Trevor Lewis never had the chance to play for his hometown team.
For most of his 17-year NHL career, that team simply didn't exist.
The Utah Mammoth played their inaugural season in 2024-25, the same season Lewis was preparing to close the book on a career that saw him win two Stanley Cups, play more than 1,000 NHL games and establish himself as one of the most accomplished hockey players Utah has ever produced.
Now, though, Lewis finally has a place within his hometown club.
Just not in uniform.
The Utah native has joined the Mammoth staff as a part-time video scout and youth and amateur hockey ambassador, bringing nearly two decades of NHL experience back to the state where his love for the game began.
“Trevor Lewis fell in love with the game of hockey right here in Utah,” Mammoth president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. “He went on to win two Stanley Cups over the span of his 17-year NHL career, retiring as the most accomplished player ever from this state.”
Lewis retired following the 2025-26 season, ending a career that began when the Los Angeles Kings selected him 17th overall in the 2006 NHL Draft. He spent the bulk of his career in Los Angeles, helping the Kings capture the Stanley Cup in 2012 and again in 2014.
His résumé extends well beyond those championships.
Lewis played 1,034 NHL games, the most in league history by a player from Utah, and finished second among Utah-born players with 237 career points. His draft position also remains the highest ever for an NHL player from the state.
Those accomplishments now give Lewis a unique perspective to bring into the Mammoth organization.
His role will extend beyond video scouting and hockey operations. Lewis will also work to help grow youth and amateur hockey throughout Utah, returning to the same community where his own journey in the sport began.
For a state whose hockey profile has grown considerably in recent years, having one of its most accomplished players involved at the grassroots level gives Lewis an opportunity to influence the game long after his playing career has ended.
“Being able to tap into the mind and championship experience of someone who cares so personally and so deeply about the continuous growth of hockey in Utah, and who knows what it would mean to bring a Stanley Cup to the fans here, is both a rare opportunity and a natural fit for us,” Armstrong said.
Lewis never got to wear the jersey of Utah's NHL team.
But after spending 17 years building a career that made him one of the state's hockey pioneers, he now gets to help build what comes next.
The Anaheim Ducks have reached an agreement to sign left wing Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract extension ($13.5 million average annual value), securing his place with the team through the 2031-32 NHL season.
Gauthier was selected fifth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers before being acquired by Anaheim via trade for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round selection in early 2024. Last season, Gauthier tallied 41 goals and 69 points as the Ducks' leading scorer. His offensive production helped lead Anaheim to its first playoff appearance since 2018, ending an eight-year postseason drought.
"We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time," said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek in a statement Tuesday, Sept. 15. "He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player."
Gauthier’s contract was finalized in the final hours of the previous NHL collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Under the new CBA, which took effect at midnight, teams can now offer a maximum of seven years to re-signing players and six years to free agents. The updated agreement also changes the structure of signing bonuses and limits how much can be paid upfront, reducing the prevalence of front-loaded contracts.
"This is a very exciting day for my family and I," Gauthier said in a statement. "I'm so pleased to be able to sign long-term with the Ducks and be part of what I believe is a great future."
Kent Hughes has done it. The Montreal Canadiens have signed all their players, but it took longer for Arber Xhekaj. The big defenseman only put pen to paper on the eve of training camp, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. The question everyone is asking is: why did it take all summer for that kind of deal?
After this season, both parties will be right back where they started since, once again, Xhekaj, who will then be 26, will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. In the past, Hughes had always signed the Ontarian and Jayden Struble to two-year pacts; what’s different this time around?
Given the logjam on the blueline and the fact that eventually someone will have to go, perhaps Hughes wanted to make Xhekaj’s contract more attractive in a potential trade. After all, if he were traded during the season, the team that acquires him wouldn't just be buying one year of his services, since he would remain under team control at season's end. The Habs had no issue signing Zachary Bolduc to a deal that walked him straight to free agency at age 27, but it’s a much longer deal. Or the hulking defenseman may feel he’s worth more than $1.5 million and doesn’t want that to be his salary for the next two seasons; that’s also a possibility.
