The Buffalo Sabres unveiled the roster for the 2025 Prospects Challenge at LECOM HarborCenter later this week. The Sabres are slated to play three times during the five-day event, against the New Jersey Devils prospects at 7 pm on Friday, the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 pm on Saturday, and the Pittsburgh Penguins next Monday at Noon.  

The roster of 26 players consists of 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and four goaltenders, and includes 21 Buffalo draftees, including first-rounders Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund, Konsta Helenius, and 2025 top pick Radim Mrtka.  Rosen and Ostlund are the only players on the roster who saw NHL time last season.

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

10 players (forwards Riley Fiddler-Schultz, Helenius, Tyler Kopff, Olivier Nadeau, Viktor Neuchev, Ostlund, Rosen, and Anton Wahlberg, defensemen Vesvolod Komarov, and Nikita Novikov)  were on the Rochester Americans roster last season. Forwards Matteo Costantini and Redmond Savage are signed to AHL deals, and 18-year-old undrafted blueliner Luka Dragusica is the only free agent invitee.   

The Buffalo Sabres have announced their 2025 Prospects Challenge roster. pic.twitter.com/izsCOzG4ix

— Buffalo Sabres PR (@SabresPR) September 9, 2025

The weekend games will be the fans first opportunity to see Mrtka (selected ninth overall at the 2025 Draft last June) in action. Many of the players participating this weekend saw extended action during the exhibition schedule last September, as the Sabres' NHL roster headed to Europe to open the season in the NHL Global Series. With Sabres regulars needing taking up spots during the six preseason games, the opportunity to make an impression will not be as great.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The boys are back in town as the Nashville Predators announce their training camp roster, which is set to start on Sept. 17. All on-ice training camp practice sessions are open to the public and will be held at Ford Ice Center Bellevue. 

Team meetings will be held on Sept. 17, with practices beginning on Sept. 18. The Predators will play two of their four preseason games at Bridgestone Arena against the Florida Panthers (Sept. 21) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Sept. 23). 

Nashville will face the Lightning and Panthers on the road on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28. 

Its game against the Panthers on Sept. 21 will be a split roster session. The first game will start at 2 p.m., followed by the second game at 6 p.m. I

The Predators will also host a Gold Star Showcase, which is an intersquad scrimmage, at F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. 

Predators training camp roster

FORWARDS (29) 

7 Dylan Gambrell * 6-0 191 R Bonney Lake, Wash. 8/26/96 Cleveland (AHL)

9 Filip Forsberg 6-1 205 R Ostervala, Sweden 8/13/94 Nashville (NHL)

21 Jacob Lucchini 6-0 180 L Trail, B.C. 5/9/95 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

25 Joakim Kemell 5-11 182 R Jyväskylä, Finland 4/27/04 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

26 Daniel Carr * 6-0 186 L Sherwood Park, Alta. 11/1/91 HC Lugano (Swiss League)

36 Cole Smith 6-3 195 L Brainerd, Minn. 10/28/95 Nashville (NHL)

40 Fedor Svechkov 6-0 187 L Togliatti, Russia 4/5/03 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

44 Brady Martin 6-0 185 R Kitchener, Ont. 3/16/07 Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

45 Kalan Lind 6-1 162 L Swift Current, Sask. 1/25/05 Milwaukee (AHL)/Red Deer (WHL)

47 Michael McCarron 6-6 232 R Grosse Pointe, Mich. 3/7/95 Nashville (NHL)

49 Reid Schaefer 6-5 226 L Edmonton, Alta. 9/21/03 Milwaukee (AHL)

53 Hiroki Gojsic 6-3 210 R Langley, B.C. 5/1/06 Kelowna (WHL)

56 Erik Haula 5-11 191 L Pori, Finland 3/23/91 New Jersey (NHL)

58 Michael Bunting 6-0 186 L Scarborough, Ont. 9/17/95 Nashville (NHL)/Pittsburgh (NHL)

60 David Edstrom 6-4 193 L Gothenburg, Sweden 2/18/05 Frolunda (Sweden)

61 Joey Willis 5-11 184 L Elmhurst, Ill. 3/14/05 Kingston (OHL)/Saginaw (OHL)

63 Kyle Marino * 6-3 220 R Niagara Falls, Ont. 6/1/95 Milwaukee (AHL)

65 Cole O'Hara 6-0 189 R Richmond Hill, Ont. 6/20/02 Milwaukee (AHL)/UMass Amherst (Hockey East)

68 Zachary L'Heureux 5-11 197 L Montreal, Que. 5/15/03 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

71 Matthew Wood 6-4 202 R Nanaimo, B.C. 2/6/05 Nashville (NHL)/Minnesota (Big Ten)

75 Navrin Mutter 6-3 202 L London, Ont. 3/15/01 Milwaukee (AHL)

77 Luke Evangelista 6-0 183 R Toronto, Ont. 2/21/02 Nashville (NHL)

78 Ryder Rolston 6-1 175 R Boston, Mass. 10/31/01 Milwaukee (AHL)/Rockford (AHL)

81 Jonathan Marchessault 5-9 185 R Cap-Rouge, Que. 12/27/90 Nashville (NHL)

89 Ozzy Wiesblatt 5-10 183 R Calgary, Alta. 3/9/02 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

90 Ryan O'Reilly 6-1 207 L Clinton, Ont. 2/7/91 Nashville (NHL)

91 Steven Stamkos 6-1 193 R Markham, Ont. 2/7/90 Nashville (NHL)

93 Austin Roest 5-10 184 R Coldstream, B.C. 1/22/04 Everett (WHL)

97 Oasiz Wiesblatt * 5-7 180 L Vancouver, B.C. 4/8/04 Medicine Hat (WHL)

DEFENSEMEN (19) 

