On Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins' hockey officially kicked off for the 2025 pre-season.

And the performances of some of the Penguins' most promising prospects was certainly a sight for sore eyes - even if the result didn't go their way.

The Penguins fell to the Montreal Canadiens, 2-1, in a shootout after an all-around tight, solid game. Forward Tristan Broz scored the lone goal for the Penguins in regulation on a first-period power play, and he also registered the team's only shootout goal. Owen Beck potted one for the Canadiens in the second period, while Sean Farrell and Oliver Kapanen capitalized in the shootout to seal the win for the Habs.

Goaltender Joel Blomqvist started the game for the Penguins and stopped all 11 shots he faced, and youngster Sergei Murashov relieved him midway through the second period and surrendered just one goal on 20 shots. 

There were a lot of things to like about the Penguins in this game, and the youngsters certainly showed up. Here are some thoughts and observations from Monday's pre-season opener.

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- Broz really showed up to the rink tonight in all three zones.

He made some really solid reads on the penalty kill all night long, he was on the second power play unit and put home a rocket on a nice, quick feed from Valtteri Puustinen, and he was showing off his 200-foot game and hockey smarts during five-on-five play. 

When folks talk about the Penguins' top prospects and who has a shot at the opening night NHL roster, Broz is sometimes left out of those conversations. But he shouldn't be counted out. I'm not sure there's another player like Broz in the Penguins' organization in terms of his versatility, his smarts, his ability to finish, and his effectiveness on the defensive side of the puck.

He's just a solid all-around player, and the strides he made at the center position in the AHL last season have certainly shown in his game. If this guy hits his ceiling, he could be a reliable second- or third-line center option for the Penguins in the very near future. 

FIRST GOAL OF THE PRESEASON! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Uw3DfuV9In

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 22, 2025

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- Another two-way player who looked solid Monday was Tommy Novak.

Novak, 28, was acquired at the trade deadline from the Nashville Predators, and a post-deadline injury only let him see two games with Pittsburgh last season. He finished the season with 13 goals and 22 points in 54 games. 

I knew Novak was a decent skater, but I was surprised by how fast he looked out there. On a third-period penalty kill, he killed about 20 seconds off the clock by skating in circles around the offensive zone with the puck, and he was able to get himself back into almost every play. 

There is a lot that still needs to work itself out in the duration of training camp. It's unclear at this point whether Novak might play in a top-six role next to Evgeni Malkin or if he's going to be this team's third-line center. Either way, I think he is going to be a solid, reliable player for the Penguins this season, and his role may end up being influenced by whether or not youngsters like Broz and Filip Hallander push for roster spots. 

I'm eager to see more from him this season.

5 Observations From First Week Of Penguins' Training CampOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially opened training camp for the 2024-25 season. And through three days, there has been a lot of action.

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- I can't say enough how good Murashov was in this game.

First and foremost, it would be unfair to take anything away from Blomqvist, too. He wasn't tested as much as Murashov was, but anytime you don't allow a goal against in an outing, it's a good day. Blomqvist did his job - and did it well - then handed the keys to Murashov to close out the game.

I wrote about this Sunday, but it's amazing to me just how easy and effortless Murashov makes goaltending look. The easy saves are second-nature, the hard saves look easy, and the very hard saves are being made almost every time. 

Even on the goal against, Murashov made two or three saves before that, and Matt Dumba's stick was a culprit in the puck finally sneaking past him. He made a ridiculous cross-crease toe save in overtime, and he didn't even flinch when Ivan Demidov - a likely Calder candidate for the Habs next season - tried to deke him out in the shootout.

His poise, confidence, and ability far exceed his age of 21. If he's not the starting goaltender in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) this season, the Penguins are doing something wrong. This kid just has it.

This quote from Tristan Broz on Sergei Murashov 🥹:

"He's such a stud. I love him so much. I wish we could have got that win for him. He deserved it. He's such a great player and such an inspiring person. So, it was fun to see him do his thing out there."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 23, 2025

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- Some snippets of new head coach Dan Muse's system were slipping through the cracks during the exhibition game. I can't claim to be an expert in the field of systems work, but one big difference that I did notice was that there is a lot more movement in general.

A lot more.

There seemed to be a lot less perimeter play and more center drive. The power play was a constant rotation with no one standing dormant or stagnating. There is definitely an emphasis on an attack mentality in all three zones and on swarming the puck carrier defensively. 

I'm curious to see how these changes look with some of the more veteran players on the roster. But there seems to be buy-in from the younger guys, and the emphasis on movement was refreshing to watch.

