After a weekend in which they defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime, the Buffalo Sabres squared off against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. And the Sabres took it to the high-octane Edmonton Oilers, beating them 5-1. The Sabres are still one of the worst teams in the NHL, so Buffalo fans shouldn’t get overly excited.

To wit: the Sabres got a dynamic performance Monday from young goaltender Colten Ellis, who stopped 32 Oilers shots to post a .970 save percentage in the game and improve his SP to .913 on the season. And rookie center Noah Ostlund scored twice against Edmonton. 

These are the type of young player performances teams need if they’re going to contend for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres can’t put all their playoff aspirations on the shoulders of one player – let’s say that player is Tage Thompson or Rasmus Dahlin - and expect that player to singlehandedly carry the team across the finish line. 

You really do need your whole team to contribute, or you’ll be lacking the depth required for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. So the Sabres have to be in all-hands-on-deck, night-in and night-out mode, to even have a hope of leapfrogging other Atlantic Division teams and improving their 7-8-4 record. 

Wobbly Sabres Must Rebound Soon, Or Face The FalloutAs the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Sabres are struggling offensively and defensively. A rebound is desperately needed for them to avoid massive change.

The Sabres now have games against the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, games they absolutely should win. Because after that, Buffalo’s schedule gets significantly more difficult: the Sabres will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild as well as the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets. No team is going to lay down and give two standings points to the Sabres. They're going to have to show terrific resilience throughout the season, and defy expectations that now hover over the team like a black cloud.

Buffalo has cratered out of the gate, but there’s still time for them to rebound and get back in the playoff picture. But time is of the essence here, meaning that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to be active on the trade market. And Adams should be on the hunt to add experience and proven leadership to steer this Buffalo team into the post-season. 

Sabres' Win Ends Long Losing Streak, But Bigger Picture Is Still Gnarly For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres got back in the win column with a victory over Detroit Saturday. But scratch the surface, and you'll see the Sabres aren't nearly out of the woods -- nor are they a playoff team.

The Sabres are aiming to end a 14-year playoff drought, but their poor start this year has hampered their post-season aspirations. Buffalo doesn’t have time to waste – they need to string together five-game and six-game win streaks of their own. They can’t be bailing out opponents by faltering in areas within their control. 

When it comes to delivering wins, the Sabres have to be far better. And if they can’t, there will be catastrophic consequences.

After a weekend in which they defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime, the Buffalo Sabres squared off against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. And the Sabres took it to the high-octane Edmonton Oilers, beating them 5-1. The Sabres are still one of the worst teams in the NHL, so Buffalo fans shouldn’t get overly excited.

Now, we’re not here to tell you the Sabres have turned the corner this season and that they’re on the verge of dominating the way the Colorado Avalanche have dominated this year. Buffalo has the most modest win streak of two games. And now they’re at the point where they’re desperate for wins, no matter who leads them there,

To wit: the Sabres got a dynamic performance Monday from young goaltender Colten Ellis, who stopped 32 Oilers shots to post a .970 save percentage in the game and improve his SP to .913 on the season. And rookie center Noah Ostlund scored twice against Edmonton. 

These are the type of young player performances teams need if they’re going to contend for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres can’t put all their playoff aspirations on the shoulders of one player – let’s say that player is Tage Thompson or Rasmus Dahlin - and expect that player to singlehandedly carry the team across the finish line. 

You really do need your whole team to contribute, or you’ll be lacking the depth required for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. So the Sabres have to be in all-hands-on-deck, night-in and night-out mode, to even have a hope of leapfrogging other Atlantic Division teams and improving their 7-8-4 record. 

Wobbly Sabres Must Rebound Soon, Or Face The FalloutAs the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Sabres are struggling offensively and defensively. A rebound is desperately needed for them to avoid massive change.

The Sabres now have games against the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, games they absolutely should win. Because after that, Buffalo’s schedule gets significantly more difficult: the Sabres will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild as well as the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets. No team is going to lay down and give two standings points to the Sabres. They're going to have to show terrific resilience throughout the season, and defy expectations that now hover over the team like a black cloud.

Buffalo has cratered out of the gate, but there’s still time for them to rebound and get back in the playoff picture. But time is of the essence here, meaning that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to be active on the trade market. And Adams should be on the hunt to add experience and proven leadership to steer this Buffalo team into the post-season. 

