It will be a special night at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, as Nazem Kadri reaches one of hockey’s most respected career milestones — his 1,000th NHL game. The Calgary Flames forward will become just the 12th player to hit the mark while wearing the Flaming C.

Captain, Mikael Backlund reached the millennium mark with the Flames last season. 

Kadri, who was drafted seventh overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009, has carved out a career defined by resilience, intensity, and a fiery competitiveness that’s made him one of the league’s most respected two-way players. After stints in Toronto and Colorado — where he captured the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 — Kadri brought his trademark edge and leadership to Calgary, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.

Ahead of the milestone, Kadri showed his lighter side at practice, donning a yellow non-contact jersey as a tongue-in-cheek nod to his upcoming achievement. But make no mistake — the 34-year-old is ready to go when the puck drops.

“To be physically and mentally ready for that many games, it’s an incredible achievement,” Kadri told the media on Tuesday. “I have so much thankfulness and gratitude at this point that I’ve been able to be put into this position to do what I love to do and to continue to do it.”

Known for his combination of grit and offensive creativity, Kadri has led the Flames in scoring for each of the past two seasons and once again paces the team this year with 10 points (3G, 7A). His blend of leadership and passion has made him a steadying presence in a locker room undergoing transition.

For Kadri, Wednesday’s game isn’t just another number — it’s a celebration of perseverance, growth, and the journey from a young draft pick in Toronto to a Cup champion and veteran leader in Calgary.

The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up a three-game homestand by hosting the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday, with hopes of extending their three-game winning streak to four. This was the second time the two teams faced each other in a week; the last result was a 3-2 shootout win by Anaheim.

Florida was coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday, arriving in Anaheim on two full days’ rest and hoping to kick off their west coast road trip on a high note.

The Anaheim coaching staff went with the same lineup that earned them their last win against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

Anaheim Ducks on the Tip of National Media Tongues

Game #12: Ducks vs. Panthers Gameday Preview (11/04/25)

Lukas Dostal got the start in net for the Ducks and saved 18 of the 21 shots he faced. Dostal stood in the opposite crease as Sergei Bobrovsky, who stopped just 25 of 32.

The Ducks lost Leo Carlsson at the start of the third period when he received an interference major and game misconduct when his shoulder made contact with Evan Rodrigues’ head while the Ducks were on the power play. Nikita Nesterenko filled in admirably in his place for the remainder of the game.

Here are my notes:

The Ducks came out of the gate a bit out of sync, struggling to build plays from their own end against one of the NHL’s top forechecking teams. The game opened up soon after, but favored the Panthers early.

The Ducks made some adjustments, behind some opportunistic goals from Cutter Gauthier, and dialed in a bit of their freewheeling, ultimately dictating pace with a relentless forecheck, clever rush sequences, and elongated time on the cycle.

They rode the emotions of extracurricular skirmishes and capitalized on the open ice created from non-5v5 play.

Cutter Gauthier-This game was all about Gauthier. In less than 15 minutes of TOI, three of his six shots on goal found the back of the net, and he added a primary assist to boot. Two of his goals came on the power play off of right-flank one-timers, a spot he’d played in for his entire pre-NHL career, and he’s now translating those efforts to the NHL, finding and manipulating those open lanes to make himself a passing option, and burying pucks with confidence at will.

“It’s a pretty special night,” Gauthier said after the game. “(They’re) the defending Cup champ, so the most important thing was that we got the job done. So it was super fun.”

Gauthier became the first NHL player 21 or younger to score 10 goals in the first 12 games of a season since Auston Matthews in 2018-19 and now co-leads the NHL in goals. He was drafted to be a goal scorer, acquired by Anaheim to be a goal scorer, and is now scratching the surface of that potential, scoring in a variety of ways, utilizing several of his above-average attributes, and rounding out his “B” game in the process.

Breakouts and Regroups-This was the area where the Ducks struggled most early. It seemed as if they were anticipating the Panthers to deploy an ultra-aggressive forecheck and were taken aback when Florida’s focus was more on eliminating outlets rather than pressuring the puck.

The Ducks adjusted by having forwards support lower and shortening the distance for outlets, leading to cleaner exits and possession through neutral ice.

Rush Defense-Florida exploited the Ducks’ weak side defender in the neutral zone, who was either too stationary or displayed a poor gap, by sending the weak side forward cutting to the middle of the ice on counterattacks for stretch passes, leading to breakaways or semi-breakaways.

This was another area the Ducks cleaned up nicely as the game went on, taking away that option and forcing the puck carrier to make safer reads, after which the Ducks' backcheck or strong defenders sealed on the wall and killed the rush.

Nikita Nesterenko-Nesterenko notched a goal and an assist in this game and is becoming noticeably more comfortable with and without the puck as each game goes on, now 41 games into his NHL career. He’s evolved into a plus forechecker and is taking his time, making NHL reads, and keeping his feet moving with the puck on his stick to optimize rush and cycle chances. He can play all 12 forward positions, and may very well at this rate if head coach Joel Quenneville continues to have lineup spots in need of filling.

“You get more comfortable with every game,” Nesterenko said after the game. “The more puck touches you get, you assess different situations throughout the game. If you’re not throwing it away as much, you’re trying to possess it, that’s the name of the game.”

The Ducks will hit the road for two games against perennial cup contenders: the Dallas Stars on Thursday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, looking to extend their now-four-game winning streak.

Takeaways from the Ducks 4-1 Victory over the Devils

10 Stats from the First 10 Games of the 2025-26 Season for the Anaheim Ducks

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights moved into a first place tie with the Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific Division after Tuesday's 1-0 win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings.

