The Toronto Maple Leafs and Brendan Shanahan are parting ways.

The club announced Thursday afternoon that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the franchise, would not be renewing the contract of the team's president and alternate governor when his contract expires on June 30.

In a statement, MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley praised Shanahan's contributions in the 11 years he served in his role, but added his reason to make the change.

 "It was determined that a new voice was required to take the team to the next level in the years ahead. The franchise will be forever grateful for Brendan’s contributions and wish him and his family every success and happiness in the future."

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Pelley will address the media at Scotiabank Arena at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, May 22.

The news comes just days after the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs in seven games at the hands of the Florida Panthers. It had been widely reported that Shanahan was granted permission to speak with the New York Islanders about their executive openings. Permission to speak to an executive for similar positions with other franchises is usually not granted, prompting further proof that Shanahan's time in Toronto was coming to an end.

Report: Maple Leafs Grant Islanders Permission To Speak With President Brendan Shanahan Ahead Of MLSE Board ReviewAs the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded their locker cleanouts on Tuesday, their PR staff said they'd be in touch regarding future media availabilities.

While Shanahan was praised for some positive changes from the beginning of his tenure in 2014,the Leafs were unable to get past the second round during his tenure.

In a statement, Shanahan praised the organization while suggesting that Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving will remain in his role.

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"I greatly enjoyed working with Brad and Craig (Berube), and I firmly believe they are excellent in their roles and have done a great job in their time with the team," Shanhan said. "Also, I want to thank the players, they are committed and passionate about delivering a championship to this city and will do everything within their power to accomplish that goal. I wish them all the very best."

Shanahan inherited a franchise that consistently failed to make the playoffs (except in 2013 when they broke through in a 48-game season before falling to the Boston Bruins in the first round). He restored the franchise back to respectability among a fanbase by restoring relations with Leafs alumni  changing previously honored numbers into retired numbers. Shanahan also added Legend Row outside of Gate 6 at Scotiabank Arena. He also changed the logo to the one it uses today ahead of the 2016-17 season, signaling a new era around a team built around it's youthful core players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

'I Haven't Processed Anything Yet': Does Mitch Marner Want To Return To The Maple Leafs Next Season?As soon as the final horn sounded after the Toronto Maple Leafs' 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of their second-round series, Mitch Marner was the very last player to leave the ice. He looked like a player who may have played his last game with the club.

Despite holding the longest active playoff streak at nine years, the Leafs consistently lacked success in the postseason under his leadership, winning just two playoff rounds.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs' parent company announced it will not renew the contract of team president and alternate governor, Brendan Shanahan. 

The decision comes after the Maple Leafs lost in the second round to the Florida Panthers despite having a 2-0 lead in the series. Shanahan was with the Leafs since the 2014-15 season. Shanahan oversaw all of the team's operations as it made the post-season for nine straight years, but the Leafs won only two playoff rounds in that span.

“Over the past 11 seasons, Brendan Shanahan has made countless contributions to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the ice, off the ice and in the community,” Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment president-CEO Keith Pelley said in a news release. “Brendan is one of the most respected leaders in the game, and he has instilled many of the traits that were the signature of his Hall of Fame career throughout the organization, uniting this storied franchise in the ‘Honor, Pride and Courage’ that it was founded on.”

Pelley said a new voice is needed to take the team to the next level.

Shanahan, meanwhile, released a statement after learning today of MLSE's decision.

"Toronto is where I was born and raised, where my family still lives, and being a part of this historic franchise will always be one of the greatest honors of my life," Shanahan said. "I want to thank the entire Maple Leafs’ staff for their commitment and hard work over the years - they are second to none in the National Hockey League. I want to thank the Alumni for all of their support and the tremendous work they do at our games and within the community. Many of them were my heroes growing up, and it has been a pleasure to get to know them on a personal level."

Shanahan also thanked Leafs fans for their passion and loyalty and the players for their commitment while reflecting on the job done.

"While I am proud of the rebuild we embarked on starting in 2014, ultimately, I came here to help win the Stanley Cup, and we did not," Shanahan said. "There is nothing more I wanted to deliver to our fans, and my biggest regret is that we could not finish the job."

On Wednesday, a Sportsnet report said MLSE granted the New York Islanders permission to speak to Shanahan about an opening on their squad.

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After failing to earn an NHL call-up for the first time in three seasons, Belleville Senators defenceman Filip Roos appears to have put his NHL dreams on hold—for now. Färjestad BK of the SHL recently announced that they've signed Roos to a two-year contract.

