When a London, Ont., judge ruled on Thursday that all five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were not guilty on all charges, the NHL found itself at a crossroads of moral decency. 

Should the players, who have already missed more than a year while fighting for their freedom, be allowed to resume their NHL careers? Or do they need to spend additional time away from the league for not living up to the ethical standards of being an NHLer?

So far, the league is choosing the latter. 

"The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing, and the behavior at issue was unacceptable," the NHL's statement said. "We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings. While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league."

This was the right decision, even if it wasn’t necessarily an easy one.

No, the easy decision would have been for the league to follow the court’s lead and clear the players, allowing them to get on with their lives and resume their NHL careers as if nothing had happened. The easy decision, which the NHL has chosen at times in the past, would have been to put winning above everything else.

After all, these are not just ordinary players. These were Canada’s best junior players in 2018. They were potential stars.

Michael McLeod and Cal Foote were first-round picks of the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively. Dillon Dube, who was the captain of the world junior team, had spent six seasons with the Calgary Flames. Alex Formenton was coming off an 18-goal season with the Ottawa Senators. Carter Hart was the No. 1 goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.

All of them had bright futures. Considering they are in their mid-20s, they still do. And yet, their futures may no longer be in the NHL.

By ruling that all players were essentially “free to go,” McLeod, Foote, Dube, Formenton and Hart should theoretically be allowed re-sign with an NHL team of their choosing. Some, like Hart, were already being linked to several teams who are in dire need of goaltending.

But playing in the NHL is a privilege – not a right. And despite how badly the Edmonton Oilers might have needed an upgrade in net, the NHL is making it clear that there is a distinction between a court of law and the court of common decency. 

What the players did behind closed doors after a night of drinking at a Hockey Canada gala honoring their victory at the 2018 World Junior Championship might not have been criminal. But it was wrong on several levels. Regardless of consent, a young woman was taken advantage of and put in danger by a group of young men who became the poster boys for the toxic masculinity and negative culture that still pervades the sport. 

This move from the NHL sends a strong message, not only to the rest of the league – but to the fans as well. 

The only question is, how long can the NHL punish them? Is one year enough? Two years? Indefinitely?

Stan Bowman, Joel Quenneville and Al MacIsaac, who were ruled ineligible “as a result of their inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach had been assaulted by the team’s video coach,” were reinstated on July 1, 2024, after spending two-and-a-half years out of the league.

Maybe that sentence will serve as a starting point. 

The NHLPA disagreed with this viewpoint, arguing that the NHL’s decision “is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA.”

Obviously, nothing will be done in this situation until after the NHL is finished conducting its investigation. But it is probably safe to suggest that none of the players will be welcomed back into the league in time for the start of the season.

Based on the language that Gary Bettman once used to describe the players’ actions, calling them "abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable,” they may never be welcomed back.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the middle of retooling their roster. Due to this, a number of their veteran players have been discussed in the rumor mill this off-season, including Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. 

Although the possibility of the Penguins moving on from some of their notable players is certainly there, they also should not be against adding to their roster if a player can help them in the long term. Because of this, one player who they should seriously consider making a push for is Chicago Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel. 

Reichel, 23, has been the subject of trade speculation all off-season. It is understandable, as the young forward has had trouble finding his fit with the Blackhawks. Although this is the case, the possibility for him to tap into his potential more is still there, so he could be a solid player for the Penguins to take a gamble on. 

Reichel appeared in 70 games this past season with the Blackhawks, where he posted eight goals, 14 assists, and 22 points. While these numbers do not necessarily stand out, the 2020 first-round pick also had seven goals and 15 points in just 23 games with the Blackhawks during the 2022-23 season. With this, it is fair to wonder if the 6-foot winger could blossom into a solid offensive contributor in the right situation. There is a reason why he was once considered one of the Blackhawks' top prospects.

Overall, with the Penguins needing more young, skilled players with good upside, Reichel is a player who they should seriously consider pursuing. Bringing him in would be a low-risk move for the Penguins. 

Ex-Penguins Defender Surprisingly Still A Free AgentIt has now been almost once month since free agency opened, so the majority of this year's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed. Although this is true, there are also a few interesting players who still have not found their new homes. 

Photo Credit: © Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a slew of players who are either in the final or second-to-last year of their contract. 

Star center Evgeni Malkin is in the last year of his deal. He’s one of seven Penguins forwards who are UFAs after 2025-26. Three Pens defensemen are in the same boat. If you count players in the penultimate year of their contract, the number goes up to 10 forwards – including captain Sidney Crosby – and five defensemen, including star Erik Karlsson.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is retooling this team, yet Crosby, Malkin and star defenseman Kris Letang seem about as deeply embedded as it gets. What Dubas has created around them is an environment where players have every motivation to have a productive year while these leaders are still playing. The team isn't devoid of talent, but it does need players at both ends of the ice to play boom-or-bust hockey if Dubas isn't tearing down the roster.

That motivation applies to boosting their offensive production. This past season, only Crosby had a point-per-game average (1.14) of at least one, and the Penguins ranked 18th in goals-for. Those numbers won’t cut it in an NHL era where offense has been on the rise overall.

If Dubas trades Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, who both recorded career-high point totals this past year, the offense will likely dry up more. But unless the Penguins get a trade return for each of them that makes the team much stronger down the line, those two will be motivated to find yet another gear. They each scored more than 30 goals in 2024-25, and Pittsburgh can do its best to take advantage of that as long as those players are around. 

