The Vancouver Canucks announced they have hired Iowa Wild head coach Brett McLean as an assistant coach.
McLean has been head coach of Iowa for the past two seasons, totalling a record of 54-74-10-6, missing the Calder Cup Playoffs both seasons.
The 46-year-old retired from professional hockey after the 2016-17 season and joined the Iowa Wild as an assistant the next season. He served in that role for three seasons before earning a promotion to the Minnesota Wild where he was also an assistant.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have named Kevin Dean, Brett McLean, and Scott Young Assistant Coaches. pic.twitter.com/Ny0kjqF82L
In his playing career McLean was a ninth round selection of the Dallas Stars in 1997. He recorded 56 goals and 162 points in 385 NHL games split between the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. He notched 21 points in 36 career AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs.
Winnipeg's final opponent of the 2024-25 season has determined it needs to change direction.
On Friday morning, the Dallas Stars announced the firing of head coach Peter DeBoer. The move comes after Dallas dropped the Western Conference Final 4-1 to Edmonton, after beating Winnipeg in six games to eliminate the Jets.
“After careful consideration, we believe that a new voice is needed in our locker room to push us closer to our goal of winning the Stanley Cup,” Stars' GM Jim Nill said in a statement. “We’d like to thank Pete for everything that he has helped our organization achieve over the past three seasons and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Joining the Stars for the 2022-23 season, DeBoer got Dallas to the Western Conference Final each of the past three years at the helm, going 149-68-29 in the process. His Stars earned the Central Division banner last year.
The other 'Mr. Game Seven' didn't even make it to a sixth game in the Western Conference Final this time around, as DeBoer pulled starter Jake Oettinger after his backstop allowed two goals on the game's opening two shots.
He then publicly ostracized Oettinger for his performance not only in the game but lifetime against the Oilers in the playoffs.
"I didn't take that lightly and I didn't blame it all on Jake," the veteran coach said. "But the reality is if you go back to last year's playoffs, he's lost six of seven games to Edmonton, and we gave up two shots on two goals in an elimination game. So, it was partly to spark our team and wake them up. And it was partly knowing that the status quo had not been working. That's a pretty big sample size."
The 26-year-old goaltender went 36-18-4 this season with a respectable 2.59 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. he won four of six games against Winnipeg in the second round. 2024-25 was the first season of his eight-year, $66 million contract extension.
For DeBoer, it was the penultimate season of his contract, to which the season ending with a Conference Final loss was no longer deemed good enough.
For his career, DeBoer is 662-447-152 with Florida, New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas and Dallas. He lost twice in the Stanley Cup Finals, having not made it to the dance since 2016.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has his eyes peeled for the NHL next season.
The 20-year-old has won almost everything in his junior career, from the OHL regular season and playoffs MVP and the league's title to the Memorial Cup and that tournament's MVP honors. Following the London Knights' Memorial Cup win, Cowan joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss his final year in junior and what's next.
"It's finally starting to sink in right around now," said Cowan when asked about the Memorial Cup win. "Just an unreal feeling bringing it home to London. It's just been great to spend these last couple of days with the guys, and just really enjoy our time together and celebrate the Memorial Cup."
One year ago, Cowan and the Knights were left licking their wounds following a 4-3 loss to the host Saginaw Spirit in the tournament final. However, with the type of talent London has, they knew it'd be possible to make it back if all of their players returned.
"Obviously, last year sucked and it was unfortunate, but I felt like all the guys and I just really focused on that this summer, to keep getting better. We all stay in touch. We're a super close group," Cowan said.
"And to be able to get back in the finals, that's what we wanted, and (Sam) O'Reilly said it at the beginning of the year, our goal is to win the last game, and that's what we did, so just super proud of this group."
Following a season with a historic point streak and 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 17 playoff games, Cowan now has his eyes set on pro hockey. Last fall, he was one of the final cuts from Maple Leafs training camp, and after another huge year, he's looking to come into 2025's camp with the NHL on his mind.
"Every kid in my situation would probably say [the goal is] to make the NHL, and that's definitely my goal," Cowan said.
"I mean, I feel like I'm capable of doing that. I just got to keep getting bigger, keep getting faster, and keep getting stronger. It's just in my hands. I feel like I'm smart enough and able to play, but obviously, I got to get bigger and that's just in my hands. I'll take advantage of that this summer training in London, training a bit in Toronto too. It'll help me out a lot and I'm just super excited for camp, and I'll be ready for it for sure."
