When Geoff Molson decided it was time for the Montreal Canadiens to make some significant changes and fired Marc Bergevin, Habs fans were anxious to see who would take over and how they would handle the rebuild. When Kent Hughes was introduced as the new GM, some worried that he didn’t have the experience necessary to handle Sainte-Flanelle’s rebuild since he had never been an executive in the NHL.

He did have plenty of other experience however, having been a player's agent for years and having been on the opposite side of the battle line, and while some wondered if his old opponents would have some resentment from past negotiations, it soon became apparent that Hughes hadn’t made any enemy in his former life as a player’s agent.

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He hit the ground running, trading away the likes of Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames and Arturri Lehkonen to the Colorado Avalanche and replacing coach Dominique Ducharme with unproven (at least behind the bench) Martin St-Louis.

In his first offseason at the helm, Hughes heard the Flames were looking to unload Sean Monahan’s contract. Since the Canadiens had plenty of cap space to work with, the former agent smelled an opportunity and picked up the phone to call Flames’ GM Brad Treliving, whom he had dealt Toffoli to.

In the end, he parleyed his cap space into Monahan and a conditional first-round pick at the 2025 NHL Draft. Calgary needed the cap space because they had decided to sign Nazem Kadri to a seven-year contract and figured it was time to move on from Monahan, whose injuries had plagued them.

The center became an essential part of the team and a good leader for the young Canadiens to look up to. Unfortunately, he was injured again and was therefore limited to only 25 games in which he put up 17 points. With his contract up, the center could have tested the market, but he decided to sign for one year with the Canadiens, who had given him a chance when the Flames decided to move on.

In his second season with the team, he scored 35 points in 49 games. With the Canadiens fast heading for elimination, Hughes traded the veteran forward to the Winnipeg Jets for a first-round pick at the 2024 draft and a conditional third-round pick at the 2027 draft.

At the 2024 draft, the pick Monahan allowed the Canadiens to obtain was traded to the Los Angeles Kings to move up in the draft order and pick Michael Hage 21st overall. Fast forward a year later to the 2025 draft, and the pick that Calgary initially sent to Montreal, which had become the 16th selection overall, was moved to the New York Islanders along with the Canadians’ pick, the 17th overall, and young forward Emil Heineman in return for an experienced yet young right-shot defenseman, Noah Dobson.

Nearly three years after the initial deal with the Flames, it’s still paying dividends. Of course, it’s yet unknown how Hage will do in the NHL, but he’s about to embark on his sophomore season in the NCAA after winning the Big-10 Rookie of the Year award last season when he posted 34 points in 33 games. He’s also put himself in a good position to represent Canada at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

As for Dobson, he’s the highest-paid active player on the Canadiens’ roster with a $9.5 AAV, and he is expected to play a massive role for the Habs this season. Furthermore, his arrival has made Logan Mailloux expendable, allowing Hughes to flip him to the St. Louis Blues for some much-needed help up front. Hughes inherited a prospect cupboard stacked with promising blueliners, but he’s not hesitant to tap into it to address deficiencies in other areas.

With Hughes, the Canadiens have got a GM who not only sees the big picture, but also appears to be playing two or three turns ahead of everyone else. Jeff Gorton and Hughes said they wanted to build a perennial contender, and looking at them go, that’s precisely what they’re in the process of doing. By letting Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak walk, the team became a little bit more theirs and a little less Bergevin’s work.

As the years pass, contracts signed by the former GM will expire, and it will be interesting to see how they handle those players, but so far, they’ve done impressive work, and the Monahan deal is right up there in the list of their most significant accomplishments.

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Pittsburgh Penguins training camp is about a month away, and there are a lot of storylines to watch going into it. 

The defense is a significant question mark heading into the season since nobody knows how the left side is going to shake out. The Penguins have options on that side, but the players will have to jockey for playing time once camp starts. 

There will also be a battle for the third pairing spot on the right side of the defense, something I wrote about yesterday when I examined the right side of the defense as a whole. The backup goaltender spot will even be up for grabs after the Penguins traded for Arturs Silovs in July. He will compete with Joel Blomqvist, who made his NHL debut last season but struggled during his second stint later in the year. 

Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen both made their NHL debuts last season and got to show what they can do in a top-six role, especially down the stretch. McGroarty made the team out of camp, but after two games, it was clear he wasn't ready, which led to him being sent down to the AHL for most of the year before being brought up in late-March with Koivunen. 

They will be gunning for full-time spots when camp starts, but what about the other young players in the system? Let's take a look at a few of those players who will try to make the NHL roster this year. 

Filip Hallander

Hallander spent the last two seasons in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) before the Penguins signed him to a two-year deal at the end of April. He got picked by the Penguins in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut with the Penguins during the 2021-22 season before going to Sweden in 2023.

