The Toronto Maple Leafs and Nick Robertson have reportedly reached a settlement ahead of their arbitration case that was scheduled for Sunday.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, both sides agreed to a contract with a $1.825 million average annual value.

The Leafs confirmed it is a one-yeal deal. When a player elects for salary arbitration, the team can choose whether it would be a one or two-year deal, except in the case when the second year eats into the eligibility of unrestricted fee agency. Toronto could have opted for two years in Robertson's case.

According to Puckpedia.com, it's a one-year deal, which reduced the available cap space on Toronto's books to $1,107,222 based on a roster of 24 players.

Robertson was the last of the 11 player-elected salary arbitration cases in the NHL to be settled, thereby avoiding a hearing. On Friday, Friedman reported that the Leafs submitted comparables with an ask of $2.25 million while the team came in with $1.2 million. Had the case not been settled ahead of the hearing, an arbitrator would have had the final say on Robertson's compensation for the 2025-26 season.

Toronto Maple Leafs News and CommunityToronto Maple Leafs news, video, analysis and community on The Hockey News Follow all Leafs news at https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/

The deal gives Robertson a massive $950,000 raise from his 2024-25 salary. The player signed a one-year, $875,000 deal in September after a summer that included a trade request away from Toronto.

'He's Gone Through Some Stuff Here': Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Excited to Have Nick Robertson BackA new coach and a clean slate await Nick Robertson who reports to Maple Leafs training camp next week.

Robertson established career highs in goals (15) and games (69) last season but was limited to just three of Toronto's 13 playoff games due to lineup decisions.

With star forward Mitch Marner departing the Leafs for the Vegas Golden Knights this summer, players like Robertson will be counted on to fill the void Marner leaves behind on a by-committee basis.

Drafted by the Leafs in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Robertson has 32 goals and 24 assists in 156 career games spread over five seasons. 

(Top image credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Maple Leafs Risk Major Mistake If Nick Robertson Isn’t Signed Or Traded Before ArbitrationIt should come as no surprise that Nick Robertson’s pending player-elected arbitration case is the last of all cases this offseason to reach a conclusion. After all, Robertson’s tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs has undeniably been complicated. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, his six years in Toronto have been filled with more downs than ups. Maple Leafs Forward Nick Robertson Files For Salary Arbitration, Timeline, Reasons And What’s Next?For the first time in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson has leverage. The forward filed for salary arbitration on Saturday, which allows a third party to decide his compensation for the upcoming season. 'The Puzzle Has Got To Come Into Play': Maple Leafs Not Rushing Contracts Of RFAs Nick Robertson And Pontus HolmbergWhile the talk of the town might be whether the Toronto Maple Leafs can sign John Tavares before July 1 rolls around, you cannot forget about their younger restricted free agents.

Kyle Davidson has done an excellent job drafting and developing as the Chicago Blackhawks' future looks very bright. In a projected top-100 drafted prospects ranking, the Blackhawks have the most prospects to appear with seven.

There are two teams with six prospects, the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators, and then five teams with five prospects, including the Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, and Utah Mammoth.

The seven prospects and where they sit are as follows - Artyom Levshunov (7), Anton Frondell (12), Sam Rinzel (26), Kevin Korchinski (62), Oliver Moore (71), Nick Lardis (83), and Sacha Boisvert (87).

Besides the Islanders with five in the top-50, the Blackhawks are tied with the Wild , Mammoth, Blues, and Capitals with three in the top-50.

Levshunov and Frondell are top-3 picks from the last two years and Levshunov will make an impact already next season. Frondell is soon to follow, but compared to some of the other top prospects, he isn't as offensive.

Rinzel was drafted 25th overall the same year Korchinski was taken seventh. Based on how Rinzel looked and the fact that he will be playing top minutes next season for Chicago while Korchinski might start in the AHL again, this flip and separation between the two makes a lot of sense.

While Korchinski may need a change in scenery to get the reps he needs to improve quicker, I think he is a bit too high in the rankings right now. Next season will tell a lot and is a big year for him and the decision the Blackhawks have to make.

Moore, Lardis, and Boisvert are in relatively good spots, with Moore just coming out of college and likely having a spot on the Blackhawks next season, Lardis stepping into pro after a 71 goal, 117 point season in junior, and Boisvert still in college.

There is no Marek Vanacker, Vaclav Nestrasil, Mason West, or Roman Kantserov on the list, but the Blackhawks are still hopeful for these higher draft picks and solid prospects they have.

