Former Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden, who backstopped the club to six Stanley Cup wins and was regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history at the position, has passed away at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer. 

Ken Dryden, the legendary Montreal Canadiens goaltender who backstopped the team’s 1970s dynasty to six Stanley Cups, has passed away at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer.

News release ↓https://t.co/yKQdmTE8Me

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 6, 2025

The unfortunate news was confirmed early on Saturday morning with a team-released statement from Canadiens' Owner and President Geoff Molson.

"Ken Dryden was an exceptional athlete, but he was also an exceptional man," Molson said. "Behind the mask he was larger than life. We mourn today not only the loss of the cornerstone of one of hockey’s greatest dynasties, but also a family man, a thoughtful citizen, and a gentleman who deeply impacted our lives and communities across generations." 

Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1947, Dryden would initially be drafted into the NHL in 1964 by the Boston Bruins, Montreal's longtime rival. However, he was dealt to the Canadiens for Paul Reid and Guy Allen only days later.

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Dryden’s career with the Canadiens was nothing short of spectacular. He led Montreal to the Stanley Cup in 1971, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP in the process. Dryden then won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie the following season, having not played enough games the year before to qualify.

By the time his career was finished, Dryden and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup five more times as part of their 1970s dynasty. A five-time All-Star, Dryden would later be named No. 29 on the 2010 edition of The Hockey News Top 100 Players of All Time. 

A five-time winner of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender, Dryden was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. His 338 career victories rank fourth overall in Canadiens team history, and his No. 29 jersey was retired by the club in January 2007. 

Dryden was also on hand for the famous "Miracle On Ice" victory by Team USA over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, serving as a color commentator alongside Al Michaels. 

Following an executive career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dryden then embarked on a career in politics, and was also named an Officer of the Order of Canada. 

Dryden is survived by his wife Lynda, his two children, and two grandchildren.

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Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden has died after a battle with cancer, the team announced early Saturday.

The Hockey Hall of Famer, six-time Stanley Cup champion, best-selling author and former Canadian politician was 78. He passed away peacefully on Friday, the Canadiens said.

"Ken Dryden was an exceptional athlete, but he was also an exceptional man," Canadiens president-owner Geoff Molson said in a news release. "Behind the mask, he was larger than life. We mourn today not only the loss of the cornerstone of one of hockey’s greatest dynasties, but also a family man, a thoughtful citizen, and a gentleman who deeply impacted our lives and communities across generations. He was one of the true legends that helped shape this club into what it is today."

Dryden's family asked for privacy at this time and suggested that those wishing to honor his memory donate to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre or the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

Dryden was born on Aug. 8, 1947, in Hamilton, Ont. He grew up in the suburbs of Toronto.

"I never imagined I was going to play in the NHL," he told Ken Campbell in 2018. "Growing up in Toronto and playing for Humber Valley, the NHL was just a different world. It was one that I loved to follow and watch, imagine and fantasize about and pretend that I was an NHL goalie, and all the rest of it, but never with the idea that I would be one. I just kept playing because I wanted to play, and no coach ever said, 'Sorry, you're not good enough,' so it just kept going."

The Boston Bruins drafted him 14th overall in 1964. Shortly after he was drafted, the Bruins traded his rights to the Canadiens.

Dryden played NCAA hockey at Cornell University between 1966 and 1969, being named the ECAC player of the year in 1968-69 and being a three-time first all-star team netminder in the conference.

In 1970-71, Dryden spent most of the season in the AHL before getting called up to the Canadiens to finish the regular season with his first six NHL games. He went 6-0-0 with a 1.65 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.

As Montreal matched up with the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, Canadiens coach Al MacNeil chose rookie Dryden to play in goal. Each team traded series leads before the Canadiens forced a Game 7. Dryden stopped 46 of 48 shots in the series-decider to help knock out the squad that drafted him.

