After taking a nice step forward during the 2024-25 season, the Montreal Canadiens have been busy this summer. They acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders and Zack Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues in two notable trades. However, the possibility of them making another splash before the season is here should not be ruled out. 

When looking at the Canadiens' current roster, it is apparent that they could use an upgrade at the second-line center spot. Due to this, let's look at three potential trade targets for the Canadiens who could help them on that front. 

Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild 

Marco Rossi has been the subject of trade rumors this off-season, and he would be a nice player for the Canadiens to bring in. The 2020 ninth-overall pick just put together a strong 2024-25 season with the Minnesota Wild, posting new career highs with 24 goals, 36 assists, and 60 points in 82 games. With numbers like these, he would certainly give the Canadiens a boost at the 2C spot.

Furthermore, with Rossi being only 23 years, he is young enough where he could improve further and be a long-term part of the Canadiens' core. However, it is also important to note that he is currently a restricted free agent (RFA), so he is due for a raise from his previous $863,334 cap hit. 

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks 

Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish is another young center who has come up in the rumor mill this off-season. Like Rossi, he is currently an RFA and would be a significant pickup for a team on the rise like the Canadiens. The 6-foot-1 forward is continuing to trend in the right direction, as he posted new career highs with 22 goals, 30 assists, 52 points, and 70 hits in 76 games in 2024-25.

McTavish's potential, skill, and size would make him a perfect addition for the Canadiens. However, it would need to take a very big offer for the Ducks to even consider trading McTavish, as he is one of their most promising young players. Thus, this is a move that would be harder for the Canadiens to pull off. 

Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins 

The Canadiens and Boston Bruins made their first trade since 2001 at this year's draft, as they swapped picks. While these big-time rivals rarely do business together, Pavel Zacha is a center who could make sense for the Canadiens to pursue. 

Zacha has come up as a trade candidate often since this past trade deadline as the Bruins continue to retool their roster. During this past season with Boston, he posted 14 goals and 47 points in 82 games. This was after he recorded 57 points in 2022-23 and 59 points in 2023-24, so he is capable of producing solid offense. This and his strong two-way play could make him a nice pickup for the Canadiens' 2C spot. 

Zacha also has a very reasonable $4.75 million contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, which only adds to his appeal.

Canadiens: Zharovsky Starts His Season With Big Win In KHL TournamentIf Ivan Demidov gave a good show on Saturday night in Boisbriand, the Montreal Canadiens’ first pick at the last draft did the same thing earlier in the day. Second-round pick and 34th overall selection Alexander Zharovsky started his KHL year with a win at the league’s three-on-three tournament with his team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Photo Credit: © Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Just under three months ago, the New Jersey Devils were down 3–1 to the Carolina Hurricanes when goaltender Jacob Markstrom, frustrated, appeared to take a swing with his stick at the player in front of his net. But he missed who he appeared to be going for, Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov, and instead slashed his teammate, Cody Glass. To this day, Glass hasn’t let Markstrom forget it.

The date was April 20, 2025. Earlier in the game, veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon had exited after a collision with a Hurricanes player. Later, defenseman Luke Hughes ended up in the back of the net following another hit. He injured his shoulder but managed to play through it.

#NJDevils Jacob Markstrom gave a good wack to his own teammate Cody Glass, who goes down the tunnel, along with Luke Hughes who looked like he hurt his shoulder. Crazy sequence pic.twitter.com/F5ZB16ol38

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 20, 2025

Things were unraveling quickly for New Jersey. They were trailing on the scoreboard, already down one defenseman, had another who somehow ended up in the net, and it was only Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As Svechnikov tried to make it 4–1, he fired a shot at Markstrom, who made the save and then attempted to retaliate by swinging his stick. Unbeknownst to him, Cody Glass was skating across the crease at that very moment. Markstrom, facing the other direction, didn’t see him.

Glass ended up taking the full brunt of the slash, which looked like it was intended for Svechnikov. He immediately dropped to the ice and left the game.

Now missing two defensemen, the Devils couldn’t mount a comeback. Svechnikov later got the goal he wanted, this time into an empty net with 2:30 remaining, sealing a 4–1 win for Carolina.

Speaking to NJD.TV the following Monday, Markstrom said, “Whatever everyone has been seeing, that is what happened. I mean, it is pretty clear-cut, and obviously, I feel really bad. It’s a situation that did not have to happen. It was a heat-of-the-moment play, unfortunately, and I felt bad for [Glass]. You don’t want to see or be the reason that anyone goes down.”

