James Reimer is back in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform.

The 37-year-old goaltender has signed a professional tryout with the Maple Leafs. The signing comes days after Joseph Woll took a leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter.

Reimer played 24 games in the NHL last season, split between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks. He tallied 10 wins and a .896 save percentage. The netminder has played 15 seasons in the NHL, with the Maple Leafs, Sabres, Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and the Detroit Red Wings.

The last time he played for the Maple Leafs was during the 2015-16 season, where he tallied nine wins and a .918 save percentage in 32 games. Reimer was then traded to the Sharks with Jeremy Morin for Alex Stalock, Ben Smith, and a conditional fourth-round pick.

'We're All Here For Him': Maple Leafs React To Joseph Woll Taking A Personal Leave of Absence, Lend SupportThe Toronto Maple Leafs revealed some unexpected news on Tuesday when they announced that goaltender Joseph Woll had stepped away to deal with a personal family issue.

Riemer was originally drafted in the fourth round (99th overall) during the 2006 NHL Draft. The last time he played the Maple Leafs was on Apr. 13, 2024, with the Red Wings. He helped Detroit get the 5-4 overtime win, stopping 32 of 36 shots.

Toronto now has four goaltenders on their training camp roster: Anthony Stolarz, Reimer, Dennis Hildeby, and Artur Akhtyamov. Reimer wasn’t on the ice with the team’s main group for practice on Friday.

Craig Berube explains the addition of Reimer

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube cautioned against making anything more of Woll's situation with the addition of Reimer, citing the only reason for the move was "depth".

"Just (that) he's an NHL goalie. Been an NHL goalie, but, I've never met the guy," Berube said on Friday.

Maple Leafs teammates react to Reimer's addition

Morgan Rielly, Toronto's longest tenured Maple Leaf, weighed in on being teammates with Reimer again.

"He's been around for so long now. That doesn't just happen," Rielly said of Reimer's NHL career. "He's been working really hard. He's obviously a great goalie. And it's just cool to see him back in the building."

William Nylander was in the Leafs organization during Reimers tenure, but the two never played together. Nylander was called up to make his Leafs and NHL debut just days after Reimer was traded by the Maple Leafs to the San Jose Sharks 

"Just an amazing guy. It's great to see him playing," Nylander said. "He's been here and coming back, so it's going to be a lot of fun to have him back in the squad."

Anthony Stolarz, who will work with Reimer between the pipes, pointed to Reimer's unique style of goaltending as something he's eager to pick up on.

"His patience was something that I noticed. So I'm looking forward to seeing him in here and getting to work with him."

When might Reimer play with the Leafs?

The Maple Leafs have three pre-season games remaining, and it sounds like Stolarz is going to appear in 1-2 of those games. Reimer is a solid candidate to get into action for Toronto's final pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 4. Depending on how long it takes the goaltender to get up to speed, it could happen earlier.

Reimer is expected to the join the Leafs on the ice on Saturday.

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Recently, we discussed four forwards who are clear bounce-back candidates heading into the 2025-26 season. 

Now, let's look at four NHL goalies who have the potential to bounce back for their teams.

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins 

After a long off-season of tense negotiations last year, the Boston Bruins signed Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year, $66-million contract right at the start of the 2024-25 season.

After landing his big payday and becoming the Bruins' true No. 1 goalie, Swayman recorded a 22-29-7 record, a 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in 58 games. There is no question that Swayman struggled in 2024-25. 

Yet, when looking at Swayman's past success, he is an obvious bounce-back candidate for 2025-26. Before last season, Swayman had a .914 save percentage or better in each of his four previous campaigns. He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy with Linus Ullmark in 2022-23 and played in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. With this, he should be better in 2025-26.

Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks 

The 2024-25 season was tough for Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko.

The 29-year-old did not make his season debut until December due to injury and never seemed to shake off the rust fully. In 23 appearances, the 2014 second-round pick posted a 10-8-3 record, 2.90 GAA and a career-worst .889 SP.

Now that Demko is entering this season healthy and with a clean slate, it will be fascinating to see if he can turn things back around. Considering his past success, it should not be ruled out.

Demko recorded a 35-14-2 record, a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average in 51 games just back in 2023-24, and he's had a save percentage of at least .913 in four campaigns.

Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators 

Juuse Saros is another star goalie who will be looking to bounce back in 2025-26. Saros struggled with the Nashville Predators, posting a 20-31-6 record, 2.98 GAA and .896 SP in 58 games. With this, there is no question that he performed below expectations.

