As the Ottawa Senators continue their pre-season auditions, Tuesday’s 5-0 loss illustrated something clearly. When the Montreal Canadiens play the Ottawa Senators this season, they intend to try to intimidate them physically.

Who could blame them? Aside from Brady Tkachuk, who else on the roster can fight and win? This is not to question anyone's heart.

Zack MacEwen was signed a couple of years ago as a response to the Toronto Maple Leafs signing Ryan Reaves. MacEwen is a good fighter and always willing to answer the bell. But he hasn't fared well against the league's heavyweights.

Everyone answered the bell in the Habs game. The Habs, led by the Brothers Xhekaj, initiated the majority and, aside from Kirby Dach turtling against Donovan Sebrango, there really wasn’t a chest puff moment for the Senators.

As far as nuclear deterrents go, the Senators don’t have anyone in the system who can play regularly AND keep the other team in line.

Tyler Kleven has the size to suggest he could handle himself. However, his inaugural bout was against Adam Lowry of the Jets, and it soon became clear that Kleven played University hockey where he did not learn how to become a great fighter. 

Carter Yakemchuk had 120 penalty minutes in his draft year and another 82 last year, but didn't have much interest in fighting on Tuesday night. Gabriel Eliasson, the Senators' 2nd pick in the 2024 priority selection, was regarded as the meanest player in the 2024 draft. This is a reputation he tried to uphold in rookie camp this year.

Perhaps they will be a pair one day. This doesn’t solve the current dilemma.

Ridly Greig will take all comers and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. He irritates. He doesn’t intimidate.

Other teams may take note of what happened on Tuesday and try to replicate it. The risk is not only having liberties taken with your star players, but also having your captain taken out of the game defending people when he should be wreaking havoc in front of the opposing goalie.

Looking within the division, the defending champion, Florida Panthers, are without a couple of key pieces in Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who play the hard minutes, but the Panthers also have the likes of Sam Bennett, who can play it anyway you want or someone like AJ Greer, who can play hard minutes and fight.

The Leafs have said goodbye to Mitch Marner, and new faces like Nicolas Roy won’t replace his offence but will make them bigger and harder to play against. They also brought in Michael Pezzetta for nights when trouble is expected. Simon Benoit is a defenseman who brings both size and the ability to use it effectively to the table. Not the most intimidating roster in the division, but they are big enough not to get pushed around.

The Bruins have the likes of Nikita Zadorov who is as mean as they come, and they also doubled down on former Senator Mark Kastelic for another three years. Say what you will, but Kastelic can play a fourth-line role and can win a fight. He had 10 last year alone. The Bruins, as a team, had the second most fights in the NHL last season with 30.

The Bolts don’t have a lot of guys who fight but they have plenty of guys who can, and they are huge with the likes of former Senator Nick Paul, Victor Hedman, Erik Czernak, and the list goes on. Teams won’t intimidate them physically.

The Sabres don’t have a Matthew Barnaby type and haven’t in a long time. Adding Josh Norris didn’t make them tougher to play against. They also own the longest playoff drought in the league at 14 seasons. Coincidence? They had the eighth most fights in the league last year at 23. Fights at the end of games you are about to lose don’t add up to much in the standings.

The Detroit Red Wings don’t have anyone who would fit the description of an enforcer. They also have the second-longest playoff drought in the league at nine years. Coincidence? Mason Appleton is a gritty player, but as an off-season signing, he doesn’t really inspire fear, and nor do adding Jacob Bernard-Docker and Travis Hamonic. Hard to say where Stevie Y is taking this team.

Coming out of the last lockout, the competition committee sought to make the game faster and more entertaining with an emphasis on skill. This led to the near extinction of the dedicated enforcer. It also led to players who can both play harder minutes, be physical AND fight when needed, all the more valuable. Tkachuk is the Senators' only such player.

Teams don’t need a lot of pugilism to be effective, but they do need some, and aside from their captain, the Senators have a glaring gap in this department.

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Reviewing Four Of The Nastiest Moments From Senators–Canadiens Game On Tuesday
Eight Former Ottawa Senators Placed On Waivers This Week
Brady Tkachuk On Starring In Prime Video Show: 'I'm An Open Book To Begin With'
Broadcast Frustrations Resurface For Senators Fans
Ullmark Says He Enjoys The Struggle
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders conclude their preseason slate on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers at  Xfinity Mobile Arena. We will be chatting with head coach Patrick Roy and select players at 4 PM ET. 

Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET and can be watched, exclusively, on ESPN+.

Forward Jonathan Drouin, who missed Wednesday's skate due to illness, did rejoin the team on Thursday but did not take part in line rushes. Roy didn't think he'd play when we spoke to the bench boss following Wednesday's skate. 

Drouin went pointless in three preseason games, but was clearly getting more comfortable with his new team in each passing game. 

"It’s something you feel. You’re forechecking and you're in your head saying, ‘Am I in the right spot?’ or ‘Am I forechecking the right guy?’ That stuff kind of goes away. & you’re just playing. You’re skating, you’re freer."#Isles@TheElmontershttps://t.co/4cIaYpPSMH

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 2, 2025

Forwards Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri were on the ice but neither took part in line rushes. Both took part in penalty kill work. 

Goaltender Ilya Sorokin told us he wanted to play in two preseason games, and he'll get to do that as he'll start the finale. He stopped 23 of 26 in a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils last Friday \\. 

Here's the lines:

#Isles morning skate lines:

Duclair-Ritchie-Heineman
Lee-Barzal-Tsyplakov
Holmstrom-Pageau-Shabanov
Cizikas-MacLean-Gatcomb
E: Horvat, Drouin, Palmieri

Pelech-Pulock
Schaefer-Mayfield
Romanov-Boqvist
George-DeAngelo

Sorokin
Rittich

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 2, 2025

Forward Maxim Tsyplakov, who wasn't available for the first four preseason games, did skate on Monday, but did so on the fourth line. He's focused heavily on going North and not as much East-West-South play that got him in trouble at times during his rookie season. 

We'll see what he can show alongside Barzal.

