The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games.
31. Doman Kristof Szongoth - C (KooKoo Jr. - Finland)
Szongoth was the Sabres fifth round selection at the 2026 Draft in June (156th overall). A native of Budapest, the 18-year-old played his youth hockey in his home country and in Austria before shifting to Finland in 2023-24, where he scored 49 goals in 33 games at the under-16 level and six goals in nine games at the under-18 level, while also playing for Hungary internationally.
Which Atlantic Division teams had the best and worst offseasons?
The next season as a 16-year-old, he played spot duty in Finland at the under-18 level, 37 games at the under-20 junior level, and internationally for Hungary, who was attempting to qualify for the under-18 and under-20 World Junior Championships, and the Milano Cortina Olympics. He also played in the 2025 World Championships.
Last season, Szongoth posted 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 44 games for KooKoo Jr. (U-20), captained Hungary at the under-18 qualifiers, and scored a goal at the 2026 World Championships in Switzerland.
Elite Prospects says that the 6’1, 194 lb. forward is a “diligent two-way centre, always scanning and identifying his assignments while supporting his defencemen and leveraging his 200-pound frame when battling for pucks down low and along the walls.” Selected in the CHL Import Draft by the Soo Greyhounds, Szongoth will be coming to North America to play in the OHL this fall.
The Chicago Blackhawks and the rest of the National Hockey League are always scouting. There are plenty of junior showcases going on right now, and it will bleed into prospect challenges ahead of training camps.
There are plenty of undrafted players doing what they can to raise their stock going into their draft year to give themselves the best chance at being a first-round pick.
When it comes to the 2027 NHL Draft, there is one player who most believe will be the number one pick, and a consensus top three. Things can and will change, which is why doing the best scouting possible is pivotal for front offices.
This mock draft is an early look at the lottery selections (1-16) with the team order based on how each projects to finish following the 2026-27 season:
1. Vancouver Canucks - Landon DuPont, D
After an incredibly successful year in Everett, Landon DuPont is going to play for the University of Michigan. He is an elite skater who handles the puck with high-end skill, intensity, and confidence. He is incredible at making plays at even strength or with the man advantage, which gives him the ceiling of an incredible playmaking blue-liner. While defending, his effort is unmatched, and he will do whatever it takes to keep his opponents from creating. That emphasis on playing a two-way game is what separates him from other great defensemen his age, which will make him a top pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
2. Calgary Flames - Nazar Privalov, FWD
If anyone is going to challenge DuPont for the top spot in the 2027 NHL Draft, it is Nazar Privalov. He is a huge player with the skills that you don't usually see from a guy his size. Right now, he's the top forward in the draft for these reasons. A long-term KHL contract would be a problem, but we've seen guys find ways to North America when they are ready recently.
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Alexis Joseph, FWD
Few have risen on the draft boards as quickly as Alexis Joseph. He is a power forward who stands tall and plays with incredible skill, much like Privalov. As it stands right now, he is the clear rounder of the top three prospects in the 2027 class.
4. Seattle Kraken - Carter Meyer, FWD
Carter Meyer enters his draft year as the top American-born player. For being a medium-sized player, Meyer is a wrecking ball on the ice. He also matches that intensity with a strong focus on being a two-way player.
5. Nashville Predators - Sergei Skvortsov, FWD
Sergei Skvortsov may have the best pure hands in this entire draft class. What scouts will be looking for from him during his draft year is his level of compete against stronger competition. He is a strong skater, and he uses that to his advantage on every shift by never slowing down. If these skills translate to the pro game in North America one day, he will be a nightmare for defenders to face.
6. Detroit Red Wings - Sammy Nelson - FWD
Wyatt Cullen was the only player selected from the United States National Team Development Program in 2026, and Sammy Nelson missed joining him by four days. Instead, he will be one of the oldest players in the 2027 NHL Draft. He will play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2026-27, which is a great place for him to advance his skills as one of their top players.
7. New York Islanders - Milan Sundstrom, FWD
Good two-way centers from Sweden have become a staple in the NHL and their farm systems. Milan Sundstrom is one to keep an eye on heading into this year from a prospect perspective. He has a high level of skill, which is a big reason he could be a top-ten pick, but his effort on every play allows him to take advantage of said skill.
8. St. Louis Blues - Jonah Neuenschwander, FWD
Jonah Neuenschwander is a big forward who is going to create havoc at the pro level. He likes to be a force with his shot and playmaking, but the numbers don't suggest that he has an incredibly high ceiling offensively. However, as a middle-six forward in the NHL, he has the tools to make him successful, especially knowing the emphasis that the Swiss put on playing hockey the right way.
9. Winnipeg Jets - Brock England, FWD
Brock England is not a huge player, but he's not small, either. What he is, however, is an elite skater, perhaps the best in the entire draft class or close. He's not afraid to run around and make his presence felt, but the offensive upside is where teams will question him. If he explodes in that regard during his draft year, he may find himself going even higher than 9th.
10. New York Rangers - Dima Zhilkin, FWD
When Dima Zhilkin steps onto the ice for a shift, he is going to do something to get noticed. He may make a play, get a shot on net, or do something physical. Either way, he's the type of lead-by-example guy that every team in the NHL wants/needs.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins - Petr Tomek, FWD
Petr Tomek will also be one of the older players in the 2027 NHL Draft, and he has the intelligence to back up taking a player like him this high. When you combine that level of smarts with an elite ability to skate, which Tomek has, you get a prospect who has a high ceiling of development.
