Category: Sports News

The early-season struggles of Steven Stamkos raised speculation about his future with the Nashville Predators.

Earlier this week, we noted that some observers suggested trade speculation could start swirling if Stamkos' production failed to improve. The 35-year-old right winger has just three points in 16 games while earning an average annual value of $8 million through 2027-28.

A report out of Vancouver claimed the Canucks had looked into Stamkos' availability. It's unlikely they'll be able to land him since he has a full no-movement clause.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports the Predators have had no trade discussions with other clubs about Stamkos, nor have they approached him about the possibility of a trade. However, LeBrun doesn't rule it out if the Predators remain out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman felt that it could happen sooner than that. Appearing on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast on Wednesday, he speculated that things could reach a point where the Stamkos camp meets with Predators management to discuss their options.

Friedman was asked if the Predators would retain part of Stamkos' average annual value to facilitate a trade. He thinks they would, provided they get an offer that makes sense.

Given the decline in Stamkos' production over the past two seasons, the Predators could end up eating half of his cap hit to move him.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Could Steven Stamkos Or Evgeni Malkin Become Trade Candidates?Steven Stamkos' slow start with the Nashville Predators has started some trade speculation, while conjecture over Evgeni Malkin's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins persists.

Turning to the Boston Bruins, Pavel Zacha remains the subject of frequent media trade chatter. The 28-year-old center is signed through next season with an affordable average annual value of $4.75 million.

Zacha has been linked to several clubs in need of an experienced second-line center. One of them is the Montreal Canadiens.

According to Nicolas Cloutier of TVA Sports, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes “adores” Zacha. Hughes was Zacha's agent before moving on to his current position with the Habs.

Cloutier claimed the Canadiens are not on Zacha's eight-team no-trade list. He indicated the club discussed possible trade options during the summer, with the Bruins forward being among them.

Despite the speculation, there is nothing to suggest that the Bruins intend to part with Zacha. Their current five-game win streak has vaulted them near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They won't be going into sell mode anytime soon.

Meanwhile, James Murphy of RG.Org reports teams are showing an interest in Brandt Clarke, but the Los Angeles Kings aren't interested in moving the 22-year-old right-shot defenseman.

Clarke is a promising young blueliner who netted 33 points in 78 games last season. He's due to become an RFA next summer, but his lack of a contract extension has some clubs wondering about his future with the Kings.

The Kings' management is currently focused on re-signing UFA-eligible winger Adrian Kempe. Once that's sorted out, Murphy believes they'll turn their attention to re-signing Clarke, who lacks arbitration rights as he completes his entry-level contract.

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It’s a question that everyone across the WHL is curious to know the answer to. 

Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke broke camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins and have opened some eyes at the NHL level. While the Calgary Hitmen and Kamloops Blazers would certainly welcome their stars back into the fold with open arms, there’s no guarantee that either will end up back in the WHL.

Kindel was selected 11th overall by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Through the first 12 games of his NHL career, he has registered five goals while averaging 14:03 of ice time per night. Of note, Kindel recorded a career high 22:23 of ice time in Toronto on Nov. 3, along with his first career multi-goal game in a 4-3 Penguins loss to the Maple Leafs.

Anyone who followed the Calgary Hitmen last season knew that Kindel was a special talent. After being selected in the second round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Kindel posted 60 points in his rookie season, followed by a 99-point campaign last year. He also performed in the clutch with 15 points in 11 playoff games for the Hitmen.

Brunicke nearly made the Penguins as an 18-year-old last season. Through the first nine games of his NHL career, Brunicke has one goal while logging 15:43 in ice time per night. According to RadioNL’s Jon Keen, if Brunicke is to play one more game with the Penguins, it would kick in the first season of his entry-level contract. 

Brunicke was selected in the second round, 44th overall, by the Penguins in 2024. He was the first in a string of three WHLers to be taken in that range (Minnesota selected Ryder Ritchie 45th, while the Penguins would take Tanner Howe at 46). Throughout his WHL career, Brunicke has been a reliable blueliner for the Blazers, including playing 59 games as a 16-year-old the year that Kamloops hosted the Memorial Cup. 

