Apr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) skates behind the net against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

It’s difficult to talk about the Nashville Predators’ 2024-25 season without re-hashing the disappointments that plagued the team from start to finished.

What began as a season of high hopes and expectations quickly faded to a 30-44-8 record and 68-point seventh-place finish in the Central Division.

While this off-season has seen the additions of promising prospects in Brady Martin (fifth overall) and Ryker Lee (26th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, along with veteran blueliners Nick Perbix and Nicolas Hague, it certainly didn’t match the splash of last summer’s acquisitions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.

As the Predators prepare for the 2025-26 season, there are plenty of burning questions facing them. Here are five.

Can The Offense Bounce Back?

There’s nowhere to go but up. The Predators finished 31st in total goals (212), 31st in shooting percentage (4.24) and 30th in goal differential (-62), just to name a few.

The previous season, the Predators scored 266 goals (10th overall), finishing fourth in the Central before losing in six games to Vancouver in the first round of the playoffs. On paper, they were projected to be even better in 2024-25, only to fall way short of that mark.

Stamkos tallied 27 goals in 82 games this past season, 13 fewer than in 2023-24, when he had 40 in 79 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Marchessault’s goal production dropped from 42 over 82 regular-season games in 2023-24 with the Vegas Golden Knights to 21 over 78 contests this past season.

There were other factors that contributed to the Predators’ offensive struggles than the two star veterans. But as the 2025-26 season unfolds, success will depend on their production.

It’s difficult to fathom that Stamkos, 35, and Marchessault, 34, both mysteriously aged so significantly over a season. The only way they will prove doubters wrong is to get some semblance of their old form back. If that happens, the rest of the offensive problems should take care of themselves.

Will A Younger Blueline Mean A Better Blueline?

On the flip side, Nashville’s defense finished 27th in goals against with 274. Quite a drop from the 248 (13th) the previous year.

Predators general manager Barry Trotz pledged to go younger and bigger on defense. True to his word, he traded for Vegas Golden Knights blueliner Nicolas Hague June 29. The Predators sent defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons to Vegas. Hague then inked a four-year contract extension.

Trotz also signed defenseman Nick Perbix to a two-year, $5.50 million contract on the first day of free agency.

Hague mainly played with Zach Whitecloud on the Golden Knights’ third pairing last season, scoring 12 points in 68 games. As a 6-foot-6, 245-pound left-shot defender, he will add much-needed size and physicality to the Predators back end. At 26, he also gives the team more youth on the blueline.

Perbix scored 19 points in 74 games with the Lightning last season. He’ll also add size at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds.

Perbix provides the Predators with a right-shot option on the blueline, and could be an ideal third pairing with Hague. His +8 was higher than any Nashville player last season.

Can Juuse Saros Regain His Old Form?

Great defense may win championships, but so does great goaltending.

Last season, Saros went 20-31-6 in 58 games with a 2.98 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage.

In 2023-24, Saros posted a 35-24-5 mark in 64 regular-season games with a 2.86 GAA and .906 SP. In six post-season games that year, he was 2-4 with a 2.02 GAA and .900 SP.

Saros, who signed an eight-year, $61.92 million contract last summer, has appeared in 128 games over the past two seasons, counting the playoffs in 2023-24. His drop-off in performance could be due to wear and tear, but it’s unlikely his workload will change drastically next season.

Perhaps a longer off-season will recharge Saros. The Predators are certainly counting on it.

Is Getting Back To The Playoffs A Realistic Goal?

While talk of winning a Stanley Cup has lessened considerably since last season, getting back to the post-season is not out of the realm of possibility.

At his introductory press conference earlier this week, Hague recalled the disappointment Vegas felt in 2022 when they missed making the playoffs by just three points.

The following season, the Golden Knights won the 2023 Stanley Cup.

"We were very hungry and felt like we had something to prove that next year," Hague said.

That hunger, coupled with the presence of previous Stanley Cup champions Stamkos, Marchessault and Hague, could be just what the Predators need to get back to the post-season.

Is Andrew Brunette On The Hot Seat?

Trotz told reporters back in May that Andrew Brunette would be retained as head coach for next season.

"(Brunette) is a good young coach,” Trotz said. “He had a tough situation this year. But like a good young player, you have to stick with a good young coach."

Such votes of confidence have often been the kiss of death for a coach’s job security. Another slow start by the Predators could lead to major changes, and it’s not far-fetched to think that Brunette, and even Trotz, for that matter, could be on the receiving end of those changes.

The Vancouver Canucks announced they have traded 2025 Calder Cup MVP goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth round pick. 

Silovs had a 14-5-2 record with a .908 SP in 21 appearances with the Abbotsford Canucks and a 2-6-1 record with a .861 SP with the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024-25 regular season before turning it on in the playoffs.

