Category: Ice Hockey

The regular season is finally here! The Pittsburgh Penguins will open the 2025-26 season inside Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. 

Penguins head coach Dan Muse is looking to win his first game as an NHL head coach against the team he coached the previous two years. He was an assistant coach under Peter Laviolette for the last two seasons before the Penguins hired him as their new head coach during the offseason.

On the other side, Mike Sullivan is trying to get his first win as the head coach of the Rangers after they hired him during the offseason. He was with the Penguins for 10 seasons before he and the team agreed to part ways after the 2024-25 season. 

The Penguins lost the season series against the Rangers last year (1-3) and are hoping to change that this year. Here's a look at the expected Penguins' lines for tonight's game.

Forwards

Koivunen-Crosby-Rakell

Mantha-Malkin-Brazeau

Novak-Kindel-Tomasino

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensemen

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Shea-Letang

Jones-Brunicke

Goaltenders

Silovs 

Jarry

Top prospects Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke will make their NHL debuts on Tuesday night after having great training camps. Brunicke was really close to making the roster last year and did even more this year to make the opening-night roster.

Kindel continued to improve throughout camp and passed each test that came his way during the preseason. He may not stay up past the nine-game trial, but the coaching staff is at least rewarding him for his outstanding camp. 

Arturs Silovs will get the start in goal over Tristan Jarry after Jarry struggled during the Penguins' last preseason game. He gave up three goals on 19 shots against the Buffalo Sabres last Friday and will start the regular season as the backup goaltender.

Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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EAST MEADOW, NY -- Matthew Schaefer made the New York Islanders roster, a surprise to absolutely nobody who's been around him since he heard his name called first at the 2025 NHL Draft. 

The excitement is in the air, but for the mature 18-year-old, he's trying to focus on the task at hand -- winning a hockey game on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

"You want to take it day-by-day. You get drafted for a reason, and then you just want to go out, you want to forget about the media and stuff, and just go play your game," Schaefer said following Tuesday's skate.  "So I think every step of the way was a good step in the right direction, from the draft to preseason to now. I want to keep getting better. I want to keep working on things. But, I mean, it's a dream come true. It's the game of hockey, and you know, now the work starts. So I can't wait to get started."

No. 1 Overall Pick Matthew Schaefer to Start Season With IslandersNew York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer has made the team. The 18-year-old had his rookie moment throughout preseason, but there's no question his best development path is at the NHL level. 

Schaefer will have a ton of people in attendance in Pittsburgh.

"My dad, brother, and his girlfriend [are coming]. And then there's, like, a couple of my buddies from school and their parents are coming down," Schaefer said. "One of my best friends from hockey when I played when I was younger, his family's coming down. And there's gonna be a lot of people, and then I think they're gonna make the trip to opening night, too. So, I mean, it should be good, but I mean, like I said, I'll be dialed into the game, so I won't be worrying about any of that."

#Isles No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer:

"Everyone wants to make it to here, but you haven't made it yet. You will never really make it. You're always gonna be battling against people. You're always gonna be up against people. You're always gonna want to be getting better."

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 7, 2025

The Islanders would love to see Schaefer play to the best of his abilities, but head coach Patrick Roy wants him to focus on one thing and one thing only. 

"Have fun," Roy said. "I know how special it will be for him, because it was very special for me when I started my career, and it's funny because it was in Pittsburgh. My first start of my career was in Pittsburgh, and same thing for him. So happy for him. He deserves it. He played hard, practiced hard, so it's the beginning of a new journey for him and for the Islanders organization."

What does Roy want young kids watching to notice about Schaefer?

"His swagger, how confident he is [...] You want to see them going & have fun with their friends, & have that swagger, that confidence, that trust in themselves, that they could do it."#Isles

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 7, 2025

Schaefer has thought about what his debut is going to look like but is really just trying to remained focused on the objective. 

"It's gonna be pretty cool," Schaefer said. "I mean, obviously, I've been playing in the NHL and playing against guys like that, but when you get on the ice, you just gotta zone it out. I mean, everyone's out there to play hockey. I mean, you really don't think about who you're going up against. Obviously, you've got to know what kind of style they play, like a little faster, all that stuff. But I think just going out there, putting your head down, working through it, and just working is going to be the big thing. I don't want to go out there and just be like, Oh, I'm going up against him. It's just hockey, right? So you want to go out there and work as hard as you can. And, you know, just forget about who is on the ice."

Puck drops on Thursday night at 7:30 PM at PPG Paints Arena. Fans can watch the game on MSGSN. 

The Chicago Blackhawks are set to return for regular-season hockey with a group excited about the future. They likely aren’t a playoff team, but they’re a young squad that has the potential to show growth. 

Over the last handful of years, Chicago has inserted a lot of players with little to no experience. This year will see a fair level of that again. 

When the Blackhawks take the ice against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, three players will be looking to score their first career NHL goal, and they all play very different games. 

Sam Rinzel

Although Sam Rinzel has played in the NHL for years, he has only nine games under his belt. Those nine games occurred at the end of 2024-25, when Rinzel and Minnesota were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. 

In those contests, he collected five assists, played stout defense, but didn't score a goal. His first of the season will be the first of his NHL career. 

Artyom Levshunov

When the Chicago Blackhawks selected Artyom Levshunov with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, they were hoping for tons of goals, assists, and defensive gems. 