Prediction: Since he's been in and out of the lineup for the Penguins, Harrison Brunicke is the more likely of the two to end up back in the WHL. From what he has shown so far and his recent uptick in ice time against Toronto, Kindel has impressed in Pittsburgh. He could stick with the NHL club for the full season, similar to what Zach Benson did a couple of years ago with the Buffalo Sabres, coming straight out of the WHL. The first year of his entry-level contract has been used up due to the number of games he has played. Both players should be considered for Team Canada's World Juniors, depending on whether the Penguins grant them permission to participate. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.     

Regina Pats Forwards Schultz & Pue Having A U17 Hockey Challenge To Remember

Kamloops Blazers' J.P. Hurlbert An Early Favourite To Win The 2025-26 WHL Player Of The Year

Everett, Prince Albert, Edmonton & Calgary Named To 2025-26 CHL Top-10 Week 7 Rankings

Standouts From Week 7 Of The 2025-26 Season

McInnis, Yellowaga Reflect On Making Jump To WHL

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When the Ottawa Senators acquired Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2024, the move was hailed in Ottawa as a stroke of genius. Ullmark had won the 2023 Vezina Trophy, so he was seen at the time as a sure thing for the Sens. In return for the Swedish veteran, Ottawa gave up a first-round pick, along with centre Mark Kastelic, and also unloaded the four years left on the contract of goalie Joonas Korpisalo, worth $4 million per season.

While Ullmark was winning the '23 Vezina in Boston, Korpisalo was signing as a free agent in Ottawa, securing a five-year contract to be the Senators' starting goalie. But one year into Korpisalo's agreement, the Senators soured on him. They were already so ready to move on from him, and get their hands on Ullmark, they told the Bruins they would keep on paying a quarter of Korpisalo's salary over the final three seasons of his contract.

So on Thursday night in Boston, as Korpisalo and Ullmark started against each other for the first time since the trade, the Senators were bankrolling both of them.

Not only did Korpisalo beat the guy who replaced him, the guy he was traded for, but the team that gave up on him literally paid him to beat them. Yes, the Senators are paying Korpisalo a million dollars a year to play against them.

So, as Ullmark continues to scuffle, making over $8 million, and allowing a soft goal in overtime in a 3-2 loss to the Bruins, Korpisalo left the building with a win, some ice-cold revenge, and a wallet filled with Ottawa's money.

None of this is to say that, had Korpisalo stayed, he would have been Ottawa's answer in goal. Far from it. Even now, Korpisalo has a save percentage of .885 and a goals against of 3.24. But what is noteworthy is that his below-average numbers are still better than what Ullmark is giving the Senators (.863, 3.36) so far this season. 

More From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Ullmark: "There Are So Many Things I'd Like To Say To All The Doubters"
More Details On Scamming Accusations From Arthur Kaliyev's Ex-Girlfriend
Travis Green Shows Some Love For His NHL Heavyweight

Despite that, and the absence of Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa has managed to hang around in a ridiculously tight Eastern Conference. But that won't be the case for much longer if Ullmark hasn't righted his ship by American Thanksgiving.

In fact, if the trend continues, the net may belong to Leevi Merilainen by then, a backup goalie the Sens are paying almost exactly what they're paying Boston's backup.

Steve Warne
This article was originally published atThe Hockey News/Ottawa

Related: Analytics: Can Linus Ullmark Replace Another Slow Start With Another November Heater?

Analytics: Can Senators Goalie Linus Ullmark Replace Another Slow Start With Another November Heater?An analyst recently questioned Ullmark's intensity, and Ullmark questioned some aspects of his own offseason prep. Between that and his current numbers, there are goaltending concerns again in Ottawa.

Something special is happening in the NHL this season. Something that defies logic, as well as age, and really hasn’t happened ever before.

You can see it in the stats. But the eye test is just as accurate.

There’s a lot more grey and crow’s feet at the top of the NHL’s scoring races. There's also a lot more baby faces, belonging to youngsters who are still too young to order a beer in the U.S. — or Canada, for that matter.

Welcome to the Golden Age of the NHL, where the legends of the past are co-mingling with the future stars of tomorrow in a way in which we’ve never seen before.

