It’s no secret that the offseason of 2026 didn’t go according to plan for general manager Pat Verbeek and the Anaheim Ducks. After a season where they made the playoffs and seemingly turned the corner on their long rebuild, they were in a prime position to add a significant piece or two to their depth chart and take another sizable step toward Stanley Cup contention in the near future. 

A historic offer sheet later, and their entire cap structure has been detrimentally altered. They’ll now have to rely on their current young core to take another considerable step in their development into stardom. They’ll also need their young secondary pieces to assume larger roles in their nightly lineups and reach their potential quicker than anticipated. 

Young Anaheim Ducks Players Who Could "Graduate" into Impactful NHL Roles in 2026-27

NHL Prospect Pool Overview '26-27: Anaheim Ducks Have Plenty More On The Way

Once armed with the most projected cap space in the NHL, the Ducks will now likely be forced to move a veteran contract or two to fit star forward Cutter Gauthier’s eventual new contract under the cap ceiling before the start of the season (or at some point before injured forward Troy Terry is slated to return to the lineup in late autumn).

Heading into the offseason, the two most notable areas in need of improvement on the Ducks’ depth chart were on the right side of the blueline and at the center position, on the second line, behind Leo Carlsson. 

The right side of the blueline will now mostly lean heavily on youth, with a combination of Ian Moore, Drew Helleson, Tristan Luneau, and lone veteran Nick Jensen. The center group is projected to remain the same as it was in May, when they lost in the second round to the eventual Western Conference Champion Vegas Golden Knights, and consists of Carlsson, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Tim Washe. 

However, the Ducks may have a hidden arrow in their quiver when it comes to addressing their current suboptimal middle-six center situation. 

“Well, as you see it now, we have options,” Verbeek said after the Ducks traded Mason McTavish at the 2026 NHL Draft. “Cutter’s played center before. Roger McQueen, we’re going to see what he looks like when he gets to camp. So, we have options. We’re just trying to see where these players are going to shake out when training camp arrives.”

Cutter Gauthier (22) will be entering his third full season in the NHL in 2026-27. After a rookie 2024-25 year that saw him struggle to maintain a role in the top nine under former head coach Greg Cronin, yet still managing to score 44 points (20-24=44) in 82 games, he broke out last season and established himself as a top-20 winger in the NHL and a difference-maker, leading the Ducks in scoring with 69 points (41-28=69) in 76 games. He became the first Ducks player to score 40 goals in a season since Corey Perry in 2013-14 and just the fourth Ducks player in history to do so, joining Perry, Paul Kariya, and Teemu Selanne. 

Before his jump to the NHL from the NCAA at Boston College, and during his time with the USNTDP in juniors, Gauthier played down the middle of the ice as a center. He was selected at the top of the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers (5th overall in 2022) as a player who could play either forward position and provide instant offense. He did just that during his collegiate career, scoring 102 points (54-48=102) in 73 games at BC over two seasons. 

Gauthier always projected as more of a winger, given his skill set and how he operates on the ice. He provides elite straight-line speed, has a feel for where to be and how to position himself in dangerous areas of the ice, and possesses one of the most deadly releases in the NHL. His shot is undoubtedly one of the best the sport of hockey has ever seen. 

Gauthier’s production at a young age and the contract that his common linemate, Carlsson, is now under ($18 million AAV) have given Gauthier a high percentage of leverage in his current extension negotiations with the Ducks. Without knowledge of the range in which the final number will land, it’s entirely conceivable that Gauthier’s AAV comes in around the number Connor Bedard recently signed for with the Chicago Blackhawks, $15 million. 

Assuming that hypothetical $15 million AAV, it would render Gauthier the third-highest paid (tied) player in the NHL, and it’s increasingly likely he’ll be, at the very least, within the top ten. Given the roster makeup, can the Ducks ultimately justify paying that salary to a winger?

The Ducks are already projected to ice a top-heavy depth chart on a nightly basis. Carlsson’s contract will eat 17.3% of the cap for the 2026-27 season, and if Gauthier comes in around $13-16 million, roughly 30% of their cap (minimum) will be distributed to just two players. Shifting Gauthier to center and playing him on the second line would, in theory, allow the Ducks to distribute their high-end talent more evenly throughout the lineup, allow Gauthier a greater chance to impact games, and a better opportunity to merit his projected AAV by playing a more premium position. 

Faceoffs and faceoff percentages are not proven to alter the outcome of a game to a high degree, but they’re one of the minor details that coaches emphasize, and one that allows a team to begin a shift with possession of the puck. In 2025-26, when called upon, Gauthier won 102 of 208 draws (49%), good enough for fourth on the Ducks among players who took over 100 draws.

After the draw, Gauthier’s ability to play meaningful minutes down the middle comes more into question. He has the goal-line-to-goal-line speed necessary to play center in head coach Joel Quenneville’s system, one proven demanding of those who play there. In limited opportunities, he’s provided a quality defensive impact and has done fairly well to round out the disruptive aspects of his game on the defensive side of the puck in his young career. 

Struggles with a potential shift to the middle may lie in an inability to transport pucks through the middle of neutral ice and drive play with change of pace or manipulative sequences with the puck on his stick. When he’d been called upon in the past to act as the trailer on the power play, he had difficulties gaining clean entry and stickhandling through traffic at high speeds. He’s also not one to quarterback offensive zone cycle sequences or create time and space for himself and teammates. 

Without play-driving improvement (something he’s entirely capable of), a shift to the middle for Gauthier may only work if he’s placed on a line with wingers who rely on forechecking and winning pucks back to generate offense or wingers who can assume the playmaking duties for his line. 

Sliding Gauthier from the wing to the middle and allowing him to develop those aspects of his game could ultimately provide the Ducks with more options in the present and future when constructing their lineups, allow players like Roger McQueen, Eric Nilson, or Lucas Pettersson to marinate longer in lower levels, and add needed depth as they attempt to remain competitive in the immediate future. 

First things first, of course, the Ducks and Gauthier will need to come to an agreement on a new contract before the start of training camp to fully optimize him and the team around him heading into another pivotal season in Anaheim.

Anaheim Ducks Acquire AHL Forward Sean Farrell in Exchange for Sasha Pastujov

Anaheim Ducks Sign First-Round Pick Nikita Klepov to ELC

Outlook for the Anaheim Ducks Blueline, Losing Three Veteran Right Shots

Anaheim Ducks Long Term Salary Cap Outlook, How it was Impacted by Leo Carlsson's Offer Sheet

If there’s one position the Calgary Flames aren’t short on heading into the 2026-27 season, it’s defence.

For the first time in quite a while, Calgary has more NHL-calibre defencemen than available roster spots. That’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem.

Whether Craig Conroy decides to let training camp sort things out or makes another trade before opening night, somebody is going to be squeezed out. The Flames have veterans, recent acquisitions, established NHLers and some of the organization’s best prospects all competing for essentially seven jobs.