The 24-year-old had a dominant playoff run finishing with a 16-7 record, .931 SP, 2.01 GAA, and five shutouts, three of which came in series clinching games. His performance helped Abbotsford win their first Calder Cup in franchise history and earned Silovs the 2025 Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as Playoff MVP.

Originally a sixth round pick of the Canucks in 2019, Silovs has a 59-35-13 record with a .906 SP in 110 career AHL appearances and an 8-8-2 record with an .880 SP in 19 career NHL regular season appearances. 

The Riga, Lat., native led his country to a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championship, earning tournament MVP and Best Goaltenders honors. 

The Penguins have acquired goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Details: https://t.co/SXuKx59Gvcpic.twitter.com/MWVs6i5EaI

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 13, 2025

Stillman recorded nine points in 46 games with the Utica Comets and three points in 19 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season.

A first round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2021, Stillman has 36 points in 119 career AHL games, he has yet to make his NHL debut. 

Prior to this deal the Canucks had eight goaltenders under contract in the organization after re-signing Nikita Tolopilo, this move allows Silovs the opportunity to find regular playing time in the NHL.

The Canucks have now lost Silovs, Sammy Blais, and Phil Di Giuseppe from their championship winning team. 

With this acquisition the Penguins also have a logjam in net and may be forced to make another move. 

For more information keep an eye on The Hockey News' Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins team sites. 

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here. 

Photo Credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks have cleared up some room in their goaltender department by trading Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, the Canucks receive Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft.

With this trade, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin clears up a logjam in their goaltending depth. They have Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen under contract for at least the next four seasons. In addition, Lankinen has a full no-move clause for the next two years, and Demko has one for three years beginning after next season.

Vancouver drafted Silovs in the sixth round of the 2019 draft. Since then, the Latvian goaltender has played 19 regular-season contests. In that span, he registered an 8-8-2 record across parts of three NHL campaigns.

Silovs has been a force for the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, playing 109 games for them over the last four years. Furthermore, the 24-year-old won a Calder Cup with Abbotsford last season, recording a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage in 24 post-season appearances.

“We would like (to) thank Arturs for everything he has done for the hockey club, including helping Abbotsford win the Calder Cup,” Allvin said in a statement. “We wanted to give him an opportunity elsewhere as we feel we are very well positioned in goal at the NHL, AHL and developmental level.”

Silovs made a name for himself in the 2023-24 playoffs, where he stepped up to be the Canucks’ No. 1 goaltender. He helped Vancouver close out the Nashville Predators in the first round, including a shutout in Game 6’s series-clinching win.

Now, Silovs will likely be battling with netminder Joel Blomqvist to earn some NHL starts for the Penguins next season. In addition to Blomqvist and Silovs, Tristan Jarry will be looking to bounce back between the pipes after a relatively disappointing season last year. 

Silovs is entering the final year of a two-year contract carrying a $850,000 cap hit. He is a pending RFA who is eligible for salary arbitration at the end of the 2025-26 season.

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The Florida Panthers second straight summer with the Stanley Cup has officially begun.

It was exactly one year ago when we were treated to an incredible two months of hometown visits, parades, parties, golf trips, fishing journeys and more as the Panthers players, coaches, executives and other team members spent their special days with the Stanley Cup.

Now, starting on Sunday, those awesome stories will start coming fast and furious once again.

The first Panthers players to have his day with the cup this year was forward A.J. Greer.

It makes sense, as the Cup was just engraved with all the names of the Panthers, a process that took place in Quebec.

That’s the same province where Greer’s hometown of Joliette is located.

According to NHL.com, that’s where a parade was held to honor Greer, and thousands of people were in attendance.

Greer also set up an opportunity for fans to take photographs with the Stanley Cup in exchange for a donation the charity Clemente House, which is a non-profit that benefits families with disabilities.

Additionally, NHL.com also reported that Greer is hosing three days of youth hockey clinics that cost kids only $25 to attend, with all proceeds benefitting Maison Oxygene de Quebec, which helps “make a difference for fathers and their children” by offering “accommodation, accompaniment and community support,” according to the charity’s website.

Greer said the camps sold out in 15 minutes, per the story.

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Los Angeles Kings haven't been overly active recently, but their division rivals, the Vancouver Canucks, made a surprising trade, moving out young goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Silovs, who is 24 years old, played 10 games with the Canucks last season, posting a 3.65 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .861 save percentage (SV%). He won a championship with the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League (AHL) last season as well, also winning playoff MVP. 

The Canucks are looking to be a competitor in the Pacific Division next season, so they're staying active on the trade front in hopes of climbing into a playoff spot, and they will likely have to climb over the Kings to have a chance at doing so.

Making small moves like this will be what they continue to do this summer, and the Kings may have to react to remain competitive this season. 