Ten years separate the two players tied for the Art Ross Trophy lead in points. And another 17 years separate the three players tied for the goal-scoring lead. 

Two nights after 18-year-old rookie Matthew Schaefer become the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a multi-goal game, 40-year-old Alex Ovechkin scored his 900th career goal on a no-look backhand that was a throwback to his 2005-06 debut season.

Sidney Crosby, who is 38 years old, is now tied for the goal-scoring lead (11) with 21-year-old Cutter Gauthier, who was one years old when Crosby was drafted. Macklin Celebrini, who is 19 years old, is tied for the points lead (21) with Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid, who are both 28. 

Fans, Media React To Binnington Hiding Ovechkin's 900th Goal Puck: 'His Ebay Account Would've Been Popping Off'Regardless of Jordan Binnington's intention when he appeared to put Alex Ovechkin's 900th goal puck in his pants Wednesday night, his actions drew a ton of reaction online.

It doesn't usually work out this way. The NHL, which is now all about speed and agility, is supposed to be a young man's game. But it's not supposed to be this young. And while there's always been a place for the mature hockey player, that place is rarely atop the leader board.

And yet, we're seeing representation from nearly four different decades in the top-10 in scoring. You've got players in their teens (Celebrini), their 20s (McDavid, Eichel, William Nylander, Mikko Rantanen, Nick Suzuki, Kirill Kaprizov and Leo Carlsson), their 30s (Crosby, Mark Scheifele and Nathan MacKinnon) and even in their 40s, if you include 39-year-old Evgeni Malkin, who celebrates a milestone birthday in 2026.

On defense, the top 10 scorers' ages range from 18 to 35 years old.

That's a big age gap. Not since a teenaged Wayne Gretzky was skating around against a helmet-less Gordie Howe, who was still in his 50s, have we seen anything like this. 

Never has the NHL had this much talent. Never have we seen so many players at different stages of their career all vying for the spotlight in a league that is faster, more skilled and arguably more entertaining than ever before.

And it's not just the players.

Is Alex Ovechkin Still A Top-Line NHL Winger? It's No Longer Looking Like ItWashington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin played on the third line over the weekend as his scoring slump continues. Will he bounce back this time, or is the reduced scoring a new reality?

Old guard teams, like the Penguins, who began winning championships in 2009 with a core that still includes Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang, are tied for the most points in the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens, who had the youngest opening-night roster in the NHL.

Anaheim, which has six players under the age of 23, has the best record in the Pacific Division. Winnipeg, which has the oldest roster in the NHL, is one of the best teams in the West. 

Enjoy it while it lasts, because next year could see the Penguins back at the bottom of the standings and Ovechkin announcing his retirement — or worse, becoming irrelevant. 

For now, we're witnessing history being played before our eyes.

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While the Montreal Canadiens have lost their last two games, on Thursday, NHL.com released its latest power rankings, and the youngest team in the league remained in the top five.

So far this season, the Canadiens have managed to keep fans on the edge of their seats with comebacks and overtime wins. With Thursday night’s defeat, the Canadiens have now played 11 one-goal games in the first 14 matchups so far this season. This speaks to their ability to perform under pressure, but it also shows that they struggle to separate themselves from their rivals when they are in control of the game and to protect a lead.

Canadiens Do Well In ESPN Early Trophy Voting
Canadiens Forward Is Breaking The Ice Big Time
Canadiens: Dobes Back In Net As He Should Be

While Martin St-Louis’ men aren’t afraid to live dangerously, there’s something to be said about successfully managing the game and putting it away when the occasion arises. NHL.com’s article mentions Lane Hutson as one of the reasons why the Habs are so high in the rankings. The young defenseman had 81 points after 97 career games, which is quite a feat. After the same number of games, Vancouver Canucks’ captain Quinn Hughes had 77 points. Whichever way you look at it, Hutson has been a major factor in the Tricolore’s success this season and even though his opponents know what he’s about now, having studied plenty of video, he still gets it done. As things stand, he’s on pace for 76 points this season.

