Category: Ice Hockey

Welcome back to The Hockey News' NHL Hot Seat Radar, where we're looking at who's facing more or less pressure to perform in the past week.

To be clear, not every person on the hot seat is in danger of losing their job or being traded. But if their seat is warming up based on recent results, they're facing pressure to turn the results around and get back on a better track.

As we noted last week, Calgary Flames coach Ryan Huska and Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette were on the hot seat, and their seats haven't cooled off any. So we're focusing this week partly on a couple of Maple Leafs and a Blues GM whose job isn't at risk but does have increasingly important work ahead of him.

But first, we return our focus to the Buffalo Sabres.

Red-Hot Seat: Kevyn Adams, GM, And Lindy Ruff, Coach, Buffalo Sabres

Ruff and Adams were also on the Hot Seat Radar last week, the Sabres are 0-3-0 in the past week, so their seats warm up even more.

Buffalo simply doesn’t have the depth of difference-makers, and that’s on Adams. And the Sabres don’t outwork many opponents. That’s on Ruff.

The logjam ahead of them in the Eastern Conference makes Buffalo’s road ahead extremely difficult. Their current stretch of four games in six days could either keep Buffalo somewhat close to the playoff battle or far out of it. They lost the first game of this stretch 5-2 against the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday.

There’s just too much not going the Sabres’ way to imagine that they’re going to overcome much of it and salvage their season. And the status quo with Buffalo’s management team is not going to stand. Unless the Sabres start stacking wins, Ruff and/or Adams may soon find themselves in the unemployment line. It’s that straightforward in Western New York.

Will Kevyn Adams' Lack Of Trades Cost Him The Sabres' GM Job?In the NHL, sometimes it's the trades you don't make as a GM that get you fired. Could Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams be next in that regard?

Warming Up: Craig Berube, Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs

Don’t look now, but the Maple Leafs have backslid into 15th place in the Eastern Conference and 27th in the NHL. This, from a top-five team in the league last season. They've been outscored 15-10 in the past week, with a 0-3-0 record.

Thus, everyone in Toronto is on a hot seat of sorts, but Berube has to take his share of the blame and quickly find out how to turn things around, or things will get ugly in Leafs Land.

This is not to say Berube is in danger of getting fired anytime soon. But after he’s experienced the highs of winning a division title in Toronto, he’s in the early stages of finding out how hard things can be when the Leafs slump.

He's turned a struggling team around 180 degrees before, when the Blues went from last in the league to the Stanley Cup championship in 2018-19. Now, he's under pressure to find answers for the Maple Leafs before a warm seat gets hot.

Warming Up: Doug Armstrong, GM, St. Louis Blues

Armstrong has earned his job security in St. Louis, and Alexander Steen is becoming the Blues' GM next year, anyway.

That said, Armstrong has his work cut out for him to allow Steen to hit the ground running next season, when Armstrong stays on as president of hockey operations. And the pressure's building on the Blues to pick a direction.

The Blues are 29th in the NHL with a 6-8-3 record, but they have gone 2-0-1 in the past week.

Armstrong won’t be changing coaches the way he did last year when he hired Jim Montgomery, so other things will have to change with the Blues if they cannot build on this points streak.

If the Blues stay this far down the standings, the pressure will be on Armstrong to get something of note in trades for players like Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou if their futures look bleak in St. Louis.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Are Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou And Tage Thompson Trade Bait?Trade rumors continue to swirl around St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou, while teams are looking into the availability of Buffalo Sabres scorer Tage Thompson.

The Blues made a stunning late-season run into a playoff spot last season, so the door shouldn’t be closed on them changing their status in the standings. But the longer the Blues languish at the bottom, the hotter Armstrong’s seat will get to either retool the way he did when he traded Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko in 2023 or make hockey trades that refresh St. Louis' window of contention.

St. Louis doesn’t have the type of generational talent true Western Conference teams possess, and that means Armstrong’s biggest job will be to convert his current group of talent into long-term puzzle pieces.

Warming Up: Anthony Stolarz, G, Toronto Maple Leafs

Stolarz was a feel-good story in his first year as a Maple Leaf, posting a 21-8-3 record, .926 save percentage and 2.14 goals-against average last season.

This year has been an entirely different story for the 31-year-old, who has a 6-5-1 record, an .884 SP and a 3.51 GAA. When you’re averaging a full goal per game more than you did last season, your seat is warming up.

Stolarz, who's unlikely to play Thursday due to an injury, has a new four-year contract extension that kicks in after this season, so he's sticking around. However, with tandem-mate Joseph Woll close to returning from a start-of-season absence, Stolarz may be in danger of losing the starter’s job if he doesn’t start to show he’s capable of being one. 