5 Kevin Gravel 6-4 205 L Kingsford, Mich. 3/6/92 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

8 Andreas Englund 6-4 200 L Stockholm, Sweden 1/21/96 Nashville (NHL)/Los Angeles (NHL)

20 Justin Barron 6-2 198 R Halifax, N.S. 11/15/01 Nashville (NHL)/Montreal (NHL)

24 Spencer Stastney 6-0 184 L Woodbridge, Ill. 1/4/00 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

37 Nick Blankenburg 5-9 177 R Washington, Mich. 5/12/98 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

41 Nicolas Hague 6-6 245 L Kitchener, Ont. 12/5/98 Vegas (NHL)

42 Zack Hayes * 6-3 224 L Calgary, Alta. 4/24/99 Laval (AHL)

48 Nick Perbix 6-4 206 R Elk River, Minn. 6/15/98 Tampa Bay (NHL)

50 Tanner Molendyk 5-11 190 L McBride, B.C. 2/3/05 Medicine Hat (WHL)/Saskatoon (WHL)

51 Jack Matier 6-6 205 R Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. 4/8/03 Milwaukee (AHL)

52 Cameron Reid 6-0 179 L St. Thomas, Ont. 4/8/07 Kitchener (OHL)

57 Chad Nychuk * 6-1 194 L Rossburn, Man. 3/6/01 Milwaukee (AHL)/Atlanta (ECHL)

59 Roman Josi 6-1 201 L Bern, Switzerland 6/1/90 Nashville (NHL)

76 Brady Skjei 6-3 210 L Lakeville, Minn. 3/26/94 Nashville (NHL)

82 Jordan Oesterle 6-0 181 L Dearborn Heights, Mich. 6/25/1992 Nashville (NHL)/Boston (NHL)

83 Adam Wilsby 6-1 188 L Stockholm, Sweden 8/7/00 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

85 Ryan Ufko 6-0 174 R Smithtown, N.Y. 5/7/03 Nashville (NHL)/Milwaukee (AHL)

92 Andrew Gibson 6-4 211 R Windsor, Ont. 2/13/05 Oshawa (OHL)/Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

98 Alex Huang 6-0 180 R Montreal, Que. 7/30/07 Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

GOALTENDERS (7) 

1 Ethan Haider 6-3 197 L St. Louis Park, Minn. 9/4/01 Milwaukee (AHL)/Atlanta (ECHL)

29 Justus Annunen 6-4 210 L Kempele, Finland 3/11/00 Nashville (NHL)/Colorado (NHL)

30 Magnus Chrona 6-6 225 L Stockholm, Sweden 8/28/00 Milwaukee (AHL)

31 T.J. Semptimphelter * 6-1 190 L Marlton, N.J. 5/9/02 Bridgeport (AHL)/North Dakota (NCHC)

32 Matt Murray 6-1 196 L St. Albert, Alta. 2/2/98 Milwaukee (AHL)

39 Jakub Milota 6-1 178 L Ostrava, Czechia 4/14/06 Cape Breton (QMJHL) 

74 Juuse Saros 5-11 180 L Forssa, Finland 4/19/95 Nashville (NHL)

* indicates player is attending camp on a tryout agreement

Predators training camp, preseason schedule 

Wednesday, Sept. 17

All day Physicals/team meeting Bridgestone Arena

Thursday, Sept. 18

8:45 a.m. Practice - Group A Ford Ice Center Belleuve

10:50 a.m. 12:50 p.m. Practice - Group B Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Practice - Group C Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Friday, Sept. 19

8:50 a.m. Practice - Group B Ford Ice Center Belleuve

9:30 a.m. 10:10 a.m. 10:10 a.m. 10:50 a.m. 11:20 a.m. Scrimmage - Group B/C Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Scrimmage - Group A/B Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Practice - Group C Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Scrimmage - Group A/C Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Practice - Group A Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Saturday, Sept. 20

9:15 a.m. Practice - Group C Ford Ice Center Belleuve

10 a.m. 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Scrimmage - Group A/C Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Practice - Group A Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Practice - Group B Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Sunday, Sept. 21

2 p.m. Game vs. Florida Panthers Bridgestone Arena

6 p.m. Game vs. Florida Panthers Bridgestone Arena

Monday, Sept. 22

Day off

Tuesday, Sept. 23

7 p.m. Game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Wednesday, Sept. 24

10 a.m. Practice - Group A Ford Ice Center Belleuve

12:15 p.m. Practice - Group B Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Thursday, Sept. 25

6:30 p.m. Gold Star Showcase Presented F&M Bank Arena By Ticketmaster

Friday, Sept. 26

10 a.m. Practice - Group A Ford Ice Center Belleuve

12:15 p.m. Practice - Group B Ford Ice Center Belleuve

Saturday, Sept. 27

6 p.m. Game at Tampa Bay Lightning Benchmark International Arena

Sunday, Sept. 28

6 p.m. Game at Carolina Hurricanes Lenovo Center

Nearly seven weeks have passed since the five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were found not guilty on all charges. And yet, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Dillon Dube continue to remain ineligible to return to the NHL.

At least, for now.

According to NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, a decision on the players’ future is coming. The question is whether it will arrive before the start of the 2025-26 regular season.

“I don’t have an update,” Daly told reporters at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “But I do anticipate a decision in the relatively near future.”

There is no guarantee that any of the players will be allowed back into the NHL this season. Even if they are, there is no guarantee that any of the 32 teams will want to offer any of them a contract.

Although all five players were found not guilty of sexual assault, the details of the trial shined a light on toxic masculinity and the negative culture that still pervades the sport of hockey. What the players did behind closed doors after a night of drinking at a Hockey Canada gala honoring their victory at the 2018 World Junior Championship might not have been criminal. But it was wrong on several levels.

