Former Detroit Red Wings forward Mark Kirton, who enjoyed the most productive seasons of his NHL career with the franchise, has tragically lost his battle against ALS and passed away Sunday at just 67. 

Known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord for which there is no cure, nor is the exact cause known. 

Today, the hockey world lost not only a talented player but a remarkable human being. Mark Kirton, former NHL player and tireless advocate for ALS awareness, has passed away.

Mark’s career in the NHL was defined by determination, teamwork, and heart. Off the ice, he brought… pic.twitter.com/clVodnnR82

— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) August 18, 2025

Kirton, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2018, originally began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who made him the 48th pick in the 1978 Draft. 

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He was traded to the Red Wings in 1980 for goaltender Jim Rutherford, and he would go on to score 33 goals with 42 assists in 134 total games with the club. He would also play for the Vancouver Canucks after the Red Wings traded him for Ivan Boldirev; he ultimately appeared in 266 career NHL games, recording 57 goals with 56 assists. 

He also racked up 123 goals and 202 assists in 458 career games in the American Hockey League. 

Confound to a wheelchair in 2020, Kirton served on the board of ALS Action Canada. 

“We've been living this nightmare for what, a few years now, and I can tell you, it's horrific, it's cruel, it's torture,” Kirton said in September 2024. “The challenges are not daily challenges, they’re like hourly challenges.”

Kirton is the second former NHL player to recently pass away from the degenerative illness, which also claimed the life of his former teammate, Börje Salming, a Hall of Fame defenseman who played for both the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, at age 71 in November 2022. 

Additionally, the illness has recently claimed the lives of Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow along with former Senators assistant coach Bob Jones. 

Kirton is survived by his wife Lisa and children Adam, Sarah and Taylor. 

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Recently, the NHL's official Facebook account shared what they believe each Atlantic Division club's top six will be heading into the 2025-26 season. This, of course, includes the Montreal Canadiens.

For the Canadiens' first line, they unsurprisingly have Nick Suzuki centering wingers Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. This is certainly what should be the Canadiens' first line next season, as this trio has formed incredible chemistry. Furthermore, Slafkovsky should only continue to improve playing on a line with two legitimate stars in Suzuki and Caufield.

Yet, things get more interesting when it comes to the second line. The Canadiens will have multiple different options to consider for this trio, but NHL.com sees the Habs going with Kirby Dach as their 2C, with Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov as his wingers. 

The possibility of this trio being the Canadiens' second line is certainly there, but there are other players who should compete for a spot in Montreal's top six. Off-season addition Zack Bolduc is undoubtedly the most notable omission from this projected top six. When noting that the young winger took a big step forward this past season, he certainly could get a shot on Montreal's second line over a player like Laine. Furthermore, the possibility of Alex Newhook or even Jake Evans landing the 2C spot instead of Dach should also not be ruled out. 

Nevertheless, the Canadiens certainly have some different options to consider with their top six for this upcoming season. It will be fascinating to see if the NHL's projected top six for the Habs ends up being what they go with. 

Canadiens Important Defender Facing Big YearThe 2025-26 season is a big year for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson.

When it comes to NHL blue lines, Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard is among the more polarizing players. For every fan who thinks he plays no defense and is merely a power play guy, outlets like The Athletic, TSN, and others are crediting him for being among the league's best.

Another outlet has given Bouchard his props, as a new Bleacher Report ranking of every team’s top defenseman has Bouchard ranked at No. 6 overall. 

The post was meant to list every team's top defenseman and rank them from 1-32. As such, it's logical to assume the rules would have left players off the list and given other teams two defensemen in the Top 32.

Still, the point remains. Another outlet believes Bouchard is better than 80% of the defensemen in the NHL. 

Considering only Miro Heiskanen (Dallas), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Zach Werenski (Columbus), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver), and Cale Makar (Colorado) were ranked higher, that's pretty good company to be in.

