Category: Ice Hockey

Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ ageless wonder, seems to set a different scoring record every year.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Capitals captain adds another one to his gaudy list in 2025-26: most goals scored by an NHL player in his age-40 season.

On Sept. 17, the left winger turns 40, an age when most players have already retired and are starting the second phase of their careers.

But Ovechkin is just getting a second wind.

Ovechkin is coming off a season in which he scored 44 goals – tied for third in the NHL – despite missing 16 games because of a fractured left fibula. It was a season in which he passed Wayne Gretzky's 894 goals and became the league’s all-time leading regular-season scorer with 897 career goals.

Now, he has a chance to top the single-season record for a player in his age-40 season. The record is held by Gordie Howe, who at 40 scored 44 goals for the Detroit Red Wings in 1968-69, according to quanthockey.com.

'Defies Logic'

Ovechkin “defies logic and Father Time and everything else,” Washington GM Chris Patrick told NHL.com. “I’ll just be happy to watch it and kind of savoring every time we get to see him go out in a Caps uniform. So we’ll just see what he does this year.”

Just three players – Howe, Boston’s Johnny Bucyk (36 goals in 1975-76) and Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne (31 in 2010-11) – reached 30 goals in their age-40 seasons. Three others managed 20 or more goals at that age: Minnesota’s Dean Prentice (26 in 1972-73), Tampa Bay’s Dave Andreychuk (21 in 2003-04) and Gary Roberts (20 in 2006-07, playing for Florida and Pittsburgh).

Only 21 players in NHL history have reached double figures in goals during a season that started when they were 40.

Ovechkin, of course, had lots of motivation last year as he started the season needing 42 goals to surpass Gretzky.

Ovechkin Gifted All Capitals’ Players, Coaches & Staff Custom Watches After Breaking RecordWashington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will be the first to say that scoring goals truly takes a village, and when it comes to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, it’s a feat that he couldn’t reach alone.

New Motivation

Now, he figures to be motivated by the Capitals’ loss to Carolina in the second round of last year’s playoffs. He will be aiming for the second Stanley Cup in his storied career.

There is also the matter of what will happen after Ovechkin’s five-year contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. Will he sign an extension with Washington and try to reach (gulp) 1,000 goals? Decide to return to Russia and play in the KHL? Hang up his skates and retire?

No one knows at this point. 

While personal milestones are in the back of his mind, Patrick believes Ovechkin’s focus will turn more toward team goals and “What do I need to do to help the team win?”

In Howe’s age-40 season, he not only had 44 goals but contributed 59 assists, 104 points and a plus-45 rating in 76 games. He scored on 15.5 percent of his shots.

No one is expecting Ovechkin to crack 100 points at age 40 – he hasn’t done that since 2009-10 – but scoring 44 goals, as the Great Eight showed last season, is certainly not out of the question.

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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. 

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#17 - Stiven Sardarian  – Right Wing (Michigan Tech - NCAA)

The Sabres selected Sardarian in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft with the pick obtained from the Florida Panthers for Brandon Montour. The St. Petersburg native played his youth hockey in the Moscow Dynamo system but chose to come to North America in 2021 and play in the NCAA. After a season with Youngstown in the USHL.

Sardarian has built himself up from 157 lbs at the start of his NCAA career to 187 lbs, which may be part of the reason for why he broke out offensively in his junior season. As a freshman at UNH, he had only seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in 29 games. His sophomore campaign showed some progress, as he doubled his offensive totals to 14 points and scored seven times in 32 games, but he availed himself of the NCAA’s transfer portal and moved on to Michigan Tech.

The 22-year-old led MT with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 35 games as a junior and will be completing his college career this fall. The Sabres will then have to sign Sardarian to an entry-level contract before the end of June or he will become an unrestricted free agent in August 2026. 

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Johnathan Kovacevic is one of the key names in the New Jersey Devils organization as the 2025-26 season approaches. On July 2, the team announced that the defenseman would miss part of the regular season due to knee surgery performed on May 8. Team reporter Amanda Stein confirmed that he will also miss training camp.

Two months after the procedure, there is still no timeline for Kovacevic’s return, a significant loss for the Devils’ blue line.

Last season, Kovacevic became a staple in the lineup, appearing in 81 games and setting career highs with 16 assists and 17 points, along with one goal. He was acquired by New Jersey on June 30, 2024, in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick. On March 7, 2025, the Devils committed to him long-term with a five-year, $20 million contract ($4 million AAV).

Before joining the Devils, Kovacevic played with the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens. He was originally drafted 74th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by Winnipeg.

With his absence to start the season, the Devils will look to younger players to step into the lineup. Two top candidates are Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey.