Vegas opened the night in fourth place with 15 points, but along with Anaheim, leapfrogged Edmonton and Seattle to regain the top spot in the Pacific. The Ducks visit Vegas on Saturday.

Ivan Barbashev scored for the Knights while Akira Schmid made 24 saves to earn his second career shutout, his first as a Golden Knight and first since 2023.

Schmid is now 8-1-1 all-time wearing a Vegas sweater.

Though Detroit's John Gibson stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced, Vegas improved to 24-6 against him since it entered the league.

"It wasn't as pretty offensively," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Both goaltenders I thought played well. Coaches are generally happy when you pitch a shutout. You have to find a way to win when you don't get very many goals."

KEY MOMENT: With the game dragging through the first period and a half, Barbashev ignited the near-sellout crowd when he knocked down Brandon Saad's spinning backhand at the doorstep and slammed the puck past John Gibson to give Vegas 1-0 and all the momentum it would need.

BARBIE BROUGHT THIS PLACE ALIVE 💈 pic.twitter.com/oYoUimG1vd

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 5, 2025

KEY STAT: The Knights' struggles with a man advantage continued, as they finished 0 for 1 on the power play. They're now 2 of 20 on the power play since Oct. 20, and since Mark Stone has been out with a wrist injury.

WHAT A KNIGHT: While Barbashev was credited with the game-winner, Schmid was easily the star of the night, particularly with a highlight-reel save in the third period. Detroit's Alex DeBrincat raced down the left side and sent a stinger far side that hit Schmid's glove. Before the puck hit the ice, DeBrincat followed up by tapping the puck right back toward the net, but Schmid's windmill save stymied the effort.

"I just kind of threw my hand in the air, hoping to hit it," Schmid said. "Thank God I did."

pic.twitter.com/RLZo6ay1kl

— NHL (@NHL) November 5, 2025

UP NEXT: Vegas hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, in the second and final meeting of the season. The Lightning beat the Knights in overtime, 2-1, in Tampa on Oct. 26.

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DENVER — One streak ended, another rolled on.

The Colorado Avalanche halted the Tampa Bay Lightning’s five-game surge with a gritty 3–2 victory at Ball Arena, powered by Victor Olofsson’s two goals and a solid defensive game. 

The Avs bounced back from a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday with another 3-2 game, except this one had a W at the end of it. 

Ross Colton makes it 3-1 Avs.

pic.twitter.com/80BQsK1gHc

— Out Fox Sports (@MarkHolder27) November 5, 2025

Colorado survived a shaky start before building a lead and ultimately holding onto it. Ross Colton also scored and Nathan MacKinnon extended his point streak to seven games, one shy of the team season-high.

Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point scored for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 30 shots in defeat.

First Period

The Avalanche opened the game with their third line on the ice, and within the opening moments, Gabe Landeskog unleashed a wrist shot from the left circle that was turned aside by Vasilevskiy. 

Just 1:38 into the contest, the Lightning struck first. Cale Makar mishandled the puck behind his own net, and Kucherov pounced on the miscue, wrapping it around and tucking it past Scott Wedgewood to give Tampa Bay an early 1–0 advantage. 

Roughly six minutes later, tensions boiled over as Landeskog dropped the gloves with defenseman Charles-Édouard D’Astous. The bout was one-sided—Landeskog landed a flurry of short, punishing right hands before finishing D’Astous with a decisive shot that sent him tumbling to the ice. 

Moments after the fight, Pontus Holmberg was sent to the penalty box for interference following a collision with Brock Nelson. Despite Holmberg’s protests, the call stood, handing Colorado their first power play of the evening. However, the Avalanche failed to capitalize, as Vasilevskiy and the Lightning’s penalty killers held firm. 

Tampa Bay’s discipline wavered again with just under six minutes remaining in the frame, as they were assessed a too many men on the ice penalty. This time, Colorado made them pay. MacKinnon fired a cross-crease pass that deflected off Vasilevskiy’s glove, and Olofsson, stationed in the slot, buried the rebound to knot the score at 1–1. 

Olofsson’s night turned more complicated late in the period when he was called for tripping Kucherov with 2:26 left. That set up a high-stakes clash between one of the league’s most lethal power plays and one of its most disciplined penalty-killing units. Colorado’s PK unit rose to the occasion, stifling Tampa’s attack and even generating some shorthanded pressure. 

There was a tense moment late in the Lightning power play when Devon Toews inadvertently redirected a point shot toward his own goaltender, but Wedgewood reacted brilliantly to smother the puck. The first period came to a close with the score deadlocked at 1–1, both teams trading momentum in a fast-paced, technical opening 20 minutes. 

Second Period 

Just 4:08 into the second period, Olofsson struck again, netting his second goal of the night to put Colorado ahead 2–1. The sequence began with Landeskog, who slipped a pass from the left circle to Jack Drury in the slot. Drury’s one-timer attempt was mishit, the puck glancing awkwardly off his stick—but the miscue worked in Colorado’s favor. The loose puck rolled perfectly to Olofsson, who ripped a one-timer past Vasilevskiy, leaving the goaltender with no chance. 

Barely a minute later, the Avalanche extended their lead. Sam Malinski spotted Colton streaking down the left wing and threaded a perfect stretch pass through the neutral zone. Colton drove hard to the net and finished with a slick backhander over Vasilevskiy’s glove, marking his second goal of the season and giving Colorado a 3–1 cushion. 

With just over three minutes remaining in the frame, the Avalanche earned another power play opportunity when Victor Hedman was called for tripping Martin Nečas. The infraction sent Nečas crashing into the net, and Hedman was assessed a two-minute minor. Colorado’s man advantage went to work once again, looking to further widen the gap before intermission. 

