As the Florida Panthers try and close out the Stanley Cup final Tuesday night and claim their second straight championship, there’s a mountainous task for GM Bill Zito after this week.

The Panthers have only $19 million in salary cap space to spend this summer, with UFA star forwards Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett in need of new contracts and with Florida needing a backup goalie behind Sergei Bobrovsky. That cap space will evaporate very quickly. 

One pending Panthers UFA veteran also needing a contract extension – star defenseman Aaron Ekblad – could be the core component who gets squeezed out has to head elsewhere in free agency.

A simple mathematical evaluation tells you it’s highly unlikely the Panthers can retain Bennett, Marchand and Ekblad. One of the three has to go, or at least two of them have to take massive discounts. And if you look at the moves Zito has made, it’s probable that Ekblad – by no fault of his own – is playing on borrowed time with Florida. 

Zito acquired right-hand D-man Seth Jones this season from the Chicago Blackhawks, which retained $2.5 million of his $9.5-million cap hit. He only carries a $7-million cap hit on the Panthers for the next five years, which makes him a better bargain than Ekblad will turn out to be next year and beyond. 

With defensemen Jones, Gustav Forsling, Niko Mikkola and Dmitry Kulikov all under contract for next season, the right-handed Ekblad is shaping up to be a luxury the Panthers can no longer afford.

It’s a shame that Ekblad is likely to be the odd man out. The 29-year-old is in his prime, and other than his suspension for violating the terms of the NHL and NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, Ekblad has been a solid player for Florida. He’s logged 732 regular-season games in 11 NHL seasons, and he’s the longest-tenured defenseman in Panthers history. By the time he retires, he’s going to be recognized as an all-time great for Florida.

Unfortunately, all the accolades coming his way likely won’t prevent him from being moved. Ekblad’s current $ 7.5-million salary makes it obvious that he’s going to get (and deserve) a raise this summer, and a raise is too rich for the Panthers.

It’s not like Zito’s afraid of parting ways with Panthers defensemen, either. 

Whether it’s Brandon Montour or MacKenzie Weegar, Zito has demonstrated that he’s very capable of cutting ties with top blueliners for cap reasons or to acquire an upgrade in a trade. It’s that type of cold-blooded approach to salary cap management that’s turned the Panthers into a modern-day powerhouse.

Like every NHL GM, Zito has to balance the needs of the moment with the needs of the long term. The moment Zito acquired Jones to lead the blueline through the 2029-30 season, the clock was ticking on Ekblad’s time in Florida. The Panthers were able to thrive this post-season with two top-end right-handed defensemen, like they did last year with Ekblad and Montour, but that comes at a cost. 

There’s still a chance that Zito decides to sign only one of Marchand or Bennett and finds a way to hang onto Ekblad, but the market for a top defenseman like Ekblad is going to bump his asking price into a strata that’s too expensive for the Panthers to match. 

So whether the Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers ends on Tuesday or Friday, it may be Ekblad’s final game action with Florida. Time will tell if he makes the most of it.

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As the 2025 off-season continues, many players will be linked to the Vancouver Canucks. Whether through trade or free agency, Vancouver is expected to be busy over the next few weeks as the management group builds a roster that can compete for a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. One familiar face that the Canucks could bring back is forward Vitali Kravtsov, who is reportedly wants to return to the NHL for the 2025-26 season.

According to Hockey News Hub, which covers the KHL, Kravtsov wants to at least attempt an NHL comeback next season. The 25-year-old has spent the last two seasons in the KHL, playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk. While Kravtsov has not been on Vancouver's roster since 2023, the organization still holds his rights, with the Russian forward being a restricted free agent this off-season.

The Canucks acquired Kravtsov from the New York Rangers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline for a 7th round draft pick in 2026 and William Lockwood. He played 16 games with Vancouver, recording two points while averaging 10:50 of ice time. After the season concluded, Kravtsov signed in the KHL, where he has been for the last two years.

Over the past two seasons, Kravtsov has recorded some impressive numbers for Traktor. He had 92 points in 121 games and finished this season with a league-high plus/minus of +31. Kravtsov also helped his team make the KHL Final this season, before falling to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in 5 games.

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With the Canucks searching for more offence, there is a chance that bringing back Kravtsov is a low-risk, high-reward move. He has good size at 6'2", 187 lbs, and is capable of producing offensively. Kravtsov has also been part of the organization before, meaning that members of Vancouver's management and coaching staff have some experience working with him on a day-to-day basis. 

