Believe it or not, NHL training camps start up this week, and regular season hockey is just two short weeks away from kicking off. 

And the Pittsburgh Penguins will be one of the more interesting teams to keep an eye on as far as roster battles and young talent. 

We already discussed some positional battle tiers for training camp, highlighting who the guarantees, the maybes, and the longshots were for each position. But what about the roster as a whole? 

With so much youth on the cusp of full-time NHL minutes - and a ton of competition for roster spots against more seasoned NHL players - it's going to be a difficult road for many of the Penguins' most promising young players to break camp. That said, there are some who are better-positioned than others.

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Best chance: Sergei Murashov

Of all the prospects in camp, Murashov is the most sure bet to make the roster, even if that possibility isn't 100 percent. There is always a good chance that Joel Blomqvist will outplay Murashov in camp and earn the spot. 

However, with one goaltending spot absolutely open for the taking regardless - which is not the same case with the other positions - he is, naturally, the most safe bet to be on the NHL roster come Sept. 30. 

Penguins' Positional Battle Tiers: GoaltendersOne of the biggest positions of interest for the Penguins this season will be goaltending, and a few prospects will jockey for positioning as the other half of the NHL tandem.

Decent chance: Ville Koivunen, Avery Hayes, Harrison Brunicke, Tomas Galvas

Just behind Murashov is a small crop of players who should have a pretty decent shot at making the roster with a good camp.

Koivunen was just inked to an eight-year extension this summer, and although the contract makes him waivers-proof, the organization clearly chose to bet on him. He had a great summer in terms of training, his camp last year was excellent, and the top-six scoring potential is not lost on the organization. Even in a crowded pool of forwards, he's probably the young forward (not named Ben Kindel) with the best shot at breaking camp.

Hayes had a respectable NHL run last season, as he was called upon in the most crucial stretch of the season during the month of March. He registered five goals in 16 games at the highest level, two of which came during his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 5. The fact that he is someone who can thrive in a bottom-six role and work his way up the lineup might give him a leg up on some of his peers. 

Brunicke's road may be a bit more murky, as the high-upside right defenseman has Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Kaedan Korczak ahead of him on the depth chart. But Brunicke has put together two standout camps in a row, he's put on a lot of size, and he is capable of playing the off-side if need be. If he has a repeat camp of the last several years - or, even, improves on them - the Penguins will have a hard time leaving him off the roster.

Then, there's Galvas, drafted in the second round (54th overall) this summer, who has been wildly impressive through three Prospect Tournament games. Even if it's just a tournament for prospects and Galvas should look comfortable in this format from playing against men in Czechia's Extraliga previously, he has been the standout for the Penguins, and he's showing legitimate upside as a two-way force.

Does Young Defenseman Have Legitimate Shot At Breaking Camp For Penguins?With the departure of Parker Wotherspoon this summer, the left side is wide open for the Penguins - and one young prospect could surprise.

Fair chance: Rutger McGroarty, Owen Pickering, Tristan Broz, Joel Blomqvist

Unfortunately, there are a few young players who will be challenged quite a bit for a spot, but they still have a fair chance at cracking the roster with a stellar camp.

McGroarty is in the driver's seat, as he is, pretty much, Koivunen's and Hayes's primary competition for a roster slot. After a tumultuous start to the 2025-26 season riddled with injury and inconsistency, McGroarty finished the AHL portion of his season strong with 10 goals and 34 points in 30 games. The left winger could earn himself a spot if he manages to stand out and beat a few others, but it's going to take a very strong showing from him.

Pickering, 22, developed long-sought consistency in the second half of his AHL campaign last season, and he will join a legitimate battle for a spot on the left side. The 6-foot-5, 206-pound defenseman has faced some adversity at the NHL level but appears primed for an NHL breakout this season, and he can get a head start on that if he beats out Galvas, Brunicke, Ilya Solovyov, and Ryan Graves.

Broz, 23, probably should have broken camp last season, as he was arguably the most impressive young forward in camp along with Kindel. His ability to play each forward position helps him, and like Hayes, he is a guy with a two-way toolset who can play well in the bottom-six. However, his hill might be a little tougher to climb, especially since the center position is very crowded at the NHL level. If he stands out enough to separate himself, though, he will make decisions tough for the Penguins. 

For Blomqvist, it all comes down to whether or not he can outperform Murashov and demonstrably show that he should be the guy occupying the second NHL roster spot next to Arturs Silovs. Murashov is primed to be the other guy, but Blomqvist will absolutely have a fair chance at shooting down those plans with a better camp. 

Penguins' Positional Battle Tiers: CenterEven if there is not much mystery surrounding some centers that will be on the Pittsburgh Penguins' NHL roster next season, there could still be room for a few players to surprise.

Shooter's chance: Jake Livanavage, Finn Harding, Bill Zonnon

As for these guys, there is a sliver of hope for an NHL spot out of camp. But their chances are just that: A shot in the dark.

Livanavage, signed to a two-year entry-level contract nearing the end of the 2025-26 season out of the University of North Dakota, has shown some flashes of his offensive capabilities and ability to run a power play. He burned the first year of his ELC with one NHL appearance last season, and while there is some intrigue with Livanavage, a simple numbers game on the left side renders his chances of cracking the roster out of camp minimal.

The same goes for Harding, who would have to knock off Brunicke, Galvas, Pickering, Solovyov, and Graves to earn a spot. The right-side defender is as steady as they come and is smart in all three zones, which is something that could play well on a bottom pairing. But the current NHL club simply has too many guys in the mix, so Harding would need to have an undeniable kind of performance in camp to be considered ahead of the others.

Finally, 2025 first-round pick (22nd overall) Bill Zonnon made his professional debut during the Calder Cup Playoffs last season, and he has done nothing but impress ever since. Like everyone else, there are simply a whole lot of formidable young players fighting for precious few forward spots, and Zonnon just isn't high enough on the depth chart right now. However, never say never: Kindel would be the first to tell you that. 

