The day is finally here. 

On Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft will begin. Team general managers, draft prospects, and fans alike have been preparing for and awaiting this day for a long while, and there is already a ton of buzz around this, potentially, being a very interesting draft.

And one of the teams generating the most buzz? Kyle Dubas's Pittsburgh Penguins.

After the decision by the New York Rangers to give Pittsburgh their 12th overall pick in this year's draft - which officially completed the J.T. Miller and Marcus Pettersson trades - the Penguins are slated to select back-to-back at 11th and 12th overall. The team has never selected back-to-back before, and they'll have the opportunity to add two impact players who could play a big part in their future.

But, it might not go down the way you think. 

There are several reports that the Penguins are willing to either trade up in the draft or pony up one of those picks for the "right young player," as per Darren Dreger of TSN. Whatever way they decide to go, they'll be getting two good young players - but, obviously, the door is open for them to draft a game-changer, should they decide to move up.

So, with that said, here are two draft scenarios for the Penguins - and who I think they'll select in these scenarios.

2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And MoreThe 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

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Penguins stand pat at 11 and 12

It should be emphasized that, despite all the buzz around the Penguins, they very well could play it safe and do exactly this. So, what would happen if the Penguins stay put?

Truthfully, the odds are that the Penguins are going to get a pair of difference-making players regardless. Names are bound to fall, and I believe one will. 

Given the alleged focus on centers in this draft class, it's entirely possible that the Penguins could snag Swedish left wing Victor Eklund, who is - arguably - one of the most skilled players in the draft. Eklund registered 19 goals and 31 points for Djurgardens IF of HockeyAllsvenskan last season, and he played alongside top-five draft hopeful Anton Frondell.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Victor EklundWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Drawing comparisons to NHL forwards such as Jesper Bratt and Travis Konecny, the relentless forward would be a very solid choice for the Penguins at 11 - and, seemingly, a very realistic one.

As for the 12th overall spot? There's a good chance that spot belongs to defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, who the Penguins have had conversations with.

The hard-hitting left defender - contrary to popular belief - isn't just known for his meanness, physicality, and shutdown ability. He is also known for his booming shot, ability to aid the transition game, and steady offensive production, as he finished seventh overall in OHL scoring among defensemen with 26 goals and 59 points in 64 games for the Barrie Colts last season. 

If the Penguins draft back-to-back at 11 and 12 - again - they'll be getting two good players. And they could also be getting a potential high-end forward and a top-four defenseman, which are both things they desperately need in their system.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Kashawn AitchesonWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

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Penguins trade up, draft third overall

It is, perhaps, unwise to read too much into speculation around draft day. Teams purposefully leak things, and misleading narratives are told left and right, to try to throw other teams off in hopes of a given team being able to land who they want. 

But, as Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects said, this year seems to feel a bit different. 

Y'all wouldn't believe the stuff that's floating around out there right now.

If even a fraction of it happens, we're shaping up for a very fun Friday.

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) June 26, 2025

As mentioned before, there is a lot of talk about the Penguins potentially moving up in the draft in order to be able to select an elite talent. Having the Rangers' first-round pick gives them quite a bit more flexibility to do so.

And it's something I predict is going to happen.

It has been reported that the Chicago Blackhawks - who are currently slated to draft third overall - are trying to take a step this year and are open to dealing that pick for some NHL help. They are also one of the teams rumored to be interested in Penguins' veteran winger Rickard Rakell, who had a career season with 35 goals and 70 points in 2024-25. 

If you do the math, it's not all that difficult to see a package from the Penguins involving Rakell and their 11th overall pick to Chicago for their top-three pick. 

Can The Penguins Trade Up For Blackhawks' Third Overall Pick?It has been rumored that the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to trade up in the 2025 NHL Draft.

It's possible that more would have to be involved to get a deal across the finish line, but - given that the Penguins would still have that 12th overall selection and that they're in the midst of a rebuild - a move like this certainly makes sense. And it will be one of the biggest storylines to watch out for on Friday.

If the Penguins do bump up to third overall, I think their guy is Frondell. Frondell has steadily climbed the draft board after his season with Djurgardens IF - alongside Eklund - that saw him put up 11 goals and 25 points in 29 games.

He was putting up such numbers after a slow start and as a 17-year-old in HockeyAllsvenskan, and this was just one season after registering 18 goals and 39 points in 29 games as part of J20 Nationell in 2023-24 - again, dominating despite his young age. He is also projected as an elite two-way centerman, which is something that certainly excites NHL clubs.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the Penguins do move up - and, if they do, how far they are interested in moving up. Dubas is known to be enamored with right wing Porter Martone as well, so it's possible that Pittsburgh could look to even just move up a handful of spots in order to land him.