'The Energy Is Through The Roof': Competition The Focus In Dan Muse's First NHL Training CampBy the time day one of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp concluded, new head coach Dan Muse had nearly lost his voice. 

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- It is very important to emphasize that this was only one pre-season game, and it was the first pre-season game. The Canadiens' lineup wasn't stacked - even if there were a few higher-profile players like Patrik Laine and Noah Dobson in the lineup - and neither was the Penguins.'

But it's hard to ignore the performance that Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke put on together as a pairing.

Pickering really looks like he has the potential to develop into a solid, reliable, hard-to-play-against top-four blueliner. He has figured out a way to use his 6-foot-5 frame more advantageously, and he routinely shut down opposing scoring chances all night long. He, like Brunicke, is also good in transition and knows how to man the offensive blue line.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defenseman Should Be Full-Time In The NHL This SeasonHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

And Brunicke? I don't know what else there is to say about this kid.

Just when I thought there were times in the first three training camp practices when he was trying to do too much, he went out in a competitive setting and made that a distant memory. His secondary assist on Broz's power play goal was a thing of beauty, as he faked a shot and made the Canadiens' defense overcommit, exposing a wide-open passing lane to Broz, who quickly dished it to Puustinen, who quickly dished it back.

A beauty from Broz 🙌

The second period starts now. Tune in on @NHLNetwork! pic.twitter.com/ncIDwdsitC

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 23, 2025

Brunicke also looked solid on the defensive side of the puck, using a strong stick to disrupt and his hockey sense to read angles and cut them off. He saw a few shifts in overtime, too, and was one of three Penguins' defensemen to see the ice - the others being Dumba and Ryan Shea.

There is still a lot of pre-season left. Six more games, to be exact. But these two already look comfortable playing together and have chemistry, and they were the best defensive pairing on the ice Monday by a mile. And that's saying something, since Dumba and Connor Clifton were solid, too.

If they carry this play through the end of the pre-season - and against better competition - there is no way they should be leaving the city of Pittsburgh when final roster cuts are made.

For Penguins' Prospect, Training Camp Is A Family Reunion - And An OpportunityOn Jun. 28, something pretty special happened for Pittsburgh Penguins' forward prospect Avery Hayes. 

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Right before their first preseason game on Sunday, the Ottawa Senators trimmed their roster from 52 to 49 players, sending defenseman Gabriel Eliasson, forward Blake Vanek, and defenseman Eerik Wallenius back to their junior clubs. Ottawa now continues camp with five goaltenders, 15 defensemen, and 29 forwards competing for roster spots.

No one likes to be among the very first cuts, of course, but early dismissal from class isn't necessarily an indictment of the players or their value as prospects.

When a young prospect still has junior eligibility and they clearly aren't NHL-ready yet, teams generally send them packing earlier than they might otherwise, just so they can get settled in with their junior club as soon as possible and not miss too much of the season. But if they're truly on the NHL radar, their junior teams can wait.

None of the three moves came as a surprise, though each cut has its own story.

Eliasson Back in Barrie

The most notable name among Sunday’s cuts was Eliasson, the Sens' second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Eliasson isn't just big. He's got a mean streak. He posted 3 goals, 7 points, and 116 penalty minutes last season with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. While scouts love his size and physical edge, the Senators want him to continue refining all parts of his game.

As the 39th overall pick in the 2024 Draft and a Swedish national junior team member, the Sens may have quietly hoped Eliasson would make their decision harder this year, the way Carter Yakemchuk did last fall. But another early exit from camp is something the big Swede will no doubt use as motivation heading into another season back in Barrie, much to the chagrin of every OHL right winger who chases a puck into the corner on Eliasson's side of the ice.

Vanek Heads to WHL

Blake Vanek, son of former Buffalo Sabre Thomas Vanek, was drafted this past June in the third round. The American winger trampled the Minnesota high school ranks with 53 points in 28 games, but the Senators will have a better idea of his NHL potential once he begins his first WHL campaign with the Wenatchee Wild. For Vanek, this was always about getting a little taste of the NHL pace before returning to junior.

Wallenius Off to New Brunswick

Eerik Wallenius is now set to make his debut with QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. The Finnish defenseman was taken by the Sens in the fifth round in 2024, partially because size matters in Ottawa. At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Wallenius has that, and now, like Eliasson, he needs to round out the rest of his game if he's to begin turning heads at next year's camp.

What's Next?

The Sens continue their preseason schedule Tuesday night in Toronto (7pm) against the Maple Leafs. Then, in a few days, it's a trip to Quebec City for two games – one against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, and the other on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Expect a much bigger round of cuts sometime before the team heads to Quebec.

