Insider reports say veteran winger Patrick Kane is interested in return to Detroit.

The Red Wings are looking to re-up their near-60 point player in Patrick Kane with more and more reports indicating that a deal should be almost done between both sides. 

We had looked at several reports from insiders recently on how It's believed that Kane will be staying in Detroit with NHL Insider Chris Johnston adding to the conversation, saying he believes Kane and his camp has expressed interest to come back. 

NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) on XChris Johnston: Patrick Kane is "of a mind to stay" in Detroit - Chris Johnston Show

More Red Wings: Red Wings' Andrew Copp Could Be Dealt Says NHL Insider

The three-time Stanley Cup champion has proven to still have some juice left in the tank after recording 59 points through 72 games at 36 years old last season. Reports have indicated that Kane has been able to work as a mentor for the younger players like Marco Kasper to help them grow their game. 

Kane still has a lot to offer as his 0.82 point-per-game average last season had him in line with the likes of Connor Bedard, Nazem Kadri and Dylan Holloway. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.

The cap hit will likely be around $4 million a year, since that’s what he signed for with the Red Wings before. The deal might also include a trade clause, since he asked for one in his last contract.

As for term, Kane spoke to the fact that he would like to finish his NHL career with over 1,500 games played and for a three-year long deal he would have the opportunity to do that in the Motor City. 

The cap is going up and Detroit has $21.3 million in cap space heading into free agency so they would have more than enough room to bring back Kane on a agreed-upon deal as well as continuing to fish for a big ticket free agent.

The Red Wings have been linked to Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad so far but most insider reports indicate that the team is interested in acquiring goaltending depth. 

Other pending free agents with the Red Wings are Alex Lyon, Jeff Petry and key depth forward Tyler Motte among others. 

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The San Jose Sharks have been expected to make some roster changes this summer, and one of them came in the form of a buyout on Thursday (Jun. 26) when they placed Marc-Édouard Vlasic on waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

Vlasic, who is 38 years old, played 1323 games with the Sharks, scoring 84 goals and adding 295 assists for 379 points. He had spent his entire career as a Shark and now enters free agency looking for a new team for the first time in his career.

The Sharks will save some money this season as Vlasic's cap hit drops to $4.67 million, and they'll pay him $1.17 million in the 2026-27 season before he comes off the books. The Sharks now have just over $44 million in cap space heading into the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and free agency.

Sharks Expected To Make Pick At #2 In 2025 NHL DraftAccording to Sheng Peng from NBC Sports Bay Area, he has reported that GM Mike Grier is in fact planning on making a selection with the second overall pick. BREAKING: Sharks Legend Joe Thornton Named Part Of 2025 Hockey Hall Of Fame ClassOn Tuesday (Jun. 24) afternoon, the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class was announced, and San Jose Sharks fans were hoping to hear one of their former players names called this time around. San Jose Sharks 2025 Draft Target: Anton FrondellThe NHL Draft is just days away and after an interesting story on the 32 Thoughts podcast, about the San Jose Sharks potentially leaning towards drafting Anton Frondell. It got me thinking, we hadn't yet written about him as a draft target for the Sharks.

With the 2025 NHL Draft rapidly approaching, the chatter around Brady Martin and the Philadelphia Flyers has seemingly increased tenfold. While he's a good prospect, the Flyers must pass on Martin with the sixth overall pick.

Martin, 18, endeared himself to NHL front offices with a dazzling performance at the 2025 U18 World Juniors with Canada, scoring three goals, eight assists, and 11 points in seven games whilst stuffing the stat sheet with 29 penalty minutes and a +15 rating.

Martin, alongside fellow top draft prospects Braden Cootes, Lev Katzin, Cole Reschny, Ben Kindel, and Jackson Smith, won gold with Canada at the tournament.

So, why would the Flyers have to pass on Martin? The answer is simple: they can find a more talented player that early in the draft... but this is not to say that they shouldn't target him again soon after.

For instance, the Flyers have been heavily linked to elite offensive talents like James Hagens, Porter Martone, and Jake O'Brien in recent weeks. It's implied that the Flyers will favor a center, given their needs, like Hagens or O'Brien.

On the other hand, there are some concerns as to whether Martin can play center at the NHL level and if he has the hockey IQ to become productive offensively at the level necessary to justify his potential draft position. This is one of the traits Flyers assistant GM Brent Flahr and his group of scouts values the most.

Flyers Have New Trade-Up Possibility in NHL DraftIf the Philadelphia Flyers wish to move up in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings have presented them a golden opportunity to do so.

And if the Flyers ultimately draft a winger, they would be much better off taking a Martone or a Victor Eklund, Martin's leadership and playstyle notwithstanding.

