Category: Ice Hockey

There are a lot of reasons to keep Matt Grzelcyk beyond his training camp PTO. The Chicago Blackhawks lack veteran depth on the blue line and proven puck movers over 82 games. Plenty of young players project to have that ability, but there is no evidence quite yet. 

There is also a lack of experience playing with truly elite players in the locker room. Guys like Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Nick Foligno have been around some incredible players, but Grzelcyk may have the most impressive list of former teammates. 

Of course, the Boston Bruins selected Matt Grzelcyk with a third-round pick (85th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. He ended up playing with them for parts of 8 seasons. 

During that time, he was a great defender with some puck-moving ability. He played an important role on some great teams alongside superstars like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, David Pastrnak, Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, and Tuukka Rask. 

Last season, as a depth defenseman on the team, Grzelcyk played with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He scored 40 points, which is a career high for him. There are other keys to being a great defenseman in the NHL besides points, but these are some good numbers. 

Despite being a lousy team overall, he got to share the ice with legends like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang. So with both of his NHL teams up to this point, he has had some of the best teammates the game has had to offer in the last 10 years. Experiences like this make him the type of veteran worth considering for a young locker room. 

Both on and off the ice, Grzelcyk can help players looking to become elite like some of his former teammates. Will Connor Bedard,  Frank Nazar, Sam Rinzel, or Artyom Levshunov reach that tier? It would take some time, but it’s possible. 

Grzelcyk can help them with his play, which is the most important thing, but he can also give them knowledge on how superstars carry themselves if they were to inquire. 

It isn’t a guarantee that Grzelcyk makes the team, but this level of time spent with good players is a checked box that makes him worth considering for a roster spot. 

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

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced their full 2025-26 training camp roster on Wednesday, since camp is set to start on Thursday. 

They invited 69 players to camp, and the roster is obviously headlined by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. There are also a lot of other returning players on the roster, including Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Erik Karlsson, Kevin Hayes, Danton Heinen, and Blake Lizotte.

The roster includes 37 forwards, 24 defensemen, and eight goaltenders. One of the goaltenders is Marc-Andre Fleury, who will practice with the team on September 26 before playing in part of the Penguins' preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27.

Tickets for that game continue to skyrocket since it will be the final time that Penguins fans will get to see Fleury play in a Penguins uniform. Fleury is one of five players attending camp on a professional tryout contract, joining Robby Fabbri, Brett Murray, Cal Burke, and Jake Livingstone.

Some of the top prospects in the Penguins' system will also get to attend camp, including Ville Koivunen, Harrison Brunicke, Sergei Murashov, Emil Pieniniemi, Owen Pickering, and Ben Kindel. There are other prospects who will be there, including Rutger McGroarty, Bill Zonnon, Tanner Howe, and Peyton Kettles, but they aren't cleared to practice since they're injured. 

Veteran forward Noel Acciari, who has been with the team for the last two seasons, is also banged up and won't be practicing to start camp. 

All training camp practices will be held at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and will be free and open to the public. The first practice is set to get underway on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. ET.

You can view the full training camp roster here.

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The Los Angeles Kings are just a few weeks away from training camp and less than a month from opening night. For this season, there are still talks around the roster lacking a little firepower, but it's good enough to make the postseason and go home early again. 

However, with a few roster spots still available, the Kings should consider targeting restricted free agents after the market thins out. The question then becomes whether the Kings can tap into the restricted free agent (RFA) pool to add young, high-end talent.

It’s a long path, but one worth examining.

ONLY 20 DAYS TO GO UNTIL PUCK DROP 🫨

And until we see @NHLFantasy's top 20 #FantasyHockey breakout candidates hit the ice — see the full list here: https://t.co/XT8EWvVk6s#NHLFaceOffpic.twitter.com/Ss9X6BXDkB

— NHL (@NHL) September 17, 2025

Why RFAs Are Rarely Targeted

With the Kings needing fresh talent and the organization looking for answers after repeated playoff disappointment, it’s fair to ask whether this could be the moment LA takes a swing.

LA needs to fill some vacant spots on the roster, especially after Corey Perry’s injury, who is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing knee surgery. The Kings can sign a young talent in the market who is looking to prove something and get a contract offer. 

The Kings’ Needs and Outlook

Los Angeles is pressed against the salary cap with long-term deals for Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Kevin Fiala already on the books. They'll need to manipulate things carefully if they're to make a significant addition.

What they need is clear: scoring depth behind Fiala, long-term center assistance with Kopitar aging, and young defensemen who can grow into bigger roles. With that as context, here's a look at which RFAs are a fit — and how likely each might be.