Meanwhile, as they send Eliasson, Vanek, and Wallenius on their way, the junior-aged trio has their marching orders, and the Senators are hoping the decisions on them will be considerably harder at next year's camp.

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Fans of the Detroit Red Wings can be excused for envisioning 2021 Round One Draft selection Sebastian Cossa enjoying the kind of career that Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has enjoyed.

After all, it was current Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman who drafted Vasilevskiy with the Tampa Bay Lightning 19th overall in 2012. He's gone on to become one of the NHL's best players at the position, and helped his club win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons. 

For Cossa, his development has hit a few snags in recent months, notably when he was pulled from the Calder Cup Playoffs by the Grand Rapids Griffins this spring during what was ultimately a three-game series loss. 

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

Cossa's numbers down the stretch of the season also weren't the best, which he knows that he must reverse heading into his fourth season of professional hockey.

"I didn't have the best second half last year, I wasn't happy with the playoff performance," Cossa said during Red Wings Training Camp. "There's a bit of a chip on the shoulder when it comes to that. I want to prove I can play at a really high level in the AHL and hopefully get (an NHL opportunity).

"I was rock solid the first half of the year up until to around December, then a couple of injuries in Grand Rapids and Detroit, and you miss a couple of guys and we got into a bit of a slump, the whole team. I wasn't playing great. It's unfortunate."

Cossa is going to have the chance to get more experience at the NHL level, albeit in pre-season play, over the next eight games the Red Wings are scheduled for before the beginning of the regular season on Oct. 9. 

Red Wings Announce Roster Cuts Ahead of Pre-Season SlateTraining Camp has officially wrapped up for the Detroit Red Wings, who have one internal event remaining on the schedule before the pre-season begins on Tuesday.

While Cossa did pick up his first official NHL victory last December as part of a relief appearance against the Buffalo Sabres, it remains his only regular season action to date. 

If he wants additional opportunities, he knows that he's going to have to work for them. 

"It's a big year, but nothing really changes for me," Cossa said. "I had a real good summer and put in a lot of work. I'm just trying to stay consistent through the year. I want to gain the experience I've gained the past few years and push the pace and be the best version of myself."

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ST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild announced on Monday the signing of goaltender Chase Wutzke to a three-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2025-26 season.

Wutzke, 19, went 17-25-5 with a 3.38 goals-against average (GAA), a .895 save percentage (SV%) and one shutout in 50 games for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2024-25 season.

He was drafted with the fifth-round of the 2024 NHL Draft with the 142nd pick. He is 40-35-10 with a 3.21 GAA, a .896 SV%, and two shutouts in 93 career games across parts of four seasons with Red Deer.

Red Deer Rebels' Chase Wutzke Signs ELC With The Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild have signed goaltender Chase Wutzke to a three-year, entry-level contract. Wutzke, who plays for the Red Deer Rebels was drafted in 2024, going 142nd overall to Minnesota. Wutzke has played 93 games during his WHL career, putting together a record of 40-35-8.

The 6-foot-2 goaltender played in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase at The TRIA Rink and played well. He has been at training camp and has just been returned to Red Deer for the upcoming season.

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

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As the Vancouver Canucks head towards the 2025-26 season, one of the big debates revolves around 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes. After a strong showing at training camp, as well as in Vancouver's first pre-season game, debates have already started surrounding whether the 18-year-old should be on the NHL roster when the season opens. While there are positives and negatives to Cootes beginning the year with the Canucks, giving him a spot on the opening night roster could be beneficial for both the organization and the player. 

Cootes was selected 15th overall by Vancouver in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Listed at 5'11", 183 lbs, he recorded 63 points in 60 games last season while serving as captain for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Cootes also plays a position of need for the organization, as he is a right-shot center. 

Before diving into this debate, it is important to note that Cootes still needs to earn this opportunity. As mentioned, he has been a standout so far, but still needs to show that he can have a positive impact against NHL players on a consistent basis. While outplaying others for roster spots won't be easy, Cootes looks up for the task based on his performances since being drafted by the Canucks. 

Over the past few seasons, there have been examples from around the league of rookies playing so well in camp that they earn a spot on an NHL roster. Fraser Minten played four games for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the start of the 2023-24 campaign before being assigned to the Kamloops Blazers, while last year, Jett Luchanko also played four games, but for the Philadelphia Flyers, before starting his OHL season with the Guelph Storm. In both cases, each player ended up representing Canada at the World Juniors while being over a point per game in the CHL. 

