TheHockeyNews.com is running a series ranking each NHL coach, going in reverse order from No. 32 to No. 1.
The criteria for these rankings include each coach’s accomplishments, short- and long-term history, expectations, and general reputation. Of course, these rankings are subjective.
Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice was unsurprisingly very high on this list, landing in the No. 3 spot, ahead of fellow NHL Stanley Cup champion coaches like Jared Bednar, Joel Quenneville and Mike Sullivan.
Maurice has been everything the Panthers hoped for and more when they signed the now 59-year-old to be the head coach. He joined Florida and immediately changed the culture of the organization for the better.
In his first season, the Panthers snuck into the playoffs as the second wild-card team and pulled off arguably the biggest upset in NHL history. They fought their way to the Stanley Cup final but ultimately lost.
In his next two seasons, the Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cups, cementing themselves in NHL history, with Maurice guiding the franchise.
The 2025-26 season was a difficult campaign for the Panthers, as injuries kept piling up and the team couldn't claw their way into a playoff spot. But the team is healthy heading into the 2026-27 season, and after some major off-season moves, the pressure is now back on the Panthers to be contenders once again.
Maurice could become the NHL's all-time leader in games coached if he continues his NHL career. Maurice has 2,012 regular-season games under his belt as a coach, only 129 behind Scotty Bowman for the most NHL games coached ever.
"Maurice has earned the flowers he's received since Florida's back-to-back championships," said THN.com writer Adam Proteau. "He's been smart enough to have the trust of team ownership everywhere he's worked, and he's made the most of just about every opportunity he's received at the NHL level.
"If he never coached again, Maurice would be a no-brainer Hall of Famer. But he still has the competitive fire burning in him, and he now can add at least one more Cup to his phenomenal resume. The Panthers have the talent to be a playoff team in the Atlantic next season, and Maurice can add to his already-impressive legacy."
Maurice's impact on the Panthers cannot be understated, and if the Panthers hope to bounce back, Maurice will be a key factor in their success.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.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.
ELMONT, NY - MARCH 30: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Tommy Novak (18) controls the puck during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders on March 30, 2026, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Penguins announced a signing on Friday, tightening up Tommy Novak for three more years. Novak was set to be a free agent in 2027, his new deal will have him under contract through 2029-30.
Three more years of Tommy 🤝
The Penguins have signed forward Tommy Novak to a three-year contract extension.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Tommy Novak to a three-year contract extension, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.
The contract, which begins in the 2027-28 season and runs through 2029-30, carries an average annual value of $4.65 million. Novak, 29, was due to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-2027 season.
Novak has played parts of five seasons in the NHL with the Penguins and Nashville Predators. In 2025-26, Novak recorded 16 goals, 26 assists and 42 points in 82 games with Pittsburgh. His point total ranked seventh on the team, while his five power-play tallies ranked fifth. The forward added two assists in six playoff games last season. Novak was the only Penguin to play in all 82 regular-season games in ‘25-26.
In 285 career NHL games, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward has registered 65 goals, 94 assists and 159 points. His most productive season came in 2023-24 when he tallied career highs in goals (18), assists (27) and points (45) in 71 games with the Predators.
Prior to turning professional, the St. Paul, Minnesota native skated four seasons for the University of Minnesota from 2015-19, notching 88 points (18G-70A) in 129 games.
Novak represented Team USA at the 2026 World Championship, recording a team-high seven assists and eight points in eight games.
In a world where salaries are skyrocketing from an increased cap, the Pens get Novak at $4.65 million for a slight raise from the $3.5 million he will play on in 2026-27.
Novak, 29, provides versatility to the lineup, offering up the ability to play on the wing or at center and be moved around the lineup accordingly to fit where he’s needed. He had a great 2025-26 in Pittsburgh, his first year with the Pens where he played in all 82 games and recorded 42 points.
