The Buffalo Sabres' schedule has been out for some time now, and it's always fun to examine the Sabres' opponents by breaking down their showdowns against each of the NHL's 31 other teams.

We here at THN.com's Sabres site have been analyzing Buffalo's opponents in the Eastern Conference, but today, we're shifting our focus to the first (alphabetical) team in the highly-competitive Central Division -- the Chicago Blackhawks. who have struggled in the post-Jonathan Toews/Patrick Kane Era. Will this season be any different for Chicago? And does that mean the Blackhawks will beat the Sabres in their games this year? Read on to find out.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

NEW BLACKHAWKS PLAYERS: Andre Burakovsky, LW; Sam Lafferty, C; Dominic Toninato, C 

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 2-0-0, Blackhawks 0-2-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  November 21 at Buffalo; April 13 at Chicago 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  To be blunt -- the Sabres throttled the Blackhawks in their two games this past year, and there's no good reason Buffalo can't beat Chicago in their two games this coming season.

Chicago made some peripheral moves at forward this summer, landing Burakovsky from Seattle, acquiring Lafferty in a trade with the Sabres, and signing depth center Toninato away from the Winnipeg Jets. That's all they did, and given how terrible Chicago looked last year, Hawks management should've done much more than that to be a letigimate Stanley Cup playoff contender.

The Blackhawks also hired a new coach in former Detroit Red Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill, but even the greatest coach of all-time would have trouble turning this Hawks team into a world-beater. The Hawks almost certainly are going to miss the playoffs once again this season, and the Sabres would have to count losses to Chicago as huge disappointments.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: How Will Buffalo Fare Against High-Octane Washington Capitals?The Buffalo Sabres want nothing more than to qualify for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs. Ending Buffalo's 14-year drought without any playoff games is a gigantic stain on the organization, but there's no assurace the Sabres will be able to vault over many solid teams and grab a playoff berth.

The two games between Buffalo and the Blackhawks come at opposite ends of the year -- the first game coming six weeks into the season, and the final game coming as the Sabres' second-last game of the year. By that point, the Hawks should be well out of the playoff race -- and at that point, the Sabres could be in a massive battle for a playoff spot that could be decided by one or two standings points.

If Buffalo does lose out on a playoff berth by a couple of points or less, and they failed to take advantage of their games against the Blackhawks, Sabres fans could point to their lack of success against Chicago as a turning point in their season.

That said, it's not like the Hawks are totally bereft of talent. They've got budding star center Connor Bedard as their crown jewel, and their young talents on defense could take major competitive steps forward. If they can at least improve their goaltending, they might have enough talent to surprise some people.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: Should Buffalo Dominate Showdowns Against Lowly Penguins Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres know their schedule for the 2025-26 campaign, and if Buffalo hopes to end their Stanley Cup playoff drought after 14 years, they're going to need to make the most of every rivalry they have in the league. And that includes the Pittsburgh Penguins -- the team that is the latest Metropolitan Division rival for the Sabres in THN.com's Sabres site rankings of all Buffalo's Eastern Conference's rivals.

Still, all things considered, there's no legitimate excuse for the Sabres to lose when they play the Blackhawks. Buffalo has more depth, in all areas, than Chicago has.

The NHL always has games where lesser teams beat better teams, so the Sabres have to be careful. But they've got two games against the Blackhawks to make count against their bottom line, and if they blow those games, their destiny may be out of their hands.

New Pre-Season cards are available in NHL 25 HUT. 

14 new base Pre-Season cards were added on Aug. 5 led by four 98 overall cards, Miro Heiskanen, Kyle Connor, Kevin Pasche, and Linus Hulstrom.

97 overall Adam Fantilli and Matty Beniers and 96 overall Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Yaroslav Askarov were also added. Askarov is a good card for those looking for a right-handed catching goalie.

Related objective and HUT moments were also added, week two of the event will go live on Aug. 8 at 5pm EST. 

Matthew Tkachuk was named the NHL 26 cover athlete, the NHL 26 reveal trailer goes live at 12 EST Aug. 6.

For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.     

We’re well into The Hockey News’ summer splash series – our exclusive rankings of the off-seasons of each NHL team. We’ve been moving in reverse from the 32nd-place Buffalo Sabres to the No. 1 spot. And our latest team is No. 13 in the series – the St. Louis Blues.

For the entirety of this series, we’re examining each team’s lineup additions, departures, and hirings and firings where applicable. After careful consideration, we’ve reached a consensus regarding where teams are ranked in terms of the moves they’ve made this summer. Some teams have improved, and some teams have made a slight improvement or regression in one way or another. And finally, some teams have obviously regressed. 

