While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2003-2008 

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft Pick: 2009-2016

2017: Eeli Tolvanen (forward, 30th overall) 

This is the lowest the Predators have ever selected in the first round, and for good reason. 2017 was arguably Nashville's best season in franchise history, as the team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, eventually falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. 

When the draft came around, the Predators selected Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen with the 30th overall pick. In his draft year season with the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), Tolvanen netted 54 points in 52 games and had a plus/minus of 18. 

He'd spend the bulk of the 2017-18 season with Jokerit Helsinki in the KHL, scoring 36 points in 49 games. Tolvanen made his Predators debut that season, playing in three games but recording no points. 

From 2018 to 2020, Tolvanen played primarily in Milwaukee, with a few games also in Nashville. During the 2020-21 season, Tolvanen came into a regular role with the Predators, scoring 22 points in 40 games.

He also played for Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics, recording nine points in five games.

The most games he played in Nashville were in the 2021-22 season, where he recorded 23 points in 75 games. In the middle of the 2022-23 season, Tolvanen was placed on waivers after recording four points in 13 games. 

He was picked up by the Seattle Kraken, where he has played for the last three seasons. He's finished with at least 35 points in the last two seasons, showing that he's found his fit in Seattle. 

2019: Philip Tomasino (forward, 24th overall) 

After trading their 2018 first-round pick, Victor Ejdsell and a fourth-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ryan Hartman and a fifth-round pick, Nashville was back on the board in the first round in 2019. 

It used its 24th overall pick to select forward Philip Tomasino. With the Niagara Ice Dogs, he scored an impressive 72 points in 67 games, with a plus/minus of 37 and 32 penalty minutes, billing himself as a physical and productive forward. 

He'd spend two more seasons in the OHL before transitioning over to the AHL with the Chicago Wolves for the 2020-21 season. In his first professional season, Tomasino had 32 points in 29 games, earning a full-season call-up from Nashville for the 2021-22 campaign. 

This would be the only full season Tomasino would play with Nashville, recording 32 points in 76 games. Over the next two and a half seasons, Tomasino would split time between Nashville and Milwaukee, putting up steady scoring numbers on both rosters.

After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, recording a point in 11 games, Tomasino was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft. In 50 games with the Penguins, Tomasino scored 23 points. 

2020: Yaroslav Askarov (goalie, 11th overall) 

Drafting goalies in the first round hasn't gone historically well for the Predators. 

Chet Pickard (2008, 18th) never played a game for the Predators, and Brian Finley (1999, 6th) played less than five games with the Predators before getting traded to the Bruins and retiring.  

However, with Pekka Rinne nearing the end of his career, the Predators were looking for the next franchise starter and selected Yaroslav Askarov with the 11th overall pick. 

Askarov spent the majority of his draft year with Neva SKA in Russia's junior league, posting a 12-3-3 record, 2.45 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He'd bounce around St. Petersburg SKA's system for three years before finally making his professional debut in 2023. 

He played one game, allowing four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Askarov spent the bulk of the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Milwaukee, posting identical .911 save percentages in 92 combined games. 

He was called up to Nashville for two games during the 2023-24 season, allowing two goals on 35 shots. In the offseason, Askarov was traded to the San Jose Sharks and has spent the bulk of his time with the San Jose Barracuda. 

Nashville did get a little bit more out of Askarov than it did with Pickard or Finley, but it is still struggling to draft the right goalie in the first round. 

2021: Fedor Svechkov (center, 19th overall) 

The Predators used the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft to select a second straight Russian prospect in center Fedor Svechkov. 

In his draft year, Svechkov played in two different leagues with Tolyatti Lada. In the junior hockey league, he scored 15 points in 15 games before being promoted to the All-Russia Hockey League, where he had 15 points in 38 games. 

Svechkov stayed in Russia for a few more seasons, moving into the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA and Moscow Spartak before coming to North America to play in Milwaukee.

