Category: Ice Hockey

Later this month, Kevyn Adams will be involved in his sixth NHL Draft as Buffalo Sabres GM. In that time, the club has made 43 selections and have been operating under a model of drafting and developing prospects, but their failure of making the postseason during Adams tenure and for 14 straight seasons can be directly connected to their failure of recognizing talent and developing NHL players. 

Adams has had some success with first rounders Jack Quinn, Owen Power, Jiri Kulich, and Zach Benson, other first rounders (Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund, Konsta Helenius and Matthew Savoie - now with Edmonton), have not as of yet established themselves in the NHL. Many teams are able to find contributors in the later rounds, but that has not been the case with Buffalo. 

Only JJ Peterka (selected at the top of the second round in 2020) has been a productive NHLer, the other five second-rounders have not played one game in the league. The record is even more stunning when it comes to rounds three through seven. Of the 29 picks over five drafts, only 2021 seventh-rounder Tyson Kozak has made it to the NHL, playing 21 games for the Sabres this season.   

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Here is a quick update on Buffalo Sabres selected in 2024:

Simon-Pierre Brunet – D – 123rd overall

Brunet was one of four blueliners selected by the Sabres at the draft in Las Vegas and played with prospect Vsevolod Komarov, winning a Memorial Cup with Drummondville in the QMJHL in 2024. In 60 games with the Voltigeurs this season, the 19-year-old doubled his offensive totals, with 32 points (8 goals, 24 assists) in 60 games.

Patrick Geary – D – 172nd overall

Geary was selected by the Sabres in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. The Hamburg, NY native played his amateur hockey for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and two seasons for Waterloo of the USHL before heading to Michigan State, where he is teammates with ’24 second-rounder Maxim Strbak.

The 21-year-old played mostly a shutdown defensive role and had 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 32 games in his freshman year. This season, he finished with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 37 games.

Vasily Zelenov – RW – 204th overall

The Moscow-born winger has been playing at various lower-level youth leagues in Austria since 2021 and posted an impressive 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 40 games for the Salzburg RB Hockey Juniors last season. This season, he shifted to the USHL and had 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 54 games for Green Bay. According to Elite Prospects, the 19-year-old has committed to the University of Wisconsin Badgers, where he could be teammates with fellow 2024 Sabres draftee Luke Osburn.

Ryerson Leenders - G – 219th overall

A slightly above-average goalie at 6’2”, 179 lb., the 18-year-old has played two seasons for the OHL’s Mississauga (now the Brantford Bulldogs), splitting duties in 2022-23 as a 16-year-old and serving as the primary starter last season, going 24-17-4, with a 3.12 GAA, and .909 save % last season. This season, Leenders has become the primary starter for the Bulldogs and finished the regular season with a 31-14-3 record, 3.11 GAA, and .910 save %.

Brantford was the top seed in the OHL’s Eastern Conference Playoffs and eliminated North Bay five games, before falling to Oshawa in the second round.

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New Jersey Devils prospect Anton Silayev is expected to attend the team's development camp this year, per his agent. 

In a text message to The Hockey News, his agent shared they are currently working on his visitor visa. 

Selected by the Devils in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, 10th overall, the 6-foot-7, 211-pound defenseman spent last season in the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League) with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. In 63 games, Silayev earned a career-high 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists). 

At the time of the draft, some projected the young blueliner to go in the top five, with some scouts believing he could go as high as second or third. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button compared the Russian to a current Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman. 

"I see a lot of similarities with the skating, the range of play, the way he defends, and the way he handles things from an overall point of view to Victor Hedman. Silayev's skating is outstanding.

"Silayev, like Hedman, is not worried about impressing anybody. He is just going to play; he is not worried about showing himself off. He's just a really good hockey player, and at 17 years of age, I can't imagine where he will be at 20."

The now 19-year-old attended his first Devils' development camp last year, accompanied by his translator.

"I am very happy to be here," he said through a translator. "I would like to stay longer, but unfortunately, I have to go back to Russia and prepare for the KHL next season there."

Silayev's skating stood out and drew praise from then-Utica Comets' head coach Kevin Dineen. 

First look at #NJDevils 10th overall pick Anton Silayev. pic.twitter.com/FGYSmItCuM

— Kristy Flannery (@InStilettos_NHL) July 1, 2024

“Our first rounder, Anton, there is a stature that you notice right away," he said, "but to see him out on the ice and see his skill set, you go, ‘ok, it is not only his size.’ The way he handles the puck, the way he shoots the puck, and just a youthful enthusiasm he carries out there.”

Silayev is signed with Torpedo through the 2025-26 season. 

The Devils have not released any information about when their 2025 Development Camp will take place. 

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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June 3, 2025 - Reports are circulating that Former Seattle Kraken goalie Chris Driedger is showing interest in retiring from the NHL and signing with the Kontinental Hockey League’s (KHL) Traktor Chelyabinsk. The move could be a bold new opportunity for the veteran netminder who spent little time between the pipes the last two years between injury and trades. An official statement from the player has yet to be made.

The KHL is considered to be the strongest hockey league in Europe and the second-strongest in the world behind the NHL. The KHL was founded in 2008 and includes teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China, among other nations.