The big question surrounding Kravtsov is if his game can translate to the NHL. He did struggle during his limited time with the Rangers and Canucks, and in Vancouver, could not find a way to gain the trust of then head coach Rick Tocchet. That being said, he does have more experience at the pro level now, which may have helped his game mature since leaving the NHL. 

In the end, bringing Kravtsov back to the NHL could be a smart move by the Canucks. Vancouver needs more offensive-minded players in their bottom-six, which is exactly what the 25-year-old could bring to the roster. While he may not be able to live up to his ninth-overall draft position, Kravtsov has the potential to provide some value to the Canucks lineup during the 2025-26 season. 

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

On Monday morning Team Switzerland selected its preliminary six players for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.

The Winter Games is 234 days away. Each team announced the first six players for their roster on Monday. Today, we look at Switzerland. 

Olympic update: Switzerland's preliminary roster is taking shape with the first 6 names announced.🇨🇭🔥#IIHF#Olympics#NHL#NHLPA@SwissIceHockey@olympics@nhl@nhlpapic.twitter.com/QkAUsCGVOi

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) June 16, 2025

Former Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala was one of the six players that Switzerland announced to the roster. He joins another former Wild player in Nino Niederreiter. 

Fiala, 28, spent four seasons with the Wild from 2018 to 2022 before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings where he has been for the last three seasons. 

He was originally acquired from the Nashville Predators for Mikael Granlund in 2018. He recorded 79 goals, 107 assists, and 186 points in 215 career games with the Wild. 

The 5-foot-11 forward broke a single season Wild assist record during the 2021-22 season which was his last year with the Wild. He had 33 goals, 52 assists, and 85 points that year. 

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In the offseason of 2022 the Wild traded Fiala to Los Angeles for Brock Faber and a 1st-round pick in 2022 NHL Draft which was used to take Liam Ohgren. 

The last three seasons with the Kings, Fiala has recorded 87 goals, 118 assists, and 205 points in 232 games. 

Coming out of the NHL Scouting Combine last weekend, the Buffalo Sabres got the lowdown on a number of prospects that could be their with the ninth selection at the 2025 Draft in Los Angeles later this month, but barring a trade up they will have to rely on the player they want slipping through the cracks.  

The NY Islanders are likely to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top overall pick, but there is no accurate read on how the remaining seven picks will break. That seems to be reflected in various mock drafts that have emerged since the combine. After Schaefer, names like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and rising star Anton Frondell are likely to go in the top five, but at that point, any of a number of players could be there for the Sabres at #9.  

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Porter Martone of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads is considered by many draft analysts as the best winger in the 2025 NHL Draft, but with the top end of the first round dominated by centers, he has been projected going as high as third to the Chicago Blackhawks or   slipping into the lower half of the top-10 and perhaps even lower than the Sabres ninth overall pick. 

According to the Hockey News Draft Preview, Martone is considered a power forward with high-end skill. He had 74 penalty minutes last season and uses his 6’3”, 208 lb. frame effectively, using his size and hands to create scoring chances in close.   The 18-year-old led the Steelheads in scoring with 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 games last season and has a connection to the Sabres, whose father was a fourth round pick of Buffalo in 1996. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The San Jose Sharks are expected to be aggressive this offseason, and while almost nobody expects them to be a playoff contender next season, the expectation is that they start to make some moves that prove they want to start making a push for the playoffs as soon as the 2026-27 season. 

Some big names are available this summer, including Mitchell Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Aaron Ekblad, and Brock Boeser, and while the Sharks have the money to make an enticing offer to any of those players, they could turn to another league to see if there is some interest in coming to North America.

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia has produced some solid hockey players over the years, and that continues to be the case. In this article, we take a look at two potential targets for the Sharks this summer, both of which would be coming over from the KHL.

Vitali Kravtsov - Traktor Chelyabinsk

The first potential target is 25-year-old forward Vitali Kravtsov, who played the last two seasons with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. There are rumors that he is open to returning to the NHL next season, and while he would be a solid target for the Sharks, there are some obstacles they face before they would be able to bring him in.

The Vancouver Canucks still own Kravtsov's rights, so if he was open to coming back, he would rejoin the Canucks. However, if he isn't interested in playing with them, he could easily request a trade, and the Sharks could swoop in at that point. 