Dream Scenarios (Unrealistic, but Fun to Imagine)

Mason McTavish (Ducks): Anaheim would never let a top young center cross the freeway to LA. Still, Anaheim is listening to trade offers from several teams interested in McTavish, so it is possible. Still, the Ducks and McTavish will most likely sign a long-term deal, forcing the Kings to give up a lot of their young pieces for him in a trade to make it possible.  

Intriguing but Complicated

Luke Evangelista (Predators): A skilled forward with offensive upside, Evangelista could complement LA’s forward group. Nashville would likely match any reasonable offer, but the deal between the two has continued to linger and caused frustration from Evangelista’s side.

So, that gives another team like the Kings a chance to step in and give Evangelista an offer or come up with a trade, but we will have to wait and see how the situation ends with both parties. 

Luke Hughes (Devils): A left-shot defenseman with elite skating, puck-moving ability, and offensive upside. That’s precisely the type of player LA could use as Drew Doughty gets older. The Kings could benefit from picking up Hughes and moving into developing him for the future, as Doughty is slowly declining at his age. 

Why It’s Unrealistic 

Even though Luke isn’t on the same level as his brother Jack, he’s still improving and has shown significant progress this past season. So, it would be doubtful that the Devils would move him or let him go without offering a long-term contract, which is most likely to happen. 

However, it’s still possible that Hughes signs elsewhere if contract talks stall. Since the Kings aren't his top destination, a trade would be necessary, involving the Devils asking for draft compensation and more to finalize the deal.  

Realistic Options

Wyatt Kaiser (Blackhawks): Still developing, the young defenseman could provide organizational depth and long-term upside. With the Kings needing blue-line reinforcements, Kaiser represents a more practical type of target.

The Verdict

While the idea of Mason McTavish in a Kings jersey is fun for fans, the reality is that LA’s best chance in the RFA market lies with the most realistic options like Evangelista, Kaiser, and maybe Hughes if the Kings get creative and really want to target him. These aren’t flashy names, but they could fill immediate needs while still fitting the cap structure.

There's going to be even more competition when the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp gets underway on Thursday.

According to Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports, the Penguins are bringing forwards Robby Fabbri and Brett Murray to training camp on professional tryout contracts. 

Fabbri spent the 2024-25 season with the Anaheim Ducks but was limited to 44 games, finishing with eight goals and 16 points. He has six double-digit goal seasons during his career and scored 18 goals and compiled 32 points during the 2023-24 season with the Detroit Red Wings. 

His best individual season came in 2015-16 when he was a member of the St. Louis Blues, finishing with 18 goals and 37 points in 72 games. When healthy, he's a good depth player, but has been banged up a lot during his career. 

Murray has spent his entire pro career with the Buffalo Sabres organization and has compiled two goals and six points in 26 NHL games. He has played in 325 AHL games with the Rochester Americans and has 100 goals and 206 points. 

The first practice of Penguins training camp will start at 8:45 a.m. ET on Thursday from the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Each practice is free and open to the public. 

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The San Jose Barracuda announced they have signed forward Oliver Wahlstrom to PTO/AHL contract for the 2025-26 season.

Wahlstrom will attend San Jose Sharks training camp with an opportunity to make the team but has a guaranteed AHL deal with the Barracuda.

The 25-year-old had four points in 27 games with the New York Islanders, two points in 16 games with the Boston Bruins, and 15 points in 19 games with the Providence Bruins last season. 

A native of Portland, ME., Wahlstrom has recorded 37 goals and 73 points in 236 career NHL games and 21 goals and 40 points in 69 career AHL games. 

The #SJBarracuda have signed F Oliver Wahlstrom to an AHL Contract for the 2025-26 season pic.twitter.com/OZ8gVXNG5G

— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) September 16, 2025

If he does not make the NHL out of camp Wahlstrom will make a nice addition to a Baracuda team that lost reigning AHL MVP Andrew Poturalski this off-season. 

The 11th overall selection of the Islanders in 2018, Wahlstrom is extremely talented but has struggled to find consistently in the NHL, he should have lots of opportunity with the Sharks organization.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.      

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano is set to join the organization this season, GM Brad Treliving says.

The 41-year-old was first spotted around the club again during the summer at Maple Leafs development camp. He spoke in front of the prospects about his NHL career, from being an undrafted defenseman to winning the Norris Trophy in 2019.

Giordano was then seen last weekend behind the bench with the Maple Leafs at the Prospect Showdown in Montreal. During Toronto’s media day on Wednesday, Treliving confirmed that the former defenseman would have a role with the team this season.

“We'll have an announcement there. Mark will be joining the group here primarily on the Marlies side,” Treliving said. “And then some of the other changes and promotions, and we've added some pro scouts and different folks, so we're going to get that out to you. I don't want to break all the news here.”