NHL Made The Right But Difficult Decision With The Five Former WJC Players Found Not Guilty When a London, Ont., judge ruled on Thursday that all five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were not guilty on all charges, the NHL found itself at a crossroads of moral decency. 

“The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing, and the behavior at issue was unacceptable,” the NHL released in a statement at the conclusion of the trial.

“We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings. While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league.”

The NHL’s strong stance could explain why Formenton, whose NHL rights are still owned by the Ottawa Senators, recently signed a three-and-a-half-month contract to play in Switzerland.

When asked about Formenton during the Senators’ annual charity golf tournament on Monday, GM Steve Staois refused to say whether he had interest in the 25-year-old left winger.

Senators Aren't Saying Whether They'll Sign, Trade, Or Walk Away From Alex FormentonAt the team's annual charity golf tournament on Monday, Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios held court with the media and was asked, among other things, about winger Alex Formenton. TSN's Clare Hanna brought up the fact that Formenton had signed to play in Switzerland again, that his rights still belonged to Ottawa and asked Staios if he had spoken to the player or if he had any thoughts.

“I have no comment on that. In fact, it's a league matter, and the player is ineligible to play,” Staios told reporters. “I won't comment on it.”

Formenton is not the only player who has played in Europe since London police initially laid charges on the five men.

Dube and McLeod, who last played for the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils, respectively, spent last season in Russia. Foote, a Tampa Bay Lightning first-round draft pick who has played for Nashville and New Jersey, spent last season in Slovakia.

Report: Flyers Interested in Carter Hart ReunionAccording to a report, the Philadelphia Flyers are one of several teams interested in free agent goalie Carter Hart.

Hart is so far the only player who is yet to play in North America or elsewhere. However, there are reports suggesting that several teams, including Philadelphia, where he last played, could be interested in signing the once-promising goalie if he becomes eligible to return to the NHL.

When — or if that is — remains unclear.

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.

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

#4 - Noah Ostlund  - Center (Rochester - AHL, Buffalo - NHL) 

 Ostlund was the Sabres second first-round pick (16th overall) at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal after scoring 42 points for the Djurgardens junior-level club, 10 points for Sweden at the Under-18s, and a brief stint in the SHL. The following season, he had 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in 37 regular-season games in the second-level pro league Allsvenskan and four points (1 goal, 3 assists) for Team Sweden at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships. 

He travelled to North America after his season in Sweden and joined the Rochester Americans for their Calder Cup Playoff run, but did not play. The Stockholm native chose not to come over to start the 2023-24 season, instead returning to Sweden to play for Vaxjo and play again for his country at the 2024 World Junior in Gothenburg. 

The 20-year-old thrived at the WJC, scoring 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in seven games and earning a silver medal. Ostlund was also a solid contributor for Vaxjo, with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 38 games, and joined Rochester at the end of the AHL season, earning an assist in two regular-season games and one goal in three playoff games.

In his first full season in North America, Ostlund missed nearly two months with a hand injury, but returned just before Christmas and went goalless in his first 10 games, but the 21-year-old began to produce at a high rate since the middle of February, scoring 11 goals in a 15-game stretch, earning an NHL recall and playing the final eight games with the Sabres. In 45 games with the Amerks, he scored 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 45 games in the regular season.

Similar to countryman Isak Rosen, Ostlund is a player with talent, but it is unknown whether he will get a legitimate NHL opportunity. Being a year younger than Rosen, the young center has more time to develop his game and will need to put up big numbers in Rochester this season to earn a chance with the Sabres. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

Dalibor Dvorsky's rookie season in the AHL was outstanding, so much so that he earned a call-up to the NHL, where he skated in his first two games, but if the 20-year-old wants to be a full-time NHLer, he may have to do it on the wing. 

Throughout his junior and AHL career, Dvorsky has been a center, and a very good one at that. But the current makeup of the St. Louis Blues indicates that his initial breakthrough into the NHL may have to come on the wing, a position he has some experience playing in. 

Currently, the Blues centers consist of Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Pius Suter and Oskar Sundqvist, all of whom aren't moving from the middle of the ice unless injuries occur. Where the Blues may have openings is on the wing, especially after Zack Bolduc was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in the off-season. 

Dvorsky plays a very balanced game. He is an excellent puckhandler and uses his stick handling to create open ice to show off his elite release and passing abilities. On the defensive side, Dvorsky's 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame allows him to use his size to knock players off the puck and his hockey IQ to position himself to break up plays. 

Dvorsky's AHL rookie campaign witnessed him notch 21 goals and 45 points, ranking tied for second in goals and tied for third in points on the Springfield Thunderbirds. A strong rookie camp, followed by training camp, pre-season and then the start of the AHL season should put Dvorsky at the top of the list of forwards to be called up to the NHL. 

Schenn, the Blues' captain, is the current second-line center, but now 34 years old, Schenn isn't getting any younger, and as he inches towards the conclusion of his eight-year, $6.5 million contract, it may be wise for the Blues to transition him to the wing in the next two seasons. At the moment, Schenn hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, but when that day does come, the patience the Blues have demonstrated with Dvorsky, their 2023 10th overall pick, will pay off. 

He'll be able to take Schenn's role as the No.2 center and allow him to move into the bottom-six, providing the Blues with additional depth. 

The Blues have made it very apparent that they are willing to give their prospects as much time as they believe they need to be NHL-ready and fit a role when they do enter the lineup. No Blues prospect highlights this more than Dvorsky. He may not play all 82 games with the Blues or be in the lineup when the playoffs roll around, but when he does enter the lineup, he won't be taken aback by the level of play. 

