We are in the midst of the dog days of summer as NHL players, agents, and front office executives enjoy their time away before the 2025-26 season gets started next month with the opening of training camp. 
It is the perfect time to do another New Jersey Devils mailbag here at The Hockey News. Let's jump in. 

Q: Do you feel like a Luke Hughes deal is reached by training camp? 

- dcthesportsman 

Naturally, many of you have asked about Luke Hughes. I have been checking in with Hughes' agent since January. At this time, there is nothing to report.  

 Players have acknowledged this has been a bit of an odd market for free agents, and the NHL in general has been quiet since that initial rush on July 1. If you listened to 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman provided some insight, saying, "With the cap going up, the market is getting reset. I don't see problems getting guys signed, but I do see the sweet spot for both team and player being a challenge."   

One thing I wonder about a deal being finalized ahead of training camp is that Hughes has the same agent as Dawson Mercer. As we know, Mercer's negotiations were still ongoing at the start of training camp.

The negotiations between Hughes' camp and the Devils have been quiet, and I don't expect that to change. 

Q: Is there any indication as to where Cam Squires fits on the organizational depth chart? 

- @faseeshuss

In my opinion, it is a little too early to tell. Cam Squires transitioned to professional hockey late last season and appeared in only three games for the Utica Comets (American Hockey League). 

It was a great sample as he earned at least a point in every appearance, finishing with four points (one goal, three assists), being utilized as a top-line right winger.  

He is a player whom I am excited to watch, as the Comets struggled offensively last season. I think the answer to your question will become clearer as the season carries on and we learn what type of player Squires is at the professional level. 

Q: What will be Simon Nemec's role this year? Seems like there is a logjam once Johnathan Kovacevic is cleared to play. 

- @lose4hughes
With Johnathan Kovacevic sidelined, Simon Nemec will have the opportunity to prove he can continue to play at the level we saw in the playoffs. Honestly, for him, it will always come down to consistency. 

On April 26, I spoke with Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe about Nemec and will share what he had to say about the young defenseman:

Keefe on Nemec's effort:

"I would say he has taken steps in that area, but that has been part of the development process for him. (Just) to embrace the work that needs to be done. It is a hard league, and not everything works on the timeline that is in your mind. The league humbles you. You have the decision to either recognize this and get to work, or it is going to be a lot harder on you than you want it to be. That is what we are going through with (Nemec), and I have seen positive steps in this area." 

Keefe on Nemec's urgency:

"It has improved. There is a way to go, but to me, it has improved, which is why you trust him in these games. You put him in (the lineup) in part out of necessity with the injuries, but the other part is that he has taken strides towards being a good player. Yesterday's positive result with the (double overtime game-winning) goal is going to help him take a big step in his confidence, but it is not going to change the work that needs to be done." 

Regarding Kovacevic, I reached out for an update on his status and how he is doing, but did not receive a response at the time of publication. 

Q: What is the plan with Lenni Hameenaho?

- @nickauriemma12

He is a player the organization is excited to see and will have an opportunity to impress the coaching staff during training camp. I am expecting him to spend the majority of the 2025-26 season in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets.

Q: What is our favorite road arena in the NHL?

- stevenl49

I have always been transparent about the fact that I don't travel at this point in my career. I have been to Madison Square Garden and Wells Fargo Center, and I absolutely love MSG.  

This season, I am eyeing a trip to Nashville in March. We will see if any other opportunities present themselves.

Q: Who is your personal favorite player of all time? 

- rhockeyc

This is probably a terrible answer, but I don't really have one. Years ago, a very kind Devils fan gifted me a New Jersey Devils Jack O'Callahan jersey, and it is the best jersey I own, so I'll say O'Callahan for the purpose of this question. 

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Photo Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks are bringing back winger Vitali Kravtsov. Vancouver has announced that they have signed the 25-year-old to a one-year, two way contract. Now 25, Kravtsov has spent the last two seasons in the KHL, playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk. 

In a press release, GM Patrik Allvin wrote, "Vitali had a strong season in the KHL and was an impact player for his team. In his two seasons in Russia, he has worked hard on his game, and we look forward to seeing where Vitali is at when he comes to training camp in Penticton."

While Kravtsov's new contract is a two-way deal, he will still need to clear waivers if sent to the AHL. His salary in the NHL will be $775,000, while in the AHL, it will be $450,000. Kravtsov will be a Group 6 UFA during the 2026 off-season if he does not play at least 16 games in the NHL this season. 