Giordano spent part of three seasons with the Maple Leafs, from 2022 to 2024. He was acquired by the club from the Seattle Kraken at the trade deadline and was part of Toronto’s defense core when they eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning from the playoffs in 2023, their first playoff series win since 2004.

'I Like To Bring It All': What To Expect From Dakota Joshua In First Season With Maple LeafsDakota Joshua might not know many players on the Toronto Maple Leafs yet, but he has familiarity with head coach Craig Berube.

The Norris Trophy-winning defenseman hasn’t formally announced his retirement, but has taken on several roles, including appearances on TSN last season. He also coached 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer this summer.

Giordano played parts of 18 seasons in the NHL, tallying 918 points (158 goals, 419 assists) in 1,148 games with the Maple Leafs, Kraken, and Calgary Flames.

He’s not the only former Maple Leaf being officially brought into the organization. Kyle Clifford announced his retirement from professional hockey earlier this summer and confirmed he’d be joining Toronto as a development coach.

"I’m very excited about the next chapter with Toronto in player development," he told The Hockey News earlier this summer.

Matias Maccelli's Motivation Is The 'Highest It Has Ever Been' Ahead Of First Season With Maple LeafsMatias Maccelli is ready to put the summer workouts and informal skates behind him and get into Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.

Clifford had two stints in the Maple Leafs’ organization as a player. He was acquired by the club in 2019, along with Jack Campbell. After one season in Toronto, Clifford joined the St. Louis Blues on a two-year, $2 million contract, before returning to the Maple Leafs in a trade after one season.

Toronto also has former defenseman Jake Muzzin under the umbrella of its development staff.

Latest stories:

Why The Maple Leafs Want To Get Anthony Stolarz's Contract Done In Short Order

How Max Domi’s Lower-Body Injury Could Impact Maple Leafs’ First-Line Plans

'I Don't Have To Hear Core Four Anymore’: Craig Berube Excited Mitch Marner’s Departure Puts More Focus On Maple Leafs' Team

The Hockey News Big Show discusses pressing NHL topics as training camps kick off.

What To Expect From Alex Ovechkin, Training Camps by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode:

01:30: What is Kirill Kaprizov looking for since he reportedly turned down a contract offer from the Minnesota Wild?

05:15: What teams could potentially trade for Kaprizov if the WIld think they can’t re-sign him?

08:20: Is J.T. Miller the right choice as captain of the New York Rangers?

12:00: Will any team sign Carter Hart?

15:00: Which player missing the start of the season is the biggest blow to their team?

18:50: Who will take the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-line right winger role?

21:20: What other players should the Maple Leafs target?

23:40: What is Leafs prospect Easton Cowan’s ceiling?

28:15: What are the expectations for Alex Ovechkin as he turns 40 this season?

31:30: What’s the most intriguing team going into training camp?

34:50: Which captain-less team will name a captain first, and who will it be?

37:20: Which opening-day matchup are you most excited to watch?

38:50: What’s your favorite outdoor venue? What stadium would you like to see host an NHL specialty game?

42:00: What’s your favorite example of a player ending their career by returning to their longtime squad?

43:20: If the NHL changed the playoff format so more teams would make it, would Buffalo make the cut?

Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

After an offseason that featured a blockbuster trade, the first overall pick, and a few free agent additions, the New York Islanders head into training camp with some unanswered questions.

Michael Ostrower contributed to this story. 

While most of the 23-man roster looks locked in, a handful of players are still battling for NHL spots.

Islanders 2025-26 NHL Training Camp Roster Is OutAhead of Thursday, the New York Islanders have released their training camp roster. The list consists of 35 forwards, 18 defensemen, and eight goaltenders:

That said, the line combinations remain a work in progress, and head coach Patrick Roy recently offered some insight into how the top nine forwards might shake out to start camp:

Jonathan Drouin – Bo Horvat – Maxim Shabanov

Anders Lee – Mathew Barzal – Kyle Palmieri

Anthony Duclair – JG Pageau – Simon Holmstrom

Roy’s proposed lines notably put Maxim Shabanov, the 2025 offseason’s top international free agent, on the first line.

Roy’s Plan Is To Start Shabanov On Top Line At Islanders Training CampMonday morning at the New York Islanders Children's Foundation Golf Outing, Islanders' Head Coach Patrick Roy revealed his way-too-early lineup thoughts ahead of training camp. 

While the 24-year-old Russian had 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 KHL games, finishing top three in the league in both assists and goals, his immediate placement on the top line is a stark contrast to Maxim Tsyplakov.

Tsyplakov was the top international free agent during the 2024 offseason, and while he opened the 2024-25 season on the second line alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, he began training camp in a depth role.

Given that Shabanov stands just 5-foot-9, 167 pounds, and his playstyle is the opposite of Tsyplakov’s, it makes sense why they view him as a top-six forward and not a bottom-six guy. 

