The 2019 draft was a good one for the NHL and for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs had the 15th overall pick and couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw that USNTDP’s scorer Cole Caufield was sliding because of his small size. Fans watching the draft were telling themselves not to get too excited because, sure, his slide would stop before the 15th overall pick. Still, the Florida Panthers selected Spencer Knight, and the Philadelphia Flyers opted for Cam York, allowing Montreal to grab Caufield with the 15th overall pick.

Looking back at this draft today and how productive some players have been, chances are, a few teams wouldn’t have drafted the way they did. It’s fascinating to compare the top 10 picks with the top 10 scorers today; the Canadiens are one of the winners of that draft. Six years later, they have three of the top 10 scorers.

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Here are the top 10 picks of that draft:

1. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils

2. Kaapo Kakko – New York Rangers

3. Kirby Dach – Chicago Blackhawks

4. Bowen Byram – Buffalo Sabres

5. Alex Turcotte – Los Angeles Kings

6. Moritz Seider – Detroit Red Wings

7. Dylan Cozens – Buffalo Sabres

8. Philip Broberg – Edmonton Oilers

9. Trevor Zegras – Anaheim Ducks

10. Vasily Podkolzin – Vancouver Canucks

Interestingly, seven of the first 10 picks are no longer with the teams that drafted them. Kakko is now in Seattle, Dach is in Montreal, Byram is in Buffalo (although that may change soon), Cozens is in Ottawa, Broberg has signed an offer sheet to join the St. Louis Blues, Zegras is now with Philadelphia, and Podkolzin is also in St. Louis.

It’s not necessarily because they all flopped; six of those ten players are also part of the top 10 point scorers of the draft. One of the three who stayed with his original team, however, isn't. Without further ado, here’s the breakdown of the top 10.

1. Jake Hughes – New Jersey Devils

Hughes needed a few seasons, but he soon became something other than Quinn Hughes’ little brother. In his third full season in the league, he scored 68 points and hasn’t looked back since. Now, in 368 games, he has 351 points. By the time his career is over, he’s likely to be more than a point-per-game player. New Jersey has no reason to regret its pick and would do it all over again.

2. Matthew Boldy

He didn’t make the top ten at the draft, but he was pretty close, being drafted 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild. Now, he’s second in points from that draft class with 244 points in 285 games. Unsurprisingly, he remains with the team that initially selected him and turned out to be a much better pick than Kakko, who went second overall.

3. Cole Caufield

As mentioned earlier, he was the Canadiens’ pick at 15th overall, but in the top scorer standings, he advanced to third overall with 219 points in 287 games. Funnily enough, he’s now a teammate of the original third pick, Dach, and he has 98 points more than Dach, despite having played just 18 more games than Dach did. Dach made the jump right into the NHL, while the Canadiens instructed Caufield to stay in the NCAA for an extra year, and it looks like it was the right decision.

THE BELL CENTRE IS ROCKING 🔊

Kaiden Guhle with a THUNDEROUS hit then Cole Caufield buries right after 🔥
pic.twitter.com/rpdcyfC7aW

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 7, 2025

4. Dylan Cozens

The news is that Senator's center has put up 213 points in 362 games, all of which were played with a struggling Buffalo side, but the last 21, which is how long he’s been in Ottawa. He’s fared much better than original fourth-overall pick Byram, who’s got 110 points in 246 games split between the Colorado Avalanche and the Sabres.

5. Trevor Zegras

Say what you will about Zegras, but he does possess some offensive skills. His 186 points in 268 games make him the fifth-best scorer in the draft, two spots higher than where he was initially drafted. Meanwhile, the fifth overall pick, Turcotte, is nowhere to be seen on the top 10 scorers list; he’s only put up 29 points in 100 games with the Kings, and there’s room for improvement. This year was the first season he spent solely in the NHL.

6. Moritz Seider

Aside from Hughes, Seider is the only player who occupies the same rank in scoring as he was in the draft. The defender went sixth overall and has gathered 180 points in 328 games and a Calder Trophy to boot. The highest-scoring defenseman in the draft, the Wings really can’t complain.

7. Kaapo Kakko

The Rangers picked him second overall and eventually gave up on him, trading him to the Seattle Kraken for Will Borgen and a couple of draft picks (third round and sixth round in 2025). Still, his 161 points are the seventh-best total in the draft, and he achieved them in 379 games, the highest total of games played since the draft, indicating that he has remained healthy.

8. Matias Maccelli

The left winger was only drafted in the fourth round by the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes, but he somehow managed to become the eighth highest scorer in the draft with 130 points in just 224 games. He heard he was traded this Summer while playing a round of golf with friends. One of them saw news of the deal on the course and started screaming in excitement. Chances are, he’s one happy camper right now.

9. Alex Newhook

The second Canadiens player on the list was the 16th overall pick in the draft. He was claimed by the Colorado Avalanche right after the Habs grabbed Caufield, so he’s higher in the top ten list, which is a good thing. Still, in 296 games played, he’s gathered 126 points. That’s 0.43 points per game, which is quite a drop from Maccelli, who has a 0.58 average. This past season, Newhook put up just 26 points in 82 games, which is a significant regression compared to his 34 points in just 55 games the year before, but to be fair, he spent a lot of time on a line with Patrik Laine, who’s not that efficient at even strength.