One positive aspect of starting Cootes in the NHL is that it allows the organization to learn more about him, both on and off the ice. Whether it is how he reacts to difficult matchups or even as simple as how the 18-year-old meshes with his teammates, all these factors can help Vancouver's management staff build a development plan that will benefit Cootes the most. That way, if the Canucks do end up deciding to send him back to the WHL for the rest of the season, Cootes has a better idea of what he needs to work on throughout the year. 

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Playing Cootes in the NHL is also a form of positive reinforcement, as the organization would be rewarding a young player for stepping up during training camp and the pre-season. At the same time, it is a statement to every other player that they need to be on the top of their game as the next wave of players is ready to take their spots. 

If Vancouver is going to go down this route, they need to be careful in how they manage Cootes. For example, having him on the roster but healthy-scratching him would not be beneficial for his development. That is why if they are going to give him a trial, the Canucks must ensure that even if he is only playing eight or nine minutes a night, that he actually makes it onto the ice and isn't sitting in the press box for long periods of time.  

The fact that this conversation is happening surrounding Cootes is a significant victory for the organization. If anything, it shows that Vancouver made a strong draft selection this past June who has the potential to be a key part of their lineup sooner rather than later. While there are still a few weeks until the season officially starts, it is starting to look more likely than not that Cootes plays NHL games this year. 

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.

It’s safe to say that Brent Burns is embracing the competitiveness at Colorado Avalanche training camp.

After playing the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Burns signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Avalanche. 

Going into training camp, Burns had some nerves, but he’s getting settled in. 

"You know, the good feelings for me coming in, it's not just another training camp," Burns said. "You get antsy before you go to bed. You're nervous in the morning, no idea what to expect. It was a great practice. It was tough."

Rod Brind'Amour Impressed With Logan Stankoven As He Makes Potential Transition To CenterThrough the start of Carolina Hurricanes’ training camp, Logan Stankoven has had the opportunity to play center. 

The 40-year-old defenseman recorded six goals, 23 assists, and 29 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last year, while averaging 20:57 minutes.

Every NHL team has their AHL affiliate. Some of these AHL affiliates are located in the same city as, or close to, the NHL team. Examples of that would be the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Marlies, the San Jose Sharks and the Barracuda, the Calgary Flames and the Wranlgers, and a few more.

However, there are other situations where the affiliates are more than 1,000 miles apart from each other. States and provinces separate some teams, while others are on opposite sides of the border.

Here are the three longest distances between NHL and AHL affiliates.

1. Edmonton Oilers And Bakersfield Condors - 1,284 Miles

The distance between the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors is the biggest between an NHL and AHL affiliate in the entire league. Between the two cities is about 1,284 flying miles. That’s around four-and-a-half times the Grand Canyon.

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, located in the mid-west of Canada. Bakersfield is in California, on the west coast of the U.S. This city is further south than San Jose and San Francisco, making travel by plane over three hours long.

Neutral-Site Matchups And Locations For The 2025-26 NHL Pre-SeasonThe NHL pre-season has officially arrived this weekend as another season approaches. Not only is pre-season a great time for coaches and management to test out line combinations and review their roster, but it’s a great time for the NHL and the teams to try new things.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning And Syracuse Crunch - 1,098 Miles

The Syracuse Crunch has been around since 1994-95 and has been the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning since the 2011-12 season. Since then, they’ve been the home to coach Jon Cooper, Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and several other individuals who have made great impacts in the NHL.

Between Tampa, Fla., and Syracuse, N.Y. is 1,098 miles, the second-longest distance among the two affiliates. The travel time between the two cities is nearly three hours. A shorter flight than Edmonton to Bakersfield, but still not an easy trip for a call-up.

3. Seattle Kraken And Coachella Valley Firebirds - 1,011 Miles

The latest NHL expansion team and one of the newest NHL franchises, the Seattle Kraken and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, make up the third-longest distance between league affiliates.

The Kraken are based in Seattle, Wash., while the Firebirds are located in Palm Desert, Calif. The distance between the two clubs and cities is about 1,011 miles and is around the same flight time from Tampa to Syracuse, just under three hours.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.        

The New Jersey Devils’ highly anticipated prospect Arseny Gritsyuk finally hit the ice yesterday, making his debut in a preseason matchup against the New York Rangers.

Although the Devils fell 5-3, the spotlight was firmly on Gritsyuk,  and he didn’t disappoint.