Penguins Announce Series Of Roster Moves Ahead Of Training CampPittsburgh is working to finalize its roster for training camp later this week.

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The Martin family will be hosting Matthew Schaefer this upcoming season again whether they like it or not. 

The 19-year-old NHL star made the joke on Monday during the Islanders golf outing at the Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury when a reporter asked if Matt Martin and his family wanted him back. 

“I don’t know if they want me back, but I’m going back,” Schaefer said. “I mean, I kept my stuff there and then I’m like, I’m coming back. I guess they can’t say no. I think they want me out probably sooner, but you know what? I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m planting my seed here and I’m staying here.’”

Matthew Schaefer is staying with the Martin Family again this season – whether they like it or not @NYIslanders | #Islespic.twitter.com/8fvGUsjdRa

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) September 14, 2026

It’s doubtful that the Martin family really wants Schaefer out sooner than later, considering how big a part of their family he has become. 

Martin, who played 16 seasons in the NHL, including 14 with the Islanders before becoming an executive with the organization, welcomed the teenager into his home last season, and Schaefer quickly created a bond with the family.

In particular, he has taken on a big brother role to the family’s two daughters, Winnie and Alice. Martin’s wife, Sydney, has shared a number of adorable moments involving Schaefer and the Martin kids on social media. 

Earlier this month, Sydney posted on Instagram a photo of Schaefer celebrating his 19th birthday with the family. 

Martin praised how Schaefer carries himself on SiriusXM last month and said that the now second-year star would be staying with him and his family again this upcoming NHL season. 

“From the moment he kind of stepped in our house and met our family, before it was ever decided he was going to live with us, you just feel the type of kid he is, the type of energy he has,” Martin said in the August interview. “Kind of gravitated towards our kids and our kids gravitated towards him. It’s a really special thing for my kids.” 

Schaefer is coming into this season looking to build off a monumental rookie campaign that saw him win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. 

He recorded 23 goals and 59 points while appearing in all 82 games during the 2025-26 season.

Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer, has appeared in a campaign ad for the United Russia party, which supports Vladimir Putin, as he prepares for the new hockey season.

The Russian business newspaper Vedomosti published images of the Washington Capitals star alongside pro-Putin figures such as Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, the leading parliamentary candidate on United Russia’s list, and Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of the propaganda network RT.

Related: Alex Ovechkin is now the NHL’s greatest goalscorer. It’s debatable what else he is

Ovechkin is a longtime supporter of Putin. In 2017, he launched Putin Team, a social movement that he hoped would unite “people who are proud of their country and want to make Russia stronger”. He also praised the Russian leader’s “trust in and respect for his people, his fairness [and] righteousness, and the fact that he really cares”.

The 40-year-old was more cautious about his backing of Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He said he hoped the war “was going to be over and we are going to be living in a good world”, although he still said that Putin was “my president”. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the war that followed the invasion.

Ovechkin signed a one-year contract extension with the Capitals in July. The Capitals selected him with the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft and he has played his entire NHL career with them, winning the Stanley Cup as the team’s captain in 2018. In 2025, he scored his 895th goal, passing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record, a mark that had stood since 1999 and one few believed would ever be broken.

The Calgary Flames’ rookies got their first taste of game action at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday night, hosting the Edmonton Oilers in the NextGen showcase.

The Oilers controlled the game offensively and came away with a 6-1 victory, while the Flames got a chance to put several of their young prospects in a game setting in front of a home crowd.

Edmonton opened the scoring on the power play in the first period.

Quinn Hutson walked into the high slot and ripped a wrist shot blocker side past Flames goaltender Arsenii Sergeev to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead.

The opening period also featured some physicality, with Maceo Phillips dropping the gloves with Weston Cameron in a spirited bout. Phillips ultimately came away with the takedown.

The Oilers added to their lead late in the opening frame. Zach Bookman sent a shot toward the net from the blue line that bounced in front of Sergeev before finding its way through the goaltender’s pads to make it 2-0.

It was a difficult one for Sergeev, who likely would have wanted another look at the goal.

The Flames finished the opening 20 minutes trailing 2-0, with Edmonton holding a narrow 7-6 edge in shots.

Calgary had a couple of good opportunities early in the second half of the game, but Edmonton eventually extended its advantage.

With Kirill Zarubin taking over in net for Sergeev midway through the game as scheduled, a bouncing puck found its way into the crease. Caden Harvey was quick to react, swatting the loose puck past Zarubin to make it 3-0.

The Oilers then added another on the power play. Edmonton moved the puck quickly around the Flames penalty kill before a tic-tac-toe sequence ended with Isaac Howard redirecting the puck into the net, giving the Oilers a four-goal cushion.

The Flames finally got on the board at 8:55 of the third period.

Aydar Suniev created the opportunity himself, slipping past an Oilers defender before cutting to the forehand and tucking the puck past Samuel Jonsson. Tyson Gross picked up the assist on Suniev’s goal.

Calgary couldn’t find another one, however, and Edmonton added an empty-net goal and another late tally from Kyle Heger to close out the 6-1 victory.

Despite the final score, the NextGen game provided an important opportunity for several Flames prospects to get their first game action ahead of the preseason and make an impression as the organization evaluates its young players.

Three Takeaways

Castagna strong in the faceoff circle

Jonathan Castagna stood out on the draws, particularly in the offensive zone. Winning possession off the faceoff created immediate scoring opportunities, and Castagna consistently gave the Flames a chance to start with the puck.

Iginla wears No. 88

Joe Iginla suited up for the Flames wearing No. 88, the same number his father, Jarome Iginla, wore during his time with the Los Angeles Kings. It’s a small detail, but one that didn’t go unnoticed on a night where the younger Iginla made his Saddledome debut with the Flames organization.

