Category: Sports News

It’s no secret that Aaron Ekblad wants to remain with the Florida Panthers.

The former first overall pick has spent his entire NHL career with the team that drafted him.

Now he’s helped Florida win back-to-back Stanley Cups after reaching the championship series in three straight seasons.

If there was ever a great time to be a member of the Panthers, this is it.

“It's an elite program, it's the best organization in the league,” Ekblad said during Florida’s exit meetings. “We do everything the best, and we're still on an upward trajectory after winning two Stanley Cups in a row and (appearing in) three Stanley Cup Finals in a row, so it's incredible. I'm so proud of that, because I've been here for it.”

When July 1 arrives, Ekblad will be an unrestricted free agent.

He’s not the only Panthers player considered integral to the team’s success who will be hitting the open market.

Forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand are also UFAs.

Now, it’s certainly worth noting that all three have made it very clear that they would like to remain with the Panthers.

But if all three decide they want to cash in with the highest contract this summer, odds are they won’t be getting that kind of money from Florida.

Over the past several years, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has been able to sign several of the team’s key players – Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling are just some – to team friendly term deals that allow more financial flexibility for signing additional players that keep the team's depth as such a strength. 

It’s arguable that each of those aforementioned players could have gotten more money by signing elsewhere.

The same would likely be true for Ekblad, if he chooses to test the open market, but the question will ultimately be whether he is willing to take less dollars to stay where he wants to be, or cash in on what could be the 29-year-old’s last big contract.

“It’s part of who I am at this point,” Ekblad said of being a member of the Panthers. “I've spent 11 years here, and that's more than I've spent in any home or city in my life, so it's home, and I expect it to be home.”

How that plays out for Ekblad and the Panthers remains to be seen, but it shouldn’t be too long until we find out how everything plays out.

Discussions between the two sides are ongoing.

One thing is certain at this point, and that’s how happy Ekblad will be if he ends up staying with Florida.

Is that happiness worth more than the almighty dollar? We shall see.

“Conversations have been had, you know, obviously nothing material yet, but they'll be working on it,” he said. “Things like to seem to come down to the last minute here.”

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) celebrates scoring against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Big winger with ‘really good top-end speed' might be around Flyers at No. 22 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and No. 31 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Lynden Lakovic

Position: Winger
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Team: Moose Jaw

Scouting report

An excellent skater for a big body, Lakovic offers a dangerous package in transition. He’s imposing off the rush because he can separate and score with a smooth stride and plus shot.

Despite missing over a quarter of the 2024-25 campaign with a lower-body injury, the 18-year-old still led the Warriors in goals (27), points (58) and shots (183). Those numbers came in 47 games — 21 fewer than some of his teammates — on a rebuilding team.

“He has got that size,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said June 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And he’s really appealing because he can skate, he has got really good top-end speed, a good pull-away gear. Teams like that appeal about him because when he uses that speed to pull away and get the opportunity, he has got a good touch around the net, where he can finish.”

Lakovic is the 14th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He’ll need to round out his game as he develops and prove he can grind for his offense, as well.

“He’s just one of the big guys that needs a little more time, but he could end up being, out of this draft class, better than some of the players that get taken ahead of him,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “I don’t know that he realizes what his top end is.”

EliteProspects.com has Lakovic pegged as the 14th-best player in the draft, while Button has him at No. 23.

“This is what our opinion is, that he has a pretty high ceiling,” Marr said. “Down the road, he may be one of these guys that when you do a re-draft, he could go a little higher.”

Fit with Flyers

Lakovic could intrigue the Flyers if he’s within their reach at No. 22. Not many 6-foot-4 wingers can move like him and there’s scoring potential to go along with it.

If the Flyers were to draft him, they’d add to a good mix of left winger prospects that includes Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin and Denver Barkey.

While it’s very difficult to read how wingers with size and finesse will translate to the pro level, Lakovic seems to have middle-six upside.

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

• Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

• ‘Fascinating,’ 6-foot-5 center has tons of intrigue for Flyers at No. 6

• Younger brother of Flyers prospect is ‘complete’ center and option at No. 6

• ‘David Krejci-like’ center with plenty of upside would give Flyers good decision

• Could a 6-foot-6, ‘just blossoming’ defenseman be a fit for Flyers at No. 6?

