Category: Ice Hockey

The Toronto Marlies will play three games at Scotiabank Arena next season.

The American Hockey League released the regular season schedule for its 32 teams on Thursday afternoon. Toronto will begin its season in Rochester against the Americans on October 10, before returning home to play the Americans at the Coca-Cola Coliseum on October 11.

Three games at Scotiabank Arena (on Boxing Day, Family Day, and St. Patrick's Day), the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is one less than the Marlies had last season. The Marlies played two doubleheaders with their NHL club on November 16 and March 15, and it appears that won't happen this season, unless their 1:30 p.m. St. Patrick's Day game is one.

Toronto's new opponents this season will feature the Chicago Wolves, Hartford Wolfpack, Grand Rapids Griffins, Springfield Thunderbirds, and the Iowa Wild, a team the Marlies haven't played since the 2014-15 season.

They will end their regular season at home on Sunday, April 19 against the Laval Rocket.

The Marlies' longest home stand will be five games, from Jan. 1 to Jan. 9 and March 14 to March 25. Their longest road stretch is eight games, from November 1 to November 19. Toronto's busiest months will be November and March, when they will play 13 games. They'll play on Saturday 23 times throughout the regular season.

'No Firm Offer' From Maple Leafs to Andrew Mangiapane Despite InterestAndrew Mangiapane, a player of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their search for another forward, ultimately signed with the Edmonton Oilers when free agency opened earlier this month, rather than his hometown team. Instead, Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

This announcement comes two days after Toronto made a second batch of AHL signings. The Marlies signed Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Ben King, and Nick Rheaume to one-year AHL contracts, while also re-signing Marko Sikic and defenceman Ryan McCleary to one-year deals on Tuesday.

Rheaume finished his third year of college and attended Maple Leafs development camp this summer. Four of the five players who signed AHL deals with Toronto on Tuesday have previously participated in the organization's development camp.

The Marlies also had a round of signings on Monday, inking former Marlie Marc Johnstone to a two-year AHL contract. Johnstone left the organization in 2023, signing an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his NHL debut with the Penguins on Dec. 8, 2023.

This Is What Riley Nash Will Always Be Remembered For In His Maple Leafs TenureA former Toronto Maple Leafs player, with a brief history with the club, has called it a career. Riley Nash told the Western Canadian news outlet Castanet that he is retiring from professional hockey after 628 games in which he registered 63 goals and 113 assists.

Toronto also added Ken Appleby on a one-year contract, while also re-signing Reese Johnson.

Appleby spent the majority of last season with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, posting a .910 save percentage in 24 games. The veteran goaltender put up six shutouts, the second-most in the AHL last season. Appleby last played an NHL game with the New York Islanders during the 2023-24 season.

Johnson is coming off a season where he played three NHL games with the Minnesota Wild and the rest with the club's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. In 49 games with Iowa, Johnson scored four goals and nine assists for 15 points. He played six games with the Marlies, scoring one assist after being acquired by the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline in exchange for future considerations.

'Mitchy Earned The Right To Go Wherever He Wants': Ryan Reaves Discusses Marner’s Depature And Time Spent With The Marlies Last SeasonBefore Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves calls it a career, he hopes to hit the milestone of 1,000 games.

The Marlies saw several departures this summer, including Topi Niemela, Roni Hirvonen, and Zach Solow, who signed in Europe; Matt Murray, now with the Seattle Kraken; Alex Steeves, with the Boston Bruins; Nick Abruzzese, with the Tampa Bay Lightning; and Kyle Clifford, whose playing career could be over after he was a coach at Toronto's development camp.

The Marlies' 2024-25 season concluded after two straight losses to the Cleveland Monsters in the North Division First Round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

(Top photo: Thomas Skrlj / Toronto Marlies)

New York Islanders fans have a lot to be excited about with prospect Daniil Prokhorov.

The 18-year-old winger from Krasnodar, Russia, was the club’s 2025 second-round pick (No. 42), and he quickly turned heads at development camp with his impressive skating, awareness, intensity, and personality.

His game centers around his 6-foot-6, 218-pound frame, as he utilizes his size and strength to drive to the net and win puck battles, while also possessing a long stride and impressive agility for his size.

Daniil Prokhorov. More 💥pic.twitter.com/sf5ZxIkCx2

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) June 28, 2025

Fans fell in love with Prokhorov’s game at the camp, but the Islanders' front office has been impressed by the young forward for a while, and so have their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers.

Speaking with RB Sports (Hockey), Prokhorov gave some insight on the draft process, notably mentioning how he knew the Islanders would be his landing spot:

“I had the best talk with Islanders. Like I knew them for 20 years. [The New York Rangers] wanted to choose me at the 43rd [pick]. But I said that they won't succeed, because [the New York Islanders] will choose me at the 42nd.”

