Category: Sports News

The Nashville Predators, now more than ever, are in need of a win as they are ranked 32nd in the NHL, dead last, with 16 points in 21 games. 

They had been ahead of the Calgary Flames for a bit, who the Predators defeated 4-2 on Nov. 1, but the Flames have won three straight games and now have a three-point cushion ahead of the Predators.

Calgary and Nashville are the only two teams in the NHL that have yet to eclipse 20 points this season. 

Nashville has lost 10 of its last 12, getting some support from two overtime losses in that stretch. The Predators have won a true road game just once this year, a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 13. 

When it comes to divisional play, the Predators are four points behind the St. Louis Blues. 

Looking at individual and team statistics, Nashville has the lowest goals-for in the league, scoring just 48 in 21 games, for an average of 2.29 goals per game. The Philadelphia Flyers are second-to-last with 56 goals scored this season.

That is shown in the Predators' individual offense: no player who has played more than 5 games this season has a positive plus/minus. There are only two players with over 10 points this season: Filip Forsberg (15 points) and Ryan O'Reilly (13 points).

Four players have 10 points: Matthew Wood, Erik Haula, Luke Evangelista and Michael Bunting. However, the Predators' top forwards' lack of production has been concerning. Steven Stamkos has just five points in 21 games, on pace for a career-worst 20 points in 82 games.

Jonathan Marchessault has six points in 18 games and has a plus/minus of -11. Fedor Svechkov's impact has been non-existent with a point in 19 games. 

Nashville's goals allowed per game this season is in the bottom six, as opponents are averaging 3.48 goals a game against the Predators. 

Its defense recently got a boost with the return of Roman Josi, who has five points in nine games. Brady Skjei has had a tremulous start to the season with a plus/minus of -14, which is the fourth-worst plus/minus in the league out of 776 active players this season. 

Nashville has received solid support from its younger players: Spencer Stastney (seven points in 21 games) and Nick Blankenburg (six points in 11 games). Its defense hasn't been great, but it is one of the better parts of its game. 

Their power play is surprisingly not the worst in the league, ranked 26th at 15.4%, scoring on 10 of 65 opportunities.

The Predators' penalty killing unit is hanging just outside of the top 10 at 82%, killing 50 of 61 penalties. They've also been surprisingly disciplined this season so far, logging 157 penalty minutes, which ranks 30th in the NHL.

Usually, the Predators are leading the league in penalty minutes, but this season, they are near the bottom. 

Juuse Saros still ranks in the top 10 in shots faced (460, 6th) and saves made (412, 6th) in the league, showing that he's put in a lot of the heavy work for the Predators. 

However, unlike Saros, Justus Annunen is ranked among the league's worst goalies right now. He is 0-3-1 with a goals against average of 3.98, which is the third lowest in the NHL. Annunen's save percentage of .849 is the fourth lowest in the league. 

Just over the quarter point of the season, the Predators have not made any changes nor have signaled any. General manager Barry Trotz has expressed disappointment in the team, but has not hinted at any coaching changes or potential trades.

Following the Predators 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, head coach Andrew Brunette remained positive that the team could turn things around if they kept working at it and had a hopeful mindset. 

The slate doesn't get better for the Predators this week. They host the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Monday, travel to the Atlantic Division leader Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, face a Chicago Blackhawks team on the road that is defying expectations and host the Winnipeg Jets the next day on Saturday. 

There was a bit of everything mixed in for the Belleville Senators over the course of their three games last week.

After blanking the Toronto Marlies 4-0 in front of 4,000+ students during the club's first-ever School Day Game, the Senators suffered one tight loss in Laval and had one rough outing against the Rocket as well. The defeats in Laval halted Belleville's respective four-game win streak and five-game point streak, with the Senators still entering the week fourth in the North Division standings.

