Category: Ice Hockey

Each season, the NHL sees multiple players bounce back after tough years. This will undoubtedly be the case yet again in 2025-26. 

Let's look at four NHL forwards who are prime bounce-back candidates to watch during the 2025-26 season.

Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks 

The 2024-25 season was a tough year for Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson. In 64 games, the 6-foot-2 center recorded 15 goals, 45 points and a minus-10 rating. This was after he had 34 goals and 89 points in 82 games with Vancouver in 2023-24 and a career-high 39 goals and 102 points in 2022-23.

Pettersson was in the first year of an eight-year contract carrying an $11.6-million cap hit, and he was already the topic of trade rumors and speculation due to his decreased production and rumored rift with J.T. Miller. After the Canucks traded Miller, Pettersson is Vancouver's clear-cut No. 1 center.

The new season offers Pettersson a clean slate, and the possibility of him bouncing back is there. He's surpassed 60 points in a season in all but two of his seven NHL seasons, is close to a career point-per-game player, and has recovered from injuries that hampered him last year. He should be much better in 2025-26 and return to his top-end form.

Chris Kreider, LW, Anaheim Ducks 

The 2024-25 season was disappointing for the New York Rangers, and it is no secret that Chris Kreider struggled during it. In 68 games with the Blueshirts, he posted 22 goals, eight assists, 30 points and 152 shots. This was after he recorded at least 36 goals, 54 points and 229 shots in each of his previous three seasons.

Now, with Kreider getting a fresh start with the Anaheim Ducks and no longer having trade rumors surrounding him, he is a clear bounce-back candidate to watch. Just back with the Rangers in 2023-24, he recorded 39 goals and 75 points in 82 games. With this, it would not be surprising if his offense rebounds in 2025-26 with Anaheim.

Steven Stamkos, C, Nashville Predators 

Steven Stamkos had a tough first year for his standards with the Nashville Predators in 2024-25. In 82 games, he recorded 27 goals, 53 points and a minus-36 rating. This was after he had 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023-24.

Considering Stamkos played 16 seasons with the Lightning, it is understandable that he had some struggles hitting the ground running with the Predators.

But Stamkos did seem to improve in the final two months of last season. He had 10 goals and 20 points in 24 games in March and April after being held without a point in February. 

Now that he has completed his first year in Nashville and is more adjusted to the team, it would not be surprising if he bounces back in 2025-26. 

NHL's Biggest Trade Bait With 2025-26 Season Almost HereIt is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7. 

Trevor Zegras, C, Philadelphia Flyers 

Trevor Zegras was overdue for a change of scenery, and he got one with the Philadelphia Flyers. This comes after he had another injury-affected down season with the Ducks in 2024-25, recording 12 goals and 32 points in 57 games. 

Now that Zegras is on the Flyers, he is undoubtedly a bounce-back candidate to watch. He had two seasons with 23 goals and more than 60 points before injuries got in the way, but his ice time has a chance to increase in Philadelphia under coach Rick Tocchet. At 24 years old, Zegras can get back on track toward becoming an NHL star.

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Gabe Perreault has been emerging through the New York Rangers’ preseason and training camp, and it’s hard to ignore. 

Compared to when he arrived in New York at the end of last season, Perreault seems to be more prepared to play at a professional level. 

Through training camp, Perreault has continued to stand out during practices among some already established veterans. 

The 20-year-old forward has already recorded two goals in two preseason games, as he’s making it hard for the Rangers to deny him a roster spot. 

“I just think obviously, Gabe has NHL talent,” Mike Sullivan said. “I think that’s on display. He’s a really talented kid. I think he’s a terrific hockey player… I think he plays with courage. He's willing to go into the battle areas. I think he can get a little bit stronger, and that's going to help him and will help him in that area, but we've been really encouraged with this game.”

The big question is whether Perreault will benefit from playing with the Rangers in a more limited role or with the Hartford Wolf Pack in an expanded role where he’ll get a ton of opportunity.

While Sullivan did not commit to one direction or the other, he believes that in time Perreault will make himself a known commodity in The Big Apple. 

“I think it's important that he gets minutes and that he plays because it's probably in the best interest of his overall development, and in turn, be in the best interest of the New York Rangers,” Sullivan emphasized. “Whether that takes place in New York or in Hartford, will yet to be determined. As I said, we are really encouraged with his game. He seems to get better with each game that he plays. We're trying to reserve judgment and just kind of let the camp unfold here…

Mike Sullivan Will Be Tasked With Bringing Excitement Back To Madison Square Garden For years, Mike Sullivan has been a division rival of the New York Rangers, coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

“The question with young players is, what's the best formula for that player to help him ultimately become the impact player that we all foresee him to be? Is it playing lots of minutes at the American League level, or is it playing at the NHL level? I don't know that there's an exact formula for that. I think that's a little bit of a feeling-out process. I think every player is unique. And so it's kind of a case-by-case basis, based on circumstance. What I will tell you is my impression of him, and just watching him is he's an he's an NHL player in the making.”

Perreault’s status with the Rangers for this season is still in doubt, but if he keeps playing like he has been over the past couple of weeks, it will only be a matter of time before he’s playing in the NHL.

Swedish goaltender Felix Sandström, 28, has signed a short-term contract with Kärpät Oulu as an injury replacement for the Finnish Liiga club.

The contract runs until Nov. 2 and includes an option for Sandström – who has spent the past seven seasons in North America – to leave early should he receive an NHL offer in that time.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Sandström is quoted in the club’s announcement. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the team and the city and I can’t wait to get to know everyone.”