The Soo Greyhounds ace is currently ranked 10th on EliteProspects' consolidated rankings, which would make him a far more attractive prime trade-up target instead of the borderline top-5 selection that many believe he will be.

For example, let's assume that the Flyers draft Hagens sixth, making him the No. 1 center of their future.

That leaves the Flyers with the 22nd and 31st picks to find a deal to move up for Martin, which may exist with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens hold the 11th and 12th picks after the New York Rangers officially transferred their 2025 first-round pick to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Suddenly, the Flyers would have a long-term center core of Trevor Zegras, Hagens, Jett Luchanko, and Martin, with Martin and Zegras having the flexibility to play wing if needed.

Martin finds himself highly coveted around the NHL due to his playstyle, which has drawn some comparisons to Sam Bennett. With Florida winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, everyone is convinced that they must have a Sam Bennett to be a good hockey team.

There may be some truth to that, certainly, but the Flyers cannot acquire the "playoff-type" player at the expense of raw talent and upside.

But, if you can form two long-term duos with, say, Hagens and Matvei Michkov (Line 1) and Zegras and Martin (Line 2), pulling the trigger and helping out a youth-starved team like the Penguins may very well prove beneficial down the road.

With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.

While no two players are identical, every year, scouts and fans always look for the closest NHL comparisons for draft-eligible prospects to better assess their potential with pro-level development.

It can sometimes be misleading, but it can also be a great way to gain a better understanding of how each player can fit within an organization’s future.

Let’s look at some of the top prospects in the 2025 draft class and find their best NHL comparables.

Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

NHL Player Comparable: Ryan Getzlaf

Ryan Kennedy’s Rank: 7
Tony Ferrari’s Rank: 18

Roger McQueen has the frame of a power forward but the offensive instincts of a playmaker. He can visualize plays in the offensive zone at a high level and is very calm with the puck, unafraid to slow things down and draw in opposing players to create passing lanes for his teammates. While he may not be the most mechanically sound skater, he’s deceptively quick and uses his length to cover a lot of ice quickly. 

McQueen is also very elusive in transition, slipping pucks past players despite not being able to beat them with explosive speed. He’s an elite net-front presence for his age and has great hands in tight, making him a threat from many different areas of the ice. While his injury history could make him one of the riskiest picks at the draft, his upside is undeniably one of the highest among the players in this class.

James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

NHL Player Comparable: Clayton Keller, Jack Hughes

Kennedy’s Rank: 5
Ferrari’s Rank: 3

James Hagens is one of the most offensively gifted players in this class, with his skating being the foundation of what makes him so remarkable. His agility, acceleration and ability to dictate the pace of play trickles into every facet of his game, and Hagens is easily the best forward when it comes to generating transition offense.

Puck control is also a huge part of Hagens’ playmaking game. He uses his stick extremely well in placing pucks in small spaces, and he can consistently beat players 1-on-1 with various skilled moves. He’s great at making defenders make uncomfortable decisions, and he has a decent enough shot that can make teams pay if passing lanes are closed off.

While the concerns about his size are warranted, it’s difficult to imagine a world where Hagens won’t be able to become a top-six center with high-end point production with the proper development.

Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.2)

NHL Player Comparable: Seth Jarvis, Travis Konecny

Kennedy’s Rank: 8
Ferrari’s Rank: 4

Despite weighing in at just under 170 pounds, Victor Eklund is a relentless forechecker who plays with a motor and pace that few others do in this class. He plays much bigger than he is, constantly putting pressure on opposing players below the goal line and having the willingness to drive to the net to bury loose pucks or rifle shots from in tight.

Eklund isn’t an overly creative player, but his timing, effort and IQ make him a well-rounded offensive player. He plays with intensity at both ends of the ice and is incredibly difficult to match up against, giving him one of the best projectable skill sets among wingers in this class.

Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)

NHL Player Comparable:  Sam Bennett

Kennedy’s Rank: 9
Ferrari’s Rank: 22

Nobody plays with more physical intensity in this draft class than OHLer Brady Martin. With his pace, tenacity and willingness to lay bone-crushing hits, Martin makes every shift feel like it’s his last. However, he isn’t just the best bruiser in junior hockey right now, either. Even though Martin doesn’t have the raw tools to always execute the most creative offensive plays, he’s got just enough offensive skill to make opponents pay if they underestimate him.

He’s going to make life difficult for a lot of players at the NHL level, and his work ethic and defensive instincts also make him a player coaches can trust in any on-ice situation.

Why Porter Martone Is The Smart Selection For The Chicago Blackhawks With The Third-Overall PickIt was a tough year for everyone on the Chicago Blackhawks, especially Connor Bedard.

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

NHL Player Comparable: Nico Hischier

Kennedy’s Rank: 6
Ferrari’s Rank: 15

Caleb Desnoyers is a proven winner at every level and enters the NHL draft as one of the most NHL-ready prospects. He’s a true 200-foot center who takes every detail of the game seriously, especially defensively. Desnoyers always looks to support his teammates in his own zone and is great at clogging up passing lanes while pushing defenders to the outside. 