Here's your recap of the three games:

• Wednesday, November 19, 2025: Belleville Senators - 4 vs Toronto Marlies - 0

The Belleville Senators were back home for their first-ever school day game against the Toronto Marlies, securing a 4-0 win. Rookie goaltender Jackson Parsons, an Embrun native, stopped 25 of 25 shots to earn his third win of the season and first career American Hockey League shutout. Oskar Pettersson, Carter Yakemchuk, Arthur Kaliyev, and Jan Jenik all scored for the Senators.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

• Friday, November 21, 2025: Belleville Senators - 3 @ Laval Rocket - 4 (OT)

The Belleville Senators began a four-game road trip with a pair of games in Laval against the Rocket, and came out on the wrong end of a 4-3 overtime defeat in their first visit to Place Bell this season.

Arthur Kaliyev extended his goal-scoring streak to seven games by scoring his 10th goal of the campaign, while defender Scott Harrington tallied his first goal as a Senator, and Xavier Bourgault scored in the final minute to force overtime. Mads Sogaard stopped 33 of 37 shots he faced in his first start since being injured at Toronto in late October.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

• Saturday, November 22, 2025: Belleville Senators - 2 @ Laval Rocket - 7

The Belleville Senators couldn't stop a barrage of bears from Laval Rocket fans, or goals from the Rocket themselves last Saturday, losing 7-2 at Place Bell during the Laval Teddy Bear Toss.

Belleville was only down a goal heading into the third period, after Phil Daoust and Wyatt Bongiovanni had scored earlier in the game, but the Rocket would take off for four goals in the final frame and run away with things in a feisty and physical affair. Jackson Parsons suffered his first defeat of the season, stopping 30 of 37 shots against.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

Recent Transactions

• Nov. 18/25: #33 Lassi Thomson (D) - DELETE - Recalled from loan by Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 18/25: #12 Danny Katic (LW) - ADD - Recalled from loan to Allen (ECHL)
• Nov. 18/25: #34 Stephen Halliday (C) - DELETE - Recalled from loan by Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 22/25: #33 Lassi Thomson (D) - ADD - Returned on loan from Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 22/25: #15 Olle Lycksell (RW) - ADD - Returned on loan from Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 22/25: #48 Dennis Gilbert (D) - ADD - Loaned from Ottawa (NHL)

Click here for a full list of Belleville Sens transactions.

Senators Prospect Watch: Seven Future Sens Who Are Getting NoticedSeveral promising young talents in the Sens system are making their mark at lower levels this season.

Statistical Leaders

Points: Philippe Daoust (C) - 18 (T-4th in AHL)

Goals: Arthur Kaliyev (F) - 10 (T-2nd in AHL)

Assists: Stephen Halliday (C) - 15 (T-3rd in AHL)

Power Play Goals: Arthur Kaliyev (F) - 5 (T-1st in AHL)

Goals Against Average: Jackson Parsons - 2.26

Save Percentage: Jackson Parsons - 9.30

The B-Sens continue their four-game road trip and run against Canadian opponents in Winnipeg this week against the Manitoba Moose (AHL Affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets). They'll take part in the Moose School Day Game on Tuesday morning (11:30 a.m. ET) and then go back to a normal evening puck drop at Canada Life Centre on Wednesday (8:00 p.m. ET). 

You can follow all the action by listening on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network, or watching along on AHL TV on FloHockey. After returning from Manitoba on Thursday, the Senators will play 12 of their next 14 games on home ice, including Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 against the Providence Bruins for Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend.

More Sens Headlines at The Hockey News Ottawa:

Former Senators Prospect Finally Finds NHL Home With Rival Boston Bruins
Without His Wingman, Sens Top Gun Stützle Continues Relentless Drive To Improve
Senators Place Swedish Winger On Waivers
NHL Insider Says Senators Are 'Looking To Hit A Home Run' On The Trade Market
Senators Have Big UFA Contract Decisions In Next Few Years (Who Stays And Who Goes?)

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond.

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk discussed:

1:00: Connor Hellebuyck will be out for four to six weeks after having knee surgery on Saturday. How competitive can the Jets be without their No. 1 goaltender?

2:20: How does a goalie's mindset change going from being the backup to the starter? 