Kärpät starting netminder Niklas Rubin was injured this past weekend, leaving 20-year-old Seattle Kraken prospect Visa Vedenpää as the team’s temporary starter.

“We’ve acquired an experienced player to partner with Visa for the next six weeks – one who has played in both the SHL and NHL in his career,” said Kärpät sports director Kimmo Kapanen. “We are pleased that things were able to progress so quickly, and Felix will be able to join the team as early as the end of the week.”

Originally from Gävle, Sweden, Sandström advanced through the ranks of local club Brynäs, turning pro at age 17.

Former Flyers 2nd Rounder Signs In Germany Canadian winger Wade Allison, 27, has signed a one-year contract with the Straubling Tigers, the DEL club announced this weekend.

He was a third-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2015 and played in the organization from 2019 to 2024, appearing in 30 NHL games but spending most of that time with the AHL’s Leigh Valley Phantoms. Sandström’s NHL record is 4-18-0 with a 3.66 goals-against average, an .880 save percentage and no shutouts.

Sandström spent the 2024-25 season in the Buffalo Sabres organization, playing 19 AHL games for the Rochester Americans.

Kärpät has won two of its first five Liiga games so far this season. The team’s leading scorer is Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen with six points. It also includes Chicago Blackhawks prospect Janne Peltonen and ex-NHLers Markus Nutivaara, Marcus Björk and Aku Räty.

A club that is used to success in Finland, Kärpät had high expectations for last season but missed the playoffs, causing the club mangement to issue an apology to the fans.

Leafs Prospect Returns Home To Finland Finnish defenseman Roni Hirvonen, 23, has signed a one-year contract with Kärpät Oulu, the Liiga club announced on Monday.

Goaltending has been an interesting topic of discussion around Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp this season, and understandably so. 

In July, the Penguins dealt Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks and acquired 24-year-old netminder Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks, and he has looked solid. Young Russian goaltender Sergei Murashov has opened a lot of eyes since training camp last season, and his 2025 camp has led many to believe he has star potential. And, of course, there's Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. 

But there is one guy who probably deserves to get a bit of a light shone on him, too, and that's 27-year-old Filip Larsson. 

Larsson was selected in the sixth round (167th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2016, and after a few successful seasons in Sweden and a standout season with the University of Denver in 2018-19 - he went 13-6-3 with a .932 save percentage, 1.95 goals-against average, and four shutouts - he struggled in the Red Wings' organization in 2019-20 - which included an .843 save percentage in seven games at the AHL level.

After that, he returned to play in Sweden from 2020-24, and he posted save percentages at or above .920 in two consecutive seasons prior to 2024-25 - including a .929 save percentage across five playoff games in 2024 - which earned him a two-year deal with the Penguins the following summer. 

Then, there was last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins, where - for a good chunk of the year - he looked like the organization's best goaltender. An injury in the second half thwarted him a bit, but at the end of the day, he is looking to build off of last season, which concluded with a .910 save percentage and a 12-9-3 record.

Penguins Hold Strong, Fall To Canadiens In Pre-Season ShootoutOn Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins' hockey officially kicked off for the 2025 pre-season.

And his 2024-25 season with WBS proved that he is capable of performing at the highest levels of professional hockey.

“I know I can play at that level, and, obviously, my goal is to take another step this year," Larsson said. "I know there are a lot of really good goalies in the organization right now, so I’ve got to take my chance, wherever that might be."

Larsson acknowledged that he doesn't know where he'll end up for the 2025-26. As highlighted earlier, the goaltending battle in camp is a contested one, and that's not even accounting for Taylor Gauthier - currently out with a longer-term injury - who put up better ECHL numbers than even Murashov last season.

5 Observations From First Week Of Penguins' Training CampOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially opened training camp for the 2024-25 season. And through three days, there has been a lot of action.

But, if anything, Larsson knows who he is as a goaltender. He also knows what he can work on to try and separate himself and add more to his repertoire, which is something that will be required if he hopes to make a push for the NHL roster at some point this season.

"A few things I can work on... obviously, when I watch NHL games, [I see] how really good some NHL goalies are with playing the puck. I think I can be better with that. I mean, our goalie coach [Kain Tisi] in Wilkes talked a lot about that last year, so that’s one area, I think, for the season.”

The biggest challenge for Larsson in camp this season - and as the season progresses, wherever he finds himself - is that he doesn't have the benefit of being a young, inexperienced goaltender anymore. Unlike Murashov, Silovs, and Blomqvist - who still have a lot of runway left in front of them - it's pertinent for Larsson to make an impact and an impression now if he hopes to be part of the organization's plans moving forward - especially as the team steers itself back toward contention.

And this is especially true for a new coaching staff that is coming into the fold with a clean slate. GM and POHO Kyle Dubas also said in his pre-season press conference that performances in camp and in pre-season - and, to a smaller degree, what they deem is best for each player's development - will "determine who the two goalies are to start with the Penguins."

Larsson will get his first chance to prove himself in game action when the Penguins visit the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET. And, even if he knows what he needs to work on in order to make himself stand out, he also knows what he's already good at - and he can use those strengths to his advantage against NHL-caliber competition.

“I feel like I have that calmness to read plays really well and be in the right position all the time," Larsson said. "I’m not a goalie who wants to slide to the boards when I make a save. I want to be in the right position every time. I feel like if I can continue doing that to be ahead of plays, that’s a huge play to get to the next step."

