Goaltending around the NHL can be one of the most volatile positions with the largest array of results. Teams have won Stanley Cups with average (and sometimes worse) goaltending while some goalies have stood on their heads and played lights out only to be knocked out due to other factors. It’s not to say that you don’t want a strong performer at the position, but rather at least competence. The New Jersey Devils plan this season seems to be at least somewhat linked to that concept.

For Devils fans, goaltending remains one of the most important conversations surrounding the team. The position has been a carousel ever since Cory Schneider’s prime ended due to injuries and GM Sunny Mehta has already made his mark on the team in the offseason by augmenting most parts of the Devils’ lineup, including to some extent, in net. The starting goaltender has changed, with Mehta shipping Jacob Markstrom out to Florida where he’s already doing Markstrom things. In his place is…well, about that…

The Main Tandem

The good news for the Devils is that Jake Allen is back after another strong season as the backup. While Allen had some stinkers of games, he did post a .904 save percentage and a 2.74 goals against average in 37 games, which was far superior to what Markstrom posted in his 44 games. While only 17 of those appearances were wins, some of the blame for the 20 losses is shared by the team and their overall performance. The goals against and save percentage and basically in line with his career averages, so while I’m sure Allen, the team and the fans all would have preferred some better results, at least statistically speaking Jake held up his end of the deal for the Devils in 2025-26.

The difference for Jake right now for 2026-27 is simply the fact that for the time being at least, he’s penciled in as the team’s starter. Again, going off of stats, that’s already an improvement from what Markstrom gave the team last season as the starter. The concern here has to be that at this later stage of his career, the larger Allen’s workload is, the more he seems to struggle, and that could result in him posting some Markstrom-esque stats. Hopefully with the other improvements the Devils have made and with a healthy team to start the season, it will be enough to help Jake shoulder an expected increase in his workload.

As per the backup, things could still change based on how the preseason shakes out, but most likely Nico Daws will finally be getting promoted to a full time NHL role. Mehta has said in interviews that while Daws seemingly didn’t have a path to the NHL level before to prove whether or not he has developed to the point of belonging here, but now he is being given that chance. Daws has looked good in flashes and small samples, but he has also struggled at the AHL level, although much like Allen’s situation from last season, some of that blame belongs to the team around him as well.

While Sunny seems to believe in Daws, right now there seem to be more question marks around him than answers. He has limited NHL action so far in his career, and hasn’t really stablished himself to make himself seem like a sure thing, even just as a backup. His first preseason game against players who are likely to start the year on the Hartford Wolf Pack also did not inspire much confidence. It’s a good thing for the Devils to be giving Daws a chance to sink or swim (pun somewhat intended?), but if he falters, the team may need to turn to the depth that they brought in over the summer.

The Rest of the Depth Chart

Another change from last year is that the Devils are projected to have some veteran depth in Utica this season. They added David Rittich on a one year deal this summer, and while in initially seemed as though the Devils might run a three goalie rotation (and arguably they still could) it’s looking more likely that he starts the season in Utica. Rittich has been hot and cold in terms of his play throughout his career, but he does bring competence as he posted better stats than Markstrom in 30 games with the Islanders last season. Considering that he’s here to be depth and costs 1/6 of what Markstrom would have made, this is a good deal from Mehta to have in case of struggles/injuries to either of the two tenders ahead of him on the depth chart. He performed well in his first preseason start to boot, so having him in the fold bodes well for New Jersey.

As per the younger side of goaltending in the minors, not much has changed. Jakub Malek ascends to the position of Jake #2 with Allen’s promotion to Jake #1, and will probably shoulder most of Utica’s goaltending load as the Devils/Comets continue to evaluate if the youngster has a future within the organization. His first season on North American ice wasn’t much to write home about, so it will be interesting to see what progression, if any, he makes during this upcoming campaign.

The Devils chose not to qualify Tyler Brennan after last season ended and also did not sign any of the four other goalies who they drafted that are currently unsigned, so as of right now, as far as goalies for the Devils go (and not just players on AHL deals) that’s the depth chart. If either Rittich or Daws are waived and get claimed at some point during the season (unlikely, but you never know) the Devils’ depth looks very thin in terms of guys who could make NHL appearances.

Final Thoughts and Your Take

Health and no untimely waiver claims will have to be on the radar, but this season needs to be about someone in net stepping up and establishing themself as the guy who can give the Devils a chance to win on a nightly basis. Whether Allen finds his consistency, Daws steps up and proves he belongs, or Rittich finds some magic and steals the job, Devils fans should not care; I know I don’t. I want someone to seize the reins and help to lead this team to success. I’m also hopeful that the change in goaltending coach might finally lead to someone actually improving instead of stagnating/worsening. With only two preseason games left to go before the points start to count, we will be finding out soon if all the pieces in net can come together.

What are your thoughts on the New Jersey Devils goaltenders as the 2026-27 season approaches; are you confident one of them will give the team what it needs? Do you think the change in coaching will have an impact? Is there anyone you’re worried about underperforming? How concerned are you regarding injuries and possible waiver claims? Who’s your pick to be the Devils #1? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!

The Montreal Canadiens now have only two games left in their shortened preseason, and it’s time for Martin St-Louis to take a long, hard look at his chessboard and decide what he wants to do. The players have been on the ice for over a week now, and something has become crystal clear: David Reinbacher is ready to take the next step. It’s a shame for Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj, but they didn’t grab a roster spot when they had the opportunity. Neither could land the final blow and force the coach to anoint them as the sixth defender.

Now, Reinbacher has effectively overtaken them. In the one game he played with Lane Hutson, he looked very good, and Hutson himself spoke about his young partner in glowing terms. In the past, Struble could play alongside Hutson at times, but he was nothing more than a stopgap. Now, with Kaiden Guhle injured, Reinbacher was given an opportunity, and he grabbed it with both hands. He didn’t play a spectacular game, but he played a good, reliable one—the kind of game you want from a defensive defenseman.

Canadiens: The Final Four
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Where does that leave Stuble and Xhekaj? Well, potentially on the outside looking in. Neither of them has ever had as long a leash as Alexandre Carrier. St-Louis trusts Carrier far more than he trusts them, which makes it clear he’ll be the fifth defenseman in Guhle’s absence. The question now becomes: who plays better with Carrier? Struble or Xhekaj? Carrier looks better with Guhle or Hutson; that’s normal, but the Habs will likely put Reinbacher in the best position to succeed, and right now that means playing with Hutson.