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

There are important factors that go into every pick in the NHL draft. You’ve got the measurables like height and weight, intangibles like character and work rate, not to mention individual skill. However, there are often political reasons as well that could explain why players from some leagues, such as the QMJHL, aren’t selected as often as players from other leagues and vice versa.

Recently, on a Russian podcast, NHL player agent Dan Milstein broke the fourth wall on why teams like the Carolina Hurricanes draft as many Russians as they do. Surprisingly, it isn’t because their scouts enjoy the weather. 

After watching recent interviews with Dan Milstein @HockeyAgent1 , the agent for many Russian NHL players, I'm amazed by his simple yet brilliant explanation for why Carolina drafts so many Russian players. pic.twitter.com/bvHXJEcbqj

— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) July 28, 2025

He explained that if a player is drafted to the NHL out of the OHL, WHL or QMJHL, teams have two years to sign them before losing their rights. In the NCAA, it is four years.

“That’s why teams, unfortunately, hand out three-year contracts to these kids at 19 to 20 years old,” Milstein explained in Russian. 

For players drafted out of Russia, however, the signing rights remain with the NHL team until age 27. That’s a huge difference.

Milstein said most drafted players won’t make the NHL in their first entry-level contract, resulting in the team paying out three years at the AHL rate of $85,000, or $255,000 total. 

Whereas if a player was drafted out of Russia, the team could save all that money by delaying signing the player until their age-24 season, when they should be close to making an immediate impact.

How Has The Method Fared?

Over the past six drafts, 40 percent of players Carolina has drafted (22 of 55) were selected out of Russian pro or junior leagues. Among them, only four have signed entry-level deals.

Despite playing just four games in the NHL, 2020 third-round pick Alexander Nikishin stands as the prime example of why this method has worked. Nikishin has been among the best defensemen in the KHL for the past three seasons, leading blueliners in points twice in that span.

However, detractors and Hurricanes fans would argue that, given his dominance at that level, he should’ve made the jump to the NHL sooner.

The other examples are less flattering. 

Gleb Trikozov, a 2022 second-rounder, has struggled to break into a full-time KHL role, leading to him signing with Carolina at 20. His rookie season was a nightmare, starting slow with three points over 20 games in the AHL before a lower-body injury took him out for the remainder of the season.

Alexander Pashin, a 2020 seventh-round pick, was signed at 21 in 2022-23, as he wasn’t able to break through as a KHL regular. Pashin and the Hurricanes agreed to a mutual contract termination after one AHL season, and he is now a prolific KHL scorer, however, his rights are no longer owned by the Hurricanes.

More recently, the Hurricanes signed their 2023 fifth-round pick, Ruslan Khazheyev, to a rookie deal, as the goaltender was not guaranteed pro minutes in Russia. He’s coming off an underwhelming rookie season in the AHL, posting a .876 save percentage through 30 games with the Chicago Wolves.

However, the Hurricanes still have some solid prospects in Russia, namely Semyon Frolov (2025 second round), Nikita Artamonov (2024 second round), Kurban Limatov (2025 third round), Alexander Rykov (2023 fourth round), Vladimir Grudinin (2022 fifth round) and Timur Kol (2024 sixth round).

As this is a money-saving method, the Hurricanes have theoretically saved $1.53 million by selecting the Russian-based players over CHL players. At the absolute most, over this span, the team can save up to $61.2 million assuming the 18 unsigned players do not sign until age 24, four years after CHL rights would otherwise expire.

The Future

For teams just learning about this strategy, they’ll be upset to know that rule changes confirmed in the next collective bargaining agreement will eliminate this loophole.

The new CBA, which goes into effect in 2026-27, will have NHL teams retain the signing rights of drafted players until the player turns 22, regardless of what country they were drafted out of.

While this change will effectively close this loophole, with enough time, teams will find new ways to exploit the new rules.

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With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan fast approaching, national teams have begun announcing training camp rosters, and several New Jersey Devils players are in the mix.

For the first time since 2014, NHL players will officially participate in the Olympics. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed the news to NHL.com earlier this year:

“We are pleased to confirm that NHL players will be participating in the 2026 Olympic Games,” Bettman told NHL.com. “Olympic participation will showcase the skill and talent of NHL players on an international stage. We are proud to collaborate with the IIHF, NHLPA, and IOC to bring the best hockey players in the world to the Olympics and make this happen in a way that benefits the game globally.”