'The Young Guys Are Coming': 3 Observations From Dubas's Pre-Season Press ConferenceOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their 2025 training camp with a few words from general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. 

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There have been several stories written about Arseny Gritsyuk this preseason. As the New Jersey Devils’ most anticipated prospect, it makes sense. From his strong offensive showing in the first preseason game to his work ethic in practice, the 24-year-old Russian has gained plenty of attention.

But his name is also making the rounds for another reason: his social media.

Now, he’s not the next Nikita Popugayev. Gritsyuk isn’t planning to ditch the Devils for a career as an influencer, so no need to panic there. Still, his posts have gained traction, drawing positive attention as the young forward looks to secure a spot on the Devils roster.

Gritsyuk has taken to Telegram, a platform described as:

“A free, cloud-based instant messaging app that allows users to send messages, photos, videos, and large files, join large groups, and subscribe to channels for news and content.”

He posts in Russian, sharing his thoughts as he begins his NHL journey.

When he traveled from Russia to North America in September, he documented the three-leg trip online. Since then, he has kept fans updated throughout training camp. On September 18, ahead of Day 1, he posted a selfie with the caption:

“Off to my first training session 👍 I'll tell you how it went a little later 🤙”

Later that day, he followed up:

“Today I skated with Cotter and Lammikko ))) The first ice was tough, we ran and caught our breath. Tomorrow is a new day and new exercises, we'll see how it goes 👍 For now, I'm going home to rest 😉 Hello everyone, and have a nice evening 🤙”

On September 20, before his first NHL preseason game, he shared:

“I'm reporting to you that I skated on a line with Cotter and Glass today, and of course, me too. Tomorrow we play the Rangers at 1 p.m.; it's exciting to test my skills against other teams! Now, as usual, we're heading home and relaxing. Thank goodness, no cooking today 😂 Have a good evening everyone! A hug and a warm welcome 👋”

After the game, he reflected:

“So, I have to share my impressions ))) To say it was hard is an understatement 😂 Yes, it really was very hard + I was a little nervous, but from the second period onwards I seemed to feel more confident. And the scoring started, the 1+1 looks great, and I'm happy with that, but starting with a loss, even in preseason, is still unpleasant. Now I have time to rest, analyze what happened today, and prepare for the future 🤙 Thank you all so much for your support))) Hugs and raises”

Ahead of last night’s win against the New York Islanders, he wrote:

“Getting ready for the Islanders game tonight at 7:00 ))) I'm playing on the 4th line with Lammikko and Halonen today! It's a little easier emotionally, but I'm still a little nervous. I hope it'll all be better after I get some sleep 😉 I gave everyone a big hug and a lift 🙃”

Following the 6–2 victory, he posted again:

“Good afternoon everyone, I'm already going to bed ))) Today we played our second preseason game against the Islanders and won 6-2. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to score, but I had good efficiency and played for the team 😂💪 Today I certainly felt better and calmer 😇 We'll work on finishing, and now I'm off to bed 🤙 I gave everyone a big hug 😂”

These posts don’t just add a lighthearted note to training camp; they give fans a direct line into his experience as he pushes for a roster spot.

His personality shines through, consistently optimistic and engaging, and it’s winning people over quickly. With his play on the ice and his approachable off-ice presence, Gritsyuk is setting himself up to become a fan favorite for the New Jersey Devils.

The second weekend of the WHL season will feature plenty of familiar faces. With NHL teams reassigning players after training camp, some of the WHL's best will make their 2025-26 season debuts this week. Here is a look at which players have been reassigned to the WHL. 

Brandon Wheat Kings:

• Brady Turko-  Anaheim Ducks 
• Carter Klippenstein- Minnesota Wild

Calgary Hitmen

• Brandon Gorzynski- Dallas Stars 
• Axel Hurtig- Calgary Flames

Edmonton Oil Kings:

• Blake Fiddler- Seattle Kraken camp
• Max Curran- Colorado Avalanche
• Adam Jecho- St. Louis Blues

Everett Silvertips:

• Julius Miettinen- Seattle Kraken
• Tarin Smith- Anaheim Ducks
• Shea Busch- Florida Panthers 

Kamloops Blazers:

• Tommy Lafreniere- Edmonton Oilers
• Nathan Bhem- Chicago Blackhawks

Kelowna Rockets:

• Tomas Poletin- New York Islanders
• Nate Corbet- Los Angeles Kings
• Hiroki Gojsic- Nashville Predators
• Mazden Leslie- Vegas Golden Knights

Medicine Hat Tigers:

• Kadon McCann- Calgary Flames

• Nillio Muhonen- Dallas Stars
• Jordan Switzer- Calgary Flames
• Veeti Väisänen- Utah Mammoth

Portland Winterhawks:

• Max Pšenička- Utah Mammoth

Prince Albert Raiders:

• Max Heise- San Jose Sharks

Prince George Cougars:

• Corbin Vaughan- New York Rangers
• Josh Ravensbergen- San Jose Sharks

Red Deer Rebels:

• Jaxon Fuder- Dallas Stars
• Chase Wutzke- Minnesota Wild

Saskatoon Blades:

• Evan Gardner- Columbus Blue Jackets
• David Lewandowski- Edmonton Oilers

Seattle Thunderbirds:

• Coster Dunn- Utah Mammoth

Swift Current Broncos:

• Joshua McGregor- Carolina Hurricanes

Tri-City Americans: 

• Charlie Elick- Columbus Blue Jackets
• Jaxen Adam- Edmonton Oilers
• Cash Koch- Minnesota Wild

Vancouver Giants:

• Cameron Schmidt- Dallas Stars
• Burke Hood- New York Islanders

Wenatchee Wild:

• Blake Vanek- Ottawa Senators

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News. 

