Canadian
goaltender Chris Driedger, 31,
has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club
announced on Tuesday.
For
Driedger, who spent the 2024-25 season in the Florida
Panthers and Winnipeg
Jets organizations
but spent the entire season in the AHL,
this will be his first time playing for a team outside North America.
“With
the signing of Chris Driedger,
we have
filled
both goalie positions for next season,” said
Traktor GM Alexei Volkov, himself a former NHL goaltender. Driedger
is slated to share the crease with Sergei Mylnikov Jr., the son of a
former NHL and Soviet national team goalie.
Volkov
said that Driedger “is
in
the prime of his goalie career. He’s a large goalie who played
decently in the NHL and became a World Championship medalist.
Now Chris needs a new challenge, which he will get at Traktor. I’m
confident that our organization and coaching staff will help him
with a quick adaptation and reach the top level of the KHL.”
Driedger,
who hails from Winnipeg, played junior hockey for the WHL’s
Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen, was chosen in the third round,
76th
overall, by the Ottawa
Senators in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Between
2014 and 2024, Driedger played 67 NHL regular-season games for the
Senators, Panthers and Seattle
Kraken, compiling a record of 31-24-5 with a goals-against
average of 2.45, a save percentage of .917 and five shutouts. He also
played three playoff games for Florida in 2021.
Internationally,
Driedger played in six of Canada’s 10 games at the 2022 IIHF World
Championship in Finland, backstopping the team to a silver medal.
Driedger,
whose NHL rights are for now retained by Winnipeg, joins a Traktor
team that includes former NHLers Vladimir Zahkarov and Jordan Gross,
as well as prospects
Arseni Koromyslov (St.
Louis Blues),
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto
Maple Leafs),
Matvei Guskov (Minnesota
Wild)
and Vasili Glotov (Buffalo
Sabres).
In 217 career AHL appearances over 10 season Driedger had a record of 106-78-19 with a .910 SP and 2.74 GAA.
A third round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2012, Driedger has a 31-24-5 record, .917 SP, and 2.45 GAA in 67 career NHL appearances with the Senators, Florida Panthers, and Seattle Kraken.
The 31-year-old backstopped the Coachella Valley Firebirds to the 2024 Calder Cup Finals, was an AHL All-Star in 2019-20, and led the league in save percentage (.924) in 2018-19. He appeared in six games and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2022 World Championship.
Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
The 26-year-old last played in Game 4, allowing three goals on 17 shots before Calvin Pickard replaced him and backstopped the Oilers to a comeback overtime win. Pickard, 33, conceded four goals on 18 shots in Game 5 at home as the Panthers took a 3-2 series lead.
Edmonton faces elimination for the first time in this year's playoffs – the Oilers won the first round in six games, and it only took them five games to win in the second and third rounds.
But Skinner has played in do-or-die games before in the Stanley Cup playoffs – six times so far in his career, to be specific.
In those games, Skinner has a 4-2 record with a combined .908 save percentage and 2.30 goals-against average.
Four of those elimination games came in last year's Cup final.
After losing the first three games of the 2024 final to the Panthers, Skinner and the Oilers went 3-1 in the next four matches. Skinner had a .935 save percentage and 1.76 goals-against average in that span, including allowing only one goal on 33 shots in Game 4 and a .952 SP in Game 6. In Game 7, Skinner stopped 19 of 21 shots for a .905 SP in the Oilers' 2-1 loss.
Skinner also started for the Oilers in Game 7 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. Edmonton limited the Canucks to 17 shots, but Skinner allowed two goals for a .882 save percentage in the 3-2 Oilers win.
The third-round draft pick in 2017 played his first game facing elimination in the NHL playoffs on May 14, 2023, in Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas scored on Skinner four times on 17 shots, with Jonathan Marchessault recording a natural hat trick in the second period. Jack Campbell replaced Skinner in net for the third period in the Golden Knights' 5-2 win. Vegas went on to defeat the Panthers in the Cup final.
In this year's playoffs, Skinner lost starting duties to Pickard in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings and in Game 5 of the final. When Pickard suffered an injury in the second round, Skinner recorded three shutouts in his next five starts to eliminate the Golden Knights and tie the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars at 1-1.
