The Florida Panthers played their third preseason game of the week on Wednesday night in North Carolina.

Florida faced the Carolina Hurricanes, who they’ve defeated in two of the past three the Eastern Conference Finals.

Much like their previous trip to Nashville on Sunday, the Panthers did not bring any expected NHL regulars on the trip – other than expected backup goalie Daniil Tarasov – instead allowing their younger prospects and players fighting for roster spots to have another opportunity to show what they could do.

Carolina, meanwhile, dressed plenty of their NHL guys, including Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Nikolaj Ehlers, Seth Jarvis, Frederik Andersen and Shayne Gostisbehere.

Tarasov looked good in his first appearance in a Panthers sweater, playing the entire 60 minutes and stopping an eye-popping 47 shots, backstopping Florida to a stunning 4-2 win.

The only goals to get by him were on a great deflection by Carolina’ Ryan Suzuki and off a quick turnover that led to a slot one-timer off the stick of Jesperi Kotkaniemi, both coming during the opening frame.

Considering the Panthers were outshot 19-2 during the first period, a 2-0 deficit didn’t seem that terrible.

Things didn’t get much better in terms of shot volume during the second period, but Tarasov stopped all 16 shots sent his way to keep Florida down by only two heading into the third.

Defenseman Ben Harpur, who got into a fight earlier in the game, got the Panthers on the board with a sneaky wrist shot from the right-side boards that got past the blocker of Amir Miftakhov just under four minutes into the final frame.

It wasn’t until late in the third when the preseason version of the Comeback Cats roared to life.

First it was Gregor scoring a gift of a goal after Miftakhov gave the puck away behind the net to Gracyn Sawchyn, who quickly fed Gregor in front of a wide-open net.

Just 1:16 later, Mike Benning fired a shot that went off the stick of Miftakhov, rolled up his arm and went just over the goal line to five the Panthers a stunning 3-2 lead.

Jack Studnicka added an empty-net goal to seal the victory for Florida.

Carolina outshot the Cats 49-16 in the game, but Florida played an excellent third period to shock the Hurricanes and head back home with a win.

The Panthers ended up going 4-for-4 on the penalty kill, including a lengthy 5-on-3 during the first period. Tarasov stopped all eight of the power play shots sent his way by Carolina.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Programming plan announced for Florida Panthers game broadcasts on Scripps Sports

Panthers Dressing AHL-Looking Lineup Against Hurricanes

New Depth Panthers Players Hoping To Help Continue Success

Plan for NHL regulars comes into focus as Panthers camp, preseason slate continues

Paul Maurice Willing To Give Mackie Samoskevich Top Six Role To Keep Panthers' Third Line Intact

Photo caption: Sep 24, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson (50) tries to get to the puck against Florida Panthers defenseman Mike Benning (20) and defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (22) during the first period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Jets former first round pick puts on impressive performance in preseason loss to the Oilers Tuesday

It might be safe to say that Colby Barlow is ready to make the jump to pro hockey. 

While the Winnipeg Jets were downed for their second straight preseason loss Tuesday after falling 3-2 to the Edmonton Oilers. The team's 2023 first round pick had a standout performance with a goal, a +2 rating and five shots on net. Barlow was noticeable all over the ice as he made more than a handful impact plays. 

His line with high-end prospects Parker Ford and Brad Lambert made their presence felt as they were involved on the Jets first goal of the game. Barlow jumped up in the play after anticipating that Lambert would be able to free the puck off the boards from a Oilers defender. He speeds up to scoop the puck and dishes the puck to Ford who tries to work it back but the pass is knocked away. 

Jets Drop Second Pre-season Game 3-2 to Oilers in Toews' DebutThe Jonathan Toews era in Winnipeg has officially begun. 

The quick thinking by Barlow led to a lengthy possession in the Oilers end that was capped off by a Colin Miller goal from the point. Before the shot was fired, Barlow quickly moved to the front of the net as the puck was working its way to the point. He got in position for a screen or for an opportunity to tip the puck in and the play resulted in a goal. 

Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XFirst (preseason) game ✅ First (preseason) goal 🚨

Barlow showcased his hockey IQ throughout the game like when intercepting a centering pass in the Oilers end and creating a high-danger chance but was turned away by Calvin Pickard in net.

He also showcased his talents on both ends of the ice as during a backcheck into the Jets end, Barlow caught up to a pinching Oilers defender coming into the zone looking to get a shot off in the high zone. He stick-checked the defender and quickly turned away the scoring chance before chipping the puck out to Lambert and creating a fast break the opposite way. 

Jonathan Toews: "I'm Just Excited to Play Hockey Again"For Jonathan Toews, Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre was a long time coming.

Barlow's best play of the night was late in the third period, when the Jets found themselves down 3-1 after giving up a power play goal followed by a defensive collapse leading to the Oilers third goal. Barlow was out in the final minutes and made another solid play.

He again saw the puck working its way back to the point and made sure he secured a prominent position in the netfront. Barlow was able to screen the goalie and even get a stick on a point shot from Ville Heinola for a re-direction that got past backup goaltender Matt Tomkins to cut the Oilers lead to one. 

TSN (@TSN_Sports) on XColby Barlow gets his goal off the deflection after his first was given to Miller! 😅

Although they lost the game, it was a very positive showing from Barlow as he said post-game that his changes to his body were noticeable as he was able to get in the play easier and felt faster. 

"I think it's just moving my feet, getting in on the forecheck, backchecking, I think that gets you into the game pretty quick and, gets you involved all over the ice," Barlow explained "Definitely felt faster out there, light on my feet, more agile, was able to carry the puck, back check, get into place. So I think that's a big thing for me that helped me." 

Barlow is expected to not make the Jets main roster and will be optioned to the Manitoba Moose for the upcoming season. In his first three AHL games last season, he averaged a point-per-game with a goal and two assists.

Jets Make Six Roster Cuts, Send Kevin He Back to JuniorThe Winnipeg Jets announced six roster transactions on Monday afternoon. 

The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Subscribe now to view the full THN Archives here

Also, go to thn.com/free to subscribe.

The Evolution Of Dominance - Apr. 1 2019 - Vol. 72 Issue 13 - Matt Larkin

REMINISCING ABOUT DARRYL SUTTER’S Los Angeles Kings feels like admiring primitive cave drawings these days. They won Stanley Cups as recently as 2012 and 2014, but hockey has changed so much that those teams look like Dead Puck Era throwbacks.

Sutter’s Kings were dominant possession teams, outstanding defensively and, most memorably, they were huge. The average NHLer in 2011-12 was 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds. The Cup-winning Kings: 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. The average NHLer in 2013-14 was 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds. The Cup-winning Kings: 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds. They outweighed their typical opponent by an average of nine pounds per guy in 2014. They wore the competition down with a heavy game.

Shrinking NHL Pre-Season Could Present Opportunity For AHLThe NHL's recent CBA changes could lead to a longer AHL pre-season, following the NHL cutting down on exhibition games. 

We know what happened next, of course. The 2015 Chicago Blackhawks won with one of the smallest teams in the league, and coach Mike Sullivan’s need-for-speed Pittsburgh Penguins captured consecutive Cups in 2016 and 2017 with a workmanlike defense corps that fired stretch passes to a brigade of fleet-footed, undersized forwards. The 2015 Hawks and 2016 Penguins were about six-foot on average with a mean weight below 200 pounds. Both teams were shorter and lighter than the league average. Being a copycat league, the NHL thus ushered in an era of rewarding speed and skill. The Kings’ style suddenly became fossilized. They missed the playoffs this spring for the third time in the past five years.

So would the NHL belong to the Little Guy for years to come, then? Hold on. To assume things would stay exactly the same would mean forgetting how Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection works. A quick refresher: organisms pass on traits to their offspring, certain traits suit them better for survival, and individuals whose traits suit them well to survival will pass on the most offspring to the next generation.

Exclusive: Jets Goalie Prospect Domenic DiVincentiis Eyes NHL Debut in 2025Winnipeg Jets prospect Domenic DiVincentiis talks season goals with AHL All-Star Game, Calder Cup and NHL Debut in new exclusive interview with The Hockey News. 