Struble and Xhekaj have both struggled so far at camp, and it’s not easy to say which has earned the right to make the opening-night roster. Right now, the answer seems to be: neither. They have one split game left to convince the coach that the spot should be theirs. If things play out as one would expect up front, with the players who have NHL contracts making the roster and the others, including Florian Xhekaj, being sent down, it will give a bit of an advantage to the older Xhekaj, as the Canadiens will need the sandpaper he brings more. If, however, the Habs decide it’s time to send a message to some players and keep the younger Xhekaj in the NHL, it could make it easier for the coach to scratch number 72. Isn’t that ironic, as one Canadian singer once sang?

St-Louis’ pairings in the next split-squad games against the Ottawa Senators will likely tell us a lot. If Hutson is still skating alongside Reinbacher, it will signal that the Habs are ready to let him take a step up. If Carrier is in the lineup with either Struble or Xhekaj, it will mean that guy has the inner lane. If, however, they play together, it will mean St-Louis still doesn’t know which of the two should be in the lineup come September 29. They did do well as a pairing in the first round of the playoffs last season, but at camp? It really hasn’t worked out. Yes, Struble scored a goal, but the younger Xhekaj’s heavy forecheck made it possible; if he doesn’t force Ottawa to turn that puck over, there is no goal.

Whoever wins that sixth spot for opening night won’t be safe for long, though. Guhle will soon be ready to return, and it's clear who will need to come out of the lineup to make way. Will the Canadiens keep eight defensemen around so they don't lose anyone on waivers? Perhaps, or they’ll realize it’s finally time to keep one of Struble and Xhekaj and trade the other.

Both are 25, playing the last year of their contracts, and will be RFA with arbitration rights next offseason, which makes them easy to trade. Whoever acquires them will still have them under control at season's end. It’s hard to know which one would bring the best return on the trade market, but from the rumblings over the last couple of seasons, Xhekaj may be the one who would drum up more interest.

It’s a shame because Xhekaj brings something to the table that few players do, but if St-Louis isn't willing to “unleash” him from time to time, there is no point in hanging on to him instead of turning him into another asset.

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We're now at the halfway mark of preseason, so what do we know about the Edmonton Oilers so far?

Mike Babcock has players Isaac Howard beside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, Ryan Shea beside Evan Bouchard, and Colton Dach at centre. Viljami Marjala looks good, and Devon Levi has an opportunity with Frederik Andersen injured.

Of course, it's also preseason, so maybe everyone should be careful about deciding too much from any of this.

Wasn't it just a few days ago that Mike Babcock said he didn't particularly like Howard's game?

Howard had been having a good camp, played one exhibition game his coach didn't love and then played more than 17 minutes with Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman against Winnipeg. He didn't record a shot, Edmonton only had 18 as a team and there wasn't much offence from anyone.

“It was just a gritty game. There wasn't a ton of chances either way. I think we just stuck with it,” Howard said. “I didn't think there was a ton going on that game. It was just a simple game.”

Howard has talked about becoming a full-time NHL player, wanting the puck more and making his game simpler when he doesn't have it. Hyman has talked about the work Howard has put into the details of his game and everything that comes with playing in the NHL.

Why You Shouldn't Take Preseason Too SeriouslyIsaac Howard played more than 17 minutes for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers#google_vignette">Edmonton Oilers</a> against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night and finished the night with no shots in a 2-1 overtime win.

Halfway through preseason, that's still where the conversation is with Howard.

Colton Dach at centre was surprising, but I guess someone's gotta center Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph. The line was Babcock's favourite in Edmonton's 5-2 win over Winnipeg, scoring an empty-net goal.

“I was hoping for Docker big time today,” Babcock said. “We need him to be a player, and for him to play the way he did in his first exhibition game this year, playing in the middle… I didn't know if I had put him in a bad spot, to be honest with you. But I was so happy with that line.”

Formenton's role hasn't taken very long to establish during camp. He scored on a breakaway in his first preseason game, had another one stopped and drew a penalty after getting behind Winnipeg's defence.

“Pretty good, eh?” Babcock said. “I mean, what a difference maker he's going to be for us. An elite penalty killer, puts pressure on the other team.”

Oilers Bubble Players Impress In Tight Preseason Win Over JetsViljami Marjala’s overtime heroics and standout defensive performances from Atro Leppänen and Damien Carfagna force tough roster decisions as Edmonton’s youth depth shines against the Jets.

Ryan Shea has had himself a good camp too, playing 22:31 beside Bouchard in Edmonton's first preseason game and finishing with a goal and two assists.

Shea played 39 NHL games last season and he probably didn't expect to play beside Bouchard just yet. That said, playing beside Bouchard has given him plenty of minutes during the first half of preseason.

Marjala scored the overtime winner against Winnipeg, and if he doesn't stick around, he's in first call-up territory, but so is Connor Clattenburg.

Clattenburg was called up by Edmonton last season and is comfortable with role he fills on that team. He said during rookie camp that the Oilers are “just looking for the next guy up,” and Edmonton already has injuries before getting through September.

The Mike Babcock Love: Why Are The Oilers "Laying It On So Thick"?Edmonton’s superstars are showering their polarizing new coach with praise, sparking theories that the public display of unity is a calculated smokescreen to avoid a bigger storyline.

Devon Levi is in a unique spot while Andersen is out, stopping 22 of 23 shots against Winnipeg in his first preseason start.

Levi came into camp behind Andersen and Tristan Jarry, but Andersen's injury means he can prove he should stick around over Jarry if he uses this time appropriately. 

At the halfway point of preseason, we know that Howard is in the top nine, Dach is playing centre, and Shea is beside Bouchard. Marjala is producing, Levi is getting starts, and Clattenburg is waiting to get healthy.

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The Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday announced a new wave of roster moves as training camp comes closer and closer to ending. These 4 players were sent to the Rockford IceHogs on loan: 

• Jiri Felcman
• Martin Misiak
• Marek Vanacker
• Dylan Anhorn

These are four players who are all signed to deals that allow them to be at camp without PTOs. Dylan Anhorn is a little bit older at 27, but the other three are young guys who have potential futures in the NHL. 

In the case of Martin Misiak, he continues to get better with every passing year. He was one of Chicago's most impressive players at the Prospect Showcase and is looking to have a big year in Rockford. 