"That's been the most impressive over my time with him, especially being a young goalie, is being able to bounce back," Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins told reporters. "It's not always going to be easy. There's always going to be difficulties, especially as a goalie, whether it's your fault or not. He has an ability to silence everything around him and focus on the task at hand. It's been impressive. He has an infectious personality, and it's been fun to watch."
Mitch Marner becomes eligible to sign with any team on July. 1 and as the free agency window approaches, the situation revolving around the most sought-after free agent and the Vegas Golden Knights has become clearer.
The anticipation around an unrestricted free agent signing hasn't been this high since Artemi Panarin signed with the New York Rangers and John Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's rare for a 27-goal and 102-point player to be available on the free agent market, but due to Marner's struggles and seemingly impending fallout with the Maple Leafs, it's provided an excellent opportunity for several teams, including the Golden Knights.
The market for Marner has become clear. Among the Golden Knights, the Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks have expressed interest. Many insiders haven't ruled out the Maple Leafs just yet, and Friedman reported that Marner's camp has offered teams meetings on July 1st, and the Maple Leafs are one of the teams.
Friedman also stated that "his eyes are on Vegas when it comes to Mitch Marner."
Signing Marner won't be a simple task. Several reports have indicated that teams, such as the Hurricanes, Mammoth and the Ducks, are willing to offer Marner a contract of north of $14M, something that the Golden Knights likely won't be able to do. Even if the Golden Knights find a middle ground with Marner between $12M-13M, the Golden Knights would have to make several moves to fit him under the salary cap.
Players who could be sacrificed in their pursuit include Ivan Barbashev, Nicolas Hague and William Karlsson. Friedman has also been the leading reporter in the discussions about the uncertainty of Alex Pietrangelo's future, doubling down and mentioning that from the people he's talked to, they wouldn't be surprised if he's played his last game in the NHL. The Golden Knights would be allowed to put his $8.8M cap hit on the LTIR, but it still wouldn't be enough for the organization to sign Marner and legally play him.
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Detroit Red Wings reportedly one of three top contenders to land Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad in free agency.
The Florida Panthers play Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday with it being their potential last chance to leave an impact with this team. Many of the key players are pending free agents including top defenceman Aaron Ekblad.
Florida's first overall pick back in 2014 may be finally leaving the team he's spent his entire 11-year NHL career with in favour of more money elsewhere. One of the reported top suitors for Ekblad is the Detroit Red Wings.
It's no secret the Red Wings are looking to fill holes on their backend and Ekblad could work as a solid foundational piece towards the future. The 29-year-old Windsor native grew up with the Red Wings always in his life, with Detroit just across the river.
This should give the Red Wings a notable leg up over the competition as they are his hometown team of sorts and would allow Ekblad to be close to home where his family resides.
It's very early on in the process as another Stanley Cup with the Panthers could make an impact on his final decision but if Ekblad does choose to test the market, Detroit is one of the favourites if not the favourite to land him.
Ekblad is known for his size, poise, and two-way game that helped him log 33 points in 56 games this past season while averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time.
Despite a 20-game suspension in March for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, Ekblad returned to the lineup and has played a key role in Florida returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight season. This postseason, he's recorded 12 points through 18 games.
The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.
Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.
“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”
So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.
“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”
The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and either No. 31 or 32 (Oilers trade).
Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.
Next up:
Jackson Smith
Position: Defenseman Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 199 Shoots: Left Team: Tri-City
Scouting report
Smith is that modern defenseman who is super fun to watch. He skates and handles the puck like a forward, darting up the ice and carving through coverages with all kinds of maneuvers.
“I think teams will gravitate toward him just for the simple fact that the style he plays is the style that’s being played in the NHL, where are a number of players are having success at that,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said last Wednesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “So he’s definitely offensively wired. He’s a D-man that likes to have the green light, so that when there’s an opportunity, he can skate and lead a rush with the puck.”
Fueled by that ability and confidence, Smith put up 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the 2024-25 Americans. He had a plus-2 rating on a team that had a minus-34 goal differential and led all WHL defensemen in overtime goals with three. He also just turned 18 years old last month.
As the 13th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, Smith has the key ingredients to be a team’s power play quarterback in the future.