Dubas is clearly hoping their depth players entering contract years or getting close to it – Kevin Hayes, Anthony Mantha, Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar – wind up thriving in pursuit of a better payday sooner rather than later. As for Malkin, he would surely want to finish what could be his last season with the Penguins on a high note by trying to reach the 83 points he put up in 2022-23.

That said, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because Pittsburgh can’t put the puck in the net, they’re somehow going to be better on defense. The Penguins are worse on the back end, with 3.50 goals against per game, which ranked third-last in the NHL. This was not a good Pens team at either end of the ice.

Dubas obviously wants the team to improve up front, but if the Penguins want to surprise the NHL and compete for a playoff spot next season, they have to give their goalies a fighting chance – since the netminders couldn’t bail them out night in and night out. So they need those five defensemen who are at or near the end of their contract – Karlsson, Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton and Ryan Shea – to also step up by clamping down in their own zone and chipping in some scoring.

For much of this roster, the knowledge that their time in Pittsburgh could be almost done should provide a sense of urgency to their game. 

Crosby will be a fixture as a Penguin for as long as he wants to be, but you can light a bigger fire under him if he knows his teammates are giving it all they’ve got. That’s what the Penguins should hope this collection of end-of-contract players will do.

When Dubas took over in June 2023, he tried to put together a team that would compete for the Stanley Cup right away. That plan didn’t work out. So last year, Dubas shifted the gaze of Penguins fans from the here and now to tomorrow. Dubas hasn’t hit home runs with every move he makes, but you can’t accuse him of being satisfied with the status quo.

However, in trying and failing to return to the playoffs in the last three seasons, the Pens have demonstrated how far they are from being a contender. They could be further from it if the players on the final legs of their contracts, including their franchise legends, don’t find a way to get a hot streak going that powers them farther than most NHL followers can expect.

Teams have overachieved their roster on paper time and again, and Pittsburgh should hope to join that list. They could make the most of the here and now while getting started on developing the core of tomorrow.

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Former New York Islanders forward and assistant to the general manager Matt Martin didn't talk much about his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, we are well aware that during his two seasons in Canada, he became incredibly close with superstar Mitch Marner.

While a portion of the Islanders fanbase hoped that Marner would be Long Island-bound, the 28-year-old signed an eight-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights worth $12 million annually. 

Matt Martin on Matthew Schaefer on @CamandStrick:

“But the way he moves on the ice, watching him in development camp, he has a little bit of that Marner where he gets on his edges and his body's going one way, but his feet are like, and you're like, how is he still standing? He… pic.twitter.com/OFgslc2xb1

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) July 24, 2025

That's pretty high praise for the No. 1 overall pick, whose skating is, no question, his bread and butter. Shifty skating, as we'll call it, makes it very difficult not only for the opposition to slow a player down but also makes it harder to read their movements.

Guys like Schaefer, Marner and Mathew Barzal, amongst others like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon prey on defensemen who get caught flat-footed. 

Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio said that Schaefer's skating reminds him of Quinn Hughes, with Cole Eiserman adding that Schaefer is going to have a 15- to 20-year NHL career due to his footwork. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

PHOTO:  John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The National Hockey League has announced its yearly 'Stanley' Awards - no, not the Stanley Cup, but the Stanley Awards. 

The 2025 presentation included eight different award winners, which included one department of the Winnipeg Jets' behind-the-scenes teams.

The Stanley Award winners were announced from the Club Business Meetings in Seattle, which are presented for creativity, team achievements and fan engagement annually. NHL on TNT personality Anson Carter emceed the event, while Jayna Hefford, Walter Jones and Detlef Schrempf served as presenters. 

The annual Stanley Awards winners were announced today at the 2025 NHL Club Business Meetings presented by Ticketmaster.

Congrats to the @UtahMammoth, @predsnhl, @NHLJets, @MapleLeafs, @DetroitRedWings, @TBLightning, @NJDevils and @StLouisBlues.

Story: https://t.co/2ZoBie0KRUpic.twitter.com/uAAFqmblRJ

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) July 23, 2025

The eight awards were as follows:

• Marketing Campaign -- Utah Hockey Club/Utah Mammoth (home opener campaign)
• Social Impact and Growth Initiatives -- Nashville Predators (music heritage nights)
• Social Media Club of the Year -- Winnipeg Jets (various posts, interactions and online content)
• Sponsorship Activation -- Toronto Maple Leafs (Oreo - “Stay Playful")
• Ticketing Initiative -- Detroit Red Wings (designer merch collaboration)
• Game Presentation of the Year -- Tampa Bay Lightning (in-arena game day experience)
• Venue Business Initiative -- New Jersey Devils (Center Pier Club and Eastback Kitchen)
• Strategy, Analytics, and Innovation -- St. Louis Blues (Bluesnatics and Blues App)

Leading the charge for the Jets' social media team is director of content, Adam Krueger. He and his associates caught the eye of the NHL's team award staff, to the tune of the team's social media presence during games, at practices, in the dressing room and for key moments/signings/news pieces. The Jets' social media team's delivery is prompt, reliable and witty, serving up a perfect mix of content to its followers across various platforms. 

"This award recognizes overall excellence by a club's social media team, including maximizing the teams' official social media channels to engage existing fans and capture the attention of new fans with outstanding creativity, consistency, and proven instinct to innovate within the NHL."

Breaking down the chances of a team to win the Stanley Cup for the first time during the 2025-26 season.

With the 2025–26 NHL season approaching, sportsbooks have posted season bets early on that betters can hop on now as the value of some teams will only get lower from this point on. One future bet that we wanted to explore and examine was a fun one: Will a team win the Stanley Cup for the first time?