12. Boston Bruins - Jaxon Jacobson, FWD
One of the smaller forwards in the first round will be Jaxon Jacobson of the Brandon Wheat Kings. He is a high-end offensive player who would likely go higher if teams didn't foolishly undervalue undersized forwards. For a player of his size, he is also unafraid of anything on the ice, including a physical brand of hockey. Passing on him may be regrettable for a lot of teams down the line.
13. Philadelphia Flyers - Brock Cripps, D
This draft, as it stands right now, is very forward-heavy at the top. Right now, Brock Cripps is one of the few defenders to consider outside of DuPont, who is likely going to be first. A few departures on his Prince Albert Raiders team are going to allow him to skate as their number one defenseman, which will either help or hurt his stock. As a smaller defender with high-end skill, big offensive numbers will keep teams intrigued. Like Jacobson but on defense, teams may regret passing on a smaller player.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Timothy Kazda, FWD
Timothy Kazda, as it stands right now, seems like a lock to be a top-16 pick in the draft as one of the best Europeans in the Draft. As a former member of the Chicago Steele, he is now set to play at Boston College, which will be incredible for his development.
15. Los Angeles Kings - Luca Santala, FWD
Luca Santala is a big forward who can dominate offensively, but leaves a little to be desired when it comes to being hard to play against. If he can find a way to elevate his game in that way, it will provide a whole new element to his game. He has the tools to become an incredible power forward in the pros if the team that drafts him sees that and develops him properly.
16. Toronto Maple Leafs - Yevgeni Yakunin, FWD
Yevgeni Yakunin is a great power forward who has an incredible offensive ceiling for being a big-bodied prospect. The problem with him is that he is signed to a KHL contract that runs through 2031. Any team that drafts him has to either be incredibly patient or get incredibly lucky enough to see a rather lucrative buyout. If he falls outside of the top-16, that will be the main reason why. A contending team that can afford to wait it out may be interested, but you never know when it comes to elite prospects.
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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
The Los Angeles Kings will retire Anze Kopitar's No. 11 and unveil a bronze statue of him at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 24, 2027, as they honor the franchise's all-time leading scorer.
Kopitar, 38, retired after the 2025-26 season, his 20th in the NHL, all spent with the Kings after they drafted him 11th overall in 2005.
The ceremony will give Kings fans another chance to celebrate the Slovenia native after they shouted "Kopi" and gave him a standing ovation following a Game 4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs. The Kings are playing the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 24.
Kopitar won Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014, was team captain from 2016-17 through last season and passed Marcel Dionne on March 14, 2026, to become the franchise's leading scorer.
He finished his career with 452 goals and 1,316 points in 1,521 regular-season games, plus 89 points in 107 playoff games. He also won two Selke trophies, three Lady Byng trophies and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.
"To have my number retired and a statue unveiled by the LA Kings is an incredible honor, and one that is difficult to put into words," Kopitar said in a statement. "When I arrived in Los Angeles 21 years ago, I simply hoped to earn the opportunity to play in the NHL. I never imagined something like this."
Kopitar will be the eighth Kings player to have his number retired. The others:
Rob Blake (4)
Marcel Dionne (16)
Dave Taylor (18)
Luc Robitaille (20)
Dustin Brown (23)
Rogie Vachon (30)
Wayne Gretzky (99)
Statues at Crypto.com Arena
Kopitar’s statue is being created by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany.
It will join statues honoring Gretzky, Robitaille, Brown, Bob Miller, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Oscar De La Hoya, Chick Hearn, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Elgin Baylor, Kobe and Gigi Bryant, and Pat Riley in Crypto.com Arena's Star Plaza along Chick Hearn Court.
Now that it is August, NHL free agents should soon be signing professional tryout (PTO) agreements with teams. When looking at the Columbus Blue Jackets' roster, it is fair to wonder if they will sign anyone to a PTO before the start of training camp.
One remaining UFA who could make sense for the Blue Jackets to take a gamble on with a PTO is defenseman Logan Stanley.
It is a little surprising to see Stanley still be a free agent at this point in the summer. While he had an underwhelming finish to the season after being traded to the Buffalo Sabres, he still had a career year at the end of the day.
In 76 games split between the Winnipeg Jets and Sabres in 2025-26, Stanley posted new career highs with nine goals, 17 assists, and 26 points. He also threw 110 hits and recorded 128 penalty minutes, so it is clear that the 6-foot-7 defenseman plays a heavy game.
With all of this, the Blue Jackets should consider taking a chance on Stanley with a PTO. They could use more depth on the left side of their blueline, and he could fit nicely on their bottom pairing if he earned a contract for the season. Yet, he could even be a solid pickup for the Blue Jackets if he was used as an extra defenseman.
Ultimately, there would be zero risk in the Blue Jackets taking a gamble on Stanley with a PTO. It will be interesting to see if they do just that from here.
There are very few players who become synonymous with a franchise. Fewer still who can spend two decades with the same organization and leave it difficult to imagine that organization without them.
