Four games are nowhere near enough to define an NHL season. They are enough, however, to provide the first clues about what the Vegas Golden Knights might become.

One week into their 10th season, the Golden Knights are 3-1-0 after victories over Chicago, Vancouver and Seattle, with their only loss coming against Anaheim. More important than the record is how Vegas has arrived there.

Ryan Craig has begun putting his fingerprints on the team. The power play has produced every night. Jack Eichel is already driving the offense, while some of Vegas' less celebrated forwards are establishing roles. And Mark Stone provided an early reminder that leadership inside this organization still extends well beyond the scoresheet.

Plenty of corrections will come over an 84-game schedule. But after four games and one week, five storylines have already separated themselves.

1. Ryan Craig's Knights Beginning To Take Shape

Craig emphasized during training camp that Vegas was "starting over," and the first week has provided glimpses of what that means. His stated goal was a five-man attack with more offensively involved defensemen, while maintaining the structure that has traditionally made Vegas difficult to play against.

The Anaheim loss provided the first adversity. Vegas fell behind 4-0 before making it a one-goal game, but Craig and his players understood that resilience could not excuse the execution that created the deficit.

The response mattered. Vegas went on the road and won in Vancouver, then overwhelmed Seattle 6-2. The Golden Knights looked connected, received contributions throughout the lineup and managed the game rather than chasing it.

Four games don't establish an identity. They can reveal whether one is beginning to form.

2. Power Play Looks Different - And Dangerous

Perhaps the clearest early statistical development has come with the man advantage.

Vegas has scored a power-play goal in each of its first four games, something the franchise has never done to begin a season. Tomas Hertl punctuated the streak with two power-play goals Tuesday in Seattle.

The significance goes beyond four consecutive games.

Craig's staff entered the season looking for ways to deploy Eichel differently, including creating more opportunities for him to shoot rather than simply orchestrate. Vegas also needed to compensate for the absence of Pavel Dorofeyev's finishing ability.

So far, the puck movement has created options rather than dependence on one scorer. Hertl's presence around the net remains valuable, while Eichel can threaten as both a distributor and a shooter.

The man, the myth, the power-play legend 🐢 pic.twitter.com/qVbRFXI6ls

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 3, 2026

Special teams fluctuate. But this looks less like an early hot streak and more like a unit developing multiple ways to attack.

3. Jack Eichel Driving Everything

Any preseason concern about a quiet start from Vegas' No. 1 center disappeared almost immediately.

Eichel produced five points in the first two games and continued rolling through the opening week. His performance in Seattle pushed his season-opening point streak to four games and gave him nine points through four contests.

More important is how involved he has been in virtually every area of Vegas' offense.

Eichel is creating at even strength, impacting the power play and turning defensive sequences into offense. His assist on Stone's shorthanded goal in Seattle was another example. Vegas began the second period killing a penalty with a 2-0 lead; instead of merely surviving, Eichel helped turn the kill into a three-goal advantage.

There will be quieter stretches over a long season. In one week, however, Vegas' best offensive player has looked exactly like it.

Jack of all Aces 🎰 pic.twitter.com/5yYDMpPT83

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 7, 2026

4. The fourth line is becoming something

Championship-caliber teams eventually need a fourth line that owns an identity rather than simply absorbing minutes.

Vegas may be starting to find one.

The early emphasis has been straightforward: pressure, physicality, responsible shifts and enough offensive-zone time to make opponents work. Marc Gatcomb has become part of that personality, and Tuesday's game in Seattle showed the competitive edge Vegas wants from its depth.

When Ryan Winterton hit Trevor Connelly in the third period, Gatcomb immediately answered by dropping the gloves. It came after Stone had already fought Brandon Montour, and Craig pointed toward the reaction throughout the lineup as evidence of teammates responding for one another.

The fourth line doesn't need to produce highlight-reel offense every night.

It needs to forecheck, create energy, protect momentum and give Craig trustworthy minutes.

Through four games, that identity is becoming recognizable.

Marc Gatcomb buries the rebound to put Vegas back on top ⚔️

📺: SNP
📲: Stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/qCtWWlKr9q

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 5, 2026

5. Mark Stone still establishes the standard

Stone's night in Seattle might ultimately become one of those early-season performances remembered less for the statistics than for what it represented.

