Category: Ice Hockey

Chuck Fletcher's long NHL executive career continues as the former Minnesota Wild GM has agreed to join the Seattle Kraken as a senior advisor. 

Fletcher spent nine seasons with the Wild as the GM and five as the executive vice president of hockey operations. During his time with the Wild, Fletcher negotiated the now-infamous 13-year contracts for defenseman Ryan Suter and winger Zach Parise. 

Although those signings never resulted in a Stanley Cup, the Wild made the playoffs six times during Fletcher's tenure in Minnesota. 

Minnesota was Fletcher's first chance to be an NHL GM, but he had multiple stops with different NHL franchises before that. He first worked as an assistant GM of the Florida Panthers from 1993 to 2002 before moving to the Anaheim Ducks and then to the Pittsburgh Penguins, both as an assistant GM. After his time in Minnesota, he worked as a senior advisor for the New Jersey Devils, then took the GM job with the Philadelphia Flyers before returning to his senior advisor role with the Devils.

Now, Fletcher has taken another senior advisor role with the Kraken. The Kraken are in a difficult situation. They feel pressure to be competitive, but they lack the high-end talent to do so. They haven't committed to rebuilding with their young pieces, but haven't been able to go all in either.

Kraken Make Unexpected Move, Add Former NHL General ManagerThe Seattle Kraken have added former NHL general manager Chuck Fletcher as a senior advisor to GM Jason Botterill, bringing decades of front-office experience to Seattle’s ongoing effort to build a Stanley Cup contender.

They've tried to blend young prospects and veterans, but it's amounted to just one playoff appearance in five seasons. Current Kraken GM Jason Boterill has been tasked with developing his prospects and fighting for the playoffs, but so far it's proven to be too tall an order.

With Fletcher's resume, Boterill hopes he can help him and the Kraken get to where they want to be. 

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Following the 2026 NHL Prospects Tournament, the Detroit Red Wings are ready to focus on the beginning of Training Camp, which officially begins on Thursday, Sept. 17. 

One player who participated in two of the tournament's three games was 2023 first-round (ninth overall) pick Nate Danielson, who began last season with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins before eventually being called up to the Red Wings.

Danielson, who appeared in 28 NHL games last season, recorded two goals and five assists before being returned to the AHL. However, he suffered a stress fracture in mid-February that sidelined him for the remainder of the Griffins' season.

This time around, Danielson has his sights set on earning a spot on the Red Wings' roster out of Training Camp. 

"For sure," he said of his goal to make the Red Wings' roster. "I mean, I want to come into Camp and definitely earn a spot. I mean, ultimately my goal is to be an impact player in the League this year and be someone who contributes. That's kind of my goal for the year."

Danielson got his first taste of NHL action with the Red Wings last season, and while he viewed the experience positively overall, he believes he can improve his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

"I feel like there's a lot of different things you can work on," he said. "I think finishing is definitely something I kind of need to bear down on. I felt like last year, I lacked that at times." 

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Griffins head coach Dan Watson, who coached Detroit during the Prospects Tournament, believes Danielson is almost overly focused on his defensive responsibilities to the point where it hinders his offensive abilities. 

“His vision, the way he thinks the game, he’s very responsible, maybe sometimes too responsible," Watson said of Danielson's attributes. "And that sometimes can hurt you, but I just think his willingness to go to the net, his willingness to create some more offense around the net; that’s what he was asked to do last year, and he started to do that with us before he got injured.

"So, hopefully he’s been able to rehab himself, to feel stronger, get stronger, and have the ability to do that."

Danielson appeared in 18 games with Grand Rapids last season, recording three goals and 12 assists. The previous season, his first full campaign with the Griffins, he posted 12 goals and 27 assists in 71 games.

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The Seattle Kraken are adding a familiar name with decades of NHL front-office experience to their hockey operations department.

Seattle announced Wednesday that Chuck Fletcher has joined the organization as a senior advisor to general manager Jason Botterill, bringing the veteran executive to the Pacific Northwest after two seasons in a similar role with the New Jersey Devils.

Fletcher’s arrival gives Botterill another experienced voice to lean on as the Kraken continue shaping their hockey operations department and searching for the right formula to establish themselves as a consistent force in the NHL.

The move also represents another chapter in a front-office career that has taken Fletcher through some of the league’s most prominent organizations.

The Montreal native entered the NHL in the early 1990s with the expansion Florida Panthers, where he worked as an assistant general manager alongside Bobby Clarke. Fletcher spent nearly a decade in Florida and briefly assumed interim general manager duties during the 2001-02 season before moving to Anaheim.

With the once-Mighty Ducks, Fletcher served as assistant general manager and director of hockey operations. He was part of the organization during its run to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, gaining valuable experience with a franchise that was beginning to establish itself on the NHL stage.

Fletcher’s next stop came in Pittsburgh, where he joined the Penguins in 2006 as Ray Shero’s assistant general manager.

That stint ultimately brought the biggest team accomplishment of his early executive career. Pittsburgh captured the Stanley Cup in 2009, giving Fletcher a championship on his résumé before he received an opportunity to run an NHL franchise himself.

That opportunity came with the Minnesota Wild in 2009.

Fletcher spent nine seasons as Minnesota’s general manager, overseeing a team that reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs six times during his tenure. The Wild won two playoff series during that span, while Fletcher became closely associated with the organization’s decision to sign Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to matching 13-year contracts in 2012.

Minnesota did not renew Fletcher’s contract following the 2017-18 season, bringing his first lengthy run as an NHL general manager to an end.

He soon returned to an advisory role with New Jersey before landing his next major opportunity.

In December 2018, the Philadelphia Flyers hired Fletcher as their general manager, placing him in charge of an organization looking to regain its footing in the Eastern Conference.

His time in Philadelphia lasted just over four seasons. The Flyers reached the playoffs once during Fletcher’s tenure, and the organization dismissed him in March 2023.

Rather than remaining away from the NHL, Fletcher returned to the advisory side of hockey operations.

He joined the Devils for the 2024-25 season as a senior advisor to general manager Tom Fitzgerald, a role he maintained for the following two seasons. When Fitzgerald departed New Jersey before the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign, Fletcher’s future with the organization became uncertain.

That uncertainty has now led him to Seattle.

Fletcher, the son of longtime NHL executive Cliff Fletcher, arrives in the Emerald City with more than three decades of experience across the league. His career has included front-office positions with expansion teams, Stanley Cup contenders and organizations undergoing major transitions.