Yet, when noting that Saros had a .906 save percentage or better from 2016-17 to 2023-24, it is hard to bet against him bouncing back this season. The 30-year-old has been an excellent goalie throughout his career, and he should still be in his prime. Just back in 2022-23, he recorded 46.7 goals saved above expected, which led the NHL, according to moneypuck.com.

Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers 

New York Rangers star goalie Igor Shesterkin had a 27-29-5 record and set new career worsts with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. That said, he still had 21.6 goals saved above expected, so his season wasn't as rough as the others here.

Given Shesterkin's incredible resume, he could bounce back to being a Vezina Trophy candidate this season. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner had a .912 save percentage or better in each of his first five NHL seasons before 2024-25.

If Shesterkin does regain his top form, it would be massive for a Rangers club looking to prove that missing the playoffs last year was a fluke. 

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.

"The preseason is not solely about results!"

That’s the line everyone falls back on after a lopsided score, and in truth, it’s accurate. The Philadelphia Flyers’ 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in Hershey didn’t reveal anything catastrophic about the team’s direction, but it did sharpen a few storylines—including Cam York's comeback, a (for some) surprising frontrunner for a roster spot, and the imminent roster trims as preseason trucks on.

For a September night, that’s plenty to sift through.

---

Welcome Back, Cam York

There was no hiding how central this game was to Cam York’s preseason. The 24-year-old defenseman finally suited up after sitting out the first two contests, and he wasted no time stepping into a role he's long deserved a chance to play at the NHL level but never fully got a chance at: a truly offensive defenseman (and quarterback of the power play!)

It wasn’t flawless—York himself admitted as much—but the intent was there. He wanted to push the pace, dictate possession, and involve himself in the attack.

“Just always trying to push the pace,” York said postgame. “I always want to be in the play, I had a couple opportunities there that just didn’t go in, but, yeah, first game, definitely some rust there, but things to build on, for sure.”

Rust is expected, but the bigger picture is clear: the Flyers need York to be bold. His legs looked heavy in the opening period, but as he noted, “after that, you can kind of push them and they start to feel better, but good to get the first [preseason game] out of the way.”

There was also symbolism in the “A” stitched on his sweater. Head coach Rick Tocchet has been deliberate about stressing York’s leadership qualities, and York himself leaned into that responsibility.

“Yeah, it was awesome,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been here a pretty long time and there’s a lot of new faces in the locker room, a lot of new young guys, so just trying to help them out as much as I can. I’ve worn a letter in the past and definitely feel like I have some leadership qualities, so just trying to make it as easy as possible for these young guys.”

Cam York wearing an A tonight. Really interesting to see, especially after Rick Tocchet said today, "He was captain of the [2021 USA World Juniors] team. He's got leadership qualities when he's on the ice. I want him to take control." https://t.co/8V09jxWFur

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) September 25, 2025

---

Rodrigo Abols Keeps Showing Up

When camp opened, Rodrigo Abols’ name wasn’t exactly circled in Sharpie as a top candidate for an NHL spot. Yet here we are, three games into preseason, and Abols has been in the lineup for all of them.

More importantly, he hasn’t just been present—he’s been effective.

“The nice part about having those games is you can work on things so that once the season goes, we can hit the ground running and have the things we talked about be second nature,” Abols explained. “I think, sometimes, you can see guys and I can feel myself kind of second guessing or have that split second where I’m thinking about what we talked out. It’s nice to get that rust out of the game in the preseason.”

That’s a veteran’s take, and it’s telling. Abols isn’t trying to be anybody but himself, to prove that he can do the simple things consistently at an NHL pace. Even when he admitted that fatigue was creeping in (“I’m not gonna lie, you can feel that it’s the third game in five nights”), he framed it as a learning curve.

“That’s where I’ve gotta learn to pick my spots and kind of put myself in good positions—not play cheaper offense, not get stuck out there," he said. "I think I’ve managed that pretty well.”

Tocchet has been noncommittal so far, but if the coach is serious about rewarding consistency, Abols has earned another long look.

---

Vladar’s First Impression

Dan Vladar’s Flyers debut lasted only a single period (a plan that was in place before the game even started), but it was enough to spark intrigue. Washington could have easily blown the game open early if not for several sharp stops from the 6-foot-6 netminder, whose mobility and awareness were immediately noticeable.

One period doesn’t make a case concretely for or against him, but in a crowded goaltending picture, every rep matters. The Flyers were intentional in giving him only a short assignment, with Tocchet explaining beforehand that it was about letting Vladar settle into structure before heavier workloads later in the schedule.

