There was an equal amount of shock and awe to go around for those following the Florida Panthers free agency situation this offseason.

Somehow, Florida General Manager Bill Zito was able to retain all three of Florida’s big pending unrestricted free agents: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand.

To his credit, Zito was quick to give all the props to the players themselves.

It was the players, after all, who decided against hitting the open market and taking a deal for (probably) much less money to stay with the Panthers.

Bennett signed an eight-year deal worth $64 million that carries an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million, Ekblad signed for $48.8 million over eight years, carrying a $6.1 million AAV, and Marchand inked six-year deal that will pay $31.5 million and carry a $5.25 million AAV.

The contract that some are pushing back against is Marchand’s.

While it’s not breaking any rules, the contract will expire when the veteran forward is 43 years old.

One of those voicing their opinion is THN Toronto’s David Alter. You can check out his thoughts in the social media post and video below:

6 YEARS FOR MARCHAND!? 😳@dalter breaks it all down & gives his thoughts on the deal! 👀 pic.twitter.com/8feGqqhTr6

— Bodog (@BodogCA) July 8, 2025

“We all expected that (Marchand) would get multiple years, into those years where he may or may not play, but to 43 years of age? No one has played in the NHL at 43 as a forward since Jaromir Jagr in 2017-2018,” Alter said.

He does have a point. 

Is it impossible for a player to stay in the NHL until the age of 43? Of course not.

Is it common to see any player remain in the NHL around or past the age of 40? Of course not.

Hockey is an incredibly physically demanding sport that tests strength and endurance just as much as agility and grit.

It’s an all-around workout unlike any other sport.

Odds are, Marchand will hang up his skates before he reaches 43 years old.

If he does, and he’s healthy and simply retires, he wouldn’t receive whatever money was left on his contract. However, if he’s injured at some point, and that keeps him from playing, Florida could put Marchand on LTIR and he would continue getting paid without the money counting against the Panthers’ cap hit.

The way Marchand’s contract was constructed, he will earn $13.5 million over the first two years.

Every year of the deal has a base salary of $1 million, and the rest is paid out in the form of a signing bonus on every July 1.

This season came with a $6.5 million signing bonus and next season carries a $5 million signing bonus. The remaining four years each have a signing bonus of $3.5 million.

You can see how the contract dollars break down here, thanks to PuckPedia.

Ultimately, time will tell how much of Marchand’s contract he actually plays for, and gets paid for.

Until then, the debate will go on into whether deals like this should be permitted by the NHL.

It would be a difficult rule to set, as every player ages differently.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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Photo caption: Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers centre Brad Marchand (62) is seen taking questions during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)

The Anaheim Ducks held their annual development camp from June 30 to July 2. This year’s camp was shorter than the last couple of years, typically a five-day camp concluding with a 3v3 scrimmage.

The camp is used more as an instrument that allows newly drafted prospects to familiarize themselves with the organization, meet staff and potential future teammates, and take a nugget or two back home to train for the summer before rookie camp begins in Sept.

Though most of the drills are done at half or three-quarter speed and don’t necessarily simulate game situations, players were available to the media, and there were on-ice takeaways to be had from each player.

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The Ducks selected Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The pick came as a surprise to most, including Sennecke himself, who gave one of the most genuinely shocked reactions after hearing his name called by NHL and Ducks legend Scott Niedermayer.

Sennecke went on to dazzle during his draft-plus-one season, quickly silencing many who doubted his selection that high in the draft. Despite producing at a torrid pace, initially being omitted from Canada’s World Junior selection camp, gaining an invitation shortly after, and ultimately not making the team, Sennecke seemed to use that rejection as motivation and continued to grow and refine his game during his third full junior season.

Ducks director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager Martin Madden sat down with The Hockey News’ Anaheim Ducks site in May to discuss Sennecke and a myriad of prospects in the organization.

“Really well. I think we're all very pleased with his development. He had to deal with a lot from the start, from the draft on,” Madden said when asked about Sennecke’s 2024-25. “So, lots of different ways that he had to adapt and become aware of his own reactions and his own emotions related to everything.

“Off-ice reactions, on-ice. How do you deal with the spotlight? How do you deal with (being left off the World Juniors squad)? How do you rebound after that? How do you lead your team in the playoffs? How do you come back from injury? He grew as a person, he grew as a prospect. He had a terrific season.”

Sennecke finished his 2024-25 campaign with 86 points (36-50=86) in 56 regular season games for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL and added 32 points (14-18=32) in 18 playoff games en route to a second consecutive finals appearance against the London Knights. Sennecke, once again, saved his best hockey for last, and when it mattered most, elevating his impact on a shift-by-shift basis, constantly involving himself in plays throughout the entire 200-foot ice surface, and tactically manipulating defenders with superior skill and processing ability.

There isn’t much more, if any, room for Sennecke to grow his game at the CHL level, and there isn’t much more to learn at that level. He’s in an unfortunate position, as his Jan. 2006 birthday means he won’t be eligible to play in the AHL during the 2025-26 season. Despite the new CHL/NCAA agreement that has allowed several CHL stars to further their careers playing in college, Sennecke is ineligible for that as well, as he signed his three-year ELC with the Ducks during the Ducks’ 2024 development camp.

Sennecke will either have to play for the Ducks or head back to the CHL for his 2025-26 season. Madden seems to believe that the only aspect of his game that is holding him back from a full-time role in the NHL is of the physical variety, that his skill, compete, and IQ levels are there.