While he gets a ton of deserved credit for his defensive play, Desnoyers is also an underrated offensive player. He’s great at baiting defenders and manipulating space in open ice to create shooting lanes for teammates, and he has a deceptive-enough release that allows him to beat goaltenders from mid-range consistently. 

Overall, he’s got a ton of pro-ready characteristics that will make him a reliable two-way player with offensive upside for a long time.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have acquired Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild today in exchange for forward Cameron Butler. 

This is Gaunce's second stint with the Jackets.

Gaunce played a total of 59 games for the CBJ from 2021-24, scoring 7 goals and totaling 12 points. For the Cleveland Monsters, he scored 42 goals and had 85 points. 

Cameron Butler played one career game for Columbus, but spent most of his time in Cleveland. He played 91 games and 11 points. 

This is second move today as Columbus also sent Daniil Tarasov to Florida. 

What else is Don Waddell planning?

Let us know what you think below.

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

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Daniil Tarasov Traded To Florida PanthersPierre LeBrun has reported that goalie Daniil Tarasov has been traded to the Florida Panthers today.  REPORT: NHL, NHLPA Set To Announce New CBA On FridayIf you're an old NHL fan like me, when CBA's are brought up, it immediately gives me anxiety. In 2004, an NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of the entire season, which revolved around a salary cap. That lockout is the reason the Blue Jackets are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 25-26, instead of last season.  Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 NHL Mock DraftWelcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Mock Draft.

There are a number of pieces that combined to make the Calder Cup-winning puzzle that is the Abbotsford Canucks. One of the things that may fall to the wayside is the remarkable play of the team’s first-year members. All of the AHL Canucks’ postseason rookie players made their NHL debuts this season, with all of them factoring into the team’s 2025 Calder Cup victory. Let’s take a look at some of these remarkable rookies. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Lekkerimäki, the 15th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, made his AHL debut on March 30, 2024, and scored his first AHL goal around a week after. 2024–25 was his first full season with Abbotsford, during which he earned a call-up from the Vancouver Canucks. He made his NHL debut on November 12, 2024 against the Calgary Flames, and ultimately finished his 2024–25 season with Vancouver with three goals and three assists in 24 games played. 

In Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki led all AHL Canucks rookies in scoring with 19 goals in 36 games played, also adding nine assists to his point total. He was in and out of the lineup during the team’s Calder Cup Playoff run, skating in 16 of Abbotsford’s 24 postseason games. Most notably, he missed the back half of the Western Conference Finals and the first two games of the Calder Cup Finals, but made his return in a big way back on home ice. Lekkerimäki scored two goals in his second game back during the Finals, making the difference in a narrow 3–2 victory. 

“To me that sums up Lekky,” Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra said regarding Lekkerimäki’s returning performance. “The kid has ice in his veins. He doesn’t shy away from these big moments. And you could see tonight he had two quality looks. And then he made them count, so that that kind of sums up the type of player that he is. When given the opportunity and put in the right spot, he’ll make good.”

Ty Mueller

Mueller has been a force for Abbotsford throughout the regular and post-season. The 105th pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Mueller spent three seasons with the University of Nebraska-Omaha before making his AHL debut in 2024. He impressed during the regular season by registering 12 goals and 27 assists in 64 games, even earning himself a spot at the 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge in place of defenceman Elias Pettersson. Mueller was called up by Vancouver in April 2025 and skated in his first NHL game on April 12 against the Minnesota Wild. 

In a time when rookies may become more sheltered due to the stakes of each game, Mueller was called on even more so by his coach. The rookie forward was a consistent presence in the defensive zone during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run, even taking own-zone draws while defending leads late into games. Mueller flourished offensively as well, posting three goals and nine assists in all of the AHL Canucks’ postseason games. 

“Not only as the playoffs have gone on, but throughout this whole year, his game has continued to grow,” Malhotra said of Mueller’s progression throughout the season. “He’s developed and becoming more and more of one of our more reliable guys in key moments.” 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Reliving The Abbotsford Canucks’ 2025 Calder Cup Win

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Could One Of Canucks Goaltenders Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, Or Artūrs Šilovs Be Traded Before The 2025–26 Season?

Kirill Kudryavtsev 

Kudryavtsev was a steady presence on Abbotsford’s blueline this season, chipping in offensively and locking things up defensively. The Canucks’ seventh-round pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has shown fans that draft position doesn’t matter when you can play well. In his first season with the AHL Canucks, Kudryavtsev scored five goals and 21 assists in 65 games played. At the end of Vancouver’s regular season, he and fellow AHL Canuck Nikita Tolopilo were called up to the NHL club. Soon after, Kudryavtsev made his NHL debut on April 14. 

