Since being bought out by the Ducks in June 2019, Corey Perry has been to five of the last six Stanley Cup Finals with the Montréal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers. He is one Oilers win away from being in six of the last seven.

The Oilers have lost just twice in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after going down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. After winning four straight against the Kings, they easily dispatched the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. A series-opening loss to the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final has become merely a blip as the Oilers have rattled off three consecutive wins, with Perry scoring the game-winning tally in Game 4 on the power play.

Per NHL Public Relations, Perry’s goal, his sixth of the playoffs, is tied for the most by a player age 39 or older in a single postseason, matching Teemu Selanne (6 in 2011 with Anaheim), Mark Recchi (6 in 2010 with Boston), Ron Francis (6 in 2002 with Carolina) and Jean Béliveau (6 in 1971 with Montréal). Perry also became the fifth active player to score 60 career playoff goals, joining AlexOvechkin (77), Sidney Crosby (71), Evgeni Malkin (67) and Brad Marchand (60).

“We found a way after (Dallas tied it) to put one over the line and the power play came through tonight,” Perry said to reporters after the game.

Perry, who turned 40 a little under two weeks ago, isn’t just a long for the ride either. He’s been a valuable contributor, doubling his points total from last year’s run and tying his points total from his two previous postseason performances. Most of his ice time in this season’s playoffs has come alongside Leon Draisaitl and Oilers captain Connor McDavid. Unsurprisingly, the dynamic duo plus Perry are outshooting and outscoring opponents by a wide margin at 5-on-5.

Oilers' Corey Perry Is Their Big Playoff X-FactorEDMONTON – Every team has one.

He’s been a staple on the power play as well, pitching his tent in the five-foot area around the crease and doing his best to cause havoc for the opposing goaltender. Both of Perry’s points in the Game 4 win came on the power play.

It’s been 18 years since Perry lifted the Stanley Cup for the first (and only) time in celebration. He’s come agonizingly close to doing so on several occasions in the years since. The Oilers are looking to ensure he’ll have another chance to raise Lord Stanley once again.

Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) on X"It's one game at a time. And one period at a time. You can't look too far ahead." Corey Perry speaks with @GenePrincipe following his game winner in Game 4

Featured image caption: May 27, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) and center Connor McDavid (97) and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates a power play goal scored by Perry against the Dallas Stars during the second period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

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Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Wild Wednesday Rewind goes back to 1926, when Chicago's NHL team came to be.

With the help of a special guest, actor, comedian and Chicago's own Jeff Garlin, let's look at how the Chicago Blackhawks name came to be, including how the team was called the Black Hawks until the 1986-87 season.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media. And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.

Promo image credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is completing a four-year, $17.7-million contract.

Eligible for UFA status on July 1, the 28-year-old couldn't have picked a better time for a career season.

Bennett is coming off a career-best 51-point regular season. The versatile, agitating two-way center is also burnishing his reputation as a clutch post-season performer. He's tied with Mikko Rantanen for the lead among playoff goal-scorers with nine, putting himself among the favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy. 

Panthers management reportedly reopened contract extension talks with Bennett in March. He could be receptive to staying put, but could seek to double his current $4.425 million average annual value on his next contract. That could make him too expensive for the Panthers to retain.

Bennett would be the best center available if he tests the UFA market, where several clubs will bid for his services. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs might be among his suitors. Michael Traikos recently observed that the Leafs will have over $22 million in cap space if they don't re-sign pending UFA forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares. He recommends they use that cap space to pursue Bennett if he goes to market on July 1, a sentiment shared by Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. 

Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic believes Bennett would be the best UFA option for the St. Louis Blues to address their need for a second-line center.  However, the cap-strapped Blues might have to free up some salary, perhaps by placing defenseman Torey Krug on LTIR if his playing days are over.

Rutherford's colleague Kevin Kurz suggested Bennett would make a good free-agent target for the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers. Bolstering their depth at center is a priority this summer, which could lead them to free agency if suitable options aren't available in the trade market. With $26.7 million in projected cap room for 2025-26, they can afford Bennett if he's available on July 1.

Bennett could also be on the Montreal Canadiens' radar. Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazetterecently included the Panthers' star among several UFA options to address the Canadiens' need for a second-line center. 

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.

Former Detroit Red Wing Tomas Tatar has inked a two-year contract with EV Zug of the Swiss National League, seemingly signaling the end of a 14-year NHL career for the Czech scoring forward.

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

Tatar spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Red Wings, accruing 115 goals and 107 assists for 222 points in 407 games.  He was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2018 Trade Deadline for a first, second, and third round draft pick (that first would become Joe Veleno). 

After Vegas, Tatar made stops in Montreal, Colorado, Seattle, and enjoyed two tenures in New Jersey, including what seems to have been his final NHL season—seven goals, 10 assists in 74 games this year for the Devils.

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From a Red Wings perspective, Tatar was part of a generation of players that (through no fault of its own) couldn't manage to live up to the lofty standard Detroit had set  for itself, amidst a steady exodus of Hall of Fame–caliber talent. 

After 14 seasons, Tatar played 927 games, scoring 227 goals and providing 269 assists for 496 points.  That he's just shy of a few milestones (1,000 games played and 500 points) suggests perhaps Tatar might harbor fantasies of a return to fight across those lines or perhaps Tatar is satisfied with the work he's done and keen to continue his career in Europe.

Do you have a favorite memory of Tatar in Detroit?  If so, let us know in the comments.

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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price was in town this weekend for the Cummings Center Charitable event, where he was honoured as the sportsperson of the year. A few members of the press were in attendance, including Tony Marinaro, and he didn’t miss the opportunity to record a special episode of The Sick Podcast.

Not only was he able to chat with Price, but he also got a few minutes with former player, general manager, and coach Bob Gainey. While the chat with Price was interesting, it was Gainey who truly stole the show.

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Marinaro took Price down memory lane when he was just a 19-year-old kid who joined the Hamilton Bulldogs for a magical playoff run in the AHL to kick off his professional career, asking him if he had any advice for Jacob Fowler, who’s going through the same situation right now. The goalie replied that he was just amazed to be realizing his dream at that point and that his advice to the rookie was to enjoy the ride, because he wished he could do it all again.

The host also asked him how he would feel if his jersey was to be raised to the rafters with the legendary players who donned the Sainte-Flanelle, and they always even-keel netminder replied:

I think every player who’s played a long time dreams of a moment like that, but people often ask me what I’m most proud of throughout my NHL career and I always answer the same way; it was to be the Montreal Canadiens’ goaltender for 15 years and to do that is more than a big enough honour for me.

For those who are still hoping to see Price make a miraculous comeback, it won’t happen. The almost-retired player explained that sometimes he feels like he could still play, but that he’s not at an NHL level anymore. He’s fine when he’s just skating, but the lateral movements and the strain on the legs that come with playing goal wouldn’t work with his knee anymore.

For me, the big reveal of the show was when Gainey took Marinaro to the 2005 draft, when the Canadiens were set to pick fifth overall, just after the Minnesota Wild, and explained that the Hockey outfit had picked the player the Habs had at the top of their list: Benoit Pouliot.

Habs fans everywhere should thank the Wild on that one. Pouliot went on to play in 625 NHL games with seven NHL teams (including Montreal) and picked up 263 points in the process. He wasn’t a bad player, but it’s fair to say Minnesota would likely have taken a do-over of that draft.

According to Gainey, Price could also have been a member of the St. Louis Blues. When the Missouri outfit came knocking after the 2010 Halak Spring, they weren’t after Jaroslav Halak; they wanted Price, but Pierre Gauthier told them they could only have Halak.

One has to wonder what the Canadiens would have looked like if Pouliot had been drafted in 2005 or if they stuck with Halak in 2010; we’ll never know, but those would have been franchise-altering moments.

Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images

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As the Conference Finals move along, teams that have been eliminated are looking to make adjustments that will help them get back into contention next season, and one of those teams is the Boston Bruins.

After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, the Bruins decided to look for a new bench boss, and according to reports, they have signed a former San Jose Sharks forward.

Hearing Marco Sturm is set to become the next Boston Bruins head coach

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) May 28, 2025

Marco Sturm, who was serving as the head coach of the Ontario Reign, has reportedly been signed as the new head coach of the Bruins. Sturm, who is 46 years old, was drafted by the Sharks in the first round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft at 21st overall.

He played for almost eight full seasons before being traded to the Bruins in the 2005-06 season, and went on to play with several other teams before his final NHL appearance came in the 2011-12 season with the Florida Panthers. 

While this is the only report to come out, we will continue to update as we learn more about the news. 

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Milwaukee Admirals forward Jesse Ylonen has signed a two-year deal in the SHL with Djurgardens IF, it was announced Tuesday.

Ylonen, a 2018 second round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, split this past year between the Admirals and the Syracuse Crunch, putting up a combined 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 66 regular season games. Appearing in nine playoff games with the Admirals, Ylonen scored three goals and added an assist for four points. 

Having come to North America midway through the 2020-21 season, Ylonen made his NHL debut with the Canadiens that season and went on to play 111 regular season games with the team. Over that time, Ylonen carved out a role as a solid depth player, collecting 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points. 

Having not been issued a qualifying offer from the Canadiens last summer, Ylonen signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning but was never able to grab a spot with the team, being dealt to the Nashville Predators in February in a depth trade. 

With Ylonen heading back overseas, his NHL career might not have been what he aspired for himself but he is young, still only 25. If Ylonen produces in the SHL, as many expect he can, NHL teams could come calling once again when his contract runs out in 2027. 

If there’s one thing clear for the Montreal Canadiens this postseason, it’s that they are in the market for a second-line center. Not that GM Kent Hughes hasn’t tried to plug that hole since his arrival, but both Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook have failed to live up to expectations so far. The solution for the Habs might be closer than one would have thought..

There have been rumblings recently that the Boston Bruins may be testing the water to see what their top-line center, Pavel Zacha, could fetch in a trade, and the pivot may be what the Canadiens need. The sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft started his career with the New Jersey Devils and spent seven seasons in the organization without truly breaking out. However, when he moved to Boston, his production exploded.

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In his first two seasons in Beantown, Zacha recorded 57 and 59 points, pretty high totals for a player who had never registered more than 36 points in the NHL. Last season, his production dipped to 47 points, but considering the Bruins plummeted in the standings to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016, that was to be expected. The versatile pivot had two years left on a more than reasonable contract with a $4.75 M cap hit.

Zacha has proven that he can be an offensive threat, especially when paired with highly talented players. The Canadiens currently have a vacancy to play alongside highly talented rookie Ivan Demidov and Finnish sniper Patrik Laine. That’s a lot of talent on one line. At 28 years old, he’s not too old to fit in with the Canadiens’ plan. He could help them achieve results in the short term, and in two years, if he decides to move, Michael Hage will have matured and turned pro (hopefully) with a year of AHL hockey under his belt.

Judging by Don Sweeney’s moves at the trade deadline, significant changes could be coming to Boston. You don’t trade your captain for futures, even if he is on an expiring deal, if you think you can be competitive the following season. After saying goodbye to Patrice Bergeron two seasons ago, the Bruins' faithful had to bid farewell to Brad Marchand this Spring, and it truly feels like the end of an era for the Massachusetts outfit.

Missing the playoffs must have been a wake-up call for the Bruins' GM. Suppose Hughes can put together an attractive package. In that case, we could see a rare deal between Atlantic Division rivals—a first since the Canadiens sent defenseman Eric Weinrich to the Bruins for Patrick Traverse in 2001. The lack of deals between the two sides is not exactly surprising; they play in the same division, and the Habs burn the Bs badly with the Ken Dryden trade in 1964.

If Sweeney is genuinely looking for a rebuild, one of the Canadiens’ two first-round picks could become quite attractive. The Habs also have a cupboard full of intriguing prospects, and Hughes would probably be amenable to moving some if he believes that would settle the organization’s most pressing need.

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

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Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Edmonton Oilers right winger Corey Perry continues to make his mark this post-season.

The veteran recorded two points in Edmonton’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Tuesday night’s Game 4, which gives the Oilers a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference final.

Both points were on the man advantage, beginning with a secondary assist on Leon Draisaitl’s opening goal.

Later in the game, he took an interference penalty that resulted in the Stars equalizing. But less than three minutes after Jason Robertson made it a 1-1 game, Perry avenged the penalty with a power-play marker of his own.

Perry's six goals tied defenseman Evan Bouchard for the second-most on the Oilers this post-season. He also joined elite company in NHL history.

Perry, 40, tied four Hockey Hall of Famers for the most goals in a single post-season by players aged 39 or older. He’s equalled Teemu Selanne in 2011, Mark Recchi in 2010, Ron Francis in 2002 and Jean Beliveau in 1971.

“There’s ups and downs in a game, in a series, at any time,” Perry told Sportsnet's Gene Principe post-game. “I was trying to get to the bench on that penalty, (the referees) thought I was setting a pick, it is what it is. It was nice to see that one go in and get that power play going again.”

Edmonton’s power play ended up being the difference in this game. The Oilers went 2-for-3 on the man advantage on Tuesday, improving their power-play percentage in this series to 35.7 percent.

“Our PP came through tonight,” Perry told Sportsnet's Gene Principe post-game. “Those were some big goals at crucial times in a hockey game.”

Perry took on a big role on the Oilers’ first line after Zach Hyman left the game with an injury in the first period. Perry finished the game with 16:51 of ice time, the most in a game that didn’t go to overtime for him in these playoffs.

This isn’t the first time Perry made history in these playoffs related to his age, either. Against the Vegas Golden Knights, he became the oldest player in Edmonton Oilers history to have a multi-goal game.

Perry is also now one win away from playing in the Stanley Cup final for the sixth time in his 20-year career. He would be the 78th player in NHL history to accomplish that if the Oilers advance to the final.

The veteran does not have a contract for next season. However, he has not made any comments or hints at retiring, and his production suggests he has more to give.

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.

With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.

After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins will officially select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. As such, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection. 

We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien, forward Victor Eklund, defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, center Brady Martin, center Roger McQueen, and right wing Justin Carbonneau. Next up? Right defenseman Logan Hensler.

Penguins Drop Two Slots In NHL Draft, Will Pick 11th OverallIn past draft lotteries, the Pittsburgh Penguins have seen their fair share of luck.

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Logan Hensler

DOB: Oct. 14, 2006 (Age 18)
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 196 pounds
Team: University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

In most mock drafts and projections, the defense position isn't particularly deep this year. However, that doesn't mean there aren't some hidden gems right around where the Penguins will be drafting at 11.

And Logan Hensler should be one of the names on their wishlist.

The right-side defender's stats may not jump out on the scoresheet - he registered just two goals and 12 points in 32 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers in his rookie season - but he's certainly got all of the tools to become a threat on both sides of the puck.

Logan Hensler's draft stock is sliding lately, but his NHL upside is still real

He's a smart, consistent and reliable defender. Much better off-puck than on. Solid gaps, positioning and disruptions

Here are some clips from two games against #1 ranked Michigan State (#6 white) pic.twitter.com/eqyQsYVz0A

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) December 20, 2024

Logan Hensler (ranked 11th on Bob McKenzie's board) is a mobile RD who can play an effective shutdown style but hasn't overly explored his offensive game in the past years.

Flashes of on-puck skill are apparent in rushes like these where he uses his feet to create entries: pic.twitter.com/tYLMQklEyd

— Sebastian High (@high_sebastian) January 23, 2025

He's got size at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds. He's mobile, agile, and smart with the puck. He defends well, he skates well, and he's good with his stick. 

Even though there are some question marks around his offensive production, Hensler's defensive game is already quite rounded out, and it's something that should earn him a role at the NHL level as a shutdown defender, at the very least. His gap control, stick work, and ability to get the puck out of danger in the defensive zone are all pluses.

Hensler played for Team USA in the World Junior Championship this season alongside Cole Hutson, and the Woodbury, Minn. native notched an assist in seven games leading up to Team USA's gold medal at the event.

Logan Hensler (#2025NHLDraft) found himself on the 2nd pair in his WJC debut and thrived with Cole Hutson.

Here is every clip of his eventful puck touches. Hensler finished with 15:55 TOI and a +3 rating in his debut. pic.twitter.com/tC17iLDTud

— Nathan "Grav" Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) December 26, 2024

Even though his name may not be as big as others like potential no. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, and, even, Kashawn Aitcheson, Hensler projects as a reliable shutdown defenseman at the least, which is something the Penguins need. And there is potential for a much higher ceiling because of his mobility.

There are still ways for him to improve his game in terms of physicality and offensive zone awareness, but nonethless, he's a reliable defender. The only potential trouble with the Penguins selecting Hensler at 11th overall is that he reads as more of a "safe" option. While "safe" isn't necessarily a bad thing, there are other talents around this area that could reap higher reward.

While Hensler's floor is low, the chances of him reaching his ceiling - despite all the tools being there - are a bit lower. So, if he is available at 11, the Penguins should consider risk v. reward.

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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If at first you don’t succeed, eh?

For the second time this week, the Florida Panthers will look to punch their ticket to a third straight Stanley Cup Final when they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night.

After scoring 16 goals during their first three wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida couldn’t keep up with the Canes in Game 4 and were subsequently shutout 3-0.

That meant the Cats had to travel back to Raleigh for another chance to dissipate the Hurricanes.

Florida will look to recapture the momentum they built during their first visit to Lenovo Center, where they jumped all over Carolina and outscored them 10-2 while taking the first two games of the series.

Despite the loss on Monday, the Panthers remain in a good spot, but as they learned during last year’s Stanley Cup Final, a big series lead can disappear in the blink of an eye.

“We put ourselves in a great position, great situation, going on the road with a 3-1 lead,” said Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov. “We just have to bring our best. We were not at our best (in Game 4), and we'll learn from that and be better next game.”

The Panthers looked a step slow during Game 4.

Breakouts seemed sluggish at times and countless passes just missed, with many being deflected by the Hurricanes’ excellent stickwork.

“They played really well,” said Barkov. “They defended well. They attacked well. It was a great game by them. We were not at our best, so we need to be better.”

One thing that could help Florida improve on their Game 4 performance would be the return of one or more of three players who did not suit up due to injury.

Each of Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola were on the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday before the team boarded a flight to Raleigh.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice indicated there was a chance all three could play in Game 5, saying that they would all skate in the morning and then see how each was feeling.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 5 in Carolina:

Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

A.J. Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Kulikov

Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Uvis Balinskis, Jesper Boqvist, Nico Sturm, Jaycob Megna

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Photo caption: May 22, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates scoring during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets head into the offseason looking to add skilled forwards to their roster in hopes of increasing their goal-scoring at 5-on-5 when the playoffs roll around.

The Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli released his top 20 trade targets for the NHL offseason, and topping the list were Buffalo Sabres' JJ Peterka and Minnesota Wild's Marco Rossi. 

The Jets will likely integrate Nikita Chibrikov into their lineup this season, whether it's immediately after training camp or at some point in the season, an extended stint in the NHL is long overdue for the 22-year-old. He unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury, but the team hopes he'll be a complete participant once training camp begins. 

The pursuit of another young forward and the promotion of Chribrikov should not be affected by the choice Nikolaj Ehlers makes. Whether he's on the roster or not, adding additional scoring is a must. 

Rossi fits the needs of the Jets more than Peterka does, but both would be fantastic additions. Rossi would slot into the Jets' second-line centre role like a glove and would be the perfect complement for Cole Perfetti and Ehlers. In 82 games this season, the 23-year-old scored 24 goals and 60 points. His production on the power play and at 5-on-5 was balanced, and he plays an effective two-way game. He's a skilled playmaker who could run give-and-gos on the cycle with Perfetti and get Ehlers the puck to do damage off the rush. 

Peterka is a winger, which could make the line combinations more complicated, but if Gabriel Vilardi and the Jets feel comfortable shifting him back into the middle of the ice, Peterka would be an outstanding acquisition.

Finding a player as talented as he is at just 23 years of age is almost unheard of, and although the Sabres have repeatedly mentioned they don't plan on trading him, the indication is that they will have to move him unless negotiations take a pivot and he re-signs.  

In 77 games, Peterka scored 27 goals and 68 points, tied for second on his team. His shot is lethal, but unlike other snipers, Peterka can create the space for himself to get his shot off. Skating on a line next to any of Kyle Connor, Ehlers, or Perfetti would provide him plenty of opportunities to show off his shot. 

Both Rossi and Peterka averaged over 18:00 of ice time a night during the regular season, showing they are both capable of playing top-six minutes. They are also both restricted free agents in need of a contract, but with over $26M in cap space, the Jets shouldn't have too much trouble fitting them under the salary cap even after making deals with Ehlers, Vilardi and Dylan Samberg. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

"I'd Love To Stay"; Haydn Fleury Hopes To Remain A Jet Despite Log Jam Of DefensemenHaydn Fleury mentioned during his end-of-season press conference that he'd like to remain a Winnipeg Jet despite the log jam of defensemen the Jets currently employ. Jets Pending Unrestricted Free Agent Signs With Swedish TeamWinnipeg Jets pending unrestricted free agent Axel Jonsson-Fjallby has signed a three-year contract with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

Brendan Shanahan is a free agent. But where will he go next?

The former president of the Toronto Maple Leafs brings a wealth of experience, a Hall of Fame ring as a player and a marquee name with him. Simply put, he could probably choose a number of NHL destinations right now.

But what about a franchise that doesn't exist yet?

NHL expansion seems like a sure thing in the future and one of the leading candidates is Houston. As first reported in The Hockey News' Money and Power issue back in January, the top ownership candidate is Dan Friedkin, a billionaire car distributor who also owns British soccer team Everton and a film company that produced Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and a major TV market, so it's a great target for the NHL.

Now imagine if Shanahan was the expansion team's first president.

Houston gets instant credibility and someone whom the NHL trusts – let's not forget that 'Shanny' worked for the league's player safety department.

While the Maple Leafs did not meet their goal of winning a Stanley Cup during Shanahan's tenure, Toronto did have a ton of success on the ice and either drafted or acquired a mass of talent. Shanahan left the franchise with a solid GM in Brad Treliving and a well-respected coach in Craig Berube.

That Shanahan would be an asset for Houston is not a question; only the timing remains. The NHL has not green-lit any expansion process right now, so hypothetically, we'd be looking at 2026-27 at the earliest – and let's face it, the league is in no rush.

Having said that, Houston seems to be one of the favorites if and when the NHL expands again.

Other cities in the mix include Atlanta and Phoenix, and it will be interesting to see if the next wave involves two cities at once or staggered over the course of a year. (Full disclosure: The Hockey News publisher-owner W. Graeme Roustan is supporting the Atlanta group led by Vernon Krause and his South Forsyth project.)

Regardless, keep an eye on Shanahan in the coming years. He already took on a major challenge in Toronto, so what would be new and exciting for him? Helping build an expansion team from scratch might be the answer.

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The Florida Panthers may be in the midst of another exciting Stanley Cup Playoff run, but there is still something quite large looming in their future.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Panthers would be hosting the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot park against the New York Rangers.

The game is set for Jan 2, and tickets to the general public will be going on sale next week.

For more information on tickets, click here.

According to the NHL, ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m.

Along with the announcement came a new image showing the official 20206 Winter Classic logo.

It features Miami-themed neon blue and pink colors, along with a snow-covered palm tree.

The 2026 Winter Classic will be the first ever outdoor game in Panthers franchise history.

It will also become the southernmost outdoor hockey game in NHL history.

Fans looking for additional official information on the Panthers in the Winter Classic can head to FloridaPanthers.com/WinterClassic.

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The Rochester Americans season ended on Sunday with a 5-0 loss to Laval in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, and after only 48 hours into the offseason, the club has lost a pair of players, winger Lukas Rousek and defenseman Erik Brannstrom, to European club teams.

Rousek, a Group-6 unrestricted free agent, has signed a deal with HV71 of the SHL on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was a sixth-round pick (160th overall) of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 Draft out of the Sparta Praha system. After spending two seasons in Czechia, the winger signed a two-year entry-level contract with Buffalo and played 19 games for AHL Rochester. In only his second season in North America, he led the Amerks in scoring with 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) and 12 points in the Calder Cup Playoffs and earned a two-game call-up to the NHL. 

After signing another two-year deal with Buffalo, Rousek scored 41 points in 51 AHL games, but in an extended look with the Sabres only had two assists in 15 games. This season, the 26-year-old had 42 points, but only scored seven goals and did not get another chance in the NHL with first-rounders like Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, and Noah Ostlund getting those opportunities.  

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Brannstrom was a 2017 first round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, and played parts of seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. This season, he was dealt by Vancouver to the NY Rangers in the JT Miller deal and acquired by the Sabres in a one-for-one deal at the trade deadline for Nicolas Aube-Kubel. 

The 25-year-old scored five goals in 13 games for the Amerks and played in one postseason game. A restricted free agent, Brannstrom has signed a three-year deal to play for HC Lausanne in Switzerland.

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