He turned into a different player in Sweden, finishing the 2024-25 season with 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games. His 26 goals and 53 points ranked second in the SHL during the year. He has really worked on his playmaking and goalscoring ability and will try to bring both of those to camp and the preseason. 

Even though there are a lot of forwards still on the roster, the Penguins won't hesitate to make room for Hallander if he shows enough in September. 

Tristan Broz

Broz made his professional debut with the WBS Penguins last year and didn't look out of place, compiling 19 goals and 37 points in 59 games. He also had one goal and three points in two playoff games before the baby Penguins got eliminated. 

Before that, he helped the University of Denver win the national title during the 2023-24 season and score the game-winning goal to send Denver to the National Championship Game. 

He's down the pecking order at forward, but will have the opportunity to show the new coaching staff what he can do. Even if he doesn't make the opening night roster, there's still a world where he makes his debut during the season, especially if he is performing well in WBS. 

Report: New Ownership Group In Mix To Purchase PenguinsOver the past several months, there have been whispers that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) - current majority owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins - are looking to sell at least a minority stake in the team.

Harrison Brunicke

Outside of McGroarty and Koivunen, Brunicke is going to be the prospect that a lot of fans have their eyes on next month. He wants to take the next step in his career and make the NHL team out of camp after coming so close last year. He got to the end of camp before he was one of the Penguins' final cuts.

Brunicke spent the year with his WHL team, the Kamloops Blazers, and finished with five goals and 30 points in 41 games before making his WBS Penguins debut at the end of the year. He had two assists in 10 regular-season games before finishing the playoffs with a goal and an assist. 

WBS Penguins head coach Kirk MacDonald was super impressed with Brunicke's small sample size when he spoke about it during development camp last month. 

"Huge. Honestly, it was. Credit to him, he figured it out quick,” MacDonald said. “Came in initially and in junior habits, where you can just skate by people and hold on to the puck for a long time; I thought he did a really good job. Last couple of regular season games and the playoff stint, he was moving pucks quick, jumping into the rush, the goal he scored in the playoffs was outstanding.”

“I thought his ability to kill plays, again, the less he does in certain areas, the more he accomplishes. I mean that by just making a really good first pass and then activating and jumping in the rush. We want our D to be aggressive and try to create offense, but it doesn’t mean necessarily having to skate through everybody. I think once he kinda recognized that, he was a little more patient with his game. The offense came to him. He did a great job.”

A nine-game trial could be in the cards for Brunicke if he picks up from where he left off at the end of the year. 

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Sour news hit the Kitchener Rangers organization, losing a high-end player just before training camp starts. 

The organization released a statement from GM Mike McKenzie via their official X account announcing that forward Adam Valentini will not honor his commitment to the team. Valentini left the Chicago Steel of the USHL to sign with the Rangers ahead of the upcoming season back on Jun. 5. 

Statement from General Manager, Mike McKenzie#RTown | #BattleBuiltpic.twitter.com/EyMPVYZIOs

— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) August 18, 2025

“I was informed today by the agent for Adam Valentini that Adam has chosen to revoke his commitment to play this season for the Kitchener Rangers and will instead be going to the University of Michigan,” said McKenzie via the statement. 

Valentini was originally drafted by the Brampton Steelheads 13th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He was regarded as a top-three pick but fell down the board due to his commitment to the NCAA. The Rangers acquired the rights to Valentini on Sept. 5, 2024, in exchange for four draft picks. 

Kitchener getting the Toronto, Ontario, native to commit before heading to Michigan was arguably one of the most exciting signings of this off-season. He’s a projected first-round pick for the upcoming 2026 NHL draft and had the potential to play a top-six role in the OHL, further elevating his draft stock. However, revoking your commitment one week before training camp starts isn’t a great look. 

Kingston Frontenacs Bolster Blueline With Top-Four Defenseman Jack Brauti We are just under two weeks away from the start of the 2025 OHL preseason. Training camps are just around the corner, and the Kingston Frontenacs recognized the need to add a top-four defenseman to their lineup ahead of the 2025-26 season. 

Valentini's agent is Darren Ferris, who is known to be a tough negotiator. Ferris would've helped push his client to fast-track his education so he could play in the NCAA a year early. Will this be the right move for his development in such a pivotal year? Or will this set him up for a draft season met with struggles? 

Because of the short notice, thankfully, the Rangers will not have to forfeit the second, third, and fourth round draft picks they gave to Brampton. Good for Kitchener, but I can’t imagine the Steelheads are pleased with Valentini’s choice here.  

Valentini recently won a bronze medal representing Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He finished the tournament with two goals, two assists, and a +9 in five games. 