• Nemec, the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, played 27 games last season, recording four points. At 24 years old, he could be a strong replacement option on the right side.
• Casey, selected 46th in the same 2022 draft, made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 14 games with four points. At just 21, he is still developing but could be another viable option.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke highly of both players to NHL.com heading into training camp:

“Nemec has to work harder than he’s ever had in training camp. We love where his game ended, and he looked like the player we thought we were drafting. I’m really excited about his growth. Seamus, same thing — he’s still a young player in this league. You look at the experience Nemec has, Seamus will get that experience again. It’s always nice to have depth, especially on the right side.”

While there is no clear update on Kovacevic’s return, his absence creates an opportunity for one of the Devils’ young defensemen to seize a bigger role and potentially have a breakout season.

Arseni Gritsyuk recently spoke with Russian sports outlet TASS about his arrival in North America and the opportunity to play alongside stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.

The Devils prospect confirmed he had traveled from Russia over the weekend, documenting his journey on social media. After flights through Montreal and Ottawa, the 24-year-old winger is expected to arrive in Newark this week as he prepares for his first NHL training camp.

Gritsyuk, drafted 129th overall by New Jersey in 2019, spent the past two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League with SKA St. Petersburg, where he recorded 44 points in 49 games. In May, he signed an entry-level contract with the Devils, setting the stage for his long-anticipated move to North America.

Known for his offensive creativity and strong hockey IQ, Gritsyuk is expected to compete for a roster spot immediately. Still, he insists he has no expectations about which line he will play on.

“I don’t have any favorite hockey players — you evaluate them from a professional point of view,” Gritsyuk told TASS. “I studied the team’s roster. Yes, there’s Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier — top-six center forwards. I’d like to join them, but we’ll see how ready I am.”

He also praised the Devils’ two franchise centers, highlighting their different styles:

“Hughes skates well, Hischier is more of a two-way forward — he can also fight in defense. It is clear that Hughes is a superstar, and the whole team is built around him to get results. So it will be harder with him in the line — you will have to do more work. But it makes no difference to me which of them I play with.”

While Gritsyuk emphasized that he isn’t concerned about his specific role, he has made it clear he wants to play in the NHL rather than with the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.

Opinion: Gritsyuk Shouldn’t Set a Deadline on His Time with the NJ Devils Before Hitting the IceThe New Jersey Devils’ 2019 129th overall pick is finally heading to Newark.

For Gritsyuk, the focus is simple: make the Devils roster and prove he belongs. With training camp around the corner, he’ll soon have his chance to turn that goal into reality.

EA Sports will officially release NHL 26 on September 12 at 12 PM Eastern Time. Leading up to launch, the company has been unveiling its player rankings by position, and several New Jersey Devils have already earned recognition on the Top 10 lists.

On the Top 10 Right Defensemen list, Dougie Hamilton claimed the No. 7 spot. The 32-year-old veteran remains a cornerstone of the Devils’ blue line, expected to mentor Luke Hughes and provide leadership for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. Hamilton’s overall rating in NHL 26 is an 88, reflecting his consistent two-way play and offensive presence from the back end.

His attribute breakdown includes:

• Skating: Acceleration – 87 | Speed – 87
• Puck Skills: Deking – 87 | Passing – 89
• Shooting: Slap Shot Power – 91 | Wrist Shot Power – 91

Not far behind, Jesper Bratt landed at No. 5 on the Top 10 Left Wingers list. Drafted 162nd overall in 2016, Bratt has become a key offensive weapon for New Jersey. He’s coming off a career-best season, tallying 88 points in 81 games during 2024–25. Now entering the third year of his eight-year, $63 million contract, Bratt continues to be one of the Devils’ most dynamic forwards.

Bratt’s NHL 26 attributes highlight his speed and playmaking:

• Skating: Acceleration – 93 | Speed – 91
• Puck Skills: Deking – 92 | Passing – 94
• Shooting: Slap Shot Power – 88 | Wrist Shot Power – 88

So far, Hamilton and Bratt are the only Devils featured in EA’s Top 10 positional rankings. With more lists still to come, fans will be watching closely to see where the rest of the roster lands.

Being an NHL coach is a risky job these days.

There’s near-constant turnover of coaches, especially considering two bench bosses who were hired last off-season didn't even make it to a second season. Stanley Cup champion Dan Bylsma only got one year under his belt with the Seattle Kraken before they dismissed him. Drew Bannister, who was promoted from the St. Louis Blues' interim coach gig to the permanent role last year, was gone by late November when Jim Montgomery became available.

It’s about as cold-blooded an industry as it gets, but seven NHL coaches who were hired last off-season are entering their second full season with their new team: Buffalo's Lindy Ruff, Ottawa's Travis Green, Toronto's Craig Berube, New Jersey's Sheldon Keefe, Winnipeg's Scott Arniel, San Jose's Ryan Warsofsky and Columbus' Dean Evason. Andre Tourigny, meanwhile, went from coaching the Arizona Coyotes to the Utah Mammoth.