A Missing Edge: LA’s Quiet Transition Away from EnforcementEL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings have made an impressionable summer thus far under Ken Holland. Impressionable in the sense that things could go as scheduled or very badly. Their push for 'contender' status has left many in doubt about their ability to prevail under an array of dubious circumstances left behind by a different administration. The team sought to bolster its size and experience, and while that was achieved, significant gaps remained, including enforcement. Report: Ontario Reign Hiring Andrew Lord As New Head CoachThe Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign, have been searching for a new head coach, and have found one as they announced Andrew Lord would be taking over the job in the 2025-26 season. Kings Should Have Pursued Forward Isaac HowardThe Los Angeles Kings have been picked apart for their moves in free agency this summer, and while they still have a competitive team and seem poised to make another run to the playoffs, they missed out on a potential youngster addition who could've made the jump to the NHL this season.

Former New Jersey Devils first-round pick Chase Stillman is on the move again. 

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have acquired Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for goaltender Arturs Silovs. 

General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have acquired F Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for G Artūrs Šilovs.

DETAILS | https://t.co/q2lGh78sp3pic.twitter.com/I378yxWRei

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 13, 2025

Stillman was traded by the Devils to the Penguins only four months ago in the deal that brought Cody Glass to New Jersey. Now, after a brief stay with the Penguins organization, Stillman is heading to Vancouver. 

Stillman, 22, will now look to take that next step in his development. At this point in his career, the former first-rounder has yet to make his NHL debut, but he will aim to change that with the Canucks following this move. 

Stillman began his American Hockey League (AHL) career with the Utica Comets. In 54 games with Utica during his first AHL season in 2023-24, he posted 14 goals, 24 points, 72 penalty minutes, and a minus-2 rating. In 46 games with the Comets in 2024-25 before being traded by the Devils, he had three goals, nine points, and a minus-14 rating. 

It will now be intriguing to see how much of an impact Stillman can make with the Canucks. 

Devils Need Important Forward To Bounce BackNew Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer is undoubtedly a player to watch closely next season. When looking at the Devils' current roster, he is one of their most important forwards. Due to this, they will be hoping for the 23-year-old to have a much-needed bounce-back season in 2025-26.

Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks have traded goaltender Artūrs Šilovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, Vancouver received winger Chase Stillman as well as a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. In the end, the Canucks were able to get back assets for Šilovs, instead of losing him for free on waivers once the season began

In a press release, GM Patrik Allvin wrote "We would like thank Artūrs for everything he has done for the hockey club, including helping Abbotsford win the Calder Cup. We wanted to give him an opportunity elsewhere as we feel we are very well positioned in goal at the NHL, AHL and developmental level. Acquiring a future pick and depth forward will add to our organizational depth."

Stillman was drafted 29th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2021. The 22-year-old played his junior career in the OHL, where he helped the Peterborough Petes qualify for the 2023 Memorial Cup. Last season, Stillman was traded from New Jersey to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. 

Over the past two years, Stillman has played 119 regular-season games in the AHL, recording 18 goals and 36 points. He can play on both wings and received some time on the penalty kill last season. Based on the Canucks current roster, Stillman will most likely start the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks. 

Canucks Artūrs Šilovs Named AHL Playoffs MVPAbbotsford Canucks goaltender Artūrs Šilovs has been named MVP of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old became the first goaltender in over a decade to capture the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy, and now joins an exclusive list which includes Robin Lehner, Michal Neuvirth and Carey Price. Šilovs picked up 16 wins during the post-season, while five shutouts were one short of the all-time record for a single playoff run. 

As for Šilovs, his time with the organization officially comes to an end. Drafted in 2019, the 24-year-old led Abbotsford to a championship this year in the AHL. During his time with Vancouver, Šilovs posted a 8-8-2 regular-season record at the NHL level while also leading the Canucks to Game 7 of the second round during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more from The Hockey News. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have brought in a new goalie. 

The Penguins have announced that they have signed goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

The Penguins have acquired goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Details: https://t.co/SXuKx59Gvcpic.twitter.com/MWVs6i5EaI

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 13, 2025

Seeing Silovs on the move is not particularly surprising, as the Canucks have goalies Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen both now locked up long-term. Thus, there was no room for Silovs on Vancouver's NHL roster, and the Penguins have taken advantage of that by bringing him in.

Silovs, 24, has showed promise, so this has the potential to be a solid move for the Penguins. In 19 career NHL regular-season games over three seasons, he has posted an 8-8-2 record, a .880 save percentage, and a 3.13 goals-against average. He also played in 10 playoff games for the Canucks in 2024 when they dealt with injury trouble between the pipes, posting a 5-5 record, a 2.91 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage. 

