The Pittsburgh Penguins are up in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Penguins’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

The Penguins are building toward the future. Whether they want to call it a rebuild or not is up to them, but the reality is that the focus of Kyle Dubas is on acquiring draft picks and prospects. That's why they had an NHL-high 13 picks in this year's NHL draft and created stockpiles of picks for the next couple of years as well. 

As much as this team wants to compete with Sidney Crosby still performing at an elite level, it may not be feasible over the next couple of years. Maybe next year at this time, we will be talking about Crosby mentoring another young phenom in Gavin McKenna. Until then, let's focus on the rebuilt prospect pipeline for the Penguins.

Last year's scoring leader on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was Ville Koivunen, one of the key pieces acquired a year earlier in the Jake Guentzel trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. Koivunen is a highly intelligent forward with some versatility in his game as a scorer. He is a creative playmaker who doesn’t shy away from making high-skill plays. Koivunen would be an asset in the NHL this season as the 22-year-old has the pace and puck skill to add an element of flair. His speed could help mitigate the slowing feet of Evgeni Malkin, or his intelligence could be an asset alongside Crosby.

Tanner Howe likely won’t be playing much of his first AHL season after undergoing ACL repair surgery. Despite the injury, Howe is a feisty competitor who gets involved physically when the opportunity presents itself while also playing a chain-connector role offensively. A year off is going to be tough, but Howe is a battler on the ice, so now he’ll have to prove his resolve off the ice. 

With a solid rookie AHL season, Tristan Broz fully returned to form after falling off a bit when he started college. Broz works his tail off and plays a physical game while being an excellent shooter. He may never be a top-six fixture, but he’s a crash-and-bang winger who loves to get involved and could be a really solid third-liner.

When the Penguins acquired Rutger McGroarty last year, they were hoping he would jump into the NHL lineup immediately and provide some offensive support for their aging top guns. Unfortunately for them, the pace of the game proved to be a bit too much for him early in the season, and he was sent back to the AHL. When he returned later in the season, McGroarty looked much more like the shark in the water, off-puck menace he’s been known to be. He still occasionally had some issues keeping up, but he took efficient routes and was quick to make decisions with the puck, whether he was looking to pass or shoot. This could be the year he fully takes the step.

Acquired in February, Melvin Fernstrom is an intelligent, skilled player who’s been incredible at the Swedish junior level and looked solid in the top-tier Swedish League. Fernstrom reads the play and makes smart decisions with the puck. He needs to get a bit faster and play at a higher pace, but there is a lot to like from a chain-linking perspective. Whether it’s getting to a spot to shoot or making quick passes as soon as he gets the puck, Fernstrom’s game is based around his tactical IQ.

On the back end, Owen Pickering headlines the group. Although he’s surpassed the rookie threshold, Pickering still needs to establish himself. He’s still a work in progress, but he did play 25 games in the NHL this past season. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound 21-year-old’s physical gifts are impressive, with excellent size, mobility and the puck skill of a much smaller player. His decision-making is still a bit spotty at both ends of the ice, but there is so much potential if he can refine a few of the little things.

Emil Pieniniemi did a bit of everything for OHL Kingston after playing pro hockey in Finland in 2023-24. His physicality showed up in the defensive end, but his puck-moving ability on the breakout and in the offensive zone was a true sign of development. His skating must improve a bit, especially when escaping forecheckers and evading pressure. He’ll jump into the AHL this season, and it should show just how ready he is for North American pro hockey.

Harrison Brunicke’s raw tools might be as good or better than just about anyone else in Pittsburgh’s defense prospect pipeline. His execution isn’t always on point, but his play is encouraging. He played 10 AHL games this past season and looked like he was in a bit over his head, but that should let him know what to improve on next season in the WHL.

The Pens acquired Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks on July 13. He proved he’s ready for a full-time NHL role after backstopping the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup and winning AHL playoff MVP honors. Silovs has had some excellent moments in the NHL as well, including in the Stanley Cup playoffs just two seasons ago when he took over for an injured Thatcher Demko. He could earn a 50/50 share of the starts in the NHL this season for the Pens, which could help them win a few more games than expected. 

Early last season, Joel Blomqvist was the Pens' best goalie – better than Tristan Jarry and the since-traded Alex Nedeljkovic. He couldn’t keep up his play behind a porous defense group, but he showed flashes of success. The Penguins hope that in a year or two, he and Silovs will form a stable tandem in net. 

U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season

Ville Koivunen (C/W), Rutger McGroarty (RW), Owen Pickering (D)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 11th overall - Benjamin Kindel, C/RW, Calgary (WHL)

Round 1, 22nd overall - Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)

Round 1, 24th overall - Will Horcoff, C, U. of Michigan (NCAA)

Round 2, 39th overall - Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL)

Round 3, 73rd overall - Charlie Trethewey, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 3, 84th overall - Gabriel D'Aigle, G, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

Round 3, 91st overall - Brady Peddle, D, Waterloo (USHL)

Round 4, 105th overall - Travis Hayes, RW, S.S. Marie (OHL)

Round 5, 130th overall - Ryan Miller, C, Portland (WHL)

Round 5, 148th overall - Quinn Beauchesne, D, Guelph (OHL)

Round 5, 154th overall - Jordan Charron, RW, S.S. Marie (OHL)

Round 6, 169th overall - Carter Sanderson, LW, Muskegon (USHL)

Round 7, 201st overall - Kale Dach, C, Sherwood Park (BCHL)

With 13 picks in the draft, including seven inside the top 100, the Penguins were ecstatic with their draft. 

The Penguins took WHL forward Benjamin Kindel 11th overall, which was one of the first big surprises of the draft. Kindel has been knocked for his thin frame, but he plays like a dog on a bone with high effort and excellent positioning. His intelligence and play recognition are impressive, but what could make him effective as a pro is his playmaking ability. His passing is nearly elite, spotting players across the ice or slashing behind the defense. Kindel was responsible for some of the most impressive passes in the WHL this past season. The pick is a long-term bet, but this could look really good a few years from now.

There may not be a player with a more impressive work ethic than Bill Zonnon. Despite all the complaints people in hockey have about QMJHL players and the habits they develop in that league, Zonnon plays a game more similar to the OHL and WHL or even the pros. 

