Category: Sports News

The Florida Panthers have announced that they have signed forward MacKenzie Entwistle to a two-year, two-way contract.

Entwistle was with the Panthers organization this past season, where he played for their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. In seven regular-season games with the AHL squad, he posted one goal, one assist, 10 penalty minutes, and a plus-2 rating. He also appeared in eight post-season games with Charlotte, recording two goals, one assist, and 20 penalty minutes. 

We've agreed to terms with forward MacKenzie Entwistle on a two-year, two-way contract.

📝 » https://t.co/tPI1tHxsUfpic.twitter.com/eZusWImaZA

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 3, 2025

By bringing back Entwistle, the Panthers will continue to have a forward with a good amount of NHL experience in their system. In 193 career NHL games over four seasons, all with the Chicago Blackhawks, Entwistle has recorded 15 goals, 35 points, 86 penalty minutes, and 404 hits. His last appearance at the NHL level was during the 2023-24 season.

Overall, this is a low-risk depth move here by the Panthers. It will be intriguing to see what kind of season Entwistle puts together in 2025-26 from here. 

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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Veteran defenseman Nick Leddy was claimed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, ending his two-plus year tenure with the St. Louis Blues.

The 34-year-old, who was reported to be on waivers on Wednesday, has one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $4 million ($3 million in actual dollars).

It became a numbers game for Leddy after the Blues acquired Logan Mailloux in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens, and the ascension of Tyler Tucker in the lineup.

And with the acquisition of center Pius Suter, who signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract that has the cap situation all tied in with the long-term injured-reserve situation with Torey Krug, Leddy became expendable.

"It became a numbers game," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "One of the things too is the coach who selects who goes over the boards is a big Tucker fan. He's a big Tucker fan. He thought that that's an element that our team, when he's on the ice, when he's playing, we're harder to play against and I think as a group, he likes that. If he was going to take that slot in our six, it made sense to give him that opportunity.

"There's risk involved with that obviously. Nick's an experienced player, has had a very good career, will go to San Jose and do very well, but you have to create space if you want to give ice time away and that was one way to do that."

Leddy, who had a full no-trade clause in the first three years of his four-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Blues on July 13, 2022, saw it drop to a modified 16-team no-trade list starting July 1. The Blues tried working out a trade for the defenseman with teams he was willing to be moved to, but that never worked out, and the course of action was to see if they could rid themselves of a $4 million cap hit through waivers.

"Yeah, we did," Armstrong said of a trade. "Not just St. Louis, but no player is put on waivers without everyone knowing ... we have our inner circle, and you probably have a good feel of where everyone's at. I contacted the teams that were his preferred destination to go to and at the end of the day, the best course of action was waivers."

It made sense for the Sharks to take a flier on Leddy. After they signed Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract for $6.25 million AAV, and adding Leddy, it got San Jose closer to the salary cap floor.

Is Michael Misa NHL-ready? Four biggest takeaways from Sharks prospect scrimmage originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

SAN JOSE — The Sharks got a first look at their 2025 No. 2 pick at their annual Prospects Scrimmage on Thursday at Tech CU Arena.

This year’s top draft picks, Michael Misa, Josh Ravensbergen, Haoxi (Simon) Wang and Cole McKinney, were among those who made their debuts in teal.

Top prospects Sam Dickinson, Igor Chernyshov and Quentin Musty also participated.

What were my impressions of the Prospects Scrimmage?

There is a caveat, though: The scrimmage is not played at 5-on-5. It’s 4-on-4 and 3-on-3. So they’re not playing NHL-like hockey. They’re also matching almost pro-ready 21-year-old University of Denver star Eric Pohlkamp (hat trick in a 7-3 Team Teal victory over Team White) versus raw 18-year-old McKinney, who is yet to suit up for the University of Michigan.

“We’re not evaluating these players [much on the ice],” director of player development Todd Marchant said on Thursday morning. “I don’t. This is summertime. This is about education. This is about us getting familiar with the players.”

So let’s go beyond just my eye test and try to answer some of the big questions from the development camp.

Misa’s Future?

“He’s going to get every opportunity to come into training camp and rookie camp to make this team,” Marchant said Thursday morning.

While that’s not set in stone, that’s consistent with everything that general manager Mike Grier and Misa have said since last Friday’s draft.

While Misa notched just one assist at the scrimmage, he and Saginaw Spirit linemate Igor Chernyshov were consistently the most dangerous duo for either team. The 6-foot-1 center’s skating and pace popped, especially compared to his older competition.