Fortunately for the Devils, Glass returned to play the remainder of the series, missing only the third period of Game 1. He suited up for all five games.

Unfortunately, the series ended just like Game 1 did: in a 4–1 win for the Hurricanes. The Devils managed to take only one game, Game 3, and were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Reflecting on the series, Glass said, “Obviously, I wish it could have gone a lot better. It’s something I think about all the time, but I think it’s also something that’s going to drive me this summer.”

Now, three months later, the Devils have signed Glass to a two-year, $5 million contract. Though there was uncertainty about whether the team would re-sign him, New Jersey ultimately decided to keep him around and signed him on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

“I wanted to stay [in New Jersey] the whole time,” Glass told reporters. “I’m glad it got done.”

The goaltender and the 26-year-old center will now share the ice again this season. And Cody Glass may never let Jacob Markstrom live down what happened in Game 1. The accidental slash to Glass’s midsection came up again in the wake of his signing.

“Marky is one of the greatest guys of all time,” Glass said with a smile, “besides the time when he slashed me, but that was kind of my fault.”

It was only Glass’s fourth playoff game ever, having played three postseason games previously with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Nashville Predators.

Now, the focus shifts forward. Both Glass and Markstrom will aim to help the Devils return to the playoffs, and this time, make a deeper run without any friendly fire.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

EDMONTON – Hockey is a simple game.

Despite the simplicity of the game, the Edmonton Oilers should be praised for their accomplishment of back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

Stan Bowman has done well this offseason. He had the directive to put together a faster and younger forward group. He also saw the goaltending position needing an adjustment.

Hockey is about scoring goals and stopping goals. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard do pretty well with the former but can only do so much with the latter. 

Trending Oilers Stories

4 Oilers Prospects Who Could Surprise Everyone This YearEDMONTON – Every July 1st, the NHL calendar resets.

Oilers Coach Gets Big Promotion With New Team

Oilers Insider Predicts New Contract Extensions

Oilers Potential New Lines For Next Year

Oilers Have Great Goalie Target To Push Skinner

Oilers Complete 2025 Offseason Guide: Trades, Signings, & MoreEDMONTON – The offseason is in full swing.

That’s where the goalies come in.

The organization has experienced turnover at most of its levels this offseason. With all of the departures in mind, here is what the goalie depth chart looks like for the 2025-26 season at the ECHL, AHL, and NHL levels.

ECHL

Connor Ungar

Connor Ungar is heading into the second year of his two-year ELC contract that he signed with the Oilers last year. During the 2024-25 season, he spent the entire year playing for the Oilers’ ECHL affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets. 

In 35 games, he had a record of 19-12-4, a 2.74 goals against average (GAA), a .903 save percentage (SV%), and three shutouts. Ungar should be a lock to play in the ECHL once again this year.

Nathaniel Day

Nathaniel Day got a cup of coffee in the ECHL last season. After finishing up his year with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL, he started in three regular season games for the Komets. Day was tremendous in that audition, boasting a 2-0-0 record, 0.43 GAA, a .981 SV%, and two shutouts.

The Komets made the playoffs, and Day continued to put up good numbers (2.17 GAA, .914 SV%). With Brett Brochu headed overseas, the Komets will likely run a Day and Ungar duo for their goaltenders this year.

AHL

Matt Tomkins

One of the July 1st signings this summer has been bringing in veteran Matt Tomkins. He signed a two-year deal with a $450,000 guaranteed salary in year two. That suggests the Oilers see him as exclusively an AHL goaltender for his contract.

For the 2024-25 season, Tomkins played 26 games for the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. He boasted a 12-10-3 record, a 2.55 GAA, a .907 SV%, and three shutouts.

The Edmonton-born, Chicago Blackhawks-drafted goalie should bring stability in net to the organization’s AHL team, the Bakersfield Condors.

Samuel Jonsson

Many Oilers fans are watching Samuel Jonsson with a keen eye. He had a tremendous season for Bofors IK of the Hockey Allsvenskan in Sweden. He was named goalie of the year after putting together a 17-6 record, 1.88 GAA, a .922 SV%, and six shutouts in 24 games. 

Jonsson signed his ELC with the Oilers this past April. That gives the Oilers the ability to have the 6-foot-5 netminder play with the Condors this season. However, they do have the ability to send him back to Sweden, should something be agreed upon between the organization and the player’s representation.