He scored shorthanded, added an assist and reached 400 points as a Golden Knight. Then, with Vegas comfortably ahead, Stone fought Brandon Montour and completed a Gordie Howe hat trick.

The reaction afterward said everything.

Craig pointed to the "C" on Stone's sweater. Rasmus Andersson praised his willingness to do the dirty work. Eichel reduced it to three words: "He's our leader."

Vegas has changed coaches. The roster continues evolving. Younger players are being integrated, and Eichel has become the offensive centerpiece.

But Stone remains the emotional thermostat.

One week into a new season under a new coach, Vegas already has several developing storylines. Its most familiar one hasn't changed at all.

The Golden Knights still follow their captain.

400 POINTS AS A GOLDEN KNIGHT FOR MARK STONE‼️
FIRST SHORTY OF THE SEASON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NlrNeAg2ce

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 7, 2026

PHOTO CAPTION

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena.

And then there were two. After Tuesday's results, the Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche are the only unbeaten teams remaining in the league. It hasn't been the smoothest of journeys thus far for the Ducks through two games, with both wins coming by the narrowest of margins.

Stellar special teams and goaltending have been at the forefront, with all three goals from Sunday's overtime win against the Florida Panthers coming on the power play. They have also killed off six of seven penalties.

“We’re trying to cause a little bit of mayhem out there,” forward Tim Washe said. “Try to apply a lot of pressure, and I like the way we've been getting pucks out.”

“I think our sticks have been really good,” defenseman Tristan Luneau said. “We went over the game plan, I think everyone (is) executing that. Sticks (have) been good in the first two games, I think that makes a huge difference.”

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Tristan Luneau | Ducks Morning Skate | Oct. 7, 2026Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau speaks to the media after their morning skate at Honda Center.

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It's been all gas and no brakes for the Edmonton Oilers early on. They've scored 17 goals through three games, but have also conceded 14 goals. Devon Levi, who will start for the Oilers against the Ducks, was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in July in an effort to bolster their goaltending. Tristan Jarry has been less than serviceable since his acquisition from the Pittsburgh Penguins last season and offseason signing Frederik Andersen is currently rehabbing from a knee injury and won't be back until late November at the earliest.

The Oilers also have a new face behind the bench in Mike Babcock. The former Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach was hired this summer after Kris Knoblauch was fired following a disappointing playoff result, which coincidentally came at the hands of the Ducks. Babcock has not coached in the NHL since a brief stint as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, a tenure that lasted just two months before he resigned following allegations of improper behavior and subsequent investigations.

“My son worked for Anaheim, so I got a real good idea at what happened in the playoffs,” Babcock said. “I’ve known (Quenneville) a long time, we’ve worked together a bunch of times. He’s a good man. His team’s gonna play fast. He’s got a bunch of young players with size and speed and skill. Maybe, with our lineup, normally, we could race up and down the rink. To have success, we can’t play like that today. We have to play a forechecking, trap game, take care of the puck. Because if we want to race up and down the rink, it’s not gonna go our way.”

18-year-old Nikita Klepov will make his NHL debut for the Ducks after being a healthy scratch for the first two games. He is expected to skate on a line with Nikita Nesterenko and Ryan Poehling.

“It’s awesome,” Klepov said on getting to make his NHL debut against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. “You’ve been watching them since you were a little kid, but now I don’t really think (about) who I’m playing against, just trying to be myself and do the best as I can.”

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“Yesterday’s practice, I think he felt that he was going to be playing today and you could sense the nervousness in his game,” Quenneville said. “And I said, ‘Hey, relax. Tomorrow’s a different game and a different place, but you've watched a couple of games now and you can handle these guys’. It’s a great accomplishment getting to the NHL at his age and getting to play. Just play. Just have fun out there and we'll keep you going as far as technically, but don't think too much and just be comfortable out there.”

Jason Dickinson will make his season debut for the Oilers after missing the first three games due to an undisclosed injury.

