The Pittsburgh Penguins have a pretty decent forward group entering the 2025-26 season, especially if they don’t make any trades between now and October 7, when they open the regular season against the New York Rangers. 

They have plenty of options for all four lines, and it may lead to head coach Dan Muse doing a lot of experimenting during the season. There are a lot of veterans who are expected to take up a good chunk of the forward spots, but Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen will be right there, too. They had a nice trial run to end the 2024-25 NHL season and looked NHL-ready after getting top-six minutes with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. 

It’s been a year since the Penguins traded for McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for top prospect Brayden Yager. McGroarty had been on the trade market since last year when he informed the Jets he wasn't going to sign with them, and the Penguins hadn’t been floated as a potential trade partner until they made the deal. It shows how secretive the Penguins' general manager and president, Kyle Dubas, is, as he doesn’t let much information leak out. 

McGroarty did enough during training camp to make the opening night roster, but only played in three games before he was sent down to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. It was evident that he needed more time for development in those games, and he got more than it during the year in WBS. He worked on all aspects of his game and was a different player when he came back up to the Penguins at the end of the season.

He scored his first goal against the St. Louis Blues on April 3 from a dirty area late in the third period to send the game to overtime, and got some great reps on Sidney Crosby’s line. His skating, which was a question mark heading into the season, looked much improved, and he finished the season with one goal and two assists in eight games. 

He will have to earn his way onto the opening night roster for this season, and if he does, fans will need to temper their expectations. It’s great that the Penguins have some legitimate young players to look forward to for this season and in the future. That said, people have to be realistic about what to expect. If McGroarty gives the Penguins 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points over an 82-game season, that would be a tremendous success. That’s almost a half-a-point-per-game pace in his first full NHL season. Is it good enough to win the Calder Trophy or be a finalist for it? No, but that was never the expectation for him heading into the year. 

The same can be said for Koivunen, one of the main pieces of the Jake Guentzel trade. Koivunen made his NHL debut last season when he came up with McGroarty and showed his playmaking skills right away. He compiled seven points, all assists, in eight games, and was good at both 5v5 and the power play. He spent time with both Crosby and Evgeni Malkin last season, and could get more time with Malkin since he was a good fit on his line. 

Koivunen only played 36:12 of 5v5 minutes with Malkin, but made it count. When they were on the ice together, they had a 54.9% CF% rate, 52.5% of the expected goals, 55% of the scoring chances, and 60% of the high-danger chances. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Forward Looks To Capitalize On Second-Chance OpportunityHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

Like McGroarty, if he gives the Penguins 10 goals and 20-25 assists for 30-35 points, that would also be a successful season for him. He’s more of a playmaker than McGroarty, but also needs a bit of work on his skating heading into the year. 

Both players are very intriguing pieces for the 2025-26 season and are in a good situation with Muse at the helm since he specializes in development. Muse has also coached McGroarty before during his time with the U.S. National Development Program earlier in his coaching career. 

McGroarty and Koivunen will be heavily watched during training camp when it starts in a few weeks and during the preseason when it gets underway at the end of September. 

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Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

Next up? No. 13, where we take a look at an older forward prospect getting his second shot in the organization after an impressive Swedish Hockey League (SHL) season last year: Filip Hallander.

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#13: F Filip Hallander

Since he is already 25 years old, Hallander needs to prove he belongs with the Penguins more urgently than a lot of others on this list. And, arguably, he doesn't qualify as a true "prospect." But, for our intents and purposes, he does, as he only played in three NHL games and - aside from his time in the SHL - has only ever played in the Penguins' organization.

He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round (58th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, and he had a generally average stint in the organization from 2021-23, registering 25 goals and 61 points in 104 AHL games and no points in three NHL games. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: First-Round Pick Has Middle-Six UpsideHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

He departed for the SHL for the next two seasons, and that's really where he broke out. His first season was resemblant of those in WBS, but last season, he put up 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games for Timra IK, earning him SHL Forward of the Year honors. He also broke the Timra IK single-season record for points that was previously held by former Detroit Red Wing Henrik Zetterberg, which he set in 2004-05 with 50 points.