What's the message from the Maple Leafs after two straight Memorial Cup Finals? Relax a bit before getting into summer training.
"Everyone texted me [after the Memorial Cup win]," Cowan smiled.
"They want me to just relax now. Enjoy the time. Have some fun. And just get away from the game. It's been good for me. I mean, I've went on three long runs here with London, so just to be able to put the hockey sticks away, pull out the golf clubs, go to some patios with some friends, and just really enjoy my time, and get some food with people I haven't saw in a while, it's been huge.
When it comes to training camp in the fall, there could be a few spots in the Maple Leafs' top-six open for Cowan, especially if Mitch Marner, who's on the precipice of NHL free agency, leaves Toronto on July 1. While Marner's place could be up for grabs, there's also a spot on the second line's left wing, after several players played there in the postseason.
"I mean, ever since I got drafted here, I said London's kind of like the Toronto of the OHL. A lot of people love you, and then there's a lot of people who hate you. It's been good for me to kind of get that under my belt, the experience here, and I'll just keep doing my thing," he said.
"I know people are going to love me or people are going to hate me, and that's just how the world is these days, so I'll just keep doing my thing, and that's playing hockey and keep getting better and keep working hard."
One area of Cowan's game that Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube mentioned needed improvement was his puck management. "A lot of players coming out of junior hockey, they still have the junior habits," said Berube.
"And he needs to show us that he doesn’t have all the junior habits anymore."
The forward returned to junior in the final days of Toronto's training camp, and several months later, agreed that the decision to loan him back to the Knights was correct.
"My 200-foot game for sure has gotten better. I find I've been managing the puck so much better. That's what I wanted to work on this year too, and it was good for me to come back to the OHL, have another year, and keep developing," he said.
"Now I know when to take a risk and when not to, and I feel like I'm a very reliable player, can play both ends of the ice, and I'm a guy that, I want to be out there in the last minute, whether we're up a goal or down a goal, so I feel like I learned that a lot this year."
Cowan admitted his goal is to make the Maple Leafs out of camp, and he will need to prove it when he arrives in Toronto in the fall.
"I know I'm smart enough to play, so just being able to manage the puck well during camp will be huge for me. I know I kill penalties and I know I can play on the power play or five-on-five, four-on-four, so just being able to play in any situation will be huge for me, and just play simple," he said.
"You're not going to be able to beat guys wide every time or go through the stick. It's the NHL, and it's definitely a huge jump, and I'll be ready for camp for sure."
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Czech
winger Jakub Vrána, 29,
has spent the last decade in North America, mostly in the NHL, but
rumors are circulating both in Sweden and in Czechia that Sweden will
be the next stop for the free agent.
Prior to heading overseas in 2015,
Vrána played for
Linköping HC from age 15
to 19, starting with the club’s U-16 team and progressing to the
SHL, where he recorded 34 points in 98 games as a teenager.
“There is contact. We’ve had a good relationship over the
years,” said Jakobsson.
But while admitting interest, the GM stopped short of saying that
a deal is imminent.
“We know what qualities he possesses, but right now it is an
uncertain situation,” said Jakobsson.
While he played in Linköping, Vrána was
chosen 14th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry
Draft by the Washington
Capitals. He established himself as a regular NHLer, recording 52
points in 69 games for
Washington
in 2019-20, and he
regularly represented Czechia
at
the IIHF
World
Championships.
However,
his career eventually became marred by injuries, declining play and a
spell in the NHL’s Player Assistance Program. Over the last four
seasons, Vrána
has only played in
110 NHL games, recording 49 points. He was also unable to earn a spot
on the Czech national team roster last spring, getting cut prior to
the 2024 Worlds in Prague.
Overall,
Vrána
has
223 points in 406 NHL regular season games with the Capitals, Detroit
Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators. He also has eight
points in 38 playoff games, all with Washington, and was part of the
2018 Stanley Cup championship team.
Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Weekend's Way Back When looks back at some of the memorable moments NHL players have had during their time with the Stanley Cup.
Whether it's letting a horse drink from the Cup or baptizing a child, the championship trophy has been through a lot in its history.
Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media. And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.