Anze Kopitar is one of those players.
On Feb. 24, 2027, the Los Angeles Kings will retire Kopitar’s No. 11 at Crypto.com Arena and unveil a bronze statue honoring the greatest player in franchise history. The ceremony will take place before the Kings face the Montreal Canadiens, giving Los Angeles the opportunity to celebrate a career that has come to define an era of Kings hockey.
Kopitar’s number will become just the eighth retired in franchise history, joining the likes of Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Rob Blake and Dustin Brown.
But the significance of Kopitar’s place among those names goes beyond the numbers hanging in the rafters.
He arrived in Los Angeles as an 18-year-old Slovenian prospect selected 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft. Twenty years later, he leaves the game as the Kings’ all-time leader in games played, assists and points — the captain who helped transform the organization from a franchise searching for its identity into a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
And now, his likeness will stand outside the building he spent his career calling home.
Kopitar will become the fourth Kings player to receive a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, joining Gretzky, Robitaille and Brown. Bob Miller, whose statue also stands outside the arena, will remain the only non-player honored in that fashion.
For Kopitar, however, the celebration is less about what he accomplished individually than the people who helped him get there.
“When I arrived in Los Angeles 21 years ago, I simply hoped to earn the opportunity to play in the NHL,” Kopitar said. “I never imagined something like this.”
That humility has been a defining characteristic of Kopitar throughout his career.
From Slovenian Teenager To Face Of The Franchise
Kopitar did not need long to introduce himself to Los Angeles.
In his NHL debut on Oct. 6, 2006, he scored twice against the Anaheim Ducks. Three games into his career, he had already accumulated six points, becoming only the second player in Kings history to reach that mark over his first three games.
He finished his rookie season with 20 goals and 61 points in 72 games, becoming just the fifth rookie in Kings history to reach 60 points — and the first in two decades.
He never stopped building from there.
The following season, Kopitar recorded 77 points and began a run of dominance that would eventually see him lead Los Angeles in scoring 15 times. Only Gordie Howe, with 17 seasons in Detroit, and Sidney Crosby, with 16 in Pittsburgh, have led a single franchise in scoring more often.
Wayne Gretzky led multiple franchises in scoring 19 times over his career, including nine times with Edmonton, seven times with Los Angeles and three times with the New York Rangers.
That puts Kopitar in exceptionally rare company.
It also helps explain why his retirement leaves such a massive hole in Los Angeles.
Kopitar's career was built on more than offensive production.
He became one of the NHL's premier two-way centers, a player trusted in virtually every situation and against the opposition's best players. He became a dominant faceoff specialist, a power-play contributor, a penalty-killing presence and, eventually, the player teammates looked toward when the game was at its most important.
His résumé reflects that versatility.
Kopitar won the Selke Trophy twice, recognizing him as the NHL's best defensive forward, and collected three Lady Byng Trophies. He also received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.
Then there were the two Stanley Cup championships.
The first came in 2012, when the Kings finally broke through and won the first championship in franchise history. Two years later, Los Angeles did it again.
Kopitar was at the center of both runs.
He scored one of the most memorable goals of the 2012 postseason in overtime against the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, helping set the tone for a championship run that changed the trajectory of the franchise.
By the time he became captain in 2016, there was little question about who represented the Kings.
Kopitar wasn't simply wearing the 'C.'
He was the identity of the team.
The Records Tell Only Part Of The Story
Kopitar finished his career with 1,316 points, courtesy of 452 goals and 864 assists, in 1,521 regular-season games.
Every one of those games came in a Kings uniform.
His 1,521 games are the most in franchise history, as are his 864 assists and 1,316 points. His 831 even-strength points, 79 game-winning goals, 34 overtime points and 15,237 faceoff wins also sit atop the franchise record book.
He ranks second in plus/minus at plus-127, power-play points with 457, overtime goals with nine and shots with 3,429.
His 452 goals rank third in franchise history.
And the record that perhaps best captures his longevity came late in his career.
On March 5, 2026, Kopitar became only the 25th player in NHL history to appear in 1,500 games. Nine players had previously reached that milestone with a single franchise.
Nine days later, he passed another legend.
Playing in New Jersey on March 14, Kopitar scored twice to move his career point total to 1,308, passing Marcel Dionne's 1,307 and becoming the Kings' all-time leading scorer.
Dionne had held the record for more than 45 years.
Kopitar finally took it away.
It was a fitting moment for a player whose career had always been measured in longevity as much as production.
A Captain Who Kept Showing Up
Kopitar's final years in Los Angeles may be just as important to his legacy as his prime.
After taking over as captain, he helped guide the Kings back to the postseason six times, including each of his final five seasons.
His playoff résumé is equally impressive.
Kopitar leaves Los Angeles as the franchise's all-time leader in playoff games with 107. He ranks second in postseason assists with 62 and is tied for second in playoff points with 89. His 27 postseason goals rank third, while his five game-winning goals and 30 power-play points are both near the top of the franchise record book.
He also continued to collect recognition long after the Kings' championship years.
Kopitar earned 25 different team awards during his career, including the Bill Libby Award as the Kings' Most Valuable Player nine times and the organization's Best Defensive Player award eight times.
He was also named the team's Most Inspirational Player four times and Most Popular Player three times.
