Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ville Koivunen will be on the top line for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the New York Rangers.

Koivunen made the opening night roster out of camp after he was one of the Penguins' best players in practices and preseason games. He picked right up from where he left off at the end of the 2024-25 season when he got a taste of NHL action and compiled seven points in eight games. 

He got time with both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and even got to spend time on the top power play unit. He's now set for his full NHL season and likes the chemistry that he has with Crosby and Malkin.

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

He'll get the first crack with Crosby on Tuesday night and the two had some good underlying numbers when they were on the same line together last year. In 51 minutes of 5v5 icetime, the two had a 52.3% shot attempts rate, a 50.8% scoring chances for rate, and were on the ice for two goals for and one goal against. The sample size was small, but he fit in right away and will try to keep that momentum going into Tuesday. 

He's a strong playmaker and has great vision, especially in the offensive zone. His skating has also continued to get better and looked faster during training camp and preseason games. If he can give the Penguins around 30-40 points this year, that would be a big win for the team. 

Puck drop for Tuesday's Penguins-Rangers game will be at 8 p.m. ET.

(Data via Natural Stat Trick). 

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Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announces Brady Martin is selected as the fifth overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When the final roster for Opening Night is submitted and a player finally realizes his dream of making the NHL, it’s human nature to be awed by the experience. After all, he’s watched many of these same teammates and opponents growing up.

Brady Martin is no exception to this rule. The 18-year-old Nashville Predators fifth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft may have shown superhuman qualities throughout the summer, but he’s human enough to feel the rush of excitement that comes with knowing he has defied the odds and made the team’s final roster out of camp.

Once that initial high has receeded, however, Martin also knows he needs to put aside the wow factor and prove head coach Andrew Brunette and general manager Barry Trotz made the right call.

“It’s a different level,” the 6-foot, 187-pound Martin told reporters Monday of playing in the NHL. “You get to play on the ice with them, it’s pretty cool. You get to take it all in. You gotta have the want, though, to be there. You can’t just be wowed to be there, you gotta get out there and work hard and compete.”

Martin recorded two goals and an assist for the Preds during the pre-season. It's been the little things, however, that have made the difference in his making the team out of camp.

When Joakim Kemell delivered a devastating hit to Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win, Martin was right there to collect the loose puck. All throughout camp, he has shown a confidence that speaks of a maturity level beyond his 18 years. He hasn’t shied away from taking faceoffs, and goes to the net with the poise of a more experienced player.

In an Oct. 1 practice, Martin drove wide with the puck for a scoring chance, only to be denied by backup goalie Justus Annunen. He went bar down on Juuse Saros on another play during that same practice.

Brady Martin drives wide to create a great scoring chance but is robbed by Justus Annunen @1025TheGamepic.twitter.com/d86Vz4eDs6

— Max Herz (@MaxHerzTalks) October 1, 2025

It hasn’t hurt that Martin has played with veterans Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly on the top line during the pre-season. Forsberg has even taken Martin under his wing, letting the rookie stay at his house and get to know his family.

“I think we’ve had some pretty good chemistry throughout the pre-season,” Brunette said Monday of the O’Reilly-Forsberg-Martin line. “(Brady is) such a big piece in this organization. Moving forward, we want to put him in the best spot possible to show his abilities. So far, he’s done that.”

Martin’s path to Opening Night hasn’t been without some hiccups. Brunette acknowledged he felt the rookie’s game slipped a little in the Predators’ loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier in the pre-season. He’s played a lot of hockey over the past year: 62 OHL games with the Soo Greyhounds including the post-season, the World Juniors Summer Showcase, NHL Prospects Tournament and pre-season.

It’s been a whirlwind year, to be sure, but Martin understands that life in the NHL is just as hectic, if not more so.

“A lot of things have happened,” Martin said. “It’s been fun, I’ve enjoyed it. The work I’ve put in has got me here, so just taking it day by day and seeing what’s going to happen.”

Another 18-year-old, No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, also cracked the New York Islanders’ Opening Night roster, so Martin is in good company.

How long he stays at the NHL level will depend on several factors. The Predators could send him back to the OHL for another season of major junior after nine games, or pay Martin to remain on the roster.

Obviously, Martin needs to continue producing and improving. Even if his goal-scoring doesn’t come right away, the more chances he can create for himself and his teammates, the better. Martin has also shown promise on the power-play, so providing spark for a unit that finished 18th in the NHL last season could also keep him around.

The roster will almost certainly undergo some changes once defenseman Nicolas Hague (upper body) and forward Matthew Wood (lower body) come off the injured list.