In March 2025, Chris Driedger was traded to the Winnipeg Jetsfrom the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen. Drafted fourth overall by the Seattle Kraken in 2021, he signed a three-year, $10.5 million deal but was relegated to a backup role after the team added Philipp Grubauer.

The 31-year-old Winnipeg native began his NHL career with the Ottawa Senators in 2014, later signing a two-year extension with the Panthers in 2019.

In 2024–25, Driedger played 20 games for the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, posting a 10-6-4 record, a 2.97 GAA, and a .878 save percentage.

Limited by an ACL injury from the 2022 World Men's Championship, he appeared in just two games for Seattle in 2023–24, going 1-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and a .917 SV%. Following his nine-month recovery Driedger played with the Kraken's AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 AHL seasons.

Driedger's former team the Florida Panthers are scheduled to play Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, June 4th.

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Stay updated with the most interesting Kraken stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News or Join the discussion with others in your hockey community on the Seattle Kraken Forum.

Jalen Chatfield

Chatfield was subbed out for Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alexander Nikishin in the last game of Carolina’s second-round matchup against the Washington Capitals. With Nikishin’s debut, Chatfield sat out for the entirety of the Hurricanes’ Conference Final matchup against the Florida Panthers. Carolina didn’t get swept this time around, losing in five games against the Panthers instead of four like the season before. Chatfield finished his stint in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with one goal scored in nine games played. 

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Nate Schmidt 

Schmidt has been a good defensive addition for the Panthers this season, contributing to the team’s offensive depth throughout the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He is currently tied with Seth Jones for second on the Panthers in points produced by a defenceman this postseason with three goals and four assists in 17 games. With his team’s five-game Conference Final win against the Hurricanes, Schmidt is now one step closer to winning the first Stanley Cup of his career. 

Jonah Gadjovich

Gadjovich, the 55th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, has the chance to play for his second Stanley Cup. He was part of last year’s championship-winning Panthers team despite not playing in any of their postseason games. This time, he has made a much bigger impact for his team, skating in 10 of Florida’s games and putting up two goals and an assist. He rejoined the team during their second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs and has yet to come out of the lineup since. 

Casey DeSmith

Despite being thought of as Stanley Cup contenders this season after acquiring Mikko Rantanen at the Trade Deadline, Casey DeSmith and the Dallas Stars fell to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. DeSmith slotted into Game 5 in a somewhat controversial decision, as Stars head coach Pete DeBoer pulled starting goaltender Jake Oettinger after he let in two goals on two shots against. In the final game of the Stars’ season, DeSmith played 50:16 and stopped 20 of 23 shots faced. 

Vasily Podkolzin 

Only a season after he was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Oilers, Podkolzin is preparing to play in his first ever Stanley Cup Final. The forward has played in all of the Oilers’ 16 postseason games, potting a goal and five assists in that span. He didn’t register any points during the Western Conference Finals, but saw his TOI spike to around an average of 11 minutes per game. 

Troy Stecher 

Like Podkolzin, former Canucks fan-favourite, Stecher, will also be taking part in his first Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton’s D-core has been a bit unpredictable during the playoffs seeing as one of their top defenders, Mattias Ekholm, missed the first three rounds of the 2025 postseason. Stecher was able to slot in for six games — two against the Vegas Golden Knights and four against the Stars — before Ekholm came back into the lineup. Even so, Stecher played well for the Oilers during his time in the lineup. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

With the NHL draft just around the corner, the Montreal Canadiens’ brass has moved to the KeyBank Center, the Buffalo Sabres' home, for the NHL Scouting Combine. From June 2 to June 7, the most promising prospects will face the most important interviews of their young lives and gruelling physical tests.

Teams can interview the prospects from June 2 to 6, as the bulk of the physical testing will occur on June 7. That day will be reserved exclusively for the tests. On tap for the prospects on that day at LECOM Harborcenter: standing height/wingspan, horizontal jump, force plate vertical jump, bench press, pro agility test, pull-ups, and the Wingate Cycle Ergometer test. As for the Maximal VO2 test, it will be done on June 6.

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After diligently scouting prospects for the past year, the Combine finally allows NHL teams to speak with the ones they deem most interesting and believe will be available when it's their turn to speak. Mind you, in 2019, the Canadiens took Cole Caufield to dinner even though his agent told them GM Marc Bergevin there was no chance the sniper would still be on the board at number 15, but lo and behold, there he was when the Canadiens took to the stage, and the rest is history.

Currently, it’s impossible to know which prospects the Canadiens will interview or take out to dinner; however, the organization has been reported as interested in Justin Carbonneau, Malcolm Spence, and Carter Bear, among others. Watch this space in the upcoming days for details on the combine.

Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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Canadian forward Chase Pearson, 27, has signed a one-year contract with the Nottingham Panthers, the EIHL club announced on Tuesday.

“I’m excited for the challenge and it’s going to be a new experience for me,” said Pearson. “I’m going to get an education and play hockey at a high level.”

Indeed, what drew Pearson to the club was the Panthers’ partnership with Nottingham Trent University. Pearson previously played and studied for three years at the University of Maine and presumably left without completing his bachelor’s degree. Two of his former Maine teammates, Mitch Fossier and Tim Dougherty, are already under contract with the team.