During the postseason, Kudryavtsev stepped up when it mattered most. He dominated opponents in terms of generating offensive chances for Abbotsford on 5-on-5, finishing playoffs with a league-leading +18 on-ice rating. He scored his first AHL playoff goal against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and also potted nine assists throughout the postseason. 

“It was really hard, as I expected, a really tough couple of first games,” Kudryavtsev said about adjusting to the AHL’s playoffs. “It’s still very different from the OHL playoffs. The guys are coming really hard at you, and you know that you need to bypass that pressure and that stress. But I’ve got lots of trust from my coaches, and I hope I’m doing good now.” 

Manny Malhotra 

Technically, Malhotra is an AHL rookie — just not in the same way that Lekkerimäki, Mueller, and Kudryavtsev are. The 2024–25 season was Malhotra’s first as an AHL head coach, and what a debut it was. During the regular season, he coached his team to a 44–24–2 record that was capped off with a historic 13-game win streak. In the playoffs, he helped Abbotsford win 16 of their 24 postseason games, with the team never losing back-to-back games during their Calder Cup chase. One of the biggest changes for this team, however, may have been their commitment to sticking to their systems. 

Malhotra has noted the significance of the word “resilience” to the team, as well as their “committee mentality” that has led them to success. Every player forechecks hard, blocks shots, and puts themselves in the best position to get in the way of an opposing team’s chances. This belief stems from the system Malhotra and his staff have curated for this specific roster. 

“When you have a coach that played the game, I think you’ve got more respect for him,” Sammy Blais said of Malhotra’s impact on the team. “He’s been really good. He keeps us honest, even after wins. He tries to keep us even. We’re really happy that he’s our coach, and he’s been a big factor for us for sure.” 

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As the off-season is underway, the Golden Knights are looking to make sure that the fandom doesn’t dry out this summer.

The Knights announced earlier this month that the team’s annual road trip presented by A1 Garage Door Service is set to take place July 12-17. This trip features 6 different stops: South Lake Tahoe, California; Reno, Nevada; Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, Arizona.

🗣️ LAKE TAHOE
🗣️ RENO
🗣️ CHANDLER
🗣️ SCOTTSDALE
🗣️ TEMPE
🗣️ PHOENIX

The VGK Road Trip is coming to all of these cities July 12-17! 🚌#VegasBorn | @A1GarageDoorshttps://t.co/y0m6uY3baA

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 6, 2025

Over the span of those 5 days there will be a series of free youth on-ice hockey clinics for players ages 6-13 and meet-and-greets with fans. The Knights mascot, Chance, members of the VGK cast, and team broadcasters are a few key people in attendance on this trip.

“The VGK Road Trip is eagerly anticipated each year as we look forward to connecting in person with our fans across The Realm,” said President Kerry Bubolz. “This is a great chance to celebrate our brand and the sport of hockey as we prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season.”

Northern Nevada has been a stop for the Knights for the past three summers, always between Tahoe and Reno. It will also be the Knights' fourth visit this year to the Grand Canyon State since Arizona was added to the Golden Knights’ television territory this past season. All stops on this trip are where VGK games will be broadcast locally on Scripps Sports and KnightTime+ in the upcoming season of 2025-26.

As July approaches, this trip offers more than just an off-season connection. It serves as a chance to strengthen the ever-growing bond between the team, its fans, and the future of hockey.

PHOTO COURTESY: Golden Knights

While everyone and their mothers are talking about the upcoming draft and free agency, the Montreal Canadiens released their preseason schedule on Wednesday. This time, Martin St-Louis’ men will be playing six preseason games.

The first exhibition tilt will take place in Montreal on September 22, when the Habs will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who could look much different come September. Kyle Dubas is set to embrace a rebuild and is actively shopping Erik Karlsson. Will he get the go-ahead to move more veterans who have no movement clauses? Time will tell.

The next day, the Tricolore will host Trevor Zegras and the Philadelphia Flyers before playing a home-and-away series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In case you’ve forgotten, it was in similar circumstances that Montreal lost both Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher to serious knee injuries last preseason. Chances are, the Canadiens will think twice before using members of the core until rosters have been trimmed down and AHL-dedicated tough guys have been weeded out.

The Tricolore will wrap up its preseason with a home-and-away series against the Ottawa Senators, with the away game set at the Centre Videotron in Quebec, where the Sens will be hosting. Just like the Canadiens, Ottawa qualified for the playoffs last season and will be looking to take another step forward this season. Thanks to acquiring Dylan Cozens at the deadline, the Sens now have a much deeper center line and have filled a need the Canadiens are still looking to plug.