Fans of the Oilers might not discover where Jonsson will play this year until September or October. His deployment may rely on whether the Oilers acquire another goalie or not. If they trade out one of their goalies for another goalie, or run the same tandem they did last season, then it’s likely Jonsson plays in the AHL.

However, if the Oilers trade for a goalie without sending a goalie back, or if they sign another available free agent, then it’s likely that Jonsson plays in Sweden for the 2025-26 season. 

One way or another, the Oilers will run a new tandem with the Condors as Colin Delia, Olivier Rodrigue, and Brochu have all moved on from the organization.

NHL

Calvin Pickard

Calvin Pickard had a solid season with the Oilers. There were a few stretches where he had to fill in for an injured Stuart Skinner. The veteran backup performed admirably in those situations. 

Pickard is entering the last year of his contract with the Oilers. He played the second-most games of his career this past season (36) while achieving a career-high in wins (22). He’s found a role and a place within the organization where he can add value.

The goaltending situation is up in the air right now. Pickard could either spend 2025-26 in the AHL, in another NHL organization, or with the Oilers again. Time will truly tell.

Stuart Skinner

Skinner has been the Oilers' starting goaltender for the last two seasons. However, his best season since turning pro came when he began the year as Jack Campbell’s backup.

Skinner’s future with the team may appear uncertain. The two options the Oilers have for their 26-year-old netminder are to trade him or keep him.

Organizations don’t trade away a 26-year-old goalie who has made it to the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons. Especially one with Skinner’s cap hit ($2.6 million). 

The Oilers’ goalie depth chart appears set for the upcoming season. Barring another free agent signing or trade that shakes up the NHL & AHL ranks, this is what the Oilers are working with in 2025-26.

Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

There are quite a few former members of the San Jose Sharks still waiting to find their new home as unrestricted free agents. Many were with the team as recently as last season, while others departed the Bay Area a few years ago. Let’s take a look at those still awaiting their next contract.

First, there are five former Sharks forwards still on the market. Klim Kostin and Noah Gregor weren’t tendered a qualifying offer by general manager Mike Grier and were forced to test their luck on the open market.

Nikolai Kovalenko was also in that predicament, but ultimately ended up signing with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. It wouldn’t surprise me if the same ends up happening for Kostin, who was never able to live up to his potential as a former first-round draft selection of the St. Louis Blues.

Gregor, on the other hand, will likely end up with either a two-way contract or an American Hockey League deal to start the season; however, it would be surprising if he’s not back in the NHL as a fourth-liner in the near future.

Luke Kunin was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the trade deadline this past March, but after 12 games without a point, their general manager, Don Waddell, opted to let him hit free agency. While it’s not surprising that he wasn’t the first target on many teams’ radar, it would be surprising not to see Kunin on an NHL roster this October, despite his bad stretch in Columbus.

Kevin Labanc was also in Columbus, signing there following a strong preseason performance with the New Jersey Devils; however, he suffered the same fate. He didn’t see much action under their head coach, Dean Evason, recording 12 points in 34 games.

The final former Sharks forward sitting in free agency is Matt Nieto, who finished the 2024-25 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins but spent quite a bit of time with their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, over the course of the season. At this stage, it seems most likely that he signs a professional try-out closer to pre-season; however, it’s possible a team offers him a deal between now and then as well.

Defensively, there are two former members of the Sharks still available. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who was bought out after 19 seasons and 1323 games in teal, is hitting the open market. He struggled in his last few seasons with the Sharks; however, he is still a serviceable player in limited minutes.

Ultimately, the size of his contract and Grier’s plans for the offseason made him expendable a season before his contract expires. He’s no longer an elite shutdown defenseman like he was in his prime, but there should be a team that opts to take a flyer on him at some point this summer at a low cost to see if he’ll perform better in a different system.

Jan Rutta also finds himself still on the open market. As a right-handed, defensive-minded defenseman, there will certainly be a market for him as a bottom-pairing or depth option as teams begin to circle back after missing out on their top targets.

Lastly, there are a few goaltenders who spent time between the pipes in San Jose, still looking for a new home. Alexandar Georgiev struggled mightily during his time in teal. Grier acquired him as part of the return for MacKenzie Blackwood, hoping he’d find his form and play like he did years ago with the New York Rangers.

