The Anaheim Ducks hosted their first preseason game of the exhibition season on Monday, when they faced off against the Utah Mammoth.

The Ducks dropped a tight checking affair the night before against the Los Angeles Kings in a game mostly made up of inexperienced players, AHL players, and prospects.

This time out, they iced a nearly all-NHL top nine forward group, an NHL top four defensive unit, and projected backup Petr Mrazek. This was Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund’s first appearances in full Ducks uniforms.

Mrazek stopped 14 of just 15 shots surrendered, mostly from distance and rarely on a second opportunity.

Utah’s lineup featured the likes of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Dylan Guenther, and Mikhail Sergachev.

Karel Vejmelka got the nod for the Mammoth in this game and saved 10 of 13 shots before being pulled after the second period. Jaxson Stauber came in for the third period and stopped 7 of 10 shots.

Quack of Dawn: Ducks Morning Report - 09/22/25

Preseason Live Blog: Utah Mammoth vs Anaheim Ducks

Here are my takeaways from this one (take everything with a grain of salt, as it’s still very early in preseason):

Systems-Every system feels like a throwback to a bygone era, but with a minor tweak. That’s meant to be a compliment, as this team required a change in that department, and they suit the roster well.

The penalty kill was a rotating box and diamond that wasn’t as disruptive as hoped for, but it took away dangerous seams. They ran a 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck, allowing smart and skilled players to utilize their instincts to break up opposing efforts.

Most encouraging was the offensive zone. Puck possession is paramount, as is seeking out the most dangerous looks possible. The team has the skill to hang on to pucks and extend possessions while making deft reads off-puck.

Beckett Sennecke-His goal was spectacular and translatable. His on-puck game is polished, and he’s improved his protection ability. However, if this team is to make a true run for the playoffs, it may be in their best interest to keep him through training camp and send him back to junior before the season. His off-puck defensive habits are special, but on-puck leaves a lot to be desired. He could stand to improve his angling and engagement before he’s to be fully trusted at the NHL level. Unless of course, the Ducks feel he can contribute to their end goal and these last few efforts aren't indicative of the immediate impact he can make.

Drew Helleson-Helleson fits next to LaCombe and within this system perfectly. He’s an energy-conserving, cerebral defender who can now better utilize his length and anticipation to win pucks and ignite play the other way. He’s an under-the-radar breakout candidate who may not be as under-the-radar after tonight’s performance.

The Ducks will be back at it on Wednesday, when they’ll host the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center for their third preseason game.

Preseason: Takeaways from the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 Loss to the Los Angeles Kings

Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: Zellweger, Mintyukov to Benefit Most from New Coaching Staff, Systems

There are certainly a lot of stories coming out of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp in 2025, even if the pre-season is still in its infancy. 

The team has an entirely new coaching staff led by Dan Muse, and young, promising prospects are making themselves stand out in pursuit of NHL roster spots.

But one of the biggest stories from training camp - despite the youth of camp - has come from the team's oldest player.

On Friday, Penguins' veteran center Evgeni Malkin spoke with the Pittsburgh media for the first time this season. The future Hall-of-Fame center touched on a few topics, including his summer and his first impressions of his new head coach and the way he is running training camp.

“This is the second day,” Malkin said at the time. “Really hard. But I like it. I feel fine. The league is not easy anymore. Thirty-(two) good team, young teams coming into the league. They’re flying. I’m ready every day. Focused every day.”

But the topic that made the most noise - and broke airwaves - was regarding his future. 

Malkin, 39, is entering the final season of his current four-year deal that pays him $6.1 million annually. There have already been a lot of discussions around his potential retirement at the end of the season, and understandably so: Malkin hasn't been playing peak best hockey for the past two seasons - even if 33 goals and 117 points in 150 games certainly aren't bad numbers - and he will be 40 years old next season.

5 Observations From First Week Of Penguins' Training CampOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially opened training camp for the 2024-25 season. And through three days, there has been a lot of action.

In any case, that's not what had folks talking. It's what he said - specifically - about his future in Pittsburgh and whether he wanted to retire a Penguin or have the chance to play for another Stanley Cup on a contending team elsewhere.

