Givani Smith's hard work paid off as he's turned a professional tryout into an NHL contract.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Friday that they have agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with Smith that will pay him $775,000 at the NHL level and $140,000 at the AHL level, with a guarantee of $250,000.

“Givani came to camp as a PTO and proved that he deserved a role in the organization,” said Carolina GM Eric Tulsky in a press release. “His size and physicality make him a good fit to add depth to our forward group.”

Smith had a strong preseason, appearing in four games and scoring two goals, three points while also being a strong physical presence with 17 hits and two fights.

"In the four games he's played, he's done a pretty good job," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour before the signing. "So no reason to not keep him around and give him another look."

Smith brings another look to a Hurricanes lineup that has missed that physical presence and even if he doesn't played too much, having that depth option is still valuable for the Canes.

The 27-year-old Toronto native has appeared in 168 NHL games across four organizations. He has nine goals and 22 points in that span along with 268 penalty minutes.

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The Wraparound is here to preview the NHL's Metropolitan Division teams ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Previewing The NHL's Metropolitan Division In 2025-26 by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Jonathan Bailey discussed in this episode:

0:00: With Luke Hughes extended, is the New Jersey Devils’ defensive core good enough to contend?

5:28: Can Zach Werenski carry the Columbus Blue Jackets to the playoffs?

9:10: Did the Carolina Hurricanes make too many changes in the off-season?

13:11: Can Mike Sullivan unlock a new level of offense for the New York Rangers?

17:43: Will Mathieu Darche push the New York Islanders towards the playoffs or sell off the team’s core pieces?

21:47: Which stars will be left on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster by the end of the season?

25:40: Will the Washington Capitals prove that last season’s success wasn’t just a one-off?

29:04: Will Rick Tocchet rely on the Philadelphia Flyers youngsters to play big roles this season?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes. Watch the Big Show for previews in the other divisions as well.

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Amazon

With the Regular season less than a week away, some Kings players are fighting for a roster spot during the preseason. 

So far, the Kings have played 6 preseason games, and they have a record of 4-2, which is the second-best in the Pacific Division. While many may think that the preseason is for players to shake off the rust and get ready for the regular season, for some, that is true. However, for others, it is a chance to prove why they belong on the Kings' roster. Here are some players who are performing well and some who are underperforming, as well as a recap of the Kings' preseason news. 

 Jeff Malott

The young forward played in 12 games with the Kings last season, registering 1 point. However, Malott has been electric for the Kings so far this preseason, scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists for 5 points in 4 games. According to PuckPedia, Malott is on the 4th line alongside Turcotte and Armia. Malott has proven himself to be a player who can provide depth value with the Kings. With his stellar play in the preseason, he is only making himself look better and better with each game. 

Liam Greentree

After being drafted by the Kings 26th overall in the 2024 NHL draft, many fans thought Greentree could crack the opening roster, and his preseason play helped make a case for why he should. In the four preseason games Greentree played, he registered four assists for four points. While many wanted to see Greentree play in a Kings jersey, he was sent back down to the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. The Kings' decision to send Greentree back down was the smart move, as the Kings' organization did not want to rush his development.  

Preseason News

While there were not many players who were disappointing during this preseason, the Kings have had moments that have set them back heading into the regular season. The first is the Corey Perry injury which has him sidelined 6-8 weeks. Perry is a new siging from this past offseason and the Kings will be without him for the first month of the season. The Kings alos lost Phoenix Copley to waivers after they decided to use the goaltending tandem of Darcy Kempur and Anton Forsberg. Lastly, another top prospect for the Kings , Henry Brzustewicz , was sent back to the London Knights, drafted 31st overall in the 2025 draft. Kings fans are excited to see what the young defenseman can do. But simular to Liam Greentree the Kings elected that it would be better for Brzustewiczs development if he were to return to the London Knights. 

The preseason has been busy for the Kings, but the moves they have made have benefited both the 2025-26 season and their future with their top prospects. 

Former St. Louis Blues star winger T.J. Oshie has joined ESPN as an NHL studio and game analyst for the 2025-26 season.

Oshie announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 seasons spent with the Blues and the Washington Capitals. 

The 38-year-old was drafted 24th overall by the Blues in the 2005 NHL draft. He went on to play 443 games with the Blues, scoring 110 goals and 210 points. Oshie recorded a career-high in points with 60, just a year before he was traded to the Capitals.

The deal shocked hockey fans and Oshie as well, who had stated previously that he was taken aback by the deal. The deal saw Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley, and 2016 third-round pick come to St. Louis in exchange for Oshie. 

Oshie went on to enjoy his time in Washington, winning a Stanley Cup in 2018, recording 192 goals and 385 points, while setting a career high in goals of 33 in the 2016-17 season.

The later part of his career, mainly post-2021, was ravaged by injuries, so much so that he didn't play a game in the 2024-25 season.

Now, post-career, Oshie will be taking his talents onto the screen, working as an analyst. The news to join ESPN comes after Oshie also signed on as a contributor to local Capitals broadcasts with Monumental Sports Network this season. 