10. Kirby Dach

Last and least (at least in terms of points), Dach, who was drafted third overall, falls to number 10 in the top 10 in points. In 269 games, he has 121 points, trailing Newhook by just five points, despite the latter having played 27 more games. If you look at it that way, it makes you wonder why Dach is getting so much flak compared to Newhook, and the answer there is probably because the expectations as to the capacity of being that top-two center were much higher towards Dach.

Still, it’s pretty remarkable that the Canadiens have three of the top 10 scorers of that draft, and if Newhook and Dach live up to their potential, it will be even more impressive. In a contract year and after having been publicly criticized at the end of season media availability, Dach should be eager to prove that he can be that second-line center and finally stay healthy. As for Newhook, a lot will depend on how the lines shake up, but in any case, they will be two forwards to keep an eye on this upcoming season.

Photo credit:  Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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The Toronto Marlies' home opener has been revealed.

The American Hockey League announced on Wednesday that Toronto's first home game will be played on Oct. 11 inside Coca-Cola Coliseum against the division rival Rochester Americans. The AHL will release the entire season schedule on Thursday.

The announcement comes one day after Toronto made a second batch of AHL signings. On Tuesday, 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.

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

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

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

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

'I Know I'm A Better Player Than I Was In Utah': Matias Maccelli Believes He's Ready For Top-Six Role With Maple LeafsMatias Maccelli was attempting to make a putt when his friend began yelling about a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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.

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

(Top photo of Logan Shaw: Christian Bonin / TSGphoto.com via Toronto Marlies)

One of the stated goals of Pittsburgh Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas at the end of the 2024-25 was to begin the "execution" phase of the organization's rebuild. He said part of that "execution" would, likely, involve young RFAs that other teams other couldn't afford or who needed a change of scenery. 

And there is one RFA who - although, he might not be one of the bigger names out there - may garner some attention from teams.

One year ago, Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Nicholas Robertson found himself in a very similar position to where he is now with the Leafs’ organization. This time around, Toronto extended Robertson - an RFA - a qualifying offer that he did not accept, electing to move toward arbitration, which was an option that was not available to him last season. 

At this point, Robertson will either go all the way to arbitration to determine his salary, extend with the Leafs before arbitration, or get his rights traded prior to arbitration. Given that Robertson was in and out of the lineup last season - he registered 22 points and a career-high 15 goals in 69 games last season - and that his opportunities to break into a larger role with the Leafs are dwindling, it may be best for both parties to finally move on this summer.

If that’s the case, is Robertson someone the Penguins should be looking into?

We wrote a piece on the possibility of Pittsburgh offer sheeting Robertson last season. While the situation is a bit different this season - and offer sheets aren’t likely to happen with the Penguins, per Dubas’s own words - that doesn’t mean they can’t look to the trade market.

Here’s why Dubas should - and shouldn’t - pursue Robertson in an RFA trade-then-sign.

Maple Leafs Forward Nick Robertson Files For Salary Arbitration, Timeline, Reasons And What’s Next?For the first time in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson has leverage. The forward filed for salary arbitration on Saturday, which allows a third party to decide his compensation for the upcoming season.

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The case for

At this point, it’s hard to tell exactly what the timeline is for the Penguins’ rebuild. In fact, Dubas - and even new head coach Dan Muse - have reiterated that they don’t want to put a timeline on it.

But one thing that does keep getting repeated by Dubas is that the Penguins want to compete as “urgently as possible.” They have been rumored to be interested in acquiring young NHL talent, as those kinds of players are likely what they’re looking for in any trade return for veterans Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. 

While Robertson is certainly not a top-end talent - and an unproven one, at best - he’s still young enough and capable enough to take a chance on.

And, right now, he’s probably cheap enough to take a chance on, too.

Is Now The Time For The Toronto Maple Leafs To Trade Nick Robertson?This past week, the Toronto Maple Leafs filed a qualifying offer to young left winger Nick Robertson, guaranteeing Toronto would keep the 23-year-old’s rights. 

The Leafs haven’t necessarily lost all of their leverage in this situation. They extended a qualifying offer for a reason, as they are interested in keeping Robertson around as a depth option. They lost Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, but they also brought in Mattias Maccelli, who could fill a top-six role or, at least, give Robertson some competition. It’s also entirely possible that the Leafs are still looking to add to their forward group in order to more definitively replace Marner.

And, again, Robertson was a healthy scratch at times last season - making that the case under two coaches in a row - which isn’t exactly a vote of confidence that the organization thinks he can play in a more elevated role in the lineup.

The acquisition cost for Robertson at this point is probably in the ballpark of a third-round pick, which the Penguins have two of in 2026. Also - if Toronto does want to add a top-six forward - he can be a small part of a larger return for a player like Rakell or Rust.

NHL Trade Rumors: All Eyes Should Be On Penguins NowNow that we are a few days into July, the majority of this year's top free agents have found their new homes. Because of this and the 2025 unrestricted free agent (UFA) class being far weaker than in most years, the expectation is that the trade market will start to heat up. 

At this stage, Pittsburgh needs to get its hands on as much talent as possible, and Dubas has expressed a desire to look into players who have upside and need a change of scenery. Robertson fits the bill, and he also has familiarity with Dubas, as Dubas drafted him in 2019 (53rd) during his time as Toronto’s GM. 