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Ducks Projected Lines

A.J. Greer - Leo Carlsson - Cutter Gauthier
Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke
Nikita Nesterenko - Ryan Poehling - Nikita Klepov
Jeff Malott - Tim Washe - Judd Caulfield

Jackson LaCombe - Tristan Luneau
Pavel Mintyukov - Travis Mitchell
Tyson Hinds - Noah Warren

Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)

Oilers Projected Lines

Vasily Podkolzin - Connor McDavid - Leon Draisaitl
Trent Frederic - Jason Dickinson - Kasperi Kapanen
Max Jones - Colton Dach - Isaac Howard
Alex Formenton - Owen Michaels - Mathieu Joseph

Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard
Ryan Shea - Connor Murphy
Jake Walman - Ty Emberson

Devon Levi (confirmed)

The Xhekaj brothers finally saw their dream come true last night as they both suited up for the Montreal Canadiens in a regular-season game. The dream soon turned to a nightmare, however, as the Habs were beaten 6-4 by the Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. The younger Xhekaj’s baptism of fire wasn’t easy, but he still stood out for the right reasons at times.

Less than two minutes in, the rookie landed a bone-crushing hit on Nicholas Ehlers, who didn’t appreciate it much, holding on to the winger’s stick for ages and then complaining to the referee while the play was still going on. The 22-year-old finished the game with three hits and didn’t look out of place on the attacking side of the puck, especially not on the forecheck.

Long-Time Canadiens Organist is Honoured
Canadiens: Different Month, Same Issues, Same Result
Canadiens’ Power Play Faces Big Change

He played with pace, and when opponents saw him coming at full speed, they rushed their play. It led to two turnovers, and once he pressured the defenseman behind Brandon Bussi’s net; the puck landed on a Canadiens defenseman's stick at the blueline. By the time he shot, Xhekaj had moved to the front of the net to screen the goaltender and attempt to tip the puck. There’s no doubt that the rookie knows what he is and how he should play. Martin St-Louis does like players who play to their identity.

However, Xhekaj’s audition wasn’t as conclusive on the other side of the puck; the winger ended his night with a minus-three record. He was on the ice for the Canes’ second goal, but it came on a lost faceoff by Jake Evans, and at that stage, Xhekaj was tasked with covering the defenseman who didn’t have the puck. The shot came from the other side of the zone and was deflected in front, far away from the youngster.

On the Canes’ fourth goal, Noah Dobson sent the winger a no-look backhand pass he didn’t expect in the defensive zone. It was poked on its way to him, and Xhekaj couldn't control it; it fell straight to Mark Jankowski in the slot, and the centerman wasn’t going to miss such a premium opportunity. Yes, Xhekaj’s man scored, but that one was on the veteran defenseman, who chose to put the puck in a dangerous spot rather than battle hard along the boards.

On the Canes’ fifth goal, however, he should have done a better job of tying up Taylor Hall in front of the net. With Xhekaj and Taylor Hall screening Jakub Dobes, he couldn’t see the puck, and when the players blocked it, he had no idea where it was when Hall knocked it in, right under the youngster’s eyes.

Did the rookie have a tough night in his zone? Yes, he did, but that was on a night when established NHL players struggled to find space against an opponent who plays a suffocating style. Those were hardly winning conditions, and Xhekaj’s readiness to play in the NHL shouldn’t be assessed on that game alone.

GOOD LUCK 🤞 TO OUR BOYS ❤️
Dreams come true and one of theirs will come true tonight.
Incredible moment for XHEKAJ family.
Mom’s heart is overflowing with gratitude and appreciation . Blessed 🥲 beyond words 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/UFqGElm1Bi

— Simona Xhekaj (@SimonaXhekaj) October 6, 2026

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The Florida Panthers have placed forward MacKenzie Entwistle on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

Entwistle did not participate in training camp or pre-season while dealing with an undisclosed injury. 

Entwistle is not in the second year of a two-year, two-way contract he signed with the Panthers in June of 2025.

Last year, Entwistle played in 49 games for the Checkers, scoring five goals and 11 points. He also featured in two playoff games but failed to record any points. The year before that, in his first year with the Panthers organization, Entwistle played just seven regular season games and eight playoff games. 