“He has got a really good game at the offensive blue line,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “Power plays today are so important to teams, so I just think because he brings an offensive punch, he has got some size and his skating is good, teams are going to find him appealing.”
At the 2025 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship that ended last month, Smith recorded four goals, an assist, 17 shots and a plus-7 rating in seven games for gold-winning Team Canada.
Just like any offensive-minded blueliner, Smith will have to eventually prove he can defend against pros and be reliable enough in his own zone. What helps his case is that he has the size to do it.
“I don’t want to say that he’s not responsible defensively, but all these young D-men, all of them have to learn how to play defense in the National Hockey League,” Marr said. “And that’s teachable. What’s harder to teach is the offensive game that he brings.”
(Rembrandt Rivas Photography/Tri-City Americans)
Fit with Flyers
Centers are prevalent toward the front of this draft and the Flyers should have a decent shot at landing one. But if their top names go off the board, perhaps Smith will be high on their list as the second-best defenseman in the class.
Cam York and Emil Andrae, two of the Flyers’ young lefty shots, don’t have a ton of length, so Smith would add some size there down the road. His potential to run the point should be intriguing; the Flyers have sported an NHL-worst 13.7 power play percentage over the last four seasons combined.
But Smith may end up being somewhat of a reach for the Flyers at No. 6 and gone before they’re back on the clock at No. 22.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping another one of their forwards around, as they have signed Joona Koppanen to a one-year contract. The team also shared that he will carry a $775,000 cap hit at the NHL level.
The Penguins have re-signed forward Joona Koppanen to a one-year contract.
The contract will run through the 2025.26 campaign and carries an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level.
Koppanen played in a career-high 11 NHL games this season with the Penguins, where he posted one goal, 40 hits, and a minus-3 rating. He spent the majority of the campaign in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins, posting eight goals, 23 points, and a plus-5 rating in 56 contests.
With this move, Koppanen will remain a serviceable depth forward for the Penguins. At a minimum, the 6-foot-5 forward should continue to be a key piece for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but he could also get consideration for a spot in Pittsburgh's bottom six if he has a strong training camp.
In 20 career NHL games over three seasons split between the Boston Bruins and Penguins, Koppanen has recorded one goal, one assist, 51 hits, and a minus-3 rating.
Remembering the Red Wings Stanley Cup victory in Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals—just as the Oilers face the Panthers in Tuesday night’s Game 6 showdown.
The biggest game of the 2024-25 NHL season could be tonight as the hockey world turns to Sunrise, where the Florida Panthers will get home ice advantage with a chance to win their second straight Stanley Cup.
The Edmonton Oilers will look to stave off elimination after a dominant performance by the Panthers in Game 5 to secure a 5-2 win on the road.
The chance to bring home the Cup in six games is a familiar sight for hockey fans, particularly those in Detroit, who remember another high-stakes Game 6 in which they won their last Stanley Cup to date.
That night, June 4, 2008, at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, the Red Wings arrived with the fatigue of a double-overtime loss in Game 5 still on their minds. They had been seconds away from winning the franchise's 11th Stanley Cup on home ice before Penguins forward Max Talbot stunned Joe Louis Arena with a game-tying goal, followed by a Petr Sykora overtime winner.
This group of Red Wings veterans like Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Osgood and Kris Draper among others remembered the Cup victory in 2002 and knew what the team needed to do to win.
Led by winger Henrik Zetterberg, the playoff MVP, who scored what proved to be the game-winning goal midway through the third period, on a quick shot that squeaked under Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury.
It was a defining moment in the Swede’s dominant playoff run and solidified Zetterberg as a household name after his 92-point regular season.
Pittsburgh made it interesting with a last-minute goal but as the horn sounded, the Red Wings leapt from their bench in celebration with Lidstrom being one of the happiest on the ice as he became the first European-born captain to lift the Cup.
That team, built by Ken Holland and coached by Mike Babcock, had elite levels of skill but also discipline that was all put together with veteran leadership that led the way and helped players buy into the the Detroit style of playoff toughness.
The elite roster included Hall of Famers Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, and Dominik Hasek as well as future candidates for the Hall in Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.
