Last month, the New Jersey Devils signed forward Juho Lammikko to a one-year, $800,000 contract for the 2025-26 season. This was after Lammikko spent each of the last three seasons in Switzerland's National League with the ZSC Lions. 

Lammikko had a strong year with ZSC this past campaign, as he had 13 goals, 25 assists, 38 points, and a plus-23 rating in 48 games. Now, he will be looking to make an impact with the Devils after landing this new one-year deal. 

While Lammikko played each of the last three years overseas, he already comes with NHL experience. The 6-foot-2 forward has appeared in 159 career NHL games split between the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks over three seasons, where he has recorded 11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points, and 188 hits. His last time in the NHL was during the 202`1-22 campaign, where he had seven goals, 15 points, and 93 hits in 75 contests. 

Although Lammikko is not a big-name signing, he has the potential to be a solid pickup for the Devils. His size and physicality could help his chances of making the Devils' roster, whether he is a fourth-line or 13th forward. He also works on the penalty kill because of his solid defensive play, so he could help the Devils in that area as well. Yet, at a minimum, he should make an impact in the AHL with the Utica Comets if he does not make the Devils' roster.

Overall, there is no harm in the Devils bringing in Lammikko with this one-year contract. It will be intriguing to see how much of an impact he makes for New Jersey from here. 

Devils Made Good Move Trading For Gritty ForwardDuring this past off-season, the New Jersey Devils acquired forward Paul Cotter from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Alexander Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid. With the Devils looking to boost their bottom six, they were willing to give up two youngsters in Holtz and Schmid to bring in a proven NHLer like Cotter. 

Photo Credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Mason McTavish would seem to be someone that the Anaheim Ducks would be crazy to part with, but the 22-year-old restricted free agent is looking for a massive payday after a 52-point season in the final year of his entry-level contract. The 2021 third overall pick is what most teams are looking for: a big-bodied, offensively talented center. He made the NHL at 19, and scored 17, 19, and 22 goals in three seasons. Although eligible for an offer sheet, teams are unlikely to go down that road, since the Ducks have the most cap space in the NHL, even after signing veteran Mikael Granlund and trading for veteran winger Chris Kreider, and could match anything.   

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The additions of Kreider and Granlund this summer to go along with three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville behind the bench, the Ducks look to be ready to make their move into playoff competition, but GM Pat Verbeek may be looking at McTavish as a cautionary tale to other youngsters; like centers Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, who are coming up for their new deals next summer. 

 

What Would It Cost?

The competition for McTavish would be hot and heavy if he is truly being shopped, and with his success and NHL experience at such a young age, it will likely cost Buffalo a major young piece like Owen Power or a package that would include winger Zach Benson, prospect Konsta Helenius and their 2026 first round pick to pry the big forward away from Anaheim.   

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

As the Calgary Flames look to take a step forward in their retooling efforts, don’t be surprised if some fresh faces start making more regular appearances on the blue line. All drafted in 2020, these three defencemen have spent the past few seasons developing within the Flames system—and now, they’re knocking louder than ever on the NHL door.

Here’s a look at three homegrown blueliners Flames fans should keep a close eye on in 2025-26:

Ilya Solovyov – The Next One Up?

At 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, Ilya Solovyov brings a solid frame, a smooth skating stride, and a physical edge that makes him a natural fit on an NHL blue line. After being selected in the seventh round (205th overall) back in 2020, Solovyov has developed steadily through the Wranglers system and got his feet wet in the NHL last season with five appearances. He picked up an assist in those games and showed flashes of the two-way potential that has made him a standout in the AHL.

Last season with the Wranglers, Solovyov turned heads with his poise, offensive instincts, and ability to jump into the rush when the opportunity presents itself. He’s shown he can move the puck and bring some bite defensively, making him a strong candidate to push for a full-time NHL role coming out of training camp.

He’s entering year two on his deal with the Flames worth $1.55 million total. The first year was a two-way contract, but it turns into a one-way deal this season — indicating the organization believes he’s close to sticking around with the big club.

Yan Kuznetsov – Quietly Climbing

If Solovyov is the flashier puck-mover, Yan Kuznetsov is his quieter, steadier counterpart. Drafted in the second round (50th overall) in 2020, Kuznetsov plays a traditional stay-at-home style that’s built on smart positioning, physical strength, and sound decision-making.

He made his NHL debut on January 9, 2024, against the Ottawa Senators, and while it was just a single appearance, it showed that he’s next in line to be trusted in a shutdown role. Last season in the AHL, he posted an impressive plus-21 rating with the Wranglers, alongside 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 72 games—showcasing his ability to contribute at both ends of the ice.

The Flames clearly see value in his progression, re-signing Kuznetsov this summer to a two-year contract that goes to a one-way in its second year. That puts him firmly in the mix for more NHL time this season.

Jeremie Poirier – High Risk, High Reward

Few prospects within the Flames’ pipeline bring as much offensive upside from the back end as Jeremie Poirier. Taken in the third round (72nd overall), Poirier is a dynamic skater with a natural flair for jumping into the rush, threading passes, and running the power play. When he’s dialed in, he looks like a future 50-point NHL defender.

Injury slowed him down during his second pro season, but he bounced back strong in 2024-25, putting up 42 points (5 goals, 37 assists) in 71 games. His minus-9 rating highlights the ongoing need for more consistency and defensive discipline—but the raw tools are undeniable.

With rookie Zayne Parekh now in the system, it may have pushed Poirier down the depth chart, but his experience could still make him an intriguing option for some NHL consideration. 

Poirier is signed through 2025-26 on a deal worth $775,000. He’ll be an RFA after that, and this season could be a defining one in determining whether he takes the next step in his NHL journey.