As for Vanacker, he will go down to the IceHogs and could be called up as early as this year. As a former first-round pick in 2024, many believe he can be a difference-maker once he reaches the NHL. 

Brett Seney, who was at camp on a PTO, was released from that and assigned to Rockford. His NHL tenure has come and gone, but he is one of the better leaders across the entire AHL. Seney will play a role in helping the young IceHogs progress in their pro careers. 

Chicago's roster now sits at 32 players. 20 forwards, 9 defensemen, and 3 goalies make up camp going into Thursday's sessions. 

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

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Arshdeep Bains knows what’s at stake this season. He’s shown that and then some in the way he’s presented himself throughout the past couple of weeks. 

The Vancouver Canucks forward has been one of his team’s standouts throughout training camp as well as their first two pre-season matchups. The 25-year-old, who is entering the final season of his two-year deal with the Canucks, has put up a total of three points in two games with Vancouver since their first matchup on Saturday. He’s one of 16 forwards remaining on the Canucks’ roster after their most recent batch of cuts on Wednesday afternoon. 

The reason he’s making such a strong case to fit into Vancouver’s opening-night roster isn’t just because of the points he’s registered, though. Bains has brought a pace and energy level that’s helped set the tone for the Canucks even in non-game situations. 

“Bainsy, coming right into camp, shot out of a cannon, and he was ultra aggressive in a lot of our drills and led the way in terms of how practice is supposed to look,” Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra said after practice on Wednesday. “He carried that over into a couple of games where he did a lot of really good things in terms of his puck battles, his forecheck, and then from there, there were some skill plays that took over, and he was able to contribute on the scoresheet.” 

What’s made both the Canucks and the rest of the NHL’s roster decisions more difficult is the fact that the pre-season has been shortened to four games from the usual six. The impact of this was seen in the fact that Vancouver’s first pre-season game took place mid-training camp, as opposed to it usually occurring near the end. 

For players like Bains, getting off to a strong start was integral in making a good impression early. 

“With the shorter pre-season, you kind of had to come in with your best foot forward and kind of showcase what you’ve got,” Bains said in an interview with The Hockey News. “For me and a couple guys, we’ve done a pretty good job of showing that we’re competing and we care and we want to help this team in the future and try to just push everyone.” 

“He’s done a good job of showing what he’s capable of doing in the time that he’s had on the ice,” Malhotra added. 

Bains has played out the majority of this year’s pre-season with 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes, who, along with Bains, made the Canucks’ opening-night roster last year. The duo clicked early on, with their chemistry dating back to last year’s training camp. 

“We did some pretty good stuff in training camp then, and he really pushed and earned a spot in that opening night roster last year, and you could see that he’s got that willingness and determination to never be satisfied, and that’s exactly what you want to see in a guy like him.” 

The duo were re-united this pre-season, but were very briefly split-up in Tuesday’s pre-season game against the Calgary Flames. After Vancouver’s offence stalled, however, the two were put back on a line together and combined for their team’s lone goal of the game. 

“It’s been a lot of fun playing along his side, and we do have good chemistry. I think he’s super smart. He thinks the game really well, and I’m just trying to read off him and find some spots for him, and it’s kind of been working so far. So it’s been good for both of us.” 

Knowing what would await him once the pre-season started, Bains put himself to work during the off-season. The forward recalled spending six straight hours training one day this summer, though every day spent training was a long one. 

“The training this off-season was pretty intense. I knew what was kind of on the line here coming into the season, and I did a lot, as much as I could. We would train in the gym in the morning, get on the ice, do another ice time, get back in the gym after,” he said. “You’re just in and out around the rink.” 

Bains wasn’t alone in his off-season training, however. The talent pool that returns to Vancouver during the off-season is a large one, featuring the likes of San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard. Summer skates with some of Vancouver’s top hockey players, Bains said, make it “easy” to put one’s head down and train the best they can. 

“When you’re surrounded by the talent in Vancouver, it’s easy just to follow along and push each other, and it’s such a good culture that we have around here in the summer, and it’s really helped me so far.”

The past two years have seen Bains split his playing time between the NHL and the AHL, with the forward playing in a career-high of 28 NHL games in 2025–26. His time with the Canucks organization, however, dates back to the 2022–23 season. 

New Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson has been there since the start of Bains’ time with the organization. He’s been there for Bains through all the up-and-down, the transition to pro hockey, and a variety of other things. 

“I’ve gotten to know him really well, and when I first came into pro hockey in Abbotsford, he was right there with me, and he wasn’t hesitant to help me and show me what I really needed to improve on. It wasn’t easy, and I owe him a lot of props for everything he’s done for me, and I’m so happy for him that he’s getting this opportunity now because he’s one of the hardest working guys, one of the best guys you want to run an organization.” 

This year will be a big one for Bains. There are full-time roster spots up for grabs, and as it stands, it seems like the forward could be in line to grab one. After two years of splitting his time between the NHL and AHL, the forward is utilizing “a fresh mindset” to try and prove that he belongs in the NHL on a full-time level. 

“I’ve had my ups and downs, and I’ve kind of seen it all these last couple years, and it’s been a lot of adversity, but that’s kind of been my story from the start, so I’m coming into this season with a fresh mindset. I know a lot of guys from Abbotsford getting the jobs up here, and they know me pretty well, and they know what I can do, and just coming in here and kind of showcasing that I can make that jump and be a full-timer. So it’s been a lot of fun, honestly. It’s been competitive and super rewarding when you kind of see stuff translating.” 

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, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have 7 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #7. 

Let's take a look.

Deron Quint - 2001-2002 - Drafted by Winnipeg in 1994. 

Quint played 132 games with Columbus in the early days. He scored 14 goals and had 48 points, and he led the Jackets in minutes played per game. 

He left for Europe in 2004 and played in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Russia. He retired in 2017. 

Scott Lachance - 2003-2004 - Drafted by the New York Islanders in 1991. 

He played 138 games in Columbus and had five total points. He never played another NHL game after leaving Columbus and retired in 2007 after playing a season in the AHL. 

Nowadays, He's the Head of U.S. Scouting for the New Jersey Devils. 

John Moore - 2011 - Drafted by Columbus in 2009. 

Moore only played 86 games in Columbus and had 8 points. On April 3, 2013, Moore was included in the Derick Brassard deal with the New York Rangers that brought Marián Gáborík to Columbus. 

He last played for the Anaheim Ducks.