So far, his development has been excellent. That includes 18 career NHL games. He is still, however, looking for his first career NHL goal. He had a big overtime game-winner in the AHL playoffs last year, so you can expect to see that memorable first one in the not-so-distant future.

Ryan Greene

Ryan Greene played in two games with the Blackhawks after his season at Boston University ended last spring. He is not only looking for his first career goal in the NHL, but his first career point. He was initially sent down out of camp, but was called back up quickly because of Landon Slaggert's injury. 

None of Greene, Levshunov, or Rinzel will have goal scoring as their main goal in the NHL. The former two are defenseman, and the latter is a defensive-minded forward. With that said are all incredibly skilled and are capable of bringing some offense here and there. 

Oliver Moore is an honorable mention. He didn't make the team out of camp as the Blackhawks want him getting top-line minutes in Rockford to begin the year, but he will almost certainly play in the NHL at some point this season. When that time comes, he will also be looking for his first career NHL goal. 

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

While speaking to reporters, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced that former New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev will be placed on waivers, The Hockey News' Michael Augello reports. 

Georgiev signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Sabres last month. This was after he posted a 15-26-4 record, a .875 save percentage, and a 3.71 goals-against average in 49 games this past season split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks.

Georgiev being placed on waivers comes after the Sabres claimed goaltender Colten Ellis off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 6. 

If Georgiev clears waivers, he will be assigned to the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. 

Georgiev started his NHL career with the Rangers. In 129 games over five seasons with the Blueshirts from 2017-18 to 2021-22, Georgiev recorded a 58-48-11 record, a .908 save percentage, a 2.94 goals-against average, and eight shutouts. 

By Benjamin Kirshenblatt, The Hockey News intern

Hockey fans are some of the most underrated, loyal and sometimes unhinged supporters in all of pro sports.

Whether you ended up matching with a Kraken fan on a dating app, find yourself deep in enemy territory at a rival hockey game or just want to know more about what your NHL team says about you, keep reading to find out.

Anaheim Ducks

Their past best characterizes the Ducks. They are nearly a decade removed from real competitiveness – and nearly two decades since they won their only Stanley Cup. If you are a Ducks fan, you are likely to have ambitious goals and big dreams but seemingly find a way to fall short of them every time and are then left wondering if you really did peak in high school.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins have been one of the most competitive NHL teams of the 21st century, consistently in the mix for Stanley Cup contention. However, more often than not, the Bruins come up short in one round or another, and they are always leaving their fans disappointed. If you are a Bruins fan, although you’re driven, you are likely to leave the people in your life disappointed when you are needed the most.

Buffalo Sabres

If you’re a Sabres fan, you’ve had a lot to be miserable about since 2012. The Sabres have become notorious for their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought. If you are a Sabres fan, you once had dreams but have suffered a fall from grace and haven’t been able to pick up the pieces since, instead yearning to be the fan you used to be.

Calgary Flames

Despite their name, the Flames have been one of the NHL’s cooler teams as of late. The Flames have been unable to recapture their 1989 glory, coming oh-so-close in 2004 but instead enduring the disappointment of a series-defining no-goal. If you are a Flames fan, you are making slow and steady progress toward being back in full force and better than ever. It may not be tomorrow, but a return to contention is closer than you think.

Carolina Hurricanes

The only Hurricane that can be associated with Carolina is an emotional one. The Hurricanes have made it a routine to make it to the Eastern Conference final and then lose quickly. Being a Hurricanes fan can be best associated with big promises and high expectations, but when the moment actually comes to execute, you freeze without fail and end up embarrassing yourself in the end.

Chicago Blackhawks

It’s time for a reality check, Chicago: 2015 was 10 years ago now. To this day, the Blackhawks are continuing to pay the tax of winning three Cups in one decade. If you are a fan of the Blackhawks, it’s time to stop living in the past and smell the ashes of the present. You had some good times a while ago, but you need to get yourself in order.

Colorado Avalanche

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about the Avalanche is they’ve proven they can deliver but just don’t do it often enough. The Avalanche have been a promising team in the past and present but often perform below expectations. And they only have themselves to blame. If you are an Avalanche fan, you need to do a better job of delivering on your promises. You are capable of more than you are willing to give, and it’s about time you showed that.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs six times since their inception in 2000, not winning their first series until 2019. If you are a Jackets fan, you’ve had a hard time, but you’re dedicated, and the best is still yet to come. Just be patient and keep cheering, and one day, you will be rewarded.

Dallas Stars

Although the Stars have yet to relive their 1999 Cup dreams, they are big spenders who are not afraid to make that bold move to get one step closer to their destiny. However, it seems as if they’re paying a big price for those moves. If you’re a Stars fan, you are capable of accomplishing great things in life – but chase that dream before the window closes.

Detroit Red Wings

If you’re a Red Wings fan, you’ve enjoyed success in your life but are struggling to find purpose nowadays. The Red Wings have won many Cups but are also on a streak of futility. GM Steve Yzerman has much to prove this coming season, and if you’re a Red Wings fan, that’s the best way your life can be described. You’ve accomplished great things but have much to prove in this chapter.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have much to prove this coming season. Many have surmised that what the Oilers will go on to accomplish this year will define their future in a big way: whether or not McDavid is here to stay past 2028. Fresh off back-to-back losses in the Cup final, the Oilers have more to prove than possibly anyone in the league. If you’re an Oilers fan, a lot is being expected of you and fast, so brace yourself.