Even if things don’t work out between Pittsburgh and Robertson, the cost would be low-risk enough to make it worth a gamble, especially since the Penguins have excess draft capital. At the very least, he would be a solid addition to their middle-six, and he would be in a legitimate position to see some time in Pittsburgh’s top-six, especially without Rakell or Rust in the picture.

Really, it’s a win-win for the player and the organization, and there’s not really a strong reason not to do it. It’s one of those, “Why not?” scenarios.

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The case against

Although there isn’t necessarily a strong case to be made against - especially since Robertson shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg - there simply might be more intriguing options out there for the Penguins.

Again, a lot of the Penguins’ approach to any potential deal for an RFA could depend on how close they think they might be to competing again. There are higher-end options on the market - notably players like Mason McTavish, Marco Rossi, Gabriel Vilardi, and Bowen Byram - that could make a bigger impact for the Penguins right now.

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If Dubas feels that the Penguins are only a year or two away, he might want to shoot higher: And having that third- or fourth-round pick that Robertson would command could be the type of asset that gets a potential deal for a bigger name over the finish line. 

Also, the Penguins do have a lot of young talent that will be pushing for roster spots next season, and although Dubas has said that they want their young players to have to compete for spots on the NHL roster, they may not want to oversaturate their field of forwards too much. They already have 14 forwards in the mix, and acquiring someone like Robertson would only muddy the waters further and, potentially, get in the way of prospect development.

At the end of the day, they may just see more value in either another RFA or in the players they already have - and that is certainly legitimate enough a reason not to pursue him.

If Rossi Is Available, Penguins Should Be CallingIt's safe to say that it will be a very interesting summer for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Feature image credit: Dan Hamilton - Imagn Images  

The Tampa Bay Lightning made a one-for-one trade on Tuesday night, sending forward prospect Isaac Howard to the Edmonton Oilers for fellow forward prospect Sam O'Reilly. 

Howard told the Lightning that he wasn't going to sign with them and would walk to unrestricted free agency in 2026 if the Lightning didn't trade him. The Lightning got good value for him in O'Reilly, even though he may not be as close to NHL-ready as Howard is. He still projects to be a solid NHL player once he is ready. 

The Oilers signed Howard to an entry-level contract immediately after announcing the trade.

🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨

The #Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O'Reilly. We have also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/k3UHkpv6Ik

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 9, 2025

Howard had been expected to return to Michigan State for the 2025-26 season but will turn pro after signing his ELC. He finished the 2024-25 season with 26 goals an 52 points in 37 games. He will given every opportunity to make the Oilers' main roster during training camp. 

O'Reilly is a good get for the Lightning after spent the 2024-25 season with the OHL's London Knights, finishing 28 goals and 71 points in 62 games. He will likely return to the Knights for another season this year. 

Howard made a lot of sense as a trade target for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they weren't going to do a McGroarty for Yager type of trade for a second year in a row. If they were going to trade for him, it likely would've been for a lower price. 

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Featured Image Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens now have a new goalie to keep an eye on in their system next season. 

The Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, have announced that they have signed goaltender Benjamin Gaudreau to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2025-26 season.

Le Rocket s’entend sur les modalités d’un contrat d’une saison à deux volets avec le gardien Benjamin Gaudreau
Détails au https://t.co/Xo5HCaP0nx

Rocket agree to terms on a one-year, two-way AHL contract with goaltender Benjamin Gaudreau
Details at https://t.co/Xo5HCaP0nxpic.twitter.com/QHZVZjfkC5

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) July 9, 2025

Gaudreau spent most of the 2024-25 season at the ECHL level with the Indy Fuel. In 43 appearances with the ECHL squad, he posted a 21-16-6 record, a .902 save percentage, and a 2.46 goals-against average. He also had a 2-2-0 record, a .868 save percentage, and a 3.19 goals-against average in five AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs in 2024-25.

This was Gaudreau's first professional season, as he played his last season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2023-24 split between the Sarnia Sting and Erie Otters. In 151 OHL games over four seasons, he had a 74-54-15 record.

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Gaudreau was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 81st overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Overall, there is no harm in Laval bringing in a prospect goalie like Gaudreau on this two-way AHL Deal. He is still only 22 years old, and he has the potential to improve as he continues to gain more experience, whether that is in the AHL or ECHL. At worst, he will simply give the Canadiens more goalie depth in the minors, which is never a bad thing.

It will be intriguing to see if Gaudreau can take a nice step forward in his game next season from here.

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Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Few teams in the National Hockey League can boast the kind of rich history of enjoying success with top-notch Russian-born talent like the Detroit Red Wings. 

Not only did they feature the famed "Russian Five", many of which landed in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but they also enjoyed the talents of future Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk for 14 seasons. 

The Red Wings are hoping that forward Dmitri Buchelnikov, whom they selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, could be one of the next great Russian born players in Detroit. 

Buchelnikov, who is set to enter the upcoming 2025-26 season with the KHL's CSKA Moskva, recently disclosed to Nadezhda Tonkonog of the Russian-based Sport24 that he remains in regular contact with the Red Wings and Nikolai Vakurov, their Russian scout. 

We spoke probably two months ago,” Buchelnikov said via Sport24. “We talked about the season, what I will do in the summer. We always communicate with Nikolai Vakurov, their Russian scout, and are in touch. And not only about hockey, about life." 