Sabres' Win Ends Long Losing Streak, But Bigger Picture Is Still Gnarly For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres got back in the win column with a victory over Detroit Saturday. But scratch the surface, and you'll see the Sabres aren't nearly out of the woods -- nor are they a playoff team.

The Sabres are aiming to end a 14-year playoff drought, but their poor start this year has hampered their post-season aspirations. Buffalo doesn’t have time to waste – they need to string together five-game and six-game win streaks of their own. They can’t be bailing out opponents by faltering in areas within their control. 

When it comes to delivering wins, the Sabres have to be far better. And if they can’t, there will be catastrophic consequences.

Parker Wotherspoon and Erik Karlsson have been on the top defensive pairing for the Pittsburgh Penguins since the 2025-26 NHL season started in October.

They started getting reps together during training camp in September, and it was evident pretty quickly that the two had serious chemistry. They feed off one another super well, and so far this season, they have been one of the best defensive pairs in terms of lowest goals against per 60. 

According to MoneyPuck, among defensive pairs that have played at least 150 minutes together, the Wotherspoon-Karlsson pairing ranks fifth in the NHL in goals against per 60 with 1.4. The duo is shutting things down in their own zone and not giving the opposition much of anything on offense. 

Wotherspoon was signed to a two-year contract by Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas in July and the early returns have been fantastic. Not only has he brought a little offense, but he's done a great job preventing scoring chances. 

Karlsson looks rejuvenated under new head coach Dan Muse and is playing his best hockey as a Penguin, which is saying something after he ranked tied for fifth in 5v5 points among all NHL defensemen last year with 33. He has already compiled one goal and 13 points in 19 games. 

Both Karlsson and Wotherspoon are a big part of the Penguins' 10-5-4 start, and if they keep it up, the team will have a decent shot at returning to the playoffs this year. 

---

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

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

They may be in new situations, but for a pair of former Detroit Red Wings players, they haven't made the kind of impact that their new NHL clubs were anticipating.

Both Joe Veleno and Vladimir Tarasenko, who are no longer on the Red Wings roster, are heavily struggling in their new surroundings. 

Veleno now plays for the Montreal Canadiens, having signed with the team during the offseason after being placed on unconditional waivers by the Seattle Kraken for a buyout.

He had been traded by the Red Wings on March 7 to the Chicago Blackhawks for goaltender Petr Mrazek and forward Craig Smith, and later sent to the Kraken on June 21 for André Burakovsky. 

Instead of his experience with the Canadiens being a fruitful homecoming for the Quebec-born Veleno, he's instead struggled with one of the worst starts to an NHL campaign in his entire career. Through the first 13 games with Montreal, Veleno has yet to register a single point. 

It was also a rough start for him last season, as he began the campaign with only a single assist in his first 11 games before finally lighting the lamp in his 12th contest against the Blackhawks on Nov. 6.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Meanwhile, two-time Stanley Cup-winning forward Vladimir Tarasenko, whom the Red Wings traded after a single disappointing season in 2024-25 to the Minnesota Wild on June 30, has only scored twice in the first 18 games of his Minnesota tenure. 

Tarasenko was signed in 2024 by the Red Wings just weeks after he helped the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup, and he was expected to provide timely offense as he's done throughout his NHL career. However, Tarasenko managed just 11 goals with 22 assists in the 80 games he played in what would be his only campaign in Detroit. 

Tarasenko, who scored his first career NHL goal against the Red Wings as a member of the St. Louis Blues in January 2013, can become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason, as can Veleno. 

The Red Wings selected Veleno in the opening round (30th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft with the first-round pick they acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Tomas Tatar trade. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum. 

If there was ever a night for the Edmonton Oilers to show up and find a higher level of play, Monday night was it. Their matchup with the Buffalo Sabres was a chance to handle business. The Sabres had a losing record in their past ten games; they were playing a backup-to-the-backup in net, and everything screamed “just don’t screw this up.”

But, as the Oilers have often done this season, they found a way to bring less than their A-Game. In fact, it wasn't a B or C-level effort. Edmonton lowered the bar… and then proceeded to crawl under it.