And although Hallander has always been somewhat known for his all-around play, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward really nailed down the details of his two-way game in those two SHL seasons as well. His performance earned him a second chance and a two-year contract with the Penguins' organization this offseason.

Quite honestly? It's difficult to project a floor and a ceiling for Hallander because of his all-around game. His positional and situational versatility make him a valuable asset, as he plays center and the wing and can be deployed in all situations. Realistically, his floor should be a relatively safe one, as he should be an effective bottom-sixer at the NHL level. 

Mål nummer 21 av Filip Hållander för säsongen som därmed tangerar Mika Pyröäläs föreningens målrekord i högsta serien #timraikpic.twitter.com/QT84Rw77oG

— Timrå IK (@timra_ik) February 20, 2025

But his ceiling is another story. His two-way game already brings a lot of value, but he has grown into his offensive game as well. He drives the net, is cerebral, forechecks well, passes and shoots with precision, and has higher-end skating ability. He has an offensive toolset that would serve a middle-six role well.

The main thing working against Hallander - again - is his age. But he has a pretty decent chance of making the NHL roster out of training camp, and if he does, fans should expect a reliable two-way contributor who could potentially blossom into a top-six role if his offensive game continues to grow.

Sleep on Hallander at your peril. He is certainly one of the organizational dark horses who could become a solid NHL player.

The list so far:

- No. 14: F Bill Zonnon
- No. 15: F Melvin Fernstrom
- No. 16: D Emil Pieniniemi
- No. 17: F Avery Hayes
- No. 18: F Cruz Lucius
- No. 19: D Finn Harding
- No. 20: D Peyton Kettles

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Swedish Forward Has IntrigueHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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Almost as tough as it was seeing the Ottawa Senators return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for fans of the Detroit Red Wings was simultaneously seeing the Montreal Canadiens do the same. 

Thanks to their own young, emerging players, both Atlantic Division teams reached the postseason before the Red Wings did during their respective rebuilds.

The Canadiens also dealt the Red Wings a considerable in late December, taking four of a possible four points with back-to-back wins by a combined 9-4 score just days before the dismissal of then-head coach Derek Lalonde and assistant Bob Boughner.

Entering the first game on December 20, both teams carried similar records - the Red Wings at 13-14-4 and the Canadiens at 12-16-3.

Montreal managed to edge out Detroit by a 4-3 final score at Little Caesars Arena in a tightly contested affair, but then dominated the rematch just 24 hours later at Bell Centre with a convincing 5-1 victory, as the Red Wings appeared listless and offered little resistance.

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

From that point on, Montreal went 26-15-8 (including a record of 15-5-6 in their final 26 games) thanks in large part to the emergence of young core players like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky. 

Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, a Holland, Mich. native, had an incredible rookie campaign and was awarded the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best first-year player for the 2024-25 season, while veteran Patrik Laine brought an immediate boost to Montreal's power-play. 

Fellow defensemen Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle took on larger roles, while Sam Montembeault took firm hold of the starter's reigns in between the pipes.

Montreal also got a pleasant surprise from rookie goaltender Jakub Dobeš, who became the first goaltender in team history to surrender a single goal through his first two career NHL starts and is now their full-time backup. 

While the Canadiens had a short stay in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they were defeated in five games by the Washington Capitals, they feel they are now better positioned to not only return to the postseason, but to build on their successful campaign in 2024-25 and advance further this time. 

"We're better across the board by virtue of having such a young group that's gained a year of experience, a year of know-how," Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said. "They've learned a little more, especially with the playoff run. But I would say that from a period of time in the season, we were in playoff mode trying to get back into the race and then kind of finalize it. So I'm hopeful that that experience provides a boost to the roster for next season."

