A former St. Louis Blues prospect is taking his talents overseas.

HC Presov in Slovakia has announced that they have signed former Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson.

Dickinson, 23, was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Blues earlier this off-season. As a result, he hit the market as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 and has now found his new home with HC Presov as a result. 

Dickinson was selected by the Blues with the 119th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He never appeared in an NHL regular-season game while with the Blues organization but spent time with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

During this past season with the Thunderbirds, Dickinson recorded seven goals, eight assists, 15 points, and a minus-2 rating in 57 games. This was after he had three goals and an assist in 17 games with the Thunderbirds during the 2023-24 season. 

Blues Made Great Decision With Promising GoalieThe St. Louis Blues have made multiple notable moves this off-season after their strong 2024-25 season. One of them was re-signing goaltender Joel Hofer to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.4 million back in late June.

Photo Credit: © Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

It’s been a busy Summer for Montreal Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov. The youngster elected to stay in Montreal to work on his game and his language skills. He’s been spotted training on ice in Brossard twice a day, but last weekend, he went to New York with his significant other.

While his dedication is admirable, it’s good to see that he’s taking some time off and enjoying what North America has to offer. New York is a beautiful city to visit, boasting a rich history as a bonus. Judging by the pictures, he hit all the traditional tourist spots: Grand Central Station, Times Square, and, of course, the Statue of Liberty.

Meanwhile, Alex Newhook was attending J.T. Compher’s wedding. A Buffalo Sabres draft pick in 2013, Compher was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in the blockbuster that sent Ryan O’Reilly to the Sabres in 2015, and had a few seasons under his belt when the Canadiens’ winger joined the Avalanche.

The two players remained friends after Newhook was sent to the Canadiens in exchange for two draft picks and Gianni Fairbrother on the eve of the 2023 draft. Compher left the Avalanche days later when he signed a free-agent contract with the Detroit Red Wings worth $25.5 million for five years.

It was a busy weekend for two Habs players, Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook #GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/pYF1EAmiO6

— Karine Hains (@KarineHains) July 22, 2025

Another former Canadiens was also present at Compher’s wedding; Jeff Petry and his wife, Julie. Petry played with the groom in Detroit, where he spent the last two seasons after an underwhelming season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unlike Compher, however, the blueliner’s association with the Wings is over since he signed with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, on July 1st.

The NHL is a small world after all, and there will be plenty more wedding pictures on social media before training camps open in September, starting with captain Nick Suzuki’s.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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The Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams that have been connected to Calgary Flames star forward Nazem Kadri. It is easy to understand, as the Canadiens are in need of a second-line center, and acquiring Kadri would provide them with just that.

However, based on a new report, the likelihood of the Canadiens acquiring Kadri appears to be low. 

During a recent appearance on Bleacher Report, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Flames are not interested in trading Kadri this off-season.

"You've heard Nazem Kadri linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs. You've heard him linked to the Montreal Canadiens," Seravalli said. "You've heard him linked to a lot of different places. How about we just keep the link with the Calgary Flames? Because he's done just about everything they could ask, and they're not interested in moving him. Sources indicate the Calgary Flames really haven't engaged in any of those conversations."

There have been rumors about the Flames trading Nazem Kadri, but @frank_seravalli is here to pour some cold water on them 👀 pic.twitter.com/L0rjuOUE00

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 22, 2025

Hearing that the Flames are not looking to trade Kadri is certainly tough news for the Canadiens, as he would have been a massive addition to their roster. However, it is also understandable that Calgary's preference is to keep Kadri around, as he is an important forward on their roster, and they are a team on the rise. 

Nevertheless, with this update, it appears that the Canadiens will need to explore other potential center targets than Kadri. 

Canadiens Intriguing Prospect Can't Be Slept OnIt is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens have one of the strongest prospect pools in the NHL right now. They have plenty of exciting prospects in their system, like Ivan Demidov, Jacob Fowler, David Reinbacher, and Michael Hage.

Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The 2025 NHL free agency period officially began three weeks ago, and while many teams have made big splashes with big moves, it’s been a fairly chill summer for the Ottawa Senators.

But that doesn’t mean there weren’t significant player exits from the team. So, here's a fulsome review of the departures, some of which may have slipped under your radar, and how the Senators have backfilled each hole.

The Big Departures

Perhaps the most notable departure this summer was goaltender Anton Forsberg, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings. Forsberg had been a mainstay in Ottawa’s crease since being claimed off waivers in 2021.