Before joining the Panthers, Entwistle played for the Chicago Blackhawks, splitting time between the NHL club and its AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Dogs. In Chicago, the 27-year-old played 193 NHL games, scoring 15 goals and 35 points. 

Entwistle last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season.

Brad Marchand Suffers Lower Body Injury, Panthers React To Losing Another Key PlayerJust days after Sasha Barkov’s departure, the Panthers face a fresh injury crisis as another star forward left Tuesday's game in Los Angeles, testing Florida’s touted roster depth.

The Panthers have had good luck on the waiver wire recently. During training camp roster cuts, the Panthers did not lose any players on the waiver wire, and within the last year, they have claimed two players, Cole Schwindt and Cole Reinhardt, who can be impact players in the NHL when needed. 

The Charlotte Checkers are off to a 1-1-0 start with seven goals for and five against. Nathan Smith leads the team with three goals, while top prospect Jack Devine is close behind with two.

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It is the worst news possible for Alexander Romanov and for the Islanders.

Just three games into his return from shoulder surgery, Romanov tore the ACL in his right knee against the Rangers on Tuesday night, the Islanders announced. He will undergo surgery to repair the injury and miss 6-8 months.

In terms of immediate ramifications, the Islanders need to sort through options for their defense ahead of Thursday’s match against the Blackhawks.

Without making any roster moves, they can flip Matthew Schaefer back to the left side and move Adam Pelech to the second pair while bringing either Scott Mayfield or Matt Kessel into the lineup on the right.

If Pete DeBoer wants to keep Schaefer on the right, though, that could mean calling up either Isaiah George or Kashawn Aitcheson to play on the left. Flipping Schaefer was in no small part about giving Romanov top-four minutes, so it’s not clear whether that will remain the plan.

Longer term, this is a blow to GM Mathieu Darche’s plans.

With Romanov’s full no-trade clause set to kick in on July 1 of next season, Darche had to decide by then whether he saw the 26-year-old as enough of a cornerstone to justify a $6.25 million annual salary that extends through 2033.

It’s believed that there would have been interest in Romanov around the league should Darche have decided to move him, in part because that salary number is suddenly attractive for a potential top-four defenseman.

Now, though, chances are that Romanov’s no-trade clause will kick in with him having played just 18 games in two seasons. So not only will the Islanders be unsure what they have in him, but the rest of the league will be far less willing to take a shot on a player under a long-term contract with a complicated injury history.

It has been well-documented over the last several days that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a logjam at the forward position. 

And, on Wednesday, some of that was cleared up.

Ahead of their Wednesday night matchup against the Washington Capitals, the Penguins acquired left defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Filip Hallander. Hallander, 26, has a goal and three points in two games so far this season and was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh's 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Monday.

Forward Andrei Kuzmenko was also granted non-roster status by the league, opening up a roster spot for forward Bryan Rust to, potentially, be activated from injured reserve for Wednesday's game. 

Stastney, 26, has yet to play a game this season despite being kept on Edmonton's NHL roster. Last season for the Oilers, the 5-foot-11, 196-pound blueliner appeared in 66 games split between the Oilers and Nashville Predators, accumulating two goals and 10 points and coming in at a minus-11. 

The acquisition of Stastney - and corresponding move to ship out Hallander - gives them another option on a thin left side of the blue line and alleviates the congestion on the Penguins' forward front, as they simply had too many NHL-caliber forwards and not enough spots on their NHL roster.

It is not yet confirmed whether or not Stastney will be available for Wednesday's game, although it's probably safe to assume he won't be. The next stop for the Penguins will be the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus on Friday. 

Depth Is Good, But Too Much 'Depth' Becoming Problem For PenguinsThe Penguins could, potentially, face a tough roster decision prior to Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals if Bryan Rust is ready to go.

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The New York Islanders lost a hard-fought game against the New York Rangers 5-2 on Tuesday night inside Madison Square Garden.

While the loss itself was bad enough, the immediate concern became focused elsewhere.

Defenseman Alexander Romanov left the game early in the third period with an apparent injury.

At the time, the severity of it was unclear, and concern seemed mild around the Islanders. 

Postgame, Head Coach Peter DeBoer said Romanov was still being evaluated.

Romanov is still being evaluated, per DeBoer.