Gridin creates opportunities

Matvei Gridin was one of the Flames players who consistently found ways to generate offence. He created multiple quality chances, while his passing was firm and crisp throughout the game.

There was a level of poise to Gridin’s game that made him look like a more established presence than many of the players on the ice.

The Chicago Blackhawks prospects took the ice at USG Arena against the St. Louis Blues prospects on Monday night. This was the first of two meetings in the 2026 Prospect Showcase that the two organizations are participating in. 

For the Blackhawks, marquee prospects like Sacha Boisvert, Marek Vanacker, AJ Spellacy, Adam Gajan, and Ryan Roobroeck all took part. The leadership group was led by captain Taige Harding and alternate captains Paul Ludwinski and Jake Furlong. 

There were some notable spectators taking in the game. For one, Kyle Davidson, Jeff Blashill, and multiple executives/coaches were on hand to get a glimpse of the future. A handful of players within the organization were also in attendance, including Anton Frondell and Roman Kantserov. 

The Blackhawks started with as good a top line as they could put out at this event: Sacha Boisvert, centering AJ Spellacy and Ryan Roobroeck. Adam Gajan started in goal. 

After the top line created some good chances off the jump, they were forced into a penalty-kill situation. Martin Misiak, however, scored a shorthanded goal to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. 

🚨 Replay 🚨 https://t.co/5YugVmDm51pic.twitter.com/GtOXrVx4gh

— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) September 14, 2026

The Blackhawks continued to march to the penalty box after that, and eventually, one of them caught up with them. In the latter half of the first period, Jakub Stancl scored for the St. Louis Blues to tie the game at 1. That score held through the first intermission. 

It was a physical first period, and that continued into the second. Just about halfway through the middle frame, AJ Spellacy got into a little bit of a skirmish behind the St. Louis net after missing a chance. To his defense came Ashton Cumby, who fought Blues prospect Colin Ralph. He will bring another layer of physical hockey to Rockford this year. 

Ashton Cumby comes to the defense of AJ Spellacy. He threw some absolute haymakers. #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/zCdvU18xMx

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 15, 2026

Not long after that, the Blackhawks went to the penalty kill. It led to another Blues power play goal. Shortly (10 seconds) later, they found another to make it 3-1. At that point in the game, the Blues were in a groove. 

After two periods, the Blues hung onto that two-goal lead. With under a minute remaining in the middle frame, AJ Spellacy rang one off the pipe after bursting into the offensive zone, but it wouldn't go in.

pic.twitter.com/aIBbrvH1NI

— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) September 15, 2026

In the third period, the ice was a lot more level, but no goals were scored. The final score of 3-1 held in favor of the Blues. It was a physical battle from the opening whistle onward, but the Blackhawks took the bulk of the penalties which put them in trouble. 

One more match between these two groups of prospects will take place at 4 PM on Tuesday evening at USG Arena. 

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

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Over the last few days, RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey, has been filled with high energy, the sound of whistles, and the unmistakable soundtrack of hockey.

The New Jersey Devils invited 25 players to their 2026 Rookie Camp, which opened Friday, Sept. 11. The group has completed two practices and one scrimmage against the New York Islanders, falling 5-4 in overtime.

Ahead of the team’s final scrimmage, which will take place in Long Island on Tuesday, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News emptied her notebook with some news and notes she has collected this past weekend. 

Odds and Ends From Rookie Camp

— Shane Lachance referred to his first season in the pro league as a rollercoaster: “I think the beginning of the year was tough because we didn't win many games. Then I got called up, I was up for a week and then sent back down, and we started winning more. It is a long year, and I think that is the biggest change. So much happens over the course of the year that, mentally, you have to try to keep your head on straight. Coming from college into the pros, that is probably the biggest thing for me - just how long the season is.”

Lachance shared that he tries not to overthink things, but it is something he occasionally struggles with.

“I think in our job, you are always thinking, what can I do better? Did I do the right thing? Sometimes I have to tell myself to just go out there, have fun, and play the game because I am here for a reason.” 

— While some players have their eyes set on making the NHL rosters, other players at the Devils rookie camp hope to play in the American Hockey League full time. That is the case for 22-year-old defenseman Charles Leddy, whom New Jersey drafted in the fourth round in 2022. He spent last season at Quinnipiac University before signing an AHL contract through the 2027-28 season in March. He began his collegiate career at Boston College as a political science major, but ultimately earned his degree in international business. 

— JakubMálek’s excitement for the 2026-27 season is palpable. Sitting at his stall next to Jeremy Brodeur, he smiled from ear to ear, talking about the upcoming job ahead of him: “This is the first time I [can] say that I'm excited for a season this much. I am always excited, but this is something I never felt before. I'm so excited to go to work.”

— Speaking of Málek, he finally received his goalie mask. Its delivery may have been a season too late, but he was thrilled to showcase it and share some personal touches, including nods to two of his closest friends. 

#NJDevils Jakub Málek finally received the goalie mask he was supposed to wear for the 2025-26 season. It has some awesome touches, including nods to his best friends and the movie Cool Runnings. pic.twitter.com/FCdcWdWfUK

— Kristy Flannery (@InStilettos_NHL) September 12, 2026

— For a second consecutive season, Málek will be living with forward Matyas Melovsky. The two are best friends and say they are always together. 

— Melovskyplayed with Lenni Hämeenaho last season in Utica, and during camp, The Hockey News asked Melovsky if that chemistry instantly came back this week. He laughed and said, “Yeah, the Euro chemistry.” 

— Newcomer Ben Steeves has been skating with Melovsky and Hämeenaho. After Monday’s practice, The Hockey News spoke to the 24-year-old. 

THN: Coaches always say that they usually keep pairs together on a line, and the third player they may insert in and out. If you're that guy who's playing with people who already have chemistry together are there any attributes or characteristics you need as the third player coming onto a line? 

