The Montreal Canadiens are inviting another goalie to their training camp.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Canadiens have signed goaltender Kevin Mandolese to a professional tryout (PTO). 

A few PTOs to share, with training camps closing in:#GoHabsGo G Kevin Mandolese#FlaPanthers F Tyler Motte#FlaPanthers D Ben Harpur

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 10, 2025

Mandolese, 25, spent the entirety of this past season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Colorado Eagles. In 19 games with the AHL squad, he posted an 11-6-0 record, a .903 save percentage, and a 2.87 goals-against average. This was after he had a 10-9-2 record, a 3.07 goals-against average, and a .901 save percentage in 23 AHL games with the Belleville Senators in 2023-24. 

Canadiens: Hutson’s Agent Sets The Record Straight

Pierre LeBrun Brings Up The Canadiens To Crosby

Canadiens: 4 Centers To Target Right Now

Mandolese has made three appearances at the NHL in his career, with all of them coming during the 2022-23 season with the Ottawa Senators. During them, he posted a 1-2-0 record, a .916 save percentage, and a 3.29 goals-against average. 

Overall, there is no harm in the Canadiens adding Mandolese to a PTO. If he successfully lands a contract for the season, he would give the Habs another experienced goalie to work with at the AHL level. 

On Wednesday morning, New York Islanders forward Marc Gatcomb joined Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen on Morning Cuppa Hockey. 

Gatcomb, 26, just completed his rookie season, recording eight goals with one assist for nine points through 39 games. The undrafted free agent signed a one-year extension worth $900,000 and, alongside No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, at the 2025 NHLPA Upper Deck Rookie Showcase back in August. 

Islanders Sign Forward Marc Gatcomb To One-Year Deal; Avoid Salary ArbitrationThe New York Islanders and restricted free agent forward Marc Gatcomb have come to terms on a one-year deal worth $900,000.

The undrafted forward out of the University of Connecticut shared some awesome stories, but one of the funnier ones was about when he made his NHL debut back on Jan. 14 against the Ottawa Senators at UBS Arena. 

Jean-Gabriel Pageau was battling an illness, so after skating in Bridgeport in the morning, he had to hop in the car and head right to the Belmont. 

But, he had to make a quick stop first at the barber shop:  

 With Darche now at the helm, the Islanders no longer have their hair and beard policies, so this shouldn't happen to another rookie unless they just want to look their best before their NHL debut. 

Check out our Morning Cuppa Hockey, Monday through Thursday, from 9-10 am, on YouTube. 

Morning Cuppa HockeyJonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen know their hockey, but they don't always agree on it. Having played at multiple levels throughout their careers, they have expe...

According to Frank Seravalli, the Florida Panthers have reportedly signed winger Tyler Motte and defenseman Ben Harpur to professional try-outs.

Yesterday, Jason Gregor reported that the Florida Panthers had signed winger Noah Gregor to a PTO, but that has not been confirmed by the team just yet. Today, Seravalli has informed fans that a pair of 30-year-old veterans will attend the Panthers' training camp.

Motte had skated in 455 career games, recording 53 goals and 99 points. Listed at just 5-foot-10, Motte isn't the most physically imposing forward, but he remains tenacious in his pursuit of the puck and provides defensive versatility. 

Motte skated in 55 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings, averaging 11:19 of ice time while scoring four goals and nine points. Throughout his NHL career, Motte has played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Red Wings. 

Harpur is the near-complete opposite of Motte. The 30-year-old defender stands 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds and prides himself on his ability to use his body to his advantage.

Although his physical tools are great, it's been a challenge for Harpur to play in the NHL. Harpur last skated in an NHL game on April 6, 2023, playing just 36 AHL games with the Hartford Wolfpack in the last two seasons. 

Throughout his NHL career, Harpur has notched two goals and 21 points in 198 games, playing for the Senators, Nashville Predators and the Rangers. 

Winnipeg Jets top prospects neglected in NHL Network's ranking of league's top 25 prospects.

The Winnipeg Jets have several prospects on the rise heading into the upcoming season with names like Brayden Yager, Brad Lambert, Colby Barlow and Nikita Chibrikov. However, when the NHL Network released their top 25 prospects in the league, not one Jets prospect was mentioned.

It's time to take a look at the next generation of stars!

Introducing our list of the Top 25 Prospects! pic.twitter.com/1W9xS23R14

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 9, 2025

The list has garnered some controversy as 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer sits a top the list of prospects ahead of established names like Ivan Demidov and Zeev Buium.  