Does It Make Sense For The Canucks To Bring Back Vitali Kravtsov Next Season?As the 2025 off-season continues, many players will be linked to the Vancouver Canucks. Whether through trade or free agency, Vancouver is expected to be busy over the next few weeks as the management group builds a roster that can compete for a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. One familiar face that the Canucks could bring back is forward Vitali Kravtsov, who is reportedly wants to return to the NHL for the 2025-26 season.

Kravtsov departed for the KHL after the 2022-23 season. Last season, he posted 58 points in 66 games before racking up seven in 19 playoff games. Listed at 6'2", 187 lbs, Kravtsov has played 288 career regular-season games in the KHL, scoring 81 goals while recording 160 points. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Player Preview: Conor Garland

Vancouver Canucks Coaches’ Playing Careers: Jason Krog

Former Canucks Around The World: Darren Archibald

As for his time with the Canucks, Kravtsov played 16 games with Vancouver during the 2022-23 season. He was traded to the Canucks by the New York Rangers for a seventh-round pick in 2026 and Will Lockwood. During his 16 games, Kravtsov recorded two points while averaging 10:50 of ice time.  

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Detroit Red Wings Updated Top 10 Prospects - Feb. 24 2025 - Vol. 78, Issue 08 - Bob Duff

THE FRUITS OF GM Steve Yzerman’s labor are beginning to blossom. Six of the draft picks Detroit has made since Yzerman took over as GM of the club in 2019 are now wearing the Winged Wheel. Lucas Raymond (4th overall in 2020) and Marco Kasper (8th in ’22) skate on the top line with captain Dylan Larkin. Moritz Seider (6th in ’19) and Simon Edvinsson (6th in ’21) are top-four D-men. Beyond them, Albert Johansson (60th in ’19) has been playing alongside Edvinsson, and massive winger Elmer Soderblom (159th in ’19) was summoned in late January from AHL Grand Rapids for his second NHL look.

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1 AXEL SANDIN-PELLIKKA

D, 19, 5-11, 176 lbs

Skelleftea (Swe.)

2023 draft, 17th overall

OVERALL 9

The slick Swede was named top D-man at the WJC for the second year in a row, joining Wings icon Slava Fetisov as the only blueliners to do so in tournament history. He led Swedish League ‘D’ in scoring before leaving for Ottawa. Sandin-Pellikka can carry the puck up ice, run a PP and create chances with quick movement and passing skills. “He looks like a talented young defenseman,” Yzerman said. “He’s playing in the Swedish Elite League, which is a very good league, doing well.”

2 NATE DANIELSON

C, 20, 6-1, 190

Grand Rapids (AHL)

2023 draft, 9th overall

OVERALL 31

It took Danielson some time to find his footing as a first-year pro. He called it a big adjustment and said it took “five or six” games to feel normal. Detroit brass loves his 200-foot game. “He does everything right, and it shows in the way he handles himself and his maturity,” assistant player development director Dan Cleary said. Pat Kane, too, offered high praise: “A lot of skill. Kind of reminds me a little bit of (Connor) Bedard, the way he plays and the way he stickhandles and shoots.”

Could Nate Danielson Make Red Wings Main Roster?The Red Wings could take a similar approach to other contenders by placing young talent in top-six roles.

3 TREY AUGUSTINE

G, 20, 6-1, 194

Michigan State (Big Ten)

15-5-3, 2.07, .926

2023 draft, 41st overall

OVERALL 46

Augustine has helped lead Michigan State back to prominence and starred at the WJC, backstopping the U.S. to a second straight gold. He also played for his nation at the senior worlds last year against NHLers as a 19-year-old. The mature stopper is known for his unflappable nature and consistency. “When I watch Trey, he gives me a lot of confidence,” Cleary said. “He’s got a great demeanor about him. He’s got a calm, cool demeanor but competitive. That fire burns inside him.”

4 MICHAEL BRANDSEGG-NYGARD

RW, 19, 6-1, 198

Skelleftea (Swe.)

2024 draft, 15th overall

OVERALL 48

Detroit wanted to fast-track ‘MBN’ to play with AHL Grand Rapids this season, but he returned to the SHL. He was sensational for Norway at last year’s worlds while playing on the top line with Mats Zuccarello and Patrick Thoresen. Brandsegg-Nygard’s quick release makes him dangerous around the net. “He’s kind of known as a shooter, but he’s a very smart player,” Grand Rapids center Amadeus Lombardi said. “He makes smart, nifty passes.” He’s also very willing to use his size to punish foes.