Forward Calum Ritchie also played on the fourth line last game, but we know he is a top-six forward once he develops to the level the organization envisioned. 

While making the Islanders' roster out of training camp is going to be tough despite his strong performance, Thursday serves as his final chance to show his worth, and the Islanders seem to be giving him an opportunity to do that, playing alongside Anthony Duclair and Emil Heineman. 

Here's how the Islanders lineup on the power play:

#Isles PP: (QB-LW-RW-B-N)

PP1: Schaefer-Barzal-Duclair-Heineman-Lee
PP2: Boqvist-Shabanov-Holmstrom-Ritchie-Tsyplakov

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) October 2, 2025

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

Former New York Rangers defenseman Niko Mikkola has landed a big payday, as he has signed an eight-year, $40 million contract extension with the Florida Panthers. His extension will kick in during the 2026-27 season. 

Mikkola first signed with the Panthers during the 2023 NHL off-season in free agency after finishing the 2022-23 season with the Rangers. Since then, he has become a key part of Florida's blueline and has won the Stanley Cup twice. Thus, it is understandable that the Panthers have locked him up to this long-term contract extension. 

More of Mikksy!

📝 » https://t.co/XJRqf2bYuspic.twitter.com/GvqZ84ahwd

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 2, 2025

Mikkola was acquired by the Rangers with forward Vladimir Tarasenko during the 2022-23 season from the St. Louis Blues. In 31 games with the Rangers that season following the trade, the 6-foot-6 defenseman recorded one goal, three points, 38 blocks, 55 hits, and a plus-4 rating. He also played in seven playoff games for the Blueshirts in 2023, where he recorded two assists, 12 penalty minutes, and a plus-2 rating. 

There is a scene in the third episode of FACEOFF: Inside the NHL Season 2 that, depending on your view of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is either highly inspirational or the saddest thing ever.

In it, Sidney Crosby is sweating and grunting through a set of squats in a workout room that he has personally decorated with portraits of the past 16 Stanley Cup winners. He apparently started putting these pictures up in 2008, after the Penguins lost in the final to the Detroit Red Wings. That summer, Crosby hung a photo of Nicklas Lidstrom hoisting the Cup. He then hung up an empty frame next to it as motivation for the following season.

The Penguins went on to win the Cup in 2009. Since then, Crosby has continued the tradition.

“I always put the winning captain up,” Crosby said in the Prime Video docuseries. “When we lost in ’08, I just wanted as a reminder, so I started doing that. Kept putting them up and leave the empty one there.”

Here’s the thing: no one — and I mean absolutely no one — is picking the Penguins to win the Stanley Cup this season, let alone qualify for the playoffs. The Hockey News' Yearbook predicted that the Penguins, which finished last season in seventh place in the Metro, will end up dead last in the division. But even in what is being framed as a rebuilding year, he still believes that this could also be the year where he adds another one of his photos to the empty frame.

Call him an idealist, if you want. Or delusional. But you have to love the competitiveness fire that still burns brightly inside the veteran captain. You also have to wonder why Crosby is pushing towards a goal that seems so unrealistic and unachievable.

When asked by an off-camera producer what keeps him motivated at this stage of his career, the Penguins captain was succinct in his answer: “I think winning,” he said. “I don’t really know any different.”

Season 2 of Faceoff: Inside the NHL premieres October 3 on Prime Video! pic.twitter.com/g68r9M37xp

— NHL (@NHL) September 30, 2025

FACEOFF: Inside the NHL Season 2 premiers on Prime Video on Oct. 3, with the six-episode docuseries featuring Crosby, the Tkachuk brothers, William Nylander and more.

Episode 3, according to NHL.com, “raises eyebrows and questions as Crosby and his agent, Pat Brisson, talk about his future with the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

“Sid and Pat were just amazing to us on this project,” director Daniel Amigone told NHL.com. “It’s hard to get that kind of access. It was certainly not guaranteed throughout. Hopefully, we represented it accurately, and we stand behind what we have in the show.”

Indeed, Crosby only knows one way. But that way is at odds with the path that the Penguins are forging.

GM Kyle Dubas is not trying to win a championship this season. He’s not even trying to make the playoffs. No, with an over-the-hill roster and a cupboard that is bare of top-end prospects, he’s trying to win the No. 1 pick in the draft. In order to do that, the Penguins need to lose. And they need to lose big — and probably for more than just one season.

So what is Crosby doing staring at a wall of portraits and squatting? It’s like the life-imprisoned convict who keeps his sanity by digging a hole to freedom, only to realize that he’s been digging towards the cell next to him. The goal is not only unrealistic, it’s unreachable.

That is, as long as he remains in Pittsburgh.

Which raises the question: if the only thing motivating Crosby is winning, then why not accept a trade to Colorado or even Montreal, where the chances at winning are much greater than they are in Pittsburgh?

After all, at the age of 38, it’s not like he has many more years of this.

“I mean, I understand it," Crosby said of the speculation surrounding his future while at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in September. "It's not something that you want to discuss. You'd rather be talking about who are we getting at the deadline, or where we're at as far as are we one, two or three in the division?

"But, you know, it's one of those things that's the hard part about losing. I think everybody thinks that losing is, the buzzer goes, you lose the game, and that sucks. But there's so much more. It’s the turnover, it's the unknown, the uncertainty, the question marks. That’s the stuff that's tough, and it makes you appreciate all those years of we're competing and going after that big acquisition every single trade deadline. I don't think I took it for granted, but I definitely appreciate it that much more now."

Despite Turnover And Uncertainty, Sidney Crosby Remains Loyal To The Penguins For NowYou can say many things about NHL icon Sidney Crosby.

You could argue that Crosby has won enough and done enough where chasing another Cup isn't that important on his to-do list.

Sure, Crosby’s already a three-time Stanley Cup winner and a two-time Olympic gold medallist who probably deserves to be placed next to Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest players to have laced up their skates.

But he’s also a player who finished in the top-10 in scoring last season with 91 points and who captained Canada to a championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off. In February, Crosby will participate in his third Olympics, where he’ll try to lead the country to its third gold medal.