Those awards tell a different story than the NHL trophies.
They reflect how the people inside the organization viewed him.
More Than A Hockey Player In Los Angeles
For all the numbers, championships and individual awards, Kopitar's legacy in Los Angeles extends well beyond the rink.
He became deeply involved in the Southern California community, supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Make-A-Wish Foundation while also playing an important role in the growth of youth hockey throughout the region.
That influence is part of why the Kings' celebration will feel bigger than a jersey retirement.
Kopitar's No. 11 will eventually hang alongside the numbers of the franchise's foundational stars. His statue will join the physical monuments to Gretzky, Robitaille and Brown.
But unlike most of those players, Kopitar spent his entire NHL career in Los Angeles.
He arrived as an unknown teenager from Jesenice, Slovenia.
He leaves as the player who played more games, recorded more assists and produced more points than anyone who ever wore a Kings jersey.
And somewhere between those two points, he became something far more difficult to quantify.
He became a King.
“His legacy extends far beyond the records, awards and championships,” Kings president Luc Robitaille said. “He has inspired generations of Kings fans and left an indelible mark on our franchise.”
That legacy will become permanent on Feb. 24, 2027.
No. 11 will go to the rafters.
Anze Kopitar will take his place among the legends.
And Los Angeles will finally get the chance to put a statue to the career it spent 20 years watching unfold.
The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that team owner Chris Ilitch has employed a search firm to find a replacement for general manager Steve Yzerman. Yzerman will move up to a senior advisor position after seven years as GM. Assistant GM Shawn Horcoff is handling day-to-day responsibilities, though that does not extend to making trades, the Free Press said.
Dylan Larkin trade request
The Red Wings star's trade request happened after the regular season and leaked in early June. He has a no-trade clause and has listed the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild as preferred trade destinations. Yzerman said after the draft that he would act only in the best interest of the team. That decision likely will fall to Yzerman's successor. Larkin has five years left on his contract, so the Red Wings don't have to rush to make a move. But things could get complicated for Larkin as team captain if the situation isn't resolved before training camp.
Quinn Hughes contract extension
The Wild sent a big haul to the Vancouver Canucks to land the coveted defenseman last winter and he's about to enter the final year of his contract. Minnesota would like to sign him to an extension.
"I've been talking to Quinn and his camp all along," general manager Bill Guerin said on the "Judd's Hockey Show" podcast this week. "These things take time. They're big decisions for players. They're big decisions for teams. It's a process to work through it."
A three-year extension through 2029-30 would line Quinn up with the end of the contract of his brother Jack, who's playing for the New Jersey Devils. Quinn Hughes should pass Chicago's Bowen Byram ($12.5 million) as the top-paid defenseman with his next contract − and likely Celebrini as the top-paid player.
Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, is also up for an extension and could set records.
Top remaining restricted free agents
Some big names still have to be signed.
Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier is coming off a 41-goal season, but after Carlsson's deal, Anaheim has a little more than $9 million left. Gauthier is expected to come in above that, meaning the Ducks will need to trade someone.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli also needs a new deal. He was drafted third overall in 2023 behind Bedard and Carlsson. Columbus has a little less than $14.5 million left in cap space.
Other unsigned restricted free agents include Carolina defenseman Alexander Nikishin, Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson and Montreal forward Zach Bolduc.
Top remaining unrestricted free agents
There are plenty left, though available roster spots are shrinking.
Vladimir Tarasenko is the biggest name. The six-time 30-goal scorer hasn't been at that level recently, but he had two 23-goal seasons over the last three seasons.
Other UFA forwards include Michael Bunting, who has an edge to his game, Eeli Tolvanen and James van Riemsdyk.
UFA defensemen include John Klingberg, Logan Stanley and Nick Blankenburg, and goalies include Connor Ingram, Matt Murray and Cam Talbot.
There is very little news coming out of the NHL these days, but on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract extension with a $4 million cap hit. What’s surprising about that deal is that the winger only has a total of 47 games of experience in the NHL, in which he has put up two goals and twelve assists for a total of just 14 points. However, in the AHL, he has 97 points in 97 games over the last two seasons.
While that’s a lot of money to give to an unproven player at the NHL level, the fact that the salary cap is growing exponentially in the league means it has very little chance of blowing up in Kyle Dubas’ face. Furthermore, if he really doesn’t perform, it also gives the Pens two years of evaluation time, as they can use a one-third buyout until he turns 26 years old.
Could Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes be tempted to sign Zach Bolduc to that kind of contract? It appears highly unlikely right now. This is not the Habs’ GM modus operandi. While the former player agent does like very long-term deals when he’s dealing with a player who has a large enough body of work to be a proven asset, he doesn’t tend to go down that route with an unproven player.
With that contract, Dubas is betting on Koivunen’s potential and while one could argue that Hughes did just that when he signed Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov to eight-year contract extensions after just one season, they both had played complete and convincing 82-game rookie seasons. With all due respect to Koivunen, they both had shown much more potential than the 23-year-old forward.
The Montreal Canadiens’ way, with a player that has yet to really prove what they can do, is to go for a bridge deal, as they have with Kirby Dach (four-year and $3,362,500 cap hit) and Alex Newhook (four-year and $2.9 million cap hit) in the past.