Meaning do you think a team that has never won the Stanley Cup before, will do it in the 2025-26 season? Fortune favors a repeat winner as they are listed with massive -850 while a first-time cup winner is listed with +550 odds. Eligible teams that fall into the first-time winners category include the San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and the newly relocated Utah Mammoth.

The "No" side is supported by the deep field of past champions and future contenders in the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. With the field stacked against them, we explore some teams that could win the cup for the first time and have the highest chance of carrying this bet over the finish line. 

Former Teammates, New Rivals: Marner vs. Matthews Prop Bet Heats Up DebateSportsbooks reveal head-to-head prop bet between former teammates in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Winnipeg Jets - Stanley Cup Odds (+2300)

Last season's President's trophy winner continued the history of the top team in the regular season being ousted and not winning the Cup. Next season will be different for the Jets as they've made adjustments to their lineup by allowing forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton walk in free agency while bringing in talent like three-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews, Gustav Nyquist and Tanner Pearson. 

Their defence is set up to repeat as the league's best backend for the third season in a row and will have back-to-back Vezina trophy winner and recent league MVP Connor Hellebuyck in net. They have all the pieces to make a deep run but will need a couple bounces their way to lighten up the elite competition in their way in the Central Division before making the Conference Finals. 

Minnesota Wild - Stanley Cup Odds (+3500)

After years of solid-but-not-spectacular seasons, the Wild may finally be ready to make the leap. It has to be their year eventually as they came close to upsetting the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round but were ultimately downed in six games.  With Kirill Kaprizov driving the offense and rising star Brock Faber stabilizing the blue line, Minnesota enters the season with one of the league’s most balanced lineups. 

A deep run is a possibility if they can catch a couple breaks their way like the Edmonton Oilers to have a down year or experience injuries at the worst time and even then they'll have to get past a revamped Golden Knights team that just added another superstar talent in Mitch Marner. 

Vancouver Canucks - Stanley Cup Odds (+6000)

The Canucks came close in 2024 and return with a roster built for another run. Star players in Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes lead the charge, while the net is more secured than ever with Thatcher Demko coming back healthy and Kevin Lankinen looking to have another stellar year after posting elite numbers in Demko's absence. 

They'll have a different looking middle-six with new acquisitions in Evander Kane and a full season with Filip Chytil. The defence will be elite once again with an elite group including Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers, Marcus Pettersson, Derek Forbort and rising talent Elias Nils Pettersson

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

When you’re a young prospect grinding in the minors, you'll do anything you can to stick in the NHL. 

Rangers youngster Brett Berard revealed on Thursday at the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase in Stamford that he battled through a torn labrum suffered just four games into his debut.

The 22-year-old did miss three games right after the injury occurred against the Montreal Canadiens, but he quickly made his way back into the lineup in an effort to not waste his opportunity. 

“I was out for about a week or so,” he told Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “It’s one of those things where you’re up in the NHL, you work your whole life for it. I felt like I was playing good hockey too, so you don’t really want to lose that -- just tried to play through it.”

Berard did have to wear a brace on his shoulder the rest of the way, but he went on to appear in a total of 35 games during his rookie campaign. 

Despite the physical limitations, the youngster showed some positive signs, as he provided a much-needed spark to New York’s bottom-six with his all-out style of play on both ends of the ice.

He finished the year with six goals, four assists, 29 blocked shot, 53 hits, and 59 shots on goal. 

Berard performed well enough to crack Team USA’s roster for the World Championships, but ultimately ended up sitting out of the tournament with the injury -- the team went on to win gold for the first time since 1933.

“It definitely stunk sitting out,” he said. “It makes you a little bit jealous, but I know a ton of those guys, a lot of them I'm best friends with, so I was rooting for everybody and it was awesome to see them win gold there.”

The youngster didn’t require offseason surgery, so after taking the past couple of months to fully recovery and continue his training, he’s back to 100 percent heading into training camp.

This camp is shaping up to a huge one for Berard, who has spoken with new head coach Mike Sullivan several times since he’s been hired, but is still awaiting his opportunity to show what he can do on the ice.

The hope is now that he is fully healthy, he’ll be able to take his game to another level.

“You only get one tryout, you get one first impression,” Berard said. “So it’s kind of all in -- I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason, so I feel like if I put myself in the best position I can that I’ll be good.” 

Welcome to Part 3 of The Hockey News Toronto’s ranking of the media meals that are served around the NHL. This week, we move further down the rankings to look at the teams and venues

that ranked No. 9 through No. 16. Enjoy.

No. 16 Utah Mammoth

We have to cut Utah some slack since it’s their first year in the league and they don’t have a proper setup for hockey. They did provide a free voucher for $20 in concessions, which I used at Chick-fil-A. They had an upstairs area that provided coffee and snacks and elevated seating, which was really cool, but it was more fun to actually watch the game from the basketball media seating down low. We never sit this far down low, and you forget how fast the game is. 

TikTok · David AlterCheck out David Alter’s video.

No. 15 Tampa Bay Lightning

This is a pretty good meal for $8, and they have a traditional salad bar with several different protein options. They always have a serving station at the end of the line, and this time it was pasta. Among the places that serve us ice cream, Tampa is known for having one of the hardest to scoop. Not sure why that is. Up in the press box, they usually have some chips and some form of intermission snack.

No. 14 Anaheim Ducks

This by far was the most improved spot this season. They started accepting credit cards, which pleased me greatly since their arena isn’t in a city and it’s not easy to get cash. There wasn’t a lot of choice, but where they lacked in quantity, they certainly made up in quality. The BBQ chicken was full of flavor. The corn was delicious; I couldn’t get enough of it. They had pulled pork, but surprisingly, no buns were provided with it. I’m a pretty picky eater, so when everything is amazing, you have to rave about it.