The Red Wings will face the Canadiens in the opening game of the regular season at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 9, followed by matchups on Jan. 10 in Montreal, and March 19 in Detroit.

The opening game will also mark the return of former Red Wings forward Joe Veleno, who was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks last season for goaltender Petr Mrazek. This offseason, he signed with his hometown Canadiens after being dealt from Chicago to the Seattle Kraken, who bought out the final year of his contract.

Detroit will look to get their centennial season off on the right foot in front of the home fans of Hockeytown. As the Red Wings found out the hard way at the end of the 2023-24 season, literally every point matters. 

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The NHL’s 2025-26 season is now only a handful of weeks away, so it’s as good a time as any for THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site to break down expectations for every Sabres player next year.

This new series kicks off with this file – an examination of every Sabres player, and the expectations for each of them this coming season. Time will tell whether this Buffalo organization finally gets into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 15 years, and needless to say, that’s the overarching theme for everyone in this series. 

For no particular reason, we’re going to start the series with the Sabres’ goaltending. And in the first article in the series, we’re going to focus on presumptive starting netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Player Name: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Position: Goaltender

Age: 26

2024-25 Key Statistics: 55 appearances, 24-24-5 record, .887 save percentage, 3.20 goals-against average

2025-26 Salary: $4.75 million

2025-26 Expectations: Despite losing his starter’s job to journeyman James Reimer in the last three weeks of the regular-season – he played only five times in Buffalo’s last 14 games – Luukkonen will almost certainly start the season as the Sabres’ starter. Clearly, management feels he can get back to the level he performed at in 2023-24, when he posted a .910 SP and 2.57 G.A.A., playing almost exactly the same number of games both last season and the season prior.

Sabres' Signing Of Veteran Goalie A Solid Gamble That May Wind Up Saving Buffalo's SeasonThe Buffalo Sabres' first day of the NHL's free-agent frenzy saw Sabres GM Kevyn Adams take some low-risk, decent-return gambles in signing mid-tier veterans like winger Justin Danforth and defenseman Zac Jones. But another Sabres signing could prove to be extremely important as the season goes on -- and that's the signing of experienced goalie Alex Lyon.

Also working in Luukkonen’s favor – his considerable salary. The Sabres aren’t paying him to be a backup. He’s going to get the reins out of the gate. But it’s telling that Buffalo signed an insurance policy of sorts in veteran Alex Lyon. It wouldn’t surprise us if youngster Devon Levi also got a run, especially if Luukkonen flames out. 

Indeed, the Sabres simply cannot afford to let Luukkonen have another down year. There is so much at stake, with coaching and management jobs on the line, and players’ long-term future with the team as well. So to say there’s a considerable amount of pressure on Luukkonen is a considerable understatement. 

Here’s the worst-case scenario: Luukkonen struggles again and Lyon or Levi take the starter’s job from him. What do they do with the financial commitment they’ve made to Luukkonen? He’s still got four years left on his contract, and Buffalo is already paying buyout money and cap space for Jeff Skinner’s monstrous contract for the next five years. Ownership won’t be crazy to pay someone else not to play for the Sabres.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Pittsburgh PenguinsThe NHL's 2025 off-season is here, and teams are going to be jockeying for trades and free agents in the coming days and weeks. And in this ongoing THN.com Buffalo Sabres site series, we've been examining potential trade partners for the Sabres.

But let’s look at a possible positive development for Luukkonen. If his numbers look as good as they did two years ago, he’s going to give Buffalo’s forwards and new-look defense corps a chance to win games more often than not. And if that’s the case, he’s going to look like a smart investment.

There really doesn’t seem to be much middle ground for Luukkonen this coming year. Either he re-takes the No. 1 job, or Sabres GM Kevyn Adams (or his replacement) finds a new home for Luukkonen. It may take Buffalo retaining some of Luukkonen’s salary to find him a new employer. But there’s almost always another opportunity for a cost-controlled young goaltender, and given that Luukkonen is still well shy of 30, some team will take a second chance on him.