“He's close. He's one really good summer away from being able to compete physically with NHL players, in my mind,” Madden said. “There's no doubt he's got the talent to make the jump. Now, he just needs to seize the opportunity, and that comes with pressure. Let’s see what the team looks like in September, October, and where he fits at that point. It's his to take, I think.”

At this point in the summer, with the additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund, the Ducks' top nine forward group looks full and may leave Sennecke on the outside looking in unless there’s an injury between now and the start of the season or one of the players currently listed in the top-nine is given and accepts a role on the fourth line.

Given what we saw at development camp (which again, isn’t telling of where a player is developmentally in terms of game situations), Sennecke seems physically ready or extremely close to physically ready enough to challenge for one of those top-nine spots on the Ducks roster. Adding strength has been an area of emphasis for him since he departed Ducks’ training camp in the Fall of 2024, and he’s seemed to physically and mentally grow into his now 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame.

“I think I got a lot better at puck protection. I feel like I got a lot stronger (since) last summer and I was able to keep guys on my him and create more time and space for myself with the puck,” Sennecke said. “Something I can still improve on is my quick release. I think I try and get so much on my shot and get the perfect shot. When you’re shooting on bigger NHL goalies, it’s going to be something you can’t do. It's more quick over power, and if you can do both, you’re going to be a good goal scorer.”

Refining a shot and learning how to score on NHL goaltenders is a luxury problem to have in one’s development on a macro level in just their second summer after being drafted into the NHL. With a few more months of strength training, the doubt that Sennecke will at least begin the season in the NHL with the Ducks will have further shrunk exponentially.

He can play a maximum of nine NHL games before a year is spent off his ELC. Teams can send players in his situation to the AHL for conditioning stints, like the Seattle Kraken did with Shane Wright in his draft-plus-one year, before ultimately sending them back to junior.

The onus will be on Sennecke to play well enough (too well) for the Ducks not to keep him in the NHL all season. Judging by how he utilizes and is fueled by challenges, as displayed by his playoff performances and how he played after being omitted from the World Junior Championship roster, smart money would be on Sennecke rising to the occasion and playing the entirety of his 2025-26 season in the NHL.

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Canadian forward Cliff Pu, 27, has signed a one-year contract with the Sheffield Steelers, the EIHL club announced on Thursday.

“I’d never thought of the U.K. to play hockey,” Pu is quoted. “Then when the opportunity came up, I started doing some research and realized this was a great opportunity to play for a winning franchise as well as being able to my get education with the university.”

“Cliff is coming in with a extremely high skill set,” said Steelers coach Aaron Fox. “He skates at an elite level and has played in some top leagues. Cliff is a natural center that can play both wing positions as well. His game will translate here to being a really productive player that I think will be able to help our PP and play a top-six role.”

As a junior, Pu played in the OHL and was a member of the London Knights 2015-16 Memorial Cup championship team. He was spotlighted by The Hockey News that spring as a potential first-round draft pick and ended up going in the third round, 69th overall, to the Buffalo Sabres. He followed up his draft season with 86- and 84-point seasons – the latter split between London and the Kingston Frontenacs.

Pu spent the better part of three seasons in the AHL while in the organizations of the Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets before signing with Kunlun Red Star – a Chinese-based club in the KHL – in 2021.

While many Kunlun players quickly became naturalized Chinese citizens and played for the national team, Pu’s arrival was too soon before the 2022 Beijing Olympics for this to happen. He played two and a half seasons with the Chinese-based team before transferring to Russian-based Admiral Vladivostok midway through 2023-24. In three KHL seasons, Pu recorded 41 points in 109 games.

Former Sabres draft pick Cliff Pu leaves KHL for SlovakiaCliff Pu, a 26-year-old Canadian forward, has spent the past four seasons in the KHL. On Thursday, however, Slovak club Dukla Michalovce announced the signing of the Buffalo Sabres’ third-round pick from 2016.

Pu split the 2024-25 season between Dukla Michalovce of the Slovak Extraliga and HC La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland’s second-tier league.

Pu joins a Steelers team that is used to success – they have not finished worse than third in the past six seasons. The team includes British national team captain Robert Dowd, who is also the EIHL’s all-time scoring leader.

Describing himself, Pu said, “Firstly I love to win, I work hard and I’m fast, I try and use my speed, I’ve always focused on power skating, and that has helped me create offense for my self and teammates.”

Photo © Kim Klement-Imagn Images: Cliff Pu, playing a pre-season game for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, being checked by Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Robert Dowd Is British League’s All-Time Scoring LeaderOn Saturday night, the Sheffield Steelers defeated the visiting Glasgow Clan 6-3 in EIHL action. Captain Robert Dowd scored to break a 2-2 tie early in the third period and in doing so, recorded his 740^th career point – a new league record.

A former Toronto Maple Leafs player, with a brief history with the club, has called it a career. Riley Nash told the Western Canadian news outlet Castanet that he is retiring from professional hockey after 628 games in which he registered 63 goals and 113 assists.

“It is definitely something weird to say, and it hasn’t really sunk in yet, even though I basically had all of last year away from the rink, this year will still be weird,” Nash told the news site. “This is all I’ve done and focused on for the past 30 years, but now is the time to end this chapter (or book) and look at what’s next.”

The 36-year-old played for eight different NHL clubs, including the Maple Leafs; however, none of those aforementioned games were regular-season contests with the Blue and White. The Maple Leafs acquired Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in April of 2021. He was injured at the time with a knee sprain, but that didn’t deter the Leafs from acquiring him.