Buchelnikov also confessed that he was literally shaking with excitement during his most recent conversation with Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who had a front-row seat to the numerous tremendous on-ice accomplishments of so many great Russian players in Detroit history. 

“When I stood talking to such a legend, my knees almost shook," he said. "I think all of us watched 'The Russian Five' (documentary). But this is through the TV, and seeing it live is worth a lot." 

Buchelnikov is under contract for another season with CSKA Moskva, but he looked ahead to when he could potentially travel overseas to North America and begin his professional career on American soil in Detroit's farm system. 

"It all depends on my game, how I will perform,” Buchelnikov said. “If I understand that I am approaching this level, that I can compete and, most importantly, win this competition, then, of course, I will think about it. But now I’m in Russia, I still have a year of contract, and I just have to think about getting into the top 6 here and showing everything with my play." 

Buchelnikov, who played last season with HC Vityaz Podolsk before being traded to CSKA Moskva, scored 15 goals with 39 assists in 65 games during the 2024-25 season. 

🚨 Dmitri Buchelnikov #VIT 1-1 #LGRWhttps://t.co/Ry9ZBca4ncpic.twitter.com/ezwYharraz

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) December 27, 2024

Young Russian players like Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers) and Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens) have already transitioned from the KHL to the NHL and made an impact for their respective clubs, and it may not be long before Buchelnikov is able to do the same with Detroit. 

While several returning players have made a strong impression at this year’s Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp, the spotlight also shines on two fresh faces, Alexander Weiermair and Mateo Nobert.

The Knights made a strategic move in the 2025 NHL Draft, trading up to select defenseman Mateo Nobert with the 85th overall pick, and also added forward Alexander Weiermair at 186th overall.

“It’s actually a funny story,” Weiermair said. “I was walking my dog outside, and I wasn’t even watching. My dad came running out screaming, so a lot of excitement. So happy to be here.”

Our prospects had a jam-packed week in Vegas for 2025 Development Camp presented by Martin-Harris Construction 🏒

VGK Prospect Alex Weiermair documents it all in his Development Camp blog! 👇https://t.co/S9o5uNxnt4

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 3, 2025

Weiermair wasn’t the only one with a funny draft story either—Nobert had one of his own.

“We were at home watching TV, and there was an ad that went on. Before that, it was Pittsburgh who had the 85th pick,” Nobert explained. “Then I wait a bit, and I hear screaming from the other room. I got drafted, so I was like, ‘Oh, is it really Pittsburgh?’ and then they started screaming ‘Vegas.’ I was just jumping for joy.”

Our prospects and members of the VGK business staff are spending the morning at @CathCharitiesNV serving food to those in need in our community! 😀 #VegasBorn | @VGKFoundationpic.twitter.com/pYNXUFtN7J

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 2, 2025

Weiermair reflected on his journey from competing in both the NCAA and CHL to earning a spot at Development Camp, describing the transition as a key step in his growth as a player.

“I think on the ice it’s definitely the pace,” Weiermair said. “It’s really fast, even though it’s the middle of the summer where everyone’s going full tilt, so it’s awesome to see. Then off the ice, doing the right things away from the rink. Being a professional, taking care of your body in the right way.”

As for Nobert, he talked about what his takeaways were from the camp as a whole.

“I think I needed to retain most of the information I got from the presentations and the meetings,” Nobert said. “Whether it’s nutrition, in gym, on ice, stuff like that, I think it’ll help with just becoming even more of a pro every day. So I think those meetings really helped me, and I think I’m gonna remember this week for my whole life.”

These two certainly are talented on the ice, but it’s clear that their off-ice personality shines and connects with the culture the organization strives to uphold every day.

William Dufour has signed a one-year contract with the KHL's Lada Togliatti. 

Dufour recorded 18 points in 45 games with the Bridgeport Islanders and four points in 12 games with the Colorado Eagles this season after being sent to Colorado in the Brock Nelson trade at the deadline. 

The 23-year-old had a strong rookie professional season in 2022-23, posting 21 goals and 48 points in 69 games with Bridgeport. He was unable to continue progressing on an Islanders team that finished at the bottom of the AHL the past two seasons and could not acclimate in his brief time in Colorado. 

The Quebec City, Que., native had 45 goals and 95 points in 181 career AHL games and went pointless in one NHL game with the New York Islanders. 

A fifth round pick of the Islanders in 2020, Dufour had 56 goals and 110 points in 66 games his final junior season, helping the Saint John Sea Dogs win the 2022 Memorial Cup, capturing the Stafford Smythe and Ed Chynoweth Awards as Memorial Cup MVP and leading point scorer. 

With Dufour's goal scoring prowess and still being early in his career it would not a surprise to see him return to North America after regaining his confidence abroad. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.   

Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres continue to be focused on as a team that will make a notable trade or two this off-season. Sabres GM. Kevyn Adams kicked things off last month with the trading of up-and-coming winger J.J, Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. but with due respect to Kesselring and Doan, they aren't going to be needle-movers that push Buffalo into a post-season berth next year.

