Category: Ice Hockey

No matter who ends up wearing the gold jersey with the Nashville Predators' fifth overall pick, general manager Barry Trotz believes the team will be selecting a "really good player." 

Trotz spoke to media on Tuesday ahead of the NHL Draft, which is set to take place on Friday and Saturday. Nashville has three picks in the first round (fifth, 23rd and 26th) and nine picks in the entire draft. 

Their fifth overall pick this year is the Predators' highest since they drafted Seth Jones fourth overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. 

Trotz said that Predators management is trying to figure out who will be selected ahead of them, but they are confident that they will get a good pick no matter who they select.

One of the names that Trotz floated was Boston College center James Hagens. 

Hagens is expected to be drafted within the top five, going as high as third or falling right into the Predators' lap at fifth. This past season with the Eagles, he recorded 37 points in 37 games, including an appearance in an NCAA Regional Championship. 

He also helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording nine points in seven games. 

Trotz categorized Hagens as a player that was "right in our wheelhouse." 

With having such a high pick, the Predators could go an alternate route and trade, which Trotz said he's open to in the right circumstances. 

After last season's 30-44-8 finish, a rebuild doesn't seem to be on Trotz's mind, as he remains confident that the current group can be successful. 

Outside of the draft, Trotz addressed a handful of other topics that have come to light since the end of the season. 

On captain Roman Josi's diagnosis and recovery from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Trotz said Josi has been working with a specialist and should be in good shape, both mentally and physically, by the time training camp arrives. 

Forward Jonathan Marchessault, who was acquired by the Predators via free agency last summer, was rumored to have been interested in a trade from Nashville, specifically Montreal. Trotz said there was "no truth" to the rumors. 

The Hockey News Wraparound Show discusses today the NHL's Metropolitan Division clubs and the Hockey Hall of Fame's 2025 class.

Will The Penguins Have A Pivotal Rebuilding Year? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Kelsey Surmacz and Jonathan Bailey discussed in this episode:

0:00: Could Trevor Zegras become a No. 1 center with the Philadelphia Flyers?

4:05: Will this be a pivotal rebuilding year for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

9:05: Was it a smart move for the New York Rangers to opt in for their 2025 first-round pick to be traded in the J.T. Miller deal?

12:30: Could Tomas Hertl be heading to the Carolina Hurricanes?

15:57: Will the New Jersey Devils be able to re-sign Jake Allen?

19:50: Could the Columbus Blue Jackets trade their first-round pick?

23:05: What is the biggest need for the Washington Capitals at the draft?

27:25: Will the New York Islanders be able to extend Noah Dobson?

33:00: Breaking down the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Promo image credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matt Martin is calling it a career.

The 36-year-old announced the news on Tuesday afternoon, following his 15th season in the NHL. Martin, however, isn't completely leaving hockey; he'll remain with the New York Islanders as a special assistant to general manager and executive vice president Mathieu Darche.

After being selected in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, Martin began his professional career with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers in 2009. He made his NHL debut on Feb. 9, 2010, registering two assists in a 4-3 shootout win over the Nashville Predators.

Martin would play six more seasons with the Islanders before signing a four-year, $10 million contract with the Maple Leafs. The forward joined Toronto at a pivotal time, as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander were each entering their first full NHL season.

Report: Clubs View Vegas Golden Knights As 'Team To Beat' In Mitch Marner Sweepstakes As Maple Leafs Free Agent Hits MarketWith the NHL Draft and free agency fast approaching, the league is buzzing with activity, and no name is generating more speculation than Mitch Marner. While teams prepare for the draft, there is widespread debate about where the top free agent will end up.

The Windsor, Ontario, native was seen as a mentor, helping guide the young players through a likely whirlwind of a year while offering protection. Martin scored five goals, four assists, and racked up 123 penalty minutes in his first season with Toronto.

He scored two assists in six games against the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs that same year. His two tallies came in Game 2, one of which was the secondary assist on former Maple Leaf Kasperi Kapanen's double-overtime goal to tie the series at one.

Former Maple Leafs Forward Alexander Mogilny Finally Inducted Into Hockey Hall Of Fame After Years Of SnubsFinally, after nearly two decades away from the game, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexander Mogilny will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Maple Leafs ended up falling to the Capitals in six games.