On the contrary, the Leafs were able to add the player and effectively use his entire $2.75 million in salary cap space within the long-term injured reserve pool. This strategy helped them acquire additional players like then-Jackets captain Nick Foligno and goaltender David Rittich in other trades. Nash healed up in time for the playoffs and dressed in two of the club’s seven games in their first-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

Nash himself found humor in it when he addressed the Toronto media for the first time ahead of the playoffs, saying, “It was definitely unique.”

While the Nash acquisition demonstrated creative cap management, new changes to the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will impact how teams can utilize similar strategies in the future. With the NHL ratifying its new CBA, there will be a playoff salary cap for the 20 players dressed on the ice. Additionally, the amount of cap space a team will get for a player on LTIR will be equal to the prior season’s average.

Not that the Leafs couldn’t do this again with another player of Nash’s type, but such moves may become more complex under the new rules. Nash’s tenure in Toronto was more memorable for the craftiness of the front office rather than the player’s effectiveness on the ice.

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Juraj Pekarcik already spent one year in North America in 2023-24, after making the jump from Europe to begin his trek towards making it to the NHL when the St. Louis Blues selected the forward in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 19-year-old spent a season in Dubuque of the United States Hockey League, and although it was a successful season (nine goals, 50 assists; 43 games) for the 6-foot-1, 183-pound wing, making the decision to play junior hockey turned out to be even more beneficial.

Pekarcik, with the help from his agent Gerry Johansson, who collaborated with the Blues to get Pekarcik to play for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and not only did Pekarcik's game grow, he played important minutes for a side that won the QMJHL and competed for the Memorial Cup.

They were important games and important roles that Pekarcik grew into well.

"I feel like it was a great season for us, for the team," Pekarcik said last week at Blues development camp, his third and final one. "We won the (QMJHL) championship so a great experience for me. I learned from the year. I wish we could (have won) the Memorial Cup, but it was a great season.

"It was a pleasure for me to play in the Mem Cup. It was a great experience, and the teams were really good. London and Medicine Hat. I wish we could have been better and won the Mem Cup, but it was a great experience."

Pekarcik, who has also played for Slovakia in the past two U20 World Junior Championships, would greatly benefit from his one season with the Wildcats, finishing with 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in 53 regular-season games and a plus-34 rating; he would add 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists in 19 playoff games, helping Moncton win the title for the first time since 2009-10; he was a teammate of Caleb Desnoyers, who was selected by the Utah Mammoth with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 draft.

"I feel like I grow a lot," Pekarcik said. "I improved a lot of things in my game. The coaches there in Moncton helped me a lot, really a lot. I improved in the D-zone most probably. That's what I needed the most. I'm trying to improve everything. My shots on goals. Last year I had nine goals, this (past) year I had 24, so I think I improved that. I'm so happy for it.

"Yeah, it was a great move. It was. It was my agent and St. Louis Blues decision, and I was so happy for it. It was a great year for me, great year."

But as much as good times last, they also come to an end and a new chapter opens. For Pekarcik, it's time to turn pro; he will be at main training camp once again, and depending on his performance while in St. Louis, it will determine where his playing address will be for 2025-26.

"Yes, I'm always ready," Pekarcik said. "It was always my dream. I hope I'm going to make it. I can't wait.

"I feel like I need to play more physical during games and I'm going to try and improve that for sure, but overall, everything I need to improve and to be the best if I want to be in the NHL, so I'll do everything to be an NHL player one day."

As is the case with all their prospects, management will not rush the forward, but they recognized the success he had in his only season of junior hockey and realize the next step is necessary.

"Yeah, he had a great year," Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. "They raved about his character. His teammates loved him. He was really good in the playoffs for them. He was the type of kid that plays really big in big games, hard-nosed and has a nose for the net. We're excited for him. Obviously a steppingstone. This (was) his third camp. He's going to turn pro this year, and we have a lot of young kids turning pro this year so we're excited with that.

"Obviously he'll be coming to training camp and make a big impression on us. We expect him to turn pro and have a good year."

Pekarcik is likely to begin the season in Springfield of the American Hockey League but seeing how he's progressed each step the Blues have laid out for him will only fuel his fire since he will be one step away from the pinnacle of his dreams.

But in the meantime, he was able to enjoy another strong development camp, with many of the prospects that have the same aspirations as he does.

"I was so happy to come again," Pekarcik said. "It was a great experience. It's a pleasure for me to be here again. I'm so thankful. I just want(ed) to enjoy this one more time, the boys. I'm so happy here. I've learned so much from being here for these.

"I'm going to make it. I'll do everything I possibly can to be here. This is the next step, I have to be my best."

The 2019 draft was a good one for the NHL and for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs had the 15th overall pick and couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw that USNTDP’s scorer Cole Caufield was sliding because of his small size. Fans watching the draft were telling themselves not to get too excited because, sure, his slide would stop before the 15th overall pick. Still, the Florida Panthers selected Spencer Knight, and the Philadelphia Flyers opted for Cam York, allowing Montreal to grab Caufield with the 15th overall pick.

Looking back at this draft today and how productive some players have been, chances are, a few teams wouldn’t have drafted the way they did. It’s fascinating to compare the top 10 picks with the top 10 scorers today; the Canadiens are one of the winners of that draft. Six years later, they have three of the top 10 scorers.