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Devils Already Locked In

Each participating country was allowed to name the first six players to their Olympic roster earlier this July. Five Devils have already secured their spots:

• Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler - Switzerland
• Ondrej Palat - Czechia
• Simon Nemec - Slovakia

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Canadian Devils Left Off Camp List

Hockey Canada recently released its 42-man orientation camp roster ahead of the Games. While stars like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Cale Makar headline the list, no current or former Devils were invited, despite nine Canadian players on New Jersey's roster.

The NJ Devils team’s current national breakdown is:

• 36% Canadian
• 20% American
• 12% Swiss
• 8% Finnish
• 8% Russian
• 8% Swedish
• 4% Czech
• 4% Slovak

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Sweden: Bratt and Markstrom in the Mix

Two Devils are widely expected to represent Sweden:

• Jesper Bratt
• Jacob Markstrom

Despite not being named among Sweden’s first six roster players, both are projected by most analysts to make the final team. Bratt made a strong impression in the Four Nations Face-Off, though he’ll still need to earn a spot in final selections.

Markstrom’s case is more complex. He suffered a knee injury during the Four Nations tournament and didn’t appear in any games, which could impact his chances of being named Sweden’s starting goaltender.

While he’s never played in the Olympics, Markstrom has represented Sweden in both the IIHF World Championship and World Junior Championship, and has publicly said that playing in the Olympics is a lifelong dream.

He’s expected to compete for the starting role against:

• Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota Wild) – Started in the Four Nations tournament in Markstrom’s absence
• Linus Ullmark (Ottawa Senators)
• Samuel Ersson (Philadelphia Flyers) – Unlikely to make the Olympic roster

---

What About Jack Hughes?

Team USA has yet to announce its Olympic camp roster, but it’s widely expected that Jack Hughes will be among those selected.

---

Looking Ahead

Whether already selected or still competing for a spot, several New Jersey Devils are on track to represent their countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. With NHL talent returning to the Games, fans can expect a highly competitive, and star-studded, tournament.

Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Team Canada announced the 42 NHLers invited to its orientation camp for the upcoming Olympics in Milano Cortina on Friday, and the list includes three Montreal Canadiens. Of the three Habs invited, two weren’t part of the national team for the 4 Nations Face-Off: Nick Suzuki and Noah Dobson. Dobson did, however, play for Canada at the World Championships in May. The final Montreal player invited was Samuel Montembeaul, who acted as Canada’s third-string goalie at the 4 Nations.

What’s surprising, however, is the fact that out of the 42 players invited, only three are goaltenders. The netminding job sparked great debate ahead of the 4 Nations, with no one particularly standing out. In the end, the Canadian outfit elected to go with St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington, Vegas Golden Knights’ Aidan Hill, and, of course, Montembeault.

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3 Canadiens Invited To Canada's 2026 Olympic Orientation Camp

Although Canada is no longer a major producer of goaltenders, 25 Canadian goaltenders played in the NHL last season. One would have expected the national team to keep the door open for alternates in case of injuries, at the very least.

Washington Capitals’ Logan Thompson could have been a viable option. Still, he was reportedly left off the 4 Nations roster because assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy and Peter DeBoer didn’t have a good experience with him in Vegas. Since they will both be part of the Olympics coaching team, the justification must be the same.

Los Angeles Kings’ 35-year-old netminder Darcy Kuemper could also have been a possibility. He started 50 games with the Californian outfit last season and posted a 31-11-7 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

Jet Greaves could also have been an intriguing alternative. The 24-year-old almost managed to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to the playoffs last season when he joined them down the stretch. He only played 11 games, but had a 1.91 GAA and a .938 SV. Granted, he wasn’t exactly impressive when he joined the Cleveland Monsters for their playoff run in the AHL, but still.

In any case, the fact that only three goaltenders were invited is good news for the Canadiens’ masked man; he will get plenty of valuable experience by just going to the Olympics, even if he doesn’t get to see any action. The Becancour native was over the moon with his experience at the 4 Nations. Montembeault enjoyed practising with the best-of-the-best and facing shots from the likes of Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby every day.

Making the Olympics is a much more prestigious achievement than being selected for an NHL-created event, though, and Montembeault will be living the dream if he boards the plane to Milan Cortina in February.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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The Golden Knights are responsible for the widespread attention to hockey to the Las Vegas desert, a place where the sport was once considered unlikely to thrive.