TikTok · David Alter598 likes, 15 comments. “#media #meal in Anaheim for #Leafs vs #Ducks was quite delicious. Everything tasted good. Very happy.”

No. 13 New York Rangers

The Rangers switched to a voucher system: a $25 credit for a suggested $10 donation. They actually told me they got this idea from the Leafs, but at MSG, your voucher unlocks a lot of options. I’ve done sushi or poke bowls. On my most recent visit, I went to the Carnegie Deli, and I was not disappointed. I loved it. I always tell people that New York is where my soul lives, and MSG is always a great time.

No. 12 Dallas Stars

Their media meal is good. But one thing Dallas does that no other NHL arena does is provide the media with a free morning skate breakfast. How cool is that? Bagels? Coffee? It’s a nice touch. I believe Tampa does do something similar, but not to this magnitude. Also, they are the first and only building in the NHL to offer Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar in the press box. This is one of my fave soft drinks these days. They also have all kinds of snacks and ice cream up in the press box. Fun vibes.

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal (Part 2): Venues 17 to 24 RevealedWelcome back to the second part of our summer-long series ranking NHL media meals. With the schedule revealed this week, I've started booking road trips for the upcoming season, which is also making me hungry and excited for the media meals next season. This week, we count down the No. 17 through 24 media meals in the NHL.

No. 11 Nashville Predators

Nashville is interesting. Every time I’ve been to the building for a media meal, I have no idea what to expect, but I know there will be a lot of it. The snacks they have at the meal are unique. It's the only place I can ever recall having sour cola bottles. They cost $10, and they're delicious. The Preds don’t really have a traditional press box but instead an open space up top for us to work in. One section over is a room where we can get notes and additional snacks. They keep them coming, and I even had this Hunk A Pizza, which was delicious.

No. 10 New York Islanders

Ever since they opened UBS Arena in Elmont, the Islanders went from having one of the worst to one of the best media meals in the NHL. It can be pricey at $20 US, but I’ve been on some sort of list that allowed me to eat for free, which helps a ton. Decent hot dogs and snacks. Their meal room is in the press box. The protein is usually a high cut of meat, and a local Long Island dairy provides the ice cream for the building. They also have cookies, hot dogs, popcorn—you name it—a very traditional hockey experience.

Ranking Every NHL Arena's Media Meal Part 1: The Bottom 8 Revealed (Nos. 25–32)As I write this, I feel blessed that I get to travel as often as I do. And while on the road covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, I like to see what every city has to offer in terms of restaurants, amenities, etc.

No. 9 Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes are known for one thing in their media meal: Pulled pork. It’s always at the very end of the food line of whatever they may be serving. But it’s really good, and it’s nice to know they have the option. They have other proteins, salads, and they serve Cheerwine on tap; it’s a cherry soda that is apparently widely available in the south. I had never heard of it until my first trip to Raleigh. It's decently priced at $11 and good quality.

---

So, which venue has the best media meal in the NHL? Find out next week when we reveal the Top eight venues.

(Top photo credit: David Alter on TikTok)

Mitch Marner's Return To Toronto And Other Key Dates As Maple Leafs Unveil Full 2025-26 NHL Regular Season ScheduleThe Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled their 2025-26 regular season schedule on Wednesday. Maple Leafs Honor Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne, The NHL’s Most Unexpected Hockey FanOn Tuesday, the world mourned as Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away at age 76. Osbourne, who had been dealing with several health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, had performed in Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath in a performance dubbed his “final show”.

Even for players like Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov, making your first NHL appearance can be a little frazzling.

Michkov, 20, made his NHL debut on Oct. 11, playing against Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, and reining Jack Adams Award winner (and his new head coach) Rick Tocchet.

Things didn't go the Canucks' way last season, of course, but it's always a challenge going up against guys like that.

In a recent interview with ЛЁД (Translated: Ice) Special, Michkov reflected on his first regular season game with the Flyers, offering up some comedic but very real insights on his experience.

 When I went out against Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, it was like I was playing on a PlayStation. The players were skating around me, my head was spinning, I didn't understand where I was at all, even the light was falling on the rink differently, everything was different," Michkov recounted. "I was under the impression when I was still doing the rookie lap. I thought, 'Damn, where did I end up?' It was such a pleasant excitement."

Michkov ultimately played 18:32, third amongst all Flyers forwards, recording four shots on goal, taking a hooking penalty in the first period, and drawing a tripping penalty from Filip Hronek in the second period.

Matvei Michkov Praises Oleg Znarok's Work with FlyersStar rookie Matvei Michkov took flight for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, but he wasn't able to adapt and do it all on his own.

Michkov ultimately missed his first NHL shootout attempt, but that ended up being insignificant. Now-traded center Morgan Frost got the job done with the 10th total attempt in the shootout.

"The game started, the first period was a bit shaky, but the second and third periods were more or less played. They even trusted me to shoot the penalty shot, though I didn't score, but it gave me even more of a push and motivation for the next game to concentrate and really start scoring and passing, helping the team," added Michkov.

Ultimately, the Russian phenom finished his rookie season by leading all rookies in goals (26), while tying Macklin Celebrini for the second-most points amongst the newcomers (63).

Flyers' Matvei Michkov Dishes on Rookie Season: 'There Is No Limit to Perfection'Budding Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov had quite the strong rookie season in the NHL last year, but he's already looking ahead to bigger and better things in the future.

