We've gone through numerous names in each of our first two looks back at some of the legendary names to have donned the Winged Wheel in their careers that actually got their starts in the NHL with a different club. 

Names like Brendan Shanahan, Brett Hull, Dominik Hasek, and Igor Larionov will always be special to Red Wings fans, especially for their key contributions to numerous Stanley Cup victories. 

Even so, there remain several more names that continue to hold special places in the hearts of Red Wings fans.

Mickey Redmond

He's one of the best known former Red Wings players to a multitude of generations, many of which watched his career with the Red Wings and many more who know him from his work as a longtime television color commentator. 

Redmond began his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, where he won the Stanley Cup twice before a fateful trade to the Red Wings in the 1970-71 season in exchange for Frank Mahovlich.

While Redmond didn't win the Stanley Cup as a player with the Red Wings, he was still one of their most impactful players for several years. 

He also made franchise history by becoming the first Red Wings player to reach 50 goals scored in a single season. He was forced to retire at just 28 years old in 1976 owing to a back injury. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Chris Chelios

One of the longest-tenured players in NHL history, Chelios began his career with the Canadiens and also won the Stanley Cup with them in 1986 before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, his hometown team.

Chelios became known as one of the best defensemen in the NHL during his many years with the Blackhawks, and was even named their team captain.

But with the Blackhawks well outside of the playoff picture approaching the 1999 NHL Trade Deadline, Chelios was traded to the club he once infamously boasted that he'd never play for - the Red Wings. 

Chelios would eventually become a fan favorite in Detroit and would play the next 10 years of his career with the team, helping them to a pair of Stanley Cup wins in 2002 and 2008.

He would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Brian Rafalski 

The Red Wings had a considerable hole on their blue line after the departure of Mathieu Scheider in free agency in the 2007 offseason, and they would fill it with arguably one of the best free agent signings in recent team history. 

Brian Rafalski, a metro-Detroit native, was obtained by GM Ken Holland and signed to a multi-year contract. He formed an instant connection with defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, with whom he was often paired, and helped the Red Wings advance to the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive seasons, winning in 2008.

Rafalski had already won the Stanley Cup twice in his career as a member of the New Jersey Devils in 2000 and 2003; he was signed by New Jersey as an un-drafted free agent ahead of the 1999-2000 NHL season. 

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We're two weeks into what is officially the start of the new NHL season and we've seen quite a bit of movement on the player front.

The Carolina Hurricanes, for one, have added quite a bit, with two big additions in Nikolaj Ehlers and K'Andre Miller.

But as is always the case, to make room for new players, old/former players have to find new homes too, so here's a look at where all the former Canes who played at least one game for Carolina have ended up this season.

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Brent Burns - COL
40, RHD

After three season in Carolina, the veteran blueliner is taking his talents to Denver, signing a one-year, $1 million deal with the Colorado Avalanche.

The beloved veteran will take on more of a depth role with the Avs and if he can stay healthy, I think he can make a play for the league's number one ironman the season after too.

Dmitry Orlov - SJS
33, LHD

The Russian blueliner is making his first foray into the Western Conference, signing a two-year deal with the San Jose Sharks after spending his entire career out East.

Taking a slight discount from his last deal, Orlov didn't sound too excited about his time in Carolina in his first San Jose media availability.

Riley Stillman - EDM
27, LHD

The Hurricanes' seventh defenseman will be looking for more opportunity up north, as he signed a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.

The son of former Hurricane Cory Stillman, Riley has already been with quite a few different organizations.

Spencer Martin - CSKA (KHL)
30, G

The journeyman goaltender is heading overseas for the first time in his career and will be playing in Russia. Martin signed a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow.

He couldn't quite capture the same magic he found when he first arrived in Raleigh, but had solid AHL numbers. Regardless, it's a new challenge for a standup guy.

Yaniv Perets - LVP (AHL)
25, G

Things didn't go very smoothly for Perets in Carolina, as despite actually winding up playing in two NHL games, he mostly played in the ECHL over the last two seasons.

He signed an AHL deal with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, affiliates of the Philadelphia Flyers, and hopefully he'll be able to find a bit more opportunity for himself.

Ty Smith - Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
25, LHD

The Hurricanes acquired Smith as part of the Jake Guentzel deal two seasons ago and gave him a bit of a chance to see what he had this season.

He had some pretty good AHL numbers and got the chance to practice with the main club for a good chunk of the year, even getting into a few games along with some power play time.

Despite that, it seems like the young blueliner will be heading overseas to play in Russia as per rumors.