Trending Stories:

Fans And Media React To Oilers Losing Troy Stecher on Waivers

Pickard’s Last Six Starts: An Alarming Goalie Problem Playing Out In Real Time

Buffalo started Colten Ellis, a goalie with three NHL games under his belt. Edmonton responded by barely testing him. No urgency. No desperation. No recognition that they had been handed the softest landing spot of their seven-game road trip.

The first period summed up the vibe perfectly with just seven shots after the Sabres opened the door with only six shots of their own. It was 1-0 at the end of the first for the Sabres. The Oilers tied it in the second when Jack Roslovic roofed it, scoring his 15th point in 19 games. Leon Draisaitl fed Roslovic with a slick little backhand tee-up, and Roslovic finished the play, suggesting the Oilers were right back in the game. 

But instead of building on the goal, the Oilers did what they’ve perfected this season: took their foot off the gas.

Chaos in the defensive zone led to Bowen Byram making it 2–1. Then Rasmus Dahlin tossed a puck from the point that found a tip for 3–1. Edmonton was getting caved in. The Sabres smelled blood. Meanwhile, the Oilers looked lifeless and unprepared to put forth the effort required.

Knoblauch Pressed The Big-Line Panic Button

When it was clear the Sabres were tilting the ice, head coach Kris Knobloch went to the “break glass” move: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman on one line. Small moments hinted the move could help the team, but it didn’t shift the momentum. To end the second, the Oilers pushed, and Darnell Nurse got a perfect pass from Roslovic and couldn’t finish. A late scrap saw Vasily Podkolzin stand up for McDavid after a nasty hit, but even that spark didn’t transfer to the bench.

Bob Stauffer summarized it between periods: “Lifeless. Chasing games. Same thing every time in Buffalo.” Hard to argue.

Sabres Pull Away, Oilers Fold

Ostlund scored again in the third—his second of the night—with way too much time and space as he circled behind the net. There was no resistance, no urgency, and no coverage. For the most part, it was just a team watching the play happen.

Knobloch pulled the goalie, and Edmonton finally took some shots on an inexperienced goalie -- one who was available to the Oilers via waivers on October 6 --, but by then, Ellis looked like a seasoned pro. McDavid capped the disaster by coughing up three times in one shift, finally to Tage Thompson, who fired it into the empty net. 

Not Good Enough—Again

The Sabres wanted the game more. Full stop. Edmonton tied it 1–1, and instead of pushing, they sagged. Buffalo pushed, and the Oilers let them. 

After the game, Podkolzin summed it up: “We better figure it out as soon as possible" He was one of the few Oilers who had any sense of urgency. When asked about his fight with Peyton Krebs, he noted he didn't have much to say, but did respond, "No one can play against our leaders like that. The whole team will protect them.” He walked the walk. Not many others did.

"After their power play goal, we let up a little bit just with confidence or emotion, we just didn't have the same jump we had starting the game.... Buffalo played with that emotion, that speed, and were the better team the second half of the game," Knoblauch said of the team's effort. He said they let the Sabres run around too much. "I have expectations that we can better... there's a lot of things we can get better, make our team harder to play against. A lot of things to clean up."

Another night, another game where Edmonton got exactly what they deserved. Until they stop lowering the bar—and tripping over it—nothing changes.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.   Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

In their first game since the massive news of Adrian Kempe signing long-term, the Los Angeles Kings fell to the Washington Capitals by a score of 2-1. The loss ends the Kings impressive four-game win steak.

The score makes the game seem closer than it was thanks to Darcy Kuemper, who gave his team a chance to make it a game with due to his terrific play throughout. LA's offense was silenced aside from a second period tally by Anze Kopitar on the man advantage. 

Where Does Kuemper Stand In Team Canada’s Goaltending Depth Chart?Darcy Kuemper has been solid for the Los Angeles Kings lately, including a shutout in his last appearance. However, where does he stand on Team Canada's goaltending depth chart ahead of the 2026 Olympics?

Washington Strikes Early 

Only one team seemed ready to play out of the gate and they were rewarded for it quickly. The Capitals were the better team for much of the opening frame as they wasted no time getting on the board. 