In other words, he can still win. And he can still help a team, whether it’s a Colorado or Montreal, win. But what he can’t do is help the Penguins win, no matter the motivation and no matter how many squats he’s performing.

"It hasn't changed my approach," he said. "I mean, I still go out there trying to win every single game and try to be the best that I can be. I think that youth and having that energy around you isn't a bad thing, either. And we've got a lot of hungry guys, a lot of competition for spots. So, I think you just try to find different things that you can feed off of, and still continue to learn through it.”

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 11 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #11. 

Let's take a look.

Kevin Dineen - 2001-2003 - Drafted by Hartford in 1982. 

A CBJ Original, Dineen played 129 games for the Jackets and had 29 points in the early days of the franchise. He appeared in only four games in the 2002–03 season with Columbus, and on November 5, 2002, he retired from playing. In 1188 career games, Dineen recorded 355 goals and 760 points while registering 2229 penalty minutes.  

After retiring, he joined the Blue Jackets front office as a Pro Scout and later as an assistant. General Manager. He was the head coach of the AHL's Portland Pirates for six seasons before being hired as the head coach of the Florida Panthers. After two and a half seasons in Florida, he was fired and hired as an assistant by the Chicago Blackhawks. He has since been a head coach for the San Diego Gulls and the Utica Comets of the AHL. After starting the 24-25 season 0-8-0-1, Dineen was fired on November 6th, 2024. 

Craig MacDonald - 2009 - Drafted by Hartford in 1996. 

MacDonald played eight games as a Jacket in 08-09 and had two points. He never played another NHL game after his time in Columbus. 

He left for Germany in 2009 and retired in 2013. 

Chris Clark - 2010 - Drafted by Calgary in 1994. 

Clark played 89 games for Columbus and had 20 points. He never played another NHL game after Columbus.

After retiring from the NHL, he was hired by the Blue Jackets as a Scout. He later moved into the position of Development Coach and did that for 8 years. In 2019, he was promoted to the positions of Director of Player Personnel for Columbus and General Manager of the Cleveland Monsters, and he still holds those positions today. In 2023, he was also named General Manager of Team USA for the World Championships. 

Matt Calvert - 2011-2018 - Drafted by Columbus in 2008. 

Calvert played 416 games as a Jacket and had 149 points. Known as a player who was not afraid to step in front of a puck or lay a huge hit, Calvert personified what it was to be a Columbus Blue Jacket. Calvert was loved by all fans for his toughness and for being a great person.

Forced to retire in 2021 due to medical issues, he co-founded CAL Sports Management, where he is the Director of Recruitment and Development. 

Kevin Stenlund - 2019-2022 - Drafted by Columbus in 2015. 

The big Swede played 71 games as a Blue Jacket and had 20 points. He is currently playing for the Utah Hockey Club, but last season won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers alongside former CBJ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Elite prospects described Stenlund as "An intelligent, big-bodied center with superb puck handling ability. His greatest asset is his mature mindset: he thinks the game at a high level. Plays a simplified, complete game and doesn't make low-percentage plays. Uses his edges well at a level that suits his style of play - physical and hard to play against; that being said, there is still room for improvement in his skating and first three strides. Protects the puck well."

Unfortunately, it didn't work out for Stenlund in Columbus, which is a shame.  

Adam Fantilli - 2024 - Drafted by Columbus in 2023.

After suffering a brutal skate cut in 2024, he was forced to miss the rest of the season. He scored 12 goals and totaled 27 points. 

Last season, Fantilli got off to a bit of a slow start but really turned it on as the season went on. He would finish the season tied for the team lead with 31 goals. He also chipped in 23 assists and totaled 54 points. 

This season, Fantilli is expected to take yet another step and become the dominating two-way player everyone thinks he can be. With the tutelage of Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan, he should be able to continue to grow into the face of the franchise. 

Luke Kunin - 2025 - Drafted by Minnesota in 2016.

Kunin played 12 games for Columbus after being traded from the San Jose Sharks at the 2025 NHL trade deadline. He failed to register a point in 12 games. 

As a free agent, Kunin signed with the Florida Panthers in August on a one-year deal.

There are 11 days until opening night at NWA. 

The pre-season schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Oct. 4 at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET

After that, the Blue Jackets will open the regular season on the road against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.  

More from THN Columbus

Blue Jackets Place Christián Jaroš On Waivers To Terminate Contract The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed Christián Jaroš on waivers for the purpose of contract termination. Former Blue Jacket Christián Jaroš Rumored To Be Signing In EuropeWell, it didn't take long for Christián Jaroš to get a job. 

The Ottawa Senators wrapped up their six-day, two-game Quebec City stop on Tuesday night with a 5-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in preseason action. On the scoreboard, the game meant nothing. But on the ice, it turned into a night of bad blood, dirty hits, and settling scores.

It was compelling theatre for fans, but for head coaches Martin St. Louis and Travis Green, it was a wasted opportunity to evaluate players and fine-tune systems. As expected, the nastiness spilled over to social media on Wednesday, with Sens fans and Habs fans going at each other over who started what.

Here are four of the most talked-about nasty moments from Tuesday night’s game. This obviously isn't the complete gospel, because no one sees everything that happens on the ice, and they certainly don't hear everything that might be said, which could spark a fight, hack, or hit that otherwise seems random. And even if they could see and heat it all, everyone interprets things differently.

But I've watched the video carefully, and here's my evaluation of what I think happened in each case.

1. Hayden Hodgson’s Hit from Behind on Alex Newhook

At 16:54 of the second period, Ottawa forward Hayden Hodgson delivered a dangerous hit from behind on Montreal’s Alex Newhook. Hodgson, who got a brief NHL look at the end of last season, is fighting to earn a role with the Senators through physical play. But in his eagerness to impress in that area, he crossed the line.

It was the kind of reckless finish that happens when a player is desperate to make an impact. Hodgson was fined by the NHL on Wednesday, and was fortunate he didn't get suspended. Even more fortunately, Newhook wasn’t seriously injured.