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London Knights Bolster Lineup With Latest Two SigningsThere’s one thing that the London Knights don’t do: rebuild. Fresh off back-to-back OHL Championships, and several of their star players leaving the team due to graduating to the professional level or aging out of the league, don’t expect the Hunter brothers to stay quiet. Niagara IceDogs Acquire Alex Hage, Younger Brother of Montreal Canadiens Top ProspectThe Niagara IceDogs and the Peterborough Petes have made a minor trade involving the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens’ top prospect Michael Hage.  Harvard Commit Luka Graziano Signs With Flint Firebirds Flint Firebirds GM Dave McParlan has been active this summer in bringing in new pieces to his blueline for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The additions continue to come with the signing of former OHL Cup champion Luka Graziano. 

The Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 schedule has been out for a while now. And although Sabres fans have known when and where their team will be playing at any given time, it's still worthwhile to examine each Buffalo opponent next year -- and specifically, how the Sabres should fare against team NHL team in 2025-26.

We've made our way through the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central Division teams thus far in this THN.com Sabres' site series, and of late, we've switched focus on the Pacific Division teams. And in today's file, we're looking at a team that was the league's worst team last season --the San Jose Sharks.

It wasn't as if San Jose was one or two standings points behind the next-best team in the NHL standings. The Sharks were a full nine points behind the 31st-overall team (the Chicago Blackhawks) last season, giving you an indication of how far San Jose is in their rebuilding stage. But should the Sabres sweep their season-series this time around? That's the focus on our "Know York Enemy" series. Read on below for our best guesstimate as to how Buffalo should be prepared to beat San Jose both times this year.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. SAN JOSE SHARKS

NEW SHARKS PLAYERS: Jeff Skinner, LW; Adam Gaudette, C; Ryan Reaves, RW; Filipp Kurashev , LW; Dmitry Orlov, D; Nick Leddy, D; John Klingberg

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, San Jose 1-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  March 10 at Buffalo; March 19 at San Jose 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sharks are in the midst of a full rebuild, but slowly but surely, they're putting a dynamic young core together. And that means the Sharks are going to be a very difficult team to play against and a Stanley Cup playoff team -- just not this coming season.

Instead, San Jose will be focusing this season strictly to be a team that consistently is a worthy opponent. And that's not going to be easy, as the Sharks are going to be throwing veteran bodies overboard as San Jose GM Mike Grier works on building out his core.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: New-Look Kings May Be Vulnerable In Sabres Series Next SeasonThe Buffalo Sabres' pursuit of its first Stanley Cup playoff appearance in 15 years means that there's no room for error for them, at any time of the season.  A prolonged losing streak can and will knock down any team's post-season hopes, but the Sabres are particularly desperate, so Buffalo fans will be watching each and every game in the hope the Sabres can secure a playoff spot.

To wit: Grier has gone about signing up or acquiring players with one year on their contract coning into next season. Defensemen Nick Leddy and John Klingberg fall into that department, and up front, winger Jeff Skinner also is under contract for the 2025-26 season only, That means that, if Buffalo plays well but still isn't anywhere close to a playoff spot, Grier has the options of trading many veterans for prospects and draft picks,

It's a very good plan by Grier, but until such time as San Jose's young core emerges as difference-makers at the NHL level, it's going to be tough for this dog's-breakfast-of-a-Sharks team to give opponents a run for their money. And that means the Sabres have no excuses to lost to this San Jose squad.

As budding stars Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith continue their development, the Sharks eventually will find a way to get out of their woes. But at the moment, San Jose isn't going to be a realistic playoff contender, and the Sabres need to take care of their opportunities both times they square off against the Sharks.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: High-Octane Oilers Will Be More Than A Handful For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres are a 14-year reclamation project, and losing so consistently is currently the norm for the franchise. But every year brings some hope that things will change for the better, and the Sabres will have 82 opportunities to show they're an improved team that's finally going to make it into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Sharks' games against Buffalo come in a nine-day span in mid-March, so the Sabres willl see them near the tail-end of their season. But the Sabres are likely to be pushing for a playoff berth at that point, so they can't see their games against the Sharks as "gimme" games or guaranteed wins.

Indeed, at that point in the year, the Sharks could be in spoiler mode, and that's potentially extremely dangerous for the Sabres. But Buffalo can't allow San Jose to surprise and upset them. The only thing that will be a positive for the Sabres is to beat the Sharks. Anything less that will be a hugely-disappointing part of their year,

NHL coaches face sky-high expectations and short windows to accomplish them.

Only three active NHL coaches have been with their team for at least four years: the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jon Cooper, Colorado Avalanche’s Jared Bednar and Carolina Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour. Of that trio, Cooper and Bednar brought their squads to Stanley Cup championships.