Well, Prokhorov was right, as the Islanders took him with the 42nd pick, forcing the Rangers to select winger Malcom Spence.

Prokhorov was arguably the best player on the ice at the Islanders' development camp, but he still has a long way to go before reaching the NHL, notably by rounding out his two-way game while becoming a more consistent and reliable winger.

GOALS? GOALS. #LGI | @UBSpic.twitter.com/OXRlsqJ8Qy

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) July 2, 2025

The question is, how good can this kid be?

Can he turn into a Valeri Nichushkin type? 

The Sarnia Sting selected Prokhorov with the 42nd overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. He has played for the KHL's junior league team, St. Petersburg Dynamo, over the last two seasons, recording 20 goals with seven assists for 27 points in 43 games. 

Hell have to decide whether to stay in the KHL or come over to North America. 

We saw an Islanders prospect, Jesse Nurmi, last season decide to play in juniors after being selected by the London Knights 58th overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. He went on to win the Memorial Cup, developing on this side of the pond to prepare for his first season with the organization. 

Given the language barrier, the different ice surface, and the different style, it makes perfect sense for Prokhorov to follow in Nurmi's footsteps.

However, the one caveat to leaving home is the age of players he will play against.  While the MHL age max is 20, just like it is for the OHL, Prokhorov would likely be making the jump to the KHL this season.

Given his size, it may make sense for him to develop against men, since banging bodies and playing that hard-nosed style are his strongest assets. 

The Hockey News reached out to Prokhorov's representatives but have yet to garner a response. 

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

Michael Ostrower contributed to this story. 

The NHL’s coaching carousel was in full effect over the off-season with nine new hires looking to make an immediate impact. 

Some of these bench bosses are making their NHL head coaching debuts, while others have been around for years.

The players make it happen on the ice, but the coaches are a huge part of the success or failure a team has each season. Sometimes, the bench boss can even help a team perform above expectations.

Here are four coaches who will have the biggest effect in their new position.

Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers

It was a rough year for the New York Rangers on and off the ice. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy and advancing to the Eastern Conference final in 2023-24, they had a huge drop-off last season.

The Rangers missed out on the playoffs and finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division. At one point, former coach Peter Laviolette was under fire for saying he didn’t have a message for the team after a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in April.

Mike Sullivan was the perfect choice to lead the Blueshirts behind the bench. Sullivan won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is invested in managing a competitive team. With that, he was appointed the coach of Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.

Joel Quenneville, Anaheim Ducks

After resigning as coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2021-22 season, Joel Quenneville is returning to the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. 

He resigned after an investigation into how the Chicago Blackhawks handled sexual assault allegations determined he was one of the people who had an inadequate response.

In July 2024, the NHL reinstated Quenneville, current Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman and former Blackhawks VP of hockey operations Al MacIsaac.

Quenneville is ready to push the Ducks and give them an opportunity to end a seven-year playoff drought. The team improved by 21 points from 2023-24, and the second-winningest coach in NHL history and two-time Jack Adams Award winner can take Anaheim to that next step.

Adam Foote, Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks had a campaign to forget on many levels last year. From the J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson rift to the Quinn Hughes injury and the team underperforming all season long, it wasn’t ideal for GM Patrik Allvin and the rest of the front office.

Despite not executing expectations last season, the Canucks aren’t that different from when they advanced to the Western Conference final in 2023-24. With the right preparation and leadership from new coach Adam Foote, Vancouver could be back in the mix.

Foote was an assistant coach for the Canucks for the last three seasons. He knows the core players of this team and understands what could be done to get the best out of them again.

“I’m really excited about it,” Canucks right winger Conor Garland told The Hockey News' Carol Schram in late May.  “I loved having him as an assistant. It's obviously going to be a little different now. I’m assuming as the head, we won’t be able to talk and hang out as much at the rink. But he was a lot of fun, and he's a very smart guy.”  

Rick Tocchet, Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers get to experience the reincarnation of Rick Tocchet. He played parts of 11 seasons with the Flyers before retiring in 2001-02. Now, he’s back as the bench boss following his time with the Canucks.

It didn’t take long before Tocchet was able to turn around the falling Canucks into a Stanley Cup contender. In his first full season in Vancouver in 2023-24, he ended a four-year playoff drought, advanced to the conference finals and won the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year.

It’s a huge task and a huge ask, but maybe Tocchet has another quick turnaround in him with his Flyers next season.

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.

Canadian goaltender Dylan Ferguson, 26, has signed a one-year contract with HK Nitra, the Slovak Extraliga club announced on Thursday.

Ferguson spent last season in the Minnesota Wild organization, where he dressed as a backup but did not see any NHL action, spending the season with the AHL's Iowa Wild. He has been in several NHL organizations but has only three games to his credit.

Ferguson was born in Lantzville, BC on Vancouver Island, but played high-school hockey for the famed Notre Dame Hounds in Saskatchewan and then junior hockey for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.