The long-time development director also praised Misa’s remarkable hockey IQ.

“He’s right up there at the top [for all the players that I’ve ever developed],” Marchant said. “Like I said, I have not been able to figure out a way to teach somebody to make them better at that — you either have it or you don’t.”

Misa’s body, however, isn’t as NHL-ready as Macklin Celebrini’s at this time last year, so that’s an obstacle.

Misa also shared the feedback that he received from Sharks development coaches.

“One thing I take away is probably just always have my feet moving,” Misa said. “[Also] everyone’s so fast at the next level, so you always want to be scanning, kind of looking where your next play is.”

Two NHL scouts weighed in on whether Misa is ready for the best league in the world.

“NCAA. It’s just a much more natural progression. I don’t know why players wouldn’t do it,” Scout No. 1 said. “The NHL is hard and he won’t play much. Why not go to a top-flight college team, get used to a faster, more physical game, and make the jump next year?”

For what it’s worth, Misa’s older brother Luke has committed to Penn State.

That said, a couple of league sources don’t think the difference between the OHL and NCAA is that pronounced.

Another scout thinks Misa is close enough to NHL-ready to try it.

“I think you sign him [to his Entry Level Contract]. Give him camp. Preseason. Nine-game trial. No NCAA,” Scout No. 2 said. “You develop him in the NHL.”

In that scenario, Misa could return to Saginaw after his nine-game NHL trial. However, he would be ineligible for college after he signs his ELC.

For what it’s worth, the Misa decision sounds close to the Will Smith debate last year, where there were strong cases for Smith to go to either the NHL or another league.

What’s Next for Dickinson?

Last year’s No. 11 pick Dickinson is in Misa’s boat, except the NCAA isn’t an option because the reigning CHL Defenseman of the Year already signed his ELC.

Dickinson’s path to the NHL has certainly been complicated by Thursday’s acquisitions of veteran defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Nick Leddy.

At the moment, the Sharks have eight NHL-worthy blueliners on their roster: Orlov, Leddy, John Klingberg, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, Henry Thrun and Vincent Desharnais.

“If [Dickinson] shows that he’s ready for the NHL, we’ll make room for him,” Marchant insisted.

The 6-foot-4 defenseman, as expected, looked dominant during the scrimmage. But will his obvious size and skating advantages here translate to the highest level?

Barracuda Wave of Youth?

The San Jose Barracuda are going to look much different next year, with the departures of Thomas Bordeleau, AHL MVP Andrew Poturalski, captain Jimmy Schuldt and star goalie Yaroslav Askarov.

Like Bordeleau, once-prized prospect Danil Gushchin appears to be a real candidate for a fresh start, too.

Enter the size and skill of 2024 No. 33 pick Igor Chernyshov, 2023 No. 26 pick Quentin Musty and 2023 No. 36 pick Kasper Halttunen, all ticketed for the Barracuda, per Marchant.

That is, unless they make the big club.

The Sharks elected to give the Finland-based Halttunen a break from development camp, while Musty and Chernyshov, as expected, dummied players of their age here.

Their next big test will be training camp, where they’ll measure themselves against legitimate pro competition.

2025 Draft, Non-Misa Division?

While Misa hopes to make the NHL next year, fellow high picks Ravensbergen, Wang and McKinney have their sights set on still getting themselves ready for the world’s best league.

Athletic 6-foot-5 goalie Ravensbergen is set to return to the WHL’s Prince George Cougars next year.

Marchant shared who banged the table for the Sharks to pick Ravensbergen in the first round. That’s the highest that the franchise has ever picked a goalie, the previous high was No. 55 Terry Friesen in 1996.

“Our goaltending staff, Evgeni Nabokov and Ryan Miller were really high on him,” Marchant said. “They were passionate about taking him.”

Wang, predictably for someone who didn’t seriously start play hockey until he was 14, was very raw at the scrimmage. As advertised, he flashed genuinely breathtaking skating for a 6-foot-6 teenager — Marchant called it “amazing” — but his decision-making needs a lot of refining.

The defenseman will go to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals next year, then hope to jump to Boston University.

McKinney is set to go to the University of Michigan this year.

“Cole McKinney was deceptive, smooth with the puck on his stick, showed a lot of potential,” Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said about the future two-way pivot.