Related: McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 1: My Introduction to the Oilers

Bouchard outranked names like Jaccob Slavin, Adam Fox, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Charlie McAvoy.

Are More People Start To Recognize Bouchard's Impact?

Long labeled as more of an offensive specialist than a complete defender, is Bouchard finally starting to silence critics with these rankings? This is now at least three major outlets playing him in elite company, and not just as a puck-moving, power-play specialist.

The next step might be him shaking the reputation that he's little more than a product of playing with a partner like Mattias Ekholm, or being on the ice with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

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We're well into the NHL offseason now and, for the most part, the majority of free agents have found new homes.

Last month, we looked at where last year's Carolina Hurricanes roster players ended up this offseason, but now we'll take a look at where former Canes have all wound up.

Where Have Last Year's Carolina Hurricanes Ended Up?We're two weeks into what is officially the start of the new NHL season and we've seen quite a bit of movement on the player front.

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Canes of Yesteryear

Jeff Skinner
33, LW

The former star winger and Calder Trophy winner played for Carolina from 2010 to 2018. Now, he's onto his fourth team, the San Jose Sharks, following a one-year stint with the Edmonton Oilers.

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Dylan Coghlan
27, RD

The former Canes depth defender was with the organization for two seasons, joining as part of the Max Pacioretty deal. After a year in Winnipeg, he'll now be rejoining his old squad, the Vegas Golden Knights.

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Ethan Bear
28, RD

The Hurricanes acquired Bear for Warren Foegele in 2021-22. He played one season with the Canes before joining the Vancouver Canucks. After two years with the Washington Capitals organization, he's now joining the New York Islanders.

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Sheldon Rempal
30, RW

Rempal played three games with the Hurricanes in 2020-21. He signed a two-way deal with the Washington Capitals this offseason after a 31 goal, 61 point campaign in the KHL last season.

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Mackenzie MacEachern
31, LW

MacEachern didn't spend a long time with the Hurricanes (just one season in 2022-23) but his first game came during the playoffs where he registered a goal and two points. After another two seasons with the St. Louis Blues organization, MacEachern signed a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

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Jesse Puljujarvi
27, RW

The Finnish winger returned from double-hip surgery and played for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers last season. He signed a deal with Geneve-Servette HC in the Swiss National League.

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Alex Lyon
32, G

The journeyman netminder played for the Hurricanes organization in 2021-22. After two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Lyon signed with the Buffalo Sabres.

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Anton Forsberg
32, G

The goaltender was traded to the Hurricanes and played during the 2019-2020 season. He then spent five seasons with the Ottawa Senators and is now moving on to the LA Kings.

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Former Canes Who Extended With Current Teams

Tony DeAngelo
29, RHD

After a brief stint in Russia last year, the offensive defenseman joined the New York Islanders mid-season and since forth, signed a one-year extension to stay this summer. DeAngelo spent two seasons in Carolina (2021-22 and 2023-24).

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Morgan Geekie
27, C

The 2017 third-round pick spent three years with the Hurricanes organization, and his NHL debut was one to remember with two goals and three points against the Penguins. After a career year with the Boston Bruins (33 goals, 57 points), he signed a six-year extension.

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Steven Lorentz
29, LW

Lorentz's story is an inspiring one, going from a seventh-round pick (2015) to the ECHL all the way to playing a consistent NHL role. He's also won a Stanley Cup and Calder Cup already in his career. After a strong year as a depth player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he signed a three-year extension.

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Haydn Fleury
29, LD

The 2014 seventh-overall pick has never quite managed to carve out a consistent NHL role, but has managed to secure a role with the Winnipeg Jets, signing a two-year extension. Fleury played for the the Canes from 2017-2021.

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Clark Bishop
29, C

Bishop was a 2014 fifth-round pick by the Hurricanes and played for the organization from 2016-2020. He's been with the Calgary Flames since 2022 and signed another one-year extension this summer.