Roos played 68 games for AHL Belleville this season, hoping to catch Ottawa's attention. He recorded 17 assists over those 68 games, but the Sens never came calling. With unrestricted free agency now looming, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Swedish defenceman has opted to begin a new chapter back home.

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"I'm really looking forward to it. It's still been a good season (in Belleville), but it'll be fun to come home and start with a new team, which I'm really excited about," Roos said on his new team's website.

Roos' arrival in the NHL is similar to Finnish defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo. Both 26, the two undrafted defencemen played pro hockey in their home countries for several seasons before NHL opportunities came their way.

But Matinpalo is a right shot and Roos is a lefty. Matinpalo got a chance in Ottawa this season after the right side of their blue line had trouble staying healthy. 

Roos broke into the NHL in his first season in North America (2022–23), appearing in 17 games for the Chicago Blackhawks. The following season, he played just four NHL games for the Hawks before signing a one-year, two-way contract with Ottawa last summer.

At the time, after the Sens parted company with left-handers Jakob Chychrun and Erik Brannstrom, Roos and his agent probably saw an opportunity here.

But unlike the injury wreckage on the right side, Senator lefties Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and Tyler Kleven missed only seven games this season combined, so there weren't many opportunities. 

Färjestad BK is thrilled that Roos is coming home.

"We have had our eyes on Filip for a long time and we believe that he, with his qualities, will strengthen our defense in a good way," Färjestad BK general manager Rickard Wallin said in a club statement.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

(Image credit: Belleville Senators//Freestyle Photography

Barring an overwhelming trade offer, the Philadelphia Flyers figure to stay at the No. 6 overall position in the upcoming NHL draft, poised to select a promising center.

Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman known for his dominating play at both ends of the ice, is the consensus best player in the draft.

Keith Jones, the Flyers' president, believes the players ranked "two through eight or nine" are similar in ability, which means his club should get someone to energize their rebuild.

That player will probably be a center, based on GM Daniel Briere's strong hints.

Most draft experts rank OHL center Michael Misa at No. 2 overall. But he isn't a lock to get picked at No. 2, per experts, who have the top five centers closely ranked.

Misa, James Hagens, Jake O'Brien, Anton Frondell and Caleb Desnoyers are generally regarded as the five best centers. Roger McQueen and Brady Martin are also highly talented centers who could be in the top 10.

The first round of the draft will be held June 27, and Jones believes the Flyers are in a solid spot at No. 6.

'Good Position'

"We're sitting in a good position, to be honest with you," he said last week when asked if he expected the Flyers to move up in the draft via a trade. "There's a lot of players who are going to be very good players, but they're in kind of the same group – and sixth doesn't take us out of those six good players."

It's likely Schaefer (defenseman), Misa (center) and right winger Porter Martone will be off the board by the time the Flyers select. That means two of the big five centers could be available for the Flyers at No. 6. And if defenseman Jackson Smith goes before No. 6, the Flyers might have another quality center to choose from.

Finding an elite center is the Flyers' biggest need.

"We're open for anything," Jones said. "There's a couple specific players that we would love to have."

The Flyers have three picks in Round 1 – No. 6, No. 22, and a still-to-be-determined slot based on Edmonton's finish – and four in Round 2.

"It's a good top of the draft, and it's actually good quality throughout the draft, so we're really pumped up that we have so many picks this year – and it's going to continue to build that foundation," Jones said. "And at some point, we'll shift some of those prospects and picks and assets that can help us in acquiring other players as we try to advance this thing."

Another Building Block

Whether that happens this year or down the road is unknown, but the Flyers – who have missed the playoffs in each of the last five seasons – are building for the future.

Like Jones, Briere said the Flyers are "comfortable" at having the No. 6 pick. (They had been at No. 4 but dropped two spots in the draft lottery.)

"We'll be prepared for all of it. It's a little easier" this year, he said. "Last year (when they drafted speedy center Jett Luchanko at No. 13 overall), we were preparing for the first half of the first round. Now we can narrow it a little bit more. We're comfortable there, but we're going to explore with different things – moving up, moving back."

If they stay at No. 6, as expected, will the Flyers draft the top player available or go for a specific position?

"At the top, we'll go with the best player, but it just so happens there are a lot of centers in that range," Briere said. "But if someone fell who is not a center, we're going to go with the best player."

The Flyers have had the No. 6 overall pick three other times in franchise history, drafting a dud (right winger Bob Currier in 1969), a quality defenseman (Behn Wilson in 1978) and a superstar – center Peter Forsberg, who was selected in 1991 and traded in the Eric Lindros deal.

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The Philadelphia Flyers are going to be forced to find some goalie reinforcements this offseason, and one underrated option is former Colorado Avalanche goalie Ivan Prosvetov.