Ferguson was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the seventh round, 194th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and then traded two days later to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot. In the following season, Ferguson made his first NHL appearance after the Knights had a run of injuries in goal – allowing one goal on two shots in 9:14 of action in relief against the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 14, 2017.

Two Days After Signing In KHL, Sokolov Traded For NHL Free Agent Two days after signing with CSKA Moscow, Russian winger Egor Sokolov has been traded to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, the CSKA club announced on Thursday.

Between 2019 and 2023, Ferguson played in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators organizations, playing two more NHL games for Ottawa in March 2023.

Ferguson spent the 2023-24 season playing for Belarus-based KHL club Dinamo Minsk. He then returned to North America the following season, first attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp before signing with Minnesota.

Ferguson joins a Nitra club that won the Slovak title in 2023-24 and lost in the finals last season. Notable players on the team’s roster include 44-year-old defenseman Branislav Mezei and 20-year-old left winger Ondrej Molnár, who spent the past two seasons in the OHL.

Photo © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

Branislav Mezei Re-Signs With Hometown Club For Pro Season No. 26 Slovak defenseman Branislav Mezei, 44, has signed a one-year contract extension with his hometown club, HK Nitra, to play what will be his 26th season of professional hockey, the Slovak Extraliga club announced on Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson is entering the final season of his contract in 2025-26. With this, he has the potential to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 of next year. 

Given the fact that Matheson has been an incredibly important part of the Canadiens' roster, it would be understandable if they worked hard to keep the left-shot defenseman around. Besides providing solid offense from the point, he has also been a nice veteran mentor to the Canadiens' younger players as they continue to trend in the right direction. 

Since joining the Canadiens, Matheson has recorded 25 goals, 102 assists, and 127 points. This includes his monster year with Montreal in 2023-24, as he scored 11 goals and set career highs with 51 assists and 62 points in 82 contests. Thus, the fit has undoubtedly been there between Matheson and the Canadiens, but will it be enough for them to get a new deal done before next summer?

Canadiens: LJ Mooney May Be Small, But He Plays Big

Canadiens Could Have Something Special In New Forward

Canadiens’ Top 10 Moments Of The 2024-25 Season

With how well Matheson has played since joining the Canadiens, he certainly is due for a raise from his current $4.875 million cap hit. This is where things could get complicated for the Canadiens, especially with the team having other players to re-sign and other roster needs to address. 

Ultimately, if the Canadiens and Matheson can find a way to agree on a deal that is at a reasonable cap hit, it would be great for the Original Six club to keep him around. Yet, if his asking price is too high or the Canadiens simply do not view him as a long-term part of their plans, that is where things could get interesting. The left-shot defenseman has come up in the rumor mill as of late, and it could make sense for the Canadiens to trade him if the right offer came along. 

It will be very interesting to see what the Canadiens end up doing with Matheson. There are clear potential benefits to extending him, but time will tell if they can get a deal done. Yet, their blueline is also getting crowded.

Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Andrew Mangiapane, a player of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their search for another forward, ultimately signed with the Edmonton Oilers when free agency opened earlier this month, rather than his hometown team. Instead, Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Mangiapane was a guest on TSN’s First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo and discussed Toronto’s interest. “For sure, I think I was definitely hearing out the Maple Leafs, obviously there’s some pros and cons,” Magiapane said. “But there was no really, I guess, firm offer or anything like that”.

Mangiapane had 14 goals and 14 assists in 81 games this season. His 28 points with the Washington Capitals last season were his lowest since the 2018-19 season, which he attributed to his role with the club. This time, however, there’s a chance he could be playing with the likes of Connor McDavid. Mangiapane said both players reached out to him about the prospect of joining the Oilers.

The player spent the first seven of his eight NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, giving Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving familiarity with him. When he became a free agent, Mangiapane didn't think the Oilers would be interested given his ties to their Alberta rival. With wingers like former Maple Leaf Connor Brown departing Edmonton for the New Jersey Devils, however, there's certainly a fit, and the Oilers are betting that Mangiapane can bounce back by playing with some of the best talent in the NHL today.

In 498 NHL games, the 29-year-old Mangiapane has 123 goals and 120 assists. In 10 playoff games with the Capitals last season, the winger scored a goal and added an assist.

Where do the Leafs go for a top-six winger?

Through 10 days in July, the Maple Leafs have not been able to fill the void left by losing premier forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. However, it was never expected that void would be filled quickly. Buy-low acquisitions like Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth may pay off, but the Leafs would still like to add more potency up front.

According to PuckPedia.com, the Leafs have $4,983,081 in cap space based on a 23-player roster. That does not account for Nick Robertson’s arbitration case, which will take place later in the summer. There’s also talk that depth forwards David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok could be moved to open more cap space.