2. Struble’s Cross-Check to Jeník’s Face Was An Accident

Emotions were high in the stoppage right after Hodgson’s hit, as players began jawing. Sens winger David Perron lightly cross-checked Montreal defenseman Jayden Struble. It was nothing. Jenik moved in, and Struble responded by cross-checking him at roughly the same angle Perron had. But Perron got his stick in the way so Struble's stick slid up Perron's and accidentally caught Jeník in the face. Still a penalty, of course. But Struble had no intent, in my opinion, to strike Jenik in the face.

The result, though, was predictable: fights broke out. Arber Xhekaj tangled with Zack MacEwen, while Struble himself squared off with Jeník. The Canadiens got the big upper hand in both scraps.

3. Florian Xhekaj vs. Carter Yakemchuk

Third period now. Montreal’s Jake Evans bumped into Dylan Cozens in a light reverse hit at the Canadiens' blue line. Down 5-0 now, MacEwen didn't like it, so he bodied an unsuspecting Evans after the whistle, shoving him during the hit so he was teetering on top of the boards at the Habs bench. A roughing penalty for sure, but the Xhekaj brothers then both jumped into the scrum to rain blows down on MacEwen.

I swear, it reminded me of Slapshot in the scene where the Hansen brothers worked over an opponent together in the corner, and he just topples over sideways when they skate away.

With 19-year-old Carter Yakemchuk — the Senators’ top prospect — seeing 3 or 4 Canadiens all giving MacEwen the business, he came in to try and even out the numbers. He pulled the younger Xhekaj out of the melee, and the Habs’ minor-league tough guy took that as a challenge to fight. hammering Yakemchuk with six fast, hard punches. Wailing on a team's top prospect will never be appreciated, but what I had a way bigger problem with was Xhekaj's move at the end of it.

He grabbed Yakemchuk by the front of his shoulders and pulled him backwards to throw him awkwardly and violently to the ice. Thankfully, Yakemchuk landed flat on his upper back, but watching the replay, if you told me he ended up with a right knee injury, a shoulder injury, a neck injury, or a concussion, I would believe you.

That's judo, pro wrestling or MMA. If I had to pick any incident that should have earned a suspension on Tuesday night, it was that one, even over the Hodgson hit.

Credit to Cozens, who tried to intervene but was restrained by one of the Canadiens.

4. Nick Cousins Slashes Ivan Demidov

The last incident I reviewed (there were others) came just over a minute after the Yakemchuk incident. Canadiens forward Nick Cousins decided to go after Ottawa’s top offensive prospect, Ivan Demidov. Cousins first lined him up for a long run along the boards, then chased him up ice and capped it with a slash to the wrist.

The NHL fined Cousins for the slash on Wednesday. It was unquestionably a dirty play. But in context, it was a direct response to the dirty play that had just happened to Yakemchuk.

Final Word

Tuesday night’s tilt in Quebec City was about emotion, payback, and grudges. With the Senators and Canadiens meeting again on Saturday, this time in Montreal, both teams would ideally like to get back to hockey and get ready for their season openers. But the way these two teams hate on each other, they may not be able to help themselves, so I feel like there's a good chance they take it into the gutter again. If they do, I guess Sportsnet will just have to bite the bullet and deal with the record ratings.

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Senators Clobbered 5-0 By Montreal In Quebec City 'Home' Game
Eight Former Ottawa Senators Placed On Waivers This Week
Brady Tkachuk On Starring In Prime Video Show: 'I'm An Open Book To Begin With'
Broadcast Frustrations Resurface For Senators Fans
Ullmark Says He Enjoys The Struggle
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself

BRACEBRIDGE, Ont. — Simon Benoit is feeling better after a “bump” early in training camp forced the defenseman to miss a portion of on-ice activities with the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an upper-body injury.

“It was bothering me so I just didn’t want to take any risk to make it worse,” Benoit told The Hockey News.

Benoit took part in his first full practice without having to wear the red non-contact jersey, as the club practiced at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre for their annual getaway up north.

Simon Benoit is taking part in a regular jersey for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury. He had been in a red non-contact jersey.

⁦@BodogCA⁩ pic.twitter.com/ES5i0laCJ8

— David Alter (@dalter) October 1, 2025

The third-year Leaf wasn’t concerned, as he was during his first go-around with Toronto in 2023, when the defenseman suffered from back spasms. When he returned, he started his season with the Toronto Marlies before working his way back to the Leafs and eventually earning an everyday spot with the NHL club.

But now a new challenge awaits the 27-year-old from Laval, Quebec: playing on the right side.

When training camp opened, the Leafs flipped Benoit and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Both players are left-handed shots, and while skating together, it was Ekman-Larsson who skated on the right side. While Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said earlier in the camp that playing on the strong side unlocks more offense—a sentiment underscored by Ekman-Larsson, who scored just four goals last season compared to the nine he put up with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24—this positional switch means Benoit will play on his weak side, something he hasn’t done at the NHL level before.

Maple Leafs Provide Update On Playing Status Of Max Domi, Simon Benoit and Nicolas Roy As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for their second game of the preseason, there remain question marks about a few key players in their lineup.

With two games remaining in the pre-season, Benoit is eager to get into games so he can get some time on the weak side.

“It just takes a couple of games to break the habit and make sure you are in the right spot,” Benoit said.

The Leafs have been pleased with Benoit’s game over the last couple of years. He is a big, bruising defensive defenseman who is responsible with the puck. But now he aims to evolve his game by contributing offensively.

Benoit exhibited some of that ability when he set up Max Domi for Toronto’s overtime-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in Game 2 of their 2025 first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series. He took it a step further, scoring the game-winner in Game 3 of that series.

Latest stories:

Maple Leafs Could Ice Opening Night Lineup In Second-Last Pre-Season Game Against Red Wings

Maple Leafs See Massive 16 Percent Increase In Franchise Valuation By Sportico

How Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 Million Per Year Extension Impacts Maple Leafs’ Future Signings

According to a report, former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart is rapidly gaining momentum to sign with a top Western Conference contender in the coming days.