 Third Period 

While the Avalanche entered this game tied with the Montreal Canadiens for the best record in the NHL, the Avs have had a tendency to allow teams back in games while they were dictating the pace and controlling, nearly quoted verbatim from Devon Toews’ comments last week, but how did the Avs look entering the third with a 3-1 lead?

The final period kicked off with a penalty when Brock Nelson was busted for high-sticking Erik Cernak. Nelson was also lucky not to get penalized for holding moments before, so either way you slice it, the Avs were probably deserving of going on the penalty kill. 

Colorado killed the penalty, but the Lightning found a way to score anyway when Brayden Point drove the puck into the Avs’ zone and fired a backhander by Wedgewood to make it a one-goal game. 

Tampa's momentum fell just short in a thrilling finish. Despite mounting pressure in the final minutes, the Avalanche managed to stave off the Lightning’s attempts, securing a narrow 3-2 victory. The contest was razor-close down the stretch, but the Avalanche’s defensive resilience ultimately allowed them to break Tampa's five-game winning streak and claim the hard-fought win.

Next Game 

The Avalanche (8-1-5) don’t play again until Saturday when they take on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. local time.

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The Florida Panthers kicked off a four-game western swing on Tuesday night in Anaheim.

Much like their previous road trip, this one did not start well for Florida, as they fell behind early and ended up losing big, 7-3 to the Ducks.

It was the Ducks who got on the board first, and it was a rare breakaway against Florida that got the job done.

Leo Carlsson fed a streaking Cutter Gauthier who came in all alone on Sergei Bobrovsky and beat him with a quick wrist shot to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead just 3:09 into the game.

Florida tied things up midway through the period thanks to their veteran superstar Brad Marchand.

After serving a penalty for playing the puck with a broken stick, Marchand popped out of the box and almost immediately was found by Jeff Petry for his own breakaway opportunity.

Marchand corralled the puck, skated into the Ducks’ zone and fired the puck over the glove of Lukas Dostal to even the score midway through the period.

Gauthier scored again late in the frame, this time with Anaheim on the power play, to send the home team into the intermission with the lead.

Another breakaway goal, this time off the stick of Evan Rodrigues, knotted the game at two 5:21 into the second period.

Rodrigues went bar-down over Dostal’s glove after taking a great pass from Mackie Samoskevich to go in alone on the Ducks’ tendy.

The Cats took their first lead of the game about five minutes later, with Florida on the power play after Brad Marchand drew a holding penalty on Alex Killorn.

After Sam Bennett wrapped the puck around the boards behind the Ducks’ net, Rodrigues carried the puck out of the corner and toward the slot, threading a needle with a great feed to Eetu Luostarinen who beat a down and out Dostal to give Florida a 3-2 lead.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, it was a lead that was short lived.

With Anton Lundell in the penalty box for a retaliatory slash after taking an Olen Zellweger elbow to the face, Gauthier one-timed his way to his first career hat trick.

The Ducks scored again less than two minutes later when Nikita Nesterenko popped home a rebound off a Ryan Poehling shot that came off a rebound of a Killorn shot, sending Florida into the third period trailing 4-3.

Rodrigues left the game for a stretch after taking a Leo Carlsson shoulder to the head that resulted in a five-minute major and game misconduct, but Florida was unable to capitalize on the ensuing power play.

Instead, it was Jacob Trouba slamming home a Gauthier rebound to give Anaheim a 5-3 lead with 8:17 to go and then Chris Kreider deflecting a Nesterenko shot to make it 6-3 less than two minutes later that acted as the final nails in the coffin, though a seventh goal less than 90 seconds after that off the stick of Jensen Harkins certainly didn’t help improve the vibes.

On to Los Angeles.

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Photo caption: Oct 28, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger (51) battle for position in front of goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during overtime at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

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Scoring goals hasn't been an issue for the Detroit Red Wings for the most part this season, but they came up short when they needed to on Tuesday evening in Las Vegas.

They suffered their first shutout loss of the season, a 1-0 final score against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. 

Back on home ice Friday night. pic.twitter.com/dIxmcldDZw

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 5, 2025

With the setback, the Red Wings concluded their five-game road trip with a 3-2 record and are now 9-5 through the first 14 games of the centennial campaign. 

The second period goal from Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev was the only puck that found the back of the net for the entire game, while goaltender Akira Schmid picked up just the second shutout of his career by denying all 24 shots the Red Wings fired his way. 

Goaltender John Gibson did all that he could for the Red Wings, stopping all but one of the 33 shots he faced. 

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

The Red Wings killed off the only penalty they took, but were unsuccessful on both of their own power-play opportunities, including a key chance inside of ten minutes remaining in the game's final frame. 

The Red Wings also had an opportunity to knot the score late in regulation after a would-be second goal by the Golden Knights was called back because the intial play was ruled to be offsides. 

Red Wings' Todd McLellan Delivers Key Update on Patrick Kane’s Potential Return TimelineDetroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane has been unavailable since Oct. 17 when he was injured against the Tampa Bay Lightning, having now missed eight straight games.

It was also their ninth straight game without forward Patrick Kane, who hasn't played since Oct. 17 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Detroit will return home for a Friday night tilt against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena. 

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Well, it appears that word travels fast across hockey circles, and the rest of hockey is quickly learning that Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie center Ben Kindel is the real deal. 

His five goals in 12 games are tied for the most by a rookie in the NHL this season, which is impressive enough on its own. His hockey IQ and NHL-readiness is on full display, and it doesn't look like he's missed a beat at the highest level of hockey so far.