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Here are the top 10 picks of that draft:

1. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils

2. Kaapo Kakko – New York Rangers

3. Kirby Dach – Chicago Blackhawks

4. Bowen Byram – Buffalo Sabres

5. Alex Turcotte – Los Angeles Kings

6. Moritz Seider – Detroit Red Wings

7. Dylan Cozens – Buffalo Sabres

8. Philip Broberg – Edmonton Oilers

9. Trevor Zegras – Anaheim Ducks

10. Vasily Podkolzin – Vancouver Canucks

Interestingly, seven of the first 10 picks are no longer with the teams that drafted them. Kakko is now in Seattle, Dach is in Montreal, Byram is in Buffalo (although that may change soon), Cozens is in Ottawa, Broberg has signed an offer sheet to join the St. Louis Blues, Zegras is now with Philadelphia, and Podkolzin is also in St. Louis.

It’s not necessarily because they all flopped; six of those ten players are also part of the top 10 point scorers of the draft. One of the three who stayed with his original team, however, isn't. Without further ado, here’s the breakdown of the top 10.

1. Jake Hughes – New Jersey Devils

Hughes needed a few seasons, but he soon became something other than Quinn Hughes’ little brother. In his third full season in the league, he scored 68 points and hasn’t looked back since. Now, in 368 games, he has 351 points. By the time his career is over, he’s likely to be more than a point-per-game player. New Jersey has no reason to regret its pick and would do it all over again.

2. Matthew Boldy

He didn’t make the top ten at the draft, but he was pretty close, being drafted 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild. Now, he’s second in points from that draft class with 244 points in 285 games. Unsurprisingly, he remains with the team that initially selected him and turned out to be a much better pick than Kakko, who went second overall.

3. Cole Caufield

As mentioned earlier, he was the Canadiens’ pick at 15th overall, but in the top scorer standings, he advanced to third overall with 219 points in 287 games. Funnily enough, he’s now a teammate of the original third pick, Dach, and he has 98 points more than Dach, despite having played just 18 more games than Dach did. Dach made the jump right into the NHL, while the Canadiens instructed Caufield to stay in the NCAA for an extra year, and it looks like it was the right decision.

THE BELL CENTRE IS ROCKING 🔊

Kaiden Guhle with a THUNDEROUS hit then Cole Caufield buries right after 🔥
pic.twitter.com/rpdcyfC7aW

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 7, 2025

4. Dylan Cozens

The news is that Senator's center has put up 213 points in 362 games, all of which were played with a struggling Buffalo side, but the last 21, which is how long he’s been in Ottawa. He’s fared much better than original fourth-overall pick Byram, who’s got 110 points in 246 games split between the Colorado Avalanche and the Sabres.

5. Trevor Zegras

Say what you will about Zegras, but he does possess some offensive skills. His 186 points in 268 games make him the fifth-best scorer in the draft, two spots higher than where he was initially drafted. Meanwhile, the fifth overall pick, Turcotte, is nowhere to be seen on the top 10 scorers list; he’s only put up 29 points in 100 games with the Kings, and there’s room for improvement. This year was the first season he spent solely in the NHL.

6. Moritz Seider

Aside from Hughes, Seider is the only player who occupies the same rank in scoring as he was in the draft. The defender went sixth overall and has gathered 180 points in 328 games and a Calder Trophy to boot. The highest-scoring defenseman in the draft, the Wings really can’t complain.

7. Kaapo Kakko

The Rangers picked him second overall and eventually gave up on him, trading him to the Seattle Kraken for Will Borgen and a couple of draft picks (third round and sixth round in 2025). Still, his 161 points are the seventh-best total in the draft, and he achieved them in 379 games, the highest total of games played since the draft, indicating that he has remained healthy.

8. Matias Maccelli

The left winger was only drafted in the fourth round by the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes, but he somehow managed to become the eighth highest scorer in the draft with 130 points in just 224 games. He heard he was traded this Summer while playing a round of golf with friends. One of them saw news of the deal on the course and started screaming in excitement. Chances are, he’s one happy camper right now.

9. Alex Newhook

The second Canadiens player on the list was the 16th overall pick in the draft. He was claimed by the Colorado Avalanche right after the Habs grabbed Caufield, so he’s higher in the top ten list, which is a good thing. Still, in 296 games played, he’s gathered 126 points. That’s 0.43 points per game, which is quite a drop from Maccelli, who has a 0.58 average. This past season, Newhook put up just 26 points in 82 games, which is a significant regression compared to his 34 points in just 55 games the year before, but to be fair, he spent a lot of time on a line with Patrik Laine, who’s not that efficient at even strength.

10. Kirby Dach

Last and least (at least in terms of points), Dach, who was drafted third overall, falls to number 10 in the top 10 in points. In 269 games, he has 121 points, trailing Newhook by just five points, despite the latter having played 27 more games. If you look at it that way, it makes you wonder why Dach is getting so much flak compared to Newhook, and the answer there is probably because the expectations as to the capacity of being that top-two center were much higher towards Dach.

Still, it’s pretty remarkable that the Canadiens have three of the top 10 scorers of that draft, and if Newhook and Dach live up to their potential, it will be even more impressive. In a contract year and after having been publicly criticized at the end of season media availability, Dach should be eager to prove that he can be that second-line center and finally stay healthy. As for Newhook, a lot will depend on how the lines shake up, but in any case, they will be two forwards to keep an eye on this upcoming season.

Photo credit:  Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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The Toronto Marlies' home opener has been revealed.

The American Hockey League announced on Wednesday that Toronto's first home game will be played on Oct. 11 inside Coca-Cola Coliseum against the division rival Rochester Americans. The AHL will release the entire season schedule on Thursday.