Regardless, things should be interesting. And I do think they will try to move up.

NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Have Prime Target In Utah ForwardThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster. While there certainly is a chance that they could end up trading away some of their key players before the off-season is done, they also should not be afraid to acquire players who could help them in the long term.

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Final first-round predictions

Here are my final predictions for the first-round draft order on Friday:

1. D Matthew Schaefer - New York Islanders 
2. C Michael Misa - San Jose Sharks
3. C Anton Frondell - Pittsburgh Penguins (traded by Chicago Blackhawks on draft day)
4. C James Hagens - Utah Hockey Club
5. RW Porter Martone - Nashville Predators
6. C Caleb DeSnoyers - Philadelphia Flyers
7. C Brady Martin - Boston Bruins
8. D Radim Mrtka - Seattle Kraken
9. C Jake O'Brien - Buffalo Sabres
10. C Roger McQueen - Anaheim Ducks
11. LW Victor Eklund - Chicago Blackhawks (traded by Pittsburgh Penguins on draft day)
12. D Kashawn Aitcheson - Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers)
13. C Justin Carbonneau - Detroit Red Wings
14. D Jackson Smith - Columbus  Blue Jackets
15. LW Carter Bear - Vancouver Canucks

Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.

16. C Cole Reschny - Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary)
17. D Logan Hensler - Montreal Canadiens
18. C Braeden Cootes - Calgary Flames (from New Jersey)
19. LW Lynden Lakovic - St. Louis Blues
20. RW Malcolm Spence - Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota)
21. C Jack Nesbitt - Ottawa Senators
22. D Blake Fiddler - Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado)
23. C Ivan Ryabkin - Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay)
24. C Cullen Potter - Los Angeles Kings 
25. RW Alexander Zharovsky - Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto)
26. G Joshua Ravensbergen - Nashville Predators (from Vegas via San Jose)
27. C Eric Nilson - Washington Capitals 
28. D Sascha Boumedienne - Winnipeg Jets
29. RW Daniil Prokhorov - Carolina Hurricanes
30. D Cameron Reid - San Jose Sharks (from Dallas)
31. C Cole McKinney - Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton)
32. RW Ryker Lee - Calgary Flames (from Florida)

Get your hands on The Hockey News' Draft Preview Issue today by clicking here.

2025 NHL Draft: Islanders, Canadiens, Penguins Hold Pivotal Points In Round 1Every NHL draft, there are pivot points that affect what happens next. 

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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!      

Feature image credit: Michael Augello-The Hockey News

Ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks revealed new sweaters for their upcoming centennial season. They will wear these during home games during the 2025-26 season. 

Chicago has always been known for having one of the most recognizable uniforms in all of sports, and this new sweater celebrates what has made it so iconic. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XINTRODUCING OUR 2025-26 CENTENNIAL JERSEY‼️ In 1955, we created something special—a red sweater with black and white stripes that would become the most beloved and iconic jersey in all of sports. Seventy years later, it remains largely unchanged proving that true classicsVinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) on X🚨 Chicago Blackhawks centennial sweaters 🚨 (Courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks via Fanatics)

There is a gold outline surrounding the crest, which is inspired by the gold-trim sweaters that the Blackhawks used to wear in their earlier days.

The new centennial patch is on the shoulder to signify it as the jersey worn by the team in its 100th year of existence. 

A new twist to the jersey is a lace-up collar, which has become popular around the National Hockey League. This is to mark a mash-up of the past and future of the franchise. 

Chicago has had Stanley Cup success over the course of their history, including recently. All six of their victorious seasons are hemmed inside the jersey. Fans can always remember the years in which the Stanley Cup returned to Chicago. 

“The Blackhawks sweater has consistently been voted the best jersey in sports by players and fans alike. For our Centennial season, we wanted to honor that iconic symbol of Chicago’s hockey heritage that has remained largely unchanged since 1955,”  Danny Wirtz said in a statement. “While the classic elements of the jersey stay the same, thoughtful design details make this jersey unique – melding past and present while proving that the best traditions transcend trends.”

Being an original six team, having an iconic sweater has always been a part of the identity for the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. Now, for the special season ahead, there is a new twist to their home jersey for everyone to enjoy. 

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

The wait is over, and the 2025 NHL draft starts Friday at 7 p.m. ET. 

Most NHL franchises look to alter their course with big trades, draft picks and a new outlook.

There’s no better time than right before the festivities to do a mailbag, answering some questions surrounding the NHL draft and the players involved. Let’s look at some of the questions you sent my way via X, messages and in comments on THN.com. 

What’s behind everyone dropping James Hagens right at the end of the year?

I think the reason Hagens has dropped a bit in the last few weeks is that he’s been on everyone’s radar for so long, so he’s been a bit overscouted. 