Let's focus on three of those coaches with particularly intriguing campaigns ahead and what challenges they may face.

Craig Berube, Toronto Maple Leafs

When the Maple Leafs turned to Berube last summer, there was a sense Toronto needed to be a tougher team to play against, mentally and physically.

Certainly, as the 2024-25 season unfolded, the Leafs were molded in Berube’s vision.

Leafs upper management said this off-season that Berube will have more of an impact on Toronto’s roster. That means making the Buds into a grittier, nastier team – and that’s what’s happened with the acquisitions of rugged players, including former Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy, former Vancouver Canucks left winger Dakota Joshua and former Montreal Canadiens tough guy Michael Pezzetta. 

The Leafs now have a deep group of forwards that play a game Berube prefers. In 2025-26, time will tell whether the Leafs were right to give the coach a greater say in matters, including their most recent roster restructuring.

Oh, and there’s also the matter of winning the Atlantic Division again and pushing past the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Berube’s tasks are clear and straightforward. If Toronto fails to improve next season, he may have a warmer seat on the Original Six franchise.

Berube's Imprint On Leafs' Roster Could Overshadow Marner's DepartureToronto Maple Leafs star right winger William Nylander is one of the multiple players taking part in the NHL/NHLPA's European player media tour, which kicked off in Milan earlier this week.

Travis Green, Ottawa Senators

By just about every metric, Green’s first season with the Senators was a success.

He guided Ottawa to fourth place in the highly competitive Atlantic Division with a 45-30-7 record, as well as the Sens’ first playoff appearance since 2017.

Sure, the Senators would’ve liked to have done better than their six-game, first-round exit at the hands of the Maple Leafs, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Ottawa’s development needs to be sure and steady. That’s the goal of Sens GM Steve Staios, and it’s Green’s job to get this team to a newer level than the level the playoffs were for them last season.

Green’s challenges this coming year include potentially pushing past one or two teams ahead of them in the Atlantic and challenging the Leafs, Cup-champion Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning for a better spot in the division. That’s not going to be an easy task, so if the Senators can’t do that, they still need to be a wild-card team in the Eastern Conference. Falling out of the playoffs would be a significant step backward, and considering how many teams want into the post-season, rebounding the year afterward won't be easy.

The Sens still have a young core, but at the same time, the time for patience and forgiveness has more or less come to an end in Ottawa. At least hanging onto a wild-card berth will get their young players more playoff experience. But even then, it’s hard to see this Sens team winning two or three rounds next spring.

For those reasons, Green must show some kind of progress in the standings – or at least maintain the gains the Senators made last season.

Sheldon Keefe, New Jersey Devils

Even when New Jersey finished third in the Metropolitan Division with a 42-33-7 record, there was a general sense of dissatisfaction with the team not getting past the first round.

Maybe that’s because the core of the Devils hasn't gotten this team past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season. 

Some of that falls at the feet of Keefe, who found a home with the Devils after being fired by the Maple Leafs in 2023-24. But the largest part of the blame should be directed at that New Jersey core.

Star center Jack Hughes and star defenseman Dougie Hamilton can’t stay regularly healthy, and left winger Timo Meier hasn't returned to his 35-goal form he had with the San Jose Sharks. Those are too many issues for even the greatest coach to figure out, but Keefe should still be able to do well if the team stays healthy and their goaltending tandem of Jacob Markstrom and the re-signed Jake Allen holds up their end of the bargain.

Keefe always was careful to not rip his star players during his Leafs days, and the same has held true for his first year running the Devils. He’s been delicate, almost always giving a public endorsement to his players. However, the stress of the coming year will be a very real issue for New Jersey to contend with, and it will be Keefe’s job to keep them level-headed and capable of adapting to any situation that arises.

In Toronto, he’s proven himself to be a solid coach – at least, in the regular season – so we expect the same from him and his Devils this coming year. 

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The Athletic's Scott Wheeler has ranked the Calgary Flames' pipeline at number 17 in the NHL for 2025.

The top player on the list is none other than Zayne Parekh, followed by this year's first draft pick Cole Reschny, and the newly extended Matt Coronato.

On the opening day of free-agency, GM Craig Conroy hardly made any game-changing moves that suggested this team was going to rely on its younger stars for progression.

As we approach the beginning of training camp and pre-season, that may not necessarily be a bad approach as Calgary has a group of promising young stars as evident by Wheeler's decent 17th ranking which went up a couple spots from 2024's ranking of 19.

But the results have to show in real time by getting to the playoffs.

When the Ottawa Senators selected defenseman Carter Yakemchuk seventh overall at the 2024 NHL Draft, the assumption in most hockey circles was that he'd eventually need a pinch of seasoning in the AHL before cracking the NHL lineup. Then the kid suddenly changed some minds after almost making Ottawa's roster last fall.