How well the Predators play as a team to begin the season could also play a role in Martin’s status. If he’s playing well and the team gets off to a fast start, it would be difficult for the club to send him back to the OHL. A poor start by either could see Martin going back to juniors for more seasoning.

No matter what happens, Martin is eager to get the season underway.

“It’s very exciting,” Martin said. “With the work I’ve put in here, I think I’ve proved I’m worthy to play with the guys here. I’m just looking forward to Thursday (Opening Night) and see what happens.”

EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings enter the 2025–26 season at a crossroads. With franchise icon Anze Kopitar set to retire at the end of the year, the team's identity sits squarely between eras. The roster has the depth and experience to surely be a playoff contender, but the question remains: can they take the next step, or will they once again become a stepping stone for a more star-laden opponent come playoff time?

Here are three bold predictions for the Kings' upcoming season and one realistic outlook on where it all might end.

1. Andrei Kuzmenko Scores 30 Goals

Kuzmenko's arrival in Los Angeles midway through last season not only boosted the team's secondary scoring but also injected creativity into an offense that often lacked unpredictability. After a rocky tenure in Vancouver and an adjustment period following multiple trades, Kuzmenko found chemistry with the Kings' top line, flashing the dynamic skill set that made him an upper-echelon goal-scoring threat in 2022–23.

Now settled and familiar with the Kings and Jim Hiller's system, Kuzmenko has the potential to reach his former level again. His shot release, deceptive edgework, and ability to score around the net could make him a 30+ goal scorer again. With the Kings embracing a five-forward power-play unit under Hiller, Kuzmenko hitting these goals could be less bold than it is realistic.

Everyone shooting 20% or better in the 2020s decade (min. 50 games):

— Shane Wright
— Andrei Kuzmenko
— Leon Draisaitl

The consensus 3 best scorers in hockey. pic.twitter.com/bLNihPc3zY

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) September 10, 2025

For a team that's struggled to find consistent finishing beyond Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala, a 30-goal Kuzmenko would change the complexion of the Kings' offense.

2. Kevin Fiala Leads the Team in Points (83)

Kevin Fiala has long been the Kings' most creative offensive player, capable of dazzling with speed, vision, puck-handling, and some ill-timed penalties. However, it wasn't until last season that the Kings found a permanent center for the Swiss forward to thrive with. As much as it's Fiala as a dynamic player, he's slated to be with the rising star of the franchise for a full season, with Quinton Byfield.

Without the constant line shuffling and potential for the five-forward power play, Fiala is poised to lead the Kings in points, potentially eclipsing the 80-point mark for the first time in Los Angeles.

Expect Fiala to continue to drive controlled entries, where his ability to turn zone possession into high-danger chances sets him apart. If he can find sustained chemistry with Byfield, the Kings could finally have a consistent point producer who rivals the elite playmakers in the West.

3. Anze Kopitar Wins the Selke Trophy to Close His Career

If storylines wrote themselves, this one would top the list.

Kopitar, the face of the franchise for nearly two decades, enters his final season with an opportunity to etch one last line into his Hall of Fame résumé. The two-time Selke winner remains one of the league's smartest defensive centers, even at age 38. With the Kings likely managing his minutes to preserve his effectiveness (potentially off the kill), Kopitar could find himself in the perfect position for a farewell season that turns heads leaguewide.

Statistically, his defensive metrics have remained elite, as he consistently ranks near the top in expected goals against per 60 minutes and faceoff win percentage. More importantly, he continues to handle tough matchups, mentoring Byfield while still neutralizing opposing top lines.

Suppose Los Angeles finishes strong and maintains its defensive identity. In that case, it's not far-fetched to imagine Kopitar taking home a third Selke Trophy, a fitting capstone to one of the greatest two-way careers in NHL history.

Anze Kopitar has announced that he will be retiring from the NHL after this season. 👑

✔️ The first player from Slovenia to play in the NHL
✔️ 2 Stanley Cups
✔️ 2 Frank J. Selke Trophies
✔️ 3 Lady Byng Memorial Trophies
✔️ 1 Mark Messier Leadership Award
✔️ 5 All-Star Game… pic.twitter.com/zR0zPmKWwG

— NHL (@NHL) September 18, 2025

The Realism Take: The Kings Hit 102 Points, Then Fall in Round One—Again

The bold predictions are fun, but the realistic scenario is one Kings fans know all too well.