The Leafs are in dire need of wins, and if Woll does come in and deliver wins, Stolarz may find his opportunities cut back. There’s no room for error in Toronto, and Stolarz’s struggles may wind up putting him into the No. 2 role until he improves.

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The World Junior Championship is just over a month away, and we should start to hear about what the rosters look like in the coming weeks.

One of the most interesting questions every year is what NHL teams will do with their U-20 players. Do they keep them on the NHL roster, or are they willing to send them to the world juniors to be leaders for their country for a few weeks? 

It’s obvious some youngsters will stick in the NHL. There’s no shot that the San Jose Sharks are even contemplating whether to send Macklin Celebrini, as he sits near the league lead in scoring. He’s more likely to play for Canada’s Olympic team in February than to play for their world junior team over the holidays.

Other players have had a taste of NHL action, but we’ve already seen them sent back to their junior clubs. Guys like Jett Luchanko and Brady Martin are virtual locks on the roster for Canada. 

There are a few players who are in limbo. They are still playing in the NHL, but they’ve been playing in a lower role, or they have been in and out of the lineup because teams want to ease them into the NHL.

Let’s look at eight Canadians and whether they are likely to stay in the NHL or get released to the world junior team.

Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders

This feels like the easiest player to discuss on the list.

Schaefer should stay in the NHL. He’s been borderline dominant already for the Islanders, and he should continue to face the toughest competition in the world.

The argument for sending U-20 players in the NHL to the world juniors is to give them a chance to get back to dominating the competition, but Schaefer seems to be doing just fine. It doesn’t make much sense for the player or the team for Schaefer to be released for the tournament. 

Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Ducks

This one is a bit tougher. Sennecke has been great for the Ducks, and they have outperformed expectations thus far, but there have been a few hiccups for Sennecke in the early going.

Sending him to the WJC would allow him to assert himself as one of the best, if not the best, players at the tournament. That said, having him in the NHL, where he can work through his mistakes, will allow him to develop his overall game further.

Sticking around the Ducks makes a lot of sense, and that’s probably what happens. 

Ben Kindel, C, And Harrison Brunicke, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie duo could both be important pieces for Team Canada. They are in slightly different situations right now, though.

Kindel has been playing fairly consistently, and he’s found himself in the Penguins' top six as of late. His pace and playmaking have always been strengths, but his five goals have been nice to see early in the year, as he goes to the hard areas and gets rewarded for it. He’s playing solid minutes and earning more power-play time as well.

Brunicke’s been scratched since Nov. 3, having played nine games. The 10th game would burn off the first year of his entry-level contract, so the Penguins are staying patient before deciding what they want to do.

He’s been solid at both ends of the ice, but there have been rookie mistakes along the way.

The team has spoken of a detailed plan for Brunicke's deployment in the NHL. They could be holding him out of the lineup for an extended period so that they can send him to the AHL on a conditioning stint, a seldom-used loophole for getting a 19-year-old some AHL time in the short term.

When it comes to the world juniors, Brunicke should likely be loaned out if he hasn’t been returned to junior yet. As for Kindel, there's a bit less certainty there. The case for him to be lent to Hockey Canada is simple: let him go and be a key piece before returning in January to pick up where he left off. 

Sam Dickinson, D, And Michael Misa, C/W, San Jose Sharks

Dickinson and Misa are in two different boats at the moment.

Dickinson is benefiting from his time in the NHL. He’s getting a fairly regular shift, and he’s working through the ups and downs of being a rookie blueliner in the NHL. 

Misa’s dealing with a foot injury at the moment, and while he’s been fairly steady in his games, he hasn’t truly hit his stride. An AHL conditioning stint when he returns from injury could get him ready for the WJC with Team Canada, where he could go and be one of the team’s most impressive talents. A stint with the WJC squad could set him up for a very nice second half in San Jose.

Berkly Catton, C/W, Seattle Kraken

Having surpassed the nine-game plateau, Catton has burned the first year of his entry-level contract, but he still could be sent back to junior hockey, as doubtful as that may be.

Catton has played top-nine minutes and has flashes of really intriguing play. He only has three points, but he’s looked well.

Depending on how his season is going in a month, the Kraken could look to use the world juniors as a way to give Catton a break from the grind and allow him to chase down a gold medal. They did this a few years back with Shane Wright before sending him back to the OHL. With Catton, it feels like he would be back in the NHL after the experience with Team Canada. 

Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames

Parekh's start to the season hasn’t been as smooth as many expected. The uber-skilled offensive blueliner hasn’t made his mark in the attacking zone, and his defensive game has been exposed at times.