Now, he will work alongside Botterill as the Kraken continue their effort to build a sustainable hockey operation.

For Seattle, Fletcher’s arrival adds another experienced voice to a front office focused on building the foundation of a team capable of competing for the Stanley Cup.

For Fletcher, it marks another chapter in a long NHL career — one that has taken him from assistant general manager roles to the general manager’s chair and now back into an advisory position, where his experience can help shape Seattle’s next steps.

Jaden Schwartz's time with the Seattle Kraken was rarely straightforward, but even through five seasons of injuries, the veteran forward managed to leave behind a productive chapter of the franchise's young history.

Schwartz played 301 games for Seattle, recording 79 goals and 89 assists for 168 points while becoming one of the more experienced players in the organization's locker room.

Now, he's taking that experience somewhere else.

Schwartz signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche this offseason, returning to a place that has been part of his hockey story since he was a teenager and giving him another opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup.

The 34-year-old dealt with injuries in nearly every season with the Kraken, but he still found ways to produce. His 26 goals during the 2024-25 season nearly matched the career-high 28 he scored with the St. Louis Blues in 2014-15.

That production helped make Schwartz an important piece of Seattle's early years, even as injuries repeatedly interrupted his time on the ice.

Schwartz arrived in Seattle in 2021 as an unrestricted free agent after spending the first 10 seasons of his NHL career with St. Louis. He brought 2019 Stanley Cup experience with him and became one of the veteran voices on a team attempting to establish itself as a new NHL franchise.

He ultimately spent five seasons with the Kraken, including Seattle's run to the Western Conference semifinals in 2023.

Now, after leaving the organization, Schwartz has landed with an Avalanche team he believes is already close to another championship.

“Obviously, Colorado was very high on my list,” Schwartz said.

When the Avalanche reached out this offseason, the opportunity immediately caught his attention.

“There’s so many good players, good organization, like I said, very good guys,” Schwartz said. “When they reached out, obviously, I was pretty excited.”

Schwartz also had a firsthand look at Colorado while playing in Seattle, and despite watching the Avalanche's season end against Vegas in the Western Conference Final, he didn't see a team that needed major changes.

“I think the Avs are definitely in a win-now mode,” Schwartz said. “Which is awesome to be a part of.”

That belief was a major reason Colorado appealed to him.

Schwartz already knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, having played a key role in St. Louis' championship run in 2019. He also understands how little can separate teams once the playoffs begin.

When asked what Colorado was missing after its postseason exit, Schwartz didn't point to one specific area.

“I don't think they're lacking much,” he said. “The difference between winning and losing the playoffs is very, very tight, very narrow.”

Schwartz wasn't able to watch much of the Avalanche's series against Vegas because he was traveling, but he knew injuries had affected Colorado and understood how quickly circumstances can change a playoff series.

“So, a bounce here or there in whatever game, two or three, I think it probably could have been a different series,” Schwartz said.

Now, he'll have a chance to experience Colorado's pursuit of another championship from inside the locker room.

Exactly where Schwartz fits remains unclear as training camp approaches.

“We'll see,” Schwartz said. “I'm not sure. Different guys are going to slide and we'll just see how camp goes. Just excited to be a part of it.”

That excitement has already been evident.

Schwartz was among the first players to arrive for optional skates, using the extra time to settle into Colorado, look at houses and get to know his new organization and teammates.

Some of those teammates aren't strangers.

After years of playing against them, crossing paths internationally and getting to know some through mutual friends, Schwartz is now on the same side.

“A lot of guys that I've just played against for a long time,” Schwartz said. “Seems like an awesome group. Everyone kind of reached out, so I'm looking forward to getting started with that.”

There is also a personal connection to Colorado that predates his NHL career.

At around 15 years old, Schwartz and his family traveled to Colorado to watch his older brother, Rylan, play for Colorado College. The trip eventually helped lead Jaden to the Tigers, where he recorded 32 goals and 56 assists for 88 points in 60 games over two seasons.

The Blues selected him 14th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, beginning a career that eventually brought him a Stanley Cup, five seasons in Seattle and now another opportunity in Colorado.

For the Kraken, Schwartz's departure closes the book on one of the more experienced players from the franchise's formative years.

For Schwartz, it's the beginning of another chapter — and another chance to chase a championship.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- On the eve of training camp for their 59th season in the NHL, the St. Louis Blues have a plethora of players that you will want to keep an eye on for one reason or another as camp progresses.

Let’s take a look at my top 10:

1. Mason McTavish – For obvious reasons, the Blues’ biggest acquisition this past off-season when they acquired the 23-year-old from the Anaheim Ducks on Day 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft for a pair of 2026 first-round picks, McTavish comes in with plenty to prove, plenty of motivation and a huge chip on his shoulder, like he disclosed here recently.

McTavish will come in and be given the keys as the No. 2 center behind Robert Thomas and will be a driving force whether the Blues will have the ability to put forth two strong top two lines on the ice behind Dylan Holloway-Robert Thomas-Jimmy Snuggerud top line.

McTavish said he’s worked on his power skating this past summer that should affect his defensive awareness on the ice. That will be something to look for from the get-go. I expect him to be highly motivated after being cast off the island in Orange County, Calif. Just one year after signing a six-year, $42 million ($7 million average annual value) contract.

2. Connor McMichael – Another top acquisition by the Blues this past summer, acquired from the Washington Capitals for a package that sent Jordan Kyrou to the nation’s capital.

It’s going to be human nature for Blues fans to look at the 25-year-old as the guy that needs to replace Kyrou’s production since he is the one that was traded for him, but what I will be looking for is if McMichael can fit onto that second line next to McTavish and bring with him similar numbers (57 points; 26 goals, 31 assists) that he put up two seasons ago.

McMichael has speed and plays with some sandpaper and grit and has a cutting edge to his game and the Blues are banking on him getting back to that after investing in him on July 16 with a six-year, $40.50 million ($6.75 million AAV) contract.

3. Pavel Buchnevich – Which Buchnevich will come out for the Blues this season, the one who first came to St. Louis five years ago and averaged over a point per game (76 points in 73 games) in 2021-22 or the one that struggled mightily at times last season but came on strong in the end to reach the 20-goal marker for the sixth straight season?

What I’m going to watch for is if Jim Montgomery puts Buchnevich on that second line with McMichael and McTavish, and if he does, it will be because the 31-year-old will have earned it.