“I’m hoping I get into some broadcasts,” Oshie said in September. “I will be doing things with the Caps on a part-time basis. I want to be linked with them for as long as I possibly can, because I love the organization so much, them and Monumental.”

My dad fell asleep to @SportsCenter almost every night of my childhood. He would have loved this! Can’t wait to get started at @espnhttps://t.co/F8vOnD2S9l

— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) October 2, 2025

Oshie had his chance to make an impression on ESPN during the Western Conference Finals last year and clearly impressed, earning a consistent role with the network.

It usually makes sense for developing elite young hockey players to develop in the AHL instead of starting in small roles at the NHL level.

In fact, there’s a reason most NHLers need time in the ‘A’. When you’re still finding out who you are as a professional athlete, many times it’s safer to grow into major-league responsibilities than have them foisted upon you right out of the gate.

But for every rule, there are exceptions to the rule.

Enter Easton Cowan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who has two assists, seven shots and a plus-4 rating in four  pre-season games.

In the case of the 20-year-old right winger, we think it makes more sense for the Maple Leafs to deploy Cowan on the fourth line than it does to stash him away with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Now, you can definitely make the case that an AHL stint would best-serve the interests of Cowan and the Leafs organization, as Michael Augello explored last week. It’s also true that the Maple Leafs have precious-few Grade-A prospects, so it matters that they don’t screw it up and fail to develop Cowan into a long-term piece of their puzzle.

But here’s why we think Cowan should be fast-tracked into an NHL job: we’d rather have him around NHL-caliber talent day-in and day-out, rather than him facing sub-NHL players as a member of the Marlies.

We already know what that picture looks like after Cowan’s dominance at the major junior level. He's not the next great Leafs icon, but practicing and playing with Maple Leafs players on a daily basis does have its own benefits. In Cowan’s case, we can see how someone with his vision and creativity could more quickly adapt to the NHL game even if he’s only on the fourth line.

'I Played Some Of My Best Hockey': Has Easton Cowan Done Enough To Make The Maple Leafs Out Of Training Camp?If this was the final game of Easton Cowan's

Putting Cowan on the fourth line would also open up Leafs winger Nick Robertson to be traded. And if Cowan is getting reps on the fourth line rather than Robertson, it’s beyond clear that it’s time for Robertson to be traded. 

Now, you can say the Maple Leafs already have far too many experienced NHL forwards – Robertson, David Kampf, Michael Pezzetta, and Calle Jarnkrok – as well as Cowan for only two job openings. Only Cowan is waiver-exempt out of that group.

That said, the Leafs placed Kampf on waivers on Friday, even while Scott Laughton is injured, and there are clearly enough players to go to if someone gets claimed.

Leafs coach Craig Berube has praised Cowan’s growth in camp this year. You want to reward that, and you don’t do that by sending him to the ‘A’. Cowan is a different kind of player who deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Besides, if Cowan doesn’t play well as a fourth-liner to start the season, you can always demote him a few weeks from now. But he’s had a good camp, and he’s a better player than anyone else they’ve got in that part of the depth chart. By keeping him around, you may infuse him with confidence he uses to further climb the NHL depth chart and maybe even see time on the Leafs’ second power-play unit.

Maple Leafs' Best Interest Is To Let Easton Cowan Develop In AHLAs of Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs have not made a significant roster cut to get closer to the 23-man roster limit. They'll need to trim the roster down before their regular-season opener on Oct. 8 against the

There’s still got to be a meritocracy when it comes to Toronto’s job opportunities, but if Cowan had looked out of place in training camp, he already would’ve been sent to the Marlies. The fact he’s still in camp at this advanced stage of camp tells you a lot about where Cowan sits in the Maple Leafs’ pecking order.

Thus, Cowan should finish up camp this year as a member of the Leafs instead of the Marlies. He’s done all that’s been asked of him so far in his brief pro playing days. And from here, the rest is up to him.

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With perpetuated struggles on defense, the Philadelphia Flyers must keep an open mind towards their options, internally and externally, at the position.

On Friday, the Boston Bruins placed former No. 11 overall pick Victor Soderstrom, a right-hand shot, on waivers, making him available to the Flyers if the team deems him worthy.

At this point, the Flyers may as well be open to anything and everything.

Head coach Rick Tocchet subtly but bluntly called out the struggling Egor Zamula after Thursday night's 4-3 preseason loss to the New York Islanders, whereas Adam Ginning did nothing to cede his spot as the de facto No. 5 defenseman.

Other options, like veterans Noah Juulsen and Dennis Gilbert, have been less than stellar in their preseason action. Gilbert has a team-worst 20.69% Corsi percentage (out-shot 23-6 at 5-on-5) in two games this preseason, according to Natural Stat Trick.

As for Zamula, he's just barely ahead of Gilbert, getting out-shot 42-18 (30%) at 5-on-5 and out-chanced 14-8.

Soderstrom, 24, is a 6-foot puck-mover returning to North America after spending a year with Brynäs IF of the SHL, with whom he scored nine goals, 28 assists, and 37 points in 49 games last season.