Tonight, Florida finds itself at that same crossroad. They've built their team on a similar combination led by Aleksander Barkov and a battle-tested team that finds themselves late in a Stanley Cup Final for the third season in a row and knows exactly what to do, to secure the win on Tuesday.
If history is any guide, Game 6 has a way of shaping legacies. For Detroit, it was the culmination of a six-year long build back to the Finals and the crowning moment of one of the most complete rosters in NHL history.
For Florida, tonight could be the final chapter of something just as special as they put their team in the conversation as one of the great dynasties the league has seen.
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We’ve often heard that drafting is a bit of a crap shot, you can do your due diligence and scout those prospects until you’re blue in the face, but nobody has a crystal ball. That’s even more true as you get deeper and deeper in the draft; the earlier you pick, the better your odds of landing a good player, and it makes sense.
This time around, the Montreal Canadiens will be drafting twice in the first round, unless, of course, they make a trade between then and now. If Kent Hughes doesn’t manage to swing a deal, however, what kind of player could the Habs draft speaking 16th and 17th overall? Let’s have a look at the last five drafts…
Unsurprisingly, at those ranks, the players picked in recent drafts have yet to make any impact, but we’ll still have a look at them, just to be thorough.
2024 Draft
The St.Louis Blues used the 16th selection at last year’s draft to grab Adam Jiricek, a 6-foot-3 and 180-pound right-shot defenseman. Following his drafting, the Czech prospect came over to this side of the ocean and spent the season with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL, putting up 12 points in 27 games. He was stopped in his tracks when he suffered a lacerated spleen.
The Washington Capitals selected right winger Terik Parascak with the 17th overall pick, a WHL prospect who had put up 105 points in 68 games with the Prince George's Cougars in his draft year. Parascak spent the last year there as well, but managed only 82 points in 59 games this time around. He signed his entry-level contract (ELC) at the end of the season and joined the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL) to complete the season.
2023 Draft
The Calgary Flames had the 16th overall pick in 2023 and used it to select left winger Samuel Honzek. After spending another year in the WHL, he made the jump to pro hockey this season, dressing in five Flames games and being held off the scoresheet. In the AHL, he played 52 games with the Calgary Wranglers and put up 21 points.
The Detroit Red Wings used the 17th overall pick on Axel Sandin-Pellikka and signed him to an ELC deal a year later. He attended camp and earned a point in two games with Grand Rapids in the AHL before being loaned back to his Swedish team, Skelleftea AIK, where the right-shot defenseman put up 29 points in 46 games.
2022 Draft
In Montreal, it was the Buffalo Sabres who were picking 16th overall, and they used the pick on left-shot center Noah Ostlund. The Swede played two more years back home before making the jump to the North American pro leagues. In 45 games with the Rochester Americans this season, he recorded 36 points, but was held off the scoresheet in his eight games with the Sabres.
The Nashville Predators held the 17th pick that year and used it on right winger Joakim Kemell. The Finnish prospect spent one more year in Finland before making his debut in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he has produced 13, 40, and 41 points in three seasons. He’s still a work in progress, but has a perfect shot.
2021 Draft
The New York Rangers used the 16th overall pick on Brennan Othman, a left winger who had spent the COVID-19 season in Switzerland, putting up 16 points in 34 contests. After being drafted, he returned to the OHL for two seasons, during which he put up 97 points (in 66 games) and 67 points (in 56 games). He made the jump to the professional leagues in 2023-24 and has split his time between the AHL and the NHL. This past year, he featured in 22 Rangers games but was limited to a pair of assists.
With the 17th overall pick, the Blues added Zach Bolduc, a right winger who had recorded 29 points in 27 games with the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL before suffering a lower-body injury. The setback led to a decline in the draft, but the following year, he recorded 99 points in 65 games with the Quebec Remparts, before adding 110 points in 61 games the following year. He has split the last two seasons between the Blues and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. In 72 NHL games this past season, he accumulated 36 points and appears poised to become an impactful player in the future.
2020 Draft
The Canadiens held the 16th pick that year, and they elected to add left-shot blueliner Kaiden Guhle, a decision they’ve had no reason to regret so far. The defenseman plays a challenging physical game and has already booked his place on Hughes’ core, becoming the first defenseman the Habs GM signed long-term. If it wasn’t for all the injuries suffered so far, it might be even better by now.