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Still Looking

• Jack Roslovic
• Brock McGinn
• James Reimer
• Max Pacioretty
• Jani Hakanpaa
• Brendan Smith
• Derek Ryan
• Calvin de Haan
• Dustin Tokarski

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Recent Articles

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• Hurricanes To Be One Of Least Traveled Teams For 2025-26 Season
• Projecting the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Opening Night Roster
• Will The Carolina Hurricanes Alter Their Power Play Units?

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The Seattle Kraken's youth movement begins in 2025-26, which means there will be several opportunities for young Kraken prospects to make their NHL debuts.

With injuries, poor performances and the high likelihood of veterans being moved at the 2026 trade deadline, the Kraken could witness more than five debutants, but these are the five prospects with the greatest chance of making their debuts this season.

Berkly Catton, Center

Catton is the most proven and also the most NHL-ready prospect the Kraken have in their pool. Catton has dominated the WHL in the past two seasons, notching over 100 points in each. Heading into the new season, Catton has two options: return to the Spokane Chiefs or play in the NHL.

Catton is determined to make the NHL roster, but that doesn't mean it's best for his development. What's most logical is that the 19-year-old is given every opportunity to prove himself in the pre-season and then plays nine games in the NHL before the first year his entry-level contract burns.

If he impresses and shows he fits, he'll remain with the big club; if not, he'll return to the WHL, where he is far too skilled to play in. 

Jagger Firkus, Right Wing

Firkus might be the most gifted winger on the Coachella Valley Firebirds, but he needs to continue to improve at playing at a higher pace and on the defensive side of the puck. If his second AHL season starts quickly and he shows that his skill can lead to production, Firkus could earn a call-up later in the NHL season. 

The Firebirds will roster a very young lineup, and although he has little experience in the AHL, he'll be depended upon to produce offense.

Ryan Winterton and Jacob Melanson have earned call-ups previously and are higher in the pecking order, but Firkus' offensive abilities could move him up. 

Carson Rehkopf, Left Wing

After Catton, Rehkopf might be the most NHL-ready prospect the Kraken have. Standing 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Rehkopf's frame is ready, and his game suits the NHL. He possesses a great shot and has playmaking instincts that will translate well to the NHL. 

His skating and two-way ability are also traits that could elevate his game in his rookie season in the AHL. Last year, Jani Nyman earned a call-up to the NHL following the trade deadline, and Rehkopf can do the same if he impresses and produces.

Kraken Prospect Could Follow A Similar Path To Jani NymanSeattle Kraken forward Carson Rehkopf is gearing up for his first season of professional hockey in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and the 20-year-old could follow a similar path to a fellow Kraken prospect.

Eduard Sale, Left Wing

The Kraken's first-round pick (20th overall) in 2023 has been inconsistent since he was drafted. He's had flashes of offensive production, dominating the World Juniors and the OHL playoffs in 2024, but he's also had spells where he is unable to be a factor.

His rookie season in the AHL witnessed him notch six goals and 21 points in 51 games. A decent campaign for a 19-year-old, but the expectations were higher for Sale. If he finds his footing quickly next year, the Kraken could benefit from allowing Sale to get his feet wet in the NHL.

Andrei Loshko, Right Wing

Loshko, like Rehkopf, is entering his first season in the AHL, but his frame and track record could be worthy of at least one game in the NHL. Listed at 6-foot-1, Loshko recorded three consecutive seasons of point-per-game production in the QMJHL and the OHL. Last season, the 20-year-old scored 34 goals and 70 points in the OHL.

Loshko played one game in the AHL at the end of the season, scoring two goals. His scoring ability could be valued in a stint in the NHL. 

Can Or Should Ville Ottavainen Earn A Spot On The Kraken's Roster?With the new youth movement the Seattle Kraken are embracing, Ville Ottavainen could be a quiet contender to play several games in the NHL.

It's Wraparound time, with a new round of NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.

