Category: Ice Hockey

So far, here in the roaring 20s, the Ottawa Senators' first-round picks at the NHL Draft have been all or nothing. They’ve either landed in the top 10 or haven’t had a first-round pick at all.

In 2020, the Senators had three first-rounders, including two in the top five, where they landed franchise pillars, Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson. The following year, they picked 10th overall and selected Tyler Boucher, who had 10 points in 47 AHL games this season.

Sens Headlines:

Carter Yakemchuk Ranked 26th Overall In Magazine's New NHL Prospect Rankings
Ottawa Senators Make More Front Office Changes
Ottawa Senators Prospect Parts Ways With Organization And Signs Back Home In Sweden

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In 2022 and 2023, Ottawa didn’t have a first-rounder, having traded those picks in separate deals to acquire Alex DeBrincat and Jakob Chychrun. Then in 2024, they returned to the top 10, drafting defenseman Carter Yakemchuk at 7th overall.

This year, it’s a happy medium, with the Senators holding the 21st pick. It won’t be the first time Ottawa has picked at No. 21. This will actually be the fourth time, and in each previous instance, the Senators ended up with an NHL player. 

Anton Volchenkov – 2000

We’re nearing the 25th anniversary of the Senators drafting Russian defenseman Anton Volchenkov at No. 21 in 2000. Known for his fearless shot-blocking and physical play, Volchenkov debuted with Ottawa two years later and spent seven seasons with the team in its glory years.

In 2010, he signed a six-year, $25 million deal with the New Jersey Devils. But with a lot of wear and tear on his body, the Devils bought him out four years in. He wrapped up his NHL career with the Nashville Predators in 2014–15.

Stefan Noesen – 2011

Just like in 2020, the Senators had three first-round picks in 2011. They took Mika Zibanejad at No. 6, Matt Puempel at No. 24, and in between, they selected Plymouth Whalers forward Stefan Noesen at No. 21. Two years later, Noesen was part of a trade package sent to Anaheim—along with Jakob Silfverberg and a first-round pick—for Bobby Ryan.

Noesen developed slowly, not becoming a full-time NHL player until 2017–18 with the New Jersey Devils, where he scored 27 points in 72 games. After bouncing around as a depth player for a few more years after that, he found his stride with the Carolina Hurricanes for two years, and just had a career-best season back with New Jersey at age 32, scoring 22 goals and 41 points in 78 games.

Colin White – 2015

Three picks after selecting Thomas Chabot, the Senators drafted center Colin White at No. 21. The two quickly became close—roommates and friends—with identical birthdays (January 30, 1997). Seen as part of Ottawa’s core, both signed long-term contracts in the offseason in 2019.

While Chabot’s deal is too pricey at $8 million, White’s six-year, $28.5 million deal became a much bigger issue. Just three years into the deal, the Senators bought him out. Under the terms of the buyout, Ottawa will be paying him $875,000 annually for each of the next three seasons. In the meantime, he's a half-decent AHL scorer who wasn't able to crack the lineup of the San Jose Sharks, the NHL's worst team. White will be a UFA on July 1st.

Sharks To Sign Former First-Round Pick To NHL DealThe San Jose Sharks are in the process of converting forward Colin White's contract to an NHL deal.

The general managers of the past – the Twenty One Pilots – were Marshall Johnston (Volchenkov) and Bryan Murray (Noesen and White). This year, it's Steve Staios.

Staios and the Senators still have work to do on the roster, both among their top-six forwards and on the blue line. Since so many teams tend to prioritize forwards early in the draft, and considering that Volchenkov remains their best historical pick at No. 21, perhaps it’s a sign that it might be a good point in the draft to look to the blue line again.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa

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The Edmonton Oilers have been thriving in the current Stanley Cup playoffs, taking a 2-1 series lead in their Western Conference final series against the Dallas Stars. But for as good as the Oilers have looked, they could be even better if veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm returns to the lineup this week.

It’s still undecided if Ekholm will play in Tuesday’s Game 4 against the Stars, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday, but he remains day-to-day, meaning he could play on Thursday as well.

Edmonton has been without Ekholm’s services since the second week of April, nursing an injury that has hampered him for months. But in Ekholm’s absence, the Oilers have managed not only to survive but to put themselves in a position to add more or less a trade deadline-type asset who adds the type of physical, high-panic-threshold presence any true Cup contender needs at this time of year.

The way things are shaking out, Ekholm could be the final puzzle piece that puts the Oilers over the top and into the winner’s circle over either the Florida Panthers or Carolina Hurricanes in the Cup final. 