When the puck drops on those preseason games, all eyes in Montreal will be fixed on Ivan Demidov as he sets out to embark on his rookie season. Having just witnessed Lane Hutson’s historic first year, the fans will likely have big expectations. Still, it would be worth remembering that the Russian winger only has limited experience in North American play and may need a bit of time to find his footing.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

---

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St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou finds himself right back in the rumor mill now that the off-season is here. This comes after the 27-year-old forward was discussed as a trade candidate leading up to this season's deadline. 

With Kyrou being an important part of the Blues' roster, there is certainly a clear argument to be had for keeping him around. However, his full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1 and lasts until the completion of the 2029-30 season. Thus, if the Blues want to move him, now would be the time. 

Kyrou is reportedly starting to generate some interest around the league, too. According to The Fourth Period, the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Columbus Blue Jackets are four teams linked to the Blues star. 

The Islanders reportedly having their eye on Kyrou is not necessarily surprising, as they desperately need more scoring if they hope to be a more significant threat next season. The Sabres recently traded JJ Peterka, so they have a hole in their top six that Kyrou could fix. The Canadiens and Blue Jackets are also two young teams on the rise, so they would benefit big time by adding a player like Kyrou. 

It will be interesting to see what the Blues end up doing with Kyrou this off-season. With the Blues taking a step forward and getting back into the playoffs last year, it would be understandable if they kept him around. Yet, if they get offered a nice haul for him, it is fair to wonder if they would consider it. 

Ex-Blues Forward Expected To Re-Sign With Current TeamAccording to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, former St. Louis Blues forward Brandon Saad is expected to re-sign with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Photo Credit:  © Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

One of the most underrated positions for the Ottawa Senators this fall will be the backup goalie role.

The number one job obviously belongs to Linus Ullmark, who's about to start a four-year deal worth $33 million with a cap hit of $8.2 million per season. The issue is that Ullmark, who turns 32 next month, has never played much more than half a season throughout his entire career.

In a league where the best goalies play upwards of 55-60 games, Ullmark's games played totals over the past 7 years have been 37, 34, 20, 41, 49, 40, and last season, 44. Sometimes it's due to a platoon situation like he had in Boston with Jeremy Swayman. But last year, it was injuries.

The point of it all is that Ullmark's backup stands to get as much work as any backup in the league next season. But who will it be?

The only other goalie under contract at the moment is Mads Søgaard, who played just 10 hockey games last season. Søgaard will be on a one-way deal, presumably because the club thought he'd be the one to replace Anton Forsberg, who becomes a UFA on Tuesday.

But then Leevi Meriläinen entered the chat.

With Søgaard hurt for much of the year, the Sens had to call on Meriläinen for 12 games, and he was sensational. His stats were considerably better than both Ullmark and Forsberg's.

But less than a week before free agency, Staios wouldn't announce anything official on Forsberg—or, for that matter, any of his three goalies. He was asked if Forsberg had officially declared to him that he's heading for the open market.

"I wouldn't speak on that," Staios said. "I mean, we've kept in touch with Anton. We've talked to all of our free agents, and I guess time will tell."

The follow-up was more direct. Would he like to bring Anton back?

"I've always said I enjoy Anton. I think he's a great pro. And a real good person."

Frankly, that sounds like the kind of thing you say to be nice when you're not that into someone.

So the assumption is that Forsberg will head to market on Tuesday, while Meriläinen is the goalie everyone thinks will get his job.

That would mean Søgaard will need to clear waivers so they can assign him to Belleville. At 6-foot-7, you can't teach big, as they say. So it's possible someone would put in a claim in the spirit of “you can never have too much goaltending.”

The Sens learned that lesson the hard way last year with all kinds of injuries to everyone. They had to lean on Meriläinen way earlier in his career than they ever thought they would, while the Belleville Senators were going out of their minds, trying to patch things up with replacements.

But while Søgaard's stock seems to have fallen, Staios quickly brought up his name while replying to a Merilainen question on Wednesday. The GM was asked by the affable Claire Hanna what his comfort level is with Meriläinen as his backup goalie, and Staios quickly shoehorned Søgaard into the dialogue, perhaps hinting that he's still in the mix.

"Well, we're comfortable with Leevi. You know, I think... and Mads as well. Like, Mads' injuries happened, and there are ups and downs to a player's career. So, we're comfortable with our goaltending depth, and we'll continue to look at other options as well."

In terms of other options in the organization, the Sens have the rights to Kevin Reidler (University of Nebraska Omaha) and Vladimir Nikitin (Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL).

Neither is an NHL option yet, and maybe not even AHL-ready. But time will tell.

Meanwhile, as good as Meriläinen was last season, is Staios's comfort level so high that he's ready to give him 30-40 NHL games next season? As a policy, does Staios think it's a best-in-class kind of move to hand his NHL backup role to a 22-year-old with all of 14 games of experience in the league? There's at least a chance the answer is no, and that Staios may, indeed, "look at other options," possibly one outside of the organization.