This is the same player we watched at the World Men’s Under-18s two years ago as a 16-year-old before setting the scoring record at the tournament last year. Having aged out of that tournament this year as a late-2006 born player, Hagens became an effective player at the World Junior Championship. We’ve seen him on the big stage so many times in recent years that some people are just used to how he plays.

We’ve seen two elite-level talents play in the NCAA and win the Hobey Baker Trophy as freshmen: Adam Fantilli and Macklin Celebrini. Hagens didn’t put up Hobey Baker numbers, but he was a point-per-game center on one of the country's most dominant teams. He showed he can add a bit more physicality to his game on top of his silky smooth hands and slippery skating, to which we’ve become accustomed. 

Hagens finished the year at No. 3 on my board and No. 5 on The Hockey News editor in chief Ryan Kennedy’s draft board. Not everyone is underrating him, but those who do could be in for a reality check when he blossoms into one of the draft’s most impressive offensive players.

Where would Michael Misa rank in last year’s draft?

For reference, my NHL draft rankings last year were as follows: 

1. Macklin Celebrini
2. Ivan Demidov
3. Berkly Catton
4. Cayden Lindstrom
5. Zeev Buium

Where Misa fits in there feels immediately clear to me. He’s behind Celebrini, but I would at least have the debate between the two centers. Demidov likely also slides ahead of Misa (and Schaefer), but I would easily have him ahead of Catton and Lindstrom. Matthew Schaefer would be the top defender in the class, ahead of Buium for me.

Even a year later, the order of my top five wouldn’t change, so there is no need to add in Artyom Levshunov or Zayne Parekh. The top two for this year, Misa and Schaefer, would be easily the third and fourth players in this group.

Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.

Why is Henry Brzustewicz not ranked on your list?

Among the players unranked on my list, Brzustewicz and David Bedkowski get asked about the most. 

The two OHL defensemen are off the list for very different reasons. To be clear, both players will be drafted and deservedly so. There is a world where I would take them in a draft if the situation called for it. Unfortunately, they are valued much lower for me than the consensus, and if I were to get to them, it would be very late in the draft. 

Let’s start with Bedkowski. The bruising blueliner is one of the more physical and intimidating players in the draft, punishing players all over the ice. His willingness to throw his weight around is admirable. The concerns I have with his on-puck game are quite substantial, though. He panics a bit under pressure and tends to just fire the puck to nowhere at times. So much of his game must come a long way to reach the point where his physicality is realistically effective. It’s not to say that it won’t come, but he’ll need to work with a skills coach and watch plenty of film. 

With Brzustewicz, it’s almost the opposite. His game with the puck is quite solid, and he showed more creativity and skill whenever he got the opportunity. 

That said, it’s tough to overlook his defensive habits and some of his often-questionable decision-making. He often tried to push play to the middle, but there were so many times a pass had no recipient, or he wasn’t patient with the puck. There could be a very good player here, but must work on getting his details right. He strikes me as a player who will have a very good CHL career, look great in the AHL but lose his game a bit in the NHL.

2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And MoreThe 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

Who are the top five defense-first blueliners?

This year’s defense group has different tiers and categories. Schaefer’s alone at the top, and a group of five or six players follow before getting to a bunch of what I’ve deemed specialists. When it comes to defensive hockey and shutdown defense, there are a number of players who fit that mold.

In one of my latest articles, I covered the top five, plus an underrated player and some honorable mentions for 12 categories, and best shut-down defender was one of them. Here is the top five:

1. Radim Mrtka

2. Blake Fiddler

3. Sascha Boumedienne

4. Matthew Schaefer

5. Jackson Smith

Underrated: Sean Barnhill

These six defenders all play defensive hockey in their own way. Barnhill could have easily made the list, but there hasn’t been much buzz around the big, mobile blueliner, so he fit right into the underrated slot. Mrtka has a boatload of potential as a shutdown guy, and Fiddler has an excellent floor. Boumedienne, Schaefer and Smith are all elite movers who use that to cut down play. Be sure to check out the full “Top Traits” article covering shooters, playmakers, motors, two-way forwards, and so much more here. 

Which player do you think realistically outplays his draft position the most?

This is an interesting question because I could have easily said LJ Mooney or Adam Benak. They are two of the most skilled and cerebral players in the draft class who likely would have been top-15 talents had they been six-feet or even close, but they are 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-8, respectively. If they hit, they could be wickedly good, and teams will regret not taking them before the mid-late portion of the draft. 

The question was centered around what’s realistic, though, so that slightly changes things. 

Eric Nilson comes to mind initially as a highly intelligent, tactical center who understands how to come out on top just about every shift. His biggest issue is that he needs to add some weight to his frame, but his agile, swift playmaking based on his IQ is very impressive. 