His backup role is now expected to be filled by Leevi Meriläinen, who played 12 games in Ottawa last season and was outstanding. Meriläinen turns 23 next month, so he’ll be one of the youngest goalies in the NHL this season.

Ottawa Senators Sign Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen To New One-Way ContractThe Ottawa Senators have signed goaltender Leevi Meriläinen to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.05 million.

With Forsberg leaving, combined with worries from last year's rash of injuries, the Sens signed two new goalies. Hunter Shepard was pulled away from the Washington Capitals organization. The team also signed Embrun’s Jackson Parsons, an undrafted free agent, who hopes to push Shepard and Mads Søgaard for minutes in Belleville.

Adam Gaudette was a neat story this year, grabbing the final spot on the roster in training camp, then being placed on waivers. After clearing, he scored a career-high 19 goals and parlayed that into a two-year deal worth $2 million a season with the San Jose Sharks. Most Sens fans were happy for him, but were also happy the Sens didn't overspend to keep him.

Gaudette’s role in Ottawa will probably be directly claimed by NHL veteran Lars Eller, who signed a one-year deal with the Senators.

Travis Hamonic, who manned Ottawa's blue line for the past three and a half years, was not re-signed and remains an unrestricted free agent. His spot on the NHL organizational roster was filled when the Sens traded for LA Kings defenseman Jordan Spence.

Spence and Nik Matinpalo will probably jostle for the 6-7 role this season, or maybe more than that if Nick Jensen is out. Carter Yakemchuk, the Sens’ best prospect, will turn pro this fall and might also force his way into this conversation.

The Moves You May Have Missed

A handful of other players who spent meaningful time with the Senators also found new homes in the past three weeks.

After 41 games in Ottawa, Matthew Highmore signed with the New York Islanders, while Cole Reinhardt (17 games) made his way to the Vegas Golden Knights. Both players provided depth in Ottawa’s lineup last season.

While they’re not the same kinds of forwards, their roles on the organizational depth chart were filled by the Sens’ free-agent signings of Arthur Kaliyev (NYR) and Olle Lycksell (PHI). Both players saw meaningful NHL time last season. In fact, Kaliyev had been a regular for the LA Kings for three years until his trade to New York last season. 

Ottawa Senators Sign Five Players, Including Former OHL Sniper Arthur KaliyevWhen the Ottawa Senators selected Shane Pinto 32nd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, some Sens fans raised an eyebrow or two, wondering if Hamilton Bulldogs winger Arthur Kaliyev might have been the better choice. Kaliyev had just put up a 51-goal OHL season, and ended up being chosen by the LA Kings with the very next pick after Pinto.

Several other Sens players were allowed to walk after their contracts expired. These include Angus Crookshank, whose work ethic made him a fan favorite. He finds himself now with the New Jersey Devils.

Defenseman Dennis Gilbert, who came over at the deadline from the Buffalo Sabres, has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sens’ re-signing of former first-rounder Lassi Thomson helped to fill that organizational gap. Thomson played in Sweden last season, but his playing rights still belonged to the Sens.

Restricted Free Agents

The Senators still have some restricted free agents (RFAs) left to deal with this summer. Forward Jan Jeník, along with defensemen Max Guénette and Donovan Sebrango, all received qualifying offers but have not yet been officially signed.

Right now, with Belleville’s veteran 28-year-old all-star Jeremy Davies signing with Vegas, the B-Sens’ blue line is tracking to be very young this season. The other notable factor is that Belleville currently has only three forwards signed beyond this season.

Big Picture

Collectively, the summer signings haven't been what you’d call game-changing, the team’s deadline day acquisitions – Fabian Zetterlund and Dylan Cozens – can’t be ignored when measuring the complete picture and improvements the club has made for this fall. Hanging on to Zetterlund, Claude Giroux, and Nick Cousins, who all needed new deals, was also meaningful.

But now that all the smoke has cleared, all Sens fans can do now over the next couple of months is hope that the summer comings and goings are enough to help a maturing core take the next step.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

More Sens Headlines:
Sens Captain Brady Tkachuk Celebrates Hard at Brother Matthew's Wedding
Can The Senators Count On Dylan Cozens To Consistently Produce?
Senators Re-Sign 2021 First-Round Pick To One-Year Deal
An Early Glance At The Senators’ 2026 Free Agent Class
Why Mason McTavish Isn’t Coming Home To The Senators

Ottawa Senators Captain Brady Tkachuk Celebrates Hard At Matthew's WeddingBrady Tkachuk and his family don't do anything halfway, and that includes weddings.