No matter the outcome, it’s going to be a momentous season for Luukkonen. If he likes playing in Buffalo, there’s a clear road ahead for him to do that. But it’s on him, and the Sabres team in front of him, to dictate the future for both parties.

The Winnipeg Jets could begin eyeing Sabres’ Alex Tuch as a potential trade target to strengthen their second line if Gustav Nyquist continues to underperform. 

The Winnipeg Jets could be considering a trade for Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who is reportedly available on the trade market. This move could serve as a reliable fallback option for the Jets’ second-line winger position if Gustav Nyquist continues his slump from last season.

The Swedish winger is coming off a career-worst season, putting up just 28 points across 79 games with both the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. Some question if age is starting to play a factor for the 35-year-old but Winnipeg feels confident in taking a gamble. If the Jets want to remain competitive towards competing for a Stanley Cup, then they will need to make sure that their top six is firing on all cylinders like last season. The departure of Nikolaj Ehlers leaves a hole that could be fixed if Nyquist reaches his similar numbers to a season prior to last year when he put up 75 points. 

"He's a Legend" - Mark Scheifele Thrilled with Jets' Signing of Jonathan ToewsThis past weekend, Mark Scheifele and a number of other prominent hockey stars teed off at the Rogers Charity Classic as a part of the Rogers Legends of Hockey segment. 

If he fails to reach close to these numbers and looks similar to the Nyquist we saw last year, the Jets may need to consider other options. One of them being a right winger on an expiring contract that would likely enjoy the opportunity to play for a Cup Contender again in Tuch. 

The 29-year-old Syracuse native is entering the final year of a seven-year contract with a very manageable cap hit of $4.75 million. Over the past three seasons, he has produced 94 goals and 111 assists, totaling 205 points. Given his track record, Tuch brings both scoring ability and physical presence as a right-shot winger that the Jets could utilize on their second line.

If Nyquist struggles to find their footing, Tuch could step in alongside Jets veteran center Jonathan Toews and dynamic winger Cole Perfetti. This new-look line has the potential to provide balanced scoring and create matchup problems for opponents with the addition of a lethal goal threat like Tuch making it that much more enticing to attempt a deal. Winnipeg’s coaching staff is exploring ways to maximize the impact of Toews and Perfetti, and adding Tuch would complement their skill sets. 

Drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Tuch was later traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. He spent four solid seasons in Vegas, consistently putting up 30 to 50 points each year while gaining valuable playoff experience. Tuch could come into a Jets lineup that is growing in playoff experience every season and take things to another level.

Jets' Centre Earns Place on NHL Network's Top-20 ListWinnipeg Jets centre Mark Schefiele named to NHL Network's top 20 centres list for 2025

In his first full season with Buffalo, Tuch scored 36 goals and added 43 assists for nearly 80 points in 74 games. Buffalo and Tuch have recently been engaged in contract negotiations, but if those talks falter, the Jets might be positioned to present an offer. 

Winnipeg could leverage some of its young talent, including young fringe NHL players like Nikita Chibrikov or Colby Barlow for an immediate jolt into the lineup. Acquiring Alex Tuch could serve as a dependable insurance policy for Winnipeg’s second line, ensuring scoring depth beyond the top unit. With Tuch’s combination of skill, size, and experience, the Jets would add a valuable piece to bolster their playoff aspirations.

Jets Trio Named to Team USA Olympic Camp RosterWinnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk all named to Team USA's Olympic Orientation Camp Roster.

The Colorado Avalanche made another solid addition to their lineup this week with the free-agent signing of veteran left winger Victor Olofsson.

The former Vegas Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres winger signed a one-year, $1.575-million contract, solidifying Colorado’s third line and adding offense to a team that already had all sorts of offensively productive players.

Olofsson’s signing is a clear case of the rich getting richer and the Avalanche cementing their status as a true threat to win the Stanley Cup next year.

