Category: Sports News

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are down to four teams, and each of the conference finalists arrived here after taking a significant step forward from last season. 

Whether it’s depth, defense, or simply a different mentality, the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers have improved in a key area that’s helped them break through.

Edmonton Oilers: Shaking The Depth Narrative And Playing Defense

The Oilers are back in the Western Conference final, but the narrative surrounding this team is not the same. 

Although the Oilers are often considered to rely too much on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the idea that they don’t have depth and aren’t trustworthy defensively has been thrown out the window. 

Despite neither star having their signature explosive playoff series so far, the Oilers won close, smart hockey games. They’ve committed to a 200-foot game.

The Oilers are also rolling all four lines and getting contributions. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch hasn’t been concerned about matchups, and that’s massive, keeping the minutes reasonable for the big two superstars.

Draisaitl and McDavid are so confident in the team’s play at both ends of the ice that they seem tired of discussing it.

“I don’t know how many times we need to answer these questions,” Draisaitl said. “We’ve been a really good defensive team for years now.”

Added McDavid: “We can defend. We can. We’ve shown that time and again.”

Combine that with the possibility of their stars catching fire offensively, and Edmonton becomes even more dangerous.

Dallas Stars: Rantanen Ignites The Offense

Two key additions – Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund – elevated the Dallas Stars. Rantanen leads all NHL playoff scorers with 19 points (nine goals in 13 games), while Granlund chipped in seven points. They’re giving Dallas the firepower it previously lacked, turning the Stars into a true Cup contender.

Rantanen was easily the biggest trade deadline acquisition by any team this season, but Granlund was a sneaky one that doesn’t get as much credit as it should. Both have been a tremendous fit, while some of their depth players and veterans have struggled. 

NHL Playoffs: Oilers And Stars Look Much Different Than Last Year, But The Battle’s Still CloseThe Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars are on another collision course.

Carolina Hurricanes: Wins By Committee

No Carolina Hurricanes player has more than 10 points in 10 playoff games, but their full team buy-in and commitment to defense have carried them. The Hurricanes have been dominant at home.

They lead the playoffs in penalty-kill percentage and goals-against per game. 

“I don't think really anybody enjoys playing Carolina,” said Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk. With unmatched structure and depth, they’ve become one of the hardest teams to crack.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour teaches possession and a grinding style of hockey that has proven successful, even as the team dealt with a major loss when Rantanen wouldn’t re-sign there. 

This isn’t a team that needs a superstar. That makes the squad a force with a full roster.

Florida Panthers: Grit, Leadership And Experience

In their third straight trip to the Eastern Conference final, the Florida Panthers continue to show why experience matters. Led by the grit and edge of Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand, Florida knows how to wear teams down. 

“When it's time to put those work boots on, I don't think there's a team that works harder,” Tkachuk told reporters Tuesday.

The Panthers are proven. They’ve been to the final twice in recent seasons, and they know what it takes to win big games in tough situations. Few teams are as battle-tested, and players on this roster are willing to go through a wall, even if some of them are relatively new arrivals.

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The Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Tuomas Uronen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 20-year-old was selected in the sixth round (192nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Golden Knights. Playing in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs, Uronen scored 38 goals and 90 points in 63 games, finishing second in goals and tied for first in points on his team. 

The 2024-25 season was a breakout campaign for the Kerava, FIN native, winning a silver medal with Finland at the World Juniors. He scored two goals and three points in seven games, but his two goals were vital to Finland's success.

"Tuomas Uronen's game is built around his hockey sense and sneaky-good skill level. He anticipates the play in advance, takes intelligent routes both with and without the puck and manages the puck well during in-zone play. He's inside-driven, never cycling the puck needlessly and has a knack for playmaking from below the goal line especially." -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

Listed at 6'0, 192 lbs, Uronen can play both up the middle as a center or on the wing. His shot has improved since the draft, and it's become increasingly capable of beating goaltenders when given time and space. 

The right-handed shooter will likely start the season with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL next season, joining a young crop of players highlighted by Trevor Connelly, Jackson Hallum, Matyas Sapovaliv, Braeden Bowman, Kai Uchacz and Jakub Brabenec.  

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

Golden Knights Sign A Pair Of Forwards To Entry-Level ContractsThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed forwards Braeden Bowman and Kai Uchacz to entry-level contracts. Golden Knights Sign Trevor Connelly To Entry-Level ContractThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed top prospect Trevor Connelly to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Hurricanes Insider provides insights on Carolina's lineup heading into Eastern Conference Finals

Two years after being swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes are back and hungry for payback.

That 2023 loss still stings, but this year’s Hurricanes team is deeper, healthier, and more experienced than ever before. With key veterans and emerging stars stepping up, the Canes believe they’re built to finish what they couldn’t last time.