Koivunen’s deal is a lot like the Jesperi Kotkaniemi deal the Carolina Hurricanes signed the Finnish winger to after he hadn’t even played a full season in their organization. After poaching him out of Montreal with a one-year, $6.1 million offer sheet, the Canes signed him to an eight-year contract extension with a $4.82 million cap hit. Clearly, they did that because they knew he wasn’t worth what they had initially given him to get out of Montreal, and they didn’t want to have to go as high as his qualifying offer would be out of that contract.
They believed he would live up to that cap hit, but halfway through the deal, he clearly hasn’t, and even with the salary cap rising exponentially, they have been unable to move Kotkaniemi despite trying for a long time. He only played 42 games last season and clearly isn’t part of the organization’s plans in the future; he didn’t see a single game of action in the playoffs, but the length of his contract would make a buyout a long and painful process.
Hughes is not the kind of negotiator who likes to take that kind of risk. Before considering inking Bolduc to a long-term deal, he’ll have to see more of the player, and chances are, the Trois-Rivieres native is after a higher cap hit than the $4 million Koivunen got out of Dubas. The winger has 75 points in 175 games in the NHL, which works out to 0.43 points per game, while Koivunen’s PPG average stands at just 0.33.
It's been an interesting off-season for the Chicago Blackhawks. They added Patrick Kane late in the free agent window, made some significant draft selections, and traded for Bowen Byram ahead of the draft.
Are these moves going to help them take a step in their development? Will it start to show in 2026-27, or will it take some time? It is going to be a young, exciting team to watch, but whether or not they take a jump in the standings remains to be seen.
The Hockey News is ranking each NHL team's off-season from 32nd to 1st, and the Chicago Blackhawks did not land in an ideal spot as the 30th-best.
The logic behind their landing in 30th place is that the additions they made, along with the subtraction of Louis Crevier and Ilya Mikheyev, won't help them take a step forward. They are relying on young players to carry the team, which makes it difficult to see the plan working right away.
Below them are the Anaheim Ducks at 31 and the Detroit Red Wings at 32. Neither of them had good off-seasons at all, especially Detroit, but they are both currently ahead of the Blackhawks in terms of their NHL roster.
The only way for the Blackhawks to prove any doubts wrong about thier off-season moves is for Bowen Byram to look like the number one defenseman they are going to pay him to be, and for Kane to be an incredible mentor for the young guys, both on and off the ice. Winning also solves everything when it comes to a team's perception.
It wasn't all negativity when it comes to lists involving the Chicago Blackhawks, however. The Hockey News ranked the top three centers in the Central Division earlier in the week and was very kind to Connor Bedard.
Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche is one of the three best centers in the world, which made him the clear-cut number-one guy within the division. It's also fair to see Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars ranked second, as he's become one of the premier players in the sport as well.
Connor Bedard came in at third, which is a result of his first breakout season in 2025-26, where he was a 30 goal/point per game player for the first time in his NHL career.
By coming in third on this list, he beat out Mark Scheifele, Robert Thomas, and Ryan O'Reilly, amongst some other great centers in the Central Division.
The next step for Bedard is to reach the 40-goal plateau and then possibly the 50-goal plateau, while taking a step in his point-per-game journey. He also needs to work on getting his shoulder right, as he is expected to miss the first month of the season recovering from surgery. If there are no setbacks, he should be able to put that behind him for good.
There is a lot of organizational faith in Connor Bedard and his future, but they are going to need many other young players to reach their NHL potential if they are going to become a winning franchise again.
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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 13: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal against the San Jose Sharks at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Today on the seventh day of the eighth month, it’s Sidney Crosby’s birthday. There’s always reason to celebrate one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
Earlier in the summer we took a look at some of the best age-39 seasons ever. Despite injury, Crosby maintained one of the best age-38 seasons in NHL history last year with 74 points in 68 games in 2025-26. There could be some survivorship aspects going on, but the good news is that there historically hasn’t been as much of a drop-off for hockey players going from 38 to 39 as much as the usually big drop going from 37 to 38.
Looking at past cases of players going from 38 to 39 years old and how it might apply to Sidney Crosby next season.https://t.co/j47etLFsSf
What’s next for Sid? The future looks to be whatever he wants it to be.
As of March, Crosby will have been the captain of the Penguins for 50% of his entire life. That will come with another NHL record, 2026-27 will be the 20th season for Crosby as captain of the Pens, surpassing Steve Yzerman’s 19 playing seasons with Detroit. If you give credit for time served, Yzerman (who missed one season due to the lockout) was the Red Wings captain for 19 years and six months, Crozby will pass that this year as well.
There’s more history sure to follow. Crosby is at 1,761 points in his career, 39 points away from 1,800. Reaching that mark would make him just the fifth player in NHL history to get to 1,800 career points, the first since Jaromir Jagr got the milestone during the 2014–15 season. Getting to 1,800 would also mean passing Marcel Dionne (1,771) and Ron Francis (1,798) along the way. Up next would be the chase of another legend known for a long career, Gordie Howe (1,850).
Overall Crosby is 160 points behind Jagr (1,921) for second place all-time in NHL scoring. Should Sid play two more years, he just might be able to get there. If he decides to play three more seasons, it could be a lock that Crosby will end up with the most points in NHL history besides Wayne Gretzky.