McTavish and Jake Neighbours have a history together playing for Team Canada, so that’s a possibility but my sense is Buchnevich will get first dibs on that right wing in the hopes of jump-starting his offense early.

Buchnevich’s six-year, $48 million contract ($8 million AAV) kicks in this season, so there will be more pressure on him to perform to the standards the Blues paid him at, and if he can find that stout two-way play of his and play between the dots, success should follow him.

4. Robert Thomas – Now that Thomas has bought into new GM Alex Steen’s concept and vision for the Blues moving forward and was recently named the 25th captain in franchise history, this should be another player hungry and motivated.

Can Thomas anchor that top line that helped fuel a run that put up 92 points after the Winter Olympic break (Thomas had 31 points; 14 goals, 17 assists in 22 games)?

This is his team now, and Thomas needs to play like the No. 1 center that averaged 1.41 points per game down the stretch for the Blues to get out of the gates strong and have any chance of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

5. Jimmy Snuggerud – Now that the Tuesday 11 p.m. (CT) deadline has passed and the new collective bargaining agreement has kicked in, the Blues no longer have the option of extending the 2022 first-round pick that had 21 goals and 51 points in 70 games, his first full season in the NHL, to a max eight-year contract. The highest they can go for Snuggerud, entering the final year of his entry-level deal, is seven, but that’s a topic of discussion for another day.

I want to see if Snuggerud can pick up – just like Thomas and Holloway – where he left off last season when what No. 1 line left a trail of fire to end the season following the Olympic break.

Somehow the 22-year-old doesn’t seem like the kind that would leave a potential contract extension weigh in on his play on the ice. He had 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 25 games down the stretch and is capable of putting up similar numbers moving forward, but let’s see that hunger from the start; his shot and skating will be something to watch as camp unfolds. The potential of 30-plus goals or close to it is definitely in play.

6. Dylan Holloway – With a new five-year, $38.75 million ($7.75 million AAV) contract in the bag, no pressure on Holloway from me … other than I have him pegged to hit 30-35 goals this season.

No pressure at all ;)

But for a player that overcame a freak abductor injury late in the 2024-25 season and finally got his bearings underneath him, watch for a player to open camp coming out flying looking to make an impact as one of the young, rising players.

As part of that line with Thomas and Snuggerud, Holloway, tied with Macklin Celebrini with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) after the Olympic break in just 25 games, should have a channeled focus when camp opens on Thursday. He has a contract to live up to now, and I see no reason why he won’t have a focused, high-energy level right from the first whistle on Thursday.

7. Jordan Binnington – The 2019 Stanley Cup champion has clearly seen his partner not only catch him but all but pass him as camp opens, so how does the 33-year-old veteran in the final year of a six-year, $36 million contract handle the situation?

I still think this will be an open competition, and Jim Montgomery will play the guy that is the most consistent, but Joel Hofer, who was tied for the league lead in wins (12-2-2 with a 2.04 goals-against average) and third with a .933 save percentage after the Olympic break, will get the leash to open the season as the No. 1

This can be a solid tandem moving forward and a 45-39 start split isn’t out of the question, but it will be highly important for Binnington to have a sharp focus once camp opens; he did last year but the numbers didn’t translate. That’s going to have to change if he were to want to move on as a No. 1 elsewhere or continue to get a large number of reps here. The goaltending situation should be a fun storyline to watch.

8. Dalibor Dvorsky – Two questions I have when it comes to the 2023 first-round pick: can he find ways to take the next step and be more of an impact player (12 goals, nine assists in 71 games in his first full season last year) and will he be used more down the middle or as a wing on the third line?

We’ll see what Jim Montgomery has in store, but you could see a third line somehow in the form of a combination with Dvorsky, Jake Neighbours and/or Pavel Buchnevich, Pius Suter and Jonatan Berggren.

The third line makeup will be one of the more intriguing storylines as camp unfolds, and Dvorsky will need to come out of the gates showing that progressive steps will be necessary. The Blues aren’t souring on him by any stretch, but the competition for ice time is most definitely there and a sharp, focused Dvorsky will be imperative. Keep an eye on this one.

9. Adam Jiricek – Does the 2024 first-round pick have enough to knock the socks off the coaches and management to win a job on opening night? As former GM Doug Armstrong said, Jiricek will be given every opportunity to win a job but nothing’s guaranteed.

A couple of interesting observers noted to me that Jiricek’s play at the two-game prospect play against Chicago Blackhawks prospects on Monday and Tuesday produced mixed results but it’s not the tell-all the direction the Blues are looking as far as the blue liner is concerned.

Veteran Brandon Carlo was brought in via trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two third-round picks in 2026 for this very reason so Jiricek isn’t rushed to the NHL, but I’ll be watching him closely to see if he continues to make progress at this level.

10. Dillon Dube – The noise surrounding one of the five 2018 Canadian World Junior players accused of sexual assault before being acquitted in court has been loud and clear.

But the Blues brought the 28-year-old to St. Louis on a one-year, one-way, $850,000 contract for this season after a successful run with AHL’s Springfield last season.

Off the ice aside, I’ll be looking to see if Dube can steal one of the spots on the bottom six and really make this a quagmire of players management and the coaching staff will have to address if Dube is able to make this team. After all, this is a player that just as recent as 22-23 had the second of two 18-goal seasons who also put up 45 points then.

Imagine a player playing a third/fourth line role that can have that kind of offensive output? Can he get back to that kind of form or anything like it? It’s worth watching as camp progresses.

Brandon Carlo Welcomed, Needed A Trade; St. Louis Blues Came Calling For Someone With ExperienceAfter what veteran described as not being his best with Maple Leafs, 29-year-old brought to St. Louis to complement a defensive unit with size, length, bring stabilityDillon Dube Understands Opinions Will Vary On His Reinstatement To NHL, Wants To Earn Another Chance To Prove His Worth As Person, Player On IceForward, among five 2018 Canada World Junior Players accused of sexual assault eight years ago before being acquitted, will get chance at return to NHL after signing one year contract with St. Louis Blues'Yeah, I Think I Have A Chip On My Shoulder, For Sure' -- New Blues Forward Mason McTavish Has Ample Reason For Motivation Entering 2026-27St. Louis acquired third overall pick in 2021 for pair of 2026 first-round picks after subpar season in Anaheim last yearSt. Louis Blues Prospect Adam Jecho To Enter Player Assistance Program2024 third-round pick will return to the club when cleared for on-ice competition by program administrators; fellow prospect Zach Dean was in assistance program a year agoRoss Johnston Midwestern-Type Upbringing Brought Him To St. Louis BluesNew Blues enforcer, who grew up on a family farm in Prince Edward Island, Canada, signed a three-year, $6 million contract that brings toughness, grit to a lineup that has been lacking it

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The Buffalo Sabres were one of a number of clubs to get a player signed to a  long-term extension before the September 15th deadline, locking up forward Noah Ostlund to an eight-year, $52.8 million deal, but some of the Sabres competition in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference also got their business done before 12 midnight Wednesday. 