But there are some other numbers that are, perhaps, even more impressive than the raw stats. And they are surfacing in the analytics.

Kindel, 18, has been centering the Penguins' third line between Tommy Novak and Ville Koivunen. And they are putting up some very impressive numbers.

In Monday's heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Penguins utterly dominated the first 40 minutes of play - and Kindel's line was a huge part of that. In fact, they were a gargantuan part of that. 

According to Moneypuck, Kindel's line controlled 95.5 percent of the expected goals share. This followed a performance against the Minnesota Wild Thursday in which they controlled 91 percent of the expected goals share. 

 

I beg your finest freaking pardon...?? pic.twitter.com/NaQbxhWshh

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) November 4, 2025

Simply put, Kindel and his line are controlling large portions of play five-on-five. And this is happening with an 18-year-old rookie center who is playing well above his age. 

It will be interesting to see how this line continues to fare during the upcoming schedule. But, for now, the Penguins would be wise not to mess with a single thing they're doing. 

Penguins Call Up 3 Players & Announce Several Roster MovesThe Pittsburgh Penguins have made a series of roster moves.

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Monday night, the Nashville Predators lost in the final second of overtime to the Vancouver Canucks.

Just 24 hours later, they found a bit of late-game magic of their own in regulation against the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino arena in St. Paul.

Steven Stamkos, who hadn't scored a point in 10 games, came up with his biggest point of the season thus far to send the game into overtime. It looked as if Lady Luck was about to smile on the Preds for a change.

Alas, overtime dealt another frustrating blow to the Predators. Marcus Johansson was credited with a goal at 3:38 of bonus time, even though the puck never actually went in the net.

Preds goalie Justus Annunen knocked the net off its moorings, and the officials determined that it was intentional, therefore awarding the goal to Johansson in a 3-2 victory for the Wild.

Preds head coach Andrew Brunette was unhappy at the ruling.

"The explanation was, in (the referee's opinion), it was a goal," Brunette told reporters. "I disagree with his opinion, but that's the way it is."

Kirill Kaprizov notched a power play goal to get the Wild on the scoreboard first at 10:44 of the opening period. Matthew Wood tied things up at 5:16 of the second period with his third goal in four games.

Zeev Buium put the Wild back ahead 2-1 at 16:01 of the middle frame on another power-play tally, after a feed from Brock Faber. Then came Stamkos's missile just as the clock ran out in regulation.

BUZZER BEATER STEVEN STAMKOS pic.twitter.com/XQ7giwhAEu

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) November 5, 2025

The Predators have yet to win a game in the overtime period. They've gotten two points in two nights, but it's tough to count the small victories when the bigger ones are just out of reach.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

The Preds Set The Pace

Maybe it was the home gold sweaters the Preds wore to St. Paul. Maybe it was the frustration of letting Monday's game slip out of their grasp.

Whatever the reason, the Preds brought a lot of energy despite having played less than 24 hours earlier, then hopping a plane to St. Paul.

Three different Preds hit or grazed the post in the first period with nothing to show for it. Ozzy Wiesblatt just missed getting his first career NHL goal in his 17th game when he clanged one on a penalty kill. Steven Stamkos and Fedor Svechkov, still looking for his first goal of the season, also had shots ring off the post.

Even when Kaprizov put the Wild ahead 1-0, the Preds kept up the high energy into the middle frame. At one point, they held possession for over two minutes, firing shot after shot against Minnesota goalie Filip Gustavsson. Then, Wood worked his magic to tie things up 1-1.

WOOODYYYY pic.twitter.com/hYxSn0KCvY

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) November 5, 2025

As the Preds know all too painfully well, it only takes one shot to score a goal. Buium's tally put Minnesota ahead 2-1. It looked as if the Preds would see another regulation loss despite outplaying their opponent until Stamkos broke his dry spell and caused a temporary celebration for the Preds.

Annunen, who stopped 22 of 24 shots, had knocked the net off earlier in the game. In overtime, it cost him and the Preds a win.

Matthew Wood Is Finding His Groove

If there was one player one might have guessed would inject some life into the Predators once he returned to the lineup, it would be Matthew Wood.

The 20-year-old winger found the net again Tuesday, his third goal in four games. He also had a couple other chances in the game.

It had to feel good for Wood to score in the state where he played his collegiate hockey. The Preds’ first-round draft choice in 2023 played his final college season at the University of Minnesota, totaling career highs in goals (17) and points (39) in 39 games for the Golden Gophers.

Wood looks confident in his own skin, buzzing around the puck and being aggressive. On Tuesday, he took four shots on goal in 12:07 of ice time with a +1 rating.

How long he can keep this pace up is anybody’s guess. The NHL is full of ebbs and flows, and he will have down periods. Right now, though, he’s feeling it. He needs to bottle up some of that net magic and pass it around to some of his teammates.

The Penalty Kill Has Come Back To Earth

As important as offense and defense are in any game, it's often the third phase that makes the difference.

Special teams played a crucial part in Tuesday's Preds loss, particularly the penalty kill, which had been humming along nicely all season.

Coming into the Minnesota game, the Predators’ penalty kill ranked sixth in the NHL at 84.8 percent and had killed off 29 of the past 35 power plays they have faced.

It was bound to come back down to earth at some point. Over the last two games, the PK has given up multiple goals in each.

Kaprizov scored the Wild’s first goal on a power play after Annunen was screened on the play. Buim’s goal also was on a Wild power play at 16:01 of the second.

For the night, the PK went 1-for-3. To be fair, the Wild power play was no slouch. It ranked fifth in the NHL at 29.4% (15-for-51).