When this writer made his Western final prediction, we noted there was very little separating the Stars and Oilers. Through three games, that’s the way the series has played out, with Edmonton winning Games 2 and 3 to steal home-ice advantage from Dallas. We believed another returning veteran defenseman – Stars star Miro Heiskanen – would be one of the difference-makers in Dallas’ favor, but the Oilers have been able to pile up goals on Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger despite Heiskanen being in the lineup.

Ekholm’s experience and veteran know-how are highly valuable, and his ability to eat up major minutes – he averaged 22:12 of ice time this regular season, and he’s averaged 23:42 in 112 career playoff games – will have a terrific ripple effect on what the Oilers can do the rest of the way.

If Ekholm does get back in the lineup this week, life will get considerably more difficult for Stars players who enter Edmonton’s defensive zone. Ekholm’s 6-foot-5 frame and willingness to play a robust physical game will benefit the Oilers. 

The 35-year-old Swede is about to enter the final year of his contract, meaning there’s going to be some urgency to his game. Elite NHL teams want to have players who seize the moment, and after so much time on the sidelines, Ekholm should come into this series knowing how precious these opportunities really are. So, imagining he’s going to ratchet up his game isn’t at all a stretch.

The Stars are a very good bounce-back squad, so the Oilers are far from out of the woods in this Western final showdown. But the emotional and structural boost they could get from a returning Ekholm can’t be overstated. 

Ekholm is a calming influence and an experienced contributor who isn’t going to mess around once he does get into game action. Edmonton will need all hands on deck if they’re to win this year’s Cup, but so long as Ekholm does what he normally does when he’s healthy, the Oilers are in a good spot.

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Brendan Shanahan’s days with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended last week. 

Now, Shanahan has to plot out his next career move. But when you think about Shanahan’s trajectory from NHL star to NHL executive to Maple Leafs president, it’s clear his work ethic has never left him.

So, what’s next for Shanahan after Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment decided not to renew his contract? Let’s examine three potential paths ahead for him.

1. Take A Break

After Shanahan’s Hockey Hall of Fame playing career ended in October 2009, he went to work on his off-ice career, joining the NHL about a month later as the league’s vice-president of hockey and business development. A year-and-a-half later, he moved on to become the league’s senior vice-president, working on supplemental discipline for NHLers and becoming the face of the player safety department.

Less than three years after that, Shanahan took on the job of running the Leafs, which he did for the next 11 years. All of which is to say Shanahan could be looking at a prolonged vacation for the first time in his adult life. Maybe that’s what’s best for him to recharge his batteries and wait for the ideal work situation to present itself before he chooses to get back on the horse and ride in a new role.

Shanahan doesn’t need to shoehorn himself into any one situation, which is why nothing came of the New York Islanders’ rumored interest in him. Ultimately, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with their family? Shanahan now has that option for himself for the foreseeable future.

2. Get Back In The Hunt With A New Team

Some have speculated that Shanahan will want to get back to work as quickly as possible, and who knows – taking on the job of a retooling team like the Nashville Predators or Buffalo Sabres might be a good fit for him. But we see Shanahan as waiting for a different team that could be seeking a new executive to oversee things. One team in particular could offer him the chance to reunite with an old friend and former teammate.

We’re talking, of course, about the Detroit Red Wings, which haven’t made the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine seasons. 

If there’s one thing Shanahan has shown he can do in Toronto, it’s getting a team back into the post-season with a strong core. Under Shanahan, the Maple Leafs drafted and developed Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, and they signed John Tavares in 2018. The team also had six seasons of at least 100 points, including in 2017-18, its first 100-point campaign since 2003-04. The Red Wings, meanwhile, haven’t reached 100 points since 2014-15.

If he did join the Red Wings, Shanahan would likely be working once again with current Wings GM Steve Yzerman.

Hiring Shanahan to oversee things in the Motor City would work for Detroit’s ownership, which benefited from Shanahan’s expertise as a player. Perhaps there’s a setup where Yzerman could be bumped higher in the Red Wings’ management echelon – the way fellow legend Joe Sakic was elevated with the Colorado Avalanche – and Shanahan and Yzerman could wind up collaborating on key roster decisions for the Wings.

The Red Wings aren’t at the bare-bones stage of their development, so Shanahan may see Detroit as the team that will offer him the best option to step back into the fray and push a team into the post-season sooner rather than later. That may heighten the Red Wings’ Atlantic Division rivalry with the Maple Leafs. Thus, the Wings make a lot of sense for Shanahan as his next management destination.

Brendan Shanahan, The Leafs' President, Lacked Brendan Shanahan, The PlayerWhen Brendan Shanahan was hired as the Toronto Maple Leafs president in 2014, and for the first couple of years after that, there was more optimism around this organization than there had been in decades. And for good reason.

3. Go Back To Work For The NHL

Shanahan has had a terrific relationship with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for decades now.