Blues Announce Roster, Schedule For Tom Kurvers Prospect ShowcaseThe St. Louis Blues announced their roster and schedule for the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, which will take place from September 12-14, at TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Exploring what it would take for the Detroit Red Wings to acquire Oilers’ Connor McDavid in 2026 free agency.

The speculation continues to grow around if Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid will re-sign with the team or explore free agency next off-season. More and more insider reports have indicated that an extension likely won't be done before the start of the season, meaning the pressure will be firmly placed on the Oilers to show their captain that they are an attractive destination that has the chance to win a Stanley Cup. 

After two straight losses in the Stanley Cup Finals, reports suggest that McDavid has become "fanatical" when it comes to winning a championship. The same reports suggest this is why a deal hasn't been done yet as he isn't sure if after two Finals runs that the team has anything left in the tank. The Oilers are set to start two rookies in their top six next season with a poor outcome likely signaling McDavid's exit. 

Elliotte Friedman: Re Connor McDavid: What this all comes down to, is that he thinks this team can win now, but he's not convinced that if he signs for any kind of term, 3-5 years from now, that he believes the team has the staying power - 32 Thoughts Podcast (9/5)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 5, 2025

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

When these reports first came out, we laid out a potential plan of attack for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman as the the team has enough cap space to take on a contract of McDavid's size next season and beyond due to a few pending free agents. The Red Wings would have potentially $24 million in available cap that could allow the team to make any offer they so choose with McDavid. The second part of this problem is how do they show McDavid that they have the pieces to compete for a Stanley Cup?

Red Wings Emerging as Potential Landing Spot for Oilers' Connor McDavidRed Wings could present solid case if Oilers’ Connor McDavid opts for free agency in 2026.

The first step that could work as a season long objective is to make the playoffs. If they fail to do this once again, then there's little to no chance that McDavid will want to choose Detroit. They will then need to add pieces to their lineup while also leaving themselves in a position to have enough cap space for McDavid. A good angle for this could be season rentals. 

The 2026 free agency class is loaded with talent and if the Red Wings can go out and add a player that is due for a new contract in 2026, they could work it around a chance at landing McDavid. An example of this could be Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who has been recently involved in trade rumors and could join the Red Wings for this season at a very friendly $4.55 million person. 

If they can offer him something in the neighborhood of what Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad just got this past July with an eight-year deal and a cap hit at $6.1 million per season, that would still leave $18 million for the Red Wings. They could go after a player like McDavid or if they fail, Jets star winger Kyle Connor. Adding a stud defenseman like Andersson should help propel Detroit into the playoffs and could make them a dark horse to go far depending on their seeding. 

Elliotte Friedman: Re Connor McDavid: Whether its $16m or maybe a little bit less...he will sign for a number that still allows them to do business - NHL Network (9/8)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 9, 2025

They could also go for a cheaper alternative and add a pair of cheaper options to further the depth in the lineup with low-cost players like a forward in Kiefer Sherwood or a Kevin Stenlund while adding to the backend with a player like Vincent Desharnais. The two additions could both total roughly $4 million or below and helped strengthen the overall team. 

Either way, it could show star talent entering the market next off-season that Detroit is just one star player away from being a Stanley Cup contender. If Detroit finishes with a top three spot in the Atlantic with the help of some rentals via trade and also showcase their young talent coming up to the main roster in the next few seasons, it could present a solid case for McDavid or Connor to join the Red Wings.

3 Red Wings Prospects That Could Make NHL Debut This SeasonExploring three Detroit Red Wings prospects that could make the jump to the NHL in the 2025-26 season.

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According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the Edmonton Oilers are off the hook for whatever it was the NHL was looking into regarding Evander Kane and the team's use of LTIR last season. 

Russo writes, "Bill Daly says the book has been closed on the NHL's examination of the Oilers for Evander Kane's LTIR situation last regular season/playoffs."

Bill Daly says the book has been closed on the NHL's examination of the Oilers for Evander Kane's LTIR situation last regular season/playoffs

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 9, 2025

Back in June,  NHL insider Frank Seravalli (then of Daily Faceoff) reported it was unclear what is motivating the extra time and resources being put into the investigation, but the NHL was looking at the Oilers and how they managed Kane's LTIR situation.

Insider Projects Nice Season For Oilers' New Wildcard Forward

Kane, who missed the 2024-25 regular season due to two surgeries—one for abdominal and groin issues in September and another in January to remove a knee growth—returned in Game 2 of the Oilers’ first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings. The NHL reviewed whether Edmonton violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement by activating Kane in the postseason, when the salary cap does not apply.

While the Oilers provided all the requested medical documentation, the league could have still issued retroactive penalties. No team has been punished for LTIR usage under the cap era, though debate over playoff cap rules continues and there will be changes made to the way teams can use LTIR in the future. 

'Absolutely I Want To Stay In Edmonton': Veteran D-Man On Possible Extension

“Is This Real?” Insider Says McDavid’s Comments Has NHL on Alert

“Everything Is About That”: Insider On McDavid’s Singular FocusMcDavid has spoken to the media about his desire to take his time as he contemplates a new contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Many are wondering what he's waiting for. One insider believes he knows.

Kane was traded this summer to the Vancouver Canucks in a cap-clearing deal. 

It's unclear if the Oilers were ever worried about the investigation, but it's no longer an issue for the organization. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.   Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

In The Hockey News' Money & Power 2022 issue, publisher and owner W. Graeme Roustan wrote about how Ken Dryden's advice changed how he viewed the 75th season of the publication.

Dryden, who passed away on Sept. 5 at 78, spoke with Roustan on a one-hour call ahead of The Hockey News' 75th anniversary. Here is that story.