On Wednesday, The Athletic NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that Hart, 27, is the closest of the recently acquitted Hockey Canada players to signing a new contract and resuming his playing career in the NHL.

The Vegas Golden Knights, according to Johnston's sources, are a near lock to sign the former Flyers goalie to a deal.

"Hart appears closest to signing a contract, with the Vegas Golden Knights almost certain to be the eventual destination for the 27-year-old goaltender, according to league sources," Johnston wrote for The Athletic. "Hart received interest from multiple NHL teams and is drawn to the opportunity to play for a contender in a situation where he’d likely end up sharing the crease with Adin Hill."

Flyers Roster Prediction 1.0: Nikita Grebenkin Secures Big OpportunityFollowing multiple roster cuts on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Flyers have only a handful of decisions to make before they reach their final roster for the start of the regular season.

The 27-year-old Hart was found not guilty of the sexual assault charge levied against him on July 24 and has since been reinstated by the NHL, though it should be noted that he, along with the other four players involved in the Hockey Canada trial, are suspended until Dec. 1.

Hart was eligible to sign a contract with a new team as of Wednesday, though it will not be officially registered until Oct. 15.

Previously, it was reported, then confirmed by the Flyers themselves, that a reunion in Philadelphia would not be in the cards.

Hart last played an NHL game on Jan. 20, 2024, when he ceded five goals on 15 shots and was replaced by Sam Ersson in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Just when you thought the fun Stanley Cup stories from the summer were over, the Florida Panthers squeezed in one more ahead of Opening Night.

On Tuesday, the Panthers played the Tampa Bay Lightning at Kia Center in Orlando, and on Thursday, the rivals will meet again, this time in Tampa.

As they have done in the past when playing an exhibition game in Orlando, the Panthers took the opportunity to enjoy some of what the tourist destination city has to offer.

This year, Florida was afforded the opportunity to include something very special: the Stanley Cup.

On Wednesday, the Panthers and the Cup visited Universal Studios’ brand new Epic Universe theme park.

Judging by the looks on many of the players’ faces, having the chance to cut loose and enjoy a little fun with each other before the season is something that they took full advantage of.

“It’s great,” said Panthers forward A.J. Greer. “We got to do something very unique, something that we don’t get to do much often, and I haven’t done it since I was a kid.

“You feel like a kid, and walking around with your best friends, it’s great to indulge in some of the stuff that you used to love.”

You can check out footage of the Cats’ day at Epic Univese in the video below:

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A few days ago, we had our Mailbox Monday, and I gave my final predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins' final 2025-26 roster.

Well, as it turns out, some things have changed. More specifically, some of these young players - and the veterans - have me changing my mind. 

Through six pre-season games, the Penguins are 4-1-1, and that is in large part to some of the young players who are making a statement in this camp. While I don't think that means every single one of them will make the opening night NHL roster for puck drop on Oct. 7, I do think some of them have made enough of an impression to earn their way there - and I also think there are some veterans that have not performed up to standard and could, potentially, be blocking one of those younger players from a roster spot.

With major roster cuts expected within the next two days, we are drawing closer and closer to the end of camp - and the dawn of the new season.

So, here goes. Here is my final roster prediction to begin the 2025-26 season.

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Forwards (14)

C Sidney Crosby
No explanation required.

C Evgeni Malkin
See "C Sidney Crosby."

RW Bryan Rust
Assuming he is not dealt in the next week, Rust will be on the opening night roster.

LW/RW/C Rickard Rakell
See "RW Bryan Rust."

RW Anthony Mantha
Mantha has shown value with his size, strength, and ability to create scoring opportunities off his shot. He has also meshed well with Malkin up to this point, and the Penguins will not want to waste a chance for him to make himself valuable enough to flip for assets at the trade deadline.

Penguins' Pre-Season: Prospects Lead Way As Penguins Defeat Sabres, 5-3The Pittsburgh Penguins continued their winning ways in the pre-season on Wednesday when they visited the Buffalo Sabres.

LW Ville Koivunen
It will be an absolute travesty - as well as serious malpractice - if Koivunen is not on this roster to start the season. He is tied for the pre-season lead in goals with two, and he's making guys look silly out there on a nightly basis.

C Tristan Broz
Broz has been one of the most impressive forwards in camp, period. And not only has he impressed offensively with two power play goals, it's telling that the Penguins are experimenting with him up and down the lineup and in all situations, almost as if to test him - and he's passed with flying colors.

RW Philip Tomasino
At first, I did not have Tomasino on my final roster projection. But he has been legitimately good in the last couple of games, and he has also shown some chemistry with a few other guys who could be on the roster. He's been going to the net a lot, he's been unafraid to pull the trigger, and he's made a few nice passing plays, too. He's earned a stay on the roster.

Penguins' Mid-Camp Prospect Tiers: Who Is Most Likely To Make NHL Roster?We're officially 10 days into Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp, and if one thing is for certain, there has been a ton of competition. 

C Filip Hallander
In the first half of camp, I felt that Hallander needed to show me more in order to convince me he should be on the roster. Well, he has convinced me in the last couple of games with his playmaking smarts, his two-way play, and his center drive. I like what I've seen from him, and he didn't cross an ocean again for nothing.

C/LW Connor Dewar
Dewar has been outstanding in this camp. He made himself stand out in the 4-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday with a nice backhand goal and a fight, and he continues to prove why he may be a hidden gem for the Penguins on their fourth line.

RW Justin Brazeau
He's big, he's physical, he forechecks well, he goes to the net... and he's remarkably good at deflections. While that reason alone is not enough to earn him a roster spot, what does earn him a spot is his knack for seemingly always being in the right place at the right time. He's a great combination of size and smarts, which is something the Penguins could use.

C Ben Kindel
If you would have asked me at the beginning of camp if Kindel had a shot, I may have laughed. Not because Kindel isn't good, but because there are so many worthy forwards in camp. But Kindel has managed to rise above them all, and he's earned himself a nine-game trial - even if that means waiving a veteran. He may need to add size, but so does almost every 18- or 19-year-old who plays in the NHL. To me, that's not a valid reason to hold him back when he's shown he can handle NHL-grade competition - and even outmatch it.