The announcement comes one day after Toronto made a second batch of AHL signings. On Tuesday, the Marlies signed Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Ben King, and Nick Rheaume to one-year AHL contracts, while also re-signing Marko Sikic and defenceman Ryan McCleary to one-year deals.

Rheaume, who just finished his third year of college, attended Maple Leafs development camp this summer. Four of the five players who signed AHL deals with Toronto on Tuesday previously participated in the organization's development camp.

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The Marlies also had a round of signings on Monday, inking former Marlie Marc Johnstone to a two-year AHL contract. Johnstone departed the organization in 2023 after signing an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his NHL debut with the club on Dec. 8, 2023.

Toronto also added Ken Appleby on a one-year contract, while also re-signing Reese Johnson.

Appleby primarily spent last season with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, posting a .910 save percentage in 24 games. The veteran goaltender had six shutouts, the second-most in the AHL last season. Appleby last played an NHL game during the 2023-24 season with the New York Islanders.

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Johnson is coming off a season where he played three NHL games with the Minnesota Wild and the rest with the club's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. In 49 games with Iowa, Johnson scored four goals and nine assists for 15 points. He played six games with the Marlies, scoring one assist after being acquired by the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline in exchange for future considerations.

The Marlies saw several departures this summer, including Topi Niemela, Roni Hirvonen, and Zach Solow, who signed in Europe; Matt Murray, now with the Seattle Kraken; Alex Steeves, with the Boston Bruins; Nick Abruzzese, with the Tampa Bay Lightning; and Kyle Clifford, whose playing career could be over after he was a coach at Toronto's development camp.

The Marlies' season concluded after two straight losses to the Cleveland Monsters in the North Division First Round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

(Top photo of Logan Shaw: Christian Bonin / TSGphoto.com via Toronto Marlies)

One of the stated goals of Pittsburgh Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas at the end of the 2024-25 was to begin the "execution" phase of the organization's rebuild. He said part of that "execution" would, likely, involve young RFAs that other teams other couldn't afford or who needed a change of scenery. 

And there is one RFA who - although, he might not be one of the bigger names out there - may garner some attention from teams.

One year ago, Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Nicholas Robertson found himself in a very similar position to where he is now with the Leafs’ organization. This time around, Toronto extended Robertson - an RFA - a qualifying offer that he did not accept, electing to move toward arbitration, which was an option that was not available to him last season. 

At this point, Robertson will either go all the way to arbitration to determine his salary, extend with the Leafs before arbitration, or get his rights traded prior to arbitration. Given that Robertson was in and out of the lineup last season - he registered 22 points and a career-high 15 goals in 69 games last season - and that his opportunities to break into a larger role with the Leafs are dwindling, it may be best for both parties to finally move on this summer.

If that’s the case, is Robertson someone the Penguins should be looking into?

We wrote a piece on the possibility of Pittsburgh offer sheeting Robertson last season. While the situation is a bit different this season - and offer sheets aren’t likely to happen with the Penguins, per Dubas’s own words - that doesn’t mean they can’t look to the trade market.

Here’s why Dubas should - and shouldn’t - pursue Robertson in an RFA trade-then-sign.

Maple Leafs Forward Nick Robertson Files For Salary Arbitration, Timeline, Reasons And What’s Next?For the first time in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson has leverage. The forward filed for salary arbitration on Saturday, which allows a third party to decide his compensation for the upcoming season.

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The case for

At this point, it’s hard to tell exactly what the timeline is for the Penguins’ rebuild. In fact, Dubas - and even new head coach Dan Muse - have reiterated that they don’t want to put a timeline on it.

But one thing that does keep getting repeated by Dubas is that the Penguins want to compete as “urgently as possible.” They have been rumored to be interested in acquiring young NHL talent, as those kinds of players are likely what they’re looking for in any trade return for veterans Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. 

While Robertson is certainly not a top-end talent - and an unproven one, at best - he’s still young enough and capable enough to take a chance on.

And, right now, he’s probably cheap enough to take a chance on, too.

Is Now The Time For The Toronto Maple Leafs To Trade Nick Robertson?This past week, the Toronto Maple Leafs filed a qualifying offer to young left winger Nick Robertson, guaranteeing Toronto would keep the 23-year-old’s rights. 

The Leafs haven’t necessarily lost all of their leverage in this situation. They extended a qualifying offer for a reason, as they are interested in keeping Robertson around as a depth option. They lost Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, but they also brought in Mattias Maccelli, who could fill a top-six role or, at least, give Robertson some competition. It’s also entirely possible that the Leafs are still looking to add to their forward group in order to more definitively replace Marner.

And, again, Robertson was a healthy scratch at times last season - making that the case under two coaches in a row - which isn’t exactly a vote of confidence that the organization thinks he can play in a more elevated role in the lineup.

The acquisition cost for Robertson at this point is probably in the ballpark of a third-round pick, which the Penguins have two of in 2026. Also - if Toronto does want to add a top-six forward - he can be a small part of a larger return for a player like Rakell or Rust.

NHL Trade Rumors: All Eyes Should Be On Penguins NowNow that we are a few days into July, the majority of this year's top free agents have found their new homes. Because of this and the 2025 unrestricted free agent (UFA) class being far weaker than in most years, the expectation is that the trade market will start to heat up. 

At this stage, Pittsburgh needs to get its hands on as much talent as possible, and Dubas has expressed a desire to look into players who have upside and need a change of scenery. Robertson fits the bill, and he also has familiarity with Dubas, as Dubas drafted him in 2019 (53rd) during his time as Toronto’s GM. 

