Heading into July 1, former Montreal Canadien Jake Allen was the clear top pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) goalie who could hit the market. Due to this, there was expected to be a ton of interest in the 34-year-old, and he was in a position to land a high average annual value (AAV) had he tested the market.
However, shortly before free agency opened, Allen signed a five-year, $9 million contract to stay with the New Jersey Devils. This is undoubtedly one of the most unique NHL signings of the summer.
You simply don't see many soon-to-be 35-year-old backup/1B goalies land five-year contracts, so that alone makes this deal so fascinating. Yet, with the Devils giving Allen so much term, they were able to drop his AAV to only $1.8 million. This is far below what many expected Allen's cap hit to be, so that also makes it a unique signing. It is also a complete steal for the Devils.
In the end, the Devils and Allen found a way to get a deal that benefits both of them. Allen gained plenty of job security by getting five years, while the Devils were able to keep his AAV at an affordable price. Now, the former Canadiens goalie will be a long-term part of New Jersey's roster from here.
It is certainly good for the Devils that they kept Allen around, as he has worked well as Jacob Markstrom's backup. In 31 games this past season for New Jersey, he recorded a .908 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average.
Allen spent four seasons with the Canadiens from 2020-21 to 2023-24. In 127 games with Montreal, he posted a 41-68-15 record, a .899 save percentage, a 3.30 goals-against average, and three shutouts. His time with the Canadiens ended when he was traded to the Devils at the 2024 NHL trade deadline.
The remaining NHL schedule, including the Toronto Maple Leafs' full 82-game schedule will be unveiled on July 16. If you were wondering why it's taken a long time for the schedule to be released, you aren't alone. Historically, the full schedule has been released in an around the NHL Draft.
There is hope that a later schedule release will allow the strategically book premier matchups with players joining new teams via trade and free agency. For example, Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy hinted on an appearance with Leafs Morning Take that he wouldn't be surprised if his team took on the Maple Leafs early in the schedule. On June 30, the Maple Leafs completed a sign-and-trade with Vegas that saw star forward Mitch Marner depart Toronto after nine seasons with the club.
(Top Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
The Pittsburgh Penguins will open the 2025-26 NHL season against one of their biggest rivals.
The NHL announced on Monday that the Penguins would play the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden as part of a triple-header on October 7. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This is the second season in a row that the Penguins and Rangers will play each other on opening night. The two teams met in Pittsburgh last year on October 9, resulting in a 6-0 win for the Rangers.
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan will get to coach against his former team for the first time after he was let go by the Penguins on April 28. Sullivan then took the Rangers' head-coaching job later that week on May 2.
The rest of the 2025-26 NHL schedule will be revealed on Wednesday, July 16.
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues announced the team’s 2025 preseason schedule on Monday that includes the Ottawa Senators for the first time.
The Blues will play six preseason games, including home and away games against the Chicago Bl;ackhawks and Dallas Stars, while hosting the Senators at Enterprise Center. There is also a road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The NHL will announce its full 2025-26 regular-season schedule on Wednesday noon (CT).
The Chicago Blackhawks will open the 2025-26 season against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise on October 7th, 2025. Ahead of the game, the Florida Panthers will raise their second straight Stanley Cup championship banner.
The NHL announced this as part of an opening night triple-header to open the season. This is the first of three games. The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New York Rangers following the conclusion of Chicago and Florida, followed by the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Los Angeles Kings as the nightcap.
This is another example of the NHL using the Blackhawks in big moments, regardless of the team’s status as far as their roster. Chicago hockey fans are going to tune in and help make it a special opening night for the league. This isn’t the first time that they have been the opponent for a championship banner raising night.
Over the last handful of years, despite each team's standings position, the Blackhawks have played the Panthers tough. We'll see if they can keep that mentality going on opening night.
The rest of the regular season schedule for 2025-26 will be revealed on Wednesday at noon CT.
It was reported last week that several clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, were believed to have an interest in Erik Karlsson.
The 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman has been the frequent subject of trade speculation stretching back to last season.
The Penguins' acquisition of Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars last Thursday has some observers wondering if the move foreshadows a possible Karlsson trade.
Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review believes the acquisition of the right-shot Dumba indicates that Karlsson's exit is pending. He also thinks Dumba can be flipped at next year's trade deadline for a draft pick.
The Hockey News’ Kelsey Surmacz also suggested Dumba's addition could set the stage for Karlsson's departure. She noted a lot would have to happen for that to fall into place, including the blueliner waiving his no-movement clause and the Penguins retaining part of their $10-million share of his $11.5 million average annual value.
TSN's Chris Johnston claimed that Karlsson is willing to waive his no-move clause but only for a few teams. Surmacz wondered if the Carolina Hurricanes or the Maple Leafs would be interested, or if a reunion was possible between Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators.