Prosvetov, 26, will terminate his contract with KHL outfit CSKA Moskva, according to multiple reports, including from Hockey News Hub, with the intent of resuming his NHL career this upcoming season.

Prosvetov, who last played in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023-24 season, was signed by CSKA to replace the departed Ivan Fedotov, who just completed his first full NHL season with the Flyers. That marriage did not last very long at all as CSKA continues to fall from its former glory in the KHL.

So, what makes the former fourth-round pick an attractive sleeper option for the Flyers?

In parts of five seasons at the NHL level, Prosvetov managed only an 8-9-2 record in 24 appearances to go along with a bog-standard 3.70 GAA and .881 save percentage.

At the same time, though, he played for the Arizona Coyotes and the Avalanche - two teams that have changed goalies like underwear for the majority of the last decade. 

Prosvetov alluded to such roster turnover and difficulties with the Avalanche's goalie coach, in particular, in a Dec. 2024 interview with Pavel Lysenkov of MatchTV.

"Honestly, in Colorado, I played the same system as now. There were good matches for the Avalanche, but there the coach did not understand me. It’s as if we talked to him in different languages," Prosvetov told Lysenkov. "All the goalkeepers were removed. For a year now, no goalkeeper can play. Who appeared there after Semyon Varlamov? No one was late there for a long time."

The Avalanche started the 2024-25 season with a tandem of Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen, but both goalkeepers were quickly jettisoned for Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood as Colorado's front office scrambled to find reliable options to buoy their Stanley Cup hopes.

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However, the Avalanche previously won the Stanley Cup with Darcy Kuemper, who left the organization as quickly as he arrived.

"They won the Stanley Cup with Darcy Kuemper at the gate, but he also went off-season to Washington. Quickly with him in Colorado said goodbye," Prosvetov noted. "And I don’t think that because of the money they broke up with the goalkeeper, who led the club to the first champion title in 20 years."

As for Georgiev? And for himself?

"Georgiev was good when he was given 10 shots per match, and when they did it 40 times. That is, he is very strong in the head. His mentality is strong. He's a very confident person. But as I know, the coaches in Colorado did not help him at all. So, the goalkeeper coach definitely did nothing.

"Well, if the coach never played hockey how [can you understand]? A complete theorist, and in theory he has gaps (...) But in the end I sat for 10 matches in reserve. And then I was thrown in against Florida, changed after three goals although the score was 3-3. Can you imagine? Why wasn't Sergei Bobrovsky pulled on the other side? Why have I been replaced?

"And that was my last NHL match. I do not know who made that decision. And there, head coach Jared Bednar, too, as I understand it, affects goalies. Decides who to play in which match, and thinks that he understands this topic."

And that is how Prosvetov arrived back home in Russia, playing one (his first) KHL season. In 38 games, the 6-foot-5 goalie posted a 20-16-2 record, a 2.32 GAA, a .920 save percentage, and four shutouts. In five playoff games, Prosvetov was 2-3-0 with a 2.90 GAA and .918 save percentage as CSKA was thrashed 13-2 across their final two games.

Flyers GM Teases Potential Top Pick Ahead of 2025 NHL DraftPhiladelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere is not ignoring the possibility of selecting Caleb Desnoyers sixth overall at the 2025 NHL Draft in June. In fact, he's embracing it.

The Flyers, like the Avalanche, have struggled to find a consistent goalie. It's unclear if or when Aleksei Kolosov returns, and Sam Ersson and Fedotov have proven unreliable.

Flyers goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh is now squarely in the sights of fans now that disliked power play coach Rocky Thompson has been relieved of his duties, which could also be a challenge for Prosvetov, given Dillabaugh's inability to regularly coax strong performances out of Fedotov and Kolosov.

But, even if the Flyers decide Prosvetov is not suitable for a role at the NHL level, the Russian would still be an upgrade for the AHL squad.

In parts of five seasons in the AHL, Prosvetov was 65-61-13 with a 3.16 GAA, a .898 save percentage, and six shutouts. During his brief stint with the AHL Colorado Eagles in 2023-24, Prosvetov was 11-7-2 with a 2.33 GAA, a .921 save percentage, and two shutouts.

The only Lehigh Valley Phantoms goalie to post a save percentage higher than .899 this season was Army veteran Parker Gahagen (.916), who isn't even signed to an NHL contract. Eetu Makiniemi was limited to five games with a hernia, and Cal Petersen and Kolosov are likely gone this summer.

That leaves Gahagen and 19-year-old goalie prospect Carson Bjarnason to hold down the fort. If something happens to Ersson or Fedotov or if they struggle, you'd probably want to have a better Plan C if you're the Flyers.