The Avs’ group of forwards was already elite before adding Olofsson, but examine Colorado’s depth up front, and you can’t help but come to the conclusion – at least, in this writer’s opinion – that the Avalanche are the favorite to leapfrog past the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars and win the highly competitive Central Division in 2025-26.

When you look at the Avs’ top three lines, there’s no question they’ve got an embarrassment of riches.

Colorado’s presumptive first line features center Nathan MacKinnon, who had a whopping 116 points last year, left winger Arturri Lehtonen, whose 27 goals in 69 games were a career high, and Martin Necas, who averaged nearly a point per game after being traded.

On the Avalanche’s second line, center Brock Nelson provides valuable secondary scoring, with 26 goals and 56 points last year. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had four points in five playoff games last year while being a physical left winger, and Valeri Nichushkin had 21 goals in 43 games.

That brings us back to Olofsson. The 30-year-old appeared in 56 games for Vegas last season, putting up 15 goals and 29 points in that span. That said, he's had three 40-point campaigns before without logging heavy minutes, and he can supplement a power play. The players who’ll be expected to play on the Avs’ third line with Olofsson – center Ross Colton and right winger Joel Kiviranta – posted a combined 32 goals and 52 points last year.

Those are excellent numbers for Colorado’s third line. And the production of the Avalanche’s top two forward lines takes the pressure off Olofsson, Colton and Kiviranta to do any heavy lifting. That may push at least one of the third-line trio to get to the 20-goal plateau next year. Given Olofsson’s bargain-rate salary and Kiviranta’s $1.25-million salary, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has put together a terrific-value group of forwards that will be a handful for any opponent.

You might say Olofsson is next season’s version of veteran winger Jonathan Drouin, who resuscitated his career in Colorado before moving on to the New York Islanders this summer. But that’s somewhat of a stretch, as Drouin was more of a playmaker than OIofsson has been. Olofsson once was a 28-goal scorer with the Sabres, so he could get back to the 20-goal level next season.

And here’s one more thing to make you appreciate MacFarland’s work: after the Olofsson signing, the Avalanche have $1.3 million in salary cap space. If MacFarland hangs on to that amount of cap space and allows it to accrue during the season, he’s going to have $6 million to spend at next year’s trade deadline. That should be terrifying to Colorado’s opponents, because you know Avs brass are going to spend every penny available to them.

To be sure, the Jets and Stars aren’t going to lay down for Colorado or any other team. But piece by piece, the Avalanche have assembled a stunningly talent-rich squad, and they look all but guaranteed to improve on their third-place finish in the Central last season. Thus, Dallas and Winnipeg should be on notice – the Avs are a legitimate Cup threat and a clear-and-present danger to push those two teams down the Central standings.

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It's time for more rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics on The Wraparound.

What Should The Canadiens Do With Price's Contract? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Karine Hains discussed in this episode:

0:00: How will the Montreal Canadiens handle the remaining amount of Carey Price’s contract?

4:17: With Kirby Dach’s latest injury update, who will be the Canadiens’ second-line center?

7:45: Did Lane Hutson Deserve to be invited to Team USA’s orientation camp for the Olympics?

11:55: Breaking down Frank Nazar’s extension with the Chicago Blackhawks

15:25: Was Marco Rossi’s contract a good deal for the Minnesota Wild?

19:31: Which Toronto Maple Leafs player will need to take the biggest step this season?

23:50: Could Connor Ingram’s return provide a major boost for the Utah Mammoth?

27:20: Who has the next-best shot at starting in net for Team Canada behind Jordan Binnington?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

Former Henderson Silver Knights forward and 2023 Calder Cup champion Mason Morelli has signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana of the KHL, the team announced Thursday. 

Morelli recorded 13 goals and 19 points in 48 games with the Silver Knights and went pointless in one game with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. 

The 29-year-old has 57 goals and 139 points in 299 career AHL games with the Silver Knights, Hershey Bears, and Stockton Heat. 