What teams could Adams collaborate on for a major trade? That's the focus of this ongoing THN.com series. In earlier files, we examined the potential trade fit with the Sabres and Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and many more. But in this file, we're breaking down the potential trade possibility with Buffalo and the St. Louis Blues. Let's get straight to it:

TEAM: St. Louis Blues

CAP SPACE: $625,150

FREE AGENTS:  Ryan Suter, D

NEEDS: Penalty kill help; high-end depth on defense

SABRES FIT? The Sabres still are rumored to be set to trade top-four blueliner Bowen Byram, and the Blues would love nothing more than to bolster their defense corps by acquiring the young D-man. Byram would instantly slot in as St. Louis' second-pair defenseman, but the question is what the Blues would be prepared to pay in a trade that has to be a home run for Adams to consummate it.

To that end, Adams would likely be looking for a proven veteran scorer like winger Jordan Kyrou, although there are other Blues players who could help Buffalo next season. We're talking about young winger Jake Neighbours, or prospect winger Dalibor Dvorsky. That said, the Sabres have to drive a hard bargain for Byram, as they can't keep going back to the well with unproven NHL-caliber talent.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been one of the more active managers in the league, signing veteran center Pius Suter away from the Vancouver Canucks, and inking veteran pivot Nick Bjugstad to shore up St. Louis' fourth line. Meanwhile, the Blues also have their goaltending picture firmed up, and they've got solid depth on the wings. So making a move with the Sabres would almost exclusively focus on Byram.

Sabres Potential Trade Parnter: Toronto Maple LeafsThe NHL's free-agent frenzy is nearing its end. And the Buffalo Sabres still don't look like a team that's a finished product. But with free-agent options dwindling for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, the only way to change things up will be via trades. And in this ongoing THN.com series, we're breaking down potential trade parnters for Buffalo. 

There's no question the Blues value their defense corps, but they've suffered some depletions of late -- most notably, losing Nick Leddy on waivers to the San Jose Sharks, and losing Torey Krug to a career-ending injury. Thus, Armstrong is actively searching for a replacement, and Byram fits the bill perfectly.

That said, St. Louis has next to no salary cap space available, so if they are to acquire Byram and sign the RFA to a lucrative new deal, Armstrong would have to move around some money in any trade. That's why Kyrou -- who is earning $8.125 million for the next six seasons -- makes sense financially for the Blues.

Still, Kyrou has a full no-move clause in his contract, and it's difficult to envision him waiving it to come to Buffalo. The 27-year-old Toronto native might want to play closer to home, but realistically speaking, he has a better chance of making the playoffs with the Blues than he does with the Sabres. And it feels like any trade involving Kyrou would have to be expanded to send more talent St. Louis' way to make it palatable for Armstrong.

Is There Anything Left For Sabres To Pick Up In Free Agency?The NHL's free-agent frenzy has colmed down considerably, with most of the available talent now off the market. And the Buffalo Sabres still have approximately $13.6 million in salary cap space to utilize. So, is there anything left for Buffalo to spend on the open market, or is the only road to improvement via trades?

To that end, the 23-year-old Neighbours is intriguing. He is earning $3.75 million, and he's under contract for the next two seasons. Neighbours posted 22 goals and 46 points last year, and he might replace some of the offense lost in the Peterka deal. But in a 1-for-`1 trade involving Neighbours, Armstrong would still need to move out more salary to accomodate acquiring Byram and giving him a raise.

Regardless, the Blues feel like a potential destination for Byram, and he'd likely welcome a trade to an organization that never feels like making the playoffs is just good enough. For better or worse in Buffalo, that's exactly what the Sabres are at this stage -- desperate just to get into the post-season. The Blues have their sights set higher than that, so Kyrou may exercise his right to block any potential trade.

Nevertheless, the longer Byram goes without a new contract, the more it seems that Adams is going to trade him. And while the Sabres GM's job is to drum up interest among many teams and create a bidding war to maximize the asset he has in Byram, the best price he can get for the blueliner could well be paid by St. Louis.

Igor Larionov will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Detroit Red Wings fans everywhere, as he was an integral part of their Stanley Cup-winning teams of 1997, 1998 and 2002. 

The future Hall of Fame playmaking center was regarded as one of the smartest players in NHL history, even earning the nickname "The Professor". 

His son, Igor Jr., has gotten into the family business of professional hockey himself, and will once again be playing under the watchful eye of Igor Sr. 

Igor Jr. has signed a contract with the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg, of whom Igor Sr. is the head coach.

Igor Larionov has signed for SKA! ⚡️

The 26-year-old forward has penned a one-year deal with our club.

He is indeed our third new addition of the summer.

Welcome to Saint Petersburg, Igor!#hcSKApic.twitter.com/y4EICtZTY1

— SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) July 9, 2025

The elder Larionov recently took over the coaching duties for SKA St. Petersburg following his departure from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, whom he had overseen as coach for the previous three seasons. 

Coincidently, Igor Jr. had also played the last three seasons with Nizhny Novgorod. 

Born in Detroit in 1998 while his father was playing for the Red Wings, the young Larionov played for the Detroit Honeybaked Hockey Club, which was followed by stints for the Québec Remparts, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and Windsor Spitfires. 

Hockey changed forever when the Red Wings pulled off one of the most important trades in their history, acquiring Larionov from the San Jose Sharks in 1995 in exchange for Ray Sheppard. 

Detroit, who already 4 Russian-born players on their roster, would soon form the iconic "Russian Five", consisting of forwards Larionov, Sergei Fedorov and Slava Kozlov along with defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov and Slava Fetisov all playing on the same line as one another. 