4:50: Will Hellebuyck’s injury affect his chances of playing for the United States in the Olympics?

7:30: Since Joseph Woll's return, he has a 1-2-1 record, .905 save percentage and 3.27 goals-against average. How would you evaluate Joseph Woll's play in net since his return?

12:32: The Montreal Canadiens signed Alexandre Texier to a one-year, $1 million contract.Thoughts on this signing? 

14:13: How are you feeling about Montreal’s depth right now? 

15:58: Mikko Rantanen has been in some trouble recently, being suspended for one game following his hit on Matt Caronato. What are your thoughts on his play as of late? 

17:50: How difficult is it to walk the line between clean and dirty play when you're a player of Rantanen’s size? 

20:22: The Colorado Avalanche have now won nine games in a row and sit at the top of the Central Division with a 16-1-5 record. Can anyone stop the Avs? 

24:40: The Seattle Kraken sit second in the Pacific Division and have the second-best defense in the NHL right now. Do we believe in the Kraken yet, or is it a mirage?

27:20: Jesper Wallstedt has won five straight, with three shutouts for Minnesota. He also leads the NHL in save percentage at .935 and is second for GAA at 1.94. Is it time to fear the Wild?

32:17: Movember is coming to an end. Who has the best mustache in the NHL, currently or all-time?

34:26: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

36:18: Artists Jordon Bourgeault, Travis Michael and Dave Fried have been using iPads to design goalie masks for Anthony Stolarz, Thatcher Demko, Dustin Wolf and more. What was Devan's process like when David Gunnarsson was designing his masks?

38:50: Fair or foul: Connor Bedard getting pressured by autograph hounds for his signature on copies of The Hockey News' magazine?

How Competitive Are The Jets Without Hellebuyck? by The Big Show

Watch the full episode on YouTube

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On Monday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added another team to the rumor mill in the Vancouver Canucks. The insider explained on the newest episode of his podcast 32 Thoughts that he believes once we get closer to the deadline, that rumors will start to swirl in Vancouver as they currently sit with a 9-12-2 record and are tied with the St. Louis Blues for third-worst in the Western Conference. 

The Canucks have been dealing with a slew of injuries including key players like Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger, Nils Hoglander and starting goaltender Thatcher Demko are all out. Their injuries have gotten to the point that they've added former Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf to fill in on their second line at center when for Toronto Kampf was a healthy scratch most nights. 

It's been a tough stretch since their near-loss to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games during the 2024 playoffs after being viewed as a team that nearly took down the eventual back-to-back conference champions to a potential lottery team. This may create some panic within the organization as many believe superstar Quinn Hughes would like to go to New Jersey and play with his two brothers, Jack and Luke. 

Red Wings Roll Into Jersey Riding Hot Stretch For Clash With DevilsRed Wings travel to Jersey hoping to build on hot streak when facing off against Devils without star forward Jack Hughes.

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

This could create the urge within the Canucks organization to make some moves and Detroit could be a team to facilitate a deal. Defense has been a weak point for the Red Wings this season with Vancouver possessing two standout defenders besides Hughes in Marcus Pettersson and former second round pick by the Red Wings in 2016, Filip Hronek. 

Either of the players would add a much needed boost and give give Detroit GM Steve Yzerman the opportunity to award his players and team for their first-place start to the season. He could add a much needed improvement at left shot defense with Pettersson and help move Albert Johansson to the seventh defenseman spot. 

The Canucks traded a first-round pick to get Pettersson from the Pittsburgh Penguins this past February and signed him to a six-year contract extension with a $5.5M AAV. This deal is superb for a defenseman of Pettersson's quality as a shutdown defender which may lead Detroit to spending a bit more to acquire him but it could be worth it in the long run plus he could create a Swedish connection with fellow defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka. 

The odds of the Canucks trading away a player they just signed on long-term is slim but to make a advantageous move like bringing in some of Detroit's young talent to try and entice Quinn Hughes to stay could be a motive that Steve Yzerman can look to exploit.

