Category: Ice Hockey

Every NHL draft, there are pivot points that affect what happens next. 

What one team does with its pick, whether it drafts a certain player over another or it trades the pick, alters the way other squads approach the rest of the draft. 

This year, there are a handful of key points in the first round that could change the way things go directly after them. They could start a run or cause a player to fall. It could be that when a player falls, teams look to trade up. 

Let’s look at a few key points that we can identify heading into the first round on Friday night. 

Islanders’ Big Decision

The New York Islanders will choose between the potential elite-level prospect in Matthew Schaefer or Michael Misa or the hometown kid in James Hagens. The word around the campfire is they will go with Schaefer, but Hagens grew up an Isles fan, going to games on a regular basis. Maybe they'll be extra aggressive and get Schaefer and Hagens.

It’s a tough decision for a team that has had some issues in the past with high-end players leaving but the reality is that they should go with Schaefer, build out their defense group and look to make the best long-term decision. 

2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And MoreThe 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

Top Three Seem Set – Where Do The Mammoth Go?

There seems to be some level of consensus that Schaefer, Misa, and Swedish forward Anton Frondell are going to be the first three names off the board, although the order is a bit up in the air. 

That means the direction the Utah Mammoth take at fourth overall will set the course for the next six picks of the draft. 

There are plenty of options for the directions they could go. They could go with a big, hulking player as they’ve done in recent years by drafting someone like Radim Mrtka or Roger McQueen. They could go with a high-skill player like Hagens. They could continue the trend of taking forwards, or they could grab their pick of the defensive class.

Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.

Where Does The No. 2 Defenseman Go?

Speaking of the defenders in the class, when is the run on defenders going to start? 

Aside from Schaefer, the top of the draft is very forward-heavy. There could reasonably be eight forwards that go in the top 10. 

What usually happens, though, is that once the league feels the quality blueliners dwindle, teams clamor to grab their defender so that they don’t miss out. With a group of five or six defenders that seem solidified as first-rounders, once one goes, teams could start a run.

Penguins Hold Picks 11 And 12, Canadiens Hold Picks 16 And 17

There are quite a few teams with multiple first-round picks this year. The San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators have multiple picks spread out over the first round, with the Preds possessing three. 

With that said, the most interesting teams with multiple picks are the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins have been rumored to be looking to move up in the draft, and now that they have the 11th and 12th picks, they have the ammo to do it.

A few picks later, Montreal holds the 16th and 17th selections. They are among the big group of franchises looking to move picks for NHL talent. 

While they may not be able to make that move, the two picks could be used to move up and grab a top-end talent, or they could just make the picks with the players that fall to them and build their already impressive pipeline.

Who Is The Wild Card? 

Every single year, there is a wild card. Some team takes a player no one expects. 

Whether it’s Yegor Chinakhov, who was drafted 21st overall despite being a relative unknown, or Beckett Senecke going much higher than anyone expected, someone will cause a ruckus at the draft. It’s one of the most exciting parts of the event every year. 

The question is who will make the surprise selection. I have a funny feeling it will be Boston, which hasn’t drafted high in quite some time.

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The hockey world is waiting to find out where Brad Marchand decides to lace up his skates next season and beyond.

As it stands, the 37-year-old unrestricted free agent could very well end up re-signing with the Florida Panthers.

Florida acquired Marchand at last season’s Trade Deadline in exchange for what ended up being a first round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

It’s a price that the Panthers are surely pleased to have paid, as Marchand played an instrumental role in Florida’s winning their second straight Stanley Cup.

Marchand was a close second to teammate Sam Bennett in the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy. He racked up 10 goals and 20 points in 23 postseason games, including six goals during the Stanley Cup Final against Edmonton.

Two of those six goals against the Oilers were game-winners.

So yeah, Marchand was electric for the Panthers, and what appeared to be a match made in heaven could potentially go on for the next several seasons depending on how things shake out in free agency.

While we still have a few days to wait for those decisions to start coming in, there was another interesting stat from Marchand’s playoff run that felt important to highlight.

As a team, the Panthers proved to be incredibly strong when it came to bouncing back after a loss.

During Florida’s 23-game playoff run, they only lost back-to-back outings one time: Games 1 and 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Panthers held a 6-1 record after a defeat, outscoring teams 33-20 during those seven outings.