As Crosby told Josh Yohe in Switzerland this spring at the World Championships, stepping away from the game isn’t in his mind.
“I’m saying year to year based on contracts,” he explained. “It just seems to make sense. I mean, it could change. We’ll see. Kyle (Dubas) and I haven’t even talked about it. But I’ll talk with Pat (Brisson) and Kyle later this summer. We’ll talk about it and do what makes sense. If it does make sense to sign for a couple of years, then we’ll do that.”
…
At the end of the day, I’m just going to do what’s best for the team. It’s got nothing to do with how long I want to play. It’s not like that at all.”
Any team would be lucky to have Crosby, even at an advanced age. Luckily for the Penguins, it’s still an easy decision to hold onto a player that’s woven into the very fabric of the franchise at this point.
At now 39 years old, the end is closer than the beginning for Crosby’s playing days. On this day, like all days, it’s a celebration of greatness to witness a master still so sharp at his craft.
After backchecking and forechecking for the Philadelphia Flyers this past season, former Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Nikita Grebenkin has earned his paycheck.
This is Grebenkin's first standard NHL contract since signing his entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs in late April 2024. It also comes after his first full season in the NHL with the Flyers.
The Russian was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round of the 2022 draft with the 135th overall pick. Since being drafted, Grebenkin has only spent one year with the Maple Leafs organization.
He played seven games in the NHL and 39 appearances with the AHL's Toronto Marlies. He didn't score any points in the NHL for that 2024-25 campaign, but notched nine goals and 21 points with the Marlies.
Grebenkin made his first scoring impression in the NHL with the Flyers this past season. He recorded four goals and 14 points in 55 contests, while averaging 11:17 of ice time. He registered his first NHL point in his debut for Philadelphia, then marked the first goal of his career eight games later against the Montreal Canadiens.
The last game Grebenkin played for the Flyers was on March 21. He didn't feature for the rest of the regular season and didn't appear in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Finding ice time with the Flyers won't come any easier for the coming 2026-27 season with the winger depth that Philadelphia has compiled. The likes of Travis Konecny, Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and a few others all stand before him on the depth chart.
Therefore, the youngster can expect to see more time in the American League with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In 2025-26, he played 11 games for the Flyers' AHL affiliate and produced three goals and seven points. He also provided an additional four points in seven contests during the Calder Cup playoffs.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
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 or creating your own post in our community forum.
ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 14: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jake Livanavage (57) in his first NHL game where the St. Louis Blues hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday April 14th, 2026, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis MO (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
PensBurgh’s 2026 edition of the Top 25 Under 25 countdown rolls on with a lottery ticket defenseman that joined the organization at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Defenseman Jake Livanavage was one of the more sought after undrafted free agents that was available late last season, and the Penguins were able to snag him after he completed his collegiate career at North Dakota. It never hurts to take fliers on talented players that may have snuck through the cracks, and Livanavage certainly has the skill and production to be a potential diamond in the rough.
The undrafted free agent path has a wide range of potential outcomes, and while it’s rare for one of these guys to become a top-line or top-pairing player, you can still find some good value if you get lucky and bring the player along correctly.
Livanavage was always a worthy gamble for the Penguins.
Not only because you can never have too many defensemen in your organization, but also because the Penguins have a serious long-term need on the left side of their defense.
When it comes to the NHL roster, their left-side remains one of the bigger weaknesses on the roster, with only Sam Girard, free agent acquisition Declan Carlile, Ilya Solovyov and veteran Ryan Graves possessing a left-handed shot. Trevor van Riemsdyk is capable of playing on the left side, but it’s his offside as a right-handed shot. It’s not exactly a deep depth chart, and that remains true when you get down into the farm system.
Owen Pickering plays on the left side, but his development has hit a bit of a plateau for the time being. Tomas Galvas possesses a left-shot, but he was just drafted this past year and has never played a game in North America. He’s probably a ways off.
What I’m trying to say here is that when Livanavage was looking for a potential pathway toward the NHL, he probably saw an opportunity here that could get him into the show a little faster.
Not only as the Penguins attempt to find younger talent anywhere they can, but also because the depth chart lines up well with a potential opportunity for a young, talented player.
He comes to the Penguins with a reputation of being a strong two-way defender that is a capable defender in his own end, while also possessing the skating and puck skills to contribute offensively. He recorded at least 25 points in each of his three full seasons at North Dakota
If there is a knock on him at this point, it’s the same problem that has existed with a lot of Penguins players, and especially defensemen, over the years — size and strength. Livanage said back at the Penguins prospect development camp that his goal this summer has been to get bigger and stronger, and that he has put on 15 pounds this offseason.
“This summer it’s just been getting bigger and stronger — being able to play against men,” Livanavage said. “Coming out and working as hard as I can, being ready for a training camp from the first day. I feel good right now. Super excited to get going.”
Shortly after signing, Livanavage had an opportunity to play one game for the Penguins, logging more than 25 minutes of ice-time in their meaningless regular season finale. He took some lumps in that game, but that was also probably to be expected given the circumstances.