(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

This Is What Riley Nash Will Always Be Remembered For In His Maple Leafs TenureA former Toronto Maple Leafs player, with a brief history with the club, has called it a career. Riley Nash told the Western Canadian news outlet Castanet that he is retiring from professional hockey after 628 games in which he registered 63 goals and 113 assists. Maple Leafs' Farm Marlies Home Opener RevealedThe Toronto Marlies' home opener has been revealed. 'Mitchy Earned The Right To Go Wherever He Wants': Ryan Reaves Discusses Marner’s Depature And Time Spent With The Marlies Last SeasonBefore Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves calls it a career, he hopes to hit the milestone of 1,000 games.

One of the Florida Panthers top homegrown talents is sticking around for at least another year.

On Thursday, the Panthers announced a one-year deal with forward Mackie Samoskevich.

The terms of the deal, which includes a $775,000 salary, was first reported by PuckPedia.

He had previously been a restricted free agent and was given a qualifying offer by Florida ahead of the July 1 deadline.

“Mackie is a talented young forward who demonstrated skill and maturity well above his age in his first full NHL season,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “He showcased his ability to slot into any hole in our lineup and find success this past season, which is a testament to both his play and character. We look forward to seeing him compete in our organization for years to come.”

Samoskevich was selected in the first round, 24th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft.

He played in 72 games last season, his first full year in the NHL, and accumulated 15 goals and 31 points.

The young native of Newton, Connecticut should get a good look in Florida’s top six next season, whether it be on a line with Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart or perhaps the Sam Bennett line with Matthew Tkachuk.

That’s all assuming Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice keeps his line-pairs (Barkov-Reinhart, Bennett-Tkachuk, Lundell-Luostarinen) together for a third straight season.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Examining Brad Marchand contract with Panthers amid cap circumvention complaints

What Does Mackie Samoskevich's Future Look Like With The Panthers?

Panthers preparing for another summer with Stanley Cup

Panthers Forward and NHL Journeyman Retires From Professional Hockey

Former Panthers Forward Signs Contract With Swiss Team

Photo caption: Apr 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich (25) carries the puck during warm up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks revealed their preseason schedule to season ticket holders via email on Wednesday. They received an update on the United Center parking situation along with it. 

On Thursday, the team made the preseason schedule public. They will open with three games on the road and close it out with three straight at the United Center. 

9.23 @ Detroit Red Wings

9.27 @ St. Louis Blues

9.28 @ Minnesota Wild

9.30 vs Detroit Red Wings

10.3 vs Minnesota Wild

10.4 vs St. Louis Blues

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xour preseason schedule is here‼️ get your tickets now!🎟️ ➡︎ https://t.co/JuF0UTaHKT

Due to the recent collective bargaining agreement extension, the last time that NHL teams will play 6 (or more) exhibition games. Instead, starting in 2026-27, they will play fewer preseason games and have an 84-game regular season. 

Although preseason games don’t impact the standings, the Blackhawks will present plenty of reasons to watch. In addition to the NHL regulars playing, plenty of young prospects will be battling to make the team.

Hype will surround players like Anton Frondell, Nick Lardis, and Ryan Greene, among others, who are looking to make their NHL debuts. With good camps and performances in these exhibition games, they make the team and play on opening night. 

On Wednesday, the Rockford IceHogs also announced their home opener for the 2025-26 season. This will take place on Saturday, October 11th against the Milwaukee Admirals, who eliminated the IceHogs in a winner-takes-all game five of the second round last year. 

Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) on XCIRCLE THE DATE ✍️ Our home opener for the 2025-26 season will be on Saturday, October 11th vs the Milwaukee Admirals. Ready for revenge? 📰: https://t.co/E67Hy9umdZ

With all of the talent that the Blackhawks have in their system, you can expect their preseason slate and the entire Rockford IceHogs schedule to be incredibly important for development. 

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

The New York Islanders made a bold move last month by trading defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens. According to insider Frank Seravalli, they could be considering another major deal. 

The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner cited Seravalli's recent appearance on the Kevin Kraus Show, during which he indicated he'd heard some trade conversation about Ilya Sorokin. The 29-year-old goaltender is in the second season of an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $8.25 million. 

Seravalli cited sources saying the Islanders might have sought a draft-day deal that would've sent Sorokin to the Utah Mammoth for the 2025 fourth overall pick. They would've used that pick to select Long Island native James Hagens. 

However, Rosner cited Islanders GM Mathieu Darche, who said he attempted to move up in the first round, but clubs were unwilling to part with their picks. He's also skeptical that Darche would move his franchise goalie if he wants the Isles to remain competitive and make the playoffs, especially with backup Semyon Varlamov coming off lower-body surgery.

It's worth noting that Sorokin cannot be moved without his permission. He has a full no-movement clause through 2027-28.

Meanwhile, RG.Org's Marco D'Amico cited some online speculation making the rounds regarding the Canadiens' search for a second-line center.

One rumor had Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli being in play, but D'Amico swatted that one down. He pointed out that the 27-year-old Cirelli is on a sweetheart contract ($6.25-million cap hit through 2030-31) with a full no-trade clause that kicked in on July 1. 

Even if Cirelli lacked no-trade protection, D'Amico pointed out the Lightning has no one to replace him. Considering the two-way center was a finalist this past season for the Selke Trophy, it's a safe bet that he's not going anywhere. 

D'Amico also had bad news for Montreal fans hoping the Canadiens might target Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish with an offer sheet. He cited a league source indicating the 22-year-old McTavish doesn't want to leave Anaheim. They also noted that clubs are reluctant to risk their first-rounders in what is expected to be a deep draft next year.

The Ducks aren't concerned about the threat of an offer sheet for McTavish. With nearly $30 million in cap space, they can easily match any offer.

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.

Former Cleveland Monster Cliff Pu has signed with the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL, the club announced yesterday. 

“I’d never thought of the UK to play hockey” said Pu in a Steelers press release. “Then when the opportunity came up I started doing some research and realized this was a great opportunity to play for a winning franchise as well as being able to my get education with the University."

Pu was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Markus Nutivaara on October 8, 2020, in what many believed was a salary dump due to an internal cap placed on the team during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pu was the main player involved in the Jeff Skinner to the Buffalo Sabres traded in 2018. Pu was a third round pick of the Sabres in 2016. 

Pu was never able to make it into the NHL, but he did play 16 games for the Monsters during the 2020-21 season. He scored 3 goals and 10 points. He played 79 total games in the AHL and had his best season while playing for Cleveland. 

Pu would leave North America in 2021 and head to the KHL, where he played for three seasons before moving to Slovakia and Switzerland. 

Let us know what you think below.

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

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

Former Blue Jackets Forward Still Looking For New ContractFormer Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jack Roslovic is still looking for a new place to call home.  Recapping The Metro Division Free Agency & SigningsEveryone knows that the NHL's Metropolitan Division is an absolute meat grinder. Every year, people wonder when teams like the Capitals, Penguins, and Hurricanes will take a step back.  Former Blue Jackets Forward Retires After 13 SeasonsFormer Columbus Blue Jackets forward Riley Nash has decided to retire from the NHL after 13 seasons, he announced on Tuesday. 

There was an equal amount of shock and awe to go around for those following the Florida Panthers free agency situation this offseason.

Somehow, Florida General Manager Bill Zito was able to retain all three of Florida’s big pending unrestricted free agents: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand.

To his credit, Zito was quick to give all the props to the players themselves.

It was the players, after all, who decided against hitting the open market and taking a deal for (probably) much less money to stay with the Panthers.

Bennett signed an eight-year deal worth $64 million that carries an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million, Ekblad signed for $48.8 million over eight years, carrying a $6.1 million AAV, and Marchand inked six-year deal that will pay $31.5 million and carry a $5.25 million AAV.

The contract that some are pushing back against is Marchand’s.

While it’s not breaking any rules, the contract will expire when the veteran forward is 43 years old.

One of those voicing their opinion is THN Toronto’s David Alter. You can check out his thoughts in the social media post and video below:

6 YEARS FOR MARCHAND!? 😳@dalter breaks it all down & gives his thoughts on the deal! 👀 pic.twitter.com/8feGqqhTr6

— Bodog (@BodogCA) July 8, 2025

“We all expected that (Marchand) would get multiple years, into those years where he may or may not play, but to 43 years of age? No one has played in the NHL at 43 as a forward since Jaromir Jagr in 2017-2018,” Alter said.

He does have a point. 

Is it impossible for a player to stay in the NHL until the age of 43? Of course not.

Is it common to see any player remain in the NHL around or past the age of 40? Of course not.

Hockey is an incredibly physically demanding sport that tests strength and endurance just as much as agility and grit.

It’s an all-around workout unlike any other sport.

Odds are, Marchand will hang up his skates before he reaches 43 years old.

If he does, and he’s healthy and simply retires, he wouldn’t receive whatever money was left on his contract. However, if he’s injured at some point, and that keeps him from playing, Florida could put Marchand on LTIR and he would continue getting paid without the money counting against the Panthers’ cap hit.

The way Marchand’s contract was constructed, he will earn $13.5 million over the first two years.

Every year of the deal has a base salary of $1 million, and the rest is paid out in the form of a signing bonus on every July 1.

This season came with a $6.5 million signing bonus and next season carries a $5 million signing bonus. The remaining four years each have a signing bonus of $3.5 million.

You can see how the contract dollars break down here, thanks to PuckPedia.

Ultimately, time will tell how much of Marchand’s contract he actually plays for, and gets paid for.

Until then, the debate will go on into whether deals like this should be permitted by the NHL.

It would be a difficult rule to set, as every player ages differently.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

What Does Mackie Samoskevich's Future Look Like With The Panthers?

Panthers preparing for another summer with Stanley Cup

Panthers Forward and NHL Journeyman Retires From Professional Hockey

Former Panthers Forward Signs Contract With Swiss Team

Village of Palmetto Bay to become latest South Florida urban area to honor Panthers for Stanley Cup win

Photo caption: Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers centre Brad Marchand (62) is seen taking questions during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)

The Anaheim Ducks held their annual development camp from June 30 to July 2. This year’s camp was shorter than the last couple of years, typically a five-day camp concluding with a 3v3 scrimmage.

The camp is used more as an instrument that allows newly drafted prospects to familiarize themselves with the organization, meet staff and potential future teammates, and take a nugget or two back home to train for the summer before rookie camp begins in Sept.

Though most of the drills are done at half or three-quarter speed and don’t necessarily simulate game situations, players were available to the media, and there were on-ice takeaways to be had from each player.

Anaheim Ducks Development Camp Takeaways: Roger McQueen on Another Level

Mikael Granlund Is Ready to Help the Ducks Start Winning

Report: Teams Have Called the Ducks about Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger, Pat Verbeek Said 'No'

The Ducks selected Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The pick came as a surprise to most, including Sennecke himself, who gave one of the most genuinely shocked reactions after hearing his name called by NHL and Ducks legend Scott Niedermayer.

Sennecke went on to dazzle during his draft-plus-one season, quickly silencing many who doubted his selection that high in the draft. Despite producing at a torrid pace, initially being omitted from Canada’s World Junior selection camp, gaining an invitation shortly after, and ultimately not making the team, Sennecke seemed to use that rejection as motivation and continued to grow and refine his game during his third full junior season.

Ducks director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager Martin Madden sat down with The Hockey News’ Anaheim Ducks site in May to discuss Sennecke and a myriad of prospects in the organization.

“Really well. I think we're all very pleased with his development. He had to deal with a lot from the start, from the draft on,” Madden said when asked about Sennecke’s 2024-25. “So, lots of different ways that he had to adapt and become aware of his own reactions and his own emotions related to everything.

“Off-ice reactions, on-ice. How do you deal with the spotlight? How do you deal with (being left off the World Juniors squad)? How do you rebound after that? How do you lead your team in the playoffs? How do you come back from injury? He grew as a person, he grew as a prospect. He had a terrific season.”

Sennecke finished his 2024-25 campaign with 86 points (36-50=86) in 56 regular season games for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL and added 32 points (14-18=32) in 18 playoff games en route to a second consecutive finals appearance against the London Knights. Sennecke, once again, saved his best hockey for last, and when it mattered most, elevating his impact on a shift-by-shift basis, constantly involving himself in plays throughout the entire 200-foot ice surface, and tactically manipulating defenders with superior skill and processing ability.

There isn’t much more, if any, room for Sennecke to grow his game at the CHL level, and there isn’t much more to learn at that level. He’s in an unfortunate position, as his Jan. 2006 birthday means he won’t be eligible to play in the AHL during the 2025-26 season. Despite the new CHL/NCAA agreement that has allowed several CHL stars to further their careers playing in college, Sennecke is ineligible for that as well, as he signed his three-year ELC with the Ducks during the Ducks’ 2024 development camp.

Sennecke will either have to play for the Ducks or head back to the CHL for his 2025-26 season. Madden seems to believe that the only aspect of his game that is holding him back from a full-time role in the NHL is of the physical variety, that his skill, compete, and IQ levels are there.

“He's close. He's one really good summer away from being able to compete physically with NHL players, in my mind,” Madden said. “There's no doubt he's got the talent to make the jump. Now, he just needs to seize the opportunity, and that comes with pressure. Let’s see what the team looks like in September, October, and where he fits at that point. It's his to take, I think.”

At this point in the summer, with the additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund, the Ducks' top nine forward group looks full and may leave Sennecke on the outside looking in unless there’s an injury between now and the start of the season or one of the players currently listed in the top-nine is given and accepts a role on the fourth line.

Given what we saw at development camp (which again, isn’t telling of where a player is developmentally in terms of game situations), Sennecke seems physically ready or extremely close to physically ready enough to challenge for one of those top-nine spots on the Ducks roster. Adding strength has been an area of emphasis for him since he departed Ducks’ training camp in the Fall of 2024, and he’s seemed to physically and mentally grow into his now 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame.

“I think I got a lot better at puck protection. I feel like I got a lot stronger (since) last summer and I was able to keep guys on my him and create more time and space for myself with the puck,” Sennecke said. “Something I can still improve on is my quick release. I think I try and get so much on my shot and get the perfect shot. When you’re shooting on bigger NHL goalies, it’s going to be something you can’t do. It's more quick over power, and if you can do both, you’re going to be a good goal scorer.”

