Category: Sports News

The Buffalo Sabres bounce back from a 5-2 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit on Thursday with their own 5-2 win over the Wings at KeyBank Center on Saturday afternoon. Tage Thompson scored a pair of goals in the victory, with Josh Norris, Rasmus Dahlin, and rookie Radim Mrtka adding singles. Alex Lyon went all the way for the Sabres, making 26 saves in the contest. 

Just after the game, the club announced a massive 24-player roster cut, demoting 15 players to AHL Rochester Americans; forwards Riley Fiddler-Schultz, Konsta Helenius, Tyler Kopff, Olivier Nadeau, Viktor Neuchev, Isak Rosen and Anton Wahlberg, defensemen Isaac Belliveau, Vsevolod Komarov, Zach Metsa, Nikita Novikov, and Jack Rathbone, and goaltenders Topias Leinonen, Devon Levi and Scott Ratzlaff.

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Rathbone was placed on waivers and cleared on Sunday, enabling him to be sent to the Amerks, as were nine players on AHL contracts: forwards Matteo Costantini, Jagger Joshua, Trevor Kuntar, Redmond Savage, Graham Slaggert, Brendan Warren, and defensemen Aiden Fulp, Noah Laaouan, and Peter Tischke.

Helenius, 19, played well during the exhibition slate for the Sabres, but will benefit from more AHL experience and could be an option for an NHL call-up later in the season if he continues to progress. Rosen will be embarking on his fourth AHL campaign after leading the Amerks in scoring last season, while Levi (who was an AHL All-Star but went 2-7-0 in nine games with Buffalo last season) seems destined to play another year in Rochester, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen healthy, and veterans Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev ahead of him on the depth chart. 

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It was decided by Detroit Red Wings general manager that Lucas Raymond, whom he drafted with the fourth overall pick in 2020, is a foundational building block. 

To that end, he re-signed Raymond to an eight-year contract extension just over one year ago, ensuring Raymond would be wearing the Winged Wheel all throughout the prime of his NHL career.

Raymond responded in the first season of his new contract by establishing a new career-high 80 points in 82 games played, and as far as the Red Wings are concerned, the sky is the limit. 

If Raymond's words last week are any indication of what Red Wings fans can expect from him this season, a new career-high in points could potentially be in the cards.

"I feel like I found my game faster than usual when you feel comfortable and up to speed out there," he said following Training Camp. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

It wasn't long ago that Raymond himself was a rookie who's place in the forward lineup wasn't a sure thing when he began his inagural NHL Training Camp in September 2021. Not only did Raymond claim a roster spot, but he firmly put himself into the conversation for Rookie of the Year by tallying 23 goals with 34 assists. 

The honor ultimately went to his teammate, Moritz Seider, who also began his NHL career at the same time Raymond did that season. 

Raymond knows what some of the younger players who are trying to establish position in the Red Wings' system and thus far have made impacts in pre-season play, including Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Carter Mazur, and Emmitt Finnie. 

"I think a lot of guys coming up have had a really good Camp, it's fun to see," Raymond said of the numerous prospects who were present in Training Camp. "You see guys put their foot forward out there and try to make it as hard as possible for coaches and management." 

Raymond also acknowledged that the skill of Detroit's younger players attempting to make the team have a motivating effect on the current players on the roster to up their own games. 

"It's really exciting, and I think that just adds to it, the pressure coming from underneath and kind of puts a fire underneath everyone's ass a bit," Raymond said with a smile. "It's been fun." 

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Five years might not seem like a long time, but in the NHL, it can feel like a lifetime. For the Ottawa Senators, the difference between their 2020–21 opening night roster and the group projected to hit the ice to open the 2025–26 season is quite staggering. In fact, of the 19 players who dressed for that first game in January of 2021, only a small handful would have any shot at cracking today’s lineup.

When you stack the two rosters side by side, the transformation is impossible to ignore. Ottawa has gone from a patchwork rebuilding lineup to a team brimming with talent and high expectations.

Players Who Wouldn’t Get A Look Today

Of those 19 players from 2020–21, the majority would have little to no chance of making the current Senators roster. Names like Matt Murray, Nikita Zaitsev, Christian Wolanin, Derek Stepan, Cédric Paquette, Josh Brown, Artem Anisimov, Braydon Coburn, and Chris Tierney are reminders of a different era — one where Ottawa was barely treading water. It was hard to say which was more severe, the volatility of Sens' ownership or the sluggishness of their rebuild attempt.