It's been rumored that Karlsson would prefer to join a team that provides him with a shot at winning the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes would be the best bet in that regard. The Leafs are a strong regular-season club, but they've only won two playoff series in the last eight years.
Karlsson maintains a home in the Ottawa area, and the Senators are a young team on the rise. However, they're currently not in a position to help him scratch that Stanley Cup itch.
Turning to the New York Islanders, we noted some recent speculation suggesting they may have had some trade conversations regarding Ilya Sorokin. Stefen Rosner provided a strong rebuttal as to why they wouldn't move their 29-year-old franchise goaltender.
Sorokin's agent, Dan Milstein, wasted no time swatting down the trade conjecture. On Thursday, he reminded everyone that his client has a full no-movement clause. Milstein stated that Sorokin “has never been part of any trade discussions – not at any point.”
Sorokin also weighed in on the issue, telling RG.Org's Sergey Demidov he was surprised how seriously some people took the rumors, despite knowing about his no-trade protection.
Swiss club HC Davos has signed three of its key
forwards to three-year
contract extensions – Czech
Filip Zadina, 25, Canadian
Adam Tambellini, 30,
and Swede Simon Ryfors, 27.
“We
are delighted that Simon, Filip, and Adam have so clearly committed
to HCD and are planning their future with us,” said
club sports director Jan Alston. “All three are hungry for
more, and we expect a high level of play from them over the next
three years.”
It’s interesting
that Zadina chose to sign long-term in Davos after last summer, when
the Czech winger was reportedly close to signing with his hometown
club Dynamo Pardubice, but a sticking point was term – the club
wanted a multi-year deal but Zadina, then 24, wanted to keep his NHL
options available and chose the shorter-term offer from Davos.
Presumably, this contract contains an opt-out in case he receives an
NHL offer.
Last season, Zadina
had 43 points in 53 National League regular-season and playoff games.
He also had four points in three games in the
Spengler Cup, which Davos hosts annually.
In addition to
Tambellini and Ryfors, Zadina’s teammates in Davos this season will
include ex-NHLers Joakim Nordström, Brendan
Lemieux, Rasmus
Asplund and Klas Dahlbeck.
Originally from Pardubice, Czechia, Zadina went
overseas at age 17 to play junior hockey
for the QMJHL’s
Halifax Mooseheads. After winning the
league’s rookie-of-the-year award and making the first all-star
team, he was drafted sixth overall by the Detroit
Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Between 2018 and 2024, Zadina played 262 NHL
games for the Wings and
San Jose Sharks, recording 91 points and 40 penalty minutes. In
2023-24, his last NHL campaign to date, Zadina hit career highs in
games played (72) and goals (13).
Internationally, Zadina performed brilliantly for the Czechs at
the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, recording eight
points in seven games as the Czechs finished fourth. In his only
senior-level World Championship to date in Riga in 2021, Zadina had
four points in eight games.
Explaining the story behind Detroit's 'Hockeytown' slogan and how it could return for the Red Wings Centennial season.
The Detroit Red Wings are celebrating their 100th anniversary with some new Centennial themed things heading into the next season like new jersey patches, events for fans and most notably a potential change back to a historic centre ice logo.
Fans will remember the historic run of Detroit dominance when the Red Wings were winning Stanley Cups with the famous "Hockeytown" across the winged wheel at centre ice. Detroit had become the hub of hockey excellence and just as the Red Wings on the rise back to hopeful Stanley Cup contention, the franchise asked the fans if they want to have their signature slogan back on home ice.
The term “Hockeytown” became synonymous with Detroit and the Red Wings, but its origins are more recent than people may believe. The Red Wings first introduced “Hockeytown” as a marketing slogan in 1996, a pivotal time when the team was building toward Stanley Cup contention like they are today.
The branding campaign was created to rally the fanbase and solidify Detroit’s image as the top hockey city in the country. The phrase quickly gained traction among fans and the hockey world alike as the Red Wings entered a dominant era, led by several legends.
Sources indicate that the slogan was first prominently painted at center ice during the 1996–97 NHL season, the same year the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup since 1955, cementing the truth of the name that Detroit indeed was the home of hockey. It became a defining visual of Detroit hockey throughout the late 1990s and 2000s.
The “Hockeytown” branding remained at centre ice in famous Joe Louis Arena for over two decades, through the Red Wings’ multiple Stanley Cup wins in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. When the team transitioned to the newly built Little Caesars Arena in 2017, they initially kept the tradition alive by incorporating the same branding at center ice for the arena’s debut season.
