The Swedish site HockeyNews.se reports that former NHL player Calvin de Haan is close to signing with Rögle in the SHL. de Haan has previously been linked to several other SHL clubs, such as Brynäs, but is now only a few contract details away from joining Rögle, according to the report.

de Haan split last season between the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Rangers, playing 44 games for Colorado and three for the Rangers. The defenseman from Carp, Ontario, was traded to the Rangers along with Juuso Parssinen, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in 2025. In return, the Avalanche received Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey, and Hank Kempf.

de Haan would be another addition to the growing list of players who have joined the SHL after spending time in the NHL. Below is a list of notable names who have signed with SHL clubs.

Nicklas Bäckström (C), Brynäs IF

The biggest name to sign in the SHL since the lockout seasons. The hype around Bäckström has been huge, and he’s by far the signing that has received the most attention ahead of the season start.

 

Nicklas Bäckström Ready for a New Chapter in the SHL - Community PostNicklas Bäckström continues his preparations for the SHL opener on Saturday. On Tuesday, the SHL held its annual media day, where Bäckström was in the spotlight.

Jakub Vrána (RW), Linköpings HC

An exciting signing who is arriving in the SHL at a different stage of his career compared to the previously mentioned Nicklas Bäckström. Jakub Vrána spent most of his NHL career in Washington, where he was teammates with Bäckström. In total, he played 406 NHL games, recording 119 goals and 223 points.

 

Kieffer Bellows (LW), Brynäs IF

Bellows was drafted 19th overall by the New York Islanders in 2016. The former first-round pick is a fast-skating power forward with a strong shot. In total, he played 114 NHL games and recorded 32 points.

 

Magnus Hellberg (G), Djurgårdens IF

Hellberg returns to Sweden after 13 years abroad. Although he has only played seven NHL games, he has managed to start games for the Predators, Rangers, Red Wings, Senators and Penguins. It is quite a unique accomplishment.

Gustav Lindström (D), Djurgårdens IF

Lindström most recently played for the Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, where he appeared in 42 games and recorded 11 points last season. He was drafted 38th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.

 

Charles Hudon (LW), Djurgårdens IF

Djurgården made another high-profile signing by bringing in Charles Hudon, who most recently played for the Ontario Reign in the AHL. With the LA Kings’ affiliate, he recorded an impressive 20 goals and 64 points in 67 games last season. Hudon brings much-needed offensive production as Djurgården heads into the new season after earning promotion from the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan to the SHL.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are rebuilding their roster, even though management won't admit it. Forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson have been frequently mentioned as trade candidates throughout the off-season.

Even Sidney Crosby hasn't been spared the trade conjecture, though his name hasn't popped up as often.

Nevertheless, there was sporadic chatter earlier this summer linking the 38-year-old Penguins superstar to the Colorado Avalanche (where his buddy Nathan MacKinnon plays) and his childhood team, the Montreal Canadiens.

Crosby addressed that occasional trade chatter during the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday. He said he understood it because his clubs missed the playoffs the past three years. The Penguins captain also indicated he was flattered that he was drawing so much interest from a hockey-mad market like Montreal.

Meanwhile, Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, didn't rule out the possibility that his client could be traded before his contract expires in 2027. However, he also suggested the speculation could disappear if the Penguins improve and reach the playoffs. Brisson ultimately believes it comes down to how Crosby is going to be and how the team is going to do.

Colorado Hockey Now's Aarif Deen cited the speculation linking Crosby to the Avalanche and Canadiens. He thinks the latter stands the better chance because of their status as an up-and-coming club.

However, the odds remain slim of Crosby coming to Montreal. The asking price could include a rising star like Lane Hutson or a top prospect like Ivan Demidov, two players the Canadiens won't part with.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Update On Canucks' Hughes, Canadiens' Next Steps After Trading PriceQuinn Hughes' future with the Vancouver Canucks has been murky since team president Jim Rutherford floated the notion of the defenseman one day joining brothers Jack and Luke with the New Jersey Devils.

The player media tour also saw New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes say that he'd love to play with his brother, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, at some point.

Jack knew that it was “the headline question” but indicated he wasn't afraid to say it, whether it was with New Jersey or elsewhere. “They talk about it all day up in Vancouver, you know?” Hughes said. “But yeah, I'd love to play with Quinn at some point.”

Quinn Hughes said the following day that it's normal for a brother to say something like that, and playing with brothers Jack and Luke Hughes at some point would be fun, but he's excited to be in Vancouver.