Dryden, who was 23 at the time, then backstopped the Canadiens to a 4-2 semifinal series win over the Minnesota North Stars before facing the Chicago Black Hawks in the Stanley Cup final. That series also went seven games, but Dryden outmatched eventual Hockey Hall of Famer Tony Esposito with a .921 SP in the final round. Montreal won it all, and Dryden earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

The following season, Dryden won the Calder Trophy after going 39-8-15 in 64 games with a 2.24 GAA, .930 SP and eight shutouts.

Before the 1972-73 season, Dryden was part of the historic Canadian team that faced the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series. He split half of the eight-game series with Esposito, winning twice, including the deciding Game 8 in Moscow when Paul Henderson scored "The Goal" on Vladislav Tretiak at the other end of the ice.

"That series clearly and undeniably is the most important moment in hockey's history. Not Canadian hockey history, but in hockey's history," Dryden told NHL.com in September 2022.

Then in 1972-73, he won not only the Vezina Trophy for the first of five times but the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years. He even co-wrote a book called Face-Off at the Summit with Mark Mulvoy detailing his account of the Summit Series, which was published in 1973.

Standing 6-foot-4, Dryden stood tall on the ice, literally and figuratively. He was also known for his iconic pose, where he put his hands on top of his stick and leaned forward during a break in the action.

Dryden took a break from hockey in 1973-74, when the Canadiens refused to rework his contract. Dryden retired and finished his law degree at McGill University before signing a new contract with Montreal in 1974-75.

From 1975-76 to 1978-79, Dryden helped the Canadiens win the Cup four straight times before retiring at 31 in 1979. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. The Canadiens retired his No. 20 in 2007.

"Ken embodied the best of everything the Montreal Canadiens are about, and his legacy within our society transcends our sport," Molson said. "On behalf of the Molson family and our entire organization, I would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and all who had the privilege to cross his path and know him on a personal level."

Added NHL commissioner Gary Bettman: "From the moment Ken Dryden joined the Montreal Canadiens as a 23-year-old rookie in 1971, he made an immediate and lasting impact on the NHL, the Canadiens franchise and the goaltending position."

Bettman recalled Dryden's career accomplishments and love for his country while also highlighting his accomplishments at Cornell, saying his career ranks among the greatest runs in collegiate hockey.

"On behalf of the National Hockey League, we mourn the passing of a legendary Canadian and extend our sincere condolences to his wife Lynda, family and many friends and fans all over the hockey world."

After his playing career, Dryden wrote an account of the 1978-79 Canadiens in an enduring classic book, The Game, published in 1983. He not only painted a picture of his teammates, such as Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson and Serge Savard, but he also reflected on playing the game on the ice, under the lights and more.

The author continued to write and co-write books, most recently publishing The Series: What I Remember, What It Felt Like, What It Feels Like Now to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Summit Series in 2022. Another one of his books, Game Change, highlighted the risks and dangers of head injuries by talking to former players and neurobiology experts before outlining a plan of action.

Dryden was appointed Ontario's first youth commissioner in 1984.

Dryden also worked as a hockey commentator at the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics, including the "Miracle on Ice" game between the United States and Soviet Union in 1980.

From 1997-98 to 2002-03, Dryden was president of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Then in 2004, he became a federal politician.

Dryden ran as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada in the Toronto riding of York Centre, getting elected on his first try. He served as the minister of social development under prime minister Paul Martin between 2004 and 2005. He won again in the 2006 and 2008 elections before losing his seat in 2011.

In 2012, Dryden was awarded the Order of Canada for contributing to the sport of hockey and to public life. He was also a teacher at the University of Toronto and McGill.

"Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Hon. Ken Dryden, a Canadian hockey legend and hall of famer, public servant and inspiration," Canada's current prime minister, Mark Carney, wrote in a statement to social media early Saturday.

"Ken Dryden was the reason I became a goalie, although I never mastered his ability to lean on his stick let alone keep the puck out of the net. His return to university at the height of his playing career taught the importance of balance in life. His post-hockey career demonstrated the value of public service. Few Canadians have given more, or stood taller, for our country. Ken Dryden was Big Canada. And he was Best Canada. Rest in peace."