However, by the summer of 2018, just before the 2018–19 season, leaked photos showed that “Hockeytown” was no longer part of the ice design. The organization confirmed the change, stating they wanted to “debut a fresh, new look” at center ice with the decision drawing criticism and confusion from long-time fans.
The Red Wings never officially abandoned the term publicly, but they quietly distanced themselves from the formal branding. The trademark for “Hockeytown” was listed as cancelled in 2018, according to records and reports published on Detroithockey.net and The Comeback, signaling a notable shift in the franchise.
Despite its removal from center ice, the identity of “Hockeytown” never truly disappeared. It remains deeply embedded in the culture of Detroit and is still featured prominently in merchandise, team videos, and local landmarks like the Hockeytown Café.
The name persists not just as a marketing slogan but as a badge of honor that reflects Detroit’s generational passion for hockey.
As the team enters their 100th season, the Red Wings asked fans whether the “Hockeytown” logo should return to center ice. Whether or not the logo returns to centre ice, the meaning of “Hockeytown” remains very much alive in the hearts of Detroit fans.
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The NHL is set to release the 2025-26 season schedule on Wednesday, July 16th, but we’ve seen a copy of the Montreal Canadiens’ schedule already, and a few comments come to mind.
As is often the case, the Canadiens will kick off their season on the road, starting with an Original Six back-to-back against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings on October 8th and 9th, followed by a Saturday night game in Chicago against the Blackhawks.
The Canadiens’ first home game is scheduled against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, October 14th, followed by a match-up with the Nashville Predators on Thursday, and a visit from the New York Rangers on Saturday, the 18th. With all due respect to the Kraken, this is hardly the most exciting opening night opponent. Kudos for the three original matchups on the road; however, that’s an interesting start to the season. Montreal will only host four home games in October, the final one being against the Buffalo Sabres on the 20th. Then, the Habs will wrap up the month with a western trip with halts in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Seattle.
The Canadiens will have eight home games in the following two months, the November schedule featuring a first game against old rivals, the Boston Bruins, and a duel with last year’s first-round opponents, the Washington Capitals, in Montreal on November 20th. The month will also end with a road trip, this one featuring battles with the Utah Mammoth, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Colorado Avalanche.
December will start with a home back-to-back against the Ottawa Senators and the Winnipeg Jets. Zach Bolduc will get to face his former St. Louis Blues teammates on December 7th, and Canadiens fans will welcome Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 20th. Montreal will then spend Christmas on the road, as is the tradition.
January will be the busiest month with 17 games crammed in in readiness for the quiet month of February, when the NHL will shut down to allow the players to take part in the Milan Cortina Olympics in Italy. The Canadiens will play only four games that month, two on the road against the Minnesota Wild and the Jets, and two at home against Noah Dobson’s former team, the New York Islanders, on the 26th, followed by a visit from the Caps on the 28th.
March will be a busy month with 15 games, and the Canadiens will wrap up their season on April 12th. However, they’ll still play seven games in the month with a final home stretch of four games, which will wrap up on April 11th, meaning the Habs will finish their season with a back-to-back, challenging circumstances if they are fighting for a playoff spot. Although by then, they should be used to it, since they will be taking part in no less than 17 occurrences of two games in two nights. This is an intense schedule to say the least, but it was to be expected with the Olympic Games break. It will be interesting to see if all teams have as many back-to-backs.
Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
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With every day that passes, it becomes ever so slightly more likely that the Montreal Canadiens will start the 2025-26 season with Kirby Dach as their second-line center. So far, he hasn’t been a successful option, but he remains the most likely option.
The free agency class was thin at center, experienced veteran Matt Duchene elected the re-sign with the Dallas Stars just like John Tavares chose to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs, comeback “kid” Jonathan Toews decided to go home and sign with the Winnipeg Jets, Mikael Granlund landed with the Anahem Ducks and Pius Suter with the St. Louis Blues. There were so few options down the middle that Christian Dvorak, who the Canadiens didn’t retain, signed a contract with a $5.4 M cap hit with the Philadelphia Flyers.
When asked about the fact that they were unable to sign a second-line center, the Habs brass replied that it was never going to come from a free agent signing. That seems to indicate two things: they agreed the free agency class wasn’t very deep, and they might have had a target on the trade market, but they were unable to get them…yet in any case.
Could the answer be just to be a little bit more patient? After all, there will be another free agency class after the upcoming season. The UFA class does include some huge names: Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel, and Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar highlight the class.
Realistically, however, could the Canadiens manage to pry McDavid away from the Oilers? It’s hard to imagine the Oilers standing idly by while the best player in the world slips through their fingers. That being said, they’ve not done much to improve their contending team, and as things stand, if they made the Cup Final for a third time in a row, it’s hard to see how it could play out differently.
