Category: Ice Hockey

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Hunter Skinner had some trials and tribulations on Sunday treking his way to St. Louis from Springfield, Mass. with plane delays, but now that the defenseman is here, the focus came along with it.

Skinner was called up from Springfield of the American Hockey League when the St. Louis Blues assigned Logan Mailloux to the Thunderbirds. The 24-year-old will be the seventh defenseman – for the time being – and just fit in any way he can after an extended training camp here in September.

“I feel good today, ready to go,” Skinner said. “Just come up here, put a smile on my face, work hard. Like I said before in camp, work hard, show them what I have, bring them what I can do to the table.”

Skinner, acquired from the New York Rangers with Sammy Blais in the trade that sent Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to New York on Feb. 9, 2023, has 203 games’ worth of AHL experience, including 157 the past three-plus seasons with the Thunderbirds, will do whatever is necessary and asked of him.

“I’m just going to wait on that call to get the nod to go in and if I do, make the best of my opportunity,” Skinner said. “Energy, physicality, I want to bring that to the best of my ability, honestly. Hopefully that can help turn some tides.”

Skinner, who mentioned in training camp he grew up as a forward, had career-highs in goals (eight), assists (15) and points (23) with Springfield last season and certainly grew on the coaching staff, which recognized the “energy, physicality, attitude,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Plus he has a lot of confidence and poise with the puck. I don’t think people would describe him that way.”

* Is Sundqvist coming in, Bjugstad going out? – Monday’s practice lines had Oskar Sundqvist centering the Blues’ fourth line flanked by Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker. That spot had been occupied of late by Nick Bjugstad, who was the extra with Alexandre Texier.

Sundqvist has been a healthy scratch the past two games and could be a case of getting him back in the mix somewhere. But could it be at the expense of Bjugstad, who has been solid with the Blues since signing this past simmer?

“It’s more about getting Sunny into the lineup. It’s not dead set that that’s the lineup for tomorrow,” Montgomery said of a matchup with the Calgary Flames. “Bjugstad, what I love is he’s a great pro. He’s done really good things, and he was really good in practice today. He’s going to be hard to take out.”

* Dvorsky gets shot with Kyrou, Holloway – It was the line that galvanized the Blues’ season down the stretch last season with Brayden Schenn between Dylan Holloway on the left and Jordan Kyrou on the right.

And while that combination hasn’t been used often – yet – this season, it will be Dalibor Dvorsky’s turn there on Tuesday.

“They’re going to have to take care of Dvorsky,” Montgomery said of Kyrou and Holloway. “Schenn was taking care of them last year. Now it’s on them to be leaders and take a young guy under their wing who’s got incredible potential who’s played really good hockey for us. You want to see if there’s a spark there, if there’s some chemistry.”

In the meantime, Schenn once again has altered a role that best suits a team. And playing on the wing.

“I thought he’s played really well outside of the Washington game, but that was the whole team laying an egg in Washington,” Montgomery said of Schenn. “I think he’s been getting more opportunities offensively, and defensively he’s done a good job as a winger.”

* Joseph takes tumble in practice – Mathieu Joseph was able to finish practice on Tuesday but not without a bit of pain.

The forward collided and fell along the boards during a drill, compromising something with his lower body that needed some rest and attention by the Blues’ training staff on the bench.

Joseph, who’s off to a real solid start to the season, was able to finish the practice and seemed fine in the locker room afterwards.

“I didn’t check with the trainers to see where he’s at,” Montgomery said. “We’ll have an update tomorrow.”

St. Louis Blues Prospect Report (Nov. 9, 2025)Tomas Mrsic starting to feel the scoring after adjustment at Colorado College; Adam Jiricek's offense highlighting his season at Brantford; Matvei Korotky injured in RussiaLogan Mailloux Can Always Lean On Blues Teammate Who Knows What It's Like To Break Into NHLTyler Tucker knows pipeline between Springfield, St. Louis in efforts to crack NHL lineup, finally doing it last year after almost three years of ups, downsBlues Already Moved Past Saturday's ControversyGoalie interference call that wasn't made allowed Seattle to tie it late, win in OT; Sunday's practice was more geared towards pushing each other to be better, end with bag skateBlues Assign Mailloux To Springfield, Recall SkinnerDefenseman acquired from Canadiens for Zack Bolduc will go down to AHL, play big minutes, variety of roles and get a "reset," GM said

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The Boston Bruins have the hockey world wondering if the B’s are officially back. After stringing together five consecutive wins, Boston has climbed to second place in the Atlantic Division, trailing only the Montreal Canadiens. Oddsmakers seem confident in Montreal’s strong start, giving the Habs -277 odds to make the playoffs but what about Boston’s chances?

