Ilya Solovyov was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

While it closed the book on the young defender’s time with the Calgary Flames, it feels like a move that could benefit both sides.

For Solovyov, the appeal is obvious: a clearer NHL path. In Calgary, he’d fallen down the depth chart behind younger prospects like Yan Kuznetsov and Hunter Brzustewicz, both of whom carry higher ceilings and are trending up. Cracking the Flames’ blue line was only getting tougher. In Colorado, he projects as a depth or third-pairing option — a role that seemed out of reach here.

The 24-year-old spent four seasons in Calgary’s system, putting up 69 points (18g, 51a) over 229 games with the Wranglers in the AHL, while also appearing in 15 NHL contests and notching four assists. His steady play at the minor-league level showed he could be a reliable piece, but breaking through to a full-time NHL role never quite materialized.

From the Flames’ perspective, losing a prospect stings, but the timing actually makes sense. Solovyov’s departure clears room in the AHL for Calgary’s next wave of blueliners to take on heavy minutes. Kuznetsov, Artem Grushnikov, and Etienne Morin now have the chance to log top-pairing minutes with the Wranglers, which is critical for their development.

So while Calgary loses a prospect they spent many years developing, both sides gain something valuable. Solovyov gets a legitimate chance to stick in the NHL, and the Flames free up space for their next generation of defencemen to grow.

A former Philadelphia Flyers forward is on the move, and he is heading to one of the team's division rivals. 

The New Jersey Devils have acquired former Flyer Zack MacEwen from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Kurtis MacDermid.

MacEwen spent each of the last two seasons with the Senators organization before this trade. In 51 games with the Senators from 2023-24 to 2024-25, the 6-foot-4 forward recorded four goals, two assists, 78 penalty minutes, 104 hits, and a minus-4 rating. 

MacEwen played in 21 games with Ottawa in 2024-25, recording two goals, three points, and 49 hits. He also recorded seven goals, nine assists, and a minus-3 rating in 23 games with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators. 

MacEwen joined the Flyers ahead of the 2021-22 season after the Metropolitan Division club claimed him off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. Following this, the 29-year-old posted seven goals, 11 assists, 18 points, 164 penalty minutes, and 289 hits in 121 games over two seasons with the Flyers. 

MacEwen's time with the Flyers ended ahead of the 2023 NHL trade deadline, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Brendan Lemieux and a 2024 fifth-round pick. 

Now, after being traded to the Devils, MacEwen will be looking to earn a spot on their NHL roster. It will be interesting to see what happens on that front from here. 

After a lopsided 5–0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night — a game that featured some one-sided brawls — Senators general manager Steve Staios wasted little time making a move this week.

On Friday, the club announced it had acquired rugged forward Kurtis MacDermid from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for winger Zack MacEwen. 

At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, MacDermid is considered one of the NHL’s best fighters. One of his most memorable moments came in April 2024, when he squared off with New York Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe during a notorious line brawl that broke out before the opening faceoff between the Devils and Rangers.

Rempe And McDermid Ignite MAYHEM At The Garden 🥊Watch NHL Games Live 🇨🇦 https://sportsnetplus.ca#NHL #Hockey #shorts #NHLshorts #NHLhighlights #Rangers #Devils #NewYorkRangers #NYRangers #NewJerseyDevils...

Rempe had been running around in the previous game against New Jersey, and the Devils head coach at the time wasn't happy about it.

That coach was Travis Green.

"None of this would have happened, though we all know why it did happen tonight," Green said after that game. "None of it would have happened if something had happened in the game before."

Green was referencing the previous game, where Rempe refused MacDermid’s offer to fight. In that game, Rempe knocked Devils defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler out of the game with a high elbow and was subsequently suspended for four games.

So now Green has MacDermid at his disposal again as his Senators prep for a rematch in Montreal on Saturday night. 

McDermid appeared in 23 games for New Jersey last season, getting in just four fights. Part of that modest total is, we're guessing, because so few players have much interest in tangling with him. Not many are in his weight class.

Previously, while MacEwen was always willing to answer the bell, Ottawa's best option to counter someone like Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj was probably Brady Tkachuk. That was a problem, because when they both suited up, the two alphas inevitably found each other, smacked each other around for a bit and then got sent off, which was a horrible trade-off for the Sens.

MacDermid now gives the Senators a fighter capable of standing toe-to-toe with the league’s most imposing enforcers. He can play when he's needed and eat popcorn in the press box when he's not.

There's no question that views about true enforcers vary. Some people think that having a nuclear deterrent on your side can send a wave of confidence through a room. Others contend that it's a waste of a roster spot.

Here's the tale of the tape from the Sens press release:

MacDermid, 31, has played in 288 NHL games in his career. The 6’5’’, 233 lbs skater has scored 11 goals, collected 20 assists and 391 penalty minutes. Undrafted, he made his debut with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2017-18 season. He joined the Colorado Avalanche at the start of the 2021-22 season before ending up in New Jersey in March 2024.