As for Brind’Amour, he’s one of five NHL coaches with the most to prove in 2025-26. He’s not necessarily on the hot seat – not every coach on this list is at an immediate risk of getting fired – but there’s a lot for them still to accomplish. Some of them are in the first season of their new role, while others have another step to take.

Here are the bench bosses in alphabetical order, beginning with a closer look at the third-longest tenured coach.

Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina Hurricanes

Brind’Amour won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year, but that was back in 2020-21. As we know, the coaching industry in hockey’s top league is very much a “what have you done for us lately” line of work.

Brind’Amour undoubtedly faces pressure to bring the Hurricanes beyond the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2005-06.

We’re not suggesting Brind’Amour will be fired during the season if the Hurricanes slump anytime before the Stanley Cup playoffs. He’s earned the landing strip he’s got, and Carolina’s lineup is as deep and dangerous as it’s been in nearly 20 years. But the churn-and-burn of the coaching business is a very real thing, and if the Hurricanes fail to at least win the Eastern Conference title next year, there will be questions again about Brind’Amour’s future with the squad.

Brind’Amour’s cachet will guarantee he quickly gets a new coaching job of his choice if he does move on from Carolina, but when you’ve had seven years with the same team and you haven’t won it all, your time with that team is likely nearing an end. Brind’Amour could be an exception, but either way, he would benefit greatly from showing progress with the Hurricanes.

Five NHL Wingers With The Most To Prove In 2025-26As is the case in every NHL season, certain players are coming in with something to prove. Whether it’s to justify a pay raise or a trade or to bounce back from a subpar year, some players have every motivation to improve on their results at any given time.

Adam Foote, Vancouver Canucks

Whenever you’re an assistant coach who is getting their first chance as a coach, you’ve definitely got something to prove.

That’s the case with Foote and the Canucks. Foote was an assistant from January 2023 through this past season. 

Foote’s playing career as a Cup-winning defenseman has helped him earn his current coaching opportunity, and his experience with Vancouver’s roster no doubt played into Canucks GM Patrik Allvin giving Foote the chance to guide a team that was a letdown last season.

The Canucks fell from a Pacific Division-winning team in 2023-24 to a non-playoff squad last season, and bench boss Rick Tocchet chose to move on and coach the Philadelphia Flyers instead. But Vancouver’s lineup changes this summer and the potential for bounce-back seasons from star players, such as center Elias Pettersson, lay out a clear challenge for Foote – get this Canucks team back into the playoff picture immediately or face larger roster and possible management changes next off-season.

Foote must demonstrate that his experience as a head coach – including his time as the WHL Kelowna Rockets bench boss – gives him the expertise needed to turn around Vancouver’s competitive trajectory. If he can get the Canucks back into the playoffs next year, he’ll have a semblance of job security. But if Vancouver flames out and misses the playoffs for the second straight season, all bets are off.

Jim Hiller, Los Angeles Kings

Hiller joined the Kings as an assistant coach in July 2022, working under Todd McLellan. But when Los Angeles fired McLellan in February 2024, Hiller turned the interim coach role into becoming the Kings’ permanent coach. 

Expectations for L.A. have risen for some time now as the team has a mix of older talent heading further away from their primes and younger players looking to take over. 

Losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for four straight years also shows there’s something more for the Kings to give. Hiller’s inability to get the Kings out of the first round for the past two seasons makes this next campaign a potential boom-or-bust year.

Also not working in Hiller’s favor is the fact that the man who hired him, Rob Blake, parted ways with the Kings in May. New Kings GM Ken Holland doesn’t have any connection or loyalty to Hiller, and the many changes Holland has made to L.A.’s roster are an indication of how considerable the pressure is on Hiller to show some type of progress in the post-season next year.

So long as the Kings are in a playoff position throughout the regular season, Hiller’s job is safe. But once the post-season begins, Hiller must either get Los Angeles out of the first round or be sent packing in favor of someone Holland hires himself. That may not sound fair, but that’s the reality of the NHL’s coaching business right now.

Five NHL Centers With The Most To Prove In 2025-26What makes sports, and hockey specifically, unique and intriguing are storylines. In the NHL, it's the off-ice drama, milestone-chasing and pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

Todd McLellan, Detroit Red Wings

When McLellan took over from fired Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde in late December of 2024, he initially had a stellar run with the Wings. But the longer the season played out, the worse Detroit looked, and the Red Wings failed to make the playoffs for the ninth straight season.

Needless to say, the pressure on McLellan to turn the Wings into a playoff team will be massive this coming year. McLellan has 17 seasons as an NHL coach under his belt, so if anyone has the experience to weather any storm the Red Wings will be facing next year, it’s him. But Detroit GM Steve Yzerman also is facing a ton of pressure to get this Wings team back into the post-season – and that means nobody’s job in Detroit is safe, McLellan’s job included.