We spoke with a team insider Ryan Henkel for perspective on what’s changed since that playoff heartbreak and who might be poised for a breakout. From potential difference-makers to smart betting picks, here’s what and who to watch as Carolina prepares for a high-stakes rematch.

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

More NHL:Expect Elite Defence Shining Through in Narrow Game 1 Victory for Hurricanes Over Panthers

Andrei Svechnikov - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+800)

We asked Henkel who he believes will lead the series in goals and it was no surprise he picked the Hurricane that is just one goal behind Dallas's Mikko Rantanen for most goals in the playoffs with nine. 

"I'd have to stick with Andrei Svechnikov to continue leading the way," "He has eight goals now this postseason and has also hit the crossbar twice and the post three times, he's feeling it right now."

- Henkel on Svechnikov to lead series in scoring

The matchup works as Svechnikov has 17 points over his last 25 games versus Florida, including two goals in their last seven matchups. The 25-year-old Russian winger has also found success scoring in the postseason for some time now with eight goals over his last ten playoff games. 

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

Jordan Martinook 1+ Series Goals (-140)

The Hurricanes offence has been stellar but still some players haven't produced and it's possibly flown under the radar. Henkel gave us the line of captain Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and William Carrier as players he expects to finally get things going and have a bigger role in the Conference Finals. 

"Their line has been possession dominant and they generate a ton of chances, eventually those have to start going in."

- Henkel on Hurricanes third line

The Canes third line has played together as a unit in all ten of their playoff games so far this postseason with just one goal to show for it.

Carrier isn't the biggest goal scorer but we can look to Martinook or Staal to get one in this spot. Martinook should be due as he's gone eight straight games without goal while Staal scored in Carolina's Game 5 win over Washington. 

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

Sebastian Aho 2+ Series Goals (-195), 3+ Series Goals (+160)

Carolina's most notable forward has been continued making his impact felt with x points this postseason but just three goals. Aho couldn't find the back of the net during their series versus Washington and is long overdue for a couple goals, according to Henkel. 

"I would say Aho is due for a big breakout," "He's getting points, but he only has three goals this postseason and none against Washington, His line has been good and I think he can find a couple this series."

- Henkel on Sebastian Aho

The Finnish forward has eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points over his last 24 games versus Florida and should be able to burst through for at least a pair of goals. He's gone five straight games without a goal and should get one early in the series. 

Ryan Henkel's series prediction: Hurricanes in 7 (+430)

Since the PWHL announced its expansion rules, social media has been taken over by fans of the original six markets who are shocked by how favourable the rules are to the new franchises. In a nutshell, each of the original six franchises can only protect three players. They can add a fourth player once they’ve lost two to expansion teams.

Now, I know this wouldn’t happen in the NHL as any expansion team gets to pick its lineup from the league’s other 32 teams, but just for discussion’s sake, if Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes had to do the exercise Daniele Sauvageau will soon undertake for the Montreal Victoire, who would he pick?

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It stands to reason that Hughes would elect to protect his captain, Nick Suzuki, but after that, it gets complicated. Cole Caufield has proven to be a perfect complement for the captain, but will Ivan Demidov eventually perform better than Caufield? Would he protect a projection rather than a player who has shown he can already perform in the NHL? What we’ve seen from Demidov so far has been impressive, and he instantly became a fan favourite.

Of course, protecting both would be possible, but then he would expose both Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky. I don’t see a scenario where Hughes would be willing to let Hutson go. So, if he were faced with these tough decisions, I think he would likely protect Suzuki, Demidov, and Hutson. This means he would probably lose Caufield and Slafkovsky before being able to protect a fourth player, which would probably be Kaiden Guhle. At least Jacob Fowler wouldn’t have to be protected since he’s in Laval.

That would set the rebuild back years. The PWHL fans' outcry over the last 24 hours is perfectly understandable. Sauvageau has built a good team even though it has been unable to move past the first round of the playoffs so far. However, only being able to protect three of Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Anne-Renee Desbiens, Erin Ambrose, and Cayla Barnes is pure torture. The Victoire also has Jennifer Gardiner, the player who won the accuracy skill competition at the last Canadiens’ skill competition, smashing the four targets faster than anyone else, including Habs players.

The next time there’s an expansion draft in the NHL, whatever the protection list parameters are, remember it could be much worse.

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If there is one player in the New Jersey Devils locker room who bleeds black and red and wants to remain in the Garden State to continue his professional hockey career, it is Nathan Bastian.

The 27-year-old was selected by the Devils at the 2016 NHL Draft, 41st overall. Bastian has played 264 of his 276 career NHL games in New Jersey. He appeared in 188 games in the American Hockey League with the Binghamton Devils and is one of nine New Jersey players considered homegrown talent.

