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Many Philadelphia Flyers fans want to sign a player like Florida Panthers standout Sam Bennett in free agency, but what if they draft one who is much younger instead?

Various reports have indicated that Bennett, the leading goal-scorer in the NHL playoffs, could receive up to $10 million a year on the open market.

The problem is that the Flyers are still rebuilding, and even with the amount of cap space they'll soon have, that kind of signing wouldn't make much sense. Bennett will turn 29 years old before the end of the month and would, in turn, become the Flyers' highest-paid player at that price point.

He's never scored 30 goals in a regular season campaign, and has a career-high of 51 points.

The 2025 NHL Draft, on the other hand, could present the Flyers with some more interesting, cheaper, and younger options to get a Sam Bennett of their own.

On Friday, at the NHL Scouting Combine, top NHL draft prospect Brady Martin revealed that he's met with the Flyers for dinner, which, of course, indicates a fairly high level of interest from Philadelphia.

He'd be the stereotypical Flyer, and one who evoked comparisons to Bennett on his own accord.

"I'm a hybrid between Sam Bennett and Tom Wilson," Martin was quoted as saying by Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports.

Martin, 18, has already been mocked to the Flyers by some draft experts, including Craig Button, who notably predicted Jett Luchanko to the Flyers in 2024.

NHL Draft 2025: Flyers Won't Guarantee a Top Center This YearIf you want the Philadelphia Flyers to draft the No. 1 center of their future with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, you've already been warned not to get your hopes up.

The Elmira, Ontario, native just finished his second full season with the Soo Greyhounds, scoring 33 goals, 39 assists, and 72 points in 57 games. Martin added two goals and two assists in five playoff games, and racked up three goals, eight assists, and 11 points for Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship en route to a Gold medal and an All-Star team appearance.

It was this tournament that catapulted Martin atop the draft boards of many NHL teams, and the Flyers appear to be one of them.

The 6-foot center is expected to be available when the Flyers are on the clock at Pick 6; Martin is currently ranked as high as sixth and as low as 28th based on rankings pooled by EliteProspects.

He may not be the most talented on the board, but he checks all the boxes when it comes to intangibles, intensity and physicality. New Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet was a fan of one of his former Vancouver Canucks players, J.T. Miller, for this reason.

The Flyers, too, have an affinity for that kind of stuff, and it could make all the difference at the NHL draft later this month.

The Stanley Cup Final is off and running, and The Hockey Show is here for all the fun!

For the third straight season, the Florida Panthers have reached the championship series, and for the second year of its existence, THS is along for the ride.

This week, hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork welcomed NHL insider David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period to chat about the Final and other big league news.

That includes the Dallas Stars firing of Peter DeBoer, news that broke just before the show was recorded. 

The boys also get into Edmonton’s exciting come from behind overtime victory in Game 1.

During the game, Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch made the move to put his superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, on the same forward line.

Not only did that spark Edmonton’s comeback, but it also led to the Panthers changing their defensive structure.

This week’s wins and fails of the week included the Memorial Cup, a mean penalty taunt, a foul by a monument and a Calder Cup finalist.

Check out the full show below to enjoy all fun and hockey talk:

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The Toronto Maple Leafs officially announced on Friday the addition of Derek Lalonde to their coaching staff as an assistant. This move filled a  vacancy on head coach Craig Berube’s staff after associate coach Lane Lambert departed to become the Seattle Kraken’s new bench boss.

Lane Lambert Leaves Maple Leafs to Become Seattle Kraken’s New Head CoachLane Lambert is heading west.

The hiring marks Lalonde’s return to an NHL bench after he was fired last December, midway through his third season running the Detroit Red Wings’ bench. During his two-and-a-half seasons with Detroit, Lalonde compiled a record of 89-86-23.

Before his time in Detroit, Lalonde served as an assistant on Jon Cooper’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. While it's not immediately clear what attracted the Leafs to Lalonde, given his lack of a prior relationship with Berube or Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, he has spent some of his recent years working in Toronto as an analyst during Hockey Night in Canada’s playoff coverage. This includes Toronto’s 2023 playoff run and their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators this spring.

Interestingly, Lalonde shared some key insights from his time in Tampa during the Leafs' pivotal 2023 playoff series against the Lightning. A former goalie himself, Lalonde revealed during an intermission broadcast that Tampa had adjusted their defensive strategy around goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. This change came after a study they commissioned showed Vasilevskiy had one of the lowest success percentages in tracking pucks from the point. The Leafs leveraged this information to their advantage, ultimately winning their first playoff series in 19 years by defeating Tampa in six games. While his decision to reveal this information sparked some ethical debate, what was undeniably clear was his keen understanding of coaching and strategy.