Jack Roslovic - Unsigned
28, RW/C

The versatile forward joined Carolina on a one-year deal last year and managed to break the 20-goal mark and put up 39 points.

Despite that, he found himself relegated to the fourth line for most of the season (most of his goals came before December) and was even a healthy scratch for most of the postseason.

Roslovic finds himself in a weird spot because of that, but I'm sure someone will take a gamble on him. Just a bit weird that it's taken this long for him to choose a suitor.

Dustin Tokarksi - Unsigned
35, G

Tokarski wasn't sure if he'd even ever play professional hockey in North America again this time last year, but a goalie crunch in Carolina earned the veteran a tryout in the American League and he parlayed that into a few more games back in the NHL.

I'm not sure if the veteran will be so lucky again, but props to him on even getting the shot that he did last season.

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Recent Stories

• 'I'm Very Excited About The Team In Carolina': Nikolaj Ehlers On Signing In Carolina
• Hurricanes Target Positional Depth In Opening Days of Free Agency
• Top Pairing Defenseman and Beloved Teammate Brent Burns Finds New Home In Colorado
• Carolina Takes Big Swing On Talented New York Blueliner
• 'Our Goal Is To Keep Getting Better And Raising The Bar': Eric Tulsky On Opening Day Of Free Agency
• 'The Last Two Years, It Wasn't Easy For Me Mentally': Dmitry Orlov Voices Potential Displeasures With Carolina After Signing In San Jose
• Hurricanes Sign Another RFA, Only 3 Remain Unsigned

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Award-winning TV writer and Boston Bruins fan Dave Flebotte passed away July 8 at age 65. The Boston native’s professional writing career saw him write and produce for popular shows including The Sopranos, Will & Grace, Boardwalk Empire and The Bernie Mac Show. 

But for this writer, Flebotte was a close friend and a passionate hockey fan. Flebotte was forever a supporter of his beloved Bruins, and he counted himself fortunate to see the B’s win three Stanley Cups. 

Flebotte was particularly proud that he got to write for The Hockey News.

In this exclusive column from The Hockey News’ special-edition 2009 book, Puck Funnies: Hockey Humor, Hilarity & Hi-Jinx, Flebotte’s talent at writing hilarious pieces was on full display. He was thrilled to write for THN, and THN was just as thrilled to have him as a contributor. He was also a lifelong subscriber, putting his money where his mouth was. He’s going to be missed.

On behalf of The Hockey News, our sincere condolences go out to Flebotte’s wife, Sandra, and his children, Zach and Emma.

#RIP Dave Flebotte, 65. The admired TV writer (‘Ellen,’ ‘Sherri,’ ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Boardwalk Empire,’ ‘The PJs,’ ‘Tulsa King’) died in Montana after a long battle with cystic fibrosis, his wife tells @THR. Had a double lung transplant 28 years ago. https://t.co/KtkSwQ2otv

— Mike Barnes (@MikeBarnes4) July 9, 2025

Please enjoy Flebotte’s column, which was deservedly Chapter 1 in the Puck Funnies book.

Dinner Is Bruin-ed

By Dave Flebotte

I love the Boston Bruins.

Since May 10, 1970, I’ve been an avid fan. It was Mother’s Day that day, and being Sicilian, my family’s gift to my mom was to let her prepare an enormous Italian meal and then let her clean up afterwards. I was in fifth grade and remember a jar of Ponds Cold Cream the size of her head being offered as a way of saying, “Thanks, Mom, for another great year of cooking, cleaning and quiet desperation.”

Aside from the stuffed artichokes, the thing that stands out about that day was the Bruins winning their first Stanley Cup in 29 years.

I watched it on a little black-and-white we kept in the kitchen to keep dinner conversation to a minimum. An uncle was watching it alone. Overtime had just started. Then an Orr-to-Sanderson, back-to-Orr later, it was over. All that was left was for the late Ray Lussier to capture Orr in mid-flight and my Uncle Charlie to scream the F-word at the top of his lungs. (In my house, the F-word was used as an expression of exultation, disdain and at times, affection.)

From that moment on, I was hooked. I bought my first copy of The Hockey News in ’72. Dale Tallon was on the cover and rumored to be coming to Boston. I never knew the publication existed. I borrowed fifty cents from my brother and ran back to the convenience store, where the clerk held it for me because even though there were three of them, I was sure they would fly off the shelf as soon as someone discovered, as I had, their existence. I took it back home, went up to my room and swallowed it whole.

It was a great time to be a Bruins fan. Two Cups in the first three years of my coming aboard. From Orr, Esposito, Cheevers, O’Reilly, to later, Bourque, Neely, Oates, Lemelin; all the way up to now with Savard, Chara, Lucic and Thomas. Only alcohol has been as good a friend to me as the Boston Bruins.