Edmonton, Spokane, Everett & Kelowna Named To 2025-26 CHL Top-10 Week 1 Rankings

Rudolph Ready For Second WHL Season With Prince Albert Raiders

Vancouver Giants Defenceman Ryan Lin Named To Team CHL For 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge

Red Deer Rebels' Chase Wutzke Signs ELC With The Minnesota Wild

Standouts From Week 1 Of The 2025-26 WHL Season

The 2025-26 season is just two weeks away, which means the NHL power rankings are back every  Wednesday. We are back, baby.

This pre-season edition ranks all 32 NHL teams based on their performance last season and also takes into account the moves they’ve made during the off-season. The two-time defending champion Florida Panthers obviously retain the top spot and will be on the hunt to accomplish something no team in the cap era has ever done before: threepeat. 

Even before puck drop, several key storylines have already emerged. There’s the pending superstar-laden free-agent class that includes the likes of Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin and Kyle Connor, which may significantly alter the landscape, and also the NHL’s return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

Without further ado, let’s take stock of where all 32 NHL teams stand. 

1. Florida Panthers (47-31-4, +29 goal differential)

Even without the services of Matthew Tkachuk for the first few months, the defending champions retain the top spot and will hunt for the coveted threepeat.  

2. Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5, +23)

Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Oilers only made minor changes to their roster, and we shall see if that will be enough. The pressure on Connor McDavid feels even more immense this season with the Olympics and free agency looming. No player in the league can change the fortunes of all 32 teams with one decision like McDavid can.

3. Dallas Stars (50-26-6, +53)

Peter DeBoer has reached the Western Conference final six times and a Stanley Cup semifinal eight times. Glen Gulutzan has reached the Western Conference final zero times. The new coaching change will be something to watch, and hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, hire ‘em. 

4. Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5, +33)

Hey, look, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Carolina Hurricanes winning a game in the conference finals! The Canes are running it back with the same coach and the same goalie tandem, and it’s either going to prove them right or be certifiably insane.

5. Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-10, +56)

The Knights went big-game hunting again, this time landing Mitch Marner, giving them two elite superstar forwards. We should not forget, however, how much losing Alex Pietrangelo may hurt. 

6. Winnipeg Jets (56-22-4, +86)

Always seemingly more than the same of their parts, the Jets face a difficult challenge to repeat as Presidents’ Trophy champions. Only two teams have won back-to-back regular-season titles (Canucks in ’11 and ’12, and Capitals in ’16 and ’17), and they lost Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency and gambled on Jonathan Toews being their No. 2 center.

Jonathan Toews Making Immediate Mark On Winnipeg JetsWhen longtime Chicago Blackhawks star center and captain Jonathan Toews chose to sign with the Winnipeg Jets this summer as part of his NHL comeback, the questions began about how quickly he would make his mark on his new team.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (52-26-4, +37)

Life after Marner will certainly look different, but this can still be a strong defensive group with a captain who can be a 70-goal threat. 

8. Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4, +43)

The last time captain Gabriel Landeskog suited up in the regular season, the Avalanche won the Cup. The revenge tour after coming back from a potentially career-ending injury officially starts now. 

9. Washington Capitals (51-22-9, +56)

Just about everything went right for the Capitals in a storybook season. Sometimes, it’s difficult to get back to those emotional highs, and this season may mark the end of an exceptional era with Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson entering the final season of their contracts. 

10. Los Angeles Kings (48-25-9, +44)

Speaking of closing chapters, Anze Kopitar’s reign will end after 20 seasons and two Cups. Quinton Byfield is the ordained prince, and all eyes will be on him to carry the torch.

11. Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8, +75)

Following three straight trips to the finals, the Lightning have bowed out of the first round three straight times. Are they still a juggernaut team that had the misfortune of running into the eventual champions two years in a row, or are their best days over?  

12. Minnesota Wild (45-30-7, -11)

A healthy Kirill Kaprizov is enough reason to believe the Wild can be a contender. What’s scary, though, is the lack of an extension after the Wild made it clear they’re willing to make him the league’s highest-paid player.

13. St. Louis Blues (44-30-8, +21)

After Jim Montgomery took over, the Blues had the seventh-best points percentage in the league, and their offense blossomed. If there’s a dark horse in the West, it’s definitely the Blues. 

14. New Jersey Devils (42-33-7, +20)

If Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton can stay healthy, the Devils are a contender. But that’s a big if.

15. Ottawa Senators (45-30-7, +9)

A playoff appearance for the first time in eight seasons and the prospect of a new rink closer to downtown? The Senators are rising to power.

16. Montreal Canadiens (40-31-11, -20)

Excluding the pandemic-shortened seasons, the Habs made the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. With Lane Hutson, Calder candidate Ivan Demidov and the acquisition of Noah Dobson, the Habs are a young, exciting team whose GM isn’t afraid to take big risks.

Montreal Canadiens' Choice For Their Second-Line Center Raises DoubtsThe Montreal Canadiens had a game-changing off-season.