Over parts of two previous seasons in the NHL, split between the Canucks and the New York Rangers, Kravtsov scored six goals and added six assists for 12 points through 64 games, which comes out to a 0.19 points-per-game average. 

He has exploded offensively over the past two seasons in the KHL. In the 2023-24 campaign, he scored 18 goals and added 16 assists for 34 points through 55 games. This past season, he scored 27 goals and added 31 assists for 58 points through 66 games. 

The Canucks will see the potential that Kravtsov has and may ask for at least a mid-round pick in return, but considering he would be playing a top-six forward role with the Sharks, that's something they should be all over.

Maxim Shabanov - Traktor Chelyabinsk

The second enticing option is another player from Traktor Chelyabinsk, Maxim Shabanov. He is a 24-year-old, left-handed forward who stands 5-foot-8, 157 pounds, and has been in rumors all summer as a potential target for several NHL teams when free agency opens.

Known for his flashy style of play, Shabanov took the KHL by storm offensively and dominated. Last season, he scored 23 goals and added 44 assists for 67 points through 65 games, maintaining just over a point-per-game average.

Over parts of four seasons in the KHL, Shabanov has scored 67 goals and added 83 assists for 150 points through 207 games, which comes out to a 0.72 points-per-game average. During his time in their development league, the MHL, he played 144 games, scoring 50 goals and adding 68 assists for 118 points, which comes out to a 0.82 points-per-game average.

His rights aren't owned by anyone in the NHL, making it free for any team to come in and make him a solid offer to bring him onto their team. There will likely be a slight bidding war for his services, and considering what he may be looking for, whether it be playing time or money, the Sharks should have enough to try and convince him to join their team.

There will be plenty of options for the Sharks this summer as they try to fill out their roster and get themselves out of the bottom of the league standings, but they should consider all options when trying to improve their team. Both Kravtsov and Shabanov have proven their worth as offensive-minded forwards who can dominate with the puck on their stick, but there is always a risk when they try to translate their game to another league on another continent. 

Andrei Kuzmenko is a perfect example of a player who came over from the KHL after dominating offensively and was able to translate his game to the NHL level. There have been plenty of players who have tried to make the jump and failed, but with how much the Sharks have struggled over the past several campaigns, they should be willing to take a risk.

Time will tell what the Sharks end up doing with their cap space, and they will have their full focus on the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft as they try to select a future superstar at second overall, but once July 1st comes around and free agency opens, they need to get a little aggressive.

Sharks Should Consider Following Ducks' Trade StrategyThe San Jose Sharks are in the middle of a rebuild, and while Mike Grier is taking a slower, more patient approach to set the team up for long-term success, there are still some smart deals he could make to insulate the young core with experienced veterans. Sharks & Stars Could Be Trade Partners On Draft DayThe San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars have the assets to pull off a big draft day deal. San Jose Sharks 2025 Draft Target: Bill ZonnonThe 2025 NHL Draft is just 11 days away, and things around the NHL are going to get interesting and fast. As soon as the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals are over, the floodgates will open and there will be a ton of NHL news and rumours.

Panthers rout Oilers in Game 6 to win back-to-back Stanley Cups originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Déjà vu.

The Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 on Tuesday to win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year. Sam Bennett collected the Conn Smythe trophy with 15 goals across Florida’s run.

It’s the same exact outcome as last season, when the Panthers avoided losing a series 3-0 by winning Game 7 versus the Oilers with Sam Reinhart scoring clutch goals. But this time, he scored lots of them.

Reinhart started the scoring within the first five minutes of the opening period, stealing the puck away, splitting two defenders then rounding it home.

Matthew Tkachuk then added the second for Florida with 46 seconds remaining in the period. With Eetu Luostarinen doubled on the right wing, he laid it off for Tkachuk, who faced no defensive reinforcement and drilled it home.

Reinhart then added a second late in the second period, but it came in unusual fashion. Carter Verhaeghe flipped an unexpected shot toward the net before falling to Aleksander Barkov, who shot and saw it deflect off Reinhart and in.

Reinhart’s hat-trick came with 6:34 on the clock in the third period, as Barkov logged another assist thanks to an empty net.

It became the first playoff hat-trick by a Panthers player in franchise history. But he wasn’t done there.

Just moments later on another empty net, Reinhart got a wrist shot off while falling. Of course, no Panthers player has scored four goals in a playoff game.

