Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs for a third-straight season last year, they still had some very productive players.

Captain Sidney Crosby led the team with 91 points in 80 games, which was 10th overall in the NHL. It was also his third-straight 90+ point season despite being in his late 30s. He's showing no signs of slowing down entering the 2025-26 season. 

Rickard Rakell set career highs in goals (35) and points (70) last year, and looks poised to return for this season, even though he has been involved in a lot of trade rumors over the past several months. That can obviously change with one phone call, but that's how it's looking right now. 

The same goes for Bryan Rust, who also set a career high in goals with 31 and has drawn a ton of interest from other teams this summer. They appreciate his championship pedigree and how he has developed into a strong leader. Still, Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas is being patient with the trade market. 

With all of that in mind, let's try to project the Penguins' top three point producers for this year. 

1. Sidney Crosby

Crosby is still one of the 10 best players in the sport, and it's not changing anytime soon. He did it all for the Penguins last year, even when they were out of the race going into the final weeks. 

He had a ridiculous stretch to end the season, compiling 30 points in the Penguins' final 21 games to secure his 20th consecutive point-per-game season, the most in NHL history. Crosby had been tied with Wayne Gretzky at 19 before breaking the record this year. 

He is the heartbeat of the Penguins, and as long as he stays healthy for this season, he will lead the team in points. He's also closing in on more history since he's only 36 points away from tying Mario Lemieux for the Penguins' franchise record in points. He needs 37 to pass him for that record and be eighth on the NHL's all-time scoring list. 

Steve Yzerman and Marcel Dionne are seventh and sixth on the NHL's all-time scoring list, and Crosby will also pass both of them if he secures a fourth-straight 90-point season. He'd be on the cusp of breaking into the top five going into the 2026-27 season, which is the last year of his current contract that he signed last year. 

2. Erik Karlsson 

This pick may take aback some fans since Karlsson only had 53 points last season, but that was good for fourth on the team. He's also involved in trade rumors, but what if the Penguins decide to keep him for the entire 2025-26 season?

Someone has to put up points from the blue line, and Karlsson is easily the Penguins' best bet for that since he's their best defenseman and he's still really good at generating 5v5 offense. His 33 5v5 points were tied for fifth among all NHL defensemen last season. 

He still has more to give and has a good chance of finishing in the 60-to-70-point range if a new staff can tweak a few aspects of his game. He will more than likely get the top-pairing minutes on the right side and will also get a good chunk of playing time with Crosby next season.

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.

3. Bryan Rust 

I went back and forth between Rust and a few other players for this spot, but I chose Rust because I see him being a jack-of-all-trades player again, whether it's at 5v5, the power play, or on the penalty kill. He can play in any situation for the Penguins. 

Rust has been a consistent 20+ goal player throughout his career and has also been a solid playmaker over the last four seasons. He has compiled at least 26 assists in each of the previous four years and matched his career high of 34 this past year. 

He'll be another year older this year (33), but I see him having another strong year and finishing in the 60-point range if he stays fully healthy. Rakell, assuming he also doesn't get traded, will be right there with him, but I have Rust beating him out by a hair. 

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

Ivan Barbashev, who is approaching his third full season with the Golden Knights and fourth since being acquired during their championship run in 2023, is also approaching a couple of milestones.

Barbashev has played 585 games in his career, and barring anything, he could play his 15th game of the season - and 600th of his career - in Vegas against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The 29-year-old is also approaching his 300th career points, as he's sitting on 290 (126 goals, 164 assists).

Barbashev, who signed a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $5,000,000 in 2023, was acquired by Vegas from St. Louis on February 26 at the 2023 trade deadline.

The forward has appeared in 175 games since joining the Knights, and has recorded 112 points.

Since arriving in Vegas, his 112 points rank third on the team, while his 48 goals are fourth highest. His 64 assists rank fifth.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion's +52 is second-best behind Brayden McNabb (+66) on the plus/minus chart.

FUN FACT: Barbashev made his professional debut in the 2015-16 season with the St. Louis Blues' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. The Wolves would later become Vegas' affiliate when it entered the league, before the franchise purchased San Antonio's AHL franchise and moved it to Henderson.