• Will Flyers grab prospect with ‘really, really unique’ combination at No. 6?

• Reschny’s performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers’ eye in first round

• Flyers could have three shots at ‘dynamic, explosive skater’ on the wing

• Finding another Foerster? Flyers may have one if they draft Bear in first round

• Martone would offer Flyers ‘pretty complete package’ if he’s there at No. 6

• Flyers’ future power play QB? 6-foot-4 defenseman has ‘offensive punch’

• ‘That’s how tight it is’ — Eklund could interest Flyers among international prospects

• A center with ‘really, really strong’ upside could be first-round sleeper for Flyers

Every year, good prospects go undrafted, and they have two choices: feel sorry for themselves or prove people wrong and force a team to call their names next NHL draft.

While not every player has the latter mindset, the players here embraced it ahead of the 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles.

Petteri Rimpinen, G, 19, Kiekko-Espoo (Fin.)

An incredible performance at the WJC, helping the Finns to an unexpected silver medal, put Rimpinen on the radar for the 2025 draft. He played 40 Liiga games and posted the league’s second-best save percentage.

Jamiro Reber, C, 18, HV71 (Swe.)

After flashing bits of skill last year, Reber was solid in the Swedish League this season. His speed and motor meshed perfectly with some slick playmaking and a nose for the net.

Topias Hynninen, C, 19, Jukurit (Fin.)

Hynninen was Jukurit’s second-highest regular-season scorer and then went off for 10 points in five games in the relegation playoffs, carrying a massive load offensively. He’s a solid two-way forward who brings more offensive creation than he’s given credit for.

Draft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News ArchiveThe Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions abo...

Julius Sumpf, C, 20, Moncton (QMJHL)

Sumpf is a tactician who is better than the sum of his parts. The QMJHLer constantly moves around when he doesn’t have the puck to find space and generate scoring chances. He connects plays well and doesn’t try to overcomplicate the game with the puck on his stick.

Charlie Cerrato, LW, 20, Penn State (Big Ten)

In his freshman year, Cerrato was a top-20 scorer in college hockey, and he was a driving force on one of the NCAA’s most impressive teams. Cerrato possesses excellent speed and rush-attacking abilities.

Luke Mistelbacher, RW, 19, Swift Current (WHL)

With a great shot and an understanding of how to get open in the offensive zone, Mistelbacher exploded offensively this year. He needs to clean up his skating, but his finishing and offensive skills are tantalizing. He signed a tryout deal with AHL Iowa for a taste of the pros after his WHL season ended.

Tomas Galvas, D, 19, Liberec (Cze.)

With a supremely skilled offensive game, Galvas is a player who was quite highly regarded last year but was passed over due to concerns with his own-zone play. His defensive game has improved somewhat, but it remains a work in progress. His offense, however, outweighs the worry.

Daniil Ustinkov, D, 18, Kusnacht (Sui.2)

Ustinkov plays an understated game as a defensive blueliner with solid passing on the breakout. His skating is his foundation, and he leverages it to defend in all situations.

Daniel Nieminen, D, 19 Pelicans (Fin.)

Nieminen uses his skating all over the ice and has played well against men in the Liiga. He defends with his feet, evades pressure and is comfortable carrying the puck up ice. His passing is an asset in the offensive zone.

Cole Davis, LW, 19, Windsor (OHL)

There is a lot for NHL coaches to like about Davis’ game in the OHL. He brings physicality, invites contact, crashes the net, disrupts play on the forecheck and can get under an opponent’s skin.

This article appeared in our 2025 Draft Preview issue. Our cover story focuses on the Erie Otters' star defenseman and top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer, who has excelled despite the personal losses of his past. We also include features on other top prospects, including Michael Misa and more. In addition, we give our list of the top-100 prospects heading into the 2025 NHL draft.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

According to Frank Seravalli, the Calgary Flames and right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson have begun discussing a contract extension, and the parties are far apart in terms of money. The 28-year-old right-shot defenseman is about to enter the final year of his six-year pact with a team-friendly $4.55 cap hit.

The veteran was a second-round pick at the 2015 draft and has been a mainstay on the Flames’ blueline for the last seven years. From a primarily defensive defenseman, he has evolved into a two-way rearguard with an offensive upside. In 2021-22, he recorded a career-high 50 points in 82 games. The following season, he maintained his production with 49 points in 79 games, but his last two campaigns have been less productive with 39 and 31 points, respectively. This past season, he also posted a career-low minus-38.