“I talked to Mitch about coming to Nottingham and he said it’s one of the craziest atmospheres he’s ever played in and the fanbase is behind the team the whole time,” said Pearson. “That’s another big reason for me coming. I want to play in a fun atmosphere in front of fanbase that is passionate about the game.”

“Chase’s pedigree speaks for itself,” said Panthers coach Danny Stewart. “He’s a big center that can play all situations. He’s a great player on both sides of the puck and very difficult to handle for opposing players.”

The son of former NHLer Scott Pearson, Chase was born in Cornwall, Ont. and was drafted in the fifth round, 140th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Between 2019 and 2023, he played primarily for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins but 2021-22 played three NHL games for Detroit, failing to record any points or penalty minutes.

In the past two seasons, Pearson has played in Slovakia for Dukla Michalovce and in Austria for Villacher EV.

Photo © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Finnish Ex-Avalanche Goalie Signs In Scotland Finnish goaltender Sami Aittokallio, 32, has signed a one-year contract with the Glasgow Clan, the Scottish-based EIHL club announced on Thursday.

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player and coach Bruce Boudreau providing some unique insight

Stanley Cup Final Preview With Bruce Boudreau by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Katie Gaus and Bruce Boudreau discussed in this episode:

1:10: What are the Florida Panthers' greatest strengths?

5:08: What are the Edmonton Oilers' greatest strengths?

10:22: What areas of the Panthers’ game could be considered a weakness? Is there a particular area of Florida's game that Edmonton should focus on exploiting?

14:42: What matchups should Florida look at to attempt to control the Oilers' star players? 

20:09: Is there any advantage the Oilers might have gained from last year's Game 7 Stanley Cup final loss? 

26:19: Predicting the Stanley Cup final and how many games it will take

29:24: We saw what happened in Dallas with Peter DeBoer's goalie pull decision. How much coaching comes into play throughout a series?

34:41: Adam Foote is a first-time NHL coach in Vancouver. What are the challenges of going from being an assistant or associate coach to a head coach?

39:00: Where will Mitch Marner end up?

40:28: As a coach, what superstition did you have? 

43:40: Why did Bruce Boudreau volunteer to serve minor penalties with the Maple Leafs as a player?

44:39: Boudreau was a part of the “Plumber Line” on the Maple Leafs. Where does that rank among favorite line names ever?

 Watch the full Episode here 

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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Chris Driedger has reportedly signed with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL.

The Jets acquired Driedger at the trade deadline from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen, bringing the Winnipeg native home for the first time in his career.

The 31-year-old didn't play in NHL games with the Jets, but dressed in five games with the Manitoba Moose, recording an .872 SP and a 3.30 GAA. 

Driedger was drafted in the third round (76th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He would go on to play 67 games in the NHL, posting a .917 SP and a 2.45 GAA. His career was split with the Senators, the Seattle Kraken, the Panthers and the Jets, but he was never able to lock down a consistent role, playing a career-high 27 games with the Kraken in 2021-22. 

Driedger will join a Traktor team which lost in the Gagarin Cup finals this season. Their roster consisted of top free agent Maxim Shabonov, former top-10 pick Vitali Kravtsov and Canadian goaltender Zach Fucale. 

Fucale is pursuing a roster spot on an NHL team, which should present the opportunity for Driedger to fight for the No.1 spot. 

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

Jets Lose Forward Rasmus Kupari to SwitzerlandWinnipeg Jets forward Rasmus Kupari has opted to continue his professional career overseas.

With Steve Staios seemingly looking to build the Ottawa Senators’ roster along the lines of the Florida Panthers’ model, how does he intend to deal with his six unrestricted free agents as July 1st approaches?

With UFAs Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins, Adam Gaudette, Matthew Highmore, Travis Hamonic and Anton Forsberg all needing new deals, the main question for Staios should be:

“How do these guys fit with what we are trying to do here?”

If the Panthers are the prototype, clearly the Senators are looking to become more difficult to play against through physical play, puck possession and structure. Those are three things that the Panthers have in abundance, and their three playoff opponents to date can attest to that.

This is the Senators’ current depth chart of players who are under contract on one-way deals for next season.

Forwards

Tkachuk-Stutzle-X
Perron-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
X-X-MacEwen

Defence

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Matinpalo

Goalies

Ullmark
Sogaard

So let’s take a look at the Senators’ pending UFAs and each of their situations.

Claude Giroux

RFA Fabian Zetterlund will surely get a qualifying offer that he can decline so that the Senators maintain his rights and then work with him to avoid arbitration.

The acquisition of Zetterlund, a gritty player with offensive upside, at the trade deadline last season came at the expense of losing a less-developed but more raw and gritty player in Zack Ostapchuk.

Given his age (25), right shot and commitment to physical fitness, it almost feels like Staios is planning for life beyond Giroux. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want both in the lineup, but Giroux has much more past than future remaining, and the Senators aren’t likely to take a step forward with him in the top six.

At first glance, it would seem that rather than going after higher-priced free agents, Zetterlund might be signed to a longer-term deal to fill that hole in the top six.