High School Hockey is alive and well in Las Vegas 🤩 #VegasBornpic.twitter.com/zaZ2bWfzKf

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 31, 2025

Unlike football, baseball, and basketball, hockey hasn’t traditionally been part of the high school athletics lineup in the area. As a result, young players who had aspirations of taking the ice had to do so in other ways, seeking out club teams, traveling leagues, or settling with never competing at all. That changed this past April, the Knights crafted a league accessible for high school athletes across the Las Vegas Valley to practice, showcase, and compete in a structured system. 

The league featured over 320 high school-aged players spread out among 16 co-ed teams, each representing their areas of home, ensuring regional diversity. The Knights have always thrived on creating opportunities for the youth community to grow their skills. This vision was a work in progress for more than three years, and as a result, game attendance exceeded 100 fans at most games. 

Congratulations to Shadow Mountain Ravens (Summerlin) as they have been crowned the Minor Division Champions!👏

What an incredible atmosphere tonight and to both teams for a great game💛 We will be back here tomorrow night at 6:30 pm for the Major Division Championship game!… pic.twitter.com/RA2IcmeEJM

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 26, 2025

Games were played throughout town at City National Arena, America First Center, and Hylo Park Arena.  On July 25, both Major and Minor divisions took to the ice for their first ever respective championship games. The Shadow Mountain Ravens, representing Summerlin, secured the Minor Division championship with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Red Rock from Summerlin South. 

The Black Mountain Miners completed the perfect 15-0 season and are the VGKHSHL Major Division Champions!!🏆 pic.twitter.com/xXxUU7TI31

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 27, 2025

Just one night later, July 26, the Black Mountain Miners from North Henderson capped off a beautiful undefeated season, finishing 15-0, by overcoming the Redhawks of Enterprise/Anthem in a 4-2 victory to claim the Major Division title.

This league remains as a long-term vision for the Knights organization, and perhaps one day we can see hockey recognized as a letter sport. For now, success is a clear evaluation for this first year, bringing a community of families and players alike to fuel a vision that has evolving potential. 

PHOTO COURTESY: Vegas Golden Knights

John Tavares has received an invitation to Team Canada’s Orientation Camp ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

The 34-year-old is one of 42 players on the men’s side to be invited to the three-day off-ice camp hosted by Hockey Canada in Calgary, Alberta. The country has invited 92 players in total, from both the men’s and women’s teams, plus its para hockey teams.

From August 26 to 28th, players will be at Hockey Canada’s headquarters listening to presentations, participating in team-building opportunities and meetings, plus media opportunities for the upcoming season.

“We are excited to unveil the 92 athletes who will kick off the road to Italy, and to bring our men’s, women’s and para hockey teams together for three days as the first step towards our goal of winning triple gold in February,” said Hockey Canada senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Scott Salmond.

“While the next several months will bring intense evaluation and difficult roster decisions, we look forward to kicking off the season in Calgary and giving our athletes and staff a chance to come together and start to become one team as we set our sights on February.”

Knights' Coach Dale Hunter Believes Easton Cowan Can Make Maple Leafs Out Of Training CampLondon Knights head coach Dale Hunter believes Easton Cowan has a shot to make the Toronto Maple Leafs out of training camp.

Tavares is coming off one of his best seasons as a Maple Leaf, scoring 74 points (38 goals and 36 assists) in 75 games. His 38 goals are tied for the second-most in a season during his career, only behind the 47 goals he scored during his first season with Toronto.

The veteran forward was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but signed a four-year, $17.55 million contract extension with the Maple Leafs. The annual average value of the deal is $4.38 million.

Tavares has represented Canada on numerous occasions, including the World Juniors, World Cup, and 2014 Olympic Games. He’s won gold medals at each level, though he is still looking for the coveted Stanley Cup to put himself into the Triple Gold club.

Nick Robertson’s Arbitration Filing With Maple Leafs Revealed: What Each Side SubmittedJust two days before Nick Robertson and the Toronto Maple Leafs are scheduled to meet with an arbitrator, both sides have submitted their requests and comparable figures. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Robertson is seeking an AAV of $2.25 million, while the Leafs are asking for $1.2 million.

In 1,184 career NHL games split between Toronto and the New York Islanders, Tavares has scored 494 goals and 620 assists for 1,114 points. Tavares has also tallied 53 points (28 goals and 25 assists) in 75 playoff games.

Also invited to the mini-camp is former Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, who was part of a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this summer. Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million contract before being acquired by Vegas in exchange for Nicolas Roy.

The 28-year-old has put up 741 points (221 goals and 520 assists) in 647 games, plus 13 goals and 50 assists in 70 playoff games with the Maple Leafs. Marner is fifth all-time on the franchise's points list, fourth in assists, and fifth in Toronto's all-time playoff points.