Despite offseason improvements and a roster built to compete now, Los Angeles remains in the NHL's most unforgiving conference. The Kings could very well exceed expectations in the regular season, posting 100-plus points despite projections in the mid-90s and looking like one of the league's most balanced teams.

But when the playoffs arrive, the same ghosts could reappear.

The Kings' structure and discipline often crumble against teams with transcendent star power, such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton, Jack Eichel in Vegas, or Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado. Without a true superstar of their own, Los Angeles risks being "good, not great" once again.

This isn't a failure of effort or system; it's a limitation of the ceiling. The Kings' strength lies in depth, balance, and defensive reliability, but come playoff time, superstars decide series. Until Los Angeles finds its own game-breaking forward, they may continue to be the team that plays well enough to lose to a better one.

But the truth lies somewhere between optimism and realism. The Kings can—and likely will—be good enough to compete with anyone in the West. Whether they can finally beat them when it matters during a seven-game series is a different story.

Until that day comes, Los Angeles remains hockey's version of a glass ceiling contender: dangerous, disciplined, and one piece away from something greater.

The Alexandar Georgiev era has ended in Buffalo before it even started. After claiming goalie Colten Ellis from the St. Louis Blues on Monday, the Sabres have placed the 29-year-old Georgiev on waivers.  The former Rangers, Avs, and Sharks goalie started strong allowing no goals in two periods against Columbus last month, but allowed 11 goals in three games against Detroit and Pittsburgh, including three goals late in the third period and overtime against the Penguins last Friday. 

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said that Georgiev did everything that he was asked, but that the club could not pass up on the opportunity to claim Ellis.  If the veteran clears on Wednesday, he can be demoted to the Rochester Americans of the AHL to join Devon Levi and Scott Ratzlaff. 

"When Ellis became available, he's someone that, as an organization, we felt really highly about," Ruff said. "I like his puck play. I watched a good part of his games yesterday, the calmness about him, so there's I can understand why he's been kind of on the radar." 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Lawson Crouse 

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

 The 25-year-old Ellis was a 2019 third round pick of the Blues and has spent five years in the ECHL and AHL. Last season, Ellis had an excellent campaign with AHL Springfield, where he posted a 22-14-3 record, 2.63 GAA and .922 save percentage. 

"It's definitely a whirlwind. but (at) the same time I'm just trying to live in the moment. It's my first time experiencing all this, so just trying to soak it all in, take it day by day and learn as much as I can." Ellis said after practicing with his new teammates on Tuesday.  "I just kind of got everything organized in Springfield, and drove here, it only ended up only being five and a half hours, so was able to get in here last night."

The Sabres schedule is forgiving in that they have only one series of back-to-back games in October, against division rival Toronto on October 24th and 25th, which would allow the club to lead heavily on defacto starter Alex Lyon. Ruff indicated that injured goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is feeling better after suffering an unspecified lower-body injury, but did not provide a timetable for the starter’s return.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

Jets prospects Nikita Chibrikov and Parker Ford are getting a major opportunity to prove themselves at the NHL level, as injuries have opened the door for them to showcase their talents heading into the new season. 

The Winnipeg Jets will open the season with a reshuffled lineup, as a wave of injuries has sidelined several key players. Forwards Adam Lowry, Cole Perfetti, and Jonathan Toews (who could return as early as Thursday), along with defenseman Dylan Samberg, will all miss the start of the campaign.

Opening day roster is IN ✅

▶️ https://t.co/NUbQAaJEc4pic.twitter.com/oaBxffaXM6

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 7, 2025

In their absence, the Jets will turn to youth, giving a couple of prospects a chance to step into the spotlight. Forwards Nikita Chibrikov and Parker Ford are expected to crack the opening lineup with Chibrikov stepping in for Perfetti, while Ford will center the fourth line, marking the biggest NHL opportunity yet for both players.

Still Slept On: League-Best Jets Defense Snubbed Despite Back-to-Back Elite SeasonsJets’ league-best defense highlights how the team as a whole continues to be discounted, despite back-to-back seasons of elite defensive dominance.  

Chibrikov has been known to be a boom-or-bust player so far in his career as he's shown flashes of elite upside like his four points through five career NHL games but he's also shown his downside with some defensive lapses in preseason with the Russian import making costly mistakes that would lead to scoring chances. 

The hope is that he thrives while skating alongside high-caliber linemates like Vladislav Namestnikov or Jonathan Toews and veteran winger Gustav Nyquist. By making an early impact on the scoresheet, growing into the role, and fully seizing the opportunity, he can prove that his skillset warrants more NHL time even after Perfetti returns. 