Malkin - always honest - gave an honest answer.

“It depends on how the season is going,” he said. “If we play great, and I play great, and I feel confident and show my game, why not one more year? The season is huge for me, my team, myself. I’m still hungry."

He continued: "It's hard. We see a story like Brad Marchand. Looking good. Team trades you, you win the Cup. It’s a little weird, too. Of course, everybody wants to make the playoffs, maybe make one more run at the Cup. Great story. But I don’t know how I would feel if the team wants to trade me.”

And that's just the thing. There should be no "if the team wants to trade me" in this case.

Penguins Icon Malkin Facing Uncertain Final Chapter Ahead Of 2025-26 SeasonFor years now, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been a study in disappointment. In failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the past three seasons, the Penguins have failed their core of veteran star talent, including captain Sidney Crosby, center Evgeni Malkin, and defensemen Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. But in Malkin’s case specifically, he stated time and again that he wanted to remain in Pittsburgh for his entire career.

Malkin has earned the right - just like teammate Sidney Crosby - to go out on his terms. If he wants to Cup chase one last time, he should have a lot of say in where he goes and will have full say if he goes at all, since he has a full no-movement clause.

But if he wishes to stick around and retire a Penguin, he should get to do just that, too.

For starters, the Penguins aren't going to recoup significant assets for a 39-year-old Malkin, anyway. With a strong draft class on the horizon in 2026, teams aren't going to be willing to throw around first-round picks like they're nothing. Unless Malkin has a ridiculously good season - and unless a team gets ridiculously desperate - nothing higher than a second-round pick should be expected in return, and the Penguins already have second- and third-round picks out the wazoo over the next three drafts. 

If the return isn't going to be worth losing a legendary franchise player, anyway, there's no reason for Kyle Dubas and company to approach Malkin about waiving his no-movement clause whatsoever.

That is, unless Malkin is the one who initiates it.

Dubas said prior to training camp that the team plans to regroup with Malkin and his camp during the 2026 Olympic break in February. If Malkin would go to Dubas at that time and declare that he wishes to go to a true contender, that changes things. 

Malkin is certainly within his right to do that if it's what he wants. He's earned that. He owes the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh absolutely nothing at this point. And, if he does have a good year, it's always possible for him to be dealt at the deadline and re-sign with Pittsburgh for one more year after.

But, despite all the noise - and his other comments - take it from Malkin himself: At this point, he has no desire to leave Pittsburgh. 

“I hope I stay here,” Malkin said. “Like Sid, Tanger, Penguins forever, for sure. I hope we play great. I want to stay here, for sure.”

Like Crosby, maybe fans and larger hockey media should take Malkin's words at face value. 

And, maybe, so should Dubas when the time comes. 

'The Young Guys Are Coming': 3 Observations From Dubas's Pre-Season Press ConferenceOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their 2025 training camp with a few words from general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. 

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On Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins' hockey officially kicked off for the 2025 pre-season.

And the performances of some of the Penguins' most promising prospects was certainly a sight for sore eyes - even if the result didn't go their way.

The Penguins fell to the Montreal Canadiens, 2-1, in a shootout after an all-around tight, solid game. Forward Tristan Broz scored the lone goal for the Penguins in regulation on a first-period power play, and he also registered the team's only shootout goal. Owen Beck potted one for the Canadiens in the second period, while Sean Farrell and Oliver Kapanen capitalized in the shootout to seal the win for the Habs.

Goaltender Joel Blomqvist started the game for the Penguins and stopped all 11 shots he faced, and youngster Sergei Murashov relieved him midway through the second period and surrendered just one goal on 20 shots. 

There were a lot of things to like about the Penguins in this game, and the youngsters certainly showed up. Here are some thoughts and observations from Monday's pre-season opener.

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- Broz really showed up to the rink tonight in all three zones.

He made some really solid reads on the penalty kill all night long, he was on the second power play unit and put home a rocket on a nice, quick feed from Valtteri Puustinen, and he was showing off his 200-foot game and hockey smarts during five-on-five play. 