Here’s how the blue line currently shakes out.

The Locks

These are the players that should have every opportunity to open the season with the Flames.

Kevin Bahl

Bahl quietly became one of Calgary’s most dependable defencemen during the 2025-26 season. His game isn’t flashy, but that’s exactly why he’s valuable. He defends well, plays with size, kills plays early and gives the Flames a steady presence while the forward group continues getting younger.

He’s as close to a lock as you’ll find.

Simon Nemec

The Flames didn’t acquire Simon Nemec to ease him into the lineup.

The former second-overall pick signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract on July 6, making it clear he’s viewed as a foundational piece moving forward. His skating, puck movement and offensive upside should immediately push him into a top-pairing role.

Expect him to play big minutes right away.

Zayne Parekh

Last season wasn’t quite the offensive explosion many expected from Parekh.

Injuries and the adjustment to professional hockey limited him to four goals and nine points in 37 games, but none of that changes his ceiling.

This is still the same player who exploded for 107 points (33 goals, 74 assists) in his final junior season after being selected ninth overall by Calgary in 2024.

The swagger started returning late in the season, and the Flames will give the 20-year-old every opportunity to establish himself as an NHL regular.

Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov may not generate many headlines, but he’s earned his spot.

After beginning the season with the Wranglers, he never looked back once he received his NHL opportunity. He appeared in 57 games, recording 12 points (four goals, eight assists), while proving he can be trusted in a shutdown role.

His value comes from playing a simple, dependable game, and that’s exactly what Calgary needs.

Jake Middleton

Acquired from Minnesota in the Blake Coleman/Olli Määttä trade, Middleton adds another element to Calgary’s defence.

He’s physical, experienced, difficult to play against and brings leadership to a relatively young group.

The Flames clearly targeted those qualities when they made the deal, and he’ll likely be an important part of the defensive mix from Day 1.

The Biggest Question Marks

This is where things become much more interesting.

Zach Whitecloud

Whitecloud is an NHL player. There’s really no debate there.

The Stanley Cup champion has now played nine NHL seasons and appeared in 78 games last year, including 31 after arriving in Calgary as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade.

He immediately fit into the room and checks every box you’d want for a young team: leadership, experience and reliability.

Ironically, those same qualities are exactly what could make him valuable on the trade market.

The Flames would have no problem keeping him, but if another contender comes calling, Whitecloud could quickly become one of Calgary’s most attractive trade pieces.

Hunter Brzustewicz

Brzustewicz might be the toughest player on the entire blue line to project.

The 21-year-old has legitimate offensive upside after finishing his final junior season with 92 points (13 goals, 79 assists). He followed that with an impressive first professional season, recording 32 points (five goals, 27 assists) in 70 games with the Wranglers, before appearing in 34 NHL games last season.

The idea of eventually having both Brzustewicz and Parekh running power plays is exciting.

The problem isn’t talent. It’s opportunity.

With so many NHL-ready defencemen already ahead of him, Brzustewicz could begin the season back in the AHL. He also has enough value to headline a trade package if Calgary decides to pursue a proven top-six forward.

Likely Heading to the Wranglers

Unless someone forces the issue during training camp, these two appear destined to begin the year in the AHL.

Abram Wiebe

Wiebe had an outstanding season at North Dakota, earning multiple NCHC Defenceman of the Week honours, NCHC Player of the Month recognition in December and a spot on the conference’s All-Academic Team.

Acquired in the Andersson trade, he also received a brief four-game NHL look to finish the season.

There’s plenty to like, but another year of professional development with the Wranglers probably makes the most sense.

Carson Carels

Could Carson Carels make the team? Absolutely. Will the Flames rush him? Probably not.

The sixth-overall pick from the 2026 NHL Draft is coming off a tremendous season with Prince George, notching 73 points (20 goals, 53 assists) in just 58 games.

The offensive skill is obvious, but young defencemen generally need more time than forwards.

If history is any indication, Calgary will likely take the patient route, even if fans are hoping to see the 18-year-old wearing the Flaming “C” sooner rather than later.

Fighting for Their NHL Future

With so much depth, somebody is inevitably going to lose out.

Joel Hanley

Hanley filled an important role last season, particularly helping stabilize Parekh early in the year. But roster construction matters.

With Calgary prioritizing younger players with long-term upside, it’s difficult to find a clear path for Hanley to play regularly. He feels like a candidate to be wearing another jersey before opening night.

Brayden Pachal

Pachal handled a difficult season as professionally as anyone could. He spent much of the year as the extra defenceman, appearing in 39 games while staying ready whenever his number was called.

The issue is that Middleton now fills many of the same physical, hard-nosed responsibilities, leaving Pachal without a clear role. If he can’t win a bottom-pairing job in camp, waivers, or a trade, could be his next stop.

Final Thoughts

This is exactly the kind of ‘problem’ rebuilding teams hope to have.

Not long ago, Calgary was searching for more NHL-calibre defencemen. Now they’re trying to figure out which capable players won’t make the roster.

Whether the Flames make another trade before camp or simply let the competition play out, one thing is certain: there won’t be many jobs handed out. Every spot on the blue line will have to be earned, and that’s a healthy place for this organization to be heading into the 2026-27 season.

The Chicago Blackhawks have two RFAs that they have to sign before the start of the 2026-27 season if they plan on having them around. Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski, both defensemen, are the two in question.

Both of them are going to have a hard time cracking the opening night lineup for the Blackhawks, but they would both need to clear waivers to make it down to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Arbitration is not an option for either of them as the two sides try to come to an agreement. 

2 Chicago Blackhawks RFAs Still Need Contracts For 2026-27The Chicago Blackhawks still have two players who need contracts ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Blackhawks entered the off-season with 4 RFAs. The other two, Connor Bedard and Drew Commesso, were able to get their deals signed. They have a clear role within the organization, which made them much easier to get done.

As for Korchinski and Del Mastro, the same cannot be said. These are the 3 biggest reasons that these deals are not yet complete: 

1. Hard To Place Financial Value

What type of money do you pay players like Kevin Korchinski or Ethan Del Mastro? They are likely to get two-way deals that will have a set NHL salary and a set AHL salary. 

The Blackhawks gave Wyatt Kaiser a two-year deal with an NHL average annual value of $1.7 million ahead of last season. It is hard to justify giving Korchinski or Del Mastro any more than Kaiser, who has shown a higher likelihood of being an everyday NHL player.

From the players' perspective, it would be wise to take a deal at a million per year or just under, then go out and prove why their next contract should be much more lucrative. 

2. Role In The Organization

The Blackhawks traded Louis Crevier away, but they brought in Bowen Byram in return. In addition, they added veteran Ian Cole, who is on a two-year streak of playing in all 82 games. With Wyatt Kaiser, Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov all in the mix as well, the room for Korchinski or Del Mastro to play every day isn't there. 