The Minot, ND., native won the 2023 Calder Cup with the Bears and had a great playoff showing, putting up five goals and 13 points in 20 games. 

Morelli turned pro in 2019 after four seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he had 77 points in 120 career games. He served as team captain his senior season and was named to the NCHC Second All-Star Team in 2018-19. 

«Барыс» заключил односторонний контракт с Мэйсоном Морелли, соглашение рассчитано на один сезон до 31 мая 2026 года. pic.twitter.com/bDfULw31Mt

— ХК «Барыс» (@AstanaBarys) August 21, 2025

He joins former Bears teammates Mike Vecchione and Jake Massie on Barys Astana and joins the legion of AHL veterans who have departed North America for the KHL this off-season. 

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here.        

As he enters the final year of a contract that carries a $2.6-million cap hit, there are two ways of evaluating whether the Edmonton Oilers should make a long-term commitment to Stuart Skinner.

On one hand, there were 38 other goalies (who played in at least 20 games) who had a better save percentage than Skinner last season. But in the past two years combined, only Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky has won more games in the playoffs.

In other words, deciding what to do with Skinner and the Oilers' goaltending, in general is not an easy decision — especially when you factor in how many other goalies have come to Edmonton and failed to find success.

“He’s dealing with pressures that nobody else is dealing with,” former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, who spent the first five years of his career with the Oilers and now runs a goalie mentorship program called Dubnyk Development, told The Big Show this week. “That’s part of the territory that you deal with in playing for a Canadian market. He’s done a really, really impressive job of handling it.”

Skinner might not be anyone’s pick to win the Vezina Trophy, but he has guided Edmonton to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup final. That's something that neither Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith or Jack Campbell can say.

“Skinner’s got more playoff experience than three-quarters of the league is ever going to have,” said Dubnyk, who added that Skinner is also just hitting his prime.

“We forget that he’s a young goalie,” he said. “It feels like he’s been there a long time. But he’s only 26 years old and should be entering the peak years of his career right now.”

The Hockey News Big Show: Devan Dubnyk On The Mental Side, Stuart Skinner, Sergei Bobrovsky And MoreThe Hockey News Big Show has a special guest on this summer episode: longtime NHL netminder Devan Dubnyk, who launched Dubnyk Development.

That experience hasn’t always been positive.

Skinner, who went 26-18-4 in the regular season, was so shaky in the first round of this year's playoffs that he was pulled after allowing 11 goals in Games 1 and 2 against Los Angeles. It took an injury in the second round to backup Calvin Pickard, who had gone 6-0, for Skinner to eventually reclaim his net.

To Skinner's credit, he posted back-to-back shutouts against Vegas and allowed 10 goals in five games against Dallas, before losing to Florida again in the final.

“Do you know how easy it would have been to fold the tent there?" Dubnyk said of Skinner's performance when Pickard got hurt. "The amount of pressure that was going into the next game and he pulls back-to-back shutouts. Like that is an impressive feat, because that was such an impossible scenario to come in with Pickard being the local hero.”

Unfortunately for Skinner, he was unable to be the hero as the Oilers lost 4-2 in a best-of-seven series to Florida. The back-to-back losses in the final led to suggestions that the Oilers should spend the summer finding an upgrade for Skinner or at the very least someone to come and share the net with him.

So far, however, the team has decided to roll things back with its two goalies.

Oilers Have A New Goalie Trade TargetEDMONTON – Goaltending is one of the hardest positions to play in all of sports, let alone hockey.

“For Oilers fans it was as frustrating as it was, because they wanted to see something happening with the goaltending," said Dubnyk. "But you have to take a step back and look at it. You don’t want to rush into making a decision just to make a decision.

"If you’re going to get a backup goalie to replace Pickard, well that’s tricky, too. it has to be somebody who is significantly better who is almost on par with Skinner that’s going to be an option to take over. You don’t just replace Pickard to replace Pickard, because what’s the guy done for you. He’s a great teammate. The guy loves him, they play hard in front of him and he was 7-1 in the playoffs as a backup goalie in the Stanley Cup final.