17. Utah Mammoth (38-31-13, -10)

The Mammoth have massive potential in a very new market, and their offensive talent makes them fun to watch. Ranking fourth in expected goals at 5-on-5, per naturalstattrick.com, but finishing tied for 18th in goals-for per game is a big clue this team will score goals in bunches. 

18. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-33-9, +5)

The Jackets are looking to build off a momentous season and finally – after a quarter-century – have unearthed a franchise center in Adam Fantilli. They’re in a major upswing, and the challenge is to keep the momentum going and find a reliable goaltender. 

19. New York Rangers (39-36-7, +1)

The Rangers are looking to put a tumultuous season behind them with Mike Sullivan as their new coach, J.T. Miller as captain and a revamped defense that, hopefully, won’t leave Igor Shesterkin out to dry. 

20. Vancouver Canucks (38-30-14, -17)

Speaking of tumultuous seasons, no team’s off-ice struggles took more attention away from their on-ice play as much as the Canucks. It was a relatively quiet summer, which means they’re betting on bounce-back seasons from nearly everyone on their roster.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Updates On Canucks' Hughes And Stars' RobertsonVancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Dallas Stars left winger Jason Robertson were frequently the subject of off-season trade speculation.

21. Calgary Flames (41-27-14, -13)

The Flames were surprisingly in playoff contention all season, which put a potential roster overhaul on hold. They will take another wait-and-see approach this season, but the ticking clock is pushing GM Craig Conroy into deciding whether he wants to keep his veteran core or focus on building a new one.

22. Detroit Red Wings (39-35-8, -21)

Will we be speaking of the Yzerplan this time next season? We’ve preached patience, but it’s been nine years since the Red Wings made the playoffs. Their promising young core needs to take a step forward, but can they do so if Steve Yzerman insists on signing veterans who are potentially blocking their paths? It’s a constant battle to decide which stage of the Yzerplan this team is in.  

23. New York Islanders (35-35-12, -36)

One of the biggest factors that will determine the Isles’ fortunes this season is Mathew Barzal’s knee. If it holds up, they can form a respectable attack to complement their elite goaltender and a budding franchise defenseman, Matthew Schaefer. 

24. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10, -42)

Joel Quenneville returns to the NHL bench after a lengthy absence, and this is a talented roster that improved by eight wins from the previous season. Keep your head up – not only are the Ducks on the rise, but Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba might form the hardest-hitting right-side defense in the league.   

25. Buffalo Sabres (36-39- 7, -20)

A talented roster on paper, but the annual question is if they can put it all together. They can definitely score, and they can somewhat defend, but when you sign Alexandar Georgiev in a panic, it’s not a good sign to start the season. 

26. Seattle Kraken (35-41-6, -18)

Are the Kraken running out of patience? They made a big splash in free agency last summer, and coach Dan Bylsma lasted just one season. They’re now onto their third coach, entering their fifth season, and are still nowhere close to being a contender. Fair or not, the Knights set the bar very high for expansion franchises.

27. Boston Bruins (33-39-10, -50)

The Bruins have a lot of players poised for bounce-back seasons, but will it be enough to return to the playoffs? Jeremy Swayman enters the second year of a lucrative eight-year deal, and he’s as vital to their chances as David Pastrnak after allowing a league-high 176 goals last season.

28. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-36-12, -50)

Sidney Crosby will do his darndest to keep the Pens competitive, but they’re obvious sellers at this point with Evgeni Malkin entering the final year of his contract and Erik Karlsson more likely than not to get traded at some point. Could you imagine if the Pens go Lemieux to Crosby to McKenna? Bless.

29. Philadelphia Flyers (33-39-10, -48)

Season 2 of Matvei Michkov should be exciting, but there are still so many holes in this lineup, especially the big gaping one in net. Rick Tocchet returns to Philly, where he had some of his best seasons as a player, and Trevor Zegras is reunited with his good buddy Jamie Drysdale. It’s not always sunny in Philadelphia, but there are definitely fewer dark clouds. 

30. Nashville Predators (30-44-8, -60)

The Preds were a disaster last season after many pegged them to have one of the NHL’s best offenses. Barry Trotz joked they’re out to prove the ‘experts’ wrong for the third straight season, which actually means they could go from bad to worse…

31. San Jose Sharks (20-50-12, -105)

The reason why the Sharks aren’t ranked at the bottom after finishing with a league-low 52 points is because they really bolstered their roster with multiple veterans, and their bright future isn’t difficult to see. Macklin Celebrini alone is worth the price of admission, and in the words of Yoda: “We shall watch your career with great interest.” 

32. Chicago Blackhawks (25-46-11, -70)

The narrative for Connor Bedard has changed quickly, going from the new face of the league to getting leapfrogged by Celebrini and wondering if he will live up to his potential. We forget that Bedard is just 20 years old and entering his third season, though you wonder how the Hawks are going to provide the support he needs after acquiring only *checks notes* Andre Burakovsky over the summer.

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 Columbus Blue Jackets have 19 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #19. 

Let's take a look.

Mathieu Darche - 2001-2002 - Undrafted out of Saint-Laurent, Quebec.

Darche played 24 games for the CBJ over their first three seasons, totaling two points. Darche played until 2012, retiring with the Montreal Canadiens. 

He is now the Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Ops for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He started with Tampa Bay in 2019 and has held various positions. 

Sean Pronger - 2003 - Drafted by Vancouver in 1991. 

The brother of Hall of Famer Chris Pronger played 104 games in Columbus and had 17 points. He also attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio. 

After his two seasons in Columbus, he played for Vancouver and then left for Germany, where he played one season before retiring. 