The Philadelphia Flyers are the land of opportunity in 2025-26.

The Flyers’ off-season moves make it clear that the theme this upcoming season is “a fresh start.” Some additions either didn’t live up to their last contract, have struggled with injuries and poor play, just had an off-year or were simply looking to head elsewhere.

Up front, the Flyers offered a fresh start to young center Trevor Zegras by trading a second-round pick, a fourth-rounder and Ryan Poehling to the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old’s reputation has taken some bumps as he struggled on the ice. After recording 61 and 65 points in his first full NHL seasons, he’s played a combined 88 games in the last two years, mustering up only 47 points.

With the Flyers, Zegras should have every chance to thrive down the middle on Philly’s first or second line. He is also entering the final campaign of his three-year deal worth $5.75 million annually, so making the most of his new opportunity will secure a fresh and bountiful harvest in his next contract negotiations.

Similarly, the Flyers signed veteran Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4-million contract. The 29-year-old finished a six-year contract with a $4.45-million cap hit, but in the last four years with the Montreal Canadiens, he saw his average ice time decrease while not scoring more than 33 points in a season. He still managed to get a raise by signing in Philly.

While no one is expecting Dvorak to post 20 goals and 50 points, he’ll have a new beginning one way or another this coming year. At best, he can play at center and improve the team’s depth down the middle, or he shifts back to the wing to play higher up the lineup. The way he responds to this opportunity will largely dictate the contract he lands next summer.

In goal, the Flyers’ 3.45 goals-against average was fifth-worst in the NHL this past season, and their .872 save percentage was the lowest. Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere looks to turn the page by signing veteran netminder Dan Vladar. For the cost of a two-year contract paying him $3.35 million per season, the Flyers expect Vladar to at the very least compete for the starter’s job, which he lost out on this past season with the Calgary Flames. 

In the last three seasons, Vladar’s .898 save percentage in 2024-25 was the best. After putting up a 3.62 goals-against average and .882 save percentage in 2023-24, he didn’t really bounce back enough this past season as Dustin Wolf got more of the stars. But if Philly can tighten up its defense, Vladar can be part of the short-term solution between the pipes.

Finally, there’s a fresh start happening off the ice in Philadelphia, as former Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet returned to the Flyers to be closer to his family. After starring as a player in Philly, Tocchet is now running the show behind the bench. The stellar reputation he’s built for himself as an NHL coach, having won the Jack Adams Award in 2023-24 and winning two Stanley Cup championships as an assistant in Pittsburgh, brings a lot of hope that he can not only elevate the team but maintain it over the next five years. Tocchet even said he just felt it was a fresh start for him, given that his previous contract in Vancouver had expired.

There’s no assurance any of them will work out as hoped. That said, Briere has made tactical choices and calculated gambles on the new people he’s brought in, some safer bets than others. While it’s still going to be an uphill battle for Philadelphia to leapfrog up the Metropolitan Division standings and secure a playoff berth this upcoming season, the Flyers might just find a way to beat the odds and reward their fans with their first playoff action in six years. At the very least, a core will emerge to power this group forward so that once it does make the playoffs down the line, it will stay there for a long time.

Fresh starts can be just what the doctor ordered, and that’s what Briere & Co. have put in place for Philadelphia. Whether they work is yet to be seen, but regardless, the Flyers will be a team worth watching.

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

Canadian defenseman Maxime Lajoie, 27, has signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk, the KHL club announced on Tuesday.

This is Lajoie’s first contract to play overseas.

“Many teams have wanted to sign Maxim for several seasons, and we’re glad that he’s chosen Avangard,” said Omsk GM Alexei Sopin. “He is a versatile defenseman with excellent skating and a great shot, he’s mobile, and works equally well defensively and offensively. He also successfully connects partners and makes reliable decisions. We believe that Maxim will help achieve the serious goals set for Avangard.”

Lajoie was born in Quebec City but grew up in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary, and then junior hockey for the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. He was selected in the fifth round, 133rd overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Between 2018 and 2024, Lajoie played 77 NHL regular-season games for the Senators, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, recording 16 points and 20 penalty minutes. He also played two playoff games for Carolina in 2021, incurring one minor penalty.