Giraffes are tall because the generations of shorter giraffes died out from failure to reach food in high places. For a while, big hockey teams bred other big hockey teams because the game was tailored to reward a heavy style. The Kings’ approach has died out because the game rewards speed and skill more than ever. Starting in 2017-18, stricter enforcement of slashing rules really opened up space for smaller, faster players. The likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point and Alex DeBrincat could fill the net like they never could’ve even five years ago. They were naturally selected to thrive in the new NHL ecosystem.

Eventually, however, a generational mutation would come along favoring a new set of traits built to thrive. That brings us to the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals. They oozed skill and speed, no doubt. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson and T.J. Oshie were high-talent, high-motor offensive weapons, all first-round picks. The Caps had the razzle-dazzle to compete with, and defeat, the skill-oriented Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning plus a Vegas Golden Knights team that prioritized a rapid, hornet’s-nest approach to forechecking and back pressure.

The Caps, though, also had Tom Wilson. And Lars Eller. And Devante Smith-Pelly. And Brooks Orpik. And Jay Beagle. In an NHL growing noticeably smaller and lighter, this Capitals team averaged 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, making it the biggest championship squad since the 2014 Kings. The Caps had the size to play a Sutter-like bruising style when necessary and the skill to run and gun. Wilson epitomizes Washington’s dual-threat identity. He’s a 6-foot-4, 220-pound monster who bludgeons opponents with his hits and fists yet also keeps up with Ovechkin and Kuznetsov in a first-line role, stride for stride.

Winnipeg's Newest Top Prospect Eying Redemption After Devastating NCAA FinalsWinnipeg's 2025 first round pick Sascha Boumedienne eyes another shot at a national title following loss in last season's final. 

Behold, the next phase of hockey’s evolution. It’s established that small and fast beats big and slow in today’s NHL. But it stands to reason a biological mutation to big and fast beats small and fast. The laws of natural selection suggest any team that manages to blend both traits should win the fight to survive.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been hockey’s most dominant, talented club this season. They also entered 2018-19 as the NHL’s 28th-heaviest and 23rd-tallest team. Our Stanley Cup pick, the Winnipeg Jets, entered the season as the league’s tallest and seventh-heaviest squad – while still boasting almost as many elite-skill players as the Lightning. Washington’s evolutionary traits made it a champion last year – and could birth a new Cup-winning offspring in Winnipeg this June.

While speaking to reporters, including the Denver Gazette's Evan Rawal, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar shared that former New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is making progress with injury recovery but might not be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season. 

If Blackwood ends up not being good to go at the start of the campaign, it would be tough news for the Avalanche. This is because Blackwood is their clear starting goalie and a big part of their roster because of it. 

After being acquired by the Avalanche from the San Jose Sharks, Blackwood immediately made a big impact. In 37 games with the Avalanche following the move, the former Devil posted a 22-12-3 record, a 2.33 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage. Due to his strong play, Blackwood also earned a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension with the Avalanche. 

Blackwood was selected by the Devils with the 42nd overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In 152 games over five seasons with the Metropolitan Division club, he recorded a 65-57-18 record, a .906 save percentage, a 2.97 goals-against average, and eight shutouts. 

Blackwood's time with the Devils ended when he was traded to the Sharks during the 2023 NHL off-season in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick. 

Red Wings recent 5th round pick Nikita Tyurin signs four-year extension with Russian club

Detroit Red Wings 2025 fifth-round pick Nikita Tyurin has committed to staying in Russia for the foreseeable future, signing a new four-year contract with his MHL club, HC Spartak Moscow.

The deal, announced on Wednesday by the team, runs through the end of the 2028–29 season and marks a significant step in the young defenseman's development path. 

Finnie, Danielson Shine as Red Wings Slip Past Blackhawks in Preseason OpenerDetroit prospects Emmitt Finnie and Nate Danielson delivered impressive performances in the Red Wings’ 3-2 preseason-opening win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Tyurin, 18, had a breakout debut in Russia’s Junior Hockey League (MHL), playing a key role in JHC Spartak Moscow’s run to the Kharlamov Cup championship. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 187 pounds, the Moscow native reportedly totaled 30 points (6 goals, 24 assists) over 75 games across all competitions, establishing himself as one of Spartak’s most promising young defensemen.

Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) on XNikita Tyurin(5th round’25) GOAL🚨 he starts the play and finishes it. #LGRW

In 50 regular-season MHL games, Tyurin recorded 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists), finishing as Spartak’s second-highest scoring defenseman while averaging 18 minutes of ice time per game. His mature, poised play earned him a spot in the MHL All-Star Game, a gold medal at the Challenge Cup, and a call-up to the KHL, where he made his debut with Spartak’s senior team.

We recently highlighted some of his early success this season and broke down a recent interview Tyurin had done with the JHL website, where he mentioned he needs to continue to add muscle and weight as he felt undersized going into puck battles. He added that he added 13 pounds in the off-season after weighing in at 174 pounds last season. 

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

"It's Time": Dylan Larkin Lays Out Clear Goal For Red WingsThe city of Detroit hasn't hosted a Stanley Cup Playoff game since April 2016 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena, who at that time were overseen by general manager Steve Yzerman.

While the new deal means Tyurin is likely to remain in Russia for at least the next few seasons, it could benefit both player and NHL team alike. He would turn 22 years old at the end of his deal and could present the option to follow up his development in the Spartak system with a stint in North America with the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

For now, Tyurin should receive opportunities in both the MHL and KHL with valuable ice time and experience before making the leap to pro hockey. With a new contract in place and a championship already under his belt, Tyurin now turns his focus to further cementing his place as one of Russia’s top young defensive talents.

Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) on XYesterday Nikita Tyurin(5th round’25): 2 Assists +4 4PIM 2/5 SOG 1 shot block 22:40 TOI in a 7-1 win. #LGRW

Also signing a four-year extension with Spartak is fellow young blueliner Vsevolod Matveev (17), who played in 47 MHL games last season and has already appeared in four KHL contests this year.

The NHL’s 2025-26 season is nearly here, and the Buffalo Sabres are being cautiously optimistic about their chances of ending a 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought. You don’t see Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, coach Lindy Ruff or Buffalo’s players making grand pronouncements guaranteeing the Sabres will make the playoffs. Nobody under the Sabres’ umbrella will be handing out dressing room white-board material to their opponents in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division.

However, make no mistake – this is shaping up to be one of the most pressure-packed seasons in Sabres history. From Game 1 of the year through to the point Buffalo either qualifies for or are eliminated from the playoffs, the Sabres’ every move will be under the microscope. Any one particular loss could wind up being the difference between Buffalo making or missing the playoffs. 

There’s virtually no room for error with this Sabres group. They have to be consistently competitive, and while we know Buffalo isn’t going 82-0-0 in the standings, the Sabres need to eke out standings points wherever they can. You never know – a playoff spot could come down to one standings point. 

This is why Buffalo’s day-in, day-out results will be so fascinating this year in particular. Sabres fans are beyond exhausted cheering on a team that has been almost comically inept in the past decade-and-a-half. They need to see progress out of the gate, or cynical fans will pop up right away decrying the state of this organization.

Lots of teams need a good start right from the first game of the season. The Detroit Red Wings are one of those teams. For different reasons, the New York Rangers are another one of those teams. And for different reasons, the Vancouver Canucks are another one of those teams. 

Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Will We See A Major Improvement In Play From New First-Line Winger Benson?We’ve nearly made it to the start of the NHL’s 2025-26 regular season, and here on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’ve worked our way through our player-by-player series in which we analyze expectations for each Buffalo player this coming year.

But there are degrees of desperation going on in hockey’s top league, and no team has a deeper degree of desperation than the Sabres. Buffalo can’t afford another year of dismay, and the Sabres are going to need every bit of puck luck and grace from the hockey gods if they’re going to avoid being the punchline for jokes for a 15th-consecutive season.

The Sabres can't avoid it -- the pressure is going to be there, day-in and day-out, no matter what goes on. If they do come out strongly, the pressure will be on them to stay consistent in that regard. And of course, if they come out poorly, the vultures will quickly emerge to pick their bones clean.

Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Newcomer D-Man Jones Has Opportunity To Estalish Himself As Everyday NHLerThe NHL’s 2025-26 regular season is nearly here, and here on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’re approaching the end of our player-by-player series in which we break down expectations for each Sabres player this coming season.

Thus, Buffalo has to tackle the pressure in a heads-on manner. Their leadership will be tested, as will their depth. And the Sabres' response to the particular type of pressure they create for themselves will dictate what their legacy is going to look like.

The city of Detroit hasn't hosted a Stanley Cup Playoff game since April 2016 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena, who at that time were overseen by general manager Steve Yzerman.

It was a quick five-game series and to date remains the most recent occasion that the Detroit Red Wings have played beyond the 82nd game of the regular season. 

That Red Wings team featured a young, Michigan-born rookie named Dylan Larkin who has since become the 37th team captain in franchise history and has been the one to face the media and answer difficult questions during several lean seasons since then. 

Larkin is preparing for his 11th season since breaking into the NHL, and there is no player on the Red Wings roster who more badly wants a return to postseason play. 

His teammate Andrew Copp flatly stated following practice on Tuesday that Detroit must secure themselves a postseason berth this season. While Larkin stated that all 32 NHL clubs have certain expectations of themselves, it's the time for the Red Wings to not only make the playoffs but to do some damage. 

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

"I would think all 32 teams in training camp right now have that mentality. If you don't, there's an issue," Larkin said following Wednesday's practice. "I think coming into the state of where we are as a team - like, Lucas Raymond, Mo Seider haven't made the playoffs in their careers and they're way too good of players for that." 

"It's time to put ourselves in a position that we've been putting ourselves in the last few years and to just stick and just not be satisfied with that," he said. "We've got to make it and start to make noise in the playoffs." 

"We Have To Make The Playoffs": Andrew Copp Has Blunt Expectation For Red Wings in 2025-26 The Detroit Red Wings enjoyed one of the longest postseason streaks in professional sports, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs every season from 1991 through 2016.

Larkin's wish for playoff hockey is the fervent desire of Red Wings fans near and far, especially his caveat of being able to "make noise". 

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

After a long summer of contract negotiations, the Chicago Blackhawks re-signed defenseman Wyatt Kaiser to a two-year, $3.4 million contract last week. This was a very important move for the Blackhawks to make, as Kaiser is one of the team's brightest young defensemen. 

Kaiser took a nice step in the right direction this past season with the Blackhawks, recording four goals, eight points, 54 hits, 93 blocks, and an even plus/minus rating in 57 games. Now, he will be looking to hit another new level for the Blackhawks this upcoming season.

Kaiser certainly started off his preseason on the right foot, as the 23-year-old defenseman scored a nice goal in the Blackhawks' preseason contest against the Detroit Red Wings on Sep. 23.

After receiving a perfect feed in the offensive zone from Aidan Thompson, Kaiser showed patience with the puck before firing a fantastic wrist shot past Red Wings goalie Sebastian Cossa in the third period.

Aidan Thompson ➡️ Wyatt Kasier ➡️ 🚨 pic.twitter.com/LxTRtHaFMt

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 24, 2025

This is exactly the kind of stuff that the Blackhawks will be hoping to see from Kaiser this campaign. If he takes a step forward with his offense this season and continues to improve defensively, he could become a big part of Chicago's blueline moving forward. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins held their first scrimmage of training camp on Wednesday. 

The scrimmage lasted approximately an hour, with one 25-minute period held at the Covestro Rink and the other at the FedEx Rink. Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Avery Hayes were on the top line for Team Black, while Evgeni Malkin, Anthony Mantha, and Danton Heinen were on the top line for Team White. 

Team White won the scrimmage by two, 5-3, thanks to a hat trick from Kris Letang. He was everywhere on the ice, skating methodically and showcasing his shot throughout. After Sam Poulin opened the scoring for Team Black, Letang scored the next two goals to give Team White a 2-1 lead.

