NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest Penguins Speculation, Canucks Management On The Hot Seat

Efforts by Sidney Crosby and his agent, Pat Brisson, to downplay trade rumors dogging the 38-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins superstar instead stoked the speculation.

Some pundits mused over what Crosby and Brisson truly meant while pondering possible trade destinations such as the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens.

Crosby didn't mince words when speaking with reporters during a season-ticket drive on Monday.

“This is where I want to be,” he said. “I can't keep having to answer the same questions over again because of these narratives. If people want to write about that or say that, that's fine. I can't really control that.”

“I don't take those rumors or some of those things lightly. Like I said, this is where I want to be,” Crosby said. “It's a special place, and it's something that is hard to put into a soundbite, but it means a lot.”

Crosby may have put this speculation to rest for now, but don't be surprised if it resurfaces should the Penguins struggle again this season.

Meanwhile, Crosby's teammates, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, remain the focus of persistent trade conjecture.

Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettewondered how much longer the two forwards will remain with the Penguins. He believes GM Kyle Dubas set a high asking price, which would explain why both players are still in Pittsburgh as training camp opens this week.

Vensel anticipates one or both could be moved before the March 2026 trade deadline or at some point down the road. However, Dubas isn't under pressure to peddle them during this season.

Rust and Rakell are under contract through 2027-28. Dubas can remain patient and wait for the right offers.

Jim Rutherford (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

In Vancouver, meanwhile, Canucks management could be feeling the heat entering this season.

Patrick Johnston of The Province suggested changes could be coming to the front office if the Canucks fail to bounce back from last season's disappointing performance, when they finished with 19 fewer points than in 2023-24.

Johnston believes that puts additional pressure on hockey operations president Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin. A source close to the situation told him that those changes could come by Christmas if the team hasn't improved by then.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Hernández: If Shohei Ohtani is open to playing in the outfield, the Dodgers have failed him

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) stares at first base after he gave up a walk to Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitched five no-hit innings and hit his 50th home run of the season on Tuesday night, but it wasn't enough. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Shohei Ohtani said he is prepared to make a six-inning start in October. He said he is open to pitching out of the bullpen, even if remaining in the game after a relief appearance might require him to play in the outfield.

His unspoken reasons for wanting to do so are obvious: The Dodgers are terrible.

They aren’t terrible compared to the Colorado Rockies or Chicago White Sox, but they’re terrible for a team with the most expensive roster in baseball.

They’re terrible for a team with ambitions to repeat as World Series champions.

They’re terrible enough that Ohtani is sounding how he did when he played for the Angels.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani is removed after five no-hit innings, then Dodgers' bullpen collapses in loss

Ironically, he signed with the Dodgers so that he wouldn’t have to be in this situation again. But here he is, sounding as if he thinks he has to do everything by himself.

The Dodgers have failed him.

Ohtani came up with the idea to defer the majority of his $700-million contract until after he retires, wanting the Dodgers to spend that money to build super teams around him. The Dodgers won a World Series last year, but the good times could already be over.

Instead of building another championship team, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman constructed an all-time clunker. Instead of creating a 120-win juggernaut on which Ohtani would be able to have his cake and eat it too, the Dodgers have placed him in a predicament in which he could have to decide between prioritizing either the upcoming postseason or his pitching future.

Winning the World Series again with Ohtani on rehabilitation mode will be extremely difficult for these Dodgers, if not downright impossible. Their 9-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night explained why, their bullpen imploding once again to waste another did-that-really-happen performance by Ohtani. At this point, their bullpen might as well be renamed the Nine Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

With Ohtani still in his first season pitching after his second Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers have limited his starts to five innings. That was the plan again on Tuesday, and five no-hit innings by Ohtani wasn’t about to make manager Dave Roberts stray from an organizational directive.

Removing Ohtani was a health decision, not a baseball decision.

However, by sticking to the plan, Roberts was forced to reenact his nightly routine of juggling sticks of dynamite. This time the explosion was immediate, as Justin Wrobleski gave up five runs to turn a 4-0 lead into a 5-4 deficit.