I feel the article should also have mentioned Ivan Demidov. The rookie is fourth in scoring on the Canadiens with 12 points in 14 games. Five of his points came on the power play, but that number would likely be higher if he had been put on the top unit sooner; however, Martin St-Louis understandably wanted to wait until he had “earned it”.

The young Russian is on pace for 70 points so far, and, likely, he’ll even pick up the pace. The more he plays, the more comfortable he gets. His youthful enthusiasm is great to see, but after picking up another penalty in Thursday’s match, he’s got 10 penalty minutes in 14 games. A few of those calls came on the power play, cutting short the man-advantage unit. When you’re on the power play, the refs are looking for a reason to cut it short and are more prone to blow the whistle and make calls, something he’ll adjust to. On BPM Sports yesterday, winningest goalie of all-time Martin Brodeur named Demidov amongst the current players he wouldn't want to play against. 

While the youngsters have both played significant roles in the Canadiens’ early success, it’s impossible to forget about Jakub Dobes’ hot start, Nick Suzuki’s leadership and productivity, and Cole Caufield’s goal scoring and ability to score the big goals when it matters the most.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

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For better, and sometimes for worse, the 2025-26 season has been all about perceived draft wins and losses for the Philadelphia Flyers.

For example, they drafted Cutter Gauthier, who now leads the NHL in goals, but were effectively forced to trade him to Anaheim to Jamie Drysdale, who's playing the best hockey of his NHL career, and a second-round pick that became Jack Murtagh.

Fans still like to talk about the selection of defenseman Cam York, too, who was drafted ahead of Montreal sniper Cole Caufield. What many haven't realized yet is that York, 24, has been one of the very best defensemen in the league this season.

After needing to recover from an injury sustained at the end of the preseason, the former No. 14 overall pick has quietly racked up a goal, eight assists, and nine points in just 11 games, placing him 22nd in scoring amongst all blueliners.

And, York could be even higher in scoring, given he reached nine points in fewer games than Thomas Harley, Rasmus Dahlin, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (14 games).

He's not just getting finishing luck or anything like that, either. The Flyers are legitimately relying on York in heavy minutes, and the results have been the results.

Through 11 games, York's 24:55 average ice time ranks ninth in the entire NHL, trailing only Mike Matheson, Jackson LaCombe, Moritz Seider, Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, teammate Travis Sanheim, Zach Werenski, and Quinn Hughes.

That's pretty good company.

Further to that point, York has recorded more points than five of those players, including Hughes, of all players.

Will that last? Probably not, given Hughes is a perennial Norris Trophy finalist who has been better than a point-per-game producer in each of his last two seasons.

At the same time, though, Hughes did that playing for Rick Tocchet, who now coaches York and the Flyers.

There's some real potential for York to reach heights we've never seen before or thought possible if he can keep up this pace.

NHL Rumors: Should Flyers Target Young Bruins Defenseman?Should the Flyers consider pursuing Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei?

Eleven games into the season, York is already just eight points from matching his total of 17 from all of last season, which came in 66 appearances.

His career-high 30 points in 2023-24 looks like it will be handily shattered barring injury or a disastrous collapse from the team, too.

With four points in his last two games, the surging York is looking like a pretty good draft choice after all.

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights scored more than two goals for just the second time in six games, but it wouldn't be enough as the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning secured a 6-3 win Thursday night.

Nikita Kucherov scored a pair of third-period goals and added an assist on a late empty-netter as the Bolts pulled away for the win.

Ivan Barbashev scored two goals for the Golden Knights (7-2-3), while Mitch Marner added his fourth of the season in the third period when his shot deflected off Victor Hedman and past Andrei Vasilevskiy to tie the game.

Brandon Hagel scored 35 seconds later and the Lightning (6-5-2) never looked back, and the Knights lost for the fourth time in six games.

Vegas rookie Carl Lindbom made 21 saves.

Gage Goncalves and Dominic James also scored for the Lightning while Hagel scored his second of the game with 45 seconds left in the game.

Vegas opened the game looking as if it might dominate, with Barbashev providing the two-goal lead and the Knights outshooting Tampa Bay, 15-3.

This guy is on absolute FIRE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XOeesL48Td

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 7, 2025

But the Bolts turned the tables in the second, outshooting Vegas, 15-4, including goals from Goncalves and James.