Final Thoughts

The Flames have been patient in developing their young defensive core, and now that patience may start paying off. Solovyov looks ready to push for a full-time roster spot, Kuznetsov continues to prove himself as a reliable depth option, and Poirier brings the kind of offensive firepower that could make him a fan favourite—if he can round out the rest of his game.

All three have taken different paths, but they share a common thread: drafted by the Flames in 2020, developed within the system, and now on the verge of becoming NHL regulars.

Keep an eye on this trio—because chances are, you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in Calgary this season.

© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

While most of this year's unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed, there are still some interesting players who are available for the taking. One of them is former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jan Rutta, as the 35-year-old blueliner is still looking for his new home.

When looking at the remain UFA defensemen on the market, there is no question that Rutta is one of the top ones available. Thus, it would not be surprising in the slightest if he ended up landing with another NHL team before training camp is here. 

Rutta spent this past season with the San Jose Sharks, where he recorded three goals, six assists, nine points, 81 blocks, and a minus-3 rating. This was after he had five goals, 14 assists, and 19 points in 69 contests with the Sharks during the 2023-24 campaign.

Overall, teams looking for help on the right side of their third pairing and penalty kill could consider bringing in Rutta. He is a steady veteran defensive defenseman, and it also does not hurt that he has two Stanley Cup championships on his resume. 

In 56 games during the 2022-23 season with the Penguins, Rutta had three goals, nine points, 71 hits, and a plus-3 rating. His time with the Penguins ended when he was dealt to the Sharks in the deal that sent Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh during the 2023 NHL off-season. 

Penguins Promising Goalie Is Clear Breakout CandidateGoaltender Joel Blomqvist got into his first NHL action this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, the young goaltender ran into some trouble adjusting to the NHL level with Pittsburgh, as he had a 4-9-1 record, a 3.81 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage in 15 appearances.

Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The NHL summer splash rankings continue with team No. 20, the Seattle Kraken.

In this series, we’re focusing on every NHL team’s off-season, ranking teams that got worse, better and mainly stayed the same. We’re analyzing each franchise’s additions, departures and, where applicable, coaching and management hirings and firings.

We’re now at the point in the rankings where we’re zeroing in on teams that essentially have stayed the same this summer. The teams that finished below the Kraken are listed at the end. Let’s look at what Seattle has done.

Additions

Mason Marchment (LW), Frederick Gaudreau (C), Ryan Lindgren (D), Matt Murray (G), Lane Lambert (coach)

The Breakdown: The Kraken had a disappointing performance in 2024-25, finishing seventh in the relatively weak Pacific Division. Entering its fifth season of operation, Seattle has had difficulty putting a balanced attack together. 

This past season, the Kraken had the NHL’s ninth-worst defense at an average of 3.20 goals against per game. 

New GM Jason Botterill only addressed that weakness with the signing of former New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Lindgren and former Minnesota Wild center Gaudreau, the latter of whom posted 18 goals and 37 points as a bottom-six forward this past season.

Meanwhile, the trade acquisition of former Dallas Stars left winger Marchment was a coup for Botterill. Marchment played only 62 regular-season games this past season, but he posted a career-high 22 goals, and his 47 points were tied for the second-most in a campaign in his career. Marchment is also entering a contract year, so he’ll be motivated to get a raise on his $4.5-million cap hit. But the three newcomers are net-positives for Seattle, even if only slightly so.

That said, the biggest addition is Lambert coming in as Seattle’s new coach. The former New York Islanders bench boss and Toronto Maple Leafs associate coach has a clear task ahead of him: get this team back into the post-season for the first time in three years. Bylsma couldn’t get the job done in one year and was fired, so the pressure on Lambert will be immediate and considerable.

Departures

Andre Burakovsky (LW), Michael Eyssimont (C), Dan Bylsma (coach)

The Breakdown: For the most part, the Kraken lost only fringe players this summer. Eyssimont is a high-energy depth asset who had 16 points this past season. Burakovsky – who was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks – generated only 10 goals and 37 points in 79 games. Burakovsky’s pedigree as a two-time Stanley Cup winner only got him so far in Seattle, and essentially swapping him out for Marchment is good work by Botterill.

Bylsma had only one year on the job before the team dismissed him. Bylsma’s 35-41-6 record this past season is hardly the stuff of coaching legend, and after the Kraken only finished ahead of the lowly San Jose Sharks in the Pacific last year, Botterill moved swiftly to give Lambert his second chance at a head coaching gig.

Under Lambert, the Maple Leafs’ defensive attack was solid. If he can get the Kraken’s defense in respectable order, Lambert will be considered a successful hire. But nothing is guaranteed in that regard, so time will tell whether changing out Bylsma for Lambert was the right move by Botterill.

The Bottom Line

To get back into the post-season, the Kraken must improve defensively. But even if that happens, Seattle still needs (a) young players like forwards Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Kaapo Kakko to continue to develop their respective games, and (b) veteran contributors Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson and Jaden Schwartz to do their share of the heavy lifting up front.

The Pacific’s wild-card race is up in the air after likely playoff locks Edmonton, Vegas and Los Angeles settle in again at the top of the division. Seattle will be battling the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks for that last playoff spot – but that’s presuming the highly competitive Central Division only sends four of its teams into the post-season. The Central had five playoff teams this past season, so the Kraken have to do their utmost to challenge for a top-three spot in the Pacific.

We don’t believe Seattle has gotten worse this summer, but it’s also clear they’re not considerably better than they were last season – hence, their place in the middle portion of our NHL summer splash rankings. The Kraken obviously aren’t satisfied with their 2024-25 results, but until the newly rejigged lineup proves it can improve on last season, it’s fair to start out the year being skeptical they can do so.

Summer Splash Rankings

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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There have been so many fantastic players who donned the Red, White, and Blue over the years. From Maurice Richard to Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur up front, to Larry Robinson and Serge Savard on the blueline, and to Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy, and Carey Price in net, the Montreal Canadiens had plenty of idol material.