KHL Club Avangard Omsk Extends A Pair Of Ex-NHLers & Olympians Two players who have both played in the NHL and represented their countries at the Winter Olympics have signed contract extensions with Avangard Omsk, the KHL club recently announced.

Lajoie spent the 2024-25 season in the Seattle Kraken organization but spent the entire season in the AHL, recording 39 points and 32 penalty minutes in 76 regular-season and playoff games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

In Omsk, Lajoie will play for coach Guy Boucher, whom he previously played for in Ottawa and Toronto. Last season, Omsk finished sixth in the KHL’s Eastern Conference and was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.

The Avangard lineup features ex-NHLers Nail Yakupov, Vyacheslav Voynov, Alexander Volkov, Nikolai Prokhorin and Vasili Ponomaryov.

© Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images.

Former Sabres, Panthers, Leafs Defenseman Signs In SloveniaAmerican defenseman T.J. Brennan, 36, has signed a contract to play for HK Olimpija Ljubljana, the Slovenia-based ICEHL club announced on Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

There's an argument going on – call it a fuss, if you will – about K'Andre Miller. (Remember him, Mister Turnover?)

Give K the puck and the opposition says, "Thank you very much!"

Funny thing is that now that K is a Cane he's become the subject of a debate. It all started when professional Rangers gadfly Sean McCaffrey told The Maven that Miller will be better in Carolina than Slava (The Hulk's Hulk) Gavrikov will be for the Blueshirts. 

What do you think?

The Honorable Jess Rubenstein, a royal member of The Maven's Roundtable – egad! What A Cad! – agrees with Sean and backs it up with a good point.

The Night Blueshirt Defenseman Lou Fontinato Got Himself A Red Smith ColumnDuring the late 1950's – with Phiery Phil Watson coaching the Rangers – games against the Canadiens at the Old Garden were epic; without fail.

"Miller will do better because the Canes will allow K to do what Rangers' coaches never did –  and don't allow Adam Fox to do either – and that is, go on the attack. Miller's game is built on skating skills but the Rangers have refused to allow their D to play an attacking style."

Vic Morren, co-starring on the NHL Roundup podcast with Neil Smith, is not too crazy about K. "Has anyone watched Miller's decision-making." asks Vic, with and without the puck in all zones? He's a great talent – but it's hard to teach instinct and acumen."

We've seen enough of Miller to continue with the discussion. The trouble, for the moment, at least, is that we haven't viewed enough of Gavrikov to make an intelligent judgment.

Right now there's talk that – jeepers creepers – Chris Drury got himself a fortress on skates –  anyone remember Jacob Trouba? 

It's quite possible that Miller will thrive under coach Rod Brind'Amour's firewagon hockey in Raleigh. (Hey, they might turn him into what K wanted to be in the first place, a forward.)

 But until Gavrikov struts his stuff, The Maven will stick with his original thought about Miller's "Bon Voyage," and that – for the Rangers – is addition by subtraction!

Pickings have been slim thus far for quality NHL goaltenders in this summer's free-agent market.

It's so bad that player agent Allan Walsh said recently that five teams called him on July 1 to ask if his client, Marc-Andre Fleury, might reconsider retirement.

According to Walsh, Fleury isn't returning, which means those teams must find other options to address their goaltending.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic isn't convinced, suggesting the Edmonton Oilers should still try to bring in Fleury to back up inconsistent starter Stuart Skinner. Given the limited options elsewhere, Mitchell thinks he's worth pursuing even if he keeps rejecting their requests.

Meanwhile, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journalreported the Oilers had an “active interest” in Arturs Silovs before the Vancouver Canuckstraded him last week to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He indicated that they've also been linked to Boston Bruins third-stringer Michael DiPietro.

Meanwhile, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now wondered what the future holds for netminder Nico Daws after the Devils brought back Jake Allen as starter Jacob Markstrom's understudy.

Daws, 24, appeared in 52 games for the Devils since 2021-22. He's in the final season of his two-year contract with a cap hit of $812,500 and must now pass through waivers to be sent to their AHL affiliate in Utica.

Nichols believes the Devils can't risk losing Daws on the waiver wire this fall. He felt they must trade him, either on his own or perhaps packaged with defenseman Dougie Hamilton or center Dawson Mercer in a larger deal. 