On March 19, 2022, Moore was involved in a trade that sent him to the Anaheim Ducks along with Urho Vaakanainen in exchange for Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks then attempted to trade both Moore and the rest of Ryan Kesler's contract to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov and a conditional second-round pick at the NHL trade deadline on March 21, 2022. However, the deal was disputed due to a no-trade clause in Dadonov's contract. On March 23, the NHL officially cancelled the trade; therefore, Moore remained in the Ducks' organization.  

Jeff Carter - 2012 - Drafted by Philadelphia in 2003. 

Carter played less than one season in Columbus before forcing his way out via trade to the LA Kings. 

On Feb. 23, 2012, the Blue Jackets traded the disgruntled forward to the LA Kings in exchange for Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Jeff Carter was booed by Columbus fans until the day he retired on April 17, 2024.

Jack Johnson - 2012-2018 - Drafted by Carolina in 2005. 

Johnson played 486 games for Columbus after being traded from the LA Kings for Jeff Carter. He scored 36 goals and had 156 points in seven years.

He's bounced around since leaving Columbus, but finally won a Stanley Cup in 2022. He found his way back to Cannon City in the summer of 2024. Unfortunately for Johnson, he only played in 41 games for Columbus last year and had 6 points. 

He and Head Coach Dean Evason didn't see eye to eye, leading to Johnson being scratched for most of the season. Johnson's family even boycotted the family day held ahead of the 2025 Stadium Series Game at Ohio Stadium. 

Gavin Bayreuther - 2021 - Undrafted out of Canaan, New Hampshire.

Bayreuther played 103 games for Columbus and totaled 23 points over three seasons. He also played for the Dallas Stars.

He was made famous in 2021 when he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft. One week later, he signed a two-year deal with Columbus, marking the end of his long tenure with Seattle.

After playing in Switzerland for Lausanne HC two seasons ago, he returned to North America last season to play for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. 

He doesn't have a contract yet for this season, but owns and runs the Bayreuther Hockey Club, which is a development program in Maine for young hockey players. 

Sean Kuraly - 2022-2025 - Drafted by San Jose in 2011. 

The Columbus-area native has played 292 games for Columbus after coming home. He scored 40 goals and totaled 85 points in four seasons, beating his totals for Boston in 270 games. 

After the 24-25 season, Kuraly signed back in Boston, where it all began for him. He played for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets 18U team and spent four years at Miami University in Oxford from 2012 to 2016. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a split-squad affair with the Ottawa Senators, one played at Scotiabank Arena, and the other at Ottawa's Canadian Tire Center.

The Maple Leafs took both games, with a dominant 6-1 victory on home ice and a 4-2 win in the nation's capital. Here are the key takeaways from the evening, heading into the 2026-27 NHL regular season.

1. Dominant Offensive Performance

It's fair to say that it is pre-season, and while the Senators brought out to Scotiabank Arena Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, and others, it wasn't their strongest lineup.

Nonetheless, what was evident was Toronto's pressure in the offensive zone. On several occasions, the Maple Leafs hemmed the Senators in their own zone and moved the puck smoothly.

The shot totals ended up being 36-14 in favor of the Leafs, and the scoreboard correlated with that. 

All areas of the lineup were chipping in, too. John Tavares, Jack Roslovic and Auston Matthews finished with three points, and to round out the top six, Gavin McKenna and William Nylander accumulated a plus-three rating and one assist each. Even Zack MacEwen had an impressive game, getting on the scoresheet as well.

Three Reasons Why Jim Hiller's Maple Leafs Are Completely Different Than Craig Berube'sJim Hiller is changing the way the Toronto Maple Leafs play, drastically. Here are three reasons why Hiller's team is completely different from Craig Berube's over the last two years.

2. Nick Paul Left Early With Injury

Going through training camp, the Maple Leafs were feeling pretty confident with their third line of Easton Cowan, Nick Paul and Colton Sissons. They believe to be capable of taking on some tough assignments and challenging the opposition's top players.

But one-third of that line left the game early in Toronto. Paul only had six shifts and played 4:42 of ice time on Wednesday. His issue remained undisclosed, but head coach Jim Hiller isn't too concerned about the severity of what kept Paul out for the rest of the outing.

"Yeah, we'll know tomorrow," he said after the game. "I don't think it's too serious. I talked to him after, but we'll know a little bit more tomorrow."

3. Matthew Knies 'Wasn't That Dangerous'

With everyone in the top six getting some sort of contribution on Toronto's six goals at Scotiabank Arena, Matthew Knies was left behind with no points to show for it.

His night ended with one shot on goal, an even plus-minus rating, and 17:48 of ice time. He was also held off the scoresheet in the Leafs' first pre-season game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Knies also had just one shot on goal, as well as a minus-two rating with 20:22 of ice time.

Here is Hiller's assessment of Knies' camp so far.

"I thought he was better tonight," the head coach said. "He wasn't that dangerous. I think he only ended up with one shot on goal. Took one to the net. So I think this has been okay. I wouldn't say strongly one way or the other. I think there's more there for sure."

Why The Maple Leafs Placed A Pair Of Defensemen On NHL Waivers And More Roster MovesThe Toronto Maple Leafs have placed two defensemen on NHL waivers on Wednesday. On top of that, several others have been sent down to Toronto Marlies training camp, the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones, and the CHL.

4. Fisticuffs On The Road, Again

Toronto's first pre-season affair in Montreal saw a couple of fights at the Bell Centre, but that was topped on Wednesday at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Four fights broke out in Toronto's win on the road. Landon Sim started fight night off with a scrap with Matthew Andonovski. Brendan Brisson challenged Sammy Blais after Blais laid a heavy hit on Nick Blankenburg, which got him shaken up. Then Brandon Duhaim fought Cameron Crotty 33 seconds into the final frame, and Sim found himself in his second tilt of the night to end the parade of fighting majors, dancing with Nick Cousins.

Behind the spotlight of the fighting in Ottawa, Henrik Rybinski scored his second goal of the pre-season to open the scoring.

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During his team’s run to the Stanley Cup back in 2015-16, then-Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was asked a question about the play of his third line. At the time it consisted of Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin to form the vaunted HBK line.

I don’t remember who asked the question, or what the exact question was, what round it came in, or even the full answer from Sullivan.

All I remember from him was his somewhat sarcastic quip at the beginning of his answer that was simply: “Which line is the third line?”