Now that the deal is signed, however, Xhekaj has another chance to prove he belongs on the Canadiens for the long haul. According to TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie, Kaiden Guhle will miss the start of the season and won’t be available to play until perhaps November. That gives Xhekaj runway to make the sixth-defenseman role his own.
What’s different this season? Well, as we heard at the golf tournament, Derek Lalonde will bring a fresh set of eyes to the defensive structure and the penalty kill. Perhaps he’ll like what he sees from Xhekaj and will be willing to give him a fair audition on the PK. His presence might also be good news for the blueliners, since he could teach them a thing or two about their role. While he wasn’t a defenseman himself in his playing days, Lalonde was a netminder who had the opportunity to watch defensemen’s play up close.
Whether he’s pleased with the outcome of the negotiations or not, Xhekaj must approach training camp as another chance for a fresh start and find a way to make himself essential to the Canadiens. That starts with playing a safe, consistent game and knowing when to use the rough stuff. Making good reads and making good decisions on the ice will be key to securing a regular spot in the lineup. His teammates love Xhekaj and love having him in the lineup; they’ve said it time and time again. He needs to get the coaching staff to feel the same.
Heading into their 2026 rookie camp, the Philadelphia Flyers had one message for their prospects, especially with a shorter training camp and preseason: "Get noticed."
The more experienced players, like Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey didn't need to hear that twice, though they took it upon themselves to take the extra practice time seriously anyway.
For other players, it's already been decided that they will head back to junior hockey, and for a much smaller group, now is the time to make an impression.
With two Rookie Series games against the New York Rangers over the weekend, the prospects who could conceivably make the Flyers' NHL roster in the next few years had their first chances to make an impression, and from those games and the camp overall, we can begin to assess the trajectories of those with the most at stake.
Winner: Cole Knuble
Cole Knuble was a bit of a wildcard heading into rookie camp, as he had joined the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the tail end of last season, scoring a goal, two assists, and three points in seven games.
Before that, the 22-year-old former fourth-round pick starred at the University of Notre Dame for three years, scoring 21 goals and 70 points across his last 70 collegiate games.
Knuble, the son of former Flyers forward Mike, only played in one of the Rookie Series games against the Rangers, and that was all he needed to open some eyes.
Featuring on the top line alongside Alex Bump and Jett Luchanko, Knuble was consistently making things happen, using his legs to advance the play and crashing into bodies on the forecheck despite his modest 5-foot-10, 192-pound build.
Knuble's rapid ascent and ceaseless motor are reminiscent of former Flyers forward Bobby Brink, who improved considerably over the years and made himself a third-line staple before being exchanged at the 2026 trade deadline for David Jiricek as the Flyers sought to clear their logjam of wingers and make room for Porter Martone.
If Knuble's arrow continues to point upwards, a Brink projection is certainly possible and would be a phenomenal outcome for the Flyers, who are in need of some more mid- and late-round hits from their drafting.
Loser: Devin Kaplan
On the other side of the coin, Devin Kaplan already has some NHL experience and a full pro season under his belt, but was far less noticeable than his peers.
Kaplan, 22, is heading into a contract year and scored just five goals, eight assists, and 13 points in 49 games with the Phantoms last year, and while he does project as more of a grinder than anything else, Noah Powell was considerably more noticeable in that regard.
It was a disappointing initial showing from the 2023 third-rounder, who was impressive this time last year, but not so much this time around.
Kaplan does deserve some grace as he shakes off the rust coming back from a season-ending injury and subsequent surgery, but the combination of the Flyers' overall glut of wingers and the strong performances from Knuble and Powell don't bode well for his future prospects with the organization.
Kaplan will have another chance to draw some eyes when training camp officially opens Thursday.
Winner: Carson Bjarnason
Deservedly so, Egor Zavragin is always a hot topic when Flyers prospects are being discussed, but we often forget that draft classmate and fellow goalie Carson Bjarnason was picked ahead of him in the same year.
After four seasons with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings, including three as the starter, Bjarnason turned pro last year, playing in 32 games for the Phantoms.