Injuries will occur, and both of these guys will get a chance if they are on the roster, but their role right now is depth defenseman who may need to spend time in the AHL. Not being waiver-exempt makes things even tougher, because sending them to Rockford could be the fast track to a new team.

Young defensemen have passed each of these two guys by, and it is going to be difficult to catch up with their likely lack of NHL playing time. A situation like this makes it extremely hard to negotiate a fair contract. 

3. There Is No Rush From An Organizational Standpoint

The Chicago Blackhawks have no reason to rush these negotiations with either player. It could help them to have as much defensive depth as possible within the organization, but they are no longer relying on either of them to be everyday players, which gives them all of the leverage. 

As far as the Blackhawks are concerned, they could wait until camp or later to get it resolved. The players won't want that because they need camp and the preseason to prove themselves, but it isn't a main priority for the Blackhawks at this time. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Flyers have ‘lots of faith' in Luchanko, who could benefit from a few things originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

With all the travel, all the places and people, it would be hard to blame Jett Luchanko if he felt more like a nomad than a hockey player the last two seasons.

Consider this: Luchanko played in Philadelphia, Allentown, Guelph, Brantford, Ottawa and St. Paul. That was for five teams at various levels, from the NHL to the AHL to the OHL and the world junior championship.

All as a teenager.

“It’s definitely a little bit exhausting sleeping in a different bed a lot,” Luchanko admitted in May. “It’ll definitely be nice next year to kind of know I could be in one spot for a longer time.”

Life as an NHL prospect, especially a first-rounder, requires being on the move and ready to climb. But Luchanko has been through his experiences and adversity, perhaps more than most prospects his age.

This season, having his feet on the ground could help him. Good health could go a long way, too.

“His speed, his skill set, there’s lots there,” Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said. “Hopefully a full summer to train and train properly this year will really help him and build his confidence for training camp.”

Luchanko, who the Flyers selected at 13th overall in 2024, was not on the ice at development camp this summer. The 19-year-old center had surgery on his core area to address a nagging issue. The Flyers, though, were not worried about his status for the rest of the offseason and heading into the fall.

“It has been lingering for quite a while, a couple years,” Luchanko said in June. “It has been dealt with and I should be good for training camp and on the ice next week, that’s the plan.”

Between Guelph and Brantford last season, Luchanko didn’t explode offensively in his final junior campaign. He put up seven goals and 36 assists in 38 games. The goal total was down from his previous season, when he had 21 in 46 games for Guelph. Last season, he was traded to league-leading Brantford in November and missed time down the stretch because of a fractured jaw.

“It’s not very fun,” Luchanko said of the injury. “You’re just eating kind of mashed up meats. I lost some weight, but I’ve been able to get it back.”

He started last season with the Flyers and finished it with them in the second round of the playoffs. He played in the club’s elimination loss to the Hurricanes. And the Flyers are hoping this injury to his core area is in the past.

“I have lots of faith in Jett,” Flahr said in July. … “It has been lingering for about a year and a half, it has been a problem. He’s working out lots down there, he should be skating within the week and he’ll be ready to go. It has been a frustrating thing for him, but he doesn’t like to make excuses.”

Jett Luchanko said he should be back on the ice in a week and good for training camp.

Said he has dealt with this lower-body issue for a couple of years, but it has been dealt with, he said.

Said it won’t affect his offseason training. pic.twitter.com/0gvOsypmpe

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) June 30, 2026

As we wrote in March, Luchanko’s NHL ceiling will hinge on how much offense he can provide. This season will be his first full one at the pro level. He’s projected for AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, which would make the most sense for his development. It would allow Luchanko to get situated and build up his game.

“Where Jett plays this year is up to Jett,” Phantoms head coach John Snowden said in June. “I know he’s going to prepare himself the best that he can because he’s a very astute kid and he works his butt off to make sure he’s ready for things. So wherever he plays is wherever he plays, but for me, if it is with us, I’m very excited for us as a staff to get our hands on him and really start to help him mold his game into the NHL level.”

The Flyers will look for Luchanko to be more assertive with the puck.

“Work through his offensive touches and see if we can get that offense going that he has inside of him,” Snowden said. “He’s a very smart player, he skates like the wind, we’ve all seen that, he understands the defensive responsibilities and playing off the puck.

“We want to push that offensive side this year, really challenge him to be a threat when he’s on the ice. Be a threat to shoot, be a threat to take pucks to the net. We don’t have to pass every single time. Just be a dual threat all over. His skating is going to give him that advantage; now we’ve got to make him see those opportunities to attack.”

In selecting new leadership for the Detroit Red Wings, owner Christopher Ilitch is seeking outside assistance. 

A person within the NHL with knowledge of the process told the Free Press that Ilitch hired a search firm to help determine who should replace Steve Yzerman. Yzerman served as Wings general manager from April 19, 2019-July 15, 2026, when it was announced he would transition to a role as a senior advisor.

In the meantime, assistant GM Shawn Horcoff is handling day-to-day responsibilities, though that does not extend to making trades. 

Three weeks have passed since the Yzerman announcement that stunned the hockey world. While the Wings have missed the playoffs every spring during his time in the front office, the timing was odd: Yzerman had just gone through being in charge of the draft and free agency. 

But this is where the Wings find themselves as August ages: Without leadership and possibly without a captain, as Dylan Larkin has not budged on the request to be traded that he made shortly after the season ended April 15. 

Ilitch, and by extension the search firm, is believed to be looking for an analytics-driven person to take charge of the Wings, similar to how his Detroit Tigers plucked Scott Harris from the San Francisco Giants to guide the Tigers as president of baseball operations in September 2022. 

This is the biggest hire Ilitch will make since his father, Mike Ilitch, died on Feb. 10, 2017. At that time, Ken Holland was GM. When Yzerman announced in fall of 2018 that he was stepping back in his role as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning in what was the last year of his contract, it immediately became clear there was a path for Yzerman to return to manage the team he captained to three Stanley Cups. That happened the following April. 

Yzerman inherited a team that was in shambles, and with that came a long grace period. But what appeared to be a storybook return soured as the years piled up and the playoff drought dragged on. Now it’s seven years later, and Ilitch is poised to bring in a fresh hire whose immediate tasks will be to deal with the Larkin situation, and how to shape the team into a product that will end what has grown to a 10-year playoff drought. 

Ilitch and the search firm may well look to teams like the analytics-driven Carolina Hurricanes, who just won the Stanley Cup, following a two-season Cup run by the Florida Panthers fueled by the analytics department. That run was championed by then-assistant GM Sunny Mehta, who is now GM of the New Jersey Devils; he spearheaded their analytics department in 2014. The Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres are likewise deeply embedded in analytics. 

The Wings have employed analytics within their hockey operations department, but it has been in an advisory capacity, not a decision-making one. But after 10 years of missing the playoffs and seven disappointing years under Yzerman, it appears the Wings are in for a significant change in management style as the 2026-27 season draws closer.