Ford, on the other hand, is set to make his NHL debut Thursday, with Toews' injury keeping him out of the lineup. The Providence College product has already validated the Jets’ decision to sign him out of the NCAA, as the Rhode Island native has consistently made an impact at the AHL level in multiple facets of the game.

With 66 points over 121 games with the Moose, Ford has been a reliable 40-point player with high-end forechecking ability that could be impactful on an NHL fourth line. Although he may not turn out to be an impact college player like Toronto's Matthew Knies, Ford can still carve out a role at the NHL level by playing in a gritty bottom six role and will have the chance to show his worth if given the chance to play at the start of the season. 

It'll be refreshing for Winnipeg fans to see young prospects finally get their chance at meaningful roles after being talked about for some time. It can set the stage for what the future holds when even more bright prospects make their way up to a opportunity like what Chibrikov and Ford have in front of them with names like Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow and Kieron Walton among others waiting for their shot.

New Reports of Salary Cap Surge Could Be What Winnipeg Needs to Stay a ContenderNHL Insider Elliotte Friedman reports the salary cap could rise more than expected in coming seasons, giving the Winnipeg Jets, who need cap flexibility more than most teams, much-needed room for future roster moves.

Welcome to the new NHL season. The Wraparound is back to tackle the league and other hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.

Bounce-Back Candidates, Cup Picks And More NHL Predictions by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Jack Williams discussed in this episode:

0:00: Which rebuilding NHL teams will push for playoff spots this season?

5:41: Which playoff team from the 2024-25 season is most likely to miss the playoffs this year?

8:24: Will Gavin McKenna be the third 18-year-old to win the Hobey Baker Award?

11:09: Which rookie will end up being most valuable to their team this season?

14:35: Which big-name pending UFA will not finish the season with their current team?

18:35: Which under-the-radar defenseman has the best chance of having a breakout offensive year?

21:05: Breaking down the top candidates for bounce-back seasons

24:35: Sharing our Stanley Cup final predictions

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

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

The New Jersey Devils took a calculated risk earlier this week when they placed goaltender Nico Daws on waivers.

The move came with some risk, as any NHL team could have claimed him. However, the Devils had no choice; Daws needed to clear waivers to remain within the organization. Fortunately for New Jersey, he went unclaimed and will now report to the AHL’s Utica Comets.

That raises two questions: why did the Devils do this, and what would it have meant if he had been claimed?

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Goaltending Depth Creates Tough Decisions

The Devils currently boast one of the deeper goaltending pools in the league. With Jacob Markstrom established as the starter and Jake Allen re-signed this offseason to serve as the backup, the top two roster spots are set.

That left Daws as the odd man out. In order to keep him in the organization and send him to the AHL, the team had to expose him to waivers.

Surprisingly, no other club took a chance on the 24-year-old netminder, a fortunate outcome for the Devils, who can now retain him as reliable depth.

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Daws’ Track Record

Daws is no stranger to AHL assignments. He has spent most of the past few seasons developing in Utica while filling in at the NHL level when needed.

Over 52 career NHL games with the Devils, Daws has posted a 22-23-1 record, along with a .898 save percentage, 2.98 goals-against average, and one shutout.

Last season, he appeared in four NHL games, going 3-1-0 with an impressive .939 save percentage and 1.60 GAA.

Those numbers highlight why it was somewhat surprising that no team claimed him; he’s proven capable of stepping up when called upon.

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What Comes Next

Daws was placed on waivers alongside Mike Hardman, Jonathan Gruden, Nathan Légaré, and Calen Addison as the Devils trimmed their roster before opening night.

While his waiver status limited the team’s options, clearing waivers allows New Jersey to reassign him safely to the AHL while retaining his rights.

Had another team claimed him, the Devils’ goaltending depth would still have been stable, with Mikhail Yegorov and PTO signee Georgi Romanov available as additional options.

For now, keeping Daws in the organization is a win, but as his contract situation evolves, a future trade could be on the table.

For the moment, though, Nico Daws remains a Devil, and he is ready to step up when the opportunity comes again.

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers' dressing room had more media than usual for a non-gameday practice, but that was to be expected after the saga about Connor McDavid's next contract came to an end.

After signing a two-year contract extension on Monday, which carries the same $12.5-million cap hit as the deal he signed eight years ago, McDavid showed that being the highest-paid player in the NHL isn't a priority.

"I guess it's a unique situation," McDavid said. "We weren't going to sign a long-term deal, so two years at that number makes a lot of sense. It gives us a chance to extend our window here in Edmonton. (Connor and Lauren McDavid's Bernedoodle) Lenny's not going to go hungry with that money, so you know, we'll be fine.

"It's about winning, and that's always what I've preached. This deal gives both sides what they're looking for."

McDavid won't even have the highest cap hit on the Oilers. Leon Draisaitl leads the way at $14 million, while Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov will lead the NHL next year at $17 million.

Getting the extension signed before the season opener puts the discussion back onto what this team does on the ice, not what his next contract will look like.

"It's a lot for guys to have to come in here and answer questions for others guys, the coach to be asked about it, the GM to be asked about it every day, so (it's) nice to get it out of the way," McDavid said. "No one's going to talk about it anymore. That obviously plays a factor and myself not wanting to talk about it anymore and wanting to give the Oilers some clarity on what's going to go down."

The Oilers Are Clearly On The Clock With Connor McDavid's Contract ExtensionSo Connor McDavid, the best hockey player on the planet, willingly chose to give himself a zero percent raise and give himself the third-highest cap hit in the NHL when he could have blown everybody out of the water.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch sees the team-friendly contract extension as another example of McDavid's selfless nature that doesn't change anyone's respect level for him. It's an attitude that Knoblauch's witnessed well before either he or his captain were at the NHL level and worked together with the OHL's Erie Otters.

"He's always the team first, he's always put his teammates first, and yes, he's very driven to be the best player every single night when he hits that ice, but he's very cognizant about his teammates," Knoblauch said. "I saw that when he was young in Erie, and I see it here."

After getting to, at most, two wins away from the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons, McDavid's Oilers will now try to get the job done during their window. McDavid is now signed through 2028, while Draisaitl's under contract through 2033. On defense, Evan Bouchard is signed through 2029, while Nurse's contract expires in 2030.

The Oilers are at the top of BetMGM's Stanley Cup odds leaderboard, at 9.00 (+800).

 For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

It’s a new NHL season, and that means it’s time for a new THN - Pittsburgh Penguins season prediction piece!

And if training camp and the ensuing roster decisions are any indication of what’s to come this season, it should be an interesting one.

The Penguins are going a bit younger with their roster this season, as top prospects Harrison Brunicke, Ben Kindel, and Ville Koivunen are all starting the year in Pittsburgh. They also still have a collection of talented veterans that - mixed with the young talent - could perhaps make a difference when all is said and done.

So, where will the Penguins finish in the Metropolitan Division standings this season? Will they sniff the playoffs? Are they bottom-five? And who will lead the way for them?

THN - Penguins site editors Kelsey Surmacz and Hunter Hodies give their predictions for the upcoming season:

Penguins At Rangers Preview: Dan Muse Looks To Get His First Win As Head CoachThe regular season is finally here! The Pittsburgh Penguins will open the 2025-26 season inside Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. 

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Kelsey’s Predictions

Metropolitan Division standings:
1. Carolina Hurricanes
2. New Jersey Devils
3. Washington Capitals
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. New York Rangers
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
7. New York Islanders
8. Philadelphia Flyers

Eastern Conference playoff picture:
1. Carolina Hurricanes
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Washington Capitals
7. Florida Panthers
8. Montreal Canadiens

Western Conference playoff picture:
1. Vegas Golden Knights
2. Dallas Stars
3. Edmonton Oilers
4. Colorado Avalanche
5. Winnipeg Jets
6. Los Angeles Kings
7. Minnesota Wild
8. Utah Mammoth

Bottom-five teams:
32. Chicago Blackhawks
31. Seattle Kraken
30. Nashville Predators
29. Boston Bruins
28. Buffalo Sabres

Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Golden Knights over Senators in five games

League’s leading scorer: Leon Draisaitl - 132 points

Penguins’ leading scorer: Sidney Crosby - 86 points

Penguins’ breakout candidate: Philip Tomasino

Penguins’ Rookie of the Year: D Harrison Brunicke

One bold prediction: Ben Kindel stays the entire season, records 40-plus points.

Dan Muse And Mike Sullivan Set To Begin New Chapters On Opposite SidesThe Pittsburgh Penguins will open their 2025-26 campaign against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, and the game will hold extra significance for the head coaches on both sides. 

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The ‘why’: I really, really wanted to pick the Florida Panthers to threepeat. Truly. Part of me still feels like I’m getting it wrong and that they’ll surprise everyone (yet not surprise anyone at the same time).

But being without Alexsander Barkov for the entire season - let alone if he misses the playoffs - is a blow I’m not sure they can overcome. Yes, they are like the cockroaches that just won’t die. The league hasn’t figured them out yet, and it literally doesn’t matter where they finish in the playoff standings picture - as long as they make the playoffs, they’re a true contender.

So, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Florida win it all again, but I just can’t bring myself to pick them, given the circumstances. So, I’m going Vegas over Ottawa, who I think will take and step and have a great year before ultimately falling short.

As far as the Penguins? Well, their defense corps and goaltending may be suspect at best, but their forward group is actually… good? It’s certainly better than last year’s from the start, and there is an unpredictable youth factor that makes things a little bit exciting. I just don’t think they’re positioned badly enough to truly tank for Gavin McKenna, and that’s not going to change without some major trades and roster reshuffling.

Penguins Announce Final 23-Man RosterAfter a grueling few weeks of training camp, the Pittsburgh Penguins' roster has finally been solidified for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Crosby will be point-per-game again, and I do think Tomasino looked like a completely different player in the pre-season than he did last season and that his new contract has lit a fire under him. I’ll be looking for him to make himself either a solid depth piece or nice trade chip and for rookie blueliner Harrison Brunicke - who I expect to stay in Pittsburgh the whole year - to have pretty big rookie campaign for the Penguins.

Oh, and I agree that Ben Kindel is not going to stick at the NHL level and will go back to juniors unless he blows everyone out of the water… but I think the 18-year-old kid is going to blow everyone out of the water.

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Hunter’s Predictions

Metropolitan Division standings:
1. Carolina Hurricanes
2. New Jersey Devils
3. Washington Capitals
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. New York Rangers
6. New York Islanders
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
8. Philadelphia Flyers

Eastern Conference playoff picture:
1. Carolina Hurricanes
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Florida Panthers
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
6. Washington Capitals
7. Montreal Canadiens
8. Ottawa Senators

Western Conference playoff picture:
1. Vegas Golden Knights
2. Dallas Stars
3. Colorado Avalanche
4. Edmonton Oilers
5. Winnipeg Jets
6. L.A. Kings
7. Minnesota Wild
8. Utah Mammoth

Bottom-five teams:
32. San Jose Sharks
31. Chicago Blackhawks
30. Nashville Predators
29. Philadelphia Flyers
28. Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Golden Knights over Lightning in 6 games

League’s leading scorer: Connor McDavid - 140 points

Penguins’ leading scorer: Sidney Crosby - 95 points

Penguins’ breakout candidate: Tommy Novak

Penguins’ rookie of the year: Ville Koivunen

One bold prediction: Erik Karlsson registers 70-plus points

3 Big Penguins' Storylines To Watch in 2025-26With final NHL rosters submitted and the pre-season officially coming to a close, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be an interesting team to watch for a plethora of reasons in 2025-26. 

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The ‘why’: I finally got a Stanley Cup Final matchup right this past season with the Oilers playing the Panthers again, but I can’t pick those two teams again. It’s really hard to keep getting to Stanley Cup Finals and I think there’s finally a couple of teams in the West that can beat the Oilers this year, specifically the Golden Knights. I think they have the best roster in the league and are going to make a move to add a defenseman before the trade deadline.

The East is wide open now that Barkov is lost for at least the entire regular season. If he’s also out for the entire playoffs, I can’t see the Panthers returning to another final. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for that team, and without him, other teams can find some mismatches. I’m being a bit bold and taking the Lightning to the Stanley Cup Final, but I think they can get through the East, especially if Barkov isn’t there in the playoffs.

As for the Penguins, I’m going to take Crosby compiling 90+ points every season until he stops doing it. He was one of the best players in the league last year, and I expect that to continue this year.

This is the most intrigued I’ve been about a season in quite some time, and even though I don’t think they will be good, they’re still going to be fun to watch. There’s a brand new staff in place, something that’s been needed for a few years. There are legit young players who are getting opportunities to start the season. The big three are also still around. There are plenty of reasons to watch this team on a nightly basis.

New Defenseman Ready To Bring 'Good Habits' To PittsburghNew Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman Caleb Jones may have suited up for the Los Angeles Kings' organization last season prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent. But, oddly enough, he found himself training with some players from a different organization this summer.

I think Novak surprises a lot of people this year and is a good middle-six/top-nine option. He’s a strong playmaker with an underrated release and isn’t afraid to use it. I think Koivunen is going to be the best of the rookies this season and finish with around 35 points, which would be a great achievement.