Steeves: Yeah, absolutely. You hit the nail on the head. It is simplifying and being predictable for your teammates. Throughout my entire career, I have tried to be a player like that. An easy player to play with. Especially playing with these guys, it is holding on to pucks and making good flat passes. Making it easier on each other is a big thing.

THN: What was the first thing you noticed about Melovsky and Hämeenaho?  

Steeves: They are smart. When they have the puck, they are always looking for the next play. There's no real time on the ice where they can't do anything with it. They always make stuff happen, so it is really cool to watch that.

— Speaking of Steeves, he was on a golf course when he received a call from Devils general manager Sunny Mehta to alert him that he was traded to New Jersey: “That was a cool moment. (Mehta) was obviously in Florida with me and brought me with him. Definitely happy to get a new opportunity here.” 

— Seamus Casey has been impressed with his new D-partner, Anton Silaev: “I think he is doing incredible. He is super involved with the team. It is easy to shy away and kind of shut down, only talk to people who you can understand, that kind of thing. He is not doing any of that. I have a lot of respect for that. Obviously, we are trying to help out too, and make it easy for him.”

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

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While the fate of some Philadelphia Flyers prospects is already sealed in terms of where they'll play in the 2026-27 season, many of the top dogs will have plenty of opportunities to earn themselves an NHL roster spot. Training camp hasn't officially started yet, but for them it has.

Not every young Flyers prospect with something to prove is at rookie camp this week. For example, players like Hunter McDonald and David Jiricek, who aren't established NHLers, were left off the rookie camp roster.

Conversely, Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Porter Martone are all on the ice having to prove themselves, with each player dressing for at least one of the two Rookie Series games against the New York Rangers over the weekend.

But, even when we remove McDonald, Jiricek, Barkey, Bump, and Martone from the equation, the Flyers still have a healthy amount of competition.

On defense, Oliver Bonk and Ty Murchison will be working to make their argument for an NHL roster spot, having to compete with the likes of McDonald, Jiricek, and veteran newcomer Simon Benoit for a place on the Flyers.

By the time training camp starts on Thursday, their strong work in rookie camp this week could be a feather in their caps; the process of making a strong impression is already in motion.

"We were pretty direct in the first meeting that we had for rookie camp, is that their camp is starting now. So with the new makeup of how the training camps are now in the NHL, there's not a whole lot of time to make an impression. So, for the rookies and the guys that are coming into main camp, they got to be ready to go right from the start of this camp," Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach John Snowden said after practice Monday with an exclamatory two-hand tap at the podium.

'Sneaky' Oliver Bonk Impressing Flyers In Rookie CampPhiladelphia Flyers defenseman Oliver Bonk is consistently drawing praise from his coaches, even during a simple rookie camp.

Bump, Barkey, Martone, Noah Powell, Cole Knuble, Devin Kaplan, Riley Thompson, Jett Luchanko, Maksim Sokolovskii, Spencer Gill, Jackson Edward, Bonk, and Murchison are the skaters participating in rookie camp who are also listed on the main training camp roster.

On Tuesday morning, they'll take the ice for their last rookie camp session. Wednesday is a team day off, and Thursday is go time.

In the eyes of Snowden and the Flyers, everything those players have done in the building over the last week can work against them or in their favor when it's time to make the important decisions.

"The message [Riley Armstrong] started our rookie camp with, and I've reiterated throughout the whole camp and our staff has reiterated throughout the whole camp, is like, you don't have time to wait around right now. You gotta go, and you gotta hit the ground running. You can't ease your way into these rookie games," Snowden continued.

"Like I said, this is their training camp. It started now. You just got to keep pushing them to make sure they understand that every single time you touch the ice, every single time you walk into the building, it's going to matter. So, make sure you carry yourself the right way, you train the right way, you practice the right way, you play the right way every single time, because everything you do when you walk into this building, it's gonna matter."

Message sent, message received for the Flyers, who have seen players like Powell, Barkey, Knuble, and Bonk crank up the intensity and speed of their play this weekend.

Powell, in particular, played with ferocity against the Rangers, standing out in a different way from the scorer types like Bump and Martone.

And he'll be one of many players with their eyes on the NHL prize when training camp kicks off in a few days.

The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers faced off in a Rookie Series featuring their top prospects this weekend. The two games were at the PPL Center, the home of the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and it was a great way to get the rookies ready for the season while bringing hockey back to the fans. 

Saturday’s game felt like a back-to-school day, not just for the players, but also for the staff, scouts, media, and the fans, who were excited to finally see hockey for the first time in months. The Flyers and Rangers aren’t the only teams having these scrimmages either. 

The Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets had a prospect challenge in Gatineau, Quebec. The San Jose Sharks hosted a Rookie Faceoff at Tech CU Arena, the home of their AHL affiliate, and it featured six of the Western Conference teams.

The New Jersey Devils had their version as well, hosting the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon at their practice facility, the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. It’s something they can and should build on, as many teams around the league have done. 

The Devils Home & Home Against The Islanders

The Devils' practice facilities are connected to Prudential Center in Newark, and there isn’t a lot of seating available for fans. The intention of their exhibition game against the Islanders prospects was to get the players ready for the season; the fans in attendance were a plus. 

That said, it was a surprise to see the venue was full. It shouldn’t be a surprise considering this is the first glimpse of hockey in months but for a game that has zero implications on the standings, there was still an intrigue that brought a crowd on a Sunday afternoon in early September. 

Devils Fall in First Rookie Scrimmage as Cole Eiserman Scores OT WinnerOn Sunday afternoon, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/emptying-the-devils-notebook-9-things-you-may-have-missed">New Jersey Devils</a> and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders">New York Islanders</a> met inside RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey, for the first game action of the season.

There was a feeling in the building that had the fans engaged. It’s the unknown of the prospects. The Devils don’t have a top prospect pool, but there’s a curiosity surrounding the few names who might crack the NHL roster. How good is the rookie defenseman Anton Silaev? Is there a depth forward poised to impress during training camp? Which prospects are under-the-radar and can turn the Devils into a playoff team? Does the skill in this game translate at the NHL level? 