Coaching in the highly competitive Atlantic Division means McLellan’s work is cut out for him. So the pressure on McLellan couldn’t be more evident, and he has just one goal – lead this group into at least a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.

Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers

The Rangers hired Sullivan this summer partly because of his success as a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Even that achievement didn’t stop the Pens and Sullivan from parting ways after three straight playoff misses. 

Now, he’ll be the top coach of an NHL team without superstar Sidney Crosby for the first time since he led the Boston Bruins from 2003 to 2006.

Joining an Original Six team – and the spotlight that goes along with it – means Sullivan will be watched like a hawk from Day 1 of his time steering the Rangers’ boat. 

He’s got an obvious mandate in Manhattan – getting the Blueshirts back into the playoffs after they missed out on the post-season last year. The Rangers plummeted after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24, so the team has the talent to at least get back into the playoffs and potentially win a round.

Of all the coaches on this list, Sullivan might be the one who can survive missing out on the playoffs next season. But even then, if that’s the Rangers’ fate, Sullivan will face extraordinary pressure at this time next season to end the playoff drought at two years. 

Drury fired Sullivan’s predecessor in NYC after only two years on the job, and that could prove to be what happens to Sullivan if he can’t turn things around. Sullivan has a veteran-laden Rangers team to look after, but he’s got to squeeze out progress from his lineup. And if he can’t do so, his job security will be tenuous.

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Former Detroit Red Wings forward Mark Kirton, who enjoyed the most productive seasons of his NHL career with the franchise, has tragically lost his battle against ALS and passed away Sunday at just 67. 

Known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord for which there is no cure, nor is the exact cause known. 

Today, the hockey world lost not only a talented player but a remarkable human being. Mark Kirton, former NHL player and tireless advocate for ALS awareness, has passed away.

Mark’s career in the NHL was defined by determination, teamwork, and heart. Off the ice, he brought… pic.twitter.com/clVodnnR82

— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) August 18, 2025

Kirton, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2018, originally began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who made him the 48th pick in the 1978 Draft. 

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He was traded to the Red Wings in 1980 for goaltender Jim Rutherford, and he would go on to score 33 goals with 42 assists in 134 total games with the club. He would also play for the Vancouver Canucks after the Red Wings traded him for Ivan Boldirev; he ultimately appeared in 266 career NHL games, recording 57 goals with 56 assists. 

He also racked up 123 goals and 202 assists in 458 career games in the American Hockey League. 

Confound to a wheelchair in 2020, Kirton served on the board of ALS Action Canada. 

“We've been living this nightmare for what, a few years now, and I can tell you, it's horrific, it's cruel, it's torture,” Kirton said in September 2024. “The challenges are not daily challenges, they’re like hourly challenges.”

Kirton is the second former NHL player to recently pass away from the degenerative illness, which also claimed the life of his former teammate, Börje Salming, a Hall of Fame defenseman who played for both the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, at age 71 in November 2022. 

Additionally, the illness has recently claimed the lives of Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow along with former Senators assistant coach Bob Jones. 

Kirton is survived by his wife Lisa and children Adam, Sarah and Taylor. 

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Recently, the NHL's official Facebook account shared what they believe each Atlantic Division club's top six will be heading into the 2025-26 season. This, of course, includes the Montreal Canadiens.

For the Canadiens' first line, they unsurprisingly have Nick Suzuki centering wingers Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. This is certainly what should be the Canadiens' first line next season, as this trio has formed incredible chemistry. Furthermore, Slafkovsky should only continue to improve playing on a line with two legitimate stars in Suzuki and Caufield.

Yet, things get more interesting when it comes to the second line. The Canadiens will have multiple different options to consider for this trio, but NHL.com sees the Habs going with Kirby Dach as their 2C, with Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov as his wingers. 

The possibility of this trio being the Canadiens' second line is certainly there, but there are other players who should compete for a spot in Montreal's top six. Off-season addition Zack Bolduc is undoubtedly the most notable omission from this projected top six. When noting that the young winger took a big step forward this past season, he certainly could get a shot on Montreal's second line over a player like Laine. Furthermore, the possibility of Alex Newhook or even Jake Evans landing the 2C spot instead of Dach should also not be ruled out. 

Nevertheless, the Canadiens certainly have some different options to consider with their top six for this upcoming season. It will be fascinating to see if the NHL's projected top six for the Habs ends up being what they go with. 

Canadiens Important Defender Facing Big YearThe 2025-26 season is a big year for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson.

When it comes to NHL blue lines, Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard is among the more polarizing players. For every fan who thinks he plays no defense and is merely a power play guy, outlets like The Athletic, TSN, and others are crediting him for being among the league's best.