So when my pal, Adam Proteau, asked me if I’d be interested in writing an article for The Hockey News, it wasn’t a matter of if, but what part of Bruins history I’d write about.

My first draft, the words “The Canadiens suck,” written until I reached 1,000 words, was rejected. Though it did point to one of the greatest rivalries in professional sports, Adam found it a little too one-dimensional. So I started to think about who were some of my favorite players and what moments really stood out in the 39 years I’ve been following the team.

What I realized was, it wasn’t just the stars who came to mind, but mostly it was the scrubs. The Bobby Schmautzes, Bruce Shoebottoms, and Greg Hawgoods that made up some of my favorite memories. 

So I decided on this: “Five Bruins I Love, But Who You Might Not Give A Rat’s Ass About.” You never asked for it, but here it is:

5. Bill Bennett. Who? In 1979, Bill Bennett played only seven games for the Boston Bruins. He had a goal and four assists, and that was that. Gone.

Why is he a Bruin I love? Because Bill wore No. 7 after ‘Espo’ was traded. I love that he had the balls to put it on, and I’m thankful that he wasn’t good enough to stick with the club and keep it. Had he found his way onto a fourth line and hung around, Ray Bourque may not have gotten the number.

Then, when the Bruins retired Esposito’s number, we’d have lost one of the greatest moments in Bruins history: Ray peeling off the No. 7 jersey and handing it to Phil while wearing his new number, 77, underneath.

How anticlimactic would that have been to watch Bill Bennett pull off his jersey to reveal the now-revered double-seven?  An angry Phil would’ve probably had Ken Hodge rip the jersey off Bennett’s back before he had a chance to give it to him.

4. P.J. Stock. When I’m feeling down or a wee bit blue – maybe my script just got thrown out, or my son asked me for an A-Rod T-shirt – nothing picks me up like going on YouTube and watching P.J. Stock go toe-to-toe with Stephen Peat of the Washington Capitals. 

Having won only one fight out of fifteen myself (that’s right Jeffrey Morgan, I’m talking about you, b----), I find something cathartic in watching five-foot-nothin’ P.J. Stock throw haymakers to the heads of behemoths without the use of a foot stool. Half Rock-em sock-em robot, half energizer bunny, he’d finish every fight with a little wave to the Garden faithful that said, “This ass-kicking’s for you.”

3. Normand Leveille. No. 19’s career was cut short due to a cerebral hemorrhage in ’83, just 75 games into his tenure as a Boston Bruin.

His arrival was just after Don Cherry’s Lunch Pail Gang had ruled the roost in Boston from the mid-to-late seventies. Hard-nosed, gritty players were their calling card. No real superstars, just good old plain folk who skated their wing, punched you in the face and out-hustled everyone else,

Leveille was something new to Boston when he came aboard in ’81. Something we’d only seen in a Canadiens jersey. Our very own “Flying Frenchman!” He would zip into corners of the old Garden with someone in hot pursuit, then suddenly stop short, throwing his shoulder backwards into their chest and them onto their asses.

Add to that he had a real knack for the net, like a physical Yvan Cournoyer. His loss was definitely the greatest tragedy to hit the B’s ever (apologies to superstar Bruins goaltending prospect Ian Young and the eye injury that ended his career before his first pro game). Way too short a time in a B's sweater, but really sweet.

2. Wayne Cashman. ‘Captain Cash’ patrolled the left wing with Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge from the late 1960s until their departure in ’75. His sweater doesn’t hang from the Garden rafters, and he’s never been brought up as a Hall of Fame possibility, but still is one of the all-time great Bruins.

Cashman exemplified what it meant to be a Big Bad Bruin in the ’70s: fearless, a ton of heart and the ability to put the puck in the net. He wasn’t one of those dimestore Flyers who would amass 300-plus minutes but couldn’t hit the side of Kate Smith. He owned  the corners. He was a lot like O’Reilly (too obvious a choice), but where Terry skated with all the elegance of a drunk driver taking out a row of mailboxes, Cash was smooth.

My favorite Cashman moment: during a nationally televised afternoon game against the Flyers at the Spectrum, he goes out of his way on his first shift to fly across the ice and nail Dave Schultz, then just glares at him. Message sent.

1. Ron Grahame. Grahame was a goalie for the Bruins in the ’77-78 season. That was the year the Bruins used three goalies full-time. (Gilles Gilbert and Cheevers were the other two.)