Washington took a 1-0 lead just under four minutes into the first thanks to blue-liner Matt Roy. Roy, who spent the first six years of his career in Los Angeles scored his first of the season with an impressive tip-in past Darcy Kuemper. The Kings were punished for the defensive breakdown as the 30-year-old defenseman was all alone in front of the net while all five LA skaters were at, or above the hashmarks.

The Kings had a brief three-minute stretch where they showed some push back after falling behind but the Capitals took control of the period shortly after. Let's just say Darcy Kuemper's teammates should have been showering their goaltender with compliments and 'thank you's' as he made plenty of important saves including a terrific stop on a breakaway chance from Tom Wilson.

The Captains Shine In The Second

This could be a hot take, but it might not be a good idea to leave the greatest goal scorer in the history of the planet alone in front of the net.

'The Great Eight' proved why as he buried his sixth goal of the season early in the second period to double the Capitals lead. Kings defensemen Cody Ceci and Jacob Moverare did not communicate with each other as they both left their positions in front of the net to help out in a puck battle, leaving Ovechkin open and of course the puck found his stick. Ovechkin's 903rd career goal which is also his 13th career goal against the Kings gives the Capitals a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Much like the majority of the first period, things were looking bleak for the Kings. That was until their captain cut the deficit in half with a power play goal. After they failed to score on their first power play opportunity, the Kings got on the board thanks to Anze Kopitar having his stick on the ice in front of the net. Corey Perry continues to play like its 2011 again as he hit Kopitar with a beautiful pass and all the LA captain had to was be strong on his stick. Perry and Kevin Fiala pick up the helpers. Kopi's third goal of the season brings the score to 2-1, keeping his team in the game entering the final 20 minutes. 

LA Kings (@LAKings) on XCAP GETS ONE BACK!

Shut Down In The Third

Although they had plenty of opportunities to tie this game, the Kings were unable to capitalize. The final 40 minutes were much better than the opening 20 but it was clear which team deserved the two points tonight. 

Washington did a great job not allowing LA to get their mojo going and when they did stumble upon some scoring chances, Charlie Lindgren was there to shut the door. 

LA Kings (@LAKings) on XFinal from DC

Moving Forward

Washington hands Los Angeles their first loss of the road trip. Coming into the trip it wasn't very realistic to expect the Kings to go 6-0 so a close loss against a hungry Capitals team isn't the end of the world.

However, the Kings (10-6-4) will look to end the six-game road trip on a high when they visit the San Jose Sharks (8-8-3) on Thursday, November 20th at 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Latest News

It has been exactly two weeks since Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke dressed for a game day. 

And, now, the 19-year-old is eligible for an AHL loophole that may benefit both him and the Penguins.

As of Sunday's win against the Nashville Predators, Brunicke was a healthy scratch for a fifth consecutive game at the NHL level, meaning he is now eligible to be sent to the AHL on a conditioning loan.

Normally - per the current NHL-CHL agreement - teenagers are not eligible to play in the AHL. However, with this loophole, Pittsburgh can loan Brunicke to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins for a maximum of either 14 days or five games. They can only do this once, and WBS is scheduled to play exactly five games within the next 14 days. 

Brunicke - selected 44th overall by the Penguins in 2024 - has played in nine games at the NHL level this season, which means his entry-level contract has not yet been activated. His last NHL appearance came in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3, and he was a minus-2 in that game alongside fellow defensive prospect Owen Pickering.

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Brunicke to begin his NHL career, as he has shown high-ceiling potential in transition and offensively but is still working to get up to speed on NHL reads and his net-front work. Should the Penguins elect to send him to WBS on a conditioning loan, it would push out their decision on activating his entry-level contract, and the end of the stint would also bring him closer to the World Junior Championship - which Brunicke is eligible to be lent to Team Canada for.

Opinion: Despite Struggles, Brunicke Should Remain With PenguinsThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a flurry of moves Tuesday, sending young blueliner Owen Pickering back to the AHL, placing three others on injured reserve, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-call-up-3-players-announce-several-roster-moves">and recalling two veterans and top goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov from the AHL</a>.

At the end of his 2024-25 junior season with the Kamloops Blazers - in which Brunicke worked around a wrist injury setback and registered five goals and 30 points in 45 games - he played in 10 regular season games with WBS as well as in two postseason contests. By the end of his AHL stint, he rounded into top form, as he put up a goal and two points in the two playoff games playing in WBS's top-four as an 18-year-old. 