"What else are you going to ask of your backup goalie? There’s not a goalie on the planet who’s going to give you 7-1 in the playoffs.”

And yet, Dubnyk believes that the Oilers are not done.

After all, when you have a team that includes Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, you aren't just expected to reach the final. Eventually, you need to win.

“I think they’ll do something to upgrade the goaltending," he said. "I hate saying that because I love Picks. If that’s the case, I hope he goes somewhere we he can play. I wouldn’t be surprised early on if Edmonton can get someone who can push Skinner.”

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In order to acquire K’Andre Miller, the Carolina Hurricanes used a unique strategy. 

Miller was a restricted free agent and was in a stalemate with the New York Rangers regarding negotiations for a new contract extension. 

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes were ready to pounce by giving Miller an offer sheet to sway him away from the Rangers. 

Once that became clear, the Rangers and Hurricanes agreed to a sign-and-trade for Miller that included a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft and defenseman Scott Morrow.

The Rangers were threatened by the idea of losing Miller for just draft compensation, which forced them to negotiate a sign-and-trade with the Hurricanes.

Eric Tulsky Strongly Feels That Hurricanes Can Help Unleash K'Andre Miller's Potential The Carolina Hurricanes are betting on K’Andre Miller’s potential.

“They ended up coming together on a trade that was very close to the compensation that they would have gotten anyway from an offer sheet. They just got an extra prospect involved, so they got something that could hit their lineup sooner rather than later,” Marco D’Amico of RG.media said.

The 25-year-old defenseman ultimately signed an eight-year, $60 million contract extension with the Hurricanes once he was acquired. 

It’s going to be a while until Matthew Tkachuk is back in the Florida Panthers lineup.

NHL insider David Pagnotta reported Friday that Tkachuk had surgery several weeks ago and will miss part of the regular season.

These are things we have suspected for a while.

Can confirm Matthew Tkachuk underwent surgery a few weeks ago and will miss the start of the season.

Timeline is unclear, but he could be out of action as long as sometime in January.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) August 22, 2025

Back in June, after the Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup, Tkachuk revealed that he had been playing through both a torn hip abductor and a sports hernia.

The specifics of Tkachuk’s surgery have not been revealed, but he’s expected to be out until sometime before the 2026 Winter Olympics that take place in February in Milan, Italy.

It's been an excellent summer for Tkachuk.

He's celebrated a Stanley Cup win (for over a week), had a blast at the championship parade, gotten married, brought the Cup home to St. Louis and traveled with both teammates and his new bride. 

Now, it's time to recover and prepare to get back in the ring again next winter and spring. 

Florida is expected to be a Stanley Cup Contender for years to come, and even with Tkachuk out of the lineup for part of the season, as long as he’s good to go for the playoffs, the Panthers are fine with that.

Since arriving in South Florida, Tkachuk has helped the Cats reach the Stanley Cup Final in each of his three seasons, logging 88 goals and 254 points in 211 regular season games.

He’s been better than a point-per-game player during the playoffs, racking up 25 goals and 69 points in 67 postseason games in a Panthers sweater.

Tkachuk’s absence will create an opportunity for someone on Florida’s second line next to Sam Bennett, and candidates who will get a look will likely include Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues.

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) controls the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

While Team Canada has only invited three goaltenders to its Olympic orientation camp at the end of August, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the ones to make the trip to Italy in February. St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington, Vegas Golden Knights' Adin Hill, and Montreal Canadiens’ Samuel Montembeault were part of the team that won the 4 Nations Face-Off, but there’s no guarantee that they will be part of the Olympic squad.

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Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong appeared on TSN 1050 Toronto on Thursday and set the record straight:

It just didn't feel right bringing that large number of goalies to the camp, so we just went with the three, but I've talked to the other goalies and told them that it's an open competition to play well and make our decisions hard in January. It's open competition for that goaltending position.