Patrick Johnston of The Provinceassumed Canucks management would love to one day acquire Jack and Luke Hughes from the Devils and unite them with Quinn in Vancouver. However, he acknowledged that it would be incredibly hard to pull off, which is why there's speculation suggesting Quinn Hughes could head to New Jersey when his contract expires in 2027, if not beforehand via trade.

The Devils still have to get RFA Luke Hughes under contract before the start of this season. New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols wondered if the term of that deal might determine if the Hughes brothers play together in New Jersey or elsewhere.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have 32 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #32. 

Let's take a look.

Radim Bičánek - 2001-2002 - Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 1993.

Bičánek played 69 games for the Jackets and had 8 career points. He played for Columbus during the first two years of the franchise's existence but never played another NHL game after that.

He returned to Europe in 2004 and played there until he retired in 2016. He played at various levels of hockey in Czechia. 

Kent McDonell - 2004 - McDonell was drafted twice. The Carolina Hurricanes drafted him in the 1997 draft, and then the Detroit Red Wings drafted him in the 6th round of the 1999 draft. 

McDonell played two seasons for the franchise and totaled 32 games. He had just 3 career points. He never played another NHL game after his time in Columbus and finished his career in Europe. He played in Europe for 13 years and retired after playing in Norway, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Denmark. 

Cale Hulse - 2006 - Drafted by the New Jersey in 1992. 

Hulse played 27 games in Columbus during the 2005-06 season. He had 3 assists in those 27 games. On October 8, 2005, he was traded to the CBJ from the Coyotes along with Michael Rupp and Jason Chimera for Geoff Sanderson and Tim Jackman.

After going to Calgary during that same season and playing 12 games, he would retire after that season. 

Mathieu Garon - 2010-2011 - Drafted by Montreal in 1996. 

Garon played two seasons for the Blue Jackets after signing in Columbus on July 1, 2009. He had a record of 22-23-12 with a save % of .902%, and a GAA of 2.77.

After his time in Columbus, he played two years in Tampa Bay and then finished out his career playing one season in the KHL. His career SV% is .903 and a GAA of 2.83. He also has 144 career wins. 

Cody Bass - 2012-2014 - Drafted by Ottawa in 2005.

Bass played a total of 15 games for the CBJ and had 1 career point. He signed with Columbus in 2011 and spent most of his time with the Springfield Falcons. 

He would retire after the 2019 season. Bass spent 4 seasons as a pro scout for the Colorado Avalanche from 2019 to 2023. 

Rene Bourque - 2015 - He was undrafted out of Lac La Biche, Alberta.

Bourque played 57 games for Columbus over two seasons. He totaled 7 goals and 12 points. He signed in Colorado for the 16-17 season, and then after one year, left for Sweden, where he would retire after one season. 

Adam Cracknell - 2015 - Drafted by Calgary in 2004. 

He played 17 games for the Jackets and had one career point after being claimed on waivers by Columbus on October 7, 2014. 

In 2019, he left for the KHL and then Denmark before returning to North America in 2021. In 2024, he again left for Europe, this time signing with HK Poprad in Slovakia. He is signed to play with the for the 25-26 as well. 

Jake Christiansen - 2022 - Undrafted out of West Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Christiansen played in a career-high 68 games for Columbus last season and totaled 8 points. He has played 112 games over four years. Before last season, Christiansen spent most of his time playing for the Cleveland Monsters. He's currently the Monsters franchise leader for points by a defenseman.

Christiansen will most likely be the 6th/7th defenseman during the 25-26 season and is signed through 2027. So, he will be looking to have a couple of good years and earn a nice, big contract.  

Jon Gillies - 2023 - Drafted by Calgary in 2012. 

Gillies played 3 career games for the CBJ, going 1-1. He was traded to the CBJ on March 2, 2023, in exchange for Jakub Voráček and a pick. After taking the 23-24 season off, he came back and signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He also played for the Orlando Sun Bears of the ECHL that same season. 

He is signed to play for Orlando again for the 25-26 season. 

Malcolm Subban - 2024 - Drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2012. 

On March 8, 2024, the Blues traded Subban to the CBJ and sent him to Cleveland to help with their playoff push. He did start one game for the Jackets after being recalled and lost. 

He played last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Belleville Sens of the AHL. He isn't retired but also hasn't signed on to play anywhere for 25-26. 

With 32 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, the anticipation for the season is in full swing. Take a look at the schedule of events below.

Blue Jackets Participate in 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo

The Blue Jackets will take part in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from Thursday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 14. They’ll play three games and have one day off.