Training camp begins Sept. 17, and the Red Wings open the season Oct. 2.

Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings general manager search going through search firm

The Senators enter the 2026-27 season next month with new expectations.

After earning a Stanley Cup Playoff berth two years in a row, they know that another quick appearance in round one won't cut it. And that's with a full understanding that they're in a brutally tough division that featured five of the top nine teams in the NHL last season.

GM Steve Staios has said that even with the loss of Brady Tkachuk, the club has no intention of taking a step backward.

So from that standpoint, the entire team has something to prove in 2026-27. But the pressure to get to the next level also applies to several individual Senators.

For some, it'll be about living up to a big new contract. For others, including a pair of newcomers, it's about bouncing back and proving Staios was right to bring them in and give them a shot.

Here are five Senators with the most to prove in 2026-27.

Shane Pinto

I was hesitant to include Pinto here because he's already proven a lot.

He plays such an important role for the Senators defensively, finishing sixth in this year's Selke voting. He also took another step offensively, posting career highs of 23 goals and 47 points, while finishing second among Senators forwards in time on ice.

So what is there to prove?

Well, Pinto's four-year, $30-million extension kicks in this season, meaning his cap hit will double from $3.75 million to $7.5 million.

At that pay grade, his scoring numbers will come under a lot more scrutiny, especially if he bumps up to the second line with higher-producing wingers. Between his new salary and the potential for an elevated offensive role, including more power-play time, Pinto will be out to prove he's earned all of it.

Jordan Spence

Few Senators improved their stock more last season than Spence.

Feeling like there wasn't room for both Spence and Nepean's Brandt Clarke on their blue line, the LA Kings sent Spence to Ottawa for a couple of picks, eventually replacing him with former Senator Cody Ceci.

In Ottawa last fall, Spence's fresh start had a false start.

The right-shot defenceman was a healthy scratch on opening night and for several others in October, but he eventually established himself as an important part of the Sens blue line and responded with the best season of his young NHL career.

His reward was a four-year, $20-million contract.

At $5 million per season, a huge leap from last year's $1.5 million, Spence doesn't have to be a Norris candidate. But he's now being paid to be the Sens' clear number four defenceman, and not just filling that role as an injury replacement. He's the guy now.

So he'll be out to prove his breakout season wasn't an outlier, and like Pinto, that he's worth every penny.

If he does, and everyone can stay healthy this season, the Senators' blue line appears to be in pretty good shape.

Andre Burakovsky

The Senators didn't give up much to acquire Burakovsky, but they are paying him $5.5 million.

Burakovsky has dealt with more than his share of injuries, which have unravelled some promising seasons. He had 11 goals and 33 points last season and hasn't come close to the career-high 61 points he produced with Colorado in 2021-22.

At 31, expecting him to suddenly become that player again seems awfully optimistic, but that seems to be the club's headspace on the player.

The Senators need something more compelling from him, point-wise, than a re-run of Thirty Something. They already had plenty of guys internally who could accomplish that for a lot less money.

Burakovsky is also in the final year of his contract, so he needs to prove that he deserves another one.

Samuel Ersson

Staios isn't shy about telling people that goalie evaluation isn't his strongest suit. He relies heavily on his goalie coaches, Justin Peters and Maciej Szwoch, who like Ersson's movement and fundamentals and think he's better than his Philadelphia Flyers numbers suggest.

After Carter Hart had to step away from the Flyers during the 2023-24 season, Ersson became the number one for the next year and a half. But after a coaching change, Dan Vladar got the lion's share of starts last season.

Ersson's .870 save percentage last season and career .884 save percentage through 143 games in Philly aren't particularly impressive. But the Sens' goalie whisperers see enough potential that Staios gave him a two-year contract.

Ersson will be out to prove they were right.

If he can give Ottawa 30 reliable starts and simply make the saves an NHL goalie is supposed to make, he'll have done his job.

Linus Ullmark

Ullmark might have the most to prove of anyone on this list.

We've seen stretches where he has looked exactly like the Vezina-winning goaltender from three years ago. We've also seen stretches where he hasn't been good at all.

Ullmark has never played more than 50 games in an NHL season, and going back to his Boston days, he's clearly at his best when he's in a platoon situation and getting plenty of in-season rest.

Between his personal leave of absence and the Olympic break, Ullmark played in just four hockey games between Dec. 27 and March 3. After that, he was noticeably better over his final 17 games of the regular season, although his save percentage was still .870 or worse in seven of them.

He was then the Senators' best player in the playoffs, saving his best for last with a .932 save percentage over four games. And bear in mind, based on last season's numbers, a .910 save percentage or better puts a goalie among the NHL's elite.

Ullmark needs to prove during the regular season that he can be more consistent, more available and worth his $8.25-million salary.

Even if absolutely everything else goes according to plan, the Senators won't be able to find the next level unless their goalies do.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the Sens headlines below:

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More than a month into NHL free agency, many of the biggest names have already found new homes. Yet, several familiar faces from the Winnipeg Jets remain on the open market as August begins, including a trio of players who once played key roles in the organization's past and present.

Leading the way is former second overall pick Patrik Laine, who remains one of the most intriguing free agents available, despite appearing in just five games last season before a core muscle injury ended his campaign.

And as pointed out by Puck Media, thanks to an injury-related provision in the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 28-year-old winger is eligible to sign a one-year, performance bonus-laden contract, potentially giving cap-strapped contenders a low-risk opportunity to add a player who at one point of his career was one of the league's most gifted goal scorers. 

Another recognizable name still searching for work is Evander Kane, the former Atlanta Thrashers first-round pick, who spent the first five-plus seasons of his NHL career with the franchise before it relocated to Winnipeg. Beleaguered every time he returns to Winnipeg, Kane has faced a number of injuries as of late. Now 35, Kane does continue to offer size, physicality and proven playoff experience, which could serve as an asset for teams needing that extra punch. 

On the blueline, Logan Stanley also remains unsigned after being dealt by the Jets to the Buffalo Sabres ahead of last season's trade deadline. The towering 6-foot-7 defenceman has played parts of six NHL seasons and, at 28 years old, could still draw interest from clubs looking for depth on the left side. 

Just six months ago, certain 'insiders' had Stanley's value marked north of $25 million. 

While those three headline the list, they aren't the only former Jets still awaiting their next opportunity. Veteran forwards Tanner Pearson and Gustav Nyquist also entered August without NHL contracts after finishing last season in Winnipeg. 

Elsewhere, the list of former Jets from last season has continued to shrink. Defenceman Colin Miller has opted to continue his career overseas, while Winnipeg native and former Jet Jonathan Toews officially announced his retirement, closing the book on a remarkable NHL career.

Training camp is set to begin next month - will any of Laine, Kane or Stanley have a contract by that point? 