In his first AHL season, Svechkov scored 39 points in 57 games with the Admirals, leading to him splitting time in Nashville the next season.

During the 2024-25 season, Svechkov played 52 games with the Predators, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. In Milwaukee, he played 13 games, scoring 10 points. 

It took some time for Svechkov to make the jump over the pond to North America, but he has shown a lot of promise in his short time in the NHL. 

2021: Zachary L'Heureux (forward, 27th overall)  

For the first time since 2008, the Predators had multiple picks in the first round of the 2021 draft. They traded their second-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes to jump up to the 27th overall spot. 

With the newfound pick, Nashville selected forward Zachary L'Heureux from the Halifax Mooseheads. 

In his sophomore year in the QMJHL, L'Heureux scored 20 points in 33 games, complemented by 47 penalty minutes. He spent two more seasons in Halifax and stayed on trend as a physical and productive forward. 

L'Heureux joined the Admirals for the 2023-24 season, scoring 48 points in 66 games and logging a massive 197 penalty minutes. He was clutch in the Admirals' playoff run to the Central Division Finals, scoring 15 points in 15 games. 

This past season, he spent the bulk of the year in Nashville, scoring five goals and recording 10 assists in 62 games, while also accumulating 63 penalty minutes.  

Expect to see a lot more of L'Heureux in Nashville, as he has shown significant growth and, at just 22 years old, could be a major part of the future. 

Victor Eklund is the #2 ranked European skater in this year's NHL Draft, just sliding in behind his Djurgårdens IF teammate, Anton Frondell. The 18 year old, two-way center looks to be a top 10 draft pick on Friday after spending the entirety of his junior and burgeoning professional career in Sweden where he shines brightly in league and international play. He looks to join the NHL ranks along with his brother, William Eklund, who has just completed his second full season with the San Jose Sharks.

This past season, Eklund posted 19 goals and 12 assists in 42 regular season games for Djurgårdens IF, a club in HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second highest tier of professional hockey in Sweden after the SHL. Eklund and Djurgårdens IF won the HockeyAllsvenskan league championship and will be promoted to the top Sweden tier, SHL for the 2025-26 campaign. If Eklund doesn't crack the NHL roster immediately, he will most likely have a chance to develop further in the SHL.

The NHL club that selects Eklund will hope that he can bring his intensity and skills to their team in working order and that the translation from his game in Sweden to the NHL will be swift.

Related

NHL Draft - What Could the Future Hold for the Kraken's 8th Overall Pick? - Community PostWith the 2025 NHL Draft only a week away, the Seattle Kraken currently hold the 8th overall pick. Let's take a look at how the past ten players who were picked 8th overall are doing.

Eklund featured photo by - via tv4.se

Eklund hero photo by - via hockey news.se

The San Jose Sharks announced longtime veteran Marc-Edouard Vlasic is on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

Vlasic, 38, would have entered the final year of an eight-year contract with a $7 million average annual value. However, he will be a UFA if no team claims him and that contract off waivers.

Despite the opportunity for the veteran defenseman to play his 20th season with the Sharks in 2025-26, GM Mike Grier decided to free up a roster spot and increase their league-leading salary cap space.

"This was a difficult decision to make today, with how much Marc has meant to the San Jose organization for 19 years,” Grier said in a statement.

For the 2025-26 campaign, Vlasic was set to receive $3.5 million in base salary, according to PuckPedia. Two-thirds of that money will be spread across two seasons on the salary cap as a buyout cost, equalling to $1,166,667 per year.

With this buyout, the Sharks save about $2.33 million in cap space for next season but will pay the remaining buyout cost the following year.

They now have just over $44 million in cap space and must add nearly $19.2 million to the team’s cap hit this off-season to reach the $70.6-million cap floor.

The Sharks have two pending UFAs and six pending RFAs, including 23-year-old defenseman Jack Thompson.

"I was fortunate enough to be here with Marc for his first season with the Sharks, and knew he would become a great defenseman,” Grier said. “With over 1,300 games in the NHL, he brought immense expertise and experience to the organization daily and was selected to represent his country on multiple occasions at the highest level.

