There are a number of pieces that combined to make the Calder Cup-winning puzzle that is the Abbotsford Canucks. One of the things that may fall to the wayside is the remarkable play of the team’s first-year members. All of the AHL Canucks’ postseason rookie players made their NHL debuts this season, with all of them factoring into the team’s 2025 Calder Cup victory. Let’s take a look at some of these remarkable rookies. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Lekkerimäki, the 15th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, made his AHL debut on March 30, 2024, and scored his first AHL goal around a week after. 2024–25 was his first full season with Abbotsford, during which he earned a call-up from the Vancouver Canucks. He made his NHL debut on November 12, 2024 against the Calgary Flames, and ultimately finished his 2024–25 season with Vancouver with three goals and three assists in 24 games played. 

In Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki led all AHL Canucks rookies in scoring with 19 goals in 36 games played, also adding nine assists to his point total. He was in and out of the lineup during the team’s Calder Cup Playoff run, skating in 16 of Abbotsford’s 24 postseason games. Most notably, he missed the back half of the Western Conference Finals and the first two games of the Calder Cup Finals, but made his return in a big way back on home ice. Lekkerimäki scored two goals in his second game back during the Finals, making the difference in a narrow 3–2 victory. 

“To me that sums up Lekky,” Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra said regarding Lekkerimäki’s returning performance. “The kid has ice in his veins. He doesn’t shy away from these big moments. And you could see tonight he had two quality looks. And then he made them count, so that that kind of sums up the type of player that he is. When given the opportunity and put in the right spot, he’ll make good.”

Ty Mueller

Mueller has been a force for Abbotsford throughout the regular and post-season. The 105th pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Mueller spent three seasons with the University of Nebraska-Omaha before making his AHL debut in 2024. He impressed during the regular season by registering 12 goals and 27 assists in 64 games, even earning himself a spot at the 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge in place of defenceman Elias Pettersson. Mueller was called up by Vancouver in April 2025 and skated in his first NHL game on April 12 against the Minnesota Wild. 

In a time when rookies may become more sheltered due to the stakes of each game, Mueller was called on even more so by his coach. The rookie forward was a consistent presence in the defensive zone during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run, even taking own-zone draws while defending leads late into games. Mueller flourished offensively as well, posting three goals and nine assists in all of the AHL Canucks’ postseason games. 

“Not only as the playoffs have gone on, but throughout this whole year, his game has continued to grow,” Malhotra said of Mueller’s progression throughout the season. “He’s developed and becoming more and more of one of our more reliable guys in key moments.” 

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Kirill Kudryavtsev 

Kudryavtsev was a steady presence on Abbotsford’s blueline this season, chipping in offensively and locking things up defensively. The Canucks’ seventh-round pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has shown fans that draft position doesn’t matter when you can play well. In his first season with the AHL Canucks, Kudryavtsev scored five goals and 21 assists in 65 games played. At the end of Vancouver’s regular season, he and fellow AHL Canuck Nikita Tolopilo were called up to the NHL club. Soon after, Kudryavtsev made his NHL debut on April 14. 

During the postseason, Kudryavtsev stepped up when it mattered most. He dominated opponents in terms of generating offensive chances for Abbotsford on 5-on-5, finishing playoffs with a league-leading +18 on-ice rating. He scored his first AHL playoff goal against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and also potted nine assists throughout the postseason. 

“It was really hard, as I expected, a really tough couple of first games,” Kudryavtsev said about adjusting to the AHL’s playoffs. “It’s still very different from the OHL playoffs. The guys are coming really hard at you, and you know that you need to bypass that pressure and that stress. But I’ve got lots of trust from my coaches, and I hope I’m doing good now.” 

Manny Malhotra 

Technically, Malhotra is an AHL rookie — just not in the same way that Lekkerimäki, Mueller, and Kudryavtsev are. The 2024–25 season was Malhotra’s first as an AHL head coach, and what a debut it was. During the regular season, he coached his team to a 44–24–2 record that was capped off with a historic 13-game win streak. In the playoffs, he helped Abbotsford win 16 of their 24 postseason games, with the team never losing back-to-back games during their Calder Cup chase. One of the biggest changes for this team, however, may have been their commitment to sticking to their systems. 

Malhotra has noted the significance of the word “resilience” to the team, as well as their “committee mentality” that has led them to success. Every player forechecks hard, blocks shots, and puts themselves in the best position to get in the way of an opposing team’s chances. This belief stems from the system Malhotra and his staff have curated for this specific roster. 

“When you have a coach that played the game, I think you’ve got more respect for him,” Sammy Blais said of Malhotra’s impact on the team. “He’s been really good. He keeps us honest, even after wins. He tries to keep us even. We’re really happy that he’s our coach, and he’s been a big factor for us for sure.” 

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As the off-season is underway, the Golden Knights are looking to make sure that the fandom doesn’t dry out this summer.

The Knights announced earlier this month that the team’s annual road trip presented by A1 Garage Door Service is set to take place July 12-17. This trip features 6 different stops: South Lake Tahoe, California; Reno, Nevada; Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, Arizona.

🗣️ LAKE TAHOE
🗣️ RENO
🗣️ CHANDLER
🗣️ SCOTTSDALE
🗣️ TEMPE
🗣️ PHOENIX

The VGK Road Trip is coming to all of these cities July 12-17! 🚌#VegasBorn | @A1GarageDoorshttps://t.co/y0m6uY3baA

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 6, 2025

Over the span of those 5 days there will be a series of free youth on-ice hockey clinics for players ages 6-13 and meet-and-greets with fans. The Knights mascot, Chance, members of the VGK cast, and team broadcasters are a few key people in attendance on this trip.