You might be surprised to hear who former Canadiens defenseman Alexander Romanov’s idol was, however. No, it wasn’t Larry Robinson; he’s way too young for that, and no, it wasn’t Andrei Markov, who patrolled the Canadiens’ blueline with pride until the end of the 2016-17 season, or Shea Weber.

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No, it wasn’t Alexander Ovechkin either; no matter how many goals he scored, it was Carey Price—the face of the Canadiens’ franchise for so long. Romanov made the declaration on a Russian TV show earlier this week, even admitting that Price was on his phone wallpaper.

The 25-year-old was a second-round pick for the Canadiens, 38th overall at the 2018 draft. Thought to be a reach at the time, the Russian blueliner blossomed into an excellent defenseman and was sacrificed by the Habs to acquire Kirby Dach at the 2022 draft.

He has since been a key cog of the New York Islanders’ blueline and was signed to an eight-year contract with a $6,25 million AAV by new GM Mathieu Darche. With Noah Dobson’s trade to the Canadiens, Romanov should be called on to take even more responsibilities on Long Island this season.  

Alexander Romanov came to the studio for a live broadcast and told a lot of interesting things. Here is an excerpt where he mentioned that his idol has always been Carey Price, and that he was on the wallpaper of his phone😅🥹 pic.twitter.com/1gxX0x0Tw3

— Милена (@D1VDsAGUJsk2iPk) July 27, 2025

Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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Shortly after the Abbotsford Canucks began celebrating their Calder Cup championship, a few of the players got to work.

Their goalie was busy doing interviews – because he was the biggest reason they won the thing – so he didn’t see his teammates surreptitiously cutting the netting off the Canucks’ goal at Bojangles Coliseum. (Greatest arena name ever, by the way.)

By the time Arturs Silovs was finishing up his on-ice interview, his teammates had managed to remove the mesh from the iron and draped it over his shoulders. It was symbolic in a couple of ways. First, it reminded all who watched the Canucks’ playoff run that Silovs was so simpatico with his net that almost nothing got by him. Second, it was the affirmation that, as the Canucks knew all along, the net indisputably belonged to their 24-year-old Latvian goalie, who seems to have a penchant for playing out of his mind in big games.

Silovs started each of the Canucks’ 24 games during the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, winning 16 while putting up a .931 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average. He was also named playoff MVP. But that’s not the half of it. In the final series, the Canucks were outshot 229 to 147 by the Charlotte Checkers, an average of 13.7 shots per game over the six games.

In Game 1 of the series, Silovs faced 54 shots. That’s not including the one that went past him when teammate Ty Mueller won a defensive-zone draw in overtime and pulled it directly into the Abbotsford net while Silovs was turning around after taking a drink of water. It was later ruled that Silovs was not set for the play, and the goal was called back before Danila Klimovich scored on the power play in double overtime.

More symbolism. It seemed the only time opponents could figure Silovs out was when he wasn’t ready. But when he was, his play was remarkable. Silovs posted a .934 SP in the final series. One of the key reasons the Canucks won the Calder Cup was that they never lost two straight games. They lost eight times in the playoffs, and in the games after a loss, Silovs went 8-0, tossed up two shutouts and recorded a .948 SP.

“Arty’s play in those games was unbelievable,” said Canucks rookie coach Manny Malhotra.

And because of that, Silovs found himself at the top of the mountain, just months after struggling through a disastrous start to the NHL season.

He entered the year having created high expectations for himself after getting the Vancouver Canucks to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs in 2024. In 2023, all he did was lead Latvia, the little engine that could, to a bronze medal at the World Championship. For his efforts, Silovs was named the top goalie and MVP of the tournament.

And when he was asked what the Calder Cup win means to him, he spoke like someone who doesn’t expect to be competing for it ever again.

“You’re finishing a part of your career with a milestone,” Silovs said. “Not everyone can say they won a Calder Cup, right? I think it’s really special…and I think it’s going to help a lot in the future.”

Yeah, about that. Things were interesting in Vancouver’s crease. The brilliant-but-injury-riddled Thatcher Demko has one year left on his current deal at $5 million, but he signed a three-year contract extension worth $8.5-million annually. The Canucks also signed 30-year-old Kevin Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5-million extension that kicks in next season.

You’d have to wonder whether they would have signed Lankinen long-term if they’d known what Silovs was going to accomplish in Abbotsford.

For his part, Silovs has one year left on a deal that will pay him $800,000 – whether he plays in the NHL or the minors – before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. But what makes all of this so intriguing is that in order to be sent to the minors in 2025-26, Silovs would have to go on waivers.

The Canucks decided to avoid a scenario where they risked having a cumbersome three-goalie setup or lost Silovs for nothing. That's why they traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 14 for Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round draft pick.

We do know that Silovs can play. His body of work in the AHL, internationally and, at times, in the NHL has proven he’s ready to be a full-time NHL goalie. The fact that Latvia chose to name him among the first six players for their 2026 Olympic team is a testament to the faith they have in him to deliver on the world stage.

While he has had his peaks and valleys, he’s not unlike a lot of young goalies who take a few years – and in many cases, a few organizations – to find their places in the hockey world. Silovs is young for a goalie, but he’s also got a cross-section of experience and success that suggests he deserves a sustained shot at proving he can stay in the NHL.

Silovs was brilliant at times for the big club during the 2024 post-season. But when the NHL crease was his to start the regular season, he struggled – and he struggled mightily. He gave up five or more goals in three of his nine starts, and his only two wins of the season came against the Chicago Blackhawks, and we’re not even sure if those even count these days.

Brighter days are ahead, one would presume, for both Silovs and other Canucks prospects who made a push in the playoffs. For the short term, Silovs was intent on living in the moment and enjoying the accomplishment.