Vasilevskiy finished the series with a save percentage of .875.

Lalonde's coaching journey includes significant success in the AHL and ECHL. He served as head coach of the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild from 2016-18, compiling a 69-58-17-8 record. Before that, he spent two seasons with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye (2014-16), leading the team to an impressive 97-35-7-5 record. During his first season in 2014-15, Lalonde guided the Walleye to a 50-15-5-2 mark, winning the Brabham Cup as the ECHL's regular-season champion and earning the John Brophy Award as the ECHL's Coach of the Year.

His head coaching career began with the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers from 2011-14, where he amassed a 114-56-8-6 record as head coach and general manager. In 2011-12, he was named the USHL's Coach of the Year after the Gamblers posted a 47-9-2-2 record and captured the organization's fourth Clark Cup title.

Lalonde's coaching philosophy

At the cornerstone of Lalonde's defensive strategy was "low-event" hockey, a philosophy designed to minimize high-danger scoring chances while reducing the number of goals against. That was actually one of the few bright spots in Lalonde's tenure. The only issue came on the offensive side of the game. In Detroit he was often criticized for his dump-and-chase style of play in the offensive zone. But his low-event brand of hockey on the defensive side of things should play well under Berube's philosophy and make for the right type of defensive-minded coach to replace Lambert.

Toward the end of his tenure in Detroit, Lalonde' team had the worst penalty kill in the NHL. Before his time in Detroit, Lalonde had established a culture of winning and had a reputation for forming good bonds with players that should carry him well in Toronto.

'I'll Be Ready For Camp': Why Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Believes He's Prepared For The NHL After Memorial Cup WinToronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has his eyes peeled for the NHL next season.

'I'll Be Ready For Camp': Why Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Believes He's Prepared For The NHL After Memorial Cup WinToronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has his eyes peeled for the NHL next season.

Maple Leafs Invite Knights Goaltender Austin Elliott To Training Camp After Memorial Cup TitleLondon Knights goaltender Austin Elliott has a ticket to an NHL training camp this fall.

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

The Dallas Stars have fired their head coach, Pete DeBoer, after three seasons, and his time with the Stars was very similar to his time with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

In his final game as the head coach of the Stars, DeBoer elected to pull his star goaltender, Jake Oettinger, in a must-win game. The move did not pay off, and the Stars lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. 

"Today was a tough day," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "I spoke with Pete this morning at 9 o’clock. Great conversation, he was very professional and he understands. We have a good relationship and that’s probably what makes this the hardest."

"I have the utmost respect for him as a person and as a coach. In the end, it’s my responsibility to make a decision that’s the right decision for the organization moving forward.”

DeBoer has been a head coach in the NHL since the 2008-09 season with the Florida Panthers. He moved to the New Jersey Devils afterwards, bringing them to the Stanley Cup finals once. His time with the San Jose Sharks saw him continuously fall short of their goal, making it to the finals just once. 

After he was fired by the Sharks, he signed with the Golden Knights where his struggles to get his teams over the hump continued. His first two seasons witnessed him lose in the Conference finals, and his third and final season saw him miss the playoffs. 

He was relieved of his head coaching duties after missing the playoffs and was signed by the Stars. He made the conference finals three times with the Stars, losing each time. 

With the Golden Knights, DeBoer had a falling out with Marc-Andre Fleury. He turned his back on Fleury in favor of Robin Lehner, which upset both Fleury and his agent. Similarly to the situation with the Stars, the move to pull Oettinger put the nail in the coffin as DeBoer lost the Stars dressing room.

The players were clearly upset with the decision, and his press conferences following the conclusion of the playoffs made it seem like he knew what his fate was. 

Now 58 years old, DeBoer could very well still find a job in the NHL. The Stars are the only team with a coaching vacancy, which might indicate that DeBoer will have to wait until next offseason to get another coaching gig. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Former Golden Knights Goaltender To Feature In Season 2 Of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL”Prime Video's Season 1 of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL” was a success, and they have elected to bring it back for a second season, which will feature former Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

As soon as the words came out of Pete DeBoer's mouth after Game 5 of the Western Conference final, speculation about his job security began to run rampant.

And for good reason. A little more than a week after DeBoer pulled goalie Jake Oettinger, then didn't exactly endorse his play in the Dallas Stars' loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Stars fired DeBoer, with GM Jim Nill saying in a statement that, "a new voice is needed in our locker room to push us closer to our goal of winning the Stanley Cup."