Silovs spent most of this season in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks, however. In 21 regular-season games with the AHL squad, he had a 14-5-1 record and a .908 save percentage. He was also a major reason why Abbotsford won the Calder Cup this year, as he had a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, and a .931 save percentage. Due to his incredible play, he won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.

With this move, the Penguins have brought in a promising goalie who has the potential to emerge as a solid piece of their roster. Overall, this is a low-risk move for the Penguins, and it will be interesting to see how Silovs performs for them from here. 

Photo Credit:  © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

(Photo Courtesy of the Idaho Steelheads)

The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. Each week, we’ll dig back into the magazine’s archives to look back on a key moment, player or other important figure in the ECHL.

A THN subscription gives you access to the magazine’s entire archives dating back to the first issue in 1947 (over 2,000 issues). Click here to subscribe.

(Note: Due to the digital quality of some older issues, articles may contain errors; we have left the article in its original digitized form).

Oct 12, 2004/vol. 58, issue 7

Focus on ECHL in lockout year

Strong, balanced Titans get nod over Steelheads in quest for Kelly Cup

BY MIKE MASTOVICH

The ECHL may be a feeder system for the American League and, ultimately, the NHL, but for this season at least, the system will work in reverse.

With the NHL locked out, many players are heading to the ’A’, bumping other good prospects down to the ECHL.

Though ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna says he hopes the NHL and union work things out soon, he admits the lockout will have a short-term benefit for his league.

“It means fewer recalls of our players because of injuries at the NHL level,” he said. “That means more continuity on qur rosters.”

Here’s our projected overall finish for 2004-05:

1. TRENTON TITANS Trenton returns a solid nucleus and added free agent veteran right winger Rick Kowalsky. Left wingers Matt Zultek and Scott Bertoli and center Chris Pittman led the scoring last year on a team that just missed earning a wild card playoff spot; all three are back. Also back are goalie Andrew Allen and veteran captain Vince Williams, who anchors the defense. Top newcomers are speedy center Steve Cygan and blueliner Evan Nielsen.

2. IDAHO STEELHEADS The Kelly Cup champions have the tools to defend their title. They signed eight players from last year’s team and added an NHL affiliation with Phoenix and an AHL link with Utah. The returnees include blueliner lererny Mylymok and forward Scott Burt, both fifth-year Steelheads. Also back are forwards David Cornacchia and Brett Draney and blueliners Darrell Hay and Dan Vandermeer.

3. FLORIDA EVERBLADES Florida, which fell to Idaho in the Kelly Cup final, will receive solid help from Carolina and also from Lowell of the AHL, as 12 players with two-way contracts are set to attend camp. Goalie Rob Zepp began the season in Lowell’s camp, but chances are he’ll be back to bolster the Blades. Other key returnees are forward Brent McDonald, who averaged a point a game last year, and blueliners Matt Pagnutti, Ryan Brindley and Ed Hill.

4. READING ROYALS Coach Derek Clancey will count on high-scoring returnee David Masse to ignite the offense. The Royals will have plenty of experience and a considerable talent pool from Los Angeles and Manchester (AHL). Leading scorer Greg Mischler and right winger Judd Medak are also back. The team has three of its top five scorers from last season.

5. SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS Already tough team got even stronger.

6. GWINNETT GLADIATORS Veteran sniper Cam Brown returns for 13th year.

7. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS Tough to beat in Sin City.

8. SAN DIEGO GULLS Bent on erasing playoff disappointment.

9. COLUMBIA INFERNO A lot of firepower.

10. PEORIA RIVERMEN Always found near the top of the division.

11. ALASKA ACES Continue slow turnaround of fortunes.

12. WHEELING NAILERS Ended five-year playoff drought last year.

13. JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS Thirteen players return.

14. GREENVILLE GRRROWLVast improvement expected.

15. ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BULLIES Will win with defense-first philosophy.

16. MISSISSIPPI SEA WOLVES ECHL vet Louis Dumont fronts team.

17. PENSACOLA ICE PILOTS New era begins under coach Dave Farrish.

18. CHARLOTTE CHECKERS Eduard Pershin returns after scoring 139 points in two years.

19. AUGUSTA LYNX Goaltender Jason Saal had a team-record five shutouts last year.

20. PEE DEE PRIDE Builds from within, without NHL affiliation.

21. LONG BEACH ICE DOGS New ties with Montreal Canadiens will boost lineup.

22. LOUISIANA ICEGATORS In transition after coach Dave Farrish’s departure.

23. TOLEDO STORM Speedy Nick Parillo fronts offense.

24. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS Expansion team’s motto this season: “Nobody’s Lunch.”

25. DAYTON BOMBERS Co-owner Don MacAdam also jumps into coaching duties.

26. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS Add leadership in Kevin St. Jacques and his career 849 points.