There is more turnover in an NHL offseason than in a game of beer league.
And the Detroit Red Wings have had their fair share of turnover, too. While the likes of Jake Walman are enjoying their first crack at the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers, other former Red Wings are seeking employment in different leagues.
On August 15th of 2023, the Red Wings traded Gustav Lindstrom to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a deal to bring in Jeff Petry. While that deal hasn’t worked out swimmingly for the Winged Wheel, it hasn’t been all roses and unicorns for the Canadiens.
Lindstrom spent his 2023-24 season split between the Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Anaheim Ducks. This past year, he only played for the Rocket, the Canadiens' AHL affiliate.
Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that Lindstrom has signed a new contract. However, this one wasn’t for another NHL team.
📃✍🏻 Djurgården välkomnar med stor glädje Gustav Lindström till föreningen. Den 26-årige försvararen, med 174 matcher i NHL och ett SM-guld, har skrivit på ett femårigt avtal som sträcker sig till 2030.
Stability and consistency are essential to Lindstrom. He has played with six different teams in three different leagues over the past five seasons. With that volume of change happening around him, it’s no wonder he signed a five-year deal.
The NHL might not be in the cards anymore for the young defender, but at least he’s found a place to call home.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning announced they have hired Colorado Eagles associate head coach Dan Hinote as an assistant coach.
Hinote helped lead the Eagles to a 43-21-5 record this season, best in the AHL's Western Conference. The Eagles led the league in goals for and had an AHL-best +65 goal differential.
The 48-year-old began his coaching career as an assistant with the Columbus Blue Jackets from the 2010-2011 season through the 2013-14 season. He transitioned to a pro scout for four seasons before joining the US National Development Program's U17 and U18 teams. He then joined the Nashville Predators as an assistant for four seasons from 2020-21 through 2023-24.
We've hired Stanley Cup Champion and former NHL forward Dan Hinote as an assistant coach!
In his playing career Hinote recorded 38 goals and 90 points in 503 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. He won the 2001 Stanley Cup with Colorado.
He also posted 84 points in 144 career AHL games with the Hershey Bears, scoring 28 goals and 59 points in 55 games and being named an AHL All-Star in 1999-2000.
(Header/feature image courtesy of Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
The confetti had barely settled when Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk hoisted the Memorial Cup high—symbols of their London Knights’ unforgettable season. The Knights’ postseason run—which consisted of capturing a second consecutive OHL Championship and the storied Memorial Cup (which the Knights had lost out on last season)—was defined by grit, skill, and a relentless will to win, cemented their place in junior hockey lore.
Now, as the echoes of celebration fade, both Barkey and Bonk find themselves on the brink of an even bigger challenge: the jump to professional hockey with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers’ top affiliate.
Two Stars, One Journey
Barkey and Bonk have been household names in London for some time, embodying the Knights’ brand of high-tempo, smart, two-way hockey. Barkey, a dynamic forward with electrifying speed and a nose for the net, played a pivotal role in driving London’s offense, contributing in key moments with both goals and timely defensive plays.
Bonk, meanwhile, anchored the blue line with poise and maturity beyond his years. His steady presence, coupled with a knack for making crisp outlet passes and jumping into the rush when needed, made him indispensable. (Not to mention his "Bumper Bonk" title—a nod to how crucial he's been to the Knights' powerplay in the bumper role, despite that not being a position given to defensemen.)
Yet, as they prepare to trade in their junior jerseys for the orange and black of Lehigh Valley, both players know the path ahead is steep.
The Adjustment Curve
For Barkey, the most immediate challenge is physicality. At 5’9”, he’s not the biggest player—and in the AHL, where seasoned veterans and bruising defenders lurk around every corner, Barkey will need to build strength without sacrificing the very speed and agility that make him special. His game thrives on quick bursts, elusiveness, and relentless energy. If he can find that balance—bulking up enough to handle the rigors of a grinding schedule while maintaining his trademark shiftiness—he’ll carve out a role quickly.
Barkey’s defensive game will also come under the microscope. In junior hockey, his anticipation and high motor allowed him to disrupt plays with ease, but the AHL is less forgiving. He’ll need to adjust to tighter checking, more structured systems, and the higher pace of decision-making. But those who’ve watched him closely know he’s more than up for the task—his hockey IQ is a calling card that should help smooth the transition.