That voice presumably will be a little softer and sound a little less edgy. Firing coaches because they're hard on the poor dears is not exactly a new thing. The NHL is a players' league and when they're not happy with the man behind the bench, for whatever reason, that guy is almost always replaced, whether he's led the team to three straight appearances in a conference final or not.

Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.

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When Kent Hughes took over as the Montreal Canadiens' GM and the Habs brass decided to press the rebuild button, one of the Habs’ most coveted assets was Artturi Lehkonen. It took some time, but eventually, a deal was struck with Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic to send the Finnish winger to Denver.

For his services, Hughes obtained right-shot defenseman Justin Barron and a 2024 second-round pick, which he then used to move up in the first round of the same draft in a deal with the Los Angeles Kings, which resulted in Montreal drafting Michael Hage.

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Barron didn’t pan out in Montreal and was dealt to the Nashville Predators earlier this season in return for Alex Carrier, who became a significant member of the defense corps. It’s too early to tell how Hage will turn out, but so far, the Avalanche has been the winner in that deal.

Although Lehkonen struggled with injuries this season, he still became the fourth player to lead the team in both plus/minus and game-winning goals since the franchise moved to Colorado. The left winger finished the season with a plus-36 rating and five game-winning goals to his name.

The three players who have managed the feat since the Quebec Nordiques became the Avs were Nathan MacKinnon in 2023-24 (plus-35 and nine game-winning tallies), Gabriel Landeskog in 2011-12 (plus-20 and five game-winning goals), and 2000-01 Joe Sakic (plus-45 and 12 game-winning goals). That’s some elite company right there.

Artturi Lehkonen 👑 pic.twitter.com/XDiuKj7oMd

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 3, 2025

Since being traded to Colorado, Lehkonen has put up 139 points in 194 games for 0.72 points per game. In six seasons with the Canadiens, he had put up 149 points in 396 games, averaging 0.38 points per game. Almost twice as much with the Avalanche. Of course, he has had incredible linemates; he finished the last season skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the Avs’ first line.

Was Lehkonen flying under the radar in Montreal, or is this production mainly due to the company he’s been keeping near the Rockies? Whatever it is, the Avs certainly do not have buyer’s remorse four years down the line.

Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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The Philadelphia Flyers have secured the services of 24-year-old Russian forward Maxim Shabanov, according to reports. 

Checked in on the status of then KHL pending free agent Maxim Shabanov back in January. Was told Flyers were a favorite. Although it’s not done yet, seems like the Flyers will be landing the 24 year-old Russian.

Shabanov was 3rd in the KHL in scoring this season with 23G 44A…

— Anthony LaRocco (@ALaRocco0801) June 6, 2025

A Rising Star in the KHL

Shabanov has been a standout performer in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk.Standing at 5'8" and weighing 157 pounds, he may not have the imposing size of some forwards, but his skill set more than compensates for it. 

In the 2024-25 season, Shabanov recorded 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 regular-season games, followed by an impressive 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 21 playoff games . His performance earned him a spot in the KHL All-Star Game in both 2023 and 2025.

What Shabanov Brings to Philadelphia

Shabanov's game is characterized by exceptional puckhandling, agility, and speed. His ability to navigate tight spaces and create scoring opportunities makes him a valuable asset. Despite his smaller stature, he has consistently produced offensively, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

Oh my, Maxim Shabanov. 😮 #KHLAllStarpic.twitter.com/7nnYKaIApA

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) February 9, 2025

His versatility allows him to play both right wing and center, providing the Flyers with flexibility in their lineup.Shabanov's left-handed shot and offensive instincts could complement the team's existing talent, potentially enhancing their powerplay and overall scoring depth.

Integration into the Flyers' System

Transitioning from the KHL to the NHL presents challenges, including adapting to a different style of play and increased physicality. However, Shabanov's experience and success in a competitive league like the KHL suggest he possesses the skill and determination to make this leap.

An interesting development is that Matvei Michkov, a fellow Russian and Flyers prospect, has followed Shabanov on Instagram. Given Michkov's selective social media presence, this could indicate a budding connection that might ease Shabanov's integration into the team and city.

Looking Ahead

The addition of Maxim Shabanov signifies the Flyers' commitment to enhancing their offensive lineup with skilled and dynamic players. While the transition to the NHL will require adjustment, Shabanov's track record in the KHL and his particular skill set offer promising potential. His presence could invigorate the Flyers' offense and contribute to the team's pursuit of success in the upcoming seasons.

As the Flyers continue to build and refine their roster, Shabanov's arrival adds an exciting dimension to their offensive strategy. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how his talents translate to the NHL stage.