Most of the players above have since retired (Stepan, Anisimov, Coburn), shifted overseas (Zaitsev, Paquette, Tierney), or are now clinging to bubble status between NHL and AHL (Murray, Wolanin, Brown, Watson). Simply put, they’re no longer near the standard set by Ottawa’s current core.

Players Who Might Have An Outside Chance

Two others, Erik Gudbranson (now in Columbus) and Evgenii Dadonov (in New Jersey), are still in the NHL, but neither would have an easy time carving out a spot in Ottawa’s lineup today. Back in 2020–21, they were relied on as everyday players. Now, they’d be depth options.

Players Who Were Good Enough, But Moved On

A few names from that opening night roster remain good NHL players, just not in Ottawa anymore. Nick Paul has found a long-term home in Tampa Bay, Connor Brown is still in the league as a two-way forward with New Jersey, and Josh Norris was traded to Buffalo back at the deadline. All three were quality players who would still be assets in Ottawa, but the page has been turned.

The Pillars

That leaves just four players from that night who are still here and thriving: Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Thomas Chabot, and Drake Batherson.

Tkachuk, now captain, has been the heartbeat of the franchise for most of the past five years. Stützle, still a teenager back in 2020–21, has blossomed into a superstar center. Chabot remains a solid puck-moving top-four defenseman, while Batherson continues to be a consistent offensive weapon. These are the four building blocks that carried Ottawa through the darkest days of the rebuild and into what they hope is the start of a sustained run of contention.

When you step back and see that only six of the 19 players from that opening night lineup in 2020–21 would realistically have a place in the current roster, it underscores just how much things have changed. It also explains why it took so long to return to contention.

This wasn’t just about waiting for prospects to develop — it was about clearing out and replacing nearly an entire roster. 

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The 19-year-old winger Liam Greentree was selected 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 NHL draft and will likely not be on the official roster come the 2025-26 opening night, but the top prospect could make it sooner than people might think.  

Who is Liam Greentree

Greentree has been one of the OHL’s most talented forwards with the Windsor Spitfires this past season, lighting the league on fire with 49 goals, 70 assists, and 119 points. 

The size and height Greentree possesses are imposing, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing over 200 pounds, he already has a body ready for the NHL. Add his ability to drive the puck in the goal, the speed, and IQ, and it’s easy to see why he’s considered to have immense potential for the Kings' system. 

Last season, Greentree took a massive leap in the OHL, demonstrating his offense, decision-making, and vision, making him a dual threat. Many analysts have highlighted his contributions and why he could be a top priority for the Kings this upcoming season. 

The Ducks defeat the Kings 5-3 for LA's first loss in the preseason.

-Trevor Moore: 1 goal
-Cody Ceci: 1 goal
-Taylor Ward: 1 goal
-Liam Greentree: 1 assist pic.twitter.com/Nd8rIGQ0YD

— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) September 28, 2025

Expectations for this season

Under different situations, Greentree might have found his way on the ice consistently throughout the regular season on a rebuilding team. Still, Los Angeles is in win-now mode, especially with Anze Kopitar announcing that this will be his last season with the Kings. 

Kings are going to go all in on Kopitar’s last season and will look to raise another banner for the first time in over a decade. With their forward group already set, the organization has made it clear they’re choosing veterans with more experience over younger players who have no experience playing on the ice. 

This doesn’t mean Greentree won’t be successful for the Kings organization, but it does mean that he will likely return to the OHL for another year, where he will play top minutes and further develop his game, rather than being limited to a bench role. 

The Kings will closely monitor his progress, with a potential call-up later in the season or next season if an injury occurs or a player leaves in free agency. 

Wonder if Tyler Toffoli's development pathway is a blueprint for Liam Greentree. Four years in the OHL with high production levels. Then a full year in the AHL with an NHL cup of coffee. Then a fulltime NHLer around age 22. @ByronMBader@NHLRussellpic.twitter.com/CSVNbFLiA4

— Marina Cities (@MarinaCities8) September 24, 2025

Long-Term Outlook

Again, while Greentree will most likely play out these last preseason games this weekend before being reassigned to the OHL, his future remains bright in LA. 

In the next two years, he should be on the roster and play a pivotal role for a playoff-contending team that can drive the offense and step into a major role after Kopitar and other veterans ride off into the sunset. 

The Calgary Flames were a surprising team last season. While they didn’t make the Stanley Cup playoffs – that part was expected of them – the St. Louis Blues beat them out on a tie-breaker after the two teams levelled on points for the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference. 