Having the opportunity to work once again at the NHL’s head office in New York City would also work for Shanahan as a longtime resident of Manhattan and someone who understands what it is to be part of the sports scene in the New York City area.

To be sure, working for another team is probably what best suits Shanahan’s competitive desire. But unless there’s an ideal situation with a team that checks all the boxes for him, going back to the league as a higher-up right away wouldn’t be seen as a step down for him. To the contrary – Shanahan’s notable impact with the “Shanahan Summit” demonstrated he can do something meaningful for the game he loves. 

If that means not running a team until such time as a perfect situation for him arises with a different franchise, Shanahan would be welcomed with open arms by Bettman & Co. If he wants to get back to work right away, the league has demonstrated it will find a role that he’s happy with. And after one or two years working for the league once again, the hockey landscape could look much different for Shanahan – and it could offer him a perfect fit eventually.

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When the Ottawa Senators acquired defenceman Erik Brännström as part of the 2019 Mark Stone trade, GM Pierre Dorion famously declared it to be his proudest day as GM. Unfortunately for Sens fans, Dorion was way off base about the player, which is something we've known for a long time.

Six years after the Senators so proudly acquired him, it's now official. Brännström is no longer in the NHL. 

Sens Headlines:
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Senators Prospect Parts Ways With Organization And Signs Back Home In Sweden
Summer Breakups: Senators GM Steve Staios Prepares For Another Rebalancing Act

As HockeyNews.se reported back in April, the 25-year-old Swedish defenceman is headed to play pro hockey in Switzerland next season. Brännström has signed a three-year deal with Lausanne HC in the Swiss-A League.

In 2020-21, during the NHL's COVID-shortened 56-game season, Lausanne got a sneak preview of what Brannstrom might look like in the league. He suited up for 10 games with league rival Langnau HC, posting 8 points in the process. Lausanne has finished runner-up in the Swiss-A league in each of the past two seasons.

Before the trade to Ottawa, Brännström was seen as a blue-chip NHL prospect. Two years earlier, he was a first-round pick, chosen 17th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights. He captained Team Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships. 

Brannstrom played over 70 games for the Senators in each of the last two seasons, but the past year probably soured him on the league.

Last summer, at 24 years old and a restricted free agent, the Senators chose not to extend him a qualifying offer. Unlike his predecessor, who traded for Brannstrom, new GM Steve Staios felt no obligation to the undersized defenceman, nor did any other NHL team.

Brännström signed as a free-agent with the Colorado Avalanche last summer but was traded to the Vancouver Canucks before the season began. After playing 28 games in Vancouver, he was dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the J.T. Miller trade in late January and then traded again to the Buffalo Sabres just prior to the trade deadline. After leaving Vancouver, where he had some very good moments, he didn't play another NHL game.

Brännström's NHL career ends, at least for now, with 77 points and 162 penalty minutes in 294 NHL regular-season games. 

Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia)
The Hockey News-Ottawa

Swedish defenseman Erik Brännström, 25, has signed a three-year contract with Lausanne HC, the National League club announced on Monday.

“We are very pleased to welcome Erik Brännström, a player we have been following for some time,” said Lausanne sports director John Fust. “His anticipation, mobility, and ability to contribute offensively make him a modern and complete defender. Our analysis confirms that his experience and versatility will be major assets for our squad.”

Brännström, who had played in North America from 2018 until now, had been rumored to be heading to Switzerland for some time.

Originally from Eksjö, Sweden, Brännström played junior hockey and turned pro with HV71 in nearby Jönköping.

Brännström was a first-round pick, 17th overall, by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 and was moved to the Ottawa Senators in a 2019 multi-player deal that saw Vegas acquire Mark Stone.

From 2019 to 2024, Brännström’s career was fairly stable – mostly playing in the NHL for Ottawa with occasional assignments to the Belleville Senators, the team’s nearby AHL farm team.

However, this past season was quite chaotic for the diminutive, puck-moving defenseman. He signed as a free-agent with the Colorado Avalanche in the summer but was traded to the Vancouver Canucks before the season began. After playing 28 games in Vancouver, he was dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the J.T. Miller trade in late January and then traded again to the Buffalo Sabres just prior to the trade deadline. He did not play an NHL game for either of the latter two teams.

Overall, Brännström has 77 points and 162 penalty minutes in 294 NHL regular-season games.

Brännström joins a Lausanne team that has been one of Switzerland’s best the past few years and wants to win a title this year under reigning coach of the year Geoff Ward. Last season the team finished first in the regular season and has lost in the finals each of the past two seasons to the ZSC Lions.

In addition to Brännström, Lausanne has under contract for 2025-26 goaltenders Connor Hughes and Antoine Keller, as well as American Austin Czarnik, German Dominik Kahun, and Finns Janne Kuokkanen, and Antti Suomela, Lauri Pajuniemi and Sami Niku.