Refining a shot and learning how to score on NHL goaltenders is a luxury problem to have in one’s development on a macro level in just their second summer after being drafted into the NHL. With a few more months of strength training, the doubt that Sennecke will at least begin the season in the NHL with the Ducks will have further shrunk exponentially.

He can play a maximum of nine NHL games before a year is spent off his ELC. Teams can send players in his situation to the AHL for conditioning stints, like the Seattle Kraken did with Shane Wright in his draft-plus-one year, before ultimately sending them back to junior.

The onus will be on Sennecke to play well enough (too well) for the Ducks not to keep him in the NHL all season. Judging by how he utilizes and is fueled by challenges, as displayed by his playoff performances and how he played after being omitted from the World Junior Championship roster, smart money would be on Sennecke rising to the occasion and playing the entirety of his 2025-26 season in the NHL.

Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson File for Salary Arbitration

After Tearing ACL, Tomáš Suchanek Is Happy to Be Back

Opinion: Pat Verbeek's Inability to Leverage, Cause for Concern

Photo Credit: Patrick Present-The Hockey News

Canadian forward Cliff Pu, 27, has signed a one-year contract with the Sheffield Steelers, the EIHL club announced on Thursday.

“I’d never thought of the U.K. to play hockey,” Pu is quoted. “Then when the opportunity came up, I started doing some research and realized this was a great opportunity to play for a winning franchise as well as being able to my get education with the university.”

“Cliff is coming in with a extremely high skill set,” said Steelers coach Aaron Fox. “He skates at an elite level and has played in some top leagues. Cliff is a natural center that can play both wing positions as well. His game will translate here to being a really productive player that I think will be able to help our PP and play a top-six role.”

As a junior, Pu played in the OHL and was a member of the London Knights 2015-16 Memorial Cup championship team. He was spotlighted by The Hockey News that spring as a potential first-round draft pick and ended up going in the third round, 69th overall, to the Buffalo Sabres. He followed up his draft season with 86- and 84-point seasons – the latter split between London and the Kingston Frontenacs.

Pu spent the better part of three seasons in the AHL while in the organizations of the Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets before signing with Kunlun Red Star – a Chinese-based club in the KHL – in 2021.

While many Kunlun players quickly became naturalized Chinese citizens and played for the national team, Pu’s arrival was too soon before the 2022 Beijing Olympics for this to happen. He played two and a half seasons with the Chinese-based team before transferring to Russian-based Admiral Vladivostok midway through 2023-24. In three KHL seasons, Pu recorded 41 points in 109 games.

Former Sabres draft pick Cliff Pu leaves KHL for SlovakiaCliff Pu, a 26-year-old Canadian forward, has spent the past four seasons in the KHL. On Thursday, however, Slovak club Dukla Michalovce announced the signing of the Buffalo Sabres’ third-round pick from 2016.

Pu split the 2024-25 season between Dukla Michalovce of the Slovak Extraliga and HC La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland’s second-tier league.

Pu joins a Steelers team that is used to success – they have not finished worse than third in the past six seasons. The team includes British national team captain Robert Dowd, who is also the EIHL’s all-time scoring leader.

Describing himself, Pu said, “Firstly I love to win, I work hard and I’m fast, I try and use my speed, I’ve always focused on power skating, and that has helped me create offense for my self and teammates.”

Photo © Kim Klement-Imagn Images: Cliff Pu, playing a pre-season game for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, being checked by Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Robert Dowd Is British League’s All-Time Scoring LeaderOn Saturday night, the Sheffield Steelers defeated the visiting Glasgow Clan 6-3 in EIHL action. Captain Robert Dowd scored to break a 2-2 tie early in the third period and in doing so, recorded his 740^th career point – a new league record.

A former Toronto Maple Leafs player, with a brief history with the club, has called it a career. Riley Nash told the Western Canadian news outlet Castanet that he is retiring from professional hockey after 628 games in which he registered 63 goals and 113 assists.

“It is definitely something weird to say, and it hasn’t really sunk in yet, even though I basically had all of last year away from the rink, this year will still be weird,” Nash told the news site. “This is all I’ve done and focused on for the past 30 years, but now is the time to end this chapter (or book) and look at what’s next.”

The 36-year-old played for eight different NHL clubs, including the Maple Leafs; however, none of those aforementioned games were regular-season contests with the Blue and White. The Maple Leafs acquired Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in April of 2021. He was injured at the time with a knee sprain, but that didn’t deter the Leafs from acquiring him.

On the contrary, the Leafs were able to add the player and effectively use his entire $2.75 million in salary cap space within the long-term injured reserve pool. This strategy helped them acquire additional players like then-Jackets captain Nick Foligno and goaltender David Rittich in other trades. Nash healed up in time for the playoffs and dressed in two of the club’s seven games in their first-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

Nash himself found humor in it when he addressed the Toronto media for the first time ahead of the playoffs, saying, “It was definitely unique.”