Ultimately, this Flames team could once again be what they were last season – a 'mushy middle' team. A club that's too good to finish at the bottom of the standings and earn a top draft pick, but not good enough to make the post-season.

In this writer’s mind, that’s the worst place a team can be because you really have nothing to show for it – no elite prospect for the future, nor a playoff experience. Flames GM Craig Conroy has to be smart enough to recognize that and want more of this Calgary team from a futuristic standpoint.

The Flames should be setting themselves up for help from the draft in the next three to five years. Otherwise, the team could be mired in the mushy middle, always chasing their own tail, never quite finding the mix to give Flames fans something to invest their time, money and emotion in. It would be an emotional sinkhole, swallowing everyone and their pride in the process.

With that said, Calgary has players who, if traded, could accelerate their much-needed rebuild. Everyone knows Calgary star defenseman Rasmus Andersson will probably be dealt. Even Flames captain Mikael Backlund said it's "obvious" that Andersson will get traded.

NHL's Biggest Trade Bait With 2025-26 Season Almost HereIt is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7. 

Star center Nazem Kadri could be another player that Conroy sacrifices down the road. However, Kadri's contract includes a full no-movement clause for the 2025-26 season. Unless the 34-year-old waives that clause, the Flames will have to wait one more year before exploring the market for Kadri.

Even after this season, Kadri has a 13-team no-trade list for the remaining three years of his contract, which pays him  $7 million against the salary cap.

If all these circumstances of trading Kadri fall into place, only then can Conroy dangle his veteran in front of buyers.

Some have said Kadri’s $7-million salary is an obstacle to him being moved, but in an NHL where the salary cap ceiling is rising exponentially until further notice, taking on Kadri’s salary shouldn’t be a problem, whether or not the Flames retain some salary.

If they do retain in a Kadri deal, they’ll get better prospects and draft picks; if they don’t retain, they get Kadri’s cap space to invest in someone who isn’t approaching their mid-thirties.  

By moving Andersson and exploring Kadri as a trade piece in the future, the Flames would be tacitly admitting that their current core just isn’t good enough, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. It could be time to change course from a future mired in mediocrity.

Predicting The NHL's Pacific Division Rankings In 2025-26As we approach September, it’s a great time to post some predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season. 

For most teams, the only way you do that is to take a step back. There’s a reason why teams regularly tear it down to the studs. It’s the most reliable, most proven method to build a long-term Cup contender.

For example, the San Jose Sharks have traded away star players such as defensemen Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns, as well as center Tomas Hertl and right winger Timo Meier. In return, they received assets that aid the franchise's future and gave the team a better opportunity to receive a higher draft pick.

Now, the Sharks have one of the most exciting young cores in the league, including Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa from the 2025 draft, and more. It's all thanks to the hard decision of moving the aging core.

It’s far more preferable than running as fast as you can, just to make the playoffs and be roadkill for a team that’s at the top of your division. 

Though the Flames surprised many by challenging for a playoff spot last season, this is still a flawed Calgary team that doesn't have the depth to get them through a competitive season.

Furthermore, the Pacific Division has gotten more competitive this past off-season. The Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks, who both finished below Calgary last season, have made improvements this summer. There's a real possibility that either the Kraken or the Ducks push their way up the division, forcing the Flames to drop.

In many ways, that would be a good thing, because Calgary would benefit from bottoming out. It's not to say Flames fans should celebrate every loss, but the truth is the Flames do not have comparable talent to players like Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid or Vegas Golden Knights’ center Jack Eichel. The only way they’re going to get one is through the draft. Thus, more regular-season pain is required for Calgary to make significant off-season gains. 

Therefore, the organization needs a step back or two before stepping forward, and this year will be a year where they need patience and understanding as their youngsters develop and they make moves with an eye toward three or four seasons from now.

In sum, Calgary has to avoid being a mushy middle team at all costs. The only way to do that is to go on the competitive roller-coaster that includes a steep plunge before they can reach exciting heights again.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins were back at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for another day of training camp on Sunday, and there was a big emphasis on special teams. 

Players from Groups A and B warmed up on separate rinks before scrimmaging for 45 minutes. Instead of the usual 5v5 scrimmage, each team rotated between having two-minute power plays. 

Ville Koivunen was one of the standouts during the power play scrimmage. He scored the first goal for Team Black when he banked it off a defender and in. He was later showcasing his strong vision with some of his passes in the offensive zone. 

He's had the opportunity to skate with some of the Penguins' top players at camp, including Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson, and confirmed after practice that he's starting to build some more chemistry with them. 