The old joke that you could rename the sport of hockey goalie has some truth to it. With quality goaltending, the sky is the limit. With poor play in net, a team is basically cooked.

Last summer we looked into the changing situation in the crease for the Penguins for 2025-26. The big news was that Alex Nedeljkovic was out, having been traded to San Jose. By and large, that was an opportunity for improvement since Nedeljkovic’s metrics were poor. In was the unknown of Arturs Silovs.

Back at NST, looking at 5v5 save percentage, setting a sample of 875 minutes from last year allows 64 goalies to qualify, which adds up in theory to each of the 32 teams having a starter+backup. Nedeljkovic ranked tied-46th out of the 62 with a .902 save%, Jarry was tied-51st with .900. This is an area for primed for potential regression. Given team strength and goalie skill, you wouldn’t expect the Pens to get a .920+ 5v5 performance in the upcoming season. But if one/both can nudge up towards and past the .910% mark, there will be a noticeable change within the games themselves for the Penguins receiving the type of goaltending that should hold them in games — in theory long enough for the strength of their team to score them into wins.

In this area, the Penguins didn’t do much better in 2025-26. Stuart Skinner ended up 45th with a .900 5v5 save%. Silovs was down in 51st at .893%. The traded Tristan Jarry was just above him at .894%. Overall the Penguins finished 20th with a .901% 5v5 save percentage, due to the splits in the sample for Jarry and Skinner playing part of the season with Edmonton.

In all, an obvious conclusion to draw is that the Pittsburgh defense is too porous to support a strong statistical goaltender output in terms of save percentage. There likely is some truth to that, though perhaps not as an easy answer to completely paint over the situation. Per Natural Stat Tricks, the Pens finished 23rd in 5v5 scoring chances and high danger scoring chances allowed, yet they finished 14th in 5v5 HD save%. For that reason, Skinner and Jarry both did well in Goals Saved Above Average metrics, despite low save percentages.

Along those lines, NST tracked an expected 5v5 goals allowed of nearly 183 — and the Pens only gave up 173 5v5 goals, to indicate that positive input from the netminders.

That makes projecting 2026-27 in net a real challenge. By some measures, the Penguins goalies bailed the team out a little bit more than expectations. By about any stat, the defense allowed an above-average amount of shots and chances along the way to make it difficult for their last line of defense.

Given the lack of upgrades to the blueline, and general bent of a team that is going to lean towards trading chances and cheat for offense given the nature of the players on the roster and seeing how it worked last year with Dan Muse behind the bench, by this summer there’s a little reason to expect a huge goalie performance in 2026-27. For better or worse, the Penguins are going to open up the tempo and attempt to outscore teams. A casualty of that will likely be in the statistics for their goalies.

Half of the goalies in the league the past two years had a .906% 5v5 save percentage or better, but even if Sergei Murashov is a big hit, he likely won’t figure to be in that grouping next year. The style, scheme, strengths and weaknesses of the club aren’t designed to have a goaltender flourish individually.

There could be some reason to hope – Silovs’ best games were in the playoffs at the end of the year and he wasn’t even 100% during it after dealing with a late-season knee injury. He could be better next season than he was last year – and as we wrote last month, Silovs had better be since he now is the most veteran and experienced goalie currently in the organization, despite the fact he was still considered a rookie by NHL standards in 2025-26.

Murashov gives hope of the complete unknown at the NHL level, buoyed by an excellent AHL season last year. He certainly has the talent and athleticism to give it his all. Based on the last two years of goalie performances, it just probably won’t end up with a sterling GAA or save percentage on his stat-sheet to evaluate his performance. The Penguins aren’t going to ask or provide the path for him to excel in that area, but they can offer a lot of firepower to help out-score their team issues defending, if they can only get a goalie to keep them in games when times are tough. Silovs showed that in flashes in Games 4-6 of the playoffs last season, Pittsburgh will need to see more of that from him and some rookie magic in order to have a solid season and fight back to the playoffs again in 2026-27.

Last year’s hypothetical was phrased that “what if the Penguins get better goaltending next season” and directed towards the even strength save percentage. They didn’t get much better goaltending in that department, but overall did get enough GSAA out of their trio of goalies to have a better overall season in 2025-26 than they did in 2024-25. The challenge looking ahead in some ways will be to replicate that and give their team a chance.

At the best of times, predicting goaltending output can be a guessing game, part of the fun looking ahead to next year is seeing any number of realistic scenarios for what a completely new duo (and possibly trio if Joel Blomqvist has something to say about it) perform for the Penguins moving forward.

Welcome to another summer edition of the Morning Skate, folks!

As we move through the first week of August, we know that hockey is the foremost thing on your mind, so thanks for stopping by.

We’re a month and 16 days away from the B’s first preseason game, so we’ll do our best to fill that space accordingly.

The second-best wing in the league?

The NHL Network’s annual offseason rankings of the best centers, wings, defensemen, goalies, hot dog toppings, pizza styles, and paint colors always generate plenty of discussion/argument, mainly because we have nothing better to do in August.

The network recently released its list of the best wings in the league, with our very own David Pastrnak coming in at the #2 spot.

The only player ranked ahead of Pastrnak? Nikita Kucherov, which…yeah, fair enough.

It’s become so routine by this point that it’s easy to take for granted just how good Pastrnak has been for the Bruins for the past several years.

He’s produced at a more than a point per game pace for the past eight seasons and has recorded 100+ points four seasons in a row, no small feat when you consider the debacle of a season we all sat through two years ago.

I’m not sure what the point of all of this is other than to make it a Pastrnak appreciation post, which we can all get on board with — except that guy we all know who insists that actually Pastrnak isn’t good and the Bruins should trade him for someone with more grit.

(I’m sure he’ll show up in the comments.)

If you want to argue some more, NHL Network will release its defensemen, goalies, and centers lists over the next three Sundays.

Radio waves

Aaron Portzline, who does a terrific job covering the Columbus Blue Jackets for The Athletic, had an interesting piece this week on the slow death of NHL radio broadcasts.

The piece may be behind a paywall, but the impetus for it was the Blue Jackets’ recent decision to scrap their radio broadcast and replace it with the audio from the TV broadcast — something four other NHL teams have also done in recent years.

Hockey is one of the harder sports to listen to on the radio, and calling a game for a radio audience is a tough task.

Baseball, for example, lends itself well to radio with the pace of play, relatively contained action, etc.

Hockey and basketball, to name a couple of sports, are different in that there is near-constant motion, limited reset opportunities (unlike the breaks between each batter in baseball or each down in football), and a lot of relevant stuff that happens away from the main action.

To me, it seems like you’re doing radio listeners a disservice by handing them audio of a TV feed.

TV play-by-play people are describing the action with the awareness that the viewer can see what they’re talking about, which is very different from someone who only has access to audio.

Bruins fans have been blessed with good to great radio teams for the better part of three decades, so hopefully there’s no change in that regard.