Florida Panthers

If you are a Panthers fan, you are on cloud nine right now. You’ve proven to everyone in your life you have what it takes and delivered in the biggest way when it was asked of you on more than one occasion. If you are a Panthers fan, you’ve got nothing left to prove. Just sit back, have fun, try your best, and whatever happens, nobody will be disappointed in you.

NHL Power Rankings: All 32 Teams' Significant StorylinesThis time next Wednesday, the 2025-26 regular season will be underway, but we're already in Week 2 of the NHL power rankings.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings have faced the same Oilers team in the first round for the last four seasons and lost each time. With captain Anze Kopitar set to retire following this season, the Kings are scrambling for one last kick at the can. If you’re a Kings fan, you’ve been struggling to get over the hump for the longest time, so it’s important you focus and give it your all, and maybe, this year will be different.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild are in a great position right now after Kirill Kaprizov signed the richest contract in NHL history. With the failures of the North Stars looming large, Minnesota still has much to prove to its faithful, and it all starts with Kaprizov. If you’re a Wild fan, you’ve got one objective in mind, and it’s important you accomplish it first, and the rest will fall into place.

Montreal Canadiens

If you’re a Canadiens fan, you know the feelings of pain and pleasure as a fan of the franchise with the richest history in the NHL. It’s hard to forget, but the best hasn’t passed you by. It’s only a matter of time before the Habs are back to contention. If you’re a Habs fan, the same can be said about you. Don’t give up on your dreams, because they haven’t given up on you.

Nashville Predators

Nashville learned last season that money can’t always buy you happiness. The Preds added three big fish in 2024 free agency but were in for a rude awakening when the team went on to miss the playoffs. If you’re a Preds fan, it’s time to be more conservative with your money and not spend it on the next big thing to make yourself happy. Otherwise, you may end up in the same boat as your team.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils seem to be just now hitting their stride after some difficult seasons. With three Cups and a series win over the Rangers in 2023 that they won’t soon forget, the Devils faithful have much to be happy with, but the goal remains the same. If you’re a Devils fan, you have big goals in mind but are content with enjoying the journey it takes to get there.

New York Islanders

It’s not super easy being an Islanders fan, being forced to cope with accusations of being hockey’s most boring team. Sadly for the Islanders, after making back-to-back playoff semifinals in 2020 and 2021, first-round exits now seem to be their best-case scenario if they don’t miss the playoffs altogether. Adding Matthew Schaefer is a huge plus, even though they traded their former No. 1 D-man, Noah Dobson. If you’re an Islanders fan, you desperately need to give the people in your life something to cheer about, because right now, they’re unconvinced.

New York Rangers

Last season, the Rangers were the soap opera of the NHL. It might just be the one NHL team where being named captain is a sign you’ll probably be traded. Longtime veterans like Chris Kreider weren’t even safe from the Rangers' liquidation sale, being banished to Anaheim in the off-season. If you are a Rangers fan, you’ve got serious commitment issues and might want to treat the people in your life a bit better.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators are finally just now enjoying a return to relevance after an extended break from post-season contention. Although the bitter taste of losing to the hated rival Leafs is still fresh on the tongues of Sens fans, they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of heading into this season. With that said, if you’re a Sens fan, don’t get hung up on the past. Instead, look towards the future – it’s all you can do now.

Philadelphia Flyers

Despite icing many talented teams and making it to the finals six times since their runs in the ’70s, the Flyers have consistently come up short and now find themselves more times out of the playoffs than in. If you’re a Flyers fan, you have distant memories of what it was like to be at the top, and have been doing all you can to get back ever since, for better or for worse.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh has cemented itself as a city of champions, especially when it comes to the NHL. The Penguins have a total of five championships between two star-studded eras, but even with all they’ve proven, they’re still hungry for more, and it’s too much for their own good. If you’re a Penguins fan, there is no shame in remembering the good times, but it’s imperative you move on and embrace the changes inevitably coming your way.

NHL Pre-Season Fan Survey: Best And Most Annoying Fans, Expansion, Favorite Rink And MoreThe finale of The Hockey News’ NHL pre-season fan survey results is here. 

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks live with the bittersweet memories of always being a contender but never being the one to go all the way. It feels like there are good ol’ times they should be missing, but in reality, it’s just two decades’ worth of underperformance. If you’re a Sharks fan, it’s important not to let your past define your future. Instead, it’s time to embrace brighter days ahead.

Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are the newish kids on the block. After Vegas entered the NHL in 2017 and immediately ran the show, people wondered if Seattle could follow suit, until they only mustered one playoff appearance in four seasons. If you’re a Kraken fan, there’s an air of mystery and confusion to you – people don’t really seem to understand you in the slightest. That can be a good thing sometimes, but be wary.

St. Louis Blues

Despite their recent Stanley Cup win in 2019, St. Louis fans are left feeling blue after failing to carry over that success. It seems the Blues have been flirting with mediocrity as of late, losing within the first two rounds if they even make the playoffs at all. If you’re a Blues fan, your accomplishments are not lost in the rearview mirror, but it might be time for a spark.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are one of the most accomplished teams in recent NHL history. However, since their three straight final runs, they appear to be thunderstruck, having lost in the first round every year since. If you’re a Lightning fan, you’ve accomplished a lot and still can accomplish more, but you better make it quick before time runs out on you as fast as lightning hits the ground.