Meriläinen needs a qualifying offer by Saturday, and he'll get one, but it remains to be seen if the NHL backup role will truly be his this fall or not.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

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Should The Senators Have Surrendered This Year's First-Round Draft Pick Instead?
Senators Bring Back First-Rounder For Second Tour Of Duty
Rewriting The Draft: A Decade Of First-Round 'What-Ifs' for the Senators

The Pittsburgh Penguins currently hold the 11th and 12th overall picks of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. With this, they have the chance to land two very good prospects. That is, of course, if they elect to hold onto both of their picks. However, based on a recent report, this is not a guarantee.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Penguins are open to moving the 11th or 12th pick of this year's draft "for the right young player." 

Several 1st round picks in play, especially with clubs with more than one. Pitt will move 11/12 for the right young player. Mtl would move 16/17. Habs need a top 6 F. Philly wants to keep 6, but will trade 22/31. Nashville has 5/23/26 and is still evaluating all options.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2025

Hearing that the Penguins are open to the idea of moving one of their first-round picks is not necessarily surprising. There are some intriguing young players who are in the rumor mill right now, with Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram being two notable examples. 

With this year's draft being a bit of a wild card after the first few picks, now could be a smart time for the Penguins to deal one of their first-rounders for an impactful NHL player that would help them both now and in the long term.

Yet, while the Penguins are reportedly open to trading one of their first-rounders, there is also an argument to be had for them to keep them. The Penguins' prospect pool could use a boost, and they would give it just if they decided to keep both picks.

Nevertheless, it is going to be very interesting to see what the Penguins do with their first-rounders from here. 

Former Penguins Forward Traded To New TeamFormer Pittsburgh Penguins forward Frederick Gaudreau is on the move. 

Photo Credit: © Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images

While the main focus of NHL free agency is on the players signing contracts on the open market, there’s also added significance to July 1. 

That date is also the kickoff of the period in which NHLers entering the final season of multi-year contracts can sign an extension.

Who are the top players that can sign extensions as of July 1? Since the group of players here is rather deep, we’re breaking down the group into four different tiers of players. Let’s get right down to business.

Tier 1: The Superstars

Players: Connor McDavid (C, Edmonton), Kirill Kaprizov (LW, Minnesota), Jack Eichel (C, Vegas), Artemi Panarin (RW, NY Rangers), Kyle Connor (LW, Winnipeg)

The Breakdown: All five players on this list would be surprises if they failed to come to terms on an extension before the beginning of the season. 

Obviously, McDavid is the best player on the face of the earth, so he’ll be setting the bar for every elite player that signs after him. If anyone were to get a cap hit worth the maximum 20 percent of the cap for a player, it’d be McDavid. But that would severely hamstring the Oilers’ ability to surround him and fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl with top talent.

McDavid prioritized a long-term Cup-contending window and his family for his next deal, so Edmonton will have to prove it’s the place to stay.

Meanwhile, the Wild will have to give Kaprizov major money – likely at least $12 million, if not more – to prevent him from becoming a UFA at this time next year. It would also be shocking if Vegas didn’t re-sign Eichel and if Panarin left the Rangers. Connor may be the most intriguing case here, as the Jets have been able to get star players signed far below market value. But Winnipeg needs the 40 goals and 90 points Connor provides, so he may hold the hammer in contract negotiations. 

Tier 2: The Support Stars

Players: Adrian Kempe (C, Los Angeles), Jason Robertson (LW, Dallas), Martin Necas (RW, Colorado), Alex Tuch (RW, Buffalo)

The Breakdown: Don’t get it twisted – they aren’t superstars, but they’re integral to their team’s needs.

Kempe may get the biggest payday of the four, as the Kings aren’t flush with needle-moving forwards who can generate 35 to 40 goals and 75 points as Kempe can. That said, Kempe’s salary of $5.5 million probably won’t be doubled on his new deal.

The Stars, who aren’t teeming with cap space, may ultimately move Robertson rather than pay him big bucks after acquiring right winger Mikko Rantanen. Similarly, Necas and Tuch might be dealt by the Avs and Sabres, respectively. The cap ceiling surge will ensure everyone in this group is well paid but not so much that it hampers their team from filling out their needs elsewhere. 

Tier 3: The Young Stars

Players: Connor Bedard (C, Chicago) Lane Hutson (D, Montreal), Leo Carlsson (C, Anaheim), Adam Fantilli (C, Columbus), Logan Cooley (C, Utah), Logan Stankoven (C, Carolina), William Eklund (LW, San Jose)

The Breakdown: This tier is the most intriguing, as the seven youngsters here have the option of either accepting a bridge deal on their next contract or signing an extension for the full eight years allowable in the current collective bargaining agreement.