Reinhart’s fourth tied the Stanley Cup record for most in a final, last done so by Montreal’s Maurice Richard in 1957.

Edmonton didn’t come away empty-handed, however. It responded shortly after through Vasily Podkolzin, who rounded the keeper off a Jake Walman assist, silencing the crowd for a brief moment.

The Panthers became the 11th franchise to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the expansion era in 1967-68. The last team to do so was the Tampa Bay Lightning, who beat the Dallas Stars in the 2020 final before repeating the following year over the Montreal Canadiens.

This occasion is a bit different, though. While Tampa Bay beat two separate opponents, Florida handed Edmonton consecutive heartbreaks. The last team to suffer such a fate was over 50 years ago, when the Canadiens took down the Boston Bruins twice in 1977 and 1978.

Edmonton still has five Stanley Cups in its trophy cabinet, but it’s been multiple decades since a new addition. The Oilers have won it all in 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1989–90.

The Oilers are also one of the last Canadian teams to lift the Cup, as Canada’s drought is equally as parched. Montreal is the last Canadian franchise to hoist the silverware, having done so over the Los Angeles Kings in 1993.

Florida is among the franchises capitalizing on the U.S. momentum. This win marks the team’s second ever Stanley Cup, so it’s a team relatively new to the major title scene.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice also became the first coach in NHL/NFL/NBA/MLB history to win multiple championships after winning none over his first 25 seasons, via Opta Stats. Maurice previously coached the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets before joining Florida in 2022.

The Panthers then reached the final in 2023, but lost to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Safe to say that experience shaped Florida’s future for the better. If they can retain unrestricted free agents Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Bennett, among others, the Panthers may very well be on the hunt for a rare three-peat.

The Vegas Golden Knights have elected to make some moves with their front office, appointing John Penhollow as the team’s new President of Business Operations, and Kerry Bubolz will transition to a new Chief Civic Affairs and Government Relations Officer role. 

NEWS! We have hired John Penhollow as President of Business Operations to oversee our Nevada-based sports and venue properties!

Kerry Bubolz will continue to serve the team & community as Chief Civic Affairs & Government Relations Officer. #VegasBornhttps://t.co/ozPEBTYsrs

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 17, 2025

The organization announced the move on Tuesday, highlighting their excitement with the addition in a press release.

“We are thrilled to welcome John Penhollow to the organization as our new President of Business Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights and our Nevada-based sports properties and venues,” said Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and Owner Bill Foley. “John is a transformative leader whose vision and expertise will advance our business teams to new heights. His experience leading business strategy, revenue strategy and organizational development will be invaluable as we enter this exciting new chapter in our club’s history. His impressive record of success with revenue generation and growth aligns well with our core mission of ‘Always Advance, Never Retreat.’

Prior to joining the Golden Knights, Penhollow most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings. With the Golden Knights, Penhollow will oversee all business operations and lead all business strategy for the Vegas Golden Knights and Foley Entertainment Group’s Nevada-based sports and venue properties, which includes the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas Knight Hawks, City National Arena, America First Center and Lee’s Family Forum.

Penhollow has been a key figure in the NFL for quite some time. With the Vikings, he "oversaw all revenue-generating activities for the club including ticket sales as well as corporate partnerships and strategy. He played a critical role in the Vikings’ efforts to design and open two best-in-class facilities: U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016 and hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018, and Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, which opened in 2018. He worked a total of 12 seasons with the Vikings, where he originally started as the team’s Director of New Stadium Partnerships in 2013 before being elevated to Vice President of Corporate and Technology Partnerships in 2015. During his tenure, Penhollow and his revenue teams led the NFL in both performance and innovation while creating a world-class fan experience and championship-caliber culture," according to the Golden Knights' press release. 

Bubolz has done a terrific job with the Golden Knights as well, helping the organization take advantage of the Las Vegas flair and turn the Golden Knights into a strong business. Working together with Penhollow, the Golden Knights are on a fast track to becoming one of the best-run organizations in the NHL if they aren't already.

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The talent-hungry Philadelphia Flyers are open to just about every possibility heading into the 2025 NHL Draft, and trading up for an even higher draft pick remains on the table.

In his annual pre-draft press conference Tuesday, Flyers GM Danny Briere reiterated his long-standing interest in trading up in the draft, but, ever careful to hold his cards close to his chest, acknowledged the possibility of keeping and using all seven picks he holds in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft.