The 6-foot-4 winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and during his end-of-season media availability, he shared his desire to return to the Devils.

"It is crazy how quick a place can feel like home," he said. "Not that it has been a short time, but I think since the time I was drafted, I am the longest-standing Devil still here. Being here means a lot to me — the city, the rink, the staff, and you guys. It is something I want to be a part of."

Bastian has concluded a two-year contract worth $2,700,000 with an annual average value of $1,350,000. 

He has been a mainstay on the Devils' fourth line over the past several seasons, earning that final spot on the wing. Known for his gritty style of play, Bastian's point production has remained pretty consistent in the NHL between the 10 and 16 point mark.

With the team's struggling depth becoming a storyline for the Devils, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald stating, "We won't be coming back with the same group because it wasn't good enough," one has to wonder if Bastian has done enough to earn another contract.

Bastian responded honestly when asked about the mental side of knowing your contract is up.

"You need a job," he said. "It is your life, and to a certain extent, it is out of your control, but in another way, it keeps you on your toes. You don't get a second to lean back. Maybe it sucks a little bit, but it is part of the gig."

It was clear Bastian doesn't want to sign with another NHL team, but as he said, some variables are uncontrollable. After all this time, Fitzgerald knows the type of person and player Bastian is. It is up to him to determine if the Kitchener, Ontario native can help his team.

Let us know if you believe the Devils will re-sign Bastian for the 2025-26 season.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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When you look at the body of work of the former bat boy for MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers, you think of a guy who steps in and takes his cuts. And they usually work out. Yes, Florida GM Bill Zito’s acquisitions of the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Brandon Montour, Sam Bennett, Vladimir Tarasenko and Seth Jones have indeed been works of art.

But you don’t often think a waiver pick-up during the pandemic would turn out the way it did. That Gustav Forsling went from a castoff to a vital cog on the Panthers’ blueline and a $5.75-million-a-year player is one of the more inspiring stories in the NHL.

The 28-year-old is with his fourth NHL organization, but the Panthers can’t envision life without the puck-moving stalwart, so much so that Zito signed Forsling to an eight-year, $46-million deal in March 2024.

That’s a far cry from being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and being traded before even playing a game. And from toiling for the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate in Rockford. And from being dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes, who don’t even bother to put you on their roster for the pandemic playoff tournament in the bubble.

“I went back to Sweden for COVID, and I came really close to signing with a couple teams there,” Forsling said. “I had a long summer that year. Looking back at it, it was very hard mentally. You really have to believe in yourself. I’m really proud of the journey.”

He should be. It was after the pandemic, during training camp in January 2021, that Zito saw almost no risk in picking up Forsling off waivers. Forsling was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, so there wasn’t even any real commitment. But it goes back to long before that, all the way back to when Zito was the assistant GM in Columbus and was getting glowing reports from Blake Geoffrion, then the assistant GM of the Blue Jackets’ farm team.

Geoffrion probably knows a hockey player when he sees one since he, his father (Danny), grandfather (‘Boom Boom’) and great-grandfather (Howie Morenz) all played in the NHL.

“He kept telling us, ‘There’s this guy in Rockford I really like,’ ” Zito said. “So when we were looking at signing him, we had ‘Q’ (coach Joel Quenneville) and Ulfie (Samuelsson), who had coached him, and Paul Krepelka, who had him in Carolina. So, as we gather intel and collect information, you have seven yeses, two maybes and zero noes, plus he’s on waivers. So where’s the downside?”

As dejected as Forsling was about the way his NHL career was going, he used his time during the pandemic to put in the work on his strength and conditioning. And, suddenly, a player who seemed a little too slight to defend against the best players in the world was winning the conditioning competition in training camp with the Panthers.

“Everybody is competing for second now,” Zito said.

Forsling is now so durable he regularly logs 20-plus minutes a game in all situations. And when Aaron Ekblad was suspended 20 games for using a banned performance-enhancing substance, Florida leaned on Forsling and the newly acquired Jones to do the heavy lifting on the back end. As flawed a stat as plus-minus is, Forsling led the entire league with a plus-56 last season and was top 10 again this season with a plus-33.

But his finest moment came last spring, as he became something of the alpha male on the Panthers’ blueline on their journey to the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Forsling led the Panthers in ice time and paced Florida D-men in scoring with four goals and 13 points in 24 games.

Forsling has definitely found his place and his NHL home in South Florida. Until last season, when he and his wife had a baby boy, Forsling would keep a fishing rod and tackle box in the back of his car and would often pull off the road on the way home from practice to do some pond fishing. He can’t do that anymore, but someday, he’ll be able to take his son with him. After all, he’s in town for another seven years.

“This business is a lot about getting the opportunity and taking the opportunity when you get it,” Forsling said. “And I think I’ve done that.”

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This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end.

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.