The Chicago Blackhawks had the 17th pick and selected Lukas Reichel with it. The German left winger played another year overseas before making the jump to North America and has split three seasons between the Hawks and the Rockford Ice Dogs before spending the last campaign entirely with Chicago. In 70 games, he could only muster 22 points playing on the fourth line alongside Joe Veleno and Nick Foligno.
What’s clear from the exercise is that if the Canadiens do use those two picks, they are unlikely to get a player who’ll make an impact right away. Fans will have to be patient and wait to see whether they were good picks or not.
Although there are always exceptions to every rule, if you go back to the 2015 draft, Matthew Barzal was picked 16th overall by the New York Islanders, and after two more seasons of junior hockey, he jumped into the NHL with both feet, recording 85 points in 82 games. That same year, the Winnipeg Jets selected Kyle Connor at 17th overall, and he certainly wasn’t a bad pick, either; it just took him a bit more time to mature.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images
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Buffalo Sabres right winger JJ Peterka has increasingly become a topic of conjecture for NHL pundits, with some of them featuring him prominently among their off-season trade candidates.
It's been reported the Sabres received offers for Peterka going back to the March NHL trade deadline. However, they weren't interested in moving the 23-year-old, especially after his career-best 68-point performance this season.
PuckPedia indicates Peterka is an RFA coming off his entry-level contract and lacks no-trade protection. Rumors persist claiming the Sabres are still getting calls about his availability, with some observers speculating he could become an offer-sheet target.
The Sabres reportedly remain reluctant about trading Peterka. Their $23 million in cap space suggested any offer could be easily matched, but rumors persist claiming Peterka could be traded or become an offer-sheet candidate.
On Sunday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Sabres have started listening to those trade offers. He believes Peterka is unhappy and wants to move to a different team.
Despite the Sabres' cap space, the threat of an offer sheet could provide additional reason to move Paterka. Arthur Staple of The Athletic suggested he could be an option for the New York Rangers, which freed up $6.5 million in cap space by shipping Chris Kreider last week to the Anaheim Ducks.
Staple speculated the Sabres could be unwilling to match an offer between $7 million and $9.3 million. He noted the Rangers lack their 2026 second-rounder, which would be necessary as part of the compensation required, but suggested they could attempt to reacquire that pick from the Utah Mammoth and then make their move.
If the Sabres trade Peterka, they'll want a substantive return. Given their well-stocked prospect pipeline, they won't want offers of draft picks and prospects. They'll likely want a player-for-player swap akin to their acquisition of Josh Norris from Ottawa for Dylan Cozens or Bowen Byram from Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt.
The asking price for Peterka could be a top-four, right-shot defenseman in their prime to pair with young left-shot blueliner Owen Power.
NHL free agency is in two weeks, and it appears that Mitch Marner will likely test the market on July 1.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Marner’s camp is not engaging in contract negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“The Maple Leafs have tried to talk to Marner,” Friedman said. “Marner’s camp is not engaged with them.
“I think everybody knows the way this is going to be heading, that on July 1, he’s going to go out there, he’s going to hit the market,” he added.
There are a few players who have signed monstrous contracts on the opening day of free agency in the past decade. Here’s who Marner could join on that list.
Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin became the NHL’s highest-paid winger per year on July 1, 2019. The New York Rangers signed the Russian to a seven-year deal worth $81.5 million for an $11.64-million cap hit. The 33-year-old’s contract expires after 2025-26.
Ever since Panarin joined the Rangers, he’s excelled. In 2023-24, the left winger scored a career-high 49 goals and 120 points. He was four points shy of breaking Jaromir Jagr’s franchise record for most points in a season, set in 2005-06 with 123. Even though he recorded 31 fewer points this season, his 89 in 80 matches still exceeded a point-per-game average.
With Panarin’s offensive prowess, the Blueshirts advanced to two Eastern Conference finals. They lost both series in six games to the Florida Panthers in 2024 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022.
John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
When Tavares signed a seven-year contract worth $77 million with the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2018, his new $11-million cap hit became the second-highest in the NHL. The center could have had the highest cap hit then, with TSN’s Darren Dreger reporting that other teams offered $13 million per season.