The Montreal Canadiens took a major step forward in the right direction in 2024-25, and captain Nick Suzuki was a big reason for it. The 26-year-old was fantastic for the Canadiens, as he scored 20 goals and set new career highs with 59 assists and 89 points in 82 games. This als marked the fourth year in a row that Suzuki set a new career high in points. 

Now, Suzuki has landed some big praise after his excellent season, as he has made the NHL Network's latest Top 20 Centers Right Now list. 

Suzuki secured the No. 10 spot on the NHL Network's list, which is certainly quite the achievement for the 2017 first-round pick. This is especially so when noting that he ranked ahead of fellow star centers like Jack Hughes, Robert Thomas, Sebastian Aho, and Nico Hischier. 

Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025

When noting that Suzuki is coming off such an excellent season, he certainly has earned this top 10 spot on the NHL Network's list. He only seems to be getting better with each season that passes, and it will be fascinating to see what kind of year he puts together for the Habs in 2025-26 from here. 

Canadiens Are 2 Moves Away From Perfect Off-SeasonIt has been an excellent off-season for the Montreal Canadiens. They most notably acquired star defenseman Noah Dobson and promising young winger Zack Bolduc in separate trades. They also improved their depth by bringing in Joe Veleno, Sammy Blais, and Kaapo Kahkonen through free agency.

St. Louis Blues top forward Robert Thomas was a major reason why the Central Division club got back into the playoffs this spring. The 2017 first-round pick thrived for the Blues, as he recorded 21 goals, 60 assists, 81 points, and a plus-20 rating in 70 regular-season games. He then followed that up by posting two goals and eight points in seven playoff games with the Blues this spring.

This was the second season in a row that Thomas recorded at least 60 assists and 80 points. Furthermore, it was the third campaign in four years that he produced at an over a point per game pace. Thus, he has blossomed into a legitimate star, and he has now been rewarded for it. 

Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025

The NHL Network recently released its latest Top 20 Centers Right Now list heading into the 2025-26 season, and Thomas rightfully made the cut. The Blues star landed the No. 12 spot on the NHL Network's rankings, beating other star centers like Sebastian Aho, Nico Hischier, and Dylan Larkin.

When noting that Thomas has emerged as a big-time offensive threat, it is not surprising to see him be ranked among the NHL's top centers by the NHL Network. If he puts together another big season in 2025-26, perhaps he could even move ahead of players like Jack Hughes and Nick Suzuki on the NHL Network's next top centers list. 

2 Blues Who Could Be Nice Surprises The St. Louis Blues' goal this upcoming campaign will be to build off their strong 2024-25 season. When looking at the Blues' current roster, it is clear that they are trending in the right direction. This is especially so when noting that they brought in some good new talent this off-season.

The NHL Network has released its latest Top 20 Centers Right Now rankings, and it features two New Jersey Devils key players. 

Unsurprisingly, Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier made the cut. When noting that they are legitimate stars, both of them making the NHL Network's top centers list is entirely justifiable. 

Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025

Hughes secured the No. 11 spot on the NHL Network's list, beating out other stars like Robert Thomas and Sebastian Aho. Hughes is coming off another excellent season with the Devils, as he recorded 27 goals, 43 assists, 70 points, and a plus-12 rating in 62 games. This was the fourth season in a row where Hughes produced at over a point per game pace, so there is no question that he has earned a spot on this list. 

Hischier, on the other hand, was ranked at the No. 14 spot on the NHL Network's list. He was ranked ahead of notable centers like Dylan Larkin, Tim Stutzle, and Roope Hintz. When noting that Hischier is one of the game's top two-way forwards, it is hard to disagree with him making the top centers list. In 75 games last season with the Devils, he recorded 35 goals, 34 assists, 69 points, and a plus-9 rating. 

Former Devils Prospect Heading OverseasFormer New Jersey Devils forward Tyce Thompson is taking his talent overseas. 

Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon listed six potential trade destinations for Mason McTavish, who remains an RFA with the Anaheim Ducks.