While he will almost certainly have a chance to make the opening night roster, especially given the state of the depth chart on the left side, he seems destined to start the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. But that does not mean he will not be in Pittsburgh at some point, even for a limited look. Keep in mind the Penguins used 15 different defenseman a year ago, 13 the year before, and nine the year before that. They will probably be somewhere in that same range this season. People will get hurt. People will get traded. Some people will not be as good as you hope or will struggle. There are going to be opportunities.
The Penguins are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to trying to find young talent. They have made 25 draft picks over the past three years, including nine in the first two-rounds of those drafts. As of now they have 23 draft picks over the next three years, including 10 in the first two rounds. That is a lot of picks, and a lot of higher picks. They have also been trying to trade for players in their early-to-mid-20s in the hopes that they break out and take big steps in their development after getting to Pittsburgh. Those are the expected paths for finding talent. Every once in a while, though, you can find a player that contributes in the undrafted free agent ranks. Livanavage has a long way to go before he becomes one of those players, but he is certainly one of the more interesting undrafted free agent signings they have made in recent seasons.
The “32 in 32” series has begun at the Official NHL site, so it must be August and we must be inching forward in the offseason. With a shorter preseason and training camp — but 84 games now…yay?! — the summer will have an even longer slow window.
Still, some Islanders (and ex-Islanders) bits from the past week follow, plus a curious long-term bet in Pittsburgh.
Islanders News
The Islanders have poached a new assistant GM/head of their AHL affiliate, grabbing Gold from the Bruins organization. Chris Lamoriello remains in the front office but is no longer GM of the AHL team. [Isles | Newsday | Post]
Has it really been 10 years under the new ownership? Jon Ledecky, Mathieu Darche and others look back and ahead. [Newsday]
Kyle Palmieri says his rehab is great and he’s ready for the season, as one does. [Newsday]
An update on Marcus Gidlof, a sort of afterthought inclusion in the Brayden Schenn trade, but one who still might have potential to be a pro in North America. [STLtoday]
Speaking of ex-Isles, Hudson Fasching (latest of the Blue Jackets) has now signd in Sweden. [THN]
And very short-term ex-Isles Mike Reilly had fun in his day with the Cup. [NHL]
Islanders grade: D. While there’s plenty to like about this roster construction, it’s hard not to look at this quiet summer and feel like it’s a missed opportunity — especially while Schaefer remains on his rookie deal.
2027-28 third-jersey vote update:
#IslesNation – Because of the incredible number of jersey submissions, we're expanding the voting to an 8️⃣ jersey bracket.
Up until Thursday, the only outstanding order of business for Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins was to lock up RFA forward Ville Koivunen for the 2026-27 season.
And, on Thursday, he did indeed get locked up. But it was on terms that almost no one expected.
The Penguins and Koivunen agreed to terms on an eight-year deal worth $4 million annually, the team announced. The long-term contract comes with no trade protection, takes effect in the 2026-27 season, and runs through the end of the 2034-35 season. And because of the new rules regarding contracts under the new CBA that takes effect on Sept. 16, Koivunen could very well be the last NHL player to sign an eight-year deal, as extensions in the future will be capped off at seven years.
When taking a gander at some of the other NHL players signed to eight-year deals, Koivunen doesn't exactly fit the mold. He's played in just 47 NHL games and has two goals and 14 points, which means he is a largely unproven young player who wouldn't typically fetch that term.
However, Dubas pointed to the rapidly changing market, among other factors, as a big reason behind the term.
"There were many factors that led to us going down this path," Dubas said via email with local Penguins' reporters. "But the primary factor was watching the way the market evolved over the season and especially the summer and trying to best plan for the future of the Penguins. We view the contract as a bet – on Ville, his potential, and our belief that he is going to do the work in to reach that potential."
He expanded on this: "The evolution of the market is a key factor, for sure. The way that older forwards who have lower lineup ceilings were paid as free agents and watching the way the restricted free agent market took shape led us to take a different view on how we wanted to handle our own players, for sure."
In other words, the Penguins are betting pretty big on Koivunen here. Sure, the $4 million average annual value isn't the end of the world, but the eight-year term is a big commitment that will take the 23-year-old Koivunen through age 31. It also makes him somewhat waivers-proof, as Pittsburgh currently has 15 forwards on their NHL roster and most certainly will be forced to waive a player or two at this point - barring no further moves - and teams are unlikely to take on Koivunen's contract on the waiver wire.
Even with the term, though, it will be very difficult for this contract to hurt the Penguins in any substantial way:
- If Koivunen plays up to his ceiling potential as a top-six winger, $4 million AAV will look like one of the NHL's most bargain contracts.
- If Koivunen doesn't quite play up to his ceiling potential but becomes an NHL regular, he will pretty much meet the value of his $4 million AAV.
- If Koivunen is a bust, the Penguins will have several options, including a sub-26 buyout window, burying the contract, or trading him somewhere else (given the low enough AAV of the contract).
So, the contract itself isn't necessarily the issue here.
It's the precedent that the contract sets.
Koivunen is the first in a wave of Penguins' prospects who, while trying to make his big break into the NHL, became an RFA in need of a new contract. Again, he is largely unproven, even more so than Egor Chinakhov, who just signed a three-year extension worth $6.25 million annually.