'There's Unfinished Business': Anthony Stolarz's Summer Training In Full Swing Ahead Of Second Season With Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz appears to be in peak offseason training mode.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Maple Leafs' John Tavares Among Invitees To Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic Orientation Camp

(Top photo of Tavares: Luther Schlaifer / Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres desperately need to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. And while the Philadelphia Flyers aren't quite as desperate as the Sabres are to do so, Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere wouldn't object at all if the Flyers surprised people and got into the post-season this coming year.

Could Philadelpha get in the way of Buffalo as both teams likely pursue a wild-card playoff berth next season? That's what we're getting at in this THN.com Sabres site series. Below, you'll see how Buffalo fared against the Flyers last year, what dates the two teams will play against each other in the nex season, and more. Let's get to it.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

NEW FLYERS PLAYERS: Trevor Zegras, C; Christian Dvorak, C; Noah Juulsen, D ; Dennis Gilbert, D; Dan Vladar, G

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-2-0, Flyers 2-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  December 3 at Philadelphia; December 18 at Buffalo; January 14 at Buffalo

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres and Flyers squared off against one another deep into the regular-season last year, with both teams playing their last game of the season against each other. Philadelphia beat Buffalo in a meaningless final game, but there's always been a solid-rivalry energy when the Sabres and Flyers go head-to-head. 

This time around, the Sabres and Flyers will play each other three times within a six-week span starting in early December and lasting until mid-January. And if Buffalo continues being a strong team at home this coming season, they have an excellent opportunity to put some standings space in-between them and the Flyers.

That said, the Flyers make some understandable gambles -- and some curious ones -- in the current off-season. Zegras was no longer a good fit in Anaheim, and the Flyers need some of the scoring power Zegras has been able to bring early in his NHL career. Dvorak was given a one-year, $5.4-million contract at a time where teams value the third-line center position Dvorak is pretty solid at.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Will Buffalo Shock Re-Arranged Rangers Next Year?THN.com's ongoing series on the Buffalo Sabres and their opponents next season continues with this look at the New York Rangers and the considerable changes the Rangers have made thus far this off-season, as well as their record against the Sabres and their schedule head-to-head this coming season.

And given that the Flyers had the league's fifth-worst goals-against average (3.45) last season, getting a veteran goalie -- in this case, former Calgary Flames netminder Dan Vladar, who signed a two-year deal at $3.35-million per season -- was paramount for the Flyers to even hope to be playing meaningful hockey down the stretch.

If there was an X-factor that could be at play in the three games the Flyers and Sabres play next year, it could prove to be new Flyers coach Rick Tocchet. If the Jack Adams Award-winner as the NHL's best bench boss in 2024 with the Vancouver Canucks can drop into that Philadelphia room and instill a sense of confidence in his players, the Flyers can look to fast-track their development and contend for a playoff berth sooner than later.

Still, if we're talking about how the Sabres and Flyers will do against each other, we feel good about Buffalo's chances of winning at least two of the three games they'll play next season. Buffalo's defense is clearly better than Philadelphia's, and the same goes for the Sabres' depth of high-end talent at forward. Buffalo has more upper-tier talent at all positions, so a Sabres sweep wouldn't and shouldn't be out of the question next year.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Are Retooling Islanders A Better Team Than Buffalo?Welcome back to  THN.com's Buffalo Sabres site. In recent days and weeks, we've been focusing on the teams the Sabres will square off against next season. And in today's file, we're turning our attention to a team Buffalo will be taking on in the latest battl(es) of New York (state) -- the New York Islanders.

The big question with this rivalry may be about the two teams' goaltending. Vladar doesn't have to be a superstar to do the job in Philadelphia. He just has to keep the Flyers within a one-or-two-goal distance from their opponent, and let Philly's offence win the game for them. And in Buffalo, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Devon Levi and Alex Lyon are a better trio than Vladar, Ivan Fedotov and Samuel Ersson.

You can see, then, why there are bigger expectations for the Sabres than there are for the Flyers right now. Philadelphia is still in the early stages of a proper rebuild. Buffalo is well beyond the honeymoon stage of their core talent coming up and settling in. So Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will be under enormous pressure to use Buffalo's superior depth to their advantage.

It's difficult to envision both the Flyers and Sabres being playoff teams next season. But it also feels like it will be unlikely that Philadelphia and Buffalo both fail to make the playoffs next year. There's lots to like on both teams, but the Sabres should have an urgency to their game that we doubt the Flyers can match. . 