Prosvetov is more than likely not going to cost a lot financially and is willing to stick it out in the AHL for an NHL role if necessary. It's now a question of if the Flyers feel they have better options on the table with the same roster flexibility.

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore providing some unique insight.

Which Conference Finalist Is Under The Most Pressure To Win This Year? by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode:

1:03: What do we think about Brendan Shanahan finding a potential new job so quickly?

2:57:  Can the Shanaplan work for the New York Islanders if he leaves Toronto? 

3:47:  How much blame does Shanahan deserve for what happened in Toronto?

4:36:  Who is truly to blame for the Maple Leafs’ lack of success: GMs, coaches, players or Shanahan? 

6:15: How do you handle the off-season if you are Leafs GM Brad Treliving?

11:53  How likely is it for the Winnipeg Jets to get Nikolaj Ehlers signed in the off-season? 

12:54:  Is Brock Boeser a must-get guy in free agency, and where will he end up?

14:36:  Will some of the big pending free agents switch teams? 

17:48:  If you are the Edmonton Oilers, how do you look at the Game 1 implosion, and will this haunt them in what will be a long series? 

18:55: Did Matt Duchene embellish a high-sticking penalty?  

22:10: Is Stuart Skinner good enough to contend with the Stars' offense?

24:19: How do the Carolina Hurricanes bounce back after a Game 1 loss?

27:34: Does Logan Stankoven need to step up for Carolina, and does Matthew Tkachuk need to show up for Florida? 

28:35: Which of the four teams left in the playoffs has the most pressure to win a Cup this year?

31:12 How important is it for Porter Martone joining Team Canada at the World Championship for his development? Does it increase his draft stock?

33:21: Is Frank Nazar putting himself on the map with his play at the Worlds? How excited should Blackhawks fans be? 

35:06 How important is it for Macklin Celebrini to be playing with Sidney Crosby, and does he sneak his way onto the Olympic roster?

37:19: Will Jake Oettinger be the starting goalie for the U.S. in the 2026 Olympics?

38:30: We've only really seen one true fight in the playoffs this far. Are we missing this aspect from the playoffs this year?

40:29: The Boston Bruins officially get a first-rounder in the Brad Marchand trade now that Florida is in the conference final. Was the deal worth it for Boston now?

42:16: What's the best food city left in the playoffs?   

 Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.

After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins will officially select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. As such, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection. 

We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien, forward Victor Eklund, defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, center Brady Martin, and center Roger McQueen. Next up? Right wing Justin Carbonneau.

Penguins Drop Two Slots In NHL Draft, Will Pick 11th OverallIn past draft lotteries, the Pittsburgh Penguins have seen their fair share of luck.

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Justin Carbonneau

DOB: Nov. 25, 2006
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 192 pounds
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

A large sentiment around this season's draft is that there is a drastic drop in skill level and impact outside of the consensus top-three selections.

But if there is one prospect that has top-end skill - and who figures to be around the Penguins' draft window - it's QMJHL forward Justin Carbonneau.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Post-Lottery Top 64One week after the NHL’s draft lottery decided which franchise received the first-overall pick, it’s time for a new round of draft rankings. 

Carbonneau's combination of speed, skill, and vision is as good as everyone's in this draft. He can dangle, he can skate with the puck, he can spearhead the transition game, he can pass, and he can finish. His offensive ceiling is high, and his two-way game is seeing improvement across the board.

He also doesn't shy away from physicality, as he goes to the dirty areas of the ice and is willing to put the work into the hard areas of the ice. 

Justin Carbonneau stickhandling reel.

Full-body deception, follow-up motor, exploiting defenders' triangles, first-touch moves, taking on multiple opponents, freezing their feet then attacking across their heels...

Might be the best dangler in the #2025NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/GBqbBV9Clo

— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) April 18, 2025

The Quebec native's draft stock has risen considerably over the past year. For the Armada this season, he registered 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games, and his production has continued to climb year-by-year. Carbonneau is a dynamic forward - one of the most dynamic of this draft class - and he has top-six potential at the NHL level.

If there are any downsides to his game, it's in the defensive details. He is still working to round out his two-way game, but it's something that he seems to be making strides in. 

Like many other forwards in this mix for the Penguins, Carbonneau would be a solid choice at 11th overall. If he is available among some of the other selections we've already mentioned, he will certainly make the choice tough.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Roger McQueenWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

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The Chicago Blackhawks found their new coach in former Detroit Red Wings bench boss and recent Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Jeff Blashill. 

Blackhawks management and fans hope Blashill follows a trend – namely, of coaches not getting the results they hoped for in their first attempts before doing good things on another NHL team.