When folks talk about the Penguins' top prospects and who has a shot at the opening night NHL roster, Broz is sometimes left out of those conversations. But he shouldn't be counted out. I'm not sure there's another player like Broz in the Penguins' organization in terms of his versatility, his smarts, his ability to finish, and his effectiveness on the defensive side of the puck.

He's just a solid all-around player, and the strides he made at the center position in the AHL last season have certainly shown in his game. If this guy hits his ceiling, he could be a reliable second- or third-line center option for the Penguins in the very near future. 

FIRST GOAL OF THE PRESEASON! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Uw3DfuV9In

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 22, 2025

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- Another two-way player who looked solid Monday was Tommy Novak.

Novak, 28, was acquired at the trade deadline from the Nashville Predators, and a post-deadline injury only let him see two games with Pittsburgh last season. He finished the season with 13 goals and 22 points in 54 games. 

I knew Novak was a decent skater, but I was surprised by how fast he looked out there. On a third-period penalty kill, he killed about 20 seconds off the clock by skating in circles around the offensive zone with the puck, and he was able to get himself back into almost every play. 

There is a lot that still needs to work itself out in the duration of training camp. It's unclear at this point whether Novak might play in a top-six role next to Evgeni Malkin or if he's going to be this team's third-line center. Either way, I think he is going to be a solid, reliable player for the Penguins this season, and his role may end up being influenced by whether or not youngsters like Broz and Filip Hallander push for roster spots. 

I'm eager to see more from him this season.

5 Observations From First Week Of Penguins' Training CampOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially opened training camp for the 2024-25 season. And through three days, there has been a lot of action.

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- I can't say enough how good Murashov was in this game.

First and foremost, it would be unfair to take anything away from Blomqvist, too. He wasn't tested as much as Murashov was, but anytime you don't allow a goal against in an outing, it's a good day. Blomqvist did his job - and did it well - then handed the keys to Murashov to close out the game.

I wrote about this Sunday, but it's amazing to me just how easy and effortless Murashov makes goaltending look. The easy saves are second-nature, the hard saves look easy, and the very hard saves are being made almost every time. 

Even on the goal against, Murashov made two or three saves before that, and Matt Dumba's stick was a culprit in the puck finally sneaking past him. He made a ridiculous cross-crease toe save in overtime, and he didn't even flinch when Ivan Demidov - a likely Calder candidate for the Habs next season - tried to deke him out in the shootout.

His poise, confidence, and ability far exceed his age of 21. If he's not the starting goaltender in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) this season, the Penguins are doing something wrong. This kid just has it.

This quote from Tristan Broz on Sergei Murashov 🥹:

"He's such a stud. I love him so much. I wish we could have got that win for him. He deserved it. He's such a great player and such an inspiring person. So, it was fun to see him do his thing out there."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 23, 2025

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- Some snippets of new head coach Dan Muse's system were slipping through the cracks during the exhibition game. I can't claim to be an expert in the field of systems work, but one big difference that I did notice was that there is a lot more movement in general.

A lot more.

There seemed to be a lot less perimeter play and more center drive. The power play was a constant rotation with no one standing dormant or stagnating. There is definitely an emphasis on an attack mentality in all three zones and on swarming the puck carrier defensively. 

I'm curious to see how these changes look with some of the more veteran players on the roster. But there seems to be buy-in from the younger guys, and the emphasis on movement was refreshing to watch.

'The Energy Is Through The Roof': Competition The Focus In Dan Muse's First NHL Training CampBy the time day one of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp concluded, new head coach Dan Muse had nearly lost his voice. 

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- It is very important to emphasize that this was only one pre-season game, and it was the first pre-season game. The Canadiens' lineup wasn't stacked - even if there were a few higher-profile players like Patrik Laine and Noah Dobson in the lineup - and neither was the Penguins.'

But it's hard to ignore the performance that Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke put on together as a pairing.

Pickering really looks like he has the potential to develop into a solid, reliable, hard-to-play-against top-four blueliner. He has figured out a way to use his 6-foot-5 frame more advantageously, and he routinely shut down opposing scoring chances all night long. He, like Brunicke, is also good in transition and knows how to man the offensive blue line.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defenseman Should Be Full-Time In The NHL This SeasonHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

And Brunicke? I don't know what else there is to say about this kid.

