SHL's Djurgården IF announced they have signed Texas Stars goaltender Magnus Hellberg to a three-year contract that runs through the 2027-28 season.
Hellberg had a 24-14-1 record with a .904 SP and 2.69 GAA with the Stars this season before posting a 3-3 record with a .921 SP and 2.36 AA in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Originally a second round selection of the Nashville Predators in 2011, Hellberg appeared in 26 career NHL games with the Predators, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
In parts of eight AHL seasons Hellberg was a 2015 All-Star and racked up a 124-97-18 record, .912 SP, 2.55 GAA and 17 shutouts.
The Uppsala, SWE., native spent parts of five seasons in the KHL where he was a two-time All-Star.
📃✍🏻 Djurgården välkomnar med mycket stor glädje Magnus Hellberg till föreningen. Den 34-årige målvakten, som spelat i NHL, KHL, SHL, AHL och dubbla OS, ansluter på ett treårigt avtal skrivet till 2028.
LA Kings' captain Anze Kopitar has been awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the third time in his career, joining Wayne Gretzky as the only other player in franchise history to win the award three times. Marcel Dionne and Butch Goring also won the award as LA Kings, giving the franchise a total of eight wins, the most of any non-Original Six franchise (Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York Rangers, and Toronto.)
And the "Nicest NHL Player" award goes to... 🏆
Anze Kopitar's kids surprised him with his third Lady Byng Memorial Trophy during a day of family golf in Slovenia. 🥹
The native of Slovenia now finds himself among an elite group of three-time winners that includes Martin St. Louis, Ron Francis, and Mike Bossy. Only Frank Boucher (7), Wayne Gretzky (5) and Pavel Datsyuk (4) have won more Lady Byng trophies than Kopitar, or as it is known by his children Jakob and Neza, "The Nicest NHL Player" award.
The 19-year veteran received 50 1st place votes, edging out Tampa Bay's Brayden Point and Vegas' Jack Eichel for the 2024-25 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, given out annually to the NHL "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
In 81 games played this season, Kopitar registered 21 goals and 46 assists, while taking just four penalty minutes, tying a career-low in PIM set in the 2022-23 season. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has one year remaining on his current contract and is set to begin his 20th season with the Kings next year.
In addition to his three Lady Byng trophies, Kopitar has two Frank J. Selke trophies (2016, 2018), given to the best defensive forward in the league, and trails franchise point leader Marcel Dionne (1,307) by just 29 points. Barring injury, next year should see Kopitar surpasse Dionne to become the franchise's all-time point leader. In 1,454 games played, Kopitar has 440 goals and 838 assists for a total of 1, 272 points, good for a points per game average of 0.88.
The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Thursday the winner of the Lady Byng Trophy. The award its given to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury finished seventh in voting for the trophy. He had 16 first place votes which was the fifth most.
Fleury, 40, also was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Award. In his final season in the NHL, Fleury went 14-9-1 with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage in 26 games for the Wild.
Photo Credit: Feb 1, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) interacts with a young fan during warmup prior to game against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner has secured a top 10 finish for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
Voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the Lady Byng is given "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
The 28-year-old placed eighth in voting with three first-place, five second-place, 10 third-place, eight fourth-place, and 10 fifth-place votes for 149 points. The winner, L.A. Kings forward Anze Kopitar, finished with 50 first-place, 31 second-place, 11 third-place, 22 fourth-place, and 18 fifth-place votes for 856 points.
Ahead of Marner in the voting was Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (195), Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (221), Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (694), Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (760), Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (782), and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point (793).
Below is the PHWA's top 10:
1. Anze Kopitar, LAK 856 (50-31-11-22-18) 2. Brayden Point, TBL 793 (27-43-28-21-19) 3. Jack Eichel, VGK 782 (34-26-28-36-12) 4. Jaccob Slavin, CAR 760 (33-36-22-17-17) 5. Nick Suzuki, MTL 694 (8-35-48-29-42) 6. Cale Makar, COL 221 (12-3-9-8-11) 7. Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN 195 (16-2-2-2-5) 8. Mitch Marner, TOR 149 (3-5-10-8-10) 9. Colton Parayko, STL 72 (1-2-4-6-10) 10. Jake Sanderson, OTT 71 (1-1-8-3-5)
Marner finished the season with a career-high 102 points — 27 goals and 75 assists — in 81 games, the first time he's hit the 100-point mark in his NHL career. The forward, whose contract with Toronto expires on July 1, had 14 penalty minutes this season, the 16th-least among players with 50+ points.