Mechanically, Zonnon’s skating isn’t pristine, but he moves well and consistently works to get himself into position. He plays with purpose in all three zones, looking to amp up the pace and force opponents into mistakes. Whether he’s closing quickly on the forecheck or chipping the puck to a teammate in the neutral zone and then flying up to support them, Zonnon looks to keep play moving quickly. While he is primarily a playmaker, he does an excellent job of crashing the net and hunting down pucks to get secondary shot chances. 

A few picks later, the Penguins took Will Horcoff out of the University of Michigan. Horcoff is a big center who plays a sound defensive game, but he has some room to grow offensively. He jumped into the NCAA after starting the year with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. It was interesting that his best hockey came when he took a step up in levels, really showing his versatility in the college game and even showcasing a bit more as a play facilitator. With some further development at Michigan, he could be a very steady, versatile center in a few years.

In Round 2, the Penguins grabbed Peyton Kettles, a 6-foot-6 right-shot defender who is a play-killing specialist. His best moments come from closing the gap, using his length to disrupt possession and quickly moving the puck to a teammate. His strength along the boards is tough for opponents to deal with – he plasters players to the wall and holds them there while he or a teammate slips the puck free. He’s not flashy, but he’s very effective in his own end, and he can keep the play going when the puck gets to him. 

Third-round pick Charlie Trethewey is a do-it-all blueliner who will likely be more defensive-minded in the pro ranks, but his encouraging offensive game shows up in flashes. There may be more runway for him to add offensive layers as he goes the college route, but his mobility and physicality will be staples in his game. He has a nice floor and a ceiling that is intriguing in many ways. He can mirror attackers and close quickly when he sees a bobble or a moment of indecision. Boston University is a great spot for him to continue his development. 

It’s a very fun story that goaltender Gabriel D’Aigle comes from the same hometown, Sorel-Tracy, Que., as Penguins great Marc-Andre Fleury. It’s even cooler for D’Aigle that the NHL veteran has become a mentor to him. 

There is a lot that must happen if D’Aigle wants to have even half the impact on the Pens that Fleury did, though. D’Aigle has had some pedigree for a few years now, even playing for Canada at the U-18s two years ago. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to take the next step in the QMJHL. He has many of the tools you want to see from a goalie in terms of size and mobility, but he must track the puck better and stay in position more effectively. 

Defender Brady Peddle is a heat-seeking missile who loves to crush guys along the boards. Peddle is making the move from the United States League to the QMJHL next season before heading to Michigan State University the year after. In the ‘Q,’ Peddle’s physicality will be a problem for opposing teams because there aren’t many players in the league as violent on the back end as Peddle. It will be really fun to see him try to develop an offensive game in the QMJHL next season because that is the biggest hole in his game at the moment. 

When Kyle Dubas was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ GM, SDPN’s Steve Dangle popularized the saying, “Dubas loves his guys,” when the GM constantly acquired players who played for the Soo Greyhounds. That’s the organization where Dubas got his start. 

Well, things haven’t changed much in Pittsburgh, as Greyhounds right winger Travis Hayes went to Pittsburgh in the fourth round, a bit higher than most expected him to go. Hayes is a heavy shooter with a physical edge. He does a good job of working opposing players over along the boards and winning battles as well. There are plenty of defensive details that need ironing out, and he must be more of a playmaker, but this is an interesting pick nonetheless. 

Ryan Miller is a hard-working forward who brings a high level of competitiveness and excellent attention to detail on the forecheck and in the defensive zone. He isn’t much of a skill player, but he finds ways to make positive plays through crafty passing and an intensity that goes from battles along the wall to the net front. He has a future as a hunter who takes the puck back for his team. 

With their second of three fifth-round picks, the Pens took resourceful defensive blueliner Quinn Beauchesne. He showed off some excellent defensive instincts this past season despite being on a Guelph Storm team that was constantly in its own end. When Beauchesne had the chance, he made good, steady plays on offense. Had Beauchesne been on a better team, he likely would’ve produced more than six goals and 24 points in 49 games. Despite that, this could be quite the pick at 148th overall.

The Penguins took another Greyhound in Jordan Charron, a bit of a raw winger who plays a high-energy puck-pursuit game. He jumped from Jr. A to the OHL when the NCAA changed eligibility rules, and although that only guaranteed him a depth role on the Greyhounds, he was certainly doing everything in his power to play that role to his ful ability. Charron has a physical edge and good speed, which makes him a forechecking menace at times.

Forward Carter Sanderson isn’t on the ice to score goals or generate much offense. His role is to go out there and punish the opposing team by throwing some big hits and playing sound defensive hockey. He’s extremely young for the draft class, just a few days away from being a 2026 draft eligible, so he could have a bit more offensive skill in the tank. At his best, Sanderson is a menace when he’s able to line up his opponents. 

Capping off the marathon draft for the Penguins was Kale Dach, a BCHL star who shows some incredible playmaking habits but lacks a physical game. Dach shies away from contact at times and even concedes pucks in corners, relying on his skill to swipe them back from less-skilled, slower defenders. Dach will play with WHL Calgary this upcoming season and then head to Penn State in the NCAA the following year, so this is a bit of a project pick but an interesting swing on skill late.

Strengths

The Penguins have done a great job of gathering right-shot defenders in their prospect pool. 

Although their top defense prospect, Pickering, is a left shot, the rest of the top blueliners, for the most part, are right-handed. 

Pittsburgh added Kettles, Trethewey and Beachesene at the draft, but they already had a few intriguing players. 

Brunicke is a toolsy, athletic defender with plenty of upside. Finn Harding is a defensive blueliner who uses his footwork to cut off play, but he will have to work on moving the puck. Joona Vaisanen is a valuable player in the NCAA, helping Western Michigan win a national title. Although not all of these players will make the NHL, they have options at one of the most pivotal positions, right-side blueliners.

Weaknesses

Beyond the recently drafted Horcoff, there aren’t many legitimate NHL center options. 

The depth centers may be good AHLers one day, but unless they significantly improve their skills, they just aren’t projected to be centers in the NHL. Maybe Kindel can fill a role as a pivot with some further development, but it’s not going to be easy for a slightly undersized forward to play down the middle.

The Pens have had the two-headed monster of Crosby and Malkin for almost two decades now, but they will eventually be without those two. They don’t have much coming to fill the holes, so there are questions about the future at center. With the next couple of drafts, the Pens must address that with their plethora of picks. 