He’ll get those full-game opportunities soon, but for now, the Flyers can feel encouraged that his debut leaned more towards "reliable NHL tandem partner for Sam Ersson" rather than inciting the mass panic and overreaction that tends to hover around Flyers goaltenders like mist at dawn.

---

Roster Cuts Are Coming

If the first three preseason games were about casting a wide net, the next few will be about narrowing focus.

Tocchet didn’t mince words after the game: “I don’t know if there are any guys that played. That’s OK, though. Third game, two-, three-hour bus ride. There are some factors to it. I’ll probably have to give these guys off the ice tomorrow, to give them some rest. It was just a tough night for a lot of guys. That’s going to happen.”

It wasn’t a dismissal as much as a reset. The Flyers are halfway through their exhibition slate, and while no prospect has embarrassed himself, the time has come for more NHL-leaning lineups. That means several young players will be reassigned to the AHL, juniors, or college programs soon, freeing up space for veterans to tune up and bubble players to fight for their spots.

---

The Bottom Line

A 5-1 loss never feels good, even in September. But the score mattered far less than the subplots within it: guys like York who needed to find themselves again under a new coach are doing so undeniably; the goaltending picture isn't looking as desolate as it has in years past; the roster is starting to really take shape and identity. 

Preseason is a process. Some nights, the takeaways outweigh the goals—and this was one of them.

On Tuesday night, Montreal Canadiens power forward Juraj Slafkovsky took former teammate Christian Dvorak’s skate to the face and suffered a cut to the face in the game against the Philadelphia Flyers. As a result, he missed most of the second period while he was being attended to.

On Thursday, at the Canadiens’ morning skate, the young Slovak was wearing a full cage and a neck protector. One could have thought he had been scared straight since the incident with Dvorak could have had much more serious consequences if the blade had caught him lower. Who doesn’t remember Clint Malarchuk or Richard Zednick being cut to the neck in the NHL or, more recently, Adam Johnson tragically dying in a Challenge Cup match between the Sheffield Steelers and the Nottingham Panthers in England?

Canadiens: Three Takeaways From A Subpar Effort
Canadiens Defender Is Important Piece This Season
Canadiens: Slafkovsky Is Playing Big

I reached out to Juraj Slafkovsky Sr. to see if perhaps it was a concerned parent who got the left winger to wear the additional protection, but it wasn’t. The dad replied:

 We watched the game at home via stream, and we also communicated with Juraj right after the match. Of course, the protectors will help, he probably realized himself that this type of protection is suitable.

- Juraj Slafkovsky Sr. on his son's cut

When the player jumped on the ice for Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was still wearing the full cage, but the neck guard had disappeared in warm-up. After the game, he was asked what it was like playing with a cage, and he replied:

It was awful; I felt like I couldn’t see to the sides, but I have to do it for a couple of days, and then it will be fine.

- Slafkovsky on playing with a cage

Hockey players are creatures of habit, and his comments are not at all surprising, but it’s a shame that NHLers are not more open to protecting themselves. In the PWHL, all players wear full cages, and they have no issues with it because that’s how they’ve always played. While I don’t have statistics, I’m pretty sure that fewer teeth have been broken in that league and fewer cuts sustained.

Perhaps, one day, protective gear will be obligatory, but for now, it’s up to the players themselves, and even a serious scare isn’t enough to make them change their ways.

---

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Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård may be more known for his hard-nosed approach to the game, but he gave Red Wings fans a demonstration of his offensive abilities as well on Thursday night. 

He sniped a shot from the face-off circle while the Red Wings enjoyed a first period man-advantage, beating goaltender Alexandar Georgiev cleanly and looking like a 30-goal scorer in the process. 

MBN on the POWER PLAY! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/Ta7S1BR1UZ

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2025

While his shooting abilities may be a more sneaky element of his game, head coach Todd McLellan explained that from what he's seen, Brandsegg-Nygård has always been ready to fire away when he gets the puck from a teammate. 

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

"The information I've received is that he's a hell of a shooter, and I watched the one playoff game in Grand Rapids last year and I thought he set himself up to shoot all the time," McLellan said after Detroit's 5-2 win over Buffalo. "If someone gets him the puck, he's ready to shoot. I think it's a big part of his game, he has that heaviness and all those other things but for me, the shot isn't a surprise. I've been told it and I've witnessed it." 

Brandsegg-Nygård himself is adapting to the North American-style of play on the smaller ice surface, having spent last season with Skellefteå AIK.