After years of speculation and buildup, fans wondered if his success in the Kontinental Hockey League would translate to the NHL. Drafted 129th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Gritsyuk only just arrived in North America, but his debut showed why the hype may have been justified.

Against the Rangers, he stood out as the most dynamic player on either side. Gritsyuk finished the game with two points, a goal and an assist, while also leading all players with six shots on goal. His quick skating, sharp hockey IQ, and relentless shooting made an immediate impression.

When told of his stat line after the game, Gritsyuk was stunned, blurting out in Russian, “How — many?”

Head coach Sheldon Keefe had emphasized before the game that he wanted Gritsyuk to stay true to his offensive instincts:

“He’s an offensive player. So in a game like this, you want him confident, making plays, being himself offensively. At the same time, it’s all the little things: energy, speed, comprehension of our system. Each player has an identity of who they are. Go out and be that.”

Gritsyuk delivered, scoring his first goal and setting up Paul Cotter for another.

“Great little slip on Cotter’s goal,” Keefe said. “The more touches he got in the second half of the game, I thought Grits started to come alive a little bit. That was positive to see.”

Afterward, Gritsyuk reflected on the pace of NHL hockey with a mix of honesty and humor:

“I am tired,” he laughed. “A lot of battles, big speed, all guys are bigger than me, but I enjoyed this time. I had good partners, good team, couple of guys support me on the bench, Cotter a lot of time saved me on the ice. I’m feeling good.”

So, was he overhyped? Based on one preseason game, no. While it’s just the beginning of his Devils career, Gritsyuk’s performance showed that the long wait might have been worth it.

Brennan Othmann will not receive any discipline for his elbowing penalty on Calen Addison during the New York Rangers’ 5-3 preseason win against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. 

In the third period, Othmann elbowed Addison in the face, which resulted in a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. 

According to Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, it sounds like Brennan Othmann won’t be facing any discipline for the hit. 

Othmann suffered an injury himself during the second period of this game, but he was ultimately able to return in the third period.

Last season, Othmann played in 22 games for the Rangers, while suiting up in 27 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. 

The 22-year-old forward hopes to make the Rangers’ opening-night roster this year. 

“I’m brutally honest, I’m not worried about my abilities or when I’m going to play in the NHL, I will play in the NHL at some point,” Othmann said. “Whether it’s this year or whenever, I’m going to play in the NHL. I'm just confident in my ability as a player…

Four Takeaways From The Rangers' First Preseason GameThe New York Rangers won their first preseason game against the New Jersey Devils 5-3 on Sunday afternoon. 

“I don't know what other job I'd rather be doing. I'm a professional hockey player going on my third year now, like, it's exactly what I want to do. Obviously, in the NHL, but I'm a professional hockey player. I get here, I work out, I skate, I laugh, I have fun. That’s the best part of it, being around guys that you love and guys that love you back.”

The Kings earned a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at home in early preseason action, giving fans a taste of what’s to come for the regular season. 

While the result won’t count in the wins column, it’s still a valuable performance by the Kings as they prepare for the 2025-26 regular season in just a few weeks.

Now, here are three takeaways below that Kings’ fans should be excited about what they saw tonight and should expect to see more of in the regular season. 

THAT’S A KINGS WIN AT THE EMPIRE CLASSIC! pic.twitter.com/urAZWefsDb

— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 22, 2025

1. Kings Depth Makes Its Case

Preseason is very important because it gives a chance for the younger players and other players who are looking to crack the roster and depth chart. We saw Alex Turcotte

played a great game, finishing with 1 goal, 2 points, and one assist. 

The 19-year-old goaltender Carter George also officially played his first game in a Kings uniform and didn’t disappoint, leading the Kings to a win in his first NHL career start, finishing the game with a .963 save percentage for the day. 

Several other players also stepped up, including Alex Laferriere and Andre Lee, both finishing with a goal and combining for seven goals attempted. Again, the game doesn’t seem important, but it definitely is, and the coaching staff will have something to think about to decide who makes the final roster spot. 

2. Defense Continues to Hold Up

As mentioned before, the Kings were great in the game defensively, especially first-year goaltender Carter George, anchoring the defense and holding the Ducks to just one goal on the night. 

This was a team that was No. 1 in defense by lowest expected goals against, and today they showed the league how versatile they could be again. 

Granted, it was just one preseason game, but this is still a good sign, especially considering the losses of Corey Perry to injury and David Rittich and Vladislav Gavrikov to the Rangers and Islanders, respectively. 

It gave us a chance to see the Kings' depth step up, and it was very exciting to see the younger players demonstrate they have what it takes to play big. 