Given his low level of production after being acquired, it would be normal to question such a move. However, the same thing happened when Zetterlund was acquired mid-season by the Sharks from the Devils in 2022-23. He only registered three points in 22 games.

The following season and this past season, he was trending upward until he got traded. Perhaps he just takes a little longer to get acclimated.

If that's what the Sens are counting on, is there a place in the current configuration for Giroux on the kind of contract he’ll want? There is talk that the veteran winger and the team are interested in making a deal and the number being bandied about is $3 million with some bonus structure.

Would Giroux accept a bottom-six role if he still got to be on the power play, penalty kill and to play up in the lineup when injuries arise? If the Sens sign Zetterlund to a longer, higher-paying deal, it may further diminish Giroux's role here.

Will RFA Fabian Zetterlund Get Paid On His San Jose Numbers Or The Ones In Ottawa?Fabian Zetterlund has only been an Ottawa Senator for a couple of months, and he’s already asking the club for a raise. That wouldn’t fly in a normal workplace, but that’s how it goes in the NHL when you bring in a pending restricted free agent at the trade deadline.

Nick Cousins

Cousins came in on a show-me contract for one year after winning the Stanley Cup. Cousins’ 15 points in 50 games were better than the 15 in 69 he had the year before. His veteran presence has value to the team, to be sure. However, if Zetterlund and Giroux are back, how many of the same guys are going to return?

The Senators can’t just ice the same squad that lost to the Leafs in round one.

Cousins would likely be re-signed if the money made sense. But he’s almost 32, and probably looking for more than one year at more than league minimum. With $16.6 million in projected cap space, the Zetterlund and Giroux deals, if they happen, might eat up close to half of that. Also, his being healthy-scratched in game one of the Leafs’ series was conspicuous to say the least.

Adam Gaudette

Gaudette established himself as a full-time NHLer last year, and it was a great story of reinvention. He may also want more term and money than one might want to pay. Gaudette may fit with what the Senators are trying to do, but again, what is his ceiling? And does he truly fit with a team trying to become harder to play against in a playoff series?

Look for Gaudette to find a home elsewhere and get a nice video tribute in his first game back.

Matthew Highmore

Highmore may not be a full-time NHLer, but Travis Green clearly likes him, and teams do need depth. Look for Highmore to return on one of those higher-paying AHL contracts with a league-minimum cap hit when he's in the show.

Travis Hamonic

It was all class the way the Senators made sure that Travis Hamonic got his 900th game in game 82 against the Hurricanes. With all due respect, if he gets to 901, it should be with another team.

Anton Forsberg

With Forsberg having a $2.75 million cap hit last season, it’s likely that the Senators will take those savings and let Sogaard and Merilainen battle it out for the backup job.

Why Is Ottawa Senators Defenceman Nick Jensen So Guarded About His Lower-Body Injury?Ottawa Senators defenceman Nick Jensen has reportedly undergone surgery for a lingering lower-body injury. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reported this week that, according to league sources, Jensen had the procedure done in New York on Monday and admitted the injury was something he played through for the final few months of the season. He rarely participated in practice because of it.

One big wildcard is Nick Jensen. Jensen isn’t a UFA, but the state of his health could affect the team’s spending plans. He’s projected to be ready for training camp, but the team was very cagey about his health status in the second half of the season. If the Sens have to bring in some impactful right-handed defence help, that could alter plans.

No matter what happens, it's going to be an interesting month.

Pat Maguire
The Hockey News Ottawa

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Building A Contender: What The Ottawa Senators Can Learn From The Oilers And Panthers

Even before the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers start the 2025 Stanley Cup final on Wednesday, they’ve already appeared in more post-season games than any other team in the league since the NHL went back to its regular playoff format in the 2021-22 season.

Here’s the top five:

1. Florida Panthers: 72 games
2. Edmonton Oilers: 69 games
3. Dallas Stars: 63 games
4. Carolina Hurricanes: 55 games
5. Colorado Avalanche: 45 games

Meanwhile, eight teams missed the playoffs entirely in all four of those seasons, and three more have played just a single series. That’s more than a third of the league.

The Stars and Hurricanes may still be hurting from their eliminations last week. But their spots in third and fourth place on that list serve as a good reminder of how much both those teams have achieved over the last four years.

Plenty of their peers would trade places in a heartbeat.

Multiple long playoff runs tell other players and agents that you’ve got a good thing going in your dressing room and your organization. That helps attract new talent and generates lots of valuable playoff gate revenue and merch sales, which keeps your owner happy.

So, despite the Stars’ dramatic flameout in Game 5, which opened up a potential rift between coach Peter DeBoer and franchise goaltender Jake Oettinger, Dallas owner Tom Gaglardi backed his bench boss in a big way when he spoke to Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News the very next morning. 

“He’s a top-three, top-five coach in the league,” Gaglardi said. “You think I want to be going into the coaching market right now, do you see who’s getting hired? Pete’s a seasoned coach. I’m just one voice in the discussion, but I don’t see (firing) Pete being on anyone’s agenda.”