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Will Devils Remain Formidable Metro Team -- And Will New Jersey Once Again Beat Sabres In Season Series?The Buffalo Sabres are a team that needs to make a playoff appearance this coming season. But in a continuing series, we're examining each of Buffalo's Eastern Conference-rivals that could be in the way of the Sabres making it into the post-season. And in this file, we're examining the rivalry between the Sabres and New Jersey Devils.

And until they both rise to the very top of their respective divisions, the Flyers and Sabres will only be hoping for a Cinderella playoff run.

The Hockey Show is back with a new episode, and this week we’re welcoming a three-time Stanley Cup champion!

Joining hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork on this week’s show is former New Jersey Devils great and current team analyst Ken Daneyko.

At the moment, Daneyko is coaching in the summer 3ICE league which is taking place in South Florida at the Baptist Health IcePlex, which is the Florida Panthers new practice facility.

The former Cup winner discussed what it was like building a champion with the Devils, comparing that team with the current Florida Panthers and how they play the game and how he milked every single minute out of his 24 hours with the Cup after the Devils’ three wins.

Roy and Dave also ranked NHL logo changes, they got into the latest with the Florida Panthers and their Stanley Cup summer and looked at how some of the team’s contracts are being viewed.

This week’s wins and fails included the ageless Jaromir Jagr, an insane ending to a roller hockey championship game and some jarring axe throwing by a well-known NHL mascot.

You can check out the full episode below:

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The Detroit Red Wings have been active so far in the 2025 offseason with respect to player movement. 

Not only did they trade Vladimir Tarasenko and his $4.75 million cap hit to the Minnesota Wild, but they also signed a multitude of free agents, including forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton along with defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell. 

Jonatan Berggren and Albert Johansson, both of whom were restricted free agents, agreed to new contracts. 

Additionally, they shored up the crease by acquiring veteran goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek. 

However, Red Wings fans are still hoping that GM Steve Yzerman is lying in wait to soon pounce and make what could be considered a major splash of an acquisition. 

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

There are few executives in professional sports today who keep their cards closer to the vest than Yzerman, though he did say he was open to making a major move during his end-of-season press conference. 

Unfortunately, opportunities to acquire some of the more notable names in free agency didn't present themselves.

Mitch Marner was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in a major sign-and-trade, while the Florida Panthers somehow managed to re-sign Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand before they hit the open market. 

Reports surfaced that former Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, wasn't interested in even discussing a contract with Detroit. Goal scoring forward Brock Boeser re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks, while former New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller was traded to the Hurricanes and subsequently signed an eight-year extension. 

For Yzerman, he said there wasn't much he could do in this situation and that it wasn't exactly a surprise that they weren't able to so much as sit down with some of the more notable names. 

"We were were certainly open to it," Yzerman said. "The guys that we were hoping to talk to all signed before free agency with their clubs, or got traded. In the case of Mitch Marner, we didn't even get an opportunity to talk to these guys. There's not much you can do about that.

"Going into free agency, I think we all recognize that it was going to be difficult all around the league. There weren’t as many as what we would all consider high-end free agents available this year. So it wasn't really a shock to us that we weren't able to get anything done with any of the bigger name guys."

That being said, there is still plenty of time between now and the start of Training Camp in mid-September for a trade. 

Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, who has ties to Michigan and scored 35 goals this past season, remains a talked-about name in trade rumors. Additionally, goal scoring forwards Bryan Rust (Pontiac, MI native) and Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins have been linked to the Red Wings as potential acquisitions. 

On the back end, Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson and Jack Roslovic, who played last season for the Hurricanes, are possibilities for Yzerman to consider. 

While Yzerman expressed hope that the players currently on Detroit's roster take another step in the upcoming campaign, there still remains the potential of a major pickup via the trade market. 

The opportunity is still there, and Yzerman could choose to make that leap at any moment. 

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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy is a player to keep an eye on. The right-shot blueliner is entering the final season of his contract, so he certainly stands out as a potential trade chip for the rebuilding Blackhawks. This is especially so when NHL teams are often willing to pay more for big, right-shot defenseman.

Due to this, let’s look at three teams who could target Murphy if he is made available by the Blackhawks. 