"We want to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the organization and wish him all the best."

San Jose drafted Vlasic 35th overall in the 2005 NHL draft. Since then, he’s played 19 seasons and 1,323 games for the team, recording 295 assists and 379 points while averaging 20:41 in ice time. The Sharks never won a Stanley Cup, but he was part of the core that visited the Cup final in 2016, as well as three additional Western Conference final appearances.

Vlasic also played a role in earning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

On June 21, the Chicago Blackhawks executed the first buyout of the off-season on defenseman TJ Brodie.

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Don Sweeney gives update on contract talks with Morgan Geekie originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins were one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, but one bright spot was Morgan Geekie.

The 26-year-old right wing had a fantastic campaign. He set career highs with 33 goals and 24 assists in 77 games. He ranked No. 2 on the Bruins in goal scoring behind David Pastrnak. Besides Pastrnak and Geekie, no other player who finished the season on Boston’s roster scored more than 17 goals.

Given the Bruins’ lack of scoring depth, it’s important that they find common ground with Geekie on a new contract. He’s able to become a restricted free agent in July.

Where do things stand right now?

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney provided an update Wednesday afternoon.

“There’s been constant communication,” Sweeney told reporters at his pre-draft press conference. “Are we on the doorstep? I don’t think so. But that can change within one phone call. Again, you get in around this time frame, and sometimes you’re tracking on a deal, and you get it done right away, and other times you get sort of pushed to the back burner as to do what everybody else is maybe focused on.

“Doesn’t mean that my attention isn’t on Morgan and being able to close out a deal. We have time in that regard, so I’m not concerned about it.” 

Sweeney was also asked about the possibility of going to arbitration with Geekie.

“I mean, arbitration is impossible for both sides,” Sweeney said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to find a deal, as I said before, whether it’s one (year) or much, much longer. We have zero issues in the fact that we’re going to find a deal (at) some point in time.” 

The Bruins have around $23 million in salary cap space, per PuckPedia, so they have plenty of financial flexibility to keep Geekie.

Signing Geekie to a two-year, $4 million contract in the summer of 2023 was one of Sweeney’s best free agent deals since he took over as B’s general manager in 2015. Geekie provided tremendous value to the Bruins during that contract. His 50 goals over two seasons with Boston are 31 more than he scored from 2020-21 through 2022-23.

Geekie now has a chance to earn a substantial raise. He’s definitely earned it.

The 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

Since it’s almost NHL draft day, the mock draft can incorporate any buzz and rumors into the order of things. It’s been a fun and exciting draft year, and the festivities won’t disappoint. 

Without further ado, let's get to the final first-round mock of the season. The actual NHL draft starts Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m. ET in Los Angeles.

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)

After questions about whether the Isles would take the hometown kid, James Hagens, they go with the player at the top of most boards and take the dynamic do-it-all defenseman Matthew Schaefer. He can make an impact in all facets of the game, using his skating and cerebral mind to make a difference. He should be a top-pair defender on Long Island down the road.  

2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)

The Sharks get the top forward in the draft with Misa, who should help form one of the most formidable one-two punches down the middle in the NHL with last year’s first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini. Misa is the most complete center in the draft. With two dynamic, intelligent and tactical forwards who are first-line caliber centers in their top six, the Sharks are well on their way to building something special. 

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C/W, Djurgarden (Swe.2) 

After some debate over whether Frondell goes ahead of Misa, the Hawks get Frondell, a powerful center who boasts an excellent shot and plenty of potential as a very good two-way center. With Connor Bedard on the top line and Frondell taking the second-line center role, Chicago could look to give San Jose a run for its money for the best young center tandem in the NHL. 

4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

This will be one of the most interesting points in the draft, but here, we have the Utah Mammoth taking Desnoyers out of the QMJHL. They’ll hope he brings his two-way game and winning pedigree to the Mammoth. Desnoyers is a tactician who is one of the better play connectors in the class.