Under the hood, beyond the stat line there is another element of Novak’s game that enamors him to coaches for his puck handling ability and strong play in the neutral zone as a supporting player. From his season review:
Here’s a reason why Novak was a lineup staple even during his production cold streaks. Set aside counting stats like goals and assists and this look shows just what a master Novak is in the neutral zone. His ability to carry the puck with possession out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone are first rate. Once in the offensive end, he’s a wizard at setting up teammates. He doesn’t hit, isn’t particularly speedy or have a lot of goal-scoring touch but otherwise there’s an awful lot to like in the microstats. That doesn’t always translate to goals or points but is a huge factor in helping fuel a line.
A three-year contract has been a rarity for the Pens as of late, besides that term for standard entry level deals Pittsburgh has only given such term to Yegor Chinakhov and Blake Lizotte since 2023, while also inheriting the four years remaining on Kaeden Korczak’s contract in a trade.
Because of that, those three players plus now Novak (and the remainder of Ryan Graves’ long deal) are the only NHL contracts that Pittsburgh has on the books for the 2028-29 season. The whole team seems prime to undergo a quick turn into rebuilding or whatever comes next once the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang era ends in the coming year(s) and they move into the future with a largely clean sheet. For now, it looks like Novak will be a useful player a part of the future of the Penguins for a while yet to come.
In the summer of 2025, the New York Islanders signed highly-coveted Russian free agent forward Maxim Shabanov to a one-year deal.
Shabanov joined an Islanders' team flush with Russians, most notably star goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who made his own transition from the KHL to the NHL once upon a time.
Shabanov played 38 of the first 52 Islanders' games in the season, missing 12 games due to an early-season injury.
Shabanov had 4 goals and 11 points after those 38 games.
The Islanders and general manager Mathieu Darche acquired Ondrej Palat, and he lost his lineup place.
Shabanov played just six of the final 30 Islanders' games and never quite regained his footing within the organization. Ultimately, Darche did not qualify Shabanov, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Sorokin opened up about what went wrong for Shabanov in an interview with Russian outlet Sport Express.
"It seems to me, and this is just my opinion, that he should have realized sooner that the promises he might have made before the season weren't worth keeping in mind all year," Sorokin said. "He needed a little more positivity and patience. He shouldn't show any dissatisfaction, but simply work and wait for his chance."
It's a telling response from Sorokin, who points to Shabanov's potential frustration at signing for an opportunity to play big minutes for the Islanders, ultimately not happening the way he thought it might.
Sorokin gave more insight.
"I understand his position," Sorokin continued. "He came from a team where he spent 25 minutes on the ice, played on the power play, and got everything he wanted. That wasn't the case in the NHL. But that's the NHL. There are guys who are already trusted. They might even be weaker than you at a given moment, but you can't just take their place - you have to earn it. That can only be done through performance on the ice."
Shabanov, whether fair or not, did not earn a right to stay in New York's lineup after those first 38 games. Despite flashes of brilliance, he posted just 11 points in 38 games.
Brayden Schenn scored 6 goals and totaled 11 points in 19 games with the Islanders.
Shabanov showed immense skill at times but struggled with the defensive systems and did not have consistency.
Those two issues combined hurt his season, and most importantly, limited his ice time, something Sorokin noted.
"Shabanov is a very talented guy," Sorokin said. "He had some really great games. He probably expected to start getting more playing time after them, but instead, his playing time was cut back a bit."
Sorokin summed up his thoughts on the entire situation, then bid Shabanov good luck in Minnesota.
"The coaching staff has its own vision, so there's no point in discussing it. So he needed to stay more positive, not get upset, but work hard and wait for his opportunity. I wish him luck in Minnesota. He's very talented, his technique, his hands."
The Columbus Blue Jackets have only had four players wear #62 in their history, and in a weird twist, three of them have been since 2023. They haven't had any real impact players wear the number in their short 25-year history, but that could change one day.
Let's take a look at who has put on the #62 Union Blue Jersey.