It’s what Marchand did during those seven games that really jumps off the page.

First off, Marchand had at least a point in every one of Florida’s games after a loss.

In fact, he racked up seven goals and 11 points on 22 shots in those seven post-defeat outings, skating to a plus-14 on-ice rating.

Considering Florida’s ability to bounce back and not have to endure any extended periods of losing was a key element to their Stanley Cup victory, it’s clear Marchand played a monumental role in making sure that remained a strength that the team possessed throughout their march to the Cup.

It’s just something else to keep in mind as we inch close to July 1.

Of course, Marchand and the Panthers could always agree to an extension before that.

Stay tuned.

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Photo caption: Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal on Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the second period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)

Coming out of the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres got the lowdown on a number of prospects that could be their with the ninth selection at the 2025 Draft in Los Angeles this week, but barring a trade up they will have to rely on the player they want slipping through the cracks.  

The NY Islanders are likely to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top overall pick, but there is no accurate read on how the remaining seven picks will break. That seems to be reflected in various mock drafts that have emerged since the combine. After Schaefer, names like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and rising star Anton Frondell are likely to go in the top five, but at that point, any of a number of players could be there for the Sabres at #9.  

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Justin Carbonneau is a player who is ranked just outside of the top 10 on many mock drafts, but has the combination of physicality and skill that might intrigue the Sabres at #9. The 18-year-old debuted in the QMJHL at 16 and in his second season with Blainville-Boisbriand scored 31 goals. Last season, the 6’1”, 192 lb. winger led the Armada in goals (46), assists (43) and points (89).

According to the Hockey News Draft Preview, Carbonneau is a power forward who put up impressive offensive numbers but has issues with consistency. If he can get a handle on that, he’ll have a solid future in the NHL. Some scouts struggle to see a clear identity, but Carbonneau is a good skater, can hit, win puck battles and go to the net, which NHL clubs are looking for, especially in a copycat league where the Florida Panthers have won a pair of Stanley Cups. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Wraparound is here with a look at the NHL’s Pacific Division and more news as the draft and free agency approach.

Can The Oilers Avoid Drama With Evan Bouchard Negotiations? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here’s what Emma Lingan, Adam Kierszenblat and Wyatt Thomas discussed in this episode:

1:15: Initial thoughts on the Buffalo Sabres trading JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth? 

4:35: The Vancouver Canucks have just over $7 million in cap space after trading for Evander Kane, and they may need to replace Brock Boeser. Will they re-sign Pius Suter to fill that role, or will they trade off assets to give them more flexibility?

9:20: Will Evan Bouchard get a deal done with the Oilers to avoid any drama, and will this help Edmonton avoid a cap crunch while they look to re-sign Connor McDavid?

14:30: Where could the Calgary Flames trade defensemen Rasmus Andersson if a deal gets done?

19:00: How will the Los Angeles Kings replace Tanner Jeannot's physicality while also adding someone who can provide more in the offensive zone?

23:35: Will adding Mason Marchment help the Seattle Kraken become more competitive next season? What else do they need to add?

27:55: Reilly Smith signed an extension with the Vegas Golden Knights. Do we think it was the right move?

Watch the full Episode here 

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Promo image credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The Chicago Blackhawks have options with the third overall pick. The consensus top two picks are defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters and Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit. The New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks have the first and second picks, respectively. 

With those two seemingly off the board, at least we thought, that leaves a group of good but raw, talented forwards to consider. James Hagens, Porter Martone, Caleb Desnoyer, and Anton Frondell are the players in question. Chicago wants Misa, but trading up in this draft doesn’t seem possible. 

However, there are new conflicting reports that the San Jose Sharks are incredibly interested in Frondell as the second overall pick. If the Islanders don’t shock the world and avoid taking Schaefer, and the Sharks go with Frondell, that would leave Misa for the Hawks to select third. 

If that were to be the case, Chicago would be getting their guy. Misa is a high-end offensive talent who has the ceiling of an NHL star. 

During the 2024-25 season, Misa had a huge year for the Spirit, who play in the OHL. In 65 games played, he scored 62 goals and had 72 assists for 134 points. Even in the OHL, that's a lot of goals and points. 