Toronto Maple Leafs

It’s a poorly kept secret in the NHL that Leafs fans are in their own land of make-beleaf. The Leafs didn’t peak in high school; they peaked in childhood. If you’re a Leafs fan, you will spend the rest of your life convincing people that your best days are yet to come, but in reality, they are far behind you in the past. You also might want to place more value on those closest to you.

Utah Mammoth

The Mammoth are the NHL’s youngest franchise and best attempt to retcon the Arizona Coyotes. Though they haven’t made the playoffs yet, the Mammoth are a youngish team on the rise. If you’re a Mammoth fan, you’re a trendsetter and not afraid to try new things, even if they sometimes fail. However, it’s also important to embrace the past and how you got here, not forget it ever happened.

Vancouver Canucks

Canucks fans are an unruly bunch who have proven twice they don’t take losing in the final well. They’ve also had to deal with a lot of drama lately, including Elias Pettersson’s setback on offense getting national attention, Quinn Hughes’ future and a playoff miss after winning the Pacific the year before. If you’re a Canucks fan, you definitely need to let your guard down, stay optimistic and maybe consider anger management.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Knights spent extra cash to skip the painful part of being an expansion team. From the jump, they were finalists and have only missed the playoffs once. Though unafraid to make that big move, they received criticism in 2020 for not informing Marc-Andre Fleury he was being traded before reports came out on social media. If you’re a Vegas fan, you’re a follower who needs to find independence, and you need to be honest and direct with people in your life.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals impressed the league with a surprising return to relevance last season, despite being on the older side of teams, unlike their rivals in Pittsburgh. Though the dream of adding a second cup to Ovechkin’s resume still looms large, the Capitals are hopeful they can continue to exceed expectations. If you’re a Capitals fan, you’re full of surprises, but be wary, not every surprise is a good one.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets seem to be a tale of two seasons as of late; they impress in the regular season and then completely drop the ball in the playoffs. The Jets have given fans little to cheer about in recent post-seasons. If you’re a Jets fan, you have the potential to do great things but desperately need to get over your stage fright before the opportunity passes you by.

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

As the Toronto Maple Leafs began practice one day before their home opener against the Montreal Canadiens, Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan were on a separate rink working with the team's development staff.

It's been a fascinating week of following what could happen with Cowan. Early on and even towards the end of training camp, it appeared as if he had made the Maple Leafs. However, everything changed when Scott Laughton suffered a lower-body injury.

At first glance, it seemed like David Kampf would take Laughton's spot and center the fourth line with Cowan and Steven Lorentz. Kampf was then placed on waivers after that practice.

A day later, the lineup was mashed up with Max Domi as the third line center with Dakota Joshua and Nick Robertson on his wing, and Nicolas Roy in the middle of Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok on the fourth line.

Cowan was then on the outside looking in.

Toronto then claimed Cayden Primeau and Sammy Blais off waivers on Monday afternoon. And a few hours later, when the Maple Leafs' opening day roster was submitted, Cowan was nowhere to be found.

Explained: Why Easton Cowan Was Temporarily Left Off Maple Leafs Season-Opening RosterThere was some chaos around 5 p.m. ET when the Toronto Maple Leafs announced their opening night roster. Jacob Quillan was on it rather than Easton Cowan, who many expected to be.

Quillan was there, though, after taking in a few days of Toronto Marlies camp after moving away from the NHL camp. The moves were so that Toronto could get as close to the cap ceiling as possible.

"The plan is right now, today (Cowan is) not on the roster, and then we'll see what happens tomorrow, right?" Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said on Tuesday.

"Easton has had a really good camp. I think he's right there ready to play for us. We want to manage it appropriately. If he's going to be playing with us here, great. But if he's not, I want him playing, right? So we'll manage it here the next little bit. We'll get through today and see what tomorrow brings."

Cowan believed he did everything he could to earn a spot on the Maple Leafs. And again, for the majority of camp, it appeared he was going to be in their opening night lineup. He played in five of Toronto's six preseason games and rarely looked out of place.

'I Played Some Of My Best Hockey': Has Easton Cowan Done Enough To Make The Maple Leafs Out Of Training Camp?If this was the final game of Easton Cowan's training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he should be proud of himself.

"He's made such big strides in a couple years here. I thought he looked really great in camp, all camp. He played in most of the preseason games. I thought he put on a really good show," Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews said.

"He looks physically strong. I think he's matured a lot as a guy, and as a player as well, and I think it showed throughout the whole camp. I know there's tough decisions to be made, but I think he should definitely be proud of what he accomplished during camp and the way he handled everything."

Both Treliving and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube stated they had a plan for the forward, but they didn't reveal the inner workings of said plan. "That's about all I'm going to say about that right now," added Berube after Tuesday's practice.

If anything is for certain, it's that the Maple Leafs want Cowan to play. Whether that's in the NHL or AHL remains to be seen.

"Well, yeah, [an opportunity to play Cowan] can present itself for sure. And I said, he had a good camp," said Berube. "I liked him in camp. We all liked him in camp. He's a player that can help the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Latest stories:

Maple Leafs Believe ‘Things Are Progressing Well’ With Joseph Woll And An Updated Look At Toronto's Goaltending Situation

Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid On Track for 2028 Free Agency Together — What It Means For The Maple Leafs Star

'You Take It In From A Different Perspective': Maple Leafs Rave About Atmosphere At Blue Jays' Postseason Game Vs. Yankees

Sportsnet insiders hold a unique team-based draft that surprisingly saw the Detroit Red Wings picked last, reflecting doubts about young defense.