Pittsburgh's next game is Friday against the Minnesota Wild, and WBS also plays Friday, when they will travel to Hartford, Conn. to take on the Wolf Pack.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defenseman Exceeds Expectations, Eyes NHL Roster SpotHeading into the 2025-26 season, the&nbsp;<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>&nbsp;have shifted the focus to youth and development. Rutger McGroarty Shines In Return As WBS Penguins Complete Weekend SweepSaturday marked the return for one of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' top forward prospects.&nbsp;

---

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

The Florida Panthers continued their second-longest homestand of the season on Monday night when they welcomed the Vancouver Canucks to Sunrise.

On a night there was no shortage of offense that will have both coaches wanting to set the game tape on fire, Florida found the back of the net eight times, skating to an 8-5 victory at Amerant Bank Arena.

Florida played some very strong defensive hockey during the game’s early stages, holding Vancouver without a shot for the game’s first 11 minutes.

Just a few minutes later, the Canucks broke the ice for the first goal of the night.

Sergei Bobrovsky thought he had the puck covered after a wraparound chance by Drew O’Connor, but the puck slipped under Bob’s glove and right back to O’Connor, giving Vancouver a 1-0 lead with 5:10 to go in the first period.

A tripping penalty on Uvis Balinskis gave Vancouver a power play moments after their goal, and the visitors made sure to take advantage.

Right off the ensuing draw, Vancouver quickly got set up and Jake DeBrusk slammed home a perfect cross-ice pass from Keifer Sherwood to five Vancouver a 2-0 lead on consecutive shots.

The two-goal lead didn’t last long, though.

Carter Verhaeghe found A.J. Greer gliding into the Canucks’ zone, and his quick wrist shot went sailing past the blocker of Jiri Patera to get the Cats on the board with 4:12 to go in the period.

Florida then cashed in with a power play goal in the final seconds of the period to tie the score at two.

Seth Jones worked a nice give-and-go with Sam Reinhart while crossing the Canucks blue line, and then Jones went in all lone on Patera and beat him five hole with just 7.7 seconds on the clock.

It didn’t take long once the second period began for Florida to take their first lead of the game.

Working with the puck in Vancouver’s zone following a faceoff, Luke Kunin found a Noah Gregor rebound and deposited the puck into a yawning cage at the 2:23 mark of the middle frame.

They weren’t done there.

A perfect no-look pass from behind the net by Sam Reinhart found the stick of Evan Rodrigues on the doorstep, and his fifth goal of the season gave the Panthers a 4-2 lead.

Then, just 67 seconds later, Anton Lundell collected a Brad Marchand pass from the corner and his shot from inside the right circle went over Patera’s blocker to make it five straight goals by the home team.

A mere 38 seconds after that, Elias Pettersson finished off a 2-on-1 with Evander Kane to cut into Florida’s newfound lead, making it 5-3 with 12:05 to go in the second period.

Less than two minutes into the final frame, Pettersson scored again, this time flipping a quick backhand over Bobrovsky’s glove to make it a one-goal game.

After a Jeff Petry high stick just moments after the goal, Vancouver’s Filip Hronek finished off a rush play to tie the game at five with 16:46 to go.

Just 48 seconds after that, Sam Bennett deflected a point shot by Niko Mikkola past Patera to quickly put the Cats back in front.

Jones would add a second power play goal with 11:41 to go in the period, taking a smart pass from Reinhart after cutting down from the point and one-timing the puck into an open far side of the cage.

A Marchand empty-net goal with 1:46 to go would seal the deal for the Panthers.

Thirteen goals. Wow, what a night.

On to the Devils.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Panthers homestand continues against Vancouver, a team Florida hasn't beaten in a while\

Three takeaways: Trouble getting shots through, winning puck battles plague Panthers in loss to Tampa

Florida falters on home ice against rival Lightning, lose 3-1 to Bolts in Sunrise

Panthers Den: Florida starting to collect wins again, milestone night for Marchand, Reinhart locked in

Panthers look to keep good times rolling, welcome rival Tampa Bay to Sunrise

Photo caption: Nov 1, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) celebrates with defenseman Seth Jones (3), defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) and right wing Mackie Samoskevich (11) after the game against the Dallas Stars at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

It’s long past time to dispense with the euphemisms: Scott Wedgewood isn’t merely playing like a No. 1 goaltender — he is one. 