Photo © Robert Edwards-Imagn Images: Erik Brännström playing for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024-25.

Connor Hughes Returns To Switzerland, Signs Long-Term Deal Canadian-Swiss goaltender Connor Hughes, 28, has signed a five-year contract with Lausanne HC, the National League club announced on Tuesday.

Over the past 15 years, NHL teams that ponied up some high-priced packages to land sought-after players at the trade deadline were left with buyer’s remorse.

Here are six of those trades on the Regret-O-Meter.

By Jared Clinton, Features Writer

Blues Bother

St. Louis Blues: Ryan Miller, 2013-14 (with Steve Ott from Buffalo for 2015 first-round pick, 2016 third-round pick, Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and William Carrier)

A big splash, Miller floundered in St. Louis. In post-deadline action, Miller put up mediocre numbers, and his post-season performance was downright woeful. He allowed 19 goals on 185 shots as the Blues sputtered out of the first round in six games.

Tanner In The Works

Tampa Bay Lightning: Tanner Jeannot, 2022-23(from Nashville for 2023 third, fourth, fifth-round picks, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 first-round pick and Cal Foote)

Beyond his 24-goal rookie year, Jeannot held appeal with his physicality and toughness, and the Bolts went above and beyond to land him. But in 75 games with Tampa, he had only 18 points – and just one in the playoffs – as the Lightning made consecutive first-round exits.

No Mas, Tomas

Vegas Golden Knights: Tomas Tatar, 2017-18 (from Detroit for 2018 first-round pick, 2019 second-round pick, 2021 third-round pick)

On a per-game basis, Tatar’s regular-season output dipped only slightly after his acquisition. But in the playoffs? Tatar was scratched for 12 of 20 games during the Knights’ run to the final. If he performs, perhaps Vegas has two Cups.

Staaling Out

New York Rangers: Eric Staal, 2015-16(from Carolina for 2016 second-round pick, 2017 second-round pick and Aleksi Saarela) 

Staal was a headline-making pickup, but he flopped. He managed just three goals and six points in 20 games to finish the campaign, then failed to hit the scoresheet in the post-season as the Blueshirts flamed out in five games.

Gaborik Rolled

Columbus Blue Jackets: Marian Gaborik, 2012-13 (with Blake Parlett and Steven Delisle from New York Rangers for 2014 sixth-round pick, Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore)

It was a statement trade by the Jackets, who were in the hunt, but it was all for naught. Gaborik excelled, but Columbus narrowly missed the post-season. Injuries then hampered him, and he was dealt to L.A. in March 2014.

Jeez Lu-Weise

Chicago Blackhawks: Dale Weise, 2016-17(with Tomas Fleischmann from Montreal for 2018 second-round pick and Phillip Danault)

Weise ended up a healthy scratch in Chicago and managed one goal and two points across 19 regular-season and playoff outings. Meanwhile, Danault evolved into one of the NHL’s premier two-way pivots.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end.

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Ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency, the Pittsburgh Penguins - in addition to hiring a new head coach - figure to be busy.

And there is one potential restricted free agent forward who may be falling under the radar.

Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque has only appeared in two playoff games this postseason, and with the Stars cap-strapped heading into the offseason, they're going to have some decisions to make. They will only have $5.87 million in cap space with a lot of pending-RFAs and unrestricted free agents (UFAs) to consider.

The 5-foot-11, 181-pound center, 23, registered 11 goals and 25 points in 73 games in his first full season with the Stars in 2024-25, and - being that he accomplished those numbers in a limited role - he only figures to get better. He had a breakout professional season in 2023-24 as well with 26 goals and 77 points in 71 games for the Texas Stars, Dallas's AHL affiliate.

A 30th overall pick in 2020 by the Stars, he was also a 20-goal scorer as a rookie with Texas, and in 172 career junior games with the Shawnigan Cataractes of the QMJHL, he recorded 93 goals and 236 points.

Because of his projected rise, finishing ability, and high-IQ, the former first-rounder may be worth a look by Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas in the RFA trade-then-sign market.

And that's something that Dubas has reiterated he will look into. He mentioned in his postseason press conference that they would explore any opportunities to acquire young talent, and the RFA trade-then-sign market was brought up specifically. 

Penguins Reportedly In Mix For KHL Star ForwardSoon enough, the Pittsburgh Penguins may be adding another key piece to the puzzle for their NHL roster next season and beyond.

Pittsburgh has also been linked to players such as KHL star Maxim Shabanov and recently re-signed forward prospect Filip Hallander, which signals their desire to infuse young, NHL-ready talent into their system and into the mix for their NHL roster heading into 2025-26.