27. TEXAS WILDCATTERS Franchise hopes for strong second-year campaign.

28. FRESNO FALCONS Opponents outscored Falcons 275-187 last season. I

YOUNG ECHL

Here are the top 23-and-tinders who have been drafted by NHL teams.

FIRST TEAM

G Simon Lajeunesse, 23. Fresno

Ottawa, 48th overall, 1999

D Jared Newman, 22, Florida

Carolina, 110th overall, 2000

D Tim Branham, 23, Texas

Vancouver, 93rd overall, 2000

F Mathieu Brunelle, 21, Trenton

Philadelphia, 201st overall, 2002

F Nicolas Corbeil, 21, Mississippi

Toronto, 88th overall, 2001

F Carl Mallette, 23, Greenville

Atlanta. 107th overall, 2000

SECOND TEAM

G Nick Boucher, 23, Pee Dee

Pittsburgh, 280th overall, 2000

D Joe Martin, 23, Greenville

Chicago, 193rd overall, 2000

D Craig Olynick, 22, Toledo

Detroit, 166th overall, 2002

F Dusty Jamieson, 23, Charlotte

Montreal, 136th overall, 1999

F Derek Krestanovich, 21, Fresno

Washington, 92nd overall, 2002

F Russell Spence, 22, Greenville

Phoenix, 280th overall, 2002

One of the most interesting trades at this year’s NHL trade deadline was the Ottawa Senators’ center ice swap with the Buffalo Sabres. Essentially, it was Josh Norris for Dylan Cozens, and for both teams, it marked the turning of a page on two young players who were once expected to be key parts of their organization’s future success.

And early on in their careers, both looked like they were on that path.

In 2021–22, Norris scored 35 goals and recorded 55 points in 66 games, which earned him a massive contract. In 2022-23, Cozens looked just as good, putting up 31 goals and 68 points in 81 games and that got him a big deal of his own.

But neither player has quite lived up to expectations. For Norris, the problem has been health, while Cozens has struggled with inconsistency.

So, in March, Senators GM Steve Staios and Sabres GM Kevyn Adams exchanged their underachievers, hoping a change of scenery could help both players reset.

In Buffalo, Norris delivered more of the same. He played three games for the Sabres before injuries got him yet again.

“Norris is dealing with an injury he brought with him from Ottawa,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told the Buffalo media back in March. “He is working through it, but he won’t play until he is ready.”

He never was, and they shut him down for the season.

Meanwhile, Cozens arrived in Ottawa with 11 goals and 31 points in 61 Sabres games, but managed to find another gear after the trade, putting up 16 points in the final 21 games of the season. On the surface, it looks like Cozens is the better option, especially when factoring in Norris’s injury concerns.

But it's a small sample size, not enough to make any sweeping declarations. And this isn't just about outperforming Norris. Can Cozens return to being a 30-goal guy who flirts with 70 points? Whether it's Cozens or someone else, that’s the kind of production the Senators will need from their second-line center if they fancy themselves as Stanley Cup contenders.

Or will the same inconsistency that plagued Cozens in Buffalo return?

It’s always worth asking, in any trade, really: Why is this player available in the first place? Why did his former team decide he's expendable? If Cozens is the answer for Ottawa at second-line center, why wasn’t he the answer in Buffalo, a team desperate to end the longest playoff drought in the history of the NHL?

After the trade back in March, Ruff was asked in a Buffalo media scrum to describe what happened with Cozens that led to the trade.

"I think when you look at the start of the year, you know, he struggled to try to find his game early. I thought there was moments where he found his game, you know, the type of player that you... Even the Tampa game, I thought (he) played really well then. But just couldn't quite find his game.

"You know, I think maybe sometimes not being on that first power play hurt him a little bit on the offensive side. So I mean, there's a lot of things. But you know, we feel it's a good trade for both teams."

Statistically, Cozens got off to a strong start in Ottawa, but it’s far too early to label that as a turnaround. He’ll need to prove he can produce over the long haul and grind of a full 82-game season with the pressure of being on a team that's now expected to make the playoffs.

The good news for the Sens is they do have depth at center and a Plan B in Shane Pinto, who’d be thrilled to get a sniff of the power-play time Cozens was gifted upon arrival.

But relying on that Plan B could get complicated next summer. Pinto is a restricted free agent and currently makes $3.75 million. That's well below Cozens, who’s under contract for five more years at $7.1 million annually. 

For now, the Senators are hoping the 6-foot-3, 207-pound center just temporarily lost his mojo from years of losing in Buffalo, and that the 24-year-old will thrive in Ottawa for the foreseeable future. They’d love nothing more than to ride the “Workhorse from Whitehorse” to a Stanley Cup someday.