Even if things don’t work out between Pittsburgh and Robertson, the cost would be low-risk enough to make it worth a gamble, especially since the Penguins have excess draft capital. At the very least, he would be a solid addition to their middle-six, and he would be in a legitimate position to see some time in Pittsburgh’s top-six, especially without Rakell or Rust in the picture.

Really, it’s a win-win for the player and the organization, and there’s not really a strong reason not to do it. It’s one of those, “Why not?” scenarios.

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The case against

Although there isn’t necessarily a strong case to be made against - especially since Robertson shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg - there simply might be more intriguing options out there for the Penguins.

Again, a lot of the Penguins’ approach to any potential deal for an RFA could depend on how close they think they might be to competing again. There are higher-end options on the market - notably players like Mason McTavish, Marco Rossi, Gabriel Vilardi, and Bowen Byram - that could make a bigger impact for the Penguins right now.

Jets Engaged In Ongoing Negotiations With Gabriel VilardiThe Winnipeg Jets are currently engaging in ongoing contract negotiations with restricted free agent Gabriel Vilardi, according to David Pagnotta.

If Dubas feels that the Penguins are only a year or two away, he might want to shoot higher: And having that third- or fourth-round pick that Robertson would command could be the type of asset that gets a potential deal for a bigger name over the finish line. 

Also, the Penguins do have a lot of young talent that will be pushing for roster spots next season, and although Dubas has said that they want their young players to have to compete for spots on the NHL roster, they may not want to oversaturate their field of forwards too much. They already have 14 forwards in the mix, and acquiring someone like Robertson would only muddy the waters further and, potentially, get in the way of prospect development.

At the end of the day, they may just see more value in either another RFA or in the players they already have - and that is certainly legitimate enough a reason not to pursue him.

If Rossi Is Available, Penguins Should Be CallingIt's safe to say that it will be a very interesting summer for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Feature image credit: Dan Hamilton - Imagn Images  

The Tampa Bay Lightning made a one-for-one trade on Tuesday night, sending forward prospect Isaac Howard to the Edmonton Oilers for fellow forward prospect Sam O'Reilly. 

Howard told the Lightning that he wasn't going to sign with them and would walk to unrestricted free agency in 2026 if the Lightning didn't trade him. The Lightning got good value for him in O'Reilly, even though he may not be as close to NHL-ready as Howard is. He still projects to be a solid NHL player once he is ready. 

The Oilers signed Howard to an entry-level contract immediately after announcing the trade.

🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨

The #Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O'Reilly. We have also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/k3UHkpv6Ik

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 9, 2025

Howard had been expected to return to Michigan State for the 2025-26 season but will turn pro after signing his ELC. He finished the 2024-25 season with 26 goals an 52 points in 37 games. He will given every opportunity to make the Oilers' main roster during training camp. 

O'Reilly is a good get for the Lightning after spent the 2024-25 season with the OHL's London Knights, finishing 28 goals and 71 points in 62 games. He will likely return to the Knights for another season this year. 

Howard made a lot of sense as a trade target for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they weren't going to do a McGroarty for Yager type of trade for a second year in a row. If they were going to trade for him, it likely would've been for a lower price. 

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Featured Image Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens now have a new goalie to keep an eye on in their system next season. 

The Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, have announced that they have signed goaltender Benjamin Gaudreau to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2025-26 season.

Le Rocket s’entend sur les modalités d’un contrat d’une saison à deux volets avec le gardien Benjamin Gaudreau
Détails au https://t.co/Xo5HCaP0nx

Rocket agree to terms on a one-year, two-way AHL contract with goaltender Benjamin Gaudreau
Details at https://t.co/Xo5HCaP0nxpic.twitter.com/QHZVZjfkC5

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) July 9, 2025

Gaudreau spent most of the 2024-25 season at the ECHL level with the Indy Fuel. In 43 appearances with the ECHL squad, he posted a 21-16-6 record, a .902 save percentage, and a 2.46 goals-against average. He also had a 2-2-0 record, a .868 save percentage, and a 3.19 goals-against average in five AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs in 2024-25.

This was Gaudreau's first professional season, as he played his last season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2023-24 split between the Sarnia Sting and Erie Otters. In 151 OHL games over four seasons, he had a 74-54-15 record.

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Gaudreau was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 81st overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Overall, there is no harm in Laval bringing in a prospect goalie like Gaudreau on this two-way AHL Deal. He is still only 22 years old, and he has the potential to improve as he continues to gain more experience, whether that is in the AHL or ECHL. At worst, he will simply give the Canadiens more goalie depth in the minors, which is never a bad thing.

It will be intriguing to see if Gaudreau can take a nice step forward in his game next season from here.

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Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Few teams in the National Hockey League can boast the kind of rich history of enjoying success with top-notch Russian-born talent like the Detroit Red Wings. 

Not only did they feature the famed "Russian Five", many of which landed in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but they also enjoyed the talents of future Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk for 14 seasons. 

The Red Wings are hoping that forward Dmitri Buchelnikov, whom they selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, could be one of the next great Russian born players in Detroit. 

Buchelnikov, who is set to enter the upcoming 2025-26 season with the KHL's CSKA Moskva, recently disclosed to Nadezhda Tonkonog of the Russian-based Sport24 that he remains in regular contact with the Red Wings and Nikolai Vakurov, their Russian scout. 

We spoke probably two months ago,” Buchelnikov said via Sport24. “We talked about the season, what I will do in the summer. We always communicate with Nikolai Vakurov, their Russian scout, and are in touch. And not only about hockey, about life." 