We’ll be given an update tomorrow. #Isles

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 7, 2026

The hammer dropped Wednesday afternoon. The Islanders announced the devastating news that Romanov suffered a torn ACL, and will be out the next 6-8 months.

#Isles Injury Update: Alexander Romanov will require surgery to repair an ACL tear in his right knee. He will be out 6-8 months. https://t.co/2ANqRbHy24

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 7, 2026

It's a stunning blow for the Islanders and Romanov. 

The math suggests it's another regular-season-ending injury. The Islanders' regular season ends April 10, which is almost exactly six months from now.

No mathematician, but the regular season ends Apr. 10.

Six months is Apr. 6.

The timeline suggests Romanov will miss the rest of the regular season for a second straight season.

18 games in two years for No. 28.#Isleshttps://t.co/fGQeLspq3q

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 7, 2026

For Romanov, you just can't help but feel all the sympathy in the world for the Russian defender.

Romanov's an electric personality in the locker room, is Ilya Sorokin's best friend, and for the second straight season, his season's over before Thanksgiving.

The Russian defenseman's season ended last year in Dallas when Mikko Rantanen threw a cheap-shot hit into the boards, causing a major shoulder injury to Romanov.

Romanov came close to returning and might've been ready for the playoffs had the Islanders made it. 

The 26-year-old played 15 games last year, and only three this year before this ACL tear.

The play the tear happened, Romanov's final shift, looked almost entirely innocent.

Alexander Romanov tore his ACL on this play last night. Devastating. #Islespic.twitter.com/wJPHeJAGvv

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) October 7, 2026

Romanov goes in and throws a check. Then, as he skates away, his leg pulls up on him, and he shakes it out a couple times, looking uncomfortable.

He did not return, and now it's known his ACL tore on this play.

The immediate impacts for the Islanders are massive. Romanov had been playing a top-four role, on a pairing with Ryan Pulock.

Now, the Islanders will almost certainly break up the pairing of Adam Pelech and Matthew Schaefer to fix their left-side issues.

Scott Mayfield is presumably the next man up, while Matthew Kessel now likely moves up to be the team's seventh defenseman.

In Hamilton, Isaiah George, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Marshall Warren all represent potential call-ups at some point down the line.

While the Islanders will now have the open roster spot, they will likely hold onto that and use it to activate Mathew Barzal.

Barzal is expected to skate tomorrow, with the hope he can return to the lineup next week.

It's a jarring moment for the Islanders. This is a team that struggled mightily to replace Romanov last year, eventually settling on Carson Soucy.

Soucy did not fit overly well, and left via free agency. 

This year, Logan Stanley will hold down the third pairing. Through three games, he's looked to be an exponentially better fit for the Islanders.

This year, there is more NHL-proven depth. How the Islanders handle this test remains to be seen.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play one of their biggest rivals on Wednesday night.

They're set to take on the Washington Capitals on the road after losing 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.

This will be the first of four meetings between the Penguins and Capitals this year, and it carries extra meaning. Alex Ovechkin announced on Monday that he will retire at the end of the 2026-27 season, making this one of the final matchups between him and Sidney Crosby. 

The Capitals are 1-1-0 to start the season. They beat the Carolina Hurricanes in their first game, then lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. This will be their first home game of the season. 

The Capitals were busy this offseason and made several additions, especially at forward. They traded for Jordan Kyrou and signed Alex Tuch in free agency. When healthy, they have one of the best forward groups in the entire NHL. 

It'll be a good test for a Penguins team that's trying to erase that stench from Monday against the Jets. Logan Thompson will start in goal for the Capitals. 

The Penguins held an optional morning skate on Wednesday, and head coach Dan Muse confirmed after the skate that Arturs Silovs will start in goal. Bryan Rust, who fully participated in Tuesday's practice, is a game-time decision. I think he has a good chance of playing.

Here are the expected lines and pairs:

Forwards

Lapierre-Crosby-Rakell

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

Koivunen-Kindel-Rust

Dewar-Lizotte-Robertson

Defensive pairs

Carlile-Karlsson

Girard-Korczak

van Riemsdyk-Letang

Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

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One storyline emerging this season is Aatu Räty's playing time. The 23-year-old was scratched for the first two games of the campaign and is averaging 9:43 per night. More healthy scratches may be coming for Räty in the near future as he was the extra forward at practice on Tuesday before the Vancouver Canucks departed for their six-game road trip. 