But a question for those who consume a lot of their hockey on the radio: do you notice a difference in the dedicated broadcast vs. simulcast setup?

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Other than that, we have the Red Sox suddenly going for it, upheaval at FIFA (good), and the sudden realization in Boston that the sun is starting to set before 8 PM again.

What else is on tap for today?

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

“Lenni Hämeenaho showed some promise last season, but he could benefit from big minutes with an improved Utica Comets team.” [Devils on the Rush]

“The longer Quinn Hughes goes without an extension with the Minnesota Wild, the more it benefits the New Jersey Devils. As one source told New Jersey Hockey Now, ‘It’s not over.’ Obvious? Yes. Significant? Also, yes.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]

Hockey Links

“It’s pretty straightforward to identify teams that will probably land in the mushy middle this coming season. But the more interesting question is which teams might find themselves stuck here over the medium-term future for the next three to four seasons. I went through every NHL team’s roster, cap situation, prospect pool and more to identify clubs likely destined for this reality.” [The Athletic ($)]

“With the bulk of the off-season movement behind us, and an 84-game regular season starting next month, I thought it’d be fun to take stock of the Metro Division as a whole. I’m going to go team-by-team and share some thoughts on whether I’m buying or selling stock – there is no standing pat! – heading into the 2026-27 campaign.” [Infernal Access ($)]

A look at the top goaltenders left in free agency: [Daily Faceoff]

“The Blue Jackets are the fifth NHL club — joining the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues — to simulcast their TV broadcasts over radio. For the past several seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ radio crew has called road games from a studio in Toronto. Will more NHL teams de-emphasize radio-specific broadcasts in the years to come?” [The Athletic ($)]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

In the last few years, the Montreal Canadiens training complex in Brossard, the CN Sports Complex, has been quite busy in the summer. It used to be that players wouldn’t be in town until the season was nearly here, but for the last two seasons, Ivan Demidov has stayed in town training hard, and last week he was joined by many of his teammates before Habs fans even began suffering from hockey withdrawal.

This summer, the Russian sensation has been joined by prospect Alexander Zharavosky for a good long while, Lane Hutson dropped in during the Canadiens’ development camp, and goalie Jakub Dobes is already back in town getting ready to enter his first camp as the Canadiens’ top-choice goaltender. On Tuesday morning, though, Demidov had an unusual guest: Utah Mammoth centerman Logan Cooley, who was apparently invited by the Russian winger himself.

Canadiens’ Classic Look Shouldn’t Be Messed With
Canadiens Prospect Will Head Back To Europe
Canadiens’ Prospect Zharovsky Had A Good Summer With Demidov

No, that doesn’t mean the Canadiens are acquiring Cooley; other NHL players have always been welcomed to use the Habs’ training facility in the summer. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang did it last season; Vegas Golden Knights’ Raphael Lavoie did it last week, and former Habs Brendan Gallagher and Joe Veleno still regularly use the training facility, but seeing Cooley on the ice with Demidov did get some fans dreaming of what could be.

🏒 Ivan Demidov a invité Logan Cooley à s'entraîner avec lui mardi matin à Brossard. pic.twitter.com/Ym1Pm1DWc4

— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) August 4, 2026

Turns out the pivot is in town because he was attending the Omnium Banque Nationale on Tuesday night, and according to Patrick Guillet, he will be doing a photo shoot for an advertising campaign before heading home. It’s not the first time Cooley skates with a member of the Canadiens’ organization; after all, he is Habs prospect LJ Mooney’s cousin and they both train together in the summer.

Cooley was drafted third overall at the 2022 draft, two spots after the Canadiens had claimed Juraj Slafkovsky first overall, and he has developed very well since. In his rookie season, he put up 44 points in 82 games; he followed that up with a 65-point season in his sophomore year, and he had 43 points in just 54 games last season, a 65-point pace over a full 82-game campaign. He’s exactly the kind of player the Canadiens would like to land to unlock Demidov’s full potential, but that’s not happening; Bill Armstrong signed him to an eight-year deal with a $10 million cap hit last October.

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Believe it or not, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is going into his 13th NHL season this year. 

He made his NHL debut during the 2014-15 season before playing in 41 games during the 2015-16 regular season. Everyone quickly found out that he was NHL-ready that year, especially when he scored some massive goals for the Penguins in their run to the 2016 Stanley Cup. 

Rust got his start as a depth forward before working his way up to the top line. He's now one of Sidney Crosby's preferred linemates since he reads the latter so well. 

Hard work, dedication, and tenacity are the three pillars of Rust's game, and fans see it on a nightly basis. He works his absolute butt off and embodies what it means to be a Penguin. He may not have a letter on his jersey, but there's no question he's one of the top leaders on the team. 

Rust set a career-high in goals (31) and points (65) during the 2024-25 season before equaling that point total during the 2025-26 season. He was also three goals away from setting a new career-high in goals after finishing this year with 29. 

Rust has scored at least 20 goals in seven consecutive seasons, and logic dictates that he will make it eight in a row during the 2026-27 season. Yes, he's 34, but he's been an incredibly consistent player these last several seasons, and I don't expect that to change this year.

Like Rakell, I expect Rust to score between 20 and 30 goals and compile 50 to 60 points. Some of his goals will come from his patented move: he takes defenders on and goes backhand-to-forehand in front of the net. He has done it countless times over the course of his career and isn't about to stop now. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2026, No. 18: Center Impressing With Rapid GrowthNext up on THN's Top-20 Penguins' Prospects list is a left winger whose all-around play, tenacity, and sheer will made an impression on the Penguins' front office last season.

He'll ride shotgun with Crosby on the top line at 5v5, but his power play deployment will be the more interesting one. He's usually on the top PP unit, but that could change this year with the continued emergence of Egor Chinakhov. Chinakhov has arguably the best shot on the Penguins, and their top PP unit could use more of it this year. He feels like the natural replacement for Rust, who can easily slide to PP2. 

Time will tell if head coach Dan Muse and assistant coach Todd Nelson go down that path, but it makes a ton of sense. 

Rust will still be a stalwart on the Penguins' penalty kill, which finished sixth in the NHL last season. He played 114:46 on that unit and was great at getting to loose pucks and blocking shots. His 114 minutes were the most he spent on the PK since the 2022-23 season, when he was on that unit for 129 minutes. 

He has still been involved in trade rumors these last couple of offseasons, but Penguins general manager/president Kyle Dubas hasn't felt compelled to move him. Going off that, I think Rust will remain a Penguin unless Dubas gets an offer he truly can't refuse. 

Rust has played a lot of meaningful hockey for the Penguins and that's expected to continue this year, assuming they stay in the race for the full season. He's also only 30 assists away from 300 for his career and is expected to hit that milestone by the end of this upcoming season, assuming he stays healthy. 

He'll suit up for his 711th NHL game when the Penguins open the season against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sept. 30. 