The schedule looks like this:

Thursday, Sept. 11 - 7 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils

Friday, Sept. 12 `- No Game Scheduled

Saturday, Sept. 13 - 7 p.m. at Buffalo Sabres

Sunday, Sept. 14 - 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh Penguins

This will be the second year Columbus has participated in the Prospects Challenge. Before that, they played in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City. As for the roster, it won’t be released until closer to the tournament.

Let us know what you think below.

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

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.  

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33 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #33The Columbus Blue Jackets have 33 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #33.  Blue Jackets' GM Provides Update On Fantilli's ExtensionThe Columbus Blue Jackets' general manager Don Waddell has provided an update on their young star forward Adam Fantilli and his potential contract extension. Former Cleveland Monster Signs PTO With PredatorsFormer Cleveland Monster Dylan Gambrell has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Nashville Predators, according to Anthony Di Marco.

Starting today, the Golden Knights’ roster of promising young players will hit the ice for the team’s 2025 Rookie Camp. 

From September 12-14 the roster will hit the road, traveling to Denver, Colorado, to take part in the 2025 Rookie Showcase at the South Suburban Family Sports Center. The tournament will feature top prospects from both the Colorado Avalanche and Utah Mammoth, alongside the Knights. 

2025 ROOKIE CAMP SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 11

Practice, 10 a.m. PT (City National Arena)

 Friday, September 12

Practice, 9 a.m. PT (City National Arena)

Saturday, September 13 

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth, 3 p.m. MT (South Suburban Family Sports Center)

Sunday, September 14

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche, 1 p.m. MT (South Suburban Family Sports Center)

HOCKEY IS BACK 🤩

VGK Rookie Camp presented by Martin-Harris Construction starts this week! Read below for schedule & roster 👇https://t.co/FLTqBPvf7D

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 8, 2025

Fans can stream the tournament live in each market and FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9 FM /1340 AM will broadcast the Golden Knights’ two games in Denver. 

The roster includes several familiar faces from the 2025 Golden Knights Development Camp earlier this summer. Among them are the 2025 draft selections Mateo Nobert and Alex Weiermair and the 2024 first-round pick Trevor Connelly, plus a few fresh additions. There are a total of 24 players, comprising 15 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders.

2025 ROOKIE CAMP ROSTER

FORWARD (15): Braeden Bowman, Mathieu Cataford, Trevor Connelly, Joe Fleming, Jordan Gustafson, Jackson Hallum, Ben Hemmerling, Mateo Nobert, Matyas Sapovaliv, Sloan Stanick, Andreas Straka, Trent Swick, Kai Uchacz, Tuomas Uronen, Alex Weiermair

DEFENSEMEN (7): Peteris Bulans, Artur Cholach, Viliam Kmec, Mazden Leslie, Samuel Mayer, Carter Sotheran, Bronson Ride

GOALTENDERS (2): Carl Lindbom, Cameron Whitehead

 NUMERICAL ROSTER:

8 Mathieu Cataford Forward

18 Alex Weiermair Forward

24 Trevor Connelly Forward

25 Matyas Sapovaliv Forward

30 Carl Lindbom Goaltender

37 Tuomas Uronen Forward

38 Jordan Gustafson Forward

39 Cameron Whitehead Goaltender

42 Braeden Bowman Forward

43 Mazden Leslie Defenseman

45 Mateo Nobert Forward

47 Artur Cholach Defenseman

50 Joe Fleming Forward

56 Carter Sotheran Defenseman

57 Bronson Ride Defenseman

59 Jackson Hallum Forward

63 Ben Hemmerling Forward

68 Peteris Bulans Defenseman

70 Andreas Straka Forward

76 Trent Swick Forward

77 Kai Uchacz Forward

79 Viliam Kmec Defenseman

92 Sloan Stanick Forward

96 Samuel Mayer Defenseman

Golden Knights Development Camp Spotlight: Trevor Connelly The Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp is underway, showcasing the organization’s young up-and-comers and what they could bring to the team’s future. One of the standouts from Monday’s ice session was 2024 first-round draft pick Trevor Connelly. Golden Knights Trade Up To Select Mateo Norbert With 85th Overall PickThe Vegas Golden Knights traded up for the second time on Saturday, grabbing Pittsburgh's pick in the 85th overall slot in exchange for the picks 91 and 154. Golden Knights Select Alexander Weiermair And Gustav Sjoqvist With Back-To-Back Picks At 186 And 187The Vegas Golden Knights wrapped up their 2025 NHL Draft in Round 6 by selecting Alexander Weiermair and Gustav Sjoqvist. 