My opinion of Denver Barkey is that honestly I don't know what role he's going to fill at the NHL level, but I think he'll find a way to be a player you want on your team and you miss when he's not in the lineup. https://t.co/njk5lLU4fc
For Bonk, the leap to pro hockey poses a different set of challenges. While his game is already defined by calmness and sound positioning, he’ll be tested by bigger, faster, and more physically mature forwards than he’s faced in the OHL. He’s not the most imposing defenseman in terms of size, but his stick work, angles, and composure under pressure have drawn praise. Still, he’ll need to sharpen his physical game—using leverage, timing, and anticipation to separate opponents from the puck without getting caught flat-footed.
Another area of growth for Bonk will be asserting himself offensively. In London, he showed flashes of quarterback potential on the powerplay, but the AHL is a different beast. Developing confidence with the puck at the blue line, making quick reads, and finding shooting lanes will be key to unlocking his next level.
What They Bring—and Why It Matters
Both Barkey and Bonk bring intangibles the Flyers’ pipeline has long craved. Barkey’s motor, offensive creativity, and fearless approach to the game will inject much-needed spark and versatility into Lehigh Valley’s lineup—and, eventually, the Flyers’. He’s the type of player who can dictate the pace of games, play up and down the lineup, and bring a refreshing pop and fizz to the offense.
Bonk, meanwhile, offers the kind of poised, two-way reliability that NHL coaches love. He’s not particularly flashy, but he consistently makes the right play and approaches the game with a wisdom and maturity far beyond his 20 years. His ability to read the ice, make smart decisions under pressure, and join the rush selectively gives him the look of a future top-four defenseman—exactly the kind of player the Flyers hope to build around.
A Stepping Stone, Not a Finish Line
The jump from junior to the AHL is often described as the hardest in a young player’s career—a proving ground where even the most talented prospects must learn to adapt, compete, and mature. For Barkey and Bonk, this season with the Phantoms won’t be about immediate stardom; it’ll be about building habits, refining their games, and learning what it takes to succeed in the pros.
They’ve already proven they can win together—now they’ll try to prove they can grow together. For Flyers fans eager to see the next wave of homegrown talent, there’s every reason to believe that Barkey and Bonk are up to the challenge. Their story is only just beginning.
“In his first KHL season after arriving from overseas, he proved
that the increased attention was fully justified – sixth in in
scoring among defensemen in the league and an excellent plus/minus
are proof of that,” said Traktor GM Alexei Volkov. “Gross has a
high hockey IQ, moves the puck well, and is capable of playing both
on the boards and in open ice. With his arrival, the Traktor defense
gets an established professional, ready to solve serious problems.”
Traktor Chelyabinsk finished first in the KHL’s Eastern
Conference last year and was tied for third-best in goals against, so
the team does not necessarily have serious defensive problems to
solve.
Undrafted upon completing four years at the
University of Notre Dame, Gross signed with the Arizona Coyotes
late in the 2017-18 season and was immediately assigned to the Tucson
Roadrunners of the AHL. Between 2018 and 2014, Gross has spent most
of his time in the AHL
but has also played 25 NHL games with the Coyotes, Colorado
Avalanche and Nashville
Predators.
Brad Marchand isn’t a passenger on the Florida Panthers’ journey toward another Stanley Cup title. He’s playing a leading role.
The veteran left wing, who was traded from the Boston Bruins to the Panthers at the NHL trade deadline in March, has tallied 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 18 games during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also scored a goal in the Panthers’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night.
Marchand arrived to the Panthers with an upper body injury and didn’t make his debut for Florida until March 28 — three weeks after he was dealt from Boston.
Marchand turned 37 years old a few weeks ago, but in many ways he’s still a top-tier player, and that has been evident in this postseason run.
His value in free agency could rise quite a bit as a result.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston wrote Wednesday that “multiple league sources said they believe that Marchand will command as much as $8 million on his next contract, which means he’s in line for a nice raise on the $6.125 million he’d been earning on the eight-year extension he signed with the Bruins in 2016. Don’t be surprised if his next contract runs beyond his 40th birthday, too.”
The Bruins traded Marchand after the two sides weren’t able to reach an agreement on a contract extension. B’s general manager Don Sweeney said in his post-trade deadline press conference that there was a “gap” in the negotiations.