Roy’s tentative lines provide insight into how training camp will start, but each player still has to earn their spot.

Jonathan Drouin and Bo Horvat will likely stay together to open the season, but Shabanov still has to earn the first-line, right-wing spot, with Palmieri the other suitor for the role.

Whichever of the two gets left off the first line will be a prime candidate to join Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee on the second line.

The third line is set with Anthony Duclair, JG Pageau, and Simon Holmstrom offering Roy a speedy trio capable of stretching the ice and contributing offensively.

While Roy did not comment on the fourth line, it will likely consist of Emil Heineman, Casey Cizikas, and Maxim Tsyplakov, with Kyle MacLean, Marc Gatcomb, and Pierre Engvall fighting to make the 23-man roster.

But, you can’t rule out Calum Ritchie, the Colorado Avalanche’s top prospect, who they sent to the Islanders in the Brock Nelson deal, from making the team. He looks NHL-ready and could win a job, whether that’s at center ice or on the wing. 

The Islanders' defense underwent some major changes this offseason with the departure of Noah Dobson and the addition of Matthew Schaefer, but four of the six lineup regulars appear set in Alexander Romanov, Adam Pelech, Tony DeAngelo, and Ryan Pulock.

When healthy, all four defenseman have been heavily relied on under Roy, and that is unlikely to change in 2025-26.

From there, Schaefer is the favorite to be the third left-shot defenseman in the lineup, though the Islanders will make him earn it.

His main competitor will be Isaiah George, who greatly developed his game in Bridgeport (AHL) following a 33-game NHL stint in the first half of the 2024-25 season.

Scott Mayfield is expected to be the third right-shot defenseman in the lineup, but Adam Boqvist could give him a run for his money.

Boqvist’s game offers the Islanders a higher offensive ceiling given his skating, agility, and playmaking. 

While Mayfield is signed for another five seasons, both Roy and Mathieu Darche have emphasized a desire to add speed to the lineup, and Boqvist offers just that.

In the most probable outcome where Mayfield and Schaefer make the lineup, Boqvist is the favorite to earn the seventh defenseman role since George is waiver-exempt.

Ethan Bear, a right-shot defenseman signed to a one-year, $775,000 deal this offseason, is a close friend of Barzal and is another name to consider during training camp.

The Islanders will also need to sort out which goaltender will back up Ilya Sorokin.

Semyon Varlamov underwent season-ending surgery after trying to work his way back from a lower-body injury sustained last November. We do not know his status for training camp yet.

The last thing we were told is that he was skating.

The Islanders signed veteran backup David Rittich as an insurance option in case Varlamov did not stay at full health.

Depending on New York’s confidence in Varlamov’s health, Rittich could open the season at Sorokin’s backup, or even as a third goaltender on the roster if Darche fears Rittich will be claimed on waivers.

The latter is unlikely, as multiple goaltenders similar to Rittich will be placed on waivers, but anything is on the table after last season’s goalie carousel saw the Islanders use five different netminders.

The Islanders will open training camp on Thursday, September 18th.

The NHL season is almost here. Training camp kicks off this week around the league with preseason games to follow. With training camp comes several questions for the Ducks, five of which hold higher priority than others.

When will Mason McTavish sign?

Out of all the burning questions, this one is the biggest for the Ducks. McTavish, a restricted free agent (RFA) is still currently unsigned with training camp a day away from commencing.

With Trevor Zegras now in Philadelphia, the pathway to No. 2 center behind Leo Carlsson is McTavish’s for the taking. This summer, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek identified McTavish as a long-term piece for the organization, saying that they are fortunate to have both Carlsson and McTavish.

While that may be true, Verbeek may be in danger of repeating the same sequence from a few years ago, when contract disputes with Zegras and Jamie Drysdale dragged into training camp and both players subsequently missed time due to injuries. Both players are now no longer part of the organization, plying their trade together in Philadelphia.

Anaheim has short-term options for the second line center spot as long as McTavish remains unsigned. Free agency addition Mikael Granlund is capable of filling that role, like he did for the past couple of years in San Jose. Ryan Strome has done the same in years past, though his production is closer to that of a third line center than a true No. 2.

There’s no question though that the longer this contract dispute drags out, the more detrimental it could become. With Joel Quenneville (and almost  an entirely new coaching staff) taking charge, being present for the start of camp to learn new systems and knock the rust off is essential.

How will the forward lines shake out?

McTavish is an important part of the forward corps, but with or without him, there are still plenty of moving parts that need to be settled.

The trio of Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Alex Killorn may get an early look to see if they can continue the production that they had during the second half of last season.