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While Canada is no longer a power house in net as it was in the past with the likes of Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Roberto Luongo, and Carey Price, there are still a few goaltenders who could make Armstrong’s job as a GM more complicated.

The Canadiens faced one of them in the playoffs last season when Logan Thompson backstopped the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 series win over the Habs. Stuart Skinner, who has taken the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup final twice, could also be a worthy candidate, just like Darcy Kuemper, who has the top job with the Los Angeles Kings these days. Even Mackenzie Blackwood, who now plays for the Colorado Avalanche, could be worth a look. Since arriving in Dever, he has a 2.33 goals-against-average and a .913 save percentage.

This should fuel Montembeault for the upcoming season. Not only will he be playing to help the Canadiens get to the playoffs once again, but he will also be playing to earn his ticket to Milano Cortina.

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With Fedorov’s No. 91 set to be retired, the Red Wings’ centennial season raises the question of which legends might be next.

With Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 officially rising to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena this upcoming season, the Detroit Red Wings will have honored another of their countless living legends. Fedorov’s jersey retirement was long overdue as a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the team and was the player fans had been waiting to have his number retired for some time. The next question for Red Wings historians is: who’s next? 

Several iconic players have proudly worn the Winged Wheel, yet their numbers still haven’t been raised to the rafters. Detroit legends like Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Gordie Howe, and now Sergei Fedorov have all received the honor, but a handful of other Red Wings greats remain in waiting. 

With the team celebrating its centennial season, more legendary names are likely to be revisited and perhaps finally recognized by the organization.

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Henrik Zetterberg – No. 40

At the top of the list is Henrik Zetterberg, the longtime captain and face of the franchise during its transition from perennial contender to rebuilding club. A 2008 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Zetterberg was the epitome of consistency and leadership.

He spent his entire 15-year NHL career in Detroit, totaling 960 points in 1,082 games and serving as captain from 2013 until his retirement in 2018. His work ethic and loyalty have kept him beloved in Hockeytown, and fans frequently speculate when his number will join the others in the rafters.

Odds: Very High

"He Needs To Drag This Team To The Playoffs": Dylan Larkin Directly Challenged By NHL Insider There is no player on the Detroit Red Wings who wants more badly to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs more than team captain Dylan Larkin.

Pavel Datsyuk – No. 13

If Fedorov’s number can be retired despite a complicated departure from Detroit, then Pavel Datsyuk’s No. 13 deserves serious consideration. The “Magic Man” dazzled with his jaw-dropping skill, uncanny defensive play, and infectious personality. His ability to deke and move the puck past defenders with his elite stick play changed the way hockey was played into more of a finesse game. 

Datsyuk won two Stanley Cups in 2002 and 2008, three Selke Trophies as the league's best defensive forward, and was a four-time Lady Byng winner. He tallied 918 points in 953 games, and his legacy being remembered as the player to produce the most highlight reel goals in league history.  

Odds: Very High

Chris Osgood – No. 30

A three-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime goaltender for the Wings, Chris Osgood’s place in team history is significant as one of the franchise's best netminders. His 401 career wins (317 with Detroit) and playoff heroics, include his stellar play during Detroit's runs to Stanley Cups in 1998 and 2008. Osgood’s critics often attributed his success to playing behind a powerhouse blueline, pointing to the fact that he never won the Vezina Trophy as evidence.

However, it's difficult to overlook his ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. From 1993 to 2011, Osgood recorded 74 playoff wins, the third most during that span, along with an impressive 2.09 goals against average. He also made 2,918 playoff saves, more than elite goaltenders like Dominik Hasek and Curtis Joseph, ranking fourth overall in that period.

Odds: Moderate

Bring Back Fabbri? Red Wings Weigh Options for Top Line LW SpotAs training camp nears, the Detroit Red Wings face a crucial decision of who will fill in as the first-line left wing.

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