For instance, current New York Rangers bench boss Mike Sullivan was far from a success in his first stint as an NHL coach. In 2003-04, after finishing first in the Northeast Division, Sullivan’s Boston Bruins were eliminated in the first round. The following season in 2005-06, the Bruins didn’t get into the playoffs at all. 

It wasn’t until Sullivan changed teams multiple times, serving as an assistant coach and an AHL coach, that he got another chance by being named Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss. And of course, he won a Stanley Cup in that first year with the Pens and went back-to-back, proving he had grown and learned as a coach at the highest levels.

Current Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy followed a similar career trajectory. His first NHL coaching gig came with the Washington Capitals in the 2002-03 campaign. After losing in the conference quarterfinal in his first season, he was fired 28 games into the following campaign. Cassidy’s second coaching job, which came with the Bruins, ended without a Cup win despite six seasons of trying. Cassidy didn’t get to the promised land until he became Vegas’ coach, winning a Cup in 2022-23.

Finally, current Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube struggled initially in his time as an NHL coach. Berube led the Philadelphia Flyers to the playoffs in his first year on the job. But he was let go after a second season in which his Flyers missed the playoffs completely. He didn’t win a Cup until he became coach of the St. Louis Blues partway through 2018-19. 

You can see, then, why the Blackhawks are prepared to take a chance on Blashill, who led the Red Wings to the post-season in his first year (2015-16) as Detroit’s coach. 

Blashill got another six seasons with the Red Wings but failed to make the playoffs in any of them before he was let go in 2022. In all fairness, when the team decided to start a massive rebuild during his tenure, there wasn’t much he could do. Blashill has since served as assistant coach of the Lightning, and he also previously coached in the AHL, winning a Calder Cup in 2012-13.

Having experience in numerous types of coaching situations serves veteran coaches very well. They learn how to work in different competitive situations. They learn how to adapt their approach to different types of players in different eras, and eventually, they make the most of the opportunities they receive. 

Clearly, the Blackhawks and GM Kyle Davidson are gambling that Blashill is now better-equipped to deal with the rigors of coaching an NHL team. Although he’s taking the reins of a Chicago team that will still have trouble making the playoffs next season, Blashill must believe he’s ready to show he’s learned from past failures and resuscitate his NHL coaching career.

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

Hurricanes play Panthers in must-win game two at home during Eastern Conference Finals

For the second time in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are battling in the Eastern Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line. But after a stunning 5-2 loss on home ice in Game 1, the Hurricanes are already feeling the pressure.

Florida, making its third straight appearance in the conference finals, came into the series with momentum after a commanding 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the previous round. That confidence carried over into Game 1, where the Panthers took control early and never looked back reminding Carolina that they've dropped x straight conference finals games.

The Hurricanes, though, aren’t the same team Florida dismantled in 2023. Carolina stormed past the top-seeded Washington Capitals in five games in the second round, displaying a deeper, more dynamic lineup and an offense firing on all cylinders. But now, they’ll need a response and fast. Game 2 in Raleigh is shaping up as a must-win for Carolina, who can’t afford to head to Sunrise down 0-2. 

More NHL: Conference Finals Betting Round-Up: Unlikely Heroes Emerging as Value Plays After Game 1

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Best Bets:

• Over 5.5 goals (+102)
• Hurricanes ML (-128)
• Anton Lundell Over 0.5 points (+135)
• Logan Stankoven Over 0.5 points (+162)

The sportsbooks are expecting a more fierce effort out of Carolina's backend with the Panthers listed with over/under 2.5 goals in this one. The public doesn't agree however, as they are lining up 87 per cent of bets on the over at 5.5 total goals. Hurricanes netminder Fredrick Andersen has been hard to beat in these playoffs with a league-best 1.74 goals against average and .919 save percentage but could Florida light him up for five goals again?

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Andersen has solid career numbers against the Cats with a 12-4-3 record with a 2.72 goals against average and a .911 save percentage but when playing in the postseason it's a completely different story. The Swedish netminder has 0-4-0 record and 13 goals allowed in four playoff starts versus Florida with Tuesday's performance adding to an already troubling record. 

The Panthers should take advantage and push the Hurricanes to the limit once again. Florida has scored first in nine of their 13 playoff games and have a 7-2 record. Carolina will need to be in this game early which they've struggled in as they've scored first in just five of their 11 playoff games so far and have just six first period goals compared to Florida's league-best 13 goals. 

Carolina will be desperate to even up the series before heading on the road and I expect them to do so but it won't be easy and they will need to get some offence. They are looking to get some production out of Logan Stankoven. The 22-year-old winger was the key returning piece of the Mikko Rantanen trade for Carolina and have been waiting for him to explode in a big way. 