The 21-year-old's results were mixed, as a strong start faded into a skid, and Bjarnason eventually played two games for the ECHL Reading Royals, going 1-1-0 with a 3.57 GAA and .881 save percentage.
In the AHL, Bjarnason ultimately finished with a 14-11-7 record while playing second-fiddle to Aleksei Kolosov, posting a 3.43 GAA and .877 save percentage.
But, it's worth noting that the Phantoms dealt with tons of roster turnover losing Emil Andrae, Barkey and Bump, as well as injuries to Bonk, Kaplan, and Ty Murchison. Reinforcements in the forms of David Jiricek, Boris Katchouk, Powell, Knuble, and Jack Berglund didn't arrive until the season was long lost.
Bjarnason should have a more stable environment around him in 2026-27, and he put some doubts to bed with a very good full game against the Rangers over the weekend. The former second-rounder was beaten only twice, and both goals came on the power play.
Look for Bjarnason to get some preseason ice time as he continues to build on a strong start to camp.
Losers: Veteran defensemen
We're going a little off the cuff here, but Bonk, Ty Murchison, Spencer Gill, Brek Liske, and Maksim Sokolovskii were all impressive this past week in their own ways.
For older Flyers like Nick Seeler and Rasmus Ristolainen, the time has come for them to begin watching the rearview mirror a bit. Murchison wore the 'C' in the first game against the Rangers this weekend and already got some NHL games last year, and Bonk, after making his NHL debut and playoff debut to finish the season, was as impressive as he needed to be in a camp of this nature.
Seeler no longer has trade protection and has just two more years left on his contract. A transition to No. 7 defenseman, especially after Simon Benoit's contract expires next summer, seems likely with Murchison continuing to ascend.
As for Ristolainen, the trade rumors never really went away, and he now has Bonk and Jiricek pushing him for a roster spot and ice time with Gill and Liske still on the way.
If both Bonk and Jiricek look the part and convince Flyers brass that they can handle expanded workloads and added responsibilities, that could very well start the countdown on Ristolainen's tenure in Philadelphia.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 13: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators skates the puck during the third period of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
A five-year extension for Luke Evangelista:
Luke Evangelista’s 5-year extension kicks in for the 2027-28 NHL season.
“The Devils will play their first of four preseason games, starting Sunday, Sept. 20, and there’s plenty to follow as the regular season approaches. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on as the preseason gets underway.” [Devils on the Rush]
Hockey Links
A flurry of deals:
Cutter Gauthier, six years x $13.5M AAV with Anaheim
The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Justin Sourdif to an eight-year, $50.8 million contract. Sourdif’s contract will carry an average annual value of $6.35 million.
“There’s always a possibility for a sudden change of heart, but as we have this conversation as a group of insiders, I do not believe Hellebuyck will report to the opening of training camp. If that is the case, that forces the Jets to respond. That response will likely come Wednesday or Thursday.” [TSN]
“With training camps opening up this week, I caught up with over two dozen NHL superstars to get their takes on vital and trivial issues. Some of hockey’s biggest names discuss NHL rule changes they’d like to see; how an 84-game regular season will impact them; how they feel about the current state of fan culture; as well as their offseason life highlights and what they’d name a new expansion team in Houston or Austin, Texas.” [ESPN]
“Will Adam Fantilli sign a contract in time? When will Quinn Hughes sign an extension? What will happen to Connor Hellebuyck? This week, The Athletic asked its staff for one burning question facing each NHL team heading into training camp, and those were just a few of the enticing storylines we heard about in response. With camps opening this week and the preseason around the corner, here’s what we have our eyes on.” [The Athletic ($)]
Neck protection:
The NHL has released its 2026-27 rule book and there's only one change for this year:
All players with 0 NHL games experience must wear neck protection starting this season, even in warmups.
For players with at least 1 NHL game experience, neck protection remains optional.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 21: A young fan cheers for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes on December 21, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins will begin training camp in earnest on Thursday, followed by preseason action. Before any pucks drop, a few Penguins players were spotted around Pittsburgh-area neighborhoods on Tuesday, delivering tickets to season ticket holders by continuing a yearslong tradition.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said the event has helped shape his view of Penguins fans, adding that the support they have given him and the team over the years has meant a lot.