Broadhurst was traded by Chicago to Columbus on June 30, 2015, along with Brandon Saad and Michael Paliotta, for Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp, Marko Dano, and Columbus' 4th-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. He would only play in a pair of games for the CBJ during the 2017-18 season. Where Broadhurst would excel would be in the AHL for the Cleveland Monsters. He played in 229 games for Cleveland, scoring 48 goals and totaling 132 points. On February 25, 2019, he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets. He would play 2019-20 with the San Diego Gulls, and then leave for Europe. He spent two seasons in Liiga and the last four playing in the KHL. He is signed to play for the
Fischtown Pinguins of the DEL in 26-27.
Kňažko's scouting report from Elite Prospects reads as follows: "Kňažko's passing skills are refined for a defenseman. He can find players in the seam and on the breakout with great accuracy. He's comfortable with making plays from his backhand and makes sharp passes with good power behind them. His mobility stood out; he has the skating ability to be effective defending against the rush and during long cycles." Unfortunately for Kňažko, he's a left-shot defenseman, and that's not something that the Blue Jackets really needed at any level, so he became expendable. After playing in only two NHL games and three seasons with the Monsters, he was not tendered a contract and became a free agent. Instead of staying in North America, he chose to return home to Czechia and play for HC Vítkovice. Kňažko should also be selected for Czechia in the 2026 Winter Olympics. He will play for
HC Vítkovice in Czechia next season.
Kevin Labanc -
Draft: San Jose, 6th round - 171st overall - 2014
Labanc was signed by Columbus on October 5, 2024, just before the season. After playing 8 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Labanc was on a PTO with the New Jersey Devils when Don Waddell plucked him away. Labanc played in 34 games for Columbus in the 24-25 season before going down due to injury. He scored 2 goals and had 12 points while playing 10:30 a game. Labanc did fairly well in his role. He was scratched a lot, but when he got his chance to play, he was usually noticeable. He had four points in his first five games to start the season, and fans were excited to see what he could do. As of right now, Labanc doesn't have an NHL deal, but there are rumors that he is getting interest from Europe. He played for the
Shanghai Dragons of the KHL last season and will be playing for
SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in Switzerland next season.
As of right now, no other player is scheduled to wear #62 in the immediate future for the CBJ, but surely someday someone will take that number who will have an impact on the team.
Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!
Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.
Let us know what you think below.
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.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins arrives prior to the game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Happy birthday to Evgeni Malkin! He goes ‘over the hill’ today, celebrating his 40th birthday. The star forward has re-signed for next season and will join a select club of seven players of quadragenarians as Pittsburgh Penguins. Let’s take a look back at them all.
Tim Horton
The name synonymous with coffee these days got his pro start with the Pittsburgh Hornets in 1949 in the AHL. Horton came full circle, playing the 1971-72 season with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring two goals and adding nine assists in 44 games from his blueline position at age 41/42 following a January birthday. Horton would die in 1974 in a single car accident traveling solo back from an NHL game at the age of 44, the restaurant he founded has lived on.
Ken Schinkel
An original Penguin, Schinkel joined the team for their inaugural 1967-68 season nearing the age of 35. He would stick around through 1972-73 as one of the club’s better players in the early years. Schnikel turned 40 early into the 1972-73 season, his final in the pros. He scored 11 goals and had 21 points in 42 games, while also stepping into the role of coach of the Penguins for the latter half of the 1972-73 season. Schnikel had a few years off after that and had a one-season coaching stint with the Pens in 1976-77.
Joe Mullen
Hall of famer Slippery Rock Joe turned 40 in late February 1997, his final season in the NHL. He returned to the Pens for 1996-97 after one year in Boston, having played previously for Pittsburgh from 1991-95. Mullen scored 22 points (7G+15A) in his final NHL year, the majority of it played as a 39-year old. He did play one playoff game in 1997 for his final NHL game, so he counts as playing a handful of games as a 40+ year old.
Mario Lemieux
Le Magnifique had a modest and short 40+ portion of his illustrious career. Lemieux celebrated his big birthday in October 2005, he would be retired by that December with the discovery of a heart condition. Lemieux still managed to put up 22 points (7G+15A) in 26 games during his partial final season before hangin’ ‘em up for good and turning the on-ice portion of the franchise over to a then-rookie named Sidney Crosby that he briefly shared the ice with.