Eichel is a different story, though. Vegas has been known to go from one flashy new toy to another, and if they don’t make any progress this coming season, they might be tempted to replace Eichel with an upgrade, especially if McDavid hits the market.
As for Kopitar, he will be nearly 39 years old and has never worn another uniform than the Kings'. I struggle to see how he could decide to up and leave, having won two Cups already. Evgeny Malkin is also set to hit the market; he was Ivan Demidov’s favourite player growing up, but he will be nearly 40 years old and is injury-prone.
There will be some interesting names when it comes to RFAs, but would Hughes be ready to deal with what they entail? I’m not sure; while offer sheets are legal, they tend to lead to bad blood, and it’s not something you need. Making trades is already complicated enough.
Still, the class could include Martin Necas, Connor Bedard, Logan Cooley, and Leo Carlsson, to name a few, if they don’t get extended before then. As harsh as it may sound, whether the free agency class is good or not, landing a player with such a significant role is not easy. The best course of action might be to draft and develop them internally, which, again, requires patience and luck for the prospects to turn out as hoped. There’s no secret recipe or magic beans.
Right now, the Canadiens have Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck with the Laval Rocket, who will be pushing for a job this season, but on paper, neither is suited to a top-six role. Vinzenz Rohrer can also play center, but he’s only 5-foot-10 and 161 pounds; it would be surprising if he could fill that role.
As things stand, the Canadiens better hope that Michael Hage turned into what their scouting report suggested he could be. Or could it be that Zach Bolduc can, in fact, play center?
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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There is no doubt that many Toronto Maple Leafs fans miss having a forward like Nazem Kadri around. The Calgary Flames center has been at the center of rampant speculation as Toronto looks to add another top-six forward, and while a reunion might be a perfect fit, there doesn’t appear to be anything on the front burner in terms of an actual deal.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill swirling, and Kadri has definitely heard the chatter. Speaking at The 12th Annual Nazem Kadri Charity Golf Classic, the London, Ontario, native took the time to speak with Mike Stubbs and Kyle Grimard on ‘The Knight Shift’ – a podcast centered around the OHL's London Knights. In the podcast, Stubbs brought up some of the chatter in Ontario that has surrounded the player.
“Unless I live in a box, I think I would hear it. I've certainly heard lots of speculation for sure,” Kadri admitted. “It's happened quite often. Over the last couple of months, so it's a bit bizarre just scrolling around and seeing your face and name pop up. Obviously, the rumor mill is pretty strong, especially around these parts, and a lot of the time, these rumors can catch fire, and that fire turns into bigger fires.”
Drafted seventh overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL Draft, Kadri scored 161 goals and added 196 assists in 561 games over 10 seasons with the club. Kadri dealt with similar speculation when the Leafs had sought to move him, first blocking a trade to the team he plays for now before Toronto sent him to the Colorado Avalanche in a deal for defenseman Tyson Barrie and forward Alex Kerfoot. Kadri ended up winning a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
As Toronto looks for players who thrive under the pressure of playing in the spotlight, especially in the wake of star forward Mitch Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights, Kadri is clearly a player unperturbed by the noise, and the speculation didn’t appear to bother him in the interview.
“You know what? And why not? I mean, there's not a whole lot in terms of sports going on right now,” Kadri said. “I think it's definitely a topic to talk about, and hey, why not talk about it?”
MUST LISTEN!
Nazem Kadri was interviewed on the Knight Shift podcast and this is what he said when asked about the rumours of coming back to the #LeafsForever :
“It’s definitely a topic to talk about so why not talk about it”
Current Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is the one who signed Kadri to a seven-year $49 million contract in the summer of 2022. Treliving became GM of the Leafs one year later in a departure that hasn’t been the smoothest since leaving Calgary, as he left for a job with Toronto before his contract officially expired. Toronto was forced to keep Treliving away from the NHL Draft floor until the Flames made their first-round selection, as part of the agreement for him to join the Leafs.
Korolnek and Feschuk discuss the possibility of the Maple Leafs getting in the mix to construct a deal for Kadri in Toronto.#LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/1cLTOma7yV
Given that Kadri plays the role of 1C in Calgary and is coming off a career-high 35 goals, it’s hard to see any deal being consummated from a realistic standpoint.
It’s no secret that the Florida Panthers are a unique team.
Over the past several seasons, Florida has morphed into a team that utilizes just as much physicality as they do skill.
They are something of a hybrid, combining quite a bit of high-end talent with a gritty, in-your-face style that teams across the NHL have yet to come up with an answer to.
It’s led to a good amount of conversation and debate, including a story that was featured on The Hockey News.
Longtime hockey journalist Sam Carchidi, who knows a thing or two about covering teams who played with a chip on their shoulder, took a look at teams who have done two things in the same season.