Martin would play one more season with Toronto, scoring three goals and nine assists in 50 games. After a career-low 7:59 of average ice time throughout that season, the Maple Leafs traded Martin back to the Island on July 3, 2018, in exchange for Eamon McAdam.

Former Maple Leafs Forward Alexander Mogilny Finally Inducted Into Hockey Hall Of Fame After Years Of SnubsFinally, after nearly two decades away from the game, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexander Mogilny will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The enforcer helped the Islanders get to the second round of the playoffs in his first year back with the Islanders. His NHL career concludes after 987 NHL games, where he put up 81 goals, 97 assists, and 1168 penalty minutes.

(Top photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Imagn Images)

With the 2025 NHL Draft just a few days away, the New York Rangers’ trade talks involving K’Andre Miller are continuing to heat up. 

According to Vince Mercogliano of USA Today, the Rangers are seeking their “final-and-best offers this week” for Miller.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, there have been 12-15 teams in the mix on Miller in recent weeks, but the teams with the most interest in the young defenseman remain unidentified. 

Larry Brooks of The New York Post went as far as to say that it seems inevitable that Miller will be moved this offseason.

The 25-year-old defenseman is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1 and after showing signs of regression during the 2024-25 season, the Rangers are reportedly hesitant to give Miller a long-term contract extension. 

“They don't want to give him term, they've indicated if they sign him to an extension it's not going to be a long-term extension and that's why his name is out there,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said.

There Are ‘12-15 Teams’ In The Mix For K'Andre MillerWith K’Andre Miller on the trade block, what is the level of degree of interest in the young defenseman?

The Blueshirts have also been linked to free-agent defensemen Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov, two potential replacements for Miller. 

This past season, Miller recorded seven goals, 20 assists, and 27 points in 74 games while averaging 21:57 minutes.

On Tuesday, longtime New York Islanders forward Matt Martin announced his retirement from the National Hockey League. 

He'll serve as a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche. 

Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) on X#Isles GM Mathieu Darche explains Matt Martin’s role as special assistant in his interview with @alanhahn on @ESPNRadio:

Martin, who the Islanders drafted by the Islanders in the fifth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, spent 14 of his 16 NHL seasons on Long Island. He played 132 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2016-18 before being re-acquired ahead of the 20218-19 season. 

The 36-year-old, who played 855 games with the Islanders, finishes his career just 13 games shy of reaching the 1,000-game milestone. In 987 career games, Martin has recorded 3,931 hits with 178 points (81 goals, 97 assists). 

Martin's passion for the game and leadership on and off the ice have meant the world to his teammates and the fan base. It's part of why he was the Islanders' 2025-26 nominee for the King Clancy.

He founded the Matt Martin Foundation to maintain his connection with the Long Island community. He hosts an annual hockey camp and poker tournament during the offseason.

The tournament raised money of over $140,000 for service animals, gifting a dog to an FDNY captain. 

The recipient of the award will receive a $25,000 donation to a charity of his choice. Captain Anders Lee became the third Islander to receive the honor last season, joining Bryan Trottier and Doug Weight in 1989 and 2011, respectively.

Him staying around is only a positive for the organization as he begins his career on the management side of things.

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

Photo credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2025 on Tuesday which included eight selections: two builders (Jackie Parker and Daniele Sauvageau) and six players (Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Alexander Mogilny, Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker).

While all were deserving of the nod, there was, yet again, one notable exclusion: Rod Brind'Amour.

The 2006 Stanley Cup Champion and Carolina Hurricanes legend has been eligible for selection into the Hockey Hall of Fame for 12 years now, but it seems like he continues to be overlooked.

The process works as follows: Each member of the committee is permitted to select only one player for nomination.

Once nominated, a player must then receive at least 75% of the vote from the 18-person committee, with each member permitted to vote for up to four male players each.  

Players are supposed to be adjudicated on "playing ability, sense of fair play, character and contributions to his or her team or teams and to the game of hockey in general."

So it's clear that Brind'Amour meets and exceeds all of those criteria, but yet he continues to be disregarded.

The centerman is one of the best examples of longevity in the game, having played 1,484 games, the 28th most in league history (he was in the top-20 when he retired).

It wasn't like he was dragging out his career toward the end either, as he was playing over 18 minutes a night every year until his 20th season and he averaged over 21 minutes a game for his career.

Brind'Amour was also one of the early pioneers of the fitness movement in the NHL, earning the moniker "Rod the Bod."