Another outlet has given Bouchard his props, as a new Bleacher Report ranking of every team’s top defenseman has Bouchard ranked at No. 6 overall. 

The post was meant to list every team's top defenseman and rank them from 1-32. As such, it's logical to assume the rules would have left players off the list and given other teams two defensemen in the Top 32.

Still, the point remains. Another outlet believes Bouchard is better than 80% of the defensemen in the NHL. 

Considering only Miro Heiskanen (Dallas), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Zach Werenski (Columbus), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver), and Cale Makar (Colorado) were ranked higher, that's pretty good company to be in.

Related: McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 1: My Introduction to the Oilers

Bouchard outranked names like Jaccob Slavin, Adam Fox, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Charlie McAvoy.

Are More People Start To Recognize Bouchard's Impact?

Long labeled as more of an offensive specialist than a complete defender, is Bouchard finally starting to silence critics with these rankings? This is now at least three major outlets playing him in elite company, and not just as a puck-moving, power-play specialist.

The next step might be him shaking the reputation that he's little more than a product of playing with a partner like Mattias Ekholm, or being on the ice with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

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We're well into the NHL offseason now and, for the most part, the majority of free agents have found new homes.

Last month, we looked at where last year's Carolina Hurricanes roster players ended up this offseason, but now we'll take a look at where former Canes have all wound up.

Where Have Last Year's Carolina Hurricanes Ended Up?We're two weeks into what is officially the start of the new NHL season and we've seen quite a bit of movement on the player front.

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Canes of Yesteryear

Jeff Skinner
33, LW

The former star winger and Calder Trophy winner played for Carolina from 2010 to 2018. Now, he's onto his fourth team, the San Jose Sharks, following a one-year stint with the Edmonton Oilers.

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Dylan Coghlan
27, RD

The former Canes depth defender was with the organization for two seasons, joining as part of the Max Pacioretty deal. After a year in Winnipeg, he'll now be rejoining his old squad, the Vegas Golden Knights.

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Ethan Bear
28, RD

The Hurricanes acquired Bear for Warren Foegele in 2021-22. He played one season with the Canes before joining the Vancouver Canucks. After two years with the Washington Capitals organization, he's now joining the New York Islanders.

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Sheldon Rempal
30, RW

Rempal played three games with the Hurricanes in 2020-21. He signed a two-way deal with the Washington Capitals this offseason after a 31 goal, 61 point campaign in the KHL last season.

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Mackenzie MacEachern
31, LW

MacEachern didn't spend a long time with the Hurricanes (just one season in 2022-23) but his first game came during the playoffs where he registered a goal and two points. After another two seasons with the St. Louis Blues organization, MacEachern signed a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

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Jesse Puljujarvi
27, RW

The Finnish winger returned from double-hip surgery and played for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers last season. He signed a deal with Geneve-Servette HC in the Swiss National League.

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Alex Lyon
32, G

The journeyman netminder played for the Hurricanes organization in 2021-22. After two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Lyon signed with the Buffalo Sabres.

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Anton Forsberg
32, G

The goaltender was traded to the Hurricanes and played during the 2019-2020 season. He then spent five seasons with the Ottawa Senators and is now moving on to the LA Kings.

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Former Canes Who Extended With Current Teams

Tony DeAngelo
29, RHD

After a brief stint in Russia last year, the offensive defenseman joined the New York Islanders mid-season and since forth, signed a one-year extension to stay this summer. DeAngelo spent two seasons in Carolina (2021-22 and 2023-24).

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Morgan Geekie
27, C

The 2017 third-round pick spent three years with the Hurricanes organization, and his NHL debut was one to remember with two goals and three points against the Penguins. After a career year with the Boston Bruins (33 goals, 57 points), he signed a six-year extension.

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Steven Lorentz
29, LW

Lorentz's story is an inspiring one, going from a seventh-round pick (2015) to the ECHL all the way to playing a consistent NHL role. He's also won a Stanley Cup and Calder Cup already in his career. After a strong year as a depth player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he signed a three-year extension.

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Haydn Fleury
29, LD

The 2014 seventh-overall pick has never quite managed to carve out a consistent NHL role, but has managed to secure a role with the Winnipeg Jets, signing a two-year extension. Fleury played for the the Canes from 2017-2021.

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Clark Bishop
29, C

Bishop was a 2014 fifth-round pick by the Hurricanes and played for the organization from 2016-2020. He's been with the Calgary Flames since 2022 and signed another one-year extension this summer.

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Still Looking

• Jack Roslovic
• Brock McGinn
• James Reimer
• Max Pacioretty
• Jani Hakanpaa
• Brendan Smith
• Derek Ryan
• Calvin de Haan
• Dustin Tokarski

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Recent Articles

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• Projecting the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Opening Night Roster
• Will The Carolina Hurricanes Alter Their Power Play Units?