2025 NHL Draft: Top Shooters, Playmakers, Motors And MoreOne of the most common questions as the NHL draft approaches is who the best prospect is at a certain skill or trait. 

5. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

Coming into the year as the No. 1 prospect on the board, Hagens fell a bit, but he remains a top-five prospect. Now, he will be considered the centerpiece of the Predators' next generation. He has a chance to be the most dynamic center that Nashville has had in its franchise history. Hagens' playmaking, skill, and speed will be fun to watch in the Music City. 

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)

With Matvei Michkov looking fantastic as a rookie and the recent acquisition of Trevor Zegras, adding a player with a bit more size makes some sense. That’s why Martone makes a ton of sense here. He’s not your traditional power forward, although he has the strength when needed and even a mean streak at times. Rather, Martone is a power playmaker who holds off defenders and makes passes with ease. Pairing him with Michkov could be a ton of fun if they can get a steady 200-foot center between them. 

7. Boston Bruins: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)

The Bruins must kick off this retool with a solid prospect, and drafting O’Brien helps do exactly that. His upside is enticing because he has arguably the best vision and passing in the class, but he needs to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame a bit. If any team will get him to bulk up, Boston makes a ton of sense. 

8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

Seattle has often drafted the smaller, high-skill players up front and on the back end, so the chance to take Smith here gives them a defender with the upside to be the second-best blueliner in the class. Smith is big and mobile with the potential to grow into an impact defender at both ends of the ice. His rush defense is the best in the class, and his flashes of puck skill are intriguing. 

9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)

The Sabres desperately need a right-handed defenseman to come in and play alongside their offensively minded left-shot guys, such as Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Mrtka falls right into their laps. The big Czech defender has a very solid defensive base and some upside offensively. He fits right into what the Sabres need. 

10. Anaheim Ducks: Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)

With Zegras sent out of town, the Ducks have an opening up front in the long term, and they love a tenacious, physical forward who plays unafraid. Martin is exactly that. A human missile, Martin constantly seeks to impose himself physically.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

With back-to-back picks just outside of the top 10, there is a legitimate chance the Penguins look to trade up. If they don’t, then they look poised to go for a couple of upside plays here. There is no more boom-or-bust prospect in the class than McQueen. The injury concern and pace issues are legitimate, but the skill, shot and physicality are all tantalizing for NHL scouts. 

12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from NYR): Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.2) 

Swing No. 2 for the Penguins comes in the form of the tenacious Swede, Victor Eklund. He plays the game as if he’s constantly trying to prove he belongs, going into every battle to outwork and outmaneuver his opponent. His tenacity and speed make defenders' lives difficult, and he has a very good shot to go with it. Eklund is a high-octane winger, exactly the kind you need alongside a guy like McQueen.

13. Detroit Red Wings: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)

Detroit has opted for the “safe” pick the last few years, but this is the year they finally take a bit of a swing and grab a player who brings incredible skill and mobility in Lynden Lakovic. With a big frame, he fits what GM Steve Yzerman typically likes, but he isn’t the physical presence that his frame would suggest. Instead, he plays with finesse and fluidity. Lakovic could be the kind of high-upside player the Wings need. 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)

The Blue Jackets look to take the next step while continuing to build their prospect pool so that there’s sustained success. After moving out David Jiricek this past season, they left a vacancy in their pipeline where they could use a physical, mean presence, and there is no better defender in the class to fill that void than Aitcheson. Between the whistles, after the whistles and even pre-game, Aitcheson will get under his opponents' skin.

15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL)

The Canucks have needs all over their pipeline, and building through the middle is a smart idea. Cootes would give them a player they know will play in the NHL, provide some solid middle-six minutes at center and fit whatever coaching system is in place when he gets to The Show. He’s responsible, versatile, and hard-working. 

16. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY): Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)

With back-to-back picks, Montreal can look to bolster an already loaded pipeline, or it can trade for an NHL player. If the Canadiens do make the picks, grabbing the best players available would make a ton of sense. Bear would fit that bill while bringing a level of physicality and tenacity they would love to add to their top-six. He has the speed to keep up with their best players and the fearless play style that would help make life easier on them.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Final Top 80The 2025 NHL draft cycle nears the end, and it’s been a unique class.

17. Montreal Canadiens: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)

The Habs have plenty of solid blueliners coming through the system, but Fiddler can play alongside some of their more offensively gifted blueliners. Fiddler is a big, mobile defenseman who brings an air of calm to the ice. He makes simple, smart and effective plays, rarely looking to play out of his comfort zone. He has the poise to calm everything down and just advance play. 

18. Calgary Flames (from NJD): Logan Hensler, D, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA)

With the Flames in the middle of a bit of an awkward retool, they must start building up their prospect pool with potential impact players at the next level. Hensler could be a fixture on their blueline for a decade or more because of his versatility. He’s become a reliable blueliner for Wisconsin, using his skating to play in any situation asked of him. He’s just a steady defender in all three zones. 

19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)

The Blues haven’t been afraid of drafting players from the QMJHL, and Carbonneau lasting to this point would give them another reason to go back to the well. A supremely skilled offensive talent, Carbonneau has a heavy shot and slick hands. He can handle physical pressure quite well and get to scoring areas. He has some work to do in his own zone and as a play driver, but Carbonneau has a scorer’s touch. 

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from MIN): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL)

The Blue Jackets have never been afraid to go after players who have big upside but some potential flaws, and they nab Reschny here. He’s a feisty, skilled center who is a bit undersized, but he plays bigger than he is. The biggest question is whether he will be able to continue doing that at the next level. Reschny is one of the purest playmakers in the class with excellent vision and slick hands. 

21. Ottawa Senators: Malcolm Spence, RW, Erie (OHL)

The Senators love a player who puts in a ton of effort with a physical edge, and Spence is an excellent fit for that. Once considered a potential top-10 prospect, Spence has fallen out of favor a bit as one of the older prospects in the class. He plays a pro-style game, bringing structure and translatable habits. Spence can play up and down a top nine, depending on where you need him. 

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from COL): Jack Nesbitt, C/W, Windsor (OHL)

Continuing on the theme of adding more size, Jack Nesbitt will bring another element to the Flyers' forward core. He has a great shot, and he’s developed into a more versatile offensive threat, expanding his playmaking and becoming a more mobile threat. 

23. Nashville Predators (from TBL): Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda

The Preds snag one of the hardest-working, most engaged players in the draft class by selecting Zonnon. His energy and work rate are as high as anyone in the class, and he brings a nifty playmaking edge to his game as well. He’s the kind of player who becomes a fan favorite while playing in the middle six. 

24. Los Angeles Kings: Shane Vansaghi, W/C, Michigan State (NCAA)

Vansaghi is a forechecking machine who gets in on defenders quickly and throws his weight around at will. He has a well-rounded offensive game based on going to the net and making things happen from the high-danger areas. Vansaghi isn’t a dynamic presence, but he has functional skill that allows him to advance play in a positive way. 

25. Chicago Blackhawks (from TOR): Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden (Swe. Jr)

The Hawks add to their forward depth as they take a supremely intelligent center who facilitates play and consistently ensures things are moving in a positive direction. Nilson’s biggest flaw is that he is a bit on the thin side and needs to beef up, but the processing and dual-threat offensive skill make him a subtly effective player. 

26. Nashville Predators (from VEG via SJS): Semyon Frolov, G, Togliatti (Rus.Jr)

The first netminder off the board isn’t the one many expect as the Predators, which are on their third pick of the round, take Russian netminder Semyon Frolov. The Preds have a need in their pipeline after moving Yaroslav Askarov, and Frolov has been gaining steam in the leadup to the NHL draft.

2025 NHL Draft: Where The Top Goalies Could Be SelectedDon’t expect many, if any, goaltenders to be first-rounders in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday.

27. Washington Capitals: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, St. Petersburg (Rus. Jr)

The Capitals have never been afraid of drafting Russians, and selecting a big, violent winger with a big shot seems like an excellent fit for Washington. They could use a goal-scorer in the coming years, as a pretty notable one is on his last few trips around the NHL. Prokhorov has risen up the boards as the season came to an end. 

28. Winnipeg Jets: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)

The Jets need some depth on the back end. Reid is a smooth-skating, offensively skilled defender who could provide them with some puck-moving ability when he gets to The Show. Reid must work on his defensive game, but the Jets have room to be patient as he develops. 

29. Carolina Hurricanes: Cullen Potter, C/W, Univ. of Arizona (NCAA)

The Hurricanes are always willing to take the player who falls, and this year, it’s Cullen Potter who falls into their lap. His speed, skill and offensive creation make him one of the most dangerous players in the class. Potter is a speedy, undersized winger who drove excellent results at the NCAA level.

30. San Jose Sharks (from DAL): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ. (NCAA)

The Sharks have a need on the back end, and GM Mike Grier loves his Boston University alum, so this works out wonderfully. Boumedienne is an incredibly mobile blueliner who has grown into one of the more impressive rush defenders in the class. He has some untapped offensive potential as well, which was on full display at the U-18s.

2025 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Where Schaefer, Misa, Hagens And More Could FallThe NHL draft lottery went live this year, and the drama was real, with the New York Islanders moving all the way to No. 1 once the balls were read out.

31. Philadelphia Flyers (from EDM): Mason West, C/W, Edina H.S. (USHS-MN)

With the opportunity to take a swing at the end of the first round, the Flyers go after one of the best athletes in the class, Mason West. He’s a dual-sport athlete who plans to finish his high school football career next season while playing hockey there as well. West is on the long path toward the pros, but the potential is unreal. He moves well, shows excellent hands and slick tools as a scorer. High risk, high reward. 

32. Calgary Flames (from FLA): Cole McKinney, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

McKinney is one of the more underrated players in the class, but he’s a solid pick at the tail end of Round 1 for the Flames. He works his tail off every shift, and he brings a level of detail that isn’t common from a player at this stage of their career. His upside may be a bit limited, but he has utility in just about any situation thanks to his defensive acumen and his soft hands around the net.

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JJ Peterka seemed to be on the New York Rangers’ radar for a long time, but now he’s officially off the market. 

The Utah Mammoth acquired Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in exchange for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring. 

Peterka also signed a five-year, $38.5 million contract with the Mammoth, completing the blockbuster trade. 

The Rangers have been linked to have interest in Peterka since around the time of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. 

Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News first reported at the time that the Rangers were among the teams trying to acquire Peterka from the Sabres.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli added the Rangers had “advanced discussions” with the Sabres involving the availability of Peterka.

Ultimately, the rumors simmered down and Peterka was not moved before the trade deadline. 

However, with Peterka set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, it was heavily speculated that the Rangers could be back in the mix for the young forward. 

It’s unclear if Rangers president and general manager made a strong push for Peterka or not, but the bottom line is that they missed out on acquiring a potential All-Star for a relatively cheap price both in terms of trade value and his recent contract extension. 

Now, two rumored targets for the Rangers, Peterka and Trevor Zegras, have been traded as the Blueshirts are left without any of them. 

1. If I'm Chris Drury, I'd trade K'Andre Miller even up for the Kings' Vladislav Gavrikov and figure that I won the deal.

2.  If I'm Leafs' boss Brad Treliving I'd tell John Tavares, "Nice, knowing you, Pal, but get yourself a deal somewhere else."

3. Somewhere in Florida, my friend Paul Maurice is musing, "Lundell, Luostainen, Marchand –  what an Everything Line that is – 57 points in the playoffs."