The Blues had a solid regular season last year before blowing a late lead against the Winnipeg Jets and being eliminated in the first round. But St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong has never been shy when it comes to making big moves, and once again this summer, he’s made a few changes. 

That said, the Blues are closer to the middle of the field in these rankings because they’re not considerably better or worse than they were at the end of last season. And they’re still going to have a tough go of it making the Stanley Cup playoffs in the seriously competitive Central Division. 

Additions

Pius Suter (C), Nick Bjugstad (C), Logan Mailloux (D)

The Breakdown: The Blues came on strong late last season, after nearly digging a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Armstrong did his best to beef up his defense corps with the in-season acquisition of veteran Cam Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks. And that was enough to push St. Louis into a playoff berth. But this summer, they made a savvy signing at center with former Vancouver Canuck Suter, then signing journeyman Bjugstad and trading for former Montreal Canadiens blueliner Mailloux.

Those are all relative fringe players. The core of the Blues is still veteran center Robert Thomas, star winger Jordan Kyrou, and captain Brayden Schenn, and unless they come through with dependably solid seasons, the likes of Suter, Bjugstad and Mailloux aren’t going to put the team on their back.

Individually, Suter is a decent-enough center, Bjugstad is a fourth-liner, and Mailloux has the potential to grow into a top-four D-man. But right now, Armstrong is showing his core he believes in them. And that means making only peripheral changes.

Departures

Zach Bolduc (RW), Torey Krug (D), Radek Faksa (C), Ryan Suter (D)

The Breakdown: We’re including Krug in this list of departures because he’s essentially been diagnosed with a career-ending injury. This is why there’s room for Mailloux – the Blues will put Krug on Long-Term-Injured-Reserve, and be able to spend a good deal of cap space to improve during the season.

Losing Bolduc hurts the most, as he scored 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games last season. But you have to give something to get something, and that Mailloux deal cost St. Louis a promising young player.

Faksa was a consistent defensive presence up front, but he’s more or less replaced by Bjugstad. And Suter is likely retiring after a stellar NHL career. But as a group of four departees, they’re all minor bumps in the road for a Blues team that expects to be a playoff team once again this coming year.

The Bottom Line

The Blues’ collapse against Winnipeg was stunning, and it would’ve been easy for Armstrong to tear it all down and start anew with a different core of players. Instead, he’s doubled down by only adding a few talents that aren’t elite – at least, not yet.

For the purposes of our summer splash rankings, we put St. Louis near the middle of the pack because, while they’re not demonstrably worse, they’re also not significantly better than they were last year. That may change if Armstrong uses his cap space to add talent. But as it stands, the Blues haven’t changed all that much.

And in the Central Division, not improving all that much could lead to a division-rival team like the Utah Mammoth vaulting past the Blues and keeping them out of the playoff picture. The pressure on St. Louis is considerable, and the way they begin the year could lead to major moves from a GM who wants his team to be Cup contenders in the long term.

Summer Splash Rankings

13. St. Louis Blues

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

15. Colorado Avalanche

16. Ottawa Senators

17. Boston Bruins

18. Edmonton Oilers

19. Minnesota Wild

20. Seattle Kraken

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

22. Washington Capitals

23. Nashville Predators

24. New York Islanders

25. Tampa Bay Lightning

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

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With August here, we have seen most of this year's unrestricted free agents (UFAs) get signed. Although this is the case, there are still some veteran UFAs who rmeain unsigned, and one of them is former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Brock McGinn.

McGinn was limited to only 26 games this past season with the Anaheim Ducks, where he recorded four goals, four assists, eight points, 61 hits, and a plus-1 rating. His season came to an end in late December after he suffered a torn ACL, which required surgery to repair. This was after McGinn only played in 24 games for the Ducks during the 2023-24 season due to injury trouble as well.

While McGinn has gone through some injury trouble in recent years, it is fair to wonder if he could land a professional tryout (PTO) with a team, assuming he is healthy enough for training camp. The 31-year-old has put together a nice career as a bottom-six forward and penalty killer, so he could be a decent option for a team needing more depth to take a shot on.

McGinn spent two seasons with the Penguins, where he recorded 22 goals, 16 assists, 38 points, 169 hits, and an even plus/minus rating in 124 games. His time with the Penguins came to an end when he was traded to the Ducks at the 2024 NHL trade deadline.

Penguins New Forward Should Be Great FitThe Pittsburgh Penguins have made plenty of new additions to their roster this off-season. Among their free-agent signings was forward Justin Brazeau, as the Penguins signed him to a two-year, $3 million contract on July 1.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Winnipeg Jets Updated Top 10 Prospects - Feb. 24 2025 - Vol. 78, Issue 08 - Jared Clinton

ROADBLOCKS AREN’T JUST A fixture during Winnipeg summers, they also exist during the Jets’ season. Given the team’s title aspirations and veteran-laden lineup, serious obstacles stand in the way of youth seeking to break through. But Jets director of player development Jimmy Roy sees it as a positive if Winnipeg’s top prospects hunger to take minutes off of established big-league talent. “Any young player, you want to be in the NHL right now, and if you don’t compare yourself to those players that are there, then you’re far off,” Roy said. “That’s what you need to do with your mindset.”