The Montreal Canadiens, on the heels of adding veteran winger Chris Kreider on a one-year, bonus-laden deal locked up winger Zach Bolduc, center and playoff hero Alex Newhook, and defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Bolduc($4.2 million AAV) and Newhook($5.5 million AAV) were signed to four-year deals, while Xhekaj signed a one-year deal for $1.5 million.

The Washington Capitals, after signing forward Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million deal on Monday, consummated another max deal with forward Justin Sourdif. The 24-year-old was acquired from Florida in June 2025 for a pair of draft picks and scored 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) as a rookie with the Capitals last season. The deal which begins in 2027-28 carries a $6.35 million AAV. 

The Ottawa Senators locked up veteran winger Drake Batherson on an eight-year, $86 million deal ($10.75 million AAV) and the New Jersey Devils late on Tuesday signed recently acquired forward Luke Evangelista to a five-year, $36.25 million deal ($7.25 million AAV).

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Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

In the latest episode of “As Connor Hellebuyck Turns”, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on Tuesday that the former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner will not report to training camp on Wednesday. The 33-year-old revealed publicly late last month through his agent that he had requested a trade after last season. The revelation put more pressure on GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to make a deal before the season. 

Dreger revealed earlier in the week that the offers that the Jets have received for Hellebuyck have been “terrible” and well below expectations, but with it publicly known that the gold medal winner does not want to play in Manitoba any longer, it is hard to imagine that the offers will get significantly better. The Sabres were reportedly the leading candidate to land Hellebuyck around the NHL Draft i June, but recent reports have connected him to Utah, Carolina, possibly New Jersey and San Jose. 

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The Florida Panthers are going to be without one of their veteran stars at the start of the new season.

On Wednesday, the Panthers held their annual Media Day at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, which is connected to the team’s practice facility, the Baptist Health IcePlex.

The opening act was Florida General Manager Bill Zito, and one of the first things he was asked about was the health status of forward Brad Marchand.

Over the summer, Marchand revealed that he had a procedure done that he said would keep him off the ice at least in the short term.

While he’s been working on his recovery, there has not been an official timetable set for when he could be ready for game action.

Zito’s answer was a positive one.

“I anticipate Marchy back early in the season,” Zito said.

Marchand, 38, will be playing in his 18th NHL season and his second full year with the Panthers after being acquired at the 2025 Trade Deadline.

He racked up 27 goals and 54 points in 52 games last season before shutting things down due to injury.

“I would say that we’re going to be very conservative with bringing him back,” Zito said.

Outside of Marchand, the Panthers are expected to enter the season fully healthy. It’s a stark contrast from last season, when injuries decimated Florida’s hopes of defending their back-to-back championships.

Training camp officials begins Thursday morning.

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Photo caption: Feb 27, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wingBradMarchand(63) looks on against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres revealed their 2026-27 training camp roster on Tuesday, as 53 players will take part in on-ice workouts on Thursday. The group consisting of 31 forwards, 15 defensemen, and seven goaltenders will take part in practices in multiple groups, a Blue and Gold scrimmage at Key Bank Center on Saturday, September 19, and four preseason games against Pittsburgh (home and away), Columbus, and Detroit between September 21 and September 26.   

Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen and head coach Lindy Ruff will meet with the media on Wednesday. The club made a few additions to the camp roster on Tuesday, signing former NHLer Thomas Bordeleau and goalie Talyn Boyko to AHL deals. Bordeleau, 24, split time between the San Jose Sharks and their AHL affiliate after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Last season, he split time between Utica and Springfield, posting 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 60 games. 

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Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

Boyko is a 2021 fourth rounder of the New York Rangers, who split time between AHL Hartford and KalPa in the Finnish SM-Liiga last season. The 23-year-old participated in last weekend’s Prospect Showcase, and was brought in for depth purposes, as Amerks goalie Topias Leinonen will be unavailable to start camp due an injury in off-season training.   

Roster (courtesy of the Sabres website)

Forwards(31)

6 | Zach Benson, LW | 21 | 65 GP, 13 G, 30 A

77 | Thomas Bordeleau, C | 24 | 60 GP, 9 G, 12 A (AHL)

10 | Sam Carrick, C | 34 | 73 GP, 9 G, 7 A

59 | Matteo Costantini, C | 24 | 33 GP, 6 G, 3 A (AHL)

15 | Justin Danforth, RW | 33 | 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A

91 | Josh Doan, RW | 24 | 82 GP, 25 G, 27 A

45 | Riley Fiddler-Schultz, C | 24 | 62 GP, 21 G, 16 A (AHL)

54 | Zac Funk, RW | 23 | 23 GP, 9 G, 10 A (ECHL)

55 | Mason Geertsen, LW | 31 | 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A

94 | Konsta Helenius, C | 20 | 9 GP, 1 G, 3 A

48 | Tyson Kozak, C | 23 | 46 GP, 2 G, 4 A

19 | Peyton Krebs, C | 25 | 82 GP, 12 G, 27 A

20 | Jiri Kulich, C | 22 | 12 GP, 3 G, 2 A

52 | Trevor Kuntar, C | 25 | 70 GP, 21 G, 16 A (AHL)

29 | Beck Malenstyn, LW | 28 | 81 GP, 7 G, 7 A

27 | Aidan McDonough, LW | 26 | 65 GP, 23 G, 21 A (AHL)

71 | Ryan McLeod, C | 26 | 81 GP, 14 G, 40 A

49 | Carson Meyer, RW | 29 | 55 GP, 14 G, 17 A (AHL)

9 | Josh Norris, C | 27 | 44 GP, 13 G, 21 A

86 | Noah Ostlund, C | 60 GP, 11 G, 16 A

13 | Matthew Peca, C | 33 | 63 GP, 12 G, 35 A (AHL)