“Every time we [deliver season tickets], you recognize the pride people have, and hearing their stories [about] how long they’ve had tickets for or how they got connected to going to games, it’s fun to hear that, but you always feel the support. That’s the main thing,” Crosby said. “I think it’s a pretty cool event we’ve been able to do for a long time and it doesn’t ever get old.”
Several other players hit the streets as well, including defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Egor Chinakhov.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 13: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after a goal during the third period of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Devils acquired winger Luke Evangelista a few weeks ago, one of the first questions that I asked was whether or not the Devils should sign him to a contract extension.
If you’ve been paying attention to what’s going on around the league, there has been a flurry of contract extensions across the NHL. Yesterday was the last day for teams to sign players for a maximum of eight years, and we saw a few of those deals with Drake Batherson extending in Ottawa, Noah Ostlund in Buffalo, and Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif in Washington DC. So it was only to wonder if any of the Devils pending free agents would put pen to paper, as Jackson wrote about earlier this week.
Sunny Mehta didn’t quite go the full eight years of term with Evangelista, but late Tuesday night, he did get Evangelista to agree to terms on a new five year contract. The deal is for $36.25M total ($7.25M AAV). The deal will begin with the 2027-28 season and will be tacked on to the final year of his current $3M AAV deal.
The contract breakdown is as follows: 2027-28: $9,700,000; 2028-29: $8,260,000; 2029-30: $6,120,000; 2030-31: $6,085,000 & 2031-32: $6,085,000.
According to PuckPedia, the deal is signing bonus heavy, with roughly 75% of it coming in bonuses ($27.915M). There is also relatively light trade protection over the final three years of the deal with a 7-team no-trade list in 2029-30, a five team no-trade list in 2030-31, and a three team list in 2031-32. The deal is also buying out three years of UFA.
My initial reaction was that it seems a little high given some of the recent comparables. Evangelista secures a bigger AAV than Fraser Minten (7x$7.2M) who really just has the one full NHL season to speak of and plays a premium position. He comes in higher than Connor McMichael (6x$6.75M), although he does have a higher scoring rate for his career.
After taking a step back though and looking at it again, I think it’s just where the NHL is going nowadays and getting a top six winger under $10M is probably a bargain at this rate. Especially when you’re buying out three years of unrestricted free agency beginning in 2029-30.
We’re seeing more and more teams make those long-term bets on their young players that they envision being part of their core. When your options are sign the player now or pay more for the same player a year from now, I get why teams are being proactive when it comes to signing their own. The salary cap is only continuing to increase and yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price.
Evangelista has 253 games of NHL experience, so it’s not a pure gamble like, say, what the Sabres are doing with Ostlund and his 68 games of experience. Granted, we don’t know how he’s going to fit in yet with THIS Devils team since he has yet to play a game for the Devils. But if he fits in well, that contract would’ve only gotten more expensive next summer if he put up another 56 point season playing out his current deal.
I view this bet as being similar to the ones that Mehta (or more specifically, Bill Zito) made in Florida with players such as Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and others. Florida was proactive in getting their supporting cast locked up on manageable deals and it paid off in a big way on the back end of those deals when those players became key contributors on their Stanley Cup championship teams. I also look at the market in general and acknowledge that UFA isn’t going to be the answer. Especially when players like the aforementioned Batherson remove themselves from the equation by forgoing UFA and signing long-term in Ottawa.
At the end of the day, I’m not surprised that Mehta doubled down on the bet he previously made by acquiring Evangelista in the first place. This deal only reaffirms his belief in said player.
That’s how I’m looking at this deal. Perhaps you are looking at it differently. Please feel free to leave a comment below, and thanks for reading.
The Pittsburgh Penguins set their sights on winning a fourth consecutive Prospects Tournament on Tuesday but fell just short.
They lost to the Dallas Stars' prospects 3-1 in the championship game on Tuesday morning. Liam Ruck was the Penguins' lone goal scorer.