He was also a highly successful two-way player. While known for his defensive ability, he still collected 452 goals and 1,184 points

In addition, the centerman was also one of the game's best ever faceoff men.

While the NHL didn't start tracking faceoff wins until 2005, Brind'Amour is credited with a 59.32% win rate in the dots for his age 35-39 seasons, well past his prime.

Brind'Amour broke into the league as a teenager with the St. Louis Blues in 1989, after a standout freshman season with Michigan State that saw him capture CCHA Rookie of the Year honors.

Immediately, he was impact player, with 26 goals and 61 points in that first season. 

He made the NHL's All-Rookie Team that year and played one more season with the Blues before he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Brind'Amour was again a dominant force on the ice throughout his time in Philly, with multiple 70+ point seasons and Selke votes (he was inducted into the Flyers' Hall of Honor in 2015),  but it wasn't until his eventual trade to the Hurricanes where he really cemented his legacy.

The veteran center went on to become team captain and led the franchise to its one and only Stanley Cup in 2006 (he also should have won the Conn Smythe that year, but Cam Ward, an Edmonton-born netminder, ended up with that honor instead). He also won back-to-back Selke trophies.

Honestly, there is also no singular player more impactful and more meaningful to the Carolina franchise and fanbase than Rod Brind'Amour.

Rod Brind'Amour Awarded North Carolina's Highest Civilian HonorGovernor Roy Cooper presented Brind'Amour with membership following his team's 4-1 win over Columbus on Sunday.

So in terms of impact to the game and his teams, Brind'Amour is right there at the top. He's also a class act, great person and represents the game so well.

Furthermore, there are plenty of players already in with either similar or worse resumes than Brind'Amour.

So why isn't he in the Hall of Fame yet? Your guess is as good as mine.

But it is notable that the entire selection process is shrouded in secrecy. None of the selection committee's votes are ever made public and no one except for the 18-person committee is privy to those conversations.

Perhaps a little transparency could go a long way.

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A star-studded class is heading to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Led by a couple of Norris Trophy-winning defensemen, Zdeno Chara and Duncan Keith, along with former Hart Trophy winning Joe Thornton, and Jennifer Botterill, a three-time Olympic gold medal winner with Team Canada, the Hockey Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members in November. A vote on Wednesday by the selection committee in Toronto also guaranteed fall enshrinement for Brianna Decker and Alexander Mogilny as players and longtime NCAA men’s coach Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageau, who served Team Canada as a general manager, coach and consultant, as builders.

Mogilny made the Hall of Fame in his 17th year of consideration.

Sauvageau will be the first woman to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder.

An induction ceremony will be held on Nov. 10 in Toronto.

A candidate’s entire hockey career is considered by the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee, but Chara, Keith, and Thornton built overwhelming resumes based solely on their respective accomplishments in the NHL.

Chara played the most games by a defenseman with 1,680. He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 2009 and captained the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Keith was a key figure on the Chicago Blackhawks’ Cup champions in 2010, 2013, and 2015, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP for that third championship run. His Norris wins came in 2010 and 2014.

Thornton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, is most remembered for his time with the Bruins and San Jose Sharks, and is one of only 15 players to score 1,500 points. And though he never played for a Cup champion, he won a gold medal for host Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Mogilny debuted in the NHL in 1989 with the Buffalo Sabres. A dynamic offensive player, he finally won the Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2000. He is a member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club, winning Olympic gold (1988) and the IIHF World Championships (1989) for the former Soviet Union in addition to the Cup.

Botterill was a first-team All-American in each of her four seasons at Harvard University. She played professionally until 2011 and was a mainstay for Canada’s national team at the Olympics and IIHF World Championships, where she was named MVP in 2011.

Decker played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin and earned awards, but her star turn came for Team USA, with whom she won the gold medal six times at the IIHF World Championships and gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Parker captained Boston University in his final season as a player and became his school’s head coach in 1973. His teams won the NCAA championship three times and appeared in an NCAA-record 24 tournaments during his 40 seasons.

Sauvageau’s contributions to the women’s game are unrivaled among non-players in Canada. She was part of seven Winter Olympics in various roles with Team Canada. Sauvageau also was the first woman to coach in the QMJHL, as an assistant with the Montreal Rocket.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, NHL, Women's Hockey

2025 The Athletic Media Company

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Thornton is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The 45-year-old joins a list of 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, which include Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith, and former Maple Leaf Alexander Mogilny. Two builders will be inducted: Jack Parker and Danielle Sauvageau.