He was injured in a recent game and was deemed week-to-week with an upper body injury, so health will also play a factor.

If Parekh returns by the beginning of December, sending him to the AHL for a conditioning stint would make some sense, and then loaning him to Team Canada could give him a chance to gain some of his confidence back after a rocky start to the season in Calgary. Being a leader and a go-to option for Canada would be a great thing for Parekh's development this season.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off three straight losses and will be looking for a much-needed bounce-back game when they host the LA Kings on Thursday. The Kings enter the matchup after winning three of their last four games, including impressive victories over the Jets, Penguins, and Canadiens, snapping several winning streaks along the way.

This game promises plenty of intrigue for fans and bettors alike, with the potential for high-scoring action and standout individual performances. We aim to build on our early-season momentum, having strung together multiple wins in the Pad Stack Challenge and holding an 8-2 record so far for our bank-building challenge. That momentum has carried over into other picks, including a perfect 4-0 night last Friday with the Penguins-Capitals game.

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Red Wings Set For Bounce Back in Offensive Frenzy Versus DucksDetroit eyes a crucial victory against Anaheim, aiming to ignite their offense and overcome recent struggles with a high-scoring performance.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs LA Kings Best Bets

Over 6.0 Goals (-105)

John Tavares Anytime Goal (+170)

Corey Perry Over 0.5 Points (+110) Longshot Pick

The Buds offense has been red hot lately, ranking third in the NHL with 62 goals through 17 games. However, their defense has been their Achilles' heel to start the season. With 65 goals allowed, Toronto is tied with Nashville for the most goals allowed this season.

The struggles are compounded by heavy reliance on Anthony Stolarz, who has 13 starts this season with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage. In Toronto's most recent loss to the Bruins, Stolarz appeared rattled, allowing three goals on 11 shots in the first period.

This defensive vulnerability could give the Kings an opening. Los Angeles sits tied with the Washington Capitals for 20th in the NHL for goals per game with a 2.88 average. The Kings are known for their elite defensive structure, which typically places them among the top two or three defenses in the league. Currently, they are inside the top ten, allowing 2.88 goals per game, tied with the Carolina Hurricanes. This structure has often resulted in low-scoring matchups against Toronto, with six of the last ten games totaling five goals or fewer. However, an unexpected high-scoring game or shootout is possible.

For tonight, the young Dennis Hildeby is confirmed to start for Toronto and has struggled this season, with a 3.75 goals-against average in three appearances. On the other side, LA's Darcy Kuemper has been solid over his last three starts but has faced challenges versus Toronto, holding a 3-5-0 record, a 3.01 goals-against average, and an .887 save percentage in ten starts against the Maple Leafs.

The question is who will take advantage of what could be a high-scoring affair. For Los Angeles, attention turns to 40-year-old Corey Perry. The longtime NHL veteran has seven goals in his last ten games and has scored in three of his last four games versus Toronto. While a longshot pick, Perry should be able to contribute at least a point, especially alongside returning Toronto native Jeff Malott, who will be looking to score against his hometown team.

For Toronto, the focus is on John Tavares. With superstar center Auston Matthews sidelined for the next week, Tavares has moved up to the team’s top line. He has 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points over his last 24 games versus the Kings, including a four-game point streak entering the contest. Tavares has scored in six of his last eight games against Los Angeles and has totaled 21 points in his last 18 matchups. Entering Thursday, he is red hot with goals in three of his last four games, contributing five points.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs placed center David Kampf on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported this roster transaction a few hours before the Maple Leafs announced it Thursday afternoon.

If Kampf clears waivers on Friday, his current contract will be terminated, and the UFA will have an opportunity to sign with another team.

Kampf is in the third year of a $9.6-million contract, earning $2.4 million per season.

He started this season playing in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies after Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube cut him in training camp.

Even while centers Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz dealt with injuries early in the campaign, Kampf wasn't called up to the Maple Leafs’ lineup.

With the Marlies, the 30-year-old from Czechia made four appearances and recorded one assist before leaving the team to ponder the future of his hockey career, as he reportedly had no interest remaining in the AHL.

This season’s stint in the minors was the first of Kampf’s career since he played 33 games with the Rockford IceHogs in 2017-18, ahead of his first NHL campaign.

Regarding Kampf’s leave, he was eventually suspended without pay by the organization. Ultimately, that set the table for the center’s departure from the club.

Kampf played four seasons for the Maple Leafs, featuring in 301 regular-season contests and 26 post-season appearances along the way. He scored 31 goals and 85 points in his tenure with Toronto, including a career-high 11 goals in 2021-22 and 27 points in the following campaign.