As far as my bold prediction, I think Karlsson benefits from a new coaching staff and a new partner. He’s taking the top pairing minutes, which is what should happen since he’s the best defenseman on the team. He’s going to look more like the player we saw at the 4 Nations Face-off last season.

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Briere, Tocchet excited about chance for Flyers to ‘maximize' roster originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Rick Tocchet knows the importance of playoff hockey in Philadelphia.

He knows what it means to the Flyers’ fan base, what it means to the history of the organization.

As a player for the Flyers, he went to the Stanley Cup Final twice and experienced 95 postseason games, eventually putting himself into the franchise’s Hall of Fame.

But as Tocchet takes over the Flyers with the team in a five-year playoff drought, the head coach really hasn’t talked publicly about the postseason being a goal. After all, ownership and management have embraced staying on course with this rebuild. There is a pressure to improve in 2025-26, but the vibe is not playoffs or bust.

So, in Year 1 of guiding the Flyers, how does Tocchet view expectations?

“It’s the development of players,” he said Monday. “We call it maximizing the player. Are players improving? That’s a big part of it. If players are improving, you’ve got a better chance at winning hockey games.

“I understand people want to talk playoffs and all these variables. I don’t know. But for me and my staff, we’re going to be judged, for me, on we’ve got to get guys to maximize their talent. I think that’s really what it comes down to. We have guys that I really believe we can make them really good hockey players.”

The Flyers kick off the regular season Thursday when they visit the two-time defending champion Panthers (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). The club submitted its season-opening roster Monday, a group that has a different look up front compared to last season.

Over the summer, Danny Briere addressed the Flyers’ thin picture down the middle. The general manager traded for Trevor Zegras, a talented playmaker, and signed Christian Dvorak, a well-rounded piece who played 82 games for a playoff team last season.

The Flyers are hoping those acquisitions bolster a blend of young and established forwards. Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, the Flyers’ most effective line last season, will be back together. Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett were four of the team’s top five scorers and could have more help this season.

“The addition of Zegras brings us some creativity, the addition of Dvorak brings us flexibility, he can play a little bit of everywhere,” Briere said Monday. “It’s exciting that the Cates line still looks the same way that they finished the season last year. So if you have that line, then it gives you so many options to work in Michkov, Konecny, Tippett, Couturier, etc. I think it’s a great problem for the coaching staff.”

Here were the Flyers’ line combinations Monday, with Nikita Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko as the extras.

Christian Dvorak-Sean Couturier-Matvei Michkov
Owen Tippett-Trevor Zegras-Travis Konecny
Tyson Foerster-Noah Cates-Bobby Brink
Nicolas Deslauriers-Rodrigo Abols-Garnet Hathaway

The Flyers will keep a close eye on Luchanko, their 2024 first-round pick who made the team out of training camp for a second straight season.

Like last season, the Flyers will be able to play him up to nine games before burning the first year of his entry-level contract. The 19-year-old center got a four-game taste of the NHL last season before going back to his junior club.

Luchanko is not eligible to play for the Flyers’ AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, so a return to the OHL’s Guelph Storm is on the table again. The Flyers will have to find him spots to play because they don’t want a young prospect sitting for too long.

“It can’t be a steady diet of it, not playing,” Tocchet said. “It’s too bad because it’s that rule, that sweet spot — a guy can’t play in the minors, you have to send him to junior. We’re stuck in that situation a little bit. It happened to Barrett Hayton with me in Arizona, you can’t have guys sitting around too much. We’ve got to figure that out, but the first couple of weeks, we’ll see how it goes down.”

That puts Luchanko in prove-it mode again, along with others competing for roles in the lineup.

“Nothing’s set in stone, nothing’s set in stone,” Briere said. “He has to keep earning it, he has to keep playing well. He’s not the only one; it applies with everyone. I know we make a big deal of the opening roster, but that doesn’t mean that you’re on the team forever. Every day, you’ve got to keep earning your ice time and your spot on the team.

“When we discuss Jett, the whole time, it’s about his development. He’s a big part of the future and we’re always keeping that in the back of our mind.”

When it comes to the future on the defensive side of things, the Flyers sent Emil Andrae to the Phantoms after he played in just two preseason games. It was a surprise considering the 23-year-old played 42 games for the Flyers last season and is one of the team’s better prospects on the back end.

But Andrae is 5-foot-9 and the Flyers already have a couple of smaller puck-movers under the age of 25. Could that hurt Andrae’s long-term opportunity with the Flyers?

“Emil is still young, Emil had some struggles in camp, but we still believe in him,” Briere said. “He’s still a very good prospect for us. I think the best thing for him is to play a lot of heavy minutes rather than sit on the sideline and watch at the moment, at his age.

“It’s better for him to go down and play hopefully 22, 24 minutes a night, find his game again, build off of that, get the confidence to make plays, carry the puck and become an everyday, serviceable defenseman.”

The new NHL regular season begins Tuesday, and there is no shortage of storylines for fans to keep their eye on.

Here's what to watch for in Week 1.

Important Matchups And Rivalry Showdowns Right Off The Bat

The first week of the season won't make or break a team's playoff hopes. But people need to understand how important each match is for some squads while the parity in the NHL is as strong as it’s ever been.

When teams are making the playoffs on tiebreakers or by a couple of points, any win or loss to a division rival can be critical.

The Montreal Canadiens – a wild-card team last season – have it particularly tough to start the year with back-to-back road games against Atlantic Division rivals.

After travelling to play a historic foe, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Wednesday, the Canadiens visit another Original Six opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, the next night.

For Montreal and Detroit especially, they need to separate themselves from the rest of the teams in the playoff bubble all season long. So this game is more important than people may think.

The NHL’s marketing centers around the league’s regional rivalries, so those matchups should provide lots of entertainment value early on. But some other ones across the NHL will be worth watching as well for the sake of rivalries and for the standings.

The Edmonton Oilers will take on the Calgary Flames in their first game Wednesday. Calgary then plays the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in an important game for two teams that lost the playoff race last season. Edmonton then faces Vancouver on Saturday.

There are other rivalries that are a work in progress this year. For instance, Central Division opponents, the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche, face off on Thursday. The Mammoth have every incentive to lock up a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, while Colorado is aiming its competitive bar a little higher, as it focuses on earning home-ice advantage. 

Any team could theoretically bounce back from a poor beginning to the season or regress after a strong start. But don't think these games don't mean anything – they're quite the opposite.

Veterans Can Hit Major Milestones In Week 1

Tampa Bay Lightning star left winger Nikita Kucherov begins the season just six points away from reaching the 1,000-point plateau in his incredible career.

Considering the Lightning play twice this week, it’s not an exaggeration to say Kucherov might generate six points in these first two games against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday and New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

The 32-year-old posted 84 assists and 121 points last season. While that was a step back from his 100 assists and 144 points in 2023-24, Kucherov will reach the 1,000-point mark quickly and drive straight through it.

Meanwhile, Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin is a hat trick away from 900 goals. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are becoming the first trio in NHL history to play 20 seasons together. Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar is beginning his 20th and final NHL season. And Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Dallas’ Jamie Benn are each a goal away from 400.

There’s no shortage of noteworthy achievements across the league, and that’s why the savvy hockey fan will be highly attuned to every NHL team’s veteran players.

New Faces In New Places

As is true of every NHL season, there are a slew of familiar faces in unfamiliar cities.

For starters, there are NHL rookies who will be notable to watch this year: Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium will get a good deal of the spotlight as he challenges Canadiens right winger Ivan Demidov for the Calder Trophy. Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin also will be a prominent rookie who could get Calder votes. The Calgary Flames' Zayne Parekh and San Jose Sharks' Michael Misa could also be integral components for their team this season.

Eight bench bosses make their debuts with their new teams this week as well. The Anaheim Ducks hired longtime coach Joel Quenneville to steer them into a playoff berth. The Penguins hired Dan Muse to help lead a youth movement while their veterans are still there.

Former NHL player Marco Sturm will try to guide the Boston Bruins back to the playoffs. Former Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill gets another try, this time with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Canucks chose former star defenseman Adam Foote to replace Rick Tocchet, who is now coaching the Philadelphia Flyers. The Seattle Kraken hired former New York Islanders coach Lane Lambert after one season of Dan Bylsma. Ex-Pens coach Mike Sullivan is now coach of the New York Rangers, while Glen Gulutzan returns to the Dallas Stars for a second stint.

​​Finally, there are veteran NHL stars wearing different uniforms this season.

Former Leafs star winger Mitch Marner is now a Vegas Golden Knight. Former Winnipeg Jets right winger Nikolaj Ehlers signed in Carolina.

Vladislav Gavrikov left the Kings for the Rangers, while former Capitals center Lars Eller signed with the Ottawa Senators. And former Oilers, Leafs and Sens winger Connor Brown is now a Devil.

All in all, there are plenty of reasons to tune in from every team’s Game 1 through Game 82 this season. Time will tell which players and teams succeed this year, but until final judgment is rendered on them, it’s going to be extremely intriguing to watch everything play out.

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