Ultimately, that didn’t happen, and the 2024-25 season ended up being the worst of his NHL career. In 31 games with the Sharks, he had a .875 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.88. It will be interesting to see if another team takes a chance on him, but at this stage, it seems his path forward likely includes a stint in the American Hockey League if he wants to return to the NHL.

Georgi Romanov surprisingly didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the Sharks this summer. Although he wasn’t phenomenal at the NHL level, he seemed serviceable for the San Jose Barracuda. Especially with Yaroslav Askarov graduating from the AHL, it’ll be interesting to see what comes next for Romanov and whether or not management made the right call going with Jakub Skarek instead.

James Reimer, who spent two seasons in the net for the Sharks, is also still available. After finishing the 2024-25 season with the Buffalo Sabres, the 37-year-old appears to be interested in continuing his career for at least one more season, but it’s not guaranteed as according to the Olean Times Herald’s Buffalo Hockey Beat, he’s contemplating retirement and has been taking his career one year at a time.

While it seems clear some of the names listed are likely to end up in the NHL again next season, some of the aforementioned former Sharks may head overseas, or some may decide retirement is their best option at this stage of their career. Although July 1 is past, there are still quite a few Sharks storylines to follow with the current free agency pool.

Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Sharks' Ryan Reaves Excited For New Opportunity In San Jose The San Jose Sharks acquired Ryan Reaves from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Henry Thrun. While the move was a bit perplexing to both fan bases at first, especially for Sharks fans, it helped clear an obvious logjam and added some needed toughness to the forward group. BREAKING: Sharks Sign Veteran Forward Jeff SkinnerThe San Jose Sharks have signed veteran forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract. Sharks General Manager Grier Discusses New Acquisitions, Sets Expectations For Next SeasonMike Grier spoke with the media after the San Jose Sharks acquired Ryan Reaves and Jeff Skinner earlier this week. The Sharks’ general manager has high expectations for both of the acquisitions, but also for the team as a whole this coming season.

Swedish center Anton Frondell will sign an entry-level contract this upcoming week with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that took him third overall at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, according to Swedish journalist Gunnar Nordström.

According to Nordström’s article, which was published in the Swedish website Expressen on Saturday, the 18-year-old Frondell will sign for three years at $975,000 US per year, which is the maximum allowed for an entry-level deal according to the CBA.

Nordström further states that, according to information provided to Expressen, Frondell intends to play for Djurgården this upcoming season and will not attend Chicago's training camp, which begins on Sept. 15. Rather, he will focus on preparing for Djurgården’s season and the team’s opener on Sept. 13 at home against Skellefteå AIK.

That statement is consistent with Frondell’s words when he signed a contract extension with Djurgården in March. 

“When I got the offer to stay, there was no doubt, no hesitation,” Frondell was quoted at the time of his signing. “Everyone who knows me knows that this is the club that I want to play for as long as possible. I have been a Djurgården fan since the day I was born and I have always looked up to those who have worn Djurgården jerseys. To play for Djurgården myself is the best thing I know, and with the support of the fans it only becomes even better each game.”

Djurgården Extends Top Draft Prospect Anton Frondell Swedish center Anton Frondell, who is ranked to be one of the top picks at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, has signed a contract that will see him remain with Djurgården – his Stockholm-based childhood club – at least one more season.

Last season, Frondell had 25 points in 29 games playing for Djurgården in Sweden’s second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan. He then had seven points in 19 post-season games as Djurgården earned a promotion to the top-tier SHL. That will make the upcoming season a step up in the level of hockey that Frondell will be playing.

In addition to Frondell, Djurgården’s lineup for the upcoming season will also probably include 18-year-old winger Victor Eklund, who was chosen 16th overall by the New York Islanders. It will also have veteran center Marcus Krüger, who was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, Finnish right winger Jesse Ylönen, Swedish defenseman Gustav Lindström, and Swedish goaltender Magnus Hellberg.

Photo © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Swedish D-Man Returns Home On Long-Term Contract Swedish defenseman Gustav Lindström, 26, has signed a five-year contract with Djurgården, the Stockholm-based SHL club announced on Thursday.

If Ivan Demidov gave a good show on Saturday night in Boisbriand, the Montreal Canadiens’ first pick at the last draft did the same thing earlier in the day. Second-round pick and 34th overall selection Alexander Zharovsky started his KHL year with a win at the league’s three-on-three tournament with his team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

It was the first time the KHL organized a tournament with that format on smaller ice and with some of its teams. In the semi-final, Ufa got the better of HC Traktor while AK Bars defeated Dinamo Minsk.