Unsurprisingly, Nichols suggested Edmonton as a trade destination for Daws, proposing he'd be a better long-term option for the Oilers than current backup Calvin Pickard.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames were also on Nichols' list. Both clubs require reliable backups, although Calgary may look to free-agent signing Ivan Prosvetov and Devin Cooley to compete for the No. 2 spot. Hannah Kirkell of Vegas Hockey Now thinks Daws could provide some much-needed competition for Akira Schmid for the Golden Knights' backup job.

The Hockey News’ Vani Hanamirian said it would be wise for the Devils to try to keep Daws, since they could use a steady third-string goalie to play if Allen or Markstrom get injured.

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

When the New York Islanders sent defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens, the two picks coming back the other way, No. 16 and No. 17, were the standouts.

However, a 23-year-old forward named Emil Heineman was included in the deal.

Heineman has played in 68 NHL games, all with Montreal, recording 10 goals and eight assists, which all came last season in 62 games, his rookie campaign. 

The second round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2020 and his rights were sent to the Calgary Flames in the Sam Bennett trade back in April of 2021, before Calgary sent his rights and Tyler Pitlick to Montreal for Tyler Tofolli in February of 2022. 

Following the Islanders' trade with Montreal, general manager Mathieu Darche shared that he made it a necessity for Heineman to be included in the Dobson trade. 

"Emil, we really wanted him to be in the trade. So we push till the end for him to be in the trade, because he's a player the league kind of discovered this year," Darche said during his post-first-round draft press conference. "He had a great start to the year, and people might not remember, but around Christmas, it was going great. Then he got, unfortunately, hit by a car in Utah, and missed two months, which stole his year.'

"But you see, his first year in the NHL, he scored 10 goals playing mostly on the fourth line. So we see potential. He's a strong kid who skates great. He's got a rocket of a shot, like, if you look at his goals, it's a high velocity shot that can score. So we still have potential in this player. The cap, you right now works. It helps us maybe create other opportunities somewhere else, because he's an established NHL player now, and we feel he can only improve in the coming years."

The Islanders signed Heineman, a restricted free agent, to a two-year deal worth $2.2 million annually. 

On Sunday, former Islanders defenseman turned MSG analyst Thomas Hickey joined Hockey Night in New York, discussed his excitement for Heineman. 

"I saw him, I think, five times last season," Hickey, who works on the Prime Monday Night Hockey broadcast, said. "I was doing Habs games at ice level and for the first four games I saw him, his line was the best line on the ice [...] each game I kept coming away, saying, Heineman, he's one of their best players tonight."

On Sunday during “On the Line” brought to you by @TOVIHockeyy, @Thomas_Hickey14 brought up new #Isles addition Emil Heineman’s game! Catch the full interview and show at https://t.co/EgKW82XTNh#NHLpic.twitter.com/APX2dk4PyV

— Hockey Night NY (@hockeynightny) July 22, 2025

The expectation is that Heineman is going to slot in on the Islanders' fourth line, alongside Casey Cizikas and then, maybe, Maxim Tsyplakov, depending on how the depth chart shakes out.

Here's a Heineman highlight reel:

Heineman fits the Darche and Roy mold. While he may not be Cal Clutterbuck, he will be tasked with providing a spark with his physicality and shot. 

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: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

During the 2022 NHL off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks elected not to send forward Dylan Strome a qualifying offer. As a result, he became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals in July of that year. This was after Strome posted 22 goals and 48 points with the Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season. 

The move to Washington immediately benefited Strome, as he posted 23 goals and 65 points in 81 games during the 2022-23 season. This led to him to landing a five-year, $25 million contract extension with the Capitals in February of 2023. He then followed this campaign up by recording then-career highs with 27 goals, 40 assists, and 67 points in 82 contests during the 2023-24 season.

Yet, as well as Strome played in each of his first two seasons with the Capitals, he hit a new level with the Metropolitan Division club during this past season. In 82 games during 2024-25 campaign, the former Blackhawks forward recorded new career highs with 29 goals, 53 assists, and 82 points in 82 regular-season games. He was also a bright spot during the playoffs for the Capitals, posting two goals and 11 points in 10 games. 

Strome only seems to be getting better with each season that passes and produced like a true star in 2024-25. The Blackhawks' decision to let Strome walk for nothing certainly looks more questionable after the campaign he just had, but it is clear that the 2015 third-overall pick has thrived since leaving Chicago. 