Just when I thought there were times in the first three training camp practices when he was trying to do too much, he went out in a competitive setting and made that a distant memory. His secondary assist on Broz's power play goal was a thing of beauty, as he faked a shot and made the Canadiens' defense overcommit, exposing a wide-open passing lane to Broz, who quickly dished it to Puustinen, who quickly dished it back.

A beauty from Broz 🙌

The second period starts now. Tune in on @NHLNetwork! pic.twitter.com/ncIDwdsitC

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 23, 2025

Brunicke also looked solid on the defensive side of the puck, using a strong stick to disrupt and his hockey sense to read angles and cut them off. He saw a few shifts in overtime, too, and was one of three Penguins' defensemen to see the ice - the others being Dumba and Ryan Shea.

There is still a lot of pre-season left. Six more games, to be exact. But these two already look comfortable playing together and have chemistry, and they were the best defensive pairing on the ice Monday by a mile. And that's saying something, since Dumba and Connor Clifton were solid, too.

If they carry this play through the end of the pre-season - and against better competition - there is no way they should be leaving the city of Pittsburgh when final roster cuts are made.

For Penguins' Prospect, Training Camp Is A Family Reunion - And An OpportunityOn Jun. 28, something pretty special happened for Pittsburgh Penguins' forward prospect Avery Hayes. 

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Right before their first preseason game on Sunday, the Ottawa Senators trimmed their roster from 52 to 49 players, sending defenseman Gabriel Eliasson, forward Blake Vanek, and defenseman Eerik Wallenius back to their junior clubs. Ottawa now continues camp with five goaltenders, 15 defensemen, and 29 forwards competing for roster spots.

No one likes to be among the very first cuts, of course, but early dismissal from class isn't necessarily an indictment of the players or their value as prospects.

When a young prospect still has junior eligibility and they clearly aren't NHL-ready yet, teams generally send them packing earlier than they might otherwise, just so they can get settled in with their junior club as soon as possible and not miss too much of the season. But if they're truly on the NHL radar, their junior teams can wait.

None of the three moves came as a surprise, though each cut has its own story.

Eliasson Back in Barrie

The most notable name among Sunday’s cuts was Eliasson, the Sens' second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Eliasson isn't just big. He's got a mean streak. He posted 3 goals, 7 points, and 116 penalty minutes last season with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. While scouts love his size and physical edge, the Senators want him to continue refining all parts of his game.

As the 39th overall pick in the 2024 Draft and a Swedish national junior team member, the Sens may have quietly hoped Eliasson would make their decision harder this year, the way Carter Yakemchuk did last fall. But another early exit from camp is something the big Swede will no doubt use as motivation heading into another season back in Barrie, much to the chagrin of every OHL right winger who chases a puck into the corner on Eliasson's side of the ice.

Vanek Heads to WHL

Blake Vanek, son of former Buffalo Sabre Thomas Vanek, was drafted this past June in the third round. The American winger trampled the Minnesota high school ranks with 53 points in 28 games, but the Senators will have a better idea of his NHL potential once he begins his first WHL campaign with the Wenatchee Wild. For Vanek, this was always about getting a little taste of the NHL pace before returning to junior.

Wallenius Off to New Brunswick

Eerik Wallenius is now set to make his debut with QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. The Finnish defenseman was taken by the Sens in the fifth round in 2024, partially because size matters in Ottawa. At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Wallenius has that, and now, like Eliasson, he needs to round out the rest of his game if he's to begin turning heads at next year's camp.

What's Next?

The Sens continue their preseason schedule Tuesday night in Toronto (7pm) against the Maple Leafs. Then, in a few days, it's a trip to Quebec City for two games – one against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, and the other on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Expect a much bigger round of cuts sometime before the team heads to Quebec.

Meanwhile, as they send Eliasson, Vanek, and Wallenius on their way, the junior-aged trio has their marching orders, and the Senators are hoping the decisions on them will be considerably harder at next year's camp.

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Fans of the Detroit Red Wings can be excused for envisioning 2021 Round One Draft selection Sebastian Cossa enjoying the kind of career that Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has enjoyed.

After all, it was current Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman who drafted Vasilevskiy with the Tampa Bay Lightning 19th overall in 2012. He's gone on to become one of the NHL's best players at the position, and helped his club win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons. 

For Cossa, his development has hit a few snags in recent months, notably when he was pulled from the Calder Cup Playoffs by the Grand Rapids Griffins this spring during what was ultimately a three-game series loss. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Cossa's numbers down the stretch of the season also weren't the best, which he knows that he must reverse heading into his fourth season of professional hockey.

"I didn't have the best second half last year, I wasn't happy with the playoff performance," Cossa said during Red Wings Training Camp. "There's a bit of a chip on the shoulder when it comes to that. I want to prove I can play at a really high level in the AHL and hopefully get (an NHL opportunity).

"I was rock solid the first half of the year up until to around December, then a couple of injuries in Grand Rapids and Detroit, and you miss a couple of guys and we got into a bit of a slump, the whole team. I wasn't playing great. It's unfortunate."

Cossa is going to have the chance to get more experience at the NHL level, albeit in pre-season play, over the next eight games the Red Wings are scheduled for before the beginning of the regular season on Oct. 9. 

Red Wings Announce Roster Cuts Ahead of Pre-Season SlateTraining Camp has officially wrapped up for the Detroit Red Wings, who have one internal event remaining on the schedule before the pre-season begins on Tuesday.

While Cossa did pick up his first official NHL victory last December as part of a relief appearance against the Buffalo Sabres, it remains his only regular season action to date. 

If he wants additional opportunities, he knows that he's going to have to work for them. 

"It's a big year, but nothing really changes for me," Cossa said. "I had a real good summer and put in a lot of work. I'm just trying to stay consistent through the year. I want to gain the experience I've gained the past few years and push the pace and be the best version of myself."

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ST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild announced on Monday the signing of goaltender Chase Wutzke to a three-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2025-26 season.

Wutzke, 19, went 17-25-5 with a 3.38 goals-against average (GAA), a .895 save percentage (SV%) and one shutout in 50 games for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2024-25 season.

He was drafted with the fifth-round of the 2024 NHL Draft with the 142nd pick. He is 40-35-10 with a 3.21 GAA, a .896 SV%, and two shutouts in 93 career games across parts of four seasons with Red Deer.

Red Deer Rebels' Chase Wutzke Signs ELC With The Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild have signed goaltender Chase Wutzke to a three-year, entry-level contract. Wutzke, who plays for the Red Deer Rebels was drafted in 2024, going 142nd overall to Minnesota. Wutzke has played 93 games during his WHL career, putting together a record of 40-35-8.

The 6-foot-2 goaltender played in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase at The TRIA Rink and played well. He has been at training camp and has just been returned to Red Deer for the upcoming season.

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As the Vancouver Canucks head towards the 2025-26 season, one of the big debates revolves around 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes. After a strong showing at training camp, as well as in Vancouver's first pre-season game, debates have already started surrounding whether the 18-year-old should be on the NHL roster when the season opens. While there are positives and negatives to Cootes beginning the year with the Canucks, giving him a spot on the opening night roster could be beneficial for both the organization and the player. 

Cootes was selected 15th overall by Vancouver in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Listed at 5'11", 183 lbs, he recorded 63 points in 60 games last season while serving as captain for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Cootes also plays a position of need for the organization, as he is a right-shot center. 

Before diving into this debate, it is important to note that Cootes still needs to earn this opportunity. As mentioned, he has been a standout so far, but still needs to show that he can have a positive impact against NHL players on a consistent basis. While outplaying others for roster spots won't be easy, Cootes looks up for the task based on his performances since being drafted by the Canucks. 

Over the past few seasons, there have been examples from around the league of rookies playing so well in camp that they earn a spot on an NHL roster. Fraser Minten played four games for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the start of the 2023-24 campaign before being assigned to the Kamloops Blazers, while last year, Jett Luchanko also played four games, but for the Philadelphia Flyers, before starting his OHL season with the Guelph Storm. In both cases, each player ended up representing Canada at the World Juniors while being over a point per game in the CHL. 