DeBoer, 56, doesn’t have a Cup and has never been a Jack Adams finalist. But he did reach the Stanley Cup final with the New Jersey Devils back in 2012 and has made the conference final six times in the last eight years with the San Jose Sharks, Vegas Golden Knights and now the Stars.

That’s why he has never been out of work for long. And while DeBoer has become the league’s seventh-longest-tenured coach after just three seasons in Dallas and is now heading into the final year of his current contract, Gaglardi would prefer not to make a change just for the sake of change.

That being said, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported on Monday that other voices in the organization are not happy with DeBoer. Can they calm the waters, or will this tidal wave of emotion and frustration sweep the coach out to sea?

In terms of their roster, the Stars are at a bit of a natural crossroads. With less than $5 million in available cap space, per PuckPedia, and longtime captain Jamie Benn heading toward UFA status just weeks before his 36th birthday, there’s an opportunity to reframe the team’s leadership. 

That said, GM Jim Nill told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic they wanted to keep Benn last September. 

“We’ll figure something out. He’s going to be a Dallas Star for life,” Nill said.

Even at a lower price tag, bringing back Benn would mean cutting back elsewhere. Decisions will need to be made on veterans Matt Duchene, Mikael Granlund and Evgenii Dadonov, who are also pending UFAs. 

Young stars Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley are also one year away from becoming RFAs with arbitration rights. They’ll both be eligible to sign extensions starting on July 1.

With inflation expected to hit NHL salaries in a big way once the cap starts climbing this summer, history may eventually show that Nill got good value when he signed Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston to long-term extensions in March. In the meantime, those moves will leave him operating from a position of weakness as he tries to retool his group to take that elusive next step without sliding backward.

Damage Limitation In Carolina

As for the Hurricanes, they have plenty to be proud of. 

In 2023-24, they only won one playoff round, and then they lost Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Teuvo Teravainen, Stefan Noesen and Brett Pesce during the off-season. Superboss Don Waddell also moved on to Columbus, handing the GM reins to first-timer Eric Tulsky. 

In the aftermath of July 1, most observers thought the Canes’ window had closed – including coach Rod Brind’Amour. 

“When I walked into this summer, with the pieces that left this organization, I was like 'I don't think we're going to make the playoffs,' ” the coach said during his exit interview last week. 

And while the Hurricanes did drop by 12 points in the regular-season standings and endured six weeks of drama during Rantanen’s brief stay, they cruised through their early series against the Devils and Washington Capitals in impressive fashion before falling to the mighty Panthers. 

They even snapped their long conference final losing streak with a decisive Game 4 win against the Panthers.  And having three conference final appearances on their resume in the seven years since they returned to the playoff picture in 2019 is a feature, not a bug, in the Tom Dundon era.

After last year’s major roster reconstruction, this summer should be less of a storm surge and more of a gentle breeze in Cane country. 

Brind’Amour has most of the pieces in place that he needs to run it back, and Tulsky has $28 million in cap space to chase after another superstar, if a fit is available.

The NHL likes to promote its parity and how any team can win on any given night. For now, the Stars and Hurricanes have separated themselves from the rest of the chase pack when the games really matter. 

Job 1 for next season will be to avoid backsliding. Then, they can take another run at building on what they’ve learned from their battle scars.

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The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is 24 days away, and the Seattle Kraken are slated to make the eighth overall pick in the first round. 

The Kraken have selected forwards with their first-round pick in four consecutive drafts, selecting Matty Beniers (2nd overall in 2021), Shane Wright (fourth overall in 2022), Eduard Sale (20th overall in 2023) and Berkly Catton (eighth overall in 2024). The Kraken's prospect pool is filled with skilled forwards but lacks on the defensive end, and it's why many draft experts expect the Kraken to select a defenseman.

If they go this route, the top-ranked defenseman at the moment is Radim Mrtka. For most of the season, Mrtka was the second-ranked defenseman in the class, but recently, he's seen his name rise in the rankings. 

It's not hard to see why so many draft experts are high on the 17-year-old. Listed at 6'6, 216 lbs, the right-handed defenseman is known as a mobile defenseman despite his large frame. He registered three goals and 35 points in 42 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. 

Before joining the Thunderbirds, Mrtka played 20 games in Czechia, both in the top professional league and in their U-20 league. He recorded one assist in 10 games in the first division and added four assists in 10 games in the U-20 league. 

Mrtka projects to have a solid two-way game in the NHL. His size has allowed him to dominate on the defensive side of the puck, and his skating, combined with his puck skills, gives him the potential to be a threat offensively. At the moment, he doesn't have a very overpowering shot, but with his size, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him develop one as he gets older. 

There's a reason @NHL scouts are enamoured with @SeattleTbirds d-man Radim Mrtka for the 2025 #NHLDraft! 🇨🇿 #U18MensWorldspic.twitter.com/yHpUcjNwJQ

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) April 24, 2025

He has all the makings of a potential top-pairing or top-four defenseman in the NHL, and with the right development, he could get there. With right-handed defensemen Brandon Montour and Adam Larsson currently on the roster, it would provide Mrtka with great leaders to learn from. Montour would help Mrtka on the offensive side of the puck, and Larsson on the defensive. 