But after returning home for his fourth and final year with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, while working on trying to play a more complete game, Yakemchuk's stats plummeted. That probably renewed the general belief that he'll now need to spend some time on the farm, doing his chores, and adjusting to the higher pace and physicality of pro hockey.

But on Tuesday, as a guest on the Coming in Hot podcast, Senators GM Steve Staios made it clear that nothing about Yakemchuk’s status for this fall is set in stone right now.

“I wouldn't go so far that quickly on that,” Staios said, when asked if Yakemchuk was destined for AHL Belleville this year. “We wanted to have a competitive training camp. I think when you want players to come and push and if they do come in and push, it's my job to make sure that we have the room. If they're going to help the Ottawa Senators win, we're in the business of winning and winning at the National Hockey League level.”

Yakemchuk still had a strong final year in Calgary, where his offensive instincts continued to stand out, but it cannot be ignored that his stats were well down from what we saw in his draft year. 

2023–24: 66 games, 30 goals, 71 points, 120 penalty minutes
2024–25: 56 games, 17 goals, 49 points, 82 penalty minutes

But Staios reminded fans that his development has been about more than just numbers.

“The fact that Carter wasn't with our team last year to start was strategic and people can talk about how his point totals and what he did back in junior. I think he had a very good year in developing. And also, talk about adversity. The World Junior event happens and he's not part of it.”

“For a young player, him having to deal with that, I don't think is the worst thing in the world. It really stung him and we weren't happy about it, but these are the moments in time where it's an opportunity for growth.”

While Yakemchuk’s personality may be reserved off the ice, Staios said his game tells a different story.

“Carter's personality is a little bit shy at first. He doesn't play like that when he's on the ice, he's bold and confident. And I think he's continuing to take steps in the right direction. We're really excited about seeing him at camp. He's gonna let us know where he is.”

With fellow right shots like Artem Zub, Jordan Spence, Nikolas Matinpalo, and maybe even Nick Jensen – if he recovers from hip surgery in time – the Senators already have a crowded blue-line picture heading into training camp.

“I know when you look at our roster, like, how does he fit in with everybody that we have on our team right now? Well, again, I like it when they put me in uncomfortable situations where I have to make these types of decisions. We're not dismissing that Carter makes our team out of camp.”

So while the consensus is generally that Yakemchuk will have to wait his turn in Belleville, the door remains very much open for the 19-year-old to make an NHL impact sooner rather than later.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

This article originally appeared in The Hockey News Ottawa. 

More Sens headlines:
Senators' Defenseman Nick Jensen Provides Health Update
Ottawa Senators Sign Another Big, Right-Shot Defenseman
Three Senators Named To U.S. Olympic Orientation Camp

The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of great young players in the organization. Some of them have made their NHL debut already, and some of them are still looking for that opportunity. 

One of the players who has made his NHL debut, Oliver Moore, is going to represent the Blackhawks at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, which will take place in Arlington, Virginia. 

Moore will be joined by other notable NHL rookies like Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild), Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders), and Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers). 

When Moore returns to the organization, he will have a chance to make the NHL team. There is a chance he sees some AHL ice throughout the year, too. The Blackhawks will do what they must to develop him properly. 

Moore was a standout player at the University of Minnesota before playing nine games to conclude the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. In those nine games, he had four assists but is still looking for his first career NHL goal. 

Moore's speed, motor, and skill should allow him to be a solid middle-six forward at the NHL level. Anything more would be a big reward for the Blackhawks for taking a chance on him and developing him properly. 

The Rookie Showcase will take place on September 3, 2025. 

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

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers should be interested in a Minnesota Wild goaltender.

Unfortunately, Marc-André Fleury is retired, and acquiring Filip Gustavsson is a pipe dream. That leaves the Swedish protege, Jesper Wallstedt.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

Wallstedt was drafted 20th overall in the 2021 Entry Draft. The 6-foot-3, 214 lb goaltender has not sailed through smooth waters recently.

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The 2024-25 season was a down year for him, which is why the Oilers need to buy low and acquire a goalie who could be impactful under proper tutelage.

Peter Aubry’s mentoring of Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderblom should instill confidence that he can help simplify Wallstedt’s game to become an effective NHL player. 

Wallstedt’s NHL numbers aren’t great at this point in his career. A 3.44 goals against average (GAA) and .877 save percentage (SV%) don’t scream “future number 1 goalie” to me. However, he’s only 22-years-old and isn’t even close to scratching the surface of his NHL potential.

By acquiring him, they would rectify Ken Holland’s draft day blunder, the one where he traded down to add another draft pick to their collection and select Xavier Bourgault 22nd overall.