The NHL season is nearly here as experts and insiders are starting to make their season long predictions with guesses ranging from some teams winning the Stanley Cup to missing the playoffs entirely. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas added to the conversation when drafting their new fantasy hockey league. 

🎊A New year of hockey is upon us!🎊

Welcome to Season 5 of the In-Season Cup! 🏆@sportsnetkyle@emilyagard@RandipJanda@FriedgeHNICpic.twitter.com/4t3lMwG6VQ

— The In-Season Cup (@InSeasonCup) October 7, 2025

Instead of drafting individual players, Friedman, Bukauskas, along with Sportsnet’s Randip Janda and Emily Agard each selected teams of eight as part of their league and how it works is quite interesting. This league is based on a traveling “In Season Cup” that moves from team to team throughout the NHL season. 

It starts with the defending champion Florida Panthers and is passed on whenever the current cup holder loses a game. The team that beats them takes the cup and begins accumulating days with it, starting on the day of their win and continuing until their next game. Every time the cup changes hands, the new holder starts a new count of days. This draft showcased what each Sportsnet personality thought of teams around the league with a surprising assessment for the Detroit Red Wings. 

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

Good News, Bad News For Several Former Red Wings Players The 2025-26 NHL Season is officially just hours away now, as the campaign begins for a handful of teams on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings remain on the presipace of their centennial season, which begins on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena. 

Friedman is known as an hockey insider around the league while Bukauskas and Janda are known as broadcasters for hockey and Agard is more primarily known for her work with the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the hockey knowledge within the league, the Red Wings were picked much later than expected, going as the last team off the board after teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres had all been selected. It's one of the few mediums that have seen the Red Wings listed as one of the worst teams in the league. 

There is a level of strategy to it as Detroit plays in a difficult Atlantic division where they will have a tougher schedule than most but still going behind teams like the Sabres and Bruins is surprising. Friedman did recently express his concern behind the Red Wings young defense in a '32 Thoughts' podcast episode.

"They put Holl and Gustafsson on waivers, which is totally fine, but that says to me, they're thinking about doing a really young defense to start the year, like a really young D, we talked about this at the year end last year how Yzerman didn't give out term to veterans because he's like, the young guys need to play and I will bet on these young players, I wonder if that bet really starts right now, I just I don't think that they're ready," Friedman said. 

As the NHL season approaches, the unique fantasy draft by Sportsnet’s insiders offers an intriguing glimpse into how experts view the league's landscape and the Red Wings have clearly raised some eyebrows. While Friedman’s concerns highlight the risks of betting on a youthful defense, Detroit now find themselves in a position with little outside expectation and a setup that could either validate these doubts or fuel a surprising breakout.

Red Wings Face Pressure to Extend Simon Edvinsson After Ducks’ LaCombe DealThe Ducks’ big contract for Jackson LaCombe sets a market benchmark that could push the Red Wings to prioritize an early, high-value extension for young defenseman Simon Edvinsson. 

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The Florida Panthers released their Opening Night roster on Tuesday.

Considering the team’s current injury issues had been known well ahead of Monday’s roster deadline, it was more a matter of learning which players had been designated where and how it all shook out.

First, we’ll get to the 23-man roster.

Forwards: Sam Benentt, A.J. Greer, Mackie Samoskevich, Jonah Gadjovich, Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, Noah Gregor, Carger Verhaeghe, Eetu Luostarinen, Brad Marchand, Jesper Boqvist, Luke Kunin, Cole Schwindt

Defensemen: Jeff Petry, Seth Jones, Aaron Ekblad, Dmitry Kulikov, Uvis Balinskis, Gustav Forsling, Niko Mikkola

Goaltenders: Daniil Tarasov, Sergei Bobrovsky

Both Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek remain on LTIR, as both had respective offseason surgeries and aren’t expected back until around December or January.

Florida Captain Sasha Barkov was also placed on LTIR after having surgery late last month to repair his ACL and MCL, which were torn during a training camp practice in Fort Lauderdale.

The team initially gave him a 7-to-9-month recovery timeline, and there is hope that if all goes well, he could be back should Florida get back to the playoffs.

As for the salary cap, after placing the aforementioned forwards on LTIR, the Panthers come in $2.267 under the ceiling, according to PuckPedia.

Of course, if and when they bring anyone off LTIR and onto the active roster, room will need to be made in order for the team to be cap compliant. 

That's a bridge Florida's front office will cross when they arrive at it, but you can bet they already have examined multiple hypothetical situations, even while knowing that any amount of variables could come into play between now and then. 

For now, with all their paperwork now properly filed, the Panthers can get back to the business of winning hockey games, something they’ve done quite a bit of over the past several seasons.

The Cats will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday afternoon to open the NHL season.

Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m., but not until Florida raises their second Stanley Cup banner to the rafters at Amerant Bank Arena.

For a game preview with forward line and defensive pairing projections, click here.

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Photo caption: Oct 2, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) reacts after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period at Benchmark International Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Although the formal decision on where Carter Yakemchuk would begin his 2025-26 season would not be announced until Monday afternoon, anyone paying attention to the last few days could have inferred the obvious.