There will be a lot of storylines to be on the lookout for this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And one that has been talked about at length is the logjam they currently have at the forward position. As of now, according to PuckPedia, the Penguins currently have 13 forwards on their active roster, which don't include names like Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen - both of whom are expected to push for an NHL roster spot.

If they do make a push for a spot in training camp, that - unfortunately - makes one or two players listed on the current roster odd men out.

Potentially, one of those players is left wing Danton Heinen.

Heinen, 30, is in the midst of his second stint with the Penguins' organization. He originally signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh as a free agent during the summer of 2021, and he was eventually non-qualified as a restricted free agent (RFA) in 2023 after signing another one-year deal the season prior. During his first stint with the Penguins, he recorded 26 goals and 55 points in 141 games.

He had a pretty decent season with the Boston Bruins in 2023-24, as he registered 17 goals and 36 points in 74 games and earned himself a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. Vancouver then traded Heinen to Pittsburgh as part of the deal that returned them defenseman Marcus Pettersson, and the 6-foot-2, 195-pound forward finds himself in yet another contract year.

The issue is that there simply may not be enough room for him on the Penguins' roster this season.

After coming over from Vancouver last season, Heinen put up just three goals and 11 points in 28 games, and he saw his role take a bit of a hit once younger players like McGroarty and Koivunen came into the picture. The two youngsters also impressed in a short sample at the end of the season and seemed to prove that they are ready to make the jump to the NHL level this season.

That leaves a player like Heinen in a tough spot - especially when considering the other competition around him on the roster. 

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.

Assuming Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell stay put - at least, for now - the Penguins still have the likes of McGroarty, Koivunen, Tommy Novak, Anthony Mantha, Blake Lizotte, and two players just re-signed in Connor Dewar and Philip Tomasino. They also still employ the contracts of veterans Kevin Hayes and Noel Acciari for another year, and because of Hayes's ability to play center and Acciari's ability to eat hard minutes, it's unlikely that they'll be cut from the roster.

Of course, competition is good for both young guys and veterans alike, so it's very possible that Heinen could have a great training camp and force the Penguins' hand. It's also a possibility that at least one of McGroarty or Koivunen does not have a standout camp and starts the season in the AHL.

But given where the Penguins are at, it makes little sense to hold young players back if they show they are ready for the NHL in favor of veterans unlikely to be on the roster beyond this season, anyway. That doesn't mean Heinen would be the odd man out.

However, he will have an uphill climb in training camp, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the pressure of making the roster over a few young prospects with high upside.

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Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

At No. 6, we discuss a blueliner who made his way to the NHL in 2024-25, and - although he didn't stick around through the end of the season - he showed flashes of top-four potential. That would be Owen Pickering.

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#6: D Owen Pickering

The 2024-25 season was a big one for Pickering, who was selected 21st overall by the Penguins in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound blueliner was touted more so as a two-way defenseman heading into the draft, as he registered nine goals and 33 points in 62 games with the Swift Current Broncos in 2021-22.

Since then, Pickering's offensive game has yet to really take off in a big way. He did record 16 goals and 91 points in 120 more games with Swift Current before moving on full-time to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins of the AHL last season - but that is where flashes of his shutdown ability really started to surface.

In 47 games with WBS last season - split between the beginning of the 2024-25 season and the end of it - he put up just two goals and 13 points total. But it was his game on the defensive side of the puck and in transition that impressed the Penguins and led to an unexpected mid-season callup ahead of a Nov. 16 game against the San Jose Sharks.

Pickering recorded an assist in his first NHL contest, and just five games later, he recorded his first NHL goal against the Florida Panthers. The spurts of production - and ability along the offensive blue line - was encouraging to see from Pickering, but what was even more encouraging was the fact that he jumped into minutes alongside Kris Letang on the top pairing less than a month later.

Big goal, even bigger smile.