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The Seattle Kraken's youth movement begins in 2025-26, which means there will be several opportunities for young Kraken prospects to make their NHL debuts.

With injuries, poor performances and the high likelihood of veterans being moved at the 2026 trade deadline, the Kraken could witness more than five debutants, but these are the five prospects with the greatest chance of making their debuts this season.

Berkly Catton, Center

Catton is the most proven and also the most NHL-ready prospect the Kraken have in their pool. Catton has dominated the WHL in the past two seasons, notching over 100 points in each. Heading into the new season, Catton has two options: return to the Spokane Chiefs or play in the NHL.

Catton is determined to make the NHL roster, but that doesn't mean it's best for his development. What's most logical is that the 19-year-old is given every opportunity to prove himself in the pre-season and then plays nine games in the NHL before the first year his entry-level contract burns.

If he impresses and shows he fits, he'll remain with the big club; if not, he'll return to the WHL, where he is far too skilled to play in. 

Jagger Firkus, Right Wing

Firkus might be the most gifted winger on the Coachella Valley Firebirds, but he needs to continue to improve at playing at a higher pace and on the defensive side of the puck. If his second AHL season starts quickly and he shows that his skill can lead to production, Firkus could earn a call-up later in the NHL season. 

The Firebirds will roster a very young lineup, and although he has little experience in the AHL, he'll be depended upon to produce offense.

Ryan Winterton and Jacob Melanson have earned call-ups previously and are higher in the pecking order, but Firkus' offensive abilities could move him up. 

Carson Rehkopf, Left Wing

After Catton, Rehkopf might be the most NHL-ready prospect the Kraken have. Standing 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Rehkopf's frame is ready, and his game suits the NHL. He possesses a great shot and has playmaking instincts that will translate well to the NHL. 

His skating and two-way ability are also traits that could elevate his game in his rookie season in the AHL. Last year, Jani Nyman earned a call-up to the NHL following the trade deadline, and Rehkopf can do the same if he impresses and produces.

Kraken Prospect Could Follow A Similar Path To Jani NymanSeattle Kraken forward Carson Rehkopf is gearing up for his first season of professional hockey in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and the 20-year-old could follow a similar path to a fellow Kraken prospect.

Eduard Sale, Left Wing

The Kraken's first-round pick (20th overall) in 2023 has been inconsistent since he was drafted. He's had flashes of offensive production, dominating the World Juniors and the OHL playoffs in 2024, but he's also had spells where he is unable to be a factor.

His rookie season in the AHL witnessed him notch six goals and 21 points in 51 games. A decent campaign for a 19-year-old, but the expectations were higher for Sale. If he finds his footing quickly next year, the Kraken could benefit from allowing Sale to get his feet wet in the NHL.

Andrei Loshko, Right Wing

Loshko, like Rehkopf, is entering his first season in the AHL, but his frame and track record could be worthy of at least one game in the NHL. Listed at 6-foot-1, Loshko recorded three consecutive seasons of point-per-game production in the QMJHL and the OHL. Last season, the 20-year-old scored 34 goals and 70 points in the OHL.

Loshko played one game in the AHL at the end of the season, scoring two goals. His scoring ability could be valued in a stint in the NHL. 

Can Or Should Ville Ottavainen Earn A Spot On The Kraken's Roster?With the new youth movement the Seattle Kraken are embracing, Ville Ottavainen could be a quiet contender to play several games in the NHL.

It's Wraparound time, with a new round of NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.

Which NHL Players Could Use A Change Of Scenery? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Kelsey Surmacz discussed in this episode:

0:00: Which NHL GMs have the most to prove this season?

5:04: Which NHL coaches have the most to prove this season?

8:00: Which players could graduate to being full-time NHLers this season?

11:55: Did Nazem Kadri deserve more consideration for Team Canada’s orientation roster?

17:00: Will Tanner Jeannot’s contract with the Boston Bruins end up paying off?

21:45: Is the Detroit Red Wings’ defense corps holding them back from being competitive?

26:25: Which players would benefit most from a change of scenery?

30:19: Could Evgeny Kuznetsov make a comeback to the NHL?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just over a month before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season. 

Lawson Crouse has been a target of teams looking for a big crash-and-bang power forward, but the 28-year-old seemed to be a commodity the Arizona Coyotes/Utah Mammoth would not part with. The former Florida first-rounder has played all nine NHL seasons in Arizona/Utah, and after three straight 20-goal seasons, his production declined precipitously to 18 points in Salt Lake City last season.  

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What Would It Cost?