3. Goaltending Remains Consistent

The Kings can’t just rely on Darcy Kuemper this season, who is among the best goaltenders in the league, but he is 35 years old and will need some help in the backup role.

Whether that backup is George, Pheonix Coply, or Anton Forsberg, it will be interesting to see who competes and wins that spot to be the primary backup for Kuemper. 

Again, it was one preseason game for George and his first-ever start in the NHL, and the regular season is a whole other level, so we have to wait and see what happens there. 

26 saves and .957 SV% for Carter George 👏 pic.twitter.com/ewIg4vzsdn

— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 22, 2025

But for now, give credit to George for being ready and prepared for his first-ever career start and delivering in a great win.  

Looking Ahead 

Preseason won’t define everything in a season, but the Kings' 3-1 win over the Ducks showed their prepared for anything, and it was very encouraging for Kings fans to be happy about. 

With its young players playing for something to prove, goaltending staying steady, and the defense continuing to remain strong, LA is positioning itself to start the 2025-26 season on a high note.  

At long last, Pittsburgh Penguins hockey is back on Monday. They will play their first game of the preseason in the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET. 

The Penguins announced the lineup for this game on Sunday evening, and it includes a lot of young players trying to make the NHL roster. There are still some NHL veterans in this lineup, including Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak, and Robby Fabbri, but the lineup consists mostly of young players like Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, Sergei Murashov, Joel Blomqvist, Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, and Ben Kindel. 

Those players, along with several others, will be given an opportunity to impress head coach Dan Muse and the rest of the coaching staff as they push for spots on the opening night roster. 

Joel Blomqvist will get the start in net and play the first half of the game before Sergei Murashov replaces him. Blomqvist is battling Arturs Silovs for the backup goaltender spot behind Tristan Jarry, but don't forget about Murashov.

Murashov is a long shot to make the NHL roster right now, but he's been the best goaltender at training camp thus far. He could at least take that momentum to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a full season before potentially being NHL-ready for the 2026-27 season.

This game will be a good test for some of the Penguins' young players since the Canadiens will have some of their regulars playing, including defenseman Noah Dobson, forwards Brendan Gallagher and Patrik Laine, and goaltender Samuel Montembeault. 

The Penguins went 3-0-0 against the Canadiens during the regular season last year and outscored them 18-6. Rickard Rakell was dominant in those games, compiling three goals and six points. 

You can listen to the game on 105.9 The X and view the full rosters for the game here. 

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A couple of OHL players returned to their respective club teams after attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but they are both coming back with NHL contracts. 

On Sunday evening, the Vancouver Canucks made a round of cuts, assigning Gabriel Chiarot back to the Brampton Steelheads and Riley Patterson to his new OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs. 

However, on Monday, the organization announced that the club had signed both forwards Patterson and Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts. 

General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with forwards Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot on three-year, entry-level contracts.

DETAILS | https://t.co/eDEQw2zmzhpic.twitter.com/VH7Y4ojM9J

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 22, 2025

Patterson, 19, was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Canucks. Through two seasons with the Barrie Colts in the OHL, he’s put together back-to-back 25+ goal seasons (25,29), and has recorded 121 points (54 goals, 67 assists) in 132 regular season games. 

The Colts had one of the deepest rosters in the OHL last season. Patterson recorded three fewer points than he did the previous year, but interestingly, he tied with the New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick, Kashawn Aitcheson, for the most points on the team, both finishing the season with 59 points.

Patterson didn’t report to Barrie’s training camp when it opened, as he had requested a trade, wanting a fresh start with a new OHL team. Barrie traded him to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for five draft picks in late August. 

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Chiarot, 19, had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on the 17th at Vancouver’s training camp, and what better way to celebrate than by signing your first NHL contract. 

The Hamilton, Ontario, native was selected 175th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by Vancouver. Chiarot recorded 35 goals (21 goals, 14 assists) in 66 regular season games last year with the Brampton Steelheads. 

Chiarot’s appeal is that he’s a 200-foot, diligent winger who has the drive to play at the professional level. He’s a dirty-area player. He battles well in the corners, wins puck battles, has a presence on the forecheck, and is fearless in attacking the front of the net. He’s a responsible player who makes contributions on both sides of the puck, despite showcasing a minimal playmaking skill set. 

Now, Chiarot didn’t rack up the points last season in his draft year, but he looked very impressive in three OHL pre-season games, recording three goals and four assists. 

The Steelheads are going to be a much weaker team this year compared to last year. Canucks prospect Chiarot will be expected to lead the way offensively on a nightly basis for his club. 