Despite the loss, there are still a lot of positives to take away from this tournament. With that in mind, here are five observations from the three games.
1. Tomas Galvas was the Penguins' best player
This really shouldn't be a debate. Galvas was everywhere in this tournament, showcasing his strong skating, ability to generate offense at will, and being a one-man breakout.
He scored the tournament's best goal on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings by corralling the puck in the defensive zone, beating one defender, then beating another after crossing into the offensive zone. He soon found himself one-on-one with the goaltender and sent the puck top shelf with a beautiful backhand shot.
He also scored a wonderful shootout goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday to keep the Penguins alive. He made a beautiful deke to his backhand and didn't miss.
Galvas finished the tournament with one goal (and a shootout goal), making it look easy. I'm still skeptical that he'll crack the opening-night lineup, but he still had a wonderful tournament. Keep an eye on him.
2. Stock up for Brayden Edwards
Brayden Edwards quietly had a strong season with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers in 2025-26 and carried that momentum into this year's Prospect Tournament.
He finished the tournament with two goals, and they were both fun. His first goal came against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, when he shot the puck and followed his own rebound to bury it. It came right at the end of the power play.
His second goal came against the Red Wings on Sunday when he unleashed a beautiful one-timer to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead.
Brayden Edwards gives the Penguins the lead!
Great patience by Atley Calvert to find the open teammate in the slot. Pierce Mbuyi gets the secondary assist. pic.twitter.com/sj23qkdDph
Even though he didn't score against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, he still wreaked havoc and generated chances. He was one of the Penguins' most consistent forwards at this tournament, and he'll have the chance to make an impression in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this year.
Apr 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; North Dakota Fighting Hawks defenseman Jake Livanavage (4) passes in the first period against the Wisconsin Badgers in the semifinals of the NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
3. Harrison Brunicke and Jake Livanavage struggle
It wasn't the best showing for the two defensemen.
Brunicke didn't look very comfortable out there and sometimes tried to do a little too much. Now, it's only two games, and I'm sure he's going to have a much better camp and preseason, but I was left wanting more, especially after how great he was for WBS in the playoffs.
Livanavage struggled in the defensive zone and was sometimes caught out of position. He also wasn't pushing the pace of play like I thought he would.
That said, he'll have plenty of time to iron things out, especially since he's expected to start the season in WBS and be a major contributor.
4.All three goaltenders played well
The Penguins started three different goaltenders in the three games, and all three played exceptionally well.
Carter Casey played on Saturday and made some timely saves throughout, even though the Penguins were by far the better team. He also stepped up when he needed to in the shootout.
Xavier Wendt got Sunday's game and settled in really nicely. Like Casey on Saturday, he made the saves he needed to make and helped lock things down in the third period after the Penguins took a 4-3 lead.
Matvei Nikonovich started Tuesday's game and was one of the Penguins' best players. He stayed cool, calm, and collected in the crease and showed good agility. He also did everything he could to keep the Penguins within striking distance in the third period.
Casey will spend the 2026-27 season with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, while Wendt will be with the WHL's Tri-City Americans. The OHL's Barrie Colts selected Nikonovich in the CHL Import Draft.
It took Ilyin a bit to get going in this tournament, but he was everywhere on Tuesday.
He helped set up the first goal by winning a battle behind the net and getting the puck to Markus Ruck, who knew where his brother Liam would be for an easy goal.
He spent a lot more time in the offensive zone and looked more engaged overall. It was a nice end to the tournament for him.
Misc. thoughts
- Pierce Mbuyi's shot is filthy, and he's not afraid to use it. He's going to have a great season with the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL.
- Bill Zonnon was fantastic during this tournament. He may not have scored, but he was great in all situations, whether it was 5v5, the power play, or the penalty kill. He's going to have a big season in WBS, and it won't be long before he's with the Penguins full-time.
Alex Newhook never really got to see what he could become in Colorado.
The Avalanche drafted him 16th overall in 2019, and by 2022, he was a Stanley Cup champion. He was still a young player trying to find his footing, though, and doing that on a team with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog and plenty of other established forwards wasn't exactly an easy task.