The Preds’ power play, which had two goals for the first time all season Monday, had several great looks against the Wild, but could not convert on its two opportunities.

The penalty kill has been the most consistent phase of the Preds’ game all season. It’s unrealistic to think it will be perfect every night, but it needs to stay hot for the team to have a chance over the course of the season, especially in close games.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins made a flurry of moves Tuesday, sending young blueliner Owen Pickering back to the AHL, placing three others on injured reserve, and recalling two veterans and top goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov from the AHL.

But that's not the only roster decision they will have to make in the coming days. 

Defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke played in his ninth NHL game Monday in a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and that means he has reached the first benchmark as far as his contract status.

Should Brunicke play in another NHL game this season, his three-year entry-level contract would kick in this season - as is the case with 18-year-old rookie Ben Kindel, who already reached that point and played in his 12th NHL game Monday. The Penguins also have the option to re-assign him to his junior team, the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.

Last week, we did detail a third option, which would involve the Penguins taking advantage of a loophole by sending the 19-year-old Brunicke to the AHL for a five-game- or 14-day-maximum conditioning stint after being scratched for five consecutive NHL games. While this is certainly still an option, with Brunicke reaching his ninth game, it's probably not as likely at this point.

So, that brings us to the million-dollar question: What should the Penguins do with Brunicke?

In all honesty, this is a really tough call for the Penguins. 

What Will The Penguins Do With Top Defensive Prospect Harrison Brunicke?On Thursday, it was confirmed by <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' head coach Dan Muse that 18-year-old center <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/penguins-top-prospect-ben-kindel-to-remain-in-pittsburgh">Ben Kindel will remain in the NHL through his 10th game</a>, meaning the first year of his three-year entry-level contract will kick in.&nbsp;

On one hand, the young rookie blueliner - just like most teenage defensemen at the NHL level - has seen his fair share of struggles in his first nine NHL games. After a pretty strong start to the season, Brunicke's play has faded in recent games, even if those games have been sparse because he was scratched in four out of five contests prior playing against the Winnipeg Jets Saturday and Leafs Monday. 

He looks like he's simply trying to stay afloat in his own zone at times, and he has made some pretty consequential mistakes that have led to goals against. This happened twice in the St. Louis Blues game on Oct. 27, once in the Winnipeg game, and - sorta - once in the Leafs' game, even if the blame wasn't much on him for the last one. 

But, on the other hand, the flashes of potential have also been evident. His first NHL goal against the New York Islanders in the Penguins' second game of the season was a thing of beauty - and was the exact kind of play that fans should get accustomed to seeing from him, as he used his skating ability to join the rush and his strong offensive instincts to use the defenseman as a screen on his shot. 

GRAB THAT PUCK 🗣️

Harrison Brunicke has his first NHL goal! #NHLFaceOffpic.twitter.com/7WA4Nt57Ic

— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2025

We've also seen Brunicke make some strong stick plays defensively, which is one of his strong suits. We've seen his ability to backcheck with his skating. We've seen him willing to stand up for his teammates and willing to both play a physical game and take contact to make plays.

And, honestly, Brunicke played quite well in his ninth game until the Leafs' fourth goal, and it hardly seems fair to single him out on that play when the entire team collapsed in the third period. 

Yes, his play has been uneven. Yes, the Penguins are winning hockey games, and they can't really afford to let him make too many mistakes at the expense of the team's success right now. Yes, he might not quite be ready for the NHL level on a regular basis right now.

That said, the best thing for Brunicke is to remain in Pittsburgh - at least, for now. 

'I'm Finding That Happy Medium': Rookie Defenseman Continues To Improve DefensivelyAnyone who has watched Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke knows how gifted the 19-year-old is offensively.

For one, it's worth considering that the two biggest areas of growth that need to happen in Brunicke's game involve his reads in the defensive zone and his tendency to try to do too much. While there's no denying those things, there's also no denying his talent. Part of the issue with Brunicke is that he's been required to do too much at the junior level for so long because he's so much better than the vast majority of the competition down there - and that has probably lent to him developing that "junior habit" of doing it all himself.

He has already identified that as something he's actively working on. Even Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) head coach Kirk MacDonald said during prospect development camp in July that Brunicke was guilty of that in the first part of his 12-game AHL stint at the end of last season - but that, once he simplified his game, the growth was quick and exponential. 

As far as the defensive reads... how are those supposed to get better if he's playing against largely inferior competition on a nightly basis? Unfortunately, for most young defensemen - especially blueliners as young as Brunicke - they kind of need to be thrown to the wolves a bit in order to adjust to NHL speed. That adjustment is not something that's going to happen at the junior level.

It's been well-documented by the Penguins' staff that Brunicke is very coachable. And, not only that, he learns quickly and steeply. MacDonald said as much. So did Penguins' director of player development Tom Kostopoulos.

What Is The Best Developmental Path For Top Prospect Harrison Brunicke In 2025-26?For 19-year-old <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, it is only a matter of time.&nbsp;

Brunicke is a cerebral player, and he has a track record of being able to apply his "learning moments" in a relatively expeditious fashion. Perhaps that hasn't quite happened yet to the extent that many want to see, but it will happen. 

Of course, if he does stay, there has to be a balance struck between that in-game learning curve and managing his appearances in the lineup. Brunicke has never played a full season of hockey at the junior level, and he should not play in every game remaining this season for the Penguins.

Beyond just the workload portion of it, the organization will also need to weigh his confidence and be able to draw a line between letting him play out his mistakes and him losing his confidence because of those mistakes. I think we've already seen Brunicke unsure of himself at times over these last several appearances, and it's important to manage expectations in that sense. 