“It’s so special,” he said. “Basically, I grew up with this team. We started with nearly everyone at the same time. We had some ups and downs, and to manage to win with the same guys is unbelievable.”

Could The Penguins' Arturs Silovs Become The Next Dominik Hasek?How's that for a headline, eh? When the Vancouver Canuckstraded 24-year-old Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday for a fourth-round pick and a middling prospect in Chase Stillman, they did so with their fingers crossed that he won't make them look ridiculous.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue and was lightly edited for online after the Canucks traded Silovs to the Penguins.

Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

According to a new report, the goalie-needy Edmonton Oilers are not expected to target former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart at this time.

Hart, 26, was found not guilty of sexual assault in the 2018 Hockey Canada trial by Justice Maria Carroccia and remains an unrestricted free agent, though the NHL has deemed Hart and the other four players ineligible to return for the time being.

But, while Hart awaits an update on his status from the NHL, it would appear the Oilers have been ruled out as a potential landing spot for the Flyers' former No. 1 goalie.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Hart is a "non-starter" for the Oilers as things currently stand.

"I was told that Carter Hart is a non-starter for the Edmonton Oilers, and, beyond that, he's a non-starter for everyone right now coming off his acquittal in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case in court in London, Ontario, as ruled upon last week," Seravalli said during a livestream for B/R Open Ice.

"Him and the other four former NHL players have been labelled by the NHL as ineligible, and they're going to continue to review the file before determining next steps in the commissioner's office. Until they are cleared to play, it's not even really a conversation worth having, even though the NHLPA has strongly voiced their objection to how the NHL has viewed this situation."

Carter Hart is a "non-starter" for the Edmonton Oilers as the five former Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault remain ineligible to play in the NHL (w/ @frank_seravalli) pic.twitter.com/4FNDVaYRAA

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 29, 2025

It's unclear how long it'll take for the clash between the NHL and NHLPA to resolved, and for the NHL to reach it's final decision.

For what it's worth, Alexey Sopin, the general manager of the KHL's Avangard Omsk who added Michael McLeod to his roster last season, believes a solution will be reached sooner rather than later.

"I can’t give an exact date – we’ll wait a week or two. From our contacts with Michael, his agents and North American hockey specialists, we understand that the league will not delay the decision, and they should release it in the next week or two," Sopin told Championat in a recent interview. "That is, either they allow them to play, or they don’t allow them, or they allow them, but they recommend that clubs not sign a contract with them. I think that the league itself will not delay this decision, and in the near future we will find out everything."

For both sides, it would make the most sense to find common ground ahead of training camp and the start of the preseason, but that remains to be seen.

For now, Hart isn't quite on the table for the Oilers or any of the other NHL teams.

The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty of exciting young players on their roster who could become nice pieces for them later down the road. Forward Colton Dach is certainly one of them, as the 22-year-old forward has shown promise early on his professional career.

Dach played in his first 25 NHL games this past season with the Blackhawks, where he recorded two goals, five assists, seven points, and 86 hits. With numbers like these, he chipped in a bit offensively, but more notably stood out due to his immense physicality. With this, he certainly should compete for a spot in the Blackhawks' bottom six next season.

Down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Rockford IceHogs in 2024-25, Dach played very well, posting 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points in just 33 games. This was after he had 11 goals and 16 points in 48 games with the AHL squad in 2023-24. With numbers like these in the AHL, it would not be surprising in the slightest if Dach gets his offense up a bit more with the Blackhawks next season.

With all of this, there is no question that Dach is a prospect who should not be slept on. The prospect of him blossoming into a solid top-nine forward at the NHL level is there, and it is going to be very fascinating to see what kind of campaign he has with the Blackhawks in 2025-26 because of it. 

Blackhawks Have Interesting Potential Target In Ex-Bruins ForwardWhen looking at the Chicago Blackhawks' current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use a bit more forward depth. Due to this, bringing in another potential option for their bottom six could be smart for the Original Six club. 

Photo Credit:  © Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The New Jersey Devils are in a strong position when it comes to goaltending, both now and looking ahead.

From seasoned NHL veterans to reliable AHL call-ups and rising prospects, the Devils' goaltending depth far surpasses that of teams like the Edmonton Oilers.

New Jersey also has a storied history in net. A recent stat from NHL PR highlighted the goaltenders with the most career wins in league history. Unsurprisingly, sitting atop the list is Martin Brodeur.

Brodeur’s legendary mark of 691 wins leads the group by a staggering 116 victories. The closest active goaltender is Marc-André Fleury, with 575 wins. While this list resurfaces every so often, no one has come close to Brodeur’s dominance.

The most recent update came when Sergei Bobrovsky passed Tony Esposito for 10th all-time. Esposito held the spot with 423 wins, while Bobrovsky now has 429. Still, both he and Fleury remain well short of Brodeur’s untouchable record.

But it’s not just about the past. The Devils have a strong goaltending setup in the present day, too.

Jacob Markstrom: The Starter

Currently, Jacob Markstrom leads the way as New Jersey’s starter. The 34-year-old veteran has one year remaining on his six-year, $36 million contract.

Last season, he appeared in 49 games, posting a 2.50 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. Markstrom missed time with an MCL sprain in January but returned in March.

While the Devils have the option to extend him beyond this season, there’s no rush to make a move just yet.

Opinion: Why Haven’t the Devils Extended Jacob Markstrom?Why Haven’t the Devils Extended Jacob Markstrom?

Jake Allen: The Reliable Backup

Backing up Markstrom is veteran Jake Allen, who re-signed with the Devils on July 1. Allen was expected to test free agency but surprised many by agreeing to a five-year deal worth $1.8 million annually.

The contract solidified New Jersey’s backup position at a bargain price. At under $2 million per year, Allen is among the most affordable veterans in the NHL.