After being nominated for the King Clancy Trophy in 2019-20, which is awarded "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community," Marner was selected again this season.
Not only has he been selected as Toronto's nominee for those trophies, but the playmaking forward was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2023. Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron won the award that year, receiving all but nine first-place votes (187 out of 196).
New Jersey Devils forward Niko Hischier finished in the second spot with 804 points, while Marner ended up in third place with 480 points. Auston Matthews finished with 22 points that year before becoming a finalist for the trophy last season.
Marner is expected to become a free agent on July 1 after nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, where he ranks fifth all-time on the team's point list (741 points in 657 games), fifth in the club's all-time playoff points (63 points in 70 postseason games), and fourth in assists (520).
He was drafted by his hometown team with the fourth-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
These days, we often hear Logan Mailloux’s name in trade rumours surrounding the Montreal Canadiens, and there’s a reason for that; he’s got a great trade value. If anyone needed further proof, they only have to turn to Wednesday’s announcement by the AHL, where the Habs’ prospect was named to the league’s Top Prospect Team.
While Mailloux had a less productive year offensively with 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points, down from 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points in the previous campaign, the blueliner became a more complete player this season. Often criticized for his defensive game, the rearguard focused on it this season and brought up his plus-minus rating, going from minus-eight in 2023-24 to plus-five in 2024-25.
The AHL hockey operations department determines the Top Prospect Team in conjunction with AHL general managers. The team comprises three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender. The players who are part of the select group are those who are projected to be the best future NHL players. To be eligible for selection, players must have been 22 years old or younger on the first day of the regular season and must have played at least 36 regular-season games in the AHL (meaning David Reinbacher wasn’t eligible having only played 10 games this season) and no more than 30 regular-season games in the NHL.
The other players who were named to the Team alongside Mailloux were goaltender Jet Greaves, who’s inspired play down the stretch almost allowed the Columbus Blue Jackets to make the playoffs, defenseman Scott Morrow (a Carolina Hurricanes prospect), forward Dalibor Dvorsky (a St. Louis Blues prospect), forward Konsta Helenius (a Buffalo Sabres prospect) and forward Bradly Nadeau (another Carolina prospect).
After two full seasons of pro hockey in the AHL, Mailloux will no doubt be looking to take the next step when training camp rolls around. David Savard’s retirement left a hole in the Canadiens’ defense corps, and the 22-year-old would like to fill it.
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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The 2025 NHL Draft is a little over two weeks away, and the CBJ are scheduled to have two picks. Will they make them, or will Don Waddell use them as ammo to make trades? That's the million-dollar question.
One of the biggest names on the draft board is a goaltender from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Joshua Ravensbergen
Let's take a look at who he is and what the experts are saying.
Scouting Report
Team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
2024-25 Stats: 33-13-4 - .901 SV% - 3.00 GAA
DOB: Nov 27, 2006
Position: Goalie
Catches: Right
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 192 pounds
Ravensbergen is a big kid with tremendous upside, and looks to become the first goalie chosen in the first round since 2021, when Sebastian Cossa(15) and Jesper Wallstedt(20) were chosen. Before them, Yaroslav Askarov(11 in 2020) and Spencer Knight(13 in 2019) were the last goalies chosen in the first round.
NHL Central Scouting has him rated as the top North American goalie. He's also the only right-handed goalie in the top 20, which is odd. In terms of overall rankings, the various scouting reports have him ranked anywhere from 24 to 63 in the overall rankings.