They have the cap space to be pretty flexible, too. With more than $24.5 million to work with this summer, Dubas can get creative in pursuing young players in the RFA and trade markets. The Penguins are unlikely to spend big in unrestricted free agency, so getting their hands on as many low-risk, high-reward players as possible seems to be the likely route. 

Bourque is a player who would immediately make their roster better, and he could figure into a bottom-six role along with several other young players in the mix.

He is the exact kind of player who fits their needs and perceived window of contention, so they should do everything they can to try to land him this summer. 

5 RFA Forwards The Penguins Should Pursue This SummerThe Pittsburgh Penguins will certainly be busy this summer, as they are in the market for a new head coach and have 11 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.

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Former Vegas Golden Knights first-round selection and defenseman Erik Brannstrom has signed a three-year contract with Swiss team Lausanne HC.

Brannstrom was the third of three picks the Golden Knights used in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, selecting Cody Glass (sixth overall) and Nick Suzuki (13th overall) before choosing Brannstrom with the 15th pick. 

The Swedish defenseman never played a game with the Golden Knights but was used as a vital piece in acquiring their future captain, Mark Stone. The trade saw the Golden Knights send Brannstrom, forward Oscar Lindberg, and a second-round pick in 2020 to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Stone and Tobias Lindberg. 

Following the trade, Brannstrom found it increasingly difficult to make NHL rosters, and when he did, holding down a spot was another challenge. He played 294 NHL games with the Senators and the Vancouver Canucks, scoring 10 goals and 77 points. The 25-year-old signed with the Colorado Avalanchein the offseason but was traded prior to the start of the 2024-25 campaign. 

The Canucks couldn't find space for him on their NHL roster and sent him to the New York Rangers as part of the blockbuster J.T. Miller trade. The Rangers also found no use for him outside of the AHL and sent him to the Buffalo Sabres, where he once again served as an AHL player. 

Brannstrom routinely showed that he was a top-end AHL player but a low-end NHL player, recording 19 goals and 86 points in just 117 AHL games. 

Listed at 5'10, 185 lbs, Brannstrom is considered small for an NHL defenceman, which is why many teams have steered away from using him. He's proven to be an efficient puck mover and skater, but his small frame is considered a liability defensively, especially when defending the front of the net. 

Erik Brannstrom is headed to Switzerland. The diminutive puck-moving defenceman put up some solid results in limited minutes but struggled to gain the confidence of his coaches to move up the lineup. pic.twitter.com/6ZGAqrofFF

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) May 26, 2025

He'll head back to Europe, where he's had plenty of positive results, both in the SHL and with Sweden on the international stage. He previously played in the NL, playing 10 games on loan with the SCL Tigers. His stint witnessed him score two goals and eight points. 

Brannstrom will join a Lausanne HC team that currently rosters former NHLer Dominik Kahun, Rangers prospect Lauri Pajuniemi and Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens.

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Golden Knights Reportedly In Two-Team Race For KHL Star ForwardWith the team pressed to the salary cap, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon continues to find unique ways to add skilled forwards to his lineup and could be doing so again with KHL star Maxim Shabanov.

Rumors without action are common at this time of year. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are in the Conference Finals, so there aren’t going to be any substantial moves made by eliminated teams, but the speculation will always exist.

That is the case right now with the Minnesota Wild. One of their young stars, Marco Rossi, is rumored to be on the trade block. If this is correct, the Chicago Blackhawks must be making phone calls. 

The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) on XSpeculation about Marco Rossi's future arose following the Minnesota Wild's first-round playoff exit: https://t.co/8Hnp09g1wU

Minnesota selected Rossi with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. After dealing with some off-ice health issues before beginning his pro career, Rossi has blossomed into a great NHL player. 

At 23 years old, he’s played in 185 games with 45 goals, 56 assists, and 101 points. During the 2024-25 season, Rossi set career highs in goals (24), assists (36), and points (60). It is fair to assume that he has some big offensive seasons ahead of him. 

Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) on XI would be all in on acquiring Rossi if he's available. He's small and that's probably half the reason why he might be available. But could be pretty impactful in his prime. Just had his first star season and his career career is following very similar to Briere (Briere

A player like this would fit in quite well with the Blackhawks. Whether he’s a center or a winger in the long term, he’d make hockey magic with guys like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. He can make an impact at even strength and on the power play. 

Rossi is a restricted free agent and could be the subject of an offer sheet if he isn’t signed quickly. The problem the Blackhawks face with doing that is giving up a ton of draft picks in 2026, which might not be wise based on the potential of that draft. 

If the Wild were okay with making a trade with a division rival, one that can appease both sides, this is something worth considering for Kyle Davidson. 

Chicago has plenty of defenseman to spare when it comes to making trades. It is at the forward position where they lack youthful organizational depth. Rossi, being just 23, would fit right in with what the Hawks are trying to do. 