By Steve Warne
Sens Nation Hockey
Image credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

More Sens Headlines:

Key Takeaways From Senators Development Camp
Five Former Senator First-Rounders All Found New NHL Homes
Is Yakemchuk In The Sens' NHL Plans For This Fall?
Steve Staios' Top Five Trades (So Far) As Senators GM
Dissecting The Senators' Intriguing Right-Shot Defensive Depth Chart
Claude Giroux Reveals Why He Signed Back In Ottawa
Sens Nation Podcast: Sens Sign Eller and Kaliyev; Have They Sens Added Enough?

The NHL draft took place a couple of weeks ago, and GMs across the league made big decisions by selecting players they believe will help their respective teams in the future.

However, plenty of players don’t get selected and go undrafted, and despite not getting drafted by an NHL team, their hockey career certainly isn’t over. Some pan out to be NHL all-stars, award winners and Stanley Cup champions.

Here’s a short list of some of the best active undrafted players in the NHL today.

Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers

Sergei Bobrovsky is arguably the best, if not one of the best, goaltenders in the NHL right now. He’s coming off a second-straight Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers. Those two Cups put Bobrovsky on a path to potentially get into the Hockey Hall of Fame with him already owning two Vezina Trophies from 2013 and 2017.

After two incredible seasons in the KHL playing for his hometown Novokuznetsk, Bobrovsky signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in May 2010. 

The Russian netminder was a force right out of the gate. In his NHL debut, he led the Flyers to a win against their state rivals Pittsburgh Penguins. He recorded a .935 save percentage and allowed just two goals in a 3-2 win.

Fast forward 15 years later and Bobrovsky has the most career wins recorded by a Russian goalie in NHL history. In addition, he’s 10th on the all-time list for wins with a chance to climb the list next season in the final year of his contract. Matching last year’s 33 wins would take him up to sixth, surpassing Henrik Lundqvist’s 459 wins. 

Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers

One of the premier offensive talents in the NHL, Artemi Panarin, entered the league as a 24-year-old rookie. He signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in April 2015 and took off from there.

Panarin is one of the few players to win the Calder Trophy as an undrafted player. He scored 30 goals and 77 points in his first campaign, including a debut goal against the New York Rangers, the team he currently plays for.

Following two years in Chicago, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he would play another two seasons. After that, he signed a big ticket deal with the Rangers, inking a seven-year, $11.6-million per-season contract on July 1, 2019. 

With that contract, Panarin became the second-highest paid player in the NHL at the time by average annual value, only behind Connor McDavid. The 33-year-old proved his worth, recording four 90-point seasons in his six years in Manhattan, including a 120-point campaign in 2023-24.

Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals

Logan Thompson has played in several different leagues and divisions in his journey to becoming an NHL goaltender. 

Starting in the WHL, he played parts of four seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings, and during those four years, he played 22 games for the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL. After his junior hockey career, Thompson played one season for Brock University in U Sports.

Since then, he has played 40 ECHL games and 50 AHL games before he became an NHL regular in 2021-22 with the Vegas Golden Knights. Eventually, he was traded to the Washington Capitals in June 2024.

Last season, Thompson stamped his name on the list of top goaltenders in the NHL. In 43 regular-season appearances, he recorded a 2.49 goals-against average and a .910 SP. 

During that campaign, he registered an incredible streak where he went unbeaten in regulation for 16 straight games. This run came shortly after he wasn’t listed on Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Now, he’s one of the top goalies in the league and is within reach of representing Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics. 

Honorable Mentions

Chris Tanev, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Neal Pionk, D, Winnipeg Jets

Jonathan Marchessault, C, Nashville Predators

Mats Zuccarello, RW, Minnesota Wild

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the most popular team in the rumor mill right now. It is understandable, as Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson are currently considered three of the top trade candidates in the league.

While there is a real chance that we could see a few of the Penguins' top players on the move, they also have some under-the-radar trade candidates to keep an eye on. Let's discuss two of them now. 

Blake Lizotte 

Blake Lizotte is entering the final season of his contract and could be a player to watch because of it. There certainly could be some interest in him if he is made available, as he is a solid bottom-six center who chips in a bit offensively, kills penalties, and isn't afraid of the physical side of the game. His reasonable $1.85 million cap hit also adds to his appeal. 

Teams in need of a bottom-six center could call the Penguins about Lizotte, whether that is during this off-season or at the 2026 trade deadline. In 59 games last season with Pittsburgh, the 27-year-old recorded 11 goals, 20 points, 60 hits, and a minus-4 rating. 

Danton Heinen 

Danton Heinen is another Penguins forward entering the final year of his deal who could make sense for Pittsburgh to shop. He had a down 2024-25 season split between the Vancouver Canucks and Penguins, as he recorded nine goals and 29 points in 79 games. However, he notably bounced back a bit after being traded to Pittsburgh, posting 11 points, and a plus-3 rating in 28 games. 