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Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.  Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts.  Colorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersShould OHL players leave for opportunities to play collegiate-level hockey in the NCAA? That is a conversation that is constantly being had since we are seeing more and more high-end players from the CHL leave their junior teams to play in the NCAA. 

Following disappointing campaigns for the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, their chances of returning to the post-season all depend on the makeup of the rest of their respective divisions.

The Canucks had a brutal dropoff in play last season, going from the top team in the Pacific Division in 2023-24 to fifth spot in the Pacific last year. 

Nonetheless, Vancouver has essentially doubled down on its core of talent this summer, and in this writer’s point of view, Vancouver has a solid shot at being a playoff team and challenging for home-ice advantage.

In many respects, the New York Rangers have experienced a similar journey in the past two seasons as the Canucks have. The Rangers were the best team in the Metropolitan Division – and the league – in 2023-24, only to fall to fifth in the Metro last season.

While the Blueshirts did make some major changes – adding veteran defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and new coach Mike Sullivan, while parting ways with left winger Chris Kreider, D-man K’Andre Miller and coach Peter Laviolette – they also essentially have the same core. 

However, the road ahead for the Rangers this season is considerably more difficult than it is for the Canucks. Unlike Vancouver, the Rangers are playing in a division where each team is aiming to take a step toward the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Canucks will be battling with some sub-par-to-mediocre Pacific teams – namely, the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken.

On the other hand, the Rangers are going to square off against three playoff locks in the Metro – the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils. After that, five other teams will be fighting for fourth place - the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

We’re already on record as picking the Blue Jackets to earn a playoff spot last year. And if that turns out to be accurate, the Rangers will be looking at fifth place at best in the Metro, and hoping to put together a record that bumps the fourth-place team in the Atlantic Division out of the playoffs. Neither of those two things will be easy, which is why it’s going to be harder for the Rangers to return to the post-season than it will be for the Canucks. 

We’re not suggesting the Rangers are certain to miss the playoffs. Nor are we arguing the Canucks are guaranteed to make it. However, playing in a weaker division affects the bottom line for teams. Ultimately, the Rangers are playing in a more competitive division than Vancouver is. That’s not an opinion. That’s reality.

More things have to go right for the Rangers to return to the playoffs than they do for the Canucks to be a post-season team this year. If the stars don’t line up to the benefit of the Rangers, there are going to be some serious changes in Manhattan next summer. So yes, the Rangers have a tougher road back to respectability than Vancouver does.

The Canucks are going to have their own set of challenges this season, but the Rangers have a steeper hill to climb. Time will tell whether either or both teams were up to that challenge.

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The San Jose Sharks hosted their first preseason game of the season on Sunday night. We discussed the events of the game itself last night, now let’s dive into what both locker rooms had to say about the game.

It was the opening contest of preseason for both teams, which was a major talking point of their media availabilities. “I felt good. I thought as the game went along, I got more comfortable,” said Sharks forward Michael Misa. “It's just gonna have to be something I'm gonna have to get used to. But obviously, that was the first preseason game, and I felt good out there.”

Vegas defenseman Kaedan Korczak was a little less optimistic, but had positive takeaways from the night overall. “I felt okay, obviously not the cleanest but felt decent,” he said. “I think going back to last year’s first game I felt a lot better.”

Jeff Skinner was highly complimentary of Sharks defenseman Sam Dickinson, who assisted on his goal. “Obviously, he's got some real good skill,” said Skinner. “He's a big body back there, and I see his junior stats sort of speak for themselves. He can move the puck, and he can create offensively. But I think for me, watching him out there, he looks solid in all three zones to me. I thought he had a great game.”

Dickinson also felt that he had a strong performance, adding, “ [I was] a little more comfortable, a little more confident in what I can do out there. I wasn't really looking just to be out there tonight. I wanted to make a difference and showcase what I can do out on the ice. I think I did a pretty good job of that tonight.”

Dickisnon also noted a key defensive play he made in the second period, disrupting a breakaway chance for Vegas forward Brett Howden as a turning point for him on an individual level. “I think that play there was something that gave me a little bit of confidence to build off of, and to kind of use something to anchor and build shift by shift from,” Dickinson said. “I think it was just the kind of game where I think everybody knew it’s going to take some time to fully get into it.”

As for Vegas, they were pretty open about how the game played out. “We [were] a little soft and got scored on twice,” said Matyas Sapovaliv. “It’s harder to reach for the game after that.” While Korczak knew what they needed to address moving forward, “ I mean 5-on-5, I thought we were right there. We didn’t really take the puck to the net too much but had some looks, but to score in this league you have to get to the net.”

Both teams were also heavily complimentary of their goaltenders, as Skinner had nothing but great things to say about Alex Nedeljkovic, “He was great,” Skinner said. “Not only the saves, I thought he played the puck really well. I thought he made some great plays and that settles things down for us, especially sometimes when they're just trying to dump it in. We had a clean break out, because he made a good play, and then obviously, he saved all the shots. He did his job. I thought he did great. It's nice to see.”

At the other end, Sapovaliv had positive sentiments about both Carl Lindbom and Jesper Vikman. “They both played a really good game and they’ve been good for us,” Sapovaliv stated. “They still kept the game really close.”

Looking back on Misa’s night, he won some key faceoffs that certainly helped the Sharks walk away with the win, despite not recording a point. That’s a key area of his game that he feels he needs to work on moving forward though. “It's gonna be something that's gonna become my daily routine after practice, working on those,” Misa said. “You definitely see it out there a lot stronger guys on the face off. So it's good for me to have to deal with that, and have to practice.”

As for the coaches, Sharks head coach Warsofsky was happy with the performances of quite a few players but did note some things, in the third period specifically, he wants to see the team improve on moving forward.

“[We need to work on] managing pucks, continue to make plays,” said Warsofsky. “We got put on our heels a little bit, which is going to happen in this game, but we can't be soft flipping pucks to the neutral zone, losing wall battles with soft flips, and when you want to argue the penalty and whatnot, we can't take penalties up 2-0. Next thing you know, it's 2-1 with four and a half minutes left. We've seen this act before. So those are the things that we need to improve on. You know, we can't take penalties under six minutes. You know, we don't take penalties at all, really. It's going to happen. Those are the moments we have to start learning as a group.”

At the other end, Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy was happy overall with his team’s 5-on-5 play but said, “Offensively, we needed to be more competitive to get inside. Some of that is young guys not knowing how hard it is to score in this league, and that’s part of the learning curve.”

The Sharks and Golden Knights will face each other once again on Friday, and it will certainly be interesting to see not only how different the lineups will be, but also whether both teams are able to implement the changes they want to see in that quick of a time frame.

San Jose Sharks Defeat Golden Knights 3-0 Due to Multiple Strong First ImpressionsThe San Jose Sharks hosted the Vegas Golden Knights in their first preseason action of the 2025-26 season on Sunday night. Macklin Celebrini and Cam Lund Return to Training CampAhead of tonight’s preseason matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, Macklin Celebrini and Cam Lund both returned to the ice this morning at Sharks Ice. The Hockey News Sunday Recap: San Jose Sharks` - Sunday Sept. 21stHappy Sunday, San Jose Sharks fans.

The Seattle Kraken have reassigned six players to their junior clubs, highlighted by 2025 first-round pick Jake O'Brien.

Among the six players are Alexis Bernier, Jakub Fibigr, Blake Fiddler, Julius Miettinen, Jake O'Brien and Will Reynolds.

Bernier will head back to the Drakkar de Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL, where he's spent three seasons. The 19-year-old defender set a career-high in goals and points last year and will be looking to improve on those numbers when he returns from rehabbing an ACL injury.

Fibigr, a 19-year-old Czech defender, will return to the Brampton Steelheads. The Steelheads will look quite different this season after Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf and other top NHL prospects Porter Martone and Luke Misa have left the team. Fibigr will play a large role with both the Steelheads and the Czechia National Team at the world juniors.

Fiddler, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft, is heading back to the WHL to rejoin the Edmonton Oil Kings. The 18-year-old got his first taste of NHL action last night and looked strong and poised. The right-handed defenseman has a massive frame and skates very well for his size. Another strong WHL season can go a long way for Fiddler.

Miettinen is currently recovering from an injury and did not participate in rookie camp or training camp. He'll return to an Everett Silvertips team who are hoping for better fortune in the playoffs this year. With exceptional status defenseman Landon DuPont and 2025 first-round pick Carter Bear, the Silvertips should be among the favorites to take home the WHL championship. 

O'Brien, like Fiddler, got his first opportunity at playing against NHL competition and did not look out of place. O'Brien is as smart as they come, but he is in major need of adding muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame. Another season or two of developing in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs will be very beneficial toward becoming an NHL-ready center. 

Reynolds was a third-round pick in the most recent NHL draft and will embark on a new era of his career. The 18-year-old has spent the past season and a half with Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL but will join the Newfoundland Regiment this year. Listed at 6-foot-3, Reynolds has appealing physical tools for a defenseman.