“Two years ago at the deadline, I called him up before we traded for him to convince him to come here,” Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald shared. “I said, ‘You will be very surprised how happy you will be here. We’re building a good team.’ He reminded me of that conversation yesterday, so it was nice.” 

New Jersey on the Move: Devils Make Noise Early in Free AgencyThe NHL free agency period began just six days ago and the NJ Devils have made several moves to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. 

Nico Daws: The Trusted Third Option

The Devils also have a dependable third-string option in Nico Daws.

Drafted 84th overall in 2020, Daws has stepped up when needed. While he’s spent most of his time with the AHL’s Utica Comets, he’s made appearances with the Devils in 2021, 2023, and 2024—playing in 52 NHL games across those seasons.

When injuries struck the Devils’ starter and backup, Daws was there. Still just 24, he’s considered a potential future starter—but with two veterans ahead of him and his contract set to expire, questions remain about his long-term place in New Jersey.

If the Devils want to recoup value, they may consider trading him before his contract ends. 

Opinion: Nico Daws Is a Part of the Devils' FutureThe year was 2021. It was October, and both of the New Jersey Devils’ goaltenders were out with injuries. In need of an emergency starter, the team turned to 21-year-old Nico Daws, the 84th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Mikhail Yegorov: The Future?

If Daws is moved, it's because the Devils have another highly promising goalie in the pipeline.

Mikhail Yegorov, selected 49th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, has already won over the fanbase. Standing 6'5" and currently playing at Boston University, Yegorov is a towering presence in net.

At just 19, he’s the youngest goaltending prospect in the system—five years younger than Daws—and is being coached by Devils legend Jay Pandolfo.

Yegorov is widely viewed as the future of Devils goaltending.

Mikhail Yegorov: Big Personality, Bigger Potential in the Devils’ PipelineThe New Jersey Devils’ 49th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, goaltender Mikhail Yegorov, has quickly become a fan favorite. Whether he’s chirping teammates at development camp or giving heartfelt shoutouts to his mom, he hasn’t played a minute for the organization yet, but fans are already on board.

Final Thoughts

At a time when many NHL teams are still scrambling to find consistency in net, the Devils boast a rare combination: two proven veterans, a reliable AHL fill-in, and a promising NCAA standout.

With both depth and potential, New Jersey’s goaltending future looks as secure as its storied past.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart finds his name in fourth place on The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn's top 10 NHL contracts in 2025.

The 29-year-old was once again stellar for the Panthers, scoring 39 goals and 81 points in 79 games, while also finishing second in Selke Trophy voting. In his four seasons in Florida, Reinhart has scored over 30 goals in each season and over 80 points in three. He set a career-high 57 goals and 94 points in the 2023-24 season, prior to signing his eight-year, $8.625 million contract.

Reinhart's do-it-all play style fits in perfectly on the Panthers roster. On the power play, he plays the net front and the bumper to perfection, leading the Panthers in power-play goals in four consecutive seasons. He's also valuable due to his penalty killing prowess, forming a dominant duo with Aleksander Barkov.

Reinhart's value increases due to his faceoff abilities. Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues are the only right-handed shooting forwards who can take faceoffs on the Panthers roster, and in high-leverage situations where draws are on Reinhart's strong side, he wins over 40 percent of them.

"Of all of Florida’s deals that make non-Panthers fans scream “come on” in unison and blame state taxes, this one remains the most infuriating. For Panthers fans, it’s yet another substantial win.

Fresh off a year where Reinhart scored 57 goals and finished fourth in Selke voting, the Panthers seemingly got to pretend that season never happened during contract negotiations. Reinhart’s $8.6 million cap hit makes a lot more sense based on what he was after his 2023-24 season, and not based on the seismic leap he took in 2024-25. 

Was regression likely? Yes. But not to the degree that Reinhart ended up making $3 million less than his contemporaries such as William Nylander and Elias Pettersson. If that was the market for a 90-point forward, Florida went way under it. Those savings probably afforded the Panthers the ability to trade for Brad Marchand — and the rest is history.

What adds further salt to the wound is that Reinhart is not only cheaper than Nylander and Pettersson but also probably better. That’s because of his defensive game, which has finally received the respect it deserves over the last two years. While Reinhart’s production did predictably regress last season, his defensive game took another step — enough to finish second in Selke voting behind teammate Aleksander Barkov.

Over the last two seasons, Reinhart has cemented himself as one of the league’s best players. For the next seven years, he’ll be an absolute steal," said Luszczyszyn.

Finishing ahead of Reinhart were Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes). Also included on the rankings were Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Guenther (Utah Mammoth), Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings), Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild) and Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators). 

The Panthers pride themselves on the culture they've built, characterized by a selfless attitude and a pride in being hard to play against. You won't find many players who embrace the organization's philosophies more than Reinhart.

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, two former New Jersey Devils defensemen are unemployed and seeking their next opportunity in professional hockey. 

Jon Merrill

Former Team: Minnesota Wild 

Merrill has previously played for the Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, Montréal Canadiens, and Minnesota Wild. Now a veteran with 682 NHL games under his belt, the defenseman is an unrestricted free agent, looking for his next home. 

The 33-year-old became expendable to the Wild with youngster Zeev Buium in the fold. Considered a stay-at-home defenseman, he scored two goals and earned six points last season. 

Merrill would be a good addition for any team looking for depth on the blue line.  

Brendan Smith 

Former Team: Dallas Stars 

Dave McCarthy of NHL.com was the first to report that the veteran defenseman was looking to play one more season. At 36 years old, he is coming off a season in which he appeared in 32 games for the Dallas Stars. 

Brendan Smith will be hitting the market on Tuesday.

The defenseman is looking to play at least one more season.

There are few guys better than him to surround young players with if a team is looking for defensive depth.

— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) June 29, 2025

Smith will fill whatever role a team needs, including the transition to a forward. A leader in the locker room, Smith has played for the Red Wings, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Devils, and Stars, playing 726 career games. 

Smith would be a great mentor to a team with a young blue line and add the depth teams need throughout an 82-game season. 

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

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Photo Credit: © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The Ottawa Senators are next in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Senators’ 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 Senators finally did it. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and gave the rival Toronto Maple Leafs a scare in the Battle of Ontario. 

Although they didn’t take down the Leafs in the first round, they had some enlightening performances from some of their most promising young players. Brady Tkachuk was a bit up-and-down, but he ended up with seven points across the six-game series. Tim Stutzle added five points. Jake Sanderson had moments where he looked like one of the best defensemen in the NHL, playing high-level hockey at both ends of the ice. 

The Senators will look to go further next year. Unfortunately for the Sens, they don’t have much in the pipeline that could be highly effective in the NHL, at least not this season. 

The team’s top prospect, Carter Yakemchuk, didn’t have the best year in the WHL, taking a fairly large step back statistically from 30 goals and 71 points in his draft year to 17 goals and 49 points this past season. He did play 10 fewer games, but that isn’t enough to warrant a 22-point drop-off. It’s hard to be a 30-goal defender, and that’s why there was some concern with the realistic projection of his numbers last year.

That said, Yakemchuk is still quite the prospect. He should have been included in Canada’s world juniors camp last year, and there was talk of him joining the Sens at the end of the season. He still has a big shot, but his mean streak and physicality will get him into the NHL. Yakemchuk could be a very interesting addition to the Sens in another year, but a season in the AHL will likely be good for his development. 

A few of the Sens' more intriguing prospects are also on the back end, with most of them being more defensive-minded than offensive defensemen.

Jorian Donovan had his first full AHL season, and it went well for the defensive-minded blueliner. His game is efficient and simple for the most part. He just tries to snuff out attackers and eliminate the scoring chance. When he gets the puck, he’ll make the most immediate and simple play to get the puck to safety.

When it comes to Gabriel Eliasson, it’s all about adding the physical edge. The hulking 6-foot-7 defenseman is out to eliminate opponents from the ice when he takes his shift. He uses his size to his advantage, crushing players in open ice or along the boards. There isn’t much offense in Eliasson’s game, but he’s a strong physical presence. 

After starting the season in the United States League, Blake Montgomery joined the OHL’s London Knights and helped them win the Memorial Cup. He has an enticing package of tools with a power game to go along with his speed, but this past year was the closest we’ve seen to him putting it all together. There is still room to refine some of the smaller details in his game, but there were plenty of encouraging signs after he arrived in London. He’ll be heading to the University of Wisconsin in the fall, where he can further refine those details. 

When the Sens traded for Xavier Bourgault, there was hope that he could rekindle his game in their system with a fresh set of opportunities. Unfortunately, that bounceback didn’t quite happen, and Bourgault remains a prospect with a frustrating path. His skill and offensive mind are NHL caliber. He understands how to generate offense. He’s just been unable to piece play together consistently enough to produce at the level he is capable of. Turning 23 in October, this might just be the last season in which Bourgault is viewed as a potential NHLer. 

Tyler Boucher will be one of the most interesting case studies to look back on. He was probably drafted a bit too high at 10th overall, but he’s had some tough luck with injuries as well. Last season marked the first time he played over 42 games in a year since his age-16 season with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. 

Boucher is a physical forward who loves to engage and impose his will on opponents. He has a great shot as well. We haven’t seen Boucher even get the chance at becoming the fully realized version of himself, and we may never get that chance. This season could be the start of the next chapter for Boucher, though. 

After potentially saving the Senators' season in his 12-game run, Leevi Merilainen is set to be the full-time backup for Ottawa. He showed plenty of potential, and his presence could help make Linus Ullmark the best version of himself. Merilainen has built himself into the Sens' top goalie prospect thanks to his size and technical ability.

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

Leevi Merilainen (G), Ridly Greig (C/W)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 23rd overall - Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)

Round 3, 93rd overall - Blake Vanek, RW, Stillwater (Minn. H.S.)

Round 4, 97th overall - Lucas Beckman, G, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

Round 5, 149th overall - Dmitri Isayev, LW, Yekaterinburg Jr. (Rus.)

Round 6, 181st overall - Bruno Idzan, LW, Lincoln (USHL)

Round 7, 213th overall - Andrei Trofimov, G, Magnitogorsk Jr (Rus.)

Logan Hensler’s draft stock was interesting to follow. Coming into this past year, he was a potential top-10 pick after a successful run with the NTDP. A slow start at the University of Wisconsin had him sitting outside of the first round on many public lists, but a strong finish ultimately got him drafted in the first round at 23rd overall. 

Hensler is a highly mobile defender who is quite effective moving the puck in transition. Henlser’s defensive game took a step this year as well, using his feet to retrieve dump-ins and evade pressure or cut off attackers looking to go wide, forcing them down into the corner. Hensler finished his freshman season strong, but he will likely play another year or two before turning pro. He immediately becomes one of the Sens’ top prospects. 

When Ottawa took Blake Vanek, the son of former NHLer Thomas Vanek, it was a bit surprising. He put up 22 goals and 53 points at the Minnesota high school level, and he played a handful of games with the NTDP and the USHL’s Chicago Steel. He has great size and an excellent shot, and he flashes some nice puckhandling. He struggles to keep up with the pace of play at times, though, so he likes to slow things down with the puck or come in as the third man, trying to attack high-to-low after teammates have already pushed defenders back. He’s heading to the WHL next season, where he will look to work on some of the details in his game. 