Mark Recchi
Recchi signed with the Penguins for 2007-08, the year he was turning 40 in February. However, he never played for the Pens past his 40th birthday. The tail-end of his career was worth a mention, despite not meeting the premise of actually being a 40+ year old Penguin. After a slow start in 2007-08 (two goals in 19 games), Pittsburgh waived Recchi in December 2007. Back then there were re-entry waivers coming back from AHL -> NHL for vets and Atlanta plucked Recchi away, ending his Pittsburgh playing career for good. It looked like Recchi was out of gas at the end of 2007, but amazingly he got his career back on track for a tremendous ending scoring 40 points in 53 games with Atlanta, then scored 61 total points between TB/BOS in 2008-09. Recchi would stay in Boston for two more years, scoring 43 and 48 points through the 2010-11 season. He went out a 2011 Stanley Cup champion with the Bruins, retiring after scoring 14 points in 25 playoff games as an important part of their Cup team, even at 43-years old.
Gary Roberts
The cult hero and early blogosphere legend Gary Roberts joined the Pens near the 2007 trade deadline already as a 40 year old. Roberts scored 20 goals and 42 points in 2006-07 combined between Florida and Pittsburgh. Roberts would be back for one more season in Pittsburgh, turning 42 shortly before the Pens’ SCF elimination to Detroit in 2008. Injuries limited him to only 15 points (3G+12A) in 38 regular season games, plus four more points (2G+2A) in 11 games, but his training and work ethic left a major impact on a young core of players. (Roberts would go onto sign with Tampa for 2008-09 as a 42-year old, but only played 30 games that season for them before retiring).
Matt Cullen
Perhaps the prototypical grizzled vet, Cullen signed with the Pens at age 39 for 2015-16 and helped the team win the Stanley Cup. He was back again for 2016-17, turning 40 early in the campaign, having enough gas left in the tank to produce 31 points (13G+18A) in 72 games, and nine points (2G+7A) in another Stanley Cup winning effort. Cullen signed with his hometown Minnesota Wild for 2017-18 (scoring 22 points in 79 games) and the book appeared to be closed — until he came back to Pittsburgh for his age-42 season in 2018-19, where he put up 20 points in 71 games in his final season and became the oldest player to skate for the Penguins.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Fleury capped off his career with one preseason game for the Penguins September 2025 at the age of 40. Does that completely count? Maybe not, but considering who it is, it’s worth the mention. The franchise’s most important goalie that holds all the netminding records left Pittsburgh in 2017 after being picked No. 1 overall in 2003 and having a part in three Stanley Cups. He’d go onto have a nice second chapter of his career, helping Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final in their first year and winning the Vezina trophy in 2021 before wrapping up with stops in Chicago and Minnesota.
—
That’s the club Malkin will be joining as the seventh member of being a 40+ year old Penguin to play a regular season game. Malkin could soon have some company. Kris Letang is still under contract for 2027-28, when he will be 40. Sidney Crosby, unsigned as of now, would also be 40 if he decides to play another season after this year.
For now, Malkin will have a pretty good shot at setting the record for most points in a season as a 40+ year old Penguin, with Cullen’s 31 points currently leading the pack, some of which he scored during the season before his big birthday. Overall, Roberts had the best 40+ season with 20 goals and 42 points, the majority of which he recorded in a Panther jersey before getting traded to the Pens.
The Sharks locked up another member of their young core Friday, re-signing restricted free agent Collin Graf to a three-year contract worth $4.25 million annually.
Graf’s contract comes two days after the Sharks signed superstar Macklin Celebrini to a five-year contract worth a record-setting $18.8 million AAV.
In just over two years, Graf went from undrafted NHL free agent to a sturdy pillar in the foundation of what the Sharks are building.
The 23-year-old Graf is coming off a breakout 2025-26 NHL season in which he recorded 21 goals and 25 assists in 81 games.