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Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has followed Mitch Marner's junior footsteps, winning a Memorial Cup with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, but he hasn't been in contact with the player yet since Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights after nine seasons with the Leafs.

Cowan looked to a player like Marner as a mentor, but also understands that it's a business. As one player leaves, it creates an opening.

"He meant a lot to me. You know, happy for him," Cowan said after the first day of the 2025 Maple Leafs Development Camp in Etobicoke. "Opportunities open up for other players. But yeah, super happy for him."

Marner was one of several players who sent Cowan congratulatory texts when his team won the 2025 Memorial Cup. In many ways, the return to the Junior level and winning the championship provided validation to a player who seemed ready for professional-level hockey.

Why the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free AgencyThe Toronto Maple Leafs have a Mitch Marner-sized hole in their lineup opted for a sign and trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. But when the clock struck noon for the opening of free agency, the Leafs were quiet.

Cowan took home Memorial Cup tournament MVP honours, the same trophy Marner won with the Knights in 2016. Selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Cowan has been a bit of a late bloomer, but now looks like he could be a top-six forward in the NHL one day. It may not happen this season, but as long as the Leafs don't dangle him in a trade as they look to fill the spot that Marner vacates, it will be interesting to see if the player gets in some NHL action this season.

Marner has actively engaged with Cowan, demonstrating genuine interest in his progress. Following Cowan's return to the OHL after being a final cut from the Maple Leafs' training camp last year, Marner encouraged him to "Just go and have fun. Do your thing. Be the leader that you can be and keep trying to achieve great things in London."

'Be The Leader That You Can Be': Mitch Marner Offers Message to Easton Cowan After Maple Leafs Send Forward Back to OHL's London KnightsCowan was sent back to the London Knights on Monday as the Maple Leafs finalized their opening-day roster.

Marner also emphasized the opportunity to "get better and learn more things" under the London Knights' coaching staff, specifically mentioning the Hunters. Cowan himself has noted Marner's advice to "never take anything for granted". 

But with Marner gone, the Leafs have an opening for a top-six winger. Cowan, if he excels at camp could demonstrate the ability to help fill the void. On the flipside, the Leafs, who had already traded other young prospects like Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, could use Cowan as bait for a trade. 

Either way, Cowan doesn't seem fazed.

"That's on them, that's what they do," Cowan said. "For me, it's playing hockey, and you work focusing on what I can do, and that's you know I to get better to make the NHL, and that's my mindset this summer."

Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.

(Photo credit Toronto Maple Leafs on YouTube)

Fight Breaks Out at Maple Leafs Development Camp Between Matthew Hlacar and Rhett ParsonsWe have a fight on day one of Toronto Maple Leafs development camp.

No New Contract From Maple Leafs Was ‘Tough,’ Says Pontus HolmbergPontus Holmberg spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since signing a new two-year contract worth $1.55 million per season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although he seemed happy to be getting a raise with his new NHL team, he did describe the emotions of the past few days that saw his former club not tender him a qualifying offer.

Why Toronto-Born Michael Pezzetta Signed A Two-Year Contract With Maple Leafs: 'I Couldn't Pass Up On That'Michael Pezzetta is living his childhood dream.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Pius Suter, who signed a two-year, $8.25 million ($4.125 million average annual value) on Wednesday with the St. Louis Blues, was among the targets for the organization, according to general manager Doug Armstrong.

The 29-year-old, who set career highs in goals (25) and points (46) with the Vancouver Canucks last season, comes in with the notion of plugging a hole in the middle of the lineup as a 2C/3C, penalty killer, exceptional defensive forward that created offense off his defense with a high shooting percentage due to being in the right places at the right time around the net.

"Just his versatility," Armstrong said of Suter. "He had obviously a very good offensive year, his best goal-scoring year, but we think that he can come in here and provide us depth at the center ice position. He and [Nick] Bjugstad (who signed a two-year, $3.75 million contract on Tuesday) certainly change our center ice complexion. (We) have five natural centers now with [Brayden] Schenn there and 'Sunny', so there's going to be some options and it's always easier to move a centerman over to wing than a wing to center.

"We like our depth there and we think [Suter] can play with [Dylan] Holloway and [Jordan] Kyrou if that's what the coach wants to do. He's very versatile and it's going to give us some options and the coach some options during training camp."

Options were becoming thin at the position for the Blues, with some of the top centers available as unrestricted free agents coming off the board, including Sam Bennett re-signing with the Florida Panthers and Mikael Granlund signing a three-year, $21 million ($7 million AAV) contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

But for the Blues, Suter was always there. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.