---

Ken Dryden was a hero of mine growing up in Montreal in the 1970s, not only because he was a towering figure on the ice but because he was the example my father had set that education was as important as playing hockey.

I started out as a goalie but soon moved up to center because I learned quickly that scoring goals was way more fun than being scored on. I was always the tallest kid on my teams growing up, and I was always told that I would make it to the NHL just as 100,000 other kids are told the same thing each year. It was not too long after watching Dryden play in the 1972 Summit Series that I knew that I didn’t want to travel on buses for the next five years knowing the odds were not in my favor to play in the NHL. What I did know was that I had the fire in my belly for hockey, which only grew with time.

In the January 2021 Money & Power issue, my Last Word column was titled “An Amazing Life in Hockey,” and I went through some of the hundreds of great hockey experiences that have made the quality of my life so much better.

As soon as that issue was published, I started thinking about the 75th season of The Hockey News, which commenced on Oct. 1, 2021. Knowing that Dryden was born on Aug. 8, 1947, and that he had been interviewed dozens of times over the years by The Hockey News, I thought I would reach out to him through a mutual friend to see if I could get his thoughts on the upcoming 75th season and anniversary of The Hockey News. I thought that since he was also born in 1947, as was The Hockey News, that would be a cool angle for a story. Not surprisingly, he agreed.

What started out with me asking him some questions on his past 70-plus years and the game of hockey, he turned the tables on me and asked me the question: what is it you are trying to do? Stumbling along, I said, “Celebrate the past 75 years of The Hockey News.” After a long pause he said he would like to tell me a story.

He said that during his lifetime he has been a father, husband, politician, lawyer, author, director, speaker, teacher, business executive, sports media commentator and NHL goalie for nine years, which is a relatively small amount of time since he’s now in his early 70s. He has given hundreds of speeches over the years, and in the early years of giving speeches, he would take the stage where he wanted to talk about what he was doing then, like talking about his latest book or on the politics of the day, but at the end of his speeches, the crowd only politely clapped, which was noticeably different after having received an ovation when he first entered the room.

He soon realized that no matter what group he was speaking to, they really wanted to hear something about the nine-year period when he was a goalie in the NHL, and that all the way to the event, they were getting excited to see the goalie Ken Dryden first. That is how they primarily identified with him, and although that was the past that they wanted to hear about, he realized that he must address it before he could talk about the future, which is where he wanted to focus on. Once he opened with, “Hi, I am Ken Dryden, and I used to be a goalie in the NHL,” which always drew a roar, he could move on to the present and the future, which was what he was truly interested in.

He then offered to me the greatest advice I have received from anyone since I acquired The Hockey News four years ago.

He said, “Graeme, it’s fine to talk to your readers about the past 75 years of The Hockey News and some of the memorable moments because that’s what they expect, but spend more time talking about the future of The Hockey News and what the next 75 years will be like. There are only these few opportunities like a 25th-, 50th-, 75th- and 100th-year anniversary that provide the perfect platform to talk about the future. Don’t miss this once-in-your-lifetime opportunity.”

Dryden challenged me to focus less on the past and more on the future of The Hockey News, which was completely the opposite of the way I was heading into the conversation with him. I was actually going to ask him to chronicle his past experiences being interviewed in The Hockey News, and during a one-hour call he had completely turned me around and set me off in a better direction. Needless to say that this only reaffirmed my already overall attitude of looking forward in life and only learning with an occasional reminiscing of the past.

After that call in February 2021, I immediately began upgrading The Hockey News print magazine, starting with Vol. 75, Issue 1, which was the Ultimate Fantasy Pool Guide in August followed by Issue 2, the Yearbook, to this, Issue 9 and beyond. I added more and diverse contributors that cover a wider variety of hockey topics on more platforms. I find myself even more now constantly talking with subscribers, readers, employees, contributors, sponsors, NHL executives, owners and players about the current state and future of The Hockey News.

Ken Dryden was a hero of mine as a kid in 1972 as I cheered for him and my hometown team as they won all those Stanley Cups. I could have never imagined as a kid back then that in 2021 the bigger-than-life Dryden would spend some of his time impressing upon me the valuable life lesson we all should embrace that while it is important to acknowledge the past, it is far more important to look to the future.

Thank you, Ken, for the fond memories that I still have from 50 years ago and for your guidance for The Hockey News as it begins its next 75 years.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor could be on a rival team next season.

The 27-year-old has reportedly signed a professional tryout with the Florida Panthers, according to Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor. Drafted in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks, Gregor has played six seasons in the NHL.

Gregor split last season with the Ottawa Senators and Sharks, playing a total of 52 games and scoring seven points (four goals and three assists). He was traded from Ottawa—along with Zack Ostapchuk and a 2025 second-round pick—to San Jose for Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

The Beaumont, Alberta-born forward joined the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout ahead of the 2023-24 season. After a strong training camp, Gregor inked a one-year, $775,000 contract on Oct. 10, 2023.

Gregor would go on to play within Toronto’s bottom six that year, scoring six goals and six assists in 63 games. He played two of the seven games against the Boston Bruins during the playoffs, but didn’t register a point.

After the season concluded, Gregor was a restricted free agent. Toronto, however, didn’t qualify him, and he became a free agent, ultimately signing a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Senators on July 1, 2024.

Gregor enters the mix in Florida following the club’s second-straight Stanley Cup win. The Panthers eliminated the Maple Leafs in seven games during the second round. They won eight of their next 11 games against the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers before hoisting the trophy again.

If Gregor earns a contract from the Panthers out of training camp, he’ll bring a ton of speed and versatility to the team’s bottom six. And given Florida’s track record of players improving in their organization, this could turn out to be a great move for the club, which is looking to three-peat as Stanley Cup Champions.