Next summer, goaltender Sergei Murashov, defenseman Owen Pickering, and forwards Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes, and Tristan Broz will all be RFAs in need of new contracts. All of them will likely see the NHL at some point this season, and each of them will have varying degrees of NHL experience and varying degrees of potential and production.
Even if none of the above have what amounts to a breakout NHL season, what if they put up similar numbers to Koivunen in a similar NHL sample size? What if they exceed Koivunen's production prior to signing his long-term deal?
Koivunen's eight-year contract only sets a precedent for these players that, should they match or best his NHL sample size up to this point, they'll feel they've earned a similar type of contract. This is especially true in the cases of Murashov, McGroarty, and Pickering, who - like Koivunen - are expected to have ceilings a bit higher than the others.
So, if that precedent is set with this contract, what will McGroarty ask for and expect next season? Murashov? Pickering? Hayes and Broz? What about Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke in a few years? The reality is that this contract has set the bar higher for those fringe NHL prospects and even the more surefire NHL talents, and they will expect nothing less than what Koivunen got if they outperform or continue to outperform what he's done so far.
Sure, given the ludicrous amount of cap space the Penguins are set to have in the next several years, they can afford a few Chinakhovs, Koivunens, and other "betting on potential" contracts. But if none of the above players truly break out (Kindel aside) next season but are in the same situation Koivunen found himself in this summer, how many "betting on potential" contracts can the Penguins hand out while still keeping the books open for proven NHL talent and furthering their agenda to take steps toward sustainable contention?
All in all, this contract isn't a huge issue on its own. The big question is how it will change the approach to contracts for the Penguins' homegrown young players moving forward. It's a good thing that Dubas and the organization is willing to bet on their own young talent, and deals like this will look even better if they pan out.
But if they don't, they may have just backed themselves into an obligatory corner that will be difficult to escape.
We all knew the Philadelphia Flyers drafted a big, strong, defenseman when they drafted Maksim Sokolovskii in the 2026 NHL Draft, but we may have underestimated how strong the 18-year-old already is.
As a 6-foot-7, 240-pound rearguard who scored only eight points last year, that is the strength of Sokolovskii's game, after all.
But he's a young, developing prospect who won't really be working out and doing significant amounts of training until next year, when he joins the University of Maine at the NCAA level.
In the meantime, the OHL London Knights had Sokolovskii flip a... 1,000-pound tire in an offseason training video as part of their promotion for their tickets, which go on sale on Friday, according to their post.
The Russian Flyers prospect was only 17 when he was drafted by Philadelphia in the 2026 draft at the end of June, for some context. Imagine how strong Sokolovskii will be in six, seven, or eight years from now?
Obviously, other parts of Sokolovskii's game will need to come along as he progresses in his development. He does have some puck skills and flair, but his puck handling and passing are inconsistent and reduce his ceiling as a player.
If nothing else, though, Sokolovskii's training eliminates any concerns, if there ever were any, about being able to handle competition against older players at the collegiate level next year, since he can already bully anybody he faces in the OHL.
Following an impressive showing at Flyers development camp early last month, Sokolovskii is the undisputed top Flyers prospect at the left defense position, and this only cements his place further.
Barring something unforeseen, the Philadelphia Flyers more or less have their NHL roster set heading into training camp next month.
After a long wait, the Flyers finally re-signed exciting forward prospect Nikita Grebenkin on Thursday evening, inking the Russian winger to a two-year, $2.2 million contract with a $1.1 million AAV.
Grebenkin, 23, recently switched agents, going from Gold Star Hockey powerhouse Dan Milstein to Adel Mansurov of Newport Sports, who wrapped up this lengthy but relatively straightforward negotiation with the Flyers.
And now that Grebenkin is signed, the Flyers have 14 NHL forwards under contract. Unless general manager Danny Briere and Co. swing a trade in the next five weeks, or an injury happens, Grebenkin and his 13 peers are your NHL forwards going into opening night.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect will have to battle with Carl Grundstrom and Noel Acciari for playing time after suffering a season-ending injury in March.
Veterans Luke Glendening and Garnet Hathaway had filled in for Grebenkin after his injury, but Denver Barkey and Alex Bump have established themselves, and Noel Acciari got a decent chunk of money with his $2.8 million cap hit earned in free agency. Tyson Foerster is healthy now, too, so Grebenkin will have to work for the minutes he gets next season and moving forward.
As for the rest of the roster, the last remaining free agent the Flyers have is defenseman Hunter McDonald.
The 6-foot-4, 24-year-old defenseman played in the Flyers' season finale against the Montreal Canadiens last year, making his NHL debut and recording his first NHL point--an assist--in 15:11 of ice time, posting a +3 rating and four penalty minutes.
The Flyers still rate McDonald highly, as further evidenced by his traveling with the team as a ringer in case of injury last season, even though they were never forced to call his number.
McDonald will, however, turn 25 late next season, and the time to establish himself as an NHL player is quickly running out.
Nick Seeler no longer has trade protection, and newcomer Simon Benoit is under contract for only one more year.
The same is true for Rasmus Ristolainen, who has long been a trade candidate and an ace in the hole for the Flyers if and when the right offer comes across their desks.
Like Grebenkin's, that negotiation shouldn't be too difficult for either side, but both sides will assuredly be making their cases on their view of an NHL fit in the meantime.