41 | Jason Polin, RW | 27 | 46 GP, 10 G, 11 A (AHL)

22 | Jack Quinn, RW | 24 | 82 GP, 20 G, 31 A

70 | Jake Richard, RW | 22 | 38 GP, 10 G, 17 A (NCAA)

81 | Redmond Savage, C | 23 | 29 GP, 3 G, 3 A (AHL)

43 | Conor Sheary, LW | 34 | 62 GP, 7 G, 11 A

67 | Graham Slaggert, C | 27 | 58 GP, 2 G, 5 A (AHL)

72 | Tage Thompson, C | 28 | 81 GP, 40 G, 41 A

28 | Liam Valente, RW | 23 | 39 GP, 20 G, 15 A (NCAA)

42 | Brendan Warren, LW | 29 | 63 GP, 5 G, 7 A (AHL)

17 | Jason Zucker, LW | 34 | 62 GP, 24 G, 21 A

Defensemen (15)

46 | Louis Crevier, RHD | 25 | 78 GP, 7 G, 18 A

26 | Rasmus Dahlin, LHD | 26 | 77 GP, 19 G, 55 A

44 | Dennis Gilbert, LHD | 29 | 8 GP, 0 G, 1 A

33 | Ryan Johnson, LHD | 25 | 56 GP, 5 G, 14 A (AHL)

76 | Vsevolod Komarov, RHD | 22 | 55 GP, 4 G, 7 A (AHL)

38 | Noah Laaouan, RHD | 25 | 40 GP, 2 G, 7 A (AHL)

62 | Gavin McCarthy, RHD | 21 | 36 GP, 4 G, 17 A (NCAA)

73 | Zach Metsa, RHD | 27 | 43 GP, 2 G, 4 A

57 | Radim Mrtka, RHD | 19 | 43 GP, 1 G, 33 A (WHL)

25 | Owen Power, LHD | 23 | 81 GP, 8 G, 21 A

3 | Jack Rathbone, LHD | 27 | 49 GP, 5 G, 13 A (AHL)

23 | Mattias Samuelsson, LHD | 26 | 78 GP, 13 G, 28 A

64 | Maxim Strbak, RHD | 21 | 37 GP, 3 G, 15 A (NCAA)

21 | Conor Timmins, RHD | 27 | 39 GP, 0 G, 8 A

8 | Olen Zellweger, LHD | 23 | 76 GP, 7 G, 15 A

Goaltenders (7)

35 | Talyn Boyko | 23 | 5 GP, 0-2-2, .894 SV%, 3.10 GAA (AHL)

92 | Colten Ellis | 25 | 16 GP, 8-4-2, .903 SV%, 2.90 GAA

50 | Topias Leinonen | 22 | 8 GP, 3-3-3, .855 SV%, 3.48 GAA (AHL) (Injured)

1 | Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 27 | 35 GP, 22-9-3, .910 SV%, 2.52 GAA

34 | Alex Lyon | 33 | 36 GP, 20-10-4, .907 SV%, 2.77 GAA

32 | Scott Ratzlaff | 21 | 13 GP, 4-6-3, .878 SV%, 3.44 GAA (AHL)

31 | Matt Villalta | 24 | 33 GP, 16-12-3, .895 SV%, 3.10 GAA (AHL)

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

Arttu Piiparinen may not be ready for the NHL just yet, but the Vegas Golden Knights are giving their 2026 first-round pick an early glimpse at what it will take to get there.

Piiparinen, selected 29th overall in June's NHL Draft, has been invited to join the Golden Knights for training camp after beginning the 2026-27 season with Tappara in Liiga.

The move shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise, even if some might view it as an early look for an 18-year-old defenseman who is still developing. Vegas wouldn't have invested a first-round pick in Piiparinen without believing there was significant potential to work with, and bringing him into camp gives the organization an opportunity to begin that process firsthand.

More importantly, it gives Piiparinen an opportunity to experience the NHL environment before he's expected to make the jump permanently.

He has already appeared in one game for Tappara this season after recording three assists, eight penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating across 29 regular-season appearances with the club last year. His numbers are hardly the most important part of this particular opportunity; the real value comes from spending time around an NHL organization and seeing what the next level actually looks like.

That includes working alongside players such as Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone, veterans who have spent years learning how to prepare, recover and maintain themselves through the demands of an NHL season.

Piiparinen isn't going to become a finished product simply by spending a few weeks around those players, but the lessons can extend well beyond the ice. How veterans approach nutrition, recovery, off days, preparation and the daily grind of an 84-game season can provide a young player with an education that isn't available in a traditional development setting.

For Piiparinen, however, the biggest lesson may come from the pace of the game itself.

The defenseman has earned attention for his ability to move the puck and help his team exit the defensive zone under pressure, but NHL forechecking presents an entirely different challenge. The forwards closing in will be faster, stronger and more experienced, leaving less time to identify an outlet, make a decision and execute the play. Don't make the play in time and risk getting crushed.

That is precisely the type of pressure Piiparinen needs to experience.

He won't make the Opening Night roster, but the training camp experience can give him a much clearer understanding of the standard required to eventually become an NHL regular. Every practice, shift and conversation provides another piece of information he can take back to Finland and incorporate into his development.

There is no need for Vegas to rush him.

At this stage, the opportunity itself is what matters.

The Senators have unveiled their 57-man roster for their 2026-27 training camp.

Camp began Wednesday at Canadian Tire Centre and Bell Sensplex and it's composed of seven goaltenders, 18 defencemen and 32 forwards. Players reported for medicals on Wednesday morning, with on-ice practices beginning on Thursday.

Some interesting wrinkles this year will be the camp's brevity and the removal of fitness testing.

The regular season is already less than two weeks away and this is the year the league moves to an 84-game schedule. So they've shortened the preseason (amen) and the Sens will cram in five exhibition games on three dates. 

With 14 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies all on one-way NHL deals, job openings are already scarce to non-existent. Now players on the bubble will also see very little game action to make an impact on evaluators.

Carter Yakemchuk represents one of the few fluid situations. He's easily in the club's top seven, but to stay in the NHL, he'll need to crack the top six. The Sens aren't likely to keep a waivers-exempt, 20-year-old first-rounder in Ottawa to sit in the press box most nights. He needs to play.