Hidden Gem: Mikhail Ilyin, LW/RW

Ilyin’s passing is tantalizing at times, finding seams and fitting passes through traffic with ease. He is a tactician at heart, playing chess while others play checkers.

Ilyin is also such a smart player, identifying the next play a step ahead. He’s had two really solid KHL seasons, and although he signed his entry-level contract, he'll remain in Russia for at least one more season.

Ilyin needs to add another layer to his puckhandling and become more aggressive as a goal-scorer, given his seven goals in 64 games this past season. If he can improve in those areas, he could be a really interesting addition to the Pens roster in a few years.

Next Man Up: Arturs Silovs, G

With excellent size and very strong lateral mobility, Silovs will push for the lion’s share of starts in the NHL. 

Silovs has big-game ability and makes the big saves when needed. That’s something the Penguins haven’t had since Matt Murray was in his prime. The 6-foot-4 netminder takes up the net and cuts down angles on shooters quite well, telescoping in and out of the net as needed. This is Silovs’ chance to assert himself as a starter for a team that desperately needs consistently capable goaltending.

Penguins' Arturs Silovs Proved He's Ready For A Full-Time NHL Gig In AHL Canucks' Calder Cup Win Shortly after the Abbotsford Canucks began celebrating their Calder Cup championship, a few of the players got to work.

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Ville Koivunen, Tanner Howe, Tristan Broz, Mikhail Ilyin, Mac Swanson, Max Graham

C: Will Horcoff, Zam Plante, Ryan Miller, Kale Dach

RW: Benjamin Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Rutger McGroarty, Melvin Fernstrom, Cruz Lucius

LD: Owen Pickering, Brady Peddle, Emil Pieniniemi, Kalle Kangas

RD: Peyton Kettles, Harrison Brunicke, Charlie Trethewey, Quinn Beauchesne, Finn Harding, Joona Vaisanen

G: Arturs Silovs, Joel Blomqvist, Sergei Murashov, Gabriel D’Aigle

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

The Chicago Blackhawks are loaded with great prospects. Some of them are the “stars” you know, like Anton Frondell, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov, but there are others who hope to be depth NHL pieces one day.

One of those is AJ Spellacy, an American-born forward who Chicago selected in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. He is currently slated to resume his OHL career with the Windsor Spitfires this fall.

This week, Spellacy has been attending the World Junior Summer Showcase as a member of Team USA. They brought enough players to dress two teams (Team White & Team Blue), which shows how deep this country is in terms of hockey development. 

On Wednesday, however, they combined the two teams with their best players to go up against Team Sweden. AJ Spellacy earned an opportunity to play with the big boys in the lineup. 

Spellacy played as the fourth line center. Will Horcoff of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Shane Vansaghi of the Philadelphia Flyers were his wingers. It was a big-bodied line that was hard to play against. 

USA Hockey (@usahockey) on XPeep those lines 👀 #WJSS

AJ Spellacy didn’t record a point in the Team USA loss, but his physicality was noticeable. He isn’t a guy who will always impress with his puck handling or goal scoring, but he is hard to play against, which could make him a typical fourth-line forward at the highest level. Spellacy never avoids contact with opponents, and he doesn't let anyone get away with getting too close to him.

It seems, based on his role at this camp, that Spellacy has a shot to make the World Juniors squad when the time comes during the winter. USA Hockey will see much turnover this year as a lot of players who won back-to-back Gold Medals have moved on to pro hockey, which opens the door for guys like Spellacy. 

It isn’t only USA Hockey that has confidence in Spellacy at this time. He was outstanding with the Blackhawks in the preseason last year, and they eventually signed him in the middle of the season. It’s unlikely that he plays in the NHL before 2026-27, but the Blackhawks saw him as worthy of a deal. Now, everyone is catching on to how impactful he can be. 

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

The community has always been at the forefront of everything the Golden Knights organization does, and while it may be the off-season, that doesn’t mean there can’t still be pucks in play. 

The Knights organization spent mid-July on their annual road trip with a series of free youth on-ice hockey clinics. 

Nothing but fun in Northern Nevada 😃#VGKRoadTrip | @A1GarageDoorshttps://t.co/q20ZyFudD2

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 14, 2025

Northern Nevada was the first stop for the Knights' staff. The first round of 100 kids ages 5 to 13 took part in two on-ice hockey clinics. Led by Sheri Hudspeth, Director of Youth Hockey Programs, and her devoted team of coaches, the sessions were packed with energy. Golden Knights broadcaster Shane Hnidy and Tahoe Knight Monsters forward Anthony Collins joined in, offering their guidance to all of the young participants.

The young players learned new skills, met mascots Chance and Tessie, and most importantly made new hockey memories. Families traveled from all over to be part of the experience. There was one family that stood out, Marco and Cici, who brought their son, Michael all the way from London to grow as an athlete under the Knights' guidance.

“The UK hockey training is so limited," Marco said. "Resources are so limited, so we have to wake up at five in the morning. As a parent, we have to drop him off at the ice rink, and we’ve been doing this for four years.”

Michael’s passion for the sport began when his school's headmaster introduced him to the game. Since then, he’s built confidence, made friends, and immersed himself in the world of hockey. Marco would often catch Michael watching NHL highlights on YouTube.

"He really enjoys the training and has built the confidence while playing on a team which really changed his life," Marco said. "We enjoy watching it.”

After the visit to South Tahoe the VGK crew headed to Reno Ice for another round of sold-out clinics, including an NHL Learn to Play session. The second batch of 150 kids laced up their skates to train with Hudspeth, Hnidy, Chance, Tessie, and Archie, the mascot of the Reno Aces. With support from local coaches, the young athletes participated in drills and scrimmages. The team also donated hockey equipment to support the growth of girls’ hockey in Northern Nevada.

Following the Northern Nevada run the Knights regrouped to head over to Arizona, and although it was a different place the mission remained the same. 

This is how we do it at Ice Den Scottsdale!!!🏒#VGKRoadTrip | @EngosHeroes | @A1GarageDoorspic.twitter.com/v1jYV0mPhF

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 16, 2025

Former Vegas alternate captain Deryk Engelland joined the team to skate with over 150 young players. With drills and games underway on the ice, off the ice families enjoyed giveaways like trading cards, sunglasses, bracelets, and the 2024–25 VGK Yearbook.