Those things are win the Stanley Cup and lead the league in penalty minutes.
Florida certainly qualified for that honor this year, leading the NHL during the regular season with 853 PIMs and then again during the playoffs, with another 370.
Would you believe that the Panthers are only the fifth team over the past 50-plus years to pull of this feat?
Even more impressive is that Florida did it without dropping the gloves a ton, earning only the tenth most fighting majors in the NHL last season.
You can check out Sam’s full story, including how Florida stacks up against the other penalty-leading Cup winners, by clicking here.
Photo caption: Jun 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; A fight breaks out during the third period between Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers in game three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)
The 2025 NHL free agent market was not one conducive to the Philadelphia Flyers saving money or driving bargains, but, historically, the Flyers haven't negotiated favorable contracts anyway.
Based on contract data and player performance put together by Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic, the Flyers rank below NHL average in average discounts on contracts signed over the last five years.
According to Luszczyszyn's information, the Flyers pay an extra $0.5 million on average, which ranks 19th in the NHL. Just three (Pittsburgh, Calgary, and Vancouver) of the 12 teams that saved money on average over the last five seasons missed the playoffs last year.
In fairness to the Flyers, they have negotiated quite a few decent contracts in recent months. For example, the Tyson Foerster and Cam York contracts were extremely team-friendly and allow for plenty of flexibility, both now and in the future.
On the other hand, contracts given to Joel Farabee (traded), Owen Tippett, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Rasmus Ristolainen, Ivan Fedotov, and Christian Dvorak all fit the timeline criteria and have left room for debate to different degrees.
Dvorak hasn't played a game for the Flyers yet, but the online consensus seems to largely be that his one-year, $5.4 million deal was an overpay for an older, bit part player.
These are the types of contracts that push the Flyers towards the bottom of the league.
To nobody's surprise, Florida and Vegas, two states with no income tax, top Luszczyszyn's model, but also towards the top are the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey is one of the most punishing states in terms of taxes, and many of its players reside in expensive parts of North Jersey outside of Newark.
It makes for an interesting dynamic given that a good number of Flyers players also reside in New Jersey, in towns like Haddonfield and Cherry Hill, for example, and have to play by the same rules.
The Devils, as a young but more exciting team overall, benefit from having drafted Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt and signed them all early.
It makes them an attractive destination for free agents (Dougie Hamilton, for example) looking to win and be part of something long term.
With the recent additions of Trevor Zegras, Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, and Jamie Drysdale, the Flyers are hoping the project they're building can have the same effect.
But only time will tell if these players can bond together on the ice and/or reach their full potential in the NHL.
The Chicago Blackhawks have one of the best farm systems in the National Hockey League. That comes as a result of being in the basement of the league for a handful of years in a row and making lots of trades to acquire more high-end draft picks.
Guys like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Vlasic don’t count as true prospects anymore due to the number of games played at the highest level. Even without them, however, the Blackhawks still have a pipeline that ranks amongst the best.
Of all the players that they have working toward becoming full-time NHL players, this is the top 25 based on where they’re at in their development, how close they are to making it to the NHL roster, and their overall skill:
1. Sam Rinzel
After a great year at the University of Minnesota, Sam Rinzel looked like he could be a number one defenseman in the NHL during his short end-of-season stint. Nobody improved their stock more in 2024-25. He comes in at number one as a result.
2. Anton Frondell
The Blackhawks just selected Swedish forward Anton Frodnell with the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He has his eyes set on being just like Aleksander Barkov, but for now, he'll have to settle for the second-best Chicago Blackhawks prospect.
3. Artyom Levshunov
Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, was excellent in his first year pro. Whether it was for the Rockford IceHogs or the Chicago Blackhawks, he was noticeable. If he's healthy, Levshunov will play more than a quarter of the NHL season.
4. Sacha Boisvert
Sacha Boisvert was one of the best college freshmen in 2024-25. At the University of North Dakota, he showed that he's an impressive two-way player who can bring high-end skill in all three zones. He has transferred to Boston University, where he will develop even further on a team that has a chance to win the National Championship.
5. Kevin Korchinski
A couple of defensemen have passed Korchinski up on this list, but that doesn't take anything away from the overall talent that he possesses. He is still working on the defensive side of the game, which is always hard for young offensive guys, but there is no denying his elite puck skills. Expect more opportunities for him in the NHL going forward.
6. Nick Lardis
Nick Lardis scored 71 goals during his 2024-25 season in major junior. Now, he’s ready to turn pro. Like Rinzel, his stock improved by a wide margin due to his play last year. It won’t be long before he’s scoring goals in the NHL. His shot should translate quickly.