As we're now about a month away from the NHL pre-season, the longer McTavish goes without a contract, the more there will be trade speculation. That was the case with Jeremy Swayman last year with the Boston Bruins, and it's the case with Marco Rossi in Minnesota this summer as well.

But of the Ducks want to be competitive, I don't see why they would even consider trading him right now. Even if he wants a long-term deal, he's shown promise, and he improved last year.

Sure, there's the question about whether the Ducks could have too many centers when Beckett Sennecke graduates to the NHL and Leo Carlsson continues to improve. But until that great problem to have arises, try to get the most out of McTavish for the time being. That's what I would say based on the information we know right now. Expect an NHL Rumor Roundup on this situation later this week.

What do you think? Should the Ducks look to move him now or try to get a deal done to keep him in Orange County for the foreseeable future?

Here at THN.com, we regularly discuss the mushy middle of the NHL – where teams are not good enough to be near the top of the league but not bad enough to be at the bottom and secure a top draft pick.

With next season on the horizon, it’s a fun time to look at which teams have been the biggest mushy middle teams of the past five years.

With that said, here are our picks for the NHL’s top five mushy middle teams in alphabetical order:

Calgary Flames

The Flames have made the Stanley Cup playoffs just once in the past five years. In the other four seasons, Calgary has finished either fourth or fifth in its division.

They have not been good enough to challenge for a championship but also haven't drafted in the top five since selecting Sam Bennett with the fourth overall pick in 2014.

When you look at the Flames’ roster, they’re missing the type of generational talents that teams can only acquire via the draft. While Calgary GM Craig Conroy seems confident he can build a genuine Cup contender out of the assets he’s managed to get through free agency (Nazem Kadri) and trades (Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee), we’re not so sure — especially when you're in a division that includes Edmonton, Vegas and Los Angeles. 

Unless the Flames decide to tear things down and rebuild, it feels like they are going to have more mushy middle finishes for the foreseeable future.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings haven’t made the playoffs in nine seasons. Only the Sabres have spent more time out of the post-season.

At the same time, Detroit has picked in the top five of the draft just once in the past 35 years.

It's difficult to land a generational talent when you're not picking in the top five. The Red Wings have managed to get lucky and draft Simon Edvinsson (sixth overall in 2021), Lucas Raymond (fourth overall in 2020) and Moritz Seider (sixth overall in 2019) in recent years, but imagine what this team would look like with a few top three picks.

Don't expect that trend to change anytime soon.

The Red Wings’ additions this summer, which include signing goalie John Gibson, won't move the needle for them in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. Unless something drastic changes, Detroit is almost assuredly headed for another mediocre season.

Even if they do sneak into the post-season, the Wings will probably be roadkill against superior opponents. And that means more mushy middle developments for a franchise that once was the gold standard for NHL organizations.

Five NHL GMs With The Most To Prove In 2025-26NHL GMs are under pressure every year to prove they can craft a successful squad.

Nashville Predators

To their credit, the Predators have made the playoffs in three of the past five years. However, once they got there, Nashville was easy pickings every time, winning only four games combined in three first-round losses. In the two seasons they failed to make the playoffs, the Preds finished fifth and seventh in their division.

Nothing to write home about, any way you cut it.

It’s no wonder that the Predators have had only one draft pick higher than 15th overall in the past five years — Brady Martin, who went fifth overall this year.

The Preds, which went big in free agency in 2024 when they acquired Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, are not good enough to vault past Winnipeg, Dallas and Colorado — or even Minnesota — in the Central. But they also stubbornly refuse to tear it all down and start from scratch.

That’s why they appear destined to be a mushy middle team at least for next season, if not longer.

New York Islanders

The Islanders stand out from the other teams in this mushy middle list, having made it to back-to-back conference finals in 2020 and 2021. But since then, they’ve lost twice in the first round and missed the playoffs twice.

The Islanders did get lucky this summer by winning the draft lottery and landing elite defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1  pick. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this Isles team is still a far away from being a legitimate Cup threat.