We had so much fun continuing to grow the game in the Phoenix community with a ball hockey clinic at Sunnyslope Community Center🏒#VGKRoadTrip | @VGKFoundation | @LosVGK | @A1GarageDoorspic.twitter.com/1EtiLmkO3e

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 16, 2025

The Knights Foundation also hosted a ball hockey clinic at Sunnyslope Community Center, where Engelland, D’Uva, and Hudspeth led kids through skills training and answered questions from young fans eager to learn more about the game.

Later, the team headed to Ice Den Scottsdale, where 140 kids took part in three more on-ice clinics. Goucher and D’Uva hosted a Q&A with fans, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life as VGK broadcasters. One lucky attendee even won four tickets to a home game for the upcoming season.

We are rocking and rolling for today’s final on-ice clinics! Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) joined us in all the fun action! 😎🏒#VGKRoadTrip | @A1GarageDoorspic.twitter.com/EcZfZxsxhy

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 18, 2025

Amongst all the action a Spanish-language ball hockey clinic at the Chicanos Por La Causa Community Center, was hosted by LosVGK. The final stop on the trip brought the team to Mullett Arena, where they were joined by men’s and women’s hockey players from Arizona State University.

Thanks to all the Golden Knights fans who joined us on the 2025 VGK Road Trip!! 😃#VGKRoadTrip | @A1GarageDoorshttps://t.co/n2HNo4nQI3

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 18, 2025

This year marked the first time Arizona was included in the VGK Road Trip, and it proved successful. During the duration of the 2,127-mile trip more than 700 kids participated, further strengthening the future of hockey.

PHOTO COURTESY: Vegas Golden Knights

Rookie winger Isaac Howard could be the value play bettors are searching for if he sticks on Edmonton’s top line with Connor McDavid.

As the NHL season approaches, bettors looking for value in player props should keep an eye on a potential breakout rookie flying under the radar: Isaac Howard of the Edmonton Oilers. While Calder Trophy futures are being dominated by names like Montreal’s Ivan Demidov, Howard could be a dark horse worth monitoring at +1500 in several betting markets.

Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 21-year-old Wisconsin native was traded to Edmonton, where his path to NHL ice time has become much clearer. The Oilers, fresh off consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances, appear ready to give Howard a real shot and the early depth charts are proof.

Oilers' Howard, Blues' Snuggerud Present Closest Competition to Demidov For CalderRookies Isaac Howard and Jimmy Snuggerud appear to be best cases behind Montreal's Ivan Demidov for 2026 Calder trophy

According to early reports, Howard is slotted on Edmonton’s top line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, two of the most productive forwards in the league. That alone makes him intriguing in goal and point prop markets.

Howard is also reportedly set to skate on the second power-play unit, increasing his high-danger chances. With McDavid commanding so much defensive attention, Howard could benefit with clean looks and tap-in chances which could be an ideal scenario for goal scorer props.

Howard showed clear development over his three collegiate seasons. After a modest freshman year at Minnesota-Duluth (17 points in 35 games), he transferred to Michigan State, where his offensive game exploded. Last season, he posted 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games, earning a nod with Team USA at the IIHF World Championships.

If you're looking to model Howard’s rookie year performance, think along the lines of Frank Vatrano or Elias Lindholm from last season in terms of production floor. But if everything clicks, especially with McDavid as a linemate, he could reach 50–60 points, much like Dylan Guenther’s breakout year in Utah. Howard will look to be a solid best bet to get a point through the season for the Oilers as his odds most games will likely hover anywhere from -125 to -190 as a decent syphon off of McDavid's point production.

NHL Division Odds Breakdown: Panthers, Hurricanes, and Golden Knights Lead the PackSportsbooks release betting odds for NHL divisional races for 2025-26 season. 

For a second year in a row, Alex Newhook held a golf tournament in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and the event included a Q&A with a few special guests. On the stage alongside Newhook were his sister Abby Newhook, who the Boston Fleet of the PWHL recently drafted, Montreal Canadiens teammates Arber Xhekaj, Jakub Dobes, and Jayden Struble, and former Habs Michael Pezzetta and Chris Nilan.

David Amber played the role of master of ceremonies and asked many questions to the players, a few of which are worth reporting. The panel was asked which rule change they would like to see in the league, and Dobes had a surprising answer. The netminder would like to see more goalie fights and laments that the linesmen step in too early to stop them. He refused to say which masked man he would like to fight, however. As for Xhekaj, he explained that he would eliminate the shootout; instead, he prefers continuous overtime. He even mentioned that a shootout, while flashy, ruins the game. Meanwhile, Newhook would do away with the delay-of-game penalty when the puck is thrown over the glass. As for Pezzetta, he would uniformize the high-sticking penalty, doing away with the four-minute infraction when one draws blood.

Canadiens Prospects Faceoff On The Ice In More Ways Than One
Canadiens: 20 Years Ago…
Canadiens New Forward Is Prime Breakout Candidate

It was also interesting to see the answers to the “who should be mic'd up on the ice?” question. Newhook picked Brad Marchand because of the Stanley Cup champion’s antics on the ice, before adding that Cole Caufield would be interesting since he’s loud and all over the place. Struble interjected to say Lane Hutson would be funny, and Xhekaj jumped in to add that the Calder Trophy winner once apologized to a guy who had just received a penalty on him. The gritty defenseman also suggested Juraj Slafkovsky would be interesting since he’s yelling in Slovakian and you can’t even understand what he’s saying half the time.

Another noteworthy question was where the players would like to see expansion teams. Dobes came out of left field with a London, England-based team. Nilan said he wouldn’t want to see Atlanta again before saying Houston is a possibility, and he would like to see Quebec City, but he added that “Mr. Molson wouldn’t like that,” and he’s not sure if they could fill up the building for a whole season.

As always, Nilan found the way to entertain the crowd when he was asked what winning the Stanley Cup in Montreal was like. He explained that winning in that market is special, and given the option to win in Montreal or Anaheim, the choice was obvious. But the big chuckle came when he added, “Even in New Jersey, they had a parade in a parking lot [insert expletive here]”.