7. Oliver Moore
Oliver Moore is a very talented player. His speed may be the best of any prospect in the organization. He had four assists over his short NHL stint following his year at the University of Minnesota. He may start 2025-26 in the AHL, but being a middle-six forward in the NHL may come sooner than later.
8. Roman Kantserov
Roman Kansterov had a great year in Russia as a young player. He will return in 2025-26 and then play in North America in 2026-27. With more development under his belt next year, he should gain what he needs to become an impactful player in the NHL.
9. Ethan Del Mastro
Ethan Del Mastro is a solid defenseman who isn't far from being removed from this list, as he played 24 games last year. He isn't elite at anything, but he's solid at everything. His skating, stick work, and offensive awareness should allow him to have a long NHL career as a middle pair guy.
10. Drew Commesso
It's hard to rank Drew Commesso higher than ten because he's currently the third guy in the organization. Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom will likely be the duo that has the net in 2025-26, but Commesso is on the come-up. In the second half of last season, he went on a tear that went into the Calder Cup playoffs. Commesso has a great shot at becoming a full-time NHL goalie shortly.
11. Mason West
Some may have the football quarterback turned hockey player ranked lower, but there is no denying his overall talent. Mason West skates like the wind, has incredible puck skills, and can see the ice as well as any young player. Once he fully commits to hockey after his senior year at Edina High School, the Blackhawks are hoping that these skills allow him the chance to become a great player. If he does pan out, Kyle Davidson will look like a genius for taking the risk on him.
12. Colton Dach
Colton Dach is a little bit like his brother Kirby in terms of their ability to be plagued by injuries. He will be allowed to become an NHL player if he plays well in training camp and the preseason. He is a lot grittier than a lot of the players in the organization, which is something they need on the roster.
13. Ryan Greene
Ryan Greene is never going to have 40 goals or 100 points. However, he is a very reliable bottom-six forward who can bring some offensive jam here and there. Greene made his NHL debut at the end of last season, and he is likely to be on the team out of camp.
14. Marek Vanacker
Kyle Davidson took a chance when he traded back into the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft to select Marek Vanacker. He was injured to begin the 2024-25 season, which slowed down his progression. He didn't have the year he wanted to have, but he finished strong. With almost certainty that he will go back to the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs, he is preparing to keep those good vibes going and have a much better season.
15. Vaclav Nestrasil
The Blackhawks surprised some people when they selected Vaclav Nestrasil in the first round (25th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. It became clear that they were going for size up front, which they will have in the 6-foot-5 Nestrasil. He will attend UMass in 2025-26.
16. Nolan Allan
Nolan Allan found himself playing in 43 NHL games last season. Although he had to go back to Rockford due to his play combined with other players coming up, he should be happy with how much he got to develop. Look for Allan to come out strong with his defensive game at the start of next year, whether it's with Rockford or Chicago. You can never have enough depth at this position.
17. AJ Spellacy
AJ Spellacy made people think that he would make the Blackhawks' opening night roster with his play during camp and the preseason last year. Instead, they stayed the course and sent him back to the OHL, where he was just okay. After attending the World Junior Summer Showcase, Spellacy will give it his all when it comes to trying to make it to the NHL.
18. Samuel Savoie
In a different way than Colton Dach, Samuel Savoie is a physical player who knows how to infuriate players he's going against. He won't come to the NHL and tear it up offensively. He couldn't even do that in the AHL (22 points in 72 games played). What he can do, though, is impact the game in a way that allows others to create offense.
19. John Mustard
John Mustard is a very fast player who will go back to Providence, play for a good team, and look to develop into a pro.
20. Jack Pridham
Jack Pridham, as a Kitchener Ranger, was so good and fit in so well that he decided not to attend Boston University in favor of going back there for another year.
21. Martin Misiak
Martin Misiak was a second-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2023, so they have high hopes for him. After a decent season with the Erie Otters, but nothing special, he hopes that the pro game (likely with the Rockford IceHogs) will help him move along in his career.
22. Nathan Behm
Nathan Behm was a third-round pick, 66th overall, by the Blackhawks in 2025. He is a long-term project, but has skills that could allow him to become a full-time player in the NHL one day. He's not close to that pro level yet, however, so he finds himself at 22 for now.
23. Gavin Hayes
Gavin Hayes, like Behm, was the 66th overall pick. His selection came in 2022. After a strong career in the OHL, he started to play pro in 2024-25 with the IceHogs. He'll make his NHL debut at some point, but he needs to be noticeable to stick around.
24. Aidan Thompson
Aidan Thompson, also a third-round pick from 2022, had an outstanding year at Denver, where he came very close to another NCAA title. After having 55 points in 44 games played, he is ready for pro hockey. He played in four AHL games last year after the NCAA season ended, but a full season awaits him in 2025-26.