After recording scoring two goals in game one of the opening round, he has just a goal and two assists over ten games and needs to have a big game as he still plays meaningful minutes. With a second line placement with Jack Roslovic and Taylor Hall plus a spot on the second power play unit, he should continue to see his 15 minutes on average and help lift his team in a big spot where they really need him. 

In return, Florida scored five goals with little help from their highest scoring line in Brad Marchand, Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. Luostarinen managed to get on the board with a goal, marking four points over his last two games. He has been receiving a lot of help from Marchand, who is second on the team in points with 12 in 13 games. 

The two should help their centre finally get things going as Lundell has points in just two of the last six games. Before that, the Finnish forward was red hot with three goals and five assists for eight points over a four-game stretch.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Who will be on the blueline tonight for the Carolina Hurricanes?

That's the million dollar question right now as the team prepares for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Final series against the Florida Panthers.

The Hurricanes have been missing the services of veteran defenseman Jalen Chatfield, who's been a top-four staple for the Canes all year.

Chatfield was injured in the team's last series against the Washington Capitals and has since missed Carolina's last two games.

The defender was practicing this morning and is nearing a return, but his status is still up in the air for tonight.

In his place, the Hurricanes have alternated between a duo of rookie defensemen: Alexander Nikishin and Scott Morrow.

The issue is that neither player has really distinguished himself.

"Those are our two options if Chatty can't go," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour Thursday morning. "I think for both, it's a tough spot to put them in. Rookies who haven't had a lot of NHL experience. One guy that doesn't understand English that well. It's just not ideal for this time of year. I think those two are our best options and if Chatty can't go, it will be one of them. Scotty, I think he understands our game better because he's been playing it for a year and the flow of playing one game and coming right back to another game I think is a consideration. Those are all things we'll have to figure out if Chatty is unavailable."   

Nikishin played in Game 5 against the Capitals and had two egregious turnovers in the early goings of the game (one of which ended up in a goal although it was ultimately called back for offsides) and only played a little more than 10 minutes.

Morrow played in Game 1 against the Panthers and was a -3 in 12:18 of ice time.

At this point, we're really splitting hairs over who's the better option because the truth of the matter is that neither seems ready for the moment.

The Canes really just need Chatfield to play.

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Canadian defenseman Mark Pysyk, 33, has signed a one-year contract with Sparta Prague, the Czech Extraliga club announced on Thursday. The former NHLer is coming off a season where he helped SaiPa to the Finnish Liiga finals.

“Last season was my first in Europe and I didn’t know what to expect, but the SaiPa fans were incredible,” said Pysyk. “I know Sparta has a huge arena and a huge and loyal fan base, so I can’t wait to get there and feel the energy, especially when the playoffs come.”

“He is an experienced defenseman with excellent skating and passing,” said Sparta director of hockey operations Tomáš Divíšek. “If not for an unfortunate injury, he might still be a stable NHL defenseman.”

Originally from Sherwood Park, Alta., Pysyk played junior hockey for the hometown Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL and was chosen in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

From 2012 to 2022, Pysyk played 521 NHL regular-season games for the Sabres, Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars, recording 104 points and 152 penalty minutes. He also played four playoff games for Florida in the 2020 Eastern Conference playoff bubble in Toronto.

Former Sabres First-Rounder Signs in FinlandCanadian defenseman Mark Pysyk, 32, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season with SaiPa Lappeenranta, the Finnish Liiga club announced on Thursday.

In the summer of 2022, Pysyk signed with the Detroit Red Wings. However, a short time later, he underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles’ tendon and missed the season.

Pysyk spent the 2023-24 season in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Calgary Wranglers, recording four assists in 43 regular-season and playoff games combined. In September 2024, he attended the training camp of the Anaheim Ducks on a PTO.

In November 2024, Pysyk signed to play the remainder of the season with SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga. He recorded 17 points in 56 regular-season and playoff games as SaiPa reached the finals.

Last season, Sparta finished first in the Extraliga regular season but was eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champion Kometa Brno. In addition to Pysyk, the team has under contract for 2025-26 numerous ex-NHLers, including captain Vladimír Sobotka, Michal Kempný, Miikka Salomäki, Filip Chlapík and goaltender Josef Kořenář, whose NHL rights are retained by the Utah Mammoth.

There Will Be A New Czech Champion - Třinec's 5-Year Reign Ended By Sparta After five long years, Oceláři Třinec’s reign as Extraliga champion is over, following the team’s quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Sparta Prague before a sellout crowd of 17,220 at O2 Arena on Monday.

The Chicago Blackhawks fired Luke Richardson during the 2024-25 season after a slow start that didn’t see their young players producing enough. They used Anders Sorensen as his replacement on an interim basis. 

Although they said that Sorensen would be in the mix for the full-time job, it was fairly obvious that they would move in a different direction. That decision has been made as they have officially hired Jeff Blashill to be the next head coach. 

A week's worth of speculation preceded this becoming official. Things were unusually quiet before the Blashill rumors started, but it was all but confirmed coming into official hiring day. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XJeff Blashill is the 42nd Head Coach of the Chicago Blackhawks‼️ 📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/YJMSzjwBw0

Blashill began his career as an assistant at Ferris State before moving on to Miami University. He then took on a head coaching/GM job with the Indiana Ice of the USHL. While he was in Indiana, the Ice won the Clark Cup as league champions. 

Eventually, he transitioned to a head coaching role at Western Michigan University. He was one of the first great leaders in that program’s history. After one season there, one of the best in WMU's history up to that point, Blashill was hired as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings. 

Eventually, the Red Wings made him the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. In 2013, Blashill and the Griffins won the Calder Cup as AHL champions. 

In 2015, head coach Mike Babcock left the Red Wings to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit promoted Blashill from Grand Rapids to replace Babcock as their bench boss. 

After making the playoffs for 25 straight seasons, including Blashill's first year, the magic ran out for Detroit. They had legendary players retire, a lack of prospects, and not many draft picks ahead of them. 

Blashill wasn’t mistake-free during his tenure as Red Wings head coach, but his timing there wasn’t convenient. Not many coaches would have done much better. 

In 2022, GM Steve Yzerman noted that Blashill would not be returning after seven years of head coaching service and even longer in the organization. It was fair for the Red Wings to make a change, but it was hardly all Blashill’s fault. 

Since being removed from the Red Wings, Blashill has been serving under Jon Cooper on the Tampa Bay Lightning bench. That is not a bad place to sit back and learn more about coaching for three years.

Now, he is ready for his next head coaching challenge. His time spent coaching young players, plus what he’s learned through his NHL journey, set him up perfectly for this Chicago Blackhawks job. 

Blashill has shown the ability to help develop talent to the best of their ability. With Chicago, most of his impact players will be younger than 25 years old. 

Now that the head coach is in place, Kyle Davidson can shift his focus to the third overall pick, the rest of his draft board, and free agency. This is a huge step in what could be remembered as an incredibly important off-season in Blackhawks history. 

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

All looked well for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars until they got in penalty trouble. 

It started at the end of the middle frame when defenseman Brett Kulak took his second minor penalty of the game.

Edmonton took its 3-1 lead to the third period. However, that’s when Dallas found momentum. Stars blueliner Miro Heiskanen floated a shot from the point and beat Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner to make it a 3-2 game before Kulak’s penalty ended.

“The goal from the point, I should’ve looked on the right side a little bit quicker,” Skinner told reporters post-game.

The Oilers' netminder had to deal with heavy traffic on that goal, but he didn’t use that as an excuse and said he needs to improve in those situations. 

“It’s always something that you've got to fight through,” he said. “It’s just competitiveness… I just got to fight through that. I got to battle them as much as battling for sight of puck, and that’s what makes the game tough.”

Not long after Heiskanen got Dallas’ comeback rolling, Oilers right winger Corey Perry was called for high-sticking. Stars center Mikael Granlund made no mistake from the half boards, sniping it home to make it a tie game.

Following that goal, center Matt Duchene took advantage of Edmonton’s third stick infraction of the period, with Evander Kane heading to the box. Duchene scored his first of the playoffs, and Dallas got its first lead of the game.

The Stars went on to score another two goals, totalling five in the third period. 

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Will The Stars Or Oilers Win The Western Conference Final?The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs are over, so it’s once again time to offer our series predictions. In the second round, we went 1-1 with our Western picks, and we’re back to offer up our projections for the Western Conference final.

“We’re very disappointed,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters after the game. After the first two periods, we felt it was a good start, and then it just turned in the third period.”

The last time Edmonton allowed three power-play goals in a period was in 1992 against the Vancouver Canucks, according to Sportsnet Stats.

In the post-game scrums, the Oilers made it clear to reporters that they weren’t pleased with their penalty-killing during the stretch that ultimately lost them the game.

“We’ve got to be an awful lot more mature than that,” Leon Draisaitl said.

Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse spent 2:14 of ice time killing penalties in this game. He wasn’t happy with the team’s ability to make plays on the PK. He mentioned blocking shots and clearing opponents from in front of the net.