The debate around Räty's usage isn't new. There were many questions last season, as the Finnish center also spent portions of the campaign in the press box. While it is very early, it looks like a similar situation could be emerging despite the change in coaching staff this off-season. 

One of the best cases for Räty to be included in the lineup is his ability to win faceoffs. He finished the 2025-26 season winning 60.5% of his draws and is already up to 61.5% this year. While there is some debate on the importance of faceoffs, having someone that reliable on the bench can be beneficial, especially in the defensive zone or late in close games. 

As for the flip side, Räty's offence has been a major question mark at the NHL level. In 104 career games, he has found the back of the net 12 times while recording a total of 27 points. While fourth-liners aren't expected to be high point-getters, Räty's point total is concerning. 

Finally, there is the question of whether Räty's game matches up with Manny Malhotra's system. The Canucks want to play with speed down the middle, which is something the former second-round pick is not known for. As for the move him to the wing debate, Räty hasn't played that position in his career, which means additional work both on and off the ice to learn how to play either left or right wing. 

In the end, the situation surrounding Räty is complicated. Vancouver can't send him to the AHL, as he requires waivers and would very likely be claimed. Ultimately, Räty's usage will be a storyline to follow this year, as more healthy scratches will lead to plenty of speculation about his future.  

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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EAST MEADOW, NY -- The plan is for New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal to skate on Thursday, per head coach Pete DeBoer. 

Barzal, 28, missed the entirety of training camp, all four preseason games, and the first three regular-season games due to inflammation in his left knee. He sustained the initial injury on Feb. 1, 2024, which required a minor procedure, and has been managing it since. 

Although Barzal can be activated and play that same night given his Injured Non-Roster status, the Islanders would need to be roster compliant.

The Islanders would likely place defenseman Matt Kessel on waivers 24 hours before game day (at 2 PM ET), since players on waivers still count against a team's roster limit. 

But, there's also a decision to be made about the injured Alexander Romanov, who sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of their 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday. 

If the Islanders wanted to avoid having to waive anyone, they could place Romanov on Injured Reserve to open up the spot. Romanov would have to miss a minimum of seven days, retroactive to Oct. 6. 

Barzal likely will not be ready to go against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday as he'll probably want to get a few practices in before returning. We'll see how he feels after skating and whether Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning is a realistic possibility or not. 

The Calgary Flames are in a rebuild, a retool, or whatever term you want to use for the current stage of the organization.

Whatever the label, patience is going to be required at the NHL level.

The Flames are still trying to find consistency with their young NHL roster, but there are encouraging signs that the organization is building a deeper prospect pool behind it.

Calgary has invested heavily in the draft over the past few years while adding prospects through trades and other avenues. The result is a system that is becoming deeper and more interesting.

It is still far too early to make major declarations about where these players will ultimately end up, but several Flames prospects have gotten off to strong starts this season.

Here are a few new names worth watching.

Leading from the front 🫡#GoChiefsGo | @NHLFlamespic.twitter.com/7nxEmo4tmh

— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) October 6, 2026

Chase Harrington, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Harrington might be the most intriguing name on this list right now.

The Flames selected the forward in the second round, 36th overall, at the 2026 NHL Draft, and he returned to Spokane this season after being named captain of the Chiefs.

Through four games, Harrington has three goals and seven points with a plus-7 rating. He also leads the team in points, assists, penalty minutes and plus/minus.

His season began with a statement performance. In his first two games, Harrington recorded three goals, two assists and two fights, completing a Gordie Howe hat trick along the way.

He is also coming off a strong 2025-26 season, when he recorded 28 goals and 57 points in 61 games.

🔥Ethan Wyttenbach is back and off to a fantastic start — Here’s hoping this is the season he brings home the Hobey Baker!#Flamespic.twitter.com/8VxFV26Pms

— Flames Prospects (@BlastyProspects) October 5, 2026

Ethan Wyttenbach, Quinnipiac (NCAA)

Wyttenbach is another prospect who has given Flames fans plenty to be excited about.