Buchelnikov also confessed that he was literally shaking with excitement during his most recent conversation with Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who had a front-row seat to the numerous tremendous on-ice accomplishments of so many great Russian players in Detroit history. 

“When I stood talking to such a legend, my knees almost shook," he said. "I think all of us watched 'The Russian Five' (documentary). But this is through the TV, and seeing it live is worth a lot." 

Buchelnikov is under contract for another season with CSKA Moskva, but he looked ahead to when he could potentially travel overseas to North America and begin his professional career on American soil in Detroit's farm system. 

"It all depends on my game, how I will perform,” Buchelnikov said. “If I understand that I am approaching this level, that I can compete and, most importantly, win this competition, then, of course, I will think about it. But now I’m in Russia, I still have a year of contract, and I just have to think about getting into the top 6 here and showing everything with my play." 

Buchelnikov, who played last season with HC Vityaz Podolsk before being traded to CSKA Moskva, scored 15 goals with 39 assists in 65 games during the 2024-25 season. 

🚨 Dmitri Buchelnikov #VIT 1-1 #LGRWhttps://t.co/Ry9ZBca4ncpic.twitter.com/ezwYharraz

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) December 27, 2024

Young Russian players like Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers) and Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens) have already transitioned from the KHL to the NHL and made an impact for their respective clubs, and it may not be long before Buchelnikov is able to do the same with Detroit. 

While several returning players have made a strong impression at this year’s Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp, the spotlight also shines on two fresh faces, Alexander Weiermair and Mateo Nobert.

The Knights made a strategic move in the 2025 NHL Draft, trading up to select defenseman Mateo Nobert with the 85th overall pick, and also added forward Alexander Weiermair at 186th overall.

“It’s actually a funny story,” Weiermair said. “I was walking my dog outside, and I wasn’t even watching. My dad came running out screaming, so a lot of excitement. So happy to be here.”

Our prospects had a jam-packed week in Vegas for 2025 Development Camp presented by Martin-Harris Construction 🏒

VGK Prospect Alex Weiermair documents it all in his Development Camp blog! 👇https://t.co/S9o5uNxnt4

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 3, 2025

Weiermair wasn’t the only one with a funny draft story either—Nobert had one of his own.

“We were at home watching TV, and there was an ad that went on. Before that, it was Pittsburgh who had the 85th pick,” Nobert explained. “Then I wait a bit, and I hear screaming from the other room. I got drafted, so I was like, ‘Oh, is it really Pittsburgh?’ and then they started screaming ‘Vegas.’ I was just jumping for joy.”

Our prospects and members of the VGK business staff are spending the morning at @CathCharitiesNV serving food to those in need in our community! 😀 #VegasBorn | @VGKFoundationpic.twitter.com/pYNXUFtN7J

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 2, 2025

Weiermair reflected on his journey from competing in both the NCAA and CHL to earning a spot at Development Camp, describing the transition as a key step in his growth as a player.

“I think on the ice it’s definitely the pace,” Weiermair said. “It’s really fast, even though it’s the middle of the summer where everyone’s going full tilt, so it’s awesome to see. Then off the ice, doing the right things away from the rink. Being a professional, taking care of your body in the right way.”

As for Nobert, he talked about what his takeaways were from the camp as a whole.

“I think I needed to retain most of the information I got from the presentations and the meetings,” Nobert said. “Whether it’s nutrition, in gym, on ice, stuff like that, I think it’ll help with just becoming even more of a pro every day. So I think those meetings really helped me, and I think I’m gonna remember this week for my whole life.”

These two certainly are talented on the ice, but it’s clear that their off-ice personality shines and connects with the culture the organization strives to uphold every day.

William Dufour has signed a one-year contract with the KHL's Lada Togliatti. 

Dufour recorded 18 points in 45 games with the Bridgeport Islanders and four points in 12 games with the Colorado Eagles this season after being sent to Colorado in the Brock Nelson trade at the deadline. 

The 23-year-old had a strong rookie professional season in 2022-23, posting 21 goals and 48 points in 69 games with Bridgeport. He was unable to continue progressing on an Islanders team that finished at the bottom of the AHL the past two seasons and could not acclimate in his brief time in Colorado. 

The Quebec City, Que., native had 45 goals and 95 points in 181 career AHL games and went pointless in one NHL game with the New York Islanders. 

A fifth round pick of the Islanders in 2020, Dufour had 56 goals and 110 points in 66 games his final junior season, helping the Saint John Sea Dogs win the 2022 Memorial Cup, capturing the Stafford Smythe and Ed Chynoweth Awards as Memorial Cup MVP and leading point scorer. 

With Dufour's goal scoring prowess and still being early in his career it would not a surprise to see him return to North America after regaining his confidence abroad. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.   

Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres continue to be focused on as a team that will make a notable trade or two this off-season. Sabres GM. Kevyn Adams kicked things off last month with the trading of up-and-coming winger J.J, Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. but with due respect to Kesselring and Doan, they aren't going to be needle-movers that push Buffalo into a post-season berth next year.

What teams could Adams collaborate on for a major trade? That's the focus of this ongoing THN.com series. In earlier files, we examined the potential trade fit with the Sabres and Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and many more. But in this file, we're breaking down the potential trade possibility with Buffalo and the St. Louis Blues. Let's get straight to it:

TEAM: St. Louis Blues

CAP SPACE: $625,150

FREE AGENTS:  Ryan Suter, D

NEEDS: Penalty kill help; high-end depth on defense

SABRES FIT? The Sabres still are rumored to be set to trade top-four blueliner Bowen Byram, and the Blues would love nothing more than to bolster their defense corps by acquiring the young D-man. Byram would instantly slot in as St. Louis' second-pair defenseman, but the question is what the Blues would be prepared to pay in a trade that has to be a home run for Adams to consummate it.