"Holy doodle, I can’t believe that I am receiving this honor," Joe Thornton said via San Jose Sharks beat reporter Curtis Pashelka. "There are so many people I need to thank because I certainly couldn’t have done this alone."

According to Pashelka, Thornton didn't pick up the phone on the first ring. He's travelling back home to St. Thomas, Ontario, after spending a few days with Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews in his home of Arizona.

'It's Great To Have Him With Us': Joe Thornton Attends Maple Leafs' Game As Auston Matthews' Guest For Club's Upcoming Mentors TripThe mentors trip for the Leafs started in February of the 2019-20 season.

Although Thornton did not win anything during his time with the Maple Leafs, his tenure in Toronto will certainly be recalled by many.

Signing a one-year deal, $700,000 contract ahead of the NHL’s bubble season, Thornton was revered by his teammates before even arriving in the city. Due to Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions, he, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and former Maple Leafs Rasmus Sandin and Mac Hollowell quarantined together for two weeks before joining the team for training camp.

"Just being around this youthful energy just gets me excited," Thornton said during Toronto’s training camp in January 2021. "I feel like I’m young again, and it’s a good feeling to be in."

Report: Clubs View Vegas Golden Knights As 'Team To Beat' In Mitch Marner Sweepstakes As Maple Leafs Free Agent Hits MarketWith the NHL Draft and free agency fast approaching, the league is buzzing with activity, and no name is generating more speculation than Mitch Marner. While teams prepare for the draft, there is widespread debate about where the top free agent will end up.

After finally getting anchored in Toronto, the veteran playmaker started the year skating beside Matthews and Mitch Marner on the team’s top line. As the season continued, though, his ice time shrank, beginning the year with 17:10 in his debut, to 13:18 in his final regular-season game.

Thornton scored five goals and 15 assists in his lone season with the Maple Leafs. He followed that up with one goal in seven games against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, before Toronto was eliminated.

There’ll be moments during Thornton’s tenure to remember, like his jousting match with Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Thornton was mic’d up during that moment by Amazon, which was filming the ‘All or Nothing’ docu-series the entire season.

How The Maple Leafs Can Add A Center This Summer To Fix Their Depth ProblemWhen the Toronto Maple Leafs glance into the free agency cupboard on July 1, they may only be left with a few choices at center.

You cannot forget the moment when Matthews and Marner congratulated former Maple Leaf Patrick Marleau on reaching the most games played by an NHLer milestone. Thornton, partially clothed with a stick in hand, stood behind Matthews and Marner and wished his former San Jose Sharks teammate well.

Aside from the moments that made Thornton one of hockey’s true enigmas, he’s one of the sport’s most decorated players. One World Junior gold medal, two World Cup golds, one Olympic gold, an Art Ross Trophy, a Hart Trophy, and countless other honors.

The only trophy he didn’t capture: The Stanley Cup.

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Thornton formally retired in late October 2023. His career finished with 430 goals and 1,109 assists in 1,714 games, split between the Boston Bruins, Sharks, Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. The Sharks retired Thornton’s jersey in November, culminating the forward’s legacy in San Jose and beyond.

"I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a tremendous honor. Incredible," Thornton told Lanny McDonald and Ron Francis, Chair of the selection committee, after receiving the phone call. "Oh my god, I don't know what to say. This is incredible."

(Top photo: Sergei Belski / Imagn Images)

Alexander Mogilny finally received the call. 

The former New Jersey Devils forward is being inducted into the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class, as announced by the selection committee on Tuesday. 

Mogilny joins the class, which includes Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, Brianna Decker, Jennifer Botterill, Danièle Sauvageau, and Jack Parker. 

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Alexander Mogilny.#HHOF2025 | #HHOFpic.twitter.com/dGLQ254EXc

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) June 24, 2025

“I am happy to be part of a great organization like the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Mogilny said. “I want to thank both my Russian and NHL teammates for helping me achieve this honor.”

He most noticably made NHL history by becoming the first player from the Soviet Union to defect for the purpose of playing in the League. Over his 16-season career, he played for the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Devils. 

Mogilny appeared in 121 games as a Devil over three seasons. He put up 114 points (58 goals, 56 assists). He won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in the 1999-2000 season.

At the international level, Mogilny helped the USSR to a gold medal at the Olympics, World Championships, and World Juniors in 1989.