MacEwen, 29, spent the last two seasons with the Senators organization. He played 51 games with Ottawa and 33 games with Belleville.

The Senators and Canadiens meet again Saturday night in Montreal in their preseason finale — and after the vibe from Tuesday's game, it's hard to believe MacDermid won't be in uniform for the Senators... just in case.

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
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Brady Tkachuk On Starring In Prime Video Show: 'I'm An Open Book To Begin With'
Broadcast Frustrations Resurface For Senators Fans
Ullmark Says He Enjoys The Struggle
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself

Givani Smith's hard work paid off as he's turned a professional tryout into an NHL contract.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Friday that they have agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with Smith that will pay him $775,000 at the NHL level and $140,000 at the AHL level, with a guarantee of $250,000.

“Givani came to camp as a PTO and proved that he deserved a role in the organization,” said Carolina GM Eric Tulsky in a press release. “His size and physicality make him a good fit to add depth to our forward group.”

Smith had a strong preseason, appearing in four games and scoring two goals, three points while also being a strong physical presence with 17 hits and two fights.

"In the four games he's played, he's done a pretty good job," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour before the signing. "So no reason to not keep him around and give him another look."

Smith brings another look to a Hurricanes lineup that has missed that physical presence and even if he doesn't played too much, having that depth option is still valuable for the Canes.

The 27-year-old Toronto native has appeared in 168 NHL games across four organizations. He has nine goals and 22 points in that span along with 268 penalty minutes.

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The Wraparound is here to preview the NHL's Metropolitan Division teams ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Previewing The NHL's Metropolitan Division In 2025-26 by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Jonathan Bailey discussed in this episode:

0:00: With Luke Hughes extended, is the New Jersey Devils’ defensive core good enough to contend?

5:28: Can Zach Werenski carry the Columbus Blue Jackets to the playoffs?

9:10: Did the Carolina Hurricanes make too many changes in the off-season?

13:11: Can Mike Sullivan unlock a new level of offense for the New York Rangers?

17:43: Will Mathieu Darche push the New York Islanders towards the playoffs or sell off the team’s core pieces?

21:47: Which stars will be left on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster by the end of the season?

25:40: Will the Washington Capitals prove that last season’s success wasn’t just a one-off?

29:04: Will Rick Tocchet rely on the Philadelphia Flyers youngsters to play big roles this season?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes. Watch the Big Show for previews in the other divisions as well.

Apple Podcasts

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Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

With the Regular season less than a week away, some Kings players are fighting for a roster spot during the preseason. 

So far, the Kings have played 6 preseason games, and they have a record of 4-2, which is the second-best in the Pacific Division. While many may think that the preseason is for players to shake off the rust and get ready for the regular season, for some, that is true. However, for others, it is a chance to prove why they belong on the Kings' roster. Here are some players who are performing well and some who are underperforming, as well as a recap of the Kings' preseason news. 

 Jeff Malott

The young forward played in 12 games with the Kings last season, registering 1 point. However, Malott has been electric for the Kings so far this preseason, scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists for 5 points in 4 games. According to PuckPedia, Malott is on the 4th line alongside Turcotte and Armia. Malott has proven himself to be a player who can provide depth value with the Kings. With his stellar play in the preseason, he is only making himself look better and better with each game. 

Liam Greentree

After being drafted by the Kings 26th overall in the 2024 NHL draft, many fans thought Greentree could crack the opening roster, and his preseason play helped make a case for why he should. In the four preseason games Greentree played, he registered four assists for four points. While many wanted to see Greentree play in a Kings jersey, he was sent back down to the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. The Kings' decision to send Greentree back down was the smart move, as the Kings' organization did not want to rush his development.  

Preseason News

While there were not many players who were disappointing during this preseason, the Kings have had moments that have set them back heading into the regular season. The first is the Corey Perry injury which has him sidelined 6-8 weeks. Perry is a new siging from this past offseason and the Kings will be without him for the first month of the season. The Kings alos lost Phoenix Copley to waivers after they decided to use the goaltending tandem of Darcy Kempur and Anton Forsberg. Lastly, another top prospect for the Kings , Henry Brzustewicz , was sent back to the London Knights, drafted 31st overall in the 2025 draft. Kings fans are excited to see what the young defenseman can do. But simular to Liam Greentree the Kings elected that it would be better for Brzustewiczs development if he were to return to the London Knights. 

The preseason has been busy for the Kings, but the moves they have made have benefited both the 2025-26 season and their future with their top prospects. 

Former St. Louis Blues star winger T.J. Oshie has joined ESPN as an NHL studio and game analyst for the 2025-26 season.

Oshie announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 seasons spent with the Blues and the Washington Capitals. 