Which NHL Players Could Use A Change Of Scenery? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Kelsey Surmacz discussed in this episode:

0:00: Which NHL GMs have the most to prove this season?

5:04: Which NHL coaches have the most to prove this season?

8:00: Which players could graduate to being full-time NHLers this season?

11:55: Did Nazem Kadri deserve more consideration for Team Canada’s orientation roster?

17:00: Will Tanner Jeannot’s contract with the Boston Bruins end up paying off?

21:45: Is the Detroit Red Wings’ defense corps holding them back from being competitive?

26:25: Which players would benefit most from a change of scenery?

30:19: Could Evgeny Kuznetsov make a comeback to the NHL?

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

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The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just over a month before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season. 

Lawson Crouse has been a target of teams looking for a big crash-and-bang power forward, but the 28-year-old seemed to be a commodity the Arizona Coyotes/Utah Mammoth would not part with. The former Florida first-rounder has played all nine NHL seasons in Arizona/Utah, and after three straight 20-goal seasons, his production declined precipitously to 18 points in Salt Lake City last season.  

Other Sabres Stories

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What Would It Cost?

At 6’4”, 214 lb., Crouse would provide the Sabres with the type of player that most Eastern Conference clubs are looking for in response to the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers physicality, and with the addition of Peterka, and the direction of the Mammoth going towards more offense with players like Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Clayton Keller front and center, GM Bill Armstrong may be willing to deal the big winger during the season, depending on where Utah is in the playoff race.   

The Mammoth are hoping to challenge for a playoff spot in the West, but their division is extremely deep and difficult, and other teams like Anaheim, St. Louis, Minnesota, Calgary and Vancouver will be in the mix for the two wildcard spots. Crouse would be attractive to the Sabres for two reasons; he is not a rental (he has two years left at a $4.3 million AAV) and does not have any trade protection. Armstrong will likely be looking for a younger player with team control, such as Zach Benson, but Utah’s defense needs help after Mikhail Sergachev and Sean Durzi. Utah would likely target Bowen Byram, but the deal would have to include more than Crouse to make that attractive to Buffalo.   

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced they have signed forward Hudson Fasching to a one-year, two-way contract. 

Fasching recorded two goals and four points in 42 games with the New York Islanders and two points in seven games with the Bridgeport Islanders last season. 

The 30-year-old has 17 goals and 40 points in 175 career NHL games with the Islanders, Arizona Coyotes, and Buffalo Sabres.

Originally a fourth round selection of the Los Angeles Kings in 2013, Fasching has 78 goals and 162 points in 308 career AHL games with the Islanders, Tucson Roadrunners, and Rochester Americans, he served as captain with the Roadrunners in 2021-22. 

Fasching will fit in to the Blue Jackets' bottom-six or could play in the top six for the Cleveland Monsters. He is a great locker room presence and will be able to contribute in the NHL and AHL. 

Welcome to Columbus, Hudson!💥

We've signed forward Hudson Fasching to a 1-year, 2-way contract! pic.twitter.com/IIjhzqD4RL

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 18, 2025

After three successful seasons at the University of Minnesota and two appearances at the World Junior Hockey Championship Fasching was a member of Team USA at the 2016 World Championship.

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here.        

Welcome to this edition of The Hockey News' Vancouver Canucks Mailbag. In this series, we answer your questions about what is going on with the Canucks. Today, we answer questions about Adam Foote, Vitali Kravtsov, and more. 

Why Did The Canucks Hire Foote Instead Of Malhotra?

The decision to promote Adam Foote to head coach has been widely debated this off-season. The former NHL defender does not have head coaching experience at the pro level, but has been with the organization for the past few seasons. As for Manny Malhotra, he is coming off a Calder Cup championship with the Abbotsford Canucks and should not have to wait much longer for a chance to run his own bench at the NHL level. 