The Senators drafting Lucas Beckman in the fourth round was one of the more intriguing selections of the draft. The QMJHL netminder looked great for Baie-Comeau this past season, and when he joined Canada at the World Men’s Under-18s, he was stellar in a backup role, winning both games he played. Beckman doesn’t try to do too much, relying on his mobility and fluidity in the crease. He stays calm in chaos around the net and just looks to cut down angles. He could be the sneakiest goalie pick of the draft. 

In what was a bit of a shock, the Senators took Russian winger Dmitri Isayev. Ottawa doesn’t regularly draft Russians, and Isayev doesn’t even fit the style Ottawa generally goes for. He’s small and skilled, but he tries hard defensively and has some games where he is constantly stripping pucks from his opponents. He plays with pace and has some creativity, but there are plenty of habits to eliminate to find success in North America, but he could be a very good Russian pro in the next couple of years. Isayev will be a very interesting player to track. 

The Senators have never shied away from drafting overage players, and this year, it was USHL standout Bruno Idzan. He started the year playing in the Alps Hockey League with Croatian club Sisak, where he was scoring the lights out with 21 goals in 19 games. He moved to the USHL where he continued to score a ton in preparation for his freshman NCAA season at the University of Wisconsin. Idzan has always been able to flash his speed in transition, and he’s become a very good shooter from all over the zone. He is going to need some refinement, so college is a great route for him. 

To cap off their draft, the Senators took a swing on a Russian netminder, which is always a very good bet to take late in the draft. Andrei Trofimov has decent size and plays with a good technical base. His numbers in Russian junior hockey were very good, and he allowed no goals in a relief effort at the VHL level in his pro debut.

Strengths

Arguably, the Senators’ top two prospects are both right-shot defenders, with Yakemchuk and Hensler looking like legitimate NHLers in different roles. Beyond those two, the projects they have at right defense could be quite interesting. 

Hoyt Stanley is a big defender who has had a couple of solid seasons at Cornell in the NCAA. Djibril Toure is a project who brings incredible size at 6-foot-7 and some very solid skating. He isn’t a refined player and spent time in the ECHL this past year, but there is hope that in the long run, he may be a solid bet who can play some NHL minutes. 

Weaknesses

The reality of the Senators’ prospect pool is that aside from Stephen Halliday and Bourgault, both of whom will likely play on the wing in the NHL level if they make it there, the center depth is incredibly poor. 

The Senators have a prospect pool that’s not indicative of a team that has been out of the playoffs for much of the last decade. They haven’t had a ton of success drafting outside of the franchise-altering 2020 class that brought in Stutzle, Sanderson and Greig. This has left the pipeline with little to no high-end talent, and the pivot position is where that’s most obvious. 

Hidden Gem: Stephen Halliday, C

Stephen Halliday led the AHL’s Belleville Senators in scoring in his first full pro season. His mobility and pace have always been the two issues that have led to some doubting his NHL upside, but he excels at slowing the game down. 

He was drafted as an overage prospect, and now that he’s 23, it might be time for him to get an NHL shot to see if he can slow things down and produce at the NHL level as he did at the NCAA and AHL levels. If he can’t, there may not be much of an NHL future, but if he can, he will bring a unique element to the Sens' bottom six and the kind of depth scoring they need moving forward.

Next Man Up: Leevi Merilainen, G

The Senators don’t have a skater who is ready to jump into the NHL roster, but they’ll have Merilainen start the year as their backup. His run from last season likely should have earned him the role then, but with Anton Forsberg locked in as the backup primarily because of his cap hit, it wasn’t quite time for Merilainen to be in the NHL full-time. 

Merilainen can play somewhere between 25 to 30 games or more. That would allow Ullmark to stay fresh for the playoffs when the Sens are hopefully back in it for a second straight year. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Javon Moore, Blake Montgomery, Dmitri Isayev, Lucas Ellinas, Bruno Idzan

C: Stephen Halliday, Xavier Bourgault, Jake Chiasson, Owen Beckner

RW: Tyler Boucher, Blake Vanek, Oskar Pettersson

LD: Jorian Donovan, Gabriel Eliasson, Matthew Andonovski, Filip Nordberg, Tomas Hamara, Theo Wallberg, Eerik Wallenius

RD: Carter Yakemchuk, Logan Hensler, Hoyt Stanley, Djibril Toure

G: Leevi Merilainen, Mads Sogaard, Lucas Beckman, Vladimir Nikitin, Kevin Reidler, Jackson Parsons, Andrei Trofimov

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.

No one on the current roster has been an Ottawa Senator longer than defenseman Thomas Chabot. Chabot played his first game for the club back in the 2016–17 season, so he's been around for a while. He’s seen some things.

A lot of players have come and gone during his time — including no fewer than 18 goaltenders across eight seasons.

Yes, 18 goaltenders.

With a nod to X users @OilersAdam and Senators superfan @JulioHashem, who were both tracking the ugly goalie history of their NHL teams on the social media platform this week, here is every goaltender that Thomas Chabot has played with during his time as an Ottawa Senator:

Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
Daniel Taylor
Anders Nilsson
Mike McKenna
Marcus Högberg
Matt Murray
Anton Forsberg
Joey Daccord
Filip Gustavsson
Mads Søgaard
Cam Talbot
Kevin Mandolese
Dylan Ferguson
Leevi Meriläinen
Magnus Hellberg
Joonas Korpisalo
and Linus Ullmark.

My inside NHL sources tell me that's too many goalies.

It's part of why the Senators have often been labelled a “goalie graveyard,” although the moniker actually predates Chabot's tenure. I thought it started around the time Dominik Hasek mangled his adductor (and we all know how painful that can be) at the 2006 Olympics. But it's even older than that.

The name was coined by my former TSN 1200 radio co-host, John Rodenberg, during the old Battle of Ontario more than 20 years ago. The first time he said it on the air, and he'd say it often after that, I felt like it was maybe a little harsh at first.