25. Taige Harding
Taige Harding is a massive 6-foot-7 defenseman who played college hockey at Providence College in 2024-25. He will look to bring that size and skill to the IceHogs next year. His size alone gives him a chance to become an NHL player one day, but his development curve would need to continue pointing up.
The Boston Bruins made the wise decision to stockpile prospects and draft picks by trading away veteran players at the 2025 NHL trade deadline in March.
The Bruins were able to add some talented players in the 2025 draft, including first-round pick James Hagens. And after drafting four centers, the Bruins now have a lot of depth at that position in their prospect pool. This is an encouraging development for the franchise because it currently does not have a true top-six center on its NHL roster, with the possible exception of Elias Lindholm.
That said, the overall level of talent in Boston’s prospect pool remains fairly weak. The Athletic ranked the Bruins’ prospect pool No. 30 out of 32 teams in its annual rating in January. Even after the most recent draft, the Bruins likely would still rank in the bottom third.
Drafting and developing has not been one of the Bruins’ strengths over the last 10 years. That needs to change if the franchise is going to be a Stanley Cup contender in the next three to five years.
Let’s take an updated look at the top 10 prospects in the Bruins organization. (Only players 23 years old and under were considered for this list, which excludes players like Georgii Merkulov and Michael DiPietro.)
10. Chris Pelosi, Center
Age: 20
Team: Quinnipiac (NCAA)
It took Pelosi a little while to adjust from playing in the USHL to playing for Quinnipiac last season, but he found his stride in the second half of the season and finished with a very respectable 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 38 games as a freshman. He had 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) in the final 23 games of the campaign.
He also was among the final cuts for Team USA ahead of the 2025 World Junior Championships.
Pelosi has a good two-way skill set, and he plays physical without taking bad penalties. A Year 2 jump at Quinnipiac could vault Pelosi much higher on this last at this time in 2026.
9. Frederic Brunet, Defenseman
Age: 21
Team: Providence (AHL)
Brunet is a good skater and not afraid to jump into the rush and crash the net. His playmaking ability really improved in Providence this past season, evidenced by his career-high 20 assists (double his previous high).
Overall, Brunet tallied 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 69 games with the P-Bruins, earning himself the team’s award for best defenseman. He made his NHL debut in the final game of the 2024-25 season versus the New Jersey Devils.
"I worked hard for it…the first call is always special."
On an all-new #BruinsAcademy, we catch up with #NHLBruins defense prospect Frederic Brunet to look back on his NHL debut.
Brunet likely will start the 2025-26 campaign in Providence, but if Boston’s blue line depth is tested due to injuries, the Quebec native would be one of the best candidates to call up.
8. Philip Svedeback, Goaltender
Age: 23
Team: Providence College (NCAA)
Svedeback is the best 23-and-under goalie prospect in the Bruins’ system. He went 14-8-4 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.42 GAA for Providence last season. He has posted a .909 save percentage or higher in three of his first four years with the Friars.
Checked in with Philip Svedeback, heading into his senior year in the PC net
He's excited about the way this year's team is shaping up and he was talking up the 30 Swedes selected in the NHL Draft
With Jeremy Swayman signed long term, Joonas Korpisalo signed for three more years, and Michael DiPietro ready to compete for a backup job in the NHL, it might be difficult for Svedeback to climb up the organizational depth chart. But he’s a pretty talented goalie, and the Bruins’ depth at this position will allow them to take their time with Svedeback and let him develop at the best pace.
7. William Moore, Center
Age: 18
Team: Boston College (NCAA)
The Bruins took Moore with the No. 51 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Some experts had Moore ranked as a top-35 prospect in this class, so the Bruins were fortunate to get him in the middle of Round 2.
Moore ranked second on the U.S. Under-18 Team with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 64 games. He needs to get a little stronger and add some muscle to his 6-foot-2 and 175-pound frame, but there’s a lot to like about his offensive skill set.
Moore will play for Boston College as a freshman next season, like several other B’s prospects on this list.
6. Dean Letourneau, Center
Age: 19
Team: Boston College (NCAA)
The Bruins took Letourneau with the No. 25 pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He has tremendous size at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds. He plays a physical, power forward-type of game. Unfortunately for Letourneau, the jump to college hockey was a difficult one for him last season. He scored zero goals with three assists in 36 games for the Eagles.
He told reporters at Bruins Development Camp last week that he had a broken hand in the first half of the season. Not being able to impact the game as much as you want offensively can be frustrating for a young player, but Bruins player development coordinator Adam McQuaid liked the way Letourneau dealt with the adversity.