What The Scouts Are Saying
"An imposing 6-foot-5 goalie who moves well and has elite play reading, Ravensbergen doesn’t have to look flashy because he’s always in the right position. He challenges shooters appropriately, which can lead to situations where he simply engulfs the entire net because of his size." - Elite Prospects - 2025
"He's a huge goalie with excellent athleticism and movement skills that he uses to make saves other goalies can’t. Unfortunately, it was an up-and-down draft season for Ravensbergen as he couldn’t find consistency in his game. Ravensbergen struggled with his reads at times and found himself out of position too often, especially for a player of his size. The future is still promising for Ravensbergen as goalie development is never linear. Very high upside here, but as with most goalies – especially at 18 – there are no guarantees." – Jordan Harris - Dobber Prospects
"Ravensbergen (6-5, 190) has the size NHL teams love. He's athletic, willing to challenge shooters, and has a quick glove. He reads plays well and can go post-to-post quickly." -
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com
"Ravensbergen will likely be the first goalie taken in the draft, and he validates a first-round selection. He has all the tools you want in a goalie, with size, athleticism, and technical ability." -
Kareem Elshafey - FC Hockey
At some point, Don Waddell needs to address the goaltending depth of the franchise, and there is no better place to start than with Ravensbergen. Even if he makes him the 14th overall pick, he still has the 20th pick to play with and move if he chooses. Chances are, if Ravensbergen is still there by 14, I would expect Waddell to make that selection and make him a Columbus Blue Jacket.
If he's gone by then, do you think Don Waddell makes the pick, or makes a trade?
It's time for Don Waddell to start cooking.
Let us know what you think below.
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Rasmus Andersson's future with the Calgary Flames remains a point of interest in the NHL rumor mill.
The 28-year-old defenseman is a year away from UFA eligibility and will likely seek a significant raise over his current average annual value of $4.55 million.
Following the end of the Flames' regular season, GM Craig Conroy indicated his willingness to meet with the Andersson camp to discuss a contract extension. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reports the two sides are expected to make their initial proposals this week.
Andersson was recently mentioned as a possible trade target for the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. The Sabres are in the market for an experienced right-shot defenseman to pair with Owen Power, while the Senators seek a replacement for the sidelined Nick Jensen. However, the Senators are reportedly on his six-team no-trade list.
On June 9, Seravalli speculated over the likelihood of Andersson getting moved before the upcoming NHL draft. He thinks the Flames realize the blueliner will be “too expensive and too long-term for their liking,” but suggested it might be to their advantage to wait until the trade deadline, when his value could be higher.
Meanwhile, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported the Flames and Vancouver Canucks are among the teams interested in Marco Rossi. Seravalli thinks Rossi of the Minnesota Wild could be a good fit among Calgary's core of young players.
LeBrun believes the Canucks are more intrigued than the Flames, who'd prefer a center with size. Conroy has also mentioned that he wants a right-shot center, whereas Rossi is left-handed.
The Flames and Canucks aren't the only clubs in the market for a center this summer.
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports that depth at center is a priority for the St. Louis Blues in this off-season. He cited GM Doug Armstrong's comments during his club's end-of-season media availability, indicating they would be seeking a “200-foot offensive player,” someone who can put up points and play a responsible defensive game.
Rutherford doesn't see Armstrong getting into the bidding for a two-way winger like Mitch Marner or a center like Sam Bennett. However, The Hockey News’ Lou Korac believes Bennett would be a good fit with the Blues, provided they don't overpay for his services.
Korac suggested a seven-year, $49-million contract for Bennett ($7 million average annual value) if the 28-year-old Florida Panthers center becomes available on July 1. If he does hit the open market, however, Bennett will likely command much more than that.
Kulak has been the Swiss-Army Knife of the Oilers blueline this season, reaching career highs in points and time on ice (among other milestones). The low cost to acquire him, plus signing him to an extension, has made this one of the best pickups by the team of the last five years.
And who did the Canadiens end up drafting with that second-round pick? Lane Hutson. Yes, the 21-year-old, 5-foot-9 Calder-Winning defender. That guy.
He also happens to be the younger brother of newly signed Oilers forward prospect, Quinn Hutson. Quinn played two games for the NHL club at the end of the regular season back in April.
A trade can be a slam dunk for both parties – and this Kulak for (eventual) Calder Winner Hutson, turned out more than alright for the Canadiens and Oilers.
In other words, there was no trash in this trade, only treasure.
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No one outside of the defending champion Florida Panthers or the Tampa Bay Lightning has benefited more from the Sunshine State becoming the center of the hockey universe than Scripps Sports.
The division of the E.W. Scripps Company picked up the exclusive local broadcast rights for the Panthers last summer after the team won its first Stanley Cup, utilizing owned-and-operated affiliate stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers.
Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, hailed the first season in South Florida as a success, with the metrics to back it up.
“I think our ratings for the Panthers in season one were up 150% (over last season on FanDuel Sports Network Florida), so we more than doubled our audience,” he said in a phone interview. “Heck, the Panthers ratings were higher rated than the (Miami) Heat in the playoffs. That was really interesting. And that certainly wasn’t the case a couple of years ago.”