At a time when the cap ceiling will rise exponentially, bridge deals may be the best option for any players in this category. They all will be RFAs, so team control won’t be an issue.

But who knows – the comfort of knowing where they’ll be playing for close to the next decade may be most important to one or more of them. So we imagine the sooner someone signs, the likelier they’ve decided that long term is the way to go. The longer it takes them to get an extension, the more they may choose to be patient and sign a short-term deal.

How Will Bedard And Other Budding NHL Stars Navigate The Rocketing Salary Caps?The NHL's projected salary cap jumps could change how Connor Bedard and other young NHL stars look at their second contracts. Who will take the lead?

Tier 4: The Old Stars

Players: Alex Ovechkin (LW, Washington), Evgeni Malkin (C, Pittsburgh), Anze Kopitar (C, Los Angeles), John Carlson (D, Washington), Anders Lee (LW, NY Islanders) 

The Breakdown: None of the five players in this category needs to break the bank on what could be their final contract. And in Malkin’s case or Ovechkin’s case specifically, they may ultimately decide to retire. But if they do choose to extend their NHL career, it will be fascinating to see what type of arrangement they arrive at with their employer.

Do they take the route Boston Bruins veterans Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci went toward the end of their NHL careers and sign for far below market value to give their team a better chance at winning the Cup? Or do they play it as stone-cold businessmen and demand as much money as possible? Their decision will certainly affect the ability of their respective teams to contend for a championship beyond next season.

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According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick. 

CBJ get a 5th RD pick in return for Tarasov https://t.co/Q7Q9miiZVj

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2025

Tarasov, 26, appeared in 20 games this season with the Blue Jackets, where he posted a 7-10-2 record, a .881 save percentage, and a 3.54 goals-against average. This was after he had a 8-11-3 record and a .908 save percentage in 24 games with Columbus in 2023-24.

With this move, Tarasov will likely serve as the Panthers' new backup goalie. In addition, this likely indicates that Panthers' pending unrestricted free agent goalie Vitek Vanecek will be hitting the market on July 1. 

Tarasov was selected by the Blue Jackets with the 86th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In 65 career NHL games over four seasons, he has recorded a 19-34-6 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 3.44 goals-against average. 

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LOS ANGELES -- Matthew Schaefer is not a member of the New York Islanders organization just yet, but all signs are pointing to that with the 2025 NHL Draft just a day away. 

While Schaefer has never been to Long Island — he did attend a Morgan Wallen concert in the city — he does have some familiarity with the organization. 

His agent, Pat Morris, represents Islanders forward Bo Horvat, Casey Cizikas, and the recently retired Matt Martin. 

The Hockey News asked Schaefer what it's been like to get to know Horvat. 

"Yeah, it'd be awesome. He's with my agency," Schaefer said. "He's been a great guy. I've heard so many great things about him, and I heard he's a great leader. To have that guy in your corner is amazing."

The 17-year-old defenseman is training under the tutelage of former NHLer Mark Giordano and will also be skating with Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech this summer. 

"Yeah, he's a great defenseman," Schaefer said. "I honestly haven't gone into that much depth with him, but I mean, he's told me a lot of great things. He’s a great player, so it's pretty easy for him."

What else does Schaefer know about the Islanders organization?

"I've heard a lot about the team. Bo Horvat. I know really well," Schaefer said.  "I honestly don't watch hockey that much, to be honest. For me, I love being at the rink. It's all hockey. When I'm away from it, it's going out for dinner with your teammates, doing a lot of things away from the rink, so you can get that mental refresh, be a kid. I, honestly, don't watch hockey that much or sports in general. I like playing it more than watching it."

Potential No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer on what #Isles will be getting: pic.twitter.com/KPupdA67Li

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) June 26, 2025

While Schaefer hasn't met Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, he mentioned that he was at the Upper Deck event and saw a lot of Roy-autographed things. 

As for general manager Mathieu Darche, Schaefer loved meeting him. 

"It was really cool. He is a great guy," Schaefer said. "I read a lot of great things about him. And obviously, he met all the talk about him. So I'm really happy that he got the GM job. I'm happy for him. And, yeah, a lot of, a lot of great stuff coming for the organization."

The 2025 NHL Draft begins on Friday night at 7 PM ET. 

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.

While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2003-2008 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2009-2016

2017: Eeli Tolvanen (forward, 30th overall) 

This is the lowest the Predators have ever selected in the first round, and for good reason. 2017 was arguably Nashville's best season in franchise history, as the team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, eventually falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. 

When the draft came around, the Predators selected Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen with the 30th overall pick. In his draft year season with the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), Tolvanen netted 54 points in 52 games and had a plus/minus of 18. 