And that's something that is definitely within their power - and their ability - to accomplish with Brunicke still on the NHL roster. More important than anything, perhaps, too, is that sticking around this season will afford him the opportunity to learn from two likely future Hall-of-Fame defensemen on the right side in Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, and he will also have more time to work with a coaching staff that specializes in development.

Brunicke has potential to be a future top-pairing defenseman for the Penguins, and he is their best prospect at the position. They can't afford to get it wrong with his development, and - in a perfect world - he would be able to spend the entire 2025-26 season developing at the AHL level. 

However, this isn't a perfect world. And Brunicke is far from a perfect defenseman at this point. But if the Penguins are truly committed to development and doing what is best for their very best young talent, they should take the opportunity to continue working with Brunicke for as long as they possibly can this season. 

Lend him to Team Canada for World Juniors in December. Send him back to the WHL by the 40-game mark if there appears to be no growth or improvement in his game. But, for now, the best thing is for him to remain in Pittsburgh and learn from the very best.

Penguins Call Up 3 Players & Announce Several Roster MovesThe Pittsburgh Penguins have made a series of roster moves.

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Nikita Grebenkin didn't get the revenge game he might have wanted when the Philadelphia Flyers lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs this weekend, but opportunity knocked twice when the Flyers played the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

Grebenkin, 22, made the play the Flyers absolutely needed from him, and did so as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

The affable Russian forward prospect helped the Flyers survive the Canadiens on Tuesday night after blowing a 3-0 lead, getting the Flyers back even at 4-4 midway through the third period.

After Jamie Drysdale retrieved a puck in the neutral zone and evaded pressure with an outlet pass to Travis Konecny, Grebenkin picked up a short-distance pass, cut across the faces of multiple Canadiens defenders, and lasered a shot past goalie Sam Montembeault, who found himself sliding in the complete opposite direction.

Grebenkin finished the game with just 9:41 of ice time, but for the second time in three games, he's made a key impact.

NIKITA GREBENKIN!!! FIRST NHL GOAL.#LetsGoFlyerspic.twitter.com/mwn5QqpVVs

— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) November 5, 2025

On Saturday against his old Maple Leafs, Grebenkin directly set up the Flyers' only even-strength goal of the contest with his crafty pass to Christian Dvorak.

The Flyers blew a 1-0 lead then, too, and lost that one, but they can thank Grebenkin and the Maple Leafs for Tuesday night's eventual 5-4 shootout win over the Canadiens.

Grebenkin was on the case and stepped up as a young player when his team needed him the most, and that should only further endear him to head coach Rick Tocchet as he begins to adapt more and more to the NHL game.

With his first NHL goal, Grebenkin is now up to a solid goal, two assists, and three points in nine games with the Flyers this season.

The former fifth-round pick hadn't even been a lineup staple to this point, but Flyers fans love the kid and want to see him play. Now, he's starting to back it up.

Flyers Trade Acquisition Already Feasting in New EnvironmentThe Philadelphia Flyers may have found themselves yet another steal with new defenseman Christian Kyrou.

As for the rest of the game, Bobby Brink scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season to give the Flyers 1-0 and 3-0 leads, respectively, with his two tallies abbreviated by Cam York's first tuck of the season.

Budding superstar Trevor Zegras aided Brink's power play goal and York's goal, then sealed the deal with his shootout winner to secure the comeback 5-4 win.

Zegras, 24, is now up to four goals, 11 assists, and 15 points in 13 games this season, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to imagine where the Flyers would be without him.

Fortunately, with his (and Grebenkin's) contributions, the Flyers are now 7-5-1 and occupy the last wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference behind, ironically, the Maple Leafs.

NEW YORK (AP) — Marat Khusnutdinov tied it late in the third period and had the lone shootout goal, helping the Boston Bruins beat the New York Islanders 4-3 on Tuesday night for their fourth straight victory.

Viktor Arvidsson and Pavel Zacha also scored for Boston. Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves.

Bo Horvat scored twice for New York. Anthony Duclair also scored, and 18-year-old defenseman Mathew Schaefer had an assist. Ilya Sorokin stopped 23 shots.

Swayman denied Simon Holmstrom, Horvat and Jonathan Drouin in the shootout as the Bruins improved to 8-7-0.

Khusnutdinov tied it at 3 with 4:54 remaining in the third period, converting a rebound in front after an Islanders turnover.

Horvat netted a go-ahead goal midway through the second period, using Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov as a screen before snapping a wrist shot from the high slot over Swayman’s glove.

Zacha tied it at 2 late in the second with a power-play goal, burying a rebound after Charlie McAvoy’s point shot deflected off traffic in front.

Just 46 seconds after Boston tied it at 1 earlier in the period, Horvat restored New York’s one-goal lead. Emil Heineman forced a turnover in the neutral zone to start a two-on-one rush with Mathew Barzal. Duclair opened the scoring at 5:11 of the first period, converting on a quick wrist shot from the slot.

Up next

Bruins: Host Ottawa Senators Thursday night.

Islanders: Host Minnesota on Friday night.

On the ice, the Anaheim Ducks are as scorching hot as they’ve been at any point in the last eight-to-ten years. They come into Tuesday’s matchup with defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers riding a three-game winning streak, having won five of their last six games, and they currently sit atop the Pacific Division standings, if sorted by points percentage (.682) with a 7-3-1 record.

Game #12: Ducks vs. Panthers Gameday Preview (11/04/25)

Takeaways from the Ducks 4-1 Victory over the Devils

They’ve scored 40 goals in their first 11 games (franchise record), they’re the only teams in the NHL with five players averaging at least one point per game (Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund, Chris Kreider), and their future is as bright as any in the NHL, having players aged 21-and-under tallying 16 goals and 38 points, leading the NHL in both categories.

