move clause, saying the organization supports Marner 1000 percent. 

'It's Not A Distraction': Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Responds To Reports Of Asking Mitch Marner To Waive No-Move Clause For Mikko RantanenSALT LAKE — One day after the NHL Trade Deadline came and went, multiple reports surfaced, revealing that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner was asked to waive his no-movement clause in an effort to land now-Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. 

"We talked about it the other day with regards to contracts and the business side of it, we're not going to get into it, other than we're aligned with Mitch," Treliving said. "We're worried about this season. We're worried about the games we have coming up. We want Mitch here for a long time. But it's not a distraction."

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, plus the playoffs, there's plenty of opportunity for Marner, Tavares, and Lorentz to prove their worth with Toronto. Matthew Knies, an unsigned restricted free agent, can do the same.

How Toronto handles games down the stretch and into the playoffs will be fascinating. But so will the off-season when each of these four players' contracts expire.

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The Vegas Golden Knights have signed goaltender Cameron Whitehead to a two-year, entry-level contract. 

The 2022 fourth-round pick (128th overall) completed two years at Northeastern University, posting a 13-17-3 record in 35 games to go along with a .911SV% and a 2.74 GAA. Northeastern beat Boston University in the 2025 Hockey East Semifinal but lost to the University of Maine in the finals. 

Prior to joining Northeastern, the 6'3 netminder played two seasons in the USHL, posting a .899SV% in  74 games. 

Following his NCAA career, Whitehead will work his way through the Golden Knights' ranks. Carl Lindbom and Akira Schmid have played in 58 of the Henderson Silver Knights' 62 games, although Schmid has struggled. 

It's undetermined at the moment whether Whitehead will start in the AHL with the Silver Knights or Tahoe Knight Monsters in the ECHL.

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

‘Mixed emotions for everybody' — Flyers answer coaching change with skid-snapping win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

After going through a coaching change 10 hours before puck drop, the Flyers responded with a 6-4 win Thursday night over the Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center.

News broke about an hour and a half before the team’s morning skate that John Tortorella had been fired.

The Flyers went on to have a three-goal first period en route to ending a six-game losing streak.

“A really good friend of mine lost his job,” interim head coach Brad Shaw said. “He has been a real mentor to me in my career as a coach, so it’s very bittersweet.”

Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov each tallied two markers on the night, while Nicolas Deslauriers and Tyson Foerster also found the back of the net.

Prior to the skid-snapping win, the Flyers (29-36-9) had lost 11 of their last 12 games (1-10-1), a stretch in which they were outscored 52-21. They had won just six times in their last 25 games (6-16-3).

“It’s a tough day, for sure,” Deslauriers said. “It’s mixed emotions for everybody. Not just for players; the coaching staff kind of has to take charge there. There’s something to play for. At the end of the day, it’s upon us. We weren’t good enough, so I think we have to take the blame for that, too.”

Last season, the Flyers’ rebuild was surprisingly a part of the playoff race. This season, after playing .500 hockey at best and trading five players to supplement the future, the Flyers have fallen toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Internally, before the season, the Flyers felt a drop-off was possible.

“I think there was a reality there that we knew there was a good chance we would take a step back,” general manager Danny Briere said Thursday. “And unfortunately it happened.”

The Flyers have eight games left in the season.

“Right now, we’re just trying to take this team to a point where we can build something somewhat positive to take into the offseason,” Shaw said, “and then be way better next year.”

The Canadiens (33-29-9) came in holding the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot by one point.

• Players often have a strong response when a coach gets fired and the Flyers definitely did Thursday night.

Couturier (two goals, one assist) and Michkov (two goals, one assist) had multi-point performances. Ten Flyers recorded at least a point.

“Torts built a good foundation here for the young guys and older guys, as well,” Couturier said. “To be accountable and how to handle yourself as a pro. We’ve got to keep that philosophy, but just maybe mold it into our own image for now on.”

Thursday night marked the Flyers’ first regulation win since Feb. 25, when they also scored six goals.

“It has been a challenging day, so let’s just go out, this is what we do, this is our business, this is our job,” Travis Sanheim said of Shaw’s message to the team. “Go out and have some fun, play hockey, get your mind off of other stuff and go out and do it together as a team.”

• Cam York suited up and was on the bench, but he didn’t play because of a “disciplinary issue,” Shaw said.

The interim head coach wouldn’t comment any further on the matter. He said York is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday.

It’s uncertain if the disciplinary issue is related at all to York being benched by Tortorella early in the Flyers’ 7-2 loss Tuesday night to the Maple Leafs.

• Samuel Ersson converted 26 saves on 30 shots to beat Montreal.

Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes stopped 24 of the Flyers’ 30 shots.

• The Flyers’ power play delivered its first goal in March. It had gone 0 for 34 this month before Couturier broke the drought with his second goal of the night.

“It’s nice to get one, give us some confidence,” Travis Konecny said. “Just keep building on it.”

• Garnet Hathaway (undisclosed) and Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) remained out.

• The Flyers are back in action Saturday when they host the Sabres (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

‘Mixed emotions for everybody' — Flyers answer coaching change with skid-snapping win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

After going through a coaching change 10 hours before puck drop, the Flyers responded with a 6-4 win Thursday night over the Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center.

News broke about an hour and a half before the team’s morning skate that John Tortorella had been fired.

The Flyers went on to have a three-goal first period en route to ending a six-game losing streak.

“A really good friend of mine lost his job,” interim head coach Brad Shaw said. “He has been a real mentor to me in my career as a coach, so it’s very bittersweet.”

Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov each tallied two markers on the night, while Nicolas Deslauriers and Tyson Foerster also found the back of the net.

Prior to the skid-snapping win, the Flyers (29-36-9) had lost 11 of their last 12 games (1-10-1), a stretch in which they were outscored 52-21. They had won just six times in their last 25 games (6-16-3).

“It’s a tough day, for sure,” Deslauriers said. “It’s mixed emotions for everybody. Not just for players; the coaching staff kind of has to take charge there. There’s something to play for. At the end of the day, it’s upon us. We weren’t good enough, so I think we have to take the blame for that, too.”

Last season, the Flyers’ rebuild was surprisingly a part of the playoff race. This season, after playing .500 hockey at best and trading five players to supplement the future, the Flyers have fallen toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Internally, before the season, the Flyers felt a drop-off was possible.

“I think there was a reality there that we knew there was a good chance we would take a step back,” general manager Danny Briere said Thursday. “And unfortunately it happened.”

The Flyers have eight games left in the season.

“Right now, we’re just trying to take this team to a point where we can build something somewhat positive to take into the offseason,” Shaw said, “and then be way better next year.”

The Canadiens (33-29-9) came in holding the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot by one point.

• Players often have a strong response when a coach gets fired and the Flyers definitely did Thursday night.

Couturier (two goals, one assist) and Michkov (two goals, one assist) had multi-point performances. Ten Flyers recorded at least a point.

“Torts built a good foundation here for the young guys and older guys, as well,” Couturier said. “To be accountable and how to handle yourself as a pro. We’ve got to keep that philosophy, but just maybe mold it into our own image for now on.”

Thursday night marked the Flyers’ first regulation win since Feb. 25, when they also scored six goals.

“It has been a challenging day, so let’s just go out, this is what we do, this is our business, this is our job,” Travis Sanheim said of Shaw’s message to the team. “Go out and have some fun, play hockey, get your mind off of other stuff and go out and do it together as a team.”

• Cam York suited up and was on the bench, but he didn’t play because of a “disciplinary issue,” Shaw said.

The interim head coach wouldn’t comment any further on the matter. He said York is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday.

It’s uncertain if the disciplinary issue is related at all to York being benched by Tortorella early in the Flyers’ 7-2 loss Tuesday night to the Maple Leafs.

• Ersson converted 25 saves on 29 shots to beat Montreal.

Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes stopped 24 of the Flyers’ 30 shots.

• The Flyers’ power play delivered its first goal in March. It had gone 0 for 34 this month before Couturier broke the drought with his second goal of the night.

“It’s nice to get one, give us some confidence,” Travis Konecny said. “Just keep building on it.”

• Garnet Hathaway (undisclosed) and Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) remained out.

• The Flyers are back in action Saturday when they host the Sabres (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Twenty days after Scott Laughton departed the Philadelphia Flyers' organization for a new opportunity with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he did not expect John Tortorella to follow him out the door so quickly.

"I think it was a shock honestly," Laughton said as his Maple Leafs get set to visit the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. "Who knows what would have happened in the summer and everything like that. But yeah, it was a shock to me. I haven't talked to anyone back in Philly yet. So I guess we'll see what's going on there."

The Flyers relieved Tortorella of his duties as head coach on Thursday morning. The move came just two days after the Leafs defeated the Flyers 7-2. Tortorella didn't hold back in his criticism of the team.

BREAKING: John Tortorella Relieved Of Head Coach DutiesPhiladelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella has officially been relieved of his duties.

"This falls on me," Tortorella said of the game. "I'm not really interested in learning how to coach this type of team, in this type of season where we're at right now. But I have to do a better job and this falls on me. 

John Tortorella: "This falls on me, I'm not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season where we're at right now...but I have to do a better job."#Flyerspic.twitter.com/M3LJbWdadB

— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) March 26, 2025

Tortorella was in the third year of a four-year deal as coach of the Flyers. The current management there — led by team president Keith Jones and general manager Danny Briere — arrived after Tortorella's hiring. 

Although Tortorella's comments were damning, Laughton felt it was more out of frustration for how his team performed in the game. The Leafs forward never got the sense that his former head coach was getting frustrated in Philadelphia.

"I saw his comments after the game, I think they kind of got misconstrued maybe, but he did say it," Laughton acknowledged  But I think he kind of backed it up with what he said after. But yeah, I don't think he really meant that he was kind of getting fed up with it. I think he was just sick of losing on this road trip they were on. But yeah, I guess something had happened."

‘He’s Overthinking Things Instead Of Just Playing’: Scott Laughton Remains Pointless With Maple Leafs, Craig Berube Urges Forward To ‘Loosen Up’The Toronto Maple Leafs have begun to find their stride, securing back-to-back victories over the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche. However, one player in particular remains stuck in a slump – newly acquired Scott Laughton, who has yet to register a point in six games with the Leafs and continues to struggle to find his place in his hometown.

Laughton added that the Flyers are in good hands with interim head coach Brad Shaw, personally crediting the coach with helping the defensive side of the game playing on the penalty kill, a role the Leafs are looking to expand on.

Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev spent one season playing in the NHL under Tortorella back in 2013-14 during the coach's lone season with the Vancouver Canucks.

"I love Torts. He made me a better player," Tanev said. "He pushed my game to be better. He's a really good person to me. Definitely can't thank him enough. I enjoyed my time with him,"

Tanev shared an anecdote about how Tortorella would push him to jump into the game offensively if there were opportunities there, even though as a defenseman, his primary objective was to hang back and not get caught.

"If I didn't jump in on the rush, I'd definitely hear about it from him back on the bench. He made me better."

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