“I’m just trying to show that I’m willing to play hard to play here, and I know the hockey in the NHL is pretty hard, so trying to get used to that and use my body as much as possible,” Brandsegg-Nygård said.

Red Wings Improve To 2-0 In Pre-Season Play With Dominating Win Over Sabres While it may have only been the second pre-season game, the Detroit Red Wings played as if they were in mid-season form took control over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena, handily winning not only on the scoreboard but on the shot counter. 

Emmitt Finnie, who scored twice during Detroit's pre-season opening victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, nearly had himself his third goal in two games, but his backhand attempt was stopped by Georgiev with only an inch to spare on the goal line.

He spent Thursday's game playing on Detroit's top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and according to McLellan, he looked the part. 

"We've talked about him a lot lately, my opinion hasn't changed - I thought he was a factor," McLellan said. "Both sides of the puck, his pace fit well with Larkin and Raymond. He's a pretty trusting player - it's not just about trying to go out and score a goal, he plays the game with an awareness of what's going on around him, very mature. It was a good night for him." 

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The Chicago Blackhawks looked to be sending hints regarding their potential opening night roster with their practice groups on Thursday, but there is nothing final set yet. 

For one, the “NHL group” had more players than spots available. Secondly, Jeff Blashill said after practice that there were still spots to be earned by certain players on the “AHL team” and that these can change from day to day during camp. 

For Friday’s practice, we are already seeing that he was telling the truth. Kevin Korchinaki and Nolan Allan will make the switch to the NHL-loaded “Team 1” while Louis Crevier and Matt Grzelcyk (PTO) are going to skate with the AHL-filled “Team 2”. 

Both of these young defensemen will see NHL time in 2025-26. Louis Crevier will as well. It all depends on who’s healthy, playing well, and what the team’s situation is at the time. If Matt Grzelcyk signs a deal with Chicago after camp, he is sure to play in the NHL. He didn’t come to this camp with any intentions of playing in the AHL. He will move on to another team before that happens. 

The “unavailable list” remains unchanged from Thursday. Laurent Brossoit and Ty Henry will stay out. AJ Spellacy, Brett Seney, Landon Slaggert, and Samuel Savoie are all skating before practice but haven’t joined the team on the ice yet. 

In terms of preseason action, the Blackhawks will travel to play the St. Louis Blues on Saturday and the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Expect these groups to continue to be shaken up so they can decide on how to handle these two weekend games. 

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

NEW YORK, NY -- The chances of New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie making the team out of training camp are slim -- it's not zero. 

And the more he plays, the more enticing it's getting to picture him flying up the ice at the NHL level. He's playing with that pace, poise, and hockey sense that Patrick Roy has been craving. 

Patrick Roy's Latest Comments On Islanders Prospect Calum RitchieEAST MEADOW, NY -- When the New York Islanders acquired center prospect Calum Ritchie from the Colorado Avalanche in the Brock Nelson deal, they knew they were getting a player who would help this franchise for a long time. 

It's exactly what general manager Mathieu Darche is looking for, which is why on Jeff Marek's The Sheet, the first-year general manager said that if Ritchie plays well enough, he'll make room for him. 

In Ritchie's first preseason game, he scored a goal and recorded an assist in a 6-2 losing effort. While recording power-play points is important, which both were, we weren't really able to see his 5-on-5 game enough since the New Jersey Devils controlled much of the posession throughout the game. 

But, against the Rangers, a pointless night for the 20-year-old, Ritchie showed exactly why he's a top prospect. His ability to skate, use his body, and read the ice in front of him doesn't just make him good -- it makes him dangerous. 

He makes so many subtle plays that make the game easier for his linemates. He had one nifty pass to Emil Heineman in the neutral zone, which allowed No. 51 to break over the Rangers' blue line with ease off the rush for what was almost a breakaway.

He had a one-handed chip pass off the bench boards to lead to another transition chance.

Defensively, which may be the most important thing a young player can demonstrate, Ritchie was rarely out of position, and his active stick allowed him to intercept a few passes.

In the second period, he stripped a puck at his own blue line before turning on the jets. He cut across the high slot and, instead of taking a low-danger shot, he held onto the puck, drawing a few defensemen his way before another strong pass to Heineman, who just sailed the shot wide. 

Really good sequence from Cal Ritchie here:

-Creates the turnover
-Uses patience to try and create a scoring chance#Islespic.twitter.com/lI3mEBOHSg

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) September 26, 2025

His strong defensive play earned him an opportunity to defend a 6-on-5 situation late, helping the Islanders come away with a slim 5-4 victory. 