Misa is 6'1"/183 lbs and is a center who may end up being a winger in the NHL. Regardless of what position he sticks with, Misa will be an offensive force. Whether it's at even strength or on the power play, he can expect time with Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar once he reaches the NHL. 

Will Misa become the game-breaker in the NHL that he was in the OHL? Only time will tell, but he will certainly get the chance wherever he goes. If he has a strong training camp/preseason, he could be the first from his class to debut in the NHL. 

Misa already plays with a chip on his shoulder. He wasn't even invited to try and be on Canada's World Junior team last season. They failed to meet expectations in the tournament without him there, too, which makes it that much more disappointing for him. 

TSN (@TSN_Sports) on X2025 NHL Draft Prospect Michael Misa opens up on not being invited to Canada’s World Junior camp: (via: @JClipperton_CP)

Is it realistic to expect the San Jose Sharks to pass on Misa? It didn't feel that way a few weeks ago, but now it feels like a real possibility. With Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith already there, they probably would rather have Schaefer over everybody, but the Islanders will likely select him. Maybe the feel that Frondell gives them more of what they need down the middle. 

Chicago doesn't care if it gets stronger at center or on the wing. They need scoring forwards in the pipeline, as their defense is already deep in the organization. Once they start adding more snipers to the lineup, they will increase their chances of finishing off the rebuild. It will likely take some luck to get Misa, but he would be a great fit. 

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

Insider reports say veteran winger Patrick Kane is interested in return to Detroit.

The Red Wings are looking to re-up their near-60 point player in Patrick Kane with more and more reports indicating that a deal should be almost done between both sides. 

We had looked at several reports from insiders recently on how It's believed that Kane will be staying in Detroit with NHL Insider Chris Johnston adding to the conversation, saying he believes Kane and his camp has expressed interest to come back. 

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The three-time Stanley Cup champion has proven to still have some juice left in the tank after recording 59 points through 72 games at 36 years old last season. Reports have indicated that Kane has been able to work as a mentor for the younger players like Marco Kasper to help them grow their game. 

Kane still has a lot to offer as his 0.82 point-per-game average last season had him in line with the likes of Connor Bedard, Nazem Kadri and Dylan Holloway. 

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

The cap hit will likely be around $4 million a year, since that’s what he signed for with the Red Wings before. The deal might also include a trade clause, since he asked for one in his last contract.

As for term, Kane spoke to the fact that he would like to finish his NHL career with over 1,500 games played and for a three-year long deal he would have the opportunity to do that in the Motor City. 

The cap is going up and Detroit has $21.3 million in cap space heading into free agency so they would have more than enough room to bring back Kane on a agreed-upon deal as well as continuing to fish for a big ticket free agent.

The Red Wings have been linked to Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad so far but most insider reports indicate that the team is interested in acquiring goaltending depth. 

Other pending free agents with the Red Wings are Alex Lyon, Jeff Petry and key depth forward Tyler Motte among others. 

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The San Jose Sharks have been expected to make some roster changes this summer, and one of them came in the form of a buyout on Thursday (Jun. 26) when they placed Marc-Édouard Vlasic on waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

Vlasic, who is 38 years old, played 1323 games with the Sharks, scoring 84 goals and adding 295 assists for 379 points. He had spent his entire career as a Shark and now enters free agency looking for a new team for the first time in his career.

The Sharks will save some money this season as Vlasic's cap hit drops to $4.67 million, and they'll pay him $1.17 million in the 2026-27 season before he comes off the books. The Sharks now have just over $44 million in cap space heading into the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and free agency.

Sharks Expected To Make Pick At #2 In 2025 NHL DraftAccording to Sheng Peng from NBC Sports Bay Area, he has reported that GM Mike Grier is in fact planning on making a selection with the second overall pick. BREAKING: Sharks Legend Joe Thornton Named Part Of 2025 Hockey Hall Of Fame ClassOn Tuesday (Jun. 24) afternoon, the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class was announced, and San Jose Sharks fans were hoping to hear one of their former players names called this time around. San Jose Sharks 2025 Draft Target: Anton FrondellThe NHL Draft is just days away and after an interesting story on the 32 Thoughts podcast, about the San Jose Sharks potentially leaning towards drafting Anton Frondell. It got me thinking, we hadn't yet written about him as a draft target for the Sharks.

With the 2025 NHL Draft rapidly approaching, the chatter around Brady Martin and the Philadelphia Flyers has seemingly increased tenfold. While he's a good prospect, the Flyers must pass on Martin with the sixth overall pick.

Martin, 18, endeared himself to NHL front offices with a dazzling performance at the 2025 U18 World Juniors with Canada, scoring three goals, eight assists, and 11 points in seven games whilst stuffing the stat sheet with 29 penalty minutes and a +15 rating.

Martin, alongside fellow top draft prospects Braden Cootes, Lev Katzin, Cole Reschny, Ben Kindel, and Jackson Smith, won gold with Canada at the tournament.

So, why would the Flyers have to pass on Martin? The answer is simple: they can find a more talented player that early in the draft... but this is not to say that they shouldn't target him again soon after.

For instance, the Flyers have been heavily linked to elite offensive talents like James Hagens, Porter Martone, and Jake O'Brien in recent weeks. It's implied that the Flyers will favor a center, given their needs, like Hagens or O'Brien.

On the other hand, there are some concerns as to whether Martin can play center at the NHL level and if he has the hockey IQ to become productive offensively at the level necessary to justify his potential draft position. This is one of the traits Flyers assistant GM Brent Flahr and his group of scouts values the most.

Flyers Have New Trade-Up Possibility in NHL DraftIf the Philadelphia Flyers wish to move up in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings have presented them a golden opportunity to do so.

And if the Flyers ultimately draft a winger, they would be much better off taking a Martone or a Victor Eklund, Martin's leadership and playstyle notwithstanding.

The Soo Greyhounds ace is currently ranked 10th on EliteProspects' consolidated rankings, which would make him a far more attractive prime trade-up target instead of the borderline top-5 selection that many believe he will be.

For example, let's assume that the Flyers draft Hagens sixth, making him the No. 1 center of their future.

That leaves the Flyers with the 22nd and 31st picks to find a deal to move up for Martin, which may exist with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens hold the 11th and 12th picks after the New York Rangers officially transferred their 2025 first-round pick to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Suddenly, the Flyers would have a long-term center core of Trevor Zegras, Hagens, Jett Luchanko, and Martin, with Martin and Zegras having the flexibility to play wing if needed.

Martin finds himself highly coveted around the NHL due to his playstyle, which has drawn some comparisons to Sam Bennett. With Florida winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, everyone is convinced that they must have a Sam Bennett to be a good hockey team.

There may be some truth to that, certainly, but the Flyers cannot acquire the "playoff-type" player at the expense of raw talent and upside.

But, if you can form two long-term duos with, say, Hagens and Matvei Michkov (Line 1) and Zegras and Martin (Line 2), pulling the trigger and helping out a youth-starved team like the Penguins may very well prove beneficial down the road.

With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.

While no two players are identical, every year, scouts and fans always look for the closest NHL comparisons for draft-eligible prospects to better assess their potential with pro-level development.

It can sometimes be misleading, but it can also be a great way to gain a better understanding of how each player can fit within an organization’s future.

Let’s look at some of the top prospects in the 2025 draft class and find their best NHL comparables.

Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

NHL Player Comparable: Ryan Getzlaf

Ryan Kennedy’s Rank: 7
Tony Ferrari’s Rank: 18

Roger McQueen has the frame of a power forward but the offensive instincts of a playmaker. He can visualize plays in the offensive zone at a high level and is very calm with the puck, unafraid to slow things down and draw in opposing players to create passing lanes for his teammates. While he may not be the most mechanically sound skater, he’s deceptively quick and uses his length to cover a lot of ice quickly. 

McQueen is also very elusive in transition, slipping pucks past players despite not being able to beat them with explosive speed. He’s an elite net-front presence for his age and has great hands in tight, making him a threat from many different areas of the ice. While his injury history could make him one of the riskiest picks at the draft, his upside is undeniably one of the highest among the players in this class.

James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

NHL Player Comparable: Clayton Keller, Jack Hughes

Kennedy’s Rank: 5
Ferrari’s Rank: 3

James Hagens is one of the most offensively gifted players in this class, with his skating being the foundation of what makes him so remarkable. His agility, acceleration and ability to dictate the pace of play trickles into every facet of his game, and Hagens is easily the best forward when it comes to generating transition offense.

Puck control is also a huge part of Hagens’ playmaking game. He uses his stick extremely well in placing pucks in small spaces, and he can consistently beat players 1-on-1 with various skilled moves. He’s great at making defenders make uncomfortable decisions, and he has a decent enough shot that can make teams pay if passing lanes are closed off.

While the concerns about his size are warranted, it’s difficult to imagine a world where Hagens won’t be able to become a top-six center with high-end point production with the proper development.

Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.2)

NHL Player Comparable: Seth Jarvis, Travis Konecny

Kennedy’s Rank: 8
Ferrari’s Rank: 4

Despite weighing in at just under 170 pounds, Victor Eklund is a relentless forechecker who plays with a motor and pace that few others do in this class. He plays much bigger than he is, constantly putting pressure on opposing players below the goal line and having the willingness to drive to the net to bury loose pucks or rifle shots from in tight.

Eklund isn’t an overly creative player, but his timing, effort and IQ make him a well-rounded offensive player. He plays with intensity at both ends of the ice and is incredibly difficult to match up against, giving him one of the best projectable skill sets among wingers in this class.

Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)

NHL Player Comparable:  Sam Bennett

Kennedy’s Rank: 9
Ferrari’s Rank: 22

Nobody plays with more physical intensity in this draft class than OHLer Brady Martin. With his pace, tenacity and willingness to lay bone-crushing hits, Martin makes every shift feel like it’s his last. However, he isn’t just the best bruiser in junior hockey right now, either. Even though Martin doesn’t have the raw tools to always execute the most creative offensive plays, he’s got just enough offensive skill to make opponents pay if they underestimate him.

He’s going to make life difficult for a lot of players at the NHL level, and his work ethic and defensive instincts also make him a player coaches can trust in any on-ice situation.

Why Porter Martone Is The Smart Selection For The Chicago Blackhawks With The Third-Overall PickIt was a tough year for everyone on the Chicago Blackhawks, especially Connor Bedard.

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

NHL Player Comparable: Nico Hischier

Kennedy’s Rank: 6
Ferrari’s Rank: 15

Caleb Desnoyers is a proven winner at every level and enters the NHL draft as one of the most NHL-ready prospects. He’s a true 200-foot center who takes every detail of the game seriously, especially defensively. Desnoyers always looks to support his teammates in his own zone and is great at clogging up passing lanes while pushing defenders to the outside. 

While he gets a ton of deserved credit for his defensive play, Desnoyers is also an underrated offensive player. He’s great at baiting defenders and manipulating space in open ice to create shooting lanes for teammates, and he has a deceptive-enough release that allows him to beat goaltenders from mid-range consistently. 

Overall, he’s got a ton of pro-ready characteristics that will make him a reliable two-way player with offensive upside for a long time.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have acquired Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild today in exchange for forward Cameron Butler. 

This is Gaunce's second stint with the Jackets.

Gaunce played a total of 59 games for the CBJ from 2021-24, scoring 7 goals and totaling 12 points. For the Cleveland Monsters, he scored 42 goals and had 85 points. 

Cameron Butler played one career game for Columbus, but spent most of his time in Cleveland. He played 91 games and 11 points. 

This is second move today as Columbus also sent Daniil Tarasov to Florida. 

What else is Don Waddell planning?

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. 

Daniil Tarasov Traded To Florida PanthersPierre LeBrun has reported that goalie Daniil Tarasov has been traded to the Florida Panthers today.  REPORT: NHL, NHLPA Set To Announce New CBA On FridayIf you're an old NHL fan like me, when CBA's are brought up, it immediately gives me anxiety. In 2004, an NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of the entire season, which revolved around a salary cap. That lockout is the reason the Blue Jackets are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 25-26, instead of last season.  Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 NHL Mock DraftWelcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Mock Draft.