The previous off-season, Grahame was signed as a free-agent defector from the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. His first and only year with the Bruins was solid – but that’s not why he’s No. 1 on my list.

He earned it because that summer Harry Sinden sent him to the L.A. Kings – where acting GM George Maguire was accepting the Baz Bastien Trophy as Worst GM Of All-Time – for the right to draft Ray Bourque.

The rest is Bruins history. Ray played 20-1/2 seasons for the B's before finally bringing the Cup home to Boston. Albeit, in a Colorado Avalanche jersey.

Still, it’s hard to stay mad at Harry after that one.

The Buffalo Sabres ended speculation -- at least, for now -- of star defenseman Bowen Byram's future, signing him Monday to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $6.25-million. But while Byram's status with the Sabres has to be a welcome relief for some Sabres fans who wanted himto stay in Western New York, we have to ask once again -- are the moves we've seen from Buffalo this off-season really all there's going to be in terms of changes to the Sabres' lineup?

Yes, the Sabres acquired young winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for talented winger J.J. Peterka, and depth winger Justin Danforth and goalie Alex Lyon were signed in free agency. But is that going to move the needle enough in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division? We have serious doubts about that.

It's true Buffalo's defense corps is now deeper than it was last season, even after trading rugged blueliner Connor Clifton to the Pittsburgh Penguins late last month. But are the Sabres going to defend their way to enough victories to lock up a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference? That may be how Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams sees it, but we're not nearly so sure that's a realistic expectation.

In fairness, the Sabres had the 10th-best offense in the NHL this past season, averaging 3.23 goals-for per-game. But that was with Peterka putting up 27 goals and 68 points. Even if Doan plays well, we don't see the Sabres easily replacing the offense Peterka produced. The Sabres also had the ninth-worst power play in the league last year, and that was with Peterka contributing 18 points with the extra man.

Meanwhile, the Sabres avoided being hamstrung by the injury bug last season. Indeed, out of their top-11 point-producers, all 11 played at least 73 games. What if that changes this coming year? Are Sabres fans supposed to believe there's enough depth in the system to deal with a severe injury or two to key Buffalo players? Again, we have our doubts.

THN Exclusive: Sabres 2025 Future Watch BreakdownThe Buffalo Sabres are a team that's still a ways off from being a true Stanley Cup playoff frontrunner. However, in The Hockey News' 2025 Future Watch edition, writer Bill Hoppe broke down the talent that's in the Sabres' system. Below, you'll find our ranking of Buffalo's top-10 young prospects:

Finally, even after Byram's new contract, the Sabres have approximately $7.39-million in salary cap space. Some of that will have to go to RFA defenseman Conor Timmins and RFA goalie Devon Levi, but if any team needed to spend to the cap ceiling, it's Buffalo. Whether it's adding a veteran at or near the league-minimum salary, or spending another couple million on a more accomplished forward, you can easily make the case that Adams shouldn't be done making roster moves.

All-in-all, the Sabres' current situation has this writer feeling like Buffalo isn't going to be a playoff team once again this coming year. Stranger things have happened than the Sabres surprising fans and media and knocking a legitimate playoff contender out of the post-season picture. But again, you have to ask yourself -- which Atlantic team is going to be on the outside of the playoff picture in order for Buffalo to get into the post-season? The back-to-back defending Cup-champion Florida Panthers aren't going to be that team. Neither are the Toronto Maple Leafs or Tampa Bay Lightning. And the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens are two young teams still on the rise.

And that's not counting a team like the Detroit Red Wings, which also is desperate for a post-season appearance. So, with that in mind, you can see why we're not at all optimistic about the Sabres' playoff chances in 2025-26.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Anaheim DucksWe're getting into the deep part of summer, but there is unfinished business in many NHL markets. And one of those markets is Buffalo, where the Sabres continue being unable to move forward on defenseman Bowen Byram, and their roster doesn't inspire confidence they can be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Buffalo could've been one of the biggest movers-and-shakers in the league this summer. Instead, they've more-or-less recommitted to the same core of players, and they're expecting different results this coming year. Imagine the fury that will come from Sabres fans if the same pattern persists next year.

Time will tell whether relatively standing pat was the right move by Adams, whose job security is surely on the line this season. But right now, there are many questions about this Sabres team -- and the answers to those questions may leave Buffalo fans severely disappointed for a fifteenth-straight season.

The NHL’s off-season continues to unfold, and by mid-July, most teams made their key roster moves. That brings us to the question of what teams are best at each position – forward, defense and goal. 