Also, as part of the new CBA which starts today, fitness testing is no longer allowed. So you won't see any TV shots of players riding bikes to the point of exhaustion or parting ways with their breakfast.

The Senators say their camp roster features 13 former first-round draft picks and 27 players who were Ottawa selections in NHL drafts. 14 players were signed as free agents, 12 were obtained in trades, two are at camp on professional tryouts (PTO), and two are on amateur tryouts (ATO).

Twenty-five (25) of the camp’s players appeared in at least one game with the Senators during the 2025-26 season while another six (6) players dressed for other NHL clubs. Of the 29 players who were invited to recent rookie camp and tournament, 20 players were invited to training camp.

One new face is Vadim Zherenko, a 25-year-old Russian goalie who's spent the past four years in Springfield of the AHL. With Leevi Meriläinen the third man on the depth chart and on a one-way deal, he may need to be exposed to waivers at some point. That would leave Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler to man the fort in Belleville.

Zherenko gives Belleville some serious AHL experience if the Sens decide it's needed.

2026-27 Senators Training Camp Roster (Projected NHL players in bold)

Goaltenders (7)

Linus Ullmark (Ottawa – NHL)
Samuel Ersson (Philadelphia – NHL)
Leevi Meriläinen (Ottawa – NHL, Belleville – AHL)

Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau – QMJHL, Chicoutimi – QMJHL)
Jackson Parsons (Allen – ECHL, Belleville – AHL)
Kevin Reidler (Penn State – Big-10, Belleville – AHL)
Vadim Zherenko (Springfield – AHL).

Defencemen (18)

Thomas Chabot (Ottawa – NHL)
Tyler Kleven (Ottawa – NHL)
Nikolas Matinpalo (Ottawa – NHL)
Jake Sanderson (Ottawa – NHL)
Jordan Spence (Ottawa – NHL)
Carter Yakemchuk (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Artem Zub (Ottawa – NHL)

Matthew Andonovski (Kitchener – OHL, Belleville – AHL)
Samuel Bolduc (Ontario – AHL, Belleville – AHL)
Cameron Crotty (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Jorian Donovan (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Gabriel Eliasson (Barrie – OHL)
Tomas Hamara (Belleville – AHL)
Scott Harrington (Belleville – AHL)
Christian Kyrou (Texas – AHL, Lehigh Valley – AHL)
Harris Pangretitsch (Sault Ste. Marie – OHL)
Hoyt Stanley (Cornell – ECAC, Belleville – AHL)
Djibril Toure (Allen – ECHL, Belleville – AHL)

Forwards (32)

Michael Amadio (Ottawa - NHL)
Drake Batherson (Ottawa - NHL)
Andre Burakovsky (Chicago – NHL)
Nick Cousins (Ottawa – NHL)
Dylan Cozens (Ottawa – NHL)
William Eklund (San Jose – NHL)
Warren Foegele (Los Angeles – NHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Claude Giroux (Ottawa – NHL)
Ridly Greig (Ottawa – NHL)
Stephen Halliday (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL) 
Kurtis MacDermid (Ottawa – NHL)
Shane Pinto (Ottawa – NHL)
Tim Stützle (Ottawa – NHL) 
Fabian Zetterlund (Ottawa – NHL)

Eskild Bakke Olsen (Linkoping – SHL)
Samuel Blais (Laval – AHL, Montreal – NHL, Toronto – NHL)
Tyler Boucher (Belleville – AHL)
Xavier Bourgault (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Louis-Felix Bourque (Drummondville – QMJHL)
Jaxon Cover (London – OHL)
Philippe Daoust (Belleville – AHL)
Lucas Ellinas (Kitchener – OHL)
Kasper Halttunen (San Jose – AHL)
Hayden Hodgson (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Landen Hookey (Allen – ECHL, Belleville – AHL)
Blake Montgomery (Wisconsin – Big-10, Belleville – AHL)
Luke Mistelbacher (Brandon – WHL, Belleville – AHL)
Adam Nemec (HK Nitra – Slovakia, Sudbury – OHL)
Oskar Pettersson (Belleville – AHL)
Ryan Suzuki (Chicago – AHL)
Philip Tomasino (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – AHL, Lehigh Valley – AHL, Pittsburgh – NHL) Blake Vanek (Wenatchee – WHL, Calgary – WHL)

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the latest THN Ottawa headlines below:

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The Colorado Avalanche probably aren't going to look quite as unstoppable as they did a year ago.

And that's okay.

After a 121-point regular season, a Presidents' Trophy and a stretch in which Colorado looked almost untouchable, the Avalanche have set an extraordinarily high bar for themselves. Anything short of that kind of dominance is going to invite questions, second-guessing and, inevitably, a little bit of panic.

But there is a danger in judging this team solely by what happens between October and April. The Avalanche don't need to be the best team in the NHL for 82 games. They need to be the best team in the NHL when the games matter most, and that distinction is important heading into the 2026-27 season.

Colorado's regular season last year was remarkable, particularly the first half. The Avalanche became the first team in NHL history to suffer only two regulation losses through their first 40 games, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant teams the league had ever seen over that stretch.

Eventually, however, the season became more complicated. The losses started to pile up more regularly, Colorado limped into the Olympic break, returned a little sluggish and then went through another stretch of uneven hockey before the postseason arrived.

The Avalanche still handled business when the playoffs began, sweeping Los Angeles before eliminating Minnesota in five games. Then came Vegas, and suddenly all of that regular-season dominance felt like a distant memory.

That's why expecting another 121-point season from Colorado may be missing the bigger picture. The Avalanche don't necessarily need to replicate last year's regular-season performance to have a successful season. If anything, there is an argument that the team would be better served by entering the postseason healthy, structurally sound and equipped to handle the teams that have given it problems in recent years.

A 4-2 win and an 8-1 win both count for two points. Nobody remembers how loudly the goal horn sounded in November when the Stanley Cup is being handed out in June.

There were warning signs in Colorado last season, even during stretches when the team looked nearly invincible. Puck management was one of them, while defensive breakdowns were another. Turnovers in dangerous areas repeatedly put pressure on the goaltenders, and Scott Wedgewood came up with more than his share of big saves to keep Colorado afloat. Mackenzie Blackwood did the same after arriving in the second half of the season.

That was a significant reason the Avalanche finished with the William M. Jennings Trophy.

The power play was another concern. Colorado's man advantage struggled badly before the Olympic break before finding its footing afterward, only to become an issue again once the playoffs began.