There are a number of pieces that combined to make the Calder Cup-winning puzzle that is the Abbotsford Canucks. One of the things that may fall to the wayside is the remarkable play of the team’s first-year members. All of the AHL Canucks’ postseason rookie players made their NHL debuts this season, with all of them factoring into the team’s 2025 Calder Cup victory. Let’s take a look at some of these remarkable rookies. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Lekkerimäki, the 15th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, made his AHL debut on March 30, 2024, and scored his first AHL goal around a week after. 2024–25 was his first full season with Abbotsford, during which he earned a call-up from the Vancouver Canucks. He made his NHL debut on November 12, 2024 against the Calgary Flames, and ultimately finished his 2024–25 season with Vancouver with three goals and three assists in 24 games played. 

In Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki led all AHL Canucks rookies in scoring with 19 goals in 36 games played, also adding nine assists to his point total. He was in and out of the lineup during the team’s Calder Cup Playoff run, skating in 16 of Abbotsford’s 24 postseason games. Most notably, he missed the back half of the Western Conference Finals and the first two games of the Calder Cup Finals, but made his return in a big way back on home ice. Lekkerimäki scored two goals in his second game back during the Finals, making the difference in a narrow 3–2 victory. 

“To me that sums up Lekky,” Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra said regarding Lekkerimäki’s returning performance. “The kid has ice in his veins. He doesn’t shy away from these big moments. And you could see tonight he had two quality looks. And then he made them count, so that that kind of sums up the type of player that he is. When given the opportunity and put in the right spot, he’ll make good.”

Ty Mueller

Mueller has been a force for Abbotsford throughout the regular and post-season. The 105th pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Mueller spent three seasons with the University of Nebraska-Omaha before making his AHL debut in 2024. He impressed during the regular season by registering 12 goals and 27 assists in 64 games, even earning himself a spot at the 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge in place of defenceman Elias Pettersson. Mueller was called up by Vancouver in April 2025 and skated in his first NHL game on April 12 against the Minnesota Wild. 

In a time when rookies may become more sheltered due to the stakes of each game, Mueller was called on even more so by his coach. The rookie forward was a consistent presence in the defensive zone during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run, even taking own-zone draws while defending leads late into games. Mueller flourished offensively as well, posting three goals and nine assists in all of the AHL Canucks’ postseason games. 

“Not only as the playoffs have gone on, but throughout this whole year, his game has continued to grow,” Malhotra said of Mueller’s progression throughout the season. “He’s developed and becoming more and more of one of our more reliable guys in key moments.” 

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Kirill Kudryavtsev 

Kudryavtsev was a steady presence on Abbotsford’s blueline this season, chipping in offensively and locking things up defensively. The Canucks’ seventh-round pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has shown fans that draft position doesn’t matter when you can play well. In his first season with the AHL Canucks, Kudryavtsev scored five goals and 21 assists in 65 games played. At the end of Vancouver’s regular season, he and fellow AHL Canuck Nikita Tolopilo were called up to the NHL club. Soon after, Kudryavtsev made his NHL debut on April 14. 

During the postseason, Kudryavtsev stepped up when it mattered most. He dominated opponents in terms of generating offensive chances for Abbotsford on 5-on-5, finishing playoffs with a league-leading +18 on-ice rating. He scored his first AHL playoff goal against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and also potted nine assists throughout the postseason. 

“It was really hard, as I expected, a really tough couple of first games,” Kudryavtsev said about adjusting to the AHL’s playoffs. “It’s still very different from the OHL playoffs. The guys are coming really hard at you, and you know that you need to bypass that pressure and that stress. But I’ve got lots of trust from my coaches, and I hope I’m doing good now.” 

Manny Malhotra 

Technically, Malhotra is an AHL rookie — just not in the same way that Lekkerimäki, Mueller, and Kudryavtsev are. The 2024–25 season was Malhotra’s first as an AHL head coach, and what a debut it was. During the regular season, he coached his team to a 44–24–2 record that was capped off with a historic 13-game win streak. In the playoffs, he helped Abbotsford win 16 of their 24 postseason games, with the team never losing back-to-back games during their Calder Cup chase. One of the biggest changes for this team, however, may have been their commitment to sticking to their systems. 

Malhotra has noted the significance of the word “resilience” to the team, as well as their “committee mentality” that has led them to success. Every player forechecks hard, blocks shots, and puts themselves in the best position to get in the way of an opposing team’s chances. This belief stems from the system Malhotra and his staff have curated for this specific roster. 

“When you have a coach that played the game, I think you’ve got more respect for him,” Sammy Blais said of Malhotra’s impact on the team. “He’s been really good. He keeps us honest, even after wins. He tries to keep us even. We’re really happy that he’s our coach, and he’s been a big factor for us for sure.” 

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As the off-season is underway, the Golden Knights are looking to make sure that the fandom doesn’t dry out this summer.

The Knights announced earlier this month that the team’s annual road trip presented by A1 Garage Door Service is set to take place July 12-17. This trip features 6 different stops: South Lake Tahoe, California; Reno, Nevada; Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, Arizona.

🗣️ LAKE TAHOE
🗣️ RENO
🗣️ CHANDLER
🗣️ SCOTTSDALE
🗣️ TEMPE
🗣️ PHOENIX

The VGK Road Trip is coming to all of these cities July 12-17! 🚌#VegasBorn | @A1GarageDoorshttps://t.co/y0m6uY3baA

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 6, 2025

Over the span of those 5 days there will be a series of free youth on-ice hockey clinics for players ages 6-13 and meet-and-greets with fans. The Knights mascot, Chance, members of the VGK cast, and team broadcasters are a few key people in attendance on this trip.

“The VGK Road Trip is eagerly anticipated each year as we look forward to connecting in person with our fans across The Realm,” said President Kerry Bubolz. “This is a great chance to celebrate our brand and the sport of hockey as we prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season.”

Northern Nevada has been a stop for the Knights for the past three summers, always between Tahoe and Reno. It will also be the Knights' fourth visit this year to the Grand Canyon State since Arizona was added to the Golden Knights’ television territory this past season. All stops on this trip are where VGK games will be broadcast locally on Scripps Sports and KnightTime+ in the upcoming season of 2025-26.

As July approaches, this trip offers more than just an off-season connection. It serves as a chance to strengthen the ever-growing bond between the team, its fans, and the future of hockey.

PHOTO COURTESY: Golden Knights

While everyone and their mothers are talking about the upcoming draft and free agency, the Montreal Canadiens released their preseason schedule on Wednesday. This time, Martin St-Louis’ men will be playing six preseason games.

The first exhibition tilt will take place in Montreal on September 22, when the Habs will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who could look much different come September. Kyle Dubas is set to embrace a rebuild and is actively shopping Erik Karlsson. Will he get the go-ahead to move more veterans who have no movement clauses? Time will tell.

The next day, the Tricolore will host Trevor Zegras and the Philadelphia Flyers before playing a home-and-away series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In case you’ve forgotten, it was in similar circumstances that Montreal lost both Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher to serious knee injuries last preseason. Chances are, the Canadiens will think twice before using members of the core until rosters have been trimmed down and AHL-dedicated tough guys have been weeded out.

The Tricolore will wrap up its preseason with a home-and-away series against the Ottawa Senators, with the away game set at the Centre Videotron in Quebec, where the Sens will be hosting. Just like the Canadiens, Ottawa qualified for the playoffs last season and will be looking to take another step forward this season. Thanks to acquiring Dylan Cozens at the deadline, the Sens now have a much deeper center line and have filled a need the Canadiens are still looking to plug.

When the puck drops on those preseason games, all eyes in Montreal will be fixed on Ivan Demidov as he sets out to embark on his rookie season. Having just witnessed Lane Hutson’s historic first year, the fans will likely have big expectations. Still, it would be worth remembering that the Russian winger only has limited experience in North American play and may need a bit of time to find his footing.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou finds himself right back in the rumor mill now that the off-season is here. This comes after the 27-year-old forward was discussed as a trade candidate leading up to this season's deadline. 

With Kyrou being an important part of the Blues' roster, there is certainly a clear argument to be had for keeping him around. However, his full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1 and lasts until the completion of the 2029-30 season. Thus, if the Blues want to move him, now would be the time. 

Kyrou is reportedly starting to generate some interest around the league, too. According to The Fourth Period, the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Columbus Blue Jackets are four teams linked to the Blues star. 