We began the process by breaking down the five best teams on defense. Now, we’re switching focus to analyze the five best teams at forward. The criteria for this list include top-level primary scoring, impressive secondary scoring, a dose of defense-minded and role forwards, and overall cohesion.

With that said, here are our choices with new roster additions in italics.

1. Florida Panthers

Forwards: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues, Anton Lundell, Brad Marchand, Eetu Luostarinen, A.J. Greer, Tomas Nosek, Jonah Gadjovich

When you’re back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, and you manage to retain all your important forwards, you deserve to be at the top of this list. The Panthers did exactly that, re-signing veteran center Sam Bennett and left winger Brad Marchand to team-friendly deals this summer.

The Panthers have elite two-way skill in the form of Barkov and Reinhart, grit and clutch play from Tkachuk, Bennett and Marchand, and speed and tenacity with the rest of their group of forwards. Florida has repeatedly demonstrated that, when the games matter most, their forwards will be hard on the forecheck, determined in front of their opponent’s net and successful at undermining the other team’s defense. Nine of their forwards had at least 15 points in the 23 games it took them to win the Cup. For reference, the Oilers had three with at least 15 and seven with at least 10 in 22 games.

They’ve won two straight Cups for good reason, and they’re the cream of the crop when it comes to the league’s best collection of forwards.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards: Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde, Nick Paul, Zemgus Girgensons, Cage Goncalves, Pontus Holmberg, Conor Geekie

The Lightning were dumped by the Panthers in the first round of last year’s playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an embarrassment of riches up front. To the contrary, they led the NHL in scoring, scored the most goals by a forward, had the sixth-best penalty-kill percentage, had four forwards average at least a point per game and have Kucherov as a bona fide superstar.

The Bolts had depth issues last season before they brought back (and re-signed) Gourde and acquired Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken at the trade deadline. Those additions really put Tampa Bay over the top. 

It’s easy to see why Lightning GM Julien BriseBois doubled down on his forwards, and Tampa Bay will once again be dominant in their opponent’s zone because they have so much skill and balance up front.

3. Colorado Avalanche

Forwards: Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, Brock Nelson, Martin Necas, Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Parker Kelly, Ivan Ivan, T.J. Tynan, Nikita Prishchepov

Like the Lightning, the Avalanche have a legitimate top-five player in the world in MacKinnon, a top-six group of forwards that’s as skilled and proven as any team in the NHL and a swift and resolute bottom six. It’s a measure of their depth that Colorado lost veterans Jonathan Drouin and Charlie Coyle, and they’re still tremendously talented up front.

Getting Nelson to sign a contract extension was huge for the Avs, as it firmed up their second-line center position. Like Tampa Bay, Colorado lost in the opening round last year, but if we had to choose between the Avalanche’s forwards and Dallas’ forwards, we’d pick the Avs in a narrow decision. Colorado GM Chris MacFarland has constructed an elite group, and the Avs are going to excel once again next year.

4. Dallas Stars

Forwards: Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Wyatt Johnston, Mavrik Bourque, Oskar Back, Radek Faksa, Sam Steel, Colin Blackwell

The Stars have consistently been a terrific team, in no small part due to their incredible depth on offense. Despite Dallas losing in the Western Conference final for the third straight season, Stars GM Jim Nill brought just about everyone back, and he re-acquired longtime Stars center Faksa for a second tour of duty with the organization. Losing Mikael Granlund hurts a bit, but it won’t be devastating.

With fantastic two-way forwards Hintz and Rantanen setting the tone for the rest of the group, the Stars have demonstrated they can be successful at both ends of the ice. And although the future of Robertson, who is entering the final year of his contract, is somewhat in doubt, what isn’t in doubt is that Dallas’ balance of youth (Robertson, Bourque, Johnston) and experience (Benn, Seguin, Duchene) gives them an elite collection of forwards. 

The Stars can run-and-gun with the best of them or play a hard-nosed defensive game. That’s why they had the most points by a forward, the third-most goals-for, the sixth-fewest goals against and the fourth-best penalty-kill rate this past season. More often than not, they’re going to be on the winning side of the ledger in large part due to their forward depth.

5. Vegas Golden Knights

Forwards: Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev, William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev, Reilly Smith, Brett Howden, Brandon Saad, Colton Sissons, Keegan Kolesar

Adding former Toronto Maple Leafs superstar winger Marner made an already-dynamic Golden Knights group of forwards all the more impressive. Trading for former Nashville Predators center Sissons firmed up Vegas’ fourth line. Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon has been ruthless in pursuit of the franchise’s second Cup, and once again, he’s done his utmost to create a lineup that can create offense with the best of them, while giving up little in their own zone.