"He was on our list of centermen to discuss and then when the market hit, we really connected hard on the night of the first," Armstrong said. "We did our due diligence with him, he did with us. We had a conversation on the second with the coach and the player (and) myself, talked about the city, talked about his role and he felt very comfortable. I think it's a great opportunity for him. He's still young, it's a two-year deal. If we wanted to start the season with [Torey] Krug on our roster and not go into summer LTI, there was only an X-amount of dollars that we had and we can accomplish that now. With a caveat, it only takes one phone call, but I would say our roster is pretty well set now."

Pius Suter, signed 2x$4M by STL, is an intelligent shut-down scoring centre who transcends his lack of size and especially speed to prevent chances against. Creates a lot of goals and scoring chances by getting to the slot and finding space. #STLBluespic.twitter.com/MNJpPix0AH

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 2, 2025

Some may ask why would Suter, who has 162 points (82 goals, 80 assists) in 364 NHL games with the Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, take a short-term deal? It's simple:

"I think that was the conversation with the coach, it’s the ability to bank another solid season," Armstrong said. "When he’s (a) free (agent again), I think the cap’s going to be $113 million and I think he’s still going to be relatively young (31). It’s an investment in his future; he’s making an investment on himself to come in here and play an important role. And then whether it’s next summer or some point in the future, we’re going to be able to talk to him about a long-term deal and the more layers you have of success, the more likely you are to get paid and I think we provide the opportunity for him to maximize his earning potential and I think he sees that. Now our job is to provide that for him and his job is to take advantage of it."

Suter's camp, including himself, saw no benefit in taking a four- or five-year deal or longer.

"I think they were as comfortable, at the dollar value that we could offer, it didn’t make an economic sense for him to go long-term with the cap going up and what we think is his ability to improve," Armstrong said. 'Centermen, as you see, that market is thin. Whatever the market is on next year’s free agents, I guarantee they won’t all be there.

"We’re happy to get our center ice in position and I think it’s going to be great for a player like [Dalibor] Dvorsky. He can come in now as if he’s having trouble in the middle of the ice, he can start on our team as a wing; we don’t have to force-feed him into an area and then over time, he’ll take over one of those jobs. There’s going to be great competition. He certainly has the opportunity to come in and make our team.

"When I say our team is set, you look at our roster now, the number of players that we have are 23 players, but what’s sort of lost on it is if [Otto] Stenberg or [Jakub] Stancl or [Juraj] Pekarcik or [Zach] Dean or Dvorsky I’ve talked about come in, it’s actually a savings for us. If we put them on our team and send someone down to the minors because we earn $1.1 million in relief. The owner likes having those guys in the minors, that’s one thing, but from a team perspective, there’s going to be great competition. What we don’t have to do is rush those players. When I look at this from 30,000 feet, this is the year of the young defenseman, young meaning not experienced defenseman. On the Blues right now, you have [Tyler] Tucker is going to get an opportunity to be a full-time player, [Logan] Mailloux’s going to get an opportunity to be a full-time player, [Matthew] Kessel’s in that group, [Philip] Broberg just turned 24. And you look at that forward group, they’re probably a year away when you have all those guys. You have Stenberg, Stancl, Pekarcik, Dvorsky really all 20 turning pro. We’re going to let them have the opportunity to get their foundation and footing under them. Now if they come in and take a job, great. But I would say next year at this time, there’s going to be a great opportunity to input a lot of young forwards. I do believe that getting that foundation is so important for the player in the organization than force-feeding him into an area where maybe they can’t have success. I think we’ve protected ourselves from having to do that while allowing them the right to come in and take a job."

We have a fight on day one of Toronto Maple Leafs development camp.

Maple Leafs 2025 seventh-round pick Matthew Hlacar and Toronto Marlies signed Rhett Parsons dropped the gloves three-quarters of the way through the first day of Toronto's development camp. Each of the players got in a few punches before they had to be separated by other camp invitees.

"Just compete," Parsons said of why the two dropped the gloves. "Just going into a battle drill, that's what I pride my game after. I know we're all teammates off the ice and love the guy, love every teammate here, but when you're in a battle drill, just stuff like that happens. But total respect to him, no hard feelings off the ice."

Parsons, a defenseman with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones last season, gave a few cross-checks to the back of Hlacar before both players dropped the gloves. "I kind of like to get under guys' skin, but no hard feelings, and like I said, these are all my teammates, I'm not trying to hurt anyone out there," added Parsons.