The Islanders almost certainly have some tough sledding ahead as they attempt to rise through the Metropolitan Division ranks. And yet, the Isles have some solid veterans, such as Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat and Anders Lee, who will prevent them from finishing low enough to get another top-level draft pick. So if the Islanders are a mushy middle team next season, no one should be surprised.

Pittsburgh Penguins

It’s hard to believe the Penguins, an organization with multiple players who are locks to be first ballot Hockey Hall-of-Famers, have managed to miss the playoffs for the past three years. But Father Time remains undefeated.

Evgeni Malkin is 39 years old. Sidney Crosby turned 38 earlier this month. And Kris Letang is 37. 

So it's hardly a surprise that the Penguins, which won three championships with those three players, have gone seven years without winning a playoff round. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s struggles have not led to high-end draft picks.

Since 2021, the highest the Penguins have drafted is 11th overall, selecting Benjamin Kindel this summer. It's hard to retool when you're cupboard is bare. While Pittsburgh did acquire top-end prospect Rutger McGroarty a year ago from the Winnipeg Jets, Penguins management doesn’t appear willing — or able — to strip down the roster completely and start over.

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Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Schefiele named to NHL Network's top 20 centres list for 2025

As the NHL’s offseason lull stretches into its quietest phase, analysts are turning their attention to one of the season’s most anticipated media releases, the NHL Network’s annual Top 20 centres rankings. 

This year, the spotlight shines on Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele, who earns a spot at No. 9 on the list. This comes after last season when he didn't crack the list. 

NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) on XMark Scheifele soars into the Top 10! ✈️ @NHLJets | #NHLTopPlayers

Scheifele delivered a career-best performance during the 2024–25 regular season, playing in all 82 games and finishing with a personal-high 87 points. He scored 39 goals, marking the fourth time in his career he reached the 30-goal milestone, and added 48 assists, just two short of his career high. He also posted a +12 rating and led the NHL with 11 game-winning goals. 

The defining moment of his season came in Game 6 of the second round, when Scheifele showed incredible resilience and leadership. Just hours after the sudden passing of his father, he took the ice and scored a goal in his memory. The emotional tribute captured the attention of the sports world and became a lasting highlight in what was already a memorable season for both Scheifele and the franchise.

The ranking from NHL Network not only reflects Scheifele's statistical output, but also his maturation into a true two-way force capable of delivering in high-pressure situations, leading offensively, and elevating his defensive game. His standing places him just behind established stars like Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, and Brayden Point. At the same time, he is also ahead of notable names like Jack Hughes, Nick Suzuki and Robert Thomas. 

Jets Aim to Soar Past Avalanche Once Again After Dominant Season Series WinThe Jets aim to win four crucial divisional games over the Colorado Avalanche next season.

NHL Network’s Top 20 Centres – 2025

1. Connor McDavid
2. Nathan MacKinnon
3. Leon Draisaitl
4. Aleksander Barkov
5. Sidney Crosby
6. Jack Eichel
7. Auston Matthews
8. Brayden Point
9. Mark Scheifele
10. Nick Suzuki
11. Jack Hughes
12. Robert Thomas
13. Sebastian Aho
14. Nico Hischier
15. Dylan Larkin
16. Tim Stützle
17. Roope Hintz
18. Tage Thompson
19. Macklin Celebrini
20. Sam Bennett

Exclusive: Jets 2025-26 Complete Team Preview Released in THN YearbookExplore 76 Years of Hockey History with THN + Get a Free Yearbook Preview

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas has been fulfilling his obligations as the top center for the team, and the 26-year-old is also earning every bit of the eight-year, $65-million contract he signed July 13, 2022.

NHL Network is also recognizing the Blues' No. 1 center on their list of top 20 in the league, checking in at No. 12 just ahead of Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho and behind New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes.

NHL Network’s Jamison Coyle, Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp counted down the best centers based on player performance over the past several seasons, with an emphasis on the 2024-2025 regular season and 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, while also considering future upside. The Top 20 centers right now list collectively features 51 All-Star Game appearances, 12 Stanley Cups, 10 Ted Lindsay Awards, eight Hart Trophies, eight Art Ross Trophies, seven Maurice Richard Trophies, six All-Rookie Team honors, five Conn Smythe Trophies, three Frank J. Selke Trophies, two Calder Trophies, two Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, one King Clancy Memorial Trophy, one Mark Messier Leadership Award and one NHL’s 100 Greatest Players Award.   