"I trust him. I like his 200-foot game. He's playing well offensively, but he can also defend," Roy said postgame. "That's the first thing you want to know with younger guys [...] he's certainly going to make our decision very difficult.

"He's very poised with the puck. He moves the puck well. He spins very well and creates space for himself very well. So, I mean, it's interesting for a young guy like him." 

Following the game, Ritchie was honored to get the late-game opportunity. 

"Yeah, it means a lot," Ritchie told The Hockey News. "It's the type of player that I want to be. I want to be trusted by my coaches in any situation. And yeah, I think obviously being on the ice in a 6-on-5 is really important. I just try to do my best to be in the lane, block some shots, and [Isaiah] George had a big block at the end, so that was huge for the win."

THN spoke to Islanders veteran Kyle Palmieri, who skated on a line with Ritchie, to get his thoughts on the youngster.

"There's a learning curve. I think he had the taste of the NHL last year. I think that's good for him to be more comfortable coming into camp," Palmieri said. " But it's the NHL. He was matched up against two good centermen tonight. We were out there against Miller and Trocheck, and it's tough. There's a learning curve. And we talked after the goal we had scored against us. It's the attention to detail you have to have, especially as a centerman. Yeah, there are growing pains. So you knew there'd always be it.

"Everyone goes through them. I thought he played a great game. He got a great head on his shoulders, and to learn from it, he keeps trying to get better every day."

As a young player, when a coach gives you minutes defending a 6-on-5 late in a game, that certainly means something.

"I look back long time ago now, but when I was young and trying to break into the league, if there was any sort of lead with 10 or 12 minutes left, I was basically stapled to the bench," Palmieri said. "It teaches you a lot, and then eventually you get the opportunity to prove yourself, and you learn from your mistakes. It's part of that process of maturing and getting used to playing in this league against the best players in the world. 

"I got nothing but good things to say about him, the way he's carried himself, and the way he came into camp."

The question began with whether or not Ritchie would play well enough to make the Islanders out of training camp.

Now, the question shifts to who will come out to make room for Ritchie, or will injuries take care of that?

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

Sharks unveil new Heritage 2.0 throwback jerseys for upcoming 2025-26 NHL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

The Sharks are unveiling new jerseys.

In honor of their 35th anniversary, the Sharks are donning Heritage 2.0 sweaters.

These uniforms are a recreation of the San Jose’s second-generation Nike jerseys, worn from 1998 to 2007.

Welcome to the Heritage 2.0 Era. pic.twitter.com/POexAWZdtf

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 26, 2025

Down to the details. 🔍

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 26, 2025

San Jose will wear its Heritage 2.0 uniforms four times this NHL season. These will be Alumni Games that feature appearances from classic Sharks:

• Thursday, Oct. 30 vs. New Jersey Devils: Jeff Friesen, Kyle McLaren and Mark Smith
• Thursday, Nov. 20 vs. Los Angeles Kings: Joe Thornton Hall of Fame Celebration Game
• Wednesday, Dec. 3 vs. Washington Capitals: Patrick Marleau, Evgeni Nabokov and Mike Ricci
• Sunday, March 1 vs. Winnipeg Jets: Scott Hannan, Owen Nolan and Scott Thornton

Read the full story on San Jose Hockey Now

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The New York Rangers have several players to keep an eye on as the preseason carries on. One of them is Conor Sheary, as the veteran forward is on a professional tryout (PTO) and looking to secure a contract for the season from the Rangers.

Right now, Sheary is undoubtedly making a case for himself to get a contract, as he has had a strong start to the preseason. 

During the Rangers' first preseason game against the New Jersey Devils on Sep. 21, Sheary scored an excellent goal to give the Blueshirts a 3-1 lead. Now, in the Rangers' latest preseason matchup against the New York Islnaders on Sep. 25, the 33-year-old once again made an impact. 

Sheary put together a multi-point night for the Rangers against the Islanders, as he recorded two assists in the contest. Yet, besides getting two helpers, he also stood out because of his effort. Thus, it was an all-around solid effort for the Massachusetts native.

It will now be fascinating to see how Sheary builds on his strong preseason from here. If he keeps this up, he could very well officially be a Ranger for the year once the regular season starts. 

In 593 career NHL games over 10 seasons split between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, and Tampa Bay Lightning, Sheary has recorded 124 goals, 143 assists, and 267 points. 

Detroit forwards Andrew Copp and Mason Appleton show preview of third line, helping lead the Red Wings to a decisive 5-2 win over the Sabres in their second preseason game.