Larionov was integral in Detroit's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1997 and 1998, and then again in 2002. He was one of 10 future Hall of Fame players to suit up for the 2001-02 edition of the Red Wings, which now includes fellow Russian Pavel Datsyuk, who was inducted last year. 

With 169 goals and 475 assists for 644 points, Larionov is ranked 17th all-time in scoring by a Russian-born NHL player.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed center Braeden Cootes to a three-year, entry-level contract. Vancouver selected the 18-year-old with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Cootes is the second Seattle Thunderbirds player that the Canucks have drafted in the first round, joining Petr Nedvěd, who was selected second overall in 1990. 

In a press release, GM Patrik Allvin wrote, "Braeden showed really well at our development camp, and we are happy to get him under contract. His compete level and desire to be one of the best players on the ice at UBC was apparent from the very first day. We liked his hard work and attention to detail, and we look forward to helping him improve as a hockey player."

Cootes has spent his entire WHL career with the Thunderbirds. This past season, he served as captain while producing 63 points in 60 games. Cootes was also named captain of Canada at the U18s, where he led the Canadians to a Gold Medal. 

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Signing Cootes means that he is now eligible to start the season in the NHL if he earns a spot on the main roster during training camp. If he does make the opening night lineup, he can play in nine games before his entry-level contract kicks in. At this point, the most likely option is that Cootes spends another season with Seattle in the WHL. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

What went down behind the scenes of K’Andre Miller’s breakup with the New York Rangers and arrival to the Carolina Hurricanes?

It actually went down basically as everybody could have expected, at least according to Miller’s agent Ian Pulver. 

Pulver praised Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury for his transparency throughout the whole process and how he handled it all. 

“It turned into a bit of a whirlwind,” Pulver said. “Chris Drury, who was completely aboveboard the whole time with the Miller situation and very professional, was in communication with me, was unsure whether he wanted to do a long-term deal… 

“There were several teams that reached out and the Hurricanes stepped to the plate, expressed interest, and then they had to construct a deal with the Rangers, which got done in the meantime. Discussions are going on with the Hurricanes to discuss parameters of a contract. And one thing led to another, and now K’Andre Miller is a Carolina Hurricane.”

The Rangers agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Hurricanes on July 1 where they received a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, and defenseman Scott Morrow.

Miller ultimately signed an eight-year $60 million contract with the Hurricanes. 

“It’s a big price to pay, but we think he’s a great fit for our system,” Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said. “You hear me talk a lot about how hard our scouting department works to identify players who will fit. He was one of them.”

K'Andre Miller Admits That The Constant Noise Surrounding Him And The Rangers Was On His MindK’Andre Miller’s departure from the New York Rangers was a long time coming. 

Despite the constant noise surrounding his name during the 2024-25 season, Miller spoke highly about his time with the Rangers, and he’s now ready to move forward into this next chapter.

“I think there was a lot of noise throughout the season,” Miller said. “It was definitely in the back of my head that something could happen, might happen. I loved my time in New York and it was great. I’m excited for what’s to come in Carolina.”

The Chicago Blackhawks could be a team to watch when it comes to the trade market. With the club still building up their roster, it would be understandable if they moved out some pieces who they do not view as long-term parts of their roster. 

Because of this, let's go over three Blackhawks who could end up being traded now. 

Connor Murphy 

Connor Murphy has been a popular name in the rumor mill for quite some time, and that should only continue this off-season. He is entering the final season of his contract, so he could be a valuable trade chip for the Blackhawks if they elect to move him.

It is no secret that NHL teams will forever value big right-shot defenseman, and Murphy is just that. Thus, teams looking for a steady defensive defenseman with experience certainly could look to add Murphy, whether it is during the summer or this upcoming season. 

In 68 games this past season with the Blackhawks, Murphy recorded two goals, 19 points, 117 hits, and 160 blocks. 

Lukas Reichel

Lukas Reichel has had trouble taking that next step with the Blackhawks, and it has led to the 23-year-old winger being the subject of trade speculation. With the Blackhawks having several promising young forwards in their system, it is hard to determine if the 2020 first-round pick will be a long-term part of Chicago's plans. 

Reichel appeared in 70 games this past season with the Blackhawks, where he posted eight goals, 22 points, and a minus-16 rating. While the Blackhawks could certainly keep Reichel to see if he breaks out next year, it also would be understandable if they moved him to give him a fresh start. 

Ilya Mikheyev

The Blackhawks brought in Ilya Mikheyev this past off-season in what was a cap dump trade for the Vancouver Canucks. Overall, the decision to acquire Mikheyev paid off for the Blackhawks, as the 30-year-old forward scored 20 goals and set a new career-high with 34 points in 80 games.

With Mikheyev having a solid season, there could be some interest in him if the Blackhawks make him available. He is a solid top-nine two-way forward who provides solid secondary scoring when playing at his best, so he could be a nice pickup for a team needing help on the wing. He is also entering the final season of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer, so he could be a player to keep an eye on. 

Insider Reveals Why Blackhawks Had Quiet Free AgencyLast off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks went on a shopping spree in free agency. They added an array of veteran players, including Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, TJ Brodie, Alec Martinez, Craig Smith, and Pat Maroon, in hopes of taking a step forward in their rebuild. 