In acquiring Rossi, the Blackhawks (or any team) would have to get him signed. Based on his high production level for a young player, he will likely command a lucrative deal for a fair number of years. Due to his proven success, there isn’t much risk associated with that method. 

With a trade like this, a wise decision with the third overall pick, and a free agent or two, the Blackhawks could have a high-flying offense in 2025-26. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

The Florida Panthers are making a few lineup changes as they look to close out the Eastern Conference Final.

There are a few Panthers players who are nursing injuries and as such, are being held out of Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola will all not play on Monday night.

They are each considered day-to-day with their respective injuries, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said.

Reinhart also missed Game 3 on Saturday, and he'll continue to be replaced Jesper Boqvist, who logged a goal and two assists in Florida's 6-2 victory.

Filling in for Greer on the left wing of Florida's fourth line will be Nico Sturm, who can also take faceoffs and contribute on the penalty kill.

On the blueline, Mikkola will be replaced in the lineup by Uvis Balinskis. He'll likely be paired up with Nate Schmidt while Dmitry Kulikov would slide up and take Mikkola's spot beside Seth Jones.

Maurice summed up his thought process into the moves as simply trying to put the best and most competitive team on the ice.

"The determination is, the three guys that I'm playing – obviously Boqvist is already in – but those guys would perform better than those three men would tonight," Maurice said.

A victory on Monday would not only punch Florida's ticket to the Stanley Cup Final, but it would also afford them some time to allow players to heal.

The Final is not expected to begin until at least June 4, possibly later depending how long the Western Conference Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars goes. 

Following the changes, here is an updated line and pairing projection for the Panthers head of Game 4:

Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Jesper Boqvist

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

Nico Sturm – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Dmitry Kulikov – Seth Jones

Nate Schmidt – Uvis Balinskis

Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Niko Mikkola, Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer, Jaycob Megna

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Photo caption: May 24, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) celebrates after a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is set to take place June 27th and 28th in Los Angeles, CA.  There, a new crop of NHL prospects will be selected over seven rounds (224 players overall).   While some draft picks may sign their entry-level contracts immediately, others may remain unsigned as the team watches their development. Since the end of the 2024-25 season, the Kraken have offered contracts to three prospects: Andrei Loshko, Nathan Villenueve, and (reportedly) Tyson Jugnauth.  

Andrei Loshko, born in Belarus, spent the 2024-25 season with the Niagara Ice Dogs in the OHL.  When their season ended, he signed his entry-level contract and joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds where he scored two goals in his AHL debut. 

Also in the OHL, Nathan Villenueve spent his 3rd season with the Sudbury Wolves where he racked up 75 points in 61 games played.  It was his highest scoring season thus far, and his improvement earned him some time in the AHL where he played eight games with the Firebirds.

No official announcement has been made about Tyson Jugnauth's entry-level contract, but it is rumored that one has been offered.  The 2022 4th-round pick started in the NCAA but spent his past two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, earning the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as Defenseman of the Year.

Fans are also still waiting for an announcement regarding Everett Silvertips’ Captain Kaden Hammell. Hammell was drafted in the 5th-round in 2023 and a contract announcement was expected when the Silvertips ended their playoff run in late April.  If the Kraken do not offer Hammell a contract by June, their rights expire and the defenseman becomes a free agent. 

Related:

Kraken Prospect Reportedly Signing NHL ContractSeattle Kraken prospect Tyson Jugnauth is reportedly signing an NHL contract despite committing to play for Michigan State University for the 2025-26 season, according to Nathaniel Bott.

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Over a week since the Toronto Maple Leafs' elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs, the focus of Leafs Nation has shifted toward Mitch Marner's future.  

The 28-year-old right winger is UFA-eligible on July 1 and was noncommittal about returning to Toronto during the Leafs' end-of-season media availability. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley indicated Friday that the club is taking a wait-and-see approach regarding Marner's plans.

As Marner ponders his future with his family, there is growing speculation over his potential destinations if he tests the free-agent market. 

The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy listed the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins as possible landing spots. He noted that the three rebuilding clubs have the cap space to sign Marner to a long-term contract with a hefty raise. The Penguins also have the advantage of GM Kyle Dubas' ties to Marner during his tenure with the Leafs.

Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon included the Blackhawks and Penguins on his list. He also mentioned the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals. 

Meanwhile, Sean O'Leary of The Score had the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers among his list of possible suitors for Marner. 

Like the Blackhawks, Red Wings and Penguins, the Kings, Ducks, Mammoth, Sabres and Hurricanes possess the cap room to comfortably sign Marner. However, there's no guarantee that most of them will get into the bidding or have a chance of landing Marner.