Those aren't exactly the flaws of an indestructible hockey team, and another problem became impossible to ignore once Colorado reached the postseason: its struggles against teams capable of clogging up the ice, disrupting passing lanes and making life miserable in front of the net.

Dallas has done it. Vegas has done it. Those teams have helped eliminate Colorado from the postseason five times during the post-COVID era.

If the Avalanche are going to finally get through that type of opponent, they need more than speed and skill. They need some bite.

That's where Zach L'Heureux could become particularly important.

Joe Sakic addressed that need by acquiring the forward from Nashville in the deal that sent Jack Drury to the Predators and brought Fedor Svechkov to Colorado. L'Heureux brings an element the Avalanche have been missing for years: someone who can make opponents uncomfortable without sacrificing his ability to contribute offensively.

He's physical, competitive and difficult to play against, but he can also score. That combination could matter considerably more in April and May than it does in November.

Colorado's depth also creates an interesting variable. On paper, the Avalanche may not appear quite as deep as they were last season, but there are plenty of ways that could change over the course of an 82-game schedule.

If Parker Kelly builds on his first season in Colorado, that helps. If Logan O'Connor returns to form, that helps. If Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas stay healthy and produce at the level they're capable of, that changes the equation entirely. And if the goaltending remains as reliable as it was last season, Colorado has a foundation it can build around.

Then there are the wild cards. Fabian Lysell and Fedor Svechkov represent two relatively inexpensive options with legitimate upside. If either player earns a larger role and provides more than expected, the Avalanche suddenly have another layer of depth that wasn't necessarily accounted for when the season began.

That's how an NHL roster changes. It's rarely about whether every player performs exactly as expected; it's about finding a few players who give you more than anticipated.

So if Colorado doesn't win by five or six goals every other night, don't panic. If the Avalanche don't win the Presidents' Trophy, that doesn't automatically mean something has gone wrong, and if they don't finish with another franchise-best point total, it shouldn't overshadow what they're actually trying to accomplish.

Because the regular season is only the beginning.

The real test comes when the ice gets tighter, the hits get harder and opponents have seven games to figure out how to take away everything that makes Colorado dangerous. That's where the Avalanche have to be better.

They need to protect the puck, defend more consistently, make their special teams hold up, get dependable goaltending and have enough physicality to keep teams like Dallas and Vegas from dictating the terms of a playoff series.

Most importantly, they need to arrive at the postseason healthy.

If they can do that while maintaining the speed, skill and offensive firepower that made them so dangerous last season, Colorado's Stanley Cup window remains wide open. But it isn't an endless window.

Cale Makar's new eight-year contract carries a $20.4 million annual cap hit beginning after this season. Nathan MacKinnon isn't getting any younger, and the core that has carried this franchise for years is entering another season with the same objective.

The Avalanche don't need to prove they're the best team in hockey in October. They need to prove it come playoff time.

The time to do that is now.

Training camp for the Toronto Maple Leafs is nearly here, and with all the new faces around the organization, the roster and management, the lead-up to the 2026-27 season will be interesting.

It'll be an opportunity for new players to become accustomed to each other and build chemistry. It's also a chance for players to leave a good first impression on the ice with new head coach Jim Hiller. And for some, that early impression of the coach means more than for others.

Here are four players on the Maple Leafs who must have a great training camp to solidify their spots on the NHL roster. Especially for opening night on Sept. 29 against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena.

Emil Andrae, D

Emil Andrae was the main get when Toronto traded Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 5-foot-9 defenseman backs himself as a mobile player who likes to move the puck. That's a defenseman that the Leafs could've used in last year's back end as they struggled to move the puck out of their own zone efficiently.

Emil Andrae Shares Reaction To Maple Leafs Trade, Pumped For A 'Fresh Start'Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Emil Andrae said he suspected that he would get traded from the Philadelphia Flyers. "But when I found out it was Toronto, I couldn't be happier."

At training camp, Andrae must prove that his ability on the puck is enough to overcome his small frame and limited NHL experience. Not to mention, there will be competition among the Leafs' defense group, specifically with Troy Stecher, as well as Nick Blankenburg, looking to make a name for himself on a PTO. Even 20-year-old Ben Danford has set lofty goals for himself to make the NHL roster out of camp.

The 24-year-old Swede has played a total of 107 career games, 61 of which came last year. Andrae averaged 15:20 of ice time per game, scoring two goals and 13 points, and finishing second on the team in plus-minus with a plus-15.

Easton Cowan, LW

Easton Cowan isn't really at risk of losing a job on the Maple Leafs' NHL roster. But how many minutes he gets throughout the year remains unclear.

The 21-year-old certainly grew over the course of 2025-26. Cowan featured in 66 regular-season games for Toronto, registering 11 goals and 29 points. With that, he averaged 14:43 of ice time per game. 

If the Maple Leafs were in contention for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Cowan's young career to this point could look completely different. He wouldn't have received as much ice time or opportunity if the team had more to play for and had maintained their veteran players rather than trading them at the deadline (Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann and Nic Roy). Cowan didn't get an opportunity in the NHL just because some veterans got traded, but it definitely gave him some room in the lineup.

Nonetheless, with Hiller now overlooking the lineup, he'll need to prove that he's more than a player who benefited from a team that had little to play for. He's already a middle-six player on the team, but can he propel himself to a constant second-liner with a good first impression?

Maple Leafs 2026-27 Line Projections: Where Do Gavin McKenna And Easton Cowan Fit?The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be done tinkering with their lineup between now and training camp. So we did our best to look at projected lines for opening night.

Dakota Joshua, LW

Dakota Joshua is another player who has a spot in Toronto's lineup. But his role is a little less solidified than Cowan's, per se.

He's projected to be the fourth-line left winger for opening night, with training camp still to happen between now and then. But for any fourth-line player, they can be taken out of the lineup the second the coach doesn't feel like they are fulfilling the role or having an impact on the game.

Joshua's challenge in camp is to show that he is a useful player who can be physical with his 6-foot-3 frame. If he can be that heavy player, as well as put up 10-plus goals in the year, that would be acceptable.

Where Does The Maple Leafs' Forward Group Rank In The Atlantic Division?The Toronto Maple Leafs executed a near-overhaul of the forward group going into next season. Where does the team stand in terms of its offense on paper in comparison to the rest of the Atlantic Division?