To that end, Adams would likely be looking for a proven veteran scorer like winger Jordan Kyrou, although there are other Blues players who could help Buffalo next season. We're talking about young winger Jake Neighbours, or prospect winger Dalibor Dvorsky. That said, the Sabres have to drive a hard bargain for Byram, as they can't keep going back to the well with unproven NHL-caliber talent.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been one of the more active managers in the league, signing veteran center Pius Suter away from the Vancouver Canucks, and inking veteran pivot Nick Bjugstad to shore up St. Louis' fourth line. Meanwhile, the Blues also have their goaltending picture firmed up, and they've got solid depth on the wings. So making a move with the Sabres would almost exclusively focus on Byram.

Sabres Potential Trade Parnter: Toronto Maple LeafsThe NHL's free-agent frenzy is nearing its end. And the Buffalo Sabres still don't look like a team that's a finished product. But with free-agent options dwindling for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, the only way to change things up will be via trades. And in this ongoing THN.com series, we're breaking down potential trade parnters for Buffalo. 

There's no question the Blues value their defense corps, but they've suffered some depletions of late -- most notably, losing Nick Leddy on waivers to the San Jose Sharks, and losing Torey Krug to a career-ending injury. Thus, Armstrong is actively searching for a replacement, and Byram fits the bill perfectly.

That said, St. Louis has next to no salary cap space available, so if they are to acquire Byram and sign the RFA to a lucrative new deal, Armstrong would have to move around some money in any trade. That's why Kyrou -- who is earning $8.125 million for the next six seasons -- makes sense financially for the Blues.

Still, Kyrou has a full no-move clause in his contract, and it's difficult to envision him waiving it to come to Buffalo. The 27-year-old Toronto native might want to play closer to home, but realistically speaking, he has a better chance of making the playoffs with the Blues than he does with the Sabres. And it feels like any trade involving Kyrou would have to be expanded to send more talent St. Louis' way to make it palatable for Armstrong.

Is There Anything Left For Sabres To Pick Up In Free Agency?The NHL's free-agent frenzy has colmed down considerably, with most of the available talent now off the market. And the Buffalo Sabres still have approximately $13.6 million in salary cap space to utilize. So, is there anything left for Buffalo to spend on the open market, or is the only road to improvement via trades?

To that end, the 23-year-old Neighbours is intriguing. He is earning $3.75 million, and he's under contract for the next two seasons. Neighbours posted 22 goals and 46 points last year, and he might replace some of the offense lost in the Peterka deal. But in a 1-for-`1 trade involving Neighbours, Armstrong would still need to move out more salary to accomodate acquiring Byram and giving him a raise.

Regardless, the Blues feel like a potential destination for Byram, and he'd likely welcome a trade to an organization that never feels like making the playoffs is just good enough. For better or worse in Buffalo, that's exactly what the Sabres are at this stage -- desperate just to get into the post-season. The Blues have their sights set higher than that, so Kyrou may exercise his right to block any potential trade.

Nevertheless, the longer Byram goes without a new contract, the more it seems that Adams is going to trade him. And while the Sabres GM's job is to drum up interest among many teams and create a bidding war to maximize the asset he has in Byram, the best price he can get for the blueliner could well be paid by St. Louis.

Igor Larionov will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Detroit Red Wings fans everywhere, as he was an integral part of their Stanley Cup-winning teams of 1997, 1998 and 2002. 

The future Hall of Fame playmaking center was regarded as one of the smartest players in NHL history, even earning the nickname "The Professor". 

His son, Igor Jr., has gotten into the family business of professional hockey himself, and will once again be playing under the watchful eye of Igor Sr. 

Igor Jr. has signed a contract with the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg, of whom Igor Sr. is the head coach.

Igor Larionov has signed for SKA! ⚡️

The 26-year-old forward has penned a one-year deal with our club.

He is indeed our third new addition of the summer.

Welcome to Saint Petersburg, Igor!#hcSKApic.twitter.com/y4EICtZTY1

— SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) July 9, 2025

The elder Larionov recently took over the coaching duties for SKA St. Petersburg following his departure from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, whom he had overseen as coach for the previous three seasons. 

Coincidently, Igor Jr. had also played the last three seasons with Nizhny Novgorod. 

Born in Detroit in 1998 while his father was playing for the Red Wings, the young Larionov played for the Detroit Honeybaked Hockey Club, which was followed by stints for the Québec Remparts, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and Windsor Spitfires. 

Hockey changed forever when the Red Wings pulled off one of the most important trades in their history, acquiring Larionov from the San Jose Sharks in 1995 in exchange for Ray Sheppard. 

Detroit, who already 4 Russian-born players on their roster, would soon form the iconic "Russian Five", consisting of forwards Larionov, Sergei Fedorov and Slava Kozlov along with defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov and Slava Fetisov all playing on the same line as one another. 

Larionov was integral in Detroit's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1997 and 1998, and then again in 2002. He was one of 10 future Hall of Fame players to suit up for the 2001-02 edition of the Red Wings, which now includes fellow Russian Pavel Datsyuk, who was inducted last year. 

With 169 goals and 475 assists for 644 points, Larionov is ranked 17th all-time in scoring by a Russian-born NHL player.