“The VGK Road Trip is eagerly anticipated each year as we look forward to connecting in person with our fans across The Realm,” said President Kerry Bubolz. “This is a great chance to celebrate our brand and the sport of hockey as we prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season.”

Northern Nevada has been a stop for the Knights for the past three summers, always between Tahoe and Reno. It will also be the Knights' fourth visit this year to the Grand Canyon State since Arizona was added to the Golden Knights’ television territory this past season. All stops on this trip are where VGK games will be broadcast locally on Scripps Sports and KnightTime+ in the upcoming season of 2025-26.

As July approaches, this trip offers more than just an off-season connection. It serves as a chance to strengthen the ever-growing bond between the team, its fans, and the future of hockey.

PHOTO COURTESY: Golden Knights

While everyone and their mothers are talking about the upcoming draft and free agency, the Montreal Canadiens released their preseason schedule on Wednesday. This time, Martin St-Louis’ men will be playing six preseason games.

The first exhibition tilt will take place in Montreal on September 22, when the Habs will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who could look much different come September. Kyle Dubas is set to embrace a rebuild and is actively shopping Erik Karlsson. Will he get the go-ahead to move more veterans who have no movement clauses? Time will tell.

The next day, the Tricolore will host Trevor Zegras and the Philadelphia Flyers before playing a home-and-away series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In case you’ve forgotten, it was in similar circumstances that Montreal lost both Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher to serious knee injuries last preseason. Chances are, the Canadiens will think twice before using members of the core until rosters have been trimmed down and AHL-dedicated tough guys have been weeded out.

The Tricolore will wrap up its preseason with a home-and-away series against the Ottawa Senators, with the away game set at the Centre Videotron in Quebec, where the Sens will be hosting. Just like the Canadiens, Ottawa qualified for the playoffs last season and will be looking to take another step forward this season. Thanks to acquiring Dylan Cozens at the deadline, the Sens now have a much deeper center line and have filled a need the Canadiens are still looking to plug.

When the puck drops on those preseason games, all eyes in Montreal will be fixed on Ivan Demidov as he sets out to embark on his rookie season. Having just witnessed Lane Hutson’s historic first year, the fans will likely have big expectations. Still, it would be worth remembering that the Russian winger only has limited experience in North American play and may need a bit of time to find his footing.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou finds himself right back in the rumor mill now that the off-season is here. This comes after the 27-year-old forward was discussed as a trade candidate leading up to this season's deadline. 

With Kyrou being an important part of the Blues' roster, there is certainly a clear argument to be had for keeping him around. However, his full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1 and lasts until the completion of the 2029-30 season. Thus, if the Blues want to move him, now would be the time. 

Kyrou is reportedly starting to generate some interest around the league, too. According to The Fourth Period, the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Columbus Blue Jackets are four teams linked to the Blues star. 

The Islanders reportedly having their eye on Kyrou is not necessarily surprising, as they desperately need more scoring if they hope to be a more significant threat next season. The Sabres recently traded JJ Peterka, so they have a hole in their top six that Kyrou could fix. The Canadiens and Blue Jackets are also two young teams on the rise, so they would benefit big time by adding a player like Kyrou. 

It will be interesting to see what the Blues end up doing with Kyrou this off-season. With the Blues taking a step forward and getting back into the playoffs last year, it would be understandable if they kept him around. Yet, if they get offered a nice haul for him, it is fair to wonder if they would consider it. 

Ex-Blues Forward Expected To Re-Sign With Current TeamAccording to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, former St. Louis Blues forward Brandon Saad is expected to re-sign with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Photo Credit:  © Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

One of the most underrated positions for the Ottawa Senators this fall will be the backup goalie role.

The number one job obviously belongs to Linus Ullmark, who's about to start a four-year deal worth $33 million with a cap hit of $8.2 million per season. The issue is that Ullmark, who turns 32 next month, has never played much more than half a season throughout his entire career.

In a league where the best goalies play upwards of 55-60 games, Ullmark's games played totals over the past 7 years have been 37, 34, 20, 41, 49, 40, and last season, 44. Sometimes it's due to a platoon situation like he had in Boston with Jeremy Swayman. But last year, it was injuries.

The point of it all is that Ullmark's backup stands to get as much work as any backup in the league next season. But who will it be?

The only other goalie under contract at the moment is Mads Søgaard, who played just 10 hockey games last season. Søgaard will be on a one-way deal, presumably because the club thought he'd be the one to replace Anton Forsberg, who becomes a UFA on Tuesday.

But then Leevi Meriläinen entered the chat.

With Søgaard hurt for much of the year, the Sens had to call on Meriläinen for 12 games, and he was sensational. His stats were considerably better than both Ullmark and Forsberg's.

But less than a week before free agency, Staios wouldn't announce anything official on Forsberg—or, for that matter, any of his three goalies. He was asked if Forsberg had officially declared to him that he's heading for the open market.

"I wouldn't speak on that," Staios said. "I mean, we've kept in touch with Anton. We've talked to all of our free agents, and I guess time will tell."

The follow-up was more direct. Would he like to bring Anton back?

"I've always said I enjoy Anton. I think he's a great pro. And a real good person."

Frankly, that sounds like the kind of thing you say to be nice when you're not that into someone.

So the assumption is that Forsberg will head to market on Tuesday, while Meriläinen is the goalie everyone thinks will get his job.