"Yeah, of course," Koivunen said. "I know how they play and what they want to do on the ice, so that's helped a lot." 

Koivunen got to spend time on Crosby's line to end the 2024-25 season and looked comfortable, notching seven points in eight games. He also got time on Evgeni Malkin's line, but appears more likely to at least start the season on Crosby's line.

Speaking of Malkin, he beat Sergei Murashov five-hole to give Team Black a 3-0 lead over Team Gold after Tommy Novak made it 2-0 a few seconds prior. Malkin had his legs during Saturday's 4-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and that didn't change on Sunday. 

Benjamin Kindel continued to show his strong hockey IQ and playmaking ability when he threaded a beautiful pass through traffic from the blue line to set up Danton Heinen for Team Gold's first goal. Kindel has looked more comfortable as training camp has progressed and had the opportunity to play with the NHL regulars on Saturday. 

'Inspiring': Penguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Reflects On Fleury, Game To Remember Marc-Andre Fleury's final game in Pittsburgh was an unforgettable experience for many, fans and longtime teammates alike. 

He never looked out of place and used his skating ability to get some quality chances, just as he did in two previous preseason games. It's still unlikely that he gets a nine-game tryout, but he's not super far away from being an NHL player. 

Defenseman Caleb Jones cut the lead to 4-2 at the end of the power play portion of the scrimmage before the format switched to 6-on-5. Both teams got to work with an extra attacker for the last few minutes of the scrimmage and it resulted in a 7-3 win for Team Black. 

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson were on PP1 for Team Black, while Tommy Novak, Justin Brazeau, Ville Koivunen, Anthony Mantha, and Kris Letang were on PP2. 

Team Gold's top power play consisted of Ben Kindel, Philip Tomasino, Tristan Broz, Filip Hallander, and Caleb Jones. The second PP unit featured Robby Fabbri, Valtteri Puustinen, Matt Dumba, Avery Hayes, and Broz. 

The Penguins will play their fifth preseason game on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET.

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According to PuckPedia, former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ronnie Attard has been placed on waivers by the Colorado Avalanche. 

Attard, 26, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche back in July. This was after he posted seven goals, 10 assists, 17 points, and 80 penalty minutes in 66 American Hockey League (AHL) games split between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Bakersfield Condors in 2024-25. 

Today’s waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3pic.twitter.com/GKl3z6N1CO

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 28, 2025

Attard was selected by the Flyers with the 72nd overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In 29 games over three seasons with the Flyers, the White Lake, Michigan native recorded two goals, four assists, six points, 33 blocks, 49 hits, and a minus-1 rating. 

Attard's time with the Flyers organization ended when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers back in November of this past season in exchange for defenseman Ben Gleason. 

If Attard clears waivers, he will be eligible to be sent down to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. However, it will be interesting to see if another team claims the 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman off waivers.

There’s a fun little paradox to K’Andre Miller’s move from the New York Rangers to the Carolina Hurricanes.

On one level, the big defenseman is going from The City That Never Sleeps – and the hyper-bustling borough of Manhattan – to the take-your-time, low-and-slow South. But on another level, he’s joining a Hurricanes team known for playing the game at such a high pace that it leaves most other teams strewn in their wake.

On both fronts, Miller is happy with his new home and team. “We always had great battles when I was on the other side in New York,” he said. “They have such a fast team and get up and down the ice in a fast motion. They do everything as a team. It’s a fun group to watch, and they’ve had a lot of success recently, so I’m excited.”

Miller also joked that he’s happy he no longer has to worry about getting hemmed in his own zone when playing against the Canes – he’ll now be a part of the relentless attack that has made Carolina one of the Eastern Conference’s best squads.

Now, the Hurricanes have yet to break through to another Stanley Cup final, but an effective summer by GM Eric Tulsky has Carolina once again threatening to make a run for the franchise’s second championship. Along with Miller on defense, Tulsky also brought in one of the top forwards available this summer when he inked erstwhile Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract.

In Miller, Tulsky sees a player who will slot right in with what Carolina wants to do on the ice. “We think he’s a great fit for us,” Tulsky said. “He’s a really powerful skater who can close out effectively and take away time and space. The aggressive way we play will suit him very well. He’s also very strong in front of the net, which is also helpful and important. His skating and recovery speed will be effective for us. When we want guys to get up the ice, they need to be able to get back, too.”