It’s why the PPL Center drew a strong crowd over the weekend for the Flyers and Rangers prospects. Sure, both teams have a handful of young names ready to make an impact in the NHL. However, catching the future in person before everyone else is what will attract fans to the arena, and the Devils must take note. 

It Makes Sense For The Devils To Play At Their Practice Facilities

It’s easy to look around the league at all of the showcases and wonder why the Devils and Islanders aren’t doing something bigger. Both teams can host in an AHL market or a region that doesn’t see prospects up close often and give them a chance in a competitive atmosphere. 

For the Devils, their practice facilities are in Newark, and it makes sense to have a game there as well. That’s why the Islanders are doing the same on Tuesday night at the Northwell Health Ice Center on Long Island. 

New Jersey Devils Pipeline Shows Promise & Pleasant Surprises Their scrimmage against the New York Islanders provided some optimism for a team that isn’t known for its prospect pool, at least not heading into 2026-27.

For both teams, it’s a trip for the prospects to head to one of their AHL markets to play a few games, especially exhibitions. The Flyers, for example, have their practice facilities in Voorhees, New Jersey, a short drive away from Philadelphia, but Allentown is 63 miles away, making it an easy commute for a game. Utica is 228 miles away from Newark. 

The bottom line is that if the Devils want to do something similar to what the Flyers do, or what the Sharks are hosting, they must find an arena near both their practice facilities and the Islanders. Likewise, the arena shouldn’t be the size of Prudential Center but big enough for a gameday atmosphere, like an AHL or ECHL arena. 

So, Where Could The Devils host A Prospect Showcase?

The Devils can bring their prospects to a college arena, whether it’s the Hobey Baker Memorial Rink in Princeton or ProSkate Ice Arena, which hosts the Rutgers Scarlett Knights. However, both arenas have small capacities, not enough to make them major draws for the Devils. 

There are a few arenas in Upstate New York that would eagerly host an exhibition game, including Albany and Binghamton, two markets that hosted Devils AHL teams in the past. However, like Utica, both are a decent commute. 

The good news is that Trenton now has an ECHL team and can host a rookie series. The bad news is that the ECHL team isn’t affiliated with the Devils, and if the Islanders are hosting, they would likely choose a place that’s closer to them. 

Devils' Prospect Anton Silaev Brings Excitement But Is A Work In ProgressThe top defense prospect in the New Jersey Devils system has the skills to become a great player someday. That said, it will take some time and development first.

An arena that hosted AHL games in the past but won’t this season is Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It’s a great place for the Devils, but the question is whether the Islanders, who moved their team from Bridgeport to Hamilton, would be on board. 

Another option is for the Devils and Islanders to join the Flyers and Rangers in Allentown. In one weekend, fans can watch prospects from all four teams up close. 

Do you think the Devils should host a bigger prospect showcase? If so, where do you think they should host one? Feel free to comment below!

Now a decade into his NHL career, all spent with the Vancouver Canucks, Brock Boeser is using the lessons he’s learned to help lead the next wave of Canucks stars. 

Having been with the organization since he was drafted in 2015, Boeser’s seen Vancouver at various points in their contention status, from hovering at the bottom of the Pacific to claiming a spot atop the division. His lengthy tenure with the team has also ensured that he’s played with, and played for, a long list of people. 

Boeser spent his rookie NHL season led by none-other than Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who are now Vancouver’s co-Presidents of Hockey Operations. He’s worked with new Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson since his time at the University of North Dakota, and is one of the few players remaining from new Head Coach Manny Malhotra’s first go-around with Vancouver’s coaching staff as an assistant. 

It’ll be these figures that help the Canucks right the ship as they plunge into the choppy waters of a rebuild.  

“First off, just great people in these positions and great hockey minds,” Boeser said in a media availability on Monday. “I think they’re definitely awesome people to have in these positions. But at the same time, I know they’re gonna expect a lot out of all of us.” 

Having known all of these key organizational figures for the bulk of his NHL career, Boeser knows that they’re the right people to help guide Vancouver through a rebuild. 

“You can go up and have a conversation with them and just be yourself, and I think that’s really important to have that connection. And then secondly [...] they know hockey. Obviously the Sedins know hockey, RJ knows hockey, Manny, and I think it’s a great spot to be in.” 

The Sedin culture of the Canucks organization is something that Boeser is deeply familiar with, having gotten to witness it first-hand before seeing it be passed on to others, such as former Canucks and now-New York Islanderscaptain Bo Horvat. 

“Bo learned from the Sedins, and it’s just a trickle effect. When I’d see Bo coming to the rink every day working hard, and all these guys — those guys were so great to me when I was a rookie, and they were super nice, and they helped lead. I think I was the youngest guy, kind of just me by myself, but it’s a little different these days with a lot of young guys, but we’ve got to make sure that we stick together and help lead.” 

Despite only playing with them for a year, Boeser learned lots from the two Canucks legends. 

“They were just such professionals, coming into the rink every day, never complained, wanted to get better each and every day, took care of their bodies. Even when they knew they were retiring and we didn’t, they still were on the bikes after games and taking care of their bodies. They’re just such great professionals, and that’s why everyone loves them, and that’s why I have faith and trust in them right now.” 

That Sedin culture is something that Vancouver is going to need now more than ever. Boeser knows he’s going to have to be a key part in keeping it alive. 

“You can never predict what happens in this league, and obviously, a couple tough years, but we’re in a new chapter now — that’s what I keep saying — and it’s just part of it. We’ve got to re-build this culture back up and really get it going in the right direction.” 

It was only 10 years ago that Boeser was in the same situation that many of Vancouver’s young players are finding themselves in now — breaking into the league on a team that, despite what could be a promising future, looks like they could be set for a rough couple of years before they finally contend. It was players like the Sedins who helped impart their knowledge to Boeser on the ice, and figures like Johnson and Malhotra who helped mentor him off it. 