Roberts was loudly booed when he walked to the mound to replace Wrobleski, but how could anyone blame the manager for deploying the hard-throwing left-hander, who was one of the team’s most dependable relievers? It’s not as if the next pitcher shut down the Phillies. Edgardo Henriquez also gave up a homer.

Ohtani’s 50th homer of the season sparked an eighth-inning, two-run rally for the Dodgers that leveled the score, 6-6. The comeback made what happened later all the more deflating. Blake Treinen allowed three runs, and the game was over.

To recap: Ohtani pitched five no-hit innings and blasted a dramatic eighth-inning homer, and the Dodgers still lost.

As much as he provided, it wasn’t enough, which is why he was asked after the game about what more he could do.

Ohtani will pitch as a starter in the postseason but when asked if he could also be deployed as a reliever to help the flailing bullpen, he replied, “I’ve had different conversations with different people, and of course that’s come up.”

That’s when Ohtani presented a novel idea about how the Dodgers could use him.

“As a player, if I’m told to go somewhere, I want to be prepared to do so,” he said. “That’s on the mound and perhaps even in the outfield.”

The outfield?

Under baseball’s current rules, if Ohtani starts a game as a pitcher and is replaced on the mound, he could continue playing as a designated hitter. However, if he starts the game as a DH and pitches out of the bullpen, the Dodgers would lose the DH once his relief appearance is over.

Playing in the outfield would allow the Dodgers to use Ohtani as a reliever and keep his bat in their lineup after.

Told of what Ohtani said, Roberts replied, “He’s a great teammate. He wants to help us win a championship. So I’m all about it.”

Read more:Plaschke: Dodgers are blowing their bye, and hopes for deep playoff run, thanks to familiar issue

Roberts looked delighted.

Of course he did. Any inning pitched by Ohtani is an inning not pitched by one of the Dodgers’ relievers. Any at-bat taken by Ohtani is an at-bat not taken by one of the team’s inconsistent hitters.

Ohtani and the Dodgers will soon have to make a major decision.

The organization can’t remain cautious with Ohtani and make a legitimate effort to retain their crown. They’re not good enough to do both. They will have to choose one or the other.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Gianluigi Donnarumma says Pep Guardiola will help him improve with his feet

  • Italian preparing to face Napoli, whom his mother supports

  • De Bruyne, McTominay and Højlund could face City

Gianluigi Donnarumma has said he believes Pep Guardiola will help improve his ball-playing skills and that Manchester City were interested in signing him before the summer.

Donnarumma joined from Paris Saint-Germain for about £30m (€35m) on transfer deadline day. The move caused surprise because of the view that the 26-year-old is not as accomplished with his feet as Ederson, who left for Fenerbahce, or James Trafford, the £27m signing from Burnley in July.

Continue reading...

Islanders Rookie Camp Goaltending Breakdown

EAST MEADOW, NY -- This past week at rookie camp, the New York Islanders had three goaltending prospects on the ice each day: Tristan Lennox, Henrik Tikkanen, and Burke Hood.

Now, none of these goaltenders will be winning an NHL spot for the 2025-26 season, as the Islanders have depth with the addition of free agent David Rittich and Marcus Hogberg, entering the final season of his two-year deal.

Here’s what I noticed about the rookie camp trio:


Tristan Lennox

The 22-year-old goaltender was the strongest of the three at rookie camp. He is the most compact and seems to have this “come at me” attitude when it comes to the way he positions himself and attacks the shooter.

He isn’t ultra-aggressive in terms of his positioning in the crease, and his movement is sharp, especially when in the butterfly. Very few times was he caught off his angle, playing very calmly and composed, while making sure to keep his arms out in front of him.

He was fueled this summer after not only returning from a major knee injury but also getting pulled five minutes into his NHL debut after allowing one goal on two shots against the New York Rangers in late April.

  • Drafted: 2021, Rd. 3, No. 93
  • Bridgeport stats: 6 GP, 4.12 GAA, .853 SV%
  • Projected spot for 2025-26: Bridgeport

Henrik Tikkanen

The 6’8, 24-year-old certainly knows how to use the entirety of his length, especially while down on the ice. For a tall goaltender, that opens the door for more five-hole goals, but he has really strong stick placement, which makes a world of difference.

He certainly leads with his legs, exploding toward the shooter. He does a strong job getting his hands out in front, but he tends to drop both hands and get really low, which opens the area above the shoulder.

  • Drafted: 2020, Rd. 7, No. 214
  • Bridgeport stats: 30 GP, 4.12 GAA, .865 SV%
  • Worcester stats: 7 GP, 2.42 GAA, .918 SV%
  • Projected spot for 2025-26: Worcester

Burke Hood

The 18-year-old was taking part in his first rookie camp. Unlike the other two, Hood has never played professional hockey, just completing his first WHL season with the Vancouver Giants.

It was understandable why he may have struggled early in camp, as he had to adjust to the speed and skill of the prospects he was going up against. He improved as the camp progressed, with stronger rebound controls and more saves.

What puts Hood at a disadvantage — he wouldn’t say this — is that he cannot rock a cat-eye given the CHL rules. That’s the cage on the helmet that doesn’t have bars, and it impacts his vision. For goalies, it makes a world of difference.

  • Drafted: 2025, Rd. 6, No. 170
  • Junior stats with WHL’s Vancouver Giants: 42 GP, 3.39 GAA, .910 SV%, 3 SO, 2 A
  • Projected spot for 2025-26: Vancouver Giants

England beat Ireland by four wickets first men’s T20 international – as it happened

The remarkable Phil Salt fell just short of another century as England chased 197 down with 14 balls remaining

1st over: Ireland 7-0 (Stirling 5, Adair 1) Luke Wood takes a couple of deliveries to get going. His first ball is a wide; his first legal delivery is larruped to the cover boundary by Stirling.

The rest of the over is better. An inswinging yorker is well defended by Stirling, who then inside edges past the stumps.

Continue reading...

Mets vs. Padres: How to watch on SNY on Sept. 17, 2025

The Mets continue a three-game series against the Padres at Citi Field on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...


Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto is hitting .299/.430/.657 with 15 home runs, 35 RBI, 37 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 172 plate appearances over his last 37 games dating back to Aug. 6
  • The Mets enter play with a 1.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League
  • David Peterson was solid in his last start, limiting the Phillies to three runs in 5.0 innings while striking out eight

PADRES
METS
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

Minnesota Wild: What's New On The Kirill Kaprizov Contract Extension

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images.

ST. PAUL, Minn - Just about a week ago Kirill Kaprizov was offered a 8-year contract extension worth $128 million. He rejected the offer which would've made him the highest paid player in the NHL.

REPORT: Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov Turns Down Contract ExtensionREPORT: Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov Turns Down Contract ExtensionAfter a long offseason of Kirill Kaprizov contact talks and rumors, NHL insider Frank Seravalli weighs in.

Since then, reports and rumors have come out that the Wild are looking to trade their superstar after the rejected offer. Some suggest the Wild have asked Kaprizov for a list of teams he'd be willing to be traded to.

Kaprizov, 28, has a full no movement clause. Which means the Wild can't trade him without his permission. Hence why you would ask for a list of teams he'd be open to be traded to.

A recent report from The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun says the Wild have not asked for a trade list and do not plan on trading Kaprizov.

Wild training camp opens on Thursday. We will hear from Kaprizov and General Manager Bill Guerin. Things can change before then but Thursday we will get more clarity on the situation. So, stay tuned.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Recent Minnesota Wild Stories

Is It Time To Panic: Kirill Kaprizov Contact Extension SituationIs It Time To Panic: Kirill Kaprizov Contact Extension SituationST. PAUL, Minn - With training camp right around the corner and captain practices starting, the Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov's camp has started contract extension negotiations.

- Minnesota Wild Announce Helmet Sponsor For 2025-26 Season.

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- Former Minnesota Wild Forward Inducted Into U.S. Hockey Hall Of Fame.