Should Ben Kindel Get The Nine-Game Trial? The Case For And AgainstThere are a lot of stories coming out of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp this year. Many of them involve young players making an impression and pushing for the NHL roster.

C Blake Lizotte
Quite honestly, I think Lizotte barely makes this roster. It's not because he's been bad, but there have simply been younger centermen who have outplayed him. He's someone the Penguins would probably lose to waivers, so I think they'd rather hold onto him for a potential trade later.

C Tommy Novak
Truly, I haven't been a huge fan of Novak's camp. There are times when he looks a step slow, and he could stand to do a bit more away from the puck. But I have liked the look of the Novak-Hallander-Tomasino combination, and I do think that he has more to offer than what he's shown.

Notable omissions: Avery Hayes, Noel Acciari, Danton Heinen, Robby Fabbri, Boko Imama

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Defensemen (7)

RD Erik Karlsson
Barring a surprise trade, there is no way the Penguins' top defenseman misses out on a roster spot. He's consistently been paired with a stay-at-home partner, and they've meshed well together.

RD Kris Letang
See "C Sidney Crosby" and "C Evgeni Malkin."

RD Matt Dumba
Dumba has been one of the best surprises of camp, and this is good news for him and the Penguins. He seems to be a different player than he was with the Dallas Stars a year ago, and he has been unleashing his booming shot with consistency, too. The pre-season has been good for his confidence, and, hopefully, that can translate to the regular season and turn him into a tradeable asset.

Ben Kindel setting up this Matt Dumba one-timer.

I’ll admit, I felt Penguins reached on Kindel, but is proving scouts & myself wrong. Kid has a chance to be an absolute stud pic.twitter.com/M8PI1poU5h

— Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) October 2, 2025

RD Connor Clifton
Clifton has been very sound in this camp. He knows his identity and sticks to it, and he's never trying to do too much. He strikes me as someone the Penguins could potentially play on their off-side, too.

RD Harrison Brunicke
Brunicke may not have been his tip-top self in a 5-3 win over Buffalo Wednesday, but he's been tip-top otherwise all throughout camp. He's already one of the Penguins' three best defenseman in this camp, and he has absolutely nothing left to prove or develop in juniors. His development needs to happen at the NHL level. He's ready, and he's a good, smart hockey player.

LD Parker Wotherspoon
Wotherspoon has been very unremarkable in the best possible way. His defensive details are on-point, and - so far, anyway - it seems like he can read pretty well off of Karlsson, which is a very hard thing to do. He plays a simple, calm game, and the Penguins need that on their blue line.

Mailbox Monday: What Will The Penguins' Final Roster Look Like?Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp is beginning to draw to a close, and there is sure to be a lot of drama in the next several days. 

LD Ryan Shea
Shea struggled a bit in the 5-3 loss to Buffalo, but before that, he was making his case. It's worth noting that Shea played his off-side in Buffalo and that the Penguins only had five defensemen. Other than that, he's had a solid, steady camp and has earned his way onto the NHL roster.

Notable omissions: Owen Pickering, Ryan Graves, Caleb Jones, Jack St. Ivany

Goaltenders (2)

Starter: Tristan Jarry
Jarry has been good in the pre-season, and - although he will more than likely have a short leash at the NHL  level - he has earned the right to try to defend is net from younger guys coming up through the system and via trade - at least, one last time for old times' sake.

Backup: Arturs Silovs
Some will groan that this isn't Sergei Murashov, but the best thing for Murashov's development right now is to get a heavy workload in the AHL and see how he handles it. Besides, Silovs has been perfectly serviceable and solid, and he's earned his way onto the roster as a No. 2.

Notable omissions: Sergei Murashov, Filip Larsson

'Inspiring': Penguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Reflects On Fleury, Game To Remember Marc-Andre Fleury's final game in Pittsburgh was an unforgettable experience for many, fans and longtime teammates alike. 

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The San Jose Sharks were back at the SAP Center on Wednesday night as they hosted the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks fell to the Ducks in their first road trip of the preseason earlier this week. The Sharks ran with a fairly light roster during their trip to Southern California, but tonight they brought a lineup that looks more like what we’ll see on opening night against the Vegas Golden Knights next week.

The first thing I noticed during the game was Cam Lund’s effort level. He lost his stick in the defensive zone, blocked a shot, then had a good attempt at clearing the puck without his stick; however, the Ducks quickly regained possession in their offensive zone. Regardless of the outcome, it was a smart play by the 21-year-old forward.

The Sharks tested Anaheim goaltender Calle Clang early in the game; however, he made an incredible split-save to deny the Sharks’ scoring opportunity. He also got some help from the post, as at one point, Tyler Toffoli got a breakaway opportunity that hit the inside of the post before launching into the corner.

Both teams took a penalty in the first period, but neither power play was either to take advantage, and it remained 0-0 heading into the first intermission.

Yaroslav Askarov would be forced to make a save quickly to start the second period; however, he wouldn’t be able to deny Beckett Sennecke just over a minute into the period, as the 19-year-old forward would make it 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Alex Wennberg was called for slashing a couple of minutes later. The Sharks would kill off the penalty, but moments later, Drew Helleson would find Sam Colangelo behind the Sharks’ defense, and the Massachusetts native would make it 2-0 for the Ducks.

Things continued to spiral as Cutter Gauthier scored 7:55 into the period, scoring his second of the preseason and making it 3-0 for the visitors. In less than eight minutes, the Sharks went from a tied hockey game to a three-goal deficit. Even though it’s a preseason matchup, head coach Ryan Warsofsky certainly wasn’t going to be happy with his team slipping up in such a major fashion.

Dmitri Orlov was stripped of the puck on an offensive zone entry, allowing the Ducks to rush the other way for a 2-on-1. Luckily for the team in teal, Askarov was able to deny the attack and keep the Sharks’ deficit at three goals.