The 38-year-old was drafted 24th overall by the Blues in the 2005 NHL draft. He went on to play 443 games with the Blues, scoring 110 goals and 210 points. Oshie recorded a career-high in points with 60, just a year before he was traded to the Capitals.

The deal shocked hockey fans and Oshie as well, who had stated previously that he was taken aback by the deal. The deal saw Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley, and 2016 third-round pick come to St. Louis in exchange for Oshie. 

Oshie went on to enjoy his time in Washington, winning a Stanley Cup in 2018, recording 192 goals and 385 points, while setting a career high in goals of 33 in the 2016-17 season.

The later part of his career, mainly post-2021, was ravaged by injuries, so much so that he didn't play a game in the 2024-25 season.

Now, post-career, Oshie will be taking his talents onto the screen, working as an analyst. The news to join ESPN comes after Oshie also signed on as a contributor to local Capitals broadcasts with Monumental Sports Network this season. 

“I’m hoping I get into some broadcasts,” Oshie said in September. “I will be doing things with the Caps on a part-time basis. I want to be linked with them for as long as I possibly can, because I love the organization so much, them and Monumental.”

My dad fell asleep to @SportsCenter almost every night of my childhood. He would have loved this! Can’t wait to get started at @espnhttps://t.co/F8vOnD2S9l

— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) October 2, 2025

Oshie had his chance to make an impression on ESPN during the Western Conference Finals last year and clearly impressed, earning a consistent role with the network.

It usually makes sense for developing elite young hockey players to develop in the AHL instead of starting in small roles at the NHL level.

In fact, there’s a reason most NHLers need time in the ‘A’. When you’re still finding out who you are as a professional athlete, many times it’s safer to grow into major-league responsibilities than have them foisted upon you right out of the gate.

But for every rule, there are exceptions to the rule.

Enter Easton Cowan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who has two assists, seven shots and a plus-4 rating in four  pre-season games.

In the case of the 20-year-old right winger, we think it makes more sense for the Maple Leafs to deploy Cowan on the fourth line than it does to stash him away with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Now, you can definitely make the case that an AHL stint would best-serve the interests of Cowan and the Leafs organization, as Michael Augello explored last week. It’s also true that the Maple Leafs have precious-few Grade-A prospects, so it matters that they don’t screw it up and fail to develop Cowan into a long-term piece of their puzzle.

But here’s why we think Cowan should be fast-tracked into an NHL job: we’d rather have him around NHL-caliber talent day-in and day-out, rather than him facing sub-NHL players as a member of the Marlies.

We already know what that picture looks like after Cowan’s dominance at the major junior level. He's not the next great Leafs icon, but practicing and playing with Maple Leafs players on a daily basis does have its own benefits. In Cowan’s case, we can see how someone with his vision and creativity could more quickly adapt to the NHL game even if he’s only on the fourth line.

'I Played Some Of My Best Hockey': Has Easton Cowan Done Enough To Make The Maple Leafs Out Of Training Camp?If this was the final game of Easton Cowan's

Putting Cowan on the fourth line would also open up Leafs winger Nick Robertson to be traded. And if Cowan is getting reps on the fourth line rather than Robertson, it’s beyond clear that it’s time for Robertson to be traded. 

Now, you can say the Maple Leafs already have far too many experienced NHL forwards – Robertson, David Kampf, Michael Pezzetta, and Calle Jarnkrok – as well as Cowan for only two job openings. Only Cowan is waiver-exempt out of that group.

That said, the Leafs placed Kampf on waivers on Friday, even while Scott Laughton is injured, and there are clearly enough players to go to if someone gets claimed.

Leafs coach Craig Berube has praised Cowan’s growth in camp this year. You want to reward that, and you don’t do that by sending him to the ‘A’. Cowan is a different kind of player who deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Besides, if Cowan doesn’t play well as a fourth-liner to start the season, you can always demote him a few weeks from now. But he’s had a good camp, and he’s a better player than anyone else they’ve got in that part of the depth chart. By keeping him around, you may infuse him with confidence he uses to further climb the NHL depth chart and maybe even see time on the Leafs’ second power-play unit.

Maple Leafs' Best Interest Is To Let Easton Cowan Develop In AHLAs of Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs have not made a significant roster cut to get closer to the 23-man roster limit. They'll need to trim the roster down before their regular-season opener on Oct. 8 against the

There’s still got to be a meritocracy when it comes to Toronto’s job opportunities, but if Cowan had looked out of place in training camp, he already would’ve been sent to the Marlies. The fact he’s still in camp at this advanced stage of camp tells you a lot about where Cowan sits in the Maple Leafs’ pecking order.

Thus, Cowan should finish up camp this year as a member of the Leafs instead of the Marlies. He’s done all that’s been asked of him so far in his brief pro playing days. And from here, the rest is up to him.

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