But after years of witnessing the struggles – my god, the struggles – and the revolving door in net, the name became so uncannily accurate that I sometimes wondered if JR had inadvertently placed a curse — some kind of voodoo hex — on the men who protect Ottawa’s crease.

"Hasek's injury cemented the label," Rodenburg recalls. "But it dates back to the scars of the losses to the Leafs and especially 2004 and Patrick Lalime in Game 7.

"And it ALWAYS manifested itself, one way or the other, it felt like every season. It's always about the goalie here in Ottawa. Just change the year, rinse and repeat."

With the team having a reputation like that, it was not a surprise that one of Steve Staios' first big moves as a new GM was to try and solve things by going after one of the NHL's best. He managed to pull off a deal last summer for Linus Ullmark, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner.

Ullmark's first season was pretty decent with flashes of excellence, but injury absences were a concern. Not big enough to get swept into the goalie graveyard conversation, but not insignificant enough to be excused from it either.

Ullmark and his understudy, the very young Leevi Merilainen, do seem nicely poised to finally bury the label once and for all. 

But if they can’t do it, then there's really no choice but to flood JR at TSN 1200 with cards, emails, and maybe a goat sacrifice or two. Because someone’s gotta figure out how to lift the Curse of the Goalie Graveyard.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images 

This article orginally appeared at The Hockey News Ottawa, where you'll find all the latest Senators news:
Formenton's Lawyer: 'The Crown Knowingly Forged Ahead With A Hopeless Prosecution'
Mark Stone Jokes That It Wasn't Always Easy Playing On Brady Tkachuk's Line
2018 World Junior Trial Ends: Former Senator Alex Formenton Found Not GuiltyTwo Sens Prospects Set To Shine At World Junior Summer ShowcaseCroatia's NHL Trailblazer: Sens Prospect Bruno Idžan Takes NHL Road Less TravelledSenators Re-Sign 2021 First-Round Pick To One-Year DealWhy Mason McTavish Isn’t Coming Home To The Senators

Of the NHL’s remaining free agents, goaltenders are the most intriguing position. 

Three UFA goalies who played at least 20 games last season have yet to sign a new contract: Alexandar Georgiev, Ilya Samsonov and James Reimer.

They’re at different points in their NHL careers, but they have potential of being bargain options in the crease.

Ilya Samsonov

Samsonov may be the most intriguing of the trio. The 28-year-old posted a subpar save percentage of .891 with the Vegas Golden Knights this past season, but he had 0.6 goals saved above expected in 29 appearances, meaning he stopped the scoring chances he was generally supposed to stop. 

Samsonov isn’t all that far removed from his stellar 2022-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, when he had a .919 SP and 2.33 GAA in 42 games. He earned $1.8 million this past season with Vegas, and he likely wouldn’t get more this time. That said, among goalies who played at least 15 games, 28 goalies had a worse goals saved above expected rating, according to moneypuck.com.

Alexandar Georgiev

One of those goaltenders is Georgiev, who put up a minus-17.9 goals saved above expected, which was the second-worst. 

Georgiev split last season between the Colorado Avalanche – where he had an .874 SP and 3.38 GAA in 14 games – and the San Jose Sharks, where he posted a 3.88 GAA and .875 SP in 31 appearances. 

The 29-year-old will certainly have to take a pay cut from the $3.5 million he’s earned in each of the past four seasons, but in the right circumstances, Georgiev could provide some value and support for a younger goalie tandem. While he’s had a goals-against average of more than 3.00 and a sub-.900 save percentage in the last two seasons, he did have a 2.53 GAA and .919 SP in 2022-23, so he has the potential to bounce back.

James Reimer

Reimer put up a .901 SP and 2.90 GAA in 22 appearances with the Buffalo Sabres this past season while earning a very reasonable $1 million for his efforts. Of the three goalies here, Reimer's 8.0 goals saved above expected was the best as well.

Reimer is now 37, but if he doesn’t retire, he can prove he has something left in the tank at somewhere close to the league-minimum salary. He proved that this past season, after all.

At a time when every salary cap dollar counts, Reimer can step in and give a team some reassurance that they effectively have goalie insurance.

It's not out of the ordinary for teams to line up three experienced goalies to get them through next year. 

The Buffalo Sabres have presumptive starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, youngster Devon Levi and veteran newcomer Alex Lyon. 

The Anaheim Ducks have emerging No. 1 Lukas Dostal, veteran Petr Mrazek and bubble goalie Ville Husso. 

And the Utah Mammoth have three experienced goalies in Karel Vejmelka, Connor Ingram (who entered the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program in March) and first-year Mammoth Vitek Vanecek. As you can see, you can never have more than enough quality netminding.

The Edmonton Oilers could have benefited from signing one of these goalies right now if they had more than $226,000 in cap space. Stuart Skinner had an .896 SP this past season, while Pickard had a .900 SP. They had some solid outings in the playoffs but an inconsistent performance overall, and if the Oilers aren’t ready to give Olivier Rodrigue a larger role, having another veteran wouldn’t hurt.

Whether Samsonov, Georgiev and Reimer get to play NHL hockey next season, or whether they ply their trade overseas is yet to be determined.

Another option for those three goalies would be earning their keep on a professional tryout this fall – Edmonton could be a fit in that case. Alternatively, they can be patient and wait for an injury or disappointing performance from a goalie to open up a roster opportunity for them. At this stage, beggars can’t be choosers, so if Georgiev, Samsonov and Reimer get a solid employment offer, they should take it.

In any case, it will be compelling viewing to see how the rest of the NHL’s goalie market shakes out. Teams that are satisfied with their netminding today might not be satisfied tomorrow, and teams that are healthy in net today might not be healthy between the pipes tomorrow. Things can change in an instant for NHL goalies, and we’ll be watching closely to see where every netminder of note eventually lands.

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