Miller came to Carolina via trade on July 1, with Tulsky sending prospect defenseman Scott Morrow, a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional first-round pick in either ’26 or ‘27 to the Rangers. Miller, an RFA, then signed an eight-year, $60-million ($7.5-million AAV) deal with Carolina. Tulsky said talks between the two teams had gone on for a while. And based on all the rumblings that had surrounded the Rangers throughout the season, that’s not surprising. Before Miller, New York traded away Kaapo Kakko, who the team had selected second overall back in 2019, and Rangers lifer Chris Kreider. “There was a lot of noise throughout the season,” Miller said. “It was definitely in the back of my head that something could happen. I loved my time in New York, but I’m excited for what’s to come in Carolina.”

The Hurricanes Used A Unique Strategy To Acquire K'Andre MillerIn order to acquire K’Andre Miller, the Carolina Hurricanes used a unique strategy. 

And while Raleigh is hardly a backwater – that area of North Carolina is part of ‘The Triangle,’ a research-and-tech hub that has grown leaps and bounds in the past 20 years – there will be cultural differences from New York City, one of the most famous metropolises in the world. And that’s just fine with Miller. “I’m super excited for that aspect,” he said. “The style of living being a bit of a slower pace, I’m really going to like that. Being from Minnesota, I think it will be comparable.”

The biscuits and barbecue will certainly be better down there, even if the bagel quality takes a step back. But truly, Miller is there for the hockey. Playing for coach Rod Brind’Amour is another plus when it comes to the Hurricanes. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Rod,” Miller said. “I can’t wait to get to know him and talk hockey. A number of guys reached out to me and said, ‘You’re really lucky to be in this position to have that coach and a team like Carolina supporting you.’ So, I’m super excited for the whole thing.”

Playing for Carolina isn’t for everyone. Famously, Mikko Rantanen lasted only 13 games with the Canes, and the team does play a very specific, structured system that requires maximum buy-in. But the payoff is obvious. Since Brind’Amour took over, Carolina has been a beast, reaching the conference final three times in his seven seasons as coach.

The problem recently has been pushing through to that Stanley Cup final. Carolina’s offense has dried up completely at the worst possible times in the post-season, and while it’s no shame to get shut down by the Florida Panthers, at some point, you need to score goals against good teams. Miller’s ability to make plays through the neutral zone and get pucks up to forwards will help that cause. And, at 25, he’s just starting to hit his prime as an NHL blueliner. Let’s not forget, the player he’s essentially replacing on Carolina’s back end is Brent Burns, who turned 40 last season.

However, still starring on the Hurricanes’ blueline is Jaccob Slavin, a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner and a player who will serve as a potential partner and certainly a mentor. “He’s definitely one of the guys I’ve tried to model my game after the past couple of years,” Miller said. “He’s obviously a generational player on this team, and it’s going to be great sharing ideas and sharing the ice with him.”

So, it’s a remix of a lineup for the Canes heading into 2025-26, but it’s also one of the strongest units the franchise has put together in recent years. Is it enough to finally break through in the Eastern Conference? Slow and steady wins the race – even if Miller and Carolina will play fast in order to do so.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Meet the New Guys issue. The cover story for this issue features the newest Vegas Golden Knight, Mitch Marner, as he looks to shine in the desert. We also include features on new Jets forward Jonathan Toews, Canadiens D-man Noah Dobson and more. In addition, we take a look at the top 'new guys' from each NHL division.

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.

The NHL saw several players hit the waiver wire on Sep. 28, and a few of them were former New York Rangers. This is because the Buffalo Sabres placed defenseman Zac Jones and forward Jake Leschyshyn on waivers. 

Jones became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer after the Rangers elected not to tender him a qualifying offer. From there, the left-shot defenseman signed a one-year contract with the Sabres. 

Today’s waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3pic.twitter.com/GKl3z6N1CO

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 28, 2025

In 46 games last season with the Rangers, Jones recorded one goal, 10 assists, 11 points, and 46 blocks. He also scored one goal in two games for the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, in 2024-25. In 115 games over five seasons with the Blueshirts, he posted four goals, 24 assists, 28 points, and a minus-10 rating. 

Leschyshyn also did not receive a qualifying offer from the Rangers this off-season and ended up signing with the Sabres. This was after he spent the entirety of this past season in the AHL with Hartford. In 69 games with the AHL squad in 2024-25, he had 13 goals and 24 points. 

Leschyshyn played in 14 games with the Rangers from 2022-23 to 2023-24, where he had zero points, 17 hits, and a minus-4 rating.