They say you ride the rested goaltender, the one who gives you the best chance to win on any given night. For the Avalanche, the numbers make a compelling argument. In 19 appearances last season, Scott Wedgewood posted a career-best 1.99 goals against average along with a .917 save percentage. This year, through 15 starts, many of them against opponents coming in on lengthy winning streaks, Wedgewood has remained remarkably consistent, carrying a 2.17 goals against average while matching that same .917 save percentage. 

NHL (@NHL) on XHOW DID SCOTT WEDGEWOOD MAKE THAT SAVE!? 😱 Incredible.

Since the end of last season, critics have insisted that Wedgewood’s career resurgence was a mirage and that, sooner or later, he would deliver the kind of disastrous performance that would drag him back to the form he showed in his early years with the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes and the New Jersey Devils. But what can anyone say about him now? 

Outpacing The Reigning League MVP 

Let’s not forget that Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck is the reigning recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy, recognized as the most valuable player in the entire league for the 2024–25 season. Yet at this moment, Scott Wedgewood isn’t merely outperforming Hellebuyck in every meaningful category; he sits atop the entire NHL in all of them — wins, goals against average, and save percentage. Even more striking is the fact that several goaltenders across the league have logged more starts than Wedgewood this season and still do not have even half his number of victories. 

Goalies Who Found New Life Late in Their Careers

Wedgewood isn’t the first goaltender to experience a dramatic late-career revival. The most fitting comparison is Chris Osgood, a key figure on the Detroit Red Wings’ 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup–winning teams. Osgood was always a reliable presence in net, but he was rarely considered among the league’s elite for sustained stretches. Detroit even moved on from him in the 2002 offseason to acquire Dominik Hasek, prompting Osgood’s departure to the New York Islanders. 

He eventually returned to the Red Wings in 2005, and three years later delivered one of the finest seasons of his career. In 2008, at 35 years old, Osgood posted a career-low 2.09 goals against average and backstopped Detroit to its most recent Stanley Cup championship. Meanwhile, the aging Hasek, though no longer the dominant force he once was, concluded his Red Wings tenure as the backup — but still as a champion. 

Another example is Tim Thomas, who didn’t find his footing in the NHL until his mid-30s. But then everything changed. He won the Vezina at 34, the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup at 37, and posted some of the best statistical seasons of his career well after most goalies begin to fall off the cliff. 

Some honorable mentions include Dwayne Roloson, who backstopped the Edmonton Oilers to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final and remained a dependable starter well into his early forties, and Mike Smith, the former Arizona Coyote–turned–Oiler, who posted a .923 save percentage at age 39 while carrying Edmonton to the 2022 Western Conference Final. The Oilers’ run ended there—Colorado swept the series in four games en route to the Stanley Cup they ultimately claimed. 

So what we’re witnessing with Scott Wedgewood, albeit rare, is not a new phenomena. This is something that has happened in the sport before and everyone should be grateful that they get to witness this sort of resurgence again, regardless of what team you’re rooting for. 

Bednar Stands Firm 

What this means for Mackenzie Blackwood, moving forward, could very well define the trajectory of his NHL career. After the 6–3 win over the Anaheim Ducks, Jared Bednar made it clear he intends to start the goaltender who is not only rested but also gives Colorado the best chance to win. Right now, that’s Wedgewood. And if Blackwood can’t rediscover his form, the organization might as well make it official and anoint Wedgewood as the starter. Blackwood, in three starts this season has a record of 2-0-1 with a 3.28 goals against average and a .870 save percentage. There's a clear-cut favorite.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

After a strong preseason, Detroit Red Wings prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard earned a surprising spot on the team's main roster coming out of training camp. However, after nine games in which he recorded an assist and delivered 28 hits, the 20 year old Norwegian winger was reassigned to the AHL. The goal was to give him more ice time than the limited bottom six role he held in Detroit and to help him continue developing important parts of his game.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XShoutout MBN 👏

The Hockey News recently spoke with Brandsegg-Nygard about his transition back to the AHL. After appearing in five games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, he has returned to the team and still looks confident in both his abilities and playing style. That level of confidence should reassure Red Wings fans that one of the organization’s top prospects is not discouraged by the move.