Photo Credit: © Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

NHL free agency began over a week ago, and as is the case every year, there are under-the-radar signings that stand out upon reflection. 

Whether it’s a veteran taking a cheap deal, a young player trying to crack an NHL lineup or a good re-signing, some of the smaller deals deserve a closer look.

Here are five of the most under-the-radar signings, in no particular order.

Brent Burns, D, Colorado Avalanche

One year, $1 million, plus $4 million in performance bonuses

It’s not often that an upper-level defenseman for two decades at the NHL level is considered an under-the-radar player, but it’s because the 40-year-old Burns remains one of the oldest active players in the NHL.

Burns’ offensive numbers have fallen off in recent years, but this past season in Carolina, he still got 29 points while averaging 20:57 of ice time. In Colorado, he’ll play considerably less than that, keeping him fresh throughout the year and allowing him to focus on his strengths, including shooting and making solid breakout passes.

Burns will earn a $3-million bonus at 10 games played, but he’ll get another $1 million if he plays 70 games and averages 23 minutes or more, which is unlikely. It’s a good signing for Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland, and we expect he will thrive playing alongside Colorado’s many top-tier talents.

Evgenii Dadonov, RW, New Jersey Devils

One year, $1 million, plus $2.25 million in performance bonuses

Dadonov, 36, has bounced around the NHL since 2020-21, playing on four different teams during that span. 

He has performance bonuses that could boost the cap hit of the deal to $3.25 million, including $250,000 every 10 games played until he reaches 50 and $300,000 for making the playoffs and playing at least 40 games. New Jersey will be thrilled to pay out those bonuses if he reaches them, because he can still put up some excellent secondary scoring.

Getting someone who scored 20 goals and 40 points for Dallas last season is the type of depth signing that will likely only look like great business by Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.

Radek Faksa, C, Dallas Stars

Three years, $2 million AAV

Faksa has produced a maximum of 20 points in each of his past six seasons, so $2 million might seem a bit high at first glance.

Faksa is still only 31 years old, however, and his defensive acumen, faceoff success and mistake-free game are what brought him back to Dallas after a season away from the organization in St. Louis. Faksa’s three-year pact is a wise depth investment from Stars GM Jim Nill. He won’t make many highlight reels, but he’ll be an important bottom-six forward for the cap-strapped Stars, which lost Mikael Granlund in free agency.

Alex Steeves, LW, Boston Bruins

One year, $850,000

After a successful NCAA career at Notre Dame, Steeves has spent the past four years in the Maple Leafs organization, becoming one of the most potent AHL players in that span. 

This past season, Steeves was named a second-team AHL all-star after putting up a career-best 36 goals and 62 points in 59 games. But he’s never gotten a long look with the Leafs, playing only 14 NHL games. The 25-year-old could get a much longer look with the retooling Bruins, and at the bargain basement price tag of $850,000, he could prove to be one of the NHL’s best investments this coming year.

Steven Lorentz, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Three years, $1.35 million AAV

Despite being an ECHLer in 2018-19, Lorentz won a Calder Cup in the AHL that season and a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24. 

This past season in Toronto, Lorentz matched his career high in points, with 19. But it’s Lorentz’s skills as a physical forward and penalty-killer that have earned him a three-year deal with the Leafs. 

His 199 hits were the second-most on the Leafs in 2024-25. He also averaged only 10:33 of ice time, but 1:08 of that was on the PK. 

As the cap rises in the coming years, Lorentz’s salary will be close to the league minimum, making his contract a savvy move by Buds GM Brad Treliving.

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Before Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves calls it a career, he hopes to hit the milestone of 1,000 games.

The 38-year-old sat down with Andy Strickland and Cam Janssen of the Cam & Strick Podcast this week. Reaves reflected on his career, living in Vegas during the summer, the Toronto traffic, and what it's been like to be part of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This past year wasn't the easiest for Reaves. The veteran forward cleared waivers and was sent to the AHL's Toronto Marlies at the trade deadline to make room for the incoming additions of Scott Laughton and defenseman Brandon Carlo.

It was the first time Reaves had been in the AHL since 2011. He played three games with the Marlies, scoring one goal.

"They didn't tell me I had to go play. I was actually skating with the skills coach for a couple weeks, but the boys went on the road for a couple road trips and I started getting bored. I hadn't seen anybody, I just wanted to be part of something," he said.

"So I called and said I'm going to come down and practice with the Marlies, and it was just a really good group of guys down there, so I was like, I'll jump into a couple home games and stay ready if I was called on. Unfortunately, I wasn't, but I think I just got to the point where I just wanted to be around the boys again and not just sit at home and bag skate by myself."

'I Know I'm A Better Player Than I Was In Utah': Matias Maccelli Believes He's Ready For Top-Six Role With Maple LeafsMatias Maccelli was attempting to make a putt when his friend began yelling about a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One particular moment that went viral while with the Marlies was when his visor was pushed all the way up during warmups. Per AHL rules, Reaves had to wear a visor during games, a rule that doesn't exist in the NHL.

"It's funny about the visor because the first game, it was tilted all the way up, right, and I didn't really think anything of it, I just thought it was just going to fly under the radar, but it was all over the internet. So then, I was like, 'Oh s**t, everybody's tweeting this out.' Game two I played, I was like, somebody's going to say something and nobody said anything," he smiled.