In their last season with FanDuel Sports Network Florida (formerly Bally Sports Florida) in 2023-24, the Panthers averaged 6,804 households (a 0.39 household rating) per regular season game in the Miami market, according to Nielsen’s live-plus same day data.
Yet based on Comscore live-plus same day data for games on WSFL (Ch. 39 in Miami) this season, the Panthers pulled in 16,972 households and a 1.34 rating. Furthermore, their games averaged 7,922 households in West Palm Beach (WHDT Ch. 9) and 1,592 households in Fort Myers (WFTX Ch. 36). Comscore did not measure FanDuel Florida last season.
The Panthers pact came together a season after Scripps became the local rightsholder for Vegas Golden Knights games. Vegas was also coming off its first Cup win when it signed with Scripps. The Golden Knights provided a blueprint for how the network would work with various teams in their local markets, with the wider local reach on free TV and a partnership for streaming access.
Florida’s run, which has done wonders for the team’s business, was eye-catching for the rival Lightning as well. Last month, the Bolts announced their own deal with Scripps affiliates, which includes a streaming partnership with ViewLift.
“I think Tampa has been watching what we’ve been doing for a couple of years,” Lawlor said. “They had an out in their contract with FanDuel, and they said, ‘Hey, we see the success you had in Vegas and in Florida, and we have a really loyal fan base.’ They’ve sold out more than 300 consecutive games in Tampa. So they’re a lot like Vegas, a really deep, loyal fan base, big brand. Visibility for them is everything.”
Of course, the Florida sun will set at some point, as the Panthers and Lightning won’t always be title contenders. However, even dour seasons aren’t a huge concern for Scripps, which makes its money during the regular season and not the playoffs. Postseason trips would include rights to air the first round locally that are shared with either national broadcaster (ESPN/ABC or TNT/TBS/truTV), but nothing further.
“Every one of the teams we have has a great fan base and an engaging product,” Lawlor said. “We’re selling our sponsorships to health systems, car dealers, attorneys—and they’re local. Coke isn’t a sponsor of any of our broadcasts, but the local companies are. They’re all about the fan engagement and the visibility in the local market. And that doesn’t change whether you know you’re the Stanley Cup champion or you wind up a couple of games short of the playoffs.”
Although playoff games don’t generate much revenue for the local affiliates, there was frustration in some circles about local partners sharing playoff games with national broadcasters. A similar agreement in the NBA came to an end after that league’s first round ended in early May. That frustration is amplified by the fact that U.S. ratings for this NHL postseason are significantly down across the board.
Lawlor believes the NHL is prioritizing reach over exclusivity, something that not only benefits the Panthers and other teams, but also the local media partners that are still providing pregame and postgame playoff coverage beyond the first round.
“I haven’t looked at the Panthers’ [data] this week, but when I was meeting with the Golden Knights, the games on our local outperformed TNT and ESPN combined,” Lawlor said. “They reached 62,000 households in Vegas [in the first round]. When the Golden Knights went to the second round, when it was only on TNT, 38,000.
“ESPN or TNT/TBS, those guys still only reach 60% of the households in the U.S. You’re still missing a significant amount of the audience.”
While Scripps is sitting pretty in Florida, it is also hoping to be fully engaged in Utah going into its third season with the team now known as the Mammoth. Scripps affiliate KUPX (Utah Ch. 16) broadcasted games for the formerly named Utah Hockey Club, yet Comcast chose to not carry the affiliate, keeping Xfinity subscribers in the state from watching the games.
“We understand that Comcast has taken that position in some markets, although they seem to be working some of that out,” Lawlor said. “Looks like MSG, they’ve got worked out. Now they’ve got Chicago worked out.
“We have recently re-engaged with them again now that the season’s over, and I am hopeful that maybe they’ll bring a different spirit to this next round of discussions.”
The Chicago Blackhawks had a magical run with Jonathan Toews on their roster. The 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft turned into a player who has the Selke Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, two Olympic Gold Medals, a World Cup of Hockey championship, and three Stanley Cups.
To say that Toews has had a decorated career would be an understatement. Unfortunately, his time in Chicago didn’t end as he would have liked. The team decided they were not interested in returning him after the 2022-23 season. Due to health issues, he hasn’t played since.
Now, it is all but certain that Toews is going to make a comeback. With rumors swirling for a few months now, it sounds like he is nearing a decision. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Toews will have his new team selected before the 2025 NHL Draft.
Toews can’t officially sign a contract with a team until July 1st, but a deal can have an agreement before becoming official. He has been in contact with many teams, but true contenders make the most sense.
There is wonder as to what Toews will bring to the table when he returns. If he slotted into the right spot of a good lineup, there is no doubt that he will benefit his new team both on and off the ice.
This is one of the best captains, in terms of leadership, in the history of the NHL. He also spent over a decade with other incredible leaders like Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, and Marian Hossa. A team looking to get over the edge in the playoffs needs a guy like Toews.
He was also still a good hockey player the last time he stepped on the ice. Toews is going to give you an honest effort defensively, score some goals, win face-offs, and be there for his teammates. Whoever gets him will hit a home run with a depth signing of a former superstar.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo could miss some or even all of the 2025-26 season, dealing with an injury, leaving a gaping hole in the Golden Knights' blue line that needs to be filled.
This season wasn't too kind to Pietrangelo. On top of dealing with injuries and illnesses, he showed signs of losing a step despite a strong start to the season. As a whole, the 2024-25 campaign was nowhere near a failure for the 35-year-old, but one that he likely believes he's better than.
Replacing a two-time Stanley Cup winner will be difficult, but GM Kelly McCrimmon and HC Bruce Cassidy will need to find a way to do so.
From Within The Organization:
Kaedan Korczak has been waiting for his opportunity to step into the Golden Knights' lineup as a full-time NHL player, and if Pietrangelo is out for an extended time, no current Golden Knights player is better suited. Over the past two seasons, Korczak has played in 66 games, scoring one goal and 19 points. The 24-year-old has a 6'3, 203 lbs frame that he can use to defend the front of his net, and the foot speed to avoid forecheckers, making him the most logical replacement.
Ben Hutton is a veteran left-handed defenseman who's been with the Golden Knights since 2021. In his time in Vegas, the 32-year-old has played 141 games, scoring eight goals and 33 points. Whenever called upon, Hutton plays his role with ease and does everything the Golden Knights need of him.
Lukas Cormier is the youngest option and the player furthest from providing the stability Pietrangelo does, but his high-end skill could be a valued asset on the Golden Knights' backend. The 23-year-old is just 5'10 but is a smooth skater with offensive instincts to match. He's gathered just two games of NHL experience up to this point, but has routinely shown in the AHL that he is hungry for an NHL opportunity.
Via Trade:
Rasmus Andersson, Connor Murphy and Justin Faulk headline the right-handed defenseman who could be available this offseason via trade.
Andersson would be the priciest of the three, but he is also the closest to replacing Pietrangelo that they can find. His chemistry with Noah Hanifin when the pair played together on the Calgary Flames was outstanding, and it could help Hanifin reach the heights the Golden Knights believe he can. With one year remaining on a $4.55M cap hit, Andersson wouldn't break the bank.
The answer to Vegas’ Pietrangelo problem could be solved within their own division. It's easy to forget what a power duo these two were when the #Flames had enough depth to pair them up.
Murphy is a 6'4 defenseman who defends the rush efficiently and moves the puck very well at just $4.4M. He, too, has just one year remaining on his contract but would slot in nicely alongside any of the Golden Knights' left-handed defensemen.
Of the three, Faulk is the least defensively responsible defenseman but makes up for it with his offence. On a $6.5M contract for two additional seasons, the 33-year-old could quarterback the second unit and provide 30+ points.
Free Agent Targets:
Aaron Ekblad, Dante Fabbro, Brent Burns and Cody Ceci are just a few of the available unrestricted free agents who could be available on July 1.
The Golden Knights are very familiar with Ekblad. A physical defenseman whose offensive game never translated as some thought, but it hasn't stopped him from being effective on the defensive end. He'd add serious grit and physicality to the Golden Knights' blue line.
Fabbro had struggled to hold down a roster spot in the NHL for several seasons, but after he was claimed off of waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets, his game came to life, and he proved to be a fantastic partner for Zach Werenski.
Burns is now 40 years old and is showing multiple signs that age is catching up to him, but still, he's a shot threat from the blue line who could add a fair bit of offence if he is sheltered away from difficult 5-on-5 matchups.