The Red Wings closed out their second preseason game in dominant fashion, scoring three unanswered goals and outshooting the Sabres 40-18 in a 5-2 win over Buffalo. They now hit the road for their next two exhibition matchups against the Pittsburgh Penguins and a rematch with the Sabres.

Red Wings Improve To 2-0 In Pre-Season Play With Dominating Win Over Sabres While it may have only been the second pre-season game, the Detroit Red Wings played as if they were in mid-season form took control over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena, handily winning not only on the scoreboard but on the shot counter. 

We highlighted stellar performances during the Red Wings preseason opener on Tueaday with Emmitt Finnie and his prospect heavy line with Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard standing out as a force to be reckoned with. This time however, the lineup was more veteran-focussed with first looks at lines that will hopefully be kept together for the regular season. The trio of Michael Rasmussen, Mason Appleton and Andrew Copp is one that fans have been waiting to see after they were paired up during training camp. 

Detroit’s New 3rd Line?

Copp and Appleton made their presence known right out of the gate. Copp pressured a Sabres defender behind the net and quickly stripped the puck in an unexpected steal. He wasted no time, sliding the puck into the slot past Buffalo goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, where Appleton finished the play with a quick shot to open the scoring and give Detroit an early lead. If this sequence is any indication, this line's forechecking could be a major strength throughout the upcoming season.

Mason Appleton tallies one short-handed! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/xDtr4c5JvQ

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2025

Copp later added a goal of his own in highlight-reel fashion. After Lucas Raymond made a strong move in tight, his shot was knocked away and deflected off Georgiev’s stick. The puck popped into the air, and Copp timed it perfectly, batting it in with his stick just under the crossbar for Detroit’s fifth and final goal of the game.

Appleton nearly scored again while on the penalty kill, working alongside Albert Johansson. The pair turned defense into offense with a quick breakout, as Johansson waited and delivered a perfectly placed pass through a Sabres defender’s legs. Appleton got off a clean shot, but Georgiev made a spectacular save to keep the puck out.

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

Great play by AlJo shorthanded to set up Appleton but Buffalo goalie makes a nice save #LGRWpic.twitter.com/UnQHgBYNxd

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 26, 2025

Danielson, Brandsegg-Nygard Stay Impactful, Sandin-Pellikka Records First Point

Prospects like Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard continued to make strong impressions. Danielson intercepted a drop pass from a Sabres defender and broke in with only one man to beat. He made a slick move and fired a quick low shot to the stick side, but Georgiev turned it aside.

Brandsegg-Nygard had another impactful performance. He scored a sharp power play goal, picking the corner just below the glove, but also took two penalties, one of which led to a Sabres goal. Despite that, his presence was felt all over the ice. He delivered some heavy hits, disrupted plays with an aggressive forecheck that led to a scoring chance, and later drew defenders into the high slot before sending a pass to a rushing Amadeus Lombardi, who followed up with a quality scoring opportunity.

One name Red Wings fans are keeping a close eye on this preseason is top defensive prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka. The Swedish blueliner generated plenty of excitement with several standout plays, including a key defensive stop on a one-on-one rush where he shut down a Sabres forward attempting to cut inside. Sandin-Pellikka continued to impress by setting up Brandsegg-Nygard’s power-play goal and notching his first point of the preseason and drawing a roughing penalty in the third period.

ASP with a good defensive play in transition. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/rmJvLQGlzH

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2025

Final Notes

• Detroit captain Dylan Larkin played his first preseason game and found the back of the net with a wrist shot after battling for the puck in front, and also featured in a slick passing sequence with Lucas Raymond and Emmitt Finnie.
• Raymond continued his productive preseason with two assists on Larkin’s goal as well as Copp’s while nearly scoring himself with a power-play one-timer off the post.
• Moritz Seider added a goal, credited after the puck deflected in off a Sabres player, and threw a couple hits to set the tone defensively.
• Winger Elmer Söderblom and defenseman Jacob Truscott each picked up assists on Seider’s goal, with Truscott also generating a quality scoring chance off a pass from Marco Kasper.
• Newcomer Jacob Bernard-Docker had a notable shift leading up to Larkin’s goal, circling the offensive zone with the puck before earning the assist, though he also took a high-sticking penalty.
• Prospect Amadeus Lombardi showcased his skill with a couple of creative setups, including a slick move through defenders for a scoring chance and a pinpoint pass to Truscott from behind the net.
• Albert Johansson registered an assist but had a tough moment on the penalty kill, losing his stick which led to the Sabres’ tying goal, though he later helped generate a short-handed 2-on-1.
• Kasper battled hard along the boards and connected with Truscott for another dangerous look.
• Ben Chiarot was involved physically but was caught out of position on the Sabres' second goal. Emmitt Finnie continued to push for a roster spot, nearly scoring off the passing play with Larkin and Raymond.
• In net, Michal Postava stood tall with several key saves on the penalty kill to help preserve the win.