The Ducks’ Frank Vatrano was called for hooking at 13:46 in the period, but Anaheim maintained a perfect penalty kill by shutting the Sharks down for two minutes. The Sharks’ power play got another opportunity with just over a minute left in the period as Stian Solberg was called for a puck-over-glass delay of game penalty. After a couple of close calls for Clang, the Sharks were unable to find the net before the end of the second period.

It didn’t take long for the Sharks to get on the board in the third period,as a Will Smith slap shot deflected off of Clang into the crease, where William Eklund put it away after it touched Tyler Toffoli, making it a 3-1 Ducks lead. After the goal, things started to get a bit chippy as a scrum broke out in the corner, which saw Vincent Desharnais go after Pavel Mintyukov after he exchanged cross-checks with Eklund. Desharnais and Mintyukov got coincidental minor penalties, while Eklund was also penalized for cross-checking, giving the Ducks a power play. It would be cut short, though, as Olen Zellweger was called for a penalty 30 seconds later.

Philipp Kurashev nearly scored, causing the goal horn to go off and play to stop for a moment, as the goal appeared to go into the net; however, it was waved off and ruled to be off the post and out. Moments later, Kurashev would get his point as he’d find Jeff Skinner, who fired off a wide-open one-timer to reduce the Ducks’ lead to a single goal. Sennecke had a breakaway opportunity just under eight minutes into the period, but a decent defensive play by a trailing Shakir Mukhamadullin helped Askarov turn the shot aside.

The Sharks’ power play got another opportunity with 8:53 remaining in regulation, as Ross Johnston was penalized for interference. Toffoli hit the post again early in the power play, but the Sharks would fail to get another quality scoring opportunity during the two minutes.

The Sharks maintained solid offensive pressure shortly after pulling their goaltender, but eventually Egor Sidorov would put away the empty-net goal and put the game out of reach.  Vatrano then scored a second empty-netter. The Sharks played well, outside of an eight-minute stretch in the second period, but that short amount of time created too big a deficit for them to overcome, as they fell 5-2.

The Vancouver Canucks clobbered the Calgary Flames 8-1 in their penultimate preseason game at home on Wednesday evening.

The main casts for both teams were suited up and ready to go.

Despite getting a power play in the second minute, the Flames veterans had some summer rust and clearly needed to get warmed up. They would eventually get adjusted and outshoot the Canucks 7-3 in the first 11:18, but Vancouver scored on their very first shot taking a 1-0 lead. Johnathan Huberdeau had a great breakaway opportunity after a pass from Matt Coronato at the 10:15 mark but was denied by Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen.

Afterwards, for the rest of the period, the Canucks ran all over the Flames, outshooting them 9-4 including scoring three goals in a span of 1:18 that included a shorthanded goal.

The players who led the Flames in faceoffs last season found themselves on a losing battle once again. Nazem Kadri was 2-for-6 (33.33%), Mikael Backlund was 0-for-3 (0%) and Morgan Frost was 1-for-2 (50%)

In the second period, Calgary regrouped and performed better. So good, that Joel Farabee scored a goal for the home side 30 seconds in, albeit that would've been called back for offside in the regular season. Unlike the first period, the Flames outshot the Canucks in expected goals and scoring opportunities.  They produced the same number of shots on goals, two, in their first power play of the second period as they did in BOTH of the power plays in their first period. It also helped that they didn't give up a shorty.

The faceoff leaders had also shown improvement: Kadri and Backlund were both 5-for-11 (45.45%) and Frost was 6-for-13 (46.15%) by the second recess.

Unfortunately, two careless goals were given up by Calgary that put the Canucks up 6-1.

Vancouver took only three shots in the final period, but two of them found the back of the Calgary net, sealing the Flames' night with a seven-goal drubbing.

Close to the end, Huberdeau would collide with the goal post and would need help walking off the ice. Let's hope he is okay.

Calgary were 0-for-6 on the power play which included giving up two shorthanded goals.

Both goalies Ivan Prosvetov and Devin Cooley played in the game and both let in goals that had no business being in the back of the net.

The penalty-kill went 2-for-4.

Rory Kerins was a bright spot with 5-for-9 (55.6%) faceoff wins in the game and three shots on goal.

The Flames final preseason game will be against the Winnipeg Jets at home on Friday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins continued their winning ways in the pre-season on Wednesday when they visited the Buffalo Sabres.

And they were once again led by the young guns.

The Penguins defeated the Sabres, 5-3, and their best young prospects - especially on the forward front - showed out again. Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes scored power play goals for the Penguins, while Ville Koivunen, Filip Hallander, and veteran defenseman Matt Dumba also got on the board.

Goaltender Arturs Silovs stopped 28 of 31 Buffalo shots in a strong effort, with Buffalo's goals coming from Josh Norris twice and Rasmus Dahlin. In addition, Penguins' defenseman Jack St. Ivany sustained a lower-body injury blocking a shot during the first period, and Pittsburgh played most of the game with five defensemen. 

Given that development on the blue line, it wasn't a perfect game by any means. There were definitely some mistakes here and there. But, overall, head coach Dan Muse loves the effort put forth by each of his players over this slate of pre-season games - and that continued Wednesday.

"There's no complaints on the efforts," Muse said. "This is a game of mistakes, especially in exhibition season, especially early in the season... and I think the guys, when mistakes were happening, they were collectively outworking those mistakes. They were getting back, they were supporting, they were putting themselves in good positions.

"That's a trend that we wanted to see as we went through camp, and it was good by them. Like I said, these groups - tonight's game and last game - they are definitely making things harder."

And the "things" he was referring to are roster decisions, which should be happening in the coming days for the Penguins. Most of the veterans should expect to skate in the final pre-season tilt against Buffalo in Pittsburgh on Friday, but it will probably be a final test for some of the younger guys who are really making those decisions difficult, too.

Speaking of difficult decisions, let's talk about who is making decisions difficult. Here are some thoughts and observations from this one.

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- I didn't think this was the best performance from Harrison Brunicke, but he certainly wasn't bad in this game. He got burned badly on Dahlin's goal, and he was out-of-position during the penalty kill on Thompson's goal. 