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A real Swiss-knife on the blueline, the 6-foot-1 and 201-pound defenseman does it all for the Flames, averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice-time per game. He plays on the top pairing, the power play (spending an average of two minutes per game on the ice with the man-advantage), and the penalty kill.

Given the decline in production, it’s not surprising that the two sides are far apart from a monetary standpoint. Part of the decline could be down to his playing with a broken fibula in the last 12 games of the season. A stretch in which he put up four points while the Alberta outfit was desperately trying to qualify for the playoffs. They finished with the same amount of points as the St. Louis Blues, but the Missouri side had the tie-breaker and got to face the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.

With David Savard’s retirement, the Montreal Canadiens could benefit from an experienced blueliner on the right side of defense, and acquiring Andersson could be a worthy avenue to explore for GM Kent Hughes.

The Habs have made significant progress this past season, qualifying for the playoffs, and it might just be time to add some impactful veterans to help the Tricolore’s young core. Hughes has already made three trades with the Flames since his appointment in 2022. He sent Tyler Toffoli their way in February 2022, acquiring Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 (which became the 26th overall pick and was used to pick Filip Mesar), and a fifth-round pick at the 2025 draft. He also sent Michael McNiven their way for future considerations. Finally, in August 2022, he acquired Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 draft, which will be the 16th overall, for future considerations.

However, those deals were made when Brad Treliving was at the helm of the Alberta side; he has since moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs and been replaced by Craig Conroy, a former Canadiens’ draft pick in 1990 and a Flames alumnus. Since taking over, Conroy has pulled the trigger on a dozen deals, none of which were with the Canadiens. Last Summer, he traded Andrew Mangiapane away as he was about to enter the last year of his contract. The GM wanted more draft capital and cap flexibility. In March 2024, he also traded defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights in a deal. The left-shot defenseman who was about to command a raise, which he got days later, signed a new pact with the Knights.

In other words, if the financial gap between the two sides cannot be bridged, Conroy has been known to trade assets rather than let them hit the market. The Flames’ pick cupboard is not bare; they have seven selections in each of the subsequent three drafts, but it’s not exactly overflowing either. The Canadiens currently have 12 picks at the upcoming draft, nine in 2026 and seven in 2027. Montreal has two first-round picks and two second-round picks in next week's draft, which could be in play to fill one of their needs.

If Calgary moves Andersson, it won’t be for cheap; it took a first-round pick, a third-round one, and right-shot defenseman Daniil Miromanov for Vegas to acquire Hanifin back at the 2024 trade deadline.

If Conroy is still interested in future assets and prospects, there’s no doubt Hughes has got plenty to work with and could put together a very enticing package, but Montreal likely won’t be alone in the running. Right-shot defensemen are hard to come by on the market, and there will be plenty of other bidders.

Hughes has accustomed us to plenty of action around the drafts, acquiring Kirby Dach at his first one, Alex Newhook on the eve of his second one, and flipping picks to move up in the first round at the 2024 one. What does he have in store for us this time around? Time will tell…

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

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The Chicago Blackhawks have a few directions they can go in over the summer. They could be realistic and understand that 2025-26 is another important development year for their young pros. They could also think pushing for a playoff spot in a deep Western Conference is the way to go. 

Having the perfect off-season would be Kyle Davidson continuing to look at the bigger picture, which he has been great at since taking over as the full-time General Manager. 

It starts with the buyout period. Although TJ Brodie is one of the nicest men you’d ever come across in the NHL, he was the 10th-best defenseman in the organization last season. In 2025-26, he’d be even lower than that. Having him on the roster doesn’t make any sense from a hockey standpoint. 

The Blackhawks must start the off-season by buying him out. It won’t clear much cap space, but there will be more room for young players to get a chance. He will also have an opportunity to go find work somewhere that won’t healthy-scratch him most of the time. 

After that move, the focus will solely turn to the 2025 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks will make the 3rd and 25th overall picks. First-round selections get way more attention and hype than the rest of the draft, and rightfully so. However, Stanley Cups can be won in the later rounds. 