That would mean Søgaard will need to clear waivers so they can assign him to Belleville. At 6-foot-7, you can't teach big, as they say. So it's possible someone would put in a claim in the spirit of “you can never have too much goaltending.”

The Sens learned that lesson the hard way last year with all kinds of injuries to everyone. They had to lean on Meriläinen way earlier in his career than they ever thought they would, while the Belleville Senators were going out of their minds, trying to patch things up with replacements.

But while Søgaard's stock seems to have fallen, Staios quickly brought up his name while replying to a Merilainen question on Wednesday. The GM was asked by the affable Claire Hanna what his comfort level is with Meriläinen as his backup goalie, and Staios quickly shoehorned Søgaard into the dialogue, perhaps hinting that he's still in the mix.

"Well, we're comfortable with Leevi. You know, I think... and Mads as well. Like, Mads' injuries happened, and there are ups and downs to a player's career. So, we're comfortable with our goaltending depth, and we'll continue to look at other options as well."

In terms of other options in the organization, the Sens have the rights to Kevin Reidler (University of Nebraska Omaha) and Vladimir Nikitin (Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL).

Neither is an NHL option yet, and maybe not even AHL-ready. But time will tell.

Meanwhile, as good as Meriläinen was last season, is Staios's comfort level so high that he's ready to give him 30-40 NHL games next season? As a policy, does Staios think it's a best-in-class kind of move to hand his NHL backup role to a 22-year-old with all of 14 games of experience in the league? There's at least a chance the answer is no, and that Staios may, indeed, "look at other options," possibly one outside of the organization.

Meriläinen needs a qualifying offer by Saturday, and he'll get one, but it remains to be seen if the NHL backup role will truly be his this fall or not.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

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The Pittsburgh Penguins currently hold the 11th and 12th overall picks of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. With this, they have the chance to land two very good prospects. That is, of course, if they elect to hold onto both of their picks. However, based on a recent report, this is not a guarantee.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Penguins are open to moving the 11th or 12th pick of this year's draft "for the right young player." 

Several 1st round picks in play, especially with clubs with more than one. Pitt will move 11/12 for the right young player. Mtl would move 16/17. Habs need a top 6 F. Philly wants to keep 6, but will trade 22/31. Nashville has 5/23/26 and is still evaluating all options.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2025

Hearing that the Penguins are open to the idea of moving one of their first-round picks is not necessarily surprising. There are some intriguing young players who are in the rumor mill right now, with Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram being two notable examples. 

With this year's draft being a bit of a wild card after the first few picks, now could be a smart time for the Penguins to deal one of their first-rounders for an impactful NHL player that would help them both now and in the long term.

Yet, while the Penguins are reportedly open to trading one of their first-rounders, there is also an argument to be had for them to keep them. The Penguins' prospect pool could use a boost, and they would give it just if they decided to keep both picks.

Nevertheless, it is going to be very interesting to see what the Penguins do with their first-rounders from here. 

Former Penguins Forward Traded To New TeamFormer Pittsburgh Penguins forward Frederick Gaudreau is on the move. 

Photo Credit: © Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images

While the main focus of NHL free agency is on the players signing contracts on the open market, there’s also added significance to July 1. 

That date is also the kickoff of the period in which NHLers entering the final season of multi-year contracts can sign an extension.

Who are the top players that can sign extensions as of July 1? Since the group of players here is rather deep, we’re breaking down the group into four different tiers of players. Let’s get right down to business.

Tier 1: The Superstars

Players: Connor McDavid (C, Edmonton), Kirill Kaprizov (LW, Minnesota), Jack Eichel (C, Vegas), Artemi Panarin (RW, NY Rangers), Kyle Connor (LW, Winnipeg)

The Breakdown: All five players on this list would be surprises if they failed to come to terms on an extension before the beginning of the season. 

Obviously, McDavid is the best player on the face of the earth, so he’ll be setting the bar for every elite player that signs after him. If anyone were to get a cap hit worth the maximum 20 percent of the cap for a player, it’d be McDavid. But that would severely hamstring the Oilers’ ability to surround him and fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl with top talent.

McDavid prioritized a long-term Cup-contending window and his family for his next deal, so Edmonton will have to prove it’s the place to stay.

Meanwhile, the Wild will have to give Kaprizov major money – likely at least $12 million, if not more – to prevent him from becoming a UFA at this time next year. It would also be shocking if Vegas didn’t re-sign Eichel and if Panarin left the Rangers. Connor may be the most intriguing case here, as the Jets have been able to get star players signed far below market value. But Winnipeg needs the 40 goals and 90 points Connor provides, so he may hold the hammer in contract negotiations. 

Tier 2: The Support Stars

Players: Adrian Kempe (C, Los Angeles), Jason Robertson (LW, Dallas), Martin Necas (RW, Colorado), Alex Tuch (RW, Buffalo)

The Breakdown: Don’t get it twisted – they aren’t superstars, but they’re integral to their team’s needs.

Kempe may get the biggest payday of the four, as the Kings aren’t flush with needle-moving forwards who can generate 35 to 40 goals and 75 points as Kempe can. That said, Kempe’s salary of $5.5 million probably won’t be doubled on his new deal.

The Stars, who aren’t teeming with cap space, may ultimately move Robertson rather than pay him big bucks after acquiring right winger Mikko Rantanen. Similarly, Necas and Tuch might be dealt by the Avs and Sabres, respectively. The cap ceiling surge will ensure everyone in this group is well paid but not so much that it hampers their team from filling out their needs elsewhere. 

Tier 3: The Young Stars

Players: Connor Bedard (C, Chicago) Lane Hutson (D, Montreal), Leo Carlsson (C, Anaheim), Adam Fantilli (C, Columbus), Logan Cooley (C, Utah), Logan Stankoven (C, Carolina), William Eklund (LW, San Jose)

The Breakdown: This tier is the most intriguing, as the seven youngsters here have the option of either accepting a bridge deal on their next contract or signing an extension for the full eight years allowable in the current collective bargaining agreement.

At a time when the cap ceiling will rise exponentially, bridge deals may be the best option for any players in this category. They all will be RFAs, so team control won’t be an issue.

But who knows – the comfort of knowing where they’ll be playing for close to the next decade may be most important to one or more of them. So we imagine the sooner someone signs, the likelier they’ve decided that long term is the way to go. The longer it takes them to get an extension, the more they may choose to be patient and sign a short-term deal.

How Will Bedard And Other Budding NHL Stars Navigate The Rocketing Salary Caps?The NHL's projected salary cap jumps could change how Connor Bedard and other young NHL stars look at their second contracts. Who will take the lead?

Tier 4: The Old Stars

Players: Alex Ovechkin (LW, Washington), Evgeni Malkin (C, Pittsburgh), Anze Kopitar (C, Los Angeles), John Carlson (D, Washington), Anders Lee (LW, NY Islanders) 

The Breakdown: None of the five players in this category needs to break the bank on what could be their final contract. And in Malkin’s case or Ovechkin’s case specifically, they may ultimately decide to retire. But if they do choose to extend their NHL career, it will be fascinating to see what type of arrangement they arrive at with their employer.

Do they take the route Boston Bruins veterans Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci went toward the end of their NHL careers and sign for far below market value to give their team a better chance at winning the Cup? Or do they play it as stone-cold businessmen and demand as much money as possible? Their decision will certainly affect the ability of their respective teams to contend for a championship beyond next season.

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According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick. 

CBJ get a 5th RD pick in return for Tarasov https://t.co/Q7Q9miiZVj

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2025

Tarasov, 26, appeared in 20 games this season with the Blue Jackets, where he posted a 7-10-2 record, a .881 save percentage, and a 3.54 goals-against average. This was after he had a 8-11-3 record and a .908 save percentage in 24 games with Columbus in 2023-24.

With this move, Tarasov will likely serve as the Panthers' new backup goalie. In addition, this likely indicates that Panthers' pending unrestricted free agent goalie Vitek Vanecek will be hitting the market on July 1. 

Tarasov was selected by the Blue Jackets with the 86th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In 65 career NHL games over four seasons, he has recorded a 19-34-6 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 3.44 goals-against average. 

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Photo Credit: © Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

LOS ANGELES -- Matthew Schaefer is not a member of the New York Islanders organization just yet, but all signs are pointing to that with the 2025 NHL Draft just a day away. 

While Schaefer has never been to Long Island — he did attend a Morgan Wallen concert in the city — he does have some familiarity with the organization. 

His agent, Pat Morris, represents Islanders forward Bo Horvat, Casey Cizikas, and the recently retired Matt Martin. 

The Hockey News asked Schaefer what it's been like to get to know Horvat. 

"Yeah, it'd be awesome. He's with my agency," Schaefer said. "He's been a great guy. I've heard so many great things about him, and I heard he's a great leader. To have that guy in your corner is amazing."

The 17-year-old defenseman is training under the tutelage of former NHLer Mark Giordano and will also be skating with Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech this summer. 

"Yeah, he's a great defenseman," Schaefer said. "I honestly haven't gone into that much depth with him, but I mean, he's told me a lot of great things. He’s a great player, so it's pretty easy for him."

What else does Schaefer know about the Islanders organization?

"I've heard a lot about the team. Bo Horvat. I know really well," Schaefer said.  "I honestly don't watch hockey that much, to be honest. For me, I love being at the rink. It's all hockey. When I'm away from it, it's going out for dinner with your teammates, doing a lot of things away from the rink, so you can get that mental refresh, be a kid. I, honestly, don't watch hockey that much or sports in general. I like playing it more than watching it."

Potential No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer on what #Isles will be getting: pic.twitter.com/KPupdA67Li

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) June 26, 2025

While Schaefer hasn't met Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, he mentioned that he was at the Upper Deck event and saw a lot of Roy-autographed things. 

As for general manager Mathieu Darche, Schaefer loved meeting him. 

"It was really cool. He is a great guy," Schaefer said. "I read a lot of great things about him. And obviously, he met all the talk about him. So I'm really happy that he got the GM job. I'm happy for him. And, yeah, a lot of, a lot of great stuff coming for the organization."

The 2025 NHL Draft begins on Friday night at 7 PM ET. 

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Victor Eklund is the #2 ranked European skater in this year's NHL Draft, just sliding in behind his Djurgårdens IF teammate, Anton Frondell. The 18 year old, two-way center looks to be a top 10 draft pick on Friday after spending the entirety of his junior and burgeoning professional career in Sweden where he shines brightly in league and international play. He looks to join the NHL ranks along with his brother, William Eklund, who has just completed his second full season with the San Jose Sharks.

This past season, Eklund posted 19 goals and 12 assists in 42 regular season games for Djurgårdens IF, a club in HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second highest tier of professional hockey in Sweden after the SHL. Eklund and Djurgårdens IF won the HockeyAllsvenskan league championship and will be promoted to the top Sweden tier, SHL for the 2025-26 campaign. If Eklund doesn't crack the NHL roster immediately, he will most likely have a chance to develop further in the SHL.

The NHL club that selects Eklund will hope that he can bring his intensity and skills to their team in working order and that the translation from his game in Sweden to the NHL will be swift.

Related

NHL Draft - What Could the Future Hold for the Kraken's 8th Overall Pick? - Community PostWith the 2025 NHL Draft only a week away, the Seattle Kraken currently hold the 8th overall pick. Let's take a look at how the past ten players who were picked 8th overall are doing.

Eklund featured photo by - via tv4.se

Eklund hero photo by - via hockey news.se

While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2003-2008 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2009-2016

2017: Eeli Tolvanen (forward, 30th overall) 

This is the lowest the Predators have ever selected in the first round, and for good reason. 2017 was arguably Nashville's best season in franchise history, as the team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, eventually falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. 

When the draft came around, the Predators selected Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen with the 30th overall pick. In his draft year season with the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), Tolvanen netted 54 points in 52 games and had a plus/minus of 18. 

He'd spend the bulk of the 2017-18 season with Jokerit Helsinki in the KHL, scoring 36 points in 49 games. Tolvanen made his Predators debut that season, playing in three games but recording no points. 

From 2018 to 2020, Tolvanen played primarily in Milwaukee, with a few games also in Nashville. During the 2020-21 season, Tolvanen came into a regular role with the Predators, scoring 22 points in 40 games.

He also played for Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics, recording nine points in five games.

The most games he played in Nashville were in the 2021-22 season, where he recorded 23 points in 75 games. In the middle of the 2022-23 season, Tolvanen was placed on waivers after recording four points in 13 games. 

He was picked up by the Seattle Kraken, where he has played for the last three seasons. He's finished with at least 35 points in the last two seasons, showing that he's found his fit in Seattle. 

2019: Philip Tomasino (forward, 24th overall) 

After trading their 2018 first-round pick, Victor Ejdsell and a fourth-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ryan Hartman and a fifth-round pick, Nashville was back on the board in the first round in 2019. 

It used its 24th overall pick to select forward Philip Tomasino. With the Niagara Ice Dogs, he scored an impressive 72 points in 67 games, with a plus/minus of 37 and 32 penalty minutes, billing himself as a physical and productive forward. 

He'd spend two more seasons in the OHL before transitioning over to the AHL with the Chicago Wolves for the 2020-21 season. In his first professional season, Tomasino had 32 points in 29 games, earning a full-season call-up from Nashville for the 2021-22 campaign. 

This would be the only full season Tomasino would play with Nashville, recording 32 points in 76 games. Over the next two and a half seasons, Tomasino would split time between Nashville and Milwaukee, putting up steady scoring numbers on both rosters.

After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, recording a point in 11 games, Tomasino was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft. In 50 games with the Penguins, Tomasino scored 23 points. 

2020: Yaroslav Askarov (goalie, 11th overall) 

Drafting goalies in the first round hasn't gone historically well for the Predators. 

Chet Pickard (2008, 18th) never played a game for the Predators, and Brian Finley (1999, 6th) played less than five games with the Predators before getting traded to the Bruins and retiring.  

However, with Pekka Rinne nearing the end of his career, the Predators were looking for the next franchise starter and selected Yaroslav Askarov with the 11th overall pick. 

Askarov spent the majority of his draft year with Neva SKA in Russia's junior league, posting a 12-3-3 record, 2.45 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He'd bounce around St. Petersburg SKA's system for three years before finally making his professional debut in 2023. 

He played one game, allowing four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Askarov spent the bulk of the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Milwaukee, posting identical .911 save percentages in 92 combined games. 

He was called up to Nashville for two games during the 2023-24 season, allowing two goals on 35 shots. In the offseason, Askarov was traded to the San Jose Sharks and has spent the bulk of his time with the San Jose Barracuda. 

Nashville did get a little bit more out of Askarov than it did with Pickard or Finley, but it is still struggling to draft the right goalie in the first round. 

2021: Fedor Svechkov (center, 19th overall) 

The Predators used the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft to select a second straight Russian prospect in center Fedor Svechkov. 

In his draft year, Svechkov played in two different leagues with Tolyatti Lada. In the junior hockey league, he scored 15 points in 15 games before being promoted to the All-Russia Hockey League, where he had 15 points in 38 games. 

Svechkov stayed in Russia for a few more seasons, moving into the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA and Moscow Spartak before coming to North America to play in Milwaukee.

In his first AHL season, Svechkov scored 39 points in 57 games with the Admirals, leading to him splitting time in Nashville the next season.

During the 2024-25 season, Svechkov played 52 games with the Predators, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. In Milwaukee, he played 13 games, scoring 10 points. 

It took some time for Svechkov to make the jump over the pond to North America, but he has shown a lot of promise in his short time in the NHL. 

2021: Zachary L'Heureux (forward, 27th overall)  

For the first time since 2008, the Predators had multiple picks in the first round of the 2021 draft. They traded their second-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes to jump up to the 27th overall spot. 

With the newfound pick, Nashville selected forward Zachary L'Heureux from the Halifax Mooseheads. 

In his sophomore year in the QMJHL, L'Heureux scored 20 points in 33 games, complemented by 47 penalty minutes. He spent two more seasons in Halifax and stayed on trend as a physical and productive forward. 

L'Heureux joined the Admirals for the 2023-24 season, scoring 48 points in 66 games and logging a massive 197 penalty minutes. He was clutch in the Admirals' playoff run to the Central Division Finals, scoring 15 points in 15 games. 