With McTavish absent for the time being, Granlund may jump up into the no. 2 center position and be flanked by Troy Terry and fellow offseason addition Chris Kreider.

Questions Facing Each Anaheim Ducks Forward Heading into the 2025-26 SeasonThe 2025-26 season is now around the corner after a long offseason. The Anaheim Ducks have lofty goals and one major piece of business left on the table to take care of: Mason McTavish's contract extension.

The non-presence of McTavish opens up an opportunity (for the time being) for one of Anaheim’s young forwards to make a good impression and push for a roster spot. 2024 third overall pick Beckett Sennecke has been the talk of the town in Ducks land, with his options this season split between returning to the OHL or playing in the NHL.

Other youngsters like Nikita Nesterenko, Sam Colangelo and Tim Washe will be competing for bottom-6 spots. Nesterenko and Colangelo could make the full-time jump to the NHL this season after splitting time between the top tier and the AHL last season.

What will the blue line look like?

Anaheim’s defense is chock-full of youth, with Radko Gudas (35) and Jacob Trouba (31) the only elder statesmen on the backend. Jackson LaCombe (24) will look to build on his breakout sophomore campaign while fellow left-handers Pavel Mintyukov (21) and Olen Zellweger (22) should benefit from playing more regularly. That leaves one spot on the right side for likely a trio of players in Drew Helleson, Tristan Luneau and Ian Moore.

Helleson, 24, took on a bigger role upon being recalled last November and solidified himself as part of the bottom pair by the end of the season. Known more for his defensive prowess than offensive ability, he signed a two-year extension this offseason.

Ducks’ Young Blue Line Could Be Their X-Factor in 2025-26The Ducks have a lot to be excited about when it comes to this season and beyond. Despite the departure of fan favorite Trevor Zegras via trade, they added a couple of veterans with plenty of playoff experience in Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund. They also revamped their coaching staff, giving Greg Cronin, Rich Clune and Brent Thompson the boot in favor of Joel Quenneville, Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill and Andrew Brewer.

Luneau, 21, had a terrific season in the AHL this past year, putting up 52 points in 59 games. A knee infection cut his 2023-24 season short and the beginning of his 2024-25 season in the NHL showed that he was not yet ready to make the jump. But with another pro season under his belt, Luneau has the opportunity to make the NHL roster out of camp once again. This time, it’s possible he may stick around.

Moore, 23, joined late last season, signing his entry-level contract (ELC) following the end of his collegiate career at Harvard. He played a few games in the AHL before coming up to the Ducks, but didn’t look too out of place in the three games that he played on. Moore was on the Ducks’ rookie faceoff roster, but did not play in either of the two games, perhaps a strong endorsement that Ducks brass already know what Moore can do.

What kind of impact will the new coaching staff have?

There’s no question that Anaheim is gunning for a playoff spot this season. It’s why Verbeek bid adieu to Cronin, Brent Thompson and Rich Clune this summer and brought in Quenneville, Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill and Andrew Brewer.

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on Quenneville HiringFollowing the news conference to announce Joel Quenneville being named the 12th Ducks head coach in franchise history, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek spoke to local media. Below is a full transcript of the media scrum (Questions and answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity):

Quenneville’s systems should benefit the young blueliners offensively while also helping create a much more cohesive unit defensively. A league-worst power play (11.76%) will get new life breathed into it by Woodcroft while McGill looks to repair a penalty kill that been near the bottom of the league for the past few seasons.

A team with stronger systems and better special teams should help take a load off of Lukáš Dostál and whoever his backup will be, whether it’s Petr Mrázek or Ville Husso.

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How Much the Ducks are Projected to Improve in 2025-26 Standings

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This prospect list was originally published in the The Hockey News' annual yearbook

With rookie camp in the books and the big boys set to take the ice for training camp on Thursday, here is a look at the Vegas Golden Knights' top prospects.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Trevor Connelly

Pos LW Age 19

2024-25 Providence (HE)

Makes quick reads, distributes well and dashes around the ice. Will benefit from reps at AHL level.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

2. Matyas Sapovaliv

Pos C Age 21

2024-25 Henderson (AHL)

Meager point total masks great work done defensively. He’s adept at matchup game.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

3. Raphael Lavoie

Pos C Age 25

2024-25 Henderson (AHL)

No doubting his offense, but he needs to develop reliability away from puck to reach next level.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

4. Jakob Ihs Wozniak

Pos C Age 18

2024-25 Lulea Jr. (Swe.)

Broke scoring record for 17-year-old in Swedish junior. Consistency key to him reaching potential.

Expected NHL Arrival ’29-30

5. Lukas Cormier

Pos D Age 23

2024-25 Henderson (AHL)

Skilled puck-mover and potential power-play quarterback missed majority of 2024-25 with injury.

Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27

6. Pavel Moysevich

Pos G Age 21

2024-25 St. Petersburg (KHL)

Fought for starts with SKA last season. Regular playing time will help big, athletic keeper develop.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

7. Arttu Karki

Pos D Age 20

2024-25 Assat (Fin.)

Returned to Finland to play pro. Does everything well but nothing spectacularly. A project prospect.

Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29

8. Mathieu Cataford

Pos C Age 20

2024-25 Rimouski (QMJHL)

CHL’s scholastic player of the year showcases on-ice smarts with his knack for reading play.

Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28

9. Akira Schmid

Pos G Age 25

2024-25 Henderson (AHL)

Consistency in the AHL was a challenge, but his performance behind an NHL defense was great.

Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26

10. Mateo Nobert

Pos C Age 18

2024-25 Blainville-Bois. (QMJHL)

Pass-first playmaker with good vision drives play. He will have to adjust to pace at next level.

Expected NHL Arrival ’30-31

Be sure to visit The Hockey News store for up-to-date news around the league.

As NHL training camps open across the NHL, there are unfinished contract business, lineup projections, rookies looking to earn a spot and pending signings and trades. 

In other words, there’s some front-page drama and other burning questions this week.

Here are five key storylines to watch as teams prepare for the 2025–26 season.

1. Who Fills Mitch Marner’s Wing in Toronto?

The Toronto Maple Leafs face one of the most intriguing positional questions early in camp: who will take over Marner’s right-wing spot alongside Auston Matthews? 

One of the game’s top stars was moved this off-season in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. That leaves a hole in the Leafs' roster that they’ve arguably not filled. Toronto added several depth pieces, but there are questions as to how effective they’ll be. 

Trade acquisitions Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua could try to earn that spot. Other options include moving William Nylander away from John Tavares to play with Matthews and Matthew Knies, or they could promote Max Domi, Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Kaprizov's Contract Talks Spark Trade Rumors While Zacha Chatter ContinuesLast week's report of Kirill Kaprizov rejecting an eight-year, $128-million contract offer from the Minnesota Wild garnered plenty of headlines.

2. Will Connor McDavid Or Kirill Kaprizov Be Signed?

Few assumed that just weeks before the season, two of the NHL’s biggest stars haven’t signed contract extensions. 

The Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild likely figured getting extensions done for their top superstars wouldn’t be overly complicated. Things have taken an odd turn in both negotiations. 

Connor McDavid is taking his time in Edmonton, which is making Oilers fans nervous. He said he wants to win in Edmonton, but he’s talking with those close to him and keeping all options open, including the term and teams. 

While the original expectation was that this wouldn’t drag into camp or the start of the season, it’s looking more and more like that’s exactly what will happen. 

Meanwhile, things between the Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov took a turn last week when he reportedly turned down $128 million on an eight-year extension. Several insiders have weighed in. Among them, Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report cautioned fans not to pump the brakes. 

“I have zero indication at all that Kirill Kaprizov has even thought about playing anywhere other than the Minnesota Wild,” Seravalli said. 

3. Positional Battles And Rookies To Watch

Camp is always a proving ground for young talent. Expect intense competition for roster spots, especially among rookies and players pushing for full-time roles. 

Michael Misa, the No. 2 overall pick by the San Jose Sharks, is one to watch as he tries to add more talent to an already young and hungry roster. Instead of going the NCAA route, he signed an entry-level contract, which means he’ll either be in the NHL or OHL, where he had 134 points in 65 games last season.

The Boston Bruins acquired Fraser Minten last season, and he’s ready for a bigger and more consistent role in the NHL. He could contribute on the penalty kill, power play and bottom six while trying to increase his offense. 

Montreal Canadiens right winger Ivan Demidov looks to be the NHL’s rising star this season. He will confuse opponents with his game-breaking ability.

In Edmonton, the Oilers need rookies Matt Savoie and Ike Howard to excel in the NHL right away this season. One of them should earn a role in the Oilers’ top six as well. If they can’t produce and grab an important role, Edmonton’s chances of getting back to the Stanley Cup final go down.

4. Will Mason McTavish And Luke Hughes Sign?

Two big-name NHL RFAs still haven’t signed with their respective teams: Mason McTavish and Luke Hughes.

The story in Anaheim is that McTavish and the Ducks can’t get on the same page about cap hit and term. There’s been trade speculation, although the Ducks don’t want to entertain that idea. If another team signs McTavish to an offer sheet, the Ducks have enough cap space to match it. 

Meanwhile, Luke Hughes is reportedly trying to time his contract to end when Jack Hughes’ does, which would be a five-year deal. The Devils reportedly want either a longer term or a bridge deal.