"It was just two guys going hard," said Hlacar after the first session of Toronto's development camp. "Tempers flare, and it happens. But it's all good. I talked to him after and we're fine. It is what it is."

Why Toronto-Born Michael Pezzetta Signed A Two-Year Contract With Maple Leafs: 'I Couldn't Pass Up On That'Michael Pezzetta is living his childhood dream.

Hlacar was Toronto's seventh-round selection (217th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft. He spent last season with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, scoring seven goals and one assist in 43 games. The 19-year-old calls himself someone who plays hard and tries to do his own thing, adding, "I don't really try to be an enforcer, tough. I just kind of play hockey, play hard, and whatever happens, happens."

Born an hour outside of Toronto in Binbrook, Ontario, Hlacar grew up a Maple Leafs fan. His favorite player when he was younger? Phil Kessel. After being drafted by Toronto, Hlacar said he received a few text messages from current players, like John Tavares and Auston Matthews.

"I was just like, wow, this is for real now," he chuckled when asked what it was like when he saw those messages pop up.

No New Contract From Maple Leafs Was ‘Tough,’ Says Pontus HolmbergPontus Holmberg spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since signing a new two-year contract worth $1.55 million per season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although he seemed happy to be getting a raise with his new NHL team, he did describe the emotions of the past few days that saw his former club not tender him a qualifying offer.

Toronto's development runs from Thursday to Saturday, with a total of 48 players participating in the three-day-long event. The prospects have already spent several days in Toronto doing off-ice activities and are now beginning the on-ice portion of the camp.

From Claude Giroux to J.G. Pageau, or from Marc Methot to Mark Borowiecki, Ottawa Senators fans have always had a soft spot for the hometown players who go to battle for their local NHL team.

After a brilliant career with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, Embrun’s Jackson Parsons still has a long way to go, but the 2025 CHL Goaltender of the Year is now officially part of his hometown team. Parsons has signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Senators, and was all smiles on Wednesday at day one of development camp.

"It's unbelievable," Parsons said on the club's website. "Obviously, I played a lot of minor hockey here, so it's bringing back old memories. It's the coolest feeling in the world, putting this jersey on.

"Obviously, I grew up a Sens fan. All my buddies were Sens fans. So it's unbelievable."

Parsons went undrafted last weekend, despite going 37-12-3 with a 2.24 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage, and being named the CHL and OHL Goaltender of the Year.

Parsons played his local AAA hockey with the Eastern Ontario Wild, CIHA Voyageurs, and the Cornwall Colts. He even played a few games with the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Char-Lan Rebels. Parsons now joins Kitchener teammates Matt Andonovski and Luke Ellinas as young players trying to make a splash in the Sens' prospect pool.

If everything goes according to plan, his next step will be the American Hockey League, trying to win the opening alongside the B-Sens' probable number one, Mads Sogaard.

“I had a pretty good end to my junior career in Kitchener,” Parsons said. “Obviously, we couldn't get it done against London. But I mean, moving on to here, obviously, the goal is to play pro hockey and play at a high level. So obviously, I'm looking to make a name for myself in the AHL and go from there.”

Parsons says as far as the development camp goes this week, he’s just trying to soak everything in with a new organization, learning some of their key terms and putting them to work.

Finally, when asked about his favourite all-time Senators memory growing up, he didn’t hesitate, picking his answer out of the air like a one-timer from the high slot.

“Oh, probably, like, The Hamburglar. I was like 10 years old when that stuff was happening and it was like, this is crazy. Like, this is so cool. Like, I wanna be there. So, it's sweet.”

It's often said that for hockey fans, the golden age of hockey is whoever you were watching when you were 10 years old. For Parsons, his golden age may have kick-started a future NHL career.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image credit: Ottawa Senators website

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When Ryan Roobroeck went second overall to Niagara in the 2023 OHL draft, the IceDogs were in a bad spot.

New owner Darren DeDobbelaer, who named himself GM, was suspended from those duties for violating rules surrounding an investigation that led to the OHL kicking Niagara players Landon Cato and Joshua Rosenzweig out of the league under its bullying-and-harassment guidelines. The team was about to hire its third coach in as many years, and now, they’re on their fifth coach in five seasons.

So, in a league where you don’t have to sign with the team that drafts you – trades are common, and the USHL is always an option – Roobroeck could’ve balked. Instead, he saw brighter skies ahead in Niagara.