Brandsegg-Nygard has now played six games with the Griffins this season, scoring two goals and adding one assist. When asked about the adjustment, he expressed that he is genuinely happy with the environment in Grand Rapids. The Griffins have started the season strong and are viewed not just as playoff hopefuls like Detroit, but as one of the top teams in the AHL.

"Yeah I mean they've done a really good job at the beginning of the season and the vibe of the group here is good, too so, I mean, I really like being here," Brandsegg-Nygard explained "I'm gonna go out there and do my job and do what I can to help the team win."

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XMBN 🚀

Fans often worry about young players losing confidence when they move between leagues, but Brandsegg Nygard does not seem concerned. He continues to project self assurance and focuses on staying positive even during challenging stretches.

"Confidence goes up and down but at the end of the day, I always know what I can do on the ice and and always like trying to think as best as I can possible because, if you start to think negative, everything just goes bad," Brandsegg-Nygard said "So by just trying to stay positive, and when you stay positive, it's easy to have confidence, too."

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

While the reassignment seemingly did not affect his confidence, Brandsegg-Nygard admitted that making the Red Wings roster at all was a surprise. He was simply grateful to experience NHL action earlier than he had expected.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XMBN on the doorstep! #LGRW

"Yeah like I said it was a dream come true to get in and I wasn't expecting to start with them this season, so that's what was a little bonus and I was pretty happy with that," Brandsegg-Nygard stated.

He also acknowledged that one of the biggest areas he needs to improve is his speed of decision making at the NHL level, noting that the pace of play requires quicker reads and execution.

"I'm a young player, so there's always something to work on. I mean, just trying to, like, make faster plays that's one thing I think I have to work on, especially in NHL," Brandsegg-Nygard said "When everything goes faster, trying to, like, make the decision faster and everything just makes everything faster."

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XLarks to MBN. 🤌

Brandsegg-Nygard finished the interview by sharing some of the meaningful advice he received from Red Wings veterans. He said he appreciated learning from pros like Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane, observing how they handle themselves each day and using that guidance to shape his own development.

"Couple of them said just go out there and be yourself. Just show everyone that you're good enough to be here and hopefully, I get up soon. I know what to do, so I'm just trying to focus on that and just trying to improve myself," Brandsegg-Nygard stated.

Red Wings fans will need to wait a little longer for the Norwegian winger to fully develop, but his early NHL showing provided a glimpse of the physical presence he can bring. With continued improvements in key areas, Brandsegg Nygard could be a player to watch closely next season.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers have completed a trade, with the Senators sending defenseman Maxence Guenette to the Flyers for defenseman Dennis Gilbert. 

Gilbert has one assist in six games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season. 

The 29-year-old has three goals and 20 points in 111 career NHL games over parts of seven seasons, he recorded an assist in four games with the Senators next season. 

A third round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, Gilbert has 58 points in 194 career AHL games. He will serve as depth for Ottawa as they deal with an injury to Thomas Chabot. He can play a big role for Belleville if he ends up in the AHL.

Guenette was an unsigned RFA when the trade occurred and promptly agreed to a a one-year, two-way contract that pays him $225,000 at the AHL level with the Flyers. 

Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) on XTRADE ALERT: We’ve acquired defenseman Maxence Guenette from Ottawa in exchange for defenseman Dennis Gilbert. We have also agreed to terms with Guenette on a one-year, two-way contract. https://t.co/T6i6n9iPhj

The 24-year-old had nine goals and 23 points in 58 games for the Belleville Senators last season. 

A seventh round selection of the Senators in 2019, Guenette is pointless in eight career AHL games and has 116 points in 236 career AHL games. 

The Sainte-Foy, Que., native will serve as depth for the Flyers and should immediately slot into a top four role with the Phantoms. 

The Nashville Predators announced Monday that forward Joakim Kemell has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. 

Kemell was recalled from Milwaukee on Nov. 10 following the announcement that Zachary L'Heuruex would miss 4-6 weeks with a lower-body injury.

Kemell was with the Predators for their road game against the New York Rangers and a pair of games in the NHL Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden, but he did not play in either. 