The Bruins didn’t just miss the playoffs last season; they were among the league’s bottom teams, finishing with a rough 33-39-10 record. This year, Boston’s resurgent start to the season has not done much to shift perceptions. The Bruins now hold +425 odds to make the postseason, thanks largely to their hot start and standout performances from their top players.

Bank On Blue Jackets Exploiting Oilers’ Leaky DefenseCan the Blue Jackets' offense exploit the Oilers' shaky goaltending? Expect fireworks as both teams battle to break winless streaks.

Superstar winger David Pastrnak has led the charge with eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 17 games, reminding fans why he’s considered one of the NHL’s elite scorers. His new linemate, 27-year-old Morgan Geekie, has been a revelation. Following a breakout 57-point campaign last year, Geekie has picked up where he left off, tallying 11 goals, which is tied for third in the league, along with four assists for 15 points through 17 games.

Offseason addition Viktor Arvidsson is also making his mark. After being traded away by Edmonton for next to nothing following a disappointing 27-point season, Arvidsson is finding new life in Boston’s top six. With eight points in 17 games, he’s on pace for just under 40 points, his best projection since posting 59 with the Kings two years ago.

Center Pavel Zacha has quietly been a consistent producer as well, registering four goals and ten assists for 14 points while anchoring the second line alongside Arvidsson. On the back end, Charlie McAvoy has been thriving offensively, racking up 12 assists in 16 games, his best pace in recent memory.

Still, Boston’s turnaround hasn’t been without questions. While their five-game winning streak has sparked excitement, it hasn’t come against the stiffest competition. Three of those victories came in overtime against the Sabres, Senators, and Islanders, and their win over the injury-depleted Maple Leafs raised some eyebrows. Their most impressive outing was a 2–1 triumph over the Eastern Conference favorite Hurricanes, where goaltender Jeremy Swayman stole the show with 28 saves on 29 shots.

The coming weeks will be crucial as Boston faces several of the same teams it narrowly edged out, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Carolina, before embarking on a California road trip. That stretch could prove tricky, as even strong teams like the Jets have stumbled against the improving Sharks, Ducks, and Kings.

If the Bruins drop a few games but maintain the strong fundamentals that fueled their win streak, the narrative around them could continue to shift. For now, though, it’s fair to question whether Boston’s hot streak is truly sustainable or just a temporary spark. 

Jack Eichel’s MVP Case Strengthens Amid Golden Knights’ Dominant StartEichel's offensive explosion fuels the Golden Knights' hot streak. Can this star-studded lineup carry him to MVP glory?

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

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The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond

What Are The Oilers Missing Right Now? by The Big Show

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Ken Campbell discussed in this episode:

0:40: What's wrong with the Edmonton Oilers, and what can be done to fix it?

3:52: Are the Oilers really missing Corey Perry right now? 

5:55: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a goaltending problem or does most of their struggles fall on the defense? 

9:18: How do you think Joseph Woll’s return will affect Anthony Stolarz’s performance? 

11:18: Did people get concerned about Connor Bedard too early?

16:48: How important is Year 3 in a career for Bedard and NHL players in general?

18:37: Name a player you think has jumped into the superstar category this season.

22:30: Hockey Hall of Fame talk: where does Zdeno Chara rank all-time among NHL defensemen? Is he up there with Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidstrom?

28:50: Boston University icon Jack Parker coached the Terriers for 40 years, even when he had NHL offers. With how often NHL coaches get fired, did he have it right? 

32:36: Could we see David Carle as an NHL coach in a couple of years? 

34:00: Ken Campbell spent some time in Czechia recently and interviewed Dominik Hasek. He discusses that and whether Prague is still incredibly underrated as a city.

38:54: Who will get inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame next year? Candidates include Carey Price, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel and Eric Staal?

43:04: Should the NHL retire Alexander Ovechkin's number?

43:58: Who's your Hart Trophy front-runner?