Steven Lorentz, LW

With all the bottom-six additions to the Maple Leafs this off-season, Steven Lorentz appears to be the odd man out in terms of the 12 forwards to dress for opening night.

Lorentz, 30, will be competing for a regular spot on this roster just as much as anyone else will be going into 2026-27. Training camp is the opportunity for him to showcase himself to Hiller and the rest of the coaching staff. It's the chance for him to set himself apart from his peers and those also jostling for a fourth-line role.

He has to show that he can do a little more than skate the length of the ice each shift. The fallout with Calle Jarnkrok was that he didn't provide many dimensions other than being an option on the penalty kill. Lorentz can't fall into that realm.

As a 6-foot-4 forward, he should be able to be a little more physical and bring some energy. With that, he's got decent speed and can make plays offensively, notching 18 points last season on an average of 11:52 per game.

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Trevor Lewis never had the chance to play for his hometown team.

For most of his 17-year NHL career, that team simply didn't exist.

The Utah Mammoth played their inaugural season in 2024-25, the same season Lewis was preparing to close the book on a career that saw him win two Stanley Cups, play more than 1,000 NHL games and establish himself as one of the most accomplished hockey players Utah has ever produced.

Now, though, Lewis finally has a place within his hometown club.

Just not in uniform.

The Utah native has joined the Mammoth staff as a part-time video scout and youth and amateur hockey ambassador, bringing nearly two decades of NHL experience back to the state where his love for the game began.

“Trevor Lewis fell in love with the game of hockey right here in Utah,” Mammoth president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. “He went on to win two Stanley Cups over the span of his 17-year NHL career, retiring as the most accomplished player ever from this state.”

Lewis retired following the 2025-26 season, ending a career that began when the Los Angeles Kings selected him 17th overall in the 2006 NHL Draft. He spent the bulk of his career in Los Angeles, helping the Kings capture the Stanley Cup in 2012 and again in 2014.

His résumé extends well beyond those championships.

Lewis played 1,034 NHL games, the most in league history by a player from Utah, and finished second among Utah-born players with 237 career points. His draft position also remains the highest ever for an NHL player from the state.

Those accomplishments now give Lewis a unique perspective to bring into the Mammoth organization.

His role will extend beyond video scouting and hockey operations. Lewis will also work to help grow youth and amateur hockey throughout Utah, returning to the same community where his own journey in the sport began.

For a state whose hockey profile has grown considerably in recent years, having one of its most accomplished players involved at the grassroots level gives Lewis an opportunity to influence the game long after his playing career has ended.

“Being able to tap into the mind and championship experience of someone who cares so personally and so deeply about the continuous growth of hockey in Utah, and who knows what it would mean to bring a Stanley Cup to the fans here, is both a rare opportunity and a natural fit for us,” Armstrong said.

Lewis never got to wear the jersey of Utah's NHL team.

But after spending 17 years building a career that made him one of the state's hockey pioneers, he now gets to help build what comes next.

The Anaheim Ducks have reached an agreement to sign left wing Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract extension ($13.5 million average annual value), securing his place with the team through the 2031-32 NHL season.

Gauthier was selected fifth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers before being acquired by Anaheim via trade for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round selection in early 2024. Last season, Gauthier tallied 41 goals and 69 points as the Ducks' leading scorer. His offensive production helped lead Anaheim to its first playoff appearance since 2018, ending an eight-year postseason drought.

"We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time," said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek in a statement Tuesday, Sept. 15. "He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player."

Gauthier’s contract was finalized in the final hours of the previous NHL collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Under the new CBA, which took effect at midnight, teams can now offer a maximum of seven years to re-signing players and six years to free agents. The updated agreement also changes the structure of signing bonuses and limits how much can be paid upfront, reducing the prevalence of front-loaded contracts.

More: Alex Ovechkin faces backlash over pro-Putin political campaign ad

"This is a very exciting day for my family and I," Gauthier said in a statement. "I'm so pleased to be able to sign long-term with the Ducks and be part of what I believe is a great future."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cutter Gauthier signs six-year, $81 million contract with Anaheim Ducks

Kent Hughes has done it. The Montreal Canadiens have signed all their players, but it took longer for Arber Xhekaj. The big defenseman only put pen to paper on the eve of training camp, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. The question everyone is asking is: why did it take all summer for that kind of deal?

After this season, both parties will be right back where they started since, once again, Xhekaj, who will then be 26, will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. In the past, Hughes had always signed the Ontarian and Jayden Struble to two-year pacts; what’s different this time around?

Canadiens’ Bolduc Thought It Was Important To Stay As Long As Possible
Canadiens Finally Re-Sign Arber Xhekaj To Smart Deal
Canadiens Sign Alex Newhook To Multi-Year Extension In Good Move

Given the logjam on the blueline and the fact that eventually someone will have to go, perhaps Hughes wanted to make Xhekaj’s contract more attractive in a potential trade. After all, if he were traded during the season, the team that acquires him wouldn't just be buying one year of his services, since he would remain under team control at season's end. The Habs had no issue signing Zachary Bolduc to a deal that walked him straight to free agency at age 27, but it’s a much longer deal. Or the hulking defenseman may feel he’s worth more than $1.5 million and doesn’t want that to be his salary for the next two seasons; that’s also a possibility.

Now that the deal is signed, however, Xhekaj has another chance to prove he belongs on the Canadiens for the long haul. According to TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie, Kaiden Guhle will miss the start of the season and won’t be available to play until perhaps November. That gives Xhekaj runway to make the sixth-defenseman role his own.

What’s different this season? Well, as we heard at the golf tournament, Derek Lalonde will bring a fresh set of eyes to the defensive structure and the penalty kill. Perhaps he’ll like what he sees from Xhekaj and will be willing to give him a fair audition on the PK. His presence might also be good news for the blueliners, since he could teach them a thing or two about their role. While he wasn’t a defenseman himself in his playing days, Lalonde was a netminder who had the opportunity to watch defensemen’s play up close.

Whether he’s pleased with the outcome of the negotiations or not, Xhekaj must approach training camp as another chance for a fresh start and find a way to make himself essential to the Canadiens. That starts with playing a safe, consistent game and knowing when to use the rough stuff. Making good reads and making good decisions on the ice will be key to securing a regular spot in the lineup. His teammates love Xhekaj and love having him in the lineup; they’ve said it time and time again. He needs to get the coaching staff to feel the same.

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