As Boeser steps into a bigger leadership role to help lead a new, younger Canucks team, he’ll have the assistance of those who did-so for him 10 years before.  

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Former Senators goalie Cam Talbot appears to have found another NHL home.

According to TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun, the 39-year-old is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets at some point on Monday. The Jackets haven't confirmed anything yet, but the deal is said to be worth $950,000. PuckPedia reports that the deal includes up to $700,000 in bonuses if he plays  40 games.

If it gets done, Columbus will be the ninth team of Talbot’s NHL career.

Talbot signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent in 2010 and became Henrik Lundqvist’s backup for two years. After that, his stops included the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and, of course, the Senators.

Talbot spent the past two years in Detroit and last season posted a 12-9-6 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage over 34 appearances. 

Those numbers, combined with his age, left Talbot unsigned as training camps approached, but in Columbus, Elvis had left the building.

Elvis Merzlikins' shoulder surgery last month created an opportunity for Talbot. The Jackets aren't sure yet when Merzlikins will be ready to return, but he certainly won't be ready to start the season.

Jet Greaves is expected to enter the season as Columbus’s starter, while Columbus also signed journeyman Pheonix Copley.

Talbot’s time in Ottawa was brief and probably remembered most for the ill-advised trade that brought him to the Senators.

In July 2022, the Sens acquired the veteran from Minnesota in a one-for-one deal for Filip Gustavsson, whose previous season in the capital hadn't been particularly impressive.

GM Pierre Dorion was looking for immediate stability. Instead, he watched Gustavsson provide it for the Wild, while Talbot lasted only one season in Ottawa.

At 39 and still unsigned as September arrived, Talbot has probably begun to think seriously about life after hockey. Instead, the unexpected opening in Columbus has given him at least one more kick at the can.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the latest THN Ottawa headlines below:

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On this day in 2018, the Detroit Red Wings announced that captain Henrik Zetterberg's career was over due to a degenerative back injury, closing the book on one of the most decorated careers in franchise history. 

The announcement came at the team's training camp in Traverse City, Michigan, with general manager Ken Holland confirming that Zetterberg had made little progress in his recovery over the offseason and would not be able to play again. Zetterberg went on long term injured reserve with three years remaining on his 12 year, $73 million contract, allowing him to continue being paid while the Red Wings received salary cap relief.

Zetterberg spent his entire 15 season NHL career with Detroit after being drafted in the seventh round, 210th overall, in 1999, one of the sport's greatest late round draft gems that would go on to become a franchise cornerstone. He made his NHL debut in October 2002 and quickly established himself as one of the league's premier two way forwards.

The signature moment of his career came in 2008, when Zetterberg helped lead the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He was also a Selke Trophy finalist multiple times over his career for his work as one of the league's top defensive forwards. 

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In 2013, Zetterberg was named captain of the Red Wings, taking over from the legendary Nicklas Lidstrom, and wore the "C" for six seasons. During that stretch, he won the NHL Foundation Award in 2013 and the King Clancy Trophy in 2015, honors that recognize leadership and humanitarian contribution both on and off the ice.

On the international stage, Zetterberg was one of the most accomplished players of his generation for Sweden, becoming a member of the Triple Gold Club by winning an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal and the Stanley Cup. He won Olympic gold in 2006 and world championship titles in 2001 and 2005, adding to a resume that placed him among Sweden's greatest hockey exports.

Zetterberg finished his NHL career with 1,082 games played, tallying 337 goals and 623 assists for 960 total points, numbers that rank him among the best players in Red Wings history. 

Following his retirement, the Red Wings would eventually hand the captaincy to Dylan Larkin, but Zetterberg's legacy as one of the most complete players of his era, and one of the most important figures in modern Red Wings history, remains firmly intact.

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The Florida Panthers play their first pre-season game on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Training camp begins in the next few days, and there is plenty to watch as the organization prepares for the start of the 2026-27 season on Sept. 29.

While most of the Panthers lineup is in order, several players will compete for limited spots, looking to make their mark during practices and the four pre-season games. 

Here are three intriguing storylines to follow during training camp.

Who Earns The 13th Forward Role

No role has more competition than the Panthers' 13th forward spot. With Jonah Gadjovich healthy and Garnet Hathaway in the mix as the fourth-line wingers, there really aren't any spots available. Lars Eller was brought in to be the fourth-line winger, and with Brad Marchand expected to miss time to start the season, Sandis Vilmanis could be given the runway to skate with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell.

That leaves only the 13th-place spot with a large group of players. Cole Schwindt, Cole Reinhardt, Sam Lafferty, John Beecher, and even Angus Crookshank are all worthy of serving as the 13th forward, but only one spot exists.

This will create a competitive training camp and pre-season. 

Three Players The Florida Panthers Risk Losing Through NHL WaiversThe waiver wire is a crucial part of the NHL pre-season schedule as teams around the league make roster cuts. Today, we look at three Florida Panthers players the organization risks losing.

What Is The Extra Defenseman Hierarchy?

Like the forward group, the Panthers' defense corps is settled, barring any injuries. The top pair will be Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad, followed by Niko Mikkola and Seth Jones, with Dmitry Kulikov and Radko Gudas rounding it out. Uvis Balinskis, who was a mainstay due to injuries last year, will be the seventh defenseman to start the year.

After that, the hierarchy is murky. Donovan Sebrango, Tobias Bjornfot, and Alex Petrovic looked solid in the NHL action they received, but are all risks to be claimed off waivers. Marek Alscher, Mikulas Hovorka, and Ludvig Jansson all got NHL experience last year and will be key factors in the AHL. So, if the injury bug strikes the Panthers blueline again, who is first in line to be called up?

Pre-season and training camp might not decide that, but they can determine who gets the first call-up. 