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings could make a lot of sense as a landing spot for Murphy, as it is clear that the right side of their defense could use improvement. If the Red Wings acquired Murphy, he could slot nicely on their second pairing with Simon Edvinsson and would also be a clear option for their penalty kill.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars’ biggest weakness currently is the right side of their defense. Because of this, it would not be surprising in the slightest if they made a push to acquire Murphy, whether that is this summer or during the season. If the Stars acquired him, he would provide them with a clear upgrade over Ilya Lyubushkin in their top four. Therefore, there could be a good match here.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes could also be an intriguing landing spot for Murphy. When looking at their roster, it is fair to argue that they could use another experienced blueliner on their right side. If the Hurricanes acquired Murphy, he could be a good fit on their bottom pairing with offensive defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. 

Ex-Blackhawks Defenseman Among Top Free Agents LeftWith it now being August, many of this year's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have found their new homes. While this is the case, there are still some UFAs with plenty of experience who have yet to get signed.

Photo Credit: © Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

We’re now reaching the halfway point of The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash series with the Boston Bruins at No. 17.

In these summer splash rankings, we’re looking at every team’s roster additions, departures, hirings and firings to see who improved, got worse and stayed largely the same.

You can see which teams finished below the Bruins at the bottom. But before we get to that point, we’re going to break down the state of the Bruins.

Additions

Viktor Arvidsson (RW), Tanner Jeannot (LW), Sean Kuraly (LW), Michael Eyssimont (LW), Alex Steeves (C), Jordan Harris (D)

The Breakdown:The Bruins fell to pieces last year, posting an 8-9-3 record out of the gate, and they never really recovered from it. 

Once Boston GM Don Sweeney finished moving out some cornerstone pieces – including Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo and Florida Panthers left winger Brad Marchand – there was the bleak reality that this Bruins team is too streaky. When you post a 10-game losing streak in the tail end of your schedule, it’s safe to say there are some fundamental issues with this team.

Now, Sweeney and the Bruins acted to employ as many physically ornery players as possible to exact a toll on opponents night in and night out. Arvidsson, Jeannot, Kuraly and Eyssimont all welcome a physical game, and new Bruins coach Marco Sturm will deploy them to make opponents' lives miserable.

That said, these additions likely won’t propel the Bruins back into the playoffs. With these peripheral additions, Sweeney has doubled down on his core, featuring superstar right winger David Pastrnak, defensemen Charlie McAvoy, Nikita Zadorov and Hampus Lindholm, and goalie Jeremy Swayman. 

If the Bruins expect adding so-called “character players” will punish opponents enough to win 45 games and make the playoffs, we’re not nearly so confident that will come to pass. That said, they fill in some of the gaps from the players who left at the trade deadline to ensure this team doesn’t finish at the bottom of the Atlantic Division again.

Departures

Vinni Lettieri (C), Cole Koepke (LW), Parker Wotherspoon (D), Jakub Lauko (C), Oliver Wahlstrom (RW), Tyler Pitlick (C) 

The Breakdown: The Bruins did most of their roster remodelling last year, and what’s left now is a team with not a lot of depth but is still close to the salary cap ceiling. They now have about $2 million to make another addition, but letting go of fringe players doesn’t move the needle. Sweeney has chosen to have cap flexibility over low-ranking players sticking around on relatively lucrative terms.

Lettieri moved on to the Maple Leafs, Koepke joined the Winnipeg Jets, Wotherspoon became a Pittsburgh Penguin, Lauko signed in Czechia, Wahlstrom is a UFA and Pitlick signed with the Minnesota Wild. With all due respect, these players didn’t do enough this past season to either warrant a full-time job or a notable role on the squad.

The Bottom Line

In the big picture, the Bruins have improved on paper compared to the end-of-season roster, but not to any great degree. 

Yes, adding sandpaper to the team will likely have a positive effect on Boston’s game. The problem is that the Bruins are playing in the Atlantic Division, which many see as the strongest division in the NHL.

Every team in the Atlantic has designs on a playoff spot next year. Whether it’s the Ottawa Senators wanting to follow up their core’s solid season last year with a second straight playoff appearance, or whether it’s the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings all aching to be a post-season team next year, all eight Atlantic teams want to win and win now. So, there are clearly going to be some Atlantic teams that disappoint, and we fear that may be the case for Boston in 2025-26. Their goaltending was suddenly suspect, their pipeline hasn’t fed the main roster with many big-impact players, and veteran players like center Elias Lindholm don’t appear capable of stepping up with more offense.