Marner’s impact in terms of offense creation as well as strong defensive play gives Vegas a balance that compares well to any NHL team, and proven veterans including Stone, Eichel, Karlsson and Hertl give the Golden Knights the kind of depth any team would kill for. Vegas is well out of cap space, but does anyone really believe McCrimmon is done improving his team? We sure don’t. As the season unfolds, we fully expect the Golden Knights to continue getting better, and by the time the next post-season rolls around, Vegas could be even higher on this list.

Honorable Mentions: Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets

The Maple Leafs, Oilers and Jets all have high-level forward groups, even if they’re not in the top five.

The Leafs have Grade-A top-six forwards in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies. The departure of Marner has a trickle-down effect that ultimately hurts Toronto’s case. 

Similarly, the Oilers have two world-class superstars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as well as elite forwards in Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They are a massive part of why the Oilers got to two straight Stanley Cup finals, and in the playoffs, they got some nice secondary scoring at times. However, trading away Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson while losing Connor Brown and Corey Perry put a dent in Edmonton’s forward group. It’s up to Andrew Mangiapane, Isaac Howard and Matt Savoie to make the Oilers better than they were.

Finally, the Jets still have top talents in center Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Cole Perfetti, as well as above-average forwards in Gabriel Vilardi and newcomer Jonathan Toews. But the loss of winger Nikolaj Ehlers affects their bottom line, and their fourth line isn’t as solid now that last season’s trade acquisition Brandon Tanev has moved on to the Utah Mammoth. If Toews excels this upcoming season, it would be worth re-evaluating their spot on this list.

The Oilers, Jets and Leafs still have lots to like. They could prove to have a top-five forward group during the season, but at the moment, they just missed the cut.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Kieffer Bellows has signed a one-year contract with Brynas IF of the SHL, the team announced Sunday.

The 27-year-old recorded 15 goals and 31 points in 44 games with the Milwaukee Admirals and four points in 19 games with the Nashville Predators last season before adding nine points in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games. 

A native of Edina, Minn., Bellows has 79 goals and 140 points in 233 career AHL games and 16 goals and 32 points in 114 career NHL games split between the Predators, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers.  

Varmt välkommen till Gävle och Brynäs IF, Kieffer Bellows! ✍️✅

Den 27-årige forwarden som senast kommer från spel i Nashville Predators organisation har skrivit på ettårskontrakt som sträcker sig över den kommande säsongen, 25/26.

🗞️ Läs mer på https://t.co/MR7GswpDsOpic.twitter.com/eiHYT0a2OL

— Brynäs IF (@Brynas) July 13, 2025

A first round pick of the Islanders in 2016, Bellows has been a stellar AHL player over parts of the past three seasons but was not able to translate his offensive production to the NHL.

Now qualifying as an AHL veteran after appearing in over 260 career professional games Bellows  joins a long line of recent AHL alumni who have signed in Europe after reaching the veteran threshold. 

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here.       

Photo Credit: © Ryan Sun-Imagn Images

On Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have officially signed forward Anton Frondell to a three-year entry-level contract with an average annual value of $975,000. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xa Swede signing‼️✍️ 📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/RcGvmeK8J4

Chicago selected Frondell with the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft out of Sweden. His club in the SHL is Djurgårdens, where he had 25 points in 29 regular-season games last year.

Frondell also helped the club to an HockeyAllsvenskan Championship and an SHL promotion. He had seven points in 16 qualification games, which played a key role in the team’s success. 

Frondell is ready to begin his true journey to Chicago. Now that he’s signed, he's eligible to play in the NHL or the AHL. However, he could also be loaned back to Djurgårdens. That seems more likely, given a report from the Swedish media outlet Expressen last week.

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xthat's our no. 3 overall pick👏🥹

This three-year deal won't kick on for Frondell until he plays in the NHL. If he does go back to Sweden for 2025-26, he will still have three years left on his ELC going into the following year. 

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

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is one of the NHL's top trade candidates right now. With the Penguins retooling, the 33-year-old winger would have the potential to land them a significant return if they decided to trade him.

Rust just set new career highs with 31 goals and 65 points in 71 games this past season, so he has raised his trade value. Furthermore, his contract is very good, as he has a reasonable $5.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. Thus, he could be a good fit for both playoff and non-playoff teams. 

Now, a few clubs are being connected to Rust. According to The Fourth Period, the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Columbus Blue Jackets are among the teams linked to Rust. 

After trading JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth this off-season, there is no question that the Sabres could use another top-six winger to replace him. Thus, the Sabres reportedly being interested in Rust is very easy to understand. He would give their top six and power play a significant boost if acquired. He also does not have any trade protection, so he makes a lot of sense as a target for Buffalo. 