He has played in just two games with Nashville this season, against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 9 and the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 13. Kemell has played six games in Milwaukee, scoring a goal and five assists. 

With Kemell being reassigned, this could mean that forward Cole Smith is ready to return to the lineup. Smith suffered an upper-body injury in the Predators game against the Calgary Flames on Nov. 1. It was announced the next day that he'd be out for 3-6 weeks. 

The Nashville Predators host the Colorado Avalanche next on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. CST and Bridgestone Arena. The Milwaukee Admirals will face the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday, Nov. 21, at 9 p.m. CST at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson. 

After starting the season injured, Pittsburgh Penguins top prospect Rutger McGroarty kicked off his 2025-26 campaign with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Nov. 15 against the Springfield Thunderbirds. McGroarty certainly started the year off in a solid way, as he scored a goal in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 3-1 win. 

With McGroarty being one of the Penguins' most promising youngsters, seeing him start the year off with a goal is certainly encouraging. They are expecting the 2022 first-round pick to become a big part of their roster in the future, so he is undoubtedly a player to keep a very close eye on now that he is back to being healthy.

If McGroarty can continue to produce offense for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, it very well could lead to him getting called up to Pittsburgh's NHL roster in the near future. Thus, the 21-year-old forward will be looking to stand out down in the AHL from here. 

McGroarty completed his first professional season in 2024-25, where he primarily played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 60 games with the AHL squad this past campaign, he recorded 14 goals and 39 points. He also had one goal and three points in eight NHL games with Pittsburgh during the 2024-25 season. 

Overall, McGroarty has shown promise, and it will be interesting to see what he can do during his second pro season from here. 

Two players will be making their Vancouver Canucks debuts on Monday against the Florida Panthers. David Kämpf will draw into the lineup while Jiří Patera will start in goal. Kämpf will replace Conor Garland for Vancouver, who is listed as day-to-day after leaving Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Kämpf was signed to a one-year contract on Saturday after the Toronto Maple Leafs terminated his contract. The 30-year-old has plenty of NHL experience with 143 points in 536 games. Kämpf is known as a defensive center who should help the Canucks both on the penalty kill and in the faceoff dot. 

As for Patera, Monday will be his first NHL start since March 26, 2024. Over his NHL career, the 26-year-old has posted a 3-3-1 record with a .902 save percentage. As for this season, Patera has played five games in the AHL, posting a 1-2-2 record with the Abbotsford Canucks. 

Vancouver will look to earn another two points tomorrow as they take on the Panthers. Last season, the Canucks picked up wins in both meetings, including a 3-2 overtime win in Florida. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 pm PT. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Canucks Quinn Hughes Named NHL's Third Star Of The Week- November 16, 2025

How The Vancouver Canucks Stack Up To The Rest Of The NHL: 20 Games In

Injury Concerns Strike Again As Canucks’ Conor Garland Leaves Game Versus Tampa Bay Lightning

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

On Sunday night, Scott Morrow made his New York Rangers debut after being called up from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League earlier that day.

The Rangers acquired Morrow over the summer as part of the sign-and-trade deal with the Carolina Hurricanes centered around K’Andre Miller. 

During training camp, Morrow was given an opportunity to make the opening-night roster, as he played in multiple preseason games while practicing on the second power-play unit. 

He was one of the last players to be sent down to the AHL before the start of the 2025-26 season. In 11 games for the Wolf Pack, Morrow recorded one goal, one assist, and two points.

With Will Borgen out with an upper-body injury, the Rangers called up Morrow, and he was immediately slotted into the lineup in place of Urho Vaakanainen. 

The 23-year-old defenseman played 9:56 minutes in his NHL season debut, the fewest amongst all Rangers blueliners. 

However, Rangers assistant coach David Quinn praised Morrow for his performance. 

Why The Rangers Decided To Send Gabe Perreault Back Down To The AHLWhat did we learn about Gabe Perreault through his three-game stint with the New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a>?

“I liked his game. I thought Scotty did a good job,” Quinn said. “I thought he kept it simple. He moves the puck well, gets us out of our end when we needed to get out of our end when the chances presented themselves. I thought he defended well.”

Borgen’s injury status remains a mystery, so it’s possible Morrow could find himself back in the lineup on Tuesday night when the Rangers go up against the Vegas Golden Knights.