At 6’4”, 214 lb., Crouse would provide the Sabres with the type of player that most Eastern Conference clubs are looking for in response to the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers physicality, and with the addition of Peterka, and the direction of the Mammoth going towards more offense with players like Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Clayton Keller front and center, GM Bill Armstrong may be willing to deal the big winger during the season, depending on where Utah is in the playoff race.   

The Mammoth are hoping to challenge for a playoff spot in the West, but their division is extremely deep and difficult, and other teams like Anaheim, St. Louis, Minnesota, Calgary and Vancouver will be in the mix for the two wildcard spots. Crouse would be attractive to the Sabres for two reasons; he is not a rental (he has two years left at a $4.3 million AAV) and does not have any trade protection. Armstrong will likely be looking for a younger player with team control, such as Zach Benson, but Utah’s defense needs help after Mikhail Sergachev and Sean Durzi. Utah would likely target Bowen Byram, but the deal would have to include more than Crouse to make that attractive to Buffalo.   

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced they have signed forward Hudson Fasching to a one-year, two-way contract. 

Fasching recorded two goals and four points in 42 games with the New York Islanders and two points in seven games with the Bridgeport Islanders last season. 

The 30-year-old has 17 goals and 40 points in 175 career NHL games with the Islanders, Arizona Coyotes, and Buffalo Sabres.

Originally a fourth round selection of the Los Angeles Kings in 2013, Fasching has 78 goals and 162 points in 308 career AHL games with the Islanders, Tucson Roadrunners, and Rochester Americans, he served as captain with the Roadrunners in 2021-22. 

Fasching will fit in to the Blue Jackets' bottom-six or could play in the top six for the Cleveland Monsters. He is a great locker room presence and will be able to contribute in the NHL and AHL. 

Welcome to Columbus, Hudson!💥

We've signed forward Hudson Fasching to a 1-year, 2-way contract! pic.twitter.com/IIjhzqD4RL

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 18, 2025

After three successful seasons at the University of Minnesota and two appearances at the World Junior Hockey Championship Fasching was a member of Team USA at the 2016 World Championship.

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here.        

Welcome to this edition of The Hockey News' Vancouver Canucks Mailbag. In this series, we answer your questions about what is going on with the Canucks. Today, we answer questions about Adam Foote, Vitali Kravtsov, and more. 

Why Did The Canucks Hire Foote Instead Of Malhotra?

The decision to promote Adam Foote to head coach has been widely debated this off-season. The former NHL defender does not have head coaching experience at the pro level, but has been with the organization for the past few seasons. As for Manny Malhotra, he is coming off a Calder Cup championship with the Abbotsford Canucks and should not have to wait much longer for a chance to run his own bench at the NHL level. 

One of the reasons why the Canucks may have made this decision is experience working with this group. While Malhotra has worked with the younger players, Foote has built relationships with the core of this team, including captain Quinn Hughes. In the end, both have the potential to be successful coaches in the NHL, with Foote getting the call next season.

Who Is The More Important Canucks Prospect: Cootes Or Willander?

This is a tough one as both will play key roles in the future. Tom Willander has the potential to be a top-four defender, while Braeden Cootes could be Vancouver's 2C of the future. Ultimately, the Canucks need both to hit if they want to have success, not just now, but in the future. 

In the end, Willander is the more important prospect as of right now. While it is difficult to find centers like Cootes, right-shot, mobile defenceman like Willander are currently at a premium in the league. Both have the potential to be special players, but Willander is currently the most important prospect in the organization. 

Whose The Prospect In The System Who Could Shock Us All And Be A Top 6 F Or A Top 4 D This Season?

Another excellent prospect-related question. Before answering, it is important to rule out Willander, Elias Pettersson and Aatu Räty, as they have been hyped up enough that there would be no surprise if they move into those spots. As for the answer to the question, one prospect who could have a big season at the NHL level is Jonathan Lekkerimäki. 

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It feels off selecting Lekkerimäki, but he has disappeared from people's radars over the past few months. He did win the Calder Cup with Abbotsford, but only scored three goals and recorded seven points in 16 games. While it is likely that he starts the year in the AHL, Lekkerimäki could jump into the top six once he is called up during the season.  

Will Kravtsov Make The Canucks Roster?

After two seasons in the KHL, Vitali Kravtsov is back and ready for another chance in the NHL. The 25-year-old had 58 points in 66 games last season for Traktor Chelyabinsk, which earned him a one-year, two-way contract. Ultimately, this could be Kravtsov's last chance at an NHL career, which means he has plenty of motivation to have a successful 2025-26 season. 

If Kravtsov is going to make the NHL team, it is most likely going to be on the fourth line. That being said, multiple players are fighting for the final spots, including Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, Nils Åman and Max Sasson. Despite the fact that Kravtsov needs waivers, there is a good chance that he starts the year in the AHL. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.