With the Maple Leafs losing Mitch Marner this summer, adding another top-six right winger should be one of their top objectives moving forward. While Rust would not produce the same kind of offense as a superstar like Marner, he would still improve Toronto's forward group and be one of their key point producers if acquired. 

As for the Blue Jackets, they are also in a position to make a move for a player like Rust. They have a ton of cap space to work with and could use another top-six forward, so they would be a good fit for Rust. They also have plenty of potential trade assets that could be appealing to the Penguins. 

NHL Rumors: 2 Under-The-Radar Penguins Trade CandidatesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are the most popular team in the rumor mill right now. It is understandable, as Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson are currently considered three of the top trade candidates in the league.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Yeah, you know things are lean when a two-year bridge deal for a young defenseman is something to celebrate. But that's where we are with the Buffalo Sabres these days.

Apparently, nobody wants to play there. The taxes suck. The team sucks, for sure for sure. Haven't made the playoffs in 14 seasons and, let's be realistic, probably won't for 15 seasons.

But when they signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a two-year extension worth $6.25 million per season this week, it represented some progress for them. For once in, like forever, they managed to remove the drama from a situation and get a deal done.

And it's a deal that's good for both sides as they try to build up some trust with each other.

Watch today's video column for the full take, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Long-standing Philadelphia Flyers trade target Bowen Byram isn't leaving the Buffalo Sabres just yet.

On Monday, it was announced that Byram, 24, signed a two-year, $12.5 million ($6.5 million AAV) contract extension with the Sabres, keeping him in Buffalo for two more seasons and quelling any trade talks... for now.

The former No. 4 overall pick has long said to be a coveted trade target of the Flyers, even as recently as this offseason, but the price has still proven to be too steep on a player who would effectively be a reclamation project with an extensive injury history a la Jamie Drysdale.

It was previously reported that the Flyers were interested in both Byram and J.J. Peterka, but the latter was dealt to the Utah Mammoth and the former has now elected to stay put.

With his new deal, it is expected Byram will get a chance to prove himself and carry his own defensive pairing in a top-four role.

NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Could Hijack Canucks Trade for Bowen ByramIt's a poorly-kept secret that the Philadelphia Flyers like Bowen Byram, but so do the Vancouver Canucks, who are raring to strike a trade for him first.

The offensive upside is there; the 24-year-old, known for his skating and puck skills, produced 38 points last season while playing in all 82 regular season games for the first time in his career.

When the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, Byram produced nine points in 20 games despite failing to score a goal on 44 shots on goal. With a bit of shooting luck, you're looking at 0.75 points per game in that playoff run or better.

It should be noted that this new contract probably won't take Byram off the Flyers' radar any time soon.

Having only received a two-year deal, Byram will burn both of his last remaining RFA years and walk straight into unrestricted free agency in 2027 - the year the Flyers have the potential to do the most damage on the market, with Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan Ellis each seeing their contracts expire.

Byram also doesn't have any trade protection in his contract, so if the Sabres want to avoid losing him for free and/or Byram fails to come into his own, a team like the Flyers can swoop in and provide an asset or two and take their own chance on the talented rearguard.

Until then, though, we can't put the cart before the horse. Byram is remaining a Sabres player... for now.

It has been an excellent off-season for the Montreal Canadiens, as they notably brought in star defenseman Noah Dobson and young forward Zack Bolduc in two separate trades. Yet, they might not be done yet, as there has been plenty of talk about the Canadiens wanting to find an upgrade for their second-line center spot. 

Now, the Canadiens are being connected to a very notable center - Nazem Kadri. 

In his latest Off-Season Trade Board for Sportsnet, NHL insider Nick Kypreos reported that the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are linked to Kadri and that the veteran center "appears to be willing" to waive his no-movement clause to join either club. 

Kypreos writes: 

"Two teams that Kadri continues to be linked to and appear to be willing to lift his no-move clause for are the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs."

If the Canadiens were to bring in Kadri, he would certainly give them a major boost at the center position. The 34-year-old forward is coming off another strong season with the Flames, as he scored a career-high 35 goals and recorded 67 points in 82 games. This was after he had 29 goals and 75 points in 82 games with the Flames during the 2023-24 campaign. 

Besides still being an impactful top-six forward at this stage of his career, Kadri would also provide value for the Canadiens because of his experience. He could be a good mentor for the Canadiens' young players as they look to continue to head in the right direction. This is especially so when noting that he has won the Stanley Cup before.