Watch the full episode here

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

The Detroit Red Wings have lost four of their last five games, raising growing concerns about their offense after scoring just six goals during that stretch. Several players are struggling to find their rhythm, and expectations not being met.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XFinal

Forward Marco Kasper had his late-season breakout last year that gave many the belief that the youngster would be able to build on that success with the help of veterans Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane on his line. 

The hope was that Kasper would produce points while developing into one of the most important positions in hockey right now as a second-line center. That has not materialized, as Kasper has just three goals and no assists through 16 games and has been moved out of the top six to the third line. In Sunday’s loss to the Blackhawks, he shifted to left wing to play alongside Mason Appleton and rookie Nate Danielson, who made his NHL debut.

Once again, the only line able to generate offense was the top unit as center Dylan Larkin scored to tie the game at 1–1 before Chicago responded with four unanswered goals. Relying so heavily on one line will not be enough in today’s NHL and the Red Wings appeared to have that depth scoring early on, but several players have cooled off.

Head coach Todd McLellan made adjustments, promoting J.T. Compher to second-line center. Compher, a former 50-point player, could solidify that spot if he can build on his recent success, including a goal in Detroit’s 4–1 loss to the New York Rangers last Friday. The hope is that his presence can help elevate the DeBrincat–Kane duo into a status similar to early this season, when the two were helping Detroit win games. They saw their chances in the loss with nine shots on net but couldn't muster up a much-needed goal. 

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

Red Wings Prospect Nate Danielson Impresses in NHL DebutDespite a scoreless NHL debut, Nate Danielson showcased tenacious play, creating chances and limiting opponents' offensive pressure.

The bottom of the lineup has seen significant changes with rookie Nate Danielson centering the third line, which has pushed other players out of the rotation. Fellow rookie forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, who began the season with the team, is back to the AHL to continue his development as roster space tightens and likely won't be back till next season. 

This competition mainly impacts forwards like Michael Rasmussen, Elmer Soderblom, and Jonatan Berggren, who are battling for a single available roster spot as it's unlikely that veterans Andrew Copp or James van Riemsdyk will be scratched from the fourth line. Soderblom earned the start on Sunday, but that could change as McLellan looks for the right combination. The Red Wings may also explore trade options for Berggren, a 25-year-old former second-round pick who still holds value around the league.

Detroit’s recent struggles and frequent lineup changes have made it difficult for players to build chemistry. Moving forward, the team hopes to stabilize its lines, make only minor adjustments, and ensure that depth players still get ice time. Above all, the Red Wings need more consistent production throughout the lineup if they want to prove they are legitimate contenders and not just an early-season surprise. Hopefully the lineup adjustments can prove to make a difference or the team will need to start exploring other options. 

Projected Detroit Red Wings Lineup (Nov. 13 vs. Anaheim Ducks)

Emmitt Finnie - Dylan Larkin - Lucas Raymond

Alex DeBrincat - J.T. Compher - Patrick Kane

Marco Kasper - Nate Danielson - Patrick Kane

Elmer Soderblom - Andrew Copp - James van Riemsdyk

Simon Edvinsson - Moritz Seider

Ben Chiarot - Axel Sandin-Pellikka

Albert Johansson - Travis Hamonic 

Cam Talbot

John Gibson

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After a deserved day off, the Montreal Canadiens were back on the ice this morning in Brossard, but one player was missing: captain Nick Suzuki, who was having treatment. This is the second practice the top-line center has missed recently, and it’s not surprising. Since he blocked a shot in the dying seconds of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers, he hasn’t had the same spring in his step, so to speak.

Since he started skating in the NHL, Suzuki has not missed a single game, a 470-game streak in a tough league. Hockey players being what they are, it’s evident that there have been times when the captain has played through bumps and bruises and perhaps even a little bit more than that, as evidenced by the fact he turned down Team Canada’s invitation to play in the World Championships a couple of times in the past.

Canadiens: Caufield And Demidov Putting Up Impressive Numbers
Canadiens: Will This Be Dach’s Big Bounce Back Season?
Former Canadiens Winger Is Red-Hot Right Now

There’s no denying that Suzuki is the motor of the team, and any length of absence from him would be a disaster for Martin St-Louis’ team. As things stand, there are no indications that he could miss Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Speaking to the media after practice, Zachary Bolduc said the Habs needed to work on their shot volume, which makes sense. In their last three games, they could only manage 23, 19 and 20 shots. While that may suffice on some nights, it probably wouldn’t cut it against a red-hot goaltender, but Martin St-Louis isn’t worried about it. Asked how he plans for the moment his team won’t be able to keep up its 13% shooting rate, the bench boss explained that he doesn’t plan for the moment his team won’t score as many goals, and nobody can blame him for that.