Ceci played big minutes for the Dallas Stars in the playoffs, and at times, it proved costly. Playing second or third-pairing minutes suits Ceci very well, and the Golden Knights could provide him just that.
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Three-time Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and former Chicago Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews is planning a return to the NHL, and a recent report states that Toews is looking to make his decision prior to the 2025 NHL draft, and the Winnipeg Jets are considered one of his possible landing spots.
The report came from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, and he mentioned that Toews and his agent, Pat Brisson, are fully engaged in contract discussions with teams despite Toews being unable to sign with a team until July. 1. The NHL draft begins on Jun. 27, which means Toews could have a contract in line with a team in two weeks.
"The three-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to ink a short-term contract, likely one-year, that may be painted with various goal-oriented bonuses, such as games played and points totals," said Pagnotta.
Toews last played in the NHL after the 2022-23 season and revealed, at the time, that he would be stepping away from the game primarily due to the effects of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome. After spending two full seasons away from the game of hockey, he believes the training he's done has him back in shape and ready for a return to the NHL.
In his final season before stepping away, Toews scored 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games, another step in the wrong direction. Despite that, Toews has all the makings of a defensive centre. Throughout his illustrious NHL career, Toews was one of the best two-way centres in the NHL, scoring a career-high 35 goals and 81 points in the 2018-19 season, while winning a Selke Trophy in the 2012-13 season.
At this stage of his career, relying on the former third overall pick of the 2006 NHL draft to drive a line offensively would have a team underwhelmed. Playing him in a third-line role, with some penalty kill and power play time, would get the best out of him. Combining what he can provide on the ice with his known leadership, Toews could be a piece that helps a lot of teams get over the hump in the playoffs, including the Jets.
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Remembering the powerful moment when Steve Yzerman handed the Stanley Cup to Vladimir Konstantinov after Detroit’s 1998 Game 4 win—just as the Oilers face the Panthers in Thursday night’s Game 4 showdown.
As the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers prepare to face off in a critical Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night, the intensity is reaching its peak. With the stakes higher than ever, it could be a potential turning point in the series for the Oilers as they can tie up the series or the Panthers could take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Fans across the hockey world are locked in with anticipation surrounding this game bringing to mind some of the most memorable Game 4 moments in Stanley Cup history and for Detroit Red Wings fans, one stands above the rest.
Before the puck drops in Edmonton, we’re taking a look back at the unforgettable 1998 Game 4 that sealed a championship and delivered one of the most emotional moments the sport has ever seen.
It was June 16, 1998, in the nation’s capital. The Detroit Red Wings were on the brink of back-to-back Stanley Cups with a 3-0 series lead over the Washington Capitals heading into Game 4. Unlike the previous year’s dramatic six-game battle against the Philadelphia Flyers, 1998 was a suffocating series where the Red Wings rarely gave the Capitals an edge.
Game 4 was about more than just winning the Cup, it was about honoring Vladimir Konstantinov, the beloved teammate who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident the year before. Every shift was played with him in mind, and the team was determined to win not just for themselves, but for Vladdy.
In the first period, Detroit’s prolific offence went to work as Doug Brown kicks off the game with a power play goal that gave the Red Wings the momentum early. Martin Lapointe goes on to add what would be the game-winning goal with a booming slap shot from the top of the zone.
Capitals forward Brian Bellows did what he could to get his team back into it with a goal. But it wasn't enough as Sergei Fedorov and Doug Brown score two more power play goals, sealing the 4–1 victory and completing the series sweep.
As the final horn sounded, the Red Wings chucked their gloves as high as they could and poured over the boards. longtime captain Steve Yzerman hoisted the Cup for the second straight year but when it came time for his first handoff, he did something unforgettable.
Out of the tunnel came Konstantinov, wheeled onto the ice in his chair by teammate Slava Fetisov. He was back on the ice, draped in his jersey, surrounded by his teammates. Yzerman skates straight to him and without hesitation, places the Cup in Konstantinov’s lap.
The moment brought tears to eyes across the hockey world. Teammates crowded around, many visibly emotional. This was no longer just a win but vindication and a gesture that this team’s journey was bigger than the sport of hockey.
Yzerman was later awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs after recording six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 22 games. Despite winning the award for the first time in his career, the spotlight was another man who couldn't speak yet said everything without words.