"It Should Be Our Goal": Moritz Seider Backs Red Wings' Playoff Quest As the Detroit Red Wings celebrate their centennial season in the National Hockey League, their goal remains the same - it's time to bring the Stanley Cup Playoffs to Little Caesars Arena for the first time. 

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After signing with the LA Kings in the off-season, defenseman Brian Dumoulin looks to be a solid, reliable defenseman for the Kings heading into the 2025-26 season. 

Dumoulin is a veteran in the NHL, having played since 2013. Dumoulin is bringing lots of NHL experience to the Kings. Dumoulin is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having won back-to-back Cups as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since leaving the Penguins at the end of the 2023-24 season, Dumoulin has been on three different teams in three years: the Seattle Kraken, Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils. In the past offseason, the Kings signed Dumoulin to a 3-year, $4 million contract, which some fans were not the biggest fans of, as the contract ends when Dumoulin will be 37 years old. 

Dumoulin played for the Devils and Ducks last season. During his time with the Ducks, he registered 2 goals, 14 assists for 16 points in 61 games. On the Devils, he would register 1 goal, 5 assists for 6 points in 19 games. While Dumoulin may be past his prime as he joins the Kings, he can still be that reliable defensive defenseman that the Kings may need to improve their depth. 

According to PuckPedia, Dumoulin is on the 3rd pairing alongside Brandt Clarke. This pairing could be very beneficial for the young defenders, as Dumoulin is able to lead and teach them important aspects that he learned early in his career, thereby improving the Kings' young defence as they age and improve. Dumoulin is also not listed on any of the Kings' special teams, so for the start of the season, his playing time will be limited to the 3rd pair. 

2025-2026 Expectations 

Heading into the 2025-26 season, many fans are skeptical of Dumoulin as his career high in points is only 25, and that was nearly 4 years ago. However, given that his style of play is primarily focused on his defensive abilities, scoring points is secondary for Dumoulin. The 34-year-old defender also has strong, reliable breakout capabilities, which the Kings could use for certain set plays to create quick counterattacks. I truly believe that with Dumoulin's career high being at 25 points, if he remains healthy, he could set a new career high for his first season with the Kings. I would say that he gets around 25-30 points in his first season, all while proving he can still be a reliable defenseman. 

The Calgary Flames have an interesting decision to make with Rory Kerins this season. For the first time in his career, the 23-year-old forward will need to clear waivers if he doesn’t stick with the big club out of camp. That means if Calgary tries to send him down, there’s a very real chance another team could scoop him up.

So the question is: do the Flames risk losing him, or do they find a spot for him on the roster?

Kerins sees himself as a natural centre — and let’s be honest, the Flames could use more stability down the middle. The problem is, at the NHL level, he hasn’t quite earned the coaching staff’s trust to take on those heavier defensive minutes. His skating still needs another gear, and his overall two-way game has to tighten up before he’s handed full-time centre duties.

That said, you can’t ignore the upside. Kerins has great hockey sense, he’s committed to improving, and he knows how to generate offence. Just think back to his final year in junior with the Soo Greyhounds, where he racked up a ridiculous 118 points (43g,75a) in 67 games.

He scored the game-winning goal on the power play and added an assist in the Flames’ 4-1 preseason victory against the Seattle Kraken on September 23.

Last season was another big step forward for Kerins. He lit it up with the Calgary Wranglers, putting home a career-high 33 goals and leading the team with 61 points. Even in limited NHL action, he chipped in four assists in five games and finished plus-3. For a sixth-round pick back in 2020, that’s hinting at some serious value.

Calgary rewarded him with a one-year, two-way deal in July — essentially a “show us what you can do” contract. Now it’s up to Kerins to prove he can turn those AHL numbers into NHL consistency.

The Flames have to decide if he’s worth a roster spot right now, or if they’re willing to gamble that he slips through waivers. Either way, Kerins has put himself squarely in the conversation. For a guy who’s been flying under the radar, he’s quickly becoming one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the season.