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Star Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov has been ranked among the 25 best players born since 2000, though he could still use more respect around the NHL.

In the list, compiled by NHL Network, Michkov, 20, ranked 23rd amongst the 25 players born on this side of 2000, though some of the players who placed ahead of him are questionable at best.

Some of those names include Anaheim forward Leo Carlsson, who hasn't scored 50 points in his young career yet, and Los Angeles forward Quinton Byfield, who has back-to-back 50-point seasons but has yet to reach his potential in four seasons as a regular contributor.

Michkov, on the other hand, scored 63 points in his rookie season with the Flyers, leading all rookies in goals with 26. His 63 points ranked second amongst all newcomers, tying him with Macklin Celebrini and trailing Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson by three.

What are your thoughts on our Top 25 Players Born in This Quarter Century list? pic.twitter.com/3ryM33RMDU

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 25, 2025

This, of course, was all while dealing with the NHL's worst goaltending, healthy scratches, benchings, and a coaching change by the end of the year.

Curiously, 2023 draft classmate Connor Bedard, who has now had two seasons similar to Michkov's rookie campaign, ranked all the way up at No. 8.

Cole Caufield, who just scored 30 goals and 70 points for the first time at age 24 on a playoff team, placed 12th.

These players are all deserving, to be clear, but the actual rankings are disproportionate to Michkov's talent, value, and performance in the 2024-25 season.

It's not the first list Michkov has been disrespected on this summer, either; he joined Porter Martone in that category on a list of the projected best NHL players in 2030, five years from now.

It’s the season of weddings, especially in the NHL, as this summer has seen a new batch of players tie the knot with their brides.

Here are 15 of those NHL players who got married this summer.

Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

Leon Draisaitl invited some current and past teammates to the south of France for his wedding, such as Connor McDavid, Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane. He married Celeste Desjardins, who is an actress from Sudbury, Ont.

Between the vows and the alcohol, the Edmonton Oilers superstar was sure to fit in a celebratory dart, sparking an iconic image that surfaced on the internet.

Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

It’s been the summer of a lifetime for the Florida Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk. It all started with the Panthers securing their second straight Stanley Cup win in June to kick off the festivities.

Later in mid-July, the left winger exchanged “I do” with his new wife, Ellie Connell, a luxury travel advisor. The couple married in Tkachuk’s hometown of St. Louis.

That wasn’t the end of his summer, as just a couple of days later, it was his turn with the Stanley Cup. Not to mention, in early August, it was revealed that he would be the cover athlete of EA Sports NHL 26. His brother, Brady, and father, Keith, will join him on the cover of the deluxe edition of the game.

Amazing summer for Matthew Tkachuk gets even better with joyful wedding, Stanley Cup dayMatthew Tkachuk is having one heck of a summer.

Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars

Miro Heiskanen brought his loved ones to Rome for his wedding to his wife, Julia Taka-Aho. Heiskanen was not only in Italy for his wedding, but also for the European media tour in Milan.

The wedding was a black-and-white affair with Heiskanen’s former and current Dallas Stars teammates rocking the black tie dress code, such as Jamie Benn, Mikko Rantanen, Radek Faksa and John Klingberg.

Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets nearly qualified for the post-season, thanks to an incredible season by Zach Werenski. While he didn’t get to play hockey in May, He tied the knot with his new wife, Odette Peters. The Werenskis exchanged vows at the New Albany Country Club in Ohio. 

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was one of Werenski’s groomsmen. Larkin and Werenski were teammates for youth team Belle Tire, the University of Michigan and Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and World Championship.

Nick Suzuki, C, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Candiens captain Nick Suzuki is one of at least four Habs players to get married this off-season. He and his new wife, Caitlin Fitzgerald, met in about 2016 or 2017, Fitzgerald told NHL.com. Both of them are from London, Ont., and met in high school.

Aside from the Suzukis getting married, his longtime teammate and linemate, Cole Caufield, was the star of the show. Throughout the wedding, the right winger carried around a mug that resembled the back of Suzuki’s jersey, including his name and No. 14 on it.

Canadiens Celebrate The Captain's Wedding It may be the dog days of Summer, but this is peak wedding time, and this weekend, there were plenty of Montreal Canadiens players and former Habs in town. Everyone had gathered to celebrate the union of team captain Nick Suzuki and his longtime girlfriend, Caitlin Fitzgerald. The couple is from both London, Ontario, and first met in high school.

MacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar married his wife, Maggie Wallace, at the Cartier Theatre in Montreal. The venue was very formal, as the Cartier Theatre - formally known as St. Vincent de Paul church - was built in 1928. Flames teammates Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, Matt Coronato, Ryan Lomberg and Dustin Wolf, along with former teammate Jakob Pelletier, were among those at the wedding.