That led to him talking about game 3 of the series against the Washington Capitals this season, saying it was the loudest he’d ever seen the building. Asked about that game, which was the first of his career in the playoffs, Dobes mentioned that he was nervous, but it ended up well since they won. While he was talking, you could see something was burning on Arber Xhekaj’s lips, and seconds later, he let it out:

So Dobby stands by the bench, right close to their bench, and he’s looking over and chirping every single guy that comes off the ice, yelling at them, chirping them. Next thing you know, our goalie gets hurt and Dobby has to go in…uh oh.

-

The young netminder admitted that the story was true and added that the Caps were not nice to him in the first five minutes. Xhekaj then explained that’s how the bench brawl started. At the end of the period, Dobes had to skate through the Caps to get back to the Canadiens’ room, but they all decided to stand there and wait to have a word with him. The tough guy added: “And then I got in there and it was madness”. Pleading his case, the rookie netminder added that he didn’t even say anything that bad.

That night really was special at the Bell Centre last season. It will be interesting to see what the building is like this upcoming season if the Canadiens do make the playoffs for a second year in a row.

Photo credit:  Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

The Anaheim Ducks have missed the playoffs every year since 2017-18 and in doing so, have drafted in the top ten for seven consecutive seasons and procured one of the NHL’s deepest and most potent prospect pools.

Despite several young players having graduated and become full-time NHLers, such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, the Ducks still have an impressive pipeline of potential impact and depth prospects yet to make the jump.

Six Ducks Prospects Named to 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase Rosters

Can ‘Rangers West’ Help Get the Ducks Back Into the Playoffs?

For this exercise, only players who haven’t lost rookie status are eligible for a ranking, and to be clear, these are my (Patrick Present) subjective rankings.

Honorable Mentions: Yegor Sidorov, Herman Traff, Tarin Smith, Lasse Boelius, Calle Clang

Top Ten:

10. Nathan Gaucher, 21, C, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

9. Ian Moore, 23, RHD, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

8. Sasha Pastujov, 22, W, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

7. Tomas Suchanek, 22, G, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

6. Eric Nilson, 18, C, Michigan State University (NCAA)

5. Lucas Pettersson, 19, C, Brynas IF (SHL)

4. Stian Solberg, 19, LHD, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

3. Tristan Luneau, 21, RHD, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

2. Roger McQueen, 18, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

If it were guaranteed that Roger McQueen is currently 100% healthy and will be moving forward, he would have easily sat atop this list of Ducks prospects. However, if that same guarantee could have been made just over a month ago at the NHL Draft, McQueen would have certainly been selected higher than where the Ducks were picking (10th overall in 2025).

“There's certainly power forward written all over him in how he plays the game,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek stated after McQueen’s selection. “He has a little bit of a mean side to him, which I like. There's high compete there with him.

“And so I think that when we went through the injuries that he had, I think that we felt comfortable drafting him. Just all the things that he's gone through to overcome the injury, we felt comfortable drafting him.”

McQueen has the makeup of a dominant, elite top-line center in the NHL. He measured in at 6-foot-5.25 and 198 pounds at the NHL Draft combine in early June, and uses every bit of that frame and reach to control play in all three zones.

As of now, his skating is about NHL average, which, given his size, is a tremendous advantage. He has a long, powerful stride and is as fluid on his edges as it gets. He can cover a huge amount of ice incredibly quickly. The only area for improvement in the skating department could be with adding explosion to his first three steps.

He’s immensely gifted with the puck on his stick: his hands are elite, he can operate in tight spaces, he can operate in open ice, he can protect pucks, he threads needles to open teammates in dangerous areas, and his shot is NHL-ready.

McQueen’s defensive attention to detail is surprisingly advanced for someone who’s missed as much time as he has and for someone who is as offensively gifted as he is. He stays well on the defensive side of the puck in coverage and uses his closing ability and active stick to kill plays in low-danger areas before they can develop.

He has every tool necessary to be one of the best players in the NHL in his prime. However, the question marks surrounding his back injury will remain until he can prove he’s fully recovered and unhampered.

McQueen missed all but 17 regular season games in 2024-25 with a fracture in his vertebrae, needing ample rest to properly heal and recover. He returned for three playoff games, but he sustained a muscle injury, reportedly from overcompensation, which ended his draft season.

"I think being off (the ice for so long) really helped me (develop my skills)," McQueen said during his post-draft availability. "I think the other side of the game, the mental side, really got a lot sharper for me in the sense of just having five months off to take that on myself and work on that. I think just being able to stay positive and stay resilient really helped me out. The other side of the game is watching our team play. You learn a lot (by doing that) too.”

Moving forward, the priority for McQueen’s development is to ensure he’s fully healthy and plays as many games as possible in 2025-26. Signs are currently pointing toward him returning to the WHL to play for Brandon, but with the new CHL/NCAA agreement in place, college hockey remains an option, and there’s always the (very) outside chance he makes the Ducks’ NHL roster following rookie and training camps.

McQueen, along with fellow Ducks prospects Beckett Sennecke and Tarin Smith, was invited to Team Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase, but both he and Sennecke were listed as “unable to attend.”

Ducks Sign Drew Helleson to Two-Year Extension

Ducks Sign Lukas Dostal to Five-Year Extension

Ducks Sign Clang, Myšák to One-Year Deals

Photo Credit: Anaheim Ducks PR

On July 30 and 31, 2005, the NHL held its draft. It was initially scheduled for June 25th, but the lockout messed up the schedule. After the draft lottery was held on July 22, the drafting order was known, and the Pittsburgh Penguins won the privilege of drafting Sidney Crosby, a move that would change the fate of the franchise. As for the Montreal Canadiens, they won the fifth pick.

With Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, and Benoit Pouliot off the board, the Canadiens elected to select Carey Price with the fifth overall pick. The move would turn out to be franchise-altering as well. The goaltender became the face of the team for 15 years and became the winningest netminder in the storied franchise's history with 361 wins.

Canadiens: The Captain Could Benefit From Armia And Dvorak Departures
Canadiens: Laine In Top Form In LSHL Match
Montreal Canadiens News and Community

The Canadiens made the playoffs in 10 of the 15 years in which Price tended net for them, despite their lack of firepower. While Price was unable to lead them to the ultimate prize, he had the talent and the skills necessary to do it if only he had been given a better supporting cast.

Some blame Price for signing a contract that eats up too much of the cap, but the truth of the matter is, anyone would have done the same. Management offered the 84-million contract for eight years and then proceeded to invest much of its remaining money on the blueline. Marc Bergevin preferred a defense corps with big, punishing defensemen, and he was willing to invest heavily to achieve that.