When playing at his best, Heinen is capable of providing solid offensive production to go along with steady two-way play. Just back in 2023-24 with the Boston Bruins, he had 17 goals and 36 points in 74 games. If he bounces back next season and puts up numbers like this, he could be a popular trade chip for Pittsburgh to make available at the deadline. 

Penguins' Low-Risk Move Could Pay Off Big TimeThe Pittsburgh Penguins have brought in multiple new players so far this off-season. This includes forward Anthony Mantha, as the Penguins signed the veteran winger to a one-year contract that carries a $2.5 million cap hit. It also comes with an extra $2 million of potential performance bonuses.

photo credit: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish Forward Anton Frondell with the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He is immediately one of the top three prospects in the organization, with the ceiling of a top-six NHL center. 

Over the weekend, a report from Swedish media site Expressen said that Frondell would be signing with the Chicago Blackhawks. He won't, however, play in the NHL right away. He will return to Sweden to play for  Djurgårdens of the SHL. 

Djurgårdens has moved up to the highest level of the SHL, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone that Frondell will return for another year. The Blackhawks have been good about developing players who need it away from the NHL. 

Going up against stiffer SHL competition and a chance to play for Sweden in the World Junior Championships will be great for him. 

Part of this report suggests that Frondell won't attend training camp, but all of that needs to be confirmed by the team. Either way, he will be in a good spot for his first year following the draft as he looks to become a star in the best league in the world. It will take time, but he's taking the wise road. 

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Did the 2024-25 Florida Panthers start a trend en route to their second-straight Stanley Cup?

Time will tell, but the Panthers were an NHL anomaly – a hard-checking team that was both talented and tough, a rare combination for a champion.

Since the days when the Philadelphia Flyers were known as the Broad Street Bullies in the 1970s, few teams have led the league in penalty minutes and won the Stanley Cup.

Going back 50-plus years, there have been only five teams that won the Cup after leading the league in penalty minutes during the regular season.

Those five teams: This year’s Panthers, the 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning, the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks and the Flyers in 1973-74 and 1974-75. The Panthers, who were 10th in the NHL with 21 fights this season, didn’t get into nearly as many scraps as those Flyers teams, but they didplay with an aggressive, hell-bent style.

All five of the aforementioned teams did more than flex their muscles and play with a physical edge. Much more. They all had several standouts to complement their chippy players.

Let’s take a look:

1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers

The physical members of the Broad Street Bullies – Dave (Hammer) Schultz, Bob (Hound) Kelly, Andre (Moose) Dupont and Don (Big Bird) Saleski – received most of the publicity, but the Flyers oozed with talent. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Rick MacLeish and Ross Lonsberry each had 30-plus goals, Bernie Parent was the league’s best goalie (1.89 goals-against average, .932 save percentage), and the defense was superb, especially at clearing bodies in front of the net.

The defense was anchored by Barry Ashbee (plus-53), Dupont (plus-34), Jimmy Watson (plus-33), Ed Van Impe (plus-31), Joe Watson (plus-28) and Tom Bladon (plus-25). The Flyers had seven players with more than 100 penalty minutes, led by Schultz (348 minutes) and Dupont (216).

1974-75 Philadelphia Flyers  

The Flyers were in the middle of a span in which they led the league in penalty minutes a staggering 11 straight times. But they also topped the NHL in fewest goals allowed and used the same formula as the previous season to win another Cup.

Brawn, plus talent, equaled sensational results. In addition, the Flyers added hard-shooting right winger Reggie Leach, and he responded with a team-leading 45 goals. Schultz topped the NHL with 472 penalty minutes, and most of the players, like this year’s Panthers, played with an edge and an unparalleled intensity.

2006-07 Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim started the year at +1200 to win the Cup, but they overcame the odds with hard-nosed play, timely scoring, and excellent goaltending and defense. Though the Ducks’ league-leading 1,457 penalty minutes paled in comparison to the Flyers’ total in 1974-75 (1,955), they played with a physical nature that was keyed by Shane O’Brien, George Parros, Travis Moen, Sean O’Donnell, Chris Pronger, Brad May, Shawn Thornton and the Niedermayer brothers, Scott and Rob.

Pronger (plus-27), playing in his first season in Anaheim, anchored the defense, ageless Teemu Selanne scored a team-leading 48 goals, and goalies Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2.26 GAA, .918 SP) and Ilya Bryzgalov (2.47 GAA, .907 SP) were terrific. The Ducks also had a strong penalty kill, which was needed because Anaheim was shorthanded 121 times in 21 playoff games that year, killing 86.8 percent of the infractions.