Later at the party, the Weegars set up a late-night snack bar, stocked with McDonald’s burgers, fries and other snacks, topped off with an upside-down neon McDonald’s sign.

Noah Dobson, D, Montreal Canadiens

In Newport, R.I., Noah Dobson married Alexa Serowik, who is a NASCAR reporter and a former rinkside reporter and host for the AHL’s Providence Bruins.

The Canadiens acquired Dobson from the New York Islanders during the NHL draft, just days before the wedding on July 1. Dobson had a bunch of former Islanders teammates at the wedding, such as Matt Martin, Mat Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Bo Horvat, Ryan Pulock, Kyle Palmieri ad Scott Mayfield. 

Patrik Laine, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Yet another member of the Canadiens married this off-season, right winger Patrik Laine. He and his new wife, Jordan Smith, married in Palm Beach, Fla. The nuptials were held at Breakers Resort, and the dinner was at The Colony Hotel. Aleksander Barkov, Adam Boqvist, Adam Fantilli, Ivan Provorov, Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes were among those in attendance.

Together, the Laines founded an online mental health platform called ‘From Us to You’, to help promote awareness, as well as an inclusive community where people can communicate and share their experiences.

Filip Chytil, C, Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil got married to his new wife, Nikol. The newlyweds rang the wedding bells in his home country, Czechia.

The 25-year-old had to make a big move and life adjustment earlier in the year when he was traded to Vancouver from the New York Rangers, as part of the J.T. Miller deal.

Speaking of Canucks players, there are reports that center Elias Pettersson quietly got married to Katelyn Byrd this summer as well.

Samuel Montembault, G, Montreal Canadiens

Sam Montembeault got hitched to Daryanne Ayotte at the Four Seasons hotel in Montreal.

As the fourth Hab on the list to get married in the summer, the Canadiens have had a boat-load of festivities in this off-season.

Nicolas Roy, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Nicolas Roy, one of the newest members of the Toronto Maple Leafs, married his wife, Laurie. The couple celebrated this life milestone at the Manoir Montpellier in Montpellier, Que.

The Vegas Golden Knights traded Roy to Toronto on July 1 as part of the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade.

Nicolas Roy Gets Married To Wife, Laurie, Ahead Of First Season With Maple LeafsA month and a half after being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nicolas Roy and his family celebrated a huge life milestone.

Braden Schneider, D, New York Rangers

Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Josee, at Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alta., with a beautiful view.

The 23-year-old had teammates Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere at the event, as well as former Rangers D-man Ryan Lindgren.

Jalen Chatfield, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield, 29, married his longtime partner, Drew, in late July.

The couple said “I do” at the Merrimon Wynne House in Raleigh, followed by the reception at the AC Hotel North Hills.

Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers right winger, Kasperi Kapanen, married Matleena in Helsinki, Finland. Not long after their wedding on Aug. 1, the Finnish couple travelled to Greece for their honeymoon.

Kapanen was claimed off waivers on Nov. 19 by the Oilers. Since that day, he became engaged with Matleena on Dec. 24, and played in the Stanley Cup final in June.

Steven Lorentz, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs center Steven Lorentz got married to Erin with an outdoor wedding and reception at Braestone Farm, about 150 kilometers north of Toronto.

Lorentz wrapped up his first season with his hometown Maple Leafs. This off-season, he earned a three-year contract, the longest deal he’s signed since his entry-level contract.

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Red Wings recent 2025 5th-round pick Nikita Tyurin Talks Development, KHL Debut, and Championship Mindset.

As one of the newest additions to the Red Wings' pipeline is 2025 fifth-round pick 18-year-old defenseman Nikita Tyurin, who is already making a name for himself in Russia and his rapid development hasn’t gone unnoticed in Detroit.

Tyurin recently reflected on a standout season in Russia that saw him shine at both the junior and professional levels. The 18-year-old defenseman capped his rookie campaign in Russia's Junior Hockey League (JHL) with a Kharlamov Cup championship, a KHL debut, and a gold medal at the Challenge Cup, all while establishing himself as one of JHC Spartak’s top young players.

Red Wings Select Nikita Tyurin With 5th-Round PickThe Detroit Red Wings selected defenceman Nikita Tyurin with their fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XWelcome to Detroit, Nikita!

Tyurin recorded 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists) in 50 games for Spartak, finishing as the team’s second-highest scoring defenseman. The Moscow native averaged 18 minutes of ice time per game, displaying poise beyond his years and earning a call-up to the senior Spartak roster in the KHL.

In a recent interview with the official JHL website, Tyurin shared insight into his offseason development, his experience transitioning to pro hockey, and the mentality that has driven his progress. He started off by saying how quickly he was back in the gym working on conditioning as he returned just a week after last season ended. 

“I have participated in a development camp and the first team’s training camp. I continue to prepare for the season, and devote my free time to getting rested. It would be nice to make the KHL team’s roster and I have been doing my best for that to happen,” Tyurin said, discussing his preparation for 2025–26. 