Flyers Working to Turn Nikita Grebenkin Into 'A Force'While it's still early, the

The Swede has 170 games of AHL experience and 53 games of NHL experience, and he's still fairly young relative to his playing experience.

Additionally, Soderstrom did make his NHL debut for Tocchet and Flyers assistant coach Jay Varady when the trio were with the Arizona Coyotes in the 2020-21 season; Soderstrom scored one goal and one assist in four games.

In three games of preseason action with the Bruins, Soderstrom has been narrowly out-shot 51-48 at 5-on-5 and out-chanced 31-18, though he hasn't necessarily been equipped to succeed with the lumbering Nikita Zadorov and a likely career AHLer in Michael Callahan as his defense partners.

With the Flyers, Soderstrom could benefit from a more mobile and equally experienced Nick Seeler, who is accustomed to playing as Jamie Drysdale's safety valve, or a confident and surging Adam Ginning, who has seemingly found a new lease on life at the NHL level with a strong training camp thus far.

The 2019 No. 11 overall pick would also give the Flyers some semblance of offense from that third defense pair, which would have otherwise been comprised entirely of bruisers and stay-at-home defenders.

Soderstrom is at his best with the puck on his stick and when he's moving his feet, which, in theory, should also work well in Tocchet's passive-aggressive Box +1 defensive system. He should be hounding down pucks and them making plays with them after.

And, if it doesn't work out, no harm, no foul. Rasmus Ristolainen should return for the Flyers by some point in November, but until then, Philadelphia needs to exhaust all options necessary to keep themselves afloat.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- By Monday at 5 PM ET, the New York Islanders and the 31 NHL teams must submit their salary-cap-compliant rosters to the league office. 

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who is already on Injured Reserve (IR) as he works his way back from knee surgery, will remain there, which creates the roster spot for backup goaltender David Rittich. 

Forward Pierre Engvall, who had offseason hip surgery, will likely land on IR as well, which creates a roster spot for an extra forward. As of now, it appears that Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb are the two extra forwards. 

You may be asking, "Why don't the Islanders just put Engvall and his $3 million and Varlamov and his $2.75 million on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) to allow them to go over the salary cap by $5.75 million?

The Islanders are currently cap compliant, so unless they planned on adding a player via trade or waivers, there's no need to go the LTIR route, especially because that would eliminate their ability to accrue deadline cap space. 

Cap accrual is what allows teams to have a greater cap space at the NHL Trade Deadline than they had at the start of the season. 

Understanding Salary Cap Accrual & Islanders Financial SituationSalary cap accrual has become such a huge part of the NHL, and its benefits are massive, especially around the trade deadline. It's not something that is talked about too much, so let's dive in.

When it comes to the Islanders’ final roster trim, forward Calum Ritchie and defenseman Isaiah George seemed like the two players who would not make the team. 

Ritchie’s injury -- he's out 1-2 weeks with a lower-body injury -- now impacts his ability to head to Bridgeport.

And if you look at the Islanders’ roster, you’ll see three other players who can’t go to the AHL just yet due to injuries.

Per the CBA, teams can’t send down or waive players who are injured unless they’re going on a conditioning stint. Even then, if a player requires waivers, they must be waived to remain in the AHL.

That brings us to defenseman Ethan Bear and forwards Jesse Nurmi and Daylan Kuefler, who are still on the Islanders’ roster. Do they count against the roster and cap hit?

Great question.

The answer is no, and that’s because of something called Season-Opening Injured Reserve (SOIR).

SOIR is a roster tool that helps teams deal with training camp injuries to players who weren’t going to make the NHL roster. It allows players like these three — and potentially Ritchie — to remain on the NHL roster without taking up roster spots or counting against the salary cap.

The biggest difference between SOIR and LTIR, outside of the timetable, is this: there’s no minimum time a player must spend on SOIR, whereas LTIR requires a player to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Functionally, SOIR prorates players based on the number of days spent on the roster last season (which also affects their salary). , while LTIR increases the cap ceiling.

There are eligibility rules, of course. A player can only go on SOIR if they didn’t play 50 NHL games the prior season and are on a two-way contract.

Neither Bear, Nurmi, nor Kuefler saw NHL action in 2024–25, and all three are on two-way deals. Bear signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 ($325,000 AHL). Nurmi and Kuefler are both signed to entry-level contracts, which are automatically two-way.

The Islanders could also place Ritchie on SOIR to open the season, since he’s on an ELC.

In Ritchie's case, he will have a cap hit if he's on SOIR. He spent 16 days on the roster last season with Colorado; his cap hit will be prorated accordingly.

Now, unlike Ritchie, Nurmi, and Kuefler, Bear is not waiver exempt. That means whenever he’s activated from SOIR, he’ll need waivers to head to Bridgeport.

To summarize: the Islanders will likely open the season with a 23-man roster consisting of 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders. Varlamov and Engvall will start on IR, while Ritchie, Nurmi, Kuefler, and Bear will be on SOIR. That would leave the Islanders with $532,472 in available cap space, while still being eligible to accrue more.