Then again, it wasn't a great night for the Penguins' defense all around. Ryan Shea and Ryan Graves were completely out to lunch on Buffalo's first goal by Norris, and Owen Pickering didn't enjoy a particularly strong evening, either. It's worth noting that - again - the Penguins played most of the game with five defensemen because of St. Ivany's injury.

That said, everything else from Brunicke in this game was outstanding yet again. He isn't going to be perfect, and there are going to be plenty of growing pains from him. But, if he is not on this roster come Oct. 7, that will be some serious mismanagement by the Penguins.

He has earned the nine-game trial at the very least. And he's not the only one.

- Penguins' historian Bob Grove - if you don't follow Bob, you need to follow this link and do that - pointed out prior to Wednesday's game that since 2012, the only four players to dress for more than three pre-season games were Greg McKegg in 2017, Juuso Riikola in 2018, Rutger McGroarty in 2024, and Ben Kindel in 2025. The first three all made the opening night NHL roster.

Call me a contrarian, but Kindel - along with Brunicke - also needs to start the season on the Penguins' roster. Even if he only gets the nine games then gets sent back to the Calgary Hitmen, it's worth seeing what he can do in those nine games. 

Should Ben Kindel Get The Nine-Game Trial? The Case For And AgainstThere are a lot of stories coming out of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp this year. Many of them involve young players making an impression and pushing for the NHL roster.

This was three games in a row now where Kindel was the best player on the ice, arguably, including the three respective opponent teams as well. He's doing things at 18 that you just can't teach - such as showcasing his incredibly high hockey IQ by making passes that kids his age shouldn't be able to make - and the things he's getting wrong, he's learning on-the-fly.

"He's been consistent," Muse said. "I thought he had another game where it's the same thing. On the defensive side, too, you can see a little bit more. He's a little quicker to close space. He's been out there, him and his line, against some very established NHL players in these last couple of games.

"I think that experience for him and him being out there, it's massive. And he's handled it well. You can see with the puck, too... at no point have I seen any hesitation with him. He's not afraid to make plays, and he's made some high-end ones without a lot of time and space."

I don't buy much into the argument that size or the grind of an 82-game season are issues for Kindel. There are plenty of players who enter the league at 18 or 19 years old and need to add some size who turn out just fine. Every young player needs to get bigger and stronger. This is nothing new in today's NHL. 

But a player is ready when he's ready. Kindel has yet to show that he can't handle NHL competition, and he's getting better with every game and with increasingly difficult competition. To me, he looks ready.

He's earned the nine games. The Penguins need to give credit where it's due and reward him for his efforts and for simply being the best guy out there on a consistent basis. If they don't, I think they're getting this one wrong.

- In my opinion, Broz should be a lock for this roster. And I think what the Penguins are doing with his deployment is pretty telling.

Muse was asked about putting Broz in more defensive situations during this game. And he said that moving him around the lineup and using him in different situations hasn't exactly been an accident.

"He's been out there in a lot of different situations. Game-to-game, it's kind of changed a little bit, and that has been something that's been a little bit by design," Muse said. "I think there's been some games where he's been in more d-zone starts, there's been some games there where it's maybe a little bit more on the penalty kill time. But, I think it's been good. I think he's been in the right spots, and the detail has been pretty solid."

This whole thing reads to me as if the coaching staff is testing Broz a bit. And he's passing with flying colors. The thing that separates Broz from some of the other guys fighting for roster spots is that he can play effectively in an NHL bottom-six role without that deployment effecting the course of his development. It's not the same thing as putting someone like Koivunen in a bottom-six role. Broz can thrive there.

I think he's earned his spot. It's going to be tough, but he's a guy you cut a veteran for. He's ready for the next level.

- Now, let's talk about a veteran who has really showed up to camp this season in Dumba.

I've got to say that I've been impressed by him. I know it's only the pre-season, but he looks nothing like the same defenseman that struggled with the Dallas Stars last season. He's playing solid defensive hockey, he's physical, he's activating in the offensive zone, and he's got a booming shot that he hasn't been afraid to unleash.

Many were down - and, in some cases, outright harsh - on Dumba coming into camp. But I think he has pretty discernibly earned a spot on the final NHL roster. If he can get anywhere close to the blueliner he was in his prime with the Minnesota Wild, that should make the Penguins very happy. He's in a contract year, and I'm sure the Penguins would love to be able to sell high on him this season to a contender.

He may have to play the off-side at times, but he has earned his spot.

- I am not overly impressed with Blake Lizotte in this pre-season. I do believe he will start the season in Pittsburgh, but - quite frankly - I think quite a few of the younger guys have outplayed him. In fact, three young centers, in particular - Broz, Kindel, and Filip Hallander - have all outplayed him, and two of those guys would be in a position to take on a center role in the bottom-six.

Lizotte is a player the Penguins should be able to trade early on in the season, and if there is a taker, I'm not so sure I wouldn't pull the trigger. I quite liked what Lizotte brought to this team last year, but if the Penguins are truly going younger, he's the exact kind of player who will block a young, promising prospect from locking down a roster spot.

I do think waivers will be exercised on some veterans in the next few days. Again, while I don't think Lizotte will be one of them, don't be surprised if he doesn't stick around this entire season.

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It has been a tough 12 months for Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman Jack St. Ivany, and it looks like things aren't getting any easier. 

During Wednesday's pre-season tilt against the Buffalo Sabres, St. Ivany blocked a shot midway through the first period that appeared to hit the inside of his foot. He was helped off the ice and into the locker room and returned to the bench briefly, but he was then ruled out for the remainder of the game with a lower-body injury.

St. Ivany, 26, made the Penguins' NHL roster out of camp last season after signing a three-year extension that summer. He struggled to start the season and was re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), where the Penguins hoped some heavy AHL minutes would help him get back on track.

Unfortunately, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound blueliner was injured just two games later, and he missed nearly two months of action, making it hard for him to get back on track. He had just one point in 19 games at the NHL level in 2024-25, and at the AHL level, he recored one goal and 16 points to go along with a plus-9 in 37 games. 

No further update on St. Ivany's status has been announced yet. Stay tuned to the THN - Pittsburgh Penguins site for updates. 

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