Congratulations on your first NHL goal, Owen Pickering! pic.twitter.com/h5rqvxPX8k

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 4, 2024

And this, perhaps, was an assignment that Pickering wasn't quite ready for. It wasn't for lack of ability, but rather, for lack of experience. Much of the steadiness and suredness that was shown from him early on and in WBS earlier in the season started to fade a bit, and an injury just before the holiday break kept him out for two weeks. Pickering did stick around through most of January, but he saw his minutes dwindle and eventually ended up back in WBS.

But make no mistake: Pickering showed enough in his NHL sample size to prove he is ready for full-time NHL action next season, even if in more controlled, sheltered minutes. And that's exactly where he intends to be in 2025-26. 

"You never want to get sent back," Pickering said near the end of WBS's 2024-25 season. "You always want to be in the NHL. I feel like I proved to myself that I can play in the NHL. I want to be full-time next year, I want to be [in Pittsburgh] the whole year. That's the goal."

And Pickering certainly has the ability, even if - as GM and POHO Kyle Dubas said in his post-season press conference - he isn't quite ready for top-four minutes yet. He is figuring out how to use his frame to his advantage, as he is getting better and better at boxing guys out and pushing them to the perimeter of the ice. He's mobile for his size as well, and he already excels at navigating the offensive blue line and finding lanes. 

What Will Owen Pickering's Role Be In 2025-26?Next season will present a prime opportunity for several Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospects to crack the NHL roster.

But there is still room for improvement as well. Pickering could use some work on his breakouts, and he could also develop a more physical game. He's also still working on establishing his presence in front of his own net and not forcing plays and decisions. 

All in all, the Penguins see Pickering as a big part of their future on the blue line. Dubas wants to see the young defenseman push for a bigger role this season, and one doesn't have to look very hard to see the potential there. 

“We can't have him same as we had him go down, settling into a 12-13 minute a night role," Dubas said. "He needs to come in and push his way into 17, 18, 19, 20 minutes and earn that.”

It remains to be seen what Pickering does with the opportunity he has. There is a lot of uncertainty on the left side of the Penguins' blue line, and it seems as though a spot is there for the taking for Pickering if he has a good training camp. 

If he does crack the NHL roster, he may very well develop into a shutdown presence that the Penguins have needed for a long while. And there might still be some room for him to make his way onto the scoresheet consistently, too.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Forward Prospect Continues To Build Two-Way GameHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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The list so far:

- No. 7: Tanner Howe
- No. 8: G Arturs Silovs
- No. 9: G Joel Blomqvist
- No. 10: F Tristan Broz
- No. 11: F Will Horcoff
- No. 12: F Mikhail Ilyin
- No. 13 F Filip Hallander
- No. 14: F Bill Zonnon
- No. 15: F Melvin Fernstrom
- No. 16: D Emil Pieniniemi
- No. 17: F Avery Hayes
- No. 18: F Cruz Lucius
- No. 19: D Finn Harding
- No. 20: D Peyton Kettles

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Former Detroit Red Wings forward Luke Glendening, who made a living in the Motor City with his effectiveness in the face-off circle as well as on the penalty kill, has landed what could prove to be one of his final opportunities to extend his NHL career. 

Glendening, who has played the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the New Jersey Devils. 

#NJDevils have signed Kevin Rooney, Luke Glendening, Adam Scheel and Georgi Romanov to PTOs.

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) September 5, 2025

One of many NHL players who originally hail from the state of Michigan who have suited up for the Red Wings during their careers, Glendening played college hockey for the University of Michigan before signing a one-year contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's American Hockey League affiliate, in June 2012. 

Playing under Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill, whom he would later reunite with during their time with the Lightning, Glendening helped Grand Rapids to the 2013 Calder Cup championship, recording six goals and 10 assists in 24 postseason games.

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He would eventually get his feet wet at the NHL level by appearing in 56 games with the Red Wings in the 2013-14 NHL season, and soon became a regular in their lineup. During his first full NHL season in 2014-15, Glendening scored 12 goals in 82 games, which remains his highest goal scoring output. 