It will now be interesting to see what kind of season Strome puts together in 2025-26 after his career year. 

Blackhawks Exciting Forward Is Big Breakout CandidateThe Chicago Blackhawks have one of the strongest prospect pools in the NHL. It is not difficult to understand why, as they have been rebuilding for multiple years now. As a result, they have brought in several exciting youngsters who have the potential to become long-term parts of their future. 

Photo Credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

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

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

Lukas Dostal: Increased Pressure, Journey from 'No-Name Goalie' to Paid Among NHL Elite

Ducks Sign Drew Helleson to Two-Year Extension

Ducks Sign Lukas Dostal to Five-Year Extension

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

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

Top Ten:

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

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

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

If one were to look at this list in early November 2024, it would be understandable to feel genuinely surprised to see Pastujov’s name this high in a ranking of Ducks prospects.

Pastujov had a poor camp heading into the 2024-25 season. To the extent that the organization deemed it best for him to begin the year in the ECHL with the Tulsa Oilers. A trip to the ECHL is one few prospects recover from, but Pastujov’s mental fortitude during that time is a significant contributing factor to his ranking on this list.

“Sasha showed lots of character by going to the E,” Ducks assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting Martin Madden told The Hockey News: Anaheim Ducks. “I think he would be the first to say he didn't have a good camp and probably deserved to be in the ECHL to start the year, but he didn't hang his head, and he had put in lots of work in the summer.

“He's a great kid, but he's got character. He worked his butt off all summer to get stronger and to get a little faster because that's what he needs to improve. His speed and skating overall, but his speed in particular, and he put in the work, and for some reason, it didn't come through during training camp. He went back there, got his confidence back, got his legs back going, and didn’t miss a beat by the time he got back to San Diego.”

After a successful career at the junior level, both with the USNTDP leading up to his draft year (66th overall in 2021) and in the OHL in the two years that followed. He averaged well over a point-per-game at both levels, but struggled to find that same production at the AHL level in his rookie 2023-24 campaign, which saw him tally 23 points (10-13=23) in 46 games.

“His capacity to adapt to read the play, to handle the puck, is natural,” Madden continued. “When he was able to come back and play at pace, production followed. I don't think producing is ever going to be a big, difficult thing for Sasha. I think he's got that naturally. His awareness is great, his touch is very good.”

Pastujov’s skating will always be his most substantial drawback. His stride is somewhat clunky and lacks explosion while his edges and four-way mobility are average at best. However, while these aspects aren’t ideal and a difficult hill to climb if one is to build an NHL career, they can be overcome with high levels of skill, IQ, and competitiveness, areas where Pastujov has now proven proficient.

His puck skills and release are above NHL-average, but his separating factor is his vision and hockey sense. He excels at recognizing lanes and involving himself in the building of every offensive play. While his 6-foot, 187-pound frame isn’t an advantage, he manipulates defenders when in possession by inviting pressure and connecting with linemates from small areas of the ice.

After posting 16 points (9-7=16) in 12 ECHL games to start his 2024-25, Pastujov finished the season with 45 points (17-28=45) in 43 games in the AHL with the Gulls. He unfortunately missed six weeks in the latter half of the season due to injury, but picked up where he left off upon return to the lineup.

Among AHL players who played a minimum of 25 games last season, Pastujov ranked eighth in scoring on a per-game basis (1.05 points per game).

His road to the NHL is still a murky one, especially when considering the Ducks, their general manager’s player archetype preferences, their loaded pipeline, and Pastujov’s requirement to assume a scoring role on a depth chart, as he lacks exceptional forechecking or defensive prowess.

Despite the notable work done to improve his 200-foot game and details, nothing about Pastujov or his game screams “Pat Verbeek player.” However, if he can hit the ground running in 2025-26, continue to improve, and produce, he’s not one to bet against carving out an NHL career for himself.

Projecting Future Extensions for Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier

Ducks Sign Clang, Myšák to One-Year Deals

Ducks Prospect Uljanskis Chooses CHL for 2025-26 Season

Photo Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey News

The Buffalo Sabres seemed quite enthused with the acquisition of Conor Timmins from the Pittsburgh Penguins on NHL Draft weekend, as the 26-year-old appears to be a better fit from a size and salary perspective than Connor Clifton. GM Kevyn Adams indicated after the trade that the 30-year-old former Bruin would have likely not returned to the Sabres after next season, while Timmins has a year to decide on his future.  