5 SEBASTIAN COSSA

G, 22, 6-7, 220

Grand Rapids (AHL)

15-9-3, 2.25, .917

2021 draft, 15th overall

OVERALL 69

In his second full AHL year, Cossa has become a go-to goalie, earning selection to the AHL All-Star Game. “He reads plays well, and he can use his hands,” crease mate Ville Husso said. Cossa’s massive frame fills the net and lets him battle through screens. Cossa got his first taste of NHL action in a winning effort this year. He is a confident netminder who carries himself with swagger. “A lot of composure,” Wings blueliner Moritz Seider said. “I think he lives for those kinds of opportunities.”

Red Wings Could Be Dark Horse in Mason McTavish SweepstakesThe Detroit Red Wings present the most compelling offer for Anaheim RFA Mason McTavish: offering a larger role, a competitive salary, and a spot on a team built to contend.

6 CARTER MAZUR

LW, 22, 6-0, 188

Grand Rapids (AHL)

2021 draft, 70th overall

Undersized winger plays with ferocity but has also struggled to stay healthy.

7 DMITRI BUCHELNIKOV

LW, 21, 5-10, 163

Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL)

2022 draft, 52nd overall

Skilled winger leads his team in scoring. Selected to KHL All-Star Game.

8 EMMITT FINNIE

C, 19, 6-1, 191

Kamloops (WHL)

2023 draft, 201st overall

Late pick quickly earned NHL deal. Strong skater plays a complete game. Born leader.

9 MAX PLANTE

LW, 19, 5-11, 180

Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

2024 draft, 47th overall

Tremendous hockey sense. Moves the puck really well. Very deceptive skater.

10 ELMER SODERBLOM

LW, 23, 6-8, 248

Grand Rapids (AHL)

2019 draft, 159th overall

Hulking winger uses size to protect the puck. Learning to be more physical.

James van Riemsdyk Excited To Join Former USA Teammate Patrick Kane With Red Wings As one of the more active teams in free agency during the offseason, the Detroit Red Wings have brought in multiple new players that will suit up for them in the upcoming 2025-26 NHL Season.

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The normal practice for free agent players who have not latched on with an NHL club has accelerated with a rather thin market this summer. The decision between rolling the dice on a professional tryout, taking an AHL contract, or heading to Europe has started early, as late last month former Sabre Conor Sheary signed a PTO with the NY Rangers. Another former Sabre, Jimmy Vesey has signed a two-year deal with Swiss club Geneve-Servette. 

The 32-year-old former Hobey Baker Award winner was a Nashville Predators draft pick, but after four seasons at Harvard University, he informed the Preds that he would not sign with them and intended to become an unrestricted free agent. In the summer of 2016, Nashville GM David Poile dealt Vesey’s exclusive rights to the Sabres for a third-round pick.  

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Sabres GM Tim Murray could not sway Vesey to sign with the Sabres, and in August 2016, the winger signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the NY Rangers. After scoring 33 goals in his first two seasons, he signed a two-year extension for an AAV of $2.275 million and once again scored 17 goals for the Rangers, but with the need to clear cap space to sign free agent Artemi Panarin, New York traded Vesey to Buffalo for a third-round pick. 

Vesey’s stint with the Sabres lasted just 64 games during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, in which he scored 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) playing mostly a bottom-six role. He signed with Toronto the following season, was claimed on waivers by Vancouver, signed as a free agent with New Jersey, before returning to the Rangers for the next two-plus seasons. He was dealt to Colorado at the trade deadline last March and did not play in any of the Avalanche seven playoff games in their first-round loss to Dallas. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

After an impressive season in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms, Adam Benak was drafted 102nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

The fourth rounder was drafted second overall in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import draft by the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

✍️ BENÁK IS OFFICIALLY A BULLDOG.

The 2nd overall CHL Import Draft pick and 2025 Minnesota Wild NHL selection has been sensational at every level he’s played. Benák brings electric offensive talent and a cabinet full of international medals to Brantford.#BFD#OHL#mnwildpic.twitter.com/ZBXREvK5az

— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) August 5, 2025

Benak, 18, recorded 17 goals, 42 assists and 59 points in 57 games for the Phantoms during the 2024-25 season. He was named to the USHL All-Rookie team.

He recorded seven goals, 17 assists and 24 points in 12 games for Czechia U18 International Juniors that year as well.  

Instead of returning to the USHL, Benak will go play in the OHL with the Bulldogs. The 5-foot-8 center is an interesting Wild prospect to keep an eye on.