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The Florida Panthers have reportedly signed Noah Gregor to a professional try-out, according to Jason Gregor.

The 27-year-old is a speedy fourth-line winger with defensive upside. Throughout his career, he's been utilized on the penalty kill and as a checking forward. 

Gregor spent the 2024-25 season with the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks after the Senators sent Gregor to the Sharks in a package which helped them acquire Fabian Zetterlund. In 52 games, Gregor notched four goals and seven points. 

Prior to signing with the Senators, Gregor played 63 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring six goals and 12 points in the regular season before dressing for two post-season games. The six-foot, 190-pound left-handed winger started his career with the Sharks after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

He made his NHL debut in the 2019-20 season and recorded a career-high 23 points in the 2021-22 season. Each of his first three seasons with the Sharks witnessed him spend time in the AHL, but since 2022, Gregor has been a full-time NHL player, spending some time as a healthy scratch. 

The Panthers' three fourth-line spots are the story to watch in training camp and pre-season. Currently, Jesper Boqvist, Luke Kunin, Jonah Gadjovich, A.J. Greer and Tomas Nosek are competing for those spots, and now Gregor can be added to that list. 

Gregor, if signed, following his PTO, may not receive much game action to start the season, but he could be a great addition to the lineup when the Panthers face injuries or when Tkachuk returns and players are moved to free up cap space. 

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

The team has a wide array of potential outcomes and will rely on several “ifs” and “buts” to reach their full potential. Every roster player will be faced with at least one burning question heading into this pivotal year for the Ducks franchise.

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So, let’s ask some of those questions. We broke down the forwards last time, so let’s focus on the defensemen and goaltenders with this one:

Inspiration for this article was borrowed from The Athletic’sKevin Kurtz

Defensemen

Radko Gudas: Which is the real Gudas, the 2023-24 version or the 2024-25 one?

Gudas made an immediate positive impact as a lead-by-example depth defenseman when he signed a three-year contract with the Ducks in the summer of 2023, to such an extent that he earned the title of team captain in 2024. His on-ice play and numbers across the board dropped dramatically in year two with Anaheim. He reportedly elected to forgo knee surgery this offseason, opting instead for physical therapy. Whether fully healthy or not, it may benefit the Ducks captain to assume more of a role as a bottom-pair defenseman in his final year under contract with Anaheim.

Drew Helleson: Can he handle a potential increase in workload?

Helleson gained favor with former head coach Greg Cronin after his final recall to the Ducks in Nov 2024, offering a steady presence and good habits for a young defender. That said, despite relatively sheltered minutes, his underlying numbers were poor, even on a Ducks team with some of the worst 5v5 numbers in the league last year. If Gudas’ game fails to bounce back, Helleson will be counted on to increase his defensive responsibilities at 5v5 and on the penalty kill. It will be interesting to monitor who he’ll be playing beside and if he’s a long-term fit next to either Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, or Olen Zellweger.

Jackson LaCombe: Was last year a mirage?

On a team brimming with young talent, LaCombe was the only player to truly break out in 2024-25. He became the team’s number one defenseman, leading the team in TOI and featuring heavily on both special teams units. This will be a big year for him, as his contract will be expiring with arbitration rights. If he can continue his play or even elevate it further, the Ducks will have found one of the hardest pieces to find when building a Stanley Cup-contending team: an all-situations, minute-eating blueliner who can fill a scoresheet.

Tristan Luneau: How many NHL games will he play this season?

As the depth chart is currently constructed, Luneau can be penciled in on the opening night roster as a 6th/7th defenseman. After earning a spot on the AHL all-rookie team last season with 52 points (9-43=52) in 59 games, he’ll be looking to take the next step in his development toward that of a full-time NHLer. As a bubble player, he’ll need to win minutes from Drew Helleson, Radko Gudas, and Jacob Trouba, while fending off hungry San Diego Gulls defensemen Ian Moore, Tyson Hinds, Noah Warren, and Stian Solberg. Luneau has battled through and overcome several significant injuries in his career, with no signs of his drive or compete levels dropping.

Pavel Mintyukov: How much will he benefit from a new coaching staff?

Last season, Mintyukov was a casualty of a blueline logjam and a coaching staff that favored veterans, forcing him to play a muted, safe brand of hockey if he wanted to earn spots in nightly lineups. With that logjam now seemingly relieved, Mintyukov has the opportunity to play more fearlessly and more akin to his skillset, potentially maximizing his shift-by-shift impact. Joel Quenneville and Ryan McGill will now be tasked with elevating him to the player the Ducks envisioned they were drafting with the tenth-overall pick in 2022.

Jacob Trouba: Is he a long-term piece in Anaheim?

The Ducks traded for Trouba in December, taking on his entire cap hit with a year remaining on his contract. Trouba was an immediate fit in the locker room and filled the leadership void on the Anaheim blueline after the departures of Cam Fowler and Brian Dumoulin. Now comes the question of whether they see him as a fixture for the foreseeable future as the franchise attempts to turn the corner on their rebuild and begin their contending cycle. Early guesses lean yes, and a Frank Vatrano-like extension announcement wouldn’t be surprising (speculation).

Olen Zellweger: Will he be unleashed?

Similar to Mintyukov, Zellweger’s offensive impact was dulled as he struggled to receive consistent starts in the nightly lineup for the Ducks last season. Atypical of what general manager Pat Verbeek has proven to prefer in his blueliners, Zellweger was already seemingly behind the eight-ball. But now that the path is clearer for him and a new, reportedly player-friendly head coach is calling the shots, he’ll have to seize every bit of runway given to him this season. He possesses an electrifying skillset, has produced at every level below the NHL, and has put in the work to round out his two-way game. For Zellweger, this will be as close to a make-or-break year as we’ll see.

Goaltenders

Lukas Dostal: Is he elite?

A big new contract and the departure of John Gibson this summer gives Dostal sole possession of the Ducks’ crease. He can already be considered “above average” and is one of the most talented young goaltenders in the NHL, with low volatility in his nightly performance. His workload is now projected to become more predictable and increase to 55-60 games, typical of a modern NHL starter. Dostal carried the entire team for stretches of last season, and with the growth from the roster in front of him, along with an improved coaching staff, a path to consideration among the NHL’s elite goalies has emerged. It will be up to him to take it.

Petr Mrazek: Will the connection to his Czech countryman elevate both players?

Mrazek came over in the Gibson deal with the Detroit Red Wings with the intention of him becoming the short-term backup behind Dostal. He backed up Dostal at the 2024 World Championship, in which their Czechia team won the gold medal, and the Ducks are relying on the duo’s familiarity to assist and smooth Dostal’s transition into a full-time starter. After starting his career with several quality seasons with the Red Wings and Hurricanes, Mrazek has been relatively up-and-down since. He’ll look to provide some stability and regain some consistency in 2025-26.

Ville Husso: Insurance or long-term backup?

Husso was brought in ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, mainly as an AHL option for the Gulls, who could (and would) provide veteran depth should injuries occur at the NHL level. He signed a relatively sizable two-year, $2.2 million AAV contract this summer to remain in the Ducks organization, making him potentially waiver-proof, as that would be a hefty gamble of a claim from an opposing team. Mrazek seems like a one-year plan, and the Ducks have a multitude of young goaltenders in the pipeline. Husso and Mrazek could serve as insurance for each other should one falter, but that also gives them each the motivation to seize the backup role.

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Winnipeg Jets prospect Domenic DiVincentiis talks season goals with AHL All-Star Game, Calder Cup and NHL Debut in new exclusive interview with The Hockey News. 

For Winnipeg Jets fans, they don't have to look too far when it comes to goaltending as they've had the league's best goaltender with Connor Hellebuyck and the top ranked defense for two straight seasons. Goaltending is low on the Jets list of worries heading into next season and with their superstar netminder signed on for six more years, it likely won't be something to think about for quite some time.

However, fans can have added insurance with their already loaded backend in the fact that the Jets have several goaltenders in their prospect pipeline that are just starting their pro development journey. Once prepared, there's going to be more than one option for the starting job once Hellebuyck is done. One of these prospects is 21-year-old Domenic DiVincentiis, who is coming off his first pro season with the Manitoba Moose and did quite well. 

After posting a decent 13-12-3 record with a 2.84 goals against average and a .906 save percentage, DiVincentiis continues to rise up the prospect rankings for the Jets, ranking behind recent AHL add Isaac Poulter and Jets prospect Thomas Milic for Winnipeg’s third goalie position, according to EliteProspects. 

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The trend may be going in the direction of DiVincentiis as if an injury occurs, Poulter and Milic both put up worse numbers last season, meaning he could get the first call-up and make his NHL debut. In an exclusive interview with The Hockey News, DiVincentiis tells us that he believes he can make it to the NHL this season and that it’s his main goal for the season. 

"I think being able to get the opportunity to make my NHL debut would be pretty special,” DiVincentiis explained “I think it's in reasonable play, and being able to do that would be, you know, such a such an honor for myself and for my family, and that would be one goal for me, Another goal would be making the all-star game for the AHL, being there for a full season, and ultimately winning a Calder Cup."

The Bolton, Ontario native noted he’s looking to achieve his goals by working extra hard during the off-season while getting in sessions with NHL talent to get up to speed and be able to adapt to the quickness of the game when hopefully being called upon this season. He also noted later on that the ECHL and AHL have done a good job preparing him for the subtle increases in jumps for each skill level and that it’s helped him be successful so far. 

“Being on the ice, tried to get on the ice two to three times a week, every week, whether that was with my goalie coach and then I had a session or two with a couple of the NHL guys from my gym that I would hop on the ice there with them,” DiVincentiis said “You got to be comfortable being uncomfortable and I think for me going down there to the ECHL put me in a position to make sure that I take initiative on things to be a professional hockey player and I think they did a great job at that and putting me in that position to better myself and get some more pro games under my belt because at the end of the day, that's how you're going to make your jump from from the AHL to the NHL, is trying to get as many pro games under your belt, making sure that you're prepared for that next jump."

between the pipes 🥅

DOMENIC DIVINCENTIIS pic.twitter.com/YwnfpW9E13

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 15, 2023

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With 48 pro starts under his belt so far, DiVincentiis is starting to get acclimated with the style and pace of play while some of the other notable names around him have seen more roadblocks. Milic, DiVincentiis’ goalie partner with the Manitoba Moose and Norfolk Admirals, was at one point the top goalie prospect in the organization and one of the most notable prospects at the position in the sport after debuting in the AHL with a stellar 19-9-2 record, a 2.72 GAA and a .900 save percentage. The 22-year-old BC native saw hardships in his sophomore season however, as he finished with a 5-12-4 record, a 3.44 GAA and a .877 save percentage with the Moose. 

DiVincentiis noted the slump as relatively normal as “the hockey world is not always uphill and there's going to be bumps along the way” and he reaffirmed that Milic is still a “phenomenal goaltender” and he’s looking forward to their tandem hopefully being back together next season. When talking about the down season, DiVincentiis reflected on his everyday mindset that he picked up during his time in the OHL with the North Bay Battalion as his head coach Ryan Oulahen and the rest of the coaching staff instilled the motto of improving one per cent every day. He explains how his willingness to stay on for extra skates with other players on the team can help the team play better as a unit and that a better overall team is what can help him stay as consistent as he does. 