Kadri would also be a long-term investment for the Canadiens if acquired, as he has a $7 million cap hit until the completion of the 2028-29 season. Thus, there would be some risk in acquiring Kadri, as he will be 38 years old once his deal expires. However, with Kadri still being a star at this point in his career, it could very well be a gamble worth taking for a Canadiens team on the rise.

However, with Kadri previously playing for the Maple Leafs, it would also be understandable if he is open to returning to Toronto. The 2009 seventh-overall pick spent the first 10 years of his career as a Maple Leaf, posting 161 goals and 357 points in 561 games. With this, it would certainly take some time to get used to seeing Kadri on the Canadiens if they acquired him. 

Ex-Canadiens Goalie Signed NHL's Most Unique Off-Season DealHeading into July 1, former Montreal Canadien Jake Allen was the clear top pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) goalie who could hit the market. Due to this, there was expected to be a ton of interest in the 34-year-old, and he was in a position to land a high average annual value (AAV) had he tested the market.

Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Despite the offseason departure of Dan Vladar to the Philadelphia Flyers and a few lingering questions heading into training camp, the Calgary Flames appear confident in their goaltending situation for the 2025-26 season.

That confidence begins — and largely rests — with sophomore sensation Dustin Wolf.

Dustin Wolf: The Reign Begins

Coming off a stellar rookie season, Wolf is poised to take full control of the Flames’ crease.

The 24-year-old from Gilroy, California, delivered an eye-opening debut in 2024-25, going 29-16-8 with a 2.64 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts. His 29 wins led all NHL rookies and came within one victory of tying Mike Vernon’s Flames franchise record for wins by a rookie netminder.

Wolf’s resume continues to grow at a rapid pace. He finished second in Calder Trophy voting, received consideration for both the Vezina and Hart trophies, and became the first Flames goalie ever named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

But it’s not just the stats that set Wolf apart. He’s mentally unflappable — cool, calm, and fiercely committed to his craft. A two-time winner of the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Award as the AHL’s top goaltender and the 2023 AHL MVP, Wolf has already proven he thrives under pressure. With another step forward, don’t be surprised if his name enters the Vezina conversation this season.

Ivan Prosvetov: An X-Factor with Upside

Newly signed Ivan Prosvetov brings international experience and intriguing upside to the fold.

The 26-year-old netminder inked a one-year, $950,000 deal with Calgary on July 1 after a strong season with CSKA Moscow in the KHL, where he posted a 20-16-2 record, a 2.32 GAA, a .920 Sv%, and four shutouts.

Originally drafted 144th overall by Arizona in 2018, Prosvetov has bounced between the NHL and AHL, logging eight wins in 24 NHL appearances and most recently spending time in the Colorado Avalanche system.

He’s athletic, aggressive, and now entering his prime. If he can find consistency, Prosvetov could emerge as a reliable backup or even push for starts behind Wolf.

Devin Cooley: Steady, Ready, and Waiting

Devin Cooley (Los Gatos, CA) adds more California flair to the Flames’ crease and could quietly earn an opportunity to contribute this season.

With Vladar gone and Wolf entrenched as the starter, the 6-foot-5, 198-pound Cooley finds himself in position to compete for the backup role. He spent last season with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, appearing in 46 games and posting a 21-17-5 record, 2.94 GAA, .905 Sv%, and three shutouts. His performance earned him his first AHL All-Star selection.

Cooley also appeared in six NHL games for the San Jose Sharks in 2023-24, picking up two wins in limited action. While his NHL experience is brief, he brings poise and reliability, and he could step in capably if called upon.

Between the breakout potential of Wolf, the KHL-tested steadiness of Prosvetov, and the readiness of Cooley, there’s plenty to be optimistic about in Calgary’s crease this season.

© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate, have re-signed veteran defenseman Gustav Olofsson to a two-year AHL contract. 

The 30-year-old is returning for his fourth season with the franchise, previously skating in 122 games while notching five goals and 35 points. 

“We are pleased to bring Gustav back on a two-year contract,” said Troy Bodie, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. “Gustav is a hard-working player and a leader in our locker room. He has ingrained himself in the community, and we are happy to have him on our backend.”

The 30-year-old has been under contract with the Kraken since he was first brought into the organization, appearing in four NHL games. Now, he's on an AHL contract and would have to sign a two-way deal to play in the NHL.

The 6-foot-3, Swedish defenseman was once a second-round pick (46th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, but as his career has moved along, he's transitioned into a solid defenseman in the AHL rather than the NHL.

The 30-year-old has the leadership qualities that will help the young Kraken prospects develop throughout their farm system.