The Islanders reportedly having their eye on Kyrou is not necessarily surprising, as they desperately need more scoring if they hope to be a more significant threat next season. The Sabres recently traded JJ Peterka, so they have a hole in their top six that Kyrou could fix. The Canadiens and Blue Jackets are also two young teams on the rise, so they would benefit big time by adding a player like Kyrou. 

It will be interesting to see what the Blues end up doing with Kyrou this off-season. With the Blues taking a step forward and getting back into the playoffs last year, it would be understandable if they kept him around. Yet, if they get offered a nice haul for him, it is fair to wonder if they would consider it. 

Ex-Blues Forward Expected To Re-Sign With Current TeamAccording to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, former St. Louis Blues forward Brandon Saad is expected to re-sign with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Photo Credit:  © Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

One of the most underrated positions for the Ottawa Senators this fall will be the backup goalie role.

The number one job obviously belongs to Linus Ullmark, who's about to start a four-year deal worth $33 million with a cap hit of $8.2 million per season. The issue is that Ullmark, who turns 32 next month, has never played much more than half a season throughout his entire career.

In a league where the best goalies play upwards of 55-60 games, Ullmark's games played totals over the past 7 years have been 37, 34, 20, 41, 49, 40, and last season, 44. Sometimes it's due to a platoon situation like he had in Boston with Jeremy Swayman. But last year, it was injuries.

The point of it all is that Ullmark's backup stands to get as much work as any backup in the league next season. But who will it be?

The only other goalie under contract at the moment is Mads Søgaard, who played just 10 hockey games last season. Søgaard will be on a one-way deal, presumably because the club thought he'd be the one to replace Anton Forsberg, who becomes a UFA on Tuesday.

But then Leevi Meriläinen entered the chat.

With Søgaard hurt for much of the year, the Sens had to call on Meriläinen for 12 games, and he was sensational. His stats were considerably better than both Ullmark and Forsberg's.

But less than a week before free agency, Staios wouldn't announce anything official on Forsberg—or, for that matter, any of his three goalies. He was asked if Forsberg had officially declared to him that he's heading for the open market.

"I wouldn't speak on that," Staios said. "I mean, we've kept in touch with Anton. We've talked to all of our free agents, and I guess time will tell."

The follow-up was more direct. Would he like to bring Anton back?

"I've always said I enjoy Anton. I think he's a great pro. And a real good person."

Frankly, that sounds like the kind of thing you say to be nice when you're not that into someone.

So the assumption is that Forsberg will head to market on Tuesday, while Meriläinen is the goalie everyone thinks will get his job.

That would mean Søgaard will need to clear waivers so they can assign him to Belleville. At 6-foot-7, you can't teach big, as they say. So it's possible someone would put in a claim in the spirit of “you can never have too much goaltending.”

The Sens learned that lesson the hard way last year with all kinds of injuries to everyone. They had to lean on Meriläinen way earlier in his career than they ever thought they would, while the Belleville Senators were going out of their minds, trying to patch things up with replacements.

But while Søgaard's stock seems to have fallen, Staios quickly brought up his name while replying to a Merilainen question on Wednesday. The GM was asked by the affable Claire Hanna what his comfort level is with Meriläinen as his backup goalie, and Staios quickly shoehorned Søgaard into the dialogue, perhaps hinting that he's still in the mix.

"Well, we're comfortable with Leevi. You know, I think... and Mads as well. Like, Mads' injuries happened, and there are ups and downs to a player's career. So, we're comfortable with our goaltending depth, and we'll continue to look at other options as well."

In terms of other options in the organization, the Sens have the rights to Kevin Reidler (University of Nebraska Omaha) and Vladimir Nikitin (Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL).

Neither is an NHL option yet, and maybe not even AHL-ready. But time will tell.

Meanwhile, as good as Meriläinen was last season, is Staios's comfort level so high that he's ready to give him 30-40 NHL games next season? As a policy, does Staios think it's a best-in-class kind of move to hand his NHL backup role to a 22-year-old with all of 14 games of experience in the league? There's at least a chance the answer is no, and that Staios may, indeed, "look at other options," possibly one outside of the organization.

Meriläinen needs a qualifying offer by Saturday, and he'll get one, but it remains to be seen if the NHL backup role will truly be his this fall or not.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

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Should The Senators Have Surrendered This Year's First-Round Draft Pick Instead?
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