"It's been pretty quiet on that front. It feels like everybody's trying to move up at the moment," Briere said of trading up in the draft. "We've said from the beginning we'd like to try to move up if it's possible. But, right now, there's just not a lot of options there. Teams are all looking to move up, so, we'll have to be patient, and maybe there's an opportunity that comes where we can create value going the other way also."

Recall that, last year, it was reported the Flyers made a significant offer to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the No. 4 overall pick and were ultimately rebuffed. Briere never confirmed that specifically, but did admit to trying to move up and not making any meaningful progress with that discussion.

Had Briere and the Flyers been successful, it is widely believed that they would've selected either Cayden Lindstrom, who was drafted fourth by Columbus, or Ivan Demidov, who went one pick later to the Montreal Canadiens at No. 5.

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In Tuesday's press conference, Briere also remarked that, in the 2025 class, the players from the No. 2 to No. 8 range are "pretty similar," which would seemingly disincentivize such an aggressive trade to move up, at most, four spots.

That is assuming, at least, that centers like Michael Misa, James Hagens, Anton Frondell, Jake O'Brien, and Caleb Desnoyers are rated somewhat equally on their board.

Briere has already publicly entertained the prospect of selecting Desnoyers, whose older brother, Elliot, has played for the Flyers in the NHL in the past and is currently with their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Others, like O'Brien, have connections to the Flyers in other ways. O'Brien's head coach in the OHL is Brantford Bulldogs bench boss Jay McKee, who was linked to the Flyers' head coaching vacancy before Rick Tocchet was hired and who was teammates with Briere at the NHL level during their playing days.

As things stand, assuming the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday night to win the Stanley Cup, the Flyers will pick sixth, 22nd, 31st, 36th, 40th, 45th, and 48th in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft.

After those picks, Briere and Co. will be back on the clock with the 68th overall pick, the fourth pick in the third round.

It's unclear who the Flyers would trade up for in the 2025 draft and why, but the fact that Briere is considering it means they have or are actively considering certain scenarios where they would feel compelled to do this. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have drawn the line between themselves and their former stars who are still active in the NHL. They traded Patrick Kane away and let Jonathan Toews walk with no interest in retaining him. 

Kane finished out that 2022-23 season with the New York Rangers and has been with the Detroit Red Wings in the two years since. As for Toews, he stepped away from the NHL to focus on his health. 

In the meantime, new young stars like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Vlasic have started to take over the Blackhawks. A new era is truly underway in Chicago. 

Now, Jonathan Toews is trying to make a comeback, and multiple teams are interested. At the same time, Kane is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team he wants. What if the two decided to team up by signing at the same place? 

There is more than one organization looking for a depth center and a high-end winger. Kane has some great offensive hockey left in the tank, while Toews is a little more unknown due to his long absence. 

Between the skills that they would (likely) bring to the table, their leadership, and the level of high-leverage experience that they have, plenty of teams would take the risk of signing the duo. Some teams make more sense than others. 

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the better regular-season teams in the National Hockey League over the last half-decade or so. They have the best goalie in the world behind an outstanding group of skaters at all positions. 

It is the playoffs where the Jets cool off in the worst way. In 2024-25, they needed a miracle just to get past the St. Louis Blues in the first round. In the second round, they were defeated by the Dallas Stars. Exiting that early is not what Presidents Trophy winners have in mind. 

Veterans like Toews and Kane may be just what they need in Winnipeg. They don’t attract many free agents due to Geography, but this could be a nice little cheat code. Toews is from Winnipeg, which gives them an edge when it comes to signing him. 

If Kane wants to tag along with his buddy, this destination makes a ton of sense. Why they’d pick Toews’ hometown team over Kane’s hometown team (Buffalo Sabres) goes without saying. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are very similar to the Winnipeg Jets. They are a Canadian Eastern Conference team that loves dropping out of the playoffs early following incredible regular seasons. 

Toronto is going to lose superstar winger Mitch Marner in free agency. This is somewhat of a messy divorce between the two, as they never reached their true potential together. John Tavares, an elder veteran, may also be on his way out, but it isn’t as confirmed as Marner’s situation. Either way, a lot of offensive production will be lost from their lineup. 

This is where you insert the idea of adding Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. They won’t cost as much as they once did, but they will still bring the goods to a new team. Whether it be their clutch ways, leadership, or ability to play at a high level at all times, they are perfect for the Maple Leafs, who may have some legit cap room. 