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

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Didn’t the Florida Panthers season just end?

It’s been a week since the Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in six games to become back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, but the team is already looking toward the future.

On Tuesday, Florida announced their 2025 NHL Preseason schedule.

It begins with their traditional preseason doubleheader, which this year will take place on the road in Nashville on Sept. 21.

There will also be a neutral site game played between Florida and Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 30 at Kia Center in Orlando.

The Panthers will play only two preseason games on their home ice in Sunrise.

They will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 29 at Amerant Bank Arena, then five days later on Oct. 4 Florida will welcome the Lightning to close out the preseason.

While the Panthers will play seven preseason games, they’ll only face three different teams.

The full preseason schedule for the Cats can be seen below:

Florida has not set an official start date for training camp yet, but it will likely be around a week before they begin playing exhibition games.

The NHL has yet to release the 2025-26 regular season schedule, but whenever Florida’s home opener arrives, they’ll be excited to raise another Stanley Cup Championship banner to the rafters.

Enjoy your summer, folks. Once again, it’ll be a shorter one.

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According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s final draft ranking, when the Montreal Canadiens finally get to speak at 16th and 17th overall, supersized center Jack Nesbitt could still be available. Chances are that if he is, Kent Hughes and co. will be thanking their lucky star.

The six-foot-five and 186-pound Sarnia, Ontario, native center could certainly help fill one of the Habs’ needs. Not only does he have a large frame that he’s not afraid to enter the dirty areas with, but he also possesses a high hockey IQ and a knack for making opponents forget about him in the offensive zone, creating opportunities for himself.

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He is a real power forward who doesn’t fear puck battles in the corner to retrieve the puck and feeds his teammates at both ends of the ice. He’s a responsible forward who’s well aware of a center’s defensive responsibilities.

On a struggling Windsor Spitfires team in 2023-24, he picked up 18 points in 58 games and was a significant part of the team’s much-improved result this past year, putting up 64 points in 65 games.

Nesbitt possesses a great package of skills, size, and hockey IQ. Still, he’s far from being a finished product and will need time to develop, focusing on both his speed and skating once he has fully developed and added some muscles to his already big frame.

There’s no consensus on where he’s likely to fall, however. While TSN’s Bob McKenzie has him at 17, Craig Button ranks him at 38, THN’s Tony Ferrari at 51, and Ryan Kennedy at 20. McKeen’s Hockey has him at 27, Recruit puts him at 44, and Dobber Prospects places him at 33.

The Canadiens did meet Nesbitt at the Scouting Combine in Buffalo, and the youngster was reported as saying, “It would be cool to go to Montreal, that’s where my father grew up.” The youngster added he felt the Canadiens were interested. According to TVA Sports, Nesbitt had filled out a questionnaire for the Habs and had a meeting as well.

The 18-year-old compares his play to that of Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry, saying he plays a physical game on the 200-foot and can also score essential goals. That’s a profile that’s currently missing in Montreal, and adding Nesbitt would be an excellent investment for the future on the Canadiens’ part.

Photo credit: Michael Augello

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Finally, after nearly two decades away from the game, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexander Mogilny will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon, with several others being inducted, including Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith, and former Maple Leaf Joe Thornton. The two builders being inducted are Jack Parker and Danielle Sauvageau.

We now don’t have to wonder why the forward, who only spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs, wasn’t inducted. Mogilny played 13 seasons — with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and New Jersey Devils, which included a 127 point year and 76 goals in 1992-93 and a Stanley Cup in 2000 — before joining Toronto in 2001.

Aside from Teemu Selanne, who also had 76 goals that year, no player has scored more in a season since Mogilny’s 76 in 1992-93. The two shared the Rocket Richard Trophy that year.

Report: Clubs View Vegas Golden Knights As 'Team To Beat' In Mitch Marner Sweepstakes As Maple Leafs Free Agent Hits MarketWith the NHL Draft and free agency fast approaching, the league is buzzing with activity, and no name is generating more speculation than Mitch Marner. While teams prepare for the draft, there is widespread debate about where the top free agent will end up.

Mogilny spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs and averaged nearly a point per game in his tenure, scoring 166 points (65 goals and 101 assists) in 176 games. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy — given to the player “adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability” — with Toronto in 2002-03.