The St. Catharines, ON native is an arbitration-eligible RFA and one year away from unrestricted free agency. He will have a hearing at some point over the next two weeks, unless the Sabres and agent Paul Capizzano agree on a deal beforehand. Timmins is coming off a 15-point season with Toronto and the Penguins, and it is expected that he will earn a slight raise from his $1.1 million salary with the cap going up.

That price point fits better with Timmins expected role as a bottom-pairing defender over Clifton, who was slated to earn $3.33 million next season.

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Free agent signings have ground to a halt as the NHL has reached their summer vacation phase. Former Sabre Jeff Skinner found a home, signing a one-year, $3 million contract with the San Jose Sharks, but at this point the two most attractive scoring forwards left unsigned are former Carolina Hurricane Jack Roslovic and former Sabre Victor Oloffson.  

Olofsson scored 20 or more goals three times with the Sabres and had a solid injury-shortened season with the Vegas Golden Knights last season, but will not be brought back by the Golden Knights, who added winger Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with Toronto. The 29-year-old is likely to still be in the mix for a guaranteed one-year contract with some NHL club, but if he goes unsigned through August, he may get a look on a professional tryout contract. 

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The Chicago Blackhawks have one of the strongest prospect pools in the NHL. It is not difficult to understand why, as they have been rebuilding for multiple years now. As a result, they have brought in several exciting youngsters who have the potential to become long-term parts of their future. 

One specific Blackhawks prospect who fans should be excited about is forward Oliver Moore. The 2023 first-round pick has the potential to become a good NHL player, and the prospect of him having a breakout season for the Blackhawks in 2025-26 is certainly there.

After signing his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in late March, Moore left a solid first impression with the Original Six club. In nine games with the Blackhawks in 2024-25, the Minnesota native recorded four assists. Overall, the young forward had a nice start to his NHL career and did not look out of place in the slightest. 

Moore's play at the collegiate level also shows that he possesses good upside. In 38 games during the 2024-25 season with the University of Minnesota, he posted 12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points, and a plus-13 rating. This was after he had nine goals and 24 assists in 39 games with the school during his freshman year. 

With the Blackhawks not making too many additions to their forward group this off-season, Moore should have a real shot at making their NHL roster out of training camp. If he does, it would not be surprising if we see him take a nice step forward in his development in 2025-26. When looking at Chicago's roster, he could become a real answer for their top nine in the near future, and it will be fascinating to see if he breaks out next season because of it. 

Ex-Blackhawks Defender Still Looking For New HomeDuring this past off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman TJ Brodie to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.75 million. The hope was that the veteran blueliner would provide their top four with a nice boost. 

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Dallas Stars traded defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok. 

Dumba, 30, recorded 79 goals, 157 assists, 236 points, and 816 hits in 598 games across ten seasons in his Wild career after he was the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Last season with the Stars, Dumba recorded one goal and ten points in 63 games. He will now be on his fourth team in the last two seasons since playing his first ten seasons with the Wild. 

Other Wild News

Wild's Matt Boldy Joins Some Elite Company In NHLThe NHL put together a list of the top ten forwards in the league who are under the age of 25. One Minnesota Wild player made the list at No. 3.  Wild Forward Signs One-Year Contract With Division RivalFormer Minnesota Wild forward Gustav Nyquist signed a contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 2nd. It was a one-year deal worth $3.25 million. 

The Colorado Avalanche's 2025 free agency has been relatively quiet. Outside of re-signing some pending unrestricted and restricted free agents, the only actual free agent signing was Brent Burns. The Avalanche still has over $4 million in cap space to use. If the Avalanche want to make a  big splash this summer, then look no further than Columbus Blue Jackets Yegor Chinakhov.

Last week, his agent tweeted that his client would like a fresh start somewhere else. Stating that the 21st pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has had some misunderstandings with the coach and staff. Even doubling down in an interview, stating how his clients' best intentions are to be moved.

Columbus’ GM, Don Waddell, told Portzline that he wasn’t surprised by the request, and that Chinakhov didn’t take well to being healthy scratched after not playing well following a back injury. Chinakhov has dealt with injuries throughout his short NHL career; however, he exhibits many qualities that could help the Avalanche as an “overager” prospect who has yet to truly break out.