Calgary selected him in the fifth round, 144th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft, and the 19-year-old is back with Quinnipiac for his sophomore season.

Through two games, Wyttenbach has two goals and four points.

WHO ELSE?!#BobcatNation x #NCAAHockeypic.twitter.com/7qcE4Hmnxg

— Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey (@QU_MIH) October 2, 2026

That comes after an outstanding freshman campaign in which he recorded 25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points in 40 games.

Now the challenge is doing it again.

A strong sophomore season would only add to the intrigue surrounding a player who has already exceeded expectations once.

Joe Iginla Ready to Write His Own Story with the Calgary FlamesDrafted into a legendary legacy, the son of franchise icon Jarome Iginla embraces the pressure of his surname while carving a unique path toward NHL stardom in Calgary.

Joe Iginla, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

There is obviously going to be additional attention around Iginla.

The son of Flames legend Jarome Iginla, Joe was selected by Calgary 65th overall in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

The younger Iginla has returned to the WHL with Vancouver and has recorded one goal and three points through five games.

Iginla finished last season with 32 points in 59 games between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Vancouver Giants.

The name will naturally bring additional attention, but Calgary will ultimately be focused on his development.

For now, he has made a solid start.

Henry Mews, Michigan (NCAA)

Mews is entering his third season in the Flames organization after Calgary selected the defenceman 74th overall in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

The 20-year-old is playing at the University of Michigan, where he has two assists through two games to start the season.

Mews is coming off a shortened 2025-26 campaign in which he recorded nine points in 10 games.

Before making the jump to Michigan, Mews had a highly productive junior career, including an 82-point season in 68 games with Ottawa and Sudbury in 2024-25.

His ability to move the puck and contribute offensively makes him an intriguing defensive prospect for Calgary.

Breaking Down the Calgary Flames’ First-Round Picks in the 2026 NHL DraftThe opening round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is complete, and the Calgary Flames came away with two prospects who fit the identity the organization continues to build under general manager Craig Conroy.

Simon Katolicky, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Katolicky is one of the newest additions to Calgary’s prospect pool.

The Flames selected the Czech forward in the fifth round, 132nd overall, at the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 18-year-old made the jump to North America this season with the Sarnia Sting after playing in Finland with Tappara’s junior program.

Katolicky has two goals and three points through seven games with Sarnia.

At 6-foot-5, he brings an intriguing combination of size and skill, and his transition to North American hockey will be worth watching as the season progresses.

The Bigger Picture

It is still early.

A strong September or October does not guarantee that any of these players will eventually become NHL regulars. Development rarely happens in a straight line, and every prospect has a different timeline.

But that is also the encouraging part for Calgary. The Flames are no longer relying on one or two prospects to carry the weight of the organization’s future.

There is legitimate depth developing throughout the WHL, OHL and NCAA, with players at different stages of development and with different skill sets.

Harrington is wearing a captain’s letter and producing offensively. Wyttenbach is coming off a 59-point NCAA season and has started this year at two points per game. Iginla is beginning to establish himself in Vancouver, while Mews is producing at a point-per-game pace at Michigan. Katolicky is adjusting to North American hockey after making the jump from Finland.

None of that guarantees future NHL success. But it does give the Flames something they have been trying to build for years: options.

As the organization continues working through its current NHL rebuild, those options could become increasingly important.

The Chicago Blackhawks are 1-3-1 after their first win of the season, which also came in their first home game. Before the puck dropped, Patrick Kane received a warm welcome as he played his first home game as a Hawk since 2023. 

Patrick Kane has a claim to be considered the greatest player in franchise history. There have been individual accolades in addition to an incredible amount of team success. Most of Chicago's roster were children when Kane was on Stanley Cup-contending teams.

Now, those same players who grew up watching him are skating alongside him, trying to get the franchise back on track. So far, it sounds like they really enjoy having him as a teammate and benefit from it in multiple ways. 

"The nice thing is that as a teammate, his demeanor and the way he carries himself, he's not a larger-than-life figure as a human being," Spencer Knight said of Kane. "He's a really nice guy, a normal guy, fun and easy to be around. With what he's done, it's pretty impressive on all levels."