“Collin was a big part of our team’s improvement this past season, being an effective penalty killer for us and his versatility in the lineup was extremely valuable,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier wrote Friday in a statement announcing Graf’s contract. “His hard-working attitude and work ethic is a big reason why his game took another stride last year, and he continues to be an important person in our young group of players. We’re happy we are able to keep him a Shark for the next several seasons.”
For a good change, the Philadelphia Flyers have finally gotten some positive recognition from national media on the heels of their successful 2025-26 season.
After a few unassuming seasons as rebuilders, the Flyers have finally put together a solid nucleus of young talent on an NHL sheet of ice, and this nucleus is already on the ascent as one of the league's most promising groups.
Led by the recently re-signed Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale--trade additions from the Anaheim Ducks--and draft picks Matvei Michkov, Porter Martone, Tyson Foerster, and Cam York, the future looks rather bright in Philadelphia.
Brighter than the majority of the NHL can say, in the eyes of Sportsnet.
In Sonny Sachdeva's recent ranking of the top five 25-and-under cores in the NHL, the Flyers made a true cameo, ranking fifth in the league and earning a real appearance, rather than peeking in as an honorable mention.
"Philly might've struck out on snagging [Leo Carlsson], but the Flyers proved during the 2026 post-season that they're already a squad to watch in the East. A second-round shellacking at the hands of the eventual champs dampened things some, but Philadelphia's emotional Round 1 win over the rival Pittsburgh Penguins — the Flyers' first playoff series win in a half-decade — put the rest of the Metro on notice," Sachdeva said of the Flyers.
Notably, the Flyers ranked ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, who were listed as an honorable mention despite having 2023 No. 1 pick Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Bowen Byram, Anton Frondell, and Frank Nazar.
That speaks volumes of the amount of talent the Flyers have managed to add in recent years.
While only Zegras, Martone, Michkov, Foerster, Drysdale, and York were mentioned by name in the article as the "core", the Flyers also have David Jiricek (22), Alex Bump (22), and Denver Barkey (21) earmarked for important roles on the NHL roster next season.
The forwards of the group are understandably the biggest reasons for excitement around the Flyers, but York, Jiricek, and especially Drysdale cannot be discounted.
Drysdale, 24, put together the best season of his career in 2025-26, matching his career-high 32 points while improving markedly on defense.
If the former No. 6 overall pick continues following this trajectory, there's a chance he can become a legitimate elite two-way defenseman while also being one of the NHL's best skaters.
The Flyers still have work to do as they continue their rebuild--namely adding a No. 1 center similar to Carlsson--but the foundation to support a player of that caliber is very clearly already in place in Philadelphia.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has certainly left his imprint on his team's roster this off-season. With a few notable trades with the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as his haul of signings on July 1, he's been one of the busier GMs in the NHL.
On the scale of GMs across the league, this will be a big season for Chayka. After all, there was a heavy load of criticism when he was hired by the organization.
It's needless to say he'll continue to have a chip on his shoulder throughout this coming campaign. But is he the GM with the most to prove in the NHL?
If Chayka isn't at the top of that list, after being out of the industry for about seven years and having allegedly left a bad impression on the other executives around the league, he's definitely close to the top.
For Chayka, it's more than making a good first impression or reversing bad decisions, both related to and unrelated to the team's roster. It's more about how far he can take the Maple Leafs, the biggest hockey market in the NHL, and a club under immense pressure to get back into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
There isn't much time for an adjustment period from getting hired to getting settled into his new role. That period has already passed, and quite some time ago.
To his credit, Chayka has been spontaneous with his moves and decisions. There were the aforementioned transactions he's made so far through trades and signings, but he also took command of the front office when he relieved an abundance of longtime staff members with the Maple Leafs, and nearly the entire coaching staff.
Toronto's GM already had plenty to prove going into 2026-27 from the moment he was hired. But all his activity since getting the job, from players, coaches, and staff members, has only expanded that magnifying glass.
Given Chayka's history in the NHL, the noise and negativity that carried through his hiring process, the stature of the Maple Leafs' franchise and the state of the team, there is so much riding on this organization for 2026-27. And in terms of the hockey operations department, that's all led by Chayka.