Has Marchand thought about his future? He was asked in a recent interview with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“I have over the past months. I’ve thought about potential situations. but until you really know what the options are, it’s all theoretical,” Marchand told Friedman. “So I’ve kind of parked all that, especially right now, just being in the moment and enjoying it. I don’t want anything to take away from it. Just having fun. After the playoffs, it’s going to come fast, but there will be a time and place for that.”
Could Brad Marchand ever see himself playing for a Canadian team? 👀
Ahead of the #StanleyCup Final, @FriedgeHNIC asked him what his future may hold this summer as a free agent.
An $8 million price for Marchand might sound steep. But with the salary cap for next season set at $95.5 million and expected to go higher in subsequent years, an $8 million per year contract for Marchand isn’t crazy at all.
His offensive skill, defense, power play ability, penalty killing, leadership and championship experience make him an ideal free agent candidate for any team that’s on the cusp of being a real Stanley Cup contender.
And in a relatively weak free agent class, Marchand could potentially be a popular player if he hits the open market.
The Buffalo Sabres hiring of former Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen as a senior advisor was an essential move to add an experienced hockey executive to their management staff, something that has been lacking for the balance of the time that owner Terry Pegula bought the club in 2011.
With the club missing the playoffs for the 14th straight season, it is expected that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is going to make a series of moves involving some of the club’s young core pieces and the addition of Kekalainen represents some insurance that Adams goes in the right direction.
The club faces decisions in every sphere of their roster. In goal, the club has to sign youngster Devon Levi to a new contract coming off his entry-level deal, but after a strong second-half in 2023-24 that earned him a five-year extension, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggled as the full time starter last season. Do the Sabres choose to deal Luukkonen with a lack of starters in free agency or the trade market? Do they trust Levi to take the reins after playing well in the AHL but struggling at the NHL level the last two years?
On defense, the future of Bowen Byram seems to be leaving Buffalo in favor of a destination where he can be a top pairing blueliner, but Adams must bring back NHL-ready talent in a deal for the 23-year-old, preferably a defenseman of comparable age that can partner with Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power. There are also questions of the future of Mattias Samuelsson, who continues to struggle with injury and inconsistency.
Up front, Adams must deal with the restricted free agency of winger JJ Peterka and the persistent rumors that he would prefer to play elsewhere. The offer sheet option may not be as big a threat to the Sabres as some might think, since Buffalo has ample cap space to match one and that would lock Peterka in a place that he reportedly does not want to play.
If Buffalo cannot get the 23-year-old signed, a deal involving Peterka as with Byram, has to bring back NHL talent that can play with the Sabres this season. All these dilemmas are critical to the immediate future of the club and their success or failure will determine whether they will have a chance of making the postseason or extending their playoff drought to 15 years.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.
Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.
“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”
So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.
“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said last Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”
The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and either No. 31 or 32 (Oilers trade).
Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.
Next up:
Caleb Desnoyers
Position: Center Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 178 Shoots: Left Team: Moncton
The younger Desnoyers has developed into one of the better prospects among the 2025 draft class. He sees the ice at an exceptional level and loves to play the full length of the rink.
“I see Caleb as a second-line center, but someone I want on my team,” Button, a former NHL GM and scout, said. “He might be more that. I know Caleb really likes to pattern his game after Jonathan Toews, and we know what type of player he was — Jonathan Toews is an elite Hall of Famer.
“But that style of game, somebody that if he’s not scoring, he’s helping you in so many other ways. And he’s always helping you in someway. He’s a great competitor, he’s really smart.”
Desnoyers was second in the QMJHL with 1.50 points per game this season. He put up 35 goals and 49 assists through 56 games. He scored a league-best 11 game-winning goals, had a plus-51 rating and won 63.7 percent of his faceoffs. On his list, Button has Desnoyers ranked as the seventh-best player in the draft.
“If you asked me to put it into a percentage, I would be 80 or 85 percent certain that he’s a second-line center and a two-way for sure,” Button said. “And maybe he has got a 15, 20 percent chance to be a No. 1. I’m not ruling him out, but you make these types of projections. That’s what I see him as — I use the term, he’s in it to win it. That’s how Caleb plays. He’s a hell of a leader, he’s just a really, really well-rounded, complete player.”