Before the Maple Leafs brought on Berube, Kampf was a reliable forward in the three seasons under Sheldon Keefe. According to naturalstattrick.com, he led all forwards in average ice time on the penalty kill during that span.

He also registered a 51.8 faceoff percentage, winning 1,676 draws. Only John Tavares and Auston Matthews won more faceoffs than him between 2021-22 and 2023-24. In some instances, Keefe would send Kampf to start overtime to win the opening draw and head back to the bench in exchange for another forward.

On a broader scale, Kampf has played eight NHL seasons, split between the Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks. In 536 career NHL games, Kampf scored 48 goals and 143 points.

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.

DENVER — Since joining the Colorado Avalanche, Scott Wedgewood has performed at the peak of his career, a level of excellence now recognized with a well-earned contract extension.

The 33-year-old netminder inked a one-year, $2.5 million extension, the team announced on Thursday.

NHL (@NHL) on XSCOTT WEDGEWOOD 🤯 TAKE A BOW!

Before the Wedgewood joined the Avalanche in a trade from the Nashville Predators last season, the peak of Wedgewood’s performance had come during the 2022–23 campaign with the Dallas Stars, when he posted a 2.72 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage across 21 games. Few anticipated that Wedgewood would emerge as a bona fide force between the pipes upon arriving in Denver.

Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) on XMore lumber more yards - Scott Wedgewood

But that has certainly been the case. In 19 appearances for the Avalanche last year, he compiled a 13–4–1 record while posting career-best numbers: a 1.99 GAA and a .917 save percentage. This season, Wedgewood was tasked with stepping into the void left by Mackenzie Blackwood, who began the year recovering from offseason surgery to repair a lower-body injury.

Coming off a 4–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night, Wedgewood now boasts a 10–1–2 record, a 2.26 GAA, and a .913 save percentage, underscoring his pivotal role for Colorado this season.

Over 168 career contests for five NHL teams, Wedgewood, who was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, sports a .907 save percentage and 2.82 GAA.

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.

Just over one month into the NHL season, some surprising players entered the Hart Trophy discussion.

While the Connor McDavids, Jack Eichels and Kirill Kaprizovs of the NHL are putting up excellent numbers as expected, some other players who aren't yet superstars are playing so well that their teams would be in much worse shape without them. They likely weren't front-runners in many pre-season predictions, but they're here now.

Of course, it's hard to ignore two superstars on the Colorado Avalanche right now when looking at our top five contenders for the Hart Trophy in mid-November.

As a reminder, the Hart Trophy goes "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team" and is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Here's my top five so far, with odds where applicable coming from BetMGM.

5. Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals haven’t been as great as they were last year when they went on to clinch the Eastern Conference.

Their offense is problematic, ranking tied for 20th in goals-for per game, but Washington’s goaltending has kept them afloat. In fact, they lead the NHL with the fewest goals against per game, at 2.38.

The Capitals have Logan Thompson to thank for that.

Thompson, 28, has cemented himself as one of the best netminders in the entire NHL. Not only are the Capitals able to maintain a .531 points percentage at the moment, but Thompson’s excellence between the pipes keeps his team in a positive goal differential, one of only two squads that can say that outside of the NHL's top 20.

Thompson leads all NHL goalies with at least five games played in goals-against average with 1.56 and is tied for first in save percentage at .935.

Capitals backup Charlie Lindgren, meanwhile, has a 3.59 GAA and .878 SP in five games. He does have 1.7 goals saved above expected, at least, but Thompson is on an entirely different level, with 12.8 goals saved above expected in 11 games, according to moneypuck.com.

Thompson's numbers in the crease are putting him in a prominent position to be named for Team Canada’s Olympic team.

He's a long shot in the Hart Trophy sweepstakes, but his play deserves this much consideration right now.

4. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks

It’s only his second season in the NHL, but it seems that Macklin Celebrini nearly has it all figured out and is playing an essential part in pushing the San Jose Sharks out of the basement. They're currently 18th in the standings.

Celebrini, 19, is tied with Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson for the second-most points in the NHL with 26. He’s scored 10 goals and 16 assists in 17 games, and he has a plus-eight rating. 

In that span, he’s recorded seven multi-point games, including an incredible performance against the New York Rangers on Oct. 23, when he scored a hat trick and two helpers for a five-point game at Madison Square Garden.

Celebrini leads the Sharks in goals and points, with nine more points than fellow sophomore Will Smith. Celebrini also has 15 more points than third-place Tyler Toffoli in team scoring. There's no question he's driving the team's offense to the point the Sharks are just one point out of a playoff spot. They were five points out at this time last year and 10 points out two years ago.