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The New York Islanders have announced that former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexander Romanov is set to have shoulder surgery and will be out for the next five to six months.

Romanov was injured during the Islanders' Nov. 18 matchup against the Dallas Stars after being hit from behind by Mikko Rantanen. Now, the Islanders have provided an update on Romanov, and it is certainly tough news for the former Canadiens blueliner. 

Romanov is a key part of the Islanders' blueline, so the Metropolitan Division club will now need to adjust to not having him in their lineup. In 15 games so far this season with the Islanders, Romanov has recorded one assist, 31 blocks, and 31 hits. This is after he had four goals, 20 points, 147 hits, and 165 blocks in 64 games this past season with the Islanders.

Based on the Islanders' update, the earliest Romanov is expected to return is in late April, which would be playoff time. However, if the former Canadiens defenseman ends up needing six months to fully recover, that would make him unavailable until late May. 

Romanov was selected by the Canadiens with the 38th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. In 133 games over two seasons with the Canadiens from 2020-21 to 2021-22, he recorded four goals, 15 assists, 19 points, 204 blocks, and 365 hits.

Brett Berard is back in the fold for the New York Rangers after getting called up from the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday. 

With the Rangers’ offense hindered by J.T. Miller’s injury and possibly now even Vincent Trocheck’s iffy status, Berard could play a pivotal role in the team’s Monday night game against the St. Louis Blues. 

It’s funny how things work sometimes, as it was just one week ago that Berard emphasized he’s not focused on getting called up to the NHL.

“Not focus on getting called up or not focused on what might happen,” Berard said last week in Hartford. “I'm here in Hartford, and I'm here to help the team win, and I love the guys in the room. I love the coaches, so it's been a blast coming to the rink every day.”

Now, Berard is back in the NHL with an opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Rangers. 

“I think being up here in the NHL is every kid's dream, and it feels like the first day I got called up last year too,” Berard said. “It's the same, same emotion, same excitement, happiness. Just going out there playing a free mind, playing my game. I think when I'm playing my game and fast is when I'm most free and not thinking. So just gonna try to do that, probably try to provide a spark for the guys and play physical. I'm super happy.”

Berard showed flashes of his potential during his 35 games spent in the NHL last year. However, the 23-year-old forward was sent down to the AHL toward the end of training camp, leading him down a downward spiral. 

He admitted that not making the Rangers’ opening-night roster hurt his confidence, and insinuated it impacted his level of play to open up the 2025-26 campaign with Wolf Pack where he went without a goal for the first 14 games of the season. 

“I kind of lost a little confidence there,” Berard confessed. “The first few games, it was hard to kind of get my game back. But I think it was also good and challenged my mental toughness, too, to kind of go through a little funk like that at the start of the year. So I think it was good, and especially the last two weeks, I've felt really confident in my game.”

The Rangers have lost four consecutive games, and Mike Sullivan has directed the blame at an overall lack of juice and energy. 

That’s exactly what Berard provides. The 5-foot-9 winger plays a fast, yet physical brand of hockey. 

Berard’s presence could be the exact sort of spark the Rangers need right now as they look to overcome this recent skid.

Rangers Recall Brett Berard And Dylan Garand Amid A Slew Of Injuries The New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">Rangers</a> have recalled Brett Berard and Dylan Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.

“The role that he'll play is an energy guy that can be disruptive, get in on the forecheck, help with our team speed,” Sullivan said of Berard. “But along with that, it becomes just the importance of playing a team game and attention to detail away from the puck, in particular. 

“Those types of guys, when you put them on the ice, you want to trust that they're reliable and dependable, and they know what their job is and they execute their job. A lot of that boils down to details. That's the message to those types of players. Berard is one of those guys. He can really skate. He brings a ton of energy. He brings a little physicality to our team, so I'm sure he'll give us a spark.”

Berard practiced on a line alongside Noah Laba and Conor Sheary during Monday’s practice. He’s expected to make his season debut on Monday night against the St. Louis Blues.