Of course, Michkov missed out on a unanimous selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team by one point, while fellow rookies Dustin Wolf, Lane Hutson, and Celebrini were all unanimous picks.

That's neither here nor there now, though. Michkov showed obvious signs of growth throughout the season, and now we have a point of reference for where he was at mentally at the beginning of the year.

All signs point to the 2025-26 season being even better for Michkov and the Flyers.

Matt Martin might be retired, but he remembers playing with Mitch Marner on the Toronto Maple Leafs like it was yesterday.

The 36-year-old, now the special assistant to New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche, appeared on The Cam & Strick Podcast with Cam Janssen and Andy Strickland earlier this week and reminisced on playing with Marner in Toronto and his departure from the Maple Leafs.

Toronto moved Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, where the Maple Leafs acquired Nicolas Roy in return. The former Toronto forward signed an eight-year, $96 million contract before being traded to the Golden Knights.

"First of all, he's an exceptional player, probably in a discussion for one of the best in the league. Any given year, he's top three winger in the NHL, obviously [Nikita] Kucherov being pretty special as well. But he does it all; power play, penalty kill. I mean, they had him playing defense when they were down (players) in games a few years ago," Martin said.

"I think Vegas is going to be a great situation for him. Just kind of a totally different market, really good team. He's kind of got that Vegas flair to him, too. But I know he loved the Leafs. He loved the Leafs, playing for the Leafs, and he really wanted to get the job done there. It didn't work out and that's the end of it now."

Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies Grateful For Mitch Marner’s Guidance, Won’t Call Games Against Golden Knights ‘A Rivalry’Matthew Knies won't go as far as saying the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights will be rivals after Mitch Marner joined their organization.

Martin and Marner were teammates on the Maple Leafs for two seasons, from 2016 to 2018. Being more of a veteran in the NHL at the time, Martin took Marner under his wing, and the two players became great friends.

"I really don't think there's better personality off the ice. He's just a guy that, even at 18,19, he was a guy that just brought everybody together. Loved to spend time with the guys, loves to hang out." added Martin.

"Ultimately, I think he poured his heart into everything. I do believe that. I think he really wore it. He took a lot of criticism when they didn't get the job done. And with making that kind of money, all those guys are going to get extreme criticism for not getting the job done, that's part of it."

You’ll Need Prime Video To Watch These 6 Key Maple Leafs Games in 2025-26Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video, has released its upcoming schedule of games for the 2025-26 season, which will exclusively feature six Toronto Maple Leafs games for the second consecutive year.

During the podcast, Martin admitted that his final season in Toronto was difficult because of the lack of playing time. He spoke with then-GM Lou Lamiorello about being traded, and while Lamiorello tried to move him in-season, there wasn't a good enough fit for the Maple Leafs.

Lamiorello would leave Toronto in 2018 and join the New York Islanders as the president of hockey operations. One of his first orders of business was to acquire Martin from Toronto in exchange for goaltender Eamon McAdam, who wouldn't play a game for the Maple Leafs.

"Most of the guys I was playing with (on the Islanders before joining the Maple Leafs) were still here and it felt like home and it felt right," said Martin.

"It was a great situation to come back into. It's not often you get that opportunity to go back to where you came from, so I'm extremely fortunate for that and grateful for that because who knows what would've happened if that trade didn't transpire."

'Looking Forward To Playing A Long Time Here Like (Phil) Kessel': Why Dakota Joshua Will Wear No. 81 With Maple Leafs This SeasonWhen Dakota Joshua puts on a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time, he'll be wearing a number that many fans are familiar with.

Amid Martin's situation, former Islanders captain John Tavares was figuring out where he'd land in free agency. Two days before Martin was traded, Tavares signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with Toronto, ending his tenure with the Islanders, who drafted him first overall in 2009.

Martin vividly remembers Tavares' return to Long Island. Toronto fell 6-1 to New York on February 28, 2019, in a building where the crowd was giving it to Tavares the entire night. It was an evening many won't forget, even if you weren't in the arena for that game.

Martin played in that game.

"That was a crazy, crazy game. I think it was a pretty incredible game to be a part of, and I'm not saying that to dig at Johnny. Listen, he did what he did, he wanted to go to Toronto, that's fine by me. Go play where you want to play. He's a friend of mine, I'm happy for him," Martin said.

"I don't know if we really feel that bad for one another when it comes to like a hockey environment. Like, to me, it was just a crazy, crazy game to be a part of. The energy in there was insane. I'l never forget that hockey game. They're throwing stuff at him, and some of that you can do without, but in terms of atmosphere, I loved playing in that game."

'Always Working His Ass Off': Sharks' Ryan Reaves Praises Auston Matthews After First Year As Maple Leafs CaptainAuston Matthews might have had a down year with goalscoring, but there was growth in other facets of his game.

Since joining the Maple Leafs in 2018, Tavares has scored 493 points (222 goals and 271 assists) in 515 games. The Maple Leafs named Tavares captain in 2019, after a year with the club. He served in the role for five years, passing it on to Auston Matthews in August 2024.

Tavares could've tested free agency on July 1st, however, instead, he signed a four-year, $17.55 million extension with the Maple Leafs on June 27. The annual average value of the veteran forward's contract is $4.39 million.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: 'I Think He Really Wore It': Matt Martin Reflects On Mitch Marner's Move To Golden Knights And His Two Seasons With Maple Leafs

(Top photo of Marner and Martin: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)

Earlier this week, Adam Proteau wrote about the Montreal Canadiens’ rivalry with the Ottawa Senators. While there’s no arguing that a rivalry exists and that both franchises’ players dislike each other, that rivalry is still a far cry from the best the Canadiens have ever known.