1 BRAYDEN YAGER

C, 20, 6-0, 170

Lethbridge (WHL)

Trade (Pit), Aug. 22, 2024

OVERALL 23

Wearing the ‘C’ at the WJC was a signifier of Yager’s experience but also came with expectations: he was to be relied upon for offense. Despite logging the second-most ice time among Canadian forwards, though, he had just three points in five WJC games. But the Jets believe it’s only a blip for Yager, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in a swap for Rutger McGroarty. Yager’s gifts have long been apparent, and Winnipeg is high on his ability to find open ice and create space.

2 BRAD LAMBERT

C, 21, 6-2, 180

Manitoba (AHL)

2022 draft, 30th overall

OVERALL 78

After Lambert had 55 points in the AHL last season, his decline in production will worry some, but not the Jets’ brass. He had a one-game taste of the NHL last season and earned another four-game call-up this year. He is working to improve the finer details of his game. Given his one-time standing as a projected top-five pick, there was never doubt about his offense. The elements he’s working on – like competing for pucks and using his strength – put him on a path to regular NHL duty.

NHL Insider Credits Jets' Strong Locker Room for Likely Re-Signing of Connor, LowrySportsnet's Elliotte Friedman notes the Winnipeg Jets has a healthy locker room full of guys that "really like being around each other"

3 NIKITA CHIBRIKOV

RW, 22, 5-11, 193

Manitoba (AHL)

2021 draft, 50th overall

OVERALL 80

Chibrikov wowed in Manitoba last year with an unexpected 47-point output as an AHL rookie. That helped him make his NHL debut last season, where he scored his first big-league goal. Chibrikov again turned heads with two goals during a four-game stint with the Jets in December. Roy expects the energetic and enthusiastic Chibrikov to force himself into the Jets’ lineup. “He plays hard,” Roy said. “Has a good shot. He’s got good vision, skill. He’s going to be an NHL player one day.”

4 COLBY BARLOW

LW, 20, 6-1, 190

Oshawa (OHL)

2023 draft, 18th overall

OVERALL 81

Barlow’s pure goal-scoring ability, which starts with a heavy and accurate shot, leaps off the page. He’s backed it up with consecutive 40-goal seasons in the OHL, too, and the transferability of his offensive instincts was evident in his three-point cameo with the AHL’s Moose last season. The Jets like Barlow’s competitiveness and leadership qualities, which “pulls players into the fight,” said Roy. And the Jets were also encouraged by his work to improve his skating and conditioning.

5 ELIAS SALOMONSSON

D, 20, 6-2, 189

Manitoba (AHL)

2022 draft, 55th overall

Injuries have hindered Salomonsson’s first AHL campaign, but there have been glimpses of the tremendous upside he possesses. His shot, both in power and precision, is a useful tool, but his best asset remains his skating. He moves about the ice with such ease and gracefulness that, given room, he can act as a one-man defensive-zone escape artist. What will get him to the next level? “Doing things at a little higher pace,” Roy said. “He’s growing and understanding the physicality and strength needed to play in the (NHL).”

6 ALFONS FREIJ

D, 19, 6-1, 187

Bjorkloven (Swe.2)

2024 draft, 37th overall

Puck-moving blueliner with good shot needs to get stronger on his skates.

Two Jets, Three Manitobans Invited to Canadian Olympic Team CampTwo members of the Winnipeg Jets have earned invites to the Canadian National Team 2026 Winter Olympic Games camp. 

7 CHAZ LUCIUS (*Now Retired*)

C, 21, 6-2, 185

Manitoba (AHL)

2021 draft, 18th overall

Talent is evident, but he needs game time. Injuries have cost him dearly.

8 KEVIN HE

LW, 18, 6-0, 180

Niagara (OHL)

2024 draft, 109th overall

Great combination of skill and work ethic. Named Niagara captain this season.

9 KIERON WALTON

LW, 18, 6-6, 216

Sudbury (OHL)

2024 draft, 187th overall

Has the frame of a throwback power forward and skill set of a deft playmaker.

10 JACOB JULIEN

C, 20, 6-4, 190

London (OHL)

2023 draft, 146th overall

Builds from own zone outward, even if that means sacrificing offense.

Can the Jets Win the Central Division Again?Breaking down benchmarks the Jets will need to hit if they want to win second straight divisional title.

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. 

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

Photo Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images