It won’t be surprising to see Celebrini on this list multiple times this season, as the youngster continues to impress the hockey world and even earn some recognition for a potential Olympics call-up.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 21.00 (+2000)

The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) on X𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: What do goalies fear most on Halloween? 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: Macklin Celebrini 🎃 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 • Top 💯 21-and-under players • Features on Celebrini, Bedard, Buium, Kasper and more: https://t.co/smKk3NQL6o

3. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

It was a tough decision to decide on who would get the higher rank between Connor Bedard and Celebrini. However, Bedard gets the edge this time.

Like Celebrini, Bedard is tied for second in league scoring with 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points,

But for one, Bedard has 11 more points than the next highest scorer on Chicago, Tyler Bertuzzi. Bedard, 20, is also averaging 21:11 of ice time, compared to Celebrini's average of 20:32.

The Blackhawks have one more point than San Jose in the standings, putting them 11th in the NHL and in the second Western Conference wild-card spot.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 23.00 (+2200)

2. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

It’s not exactly polarizing to say Cale Makar is the best defenseman in the NHL. But the 27-year-old is also making a case for himself as the best player in the NHL.

Last season, he finished ninth in the NHL with 92 points. Before that, a defenseman hadn’t finished in the top 10 of NHL scoring since Brent Burns' 76 points in 2016-17.

In addition to leading all D-men by seven points so far this season, Makar is tied with Mikko Rantanen for eighth in league scoring, with 23 points in 17 appearances for the Colorado Avalanche. He has six goals, 17 assists, seven power-play points, two game-winning goals and a plus-14 rating.

It’s been 25 years since a defenseman won the Hart Trophy. The St. Louis Blues’ Chris Pronger was the last blueliner to take home that award in 2000, but maybe Makar will end that drought. 

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 23.00 (+2200)

NHL Power Rankings: Avalanche Thrive As Leafs, Jackets And More FallOne week made a big difference in the NHL power rankings, with injuries continuing to be a big story and lengthy winning and losing streaks standing out.

1. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon won the Hart Trophy in 2023-24, and he's playing like another one awaits him in the spring.

The 30-year-old leads the NHL outright in goals (14) and points (32), and he's tied for first in assists with Evgeni Malkin and McDavid, with 18. He's almost averaging two points per game.

It’ll be a challenge for MacKinnon and Makar to receive the Hart Trophy attention they deserve, considering they are teammates and playing incredible hockey together. The Avalanche lead the NHL thanks in large part to those two.

Nonetheless, MacKinnon is a league-leader in individual categories as well, and he's deservedly our pick as the top Hart Trophy front-runner midway through November.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 2.55 (+155)

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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.

LAS VEGAS -- The New York Islanders have recalled defenseman Travis Mitchell from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Veteran defenseman Scott Mayfield, who was not at Wednesday's practice, will not play as he and his wife welcomed their first child.

Mitchell will serve as the club's seventh defenseman until Mayfield returns.

Adam Boqvist will to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 30, when the Islanders fell 6-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

In Bridgeport, Mitchell recorded three assists in 12 games. 

Signed a two-year deal as an undrafted college free agent in 2023 after a three-year NCAA stint with Cornell, Mitchell re-upped with the Islanders this past summer, signing a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000 ($100,000 at AHL level).

Mitchell has yet to play a game for the Islanders but was recalled last season when the club was on their Western Canada road trip to serve as an extra defenseman with Alexander Romanov sidelined. 

Puck drop between the Islanders and Golden Knights comes your way at 10 PM ET. 

Anyone who followed the Pittsburgh Penguins and their back-to-back Stanley Cup runs in 2016 and 2017 remembers the "HBK Line."

And - on Thursday - two legs of it were reunited.

During the team's practice ahead of this weekend's NHL Global Series at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, assistant coach Nick Bonino and former Penguins' forward Carl Hagelin - who resides near Stockholm - had the chance to reunite. The two were part of Pittsburgh's storied HBK Line during the 2016 Stanley Cup run, which included Hagelin, Bonino, and Phil Kessel (the "K"). 

The line combined for 15 goals and 46 points in 24 games during the Penguins' 2016 playoff run. 

"Bones, my old center... he's looking good," Hagelin told Pens Inside Scoop. "He's done a good job. He really looks like a coach on the bench."

Bonino, 37, played 15 NHL seasons and recorded 159 goals and 358 points in 868 games. He spent two seasons in Pittsburgh between 2015-17, winning two Cups. He also had a brief second stint with the Penguins after the trade deadline in 2023, but he only played in three games due to injury. 

Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) on XCarl Hagelin: "Bones, my old center, he's looking good. He's done a good job. He really looks like a coach on the bench." We mentioned that they're just missing Phil: "I saw he had a hole in one the other day here! But yeah, we're missing him."

As a player, Bonino put up 27 goals and 66 points in 146 regular season games with the Penguins - as well as eight goals and 25 points in 45 playoff games. He is now coaching the Penguins as an assistant.

Hagelin, 37, played in 12 NHL seasons and registered 110 goals and 296 points in 713 NHL games. He was with the Penguins from 2015 to the 2018-19 season, when he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings mid-season. Hagelin had 27 goals and 83 points in 195 games with Pittsburgh. 

The Swedish forward spent his last three-plus seasons with the Washington Capitals, where he was forced to retire early due to an eye injury during the 2021-22 season.

What To Know: NHL Global Series Feat. The Pittsburgh Penguins And Nashville PredatorsThe 2025-26 NHL Global Series is finally here, and the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators">Nashville Predators</a> are gearing up for their two-game set at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

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The Chicago Blackhawks were unable to hold off the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, as they relinquished three one-goal leads throughout the game and lost in overtime. 

Although the Blackhawks didn't have their best game, Spencer Knight kept them in it, and they earned a point in the standings. There are no moral victories in the NHL, but they did find a way to snag a point against the team with the top record in the Eastern Conference without Frank Nazar, Jason Dickinson, and Andre Burakovsky. 

Blackhawks Relinquish Three Leads, Lose To Devils In OTThe New Jersey Devils came back from being down three times at the United Center to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3.

Connor Bedard played a role in them getting that point, as he scored the first goal of the game to make it 1-0. From there, although they ended up winning, New Jersey was playing from behind for most of the night. 

Bedard's goal was a 5-on-3 goal that the Blackhawks did a good job creating. With the help of some good keep-ins and board battle victories, Chicago's good puck and body movement tired out the New Jersey penalty killers. Eventually, Bedard had a give-and-go with Teuvo Teravainen that took Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom out of the net, and Bedard beat him. 

B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) on XINSANE PASSING FROM THE HAWKS, BEDSY BURIED IT, THE MADHOUSE IS MAD 😱🚨

This gave Bedard goals in four straight and points in nine straight. To say he's been on fire would be an understatement. With 26 points, Bedard is tied for second in NHL scoring with Leo Carlsson and Macklin Celebrini. 

Chicago's matchup with New Jersey was a national broadcast in the United States on TNT. Before the game, Wayne Gretzky, who is a panelist for TNT these days, had some really nice things to say about Connor Bedard. 

"He's been absolutely spectacular." Wayne Gretzky said of Bedard. "It's such a pleasure to see because coming into this league at 18, you [have] all this pressure on you, you [have] all of this focus on you, you're not a very good team, you're a young team, you're rebuilding. He was front and center; he didn't back away from anybody or shy away from the media. For him to work as hard as he did in the off-season to come in and play at the level he's playing at now, he's earning his way onto Team Canada."

NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) on XJust the greatest of all time talking about the next-gen 🔥 @WayneGretzky on Connor Bedard ⬇️

It is not every day that you get compliments like this from The Great One. As the NHL's all-time leading scorer and multiple-time Stanley Cup champion, Wayne Gretzky knows a thing or two about being an NHL superstar, and he sees something special in Bedard. 

Gretzky brought up Team Canada unprompted. He seems pretty convinced that Bedard deserves and will be on the team. There is a lot to still be decided on that front, but it is hard to argue against his case. If he keeps playing at his current pace, leaving him off would simply suggest that he never had a chance at all. 

The TNT panel, which had Gretzky joined by Paul Bissonnette, Anson Carter, and Liam McHugh, also broke down Bedard's first-period goal. Gretzky compared his goal-scoring play to a Larry Bird no-look pass and called it a fun play to watch. 

NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) on XConnor Bedard is the ULTIMATE threat on the ice, the boys break down his first period goal ⬇️

There is a lot more media attention and praise coming for Connor Bedard as Chicago's next game will be a Hockey Night in Canada match against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

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

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Before the season started The Hockey News editorial board delivered its predictions about the NHL's Final Standings.

Guess where the Rangers were selected? Fourth place in the Metropolitan Division. Now guess where the Rangers are standing right now? Fourth place in the Metropolitan Division.

THN's critics have Carolina, New Jersey and Washington ahead of the Beloved Blueshirts

At this moment, New Jersey, Carolina and Pittsburgh – yeah, the Penguins of all people – stand ahead of Mike Sullivan's skaters – but not by much.