One of the reasons why the Canucks may have made this decision is experience working with this group. While Malhotra has worked with the younger players, Foote has built relationships with the core of this team, including captain Quinn Hughes. In the end, both have the potential to be successful coaches in the NHL, with Foote getting the call next season.

Who Is The More Important Canucks Prospect: Cootes Or Willander?

This is a tough one as both will play key roles in the future. Tom Willander has the potential to be a top-four defender, while Braeden Cootes could be Vancouver's 2C of the future. Ultimately, the Canucks need both to hit if they want to have success, not just now, but in the future. 

In the end, Willander is the more important prospect as of right now. While it is difficult to find centers like Cootes, right-shot, mobile defenceman like Willander are currently at a premium in the league. Both have the potential to be special players, but Willander is currently the most important prospect in the organization. 

Whose The Prospect In The System Who Could Shock Us All And Be A Top 6 F Or A Top 4 D This Season?

Another excellent prospect-related question. Before answering, it is important to rule out Willander, Elias Pettersson and Aatu Räty, as they have been hyped up enough that there would be no surprise if they move into those spots. As for the answer to the question, one prospect who could have a big season at the NHL level is Jonathan Lekkerimäki. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Player Preview: Arshdeep Bains

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Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Player Preview: Pierre-Olivier Joseph

It feels off selecting Lekkerimäki, but he has disappeared from people's radars over the past few months. He did win the Calder Cup with Abbotsford, but only scored three goals and recorded seven points in 16 games. While it is likely that he starts the year in the AHL, Lekkerimäki could jump into the top six once he is called up during the season.  

Will Kravtsov Make The Canucks Roster?

After two seasons in the KHL, Vitali Kravtsov is back and ready for another chance in the NHL. The 25-year-old had 58 points in 66 games last season for Traktor Chelyabinsk, which earned him a one-year, two-way contract. Ultimately, this could be Kravtsov's last chance at an NHL career, which means he has plenty of motivation to have a successful 2025-26 season. 

If Kravtsov is going to make the NHL team, it is most likely going to be on the fourth line. That being said, multiple players are fighting for the final spots, including Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, Nils Åman and Max Sasson. Despite the fact that Kravtsov needs waivers, there is a good chance that he starts the year in the AHL. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Former Florida Panthers winger Rocco Grimaldi will join ex-NHL star Igor Larionov's KHL team SKA St. Petersburg.

Grimaldi was a second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Panthers. After the selection, Grimaldi spent three seasons in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota. Following those three years, Grimaldi signed his entry-level contract and spent the better part of two seasons in the AHL.

Grimaldi was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche the following season, concluding his Panthers tenure. He played just 27 games, scoring four goals and six points. 

Following his departure from Florida, Grimaldi bounced around the NHL. He went on to play in NHL games with the Avalanche and the Nashville Predators, but spent most of his time in the AHL with the Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets AHL affiliates.

The 32-year-old hasn't played an NHL game since the 2021-22 season. Grimaldi was a successful AHL player, recording 192 goals and 428 points in 499 games. Skill has never been the issue for Grimaldi, but standing just 5-foot-6, 181 pounds, Grimaldi is extremely undersized for an NHL player.

Internationally, Grimaldi won two gold medals for the USA at the 2010 and 2011 IIHF U-18 World Championships and another at the 2013 world juniors. He also played for the USA at the 2023 world championships, where he notched seven goals and 14 points in 10 games. 

Joining St. Petersburg in Russia, Grimaldi will be playing in a league that values skill more than physicality, which should benefit Grimaldi. 

St. Petersburg iced a star-studded lineup last year, featuring Ivan Demidov, Alexander Nikishin, Mikhail Grigorenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Arseni Gritsyuk, Nikita Zaitsev and Tony DeAngelo. Only Zaitsev remains, but the organization has added long-time NHL great Igor Larionov as head coach as well as North Americans Trevor Murphy, Brennan Menell and Joey Blandisi, who have some NHL experience.