Emil Pieniniemi is another interesting name to watch. He is a 2005-born, 6-foot-3 Finnish defenseman drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL draft, whom the Panthers acquired in the off-season from the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Remaining NHL Free Agent Goaltenders The Florida Panthers Can Target To Be The Third StringerAs it stands, the Florida Panthers have two goaltenders on their NHL roster and no real candidates from their AHL team to step up as a third-string goaltender. Who can the Panthers target on the UFA market?

Who Will Be The Third-String Goalie?

At this point, it seems that the Panthers' third-string goalie will be an internal player. 

If so, the three options are Cooper Black, Kirill Gerasimyuk, and Tyler Muszelik. 

Black is likely the best equipped and closest to NHL-ready of the three. Standing a monstrous 6-foot-8, Black posted strong numbers in 42 AHL games last year. While he still does require some development, he may need to be fast-tracked if injuries occur to Jacob Markstrom or Akira Schmid.

Gerasimyuk also posted decent results in the AHL in 2025-26, but at just 23 years old and with limited North American experience, he still needs patience.

Muszelik is the least likely option right now, but things can always change. The 22-year-old has no professional experience so far, as he was recently signed after playing four seasons in the NCAA. 

Asking any of these goaltenders to step into NHL action next year is a difficult question, but with the cap restraints, they may be forced to do so. Some pre-season action will go a long way toward building familiarity against NHL-level opponents. 

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On Monday, some more insight was brought to the forefront of the trade saga between the Winnipeg Jets and superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. 

TSN's Darren Dreger reported on the radio show First Up that he had heard about the offers the Jets were receiving from teams, calling them terrible, and said that even with the expanded trade list, it still doesn't give Winnipeg much in the way of options.

Dreger pointed out a key problem is that a lot of contending teams already have a stable solution in net, and their only use for a trade like adding a three time Vezina Trophy winner in Hellebuyck would be mainly for an upgrade. 

These teams, viewing Hellebuyck as merely an upgrade, have been wanting him "at a discount price, want a bargain basement return," according to Dreger. Meanwhile, teams that would love to add Hellebuyck as a meaningful solution to their problem in net, like the Montreal Canadiens or Edmonton Oilers, are both still in Canada, adding another layer of complexity to any deal.

This past Thursday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, on a new episode of his podcast 32 Thoughts, gave a large update on the situation, saying that among the teams that have sent offers was the Florida Panthers, who had made an offer for Hellebuyck. 

However, several of the pieces involved have since been dealt elsewhere, including draft capital sent to Ottawa in the Brady Tkachuk trade, along with Florida's decision to move on from Evan Rodrigues to New Jersey. Florida has since pivoted to adding Jacob Markstrom in net, with that avenue appearing closed.

As for rumored landing spots, Friedman named the Buffalo Sabres, Utah Mammoth and Carolina Hurricanes as the biggest remaining contenders, while expressing uncertainty about the New Jersey Devils. 

Other contenders that either don't need a goaltender or would only use Hellebuyck as an upgrade include the Tampa Bay Lightning, with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Dallas Stars and Jake Oettinger, the Washington Capitals and Logan Thompson, and the New York Islanders and Ilya Sorokin. Colorado and Minnesota each have a pair of stable netminders they would need to break up in a Hellebuyck trade, and while either would have a solid number one, it would require other moves rather than keeping a stable pair together. 

Also on that list are the Utah Mammoth and Karel Vejmelka, the Carolina Hurricanes and Brandon Bussi, the Anaheim Ducks and Lukas Dostal, and the San Jose Sharks and Yaroslav Askarov.

Some potential options that have possibly been explored include the obvious name in the Buffalo Sabres, who almost added Hellebuyck at the trade deadline, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who have a less than stable goalie tandem with Carter Hart and Adin Hill and could have Hellebuyck as a solid number one, and would have the NHL ready pieces to facilitate a return that Winnipeg would like. 

Another possibility could be the Los Angeles Kings, who will enter the season with a 36 year old expiring free agent in Darcy Kuemper and would be an easy sell to have Hellebuyck join a contender that lives in Los Angeles. 

Lastly, and one of the easiest answers, is New Jersey, as the Devils have just a veteran in Jake Allen and an inexperienced backup in Nico Daws, with Hellebuyck being an easy solution for their number one spot and a move that would be closer to home for Hellebuyck and his family in Michigan.

Another complication is that no trade lists reset on July 1, and Friedman explained that some players who could've been subject to a move to Winnipeg as part of a Hellebuyck package may have since added the Jets to their no trade lists. 

Friedman didn't confirm whether Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was one of those players who may have added Winnipeg to a five team no trade list, but he did note he's aware of players in that situation making the switch to block a potential move. He also noted the Jets still want to compete and doesn't believe they want futures coming back in a Hellebuyck deal, wanting NHL ready pieces instead.

With more and more reports suggesting the difficulty behind moving Hellebuyck, it appears the end is not in sight for Winnipeg.

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With the San Jose Sharks' portion of the 2026 Rookie Faceoff now in the past, let's take a look back at the players who participated in this year's event. While the Sharks were dominant and nobody really seemed out of place, there were some who shined more than others.

Forwards: 

Ivar Stenberg: NHL ready. Not much else to say, he was exactly as advertised.

Filip Bystedt: Less of a sample size since he was a late scratch against Utah, but overall seemed fine. Not as dominant as you'd expect given his level of experience at the AHL level though despite scoring a goal.

Michael Misa: Hard to complain about a two-point night in his only outing of the tournament, but it took him some time to show signs of his skill level. Would've liked to see more out of him as he's set to compete for the Sharks' 2C job.

Igor Chernyshov: Seemed to generate a lot of chances during his time with Stenberg but struggled to do much with them. Definitely a dangerous offensive player as we've seen in both the NHL and AHL, but chemistry with Misa and Stenberg wasn't quite there.