- Former Minnesota Wild Defenseman Retires From NHL.

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- Minnesota Wild To Have 16 Games On National Television.

Raducanu makes headway at Korea Open after skipping Billie Jean King Cup

  • British No 1 beats Jaqueline Cristian 6-3, 6-4 amid delays

  • Captain Keothavong called BJK absence disappointing

Emma Raducanu overcame the frustration of lengthy weather-related delays to beat Jaqueline Cristian in the opening round of the Korea Open.

The contest had been scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed because of rain, and more wet weather then caused another substantial delay on Wednesday. But Raducanu and Cristian were finally able to take to the court and it was the British No 1 who came out on top 6-3, 6-4 after a tussle lasting two hours and two minutes.

Continue reading...

Mets 2025 MLB Wild Card Watch: Playoff odds, standings, matchups, and more for Sept. 17

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Mets are looking to hold off a handful of teams for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of play on Sept. 17...


Mets: 78-73, 1.5 games up on Diamondbacks for third Wild Card

Next up: vs. Padres, Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY (David Peterson vs. Nick Pivetta)
Latest result: 8-3 win over Padres on Tuesday
Remaining schedule: 2 vs. SD, 3 vs. WSH, 3 @ CHC, 3 @ MIA
Odds to make playoffs: 85.7 percent
*Mets hold tiebreaker over Giants by virtue of winning the season series, while Reds hold tiebreaker over Mets. The tiebreaker between the Mets and Diamondbacks is TBD, and will likely be based on intradivision record since the two clubs split the season series

Diamondbacks: 77-75, 1.5 games back of Mets

Next up: vs. Giants, Wednesday at 3:40 p.m. (Brandon Pfaadtvs. Justin Verlander)
Latest result: 6-5 win over Giants on Tuesday
Remaining schedule: 1 vs. SF, 3 vs. PHI, 3 vs. LAD, 3 @ SD
Odds to make playoffs: 9.7 percent

Giants: 75-76, 3.0 games back of Mets 

Next up: @ Diamondbacks, Wednesday at 3:40 p.m.(Justin Verlander vs. Brandon Pfaadt)
Latest result: 6-5 loss to Diamondbacks on Tuesday
Remaining schedule: 1 @ ARI, 4 @ LAD, 3 vs. STL, 3 vs. COL
Odds to make playoffs: 1.8 percent

Reds: 75-76, 3.0 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Cardinals, Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. (Brady Singer vs. Andre Pallante)
Latest result: 3-0 loss to Cardinals on Tuesday
Remaining schedule: 1 @ STL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. PIT, 3 @ MIL
Odds to make playoffs: 3.0 percent

26 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #26

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 26 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #26. 

Let's take a look.

Andrej Nedorost - 2002-2003 - Drafted by Columbus in 2000.

Nedorost played 28 games for Columbus from 2001 to 2004. He also played parts of three seasons with the Syracuse Crunch. After his time with Columbus, he would never play another NHL game.

He left for Europe in 2004, where he began playing in Russia. He also played in Czechia, Sweden, Slovakia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Poland. His last professional season was 2015. 

Todd Marchant - 2004-2006 - Drafted by the New York Rangers in 1993.

Marchant played 95 games for Columbus and totaled 43 points after signing in 2003.

Marchant refused to waive his no-trade clause, which would have allowed Columbus to send him to Anaheim as part of the Sergei Fedorov trade. After trading for Fedorov, Columbus placed Marchant on waivers in order to circumvent his no-trade clause. Anaheim picked Marchant up on waivers on November 21, 2005, to make him a Mighty Duck.  

Derek MacKenzie - 2008-2009 - Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999. 

MacKenzie played 279 games over the course of seven seasons for Columbus. He signed in Columbus in 2007 and made his debut in December of that year. 

He left for the Florida Panthers in 2014 and would play there until he retired in 2019. Later that year, he was named an asst. coach for Florida. He's spent the last two seasons as an asst. coach for the Nashville Predators. 

Samuel Påhlsson - 2010-2012 - Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. 

Påhlsson signed with Columbus in 2009 and played a total of 222 games. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2012, which would be his last NHL season.

He made a move to Europe in 2012 to play in Sweden. He played three seasons before retiring on April 16, 2015.

Corey Tropp - 2014-2015 - Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2007.

Tropp was claimed off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres on November 27, 2013. He would play a total of 105 games with Columbus, including 61 in 2014-15. On June 30, 2015, Tropp was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in the deal that brought Brandon Saad to Columbus. 

After spending three straight seasons in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, Tropp left for Europe. He played a season in Germany and one in Poland before retiring. 

Kyle Quincey - 2017 - Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 2003. 

Quincy played 20 games with the Jackets after being traded to Columbus from New Jersey on March 1, 2017. He would play one year in Minnesota before leaving for Finland to play one more season. He retired after that one season in LIIGA. 

Thomas Vanek - 2018 - Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2003. 

Vanel was traded to the CBJ on February 26, 2018, from the Vancouver Canucks. He played a total of 19 games and had 15 points. 

He signed a one-year deal with Detroit in 2019. That would be his final season in pro hockey. He is now the Hockey Operations Advisor for the San Jose Sharks. 

Zac Dalpe - 2021 - Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008.

The former Ohio State Buckeye forward played 25 games for the Jackets and had 4 career points. Where Dalpe made his money was in the AHL, playing for six different franchises, including five with the Cleveland Monsters.

Dalpe played in 133 games for the Monsters and had 100 points. For his career, he played 574 games and totaled 393 points. On July 7, 2025, Dalpe retired from hockey and was hired by the Seattle Kraken as a Development Coach. 

There are 26 days until opening night at NWA. 

Next up is training camp, which kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Camp will run until the pre-season begins and then transition directly into the full pre-season schedule. Here’s what the Blue Jackets have lined up so far.

After the first few days of camp, most rookies who received an invite will be cut and sent back to their junior teams. From there, the cuts will come more often as pre-season play gets underway.

The pre-season schedule is as follows:

Sunday, Sept. 21 vs. St. Louis Blues, 5 p.m. ET

Monday, Sept. 22 vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET

Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET

Wednesday, Sept. 24 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET

Tuesday, Sept. 30 vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, Oct. 4 at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET

* Games in bold are home games * 

After that, the Blue Jackets will open the regular season on the road against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

There are 26 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena.

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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More from THN Columbus

Blue Jackets Dealing With Injuries At The Start Of CampBlue Jackets Dealing With Injuries At The Start Of CampThe Columbus Blue Jackets held their annual preseason media day yesterday with GM Don Waddell, HC Dean Evason, Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Zach Werenski, and Adam Fantilli.  Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Training Camp Scheduled ReleasedBlue Jackets' 2025-26 Training Camp Scheduled ReleasedYesterday afternoon, the Columbus Blue Jackets released their 2025-26 training camp schedule. 27 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #2727 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #27Kevin Dahl - 2001 - Drafted by the Montréal Canadiens in the 1988 draft.

Vancouver Canucks 2025 Training Camp Questions: Which AHLers Have The Most To Gain With A Strong Performance?

Hockey is officially back as the Vancouver Canucks are about to begin their 2025 Training Camp. This year's training camp will take place in Penticton from September 18-21. Overall, there are many questions heading into training camp, including which players from last year's Abbotsford Canucks have the most to gain with a strong performance.

With plenty of talent in the AHL, there will be some fights for roster spots both in Abbotsford and Vancouver. There will also be some internal competition to determine which players get called up if injuries occur at the NHL level. While a strong training camp doesn't guarantee a call-up during the year, it can help leave a lasting positive impression with both Canucks management and the coaching staff. 

Arshdeep Bains

Arshdeep Bains is at the point in his career where he needs to establish himself as a full-time NHLer. The 24-year-old has already played 21 NHL games, but hasn't been able to produce enough to justify a permanent spot in the bottom-six. After playing a key role in helping Abbotsford claim the 2025 Calder Cup, the hope is that Bains has developed to the point where he can be a reliable third or fourth liner in the NHL. 

The big question for Bains is if he has rounded out his game enough to be an efficient bottom-six player at the NHL level. This includes getting in on the forecheck, playing a physical game and being defensively responsible on a consistent basis. If Bains comes into camp and can prove he is very difficult to play against, it could help his chances of landing a spot on the opening night roster. 

Max Sasson

Max Sasson has proven to be a free agent steal for Vancouver over the past few seasons. The 25-year-old played 29 games with the Canucks before becoming a key piece in Abbotsford's championship run. A versatile player who can play on the wing or at center, Sasson will be in the conversation for a spot on the fourth line this year. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site

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Sasson is the perfect example of a player whom coaches love. He has continued to develop since leaving the NCAA and, in just his second full season with the organization, was wearing a letter in the AHL. While Sasson will most likely start the year in the AHL, a strong camp could mean he is back in Vancouver sooner rather than later. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki

The 2025-26 season is a massive one for Jonathan Lekkerimäki. Not only does he need to dominate the AHL, but he also needs to impress Adam Foote and the Canucks staff so they have confidence to play him in the top six once he is called up. It is clear that Lekkerimäki is a skilled player; now he needs to demonstrate that he can have success at the pro level. 

Who Lekkerimäki will be partnered with at camp will be something to keep an eye on. While his line placement isn't a direct indicator of where he will start the year, it does give insight into what management and the coaching staff are at least thinking. Regardless of who his linemates are, Lekkerimäki needs to make an impact both on and off the ice while in Penticton. 

Victor Mancini

How Vancouver manages Victor Mancini this year will be intriguing. The Canucks could send him back to the AHL to play 20+ minutes a night, or keep him on the roster as a seventh defenceman who can jump into the lineup when an injury hits. With Mancini still waiver-eligible, the most likely option is another season with Abbotsford despite the fact that he looks ready to play third-pair minutes in the NHL at least. 

Ultimately, Mancini will be battling with Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Kirill Kudryavtsev and Tom Willander during training camp and the pre-season. The winner will get the seventh defenceman spot in the NHL, while the other three will start the season in the AHL unless injuries occur. Overall, the battle for the seventh defenceman spot will be intriguing with Mancini being one of the favourites to land it heading into training camp. 

2025 Training Camp Schedule:

Thursday, September 18, Doors Open 9:00 am

Friday, September 19, Doors Open 9:00 am

Saturday, September 20, Doors Open 9:00 am, Scrimmage TBA

Sunday, September 21, Doors Open 8:30 am

Jan 18, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Max Sasson (63) skates during warm up prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

The Hockey News

ICYMI in Mets Land: Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga could be bullpen options; David Stearns on state of team

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Tuesday, in case you missed it...


Canadiens: Wrapping Up The Rookie Camp And A Surprise Main Camp Invite

After the two games played this weekend against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets hopefuls at the Bell Centre, there were only 17 players left at the Montreal Canadiens' rookie camp for the last practice session.

On Wednesday, the main camp will kick off with the medical and physical tests for everyone, including the veterans. Before then, the coaching staff put the 17 remaining kids through their paces. PTO Kevin Mandolese joined the group to act as the second goaltender since Arseni Radkov and Mikus Vecvanags were sent back to their junior teams, leaving Jacob Fowler as the sole goaltender remaining at rookie camp.

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After the cuts, only three defensemen remained: David Reinbacher, Adam Engstrom, and Owen Protz, whose impressive play over the weekend earned him an invite to the main camp. Up front, Matthew Wang was the only player cut after the prospect challenge, meaning that 13 forwards remained at camp: Owen Beck, Ivan Demidov, Will Dineen, Joseph Dunlap, Mark Estapa, Egor Goriunov, Oliver Kapanen, Filip Mesar, Israel Mianscum, Vinzenz Rohrer, Tyler Thorpe, Luke Tuch, and Florian Xhekaj.

Everyone was on the ice 15 minutes before the practice was meant to start, so the coaches hit the ground running with a session that lasted about an hour. They warmed up the players with simple shooting drills to start, before moving on to the two-on-two or three-on-three sessions at each end of the ice, in about three-quarters of the defensive zone.

They then worked on the transition game, with the defenseman tasked with making a good first pass, and the forwards trying to get a good shot on net while screening the goaltender. The next drill focused on zone entries two-on-two, followed by a bit of three-on-three on half the rink to wrap up the practice.

Speaking after the practice, coach Pascal Vincent was pleased with how the camp went:

I learnt to know some of our young players. We also got to see the physical progression of some of our players, like Xhekaj, who took a lot of volume. I thought Owen Beck was playing with a lot of purpose; there was always a reason behind his decisions. Of course, results are secondary this time of the year. We wanted to evaluate the players individually, and many of them performed well.
- Vincent on the rookie camp

Vincent also had kind words for the scouting staff:

I think Nick Bobrov and Martin Lapointe have donee some phenomenal work, the quality of not only the players but the individuals and the diversity in the picks as well, there are physical players, offensive ones, defensive ones, there are players who can play a plethora of different roles, it’s exciting for the coach, I can only imagine that it can be for fans as well.
- Vincent on the work accomplished by the scouting department

During the Prospect Showdown, the physical play of Owen Protz, a fourth-round pick (102nd overall at the 2024 draft), stood out, and when asked about the youngster, Vincent explained why he had earned the right to stay for the main camp:

He showed an interesting physical side; he had a presence on the ice, and management decided to keep him for the main camp, which was thoroughly deserved. He’s a young man who we brought up with us [with the Laval Rocket] during the playoffs to see how it would go, and he was working hard during practices. I think he knows who he is; he doesn’t try to be someone else on the ice. That may seem trivial or simple, but that’s not always the case. Players often struggle to make the transition from junior, college, or European hockey to professional hockey because they sometimes have to adjust their role, but he knows who he is. I loved the way he played, his first pass, and the physical aspect was impressive.
- Vincent on Protz

Asked about Protz, former blueliner Francis Bouillon agreed:

I loved the way he played. We aim to play to his strengths, considering the reasons behind our draft. The players we draft must know why we drafted them. Sometimes when guys go back to junior, they all try to be scorers or offensive guys. Still, what he showed this weekend —playing with a lot of physicality and making good first passes —is precisely what we expect of him. I spoke to him after the second game, and I think he deserves his spot at the main camp.
- Bouillon on Protz

At 19 and with a crowded blueline, it’s evident that Protz won’t find his way in the lineup right now. Still, when he is sent back down to junior, he will have a tremendous experience to build on and a camp that will no doubt be a significant building block for him and a motivational factor.

It must have been quite an experience for the blueliner on Saturday night to have the crowd react as it did when he set the tone for the game with a bone-crushing hit, the kind of experience he’ll remember for the rest of his life, no matter what happens in his career.

With the rookie camp now out of the way, things are about to ramp up in Brossard, and we’ll have all the happenings for you in the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned!


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1 word for every Florida Panthers player ahead of training camp

The Florida Panthers are back in Fort Lauderdale.

This week, the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions will kick off their annual training camp at the Baptist Health IcePlex.

Excitement couldn’t be higher as many experts are looking at the Panthers a possibility to be the league’s first back-to-back-to-back champs in over 40 years.

As the players prepare to hit the ice, THN Florida is going to through Florida’s roster and give you one word for each player as they prepare to open the 2025-26 season.

We’ll start with the forwards.

Sasha Barkov: Legacy

The first Finnish NHL captain to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup has carved out quite a spot for himself in hockey lore over the past several seasons. The Stanley Cup’s and Selke Trophies are starting to stack up. If he stays on this path, Barkov could soon be leading the conversation of greatest Finnish hockey players of all time.

Sam Reinhart: Special

Teams, that is. I mean, yeah, Reinhart is an exceptionally special hockey player. Since arriving in South Florida during the summer of 2021, Reinhart has racked up 160 goals and 324 points. It probably wouldn’t surprise you to hear that more than half of his goals (82) and about one-third of his assists (56) have come on special teams. Reinhart has become an integral part of Florida’s power play and penalty kill, which in turn are big keys to their continued postseason success.