Cullen Potter also comes to mind. He’s one of the fastest skaters in the class and a slick and precise playmaker. 

Potter was a play-driving beast for Arizona State as one of the youngest players in the NCAA, but because he didn’t have much help around him, he couldn’t benefit from the playmaking side of his game. He scored as many goals as Hagens this year in the NCAA and brought an effective transition and playmaking game.

The final name I’ll add here is Sascha Boumedienne, the defenseman from Boston University. His mobility is so smooth and crisp, and he’s developed into such a solid all-around defender. His offensive game was muted a bit as he adjusted to the NCAA, but when he had the chance to play against his age group at the U-18s, he set the record for scoring by a blueliner. He’s got some things to refine, but if Boumedienne hits, he could be the second-best defender in the class.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Final Top 80The 2025 NHL draft cycle nears the end, and it’s been a unique class.

Which team makes the surprise pick that throws everyone off?

I wish I knew. The Nashville Predators have three picks in the first round, so maybe they take a chance and go off the board. The Montreal Canadiens or Pittsburgh Penguins could be the surprise of the round as they each possess back-to-back picks and could trade up to grab a top-end prospect. There is sure to be a surprise, but it’s only a surprise because no one saw it coming.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

While there are plenty of teams trying to take the next step right now and the competition to land quality centers is fierce, a new option has just landed on the market, and it’s an option that has proven chemistry with Montreal Canadiens’ rookie Ivan Demidov.

Last season in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, Demidov spent time skating alongside former NHL player Evgeny Kuznetsov. After finishing his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023-24, the pivot decided to sign a new contract with the Raleigh-based outfit with a $3.9 M AAV. Still, days later, the parties mutually decided to part ways, and he was put on unconditional waivers.

Canadiens: Gorton Speaks On The Eve Of The Draft
Canadiens May Recalibrate Target
Could The Canadiens Swing A Big Trade With The Golden Knights?

The Russian then headed back home to Russia, where he signed a four-year pact with SKA on July 24, 2024. In 39 games under Roman Rotenberg, the pivot put up 37 points, picked up 38 penalty minutes, and finished his season with a plus-13 rating. However, in early April, the club and the player agreed to part ways, and the contract was terminated.

On Thursday, Kuznetsov’s agent Shumi Babaev announced that his client has decided he wants to return to the NHL next season, and he has reportedly already had talks with multiple teams who could potentially be interested.

The 33-year-old has played 743 games in the NHL with the Washington Capitals and the Hurricanes, picking up 575 points in the process. His most productive campaigns came skating alongside fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin when he gathered 83 points in 79 games. That was in the 2017-18 season, when the Caps won the Stanley Cup. In these playoffs, he scored 32 points in just 24 games. However, Ovechkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 27 points, including 15 goals.

The end of Kuznetzov’s tenure in Washington was a rocky one, as he joined the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in February 2024. There hasn’t been any confirmation as to what prompted him to enter the program, but he was banned from playing for Russia for four years in 2019 following a positive drug test for cocaine. That same year, he was also suspended for three NHL games for “inappropriate conduct”.

After he was cleared to return, the Caps placed him on waivers, where he went unclaimed and was assigned to Hershey in the AHL before being traded to Carolina. There’s no denying that Kuznetsov could be an interesting option for Demidov on the ice, but only if his issues with the ice are behind him.

Given what Jeff Gorton said to the media on Thursday about not being careful not to bring a player that wouldn’t be a good fit in the room, the Canadiens would have to be satisfied that there is no chance of his behavior becoming an issue.

Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

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Tomáš Hertl, who was acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights from the San Jose Sharks late in the 2023-24 season, has recently been the subject of trade rumors again, which THN Vegas writer Julian Gaudio recently explained in detail.

Hertl is currently back home in his native Czechia with his family, training for the upcoming season. Recently, he was interviewed by Hokej.cz journalist Ondřej Mach, whose piece was published on Friday morning in Europe. In it, Hertl spoke about the speculation about him heading to the Carolina Hurricanes, his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in March, and his off-season with the family in Prague.

What is your view on what has been circulating in the North American media recently?
“Honestly, I didn’t even know – it was the people around me who told me. I knew the situation – they can’t trade me at all until July 1, and then I have three teams that I can choose from. Then general manager Kelly McCrimmon called me and said he was sorry that this had even come up, and that nothing was being discussed. I was calm; I have the situation in hand. When a journalist writes something, everyone’s reaction is quick. I know that (the Golden Knights) are counting on me for next year, but you can never know anything 100 percent. That’s just how it works.”