The list is certainly disjointed from a glance as most of the selections are recent draft choices that are still quite fresh and we won't know their true upside for quite some time. NHL Network's Research Development Team is the reported curator of the list and it's not surprising to see the Winnipeg Jets neglected on another front of the NHL media. 

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

Nikita Chibrikov vs Jimmy Snuggerud

Chibrikov is one of the most neglected of them all as he was a second round pick back in 2021 and has shown over two seasons now that he can handle an NHL role. With four points over his first five NHL games, he doesn't get mentioned in the same conversation as other talent getting the same opportunity like Snuggerud, who put up stellar numbers in the NCAA while Chibrikov has been producing solid numbers at a pro level for two seasons now. Both players have the potential to be top six forwards throughout their career. 

Colby Barlow vs Brady Martin

Before Brady Martin was selected in the top five of the 2025 NHL Draft, a player with a nearly identical build and similar point production, Colby Barlow, has already been developing since being picked 18th overall in 2023. Barlow stands an inch taller and carries a bit more weight than Martin, but he may not possess the same creative and savvy play style. 

What he does have, however, is an elite shot that helped him score 46 goals at the same age Martin is now. While Martin still has a year or two before making the jump to pro hockey, Barlow is beginning that transition this season. The two are close but Barlow could very well be a better player at the end of the day. 

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

Brad Lambert vs Isaac Howard

The NCAA is a hard league to find comparable for as the league used to featured older players that played a more physical style of game while the CHL had their leagues operate as a better training ground for developing players. This has changed however as the American schools are catching up thanks to name, image and likeness deals that allow their players to get paid. Still prior to this adjustment, Howard was a solid colligate player with 105 points over 108 games. 

While in Finland, Lambert played in a more advanced league in Liiga, the highest league in the country and one of the top pro hockey leagues in the world. His numbers weren't as impressive as Howard's but when joining the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL, Lambert torched the league for 38 points in just 26 games. He helped the Thunderbirds go on a lengthy playoff run in which he recorded another 26 points over 17 games. 

He continued his success into pro hockey and has been a force in the AHL. Howard is expected to get a top nine role with the Oilers due to their lack of depth, while Lambert is going to be vying for a Jets main roster spot at training camp. The two may get to face off and see who performs better as early as September 23rd when the Jets take on the Oilers in pre-season action. 

Brayden Yager vs Sam Rinzel

Despite being drafted higher, producing at a stronger rate in Juniors, and putting up better numbers in international competition, Sam Rinzel is ranked inside the top nine prospects while Brayden Yager is notably absent. Rinzel recorded just one point with Team USA, while Yager produced five points in as many games representing Canada. Over two NCAA seasons, Rinzel averaged under a point per game, whereas Yager posted 332 points in 265 WHL games.

Yager also has more overall game experience despite being a year younger, and he has shown greater upside. His potential was high enough to be involved in a major trade for another top prospect, Rutger McGroarty. Rinzel does hold a significant physical advantage with four extra inches in height and 20 additional pounds, but once Yager begins developing in his first pro season with the Manitoba Moose, their prospect stock could quickly become comparable.

What Would It Take For The Winnipeg Jets To Land Oilers' Connor McDavid?Exploring what it would take for the Winnipeg Jets to acquire Oilers’ Connor McDavid in 2026 free agency.

The Minnesota Wild re-signing Marco Rossi on Aug. 22 and the Calgary Flames inking Connor Zary (Sept. 5) have put more attention toward the contract negotiations of Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish and New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes.

Like Rossi and Zary, both players are RFAs coming off their entry-level contracts. McTavish is eligible to sign an offer sheet, but Hughes is not. So far, there's no indication the Ducks center will get an offer from a rival club.

Teams in the market for a second-line center have been linked to McTavish, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks. However, recent reports claim the Ducks remain intent on signing him.

On Friday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Ducks could attempt to sign McTavish to a bridge deal. However, he's heard that management prefers a long-term contract.

Report: Anaheim Ducks "Not Crazy on a Bridge Deal" for Mason McTavish, Prefer Long-Term ExtensionA new development surfaced with the Anaheim Ducks, Mason McTavish, and the ongoing saga of contract extension negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Devils have just over $6 million in salary-cap space, leading some observers to suggest they must shed some salary to re-sign Hughes. Sportsnet's Luke Fox believes that's why left winger Ondrej Palat and defenseman Dougie Hamilton have been mentioned as trade candidates.