Yakemchuk participated in the team's limited skate on Saturday while the rest of the team was preparing to head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens in the Senators' last preseason tilt.

Compounding that wrinkle were the line rushes from Monday morning's practice. The left-shooting Donovan Sebrango took reps alongside Nik Matinpalo, leaving the 20-year-old Yakemchuk to share the ice with Jordan Spence, another right-shot defenceman who was intriguingly taking reps on his off-side.

Considering Tyler Kleven's lower-body injury and the possibility that he could return in time for the Senators' season opener on Thursday in Tampa, it would make sense to believe that Sebrango may be serving in a placeholder role. However, having two natural right-shot defencemen partner together in rushes, with the more experienced partner, Spence, playing his off-side, helped foreshadow Yakemchuk's demotion.

Approximately two hours before the league's mandated 5:00 pm ET deadline to submit their final 23-man roster, the Senators officially revealed that Yakemchuk had been loaned to Belleville. The organization also announced that Jan Jenik, Hayden Hodgson, Arthur Kaliyev, Lassi Thomson, and Mads Sogaard were sent to Belleville after clearing waivers.

The seventh overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft will now begin his professional career in the American Hockey League, where he will be expected to play big minutes across all situations.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak with Yakemchuk ahead of Monday's news.

"I feel pretty good," Yakemchuk affirmed while referring to his training camp and preseason. "I'm trying to get better every single day I'm here, and it's been a lot of fun so far."

As one of the few blue-chip prospects within an organization whose pipeline of prospects isn't as well regarded as others within the NHL, Yakemchuk is not burdened by that reality.

"It's cool when you get attention for doing what you love," he admitted. "It's fun just trying to embrace it.

"I try to focus on what I can control and what I can do on a daily basis. I'm just trying to get better and not worry about any outside noise."

Under normal circumstances, the pressures of being a high pick and walking into a dressing room where last season's team had their most successful season in eight years could be intimidating for any young player to try to integrate into that mix.

For Yakemchuk, the experience of last year's successful preseason in which he led the Senators in scoring with two goals and 5 points, including a beautiful overtime winner in Toronto, in three games, certainly helped.

The young defenceman also credited his veteran teammates with helping make him feel more comfortable.

"It being my second year camp, I'm trying to take a lot from the guys who have been here for a while and see what they do on a day-to-day basis," Yakemchuk stated. "I've been trying to learn from all the older guys.

"The guys here have been great and been good to me, so it's been pretty easy for me."

If not travelling to Montreal for the final preseason game bothered Yakemchuk, he was not letting it show. He indicated that he was planning on watching it, but if his absence was a precursor to a demotion to Belleville, he would seize the opportunity.

"I just have to embrace it, go down there and grind to try and get better every single day," Yakemchuk said. "There are a lot of great guys down there. It's a great team, so no matter where I wind up, I'll be excited and embrace it.

"(If it happens), my goal is to be the next up if I don't make it. That is my mindset."

Yakemchuk had an interesting preseason. Although he did not replicate last preseason's offence, the defenceman looked like he gained a step with his skating, while looking more comfortable with his defensive play.

"Throughout the summer, (skating) was one big thing for me," Yakemchuk explained. "I tried to improve my skating forwards and backwards. So, I had a good summer coming into the camp, and I feel good about it.

"(Defence) is an area of my game I'm really trying to improve on and am trying to get better at. It's coming along and obviously, I've got a long way to go. I want to improve all aspects of my game, but I want to obviously get better defensively. That's the biggest area, no matter what level I'm playing (at). I want to really focus on the defensive side of the game."

Thanks to the depth that general manager Steve Staios acquired in the offseason, the organization can afford to be patient with their highest-rated prospect. The addition of the aforementioned Spence to a right side that already includes Artem Zub, Nick Jensen and Nik Matinpalo means that Yakemchuk can adjust to the professional game in the AHL.

Under Staios, the organization has exhibited patience with defensive prospects before. During the 2023-24 season, the Senators left Kleven in Belleville for the bulk of the campaign, even though he warranted a promotion ahead of some of the alternatives that season.

There is certainly something to be said about the preseasons Matinpalo and Spence had and whether Yakemchuk outplayed his competition, but there is no question that the gap between the young prospect and his peers is not that large.

Perhaps Yakemchuk could have survived at the game's highest level, but without that strong farm system, the organization needs a player like Yakemchuk, who has that high pedigree, not just to survive but to thrive. No prospect's development has ever been irreparably harmed because they spent too much time in the AHL, so affording Yakemchuk time won't hurt him.

He will be up eventually, and when that first recall occurs, the organization will be banking on it being the best version that Yakemchuk can offer. 

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have 6 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #6. There haven't been too many players donning the 6 in Union Blue.

Let's take a look at who wore 6, and where they are now. 

Jamie Heward - 2001-2002 - Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1989. 

Heward played 97 games with Columbus and had 30 points. 69 of his games came during the inaugural season for Columbus.  

After several years in Europe, he returned to the NHL and retired with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2009. Heward has been an Asst. Coach for the Henderson Silver Knights since 2020. Former Monsters captain Ryan Craig is the head coach for Henderson. 

Jamie Pushor - 2004 - Drafted by Detroit in 1991. 

Pushor played 147 games with the Jackets and had 22 points. After three different stints with the CBJ, he retired in 2007 while playing for the Syracuse Crunch. 