4. A Figure Filbert in Edmonton is still wondering what this means: "Connor McDavid: Four even-strength points in the Cup Final and minus-7."

5. I know what it means: As superhuman as McD, Inc. happens to be, hockey's greatest player can be reduced to human over a six-game series.

6. Apart from questionable goaltending, Oilers GM Stan Bowman had better wake up to the fact that Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard are as overrated in the DEFENSE department as any D-Pair between here and Lower Slobbovia.

7. Or as pal Glenn (Chico) Resch notes re Bouchard, "Does he have defensive hockey sense, awareness and really understand the danger of many of the dangerous defensive moves he puts himself into? No."

8. As we speak, it would not surprise me if McDavid was seriously exploring his options to leave Edmonton.

9. I wonder when Mike Sullivan will decide to pick a captain. Maven Round Table Member Harvey (Hutch) Cohen already has fingered Adam Fox.

10. "The captaincy," Hutch explains, "would give Fox the incentive to concentrate on his defensive play, and his PP quarterbacking. Sort of a Do-as-I-Do setup. I'd give the A's to Vin Trocheck and Will Cuylle."

11. Not that it matters that much – except to The Maven – but I'm still waiting for the Peter Laviolette farewell media schmooze. It would have been intriguing to get Lavvy's take on the toosh-kicking Drury did to him.

How A Rangers Fan And Others Should Handle The Avalanche Of RumorsWith the annual NHL Entry Draft just around the corner and free agent frenzy not far beyond, the rumor machine is going absolutely nuts. 

12. My theory was that the Panthers would fall victim to ATTRITION in 2024-25 but the Cats were so resilient that they destroyed my maxim. 

13. How astonishing are The Champs? They've played more than 300 games in the past three years and already are tabbed to win another Cup next spring.

14. That's why you should pay attention to Aleksander Barkov when he warns the civilized world: "I don't see us slowing down!"

15. Up For Debate Department: "We're a Dynasty now," Matthew Tkachuk. To  that – with  the four-Cup Islanders in mind – I suggest to Matty; That's Your Weakness Now."

Signing Evan Bouchard to a new contract is among this summer's priorities for the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old puck-moving defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. 

Bouchard is in line for a significant raise that could reach $10 million annually. The Edmonton Journal's David Staples cited NHL insider Brian Lawton suggesting Bouchard could receive an offer sheet if the Oilers fail to sign him quickly.

An offer sheet for Bouchard is possible if he's open to signing one. That seems unlikely given his recent comments about staying in Edmonton to win the Stanley Cup. 

Assuming the Bouchard camp seeks $10 million annually, it would likely take an offer sheet of $12 million per season to tempt him. However, most teams with the cap space and the four first-round picks that could afford to pitch that offer aren't anywhere close to Stanley Cup contention. They include the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks. 

Lawton made his comments before the Oilers traded Evander Kane and his $5.125 million for next season to the Vancouver Canucks. With Kane gone, they now have over $17 million in cap space, which should be enough to sign Bouchard to a big raise while leaving enough for other roster needs. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reports Viktor Arvidsson and his $4.4 million AAV could be next on the trade block. 

Meanwhile, the rumor mill was buzzing on Tuesday over the possibility of a major trade involving the Vegas Golden Knights. The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio cited Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reporting “some smoke out there,” claiming the Carolina Hurricanes were preparing to acquire Golden Knights' center Tomas Hertl.

Trading Hertl would clear the Golden Knights' share ($6.75 million) of his $8.125 million average annual value through 2029-30. He has a full no-movement clause until July 1, when it becomes a three-team trade list.  It would stoke recent conjecture suggesting they're the favorites to sign Mitch Marner when the Toronto Maple Leafs right winger becomes a UFA on July 1. 

However, Robinson later reported the Hurricanes didn't have any deals in place and weren't closing in on anything at present. Since then, the Golden Knights' cap space has shrunk by $2 million with their recent signing of Reilly Smith, and could drop by another $2 million once Brandon Saad is re-signed.

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