On Aug. 29, NJ.com's Ryan Novozinsky reported that the Devils sought a three-year bridge contract or an eight-year deal, but Luke wants his next contract to end in 2030, the same year that his brother and teammate, Jack Hughes, will have his deal expire.

As for salary, Fox suggested Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings as a comparable for McTavish. Byfield is in the second season of a five-year contract with an average annual value of $6.25 million. Meanwhile, the Devils could seek something for Hughes along the lines of Brock Faber's $8.5-million cap hit on his eight-year deal with the Minnesota Wild.

The Hockey News' Adam Proteau believes the two clubs are under pressure to get these two talented RFAs under contract as soon as possible.

Proteau considers Hughes to be the difference between the Devils securing home-ice advantage for the 2026 playoffs or competing for a wild-card berth. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Ducks need all hands on deck (including McTavish) to end their post-season drought.

Hughes could end up signing before McTavish. Friedman observed that the Ducks have shown a willingness to wait until they get the deal they want, even if it means negotiations drag through training camp.

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.

The Minnesota Wild, not really known for signing guys to professional tryouts (PTO's), has signed forward Brett Leason to a PTO. They recently signed defenseman Jack Johnson to a PTO as well.

Leason, 26, played in 62 games for the Anaheim Ducks last year. He recorded five goals, 12 assists, 17 points and 64 hits. The previous season he recorded 11 goals, 11 assists, 22 points and 80 hits.

The 6-foot-5 forward has been a bottom-six forward during his 220 career NHL games. He has also been on the penalty kill which is something the Wild are constantly looking for help with.

In four NHL seasons, one with the Washington Capitals and three with the Ducks, Leason has recorded 25 goals, 29 assists, 54 points and 195 hits.

Recent Minnesota Wild Stories

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

- Former Minnesota Wild Defenseman Retires From NHL.

- Former Minnesota Wild Prospect Signs One-Year Deal With Columbus.

- Minnesota Wild To Have 16 Games On National Television.

- Where Wild's Filip Gustavsson Ranks Among NHL Goaltenders.

- Minnesota Wild: What's Next After The Marco Rossi Signing.

- Wild Sign Marco Rossi To A Three-Year Deal.

According to Marco D'Amico of RG Media, St. Louis Blues top prospect Justin Carbonneau could sign his entry-level contract very soon, and has been informed that he will have the opportunity to make the roster out of training camp and pre-season.

Carbonneau was selected with the 19th overall pick in the most recent NHL Draft after he recorded an outstanding 46 goals and 89 points in 62 QMJHL games with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. With the new CHL-NCAA agreement, Carbonneau could have committed to a college team, but has chosen to remain in the QMJHL and compete for a roster spot.

“After the World Junior Summer Showcase, I went back to St. Louis where I met with Jim Montgomery and the rest of the coaching staff,” Carbonneau told RG Media. “We discussed team strategies and expectations for me, and we also spoke about possible opportunities to crack the roster.”

The message the 18-year-old received was versatility. Carbonneau needs to prove that he is more than just a point producer, someone they can trust in their own end and in high-leverage situations.

“I want to show that I can be played in all situations and that’s a necessity to be ready to crack an NHL roster,” said Carbonneau. “ I need to work to show I can be trusted and bring value to my teammates.”

Because Carbonneau's offensive game has obtained plenty of praise during the NHL Draft process, his ability to throw his weight around and engage himself in the forecheck has flown under the radar. Standing 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, the right-handed shooter can more than stand his ground against bigger players, welcoming and initiating it when needed.

The Blues' top prospects will be competing in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase starting on Sept. 12. The roster features Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein, Adam Jiricek and Carbonneau. The practices begin on Sept. 11, and this weekend is an excellent opportunity for Carbonneau to showcase why he should make the team.

“I have nothing to lose, I’m showing up to win a spot at camp,” said Carbonneau. “And, if not, I’ll be going back to an excellent situation with the Armada, where we get to compete for a President’s Cup.”

“Nothing to Lose” — Carbonneau Aims to Crack Blues Roster, Earn ELC Justin Carbonneau reflects on being drafted by the Blues, his first camp in St. Louis, and the work ahead to earn a roster spot in the NHL.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 33 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #33. 

Let's take a look.

Petteri Nummelin - 2001 - Nummelin was drafted by Columbus in the 5th round of the 2000 NHL Draft.