One positive aspect of starting Cootes in the NHL is that it allows the organization to learn more about him, both on and off the ice. Whether it is how he reacts to difficult matchups or even as simple as how the 18-year-old meshes with his teammates, all these factors can help Vancouver's management staff build a development plan that will benefit Cootes the most. That way, if the Canucks do end up deciding to send him back to the WHL for the rest of the season, Cootes has a better idea of what he needs to work on throughout the year. 

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Playing Cootes in the NHL is also a form of positive reinforcement, as the organization would be rewarding a young player for stepping up during training camp and the pre-season. At the same time, it is a statement to every other player that they need to be on the top of their game as the next wave of players is ready to take their spots. 

If Vancouver is going to go down this route, they need to be careful in how they manage Cootes. For example, having him on the roster but healthy-scratching him would not be beneficial for his development. That is why if they are going to give him a trial, the Canucks must ensure that even if he is only playing eight or nine minutes a night, that he actually makes it onto the ice and isn't sitting in the press box for long periods of time.  

The fact that this conversation is happening surrounding Cootes is a significant victory for the organization. If anything, it shows that Vancouver made a strong draft selection this past June who has the potential to be a key part of their lineup sooner rather than later. While there are still a few weeks until the season officially starts, it is starting to look more likely than not that Cootes plays NHL games this year. 

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.

It’s safe to say that Brent Burns is embracing the competitiveness at Colorado Avalanche training camp.

After playing the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Burns signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Avalanche. 

Going into training camp, Burns had some nerves, but he’s getting settled in. 

"You know, the good feelings for me coming in, it's not just another training camp," Burns said. "You get antsy before you go to bed. You're nervous in the morning, no idea what to expect. It was a great practice. It was tough."

Rod Brind'Amour Impressed With Logan Stankoven As He Makes Potential Transition To CenterThrough the start of Carolina Hurricanes’ training camp, Logan Stankoven has had the opportunity to play center. 

The 40-year-old defenseman recorded six goals, 23 assists, and 29 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last year, while averaging 20:57 minutes.

Every NHL team has their AHL affiliate. Some of these AHL affiliates are located in the same city as, or close to, the NHL team. Examples of that would be the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Marlies, the San Jose Sharks and the Barracuda, the Calgary Flames and the Wranlgers, and a few more.

However, there are other situations where the affiliates are more than 1,000 miles apart from each other. States and provinces separate some teams, while others are on opposite sides of the border.

Here are the three longest distances between NHL and AHL affiliates.

1. Edmonton Oilers And Bakersfield Condors - 1,284 Miles

The distance between the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors is the biggest between an NHL and AHL affiliate in the entire league. Between the two cities is about 1,284 flying miles. That’s around four-and-a-half times the Grand Canyon.

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, located in the mid-west of Canada. Bakersfield is in California, on the west coast of the U.S. This city is further south than San Jose and San Francisco, making travel by plane over three hours long.

Neutral-Site Matchups And Locations For The 2025-26 NHL Pre-SeasonThe NHL pre-season has officially arrived this weekend as another season approaches. Not only is pre-season a great time for coaches and management to test out line combinations and review their roster, but it’s a great time for the NHL and the teams to try new things.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning And Syracuse Crunch - 1,098 Miles

The Syracuse Crunch has been around since 1994-95 and has been the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning since the 2011-12 season. Since then, they’ve been the home to coach Jon Cooper, Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and several other individuals who have made great impacts in the NHL.

Between Tampa, Fla., and Syracuse, N.Y. is 1,098 miles, the second-longest distance among the two affiliates. The travel time between the two cities is nearly three hours. A shorter flight than Edmonton to Bakersfield, but still not an easy trip for a call-up.

3. Seattle Kraken And Coachella Valley Firebirds - 1,011 Miles

The latest NHL expansion team and one of the newest NHL franchises, the Seattle Kraken and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, make up the third-longest distance between league affiliates.

The Kraken are based in Seattle, Wash., while the Firebirds are located in Palm Desert, Calif. The distance between the two clubs and cities is about 1,011 miles and is around the same flight time from Tampa to Syracuse, just under three hours.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.