The NHL and the national media had the Ducks on the tip of their tongues on Monday, with a trio of items piquing the interest of those who follow the team to varying degrees.

Lukas Dostal Named NHL First Star of the Week

After signing a sizable contract extension in the offseason, the Ducks’ now franchise goaltender has taken the reins as the undisputed number-one starter, put the team on his back through a leaky transition period defensively, and earned honors of being named the NHL’s top star of the week for the week between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2.

Last week, Dostal posted a 3-0-0 record against the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils, combining for a .949 SV% (91-95) during that stretch and saving 8.9 goals above expected. He battled through late defensive reads and puck management issues in front of him during the Ducks’ 3-2 shootout win over Florida, faced seven Detroit power plays in their 5-2 win on Halloween, and multiple shots off Devils’ sticks following lateral movement.

Dostal not only stood up to every challenge and didn’t surrender any goals that could be classified as “soft,” but he has elevated his game management impact, recognizing when his team needs a whistle, when opponents are changing, and cleverly placing rebounds in the corners or netting.

He’s started nine of the Ducks' first 11 games, so he will likely need rest at some point. However, the Ducks are about to face a gauntlet of contending teams on their schedule in November. If he keeps up this caliber of play, he could find himself on Vezina ballots come the end of the year.

Panarin Ruminations

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has reportedly taken some significant swings in the last few years when it comes to building his roster. In the summer of 2023, he was reportedly interested in acquiring Alex DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators, who was ultimately traded to the Detroit Red Wings. The next summer in free agency, he reportedly offered the duo of Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos more term and AAV than they ultimately signed for with the Nashville Predators.

Verbeek managed to sign Mikael Granlund, one of 2025’s top free agents, to a three-year contract that carries an AAV of $7 million. The Ducks are projected to have roughly $40 million in cap space heading into the 2026 offseason. However, a chunk of that will ultimately be designated to a handful of core pending RFAs (Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger). However, the hot start to the season indicates the Ducks may have finally turned the corner out of their rebuild and could finally be true players for the most high-profile players on the trade or free agency markets.

Likely Hall of Fame winger Artemi Panarin (34) is in the final year of his contract with the New York Rangers, which carries an AAV of $11.5 million. Premier NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on his “32 Thoughts” podcast on Monday morning that both Panarin and the Rangers’ preference is for him to remain in New York, but that didn’t stop Friedman from wondering if there was a fit for the talented winger in Anaheim with the Ducks.

“Someone asked me, ‘Could you see the Ducks looking at a guy like Panarin?’ First of all, I think Panarin wants to be in New York,” Friedman said. “I was watching the Ducks, and I was thinking about that. For a guy like Verbeek, I wonder if he’d worry about, ‘would that affect any of my good young players? Not necessarily, but Verbeek could decide that with Joel Quenneville, who did Panarin break into the NHL with? Quenneville in Chicago. Just a thought.”

TSN’s Darren Dreger appeared on Edmonton’s “The Nielson Show” and offered his thoughts on Verbeek and the Ducks.

“I think that Pat Verbeek isn’t done,” Dreger said. “He’s a crafty general manager. I think when the time is right, when the opportunity is there, he’s gonna find a way to add.”

Ryan Getzlaf’s Unique Role with Team Canada ahead of Olympics

In March, Hockey Canada announced their management group, looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Part of that management group was future Hall of Fame center and Anaheim Ducks legend Ryan Getzlaf, named Canada’s “Player Relations Advisor.”

In July, they announced their Olympic coaching staff, and in August, they announced their orientation camp rosters. Getzlaf joins a star-studded group of managers and coaches, including Doug Armstrong, Julien BriseBois, Jim Nill, Don Sweeney, Kyle Dubas, John Cooper, Bruce Cassidy, Peter DeBoer, and Rick Tocchet.

Getzlaf sat down with Pierre LeBrun for his latest article in “The Athletic” to discuss his role with the Olympic staff, his current role with the NHL Department of Player Safety, and his potential future in NHL management.

“A player’s perspective,” Getzlaf told Lebrun when asked what he brings to that management room. “What it takes to be in that locker room. Some of those players have been there in the past, but it’s been a long time (for Olympic hockey). The players have changed. The mentality has changed a little bit. I’ve been able to sit in and give a point of view.”

In Getzlaf’s first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, the induction committee passed on him in favor of other former NHL players Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, Zdeno Chara, and Joe Thornton.

Getzlaf played all 17 years of his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks as the franchise’s leader in games played (1,157), assists (737) and points (1,019), and playoff games played (125), assists (83) and points (120). He captained the team from 2010 to 2022 and acted as a “Player Development Coordinator” for the organization from 2023 to 2024. Next, he has his sights set on a management role for an NHL team.

“I would like to,” Getzlaf told LeBrun about a future in management. “What role that is, I don’t know quite yet. But, yeah, that’s my ultimate goal is to be more involved on a day-to-day basis as far as a team goes. Or even the league. There’s different opportunities within the league.”

10 Stats from the First 10 Games of the 2025-26 Season for the Anaheim Ducks

Quack of Dawn: Ducks Morning Report - 11/01/25

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The OHL has handed out a necessary punishment on Kitchener Rangers defenseman Jacob Xu, who made a reckless and careless decision with his stick against his opponent on Halloween night when the Sudbury Wolves were in town. 

During the third period last Friday, Xu briefly got tangled up with Los Angeles Kings prospect Jan Chovan on the Wolves. For whatever reason, Xu disengaged and swung his stick over the top of his head, striking the back of Chovan’s head. 

Chovan participated in the game and did not miss Sudbury’s next match on Saturday against Owen Sound. As for Xu, the league reviewed the play involving him and handed out supplemental discipline to the defenseman eligible for the 2026 NHL draft.

Xu has been suspended for four games for his dangerous slash. He has already served one game of the suspension and is eligible to return on Nov. 15 against the Guelph Storm. 

#OHL Disciplinary Action:

Kitchener’s Jacob Xu has been suspended for four games as a result of actions (Major, Slashing) on Oct. 31st vs. Sudbury.

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 4, 2025

It was a bizarre incident for a player who isn’t known to have a mean streak. 

Xu’s four-game suspension has been met with a lot of questioning and debate online. Many fans argue that four games are not enough and he should’ve received more games. What do you think? Did the league get this one right?

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Plus/Minus Merchants: Why The Brantford Bulldogs' Depth Is UnmatchableBrantford Bulldogs dominate the plus/minus charts, as they easily coast through another two victories this past weekend. Canada Crushes Day 1 Of U17 World Hockey Challenge: OHL Players Light Up ScoresheetOHL's young stars factor in on Canada's dominating day one of the 2025 U17 World Hockey Challenge.Maple Leafs Prospect Dominates In Owen Sound Win; Outstanding Start To Season ContinuesMaple Leafs prospect Harry Nansi posted a dominant one-goal, four-assist performance, fueling Owen Sound's offensive explosion and continuing his exceptional season.

Wednesday night could feature a historic moment at Rogers Arena. With a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks would set a franchise record for most consecutive wins over a single opponent. The record is currently held at 11 straight wins and is shared by Chicago, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the San Jose Sharks. 

Vancouver's win streak started on January 31, 2022. On that night, the Canucks departed the United Center with an impressive 3-1 victory. Some notable performances from that game include Brock Boeser scoring the game-winning goal, while Jaroslav Halák made 20 saves in the win. 

Close to four years later, the streak continues. Over the past 11 games, Vancouver has outscored the Blackhawks 43-18, with only one game going beyond regulation. That game actually happened this season when the Canucks left Chicago with a 3-2 shootout win back in October, setting the franchise record for consective road wins against a single opponent.

Vancouver Canucks Set Franchise Record During Recent Victory Over The Chicago BlackhawksThe Vancouver Canucks have won 11 straight versus the Chicago Blackhawks

As for the all-time consecutive wins record against an opponent, Vancouver still has a ways to go. That record is held by the Montréal Canadiens who defeated the Washington Capitals 23 times from 1974-1978. Washington was finally able to halt the losing streak thanks to a 4-4 tie April 2, 1978. 

The Canucks return to Rogers Arena for a four-game homestand, which kicks off with a match against the Blackhawks on Wednesday night. This will be the second time Vancouver faces Chicago this season, as they won their last outing 3–2 in the shootout. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT. 

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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The perfect NHL backup goaltender can be a real unsung hero.

But what makes an effective backup?

First of all, you want an experienced goalie who will push for playing time while also accepting their status as the second option between the pipes. You also need them to be able to play at a moment’s notice, and for long stretches if necessary. And you need them to be affordable and a calming influence in the dressing room.

These are all things we see in New Jersey Devils veteran netminder Jake Allen.

“When you talk about being the best backup, (Allen is) going to give you everything you want out of a backup,” former NHL netminder Devan Dubnyk said on The Hockey News Big Show. “Whether it’s (playing) a game every two weeks or five games in a row…I think that’s an important part of a backup goalie – being in the dressing room, having energy, being involved, whether you’re playing or not.”

Allen, 35, has appeared in eight games with the Devils this season, posting a 5-2-0 record, a 2.48 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Starter Jacob Markstrom, meanwhile, is 4-3-2 with an .875 SP and 4.17 GAA while being injured during part of October.

Allen can handle a larger workload, having played in 42 games with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2022-23 season. And of course, Allen is a Stanley Cup champion from his days with the St. Louis Blues when Jordan Binnington took over starting duties. His $1.8-million cap hit makes him a bargain, and the Devils will hope he can continue to fit in his role for the full five-year contract.

“It’s being comfortable with that role and not getting upset, not having higher expectations than you should,” Dubnyk said. “With Jake Allen, you look at him, and he’s ready to perform, however that is. He’s going to contribute in practice – he’s going to contribute in the dressing room.

“And if he hasn’t played in two weeks, he’s going to come in and win you a game. If Markstrom’s not playing well, you need (Allen) to come in and win a game, win two games, three games…and then if Markstrom gets hurt, he’s able to come in and be your starting goalie. And not just kind of a keep-your-head-above water starting goalie – a good starting goalie.”

Dubnyk pointed to veteran goaltender Alex Stalock, his teammate during their time with the Minnesota Wild, as an example of a goalie who thrived as a secondary option. 

“There were long stretches where he didn’t play,” Dubnyk said of Stalock, who last played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022-23. “But every single day, he contributed to the team. He worked his butt off in practice, he was funny in the dressing room, he always had energy, he was always joking. He brought something to the group every single day, even when he wasn’t playing. 

“And then when he did go out and play, (Stalock) worked his butt off and he gave the team a good effort. These are all pieces that make a good backup goalie, and then with Allen, you have the bonus side of it, where we’ve having a conversation of who is the starter (in New Jersey) right now.”

Allen now has 14 NHL seasons under his belt, so there isn’t much he hasn’t seen. He’s been a starter, an understudy and a winner at the game’s highest level.

Take it from another goalie who’s been an elite performer – Allen deserves a lot of credit for excelling in a role that many goalies have failed at. 

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