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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:
Cole Reschny
Position: Center Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 180 Shoots: Left Team: Victoria
Scouting report
Despite being a smaller forward, Reschny is adept at going to the hard areas or attacking open ice to make plays.
As a pass-first guy, he racked up 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) over 62 regular-season games for a Royals team that went 40-17-11 in 2024-25. He also had a plus-42 rating and won 56.4 percent of his faceoffs.
“I think he’s a two-way all day long, I think he would be an excellent second-line center,” Button, a former NHL GM and scout, said. “He can put up points, he can play defense, he can be on the penalty kill.”
The 18-year-old center delivered 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in just 11 games and went toe to toe with Berkly Catton during the second round. Catton, a big-time scorer down the middle, was the eighth overall pick by the Kraken last summer. Reschny gave him a battle.
“When you get to the point of evaluating them in the playoffs and you see what he did, it’s not the NHL, but there’s a semblance,” Button said. “You get to watch him play and how he handles playing against a top player that’s going to be an NHL player. Well, now you get an opportunity to evaluate closer to what it could look like in the NHL for Cole Reschny.”
Catton had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) as his Spokane club came back from a 2-1 series deficit to beat Victoria in six games. Reschny finished the series with 13 points (five goals, eight assists).
“This playoffs, showing what he can do against a really top player in Berkly Catton,” Button said, “I think it gives NHL teams more confidence that, boy, this guy’s a good player.”
Reschny will have to fend off the undersized concerns and eventually prove he can score consistently against pros. But his quickness and instincts in tight spaces are promising.
“I think that his brainpower is big, his competitive level is big,” Button said. “When you have a player that can do so many different things in the game and do it well, they’re not easy to find.”
(Kevin Light/Victoria Royals)
Fit with Flyers
If Reschny is available within the range of No. 22, he’d be a real solid pick for the Flyers.
He can scale a lineup, which is appealing, and he’d have the chance to help fill an organizational void at center. Reschny and Jett Luchanko would give the Flyers back-to-back playmaking pivots in the first round. While both are not big and have second-line upside, the more options a team has, the better.
“Everybody thinks it’s easy to find a second-line center,” Button said. “No, it isn’t.”
Red Wings Prospect Dimitri Buchelnikov Traded from Vityaz to CSKA Moscow in KHL Shakeup
In a notable move within the KHL, CSKA Moscow has acquired forward Dmitri Buchelnikov from HC Vityaz Podolsk, adding a highly skilled and dynamic winger to their roster.
The trade signals a significant opportunity for Buchelnikov, a former second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, to take the next step in his development with one of Russia’s most prestigious hockey clubs.
Buchelnikov, 20, was drafted 52nd overall by Detroit in the 2022 NHL Draft, a selection that raised some eyebrows at the time due to his limited exposure outside Russia.
Since then, he’s continued to develop in the KHL system, splitting time between SKA St. Petersburg and its affiliates before being loaned to Vityaz Podolsk in 2023-24.
With Vityaz, Buchelnikov enjoyed his most productive KHL campaign to date, registering 13 goals and 19 points in 44 games, showcasing his elite skating, quick release, and knack for finding space in the offensive zone.
The move to CSKA marks Buchelnikov’s third KHL team in just two seasons, but it also represents his clearest chance yet to compete at a high level in a playoff-caliber environment.
CSKA, a perennial contender in the KHL and 2023 Gagarin Cup finalists, boasts a strong development pipeline and could help unlock more of Buchelnikov’s offensive upside. The Moscow-based club has a track record of refining young talent into top-end pros, something the Red Wings will be watching closely as they evaluate Buchelnikov’s long-term NHL potential.
Detroit, meanwhile, still retains Buchelnikov’s NHL rights. Though he has not yet signed a contract with the Red Wings, his growing production and now a larger stage in Moscow could accelerate interest in bringing him to North America in the coming years.
That said, with the complex nature of KHL-NHL transfers and Buchelnikov’s contract situation in Russia, patience will likely be required from the Red Wings’ front office.
Buchelnikov’s KHL trade is part of a broader trend of young Russian prospects being shuffled among top-tier teams for both development and cap reasons.
His move to CSKA comes with higher expectations and increased spotlight, but if his trajectory continues to climb, he could soon emerge as one of Russia’s top young forwards—and a potential future asset for Detroit if he makes the leap across the Atlantic.
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