Other Wild News

Son Of Former Minnesota Wild Forward Commits To University Of MinnesotaLong-time NHL forward Matt Cullen's son just announced his commitment to playing hockey for the University of Minnesota. Wyatt is one of three Cullen brothers, all who play hockey.  Former Minnesota Wild Forward Signs Two-Year Contract With The Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Minnesota Wild traded forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, along with a 2026 sixth round pick, to the Boston Bruins for forward Justin Brazeau at the traded deadline.  Former Minnesota Wild Forward Signs Multi-Year Contract In Czech Extraliga LeagueAfter just 139 games in the NHL, the former Minnesota Wild forward Jakub Lauko is heading to Europe to play for Dynamo Pardubice, in the Czech Extraliga League. 

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the best deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

#38 - Ryan Rucinski - F (Youngstown - USHL)

It often occurs that when clubs are watching over their own prospects, they see another player that intrigues them. The Sabres may have found a potential gem in defenseman Luke Osburn, who impressed at last week’s World Junior Summer Showcase and is heading to the University of Wisconsin this fall. The 18-year-old Osburn won the USHL Defenseman of the Year last season playing for the Youngstown Phantoms, the same club that 2025 seventh-rounder Ryan Rucinski played for.   

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

The 5’10”, 176 lb. forward is from Broadview Heights, OH (south of Cleveland) and has hockey bloodlines through his father Jeff and maternal uncle Steve Duke, who both played NCAA hockey at Western Michigan and had long minor league careers. The 18-year-old scored 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 49 games with the Phantoms last season, and is slated to play another season in the USHL before heading to Ohio State in 2026

Elite Prospects Draft Guide describes Rucinski as “A detailed, versatile forward with an edge, who creates through puck protection, net-front skill, and winning battles. His preferred scoring tools: An instant inside leg wrister off the rush and quick hands in tight on the power play. And when neither

of those is an option, he crashes the net and whacks away until he finds an opening.”

  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

On Aug. 4, Matthew Schaefer threw out the first pitch at Citi Field, prior to a game between the New York Mets and the Cleveland Guardians. The joy of throwing out the first pitch was likely overshadowed by the feeling of signing his first NHL contract.

The New York Islanders took to X to announce the signing of the 2025 first overall pick, agreeing on a three-year, $975,000 contract, according to PuckPedia. 

Although it’s always felt likely that Schaefer would sign his ELC, there were rumors that the 17-year-old could spend a season in college, joining any of the prestigious NCAA teams that would have been over the moon to bring him into their program. Signing his ELC means that the ship has sailed, but there is a small possibility that he returns to the Erie Otters in the OHL for another season, but that seems incredibly unlikely. At the very least, he’ll be given his 10-game trial before the first year of his ELC burns. 

The most probable situation for Schaefer is that he plays sheltered third-pairing minutes on the Islanders to start the season and slowly earns more ice time. The Islanders can also loan him to Team Canada at the world juniors if they feel he is struggling and a confidence booster is needed. 

Another player in an almost identical situation is the San Jose Sharks' 2025 second overall pick, Michael Misa. He, too, has been heavily linked to the NCAA, and the longer he goes without a contract, the more significance the situation holds. 

One slight difference between Misa and Schaefer is that Schaefer can return to the OHL knowing he has things to prove. Schaefer played just 17 games last season while dealing with an injury, and although he looked dominant, scoring seven goals and 22 points, it wasn’t at the level at which Misa dominated.

There wasn’t really a player who could hold a candle to Misa in the OHL, scoring 62 goals and 134 points in 65 games, taking home OHL MVP honors and finishing with the most points, 10 more than the next closest player. 

Misa, like Schaefer, has all the makings of what the modern-day player in their position looks like. Misa is a transition monster, has a quick release, which opens up play-making opportunities and has some of the best hands in the 2025 draft class. His understanding of how to protect the puck around the boards and how to bait defenders into opening up space for him is NHL-ready. Defensively, he hounds down pucks and plays smart, positional hockey.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, the 18-year-old could benefit from a college season where he adds more muscle and weight to his frame, as well as playing in a tournament like the World Junior Championship.

Alternatively, the Sharks won’t be competing for a playoff spot next season, which is sometimes a suitable situation for young players. Like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith did in their rookie campaigns, Misa can fail and learn from his mistakes in the NHL without the consequences of the NHL standings. He could skate as the organization's No.2 center with veteran Alexander Wennberg skating on the third line behind him to provide veteran leadership. 

Misa is the remaining top-three pick to have not signed his ELC, after Schaefer did, and Anton Frondell signed his with the Chicago Blackhawks on July. 15. Ultimately, the Sharks and Misa should avoid comparisons to Schaefer and the Islanders' situation and do what they believe is best for his development.

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