Both players are expected to play major roles in their respective organizations once deals are finalized, but this can’t keep dragging on. The idea that either can or should miss time to begin the season feels like a non-starter.

NHL Confirms It Will Reinstate Players Acquitted In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault TrialThe five players from Hockey Canada's 2018 world junior team who were found not guilty of sexual assault this summer will eventually be allowed to return to the NHL.

5. Will Any Players Acquitted In The Hockey Canada Trial Sign Contracts?

The five players found not guilty of sexual assault in July – Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote – have been cleared to return to the NHL in December. Each can sign contracts as early as Oct. 15. But the NHL said while the players were acquitted, the events that transpired were “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

The question becomes: who gets the first look by NHL franchises?

There will be tough decisions coming from NHL clubs that must weigh the pros and cons of signing one of those players.

Hart, who was a starting goaltender with the Philadelphia Flyers before taking a leave of absence for the trial, has already told the team he won’t be returning. The Oilers don’t plan on signing him, either.

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It may be hard to believe, but the Detroit Red Wings are not only in the midst of the second longest Stanley Cup Playoff drought in the National Hockey League today, but in their team history. 

The Red Wings are celebrating their centennial season in 2025-26, marking a century of history. Yet in that time, they had never endured a playoff drought as long as their current one.

Overseeing the team through this process is beloved former team captain Steve Yzerman, one of the three greatest players in franchise history, who once helped lift the Red Wings out of the infamous “Dead Wings” era during his playing career and redefine what excellence in the NHL meant.

Because of his track record in the same role with the Tampa Bay Lightning, many fans expected Detroit’s rebuilding process to be further along by now.  

As one of the most calculated executives in professional sports, Yzerman is well aware of the growing frustration among the playoff-hungry Red Wings fan base.

"Well, we're trying to improve every year. Ultimately, the goal here is to build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup," Yzerman explained Wednesday in a virtual press conference on the eve of Training Camp. "You can't compete for the Stanley Cup, obviously, until you makethe playoffs, but our goal, again, is to be a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup. So again, these rebuilds take time. How much time? I can't really predict, everyone's is different." 

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

Yzerman referenced the Draft Lottery, a source of bitter frustration for the Red Wings organization as a whole, as no other team has dropped more spots in the Lottery than they have over the last several seasons. In fact, the Red Wings haven’t held a top-three pick since 1990, which came just after Yzerman’s seventh season as a player.

"Where you finish, what happens in the lottery, who's available in the draft in a particular year, those things are somewhat out of our control," he said. "We'll try to run and we're going to continue to try and run a good program. We're going to continue to try and improve each season, with the goal of becoming a playoff team and a team that eventually competes for a Stanley Cup."

"So I understand the frustration, or maybe the lack of or I don't want to say patience, because I think everybody's been pretty patient, but the sense of urgency within the fan base and in our local media, I understand it, but ultimately, you know, you guys heard it when Kenny Holland was here."

"Like you want to go into a rebuild. It takes time."

There's no question that Yzerman inherited an extremely challenging situation from former GM Ken Holland when he returned to take over the GM duties in April 2019. Since then, Yzerman has built one of the more intriguing prospect pools in all of the NHL.

One of the most positive elements of Yzerman's drafting has been the selections of both Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, both of whom are now considered foundational cornerstones to build around. 

Other Yzerman selections like Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper have now become regulars in the lineup.

The Red Wings have also been on the cusp of the postseason in each of the last two seasons, but a lull in the month of March in both years ultimately spelled doom for their chances of playoff hockey.

Yzerman knows full well that patience is beginning to wear thing with passing season of not advancing to the postseason is growing, but he's clearly sticking firm to his plan of drafting and developing talent, and is steering clear of hasty and spontaneous style moves of shedding future assets for a quick fix solution. 

Red Wings’ Latest Top Prospect Turning Heads with Immediate ImpactDetroit's most recent second round pick in Eddie Genborg is making an immidate mark on the SHL just two games into the season. 

"I'm trying to build a team that competes for a Stanley Cup and can win a Stanley Cup," he said. "So, you know, again, I'm going to do what I what I think is right in, you know, with each Draft, with each free agency period, with each trade deadline, with the goal of trying to improve our team."

He also made it clear that Red Wings ownership, led by Chris Ilitch - the son of the late Mike Ilitch, who drafted Yzerman in 1983 - has endorsed his patient approach of drafting and developing.

"Chris and I have spoken and going back to when he hired me, that is going to take a long time, and we're going to be patient and and we're going to be, you know, allow our young players to develop," he said. "We're going to rely heavily on the draft that, and hopefully, over time, these young players that we draft turn into NHL players. So how many years it's supposed to take? I don't  know. Is it four? Is it five? Is it 10? Ultimately, it's ownership's decision when they feel that they're not happy with the direction of the club or the plan, that that's their decision." 