Do you appreciate the Golden Knights GM reaching out to you?
“Yeah, that was nice. Everyone was writing to me that I was going to Carolina and I didn’t know why, based on our conversations after the season had ended. Vegas is one of those aggressive teams, so nobody has anything 100 percent certain, whether it’s Jack Eichel or whoever. They want to win, they have a quality team, and they make big moves. We’ll see what happens in the free agent market in a week.”

Are you happy with how your first full season in Sin City went?
“I would have been happier if we’d lasted longer in the playoffs. But after the start, when I was getting used to playing with new guys and a new team, things started to click around December. I found my line and the team was playing great. Plus, we had one of the best power plays in the league. Everything was going great until I got injured 10 games before the playoffs. That was an unfortunate moment – I was worried that I wouldn’t even get back in time for the playoffs. The first round was good, then the second against Edmonton… I didn’t score a goal, even though I had some decent games … but (scoring) was expected of me, so that was a disappointment.”

REPORT: 'Smoke' Surrounding Possible Golden Knights and Hurricanes Trade Involving Tomas HertlThe Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly working on a trade that would send Tomas Hertl to the Hurricanes. 

During the playoffs, were you taking any anesthetics?
“A little bit. That comes with the territory, and you don’t even think about it. Of course, I would have preferred not to have gotten injured. I had scored two hat tricks in two weeks (prior to the injury), was scoring goals, and I could have reached a new (career) high. It would have been better if it hadn’t happened.”

When you mentioned the setup in the Vegas organization, do you feel the pressure to succeed? In eight years in the league, the Golden Knights have made it to the finals twice and won the Stanley Cup.
“The first year, they were lucky to (make the finals). But the organization is set up that way, it works great. The general manager goes for it every year; he takes advantage of the gaps in the salary cap. Like Tampa. They don’t rely on drafting a player who will be good in two or three years. That’s why I was really happy to go there. Careers are getting shorter, and you want to be on a team where you can win something.”

Radim Zohorna Signs With Swedish ClubCzech forward Radim Zohorna, 29, has signed a two-year contract with Färjestad BK, the SHL club announced on Friday.

Are you 100 percent healthy yet? The injury didn’t let you go to the World Championship.
“Yeah, it’s fine. It doesn’t limit me at all. Now I have the whole summer to strengthen my shoulder, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I should be 100 percent. It’s just a matter of strengthening it, but according to the doctors, and how I feel, I should be fine.

Is the preparation for the upcoming season in full swing?
“I don’t take any big time off. I’m happy to keep going. The kids keep me up to speed, but I’m already in preparation – I’m training with Radim Zohorna and Martin Nečas, like I have for the last three years. I’m in the gym for now and I’m going to the ice soon. And I’m also doing some sports around here.”

And are you planning to relax somewhere by the sea?
“We’re not flying anywhere; we’re more staying around home. When the 4 Nations were played in February, we went on vacation. We have a lot going on now – we have some weddings to go to in the next four weeks. Maybe we’ll take a long weekend, but for now we’d rather have some family time at home in Prague.”

© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Martin Nečas: “I’m ready for anything” A restricted free agent, Martin Nečas has been the focus of trade rumors the entire off-season, and now he has elected for salary arbitration.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is one of the NHL's most-talked-about trade candidates right now. With the Penguins retooling their roster, the veteran winger has naturally been the subject of trade speculation. 

The Penguins are not in a position where they need to rush a potential move, though, as Rust has a bargain $5.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. However, he also just had a big season, so it is fair to wonder if the Penguins could take advantage of his heightened trade value. 

During the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman named the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets as two teams that are likely interested in Rust.

"I think there has been a lot of interest in Bryan Rust, and for good reason," Friedman said. "It wouldn't surprise me if Buffalo was one of those teams, too. Don't know if it will happen, but I think there are a lot of teams looking at that guy. I would think Columbus would be another... But someone told me that Buffalo was one of the teams around Rust."

32 Thoughts Draft day pod: what we are hearing...and expertise from @Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino. (Not buying the Darnell Nurse noise.)

Please forgive Kyle if he sounds tired...has good reason.

Links to your preferred platform, here:https://t.co/io7Mr1RceU Enjoy!

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2025

Hearing that the Sabres are reportedly interested in Rust is not surprising in the slightest. After trading JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, they have a clear hole in their top six, and Rust would undoubtedly fix it. In addition, he would give the Sabres another impactful veteran forward to help mentor their younger players, which is a clear need for them as they look to turn things around. 

When looking at Columbus' lineup, it is fair to argue that they could use a player like Rust, too. He would certainly give the Blue Jackets' top six and power play a major boost if acquired. Furthermore, with the Blue Jackets on the rise, bringing in a star like Rust could help them take that next step and get back into the playoffs. 

NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Have Prime Target In Utah ForwardThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster. While there certainly is a chance that they could end up trading away some of their key players before the off-season is done, they also should not be afraid to acquire players who could help them in the long term.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

With the Draft about to take place in Los Angeles, our weekly "Ask The Maven" is all about a past draftee. Edwin Slim of Port Jervis sends this one for Stan:

WHO WOULD YOU NAME AS THE ALL-TIME WORST NO. 1 DRAFT CHOICE? The Maven Responds:  Check the date – June 26, 1993, a good 32 years ago, minus one day – when the Draft was held in Quebec City. Picking first, the Ottawa Senators selected forward Alexandre Daigle. 

A Montreal native, Daigle had starred in the Quebec Major Junior League and was so highly-touted that the Senators signed him to a five-year deal worth $12.5 million. That instantly made him one of the NHL's highest-paid players. Feeling his oats,l Daigle delivered a deathless line:

"I'm glad I finished first because no one remembers number two."

As it happened, Daigle's career was eminently forgettable. After five mediocre NHL seasons, Alex move to Philadelphia on a downward spiral which ended four years later. A brief NHL comeback in 2003-04 with Minnesota lasted a season.

In all fairness, Daigle did total 327 NHL points, but that's not the point. His build-up led to a colossal letdown. And, as far as his wisecrack about nobody remembering No. 2, it so happened to be Chris Pronger, a future Hall of Famer.

Which is a roundabout way of saying Alexandre Daigle is my choice as the "Worst No. 1 Draft Choice."

Forgettable, yet unforgettable.

The NHL draft weekend is when trade activity involving established players usually occurs.

Here's a brief look at the notable trade candidates heading into this year's draft. 

Noah Dobson, New York Islanders: Ethan Sears of the New York PostreportsIslanders GM Mathieu Darche hasn't pivoted from trying to re-sign Dobson to trading him. Nevertheless, a recent report claiming the 25-year-old defenseman seeks an $11-million cap hit on his next contract has stoked some trade speculation. The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner said there's word the St. Louis Blues poked around about Dobson, while The Athletic's Chris Johnston claimed the Montreal Canadiens are among the interested teams as well. 

Bowen Byram, Buffalo Sabres: The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington believes the 24-year-old defenseman could be shopped for a top-six forward to replace recently traded right winger JJ Peterka. He's an RFA with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.85 million. TSN's Darren Dreger suggests the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche could have him on their radar.

Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues: Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatchcited Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli putting the 26-year-old right winger at No. 2 on his trade targets list. He acknowledged Kyrou's value to the Blues but indicated his trade value has never been higher. The Hockey News' Michael DeRosa also notes Kyrou's no-trade clause begins on July 1 and lasts through 2029-30. The Blues are deep on the wing but need help at center.

Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins: Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports the 35-year-old defenseman is open to waiving his no-movement clause for a contender. However, his hefty contract (including a $5-million signing bonus due July 1) remains a significant sticking point. THN.com's Kelsey Surmacz also noted the Penguins are already thin on their blueline.

Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars: Conflicting reports in recent weeks claim the Stars are entertaining trade offers or have no plans to move the 25-year-old left winger. After re-signing Jamie Benn, the Stars have less than $1 million in cap space, which could make Robertson a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames: Recent contract extension talks between the two sides reportedly didn't go well. RG.Org's Marco D'Amico reports the Flames are taking trade calls about Andersson. The 28-year-old defenseman is a year away from UFA eligibility. D'Amico listed the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Canadiens and Boston Bruins among the potential suitors.

K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers: The 25-year-old defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights, but he's also been a fixture in the rumor mill since the Rangers' season ended in April. The latest speculation linked Miller to the Blue Jackets, who could use a left-side defenseman if Ivan Provorov heads to free agency on July 1.

Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton Oilers: The 32-year-old right winger has a year on his contract with an average annual value of $4.4 million and a full no-movement clause. However, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports his agent is working with the Oilers to find a suitable trade destination as the club seeks to free up more cap space.

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Insider reports suggest New York has narrowed down Noah Dobson sweepstakes to Montreal and Columbus

We expected some fireworks on draft day this year and it looks like we're about to get a massive move with the New York Islanders reportedly down to two suitors in a potential deal for defenceman Noah Dobson. 

Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) on XNew, for @TheAthletic: Sources say the Noah Dobson sweepstakes is down to two teams ... Montreal and Columbus ... with a deal expected to come together soon 🔗⬇️ https://t.co/zPjwPPv4GR https://t.co/zPjwPPv4GR

We had been hearing lots of rumors over the past few days as to who would land the 25-year-old Summerside native with the final two teams being the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets.

David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) on XColumbus and Montreal have been discussing their first rounders with teams. Habs have picks 16+17, Blue Jackets have picks 14+20. If a team trades one or both, a roster player may join the package. Voronkov may be in play from CBJ end.

The deal could be huge for betting markets as one of the two teams will land a former 70-point producer at one point and could elevate a squad into playoff contention. This also opens the door for the Islanders to potentially trade up and draft their hometown kid James Hagens out of Boston College.

Montreal made the postseason this past year and with the addition of a player like Dobson, we could easily pencil them in to be playoff contenders once again. Columbus appeared to be a playoff team early in the season with a late season slide taking them out of the running. 

The Blue Jackets with Dobson would certainly be in the playoff picture and could make them a great value bet to make the playoffs. 

More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2003-2008 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2009-2016

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 2017-2021 

2022: Joakim Kemell (forward, 17th overall) 

With the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Predators selected the second-best European skater in the class, Finnish forward Joakim Kemell. 

He played for JYP Jyväskylä in the Finnish Elite League during his draft year, scoring 23 points in 39 games. Kemell also played for Finland at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring 12 points in seven games and winning a Silver Medal. 

After being drafted, Kemell returned to JYP Jyväskylä, where he recorded 15 points in 43 games. He'd later join the Admirals toward the tail end of the season, scoring 14 points in 13 games. 

Since arriving in North America, Kemell has made significant progress and has become one of the Admirals' top producers. This past season, he had 40 points in 65 games and eight points in 10 playoff games. 

It was the second straight season in which Kemell registered 40+ points in Milwaukee. He also made his debut with the Predators last season, appearing in two games. 

Based on Kemell's progress, this could really be a breakout year for the forward and he could possibly earn a full-time spot in Nashville. 

2023: Matthew Wood (forward, 15th overall) 

Matthew Wood was greeted by an ovation from fans as he was selected by the 2023 NHL Draft host, the Nashville Predators, when he was selected 15th overall. 

At 6-foot-5-inches and 205 pounds from the University of Connecticut, which sounds more like an NBA lineup announcement, Wood scored 34 points in 35 games in his first collegiate season.

He'd spend two more years in the NCAA, playing with the Huskies for the 2023-24 season and scoring 28 points in 35 games. He transferred to the University of Minnesota for the 2024-25 season, recording 39 points in 39 games. 

Wood also made his Predators debut last season, recording one point in six games. 

Wood has been putting up consistent, strong numbers over the last three years in the NCAA. It'll be interesting to see if he can translate that play in a longer professional campaign next year, whether that be with Nashville or Milwaukee. 

2023: Tanner Molendyk (defenseman, 24th overall) 

A trade with the Edmonton Oilers in February 2023, sending Mattias Ekholm and a sixth-round pick to the Oilers for a first-round pick, a fourth-round pick, Tyson Barrie and Reid Schaefer, gave Nashville Tanner Molendyk at 24th overall. 

Molendyk sold himself as an offensively minded defenseman, scoring 37 points in 67 games with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League. He'd return to the Blades for the 2023-24 season, netting an impressive 56 points in 50 games.

This past season, he was traded from Saskatoon to the Medicine Hat Tigers. His production didn't fall off as he scored a combined 47 points in 49 games in the regular season. In the playoffs, he scored 20 points in 18 games, won the WHL Championship, and advanced all the way to the Memorial Cup Final. 

Exhausting his junior eligibility, this is going to be a big year for Molendyk, arriving in the Predators system. He's proven to be a force in juniors, and if he can translate his game to the professional level, the sky is the limit for Molendyk. 

2024: Yegor Surin (center, 22nd overall) 

The future is slowly falling into place for the Predators after four strong first-round picks, capped off by Russian center Yegor Surin in 2024. 

Selected 22nd overall, Surin spent the majority of his draft year with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv's junior team, scoring 52 points in 42 games and logging 108 penalty minutes.

With a 6-foot-2-inch, 198-pound build, he could be the center the Predators have been looking for. 

He returned to Russia this season and played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv's KHL team, achieving tremendous success. Surin scored 14 points in 41 regular season games, seven points in 19 games and won the Gagarin Cup at just 18 years old. 

Surin still has one year left on his contract with Lokomotiv, which is set to expire on May 31, 2026. 

The 2025 NHL Draft is just hours away, and Don Waddell holds two first-round picks. He prefers not to use them and to instead trade them to improve his team, so what will he do? 

Another day, another rumor, and they won't stop until this is over. 

RG.org's Marco D'Amico reports that the CBJ are not only interested in Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but have "been in on him for a while now," and that "it goes back to the trade deadline. He’s one of a few guys I know Don is following up on.”

D’Amico also says that Waddell is pushing hard for Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson, but Elliotte Friedman says the Jackets won't be players for Dobson. 

Waddell told the media yesterday that he's had trade talks with a few teams and could move up 8th or higher range. He said yesterday, “We’ll make our hockey club better for today, but we’ve also got to guard the future. So, if we end up keeping both (first-round) picks and picking them, then we’ll get players for the future. I’m still pretty confident there’s something that’s going to break here before the draft, and if it happens, great. If it doesn’t, we’ll move forward."

One of D'Amico's sources also told him, “It’s no secret that Don wants to improve his goaltending. I know they’ve talked to the Canucks about [Thatcher] Demko before, but it seems like the Canucks may sign him to an extension. So what about [Arturs] Šilovs?"

The Canucks have a goalie problem of their own in that they have too many, so why not use one as trade bait? I suspect Šilovs is off the table, so would Waddel pursue Thatcher Demko? The American goaltender has had some injury concerns, but could still be a really good goalie. 

Kevin Lankinen probably isn't going anywhere either. 

With all this goalie talk, Waddell still has one problem - What to do with Elvis Merzļikins? That's the $5.4 million question. 

If you follow the Columbus Blue Jackets, get ready for the next two days as the moves could make your head spin. 

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Blue Jackets Acquire Brendan Gaunce From WildThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have acquired Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild today in exchange for forward Cameron Butler.  Daniil Tarasov Traded To Florida PanthersPierre LeBrun has reported that goalie Daniil Tarasov has been traded to the Florida Panthers today.  REPORT: NHL, NHLPA Set To Announce New CBA On FridayIf you're an old NHL fan like me, when CBA's are brought up, it immediately gives me anxiety. In 2004, an NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of the entire season, which revolved around a salary cap. That lockout is the reason the Blue Jackets are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 25-26, instead of last season.  Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 NHL Mock DraftWelcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Mock Draft.

Florida Panthers pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) Aaron Ekblad remains without a contract extension, with July 1 rapidly approaching. If this does not change by then, he will become a UFA and would be an incredibly popular target around the league. 

In a recent episode of TSN Insider Trading, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said that he believes Aaron Ekblad is the Panthers' pending UFA most likely to test the market on July 1. In addition, he named the Utah Mammoth and Dallas Stars as two teams who could sign him if he becomes available. 

"Aaron Ekblad, I think, is the pending UFA that ends up going to market," LeBrun said. "I'm not saying that 100%, but that's where signs are right now. Terms has been an issue there. Potential landing spots in Utah and Dallas, depending on what those teams do on the trade market."

 

INSIDER TRADING…

- Isles listening on Dobson
- Panthers make offers to top 3 UFAs
- Could Byram be next out of BUF?
- Leafs inching towards Tavares extension
- VGK aggressively looking to add
- Latest on Stars
- Boeser player of interest to Jets

WATCH: https://t.co/2SsBM6zxY3pic.twitter.com/cOdvYFEzgq

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 26, 2025

The Mammoth pursuing Ekblad would certainly make a lot of sense. They are a club on the rise, looking to get into the playoffs, and they recently traded right-shot defenseman Michael Kesselring to the Buffalo Sabres in the JJ Peterka trade. Thus, they could use another top-four, right-shot defenseman. If Ekblad signed in Utah, he would instantly become their top right-shot blueliner. 

The Stars being interested in Ekblad would also be understandable, as it is no secret that the right side of their defense is their biggest weakness right now. However, they also have very little cap space, so they would need to move out some salary to have any chance of bringing in a star blueliner like Ekblad. 

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The Buffalo Sabres pulled off the first of what is expected to be a series of trades early Thursday morning, swapping restricted free agent winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but going into NHL Draft day on Friday, GM Kevyn Adams is focused on fielding offers for RFA defenseman Bowen Byram

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the Vegas Golden Knights have interest in Byram, who have questions on the blueline due to the injury status of Alex Pietrangelo and RFA blueliner Nicolas Hague, but the Golden Knights may have to do some cap cutting by trading players if they want to add Byram and be in the bidding war for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner.  

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Friedman indicated that the market for Byram had been not as brisk as the Sabres would have liked. The 23-year-old is a top pairing caliber defenseman who can rush the puck. That could be because as an RFA, a club trading for Byram would not only have to trade NHL players to acquire him (which is what Buffalo is looking for in return), and would have to sign him to a long-term extension for significant dollars. 

Sabres winger Alex Tuch’s name has been speculated on, but Friedman said that Buffalo is looking to extend the veteran forward when he becomes eligible on July 1. He also mentioned that Buffalo may have inquired about two-time Stanley Cup winner Bryan Rust, who reportedly is being shopped by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 33-year-old scored a career-high 31 goals last season for the Pens, does not have any no-trade protection, and is signed for three more years at $5.125 million per season.  

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