The Blackhawks, Red Wings, Ducks, Penguins, Mammoth, and Sabres are in various stages of rebuilding, with the Wings and Sabres mired in lengthy playoff droughts. They might not interest Marner if he prefers signing with a contender, and he might not suit their respective roster needs.

Meanwhile, the Islanders could begin retooling their roster under new GM Mathieu Darche. Marner would provide a much-needed boost to their offense, but they lack the cap room to sign him. The Kings are also under new management, but GM Ken Holland could balk at shelling out over $13 million annually on one player. 

Cap space will be an issue for the Golden Knights, Avalanche and Capitals unless they're willing to shed salary to make room for Marner. However, that could weaken their overall depth. 

Carolina could be the best match. In a March interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, GM Eric Tulsky said he'd have around $20 million in cap space if he re-signed all his free agents. 

The Hurricanes also offered Mikko Rantanen to the Leafs straight up for Marner at the trade deadline before moving Rantanen to Dallas. Tulsky could try again if the Leafs winger is available on July 1.

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Former Toronto Marlies defenseman Rinat Valiev has signed a one-year deal with in Russia with HK Chelny, it was reported late last week. 

Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Valiyev spent this past season playing in Kazakhstan with HK Almaty, scoring four goals and adding 13 assists for 17 points in 28 regular season games. In a further seven playoff games, he added two assists. 

Having returned overseas following the 2019-20 season, Valiyev did appear in 12 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens during his time in North America, never collecting a point. Throughout 260 career AHL regular season games with the Marlies, Laval Rocket and the Stockton Heat, Valiyev put up a respectable stat line of 19 goals and 66 assists for 85 points. 

With Valiyev signing in the VHL (Russia's second tier pro league), he will return to his home country following parts of two seasons away. While he has not been able to stick full time in the KHL, Valiyev has been solid throughout his short VHL career and should bolster HK Chelny's blueline. 

Should the Montreal Canadiens use their two first-round pick, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada’s Justin Carbonneau is a name they could call out on the podium. No, it’s not just because he’s a “p’tit gars de chez nous,” and he’s not related to former captain Guy Carbonneau; it’s because he has a lot of upsides.

The right-winger is 16th on the Central Scouting North American skater list, has scored 89 points in 62 games this season in the QMJHL, and likes to make flashy, big plays.

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While Carbonneau could use his linemates more, he’s the kind of player who wants to have the puck on his stick when a big goal is needed, and he often manages to deliver, as his 46 goals in 62 games show. His desire to have the puck when it counts is similar to Lane Hutson’s. Although the Habs defenseman is a pass-first kind of guy, having them on the ice simultaneously would only mean they can complement each other.

As things stand, the Canadiens have a lot of playmakers, but putting the puck in the net can sometimes be an issue, so drafting a player who’s more of a scorer would make sense. Carbonneau is a risk taker, though, as you’ll be able to tell by watching this highlights package, and while he’s looking impressive there, he would need to adapt to the NHL's stiffer competition; things that work at the junior level don’t always work at the pro level.

Like everyone else, he’d need to learn to pick his spots, but the Canadiens have the right environment to allow young players to make those mistakes. Although the rebuild is fast evolving, greater emphasis will be put on results sooner rather than later. Still, Martin St-Louis has proven he knows how to handle young players and teach them valuable lessons without resorting to the traditional “one error, one benching” approach, which was all the rage in the NHL not long ago.

At the start of March, Nick Bobrov and Donald Audette took in the Armada’s game against the Drummondville Voltigeurs, allowing them to watch both Carbonneau and Caleb Desnoyers, the QMJHL’s top two prospects. Unless Kent Hughes manages to move significantly higher in the first round, Desnoyers will be long gone before the Canadiens speak, so it’s likely they were taking a closer look at Carbonneau, mainly since Bobrov has attended several games in Blainville-Boisbriand this season.

Carbonneau is creative. He’s got good speed for his size, soft hands, and a deceptive shot; there’s a lot to like in that package. His frame makes it easier to outbattle defenders or cut inside for the net. The winger also has a knack for shooting from everywhere on the ice and manages to score from anywhere, consistently a good tool to have in one’s arsenal.

Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

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According to multiple reports, the Philadelphia Flyers are moving on from Ian Laperriere as the head coach of their farm team, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. But how do they plan on replacing him? And with who?

Laperriere, 51, had spent the last four years at the helm of the Phantoms, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances, but blowing a 2-1 series lead to the Hershey Bears in this year's Calder Cup playoffs.

Notably, when starting goalie Parker Gahagen went down with an injury, Laperriere rolled with exiled journeyman Cal Petersen ahead of promising prospect Carson Bjarnason not once, but twice, losing the series 3-2 and failing to get one of his best youngsters a taste of playoff action.