Toronto still has stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies who will be looking to take a step forward despite the upcoming changes. Toews and Kane would be perfect to have around during that transition. 

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks are now coached by Joel Quenneville. After a long time away from the league, he is back looking to help a young team take a huge step. 

Just based on having Quenneville alone, the Ducks make sense for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Their winningest years came with Quenneville at the helm. This player duo would play a big role in Anaheim's growth under their new coach. 

There are a lot of similarities between this Ducks team and the young Blackhawks team that did a lot of winning in the 2010s. From a hockey standpoint, Toews and Kane make a ton of sense in that regard. A responsible center and offensively gifted winger, despite their ages, would fit in nicely in Orange County. 

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

Canadian goaltender Chris Driedger, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Tuesday.

For Driedger, who spent the 2024-25 season in the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets organizations but spent the entire season in the AHL, this will be his first time playing for a team outside North America.

“With the signing of Chris Driedger, we have filled both goalie positions for next season,” said Traktor GM Alexei Volkov, himself a former NHL goaltender. Driedger is slated to share the crease with Sergei Mylnikov Jr., the son of a former NHL and Soviet national team goalie.

Volkov said that Driedger “is in the prime of his goalie career. He’s a large goalie who played decently in the NHL and became a World Championship medalist. Now Chris needs a new challenge, which he will get at Traktor. I’m confident that our organization and coaching staff will help him with a quick adaptation and reach the top level of the KHL.”

Driedger, who hails from Winnipeg, played junior hockey for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen, was chosen in the third round, 76th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

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Between 2014 and 2024, Driedger played 67 NHL regular-season games for the Senators, Panthers and Seattle Kraken, compiling a record of 31-24-5 with a goals-against average of 2.45, a save percentage of .917 and five shutouts. He also played three playoff games for Florida in 2021.

Internationally, Driedger played in six of Canada’s 10 games at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland, backstopping the team to a silver medal.

Driedger, whose NHL rights are for now retained by Winnipeg, joins a Traktor team that includes former NHLers Vladimir Zahkarov and Jordan Gross, as well as prospects Arseni Koromyslov (St. Louis Blues), Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matvei Guskov (Minnesota Wild) and Vasili Glotov (Buffalo Sabres).

Photo © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images: Chris Driedger playing for the Seattle Kraken in the 2023-24 season. 

Ex-NHL D-Man Jordan Gross Changes KHL TeamsAmerican defenseman Jordan Gross, 30, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Friday. Gross played his first season in Europe last season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, where he recorded 42 points in 77 regular-season and playoff games.

Manitoba Moose goaltender Chris Driedger has signed a one-year contract with the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk, the team announced. 

Driedger had a record of 11-9-6, a .875 SP, and 3.13 GAA in 20 appearances with the Charlotte Checkers and five appearances with the Manitoba Moose this season. He was dealt to Manitoba at the NHL's trade deadline in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen.

In 217 career AHL appearances over 10 season Driedger had a record of 106-78-19 with a .910 SP and 2.74 GAA. 

A third round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2012, Driedger has a 31-24-5 record, .917 SP, and 2.45 GAA in 67 career NHL appearances with the Senators, Florida Panthers, and Seattle Kraken. 

.@ChrisDriedger introduces himself to Traktor fans.
🎥 HC Traktor pic.twitter.com/kzT8qTv12M

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) June 17, 2025

The 31-year-old backstopped the Coachella Valley Firebirds to the 2024 Calder Cup Finals, was an AHL All-Star in 2019-20, and led the league in save percentage (.924) in 2018-19. He appeared in six games and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2022 World Championship. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.    

Photo Credit: © Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Edmonton Oilers are expected to turn to Stuart Skinner to start in net for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

Skinner told reporters on Tuesday he'll be in goal as the Oilers look to force Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, which are one win away from back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

The 26-year-old last played in Game 4, allowing three goals on 17 shots before Calvin Pickard replaced him and backstopped the Oilers to a comeback overtime win. Pickard, 33, conceded four goals on 18 shots in Game 5 at home as the Panthers took a 3-2 series lead.

Edmonton faces elimination for the first time in this year's playoffs – the Oilers won the first round in six games, and it only took them five games to win in the second and third rounds.