On Thursday, August 28th, at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, fans will have the opportunity to watch a special skills competition event pitting three generations of Montreal Canadiens players: Lane Hutson, Paul Byron, and Patrice Brisebois.

Tickets to the Challenge Hockey Hush can be purchased here and are only $15. Proceeds will be donated to the Manoir Ronald McDonald, a charity picked by Hutson himself. Brisebois was on the Sans Restriction Podcast this weekend speaking about the event, and it will be interesting to see what he can do some 15 years after retiring. The 1992-93 Stanley Cup Champion chuckled and admitted that he hadn’t skated at all so far this summer, and that he would need to get on with it soon.

The veteran blueliner spent 18 years in the NHL, and only two of them weren’t with the Canadiens but with the Colorado Avalanche. He played 1009 NHL games and picked up 420 points in the process.

As for Paul Byron, he played part of 12 seasons in the NHL, seven of which were spent in Montreal, where he found an NHL home and played a significant role with the team. The speedy winger became a penalty-killing specialist with the Canadiens and had a knack for scoring shorthanded goals using his fantastic speed.  Over his 521 games, he put up 208 points and was forced to retire due to injuries.

The main attraction will no doubt be Calder Trophy winner Hutson. The 21-year-old had a memorable first season with the Canadiens and even broke Chris Chelios’ record for the most points by a rookie defenseman with 66. The youngster quickly became a fan favourite, not only because of his points production but also because of his love and dedication to the game.

Hutson spent most of his Summer working at his dad’s hockey school, making dreams come true for several young players who got to not only skate with their idol, but also be taught by him. Don’t miss the Challenge Hockey Hush - it’s sure to be a great show, and you’ll be contributing to a good cause in the process.

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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. 

Other Sabres Stories

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#25 - Matous Jan Kucharcik - Forward (Slavia Praha Jr. - Czech)

Kucharcik is a lanky forward who played for Slavia Praha in the Czech junior system, and played for his country at the Under-18’s before being selected by the Sabres in the fourth round (103rd overall at the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old forward was born in Italy, as his father (a 1991 Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick) played throughout Europe during his career. 

The youngster is described by Elite Prospects 2025 Draft Guide as “a smart two-way centre who excels at facilitating others through his strongly ingrained supporting habits. He backtracks to intercept passes in the neutral zone, pickpockets opposing defencemen on the forecheck and takes the right routes to provide his teammates with passing options. There’s also a clear defensive upside with Kucharčík. His motor is solid, but it’s how he angles and positions that really drives his defensive value.”

Instead of remaining in Czechia, Kucharcik will be playing for Youngstown in the USHL next season, which would indicate that he is pursuing an NCAA track before becoming a professional. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

EDMONTON – Good goaltending is imperative to winning a Stanley Cup.

While the Edmonton Oilers might not be able to acquire an elite starter, the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard has been good enough to lead them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances.

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

But, they don’t want to just “appear” in the Cup Final – they want to win it all.

That’s why Nico Daws is the best young goalie they can get their hands on this offseason.

The Oilers have been connected to Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins and Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings. However, the New Jersey Devils' protégé might be the better acquisition target.

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The first box Daws ticks off is his NHL experience. While Cossa and DiPietro have good upside potential, Daws has played 52 NHL games to DiPietro’s three and Cossa’s single NHL outing.

There is minimal, if any, opportunity for Daws to play in the NHL this season. Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom are returning to tend the twine, leaving Daws on the outside looking in. That checks off box number two for the Oilers; their organization presents a better opportunity for Daws than his current one.

Finally, Daws has better results in a bigger sample size than the aforementioned DiPietro and Cossa. 

Daws has a career 2.98 goals against average (GAA), a .898 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout. Last season, he only played six games. In those games, he posted a 1.60 GAA, a .939 SV%, and one shutout.

If the Oilers are going to take a gamble on a young goalie, there are much worse options than Daws.