The Devils (12-4-1, 25 points) play a fast game, solid at all stations.

Carolina (11-5-0, 22 points) always delivers a competitive club and this season is no exception. But the Canes goaltending always is mediocre; and remains so.

So far the teams below the Rangers – Flyers, Islanders, Capitals, Blue Jackets – all are playing over-.500 hockey. Each one of them appears decent enough to remain in the race right down into the homestretch.

The Maven believes that the Rangers – if their current upward trend holds – could climb into first place within weeks and remain at the top through April.

All signs indicate that the Seventh Avenue Skaters have gotten their respective acts together and are getting serious about their strengths while patching the weaknesses.

Rangers Bury Offensive Concerns With Another High-Scoring PerformanceIn a high scoring affair, the New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a> came away with a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

Winning at long last at home was the turnaround's start. Continuing to win on the road has provided a good base.

The match in Columbus will only have meaning if New York loses, but The Maven does not expect that to happen. Therefore, the theme today is: FIRST PLACE OR BUST!

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

The first meeting between the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks this season didn't go the way that Detroit would have preferred, as they were ultimately beaten by a 5-2 final score at Honda Center on Oct. 31. 

It was during that contest that Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider appeared to have scored the game-tying goal in the second period, only to have it waived off after he was ruled to have used a distinct kicking motion.

Moments later, the Ducks scored to make the score 3-1, a tally that would later stand up as the game-winner.

The Ducks, who have ranked near the bottom of the Western Conference for the past several seasons, are suddenly leading the Pacific Division and tied for second overall in the conference.

Players like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are leading the Ducks in scoring, while Troy Terry is currently on a nine-game road scoring streak. The Ducks have no shortage of young talent, which Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan described as “dynamic.”

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

"They're a pretty dynamic team," McLellan said following Thursday morning's skate. "Their young superstars have really evolved, you take (Leo) Carlsson and (Cutter) Gauthier they're playing at a high level and they're very confident right now. They have to be at the top of the offensive production in the National Hockey League, and they're feeling good about their game." 

"They can skate, they have skill and size, and they're confident. That's probably why they're 11-4-1."

During the offseason, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, a former Red Wings forward and assistant general manager, parted ways with former head coach Greg Cronin and hired Joel Quenneville.

Quenneville is very familiar with the Red Wings, having coached against them in multiple postseason series as the bench boss of both the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks, the latter of whom he guided to three Stanley Cup championships.

Red Wings Aim To Snap Three-Game Skid Against Red Hot DucksDetroit faces an eleven-win streak Anaheim squad. Can veteran leadership ignite a struggling offense and end their losing streak?

While it's impossible to ignore the dynamic that Quenneville has brought to the Ducks, McLellan also acknowledged Verbeek's staff as a whole for their hot start to this season. 

"I would say yes, but I would include the rest of his staff and I would also include the Ducks' (Verbeek's) management team," McLellan answered when asked if Quenneville deserves the credit for their start. "They filled in some holes and brought in some complimentary players that others thought were done...they've come in and played well for their team." 

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DENVER — Taylor Makar has been recalled by the Colorado Avalanche ahead of Thursday night’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced Thursday.

The 24‑year‑old forward has appeared in 13 games this season with the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, recording one goal and three assists.

NHL (@NHL) on XEvery other team's worst nightmare, two Makars! 😱 Taylor Makar, Cale's younger brother, is making his NHL debut!

Why Makar Was Called Up

The call-up comes in the wake of a lower-body injury suffered by Valeri Nichushkin, who left Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks early in the third period after blocking a shot. Coach Bednar confirmed Wednesday morning that the 6-foot-3, 209-pound right winger would "miss some time," but there is currently no timetable for his return.

A seventh‑round selection in 2021, Makar signed a one‑year, entry‑level contract extending through the 2025‑26 season.

Prior to turning professional, he spent three seasons at UMass Amherst, compiling 15 goals and seven assists across 85 games from 2021 to 2023. He subsequently transferred to the University of Maine for the 2024‑25 campaign, where he produced 18 goals and 12 assists for 30 points in 38 contests.

Meanwhile, Cale Makar, Taylor's older brother, continues to lead the Avalanche’s blueline corps in 2025‑26, tallying six goals and 17 assists in 17 games.

Colorado sits atop the NHL standings with an impressive 11‑1‑5 record.