Notable Changes Reportedly Coming For Future Red Wings Seasons It's been over 30 years since the Detroit Red Wings, or any other NHL club for that matter, has played more than 82 regular season games.

Glendening spent several more seasons with the Red Wings and, alongside then-teammate Dylan Larkin, was part of the last Detroit roster to reach the postseason in 2016.

He departed Detroit and joined the Dallas Stars prior to the 2021-22 NHL season, signing a two-year, $3 million contract. He appeared in the postseason in both campaigns with Dallas, which included a run to the Western Conference Final in 2023. 

Following the conclusion of his deal with the Stars, Glendening opted to return to the Eastern Conference by signing a two-year, $1.6 million deal with the Lightning. While he scored 10 goals in 81 games in his first season in Tampa, his offense dipped to just four goals and three assists in 77 games last season. 

Glendening has skated in a total of 864 NHL games with the Red Wings, Stars, and Lightning, and has amassed 83 goals with 83 assists. He's also tallied six goals with four assists in 50 career postseason games. 

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Several players are looking for roster spots on the New Jersey Devils lineup this training camp. Three forwards in particular, Arseniy Gritsyuk, Lenni Hämeenaho, and Shane Lachance, are entering what could be their breakthrough season, each with an opportunity to solidify a place in the NHL.

While all three have a legitimate shot at cracking the lineup, training camp will be the true test of whether they’re ready for the jump.

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Arseniy Gritsyuk

Gritsyuk is making his NHL debut after leaving the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The Russian forward is expected to bring a strong offensive presence, with the skillset to fit into the Devils’ middle six. However, questions remain about how quickly he can adapt to the North American game after spending most of his career overseas.

“Gritsyuk will be the one that we’re really excited to see when he comes over here,” Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said after free agency. “How can he adapt? He’ll be here mid-August to get settled. They tell me he’s got the upside of Dadonov at the same age, and it would be nice for Dadonov to mentor him.”

Gritsyuk has also stated that if he doesn’t make the NHL roster, he would only spend a short stint in the AHL before considering a return to the KHL.

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Lenni Hämeenaho

Hämeenaho, drafted by the Devils in 2023, is another intriguing prospect heading into camp. The Finnish forward signed with New Jersey at the end of last season after playing professionally in Finland. At 6-foot-1 and just 20 years old, he has the size, skill, and potential to make a strong impression in his first training camp.

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Shane Lachance

The final player to watch is Lachance, who has spent the past two seasons at Boston University. Standing at 6-foot-5, he offers a different dimension that could strengthen the Devils’ bottom six. As captain of the Terriers, he showcased both leadership and production, helping guide his team to success in the NCAA.

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Each of these three forwards brings a different skillset, and all will be given the chance to compete for a spot.

“We’re excited. I think we’re a faster team. I think we’ve added skill,” Fitzgerald said. “The excitement of watching Gritsyuk, Hämeenaho, or even Lachance come into camp and make it hard on us to send them down — they’re all different, and they all have NHL upside.”

The Calgary Flames have reportedly signed forward Connor Zary to a three-year bridge contract with the club, worth $11.325 million, carrying an annual average value of $3.775 million. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. 

"Hearing Connor Zary and the Calgary Flames are closing in on a three-year extension at just under $3.8M," Friedman posted.

Zary, 23, is coming off a promising sophomore campaign in which he notched 13 goals and 27 points in 54 games before being sidelined with a lower-body injury late in the season. Over his 117 career NHL appearances, the skilled forward has recorded 27 goals and 61 points, showcasing consistent offensive upside and two-way reliability.

Originally selected 24th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has quickly established himself as a key part of Calgary’s young core. His vision, hockey sense, and ability to contribute in all situations have made him a valuable piece of the Flames’ lineup.

The deal secures Zary through the 2027–28 NHL season. 

While Mike Sullivan is an already established NHL coach, he has a lot to prove as he begins this new opportunity with the New York Rangers. 

Through his ten years coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team won two Stanley Cups, and Sullivan is credited with some of the praise, which is well-deserved.