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Denver, Colo. - Calling all bookworms who also happen to be hockey fans!

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Monday morning that they will be collaborating with Local NYT Bestselling author Rebecca Yarros for a special Fourth Wing night on Thursday, November 13th, while the Avalanche host the Buffalo Sabres.

Find the full video from Rebecca Yarros' Instagram post detailing the night here.

Yarros, author of the viral romantasy phenomenon "Fourth Wing," book one of the Empyrean Series, has teamed up with the Avalanche to provide two special ticket packages, both of which send fans home with:

• A specialty jersey, featuring "Riorson" (male main character in the books) with #4 on the back and an Avs logo centering the signature rune from the front of the books on the front
• An exclusive Colorado Avalanche edition of Fourth Wing, with a burgundy cover and matching stenciled edges with dragons running down the pages

The VIP ticket package will also include a book signing with Rebecca, a chance to shoot a slapshot on the ice, and more.

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, August 19th, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time.

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The NHL has had a ton of wonderful player rivalries over the years. Some of them come as a result of geography, others happen organically with the help of the media. 

When you think of Wayne Gretzky vs Mario Lemieux, Martin Brodeur vs Patrick Roy, or Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin, you are reminded of wonderful player rivalries that helped entertain hockey fans for decades. 

Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is being forced into one early in his career. The league, media, and fans are pushing for the rivalry to exist between him and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks. 

Bedard was the number one pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and Celebrini was selected first overall one year later in 2024. Each of them came into their rookie year with a lot of hype and delivered. 

Connor Bedard didn't truly take any steps forward offensively in his second year, but he didn't go backwards either. With Celebrini coming in hot, it has people wondering who will have the better career. Both are expected to break out in a big way over the next handful of seasons. 

NHL (@NHL) on XConnor Bedard put up 67 points during the 2024-25 season while Macklin Celebrini put up 63... 💬 #NHLYoungStarsWeek

The fact of the matter is that each of them is going to be a high-end producer for the next decade or more. It remains to be seen how their organizations will build around them. 

Although geography kept the Blackhawks and Sharks from being true team rivals in the 2010s, they were two of the five best teams in the conference during that time. They even met in the 2010 Western Conference Final, which was won by Chicago. One series later, the Blackhawks lifted their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

The NHL may never lean into Western Conference teams the way that it leans into Eastern Conference teams, so this may never get to the level of Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin, but it will be equally as entertaining if both reach their ceiling as offensive producers. San Jose and Chicago building winners would add to the hype. 

JFresh (@JFreshHockey) on XLook, I'm open to the idea that Bedard still has upside over Celebrini but I don't think it's out of line to suggest that #71 is the more impactful player right now, arguably even comfortably.

This matchup has the feel of being led by a player-rivalry if it continues to trend in its current direction. Hockey fans, not just in these two markets, would benefit from that type of entertainment. 

Every great player rivalry has a helpful supporting cast along for the ride. For Celebrini, he has Will Smith, William Eklund, Sam Dickinson, and Michael Misa, amongst others, to be excited about playing alongside him. Connor Bedard has Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Anton Frondell leading the depth in the organization, which is also a great budding core.  

Another layer to this is their representation of Team Canada. Neither made it on the 4-Nations Face-Off roster, but Celebrini deserved it more than Bedard. Will one or both of them have a strong enough start to make it on the Canadian Olympic squad? 

B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) on XMacklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, and Quinton Byfield among the newcomers joining Canada's 2026 Olympic orientation camp, which will take place in August 👀 Full roster ⬇️

They were each invited to the orientation camp for Team Canada, so they are on the radar. With all of the talent that they have as a hockey country, one or both would need to come out of the gate hot in 2025-26 and force their way onto the team. 

At this point, it is fair to just sit back and enjoy two very good young hockey players who are only going to get better. They also aren't the only two under-23 players in the league worth watching, either. They just may have a player rivalry that lasts for a long time. 

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