Now, Newhook is getting paid for the player he has become since leaving Denver.
The Montreal Canadiens signed the former Avalanche forward to a four-year, $22.2 million contract extension Tuesday. The deal carries a $5.55 million annual cap hit beginning with the 2027-28 season.
Newhook with the Stanley Cup in 2022. Credit: Marj J. Rebilas - USA Today
Newhook spent three seasons in Colorado and showed plenty of promise. There were nights when his speed and skill stood out, and you could see why the Avalanche had taken a chance on him in the first round.
The bigger role, however, was hard to come by.
Colorado was trying to win, and the team was simple too stacked to give a young forward top-line minutes and let him work through the growing pains that come with developing in the NHL. Newhook had to make the most of the minutes he received while playing behind some of the league's best players.
Eventually, Colorado decided a change made sense for both sides.
The Avalanche traded Newhook to Montreal on June 27, 2023, receiving a first-round pick, a second-round pick and prospect Gianni Fairbrother in return.
Two years later, the decision looks different when viewed through Newhook's career.
Montreal has given him the kind of opportunity that was difficult to find in Colorado. He's been able to play a bigger role, see more offensive situations and grow into a more important piece of the Canadiens' lineup.
An ankle injury suffered in November limited Newhook to 42 games, but he still finished with 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. Once the playoffs began, he became an even bigger factor.
Newhook scored seven goals and added three assists in 19 games, helping Montreal reach the Eastern Conference Final. The Canadiens eventually lost to the Carolina Hurricanes, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
That run was another glimpse of what Newhook can bring when he's given the chance to play a bigger part.
Montreal clearly saw enough.
The new contract keeps Newhook with the Canadiens through the 2030-31 season, taking him through his prime and giving the organization a long-term piece to build around.
And at 25 years old, the Canadiens are betting that there is still another step coming.
It was only a matter of time. After the Ducks freed up $6.5 million in cap space by terminating Chris Kreider's contract last week, it was clear was that general manager Pat Verbeek's contract negotiations with Cutter Gauthier's camp were close to reaching a conclusion.
On Tuesday evening, the Ducks announced that they had signed Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract extension. This makes him the second-highest paid player on the team behind Leo Carlsson's $18 million AAV. The extension also buys one year of unrestricted free agency.
Getting Gauthier signed before the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which kicks in on Sept. 16, allowed the Ducks to front-load his contract with signing bonuses that would not been possible to structure under the new labor deal. Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, about $69.5 million of the $81 million is comprised of signing bonuses. Gauthier’s camp reportedly declined an offer of four years at a $13 million AAV last month.
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (61) is congratulated after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
“We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time,” Verbeek said in a club statement. “He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player.”
“This is a very exciting day for my family and me,” Gauthier said in the same club statement. “I’m so pleased to be able to sign long term with the Ducks and be part of what I believe is a great future.”
Carlsson’s big-money offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers, along with Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Cale Makar’s monster contract extensions, have changed the financial landscape for players like Gauthier. Even “smaller” deals like that of the Ducks’ Pavel Mintyukov or the Boston Bruins’ Fraser Minten, in combination with the continued rising of the salary cap, have put the ball in the players’ court when it comes to collecting larger salaries moving forward.
With Gauthier signed, the Ducks have now completed the biggest tasks on their offseason checklist. Their minimal amount of cap space remains a concern, but they'll find some short-term relief by placing Troy Terry (out 2-3 months after hip surgery) on LTIR. A shortened training camp and preseason leaves little time for major preparations, but the Ducks' season opener is also fortunately later than most of the league. A strong start to the season, much like last year, could help give them some cushion as they vie for a second consecutive playoff appearance.
With the American Hockey League season set to commence in a few weeks' time, former San Jose Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau has signed with the Rochester Americans on an AHL-level contract.
Bordeleau left the Sharks organization after requesting a trade. At the time, he told THN's Kristy Flannery that "I definitely enjoyed my time in San Jose, but it was time for a fresh start for me." That fresh start came after he was unable to break into the Sharks' lineup for multiple seasons.