"And then game three, the GM (Ryan Hardy) down there came up to me and said, 'Okay, the league called and they said they want you to put the visor down.' So I was like, 'Ah, damn.' So I go out there and I look at one of the refs and was like, 'Hey, how low do you want this thing to go?' He's like, 'What do you mean?' I was like, 'Well, they said they called and that I got to put this low.' The ref goes, 'I don't give a s**t what you do."

'Couldn't Ask For Anything Better': How Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Jake Muzzin Is Helping Develop The Next Crop Of Toronto DefendersAs Toronto Maple Leafs 2024 first-round pick Ben Danford finishes a battle drill at the organization's development camp, he receives a stick-tap from Jake Muzzin.

Reaves spends his summer in Vegas. He played four seasons with the Golden Knights from 2018 to 2021. When Mitch Marner departed the Maple Leafs for the Golden Knights, signing an eight-year contract with a $12 million annual average value, he had mentioned Reaves as a player with whom he's had conversations about the living situation in Vegas.

"I went out for dinner with Mitchy yesterday," he smiled.

"Mitchy earned the right to go wherever he wants, and he's dedicated his whole career to Toronto, a hometown guy, and he's poured everything he had into it, and sometimes it's just time to move on. There's not much else to say about that. I'm happy for him. He deserved the contract he got. Wish him the best here for sure."

Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.

But does Reaves believe Marner received unfair treatment in Toronto?

"I think they can be a little ruthless to him. I guess just because he's the hometown guy and sometimes fans want to point fingers at somebody," he said.

"I think there's two sides to the fans in Toronto. I think there's the ones that just want to win so bad that they're willing to drag anybody through the dirt, and then there's the loyal fans that just want to cheer on a good team. There's a lot of fans there, so you get a lot of both. It's tough for any player when you're reading all the hate that you get and it's probably just frustrating."

Maple Leafs Sign Former Canadiens Forward Michael Pezzetta To Two-Year, $1.575 Million ContractThe Toronto Maple Leafs have made their first free-agent signing.

Reaves, though, added that as a player, you're going to find negative fans anywhere you play.

"There's always going to be people who find something negative to say. Doesn't matter what market you're in, there's always somebody who just wants to drag you down, and you just can't pay attention to that," said Reaves.

"I like Toronto. To be honest, I don't go out a lot there. I cannot stand the traffic, and so I don't make my way downtown, it's like a 45-minute drive for me because they just shut down a couple lanes there. I've probably been downtown, besides a game, maybe three, four times the whole year."

'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Reaves was then asked about a couple of Toronto's core players, such as Auston Matthews, who just finished up his first year as captain of the Maple Leafs. "I feel like he looks a little more reserved than he is when he's talking to the cameras," he said, "but he's a great guy that loves to joke around, hangs out with the boys. He was one of boys in Toronto for sure."

Matthew Knies had another career year with Toronto and just signed a massive seven-year, $46.5 million extension with the Maple Leafs. Reaves called him a player who doesn't come around very often in the NHL.

"I said at the very beginning of the year last year, he's the one guy I was most excited to see. You do those skates before training camp and you're just kind of playing five-on-five shinny. He just looked, like his confidence was sky-high and he's a big, strong guy," Reaves said.

"Again, one of those guys that they don't come around very often, where they play really physical, they can put the puck in the net, it's hard to take the puck off him, he's good in front of the net, has got good hands. He's kind of the complete package of what you want out of a player."

Why Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet.

He also spoke glowingly about William Nylander.

"He's one of the most skilled players I've ever played with," Reaves said, before being asked to compare both Matthews and Nylander.

"I think they're just different. I think Matthews is very good at finding spots to score. He is one of the most accurate shots out there. He plays very hard defensively, a really good stick. Willy, you just can't take the puck off him because he's so good on his edges, and he can fly with the puck, going any direction. He'll make one move and make you miss, and Matty can do that too. I think they're just a little bit different skill-wise."

'This Is For Real Now': Matthews, Tavares, Nylander Texts Help Welcome New Maple Leafs ProspectsIn the hours—and likely days—after the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Tyler Hopkins with their third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old sifted through all of the messages received about being selected.

There are questions about Reaves' future with the Maple Leafs. He's someone who's nearing the end of his playing career, and his enforcer play style isn't used in the league anymore. He played 35 games this past season with a Maple Leafs team that's looking to contend for a Stanley Cup and didn't register a goal.

Reaves only has one more year left on his contract, which he signed with Toronto in 2023, but what's next? Does he see himself back in Toronto for the start of next season? What are his goals as his career begins to wind down?

"I still want to play. I'm 83 games from 1,000 right now, so I would love to be able to hold on for another two years and hit that and then ride into the sunset. I don't think I can make it past two more years, but I would love to get that, and I think the dream is always the Stanley Cup.

"When I first came into the league, I remember looking at my wife and I was like, 'Wouldn't it be cool if I hit 100 games in the NHL?' And then I hit 100 and I was like, 'Imagine I hit 200.' All of a sudden I was at 500 and then thought maybe I chase 1,000 here.

"For a player who plays like me, I think it would be a pretty cool accomplishment, so Stanley Cup, 1,000 games, in that order, so I would love to have the opportunity to try and get it."

(Top photo of Reaves: Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)