"But Chris and I have spoken about it, and he's understood the process and where we're at." 

The Red Wings are scheduled to begin Training Camp on Thursday, Sept. 18. 

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Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram will reportedly not attend the team’s training camp this week.

Ingram and the Mammoth are working together to find a new home for the goaltender, KSL Sports' Cole Bagley reported on Wednesday. This is a mutual agreement.

Bagley further reported that Utah GM Bill Armstrong said the plan is to eventually place Ingram on waivers, allowing any team to claim the 28-year-old.

Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanacek will be Utah’s goaltending tandem for the 2025-26 campaign.

The last time Ingram went through waivers was during the 2022-23 season, when the Arizona Coyotes picked him up from the Nashville Predators. He became an NHL regular with the Coyotes, even earning starter duties in 2023-24 while recording a 2.91 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.

Ingram is coming off his fourth NHL season. Last year, he played 22 games for Utah, registering a 3.27 GAA, .882 SP and 9-8-4 record.

In March, Ingram entered the NHL and NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program for the second time in his career. The Saskatoon, Sask., native shared at the time that he had lost his mother to breast cancer, and that affected him as a person and a player.

In 2023-24, Ingram received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for being the NHL player who best exemplified the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He had also sought care from the Player Assistance Program in January 2021 while dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder and lingering depression.

Ingram’s last NHL appearance was on Feb. 22 in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He made 21 saves on 25 shots.

In August, the program cleared Ingram to get back to playing NHL hockey in time for the upcoming season. But he'll likely be playing the final season of his three-year contract with a $1.95-million cap hit elsewhere.

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Training camp is officially here for the Montreal Canadiens. With this, the 2025-26 regular-season is rapidly approaching.

Now that the regular-season is getting closer for the Canadiens, there are certainly some players who need to be watched. Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes is undoubtedly one of them.

Dobes was a nice surprise for the Canadiens this past season, as the 24-year-old took a notable step forward in his development and proved that he can handle playing in the NHL when called upon. In 16 regular-season games with the Canadiens in 2024-25, he posted a 7-4-3 record, a 2.74 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage. He also played in three playoff games for the Habs, where he had a 1-2 record, a 2.91 goals-against average, and a .881 save percentage.

Overall, Dobes had a solid start to his NHL career this past season but now will be looking to once again earn the Canadiens' backup role for this campaign. He has some competition for the backup spot, however, as the Canadiens signed veteran goalie Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year, $1.15 million contract in free agency. Thus, Dobes will be looking to impress at training camp from here.

It will be fascinating to see how Dobes performs during the pre-season, but there is no question that he has a bright future.

Oscar Fisker Molgaard is gearing up for his first Seattle Kraken training camp and season in the AHL, and he'll be looking to use past experiences to help him.

Those past experiences include 129 games in the SHL, Sweden's top professional league, where he has scored 18 goals and 47 points. Including his time in the SHL, Fisker Molgaard has already racked up 23 games of experience at the World Championship and played seven games last year with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. 

“I’ve always been wanting to go to Coachella Valley after getting drafted by the Kraken,” said Fisker Molgaard. “You’re always nervous at first, but I think it went well. I kind of adapted to North American hockey pretty quick. That also helped me getting back home as I knew how to play against the North American players in the world championships. It’s a big help. Especially for the upcoming [AHL] season. I know the trainers, I know the coaches, I know some of the guys. It helps me a lot, coming in here with some confidence and calm.”

Known for his strong skating and two-way prowess, the 20-year-old has several translatable skills that could help him find success in the AHL and the NHL down the road. Currently standing six-foot, 168 pounds, Fisker Molgaard still has plenty to do to get his body NHL-ready, but the Kraken think very highly of their 2023 second-round pick (52nd overall).

“I think this training camp is going to be huge for him,” said Firebirds coach Derek Laxdal, who penciled Fisker Molgaard in for both games of this past weekend’s NHL Prospects series. “He wasn't here for last year's training camp, already playing in the SHL. I expect to see him take a great step forward. He is just going to grow. You think about his projection, his last three years playing in the SHL, he's mature beyond his years. His game is beyond a 20-year-old. He's got a very bright future for the Kraken organization ... I think he's one of those top pieces going forward.”

The adjustment period for Fisker Molgaard will be something to keep an eye on. Although he has professional experience, playing in North America is different. With that being said, the Danish center claims to have had a great summer and is ready to compete and work.

“I finally had a good, long summer,” said Fisker Molgaard. “It felt good to work out to be stronger and get better at my game.”

Coachella Valley Firebirds To Have Heavy Rookie InfluenceThe Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, will have a heavy rookie influence in 2025-26, with several 2023 NHL Draft picks set to embark on their rookie seasons.