As for defenseman Mike Matheson, he was asked what explains the fact that, last season at this stage, the Canadiens were dead last in the standings, and that they are now at the top of the division and flirting with the league lead. The veteran explained that it was all a matter of consistency. The Habs are definitely doing things better than they did last year, and they are doing so consistently. It makes sense, especially since St-Louis has been telling us for years that consistency is what’s harder to get from young players.

For me, the best example of the Habs doing it the right way is how the five-man unit is committed to playing the defensive side of the game. On Saturday night against the Utah Mammoth, it was Kirby Dach’s active stick on defence that allowed him to take flight and score the Tricolore’s sixth goal of the season. As for Juraj Slafkovsky, he’s now playing a more physical game on the forecheck, and he’s doing it every game. In 15 games, he has 27 hits and battles a lot more by the boards, even when he doesn’t come throwing his body around.

---

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For the week ending on November 9th, Connor Bedard was named the Second Star Of The Week in the NHL. This comes after a dominant week on the road in which he scored three goals and seven assists for ten points in four games played. 

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche was the first star with four goals, six assists, and ten points in four games. Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks had five goals and four assists for nine points to earn the third star honors. 

NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) on XNathan MacKinnon, Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 9. 3 Stars of the Week presented by @GEICO #NHLStats: https://t.co/dglLfX1W08

Each of the first two picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard and Carlsson, are stars of the week. They are more than happy to share the spotlight with a player like Nathan MacKinnon, who is on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. 

Bedard is deserving of NHL recognition. He took some time to break out as a top scorer in the league, but he always had the talent to do so. The team around him is better, and he is starting to show the maturity needed on the ice to take those talents to the next level. 

With his abilities, expect Bedard to be a star of the week many times during his NHL career. As he continues to put together an Olympic-worthy resume, the point totals are going to continue climbing up. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Buffalo Sabres have placed forward Carson Meyer on waivers. 

Meyer being placed on waivers indicates that he is ready to get his 2025-26 season started. The 28-year-old forward had been sidelined since the start of the season due to injury. 

The Sabres signed Meyer this off-season to a two-year, two-way contract in free agency. This was after the Powell, Ohio native spent this past season with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL), posting nine goals, 12 assists, 21 points, and 20 penalty minutes in 29 games. 

If the Meyer clears waivers, he will join the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans and should be a key part of their forward group. 

In 41 career NHL games over three seasons, Meyer has recorded two goals, four assists, six points, 14 penalty minutes, 90 hits, and a minus-4 rating. He last appeared at the NHL level during the 2023-24 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he posted one goal, one assist, and a career-high 37 hits. 

NEWARK, NJ -- It's hard to believe, but Kyle Palmieri is in his fifth full season as a member of the New York Islanders after coming over from the New Jersey Devils ahead of the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Despite being born in Smithtown, Long Island, Palmieri grew up in Montvale, New Jersey, about a 40-minute commute to the Prudential Center. 

Palmieri, who began his career with the Anaheim Ducks, signed with the Devils as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal worth $4.65 million annually. 

During the final season of his deal, the 2020-21 season, which started late due to the Pandemic, Palmieri knew that his future likely wasn't with the Devils. So, when it started getting closer to the NHL Trade Deadline, he knew he was likely on the move -- the question was where to. 

"I mean, it was kind of a weird situation," Palmieri told The Hockey News. "It was the divisional bubble year, but I had had conversations with Fitzgerald, and I knew where things were at and where I stood. So it was more of a waiting game."

On April 7, 2021, the Islanders acquired Palmieri and Travis Zajac for forwards A.J. Greer and Mason Jobst, and a 2021 first-round pick and 2022 conditional fourth-round pick. 

Palmieri had a modiified no-trade clause so he had some of a say in where he ended up. 

"Obviously, with the [COVID] restrictions and all the stuff moving inside divisions or outside of divisions and crossing borders, it kind of came down to a couple of options at the end," Palmieri said. "But I felt like I was part of the process of where the landing spot was going to be, and the Islanders were at the top of my list. So, yeah, it feels like a while ago now, but it was just a different year to begin with — and definitely happy how it all worked out."