Thomas set career highs in goals (26), assists (60) and points (86) in 2023-24 playing in all 82 regular-season games and followed it up last season with 81 points (21 goals, 60 assists) but playing in 70 games after missing 12 games with a fractured right ankle blocking a shot Oct. 22, 2024 against the Winnipeg Jets.

Thomas finished last season with 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in a 12-game point streak that fueled the Blues into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in three seasons. They would lose to the Jets in seven games of the Western Conference First Round.

On his strong finish to the season, Thomas said, "Yeah, with team success comes some individual and I was very fortunate the way our team was playing to be able to produce like that. It takes the whole team for that kind of part of it. I think for myself, I talked a little bit about it last year where you see where you can get and you continue to believe it more and more every year and try and get better. For me, I think I took another step this year and looking to do the same again next year. Olympics is obviously a dream since a kid. You watch it, you have memories of whether it's Sidney Crosby's golden goal or what not. It's definitely a goal of mine. I need to really prepare this summer to have a really good chance at it."

Do you agree with this list and were Thomas is at on it? Comment below and let us know what you feel.

Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin named to NHL Network's top 20 centres list for 2025

As the NHL offseason winds through its quietest stretch, the league’s media cycle finds new life with the annual release of NHL Network’s position-by-position rankings. 

This year, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has once again earned a spot among the game’s top centres, landing at No. 15 on the network’s Top 20 list.

NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) on XThe captain of the @DetroitRedWings is #⃣1⃣5⃣ on our Top 20 Centers Right Now list! #NHLTopPlayers

The rankings, unveiled each August in anticipation of training camp, offer a snapshot of the league’s elite talent at each position, often sparking league-wide discussion and debate among fans and analysts. The league's top 20 best wingers, defenceman and goaltenders have all be released with the centre's rounding out the media rollout. 

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

Larkin’s placement inside the top 15 follows yet another steady campaign, where the 29-year-old appeared in all 82 games and recorded 70 points. It marked his fourth consecutive season reaching at least 69 points and his fourth straight year topping the 30-goal mark.

Red Wings' Larkin, Kane Named to Team USA's Olympic Camp RosterDetroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane among the 44 named players attending Team USA's Olympic Orientation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan.

Larkin isn't just an offensive weapon but a Swiss Army knife that can be relied upon as the team's best defensive forward as well as leader on the top power play and penalty kill units. Not to mention his leadership in the locker room, and ability to drive play continue to earn him league-wide respect.

The Waterford, Michigan native has been a cornerstone for Detroit since being drafted 15th overall in 2014 and over nine seasons with the Red Wings has totaled 411 points (162 goals, 249 assists) in 734 career games. His role as Detroit’s captain and first-line centre has remained steady through a transitional period for the franchise as it continues to develop into a playoff contender.

NHL Network’s ranking places Larkin ahead of young stars like Tim Stützle and Roope Hintz, while also placing him just behind former No. 1 picks like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. The top of the list, unsurprisingly, features perennial MVP candidates like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. 

“My Heart Beat Faster”: Sergei Fedorov Recaps Finding Out Of Jersey Retirement NewsThe iconic No. 91 jersey of former Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov will soon be taking its rightful place in the rafters of Little Caesars Arena, and will be displayed alongside the eight previously retired numbers that include his teammates Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom.

NHL Network’s Top 20 Centres – 2025

1. Connor McDavid
2. Nathan MacKinnon
3. Leon Draisaitl
4. Aleksander Barkov
5. Sidney Crosby
6. Jack Eichel
7. Auston Matthews
8. Brayden Point
9. Mark Scheifele
10. Nick Suzuki
11. Jack Hughes
12. Robert Thomas
13. Sebastian Aho
14. Nico Hischier
15. Dylan Larkin
16. Tim Stützle
17. Roope Hintz
18. Tage Thompson
19. Macklin Celebrini
20. Sam Bennett

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The Buffalo Sabres need to play well against just about every opponent next season in order to get back into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in a decade-and-a-half. And one team that could stand in their way against Buffalo is a team needing a rebound year -- the Vancouver Canucks.

in our continuing series on THN.com's Sabres site, we're looking at each of the Sabres' 31 opponents next year. And in this file, we're focused on the Canucks, whom Buffalo didn't lose to in regulation time last season. Vancouver made a notable addition in former Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane, but otherwise, the Canucks are mostly the same team as they were last season.