While three-on-three play typically leads to an avalanche of goals, both finalists were content to sit back and wait for a mistake from their opponent, which resulted in a goalless first frame. It took a penalty shot converted by Ildus Suleimanov to put Ufa in the lead, and this tiniest of leads stood until the end of the second period thanks to its effective defense.

The third and final period brought an equalizer for AK Bars, who scored through Vladislav Shlyakhtov to send the final to a shootout, and it was Ilya Krikunov who gave Ufa the title of the first edition of that tournament.

While Zharovsky had a quiet final, he showcased some nerves of steel in the group stage to score a shootout goal, which allowed Ufa to win the group stage with a 5-4 win over Ak Bars, who lost a 4-1 lead after Ildus Suleimanov scored a hat trick.

If Demidov showcased some excellent skills in Brossard, Habs fans shouldn’t sleep on Zharovsky, as he showed insane puck skills and hands when he buried the game-winning goal in the group stage.

Alexander Zharovsky's game-winning shootout goal brings the win to the Salavat Yulaev 3x3 in the Green Rivalry (game against Ak Bars)#GoHabsGo

📹: https://t.co/Q9brMWGdlgpic.twitter.com/dQ1R4s2NCr

— Adelina (@AdelCucumberg) July 11, 2025

The youngster is under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, meaning Montreal won’t get to welcome him for a couple of years, but that’s fine. The 6-foot-1 forward still needs to develop and put some muscle on his lanky frame, as he only weighs 163 pounds. To give you a comparison basis, Cole Caufield is listed at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds. Mind you, Lane Hutson is listed at 5-foot-9 and only 162 pounds, but his elusiveness allows him to avoid most hits, and not everyone has that skill.

The Hockey News will be keeping a close eye on Zharovsky as he progresses and tries to work his way to the NHL.

Alexander Zharovsky with his first trophy for Salavat Yulaev💚

/The Ufa team became the champion of the first KHL 3x3 Championship/#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/jV1i8IEJg6

— Adelina (@AdelCucumberg) July 12, 2025

Photo credit: MHL Website

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Seemingly regardless of whether he makes the NHL or not, top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone is a massive underdog to win the 2026 Calder Trophy.

FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the 2025 No. 6 overall pick at a whopping +30000 to win the Calder this season, which has an implied probability of 0.33%. Not 33%, 0.33% - not even a single percent.

Montreal Canadiens starlet Ivan Demidov is the heavy favorite at this point in the summer, leading the pack at +270. San Jose's No. 2 overall pick, Michael Misa, was listed at +1200 alongside newly minted Edmonton forward Ike Howard.

Unless this was simply a clerical error and a massive oversight, 2025 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer was not listed in FanDuel's odds at all.

Playmkaing forwards Maxim Shabanov and James Hagens - both of whom very well could've ended up Flyers this summer - were listed at +2300 and +3000, respectively.

Flyers' Porter Martone Sets Sights on Early NHL DebutJust one day into on-ice activities at development camp, the hype around top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone is already growing.

As for Martone, it seems like the oddsmakers are banking on him heading to the NCAA, possibly with Michigan State University alongside fellow Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi.

Martone isn't alone at the bottom, though. Center Jett Luchanko, the Flyers' 2024 first-round pick, also made the cut at +30000.

Neither 18-year-old appears to have an abundantly clear path to an NHL roster spot, but injuries (Tyson Foerster) and uncertainty down the middle (Trevor Zegras) could make for opportunity in training camp.

And, for the Flyers as a team, they have the third-worst odds to win the Metropolitan Division this season, sitting at +2000. Only Columbus (+2200) and Pittsburgh (+8500) are worse, and the New York Islanders are also within range at +1700.

Flyers Reportedly Rejected Islanders Trade to Secure Porter MartoneThe Philadelphia Flyers were open to lots of things ahead of the NHL Draft, but, ultimately, a bold New York Islanders trade offer wasn't enough to pull them away from selecting Porter Martone with the sixth overall pick.

The four other teams in the division are comfortably ahead of the Flyers, with odds of +650 or better.

If you wanted to throw a few bucks on a Stanley Cup, you could do worse than +8000.

Honestly, if the Flyers did make it that far, Martone might have a little something to do with it. Just something to keep in mind!