Nonetheless, he picked his hometown team and has been the focal point of some big moments in Toronto. In his first season with the Leafs, he recorded a career-high 47 goals and 88 points. He also helped the Leafs get over their first-round playoff hump, scoring the overtime-winner of Game 6 against Tampa Bay in 2023 to advance to the second round.
Sergei Bobrovsky was in the same free-agent class as Panarin in 2019, when they left the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky signed with Florida on a deal worth $10 million per season for seven years.
The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has had some ups and downs with the Panthers, but the brightest moments came in the playoffs. Over the past three post-seasons, Bobrovsky has registered a 43-21 record with a .911 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average. With him between the pipes, the Panthers advanced to three straight Stanley Cup finals, winning it all last year and being one victory away from capturing the Cup again this year.
Bobrovsky will enter the final year of his contract next season.
McDavid, Draisaitl attempt to lead comeback as Panthers one win away from back-to-back Stanley Cups
The potential biggest game of the series if it doesn't go seven is Game 6 tonight in Sunrise as the Florida Panthers look to make it back-to-back Stanley Cups when returning home with a 3-2 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers.
For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 7-4 record through the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Game 6 Best Bets:
Oilers ML (+125)
Leon Draisaitl anytime goal (+120)
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (-104)
Connor McDavid Over 2.5 Shots on goal (-215 - Potential Parlay Add)
Over 6.5 goals (-106)
The Oilers have proven to excel when their backs are against the wall as they came one game short of completing a 3-0 series comeback versus the Panthers in last year's Final and have continued the same success this postseason.
They overcame a 2-0 series hole versus the Kings in the first round and haven't looked back since winning 12 of their next 14 games. The Panthers gave them a taste of their own medicine by rattling off three wins over the last four games after losing Game 1 in overtime.
It's been a tight, thrilling series in some games while others have made the Panthers look like an unstoppable machine. I expect this to completely flip as the Oilers know what to do in this spot.
In the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, the Panthers themselves were dominated in important games like their 9-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5 when Vegas claimed their first Cup in franchise history. I expect a similar performance from the Oilers as we've been long overdue for a big road game from Edmonton's biggest stars.
We covered it in a recent story that McDavid has rarely covered his over in points on the road in Florida, only doing so just once. The rest of the Oilers lineup has less than a point per game average in six road playoff games in Florida and this should change.
The red hot Leon Draisaitl has just three points, Evan Bouchard has five points and the trip of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Corey Perry and Darnell Nurse all have two points.
The truly elite Florida defence has been so for too long and it's long overdue for a blowup game like when the Oilers went on the road and won 5-3 in Game 5 of last year's Final.
The biggest games should come for Edmonton's top players in Draisaitl and McDavid. The German winger has just one goal in his last three games, the 52-goal scorer will certainly break his cold streak on the road in Florida and score a big goal.
McDavid is averaging 3.8 shots per game and should breakthrough for a multi-point game and help lift the Oilers to a massive win, forcing Game 7 on Friday.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett's potential move to Detroit is gaining attention as latest betting odds reveal chances of a blockbuster signing.
As the Stanley Cup Final nears its end and NHL free agency looms on the horizon, the future of Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is quickly becoming one of the league’s more intriguing storylines.
Bennett, 28, is in the midst of a standout postseason and could become one of the most sought-after forwards on the market if he tests free agency this summer. With the Detroit Red Wings looking to add a physical, playoff-tested presence to their forward group, the question emerges: Could Bennett make the move to Hockeytown?
This postseason has showcased the very best of Sam Bennett. He has emerged as a force in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallying 14 goals and 20 points through 20 games, including multiple clutch performances in the Final against Edmonton. His breakaway finish in Game 3 was not just a turning point in the series, but also his record-breaking 12th road goal of the postseason, setting an NHL playoff record.
He tied the Panthers' franchise record for most goals in a single postseason, and his impact extends beyond the scoresheet. Bennett’s physical edge, defensive awareness, and timely scoring have drawn high praise from around the league, with Panthers coach Paul Maurice describing him as “an animal” in the playoffs.
Bennett’s strong two-way game and ability to thrive in pressure situations make him an attractive target for teams with playoff ambitions. The Red Wings, fresh off a season of growth under Steve Yzerman’s leadership, are expected to be aggressive this offseason. With more than $21 million in projected cap space, Detroit has the flexibility to add a player like Bennett.