With all that in mind, Toronto's GM is certainly a top-three figure when it comes to NHL GMs with the most to prove going into this coming season.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The NHL’s arbitration hearing window is coming to an end, and alas we’ve been robbed of the theater that would be a…Alex Jefferies arbitration hearing.
The Isles this week officially announced a one-year, two-way deal with their lone arbitration filing, a player many do not think of and certainly not one whose record (zero NHL games, two-plus AHL seasons) you’d associate with arbitration theater.
His hearing was scheduled for July 31, the second-to-last day for hearings. In the end, all 15 players across the league who filed for arbitration reached contracts before they reached hearings, so…the system works, I guess?
Islanders News
Don’t be misled by the headline, “Catching up with Casey Cizikas” does not mean he’s a retired alum yet. He discussed his summer activity and approaching 1,000 (regular season) games. [Isles]
Maclin Celebrini’s massive $18.8M AAV on his five-year Sharks extension tells us what to expect with Matthew Schaefer’s extension. Thanks to Daniel Briere, the era of discounts for RFA-controlled players is over, at least for the stars. [Newsday | Post]
Islanders games will be streamed on DAZN as part of that MSG/Yes/DAZN partnership. [Isles | Newsday]
Matias Maccelli on his favorite pasta sauce recipe signing with the Islanders. [Isles]
It’s now over 80,000 submissions for the 3rd-jersey deisgn. [Newsday]
In Minnesota, Quinn Hughes’ reps are expected to discuss his next contract, and how they’ll make room for his brothers. (That last part may be my own B.S.) [NHL]
Ranking the league’s top-two center duos: The Isles are below average, especially if you consider Brayden Schenn their 2C. [Athletic]
Zach Hyman praises his former-and-incoming coach Mike Babcock as the PR rehabilitation campaign continues. [Sportsnet]
In some ways, it's hard to believe that Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby has 21 NHL seasons under his belt. And it all started 21 years ago to the day.
The Penguins' fortunes forever changed on Jul. 30, 2005, when they selected the phenom Crosby with the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. Labeled "The Next One," it was quite fitting that he'd land in Pittsburgh. He may not have been able to succeed The Great One directly, but he did succeed Pittsburgh's Great One, and it was the perfect passing of the torch since Mario Lemieux played with Crosby for a portion of his rookie season.
From that fateful day in 2005 forward, these were Crosby's Penguins, and Crosby's Penguins have accomplished quite a bit in the two-plus decades since - as has Crosby himself. In addition to Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017, there were also three Olympic medals (two of them gold), World Championship, World Cup, and 4 Nations Face-off wins, two Hart trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Conn Smythe trophies, two Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophies, and three Ted Lindsay Awards.
Most recently, he clinched his 21st consecutive season above point-per-game, breaking an NHL record of his own that he overtook Wayne Gretzky for the season prior.
In other words, Sidney Crosby is and always has been one of hockey's best players. At this point, he is a consensus top-10 all-time NHL player, and most agree that he is top-five. He is already sitting seventh all-time in scoring - he passed up Lemieux to take the all-time franchise lead in points during the 2025-26 season - and he figures to, at least, pass Ron Francis at 1,798 by next season's end to put himself in the top-five.
From there, top-three is well within reach as long as Crosby keeps playing. Even 2,000 points is in reach, which would make him only the second NHL player ever to hit that mark. If all of that happens, it would be hard to dispute that the list of players better than him in NHL history will have just one or two names on it.
But where is he right now? Even if he's already a top-five player in history with room to keep climbing, where does he rank beside his much, much younger peers?
- Elite Prospects ranks him No. 12 among active players, and the next-oldest player in the top-25 is goaltender Connor Hellebuyck at age 33.
- EA gave Crosby the eighth-highest player ranking in NHL 26 with a 94 - three points behind the NHL's best in Connor McDavid.
- Crosby finished in the NHL's top-25 (No. 22) in points-per-game last season with 1.088. The only player older to rank higher was teammate Evgeni Malkin right in front of him at 21 (1.089), and there were only seven players aged 30 or higher in the top-25.