After playing just 61 games for Columbus during its inaugural season, Nummelin bolted back to Europe to play for HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. He would return to the NHL in 2006 to play for the Minnesota Wild for two seasons but would again leave for Europe. 

During his career, he played in Switzerland, Finland, Norway, and even Japan before retiring in 2019. Nummelin was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024 and is currently an assistant coach for HC Ajoie of the Swiss National League. 

Jamie Allison - 2002-2003 - Drafted in 1993 by the Calgary Flames

Allison played 55 games for Columbus from 2001 to 2003 and had one point. After leaving Columbus in 2003, he went to play for the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers. 

Before retiring in 2006, Allison had a wild thing happen. On December 13, 2005, goalie Chris Mason got hurt during the pre-game, resulting in the Predators having no backup goalie. As he was scheduled to be a healthy scratch that game, Allison was dressed as the backup goaltender instead.  

Jeremy Reich - 2004 - Drafted in 1997 by the Chicago Blackhawks

Reich played 9 games for the Jackets during the 2003-04 season and had one point. He spent most of his time playing for the Syracuse Crunch, where he had 118 points over five seasons.

He would go on to play in 90 games for the Boston Bruins, and played a season in the DEL. He played semi-pro hockey off and on until 2024 and was a coach for several years in minor hockey. 

Fredrik Modin - 2007-2010 - Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 3rd round of the 1994 NHL Draft.

On June 30, 2006, Modin was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Marc Denis. Modin played in 176 games for Columbus and had 85 points. After playing four seasons with the CBJ, he was traded to the LA Kings on March 3, 2010. 

On May 11, 2011, he announced his retirement due to back issues. He came back to the Columbus organization in 2015 and worked as a Hockey Operations Advisor until 2018. 

Tomáš Kubalík - 2011-2012 - Drafted by Columbus in 2008

Kubalík played in 12 games over two seasons from 2010 to 2012. He spent most of his time playing for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. 

He left for Europe in 2013 and played there until he retired in 2024. He's played in Czechia, Finland, Poland, France, and Germany. For the last couple of seasons, he was an asst. coach for ERV Schweinfurt of Germany's fourth division. 

Adrian Aucoin - 2013 - Drafted by Vancouver in 1992.

Aucoin signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 1, 2012. He played 36 games for the Jackets and had four points. Following his one season with the CBJ, he would retire on November 19, 2013. 

Aucoin has been coaching various age groups of youth hockey since his retirement. 

Markus Hännikäinen - 2016-2017 - Hännikäinen was undrafted out of Helsinki, Finland.

Hännikäinen had signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 20, 2015. Over parts of four seasons, he played in 91 games for Columbus and had 15 points, which included 8 goals. He spent most of his time playing for the Lake Erie/Cleveland Monsters.

In February of 2020, Hännikäinen was traded by the Blue Jackets to the Arizona Coyotes, ending his time with Columbus. 

Hännikäinen left for his native Finland when the COVID pandemic hit and never returned. He's played in the KHL(Finland), DEL, SHL, and is signed with HC Litvínov in Czechia for 2025-26. 

With 33 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, the anticipation for the season is in full swing. Take a look at the schedule of events below.

Blue Jackets Participate in 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo

The Blue Jackets will take part in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from Thursday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 14. They’ll play three games and have one day off.

The schedule looks like this:

Thursday, Sept. 11 7 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils

Friday, Sept. 12 `No Game Scheduled

Saturday, Sept. 13 7 p.m. at Buffalo Sabres

Sunday, Sept. 14 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh Penguins

This will be the second year Columbus has participated in the Prospects Challenge. Before that, they played in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City. As for the roster, it won’t be released until closer to the tournament.

Blue Jackets’ 2025-26 Training Camp and Pre-Season

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 * 

Let us know what you think below.

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

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. 

More From THN Columbus

Former Cleveland Monster Signs PTO With PredatorsFormer Cleveland Monster Dylan Gambrell has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Nashville Predators, according to Anthony Di Marco. Blue Jackets Will Participate In 2025 Prospect ChallengeThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced they will participate in the 2025-26 Prospect Challenge in Buffalo, taking place from September 11-15. FROM THE THN YEARBOOK: Blue Jackets Predicted To Finish 6th In The Metropolitan DivisionThe hockey season is around the corner, and that means The Hockey News has put out one of its most special and most coveted issues of the year. It's THN Yearbook season.