2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning

In a regular season shortened to 56 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tampa Bay won the Cup after a regular season in which it led the NHL with a modest 597 penalty minutes. Pat Maroon (60 minutes), Barclay Goodrow (52) and Luke Schenn (51) were the penalty leaders for the Bolts, who won the Cup more on scoring and goaltending than their physical play.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.21 GAA, .925 SP) was brilliant in net, and five players scored at least 15 goals, led by Brayden Point (23), Steven Stamkos (17) and Yanni Gourde (17). Nikita Kucherov, who missed the regular season after undergoing hip surgery, had a league-best 32 points in 23 playoff games.  In the Finals, the Lightning outscored the Canadiens, 17-8, as they coasted in five games.

2024-25 Florida Panthers

The Sunshine Bullies topped the NHL with 853 penalty minutes in the regular season, then led the league, by far, with 370 penalty minutes in the playoffs. A punishing, physical style was part of the Panthers’ trademark, and the team became even chippier after it acquired Brad Marchand in March, sending Boston a conditional second-round selection in the 2027 draft.

In short, the Panthers were hard to play against. They won board battles, outmuscled opponents for pucks, and flourished with their physical style of play. The Panthers were also second in the NHL in penalty minutes in 2023-24, a year in which they won their first Cup.

A.J. Greer, Sam Bennett and Niko Mikkola were the Cats’ penalty-minute leaders in the regular season, but most of the team played with an edge and gave opponents little time or space on the ice. Sam Reinhart (39 goals, 81 points), Aleksander Barkov (20 goals, 71 points), Matthew Tkachuk (22 goals), Carter Verhaeghe (20 goals) Bennett (25 goals) and Marchand (10 goals in 23 playoff games) led the offense.

Meanwhile, the D got strong performances from Gustav Forsling, Dmitry Kulikov, Mikkola, Aaron Ekblad and Nate Schmidt. And, as with all the teams on this list, the goaltending was top-notch. Sergei Bobrovsky, a future Hall of Famer, had a 2.44 GAA and .905 save percentage in the regular season, then was even better in the playoffs (2.20 GAA, .914 SP).

It all added up to another Cup, and it will be interesting to see if other teams try to copy their formula.

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After taking a nice step forward during the 2024-25 season, the Montreal Canadiens have been busy this summer. They acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders and Zack Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues in two notable trades. However, the possibility of them making another splash before the season is here should not be ruled out. 

When looking at the Canadiens' current roster, it is apparent that they could use an upgrade at the second-line center spot. Due to this, let's look at three potential trade targets for the Canadiens who could help them on that front. 

Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild 

Marco Rossi has been the subject of trade rumors this off-season, and he would be a nice player for the Canadiens to bring in. The 2020 ninth-overall pick just put together a strong 2024-25 season with the Minnesota Wild, posting new career highs with 24 goals, 36 assists, and 60 points in 82 games. With numbers like these, he would certainly give the Canadiens a boost at the 2C spot.

Furthermore, with Rossi being only 23 years, he is young enough where he could improve further and be a long-term part of the Canadiens' core. However, it is also important to note that he is currently a restricted free agent (RFA), so he is due for a raise from his previous $863,334 cap hit. 

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks 

Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish is another young center who has come up in the rumor mill this off-season. Like Rossi, he is currently an RFA and would be a significant pickup for a team on the rise like the Canadiens. The 6-foot-1 forward is continuing to trend in the right direction, as he posted new career highs with 22 goals, 30 assists, 52 points, and 70 hits in 76 games in 2024-25.

McTavish's potential, skill, and size would make him a perfect addition for the Canadiens. However, it would need to take a very big offer for the Ducks to even consider trading McTavish, as he is one of their most promising young players. Thus, this is a move that would be harder for the Canadiens to pull off. 

Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins 

The Canadiens and Boston Bruins made their first trade since 2001 at this year's draft, as they swapped picks. While these big-time rivals rarely do business together, Pavel Zacha is a center who could make sense for the Canadiens to pursue. 

Zacha has come up as a trade candidate often since this past trade deadline as the Bruins continue to retool their roster. During this past season with Boston, he posted 14 goals and 47 points in 82 games. This was after he recorded 57 points in 2022-23 and 59 points in 2023-24, so he is capable of producing solid offense. This and his strong two-way play could make him a nice pickup for the Canadiens' 2C spot. 

Zacha also has a very reasonable $4.75 million contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, which only adds to his appeal.

Canadiens: Zharovsky Starts His Season With Big Win In KHL TournamentIf Ivan Demidov gave a good show on Saturday night in Boisbriand, the Montreal Canadiens’ first pick at the last draft did the same thing earlier in the day. Second-round pick and 34th overall selection Alexander Zharovsky started his KHL year with a win at the league’s three-on-three tournament with his team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Photo Credit: © Stan Szeto-Imagn Images