That said, we want to know your opinion on the Sabres' rivalry against Vancouver. Do you think Buffalo will play at least as well against the Canucs as they did last year? Be sure to make your opinion known in the comment section below. And feel free to register as a community member on THN.com. Your opinion matters, and we want to hear it.

The Buffalo Sabres are going to face significant difficulty next season trying to end their Stanley Cup playoff drought at 14 years. To be sure, the Sabres will need every standings point they can get, and that means playing well against even the NHL's top teams.

To that end, THN.com's Sabres site has been producing a series in which we examine every one of Buffalo's 31 opponents next season. We've made our way through teams from the league's Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central divisions, and more recently, we've been focusing on the eight Pacific Division franchises.

We're nearly done looking at the Pacific teams, but in today's file, we're looking at a team looking to rebound after a disappointing 2024-25 season -- the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks missed the playoffs last season after being one of the league's stronger teams in 2023-24. And Vancouver has made an important addition (and a former Sabre) this summer, making them into a team the Sabres will have a tough time against next season.

With that said, let's look at Buffalo's performance against Vancouver last year, and what that may say about the Sabres' chances against them in 2025-26.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS

NEW CANUCKS PLAYERS: Evander Kane, LW; Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-0-1, Canucks 1-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  December 11 at Vancouver; January 6 at Buffalo 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Canucks were facing the loss of star winger Brock Boeser in free-agency this summer, but Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin re-signed Boeser, assuring the Canucks of a strong offensive presence. 

Then, Vancouver traded with the Edmonton Oilers for Vancouver native Evander Kane, giving the Canucks more snarl and experience up front. And the re-signing of Boeser and addition of Kane make Vancouver a deeper and stronger team.

The good news for the Sabres is they didn't lose to the Canucks in regulation time last season, dropping an overtime game in their first game in late November before beating Vancouver in the second game in late January. But this coming season, Buffalo and the Canucks will be squaring off twice in less than a one-month span. 

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Kraken Swept Buffalo Last Year -- Will This Season Be A Different Story?The Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 schedule has been out for some time now, and in this ongoing THN.com Sabres site series, we're breaking down Buffalo's chances against every team in the league.

Playing former Sabre Kane may give Buffalo some added inspiration to play well against the Canucks, but like the Sabres, Vancouver wants nothing more than to get back into the playoff mix next year. So the Sabres will have their hands full with the Canucks.

Another factor that could change things for Vancouver is new Canucks coach Adam Foote. The former star defenseman has been Vancouver's assistant coach, but when Rick Tocchet left for the Philadelphia Flyers this summer, Canucks management went in-house to replace him. And Foote inherits a Vancouver team that was a letdown on many fronts this year.

That includes the injury-absence of star Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko, who was limited to only 23 appearances last season. But Demko also signed a contract extension this summer, giving the Canucks one of the strongest goalie tandems (including veteran Kevin Lankinen) in the league. The Sabres will have to be at their best to get pucks past either Demko and Lankinen, because if they can't, Vancouver's above-average offense will put all the pressure on Buffalo's goalies next year.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Sweeping Rebuilding Sharks Should Be No Problem For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 schedule has been out for a while now. And although Sabres fans have known when and where their team will be playing at any given time, it's still worthwhile to examine each Buffalo opponent next year -- and specifically, how the Sabres should fare against team NHL team in 2025-26.

The Sabres and Canucks don't have a natural rivalry that's stood the test of time, but Buffalo needs to play at least as well as it did against Vancouver last year. Failure to do so could impact the Sabres' bottom line -- and potentially be the difference between Buffalo missing and making the post-season next season.