Granted, Brendan Gallagher calling out Tim Stutzle for embellishment, and Juraj Slafkovsky mentioning that he needs to play like Brady Tkachuk to be successful, have added fuel to a fire that was already burning. Still, we’re not in inferno territory, at least not yet.

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I’m not sure any rivalry will ever match the one the Canadiens had with the Quebec Nordiques, after living it firsthand from 1980 to 1996. I was born in 1980 in Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, a small town that has since been merged with Lévis on the South Shore of Quebec. As a result, I was destined to be a Nordiques fan. However, my dad, a die-hard Fleury fan, made one fatal mistake: he introduced me to hockey the year Patrick Roy arrived on the scene.

As I discovered the sport that would become a lifelong passion, Roy was making save after save after save and was fast becoming my favourite player. It didn’t take long before I started watching the games wearing pillows on my legs and mimicking the saves the Canadiens’ goaltender was making.

That Spring, the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, and that was it. I was, at the tender age of 6, a fully-fledged Canadiens fan to my father’s disgust. Although, to be fair, he did manage to convince my mother to let me watch all the games, even the late ones in the final against the Calgary Flames.

From then on, every morning, I was stealing the newspaper from him to see what was happening in the hockey world and the standings. If his Nordiques had lost, I would have teased him relentlessly all day, and if the Habs had done the same.

I was too young to watch the Adams Division’s playoffs the year of the Good Friday mayhem, or the following year when the Nordiques were hungry for revenge. Decades later, though, I read a book that made it clear to me just how massive the Quebec-Montreal rivalry was.

The book was The Hockey News’: The Greatest Game I Ever Played. It’s a fun read that features 40 articles about some of the best or most significant games in which players, coaches, and even a referee have taken part.

The sixth article is about former referee Kerry Fraser, who officiated the 1985 series between the two teams. It was a year after the Good Friday massacre, and he was on duty for Game 7. In his third year in the league at the tender age of 32, this was going to be the most crucial game he had ever worked.

So important that when he woke up on game day, his body was entirely covered in red blotches, which were itchy and painful, sending him running to the nearest drugstore and the pharmacist. He told him that he was more than likely suffering from a bad case of the hives brought on by anxiety, and he sent him on his way with an antihistamine. That’s how big and meaningful this rivalry was.

Eight years later, the two teams faced one another again in the first round of the playoffs, and the teasing from my dad reached epic proportions by the time the Nordiques took a 2-0 lead. Like many Quebec fans, he thought Montreal was down and out, but it was far from being the case.

As the Canadiens started to claw their way back in the series, I was able to reciprocate and take things to a whole new level when Montreal won the sixth game, taking the series. My dad watched the rest of the playoffs with me, and you could see he was getting more annoyed with every Canadiens’ win, biding his time until my team would suffer the same fate as his, so he could rub it in. However, that moment never came.

We had no idea that less than two years later, he would lose his team forever as the Nordiques would be sold and moved to Colorado. That, I did not make fun of. Neither did he make fun of me on the December 1995 night when the Canadiens were obliterated by the Detroit Red Wings and my favourite player called time on his career with the Habs.

I was 15 back then, and I was so upset that the Canadiens chose Mario Tremblay over the face of the franchise; I couldn’t even comprehend how that was happening. Days later, when Roy was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, my dad looked at me and said, 'Well, guess we could root for the same team now.' Colorado has my team and your goaltender.

I couldn’t do it, I had been a Canadiens’ fan for nearly ten years by then, and it would have felt wrong. A few months later, though, when my geography teacher organised a field trip that included Roy’s return to Montreal in Colorado’s colours, I wore a Nordiques jersey for the first time in my life... and as much as I wanted to support Roy, it felt oh so wrong.

Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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One of the newest members of the Florida Panthers just had his day with the Stanley Cup.

Defenseman Seth Jones was acquired by Florida a few days ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, with goaltender Spencer Knight and a first-round pick heading back to the Chicago Blackhawks in the exchange.

Jones was not the typical deadline add, though.

He arrived with plenty of term on his contract, which doesn’t expire until the summer of 2030, but part of the trade was Chicago retaining 26% of Jones’ salary, so Jones’ annual cap hit for Florida is $7 million (his full AAV is $9.5 million).

Funnily enough, Jones has played more playoff games with the Panthers than regular season games.

He finished the regular season with two goals and nine points to go along with four penalty minutes and a minus-nine on-ice rating in 21 outings while working hard to acclimate himself to Florida’s systems.

When the playoffs rolled around, Jones scored four goals and added five helpers in 23 postseason contests, but his plus-minus shot up to a plus-11, a strong indicator of how much he was adjusting to Florida’s style of playing the game.

On Wednesday, the 30-year-old Texas native brought the Stanley Cup back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where Jones spent much of his upbringing.

“My family's here, this is where I call home in the summertime when I'm not in Florida,” Jones said. “I skate here; I do a lot of things around this area. This was definitely a place I wanted to come back to.”

On a day that included plans to take the Stanley Cup golfing and to host an intimate party with close friends and family, Jones’ first stop with the historic trophy was at the Children’s Health StarCenter, where he enjoyed playing youth hockey and being a part of the program during some very important years in his growth as a player.

“I played almost five years here, and it was in a really prime spot in my development, about 10 years old to 15 years old,” he said. “Those are some big years when you talk about youth hockey.”

Video of Jones' visit can be seen in the video below:

Dozens of young hockey players and their families packed the rink for a chance to see Jones and catch a glimpse of the Stanley Cup.