Matthew Tkachuk: Wolverine

Tkachuk is going to miss the first several months of the season while recovering from surgery after he played through a torn hip abductor and sports hernia during Florida’s latest Stanley Cup run. Hopefully, he can channel his inner-Wolverine (the X-Men member whose mutant power is superhuman healing) and get himself back to 100% in time for the winter Olympics in February and the run to the playoffs that will follow. Tkachuk very much wants to play for his country in Milan, so the sooner he’s healed, the easier the transition back to high-level hockey and lesser chance of any kind of setback.

Sam Bennett: Moderation

Bennett has proved over the past few years that his style of play within the Panthers systems is perfect for playoff hockey. However, playing at that kind of physically intense level for 82 regular season games just doesn’t make sense if he wants to be at 100%, or as close to it as possible, for Florida’s next playoff run.

Carter Verhaeghe: Precision

One of the most clutch players in the NHL saw his shooting percentage drop significantly last season, resulting in a decrease in goal-scoring. The rest of Verhaeghe’s game remained the same as the guy with the endless motor continued to provide quality minutes inside Florida’s top six. Once he starts picking those corners again, expect the goal total to pop right back up to the 30-40 range.

Anton Lundell: Twenty

Lundell is going to turn 24 years old a few days before Opening Night. This will already be his fifth season in the NHL, and it’s going to be his first where he cracks the 20-goal mark. The growth in his game has been apparent, but expect that to go up a notch this season.

Evan Rodrigues: Unsung

Rodrigues plays all over the lineup, wherever he’s asked, and bring the same consistency regardless of his linemates or ice time. His name was also the first to come up when trade rumors began swirling due to Matthew Tkachuk going on LTIR. To his credit, Rodrigues just keeps smiling and plugging away, and his coaching staff adores him for it.

Brad Marchand: Twilight

No longer feeling the pressures of being the face of an Original 6 franchise, Marchand can now enjoy the rest of his career much as he did Florida’s playoff run from last season. He’s still playing at an elite level, and his tenacious brand of hockey fits in quite well with the Panthers’ style of play.

Mackie Samoskevich: Experienced

I know, I know, Samoskevich is still just 22 years old with all of two pro seasons under his belt. But he’s also now been to two NHL training camps and played a full season with the Panthers that included a Stanley Cup victory. Samoskevich should have an excellent understanding of what it takes to succeed at the game’s highest level, and that knowledge should help him prepare for, endure and ultimately thrive in his sophomore season with the Cats.

Tomas Nosek: Steady

Centering Florida’s fourth line can be tricky because you never quite know what group you’ll be matched up against or when your number will be called. A defensive zone draw against a top six group could happen just as easily as an o-zone start after an icing against a tired checking line. Nosek proved that he can remain stable and sturdy regardless of the situation, a trait that endeared him to Paul Maurice and co.

Jonah Gadjovich: Established

Between the second half of last season and the playoffs, Gadjovich found himself playing regular minutes on Florida’s line. It was a unit that Paul Maurice praised multiple times and utilized in crucial situations during their latest Stanley Cup run. We’ll see if that can translate to Gadjovich establishing himself as an everyday player for an entire season.

A.J. Greer: Fun

The spotlight isn’t on Greer very often, but if you just zero in on him during a shift, get ready to see a guy who looks like he’s having the time of his life while giving 110% every second he’s out there. It’s just plain fun watching Greer do his thing, especially on a team like Florida, where combining skill and muscle will go a long way.

Jesper Boqvist: Build

That’s exactly what Boqvist needs to do following a strong first season with the Panthers. A career high in goals and games played led to Boqvist earning a two-year extension from Florida that carries a higher AAV than he was given on any of his previous deals. It will be very interesting to see how Florida’s lineup shakes out if Boqvist continues to impress the coaching staff, as he did last year.

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Photo caption: Apr 14, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates with center Aleksander Barkov (16) and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) after scoring against the New York Rangers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)