The Sabres will face many teams at least as good as the Canucks next year, and they can't afford to let up on any opponent. Any more disappointment will lead to major change in Buffalo -- but if the Sabres do handle their business against Vancouver and other above-average teams, Buffalo's playoff drought will come to an end.

The Los Angeles Kings have made several interesting moves this offseason, including trading Jordan Spence to the Ottawa Senators and signing Cody Ceci as a Vladislav Gavrikov replacement. However, it sounds like another move was being considered.

In recent days, it was revealed that the Kings considered trading Brandt Clarke, but management chose not to do that, at least not yet.

Michael Russo: Re Brandt Clarke: There were points this offseason where it feel like they were even gonna consider moving Clarke; I think Ken Holland wants to get his eyes on him before he makes such a major move like that - DFO Rundown (8/19)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 20, 2025

Clarke, who is 22 years old, has 41 points through 103 games in his career. Last season, when he had 33 points, was his first full season in the NHL, and while he looked solid, it seems as though he may still be someone the team is considering moving for different assets.

At this point, it seems as though the Kings are willing to give him a strong look out of camp next season, but his name continues to be floated as a potential trade piece.

Former New Jersey Devils forward Tyce Thompson is taking his talent overseas. 

Barys Astana of the KHL have announced that they have signed Thompson to a one-year contract.

Thompson hit the market as a Group 6 unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer after not being re-signed by the New York Islanders. This is after the 6-foot-1 winger posted eight goals, 13 assists, and 21 points in 65 AHL games with the Bridgeport Islanders in 2024-25. He did not make an appearance in an NHL game this past season with New York. 

Thompson was selected by the Devils with the 96th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In 11 games over three seasons with the Devils from 2020-21 to 2022-23, he recorded one assist, seven hits, and a minus-4 rating. His time with the Devils organization ended during the 2023-24 season when he was traded to the Islanders in exchange for Arnaud Durandeau. 

2 Devils Who Could Be Nice Surprises The New Jersey Devils will be looking to take another step in the right direction in 2025-26 after getting back into the playoffs this past spring. They certainly have a good-looking roster on paper, as they have big-time stars in Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt leading the charge.

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 on our list is No. 14, and this is where we cover one of the Penguins' three first-round picks this year in forward Bill Zonnon.

#14: F Bill Zonnon

Zonnon was selected 22nd overall by the Penguins in this year's draft, and he had a great year for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL. He registered 28 goals and 83 points in 64 regular season games as well as eight goals and 16 points in 13 playoff games. 

There's no doubt that Zonnon, 18, can produce, but where his value really shines is in his all-around game. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound center has a power forward-like toolset and a ton of versatility to boot, playing in all situations and capable of filling many different roles in a lineup.

He can skate and has great edgework, he is a high-IQ playmaker, he's an elite forechecker, he's deceptive, and he works relentlessly to stay on the puck and keep plays alive. He has a physical edge to his game as well, and he has a shot with some pop.

🍎 Dyllan Gill (#10 in white) picks up the primary assist on this goal. He gets the puck from Daniil Bourosh (‘04), takes the shot and the rebound is put home by Bill Zonnon (‘06).
-@HuskiesRnpic.twitter.com/4hSDtcKYdp

— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) November 27, 2022

One of the most intriguing things about Zonnon is that he's a high-floor player. If he can maximize his offensive skillset and continue to grow and round out his overall game, he has the potential to be an effective top-six player who can rotate between center and the wing. Even if he doesn't, he's more than likely going to be a higher-profile bottom-six player who can play some tough minutes and produce enough to be an important piece on a third line.

There isn't much Zonnon can't do, and Penguins fans - as well as the organization - should be excited by his upside. And, honestly, he probably should be higher in this ranking, but as is the case with some others in this range, the Penguins simply have a lot more talent in their system than they have in recent years, making some of these decisions tough.

It's very possible that at this time next year, he will be sniffing the top-five. For now, we Zonnon him at 14, and there is a ton of room for him to continue to develop into a future impact NHL forward.

The list so far:

- 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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