Not to mention that prospects like Massimo Rizzo and Alex Ciernik, two forwards the Flyers have varying degrees of investment in, didn't even play a playoff game for Laperriere.

Everything the Flyers have said and done this offseason, especially as it relates to the hiring of Rick Tocchet, has pointed towards player development being of the utmost importance now and in the future.

Laperriere couldn't get the job done, at least not consistently enough, and it is now apparently time for a change behind the bench in Allentown.

If the Flyers have reason to believe looking internally is a good option, one candidate who could stand out is Phantoms assistant coach John Snowden, who just completed his second season in Lehigh Valley.

Snowden, 44, coached his way up from the ECHL ranks, starting his coaching career as an assistant coach of the Orlando Solar Bears back in 2015-16. Snowden served as the head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers for parts of two seasons between 2018-19 and 2019-20, and later took over as their president of hockey operations for the 2020-21 season.

For those curious, Flyers GM Danny Briere was the vice president of hockey operations for the ECHL's Maine Mariners at the same time.

Report: Flyers Rejected Big Maple Leafs Trade for Rasmus RistolainenAccording to a new report, the Philadelphia Flyers received a massive trade offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. GM Danny Briere and Co. didn't budge.

Snowden's Growlers won the Kelly Cup in 2019 and went 42-17-1 in 60 games under his watch before the 2019-20 season was cancelled, so there's a history of success there, and Briere has gone up against him in the ECHL before.

Indeed, Snowden is not the sexiest name or the most well-traveled option, but there's reason to believe he could do the job if called upon.

One name that Flyers fans might be more familiar with is Jay McKee, a former Buffalo Sabres first-round pick who was teammates with Briere for parts of three seasons.

Oh, and McKee was linked to the Flyers' head coaching job on more than one occasion, though some chalked it up to Briere trying to juice his old pal's name in coaching circles.

Even if that was true, I don't think Briere does something like that without truly, honestly believing McKee can coach, and coach well, at that. And, suddenly, Briere has a job opening that makes a lot more sense than a leap from the OHL to the NHL.

McKee, 47, has been an OHL head coach since the 2016-17 season, sitting out the 2020-21 season after getting fired by the Kitchener Rangers the year prior.

Since then, McKee has spent the last four years in charge of the Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs, coaching talents like Mason McTavish, Arber Xhekaj, Jorian Donovan, Jan Mysak, Artem Grushnikov, Ryan Winterton, Marek Vanacker, Florian Xhekaj, Nick Lardis, Adam Jiricek, and potential Flyers 2025 first-round pick Jake O'Brien.

Flyers GM Teases Potential Top Pick Ahead of 2025 NHL DraftPhiladelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere is not ignoring the possibility of selecting Caleb Desnoyers sixth overall at the 2025 NHL Draft in June. In fact, he's embracing it.

And for those who might not be aware, Lardis, a 19-year-old Chicago Blackhawks prospect, just exploded for 71 goals, 46 assists, and 117 points in 65 games this year.

Lardis' 71 goals rank 11th all-time in single-season OHL history, trailing some guys named Eric Lindros, John Tavares, and Dino Ciccarelli. Ever heard of them?

Oh, and a 19-year-old Doug Gilmour 'only' managed 70 goals in an OHL season at the peak of his powers.

So, needless to say, McKee is a perfectly capable leader of men who can get the best out of his players. We don't need to go further down the list to prove that.

I'd be stunned if McKee is not the clubhouse favorite to replace Laperriere. Taking the next step and joining Briere's Flyers with the Phantoms makes too much sense.

Another name to watch, be it at the NHL level or the AHL level, is Cory Stillman.

Most Flyers fans probably know Stillman as Jett Luchanko's head coach with the Guelph Storm this past season, but Stillman also has four years of experience as an NHL assistant coach, including as part of Tocchet's Arizona Coyotes staff in 2020-21.

The 51-year-old has never coached at the AHL level before, but if Tocchet and/or the Flyers want continuity between the AHL and NHL systems and what is being asked of the young players, hiring Stillman could make perfect sense.

This season, Stillman also served as the head coach of Canada's U-18s, which boasted star prospects like Keaton Verhoeff (2026), Brady Martin, Jack Nesbitt, Cole Reschny, Braeden Cootes, and Jack Ivankovic, among many others.

If you've paid any attention to national draft coverage lately, you'll know that Martin has been mocked to the Flyers at No. 6 by Craig Button, and Button successfully mocked Luchanko, also coached by Stillman, to the Flyers (with their top draft pick) last year.

Those connections, especially with important draft picks, matter.

So, while McKee may appear to be the leader for now, watch out for Stillman. The Flyers love their connections, and McKee is not the only one who has them.