Brian Holzinger - 2004 - Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1991. 

He played 13 games as a Jacket in 03-04 and had one point. The Parma, Ohio native was traded to Columbus in 2003 and never played another NHL game after that season. 

Holzinger also attended Bowling Green State University and won the Hobey Baker Award in 1995 when he had 66 points in 38 games. He retired in 2004.  

Joe Motzko - 2004 - Undrafted out of Bemidji, Minnesota.

Motzko played 11 games with the Jackets over three seasons where he had one point. After his time with Columbus, he played for the Capitals and Thrashers.

He left for Europe in 2009, and played in Germany, Austria, and Italy until he retired in 2014. 

Alexandre Picard - 2006-2007 - Drafted by Columbus in 2004. 

Picard was drafted 8th overall in 2004 by Columbus. He played 67 games over five seasons and had two points. He never played another NHL game after Columbus.

After leaving for Europe, he returned to North America in 2019 to play in The Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey, a semi-professional ice hockey league based in Quebec, where he still plays today.

Michael Peca - 2008-2009 - Drafted by Vancouver in 1992. 

Peca played 136 games from 2007 to 2009 and had 56 points. After his time in Columbus, he never played another NHL game and retired in 2009.

On October 11, 2008, he received an indefinite suspension, which was later reduced to a five-game suspension, after grabbing referee Greg Kimmerly's arm in Columbus' first game of the 08-09 season. He is now an asst. coach for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Ethan Moreau - 2011 - Drafted by Chicago in 1994. 

Played 37 games for the CBJ in 2010-11 and had six points after being claimed off waivers by the Edmonton Oilers on June 30, 2010. 

The former Edmonton Oilers Captain and 08-09 King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner retired in 2012 after playing a season with the LA Kings. 

Ryan Johansen - 2012-2016 - Drafted by Columbus in 2010.

Johansen was supposed to be the center of the future in Columbus, and he was until John Tortorella came to town. Johansen played 309 games for the Jackets and had 193 points, including back-to-back seasons with 63 and 71 points respectively.

He was traded to the Nashville Predators for Seth Jones in 2016, where he played 533 games for the Preds. He was never able to replicate his 71-point season from 2014-15 and hit a 64-point high for the Preds in 2019. Johansen is currently embroiled in some drama with the Philadelphia Flyers. On August 20, 2024, He was placed on unconditional waivers following material breach of contract. 

Ryan Dzingel - 2019 - Drafted by Ottawa in 2011. 

The former Ohio State Buckeye played 21 games as a Blue Jacket in 2019 and had 12 points after being acquired in 2019. He left in free agency and bounced around the league after that.

He played in the AHL in 23-24 for Henderson and currently doesn't have a contract. 

Liam Foudy - 2020-2024 - Drafted by Columbus in 2018. 

Foudy played 90 games as a Jacket in five seasons, scoring 7 goals and totaling 19 points. He also had 35 points in 41 career games for Cleveland.

He was put on waivers on October 21, 2023, and picked up by Nashville. He signed with the New York Islanders for the 24-25 season and is slated to play for AHL Bridgeport this season. 

Adam Fantilli - 2024-2025 - Drafted by Columbus in 2023.

After suffering a brutal skate cut in 2024, he was forced to miss the rest of the season. He scored 12 goals and totaled 27 points. 

Last season, Fantilli got off to a bit of a slow start but really turned it on as the season went on. He would finish the season tied for the team lead with 31 goals. He also chipped in 23 assists and totaled 54 points. 

This season, Fantilli is expected to take yet another step and become the dominating two-way player everyone thinks he can be. With the tutelage of Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan, he should be able to continue to grow into the face of the franchise. 

There are 19 days until opening night at NWA. 

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The Florida Panthers signed forward Luke Kunin and defenseman Jeff Petry to one-year deals in the off-season, and the veterans are hoping to help the Panthers continue their recent success.

With each off-season in the NHL, players depart from teams and new players are brought in, and the Panthers signed two veterans who are in search of Stanley Cup glory. 

Petry is entering his 16th NHL season, and despite a successful career that has been spent with the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings, the 37-year-old is still without a Stanley Cup. 

“It truly feels like everybody really cares about everybody in the room,” said Petry after meeting his new Panther teammates. “It's not just words, it’s the actions.”

Petry notched one goal and eight points in 44 games last year, but the right-handed defenseman feels he has more to offer. Throughout his career, Petry has been considered an offensive defenseman with the ability to quarterback a power play unit. He possesses a strong shot and has the capability of being a puck distributor from the blueline. 

“What excited me when the opportunity came was seeing those guys come back,” said Petry.

Kunin, on the other hand, isn't as proven as Petry. The 27-year-old is entering his ninth season in the NHL but has transformed into a steady two-way, bottom-six forward. 

Kunin recorded 11 goals and 18 points in 63 games with the San Jose Sharks before he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kunin was never really able to get his feet under him, and as the Blue Jackets chased a playoff berth, Kunin failed to record a goal or point in 12 games.  

In a new environment and being able to partake in training camp with the Panthers makes this season feel different for Kunin.

“It’s obviously a special group,” said Kunin. “Happy to be part of a winning culture and do whatever I can to help the team continue to have success.”

Kunin joins the Panthers as a fit stylistically, but he also comes with a connection to Matthew Tkachuk. The duo are St. Louis natives who consider each other great friends. 

“He’s one of my best friends,” Kunin said of long-time friend and fellow St. Louis native Matthew Tkachuk. “It’s pretty cool we get to play together.”

With new teams and new aspirations, Kunin and Petry are excited to help the Panthers continue to have success. 

'It was a no-brainer': Defenseman Jeff Petry speaks on decision to join Panthers, pursue Stanley CupIt’s no secret that in recent years, good things have happened when players have joined forces with the Florida Panthers.

Big trades at the beginning of an NHL season are already uncommon, but this fall already stands out.

After the first seven months of 2025 saw Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brad Marchand and Noah Dobson switch teams, there aren't many notable names available to acquire as the 2025-26 season nears.

That means the Pittsburgh Penguins – which have the third-worst odds of winning the Stanley Cup, according to BetMGM – are in an excellent position, in a seller’s market, to reap the rewards of moving some veterans as they focus on the future.

The most likely Penguins veterans to be dealt are a pair of right wingers – Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell – who have affordable cap hits for most teams and could fetch a large return. So whether the Penguins trade them soon or later, this thin NHL trade market will only help the team

Rust, 33, doesn't have any trade protection in his contract, and he had a career-high 31 goals and 65 points last season. Rakell, 32, only has an eight-team no-trade clause, which means there are still 23 teams Penguins GM Kyle Dubas can trade Rakell to without getting his permission. The right winger also had a career-high 35 goals and 70 points last year.

Given that Rust is signed for $5.125 million per year and Rakell carries a $5-million cap hit, at a time when the cap ceiling will rise until further notice, Dubas will continue to be one of the most popular GMs on the trade front.

Rakell and Rust are under contract for two seasons after this one, making them cost-controlled, highly valuable assets.

NHL's Biggest Trade Bait With 2025-26 Season Almost HereIt is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7. 

Look around the rest of the NHL, and you’ll see there are very few players of their caliber presumed to be available via trade. Calgary Flames veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson is the exception. So too could be Nashville Predators right winger Jonathan Marchessault, but GM Barry Trotz dismissed those rumors in June, and Marchessault has four years left on his deal at $5.5 million per year, making him harder to move.

Other than that, there’s a clear dearth of high-end talent available. So the price for Rakell and Rust will continue to be sky-high, and teams may not be willing to meet the asking prices for them – at least, right now.

Once the season begins and holes start to open up for organizations, you’re going to get more GMs who are willing to pay the price GMs like Dubas are asking to acquire in return for those players. But if the Penguins have a strong start to the season, it might be even tougher for teams to pry Rust or Rakell away from Pittsburgh.

Report: Price For Penguins' Top Winger 'Especially High'With few intriguing forward pieces remaining on the free agent market, many teams are turning to the RFA market and the trade market to upgrade their top-six.

There’s nothing wrong with GMs who have movable pieces waiting to trade them until weeks and months down the line. Teams like the Penguins, Flames and Predators can bide their time before someone comes across with a high-end package of draft picks and prospects to help them with their respective rebuilds. Nobody is forcing them to make those moves right now, so patience will be a virtue for teams with veterans who can be difference-makers.

If the Pens, Preds or Flames shock the NHL and come out of the gate very strongly, it will be easier to keep their veteran players around at least until the trade deadline. But at present, the future of some veterans is going to be cloudy for the short term. The GMs who control the future of those players are going to wait for the most opportune time to move them.

So, don’t hold your breath that teams will make notable trades anytime soon. For several reasons, teams are reluctant to make major deals at this stage of the hockey calendar. The lack of available talent will also make the price for the players who are available extremely costly. 

But if some ambitious team does convince one of those clubs to trade those players now, it will be massive news in the NHL.

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On Wednesday, following their first preseason game of the season, the Chicago Blackhawks announced their first wave of roster cuts. It is a small one, as they sent four players back to their respective major junior teams. 

• F Nathan Behm (Kamloops Blazers/WHL)

• F Parker Holmes (Brantford Bulldogs/OHL)

• F Jack Pridham (Kitchener Rangers/OHL)

• F Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs/OHL)

Pridham and Vanacker each played a limited role in the first preseason game, while Holmes and Behm will go back to junior without any NHL preseason action for this year. 

This is all a part of the process for these four players, who all have bright futures in pro hockey ahead of them. The Blackhawks will continue to make roster cuts as camp goes along.

Marek Vanacker and Parker Holmes will be teammates with the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL, which has become a prominent team for the Blackhawks organization lately, as they've had a handful of Blackhawks prospects come through.   

Nathan Behm, who the Blackhawks drafted at the 2025 NHL Draft, will play for the Kamloops Blazers this season before playing for Arizona State in 2026-27. Behm announced his decision to move onto the NCAA after this year on his social media. 

Jack Pridham was supposed to play college hockey this year at Boston University, but he de-committed to stay with the Kitchener Rangers, where he feels more comfortable in his development. 

Following these cuts, Chicago's roster now sits at 49 players (26 forwards, 17 defensemen, and 6 goalies).

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

NHL teams seeking goaltending depth for the coming season are rumored to be turning to Carter Hart for help.

Hart, 27, was among the five members of Canada's 2018 world junior team who were acquitted in July of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in London, Ont., in 2018. They are eligible to have contracts registered with the NHL by Oct. 15, but they won't be able to play until their suspensions end on Dec. 1.

It was rumored that the Philadelphia Flyers might be interested in bringing back Hart, who played with them from 2018 to 2024. However, GM Daniel Briere indicated the goalie's representative informed them that it would be better for his client to have a fresh start elsewhere.

The Edmonton Oilers were rumored to be a potential destination for Hart, but GM Stan Bowman ruled out that option. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas shrugged off a rumor linking his club to Hart.

On Monday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported Hart had narrowed down his choices to a handful of teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights.

Johnston indicated that Hart wants to find a destination where he can get playing time on a team built to succeed. The Golden Knights have qualified for the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons, while the Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final in two of the last three seasons.

The Utah Mammoth were also thought to be a suitor for Hart, but Johnston reported they're no longer in the bidding.

Speaking of the Oilers, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal reported some recent speculation tied them to Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Chinakhov, 24, created a stir in July when his agent requested a trade, citing “misunderstandings” with Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason. The young forward is participating in training camp but hasn't rescinded his request.

Leavins observed that Chinakhov is in the final season of his two-year contract with a cap hit of $2.1 million. However, the Oilers' limited cap space and Chinakhov's injury history are among the reasons why he's unlikely to land in Edmonton.

The Hockey News' Jason Newland recently reported Chinakhov seems open to staying with the Blue Jackets. In a response to a question from The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, Chinakhov told reporters he and Evason have a better understanding following a recent meeting between the two.

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The Ottawa Senators' first week of training camp isn't off to an ideal start in the injury department.

Winger Drake Batherson has now joined the list of injury concerns after "pulling something" during Tuesday morning's skate, forcing him to leave practice early. Sens head coach Travis Green said he wasn't sure exactly what happened with Batherson, only that he pulled something. 

Batherson has been a model of health for the Senators, not missing a single game in the past three years. In fact, if you look at his track record over five full years in the league, the only season when he's missed some time was 2021-22, and it only happened because of a cheap shot. Batherson suffered a high ankle sprain when goalie Aaron Dell stepped into the winger's skating lane and shoved him into the end boards.

** Update: According to TSN 1200, the Sens announced at practice on Wednesday that Batherson pulled a muscle somewhere in his upper body and will miss at least two weeks. That means he's out of commission until the regular season begins on October 9th. And the words "at least" certainly put his availability for opening night in doubt.

Batherson is only the latest name on the Sens list of injury concerns.

On Sunday, Sens defenseman Tyler Kleven got dinged up due to an awkward fall into the end boards during the preseason opening 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Green said on Tuesday the prognosis was good and that Kleven should be back on the ice in the next day or two.

Finally, the Senators entered training camp a week ago today with injury concerns about Nick Jensen and Lars Eller, who weren't ready to start camp on time.

Eller and Jensen are skating with the team, but it's unclear whether they'll be available to start the season. Eller had a minor abdominal procedure in the offseason, and the Sens don't seem to be too fazed by it. Jensen had hip surgery in May, which he described quite thoroughly after yesterday's skate. It sounded exactly like the kind that Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane had at the same age in June 2023 and he couldn't play again until December of that year.

Kane, who'll be 37 in November, is still going strong after the surgery, but his six-month recovery timeline suggests that an opening night return for Jensen, which would be roughly the five-month mark, may be an overly ambitious target. While Green remains encouraged by Jensen's progress, he said on Tuesday that he hasn't even thought yet about whether he'll use him in a preseason game.

The good news is, the four dinged-up Senators still have 15 days of healing time before the games begin to count.

In the meantime, as camp continues, the club is now preparing for a preseason trip to Quebec City with games there on Sunday and Tuesday. With 49 players still in camp, fans should expect a major cutdown between now and then.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

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EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders announced on Wednesday morning that they had sent defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson back to the OHL’s Barrie Colts. The 17th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft played in two preseason games, totaling 35:57, recording four shots on goal and a hit.

Aitcheson Right Back In Islanders Lineup After Sunday's Injury; Preseason Lines vs. New Jersey DevilsEAST MEADOW, NY -- After sustaining a lower-body injury in the New York Islanders' 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, there were concerns about Kashawn Aitcheson's availability for the rest of training camp.

The fact that Aitcheson was able to play on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils after being knocked out of Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers due to a knee-on-knee hit shows his willingness and competitive level. 

"He's a great guy. He plays the same style as me," Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov said. "He hits hard. He's just young, but a great player. They're all going to be top NHL players, but they're just young right now."We didn’t get to see any of Aitcheson’s open-ice hits, but we did see a player with a bright future—if he can improve certain aspects of his game, such as his skating.

"I'm very happy with him," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. "I like his physicality out there. I mean, it was a lot for him [against the Devis]. Let's not kid ourselves. It was like this from my first NHL training camp. I was happy. I went home, and I knew I could play in the league, and I'm sure he feels the same, you know? I'm sure he learned a lot. I'm sure he's going to go back to juniors with a big cheese on his face and feel excited about how things went for him."

Aitcheson returns to Barrie to serve as a top defenseman, playing big minutes. He was suspended for three OHL  preseason games for a hit to the head, serving that suspension while at Islanders training camp. 

Islanders Prospect Kashawn Aitcheson Suspended Three Preseason Games For Illegal Check To The HeadBack on Sept. 1 against the Owen Sound, New York Islanders No. 17 overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft and current Barrie Colts defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson received a major penalty for an illegal check to the head during a preseason game on Sept. 1.

Depending on the NHL rule for the 2026–27 season, there’s a chance that at 19 years old, he’ll be eligible to play in the AHL.

Expect Acheson to sign his entry-level contract following the conclusion of this season.

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