“I try to do the extra, and I try to stay on the ice extra, and compete and make sure that, I'm getting myself and the players better, so that we go out there and we win games together, because it's a team sport,” DiVincentiis stated “So my numbers and my stats were a result of both myself and the team and I thought they always did an incredible job in front of me throughout the season, allowing me to finish the season off strong with a shutout and the numbers I had.”

The journey of DiVincentiis and the other goalie prospects in the system can give Winnipeg fans hope as they want to stay as competitive as possible for as long as possible and having a stable goaltender is one of the biggest contributors to that. Once Hellebuyck and backup Eric Comrie see their time in a meaningful role with the franchise, the Jets will be ready with more young blood waiting in the wings. This transition to the new guard could come sooner than later as prospects like DiVincentiis already have the NHL on their mind in the near future.

Year 2 loading…⏱️ pic.twitter.com/Zvh6K1Sb5z

— Domenic Divincentiis (@Domenic5050) September 6, 2025

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have 34 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #34. 

Let's take a look.

Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre - 2001-2004 - Drafted in 1997 by the St. Louis Blues.

Grand-Pierre was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft. He would spend three-plus seasons in Columbus, playing in 209 games. The "Hyphenator," as he is affectionately known, is now the studio analyst for FanDuel Sports during CBJ games. 

He retired after the 2012-13 season, having spent the final five years of his career in Europe. 

Dan LaCosta - 2008 - Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2004 NHL Draft. 

LaCosta played in four games from 2007 to 2009. He spent the majority of his time playing for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. He also played for the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL. 

He retired in 2014 after playing a single season in England for the Cardiff Devils. He was also the goaltending coach for Cardiff. 

Wade Dubielewicz - 2009 - He was undrafted out of Invermere, British Columbia.

The Blue Jackets claimed Dubielwicz off waivers from the New York Islanders in 2009. He played in three games for Columbus. He signed with the Minnesota Wild in the summer of 2009 after his time with Columbus.

He retired in 2011 after playing a single season in the DEL. He went on to become a goaltending coach and GM for the Columbia Valley Rockies.

Dane Byers - 2012 - Drafted in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. 

On November 11, 2010, Byers was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he was then assigned to the Springfield Falcons. He played a total of 8 games for Columbus.

On February 28, 2011. Byers and former CBJ original Rusty Klesla were dealt to the Arizona Coyotes. On July 11, 2011, however, he signed back with the CBJ for one season. He left for Europe in 2015 and retired in 2019. 

Nick Drazenovic - 2013 - Drafted in the 5th round of the 2005 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. 

Drazenovic signed with the CBJ in 2011 and played a total of 8 games with Columbus. He spent his entire first year with Columbus playing for Springfield. The following year, he played 62 games for the Falcons as well. 

He left for Pittsburgh in 2013 and would retire in 2016. 

Dana Tyrell - 2015 - Drafted in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft by Tampa Bay.

On March 5, 2014, Tyrell was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a deal that sent Jonathan Marchessault to the Lightning. Yes, that Marchessault, the one who got away.

Tyrell played a total of 3 games in his Columbus career before suddenly taking a hiatus and not playing for two years. In 2017, he would retire officially after playing four games in the ECHL. 

Josh Anderson - 2016-2017 - Drafted by Columbus in the 4th round of the 2012 Draft.

Anderson played for the Jackets from 2012 to 2020. Playing in 267 games, he had 115 points. He also helped the Cleveland Monsters win the 2016 Calder Cup. On October 6, 2020, he was traded to the Canadiens for Max Domi. 

 "The Andy Man" wore #53 when he first started playing games in Columbus. Anderson played a total of 267 games for the Blue Jackets spread over six seasons. He scored 65 goals and totaled 115 points during his time with Columbus. 

The 2018-19 season saw Anderson set career highs in goals, assists, and points. Unfortunately for him, he was never able to replicate that in Columbus. The following year, he tore his shoulder in December and had to have season-ending surgery, which wasn't decided until March. 

There were rumors floating around that Anderson was upset about the injury and how it was handled by Jackets' management, so he wanted out of Columbus. On October 6, 2020, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Max Domi and 3rd third-round pick in the 2020 draft, ending his career in Columbus. 

Since the trade, Anderson has played in 349 games for the Habs. He has scored 81 goals and totaled 135 points over five seasons. His highest goal total in Montreal is 21, and his highest assist total is 13. His highest points total is 32, which he's done twice. 

Cole Sillinger - 2022-2023 - Drafted in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Silinger wore #34 for two years before switching to #4 before the 23-24 season. It's hard to believe that Cole Sillinger is going into his 5th NHL Season already. 

After scoring 31 points as a rookie, his second season was anything but good. Totaling just 11 points, he only played in 64 games and was demoted to AHL Cleveland. His third season was definitely a bounce-back year for young Sillinger. He would score 13 goals and total 32 points. 

Last season, even though his point total was just one better than the career-high 32 he hit the year before, it was considered a breakout year for Cole. He had 11 goals, which was 5 off of his career-high of 16, but he had 22 assists, which set a new career-high. He also set a career-high by playing 16:55 a game. He is the kind of player that Dean Evason loves. 

Sillinger is going into the final year of a two-year deal he signed a couple of years back, and then he will be an RFA. He will be looking to have another good year so that he can get a long-term deal. How many points will he get in 25-26?

He will more than likely be asked to play the wing as well as center if needed. Should he be willing to play anywhere, he could be an extremely valuable player for the Blue Jackets. 

Let us know what you think below.

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