Sure, the Bruins are going to be a pain in the rear end to deal with next season, but that doesn’t make them capable of pulling out of last season’s tailspin and proving that the 2024-25 campaign was merely a momentary blip on the radar for Boston. But it’s equally likely, if not more so, that the Bruins find out the hard way that, once you’re out of the playoff picture, it’s rather difficult to get back in.

And as for our summer splash rankings, Boston is squarely in “ho-hum” territory. Time may prove us wrong, but the Bruins don’t look like a playoff team after the changes Sweeney has made. And their entire off-season has been little more than a shoulder shrug.

Summer Splash Rankings

17. Boston Bruins

18. Edmonton Oilers

19. Minnesota Wild

20. Seattle Kraken

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

22. Washington Capitals

23. Nashville Predators

24. New York Islanders

25. Tampa Bay Lightning

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

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Kickstart your weekend by listening to rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics on The Wraparound.

Has Oilers GM Eased Concerns About Connor McDavid Leaving? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here’s what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Adam Kierszenblat discussed in this episode:

2:00: Reacting to Hockey Canada’s Olympic orientation camp invitees

7:40: What will be Toronto Maple Leafs RFA Nick Robertson's next cap hit?

10:30: Was the Dylan Samberg extension a good deal for the Jets?

14:30: Could Nicklas Backstrom play his way onto the Swedish Olympic team?

18:00: Buffalo Sabres goalie Devon Levi hasn't lived up to expectations yet, but will he be able to after signing a contract extension?

22:40: Will Zayne Parekh crack the Calgary Flames' roster this upcoming season?

26:40: Have Oilers GM Stan Bowman's comments about Connor McDavid’s next contract quieted down any noise involving the captain potentially leaving next summer? Or is there still a chance he moves on?

31:00: Will any or all of Claude Giroux, David Perron and Nick Jensen stick with the Ottawa Senators beyond this season?

32:50: Will Mackenzie Blackwood continue to live up to the standards he set for himself last season on the Colorado Avalanche?

36:50: Are there any teams that would be willing to trade for Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry?

40:00: Is it fair to make the draft rights the same across the board, no matter whether a prospect plays overseas or in North America?

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

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Promo photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Detroit Red Wings forward Jonatan Berggren was given the opportunity to reach a new career-high in NHL games played in the 2024-25 NHL season, skating in 75 out of 82 games. 

Berggren, who scored 15 goals in the 67 games he played in during the 2022-23 NHL campaign, managed just 12 goals with 12 assists this past season. While his future in Detroit appeared somewhat cloudy, he affixed his signature to a one-year contract extension in June.

Berggren knows that the upcoming 2025-26 season could be a make-or-break campaign for him that will go a long way in determining his future NHL path, as he recently explained to the Red Wings' official website. 

“Last year was a good year for me,” Berggren said. “I feel like I got more opportunity after Todd [McLellan] became head coach, and I think I played better. This one-year deal is a prove-it-deal for me. I want to show what I can do.”

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

After his first real NHL experience in 2022-23, Berggren would then spend the majority of the following season in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He scored at just over a point-per-game pace, racking up 24 goals with 32 assists for 56 points in the 53 games he played. 

Berggren also expressed appreciation for the security that his new one-year contract affords him with the Red Wings heading into the upcoming campaign.

BERGGREN OUT OF THE BOX AND THE WINGS WIN IT WITH 35 SECONDS LEFT 😱 pic.twitter.com/uyx9D7R4Eq

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 3, 2025

“It felt like I was part of the team,” Berggren said. “It’s hard when you’re going up and down between the AHL and NHL, so I got that confidence being there for a full year and I’m going to build off that.”

The good news for the Red Wings is that Berggren, who has often gone by the affectionate nickname "Jonny Burgers", believes he's in a much better position physically than he was two seasons ago.

“Especially last summer, I feel like that was really good and then at Training Camp, everything felt good,” Berggren said. “I took another step last year, but I feel like I’m starting at a higher level this year maybe than where I was two years ago. I want to do the same thing this summer because I feel like that’s going to give me a good result this year.”

Berggren, who got a chance near the end of last season to play on Detroit's top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, expressed optimism for the Red Wings beginning the new season with Todd McLellan as head caoch.

“I feel like we played really good hockey when Todd came in,” Berggren said. “Now that we’re going to start with him, it’s going to be good to have a full camp with the new systems rather than how we had to learn during the middle of the season. That’s going to be huge.”

The countdown is now approximately a month and a half until Berggren and the rest of his Red Wings teammates gather in Traverse City for Training Camp, which will be followed by their first exhibition matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks on September 23. 

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