Were the Islanders at the top of the list because that's where he was born?

"It was a team that was very competitive," Palmieri said. "It gave me an opportunity to win. When I was playing in Jersey, we were kind of in a rebuild, and I think the Islanders were an awesome opportunity for me, and I was excited to make the switch.

"Obviously, being from the area and having played here for a while, there’s a certain level of comfort with that. But I think for me, it was just the best opportunity to try and win."

Palmieri leading closing stretches ahead of #Isles game against his former team, #NJDevils. pic.twitter.com/ZHHtws19EM

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) November 10, 2025

Coming over with Zajac certainly made the transition a bit smoother. 

"That made it nice. Obviously, Greener and Schneider were here already, and I knew a good chunk of the guys," Palmieri said. "So it always makes it easier going into a new room with a couple of familiar faces."

Five years later, Palmieri has been a tremendous value to the Islanders after shaking off his first full season, which was plagued by a few upper-body injuries.

The summer, after playing in all 82 games for a second straight season, Palmieri and the Islanders came to terms on a two-year extension worth $4.75 million annually. 

In 15 games this season, Palmieri has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. He'll skate with Bo Horvat and Emil Heineman on the Islanders' top line for a second straight game. 

The Islanders battle the Devils at 7 PM ET on MSGSN2. 

The Winnipeg Jets are facing a challenging situation with their offense as they're struggling to find production out of their depth forwards. They have scored just two goals over their last three games, and 23 of their 47 total goals this season have come from their first forward line of star players in Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi. 

Jets Stumble On California Road Trip For Three Straight LossesJets' potent offense silenced on California swing, netting just two goals in three straight defeats. Time for line adjustments?

Players like Tanner Pearson, who has gone 11 games without a point, and Alex Iafallo have struggled to produce despite Iafallo logging significant minutes at over 16 per game on the second line alongside Jonathan Toews. The Jets may look to make additions and could have the opportunity to acquire a former 70-point player from a struggling team eager to move pieces.

Few teams have been worse to start the season than the St. Louis Blues as they sit with a 5-8-3 record and the league's worst defense with 62 goals allowed this season. Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been reportedly looking to trade some of his players to build towards the future with veteran forward Brayden Schenn being a name that has been routinely brought up. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed this Monday on his podcast 32 Thoughts adding that Armstrong will "need a reason" to depart with their captain.

Frank Seravalli: Re Brayden Schenn: They nearly traded him last year in the deadline period; it was a bit of a different situation because [he] had the full no trade clause; he's lost some of that veto power; he's gonna be in demand - Big Show (11/7)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 10, 2025

This brings the Jets into focus as Friedman also noted that when the Blues were looking to potential deal Schenn last season, that he expressed interest in reuniting with his brother Luke and playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, when Toronto failed to get a deal done with the Nashville Predators for Luke Schenn, the deal fell through and Brayden elected to stay with the Blues.

Now with lesser protection than last season, St. Louis will have more options for where they can send Schenn and this could even mean moving him to Winnipeg to play with his brother on a Stanley Cup contender like they wanted. It would certainly be an interesting trade as the Blues and Jets just finished clashing in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs this past postseason with Schenn producing some testy moments throughout the series.

This would help alleviate some of the offensive burden on the Jets' top line by adding a consistent 20-goal scorer with 50-60 point upside every season onto the second line with Jonathan Toews or somewhere else in the lineup. The price on the 34-year-old would likely be players that can help the Blues now or future prospects on the verge as Friedman explained that Armstrong is planning to step down as GM of St. Louis at the end of this season to allow former Blues winger Alex Steen to come into the role. 

Friedman explained that it's been noted through several sources that Armstrong wants to leave the franchise in a good place for Steen, meaning a trade involving their captain would likely require a player that would make an impact on the Blues for years to come. 

The Jets have traded away a significant portion of their draft capital and will not have second- or fourth-round picks for the next two years. They still retain their first-round selections, and pairing one of these picks with a prospect like Nikita Chibrikov or Parker Ford, both of whom have been slow to develop at the NHL level, could create an opportunity to complete a deal before their value declines.

Schenn brings the experience of a Stanley Cup champion, having helped the St. Louis Blues capture their first Stanley Cup in 2019, and is a proven NHL veteran with over 1,000 career games, 280 goals, 411 assists, and a career-high 70-point season in 2017‑18, along with significant playoff experience and leadership. The Saskatoon native is coming off a solid 50-point season with 18 goals and 32 assists in a full 82-game season. Schenn hasn't missed a game due to injury in three seasons and could be a reliable iron man for the Jets with the ability to play on the power play. 

Winnipeg's Gamble On Gustav Nyquist Yet To Pay OffNyquist arrived to fill an offensive void, but early struggles and injury have stalled his production, leaving the Jets searching for his scoring touch.

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The Seattle Kraken dropped Sunday's road matchup against the Dallas Stars 2-1, but the bigger news was that Berkly Catton skated in his 10th NHL game, which burns the first year of his entry-level contract.

In these 10 games, the 19-year-old has notched three assists, fired 10 shots on goal and won 60 percent of his faceoffs, all while averaging 12:11 of ice time. Catton has seen time as both the fourth line center and as the top line left winger. He's looked comfortable in both spots, showing off his puck skills and skating ability routinely. 

The 5-on-5 on ice results, according to Natural Stat Trick, are trending in the right direction. The Kraken are outscoring their opponents 4-2 with Catton on the ice, and they own 45.66 percent of the expected goals (ranking eighth) and 48.57 percent of the scoring chances (ranking fourth). 

He hasn't lit up the NHL with goals and assists like he would have with the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL, but Catton is learning how to play both sides of the puck effectively as he continues to become acclimated to the NHL pace and coach Lane Lambert's style of play. 

Although Catton has burned the first year of his entry-level contract after playing his 10th game, the Kraken could still send him back to the WHL. Although it is a move that is unlikely, as they would have rather saved a year of his ELC, it's still a possibility.

Kraken's Berkly Catton Is Making A Strong Case To Stick Around The Seattle Kraken are approaching decision time with their top prospect, Berkly Catton. He's done everything he can to prove he should stick around, but does the Kraken's current situation force them to go down a different route?

The Kraken still have some options. Unfortunately, they can't send him down to the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds unless it's a conditioning stint after sitting out multiple games consecutively. They could continue to play him nightly in the NHL and loan him to Team Canada for the world juniors.

There, he would be a top-line center playing in every scenario. The move would allow him to receive more ice time and likely build his confidence as he would be a dominant player. 

The Kraken still have decisions to make, but Catton should be feeling great that the team believes in him this highly, this quickly. 

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Nobody could have anticipated that during the 2025–26 season, the Vancouver Canucks organization would be without three of their goaltenders at the same point in time. This very situation occurred over the weekend, with Thatcher Demko taking time off for maintenance while Nikita Tolopilo remained out due to injury. An injury to Ty Young on Friday resulted in the Abbotsford Canucks requiring the use of an emergency backup goalie for the remainder of their game, as Jiří Patera was on his way up to Vancouver after being recalled under emergency conditions. All these injuries have also resulted in both Jonathan Lemieux and Aku Koskenvuo receiving call-ups from the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. As well, Kevin Lankinen ended up starting both of Vancouver's games during their weekend back-to-back at home. 

During this stretch of goaltending complications for the Canucks, there is one thing that comes to mind — where would Artūrs Šilovs fit into this equation? Vancouver traded their former goaltender and Calder Cup Championship MVP to the Pittsburgh Penguins during the off-season in exchange for Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. While he has only been with Pittsburgh since then, he has started in nine games for the Penguins and registered a record of 4–2–3. Šilovs also has a GAA of 2.49 and a .916 SV%. With Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry out for a few weeks due to injury, Šilovs’ workload will only increase. 

The Canucks’ current goaltending circumstances lead many to wonder if the team was better off keeping Šilovs and getting rid of one of Demko or Lankinen, or retaining all three and moving their goaltending depth cabinet around a bit. The latter situation is the least likely of these options, as Šilovs made it clear that, while his NHL play didn’t instil a whole lot of confidence last season, he was ready to make the jump after posting stellar numbers during the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. Keeping him in the AHL would have helped Abbotsford out insurmountably, but wouldn’t have made sense for a goaltender who was looking for his chance at making the NHL. 

At the same time, trading one of Demko or Lankinen to make room for Šilovs in Vancouver was too risky of a move to make on a goaltender who hadn’t quite proven himself long-term at the NHL level. While the goaltender did carry his team to Game 7 of the second-round in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, reality set in the regular season after when Šilovs couldn’t quite find his footing early on as the Canucks’ anticipated starter. This opened the door for Lankinen to step in and take the role of Vancouver’s starter, a transition that ultimately resulted in the goaltender signing a five-year contract extension. 

Choosing to stay with Šilovs rather than one of Lankinen or Demko would not have been the right move for this particular organization, though this may have been the opposite if this were a different team with a different trajectory. For starters, both Lankinen and Demko have proven themselves on a consistent basis at the NHL level. While Šilovs could have definitely been capable of doing-so this season or even the next, with the way Vancouver approaches their seasons — as if their playoff window is open — it wouldn’t have made sense for them to wait for a goaltender with potential, even if that may have been a better move in the long-run. At the end of the day, the Canucks have been adamant that they believe in their current core and want to stick with players who will help them win now. Demko and Lankinen’s ages and experience levels match that of their current core, making it an unfortunately easy decision for the team. 

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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Joakim Kemell, you've won a trip to Sweden. 

On Monday, ahead of their game against the New York Rangers and days before their pair of games against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sweden, the Nashville Predators have recalled forward Joakim Kemell from the Milwaukee Admirals. 

Kemell is called up following Zachary L'Heureux's lower-body injury, which has him out for 4-6 weeks.

L'Heureux was recalled after Cole Smith suffered an upper-body injury, which sidelines him for at least five more weeks. 

Kemell made the opening night roster after an impressive preseason and has played two games with the Predators this season, against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 9 and the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 13. He has yet to record his first NHL point. 

This season in Milwaukee, Kemell has recorded six points in six games (one goal and five assists), and four penalty minutes. 

He is also from Jyväskylä, Finland, which is about 630 miles from where the Predators will be playing their NHL Global Series games against the Penguins at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. 

The Predators face the Rangers on Monday at 6 p.m., then travel abroad to face the Penguins in Sweden on Friday at 1 p.m. CST and Sunday at 8 a.m. CST. 

Nov 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) skates his rookie lap before making his NHL debut against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Another former ECHL player saw his lifelong dream come true on Sunday.

Former Wheeling Nailers goaltender Sergei Murashov made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

While the Penguins ultimately fell 3-2 to the Kings, the 21-year-old netminder accounted himself well. Murashov stopped 24 of 27 shots faced, making several key saves to keep his team in the game.

“I need some time just to watch video and see what more I can do better, where I was good,” Murashov said after the game. “But overall, I just like how I felt for all the game. I enjoyed it. Again, just a huge thanks to my team, because it’s [their] third game in four days, and they were battling.”

One of Murashov’s biggest saves came off a 2-on-1 rush by the Kings in the middle frame. Alex Laferriere took the puck off a Penguins turnover, raced up ice, and fed Quinton Byfield on the doorstep. Murashov stretched his full 6-foot-2 height to make a critical stop and preserve what was then a 2-1 Pittsburgh lead.

Murashov played in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers last season and became the 70th former Nailer/Thunderbird to reach the NHL with his debut on Sunday.

Murashov began his North American professional career last season with the Nailers and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. His first campaign in Wheeling was outstanding, as he went 17-7-1 with a 2.40 goals against average and a .922 save percentage in 26 games.

The Yaroslavl, Russia native etched his name in the Wheeling record books twice, as he set team records for the longest winning streak by a goaltender (13) and the longest point streak by a goaltender (15; 14-0-1). He allowed two goals or fewer in 15 of 26 games and recorded at least 30 saves on 13 occasions.

One of Murashov's most notable performances was his first ECHL shutout, a 42-save effort against the Tulsa Oilers on Feb. 22.

In addition to his success in Wheeling, Murashov has thrived in the American Hockey League with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He is 17-5-0 in 23 career appearances in the AHL, as he went 12-3-0 last season. He is off to a 5-2-0 start this year.

The netminder earned AHL Goaltender of the Month honors for his 5-1-0 record in October, and also earned AHL Player of the Week honors. Those are the second and third league honors for Murashov, who was November's ECHL Rookie of the Month with the Nailers last season.

Murashov’s first NHL save on Sunday came against Adrian Kempe, who scored his 200th career goal earlier this season.