The ”you just have to make the playoffs and then anything can happen” formula didn’t work, and it shouldn’t have been a shock to anyone. Generally speaking, the Stanley Cup champions don’t just sneak into the playoffs and luck out into a Championship.

It takes careful planning to reach the highest of heights in the NHL, and one has to wonder what would have happened had Price been playing for the current management team, with much more offensive power up front. It could have happened had injuries not ended his career early, but it just wasn’t to be.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

The 2025 calendar will soon switch over to August. For many players around the NHL, it is a month that represents the final weeks with their friends and family before traveling to their respective hockey cities for the 2025-26 season. 

Currently, three former New Jersey Devils forwards are unemployed and seeking their next opportunity in professional hockey. 

Nathan Bastian 

Former Team: New Jersey Devils 

For the first time in his career, Bastian is experiencing free agency. The 27-year-old has appeared in 276 NHL games, and 264 were with the Devils. 

It was clear during his end-of-season media availability that his goal was to remain in New Jersey. 

"It is crazy how quick a place can feel like home, Bastian said. "Not that it's been a short time, but I think since the time I was drafted, I am the longest-standing Devil still here. Being here means a lot to me — the city, the rink, the staff, and you guys. It is something I want to be a part of."

On July 2, The Hockey News confirmed with Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald that the organization would not be interested in bringing back any further unrestricted free agents beyond Jake Allen and Dennis Cholowski. 

Kevin Rooney 

Former Team: Calgary Flames

Beginning his career with the Devils, Rooney additionally played for the New York Rangers and, most recently, the Calgary Flames. 

He is coming off a season where he played a single-season career high of 70 games in the NHL. The 32-year-old earned 10 points (five goals, five assists) with the Flames. 

Jimmy Vesey 

Former Team: Colorado Avalanche 

The 32-year-old began the 2024-25 season with the Rangers before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche with Ryan Lindgren and Hank Kempf for Calvin de Haan, Juuso Parssinen, and conditional second and fourth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

He did not appear in a postseason game for the Avalanche and hit free agency on July 1, after earning eight points in 43 games last season. Considered a bit of a journeyman, Vesey has played for six organizations since making his NHL Debut in 2016. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily

Photo Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images

In a recent article for The Athletic, Dom Luszczyszyn ranked the 10 best contracts in the NHL. While no current Chicago Blackhawks player appears on the list, a notable former Blackhawk has made the cut. 

Former Blackhawks forward Brandon Hagel has the No. 2 spot on Luszczyszyn's list, with New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes being the only player ranked above him. 

Hagel is currently entering the second season of his eight-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he has a $6.5 million cap hit. With this, Hagel just completed the first year of his long-term deal, and there is no question that it could not have been better. 

In 82 games this past season with the Lightning, Hagel posted new career highs with 35 goals, 55 assists, and 90 points. This was after he had set then career-highs with 49 assists and 75 points in 82 games with the Bolts during the 2023-24 campaign. 

Since signing his contract extension during the 2023 NHL off-season, Hagel has only gotten better. Thus, it is easy to understand why Luszczyszyn has Hagel at the No. 2 spot on his list. Since being traded by the Blackhawks, Hagel has become a fantastic player for the Lightning and is easily a big part of their core because of it. 

In 108 games over three seasons with the Blackhawks, Hagel recorded 30 goals, 31 assists, and 61 points. His time with Chicago ended when he was traded to the Lightning during the 2021-22 season.

Blackhawks Big Defenseman Should Only Get BetterChicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic cemented himself a full-time spot on the Original Six club's NHL roster during the 2023-24 season. In 76 games with the Blackhawks that season, the 6-foot-6 blueliner recorded two goals, 14 assists, 16 points, and 56 hits. Overall, the 2019 second-round pick certainly demonstrated that he has the ability to be a solid defensive defenseman at the NHL level.

Photo Credit: © Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

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.

After missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, the Islanders fired GM Lou Lamoriello and replaced him with former NHL player Mathieu Darche. And the Islanders were blessed by the hockey gods when they won this year's draft lottery and selected cornerstone defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first-overall pick.

But that doesn't mean that there isn't pain ahead for the Isles as they chart a new course. As we'll explore below, the Islanders are in the early stages of a rebuild, and while they have many veterans who'll be pushing for a playoff berth this coming season, earning a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division will be a tall order indeed for the Islanders. And the Sabres need to beat the Isles to help their cause as a legitimate playoff team in 2025-26.

So for now let's explore Buffalo's recent history with the Islanders, and whether or not the Sabres will and should be beating the Isles next season.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. NEW YORK ISLANDERS

NEW ISLANDERS PLAYERS: Jonathan Drouin, LW; Emil Heineman, LW; Maxim Shabanov, LW; David Rittich, G

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

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  December 20 at Buffalo; January 24 at Long Island; March 31 at Buffalo

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres and Islanders got all three of their games out of the way before Christmas time last season, with Buffalo dropping the first two games before blowing out the Isles 7-1 two days before Christmas. But this coming season, the first of their three games dosn't come until Dec. 20 -- and their final showdown will be the Sabres' eighth-to-last game of the season on March 31. At that point, the rosters of both Buffalo and the Isles could look significantly different, with the Islanders potentially being a seller at the trade deadline, and the Sabres potentially being a buyer.

New Isles GM Darche has already shown he's unafraid of taking a big swing in the trade department, sending star defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in a blockbuster deal that sent a message -- the Islanders are open for business.

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.

That means many Isles veterans could be on the trade block this year -- including (but not limited to) captain Anders Lee, who is entering the final season of his contract; and center J-G Pageau, who also has only one year remaining on his deal. Still, there are Islanders veterans who are extremely unlikely to be dealt anywhere, including star forward Mathew Barzal, center Bo Horvat, winger Kyle Palmieri, newcomer Drouin, defensemen Alexander Romanov, Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech, and star goalie Ilya Sorokin. That doesn't mean any or many of them are guaranteed to not be dealt out of Long Island, but it would take quite the offer to get Darche to part ways with them.