So, even if he isn't top-of-the-list in all of those categories anymore, what he's doing heading into his age 39 season is nothing short of spectacular, especially with no one else his age anywhere near him other than Malkin's point-per-game mark last season. Questioning what Crosby has left in the tank is one thing - he did suffer a knee injury while captaining Team Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan last season, which caused him to miss 14 games - but questioning whether he's still an elite top-of-the-lineup player is another.
As he slipped on that Vegas gold Penguins' jersey 21 years ago, the 18-year-old kid from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia could not have possibly seen what was to come after more than two decades playing the game he loves.
But, rest assured, the story is still being written - and Crosby will end up going down in history as a consensus top-three player the game as ever seen by the time he decides to call it a career.
Matt Rempe #73 of the New York Rangers looks on during practice for the Discover NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
The most important part of Matt Rempe’s offseason was getting his hand right.
After undergoing two surgeries to repair a broken thumb last season — and attempting to return to the ice too soon in between — Rempe spent the summer regaining the full function of his hand and strengthening it.
Though Rempe worked on his skating skills as well, the primary focus had to be on his hand following a tumultuous recovery that diminished Rempe’s game and sidelined him for a majority of last season.
Matt Rempe talks to the media when the Rangers held their end-of-season interviews on April 17, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y. Robert Sabo for NY Post
At a critical time in his development, the 6-foot-9 forward was put on pause in 2025-26.
Now, some of his former Wolf Pack teammates will be going toe-to-toe with him in training camp for a spot in the Rangers bottom six.
Nothing is guaranteed for Rempe going forward. He’s about to enter the last year of his contract.
As swiftly as his NHL notoriety came, his NHL chance could dissipate.
“Extremely motivated,” Rempe said Thursday before the Shoulder Check Showcase event at Martire Family Arena on Sacred Heart University’s campus. “I played nine games, and after that, I was shelved. I got a lot to prove. I got to showcase myself and come back a lot stronger. Most motivated you can be.”
Asked if his hand was feeling 100 percent, Rempe said there was “still a little work to be done.”
His timeline certainly was extended by a premature return to the lineup in December, when Rempe said he still was unable to grip his stick properly. Rempe admitted he has to be more honest about how his injuries are feeling, noting the whole process was a learning experience for him.
Matt Rempe looks on during practice for the Discover NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. NHLI via Getty Images
“Still some time until the season,” he said. “We’re in a really good spot.”
Since Rempe is no longer waiver-exempt, the Rangers may prioritize keeping the 24-year-old on the roster out of training camp to avoid losing him for nothing. If, say, Jaroslav Chmelar skates circles around him in preseason, however, it might be a risk the organization has to take.
Access the Rangers beat like never before
Get Mollie Walker’s text messages with the latest Rangers buzz and get your questions answered — exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.
Rempe plays a niche role that proved to be empowering for the 2023-24 team that reached the Eastern Conference Final. Though it’s been some time since the Rangers worked with that true enforcer element, and it’s unclear how he can be maximized in head coach Mike Sullivan’s system.
Sullivan was impressed by Rempe early on, but the Calgary native’s time away from the ice has allowed for other prospects to emerge and capture the veteran coach’s attention.
The part of Rempe’s game that enticed Sullivan the most was his ability to create momentum.
It’s true, Rempe can influence the energy of a game with one hit or one punch. His physicality is something not only the team can feed off but the fans inside Madison Square Garden.
Matt Rempe skates during the Ranger’s loss to the Islanders on Dec. 27, 2025 at UBS Arena. Getty Images
Alas, Rempemania came at a time when Big No. 73 still was adjusting to the NHL game.
Players always say it’s a lot harder to stay in the NHL than it is to break in.
Last season’s thumb injury may have caused Rempe to fall behind, but coming to training camp with a more complete game could be the difference for him.
“I think we got to come back with vengeance,” he said of the Rangers as a whole. “Two tough seasons and knowing that’s not what we want to be like at all. We got to come back way stronger.”
Whether or not Rempe is part of that “we” is yet to be seen.
KARLSTAD, Sweden (AP) — A hockey team in the Swedish Elite League has terminated the contract of Cal Foote after objections from fans about it. Färjestad BK announced Thursday it was not going to honor the contract after conversations with stakeholders.
He was in the New Jersey Devils’ organization when the NHL suspended the players involved. The situation in 2018 happened before the players reached the NHL.
Former San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda forward Colin White is officially departing the Bay Area, as he has signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils for the 2026-27 season.
White, 29, joined the Sharks organization ahead of the 2024-25 season and quickly became a key player for the Barracuda. He also appeared in three NHL games for the Sharks during his first season under contract with the organization.
Last season, White's offensive production took a major jump for the Barracuda as he scored 21 goals and 48 points in 46 games. He also scored a single goal in the playoffs.
While White signed an NHL contract, he's expected to report to the Devils' American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, but of course, things can certainly change once training camp comes around.
White's new contract is worth $900k at the NHL level and $400k at the AHL level.
Over the San Jose Sharks' history, there have been just two players to ever wear the number 63, including one of the Sharks' young core players currently on the roster.
Zack Ostapchuk was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. He then went on to make his professional debuts, both at the NHL and American Hockey League levels, during the 2023-24 season with the Senators and their affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
After two seasons splitting time between Ottawa and Belleville, Ostapchuk was included in a trade that saw Fabian Zetterlund heading to Canada's capital city in the middle of the 2024-25 campaign.
Ostapchuk finished out the season with the Sharks, appearing in 13 games for the team in teal. The following season though, he apparently didn't have a strong enough showing in training camp and was reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda to start the 2025-26 season. After 11 games in the AHL though, Ostapchuk was brought back up to the NHL and never looked back.
In 59 games, Ostapchuk's offensive production wasn't overly impressive, even for a fourth-line center, but his other attributes solidified him as the Sharks' 4C of the future. As a result, he earned a four-year contract extension this summer and will remain on the team for the foreseeable future.
The initial rush at the beginning of NHL free agency has concluded, and there remain several notable players who are still available on the open market.
The Detroit Red Wings were active players in free agency, as they signed forward Viktor Arvidsson and goaltender Daniil Tarasov along with a handful of minor-league depth players, but also lost Patrick Kane to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Meanwhile, two players that were part of the 2025-26 roster are still searching for their next NHL opportunity.
Veteran forward James van Riemsdyk provided a valuable leadership presence in the Red Wings' dressing room while contributing 15 goals and 16 assists across 72 games.
During Detroit's strong month of December, van Riemsdyk set a personal milestone by scoring in four consecutive games as part of a stretch in which he found the back of the net in six of seven contests.
Who else other than James van Riemsdyk in front to kick things off? 🚨 JVR has been such a force for Detroit. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/HOMSsQyJil
Drafted with the second overall pick in 2007 by the Philadelphia Flyers, one pick behind Kane, van Riemsdyk has played two stints with the Flyers, and has also suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
In 1,154 career NHL games, he's tallied 342 goals with 354 assists.
Meanwhile, veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic also remains unsigned. Like van Riemsdyk, he was signed by now-former Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to a one-year contract last offseason.
Skating in 26 games for the Red Wings, Hamonic registered a pair of assists. He's scored 53 goals with 191 assists in 926 career NHL contests for the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators.
He was selected in the second round (53rd overall pick) of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Islanders.
And finally, veteran goaltender Cam Talbot, who is coming off his second season in Detroit after being signed as a free agent in 2024, also remains unsigned.
Talbot posted strong numbers for the Red Wings in the early goings of the season before John Gibson caught fire, ultimately finishing with a 12-9-6 record, a 3.19 goals-against average, and an .883 save percentage.
Never drafted into the NHL, Talbot began his career with the New York Rangers and later played for the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and Los Angeles Kings.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
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.
NHL Coach Rankings: No. 3 Could Become All-Time Games Coached LeaderPaul Maurice could break Scotty Bowman's record for most NHL games coached in about one-and-a-half seasons if he helps the Florida Panthers bounce back from a rough season.