However, Sullivan did have Sidney Crosby, who was in the prime of his career for a large part of Sullivan’s tenure in Pittsburgh. 

Now, Sullivan will be without Crosby, and that brings some pressure on him.

Crosby brought both tremendous results on the ice and an element of leadership that helped build a strong culture with the Penguins. 

It’s on Sullivan to establish a culture in New York for a Rangers organization that is in desperate need of an identity after a disastrous season. 

Sullivan is out to prove he can build a Stanley Cup foundation without the likes of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. 

Igor Shesterkin Ranked As Third Best Goalie in NHL Network’s Top-10 Goalie List.Igor Shesterkin ranked no. 3 in the NHL Network’s Top-10 goalie list. 

When Sullivan arrived in Pittsburgh, the Penguins had already won a Stanley Cup just a few years before, much different compared to the Rangers, who haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1994. 

This opening with the Blueshirts presents a challenge and opportunity for Sullivan to further establish himself as one of the greatest coaches of this generation.

A former New York Rangers forward has landed a professional tryout (PTO) with one of the club's biggest rivals. 

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have signed former Ranger Kevin Rooney to a PTO. 

#NEWS: We’ve signed Kevin Rooney, Luke Glendening, Adam Scheel and Georgi Romanov to PTOs.

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 5, 2025

Rooney is among the unrestricted free agents (UFAs) left at this juncture of the off-season, but he is now a step closer to changing that by landing this PTO with New Jersey. Now, he will be looking to impress at training camp to earn a contract for the season. 

Rooney previously played for the Devils from 2016-17 to 2019-20. However, his time in New Jersey ended when he signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Rangers during the 2020 NHL off-season. 

Rooney posted 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points, and 194 hits in 115 games over two seasons with the Rangers. His time with the Blueshirts ended during the 2022 NHL off-season when he signed a three-year deal with the Calgary Flames in free agency. 

In 70 games this past season for the Flames, Rooney recorded five goals and 10 points. 

Recent Rangers News 

Rangers Have Interesting PTO Target To Consider 

Rangers Should Give Soaring Forward Big Opportunity 

Rangers: Big Year Ahead For Artemi Panarin 

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

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#8 - Jake Richard  - Forward (Connecticut - NCAA)

Richard was the Sabres sixth-round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal who opened some eyes last year at the club’s development camp. A native of Jacksonville, FL, the 6’1”, 194 lb. winger played his youth hockey in Florida and a year with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he scored 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) before being selected 170th overall.

The following season, Richard split time between the Lumberjacks and Tri-City and increased his goal total to 31 and compiled 62 points in 57 games. As a freshman at Connecticut, he finished fourth on the club with 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists). Last season, the 20-year-old finished second in team scoring in his sophomore campaign, averaging over a point per game (15 goals, 28 assists) in 34 games, and at the club’s 2025 development camp once again showed his scoring prowess. 

If Richard has another good year with the Huskies, the Sabres should try to coax the young forward out of college with a professional contract offer, before he gets ideas of becoming an unrestricted free agent after his senior season in 2027. 

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The Montreal Canadiens traded Carey Price and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks on Friday.

The Canadiens received defenseman Gannon Laroque in return.

Price, 38, last played five games in the 2021-22 season for the Canadiens. The goaltender hasn't played since due to injury.

The Sharks take on the final year of Price's contract, which carries a $10.5-million cap hit but just a $2-million base salary. They still have more than $9.2 million in cap space.

Montreal, meanwhile, has about $4.57 million in cap space. They can accrue that space instead of putting Price on the long-term injured reserve, which means they could make a bigger move at the trade deadline next March.

Laroque, 22, is in the third year of his entry-level contract. In 2023-24, he played nine games with ECHL Wichita, recording two assists there, and nine games with AHL San Jose, where he had a goal and an assist. The Sharks drafted him 103rd overall in 2021. He didn't play last season due to injury.

Price's Time With The Canadiens

Price set franchise highs during his 15 seasons playing for the Canadiens, which selected him fifth overall in the 2005 NHL draft.

His 712 games played and 700 starts are the most among all goaltenders in the Canadiens' 107 NHL seasons. Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup champion Jacques Plante is second, with 556 games and starts.

Like Plante, Price is a Hart Trophy winner, receiving the most votes in the 2014-15 season, when he also captured the Ted Lindsay Award, Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy. Price had a 44-16-6 record with a 1.96 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and nine shutouts that season.

Price also recorded the most wins by a goaltender in Habs history, with 361, 47 more than Plante. His 49 shutouts are in third place. 

Price had at least 30 wins in a season five times, at least a .910 save percentage nine times and a goals-against average lower than 2.50 seven times.

Overall, Price, a member of Ulkatcho First Nation in British Columbia, had a 361-261-79 record, 2.51 GAA and .917 SP with the Canadiens in the regular season.

In the playoffs, Price went 43-45 in 92 games with a 2.39 GAA, .919 SP and eight shutouts. He's third in franchise history in playoff games played, fourth in playoff wins and fifth in save percentage among Habs netminders who played at least 10 playoff games.

The furthest Price got in the playoffs was in 2020-21. He backstopped the Habs to a comeback seven-game series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, a sweep over the Winnipeg Jets and a six-game win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the semifinal.

The Canadiens won the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl for the first time ever, considering that trophy usually goes to the Western Conference champions. It went to them due to temporary divisional realignment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the final, Montreal faced the defending-champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts won the first three games before Price stopped 32 shots to cut the series deficit to 3-1. Tampa Bay won the Cup in Game 5.

That was Price's last playoff game with the Canadiens and almost certainly his NHL career. He missed most of the 2021-22 season due to a torn meniscus injury before playing five games in April 2022, winning one of them.

He hasn't officially retired since he's still under contract, but there appear to be no plans of playing again in hockey's top league for the father of three children.

Correction: Laroque last played in 2023-24, not 2024-25.

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There are big-name players whose contracts will expire following the 2025-26 season. Arguably, none are bigger than Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov.

Even though the two forwards are in separate divisions and don't share the same agents, they could affect the outcome of each other’s new contracts, for better or worse.

McDavid and Kaprizov have been eligible to sign new deals since July 1 but haven’t yet. However, whoever signs their contract extension first will likely set the table for the other star player.

McDavid, 28, already has 1,082 points in 712 regular-season games and 150 points in 96 playoff games. He's won the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times, the Hart Trophy three times, the 'Rocket' Richard Trophy once and the Conn Smythe Trophy once. After back-to-back Stanley Cup final losses, he's focused on winning it all multiple times.

Kaprizov, 28, has 386 points in 319 NHL games, and in only 25 playoff games, he's put up 21 points.

It’s no surprise that both of these players will receive groundbreaking contracts and could set financial records in the NHL. But what remains unclear is how much these players will earn.

The current bar for the highest-paid NHL player by season is McDavid’s Oilers teammate, Leon Draisaitl, whose new deal carries a $14-million cap hit. There’s a great possibility that McDavid and Kaprizov will exceed that number, especially with the rising salary cap in consideration.

McDavid is considered the best player in the sport by some margin. With that, he’ll likely be paid as such, unless he takes a page out of Sidney Crosby’s book and accepts a lower-than-expected cap hit for the team.

Nonetheless, with Draisaitl’s $14-million cap hit to reach, McDavid will likely surpass that by a few million, possibly a range of $16 million to $18 million.

But what if Kaprizov and the Wild come to terms for a contract that pays him $15.5 million or $16 million per season? That could force the range for McDavid’s contract to go even higher, just out of respect for him being the best player in the NHL.

Furthermore, Wild owner Craig Leipold said an agreement between the team and Kaprizov is “not that far off,” according to The Athletic.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/mcdavid-talks-contract-and-oilers-my-belief-has-never-been-higher

In addition, this situation goes both ways. McDavid could be the one to restrict Kaprizov’s contract if GM Stan Bowman and the Oilers put pen to paper quicker than the Wild and GM Bill Guerin.

If Edmonton’s captain were to take a relatively team-friendly deal, between $14 million and $16 million, that would likely force Kaprizov to cash in a lower cap hit than his camp might’ve planned initially.

Of course, there are other factors that go into each player's situation, and one player signing first won't be the only basis for the next player's contract.

Based on some calculations and assumptions done in The Hockey News' 2025 Money & Power issue, a Wild player pays a higher percentage of their contract in taxes than in Edmonton (47.91 percent to 47.01 percent).

Kaprizov's agent, Paul Theofanous, has also secured some massive contracts for other star players, such as Artemi Panarin's $$1,642,857 average annual value with the New York Rangers and Sergei Bobrovsky's $10-million cap hit with the Florida Panthers. McDavid signing a team-friendly contract doesn't mean Kaprizov will as well (and vice-versa), but it could make it more difficult.

As for other pending UFAs, such as the Winnipeg Jets' Kyle Connor, Vegas Golden Knights' Jack Eichel, Colorado Avalanche's Martin Necas and Rangers' Panarin, if their camps have any concerns about teams using McDavid's next deal as a comparable, they may want to set the bar themselves.

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Igor Shesterkin ranked no. 3 in the NHL Network’s Top-10 goalie list. 

The only two goalies that ranked ahead of Shesterkin on this list are Andrei Vasilevskiy and Connor Hellebuyck. 

This past season, Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the New York Rangers, making him the highest-paid goalie in NHL history. 

At the pinnacle of Shesterkin’s career, he won the Vezina and was a Hart Trophy finalist for League MVP in 2022. 

On top of that, Shesterkin has helped lead the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final twice through his tenure as the team’s starting goalie. 

During the 2024-25 campaign, the 29-year-old goalie recorded a 27-29-5 record, 2.86 goals against average, and .905 save percentage. 

Gabe Perreault Reaffirms His Primary Goal Of Securing A Roster Spot With The Rangers Gabe Perreault continues to make his goals loud and clear. 

The goalies ranked behind Shesterkin on this list include Sergei Bobrovsky, Jake Oettinger, Ilya Sorokin, Jordan Binnington, Filip Gustavsson, Darcy Kuemper, and Linus Ullmark.

Veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm was asked about his own contract situation on Friday, specifically if he's looking to re-sign with the Edmonton Oilers.

Understanding that Connor McDavid is getting the bulk of the attention, Ekholm is among a handful of pending UFAs on this Oilers roster that could be signed this summer or anytime during the season.

“Is This Real?” Insider Says McDavid’s Comments Has NHL on AlertConnor McDavid’s contract status has clearly become the NHL’s biggest storyline heading into the 2025–26 season. Fans and media are hanging on every word McDavid says and reading into the things he doesn't say. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman says the hockey world is right to be on edge.

“Absolutely I want to stay in Edmonton, but I know you have to take care of the big boys first," said Ekholm. He added, "Once he (McDavid) gets done I’m sure we will talk."

Ekholm, 35, is in a slightly different situation than other UFAs on the Oilers. He's on the back nine of his NHL career and it might not be wise for the organization to commit long term. However, salary cap flexibility is paramount and one of the ways to keep his AAV down is by offering more term.

How Much Is Connor McDavid Worth?

Oilers Unique Defender Storming To A Big Season

The Oilers have to ask themselves, at what point does Ekholm start not being worth the investment? He's aware that's a question that will need to be answered.

"I’m getting up there (age) but I know what I bring,” Ekholm said on entering the final year of his deal. The 2025-26 season is an important one, not just for the team but for the player. If he has a big year, signing him is just a matter of dollars and cents. If he doesn't, or he struggles to stay healthy, questions about what to offer him come into play. 

When asked how he feels after his injury during the playoffs last season, he responded, "I feel great, I feel a lot better... It was tough just 'cause you're more out there to survive than creating something or playing your game." Ekholm played with a torn adductor muscle in final against the Florida Panthers. The injury severely limited his effectiveness. 

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