Thus, while most prognosticators won't be picking the Islanders as a playoff team in the Metropolitan Division, there are more than enough veterans on the Isles' roster who won't be rolling over and playing dead because nobody had much faith in them. With coach Patrick Roy setting a high bar for his players, the Islanders are likely to stay competitive all year long, and that almost certainly means the Sabres are going to have to be at their best if they want to win at least two of the three games they'll play against the Isles.

If Buffalo is intent on beating the Islanders next year, they'll need to exploit the Isles' defense (which finished 20th in the league last season at 3.13 goals-against per game) while limiting the Islanders' offense (which finished 27th in the league averaging 2.71 goals-for per game). 

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Sabres Could Be Battling Up-And-Coming Blue Jackets For Wild Card BerthThe Buffalo Sabres are one of the teams most desperate to make the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. And one of the teams the Sabres could be battling for one of the two wild card berths next season is another team desperate to end a prolonged playoff drought -- the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Also important: shaking the confidence of Sorokin. The 29-year-old Russian was not at his best last season, as Sorokin's save percentage dropped for the third consecutive season, falling to a career-worst .907 SP in a whopping 61 appearances. Granted, Sorokin was playing behind a porous Islanders defense corps, but even if Schaefer comes in and thrives as a rookie defenseman, the rest of the Isles' defense isn't renowned for locking down opponents' offensive attack.

In any case, the games between the three teams from New York State always have that little extra edge to them. And that's not going to be any different in the 2025-26 campaign. The Sabres are absolutely desperate to end their 14-year playoff drought, while the Islanders look to be focused on retooling on the fly. So the three tilts between Buffalo and the Isles promise to be must-see TV.

The St. Louis Blues could use another winger in their top nine after trading Zack Bolduc to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux earlier this off-season. Due to this, one remaining unrestricted free agent (UFA) who they should consider targeting is forward Victor Olofsson. 

If the Blues signed Olofsson, he would offer them another solid option to consider for their third-line right wing spot, as the 30-year-old forward provides solid secondary scoring when playing at his best. Thus, he could be a good player for the Blues to bring in on an affordable one-year contract or even a professional tryout (PTO).

Olofsson is coming off a solid 2024-25 season, as he recorded 15 goals, 14 assists, 29 points, and a plus-17 rating in 56 games with the Vegas Golden Knights. He has also scored at least 20 goals and recorded at least 40 points three times during his career. Had he played all 82 games during the 2024-25 campaign, he would have been on pace to hit the 20-goal and 40-point marks for the fourth time in his career. Thus, there is no question that he is capable of making an impact offensively. 

With all of this, Olofsson could be an interesting player for the Blues to take a chance on. He would have the potential to give their third line and second power-play unit a bit of a boost, so it will be interesting to see if they target him from here. 

Former Blues Forward Still Looking For New HomeWith August just about here, plenty of this year's unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed. However, a former St. Louis Blues forward is still looking for his new home, as Jakub Vrana remains without a contract and is a UFA. 

Photo Credit:  © Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings roll on with Team No. 19, the Minnesota Wild. 

In our summer splash rankings, we’re examining each NHL team’s off-season from the teams that got worse to those that improved the most. We’re focusing on every team’s departures, additions and coaching and management hirings and firings.

We’ve fully settled into the point in the summer splash ratings where we’re looking at teams that more or less stayed the same this summer. You can find the teams that finished below Minnesota at the bottom, but we’re turning our attention to the state of the Wild.

Additions

Vladimir Tarasenko (LW), Nico Sturm (LW), Nicolas Aube-Kubel (RW), Cal Petersen (G)

The Breakdown: The Wild were a Stanley Cup playoff team last season, so Minnesota GM Bill Guerin felt no need to make widespread changes to his roster. 

The biggest name he acquired was former Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues right winger Tarasenko. The veteran posted only 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games this past year with Detroit, and Tarasenko is now 33. He projects to be a middle-six winger on the Wild, and time will tell how much he has left in the tank.

Meanwhile, Guerin’s other additions are fourth-line winger and former Florida Panther Sturm, rugged journeyman winger Aube-Kubel and third-string goaltender Cal Petersen. 

Up-and-coming blueliner Buium made his NHL debut in the playoffs but will also join the NHL full-time. Buium, star D-man Brock Faber and 21-year-old defenseman David Jiricek are a solid foundation for Minnesota’s back end.

For the most part, the Wild will be sending back the same lineup that got them to fourth place in the highly competitive Central Division. Guerin still has $10.1 million in cap space, so he can augment his roster. But he may wait until the season begins – and until next season’s trade deadline – to really bring in a big fish to help Minnesota battle the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars for one of the top three positions in the Central.

Departures

Frederick Gaudreau (C), Gustav Nyquist (LW), Justin Brazeau (RW), Brendan Gaunce (C), Jon Merrill (D), Declan Chisholm (D), Travis Dermott (D), Marc-Andre Fleury (G)

The Breakdown: While the Wild didn’t make too many additions of note, the same goes for the players who’ve departed from the organization. 

Guerin traded bottom-six center Gaudreau, who netted 18 goals and 37 points in 82 games this past season, and 2025 trade deadline acquisitions Nyquist and Brazeau left the Wild as free agents.

Longtime NHL star Fleury headed into retirement after a Hockey Hall of Fame-worthy career. He’s a big name and personality to leave the team, but his playing time was reduced in his final season anyway.

You can’t look at the Wild’s departures and successfully argue Minnesota will take a major step backward in 2025-26. Guerin is clearly counting on his young players to develop into difference-makers at the NHL level, and allowing fringe players like Gaunce, Merrill, Chisholm and Dermott to move on is a direction the team is comfortable with. 

So long as the aforementioned youngsters reward Guerin for investing in them, and so long as Minnesota’s veterans play as they did last season, the Wild will once again be a playoff team. But that’s far from assured.

Could The Flames, Leafs, Oilers, Canadiens And Wild Still Make Moves This Summer?It may feel like many NHL franchises will be in airplane mode over the next few weeks, but don't rule out any action.

The Bottom Line

We’re not here to tell you the Wild are guaranteed to maintain their position in the Central – or to improve on it. 

Superstar left winger Kirill Kaprizov is a top-five player in the NHL, and veterans including center Joel Eriksson-Ek and winger Mats Zucarello are part of the core of this Minnesota team. Youngsters, including Faber, right winger Matt Boldy and the goaltending tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt will give the Wild a chance to win night in and night out. There’s a lot to like about this organization.