Mrtka would be a safe pick at pick No.8 and would instantly become the Kraken's best defensive prospect, joining a list consisting of Ty Nelson, Caden Price, Lukas Dragicevic and Ville Ottavainen. 

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

Kraken Will Have The Eighth-Overall Pick In The 2025 NHL Draft The Seattle Kraken will make the eighth selection of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft after moving down two spots in the draft lottery.

Everything to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to NHL playoff MVP originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Lord Stanley isn’t the only piece of hardware that will be awarded in the Stanley Cup Final.

One player from the Edmonton Oilers or the defending champion Florida Panthers will be honored as the most valuable player in the 2025 NHL playoffs with the Conn Smythe Trophy. And the rare Cup Final rematch could see a repeat award winner.

Oilers star Connor McDavid earned the 2024 Conn Smythe in a losing Cup Final effort, and the three-time Hart Trophy winner enters this year’s NHL championship round with a playoff-high 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists). McDavid’s co-star, Leon Draisaitl, is also a Conn Smythe Trophy contender as he sits second in points with 25 (7 goals, 18 assists).

The one-time champion Panthers, meanwhile, could have their first Conn Smythe Trophy winner in franchise history. Captain Aleksander Barkov (17 points), forward Matthew Tkachuk (16) and center Sam Bennett (16) lead 10 Florida skaters with at least 10 points entering the Cup Final. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is putting together a strong Conn Smythe Trophy resume as well, as he sports a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

So, how is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined? And has there ever been a back-to-back winner? Here’s everything to know about the NHL playoff MVP award:

What is the Conn Smythe Trophy and when was it first awarded?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is a postseason award given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. It debuted in the 1965 postseason.

Historically, most Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the team that also won the Stanley Cup. Though, there have been a handful of instances where a player who lost in the Cup Final was awarded the trophy.

The award is named after former Toronto Maple Leafs owner, president, general manager and coach Conn Smythe. It was under Smythe’s ownership that the Leafs changed their name from the St. Pats and that the Maple Leaf Gardens arena was constructed. A mini replica of the venue and a Maple Leaf are among the trophy’s features.

How is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Seventeen PHWA members were included in the 2024 vote.

When is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner announced?

The winner is both selected and announced following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.

Who won the first Conn Smythe Trophy?

Hall of Fame center Jean Béliveau won the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965. Béliveau tallied eight goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists over 13 games as the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.

Who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024?

Connor McDavid was a near-unanimous Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2024 despite Edmonton falling to Florida in the Cup Final. McDavid earned 16 of 17 first-place votes after racking up the most assists (34) and points (42) in the postseason. He was also the leading scorer in the Cup Final with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists).

McDavid is one of only a handful of players to ever take home the Conn Smythe Trophy without also winning the Stanley Cup.

Who has won the most Conn Smythe Trophies?

Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy owns the most Conn Smythe Trophies with three. Roy won two with the Canadiens (1986, 1993) and one with the Colorado Avalanche (2001).

There are five other multi-time Conn Smythe Trophy winners: defenseman Bobby Orr (1970, 1972), goalie Bernie Parent (1974, 1975), center Wayne Gretzky (1985, 1988), center Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992) and center Sidney Crosby (2016, 2017).

Have there been a back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophy winner?

Parent, Lemieux and Crosby were all back-to-back winners, and McDavid has a chance to do the same this year.

How many Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the losing team?

There have been six instances where the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient was on the team that lost in the Cup Final.

Who are the Conn Smythe Trophy winners from losing teams?

Four of the six Conn Smythe winners from non-champions were goalies:

• 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers
• 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
• 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
• 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings

How many goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy?

The Conn Smythe Trophy has gone to a goalie 17 total times,with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning being the position’s most recent winner in 2021.

List of Conn Smythe Trophy winners by year

Here’s a full look at every Conn Smythe Trophy winner:

• 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers*
• 2023: Jonathan Marchessault, center, Vegas Golden Knights
• 2022: Cale Makar, defenseman, Colorado Avalanche
• 2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy, goalie, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2020: Victor Hedman, defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2019: Ryan O’Reilly, center, St. Louis Blues
• 2018: Alex Ovechkin, winger, Washington Capitals
• 2017: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2016: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2015: Duncan Keith, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2014: Justin Williams, winger, Los Angeles Kings
• 2013: Patrick Kane, winger, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2012: Jonathan Quick, goalie, Los Angeles Kings
• 2011: Tim Thomas, goalie, Boston Bruins
• 2010: Jonathan Toews, center, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2009: Evgeni Malkin, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2008: Henrik Zetterberg, center, Detroit Red Wings
• 2007: Scott Niedermayer, defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
• 2006: Cam Ward, goalie, Carolina Hurricanes
• 2004: Brad Richards, center, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
• 2002: Nicklas Lidstrom, defenseman, Detroit Red Wings
• 2001: Patrick Roy, goalie, Colorado Avalanche
• 2000: Scott Stevens, defenseman, New Jersey Devils
• 1999: Joe Nieuwendyk, center, Dallas Stars
• 1998: Steve Yzerman, center, Detroit Red Wings
• 1997: Mike Vernon, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
• 1996: Joe Sakic, center, Colorado Avalanche
• 1995: Claude Lemieux, winger, New Jersey Devils
• 1994: Brian Leetch, defenseman, New York Rangers
• 1993: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
• 1992: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1991: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1990: Bill Ranford, goalie, Edmonton Oilers
• 1989: Al MacInnis, defenseman, Calgary Flames
• 1988: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
• 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1986: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
• 1985: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
• 1984: Mark Messier, winger/center, Edmonton Oilers
• 1983: Billy Smith, goalie, New York Islanders
• 1982: Mike Bossy, winger, New York Islanders
• 1981: Butch Goring, center, New York Islanders
• 1980: Bryan Trottier, center, New York Islanders
• 1979: Bob Gainey, winger, Montreal Canadiens
• 1978: Larry Robinson, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
• 1977: Guy Lafleur, winger, Montreal Canadiens
• 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1975: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1974: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1973: Yvan Cournoyer, winger, Montreal Canadiens
• 1972: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
• 1971: Ken Dryden, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
• 1970: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
• 1969: Serge Savard, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
• 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
• 1967: Dave Keon, center, Toronto Maple Leafs
• 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
• 1965: Jean Beliveau, center, Montreal Canadiens

Everything to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to NHL playoff MVP originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Lord Stanley isn’t the only piece of hardware that will be awarded in the Stanley Cup Final.

One player from the Edmonton Oilers or the defending champion Florida Panthers will be honored as the most valuable player in the 2025 NHL playoffs with the Conn Smythe Trophy. And the rare Cup Final rematch could see a repeat award winner.

Oilers star Connor McDavid earned the 2024 Conn Smythe in a losing Cup Final effort, and the three-time Hart Trophy winner enters this year’s NHL championship round with a playoff-high 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists). McDavid’s co-star, Leon Draisaitl, is also a Conn Smythe Trophy contender as he sits second in points with 25 (7 goals, 18 assists).

The one-time champion Panthers, meanwhile, could have their first Conn Smythe Trophy winner in franchise history. Captain Aleksander Barkov (17 points), forward Matthew Tkachuk (16) and center Sam Bennett (16) lead 10 Florida skaters with at least 10 points entering the Cup Final. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is putting together a strong Conn Smythe Trophy resume as well, as he sports a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

So, how is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined? And has there ever been a back-to-back winner? Here’s everything to know about the NHL playoff MVP award:

What is the Conn Smythe Trophy and when was it first awarded?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is a postseason award given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. It debuted in the 1965 postseason.

Historically, most Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the team that also won the Stanley Cup. Though, there have been a handful of instances where a player who lost in the Cup Final was awarded the trophy.

The award is named after former Toronto Maple Leafs owner, president, general manager and coach Conn Smythe. It was under Smythe’s ownership that the Leafs changed their name from the St. Pats and that the Maple Leaf Gardens arena was constructed. A mini replica of the venue and a Maple Leaf are among the trophy’s features.

How is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Seventeen PHWA members were included in the 2024 vote.

When is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner announced?

The winner is both selected and announced following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.

Who won the first Conn Smythe Trophy?

Hall of Fame center Jean Béliveau won the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965. Béliveau tallied eight goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists over 13 games as the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.

Who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024?

Connor McDavid was a near-unanimous Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2024 despite Edmonton falling to Florida in the Cup Final. McDavid earned 16 of 17 first-place votes after racking up the most assists (34) and points (42) in the postseason. He was also the leading scorer in the Cup Final with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists).

McDavid is one of only a handful of players to ever take home the Conn Smythe Trophy without also winning the Stanley Cup.

Who has won the most Conn Smythe Trophies?

Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy owns the most Conn Smythe Trophies with three. Roy won two with the Canadiens (1986, 1993) and one with the Colorado Avalanche (2001).

There are five other multi-time Conn Smythe Trophy winners: defenseman Bobby Orr (1970, 1972), goalie Bernie Parent (1974, 1975), center Wayne Gretzky (1985, 1988), center Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992) and center Sidney Crosby (2016, 2017).

Have there been a back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophy winner?

Parent, Lemieux and Crosby were all back-to-back winners, and McDavid has a chance to do the same this year.

How many Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the losing team?

There have been six instances where the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient was on the team that lost in the Cup Final.

Who are the Conn Smythe Trophy winners from losing teams?

Four of the six Conn Smythe winners from non-champions were goalies:

• 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers
• 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
• 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
• 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings

How many goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy?

The Conn Smythe Trophy has gone to a goalie 17 total times,with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning being the position’s most recent winner in 2021.

List of Conn Smythe Trophy winners by year

Here’s a full look at every Conn Smythe Trophy winner:

• 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers*
• 2023: Jonathan Marchessault, center, Vegas Golden Knights
• 2022: Cale Makar, defenseman, Colorado Avalanche
• 2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy, goalie, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2020: Victor Hedman, defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2019: Ryan O’Reilly, center, St. Louis Blues
• 2018: Alex Ovechkin, winger, Washington Capitals
• 2017: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2016: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2015: Duncan Keith, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2014: Justin Williams, winger, Los Angeles Kings
• 2013: Patrick Kane, winger, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2012: Jonathan Quick, goalie, Los Angeles Kings
• 2011: Tim Thomas, goalie, Boston Bruins
• 2010: Jonathan Toews, center, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2009: Evgeni Malkin, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2008: Henrik Zetterberg, center, Detroit Red Wings
• 2007: Scott Niedermayer, defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
• 2006: Cam Ward, goalie, Carolina Hurricanes
• 2004: Brad Richards, center, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
• 2002: Nicklas Lidstrom, defenseman, Detroit Red Wings
• 2001: Patrick Roy, goalie, Colorado Avalanche
• 2000: Scott Stevens, defenseman, New Jersey Devils
• 1999: Joe Nieuwendyk, center, Dallas Stars
• 1998: Steve Yzerman, center, Detroit Red Wings
• 1997: Mike Vernon, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
• 1996: Joe Sakic, center, Colorado Avalanche
• 1995: Claude Lemieux, winger, New Jersey Devils
• 1994: Brian Leetch, defenseman, New York Rangers
• 1993: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
• 1992: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1991: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1990: Bill Ranford, goalie, Edmonton Oilers
• 1989: Al MacInnis, defenseman, Calgary Flames
• 1988: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
• 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1986: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
• 1985: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
• 1984: Mark Messier, winger/center, Edmonton Oilers
• 1983: Billy Smith, goalie, New York Islanders
• 1982: Mike Bossy, winger, New York Islanders
• 1981: Butch Goring, center, New York Islanders
• 1980: Bryan Trottier, center, New York Islanders
• 1979: Bob Gainey, winger, Montreal Canadiens
• 1978: Larry Robinson, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
• 1977: Guy Lafleur, winger, Montreal Canadiens
• 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1975: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1974: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1973: Yvan Cournoyer, winger, Montreal Canadiens
• 1972: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
• 1971: Ken Dryden, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
• 1970: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
• 1969: Serge Savard, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
• 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
• 1967: Dave Keon, center, Toronto Maple Leafs
• 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
• 1965: Jean Beliveau, center, Montreal Canadiens

It looks like the Vancouver Canucks are beginning to fill out their coaching staff. As reported by Thomas Drance of The Athletic earlier today, it appears that the Canucks will be bringing in former Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Kevin Dean to help new head coach Adam Foote lead the team. 

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Dean was reported to have parted ways with Chicago in mid-May. Shortly after, the idea of him joining the Canucks organization was brought up after CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal discussed him being a possible fit during a segment of the show “Donnie & Dhali” last week.  

Dean was part of Team USA’s coaching staff at the 2025 IIHF World Championships, where he, along with current Canucks Conor Garland and Drew O’Connor, won the country’s first gold medal since 1933. He has spent the last three NHL seasons with the Blackhawks and the five before that with the Boston Bruins. Dean also has experience with coaching in the AHL, having spent 10 years split between the Lowell Devils and the Providence Bruins. His NHL career lasted nearly a decade, with Dean playing for the New Jersey Devils (1994–99), Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2000), Dallas Stars (1999-2000), and the Blackhawks (1999-2000). 

With Dean reported to be in as the Canucks’ new defensive coach, all that’s left for the team to take care of is picking out a coach to help with the offence. Notably, Vancouver’s offence struggled a bit last season, so with two more defensively-minded coaches on staff, the team will look to find someone who can bolster the offensive tools they have. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Welcome back to another Memorable Match from the Vancouver Canucks’ 2024–25 season. Last time, we looked at the team’s match against the Detroit Red Wings on February 2. This week, we’ll take a look at their narrow 4–3 loss against the St. Louis Blues on March 20. 

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This was an important game for Vancouver and St. Louis, as both teams were making a push for a Western Conference wild card spot. At the time, both teams had 75 points on the season, with the Canucks residing in the final playoff spot due to having played less games at the time. Within a four-point span of them were the Calgary Flames (73) and the Utah Mammoth (71). Ahead of them in the standings were the Minnesota Wild with 83 points. 

In this high-stakes affair, it was St. Louis’ Zack Bolduc who opened the scoring with less than five minutes left in the second period. Despite the fact that Vancouver entered the third period down a goal, within the first seven minutes, they soon vaulted to a 2–1 lead thanks to Kiefer Sherwood and Brock Boeser (marking the 200th of his NHL career). A couple of minutes later, Tyler Tucker and Dylan Holloway scored for the Blues, with both players’ goals only coming 25 seconds apart. 

Gameplay aside, there were a few reasons why this game was memorable. For starters, the game ultimately went to overtime after a buzzer beater from Boeser, as the forward scored at 19:57 of the third period. This was the second game in a row in which Boeser scored multiple goals, as he previously put up two in the team’s 6–2 victory against the Winnipeg Jets two days prior. As well, Sherwood made his 383rd hit of the season, which tied him for the NHL record previously held by Jeremy Lauzon. He went on to break this record the game after. Finally, Canucks captain Quinn Hughes tallied his 399th career NHL point in this game. 

Canucks 2024–25 Memorable Matches will be posted every Tuesday until June 11. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.