Taylor Makar made his NHL debut on November 1 when the Avalanche lost in overtime against the San Jose Sharks in a 3-2 heartbreaker. He averaged 6:07 of ice time during the game. It marked the first time two brothers had taken the ice together for the same NHL team since Mathieu Joseph and Pierre‑Olivier Joseph suited up for the St. Louis Blues during the 2024‑25 season.

The Game

Live from Ball Arena, the Avs will take on the struggling Sabers, who live in frosty conditions, but they've been just as cold with their shooting, as they've dropped seven of their last eight games. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. local time. 

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Thursday's NHL schedule is a loaded ten games, packed with excitement and promise fast-paced action, dramatic finishes, and plenty of highlight-reel moments. One of the most compelling games of the night features the red hot Anaheim Ducks facing off against the ice cold Detroit Red Wings, who've lost four of their last five games. The Ducks look to rebound after suffering a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday and build on their 11-4-1 start with a win on Thursday. 

For those following our betting challenge, we began with a $10 bankroll and aim to grow it through smart, data-driven wagers. Past runs have turned small stakes into triple-digit profits, and tonight’s focus is the Red Wings-Ducks matchup, which offers another strong opportunity to build momentum.

Our bankroll had reached $264.60 before a setback in last Tuesday’s Golden Knights and Red Wings game. After a successful bet on the Mammoth beating the Sabres on Wednesday, our current bankroll stands at $72.76 and we're ready to keep our hot streak going once again. 

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Count On Maple Leafs' John Tavares Staying Hot Versus LA KingsCan Tavares spark the red hot Leafs offense against a stingy Kings defense? Goals galore expected in this high-stakes matchup.

Picks: Red Wings +2.5 & Over 5.5 Goals (-114)

Despite recent trends, the Red Wings enter this matchup as favorites, which isn't surprising given the history between these two teams. Just two weeks ago, the Ducks defeated Detroit, but prior to that, the Red Wings had dominated at home, winning 16 of their last 23 matchups against Anaheim. Overall, Anaheim has struggled in the Motor City, claiming just two victories in eight trips. If the Ducks hope to end that skid, they’ll need to bring their best effort.

Both teams are poised for a potential turnaround. Detroit is coming off three straight losses and could use a bounce-back performance, while Anaheim’s impressive run of seven wins in their last eight games suggests they might be due for a setback. Offensively, both squads boast elite talent with Anaheim’s 20-year-old top-line center, Leo Carlsson, being one of the biggest surprises of the season. The early season breakout has 26 points in 16 games, second only to Nathan MacKinnon in league scoring. Carlsson has historically excelled against Detroit, tallying points in all four career matchups with a goal and seven assists. His play will be crucial in keeping the Ducks competitive.

Goaltending will be a major storyline, as both teams have struggled between the pipes. Anaheim is expected to give regular starter Lukas Dostal the night off, turning instead to backup Petr Mrazek. The 33-year-old former Red Wings netminder has had a rough start to the season, posting a 4.57 goals-against average and an .865 save percentage over three games, allowing 14 goals. In his career against Detroit, Mrazek has a 3.26 GAA and .878 save percentage over 16 games. In net for Detroit is former Ducks star John Gibson, whose homecoming to Anaheim didn’t go well as he allowed four goals on 31 shots in his first game back. 

With elite offenses on both sides and goaltenders in tough form, this game is likely to see plenty of scoring. Ultimately, the Red Wings will look to leverage their home advantage and historical dominance over the Ducks to secure a much-needed win, while Anaheim will rely on Carlsson and their hot offense to stay in the fight. A wager on the Red Wings and the over at -114 odds with an $72.76 bankroll would return a profit of $64.03, for a total payout of $136.79 in return.

Are The Boston Bruins For Real?Boston's impressive win streak ignites debate. Can Pastrnak and Geekie lead this resurgent team past last year's playoff disappointment?

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During the 2025 NHL off-season, the New Jersey Devils re-signed former Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen to a five-year $9 million contract. 

So far, the decision to keep Allen around is looking like a good one for the Devils. In nine games so far this season with the Devils, the former Canadiens goaltender has a 6-2-0 record, a 2.29 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage. He has also had a .900 save percentage or better in six out of his nine appearances this season, which shows that he has been consistent.

Allen also just put together his best start of the season so far against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 8. During it, the former Canadiens goaltender stopped 33 out of 34 shots, which equated an impressive .971 save percentage of the night. 

Allen’s goal from here will be to continue to provide solid goaltending for the Devils. If he does, it will only make the Devils a more challenging team for opponents to face off against this season. 

In 127 games over four seasons with the Canadiens from 2020-21 to 2023-24, Allen recorded a 41-68-15 record, a .899 save percentage, a 3.30 goals-against average, and three shutouts.