After half a season with the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, Bordeleau was traded to the St. Louis Blues organization and was sent to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. He never appeared in an NHL game during the 2025-26 season and became an unrestricted free agent when the Blues opted to not issue a qualifying offer to him.
At 24 years of age, it seems unlikely that Bordeleau will break into the NHL anytime soon, as he was unable to secure a two-way contract for this season. A strong performance at the AHL level could catch the attention of the Americans' affiliate, the Buffalo Sabres, but it'll take quite a bit for that to happen.
The Chicago Blackhawks were defeated by the St. Louis Blues 3-1 in their first of two matchups in the 2026 Prospect Showcase. The consensus from the team after the game was that the Hawks played with a good effort, but some sloppiness and penalty trouble sank them.
Game 2 took place one day later at USG Arena. The Blackhawks started Adam Gajan in net for the second game in a row as they looked to split the event with the Blues. Once again, Taige Harding wore the C as the captain. Jake Furlong kept his A from the night before, but Martin Misiak had the other in place of the missing Paul Ludwinski.
In the first period, the Blackhawks got off to a much better start. They outshot the Blues 10-3, and one of them went in courtesy of AJ Spellacy.
The Blackhawks carried that 1-0 lead into the second period, but it didn't last long. With 17:22 remaining in the second period, a shot floated through traffic and found the back of the net to tie the game at 1. Just over a minute later, however, Parker Holmes restored the lead for Chicago with a snipe off a turnover.
There have been many fights during this event. In this game, Taige Harding was part of one. This is notable because he left the penalty box with an apparent hand injury at the next whistle. On the next shift, Martin Misiak scored his second goal in as many days to make it 3-1 Blackhawks.
With just over two minutes remaining in the middle frame, AJ Spellacy scored his second of the game to finish off a nice tic-tac-toe goal. The Blackhawks held a 4-1 lead going into the second intermission.
In the third period, Taige Harding was back on the ice and looked no worse for wear. For him, that's important as he wants to make an impact early and often with the Rockford IceHogs.
The third period had a little bit of everything. Each team took a penalty; there were more fights, and both sides had their fair share of chances.
The first goal of the final frame came off the stick of Jakub Stancl, who scored his second of the Prospect Challenge. This one came as a shorthanded goal to get the Blues back within 2. The Blackhawks responded with an empty-net goal, courtesy of Martin Misiak.
That 5-2 score stood as the final. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues to end the Prospect Showcase 1-1. That is all for this particular group of prospects, but they are now all headed to different training camps to prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
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Things are about to kick into high gear around the Florida Panthers, and the fun all starts on Wednesday.
That’s when the Panthers will hold their annual media day at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, with players doing interviews and filming different scenes and promos throughout the building.
Florida General Manager Bill Zito is expected to address the media, along with several Panthers players.
They will also take part in introductory meetings and medical testing, all in anticipation of hitting the ice for their first official training camp practice.
This year, the Panthers are brining a roster of 51 players to Training Camp, and the full roster can be found by clicking here.
The roster consists of 30 forwards, 16 defensemen and five goaltenders.
Of those players, the only surprise, and only player not under contract, is veteran forward Nathan Bastian, who will be on a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO).
That will come the following morning, on Thursday, as Florida will look to hit the ground running for their less-than-two-week camp.
Training Camp practices on Friday and Saturday will be open to the public and free to attend, with sessions taking place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on both days.
Saturday will also be when the Panthers host their annual Training Camp Fan Fest at the IcePlex, which will begin at 10 a.m.
More information about Fan Fest can be found by clicking here.
The Cats will only have a few days of work both on the off the ice before they start a quick-hitting preseason in which they play four games in seven days in three different cities.
Florida will start the preseason fun on Sunday night at Amerant Bank Arena when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m.
Nine days later, and three days after their final preseason game, Florida will again face the Hurricanes, but this time it’ll be in Raleigh for the first official game of the NHL season, a night where Carolina will raise their second Stanley Cup banner to the rafters at Lenovo Center.