Focused on taking the next step in his career, Tyurin has put in serious work on his physical strength. After watching the Florida Panthers showcase why hockey is dominated by physicality and strength once again rather than finesse, it's a good omen that Tyurin is focusing on adding weight like most young players should.

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“I want to be a tougher player, I have gained five kilos of muscle compared to the weight I had in the 2024/25 season. My current weight is 85 kilos and I want to increase it up to 90," Tyurin explained. 

While Tyurin continues to grow physically, his maturity on the ice was already evident in his KHL debut last season. He explained in the interview how nervous he was in his first game but over time he started to understand and get into the flow of things. 

“First, I had been brought into the lineup for the game against CSKA, but I hadn’t played that night. Then I was dressed for the game against SKA and made my debut in the second period. I had some fear, but after the first shift things became much better," Tyurin said “I tried to play simple: receive the puck and quickly pass it up to the forwards. There was some hesitation at one point, but everything was good in general."

Red Wings Prospect Emerging as Top Talent After Impressive KHL Pre-SeasonRussian prospect for the Red Wings dazzles with three goals through KHL pre-season. 

He continued by explaining that the size of the other players was evident and solidified the idea of needing to add more muscle mass. Tyurin explained that he was having a hard time winning puck battles as he would need to predominantly use his stick and not his undersized body for checking. 

Tyurin closed off the interview by explaining that he wants to be an "interesting player" and that he wants to take creative risks on the ice. Some of the successful attempts were admired by his coaching staff but failures were heavily scrutinized. Tyurin made it clear that he wants to develop into a two-way blueliner that can move the puck and make plays. 

When asked about his goals for the season, Tyurin echoed a mindset shared throughout the Red Wings organization: win when it matters, win in the playoffs and ultimately win championships. He also aims to secure a full-time spot on a KHL roster, a significant step in his development. Playing in one of the world’s most competitive leagues will allow him to test himself against elite talent just a step below the NHL. If his rapid progression continues, Tyurin could emerge as a late-round steal for the Red Wings in the coming years.

NHL Insider Says Gavin McKenna Factored Into Detroit Skipping McTavish Offer SheetDetroit's trade talks with Anaheim for RFA Mason McTavish likely stalled due to pending first overall pick says NHL Insider. 

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Ben Danford will have one final stop before Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.

The 19-year-old, who’s currently participating in Oshawa Generals training camp, is one of 31 prospects invited to the Upper Deck/NHLPA rookie showcase in Washington, D.C. next week. 

Among the other invites are 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders), Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), Brayden Yager (Winnipeg Jets), Carter Yakemchuk (Ottawa Senators), and Tij Iginla, son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla (Utah Mammoth).

Danford’s coming off a strong season with the Generals, where he captained the club to the OHL Championship series against Easton Cowan and the London Knights. Oshawa was only able to win one game in the series, with London taking home the OHL title and the Memorial Cup a few weeks later.

Danford scored five goals and 20 assists in 61 games with the Generals last season. Although his point total was lower than the year prior, the defenseman became stronger in several areas of his game, including his puck distribution.

“He just kills plays,” said Toronto 2025 third-round pick Tyler Hopkins, who’s battled against Danford several times in the OHL. 

“Once you hit that blue line, he’s coming at you, and he’s coming at you fast. And he has a really good stick as well, which makes it a lot harder for a player trying to get by and not turn that puck over at the blue line.”

Danford missed the entirety of Toronto’s NHL training camp last year after suffering a concussion before the Prospect Showdown against the Montreal Canadiens in early September. He was on the receiving end of a hit from free agent invitee Marshall Finnie in rookie camp before heading to the two-day evetn

Once the 2024 first-rounder was cleared to play, he was loaned back to the Generals and stepped back into the lineup right away. Danford was named captain of Oshawa two days after he was returned to the OHL club.

The defenseman was invited to Team Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase in July and hopes to play in his first World Juniors later this year. However, first, he’ll need to attend Maple Leafs training camp, where he knows the competition will be a step up from what he’s used to.

“Who knows when I’m going to make the jump to pro, but I think I need to get bigger and stronger and faster,” said Danford. “The way (NHL players) can move and stuff and how strong they are on pucks, that’s a really big eye-opener, so I feel like that’s something that I can really get better at.”

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One of the most significant turning points last season for the Colorado Avalanche was the acquisition of Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators and, most importantly, Mackenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks. Both completely turned around the team's goaltending situation for the better, earning the “Lumberyard” nickname from the fans. With their first season down, what does this tag team look like heading into the season, and how can they help the Avalanche get a better start this season?