He'd spend the bulk of the 2017-18 season with Jokerit Helsinki in the KHL, scoring 36 points in 49 games. Tolvanen made his Predators debut that season, playing in three games but recording no points. 

From 2018 to 2020, Tolvanen played primarily in Milwaukee, with a few games also in Nashville. During the 2020-21 season, Tolvanen came into a regular role with the Predators, scoring 22 points in 40 games.

He also played for Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics, recording nine points in five games.

The most games he played in Nashville were in the 2021-22 season, where he recorded 23 points in 75 games. In the middle of the 2022-23 season, Tolvanen was placed on waivers after recording four points in 13 games. 

He was picked up by the Seattle Kraken, where he has played for the last three seasons. He's finished with at least 35 points in the last two seasons, showing that he's found his fit in Seattle. 

2019: Philip Tomasino (forward, 24th overall) 

After trading their 2018 first-round pick, Victor Ejdsell and a fourth-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ryan Hartman and a fifth-round pick, Nashville was back on the board in the first round in 2019. 

It used its 24th overall pick to select forward Philip Tomasino. With the Niagara Ice Dogs, he scored an impressive 72 points in 67 games, with a plus/minus of 37 and 32 penalty minutes, billing himself as a physical and productive forward. 

He'd spend two more seasons in the OHL before transitioning over to the AHL with the Chicago Wolves for the 2020-21 season. In his first professional season, Tomasino had 32 points in 29 games, earning a full-season call-up from Nashville for the 2021-22 campaign. 

This would be the only full season Tomasino would play with Nashville, recording 32 points in 76 games. Over the next two and a half seasons, Tomasino would split time between Nashville and Milwaukee, putting up steady scoring numbers on both rosters.

After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, recording a point in 11 games, Tomasino was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft. In 50 games with the Penguins, Tomasino scored 23 points. 

2020: Yaroslav Askarov (goalie, 11th overall) 

Drafting goalies in the first round hasn't gone historically well for the Predators. 

Chet Pickard (2008, 18th) never played a game for the Predators, and Brian Finley (1999, 6th) played less than five games with the Predators before getting traded to the Bruins and retiring.  

However, with Pekka Rinne nearing the end of his career, the Predators were looking for the next franchise starter and selected Yaroslav Askarov with the 11th overall pick. 

Askarov spent the majority of his draft year with Neva SKA in Russia's junior league, posting a 12-3-3 record, 2.45 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He'd bounce around St. Petersburg SKA's system for three years before finally making his professional debut in 2023. 

He played one game, allowing four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Askarov spent the bulk of the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Milwaukee, posting identical .911 save percentages in 92 combined games. 

He was called up to Nashville for two games during the 2023-24 season, allowing two goals on 35 shots. In the offseason, Askarov was traded to the San Jose Sharks and has spent the bulk of his time with the San Jose Barracuda. 

Nashville did get a little bit more out of Askarov than it did with Pickard or Finley, but it is still struggling to draft the right goalie in the first round. 

2021: Fedor Svechkov (center, 19th overall) 

The Predators used the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft to select a second straight Russian prospect in center Fedor Svechkov. 

In his draft year, Svechkov played in two different leagues with Tolyatti Lada. In the junior hockey league, he scored 15 points in 15 games before being promoted to the All-Russia Hockey League, where he had 15 points in 38 games. 

Svechkov stayed in Russia for a few more seasons, moving into the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA and Moscow Spartak before coming to North America to play in Milwaukee.

In his first AHL season, Svechkov scored 39 points in 57 games with the Admirals, leading to him splitting time in Nashville the next season.

During the 2024-25 season, Svechkov played 52 games with the Predators, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. In Milwaukee, he played 13 games, scoring 10 points. 

It took some time for Svechkov to make the jump over the pond to North America, but he has shown a lot of promise in his short time in the NHL. 

2021: Zachary L'Heureux (forward, 27th overall)  

For the first time since 2008, the Predators had multiple picks in the first round of the 2021 draft. They traded their second-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes to jump up to the 27th overall spot. 

With the newfound pick, Nashville selected forward Zachary L'Heureux from the Halifax Mooseheads. 

In his sophomore year in the QMJHL, L'Heureux scored 20 points in 33 games, complemented by 47 penalty minutes. He spent two more seasons in Halifax and stayed on trend as a physical and productive forward. 

L'Heureux joined the Admirals for the 2023-24 season, scoring 48 points in 66 games and logging a massive 197 penalty minutes. He was clutch in the Admirals' playoff run to the Central Division Finals, scoring 15 points in 15 games. 

This past season, he spent the bulk of the year in Nashville, scoring five goals and recording 10 assists in 62 games, while also accumulating 63 penalty minutes.  

Expect to see a lot more of L'Heureux in Nashville, as he has shown significant growth and, at just 22 years old, could be a major part of the future.