His ability to play both center and wing would give the Red Wings versatility in their top six, while his gritty style of play fits the identity they’ve been working to build. Moreover, his Ontario roots and history with Canadian junior systems offer a close to home destination that Bennett could find appealing.
However, there are notable barriers like Bennett is expected to command a contract in the range of $7 to $8 million annually, which could be a stretch for the Red Wings depending on how they prioritize their spending on the backend. While he brings intensity and playoff experience, his regular season production, most recently 51 points, may not fully justify a top-dollar investment, especially if Detroit is looking for long-term foundational scorers to get them to the postseason.
Some analysts also question whether Bennett is a true top-line talent or more of a complementary player who thrives in a very specific system like Florida’s. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Bennett is most likely to stay with the Panthers, with odds at –230. The Toronto Maple Leafs follow at +500, while teams like Vegas (+900), Boston (+2200), and Ottawa (+2600) round out the mid-tier options.
Detroit comes in at +3700, indicating that while it’s not out of the question, it’s certainly considered a long shot. Still, the Red Wings have surprised in the past, and Yzerman has shown a willingness to pounce when the right opportunity arises.
If he chooses to test the open market, Detroit has the cap space, the culture, and the vision to make a compelling case. Whether they’ll be able or willing to outbid teams with more urgent short-term needs remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: if Sam Bennett becomes available, the Red Wings will be a team worth watching.
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When the 12 nations that will take part in the Olympic tournament announced their first six players on Monday, a single Montreal Canadiens player was named: Juraj Slafkovsky with Team Slovakia. That’s not to say Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Patrik Laine won’t be representing their respective countries come February, but they haven't made the cut yet.
A former Hab was part of Denmark’s first six selection: Lars Eller. The 36-year-old center spent six seasons in Montreal after being acquired by Pierre Gauthier in the controversial Jaroslav Halak trade. With the Canadiens, the Dane became a complete player and a reliable defensive center. He played 435 games with the Tricolore, accumulating 154 points and 297 penalty minutes.
At the 2016 draft, GM Marc Bergevin traded him to the Washington Capitals for two second-round picks before acquiring Andrew Shaw from the Chicago Blackhawks; those trades kicked off a busy five days for the Canadiens’ GM, who would trade P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber a few days later.
In his second season with the Capitals, Eller became a Stanley Cup champion. While he’s not usually a huge point producer, he was the one who scored the Cup clinching goal against the Vegas Golden Knights and finished the playoffs with 18 points in 24 games, by far the best performance of his career in the postseason (the only time he even came close was when he put up 13 points in 2014 with the Canadiens).
Eller stayed in Washington until the trade deadline in 2023, when the Caps traded him to the Colorado Avalanche in return for a second-round pick. In the off-season, the Dane signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent, but 17 games into his second season in Pennsylvania, the Caps reacquired him in return for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Unfortunately for the Caps, he wasn’t able to find his playoff form this time around and could only manage a single point in nine postseason games. Still, he performed well enough to be named to Denmark’s Olympic squad along with Nikolaj Ehlers, Frederik Andersen, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jonas Rondbjerg and Jesper Jensen Abo.
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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First six players from each participating nation revealed for Men's Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have gotten more interesting in the last few days as several nations participating in the Ice Hockey event revealed the first six players on their rosters with some of the biggest names in the sport like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby.
Officially known as the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic games will be hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22 with NHL players returning to Olympic ice for the first time since the Four Nations Face-Off this past February. The men’s hockey tournament promises to be one of the premier events of the Games.
Early betting odds have already been posted for the event with Canada leading the pack at +150 with Team USA trailing behind in second with +200 odds.
FanDuel's Current Betting Odds for the Gold Medal:
Canada enters the 2026 Olympics as the clear favorite, led by stars Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. With Jordan Binnington likely to regain the crease after a stellar Four Nations Face-Off, he can add to this powerhouse team looks poised to take gold. Anything less would be a major disappointment.