The New York Rangers lost 5-4 to the New York Islanders on Thursday night in their third preseason game, but that wasn’t the main story. 

Mike Sullivan played many of his veteran players while slipping the young prospects into the mix. 

Gabe Perreault was featured on the first line alongside J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad, which was a big test for him. 

Through the first two preseason games, Perreault scored two goals, and he’s had a strong performance through training camp thus far. 

It was no different for Perreault on Thursday night. The 20-year-old forward stood out playing with Miller and Zibanejad, as he did not shy away from this big opportunity he was given. 

“We’ve talked a lot about Gabe. He's a real exciting player for us,” Sullivan said. “I said the other day that he’s an NHL player in the making and I still believe that. I think he’s a real talented guy. I think he’s going to have a really successful career in this league. I think there are areas where he can improve and get better. That’s going to set himself up for success. We’ve got to help him get stronger, but that’s just a matter of time. He’s a really exciting player for us.”

Brennan Othmann is a player who’s had an up-and-down training camp, but was able to bounce back in a big way in the Rangers’ third preseason game.

Sullivan entrusted Othmann to play with Alexis Lafrenière and Vincent Trocheck. On that line, Othmann definitely appeared to look more confident and generated some offensive chances. 

The highlight of the night for Othmann came when he ripped a shot on the power play for a goal, giving him a much-needed confidence booster. 

“Otter has shown glimpses of brilliance,” Sullivan said. “He can really shoot the puck, you saw it tonight. We would like to see him get into the battles a little bit more, play in traffic, going toward the traffic as opposed to maybe moving away from it. We think he’s capable of playing that game, but that’s a conversation that we’ve had with him here through the first part of the training camp, just trying to define expectations.”

Arguably, the biggest surprise of this training camp and preseason has been the play of Noah Laba. 

The 6-foot-2 center has a lot of potential, and he’s really shown it over these past few weeks. 

Laba’s physical style of play, on top of his sneaky offensive skillsets, makes him a player who can really play up and down the lineup. 

Mike. Sullivan Had One Request Of John Tortorella Ahead Of The 4 Nations Face-Off From one New York Rangers head coach to another, Mike Sullivan and John Tortorella seem to have a strong relationship. 

The 22-year-old forward continued his impressive play on Thursday night, and even caught the attention of the already established veteran players. 

“Labs has kind of come out of nowhere and really stood out, in my opinion,” Vincent Trocheck said. “He’s making it tough on these guys to make decisions on the roster for opening night.”

Brett Berard has also built on the progress he made last season for the Rangers, showing promise both through training camp and the preseason. 

The 23-year-old forward scored a goal in the first period of this preseason game and he continues to make it harder and harder for the Rangers to send him down to the American Hockey League.

On the defensive side, Scott Morrow has played in every preseason game so far and he’s been given a major responsibility, quarterbacking the second-unit of the power play. 

Morrow’s speed and offensive attributes continue to look impressive. He is certainly a defenseman who has a lot of upside as shown since the start of rookie camp. 

While not all of these young prospects will ultimately make the Rangers’ opening-night roster, it’s a positive sign to see them thriving in these sorts of situations, a possible good omen for the future. 

"We're excited about some of these players, some of these young players that are potentially knocking on the door, that could break through,” Sullivan said. That's what this preseason is all about, just trying to find out what we have. We'll try to make the best decisions for the team as we go here.”

Visiting NHL players who have played games in the city of Pittsburgh since 2005 will soon be getting a tad bit richer. 

According to a report by NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has deemed the 3 percent Pa. Usage Fee unconstitutional. The Pa. Usage Fee is a type of "jock tax" - a common tax assessed to visitors of a city who earn income while they're in it.

In Pittsburgh's case, the city had assessed a 3 percent tax to non-resident athletes and entertainers who performed at public stadiums. According to WTAE Pittsburgh, the tax has contributed to more than $2.6 million in city revenue in just the year 2025, highlighting the scale of the expected annual revenue lost for Pittsburgh - and the expectation that the deficit will be will be passed on to residents.

Among the appellees were the NHL Player's Association, New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri, and former Pittsburgh Penguin Scott Wilson. According to Seravalli's report, refunds will be assessed to visiting players who paid the tax for every road game in Pittsburgh. 

News: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that the PA Usage Fee (a jock tax in Pittsburgh) is unconstitutional.#NHLPA and Kyle Palmieri were named among the appellees. Key text: Pittsburgh could not justify why they were taxing nonresident athletes and entertainers more… pic.twitter.com/ZKMmCy5tqc

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 25, 2025

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