Quentin Musty: It seems that Musty knows the likelihood of him ever earning a top-six role with the Sharks is diminishing and he's attempting to change up his game a bit to compete for a bottom-six job. Much more physical than I remember and was willing to stand up for his teammates.

Andre Gasseau: Surprisingly impressive. While he mainly stood out in the first game of the event, scoring a pair of goals and picking up an assist, he wasn't necessarily out of place between Stenberg and Chernyshov. It did seem that his linemates got him less involved against Utah though.

Carson Wetsch: Although John McCarthy said this is viewed more as a showcase and didn't really raise anyone's stock, it's hard to ignore Wetsch's contributions. Getting himself a game misconduct in the first period of a regular season game would probably be troublesome, but it showed who he is and what he's willing to do. Could be a player to watch at Training Camp.

Cam Lund: Hard to evaluate with how early he was knocked out of the game against LA. Injuries are certainly becoming a concern though, as they're going to start impacting his development heavily at this rate.

Jake Gustafson: His goal-scoring was critical to the Sharks' win over Utah, as it would've been a much different game without him on the ice. Still a few years away from being ready to turn pro, but certainly seemed to thrive in this level of competition. 

Aurelio Garcia: A few good hustle plays, notably when he forced a goalie turnover behind the net against Utah. Otherwise, seemed fairly invisible throughout the weekend. 

Brendan Hoffman: Seemed decent, but not a difference-maker. Could be a solid bottom-six option for the Barracuda or play a bigger role with the Thunder.

Pavel Martinu: For the most part, Martinu didn't stand out much outside of his goal against Los Angeles. Could be a solid signing for the AHL in the future, but would likely spend time in the ECHL. Seemed solid for an 18-year-old at this tournament. Could be a player who gets drafted as an overage player.

Samuel Huo: Not very noticeable overall. 

Jordan Bax: Only memorable moment was when Bax took a penalty, so not overly impactful.

Defensemen:

Phillip Sinn: Had some poor decisions at times, but seemed like he could be a solid player for the Barracuda this season.

Eric Pohlkamp: Very little to complain about with his performance. He thrived on both the power play and penalty kill. His shot can make him into a valuable player at the NHL level. Should be interesting to watch at training camp.

Alexander Karmanov: His size is definitely an asset and helped him keep up with players who were much quicker than him. He helped deflect a few dangerous shots and looked better than expected for an 18-year-old seventh-round pick. Definitely a project who likely never sees the NHL, but worth keeping an eye on.

Tristan Sarsland, Thomas Messineo, Mack Oliphant: Not much to note on Sarsland, Messineo, and Oliphant but for defensemen, that's kind of a good thing. Weren't game-changers though.

Jake Boltmann: Stepped up to play forward when needed. Like the aforementioned trio he wasn't a game-changer, but was more noticeable on the ice. 

Goaltenders:

Brady Knowling: Looked phenomenal in his only outing of the tournament, saving 26 of the 27 shots that he faced. Certainly some areas he can improve, but I'll leave that to the goaltending experts to breakdown later on.

Matt Davis: Solid overall, allowing just one goal while facing 16 shots. Needs a strong camp to even earn an AHL job, so he'll be a player to keep an eye on later this month.

Connor Hasley: Made some big saves after coming into the game cold. Nothing to really complain about, outside of playing the puck in some dangerous situations. 

It's important to take rookie tournaments with a grain of salt, as they are often not relevant to training camp decisions in the long run. With that being said, a solid performance never hurts. 

The Montreal Canadiens’ prospects didn’t exactly shine in the first game of the Prospect Challenge, and they weren’t about to do the same on Sunday. Against the Ottawa Senators, the mini Habs proved to be quite a tenacious group and came from behind to secure a 5-4 shootout win. Montreal went with the same leadership group as in Game 1, with Luke Mittelstadt wearing the C and Dillan Brentley and Tyler Thorpe wearing the As.

Much like the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, the Sens had their fair share of high draft picks in the lineup. 32nd pick overall in the last draft, Jaxon Cover made quite an impression, with three points in the first period alone. Kasper Halttunen, who was picked 36th overall in the last draft, was also on the ice and got the first goal of the game. The Sens also had the son of former Hab Thomas Vanek, Blake Vanek, and Christian Kyrou, Jordan’s brother, on their roster.

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Cover nearly had a fourth point when he took off on a breakaway early in the second, but Habs’ netminder Mikus Vecvanags made a spectacular save to keep the score at 3-1. Just like on Saturday, the Habs lacked discipline; this time it was Parker Trottier who got a prime seat in the box as the Sens deployed their power play. The Canadiens came out unscathed, however, and they even scored a second power-play goal through Josh Nadeau, who had scored in similar circumstances in the first. Mittelstadt also got an assist on each of his first two lamplighters.

The second frame saw plenty of extracurricular activity, with Wesley Roston dropping the mitts against Kaleb Dietsch and many players from both sides heading to the penalty box. It was almost like a real Montreal-Ottawa duel.

Montreal came out strong in the third, tying up the score with a shot from the point thanks to Jean-Samuel Daigneault before Nadeau completed his hat trick, once again scoring on a Mittelstadt assist.

Tour du chapeau pour Josh Nadeau! 🧢

Josh Nadeau completes the hat trick!

MTL 4, OTT 3#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/j37M1k3p5j

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2026

Unfortunately for the Habs, though, Thorpe missed a hit, and it turned into a knee-on-knee collision, which sent him to the box. The Sens immediately tied up the game, with Cover getting his 4th assist of the game on Eskild Bakke Olsen’s goal. All tied up at the end of 60 minutes, the teams headed to three-on-three overtime, but nobody could break the deadlock.

Alexander Legkov pulled off a great move to give the Canadiens the lead in the shootout, and Vecvanags stood tall to stop Cover, while Parker Trottier scored as well for Montreal, giving the Habs a 5-4 win. While Ottawa had the best side on paper, the Habs were the better team on the night.

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