So yeah, while it may have been pretty quiet around these parts for an extended offseason, get ready for Panthers hockey to start coming fast and furious.
Photo caption: Feb 27, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing MatthewTkachuk(19)celebrates after scoring against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
On Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets announced their training camp roster and schedule. The Jets have invited 51 players to camp, which will run from Thursday, September 17th to the 25th and take place at Hockey For All Centre.
Among the notable names looking to make the main roster is recent eighth overall pick Viggo Björck, who is coming off a strong season with Djurgårdens IF in the SHL, where he posted 15 points in 42 games before adding three more in the playoffs.
Connor Hellebuyck is also listed on the roster, though some are questioning whether he'll actually attend given the offseason drama surrounding his trade request from the team. TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Tuesday's episode of Insider Trading that he doesn't believe Hellebuyck will report to training camp and that his absence will cause the Jets to respond Dreger said on either Wednesday or Thursday.
Goaltenders
The goaltending group includes six names, headlined by Hellebuyck, who posted a 23-23-11 record with an .895 save percentage and a 2.86 goals against average across 57 games last season.
Thomas Milic, who split time between Winnipeg and Manitoba, is also on the list after finishing 20-13-6 with a .905 save percentage in 41 AHL games, along with a rough three game stint at the NHL level.
Stuart Skinner, who is expected to be the Jets starter this season after splitting last season between Pittsburgh and Edmonton. The netminders rounding out the group include Isaac Poulter and Alex Worthington, both out of the ECHL and AHL ranks, round out the group, along with Domenic DiVincentiis, who impressed in the AHL postseason with a .955 save percentage over five playoff games.
Defense
On the back end, 18 defensemen are in camp, led by veterans Josh Morrissey, who posted 55 points last season, and Dylan DeMelo, along with Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg.
Also in the mix are a handful of prospects looking to push for a roster spot, including Elias Salomonsson, who split time between Winnipeg and Manitoba, Henry Thrun, who joins the organization after helping the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup title, and Alfons Freij, who spent most of last season overseas before finishing the year with the Moose.
Forwards
The forward group is the largest, with 27 names on the list. Mark Scheifele, coming off a 103 point season, headlines the group along with leading goal scorer Kyle Connor, who potted 39 goals and 92 points, and Gabriel Vilardi, who posted 69 points of his own.
Also in camp is Björck, along with fellow prospects Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow and Kevin He, all looking to carve out roles at the NHL level after strong showings in the AHL and junior ranks last season.
With training camp opening later this week, all eyes will be on whether Hellebuyck reports as scheduled, or whether the goaltender's trade situation forces the Jets to make a decision before puck drop on the regular season.
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.
With hockey just around the corner, the NHL has officially released the rulebook for the 2026-27 season.
While there weren't many changes, there was one that will be noticeable right off the bat for fans attending games. Players, both skaters and goaltenders, joining the league will now be required to wear neck protection moving forward.
Section 3, Rule 9.8 of the 2026-27 NHL rulebook states: "Beginning in the 2026-2027 season, players (including goalkeepers) who have zero games of NHL experience must wear cut resistant protection on the neck area with a minimum cut level protections score of A5, in accordance with the ANSI/ISEA standard.
Neck protection must be used in the manner it was intended. No modifications such as rolling, taping, cutting, etc., will be permitted. Neck protection must be worn in all games including during pre-game warm-up."
As a result, players like Ivar Stenberg will be required to wear a neck-guard when they take the ice for the San Jose Sharks this coming season. Rather than listing who will be required to wear neck protection, it'll likely be easier to name who won't be. There are a number of prospects who will be grandfathered into this rule, as they've already made their NHL debut. Of course, any player on the NHL roster last season will also be unaffected.
Exempt Prospects (NHL Games Played)
Cam Lund (11)
Igor Chernyshov (28)
Ethan Cardwell (13)
Luca Cagnoni (9)
Nolan Allan (43)
Any other prospect, including the likes of Filip Bystedt and Quentin Musty, will be required to wear neck protection when playing at the NHL level moving forward.