During Wednesday’s visit, Jones signed autographs and took photos with the youngsters who came out, hoping to inspire some of the next generation of hockey players to reach for the stars, just as he did.

“I wanted to come in and give back to the kids here at the youth hockey program,” Jones said. “I think growing up, when I moved here to Texas, I spent a lot of time here for a lot of different coaches, a lot of different teams, and without the development of Texas youth hockey and the growth that we've seen over the last 10-15, years, I know I wouldn't be where I'm standing today.”

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Photo caption: Seth Jones carries the Stanley Cup through the Children's Health Star Center while surrounded by youth hockey players. (Florida Panthers)

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The Kitchener Rangers might have discovered their new goaltender to step in for the reigning Goaltender of the Year, Jackson Parsons.

On Thursday, the Rangers organization announced that they have signed Swiss netminder Christian Kirsch to an OHL Standard Player Agreement. 

Press Release: Rangers Sign Goaltender Christian Kirsch To Standard Player Agreement

🗞️ https://t.co/Tqi78kdE8K#RTown | #BattleBuiltpic.twitter.com/9dRMB2HYko

— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) July 24, 2025

The 6-foot-4, 201-pound netminder was drafted in the fourth round (116th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are still in their rebuild and on the search for a goaltender they feel will be their starter for years to come. Is Kirsch the answer?

The Basel, Switzerland native was picked in the first round (44th overall) by Kitchener in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Ottawa 67’s forward Kimi Korbler was the only Swiss forward in the OHL last season, and he is expected to return home to play for the EHC Kloten organization. 

Kitchener Rangers Announce Roster Changes For The 2025-26 Season, Two NHL Prospects Set To ReturnThe Kitchener Rangers announced updates to their roster regarding five of their players for the upcoming 2025-26 season. 

Kirsch recorded an 8-15-0 record with a 3.16 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage for the Janesville Jets of the NAHL during the 2024-25 season. He also played three games in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers, but struggled in his appearances in the crease, posting a 5.09 goals-against-average and a .842 save percentage. 

The Gamblers traded Kirsch to the Chicago Steel in exchange for a Phase 2 seventh-round draft pick, and he was recently at their development camp. However, Rangers GM Mike McKenzie mentioned after drafting him earlier this month that Kirsch sounded very keen and excited to join Kitchener and play in the OHL next season. 

The Rangers roll into the 2025-26 season now with a one-two punch in the net with the Sharks prospect Kirsch and 2026 NHL draft-eligible Jason Schaubel. 

North Bay Battalion Sign Russian Import First-Round Pick The import signings in the OHL continue, with another first-round pick from the 2025 CHL Import Draft committing. After the Niagara IceDogs were able to sign all three of their draft picks, the North Bay Battalion have joined in on the action. 

Although the 2008-born Schaubel didn’t perform poorly as the backup to Parsons last season, asking the kid to take on the role of a starter would’ve been a task, potentially setting him up for failure in a pivotal season of his career. 

Kirsch represented his country at the 2025 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship, recording a 3.52 goals-against-average and a .878 save percentage. He stopped 11-of-12 against Kazakhstan in Switzerland’s only win of the tournament, a victory that saved them from the relegation game. 

Kirsch becomes the eighth NHL-affiliated prospect on the Rangers’ roster for the 2025-26 season. There will be many NHL scouts watching Kitchener this season, tracking their players' development. 

(Top photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Guelph Storm Add Size With New Imports; Both 2025 CHL Import Draft Selections SignedThe Guelph Storm are looking to bounce back after a challenging season, where they finished second-last in the league with a record of 21-38-9. They also allowed the second-most goals against, with a total of 301. The organization is hopeful that their young players are prepared to improve, and they have provided additional support through the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Niagara IceDogs ForwardPorter Martone is reportedly leaving the OHL to join Michigan State University in the NCAA, but the Niagara IceDogs won't be losing one of their top six forwards, after he signed his entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday morning.  The Misiak Family Continues On In Erie; Otters Sign Younger Brother Of Chicago Blackhawks Prospect As older brother Martin heads out the door, younger brother Alex steps in to keep the fun going. The Misiak family in Erie carries on.

At the NHL’s 2025 Club Business Meetings, the Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils were awarded the Stanley Award for Best Venue Business Initiative.

The Stanley Award recognizes the club and arena that have most significantly enhanced the fan experience through innovations in premium offerings, food and beverage, guest services, or mixed-use developments. This marks the third time the Devils and their home arena have earned this honor.

This year, the Devils were recognized for two standout initiatives: Eastback Kitchen and the Pier Club, both of which elevated the game-day experience in unique and meaningful ways.

Eastback Kitchen 

First, the Eastback Kitchen is a culinary and white label hospitality brand. It offers fans 20 signature offerings that range from a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich to Funnel Cake Fries. 

Not only does the Eastback Kitchen offer good food, they also strive to do good in the community. 

They partner with companies like Greens Do Good and Popcorn for the People. Greens Do Good works with the neurodivergent community while Popcorn for the People works with those on the autism spectrum. 

“Like me, so many chefs on our culinary team grew up cooking across Jersey, and we’re incredibly passionate about making sure the arena reflects the dishes fans know and love,” said Aron Zaks, Executive Chef of Eastback Kitchen, told the Prudential Center. “We spent the offseason out in the community, eating and taking notes to create our own recipes made fresh at the arena. From diner classics to favorite local restaurants and purveyors, we’re showcasing Jersey in every area fans experience hospitality at Prudential Center.”

