In the run-up to the draft, which is scheduled for Friday night and Saturday, there are plenty of draft-centric articles in every outlet and plenty of content posted on social media as well. Yesterday, on one of the NHL social media accounts, there was a post about a 2020 redraft, and the Canadiens’ pick that year did very well.

In 2020, the Montreal Canadiens had the 16th overall pick, and they selected blueliner Kaiden Guhle. Now, five years later, they’ve locked Guhle up to a six-year contract with a $5.55 AAV. He’s the only defenseman Kent Hughes has identified as part of his young core so far, or at least the only one he has signed long term. There is no doubt that the Canadiens’ GM will try to sign Lane Hutson long term, and there are also rumblings about a potential contract extension for Mike Matheson.

The Canadiens Had Moved On From Zegras
Canadiens: Bob McKenzie Final Draft Ranking Is In…
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In 169 NHL games, Guhle has put up 58 points and 130 penalty minutes, but the defensive side of his game has made a difference for the Habs. This season, in 55 games, he has recorded 104 hits for a 1.89 hits-per-game average (seventh on the team) and blocked 124 shots for a 2.25 hits-per-game average (third on the team). If he played a full season, he would have been much higher.

In it’s redraft, the NHL puts Tim Stutzle as the first overall pick (he was initially picked third), Lucas Raymond as the second (fourth at the draft), Jake Sanderson as the third (fifth overall in 2020), Seth Jarvis in fourth (selected initially at number 13), Brock Faber in fifth place (he was picked at 45th), Quinton Byfield in sixth place (he was initially second), Anton Lundell in seventh place (picked 12th overall), Alexis Lafreniere in eight place (original first-overall pick), JJ Peterka in ninth place (selected initially 34th overall), and Kaiden Guhle in 10th place (he was originally selected at 16th overall).

Kaiden Guhle going from 16th overall to 10th overall in the NHL 2020 redraft #GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/66kIXxw08G

— Karine Hains (@KarineHains) June 24, 2025

Guhle’s selection that year was a homerun for the Canadiens, but the fact that some of these guys fell in the second round goes to show how hard it is to evaluate young talents and project yourself into the future.

Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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The Pittsburgh Penguins will now officially have two first-round picks for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. 

According to the New York Post's Larry Brooks, the Rangers are sending the 12th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to the Penguins instead of their 2026 first-round pick. 

Breaking: Rangers have notifed the NHL that they are sending this year's 12th overall first-rounder to Pittsburgh to complete the JT Miller deal instead of deferring the transfer to 2026, Post has learned.

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) June 24, 2025

The Rangers owed the Penguins a first-round pick due to multiple trades. The Rangers first traded a conditional first-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks to acquire J.T. Miller. From there, the Canucks quickly traded the Rangers' first-round pick to the Penguins in the deal that sent Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor to Vancouver.

Now, the Penguins know that they will be receiving the Rangers' 2025 first-round pick instead of next year's. With this, the Penguins now have both the 11th overall and 12th overall picks for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. 

While next year's draft class is deeper than this year's, the Penguins should be happy about landing another good first-round pick in the top 15. It will be intriguing to see what they end up doing with it from here. 

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Recent speculations suggest Mitch Marner might consider signing a short-term contract instead of a long-term deal. 

The 28-year-old right winger has completed a six-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is expected to test the UFA market on July 1.

With the salary cap expected to rise significantly in the coming years, James Mirtle of The Athletic suggested stars like Marner and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid could prefer short-term contracts, enabling them to cash in again under a higher salary cap while still in their playing prime. 

Mirtle's colleague Pierre LeBrun reported the “rumor de jour” had Marner signing a two-year contract between $12 million and $13 million. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported he'd received pushback on his suggestion that soon-to-be former Maple Leaf might accept a short-term deal.

As for potential suitors, Friedman recently observed recent conjecture suggesting the Vegas Golden Knightscould be the team to beat for Marner's services.

Speaking of UFA forwards, Sam Bennett raised a stir last week when he told Florida partygoers that he's not leaving the Panthers. His remarks gave the impression that the 29-year-old Conn Smythe Trophy winner had a contract extension in place. 

Bennett has completed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.425 million. His gritty two-way style played a significant role in the Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, which would make him the top center available if he goes to market on July 1. 

However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that sources say the brakes are being pumped on the extension talk. While he thinks Bennett wouldn't have made that announcement if he didn't know how negotiations are going, there has been no agreement. As of this writing, that remains the case. 

Meanwhile, the ongoing contract stalemate between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the 23-year-old center a fixture of late in the NHL rumor mill. 

The Hockey News’ Dylan Loucks recently cited The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reporting the Vancouver Canucks were among the clubs interested in Rossi. On June 19, LeBrun's colleague Michael Russo and Joe Smith indicated the Canucks may have offered up their first-round pick (15th overall) in the upcoming NHL draft.

Patrick Johnston of The Province cited a source confirming the Canucks pitched their first-rounder along with a player, though it's uncertain if it was a roster player or prospect. 

The Canucks must do better than that to land the Minnesota center. Russo and Smith claim Wild GM Bill Guerin wants a player who can replace Rossi's production, saying he'd prefer a center but would also accept a scoring winger. They noted the Wild have been linked to JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. 

Guerin downplayed the speculation, telling a local network that his club isn't dying to trade Rossi. He praised the youngster, but added that the Wild are trying to sign him to a deal that fits their price range.

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While speaking to reporters, including St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Matthew DeFranks, St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong shared that prospect defenseman Theo Lindstein will play in North America next season. 

Doug Armstrong said that Swedish defenseman prospect Theo Lindstein would be making the jump to North America this fall.

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) June 23, 2025

Lindstein, 20, has been developing his game in Sweden, but he is now ready to begin his North American professional career. The 6-foot defenseman may need to spend some time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Springfield Thunderbirds before making the jump to the NHL level. However, there is no question that his future is bright. 

Lindstein spent the entirety of this season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Brynas IF. In 44 games with the SHL squad, he recorded four goals, nine points, and a plus-9 rating. He also posted two goals and five points in 17 playoff games this season.

Lindstein was selected by the Blues with the 29th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He is one of the Blues' most promising prospects, and it will be fascinating to see how he performs during his first season in North America in 2025-26 from here. 

Blues Take Fascinating Defenseman In New Mock DraftBarring any changes, the St. Louis Blues will be selecting 19th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The Blues will certainly be hoping to hit with this pick, especially when noting that they won't select again after it until the fifth round.

Photo Credit:  © Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

It’s good to be a Tkachuk these days.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, along with his brother Matthew, were just named as two of the six players for the Team USA preliminary roster for the Olympics. Brady and the Senators finally snapped an eight-year playoff drought, and then he joined his brother, Matthew, as he celebrated his second straight Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last week.

Now it's summer, and time to kick back and just be young guys in their 20s (who happen to multi-millionaires).

Their father, Keith Tkachuk, also did pretty well for himself in hockey, playing 18 years in the league. He’s still enjoying the game these days, not quite so involved anymore, happily cheering on his boys and savouring their NHL successes. He was down at ice level for another Cup celebration in Sunrise last week, hugging it up with the family and posing for photos.

But we were reminded of Keith's excellence as a player last year when he was named to the St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame, alongside the late Pavol Demitra, a former Senator, and goalie Mike Liut, as part of the 2024 class.

With all that family hockey success, it’s becoming harder to ignore the one glaring omission from the family’s legacy: Keith Tkachuk still isn’t in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Will he get the call on Tuesday?

Lanny McDonald, the chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame board, and Ron Francis, the chair of the Selection Committee, will reveal the Class of 2025 at 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon (June 24).

Keith finished his NHL career with 538 goals, the second most of any eligible player not currently in the Hall (Patrick Marleau has the most at 566). That number places him among the top 35 goal scorers in league history, ahead of multiple Hall of Famers. He was a five-time NHL All-Star, captained the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotesen seasons, and became only the fourth American-born player to hit the 500-goal mark.

500 goals is one of those incredible individual milestones that should, with very few exceptions, make you an automatic member of the Hall of Fame. After Jeremy Roenick went in last year, Tkachuk, Marleau, Pat Verbeek, and Peter Bondra are the only members of the 500 club on the outside looking in.

Last season, the Blues inducted him into their Hall of Fame, a nod to the nine seasons he spent in St. Louis, mentoring young players and providing the same kind of leadership his sons now bring to their own clubs. Just like dad, Brady is hard-nosed, emotional, skilled, and (insert expletive here) impossible to play against.

While Brady and Matthew continue to thrive, probably bound for the Hall themselves in 15 years or so, the elder Tkachuk remains on the outside when it comes to hockey’s ultimate individual honour.

It’s about time that changed.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Banner image credit: Scott Rovak-Imagn Images

More Sens Headlines at The Hockey News:

Bonus Round: Claude Giroux’s Contract Talks In Ottawa Coming Down To The Wire
Would Kings Defenceman Jordan Spence Be A Fit With The Senators?
Should The Senators Have Surrendered This Year's First-Round Draft Pick Instead?
Senators Bring Back First-Rounder For Second Tour Of Duty
Rewriting The Draft: A Decade Of First-Round 'What-Ifs' for the Senators
Potential First-Round Draft Targets For The Ottawa Senators: Defenceman Blake Fiddler

The Abbotsford Canucks — AHL affiliates of the Vancouver Canucks — captured their first Calder Cup in franchise history Monday night, defeating the Charlotte Checkers in six games.

The Canucks had a trio of former Hurricanes, either on the roster or on the staff, who now will have their names in the history books.

Let's take a look at those three:

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Phil Di Giuseppe

Drafted in the second round of the 2012 NHL entry draft by the Canes (the forward was actually the team's first pick that year as they had traded away their first to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Jordan Staal), Di Giuseppe would appear in 147 games with the Hurricanes and would play for the organization from 2014-2018.

Di Giuseppe made his NHL debut with the Canes on Dec. 5, 2015 and would score his first career goal on Dec. 8 in Dallas.

In 2019, he was claimed off of waivers by the Nashville Predators. He then played two seasons within the New York Rangers' organization and has spent the last three years in the Vancouver Canucks' organization.

Di Giuseppe had six goals and 11 points in 24 games this AHL postseason.

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Manny Malhotra

A first-year head coach with the Abbotsford Canucks, Malhotra joined the Hurricanes organization in 2013.

The veteran centerman was coming off of a major eye injury that had required multiple surgeries and left him with permanent vision impairment and it looked like his career was practically over, but he was still committed to playing and Jim Rutherford and Carolina gave him a chance.

The Canes worked out a deal with the two-way, faceoff specialist to have him start on a PTO with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL while he was tested by team doctors and having his physical ability was assessed, before ultimately deciding to sign him to a one-year deal.

Malhotra would play in 69 games that season, scoring seven goals and picking up 13 points, while also rocking a 59.5% faceoff win rate.

The veteran was also named an alternate captain after Tim Gleason was traded mid-season.

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Justin Pogge

Abbotsford goaltending coach Justin Pogge had a brief stint with the Hurricanes organization over a decade ago.

He was traded to Carolina along with a 2010 fourth-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Aaron Ward.

He would play four games for the Albany River Rats in 2010 and then played in the Charlotte Checkers inaugural season after the relocation in 2010-11, posting a 22-18-4 record that year with a 0.907 save percentage.

The journeyman goaltender may not have had a long professional career in North America, playing in just 254 AHL games and seven NHL games, but he did travel the world, playing in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia and Russia too.

He took up coaching in 2022-23, serving as a consultant for Team Canada and eventually coaching the U18 and World Cup teams as well.

This was his first season coaching on an actual team's staff.

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Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Manny Malhotra, head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, won the Calder Cup last night by defeating the Charlotte Checkers in six games.

The Canucks finished the regular with a 44-24-2-2 record, which was good enough for second in the Pacific Division. Abbotsford beat Tucson, Coachella Valley, Colorado, and Texas before beating Charlotte in the Final.

Manny was hired by Abbotsford in May of 2024 after spending a few seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs Organization.

Malhotra played 344 of his 991 career NHL games with Columbus. He scored 53 goals and totaled 145 points for the Jackets. Two months into the 2015–16 season, Malhotra signed a professional try-out contract with the Lake Erie Monsters on December 3, 2015. He played in 23 games and had six points. He was drafted 7th overall by the New York Rangers in 1998.

Congrats to Manny Malhotra and the Abbotsford Canucks on their Calder Cup Championship.

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Former Blue Jackets Draft Pick And Calder Cup Champion Signs In EuropeAnother former Blue Jacket has found a new home in Europe.  2025 NHL Draft Order Officially ReleasedThe 2025 NHL Draft is this Friday, and the Blue Jacket picks are official.  Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Draft Target: Cameron ReidWe are officially four days away from the 2025 NHL Draft and there are no shortage of news and rumors. Today, we saw Trevor Zegras be dealt to the Anaheim Ducks and it seems like there could be more moves like that happening over the next few days. The Columbus Blue Jackets could find themselves dipping into the trade market as well as we lead up to the draft. There are some reports suggesting that they are willing to part with one of their first round picks to make the team better now.

On Monday morning, the Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Ryan Peohling, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

Moving on from Zegras after a pair of injury-riddled seasons that followed two 60-plus point seasons to start his career was a bold and divisive move by Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, and one that has a likelihood of reflecting poor asset management.

Ducks Trade Trevor Zegras to the Flyers

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on Trevor Zegras-Ryan Poehling Trade

A Timeline of Trevor Zegras' Tenure with the Anaheim Ducks

However, the Ducks did acquire a piece in the trade that fills a significant need within their depth chart and that provides a more suitable fit to what Verbeek is building in Anaheim.

"The big thing is we're trying to retool the roster in a way that all the pieces fit cohesively, where you have different players on different lines that complement each other," Verbeek told media following the trade.
"So, I think from that aspect, that's ultimately the decision that we came to, just kind of reshaping and retooling our roster."

Before Monday’s trade, the Ducks had $32.19 million in cap space and a need for a true two-way middle-six center who could provide depth offense, absorb difficult matchups, and boost the NHL’s 29th-ranked penalty kill.

Poehling (26) is on the lower end of the middle-six center spectrum, perhaps closer to the label of a bubble top-nine center, but he does provide what the Ducks were missing down the middle of their depth chart.

"Ryan's 6-foot-2, he's 215 pounds. He has really good speed and, as I had mentioned before, (improving) some of the special teams, Ryan is the No. 1 guy that goes over (the boards) for the Flyers on a penalty kill, and (we're) looking to improve in that area," Verbeek said.
"He is certainly going to add speed and he's going to add penalty-killing ability for our roster. I'm trying to shore up certain aspects of our special teams play, players who can do a good job there."

Career to Date

Poehling is a former first-round draft pick (25th overall in 2017) of the Montreal Canadiens out of St. Cloud State University and the USNTDP. He played three seasons in the NCAA between 2016 and 2019, tallying 13 (7-6=13) points in 35 games as a freshman, 31 points (14-17=31) in 36 games as a sophomore, and 31 points (8-23=31) in 36 games as a junior.

He signed his ELC in the offseason before the 2019-20 season and split his time that year between the AHL, where he scored 13 points (5-8=13) in 36 games for the Laval Rocket, and NHL, where he scored two points in 27 games for the Habs.

He spent the entirety of the 2020-21 season in the AHL, producing at a near point-per-game level with 25 points (11-14=25) in 28 games before suffering a wrist injury that required surgery, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

He played a total of 85 games for the Habs throughout his first three NHL seasons, totaling 22 points (13-9=22) before he was traded along with Jeff Petry to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2023 fourth-round pick and Mike Matheson.

Poehling played one season with the Pens and scored 14 points (7-7=14) in 53 games, but wasn’t extended a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023.

The Philadelphia Flyers inked him to a one-year contract with an AAV of $1.4 million on July 1, 2023, and extended him to a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.9 million on Jan. 26, 2024.

In his two seasons on the Flyers, he assumed a third-line center role, produced 59 points (23-36=59) in 145 games, and was their second-most utilized forward on the penalty kill (235:16 TOI).

On-Ice Impact

Poehling has the makeup of a positively impactful two-way center who has prioritized the defensive side of the puck to this point in his career, and who hasn’t seen the offense fully click at the NHL level in his four full NHL seasons.

His skating stride isn’t technically perfect, but it doesn’t hinder his explosion, four-way mobility, or ability to cover vast amounts of ice. He’s tenacious on the forecheck and backcheck, displaying proper angling and sealing techniques with a disruptive stick, and he’s astute in defensive zone coverage.

An underrated aspect of his game is his ability to transition. He displays proper puck-supporting routes as pucks move throughout the defensive zone on breakouts, is confident and decisive with the puck on his stick, and makes smart decisions upon entry when the blueline is afforded. He makes deft connecting plays in the neutral zone and does well to present himself as a passing option. With a tad more effectiveness at the critical moments of a developing play, he could easily uncover another layer to his offensive production.

Poehling will likely never produce at a 50-plus point level consistently, but with his skill, 40 points per season is within reason, a decent output for a two-way third-line center behind an offensive duo of Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson in the top six.

Poehling has one year remaining on his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent upon expiry. If the fit in Anaheim is seamless, he could earn an extension and a stable roster spot as a bottom-six center for the foreseeable future.

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Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

While it was reported that the Montreal Canadiens had interest in Trevor Zegras some time ago, including at last year’s draft, GM Kent Hughes had since moved on from the former Anaheim Ducks player. The former ninth overall pick at the 2019 draft was once a promising prospect who oozed talent, but injuries have plagued his last two seasons, and he didn’t progress as expected, posting 15 points in 31 games in 2023-24 and 32 points in 57 games this past season.

When the Canadiens were interested in Zegras, they were drawn to his pure offensive skills and talent. However, after selecting Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage at the 2024 draft, their interest shifted elsewhere. It’s not that a team can have too much offensive talent, but you build a contender by carefully putting together an ensemble cast with complementary skills. The best example is probably the current champions, the Florida Panthers, who have found that balance. In contrast, the runner-up, the Edmonton Oilers, are still struggling to surround the best player in the world with the right pieces to take that last step.

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Canadiens: Bob McKenzie Final Draft Ranking Is In…

Speaking to the media after the trade, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek indicated that Zegras wanted to play center. Still, they saw him more as a winger, and they already had their top two centers in Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish. This made Zegras surplus to requirements, and while the return obtained may seem underwhelming, it simply reflects how much his value had declined.

To land Zegras, the Philadelphia Flyers only had to give former Canadiens player Ryan Poehling, the 45th pick at Friday’s draft, and a 2026 fourth-round draft pick. The pivot who was drafted 25th overall by the Canadiens at the 2017 draft and has since become a good depth center after being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Jeff Petry trade that landed the Canadiens Mike Matheson. He then signed with the Flyers as a free agent and posted 28 points in 77 games during the 2023-24 season and 31 points in 68 games this past season. His last two years have been more productive than Zegras's, and his style of play is more fitting for the Ducks’ needs at center.

For those who are lamenting the fact that it wouldn’t have been costly for the Canadiens to roll the dice on Zegras, you can be glad that Montreal is not in that stage anymore. At this stage of their rebuild, the Habs have more precise needs, they’re no longer seeing what raw assets they can acquire and foster as part of their foundation. They now know that they need and a player like Zegras just isn’t it.

At 6-foot and 185 pounds, he wouldn’t help address the Canadiens’ need for a big forward who can provide some physicality. If the playoffs taught us one thing, it’s that the Canadiens need more size and players who can handle the physical toll of the postseason. Players who can go to the dirty areas and establish a physical presence. Cole Caufield might have become less of a perimeter player, but he is still just 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, try as he may, he remains easy to move off the puck in heavy traffic, he doesn’t have the big frame to protect the puck in those areas.

There’s no guarantee the Canadiens will be able to address that need through a trade or on the free agency market this Summer, but Hughes will try and to do that, he needs to target the right players. Forget about Mason McTavish, Verbeek’s chat with the media made it clear yesterday that he’s not going anywhere.

The top six players, especially centers, are tough to acquire when you don’t draft them. Hughes did try when he traded for Kirby Dach, believing in his potential, and so far, the 6-foot-4 and 221-pound pivot hasn’t lived up to it. At his end-of-season press conference, the Canadiens’ GM stopped short of saying that this upcoming season would be the big center’s last chance, but he did say it would be a crucial season for him.

Insane goal from 2019 Draft eligible Kirby Dach. No idea why people have him dropping... top 5 talent pic.twitter.com/XgCty1hAqm

— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) April 8, 2019

If Dach was to show up to camp in fine form and find the form he was showing before suffering a knee injury in the second game of the 2022-23 season, he could a fantastic internal answer to the Canadiens’ need. He would however need to find a way to remain healthy, which has proven tricky for him since the start of his career. He has never played a full 82-game season, the most he has played in one campaign is 70 games and that was back in 2021-22.

In other words, Dach could be the solution, but there are a lot of ifs and buts there. When the puck drops on the new season, he will be entering the final year of the four-year contract he signed shortly after being traded to Montreal. That deal has a $3,362,500 AAV and once it’s up, he will be a RFA. So far, he’s not done anything to show he would deserve a significant raise or a long-term contract as a part of the Canadiens’ young core. The 24-year-old needs a big year and the Canadiens also need a big year from him.

Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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Another former Blue Jacket has found a new home in Europe. 

Former 2013 2nd round draft pick Dillon Heatherington has signed with EHC München of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga based out of Munich, Germany.

Per a EHC München press release, Christian Winkler, Managing Director Sports at Red Bull Ice Hockey: "Dillon is a player we've had on our radar for several years. He's characterized by his absolute dedication to the team and leadership qualities. He enjoys playing where things can get tough: in the corners and in front of the goal. Dillon comes to Munich highly motivated. 

In the same press release Heatherington says, "Red Bull Munich is a top-notch organization recognized worldwide. They treat everyone with great respect, which is certainly exceptional. I can't wait to get to Munich and meet my new teammates, the organization's staff, and the fans. I want to settle in quickly and get to know the city and Munich culture. The goal, of course, is to win every game. I want to quickly do my part and help us grow together as a team and improve throughout the season. I'm really looking forward to this new chapter."

Heatherington never played a game for Columbus and made his NHL debut for the Dallas Stars after he was traded on March 1, 2017, for forward Lauri Korpikoski. He's played 23 NHL games and has two points. 

Heatherington also played three years for the Jackets AHL affiliate, Springfield Falcons, Lake Erie Monsters, and then the Cleveland Monsters. In total, he played 104 games in the AHL for Columbus, scoring 4 goals and totaling 22 points. He also helped the Monsters win the Calder Cup in 2016 by playing in 15 games. 

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2025 NHL Draft Order Officially ReleasedThe 2025 NHL Draft is this Friday, and the Blue Jacket picks are official.  Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Draft Target: Cameron ReidWe are officially four days away from the 2025 NHL Draft and there are no shortage of news and rumors. Today, we saw Trevor Zegras be dealt to the Anaheim Ducks and it seems like there could be more moves like that happening over the next few days. The Columbus Blue Jackets could find themselves dipping into the trade market as well as we lead up to the draft. There are some reports suggesting that they are willing to part with one of their first round picks to make the team better now. On This Day: In 2014 & 2017, The Blue Jackets Make Two Huge TradesOn June 23, 2014, and June 23, 2017, Jarmo Kekäläinen made two massive trades that would reshape the Blue Jackets franchise. In 2011, the Jackets also made another trade that would turn out to be the worst in CBJ history. 

Sharks legend Joe Thornton inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After years of dominating on the ice, a Sharks legends will enter hockey’s most prestigious club.

It was announced Tuesday that Joe Thornton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Joe Thornton.#HHOF2025 | #HHOFpic.twitter.com/2RzNNlmwtI

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) June 24, 2025

Thornton spent 15 seasons in San Jose from 2005 to 2020, helping usher in Northern California’s golden era of hockey that featured the Sharks consistently among the NHL’s most successful franchises over that span.

Thornton, fondly known by hockey fans as “Jumbo,” joined the Sharks during a blockbuster midseason trade with the Boston Bruins during the 2005-06 NHL season.

Thornton wasted no time making an impression on his new fanbase, taking home the prestigious Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player, during his first season in San Jose.

“Jumbo” would go on to become a franchise icon, with his infectious joy and unmistakable smile forever synonymous with his status as one of the most beloved players to ever don a Sharks sweater.

Thornton’s 1,539 career points rank 14th all time in NHL history, placing him in elite company as one of only 16 players ever to surpass the 1,500-point milestone. He also finished his illustrious 24-year career ranked top 10 all time in assists (seventh, 1,109) and regular-season games played (sixth, 1,714).

While Thornton’s playing days are over, his impact still can be felt on the franchise as he remains closely involved with the franchise, fittingly serving as a mentor for San Jose’s next crop of young stars.

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Sharks legend Joe Thornton inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After years of dominating on the ice, a Sharks legends will enter hockey’s most prestigious club.

It was announced Tuesday that Joe Thornton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Joe Thornton.#HHOF2025 | #HHOFpic.twitter.com/2RzNNlmwtI

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) June 24, 2025

Thornton spent 15 seasons in San Jose from 2005 to 2020, helping usher in Northern California’s golden era of hockey that featured the Sharks consistently among the NHL’s most successful franchises over that span.

Thornton, fondly known by hockey fans as “Jumbo,” joined the Sharks during a blockbuster midseason trade with the Boston Bruins during the 2005-06 NHL season.

Thornton wasted no time making an impression on his new fanbase, taking home the prestigious Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player, during his first season in San Jose.

“Jumbo” would go on to become a franchise icon, with his infectious joy and unmistakable smile forever synonymous with his status as one of the most beloved players to ever don a Sharks sweater.

Thornton’s 1,539 career points rank 14th all time in NHL history, placing him in elite company as one of only 16 players ever to surpass the 1,500-point milestone. He also finished his illustrious 24-year career ranked top 10 all time in assists (seventh, 1,109) and regular-season games played (sixth, 1,714).

While Thornton’s playing days are over, his impact still can be felt on the franchise as he remains closely involved with the franchise, fittingly serving as a mentor for San Jose’s next crop of young stars.

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There was a debate for a little bit as to who the New York Islanders should select No. 1 overall at the 2025 NHL Draft after the club won its first draft lottery since 2009.

But, since the draft combine, 17-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer has emerged as the clear-cut favorite. On Monday, TSN's Bob Mackenzie released his final draft rankings, citing that Schaefer is the unanimous No. 1 selection.

"The true testament to defenceman Matthew Schaefer’s prodigious talent and boundless potential as the undisputed No. 1 prospect in the NHL’s Class of 2025 can be found in the numbers. Not the goals or assists or points or penalty minutes or plus-minus or any analytics. Just look at his games played this season: 17 in the regular season for the OHL’s Erie Otters; two in the inaugural CHL-U.S. NTDP Prospects Challenge; and two for Team Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship. Twenty-one games in all. If, as expected, Schaefer is taken No. 1 overall by the New York Islanders at the NHL draft June 28 in Los Angeles, it will be unprecedented. That is, no No. 1 pick will have ever played so few games in his draft year as Schaefer."

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Mackenzie also projects that Long Island native James Hagens, who was the consesus No. 1 pick for a few years before falling a bit, will fall to the Boston Bruins at No. 7.

With 'prodigious talent and boundless potential,' Matthew Schaefer tops McKenzie's NHL Draft Ranking | TSNIf, as expected, Matthew Schaefer is taken No. 1 overall by the Islanders, it will be unprecedented. That is, no No. 1 pick will have ever played so few games in his draft year as Schaefer.

The 2025 NHL Draft begins at 7 PM ET on Friday. 

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PHTO: GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

On Monday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie released his final draft ranking. Unsurprisingly, Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Oters leads the way just ahead of Michael Misa and Porter Martone. Anton Frondell and Caleb Desnoyers complete the top five. But unless there is a significant coup by Kent Hughes before the first round kicks off on Friday night, all these players will be long gone from the board when the Montreal Canadiens make their first selection at 16th overall.

Who does the insider have at 16th overall? QMJHL product Justin Carbonneau. The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada player and Lévis native has had a great season, scoring 89 points in 62 games. Nick Bobrov attended many of his games, indicating that the Canadiens have at least some interest in the prospect.

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At the combine, the Canadiens met the young man and, speaking to TVA Sports’ journalist afterwards, the Quebecer confirmed it would be an honour for him to be the first Quebecer picked in the first round by the Canadiens since Louis Leblanc in 2009.

There has been some chatter about his body language on the ice and his decision to dismiss his agent via email, but given the talent displayed on the ice, I doubt they’d pass on him for that reason.

At 17th overall, the Windsor Spitfires center is Jack Nesbitt. At nearly 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 185 pounds, the left-shot pivot put up 64 points in 65 games this season in the OHL. He’s got the size and the compete level to impose himself physically, and he’s not afraid to get to the dirty areas and battle for pucks. This is the kind of player the Canadiens could need to make a longer appearance in the playoffs, even though he won’t be ready right away.

Of course, McKenzie’s list doesn’t mean things will unfold exactly that way, but the man has in-depth prospect knowledge and is generally well-informed. We’ll see on Friday night if things unfold as he believed they should.

Photo credit: Michael Augello

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2025 NHL mock draft roundup: Final No. 7 pick predictions for Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NHL Draft is of the utmost importance to the Boston Bruins.

They have the No. 7 overall pick — their highest first-round selection since 2011. If the Bruins keep the pick and don’t trade it, the position they need to target is center.

The Bruins were lucky to have a top-tier center tandem in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci for well over a decade. The franchise has been unable to draft a worthy replacement for either player, but that drought could end this year.

The 2025 draft class is loaded with quality centers. We might even see seven of them taken in the top 10 picks.

A talented wing such as Porter Martone or Victor Eklund could be enticing, but the Bruins desperately need a top-six center, and given how expensive that kind of player is to acquire via trade or free agency, the most effective way to get one is through the draft.

Which players should the Bruins consider with the No. 7 pick? Here’s a roundup of projections from recent expert mock drafts, including our own.

Nick Goss, NBC Sports Boston: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)

“It’s no secret the Bruins need a center. They haven’t drafted well at that position for a long time. Luckily for the B’s, they have a top 10 pick (their first since 2011) in a draft that’s loaded with quality centers.

O’Brien is the best center available at this point in Round 1. He has a really strong two-way skill set with the high-end offensive talent to consistently create scoring chances for himself and teammates. He tallied 66 assists in 66 games for Brantford last season.”

Kevin Sousa/Getty Images

Corey Pronman, The Athletic: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

“Despite their needs, I don’t think Boston is as hard pressed to take a center here as the organizations in front of them, in part because six centers in a row just got picked. I could see the Bruins lean toward winger Martone or defenseman Radim Mrtka for that reason but it wouldn’t surprise me as well if they took another center. McQueen, O’Brien and Hagens would all be possible fits here.”

Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

“Everyone I’ve talked to in the last week or so seems to think O’Brien/Martin/Hagens don’t get past the Flyers and Bruins at 6-7, and yet one of the top eight guys has to go outside the top seven. I’ve also heard the Bruins have looked into moving up. I do think it’s interesting that the Flyers and Bruins seem to like the same three guys and pick back-to-back, though, and Hagens just makes so much sense for the Bruins as that high-end piece to build around if he’s there.”

Lyle Richardson, Bleacher Report: Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgarden (Sweden)

“With only one natural right wing among their top 15 prospects, the Boston Bruins could use this opportunity to address that particular need. They could turn to Victor Eklund of the SHL’s Djurgårdens IF. NHL Central Scouting ranked him No. 2 among international skaters.

“Eklund is the younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund. The 5’11”, 170-pound Swede had 31 points in 42 games this season for Djurgårdens’ HockeyAllsvenskan squad, helping them earn promotion to the SHL alongside teammate and fellow NHL prospect Anton Frondell.

“NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale considers him to be the second-best right wing in this year’s draft. Corey Pronman praised Eklund’s speed and creativity, while Steven Ellis cited his playmaking and excellent shot. Eklund will likely spend next season with Djurgårdens IF, where he’ll garner valuable experience against SHL talent. He has the potential to become a top-six right wing for the Bruins.”

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Alex Daugherty, The Tennessean: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)

“The Bruins need to reload up the middle and O’Brien has the potential to be a top-six center that can lead the way. He had 98 points in 66 games with the Bulldogs last season.”

Sam Russell, Bleacher Nation: Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

“Martin is an accomplished two-way player and has solid defensive instincts. His game doesn’t involve any unnecessary risks and is good at cutting passing lanes in the neutral zone.”