After a season plagued by a hip injury in 2003-04, which forced him to miss most of the year, Mogilny became a free agent and signed with the Devils. He played a combined 71 games during the final two seasons of his career, scoring 55 points in that span.

Maple Leafs and John Tavares Reportedly 'Not Close' on Extension Will John Tavares remain a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs after his contract expires? According to the latest from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, it’s not looking like a sure thing. In his NHL rumblings column published on Saturday, LeBrun revealed that the two sides are not close on finalizing a contract extension.

His career finished with the Cup, a Lady Byng and the Rocket Richard Trophy, and is a part of the triple-gold club (an Olympic gold medal, a World Cup gold, a World Junior gold). Mogilny’s career finished with 473 goals and 559 assists for 1,032 points in 990 games, plus 86 points (39 goals and 47 assists) in 124 playoff games.

Although his time in Toronto was brief, Mogilny will be remembered for his speed, tenaciousness, and skill, all while helping the Maple Leafs win three playoff rounds from 2002 to 2004.

(Top photo: Lou Capozzola / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The New Jersey Devils recently released a video taking fans behind the scenes of an amateur scout meeting ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. In the two-minute video, general manager Tom Fitzgerald stated, "We are not coming back with the same guys. We have got some decisions we have to make." 

One pending unrestricted free agent who is waiting for the Devils to make those decisions is Daniel Sprong. 

New Jersey acquired the 28-year-old from the Seattle Kraken on Mar. 7, 2025, for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He appeared in 11 games for the Devils, collecting two assists. 

During his end-of-season media availability, Sprong praised Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, "He is my favorite coach I have played for in the NHL so far. He is honest. He says it how it is. That works really well for me." 

To begin the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Keefe put Sprong on the third line with Paul Cotter and Cody Glass. After Game 1, Sprong was taken out of the lineup and served as a healthy scratch for the remaining four postseason games. 

Despite not playing in those final games, he shared that he enjoyed his limited time with the Devils. 

"I loved it here," Sprong said during his exit interview. "A great group of guys (and) great fans. I would say everything before New Jersey (this season) was pretty difficult. Mentally, I had a lot of ups and downs, mostly downs, but when I got to New Jersey, I think I fit in well." 

With free agency fast approaching, The Hockey News contacted the forward's agent to confirm if Sprong was preparing for free agency and was informed that they are "waiting on New Jersey." NHL free agency will begin in one week on Tuesday, July 1, at noon ET. 

Over nine seasons in the NHL, Sprong has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, and Kraken. He has 166 points in 374 games.

He is one of six unrestricted free agents that the Devils have, along with Nathan Bastian, Justin Dowling, Curtis Lazar, Brian Dumoulin, and Jake Allen. 

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

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By Dylan Gremont, The Hockey News intern

The 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class announcement takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, so it's time to make the case for Alexander Mogilny's induction again.

Mogilny's been eligible for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame for more than a decade, and there are reasons why he keeps getting mentioned as a candidate every year.

The most crucial reason relates to his goal-scoring prowess and how he compares to his fellow players of his era and Hockey Hall of Fame candidates.

Mogilny currently sits in the top 60 in goals on the all-time list, with 473. Only 44 Hockey Hall of Famers have more.

Mogilny also has one of the five best single-goal scoring seasons ever, with his 76 goals in 77 games on the Buffalo Sabres in the 1992-93 season. A single-season feat like that cements that there should be no question Mogilny gets in, and that's before mentioning his 55 goals in 1995-96, 43 goals in 2000-01 and five other 30-plus-goal seasons.

Mogilny is also part of the Triple Gold Club, having won an Olympic gold medal with the then-Soviet Union in the 1988 Calgary Olympics, a World Championship gold medal in 1989 and a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils during the 1999-2000 season. He also won world junior gold in 1988-89.

Mogilny is one of 30 members of this exclusive club, home to many Hall of Famers.

The Khabarovsk, Russia, native also won individual accolades during his career. He won the 2002-03 Lady Byng Trophy as the player who best combined results with sportsmanlike conduct. He also shared the NHL's goal-scoring title with Finnish sensation Teemu Selanne in 1992-93, before the 'Rocket' Richard Trophy was introduced.

Beyond all the critical importance of his goal-scoring ability and his championships, he left an everlasting impact on hockey and the NHL. He was the first NHL player to defect from the Soviet Union. He built a landscape for current NHLers Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov and many more to succeed. They have Mogilny to thank.

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