The United States is ready to make a serious run at gold in 2026 with one of the deepest rosters it has ever assembled. Newly announced names include Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy, culminating in a fast, physical, and skilled core. With Connor Hellebuyck likely in goal and Adam Fox anchoring the blue line, Team USA looks built to finally end its Olympic gold drought dating back to 1980.
Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster is already shaping up to be a contender, with newly announced names including William Nylander, Adrian Kempe, Lucas Raymond, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Gabriel Landeskog. The mix of veteran leadership and dynamic youth gives Sweden a well-rounded attack, and if goaltending holds up behind a strong blue line, the Tre Kronor have the pieces to push for gold.
Finland enters the 2026 Olympics once again as a disciplined, defensively sound contender with a roster built on structure and selflessness. Newly announced players include Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Juuse Saros, giving the Finns a balanced attack, a mobile blue line, and elite goaltending. With their 2022 Olympic gold still fresh, Finland remains a serious threat.
Czechia has added David Pastrnak, Martin Nečas, Pavel Zacha, Ondrej Palát, Lukas Dostal, and Radko Gudas to its Olympic roster, injecting scoring, grit, and experience across all positions. Pastrnak and Nečas lead the offense, with Zacha and Palát adding depth and versatility. Gudas shores up the blue line, while Dostal joins Petr Mrázek and Karel Vejmelka in net.
Tomas Hertl’s status remains uncertain due to injury, leaving a key hole up front. While not favorites, Czechia’s growing roster gives them real upset potential.
Switzerland has named Roman Josi, Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler to its Olympic roster, adding star power across the lineup. Josi anchors the defense, while Hischier, Fiala, and Meier lead a skilled forward group. Depth remains a question, but with this core, Switzerland is well-positioned to challenge for a quarterfinal upset.
Slovakia has announced six key names to its Olympic roster: Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky, Erik Cernak, Martin Pospisil, Tomas Tatar and Martin Fehérváry, blending youth, size and experience. Slafkovsky will be a focal point of the offense, with Tatar offering veteran leadership and Pospisil bringing a physical edge. On defense, Nemec, Cernak and Fehérváry form a promising core. Goaltending and depth remain concerns, but Slovakia’s grit and emerging talent make them a tough out.
Germany has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, Moritz Seider, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, and Philipp Grubauer, highlighting a talented and balanced team.
Draisaitl remains one of the world’s best players, with Stützle adding dynamic offensive skill. Seider and Reichel strengthen the lineup, while Grubauer provides key goaltending experience. Building on their 2018 silver medal, Germany has a real chance to shock hockey fans and match or surpass that success.
Latvia has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Elvis Merzlikins, Arturs Silovs, Uvis Balinskis, Teddy Blugers, Zemgus Girgensons, and Rodrigo Abols, building on their surprising bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. While they may lack NHL star power, Merzlikins provides strong goaltending, and Balcers leads an experienced, physical, and disciplined team that is never an easy opponent.
Denmark has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Nikolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Frederik Andersen, Jonas Røndbjerg, and Jesper Jensen Aabo. Ehlers and Bjorkstrand lead a skilled offense, while Andersen provides reliable goaltending. Despite their talent, limited depth may prevent Denmark from advancing beyond the group stage.
Italy has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Thomas Larkin, Diego Kostner, Luca Zanatta, Tommy Purdeller, Damian Clara, and Daniel Mantenuto. As co-hosts, they’ll be motivated to put on a respectable showing. While the talent gap remains significant, home-ice energy and contributions from experienced dual-national players like Kostner could help Italy stay competitive in a game or two.
France has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Alexandre Texier, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Jordan Perret, Yohann Auvitu, Hugo Gallet, and Jules Boscq. Texier and Bellemare bring valuable NHL experience, but overall depth and defensive consistency remain concerns. As underdogs, France will focus on gaining experience and continuing to grow as a hockey nation.
Olympic Men’s Hockey Teams Name First Six Players
All 12 teams that will compete in the men’s tournament of the 2026
Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy have now announced their rosters.
Ex-NHL D-Man Jordan Gross Changes KHL TeamsAmerican
defenseman Jordan Gross, 30, has signed a one-year contract with
Traktor Chelyabinsk, the
KHL club announced on Friday. Gross played his first season in
Europe last season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, where he recorded 42
points in 77 regular-season and playoff games. 