“He honestly handled it really well,” McQuaid told reporters on June 30. “There were days of disappointment where he felt like he could and wanted to impact more. We were preaching smaller details like protecting pucks and being physical, and he started to get a little bit of time on the penalty kill. He got much better with his stick — just little details.
“He took all that in stride but was still like, ‘I wanna do more, I wanna impact more. I believe I can do more.’ Those are all positive things. At the end of the year, he was like, ‘I’m going back to BC. I’m going to compete for a spot.’
“Nothing’s going to be given to you. He knows that, and it says a lot about him. So I learned a lot about his character. Adversity at a young age — a lot of these guys haven’t seen it. So for him to go through it now, there’s always going to be some critics and adversity faced. And for him, being here in Boston probably magnifies it a little bit. He’s handled it really well.”
With a year of experience, and several BC forwards having recently graduated or left for the NHL, Letourneau has a tremendous opportunity to make a huge sophomore leap with the Eagles in 2025-26.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dean Letourneau was the No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
5. Will Zellers, Left wing
Age: 19
Team: North Dakota (NCAA)
The Bruins acquired Zellers — a 2024 third-round pick — from the Colorado Avalanche as part of the Charlie Coyle back in March.
Zellers doesn’t have tremendous size (5-foot-10 and 175 pounds), but he has a very impressive offensive skill set, including a great shot and plenty of speed. His 44 goals were the most of any USHL player last season, and his 71 points ranked third.
Two years ago, Will Zellers scored in his USHL debut. This season? He shattered Green Bay's goal record, led the league in scoring, and was named USHL Player of the Year.
Now, he's the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year.
Zellers will play at the University of North Dakota as a freshman next season. He is one prospect Bruins fans should keep a close eye on.
4. Dans Locmelis, Center
Age: 21
Team: Providence (AHL)
Locmelis arguably improved more than any Bruins prospect last season. He tallied a career-high 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) in 40 games for UMass-Amherst, and then he played six regular season games for the Providence Bruins and dominated with 12 points (three goals, nine assists).
Locmelis also starred for Latvia at the World Championships.
The 2022 fourth-round pick probably will start next season in Providence, but he’s definitely a candidate to push for an NHL roster spot if he impresses during training camp and the preseason. It would be surprising if he doesn’t make his Boston debut at some point in 2025-26.
3. Fraser Minten, Center
Age: 21
Team: Boston Bruins (NHL)
Minten was a 2022 second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was acquired by the Bruins as part of the Brandon Carlo trade in March. He should be in the mix for Boston’s third-line center competition during training camp and the preseason thanks to his two-way skill set. He’s a smart, reliable player with decent offensive upside.
Minten didn’t score a ton in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, but he did tally seven points (three goals, four assists) in 11 games for the Providence Bruins after the trade.
Minten played six games in Boston toward the end of the season and held his own defensively. He has 25 games of NHL experience overall.
2. Matt Poitras, Center
Age: 21
Team: Providence (AHL)
Poitras’ impressive rookie season in 2023-24 was cut short due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. He began last season with the Bruins but struggled with one goal and three assists in his first 14 games. The Bruins sent Poitras to Providence in November as a result.
Poitras ended up playing 19 more games in Boston from Jan. 14 through March 6 and scored zero goals with seven assists during that span. He spent the final portion of the season in the AHL, finishing with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 47 games for Providence overall.
Poitras is a skilled playmaker with slick hands and a good shot. He needs to be a little stronger on pucks and improve in the faceoff circle, but he definitely has the potential to be a useful middle-six forward for the Bruins. Similar to Minten, Poitras should be among the candidates vying for the third-line center role.
Poitras has shown flashes of his potential in the NHL. Whether he can be a consistent offensive player at that level remains to be seen.
1. James Hagens, Center
Age: 18
Team: Boston College (NCAA)
The Bruins were very fortunate that Hagens — once considered the top prospect in the 2025 draft class — fell to them with the No. 7 overall pick in last month’s draft.
Hagens has No. 1 center potential as an elite playmaker, a gifted skater and the ability to score goals in a variety of ways. From a skill set and size perspective, he plays a lot like New Jersey Devils star center Jack Hughes.
Hagens tallied 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) as an 18-year-old first-line center for the Eagles last season. He also was one of Team USA’s best players at the World Junior Championship and scored in the gold medal game.
Another year of development at BC would be the smartest route for Hagens to take. The Bruins shouldn’t rush Hagens’ ascent to the NHL. He is their only elite prospect.
Exciting Canadiens Prospect Is Prime Breakout CandidateThe Montreal Canadiens have several promising young players in their system. Oliver Kapanen is undoubtedly among them, as the young forward has the tools to blossom into an impactful player for the Canadiens as he continues to adjust to the NHL level.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports