The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games.
Komarov was the Sabres fifth-round pick (134th overall) at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal. The native of Chelyabinsk played his minor hockey in the Metallurg Magnitogorsk system but came to North America to play for the Quebec Remparts after being selected in the CHL Import Draft.
Who will make up the scoring gap created by the departure of Alex Tuch?
In his first season, the 6’3”, 188 lb. blueliner focused more on being conscientious in his own zone and had 19 points (2 goals, 17 assists) in 60 QMJHL games, but made offensive strides in the sophomore campaign (12 goals, 27 assists) and scoring the game-winning goal for Quebec in the Memorial Cup final.
Buffalo locked up Komarov on an entry-level contract in June 2023, and in his third QMJHL season, and he led all QMJHL blueliners with 69 points (14 goals, 55 assists) in 60 games with Quebec and Drummondville and was named the league’s top defenseman and First Team All-Star.
“You could see right from the start that the hockey sense was there, the compete was there, and the poise. He just needed to get stronger and get his legs under him, move quicker. And he had the size as well,” Drummondville GM Yanick Lemay said about Komarov in The Athletic. “So it was just a matter of time for him I think to mature physically and get more powerful and that’s what he did the last two years.”
In his first professional season, Komarov’s offensive game struggled to translate from junior (18 points in 69 games), but the 22-year-old showed off a high-level of physicality, leading the Amerks with 85 penalty minutes. Last season, he took a step back on all fronts, putting up 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 55 games, with 60 penalty minutes.
The Sabres have a number of young defenseman in their pipeline, including 2025 first rounder Radim Mrtka, and 2023 second-rounder Maxim Strbak. Komarov will need to step up and take advantage of his pro experience next season to continue to be regarded as a promising prospect, otherwise he will fall victim to the numbers game.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have 36 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #36.
Let's take a look.
Sean Selmser - 2001 - Selmer was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993 NHL Draft.
Selmser played one game for the Jackets during the 2000-01 season, his only NHL game. He spent the rest of that season playing for the Syracuse Crunch and had 26 points.
He left North America in 2002 for Europe, where he would land in Scotland. From there, he played 9 of the next 10 seasons in Poland before retiring in 2012.
Donald MacLean - 2004 - MacLean was drafted by the LA Kings in the second round of the 1995 NHL Draft.
On July 17, 2002, MacLean signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would play in only four games for Columbus and had a single goal. He played most of his games with the Syracuse Crunch, where he had 68 points in 77 games.
He left North America in 2007, where he would play in Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, and Croatia. He retired in 2011 and coached in Croatia until 2015.
Mathieu Roy - 2010 - Roy was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2003.
On July 14, 2009, Roy signed a one-year contract with the CBJ. He would total 10 points in 31 games playing for Columbus. He also played for the Syracuse Crunch that season. On March 3, 2010, he was traded to the Florida Panthers.
He left for Europe in 2012 and landed in Germany. He also played in Poland and France before returning to North America to play in the LNAH. He retired in 2023 and went into coaching.
Jonathan Marchessault - 2013 - Marchessault was undrafted out of Cap-Rouge, Quebec.
Marchessault signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets just before the 2012-13 season and played just two games. He spent the rest of his time playing for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, where he had 67 points in 74 games.
On March 5, 2014, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, ending his time with Columbus. He would finally get his shot when he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2016. But after just one season, they chose to expose him in the 2017 expansion draft, where the newly formed Vegas Golden Knights would scoop him. He played the next seven seasons for Vegas, scoring 192 goals and totaling 417 points.
He left for the Nashville Predators in 2024, signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract.
Marchessault is considered "The one who got away" by many CBJ fans.
Michael Paliotta - 2016 - Paliotta was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft.
On June 30, 2015, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets with Brandon Saad in exchange for Jeremy Morin, Marko Dano, Artem Anisimov, Corey Tropp, and a fourth-round draft pick. Paliotta would appear in just a single game for Columbus, instead spending his season with the Lake Erie Monsters.
In 2016, he was not tendered a contract and signed elsewhere. He hasn't played since the end of the 2020 season.
Jussi Jokinen - 2018 - Jokinen was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 2001 NHL Draft.
On January 16, 2018, after a long and storied career, the LA Kings put Jokinen on waivers. The Jackets claimed him, and he would play in 14 games for the Jackets.
On February 26, 2018, Jokinen and Tyler Motte were traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Thomas Vanek.
He returned to Europe and played another three seasons before retiring on May 18, 2021.
Justin Richards - 2023 - Richards was undrafted out of Orlando, Florida, and played four years with the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets.
Richards signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 19, 2022. He played in only two games and spent all of his time playing for the Cleveland Monsters. He played in 61 games in his only season with Cleveland.
He left for Europe before the start of last season and played in the DEL. He played in Italy in 25- 26, and will play in Austria this season. Both teams play in the ICEHL.
Christian Fischer - 2025 - Fischer was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Fischer came to Columbus at the trade deadline in 2025. He played in a single game for Columbus. He was scratched for the rest of the games in 2025 after coming over from the Detroit Red Wings.
Fischer announced his retirement from professional hockey to pursue a business opportunity in golf.
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Although it is nearly September, there are a good amount of players who are still unrestricted free agents. This includes former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Reilly.
Reilly still being a free agent comes after he won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 33-year-old defenseman played in 42 games last season for Carolina, where he recorded one goal, nine points, and a plus-11 rating. He also posted two assists and a plus-2 rating in two playoff games for Carolina this past spring.
At this stage in his career, Reilly is more of a depth defenseman who can jump into the lineup when needed. When noting that the 33-year-old has 11 years of NHL experience and has had solid moments during his career, it would not be too surprising if he landed a PTO or a one-year deal from another NHL club with training camps starting soon.
Reilly spent three seasons with the Canadiens from 2017-18 to 2019-20, where he recorded three goals, 20 assists, 23 points, 85 blocks, and a plus-3 rating. His time with the Habs came to an end during the 2019-20 season when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. Since his time with the Habs ended, he has had stints with the Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, and Hurricanes.
A former Pittsburgh Penguins is reportedly getting a shot from the Calgary Flames.
According to PuckPedia, the Flames are expected to sign forward Alex Nylander to a professional tryout (PTO) agreement.
Nylander spent this past season with the Toronto Marlies. In 65 games with the AHL club, the former Penguins forward posted 24 goals, 29 assists, and 53 points. He also appeared in 24 playoff games for the Marlies during their Calder Cup championship run, recording six goals and seven points.
Nylander last played at the NHL level during the 2024-25 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he recorded zero points and four penalty minutes.
The Penguins acquired Nylander from the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season in exchange for forward Sam Lafferty. From there, Nylander appeared in 14 games over two seasons with Pittsburgh, where he posted one goal and one assist.
Nylander spent the bulk of his time with the Penguins organization down in the AHL. In 142 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins over three seasons, he recorded 56 goals and 112 points.
Nylander's time with the Penguins ended during the 2023-24 season when he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sounds like Alex Nylander will be coming to camp with the #Flames, likely on a PTO.
After the Senators made the 2017 Eastern Conference Final, it wasn't long before they began a major rebuild that seemed to take forever. As everyone knows, they missed the playoffs for the next seven seasons.
But six years earlier, also under Eugene Melnyk, the club attempted a smaller rebuild.
The Sens were well clear of their 11-year streak of making the playoffs and were about to miss for the second time in three seasons. So, at the 2011 deadline, GM Bryan Murray dealt away Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu, and Alexei Kovalev for draft picks.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss whether there's now more pressure on Travis Green in his third year.
As we strolled through The Hockey News Archive this week, we found this season preview from our Yearbook issue 15 years ago as the Senators prepared for the 2011-12 season.
As Bruce Garrioch checked in on the state of the Sens in that issue, it sure looked like the club was in for some dark days. A quick glance at the Senators' depth chart, combined with their attempts at reinforcements (in red), fully supported the notion that they'd begun a rebuild.
But shockingly, the team that everyone thought had begun a rebuild actually made the playoffs that season with just 92 points, and almost upset the New York Rangers in round one.
Oh, those pesky Sens.
The Hockey News Yearbook 2011-12 August 2011
Sensing Danger: New Coach Needs to Focus on Baby Steps
By Bruce Garrioch
THE OTTAWA SENATORS started their rebuild in February with their season going nowhere and the team falling fast.
Acting on the advice of GM Bryan Murray and his staff, owner Eugene Melnyk made the choice to unload veteran players in the hopes of landing prospects who can build a bright future.
One-by-one, players – mostly with expiring contracts – were waltzed out of the dressing room. They were tough decisions, but the Senators hope it will pay dividends in the end. The road back to respectability is going to take patience and will include some long nights, but this is the route they’ve decided on and the fans have accepted it.
This season will be a huge challenge for new bench boss Paul MacLean and goalie Craig Anderson.
OFFENSE The Senators were the NHL’s second-lowest scoring team last season. Nobody is sure that’s going to change.
While Jason Spezza was one of the club’s most productive players at both ends of the ice, they’re going to need more out of him. He’s not alone.
Milan Michalek has to stay healthy to contribute and so does captain Daniel Alfredsson. Returning from off-season back surgery, Alfredsson, 38, is in the twilight of his career, but can still be the club’s best player. He is going to have to lead the charge with what is going to be a very young group.
Nikita Filatov, acquired from Columbus for a third round pick in the 2011 draft, is going to get a top-six shot. If he can do it, the club needs him to fill the net along with Bobby Butler.
DEFENSE This is an area of intrigue. Acquired from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the club’s No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, defenseman David Rundblad is expected to provide sizable offense from the back end, as fellow Swede Erik Karlsson already does. The Sens need more out of veteran Sergei Gonchar, who is back to fulfill the second year of his three-year, $16.5 million deal. His 2010-11 season was a disaster and ended when he sustained a concussion.
Ottawa also hopes to find a spot for highly regarded prospect Jared Cowen. He finished the year with the club’s American League affiliate in Binghamton and his 6-foot-5 frame would look good on the blueline, but he might get caught in the numbers game. Don’t be surprised if the Senators try to move Filip Kuba and Brian Lee at the end of camp.
GOALTENDING This is Anderson’s job. Signed to a four-year extension after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Brian Elliott, Anderson is going to get a bulk of the playing time. The club signed Alex Auld to be a backup in every sense of the word.
Anderson was outstanding last year during his short stint with the Senators. He finished with an 11-5-1 record in 18 games with Ottawa playing mostly behind call-ups from Binghamton. But he is about to find out what pressure is really like playing in a Canadian market. The Senators aren’t expected to win, but the nation’s capital has been hard on goalies in the past.
If Anderson gets hurt, Robin Lehner will be called up from Binghamton to start. He won a Calder Cup as a 19-year-old last spring and the Senators plan to keep him in the minors to give him the chance to play.
All-time record: 638–620–188
SPECIAL TEAMS This is where Gonchar is going to have to make a difference. He was supposed to do that last year with Alex Kovalev, but it never happened and, as a result, Ottawa was one of the NHL’s worst teams. But their penalty killing has been surprisingly strong. Spezza has taken on more of a role in this area. Having a goalie who can stop the puck in Anderson will help, big time.
INTANGIBLES The decision to fire coach Cory Clouston was just part of the rebuilding program. His inability to communicate was considered a major issue and that’s why the change was made.
McLean has a good sense of humor and the players will like what he brings to the table. The big job is making sure they all buy into the program. He wants the team to have speed and toughness.
ROOKIES The Senators are going to be young. Butler, Colin Greening and Erik Condra got plenty of experience during the club’s late-season shift to youth and then they went down to the minors and won an AHL Calder Cup championship with Binghamton. Can they learn from that experience?
If Ottawa is going to have any rookie-of-the-year candidates it’s going to be either Rundblad or Cowen. Blueliner Patrick Wiercioch will also make a valiant push in camp for a permanent spot.
There is an opening on the second line and 2011 sixth-overall pick Mika Zibanejad from Sweden has a chance. If he impresses at camp, he will earn a spot on the roster.
CAP CRUNCH With so many kids, the Sens are a million miles from the cap. If they’re going to use some of that space, it would be best spent on scoring.
THE BRASS Melnyk hates to lose. He’d like this turnaround to come quickly. The Senators want to see where they stand after the next CBA negotiation. Murray is armed with a three-year contract and MacLean is on solid ground. All should make for an interesting year in Ottawa.
X-FACTOR It would take a Herculean effort from Anderson for this team to sniff a post-season berth. They aren’t going to fall short of any expectations because there aren’t any. Fans are being sold on a rebuilding process and it will be interesting to see if they buy tickets.
Where They’ll Finish
15th
The Senators have stars in Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza, but beyond them is a team at the start of a slow, painful rebuild.
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Welcome to The Hockey News Vancouver Canucks site's 2026–27 player preview article series. This series will outline the expectations for every player projected to play for Vancouver during the 2026–27 season. Today's player is Canucks defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev.
Kudryavtsev's 2025-26 Season
Kudryavtsev ran into some difficulties during the 2025-26 campaign. The 22-year-old suffered an injury which kept him out of the lineup for two months. Unfortunately, this also forced Kudryavtsev to miss the 2026 All-Star Classic, which he was scheduled to attend as the Abbotsford Canucks' representative.
As for when he was in the lineup, Kudryavtsev played a significant role for Abbotsford. He recorded 20 points in 44 games and, at the end of the year, earned a call-up to the NHL. Kudryavtsev played three games for Vancouver, where he recorded his first two NHL assists.
Kudryavtsev's 2026-27 Letter Grade
The Hockey News' Canucks site gave Kudryavtsev a B- grade for his 2025–26 season. He took a step in his development and proved that he can be leaned on at the AHL level. Kudryavtsev has become a fan favourite within the organization and has become a draft-day steal.
Kudryavtsev's 2026-27 Predictions
Kudryavtsev is going to be given every opportunity to make the NHL team this year. He has a strong relationship with Manny Malhotra, as the two have worked together in the AHL. Ultimately, Kudryavtsev could be one of the final cuts in the pre-season, as the organization clearly believes he is ready for a bigger role.
As for the most likely option, Kudryavtsev will probably find himself back in Abbotsford this year. He will most likely be on the first pairing, which also comes with plenty of special teams work. If he does head to the AHL, Kudryavtsev will be a candidate to be called up if injuries occur.
Bold Prediction: Kudryavtsev plays at least 15 games in the NHL this season.
Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kirill Kudryavtsev (59) handles the puck against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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You know hockey season is coming when the kids start going back to school, players start flocking in droves to the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, and the Montreal Canadiens post their annual update about the Bell Centre ice being painted.
Last season, the Habs made a major change to center ice, painting the logo on a solid red background. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it received numerous criticisms, including the fact that it made it hard to spot the puck when it was going through this area. Clearly, the Canadiens took the criticism on board, and the solid red background is now a thing of the past.
This year, the Habs have painted the logo so it looks like it’s really popping out of the ice with some relief. The bright red logo really comes out well on the white ice. The shading around the H makes it look like it’s popping out of the ice, and the font and blue contour on the letters give it a crisp look.
Unlike the last few seasons, in which a new Jumbotron was introduced (2024) and a new premium seating section (le parterre) was created, it looks like the center ice logo will be the main change at the Bell Centre this season, and no one will complain.
The first home game will take place on September 19, as the Canadiens will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a split-squad game, meaning half the roster will play in Montreal while the other half will play in Toronto. Hopefully, local fans will see the top-of-the-lineup players skating on home ice rather than heading to Scotiabank Arena. The Habs will play another split-quad game in Montreal on September 26, this time against the Ottawa Senators. As for the September 21 preseason tilt against the Sens, it will take place in Trois-Rivières at the Colisée Vidéotron, the home of the team’s ECHL affiliate, the Trois-Rivières Lions, as part of the Kraft Hockeyville celebration.
Fans will have to wait until October 6 to see the first regular-season game on home ice, when the Habs will try to avenge their elimination at the hands of the Stanley Cup champions-to-be Carolina Hurricanes.
According to the plans the team released to members of the media earlier this week, rookie camp is scheduled to kick off on September 9, the annual golf tournament will take place on September 14, and main training camp should get underway on September 16. Those dates should be confirmed soon in official press releases, along with the list of players invited to rookie camp.
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 22: Sergei Murashov #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during the game against the Seattle Kraken at PPG PAINTS Arena on November 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
PensBurgh’s 2026 edition of the Top 25 Under 25 countdown rolls on with a look at goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov.
Sergei Murashov’s 2025-26 season provided both him and Penguins fans an appetizer to what could be the main course in 2026-27.
Murashov entered the 2025 preseason with an outside chance of making the NHL roster, going 2-0-1 in three preseason appearances with a 1.72 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage.
His preseason performance surely reinforced the belief that he could eventually become Pittsburgh’s goaltender of the future. But that time had not yet arrived. Murashov was assigned to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Oct. 4.
In northeastern Pennsylvania, Murashov opened the AHL season by playing in seven games, earning a 5-2-0 record to go with a sparkling 1.73 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and one shutout.
An injury to Tristan Jarry turned into an opportunity for Murashov. He was called up for five NHL games in early November after Jarry was placed on injured reserve.
He made his NHL debut on Nov. 9, saving 31 of 33 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
A week later, Murashov notched his first career NHL win and shutout in a 4-0 victory against the Nashville Predators in Stockholm, Sweden, on Nov. 16.
Murashov was returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Nov. 26 after Jarry was cleared to return. The 22-year-old would remain in the AHL for the remainder of the season, save for one emergency recall on Dec. 13.
Over that brief November cameo, Murashov posted a 1-1-2 record, a 2.56 goals-against average, an .897 save percentage and one shutout.
His NHL sample wasn’t flawless, but these numbers aren’t enough to draw firm conclusions about his ability to translate his AHL success to the NHL.
The bulk of Murashov’s season was spent platooning with fellow goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist. The Yaroslavl native finished the regular season with a 24-9-4 AHL record, a 2.20 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage, earning an AHL All-Star nod and being named to the AHL’s All-Rookie team.
SERGEI. MURASHOV.
You've got to be kidding me.
Calmly to the bench after a ridiculous glove save late in the 3rd period to keep game tied at 1-1.
Murashov’s rise also came at the expense of Blomqvist. Their proximity in the AHL made the comparison inevitable, and Murashov’s stronger regular-season numbers and NHL opportunity ultimately helped separate the two in 2025-26.
As the Baby Penguins saw continued success on the ice, Murashov served as the team’s top goaltender for the Calder Cup playoffs, helping the Penguins reach the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2014.
In 15 postseason games, he earned an 8-7 record, a 2.11 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and one shutout.
His .931 save percentage ranked as the fifth-best in the Calder Cup playoffs, providing another indication that his regular-season success was no fluke.
So, what comes next after all the accolades and seemingly reaching his ceiling in the American Hockey League?
Arturs Silovs re-signed with the Penguins on a one-year, $2.8 million contract through 2026-27, while Stuart Skinner, acquired in the Tristan Jarry trade, departed as a free agent this summer.
That leaves an opening for Murashov or Blomqvist to compete for the backup job behind Silovs.
“My full expectation is that the two of them, Sergei and Joel, will be competing for a roster spot here this year,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas recently told NHL.com. “I think they both have earned, over years now, the chance to compete for that.”
All that to say, the time appears to be right for Murashov to make a serious push for a permanent NHL spot, potentially splitting the workload with Silovs this season.
A year ago, Murashov was a promising fourth-round pick trying to establish himself in the AHL. Twelve months later, he enters the season as Pittsburgh’s top goaltending prospect and one of the organization’s most important young players.
If all goes well, he could become what the Penguins’ front office has long believed he could be: the organization’s long-term answer in net.
Tristan Jarry has been around long enough to know this doesn't look good.
He has been an NHL All-Star twice, has started more than 50 games a season, and has had a save percentage above .900 in seven NHL seasons. He has also lost the starting job in Pittsburgh, cleared waivers, and spent time in the American Hockey League. At 31, there isn't much point projecting what Jarry could eventually become. After all, the Edmonton Oilers acquired him based on what he is now.
Edmonton needs Jarry to provide competent NHL goaltending over a full season. Somewhere around 45 starts and a save percentage in the .905 to .910 range would give the Oilers what they need, particularly if those numbers come without the extended stretches of bad games that became a problem late in his Pittsburgh tenure.
Jarry gave Edmonton a decent sample after arriving last season. He had a .909 save percentage in 14 regular-season games and followed it with a .908 SV% over six playoff games. Had it not been such a small sample size, it would look quite promising.
League-wide goaltending numbers have also changed enough that a .910 save percentage carries more value than it did several years ago. The days when teams could reasonably expect an average starting goaltender to finish above that are gone. A goalie hanging around league average while starting in 45 to 50 games has value on a roster that's built to get most of its advantages elsewhere.
Jarry had his best season in 2021-22 with a .919 save percentage over 58 games. He followed it with a .909 save percentage in 2022-23 and .903 the following year. His 2024-25 was so bad that Pittsburgh placed him on waivers in January and sent him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
His career .907 save percentage over his time in Pittsburgh is respectable, and there were times when he played well above that level. But Pittsburgh could not count on him long-term.
Asking for Jarry to match his .919 SV% in 2021-22 would be unreasonable and set the standard unnecessarily high. A season around .908 with a steady workload would leave the Oilers with goaltending that's good enough for the roster in front of him.
But it all depends on what Mike Babcock wants. Draisaitl acknowledged this summer that Edmonton never really developed any consistency over the course of last season, saying better teams establish a pattern over 82 games and understand what it is that they do right and wrong. He didn't think the Oilers ever reached that point.
Now, that wasn't limited to goaltending. Edmonton had nights when its defence was bad, when they took bad penalties, or sometimes just couldn't score enough goals. Babcock has been brought in with an emphasis on structure and accountability, and an improved defensive game should make Jarry's job easier.
A .908 save percentage doesn't mean much if it includes several stretches where he can't get through a game without allowing a poor goal. Forty-five dependable starts would be more useful than alternating between excellent and poor for six months.
Jarry has started in 50 games only twice in his NHL career and has started in fewer games since 2023-24. Edmonton has little reason to push him further than that with the other goaltenders that they have.
Jarry's playoff history in Pittsburgh includes some difficult moments, and Edmonton is at the stage where every player on the roster is eventually judged on what happens in April and May. So while a solid regular season matters, he still has to be reliable when things get turned up a notch.
For now, the standard is simply consistency. Stay around league average or a little better for multiple games in a row. Take the starts and do something with them. Avoid the prolonged slumps that eventually cost him the net in Pittsburgh.
The Colorado Avalanche lost six games in the shootout last season and another five in overtime.
On the surface, those losses may not seem particularly significant. But over the course of an 82-game season, that's 11 games Colorado failed to finish — and 22 potential points that ultimately slipped away.
T.J. Hughes was a beast during shootout drills Tuesday morning at Family Sports Center
It also raises an interesting question heading into the new season: Does Colorado already have another potential weapon in the organization for those high-pressure moments?
One player who has quietly stood out during the Avalanche's recent optional skates is T.J. Hughes.
Colorado signed Hughes as an undrafted free agent following a standout career at the University of Michigan, where he developed into one of the most productive players in college hockey.
During his final season with the Wolverines, Hughes recorded 57 points in 40 games, finishing second nationally in scoring while earning Big Ten Player of the Year and First Team All-American honors. Over four seasons at Michigan, he accumulated 179 points in 156 games.
Hughes still has plenty to prove before anyone can reasonably pencil him into Colorado's NHL lineup. But his skill and creativity have already been difficult to miss during the Avalanche's informal skates.
A few things have stood out.
For one, Hughes has been on the ice for nearly every optional skate. That may not guarantee him anything, but it says something about how seriously he's approaching this opportunity. The kid wants it.
Of course, simply showing up isn't going to earn him an NHL roster spot.
Fortunately for Hughes, he's brought more than just a strong work ethic to the ice.
He's shown some impressive puck skills and creativity, particularly in one-on-one situations. And yes, that's a much cooler way of saying he's looked pretty damn good in the shootout.
That was fully on display early Tuesday when Hughes took part in shootout drills alongside the likes of Brock Nelson and Logan O'Connor. Hughes was one of the more impressive players in the group, showing off quick hands and a few tricks that suggest he could become a legitimate weapon in those situations.
It's unfortunate that this is even a conversation we have to have.
The shootout has become increasingly unpopular, with plenty of fans calling for longer overtime, a return to ties, or some other format that puts more of an emphasis on actual hockey.
But unless the NHL decides to change the rules, the shootout isn't going anywhere.
And if it's going to remain part of the game, the Avalanche may have themselves a potential shootout connoisseur in Hughes.
He still has work to do. A strong showing during a few optional skates doesn't mean he's ready for the NHL, and nothing is guaranteed once training camp begins. But for a player with his pedigree, the tools are there.
He's a good skater with quick hands, solid vision and passing ability, and perhaps most importantly, a work ethic that has already become noticeable around the team.
At this point, it would be difficult to call him anything less than a dark horse candidate to push for an Opening Night roster spot.
The real test, of course, will come at training camp and during the preseason.
Gavin Brindley forced his way onto the Avalanche roster last year. Cal Ritchie did the same the year before, before eventually being traded to the New York Islanders.
Could T.J. Hughes be next?
It's far too early to know.
But if his early work around the Avalanche is any indication, he's going to make Colorado's decision interesting.
It's officially another season, another prospects ranking for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In years past, this has been a bit easier of an exercise, as there used to be a more clear-cut line between prospects with NHL upside and longshots. However, because of the work that general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and his staff have put in during the last several years, the line is blurring a whole lot more - and there is a substantially higher volume of talent in the system.
This time around, making a top-20 list was challenging. So, a few criteria were put into place: To make our list, prospects must be under the age of 26 and have played less than 50 NHL games. This excludes names such as Ben Kindel, Filip Hallander, Oliver Okuliar, and Alexander Alexeyev.
At long last, we have finally reached the top of this year's list. It was a very difficult choice between the crown and the runner up this time around, and - as stated before - it could have gone either way.
But the reason we swayed toward this defenseman's second consecutive year atop this list? Well, it was the growth he showed throughout a very challenging 2025-26 season - and the Calder Cup Playoff run at the end of it sealed the deal.
It bears repeating that many folks who cover Penguins' prospects either have Brunicke, goaltender Sergei Murashov, or forward Rutger McGroarty sitting atop organizational prospects lists, with Murashov getting a lot of love this year (outside of one infamous ranking that has had folks talking). And no answer is wrong.
Brunicke, drafted 44th overall in 2024, made the NHL squad out of training camp last season as a teenager, along with Ben Kindel. While his first few games went well - and he scored his first NHL goal in his second game against the New York Islanders - the latter part of his nine-game trial was riddled with mistakes and inconsistency, leading to an AHL conditioning stint in November followed by World Juniors and a re-assignment to the WHL for the second half.
The fine print, so to speak, regarding the 20-year-old Brunicke is that he's still pretty raw. Dubas has spoken on several occasions about development not being linear for everyone, particularly not defensemen, and Brunicke is no exception. Even if he does crack the NHL roster out of camp this season or if he does see NHL minutes at some point, there are going to be learning moments and growing pains.
But even with those inevitable moments, he tends to find a way to impact a game in ways few others in the organization can.
The trademark of Brunicke's toolset is his skating, which looks effortless, smooth, and purposeful. He can not only skate circles around the offensive zone and generate chances using that momentum, his feet also help get him out of trouble sometimes. Perhaps Brunicke runs into a bit more trouble than some of his peers because he's able to do things others can't, but the difference is that he can - more often than not - weasle his way out of it.
His 6-foot-3, 201-pound frame - which he's certainly added to since measurements at the beginning of last season - does him a lot of favors in those situations, too, as he's big enough to impose his physicality on opponents. And he's doing that with a lot more effectiveness than he was before, especially around the net front.
Brunicke is a solid one-on-one defender, he's good with his stick, he blocks a fair amount of shots, he can chase and track down opponents with his speed, and he's even developed a bit of a mean streak. He still needs to work on his defensive zone reads and make better decisions as far as when to activate and when to distribute rather than simply carry the puck in transition, and he's come a long way since the beginning of the 2025-26 season. The Penguins asked him to work on that stuff, and he went to work and improved.
But, once he's in transition, that's when the magic happens.
He is a force in the offensive zone, dictating play along the blue line and making quick in-zone reads. His passing stands out, his vision is high-level, and he doesn't shy away from pinching down the right side and getting pucks to the net himself.
Nice move at the offensive blue line by Harrison Brunicke, and he takes it to the net before hitting the short side post in the final minute of the 2nd period.@InsideAHLHockeypic.twitter.com/hdzej7CZBj
Between the skating, the vision, the distribution skills, and the near-certainty of a puck hitting the back of the net on a shooting opportunity off the rush, it's possible that Brunicke has not yet even hit his offensive ceiling. And that offensive potential, as well as results, were on display late in the 2025-26 season.
Vinni Lettieri tried for an open-ice hit on Harrison Brunicke, but the #WBSPens defender bounced off the hit & nearly set up the opening goal of the game.
After scoring at a point-per-game pace for the Kamloops Blazers during the rest of the WHL season, he registered a goal and eight points in 11 regular season games and two goals and seven points in 15 playoff games to go along with a combined plus-12 in those games. The defensive miscues were still there are times, and there were still times when he tried to do too much.
But those times were fewer, and there were also flashes of three-zones dominance. Not only did he skate circles around his opponents with relative frequency, he was also the most noticeable player on either side of the ice most nights.
At 20 years old with limited AHL experience, he was thrust into a top-pairing, No. 1 defensive role on one of the best teams in the AHL. He was given heavy minutes, first-unit duties on both sides of the special teams, and an opportunity to be "the guy" on the blue line.
Well, he largely succeeded. It's not easy for an inexperienced pro to walk onto one of the AHL's top teams and, essentially, take over the blue line, but he did. And Brunicke's ability to learn, apply, and adapt so quickly to whatever the coaching and development staff throws his way is something that can't really be taught.
Given the fact that the Penguins have Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Kaedan Korczak - in addition to veteran Trevor van Riemsdyk, who plays both sides - lined up on the right, it's going to take a third consecutive standout training camp for Brunicke to make the roster. Even if he doesn't, some legitimate AHL runway for him isn't the worst thing, and it's almost a given that he'll be up at some point next season.
Again, patience will be the key with Brunicke. He's going to go through some peaks and valleys as a young player, but his ceiling as a top-pairing NHL defender will be well worth the patience should he hit his potential. He's on an island as far as Penguins' defensive prospects, as no one else really comes close to his level of potential right now. If he can translate his offensive impacts to the NHL, keep adding size, and keep polishing his all-around game, he will be a very good player for the long-term future of the Penguins at a much-needed position.
Brunicke is, perhaps, the most intriguing and potentially impactful prospect in the Penguins' system, so that is why he comes in at No. 1 on our Top-20 Prospects list this year.
It's hard to believe that we've already gotten 20 seasons of Kris Letang in a Pittsburgh Penguins uniform.
He made his NHL debut in the 2006-07 season and became a full-time member in the 2007-08 season. You could see the talent on display pretty quickly, and it didn't take long for him to become their franchise defenseman.
Letang has won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins (2009, 2016, and 2017) and played the best hockey of his life during the Penguins' run to the 2016 Stanley Cup. He finished the regular season with 16 goals and 67 points in 71 games before compiling three goals and 15 points in 23 playoff games.
He averaged 28:52 of ice time in the playoffs and did a remarkable job against each opposing team's best players. He also had some magical moments, including the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks.
Letang went all the way around the world in the offensive zone before Crosby set him up for the game-winner. Crosby won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP, but I still maintain that it should've gone to Letang. He was that dominant throughout the playoffs.
Letang holds several franchise records for a defenseman, including most games played (1,235), goals (178), assists (628), and points (806). There's no doubt that he's going to have his No. 58 retired by the Penguins once he retires. He's also highly likely to head to the Hockey Hall of Fame at some point.
However, his game has gone downhill over these last couple of seasons. He doesn't skate like he used to, and his decision-making has been straight-up baffling at times. He's even seen his minutes cut during that time, and there's a chance it happens again this season.
Letang had several different defensive partners last season, one of whom was Sam Girard. Head coach Dan Muse put the two together after Girard was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, and it didn't work at all. The pairing was too chaotic, and the two players didn't read one another well.
It also doesn't help that they are two players who want to do the same things when they're on the ice. Now, Muse could go back to the pair when the 2026-27 season opens up to see if a fresh start helps, but I'd be more inclined to see Letang with someone like Declan Carlile, whom the Penguins signed when free agency opened in July.
Carlile got a bigger role with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, appearing in 42 games, and was really solid. When he was on the ice at 5v5, the Lightning had a +4 goal differential and controlled 52.2% of the scoring chances and 50.5% of the high-danger chances. He was barely below water in expected goal share and shot attempt share.
He's more of a defense-first player, which should pair well with Letang since the latter still loves to get involved offensively.
Letang has racked up 30 and 34 points over the last two seasons, and that's the range I expect him to be in this year. He'll score a few goals and generate some assists, whether it's at 5v5 or on the second power-play unit.
He'll also get plenty of minutes on the penalty kill since he's been a mainstay on that unit throughout his entire career.
If Letang can find a little bit of the fountain of youth this season, it could go a long way towards the Penguins having another year similar to last season.
On Tuesday, the KHL announced that long-time NHLer and former St. Louis Blues forward Kevin Hayes has signed with Ak Bars Kazan in Russia.
Hayes played just one season with the Blues, acquired in a trade for a sixth-round pick, scoring 13 goals and 29 points in 79 games during the 2023-24 season. Following his lone season with the Blues, he played two years with the Pittsburgh Penguins before moving to the KHL.
In total, Hayes played 805 games in the NHL, scoring 185 goals and 446 points. Throughout his career, Hayes spent five seasons with the New York Rangers, half a season with the Winnipeg Jets, four seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, one season with the Blues, and two seasons with the Penguins.
Although he never played with the Chicago Blackhawks, he was originally drafted by them in 2010. Hayes elected to play four years in the NCAA with Boston College before signing with the Rangers as a free agent.
Hayes was traded four times in his NHL career and earned just under $70 million through contracts during his NHL career.
Hayes' contract with Ak Bars is reportedly a one-year deal.
Ak Bars' roster features several former NHLers and several NHL-drafted prospects. The team finished second in its division and third in its conference last year, losing in the KHL finals to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
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Following a period of uncertainty, the Detroit Red Wings appear to have begun the interview process as they search for Steve Yzerman's successor as general manager.
Yzerman vacated his role in mid-July, sending shockwaves throughout the Red Wings fan base and the NHL due to the unusual timing. The 2026 NHL Draft had already concluded, while free agency was already two weeks underway.
Now, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who was the first to report captain Dylan Larkin's explosive trade request in early June, has revealed several names the Red Wings are reportedly interviewing.
On his latest "32 Thoughts" podcast, the well-connected analyst began by explaining that he believes the Red Wings started by interviewing internal candidates, including assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff and fellow assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper.
However, the first external candidate Friedman suggested is on Detroit's list is Andrew Thomas, who currently serves as an assistant general manager with the Detroit Tigers under GM Jeff Greenberg, another candidate reportedly being considered.
"So, they've started to interview candidates—I think they've interviewed internal candidates first," he said. "I think they interviewed Andrew Thomas. Andrew Thomas - who used to work for the Minnesota Wild - he works for the Tigers now, too."
"And, when this opened up, I don't know that Andrew Thomas is going to be ready for this now, but I've heard that they think very highly of him. And so, that's a name to remember, although I'm not convinced the opportunity is going to be his now."
Friedman then continued by suggesting Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, along with San Jose Sharks assistant GM Jeff Kealty as potential candidates.
"There have been some reports: Brett Peterson, Jeff Kealty," he said. "Like, I heard Jeff Kealty really interviewed well in Nashville; he's in San Jose now."
However, the most intriguing name in Friedman's mind continues to be Greenberg, who has largely spent his executive career in Major League Baseball with multiple clubs, as well as a stop with the Chicago Blackhawks for a single season.
"You know, I said this on NHL Network before I went on vacation at the beginning of August: Jeff Greenberg is the name that interests me," Friedman said. "He works for the Tigers, he worked for a year for the Blackhawks. Before that, he worked for the Cubs. But he's not in charge (of the Tigers), but he is the GM."
The Red Wings are set to open Training Camp on Sept. 17, less than a month from now.
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