Chicago needs to select a forward with the third overall pick. It is also likely a target throughout. Michael Misa will likely be off the board, so that leaves one of Porter Martone, James Hagens, Caleb Desnoyers, or Anton Frondell for Chicago to consider. If they keep the pick, they will be drafting a difference maker who can turn into a star. As long as they land one of those four, their perfect off-season quest doesn’t depend on one specific selection. 

After the draft is over, the focus will turn to free agency. Unless the Blackhawks are landing one of Mitch Marner or Nikolaj Ehlers, they probably aren’t going to make many impactful signings that move the needle in 2025-26.

It may not even keep it from being a perfect off-season if they made a move like that. Adding a star-level player like that with lucrative money does not fit the team’s current window. If anything, they are one year away from that being a good idea. 

Throughout all of this, making trades is Kyle Davidson’s best way of adding talent to the roster. On Saturday, Andre Burakovsky was acquired from the Seattle Kraken for Joe Veleno. That’s a middle-six forward coming to town to stabilize the forward group. 

It isn’t about competing for the playoffs. It is about getting the young players into good habits and getting them to produce at a high level. Where they fall in the standings as a result doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. 

Not long after the season ended, the Hawks searched for a new head coach. They landed on Jeff Blashill, who has experience coaching at all levels across hockey. 

By the end of next season, he could be seen as the marquee addition to the team. As long as the young players, including the players they select in the first round of the draft, have what they need to develop for the long term, the offseason will be considered a win. 

To summarize, buying out TJ Brodie, making a strong selection at forward with the third overall pick, not getting themselves into a bad contract in free-agency, and a strong trade or two would make this a perfect off-season for Chicago. 

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

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Joe Veleno on Saturday.

The trade clears cap space and a winger logjam for the Kraken while giving the Blackhawks a two-time Stanley Cup champion who's still only 30 years old.

Burakovsky has two years left on his five-year contract with a $5.5-million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia. The left winger had 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points for the Kraken this past season. Before that, he had 16 points in 49 games in 2023-24 and 39 points in 49 games in 2022-23.

Burakovsky's career-high 22 goals and 61 points came with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, when he added eight points in 12 playoff games en route to his team's Stanley Cup win.

In 2017-18, Burakovsky won his first Stanley Cup championship with the Washington Capitals, the team that selected him 23rd overall in the 2013 NHL draft.

With Burakovsky, the Blackhawks get another potential top-six winger to improve their scoring and competitiveness in their rebuilding years. Burakovsky saw his ice time decrease with the Kraken, going from 16:33 per game in 2022-23 to 14:25 this past season, but that could improve in Chicago.

After the Kraken acquired left winger Mason Marchment earlier this week, they had five wingers earning at least $4.5 million. Trading Burakovsky for Veleno, a center, tweaks the depth at each position.

“Andre was a valuable player for our organization during the three years he was here, and we wish him and his family the best of luck in Chicago," new Kraken GM Jason Botterill told NHL.com. "In return, we've acquired a young player with experience while also increasing our salary cap flexibility moving forward."

Veleno, 25, has 81 points in 306 career games, including a career-high 28 points in 80 games with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24. In 2024-25, he had eight goals and 17 points in 74 games between the Wings and Blackhawks, which acquired him at the NHL trade deadline. He has one year left on his contract with a $2.275-million cap hit. He would be an RFA with arbitration rights if he doesn't sign a contract extension beforehand.

As for this off-season, the Kraken have three pending RFAs: right winger Kaapo Kakko, left winger Tye Kartye and defenseman Ryker Evans. Michael Eyssimont is also a pending UFA. And in the summer of 2026, captain Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, Marchment, Eeli Tolvanen and Jamie Oleksiak are pending UFAs. Trading Burakovsky also helps with salary cap flexibility at that point.

More to come.

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The New York Islanders announced on Friday that they would be holding a three-day development camp starting on Monday, June 30. On Saturday, they shared that they were bringing back the Blue & White scrimmage.

The event will be held July 2. 

The #Isles have announced the Blue & White scrimmage is returning on July 2 pic.twitter.com/JKOHamLKqY

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) June 21, 2025

To attend, you must pay $15, with the proceeds giong to the Islanders Children's Foundation.

The development camp will consist of three on-ice days, excluding July 1, the first day of NHL Free Agency.

Most other NHL teams seem to be skating on July 1, so just something interesting to note. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.