But Skinner has played in do-or-die games before in the Stanley Cup playoffs – six times so far in his career, to be specific. 

In those games, Skinner has a 4-2 record with a combined .908 save percentage and 2.30 goals-against average.

Four of those elimination games came in last year's Cup final.

After losing the first three games of the 2024 final to the Panthers, Skinner and the Oilers went 3-1 in the next four matches. Skinner had a .935 save percentage and 1.76 goals-against average in that span, including allowing only one goal on 33 shots in Game 4 and a .952 SP in Game 6. In Game 7, Skinner stopped 19 of 21 shots for a .905 SP in the Oilers' 2-1 loss.

Skinner also started for the Oilers in Game 7 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. Edmonton limited the Canucks to 17 shots, but Skinner allowed two goals for a .882 save percentage in the 3-2 Oilers win.

The third-round draft pick in 2017 played his first game facing elimination in the NHL playoffs on May 14, 2023, in Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas scored on Skinner four times on 17 shots, with Jonathan Marchessault recording a natural hat trick in the second period. Jack Campbell replaced Skinner in net for the third period in the Golden Knights' 5-2 win. Vegas went on to defeat the Panthers in the Cup final.

In this year's playoffs, Skinner lost starting duties to Pickard in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings and in Game 5 of the final. When Pickard suffered an injury in the second round, Skinner recorded three shutouts in his next five starts to eliminate the Golden Knights and tie the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars at 1-1.

"That's been the most impressive over my time with him, especially being a young goalie, is being able to bounce back," Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins told reporters. "It's not always going to be easy. There's always going to be difficulties, especially as a goalie, whether it's your fault or not. He has an ability to silence everything around him and focus on the task at hand. It's been impressive. He has an infectious personality, and it's been fun to watch."

The Oilers Must Address Their Goaltending, Regardless Of What Happens In The FinalThere was a time during the playoffs this year where Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers had not posted a single-game save percentage between .835 and .999, which means he was either lights-out or out to lunch in every game.

The national broadcasts for Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., begin at 8 p.m. ET.

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Mitch Marner becomes eligible to sign with any team on July. 1 and as the free agency window approaches, the situation revolving around the most sought-after free agent and the Vegas Golden Knights has become clearer.

It seems like every time Elliotte Friedman grabs the microphone to record 32 Thoughts, he shares more information about why he believes the Golden Knights can be considered the front-runners to land the 28-year-old winger.

The anticipation around an unrestricted free agent signing hasn't been this high since Artemi Panarin signed with the New York Rangers and John Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's rare for a 27-goal and 102-point player to be available on the free agent market, but due to Marner's struggles and seemingly impending fallout with the Maple Leafs, it's provided an excellent opportunity for several teams, including the Golden Knights. 

The market for Marner has become clear. Among the Golden Knights, the Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks have expressed interest. Many insiders haven't ruled out the Maple Leafs just yet, and Friedman reported that Marner's camp has offered teams meetings on July 1st, and the Maple Leafs are one of the teams.

Friedman also stated that "his eyes are on Vegas when it comes to Mitch Marner."

Signing Marner won't be a simple task. Several reports have indicated that teams, such as the Hurricanes, Mammoth and the Ducks, are willing to offer Marner a contract of north of $14M, something that the Golden Knights likely won't be able to do. Even if the Golden Knights find a middle ground with Marner between $12M-13M, the Golden Knights would have to make several moves to fit him under the salary cap.

Players who could be sacrificed in their pursuit include Ivan Barbashev, Nicolas Hague and William Karlsson. Friedman has also been the leading reporter in the discussions about the uncertainty of Alex Pietrangelo's future, doubling down and mentioning that from the people he's talked to, they wouldn't be surprised if he's played his last game in the NHL. The Golden Knights would be allowed to put his $8.8M cap hit on the LTIR, but it still wouldn't be enough for the organization to sign Marner and legally play him. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

REPORT: Golden Knights, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes Discussed Three-Team Deal Involving Mitch Marner At The Trade DeadlineSince the conclusion of the Vegas Golden Knights' 2024-25 season, they've been linked and named as possible favorites to land top free agent Mitch Marner. A recent report shared by The Athletic's James Mirtle states that the Golden Knights nearly completed a three-team trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes, which would have sent Marner to Vegas.

Detroit Red Wings reportedly one of three top contenders to land Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad in free agency.