Letang's second goal was especially impressive, beating Jarry with a one-timer that went in and out of the net in what felt like a millisecond. He later got a hat trick on a penalty shot after getting tripped near the boards. Letang was paired with Ryan Graves for most of the scrimmage and skated fluidly throughout. 

Outside of Letang, let's look at a few other players who stood out during the scrimmage. 

The entire Heinen-Malkin-Mantha line

Evgeni Malkin was on the top line for Team White and his line was living in the offensive zone during the scrimmage. He set up Danton Heinen with a sick behind-the-back pass near the boards for a mini breakaway and Heinen buried the puck to give his team a 3-2 lead. 

Letang would later get the eventual game-winning goal, but Anthony Mantha would put the exclamation point on the game at the end of the second period with a snipe past Maxim Pavlenko to make it 5-3. Pavlenko played the entire secon period after Tristan Jarry played the first. 

Training camp has only been going for a week, but due to the chemistry that Malkin and Mantha already have, it would be a surprise if they didn't start the season together on the second line. 

Sam Poulin

Poulin opened the scoring for Team with a nice shot that beat Sergei Murashov five-hole in the opening period. Outside of that, he played a methodical game and was on a line with Gabe Klassen and Boko Imama. 

Even though it was only a scrimmage, Poulin needed a performance like this since he looked rough during Monday's preseason game against the Canadiens. He now needs it to translate to other preseason games since he's still likely on the outside looking in for a full-time roster spot. 

Sergei Murashov

After he was arguably the Penguins' best player during Monday's preseason game, Murashov carried that momentum into Wednesday's scrimmage.

He played the entire scrimmage since Joel Blomqvist is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and made a tremendous save on Crosby when it looked like he had a sure goal from about 10-15 feet out. Murashov flashed the glove on Crosby, which drew some nice cheers from the crowd that was on hand to watch the scrimmage. His positioning was also rock-solid during both periods. 

Murashov continues to be the best goaltender at training camp, but it remains to be seen if he crack the opening night roster. This isn't a prospect that the Penguins want to rush. 

The Penguins will play their second preseason game on Wednesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET, and fans can watch the game live on the Penguins' official website. 

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced their second round of training camp cuts, headlined by two 2025 draft picks.

On Wednesday, the club announced that center Matthew Gard and defenseman Luke Vlooswyk, 2025 second- and fifth-round picks, respectively, have been returned to the WHL Red Deer Rebels.

Gard, 18, featured in Tuesday night's preseason loss to the Montreal Canadiens, winning one of five faceoffs and recording a shot on goal in 11:11 of ice time.

Vlooswyk, 18, did not play in either of the Flyers' two preseason games.

Also cut from the training camp roster was defenseman Andre Mondoux, who initially attended rookie camp on an amateur tryout offer alongside goalie Joey Costanzo.

Mondoux, 18, only appeared in eight OHL games for the Kingston Frontenacs last season, recording one assist.

He spent 49 games with the OJHL Pickering Panthers, so he'll need to play a full season at the OHL level and continue to develop before the Flyers or another NHL team offer him an entry-level contract or otherwise consider drafting him in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Flyers' next preseason game will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25, when they face the Washington Capitals at the Giant Center, home of the AHL Hershey Bears, at 7 p.m.

Flyers fans can catch this game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Felix Sandstrom is taking his talents overseas, as he has signed with Karpat of the Finnish Liiga. Karpat also announced that the contract is a short-term one, as it lasts until Nov. 2. Furthermore, Sandstrom's deal also comes with an NHL opt-out clause. 

Sandstrom spent the entirety of this past season with the Buffalo Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. In 19 games with the AHL squad this past campaign, he posted a 12-5-2 record, a .899 save percentage, and a 2.86 goals-against average. 

Sandstrom was selected by the Flyers with the 70th overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In 30 games over three seasons with the Flyers from 2021-22 to 2023-24, the 28-year-old goaltender posted a 4-18-4 record, a .880 save percentage, and a 3.66 goals-against average. He has not played at the NHL level since his time with the Flyers ended. 

Sandstrom will now look to make an impact with Karpat after landing this short-term deal. It will be intriguing to see what kind of season he puts together from here.