Chinakhov is listed at 6-foot-1, 201 lbs. He had seven goals and 15 points in 30 games this past season, but that came after a 16-goal, 29-point 2023-24 season in just 53 games. At 24 years old, this can help the Avalanche as a player who can contribute now, rather than trading for a 20-year-old prospect who is unhappy with his playing time and needs more time to develop. If there was a team that the Columbus Blue Jackets could feel “comfy” enough to deal with, look no further than the Avalanche and their recent trade that saw Miles Wood and Charlie Coyle be moved.

What Chinakhov Can Bring To The Lineup

Using the 2023-24 season as a baseline dataset, since it provided a larger sample than the previous season, let's examine Chinakhov's strengths he brings to a team. The biggest highlight is Chinakhov is a high-end skater, as his top skating speed ranked in the 94th percentile. This is an already fast team up and down the lineup, and it showed this past season, especially with the addition of Martin Necas.

Last season the Avalanche were in the 99th percentile of 18-20, 20-22, 22+ bursts and Top Speed (Mph).

Per NHL Edge:  Nathan MacKinnon led all forwards with the most 20 mph+ bursts (547) and 22 mph+ bursts (83). Necas finished second in 22 mph+ bursts (47) and fifth in 20 mph+ bursts (370). Cale Makar led all defenseman in 20 mph+ bursts (206) and 22 mph+ bursts (27).

Chinakhov possesses underrated shot , as his top shot speed ranked in the 97th percentile during the 2023-24 season (per NHL Edge). His goal-scoring rates over the past two seasons indicate significant breakout potential. If he can maintain his health, and if paired with the proper playmaker, it could set him up for the best position in his career so far.

Where Would Chinakhov Fit In The Lineup?

This is the biggest question if the Avalanche were to acquire him, and a significant one to say the least if they are considering doing so. The top six is currently the best it has been since the 2021-22 season, so moving someone out of that lineup would be a significant move.

In the event of an injury, he could take on the position for the time being, and, unfortunately, injuries can happen, allowing him to make the most of an unfortunate situation. However, this team currently faces some significant questions that must be addressed soon, especially for the upcoming seasons. Though they could be addressed by considering Chinakhov’s play if they do acquire him.

Martin Necas remains unsigned, a situation that has been a significant talking point throughout the summer. Artturi Lehkonen has two years remaining on his contract and will be 32 years old when it expires. Gabriel Landeskog, despite appearing strong in last season's playoffs, will be returning for his first full season after injury. It's uncertain how this will impact his physical condition, given his age of 32 and the three more seasons remaining on his contract after this upcoming season. Valeri Nichushkin is 30 and has four more years remaining on his contract as well.

If the Avalanche did acquire him, he could be that next key piece in the coming seasons, being the next man up in the top-six as current players slowly fill out a middle/bottom-six role. Getting young, fresh legs up in the top-six to lead the offense while taking pressure off the aging veterans.

What Could The Price Be To Get Chinakhov?

With a cap hit of $2.1 million and being an arbitration-eligible RFA next summer, what might the Blue Jackets ask for Chinakhov? More prospects? Picks? Depth NHLers? Depending on what it is, the Avalanche could penny up the asking price.

The Avalanche don’t have a first, second, or third-round pick this upcoming season, but they do have an extra fourth-round pick, two extra fifth-round picks, and two extra seventh-round picks. They don’t have a 2026 third-round pick, but they do have all of their original picks, plus an additional second-round pick from the Charlie Coyle trade and an extra fifth-round pick from the Mackenzie Blackwood trade.

At the end of the day, if the Avalanche do end up making a deal, it all comes down to what the cost looks like. He might or might not be a success story at the end of the day, just another trade that just didn’t pan out well for the team. Although he could also be a key piece that helps push the team into a better position, maybe not now, but down the road. A key young player who helps take a larger step each season to pivot the team's path as this team's core begins to age and take a step back.

Insider Lists Three Avalanche Players as Top Trade TargetsWith the Colorado Avalanche only having $1.2 million in cap space left after re-signing Brock Nelson, they will need to make some moves to free up cap space if they want to re-sign their pending unrestricted free agents or sign other players heading into free agency. Is It Farewell for Jonathan Drouin and the Colorado Avalanche?With  Brock Nelson re-signing and numerous unrestricted free agents the Colorado Avalanche can re-sign, how high does Jonathan Drouin rank in terms of importance to the Avalanche?