The Florida Panthers play Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday with it being their potential last chance to leave an impact with this team. Many of the key players are pending free agents including top defenceman Aaron Ekblad. 

Florida's first overall pick back in 2014 may be finally leaving the team he's spent his entire 11-year NHL career with in favour of more money elsewhere. One of the reported top suitors for Ekblad is the Detroit Red Wings.

It's no secret the Red Wings are looking to fill holes on their backend and Ekblad could work as a solid foundational piece towards the future. The 29-year-old Windsor native grew up with the Red Wings always in his life, with Detroit just across the river.

More Hockey: First Six Players Named For Each Nation, New 2026 Olympic Betting Odds

This should give the Red Wings a notable leg up over the competition as they are his hometown team of sorts and would allow Ekblad to be close to home where his family resides. 

It's very early on in the process as another Stanley Cup with the Panthers could make an impact on his final decision but if Ekblad does choose to test the market, Detroit is one of the favourites if not the favourite to land him. 

Ekblad is known for his size, poise, and two-way game that helped him log 33 points in 56 games this past season while averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time. 

Despite a 20-game suspension in March for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, Ekblad returned to the lineup and has played a key role in Florida returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight season. This postseason, he's recorded 12 points through 18 games. 

More NHL: Malkin's Last Ride? Penguins Star Nears NHL Farewell Against the Odds

Flyers' future power play QB? 6-foot-4 defenseman has ‘offensive punch' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and either No. 31 or 32 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Jackson Smith

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199
Shoots: Left
Team: Tri-City

Scouting report

Smith is that modern defenseman who is super fun to watch. He skates and handles the puck like a forward, darting up the ice and carving through coverages with all kinds of maneuvers.

“I think teams will gravitate toward him just for the simple fact that the style he plays is the style that’s being played in the NHL, where are a number of players are having success at that,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said last Wednesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “So he’s definitely offensively wired. He’s a D-man that likes to have the green light, so that when there’s an opportunity, he can skate and lead a rush with the puck.”

Fueled by that ability and confidence, Smith put up 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the 2024-25 Americans. He had a plus-2 rating on a team that had a minus-34 goal differential and led all WHL defensemen in overtime goals with three. He also just turned 18 years old last month.

As the 13th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, Smith has the key ingredients to be a team’s power play quarterback in the future.

“He has got a really good game at the offensive blue line,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “Power plays today are so important to teams, so I just think because he brings an offensive punch, he has got some size and his skating is good, teams are going to find him appealing.”

At the 2025 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship that ended last month, Smith recorded four goals, an assist, 17 shots and a plus-7 rating in seven games for gold-winning Team Canada.

Just like any offensive-minded blueliner, Smith will have to eventually prove he can defend against pros and be reliable enough in his own zone. What helps his case is that he has the size to do it.

EliteProspects.com has Smith pegged as the sixth-best player in the draft, while Button has him at No. 12.

“I don’t want to say that he’s not responsible defensively, but all these young D-men, all of them have to learn how to play defense in the National Hockey League,” Marr said. “And that’s teachable. What’s harder to teach is the offensive game that he brings.”

Fit with Flyers

Centers are prevalent toward the front of this draft and the Flyers should have a decent shot at landing one. But if their top names go off the board, perhaps Smith will be high on their list as the second-best defenseman in the class.

Cam York and Emil Andrae, two of the Flyers’ young lefty shots, don’t have a ton of length, so Smith would add some size there down the road. His potential to run the point should be intriguing; the Flyers have sported an NHL-worst 13.7 power play percentage over the last four seasons combined.

But Smith may end up being somewhat of a reach for the Flyers at No. 6 and gone before they’re back on the clock at No. 22.

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

• Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

• ‘Fascinating,’ 6-foot-5 center has tons of intrigue for Flyers at No. 6

• Younger brother of Flyers prospect is ‘complete’ center and option at No. 6

• ‘David Krejci-like’ center with plenty of upside would give Flyers good decision

• Could a 6-foot-6, ‘just blossoming’ defenseman be a fit for Flyers at No. 6?

• Will Flyers grab prospect with ‘really, really unique’ combination at No. 6?

• Reschny’s performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers’ eye in first round

• Flyers could have three shots at ‘dynamic, explosive skater’ on the wing

• Finding another Foerster? Flyers may have one if they draft Bear in first round

• Martone would offer Flyers ‘pretty complete package’ if he’s there at No. 6