“When the PK gets out there, we got to step up and make plays,” Nurse said. “We got to kill better. It’s as simple as that.”

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As new GM Ken Holland and the LA Kings find themselves in the midst of an important off-season, chatter around the team seems to indicate that Ken Holland is in on everything. Make a trade? Check. Spend to the cap for an impactful free agent? You got it! Develop internally via the draft? You better believe it!

So with the draft just over a month away, it might be time to take a look at who might be available for LA with the 24th pick on June 27th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. First up: 18 year-old dynamic center/right wing Benjamin Kindel of the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. 

Full disclosure: Kindel may not fall all the way down to 24th because quite a few other teams seem to be kicking the tires on this kid. And why not? He's coming off a 99-point season with the Hitmen (35 G, 64 A) this past season and was Calgary's leading scorer in the playoffs with 15 points (8 G, 7 A) over 11 games played. 

BEN KINDEL BACK TO BACK OT WINNERS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/F9FV5jCpdy

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) April 19, 2025

The scouting consensus on Kindel seems to be that he has an elite hockey IQ and sees the game extremely well. Kindel has been turning heads for a while in the WHL with his excellent passing and play-making skills. And judging by the many clips of Kindel that can be found on social media, he appears to have an above average finishing touch around the net and can back teams off with his speed. 

Therefore, you may be asking, if Kindel has this level of promise, why is he projected to go in the late-teens or early twenties in this year's draft? As it often does in the NHL, it probably has much to do about Kindel's size. At 5'10, 176 pounds, Kindel's frame may give NHL GMs pause about selecting him in the first round. As it pertains specifically to the Kings, the mindset has always seemed to be about size. Cracking the lineup as an undersized player in LA is a considerable challenge. Look no further than Jordan Spence's travails in consistently getting ice-time despite metrics showing him to be a legitimate NHL defenseman. In fact, you have to wonder sometimes if a 5'8 Marcel Dionne would get a shot with the 2025 LA Kings. 

In any case, with scouts comparing Kindel's game to that of Nick Suzuki and Mathew Barzal, the Kings should probably take a hard look at him should he still be on the board at number 24. 

Game 1 of the Conference Finals reveal decent value bets moving forward on players like Eetu Luostarinen, Matt Duchene

With Game 1s of both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals in the books, bettors have a lot to think about as some under-the-radar names stole the spotlight. While the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars took commanding series leads, it was the contributions from depth forwards that shifted the betting landscape.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Eastern Conference: Florida Panthers 5, Carolina Hurricanes 2

The Panthers exploded for five goals against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t just the usual suspects lighting the lamp. Forwards A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen both tallied goals, continuing a trend of unexpected but impactful production.

Luostarinen, in particular, has been a quietly dominant force. Now leading the team in playoff points with 13 (four goals, nine assists) through 13 games, he’s thriving alongside linemates Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Marchand himself has 12 points, making that line arguably Florida’s most productive — and yet Luostarinen is still often listed at solid value on betting boards to register a point or score. With his current pace, he's worth keeping a close eye on for bettors looking to cash in on overlooked options.

Greer, while not putting up the same numbers, has found ways to contribute in timely moments. His Game 1 goal marked just his second of the playoffs, but with increased confidence and opportunity, he could continue to surprise.

Western Conference: Dallas Stars 6, Edmonton Oilers 3

The Stars rallied in dramatic fashion with five unanswered goals in the third period to knock off the Oilers in a statement win. But the story here wasn’t just the comeback — it was the long-awaited arrival of Dallas’s secondary scoring.

Tyler Seguin turned back the clock with two goals and an assist, while Matt Duchene, who had an 82-point regular season, finally broke through with his first goal of the playoffs.

More NHL: Stars Insider Gives Best Bets For Western Conference Finals versus Edmonton Oilers

For a team that’s relied heavily on its top two lines, this depth scoring couldn’t have come at a better time and for bettors, it presents new angles to consider.

Seguin and Duchene are regularly priced lower than top-tier point producers, but if Game 1 is any indication, they could be heating up at just the right time. Duchene especially, given his season-long form, could be a strong value pick to get on the scoresheet in upcoming games.

Betting Takeaways:

• Eetu Luostarinen leads the Panthers in playoff scoring and remains undervalued in many betting markets.
• A.J. Greer is finding timely production and could be a sneaky anytime goal scorer pick.
• Tyler Seguin is looking like a playoff version of his old self and may continue to provide strong value.
• Matt Duchene’s breakout performance could mark the start of a scoring run worth riding.

As the Conference Finals continue, these depth performers could offer the best value for bettors looking beyond the big-name stars.

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender