Former Detroit Red Wings forward Klim Kostin expected to play a role in the team’s offense after being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023 offseason. 

His time in Detroit was relatively short, as he skated in only 33 games in a Red Wings uniform before being traded to the San Jose Sharks. 

Now an unrestricted free agent, Kostin recently criticized Detroit’s former coaching staff, claiming they told him his only role was to act as an enforcer. 

Ex-Red Wing Klim Kostin Points the Finger At Former Detroit Coaching Staff Throughout their history, the Detroit Red Wings have featured several players known not only for the punishing physicality they brought with their fists but also for their scoring ability.

"I was counting on a different role, I signed the contract hoping to play, but after I arrived they made it clear: your job is to fight," he explained. "It was a shock for me. They left no room for maneuver." 

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Kostin reaffirmed his desire to continue his career in the NHL, and said he'd love to once again play for the Oilers, going so far as to say that he wanted "to die on the ice for the fans". 

"In Edmonton, I wanted to die on the ice for the fans," he said. "There are rumors that the Oilers might make an offer too. Of course, this is my dream. They say you can’t step into the same river twice, but I would like to try my luck again. This is the place where I felt most comfortable and was myself." 

Kostin was the final pick of the first round in the 2017 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues and appeared in 46 games with the club over parts of five seasons. In October 2022, he was traded to the Oilers in exchange for Dmitri Samorukov.

During the 2022–23 season, Kostin played 57 games for Edmonton, recording 11 goals and 10 assists. He also provided depth scoring in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, adding three goals and two assists during the Oilers’ run to the Western Conference Final. 

He was then acquired by the Red Wings that offseason and subsequently signed to a two-year, $4 million contract. Following his trade to the Sharks, he scored a total of six goals with 11 assists in 54 total games. 

With his contract now expired, Kostin continues to wait and see whether he’ll get another opportunity in the NHL and if the Oilers will honor his wish for a return.

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In hockey, the allure of the “savior” player is almost impossible to resist. Fans dream of a generational scorer who can break open games singlehandedly, the kind of player who defines an era and guarantees relevance with every shift.

Philadelphia knows this feeling all too well.

For years, the Flyers were defined by one franchise centerpiece—Claude Giroux—and while his brilliance kept them competitive, it never quite pushed them over the edge.

Now, the Flyers face a choice. Do they keep pushing chips to the middle in hopes of landing the guy who can elevate them overnight? Or do they keep stacking depth, fortifying four lines and three pairings until they’re impossible to push around?

The contrarian answer—and maybe the smarter one for where this team is today—is that depth is the better bet.

Why Depth Wins More Than We Admit

Hockey isn’t basketball. In the NBA, one transcendent player can change the trajectory of a franchise. In the NHL, even a transcendent talent like Connor McDavid can’t win on his own. The Edmonton Oilers have been a contender, yes, but their path to success only really opened once they finally insulated McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with reliable depth.

Depth smooths the peaks and valleys of an 82-game season. It insulates a team from injuries. It gives coaches flexibility to match up against any opponent. More importantly, it builds a team identity rooted not in the whims of one superstar, but in a system of interchangeable parts that can roll over opponents with relentless consistency.

That’s what the Flyers are building now—and why they’re better off leaning into it.

The Flyers’ Current Formula

Look at the makeup of the roster: Matvei Michkov might one day be the kind of player who tilts games like McDavid, Auston Matthews, or Nathan MacKinnon, but he doesn’t need to carry the entire weight of the organization.

“When I heard the word ‘savior’…kiss my ass.”

John Tortorella speaks on making sure Matvei Michkov isn’t facing added pressure and is integrating into the #LetsGoFlyers so that it’s not “Michkov and the [rest of the] team.”

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) November 22, 2024

Instead, he fits into a group where Travis Konecny scores at a near point-per-game pace, Owen Tippett adds another dangerous shooter, Tyson Foerster continues to develop into a complete top-six winger, and players like Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates add their own dimensions.

On defense, Travis Sanheim has stepped into the role of true No. 1, Cam York has shown he can skate with the league’s best, and Nick Seeler provides a dependable, physical backbone. Jamie Drysdale, when healthy, offers an inimitable offensive spark.

None of these players alone make the Flyers a juggernaut. But together, they form a roster that can play entire games and show up period after period, no matter who is on the ice—and in today’s NHL, that’s more valuable than hoping one savior player erases flaws.

The Problem With the “Savior”

Relying on a singular superstar can lead to dangerous roster construction. Teams that go all-in for the guy often overpay and sacrifice the supporting cast.

Look at Toronto, who locked themselves into a “core four” model. Yes, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner (who is now with the Vegas Golden Knights), John Tavares, and William Nylander were elite. But surrounding them with depth was a perpetual challenge, and the Leafs struggled to break through in the playoffs because hockey’s margins are too thin to survive on star power alone.

The Flyers can avoid this trap. Their current trajectory is about balance, resilience, and layers of contributors. That doesn’t mean they’ll ignore stars — Michkov is a potential franchise cornerstone, and Zegras, Tippett, and Konecny all have high-end upside. But instead of chasing a mythical savior, the Flyers are better off creating a system where any line can score, any pairing can defend, and any night, the hero can be someone unexpected.

Depth Now, Stars Later

None of this is to say the Flyers should turn their back on elite talent if it becomes available. If Danny Briere has the chance to add a franchise-altering player via trade or free agency down the line, of course you do it. But that can’t be the plan right now.

The plan, today, is to make sure the Flyers can ice four legitimate lines and three dependable pairings every single night. It’s to create a team where the pressure isn't on one singular player to be in top form every single night, because that is simply unrealistic in a full NHL season. It’s to give the Flyers a foundation that ensures when the big names do arrive, they slot into a structure that makes sense.

The Contrarian Path

So while it’s tempting to dream about one marquee addition changing everything, the smarter, more sustainable bet is depth.

The Flyers don’t need a savior. They need all of their players pulling in the same direction. They need to become a team that opponents hate to play against because there’s never an easy shift. 

Superstars may get eyeballs on the television, but true, consistent depth gets players' names on Stanley Cups. 

Welcome to this edition of The Hockey News' Vancouver Canucks Mailbag. In this series, we answer your questions about what is going on with the Canucks. Today, we answer questions about vibes heading into the season, Aatu Räty and more. 

What Kind Of Vibes Are You Getting From The Canucks Heading Into Training Camp And Preseason?

Based on interviews from the off-season, this group feels very determined to right the ship from last year. There are also a lot of positive vibes coming from the core players that the organization is bringing back a similar team. As for outside the organization, there is some angst among the fan base, as there are many questions heading into the season.

One thing to note when talking about vibes is the positive attitude of Adam Foote. Players have spoken about how excited they are to have him as a head coach, while Foote and his staff have said all the right things up to this point. Ultimately, there will be a lot of pressure on Foote this year as Vancouver can not afford to miss the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

What Is The Best-Case Scenario This Season for Räty?

Heading into the season, it appears that Aatu Räty will be the Canucks third-line center. The 22-year-old looks ready to make the jump full-time to the NHL and is projected to be a key piece of Vancouver's bottom-six. As for potential point totals, Räty should be in the 25-point range if he stays healthy and plays close to 82 games. 

As for the best-case scenario, that would be Räty proves he can excel as a third-line center while also contributing on the penalty kill. One way the Finnish center can do this is by becoming a faceoff specialist who takes the opening defensive zone draws while shorthanded. Once Räty establishes himself as a full-time NHLer, then the conversation about him becoming a second-line center can begin. 

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Willander Makes The Team Right Off The Bat?

The hype around defenceman Tom Willander is justified as he has the potential to be a top-four defender in the NHL. That being said, the Canucks do have a solid defensive group, meaning that the 20-year-old most likely will start the year in the AHL. Starting Willander with the Abbotsford Canucks is not a bad move, as it allows the young defenceman to adjust to the pro game before jumping full-time to the NHL. 

While Willander will most likely start in the AHL, it is very possible he doesn't end the season there. If he can be a standout at training camp and have a strong start to the season, a call-up could be coming sooner rather than later. Injuries at the NHL level will also be a big factor in how many games Willander plays for Vancouver, as he could be the first defender called up this year.

Is Victor Mancini/Kirill Kudryavtsev The Best 7/8 Defense In The NHL?

How the Canucks utilize both Victor Mancini and Kirill Kudryavtsev this year will be fascinating. Like Willander, both could be AHL-bound to start the season due to Vancouver's depth on the blueline. It is also possible that Mancini and Kudryavtsev are partnered together in the AHL, which would allow them to show that they can be an efficient duo at the pro level. 

As for the question, while Mancini and Kudryavtsev are high-end prospects, there are other teams with more depth on the blue line. If both play NHL games and are strong during their call-ups, that answer can change, but as of right now, they are not the best 7/8 in the league. Ultimately, though, fans should be excited for Mancini and Kudryavtsev as both could have long careers in the NHL.

Once Chytil Gets Hurt, Do You Trust Räty, Blueger And Sasson As Your 2,3,4 Centres?

Filip Chytil staying healthy is one of the big question marks heading into the season. His injury history is well-documented and includes a concussion that kept him out for the final few weeks of the 2024-25 season. That being said, Chytil looks good to go for the season and ready to fill the vacant second-line center spot.

If Chytil gets hurt, the biggest question is whether Räty can fill in as a second-line center. Teddy Blueger should be able to slide into the third-line center spot, while the fourth-line center can be filled by Max Sasson, Linus Karlsson, Nils Åman or Ty Mueller. In the end, it all depends on how Räty is playing, as if he is not ready for the promotion, the Canucks may need to make a move to improve their center depth.

Do You Feel This Season Is A Disaster Waiting To Happen As I Do? I've Got Third-Degree LaForge Vibes.

Before talking about this year, it's good to remind people how bad Vancouver was under Bill LaForge. He only last 20 games in 1985, posting a record of 4-14-2. So no, I do not believe this year's Canucks will be as bad to start the year as the LaForge year. 

There are so many questions heading into the season, but it is hard to image that 2025-26 will go off the rails like last year. The players themselves seem motivated to have a strong season while the organization itself understands how important this year is. Based on the roster and overall positive vibe heading into the season, I do not believe it is a disaster waiting to happen. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

After a gruelling 82-game schedule, which in some cases involves an extended playoff run, NHL players are grateful for the time off to allow their bodies to recover from serious or nagging injuries and gear up for the upcoming season. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way for every player. In rare cases, a player may pick up an injury while training in the off-season. However, in most cases, the off-season does not provide enough time for a full recovery. 

Entering a new season while nursing an injury puts that player at a disadvantage. Many players use training camp and the pre-season to get themselves back into top shape, allowing them to start the season in rhythm. 

Here are five players who could miss time to start the 2025-26 season:

Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

Tkachuk first sustained a lower-body injury at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He attempted to play through the injury in the final against Canada, but it was unfortunately too much to handle. The injury kept him out until the playoffs, and when he returned for the post-season, the 27-year-old was clearly dealing with the lingering effects.

Following the Panthers' triumph, Tkachuk revealed he was dealing with a sports hernia and a hip adductor injury, claiming he tore it right off the bone. Tkachuk had been pondering the idea of undergoing surgery to repair the injury, and after much discussion, he finally decided to go through with it.

The recovery process is intense, and the current timeline for the two-time 100-point scorer’s return is January, just prior to the 2026 Olympics. The Panthers are the deepest team in the NHL and should be able to mitigate his loss, but it could affect their positioning in the standings come April.

Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Philadelphia Flyers

Prior to the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen went under the knife to repair a right tricep tendon rupture. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on March 26, and it was revealed that it was completed on April 24. 

The initial timeline given by the Flyers was six months, and he would miss training camp. His availability for the beginning of the season remains unknown.

The expectations for the Flyers are quite low once again. With new coach Rick Tocchet, the team is attempting to enter a new era, led by Matvei Michkov and several other young Flyers prospects who aren’t with the team just yet. Ristolainen has had his struggles throughout his NHL career, but he’s a trusted right-handed veteran defenseman who will likely log big minutes for Tocchet when he does return. Without him, the Flyers will be one of the weaker teams on the defensive side of the puck.

Zach Hyman, LW, Edmonton Oilers

Much uncertainty surrounds the Oilers’ Connor McDavid and his current contract negotiations. Currently, he is pondering all decisions, and the leading question is whether he believes the team is capable of winning. If Hyman misses the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, the Oilers will likely struggle, and make McDavid’s decision increasingly difficult. 

Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist and damaged ligaments in the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars. The injury forced him to miss the Stanley Cup finals and resulted in him undergoing surgery. He is currently still fully engaged in rehab, but his availability for the beginning of the season is still in jeopardy. 

Adam Lowry, C, Winnipeg Jets

The Jets captain underwent hip surgery following the team’s elimination by the Stars in the second round of the playoffs. Lowry was given a 5-6 month timeline, which means he will be out until the end of October at the very least. 

Lowry set a career high in goals last season and was a stellar two-way center. He’s the heartbeat of the Jets, and his absence to start the season will have a greater effect than some may realize. He handles the opponent's top forwards, freeing up Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi to produce offensively. Without Lowry, Arniel may find it a bit challenging to give the trio offensive advantages. 

Jonas Brodin, D, Minnesota Wild

Brodin is among the best defensive defensemen in the NHL, and on a Minnesota Wild team that values defense very highly, his absence will be felt. 

The 32-year-old underwent surgery to fix an upper-body injury that he suffered after the World Championship and will be out to begin the 2025-26 season. The Wild are a deep team, especially on the backend, which should allow them to remain competitive even without Brodin. Although the Wild would love to ease Zeev Buium into the NHL, Brodin’s absence creates an opportunity for Buium to take a top-four role and run with it.

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We take overtime for granted in the National Hockey League. We shouldn't.

For 41 years – starting with the advent of Uncle Sam's entry into World War II – there was no overtime to settle NHL games. 

"It was stopped," remembered Rangers manager Frank Boucher, "because in those wartime days we all travelled by train and the railroads were moving troops all the time. That made our NHL scheduling harder to work. So the league halted OT."

When the war ended, the extra session could have been restored but the NHL moguls chose to stay with the status quo. The fans didn't like that, nor did the press guys.

Typical was a story in the New York Journal-American by Rangers beat writer Stan Saplin the day after a Blueshirt-Black Hawks game.

"Why couldn't the Rangers and Black Hawks have played a 10-minute sudden death overtime period to settle their 2-2 deadlock in the Garden last night? Both had the time. Rangers have nothing to do 'til Saturday. Hawks didn't leave town 'til 10 a.m. today. 

The Rangers Games I'll Never Forget, Sean McCaffrey Selects A PairPublisher of Blue Collar Blue Shirts, Sean McCaffrey has seen plenty of hockey over the decades. What's surprising – at least in The Maven's view – is that his choices are, shall we say, out of the box. 

"The fans would benefit if league legislation permitted extra sessions in such cases."

Saplin's plea was ignored. In fact the NHL did not restore overtime until June 23, 1983.

Now we take it for granted but when he wrote his column during the 1954-55 season, Stan Saplin never would have guessed that it would take 28 more years before league moguls were beginning to see the light re restoring the sudden-death period!

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 36 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #36. 

Let's take a look.

Sean Selmser - 2001 - Selmer was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993 NHL Draft. 

Selmer played one game for the Jackets during the 2000-01 season, his only NHL game. He spent the rest of that season playing for the Syracuse Crunch and had 26 points. 

He left North America in 2002 for Europe, where he would land in Scotland. From there, he played 9 of the next 10 seasons in Poland before retiring in 2012. 

Donald MacLean - 2004 - MacLean was drafted by the LA Kings in the second round of the 1995 NHL Draft.

On July 17, 2002, MacLean signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would only play in four games for Columbus and had a single goal. He played most of his games with the Syracuse Crunch, where he had 68 points in 77 games. 

He left North America in 2007, where he would play in Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, and Croatia. He retired in 2011 and coached in Croatia until 2015. 

Mathieu Roy - 2010 - Roy was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2003. 

On July 14, 2009, Roy signed a one-year contract with the CBJ. He would total 10 points in 31 games playing for Columbus. He also played for the Syracuse Crunch that season. On March 3, 2010, he was traded to the Florida Panthers. 

He left for Europe in 2012 and landed in Germany. He also played in Poland and France before returning to North America to play in the LNAH. He retired in 2023 and went into coaching. 

Jonathan Marchessault - 2013 - Marchessault was undrafted out of Cap-Rouge, Quebec.

Marchessault signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets just before the 2012-13 season, where he played just two games. He spent the rest of his time playing for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, where he had 67 points in 74 games. 

On March 5, 2014, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, ending his time with Columbus. He would finally get his shot when he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2016. But after just one season, they chose to expose him in the 2017 expansion draft, where the newly formed Vegas Golden Knights would scoop him. He played the next seven seasons for Vegas, scoring 192 goals and totaling 417 points. 

He left for the Nashville Predators in 2024, signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract. 

Marchessault is considered "The one who got away" by many CBJ fans. 

Michael Paliotta - 2016 - Paliotta was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft. 

On June 30, 2015, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets with Brandon Saad in exchange for Jeremy Morin, Marko Dano, Artem Anisimov, Corey Tropp, and a fourth-round draft pick. Paliotta would appear in just a single game for Columbus, instead spending his season with the Lake Erie Monsters. 

In 2016, he was not tendered a contract and would sign elsewhere. He hasn't played since the end of the 2020 season. 

Jussi Jokinen - 2018 - Jokinen was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 2001 NHL Draft.

On January 16, 2018, after a long and storied career, the LA Kings put Jokinen on waivers. The Jackets claimed him, and he would play in 14 games for the Jackets.  On February 26, 2018, Jokinen and Tyler Motte were traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Thomas Vanek.  

He returned to Europe and played another three seasons before retiring on May 18, 2021. 

Justin Richards - 2023 - Richards was undrafted out of Orlando, Florida. 

Richards signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 19, 2022. He played in only two games and spent all of his time playing for the Cleveland Monsters. He played in 61 games in his only season with Cleveland. 

He left for Europe before the start of last season and played in the DEL. He is signed to play in Italy for next season.

Christian Fischer - 2025 - Fischer was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Fischer came to Columbus at the trade deadline in 2025. He played in a single game for Columbus. He was scratched for the rest of the games in 2025 after coming over from the Detroit Red Wings.

Fischer announced his retirement from professional hockey, to pursue a business opportunity in golf.  

With 36 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, the anticipation for the season is in full swing. Take a look at the schedule of events below.

Blue Jackets Participate in 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo

The Blue Jackets will take part in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from Thursday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 14. They’ll play three games and have one day off.

Let us know what you think below.

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The schedule looks like this:

Thursday, Sept. 11 7 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils

Friday, Sept. 12 `No Game Scheduled

Saturday, Sept. 13 7 p.m. at Buffalo Sabres

Sunday, Sept. 14 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh Penguins

This will be the second year Columbus has participated in the Prospects Challenge. Before that, they played in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City. As for the roster, it won’t be released until closer to the tournament.

More From THN Columbus

The Hockey News Sunday Recap: Columbus Blue JacketsFrom Ex-players to current players and everything in between, we've got you covered.  Report Suggests Stars Had Interest In Blue Jackets' OlivierEarlier this week, a report surfaced from Jeff Marek suggesting that the Dallas Stars were one of the teams interested in Columbus Blue Jackets' forward Mathieu Olivier if he had hit the open market.

May 18, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

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Yearbook 2016-17

Aug 1, 2016

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

BY DAVID BOCLAIR

PREDICTION 2nd in CENTRAL

STANLEY CUP ODDS /// 17-1

The Nashville Predators have barely been around long enough to have traditions. Yet recently the organization has turned away from two of its most prominent ones: an unyielding devotion to the draft and a defense-first style of play.

Increasingly, the Predators have looked to the trade market rather than waiting on prospects to develop. The June blockbuster in which they traded Shea Weber for P.K. Subban came five months after dealing Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen. And Nashville’s leader in goals and points each of the past two seasons, Filip Forsberg, was acquired in a 2013 deadline deal with the Washington Capitals. These are now the Go Go Predators. They still rely heavily on a steady blueline – only now, it’s a young, fast and mobile group, anchored by the offensively adept Subban and Roman Josi.

offense Conditioning is at the center (literally) of Nashville’s attempts to become more dangerous on the attack. Johansen is the first true No. 1 center in franchise history, and his skills are obvious, but he has yet to show a willingness to get himself in the kind of shape for him to compete hard every shift. Mike Ribeiro is the first choice to center the second line, but management has challenged the 36-year-old to improve his fitness after his play waned late (no goals, three assists in the final 14 games) and he was scratched for a couple playoff contests. The primary job for both is creating scoring opportunities for Forsberg, James Neal and Craig Smith, the team’s top-three goal scorers each of the past two seasons.

DEfENsE The brass believes their top four is the NHL’s best. It almost certainly is the most mobile. With Josi, Subban, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis, Nashville has four players who can join the rush or carry the puck to quickly transition and outnumber opponents. They’re not a physically intimidating bunch, especially with Weber out the door. Instead, they rely on speed and positioning in their own end. The question is how – or if – all those similar parts fit together. To that end, the addition of Yannick Weber is notable because he has played with Josi on Switzerland’s national team. He’s a proven option if Josi and Subban can’t mesh.

GoalTENDING Pekka Rinne’s health issues are behind him. The 33-year-old played 130 games over the past two seasons, including 66 (the second-highest total of his career) in 2015-16, and there is no reason to think he won’t maintain that pace. There will be a newcomer behind him on the depth chart, though. Prospects Marek Mazanec and Juuse Saros will battle for the No. 2 job in camp. Both will likely see the net at some point this season.

spEcIal TEams Weber’s slapshot was the primary power play weapon, and everything was built around it. Subban shoots with comparable power, but he is harder for penalty killers to track because he isn’t a stationary target. That’ll make the power play less predictable. Weber led all NHL defensemen with 14 power play goals, though, while Subban had only two. The penalty kill hasn’t been as effective in recent seasons, and now there are no sturdy, shutdown defensemen to occupy space. Opponents will find room to operate.

2015-16 NUMBERS

RECORD 41-27-14 (96 pts)

Ot/sO 2-12/4-2

DivisiOn 4th (playoff wild card)

OvERall 14th

OffEnsE 2.73 GPG (T-12th)

DEfEnsE 2.60 Gaa (14th)

POwER Play 19.7% (10th)

PEnalty Kill 81.9% (12th)

sCORE/vEnuE aDJ. 5-On-5 CORsi 52.73% (4th)

1-gOal gamEs 18-9-14 (.439)

2-gOal gamEs 9-4 (.692)

3+ gOal gamEs 14-14 (.500)

iCE timE lEaD ( f) James Neal (19:04)

iCE timE lEaD (D) Roman Josi (25:29)

FAST FACTS

gm David Poile

COaCH Peter Laviolette

aREna Bridgestone arena

CaPaCity 17,113

2015-16 attEnDanCE 16,971

aHl affiliatE Milwaukee admirals

ECHl affiliatE Cincinnati Cyclones

PlayOff RECORD 14-16 (since 2012)

INTaNGIblEs The franchise decided speed is necessary to win a Stanley Cup, and it has compiled as much as possible at every position. The roster will likely include 16 players 26 or younger. There will be deficiencies in some areas, but the Preds believe they can stay ahead of the competition most nights and maybe (finally) take the next step in the post-season.

RookIEs Kevin Fiala, drafted 11th overall in 2014, posted 50 points in AHL Milwaukee and could make the jump. Colton Sissons, Austin Watson, Viktor Arvidsson and Miikka Salomaki each played between 34 and 6 1 games last season, so they’re not rookies, but they’re 24 or younger and will get the chance to play expanded roles.

x-facToR Colin Wilson was one of Nashville’s best players in the past two post-seasons (10 goals, eight assists in 20 games). In between, he had just six goals and 1 8 assists during 2015-16. He has always been streaky and hasn’t quite reached his potential since being drafted seventh overall in 2008.

ThE bRass David Poile is 66 and has been an NHL GM since 1982. He has had one team reach the conference final, and that one got swept once it got there. His recent willingness to make big trades suggests he’s losing patience and sees few remaining opportunities to pursue a Cup.

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Better 'Ned' Than Red - Oct. 24 2016 - Vol. 70 Issue 5 - Sheng Peng

BEFORE ALEXANDER MOGILNY, before the Stastnys, there was Vaclav Nedomansky.

Nedomansky was the first Communist-era hockey star to push back against the Iron Curtain by defecting to North America in 1974. In retrospect, it shouldn’t have been surprising. ‘Big Ned’ was doing things his way well before he fled Czechoslovakia for the World Hockey Association’s Toronto Toros at 30.

Five years earlier in 1969, Czechoslovakia was set to square off against six-straight World Championship winner USSR in Stockholm. Back home, the Czech masses were simmering because of the Soviet occupation of their country. This was perhaps the most emotionally charged tilt in hockey history. “The Russians knew there was something political about this game,” Nedomansky recalled. “If you ran into them in the arena, they would not look at us or say ‘Hi.’ ”

Emotions boiled over on ice. When Jan Suchy opened the game’s scoring for Czechoslovakia in the second period, a celebrating Big Ned intentionally shoved the Soviet net off its moorings. “It was just emotions. High emotions and happiness.”

It was an explosive statement by the newly anointed hero. He rang up a team-leading nine goals in 10 tournament games. Czechoslovakia topped USSR twice in the event, 2-0 and 4-3, the first time the Soviets had dropped two games to the same opponent in an IIHF event.

About half a million Czech fans took to the streets to celebrate the victories. In some cities, particularly Prague, partying turned to protest of the Soviet occupation. But the oppressors swiftly stamped it all out.

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By the summer of 1974, the Soviets had “normalized” the Czech government. And 30-year-old Nedomansky, considered by many the best player outside the NHL, wanted to go west, which, of course, wasn’t permitted at the time. So he requested a visa for a “family vacation” in Switzerland. For a celebrity like him, that was easy enough. In Bern, he contacted the Toros and the NHL’s Atlanta Flames. The next day, both GMs – Toronto’s A.J. ‘Buck’ Houle and Atlanta’s Cliff Fletcher – flew in to negotiate.

Meanwhile, Communist officials, who had already turned down overtures for Nedomansky’s legal release, grew suspicious. They sent agents after Nedomansky, his wife Vera, and three-year-old son Vashi.

It was too late. Nedomansky had already signed a lucrative fiveyear deal totalling $750,000 with Toronto and was on his way to North America. The Czech hero’s own people countered by erasing him from their history books and threatening arrest. So Nedomansky closed that chapter of his life. “I did not think I would come back anyway,” he said. “I didn’t really care. I was a free man. I could develop not only as a hockey player, but as a person.”

Playing in Canada had its own pressures for the “Phil Esposito of Europe.” Despite 97 goals his first two WHA campaigns, whispers about Big Ned’s lack of aggressiveness and physicality rolled from Toros ownership on down. Nedomansky, a strapping 6-foot-2 center, said, “I played and grew up in a different system. It was developed on skills, playing fast, quickness, creative passing. In North America at that time, half of the players on a team weren’t very good... they were there for fighting.”

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Nedomansky’s most singular skill also made him stand out. “Everybody was using the slapshot. And I would go more with the wrist shot,” he said. After three seasons in the WHA and part of a fourth, Nedomansky was 33 when traded in 1977 to the Detroit Red Wings in a rare WHA-NHL swap. He scored just 11 goals and 28 points in 63 games, but then flourished. He paced the Red Wings with 38 goals and 73 points the next season, then 35 goals and 74 points his third season there.

Nedomansky played in the NHL for another three years – joining St. Louis and the New York Rangers after 364 games with Detroit – but was a shell of his former self. He retired at 39, then pursued a coaching career in Germany.

Time has not dimmed the now 72-year-old Nedomansky’s defiance. “Maybe five years ago, (the Czech Republic) told me the bad stuff was erased and everything was normal. But I didn’t really care. When I jumped the Communist system, I was stripped by the government of my nationality. So I stay with that. I am a Canadian and American citizen.”

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I DID NOT THINK I WOULD COME BACK, BUT I DIDN’T REALLY CARE. I WAS A FREE MAN

- Vaclav Nedomansky

This stubbornness served him well recently when he was diagnosed with lower abdominal cancer. He was given a 50-50 shot of survival. “My son (Vashi), when he saw that, he said let’s (tell your story).” For more than four decades, the IIHF Hall of Famer has shied away from publicity, “I didn’t really like to talk about myself much.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, Nedomansky beat the odds. Now healthy, he’s ready to talk. He’s collaborating with Vashi, a successful film editor, on Big Ned, a documentary spanning his trailblazing career. It’s due out in 2017. In addition, he served as a scout for Team Europe’s World Cup entry and after more than two decades scouting for Los Angeles and Nashville, he has joined the Las Vegas NHL team.

Nedomansky doesn’t carry regrets, not even about making his NHL debut so late. “I just tried to observe and make decisions… sometimes, they were good, sometimes, they were not good. But that’s the way I am.”

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