In the playoffs, Desnoyers had a terrific run with 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) over 19 games, leading Moncton to the QMJHL title. EliteProspects.com has him at No. 7 overall on its list, while NHL Central Scouting has him pegged as the seventh-ranked North American skater.
“He might be like Ryan O’Reilly,” Button said.
The Predators’ center has a Stanley Cup ring and a Selke Trophy on his résumé.
“Ryan O’Reilly, when he was in his prime,” Button said, “we’re talking elite second-line center.”
(Daniel St Louis/QMJHL)
Fit with Flyers
The good thing is the Flyers likely have a lot of familiarity with Desnoyers, who plays a position of need.
The potential of him complementing Matvei Michkov down the road has appeal to it. Desnoyers’ hockey IQ and vision would jibe well with Michkov, who reads the ice through a unique lens and can finish.
Could the Flyers want a player with a higher ceiling? That’s possible, and maybe a different center will be there for them. But Desnoyers and Jett Luchanko would be solid down the middle for the future.
“There are elite second-line centers in the league,” Button said. “And they’re important to your team. … How many true No. 1 centers are there in the league — 10, 12? And Edmonton has two of them.”
That Carter Verhaeghe has been an integral part of the Florida Panthers' run to three straight Stanley Cup finals (and one championship to date) is not a matter of debate.
The gifted left winger has consistently made an impact for the Panthers and has gained a reputation for being one of the most clutch goal-scorers in the game today, having scored seven game-winning goals between the regular season and playoffs this year. He has also scored three series-winning goals and 12 playoff game-winners since 2022, according to NHL.com.
The fact is, Verhaeghe is always thinking about being a difference-maker.
"I always see him talking to himself on the bench," said teammate Aaron Ekblad. "It's in his DNA. It's something he thinks about morning, noon and night, is scoring goals. He's got the iPad in between shifts, seeing what he can do differently."
Verhaeghe's road to NHL glory is fairly well-known at this point. Originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2013 draft, he played a couple of games for the AHL's Marlies but was dealt to the New York Islanders before going any further. He never put on a New York jersey in a game either, as he was later dealt to Tampa Bay, where he won a Stanley Cup as a bit player in his first NHL season.
The Lightning infamously didn't qualify him as an RFA, and the cross-state Panthers pounced. All of a sudden, then-coach Joel Quenneville was putting him on a line with Aleksander Barkov.
"I have to credit management and Bill (Zito) for finding me from Tampa," Verhaeghe said. "I thought I was going back, and it didn't work out, so Bill gave me an opportunity. 'Q' put me with 'Barky' almost right away, we developed some good chemistry, and it took off from there. My mindset was to keep on building every day and run with the opportunity that I wanted to get for so long. I wasn't going to let it slip."
But before all that, Verhaeghe had made another interesting stop in his pro career: the ECHL. During his Islanders tenure, Verhaeghe played for AHL Bridgeport, but he also suited up for parts of two seasons with the Missouri Mavericks. It wasn't part of his master plan, but it turned out to be good for the burgeoning young forward.
"My first time there, I wasn't very happy," Verhaeghe said. "But after I got down there and settled down, my mindset was really good. I wasn't focused on making the NHL right away, like tomorrow – it was a process. Trying to get better every day and picking up things from coaches or watching games."
Verhaeghe put up great numbers for Missouri, putting up 57 points in 36 games over the course of two seasons. Two years later, while part of Tampa Bay's system, he led the AHL's Syracuse Crunch in scoring, and the rest is history.
Verhaeghe may not have wanted to go to suburban Kansas City en route to his NHL career, but his time with Missouri ended up being a stepping stone. And being in Kansas City, at least the barbecue was good.
The Kalamazoo Wings announced the return of Joel Martin’s ‘Game On’ Street Hockey camps for Summer 2025, powered by NHL STREET™, along with partnerships with The Kalamazoo Promise and Kzoo Parks. The initiative facilitates free of cost camps for 200-plus children in Kalamazoo’s inner city.
Five Street Hockey camps will be held at Kalamazoo’s Upjohn and LaCrone Parks from June to August, exclusively for Kzoo Parks Summer Camps. Each camper is set to receive free admission to the almost two-hour event, an official NHL STREET™ Jersey, a street hockey stick and a swag bag, courtesy of The Kalamazoo Promise.