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

The Colorado Avalanche could have a major decision waiting for them in net — and the answer may already be developing within their own organization.

Scott Wedgewood is coming off another outstanding season, Mackenzie Blackwood is locked into Colorado's long-term plans, and Ilya Nabokov is about to begin the most important chapter of his development. Somewhere between those three goaltenders could be the answer to one of the Avalanche's biggest questions for 2027 and beyond.

Nabokov isn't simply another prospect trying to work his way through the system. The 23-year-old has already won a Gagarin Cup, been named a KHL playoff MVP and established himself as one of Russia's most promising young goaltenders. But his path to the NHL has never been completely straightforward.

His size and unorthodox style have raised questions about how his game will translate against the NHL's best shooters. His statistics also took a noticeable step backward during his final season in Russia.

There is, however, more to that decline than the numbers suggest.

Nabokov was already beginning to reshape his game for North American hockey, making his upcoming season with the Colorado Eagles far more consequential than a typical AHL campaign.

If those adjustments work, Colorado could have its next NHL goaltender waiting in the wings.

If they don't, the Avalanche may have a very different decision to make when Wedgewood reaches free agency.

And that makes Nabokov one of the most intriguing players in Colorado's organization heading into the 2026-27 season.

The Avalanche selected Nabokov 38th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the first goaltender taken that year and the highest goalie selected by the franchise since Philippe Sauvé went 38th overall in 1998.

At the time, Colorado was betting on a goaltender who had already begun carving out an impressive professional résumé in Russia.

Nabokov had spent the previous three seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, establishing himself as one of the KHL's more promising young netminders.

During the 2023-24 regular season, he posted a 23-16-6 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. He followed that with another productive campaign, going 23-17-6 while recording a 2.22 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

Then came the postseason that put Nabokov firmly on the radar.

During Metallurg's run to the 2024 Gagarin Cup, Nabokov was spectacular. He went 16-6 with a remarkable 1.82 GAA and .942 save percentage, helping lead his club to a championship while earning playoff MVP honors.

Nabokov also became the youngest goaltender in KHL history to win the award. He was subsequently recognized as a KHL All-Star and Rookie of the Year, adding even more credibility to Colorado's decision to invest such a high draft selection in him.

But there was always one obvious question surrounding Nabokov's NHL potential.

At 6-foot-1, he is smaller than the prototypical modern NHL goaltender. His low stance can accentuate that disadvantage, particularly against shooters who can elevate the puck into the upper portion of the net.

In the KHL, however, Nabokov's unconventional style has largely worked in his favor.

His athleticism and explosive lateral movement allow him to cover the crease quickly, recover from difficult positions and make saves from sharp angles. Rather than relying solely on size to take away portions of the net, Nabokov compensates with movement, positioning and an ability to react quickly when a play breaks down.

The challenge is that what works in the KHL does not necessarily translate directly to the NHL.

The NHL features an abundance of elite shooters who can punish even the smallest openings, particularly in the upper portions of the net. Nabokov therefore began adapting his game during his final season in Russia, preparing himself for the demands of North American hockey.

That is an important piece of context when examining his 2025-26 statistics.

Nabokov finished his final season with Metallurg with a 22-7-5 record, but his 2.74 GAA and .901 save percentage represented a significant statistical decline from the numbers he had produced during his previous two seasons.

At first glance, those numbers represent a noticeable step backward.

But they don't tell the entire story.

Styles Make Tendies

Nabokov was beginning to adjust elements of his style with North American hockey in mind. His final season in the KHL was not simply about reproducing the statistical dominance he had displayed during his championship run. He was also preparing himself for the challenges that awaited him across the Atlantic.

His low stance, which has been an effective tool in the KHL, will face a much different test against NHL-caliber shooters. Rather than abandoning the athleticism that made him successful, Nabokov has been tasked with finding the right balance between his natural style and the technical adjustments necessary to succeed on smaller North American ice.

That process may have contributed to the statistical regression, but it could ultimately prove to be one of the more important stages of Nabokov's development rather than a sign that his progress has stalled.

Nabokov went 2-4 in the playoffs during his final KHL season before joining the Colorado Eagles for the remainder of the campaign. He spent time with Colorado's AHL group but did not appear in a game, meaning his first true professional test in North America remains ahead of him.

That makes the 2026-27 season particularly intriguing.

Nabokov signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Colorado on May 30, 2025, keeping him under contract through the upcoming season. He is expected to compete with Trent Miner for playing time with the Eagles as the organization begins to determine just how close he is to becoming an NHL option.

And there is plenty riding on that evaluation.

The Avalanche enter the season with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood projected to form their NHL tandem. Blackwood provides Colorado with some long-term certainty, as he has four years remaining on his contract.

Wedgewood's situation is much less certain.

The veteran goaltender is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, meaning Colorado will eventually have to determine whether it has a reason to retain him or whether the organization is ready to turn the crease over to the next generation.

That is where Nabokov suddenly becomes much more than a promising prospect.

If he adjusts quickly, performs well with the Eagles and demonstrates that his KHL success can translate to North American hockey, Colorado could have an internal candidate capable of eventually stepping into Wedgewood's role alongside Blackwood.

But if Nabokov struggles, the situation becomes considerably more complicated.

Wedgewood has given the Avalanche plenty of reasons to consider bringing him back. His play over the past two seasons has been outstanding, and his performance this past season helped Colorado's tandem capture the William M. Jennings Trophy.

There was even an argument that Wedgewood could have been in the Vezina Trophy conversation with a larger workload.

If he produces another season at an elite level, Colorado could face a difficult decision. The Avalanche could potentially have a proven veteran who wants a longer-term opportunity on the open market while simultaneously having a highly touted prospect who may not yet be ready to assume NHL responsibilities.

Then there is another piece of the equation that cannot be ignored.

Trent Miner has been part of the Eagles' goaltending picture for years and has continued working toward his own opportunity within the organization. If Nabokov arrives and quickly establishes himself as the preferred option in the AHL, Miner's future could become considerably less certain.

Miner could remain and battle for playing time, but he could also look elsewhere for a clearer path to an NHL opportunity. If that happens, it could give Nabokov even more room to take on a larger workload and accelerate his development.

Those questions won't be answered until the season gets underway.

For now, Colorado has a fascinating situation developing behind Blackwood and Wedgewood.

The organization has a veteran goaltender approaching free agency, a long-term starter already under contract, a young Russian netminder with a championship and playoff MVP on his résumé, and an established AHL goaltender competing for his own opportunity.

Nabokov sits at the center of it all.

His statistics may not have been as dazzling during his final season in Russia, but the circumstances surrounding them matter. He was not simply trying to replicate what had already worked. He was beginning the process of reshaping his game for the level he ultimately hopes to reach.

Now, he gets the chance to find out whether those adjustments were enough.

The 2026-27 season will be about much more than wins, losses, goals-against average or save percentage for Nabokov. It will be his first opportunity to establish himself in North American hockey and show Colorado that the goaltender who dominated the KHL can eventually handle the demands of the NHL.

If he does, the Avalanche may already have their answer for what comes after Wedgewood.

If he doesn't, Colorado may have to decide that its best option is keeping the veteran around a little longer.

Either way, Nabokov's development could quietly become one of the most consequential storylines surrounding the Avalanche's future in net.

It's officially another season, another prospects ranking for the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

In years past, this has been a bit easier of an exercise, as there used to be a more clear-cut line between prospects with NHL upside and longshots. However, because of the work that general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and his staff have put in during the last several years, the line is blurring a whole lot more - and there is a substantially higher volume of talent in the system. 

This time around, making a top-20 list was challenging. So, a few criteria were put into place: To make our list, prospects must be under the age of 26 and have played less than 50 NHL games. This excludes names such as Ben Kindel, Filip Hallander, Oliver Okuliar, and Alexander Alexeyev.

At No. 19, we highlighted Kale Dach, a seventh-round center who could end up looking like a steal when all is said and done. With the next prospect on our list at 18, the situation is somewhat similar. But this is a guy who is garnering increased attention within the organization and is someone who could be ready sooner than folks think.

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No. 18: LW/C Ryan Miller

Like Dach, it's not as if Miller was selected in the top-three rounds of the draft. In fact, they were actually taken in the same 2025 draft class, with Miller going in the fifth round (130th overall). He was one of three fifth-round selections by the Penguins in 2025, the others being defenseman Quinn Beauchesne and forward Jordan Charron.

On the surface, Miller's growth has been relatively quiet. He had a breakout offensive season with the Portland Winterhawks in 2025-26, registering 30 goals and 75 points in 65 games, but he still didn't garner all that much attention from fans and media.

However, his growth was about more than just offensive production. In fact, he grew in pretty much every facet of the game - and he affects the game in several different ways.

Of course, the offensive production stands out, and it came to a head during a 20-game point streak - which included eight goals and 27 points - in the first half of the WHL season last year. But what stood out more was his playmaking smarts, ability to read plays in all three zones, and him being in the driver's seat in terms of dictating play. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2026, No. 19: Forward Looking More Like Late-Round StealNext up on THN's Top-20 Penguins' Prospects list is a seventh-round draft selection at center who continues to build out a two-way game and could turn out to be a late-round steal.

As the team's captain, the left winger (he also plays center but is mostly deployed on the wing) drives play offensively while also being committed to the defensive details. He is a tenacious forechecker, his skating is a big strength, and he doesn't shy away from physicality, either, making him a very tough guy to play against. 

The Penguins were extremely impressed with the steps that Miller took last season, and they believe they have something in the young forward, who is committed to one of NCAA hockey's most prestigious programs in the University of Denver next season. Miller's play last season actually earned him an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) at the end of the year.

"I thought he really stood out in the two games (in WBS)," said Penguins' director of player development Tom Kostopoulos. "I thought his skating looked really powerful. His puck skills look good. He's a competitor. He might stand out in our organization among prospects of guys that want the puck, that play with hunger and a desperation to win puck battles. If [people] watched him last year in Portland, he would rip your head off to win a puck battle, and it's contagious. It moves around the lineup and everyone, it gets his linemates and teammates to buy in.

"So, he knows he's got some things to work on, but I thought he looked really good [during development camp] and looked really good in the gym and on the ice. We're really excited about the year he had... really excited about him. He's a great kid, and he's determined and hungry."

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2026, No. 20: Defenseman Continues To Make Steady ProgressLanding at No. 20 on the THN - Pittsburgh Penguins Top-20 Prospects List for 2026 is a defenseman whose growth last season lent to him rising up the ranks.

Miller pointed to his confidence as something that allowed him to take big strides last season.

"I think just being more confident as a player," Miller said. "Obviously, my teammates helped a lot, too. I have a good line. But, yeah, I think just taking a step that way, believing in myself throughout the year, and having the coaching staff behind me... they all helped me take a step this year. That was probably the biggest thing."

There is still a long way to go in order for Miller to reach the pros, but his game appears as if it will translate well to the AHL when the 19-year-old becomes eligible. Should he pan out, he should be a really solid third-line player, which will help the Penguins' depth down the line.

Keep an eye on this guy. The talent and the will is there, and it won't be surprising if he finds himself much higher on next year's list.

'It's All About Learning': Penguins' Prospect Ryan Miller Hopes To Build On Strong SeasonPenguins' forward prospect Ryan Miller, a fifth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2025, put together a strong season WHL season and looks to keep building on that in the NCAA

The list so far:

No. 20:D Chase Pietila

No. 19: C Kale Dach

No. 18: LW/C Ryan Miller

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The Chicago Blackhawks took care of Connor Bedard already, which was their biggest to-do list item of the summer. He was one of four restricted free agents in the organization heading into the summer. Bedard’s contract was complicated due to injury and offer-sheet drama from around the league, but they settled on a five-year deal with an average annual value of $15 million. 

Another one of Chicago’s free agents, Drew Commesso, signed his extension to avoid arbitration. Commesso’s deal is a bit more complicated. The first year of this two-year extension is a two-way contract. The salary is $800K in the NHL and $200K in the AHL. The second year is a one-way deal with a salary of $900K. His cap hit is $875K. When this deal expires, Commesso will be an RFA again with arbitration rights. 

This deal sets it up so that the Blackhawks could make Commesso the full-time backup for Spencer Knight after the 2026-27 season ends, which lines up with Arvid Soderblom’s expiring contract. 

The other two RFA’s that the Blackhawks entered the summer with are Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro. They are both defensemen with up-and-down NHL experience. 

In 2023-24, Korchinski played his entire age-19 season in the NHL, which accounted for 76 games. In those games, he had 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points, while dealing with the development curve that comes with being a teenager playing defense in the NHL. 

Having him play in the NHL at that time was a mistake made by the Blackhawks. Since then, they’ve tried to correct that mistake by mostly using him in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. Korchinski has only played in 29 NHL games over the two seasons since. 

In the AHL, he has been mostly great, including an All-Star Game MVP. Due to the interesting start that he has had to his career, Korchinski is a hard player to place a financial value on. There will likely be a two-way deal coming for this 22-year-old, but for how much and how long remains to be seen. 

As for Del Mastro, he was a 4th-round pick (105th overall), which lowers the pressure on him compared to a first-round pick like Korchinski. It shouldn’t matter, but it’s natural. He has been a slightly better defender at the NHL level, but his skating and puck skills don’t match those of Korchinski. 

Del Mastro has a higher floor in the NHL, which makes him a valuable young defenseman at the age of 23, but other young players at the position have passed him by in recent years, similarly to Korchinski. 

Neither player is going to command a ton of money over a long period of time. There is no leverage there because of their slower development path. There is plenty of money to be made down the road; they just have a lot of work to do. 

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