There was an element of coach-speak to it, but the main point he was trying to get across was that he knew they had three scoring lines that could steamroll over teams, provide offense, and swing a game or series in their favor. He wasn’t in the mood to assign a classification to them, and didn’t see a difference in them. Even if one of them (the HBK line) was clearly third on the team’s depth chart behind the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lines.

He just saw his team as having three scoring lines.

He was right.

It is a mindset teams should go for whether they have that many future Hall of Famers on their team or not. It should be a mindset in terms of construction and playing style.

Most teams seem to be doing it to some degree if they are able to do it.

I bring this up because I can envision a scenario where the potential of a Ben Kindel, Andrei Kuzmenko and Bryan Rust line gets dissected in terms of where certain players are on the depth chart, as well as the potential playing styles that could be asked of them.

There was already plenty of talk last season as to whether or not Kindel should be playing on a third line and what that could mean for his development. The same thing was also applied to Ville Koivunen and whether or not it made sense to have him playing a bottom-six role, when he has more of a top-six skillset and “needs to play top-six minutes.”

There also might be some concern over Rust’s placement on such a line when he’s normally a top-six player, and whether or not Kuzmenko has the defensive approach to play there.

All of that is overthinking it.

Especially when you look at the way most NHL team’s distribute their forward ice-time.

It’s not necessarily a top-six vs. bottom-six approach.

It’s more of a top-nine vs. bottom-three approach.

I went back through every team’s even-strength forward ice-time usage during the 2025-26 season and looked at how it broke down among their top-three forwards (in theory, their first line) and each successive trio that followed. I limited it to forwards that played at least 40 games, and looked only at their even-strength ice-time per game.

This is by no means a perfect look at a team’s line construction.

Line combinations are very fluid and have a tendency to change, players get injured, players miss time, players get promoted and demoted, etc. etc. etc.

But it does give at least a ballpark idea as to how much certain players are playing and how often they are used.

While the top-three forwards typically stood out above the pack for each team, there was only a small difference between them and the second trio of players. There was virtually no difference between the second-and third-groupings.

That means the top-nine forwards were all playing a comparable amount of ice-time.

On average, the top-three forwards played around 15:20 of even-strength ice-time per game. The next trio played, on average, around 13:40 per game, which was only about 90 seconds less than the group above. The third trio played, on average, about 12:40 per game, which was only one minute less than the second trio.

If you assume each shift averages about 35-45 seconds, you’re only talking about a very small handful of shifts per game. Between the second-and third-lines it’s at most two shifts. In some cases it is only one shift.

If you’re playing everybody nearly the same amount, it only makes sense that you’re expecting the same level and style of play from them. And it’s not like the Penguins were ever asking the Kindel line, regardless of who his wingers were, to play any sort of simplified or chip-and-chase style.

They were asking them to play to their strengths and expecting them to push play and outscore their opponents.

It worked. It was successful. And it was a big part of the team’s regular season success.

It wasn’t until you got down to the fourth grouping of forwards, which averaged about 9:30 per game, about three minutes less per game than the third line, where teams started to see a big difference in usage.

That’s where you start getting into a different role and a different style of play due to a drop in skill.

Here’s a look at the full, team-by-team breakdown, sorted in order of most average ice-time by top-three forwards. This is, again, just even-strength ice-time.

Team	Top-3 Avg	Second-3 Avg	Third-3 Avg	Fourth-3 Avg
Edmonton Oilers	17.23	14.21	12.34	10.44
Winnipeg Jets	17.00	13.14	12.04	9.45
Colorado Avalanche	16.46	14.09	12.48	9.25
New Jersey Devils	16.44	14.44	12.45	9.36
Toronto Maple Leafs	16.17	14.16	12.17	10.07
Dallas Stars	16.14	14.00	12.10	9.56
New York Rangers	16.10	15.00	12.44	9.04
Minnesota Wild	16.03	14.07	12.18	10.06
San Jose Sharks	15.52	13.47	11.41	9.36
Chicago Blackhawks	15.46	14.00	13.14	11.10
Los Angeles Kings	15.45	14.54	12.16	10.18
New York Islanders	15.34	13.48	12.17	10.13
Vegas Golden Knights	15.34	14.03	12.50	10.23
Seattle Kraken	15.33	13.39	12.43	11.06
Montreal Canadiens	15.32	12.39	12.17	11.32
Tampa Bay Lightning	15.25	14.01	12.38	11.18
Columbus Blue Jackets	15.23	13.46	12.17	11.11
Pittsburgh Penguins	15.23	13.43	12.18	11.12
Nashville Predators	15.20	13.50	12.14	9.56
Philadelphia Flyers	15.18	13.38	12.19	10.02
Detroit Red Wings	15.17	13.55	12.38	10.19
Boston Bruins	15.11	13.09	12.13	10.30
St. Louis Blues	15.10	13.56	12.49	10.37
Washington Capitals	15.04	13.39	12.36	9.46
Utah Mammoth	15.03	14.03	13.12	10.45
Calgary Flames	14.55	13.51	13.00	9.47
Ottawa Senators	14.49	13.50	12.40	10.56
Vancouver Canucks	14.49	13.45	12.27	11.06
Florida Panthers	14.48	13.54	12.18	9.46
Buffalo Sabres	14.45	13.21	12.43	11.02
Anaheim Ducks	14.42	13.52	12.47	9.45
Carolina Hurricanes	14.24	13.50	12.53	10.39

Every team is different in terms of depth and how many good forward options they actually have, and some teams do need to lean on their top forwards more because they just don’t have enough good forwards to play as often.

Having enough good players matters in this exercise.

This Penguins team, even if it is lacking in prime-age, top-line superstar scorers, does have a lot of playable forwards, and it does have a lot of NHL forward depth.

Most teams were in the 14-16 minute range for their top-three, with a few exceptions and outliers at the top. Those were mostly teams that were extraordinarily top-heavy and had to rely more on their top-forwards. From there, literally every team was in the 13-14-minute range for the next three, and then the 12-13 minute range for the third group.

The fourth-lines, depending on the team’s depth, were in the 9-10 minute range.

So it gets back to my original point here of: Why can’t Ben Kindel or Ville Koivunen or Bryan Rust or Andrei Kuzmenko skate on your third line if they would play nearly as much in a second-line role? Or if they would be asked to play the same way? I don’t think that extra one or two shifts is making or breaking the development of the young players. It’s not limiting their long-term upside or putting a ceiling on them as a “third-line player.”

I also don’t think it’s changing the way you expect Bryan Rust or Andrei Kuzmenko to play.

It shouldn’t be doing any of that.

It is simply the way the roster sets up in this moment.

Where you start getting into major differences between the different groups of forwards and the different expectations offensively, from a big picture standpoint, is the special teams usage.

Who is getting power play time?

Who is getting first power play time vs. second power play time?

Who is getting shorthanded time as opposed to power play time?

That is where you start getting into different point totals, different offensive situations and where players separate themselves from a scoring perspective.

That is where the usage for a player like Kindel can be a little more scrutinized for his development. Is he getting those power play minutes? Is he getting opportunities with the first group? That is where his offensive game and point production can start to take big steps.

Don’t focus on where he sits on the pre-game line chart and whether it’s first line, second line, third line, line 2A or line 2B. If he, Rust and Kuzmenko show they have chemistry and can play together and outplay teams, let them do it. The same thing applies if it’s Nicholas Robertson instead of Kuzmenko. Or if it’s Ville Koivunen or Rutger McGroarty instead of Robertson or Kuzmenko.

If there is anything that is going to give this Penguins team a chance to be competitive this season it’s going to be their forward depth and the fact they do have the ability to roll three potential scoring lines. I don’t know how well any of those lines are going to actually defend, but the offense should be there. They should be leaning into that. I suspect they will. Just as they did a season ago.

After a day off on Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens were back in action, and only two groups remained. Group A included the NHL players (Jacob Fowler is considered an NHL player here) and Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, David Reinbacher, and Adam Engstrom. In contrast, Group B included players destined to play for the Laval Rocket or the Trois-Rivières Lions this season. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they’ve made it, but the youngster must see that as a positive sign.

However, coach Martin St-Louis downplayed the meaning of the four youngsters still being in Group A:

I think it was an opportunity to, you know, get some really good reps at the NHL pace, and I think that’s what we try to accomplish today. How they internalize that, I’m not sure; probably guys took it differently. For them, every day matters, no matter what group you’re in; there’s always an opportunity, and to me, it’s just that.

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Of course, it was put to the coach that the Habs currently have plenty of forwards on NHL contracts, and that could mean there are no surprises out of this camp, but he didn’t necessarily agree:

There are always surprises. Yes, contracts are part of it, but things can change. There are different ways to make room, but it always starts with the individual who must force our hand.

Clearly, it wasn’t the first time the coach said those words at camp because when Florian Xhekaj spoke to the media a few minutes later, he explained:

Yeah, they have a lot of guys here; obviously, I know that, and I mean, I don’t really care, in a sense, because I know I want to make the team, and everyone’s here to make the team. I think it’s like I’ve been saying: show up every day, show my skills, show what I bring and try to force their hand.

- Florian Xhekaj on being part of Group A

The younger Xhekaj certainly has the right attitude, and if some NHLers are too comfortable, he wants to unseat them. The question is, though, will the Habs brass be willing to make the moves to make it possible? That’s the real question. In two games so far, the power forward has certainly shown what he brings to the table and how the Canadiens could benefit from his presence, but the rest is out of his hands. He’s being realistic, though, and reminded members of the media that last year he got to this stage as well. He was still with the team when it went to Quebec City for an exhibition game.

As for those who found themselves in Group B, the coach remembers the days when he was in their shoes:

I definitely remember when they split teams, and I wasn’t on the NHL team, and you know, things can work out. Mentally, you’ve just got to be stronger than your feelings. It’s disappointing, but you've got to keep pushing; things can work out.

As for the fact that GM Kent Hughes said that he wouldn’t start the season with three goaltenders and that Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler and Samuel Montembeault are all in Group A, the coach said:

Monty’s been a pro; he was a pro last year. You know, when he didn’t see the net at the end of the season. Unbelievable teammate. He put a process in place this summer, and it’s been impressive to watch. He hasn’t forgotten how to play goal. Monty’s a really good goalie, and he’s had a strong camp so far.

Those comments lead to one conclusion: unless the Canadiens trade the Becancour native before the season starts, Fowler will likely have to go back to the AHL, even though he belongs in the NHL. According to the schedule provided to the media ahead of camp, there should be a scrimmage on Thursday, and that will be another opportunity for the young players to prove themselves and for the veterans to show why they deserve to keep their spot on the roster.

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The 2025-26 NHL season showed that a coaching change could happen at any time.

The Vegas Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the season and John Tortorella took the team to the Stanley Cup Final. He wasn't brought back after the run as the Golden Knights promoted American Hockey League coach Ryan Craig.

The New York Islanders fired Patrick Roy with four games and brought in Peter DeBoer, who will lead the team this season.

Tortorella, Cassidy (assuming the Golden Knights give permission), Kris Knoblauch and others are among the former coaches who could step in if a change needs to be made.

So which coaches could be on the hot seat this season? USA TODAY looks at four possibilities:

Todd McLellan, Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are still looking for a full-time general manager, and that person will determine McLellan's future. He has only been with the team for one-plus seasons of their 10-year playoff drought, but the Red Wings did fade down the stretch last season.

Sheldon Keefe, New Jersey Devils

New general manager Sunny Mehta kept Keefe on and gave him more scoring depth. As always, the Devils' success depends on Jack Hughes' health. Plus, is the goaltending strong enough? A slow start could spell trouble for Keefe.

Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets

Arniel has a built-in excuse for a slow start because award-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck didn't report to the team amid a trade request. But the Jets, even with Hellebuyck, went from the 2024-25 Presidents' Trophy to out of the 2026 playoffs.

Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators

Like Keefe, he has a new general manager (Chris MacFarland) who upgraded the team. Brunette showed an 18-point improvement in his second season, but he's in the final year of his contract.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's on the NHL coaching hot seat during the 2026-27 season?

With two preseason games left to play, the Philadelphia Flyers have officially reached the halfway point of their 2026 training camp, and after the latest round of roster cuts, we have a pretty good idea of where everyone stands now.

Suffering back-to-back blowout losses to Washington and Boston on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, many of the bubble players did themselves no favors.

Many journeymen have already been shipped off to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms' training camp, and prospects like Ty Murchison and Hunter McDonald simply ran out of runway with the shortened training camp and preseason.

As a result, the Flyers' final roster, at least for opening night, is virtually set, with only the likes of Cole Knuble, Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk, David Jiricek, Helge Grans, Carl Grundstrom, Jacob Gaucher, and Nikita Grebenkin fighting for the last few spots.

With the roster now greatly reduced in size, we can take our first guess at some line combinations, too.

Forwards

Porter Martone - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett

Denver Barkey OR Alex Bump - Christian Dvorak - Matvei Michkov

Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Travis Konecny

Nikita Grebenkin OR Denver Barkey - Sean Couturier - Noel Acciari

Carl Grundstrom - Jett Luchanko - Cole Knuble

Zach Aston-Reese - Jacob Gaucher - Noah Powell

Nolan Foote - Jack Studnicka - Danila Klimovich

Garrett Wilson - Riley Thompson - Devin Kaplan

Rationale

This is more or less what I expect opening night to look like, depending on Denver Barkey (lower-body) and Nikita Grebenkin (upper-body). Carl Grundstrom, with his speed and versatility, is very clearly the 14th forward if the Flyers choose to go 14-7-2 for their roster distribution.

I don't see a fit for Alex Bump in the bottom-six, so it's top-six or bust in my eyes. His shaky camp thus far leaves his grip on a roster spot tenuous at best, though the injury situation currently works in his favor.

Jett Luchanko has had a quietly strong preseason and training camp, and while he will probably never be a high-flying scorer, he has shown capable of supporting more dynamic wingers with his speed and style of play. Mikael Granlund could be an interesting high-end comparison for him. If any of the centers have to miss time, Luchanko will be on the roster.

In the event of injury, expect Cole Knuble to be one of, if not the first man up. The number of wingers the Flyers have makes it a hard cut, but it's to no fault of his own. I've wondered that, if Barkey has to miss time, the Flyers utilize injured reserve to make a roster spot and give Knuble a few games of experience.

Everyone below that fifth line has been mostly unimpressive or shouldn't see an NHL game short of a calamitous rash of injury, though Noah Powell has raised his stock considerably in the last few weeks. If Powell continues to follow this upwards trajectory, he could be an interesting future fourth-liner with a laser of a shot to contribute some offense.

Defense

Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York - Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler - David Jiricek

Simon Benoit - Oliver Bonk

Hunter McDonald - Helge Grans

Ty Murchison - Spencer Gill

Cam Dineen - Andrew Perrott

Rationale

To this point, nobody has stood out enough, good or bad, to win or lose a spot. David Jiricek and Oliver Bonk have both been spotty defensively, but Jiricek has the superior physical tools and talent, and his inability to pass back and forth from the AHL without requiring waivers works in his favor.

Simon Benoit is, for now, the seventh defenseman, though he has not exactly been impressive this preseason at either end of the ice. Hunter McDonald could usurp him by the end of the season, if not earlier, with a strong run of form in the AHL.

Ditto for Ty Murchison, who had a rough turnover in the loss to the Bruins on Tuesday that lead to a goal. For now, the edge goes to McDonald, whose physicality is virtually unmatched, even at the NHL level.

Objectively, Helge Grans is still alive in the fight for a roster spot, though I feel that Spencer Gill has been the strongest performer of all of the bubble defensemen throughout camp.

Losing two years of development to injury has hurt his case, though the 2024 second-round pick has shown capable of holding his own.

In our last depth chart, I mused that the Flyers would have Gill stay the entire season in the AHL to develop, but I no longer think it's outright impossible for him to play an NHL game this season if the circumstances necessitate it.

Game three of the Pittsburgh Penguins preseason slate is scheduled for later this evening as they head west to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be the first of two road preseason games, with the second coming on Saturday in the preseason finale. Most importantly, the countdown to the regular season is now under a week with the Penguins set to take on the Philadelphia Flyers in just six days time. Until then, it’s roster battles galore as the preseason moves along.

Pens Points…

Tonight’s roster in Columbus doesn’t feature any of the big names, but given who will be making the trip, it will make for some interesting position battles to keep an eye on. Sergei Murashov is the only goalie of note chosen for the game so expect him to get all 60 minutes of action. [Pensburgh]

A good chunk of the Penguins opening night lineup is already set, but there are a few spots still on offer with more bodies competing for those spots than are available. Through two preseason games, some players have made a better case than others to grab one of those openings. [Pensburgh]

A handful of players we know will not be making the roster were cut from camp on Wednesday, though none were a surprise. Six players, all defensemen, were sent down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while fellow defenseman and 2026 draft pick Tomas Galvas was loaned back to his Czech club. [Pensburgh]

Another notable cut from the training camp roster was goaltender Taylor Gauthier. The longtime ECHL goalie with the Wheeling Nailers will be placed on waivers and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. [Trib Live]

Kaeden Korczak will be one of the new faces in a Penguins uniform this season after being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights. Still only 25 years old, Korczak is hoping to make an immediate impact with the Penguins and show he was worth taking the risk. [Penguins]

It’s starting to feel like now or never for Rutger McGroarty and he’s very aware the clock is ticking. Coming off a year where he battled injury but had a solid AHL campaign, the young forward is ready to prove he belongs as a full time NHL player. [PPG]

Another situation where you could say it’s now or never for the player is defenseman Owen Pickering. Drafted in the same first round as McGroarty, Pickering knows he has to make a statement and show he can play consistently at the highest level. [Trib Live]

NHL News and Notes…

One of the most controversial moves across the NHL this offseason was the Edmonton Oilers hire of Mike Babcock as the team’s new head coach. When asked his opinion on the matter, Oilers legend Mark Messier was not afraid to mince words on where he stands. [ESPN]

There’s going to be predictions made for every team as the season nears, some plausible and some going out on a limb. Doesn’t matter which team you are, they’re all hoping to make the good predictions come true. [Bleacher Report]

Already at the halfway point of the 2026 compressed NHL Preseason, the Anaheim Ducks hosted their rival Los Angeles Kings for their second game of the exhibition season on Wednesday night at Honda Center. 

The Ducks iced an NHL-heavy lineup in their exhibition opener against the San Jose Sharks (who did not) on Sunday, but their roster in this game was far more of a mixed bag and far more equal to that of their opponent. 

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Heading into the game, the player to watch may have been young Jayden Kurtz (18), who was three months removed from his draft and was tasked with first-pair deployment in his first outing on an NHL ice sheet, paired alongside Pavel Mintyukov to start.

Here’s how the Ducks lined up for this game:

Vatrano-Poehling-Sidorov

Mallot-Washe-Colangelo

Pitre-Procyszyn-Caulfield

Nesterenko-Gaucher-Traff

Mintyukov-Kurtz

Mitchell-Luneau

Smith-Warren

Lukas Dostal got the nod in the Anaheim crease for this game and stopped 17 of the 19 shots he faced. He was opposed by Anton Forsberg, who saved 24 of 25. 

Game Notes

This game was a somewhat sloppy affair, as has become custom for preseason tilts with rosters such as these. Combined, the two clubs went 0 for 11 on the power play. Lack of finishing touch was apparent from Anaheim’s group, as on the handful of occasions they were able to generate quality looks, Forsberg made a key save on the doorstep. 

Tristan Luneau: From the Ducks’ perspective, this game was “The Tristan Luneau Show.” He led the team in even-strength TOI (18:57), over three minutes more than Pavel Mintyukov (15:03). He also led the team in power play TOI (5:51) and shorthanded TOI (3:20). 

He displayed every aspect of what can potentially make him a special player at the NHL level. His puck retrievals are now refined, he’s dictating pace when the puck is on his stick, manipulating defenders at the blueline and deep into the offensive zone, and on the defensive side of the puck, his gaps were precise, and his physicality was apparent in the small areas. 

Jayden Kurtz: After a pedestrian rookie camp and tournament, Kurtz made his NHL preseason debut and didn’t seem out of place. His instincts are present, as he has sophisticated weight on his first passes out of the zone, displays an effective gap against the rush, and gets his stick in lanes with consistency. 

He’s still a raw prospect, but this game showed the first flashes of what he can become at the highest level with a few more years of development under his belt. 

Cycle Offense: It’s too early to read into system or style tweaks, but an encouraging sign from this game came from extended cycle sequences when forwards like Frank Vatrano, Nikita Nesternko, Yegor Sidorov, etc. released higher in the offensive zone with possession, opening up new lanes and forcing defensemen to activate, ultimately creating disruption within the Kings’ defensive structure. 

Noah Warren: In his development, Warren has come leaps and bounds in terms of his stride and four-way mobility. He’s now a confident, effective, polished defender in every facet (rush, gap, coverage, angles, etc.). However, to have a true impact at the NHL level if/when he gets a shot with the Ducks, his puck skills and decision making under duress will need to reach a certain floor. He had shots and passes disrupted in precarious situations on multiple occasions in this game, and a simplification of his execution may be in order. 

The Ducks will be right back at it for Game 3 of their four-game preseason on Thursday evening, when they’ll head north to take on the San Jose Sharks. 

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The Senators hoped the stronger half of their split squad would take care of business at home Wednesday night.

Instead, a Toronto Maple Leafs lineup made up largely of players fighting for jobs came into Canadian Tire Centre and handed them a 4–2 loss.

It completed a sweep of the night for Toronto. Across town at Scotiabank Arena, the Leafs dressed most of their stars and beat Ottawa’s other group, 6–1.

The home game was much closer, but Ryan Tverberg broke a 2–2 tie with less than five minutes remaining, and Teddy Blueger added an empty-net goal.

After a scoreless first, Henrik Rybinski opened the scoring on the power play at 3:51 of the second, putting home a rebound at the side of the net. The goal was initially waved off because the puck seemed to go off the crossbar and straight out. But the replay clearly showed the puck entering the net.

Dylan Cozens answered less than three minutes later. He took the puck off Leafs defenceman Blake Smith and beat Anthony Stolarz with a wrist shot to tie the game.

Toronto went back in front midway through the third when Steven Lorentz redirected a Marshall Rifai shot past Linus Ullmark.

Ottawa replied just 41 seconds later, courtesy of Hoyt Stanley. The young defenceman gathered a loose puck, patiently pulled it to his backhand and beat Stolarz to make it 2–2.

Stanley was the Sens top pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, which isn't quite as impressive as it sounds. He was a fourth-round pick because the Sens had traded away their first three picks. But that slick goal won't hurt Stanley's stock with Senators’ evaluators.

Tverberg settled things at 15:43 of the third, beating Ullmark with a snap shot from the left faceoff circle. Blueger added some insurance, scoring into the empty net with eight seconds remaining. Ullmark finished with 20 saves for Ottawa, while Stolarz made 19 for Toronto.

The Senators will get one more split-squad night Saturday, when they face the Montreal Canadiens in simultaneous games in Ottawa and Montreal. Both start at 7 p.m. That will be the club's preseason finale. The regular season begins Oct. 3.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

It was a rough night for an undermanned Senators squad in Toronto on Wednesday night.

With the Maple Leafs dressing all their top players, they didn't have much trouble with the Senators, defeating them 6-1 at Scotiabank Arena. John Tavares, Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic all had three points for Toronto, while Tim Stützle had the only marker for the Senators

Stützle gave the Senators an early lead at 6:35 of the first period. Carrying the puck down the left wing, he cut across the crease and tucked a slick backhand past Sergei Bobrovsky. Andre Burakovsky and Christian Kyrou picked up the assists.

The lead lasted just 70 seconds. Jake McCabe tied the game before John Tavares put Toronto ahead to stay late in the first on a two-on-one with William Nylander. Jack Roslovic added a power-play goal in the second before former Senator Zack MacEwen and defenseman Morgan Rielly stretched the lead to 5-1.

Auston Matthews completed the scoring in the third, ripping one off the post and ending Leevi Meriläinen's night.

Meriläinen, who didn't have an NHL-caliber defence in front of him, was under siege all night, allowing all six goals before Jackson Parsons replaced him in the third.

The Senators went 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Leafs went 1-for-3.

The Sens had chances to make the score more respectable. Bobrovsky robbed Stützle on a one-timer from close range. Kasper Halttunen struck iron twice on the same shift.

The Senators did have Stützle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, Michael Amadio, Burakovsky and Tyler Kleven in the lineup, but most of the rest of their roster was made up of players fighting for NHL jobs.

Carter Yakemchuk got the toughest assignment of the group. The Sens effectively threw him into the deep end to see if he would sink or swim. Yakemchuk led the Sens with 25:29 of ice time against a skilled Toronto lineup and had a difficult night. It was a reminder that the role he played Wednesday is a big step up from the limited, well-insulated minutes he saw during his brief NHL looks last season.

It was a rough night in both cities for the Senators. Their more experienced group also lost at home, falling 4-2 to Toronto’s other split squad, which featured a heavy load of AHL players.

The Sens will close their preseason Saturday night with two simultaneous games against Montreal, one at home and one on the road.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News