The Montreal Canadiens have had a busy off-season, and it is understandable when noting that they took a major step in the right direction this past campaign. Due to this, they brought in multiple new players this summer. However, there is no question that the Canadiens' top addition of the summer was defenseman Noah Dobson. 

The Canadiens acquired Dobson from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Emil Heineman, the 16th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (Victor Eklund), and the 17th overall pick of the NHL Entry Draft (Kashawn Aitcheson). The Canadiens then signed Dobson to an eight-year, $76 million contract after the move, so he will be sticking around in Montreal for a long time. 

Now, the Canadiens have received some major praise for pulling off this blockbuster move. 

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Adam Gretz ranked the Canadiens' trade for Dobson as the best move of the entire NHL off-season.

When noting that Dobson is a legitimate star when playing at his best, it is easy to understand why Gretz ranked it as the top move of this off-season. This is especially so when noting that the Canadiens were able to quickly lock up Dobson long-term after it, and that the Canadiens' right side needed a boost. 

Dobson appeared in 71 games this past season with the Islanders, where he posted 10 goals and 39 points. This was after he had a monster 2023-24 campaign, scoring 10 goals and setting career highs with 60 assists and 70 points in 79 games. With numbers like these, there is no question that he has the potential to provide serious offense from the point, and it will be huge for the Habs if he does just that from here. 

Canadiens To Honour Former Blueliner Andrei Markov

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On Wednesday night, the New York Islanders dropped episode one of "On The Island", their behind-the-scenes footage of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

After the Islanders drafted Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick, he received calls from Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and then Mathew Barzal. 

“Matty, what's up, you stud?" Barzal said as soon as Schaefer answered the one phone.  "We’re going to be dancing out there.”

Barzal has been showcasing his excitement for Schaefer anytime he's been asked about him, whether it's been on Frankie Borrelli's podcast or on NHL Sirius XM. 

Having a dynamic defenseman like Schaefer is something that plays right into Barzal's skillset, which is what Barzal was alluding to in his phone call. 

"He skates like the wind," Barzal said on NHL Network Radio while representing the Islanders at the 2025 NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.

Catch episode 1 of "On The Island" below: 

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

Yesterday it was announced that former Red Wings player Henrik Zetterberg is returning to his childhood club Timrå IK as an advisor. The news created a lot of excitement in Sweden, and Zetterberg did several interviews throughout the day following his appointment to the new role. Among others, Henrik spoke with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The original interview can be found here.

After spending a year in Detroit following the end of his playing career, Zetterberg has settled down in Sweden. He has made his home in the south of the country and has lived a quiet life in the years since retiring from hockey. Gaining more attention is not the purpose of his new role, and the humble Zetterberg said that the attention wasn’t something he was seeking when the role was announced.

“It’s not the public attention I’m seeking by taking on this role as an advisor. I’ve actually had this role for about a year now in Timrå, but we haven’t really made much of it publicly. I love hockey and have a strong connection to Timrå. Now we’ll be a team working to push Timrå forward, and I’ll focus on being a sounding board for young players and their coaches in the club to help them develop. I’ll also continue supporting Kent Norberg (GM of Timrå) with thoughts and opinions on potential signings. It’ll be fun to see what kind of development we can achieve together,” says Henrik Zetterberg.

Several of his former Detroit teammates have gone on to start careers in management and coaching. Zetterberg was asked about his future plans and whether a role as a sporting director or GM is something he envisions down the line. However, he was quick to play down those speculations.

“I have no plans to take over after ‘Nubben’ (current GM at Timrå) that’s not something I’m thinking about at all. I want him to stay in Timrå forever, and I think he’s doing a fantastic job. My passion lies in helping younger players make the same journey that I once did.”

Henrik Zetterberg was also asked about his connection with the Red Wings and whether he might use his current role to help Detroit. His former captain and fellow Swede Nicklas Lidström is also based in Sweden while serving as Detroit’s Vice President of Hockey Operations. The connection to Detroit is still there, but there is no official collaboration between Zetterberg and his former club at this point.

“Of course I’ll probably have thoughts and questions during the season. I have people around me who have worked in hockey and have a lot of experience. Almost everyone on the Red Wings staff today are my former teammates, and I feel like I always represent Detroit since I played there for so many years. But we’ll see how that can help me in my professional role.”

Finally, Zetterberg was asked how he expects Timrå to perform this season. The team has lost valuable pieces during the offseason, including Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen, who have both left for the NHL.

“There’s no denying that losing Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen is a big blow for the club. They did a lot for the team last season. But we have other guys who are very talented and maybe flew a bit under the radar last year. Now it’s up to them to take the lead and push the club forward. Timrå is in a good position to surprise, but they might not be a top team just yet. There are many strong top teams. I don’t need to name them, it’s obvious who they are.”

Oliver Kapanen played 18 games for the Montreal Canadiens last season but returned to Timrå on loan. The season was a success for Kapanen, who recorded 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games. It’s an impressive points tally in the defensively minded SHL.

Filip Hållander returns to Pittsburgh with the ambition of earning a roster spot with the Penguins. He has played in three NHL games for Pittsburgh and has also appeared in 104 AHL games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Swedish center is coming off a brilliant SHL season, finishing second in the league in both goals and points with 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games for Timrå.

Despite having 25 games of NHL experience over two seasons, Fraser Minten was announced as part of the Boston Bruinsrookie tournament roster this week. Speaking to reporters at Warrior Ice Arena, Minten was asked how it came to be that he would take part in the tournament. It turns out Minten didn’t volunteer. He’s just following Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s orders.

“I got a phone call saying you will participate,” Minten said with a smile.

Fraser Minten is just following orders pic.twitter.com/3ICmmhuPPD

— Andrew Fantucchio (@A_Fantucchio) September 10, 2025

Minten, originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with their first pick (38th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, impressed the club enough that he made Toronto's opening night roster during the 2023-24 season. He played in four games before being returned to the junior league. The following season, Minten looked more polished, putting up two goals and two assists in 15 games.

Fraser Minten's Remarkable Journey From Under the Radar Before Training Camp to the Maple Leafs' Opening Night RosterThe Maple Leafs didn't expect their second-round pick to make the team this year, but Fraser Minten's performance at training camp was hard to deny.

But as the Maple Leafs sought to add depth for a playoff push, the club traded Minten to Boston along with a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo. As it became clear the Bruins weren’t destined for the postseason, they called up Minten. He played in six games and scored one goal.

'More Backcheck And There'll Be A Greater Paycheck': Maple Leafs React To Losing Players And Prospects On Trade Deadline DayDENVER — The Toronto Maple Leafs made some big moves ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade deadline. The Leafs acquired forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins.

Minten didn’t take part in the development camp the Bruins held in the summer that featured a lot of prospects his age. Given he’s about to embark on his first training camp in Boston, he understood the reasoning for the early attendance.

“I haven’t been here for a while, even for me but for them they haven’t seen me play a ton as much as other guys,” Minten said. “It just gives them a chance to get a look at me and my game.”

A look at Boston's depth chart shows a third-line center spot ripe for the taking for Minten, the role he played in Toronto. As the Bruins go through a bit of a rebuild after eight consecutive seasons of being in the playoffs, the opportunity is there for the former Maple Leafs draft pick to take another step in his development.

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Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand is hopeful to do something next year that has been on his checklist for a long time.

The 37-year-old NHL veteran and future Hockey Hall of Famer wants to suit up for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Marchand was one of 26 forwards and 42 total players who were invited to Hockey Canada's Orientation Camp last month in Calgary.

He was also one of five Panthers players to receive an invite, along with forwards Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The last time NHL players participated in the Olympic Games was in 2014 in Sochi.

Canada won gold, but Marchand was not there.

Like this year, Marchand was also part of that team’s orientation camp, but that was as far as his Olympic dream would go that year.

To say he’s been feeling the hunger to represent his country and compete for a gold medal in the time since would be an understatement.

"There's nothing I want more than to play for the Olympic team," Marchand said during last month’s camp in Calgary, per NHL.com. "That drive has been there since I went to that (orientation) camp in (2013) and didn't make that team. Since then, it's been my goal, my driving force every year, every summer. That's why I was so disappointed in '18 and then the next one. Everything I have done for the last 12 years has been for this tournament."

Now fully healthy and fresh off an incredible run with Florida during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as a strong showing for Team Canada at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Marchand is ready to make his Olympic dream come true.

If and when the opportunity comes, Marchand understands just how rare and unique a position it would be for him to find himself.

"I think you really understand how fragile these opportunities are," he said. "They're not a given. Even when you think you're going to go, it doesn't mean you're going. The last one we thought we were going for sure. It's the end of December, a month and a half before we're leaving, and it gets pulled from us. The one before that, someone's decision allows us to not go again. You could have an unbelievable NHL career and play for a very long time and not have an opportunity to play in these games."

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Photo caption: Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) skates during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

In spite of recent reports, the Philadelphia Flyers are not prepared to comment on any potential reunion with or interest in former goalie Carter Hart.

On Wednesday, during their state of the franchise press conference, Flyers president Keith Jones and governor Dan Hilferty fielded questions on all things Flyers.

Hart, 27, was recently acquitted of sexual assault and is a free agent, though the NHL has not officially reinstated him or the other four players involved in the Hockey Canada trial in London, Ontario.

That's about as much as the Flyers know, too, despite a recent report that claimed they were one of many teams interested in the veteran goalie.

"Well, at this point, we're going to make no comment on that situation. The NHL's made it clear that they'll speak first. But, right now, we're not prepared to comment at all about the Carter Hart situation," Hilferty said. "The NHL has told us they are running the show."

Hilferty and Jones were specifically asked as to whether they would consider inquiring on Hart and if the Flyers were allowed to talk to their former player if reinstated, but Hilferty, with the answer quoted above, shut those questions down as reasonably as possible.

Flyers: Where Is Egor Zavragin?Top Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Egor Zavragin has yet to play for his KHL club, SKA St. Petersburg, in the early goings of the 2025-26 season.

The Flyers already have a bit of a logjam working in goal anyway, with Sam Ersson and Dan Vladar expected to be the two main netminders on the NHL roster and Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov working in behind them.

Plus, Hart is nearly two years removed from his last competitive hockey game and NHL appearance at this point, so any potential reunion, which already lies in the hands of the NHL, is not going to be straightforward.

Until the NHL makes its decision, the show will go on in Philadelphia, with Vladar debuting for the Flyers imminently and Ersson hoping for a return to form.

The Pittsburgh Penguins released their Prospects Challenge roster for this weekend's games in Buffalo on Wednesday.

The roster is headlined by 2025 first-rounder Ben Kindel, 2024 second-rounder Harrison Brunicke, 2022 fourth-rounder Sergei Murashov, 2022 first-rounder Owen Pickering, and 2021 first-rounder Ville Koivunen, who came over in the Jake Guentzel trade and made his NHL debut back in March.

Pickering also made his NHL debut this past season and appeared in 25 games, compiling one goal and three points. 

This is an excellent opportunity for each prospect to keep developing since the 2025-26 season is just around the corner. With that in mind, let's look at four prospects that fans should have their eyes on during these games. 

Ben Kindel

Kindel is one of three prospects that the Penguins selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He was taken with the 11th overall pick in the draft, and he has a lot of skill. He was one of the best players in the WHL last year, finishing with 35 goals and 99 points in 64 games. 

Kindel has a great release and doesn't need a lot of time to utilize it. He also showed improvement as a playmaker and has a great motor. He can really win the 1v1 battles along the boards and has a strong Hockey IQ. 

He isn't ready for the NHL right now and will go back to the Calgary Hitmen for another season, but this is a perfect chance for him to show that he is arguably the top prospect in the Penguins' system. 

Quinn Beauchesne

Beauchesne was picked in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Penguins and showcased his strong skating ability as a defenseman last season with the Guelph Storm, compiling six goals and 24 points in 49 games. It was his second season with the Storm, and he'll return to them for a third season this year as an alternate captain.

He appeared at development camp back in July and also showcased his skating ability each day before the scrimmage took place on the final day. He created space each time he had the puck. 

The Penguins took four defensemen in the 2025 NHL Draft, and there's a chance Beauchesne has the highest ceiling of them all if he keeps developing. 

Penguins Announce Prospects Challenge Roster, McGroarty OutOn Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced their rosters for the 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, which takes place Sept. 11-15.

Kale Dach

Dach is the perfect under-the-radar player for fans to watch this weekend. He was picked in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft and lit up the BCHL last season, finishing with 22 goals and 87 points in 54 games. 

He will take things up a notch this season when he plays for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen with Ben Kindel. Those two will likely get quite a bit of ice time together this season, and fans could get a glimpse of that over the next few days. 

Dach has some raw offensive skill and even got to showcase some of it in the scrimmages during development camp. He had a nasty between-the-legs cross-ice pass for a good scoring chance, but the puck didn't find the back of the net. 

It's never a bad bet to take a late-round chance on a player who has some good traits. 

Sergei Murashov

Murashov is one of two goaltenders who will play with the other Penguins' prospects, joining Gabriel D'Aigle, who was selected in the third round of this year's draft. Murashov came over from Russia last year and was too good for the ECHL, finishing the season with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 26 games. 

He also got time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and made history by winning his first 10 starts. It's the longest winning streak in WBS history for a goalie in his rookie season. He finished the year with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

The WBS starting goaltender job is wide open for this upcoming season, and he's going to do everything in his power to win it. He's not ready for the NHL yet, but his time is coming. The key is to make sure the Penguins don't rush his development. Murashov's side-to-side movement is excellent, and he actively challenges shooters at the top of the crease. 

We'll see how many of the three games he starts when the Penguins start playing on Friday, September 12.

Speaking of that, the Penguins will open the Prospects Challenge against the Boston Bruins on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET before playing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, September 14, at 3:30 p.m. ET. They'll end the challenge against the Buffalo Sabres, who are hosting the tournament, on Monday, September 15, at Noon ET. 

All games will be available to watch on the Penguins' official website. 

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One of the biggest storylines in the NHL took an interesting turn on Wednesday.

While the Edmonton Oilers wait on Connor McDavid to find out what it is exactly he needs to see to sign an extension with the team, Kirill Kaprizov, his closest comparable in terms of expected annual average salary, turned down $128 million from the Minnesota Wild. 

Sources say #mnwild superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s camp turned down an extension offer believed to be 8-years, $128 million in a meeting on Tuesday in Minnesota that would have made him the highest-paid player in #NHL history in both AAV ($16 million) and total dollars.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 10, 2025

Reports are that Kaprizov turned down an eight-year deal for $16 million per season. That would have put him right beside McDavid's rumored ballpark number on an extension, and it's more money than insiders were projecting Kaprizov would get.

Much like the Oilers don't really know why McDavid is hesitating in signing his contract, the Wild are trying to find out what Kaprizov is looking for. 

Michael Russo of The Athletic writes:

"They need to determine if this is agent Paul Theofanous playing hardball because he thinks more money than $16 million is waiting in free agency for Kaprizov next summer, or if this is the beginning of the end of Kaprizov in Minnesota. Either way, the decision will be pivotal in determining the path of this franchise for the next decade."

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If Kaprizov wants money and the Wild give in, what will that mean for McDavid and other top-end elite NHL talent set to hit free agency?

It's a $16 million question that no one can seem to answer. 

Perhaps this Kaprizov news means nothing when it comes to McDavid. After all, these two superstars might not be looking at what the other is making when it comes to negotiating their respective deals. Both are elite-level talents, and their motivations and situations are different. 

At the same time, that's a lot of money for Kaprizov to turn down, and most would agree that McDavid holds more value on the open market than Kaprizov does. As good as the winger is, McDavid should be paid more. 

Kaprizov Is Looking For "Something" In His Next Deal

The most logical explanation for this Kaprizov shocker is that he a) wants a shorter term or b) wants to play elsewhere. 

Seravalli’s report has been contested by other sources, including Rob Reinhart, who called the story “completely fabricated." Other trusted reporters, like Russo, seem to think there's something to this, and he is about as connected as anyone when it comes to the Wild. He believes this could get nasty if the Wild can't uncover what's motivating Kaprizov. Russo said, "If Kaprizov won’t entertain a contract extension by the Wild, it could be incumbent on Guerin to get a handful of teams Kaprizov would consider a trade to."

Wild GM Bill Guerin said the two sides are still talking and played down the urgency of the negotiations, taking what appears to be a sideways turn. He said later in the day on Wednesday, "I know two things: that info didn’t come from us, and it didn’t come from Kirill’s agent. I don’t know where it came from."

McDavid Is Still Contemplating His Next Move

The potential $16 million mark is notable because it is right in line with what many insiders thought McDavid might be making on his next contract.  The Oilers' captain is currently taking his time to go through his process, figure out what he wants to do with an extension, and then he'll sign, if and when he's ready to. 

Is Connor McDavid Prepared To Shake Up The Entire NHL?Connor McDavid’s pending contract with the Edmonton Oilers is more than just a story about one player's tough decision and how it will affect him and his family. This is potentially a story about the dominoes that fall after McDavid makes his extension preference clear.

Like the Wild, the Oilers say they aren't panicking. They're being patient and believe it's less about money for McDavid. He wants to win, and it sounds like he's willing to take less to do so, assuming he feels confident the Oilers will be good beyond this season and for many seasons after that.

McDavid knows that to build a contender, he's going to need to leave a little on the table. Some thought he might take less than $16 million to ensure the Oilers could add other pieces. 

One has to wonder if this Kaprizov news will make McDavid wonder if $16 million is too big a discount. 

Meanwhile, other big-name unrestricted free agents across the league are waiting and watching McDavid’s negotiations closely before making long-term commitments.

How Will This Impact the NHL's Top Tier Salaries?

Even without waiting to see McDavid’s final contract, Kaprizov seems prepared to push Minnesota to the limits to maximize his earning potential. If he refuses to sign, the team could be forced to explore trade options to avoid losing their star for nothing.

“Is This Real?” Insider Says McDavid’s Comments Has NHL on Alert

Frankly, if Kaprizov doesn't think $16 million is enough, the Wild have a choice to make. And, if they budge and pay him more than that, what is the domino effect across the league?

If the NHL salary cap rises to $120 million within a few years, Kaprizov could theoretically command upwards of $20 - $24 million per season, making any $16 million deal today appear comparatively modest. Is this the kind of thing that is also running through McDavid's mind? 

Is this what players like Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, and others are thinking?

Once Kaprizov or McDavid sets the market, it becomes the marker for agents and players to start negotiating. 

And, if for some reason McDavid winds up going to market, teams that just heard Kaprizov turned down $128 million now know they'll need to pony up and make a ton of cap space available for a player who is better and should be paid more in McDavid. 

People thought $16 might be the high mark. That appears to no longer be the case. 

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A pair of depth players have departed the Detroit Red Wings organization in as many days to seek other opportunities. 

Just as 2020 Draft selection forward Cross Hanas (55th overall, 2nd round, 24th pick) signed a professional tryout agreement with the Dallas Stars, defenseman Brogan Rafferty (undrafted, signed as a UFA in July 2023) has also departed.

The West Dundee, Illinois native has taken his career overseas and signed a two-year contract with the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League.

Växjö Lakers förstärker backsidan – vi hälsar den amerikanske rightbacken, Brogan Rafferty varmt välkommen till klubben. Backen som kommer att spela i tröjnummer 11 har skrivit på ett tvåårskontrakt och ansluter till laget under kommande vecka ✍️ https://t.co/wbtsHhOKiK

— Växjö Lakers (@VLHlive) September 6, 2025

He was highly regarded by the club as evidenced by comments made by Vaxjo general manager Henrik Evertsson, saying that the team had coveted him for some time. 

“Brogan is a defender we have had our eye on for a few years,” he said. “With his exceptionally good passing game, he fits really well into our style of play."

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Rafferty was never drafted into the NHL, and instead officially entered the League when he was signed by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019 to a one-year entry level contract.

He had previously played for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, and was also extended a pair of invitations by the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers as a Training Camp invitee, though he ultimately fell short of claiming a roster spot with both clubs. 

Following a stint with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, Rafferty signed with the Red Wings as a free agent with a two-year, two-way contract in July 2023. 

He spent the majority of his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins, scoring 13 goals with 16 assists in 62 games in his first campaign with the organization, followed by six goals and 13 assists in 52 games played last season. 

Sergei Fedorov’s Mentorship Helps Boost Former Red Wing Daniel SprongThe tenure of former Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong was relatively short, lasting only a single season. He played a role in Detroit's offensive attack by scoring 18 goals in 76 games, the second-highest total of his career in a single season. 

While he was called up to the Red Wings at various points during his tenure, he ultimately never saw the ice in regular season play in a Detroit uniform. 

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The belief is that Sam Rinzel will be on the roster for the Chicago Blackhawks come opening night of the 2025-26 season. He only played nine games to end last season after his year with the University of Minnesota ended, but he immediately looked like he belonged in the NHL. 

He could produce offense, eat minutes, and properly position himself so that he would defend at a high level. The tools are there for him to be a top-pair defenseman. 

On Wednesday, the Blackhawks held their first prospect practice as they prepare for the 2025-26 Tom Kurvers Prospect Challenge. Rinzel, of course, made the roster and will participate in the event. 

After the first practice, a very physical one at that, was complete, Rinzel was one of the players to speak to the media. He was adamant that he wasn't a lock to made the team. 

"I gotta earn it, just like everyone else," Rinzel said when talking about making the team. That is the attitude to have when you've only played a short amount of games, despite playing well in them. If he gives the effort needed to make the team, he will. 

He talked about the things that he's been working on, including improving his shot, getting bigger and stronger, and being harder to play against in his own end. 

"I think being able to just change the angle," Rinzel said on improving his shot. "Being able to find little holes at the point." 

If Rinzel can become a goal-scoring defenseman by improving his shot, that will make him even more valuable to his team. His first goal in 2025-26 will be his first career NHL goal. 

As far as getting bigger and stronger, Rinzel said he played at 180 pounds last season and is up to 195 right now. He claims that drinking shakes helped him gain that weight. "It's always easier to drink the calories."

When the Blackhawks drafted Rinzel in the first round back in 2022, Kyle Davidson believed that he had the tools to become a great NHL player. Now, he's seeing the reward of taking that chance. 

Look for Rinzel to be one of the key Blackhawks players during this event, while giving him a really good chance to make the NHL team out of camp. 

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