The Pier Club

The second initiative that helped them win the honor was the Pier Club. The club is a space in the Prudential for fans to hang out. They have the option to watch whatever game is going on in the arena, a private bar, access to the Eastback Kitchen, and more. This initiative pushed the Prudential Center above others when the NHL met to determine who would be awarded this season. 

“As a Top 5 venue worldwide, Prudential Center prides itself on the continuous rollout of renovations to ensure that guests are offered the best experience possible,” said Stephen Rosebrook, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Prudential Center told the Prudential Center.

Other NHL Business Award Winners

While the Devils and the Prudential Center stood out for venue innovation, several other teams were honored across a range of categories during Tuesday night’s ceremony in Boston:

• Anaheim Ducks – Best Marketing Campaign
• Washington Capitals – Best Social Impact & Growth Initiatives
• Boston Bruins – Best Sponsorship Activation
• Philadelphia Flyers – Social Media Club of the Year
• Calgary Flames – Best Ticketing Initiative (First-time winner)
• Vegas Golden Knights – Game Presentation of the Year (Third win)
• New York Islanders – Venue Business Initiative for The Park at UBS Arena (First Stanley Award)
• Dallas Stars – Best in Strategy, Analytics & Innovation

The recognition for the Prudential Center highlights the Devils’ continued commitment to enhancing the fan experience both on and off the ice.

Photo Credit: © Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres happen to play in the NHL's most competitive division, the Atlantic Division, Every one of the Atlantic's eight teams have designs on being a playoff team next season -- and as part of this continuing THN.com series, we're analyzing each of the Sabres' seven divisional rivals to see what chance Buffalo has against each of them.

We've moved alphabetically through the first four teams in the Atlantic, including Boston, Detroit, Florida and Montreal. And in this file, we're turning to the Ottawa Senators, the team that ended a seven-season playoff drought last year, when they finished with the Atlantic's fourth-best record (45-30-7). How did the Sabres fare against the Senators last season -- and what chance does Buffalo have at getting the best of Ottawa this coming year? Those are the questions you'll find answers to below.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. OTTAWA SENATORS

NEW SENATORS PLAYERS: Lars Eller, C; Arthur Kaliyev, LW; Jordan Spence, D

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 4-0-0, Senators 0-4-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  October 15 at Buffalo; December 23 at Ottawa; April 2 at Ottawa

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres laid out the Senators last season, winning all four of their regular-season games. And with the Senators making few additions to their roster -- including greybeard Eller, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings castoff Kaliyev, and young defenseman Spence (a move we actually really like for Ottawa) -- the Sens could be prone to losing repeatedly to Buffalo again this season.

The teams only play on three occasions next year -- and two of them are essentially season-opening and season-closing bookmarks: the first game will be the Sabres' fourth game of the year, while the third game will be Buffalo's seventh-to-last game of the year. So it's rather likely the Sens team the Sabres see in October will be significantly different than the Sens team that greets them in April.

With that said, we like Buffalo's chances of being better than the Senators the way they were better than them last season. Ottawa was a mediocre defensive team last season, but their offense was worse, ranking 19th in the league at an average of 2.95 goals-for per game.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: Will The New-Look Montreal Canadiens Edge Out Buffalo For A Playoff Spot?The Buffalo Sabres are desperate to be a playoff team next season -- but they're in the NHL's toughest division -- the Atlantic Division. And their games against Atlantic teams will be crucial to help decided whether or not they'll be a playoff team next year. As such, we're analyzing Buffalo's chances against each Atlantic team in a THN.com series; We started alphabetically with the Boston Bruins, then turned our attention to the Detroit Red Wings, followed by the defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers.

Let's return, then, to see what Ottawa did this summer: they brought in Eller, who won't move the needle offensively; they brought in Kaliyev, who couldn't produce enough offense to justify the Kings or Rangers hanging onto him. And they brought in Spence, who can contribute some offense, but who also isn't regarded for his defensive play. 

So it seems, then, that the Sabres can indeed take advantage of their structural advantages over the Senators. Buffalo's offense, even without the departed J.J. Peterka, should be able to poke holes in Ottawa's defense, The Sabres' defense corps, meanwhile, is deeper and more talented than the Sens' group of blueliners. And while Ottawa's netminding is better than Buffalo's, the Sabres still managed to outscore the Senators 17-5 last year. 

Having one fewer game against one another might temporarily dampen the natural rivalry between Ottawa and Buffalo. But don't kid yourself -- if the Metropolitan Division improves next season and four Metro teams make it into the playoffs, only four teams will be getting a playoff berth in the Atlantic. And that almost certainly means one, if not both the Senators and Sabres will miss out on playoff action next year.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: Does Buffalo Have Any Hope Of Beating The Defending Stanley Cup-Champion Panthers?The Buffalo Sabres are under massive pressure to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 15 years. To do so, they're going to have to make the most of their games with their Atlantic Division rivals. And in this continuing THN.com series, we're analyzing Buffalo's chances against each of their seven Atlantic rivals.

You have to give the Sens their due -- they've got plenty to like, and reason for optimism next season and beyond. However, the sports world is littered with the husks of better-than-average teams that faltered under the weight of expectation.

We're not here to guarantee you that Ottawa is going to be one of those teams. However, if the Sabres are to end their 14-year playoff drought, they need to get a leg up on many, if not most Atlantic teams.

The Senators aren't yet regarded as a top-two-or-better team, and that may change soon enough. But Buffalo needs to do whatever it can to replicate the success they had against Ottawa last season. Because if they don't, and the Sabres miss out on the playoffs yet again, their losses at the hands of the Sens may be the reason why.