While the Nash acquisition demonstrated creative cap management, new changes to the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will impact how teams can utilize similar strategies in the future. With the NHL ratifying its new CBA, there will be a playoff salary cap for the 20 players dressed on the ice. Additionally, the amount of cap space a team will get for a player on LTIR will be equal to the prior season’s average.

Not that the Leafs couldn’t do this again with another player of Nash’s type, but such moves may become more complex under the new rules. Nash’s tenure in Toronto was more memorable for the craftiness of the front office rather than the player’s effectiveness on the ice.

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Marlies Sign Five Players, Including Four Players From Past Maple Leafs Development CampsThe Toronto Marlies have made more additions to their club ahead of next season. Ex-Maple Leafs Assistant Dave Hakstol Lands New NHL Coaching JobDave Hakstol is back behind an NHL bench. 'Mitchy Earned The Right To Go Wherever He Wants': Ryan Reaves Discusses Marner’s Depature And Time Spent With The Marlies Last SeasonBefore Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves calls it a career, he hopes to hit the milestone of 1,000 games.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Juraj Pekarcik already spent one year in North America in 2023-24, after making the jump from Europe to begin his trek towards making it to the NHL when the St. Louis Blues selected the forward in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 19-year-old spent a season in Dubuque of the United States Hockey League, and although it was a successful season (nine goals, 50 assists; 43 games) for the 6-foot-1, 183-pound wing, making the decision to play junior hockey turned out to be even more beneficial.

Pekarcik, with the help from his agent Gerry Johansson, who collaborated with the Blues to get Pekarcik to play for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and not only did Pekarcik's game grow, he played important minutes for a side that won the QMJHL and competed for the Memorial Cup.

They were important games and important roles that Pekarcik grew into well.

"I feel like it was a great season for us, for the team," Pekarcik said last week at Blues development camp, his third and final one. "We won the (QMJHL) championship so a great experience for me. I learned from the year. I wish we could (have won) the Memorial Cup, but it was a great season.

"It was a pleasure for me to play in the Mem Cup. It was a great experience, and the teams were really good. London and Medicine Hat. I wish we could have been better and won the Mem Cup, but it was a great experience."

Pekarcik, who has also played for Slovakia in the past two U20 World Junior Championships, would greatly benefit from his one season with the Wildcats, finishing with 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in 53 regular-season games and a plus-34 rating; he would add 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists in 19 playoff games, helping Moncton win the title for the first time since 2009-10; he was a teammate of Caleb Desnoyers, who was selected by the Utah Mammoth with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 draft.

"I feel like I grow a lot," Pekarcik said. "I improved a lot of things in my game. The coaches there in Moncton helped me a lot, really a lot. I improved in the D-zone most probably. That's what I needed the most. I'm trying to improve everything. My shots on goals. Last year I had nine goals, this (past) year I had 24, so I think I improved that. I'm so happy for it.

"Yeah, it was a great move. It was. It was my agent and St. Louis Blues decision, and I was so happy for it. It was a great year for me, great year."

But as much as good times last, they also come to an end and a new chapter opens. For Pekarcik, it's time to turn pro; he will be at main training camp once again, and depending on his performance while in St. Louis, it will determine where his playing address will be for 2025-26.

"Yes, I'm always ready," Pekarcik said. "It was always my dream. I hope I'm going to make it. I can't wait.

"I feel like I need to play more physical during games and I'm going to try and improve that for sure, but overall, everything I need to improve and to be the best if I want to be in the NHL, so I'll do everything to be an NHL player one day."

As is the case with all their prospects, management will not rush the forward, but they recognized the success he had in his only season of junior hockey and realize the next step is necessary.

"Yeah, he had a great year," Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. "They raved about his character. His teammates loved him. He was really good in the playoffs for them. He was the type of kid that plays really big in big games, hard-nosed and has a nose for the net. We're excited for him. Obviously a steppingstone. This (was) his third camp. He's going to turn pro this year, and we have a lot of young kids turning pro this year so we're excited with that.

"Obviously he'll be coming to training camp and make a big impression on us. We expect him to turn pro and have a good year."

Pekarcik is likely to begin the season in Springfield of the American Hockey League but seeing how he's progressed each step the Blues have laid out for him will only fuel his fire since he will be one step away from the pinnacle of his dreams.

But in the meantime, he was able to enjoy another strong development camp, with many of the prospects that have the same aspirations as he does.

"I was so happy to come again," Pekarcik said. "It was a great experience. It's a pleasure for me to be here again. I'm so thankful. I just want(ed) to enjoy this one more time, the boys. I'm so happy here. I've learned so much from being here for these.

"I'm going to make it. I'll do everything I possibly can to be here. This is the next step, I have to be my best."