The Lumberyard 🪵 https://t.co/RKjEGgsslB

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2024

After Darcy Kuemper left for the Washington Capitals in 2022 Free Agency, the Avalanche had to make a quick pivot in their goaltending situation. Acquiring Alexandar Georgiev from the New York Rangers to be their starting goaltender. His debut season was great, finishing with career highs across the board now that he was given the reins to the starting position and not behind Igor Shesterkin. In 62 games, he finished with a record of 40-16-6, a .918 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.53 goals against average (GAA). Among the entire NHL, he was tied for first in wins with Linus Ullmark, eighth in SV%, and third in games played.

It was an excellent start for the goaltender and the organization. He had some flaws, but he showed that with a great supporting cast in front of him, he could help win you games. However, asking for a goaltender in 60+ games was a lot, and the sudden announcement of Pavel Francouz's retirement made things even more challenging. It was up to rookie Justus Annunen to step up and help Georgiev in relief.

Though the 2023-24 season started to show some of the more minor flaws Georgiev showed in his debut season. He still finished with 38 wins because the team in front of him was so talented, but his stats started to drop. A .919 SV% into a .897 SV%, a 2.53 GAA into a 3.02 GAA. Those trends continued into the 2024-25 season. In just 18 games, he had a .874 SV% and a 3.38 GAA. It was clear that his game had diminished, and given the team's current state, it needed a new face in net.

It started with Wedgewood, a long-time NHL veteran, in hopes of strengthening the backup position, sending Annunen back. Hoping he can come in relief and help Georgiev get his mind right if he struggles a bit, and that is what happened. Wedgewood took over the net due to his outstanding performance and forced Georgiev into a backup position. 

As much as Wedgewood was great, he has never been a true “starter” in the NHL. His most extensive playing time was 32 games during the 2022-23 season with the Dallas Stars. It wouldn't be until December that General Manager Chris MacFarland had found his starter in Blackwood.

What was supposed to be the goalie for the future for the New Jersey Devils, taken 42nd overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, was moved to San Jose and now given another chance for a contending team, and he did just that. Being “his favorite team growing up”, Blackwood went 8-1-1 with a .940SV% to start his tenure with the Avalanche and finished the season with a 22-12-3 record with a .913SV% and a 2.33 GAA.

"This was my favorite team growing up," Mackenzie Blackwood Speaks to Colorado Media For the First Time Since TradeMackenzie Blackwood appeared in front of the media for the first time since his trade to the Colorado Avalanche. Availability followed morning skate, which marked Blackwood's first appearance with the team.

The biggest factor that led us to this point is the Avalanche's start. In their first 27 games of the season, they had a record of 14-13-0, with a -13 goal differential. The bad start especially doesn't help when, after acquiring both new goaltenders, they finished the season 32-15-4 and went from last in the Central Division to pushing for the top spot, but since they dug themselves too big of a hole in the beginning, they were stuck in third place for most of the season, near the end. 

They were four points behind the Stars, who finished the regular season on a seven-game losing streak and 14 points behind the Winnipeg Jets for first, who, besides being in first for most of the season, had a little stumble near the mid-season but caught themselves and finished strong.

This is where the “Lumber Yard” comes into play. Say the Avalanche started the season 14-6-7, or something similar to that record, and finished the regular season how they did. Those games where they blew a lead late or were blown out from the beginning, imagine if they were wins or overtime losses just for the individual point. Those add up and show at the end of the season that could have determined whether they fought for home ice against the Stars in Round 1 or for top spot in the division against the Jets to face a wildcard opponent instead.

When the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup with Kuemper and Francouz, as much as the team in front of them was otherworldly great, the goalies still stood tall. Kuempers' .921 SV% and 2.54 GAA in the regular season turned into a .902 SV% and a 2.57 GAA. Even when Francouz had to step in for a few games when Kuemper went down with an eye injury, he still finished with a .906 SV% and a 2.81 GAA in ten games, seven of which he started.

The Avalanche aren’t asking the two to be world beaters in cases like Andrei Vasilevskiy with the Tampa Bay Lightning or Sergei Bobrovsky with the Florida Panthers. Just a strong last line of defense, where if the offense isn’t clicking in one game, they can help keep them in it for as long as they can, so the elite talent in front of them can win them the game.

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Avalanche Storylines to Watch: 2C Locked InHeading into the 2025-26 NHL season, the Colorado Avalanche finally have something that they haven’t had since the 2021-22 season: a true second-line center that's under contract for the next couple of seasons. Avalanche Storylines Heading Into the 2025-26 Season: Valeri Nichushkin’s PerformanceAs we approached the 2024-25 season, a question on everyone's mind was Valeri Nichushkin's return after a six-month suspension. Despite the hurdles, the 'Chu-Chu Train' has shown remarkable resilience, scoring 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points in 43 games. His journey is a testament to the power of determination. What more can we expect from him this season?