Spencer Knight is a young goaltender who hasn't spent a whole lot of NHL time around Patrick Kane yet. However, it seems that Kane doesn't act like a guy who has won the Stanley Cup three times, the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Hart Trophy, the Calder Trophy, or any of his other prolific accolades.

To be a great leader on a young team, you have to be relatable. Kane, according to his newest teammates, is just one of the guys despite all of his success. 

"It's so cool to see the love and the passion that the fans have for him," Alex Vlasic said of Kane. 

Young guys need to see what they can become if they just win. Patrick Kane is as beloved as any athlete in Chicago's rich history of sports, and the young players are seeing firsthand what that could look like for them. 

After the game was over, especially because the Blackhawks won, there was a special buzz in the locker room. Everyone was fired up from the moment they were introduced until the final whistle. Obviously, the recognition of Kane played the biggest role in that. 

“I was like a little kid in the candy shop," Sam Rinzel said. "It was really cool to see, especially as an American, growing up watching him. It’s pretty special and really cool to see as kind of a younger kid. He's been unbelievable, and it couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

On the ice, there are a lot of youth on the side of Chicago. They play a sloppy game at times, and it is mostly due to players figuring out good on-ice habits that will eventually lead to winning. The pure skill is there, which was on full display against St. Louis, but they have to put it all together over the course of a full season to take advantage.

Kane learned how to do it, and he has the wisdom to help. He isn't doing it because he has to, either. He genuinely enjoys it. 

"I think it's great," Kane said about being a leader in the room filled with young players. "These guys are going to grow up together, play together, and develop chemistry on and off the ice. I think it's going to be a special group down the road. Right now, we want to be as good as we can. We're striving to be better than last year, find a way to keep ourselves in every game, get better and better as the season goes on. As the years go by, as these guys get more experience, it's going to be a pretty special group." 

Patrick Kane is not in his 20s or early 30s anymore. He is beyond the years of competing for scoring titles. However, being surrounded by the youth on the current edition of the Blackhawks will help him get more out of the late years of his career. This is shaping up to be a mutually beneficial situation. 

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

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenseman Spencer Stastney from Edmonton in exchange for forward Filip Hallander.

The deal, announced Wednesday, gives the Penguins depth on the blue line.

Hallander, 26, was off to a promising start this season for Pittsburgh, scoring a goal to go with two assists in two games for the Penguins. The former second-round draft pick has struggled to gain a foothold in the NHL during his time in Pittsburgh, appearing in just 18 games across four seasons.

The Penguins will be Stastney's third team in less than a year. He was traded from Nashville to Edmonton last December, then signed a one-year deal with the Oilers in July.

The 26-year-old Stastney has four goals and 15 assists in 117 career games for Edmonton and Nashville.

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See AP’s full NHL coverage here

As per a release by the Edmonton Oilers, the organization has acquired forward Filip Hallander from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenceman Spencer Stastney. 

Edmonton was rumored to be looking around the trade market in the hopes of trading a depth defenseman for a forward. Speculation was that they had a deal in the works for a young Eastern Conference center with upside, but who was still unproven.

Filip Hallander, a 26-year-old left-shooting centre (6'2", 207 lbs), has made an immediate impact with the Penguins this season. In two games he has a goal and two assists and is a +4.

Born in Sundsvall, Sweden, Hallander was drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft. He was traded to Toronto in 2020 and returned to the Penguins in 2021, then made his NHL debut in 2021-22. Over four seasons he has played 18 NHL games, scoring two goals and adding five assists while averaging 12:04 of ice time per game.

Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer writes, "He finished 2nd in SHL scoring with Timra in 2024-25 (26-27-53/51 GP). He can play multiple forward positions. Oilers save over 650K on the cap with the deal."

He has spent most of his time in the AHL, where he put up 26 goals and 36 assists for 62 points, along with 44 penalty minutes, in 107 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

TRADE 🔄 The #Oilers have acquired forward Filip Hallander from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenceman Spencer Stastney. pic.twitter.com/aKWKdvL8j7

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 7, 2026

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