“I had my interview with them, and there was nothing but great things they were talking about,” he said. “Everything was going in the right direction, so I put my faith in them, and I knew what they could do to send me in the right direction for my career, so I decided to commit.”

The hope around the ‘O’ is Niagara finally stabilizes, but at the least, the IceDogs have a solid young core with a lot of potential – and their big left winger is part of the solution.

Roobroeck, 17, finished as one of Niagara’s top scorers in his rookie year, and thanks to a breakout sophomore season for both him and the IceDogs, he’s looking like a great option after Medicine Hat phenom Gavin McKenna in the 2026 NHL draft.

Roobroeck saw his first OHL playoff action this spring, and while it was only for one round, the timing allowed him to join Team Canada at the U-18 worlds afterward. He ran wild, with nine points in seven games for the gold-medal winners.

“It’s been cool, meeting new guys from different leagues and seeing how they do things,” he said. “And representing your country is special. It’s something very important to me.”

Former NHLer Cory Stillman coached Team Canada at the event, and he was familiar with Roobroeck since Stillman is also the bench boss in OHL Guelph. So he knew how hard it was to handle the kid on the ice.

“He’s a big body (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) who has a tremendous shot, and can make plays down low,” Stillman said. “He made a big jump this year, and he’ll make a bigger jump next year. For anybody like that, you have to be willing to compete against him and take away time and space. For a defenseman, you have to have a good gap because he doesn’t need much time to release his shot, and when he does, it’s a goal-scorer’s shot.”

The Calgary Flames And The League Among The Winners And Losers From The 2025 NHL DraftIt almost feels impossible to designate winners and losers on the day that the NHL draft goes down. The whole point of the NHL draft is to build for the future, and with the inexact science that is the NHL draft, no one really knows who won and lost the day the picks are made. 

Though he was one of the younger players on the team, Roobroeck bought into the Canadian system, something that’s been key to success for the nation at all levels in recent years.

“He’s a great kid,” Stillman said. “When you get to Hockey Canada, roles change. All these kids normally play power play and maybe on the half-wall. Ryan ended up being a net-front guy and sometimes bumper. His attitude there was great. He was willing to do whatever we needed him to do to win.”

That spirit can partially be explained by the fact the IceDogs winger grew up with older brother Dylan Roobroeck, a New York Rangers draftee who just finished his first AHL season in Hartford after playing in the OHL himself. Dylan is 6-foot-7, but Ryan never asked him to go easy when they played together as kids.

“I have nothing but great things to say about him,” Ryan said. “Growing up, I have memories I’ll never forget, and it’s helped me get to where I am right now. Leaning on him, seeing him go through the OHL and being in the ‘A’ right now, it’s huge just having him to talk to, where I can ask him anything. Having him one call away is so important.”

Funny enough, when it comes to NHL mentors, Roobroeck has always loved watching someone known for being one of the best smaller superstars in recent generations.

“Someone I enjoyed watching, and still do, is Patrick Kane,” he said. “Just the way he slows the game down. The vision he has to make everyone on the ice around him better is sick.”

The Next Crop Of Stars: Projected Top 10 NHL Draft Picks For 2026LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)

When the 2025-26 season starts in Niagara, a lot of eyes will be on Roobroeck, and he plans to continue developing all parts of his game.

“There’s no place you’re too good at,” he said. “You have to keep steadily working on everything.”

It hasn’t been ideal in Niagara, but with Roobroeck’s ability to thrive through adversity, it’s not hard to see him being a problem for everyone else in the OHL next season.

This article appeared in our 2025 Draft Preview issue. Our cover story focuses on the Erie Otters' star defenseman and top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer, who has excelled despite the personal losses of his past. We also include features on other top prospects, including Michael Misa and more. In addition, we give our list of the top 100 prospects for the 2025 NHL draft.

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The Rangers continue to reshape their roster, signing defenseman Derrick Pouliot to a two-year contract.

Pouliot, 31, has played 226 games at the NHL level, including 67 games with Pittsburgh to start his career, followed by a two-year run in Vancouver in which he played in 133 games.

The veteran has also made stops in St. Louis, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Jose, and most recently with Dallas, though he spent the 2024-25 season playing with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, scoring seven goals with 46 assists in 70 games.

Overall, Pouliot has tallied eight goals and 46 assists with 91 penalty minutes over parts of nine seasons.