This past season, he spent the bulk of the year in Nashville, scoring five goals and recording 10 assists in 62 games, while also accumulating 63 penalty minutes.  

Expect to see a lot more of L'Heureux in Nashville, as he has shown significant growth and, at just 22 years old, could be a major part of the future. 

The San Jose Sharks announced longtime veteran Marc-Edouard Vlasic is on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

Vlasic, 38, would have entered the final year of an eight-year contract with a $7 million average annual value. However, he will be a UFA if no team claims him and that contract off waivers.

Despite the opportunity for the veteran defenseman to play his 20th season with the Sharks in 2025-26, GM Mike Grier decided to free up a roster spot and increase their league-leading salary cap space.

"This was a difficult decision to make today, with how much Marc has meant to the San Jose organization for 19 years,” Grier said in a statement.

For the 2025-26 campaign, Vlasic was set to receive $3.5 million in base salary, according to PuckPedia. Two-thirds of that money will be spread across two seasons on the salary cap as a buyout cost, equalling to $1,166,667 per year.

With this buyout, the Sharks save about $2.33 million in cap space for next season but will pay the remaining buyout cost the following year.

They now have just over $44 million in cap space and must add nearly $19.2 million to the team’s cap hit this off-season to reach the $70.6-million cap floor.

The Sharks have two pending UFAs and six pending RFAs, including 23-year-old defenseman Jack Thompson.

"I was fortunate enough to be here with Marc for his first season with the Sharks, and knew he would become a great defenseman,” Grier said. “With over 1,300 games in the NHL, he brought immense expertise and experience to the organization daily and was selected to represent his country on multiple occasions at the highest level.

"We want to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the organization and wish him all the best."

San Jose drafted Vlasic 35th overall in the 2005 NHL draft. Since then, he’s played 19 seasons and 1,323 games for the team, recording 295 assists and 379 points while averaging 20:41 in ice time. The Sharks never won a Stanley Cup, but he was part of the core that visited the Cup final in 2016, as well as three additional Western Conference final appearances.

Vlasic also played a role in earning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

On June 21, the Chicago Blackhawks executed the first buyout of the off-season on defenseman TJ Brodie.

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Don Sweeney gives update on contract talks with Morgan Geekie originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins were one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, but one bright spot was Morgan Geekie.

The 26-year-old right wing had a fantastic campaign. He set career highs with 33 goals and 24 assists in 77 games. He ranked No. 2 on the Bruins in goal scoring behind David Pastrnak. Besides Pastrnak and Geekie, no other player who finished the season on Boston’s roster scored more than 17 goals.

Given the Bruins’ lack of scoring depth, it’s important that they find common ground with Geekie on a new contract. He’s able to become a restricted free agent in July.

Where do things stand right now?

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney provided an update Wednesday afternoon.

“There’s been constant communication,” Sweeney told reporters at his pre-draft press conference. “Are we on the doorstep? I don’t think so. But that can change within one phone call. Again, you get in around this time frame, and sometimes you’re tracking on a deal, and you get it done right away, and other times you get sort of pushed to the back burner as to do what everybody else is maybe focused on.

“Doesn’t mean that my attention isn’t on Morgan and being able to close out a deal. We have time in that regard, so I’m not concerned about it.” 

Sweeney was also asked about the possibility of going to arbitration with Geekie.

“I mean, arbitration is impossible for both sides,” Sweeney said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to find a deal, as I said before, whether it’s one (year) or much, much longer. We have zero issues in the fact that we’re going to find a deal (at) some point in time.” 

The Bruins have around $23 million in salary cap space, per PuckPedia, so they have plenty of financial flexibility to keep Geekie.

Signing Geekie to a two-year, $4 million contract in the summer of 2023 was one of Sweeney’s best free agent deals since he took over as B’s general manager in 2015. Geekie provided tremendous value to the Bruins during that contract. His 50 goals over two seasons with Boston are 31 more than he scored from 2020-21 through 2022-23.

Geekie now has a chance to earn a substantial raise. He’s definitely earned it.

The 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

Since it’s almost NHL draft day, the mock draft can incorporate any buzz and rumors into the order of things. It’s been a fun and exciting draft year, and the festivities won’t disappoint. 

Without further ado, let's get to the final first-round mock of the season. The actual NHL draft starts Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m. ET in Los Angeles.

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)

After questions about whether the Isles would take the hometown kid, James Hagens, they go with the player at the top of most boards and take the dynamic do-it-all defenseman Matthew Schaefer. He can make an impact in all facets of the game, using his skating and cerebral mind to make a difference. He should be a top-pair defender on Long Island down the road.  

2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)

The Sharks get the top forward in the draft with Misa, who should help form one of the most formidable one-two punches down the middle in the NHL with last year’s first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini. Misa is the most complete center in the draft. With two dynamic, intelligent and tactical forwards who are first-line caliber centers in their top six, the Sharks are well on their way to building something special. 

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C/W, Djurgarden (Swe.2) 

After some debate over whether Frondell goes ahead of Misa, the Hawks get Frondell, a powerful center who boasts an excellent shot and plenty of potential as a very good two-way center. With Connor Bedard on the top line and Frondell taking the second-line center role, Chicago could look to give San Jose a run for its money for the best young center tandem in the NHL. 

4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

This will be one of the most interesting points in the draft, but here, we have the Utah Mammoth taking Desnoyers out of the QMJHL. They’ll hope he brings his two-way game and winning pedigree to the Mammoth. Desnoyers is a tactician who is one of the better play connectors in the class.

2025 NHL Draft: Top Shooters, Playmakers, Motors And MoreOne of the most common questions as the NHL draft approaches is who the best prospect is at a certain skill or trait. 

5. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

Coming into the year as the No. 1 prospect on the board, Hagens fell a bit, but he remains a top-five prospect. Now, he will be considered the centerpiece of the Predators' next generation. He has a chance to be the most dynamic center that Nashville has had in its franchise history. Hagens' playmaking, skill, and speed will be fun to watch in the Music City. 

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)

With Matvei Michkov looking fantastic as a rookie and the recent acquisition of Trevor Zegras, adding a player with a bit more size makes some sense. That’s why Martone makes a ton of sense here. He’s not your traditional power forward, although he has the strength when needed and even a mean streak at times. Rather, Martone is a power playmaker who holds off defenders and makes passes with ease. Pairing him with Michkov could be a ton of fun if they can get a steady 200-foot center between them. 

7. Boston Bruins: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)

The Bruins must kick off this retool with a solid prospect, and drafting O’Brien helps do exactly that. His upside is enticing because he has arguably the best vision and passing in the class, but he needs to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame a bit. If any team will get him to bulk up, Boston makes a ton of sense. 

8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

Seattle has often drafted the smaller, high-skill players up front and on the back end, so the chance to take Smith here gives them a defender with the upside to be the second-best blueliner in the class. Smith is big and mobile with the potential to grow into an impact defender at both ends of the ice. His rush defense is the best in the class, and his flashes of puck skill are intriguing. 

9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)

The Sabres desperately need a right-handed defenseman to come in and play alongside their offensively minded left-shot guys, such as Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Mrtka falls right into their laps. The big Czech defender has a very solid defensive base and some upside offensively. He fits right into what the Sabres need. 

10. Anaheim Ducks: Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)

With Zegras sent out of town, the Ducks have an opening up front in the long term, and they love a tenacious, physical forward who plays unafraid. Martin is exactly that. A human missile, Martin constantly seeks to impose himself physically.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

With back-to-back picks just outside of the top 10, there is a legitimate chance the Penguins look to trade up. If they don’t, then they look poised to go for a couple of upside plays here. There is no more boom-or-bust prospect in the class than McQueen. The injury concern and pace issues are legitimate, but the skill, shot and physicality are all tantalizing for NHL scouts. 

12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from NYR): Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.2) 

Swing No. 2 for the Penguins comes in the form of the tenacious Swede, Victor Eklund. He plays the game as if he’s constantly trying to prove he belongs, going into every battle to outwork and outmaneuver his opponent. His tenacity and speed make defenders' lives difficult, and he has a very good shot to go with it. Eklund is a high-octane winger, exactly the kind you need alongside a guy like McQueen.

13. Detroit Red Wings: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)

Detroit has opted for the “safe” pick the last few years, but this is the year they finally take a bit of a swing and grab a player who brings incredible skill and mobility in Lynden Lakovic. With a big frame, he fits what GM Steve Yzerman typically likes, but he isn’t the physical presence that his frame would suggest. Instead, he plays with finesse and fluidity. Lakovic could be the kind of high-upside player the Wings need. 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)

The Blue Jackets look to take the next step while continuing to build their prospect pool so that there’s sustained success. After moving out David Jiricek this past season, they left a vacancy in their pipeline where they could use a physical, mean presence, and there is no better defender in the class to fill that void than Aitcheson. Between the whistles, after the whistles and even pre-game, Aitcheson will get under his opponents' skin.

15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL)

The Canucks have needs all over their pipeline, and building through the middle is a smart idea. Cootes would give them a player they know will play in the NHL, provide some solid middle-six minutes at center and fit whatever coaching system is in place when he gets to The Show. He’s responsible, versatile, and hard-working. 

16. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY): Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)

With back-to-back picks, Montreal can look to bolster an already loaded pipeline, or it can trade for an NHL player. If the Canadiens do make the picks, grabbing the best players available would make a ton of sense. Bear would fit that bill while bringing a level of physicality and tenacity they would love to add to their top-six. He has the speed to keep up with their best players and the fearless play style that would help make life easier on them.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Final Top 80The 2025 NHL draft cycle nears the end, and it’s been a unique class.

17. Montreal Canadiens: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)

The Habs have plenty of solid blueliners coming through the system, but Fiddler can play alongside some of their more offensively gifted blueliners. Fiddler is a big, mobile defenseman who brings an air of calm to the ice. He makes simple, smart and effective plays, rarely looking to play out of his comfort zone. He has the poise to calm everything down and just advance play. 

18. Calgary Flames (from NJD): Logan Hensler, D, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA)

With the Flames in the middle of a bit of an awkward retool, they must start building up their prospect pool with potential impact players at the next level. Hensler could be a fixture on their blueline for a decade or more because of his versatility. He’s become a reliable blueliner for Wisconsin, using his skating to play in any situation asked of him. He’s just a steady defender in all three zones. 

19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)

The Blues haven’t been afraid of drafting players from the QMJHL, and Carbonneau lasting to this point would give them another reason to go back to the well. A supremely skilled offensive talent, Carbonneau has a heavy shot and slick hands. He can handle physical pressure quite well and get to scoring areas. He has some work to do in his own zone and as a play driver, but Carbonneau has a scorer’s touch. 

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from MIN): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL)

The Blue Jackets have never been afraid to go after players who have big upside but some potential flaws, and they nab Reschny here. He’s a feisty, skilled center who is a bit undersized, but he plays bigger than he is. The biggest question is whether he will be able to continue doing that at the next level. Reschny is one of the purest playmakers in the class with excellent vision and slick hands. 

21. Ottawa Senators: Malcolm Spence, RW, Erie (OHL)

The Senators love a player who puts in a ton of effort with a physical edge, and Spence is an excellent fit for that. Once considered a potential top-10 prospect, Spence has fallen out of favor a bit as one of the older prospects in the class. He plays a pro-style game, bringing structure and translatable habits. Spence can play up and down a top nine, depending on where you need him. 

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from COL): Jack Nesbitt, C/W, Windsor (OHL)

Continuing on the theme of adding more size, Jack Nesbitt will bring another element to the Flyers' forward core. He has a great shot, and he’s developed into a more versatile offensive threat, expanding his playmaking and becoming a more mobile threat. 

23. Nashville Predators (from TBL): Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda

The Preds snag one of the hardest-working, most engaged players in the draft class by selecting Zonnon. His energy and work rate are as high as anyone in the class, and he brings a nifty playmaking edge to his game as well. He’s the kind of player who becomes a fan favorite while playing in the middle six. 

24. Los Angeles Kings: Shane Vansaghi, W/C, Michigan State (NCAA)

Vansaghi is a forechecking machine who gets in on defenders quickly and throws his weight around at will. He has a well-rounded offensive game based on going to the net and making things happen from the high-danger areas. Vansaghi isn’t a dynamic presence, but he has functional skill that allows him to advance play in a positive way. 

25. Chicago Blackhawks (from TOR): Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden (Swe. Jr)

The Hawks add to their forward depth as they take a supremely intelligent center who facilitates play and consistently ensures things are moving in a positive direction. Nilson’s biggest flaw is that he is a bit on the thin side and needs to beef up, but the processing and dual-threat offensive skill make him a subtly effective player. 

26. Nashville Predators (from VEG via SJS): Semyon Frolov, G, Togliatti (Rus.Jr)

The first netminder off the board isn’t the one many expect as the Predators, which are on their third pick of the round, take Russian netminder Semyon Frolov. The Preds have a need in their pipeline after moving Yaroslav Askarov, and Frolov has been gaining steam in the leadup to the NHL draft.

2025 NHL Draft: Where The Top Goalies Could Be SelectedDon’t expect many, if any, goaltenders to be first-rounders in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday.

27. Washington Capitals: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, St. Petersburg (Rus. Jr)

The Capitals have never been afraid of drafting Russians, and selecting a big, violent winger with a big shot seems like an excellent fit for Washington. They could use a goal-scorer in the coming years, as a pretty notable one is on his last few trips around the NHL. Prokhorov has risen up the boards as the season came to an end. 

28. Winnipeg Jets: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)

The Jets need some depth on the back end. Reid is a smooth-skating, offensively skilled defender who could provide them with some puck-moving ability when he gets to The Show. Reid must work on his defensive game, but the Jets have room to be patient as he develops. 

29. Carolina Hurricanes: Cullen Potter, C/W, Univ. of Arizona (NCAA)

The Hurricanes are always willing to take the player who falls, and this year, it’s Cullen Potter who falls into their lap. His speed, skill and offensive creation make him one of the most dangerous players in the class. Potter is a speedy, undersized winger who drove excellent results at the NCAA level.

30. San Jose Sharks (from DAL): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ. (NCAA)

The Sharks have a need on the back end, and GM Mike Grier loves his Boston University alum, so this works out wonderfully. Boumedienne is an incredibly mobile blueliner who has grown into one of the more impressive rush defenders in the class. He has some untapped offensive potential as well, which was on full display at the U-18s.

2025 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Where Schaefer, Misa, Hagens And More Could FallThe NHL draft lottery went live this year, and the drama was real, with the New York Islanders moving all the way to No. 1 once the balls were read out.

31. Philadelphia Flyers (from EDM): Mason West, C/W, Edina H.S. (USHS-MN)

With the opportunity to take a swing at the end of the first round, the Flyers go after one of the best athletes in the class, Mason West. He’s a dual-sport athlete who plans to finish his high school football career next season while playing hockey there as well. West is on the long path toward the pros, but the potential is unreal. He moves well, shows excellent hands and slick tools as a scorer. High risk, high reward. 

32. Calgary Flames (from FLA): Cole McKinney, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

McKinney is one of the more underrated players in the class, but he’s a solid pick at the tail end of Round 1 for the Flames. He works his tail off every shift, and he brings a level of detail that isn’t common from a player at this stage of their career. His upside may be a bit limited, but he has utility in just about any situation thanks to his defensive acumen and his soft hands around the net.

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JJ Peterka seemed to be on the New York Rangers’ radar for a long time, but now he’s officially off the market. 

The Utah Mammoth acquired Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in exchange for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring. 

Peterka also signed a five-year, $38.5 million contract with the Mammoth, completing the blockbuster trade. 

The Rangers have been linked to have interest in Peterka since around the time of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News first reported at the time that the Rangers were among the teams trying to acquire Peterka from the Sabres.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli added the Rangers had “advanced discussions” with the Sabres involving the availability of Peterka.

Ultimately, the rumors simmered down and Peterka was not moved before the trade deadline. 

However, with Peterka set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, it was heavily speculated that the Rangers could be back in the mix for the young forward. 

It’s unclear if Rangers president and general manager made a strong push for Peterka or not, but the bottom line is that they missed out on acquiring a potential All-Star for a relatively cheap price both in terms of trade value and his recent contract extension. 

Now, two rumored targets for the Rangers, Peterka and Trevor Zegras, have been traded as the Blueshirts are left without any of them.