“The K-Wings are proud of the return of NHL STREET™, and we’re so excited to partner with The Kalamazoo Promise and Kzoo Parks,” Toni Will, Kalamazoo Wings General Manager and Governor, said in a news release. “It's always a no-brainer to team up with local organizations that commit to serving the next generation, and most especially organizations that care about making an impact in underserved communities like they both do.”
NHL STREET™ is the premier ball hockey experience designed to provide kids ages 6 to 16 and their families with the best of what youth sports can be: having fun, staying active, making friends and creating great memories.
Established in 2005, The Kalamazoo Promise allows students who graduate from the Kalamazoo Public Schools and meet the basic requirements to receive up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees paid for at any in-state public community college or university. Currently, over 8,700 students have used The Promise for higher education with over $230 million invested in that span.
“The Kalamazoo Promise is excited to partner with the NHL STREET™ hockey experience to bring this unique opportunity to our community,” Von Washington, CEO of The Kalamazoo Promise, stated. “We believe in the power of sports to positively impact children's lives, and we are committed to providing access to quality programs that promote physical activity, teamwork and leadership skills. Moreover, participating in NHL STREET can have a positive impact on the mental well-being of children.
“Engaging in team sports has been shown to boost self-esteem and confidence, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote social connections. These benefits are especially important for children who may be facing challenges or adversity in their personal lives.”
Kzoo Parks offers a variety of programs for Kalamazoo’s youth annually, with financial assistance available to those in need. The camps participating in the ‘GAME ON’ are affiliated with Camp Kzoo & Super Rec Summer Camps.
Last summer, the K-Wings hosted 64 campers across two summer camps in Kalamazoo. This summer, by partnering with the two pillars in the Kalamazoo community, the Wings continue their commitment to bring the game to a new generation while breaking down barriers for youth athletes to get involved in sports.
Camps will be hosted and coached by Joel Martin, K-Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach. K-Wings players & staff, KOHA staff (Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association), along with Kzoo Parks camp counselors, will also assist Martin in the camp.
The children will learn basic hockey fundamentals and participate in a hockey tournament inside an NHL STREET™ branded street hockey arena.
“We’re proud to see NHL STREET™ making a real impact in our community by giving kids a fun, accessible way to stay active and build confidence through street hockey,” Martin said. “This program wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from our partners — Kzoo Parks and The Kalamazoo Promise. Their commitment to youth enrichment and inclusive recreation has helped bring this vision to life, and we’re excited to continue growing together.”
New Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has made the first two additions to his coaching staff, but he still needs one more. How about an NHL legend who just left the Vancouver Canucks?
Tocchet, after hiring Yogi Svejkovsky and Jay Varady, still needs to find a dedicated coach to replace the departed Brad Shaw on the defense and penalty kill sides of things.
All he needs to do now is place a call to Sergei Gonchar, his old friend from Vancouver.
Gonchar, 51, was just replaced by the Canucks with Tocchet out of the picture and new head coach Adam Foote opting to build his own coaching staff.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion (as a coach) was a defense development coach and assistant coach with Tocchet while the two were with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Gonchar again joined Tocchet in Vancouver in 2022-23, reprising his role as a development coach.
In his first full season under Gonchar and Tocchet, Canucks captain Quinn Hughes erupted for 17 goals and 92 points, smashing his previous career highs of eight and 76, respectively.
Penguins star Kris Letang had two of his three most productive NHL seasons under Gonchar, who also oversaw the development of defensemen like Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson, Erik Gudbranson, John Marino, Jamie Oleksiak, and Olli Maatta.
Tocchet and the Flyers would assuredly love to have a coach like Gonchar join the coaching staff, especially given the importance of player development at this point in the rebuild.
A guy who's won three Stanley Cups - two as a coach and one as a player - and played in 1,301 NHL regular season games may know a thing or two about the league. It helps, of course, that Gonchar scored 811 points as a defenseman, with 427 of them coming on the power play.
Defensemen like Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Egor Zamula, and Emil Andrae still need to grow and learn, and prospects like Spencer Gill and Oliver Bonk will be joining the fold soon. All would benefit equally from Gonchar's tutelage if Tocchet and the Flyers can make the hire.
No solution for the last assistant coach opening was apparent, but perhaps the news of Gonchar leaving the Canucks changes things. What happens next could be massive for the Flyers.