He is now the Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel for the Tampa Bay Lightning with former CBJ Mathieu Darche. 

Ron Hainsey - 2006-2008 - Drafted by the Montréal Canadiens in 2000.

Hainsey played 213 games with the Jackets and totaled 83 points.

After retiring in 2021 and playing 1,132 games, he now works for the NHLPA where he is the Assistant Executive Director. 

Hainsey is Actor Michael Madsen's doppelgänger. 

Anton Strålman - 2010-2011 - Drafted by Toronto in 2005. 

He played 124 games with Columbus and totaled 52 points over two seasons. He left Columbus for the New York Rangers in 2011.

After 16 seasons and 938 NHL games, he retired in 2024 and became a coach for Skultorps IF, a professional women's soccer team in Sweden. In January of 2025, he came out of retirement to play for Tibro IK, a Division Three team in his hometown in Sweden. 

Nikita Nikitin - 2012-2014 - Drafted by St. Louis in 2004. 

Nikitin played in 158 games for the Jackets and had 56 points. He only played 101 more NHL games after his time with Columbus. 

He left for the KHL in 2016 and retired in 2019. He's currently an assistant coach for Omskie Krylia of the VHL in Russia. 

Elite prospects said of Nikitin, "Nikitin has a terrific combination of size and mobility. He handles the puck nicely and can rush it up the ice. Can unleash a hard point shot, too. Could stand to play a more physical game, given his frame."

Adam Clendening - 2019 - Drafted by Chicago in 2011. 

Clendening played four games for the Jackets in 18-19. He has never played another NHL game and left for Europe in 2023. He also spent a couple years playing for the Cleveland Monsters. 

He currently plays for the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL and was just named an assistant Captain. His head coach is former CBJ bench boss Gerard Gallant. 

Elite prospects said this about the former second-round pick, "A smooth skating two-way defenseman that can read the game like a forward. Possesses slick hands, a good stick, and a sharp shot that jumps off his stick. All-in-all, a productive two-way defenseman that has a high offensive ceiling and is responsible defensively."

Billy Sweezey - 2023 - Undrafted out of Hanson, Massachusetts.

Sweezey played 9 games with Columbus and had a single point. He spent most of his time with Cleveland of the AHL, playing three seasons and totaling 26 points.

He signed with his hometown Boston Bruins in 2024 and is signed to play for the Boston Organization for this season as well. 

There are six days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Who was your favorite #6?

The start of the 2025-26 season starts this Thursday, as the CBJ travel to Nashville to play the Predators at Bridgestone Arena. 

The season kicks off this Thursday in Nashville against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena. This is going to be an interesting season, and if the Jackets can stay healthy, they should have a decent year. 

There are so many questions that need to be answered. 

1. How will the goalies perform?
2. Can they keep up the scoring?
3. Will the defense step up and play better than they have for the last few years?

With the loss of Daemon Hunt and Christián Jaroš, the Monsters are very young on the blueline. After Dysin Mayo, who is 29, the oldest defenseman on the team is 22. Four defensemen are 22, and then Luca Marrelli, who is 20. 

It's going to be an interesting season in Cleveland. 

Let us know what you think below.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets Opening Night Roster Is SetSay hello to the 2025-26 edition of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Columbus Loans Ivan Fedotov To ClevelandThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they loaned goalie Ivan Fedotov to the Cleveland Monsters. He is with the Monsters and practicing today. 7 Days Left Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #7The Columbus Blue Jackets have 7 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #7. 

Jets’ league-best defense highlights how the team as a whole continues to be discounted, despite back-to-back seasons of elite defensive dominance.  

Anchored by the league’s top defense, the Winnipeg Jets’ recent success has been no fluke. Yet, despite this, many media outlets continue to overlook their strongest asset in an elite defensive core that deserves far more recognition. 

On Tuesday, The Athletic's Harman Dayal and James Mirtle released their rankings of the NHL’s top defensive units and the Jets were notably absent from the top tier. Instead, they were grouped with middle-of-the-pack defenses like the Canucks and Oilers, a surprising placement for a team widely regarded for its defensive prowess. 

Injuries Present Career Opportunity for Jets' Nikita ChibrikovWith injuries to key forwards, Winnipeg Jets prospect Nikita Chibrikov lands the best opportunity of his career with a top-six role to start the season. 

In the top tier, the Colorado Avalanche led the pack, followed by the Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Carolina Hurricanes. Notably, the Jets outperformed all of these teams last season, finishing with a league-best average of just 2.32 goals against per game. Among this group, only the Avalanche had more goals scored by defensemen thanks largely to Cale Makar. 

In the second tier, the Vancouver Canucks led the way, followed by the Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, and then Winnipeg. But when it comes to defensive performance, the Jets were clearly a cut above everyone again. They allowed the fewest goals in the league (190), 13 fewer goals ahead of the next closest team, the LA Kings. Winnipeg also gave up the fewest even-strength goals and were tied for the fifth-fewest power-play goals against (41), alongside the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.

While rankings and perceptions continue to try and switch the narrative, the numbers tell a completely different story, one that paints the Jets’ blue line as not just good, but the very best in the league for two straight seasons now. Whether it’s limiting goals, shutting down power plays, or simply keeping the puck out of their net better than anyone else, the team's that play the Jets know how difficult it is to go against their defense. 