"All those things that went our way, in the second period they did the exact same thing," Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said.

KEY MOMENT: Less than one minute after Kucherov scored his first goal to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead, Marner tied the game. But Hagel's goal was the turning point when his backhand from in front of the net beat Lindbom glove side. The momentum and energy Marner provided just 45 seconds earlier were drained from T-Mobile Arena.

KEY STAT: The Golden Knights were 0 for 3 on the power play, and are now 2 for 23 with a man advantage since Oct. 20. Their 8.7% power-play conversion rate is the second lowest in that span, as they're one of just four teams that is less than 10%.

WHAT A KNIGHT: Both Barbashev and Marner turned in three-point nights, which ended being all for not, after Vegas squandered its two-goal lead and then failed to capitalize when tying the game and briefly seizing momentum.

"A team doesn't give up on anything ... they don't care what the score is," Marner said of the Lightning. "Momentum swing is a lot. It got weird ... I think we got too much into a track race.

There's gonna be ups and downs in a season. That's how a season goes. The thing that this team does really well is stay even-keeled."

That's a three-point night for Mitch Marner 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CwNJI2DSH6

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 7, 2025

UP NEXT: Vegas hosts the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday in a battle between the Pacific Division's top two teams. The Knights have won the last four meetings and will come into the clash on a 7-1 run against Anaheim when the teams meet at T-Mobile.

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On Thursday night, the St. Louis Blues made a statement when they healthy scratched forward Jordan Kyrou.

The 27-year-old, who is in season three of an eight-year deal worth $8.125 million, only had four goals with four assists through 14 games this season and was a -8.

The Blues, who did notch a 3-0 shutout win over the Buffalo Sabres in Kyrou's absence, 5-8-2 on the season, just two points from the Western Conference floor. 

Monty on scratching Kyrou: “Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game and ultimately I decided on this group tonight.” #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 6, 2025

Leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft, Kyrou's name appeared in many trade rumors primarily because his no-trade clause was set to kick in on July 1. 

Per industry sources, the Blues had poked around on the New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson, and the asking price for the 25-year-old offensive-defenseman would have likely been Kyrou, a potential 1-for-1, if you will. 

Whether the Blues were serious about moving Kyrou or just testing the waters to see what the value was, his being healthy-scratched this early in this season doesn't turn down the volume on those trade speculations. 

It's been tough sledding for Kyrou this season for sure, but he reached the 70-point mark in 2024-25, which was the third time he’s done so in his seven-year NHL career. He recorded 36 goals, one short of his career high, and 34 assists in 82 games.

He is a top-six talent that many teams would love, but given his no-trade clause, Kyrou's future is in his own hands. 

The New York Islanders should be all over Kyrou if he becomes truly available. 

Many viewed this Islanders' season as a step back to take two steps forward, and that first-year general manager Mathieu Darche will be selling at this year's deadline, which comes on March 6.

But, with the emergence of Matthew Schaefer and what the immediate future now looks like, could the Islanders be buyers? Could they go out and get a player like Kyrou that will help them in the short term, in a bid to make the playoffs, and someone who fits the long-term game plan?

When Mathew Barzal went down with his season-ending injury last February, Kyrou seemed like a perfect acquisition to counteract the loss while making the Islanders faster and more dynamic once No. 13 returned. 

Now, with Darche and Patrick Roy wanting to play that speedy transition game, Kyrou is even more of a fit than he was a few months ago. 

As for fitting Kyrou in under the cap, the Islanders would have no issues. The Islanders could add Semyon Varlamov's $2.75 million on Long-Term Injured Reserve, joining Pierre Engvall's $3 million. That would leave the Islanders with $1.623 million left to clear, as they have $752,000 in cap space before those moves. 

With the Islanders' rapid rise in the prospect pool world, they could part ways with one, along with picks and a rostered NHLer that makes more than league minimum -- Maxim Tsyplakov and his $2.25M AAV stand out just because he's not playing. 

Could you imagine a top line of Barzal-Horvat-Kyrou?

Nothing is imminent on the trade front at this moment, but the Islanders should be keeping tabs on the Kyrou situation very closely.