In addition to being the 70th former Nailer/Thunderbird to reach the NHL, Murashov is the 18th to do so as a goaltender, the 20th to debut with the Penguins, and the fifth to debut as a goaltender for Pittsburgh. Prior to Murashov, the last Wheeling player to make his NHL debut with the Penguins was fellow goaltender Casey DeSmith, who did so on Oct. 29, 2017. DeSmith is now the backup goalie for the Dallas Stars.

In a fun twist, Murashov's NHL debut came on the one-year anniversary of his WesBanco Arena debut, as he made 27 saves to lead the Nailers past the eventual Kelly Cup Champion Trois-Rivières Lions, 4-3, on Nov. 9, 2024.

Sunday’s loss was the Penguins’ third in the last four games, but they have to be encouraged by the solid debut of Murashov, who continues to turn heads with each rung of the professional ladder he climbs.

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FREE GIFT ISSUE + 12 ISSUES + FREE DIGITAL ARCHIVE + FREE SHIPPING*** Canada Post Strike update - as of October 15, 2025 -  Please be aware that Canada Post is now in a rolling strike.  While they are accepting mail, delivery times could be longer than expected.  US orders are not impacted. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR PRINT & DIGITAL ARCHIVE SUBSCRIPTION > FREE GIFT ISSUE* of your

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Milestone Monday rewinds to Nov. 10, 1962, when Chicago Black Hawks netminder Glenn Hall did something he hadn't done in seven years: not play.

In fact, it's what Hall didn't do that night against the Montreal Canadiens that cemented how impressive his 502 consecutive games played NHL record really is.

What started in 1955 with the Detroit Red Wings and ended in 1962 with the Hawks became hockey history.

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

If we’ve learned anything over the last week, it’s not to underestimate Gavin Brindley. 

The 21-year-old delivered the knockout blow in overtime Sunday night, capping a breakout performance that signaled, unequivocally, his arrival at the NHL level. Brindley netted the game-winner on his very first shift of extra time, extinguishing the team’s notorious five-game overtime curse—a streak that had become a running jest despite the Avalanche’s standing as the league’s preeminent squad.  

NHL (@NHL) on XGAVIN BRINDLEY IS YOUR OT HERO!! 😱 The @Avalanche win it in @Energizer overtime!

Although Brindley’s rise has been swift, his first career game-winning goal carried an element of surprise, coming immediately after a brief absence due to a concussion sustained against the Vegas Golden Knights on October 31. Yet even amid that setback, The Hockey News inadvertently caught a glimpse of the sheer passion Brindley harbors for the game. 

Brindley Is a Kid That Loves This Game 

Moments before puck drop for the Avalanche-Lightning matchup on November 4, the elevator doors opened to reveal a man, shorter than this writer, clad in a beanie and black hoodie, clearly animated—whether from haste, excitement, or a combination of both. He beamed and announced, simply, “I passed! I’m playing this weekend.” 

It was reminiscent of a child barreling down the stairs on Christmas morning. The relief that his injury had not been more severe, coupled with the fact he would be shedding the red non-contact jersey and returning to the ice at full capacity, had him practically sprinting. Naturally, we asked Brindley for permission to share the news on X (formerly Twitter), which he graciously granted before sprinting off to his next destination. 

Brindley carried that same energy into the weekend’s action. In his first game back, he contributed a goal and an assist as Colorado cruised to a 9–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. It was a dominant team effort, with 12 players recording at least one point and eight posting multi-point games, Brindley included. And this is a player coming off a concussion, yet his energy and drive have proven to be completely overwhelming for the opposition.  

We knew from training camp and the preseason that this Brindley kid was going to be something special, but there’s a difference between excelling on the ice when there’s no one around and shining when the lights are at their brightest, but Brindley has gone above and beyond.  

Acquired from Columbus last June, the rookie mustered only a single assist through his first 10 games. But as soon as he scored his first-career NHL goal on October 11 en route to 5-4 overtime against the Dallas Stars, it’s like a lightning bolt went off. Now Brindley has four points—two goals and two assists—in his last four contests. He plays with the heart and soul of a player who wants to be in this league for a long time. 

Brindley needed to make a strong first impression—and he did. With Logan O’Connor soon returning from his second hip surgery, a roster spot will be up for grabs. Brindley has already cleared two major hurdles: he excelled in training camp and preseason, and he has exceeded expectations in the early part of the regular season. Simply put, Gavin Brindley has firmly secured his place in the lineup. 

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