Including the injured Dylan Samberg, who’s expected to miss one to two months in the evaluation overlooks the fact that Winnipeg’s defense has consistently performed at a high level for years. Once again, it feels like bulletin board material for a team that still has Stanley Cup aspirations and is looking to build on last season’s second-round playoff run.

Jets Keep Getting Snubbed: Sportsbooks the Latest to Disrespect Kyle ConnorThe Winnipeg Jets and star winger Kyle Connor continue to be overlooked and underappreciated, as sportsbooks once again fail to do their homework, offering a prime opportunity for payback.  

The Detroit Red Wings are scheduled to begin the 2025-26 NHL campaign against the Montreal Canadiens the evening of Oct. 9, which is now just over 48 hours away. 

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

Prior to the game at Little Caesars Arena, the Red Wings will once again be hosting the red carpet walk outside of the venue, which is a prime chance for fans to get photos and autographs from some of their favorite players. 

As one of the great traditions in hockey, are you going to be taking part and try and snag an autograph or selfie with your favorite player? 

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The 2025-26 NHL Season is officially just hours away now, as the campaign begins for a handful of teams on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings remain on the presipace of their centennial season, which begins on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena. 

There will be a massive youth injection into the roster in Detroit, as notable Steve Yzerman draft selections like Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Emmitt Finnie, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård all made the cut. 

While these players are starting their careers in Detroit, a handful of notable former Red Wings players have learned their fate for the upcoming season. 

To begin with, former Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman, who was traded last offseason to the San Jose Sharks and was later flipped again to the Edmonton Oilers, cashed in big time. He inked a seven-year contract worth $7 million per season, a total of $49 million. 

Walman was acquired by the Oilers at last season's NHL Trade Deadline, and helped Edmonton to a second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, a series they ultimately lost yet again to the Florida Panthers; Walman contributed two goals with eight assists in 22 postseason games. 

ALL IN WALMAN 🔒

The #Oilers have signed defenceman Jake Walman to a seven-year contract extension with an AAV of $7 million! pic.twitter.com/ruRAYXGqcn

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 6, 2025

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

However, the news received by former Red Wings Robby Fabbri and James Reimer wasn't as positive.

Both players were released from their respective Professional Tryout Agreements. Fabbri had been attempting to earn a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Reimer was trying to do the same with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he spent the first several seasons of his career with, including an appearance in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Fabbri played twice during the recently-completed pre-season against the Red Wings, scoring a goal. He was acquired by the Red Wings in November 2019 from the St. Louis Blues for Jacob de la Rose, and would go on to play the next five seasons in Detroit. 

Thriller: Red Wings Beat Maple Leafs In Final Pre-Season Tune-UpThere aren't many regular season games that offer as much excitement as what was provided on Saturday night in Detroit, but the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs made the most of things. 

Meanwhile, Reimer played the second half for Toronto of the thrilling 6-5 overtime victory by the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday. He played a lone campaign with Detroit in 2023-24, winning 11 games and posting a .904 save percentage. 

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Sending Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg and Justin Carbonneau down to the minors or juniors is what's best for them, even if the prospect of them playing in the NHL is exciting.

The St. Louis Blues will have three UFA forwards next off-season, those being Oskar Sundqvist, Alexei Toropchenko and Mathieu Joseph. Alexandre Texier is also an RFA who could walk away from the team.

None of the above players are guaranteed to be re-signed, which opens up possible roster spots for Dvorsky, Stenberg and Carbonneau, who all showed flashes of what they could bring to the table at the NHL level. Their 'demotions' weren't because they aren't good enough; it's because Jim Montgomery wants them to round out their game and enter the NHL as NHL-ready as possible. 

"I want him to gain that next-play speed," said Montgomery of Carbonneau. "When the puck transitions from offense to defense that he gets above it. Anyone that's been a scorer, they hang and hope for a turnover, so they're in a better offensive position. That's kind of what we talked to him about. Watch McDavid, watch MacKinnon, watch Crosby, Aho... when he was on the ice with our players, he naturally was the last guy coming back into our end every time. That's just next-play speed: 'I've got to do this.'"

Expectations are greater now for the 18-year-old, who has a real shot at earning a spot on Team Canada's world junior roster. Since returning to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Carbonneau has notched two goals in his first two games.

Dvorsky and Stenberg are heading back to the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL for their sophomore seasons, prepared to take on larger roles and dominate.

Dvorsky recorded 21 goals and 45 points in 61 games last season, while Stenberg added five goals and 17 points in 38 games. Dvorsky and Stenberg may have been the most impressive prospects in pre-season. Dvorsky potted a goal and an assist in four games, showing poise on both sides of the puck, while Stenberg also finished with a goal and an assist in three games, showing an intent to win the puck back, using his speed and fierce forechecking nature.

It wouldn't be shocking to see the 20-year-olds receive call-ups to the NHL at some point during the regular season.

Although the opening could be there for the three youngsters to make next year's roster, they'll still have several players to compete with. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki was stellar in his pre-season action and impressed Montgomery, who said the 21-year-old was one of the hardest players to cut alongside Stenberg. 

Other prospects like Juraj Pekarcik, Zach Dean, Nikita Alexandrov, Simon Robertsson and Jakub Stancl could be competitors if they take the next step in their development this season. 

The Blues have approached their prospects with patience, and that patience could pay off next season.