That said, the Central’s powerhouse teams are currently a level above Minnesota. If the playoffs were to start today, we don’t know of many NHL pundits who would pick the Wild to beat the Jets, Stars or Avalanche. That’s not a condemnation of the pieces that Guerin has put together. Rather, it’s a frank observation on where the Wild are in their competitive cycle.

The day may come down the line when Minnesota’s high-end young players can take that next competitive step and deliver the Wild into a top-three spot in the Central, but that day probably isn’t today. That’s why they’re in the middle part of our summer splash series.

That said, Guerin has pretty important business to care of to ensure his team doesn’t take a massive step back after next season. Kaprizov is entering the final season of a contract carrying a $9 million cap hit, and he’ll almost certainly get at least $11 million annually on his next deal. He scores at a wicked pace, with 25 goals and 56 points in 41 games this past season, and he drives the Wild’s offense. Getting his name on a contract extension this summer would be a huge win.

The Wild also must decide what to do with RFA center Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old recorded 60 points in his second full NHL season, and yet, his ice time tanked in the playoffs. A good chunk of the team’s cap space will go to re-signing him, unless they think Rossi is worth trading in exchange for an upgrade. 

If Kaprizov and Rossi are dealt with and there’s cap space left over, the Wild can accrue cap space and make a bigger splash at the trade deadline. But for now, Guerin’s relatively quiet summer is likely to lead to his team having a similar finish as in 2024-25. Although the Wild may overachieve and surprise some people next year, we’re going to be cautiously skeptical until we see it happening.

Summer Splash Rankings

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

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Earlier this off-season, the Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Zack Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux. This is easily one of the most intriguing trades of the summer, as Bolduc and Mailloux are both former first-round picks with very bright futures. Yet, with the Canadiens bringing in star right-shot defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, it makes sense that they were willing to part ways with Mailloux to land a young forward like Bolduc. 

When looking at the season Bolduc just put together with the Blues, he should be a good addition to the Canadiens' roster. In 72 games this past season with the Blues, he recorded new career highs with 19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points, 108 hits, and a plus-20 rating. With numbers like these, he demonstrated that he has the ability to not only be a solid point producer at the NHL level but also provide a nice degree of grit to go along with it. 

Yet, when noting this was just Bolduc's second NHL season and he has only 97 career games on his resume, there is no question that he still could hit an even higher level. Thus, he is, without a doubt, a prime breakout candidate for the Canadiens heading into next season. 

Bolduc performed incredibly well for the Blues this past season, so it would not be surprising if he continued to trend in the right direction with the Canadiens. This is especially so when noting that he has the chance to have a more significant role in Montreal than he did in St. Louis.

Overall, it is hard not to feel optimistic about Bolduc heading into the 2025-26 season. The potential for him to emerge as a legitimate top-six forward for the Canadiens is there, and it will be intriguing to see what kind of season he has for the Original Six club from here. 

Canadiens: Laine In Top Form In LSHL MatchIt was over 30 degrees yesterday in Montreal. With humidity factored in, it felt closer to 40 degrees on an end-of-July day during the construction holidays. One would have thought that most people would have been out of town, and yet, the fourth week of the LSHL was sold out at Hockeyetcetera. An hour before the doors opened, die-hard fans were already queuing outside in the heat, patiently waiting for their hockey fix in the dog days of Summer.

Photo Credit:  © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Dom Luszczyszyn, NHL analyst for The Athletic (a New York Times publication), recently ranked the best contracts across the NHL. From Leon Draisaitl’s eight-year, $14 million AAV deal (ranked 6th) to Brandon Hagel’s seven-year, $6.5 million AAV contract (ranked 2nd), some of the league’s biggest stars made the list.

But the top spot? That belongs to Jack Hughes.

That’s right, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes holds the most valuable contract in the NHL, according to Luszczyszyn’s analysis.

Hughes is currently on an eight-year, $64 million contract signed in 2022, with a projected surplus value of $38 million. Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald locked him into the deal early, and it’s already paying off in a big way. Now entering the fourth year of the contract, Hughes is signed through the 2029–30 season, when he will hit unrestricted free agency at 29 years old.

Originally drafted first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes signed his entry-level contract that same year, a three-year, $2.78 million deal. Since then, he’s quickly become the face of the franchise, earning the love of the fanbase both on and off the ice.

There was never any doubt that Fitzgerald would keep Hughes long-term. At just an $8 million annual cap hit, his contract stands out as one of the best bargains in the league, especially considering his production and leadership.

To date, Hughes has played 368 NHL games, recording 141 goals, 210 assists, and 351 points. Last season, he put up 70 points in 62 games before being sidelined by injury. Injuries have been a challenge, shoulder surgeries have cut two of his seasons short,  but at only 24 years old, Hughes continues to trend upward.

Despite the injury concerns, his contract still offers unmatched value. As Luszczyszyn pointed out, the Devils are winning the NHL contract game, and with five years still remaining on the deal, the payoff is far from over.

Hughes continues to be the centerpiece of New Jersey’s resurgence. His performance is elite, his price tag modest, and his impact immeasurable.

Now, the focus shifts to his younger brother, Luke Hughes, who is expected to sign a new deal with the Devils any day. And with Jack’s contract setting the gold standard, fans are hopeful that Luke’s will follow a similar path, both in value and long-term potential.

Photo Credit:© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. 

Evan Rodrigues is a player who could be on the move, not because of his value to the Florida Panthers, but because they may not be able to be able to get under the salary cap after re-signing center Sam Bennett, winger Brad Marchand, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers are currently nearly $4 million over the cap, but the health status of Matthew Tkachuk to start the season may give GM Bill Zito a bit of a reprieve. 

 Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

The Toronto native was a teammate of Jack Eichel at Boston University when he signed with the Sabres as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He had limited success in Buffalo over four seasons before being traded by GM Jason Botterill to Pittsburgh just before the COVID shutdown. With the Penguins, Colorado, and in two years with Florida, the 32-year-old has averaged over 15 goals a season, and was a key performer for the Panthers in consecutive Cup victories.  

What Would It Cost?

With Zito’s cap issues and the fact that Florida is light on draft capital the next two seasons, the Panthers could be looking for a high draft pick or a prospect on their entry-level deal who could play in the AHL and come up at some point over the next year or two. A youngster like Josh Doan or Noah Ostlund would fit that criteria. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo